Timing mode
How the computer receives its times: a transponder decoder, the numeric keypad and a start gun, both together, or a photocell timer; then which device, and how to connect to it.
The window opens from , from the Timing mode… button of the Configuration module and from the Timing mode button of the session configuration. Nothing changes before Confirm; the equipment is then restarted only once.
Uses a decoder and transponders
Uses the numeric keypad and a start pistol on a serial port
Numeric keypad and transponders
Uses a timer and photocells only
RACE RESULT decoder (Active or Passive) on the network, port 3601…
RACE RESULT Ubidium on the network (gRPC)…
Plugged in USB: a serial port at 19200 baud…
P3 protocol on the network, port 5403…
On USB (serial port) or UDP…
- The four modes.
- The equipment for the chosen mode, with what each one is and how it connects.
- The connection (Settings button pressed): address and port, or serial port and speed, and the channels of a timer.
- Settings: shows or hides the connection. On the right, the link summary.
The four modes
Decoder
Where: Timing mode, first choice
A decoder and transponders: each passing says who passes. Equipment: RACE RESULT, Ubidium, USB Timing Box, MyLaps (Prochip), TAG Heuer / Chronelec (Protime). The equipment switch (Configuration module) is called Decoder; the one in the strip sets the finish loop. The numeric keypad remains available for an athlete without a chip; it then always records a lap time.
Manual
Where: Timing mode, second choice
No equipment: the numeric keypad records the passings (by start position), and the manual start or the start gun gives the start. The switch is called Gun; the Configuration module is called “Manual timing”. The keypad can record a lap time or a final time only.
Hybrid
Where: Timing mode, third choice
A transponder decoder and the numeric keypad, with the same equipment as Decoder mode. For a race in which some athletes have no chip, or to back up the transponders by hand.
Photocells
Where: Timing mode, fourth choice
A photocell timer: FDS TBox (USB) or Microgate REI2 (serial). A photocell does not know who breaks it: FINISH gives each signal to the first athlete expected in that lane (Lanes panel). The Photocells tab of timing and the Lanes panel only appear in this mode; the switch is called Photocells.
Settings
Where: Timing mode, at the bottom (toggle button; grayed out in Manual mode)
Shows the connection of the chosen equipment:
- Network: IP address (127.0.0.1 for SIM on the same computer; empty for an Ubidium: automatic search) and Port (0 = usual port: RACE RESULT 3601, Ubidium 443, MyLaps 5403, Chronelec 2008);
- Serial: Serial port (COM3, COM4…; the list is reread on opening; empty = network) and Speed;
- Set the decoder clock to this computer's clock on connection and Fetch the passings already in the decoder's memory on first connection (otherwise, only the new ones; after an interruption, recovery always happens without loss);
- for a timer: the channels of the Start, of Photocell 1 (lane 1, inner) and of Photocell 2 (lane 2, outer); Microgate: 000 = start line.
The settings specific to each device (baud rate, parity, protocol, detailed log, commands, loop power…) are in Equipment settings….
Testing without hardware
There is no “simulation” mode: you keep the mode and the equipment of the real competition and connect FINISH to SIM, which imitates the device.
- Broadcast module: check Accept ChronoFEED-SIM.
- Start SIM: it finds FINISH, imitates the same equipment and tells you what to set here (address and port, or the serial port of a pair of virtual ports).
- Set the switch to ON. The status bar shows “SIM connected” on an orange background.
To go back to the real hardware, enter its address (or its serial port) here again and uncheck the option.
Long track mode (SpeedSkatingResults file)
When a SpeedSkatingResults file (.json) is opened, another “Timing mode” window asks how the track is timed:
| Choice | What FINISH sets |
|---|---|
| Olympic style (pairs) | Two athletes per race, one start per race. Multiple races, “Grouped” loading, one race to load: the file says, pair by pair, whether it races alone or shares the track with the next one (same code in the Group column), and FINISH follows on its own. |
| Pursuits | Two races at a time (two teams facing each other), a single start for both. |
| Mass starts | One race at a time, all athletes start together; their transponders (usual code n_MASSTART_p) follow the Start line pos. or the Bib. |
The Automatic loading of races box is shown (never checked without you seeing it), with the Track (SpeedSkatingResults) used for records. Athletes are colored by start position: 1 and 2 for a race on its own or the first of two, 3 and 4 for the second. The settings of each distance come from the favorite races. In Olympic style, FINISH is not in “One race” mode: a second start signal does not restart the race; a false start is handled with the race's False start button.