Abstract:
A system for indicating race position to spectators of a race ,includes lights on the race participants that are configured to provide visual displays to the spectators indicating the position of the respective racer. The race participants also carry a receiver and a controller for receiving a signal indicating race position and selecting the appropriate visual display based on the received signal. The visual display can be a series of lights, such as linear arrays of LEDs, where the color, number, pattern and/or position of the lights indicates race position. The system can also be used to highlight selected racers of interest, for example in conjunction with information being relayed over the public address system of the racetrack.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/424,422, filed Nov. 7, 2002, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to a system and method for indicating the current position in the field of a racecar and more specifically to indicators allowing spectators to discern a particular car&#39;s position in the field without having to divert their attention from the race.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Automobile racing has become one of the most popular spectator sports in the world. Formal automobile racetracks range from small, dirt covered ovals to large, paved surfaces more than a mile in length. These races often require the competitors to complete multiple laps around the track and frequently require pit stops for refueling and repairs during the race.  
           [0004]    The length of races and necessity of pit stops often makes it difficult for spectators to determine which car is leading a race at any given moment. As opposed to single-lap races where the leading car is always at the front of the pack, in multiple-lap races the car leading the field may actually be located in the middle or rear of the pack at any given moment due to pit stops or coming up behind slower cars. This inability to determine a particular car&#39;s current position in the field leads to frustration, especially in the casual fan. This also requires spectators to pay attention to the race at all times so as not to loose track of which car is currently in the lead.  
           [0005]    Previous attempts to solve this problem have utilized some type of leader board to display each car&#39;s current position in the field. This board is either electronically or, manually updated to indicate each car&#39;s current position as the race progresses. One disadvantage of this solution, however, is that it requires spectators to look away from the race to view the board. Another disadvantage of this solution is that it requires the construction and maintenance of multiple boards at various locations around a track so that all spectators maybe within viewing distance of a board. At larger race venues this can become quite expensive.  
           [0006]    The present invention is directed towards overcoming the problems set forth above.  
         SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
         [0007]    One object of the present invention is to provide a position indicating system and method for visually indicating a racing vehicle&#39;s current position in the field.  
           [0008]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a position indicating system and method for visually indicating a racing vehicle&#39;s current position in the field which automatically updates each vehicle&#39;s position in the field as the race progresses.  
           [0009]    A further object of the present invention is to provide a position indicating system and method for visually indicating a racing vehicle&#39;s current position in the field which is easily retrofitted to existing racing vehicles and racetracks.  
           [0010]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide apposition indicating system and method for visually indicating a racing vehicle&#39;s current position in the field which is operated automatically by a racetrack&#39;s existing timing system.  
           [0011]    Further objects, embodiments, forms, benefits, aspects, features and advantages of the present invention may be obtained from the description, drawings, and claims provided herein.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 is a rear view of a racetrack employing the present invention.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a racecar equipped with a position indicator according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 3 is atop plan view of a racecar equipped with a position indicator according to another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a racecar equipped with a position indicator. according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a racecar equipped with a position indicator according to another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of an aerodynamic fin incorporating position indicating lights.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 7 is a side view of an open wheel racecar according to the present invention where the position indicator is, incorporated in the camera pod.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 8 is a front view of a racetrack with the open wheel racecar of FIG. 7  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a racecar with the position indicators on the roll cage according to another embodiment of the invention.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 10 is perspective view of a racecar with the position indicators on the roof according to another embodiment of the invention.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0022]    For the purposes of promoting understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is hereby intended and alterations and modifications in the illustrated device, and further applications of the principles of the present invention as illustrated herein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.  
         [0023]    The present invention relates to a system and method for visually indicating a racing vehicle&#39;s current position in a field of vehicles during a race. To aid in the explanation of the present invention, the following description will refer only to racecars. This is for illustrative purposes only and is not a limitation on the scope of the present invention. It is understood that the present invention may be practiced with all types of racecars as well as other racing vehicles such as motorcycles and go-karts.  
         [0024]    In one embodiment of the present invention each car in the field of participants is equipped with a position indicating unit and the track is equipped with at least one transmission unit. The position indicating units may be mounted at a variety of locations on the cars using screws, welding, magnets, hook and loop fasteners (i.e. VELCRO) adhesives or any other suitable attachment means. The units may be permanently mounted to each vehicle, incorporated by design into the vehicle itself, or removably mounted so that a single unit may be used by different vehicles participating in separate races. Preferably the position indicating units are mounted such that they are easily visible by race spectators but are not easily visible by race participants. A device designed to deflect airflow around the position indicating unit thereby reducing drag may optionally be mounted to each car. Alternatively, the position indicating unit may be aerodynamically shaped so as to minimize drag.  
         [0025]    Each position indicating unit includes a visual indicator, a control unit and a receiver. Optionally, each unit may also include a power source such as a battery. Alternatively or in addition, each unit may be powered by the car&#39;s electrical system.  
