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iCard™ -
How It Works
 The
iCard™
System, when connected to an automated Timing and Scoring (T&S) system,
receives its information for view by team members and fans. The T&S
system consists of a transponder that is attached to each car and which
transmits a unique "signature" such that each time the transponder
passes over a timing loop a signal is sent to the T&S computer
indicating that the car has passed the timing loop.
The T&S computer then
calculates the time, marries the transponder signal with a competitor
name and car number, and records the result lap after lap. The T&S
computer, as a normal part of its operating function, generates an
output stream of messages and it is this data stream that the
iCard™
computer program receives. Consequently, the
iCard™
system simply
passes information from the T&S system to your handheld
iCard™.
The
iCard™
System consists of the following elements:
-
The
iCard™
software that receives the Timing and
Scoring information and prepares it for broadcast
-
iCard™
transmitter and antenna that sends the
iCard™
broadcast
-
iCard™
receivers that
receive and decipher the
iCard™
broadcast
for display on a Nintendo Game Boy
The
iCard™
system transmits information very fast, with data prioritized and sent
in this fixed order:
-
Leaderboard information
-
Driver Page timing
results
-
Scrolling message updates
-
Menu page and Driver Page
information other than timing results
As a result, the
iCard™
system accommodates instantaneous updates, even in events featuring 30
or more competitors.
Current Session
The Timing and Scoring
system calculates competitor results differently depending on the
session currently scored.
Practice and Qualifying
Sessions: competitor position is arranged with the fastest single
lap by a competitor within an entire session determining that
competitor's rank among in the field. Default display information is as
follows:
Once a session is complete
and one the T&S Administrator begins a new session, the final standings
of the existing session are moved to the "Previous Session" page and
accessible from the main menu.
Race: competitor
position is arranged in sequence by the current track position. When a
competitor is a lap or more behind the leader, the gap is calculated and
displayed as the number of laps behind. When a competitor is less than
a lap behind the leader, the gap is displayed in seconds or minutes and
seconds (e.g. 12.834 seconds or 1:23 minutes and seconds). Default
display information is as follows:
Once a session is complete
and once the T&S Administrator begins a new session, the final standings
of the existing session are moved to the "Previous Session" page and
accessible from the main menu.
Previous Session
This page displays the
final results of the session immediately preceding that which is
currently displayed on the leaderboard page.
Scrolling Message
Updates
Scrolling message
updates are generated by manual input or automatically by the
iCard™
operating software. Automatically generated messages are done whenever
one of the top three positions change within a given racing class.
Manual updates may be displayed whenever the event T&S operator types in
a message for distribution to iCard™
users.
Where to use your
iCard™
In addition to the WKA series, the system
is available at all 2005 STARS events, MRP South Bend, Badger Kart Club,
Oakland Valley Race Park, Summit Point Raceway, with more coming in the
near future.
Also, your iCard can be used at Pro Racing events around North
America including: IRL, Champ Car, NHRA, IHRA, American Le Mans, Grand
Am, SCCA World Challenge, Trans Am, USAC Silver Crown, and more. Just
bring your iCard and enjoy up-to-date race day information there too.
Information provided with permission by
iCard™ System and SPP Services, LLC |
