METHOD AND DEVICE FOR TRANSMITTING MULTIPLE MEASURED TIME POINTS

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for transmitting a plurality of measured points in time, in which a first point in time is recorded by a first timer and a second point in time is recorded by a second timer, and the first point in time is transmitted by a first transmitter and the second point in time by a second transmitter, each with a signal, to a common receiver, wherein the transmitters are each assigned to devices which are a starting device, a target device or one of a plurality of intermediate devices, and the transmitters each transmit a series with a plurality of signals assigned to their point in time.

[0002] In sporting events that involve covering long distances, such as skiing, running, or swimming, there may be a start device and a finish device, as well as several intermediate devices, so that intermediate times are recorded in addition to the start and finish times. The intermediate devices are equipped, for example, with a light barrier or another timekeeper that records the time of the athlete passing the device. To display times, sporting events often have a time board on which the audience can see the start time, the time to the finish, and the intermediate times.

[0003] At such sporting events, the start device, finish device, intermediate devices, and timeboard are often far apart. Data transmission for transferring the recorded times to the timeboard is therefore often done wirelessly, with each device equipped with a transmitter, and the timeboard with a receiver. The devices send their time signal to the receiver, which transmits the time signal to the timeboard for display.

[0004] If several athletes are on the course at the same time, as is usually the case in running or swimming, it is possible that, for example, the start device and an intermediate device transmit their time signals at the same time. The receiver receives two overlapping signals that it cannot separate, so it discards both signals. If a start signal or a finish signal is discarded, the race is invalid. Such signal collisions should therefore be avoided.

[0005] US 2012 / 0025944 A1 and WO 2013 / 112919 A1 disclose an automated timing system for sporting events in which readers read RFIDs from passing athletes. The time and athlete ID are determined and distributed across the system network. To avoid data loss due to signal collisions, data signals are sent multiple times in identical format.

[0006] US 6963270 B1 describes methods for multiple transmission of data signals in a commodity system. Multiple transmission involves multiple transmission cycles with multiple time slots. The signal is transmitted once in each transmission cycle, and the transmission time slot can be different for each transmission cycle.

[0007] US2007 / 0076528 A1 describes a method for transmitting sports time signals from timekeepers of a sporting event to mobile devices, to athletes, and from there to a central unit. Using a predetermined time delay during transmission, the sports time can be determined from the signal's arrival time at the mobile device.

[0008] It is an object of the invention to provide a method for transmitting a plurality of measured points in time, in which time information of a signal can be recognized despite signal collision.

[0009] This object is achieved by a method of the type mentioned at the outset, in which the transmitters are each assigned to devices which are a starting device, a target device or one of several intermediate devices, and the transmitters each transmit a series with several signals assigned to their time and according to the invention, with respect to the situation in which the first signal is transmitted by all transmitters at the same time, the third signal of each transmitter is only transmitted after the last second signal of all transmitters and the time interval between adjacent third signals is greater than between adjacent second signals.

[0010] The transmitters each transmit several signals assigned to a specific time. By transmitting multiple signals, each assigned to a specific time, a time is not lost even if two signals collide on the way to the receiver and cannot be received with unambiguous resolution. The time is retransmitted to the receiver with a later signal and can then be received correctly.

[0011] The multiple signals, hereinafter also referred to as multiple signals or signals in a series, can be identical. The signals in a series contain information about the point in time, also called time information, either directly as a point in time or as information from which the point in time can be determined using further, previously known information. They expediently contain a signal number for the signal, i.e., a counter that indicates which signal in the series assigned to a point in time is the current signal. Thus, the signals in a series differ at least by the counter or signal number, and in particular, exclusively by the counter.

[0012] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the time points are measurement times of a sporting event. In this way, the start time, finish time, and / or intermediate times can be transmitted to an evaluation system and / or display system and evaluated or displayed there. For example, the first time point is the start time of a race, the second time point is the finish time of the race, and a third time point is an intermediate time from this race, which is sent from a third transmitter to the receiver.

[0013] Advantageously, the transmitters are mounted on timers that measure the measurement times. This allows the measured times to be transmitted easily and without interference.

[0014] The times are transmitted from the first and second transmitters to the common receiver. This transmits the time information carried by both signals to the receiver. The receiver can be connected—particularly via wire—to an evaluation system and / or display system. A time can then be generated from at least one of the time information items, which can be displayed on a time display system.

