Abstract:
A jump takeoff position indicator system that discloses the point of takeoff of a long jump or triple jump in athletic competition or practice when an athlete&#39;s foot comes in contact with a takeoff board when beginning a jump. A plurality of light beams are emitted parallel to the edge of the takeoff board. The light beams are closely spaced, parallel to each other, and transverse to the direction of the jump. The foot position is known by the location of the beams broken at takeoff. A light beam detector detects interruption of the light beams by an athlete&#39;s foot and displays the takeoff position on a plurality of visible LEDs. The system provides a memory for storing the takeoff position and recall switch for retrieving and displaying the information after completion of the jump. The system is immune from ambient light disturbances and can easily be moved between multiple takeoff board locations. Microcontrollers are employed in a modular fashion for system control. Furthermore, the system is battery operated with low battery detection provided.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     Not Applicable  
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH  
       [0002]     Not Applicable  
       REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING  
       [0003]     Not Applicable  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     This invention relates generally to Track &amp; Field equipment and particularly to a jump takeoff position indicator system for use in events requiring an accurate indication of the foot position of an athlete at takeoff such as in the long jump and triple jump competitions.  
         [0005]     The long jump and triple jump events in Track &amp; Field competition require the athlete to jump from a fixed takeoff board into a sand filled landing pit from a running start down an approach runway. The takeoff board may be an actual wood or composition board or simply a painted area on the approach runway. Typical long jump runways have 2 takeoff boards at different distances from the sand pit to accommodate athletes of different jumping ability. The triple jump runway may have 3 or 4 different takeoff boards. The object of the competition is to attain the longest jump from the takeoff board. The distance of the jump is measured from the edge of the takeoff board closest to the sand pit to the point of first contact of the athlete in the landing pit.  
         [0006]     Therefore, to gain the maximum measurable distance, the athlete attempts to takeoff as close to the edge of the board as possible without the front edge of the foot extending over. The jump is not measured if the front of the athlete&#39;s foot crosses over the edge of the takeoff board. The athletes that can takeoff close to the edge of the board have a definite advantage in the competition. Thus, training for these events involves repetitive approach runs to obtain consistency in the takeoff point. However, it is difficult for the athlete to know where their foot was in relation to the edge of the takeoff board during these practice sessions while running at full speed and concentrating on the other aspects of the jump. This often results in a coach or second athlete being needed to watch for the takeoff point. This results in approximate takeoff positions at best as human error comes into play. Clearly, a need exists for a device that provides long jump and triple jump athletes with this takeoff position information.  
         [0007]     Several attempts have been made in the past to allow an athlete to determine where their foot was in relation to the board edge at the moment of takeoff. U.S. Pat. No. 4,004,800 to Hanner proposes a mechanical marker board that gives an indication of the foot position by means of an array of parallel mounted elements pivotally mounted to a base. Prior to use the elements are facing in an upward position. When a jump is made, the elements that come in contact with the athlete&#39;s foot are forced to lie flat, thereby, giving an indication of the takeoff point. Several problems exist with this approach. The mechanical marker board needs to replace the existing takeoff board and become a permanent part of the runway. With up to 6 different takeoff boards needed for the long jump and triple jump runways, it would be very costly to replace them all with the mechanical marker board. The marker board also presents a safety problem for the athlete as the foot is required to come in contact with movable elements. A third problem involves the mechanical nature of the device. With the location outdoors in close proximity to sand, the device would be a constant maintenance problem.  
         [0008]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,294,912 to Bednarz et al. discloses a laser beam foul detector system used for detecting that an athlete&#39;s foot has crossed the foul line during a jump. A training beam option is described that gives an indication to an athlete that their foot crossed a line located in front of the foul line. However, this system fails to provide the accuracy required by today&#39;s athletes. It simply shows that a reference point was crossed. The margin of error could be as much as the length of the athlete&#39;s foot depending on the location of the training line relative to the foul line. The athlete may not cross the line at all resulting in no takeoff position information feedback. This system also suffers from a very involved alignment and setup procedure utilizing mounting plates and adjustment screws. Furthermore, the system lacks the portability required to move from location to location quickly as required when athletes are jumping from different takeoff boards. The system requires extensive installation that would be needed at each possible takeoff board location.  
