Abstract:
A system and method for ranking the relative movement of objects on a pathway is provided. The method includes: dividing the pathway into a plurality of sectors, each sector having a rank of order with respect to a beginning and an ending point of the pathway; receiving coordinate data from each of the objects; identifying, based on the received coordinate data, if any objects are present in individual ones of the plurality of sectors; determining, for any sector that has at least two objects, the positional order of the at least two objects within that sector; and ranking the positional order of the plurality of objects along the pathway based upon the rank order of the sector in which each object is present, and which multiple objects that are present in any sector are ordered as set by the determining.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application 61/236,853 entitled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING RELATIVE POSITIONS OF MOVING OBJECTS AND SEQUENCE OF SUCH OBJECTS filed on Aug. 25, 2009, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a system and a method for determining the location of moving objects relative to each other in real time. More specifically, the present invention relates to determining the position of moving objects, such as race cars, relative to each other, so that the order of such objects can be determined. 
         [0004]    2. Discussion of Background Information 
         [0005]    Popularity of the sport of racing has risen dramatically over the last decade. As is well known, racing involves moving objects, such as cars, boats, people, animals, etc., around a fixed course. The winner is the participant that crosses the finish line first, although secondary prizes may be awarded (e.g., place and show) for various positions other than the winner. 
         [0006]    Information on the relative position of the participants during the race may also be of interest. For example, when the race is being broadcast, the broadcasters often include a ticker of the order of the race participants. Such information may also be valuable to comply with the race rules, such as auto racing, where the race can be stalled due to a “yellow flag” condition and the drivers are responsible for maintaining their order in the race while the yellow flag conditions persist. 
         [0007]    With respect to crossing the finish line, position can often be detected with the naked eye if the participants cross at distinct enough intervals. However, the naked eye method may not be reliable if the participants are too close to each other. A variety of technologies have thus emerged to provide an accurate accounting of events at the finish line. For example, the so-called “photo finish” refers to the use of a camera triggered by the passage of the lead object past the finish line which allows the visual observation of the winner and/or order of participants. More recently, in the field of auto racing, cars are equipped with inductive coils that interact with equipment proximate to the finish line, which triggers a signal as the cars cross the finish line. This methodology provides highly reliable information on the order in which each car crosses the finish line. 
         [0008]    While the above technologies are useful for monitoring the finish line, they are ineffective in determining the status of other events around the race course, particularly for identifying the order of the racing participants at any given time. Currently, the order of participants in the race is provided manually via “spotters” who physically observe the race and monitor/record the position of the participants. For instance, a typical NASCAR race uses about 20 such spotters, which entails a significant expense. 
         [0009]    It has been suggested to create artificial “finish” lines around the track to leverage the use of the inductive coils, but, in effect, an infinite amount of such artificial finish lines would be necessary to provide accurate results. There is presently no commercial technology for providing an accurate order of the participants in real time absent manual visual observation. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0010]    According to an embodiment of the invention, a method for ranking the relative movement of objects on a pathway is provided. The method includes: dividing the pathway into a plurality of sectors, each sector having a rank of order with respect to a beginning and an ending point of the pathway; receiving coordinate data from each of the objects; identifying, based on the received coordinate data, if any objects are present in individual ones of the plurality of sectors; determining, for any sector that has at least two objects, the positional order of the at least two objects within that sector; and ranking the positional order of the plurality of objects along the pathway based upon the rank order of the sector in which each object is present, and which multiple objects that are present in any sector are ordered as set by the determining. 
         [0011]    The above embodiment may have an optional feature where the pathway defines a closed loop that the plurality of objects will repeatedly travel over a number of laps, and the plurality of sectors covering a single lap of the number of laps. The method would optionally also include: identifying those of the plurality of objects that are in a first particular lap; performing the identifying and determining only for those of the plurality of objects that are associated with the first particular lap, while disregarding others of the plurality of objects that are associated with a different lap; wherein the ranking the positional order of the plurality of objects along the pathway is based upon a rank order of the number of laps, within each lap the rank order of the sectors in which each object is present, in which multiple objects within any sector for any common lap are ordered as set by the determining. 
