Track Marshal Software Owner s Manual

Transcription

1 The Leader in Event Critical Timing Electronics Track Marshal Software Owner s Manual for use with RaceAmerica Corner Safety Lights and Black Flag Displays RaceAmerica, Inc. P.O. Box 3469 Santa Clara, CA (408) info@raceamerica.com Copyright 2010 RaceAmerica, Inc.

2 Table of Contents LIMITED WARRANTY...3 THEORY OF OPERATION and OPERATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS...4 LOADING TRACK MARSHAL PC SOFTWARE...4 STARTING THE SOFTWARE...5 SETUP SCREEN...6 RUN SCREEN /19/09 2

3 RACEAMERICA T i m i n g S y s t e m s LIMITED WARRANTY To the original purchaser of this RaceAmerica product, RaceAmerica warrants it to be in good working order for a period of ninety (90) days from the date of purchase from RaceAmerica or an authorized RaceAmerica distributor. Should this product malfunction during the warranty period, RaceAmerica will, at its option, repair or replace it at no charge, provided the product has not been subjected to misuse, abuse, or alterations, modifications, and/or repairs not authorized by RaceAmerica. Any product requiring Limited Warranty service during the warranty period should be returned to RaceAmerica with proof of purchase. If return of merchandise is by mail, the customer agrees to insure the product, prepay shipping charges, and ship the product to RaceAmerica, Inc., 280 Martin Avenue Unit 1, Santa Clara, CA ALL EXPRESSED AND IMPLIED WARRANTIES FOR THIS PRODUCT ARE LIMITED IN DURATION TO THE ABOVE NINETY DAY PERIOD. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL RACEAMERICA BE LIABLE TO THE USER FOR DAMAGES, INCLUDING ANY LOST PROFITS, LOST SAVINGS, OR OTHER INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF, OR INABILITY TO USE, SUCH PRODUCT. THIS WARRANTY GIVES YOU SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS, AND YOU MAY ALSO HAVE OTHER RIGHTS WHICH MAY VARY FROM STATE TO STATE. 3

4 THEORY OF OPERATION The Track Marshal Software runs on a standard 32-bit or 64-bit PC using windows XP, Vista, or Windows 7 operating systems. The software communicates with the Corner Safety Lights (CSLs) and Black Flag Displays through a serial or USB port via a RaceAmerica 4520 or 4620 wireless data comm link. The software operates in two basic modes; SETUP and RUN. During SETUP mode the operator configures the corner safety lights on the PC screen to match their physical locations on the track. A track diagram in JPEG, JPG, BMP, GIF or PICT format can be uploaded to the program to serve as the back ground. In set-up mode, brightness levels for the physical displays can be adjusted by clicking and dragging the brightness scroll bar. CSLs can be grouped into one of four groups that will allow the grouped displays to illuminate the same lights by clicking on any one CSL in the group. Finally, a diagnostic test can be run to ensure there is proper communication with the physical devices. Toggling between SETUP and RUN modes is achieved by simply clicking a button. RUN mode is designed for race operation. Clicking on any one of the triangles on a CSL will turn the corresponding light on. A second click on the illuminated light will set it to flashing. Clicking on the CSL image just outside of the light triangle will turn off that unit s lights. Three buttons at the bottom of the screen can be used to control all CSLs simultaneously. Finally, if utilizing Black Flag Displays, numbers are entered through the number pad on the computer keyboard. UPDATE and CLEAR keys located adjacent to the Black Flag screen display are utilized in conjunction with the keyboard number pad to keep the on track Black Flag display current. Wireless communication integrity relies on proper placement of CSLs and Black Flag displays. Antennas provided with the units may require extensions to ensure proper communication. LOADING TRACK MARSHAL PC SOFTWARE To load the Track Marshal software, download the software from the RaceAmerica website, Double click on the set up icon and the program will prompt you to continue if you want to install the software. Click the Next button. The instruction screen then pops up to let you know you will need to install the program drivers after the software is installed. The drivers can be found in the C:/programfiles/RaceAmerica/ TrackMarshal/FTDI drivers folder. Click the Next button. The following screen will ask for your approval of the license agreement. Click the dot next to I agree and then Click the Next button. The program will then prompt you to allow it to create the folder to store the Track Marshal software files. Click Continue. It is strongly recommended that you use the suggested folder to store the program. C:\Program Files\RaceAmerica\ TrackMarshal. Click the Next button. The program will prompt you to click the Start button to complete installing the program into the Track Marshal folder. Once installed click Exit. The Track Marshal icon will be placed on your computer s desktop. Double Click the Track Marshal icon to start the program. Driver Installation - to install the drivers on initial setup of the system you will need plug in the USB cable attached 4520 or 4620 Data Comm Unit. When the Data Comm is initially connected to the USB port the PC operating software will search for the drivers for the device. If the PC cannot locate the Data Comm drivers it will ask you to locate them. Those drivers are located in C:/ programfiles/raceamerica/trackmarshal/ftdi folder. Although operating systems will vary in how they locate the drivers for the communication device, most modern PC software will find it for you. Once installed you are ready to run the Track Marshal Program. See Figures 1a-c for images of installation 4

