Field of the invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of racing sports, and in particular to means for presenting data to a driver of a vehicle.

Background of the invention

In common for various kinds of sport activities is the drive among the practisers to improve their results. In motor sports, such as formula racing, the results are almost solely related to speediness and time keeping is therefore of great importance.

The above is true also for different kinds of motorcycle racing as well as for radio-controlled car racing, wherein the speed of the motorcycle or radio-controlled car and the reaction speed of the driver are of vital importance.

Different types of means are available for the practitioners in their pursuit of improved results. For example, the drivers often desire to obtain feedback during the training, for example in the form of lap times. In the case of e.g. the above-mentioned motor sports, an assistant may be strategically placed to clock each individual lap time and to inform the driver accordingly. Thereby the driver obtains feedback on, for example, the duration of the last lap. However, this requires the driver to always have an assistant available, and a manual time keeping is not satisfyingly accurate.

The lap times may alternatively be recorded by an automatic time keeping system, and the driver may after completing the training receive a printout of the lap times. This is a rather unsatisfying method in that the it often is difficult, if not impossible, to recall the driven laps and pair them with the lap times afterwards.

Summary of the invention

In radio-controlled car racing there are telemetry based timing systems, wherein lap times of the car are transmitted to a handheld unit held by the driver. The driver can then see data received from a transmitter on the car and/or a transceiver arranged along the track, data that can be displayed on a suitable display. However, as the car can reach speeds exceeding 100 km/h, the driver may loose control over it, or at least drive a less than optimal path, when he glances at the display in order to see the desired data.

In the case of different kinds of motorcycle racing the speed is likewise rather high and displays are difficult to use, as results cannot be obtained in a reliable and secure manner.

Furthermore, the ride is, in particular for off-road racing, generally too bumpy for the driver even to be able to properly read the data on a display. Further still, as the speed is of crucial importance, there is a desire to keep the weight of the motorcycle as low as possible and therefore to make the required equipment as lightweight as possible.

In view of the above, it would be desirable to provide improved means for a racing driver to improve his results, and in particular improved means for obtaining information relevant for the training.

It is an object of the invention to provide improved means for presenting relevant data to the driver of a racing vehicle, whereby the above-mentioned shortcomings are eliminated or at least alleviated. It is another object of the invention to provide means for presenting data to a driver of a racing vehicle, wherein most precise time measurements are obtained.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a system, wherein a flexible and individual time keeping is enabled.

These objects, among others, are achieved by a system for presenting data, as defined in the appended claims.

In accordance with the invention, a system for presenting data to a user controlling a vehicle is provided. The system comprises a vehicle unit for arrangement on a vehicle, a tracking unit arranged to receive signals from the vehicle unit, and a user unit comprising means for communicating with the tracking unit. The system further comprises a user unit in communication with the tracking unit. The system is characterised in that the user unit comprises means for audibly presenting data to a user, wherein the data is received from the tracking unit and is related to a vehicle identified by means of signalling between the vehicle unit and the tracking unit. By means of the invention, a great improvement is obtained in that the user gets relevant information swiftly and easily, data such as for example last lap time, without having to rely on an assistant providing the information. Nor does the user need to glance at a display at the risk of loosing valuable time or even loosing control of the vehicle, and the data are obtained in a reliable and secure manner. Further yet, the user is provided with immediate feedback and an excellent tool to improve his results is thus provided by means of the invention.

In an embodiment of the invention, the means for audibly presenting data to a user comprises an earphone or headphone plugged into a terminal of the user unit arranged to receive such earphone or headphone. Practical means for enabling the audible sound is thereby provided, wherein the user can clearly hear the desired data even in environments having high sound levels. The plug-in earphones or the like can easily be replaced when needed, for example exchanged to more sophisticated ones or replaced when malfunctioning. In an alternative embodiment, the means for audibly presenting data to the user comprises a loudspeaker.

In another embodiment of the invention, the user unit further comprises means for conversion of digital data signals into audible sound. The conversion can be implemented in different ways, chosen so as to suit a particular need and a flexible system is thus provided. In an embodiment, the means comprises a processor, in turn comprising means for retrieving an audio file corresponding to a particular digital signal. In an alternative embodiment, a voice generation device generates the audible sound.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the data to be presented comprises a lap time or the speed of the vehicle, which is most relevant and important information for the driver of the vehicle.

In still another embodiment of the invention, the data is conveyed wirelessly from the tracking unit to the user unit. The user is thereby able to move freely and within a rather large area and a great mobility is provided.

In an embodiment of the invention, the tracking unit comprises software code for effectuating a most accurate electronic timing. Further, many users may set up their respective data reporting system without any data corruption or disturbances at the data transfer. The invention also provides a user unit and tracking unit for use in a system as defined above.

Further features and advantages thereof will become clear upon reading the following description.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 illustrates an overview over components included in an embodiment of the invention, and their arrangement.

