Digital yacht racing timing system

Abstract

A digital time indication system for displaying the time to the next racing signal of a yacht race. A quartz crystal oscillator provides time reference signals to a frequency divider chain. The divider chain counts down and provides digital signals representing the number of minutes, tens of seconds and seconds to the next starting signal. The divider chain automatically recycles so as to countdown for the next period of preselected length. Switching means are provided to select the desired period from one of several standard yacht racing signal time intervals. Counter preset means are provided to synchronize the counter to a racing signal. Counter decoding is provided to gate an audio frequency signal to an audio amplifier and electromagnetic sound transducer so as to provide an audible beep at a pre-determined rate during the last several seconds preceding the next racing signal. The digital signals from the divider chain are conditioned by signal drivers to control a digital numerical display. The display provides an indication of the time remaining until the next racing signal. Additionally the timing signal derived from the crystal oscillator is also applied to an upcounting chain to provide signals representing the normal time-of-day. Means are provided to select whether the digital display indicates the time-of-day or the time to the next racing signal. Additionally, means are provided to set the time-of-day indication to correspond with a local time standard.