         [0009]     Accordingly, several objects and advantages of my invention are: 
        a) To provide a takeoff position indicator that is portable and can be moved from one takeoff board location to another quickly.     b) To provide an accurate indication of the foot position of an athlete at takeoff relative to the edge of the takeoff board.     c) To provide a system that can be used on existing approach runways without installation or modification of the approach runway.     d) To provide a system with a memory that stores the foot position information at takeoff for subsequent recall.     e) To provide a system that requires only visual alignment and no setup.     f) To provide a system that gives the athlete the means to determine their true jumping potential.     g) To provide a training device that allows the athlete to train without the aid of a coach or additional athlete.     h) To provide a modular system design that allows for easy system flexibility and expandability.     i) To provide a system that functions under all ambient light levels without adjustment.        
 
         [0019]     Other objects and advantages of my invention will become clear to those skilled in the art after review of the following drawings and description.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0020]     This invention provides a jump takeoff position indicator system utilizing an emitting or emitter device containing a plurality of light beam emitting devices, preferably IR(infrared) LEDs(light emitting diodes) combined with a detecting or detector device containing a plurality of corresponding light beam sensors or detectors. The combination when properly aligned using system alignment marks, provides a parallel light beam array that creates a foot detection zone over the takeoff board. A collimating device is provided in both emitting and detecting devices to create a narrow beam detection diameter. The IR LEDs are turned on one at a time sequentially from one end of the emitting device to the opposite end. The beam emission of the IR LEDs is synchronized with the detection by the light beam sensors. The synchronization is provided by an IR LED located at each end of the emitter device in combination with a sensor at each end of the detector device.  
         [0021]     The detecting device contains a plurality of visible LED indicators for displaying the takeoff position. Each light beam detector is paired with an LED indicator. The detecting device also contains a memory for storing the status of the light beams during the scanning cycle along with a recall switch for retrieving the light beam status from memory and displaying the status on the LED indicators. The scanning cycle is fast enough such that each IR LED is turned on multiple times while an athlete&#39;s foot is in contact with the takeoff board. By locating the IR LEDs and light beam sensors on closely spaced predetermined centers a detection zone is created, which, when interrupted provides an accurate indication of the jumper&#39;s takeoff point. The battery powered system is portable and can be used with any existing takeoff board.  
         [0022]     The emitting and detecting devices are placed on the approach runway on opposite sides of the takeoff board and aligned with the leading or trailing edge of the board. When an athlete&#39;s foot makes contact with the takeoff board during a jump, one or more beams are broken. The detecting device detects the beams interruption, illuminates corresponding LED indicators, and stores the information for subsequent recall. The LED indicators are turned OFF to conserve battery power after a short time delay. When the recall switch is pressed, the stored position information is displayed on the LED indicators for several seconds. This feature allows the athlete to complete their jump and take as much time as needed to exit the landing pit and not loose the jump&#39;s takeoff position information. After the recall time delay, the system returns to scanning for the next jump and deletes the previous information from memory.  
         [0023]     With the invention an athlete can determine his takeoff position without the use of a coach or another athlete. After completing a practice jump, the athlete simply presses the recall switch to see exactly where the takeoff point was. Therefore, the invention allows the athlete to determine their actual jumping potential, as the distance measurement can be taken from the takeoff point indicated by the system. The system provides multiple alignment marks for athletes of different abilities. Under normal conditions the system is placed such that the detection zone is directly over the takeoff board. However, for athletes that are having problems with the approach, the system can also be placed in front of or past the takeoff board by utilizing the proper alignment marks.  
         [0024]     By utilizing wide angle beam emitters and detectors, along with collimating emitting and detecting apertures, a system is provided that does not require an accurate setup or alignment procedure but yet functions under all lighting conditions without adjustment. The number of beams used in a system is determined by the desired detection zone as well as the desired spacing between sensors. The system can easily be moved between takeoff boards without any modification of the approach runway or complicated setup procedure.  
         [0025]     The invention also provides a low battery detection and indication system. The batteries are easily removed and recharged or replaced. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0026]     The takeoff position indicator system may be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0027]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the jump takeoff position indicator system as it would be located on a typical approach runway.  
         [0028]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged section view of an emitter electronic assembly.  
         [0029]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the emitter electronic assembly.  