         [0012]    The above embodiment may have various additional optional features. A forward edge of a highest ranking sector of the plurality of sectors may align with a predetermined end of the pathway. The pathway may includes a start line and a finish line, where a forward edge of a highest ranking sector of the plurality of sectors aligns with the finish line, and a rearward edge of the lowest ranking sector of the plurality of sectors aligns with the start line. The pathway may define a loop, and the start line and the finish line are the same line. The positional order may be visually displaying as established by the ranking. The steps of receiving, identifying, determining, and ranking steps may be recursively performed such that the positional order of the objects as they move along the pathway is monitored and updated. The recursively performing may occur in near real-time. The determining may include: determining from the received coordinate data the distance of each of the at least two objects to a forward edge of the sector, and ordering the at least two objects based upon the shortest to longest distance; or determining from the received coordinate data the distance of each of the at least two objects to a rear edge of the sector, and ordering the at least two objects based upon the longest to shortest distance. The ranking may include, for each sector, recursively in rank order sequence from the highest to the lowest, listing the objects in each sector to collectively provide a priority order list of the objects for the plurality of sectors. The ranking may include for each sector that includes an object, recursively in rank order sequence from the highest to the lowest, listing the objects in each sector to collectively provide a priority order list of the objects for the plurality of sectors. 
         [0013]    The pathway may have at least one branch, which may be a pit area with an entrance and an exit that connects to the pathway, and the dividing step includes the pit area. 
         [0014]    According to another embodiment of the invention, a method for ranking the relative movement of objects that are lapping a pathway is provided. The method includes: dividing the pathway into a plurality of sectors, each sector having a rank of order with respect to a beginning and an ending point of the pathway; identifying, for each object on the track, a lap in which the object is in and which of the plurality of sectors the object is in; determining, for any sector that has multiple objects in a common lap, the position order of the multiple objects within that sector and common lap; and generating a positional order of the objects along the pathway based upon the rank order of the lap in which each object is present, within each lap the rank order of the sector in which each object is present, and which multiple objects within any sector within a common lap are ordered as set by the determining. 
         [0015]    The above embodiment may have various features. A forward edge of a highest ranking sector of the plurality of sectors may align with a predetermined end of the pathway. The pathway may include a start line and a finish line, a forward edge of a highest ranking sector of the plurality of sectors aligns with the finish line, and a rearward edge of the lowest ranking sector of the plurality of sectors aligns with the start line. The pathway may define a loop, and the start line and the finish line are the same line. The positional order of the objects may be visually displayed as established by the ranking. The receiving, identifying, determining, and generating steps may be recursively performed such that the positional order of the objects as they move along the pathway is monitored and updated. The recursively performing may occur in near real-time. The determining may include: determining from the received coordinate data the distance of each of the at least two objects to a forward edge of the sector, and ordering the at least two objects based upon the shortest to longest distance; or determining from the received coordinate data the distance of each of the at least two objects to a rear edge of the sector, and ordering the at least two objects based upon the longest to shortest distance. The pathway may have at least one branch, where the branch may be a pit area with an entrance and an exit that connects to the pathway, and the dividing step includes the pit area. 
         [0016]    According to another embodiment of the invention, a method for ranking the relative movement of objects that are lapping a race pathway is provided. The method includes: dividing the pathway into a plurality of sectors, each sector having a rank of order with respect to a beginning and an ending point of the pathway; receiving coordinate data from each of the objects; establishing the highest current n th  lap in the race, where n is an integer; recursively for each k th  lap in order from n to a lowest lap: (a) identifying any of the objects in the k th  lap; recursively for each sector, in order from a highest ranking sector to a lowest ranking sector: (i) identifying whether any of the objects within the k th  lap are within the sector; (ii) if multiple objects are in the sector, determining a positional order of the multiple objects within the sector; and (b) displaying the positional order of the objects along the pathway in lap and sector order, including order of multiple objects within a sector pursuant to the determining. 
