Timing system for swimming race

Abstract: A timing system for swimming race which surely records, display, and print the time of race is disclosed. To provide a mask circuit in a control device which controls each signal, enables the timing system to exactly perceive a swimmer's touch. Furthermore, a top edge panel is provided on a touch panel so as to perceive a swimmer's touch at an oblique angle. A plurality of lane boxes are provided for backup of a touch signal and a starting block signal, in case of failure and misoperation of the control device. Further, a visual display device is provided in order that a swimmer can recognize a starting signal visually.

Description: This invention relates to a timing system for swimming race . In a conventional timing system for swimming race, when a swimmer starts at a sign such as a pistol. a control device which perceives a starting signal from a starting signal generator i.e., the pistol, and a touch signal from a touch panel calculates a time difference between the starting signal and the touch signal by a timing circuit and a calculating circuit. As a result, time is displayed by a display device and output to a printer. Such a timing system is disclosed in DE-A-1499 528 which describes an automatic timing apparatus comprising a signal generator, a timing circuit for each swimming lane which calculates the time difference between the start signal and the touch signal generated by the swimmer when he reaches the finishing position. The timing system further comprises a loud-speaker mounted within each starting block. However, the conventional system occasionally times wrong lap time and finish time. For instance, since the device has to perceive a touch signal even if a swimmer touches lightly in a swimming race, the device often perceives even a touch signal caused by a splash or a fluctuation of water pressure. In a relay, when a former swimmer touches a touch plate so as to get out of the swimming pool after a next swimmer dives into the swimming pool, the device records wrong lap time. As stated above, the timing system works wrong by an accidental touch of a next swimmer or a former swimmer. A unit of a timing system is operated usually at a domestic meet. However. a backup is necessary in case of any trouble and mis-operation at an international meet. It is indispensable for a timekeeper to record exact time without fail. No failure and mistake can be allowed. However. only one unit of a timing system would be helpless if a data is disappeared. A number of wiring should not be so increased to prepare a backup for timing, because a lot of wiring around a pool directly connected to the several units of a timing system is dangerous. In addition, there is another requirement to enable a swimmer to see a starting signal as well as to hear. Therefore, it is a general object of the present invention to provide a timing system for swimming race which records time exactly and does not work wrongly. Further object is to provide a timing system which can supply a backup in case of disorder of a control device and misaction. A further object of this invention is to provide an improved timing system which examines the relay timing from a swimmer to the next swimmer and which distinguishes a premature start and does not work by wrong touch signals. As well, it is also an object to provide a timing system having a visual display device which enables auditorily handicapped swimmers to know the starting signal, in addition to give the starting signal by sound. In order to achieve the above objects the invention provides the solution according to claim 1. Further developments are subject of subclaims. It is of advantage that a starting block signal from a starting block and a touch signal from a touch panel is inputted to a signal distributor equipped at every lane. Each signal is distributed into both a main course box and a sub course box. Therefore, even if a main course box is out of order the data remains in the sub course box. Visual display device such as a lamp, a display panel, and a flash give the starting signal visually by means of a ready signal and a start signal. For the structure stated above, the timing system of the present invention can record, display, and print out swimming time exactly. Fig. 1 is a whole block diagram of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the devices shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a system block diagram showing a visual start signal generating system; Fig. 4A is an elevational view of signal lamps which is an embodiment of the visual start signal generating system shown in Fig 3; Fig. 4B is a top view of signal lamps shown in Fig. 4A; and Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing signal distributors, lane boxes, and control devices. Referring to the drawings, the detail of the present invention will be explained below. Fig. 1 is a whole block diagram of the present invention. A starting block 4 and a touch panel 10 are disposed at the poolside of a swimming pool 1 for each course. When swimmers start, a start signal generated from a start signal generator 12 is inputted into a