         [0030]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a detector electronic assembly.  
         [0031]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged section view of the detector electronic assembly.  
         [0032]      FIGS. 6A &amp; 6B  combined are a schematic diagram of the emitter device.  
         [0033]      FIGS. 7A &amp; 7B  combined are a schematic diagram of the detector device.  
         [0034]      FIG. 8  is a flowchart of an emitter control processor program.  
         [0035]      FIG. 9  is a flowchart of an emitter IR LED control processor program.  
         [0036]      FIG. 10  is a flowchart of a detector control processor program.  
         [0037]      FIGS. 11A &amp; 11B  combined are a flowchart of a detectors&#39; sensor/display processor program.  
         [0038]      FIG. 12  is a timing sequence diagram of the emitter device. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0039]     Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures. In addition, the terms microcontroller, CPU and processor are used interchangeably.  
         [0040]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of the jump takeoff position indicator system  10 . Approach runway  12  is provided with main takeoff board  14  and auxiliary board  16  for the athlete to jump from.  
         [0041]     Emitting device  18  and detecting device  20  are placed on runway  12  on opposite sides of main takeoff board  14  with alignment marks  38  and  58  placed over foul line  15  or board leading edge  13 . If auxiliary takeoff board  16  is used, the emitting and detecting devices are placed on opposite sides of auxiliary board  16  with alignment marks  38  and  58  placed directly above foul line  17  or board leading edge  19 . Multiple alignment marks  38  and  58  are provided for setting up a detection zone in front of the takeoff board, on the takeoff board, or past the takeoff board.  
         [0042]     As shown in  FIG. 1 , emitter device  18  emits multiple infrared ( 1 R) light beams  29  that are detected by detector device  20 . The IR beams  29  are not all ON at the same time, but rather, they are sequenced ON one at a time. As also shown in  FIG. 1 , IR sync # 1  beam  31  and IR sync # 2  beam  35  are emitted from emitter  18  to synchronize the emitter with the detector and initiate the sequencing of the IR beams  29 . While only 1 sync beam is needed for system operation,  2  are provided at opposite ends to allow for continued detection in the event that  1  of the sync beams is broken by an athlete&#39;s foot. Enclosure  22  houses and protects the emitter electronics. LED indicator  28  is provided for low battery indication. Removable battery  24  supplies power for the unit. ON/OFF switch  26  turns the emitter device  18 , ON and OFF. The device is supported by mounting pads  36 .  
         [0043]     As shown in  FIG. 1 , detector device  20  detects multiple infrared light beams  29  emitted by emitter  18 . Enclosure  40  protects the detector electronics. LED indicator  44  is provided for low battery indication. Removable rechargeable battery  48  powers the unit. ON/OFF switch  42  turns the detector device  20 , ON and OFF. Detector  20  is supported by mounting pads  56 .  
         [0044]     As also shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 5 , recall switch  46  is provided for recall and display of the takeoff foot position on LED indicators  82 .  
         [0045]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of emitter electronic assembly  70 .  FIG. 2  is an enlarged section view of assembly  70 . Assembly  70  is comprised of multiple IR LEDs  72 , along with remaining control circuitry. As shown in  FIG. 2 , mounting block  74  contains multiple apertures  30 . One IR LED  72  is located at the back edge of each aperture  30 . The aperture collimates the light beam emission from IR LED  72 . The apertures are spaced at a distance determined by the desired detection zone of the system. Typical spacing distances are 1 cm, 0.5 in., and 1.0 in. These dimensions are given by way of example and not by way of limitation. The diameter of aperture  30  determines the beam diameter that is sensed by detector device  20 . A diameter equal to the diameter of the IR LED has been found to work well. While an aperture collimating method is described, other collimating means such as lenses or reflectors could also be used. Electronic assembly  70  is mounted in a suitable enclosure along with battery  24  and ON/OFF switch  26 .  
