(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2002/0198612 A1
`Smith et al.
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Dec. 26, 2002
`
`US 20020198612A1
`
`(54) APPARATUS AND METHOD TRACKING
`COMPETITOR MOVEMENT IN A SPORTING
`EVENT
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Jun. 25, 2001 (GB) ....................................... .. 01154855
`
`(76) Inventors: John Justin Smith, Bedford (GB);
`Martin Peters, Lang Lang (AU)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`Gerald T. Shekleton, Esq.
`Welsh & Katz, Ltd.
`22nd Floor
`120 S. Riverside Plaza
`Chicago, IL 60606 (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`10/135,468
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Apr. 30, 2002
`
`Publication Classi?cation
`
`(51) Int. Cl? ................................................. ..G06F 155/00
`(52) U.S. c1. .............................................................. .. 700/91
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A method of monitoring a plurality of competitors in a
`sporting event, comprises having each of said plurality of
`competitors carry a respective position locating device,
`arranging for the position locating devices to make location
`determinations at intervals and provide such determinations
`as output positional location data for the respective com
`petitors of said plurality of competitors and collecting output
`data for the plurality of competitors.
`
`UA-1004.001
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Dec. 26, 2002 Sheet 1 0f 4
`
`US 2002/0198612 A1
`
`GPS Unit / 3
`
`Antenna
`
`Logger Unitj/ 5
`
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`
`UA-1004.002
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Dec. 26, 2002 Sheet 2 0f 4
`
`US 2002/0198612 A1
`
`7 /
`
`GPS Unit
`
`'5
`
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`
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`
`UA-1004.003
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Dec. 26, 2002 Sheet 3 0f 4
`
`US 2002/0198612 A1
`
`Speed, m/s
`
`Jo
`
`5
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`LT 12mm w
`IT 106m m
`i. 12mm a
`
`FIG. 3
`
`UA-1004.004
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Dec. 26, 2002 Sheet 4 0f 4
`
`US 2002/0198612 A1
`
`F
`
`959 <5
`
`
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`
`
`
`
`
`UA-1004.005
`
`

`

`US 2002/0198612 A1
`
`Dec. 26, 2002
`
`APPARATUS AND METHOD TRACKING
`COMPETITOR MOVEMENT IN A SPORTING
`EVENT
`
`[0001] The present invention relates to monitoring a plu
`rality of competitors in a sporting event. In particular it
`relates to methods and apparatus for determining the posi
`tions and/or speeds of competitors.
`[0002] Currently there is an ever growing public desire for
`more detailed analytical and/or pictorially represented infor
`mation regarding sporting events.
`[0003] In horse racing, for example, it has been desired to
`have information about a horses speed around the track or
`course. Until noW, the speed of a horse as it moves around
`a racetrack has been calculated by sectional timing over
`substantial track lengths. Sectional timing involves the cal
`culation of average speed by recording the distance betWeen
`tWo ?xed points, and the time taken to cover that distance.
`Because of the length of sections over Which timing has
`taken place this type of timing system may be misleading.
`Consider the last ?ve furlongs of a race, Where three horses
`achieve not dissimilar sectional times. The timed measure of
`performance Would thus appear to be substantially equal for
`these animals. HoWever, in actual fact, the ?rst horse might
`maintain the same speed throughout the entire ?ve furlongs,
`the second horse start faster but sloW doWn at the end, and
`the third horse start sloWer but ?nish faster. Under such
`sectional timing, as mentioned, the performance rating of
`each horse Would appear to be equal, Whereas it Would be
`appropriate that the third horse receive the best rating, as a
`result of his greater stamina, While the ?rst horse should be
`rated second, and the second horse third.
`
`[0004] According to one aspect of the present invention, a
`method of monitoring a plurality of competitors in a sporting
`event is provided, the method comprising the steps of:
`
`[0005] a. having each of said plurality of competitors
`carry a respective position locating device;
`[0006] b. arranging for the position locating devices
`to make location determinations at intervals and
`provide such determinations as output positional
`location data for the respective competitors of said
`plurality of competitors; and
`
`[0007] c. collecting output data for the plurality of
`competitors.
