Abstract:
A lap counter system for multiple runners automatically counts and times one or more runner(s) during a workout session exercise at either an indoor or outdoor running track suitable for use at a health club, school, business, government or other organization promoting physical activity to enhance the health of their members. The system includes standalone, computer controlled, end user friendly components that displays fitness statistics during the use of the running track for each runner without impeding the athletic activity with a cumbersome wearable device. The system preferably includes a display visible to the runner at one or more points around the track such as a scoreboard with the aforementioned statistics displayed providing the runner with a virtual coach.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates to a system for counting and timing a runner on a track and, more particularly, to a system for counting and timing the laps of one or more runners on the same track without a system component impeding each individual runner or the logging of the runner&#39;s individual exercise workout session.  
         [0002]     There are a number of devices for counting and timing the laps of a runner. On personal lap counters, these devices generally fall into two different technology categories: a GPS driven device or an inertia detection device. There are significant problems and limitations with both technology categories and the respective devices used therein. First, each device shares the disadvantage of a significant investment of time to learn the operation and of money by the runner to purchase a component of these systems.  
         [0003]     Next, commercially available GPS devices are quite expensive and generally take the shape of a wristwatch or a band attached around an arm of the runner. GPS devices although accurate in calculation of speed and location are somewhat delicate instruments that require significant time to calibrate before they can provide reliable data to the runner. Such devices are limited to only outdoors track where there are no overhead obstructions to impede the reception of satellite signals that often require at least three satellite captures of the signal for a proper triangulation of the runner on the ground. Moreover, to log meaningful data similar to the present invention, the GPS devices of these technologies would require additional memory on board which consumes battery power to later download the logged data to a personal computer (PC) for printing out the statistics on a particular exercise workout session. In addition, the runner utilizing a GPS system needs to be careful handling the GPS devices and so ruggedness, temperature and moisture often plays a role in the overall effectiveness of the GPS device in outdoor track settings.  
         [0004]     On the other hand, the modern inertia detection devices are essentially more elaborate electronic versions of the classic pedometer with all of the normal problems encounter by the electronic GPS devices and yet having additional unique problems for the runner that makes inertia devices unfriendly to the end user. Inertia devices require a careful calibration to the runner&#39;s stride which may change several time over an exercise workout session and once set, all calculations are based on that stride whether it&#39;s an accurate approximation or not. If the runner changes stride during the workout, which is often the case because the runner either speeds up or slows down, there is little chance that the inertia device no matter how expensive the electronics can properly compensate for this change in the runner&#39;s stride. Therefore, the runner ends up with essentially erroneous data displayed and later logged out to a PC for printing the exercise workout session results.  
         [0005]     And then there are even more expensive type of runner systems used in Marathon running, cycling and other similar type athletic events marketed by ChampionChip World of the Netherlands. Its principal use is to log the times of runners and the like as they cross the finish line in a race. Since this type of system utilizes expensive components to energize and capture a signal from a chip on board the runner that has a coil which must be energized by a magnetic field at the finish line, a powerful magnetic field must be created and then each individual runner&#39;s chip produces only a small signal that must be picked up by an accompanying antenna that is also located in a specialized mat at the finish line. There is no feedback displayed to the runner in this system and the chip in the system is often subject to severe shock during accidents and other traumas during the run that can damage it and render it useless at the finish line.  
         [0006]     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a lap counter system that automatically counts and times a runner&#39;s laps around an indoor or outdoor track that requires no investment in time or money by the individual runner to utilize.  
         [0007]     It is a further object of the invention to provide a lap counter system that is inexpensive but yet provides an accurate device worn by a runner for automatically counting and timing each individual runner doing laps around a track that has no restrictions of indoor versus outdoor use.  
         [0008]     It is a further object of the invention to provide a lap counter system for counting and timing a runner&#39;s laps around a track that results in accurate information about each individual lap completed despite changes in the runner&#39;s stride or form while running around the track.  
         [0009]     It is a further object of the invention to provide a lap counter system for counting and timing a runner&#39;s laps around a track that produces workout statistics that are captured by a storage device for later printing results or tracking the progress over a multiple of exercise workout sessions over a predetermined time span.  