[0015] The transmitters each transmit several signals assigned to their respective times. Conveniently, at least one of these transmitters, in particular both transmitters, transmits these signals at a predetermined time interval. In this case, all signals in a series can be transmitted at the same time interval from the adjacent signal(s) in the series. However, it is particularly advantageous if the time interval differences between the signals in a series increase from signal to signal.

[0016] To avoid a further signal collision between two subsequently transmitted signals, it is advantageous if the time interval between the signals in a series from the first transmitter is predetermined and different from the time interval between the signals in a series from the second transmitter. If two signals collide at the receiver, the subsequent signals from the two transmitters remain separated in time, thus avoiding a signal collision.

[0017] To be able to assign the signals to their respective sender, the signals should contain an identifier, also called an ID, of the sender—that is, information from which the sender can be uniquely identified. The ID is equivalent to information from which this ID can be derived using previously known information.

[0018] With more than two transmitters, a first signal collision can occur between a first transmitter pair and a second signal collision can occur between a different transmitter pair, resulting in a lost time despite multiple transmissions. To minimize this risk with three or more transmitters, it is advantageous if the time interval between the signals in a series from the third transmitter is greater than the time intervals between the signals in the series from the first two transmitters.

[0019] To minimize the risk of signal collisions between multiple signals in a series when three or more transmitters are used, and also to facilitate the investigation of signal collisions, it is also proposed that, when three transmitters transmit a first signal at the same time, their second signals be timed such that the time interval differences between these second signals are equal. The transmitters are expediently configured to transmit in this manner even when the first signals are not simultaneous. This also applies to the following description.

[0020] It is also advantageous to avoid multiple collisions if, when three transmitters have a simultaneous first signal, their third signals are located in time such that the time interval differences between these third signals are greater than the time interval differences between the second signals of these transmitters.

[0021] With the same advantage, the time interval between the first and the second signal of each of the transmitters is smaller than the time interval between the second and the third signal of the transmitters.

[0022] In order to avoid a collision of third signals of two series, it is advantageous if, when the first signal is sent simultaneously from at least three transmitters, the transmitters have sent their second signal at their time before one of the transmitters sends a third signal at its time.

[0023] By sending a time point to the receiver multiple times, this time point is received multiple times. Only a single reception of the time point is necessary for further processing, and the newly received time point can be discarded upon subsequent reception. It is therefore advantageous if the shared receiver forwards exactly one output signal for a signal series assigned to a time point, for example, to an output unit such as a display panel.

[0024] The output signal can contain the time. The output unit can evaluate or output the time. The output signal can additionally or alternatively contain an output command, for example, together with an output routine. Now, the transmission time from the receiver to the output unit can contain the time previously contained in the signal, so the time no longer needs to be explicitly passed to the output unit.

[0025] If an output command is issued, it should only be given once per signal series at a time.

[0026] In order to output a time, for example to display it on a display panel, or to process it further, the output signal passed on by the receiver does not have to explicitly contain the time. A transmission time of a signal output by the receiver can contain the time implicitly. For example, the shared receiver outputs the output signal to the output unit with a predetermined time delay. The output time is therefore always a predetermined period of time after the measured time. The time delay is expediently related to the time so that, for example, the output time of the output signal is after the time by the predetermined time delay. If the output signal is received by the output unit without a further time delay, the time is before the reception time of the output signal at the output unit by the predetermined time delay.

[0027] Conveniently, the time at which the receiver outputs the output signal is independent of the signal's arrival time at the receiver. This allows for compensation for an unknown signal propagation time from the transmitter to the receiver.

[0028] If a timekeeper performs a very rapid sequence of timings, it may happen that the transmitter assigned to the timekeeper has to transmit a second signal before the first has been completely transmitted. For example, if two runners cross the finish line at almost the same time, the second runner's signal will collide with the first runner's unfinished signal. Since these are signals from different series from the same transmitter, all signals from both series will collide.

[0029] To nevertheless transmit both timings to the receiver and resolve them separately, it is proposed that when a signal from a second series from one transmitter collides with a first and earlier series from the same transmitter, at least one signal from each of the two series be omitted. This allows the relevant signal from the other series to be transmitted during the period of a omitted signal. Since each series comprises multiple signals, at least one from each series arrives at the receiver.

