US3795907A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Race calling system
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1973-03-12
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Granted: 1974-03-05
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Expires: 1993-03-12
Abstract
Abstract An electronic race-calling system adapted to generate data enabling representation of the order and relative lead of race entries at call points along the race course, and at the finish line of the course. The system includes a plurality of pickup loops stationed at call points around the track, which loops coact with transmitters carried by the several entries and operating on distinct frequencies. The received signals at a given point are furnished to a common transmission line in a random sequence, are separated, and converted to logic signal levels by individual amplifiers. The amplifier outputs are coupled to logic and memory circuits which are continuously interrogated by scan pulses to determine signal receipt. When a signal is received the channel logic produces a single output scan pulse, which is inputed to an entry encoder, which outputs codes representing the entry number. The entry encoder outputs a scan pulse on a common line whenever one is inputed to it by any channel logic circuit. Such pulse gates discrete sets of timing pulses which thereupon control the signal processing cycle. The lengths between entries are developed by measuring the time interval between each pair of consecutive entry loop crossings, using counting means. The developed information is transferred into appropriate memory circuits, which through decoders and drivers enables the information to be displayed on boards at the race track or enables the corresponding data to be transmitted to a remote utilization point.
Inventors
- 👤 R Edwards
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 21:27
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07C; G07C1/00; G07C1/22; G07C1/24; A; A63; A63B; A63B71/00; A63B71/06; A63B71/0605; A63K; A63K3/00; A63B69/00; A63B69/0028; A63B69/0035
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
354 words
An electronic race-calling system for displaying data indicative of a point of call and the order and relative lead of race entries at a track, comprising: a. a plurality of transmitters individually carried by said race entries, and providing signal outputs at frequencies distinctive to each said transmitter; b. first coupling means carried by each said entry for producing an output induction field at said distinct frequency; c. second coupling means positioned at call points at said track for receiving said signal as said first coupling means reaches the vicinity of said second coupling means; d. entry encoder and scan summer means responsive to said received signal and providing an encoded output representative of said associated entry and a scan sum output signals; e. first memory means for receiving the said encoded output of said encoder means and storing the conveyed information at a location in accordance with the position of said entry in said race; f. gate circuit means responsive to said scan sum output signal from said entry encoder; g. principal counter means for counting timing pulses during a cycle of operation initiated by opening of said gate circuit; h. means for decoding the counter outputs of said principal counter means upon the following successive race entry coupling the signal from its transmitter to said second coupling means; i. second memory means for storing the said decoded outputs indicative of time spacing between said two entries at a location in accordance with the position of said entry in said race; j. means for transferring said principal counter decoded outputs to said second memory means; k. furlong counter means for counting gate circuit openings; l. means for decoding counter outputs of said furlong counter means; m. third memory means for storing the said decoded outputs indicative of point of call associated with entry position and lead displays; and n. driver and display means connected to receive the outputs from first, second and third memory means, and adapted to display the point of call and the race position of said entry, and the lead of said entry with respect to the following successive entry.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
354 words
An electronic race-calling system for displaying data indicative of a point of call and the order and relative lead of race entries at a track, comprising: a. a plurality of transmitters individually carried by said race entries, and providing signal outputs at frequencies distinctive to each said transmitter; b. first coupling means carried by each said entry for producing an output induction field at said distinct frequency; c. second coupling means positioned at call points at said track for receiving said signal as said first coupling means reaches the vicinity of said second coupling means; d. entry encoder and scan summer means responsive to said received signal and providing an encoded output representative of said associated entry and a scan sum output signals; e. first memory means for receiving the said encoded output of said encoder means and storing the conveyed information at a location in accordance with the position of said entry in said race; f. gate circuit means responsive to said scan sum output signal from said entry encoder; g. principal counter means for counting timing pulses during a cycle of operation initiated by opening of said gate circuit; h. means for decoding the counter outputs of said principal counter means upon the following successive race entry coupling the signal from its transmitter to said second coupling means; i. second memory means for storing the said decoded outputs indicative of time spacing between said two entries at a location in accordance with the position of said entry in said race; j. means for transferring said principal counter decoded outputs to said second memory means; k. furlong counter means for counting gate circuit openings; l. means for decoding counter outputs of said furlong counter means; m. third memory means for storing the said decoded outputs indicative of point of call associated with entry position and lead displays; and n. driver and display means connected to receive the outputs from first, second and third memory means, and adapted to display the point of call and the race position of said entry, and the lead of said entry with respect to the following successive entry.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
68 words
A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said first, second, and third memory means are adapted to receive and store outputs associated with point of call and with successive of said entries passing said call point, and wherein said driver and display means are adapted to display the race positions of each said entry with respect to said following successive entry, and the associated point of call.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A system in accordance with claim 2, wherein second said coupling means comprise plural loop couplers positioned at multiple call points and connected through transformers to one balanced shielded transmission line at said track.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
82 words
A system in accordance with claim 1, including a timing pulse generator for receiving said scan sum output signal from said entry encoder, said generator providing in response to said signal a discrete set of timing pulses controlling opening of said gate, operation of said principal counter means and transfer of said coutner means outputs to said second memory means upon such successive entry affecting a further scan sum output signal by receipt of its respective transmitter signal at said coupling means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
A system in accordance with claim 4, further including means for resetting said system upon passage of a period of time following opening of said gate, thereby permitting all entries of interest to have passed said call point.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
A system in accordance with claim 5, wherein said resetting means comprises a counter activated by opening of said gate and adapted to provide a reset signal upon counting of input cycles equivalent to a predetermined number of entry lengths.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
A system in accordance with claim 5, wherein the pulse rate input to said principal counter means is rendered such that siad decoded outputs are indicative of preselected fractions of entry lengths, whereby direct display of fractional lengths lead between said entries is enabled.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
57 words
A system in accordance with claim 6, wherein said second coupling means comprises a dual loop pickup coil, connected to provide said signal to the processing circuits of said system which includes said entry encoder and scan summer means, thRough a differential transformer connection; whereby the level of spurious atmospheric noise coupled to said system is minimized.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
A system in accordance with claim 6, including data transfer counter and clock generator means activated by an output from said timing pulse generator, for providing clock pulses to said first, second and third memory means enabling location of said stored information at said desired locations therein.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system in accordance with claim 9, including a transmission line coupling said pickup coil to said processing circuits of the system.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
A system in accordance with claim 9, further including means to detect a coupled signal above a preselected level, and means responsive to said detected level for resetting said system, whereby high level spurious atmospheric noise may reset said system.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system in accordance with claim 11, wherein said detection means includes an auxiliary off-track loop for receiving said spurious atmospheric signals.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
A system in accordance with claim 8, wherein said transmitter is a crystal control and hermetically sealed unit, coupled to a transmitting loop by transformer means having a first portion embedded in said unit, and a second portion accessible to said loop for coupling therewith.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
47 words
A system in accordance with claim 13, wherein said receiver is a narrow band amplifier which uses crystal interstage coupling to achieve very stable narrow band response and which includes an integrator means in its output stage to further suppress the amplification of spurious amplifier input noise.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-03-04 | 1977-09-03 | 1978-03-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-04 | 1981-09-03 | 1982-03-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-04 | 1985-09-03 | 1986-03-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |