Kyosho IC Tag Lap Counter, Home Edition - Page 2

MrNanoTrax · #16 08-24-2009, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcro

I just have to ask this one question which I am sure is overlooked by most racers, is this hardware/software Mac-compatible? Or will it only work on PC's? How does the system connect to the computer itself? Just a simple USB plug?

i think i've linked this here before but the answer to every question you've asked can be found on the dNaNo Support Page in various PDF files... but to be quick, the software requires Windows XP & USB ports, no adapters or converters attached.... + Mini-Z IC Tag

arch2b · #17 08-24-2009, 11:52 AM

the mini-z tags have not hit stores here domestically as i'm sure your aware you get items sometimes a month or more before kyosho usa. jpn already has the mini-z racer and f1 tags listed but you won't find a nibble even here.

what may be old news over seas is often new news here in the u.s. due to the severe lag in information distribution.

for clubs, sprint mode is almost pointless as you should be able to configure by time or laps or both. our club has run sprint races maybe 10 times in 6 years. i'm sure it has practical use in stores but for clubs, it's more than likely used frequently or not at all.

rather than wasting time with the kyosho software i'm waiting for flipside to get thier software ported to the unit. at lease until kyosho can step up thier game with something that offers tools users really need. more than likely by then, flipside will have thier race management upgrade completed.

what is so surprising is that they got the hardware/software stuff from core analog and thier software, while flawed atleast offers what home users need such as race management, etc. core never seemed to have the same limitation re: simultaneous lap counts. i've had car parked over the loop an never had others not count as far as i can recall.

us the new system as finiky with usb ports as core analog is? it's hit or miss with core and usb ports. some work and some just won't.

MrNanoTrax · #18 08-24-2009, 12:41 PM

the USB port is real problem arch... i think it severely affects data transfer. the fact that you can't bend the thing makes the hardware even more problematic.

awe come on... ya gotta let me enjoy being the first to get everything a LITTLE bit

arch2b · #19 08-24-2009, 01:08 PM

hmm, seems they did not make much of an improvement on the usb port issues with the kyosho version.
at least we won't have to worry about antenna spacing since they now use a ribbon. maybe that in some way causes the multiple lap count issues as the antenna based core system does not have that problem (theoretically it would i believe).

bask in the glow

then rub it in to all of us usa customers whom get stuck in the kyosho time warp

seriously, it's good to see you got the online shop up. i always like having options.

Marcro · #20 08-25-2009, 02:23 PM

If one had the money, is it worth getting this system at home so you can race your Dnano's? I maybe racing alone, but still would be nice to see lap times and duration. Plus, if it'll work with Z's, it'll be great practice.

fraz · #21 08-28-2009, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcro

If one had the money, is it worth getting this system at home so you can race your Dnano's? I maybe racing alone, but still would be nice to see lap times and duration. Plus, if it'll work with Z's, it'll be great practice.

All complaints/comments/observations aside, I think it is worth it. Much more fun for me to have times and targets to shoot for instead of just flailing some laps. Since I race all kinds of classes nitro and electric, I actually use dNano as training/practice at home. While a lot of stuff doesn't translate, certain things like lines, throttle/brake smoothness, and reflexes are the same for all r/c.

I am unfamiliar with any of the USB problems but have used other devices that use a USB/16550UART interchange and there are lots of opportunities for things to go wrong. Especially from one computer to the next because this hardware and the drivers can interact so differently. I wonder why they do this. USB _is_ a serial interface itself after all so you aren't really gaining anything like speed which is the real benefit of 16550 high speed serial ports (COM ports). It all has to go through the same pipe, right? The only reason I can see why people do this is to support legacy hardware that was designed for the old serial ports and they want to add the convenience of USB plug n play. Just adds too much additional complexity for the users and developer if you ask me.

Well I managed to find this flipside you guys referenced and when work mellows some I will try to offer some help. Even if it isn't coding but some spiffy graphics, seems like a worthy project. BTW, he makes the source code available so now my curiosity really gets me wondering what is happening under the covers. Gotta love open source community projects so we'll see.

arch2b · #22 08-28-2009, 04:26 PM

you can flind the FlipSide vendor forum on mini-zracer HERE.

pinwc4 did a good job at making easy to use, open source race software that is currently compatible with core analog. i know he was working on giro-z, lap-z and currently the kyosho ics home system.

here is the introduction to his forum:

Flip Side Racing Software

Intro:

Flip Side Racing Software is an open source, cross platform lap counting software project that currently supports the Core Speedway RFID based lap counter. The software has been developed primarily by me with a large amount of input, testing and other help from the Mini-Z community.

Get the latest version of the software from http://www.flipsideracing.org/

Features

Use cheap generic RFID tags
Text to speech engine, the software will attempt to pronounce names and can dynamically announce things during the race such as ranks, best laps and time remaining
Live graphing
Add racers during a practice race
Automatically add racers to race when crossing the finish line
Generates HFAY export information
XML data export
Mac, Linux and OSX versions available

FAQ
Q: What generic tags can I use?
A: So far everyone that I know of is using various TI ISO15693 compatible tags. I have a list of some of the known functioning tags on the project website, http://www.flipsideracing.org/

Q: How much do generic RFID tags cost?
A: Usually around 1$ each

Q: I found a bug, how do I report it?
A: The best way for me is if you go to the project website and create a ticket. You have to register an account first but that is easy, you only need to set a username and password though an email is good to enter also even if it is not requires. After you have an account you can then create tickets for bugs or feature requests. You can also email me through the forum here or even create a thread and I will respond.

