1. 1 Sport-Ident 102 Barry McCashin Edmonton Overlanders Orienteering Club Jan 18, 2009 UofA-Biosci © BGMcC 2009 Part 2A: Program SI units 55 slides

2. 2 Part II A Programming version 7/8 SI Stations (BSF7/8) using SI Config

3. 3 Programming Control units: 1. Writes information to the control: task (function), ID (or code) #, working time (duration on) Current date & time 2. Clears backup memory in station (list of all finger punches inserted since last cleared)

4. 4 Previously used SI Manager 9.8 SI Manager does not seem to work with the v7 units after the firmware was upgraded (April 2007); (cannot establish communication, “station not ready”). Now use SI Config for ver 7/8. SI Manager is still used for v4 and 6 stations (see part 2B-SI Manager module)

5. 5 Programming v4,6,7 stations Power consumption high v4/6; much less for v7/8; affects how program them for use. V4: no clock so don’t know time when turn on with magnet V6,7,8: have clocks built in.

6. 6 v4 stations: v4 stations programmed in “Competition Mode”: come on at one time and turn off later (like a VCR). Clock runs from when programmed to when shut off. Program night before event to conserve battery. Turn off when done. Only time have a v4 clock running is the day before an event and during the event Training Mode: counts time after turn unit on with a magnet; relative time, not absolute. Auto shut down after a preset time (2h). used for training sessions. Ver4 boxes turn on with a magnet

7. 7 v7/8 stations: Ver7 boxes (EOOC) bigger than ver8 (FWOC) Both have same circuitry Much low power consumption than v4 or 6 units Have a clock and always running Faster response to a punch when full on, but will record anytime that a punch has been inserted Only ever use in training mode: come on after any finger punch inserted and auto shutdown later (e.g. 2h, programmable) First runner of day activates with their punch

8. 8 v6 stations: Power consumption high like a v4 unit Try to minimize time active to save battery Do have a clock (unlike v4) but will likely program in Competition Mode as did with ver4 Program with SI Manager

9. 9 Now use SI Config for ver7/8 units: SI Config can program ver7/8 SI units in training mode and has some extra functions for sprint events

10. 10 EOOC Control Stations 1: All 92 controls are now ver7 (BSF7) power consumption very low on ver7s compared to older ver4s all are programmed in “training mode”: turn on after a finger stick (SI card) is inserted and stay on for a set time (e.g. 2h) Have a Liquid Crystal Display on back that displays function, ID# and time; can use to synchronize stop watches at an event

11. 11 EOOC Control Stations 2: can be programmed once with a function and id # and can be reused like that indefinitely now have ’permanent’ # labels on each control since will keep that ID # and function (control, start, finish, check, clear) before use, only need to: 1) set the time from the PC clock and, 2) clear memory of stored punch #s

12. 12 To set the Real Time on a control unit you can: use SI Config to fully program a unit (writes: ID#, function, work time and real time) THIS IS THE PREFERRED METHOD IN MY MIND) use SI Config to only set real time on unit set the time on a SI (time) Master and use the Time Master to transfer time to a bunch of units (TimeMaster can be used in the field)

13. 13 Backup Memory: All units store a list of the SI finger punches inserted into them Can check if person actually punched a control if no record on their finger stick Can use to find out who has started but not returned yet Want to clear the memory before a new event: (controls, master, start, finish, clear & check)

14. 14 To clear backup memory on a unit you can: Use SI Config to fully program a unit Use SI config to only clear memory Insert a special purple control punch called “Clear Backup” into a control and erase memory

15. 15 Getting practical: The fastest ways to set the real time on controls and clear the memory are: 1.To fully program all units with SI Config or, 2.Use SI Config to set the real time on a SI (time) Master and then use this on all controls (the Time Master can be used in the field after it is programmed). Note: should also do this for Special units like: start, finish, check, clear and download to thermal printer

16. 16 Programming SI Boxes 2 nd major task in using the SI system (the first was setting up the event in OE2003: controls, courses, classes, people). Use a PC with SI Config software Master Station (wired to the PC) Boxes to be programmed

17. 17 Using SI Config 2.02 new program for ver7/8 stations from Sportident; (not Stephan Kramer) http://www.sportident.com/sportident- english/english.htm http://www.sportident.com/sportident- english/english.htm some extended functions that speed up response time for sprints (not normally used) only one mode: training mode (control turns on when punched with any finger stick & turns off later)

18. 18 Set your PC clock first Make sure the date and time on the computer are set accurately as the clocks on all control units will be set to this time.

