Runner Passage Sensor Using Broad Illumination and Directional Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring a runner's time, such as photoelectric cells and reflective photoelectric cells, suffer from significant measurement errors due to the sensitivity of light detection, which can be triggered by body parts other than the torso, leading to inaccuracies that are not acceptable for precision track and field events.
Innovation Solution
A device with an illumination and light-receiving system that provides infrared and/or visible light across a broader area than the palm of the hand, using a communication device and timer to measure passage time based on detected light intensity, with a light-receiving device having a window that restricts incidence direction to prioritize torso detection, and an illumination device that illuminates a region larger than the hand, ensuring accurate passage sensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a photoelectric cell with a narrow detection region is used, then measurement accuracy is improved, but measurement error increases when body parts other than the torso block the light
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the illumination region larger than the hand while keeping the detection region selective for torso passage. The illumination device illuminates a broad area to ensure the torso is always illuminated, but the detection logic specifically identifies torso passage patterns, thereby resolving the contradiction between broad illumination and accurate torso detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from detecting light blockage in a narrow beam (one-dimensional detection) to analyzing light reflection patterns across a broader illuminated area (two-dimensional detection). By measuring reflected light intensity distribution across multiple detection points, the system can distinguish torso passage from hand/arm passage based on the spatial pattern of reflection.
2Ease of operation
If a reflective photoelectric cell is used, then ease of installation is improved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to light concentration on small regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the illumination region larger than the hand while keeping the detection region selective for torso passage. The illumination device illuminates a broad area to ensure the torso is always illuminated, but the detection logic specifically identifies torso passage patterns, thereby resolving the contradiction between broad illumination and accurate torso detection.
3Device complexity
If a manually operated stopwatch is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to human reaction time errors
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system performs self-service by automatically detecting runner passage and recording times without requiring manual operation. The system uses light detection and automated timing logic to eliminate human reaction time errors, while maintaining simplicity through automatic operation.
4Measurement precision
If a slit camera is used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation worsen due to complex installation and operation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system performs self-service by automatically detecting runner passage and recording times without requiring manual operation. The system uses light detection and automated timing logic to eliminate human reaction time errors, while maintaining simplicity through automatic operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical slit camera system with an optical detection system using illumination devices and light sensors. This substitution eliminates the need for complex camera mechanisms, film processing, and manual image analysis, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
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
This solution significantly reduces measurement errors, achieving higher accuracy than conventional photoelectric cells while maintaining ease of use, with potential errors reduced to approximately 0.02 seconds, compared to 0.05 seconds in existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
infrared and/or visible illumination provided by the illumination device is reflected from the body of a runner traveling therepast, passage of the runner is sensed as a result of detection of reflected infrared and/or visible light by the light-receiving device
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a device for measuring a time of passage that is capable of sensing passage of the torso more accurately than a photoelectric cell while maintaining the ease of use of a photoelectric cell, passage of a runner is sensed by causing the upper portion of the body of the runner to be broadly illuminated by infrared light, visible light, and/or other such electromagnetic waves, and by detecting light reflected from large part(s) of the body of the runner.