Abstract:
An electronic timing system for timing of athletic events is provided. The timing system includes one or more vertically oriented radio-frequency identification reader assembly, a portable timing controller, a remote server, and a radio-frequency identification timing tag that is configured for attachment to an athlete. The vertically oriented radio-frequency identification reader includes an antenna assembly, a water-resistant radome surrounding said antenna assembly, and a tripod supporting said radome and antenna assembly. The portable timing controller includes input/output means for exchanging data with the radio-frequency identification antenna. The remote server also includes input/output means for exchanging data with the input/output means of the portable timing controller. The timing tag and antenna include means for wirelessly communicating data between one another.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates to electronic timing systems used for timing of endurance athletes competing in races, and specifically relates to an improved timing system utilizing a portable controller, a vertically oriented RFID antenna, a disposable UHF RFID tag that is attached to the athlete, and remote server software. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The human spirit is competitive. Since earliest times, men and women have run and raced against each other. The basic race consists of a start where someone says “GO” and everyone races to the finish line—first one across wins. A stopwatch can be used to determine the winning time. 
         [0003]    It is easy to spot the winners—they are at the front, but it is not so simple to determine who is, say “400 th ”. Today, every runner wants to know how he or she did compared to other runners and to their “personal best” time. They want to know if they are “400 th ” or “401 st ”. To know that, an accurate, recorded time needs to be generated for every runner. 
         [0004]    In a large race today, there are thousands of runners. Systems need to capture a start-time for every runner and to track when they cross the finish line, then use that data to compute that runner&#39;s elapsed time. In long races, runners also want to know what their “split times” are. They want to know what their times were when they crossed certain mile markers during the race. Further sophistication now requires that these times be posted on the internet in real time so that relatives and loved ones can use the runner&#39;s number to see when their runner passed these points. 
         [0005]    Applicant&#39;s previously filed, co-pending international application serial number PCT/US10/36674 provides an improved UHF RFID timing system comprising an RFID antenna that is placed on the race course and connected to the portable controller via the cellular network. An RFID tag on the runner&#39;s shoe or bib communicates with the RFID antenna to transmit data on the runner to the portable controller. The RFID antenna is housed within a rubberized shell (“skin”) that encases the antenna and allows the routing of cables to subsequent antennae in the line. The skin includes a central hollow section for receiving the RFID antenna and cabling for connecting the RFID antenna to the controller and/or to additional RFID antennae. Sloped side sections are connected to the lengthwise ends of the central section to create a gradual slope leading up to the raised center section. A hinged cover to the central section is provided to facilitate insertion of the RFID antenna and cabling. The dimensions of the skin and the slope of the end sections are designed to be ADA compliant, and preferably the skin is approximately 42″ L×31.5″ W and is 1″ H at the central section. Each respective skin is configured to be interlockingly attached to another skin by projections that are provided in one end of each respective end section and corresponding indentations provided in the other end of each respective end section of the skin. The ends of multiple skins may be linked together form timing lines which are laid across the road for athletes to run over. As the athlete passes over the antenna in the skin, the tag on the athlete&#39;s shoe or bib is read. 
         [0006]    One additional requirement for timing races is redundancy. There is only one opportunity to capture a runner&#39;s time, if a failure were to occur there must be redundant features of the system to overcome this failure and still capture a time. At the most important points in a race (especially the start and finish) two independent timing lines are laid down so that if one line were to fail the second line would capture the runners time. The two lines have traditionally been called the “Primary” and “Secondary” timing lines Up until now these lines had to be spaced at 15-20 feet apart so that the RFID components would not interfere with each other. However if a runner is missed at the primary line and subsequently detected at the secondary line the runner will have a second or two added to his/her time based on the time it takes to reach the secondary line. The current system requires the placement of the antennas over the road. Even though the skins are ADA compliant, they still create “speed bumps” for disabled athletes competing in wheel chairs and hand cracked cycles. These skins are heavy and it takes a certain amount of effort and time to lay out a timing line. 
