US 11,113,972 B2 · Position detector and system

Abstract

A proximity monitor for monitoring a zone associated with a vehicle, such as during a race. In a race each vehicle may have a proximity monitor to enable monitoring of distances between proximate vehicles. Each proximity monitor may include an RF transmitter and an RF receiver to communicate with proximate monitors and use signal timing information to determine spacing between monitors. The monitor may use Ultra Wide Band (UWB) signals to determine spacing and other protocols for communication. The monitor may also detect whether another monitor passes. An alert signal may be generated if the spacing information, and optionally other information, satisfies an alert criterion. A system including such monitors may enable race officials to monitor infringement of rules and enforce penalties in real time on a race course.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A proximity monitor for monitoring a zone associated with a vehicle, the proximity monitor comprising:

a first radiofrequency (RF) transmitter configured to communicate data with one or more proximate RF receivers of a proximate vehicle in the monitored zone;
a first RF receiver configured to acquire signal timing information from signals transmitted by one or more proximate RF transmitters of the proximate vehicle;
a long-range communication module configured to receive a penalty signal from a remote device;
and
a processor configured to:
generate spacing information as to the spacing between the vehicle and the proximate vehicle;
generate an alert signal based on the penalty signal.

4 more elements

A race communication system comprising:

a plurality of vehicles, each vehicle including a proximity monitor for monitoring a zone associated with a vehicle , the proximity monitor comprising:
a first radiofrequency (RF) transmitter configured to communicate data with one or more proximate RF receivers of a proximate vehicle in the monitored zone;
a first RF receiver configured to acquire signal timing information from signals transmitted by one or more proximate RF transmitters of the proximate vehicle;
a processor configured to generate spacing information as to the spacing between the vehicle and the proximate vehicle;
and
a user indicator;
and
one or more remote devices, each including an RF transceiver and a user interface;
wherein the proximity monitor of each vehicle is configured to:
transmit a signal to the remote device based on the spacing between the vehicle and a proximate vehicle;
and wherein the remote device is configured to:
receive the signal from the vehicle using the RF transceiver, present information based on the spacing between the vehicle and the proximate vehicle to a user via the user interface;
receive an input from the user via the user interface;
generate a penalty signal based on the input from the user;
and
wherein the penalty signal indicates that a penalty is to be applied to the proximate vehicle or a user thereof.

13 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Position detector and system

Life of this patent

Position detector and system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14