[0030] It is particularly advantageous if the signals from both series are omitted alternately. For example, the first signal from the first series is transmitted, while the first signal from the slightly later series is omitted. Then, the second signal from the first series is omitted and the second signal from the second series is transmitted instead, and so on.

[0031] The invention is also directed to a device for displaying a plurality of measured points in time, comprising a plurality of timers each having at least one transmitter, a receiver for receiving signals from the transmitters, and a time display system connected to the receiver for displaying points in time, wherein the transmitters are each assigned to devices which are a starting device, a target device, or one of a plurality of intermediate devices, and the transmitters are each prepared to transmit a plurality of signals assigned to their point in time.In order to be able to detect time information of a signal without error despite a signal collision, it is proposed according to the invention that the transmitters are set up to transmit the signals in such a way that, with respect to the situation in which the first signal is transmitted by all transmitters at the same time, the third signal of each transmitter is only transmitted after the last second signal of all transmitters and the time interval between adjacent third signals is greater than between adjacent second signals.

[0032] The description of advantageous embodiments of the invention given so far contains numerous features, which are summarized in several dependent claims. However, these features can also be expediently considered individually and combined into useful further combinations, particularly in the case of claims that refer back to one another, so that an individual feature of a dependent claim can be combined with an individual, several, or all features of another dependent claim. Furthermore, these features can each be combined individually and in any suitable combination both with the method according to the invention and with the device according to the invention according to the independent claims. Thus, method features can also be viewed objectively as a property of the corresponding device unit, and functional device features can also be viewed as corresponding method features.

[0033] The above-described properties, features, and advantages of this invention, as well as the manner in which they are achieved, will become clearer and more readily understood in connection with the following description of the exemplary embodiments, which are explained in more detail in conjunction with the drawings. The exemplary embodiments serve to illustrate the invention and do not limit the invention to the combination of features specified therein, including with regard to functional features.

[0034] They show: FIG 1 shows a time data system with several timekeeping devices and a time display device, FIG 2 shows a diagram in which transmission times of several signal series, each with several signals, are shown, with which time data is transmitted in the time data system, and FIG 3 shows two signal series of a timekeeping device with mutually colliding signals.

[0035] FIG 1 shows a time data system 2 with three subsystems: a timekeeping system 4, a time transmission system 6 and a time display system 8. The timekeeping system 4 comprises a starting device C 0 , a target device C 1 and several intermediate devices C i , with i = 2, 3, ..., 9. All devices C i are equipped with timers 10, for example a light barrier or a button, which record a time t i when interrupted or actuated. Here and in the following, C i refers to all devices with i = 0, 1, ..., N, thus also the starting device C 0 and the target device C 1 . In general, the timers 10 can be optical, mechanical and / or electrical timers, whereby for the sake of simplicity a timer is referred to as a light barrier 10 in the following. Each light barrier 10 has a light transmitter 12, a mirror 14 and a light receiver 16.These units are aligned such that transmission from the light transmitter 12, with an uninterrupted path to the mirror 14, causes the light signal to be received by the light receiver 16. An interruption in reception causes the timing of the time ti at which the interruption in reception begins. The time ti is determined using a timer 22, for example, a clock, which each of the devices C i contains.

[0036] The time transmission system 6 comprises a transmitter Tx for each of the devices C i. The transmitters Tx are designed to transmit radio signals, which are received and processed by a receiver Rx associated with the transmitters Tx. The transmitter Tx and receiver Rx are designed such that the receiver Rx receives the signals transmitted by all transmitters Tx. This is achieved by the FIG 1 The dashed arrows shown. The transmitters Tx are wired to their corresponding device C i.

[0037] The time display system 8 is wired to the receiver Rx and comprises a control unit 18 and a display board 20 on which times are displayed for an audience standing or sitting at a greater distance. Examples are FIG 1 two intermediate times t 2 , t 3 and a finish time t 1 are displayed.

[0038] If a time ti is generated in one of the devices C i, a digital signal with time information is generated and forwarded to the transmitter Tx assigned to the corresponding device C i. The transmitter Tx converts the signal into a radio signal and transmits this signal. In this embodiment, 25 ms pass from the time ti, which the corresponding device C i has reached by interrupting the light barrier 10, until the signal is transmitted by the assigned transmitter Tx, as shown in the lower part of FIG 1 is shown using timelines a) and b).

