Method and system for improved measurement of the time of passage on a timekeeping line

A system for improved measurement of a time of passage on a timekeeping line of a race by a competitor, the system comprising:

• a camera that acquires electric signals representative of an image of the timekeeping line, the camera including at least one image sensor provided with a matrix of pixels, the electric signals being produced according to optical signals received by the pixels of the matrix,
• an image processor for processing the electric signals transmitted by the camera, in such a way as to detect passage of the timekeeping line by an object, the image processor being configured to detect at least one additional piece of information relating to movement or dimensions of the object to verify that the object corresponds to a competitor,
• a time measurement unit including circuitry configured to measure the time of passage of said object on the timekeeping line corresponding to an instant of passage of the object, and
• a display,
• wherein the camera is configured to transmit the electric signals to the image processor and, after verifying that the object corresponds to a competitor, to transmit an order to measure the time of passage to the time measurement unit in response to the object passing the timekeeping line,
• wherein the detecting of the passage of a timekeeping line by an object and detecting at least one additional piece of information relating to movement or dimensions of the object to verify that the object corresponds to a competitor are performed simultaneously,
• wherein the time of passage measured is configured to be transmitted to a display and the display is configured to display the measured times, and
• wherein the additional piece of information is at least a direction of movement of the object.