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CTS Dolphin - Integration Overview

Paige Hansen
  • Updated

CTS_Dolphin-Logo.png     Meet Maestro Logo RGB.jpg

Understanding the integration between Meet Maestro and the CTS Dolphin Timing System will benefit you during the setup process, and troubleshooting if any issues occur before or during your meet.

Covered in this Article:

➧ Integration Overview and Requirements

➧ Integration Details

➧ Product Support

 

Integration Overview and Requirements

» IMPORTANT: Prepare early and test often to ensure your meet runs smoothly! It's imperative to complete your setup and testing many days/weeks before using it in a live meet. Doing so will provide time to resolve any issues outside of a hectic meet-day environment (and usually after hours when technical assistance is more limited).

Integration Overview Video (2min)

➞ direct link to our Meet Maestro Overview video.

 

Integration Software & Hardware Requirements

➧ Software Requirements

➧ Hardware Requirements

  • Microsoft Windows computer with Meet Maestro Desktop Application installed. (If you have a Mac with software that runs Windows, our Windows app can be run on a Mac.)
  • At least 4 GB of RAM will ensure efficient display of long reports. If you need to use a Chromebook make sure to increase the RAM (the standard 2 GB RAM cannot be used with CTS Dolphin).
  • Internet connection to open Meet Maestro and download the meet data to the local computer. The amount of data transferred is small, thus teams have had success using a mobile hotspot tethered to the laptop running Meet Maestro when there are connection issues.
  • 2 open USB ports (or 1 if not using starter adapter)
  • Two USB to RS-232 cables compatible with your computer to connect your CTS Dolphin Base Unit and Starter Adapter (if using) to your computer running Meet Maestro.

For additional technical information on our Performance Tuning, Concurrent Data Entry, Access to Reports and other Meet Maestro Settings, and Printing Tips ➞ See Meet Maestro - Technical Info: System, Internet, Concurrent Entry, Offline Support, Meet Access...

 

Integration Details

CTS Dolphin Communication Process

DOLPHIN-SETUP_MANUAL-IMAGE.png

Image Reference: https://coloradotime.com/support/manuals (Dolphin Wireless Stopwatch Swim Timing > System Set Up F911)

 

CTS Dolphin Timing Process

When you open your CTS Dolphin system for a meet, the software will assign the meet a “Meet Number," which can be found on the Settings screen (screenshot below). 

» Note: Each time the CTS Dolphin system is opened, it assigns a meet number, so if you close the CTS Dolphin system in the middle of a meet, when you open it again, you will be on a new meet number, which means your race data will now be saved to a new “meet.”

When a heat starts, the timers push the button on their CTS Dolphin timer to start the watch, or the devices start automatically with the use of a starter adapter. As the swimmers finish, the timers push the stop button and the screen of the CTS Dolphin system will display the swimmer’s time.

DOLPHIN1.png

Once the heat is completed, the system must be reset before it is ready to capture new times. The reset is what triggers the system to save the data. The times for this heat are NOT SAVED until the CTS Dolphin system is reset.

After the times are saved into the CTS Dolphin file, Meet Maestro can find that data and pull in the swim times with one click of the Load Times button in Meet Maestro! (Your CTS Dolphin must save results to the same folder Meet Maestro is loading the results from.) 

DOLPHIN-LOAD_TIMES_BUTTON.png

CTS Dolphin saves its data using a Race #. The Race number file name will look similar to this: 008-000-00F0004 (It’s good practice to write the meet number and race number down)

  • The 1st three digits - 008 - is the Meet # (created when you opened CTS Dolphin)
  • The last 4 digits - 0004 - are the Race #

 

CTS Dolphin Settings

  • The Meet # and file directory location CTS Dolphin is writing to are found in the Logging section. (This should match EXACTLY what is in Meet Maestro)
  • The Race # is found under the Event and Heat indicators.
  • CSV format must be enabled. (No other formats are required by Meet Maestro)
  • Changes are not saved until you navigate off the Settings tab to another page.
  • Beware: If you click on the "Meet #" label, it will create a new meet number, and additional settings can change (i.e., channel, and scoreboard settings).

DOLPHIN_SETTINGS.png

 

Understanding CTS Dolphin Meet and Race Numbers

➞ In the Heat Sheet example below:

  • Event 1, Heat 1 was Meet #8 (008), Race #1 (0001)
  • Event 1, Heat 2 was Meet #8 (008), Race #4 (0004)
  • Notice how there's no "0002" (Race #2) or "0003" (Race #3)
  • Every time there is a reset the Race # changes, so there were likely two false starts before Heat 2.
  • Then notice that Event 4, Heat 1 is back to Race #1. Just above that, it says 009-000-00F.
  • Since we now know that the first three digits of the file are the Meet #, CTS Dolphin has changed from Meet #8 to Meet #9. This would mean the system was closed and re-opened.

DOLPHIN-HEAT_SHEET_MARKING.png

 

Meet and Race Numbers in Meet Maestro

When you initially set up Meet Maestro to connect to CTS Dolphin the "current meet" is automatically selected (we recommend keeping this selection), but if necessary (like in the example above when the meet# changed), you can choose what Meet # and Race # you want to load from.

In Meet Maestro, the meet number is selected on the CTS Dolphin settings (shown below), and the Race # is displayed on the time entry interface. (discussed in the next section)

» Remember: to load times both the data directory AND the meet # must match between Meet Maestro and CTS Dolphin.

DOLPHIN-MEET_NUMBER.png

 

In Summary...The Main Points

One of the main things to understand is how CTS Dolphin writes (and names) files to your computer. And subsequently, how Meet Maestro reads them.

  • Please test all hardware and compatibility thoroughly before your meet! (noted in the Integration Details and Requirements above)

  • All CTS Dolphin's timing files will begin with the Meet #. Whenever CTS Dolphin is started (or restarted) it will begin writing to a new "Meet."
  • You want to ensure that CTS Dolphin is writing to the same "Directory" or folder, from which Meet Maestro is reading. If Meet Maestro is reading from the incorrect directory or "Meet," you'll either need to update the CTS Dolphin settings in Meet Maestro or update the directory or Meet # in your CTS Dolphin software (under Settings). 
  • The other main number to consider is the Race #. This is at the end of each of CTS Dolphin's timing files. Time data is loaded in the meet based on RACE NUMBER only. The race number in Meet Maestro dictates which race number file CTS Dolphin wrote will be loaded.
  • The Race # may or may not always align with the Event and Heat. There are times (false starts, combining heats) when you may need to go forward or back on your Race numbers to load the times.
  • We recommend that you jot down the race number on the heat sheet or session report to keep track throughout the meet. That way, you can go back and reference your times easier if needed.

 

Product Support

➧ Colorado Time Systems Support

If you have questions specific to your CTS Dolphin system or setup, please reference their support resources below. Meet Maestro seamlessly integrates with CTS Dolphin to pull in times, but they are the experts at helping you configure your CTS Dolphin Wireless Timing System.

➧ SwimTopia Support

If you run into issues during setup or while testing that seem related to the connection between the timing system and Meet Maestro (or you're not sure), we have multiple options to assist:

Turn on Remote Troubleshooting: If we need to get our development team involved, this could provide clues to resolve the issue you are experiencing. Click on the help "?" icon; click on the "Troubleshoot" tab and Enable Remote Support. You'll see a "Session Id:" to provide in your support ticket or phone call.

REMOTE_TROUBLESHOOT_TAB-SESSION_ID-RECORDING.png

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➞ Next Topic: CTS Dolphin - Integration Setup Guide

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