Timing System

Abstract

The invention relates to a timing system for measuring a runner's (2) running time between two presence points (3) of the runner's running path, comprising a measurement beam receiver (MSE (5)) and a measurement beam emitter (MSG (6)). The measurement beam (8) from these intersects said running path. When reception of the measurement beam is interrupted, presence signals are generated for the runner that are evaluated in the timer (8) in order to acquire and output the running time. In a running path with a turn-around between a start/finish line (SZL (10)) and a turn-around point (4.3), or a running path that is undulating to zig-zagged, the measurement beam receiver MSG (beam source 6.2, mirror 6.1) is situated at the ends of said running path. Presence signals are generated at the turn-around point (4.3) and/or at least one of the turning points (3) of said running path. In addition, the pairing of an additional measurement beam receiver [start/finish MSE (5.2)] and beam source (6.2), with a measurement beam perpendicularly intersecting the running path, can be arranged on the start/finish line (10) and is preferably integrated into a shared timer unit (9).

Claims

1-14. (canceled)

15. A timing system for measuring the running time of a runner between two presence points of his running path, the system comprising: a measurement beam receiver (MSE) which works together with a measurement beam emitter (MSG), wherein the measurement beam thereof crosses the running path at the presence points, in such a manner that the interruption of the receipt of the measurement beam generates a runner presence signal, having a timer which is electrically connected to the measurement beam receiver (MSE) in such a manner that the timer can be controlled by the presence signals to detect and output the running time between the presence signals, wherein if the running path between a start/finish line (SZL) and a turnaround point is folded or wavy, up to and including a zigzag shape, the measurement beam receiver (longitudinal MSE) and the longitudinal MSG are placed at the ends of the running path, and incorporate these ends between them in such a manner that the measurement beam of the MSG is oriented in the direction of the running path, and are interrupted by the presence of the runner in at least one of the presence points, namely the turnaround point, and/or at least one of the inflection points of the running path.

16. The timing system according to claim 15, wherein if the running path between a start/finish line and a turnaround point is folded, the pairing of a lateral measurement beam receiver and an SQ is arranged at the start/finish line with the measurement beam intersecting the running path perpendicular to the same, and wherein the start/finish MSE is preferably integrated along with the longitudinal measurement beam receiver into a common central unit.

17. The timing system according to claim 16, wherein at the start/finish line, two pairs each of one measurement beam receiver and one measurement beam emitter are arranged in the running path with measurement beams intersecting perpendicularly but with opposite measurement beam directions, and wherein preferably both the start measurement beam receiver and the finish measurement beam receiver are integrated along with the longitudinal measurement beam receiver into a common central unit.

18. The timing system according to claim 17, wherein the two start measurement beam receivers and target measurement beam receivers are interlocked such that of the start MSE and target MSE, the one which has generated a presence signal locks itself from outputting a further presence signal, and must first be unlocked to output a further presence signal, preferably by the subsequent presence signal of the other start MSE and/or target MSE.

19. The timing system according to claim 17, wherein the central unit placed shortly before the start/finish line has a direction light which is actuated manually or by a random number generator, for the purpose of outputting a right/left signal which is visible for the runner standing in front of the central unit, and wherein, as a result of the right/left signal, the start/finish measurement beam receiver oriented to the respective left and/or right side of the central unit is preferably armed to output the presence signal.

20. The timing system according to claim 19, wherein the central unit placed on the start/finish line has a standby light to output a standby signal which is visible to the runner standing at the standby line in front of the central unit, and wherein the output of the right or left signal is preferably activated by the standby signal.

21. The timing system according to claim 15, wherein the timing system has a microprocessor to detect the presence pulses and calculate time intervals between successive pulses.

22. The timing system according to claim 21, wherein a memory is included in the microprocessor, in which the running programs are stored by specifying the target origin and the target number of presence signals, and wherein by comparing the target specification and the actual presence signals as they occur, based on the origin and number, an error signal can be generated.

23. The timing system according to claim 21, wherein the microprocessor is connected to an input device for manual input of running programs by specifying the target origin and the target number of presence signals.

24. The timing system according to claim 15, wherein the measurement beam emitter is a mirror which receives a beam from a beam source placed adjacent to the measurement beam receiver, preferably integrated into a common central unit, wherein the central unit is placed on one side, and the respective mirrors are placed on the other side, of the running path in such a way that the reflected measurement beam intersects the running path.

25. The timing system according to claim 24, wherein the beam source is a laser beam source integrated into the central unit.

26. The timing system according to claim 24, wherein all pairings of measurement beam receivers and SQs are integrated into a common central unit, wherein the central unit is placed on one side, and the respective mirrors on the other side, of the running path in such a manner, and wherein the central unit is placed at the start/finish line.