         [0007]    The present invention overcomes many of these limitations. Firstly it can be used in a “stand alone mode”. That is, the present invention can be used in lieu of one of the above timing lines. The system can be quickly and easily set up by the side of a road without requiring a strip of antennas to be placed on the ground and in the roadway for athletes to pass over. Each timing location contains a pair of vertical antenna assemblies and control boxes that can be quickly and easily set up and taken down. The vertical orientation of the antennas also avoids the necessity of a skin being laid across the road for a runner to cross. 
         [0008]    The present invention can also be used in conjunction with the previous system. The vertical antennas can be placed directly over the previously described timing line. Each system has its own controller, power supply, batteries etc. . . In such a configuration total redundancy is achieved in that if any of the lines fail, the other will capture the runner&#39;s time. In this configuration the runner&#39;s time will be the same irrespective of what line captured the read so there is now no error when the runner&#39;s time is captured on the secondary line. In this combined configuration, the radiating pattern of the vertical antennae have been designed in such a way that they work synergistically with the horizontal antenna and do not interfere. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention provides an all-weather option that is better suited to the logistics and pace of today&#39;s style of events. The present invention includes four primary components: the controller, a vertically oriented RFID antenna, the timing tag, and the remote server software. 
         [0010]    According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic timing system for timing of athletic events comprising a vertically oriented radio-frequency identification reader assembly, a portable timing controller, a remote server, and a radio-frequency identification timing tag that is configured for attachment to an athlete. The portable timing controller includes input/output means for exchanging data with the radio-frequency identification antenna. The remote server also includes input/output means for exchanging data with the input/output means of the portable timing controller. The timing tag and antenna include means for wirelessly communicating data between one another. 
         [0011]    According to a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, the vertically oriented radio-frequency identification reader assembly includes an antenna assembly, a water-resistant radome surrounding the antenna assembly, and a tripod supporting the radome and antenna assembly. The antenna assembly further includes a two-element dual linear phased array antenna assembly, and a feed network disposed on a printed circuit board, a portal ground plane positioned between the antenna assembly and printed circuit board, and a pair of RF cables electrically connected to the feed network. The feed network is electrically coupled to the two-element dual linear phased array antenna assembly. The two-element dual linear phased array antenna assembly may include a pair of dual-feed U-shaped radiating elements according to one aspect of the invention. A plurality of spacers may also be positioned between the U-shaped radiating elements and the portal ground plane. 
         [0000]    The U-shaped radiating elements and the portal ground plane are formed of a conductive material, which may be an anodized aluminum alloy such 5052-H32 aluminum.
 
According to a preferred embodiment, the portal ground plane is at least 57 cm in length and at least 21 cm in width. The radome may be formed of a durable acrylic-pvc alloy such as KYDEX®.
 
         [0012]    According to yet a further aspect of the present invention, a back lobe suppressor may be provided. The back lobe suppressor may have a front face positioned adjacent a rear surface of the antenna assembly. The front face of the back lobe suppressor is preferably formed out of a radiant barrier material such as aluminum or stainless steel, or out of a metallic mesh material, preferably copper mesh. 
         [0013]    According to one aspect of the invention, a pair of vertically oriented radio-frequency identification reader assemblies are positioned on opposing sides of a race path. A portable timing controller may be associated with each one of the pair of vertically oriented radio-frequency identification reader assemblies. A horizontally oriented radio-frequency identification reader assembly extending across the race path may also be provided. The horizontally oriented radio-frequency identification reader assembly is also associated with its own corresponding portable timing controller. The pair of vertically oriented radio-frequency identification reader assemblies may be positioned twenty-eight feet or less from one another across the race path. 
         [0014]    Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a low cost, portable, configurable timing system that eliminates the strips of skins housing antennas to be laid across a racecourse. It is a further object of the invention to provide a portable timing system having vertically oriented antennas that can be quickly and easily set up and taken down along the racecourse. 
