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Rubik’s Electronic Timer User Manual

Version 1.1 27 February 2005

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Table of Contents Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................ 2 I. Overview..................................................................................................................................... 3

General Layout ........................................................................................................................ 3 LCD Screen Layout................................................................................................................. 4 External Connections............................................................................................................... 5

II. Basic Operation: Timing Single Solve Attempts........................................................................ 7 Initial Timer Set Up................................................................................................................. 7 Basic Solving........................................................................................................................... 7 Pre-Inspection Timing ............................................................................................................. 8 Generating Scramble Sequences ............................................................................................. 8 Time History Database ............................................................................................................ 9

III. Averaging Modes .................................................................................................................... 11 Viewing Individual Times that Form an Average ................................................................. 11 Averaging Disabled ............................................................................................................... 11 “Rolling” Average Mode....................................................................................................... 11 “Best” Average Mode............................................................................................................ 12 Pruning Averages .................................................................................................................. 12

IV. Timer Configuration Options .................................................................................................. 13 Configuration Option: View Time History .......................................................................... 14 Configuration Option: Set Averaging Mode ........................................................................ 14 Configuration Option: Set Average Length.......................................................................... 14 Configuration Option: Set Average Pruning ........................................................................ 15 Configuration Option: Set Pre-Inspection Timing ............................................................... 15 Configuration Option: Set Pre-Inspection Duration............................................................. 16 Configuration Option: Set Live Time Display ..................................................................... 16 Configuration Option: Set Cube Type.................................................................................. 17 Configuration Option: Calibrate Photocell........................................................................... 17 Configuration Option: Set Display Contrast ........................................................................ 18 Configuration Option: External Port Mode.......................................................................... 18 Configuration Option: Set Auto Power-off Idle Time.......................................................... 18 Configuration Option: Download Font/Program Code ........................................................ 19 Configuration Option: Clear Time History Database........................................................... 19

V. Utility Software CD-ROM ...................................................................................................... 21 Installing the Support Software CD on Your PC Computer ................................................. 21 Live Display (SpeedStacks Tournament Display Simulator)................................................ 21 Downloading Font, String, and Firmware Data .................................................................... 21 Uploading the Time Database to Your PC Computer ........................................................... 21

VI. Technical Support ................................................................................................................... 22 E-mail Support ...................................................................................................................... 22 Providing Feedback ............................................................................................................... 22 Purchasing Accessories ......................................................................................................... 22 Obtaining the Latest Fonts, Strings, and Firmware ............................................................... 22

VII. FAQ ....................................................................................................................................... 23

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I. Overview Congratulations on the purchase of your new Rubik’s Electronic timer. Your timer has been designed specifically for timing Rubik’s cube speed-solves, managing your solve-time averages, and managing a database of your solve-time history. Mission Designs has worked in conjunction with SevenTowns and the Speedcubing community to create a timer is practical, useful, and intuitive to use. If you find an aspect of the timer unsatisfactory or in need of improvement, please send your comments and suggestions to us as described in the “Technical Support” section. We appreciate your feedback. SevenTowns Limited has kindly permitted the use of the Rubik’s name and trademarks on the Rubik’s electronic timer. All references to the Rubik’s name are copyrighted by SevenTowns Limited and are used by permission.

General Layout As shown below, the Rubik’s electronic timer has 4 user buttons: 2 white buttons, a black <Enter/Ready> button, and a red power button. Also shown are the puzzle pad area and the photocell sensor for detecting cube presence.

Figure 1: User Button and Puzzle Pad Layout

The red <Power> button is used to turn the Rubik’s electronic timer on and off. When the timer is powered off, all configuration settings and solve-times are saved to a database stored in non-volatile flash. These settings will be recovered when powering back on again.