         [0010]     It is still a further object of the invention to provide a method for a lap counter system for counting and timing a runner&#39;s laps around a track that can be added to an organization or club track facility statistics on each individual runner with relative ease while an essentially unlimited number of runners on the track are able to see a display of their progress during each runner exercise workout session.  
         [0011]     It is still a further object of the invention to provide a system for counting and timing a runner on a track with a passive emitter or tag carried or attached to the runner person or clothing which is unobtrusive and has no appreciable effect upon the runner&#39;s performance on the track.  
         [0012]     It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a system for counting and timing a runner&#39;s laps on a track with a durable and active emitter or tag having a greater sensing range than a passive emitter or tag.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0013]     In accordance with the present invention, the foregoing objects are met by providing a lap counter system for counting and timing a runner&#39;s laps around a track in which the runner affixes either a passive or active transponder tag, respectively, to the person or the clothing worn by the person and in which the runner passes by an antenna generally incorporated into a receiver located adjacent the track to pick up the signal emitted from the tag during each lap around the track. Each tag is encoded with unique information related to a particular individual runner and this tag serves as a transponder with the runner&#39;s information concerning the counting and timing of the laps associated with each exercise workout session so that this lap information can be logged into a storage device in the system associated with each runner assigned tag. This logging function permits each runner&#39;s data for one or more exercise workout sessions to be stored for later comparison between various workout sessions to see the advancement in physical training for each runner. A signal from the runner&#39;s tag is generally picked up by an antenna of a predetermined configuration or array generally incorporated into a receiver located closely adjacent the running track.  
         [0014]     Preferably, a lap counter system for multiple runners automatically counts and times one or more runner(s) during an exercise workout session at either an indoor or outdoor running track suitable for use at a health club, school, business, government or other organization promoting physical activity to enhance the health of their members. The system includes a standalone emitter tag worn by a runner, an antenna or other array sensing a signal from the emitter tag during each lap, a computer receiving and processing the sensed signal from the antenna or array for presenting the runner lap information in any desired format, end user friendly components that display predetermined fitness statistics during the use of the running track for each runner without impeding the athletic activity with a cumbersome or fragile wearable device. Through an unique, coded passive or active transponder tag or device carried by or attached in some manner to the runner, the system calculates individual elapsed time, current lap number, time taken to run the last lap, total distance run, minutes per mile achieved per lap, and speed in mile per hour per lap or any other relevant data related to the exercise workout session. The system preferably includes a display visible to the runner at one or more points around the track such as a scoreboard or other type of monitor with the aforementioned running statistics displayed providing the runner with a virtual coach. On the completion of the exercise workout session, the runner may print out a hard copy (receipt) of the workout session statistics or data. The results of each runner exercise workout session is logged into the system computer and stored for future reference by the runner or others. Therefore, multiple runner workout sessions can be easily referenced at a later date and the data from each workout session is available to view training progress on each runner. The end result of utilizing this lap counter system for multiple runners of the present invention is getting all of the benefit of workout logging provided by a health club treadmill machine, but with an actual running on a track exercise workout session that is universally accepted and considered to be superior to that of the motor assisted treadmill or other health club workout machines or devices.  
         [0015]     Preferably, a lap counter system for one or more runners comprises means for counting and timing a workout session of a runner using a programmed microprocessor in which the results are displayed to the runner using a monitor or scoreboard type of device strategically placed near or about an indoor or outdoor track. The monitor or scoreboard uses light emitting diodes or a graphic liquid crystal display or the like. The microprocessor is programmable to operate in predetermined modes to display relevant information with regard to the runner such as lap count completed, total distance completed, time of each lap, average of each lap time, average speed or individual speed of a particular lap, real or total time, pace (minutes/mile) or last lap time. Also, the microprocessor is adapted for programming by either the club or individual runners to change the output of data for review by each runner.  