Figure 2 illustrates the user device of the invention.

Detailed description of embodiments of the invention

Figure 1 illustrates a schematic overview of an example in which the present invention is applicable. In particular, the invention is described arranged in a remote control racing environment. It is noted that figure 1 is not shown to scale. In the following a user is generally understood as being a driver of a vehicle, wherein the vehicle may be e.g. a motorcycle or a radio-controlled car, that is, the user may be a motorcyclist or a user driving a car by means of wireless control. As another example, the user could be a slalom skier and the "vehicle" is thus a pair of skis.

A system 1 for presenting data to a user controlling a vehicle in accordance with the invention comprises a tracking unit 2 , a vehicle unit 3 and a user unit 6. The interfaces between the different units may vary, and in particular, some functions may be implemented in one or the other unit depending on particular application.

In the example illustrated in figure 1, the vehicle 4 is a radio-controlled car. However, as indicated above, the system 1 in accordance with the invention is applicable in other situations as well; the vehicle 4 could for example be a motorcycle, and the racetrack 5 an off-road course.

In the illustrated example, the tracking unit 2 is arranged at a suitable location at a racetrack 5, which in this example is a remote control racing track. One such suitable location is typically a starting/finishing line. The vehicle unit 3 is arranged on the vehicle 4, and the user unit 6 is handled by the user. It is noted that the racetrack 5 does not need to be a closed circuit, but could have the start and end at separate locations. In such case, two tracking units 2 are utilized and place at each respective end.

Figure 2 illustrates the user unit 6 more in detail. At a minimum, the user unit 6 comprises a receiver for receiving signals from the tracking unit 2 and electronics for processing the signals into audible sound.

In the embodiment and the particular application illustrated in figure 1, the user unit 6 is a stand-alone device. In another embodiment however, the user unit 6 of the invention may be connected to, or even integrated into, a control unit 7 for manoeuvring the vehicle 4. Such control unit 7 further comprises a joystick, a handle or the like for controlling the movements of the vehicle 4. Inputs from the joystick are sent to a receiver arranged in the vehicle 4. In a conventional way, the receiver interprets the radio signals and sends electrical pulses to a controller arranged in the vehicle 4, for braking and steering the vehicle 4, whereby the user is able to control it.

In other applications, such as when the user is a driver of a motorcycle, it is realized that the control unit 8 and electronics for controlling the movements and speed of the vehicle 4 can be omitted. The vehicle unit 3 is arranged on a vehicle 4, the vehicle in this case being the radio-controlled car. The vehicle unit 3 advantageously has a minimized weight, thereby affecting the speed of the vehicle 4 to as little extent as possible. The vehicle unit 3 comprises an identification code uniquely identifying the vehicle 4 and may be a transponder conventionally used for lap timing purposes. The vehicle unit 3 could for example, comprise an IR (infrared) LED (light emitting diode) for infrared data transmission. The vehicle unit 3 may alternatively be any other miniaturized device transmitting at a minimum an identification code to the tracking unit 2. The vehicle unit 3 may use any suitable system, such as for example GPS (Global Positioning System), to detect its position on the track in order to generate data for lap times, speed and lateral acceleration.

The vehicle unit 3 and the tracking unit 2 both comprise means for exchanging data with the each other. The tracking unit 2 receives, at a minimum, the identification code of the vehicle unit 3 each time the vehicle 4 passes the tracking unit 2, although other data such as temperature of the engine etc. could be communicated from the vehicle unit 3 to the tracking unit 2. The minimum requirement, i.e. the identification of the vehicle 4, could be achieved in any suitable manner. If the vehicle unit 3 is a transponder, a predetermined message is transmitted from it to the tracking unit 2 in response to receiving a predefined signal transmitted from the tracking unit 2.

The tracking unit 2, or a computer or the like connected thereto, registers relevant data, such as the lap time for the identified vehicle 4, upon identifying the vehicle 4. Other data may also be registered and presented to the user, for example the speed of the vehicle 4, position related information, acceleration information etc. By means of position related information in combination with acceleration information an optimization of when to brake, for example when to brake in a curve, can be performed, whereby the user can improve his results. The tracking unit 2 comprises means, such as a suitable transceiver or simply a transmitter, for wireless communication with the user unit 6, and the above data can be conveyed to the user unit 6 in a convenient manner.

In an embodiment of the invention, the tracking unit 2 comprises a time keeping function. For example, the tracking unit 2 comprises means for determining elapsed time since the vehicle 4 last passed the tracking unit, based on the signals received from the vehicle unit 6. The tracking unit 2 thus comprises software code for effectuating an accurate electronic timing. Further, by means of such processor, comprising software code portions for performing the time keeping function and identification of the vehicle 4 as it (or rather, the vehicle unit 3) passes the tracking unit 2, a great number of users may simultaneously use their own system 1 in accordance with the invention. In particular, by means of the invention, up to 16384 simultaneous users may set up their respective tracking units 2, 2 ₁ ,..., 2 _x _ _λ and user units 6, S ₁ ,..., S _x-1 . The identification of the respective vehicle 4, 4 _lf ..., 4 _X-1 and corresponding data transfer is still effectuated correctly and to a great precision. A most flexible and individual time keeping is thereby enabled.

