GPS Tracking Devices for Synchronized Race Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current race management systems lack effective solutions for timing and managing various race formats, especially those without formal race tracks, as they require unique workarounds for starting and determining winners, and struggle with marking starting and finish lines, especially in water-based races.
Innovation Solution
A connected system of position tracking hardware devices mounted on race participants' vehicles, coupled with computing devices for synchronized race management, using GPS, inertial measurement, and communication protocols to track location, velocity, and relative position, and upload data to a server for real-time monitoring and display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If visual landmarks and manual timing are used for race management, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and reliability of race timing and winner determination deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual timing and landmark-based race management with electronic GPS tracking devices mounted on vehicles. These devices automatically record position, speed, and time data, eliminating the need for physical landmarks and manual timing while significantly improving measurement precision through automated digital tracking.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces GPS tracking devices as intermediary components between the racers and the race management system. These devices serve as mediators that automatically capture and transmit race data, replacing the direct visual observation method and enabling precise, automated race monitoring without requiring complex manual coordination.
2Ease of operation
If physical landmarks are used to mark starting and finish lines, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability to different race formats and environments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical landmarks with virtual GPS-coordinates-based starting and finish lines. This substitution allows the race course to be dynamically defined through digital markers rather than physical objects, enabling easy adaptation to various race formats including water-based races where physical landmarks are impractical or impossible to deploy.
Solution Approach 2:
The GPS tracking system serves multiple race formats and environments universally. The same electronic tracking devices can manage land-based races, water-based races, and races without formal tracks, providing a unified solution that adapts to different race types through software configuration rather than requiring different physical marking systems.
3Device complexity
If manual timing and visual monitoring are used for races without formal tracks, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity and efficiency of race management deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The GPS tracking devices automatically perform race monitoring, timing, and winner determination without requiring manual intervention. The system self-services by continuously tracking vehicle positions, automatically calculating race results based on pre-defined course parameters, and eliminating the need for continuous human observation and manual data recording, thereby significantly improving race management efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated GPS tracking system acts as an intermediary that handles all race management tasks between the racers and the organizers. This mediator automatically captures position data, determines winner status, and provides real-time race information, replacing inefficient manual processes and enabling rapid, accurate race completion and result determination.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables precise timing and winner determination across different race formats, including those without formal tracks, by providing a synchronized view and real-time data management, improving accuracy and efficiency in race management.
Implementation Method 1
A hardware device for tracking position and velocity may be mounted on a vehicle of each participant of the race. Additionally, each computing device of each participant may link with each of the computing devices of each of the other participants
Implementation Method 2
A hardware device for tracking position and velocity may be mounted on a vehicle of each participant of the race
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes linked hardware devices for tracking and managing races and race participants. The hardware device, which track position and motion, may be mounted on a vehicle of each participant of a race. A computing device, such as a mobile device, a laptop computer, or other processing device, may be coupled to the hardware device. Each computing device of each participant may link with each of the computing devices of each of the other participants to provide for a synchronized race view and information.