         [0046]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of detector electronic assembly  84 .  FIG. 5  is an enlarged section view of assembly  84 . Assembly  84  is comprised of multiple IR sensors  86 , multiple LED indicators  82  along with remaining control circuitry. As shown in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 , mounting block  88  contains multiple apertures  30  with sensors  86  located at the back edge of each aperture. By locating the sensor behind each aperture, immunity from ambient light disturbances common in an outdoor environment is provided. The IR sensors used in the detector device are sensitive to a specific carrier frequency. Commercial sensors are available with carrier frequencies in the range of 37-57 kHz. A 38 kHz carrier frequency was chosen for the invention herein disclosed. However, other frequencies could also be used. Each sensor  86  is paired with an LED indicator  82 . When infrared beam  29  is broken by an athlete&#39;s foot, sensor  86  detects the break and a corresponding indicator  82  is illuminated. The detection and indication process is further described elsewhere in this specification. The diameter of aperture  30  determines the beam diameter that will be detected by sensor  86 . The aperture collimates the sensors beam detection angle. This feature provides the accuracy required as the actual beam detection angle of sensor  86  is much larger than the aperture diameter. This characteristic also eliminates precise alignment requirements by providing for small diameter beam detection within the larger detection cone of the sensor.  
         [0047]     The schematic for the emitter device is shown in  FIG. 6A  and  FIG. 6B .  FIG. 6A  shows the emitter device&#39;s power supply circuit  100  along with remaining control circuitry. Battery  24  is connected to On/Off switch  26  to supply power to a DC-DC converter  101 . Converter  101  supplies a regulated output voltage of 3.3v at  103  over the useful battery input voltage range of 2.5v to 4.2v. Microcontroller or CPU  118  acts as the control processor for the emitter device. Scan line  119  triggers a first IR LED emitter microcontroller  205  of  FIG. 6B . Lo battery indicator  28  is connected to CPU  118  along with IR LEDs  108  and  110 . IR LEDs  108  and  110  are used to emit synchronization beams  31  and  35  as shown in  FIG. 1 . Oscillator  122  provides a master clock signal  120  for microcontroller  118  and also feeds emitter microcontrollers  205  as shown in  FIG. 6B . Battery voltage is monitored by Lo battery detect circuit  116 .  
         [0048]      FIG. 6B  is the IR LED control portion of the emitter schematic, showing  2  IR LED emitter circuits  204 . Each circuit consists of microcontroller  205  and  5  IR LEDs  72 . Two circuits are shown to indicate the interconnections required between the circuits. It is understood that the circuit would repeat equal to the number of remaining circuits in a complete emitter device. The number of IR LED emitter circuits in a complete emitter device will vary based on the desired length of the detection zone. The example shown in  FIGS. 1-5  contains 9 such circuits. This modular approach results in a system that is easily expandable.  
         [0049]     Refer now to  FIGS. 8 and 9  along with  FIGS. 2, 3 ,  6 A,  6 B and  12  for an operational description of the emitter device&#39;s firmware that is burned into microcontrollers  118  and  205  permitting them to carry out their respective control functions.  
         [0050]     The memory of microcontroller  118  is programmed according to the flow chart shown in  FIG. 8 . Upon power up, the microcontroller is initialized at  270 , setting all registers and I/O lines to initial conditions. The controller then tests for battery status ( 274 ). Battery detect circuit  116  of  FIG. 6A  is used during this test. Battery voltage is compared via input signals  111  and  112  of  FIG. 6A . If the battery voltage  112  is below reference voltage  111 , the Lo battery indicator  28  is turned on ( 272 ). If the battery voltage is acceptable, IR sync pulse # 1  is generated ( 276 ) by modulating IR LED  108  of  FIG. 6A . Pulse  400  consists of a 1 ms burst at the chosen 38 kHz carrier frequency as shown in  FIG. 12 . Following the sync pulse, scan line  119  of  FIG. 6A  is activated. Scan pulse  402  as shown in  FIG. 12  is output at step  278 . This 200 microsecond pulse is used to signal the first IR LED emitter processor  205  of  FIG. 6B  to begin the scan of the IR LEDs  1 - 5 . The control processor then delays ( 280 ) for about 14 ms. The process is repeated for sync pulse #  2 . Pulse  408  as shown in  FIG. 12  is generated at step  282  followed by a second scan pulse at  284  and a delay ( 286 ). The controller then returns to  274  to check the battery voltage and start the scanning process over again. This process is repeated on a continuous basis.  
