Abstract: An automated system and method for managing a participant's participation in an event having a participant event management system (PEMS), a participant proximity detector, an image capture system and a timing system. The participant event management system (PEMS) receives a request for capturing an image of the participant during the event. The participant proximity detector detects the proximity of the participant to a detection point and receives the participant number. The image capture system receives an instruction for capturing an image of the participant, receives an indication that the participant has been detected, and captures an image of the participant. The timing system receives the preorder request from the PEMS, determines a time of passing of the detection point of the participant, associates the participant event number with the participant identifier number, generates the instruction for capturing the image of the participant, and receives the transmitted captured image.

Abstract: An automated system and method for managing a tracking and an automated real-time remote reporting thereof of a participant's participation in an event having a participant event management system (PEMS) that receives a request for tracking of the participant, a participant proximity detector detects the proximity of the participant to a detection point, a location detection system receiving and transmitting participant location data, the timing system receives the preorder request from the PEMS, determines a time of passing of the detection point of the participant, receives the location data and associates the participant event number with the participant identifier number, and transmits the location data forming at least a part of the participant tracking data to an output interface.

Abstract: A tag reader system, method and timing system for determining a time of detection of a passive RFID tag relative to a detection line located along a route traveled by the RFID tag.

Abstract: A method of operation and system for a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag assembly having an RFID semiconductor chip with an antenna interface, a mounting surface substrate, the RFID semiconductor having a predetermined operating frequency, a conductor electrically coupling the RFID chip antenna interface to an antenna, the antenna including a first radiating element lying in a first plane and a second radiating element lying in a second plane, the second plane being at an angle relative to the first plane, and a reflector having a substantially planar reflecting plane spaced apart from and substantially parallel to the first plane, the reflector being composed of reflecting material adapted for reflecting the predetermined operating frequency, wherein the reflector is positioned apart from the first radiating element with the reflective plane being a distance of about ¼ of a wavelength of the predetermined operating frequency.

Abstract: A method of operating a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag assembly having a a predetermined operating frequency with a body composed of an absorbing material coupled to a first side of the an RFID semiconductor chip, absorbing a substantial amount of a received energy in the absorbing material body, receiving at a second side of an antenna coupled to the RFID semiconductor chip mounted a first portion of the radio energy as transmitted from a remote base station transceiver, the receiving being at the first side being oriented away from the operating surface, receiving at a second side of the two-sided planar antenna a second portion of the radio frequency energy transmitted from the base station transceiver following the absorbing, the second side being oriented towards the operating surface and towards the absorbing material body, and processing the received first and second portions of the radio frequency energy.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the passing of a participant of an aquatic event by a water-based timing point including an RFID tag associated with the participant, an aquatic based RFID tag reading point having one or more aquatic tag reading assemblies placed in the water, each aquatic tag reading assembly having one or more RFID tag readers mounted thereon at a position above the surface of the water on an aquatic tag reader mounting assembly, the aquatic tag reader mounting assembly having a portion below the surface of the water and including at least one float system and at least one stabilization system.

Abstract: A system for automatically taking an image of a participant in an event with a timing system determining a time of a passing a detection line on a route by a participant having an RFID tag, the system includes a RFID tag reader system obtaining the RFID tag numbers of the RFID tag in RFID tag reads, time stamping each RFID tag read, and transmitting a tag read message including the RFID tag number, an image capture device capturing images of participants when in proximity to one of the monitored points, generating image data, an image capture system creating an image capture message including the image data, and transmitting the image capture message, and the timing system determining the RFID tag number within the tag read messages, associating the received image data with the identified participant, and storing the image data associated with the determined RFID tag number.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically taking an image of a participant in an event wherein a timing system is used to determine a time of a passing a detection line on a route by a participant having an RFID tag on the participant or an object associated with the participant traveling along the route is disclosed, the system includes a RFID tag reader system configured for obtaining the RFID tag numbers of the RFID tag in one or more RFID tag reads, time stamping each RFID tag read, and transmitting a tag read message including the RFID tag number, an image capture device capturing one or more images of one or more participants when in proximity to one of the RFID tag reader monitored points, generating image data over a data interface, an image capture system receiving the generated image message, creating an image capture message including the image data, and transmitting the image capture message, and timing system receiving the tag read message from the RFID tag reader system and the image capture message

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a time of a passing a detection line on a route by a participant having an RFID tag on the participant or an object associated with the participant, traveling along the route, the system includes a timing system an RFID tag reader system for wirelessly communicating with the RFID tag for communicating with RFID tags at one or more monitored points passed by the participant as the participant approaches the detection line, a tag reader system receives tag reads including a tag identifier for the RFID tags, time stamps each RFID tag read, and transmits them to the timing system, a laser detector detects a laser beam interrupt and generates a laser beam interrupt indicator, a laser detection system receives the generated laser beam interrupt indicator, and determines a beam interrupt time, and creates a laser beam interrupt message including the beam interrupt time, the timing system receives the tag read messages and the laser beam interrupt messages, determines the identity

