parkrun Utilities.

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.
• 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.
• 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?

Clearing the results table is like pressing the small button on the Opticon scanner, once the results are gone the are gone! There is no way of retrieving them Sorry.

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

Twitter & Facebook accounts have 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 11 and above, why not below?

Simply put the camera on devices running versions older than Android 11 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, hopefully this app will inspire a like minded developer to develop something for iphone.