[0039] The signal is transmitted from the transmitter Tx to the receiver Rx via a direct radio link without any intermediate devices. The signal transmission is therefore very fast, so that the time required for this can be neglected. The signal is therefore also received by the receiver Rx 25 ms after the time triggering. The receiver Rx converts the signal into a signal that can be processed by the time display system 8 and transmits it to the time display system 8. This takes, for example, 5 ms, so that this signal reaches the time display system 8 30 ms after the triggering time ti, as shown in the upper timeline a) in FIG 1 The time display system 8 detects the corresponding time ti from the time information of the signal and displays it on the display panel 20.

[0040] To assign the signal with the time information or the time ti to the corresponding device C i, the signal sent by the transmitter Tx contains an assignment code, for example the device ID, by which the transmitted time ti can be uniquely assigned to one of the devices C i. With regard to the time information, it is possible for the signal to contain the time ti itself, so that it is clear what the display panel 20 should display. The time is contained as several bits in the signal as time information. However, it is also possible for the signal to contain the time information in its transmission or reception time. If the signal is received at time t, the time information can be the time TI = t - t V, where TI : time information and t V : known delay time, for example the time period between an event and a transmission or reception of the signal.

[0041] Thus, in one embodiment, the time information can be contained in the reception time, with the time ti only being generated in the receiver Rx from the time information, for example the reception time. Explicit information on the time ti can also be contained as a code in the signal transmitted to the receiver Rx, but this is not necessary. The receiver Rx knows the time span from the event to reception, for example the transmission time from the triggering time ti to the arrival of the corresponding signal at the receiver Rx, in this embodiment 25 ms. In addition, the receiver Rx comprises a clock 24, which can be synchronized with the clocks 22 and with the help of which the time of arrival of the signal at the receiver Rx is determined. The transmission time, in this example 25 ms, is then subtracted from the arrival time to obtain the original time ti.The signal transmitted from the receiver Rx to the time display system 8 thus contains the device ID and the time ti itself.

[0042] Alternatively, it is possible for the time display system 8 to have its own clock 26, which is synchronized with the clocks 22. The control unit 18 knows the transmission time from the triggering time ti until the arrival of the signal from the receiver Rx at the time display system 8. The transmission duration, in this embodiment 30 ms, is subtracted from the measured arrival time to obtain the triggering time ti.

[0043] In a further embodiment of the invention, the receiver Rx waits a predetermined delay time until it outputs its signal to the time display system 8. For example, the total transmission time from time t1 until the reception of the receiver signal by the time display system 8 is set to 100 ms or another predetermined time value, as in the lower time bar b) in FIG 1 The receiver Rx therefore delays the transmission of its signal to the time display system 8 by 70 ms. The time display system 8 uses its clock 26 to determine the reception time and subtracts the specified transmission time, resulting in the triggering time ti, which is displayed on the display panel 20.

[0044] This approach is particularly suitable when the transmission of the radio signal from one or more of the transmitters Tx to the receiver Rx could be delayed or may be subject to specific or indefinite time fluctuations. If, for example, the time signal is passed through one or more network devices arranged between the transmitter Tx and the receiver Rx, the time period from time t1 until the signal is received by the receiver Rx is not always the same. However, the time period can be determined by the receiver Rx, which calculates the corresponding delay time. Known or unknown time fluctuations within the time transmission system 6 can therefore be fully compensated for within the time transmission system 6, so that adaptation of the time display system 8 for such fluctuations is not necessary.

[0045] If two or more transmitters Tx transmit signals simultaneously or are so close together in time that the signals partially overlap, signal resolution in the receiver Rx may not be possible. Accordingly, the times cannot be displayed correctly on the display panel 20. Such a signal collision is indicated by the arrows in FIG 1 indicated and in the illustration from FIG 2 shown concretely.

[0046] FIG 2 shows a timing diagram in which the transmission of signals S is plotted against time t. In this embodiment, a timing system 4 includes a starting device C 0 , a target device C 1 and eight intermediate devices C 2 to C 9 . FIG 2 For the sake of simplicity, in the embodiment shown, each of the devices C i or their associated transmitter Tx transmits a signal S i1 at time t' 01. Since these ten signals S i1 are transmitted at the same time, they collide at the receiver Rx, which cannot resolve the signals S 01 to S 91. The deleted times t' ii in FIG 2 indicate the times at which one or more signals S are transmitted by the corresponding transmitter Tx. A time t' i0 lies behind the corresponding trigger time ti by the transmission duration, in this example 25 ms.