         [0016]     Other features and advantages of the invention, which are believed to be novel and nonobvious, will be apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which there is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention. Reference is made to the claims for interpreting the full scope of the invention, which is not necessarily represented by any one embodiment. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]      FIG. 1  shows a pictorial illustration of a running track and multiple runners incorporating the basic components of a lap counter system in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  is a partial perspective view of an installed emitter tag installed on a running shoe as shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0019]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a box enclosure including a receiving antenna and computer for a lap counter system as shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0020]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view on the enclosure taken along cross section lines  4 - 4  of the lap counter system as shown in  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0021]      FIG. 5  is a partial block diagram of the electronics in either the box enclosure or kiosk stand enclosure of the lap counter system as shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0022]      FIG. 6  is a partial block diagram of the informational flow recorded in electronics of the box and kiosk enclosures as shown in the lap counter in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0023]      FIG. 7  is a partial flowchart of the initiation of an exercise workout session by a runner accordance with the invention of the lap counter system shown in  FIG. 1 ; and  
         [0024]      FIG. 8  is a partial flowchart of a preferred embodiment of an exercise workout session and completion thereof in accordance with the invention of the lap counter system as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0025]     Although this invention is susceptible to embodiments of many different forms, a preferred embodiment will be described and illustrated in detail herein. The present disclosure exemplifies the principles of the invention and is not to be considered a limit to the broader aspects of the invention to the particular embodiment as described.  
         [0026]      FIG. 1  shows a pictorial illustration of a lap counter system  10  for multiple runners  12  and  12   a  automatically counting and timing one or more of the runners  12  or  12   a  during their travel around a generally oval running track  14  comprising one or more electronic receivers  16  and  16   a  having antennas  18  and  18   a , respectively, or other electronic sensing array for electrically coupling the receivers  16  and  16   a  to a transponder or emitter tag  20  affixed to each of the runners  12  and  12   a  in any suitable manner (showing an attachments to the running shoe in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) to relay unique information and data concerning each runner  12  and  12   a  and the number of laps conducted during an exercise workout session at the track  14 , provides one typical embodiment of the system  10 .  
         [0027]     The transponder or emitter tags  20  that are generally used in the system  10  are either a disposable radio frequency identification (RFID) passive type tag or a more durable active emitter tag. If the organization uses a passive transponder tag  20  as shown in  FIG. 1 , it is typically affixed to the running shoes  22  of the athlete. However, the tag  20  could be affixed to any clothing on the athlete or even attached to the runner by an armband, bracelet, string or the like. The tag  20  is a generally small rectangular shaped device such as a disposable smart label having an adhesive backing on the label with a RFID tag embedded inside. A passive tag  20  can be encoded with unique identification information about each runner including variable data and tested before an RFID printer at some computer station in the facility or at the track kiosk  16   a  actually begins printing the label. The printed label can further contain all the bar codes identifiers, text and graphics used in a typical exercise workout session for a particular runner or exercise routine. This powerful combination of a disposable tag or label  20  provides data capacity, security and flexibility for enhancing and extending identification of the runner and data collection by the receivers  16  or  16   a  of the system  10 . Companies like Zebra Technologies of Vernon Hills, Ill. make special RFID label printers to encode the labels with each individual runner  12  and  12   a  information.  
         [0028]     Sensing distance of the tag or label  20  can vary depending upon the manufacturer of the passive tag or label  20  being used but generally covers at least a meter or two from an omni-directional antenna array  18  or  18   a  located on the side of the box receiver  16  or kiosk receiver  16   a  facing the running track  14 . The receivers  16  and  16   a  including the antenna array  18  and  18   a  are powered by a RFID reader pulse signal that is sent out to the passive tag or label  20  as the runners  12  and  12   a  run past the receivers  16  and  16   a  that energizes the tag or label  20  on the runners to relay their identification information back to the receivers to perform the aforementioned counting and timing functions of the system  10 . The size of a passive tag or label  20  is approximately in the one by three inch range or smaller as electronics continue to miniaturize and the weight is virtually nothing in comparison to the overall weight of a running shoes  22  and socks  22   a.    
