ALGE-Timing OPTIc2 User manual

Version-E130410
Manual

Photo Finish OPTIc2
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Important Information
General
Before using your ALGE-TIMING device read the complete manual carefully. It is part of the device and
contains important information about installation, safety and its intended use. This manual cannot cov-
er all conceivable applications. For further information or in case of problems that are mentioned not at
all or not sufficiently detailed, please contact your ALGE-TIMING representative. You can find contact
details on our homepage www.alge-timing.com
Safety
Apart from the information of this manual all general safety and accident prevention regulations of the
legislator must be taken into account.
The device must only be used by trained persons. The setting-up and installation must only be exe-
cuted according to the manufacturer’s data.
Intended Use
The device must only be used for its intended applications. Technical modifications and any misuse
are prohibited because of the risks involved! ALGE-TIMING is not liable for damages that are caused by
improper use or incorrect operation.
Power supply
The stated voltage on the type plate must correspond to voltage of the power source. Check all con-
nections and plugs before usage. Damaged connection wires must be replaced immediately by an
authorized electrician. The device must only be connected to an electric supply that has been installed
by an electrician according to IEC 60364-1. Never touch the mains plug with wet hands! Never touch
live parts!
Cleaning
Please clean the outside of the device only with a smooth cloth. Detergents can cause damage. Never
submerge in water, never open or clean with wet cloth. The cleaning must not be carried out by hose
or high-pressure (risk of short circuits or other damage).
Liability Limitations
All technical information, data and information for installation and operation correspond to the latest
status at time of printing and are made in all conscience considering our past experience and
knowledge. Information, pictures and description do not entitle to base any claims. The manufacturer
is not liable for damage due to failure to observe the manual, improper use, incorrect repairs, technical
modifications, use of unauthorized spare parts. Translations are made in all conscience. We assume
no liability for translation mistakes, even if the translation is carried out by us or on our behalf.
Disposal
If a label is placed on the device showing a crossed out dustbin on wheels (see drawing), the
European directive 2002/96/EG applies for this device.
Please get informed about the applicable regulations for separate collection of electrical and
electronical waste in your country and do not dispose of the old devices as household waste.
Correct disposal of old equipment protects the environment and humans against negative
consequences!
Copyright by
ALGE-TIMING
GmbH
All rights reserved. Any duplication, either in full or in part, requires the prior written consent of the
copyright holder.

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Model OPTIc2 Model OPTIc2o
Model OPTIc2n
1......IEEE 1394b 9-pol bilingual (2 x)
2......IEEE 1394a 6-pol
3......GOF (LC duplex glass optical fiber connecter)
4......Socket for motor zoom
5......Socket for photocell (2 x)
6......Fuse for camera - F1 T1.6A
7......Input for external power supply (+9 to 36 VDC)
8......LED for OK status
9......Banana Socket – Data output for display board
10....Banana Socket – Finish Impulse
11....Banana Socket – Start Impulse (2 x)
12....Spirit level
13....Sight to aim the camera at the finish line
14....RJ45 socket for CAT5 cable

