Quick Start Set-up Guide EliteFLEX MPro-Score Master & Pro Score

EliteScore™ is a complete, all wireless gymnastics scoring system for both men and women’s artistic gymnastics specifically designed to collect scores from event judges, populate the scoring program database, and display scores to an alpha-numeric, digital scoreboard. The heart of the system is the EliteFLEX MPRO software application which is integrated with the scoring program and provides Wi-Fi networking to the scoring computer, Palm™ pilot score pads, and the scoreboard. EliteFLEX MPRO (for Multi-PROgram) gives you a choice of the popular scoring programs Score Master™ and Pro Score™. ScoreKeeper™ is also supported for the CollegiateScore™ Series of scoring systems.

This Quick Start Guide is designed to give the user helpful tips and techniques for starting up and operating the system. This includes help in operating the three (3) main system components:

An individual event MDX model scoreboard (Model MDX II, IV, VI which all support women’s and men’s competitions). Shown below is the popular MDC IV four (4) line board. A portable version is available for rentals.
Wi-Fi Router and Scoring Computer running the scoring program of choice and EliteFLEX MPO.
Wi-Fi Palm Pilots at each event to send scores from the judges.

The scoreboard is networked over a private, secure Wi-Fi network to the master scoring computer running the scoring program. YOU DO NOT USE YOUR GYMS NETWORK other than to connect to the internet if you choose to use the score text messaging feature. The EliteFLEX MPRO software includes Flex Text™ to text message competitor scores, real-time to subscriber’s mobile phones!

Wi-Fi Palm Pilots (TX model) serve as the judges score input key pads which send the events scores directly to the scoring computer. Optionally, you may upgrade to Net Book computers at each event for judges score entry. Net Book Mini-Max system provides a great platform for both gymnastic event score input from the judge’s event table plus the ability to access the central score programs meet database for inquires and reports on the meet status.

For detailed user instructions and details on technical matters please read v4.0 User Manual found in .pdf format and contained on CD shipped with your system. Should you need to speak with a factory customer service representative please call (913) 302- 4200.

Start-up Steps

Rule #1: Do not wait until the night before a gymnastics competition to test your system. It is advised you do a complete system test with the meet database one week prior to the event. If you are renting from Elite, all equipment will arrive the week before your meet.

Lack of planning and preparation on your part does not constitute a crisis for the Elite Technology Support Team!! We may not be available to help on a moment’s notice.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you have changed or plan to change scoring computers for the season, you will need to install EliteFLEX MPRO, a legal licensed copy of your scoring program and EliteFLEX Client for manual score input. Remember, we do not support the VISTA operating system. Windows XP or Windows 7 please! We have two versions of EliteFLEX MPRO: one for 64 bit Windows 7 machines and one for 32 bit (x86) XP and Windows 7 machines. EliteFLEX MPRO also requires SQL Express 2008 as a prerequisite to operate EliteFLEX MPRO. Call the factory is you need help installing any of this software. If you are not sure, CALL!

If you have already loaded the software programs, the scoring system will not work unless you remembered to set up your router to assign your new computer the IP address 192.168.127.100. It is your computers Ethernet adapter LAN MAC address which is gets this reservation. The User Manual on the CD shipped with your system explains how make this setting using the Netgear router set-up wizard...

PLEASE SEE Chapter 6

Apply power to the Scoreboard. Once the scoreboard is set in proper position, secured on its tri-pods plug the into a 120VAC power source. (At the completion of the meet, it’s recommended that the scoreboards be unplugged.). As the scoreboard initializes watch the line address assignments flash and make sure each of the scoreboard display lines shows addresses 01-04 (top to bottom). The internal Wi-Fi radio will initialize and be ready for operation in about 15 seconds.

Start Network. Power-up the Netgear Router and when the “Blue LEDs” are flashing the FLEX network (SSID: FLEX) is ready. SSID’s for rental units use color names.

Connect Scoring Computer to Router. Using the short Cat 5e cable, connect the computer’s LAN port to a LAN port on the router. DO NOT PLUG INTO THE INTERNET Port on router!

Boot Scoring Computer. Next, power on the scoring computer; the following network checks are optional:
- Test Scoreboard Communication. Again, with a command prompt you can now “ping” the scoreboard to make sure it has connected to FLEX network and responding. Using the command prompt you type: ping 192.168.127.254. This is scoreboard radio’s address. Alternatively, you can check “on-line “status in EliteFLEX MPRO application.
  
