LapTrack
Documentation
Table
of Contents
Compare / Export Compare Lap Chart
C. If Install Program on CD does
not automatically start
1. What
happens to the stopwatch if I want to look at another race?
3. What
should I do if I can't read a racers number?
4. What
if I forgot to open a new file at the start of the race?
5. How
do I make remote corrections to the race results during the race?
6. How
can I make notes to help the scorers fix problems later?
7. Can
I make corrections during the race?
8. Will
remotely opening race files on the scorer’s computer cause problems?
9. Can
I "undo" changes" made in the race detail?
10. What
if we have to temporarily stop and restart the race?
11. How
do we correct data with significant problems?
Welcome
to LapTrack software, designed as an efficient solution to facilitate counting
and timing laps. LapTrack easily handles multiple laps for multiple
racers, and quickly produces both overall results and detailed lap
charts. The simplicity of the user interface reduces training and
implementation time, while behind the scenes LapTrack analyzes race data and
flags potential data entry problems. Integrating LapTrack in the overall
race scoring process can significantly reduce time and effort required to
produce final results.
The
flexibility of LapTrack provides you with multiple options for integrating it
into your scoring process. Assuming multiple races are run with limited
time between races, the preferred option is installing LapTrack on 2 computers
that are connected (wirelessly is an easy option). The scoring tower
computer requires a numeric keypad and functions as the primary data entry
point during the race. The second computer can retrieve periodic updates
from the scoring tower and begin validating and correcting data during the
race.
Viewing can also be used for announcers to give current race status.
Ambitious
race programs can load LapTrack on 3 computers and use 2 of them for
scoring. LapTrack can retrieve results from the two scoring computers and
perform a comparison, identifying matches, and flagging mismatches as well as
potential data entry problems. LapTrack can delete extra entries or copy
entries from one result to the other.
Scoring
tower
Head
Scorer / Beach
The file menu system allows you to create, open, update, or save race files for tracking or viewing race results. The Compare menu also allows you to compare the results captured by two different scorers.
When getting ready to record a race, the first step is to select File/New from the menu and choose a directory and filename. This action lets the program know where you want to save the file and enables the "Save" button to quickly save the data during the race. If this step isn't performed the program doesn't know where to save the file until File/Save is selected from the menu. The Save button won't save the race unless it has been given a filename.
New clears the lap data from memory and opens a NEW RACE FILE dialog box for selecting the directory and filename for the next race. The default directory is the last directory where a NEW file was created or the last directory where a file was SAVED. The .txt extension is automatically added to the race name. Starting with version 2.1, if the file already exists, you will be prompted to choose a different filename. If you are positive you want to use this filename, Cancel the new dialog, Open the preferred file, and select File/Clear to remove any data. Version 2.0 and older will erase any data without prompting.
Open creates a dialog for you to select the race you wish to open, and then clears the current race from memory. The default directory is the last directory where a file was opened. When a race is opened the "Race Detail" and Lap Chart: panes are populated with the data. The "Entry" panel will show current race time and last 10 entries. See Panel documentation for more detail. Starting with version 2.1, checks to see if the current race was saved since the last change and if it was not, then you are asked if you want to Save it.
Use this feature when two scorers are recording either
different points in the race or recording different lanes / split courses. Open the first race file with the File /
Open menu and the second file with this menu. The combined lap data will be sorted in race time order and
new sequence numbers will be assigned. If the Update feature is being used, wait until all updates
are applied before merging files.
Laptrack remembers the location of the last remote file accessed to
merge or update.
Use this feature when you have reviewed and corrected results while a race is in progress. Update will import new entries from the scorer’s computer. Don't use the update feature after the merge feature. Merge will destroy the ability to identify new lap records. Laptrack remembers the location of the last remote file accessed to merge or update.
Creates a dialog box for you to choose a directory and filename. LapTrack defaults to the directory and filename of the currently open race file. Either hit save or select another directory or filename. The .txt extension is added to the file name. This file is the primary data file and can be reopened by LapTrack at anytime.
Starting with version 2.1
Creates a dialog box for you to choose a directory and filename. LapTrack defaults to the directory of the currently open race file. The filename is blank so select/create another filename and hit save.
Exports the lap chart in a tab delimited file and uses the file name you enter with Lap Chart.txt added to the end. This file is provided as a convenience to open in other programs. LapTrack cannot reopen this file format.
Uses the file name you enter and adds Place.txt to the end. This file is provided as a convenience to open or import into other programs. LapTrack cannot reopen this file format.
Use to input headings for Lap Chart and Place printouts. Two fields are provided, which can be used for promoter or race series info and class information. The printout also includes the race file name. This information will print on Place and LapChart reports. A font of 8 and column width of 20 will allow about 25 laps to print on a 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper.