         [0017]    Other exemplary embodiments and advantages of the present invention may be ascertained by reviewing the present disclosure and the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    The present invention is further described in the detailed description which follows, in reference to the noted plurality of drawings by way of non-limiting examples of certain embodiments of the present invention, in which like numerals represent like elements throughout the several views of the drawings, and wherein: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of an overall system for monitoring the position of vehicles; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  illustrates an embodiment of tracking components that are mounted in a vehicle; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  illustrates an embodiment in which tracking components are mounted in different locations of two different vehicles; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  illustrates an embodiment of a mobile monitoring center; 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  illustrates vehicles on a racetrack; 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which the racetrack is broken up into sectors; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which the relative position of each race car is determined on a sector-by-sector basis; 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  illustrates an embodiment of a display of the racetrack, cars, and relevant tracking data; 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which the racetrack is broken up into sectors; and 
           [0028]      FIGS. 10A-10C  illustrate the operation of an embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0029]    The particulars shown herein are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the embodiments of the present invention only, and are presented to provide what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the present invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the present invention beyond those necessary for the fundamental understanding of the present invention, as the description taken with the drawings make it apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the present invention may be embodied in practice. 
         [0030]    As noted above, embodiments of the present invention are directed to any environment in which it is desirable to monitor the movement of objects within an area. Sports are but one possible implementation of the methodology, racing is but one implementation of the methodology in sports, and auto racing is but one implementation of the methodology in racing. For ease of discussion, the embodiments herein focus on auto racing. However, the invention is not so limited, and the methodologies described herein may be provided in any environment. 
         [0031]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an overall view of a monitoring system  100  is shown. A plurality of racing cars  110  are each equipped with a position detector  120 . Each position detector is in communication with a central location  130 , which collects position information from each of the racing cars  110 . A processor  140  at central location  130  processes the position data of the racing cars  110  to collectively determine the position and sequence characteristics of the race course, and outputs that information in a visual viewable format. A secondary location  150  with its own processor  160  may also receive position information from each of the racing cars  110  to act as a back up system. 
         [0032]    Position detector  120  is preferably a DGPS receiver that is used to determine geographic coordinates (e.g., latitude and longitude), although other methods of detecting position location could also be used. As is known in the art, DGPS receivers receive signals from at least 3 GPS satellites and receive an additional ground-based signal. Position detector  120  may determine its own geographic coordinates directly, or may simply collect raw data from the DGPS network and forward the data to processor  140  for later conversion into geographic coordinates. The conversion of the raw data into geographic coordinates may take place at any point inside or outside of the system. 
         [0033]      FIG. 2  shows an example of components of position detector  120  when implemented as a DGPS. Position detector  120  includes at least one antenna  210 , a receiver  220 , a transmitter  230 , and a power source  240 . As is known in the art, receiver  220  receives DGPS data from available sources and produces a set of latitude and longitude coordinates for the receiver  220 . Transmitter  230  then transmits the coordinate information to central location  130 , preferably through a cellular connection and/or an RF transmission (multiple different transmission methods may be used for redundancy in case of any localized system failure). Preferably, the components of position detector  120  are selected to provide geographic coordinates that are accurate on the order of centimeters, and more preferably on the order of millimeters. 
         [0034]    The embodiments herein are not limited to any specific component or architecture. However, to ensure fairness and comparable results, each racing car  110  preferably uses the exact same equipment and configuration, or is limited to a pre-approved list of equipment and configurations to utilize. Also, since the system considers the position of each car to be the position detected by position detector  120 , each racing car  110  preferably has its position detector  120  at the same relative location within the vehicle, e.g., close to the front or center. 
         [0035]    The need for similar placement of position detectors  120  in racing cars  110  is illustrated in  FIG. 3 . Car  310  has its position detector  120  in the front, and car  320  has its position detector in the back. In  FIG. 3  car  320  is ahead of car  310 , such that car  320  is in the lead. Yet the position detector  120  of car  310  is ahead of the position detector  120  of car  310 , and would thus indicate, incorrectly, that car  310  is in the lead. 
         [0036]    The above differential placement of position detector  120  could be compensated for if the system knows the exact placement of position detector  120  within each vehicle, and could thus be an alternative embodiment of the invention. There may also be other environments in which the differential placement of position detector  120  is not sufficient to impact the system, such that the location requirements for position detector  120  can be relaxed and compensation is not necessary. 
         [0037]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , central location  130  is preferably a mobile trailer that can be moved from race track to race track as necessary. However, the invention is not so limited, and a fixed location could be used. In addition, central location  130  may be a single location as in  FIG. 4 , or a collection of operations dispersed over a geographic area. There may also be multiple central locations that provide complementary or duplicative operations. All of these possibilities fall within the meaning of “central location” as used herein. 