         [0026]    A variety of devices may be used as a visual indicator. In one embodiment, the visual indicator is at least one light capable of being illuminated so as to display a variety of different colors to the spectators. This maybe accomplished, for example, by placing a plurality of different colored lights inside a single transparent housing and illuminating the color desired. Alternatively this may be accomplished by providing a plurality of different colored screens or films which may be interposed between a white light source and the spectators. In this particular embodiment, a car&#39;s current position in the field may be indicated by the color of light illuminated by the visual indicator. For example, a red light might indicate a car is in first place while a green light might indicate a car is currently running second.  
         [0027]    In another embodiment, the visual indicator is a bank of distinct lights which may be of the same or different colors. In this particular embodiment, position may be indicated by the color of the light illuminated in the case of a bank of lights which are different colors. Alternatively or in addition, the number or position of illuminated lights in the bank of distinct lights may be used to indicate the position of the car. For example, even if all of the lights in a bank were of a single color, position can be clearly indicated to the spectators by the number of lights illuminated (e.g. two lights indicates the car in second place, four lights indicates the car in fourth place). Alternatively or in addition, race position can be indicated by the position of the light illuminated. For example, position indicator lights can be provided at different locations on the car, with a light in a particular location designating a particular race position, according to any prearranged scheme (e.g. a light on the left front is first place, the right front is second place, on the roof is third place, etc.).  
         [0028]    When light is employed as the visual indicator, for example by its color, position and/or number as described above, a variety of light sources may be employed such as incandescent bulbs, light-emitting diodes (LED), fluorescent bulbs or any other suitable light producing device. In one form, the light is sufficiently bright to be seen by those spectators at the track that are positioned a distance from the cars, in many cases over 100 or over 1000 feet away.  
         [0029]    In yet another embodiment, the visual indicator is a display panel such as a liquid crystal display (LCD). Other suitable types of display panels capable of displaying alphanumeric information may also be used. In this embodiment, a car&#39;s current position in the field maybe displayed as a number, letters, or a combination of numbers and letters.  
         [0030]    The control unit and receiver of the position indicating device maybe separate devices or consolidated into a single device capable of performing both functions. The receiver is capable of receiving a signal transmitted by one or more transmission devices located around the racetrack. The receiver and transmission devices may operate using laser light, radio frequencies, infrared or some other suitable electromagnetic frequency such as microwaves. Preferably the receivers and transmission devices are operated on a frequency not typically used by cellular phones or other consumer electronics likely to be, used at or near a racetrack so these devices do not interfere with the operation of the system. When the receiver receives a positional signal from a transmission device, the receiver passes this signal to the control unit. The control unit then commands the visual indicator to display the light corresponding to the car&#39;s current position in the field. For example, in a system using an LCD screen as previously described, the control unit might instruct the LCD screen to display a “1” to indicate the car had moved into the lead.  
         [0031]    At least one transmission unit is located near the racetrack for transmitting position information to the indicating units on the cars. While it need only be able to communicate with the cars at a single location on the track (e.g. as they cross the start-finish line), the transmission unit is preferably configured such that it can signal a car at virtually any position on the track. This may be accomplished using a single unit which is centrally located or several units disposed at various positions around the track and electronically linked together. The transmission unit may transmit information using laser, radio frequencies, or any other suitable frequency. The transmission units may be operated manually from a control panel. Alternatively, the transmission units are electronically controlled by a racetrack&#39;s existing electronic timing system such that as soon as the timing system detects a position change, the transmission units automatically transmit signals to the position indicating units to display the correct positional information. Alternatively, the transmission units may be electronically linked to a racetrack&#39;s leader board display system such that when a position change is indicated on the leader board the position indicating units are updated accordingly.  
         [0032]    In one embodiment of the present invention, the transmission units and visual indicating units are easily retrofitable to existing vehicles and racetracks. In another embodiment, the transmission units and visual indicating units are portable such that a single set of units may be transported and used at multiple race locations.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 1 shows a rear view of two racecars  10 ,  20 , passing by two grandstands  40 ,  45  and a transmission unit  30 . The transmission unit is shown atop a pole, however, transmission units may be located at any convenient position about a racetrack where they are capable of transmitting a signal to each visual indicator unit  15 ,  25 . Preferably, the visual indicator units are visible by spectators  50 ,  55  but not easily visible by drivers.  
         [0034]    FIGS.  2 - 5  show a variety of possible configurations of visual indicators. These are only a few examples of possible configurations of visual indicators according to the present invention. Other configurations are also contemplated. FIG. 2 shows a single-light system where each light  210 ,  215  is only visible from a single side of the car  200  due to the shape of a wind deflector  220 . FIG. 3 shows a light bank system where a bank  310  of three lights  312 ,  313 ,  314  is visible from each side of the car  300 . This particular example also uses a wind deflector  320  to reduce drag. FIG. 4 shows a car  400  equipped with display screens  410 ,  415  and wind deflectors  420 ,  425  on each door. In FIG. 5, a single-light system is shown on the hood of the car  500 . Only one light  510 ,  515  is visible from each side of the car because of a wind deflector  520 .  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 6 depicts an indicating unit comprising an aerodynamic fin  600  having a curved leading surface and a tapered trailing edge. A plurality of banks of lights  601 - 604  are positioned around the leading surface with each bank being of a different color. These banks are composed of linear arrays of LEDs  610  beneath a protective covering  605 , such as a lens, diffuser, partial shield or the like. This covering  605  can be a layer of clear acrylic. Suitable LEDs may be obtained from Lumileds Lighting, San Jose Calif., for example their LUXEON line of LEDs.  