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Table of Contents
1Introduction.................................................................................................................. 6
1.1 Models ..................................................................................................................................... 6
1.2 Components of the System..................................................................................................... 6
1.3 System Requirements ............................................................................................................. 7
1.4 Accessory................................................................................................................................ 7
1.5 Function................................................................................................................................... 8
2Camera Position........................................................................................................... 9
2.1 Lens Angle............................................................................................................................. 10
2.2 Focusing the Camera............................................................................................................ 11
2.2.1 Adjustment of Focus (Aperture)....................................................................................................... 11
2.2.2 Scan Rate........................................................................................................................................ 11
2.3 Sports with Individual Starts.................................................................................................. 12
2.4 Track and Field (Athletics)..................................................................................................... 12
2.4.1 Zero Control for Athletics (Start Control):......................................................................................... 16
2.5 Horse Races.......................................................................................................................... 17
2.6 Rowing or Canoe................................................................................................................... 17
2.7 Cycling Races........................................................................................................................ 17
3Connection of the Camera..........................................................................................18
3.1 Camera connected to IEEE1394........................................................................................... 18
3.2 Camera connected to an optical cable.................................................................................. 18
3.3 Camera connected with Network cable................................................................................. 19
3.4 Connection of several cameras............................................................................................. 19
4Setting of the Camera.................................................................................................20
4.1 Possible Camera Settings:.................................................................................................... 20
4.2 Image Adjustments:............................................................................................................... 23
4.3 Motorzoom and Electronic Gear Head.................................................................................. 24
4.3.1 Motorzoom:...................................................................................................................................... 24
4.3.2 Gear Head....................................................................................................................................... 24
5PC-Software for OPTIc2..............................................................................................25
5.1 Menus of the Software........................................................................................................... 26
5.1.1 Menu <File>..................................................................................................................................... 26
5.1.2 Menu <Race>.................................................................................................................................. 27
5.1.3 Menu <Work>.................................................................................................................................. 27
5.1.4 Menu < Image Evaluation >............................................................................................................. 27
5.1.5 Menu <Image>................................................................................................................................. 28
5.1.6 Menu <System>............................................................................................................................... 29
5.1.7 Menu <Show>.................................................................................................................................. 32
5.1.8 Menu <Window>.............................................................................................................................. 33
6Executing a race..........................................................................................................34
7Evaluation....................................................................................................................35
7.1 Showing the Time Line on the Screen .................................................................................. 35
7.2 Time Window......................................................................................................................... 35
7.3 Transfer Times to the Competitor List................................................................................... 35
7.3.1 Manual Evaluation........................................................................................................................... 35
7.3.2 Lane Evaluation............................................................................................................................... 36
7.3.3 Start Number Evaluation.................................................................................................................. 37
8How to keep the OPTIc2 updated...............................................................................38
8.1 Direct links to download the updates..................................................................................... 39
8.2 Update of the OPTIc2 PC-Software ...................................................................................... 39
8.3 Update of the Camera........................................................................................................... 39
9Technical Data of the OPTIc2n...................................................................................40

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10 Accessories for Photo Finish .................................................................................42
10.1 IEEE 1394 PC-Interface ........................................................................................................ 42
10.2 IEEE 1394 Cable and Connections....................................................................................... 43
10.3 Network Cable with RJ45 Plug.............................................................................................. 44
10.4 Optical Cable and Fiber Optic Adapter.................................................................................. 44
10.5 Lenses for the OPTIc2........................................................................................................... 45
10.6 Tripod and Gear Head........................................................................................................... 45
10.7 Distribution Box OCD2: ......................................................................................................... 46
10.7.1 Connections of the Distribution Box OCD2:................................................................................. 47
10.7.2 Examples for the Connection of the Camera............................................................................... 48
10.7.3 Technical Data of the Distribution Box OCD2.............................................................................. 50

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1 Introduction
The ALGE OPTIc2 system is an electronic photo finish system with integrated evaluation soft-
ware. The Line Scan Camera (CCD image sensor) scans every movement on the finish line,
records it on the hard disk of the PC and displays it on the PC screen. It is always possible to
print the picture.
The photo finish system is built with latest technology. The camera has an improved CCD-
line scan sensor that is suited to take excellent pictures at all possible light conditions. The
system allows up to 3000 lines per second. A vertical resolution is possible of up to 1360
pixel at 16.8 million colors (24 bit).
1.1 Models
We offer three photo finish cameras. The standard model OPTIc2 has only standard firewire
connections (IEEE1395), whereas the model OPTIc2o additionally has an optical firewire
connection (for long distance between camera and PC).
OPTIc2:
The standard model has firewire connections (IEEE 1394) to connect a PC.
The maximum cable length for such a cable is 10 m. ALGE offers longer cables
with integrated repeaters.
OPTIc2n:
This model has in addition to the firewire connections (IEEE1394) an optical
connection GOF (LC duplex glass optical fiber connector) and a connection for
a network cable with RJ45 plug. This allows transmitting data with a CAT7 ca-
ble over a distance of up to 80 m.
OPTIc2o:
This model has in addition to the standard firewire connections (IEEE1394) an
optical connection GOF (LC duplex glass optical fibre connector). This allows
transmitting data form the camera over a distance up to 300 m.
1.2 Components of the System
The OPTIc2, OPTIc2o and OPTIc2n include the following parts:
•Photo finish camera OPTIc2, OPTIc2o or OPTIc2n
•C-Mount adapter (between lens and camera)
•OPTIc2 CD with PC-software and manual

