Does anyone know how I can do this?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the development of a product that involves a watch or sensor designed to activate a timer when passing by a pole. Participants explore potential technologies and methods for achieving accurate timing, particularly in the context of athletic events.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes the idea of a watch or armband with a sensor that activates a timer upon passing a pole.
  • Another participant suggests using RFID technology as a potential solution for the timing mechanism.
  • A later reply confirms that RFID is commonly used in triathlons and marathons for timing athletes.
  • One participant expresses concern about the timing accuracy, specifically whether the timer can start instantaneously when the sensors pass each other.
  • Another participant reassures that timing systems for athletic events are generally accurate, noting that the proximity of the chips to the sensors is a key variable.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the potential use of RFID technology for the proposed product, but there are ongoing questions regarding the instantaneous activation of the timer and its accuracy.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not resolve the specifics of the timing accuracy or the exact specifications of the RFID systems, leaving these aspects open for further exploration.

zachg18
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So I have an idea for a product, but I'm not sure how to go about doing it. I won't say exactly what the product is (no offense), but basically I would need a watch/sensor to activate a timer when passing by a pole.

What would happen is a person would wear this watch (with sensor inside it), or some type of arm band with a sensor inside it, and as they passed this pole (which would also have a sensor on it), a timer would start. I'm guessing it would have to be a laser sensor as well (maybe that's the only type of sensor there is, I don't even know).

Anyway, I'm sure the technology for this exists, I just need a little help in which direction to go.

I really appreciate any advice. Thanks.
 
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Look up RFIDs. They're what you want I think.
 
zachg18 said:
So I have an idea for a product, but I'm not sure how to go about doing it. I won't say exactly what the product is (no offense), but basically I would need a watch/sensor to activate a timer when passing by a pole.

What would happen is a person would wear this watch (with sensor inside it), or some type of arm band with a sensor inside it, and as they passed this pole (which would also have a sensor on it), a timer would start. I'm guessing it would have to be a laser sensor as well (maybe that's the only type of sensor there is, I don't even know).

Anyway, I'm sure the technology for this exists, I just need a little help in which direction to go.

I really appreciate any advice. Thanks.

Welcome to the PF.

As Dave says, RFID is a common way to do this. The technique is used every weekend at triathlons and marathons to time all of the athletes. I did a Google Images search on Triathlon Timing Systems, and got lots of good hits:

http://www.google.com/search?rlz=1T...ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wi

.
 
Ok great. Thanks for the help. One other question though. Do you know if the timer could start instantaneously when one sensor passed the other? I need it to be an accurate measurement so if it takes a tenth of a second to start even it won't work.

Thanks again.
 
zachg18 said:
Ok great. Thanks for the help. One other question though. Do you know if the timer could start instantaneously when one sensor passed the other? I need it to be an accurate measurement so if it takes a tenth of a second to start even it won't work.

Thanks again.

The timing systems for athletic events are quite accurate. The main variable is how close the chips have to pass near the sensors. You can probably get specs on the systems by following some of the links in the Google Images URL, or by doing your own refined Google search.
 
berkeman said:
The timing systems for athletic events are quite accurate. The main variable is how close the chips have to pass near the sensors. You can probably get specs on the systems by following some of the links in the Google Images URL, or by doing your own refined Google search.

Yeah that's exactly what it would be for, an athletic event. I didn't know they used RFID for that, but if so then that's perfect. Thanks again.
 

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