Automated Interval Timing Method Devices and System

• US 20090213700A1
• Filed: 02/20/2009
• Published: 08/27/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: James R. Conant
• Original Assignee: James R. Conant
• Inventors: Conant, James R.
• Application Number:
  US12/389,604
• Publication Number:
  US 20090213700A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 368/113
• CPC Class Codes: G04F 8/08 Means used apart from the time-piece for starting or stopping same
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 1/24 Race time-recorders

Abstract

Automated Interval Timing Method Devices and System for automatically timing a plurality of moving entities over a course with predetermined finish line are delineated. Each moving entity wears, carries or has mounted on it a timing unit which is actuated by an acoustic starting signal. A device is located at the finish line so as to create an acoustic field that is narrow in the direction of travel of the moving entities. As each moving entity crosses the finish line, the timing unit detects the finish line acoustic field and records and displays the elapsed time from the acoustic starting signal to the crossing of the finish line. More particularly the timing system comprises wearable or mountable stopwatches, and an array of narrow-beam acoustic transmitters located at the finish line. Each participant or vehicle in a race wears or carries a stopwatch. Each stopwatch is started by the sound of a starting pistol or an electronically generated starting tone or other distinctive acoustic starting signal. Split times and finish times are recorded by the stopwatch when it recognizes the finish line acoustic signal.

Claims

1. An automated interval timing system for automatically measuring event intervals of a plurality of moving entities comprising a wearable triggerable timer donned on each of said plurality of moving entities.

2. The automated interval timing system for automatically measuring event intervals of a plurality of moving entities of claim 1 wherein said timer is triggered by a START signal and a STOP signal at the FINISH line.

3. The automated interval timing system for automatically measuring event intervals of a plurality of moving entities of claim 2 wherein said START signal is acoustic.

4. The automated interval timing system for automatically measuring event intervals of a plurality of moving entities of claim 2 which comprises a means at said finish line for producing an acoustic field that is narrow in the direction of travel of said moving entities.

5. The automated interval timing system for automatically measuring event intervals of a plurality of moving entities of claim 2 wherein said START and STOP signals are electronic.

6. The automated interval timing system for automatically measuring event intervals of a plurality of moving entities of claim 5 wherein said wearable triggerable timer is triggered by a START radio-frequency signal.

7. The automated interval timing system for automatically measuring event intervals of a plurality of moving entities of claim 6 comprises a means to prevent spatial areas of constant destructive interference.

8. The automated interval timing system for automatically measuring event intervals of a plurality of moving entities of claim 7 wherein said means to prevent spatial areas of constant destructive interference comprises assignment of slightly different frequencies to adjacent transmitters.

9. The automated interval timing system for automatically measuring event intervals of a plurality of moving entities of claim 2 wherein said START signal is acoustically triggered and radio frequency signal coupled to each wearable timer.

10. The automated interval timing system for automatically measuring event intervals of a plurality of moving entities of claim 9 wherein said wearable triggerable timer comprises a means for receiving and detecting said radio frequency signal.

11. The process of automated interval timing for automatically measuring event intervals of a plurality of moving entities comprising the steps of:

a) donning a wearable timing device on each said moving entity;

b) arming said timer in state ready to receive a START signal;

c) starting each said timer upon receipt of said START signal;

d) recording the elapsed time of an acoustic signal present at the finish line; and

e) calculating, displaying and communicating time intervals based on recorded finish line crossing times.

12. The process of automated interval timing for automatically measuring event intervals of a plurality of moving entities of claim 11 wherein said timer is triggered by a START signal and a STOP signal at the FINISH line.

13. The process of automated interval timing for automatically measuring event intervals of a plurality of moving entities of claim 12 wherein said START signal is acoustic.

14. The process of automated interval timing for automatically measuring event intervals of a plurality of moving entities of claim 12 which comprises a means at said finish line for producing an acoustic field that is narrow in the direction of travel of said moving entities.

15. The process of automated interval timing for automatically measuring event intervals of a plurality of moving entities of claim 12 wherein said START and STOP signals are electronic.

16. The process of automated interval timing for automatically measuring event intervals of a plurality of moving entities of claim 15 wherein said wearable triggerable timer is triggered by a START radio-frequency signals.

17. The process of automated interval timing for automatically measuring event intervals of a plurality of moving entities of claim 16 comprises a means to prevent spatial areas of constant destructive interference. (Note to Pal:

“

process of automated interval timing”

should be in claims 17 thru 20?)

18. The process of automated interval timing for automatically measuring event intervals of a plurality of moving entities of claim 17 wherein said means to prevent spatial areas of constant destructive interference comprises assignment of slightly different frequencies to adjacent transmitters.

19. The process of automated interval timing for automatically measuring event intervals of a plurality of moving entities of claim 12 wherein said START signal is acoustically triggered and radio frequency signal coupled to each wearable timer.

20. The process of automated interval timing system for automatically measuring event intervals of a plurality of moving entities of claim 19 wherein said wearable triggerable timer comprises a means for receiving and detecting said radio frequency signal.