Field of the Invention:
[0001] The present invention relates to a method of forecasting places of racing contests,
in which places are determined according to speed of contestants, before starting
of the racing contest.
Discussion of the related Art
[0002] In various types of racing contests, it is quite interesting to not only horse racing
fans but also others to forecast places of a racing contest based on various data
acquired before the race. Besides, it is desirable to acquire information with which
forecast probability can increase.
[0003] These types of information are conventionally acquired from media such as television
and radio broadcasting, newspaper and the Internet. However, such information can
be reached one day or a half before the race.
[0004] It is obvious that information provided as real-time data gives very much importance
such as weather, wind direction and wind speed at the time just before the race, and,
for example in the case of a horse racing contest, so-called paddock information such
as training results, complexion of horse contestants in forecasting the places of
the contestants. That information, however, can be acquired only when a person goes
to the real racing venue, and further the information is very hard to easily acquire
even when the person goes to the venue.
Objects of the Invention:
[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a person even at home with racing
contestants in the form of computer graphics, into which past information is incorporated,
to provide information referred to as real-time data, and to dramatically improve
capability of forecasting the places of the contestants.
[0006] That is, one characteristic of the present invention is to draw racing contestants
by means of computer graphics, to incorporate existing past data in connection with
said racing contestants, to perform a race on a display, and thereby to make it possible
to forecast the places based on the racing conditions and results.
[0007] The present invention is also characterized in that real-time information is additionally
incorporated into the existing past data.
[0008] Typical racing contests include horse races, bicycle races, speedboat races, motorcycle
races, marathons, and the like. The present invention further enables to provide not
only common information such as weather, wind direction, wind speed and physical conditions
just before the starting of the race, but also information, which cannot be acquired
until just before the starting, such as training results of horses contestants for
horse races, engine conditions for speedboat races and motorcycle races, audience
cheers, and the like.
[0009] The present invention is further characterized in that, each of the information is
provided with a corresponding weight. Namely, in performing forecast, wind direction
and wind speed at the time just before the start of the race are important factors
and, therefore, should be given greater weights, while audience cheers or the like
are not considered to be important factors except for certain cases. Therefore it
is also one characteristic of the present invention to conduct calculation in corporation
with weights and to thereby allow the calculation to result in forecast of places
with high hitting probability.
Brief Description of the Drawings:
[0010]
- FIG. 1
- is a block diagram of an entire system according to the present invention.
- FIG. 2
- is a block diagram showing the entire system according to the present invention to
which two image screens are added.
- FIG. 3
- is a flow chart showing the flow of operation of the present invention.
- FIG. 4A
- is a table showing past data on horse races in Japanese and Figure 4B shows the English
translation of the columns 1-2 and row 1 of the table.
- FIG. 5
- is a graphical view showing horses during a race.
- FIG. 6
- shows two image screens, one for a horse race during an actual race and another for
a horse race in graphics.
- FIG. 7
- is a view showing past data on bicycle races.
- FIG. 8A
- is a view showing a racetrack of the bicycle races and Figure 8B shows the relevant
English translation of the view.
- FIG. 9
- is a view showing past data on speedboat races.
- FIG. 10
- is a view showing past data on motorcycle races.
- FIG. 11
- is a view showing past data on marathon races.
- FIG. 12
- show two image screens, one for a running state in an actual marathon and another
for a marathon in graphics.
Description of the preferred embodiments:
Embodiment 1:
[0011] To describe the method of the present invention, an entire system will be firstly
described in detail with reference to FIG. 1.
[0012] In FIG. 1, numeral (1) denotes a data archive input system capable of inputting at
least several times of existing past data, which is shown in FIG. 4 in the case of
a horse race, which is shown in FIGs. 7 and 8 in the case of a bicycle race, which
is shown in FIG. 9 in the case of a speedboat race, which is shown in FIG. 10 in the
case of a motorcycle race, or which is shown in FIG. 11 in the case of a marathon
race.
[0013] Numeral (2) denotes a real-time data input system. Although the detail of this system
(2) is not shown herein, the real-time data is information that is available at a
paddock in the case of a horse race. It is structured so as to input, using mobile
computer terminals, at least more than twenty items of information such as paddock
information on training (so-called training results), fast workout results, trainers,
owners and complexion of horses, and weather, wind direction, wind speed and the like
at the time just before the starting.
[0014] The inputted data is transferred to a database server (3) at a base station through
mobile telephones or the Integrated Service Digital Network (ISDN) line. It is noted
that the past data already inputted into the data archive (1) is also transferred
to the database server (3).
[0015] Namely, the database server (3) detects the data on the contestants from the data
archive (1) and, at the same time, combines the data with information from the real-time
data input system (2) in response to a command from the place where data on the race
held on the same day is stored (which is, in many cases, a host computer (4)).
