Patent Publication Number: US-10319155-B2

Title: System for tracking participants

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention is directed toward a system for tracking participants in an event and more particularly toward a tracking system that enhances an event for spectators. 
     Tracking participants in an event is known in the art. For example, for longer road races such as marathons, participants are provided a chip that transmits a signal when crossing devices at designated locations on the race course. The transmitted information is then sent to spectators to inform them of the participant&#39;s progress. 
     While helpful, these systems have several deficiencies. For example, the systems do not provide information of the participant in between check points, nor an estimated time of arrival at a check point. Thus, spectators have difficulty navigating the race course in order to observe a specific participant. Further, no video is provided at the check points to permit a spectator to observe a selected participant from a remote location. 
     Thus, an objective of the system is to provide a tracking system that estimates a time of arrival of a participant at a check point. 
     Another objective is to provide a tracking system that permits a spectator to observe a participant from a remote location. 
     These and other objectives will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art based upon the following written description, drawings, and claims. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A tracking system having a website connected to an electronic device over an electronic network. Identification information associated with participant information related to an identification chip worn by a participant and stored in the electronic device. The website displays the present position of a selected participant, a live continuous video feed from selected check points, the pace of the selected participant and the estimated time of arrival for the participant at a selected check point. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURE 
       The FIGURE shows a schematic view of a tracking system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to the FIGURE, a participant tracking system  10  includes a website  12  connected to an electronic device  14  and connected to an electronic network. The electronic device  14  has an operating system  16 , memory  18 , and software  20 . 
     A plurality of participants  22 , such as runners in a marathon, are issued an identification card, chip, or transmitter  24  that includes identification information  26 . At the time of providing the chip  24 , participant information  28  associated with the identification information  26  is entered into the electronic device  14  and stored in the memory  18 . Each participant  22  attaches the chip  24  to their body or clothing and a signal is sent to a receiver  30  that provides the geographic location of the participant  22 . The receiver is connected to the electronic device  14 . 
     Utilizing the software  20  and the operating system  16 , the electronic device  14  determines the geographic location of the participant based upon the transmitted information. The location of the participant is then shown on the website  12  in relation to the course  32  stored in the memory  18  and is updated in real time. The electronic device  14  also calculates the participant&#39;s pace based upon the distance and elapsed time between the start position  34  and start time and the participant&#39;s present position  36 . The participant&#39;s  22  pace is displayed on the website and the pace for preselected intervals may also be displayed. 
     In addition, the electronic device calculates an estimated time of arrival at a selected check point  38 . The ETA is based upon the participant&#39;s average pace over a selected time interval and the distance between the participant&#39;s present position  36  and the selected check point. The ETA information is displayed on the website  12 . The electronic device, based on personal information and geographic location, can calculate the participant&#39;s place in the race and place in subcategories such as sex and/or age. This information is periodically saved by the electronic device  14  for later review. 
     Video cameras  40  are positioned at selected check points  38  on the course  32 . The video cameras  40  transmit a live feed that is received and displayed on the website  12  by the electronic device  14 . 
     In operation, a spectator  42  accesses the website  12  via the electronic network. The spectator either enters participant  28  and/or identification information or searches for the participant  22  from a listing  44  displayed on the website  12 . Once the participant is selected, the electronic device  14  displays the participant&#39;s  22  position  36  as compared to the course  32 , and calculates and displays the participant&#39;s pace and ETA to selected check points  38 . As a result, the spectator can move about the course  32  in order to view the participant. Alternatively, the spectator  42 , if in a remote location, will know the ETA in order to view the participant  22  as they pass a check point  38  via the video display.