19. 19 Start SI config Sometimes will get a message that “there is no current version, do you want to download a new one?” NO !

20. 20 SI Config: main panel Green area: information after Read a station; Red area: information that you will Write to a station; (you can change values that will be written) history log: new line after each action Buttons for: Read, Write, Set time, New batteries and Turn Off Remote means are reading/writing the unit coupled to the Master station

21. 21 COM Port Settings Master station is plugged into computer (serial or USB port), need to set communications up Select Com port button to make sure program Is using Com port that master station is plugged into Com settings are displayed here; speed is determined automatically

22. 22 Port Settings Program may give correct Com #, if not, try a different # from the drop down list and see if can Read the Master station Directly

23. 23 Read Master station: direct Change from remote to direct, then Read the master station (wired to the PC) instead of the control coupled to the master. This is easiest way to test if the COM setting is correct. Might also want to change work time or read the SI punches that have been inserted in the master station and would set for direct mode.

24. 24 Coupling Master to Control Station Use a coupling rod (like an antenna) to transfer information between master and another station White coupling rod for version 3-7 stations Black coupling rod - version 7/8 stations Place rod in Master and lay ver7 station top. Note may need to raise the upper control box up so rod does not go so deep into station being programmed. if set remote, are looking at the black box; if are reading direct, are looking at the master station

25. 25 Set up a log file 1 BEFORE you start programming, select Program, Log file. This text file records all the actions done in the programming session and is invaluable to review to make sure you did what you intended to do. Should make a new one for every event.

26. 26 Set up a log file 2 List of previous log files in directory. Could open one of these or; enter a new name for your event here This is a comma separated value (CSV) file which can be opened in Excel (more later)

27. 27 Programming a Control 1 Control to be programmed on top Master station (connected to the PC via cable) on the bottom. If wanted to Read/Write to the Master station, would set the program to “direct” (might do this once at setup) For Read/Write to the coupled control (i.e. for programming units) set the program to “remote” (see next panel) Can program a station that is powered off but often faster to turn unit on with a punch or Service Off purple stick, then couple to the Master for programming. I line up 10 boxes, turn them on with a punch, then start programming each one ver 7 boxes upside down, ver8 boxes right side up

28. 28 Programming a Control 2 Enter code # 31 to be a Control with 2h working time, PC clock time that will be transferred to the station. normally check box to turn off control when writing completed (Note: you should have set your PC clock before you start to program; do it now) Also, do all programming in one session so don’t have to set the PC clock more than once. Make a few extra controls too in case need to replace a unit in the field. “remote” - are reading/writing to the control unit coupled to the Master station; are not reading the Master stn. After enter values, press Write button to send information to the Control: Will write: code #, function, working time, current time AND clears memory of the control (punch #s stored from previous event) #31 will function as a Control (could be start, check, clear, etc)

29. 29 After write #31 After program #31, counter increments to #32. Press write button after couple unit #32 to the Master Station Battery status of #31 shown here: voltage and % battery consumed so far (also appears on LCD of control)

30. 30 If only want to Set time: If press Set time button, will transfer only PC clock time to control; will not transfer code #, function, work time nor will it clear backup memory in unit

31. 31 after press Set time: The two times here on the PC and the control are quite close. The different days appears to be a glitch of the program. Press OK to write PC time to control of Break to cancel operation

32. 32 After press OK to set time: New station time written to control

33. 33 Extended Settings for BSF7/8 Program settings, Extended settings

34. 34 Functions that can be set: Normally always in Standard Mode, sprint is faster response but consumes more power (don’t change to this) Can turn off control beep and light (don’t do this). Can set a password so no one else can reprogram these controls.

35. 35 Standard vs Expert view: Normally work in Standard view (only see Autosend box); Autosend not usually checked Can change to Expert View

36. 36 Expert View: New switches available for BSF7/8 controls, can read them and write them; stay with Standard view

37. 37 Control Code Numbers-ver4 Number ranges for different Tasks: Function:Using SI Manager 9.8 Start Boxes: 1-9 Special Functions: (Master, finish, check, clear) 10-30 Normal Controls: 31-255 I suggest you continue to use these ranges even with our ver7 boxes

38. 38 Control Code Numbers-ver7/8 Number ranges for different Tasks: Function:Using SI Config * Start/Finish Boxes: 1-511 Special Functions: (Master, check, clear) 1-1023 Normal Controls: 1-1023 * Information form Help file of SI Config; I did not test this. I suggest using the old number ranges (previous slide) as our control stands are numbered this way.