         [0015]    These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent with reference to the text and the drawings of this application. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram showing the primary components of the present invention according to a presently preferred embodiment as used in conjunction with an improved race timing system. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is schematic diagram showing the primary components of the present invention according to a presently preferred embodiment used in conjunction with an alternative improved race timing system. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view one presently preferred embodiment of the present invention having of a pair of vertically oriented antennae and controllers positioned along a racecourse. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the antenna assembly according to a presently preferred embodiment. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a front view in elevation of the antenna assembly shown in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the printed circuit board (PCB) of the antenna assembly shown in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a controller for the improved timing system of the present invention according to one presently preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a schematic view of the controller of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an alternate preferred embodiment of the present invention having a horizontally oriented antenna and a pair of vertically oriented antennae and controllers positioned along a racecourse. 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a horizontally oriented reader and antenna assembly according to one presently preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  is a photograph in perspective of a horizontally oriented antenna assembly according to an alternate preferred embodiment depicting a back lobe suppressor used in conjunction with the antenna. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0027]    The present invention is a race timing system  10  incorporating one or more vertically oriented reader assemblies  14 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the timing system  10  includes four primary components: a controller  12 , a vertically oriented RFID reader assembly  14 , a timing tag  16 , and a remote server  18 . The remote server  18  and associated software collects timing data from any race point where a vertically oriented RFID reader assembly  14  and controller  12  are located using several different methodologies and delivers this data to the timer so that he/she can quickly and efficiently score the race.  FIG. 2  depicts how timing data collected from the vertically oriented RFID reader assembly  14  is passed to the controller  12 , which in turn sends it to the remote system server  18  via a communication link using, for example a cell phone tower  20 . The system server  18  formats and filters this data and delivers it to the timers scoring package, via any accessible internet link. This enables timers to score races remotely—that is, they use non-skilled employees to lay out the timing equipment at the race site and, using the GPRS cell capabilities built into or attached to each controller  12 , the data is sent to the timer who scores the race from their office or mobile timing center and using a laptop computer  22  with printer attached (not shown) that prints the results in situ or sends them remotely to the race site. 
         [0028]    According to a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, the vertically oriented RFID reader assembly  14  includes an antenna assembly  24  enclosed in a water resistant radome  26  which, in turn, is mounted on a tripod  28 . Each antenna assembly  24  consists of a two-element dual linear phased array antenna assembly, which includes two U-shaped radiating elements  30   a,    30   b,  a small ground plane  32 , a feed network on a printed circuit board (PCB)  34 , and at least two RF cables  35   a,    35   b  connected to the PCB which in turn creates the phased array vertically polarized signals which are fed to the respective radiating elements  30   a,    30   b.  The antenna assembly can be potentially used in applications that require wide coverage and superior antenna gain. According to one presently preferred embodiment of the invention, the antenna assembly  24  is a Speedway® XPORTAL™ RFID Reader, as is known in the art, turned on its side such that what would normally be the horizontally polarized array is now the vertically polarized array. In the present invention, only the now vertically polarized array need be utilized. 
         [0029]    As best shown in  FIGS. 4 &amp; 5 , the antenna assembly  24  includes a pair of dual feed U-shaped radiating elements  30   a,    30   b,  mounted on a portal ground plane  32 . A plurality of spacers  31  are used to offset the radiating elements  30   a,    30   b  from the portal ground plane  32 . The radiating elements  30   a,    30   b  and ground plane  32  may be formed of any suitable conductive material. According to one preferred aspect of the invention, the radiating elements  30   a,    30   b  and ground plane  32  are formed from an anodized aluminum alloy such as 5052-H32 aluminum. The ground plane  32  needs to be large enough to work properly, otherwise the ground currents will cause undesirable radiation and the antenna will become very RF sensitive. According to a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, the minimum size of the ground plane is required to be 57 cm×21 cm. Pairs of standoffs  33   a,    33   b  and  33   c,    33   d  connect the radiating elements  30   a,    30   b,  respectively, to the PCB  34 . 