[0016] The host computer (4) gives preset "weights" to the information, respectively. Specifically,
the most important factors in forecasting places of a racing contest are, for example,
wind direction, wind speed and weather at the time just before the starting, and are
provided with great weights. Conversely, audience cheers are provided with a small
weight numerically. The real-time data thus weighted are combined with the past data
and forecast calculation is performed.
[0017] Meanwhile, numeral (5) denotes a real-time computer graphic system. In the case of
horse races, the system (5) creates images of horses by modeling data (6) that is
produced in advance.
[0018] At that moment, it is significant to display numerals such as post position numbers
and colors of jockeys' clothes and caps the same as actual ones, and it is more interesting
if a relatively large horse is displayed as it is.
[0019] Numeral (7) denotes a broadcast display system and numeral (8) denotes a web display
system, and they can provide subscribers with images and voices in a real-time manner.
Embodiment 2:
[0020] Next, an embodiment of a method for forecasting places of a horse race will be described.
Information available from horse race newspapers or the like published approximately
a day before a race includes post position orders, jockeys, past results, earnings
and the like, as shown in FIG. 4. Since such data are stored in the data archive (1),
they are retrieved by the database server (3) in response to a command of the host
computer (4). At the same time, the training results of contestant horses, fast workout
results and other paddock information as well as trainer information and owner information
that are uniquely acquired by, for example, informers at the paddock are inputted
into the real-time input system (2) and are transferred to the database server (3)
through mobile telephones or the ISDN line.
[0021] Then, the computer graphic display system (5) prepares all contestant horses by using
the modeling data (6) created in advance (see FIG. 5). In this case, it is important
to give the contestant horses and jockeys the same post position numbers and colors
as those of actual horses and jockeys.
[0022] A person (viewer) who wishes to use this ranking forecast system makes a contract
or the like in advance with an information provider. When the viewer activates the
forecast system, the broadcast display system (7) or the web display system (8) is
accessed by the viewer.
[0023] Thereafter, when the viewer clicks on a desired race (not shown) at the time just
before the starting (in many cases, just before the end of betting ticket sales),
the forecast system performs the race, which is substantially the same as the actual
race, in the form of computer graphics, since information on types of the respective
contestant horses, such as leading type, last-spurt type, or the like, if any, are
also inputted. The viewer may forecast real places based on the result of the race
by watching the race from start to finish by means of dynamic images. However, the
viewer may add viewer's own judgement to the data by adding still images as shown
in FIG. 3.
[0024] As shown in FIGs. 2, 3 and 6, in checking the results of the forecast, it will be
very interesting to the viewer to display the graphic horses and the horses of the
real race at the same time without overlapping with one another while broadcasting
the real race.
[0025] This system will be described with reference to FIG. 2 while the same parts in FIG.
2 as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. The images of the
real race are retrieved into a receiving apparatus i.e. a television (9) via satellite
broadcasting or terrestrial broadcasting while the information from the real-time
data (2) is mixed with the graphic images produced as above-mentioned by a mixing
system (10), and the mixed graphic images are displayed so as not to overlap the images
of the real race on the television (9) by, for example, the broadcast system (11).
Embodiment 3:
[0026] With regard to bicycle race shown in FIGs. 7 and 8, the system is substantially the
same as that of horse races. In this case, it is essential to obtain information on
classes and groups as past data. Bicycle riders belonging to the same class or the
same group tend to have strong sense of rivalry against one another and therefore
such data are provided with relatively heavy weights. Further, of real-time information,
wind direction and wind speed are particularly required for forecasting since they
may be subject to structures of cycling tracks and stadiums.
[0027] For example, at Matsudo Cycling Stadium in Matsudo-shi, Chiba, Japan, the stand are
structured to surround the racetrack, and when a light puff of wind blows the wind
sometimes does not go through the stadium but circulates in the stadium. That may
result in head winds blow throughout a race against all the contestants of the race.
For that reason, if even a light wind blows at the time just before the starting of
the race, contestants who are strong in head winds have a clear advantage over the
others.
[0028] Such information can be obtained only as real-time information, with which it is
possible to forecast a race with higher hitting probability.
Embodiment 4:
[0029] In the case of a speedboat race shown in FIG. 9, the most important information of
the past information is start capability of contestants, namely whether or not a speedboat
rider can always make a good start. As for real-time information, visual information
on, for example, physical conditions, countenances and the like of each of the riders.
Embodiment 5:
[0030] In the case of a motorcycle race shown in FIG. 10, it is said that engine sounds
on the day of a race is particularly important, and expert knowledge is required for
judgement. Also, information on motorcycle riders' vigor is particularly given an
important weight.
Embodiment 6:
[0031] In the case of a marathon race shown in FIGs. 11 and 12, real-time information at
the time just before the starting of a race is particularly given greater weight than
past data in forecasting the race, and usually such information may be acquired visually.