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1.3 System Requirements
PC Requirements:
•Intel Pentium 4 or Athlon or faster
Attention: The system does not run with a Celeron processor!
•Windows XP with service pack 3, Windows Vista (Servicepack 2) or Windows 7 (32
or 64 Bit version)
•512 MB RAM (the higher the better)
•Hard disk with min. 80 GB (the faster the hard disk, the longer the recording time)
•CD-Player
•Keyboard for PC
•Mouse for PC
•Graphic board with min. 32 MB RAM
•Monitor with min. 1024 x 768 resolution and true color
•OHCI compatible IEEE 1394 interface
•Color printer to print the pictures and result lists (color laser or ink jet)
1.4 Accessory
For the all OPTIc models we can offer several additional products. Please contact your ALGE-
dealer for further details:
•IEEE 1394 PCI card for inserting in the PC
•IEEE 1394 PC-card for notebooks
•Camera tripod TRIMAN for camera
•Gear head 410 for camera adjustment (3-dimensional camera adjustment)
•Motor Zoom MZ75 (12.5 - 160 mm / F1.2), remote control from PC
•Motor Zoom MZ160 (16 - 160 mm / F1.8 – 1400), remote control von PC
•Wide angle lens L8.5 (8.5 mm / F1.0)
•Weather protection case for camera
•Different IEEE1394 cable
•Adapter RJ45-1394 from IEEE1394 cable to network cable
•Adapter GLAS1394 from IEEE1394 cable to glass optical fibre cable
•Cables and cable reels with network cable
•Cables and cable reels with glass optical fiber cable
•Startmicrophone SM8
•Startgun STP with 9 mm or 6 mm blanks
•Speech Amplifier SV4/SM
•Headset HS2-2 or HS2-1
•Photocell PR1a-R (Distance: 1 to 25 m)
•Photocell PR1a-d (Distance: up to 150 m)
•3-fold Photocell RLS3c with tripod (for athletics)
•Push Button 020-02
•Numerical Display Boards (e. g. GAZ4 or D-LINE)
•Matrix Display Systems for stadiums
•Cable Reel with 2-core steel cable (extra strong military production)
•Anemometer Windspeed WS2

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1.5 Function
The line scan camera has not the usual aerial sensor (e.g. like a video camera), but a CCD-
line scan sensor. The photo finish camera does not record a complete picture at once, but
only one vertical line. The recording speed for this vertical line is adjustable until up to 3000
times per second. Each line is stored on the hard disk and is shown on the screen in chrono-
logical order. If something moves in front of the camera (e.g. an athlete) you receive a picture
of it. Each vertical line is allocated to a time.
The following example shows how a picture is recorded. If you use a scan rate of 1/1000
seconds it means that the finish line is scanned 1000 times per second. Each of these pic-
tures records a small piece of the object. If the speed is adjusted correctly, it shows the ob-
ject in the right size.
The next example shows the same object, but now crossing the finish line with a higher
speed and the same scan rate of 1/1000. The shape of the recorded picture depends on the
speed of the picture and the scan rate. Therefore, it is very important to record with the cor-
rect scan rate to get the realistic shape of the image. The image below shows the object
shortened if using the same scan rate as at a faster speed. Of course, the object is scanned
less often under such circumstances.
Part of the OPTIc2 is an electronic image processing system. The recorded picture is stored
on the hard disk of the PC (bitmap format) and can be printed anytime with a printer that
supports Windows.

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2 Camera Position
The camera of the photo finish system must be set exactly on a straight line with the finish
line. Depending on the sport discipline it needs a different angle to the finish line (2.1 Lens
Angle).
The picture above shows the camera straight to the finish line. This is the correct way to set
the camera.
The picture below shows the camera not straight to the finish line. This is not a correct set
up!

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2.1 Lens Angle
The lens angle is the recording angle of
the camera lens in vertical direction.
To select the right lens for the camera
the lens angle is most important. A
zoom lens has a variable lens angle, a
fix lens has not.
From the horizontal distance of the camera to the finish line (L1), the width of the finish and
the camera height the camera angle can be calculated.
Our most commonly used C-Mount zoom lens Z75 has an adjustable camera angle from 7°
(75 mm) to 31° (12.5 mm).
Camera angles for C-Mount Lenses:
•8.5 mm 1360 pixel resolution about 58°
•12.5 mm 1360 pixel resolution about 31°
•16 mm 1360 pixel resolution about 28°
•75 mm 1360 pixel resolution about 7°
•160 mm 1360 pixel resolution about 3°
To adjust the camera it is very important that the camera is horizontally leveled. To guaran-
tee this, the camera is equipped with a spirit level on its back.