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The black <Enter/Ready> button is used to indicate that you are ready to perform a new solve attempt. Before pressing the <Ready> button, the cube should already be scrambled and placed on the puzzle pad. When the <Ready> button is pressed, one of two things will happen:

1. Timing will begin when the cube is picked up 2. 15 Second inspection countdown will begin when the cube is picked up

This is dependent upon the settings in the configuration menu. Two white soft buttons have different functions depending on what you’re currently doing with the timer. These “soft” buttons usually have a 3-letter abbreviation on the right side of the LCD display to indicate what each “soft” button will do. To enter “Configuration Mode”, press both white buttons simultaneously and release them simultaneously. The Rubik’s electronic timer will then enter configuration mode. Puzzle Pad. The Rubik’s electronic timer uses a sturdy puzzle pad to measure when the puzzle is on the pad or is in the solver’s hands. The puzzle pad area is approximately 16cm x 16cm and is made of a soft and tough sponge material to absorb puzzle impacts without damaging the puzzle pad or the puzzle itself. Photocell sensor: In the center of the pad is a small hole in which a photocell is mounted to detect ambient light. When the puzzle is on the pad and covers the hole, the photocell senses darkness and the timer assumes the puzzle is on the pad. When the hole is exposed to the ambient light in the room, the timer assumes the puzzle is off the pad and in the solver’s hands. The Rubik’s electronic timer will not work properly in very low light. A normally lit room in a home will work fine. However, do not expect the timer to work with extreme accuracy in low lighting conditions such as candle-light, moonlight, etc.

LCD Screen Layout The LCD screen in the Rubik’s electronic timer is a 65 x 132 pixel graphical LCD display. Please take a few moments to note the layout of the various sections on the main display.

Figure 2: General LCD Layout of Main Screen

The title bar is shown in inverse-video across the top of the LCD display. This area identifies the current averaging mode, the average length, and the cube type (Either 3x3, 4x4, or 5x5). Also, if the timer is running on battery power, a battery icon is displayed on the left side of the title bar. When battery power is running low, the battery icon will blink to indicate new batteries will be needed soon. The battery power indicator is shown only when the timer is powered via batter. If you power the timer with the external 9 VDC connector, then this indicator will disappear.

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The message line is between the title bar and the solve-time. This area is used to indicate instructions to the user or to indicate the current status. The solve-time is displayed in the center of the LCD display in a large font. This time shows either the last solve-time (if not currently solving), or shows the live current solve-time (if currently solving). The solve-time is capable of displaying a time up to 99 minutes, 59 seconds, and 99/100ths. The averaging information line displays information on the current or best average, if averaging is enabled and if enough attempts have been performed to provide enough data. Note that if you set the average length to 10, then you do not need 10 attempts before an average is rendered in this area. Instead, you need only enough solve attempts for pruning to occur (if enabled) and then have at least one valid time to average. The averaging information line will display how many solve attempts are being used in the average, i.e. (2/10) indicates that two solve attempts are being used out of 10 required. The “soft-key” identification area displays three-letter abbreviations for the current use of the two white “soft-key” buttons. The following table enumerates the various functions available in the two “soft” buttons along with the corresponding abbreviation.

3-Letter Abbreviation

Description Of Action

When Available

SCR “Scramble”. Generates and displays a new random scramble sequence.

Main screen

AVG “Average”. Displays the individual solve-times of the current or best average.

Main screen, only after enough solve attempts have been performed to make an average.

CAN “Cancel”. Aborts the current operation and returns to the previous screen.

Various

OK “OK”. Accepts the current operation and returns to the previous screen.

Various

POP “Puzzle POP”. Indicates that the puzzle has malfunctioned during the attempt.

During the timing phase of a solve attempt

<None> Up/Down scrolling. Scrolls a selection bar through a list of items.

Rubik’s timer configuration screens and time history viewing screens

Other modes of operation use the LCD screen area slightly differently, and these different layouts are described in their respective sections of this manual.