         [0029]     The passive tags or labels  20  are very inexpensive and literally can be thrown away or disposed of after each exercise workout session by a health club member or guest doing the running on the indoor or outdoors track. This provides for a high level of security concerning the personal training and fitness of each runner utilizing this lap counter system of the present invention. Therefore, the expense or charge to the individual runner using the track facility with a personal passive tag or label  20  to measure their performance is nominal at best. Also, since the computer in the lap counter system offers virtually an unlimited number of different preprogrammed workout sessions that can be chosen by each runner, the runner spends little time interfacing with the smart tag or label in setting up the parameters of a workout session and instead spends most of the time doing the actual running around the track.  
         [0030]     Next, the RFID tag or label  20  may be a more durable active device (not shown). An active tag or label is generally made of a hard or plastic type of material in the appearance of a commercial pager. This active RFID tag would generally be supplied by the organization operating the running track and such a tag has a much greater sensing distance of up to or exceeding 25 meters or more from the receivers  16  and  16   a . The active tag would require only a directional antenna in stead of an array antenna on the receivers  16  and  16   a  and is powered by its own battery. The dimensions of this type of the permanent active tag is approximately 1.5″×3.0″×0.38″ thick.  
         [0031]     Again, each individual runner&#39;s information is then stored on the active tag similar to the previously described passive tag or label  20 . Again as the runners  12  and  12   a  go past the receivers  16  and  16   a  mounted adjacent the running track  14  and the active tag provides a signal captured by the receivers  16  and  16   a  through their respective antennas for processing by the facilities microprocessor within the box or kiosk enclosures or back to a main computer in the facility with the runner&#39;s data being recorded and logged during each exercise workout session.  
         [0032]      FIG. 2  shows in greater detail, the passive and generally rectangular RFID tag or label  20  attached to the running shoes  22  of the runner  12   a  as shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0033]      FIG. 3  shows in greater detail the typical setup of the box receiver  16  in the lap counter system  10 . The box receiver  16  is generally mounted to an inner track floor space  14   a  and includes a protective housing  24  of any suitable and durable material like plastic or metal surrounding the electronics and antenna  18  in the lap counter system  10 . The protective housing  24  includes a generally flat, pair of flanges  26  extending perpendicularly outward on opposing sides of the protective housing  24 . The flanges  26  include one or more holes  28 . One or more fasteners (not shown) like screws, nails or other similar type fastener pass through each of the holes  28  on the opposing flanges  26  to secure the receiver  16  to floor  14   a  adjacent the track surface  14  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 .  
         [0034]     A power cord  32  is connected to an AC adapter  34  that provides the required voltage and amperage to power the electronics within the box receiver  16 . The AC adapter  34  is plugged into a receptacle  36  having either 110VAC or 230VAC. Then the runner or operator of the system  10  sets the time and date on the display  38  and then the track parameters for each workout session. The display  38  of the time and date is typically either a light emitting diodes or graphic LCD. The box receiver  16  includes operator-actuated buttons  40  and memory tree ports  42 ,  1  through  10  as shown in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0035]      FIG. 3  shows a block diagram of the electronic circuitry  44  of the system  10  that fits conveniently into the box receiver  16 . A microprocessor or other computer is at the heart of the system  10  which may include a CPU that is either a 486 Pentium or proprietary microprocessor. Preferably, a Pentium motherboard incorporates a RFID reader. The type of Pentium CPU is a 200 MHz, 128 MB RAM, 32 MB Memory, card/stick, display driver, RS 232 serial or RS 422, and a USB (hub). A typically designed Microcomputer includes a 16-bit, 20 MHz, 256K Flash Memory, 2K EEPROM, USB, SPI, SCI and a RTC (real time clock). The motherboard CPU communicates with a RFID Reader (not shown) (reference Texas Instruments part number RI-STU-251B) via RS 232 or RS 422 with ACSII protocol. Such a RFID Reader is capable of handling approximately 900 distinct passive or active tags simultaneously. Therefore, the capacity of the running track would be as many as nine hundred runners using the running track at one time. This far exceeds any general use of most running tracks at health clubs or other runner facilities. Generally, most running tracks typically have only a handful of runners  12  and  12   a  using a running track  14  at one time.  