[0047] To solve this problem, each device C i sends its signal assigned to a time ti multiple times. FIG 2 In the embodiment shown, each device C i transmits its signal three times. A first signal S i1 is sent to the transmitter Tx immediately after its generation in the device C i and from there transmitted. A second signal S i2 is sent a predetermined time interval after the first signal S i1. This time interval is different for all transmitters Tx used in the time transmission system 6 or the associated devices C i. In the embodiment of FIG 2 The source device C 0 sends its second signal S 02 at time t' 02 , which is, for example, 15 ms behind time t' 00 . The time interval is thus 15 ms. However, the target device C 1 has a larger preset time interval, for example, 30 ms. The second signal S 12 is therefore sent later than the first signal S 11 by this larger time interval.

[0048] In the same way, the intermediate devices C 2 to C 9 also send their second signals S i2 each at a predetermined time interval after the second signal S 2 of the preceding device C i . The time intervals are different for all devices C i. However, it is advantageous if the time interval differences between subsequent second signals S i2 - with a simultaneous first signal S i1 - are the same, i.e. from the first to the second and from the second to the third device C i etc. In this exemplary embodiment, the time interval difference is 15 ms in each case; the second signal S i2 of an intermediate device C i is therefore sent by the time interval or 15 ms after the second signal S i2 of the preceding intermediate device C i or the starting device C 0.

[0049] In this way, even in the event of a signal collision between the first signals S i1, it is ensured that the two subsequent second signals S i2 from the same devices arrive at the receiver Rx sufficiently one after the other so that these signals S i2 can be separated there. This can be seen from the diagram in FIG 2 visible. In the case that two first signals S i1 collide, the second signals S i2 are sufficiently separated from each other.

[0050] Even if, for example, signal S 11 were to be inserted between signals S 01 and S 02, these two signals S 01 and S 02 are still sufficiently separated that signal S 11 cannot interfere with both. The time difference, i.e., the distance between adjacent signals S of a device C i , is therefore sufficiently large that a signal S from another device C i can be inserted between these two signals S and can thereby interfere with a maximum of one of the adjacent signals S on either side.

[0051] Depending on the number of intermediate devices C i present and the number of athletes in the field, it may happen that a signal S is interfered with by the signal S of another device C i. The second signal S i2 of the first device C i may then be interfered with by a signal S ii of a third device C i, so that the first device C i cannot transmit its information to the receiver Rx.

[0052] In order to achieve a successful data transmission between a transmitter Tx and the receiver Rx even in such a case, each device C i sends a third signal S i3 , as in FIG 2 is shown. In addition, the time interval difference between the third signals S i3 is greater than that of the second signals S i2 . Or in other words: the time interval between adjacent third signals S i3 is greater than between adjacent second signals S i2 - with simultaneous first signals S i1 . Adjacent signals can be understood here as signals S that are located next to one another in time, provided that the first signal is sent by the devices C i at the same time. In this way, interference with a third signal S i3 is avoided by a second signal S i3 from the same device that has already interfered with the second signal S i2 of the other unit.

[0053] The third signal S i3 of each device C i is sent only after the last second signal S i2 of all devices C i - related to the situation in which the first signal S is sent by all devices C i at the same time. This is in FIG 2 , in which the first third signal S 03 is sent at time t' 30 only after the time t' 92 of the last second signal S 92. Between these signals S 92 , S 03 there is also a period without signals, so that the signals S 92 , S 03 do not interfere with each other.

[0054] In this way, signal transmission between all participating transmitters Tx of the time transmission system 6 and the receiver Rx can be ensured with a high degree of probability. If the receiver Rx or the control unit 18 has detected a signal S from a device C i and correctly determined its time t, it discards subsequent signals S, even if it could receive them correctly. After correctly receiving a signal S, it is sufficient to ignore each subsequently arriving signal from the same device C i for a predetermined period of time, for example, 1 s.

[0055] Depending on which signal is received and recognized or read out without errors, a distinction can be made between two cases. a) The time (t E - Δ L t) is displayed, where t E is the reception time on the display panel 20 and Δ L t is the signal propagation time, for example, 30 ms. b) The time (t E - Δ V t) is displayed, where t E is the reception time on the display panel 20 and Δ V t is the signal delay time, for example, 500 ms, if the receiver Rx delays the transmission by this time.

