Patent ID: 8179233
Filing Date: 2012-05-15
Classification: G04F,G06Q,G07C,G07F,H04W

Abstract:
1. A method of collecting information from participants in a participative athletic event, the method comprising: receiving information from a plurality of wireless data tags using one or more antennas adapted for use in the participatory athletic event and capable of radiating at UHF frequencies for communications with the plurality of wireless data tags that are tuned to such frequencies, and suitably designed so as to provide uniformly distributed radiated energy along a participant's path of travel in a participatory athletic event and to provide sharp drop offs in radiated energy perpendicular to said participant's path of travel for minimizing interference with other adjacently positioned antennas among said one or more antennas, wherein said one or more antennas include casing material that extends in a width of field direction perpendicular to said participant's path of travel ending where radiated energy drops off so that casing material of adjacently positioned antennas may be positioned end to end without spaces therebetween; and determining participant bib numbers corresponding to respective wireless data tags among said plurality of wireless data tags using only said information received from said plurality of wireless data tags or mathematical calculations therefrom.