Mobile Track Control Stations for Real-Time Hazard Notification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current track information systems rely on manual flagging, which is prone to human error and ineffective in adverse conditions, and digital solutions are expensive and impractical for most racing events, lacking cost-effective and versatile options for providing accurate and recognizable track condition information to drivers.

Innovation Solution

A track information system comprising mobile track control stations and mobile track information stations that transmit and receive track condition notifications via a network, using a ring or mesh communication protocol to display relevant track conditions to drivers within affected sectors, leveraging a web-based application for data exchange and incident reporting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If manual flagging by personnel is used, then the system is simple and relatively effective, but it is prone to human error and ineffective in adverse conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of systemVSAvoidreliability of track condition communication

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical manual flagging system with an electronic/digital communication system. Mobile devices with cameras and processors automatically detect track conditions (debris, smoke, weather) and communicate them to drivers through digital messages, eliminating human error while maintaining system simplicity through the use of standard mobile devices rather than complex proprietary hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If digital flagging technologies are deployed, then track condition information is communicated reliably, but the system becomes expensive and requires significant proprietary hardware and software

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of track condition communicationVSAvoidcomplexity of hardware and software

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the track communication system universal by using standard mobile devices (smartphones, tablets) that drivers and track personnel already possess. These multi-functional devices serve as cameras, processors, communication transmitters, and display screens, eliminating the need for expensive proprietary hardware while maintaining reliable digital communication of track conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the camera in mobile devices to capture optical images of track conditions and creates digital copies of these conditions. These digital representations are then transmitted to drivers, allowing them to see replicated visual information about debris, smoke, or weather conditions without requiring complex specialized sensing equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Loss of energy

If manual flagging is used, then operational costs are low, but information dissemination is slow and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational costVSAvoidspeed of information dissemination

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the slow manual process of flaggers visually assessing conditions and physically waving flags with automated electronic detection and instant digital communication. Mobile device cameras automatically capture track conditions, processors analyze the images for debris or hazards, and messages are instantly transmitted to drivers, dramatically increasing information dissemination speed while keeping operational costs low by using existing mobile devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11551550B2Track information system

Publication Date: 2023.01.10 EAST COAST RACING TECH LLC

AI summary

Methods for providing track condition information include receiving, at a first mobile track control station, a track condition notification. Such methods further include transmitting, from the first mobile track control station to a second mobile track control station in a network of mobile track control stations, the track condition notification. Such methods further include receiving, at the first mobile track control station from a third mobile track control station, affected track sector data regarding an affected track sector. Such methods further include transmitting, from the first mobile track control station to a first mobile track information station within a first vehicle, the affected track sector data, wherein the affected track sector data is configured to be used by the first mobile track information station to determine whether the first vehicle is within the affected track sector.