[0056] If the first signal is not detected due to a collision and a later one is only sent after, for example, 5 x 15 ms = 75 ms, the reception time t E is t E = 30 ms + 75 ms = 105 ms behind a trigger time of, for example, 100 ms. In order to still be able to use the delay time, it is advantageous if the delay time lies after the last possible signal. Alternatively, the receiver Rx can operate with a variable delay time that depends on the signal repetition. The signal from the receiver Rx to the time display system 8 then expediently contains information about the number of repetitions the signal is assigned to, so that the time display system 8 can access one of the correspondingly stored delay times.

[0057] From the foregoing, it is clear that a signal collision can lead to a significant delay in the display of the time on the display board 20. In order to prevent this delay from becoming too long at an important time, a predetermined sequence of the devices C i is advisable. Since the target time is particularly important, the target device C 1 is expediently arranged before the intermediate devices C i, as is also shown in FIG 2 presented and in FIG 1 can be seen from the sequence of devices C i . The arrangement is a temporal arrangement of the sequence of the second signals S 1j for simultaneous signals S 0j .

[0058] In a race with individual starts, a long dead time is usually set on the devices C i to prevent multiple timing of an athlete. For example, if an athlete triggers a device C i three times, first with their hand, then with their upper body, and finally with a snow flag, only the first activation time ti of the timer 10 should be used. If, for example, a dead time of 1 second is set, the two later activation times ti of the timer 10 are suppressed.

[0059] However, in a race with a mass start, it often happens that two athletes arrive at a timekeeper 10 almost simultaneously and two signals S 0j from the same timekeeper 10 are to be triggered. It is therefore advisable to set the dead time on the timekeeper 10 or on the system as a whole very low, for example, to 1 / 100 of a second or even lower. In this case, it may happen that two signals S collide with each other, as shown below with reference to FIG 3 is explained.

[0060] FIG 3 shows the signals S 1j from the finish device C 1 on two timelines. Assume that two runners cross the finish line at almost the same time. The first timeline shows the signals S generated by the first runner crossing the finish line, and the second timeline shows the signals S generated by the second runner crossing the finish line.

[0061] The signals S 1jk are coded in such a way that they carry the ID of the target device C 1, in FIG 3 the first index 1. They also carry the serial number of the current signal series, in FIG 3 Series 6 on the first time slot and Series 7 on the second time slot. The second index j indicates the number of times the target device has triggered. In the example from FIG 3 The first time bar indicates the arrival of the sixth runner and the second time bar the arrival of the seventh runner, whereby in this embodiment it is assumed that there are no multiple triggerings of a runner. The third index k in the representation from FIG 3 indicates the signal number of the series. Since each series has three signals, as well as FIG 2 As described, the third index runs from 1 to 3. In short: S ijk , with i: device ID; j: serial number; k: signal number, i.e. position of the signal in a series.

[0062] In the illustrated embodiment, the seventh runner triggers the target device C 1 at time t' 171 , while the target device C 1 is still transmitting the first target signal S 161 , which the sixth runner triggered at time t' 161 . Therefore, the first target signal S 171 of the seventh runner cannot be transmitted. It simply fails. The time required by the target device C 1 from interrupting the light barrier 10 to transmitting the signal S 1j1 , which in the above embodiment was 25 ms, will be ignored for the sake of simplicity.

[0063] In order to be able to record or display the time of the seventh runner, at least one signal S from each of the two colliding series is omitted in favor of the corresponding signal of the other series. This is FIG 3 shown. The first signal S 161 of the first of the two colliding series is transmitted, the first signal S 171 of the second of the two colliding series is omitted. The second signal S 162 of the first of the two colliding series is omitted, and the second signal S 172 of the second of the two colliding series is transmitted. And the third signal S 163 of the first of the two colliding series is transmitted, the third signal S 173 of the second of the two colliding series is omitted. Of course, it is also possible to perform the order of omissions differently.

[0064] This alternating signal omission is only necessary when signals S with the same signal numbers meet, i.e. the first signals of two series, the second signals of two series and / or the third signals of two series.