27. The timing system according to claim 24, wherein the central unit is equipped with a rangefinder which is oriented toward the mirror at the turnaround point, and is connected to the microprocessor in such a manner that the determined distance is compared in the microprocessor with a stored target specification, and in the event of a discrepancy an error signal is output, or the evaluation of one or more presence signals is blocked, and wherein preferably the MSE and the beam source which is oriented toward the mirror at the reversal point are part of the rangefinder for the reason that the distance between the beam source and the mirror is determined, when a beam pulse of the measurement beam is emitted, from its transmission time or from the angle between the emitted and the reflected measurement beam.

28. The timing system according to claim 15, wherein the central unit is equipped with a printer to print out the determined times.

Description

[0030] Embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the drawings in the following, wherein:

[0031] FIGS. 1-4 show different configurations of timing systems adapted to prespecified running paths, and

[0032] FIG. 5 shows a detailed view of the timing system according to FIG. 4.

[0033] In the following, functionally identical parts are provided with the same reference numbers. The timing system of FIG. 1 comprises a central unit 9 and a beam source 6.2 as the measurement beam emitter MSG.

[0034] The central unit is a box or a rectangular housing 9. It is placed between the start/finish line 10 and the standby line 11. The runner 2 waits outside of this area before the standby line 11.

[0035] The central unit 9 includes an MSE 5 which is oriented in the running direction. Opposite thereof, beyond the turnaround line 4.3, lies the measurement beam emitter MSG in the form of a beam source 6.2. The runner must pass around three pylons 17 along his running path, such that he runs past the central unit 9 on the right on the outward leg (in FIG. 1), and on the left on the return path, andbeginning and ending at the start/finish line 10travels a wavy running path around the pylons 17 both on the outward leg and on the return path, and turns around at the turnaround point 4.3.

[0036] Along his wavy running path, the runner first crosses the measurement beam of the MSQ at the line 10. As a result, the measurement beam is interrupted and the MSE generates a presence signal which is transmitted via an electrical connection to the timer 8 as a start signal.

[0037] The central unit 9 contains, in addition to the measurement beam receiver and the timer 8, a light system with the direction light 12 whichcontrolled by hand or by a random number generator (both not shown)outputs a right signal or a left signal, and also with a standby light 13 to output a standby signal. This standby light 13 is also connected to the timer 8 to relay the standby service signal.

[0038] The MSE 5 at the front of the central unit receives the presence signal every time the runner crosses the measurement beam of the beam source 6.2that is, both (substantially) at the inflection points 3 and at the turnaround point 4.3 of his running path. These signals are also transmitted to the timer. As such, during the run of the runner 2, the standby signal on the one hand, and the first presence signal at the start line 10 on the other hand are directed to the timer. The timer detects intervals in between separately as the reaction time of the runner. Starting with the presence signal at the start line 10, the timer continues to detect the time intervals between the subsequent individual presence signals at the further inflection points 3 and at the turnaround point 4.3. These time intervals can be accessed individually; in addition, they are added to the total time needed by the runner before appearing at the line 10. The line 10 at which the runner crosses the measurement beam of the MSQ 6.2 twice thus serves both as a start line and a finish line.

[0039] In the following description of the further embodiments, only the unique features of these embodiments are particularly emphasized; otherwise, the foregoing description applies here as well.

[0040] The central unit 9 according to FIG. 2 has, in addition to the frontal MSE 5.1, a lateral MSE 5.2 as well. A measurement beam source 6.2 is likewise adjacent to each of these MSEs 5.1 and 5.2. The MSEs 5.1 and 5.2 and the respective, adjacent measurement beam sources 6.2 are each oriented toward a mirror 6.1 which is set up in such a manner that the measurement beam of the measurement beam source 6.2 is reflected back exactly to the respective, adjacent MSE 5.1 or 5.2. The lateral MSE 5.2, with the associated adjacent measurement beam source 6.2 and the associated mirror 6.1 are oriented in such a manner that their measurement beam is substantially perpendicular to the running direction at the start/finish line 10. The frontal MSE 5.1, with the associated beam source 6.2 and the associated mirror 6.1 is oriented substantially in the running direction in such a manner that the measurement beam is substantially in, or parallel to, the running direction. Both MSE 5.1 and 5.2 are in turn connected to a timer 8 which detects the presence signals of these measurement beam receivers andas described aboveconverts the same into time intervals and total times. In this embodiment, a direction light and a standby light are not included. Therefore it is not possible to calculate the reaction time of the runner. The embodiment shows that the runner starts on the right side of the central unit 9, and runs across the start/finish line 10, triggering the presence signal which marks the start, and thus triggers the time count. Now, the runner must follow a wavy line to pass around the pylons 17, must turn around at the turnaround point 4.3, and then run back in a straight line on the same side of the central unit 9. The time count ends when the runner passes through the start/finish line 10.

