Integrated timing system and method having a highly portable RFID tag reader with GPS location determination

A method for a timing system using an RFID tag reader to determine a time of passing of a monitored detection point by a participant in an event having a participant identifier with an associated unique participant identifier number, the method comprises:

• in a timing system server having a processor, computer executable instructions, and an interface to interface with an RFID tag reader positioned proximate to the monitored detection point, to interface with a portable handheld device positioned at a spaced apart distance from the monitored detection point, and to interface with a participant/event reporting system, performing the method of:
• receiving a current geographic location of at least one of the RFID tag reader and the monitored detection point;
• receiving over the interface one or more RFID tag reads of the RFID tag when the RFID tag is in proximity to the RFID tag reader, each received RFID tag read including the RFID participant identifier number and the RFID tag read times by the RFID tag reader;
• receiving over the interface a handheld device participant identifier number, a handheld device time;
• correlating the received RFID participant identifier number with the received handheld device participant identifier number to determine the participant identifier number;
• comparing the received RFID tag read times to the handheld device time;
• calculating an adjusted time for the participant identifier number from the received and stored handheld device time based on at least one of the stored geographic location of the RFID tag reader and the received current geographic location of the handheld device;
• and
• transmitting over the interface to the participant/event reporting system the participant identifier number and the calculated adjusted time as the time of passing of the participant having the participant identifier number.