[0065] When signals with different signal numbers coincide, the last triggered signal can always be omitted. Then, the signal whose transmission has already begun can be continued.

[0066] In the FIG 3 In the described procedure, multiple triggering by a runner may simulate multiple finishes. This can be prevented, as usual, by setting a suitable dead time. List of reference symbols

[0067] 2Time data system 4Timekeeping system 6Time transmission system 8Time display system 10Timekeeper 12Light transmitter 14Mirror 16Light receiver 18Control unit 20Scoreboard 22o'clock 24o'clock 26o'clock C 0 Starting device C 1 Target device C 2-9 Intermediate device RxReceiver S ijk Signal ti Time TxSender

Claims

1. Method for transmitting multiple measured times (ti) by way of multiple transmitters (Tx), each of the transmitters (Tx) being associated with devices (C) that are a starting device (C0), a target device (C1) or one of multiple intermediate devices (Ci), wherein the method involves recording a first time (ti) by way of a first timer (10) and a second time (ti) by way of a second timer (10) and transmitting the first time (ti) from a first transmitter (Tx) and the second time (ti) from a second transmitter (Tx) to a common receiver (Rx) using a respective signal (Si), and each of the transmitters (Tx) sends a series comprising multiple signals (Si) associated with its time (ti), characterized in that the signals (Si) are sent in such a way that, based on the situation in which the first signal (Si1) is sent by each of at least three transmitters (Tx) simultaneously, - the third signal (Si3) of each transmitter (Tx) is sent only after the last second signal (Si2) of all the transmitters (Tx) and - the interval of time is greater between adjacent third signals (Si3) than between adjacent second signals (Si2).

2. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the times (ti) are measurement times relating to a sports event and the transmitters are arranged on timers that measure the measurement times.

3. Method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first time (t0) is a start time of a race and the second time (ti) is a finish time of the race and a third time (ti) is an intermediate time from that race that is sent from a third transmitter (Tx) to the receiver (Rx).

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the times (ti) is displayed on a time display system (8).

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the signals (Si) contain an ID of the transmitter (Tx) and the sequence number of the signal (Si).

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that there are at least three transmitters (Tx) and an interval of time between signals of a series (Si) of the third transmitter (Tx) is greater than the intervals of time between the signals of a series (Si) of the first two transmitters (Tx).

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, when the first signals (Si) of three transmitters (Tx) are simultaneous, the timings of the second signals (Si) of said transmitters are such that the time interval differences between these second signals (Si) are of equal magnitude.

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the interval of time between the first and second signals (Si) of each of the transmitters (Tx) is less than the interval of time between the second and third signals (Si) of the transmitters (Tx).

9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the common receiver (Rx), in particular for each signal sequence associated with a time (ti), sends precisely one output signal to an output unit (20) that outputs the time (ti), the output signal at least implicitly containing the time (ti) and an output command to output the time (ti), the output command being given only 1x per signal sequence at a time (ti).

10. Method according to Claim 9, characterized in that the common receiver (Rx) outputs the output signal to the output unit (20) with a time delay, and so the output time at which the receiver (Rx) outputs the output signal is independent of the time of arrival of the signal (Si) at the receiver (Rx), the output time always being a predetermined length of time after the measured time (ti) regardless of the time of arrival of the signal (Si) at the receiver (Rx).

11. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a signal collision between a second series of a transmitter (Tx) and a first and earlier series of the same transmitter (Tx) results in at least one signal being omitted from each of the two series, the signals of both series being omitted alternately.

12. Device for displaying multiple measured times (ti), comprising multiple timers (10), each of which has at least one transmitter (Tx), a receiver (Rx) for receiving signals (Si) of the transmitters (Tx) and a time display system (8) connected to the receiver (Rx) for displaying times (ti), each of the transmitters (Tx) being associated with devices (C) that are a starting device (C0), a target device (C1) or one of multiple intermediate devices (Ci), and each of the transmitters (Tx) being configured to send multiple signals (Si) associated with its time (ti), characterized in that the transmitters (Tx) are configured to send the signals (S) in such a way that, based on the situation in which the first signal (Si1) is sent by each of at least three transmitters (Tx) simultaneously, - the third signal (Si3) of each transmitter (Tx) is sent only after the last second signal (Si2) of all the transmitters (Tx) and - the interval of time is greater between adjacent third signals (Si3) than between adjacent second signals (Si2) .