control device 2. As well, a starting block signal generated from a starting block signal generator 15 and a touch signal generated from the touch panel 10 are sent through a lane box 20 and inputted into the control device 2. The control device 2 records time. The recorded time is outputted to a printing device 13 and a display device 14. Furthermore, a signal from the control device 2 is inputted to a visual display device such as signal lamps 3, signal display panel 8, and a strobe flash lamp 6. Next, referring to Fig. 2, the timing sequence to perceive a signal and an action of each device will be explained. Suppose that a start signal from the start signal generator 12 is S2 and that a starting block signal from the starting block signal generator 15 is S3. S2 is directly inputted to the control device 2 and a timing circuit starts to work. S3 is inputted to each course box after being through a signal distributor 5. Then S3 is inputted to the control device 2. S2 and S3 are inputted to the control device 2 and a timing circuit 16 and a calculating circuit 19 calculate time difference between S2 and S3. Since the result of calculation is recordecl on the printing device 13 the reaction velocity on the starting sign can be examined. Similarly, suppose that a touch signal from the touch panel 10 is S4. By calculating time difference between S4 and S3, relay timing from a swimmer to the next swimmer can be examined. So, swimmers can make use of practice at relay timing. As well, when S3 is inputted to the control device 2 a mask circuit 17 conceals and inactivates S4. Therefore, even if the next swimmer touches the touch panel 10 by mistake, a touch signal is inactivated and not recorded. However, when the next swimmer steps up onto a starting block, S3 cancels concealing of S4 done by the mask circuit 17 of the control device 2. As a result. S4 gets effective. That is to say, when S4 is generated by a former swimmer and S3 is generated by the next swimmer, the control device 2 realizes that there is no swimmer on a starting block and inactivates S4 again. Therefore, the control device 2 can easily distinguish a premature start and does not work by wrong touch signal. Next, referring to Figs. 3 and 4, an embodiment of a start signal generating system for swimming race relating to the present invention will be explained below. Fig. 3 is a system block diagram showing a visual start signal generating system of the present invention. Figs. 4A and 4B show an embodiment of signal lamps 3 which is shown in Fig. 3. As shown in Fig. 3, when operators turn a ready signal generator 11 on, a signal S1 is outputted to a control device 2. The control device 2 outputs a signal S6 to the signal lamps 3 and a signal display panel 8. The signal lamps 3 turn green and the signal display panel 8 displays "READY", in order to show that start is ready. When a signal S2 is outputted by the operation of a starter from a start signal generator 12 to the control device 2. The control device 2 outputs a signal S5 to the signal lamps 3, the signal display panel 8, a strobe flash lamp 6 and a loudspeaker 7 through a cable. Just then, the signal lamps 3 turn red and the signal display panel 8 displays "GO". Next. referring to Fig. 1, the embodiment of the visual start signal generating system of the present invention applied to swimming race will be explained below. The signal lamps 3 for a swimmer are equipped at a starting block 4 which is provided at the starting side of a swimming pool 1 so as to project at the front of the starting block 4. Therefore a swimmer can see the display of the signal lamps 3 standing on the starting block 4. The loudspeaker 7 is included inside of the starting block 4. Swimmers can recognize a ready signal and a start signal not only visually but also auditorily. Furthermore. it is preferable to provide the signal lamps 3 at the turn side of a swimming pool so that swimmers can see signals from the turn side. Another unit of the signal lamps 3 is provided to a side of a swimming pool so as to be adjacent to the start signal generator 12. The signal lamps 3 and the start signal generator 12 are connected to the control device 2 with cables. The ready signal generator 11 is disposed at the seats of operators and is connected to the control device 2 with cables. The signal display panel 8 is located in a poolside for the sake of an audience and the person concerned in race. The strobe flash lamps 6 are provided at the back of the starting block 4 and at the turn side. The strobe flash lamps 6 are connected to the ready signal generator 11 and the start signal generator 12 through the control device 2 so as to work in response to a start signal. In this embodiment, a ready lamp 3a and a start lamp 3b are red and green respectively. The signal lamps 3 in this embodiment are exchangeable for a LED display device. The signal lamps 3 are provided on the inside wall of a swimming pool as well so that a swimmer can see a display if he starts under water. Of course, the signal lamps 3 are waterproof. The signal display panel 8 is located at the poolside so that swimmers can see. It displays "READY" and "GO". When