Automaton Mode

Platform: 📱 Mobile only

See also: Connection & Reader Setup, Unattended Finish with Result Service Automaton, Results

Entering the mode

Tap an event in the event list view and select Result service automaton. The app asks you to select a sub-mode (Start, Finish, Service automaton, or Info). In Start and Service automaton modes, you also select a class mode (Automatic or Manual). The screen enters a waiting state with an animated arrow pointing toward the reader.

For multi-stage events, the header bar shows the stage name with a swap icon for switching between stages.

The mode can also be set remotely from the desktop Event Monitor — the device skips the selections and goes straight to the waiting state.

Sub-modes

Start

Records the start time automatically when a chip is read. The participant is registered as competing and the display briefly confirms the registration.

  • An already registered participant → shows the existing registration
  • The confirmation clears automatically after the registration visibility time

Finish

Records the finish time, calculates elapsed time, determines position, and displays the result. Speech synthesis announces the result.

The display shows: name (large), elapsed time, position, result status (OK/DSQ/Unknown), class name.

A chip read with identical control times is recognized as a duplicate — the existing result is re-displayed.

Service automaton

Combines Start and Finish. The system decides the action based on the participant's state:

  • Not yet started → registers the start
  • Already started → records the finish time and shows the result

Useful when start and finish are at the same location.

Info

Shows participant information without saving anything. Use for information boards or spectator points.

Class Mode

Applies in Start and Service automaton modes:

  • Automatic — Class is determined from chip registration data. Registration completes immediately.
  • Manual — After chip read, the participant selects their class from the screen. Useful for open events. The selection screen clears automatically after the timeout.

On-screen display

Result service automaton uses large, high-contrast text readable from a distance:

  • Registration confirmation — Name and class briefly
  • Finish result — Name, time, position, and status. Gold/silver/bronze trophy icon for positions 1–3, numeric position for 4+.
  • Children's classes — Encouraging animal image and positive message. Speech synthesis says only the encouraging message — name or time is not announced.
  • Error states — Clear error message

The display clears automatically after the configured timeout.

Clearing the last read chip

The system prevents the same chip from being read twice in a row. To clear:

  • Double-tap anywhere on the automaton screen
  • Or from settings, Forget last read chip

Speech synthesis

After a result, the system announces it aloud. Configurable parts:

  • Name — Announces the participant's name
  • Status — Announces the result status
  • Time — Announces the elapsed time

Rental chip return reminder

For a participant with a rental chip, "return rental chip" is announced after the result announcement.

Feedback on chip read

Every successful chip read triggers a confirmation sound, haptic feedback, and display update.

Settings

Mode settings

  • Result service automaton — Switch between Start/Finish/Service automaton/Info modes
  • Class mode — Automatic or Manual
  • Reader type — Connected reader device

Display settings

  • Show class — Class name on the result display
  • Show payment info — Payment status
  • Show position (trophy) — Position with trophy icons or numeric. Off → simple approved/rejected icon.
  • Show reader arrow — Animated arrow pointing toward the reader
  • Registration visibility time — Seconds the registration confirmation is shown
  • Result visibility time — Seconds the finish result is shown (typically 10–20 s)
  • Info visibility time — Seconds the info display stays visible

Speech synthesis settings

  • Sound — Master toggle for audio feedback
  • Speak name / Speak status / Speak time

Validation

  • Payment check — Require payment before allowing registration (Start/Service automaton modes)

Scenario: Unattended finish line

A local orienteering race, finish line 200 m from the event center. A phone with a USB reader as an automatic finish station.

Setup

  1. Mount the phone on a stand at the finish line, connect USB reader and power bank
  2. Open the event → Result service automaton → sub-mode Finish
  3. Confirm green indicators (WiFi + USB)
  4. Settings: show class, reader arrow on, result visibility time 15 s, speech synthesis on

During the race

  1. Participant reads their chip → beep + vibration → display: "Anna Virtanen — 42:15 — 1st"
  2. Speech synthesis announces name, status, and time
  3. After 15 s the display clears to waiting state
  4. Participant with rental chip → additional announcement "return rental chip"
  5. Double punch → duplicate recognized, same result re-displayed

Remote monitoring

  1. From the Event Monitor you see results in real time
  2. If offline, results queue and sync when connectivity returns

Tips

  • Always connect a power bank — the screen stays on continuously.
  • Position the phone at eye level with the screen facing incoming participants.
  • Test speech synthesis volume in the outdoor environment before the event.
  • Full mode suits training events where one station handles both start and finish.
  • Children's classes are detected automatically — no separate setting needed.
  • Result visibility time of 10–20 s is typical: long enough to read, short enough that the next person doesn't have to wait.