Stopwatch & Scanner v1.1

Usage

The scanner utility can be thought of in the same way as the Opticon scanners. The app will scan and record any barcode that is prefixed with the letter 'A' or 'P' (any other barcode type will return an 'Invalid Barcode' warning).
When a valid barcode is recognised the corresponding 'light' will be turned green & populated with the barcode number just scanned. The corresponding 'paired' barcode should then be scanned. This in turn will brieflly turn the second 'light' green before the pair of results are submitted.
A short message will display confirming that the result have been submitted successfully.

Advantages

• Scans can be done in any order, position or athlete ID. An option in the preference can be selected to only allow the legacy scanning order of 'Athlete Barcode' followed by 'Position Barcode'
• Visual feedback confirms what barcode has been scanned.
• Results are only submitted when a 'pair' of barcodes have been scanned.
• Barcodes can be scanned from screens, enabling scans from mobile phones. - although this is against current parkrun policy and should not be done.

Tips & Tricks

• The scanner likes bright lighting conditions so if possible hold the barcode in direct sunshine.
• If lighting conditions are really bad, the 'Light' button activates the phone's flash, this will help with focusing.
• Try to avoid visually 'noisey' backgrounds, a plain white background is ideal.
• Avoid having other barcodes in the background, the scanner is sensitive and will pick up barcodes up to a metre.
• Hold the barcode approximatly 20-30cm away from the camera so that the majority of the screen is filled. (as per the image shown)
• If a Position barcode is scanned & subsequently the volunteer is told that Athlete does not have an Athlete barcode, either press the 'Reset' button or scan the next Position Barcode. Do not scan the next Athlete ID.
• Two scanner types are available via the preference menu, a 'Multi-Scanner' or a 'Single-Scanner'. The 'Single-scanner'' will only scan one barcode at a time which must be aligned (perpendicular) with the red line, this is like the more traditional scanners and is useful if the device is otherwise slow to focus. The 'Multi-scanner' can record two barcodes at the same time and is considerably quicker if used correctly but is aimed at more experienced users, the camera will focus on any area of the preview screen so users should fill the screen with a consistent focal distance (the palm of your hand will do).
• Scanner files compatible with webFMS can be shared by email (using a pre-assigned email address) or dropbox, or by using the extended 'Share' icon in the menu tray
• Devices can be assigned unique names via the preferences that will prefix output files, this is useful if multiple devices are being used by an event.

Usage

The stopwatch utility does exactly what it suggests and can be used to time the event. The 'Timer' presses the 'START' button at the begining of the run to start the stopwatch. The Timer then can use either the 'volume up' or 'volume down' buttons to register a runner crossing the finish line. Whilst the stopwatch is running only the 'Stop' button is visible and will only be activated with a long press. When the Stopwatch is stopped the ability to save, email or Dropbox the times become available. The file is written in a format that is readable by webfms so no need to cables of additional apps. The 'Reset' button is also made available on stopping the stopwatch, this can be activated with a long press and a confirmation dialogue will need to be accepeted before times are deleted. The stopwatch is designed so that it will continue to work even if the app is closed, the app crashes a phone call is received or the phone is put to sleep. It will not maintain an accurate time if the phone is switched off but it will maintain all the times saved to that point.

Advantages

• Visual feedback confirms and audio feedback confirms that the runners position has been registered
• No requirement for cables, drivers or additional software.
• There is no maximum number of times that it can store

Tips & Tricks

• It is suggested that stopwatch is not kept open whilst there are no runners; whilst the 'STOP' button is only activated with a long press this can sometimes occur if the timer puts the phone in their pocket with the screen switched on or if it is raining and rain gets on the screen.
• Don't depress either of the volume buttons for longer than a single click, doing so will mean multiple records will be saved.
• By default times are recorded by depressing the volume buttons to reduce the risk or erronus 'clicks' should the screen get wet. There is an option via the preferences to enable a 'soft' lap button on the screen, this can be done whilst the stopwatch is in operation
• Times can be highlighted (in orange) for later review by clicking on the time, you can un-highlight by clicking again. Highlighting will not have any effect on the output file.
• If enabled through the preferences, a back-up file of the times will be stored on the local device when you re-set the stopwtach - this only writes one back-up file per day.
• Stopwatch files compatible with webFMS can be shared by email or dropbox, or by using the extended 'Share' icon in the menu tray

Usage

This utility allows the 'Token Support' volunteer to record any barcodes that will not scan. There is also an additional 'Notes' section that is made available when the 'Details' toggle is switched on.
When the 'Details' toggle is switched off (default) both Position Barcode & Athlete Barcode must be filled in before you will be allowed to submit a result.
With the 'Details' toggle switched on & the 'Notes' section showing a Position Barcode & either an Athlete ID or a Note will be accepted; this allows notes to be made for 'Double-Crossers' or 'Funnel Duckers' as well as unregistered runers if required.
It should be noted that only submissions with both a Position & Athlete ID will be included in the file produced for webFMS processing, but all submissions will be visible on the local 'Results' screen. If a file is emailed any entries that have been assigned a note will be added to the body of the email irrelevant if they are either or both barcodes assigned.

