09 ‐ Timing Modes and Controls
The timer display has a three-position toggle switch and two push buttons located on the top.
If you wish to "flip" the display and have the buttons on the bottom of the display, use the 'Flip Timer Display' option in the settings
In any mode (except Standby), the reset button will immediately put the system into back into the Ready stage and the system will be active and ready to start timing the next race or event. The timer can be running or stopped, but pressing the button will immediately cancel the current timing session, so use a bit of caution and only press this button during an active race if you wish to stop and reset the timer.
This button is only active when the system is in manual timing mode (see below). In this mode, the start and finish line sensors are inactive and ignored. Instead, time is started as soon as the Start/Stop button is pressed. The timer will continue to run until the race either times-out or the Start/Stop button is pressed again, which will stop the timer and the system will show the completed race mode.
Note: Once the timer is stopped after actively running, it cannot be restarted from the current time. The Reset button must be used to reset the timer before it can be started again. The prevents restarting of the finished time via an inadvertant double or long press of the start/stop button.
The 3-position toggle has a right, center and left position. It can be flipped at any time to change the timing mode. Note that if the timer is running, it will be stopped and the system will enter the 'Ready' stage in the newly selected mode.
When the system is placed into Auto mode, then the timer will start and stop automatically based on the start and finish line sensors. In this mode, the timer Start/Stop button is inactive and pressing it will have no effect. Use this mode when you want the system to automatically start/stop the timer based on an object tripping the start and finish line sensors.
In manual mode, the start and finish line sensors are disabled. Timing is instead controlled via the Start/Stop button on the timer. See above for more info on this button. Manual mode might be used in situations where there are issues with placement of the sensors or if you just want to use the timing system (and LED state lighting) for timing a system or event that isn't conducive to linear start/finish style of track or course.
In standby mode, the LEDs and timer display are turned off, but the primary controller stays powered on and continues to run, maintaining current options and settings. When in standby, all sensors and buttons are disabled. This mode can be convenient if the system won't be used for a short time. Leaving standby mode is much quicker than a full boot/power up of the system and will maintain any settings that might have been changed from the boot defaults. To leave standby mode, just use the toggle to switch the system back to either auto or manual timing modes.
Note: Starting with version 0.25 of the firmmware, the timer may now also be started, stopped and reset directly from the web interface. See the Wiki page on Using the Web Settings for more details.