GB2404062A - Transmitting a signal to receivers mounted upon racing vehicles such as motorbikes so that a warning can be given of an incident which requires action - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention relates to improvements to a signalling/warning system, and particularly for improvements to a signalling/warning system suitable for use on a racing circuit/track to supplement or replace the current flag system. It describes improvements to a coded radio wave signalling device for use on a race track. These improvements are to further enhance the safety aspects of such a device and enable it to be used on a wider range of vehicles. The currently available transmitters and receivers are large and rely mainly on mains/vehicle electrical systems for their power. This patent describes methods how particularly the receiver can be made small and light enough and with its own power supply so that it could be used on any race vehicle. Further the proposed device is fully weather and tamper proof by nature of its construction. The device if required can incorporate a time recording system such that time of notification can be verified on any vehicle equipped with the device. Fully portable receivers independent of a separate power supply have also been designed to supplement the onboard warning receivers. Designs for these devices customised for ambulance and doctors use are also described. To further reliability duplication or triplication of the receivers and transmitters is proposed to ensure reliable function as far as practically possible.

Description

1 2404062 Motor Racing Signalling System This invention relates to

improvements to a signalling system, and particularly for improvements to a signalling system suitable for use on a racing eireuit/traek.

Although the following descriptions refers almost exclusively to a signalling system for use on a motor racing track, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention can be used in respect of any track, circuit or arrangement in which one or more signals need to be sent rapidly from a first location to one or more remote locations.

One form of motor racing takes place on a race track with the competitors racing from a start point to a finish point by completing a predetermined number of laps of the race track in the fastest time or the largest number of laps within a pre determined period of time, i.e. 24 hours. Due to the speed at which the competitors travel at during the race, together with the close proximity of the competitors in the race, accidents can often happen and, if they do, can be fatal. In an attempt to reduce the risks associated with motor racing, it is known to use a flag system to warn riders of certain situations happening on the race track ahead of them. For example, a red flag is typically used to indicate to a rider that the race has been stopped. A yellow flag is typically used to indicate to a rider that overtaking is not allowed and a blue flag is typically used to indicate to a rider that they need to move to one side of the race track as they are being lapped.

Conventionally, the flag system includes a plurality of marshals located at pre- determined locations (i.e. marshal posts) on the race track. If the marshals see anything which they consider may affect the race and/or safety of the riders in the race, such as an accident or oil on the track, they contact the clerk of the course, such as via telephone. The Clerk of the Course then makes a decision as to whether to continue the race and/or whether to provide a pre-determined flag signal to the riders on the track to inform them of a particular condition. This decision is then relayed to each of the marshals via the telephone or radio and the marshals use the correct signalling flag to inform the competitors of the decision.

It will be appreciated that this current signalling method is time consuming and, since many of the competitors in motor racing today are capable of speeds in excess of 200 miles per hour, the flag system may take too long to implement. As such, competitors may arrive at an accident site prior to the flag system being implemented, thereby providing the competitors with little or no time to take evasive action in the event of an accident. In addition, since race tracks have become wider, run offs have got longer and the speed of the competitor has significantly increased in recent years, the competitor may be unable to see a particular flag being waved by a marshal since the marshals are located at the sides of the track out of direct view of the competitor.

Furthermore, the marshal posts are often located at considerable distances apart on the track and, if an incident happens between two marshal posts and an approaching rider is also between the two marshal posts, the rider will not see a flag prior to arriving at the incident site.

In an attempt to overcome this problem, it is known to provide light sources at pre- determined locations on the race track in place of the conventional flag system, the colours of the light sources when lit corresponding to the eolour of the flag which would normally have been waved in response to an incident on the track. Whilst the light sources may be more visible to a rider than the conventional flag system, the marshals are still required to activate the light sources manually on receipt of instructions from the Clerk of the Course. These lights must be hard wired to the location of the Clerk of the Course. As such, this system is not portable, it limits the number and distribution of signals that can be provided around the track, it is expensive and still suffers from the abovementioned problems.

It is also known US Patent 4949067 to provide a transmitted signal from the clerk of the course (race official) to the competitors and or stationary receivers as described in detail below.