         [0030]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , the PCB  34  consists of a top layer  36  and a bottom layer  38  surrounding a core  40 . The top layer  36  and bottom layer  38  are formed from a high performance epoxy laminate, preferably FR-406, with a preferred dielectric constant of 4.8. The thickness of the PCB  34  is preferably approximately 0.062 inches. The conductors  42  on the top layer  36  and bottom layer  38  are plated to 1.5 oz. minimum, with a conductive material, preferably copper. All holes  44  in the PCB  34  are plated through as shown in  FIG. 6 . The top layer  36  and bottom layer  38  are preferably finished with a solder mask over bare copper (SMOBC). 
         [0031]    The radome  26  may be formed from a durable acrylic-pvc alloy, such as KYDEX® or a material having similar RF characteristics. The impedance of the antenna  24  must be tuned to the specific radome  26 . If the antenna  24  is taken outside of the radome  26 , or a vastly different radome material is used, the antenna impedance will be detuned resulting in poor performance. Accordingly, other materials having dissimilar RF characteristics from KYDEX® may be used, but only if the impedance of the antenna  24  is tuned for that specific material. 
         [0032]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , the antenna  24  is connected to a timing controller box  12 , which remains on the ground next to the tripod  28 . As shown in  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 , the controller  12  is a self-contained mobile Gen2 UHF RFID reader system and includes intelligent power management in the form of a power control board  124  that will accept and manage electrical power from multiple sources, including 110-220 volt AC  126 , and removable batteries  130   a,    130   b.  The power control board  124  also drives one or more LEDs  136   a,    136   b  to indicate battery levels and further sounds an audible alarm  138  when the power level is critically low. Each battery  130   a,    130   b  also contains its own power management board  140   a,    140   b,  respectively, that prevents the batteries  130   a,    130   b  from being overcharged or damaged by being fully discharged or short circuited. 
         [0033]    Internally, the controller  12  utilizes a self-contained mobile Gen2 UHF RFID reader  142 . This reader may be standard off-the-shelf RFID readers such as the Speedway® Revolution RFID Reader manufactured by Impinj®, and is capable of reading 650 RFID tags per second. A proprietary application has been embedded onto the reader to filter the enormous amount of data it is capable of collecting and further to format and present the data in such a fashion that it can be used in a timing environment. The RFID antenna ports  141   a - 141   d  from the reader  142  are piped to the output mesa  143  on the controller  12  where quick connect connectors are used to connect the feed cables  36   a - 36   d  to the ports  141   a - 141   d,  respectively, of the controller  12 . 
         [0034]    The controller  12  utilizes a a pressure sensitive membrane (keypad)  144  in conjunction with a LCD display  146  to configure the RFID reader and to manage and configure input out devices used to convey the timing data to the timing server  18  or directly to the timer&#39;s laptop. The controller  12  utilizes multiple I/O methodologies and devices including Ethernet, external cellular modems, external WiFi and USB ports to communicate data. The controller  12  has a built in Ethernet hub  150  with two external Ethernet ports  151   a,    151   b.  The RFID reader  142  is IP addressable and can be configured using the keypad  144  and LCD display  146 . The Ethernet ports  151   a,    151   b  can be used to attach the controller  12  to any network following the appropriate configuration steps. The controller  12  can be connected to the server  18  by using third party GPRS routers such as a Cradlepoint 350 and either a AT&amp;T or Verizon compatible modems. The Cradlepoint router is attached to the controller via Ethernet using the built in Ethernet ports  151   a  or  151   b.  . As shown in  FIG. 2 , this modem is used to send timing data to a system server  18  from remote locations where it is not feasible to use Ethernet or WiFi. The controller  12  can also utilize 802.11 a/b/g wireless radio (WiFi) by attaching a third party WiFi device one of the Ethernet ports  151   a  or  151   b.  The traditional use such a device is to allow a timer to wirelessly communicate to a controller  12  from his or her laptop computer  22 . Finally, timing data can be manually removed from the controller plugging USB memory sticks into one or more USB ports  156  built into the controller  12 . USB memory sticks can also be used to load application upgrades to the RFID reader  142 . The controller components are housed in a portable carry case  145  that can be equipped with a handle to aid in carrying. It is understood that alternative controllers, for example the controllers described in applicant&#39;s co-pending international application serial no. PCT/US10/36674, can be utilized in connection with the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. 
