homemade timing system

[formally pizzaman]

just wandering if ne1 has ever managed this, if so how

[bigred5765]

ten stop watches with lap counting on them

[terry.sc]

Depends on what you mean by home made.

Easy option, get an old windows laptop and download a copy of laps Free from http://www.rctiming.com/ You've then got a fully working manual lap counting system, all you need is someone to press the numbers on the keyboard.

[Cardnim]

Im a computer programmer by trade, and have recently completed a project for a big pharma. company.
(Basically, when someone steps onto their exhibition stand, a webcam detects the motion and activates a welcome video, laser installations, etc.)

As I was developing it, I was thinking that this could quite easily be converted to be a lap counter. The motion detection is sensitive and accurate enough I think, but Im concerned about a few things:
1 - would the motion detection be picked up even at top speeds
2 - how to differentiate between cars (Microsoft have done a couple of interesting things with image recognition - if the cars had some image stuck to their shells and the webcam was over the track, the camera could pick these images up clear enough at speed to tell which car is which)

Assuming the points above could be ironed out, it would be fairly straight forward to then adapt the system to have multiple cameras reporting back:
- speeds through different sections;
- racing line variation from lap to lap;
- lap recording and playback;
- even car handling could start to be examined possibly!

[Gazza]

There is a programme called web cam zone trigger we use it on slot cars but you need to drive on the same path to count your laps have a look here just an idea on what can be done with a web cam you create HOT SPOTS but watch it and have a play I guess

http://www.dailymotion.com/PHOENIX73#videoId=xhjj9n

[formally pizzaman]

you could always put the sensor on a slow section of the track and it be good for one car to moniter times and how setup changes affect times.
bet your talking big money though for motion sensors and stuff.

Originally Posted by Cardnim

Im a computer programmer by trade, and have recently completed a project for a big pharma. company.
(Basically, when someone steps onto their exhibition stand, a webcam detects the motion and activates a welcome video, laser installations, etc.)

As I was developing it, I was thinking that this could quite easily be converted to be a lap counter. The motion detection is sensitive and accurate enough I think, but Im concerned about a few things:
1 - would the motion detection be picked up even at top speeds
2 - how to differentiate between cars (Microsoft have done a couple of interesting things with image recognition - if the cars had some image stuck to their shells and the webcam was over the track, the camera could pick these images up clear enough at speed to tell which car is which)

Assuming the points above could be ironed out, it would be fairly straight forward to then adapt the system to have multiple cameras reporting back:
- speeds through different sections;
- racing line variation from lap to lap;
- lap recording and playback;
- even car handling could start to be examined possibly!

[le_sam]

hi,

i'm using this kind of stuff :
http://www.technicalrp.fr/catalog/gi...c8bec114b9cabe

http://www.technicalrp.fr/catalog/gi...c-82_1941.html

http://www.technicalrp.fr/catalog/gi...c-82_1943.html

perhaps it's able to built... (transponders & sensors)

most important : there is a free software
here :
http://www.technicalrp.fr/telechargements.html

it's for mini-Z use but suitable with 1/10.
i'm buiding the bridge to place 5 sensors (my track is 2 meters large).
never lost a lap with mini-Z (working well!) and 1/1000sec sensitive.

bye!