Abstract: The present invention relates to a transponder (12) for determining a passing time upon passing an RFID loop antenna (18), comprising: three inductive coils (26) for measuring three field strength values of an activation signal transmitted by the RFID loop antenna upon passing the RFID loop antenna; a processing unit (28) for determining an effective value of the three field strength values indicating an inductive field strength based on the three field strength values; an accumulation unit (30) for collecting effective values for multiple activation signals over time and determining a time series of effective values; and a symmetry unit (32) for determining a transponder passing time corresponding to a point in time (P) within the time series at which effective values before and after the point in time have a maximum level of symmetry. The present invention further relates to a method and a system (14) for determining a passing time of a transponder (12).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a decoder (18) for a race timing system (16), comprising: a reader interface (24) for receiving detections of sports timing transponders (14) passing an antenna (106); a cable connection interface (26) for connecting a network cable and/or a computer interface cable; a user interface (28) for providing configuration feedback to a user; a processing unit (84) for determining passing times of participants (10) in a sports event based on the detections; and a housing (30) for protecting the processing unit from environmental impact, wherein the user interface is arranged on an outside of the housing for providing user access and the cable connection interface is arranged under a protective flap (42) that is configured to provide user access to the cable connection interface in an open state and to shield the cable connection from environmental impact in a closed state. The present invention further relates to a race timing system (16).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a detection assembly (102) for detecting passing sports timing transponders (14) in a sports event, comprising: an antenna (106) and a calculation unit (104) connected to the antenna; and a channel element (22) for positioning the antenna and the calculation unit on an underlying surface and for protecting the antenna and the calculation unit from external forces, wherein said channel element is connectable to a preceding channel element (108) and a following channel element (110) to form a line; said calculation unit is connectable to a first neighboring calculation unit (112) via a first cable (114) extending into the preceding channel element and to a second neighboring calculation unit (116) via a second cable (118) extending into the following channel element; and said calculation unit includes a voltage detection circuitry (124) for detecting whether power is provided to the calculation unit via the first cable or via the second cable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a channel element (22) for a floor cable channel (20) for positioning an antenna (106) on an underlying surface and for protecting the antenna from external forces, comprising: a first connection portion (154) for connecting the channel element to a preceding channel element (108) and a second connection portion (156) for connecting the channel element to a following channel element (110); a center protection area (160) for receiving the antenna; a first protection area (162) for receiving a first cable (114), wherein the first protection area is designed to connect the center protection area to the first connection portion, and a second protection area (166) for receiving a second cable (118), wherein the second protection area is designed to connect the center protection area to the second connection portion; and a bypass protection area (170, 170a, 170b) for receiving a cable, wherein the bypass protection area is designed to connect the first connection portion to the seco

Abstract: The present invention relates to a decoder (18) for a race timing system (16), comprising: a reader interface (24) for receiving detections of sports timing transponders (14) passing an antenna (106); a cable connection interface (26) for connecting a network cable and/or a computer interface cable; a user interface (28) for providing configuration feedback to a user; a processing unit (84) for determining passing times of participants (10) in a sports event based on the detections; and a housing (30) for protecting the processing unit from environmental impact, wherein the user interface is arranged on an outside of the housing for providing user access and the cable connection interface is arranged under a protective flap (42) that is configured to provide user access to the cable connection interface in an open state and to shield the cable connection from environmental impact in a closed state. The present invention further relates to a race timing system (16).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a detection assembly (102) for detecting passing sports timing transponders (14) in a sports event, comprising: an antenna (106) and a calculation unit (104) connected to the antenna; and a channel element (22) for positioning the antenna and the calculation unit on an underlying surface and for protecting the antenna and the calculation unit from external forces, wherein said channel element is connectable to a preceding channel element (108) and a following channel element (110) to form a line; said calculation unit is connectable to a first neighboring calculation unit (112) via a first cable (114) extending into the preceding channel element and to a second neighboring calculation unit (116) via a second cable (118) extending into the following channel element; and said calculation unit includes a voltage detection circuitry (124) for detecting whether power is provided to the calculation unit via the first cable or via the second cable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a channel element (22) for a floor cable channel (20) for positioning an antenna (106) on an underlying surface and for protecting the antenna from external forces, comprising: a first connection portion (154) for connecting the channel element to a preceding channel element (108) and a second connection portion (156) for connecting the channel element to a following channel element (110); a center protection area (160) for receiving the antenna; a first protection area (162) for receiving a first cable (114), wherein the first protection area is designed to connect the center protection area to the first connection portion, and a second protection area (166) for receiving a second cable (118), wherein the second protection area is designed to connect the center protection area to the second connection portion; and a bypass protection area (170, 170a, 170b) for receiving a cable, wherein the bypass protection area is designed to connect the first connection portion to the seco

