Using the button
The USB Timing Box has a single button to perform different functions. Find out here how to use it.
Turning the USB Timing Box on
The USB Timing Box will turn on automatically as soon as it is connected to your laptop via USB.
If you want to turn it on manually, simply press the button shortly, until the LED on the screen turns on.
Configuration mode
Up to four different settings can be defined using the button.
To modify these settings, you need to enter the configuration mode first. For this, press and hold the button, until the first setting in the top left corner starts blinking.
Then, press the button briefly to modify the setting, or press and hold to go to the next.
To exit configuration mode, press and hold again with the cursor on the last setting in the bottom right corner of the display.
Shutting the USB Timing Box off
The USB Timing Box is always on when powered via USB.
To turn off the device, disconnect the USB cable, then press the button twice shortly. At the first press, the following message appears:
| press again: OFF |
| hold for config |
Note: If you disconnect the loop first, then the USB cable, the USB Timing Box
will automatically shut off, if it does not have any detections stored.
Make sure the USB Timing Box is turned off before storing it, so as not to drain the battery.
Selecting the right mode
The USB Timing Box can run in three modes: TIME, STORE & COPY and KIOSK. To configure the USB Timing for race timing, you need to ensure it is running in TIME Mode.
Check the display of the USB Timing Box:
TIME
If the display shows a T next to the battery stand, the USB Timing Box is already running in TIME mode. You can skip the next step and go on to set Loop ID, Channel ID or Loop Power.
| Loop# 1 050%< |
|
CH# 8 T █████ |
KIOSK
If the display shows a K next to the battery stand, the USB Timing Box is running in KIOSK mode, which is designed for chip check or chip assignment, not for timing. You need to switch to TIME.
| 0000 020%< |
|
K █████ |
STORE & COPY
If the display shows an S next to the battery stand, the USB Timing Box is running in STORE & COPY mode, this is a special mode in which the transponder delivers its time to the USB Timing Box, but also stores it to deliver it at the next timing point. This is only useful in very special cases, we recommend you switch to TIME.
|
Loop# 1 050%< |
|
CH# 8 S █████ |
Setting the Loop Power
Depending on the type of sport, you may need to adjust the value for Loop Power. For example for cycling, where a high precision is needed and the transponder is fixed on the fork of the bike close to the loop, you need to choose a low value like 30%. In case participants wear the transponder on their wrist and can finish with their arms raised, choose a high loop power like 80% or 100%.
The environment near the finish line can have an influence on the read height. Always check with a transponder that you get the expected read height from your loop. Read more on this in Checking Read Height
Setting Loop ID and Channel ID
For simple, single point timing at small scale events you can go on with the default settings. A change of Loop ID or Channel ID is only required for races with multiple timing points.
For more information on when to change these settings, please check the detailled Active Loop Setup.
Checking Read Height
To confirm your settings, you need to check the read height by using one of your transponders. Therefore proceed as follows:
- Stand in the middle of your loop, holding a transponder high above the loop.
- Slowly bring the transponder down, until the USB Timing Box blinks, indicating a read.
Make sure that you start detecting transponders slightly higher than required. For example, on a cycling event with transponders at the fork, you need to detect at least at knee height, so you should setup your loop power to start detecting mid-thigh.
If you do not get the expected read height, increase or decrease the loop power.