WO1999000771A1

WO1999000771A1 - Method for clocking athletes and corresponding bib

Info

Publication number: WO1999000771A1
Application number: PCT/FR1998/001356
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thierry Lechevallier
Original assignee: Thierry Lechevallier
Priority date: 1997-06-26
Filing date: 1998-06-26
Publication date: 1999-01-07
Also published as: AU8344998A; EP1078334A1; FR2765371A1; FR2765371B1

Abstract

The invention concerns a method for clocking competing athletes on a predetermined track, and the corresponding bib for implementing the method. The invention is characterised in that each athlete carries a normally passive electronic label (16) emitting a predetermined signature in response to an activation by an electromagnetic field. The track comprises at least a first marker arranged at the track start and a second marker at the track finish, the two markers emitting a substantially permanent an electromagnetic field and comprising a receiver for each bib (10) signature, the receiver outputs of the markers being connected to computing and memorising means determining for each label (16) at least the time elapsed between the passage perpendicular to the first and second markers. Each bib (10) carries an electronic label whereof the signature is paired with an information with visual and/or optic reading (12, 14) in response to an activation by an electromagnetic field.

Description

PROCESS FOR CHRONOMETRY OF SPORTSMEN AND CORRESPONDING BIB

The present invention relates to a method of chronometry of athletes racing on a specific track, and a bib for implementing the above method.

The chronometry of sportsmen in race on a given track is generally carried out by relatively empirical means including photoelectric means to determine the respective moments when the starting line and when the finishing line are crossed. Equivalent means are also used to monitor the intermediate development of athletes. These means are of low cost, but require races in which each sportsman runs separately and successively with respect to each other.

In a race such as a running race, a marathon or the like, there are simultaneously several athletes at the start and it is not physically possible to use photoelectric means to determine a winner among several runners arriving almost at the same time to goal. As a result, additional video or photographic means are generally used to determine the winner with greater reliability.

In this spirit, we know from FR-A-2673740 a means for printing a bar code on the bib of an athlete, so as to allow remote determination of the bib holder by laser or infrared type means. However, such a means does not make it possible to time the duration of the race, since the exact moment at which the bar code is read cannot be fixed with precision. In addition, the barcode may not be able to be read on the first try because its backing is wrinkled or soiled. Finally, the difficulty of implementing such a process increases with the number of runners passing almost simultaneously in front of the corresponding reader.

We also know electronic tags that can be interrogated remotely. Document FR-A-2,741,978 describes an example of such labels. The electronic label is a normally passive element which comprises a coil intended to capture an electromagnetic field. When the label enters such an electromagnetic field, a sufficient voltage is locally generated which is rectified to supply an electronic circuit integrated in the label. This circuit includes a memory and a transmitter. In the field, the memory is then read and its content is transmitted over the air to a beacon provided for this purpose in the immediate vicinity of the label. Document FR-A-2738370 describes another example of such a label.

The present invention uses such an electronic label.

Furthermore, documents DE-A-4443 402 and 0-A-93/13500 are known in particular, a process for chronometry of sportsmen racing on a given track, in which each sportsman carries with him a normally passive and emitting electronic label. a signature determined in response to activation by an electromagnetic field. The track has at least a first beacon placed at the entrance to the track and a second beacon disposed at the exit of the track, the two beacons emitting substantially permanently an electromagnetic field and comprising a receiver of the aforementioned signature. The outputs of the receiver of each of the tags are connected to a means of calculation and storage determining for each label at least the time elapsed between the passage to the right of the first and second tags.

Preferably, each label has its own signature determined in a one-to-one manner, the means of calculation and storage effecting, in addition, a temporal classification of the duration for all of the labels of the runners.

The problem posed in such a system lies in the fact that this label must imperatively be able to be interrogated and read whatever the wearing conditions (orientation relative to the beacons), the environmental conditions (presence of metallic masses such as bicycles ) and atmospheric conditions (presence of sludge on a label).

In addition, the label must be for single use and therefore cannot be reused during a subsequent sporting event.

Finally, the label must in no case bring physical discomfort to the athlete.

The present invention is situated in this context and aims at a chronometry method making it possible to provide a solution to these problems and to simultaneously time several runners in an extremely reliable manner without requiring additional means. According to the invention, each of the electronic tags is incorporated into a bib worn by the sportsman.