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a passing time of a passive RFID sports timing transponder includes a housing for protecting the apparatus; an RFID reader unit connected to an RFID antenna for remotely determining an identity and a passing time of the transponder; a location unit for determining a location of the apparatus; a mobile communication unit connected to a mobile communication antenna for transmitting the identity and the passing time of the transponder and the location of the apparatus to a processing unit; and a communication unit for communicating with another similar apparatus in an immediate spatial vicinity to synchronize operation of the RFID reader unit and an RFID reader unit of the similar apparatus to avoid interference. The RFID reader unit, the RFID antenna, the location unit, the mobile communication unit and the neighbor communication unit are integrated in a common printed circuit board that is mounted within the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a passing time of a passive RFID sports timing transponder includes a housing for protecting the apparatus; an RFID reader unit connected to an RFID antenna for remotely determining an identity and a passing time of the transponder; a location unit for determining a location of the apparatus; a mobile communication unit connected to a mobile communication antenna for transmitting the identity and the passing time of the transponder and the location of the apparatus to a processing unit; and a communication unit for communicating with another similar apparatus in an immediate spatial vicinity to synchronize operation of the RFID reader unit and an RFID reader unit of the similar apparatus to avoid interference. The RFID reader unit, the RFID antenna, the location unit, the mobile communication unit and the neighbor communication unit are integrated in a common printed circuit board that is mounted within the housing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mobile transponder (12) for timing and position tracking, including: a reception unit (26) for receiving a message (50) when a measuring point (18) is passed; a processor (28) for evaluating the message to activate a tracking mode if the message includes activation information (54), and to determine a passing time at which the measuring point is passed if the message includes timing information (52); and a transmission unit (30) for periodically transmitting a tracking packet (56) with identity information (58) for reception by a tracking station (20) having a known position within communication range (22) if the tracking mode is activated, and for forwarding the passing time to the measuring point. The present invention further relates to a system and a method for timing and position tracking as well as to a use of the transponder and of the system for timing and position tracking of participants at a sports event.

Abstract: A floor cable channel for positioning a cable line element on an underlying surface and for protecting the cable line element. The floor cable channel includes a first channel element and a second channel element for receiving the cable line element and a connection element connecting the first channel element to the second channel element. The connection element allows a rotational movement of the first channel element relative to the second channel element. The floor cable channel can be brought into a transport position in which the channel elements are parallel to each other and into an operating position in which the channel elements are arranged along their longitudinal axes. In the operating position, the first and second channel elements are in contact at their mutually facing front faces to provide a self-locking of the channel elements relative to each other in the operating position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a floor cable channel for positioning a cable line element on an underlying surface and for protecting the cable line element. The floor cable channel includes a first channel element and a second channel element for receiving the cable line element and a connection element connecting the first channel element to the second channel element. The connection element allows a rotational movement of the first channel element relative to the second channel element. The floor cable channel can be brought into a transport position in which the channel elements are parallel to each other and into an operating position in which the channel elements are arranged along their longitudinal axes. In the operating position, the first and second channel elements are in contact at their mutually facing front faces to provide a self-locking of the channel elements relative to each other in the operating position.

Abstract: A floor cable channel is provided for positioning a cable line element on an underlying surface and for protecting the cable line element. The floor cable channel includes a first channel element and a second channel element for receiving the cable line element and a connection element connecting the first channel element to the second channel element. The connection element allows a rotational movement of the first channel element relative to the second channel element. The floor cable channel can be brought into a transport position in which the channel elements are parallel to each other and into an operating position in which the channel elements are arranged along their longitudinal axes. In the operating position, the first and second channel elements are in contact at their mutually facing front faces to provide a self-locking of the channel elements relative to each other in the operating position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a floor cable channel for positioning a cable line element on an underlying surface and for protecting the cable line element. The floor cable channel includes a first channel element and a second channel element for receiving the cable line element and a connection element connecting the first channel element to the second channel element. The connection element allows rotational movement of the first channel element relative to the second channel element. The floor cable channel can be brought into a transport position in which the channel elements are parallel to each other and into an operating position in which the channel elements are arranged along their longitudinal axes. In the operating position, the first and second channel elements are in contact at their mutually facing front faces to provide a self-locking of the channel elements relative to each other in the operating position.