`[0008] According to another aspect of the present inven
`tion, an apparatus for monitoring a plurality of competitors
`in a sporting event is provided, the apparatus comprising:
`
`[0009] a. a position locating device to be carried by
`each of said plurality of competitors;
`
`[0010] b. means for causing the position locating
`devices to make location determinations at intervals
`and to provide such determinations as output posi
`tional location data for the respective competitors;
`and
`
`[0011] c. means for collecting output data for the
`plurality of competitors.
`
`[0012] According to a further aspect of the present inven
`tion, an apparatus for monitoring a competitor in a sporting
`event is provided, the apparatus comprising:
`
`[0013] a. a position locating device to be carried by
`the competitor, the device being adapted to make
`location determinations at intervals and to provide
`such determinations as output positional location
`data for the competitor; and
`[0014] b. means for use in collecting said output data.
`[0015] Solely by Way of eXample, an embodiment of the
`invention Will noW be described, With reference to the
`folloWing draWings in Which:
`[0016] FIG. 1 is a block diagrammatic representation of
`apparatus for use in obtaining and recording/displaying
`positional data and data derived therefrom With respect to
`racehorses on a racecourse;
`
`[0017] FIG. 2 is a block diagrammatic representation of
`alternative apparatus for use in obtaining and recording/
`displaying positional data and data derived therefrom With
`respect to racehorses on a racecourse;
`
`[0018] FIG. 3 is a graphical representation of data derived
`using the apparatus of FIG. 1 or FIG. 2; and
`[0019] FIG. 4 is a graphical display displaying data
`obtained With the apparatus of FIG. 1 or FIG. 2.
`[0020] A particularly advantageous application of the
`present invention is in the obtaining, presentation and dis
`play of competing horses in a horseracing event. The draW
`ings shoW apparatus used in a method of acquiring data for
`presentation of the position and velocity of a plurality of
`horses involved in a horserace, for the recording of this
`information for the duration of a race, for subsequent
`comparison betWeen animals and for post race analysis and
`eXamples of possible displays for the data. While position
`and speed information may, in accordance With the inven
`tion, be processed and presented on a display substantially
`in real time, the method may also rely on storing the
`information for use in post event processing and presenta
`tion, depending on What is preferred and, possibly, on on-site
`resources and economics.
`
`[0021] In the preferred embodiment of the invention those
`horses in a horserace for Which speed and/or positional
`location data is desired are monitored by having each of
`these horses carry a position locating device Which performs
`location determinations at closely spaced time intervals.
`Clearly the position locating devices should be as small as
`is reasonably possible so as not to increase the Weight
`carried by the horses or to be too obtrusive in any Way. The
`data produced by these devices is then used to determine and
`display the speed and/or position of these horses, the speed
`being the speed of travel betWeen location measurements
`and the positions corresponding to the location measure
`ments.
`[0022] A particularly suitable position locating device to
`use is a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver—a digital
`device capable of decoding satellite information in order to
`accurately determining its position on the globe. A GPS
`receiver needs to receive three satellite signals for a basic
`“?x” to be achieved. This ?X pinpoints latitude and longi
`tude, and is achieved through triangulation. To ascertain
`position in a third dimension, eg. height or altitude, a fourth
`satellite is needed.
`[0023] Accuracy of determination of position through the
`satellites increases With the number of acquired satellites the
`
`UA-1004.006
`
`

`

`US 2002/0198612 A1
`
`Dec. 26, 2002
`
`GPS receiver is receiving signals from. Similarly, eXtrane
`ous satellites on the horizon, below a speci?c “Mask Angle”
`can introduce error due to their distance from the receiver.
`In these circumstances, it is preferable that these extraneous
`satellites be ignored in order to concentrate on those Within
`a speci?c angle above the position of the receiver on the
`surface of the globe.