External Connections

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Figure 3: Side Layout Showing External Connections

The battery tray can be accessed by removing the bottom cover of the Rubik’s timer control module. Four standard AA cells are required to operate the timer on battery power. Depending on use, 4 fresh alkaline batteries will provide between 60-80 hours of play time. The external power jack allows the user to power the timer through the use of a wall adapter. This jack has a 2.1mm pin and a 6.5mm barrel. When 9 volts DC (barrel=negative, tip=positive) is applied to this jack, the battery tray is disabled and power is drawn from the external supply only. The 2.5 mm communications jack allows the user to connect the Rubik’s electronic timer to external accessories such as the SpeedStacks tournament display, or a PC computer. Proper configuration must be performed in the “Timer configuration options” prior to using this port. The 3.5 mm external puzzle pad port may be connected to a remote puzzle pad. This substitutes an external puzzle pad sensor for the internal built-in puzzle pad.

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II. Basic Operation: Timing Single Solve Attempts The Rubik’s electronic timer is designed to be supremely simple to use. After a couple of short practice runs, you will be concentrating more on your cube-solving than on the timer’s operation.

Initial Timer Set Up Before using the Rubik’s timer for the first time, you must perform a few initial set up tasks. Installing batteries: Turn the timer upside down, and remove the 4 Philips-head screws that secure the rear cover to the main body of the enclosure. Remove the rear cover to reveal the battery tray. Install 4 fresh AA cell alkaline batteries, noting the correct polarity printed in the battery tray. Re-install the rear cover. Find a suitably lit place to solve. Because the timer uses ambient light to detect the cube’s presence on the puzzle-pad, you cannot use the timer in complete darkness. You are also discouraged from using the timer in extreme low-light conditions, such as candlelight or moonlight. Generally speaking, if there is enough light to see the cube, then there is plenty of light for the photocell sensor to work properly. If you want to use the timer in an extreme lighting situation such as moonlight, you will need to calibrate the photocell; details for doing this are discussed in the configuration section. For a normally lit room or daylight, the timer will work fine without any calibration.

Basic Solving Out of the box, the Rubik’s timer has pre-inspection timing disabled. This mode is described here, to keep things very simple for your first few solve attempts.

1. Set up the electronic timer as described in the section “Timer Set up”. 2. Power on the timer by pressing the red power button. 3. Press the bottom white button to generate a random scramble sequence. 4. Scramble the cube and perform your pre-inspection. 5. Place the scrambled cube on the puzzle pad, covering the photocell. 6. Press the black <Enter/Ready> button to indicate that you’re ready to begin. 7. When you are ready, pick up the cube and solve it. 8. When finished solving, return the cube to the puzzle pad, covering the photocell sensor. 9. Your time is displayed in large numbers on the timer’s LCD display.

Step 5: Cube is on Puzzle Pad, Waiting to Begin. Press CAN to Cancel Solve.

Canceling Solve Attempts. After pressing the black <Enter/Ready> button (step 5 above) to indicate that you are ready to solve, you may still cancel the solve attempt. Pressing the top white button (CAN) while the cube is still on the puzzle pad cancels the solve attempt and returns to the timer’s main screen. Once you lift the cube from the puzzle pad and timing begins, the only way to then cancel a solve attempt is to register a “puzzle-pop” (described in the next section).

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Step 7: Cube is Now Being Solved. Press POP soft-key if Puzzle Explodes.

Puzzle Pops. A puzzle pop occurs when the puzzle mechanically malfunctions during the solve attempt. If this occurs during a solve attempt, you may press the top white button (POP) as the timer is still running. DO NOT FIRST RETURN THE PUZZLE TO THE PUZZLE PAD. If you return the puzzle to the pad, then your solve attempt will be considered successful and the time will be entered into the time database as a valid solve. You must press the POP button while the timer is still counting in order to register the attempt as a puzzle-pop.

Pre-Inspection Timing The electronic timer can count down the 15 second pre-inspection time for you, if desired. See the section “Timer Configuration Options: Set Pre-Inspection Timing” for details on how to enable pre-inspection timing. Once enabled, the following sequence describes the new solve protocol.