As mentioned earlier, the interfaces between the different units 2, 3, 6 can be altered. For example, the above- described time keeping function can be implemented in the user unit 6 instead, and the tracking unit 2 is then simply arranged to communicate data from the vehicle unit 3 to the user unit 6 and the processing of the signals is performed in the user unit 6 instead of in the tracking unit 2.

In accordance with the invention, an improved way of supplying current results or other data to the user is provided. In particular, the user unit 6 further comprises means for audible conveying data to the user, wherein the data is obtained from the tracking unit 2.

In a first embodiment, in order to enable the data to be presented to the user in an audible form, the user unit 6 comprises means 9, 9' for receiving earphones 10 or headphones. The means 9, 9' for receiving the earphones 10 may for example be a terminal 9 designed to receive conventional plug-in earphones 10. The terminal 9 comprises means for receiving audio signals from a processor of the user unit 6.

The user unit 6 comprises a processor 11, schematically indicated in figure 2 by a rectangle in dashed lines, for converting the data signals into audible sound. The conversion of the digital data signals into audible sound could be implemented in different ways.

In an embodiment, the user unit 6 comprises audio files comprising desired recorded sound. For example, in order to present the data received from the tracking unit 2 in audible form to the user, a suitable audio file is selected. The data could for example be the last lap time, and the selected audio file should thus comprise pre-recorded time statements or any other audio sequences, e.g. "65 point 5 seconds". The data signals are thus translated into particular audio files, i.e. particular data correspond to particular audio files being retrieved from a memory device, and played back. In another embodiment, the desired audible sound is generated upon need by a voice generation means, such as a speech synthesizer, implemented in software and/or hardware.

Electronics such as digital to analogue converters, analogue sound cards for play back of audio files, software or hardware for generating the audio sequences etc. are thus included in the user unit 6.

In a second embodiment, the means for conveying data to the user in an audible form comprises a loudspeaker 9 ' . The data signals are then, in the above-described manner, processed and converted to audible signals, and then reproduced by means of the loudspeaker 9 ' .

In an embodiment of the invention, the user unit 6 and/or tracking unit 2 is/are arranged to go into a so-called sleep mode, wherein the battery consumption is minimized by having as much as possible of the electronics turned off. The system 1 can be used very long without having to recharge the batteries .

It is noted that the vehicle unit 3 and the user unit 6 may also communicate directly with each other, that is, without the tracking unit 2 conveying the data. Information such as the temperature of the vehicle 4, acceleration, speed, number of revolutions or other motor related data of the vehicle 4, or position of the vehicle 4, may thus be conveyed from the vehicle unit 3 directly to the user unit 6. The vehicle 4 then comprises a transmitter for transmitting such information.

The user driving the vehicle 4 obtains a great advantage by means of the invention, in that he can get the desired data, for example last lap time, immediately when a lap has been finished. He does not, as in the prior art, need to rely on a pitman reporting the lap times, nor does he need to wait until after the race or practice to get the results. There is neither no need to glance at a display to obtain the data, but the user can be focused on and keep his eyes on the car at all times. The immediate feedback provides the user with an excellent tool to improve his results.

The above advantages are also applicable to a person driving a motorcycle off-road or elsewhere. For the motorcyclist, the use of a display is really not a practical solution since the ride, particularly when driving off-road, often is too fast and too bumpy for the driver to be able to look at a display. The present invention provides an improvement also for this type of user.

It is noted that in the case of the motorcyclist, the user unit 6 and the vehicle unit 3 may be integrated into a single unit. The user unit 6 preferably comprises fastening means for secure attachment to the motorcycle.

It should be clear that the three parts of the system 1, namely the user unit 6, the tracking unit 2 and the vehicle unit 3 could be implemented in different ways. The vehicle unit 3 and the tracking unit 2 could be considered as a vehicle tracking system providing the user unit 6 with information. The tracking unit 2 and the user unit 6 could be integrated into a single unit, for example if the vehicle unit comprises a GPS (global positioning system) device providing the tracking unit 2 with its position information. The tracking unit 2 could then be arranged to extract speed information based on the positions.

The downhill application (slalom) mentioned earlier could be implemented by arranging one or more vehicle unit(s) 3 along the downhill. The user has the user unit 6 and the tracking unit 2, which could be an integrated unit, in her pocket, for example. When she passes one of the vehicle units 3, the tracking unit 2 obtains signalling from it, processes the signals suitably and the data is presented audibly to her. In similarity with the racetrack application described, the user is provided with simple yet effective means for improving her results by obtaining instant feedback on her performance.