  If you get replies, then the Wi-Fi Radio in the scoreboard is “awake, connected, and ready to go”. If the “ping” requests time out, than the radio in the scoreboard may have come unplugged, power is not on the scoreboard, antenna is loose, or perhaps the IP address setting in the EliteFLEX MPRO software is not set to 192.169.127.254, Port 2001.
  
  With front access to the scoreboard’s interior (upper left corner behind Lexan front cover) you can do a visual check on the Wi-Fi radio to confirm it is connected to the FLEX network. The Blue led will be lit when the radio is connected to the network.
  
  There is also a scoreboard status indicator in the EliteFLEX MPRO program which can be used to verify scoreboard is “on-line”. To be shown later.
Launch Scoring Program. First, open the scoring program (Score Master™ or Pro Score™) from the desktop icon.

Second, select the proper “meet” database. Important the correct meet be selected prior to opening the EliteFLEX MPRO program as it will look for the selected meet and establish connection to that database.
Launch EliteFLEX MPRO. You are now ready to open EliteFLEX MPRO (v3.14.10 current 1-20-12) from the desktop icon.

This program must be running to receive scores from the Palm Pilots, deliver them to the scoring program, and send Scores and Messages to the Scoreboards. DO NOT SHUT THIS PROGRAM DOWN DURING A MEET!

The following screen is the Main interface for the EliteFLEX MPRO program. All scoreboard settings are made from this screen and this is also the screen where you monitor incoming scores from the Palm Pilots. Please verify the title bar properly displays the meet you are scoring and the correct scoring program.

To change the scoring program EliteFLEX MPRO will operate, the program selection is made under “File” and “Set-up”. Use the pull down menu to select the correct scoring program then shut down EliteFLEX MRO and reopen so it can re-establish the connection to the selected program. You can verify the scoring program selection and connection by viewing in the title bar.

IMPORTANT: Should you change the selected meet in the scoring program after EliteFLEX MPRO has been opened, you must shut down EliteFLEX MPRO and re-open in order to attach to the new meet. Also, Pro Score users must remember to re-start EliteFLEX MPRO should they change the gender of a meet, the number of scores to be entered and/or the the number of attempts for an event. Pro Score will allow you to two attempts on any event. Rule of thumb, if you make a change to meet parameters or change a meet in either program, remember to shut down EliteFLEX MPRO and restart.
Operation of EliteFLEX MPRO. Scoreboard display settings are made from “Scoreboard>Setup” menu:

The scoreboard can be used to flash user messages or predefined animation accessed by “Scoreboard>Quick Message…”

Other functions under “Scoreboard” include checking “status” of your scoreboard communications and the ability to “clear” messages or scores once a rotation has been completed.

The “Score Queue..” function is an important diagnostic tool as it allows a view of received scores awaiting transmission to the scoreboard. It is essentially a helpful traffic monitor. A build up of scores signals broken communication with the scoreboard or the need to shorten the time set in the Update Interval timer in “Scoreboard>Setup”.

This timer can help pace a meet to insure each competitor gets approximately the same amount of display time on the scoreboard. The typical setting is 3-5 seconds. Higher settings can possible cause a buildup of scores. EliteFLEX MPRO receives scores from the Palm Pilots, writes them to the scoring program database, and then transmits them to the scoreboard. The scoreboard radio will acknowledge receipt of the score which will remove the score from the Score Queue. An event score remains on the scoreboard until the next score for that event is received only delayed by the amount of time in the update interval timer.

Text Message Scores- Please see User Manual for how to use this feature.

The Clear Log function is used to clear the scores received in the incoming score window. This is typically done at the completion of each session as this archive is for monitoring purposes only as the scores are safely in the database before they are posted in the incoming window.
Using EliteFLEX Client for Manual Score Input. You may open this program if you wish to enter scores from the central scoring computer and have them flashed to the scoreboards.

The program is always a backup should you have a problem with a Palm Pilot or need to correct a score entry without going to the events judges station. You must select an event for each score entry or for large volumes of scores for one event you can mouse over the event and right click to lock in the desired event. Mouse over and right click to release the lock.

The EliteFLEX Client must be set to the scoring computers IP address 192.168.127.100 to communicate with EliteFLEX MPro. The EliteFLEX Client can also be installed on other wireless laptops and be used as a replacement terminal for the Palm Pilot(s).
Initialize & Configure Palm Pilots. If you are unfamiliar with the operation and use of the Palm PDA, it is suggested you read the Palm TX User Guide sections provided in this manual Appendix or consult the Palm One Web site, www.palmone.com.