         [0038]    Central location  130  includes a memory  410 , a processor  420  (which corresponds to processor  140  of  FIG. 1 ) and one or more displays  430 . Processor  420  is preferably a combination of software and hardware, the software being contained on a tangible computer readable medium and executable on electronic computer hardware; the processor may be implemented via a single computer at the single location, or dispersed via operations at multiple locations . Memory  410  is preferably a bulk storage for computer systems such as a computer hard drive or other tangible storage medium, e.g., flash drive, CD, etc. The invention is not limited to any particular type of memory, display, software or hardware other than as necessarily configured to carry out the features of the embodiments discussed herein. 
         [0039]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , central location  130  will preferably store in memory an accurate map or image (collectively “map”) of the race track  510  with a finish line  520  for display on display  430 . Map  500  preferably is geo-registered, so that one or more distinct points (preferably including the finish line) on the map have known geographic coordinates. Processor  420  will process in real time the coordinate data from the individual racing cars  110 , correlate the same with map  500 , and accurately identify the location of each car  110  on map  500  for purposes of display on display  430  in real time. Coordinate data are also stored in memory  410 , such that the location of all racing cars  110  on the track can be identified for any particular prior point in time. 
         [0040]    Presuming that the race involved a multi-lap event, preferably the system will be aware of which lap the individual cars are in. More specifically, a trailing car may be directly behind the lead car, and thus by position would appear to be in second place; but if the trailing car is actually a lap behind the lead car, the trailing car could actually be closer to last place. The lap of each car may be known by prior art methods, such as recorded visually by spotters, or by a counter triggered via the induction coils passing the start/finish line. Alternatively, processor  420  can monitor the laps via the location data. The embodiments herein are not limited to any particular mechanism for lap counting. 
         [0041]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , to identify the order of cars, processor  140  (or  420 ) delineates the race track  610  (a capsule shaped track in  FIG. 6 ) into individual sectors  620 . For events that include a side area (such as the pit in auto racing), a distinct off track sector  640  may also be provided. Each sector  620  preferably has three minimum defining characteristics, namely, that (1) at least one edge  630  of the sector  620  is perpendicular to the race track  610 , (2) the geographic coordinates of at least one edge  630  of the sector  620  is known, and (3) all sectors  620  collectively cover the entire race track  610 . In  FIG. 6 , the sectors  620  are contiguous, and adjacent sectors share boundaries such that there are two edges  630  perpendicular to the race track  610  in each sector; and the sectors  620  remain static for the duration of the race. However, the invention is not so limited, as the sectors  620  need not be adjacent and contiguous, but could overlap. Preferably at least one sector  620  has its perpendicular edge in alignment with the start and/or finish line. 
         [0042]    Each sector  620  is also typically of a size and shape that is consistent with the race track  610  section that it covers. Thus, a sector  620  on a straightaway portion of the track  610  may be rectangular, while the sector  620  on a curved portion of a track  610  may have an arc shape. Sectors  620  may have the same general square footage of coverage, or may be different. By way of non-limiting example, curved areas of the track may require greater degrees of precision than straightway areas, such that sectors in curved areas are smaller in size then other areas. 
         [0043]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , to identify the order of the cars at a particular point in time, processor  140  isolates a list of those cars that are in the highest common lap. Processor  140  will then select an initial forward most sector  620 ; the sector  620  that covers the area just prior to the finish line  520  is a convenient starting point, although the invention is not so limited. If no racing cars  110  are present in that sector, then processor  140  looks downstream (opposite the flow of race traffic) to the immediately preceding sector  620  along track  610 . The process continues until a sector  620  is identified as containing one or more cars in the list of those within the highest lap. For instance, in  FIG. 6 , no racing cars  110  are located until  8  sectors downstream from the finish line. 
         [0044]    When one or more racing cars  110  are identified as within a sector  620 , processor  140  determines their order. If multiple racing cars  110  are present in the same sector, then processor  140  determines the distance between each car and the edge of the sector  620  based on the geographic coordinates, and potentially other data position and/or movement data (e.g., speed, trajectory, pitch, yaw, etc.). The racing car  110  with the coordinates closest to the sector edge is considered the lead car within that sector  620 , the car with the next closest coordinates is the second car, the car with the next closest coordinates is the third car, etc. 