5 Figure 1a - Setup Instruction Screen for Drivers Figure 2a - Data Comm Port Selection STARTING THE SOFTWARE After double clicking on the Track Marshal icon, the first screen will ask you to choose the COM port connected to the Data Comm unit. Click on the COM port connected to your PC to proceed. See Figure 2a. After selecting the COM port the program brings you to the Load screen where you can choose from three options: LOAD, RESET and CONTINUE. (Note: First time users should either LOAD a sample track file or click RESET to download their track diagram) Figure 1b - Software File Location Figure 1c - Image Data Comm USB device LOAD allows you to upload a previous background/csl configuration. (Note: the software comes pre-loaded with a few sample files) When you select LOAD you will be prompted to make a choice from a list of previously saved files. When you click on your desired file a preview of the selected file will be displayed in the upper area of the screen. When you have your desired file, click CONTINUE. RESET allows you to start your set up process from scratch. Clicking the RESET button takes you to the SETUP screen. Here you can select your track diagram for the background, adjust various settings and position the Corner Safety Lights on the track diagram. When you exit the Track Marshal program it will ask you if you want save setting choices made here. (See SETUP SCREEN on page 6 for details.) 5

6 Figure 2b - LOAD Screen- w/image of track Options to Load, Reset or Continue (No image appears first time program run) CONTINUE brings you to the RUN screen using the current background image and CSL locations. If nothing has changed from your last event, click continue as you are ready to operate the system. SETUP SCREEN The set up screen offers several options. The main components are the selection of the background and moving the CSL s into position. SELECT BACKGROUND button will allow you to download a JPEG, JPG, BMP, GIF or PICT format file of your racetrack to set as the background. (Note: The program will look in the TrackMarshal/images folder.) You can browse your computer for your track diagram from here. Locate your track diagram file then double click on it to load into the program. Once the configuration is saved the software saves a copy of your selected track image in the TrackMarshal/ images folder for convenience. (If you do not see your file listed, make sure the correct file format is chosen form the pull down menu next to the file name.) Position the CSLs on the Track Diagram -Locate the numbered CSLs stacked on the left side of the screen. Simply click on and drag them onto your track diagram to correspond with the positions of the physical units on the racetrack. (NOTE: Make sure the number on the physical CSL corresponds to the virtual one on the screen. Unused images can be dragged off screen to get them out of your view. To get them back use the reset button) EXIT SETUP - returns you to the RUN screen TEST WIRELESS - Creates a system message for all wireless units. The command to the CSLs has each light turn on for 0.5 seconds in repeating succession red-yellow-green. The command to the Black Flag turns each digit Figure 3 - SETUP Screen Figure 4 - SET UP Screen with Background selected on etc...in succession. If the wireless connections are working properly each physical display will exhibit the exact same pattern. (NOTE: - Each physical display needs to be examined to ensure it is working properly. It is recommended that you test all units in close range before you move them into position to ensure they are working properly.) 6