WHEN OPERATING THE PALM PILOT TOUCHSCREEN WITH THE STYLUS, DO NOT PUSH HARD. A LIGHT TOUCH IS ALL THAT IS REQUIRED. ONLY USE THE PLASTIC STYLUS PROVIDED TO OPERATE THE PALM. FAILURE TO DO SO CAN PERMANENTLY DAMAGE THE PALM TOUCH SCREEEN SURFACE. SURFACE DAMAGE IS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY!!!

Touching the Elite Wireless Icon on the home screen will bring up the Palm’s main keyboard. The banner header in upper left corner of this screen “Elite Technology” is where you press with the stylus to reveal the pull down menu that gains access to the ”Setup” screen.

Touching the Elite Wireless Icon on the home screen will bring up the Palm’s main keyboard. The banner header in upper left corner of this screen “Elite Technology” is where you press with the stylus to reveal the pull down menu that gains access to the ”Setup” screen.

By pressing the “Setup” Menu item with the stylus, the main setup screen will appear allowing access to the critical meet set-up parameters. Each Palm must be setup identically except for the event selection which will be vary as there will be one Palm dedicated for each event. Note that on the main keyboard screen the upper left title bar will indicate which event is selected.

Selections are made by simply pressing the designated areas with the stylus and when the set-up is complete, press “OK” to remember parameters and initialize the Palm. For the screen shown above, the Palm is set for one judge, a women’s competition, scoreboard to be operated by the computer, communicating with IP Address 192.168.127.100 and is programmed to send Vault scores only.

Warning: Each Palm must be set to the correct number of judges that will score an event. The number of judges selected must match the corresponding number of scores to be entered a set up in Score Master or Pro Score.

The Palm allows you to select AVG, 1, 2, or a 4-judge format for an event. The 4-judge set-up requires entry of all four judges scores although the Palm will average only the two middle scores on the Palm display prior to sending. All four (4) scores are sent and recorded in the scoring program but the high and low scores are disregarded by rule when calculating the gymnast average score.

AVG. is selected should you wish to directly enter the average of two scores. Example: J1= 9.30 and J2= 9.25 AVG. = 9.275. The Palm if set to 2 judges will calculate the average, however, both scores will be sent.

For more detail on score entry, please see Chapter 8 in the User Manual contained on the CD provided with the system.
You are now ready to score the meet!

Helpful Tips

It is highly recommended you print event rotation heat sheets and write down the judge’s scores prior to sending via the Palm Pilot. At the end of each rotation, you should compare the heat sheet scores for each competitor against a score verification report printed for that rotation. This is a comparison of the received electronic scores against the written scores recorded at the judge’s stations. Any difference should be quickly investigated using the judge’s slips as the audit tool.
Remember to enter a test gymnast competitor number in the meet database. This will allow those being trained to use the Palm Pilots to enter and flash scores without needing to worry about overwriting the test scores when competition begins.
Make sure the EliteFLEX MPRO program is always running and attached to the correct meet database. An inadvertent shut down of the router will also stop the system. After you first open EliteFLEX MPRO check communications status with the scoreboard to make sure it is “online”.
A common mistake is a mismatch between number of judge’s scores to be entered and the settings on the Palms and the EliteFLEX Client program. If your scoring program is set for two judges, set your Palm Pilots for two judges!
Perhaps the most fatal of all errors is placing an event Palm on the wrong event score table! Double check that the Vault Palm Pilot is placed on the Vault scoring table and so on with all other events.
A fully charged Palm Pilot will operate with Wi-Fi turned on for 4-5 hours. If you have a meet lasting longer, introduce your spare Palm Pilot after the first rotation returning one Palm to recharge. You can easily swap out all Palm Pilots and maintain battery life for the length of the meet.
Remember to use the EliteFLEX Client score input program on the scoring laptop should you have any difficulties with the Palms. Caution: you must set the meet type (women’s or men’s) and the number of judge scores to be input correctly.
The Microsoft supplied Firewall must be turned off as must any other security package (Norton, MacAfee, etc.) If the Firewall is turned on the Palms will be blocked and you will get an error message: “Unable to send scores 2”. The firewall can be turned off by going to “Start > Control Panel > Security Center.

Thank You for your purchase or rental of EliteScore! Call if you need assistance as customer satisfaction is our goal! Call 913.302.4200 anytime!

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