         [0035]    Each controller  12  and antenna assembly  14  can monitor a 14 ft section of road. Any distance in excess of 14 ft requires a system on each side of the road, as shown in  FIG. 3 . The controllers  12  and antenna assemblies  14  have been designed so they can be positioned directly opposite each other without creating interference. 
         [0036]    According to an alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 , a race timing system  10  is provided incorporating one or more vertically oriented reader assemblies  14   a,    14   b  and a horizontally oriented reader assembly  15 . Each of the reader assemblies  14   a,    14   b,    15  is connected to a controller  12 , as shown in  FIG. 9 . Alternatively, two or more of the reader assemblies can be connected to a single controller. 
         [0037]    The horizontally oriented reader  15  is configured as described in applicant&#39;s co-pending international application serial no. PCT/US10/36674, and as shown in  FIG. 10 , wherein an RFID antenna  50  is housed within a rubberized shell (“skin”)  58  that encases the antenna  50  and allows the routing of cables to subsequent antennae  50   b,    50   c , . . . in the line. The antenna  50  is tuned to only operate correctly when inserted into the skin  58 , and the reader  142  will not recognize that an antenna is attached when it is not properly inserted in the skin  58 . The skin  58  includes a central hollow section  60  for receiving the RFID antenna  50  and cabling for connecting the RFID antenna  50  to the controller and/or to additional RFID antennae. Sloped side sections  62   a,    62   b  are connected to the lengthwise ends of the central section  60  to create a gradual slope leading up to the raised center section  60 . A hinged cover  64  to the central section  60  is provided to facilitate insertion of the RFID antenna  50  and cabling. The dimensions of the skin  58  and the slope of the end sections  62   a,    62   b  are designed to be ADA compliant, and preferably the skin  58  is approximately 42″ L×31.5″W and is 1″ H at the central section  60 . Each respective skin (e.g.  58   a ) is configured to be interlockingly attached to another skin (e.g.  58   b ) by projections  66   a,    66   b  that are provided in one end of each respective end section  62   a,    62   b  and corresponding indentations  68   a,    68   b  provided in the other end of each respective end section  62   a,    62   b  of the skin  58 . The ends of multiple skins may be linked together form timing lines as shown in  FIG. 9 . These lines, when connected to a controller  12 , can detect when timing tags  16  cross them and assign a time to when this event occurs. One controller  12  can support a line from 42 inches (a single RFID antenna  50  and skin  58 ) to 28 feet (eight RFID antennae and skins). 
         [0038]    After testing of the antenna assembly  24  it was discovered that the use of vertical antennas resulted in the creation of a significant back lobe from the rear face of the antenna  24  facing away from the racecourse. As a result, the antenna assembly could also obtain readings from tags located off the racecourse. This is particular problematic at the start and finish lines where runners may be milling about in the vicinity of the antenna assemblies while not actively participating in the event. In order to prevent such errant readings, the antenna assembly  24  may be fitted with a back lobe suppressor  70  as best shown in  FIG. 11 . The back lobe suppressor  70  has a front face  72  that faces the antenna assembly, and a rear face facing away therefrom. The front face  72  is formed out of a radiant barrier material such as aluminum or stainless steel, or, in the alternative, can be made from a metallic mesh material, preferably copper mesh. The rear face of the back lobe suppressor can be fabricated from any available material, and may even be the reverse side of the same material forming the front face  72 . The front face  72  of the back lobe suppressor  70  is preferably separated a distance from the back side of the antenna assembly  24 . One or more standoffs may be placed between the antenna assembly  24  and the back lobe suppressor  70  to achieve the desired separation. Use of a back lobe suppressor in this manner reduces the detection area behind the antenna from 10-15 feet to a mere 2 feet, which for application purposes is manageable. According to one preferred embodiment, the back lobe suppressor  70  is stamped from sheet metal into the shape depicted in  FIG. 11 . 
         [0039]    The foregoing is provided for purposes of illustrating, explaining, and describing embodiments of the present invention. The specific components and order of the steps listed above, while preferred is not necessarily required. Further modifications and adaptation to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.