Prints some of the columns from the race detail view. You can either print all the records or select a sequence number in order to print from that point forward. When the rabbit chart is printed, data is sorted in race time order. The menu item brings up a dialog box that allows you to select the starting sequence number.
Brings up a print dialog box allowing you to select a printer, set the page orientation, and set the page margins. Review the defaults and make any desired changes. The lap chart prints in Serif (Times New Roman) font with a font size of 8.
Prints the summary results and uses the headings entered in the Page Heading menu option.
Starting with version 2.1
Will prompt you to verify that the race data should be cleared. Any unsaved data will be lost and the next time the race is saved any previously saved data will be overwritten.
If the race data changed since it was last changed, LapTrack prompts to Save current race, and then closes the program.
LapTrack has the ability to compare the results from two separate scorers. In order to use this functionality, first open the race file from one of the scorers using the File/Open menu. Second use the compare menu to open the second file. LapTrack will open the second file and automatically compare the two files. LapTrack uses a combination of racer# and race time to determine whether entries match. Entries can be copied from 1 file to the other quickly and easily to add missing laps. See the "Race Detail" panel instructions for more information.
Starting with version 2.1
Creates a dialog box for you to choose a directory and filename. LapTrack defaults to the directory of the currently open race file. The filename is blank so select/create another filename and hit save.
Exports the lap chart in a tab delimited file and uses the file name you enter with Lap Chart.txt added to the end. This file is provided as a convenience to open in other programs. LapTrack cannot reopen this file format.
Starting with version 2.1
Clears the compare race file from memory without affecting the original file that was brought in to compare.
Starting with version 2.2
Beta test of a new feature set. Racer information can be entered and saved in a file with
the same name as the race with the “.heat” extension. This feature is not tightly integrated with the rest of the
program yet and should only be used if you are willing to spend some time
familiarizing yourself with the quirks.
Contact LapTrack@att.net for more
information.
Starting with version 2.1
Used to set the precision when analyzing race data. Each lap is compared to the racers average lap time and if it is less than or exceeds the set limits it is flagged for review. The no check option may be selected to hide the flags for printing or posting on a web-site. LapTrack displays the results of the checks on the toolbar and counts how many laps appear to have lap times that are either Too Fast or Too Slow.
The course distance can be entered in miles and the lap chart will include the average speed in mph for each racer. You can either use the arrows to change the value or enter a decimal number. If zero is entered for the course distance the lap chart does not display any speed information.
If the first lap is a different distance than the rest of the course or the first lap is not recorded due to the racers coming through the checkpoint in too large of a group to record on the first lap, you may check the Ignore First Lap option. The Ignore First Lap option excludes this lap when calculating average lap time and average MPH.
Starting with version 2.1
Contains a copy of this documentation. This file “LapTrack Documentation.htm” is located in the directory where LapTrack is installed and can be opened in word processing programs such as Microsoft Word for printing.
Displays copyright and contact information, as well as, displays registration code.
Starting with version 2.1
Only displayed on demo and viewer versions of the software. Enter required information and select SAVE. A file is created that can be sent to LapTrack@att.net so a registration code can be generated for your software. This file contains the necessary information to create your registration code and activate your full use license. To find this file, navigate to the directory where LapTrack is installed and look for the file named RegistrationInfo.Properties. The default install directory is c:\program files\LapTrack.
Make sure you run this on the machine that you plan on using for scoring races. The registration code is linked to your computer and the registration code cannot be transferred to a new machine without contacting LapTrack.
LapTrack displays the results of the checks on the toolbar and counts how many laps appear to have lap times that are either Too Fast or Too Slow. If two race files are being compared the number of laps without a match are also displayed.
The toolbar at the bottom of the application will allow you to change how data is displayed in the Lap Chart and Place tabs if you have entered heat information.
Contains 3 features. The data entry field is the first field and is where you enter race number data. The field will accept any numeric or character combination. Data is recorded when the enter key is pressed. The second item is the "Save" button. If the race has already been saved to a disk file, this button saves the race detail to disk. (Starting with version 2.1 an error message will be displayed next to the time if the save was not successful.) This saved file can be viewed with other copies of LapTrack during or after the race.
Ten other fields are also located on this panel. These fields serve two purposes. The first is to allow the scorer to visually check that they are entering data correctly. The second purpose is to edit the race numbers of the 10 most recent entries. These fields only allow race number corrections and do not allow insertions for missed laps. One of the more common errors is to enter two numbers in the same field. Leaving this to fix later in the Race Detail panel generally results in more accurate lap times then fixing on the Entry panel.
Notes and other information can also be entered in the data entry field to point out items that need to be addressed or researched later.