         [0051]     The memory of IR LED emitter microcontroller  205  of  FIG. 6B  is programmed in accordance with the flow chart shown in  FIG. 9 . After the initialization step ( 290 ), the program enters input detection mode  292 . Microcontroller  205  continuously checks for a logic 0 level on scan input  119  of  FIG. 6B . When a scan pulse is detected the program begins the sequential scanning of IR LEDs  72  starting with LED 1  proceeding to LED 5 . LED pulse  404  as shown in  FIG. 12  is turned on ( 294 ) followed by delay ( 296 ).  FIG. 12  shows the timing diagram for the IR LED emitter microcontroller signals. IR LED signal  404  is modulated at the system carrier frequency of 38 kHz. The output frequency is selected to match the carrier frequency of the IR sensor used in detector device  20  of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0052]     Remaining LEDs  2 - 5  are turned on in sequence followed by scan output pulse  406  of  FIG. 12  on signal line  206  of  FIG. 6B  at step  298 . Program control then returns to wait for another scan pulse at  292 . The output scan line  206  feeds the next IR LED emitter microcontroller  205  in the system. Additional emitter circuits in the system utilize the same microcontroller program. This building block approach provides for flexible system design and expandability by using common components.  
         [0053]      FIGS. 7A and 7B , together, comprise the schematic of detector device  20  shown in  FIG. 1 . Power supply circuit  226  provides regulated 3.3v over an input voltage range of 2.5v to 4.2v. Battery  48  connects to On/Off switch  42  which delivers power to DC-DC converter  229 . Microcontroller  234  acts as the control processor for the detector device. Microcontroller  234  controls LED indicators  44 ,  222 , and  224 . IR sensors  250  and  252  also feed the controller. Oscillator  248  provides a master clock signal for microcontroller  234  at line  246  and also feeds sensor/display microcontrollers  80  shown in  FIG. 7B . Recall switch  46  also inputs to microcontroller  234 . Battery voltage is monitored by Lo battery detect circuit  232 .  
         [0054]      FIG. 7B  is the sensor/display schematic, showing  2  sense/display circuits  260 . Each circuit consists of microcontroller  80 , 5 IR sensors  86  and 5 LED indicators  82 . The number of sensor/display circuits in a detector device will vary based on the desired length of the detection zone. Two circuits are shown here to illustrate the connection requirements. It is understood that the circuit will repeat equal to the number of circuits required for a complete detecting device.  
         [0055]     Please reference  FIGS. 4, 5 ,  7 A,  7 B, and  FIG. 10  for the following operational description. The memory of microcontroller  234  shown in  FIGS. 4 and 7 A is programmed according to the flowchart shown in  FIG. 10 . Upon power up, the microcontroller is initialized at  300 , setting all registers and I/O lines to their initial conditions. The controller then enters the main control loop. An internal timer is used to control the display time of all LED indicators  82 . The program first tests the status of the timer ( 304 ). If the timer is on, the program then checks to see if the time delay has expired ( 306 ). If the time has expired, the timer is turned off ( 310 ), enable line  240  of  FIG. 7A  is reset ( 312 ) and lock line  242  of  FIG. 7A  is set ( 314 ). The lock signal line  242  is an output that prevents IR sensor microcontrollers  80  from scanning the sensor inputs when set. Enable line  240  is an output that allows the IR sensor controllers  80  to turn on the appropriate LED indicator  82  when set.  
         [0056]     Program control then returns to step  304  and again checks the status of the timer. If the timer was not off at  304  or the time had not expired at  306 , control passes to step  308 . Battery voltage is checked by lo battery detect circuit  232  of  FIG. 7A . If the battery voltage on signal line  235  is below a reference voltage on line  233 , step  302  turns on LED indicator  44 . If battery voltage is above the threshold, the status of recall switch  46  is checked at step  316 . If the recall switch is closed, step  318  resets lock signal  242  and control returns to  304 . If recall switch  46  is open, step  320  then checks the status of the lock signal  242 . If set, control returns to  304  and will continue to loop, waiting for the lock signal to be reset by recall switch  46 . Program execution proceeds to step  322  if the lock signal is not set. The status of input signal  238  is checked at this point. This line is cleared by any IR sensor microcontroller  80  that has sensed a beam break. If any beam has been broken, the internal timer is started ( 324 ) and enable signal  240  is set at step  326 . Execution continues at step  328 . This step checks output signal  251  of sync # 1  IR sensor  250  shown on  FIG. 7A . If a valid sync pulse is detected, LED indicator  222  is turned on at  334 , and a 200 microsecond scan pulse is output on signal line  236  of  FIG. 7A  at step  338 . Control then returns to step  304 . If sync pulse # 1  is not present at step  328 , step  330  checks for sync # 2  pulse. This step checks output signal  253  of sync # 2  IR sensor  252  of  FIG. 7A . If a valid pulse is detected, LED indicator  224  of  FIG. 7A  is turned on at  336  and a scan pulse is again output on signal line  236  at step  338 . Control again returns to step  304 . If sync pulse # 2  is not detected, LED indicators  222  and  224  are turned off ( 332 ), followed by a return to step  304 .  
