Race tracking system and method

• US 20080036587A1
• Filed: 08/10/2007
• Published: 02/14/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Seth Meinzen, Steve Meinzen
• Original Assignee: Seth Meinzen, Steve Meinzen
• Inventors: Meinzen, Seth, Meinzen, Steve
• Application Number:
  US11/891,471
• Publication Number:
  US 20080036587A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.13
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/04 providing carrier phase data
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/19 Sporting applications

Abstract

A method for continually and precisely tracking objects over a set distance that includes a starting point and a finishing point. A reference point, RTK, is established with in the set distance. GPS nodes are connected to each object and periodically transmit a location signal and identification code of the say object within the set distance. The node receives the location signal and verifies the accuracy with the reference device. The node sends the location signal and identification code to the remote collection unit that calculates actual speed, course, and heading of the object and organizes the information into data packets. The data is then used to create an animated image of the objects and there course. A server transmits the data packets and animation through the Internet to adjacent servers that will be accessed using specific mobile and Internet applications. Information is added at the servers to the live animated transmission.

Claims

1. A method for tracking objects motion in real-time, comprising the steps of:

specifying coordinates to generate a map in which to track a plurality of objects;

coupling at least one GPS node to at least one object to be tracked in the specified area;

periodically transmitting, between the at least one GPS node and a plurality of GPS satellites;

receiving a location of the GPS node coupled with the object;

calculating a heading of the object;

transmitting the location and heading of the object from the GPS node to a central collection point;

receiving location and heading of each object in real-time, periodically transmitting location and heading to an adjacent server;

receiving the location and heading of each object by the adjacent server;

generating a digital representation of the location and heading of each object by specialized software within the adjacent server;

combining said digital representation of the location and heading with stored 3 dimensional information about the object;

adding data to a live digital representation of the object and

periodically transmitting, said live digital representation of the object from the central collection point, to the Internet and cellular devices.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the processing step includes the step of creating a playback of past objects racing in real-time at a future time and date.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the processing step further includes the step of establishing a specified application enabling the digital representation of the objects racing to be viewed through the Internet and cellular-enabled devices and wherein the digital representation contains 3 dimensional information.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the object includes three dimensional data including size and shape and wherein the step of transmitting to said server includes the step of storing race data for future retrieval.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein said step of creating a playback includes a step of conducting a live time trial on a digital representation of a historical race track.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein said step of creating a playback includes a step of loading pathways followed by actual vehicles in a race and allowing a user to race an animated vehicle against animated cars from said playback.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of adding data to said live digital representation includes generating a signal in response to an event that occurs in a live race and wherein said signal causes a response in a digital viewing device.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of adding data includes creating a signal to cause a vibration in said digital viewing device.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of adding data includes creating a signal to cause an animated flame to appear on said object.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein said step of adding data includes displaying information depicting a collision between said object and a second object.

11. A method for displaying and tracking race objects comprising the steps of:

specifying coordinates to generate a map in which to track a plurality of objects in an area;

storing 3 dimensional data about said objects,

coupling at least one GPS node to at least one object to be tracked in the area;

periodically transmitting, between the GPS node and a plurality of GPS satellites;

receiving a location of the GPS node coupled with the at least one object;

calculating a heading of the at least one object;

transmitting the location and heading of the at least one object from the GPS node to a central data collection point;

transmitting said location and heading to an adjacent server;

receiving the location and heading of each object by the adjacent server;

generating a live digital representation of the location and heading of each object at the adjacent server;

combining the digital representation with the 3 dimensional periodically transmitting said live digital representation of the object to the central collection point and to a network.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said objects are racecars and the step of storing 3 dimensional data includes storing information about the race cars size, shape, orientation and color.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of storing 3 dimensional data includes the step of placing a GPS mode on multiple points on said object and recording GPS data about the object.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein said object is a race car and wherein the step of storing three dimensional data about the object includes placing a GPS node at a plurality of points on said racecar and recording GPS data about the size and shape of the car and storing said 3 dimensional data in said central data collection point.

15. A method for displaying and tracking race objects comprising the steps of:

specifying coordinates to generate a map in which to track a plurality of objects;

storing 3 dimensional data about said objects to create stored 3 dimensional information, coupling at least one GPS node to at least one object to be tracked in the area;

periodically transmitting, between the GPS node and a plurality of GPS satellites;

receiving a location of the GPS node coupled with the at least one object;

calculating a heading of the at least one object;

transmitting the location and heading of the at least one object from the GPS node to a central data collection point;

receiving location and heading of each object in real-time, transmitting location and heading to an adjacent server;

receiving the location and heading of each object by the adjacent server;

generating a live digital representation of the location and heading of each object at the adjacent server;

adding data to a live digital representation and

combining said stored 3 dimensional information with said digital representation of each object and to create a digital race record and

periodically transmitting said digital race record to a network.