Method for determining sequence of arrival and racing time of runners at finish line by use of bar codes

Claim 1

A method for determining the sequence of arrival and/or the racing time of a large number of participants in a racing event, which comprises steps of: assigning a respective distinct bar-code to each participant; providing individual bar code labels bearing the bar-coded racing number thereon to be carried by each participant; providing a computer having a preset idle running time corresponding to an idle running zone located after a designated racing event finish line and before a designated bar code reading line, wherein, participants who have passed the finish line must continue to run to said bar code reading line; transmitting a respective timer-triggering signal each time one of said participants passes said finish line to the computer which incorporates therein at least one timer tracking the elapsed time of said racing event; storing in said computer a sequential plurality of racing times corresponding to said timer-triggering signals; sequentially reading at said reading line the bar code label of each participant by means of bar code readers; storing in said computer in corresponding relationship the reading time and the corresponding bar code; and determining an assumed racing time of each finishing participant by subtracting said idle time from said reading time as stored in the computer to arrive at an assumed racing time; correlating said sequence of assumed racing times with said sequence of racing times, thereby determining an official racing time of each and every finishing participant runner.

Claim 2

A method for determining the sequence of arrival and/or the racing time of a large number of participants in a racing event, which comprises steps of: assigning a respective distinct bar-code to each participant; providing individual bar code labels bearing the bar-coded racing number thereon to be carried by each participant; providing a computer having a preset idle running time corresponding to an idle running zone located after a designated racing event finish line and before a designated bar code reading line, wherein, participants who have passed the finish line must continue to run to said bar code reading line; transmitting a respective timer-triggering signal each time one of said participants passes said finish line to the computer which incorporates therein at least one timer tracking the elapsed time of said racing event; storing in said computer a sequential plurality of racing times corresponding to said timer-triggering signals; sequentially reading at said reading line the bar code label of each participant by means of bar code readers; storing in said computer in corresponding relationship the reading time and the corresponding bar code; and determining an assumed racing time of each finishing participant by subtracting said idle time from said reading time as stored in the computer to arrive at an assumed racing time; correlating said sequence of assumed racing times with said sequence of racing times, thereby determining an official racing time of each and every finishing participant runner.