`
`[0024] Since the satellites used noW by everyone taking
`advantage of the GPS system are oWned by the US military
`and Were intended for military purposes, the US military
`introduced an error into the system called “selective avail
`ability” so that the general public or foreign entities could
`not obtain such accurate positional information as Was
`available to the US forces, Who could simply eliminate or
`nullify the error. This selective availability reduced the
`accuracy With Which a normal GPS receiver can determine
`position, typically to about +/—50 m. Consequently, a set of
`correction utilities Was formed. These can be beacon trans
`mitters. These beacons knoW eXactly Where they are on the
`globe, and receive information from orbiting satellites tell
`ing them Where they think they are, alloWing them to
`calculate the error caused by selective availability and other
`errors such as ionospheric and tropospheric errors, and to
`transmit this information to other GPS receivers. This
`improves GPS accuracy, and provides sub meter accuracy.
`The generic term for a GPS receiver that makes use of this
`system is a differential global positioning satellite (DGPS)
`receiver. An inverse differential system may also be used.
`Inverse differential is the use of a base station, measuring
`error, and the error is corrected after the data has been sent
`to the processor. Essentially, there are tWo datasets, and one
`is subtracted from the other to achieve a more accurate
`position. One measures the eXtent and direction of error
`from a knoWn point; the other measures the position of the
`target object.
`
`[0025] Similarly, other correction methods have been
`made available, all based on the same principal, such as
`EGNOS/WAAS (Wide area augmentation system—devel
`oped by the US FAA) or Omnistar from OmniStar BV, PO
`Box 113, 2260 AC Leidschendam, The Netherlands. An
`alternative to the DGPS style receivers are those Which use
`the RTK (real time kinematics) system. This type of system
`combines satellite acquisition and correction systems, and
`provides its oWn correction system close to the source of use
`of the GPS. Additionally, due to the increased proximity of
`the measuring GPS receiver and the correction transmitting
`GPS receiver, errors caused by ionospheric conditions can
`be substantially eliminated. The general accuracy of RTK
`GPS receivers can be sub cm.
`
`[0026] Any type of small accurate GPS receiver may be
`used in the present method. HoWever, clearly, the use of the
`more accurate DGPS or RTK GPS systems may be prefer
`able. The Oncore M12 receiver marketed by Motorola GPS
`products, c/o BFI Optilas GmBH, Lilienthalstr, 14,
`D-85391, Neufahm, Germany (WWW.oncore.motorola.com)
`is a suitable loW cost receiver for the speed sensing of
`horses.
`
`[0027] Data Output from a GPS receiver can generally be
`in one of tWo forms, that of raW data output, generally
`interrogated through DOS (Disk Operating System) com
`mands using normal PC equipment, or according to the
`NMEA0183 standard (National Marine Electronics Asso
`
`ciation PO Box 3435, NeW Bern, NC. 28564-3435, http:/
`WWW.nmea.org/0183.htm.). This standard de?nes the elec
`trical signal requirements, data transmission protocol,
`timing and speci?c sentence formats for serial data bus
`systems. NMEA0183 is a marine based format used to
`co-ordinate vessels in maritime scenarios Which can be used
`in the present method of monitoring horse speed and/or
`location. Previously, as noted above, horse speed Was cal
`culated by ascertaining the time taken to cover a knoWn
`distance. HoWever, one can instead calculate speed by
`ascertaining the distance covered in a knoWn time interval.
`It is usual for a GPS unit to output data at least once a
`second. Consequently the speed of a horse can be derived by
`having the horse carry a GPS receiver, Which outputs
`location data at regular intervals, and calculating the dis
`tance covered in the intervals from the consecutive location
`data outputs. There are numerous formats of NMEA0183
`output, one of Which includes a calculated speed (measured
`in Knots, Which can, clearly, rapidly be converted to other
`formats, eg. mph).
`[0028] Location data output from a GPS receiver, in
`addition to being pulsed at one output every second, may
`also be streamed (i.e. constantly updated in real time) at ?ve
`outputs per second, as is common With the RTK or Carrier
`Phase systems. Subsequent development may produce
`higher rates of “streaming”.