This is an alternative method to provide a race hazard condition alerting system which avoids some of the abovementioned drawbacks of existing systems.

The object of this system is to provide a race hazard condition alerting system in which an alerting indicator is positioned in plain view of every competitor which will let every competitor know simultaneously when there is a caution period declared by the race official.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide such a system which has dual elements for a built-in back-up.

It is a general object of this system to provide a race hazard condition alerting system which will eliminate the dangerous practice of "passing under the yellow".

It is yet a further object of this system to provide a race hazard condition alerting system which alerts race vehicle drivers under all adverse conditions, i.e., when dust on a dirt course, or sunlight on dirt, asphalt, water, or air makes it impossible to see a flag or backside light of existing systems.

It is still another object of this system to provide a race hazard condition alerting system which is effective in both daytime and night competition.

According to an aspect of this system, the race hazard condition alerting system is well adapted for use on a closed loop race course around which a number of race ears or other racing motor vehicles proceed. A clerk of the course (race official) monitors track conditions and communicates to the competitors when he declares a hazard condition, during which the race car drivers are to observe caution rules (i.e. "hold position", "no passing").

The system has a transmitter which is actuated by the race official and a number of receiver units each of which is disposed in a respective one of the race ears in plain view of the driver.

The transmitter transmits an RF carrier, typically about SOMHz, which is modulated to indicate the presence (or absence) of the hazard condition. A manual switch on the transmitter permits the flagman to select the signal that is transmitted so as to correspond to the observed hazard condition (L C., green, yellow or red), and this is radiated by means of an antenna or antenna system over a range that encompasses the entire race course.

Each of the receiver units have means for mounting it in the associated race vehicle, an antenna to receive the signal transmitted by the transmitter, a demodulator to demodulate the signal carrier to produce a hazard indication, and a hazard lamp which is actuated by the hazard indication. Preferably, there are two each of green, yellow and red lamps which are lit to indicate green, yellow and red flag conditions, in response to the flagman actuating the manual switch to the corresponding position on the transmitters. When there is a change in hazard condition, i.e.7 if the flagman signals a caution (yellow flag) the yellow lights will light up the receiver units in all the race ears at the same time7 and these are clearly visible to all the drivers under all road conditions.

The signals are coded at the transmitter side and decoded at the receiver unit sides so specific codes are used to light the caution lamps. This prevents stray or spurious signals or RF noise from accidentally missing dictating a caution.

The transmitter can be connected with an electrical supply for the traekside caution light system so that the same switch that actuates the lights in the race car such that the same switch turns on the aforementioned hard wired track side caution light system.

It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide significant improvements to the above signalling systems to further improve clarity of signals location of indicators transportability and improved safety.

While the above holds part of the solution to the problem of track safety several improvements need to be made to make the product viable for the spectrum of motor racing events. The two major problems with the radio system in patent 4949067 is that the technology it uses forces a fairly large package & hence excluded its use in most motorcycle events and that the device is not tamper proof. For safety reasons the device must work every time without fail otherwise a serious situation could occur as a result. T herefore all systems transmitter & receiver must be to the best of anyone's abilities and be as near as practical 100% reliable. Tampering could obviously damage the receiver or transmitter & hence compromise the devices reliability.

Several inventions are detailed below which could be used individually or collectively to help achieve this aim.

According to the first aspect of the present invention the receiver unit by use of modern electronics is small enough to be carried on for example a racing motoX cycle. This will allow the complete range of competition machines to use the device and not limit it to racing ears. The large device as patented in 4949067 would be entirely unsuitable for 2 wheel competition. This is to be achieved by the use of modern digital transmission technology & electronics a embodiment of which is detailed later.

The second aspect of the invention is that it is completely self contained and does not rely in any way for power from the vehicle thus allowing it to be used on vehicles without a battery & charging system or equivalent which is typical of many racing motorcycles. The battery pack incorporated is sufficient for at least a 3 day race meeting or a 24 hour race. incorporated in the receiver/battery pack is a battery charge indicator typically 4 1,ED's showing when & if the integral battery pack needs recharging. Also incorporated is a connector suitable for charging from an appropriate power supply.