         [0036]    The fin  600  can be mounted on a racecar with the leading edge generally vertically extending, preferably within about 15° of the vertical. Each of the banks of lights  601 - 604  includes one center LED positioned at the leading edge and an equal number of LEDs on either side, in this case four on each side. In other variations there might be between 3-10 LEDs of a given color on each side in each bank of lights. LEDs can be positioned on the fin  600  in the form of linear arrays, arranged vertically, horizontally or any other angle, or the arrays of LEDs can be configured in any useful pattern, such as concentric circles or zigzags. Useful dimension of the fin  600  are between 4-8 inches in height and length and under 2 inches thick. The fin  600  could also be mounted horizontally or at a different angle on a car so long as it was aerodynamically positioned.  
         [0037]    In one implementation, depicted in FIG. 7, this fin  600  also serves as a camera pod of an open wheel racecar. When implemented as a camera pod, the fin  600  would also contain a television camera and associated transmission equipment (or it may be a dummy pod provided to make the cars equal) and the fin  600  is positioned so as to provide an onboard view of the race to the television viewers. A typical placement for the camera pod in open wheel racing is behind the driver&#39;s cockpit  650  and above the driver, and in this position, the camera pod is the highest point in the car.  
         [0038]    Referring now to FIG. 8, the lights  601 - 604  are configured to direct light to maximize visibility for the spectators yet minimize any distraction to the other drivers. This can be accomplished by directing the lights on the side of the fin  600  upwardly, for example along an axis greater than about 5-15° of horizontal, for example between about 5° and 25° of the track surface. Different angles are contemplated depending on the track orientation and the position of the spectators. The lights on either side of the car need not be positioned at the same angle. For example, when the track is banked, the inside lights may be at a greater angle than the outside lights.  
         [0039]    While a camera pod provides an suitable location for certain types of racecars, an external roll cage may serve as the location for the position indicating unit in other types of racecars. For example, a open wheel racecar having an exposed rollcage  710  is depicted in FIG. 9 with the fin  600  of FIG. 6 mounted on the front center of the rollcage  710  and indicating units  700  mounted on the front corners of the rollcage  710  to provide a display to the front and to one side of the car.  
         [0040]    In still other types of racing, where a car has a roof covering the driver, indicating lights might be mounted to the roof of a car. FIG. 10 depicts an exemplary racecar having a roof  805  with a front edge  810  and an opposing rear edge  830  and a pair of spaced side edges  820 . In this embodiment, the position indicating lights are positioned towards the front edge of the roof, with a fin  600  centered on the roof and units  700  near the corners, for example within about 10 inches of the front  810  and side  820  edges.  
         [0041]    As described above, the present invention can be implemented with position information determined by ;the existing electronic timing system of the racetrack. In this implementation, the race track and the racecars are equipped with appropriate sensors for automatically monitoring position and relaying the information to a central computer system maintained by the race organizers. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,241,487 to Bianco depicts one such electronic track timing system utilizing optical sensors. Alternatively or in addition, manual spotters can provide the position information to be transmitted to the racecars via the transmission units of the present invention.  
         [0042]    It is to be understood that a variety of systems also currently exist for transmitting information to racecars during the race, and the present invention can be implemented utilizing some of this existing equipment. For example, the Indianapolis Motor &#39;speedway employs a system during the Indianapolis 500 to remotely control a caution light in the cockpit of each racecar so as to provide a warning to the drivers of caution situations. This system could also be used to send coded signals to each car to control the position indicating units of the present invention.  
         [0043]    While the indicating units can be used to indicate the position of certain racecars, additional uses are envisioned to enhance the spectators&#39; experience. For example, one of the colors of the lights, or a particular pattern could be used to call attention to a particular racecar during the race. For example, when the track announcer makes a comment about a particular racecar or driver, such as a strong movement from behind, mechanical difficulty, or an interesting anecdote, that car&#39;s lights could be made to blink so that the spectators can easily identify the racecar. In a preferred form, there are at least four different visual indications available: the first three correspond to first place, second place, and third place, and the fourth visual indication is the wildcard used to point out a particular driver of interest during the race.  
         [0044]    For this and other implementations of the invention, any chosen pattern of lights or colors can be used to communicate position and/or other information to the spectators provided the chosen pattern is communicated to the spectators. The public address system of the track or printed instructions provided on the back of tickets or in programs available at the track might be used for this purpose.  
         [0045]    While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as ;illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes, modifications and equivalents that come within the spirit of the inventions disclosed are desired to be protected. The articles “a”, “an”, “said” and “the” are not limited to a singular element, Sand include one or more such element. Further, it is to be understood that, unless otherwise indicated in the claims, the terms first and second are used generically as identifiers and not to indicate any particular positions in a race.