`
`[0029] FIG. 1, illustrates a system for collecting data for
`a horse during a race and for processing that data subsequent
`to the race. The equipment is formed of tWo parts, one part
`1,Which is carried by the horse, and a second part 2, Which
`is separate from the horse and stationed conveniently With
`relation to the track. Part 1 comprises a position locating
`device in the form of a GPS unit 3 Which is coupled to
`receive satellite input signals from a GPS antenna 4. A data
`retrieval and logger unit 5 for is connected to the GPS unit
`3 to obtain the positional data output of the GPS unit. The
`logger unit 5 is also connected to a data transmission system
`6, preferably an infra red (IR) system. The transmission
`system 6 is an input/output system permitting data to be
`output for use in part 2 and also permitting the receipt of
`information Which may be utilised via the logger unit 5 for
`initialising or otherWise controlling the GPS unit 3. GPS
`information from GPS unit 3 is interrogated by a miniature
`data retrieval and logging unit 5. This unit 5 is small,
`typically the same siZe as the GPS unit, eg. 40 mm><60
`mm><10 mm, and is mounted in piggy-back style to the direct
`transmission output of the GPS unit. The data retrieval and
`logging unit preferably comprises a micro-controller, a
`personal computer (PC) interface, a poWer supply, and either
`non-volatile storage, battery backed SRAM and/or ?ash
`memory.
`
`[0030] The micro controller preferably uses a dual UART
`(universal asynchronous receiver-transmitter) system for
`interfacing betWeen the GPS receiver and the transmission
`system or PC (depending on Whether real time or post race
`retrieval is being used). One UART is required to interface
`betWeen the GPS unit 3 and the logger 5, and another
`betWeen the logger and data transmission system 6, be it IR
`or direct PC link. The processor preferably has loW current
`consumption and a fast poWer doWn mode for reduced
`poWer consumption betWeen data pulses. The non-volatile
`data storage preferably comprises a Serial EEPROM, typi
`cally Which Will store 32 Kb of data. Multiples can be used
`
`UA-1004.007
`
`

`

`US 2002/0198612 A1
`
`Dec. 26, 2002
`
`in tandem as required. For post race processing an RS 232
`serial interface or an IR interface 6 may be used for data
`offload, and processor programming. The batteries used may
`be standard discharge or rechargeable depending upon the
`equipment used. FIG. 2 also shoWs a system for collecting
`data for a horse in a race but in this case it is intended that
`the information Will be used for real time display of infor
`mation during the race. Components Which are the same as
`or Which correspond to those of FIG. 1 have been given the
`same reference numbers. As With the system of FIG. 1, the
`system is formed of tWo parts, parts 7 and 8. Part 7 is the part
`carried by the horse and part 8 is the stationary part located
`at a suitable place for obtaining and processing information
`from part 7. Part 7 comprises a GPS unit 3 data retrieval and
`logger unit 5 and antenna 4 connected to each other as in part
`1 of FIG. 1. The logger unit is additionally connected to an
`RF unit 9 Which in turn is connected to an RF antenna 10.
`Logger unit 5 can receive and transmit data via the RF unit
`9 and antenna 10. Since, in this case, speed and/or location
`data are to be relayed substantially in real time, the primary
`purpose of the logger unit 5 is to interface the GPS unit With
`any subsequent transmission system, such as radio fre
`quency transmission unit 9, but it may also be used to
`provide a fail-safe data storage facility for post race offload
`or doWnloading. The transmission system for real time
`transmission is preferably a radio frequency transmission
`unit 9, miniaturised to reduce Weight and poWer consump
`tion. This in turn may be mounted in piggy-back style on the
`data retrieval and logging system, or positioned in the close
`vicinity thereof. The purpose of the transmission equipment
`is to transmit the GPS location data from unit 7 to a receiving
`station 8 located nearby for subsequent data processing and
`presentation.