The third aspect of the invention is that the receiver/battery pack will be potted and hence completely sealed & tamper proof. This has a three fold advantage in that for off road events and to some degree road racing events the vibration would be disadvantagous to electrical components and could result in premature failure. The potting would provide support to the electronics and ensure durability/reliability when subjected to high vibrations. The potting would also render the device weather proof so no additional protection for the electronics would be required in wet conditions.

Additionally the potting in conjunction with a suitable seal would prevent tampering.

Tampering could render the device ineffective and steps such as potting must be employed to ensure the correct function of the receiver at all times.

The fourth aspect of the invention is that at least two light emitting devices for each signal will be permanently wired into the receiver thus removing the risk of bad connections between the LED's & transmitter causing a competitor to miss a signal with possible fatal consequences. Connections can be provided for either hard wired or radio transmission connected warning lights but for safety at least two of each signal LED must be permanently hard wired to the receiver pack and placed in the competitors line of sight. These lights could be transmitted along fibre optic cable to the line of sight of the competitor if necessary but these fibre optic cables must be mounted relative to the receiver such that transmission of signal is guaranteed In addition to the visible warning an audible warning could be provided but in many racing situations this would be ineffective due to the ambient noise.

Additional warning lights could be mounted in a manner of ways either on the competitor or on the machine either to be observed by the competitor or as additional warning to those following.

The fifth aspect of the invention is a date/time recorder incorporated into the receiver such that if a signal is received by the receiver then it is recorded. This can be downloaded from the receiver after the event by a suitable interface to a computer or other recording/analysis device. Thus allowing the fact that the competitor received the appropriate signal in the event of an incident to be confirmed. The interface could be a hard wired connection, an infra red link or any other suitable communication method. This link could also be used to calibrate the date & time if required though it would be preferable to calibrate all receivers simultaneously via the transmitter.

In addition self monitoring of the warning light could be achieved either by a continuity/resistance check or a optical fibre link to a light sensitive sensor. Thus recording not only the time of the received signal but also the fact that the warning light had been displayed.

The sixth aspect of the invention is that the transmitter and receiver could be duplicated such that a multiple failure of components/systems is required to prevent a failure of the signal. Ideally they should be triplicated to ensure maximum safety but a duplication would greatly reduce the possibility of failure.

The seventh aspect of the invention is a fully portable backside warning light system to be used in addition with the onboard receivers or on their own such that it will receive the transmission from the transmitter in the same way as the onboard devices but will be arranged with bright lights suitable for use in sunlight & in a mounting arrangement suitable to be placed adjacent to the track either in soft earth, on grass or hard ground. These receivers will be completely self contained with their own power packs suitable for the duration of a race meeting, appropriate warning lights for battery condition and a method of charging same.

The eighth aspect of the invention is a separate receivers suitable for use by the pit crew, ambulance or doctor, similar to the devices used by the competitors but with the possible addition of an audible signal such that the device would not necessarily be in line of sight. If this receiver was to be housed in a garage or similar it could be linked into the mains electricity supply but it would be advisable to retain a battery backup.

The ninth aspect of the invention is that it could be linked directly to the TV/radio broadcast such that the viewers/listeners would be instantly aware of an incident. This could for example be a suitably coloured spot corresponding to the warning light in the corner of the TV screen. This would allow the viewers to be up to date with the track events.

Similarly sets of lights and an appropriate receiver could be placed such that they would be visible to spectators at the meeting.

The tenth aspect of the invention is further use of the onboard memory incorporated to record date/time/light illumination information. Information from the machine or rider such as heart rate, rpm, oil temp etc could be relayed to the receiver module either by hardwired or short range radio transmission. This information could then be either transmitted back to the race team or downloaded by the provided interface at the end of the race.

The advantages offered by these significant additions are improved safety due to:- a) Built in redundancy b) Sealed construction which renders the unit tamperproof & weatherproof c) Battery life indication built into the receivers.

d) Swift communication with the safety crews (doctor & ambulance) by dedicated receivers providing audible/visible signals.

Plus the proposed system is fully transportable with no permanent wiring required at the racetrack. A whole track could be quickly & easily be kitted out with suitable transmitters & receivers.

