New lap counting technology - EPC?
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Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) also know as EPC - Electronic Product Code... which is supose to replace UPC(barcodes on products we buy)
Walmart is forcing the their top suppliers to switch to EPC by 2005. It basicly looks like a label with a small bump in the middle. The bump being a computer chip that has no power to it. But when scanned by a certain device, wakes up the chip and causes it to transmit a small block of data: ex. serial # or product ID. This EPC label is suppose to be getting cheap to make... like near pennies per label. With a scanner and PC and software, lap counting would be sweet.
Learn more at this link: keep clicking next page... lots of info.
http://www.rfidwizards.com/rfidwizar...256c6d006c8b8c!OpenDocument
Here is a link to a company that sales this type of system for tracking marathon runner events. They tie the very small device in the shoe strings. And when they cross over a mat, a scanner reads the chip and post there laps, and position.
Speed must not be a problem, because they use it in bicycle races too.
http://www.championchip.com/products/mini_system.php
http://www.championchip.com/chips/
So much technology available, its hard to believe that a inexpensive, reliable lap counting system in not already for sale. I mean think about this: for the price of some of the systems out there now, I could buy 10 nokia cell phones and strap them to the cars and then trianglate there position with GPS. lol.. just kidding.
But check the info above... very interesting
Another thing to think about, will this interfer with the radio signals?
So many DIY foam and RCP tracks and no laps being counted, so sad.
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