Open Track and Field Timer

I took the setup to the high school track the other day and I was very happy with it.

The sensors were easy to align, even in full sun.

The LED ready indicator on the control box was very useful and all the times logged perfectly.

If only I was faster. I want to shave 0.3 seconds off my 45m sprint and could not.... sigh.

I also updated the app so I no longer get the bluetooth no connected error and there is a notification after you click save.

Success! 

I had my two kids practice sprinting in the hall. It was good fun.

Setup is as follows:

1. Set up tripods and align sensors.
2. connect sensors with cat5e cables.
3. plug in all the USB power supplies
4. Confirm sensor alignment
5. Connect via bluetooth with app.

It is hard to tell if the app is connected so I have have a confirmatory light on the control Box. When you click the I'm ready button on the app it sends a signal to the box to light the LED and be ready. At least that way you feel good knowing things are working.

 6.  Then you run!

After the last sensor trips it will send the times to your phone. you can enter a persons name and some notes if you want and click save if you want to save a text file to your phone with the times.

See the Screen Shots below.

Still to do: update app to improve Bluetooth connectivity notifications and have a notification to alert you that you clicked the save button and it was successful.

I'll head to the track and get some real testing in once I crimp some 50ft cables and it stops snowing!

I was able to get the system up and running. Each transmitter side of the photo sensors has a 5->12V usb boost adapter and a USB power brick. I have 8x tripods now to hold the sensors and need to still design the brackets and post the files for them. One of my sensors was bad FYI and allelectronics mailed me a new one for free :-).  The power requirements for the system is very low so you can use the cheapest $5 USB power bricks you can get. The app also works and can log data to a text file on your phone. A little work could be done to improve the Bluetooth handshaking but overall is functional. Next thing is for me to recreate the wiring schematic. 

Parts I have added:

1x Arduino prototyping Shield: 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00Q9YB7PI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

8x Tripods:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AVRX1MG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

4x 12V USB Boost Adapters:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01G3ERI6U/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

5x USB Power Bricks:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LO90YA6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

1 Gang Box: (replaces the 2 gang)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0028CIC8U/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

ai2.appinventor.mit.edu/?galleryId=6755140203839488

I will also publish the code in the files section.

It is far from polished but is functional.

Initial rats nest on arduino works with 4 buttons and a bluetooth adapter. Annoying tidbit you need to have the usb unplugged if you want to use the bluetooth or vice versa.  Makes reprogramming slightly more annoying. Oh well.  Right now the systems waits for a ready "1" from bluetooth module. Then it waits for the first input to turn high. After that it waits for input 2,3,4 etc until all have been triggered and returns the difference in time between input 2,3,4 and the first input. In my case it will tell me my 15m, 30m and 45m sprint times times. Eventually someone might desire to make it more flexible where you can pass in the number of timers.  We will see when the app is made if I get to it or not....

Code is on GitHub