`[0031] The GPS receiver and associated equipment of
`parts 1 and 7, of FIGS. 1 and 2, are preferably, for ordinary
`horse racing, provided in the number cloth of the horse
`Which each horse has at race time. Each horse is issued With
`a number cloth relevant to its number in the race. The GPS
`unit 3, logger unit 5 and, in part 7, the RF unit 9 are enclosed
`Within a potted plastic, lightWeight enclosure. The siZe of the
`apparatus means that the devices Will not be obtrusive,
`despite being encased such that damage from body moisture,
`environmental conditions, impact or potential interference is
`minimised. The equipment also comprises at least one aerial
`4 to receive the GPS signal, With a second aerial 10 being
`required Where data is being transmitted back to a nearby
`receiving station. The aerials used should be of loW Weight
`With a minimal noise threshold, and stitched into the seam
`of the number cloth so as to provide substantially annular
`shaped aerials to obtain the maximum amount of coverage
`for the siZe of the number cloth.
`
`[0032] Whilst number cloths are convenient to use for
`normal horse racing the units 1 and 7 can be provided in
`other forms. They could be carried by the jockeys’ helmets
`or on other parts of the horse. This Would be necessary for
`example for point-to-point racing Where number cloths are
`not used. Whatever system is used, the Weight and siZe of the
`units should be kept as small as possible.
`
`[0033] Data acquisition is started after the invocation of
`the GPS 3 and logger unit 5. This is preferably achieved by
`sending an infra-red (IR) signal from a palm-top computer.
`Preferably the IR signal also programs each individual GPS
`unit 3 from said palm-top, and assigns a unique identi?ca
`
`tion (ID) to the unit. This Will normally, but not necessarily,
`correspond to the number of the number cloth and hence the
`horse in the race.
`[0034] Upon starting of the GPS receiver, initialisation
`strings are sent to the GPS unit by the logging and process
`ing board informing it of the parameters associated With the
`particular racetrack. This information includes the informa
`tion to start the acquisition of satellites, the loading of an
`almanac of stored ?x positions, and the satellites to include
`in the tracking operation. Additionally, the mask angle of
`reception may be de?ned.
`
`[0035] GPS receiver output continues through the race. A
`trigger system on a separate GPS unit located near the
`processing PC is used to establish the exact atomic time of
`the start of the race. This information is required to ?lter
`extraneous pre-race data, in particular Where data is stored
`for post-race processing and display. Preferably location
`data has already been acquired for the racecourse, for
`instance by using the method and apparatus disclosed in
`patent application GB0106531.7, by the same applicant and
`the disclosure of Which is incorporated herein by reference,
`such that exact geographical location of the ?nishing post is
`knoWn, alloWing extraneous post-race data also to be ?l
`tered. In situations Where post-race processing and display is
`being carried out, the extraneous data referred to above may
`be ?ltered out by either manual or automated processing. In
`real time applications, extraneous data is ?ltered out auto
`matically.
`[0036] Data acquisition is preferably ceased as the horses
`exit the course after the race and is also achieved by IR
`signalling, eg. at the same time at Which data is, if necessary,
`of?oaded from the logging unit. Preferably this data of?oad
`is also achieved by IR signalling, and takes place at high
`baud rates (such as 9600-19200 bps) to reduce time of
`offload. All data is transferred to a data processing means
`Which preferably comprises a base personal computer (base
`PC). If RF transmission has been used then data offload from
`the logger unit is, of course, not necessary as the GPS
`receiver output data Will already have been recorded direct
`to the base PC. HoWever, if data has also been stored on the
`logger unit as a backup, IR offload may also take place at this
`stage. Invocation of the GPS units is still required. With the
`real time system of FIG. 2, it may be convenient to have an
`infra red unit connected to the logger unit and to have the
`necessary interface unit 6 for the invocation processes etc.
`referred to above. HoWever, some or all of the procedures
`may be carried out using RF signals instead.
`
`[0037] On reception of output data from a horse, be it post
`race from the storage device, or real time from RF trans
`mission, the collected data is processed by data processing
`means. Depending on the particular GPS receiver data
`output, the required processing Will differ. Additionally,
`substantially real time presentation of information Will
`require substantially real time processing, While displaying
`the position of the horses on the racetrack Will require
`graphical output, Which is particularly desirable for media
`applications.
