Device and method for detecting, monitoring and/or controlling racing vehicles

Abstract

A device and a method for detecting, monitoring and/or controlling racing vehicles on a racetrack, having a camera for monitoring when a predetermined track section is crossed, a recording device for recording the images provided by the camera, a recording control device for automatically recording the images provided by the camera only during a specific time window within which the crossing of the track section, and a sensor device for detecting the crossing of the track section. A marking device generates a marking for a recorded image as a function of a sensor signal of the sensor device and the occurrence thereof in the specific time window. The marking is stored in an event list. An image of interest can be simply selected on the basis of the associated marking, without the images which are provided by the camera having to be evaluated themselves for this purpose.

1 . A method for the detection, monitoring and/or controlling of racing vehicles on a racetrack, wherein a respective racing vehicle is monitored with at least one camera when traversing a predetermined section of track, in particular the starting line and/or finishing line, and the images provided by the camera are recorded in a recording device, wherein the images provided by the camera are only recorded during a defined time window (ZF), within which a traversing of the section of track is to be determined, wherein the actual traversing of the predetermined section of track is detected by means of a sensor device separate from the camera,
 wherein   depending on a sensor signal of said sensor device and its occurrence in the time window (ZF), the image produced during the traversing of the section of track is provided with a marker, wherein the markers associated with the respective images are stored in an event list and read out by a marker reader in order to select the image associated with the marker from the images provided by the camera.   
     
     
         2 . A device for the detection, monitoring and/or controlling of racing vehicles on a racetrack with at least one camera for the monitoring of the traversing of a predetermined section of track, in particular the starting line and/or finishing line, a recording device for recording the images provided by the camera, a recording controller for the automatic recording of the images provided by the camera only during a predetermined time window (ZFn), within which a traversing of the section of track is to be determined as well as a sensor device for detection of the traversing of the predetermined section of track,
 wherein the device comprises a marking device for the generation of at least one marker for at least one recorded image depending on a sensor signal of the sensor device and its occurrence in the predetermined time window (ZFn), further storage means for the storage of the at least one marker in an event list, as well as a marker reader for reading the marker out of the event list and selection means for the selection of the at least one recorded image from the images provided by the camera using the marker that has been read out from the event list.   
     
     
         3 . The device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the at least one marker is an image number for an individual image and using an image number read out from the event list, the image associated with said image number, which shows a traversing of the section of track, can be selected. 
     
     
         4 . The device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the recording controller comprises a determination device for the automatic determination of the start and end of the time window (ZFn) depending on a racing vehicle position and/or a race event. 
     
     
         5 . The device as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the determination device comprises detection means for the detection of a start preparation signal and/or a start signal as well as a timer for outputting an end signal after the expiry of a predetermined time interval starting from the detected start preparation signal and/or the detected start signal. 
     
     
         6 . The device as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the detection means for the detection of a start preparation signal comprise a current and/or voltage sensor for the detection of the application of current to the lane tracks of the racetrack. 
     
     
         7 . The device as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the time window (ZFn) has a starting time before the start signal, in particular at or after the start preparation signal, and an end time after the start signal, but before the expiry of a predetermined reaction time interval. 
     
     
         8 . The device as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the determination device comprises detection means for the detection of the approach of a racing vehicle on the predetermined section of track and detection means for the detection of the departure of the racing vehicle from the predetermined section of track and the time window (ZFn) can be specified depending on the signals of said detection means. 
     
     
         9 . The device as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the detection means comprises sensors disposed on the racetrack before and after the predetermined section of track in the direction of travel for the detection of the traversing and/or passage of a racing vehicle. 
     
     
         10 . The device as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said sensors comprise an inductive sensor and/or an RFID reader and/or an optical sensor. 
     
     
         11 . The device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the sensor device for the detection of the traversing of the predetermined section of track comprises a sensor between the detection means for the detection of the approach and departure of a racing vehicle towards and/or away from the section of track. 
     
     
         12 . The device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the sensor device for the detection of the traversing of the predetermined section of track comprises an optical sensor, preferably in the form of a light barrier. 
     
     
         13 . The device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein a playback controller for the automatic playback of recorded images comprises the marker reader for the reading of markers associated with the images and selection means for the selection of images to be played back from the stored images using a signal of the marker reader.