1. Set up the electronic timer as described in the section “Timer Set up”. 2. The judge scrambles the cube and places it on the puzzle pad covering the photocell,

while keeping it covered from view with his/her hands 3. When the competitor indicates that he/she is ready, the judge presses the black

<Enter/Ready> button and removes his/her hands from the scrambled cube. At this time, pre-inspection countdown timing begins.

4. The competitor picks up the cube and pre-inspects. 5. The before making any moves on the cube, the competitor must momentarily return the

cube to the puzzle pad and pick it back up. The competitor may let go of the cube for a moment and pick it back up when ready to solve. Or, the competitor may simply tap the cube to the puzzle pad without ever releasing it from his/her hands.

6. If the pre-inspection time expires before the competitor returns the cube to the puzzle pad, then the solve attempt is disqualified and is indicated as such in the LCD display.

7. After the cube is solved, the competitor returns the cube to the puzzle pad and timing stops.

8. The competitor’s time is displayed in large numbers on the timer’s LCD display

Generating Scramble Sequences The electronic timer is capable of generating random scramble sequences for any type of cube: 3x3, 4x4, of 5x5. Scrambles for the 3x3 are 25 moves; scrambles for the 4x4 are 40 moves; scrambles for the 5x5 are 60 moves. 3x3 scrambles are always only end-face-moves (no slice moves), so 3x3 scrambles can also be used to scramble a 2x2 cube, if desired. 3x3 Scramble sequence notation. Notation for 3x3 moves is the standard U, D, L, R, T, B notation using (‘) prime to indicate counter-clockwise and (2) to indicate a 180 degree turn.

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A 3x3 Scramble Sequence

From the main screen, simply press the bottom white “soft-key” button to generate a scramble for the current type of cube. This is indicated by the mnemonic “SCR” in the LCD display. For 3x3 cubes, the 25 move scramble is shown on a single screen. For 4x4 and 5x5 cubes, the scramble is split between 2 and 3 screens respectively. The status line on the LCD will show “Scramble (1-20/60)” to indicate that this is the first of 3 screens for a 60 move scramble. To access the subsequent screens, press the bottom white button again and the scramble will advance to “Scramble (21-40/60)”. 4x4 and 5x5 Scramble Sequence Notation: Unfortunately, there is no accepted standard for describing moves for the 4x4 and 5x5 cubes. For the Rubik’s timer, the 3x3 notation is extended to describe the ability to turn 2 adjacent faces simultaneously. For example, “U” means to turn the upper face clockwise; 2U means turn both the upper 2 faces clockwise. 2U’ means turn both the upper 2 faces counter-clockwise, and 2U2 means turn both the upper 2 faces 180 degrees. The other 5 faces work the same way. This notation works nicely for cubes up to 5x5.

4x4 Scramble and 5x5 Scramble Sequences

When done viewing a scramble sequence, you may press the top white button (OK) to return to the main screen. Alternatively, you may press the black <Enter/Ready> button directly from the scramble screen to indicate you are ready to begin solving.

Time History Database The Rubik’s electronic timer maintains a database of the last 250 solve attempts. To view this database, you may enter “Solve Time History” mode with the following button sequence.

1. Simultaneously press both white buttons and release them to enter “Configuration mode” 2. You will see a list of configuration options, and “Time History” is the first one and is

already highlighted (selected). 3. Press the black <Enter/Ready> button to choose “Time History” 4. Your time history is now displayed in pages of 8 solve-times per page. 5. You may scroll through the pages using the two white buttons to scroll up and down 6. To exit time history mode, press the black <Enter/Ready> button and you will be

returned to the configuration list.

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7. Using the white buttons to navigate through the list, select (highlight) “Exit Config” and then press the black <Enter/Ready> button to return to the main screen.