[0041] In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the special feature is that the time measuring unit 9 contains a further MSE 5.3 opposite the MSE 5.2. In this MSE 5.3 as well, a beam source 6.2 is arranged adjacent to a mirror 6.1 beyond the running path and functionally assigned to the same. With this configuration of the central unit 9, the runner 2 can start on one side of the central unit and arrive at the finish on the other side. Therefore he can also run a double, wavy running path (similar to FIG. 1) in this case as well. In this configuration of the central unit as well, it is possible to determine the reaction time of the runner between the ready signal 3 and the appearance at the start line 10, in addition to the running time between the first presence signal at the start line 10 and the second presence signal on the same (in this case) finish line 10.

[0042] Regarding the equipment of the central unit in this case, attention is directed to FIG. 5, which provides an enlarged view.

[0043] This configuration of the central unit also enables an advanced error detection. A microprocessor 14that is, a separate computer and memoryis added to the central unit. For error detection purposes, the measurement beam receivers are interlocked on the right-hand side 5.2 and left-hand side 5.3 in such a manner that

[0044] the presence signal of the right-hand MSE 5.2 is only evaluated as a starting signal if the standby signal of the standby light 13, and also the right-hand direction signal of the direction light 12, were previously given;

[0045] the presence signal of the left-hand MSE 5.3 is not evaluated as a starting signal if the right-hand direction signal of the direction light 12 was previously given;

[0046] the presence signal of the left-hand MSE 5.3 is not evaluated as a finish signal before the frontal MSE 5.1 has output a total of 7 presence signalsthat is, one at each of the inflection points of the wavy line of the outward leg and the return path, as well as one at the turnaround point;

[0047] the presence signal of the right-hand MSE 5.2 after the start signal is no longer evaluated for the time count, but rather only for indicating an error, until the standby signal of the standby light 13 and the right- or left-hand direction signal of the direction light 12 have been shown again.

[0048] Thus, when the runner at the start of his run crosses the line on the left side of the central unit 10, or if he triggers a presence signal at the MSE 5.2 a second time on the right side, these signals are not evaluated for timing and it is possible to tell that the given rules have not been followed.

[0049] On the other hand, it is possible to determine by the number of presence signals which the runner triggers at the frontal MSE 5.1, whether he passed around all prescribed pylons 17 and turned around at the turnaround point 4.3 as intended. Furthermore, it is also possible to prespecify certain running paths, wherein the

[0050] computing capacity is designed and the computer is programmed in such a manner that it calculates the accuracy of the presence signals according to their origin and their number.

[0051] The central unit is therefore equipped additionally with an input device 16, by means of which it is possible to input and save this informationthat is, the origin of the presence signals (MSE frontal: 5.1, MSE lateral: 5.2, MSE lateral: 5.3) and the number of presence signals, based on the particular MSE 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, to prespecify different running paths.

[0052] The embodiment of FIG. 4 substantially corresponds to that of FIG. 3. Here, however, a modified path is shown, which allows an additional pylon and a straight outward leg and/or a straight return path of the runner.

[0053] The beam sources 6.2 are preferably lasers that emit a continuous laser beam, but which can also be operated in a pulsed manner. The computer is equipped with a time registration for the transmission time of a pulse between the beam source, optionally the associated mirror, and the MSE. This transmission time gives the distance between the devices. Therefore, it is easy to determine whether the SQ (FIG. 1) and/or the mirror (FIGS. 2-5) are positioned at the right distance and the path thus has the prescribed length.

[0054] Preferably, the central unit is equipped with a paper printer, by means of which the values determined in the microprocessor can be printed.

[0055] The invention and its importance are clear from these examples of running pathsparticularly that, merely as a result of the equipment, programming, suitable positioning, and adjustment of the head station, it is possible without further electrical installations, apart from the purely mechanical placement of the reflectors, to specify not only the running paths shown, but also many others.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0056] 1. timing system

[0057] 2. runner 2

[0058] 3. presence points 3, inflection point

[0059] 4. running course, running path 4

[0060] 4.1 wavy, up to zigzag-shaped, path 4.1

[0061] 4.2 start/finish of the running path, start/finish line (SZL) 4.2

[0062] 4.3 turnaround point 4.3

[0063] 5. measurement beam receiver (MSE) electrically connected to timer 5

[0064] 6. measurement beam emitter (MSG) 6

[0065] 6.1 mirror 6.1

[0066] 6.2 beam source, laser beam source (MSQ) 6.2

[0067] 7. measurement beam 7

[0068] 8. timer 8

[0069] 9. central unit 9

[0070] 10. start/finish line (SZL) 10

[0071] 11. standby line 11

[0072] 12. direction light, right/left signal 12

[0073] 13. standby light for ready signal 13

[0074] 14. microprocessor 14

[0075] 15. battery 15

[0076] 16. input device 16

[0077] 17. pylon 17

ABBREVIATIONS

[0078] MSE measurement beam receiver

[0079] MSG measurement beam emitter

[0080] MSQ measurement beam source

[0081] SQ beam source

[0082] SZL start/finish line

[0083] T time intervals T1, T2, T3 . . .

[0084] ZMA timing system

[0085] ZG central unit