Plus if in the unfortunate event of a serious incident the following investigation could be significantly helped by the ability to show that a competitor had received a warning signal.

Plus information supplied to the watching public could be improved by.

a) Duplicate warning lights set up such that they were visible by the spectators at the tracl;.

b) Suitable icons on the TV screens so the warning light illuminated is indicated.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein: Figure la illustrates use of the signalling system of the present invention on a motorcycle race track in one embodiment; Figure lb illustrates an enlarged view of a motorcycle and rider shown in figure la; Figure 2 illustrates a transmitter for use in the signalling system according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 illustrates an example of mobile receiver for use in the present invention; Figure 4 illustrates an example of a static receiver for use in the present invention; Figures 5-12 illustrate examples of different locations in which the signalling means could be located with respect to a competitor's helmet or vehicle.

Referring to figures 1-4, there is an illustrated a signalling system 2 for use on a motorcycle race track 4. A plurality of competitors 6 race around track 4 from a start position to a finish position by completing a predefined number of laps there between or for a pre-determined period of time. Each competitor 6 rides a motorbike 8 and wears a helmet 10.

The signalling system 2 includes first communication means in the form of a transmitter 12 located at a first location 14. The Clerk of the Course is located at first location 14 and makes decisions about the race. The transmitter 12 includes a shock resistant body 24, a power source in the form of a battery unit 26, which can be external as shown or internally (not shown). Mains power supply or other power supply means can be used if required. An aerial 28 is provided on the transmitter for transmitting a signal there from. A button 30 is provided to allow the Clerk of the Course to transmit a signal relating to a decision to one or more locations about the race track. Audio indication means can be sounded via speaker 32 to indicate to the user that the signal has been sent successfully. Visual indication means in the form of a light 34 which can also be lit to indicate to the user that the signal has been sent successfully. Either the visual and/or audio signally means can also provide an indication to the user as to the type of signal that has been sent.

Second communication means in the form of receivers 16 are located at spaced apart locations 18 around the track. These locations 18 typically correspond to marshal posts. Communication means in the form of receivers 20 are also provided on the helmet 10 of each rider 6 and mounted on display 12 of each motorbike 8.

The receivers 16, 20 are connected by electronic circuitry to visual signalling means in the form of one or more LEDs 22. More particularly, a cluster of LEDs are typically provided at the various locations, thereby providing greater reliability in the event of failure of one of the LEDs.

Receivers 16 are typically static receivers attached to a required surface around the race track via a base 36, as shown in figure 4. Receiver 16 includes a housing 38 in which is contained a power supply in the form of batteries 40. The power supply can be located externally of the receiver and/or can include any other power source, such as mains power supply, solar power andJor the like. A speaker 42 is provided to allow an audio signal to be sounded from the receiver 16, thereby informing the marshal of one or more instructions sent from the Clerk of the Course. An aerial 44 is provided to allow receipt ofthe signals sent from transmitter 12. Suitable electronic circuitry 46 is provided to allow the signal to be received and decoded from the transmitter and for one or more predefined lights or lighting sequences to be activated in LEDs 22 (only one of which is shown for the purposes of clarity).

The mobile receivers 20 provided on the motorbikes are similar to receivers 16 in that they include an aerial 48 for receiving signals sent from the transmitter 12, and a housing 50 in which is located power supply means in the form of a battery 52. The battery of the bike could provide the power supply if required or other power supply means could be used. The receivers 20 can be attached to the bike or visor of the helmet and therefore the visual display or LED 22 may be the only component visible to a user.

In use, the race is viewed by marshals located at the marshal posts and via the Clerk of the Course via a bank of television screens shoving different parts of the race track. If a marshal or Clerk of the Course sees any incident on the race track which they consider may affect the race and/or the safety of the riders in the race, the signalling means can be activated. Thus, the signalling means can be activated by the Clerk of the Course directly seeing an incident and/or as a result of a marshal at one of the marshal posts seeing an incident and contacting the Clerk of the Course to inform them of the incident.

The marshals can inform the Clerk of the Course of a particular incident using any communication means, such as via radio waves, cable, satellite, signalling means and/or similar.

