To provide a device for measuring a time of passage that is capable of sensing passage of the torso more accurately than a photoelectric cell while maintaining the ease of use of a photoelectric cell, passage of a runner is sensed by causing the upper portion of the body of the runner to be broadly illuminated by infrared light, visible light, and/or other such electromagnetic waves, and by detecting light reflected from large part(s) of the body of the runner.

To provide a device for measuring a time of passage that is capable of sensing passage of the torso more accurately than a photoelectric cell while maintaining the ease of use of a photoelectric cell, passage of a runner is sensed by causing the upper portion of the body of the runner to be broadly illuminated by infrared light, visible light, and/or other such electromagnetic waves, and by detecting light reflected from large part(s) of the body of the runner.

An apparatus for determining a passing time of a passive RFID sports timing transponder includes a housing for protecting the apparatus; an RFID reader unit connected to an RFID antenna for remotely determining an identity and a passing time of the transponder; a location unit for determining a location of the apparatus; a mobile communication unit connected to a mobile communication antenna for transmitting the identity and the passing time of the transponder and the location of the apparatus to a processing unit; and a communication unit for communicating with another similar apparatus in an immediate spatial vicinity to synchronize operation of the RFID reader unit and an RFID reader unit of the similar apparatus to avoid interference. The RFID reader unit, the RFID antenna, the location unit, the mobile communication unit and the neighbor communication unit are integrated in a common printed circuit board that is mounted within the housing.

A system and method for image recognition registration of an athlete into a sporting event. The athlete is registered in the sporting event using image recognition technology. A digital commencement image of the athlete taken by a camera (106) as the athlete crosses a starting line. The digital commencement image is compared with a stored profile image of the athlete to identify the athlete and enter them into the event without the need for the athlete to pre-register for the particular event. Enhanced recognition techniques incorporating pattern recognition may be used to increase identity accuracy.

A system and method for image recognition registration of an athlete into a sporting event. The athlete is registered in the sporting event using image recognition technology. A digital commencement image of the athlete taken by a camera (106) as the athlete crosses a starting line. The digital commencement image is compared with a stored profile image of the athlete to identify the athlete and enter them into the event without the need for the athlete to pre-register for the particular event. Enhanced recognition techniques incorporating pattern recognition may be used to increase identity accuracy.

A system for identifying a person approaching an access way of a sporting event. The is identified using pass-through facial recognition technology in which one or more images of the person are taken while the person is in motion. The person is identified by comparing one of the images taken while the person approaches the access way of the sporting event with a profile image of the person.

A system for identifying a person approaching an access way of a sporting event. The is identified using pass-through facial recognition technology in which one or more images of the person are taken while the person is in motion. The person is identified by comparing one of the images taken while the person approaches the access way of the sporting event with a profile image of the person.

A display method including the steps of: acquiring, at a first predetermined frequency, a first series of one-spatial-dimensional instant images of the finish line of a race; simultaneously acquiring a second series of two spatial-dimensional instant images of the same finish line (19) at a second predetermined frequency; forming a temporal image (10) of the photo finish type from the first series of instant images; choosing an instant (15, 22) of the temporal image (10); analysing a two-spatial-dimensional image of the second series, the image being correlated with the selected instant (15, 22) to determine at least one distance; and displaying the analysed two-dimensional image with the determined distance or distances. Also, a display system for implementing the method.

A display method including the steps of: acquiring, at a first predetermined frequency, a first series of one-spatial-dimensional instant images of the finish line of a race; simultaneously acquiring a second series of two spatial-dimensional instant images of the same finish line (19) at a second predetermined frequency; forming a temporal image (10) of the photo finish type from the first series of instant images; choosing an instant (15, 22) of the temporal image (10); analysing a two-spatial-dimensional image of the second series, the image being correlated with the selected instant (15, 22) to determine at least one distance; and displaying the analysed two-dimensional image with the determined distance or distances. Also, a display system for implementing the method.

A system and method for image recognition registration of an athlete into a sporting event. The athlete is registered in the sporting event using image recognition technology. A digital commencement image of the athlete taken by a camera (106) as the athlete crosses a starting line. The digital commencement image is compared with a stored profile image of the athlete to identify the athlete and enter them into the event without the need for the athlete to pre-register for the particular event. Enhanced recognition techniques incorporating pattern recognition may be used to increase identity accuracy.