Good questions.
The timer has 3 distinct states:
READY - the start gate is closed and the timer has been initialized for a new race
RACING - the start gate has opened
FINISHED - all unmasked lanes have had a car cross the finish or the race was forced to end, time/place data is displayed and sent to the attached PC
Transitions from one state to the next is one way: READY -> RACING -> FINISHED -> READY...
gpraceman wrote:Indy wrote:- New: Option added where timer can be reset by closing start gate
If in the middle of timing, does the timer send the results for any cars that had finished?
No, the results are only sent once the race is completed. The (optional) 'reset timer by closing the start gate' feature only works from the FINISHED state. If the results are being manually recorded (with no attached PC) care needs to be taken that the person operating the start gate doesn't shut the gate too soon. The feature is disabled by default.
gpraceman wrote:Indy wrote:- Fix: Timer now goes into finish state if powered-up with the start gate open
Can you elaborate?
Previously if you turned on the timer with the gate open it would drop into the RACING state. You would need to force end the "race" or manually wave your hand over the detectors to move the timer into the FINISHED state. Now on power up if the timer sees the start gate open it will drop through to the FINISHED state.
gpraceman wrote:What happens if there is a power fluctuation right in the middle of timing a heat? That can act as very fast power down and then back up. Seems unlikely, but myself and some others have actually experienced this problem.
If it fluctuates enough to turn-off (or reboot) the Arduino the timer will be forced to reset and that heat will be lost.