`[0038] Data processing of the data logged by the logger
`unit 5 of FIG. 1, is carried out by the units shoWn in the
`processor part, part 2 of the ?gure, to alloW post race
`analysis of the data. The processor Will have the facility to
`play back the race, in a scaled time design, i.e. replaying
`
`UA-1004.008
`
`

`

`US 2002/0198612 A1
`
`Dec. 26, 2002
`
`each seconds Worth of data after the race. Similarly, the
`processor is also capable of assimilating the data and pro
`ducing the necessary charts that may be desired.
`
`1. This entire processing loop takes of the order of one
`second to cope With the regular batches of data arriving at
`one second intervals.
`
`[0039] The data is inputted into the processor part 2
`through input unit 11, and separated in separation unit 12
`into constituent packets depending on the horse and the
`atomic time of data recording, Whereby the different ?les can
`be substantially instantaneously synchronised. Subse
`quently, calculations can be made in unit 13 to calculate, for
`a given atomic time and horse number, the speed of the
`horse, and the distance travelled betWeen the tWo points
`sequentially of each other.
`
`[0040] The data is then structured by structuring unit 14
`and converted in subsequent units presentation unit 15, data
`output unit 16, GUI interpretation unit 17, GUI presentation
`unit 18 and GUI output unit 19—to provide for the particular
`form of data output that is desired. This again may be in
`many different formats. Atypical format is shoWn in FIG. 3,
`Which Will be discussed beloW.
`
`[0041] The data may be required to output to media for
`television representation. As such, the graphical user inter
`face (GUI) needs to be interpreted in unit 17 and converted
`to a suitable output for media broadcast.
`
`[0042] Finally, the data is Written by unit 20 to a database
`Where all horse information is stored. In the post processing
`operation, this procedure described, may be an effectively
`instantaneous operation, or a playback over time.
`
`[0043] FIG. 2, represents the apparatus for the real time
`system With radio transmission. Essentially, unit 7 is similar
`in construction to the unit 1 of FIG. 1, With the main
`difference being the integration of a miniature radio fre
`quency transmitter 9, of loW poWer requirement mounted in
`“piggy-back” formation onto the back of the GPS board 3,
`and logger unit 5. Whilst, as shoWn, the system comprises
`the three components 3, 5 and 9 it is likely that the tWo units
`3 and 9 Would suf?ce, With logging requirements being
`satis?ed at the processor end 8 of the link. This in turn Would
`negate the need for any subsequent data of?oad by IR.
`
`[0044] Essentially, GPS unit 3 derives its position, and
`transmits this via RF unit 9 and antenna 10 to an RF
`reception interface 21, of the processor unit part 8, Which has
`the capability to receive multiple data inputs. The informa
`tion from all runners is relayed in this Way to interface 21 of
`the processor 8, Which then runs through a number of
`procedures. The data is separated in unit 22 into groups
`depending on the horse’s unit Which sent the data. This
`alloWs the calculation, by calculation unit 23, of the distance
`travelled since the last reception. At this point, redundancy
`in terms of lost data is accounted for. The atomic time should
`be one second ahead for each data transmitted. If it is not,
`then data has been lost, and speed accuracy may be lost.
`Speed is calculated from the grouped data, and a speed
`output can be produced. The data from each unit is then
`structured to alloW multiple output of runners. This process
`therefore implies, data separation, calculation and regroup
`ing. The data can then be presented in any fashion appro
`priate using the units 14 to 19 corresponding to the units
`With the same references in FIG. 1. As stated earlier, there
`are numerous Ways of presenting the data and the graphical
`data can be output to Broadcast Media. Finally, the data is
`Written to a database for storage as With the system of FIG.
`
`[0045] In particular, the data processing means may carry
`out one or more of the folloWing steps:
`[0046] a) calculating the horses geographical position
`Within the racing boundary;
`[0047] b) calculating the positions of the other animals
`in relation to each other;
`[0048] c) calculating the distance moved in the interval
`betWeen GPS receiver outputs from said outputs;
`[0049] d) calculating the speed of the horses from the
`distance calculated in (c) and the time betWeen outputs;
`and
`
`[0050] e) displaying of speed in bar chart or any other
`charting format.