The Clerk of the Course activates the transmitter by depressing button 30 thereon.

This causes a digitally encoded signal to be sent from the transmitter to all the receivers on the race track and receivers associated with the riders and their motorbikes. Receipt of the digitally encoded signal at the receiver activates the LEDs to provide a visual signal to the riders to take one or more pre defined actions. Once the riders have seen the visual signal, they can take whatever action is required.

Thus, the invention provides a rapid warning system to alert one or all the riders substantially simultaneously to one or more pre defined incidents relating to the race and/or race track.

The visual signal can also be used to indicate a situation to the marshals on the course substantially simultaneously. The marshals can therefore also use their flag signalling system in addition to the signalling system of the present invention more rapidly then previously possible. It will be appreciated that the reciever can be provided at any suitable location, such as for example on an ambulance, thereby allowing ambulance drivers to be informed of a situation, such as an accident. This therefore decreases the response time of the ambulance to an accident compared to conventional systems.

The visual signalling means can include any or any combination of a message, symbol, text, sequence of lights, single light, different coloured lights, flashing lights and/or the like. For example, the LEDs could emit a red light to signal to the riders and/or marshals that the race is being stopped. Flashing LEDs could correspond to the yellow warning flags and/or the like.

It will be appreciated that any number ol visual and/or audio signalling means can be provided around the race track and/or associated with the riders and/or other parties, such as police, fire brigade, ambulance and/or the like.

Although the above description refers to the use of a transmitter and reccivcr, either or both could be provided in the form of a transceiver, thereby allowing receipt and transmission of data.

Furthermore, electronic circuitry provided with the transmitter and receivers can include microprocessing means, decrypting means, control panels for signalling different signalling sequences and/or the like.

Referring to figures 5-12, there is illustrated examples of possible locations for the provision of the signalling means, such as a lighting emitting device, with respect to the competitor. Figure 5 shows a light emitting device 102 adjacent a steering wheel 104 of a motorcar 106, the device 102 being in substantially direct view of the competitor 108. The device 102 could be provided on a portion of the competitor's helmet 110 and could include a plurality of lights 112. Alternatively, or in addition, the signalling means could include an audio message which sounds via speakers 114 provided in the helmet adjacent the competitor's ear or a text message, such as "stop" 116 which is projected onto the visor 118 of helmet 110. Other symbols, such as arrows 120 could also be projected/displayed on the visor 1] 8 of the helmet 110.

Figures 8 and 9 illustrate the provision of a text message 122, symbol (arrows 123 andlor one or more lights 124 on the windshield 126 of a motorbike. Figures 10-12 further illustrate the provision of the signalling means 128 on a front display 130 of a motorbike]32 andlor on a rear display 134 so that the signalling means can be seen by a competitor travelling behind bike 132. Side signalling means 136 can also be provided if required.

Figure 10 shows a schematic diagram of I possible circuit for the receiver. A receiver I receives the signal from the transmitter and passes it to the decoder 2. The decoder 2 feeds the signal into the code validation module 3 & providing it meets the correct digital encryption the signal will be passed into the memory 6 with the date & time generated in 5 and onto the light emitting devices 4 to display the appropriate warning lights. Auxiliary inputs from engine, vehicle or competitor can also be directed through code validation & stored in 6 the memory. The memory can be downloaded for analysis by the interface 7. b

Claims (8)

1. Claims 1 That by the use of the described modern circuit design the

   receivers can be made small & compact enough to be carried on a competitive racing motorcycle.
2. 2 The receiver is fully self contained & does not rely on power from the competition machine. A battery is incorporated in the receiver.
3. 3 The receiver and the electronics are potted as one unit. To increase durabilityreliability and prevent tampering.
4. 4 At least two light emitting devices for each signal are permanently wired into the receiver pack. Thus removing any connection failures.
5. A date time recorder incorporated into the receiver in conjunction with a suitable interface will allow confirmation that the competitor received the signal & the time that the signal was sent.
6. 6 Duplication of the transmitter and receivers to ensure reliability.
7. 7 A fully portable backside warning light system with integral batteries and receiver.
8. 8 Purpose made receivers for ambulance, doctors or pit crew with audible as well as visible signals.