Q: Can you add feature XYZ?
A: Possibly, depending on the difficulty and the number of people wanting the feature. I am willing to consider any idea but my time is limited.

Q: What is the status of your lap counting hardware?
A: Work still continues slowly as I am focused on polishing the software.

Q: How can I help with the project?
A: There are many ways you can help. I can use willing people to write documentation, create graphics or program.

Q: Do you accept donations instead?
A: Yes, while I am doing this currently as a hobby the project does have real costs for hosting the software and the programming tools I use. There is a link on the project website for donations, http://www.flipsideracing.org/

Q: Where is the documentation?
A: While I have started to create some documentation on the project website I do not have much of it done yet. But in the program if you let your mouse hover over something you have a question about a little bit of help text may pop up. I have entered help text for many of the controls in the program.

Q: How do I change the background?
A: You can overwrite the BG_Frame.jpg file in the theme directory or copy your background to the theme directory and edit the theme.xml to point to the name of your file.

Q: I changed my club logo on the General Config page but the Race Settings page still shows the Flip Side logo, why?
A: The club logo setting on the General Config page is only for the logo that gets inserted into reports. To change the logo on the Race Settings page you need to edit the theme.xml. You need to change the mainlogo and mainlogomask entries. The mask is a black and white image that defines the transparency.

Q: The text color used for the racers is hard to see, how do I change it?
A: On the Select Racers screen click some of the text, you should get a popup window that allows you to change the text color.

Q: Can I use the keyboard for counting laps instead since I do not have lap counting hardware?
A: Yes, just set the UID of the racers to whatever keyboard character you want to use. Except r, do not use r as hitting that key will cause the software to announce the ranks.

Q: How do I sort heats, qualifiers and mains?
A: The software does not have event management yet. That is a feature I will add eventually but it is far from complete.

Q: Will this mess up my Core tags?
A: No, the Flip Side software does not write anything to the Core tags. They will continue to function with the Core software after being used with our software.

Screenshots

Race configuration screen

Racer selection screen

Race screen

Statistics screen

arch2b · #23 08-28-2009, 04:27 PM

here is his compatibility list i found:

Currently the Flip Side Racing software is limited in its hardware support. Here is a list what is supported so far and what has been requested

Supported Lap Counting Hardware

Core Speedway

Incomplete Lap Counting Hardware

AMB20 (nearly complete, may need some work more but unconfirmed, need someone to work with)

Other Supported Hardware

DLP Relay Board (Used for countdown lights)

Requested Hardware Support

Giro-z lap counter (Working with Hood currently)
USB Bit Whacker (This board could be used for a Laser Lap Counter, need the hardware still before proceeding)

Hardware that will not work

DLP Data Aquisition Board (Tried to use this board for laser lap counters but it can not respond fast enough)

In order to determine if I can add support for additional hardware I need someone who has access to the hardware to work with so that I can get various information information from them. Or if possible it would be quicker for me if I could get access to the hardware for a week.

If you have access to the hardware that you would like supported the first step I need done is to capture some of the raw information that lap counter produces. From Windows the way you do this is as follows:

Download Portmon from http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/s.../bb896644.aspx
While the lap counter software is NOT RUNNING start the Portman application
In Portmon go to the Computer Menu and select Connect Local
Under the Capture Menu go to Ports and then Select all the COM ports available
Under the Options Menu make sure the Show Time, Show Hex and Clock Time options are selected
Now run the lap counting application and run a short 1 minute race preferably with 2 cars though if it is just 1 person switching between cars that is fine
After the race is complete close the application
Go to the Portmon applcation and go to the File Menu and save the log file
Send me the log file along with the transponder ID's of the cars in the race

arch2b · #24 08-28-2009, 04:29 PM

back to the kyosho system, beyond the few bits that come in the box, is there any accessory list with all the transponder parts kits listed?

elow the mean · #25 09-09-2009, 10:52 AM

where can you buy a Core Speedway system from? I have spent quite alot of time looking and am at a loss

Thanks

D

arch2b · #26 09-09-2009, 11:13 AM

I don't believe you can purchase these new anymore. soon after Core sold or whatever deal they made with Kyosho, they cut production and sold off all the remaining systems. i do not believe they are supported anymore either. you can still purchase transponders however which will work with the Kyosho system.

you will have to search for them in the secondary market now. you can occasionally find one being sold in the mini-zracer.com marketplace.

lornecherry · #27 09-09-2009, 11:22 AM

The core system is no longer made; and yes, the company never returned any of my inquireis a year ago. The Kyosho system is a licensed version of the core system though, and althought he software is limiting, the hardware works fine, and the d'nano has the pre-requisite transponder built into to the bottom of the chassis already. One or two of the HTUSA stores that sell d'nanos have the lap timer I believe, or there is always one for sale on ebay.

There is also an old core system on ebay, although I would not buy anything that is no longer made/supported?

arch2b · #28 09-09-2009, 11:26 AM

unless your confortable in spending $300 or so on the core system with no warranty essentially, i would suggest purchasing the new kyosho system. it will read core transponders and i'm sure flipside will have the software worked out shortly offering something more on par with what we were expecting in terms of functionality.

lornecherry · #29 09-09-2009, 12:10 PM

...well, I hope Brian at Flipside reads this board once and a while ...I've tried on several occassions to register with both the flipside.org and slatlake mini-z sites to no avail ... there are some commercial operator features I'd like to have added to the Flipside and would be willing to help/pay/donate! If anyone has his email address and could forward it, that would be great.

arch2b · #30 09-09-2009, 12:18 PM

email me please, i'll do my best to make the connection happen for you