According to another aspect, the invention relates to a bib for implementing the aforementioned method and forming a printed medium comprising, in particular, at least one piece of information with visual reading and / or with optical reading. The bib bears a normally passive electronic tag and emits a determined signature paired with the information for visual and / or optical reading in response to activation by an electromagnetic field.

Preferably, the electronic label is attached to the bib by means of an adhesive or by heat bonding.

The invention will be better understood, and other objects, advantages and characteristics thereof will appear more clearly on reading the following description of a preferred embodiment given without limitation, and in which two plates of drawings are attached in which: Figure 1 schematically shows a bib according to the invention; Figure 2 schematically shows an electronic label for the bib of Figure 1; Figure 3 illustrates a method of producing bibs according to the invention; and Figure 3 illustrates a control door for a beacon.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in Figure 1 a bib 10 carrying, conventionally, a distinctive serial number 12 directly legible to the eye (the number 5158 in Figure 1 is a number taken here as example and completely at random). Each bib, of course, has a different number. In a way preferred, but not necessary, the serial number is repeated in the form of a bar code assembly 14 intended for an optical reading by laser or by infrared of the serial number of the bib, so as to automate the identification of the sportsman wearing a specific bib.

Such a bib 10 generally carries, in addition, advertising or equivalent inscriptions which have not been shown in the drawing. Note also that the bib 10 which has been shown in Figure 1 is not in the conventional format for clarity.

According to the invention, the bib 10 carries, in addition, an electronic label 16 which will be described in more detail later. This label 16 carries in memory a signature corresponding to the serial number of the bib 10 and can be read by means of a tag (not shown in this Figure).

Referring now to Figure 2, the electronic tag 16 is normally passive, since it carries no on-board autonomous power source. It is activated when it enters a high frequency electromagnetic field. To do this, it basically comprises a coil 22 generating, when it is in an inductive field, an alternating induced voltage which is first rectified, for example by means of a diode bridge 24, to supply the DC voltage to the following stages of the label 16.

When the DC voltage is applied, a memory 26 containing the aforementioned signature or serial number which constitutes a one-to-one signature of the bib 10, is read and the information is transmitted to a transmitter 28 of a radio signal. Obviously, the memory 26 can be constituted by a ROM type memory, by a simple wired logic memory, or by any other equivalent memory.

In the case of a ROM type memory, the information that it must contain can be entered well before the label is attached to the bib. This pairing operation is then, for example, carried out by the manufacturer of the labels very upstream of the use of the label, and the pairing must be checked when the corresponding bib is produced.

In a practical way, in this case, it may be advantageous for the bib manufacturing machine to activate the label in order to know the signature, which is then printed in the form of the corresponding order number 12 and / or a barcode 14 on bib 10.

Alternatively, the bib manufacturing machine which generates the serial number can print the signature of the label and write it in memory 26 when printing the bib. The pairing is then carried out substantially simultaneously with the manufacture of the bib.

A system is shown in Figure 3 according to which the pairing is carried out after printing of the bib. The bib 10 is worn on an endless band 40 and therefore already includes the elements printed in ink, a direct reading number 12 and, possibly a bar code 14. This number or code is read by a reading means 42 , for example a laser or infrared camera, making it possible to give a one-to-one pairing instruction. This reading means 12 transmits the information to a computer 44 which then processes the information and delivers the instruction to an electronic means 46 of pairing the electronic label 16 when it will appear before the electronic means 46.

The electronic label 16 is fixed to the bib either by means of a simple adhesive known in the art and sufficiently resistant to a substantially hostile environment (perspiration, acidity, heat, rain, etc.), or by thermo-bonding if the temperature to which the opposite parts must be worn is not likely to adversely affect the technical characteristics of the label.

The lifespan of such a bib, therefore of such an electronic tag, must imperatively be the time of a single race, which may however include several successive sporting events, that is to say of the order of a few seconds for a short race and a few hours maximum, for example for a marathon or a multi-event race. After which, the bib is discarded and the label must be destroyed to avoid any risk of subsequent re-use. Therefore, the label 16 must be as simple and as inexpensive as possible.

