Online Control

Platform: 📱 Mobile only

See also: Checkpoints, Connection & Reader Setup, Relay with Checkpoints

Entering the mode

Tap an event in the event list view and select Online control. The app shows a confirmation screen reminding that the app must stay open and the screen must remain on due to the USB serial connection. Tap Start online mode to enter the active recording state.

When the mode is set remotely from the desktop Event Monitor, the confirmation screen is skipped.

How it works

The phone acts as a real-time checkpoint in the forest. When a participant reads their chip, the app creates a passing with a timestamp and sends it to the server immediately. Split times appear within seconds on the desktop Event Monitor and Announcer's Window.

Operation is fully automatic — nothing needs to be pressed between chip reads.

Screen dimming

The app keeps the screen on but dims brightness to minimum after 20 seconds of inactivity to save battery. Touching the screen restores brightness. Chip reads do not affect screen brightness.

Checkpoint assignment

Checkpoints are assigned to devices from the desktop client's Checkpoints page. Create a checkpoint, assign a device to it, and link the classes whose courses pass through that control.

If the phone is not assigned to any checkpoint, a red warning appears on screen. The device still reads chips, but passings are not linked to a specific checkpoint.

Status display

The main screen shows:

  • Device name — name configured in settings
  • Cards read — total count for the session
  • Last read chip — chip number of the most recent read
  • WiFi indicator — green = connected, red = offline
  • USB indicator — green = reader connected, red = disconnected

Below the status display, the checkpoints assigned to this device are listed: name, type, linked classes, and passing count.

Duplicate filtering

If the same chip is read again within 30 seconds, the second read is ignored. This prevents accidental double-punches. After 30 seconds, the same chip can be read again (e.g. on a butterfly loop course).

The filtering time can be adjusted in settings.

Supported reader modes

  • EMIT USB
  • EMIT ECB/ETS
  • EMIT ECB/ETS (USB)
  • SportIdent SRR (short-range radio receiver)
  • Huichang USB

Scenario: Radio checkpoint at a relay event

Relay event, 4 legs. Legs 2 and 3 pass through a shared control in the forest. You want real-time split times for the announcer.

Desktop setup

  1. Open the event and go to the Checkpoints page
  2. Create a checkpoint "Control 5", assign your phone to it
  3. Link the classes for legs 2 and 3

Field setup

  1. At the control site, open the event and select Online control
  2. Confirm and check: green WiFi, green USB, "Control 5" appears in the list
  3. Place the phone at the control, connect a power bank

During the race

  1. Participants punch as they pass — counter increments, split times appear on the desktop within seconds
  2. The announcer reports gaps between teams in real time
  3. Double-punches are filtered automatically

After the race

  1. Collect the phone — all passings were transmitted in real time, nothing to sync

Tips

  • Always connect a power bank — the screen stays on continuously.
  • Test the network signal at the control location beforehand. With a weak connection, passings queue and are sent when connectivity returns.
  • Name devices clearly (e.g. "Control 5 Phone") for easy identification.
  • A waterproof case protects against rain — the USB reader works through the case as long as the cable connection is protected.