7 Figure 5 - Optional Antenna cable extension and outside wall mounts Troubleshooting a connection problem: If the light pattern changes when the displays are moved into their position on the track there is most likely a signal problem. The signal problem is due to the location of the display antenna in reference to the antenna on the 4520 or 4620 connected to the PC. One or more of these simple steps should alleviate the problem: 1. Re-position the 4520/4620 antenna in the control tower. If it is inside a building move it outside or closer to window. You may need an antenna extension to mount the antenna in a higher location. (Figure 5) 2. Move the location of the problem display antenna by either raising the display or positioning it so it is not obstructed. You may need an antenna extension to mount the antenna in a higher location. 3. In extreme cases where displays are in a deep valley or otherwise obstructed you may consider a Yagi Style antenna. High performance Yagi style antennas are for longer distances and non-line-of-sight applications. RESET - In the SETUP screen the Reset button stacks the corner safety lights in the lower left side of the page and adjusts the red bars for size, onscreen transparency, and track brightness to full. RESET also deletes any assigned groupings. CSL LINKED GROUPS - This function is used to group CSL s that you will always illuminate in the same pattern. Four groups A,B,C, & D are available. To put a CSL into a group simply click on the circle below the corresponding light number and to the right of the group Letter you want it to be in. The circle will turn red. To remove a CSL from the group simple click on the red circle or the CSL number along the top. NOTE: Each light can only be in one group. Figure 6 shows lights 1,2,3 are in group A, lights 5, 6 in group B. 4,7, and 8 are not assigned groups. When a CSL is in a group, clicking on any one CSL within the group will illuminate all CSL s in that group. CSL s not in a group are still operated individually and the three ALL commands are still valid for all lights whether in a group or not. (See RUN screen instructions) In the RUN mode the assigned CSL number and Group Letter can be temporarily displayed on the screen by clicking and holding down the SHOW ID NUMBERS button. RED BAR s - Simply click and drag on the Figure 6 - CSL Linked Groups Figure 7 - RUN Screen -Green, Yellow 1 7

8 SIZE and Transparency bars to adjust the CSL images so they fit properly on your screen. The Track Brightness bar adjusts the brightness of the LED s in the Physical on track CSL s and Black Flag displays. An all red bar is the brightness. This feature allows you to adjust displays for night events or other occasions where full brightness is not optimal. EXIT SETUP - takes you to the RUN screen. RUN SCREEN In the RUN screen you control the signals transmitted to the displays. SETUP- This button takes you back to the Setup Screen. SHOW ID NUMBERS - Click and hold on this button to show CSL ID numbers and group Letter (if assigned) on the PC screen. Release the button to hide. CLEAR CSL -Turns off ALL CSL Lights. SET ALL FLASHING / SET ALL ON - Sets all CSLs to FLASHING or ON. Simply click on the desired light, Red-Yellow-Green, on the image to activate. To turn off click CLEAR CSL. BLACK FLAG - This display is operated by using the numbered keypad on the your PC keyboard. Simply enter the number you want to display and click the UPDATE button to transmit that number to the display. NOTE: If you do not hit UPDATE within 5 seconds the display will revert back to the previous entry or go blank if no number was previously entered. If you do not hit UPDATE nothing will be transmitted to the display. The CLEAR BLACK FLAG button clears the on-screen and physical BLACK FLAG displays. QUIT - When you click the QUIT button it will ask you if you want to save your settings. If you are going to be using this screen again, save the settings using a file name you will remember. The default file name is Settings. (See Figure 8) The file will be saved as a.dat format file to the Track Marshal folder. This last saved file will be the one that the program loads into the software the next time it is run. Activating Corner Safety lights - To activate individual corner safety lights simply click on the triangle on the CSL image you want to turn on. Click on the illuminated light again and it will flash. Subsequent clicks will move the light from steady on to flashing. To activate another light, simply click on it. ONLY one light per CSL can be on at the same time. To turn off an individual light click anywhere on the white RaceAmerica below the light. Figure 7A - Run Screen with ID s, Driver 12 Black Flag Figure 8 - Save file 8