Abstract: An RFID tag assembly and method of use with a helmet wherein the RFID tag assembly the RFTD tag assembly includes an RFID tag having a mounting substrate with an exposed first planar surface and an opposing second planar surface, the RFID tag having an RFID semiconductor chip has a predetermined operating frequency with an antenna interface mounted on the second planar surface, a conductor electrically coupled to the antenna interface of the RFID semiconductor chip, and an antenna electrically coupled to the conductor. A spacer has a first surface and an opposing second surface. The first surface of the spacer is attached to the second planar surface of the RFID tag. The spacer has a predetermined thickness between the first surface and the second surface.

Abstract: Radio frequency identification (RFID) tag assemblies and methods having an RFID semiconductor chip, a conductor and an antenna, the RFID semiconductor chip has an antenna interface mounted on a mounting surface of a mounting substrate and a predetermined operating frequency, the conductor is electrically coupled to the antenna interface of the RFID semiconductor chip, and the antenna is electrically coupled to the conductor and includes a first radiating element lying in a first plane and a second radiating element lying in a second plane that is at an angle relative to the first plane.

Abstract: An RFID tag assembly for use in tracking or timing of a progress of a user and the method of operating thereof the assembly including an RFID tag having a mounting substrate with an exposed first planar surface and an opposing second planar surface with one adapted for selective attachment to a surface of a carrier and an RFID semiconductor chip having a predetermined operating frequency with an antenna interface mounted on the second planar surface, a conductor, an antenna and a spacer composed of a foam material that is non-conducting and non-absorbing of a substantial amount of energy at the predetermined operating frequency that is attached to the at least one of the first and second planar surfaces of the mounting substrate and is positioned between a surface of the body of the user and the RFID tag for positioning at a minimum spaced apart distance from the surface of the body of the user during operation of the RFID tag.

Abstract: A system and method for determining and tracking a location of a participant traveling along a route wherein the participant being tracked with an RFID tag during an event. The system includes a tag reader system receiving one or more tag reads from the RFID tag, determining a time for each tag read, identifying the tag number of the RFID tag, and transmitting a tag read message including at least a portion of the received tag reads with the tag number and the determined times. A timing system is configured for receiving and storing the tag read message including the tag number from the tag reader. A location device that is associated with the RFID tag of the participant has a location data receiver for receiving location data from a location providing source, and a wireless communication interface. The location detection device receives location information from the location providing source, time stamps each received location information, and transmits tag location data over the wireless interface.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag assembly and method of manufacturing the assembly including an RFID semiconductor chip having an antenna interface mounted on a mounting substrate and having a predetermined operating frequency, a conductor coupled to the antenna interface and formed on the mounting substrate, an antenna electrically coupled to the conductor having a first radiating element lying in a first plane and a second radiating element lying in a second plane that is at an angle relative to the first plane, and an enclosure having a body with a cavity dimensioned for receiving the mounting substrate and RFID semiconductor chip, the conductor, and the first and second radiating elements, the mounting substrate being positioned proximate to the closed end of the cavity and a seal for closing the opening and sealing the cavity.

Abstract: Systems and methods for communicating real-time sporting event and participant announcement information received from a sport timing system (STS). The system comprising an announcement interface system having a processor, a memory, a first data interface communicating over the a stateless packet data communication network with the sport timing system, and a second interface communicating with an announcement system. The first data interface receives a multicast datagram ANNC message including an identification of the sport timing system and participant data including a participant identifier for uniquely identifying each participant in the sporting event and participant timing data. The announcement interface system formats the received portion of the participant data into an announcement system message and transmitting the announcement system message including the participant data, the participant identifier and participant timing data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a time of a passing at a reference line of an RFID tag traveling along a route and a time of lapsing of the tracked RFID tag on the route, the system have a plurality of spaced apart tag reader systems for wirelessly obtaining tag reads, wherein at least one of the tag reader systems is space apart from the reference line. The timing system receives a plurality of tag reads and determines the time of passing of the RFID at the reference ID line responsive to the plurality of received tag read messages received from the plurality of tag reader systems.

Abstract: Systems and methods for an integrated communication system for sports timing systems having a data interface, a memory and a processor. The data interface is for communicating over a data communication network. The memory includes executable instructions for operating the data interface to communicate over the data communication network and for storing participant data including participant data that includes a participant identifier for uniquely identifying each participant and participant timing data. The processor is coupled to the memory and the data interface and executes the executable instructions for operating the data interface to transmit datagram messages over a stateless packet data communication network wherein the datagram messages include multicast and unicast messages, each of which includes at least a portion of the participant data.

Abstract: A tag reader system, method and timing system for determining a time of detection of a passive RFID tag relative to a detection line located along a route traveled by the RFID tag.