Device for determining the position of a sliding seat

Abstract

A device that measures the position of a sliding seat used in rowing, canoeing or kayaking. Digitally encoded strips are fixed to the boat and sensors are fixed to a sliding seat such that the sensors detect the encoded strips. A microprocessor analyses the sensor outputs and determines the seat position. The seat position is transmitted from the seat to the boat or other location via a non contact link such as radio.

1 . A device for determining the position of a sliding seat comprising, one or more encoded strips attached to a boat or part of a boat, one or more sensors attached to a sliding seat such that the sensors detect the encoded strip and provide one or more channels of encoded information, and a method a transmitting the output of the sensor(s) from the seat to the boat or other location.  
   
   
       2 . A device for determining the position of a sliding seat according to  claim 1 , in which a detector is fixed to the seat comprising sensors and supporting electronic circuits, a microcontroller, a power source and a transmission method.  
   
   
       3 . A device for determining the position of a sliding seat according to  claim 1 , in which a receiver, designed to detect the signal transmitted from the seat is fixed to the boat.  
   
   
       4 . A device for determining the position of a sliding seat according to  claim 1 , in which the encoded strips are attached to the boat, the rails that the sliding seat runs in or a support bracket.  
   
   
       5 . A device for determining the position of a sliding seat according to  claim 1 , in which the encoded strips are mounted at any angle to the horizontal in order to suit the design.  
   
   
       6 . A device for determining the position of a sliding seat according to  claim 1 , in which a receiver, designed to detect the signal transmitted from the seat is fixed to another boat, shore station or other location.  
   
   
       7 . A device for determining the position of a sliding seat according to  claim 1 , in which a single channel of digital encoded information is used to determine the speed of a sliding seat.  
   
   
       8 . A device for determining the position of a sliding seat according to  claim 1 , in which two channels of digital encoded information are used to determine the speed and direction of movement of a sliding seat.  
   
   
       9 . A device for determining the position of a sliding seat according to  claim 1 , in which three channels of digital encoded information are used to determine the speed, direction of movement of a sliding seat and to fix the position of the seat in absolute terms as it passes a given point.  
   
   
       10 . A device for determining the position of a sliding seat according to  claim 1 , in which multiple channels of digital encoded information are used to determine the absolute position of a sliding seat by providing a unique output combination for each potential position of the seat.  
   
   
       11 . A device for determining the position of a sliding seat according to  claim 1 , in which each channel of digital encoded information is provided by a single sensor and single encoded strip.  
   
   
       12 . A device for determining the position of a sliding seat according to  claim 1 , in which multiple channels of digital encoded information are provided by multiple sensors and a single encoded strip.  
   
   
       13 . A device for determining the position of a sliding seat according to  claim 1 , in which the encoded strip comprises sections with properties that are good and poor infra-red reflectors and the sensor comprises an infra-red source and detector.  
   
   
       14 . A device for determining the position of a sliding seat according to  claim 1 , in which the encoded strip comprises sections of high and low magnetic field and the sensor is a hall effect sensor.  
   
   
       15 . A device for determining the position of a sliding seat according to  claim 1 , in which the encoded strip and sensor are a non-contact method of digital encoding.  
   
   
       16 . A device for determining the position of a sliding seat according to  claim 1 , in which one or more analogue strips, with varying properties along the length of he strip are used to determine the seat position.  
   
   
       17 . A device for determining the position of a sliding seat according to  claim 1 , in which the method of transmitting the sensor output from the boat is a non-contact method.  
   
   
       18 . A device for determining the position of a sliding seat according to  claim 1 , in which the method of transmitting the sensor output from the boat is a radio link, ultrasonic link or infra-red link.  
   
   
       19 . A device for determining the position of a sliding seat according to  claim 1 , in which raw data from the sensors is transmitted from the seat.  
   
   
       20 . A device for determining the position of a sliding seat according to  claim 1 , in which a microcontroller analyses the sensor output(s) and converts this information to a value representative of the distance of the seat from a known point and this value is transmitted from the seat.