Advantages

• Avoids having to manually input results into webFMS during processing.
• Avoids issues of not being able to read other peoples hand-writing.
• Avoids having to use paper in poor weather conditions.

Tips & Tricks

• When entering a position, only the meaningful numerals need to be entered, any preceeding '0's' will be added automatically e.g. A Position barcode may read P0017, only 17 needs to be entered.
• When both fields have been populated press the submit button at the bottom of the page, this will add the record and clear the form for the next entry.
• If you are adding Notes; once you have completed the note press the phones 'back' button to remove the keyboard and allow the 'Submit' button to be pressed.
• The 'Details' window can be switched on by default via the preferences menu.
• Token-Support utilities can be used at the same time as the scanning utilties, results will be output to the same file and can be viewed in the Results utilities.

Usage

Allows any member of the team to view the submitted results on the specific device. This is useful if a volunteer is not sure if they have submitted a result correctly.
If a devices has been used for 'Token Support' then notes can be viewed on the local device.
When all results have been collected there are three options to generate a compatible file that can be uploaded to the webFMS. The file can be saved locally, emailed to the events 'office' email account or uploaded to a shared dropbox folder.

Advantages

• Shows all results of the local device in Position order for easier review.
• Creates a webFMS compatible file locally and therefore doesn't require wires or drivers for downloading to the processing computer.
• Results can be highlighted, edited or removed on a individual basis on the local device. it is advised this should only be done by an exprience run director.

Tips & Tricks

• Create an event dropbox account which can be shared with your volunteers. You can set this up via the Preferences page. Have a folder on the PC that you use to process the results when the 'Dropbox' button is pressed the file will automatically appear in a dated folder.
• The email address used is generated by the 'Default' event that can be selected on the Preferences page. This email can be changed to anything else that you prefer or left blank.
• Don't clear the results until a few days after the event you may need to re-visit Notes.

We don't have network coverage on our course can we still use the App?

Yes, absolutly, you only need network coverage (or Wi-fi) to set-up the app, and to transfer the result files. If you use the Email or Dropbox options to transfer the file you can do this whilst you have no coverage & when a signal network is aquired it will upload automatically.

We don't have a Dropbox account where can we get one from?

You can register for a free dropbox account here.

Is this app supported by parkrun or UKTT?

The app has been produced by an Event Director to help his team with the weekly process of gathering results, with a bit of extra work the app has been developed so as to be suitable for any parkrun. UKTT have had no part in the developement of the app and will provide no form of support. Please don't send them emails requesting technical support on anything to do with this app.
The app has been tried and tested on the developer's parkrun, however, you use the app at your own risk. As with everything to do with parkrun the Event Director and Run Directors should know their way around the app before using it on a live event.

I have cleared the Results Table, can I get the data back?

There is a possibility that you might be able to get them back; firstly check on preferences there is an option to 'Save on Resest' this need to be enabled before the reset is made. A back-up is also only made if either the reset is made via the 'Results Utility' for scanner files or Stopwatch Utility for timer files. Resetting in any other part of the app will not generate a back-up file. Any Back-up files are located on the devices storage in a dated sub-directory of the folder 'parkrun Data'

I have some feedback or a question, How can I get in touch?

A Twitter account has been set-up for this app. Please bear in mind that the app is not supported as it has been developed for free, to help others. Whilst the developer will try to answer any questions and implement any useful suggestions, responses may take a little while. Thanks for your patience.

The app is only for devices operating Android 4.1 and above, why not below?

Simply put the camera on devices running versions older than Android 4.1 (API 16) are just not good enough to recognise barcodes efficiently.

Will you be releasing a version for iPhone?

Unfortunatly not, as a developer I have no experience in coding for iphone. There is now an official parkrun 'Virtual Volunteer App', whilst it currently does not have as many features as this one it does the basic tasks of scanning and timing well.

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