the red lamp of the signal lamps 3 is turned on, the signal display panel 8 displays "READY" at the same time. For an international meeting, a display should be written in other languages than Japanese. Next, a starter inputs a start signal from the start signal generator 12 to the control device 2. A pistol included in the start signal generator 12 can be used for generating a start signal. It is available to generate a start signal by that a sensor perceives a sound of a pistol. A sensor should be covered with a filter so as not to react cheers of audience and noises around a sensor. When a start signal is inputted to the control device 2, the signal lamps 3 switch from the ready lamp 3a to the start lamp 3b. Simultaneously, the signal display panel 8 switches its display from "READY" to "GO". Furthermore, the strobe flash lamps 6 which are disposed at the front and the backside of a swimmer flash, and a starting sign can be heard in an electronic sound from the loudspeaker 7. As stated above, the ready sign is indicated by character display and lamp display. As well, the start sign is indicated by character display, lamp display, flash and a sound. Next, referring to Fig. 5, the connection between signal distributors and lane boxes will be explained below. Signal of a touch panel 10 and a starting block signal generator 15 is inputted to a signal distributor 5 provided to each lane of a swimming pool. The signal distributor 5 connects with three types of lane boxes, namely, a main lane box 20a, a sub lane box 20b and a backup lane box 20c. The same type of lane boxes connects serially and finally connects with a control device for each type. Therefore, even if the main lane boxes malfunction, the sub lane boxes record time. Further, even if both of the main lane boxes and the sub lane boxes malfunction, the backup lane boxes record time.

Claims: A timing system for swimming races comprising: a start signal generator (12) for generating a start signal (S2) of a swimming race; a starting block signal generator (15) provided at a starting block (4) for generating a starting block signal (S3) in response to a swimmer's feet leaving said starting block; a touch panel (10) suspended along the wall of a swimming pool for generating a touch signal (S4) in response to a swimmer's touch to said touch panel; a control device (2) having at least a timing circuit (16) for clocking the time by reacting to said start signal (S2), said starting block signal (S3), and said touch signal (S4); a recording device (13) for recording the time outputted from said control device (2), characterized in that , said control device (2) is a main control device (2a), in that said timing system also comprises a sub control device (2b) having the same features as said main control device (2a) and in that a signal distributor (5) is provided at each lane of a swimming pool, for reacting to said starting block signal (S3) from said starting block signal generator (15) of the respective lane and said touch signal (S4) from said touch panel (10) of the respective lane, each said signal distributor (5) being connected with not only a respective one of a line of main lane boxes (20a) but also a respective one of at least one line of sub lane boxes (20b), wherein said main lane boxes are serially connected by one cable and input said starting block signals (S3) and said touch signals (S4) to said main control device (2a) and wherein said sub lane boxes are serially connected by the one cable and input said starting block signals (S3) and said touch signals (S4) to said sub control device (2b). A timing system for swimming race as claimed in claim 1, wherein each said control device includes a mask circuit (17) for inactivating said touch signal (S4) from said touch panel (10) in response to a first signal from said starting block signal generator (15) generated by diving of a swimmer and for reacting said touch signal (S4) from said touch panel (10) in response to a second signal from said starting block signal generator generated by stepping up onto a starting block (4) of a swimmer. A timing system for swimming race as claimed in claim 1, wherein each said control device (2) includes a counting circuit (18) for counting a number of swimmers waiting for their turns in relay after getting a first signal from said starting block signal generator (15) generated by diving of a swimmer. A timing system for swimming race as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a visual display device (9) for displaying visually a sign of ready and start after inputting a ready signal and a start signal to said control device (2). A timing system for swimming race as claimed in claim 4, wherein said visual display device (9) makes a colour showing ready differ from a colour showing start. A timing system for swimming race as claimed in claim 4, wherein said visual display device (9) is provided at, at least, one of a tip of said starting block (4) and a turn side of the swimming pool.

Inventors: TANAKA HIROSHI, TANAKA, HIROSHI
Applicants: SEIKO INSTR INC, SEIKO INSTRUMENTS INC.
Application year: 1993
Main classification: G07C1
IPC codes: G07C1