         [0045]    If the sector is only occupied by a single car, then the distance measurement can be skipped and that car is designated as the lead car. In the alternative, the distance measurement can still be performed, if for no other reason than simply consistency of programming. 
         [0046]    The above process will thus yield the accurate order of cars within the sector under examination. In this specific case, as this is the sector with the lead car, the first car will be designated as the leader, and all cars behind it are assigned a sequentially decreasing rank as appropriate. 
         [0047]    Processor  140  will then examine the next closest preceding sector. As above, the order of racing cars  110  will be determined for that sector. Processor  140  will then rank those cars in order behind the adjacent forward sector. 
         [0048]    The pit area  640  of the race track  610  is technically a point in the race in a branch off of the main track, and needs to be monitored in its own right. Thus, the pit area  640  (including the on and off ramp) may itself be its own sector  620  or multiple sectors  620 , or it may be covered by other sectors  620  of the main track  610 . Processor  140  can order the cars in the pit relative to the cars in the race consistent with racing protocols. 
         [0049]    For example, in  FIG. 6  the pit area  640  is show generically as a single sector  620 , although multiple sectors could be used (preferably bisecting the pit area along the start/finish line  520 , as crossing the line in the pit area  640  does count for lap purposes under current NASCAR rules), these sectors would be prioritized in rank order consistent with prevailing rules, potentially having equal standing with sectors  620  on the main track. 
         [0050]      FIG. 9  shows an alternative embodiment in which pit area  640  is includes in parts of four sectors  620 . Cars  910  and  920  are both in the same sector  620 , although car  920  is in the pit area  640 . Car  920  is closer to the forward end of sector  620 , and is therefore ahead of car  910 . 
         [0051]    Eventually the processor  140  will cover all sectors  620  in a single loop of track  610 . At this point processor has accounted for the order of cars in the highest particular lap number. Processor  140  with then decrement the lap counter to the next highest lap and isolate the cars in that lap, and begin the process again for the lead sector. 
         [0052]    Processor  140  will continue to repeat the above until all cars are accounted for, at which point the processing can end. The order of cars is then set, and can be stored in memory and/or displayed in monitors for whatever use as appropriate. 
         [0053]    There are numerous modifications that could be made to the above methodology. By way of non-limiting example, sectors with no cars could be eliminated at the outset from the sequence to study for positioning. The examination could begin from the tail end of the race, by beginning from the start/finish line and looking upstream (into the direction of race travel) into sectors for the cars in the lowest lap, ranking them in reverse order until the lead car is located. An intermediate sector could also be used, with examination proceeding upstream and downstream. 
         [0054]      FIG. 8  shows an embodiment of a graphic user interface  800  for use in the invention. The screen shows a generally central image of the auto race track of interest. Above the track is a time selector, which can be the current time or a prior period if the user wishes to observe a past status of the race (including a replay of prior race events of interest). Various types of information relating to the race is shown around the race track visual, including the order of the racers, times of flag conditions, lead changes, etc. This data may represent current race conditions and/or prior race conditions at a selected time. A user can interact with the GUI using a standard mouse and keyboard. 
         [0055]    The information collected on car positioning and sequence can be used for a variety of purposes. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the methodology could be used to accurately determine the positions of cars during a “yellow flag” state, during which state the cars must remain in order. The data can also be used to provide the order of cars, in real time, without the need for a staff of spotters. 
         [0056]    The availability of such data also offers potential for use in gaming and viewing environments. At present, viewing of races is limited to the various cameras placed around the track and cars, and as may be accessible via television or the interne. Embodiments of the present invention allow the entire race to be presented from a virtual perspective, such as a video game environment, to give the viewer the ability to customize his/her perspective. 
         [0057]    By way of example, video games often showcase tracks and cars against which the user can race; the track and cars are artistically created with the game, and the movement of the race cars in the game is controlled by artificial intelligence. In an embodiment of the invention, the track and cars would be virtual representations of the actual cars and track on which the race is occurring, and the position of the cars would be dictated by their actual position on the track. Essentially the entire race could be reproduced in a virtual environment, and the user could view the race from any perspective within that environment. For example, a user could elect the viewpoint from the front of the lead car, and view the race from that perspective. In another example, the system could allow the user to enter the race as a “virtual” car. 