         [0036]     The external antennas  18  and  18   a  of the receivers  16  and  16   a , respectively, are connected to the RFID reader. When the antenna is a larger omni-directional antenna array, it is capable of generating a pulse signal for activating the passive tag or label  20  as the runner  12  or  12   a  passes through the signal range of the antenna  18  or  18   a  and thus collect data pertinent to each runner who runs past the receivers  16  and  16   a  to log in the data concerning that runner&#39;s workout session. The antenna type or array depends upon the type of tag selected for the system  10  and whether the tag or label  20  is active or passive.  
         [0037]     Referring now to the block diagram of  FIG. 5 , a keypad  48  with push buttons on the box receiver  16  or a touch screen keypad  48   a  on the kiosk receiver  16   a  permits the operator or runner to input a particular program or data into the microprocessor  46  of the computer in  FIG. 5 . A graphic LCD display  50  is connected to the microcomputer/microprocessor  46  to display the data, time and date information and other aforementioned runner information as to count of laps, speed, distance and time of each runner workout session. The power adapter module  34  provides the necessary current and voltage to run the microcomputer  46 . Also, an USB hub  52  is connected to a USB Memory Tree  54 . The microcomputer  46  includes another output  56  to drive the optional display monitor  58  as shown in  FIG. 1 , in which a single or multiple monitors  58  is placed at predetermined locations around the running track  14 .  
         [0038]     A commercially available pedestal Kiosk like TouchScreens.com from Mass Multimedia, Inc. offers a variety of interactive hardware and software solutions in an attractive, angled touch screen display as shown in  FIG. 1  that can be used as an input station for the runner in the lap counter system  10  of the present invention. The Kiosk receiver  16   a  is capable of printing and providing disposable tags or labels  20  with the requisite information about each individual runner and type of program to be run. Other versions of the Kiosk pedestal receiver includes a printer and output tray for generating passive, disposable RFID labels on demand for each of the runners  12  and  12   a.    
         [0039]     The active, durable tag version of the pedestal Kiosk receiver  16   a  would feature top mounted and integrated active receptacle that identifies the durable tag as it is positioned or plugged into the receptacle and then the Kiosk receiver  16   a  prompts the runner  12  or  12   a  to initiate the input. The runner would then be assigned a permanent active tag by his club or organization and would bring it to the running track each time that the runner wanted to record or log a workout session.  
         [0040]     Obviously, all of the components like the computer and its related circuitry that may be found in the box receiver  16  and its antenna  18  as previously described above, are also easily incorporated into the pedestal Kiosk receiver  16   a  located adjacent the running track  14 .  
         [0041]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram of the description of operation of the system  10 . An operating system  60  of the system  10  is connected to the following User blocks: Identify Block  62 —new runner identified via USB ports on box receiver  16 ; Setup Block  64 —sets the running distance via the keypad; and the Clock Block  66 —runner actuates upon passing the box or kiosk receivers  16  and  16   a  with an active or passive tag or label in the possession of the runner. The Data blocks comprise the following blocks: Access Block  68 —connects to the database and adds a new workout session; Log Block  70 —logs in the time of start and the desired distance of a workout session; and Record Block  72 —records the time, distance, speed, last or fastest lap. And finally the Display blocks comprise the following blocks: Greeting Block  74 —Displays Name and Greeting through the unique coding for each individual runner; Display Block  76 —displays the time of start and distance to go; and Record Block  78 —records the time, distance, and distance to go. In a programmable CPU as previously mentioned herein, this above mentioned description and its blocks could be changed by the operator or even the runner of the lap counter system  10  to provide other data and information concerning each workout session that might be desirable.  
         [0042]     The flowcharts of  FIGS. 7-8  describe a number of steps in the lap counter system  10 . When a runner approaches the box receiver  16  or the pedestal Kiosk receiver  16   a  to start the workout session, the system  10  asks if the runner has had a badge or tag issued as shown in decision block  1 . If the runner does not have a badge or tag then the badge issue subroutine in block  3  is launched. A runner with a previously issued badge or tag places it upon or plugs into the Kiosk sensor marked with an “X” indication or on block  5 . Once the sensor on the box receiver  16  or the Kiosk receiver  16   a  identifies the runner&#39;s badge information the user data is stored in memory of the computer. An RFID channel is assigned to the runner in block  7 . After all the runner&#39;s data is stored to memory the pedestal Kiosk changes to workout session monitoring or block  9  mode for this runner as shown in  FIG. 7 .  