LapTrack Race detail is the result of score keeping and this panel provides methods to ensure the accuracy of the data. The table can be sorted on each and every column in either ascending or descending order. A click on the column name sorts it in ascending order; and the holding down the Shift key while clicking the column name sorts in descending order.
When working with one file, only columns 1 10 are used. When comparing files, the data for the second file is located in columns 11 18. Below is a description of each column and its features.
Column Purpose and Features
Leader (Column 1) - labels the race leader on each lap to help with comparing to manual scoring systems.
Warning Checkbox (columns 2 & 11) - Marks inconsistencies in the lap data that may indicate data entry problems. All checked laps should be reviewed and validated before accepting results as final. Holding the SHIFT key down and clicking a column header will sort all flagged laps to the top of the file. This column may have a check mark in it for three possible reasons. Laps that are unreasonably fast versus that racers average lap times, and laps that are unreasonably slow for that racers average lap times. In addition, laps that do not have a match when using the compare functionality will have the warning column checked.
Currently, LapTrack flags a lap for review if the lap is faster than 50% of the average race time or if the lap is 150% slower than the racers average lap time. For example if the average lap time is 60 seconds, then laps faster than 30 seconds and slower than 90 seconds will be flagged. This is a calculated field and cannot be changed by you. Starting with version 2.1, you have the option to set these criteria yourself. The new defaults are 75% and 150%. Using the previous example, laps faster than 45 seconds would be flagged and laps slower than 90 seconds would be flagged.
The compare feature checks the warning flag when it cannot match a lap from both files. Match criteria: race number, race time within 15 seconds, and sequence number within 5. The file that does not have a match will display a blank line. The copy checkbox can be used to copy an unmatched valid lap to the file missing the lap.
Delete Checkbox (columns 3 & 12) - Too simplify your corrections, only delete a record when you are sure another racer number doesn't belong in the record. A positive confirmation is required before LapTrack will delete the record and this function cannot be undone. The delete only works on one file or side at a time so it will not delete the match of a record.
Copy (Send) Checkbox (columns 4 & 13) - Only used in conjunction with the compare feature. Clicking the checkbox in column 4 will copy lap data from columns 11 18 to columns 2 10. Clicking the checkbox in column 13 will copy lap data from columns 2 10 to columns 11 18.
Racer# / Boat# (columns 5 & 14) - Use this field to edit racer's# and make corrections. Double click on the field in order to edit and hit enter to save. Clicking on another field also saves the change. Use the escape key to cancel any changes.
Sequence Number (columns 6 & 15) - The strict order in which laps were originally entered. Once recorded a laps sequence number doesn't change. This static number simplifies corrections and edits by providing a constant reference number for a record. During the validation process, sequence numbers can be used to identify questionable laps and final corrections can be performed quickly at race conclusion.
Duplicating records results in two records with the same sequence number and deleting removes a sequence number without recalculating the rest. The merge feature is the only activity that will update the sequence number.
Lap Number (columns 7 & 16) Calculated field. Number of laps completed by the racer at this point in time.
Race Time (columns 8 & 17) - Displays elapsed time from start of the race to the time when the lap was entered. This field is not editable. Most laps that are missed result from racers passing through the checkpoint very close together. To add laps or adjust the Race Time, use the duplicate function. It provides an option to add or subtract time from the selected lap. Therefore, the time may be adjusted during duplication and then either the Race number may be changed or the original lap can be deleted.
Lap Time (columns 9 & 18) - Race splits for each racer. Calculated field that is not editable.
Duplicate Checkbox (columns 10) - Most laps that are missed result from racers passing through the checkpoint very close together. Rather than inserting a blank lap for you to fill-out, LapTrack uses the duplicate feature to simplify this process. When duplicate is chosen the current record (or both matching records if a compare is being performed) is copied exactly except for the race time field. Starting with version 2.1a, you are given the option to either add or subtract up to 10,000.00 seconds to or from the race time. If the update window is closed the lap is duplicated without modifying the time and sort results may be unpredictable. After duplicating the record, edit the racer# field of the missed racer. On compares the racer# will need to be edited on both sides.
All edits to the Race detail are immediately reflected in this view. Edits cannot be made from this panel. This panel transposes the race detail into a place order horizontal chart. It does not include any lap reductions from penalties that may have been assessed during the race.
When a save is performed the lap chart is also saved under the race name with "lapchart.txt" appended to the end. The save format is a tab delimited text file that can be easily opened by spreadsheets for additional formatting and printing.
The 5th column of the lap chart contains a right arrow ">" if that racer had a flagged lap. In addition, the flagged lap has a carrot "^" symbol beneath the lap split. Flagged laps should be reviewed before printing as final results
If the first lap is a different distance than the rest of the course or the first lap is not recorded due to the racers coming through the checkpoint in too large of a group to record on the first lap, you may check the Ignore First Lap option in the Tools / Options menu. The Ignore First Lap option excludes this lap when calculating average lap time and average MPH.