During the race, the sportsman wears bib 10. When he passes by an activation tag, the electronic label is automatically activated and read. Such a beacon 36 comprises, of course, a generator of an electromagnetic field of high frequency, but of very short range, connected to a suitable antenna. It further comprises a receiver of the radio signature emitted by the electronic label.

In Figure 4, there is shown a control door of a tag 36. Such a door is known to athletes in that it comprises two masts 34 arranged on either side of a strip 30 that they support. The banner 30 includes a lot of information, generally advertising. To this strip 30 is fixed a set of antennas 32 disposed in an inclined manner relative to the horizontal, so as to be able to activate and read the electronic label 16 whatever the position and the inclination of the bib 10. In fact, these positions and inclinations can vary depending on the sport practiced, cycling, skiing, walking, horse riding, etc. Obviously, the set of antennas 32 is connected to the corresponding tag 16.

The set of antennas 32 has been shown here below the strip 30 for clarity. Obviously, it can be placed on one of the faces of the strip 30, by printing, heat-bonding or by any other technique known to those skilled in the art. It can also be incorporated into the strip 30, for example by inlaying, or else be placed between two parallel films constituting the final strip 30.

The track taken by the sportsman includes a first beacon at the entrance to the track and a second beacon at the finish of the track. The two beacons emit the inductive electromagnetic field substantially permanently. When the athlete passes the first tag, the signature is first verified to be sure that the athlete is duly registered for the race. Then, the signature is recorded in a means of calculation and memorization, as well as the precise time of the passage of the sportsman to the right of the first beacon. During the passage of the sportsman to the right of the second beacon, the signature and the precise time are again recorded in the same means of calculation and memorization (generally constituted by a computer). It is then easy to calculate in real time the duration of the race for a signature determined by simple subtraction of the precise hours of passage to the right of the two beacons.

When the race involves several athletes, the calculation means can easily perform a sorting to deliver a time classification of all athletes. The signatures of the labels are then one-to-one, that is to say that a signature corresponds to a single bib, therefore a single athlete.

In addition, the method of the invention makes it possible to ensure the chronometry in real time of the race of a large number of athletes passing almost simultaneously in front of the beacons, at least in line with the starting beacon, this without any discomfort for sportsmen.

Preferably, intermediate beacons are arranged along the track between the first and second beacons to determine and display intermediate durations for each of the runners.

Although we have represented and described what is currently considered to be the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is obvious that those skilled in the art will be able to make various changes and modifications without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined below.

Claims

R E V E N D I C AT I O N S

1 - Method for chronometry of athletes racing on a specific track, each athlete carrying an electronic label (16) normally passive and emitting a signature determined in response to activation by an electromagnetic field, and said track comprising at least one first beacon disposed at the entrance to the runway and a second beacon disposed at the exit from the runway, said beacons emitting a substantially permanent electromagnetic field and comprising a receiver of said signature, the outputs of the receiver of said beacons being connected to a means of calculation and storage determining for each label (16) at least the time elapsed between the passage to the right of said first and second beacons, characterized in that each of said electronic labels (16) is incorporated in a bib (10) worn by the said sportsman.

2 - Method according to claim 1, characterized in that a set of antennas (32) is fixed to the strip (30) of a control door of a beacon, said antennas (32) being arranged in an inclined manner with respect to the horizontal.

3 - Bib (10) for implementing the method according to one of the preceding claims and forming a printed medium comprising, in particular, at least one piece of information with visual reading and / or with optical reading (12, 14), characterized in that it carries a normally passive electronic label (16) and emitting a determined signature paired with said information with visual and / or optical reading (12, 14) in response to activation by an electromagnetic field.

4 - Bib (10) for athletes according to claim 3, characterized in that said label (16) is fixed to said bib (10) by means of an adhesive or by heat bonding.

5 - Bib (10) for athletes according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that said label (16) is paired before being attached to said bib (10).

6 - Bib (10) for athletes according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that said label (16) is matched during the printing step of said information with visual and / or optical reading (12, 14 ) on the said bib (10).

7 - Bib (10) for athletes according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that said label (16) is matched after printing of said information with visual and / or optical reading (12, 14) on said bib ( 10), a reading means (42) of said printed information making it possible to give the one-to-one pairing instruction.