         [0043]     Next, in  FIG. 8  the pedestal Kiosk CPU will initialize the process variables in block  11  of the flowchart (i.e. Lap Number, initial time, pace, speed, distance, etc.). Upon completion of the variable initialization, the CPU enters approximately a two-minute wait period, block  13  of the flowchart. During this wait period, the pedestal Kiosk receiver monitors for an initial trigger in block  15  being the first pass of the badge or emitter tag  20  within the particular antenna field. If no trigger occurs after the two-minute wait period, the runner&#39;s workout session is ended and the runner&#39;s workout session must be reinitiated back at block  3 . After a successful trigger various process variables are updated and stored to memory in block  17  of the flowchart. When all variables are current the unit again monitors for a trigger input. When the next trigger is recorded, the process variables are again stored to memory and new variables are computed (i.e. pace, time, speed and count of laps) in block  19 . These variables are then transmitted to the display  54  for the runners to observe as progressing around the running track  14  during a workout session. Before the program loops a background routine check the last lap time against the computed average plus an additional time factor in block  21 , which is a function of the running track length and location. If the last lap time is greater than this computed value then the session is placed in a “cool down” mode. The last lap information is subtracted from current totals, which provides only data relating to laps run. If the last lap time is greater than the computed average plus the factor then an end variable is set equal to on in block  21  of the flowchart. This end variable allows the program in the system  10  to exit the loop and begin the session ending routines in block  23 . The runner is then asked to confirm that the workout session is complete via the pedestal Kiosk in block  25 . If the runner answers no, then the session is changed to a “paused mode” in block  27 . If the session is complete the runner is asked if a hardcopy printout of the workout session data is required in block  29 . If yes, then a hardcopy of the runners&#39; workout session is printed in block  31 . If no, then the workout session proceeds to store the workout session data to an offline storage location in block  33  of the flowchart as shown in  FIG. 8 .  
         [0044]     Now how does a runner or operator interface with the system  10  of the present invention? The runners  12  and  12   a  will each approach the pedestal Kiosk and initiate a workout session with either the active durable RFID tag by placing the tag in a receptacle at the pedestal Kiosk or the passive RFID tag by first generating a new disposable tag at the printer in the pedestal Kiosk station that inputs the appropriate runner identification information.  
         [0045]     Once the runner RFID tag is initialized, the runner proceeds to the running track  14 . Upon running past the RFID antenna for the first time, the system  10  initiates tracking of the runner&#39;s progress through the workout session. Data is displayed real time, overhead, on one or more ceiling or wall-mounted displays  58  (LED or LCD Scoreboard Type). Each runner is identified by name and the following information is relayed to the runner: laps completed, pace (minute/mile), speed, total distance completed (miles or kilometers), total time, last lap time, etc.  
         [0046]     Information is computed by the CPU housed in either the box receiver  16  or the pedestal Kiosk receiver  16   a  based on each passing of the respective antenna sensors and displayed only when the runner is in view of the display, per the aforementioned description in the flowchart.  
         [0047]     The box or the pedestal Kiosk receiver CPU keeps track of a runner&#39;s average pace, and when this pace drops to a significant lower level indicating that the runner is walking instead of running, the system  10  assumes the runner is in a cool down mode and halts computation of the runner&#39;s performance.  
         [0048]     Upon completing the cool down period, the runner approaches the pedestal Kiosk and ends the workout session by placing the RFID tag back into a receptacle for the hard, durable tag or on a spot location on the either the box or Kiosk display. Upon completion of this task, the runner is given the option of printing out a hardcopy of the runner&#39;s performance during workout session just completed.  
         [0049]     These and other improvements would be within the realm of an ordinary person skilled in the art of lap counter systems once reviewing this invention.  
         [0050]     Having described and illustrated the principles of the invention in a preferred embodiment thereof, it should be apparent that the invention can be modified in arrangement and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.