Provides a summary of the race results and allows lap penalties to be entered. Finish place is automatically recalculated after each penalty is applied. When determining position after a penalty is applied, LapTrack compares the lap times of the last lap both racers completed.
The results are generated from the raw data and data entry mistakes must be corrected on the Race Detail Panel.
Provides controls for the Timer (Stopwatch). The Timer runs independently of any individual race. The current elapsed time is recorded with each lap entered. The start stopwatch button resets the timer to zero and begins timing the race. Since the race file is expected to be empty at the start of the race, if any laps are already entered a warning dialog is displayed. Generally the correct response is to choose “Yes” and start the race, then open a new file for the race that just started.
The stop stopwatch button only stops the visual display and generally is not needed. Even if the visual display is stopped, the timer continues running and any entered laps will have the elapsed time from when the timer was last started.
LapTrack
requires at least Java Runtime Edition version 1.4. You can install this
from their web-site http://www.java.com/en/index.jsp and click get it
now. The JRE can also be installed from the cd by double clicking
j2re-1_4_2_05-windows-i586-p.exe Follow their instructions for installing
and testing the software. If you have already installed Java for a
previous reason or you are upgrading LapTrack you can skip this step. The
Java install will detect whether it is already installed.
In
addition to LapTrack software, other required equipment may include:
-
Laptop (1 - 3)
-
Power Supply (extra batteries or generator)
-
Wireless Network cards (2 - 3) Applying the appropriate security is your
responsibility.
- Wireless Router
-
Printer
-
Numeric Keypad
-
Copy of LapTrack for each computer
-
10 key proficient scorer
Connecting
at least 2 computers with wireless connections provides the greatest
benefits. Race results can be reviewed for data entry mistakes and
information can be passed to announcers to provide more details to the
audience. The time and effort saved with this configuration will justify
itself over the season and make it much easier to keep those valuable scorers
happy.
The stopwatch/timer runs independently of the races. The stopwatch will continue to run while looking at different race files. When a racer number is entered the captured race time is whatever is currently on the timer.
Missed laps can be added from the Race Detail Panel using the Duplicate Lap functionality. Find the number and lap/time of the racer that passed the checkpoint immediately in front of the missed racers lap and click the Duplicate check box. When a lap is duplicated, you are given the option to either add or subtract up to 1,000.000seconds to or from the race time. If the update window is closed, the time is not changed and sort order can be unpredictable. After duplicating the record, edit the racer# field of the missed racer. On compares the racer# will need to be edited on both sides.
Hit enter to record the time so if the racer is identified later it can be easily added with the correct number.
Keep entering racer numbers until you get to a point were you can save the file. From the File Menu select Save and create a file name. If for some reason you were adding on to a previous race make sure and continue recording results. The fix is relatively easy. After the race, sort on sequence number and delete the sequence numbers prior to the first lap.
Although you cannot make corrections to the scorekeeper’s computer, you can open a copy of their file and start making corrections. Be sure to save a copy of the file for yourself in a different directory. When you are ready to update the corrected file with the latest entries: ask the scorer to save the file, click on File / Update and pick the race file. Any sequence numbers greater than the last sequence number in your copy will be added. This means that laps that are deleted or modified wont be re-added or revert back to the to the original. The one exception to this rule is that if you delete the very last lap, the update process will recreate the lap.
The field for entering the racers number will accept any characters. Make a quick note in this field, hit enter, and continue scoring the race.
The scorer should concentrate on entering race numbers accurately. Since the race file can be viewed from another computer, corrections can be made remotely. As the scorer periodically saves data, the reviewer can use the Update feature to retrieve new laps. Make sure the corrected results are saved in a different location than the scorer files.
Not if you open the file with LapTrack. To avoid conflicts, don't set the scorers laptop as the save destination. Opening the file with other programs like Excel will lock the file and prevent LapTrack from saving updates.
No, changes are immediately accepted. The delete action does prompt for verification. You can revert back to an earlier saved copy of the race.
Leave the timer running. If you do stop the timer do not hit Start Stopwatch. This resets the timer to zero. The timer continues to run in the background even though the display is not updated. Additional entries will have the correct time. Future versions will include the ability to pause the timer.
If necessary changes cannot be through the Race Data Panel, the data can be modified with Excel, then resave the data as a tab delimited txt file. Make sure and use a copy of the data when doing this because sometimes Excel can corrupt the data and LapTrack will not be able to reopen the file. Columns 1, 2, and 6 are the only ones that may be edited because LapTrack recalculates all other columns after opening the file. Do not leave any formulas or calculated fields in the file, as they will interfere with importing the results.