Runners' ability and vigor, that is, full physical strength and vigor just before
the starting of the race are important. Besides, it is designed so as to give a greater
weight to air temperature just before the race as real-time information.
[0032] As above-described in detail, according to the present invention, it becomes possible
to perform forecasting places of various types of racing contests with interest by
graphically creating future real data based on data provided before the starting of
a contest, and to increase hitting probability in forecasting the ranking by adding,
in particular, real-time information just before the race. Description of Reference
Symbols:
1. data archive
2. real-time input system
3. database server
4. host computer
5. computer graphic display system
6. modeling data
7. broadcast display system
8. web display system
9. television
10. mixing system
11. broadcast system
1. A method for forecasting placings in a live racing contest, comprising the steps of:
providing at least one display and a simulator; simulating with the simulator images
of the live racing contest having live contestants in a racing venue with a start
point and a finish point by means of computer graphics;
inputting to the simulator past contest data and live contest data of the contestants
and the venue before the contest starts so as to generate said images and
forecast the placings of the contest;
displaying said images on the display; and
forecasting with the simulator in advance the placings of the contestants in the live
racing contest;
wherein said past contest data includes actual contest conditions and records of
the contestants and the venue, and said live contest data includes actual contest
conditions of the contestants and the venue.
2. A method for forecasting placings in a live racing contest according to Claim 1, wherein
the contestants include both the horses and the riders, and said past contest data
relates to horse racing contests and is one of or a combination of a plurality of
information selected from a group consisting of lap times, results, earnings, weights,
training results, fast workout results, trainers, post position numbers, track conditions
and weather, which are respectively weighted by the simulator.
3. A method for forecasting placings in a live racing contest according to Claim 1, wherein
said past contest data relates to bicycle racing contests and is one of or a combination
of a plurality of information selected from a group consisting of race scores, results,
earnings, post position numbers, weights of bicycle riders, ages, training results,
fast workout results, classes, groups and winning tricks, which are respectively weighted
by the simulator.
4. A method for forecasting placings in a live racing contest according to Claim 1, wherein
said past contest data relates to speedboat racing contests and is one of or a combination
of a plurality of information selected from a group consisting of post position numbers,
registered hometowns, weights of speedboat riders, acceleration capability, speed,
turn capability, winning averages, and displayed times, which are respectively weighted
by the simulator.
5. A method for forecasting placings in a live racing contest according to Claim 1, wherein
said past contest data relates to motorcycle racing contests and is one of or a combination
of a plurality of information selected from a group consisting of post position numbers,
ages, heights, affiliations, 100-meter speed and speed power, which are respectively
weighted by the simulator.
6. A method for forecasting placings in a live racing contest according to Claim 1, wherein
said past contest data relates to marathon racing contests and is one of or a combination
of a plurality of information selected from a group consisting of affiliations, weights,
heights, experiences, results, number of times of participation in full-course marathons
and number of times of race withdrawals, best times, which are respectively weighted
by the simulator.
7. A method for forecasting placings in a live racing contest according to Claim 1, further
comprising a step of taking real-time contest data immediately prior to the contest
start and inputting the real-time contest data to the simulator.
8. A method for forecasting placings in a live racing contest according to Claim 7, wherein
the real-time contest data is one of or a combination of a plurality of information
selected from a group consisting of wind direction, wind speed, weather, training
results, physical condition of horses and riders as so-called paddock information,
which are respectively weighted by the simulator.
9. A method for forecasting placings in a live racing contest according to Claim 7, wherein
the real-time contest data is one of or a combination of a plurality of information
selected from a group consisting of wind direction, wind speed, weather of the venue,
physical condition of the contestants and the bicycles ridden by the contestants,
which are respectively weighted by the simulator.
10. A method for forecasting placings in a live racing contest according to claim 7, wherein
the real-time contest data is one of or a combination of a plurality of information
selected from a group consisting of wind direction, wind speed, weather, presence
of waves of the venue, physical conditions of the contestants, engine conditions,
engine sounds of the speedboats sailed by the contestants, which are respectively
weighted by the simulator.
11. A method for forecasting placings in a live racing contest according to claim 7, wherein
the real-time contest data is one of or a combination of a plurality of information
selected from a group consisting of wind direction, wind speed, weather, track condition
of the venue, physical conditions of the contestants, engine conditions, engine sounds
of the motorcycles ridden by the contestants, which are respectively weighted by the
simulator.
12. A method for forecasting placings in a live racing contest according to Claim 7, wherein
the real-time contest data is one of or a combination of a plurality of information
selected from a group consisting of wind direction, wind speed, weather, track condition
of the venue, physical conditions of the contestants of a marathon contest, audience
cheers, which are respectively weighted by the simulator.