`[0051] f) displaying the speed and or positional infor
`mation in any other suitable form of display.
`[0052] Steps (b) and (c) in particular may not be required
`if already calculated by the GPS receiver (provided the GPS
`output is in the desired unit system) and transmitted to the
`receiving station. Calculations are preferably carried out as
`the necessary data reaches the receiving station.
`
`[0053] The processed data is as mentioned stored in a
`database. The database may also be used as a facility to
`house other horse or racetrack information, such as the going
`and Weather conditions on the race day, and the horses’
`Weights. The data processing means can in turn access all
`information in the database, alloWing the speed data pro
`duced in the race to be displayed in a number of formats.
`Where the database is accessible over the internet means
`may be provided for alloWing the internet user to select What
`parameters are displayed.
`
`[0054] Speed data may be presented in a number of
`different formats. For example:
`[0055] a) One horse’s speed v another horse’s speed
`around the course;
`[0056] b) One horse’s speed v the course going condi
`tions;
`[0057] c) One horse’s speed v Weather;
`[0058] d) One horse’s speed v previous performances;
`[0059] e) All horses speed v going conditions;
`[0060] f) All horses v Weather conditions; and
`[0061] g) All horses v going and Weather conditions.
`[0062] A graphic equaliser type display may be used With
`an X-aXis division for each contender, and a y-aXis scale for
`speed.
`[0063] FIG. 3 shoWs one form in Which the processed
`speed data information may be presented This ?gure, Which
`is purely diagrammatic graphical representation, demon
`strates the representation of speed over time for four horses
`in a race represented as having been run at Doncaster at 3.30
`pm. The elapsed time is shoWn in seconds on the X-aXis and
`the instantaneous speed is shoWn in meters/second on the
`y-aXis. The graphs shoW a gradual increase in speed for each
`
`UA-1004.009
`
`

`

`US 2002/0198612 A1
`
`Dec. 26, 2002
`
`horse over the ?rst feW seconds after the start, and of
`particular note is the drop off in speed of horse 1 after 20 or
`so seconds. The ?nishing line crossing time for each horse
`could be added to the chart for completeness.
`
`[0064] FIG. 4 shoWs diagrammatically a GUI screen
`representation, suitable for broadcast media presentation, of
`Doncaster racecourse during a race. This is simply one form
`of real time display that could be produced using the system
`and method of the invention shoWn in FIG. 2. As shoWn
`there are 5 runners displayed, each represented by a different
`symbol although in practice media representations Would
`normally be in colour With each horse being represented by
`a different colour. The horses are shoWn racing doWn the
`home straight in a race of 1M 4f. There are various aspect
`of this display that are signi?cant.
`
`[0065] The going, as determined for example according to
`our co-pending application GB01 10686.3, can be superim
`posed behind the racing horses, thus indicating areas Where
`We can expect speed to increase or decrease. A graphic
`equaliser type display of each horses speed is presented and
`updated every second in the top left hand corner of the
`screen, and a table is also presented to textually represent the
`speed in race time. This ?gure is representative of the RF
`real time system of FIG. 2 Where information is processed
`in race time and presented in media format.
`
`[0066] The course can be any at Which racing is taking
`place and there can be as many horses displayed as is
`possible Within a race. For example, the Grand National
`commonly has about forty entries. This ?gure gives an
`example of the type of data that can be derived from the
`speed sensing system. Obviously, a number of different
`parameters can be presented:
`
`Max Speed
`
`Best Position
`Average Speed
`
`Distance travelled
`
`Distance to run
`
`Distance betWeen horses
`
`Expected race time for ?nish
`
`[0067]
`[0068]
`[0069]
`[0070]
`[0071]
`[0072]
`[0073]
`[0074]
`[0075]
`[0076] Presentation formats may include TV broadcast,
`WAP, HTML/Internet, email, paper hard copy, or any other
`available method of presentation.
`
`Expected Winner at sectional points
`
`Average speed over speci?c going areas Etc.
`
`[0077] Whilst the invention has been applied, as
`described, to horses and horseracing it clearly can also be
`used for other sporting events, such as motor