The RACE RESULT USB Timing Box allows you to replace the Decoder and Active Extension with a single USB connection to your PC.
The USB Timing Box can be used time sporting events, scan tags at race pack pickup, or for just about any other application: the open-source software of the USB Timing Box allows you to develop any solution that may have nothing to do with sports timing.
The USB Timing Box is compatible with our Loop Box where the USB Timing Box can receive passings from a Loop Box in Repeat Mode. The USB Timing Box does not include additional functionality such as a 3G connection or GPS time synchronization.
USB Timing Box Modes
The USB Timing Box can operate in three different modes:
Timing Mode
In this mode, the USB Timing Box operates like a Decoder with Active Extension. It reads the transponders as they pass over the loop, and the computer reads the passings from the box.
It can act as a base station for a Loop Box where it can receive repeated passings. It can also read stored passings from ActivePro transponders. The USB Timing Box should be set to Loop ID 1 if this is the case.
Kiosk Mode
In this mode, the USB Timing Box works with the TagTool on your computer. You can compile a list of your transponders, check the battery level of the transponders, and make a chip file for your events.
Store & Copy Mode (only available from FW 2.5 and with V2 Transponders)
This mode is an extended version of the Loop Box's Store Mode (see Loop Box Modes). When crossing the USB Timing Box in Store & Copy Mode, the transponder will store a detection. As the detection is stored, the transponder sends a passing, which on the Loop Box in Store Mode is only used to make the Loop Box blink to signal the detection. In Store & Copy, the USB Timing Box will blink, and also save the timestamp of the stored passing.
Note that in this special mode, the passing is only sent once, the transponder will not wait for an acknowledgement from the USB Timing Box, so the detection in this mode is not as reliable. The timestamp saved in the USB Timing Box is also not as precise as the actual stored passing which will be transmitted to the next timing point.
Display Explained
The display of the USB Timing Box can have the following indications:
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USB Timing Box when it is in Timing mode and connected via USB to a computer. The moving icon in the top right corner indicates that a Loop is connected. The bottom right section of the screen will flash between these two screens. The top screen shows the battery indicator. The bottom screen shows the USB voltage. A range between 5.0V and 4.5V is good. |
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USB Timing Box when it is in Timing Mode and on battery power. The "19h" displayed in the bottom right corner indicates the time until zero battery in hours. |
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USB Timing Box when it is in Store&Copy mode and connected via USB to a computer. Store&Copy mode is indicated by an S in the display. |
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USB Timing Box when it is in Kiosk Mode and connected via USB to a computer. The number "0001" indicates the number of tags scanned since it has been turned on. "ALYFR84" indicates the last transponder seen by the USB Timing Box. |
Turning USB Timing Box on/off
To turn the box on, press and hold the button until the center red LED turns off and a boot screen is displayed. An example of this is below:
| rr Active System |
| 4039 HW2.3 FW2.5 |
The system will then proceed into operation.
To turn off, press the button once. The screen will display the following:
| press again: OFF |
| hold for config |
Press the button again to turn off.
The box will also switch on when it is plugged into a USB port. The box cannot be switched off if it is plugged into power.
USB Timing Box Configuration
The USB Timing Box has the same settings as the Active Extension: Loop Power, Channel ID, Loop ID. Additionally, the Mode can be set.
The box can be configured by pressing the button for 2 seconds. The first of the four settings will start blinking and can be changed by pressing the button again. By pressing the button again for 2 seconds, the setting will be confirmed and the next setting can be changed. To exit navigating menus, continue holding down the button until no setting blinks anymore.
In this example, the Loop ID is being changed:
| Loop█ 1 020% < |
| CH# 8 TIME |
USB Connection
The USB Timing Box easily connects with the Transponder Module and Timing Module. Your PC should have the appropriate USB drivers to connect to the USB Timing Box. If this not be the case, please see Troubleshooting for instructions on installing Windows drivers.
Ensure that the TagReaderKeyboard and TagTool software are not open when the Transponder Module is connecting with the USB Timing Box. As they use virtual COM ports to connect to the USB Timing Box, it cannot connect to two applications at the same time.
Online Firmware Update
It is recommended to update the firmware when a new firmware is available. See Firmware Release Notes.
For firmware updates for the USB Timing Box and USB Management Box open your TagTool and connect your device, the most recent Active Device firmware is included in the most recent release of TagTool. Once it is connected, select the device you wish to update then click Update in the Device Details window, and select the most recent firmware version (highest value name). It is important that you do not unplug the device during the update.