39. 39 Programming Notes: Programming with SI Config is fast (~10 seconds / unit) Program control units just before putting out in the field (usually the night before) Do all programming in a single session to avoid time drift on the programming PC Program some extra control units (~6) in case something fails in the field; very easy to substitute a different box and make a change so the new number is accepted as a valid control

40. 40 Checking your work After programming everything, grab a few boxes at random and read what they are using SI Config and the Master station. Review the log file that you named before you started programming. Print it out.

41. 41 Review the Log file 1 Select Help, Log file

42. 42 Review the Log file 2 This text file shows the log of all programming done under this event on the PC. This is a semi-colon separated value file (similar to a comma separated value file or CSV). It is not reader friendly in this format. The CSV file can be imported into Excel (Data, import data, select the logfile.csv)

43. 43 Review the Log file 3 In Excel, you can see what the serial number is for each control, clock time, duration on and battery level. It acts as a check on the programming done and can be used to locate a control after an event if a serial number does not get returned. Email a copy of the logfile.csv to Barry as soon as the programming is completed as this can help to recover controls left in the field.

44. 44 Using SI (time) Master 1 Is a multifunctional ver8 SI unit that: Can be programmed to be a control, start, finish, etc. Can also be used to transfer the real time from a PC to any control or special SI box and it can clear the memory in the control Can be used on controls in the field without a computer Use the Service Off purple stick to turn on and off and the version 8 coupling rod to transfer information to another SI unit

45. 45 Using SI (time) Master 2 Use the Service Off stick to power on into Service mode (LCD shows SERVO) Couple to a master station and use SI Config on remote mode to Set time of the SI Master (could also program the work duration) NOTE: SI 8 units go face up on a master station unlike ver7 boxes that go face down Now the SI Master can be used to transfer the real time to any control or special SI box

46. 46 Using SI (time) Master 3 After transferring the time, use the Service Off stick to power on into Service mode (LCD displays SERVMO). If insert the Service stick again, changes to TimeMaster Mode (displays TIMEMA). If insert the Service stick a 3rd time, changes to Extended Master Mode (displays EXT MA). and inserting the Service stick again shuts the unit off. In TimeMaster mode: will transfer the clock time to any SI unit it is coupled to. In Extended Master mode: transfers clock time + work duration of the SI Master AND it clears the backup memory in the SI unit it is coupled to. LCD

47. 47 Using SI (time) Master 4 After turning the SI Master on with the Service Off stick, insert the ver8 coupling rod into the SI Master and insert the rod down into another SI unit that you want to adjust (in this case a red BSF8 unit). The bottom unit will turn on and after the information is transferred, will beep 2X. Move the SI Master on to the next unit. Shut all units off with the Service Off stick when you are done to conserve battery power as any unit in Service Mode consumes a lot of power.

48. 48 Reading memory with SI config Couple SI unit to the master station Set Remote mode to look at coupled SI unit (i.e. remote) Select readout backup memory button (or select under Commands menu) Might want to look at memory of a control if someone says they did punch there but there is no data on their finger card when they download. Note: may need to remove the coupling rod to get communication as this seems flakey with the current hardware.

49. 49 SI punches in memory Here are the punches inserted into SI unit #70698 and stored in memory. Can save this list to a CSV text file if press the save button.

50. 50 Saving list of SI punches Enter the filename to save to; defaults to the serial number of the SI unit that was just read.

51. 51 Clearing backup memory Select Commands, Clear Backup memory. Will ask if want to clear memory, Yes.

52. 52 Checking memory cleared If read Backup memory again, there is nothing in the list after it was cleared

53. 53 Using the Clear Backup purple service stick If insert the Clear backup purple stick into any unit, will beep and flash and the memory is cleared in 3 seconds. SI unit can be on or off, will clear memory and beep.

54. 54 Summary: Programming ver7/8 Can use SI Config to fully program all SI units as that will set the time and clear the memory in a single write operation. Can use the SI (time) Master after synchronized with PC clock in ExT MA mode to transfer real time, work time and to clear the backup memory. Can use other buttons on SI Config and the purple Clear backup stick to accomplish these tasks in multi-write operations (but why bother, program fully does all this in one step).

55. 55 Practical SI Config Follow Exercise 2A and use SI Config to program Controls for a test event.