At the heart of the system is the transmitter, a device capable of both dual-direction Bluetooth™️ Low Energy and 900 MHz radio communication. The transmitter establishes a connection through Bluetooth™️ to the associates iOS application, through which the user is able to configure settings including but not limited to device location, group pace, and group color.

The transmitter relays this data to the receiver modules through the longer range 900 MHz radio. On top of the radio, each receiver additionally contains a larger power strip and light strip. Once told to start from the app's built-in stopwatch, each device individually calculates when to illuminate its lights in reference to when the stopwatch was started and where it is located around a track/circuit. This creates the illusion that each device is connected, lighting up as if the strip was running the full length.

That's the gap LapTracer looks to fill. Built around being the ultimate training companion, the system takes advantage of the fact that the majority of runners already rely on few verbal cues given by coaches to gauge speed without disrupting their stride, say by checking a timer on a watch. By modularizing the system, athletes still get just as many necessary cues, if not more, without requiring a full length system.

This provides a few key advantages:

• By reducing the quantity of lights required and overall complexity, LapTracer is able to significantly reduce costs.

• No longer is the system limited to the track - thanks to the fully untethered design, it can also be used on a variety of other loops and surfaces, including both the roads and the cross country course.

• Expandability is extremely open. To cover a larger part of a circuit with lights, simply setup another module!

• Setup time is significantly reduced - simply turn the devices on, connect to the transmitter, and run them to their respective locations. From there, all pace and group configuration is done on the app, allowing a coach or athlete to control the entire system right from their mobile device.

The training focus also allows the original concept to further realize its potential. Instead of just one main cue for the leaders in a competition, with the possibility of a second to help the rabbits (athletes acting as pacers), multiple paces can be run and managed completely individually from each other. This not only improves quality of life for the athletes, but also increases ease of management for coaches who are attempting to time and instruct multiple groups simultaneously.

1. The current leading producer claims a setup time of approximately 60 minutes with two people