         [0058]    As discussed above, position detector  120  may be a single DGPS based system that gives accurate coordinate data. However, the invention is not so limited. Multiple receivers can be placed at different positions in the car for greater accuracy. Position detector  120  may also provide additional movement information, such as speed, trajectory, yaw, pitch, etc. Processor  140  may rely on some or all of the additional movement data for additional accuracy. By way of example, a racing car  110  with a position detector  120  may give false readings of the car&#39;s position if the car is spinning; however, the other movement data can be used to detect and/or compensate for those circumstances. Two position detectors  120  could also identify the presence of the spin. 
         [0059]    The embodiments herein relating to lap counters are only valuable for those environments that rely upon multi-lap conditions. Single lap conditions (such as horse racing) typically do not involve lap counters, and therefore that feature of the embodiment could be omitted. In the alternative, the feature could be included, although the system would not find occasion to decrement the lap counter. 
         [0060]    Referring now to  FIGS. 10A-10C , an example of the above-embodiments are now shown.  FIG. 10A  shows a track  1010  that includes a start/finish line  1030  and a pit area  1040 . Several cars will race the track. Referring now to  FIG. 10B , track  1010  is initially divided into sectors  1020 , in this case sectors A-P in rank order from the finish line to the start line  1030 . 
         [0061]    Referring now to  FIG. 3C , the cars have been racing and are transitioning to the 50 th  lap. Cars  1050  and  1060  have crossed the start line  1030  and are in the 50 th  lap with car  1050  ahead of car  1060  in sectors O and P, respectively; detection of the specific lap may be through a variety of methods, although in this embodiment the system counts laps by the number of times a particular car crosses from sector P to sector A, both of which share an edge with finish line  1030 . Cars  1070 ,  1080  and  1090  are still in the 49 th  lap in sector A, although car  1090  is in the pit area  1040 . The order of the cars would be determined as follows:
       The highest lap is identified, in this case lap  50 .   The highest sector in the current lap with at least one car present is identified, in this case sector O. (Even though cars  1070 ,  1080  and  1090  are in a higher ranked sector (A), they are not part of the current lap such that their positioning is disregarded for the current lap.)   Since only one car ( 1050 ) is in sector O, then that car is the leader.   The next highest sector in the current lap with at least one car present is identified, in this case sector P.   Since only one car ( 1060 ) is in sector O, then that car is the lead car for sector O.   Since there has been one car identified in a higher ranked sector within this lap, car  1060  is determined to be in second place.   Since there are no more sectors in the current lap with cars, the lap counter is decremented, such that the 49 th  lap is considered.   The highest sector in the current lap with at least one car present is identified, in this case sector A.   There are three cars in sector A. Using the coordinate data from each car, the system determines that  1070  is closest to the end of sector A, car  1090  is next and car  1080  is last. The system thus sets the positional order within sector A as  1070 / 1090 / 1080 . Since two cars ( 1050  and  1060 ) have been found in a higher ranked lap/sector, then  1070 / 1090 / 1080  are in third, fourth, and fifth place, respectively.   The process continues until all cars are accounted for and/or all sectors for all laps have been accounted for.   The standings are displayed on a monitor as:
           First:  1050     Second:  1060     Third:  1070     Fourth:  1080     Fifth  1090 , etc.   
               
 
         [0078]    Over time, the position of the cars is likely to change. The above process as described with respect to  FIG. 10C  can be executed at any given time to give positional order in near real time. Further, the positional order at any given time can be stored in computer memory for later review. Accumulation of the stored positional order over time will create a historical record of position order throughout the race. 
         [0079]    It is noted that the foregoing examples have been provided merely for the purpose of explanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting of the present invention. While the present invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it is understood that the words which have been used herein are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Changes may be made, within the purview of any claims as may be advanced in the subject matter, as presently stated and as amended, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention in its aspects. Although the present invention has been described herein with reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather, the present invention extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims any claims as may be advanced in the subject matter.