         [0057]     Refer now to  FIGS. 7B, 11A  and  11 B to follow the detailed operational description of the IR sensor/display circuit  260  of  FIG. 7B . The memory of microcontroller  80  is programmed according to the flowchart shown in  FIGS. 11A and 11B . Upon initialization ( 340 ), all registers and I/O lines are configured and set to their appropriate initial conditions. All LED indicators  82  are turned off. The program then enters the main control loop starting at step  344 . If lock input signal  242  is set, LED indicators are turned off ( 342 ) and the program will wait in a loop for lock signal  242  to be cleared. When the lock signal is cleared, execution continues at  350 . A description of steps  350 - 356  will follow the description of the remainder of the flowchart.  
         [0058]     If the lock signal is cleared at  344 , step  348  waits for scan input signal  236  of  FIG. 7B  to go LO (0v). When a LO signal is detected, the scanning of IR sensors  86  begins starting with Q 1 . Q 1  is tested at  358 . The scanning of IR sensors  86  is synchronized with the IR beam emission of the emitter device as previously described. If the IR beam is not present, output line  87  of Q 1  will be at logic 1 (3.3v) level. A logic 0 (0v) represents the presence of the  1 R sense signal # 1 . If sense signal # 1  ( 87 ) is  1 , step  360  sets a flag in memory corresponding to Q 1  sensor # 1  ( 86 ). Following a delay at  361 , sensors Q 2 -Q 5  are tested in similar fashion, and corresponding flags set if required. After completing the sensor scanning, execution continues at step  362  of  FIG. 11B  with a scan output pulse on output line  269  as shown in  FIG. 7B . This signal triggers microcontroller  80  of the next sense/display circuit in line to begin the scan of the corresponding IR sensors  86 . If any flags have been set ( 364 ) as a result of the scan cycle, output line  238  is pulled LO (0v) at  366 . This line is monitored by microcontroller  234  of  FIG. 7A  as previously described. Enable line  240  is tested ( 368 ). If LO (0v), LED indicators  82  (D 1 -D 5 ) will be turned ON or OFF at step  372  based on the flag status resulting from the sensor scan. All LEDS are turned OFF at step  370  if enable line  240  is HI (3.3v). If no flags are set at  364 , execution returns to step  344  of  FIG. 11A .  
         [0059]     Refer now to step  350  of  FIG. 11A . When the lock signal has been cleared by the activation of recall switch  244  at step  346 , LED indicators  82  (D 1 -D 5 ) are turned ON or OFF based on the flag status resulting from the scan. Following a 4-5 second delay ( 352 ), all LEDs are turned OFF ( 354 ), all flags are cleared ( 356 ) and control returns to step  344  to wait for the next scan pulse input.  
         [0060]     The jump takeoff position indicator system as herein described provides a device that solves the problems associated with the prior art while meeting all the objectives set forth at the beginning of the specification. The novel system design has allowed inexpensive IR LEDS and sensors meant for indoor use to be used reliably in an outdoor environment while providing an accurate indication of the takeoff point of an athlete competing in a Track &amp; Field jumping event.  
         [0061]     It should be noted that it is within the scope of this invention that other types of indicia, such as liquid crystal based displays may be used in place of the LED indicators for display of the takeoff position. It should also be noted that while the present invention uses multiple microcontrollers to form a modular system, it is obvious that a single microcontroller or several could be used as the basis for the system. It should be understood that  1  wish to include within these claims all such minor changes and modifications that might be proposed by those skilled in the art.