Viewing the Time History Database

In addition to standard times, you may also see “POP” and “D/Q” as entries in the time database. A “POP” indicates that the POP button was pressed during a solve attempt due to mechanical malfunction of the puzzle. A “D/Q” indicates “disqualified” because the pre-inspection time expired before solving began (of course this can only happen when pre-inspection timing is enabled). The time database is maintained even when the timer is powered off. The time database is stored in non-volatile flash memory, and therefore requires no batteries or external power to maintain the data. It is also possible to upload the time database to a PC computer to be managed in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet or a Microsoft Access database. See the section titled “Uploading the Time Database” for details on this operation.

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III. Averaging Modes The Rubik’s electronic timer is capable of computing an average solving time to more accurately represent a user’s skill at speed-solving. The timer supports two averaging modes (rolling and best), along with average sample pruning. The user may configure the size of the average sample from 2 to 100 samples. An average is always taken from a series of consecutive times, and the series of times may contain at most one “pop” solve. Sample series with more than one pop are disqualified from being computed in an average. Averaging data is displayed on the main screen at the bottom status line. If there are not enough solve-times in the database to compute any average data, then “No average data” is displayed. If enough data is available to compute a “partial average” (1 or more samples available, but less than needed for a complete average), then the timer displays the partial average time followed by “(m/n)”, where “m” is the number of samples available, and “n” is the average length.

Viewing Individual Times that Form an Average When enough data is available to compute either a partial or complete average, the timer enables the (AVG) soft-key button (the top white button). Pressing the AVG soft button brings the user to a display that enumerates all the times that make up the current average displayed at the bottom of the main screen. If pruning is enabled, then the highest and lowest times are highlighted and labeled as such.

Viewing Individual Times that Form an Average

When viewing the individual times, the user may press the two white buttons to scroll through the list of times. When finished viewing the times, press the black <Enter/Ready> button to return to the main screen.

Averaging Disabled Out of the box, the electronic timer comes with averaging disabled. As the user completes solve attempts, the times are stored in the database, and no averaging data is calculated. To enable either “rolling” or “best” average modes, you must enter the timer configuration menu. See the section titled “Set averaging mode” for information on how to enable the desired averaging mode.

“Rolling” Average Mode When “rolling” average mode is enabled, the timer always computes the average from the most recent series of times in the database. For example, if the average length is 5, then the most recent 5 solve attempts are used to calculate the average time. After performing an additional

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solve attempt, the average changes to exclude the 6th most recent time and to include the new time. A rolling average may include at most one POP time. If the most recent times contain 2 or more POP times, then a partial average is calculated starting immediately after the 2nd most recent POP time. If there are not enough times in the partial average pool of times to make a partial average, then “No average data” is displayed on the timer.

“Best” Average Mode When “best” average mode is enabled, the timer searches the entire database of 250 times to find the best average of consecutive times. For example, if the average length is 5, then the timer examines times 1-5 and computes the average. Then the average of times 2-6 are examined, followed by times 3-7, 4-8, 245-249, all the way to times 246-250. Whichever consecutive 5 times have the best average, that average is displayed at the bottom of the main screen. Partial averages are not considered unless no sequence exists anywhere in the database that form a complete average, in which case a partial average is displayed only of the most recent solve-times. As with rolling average mode, an average may include at most one POP time. If a consecutive series of times contains more than one POP, then that series of times is discounted in the search for the best average.

Pruning Averages Either the “rolling” and “best” average modes may have pruning enabled or disabled. When pruning is enabled, all computed averages discount the highest and lowest times in a sequence of times. Enabling pruning increases the number of times required to form an average. For example, if the average size is length 10 and pruning is enabled, then 12 times are needed to form a complete average. All 12 times are displayed in the average detail screen with the high and low times highlighted and labeled as such. If a pop occurs somewhere in the consecutive sequence of times, then 13 times are needed to form a complete average (one of these 13 will be the POP).

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IV. Timer Configuration Options The Rubik’s electronic timer includes numerous configuration options that the user can set to control the timer’s behavior. All configuration options are saved to non-volatile flash when the timer is powered off, and are re-instated when the timer is powered back on. In this way, the timer remembers your settings, even if you remove the batteries temporarily. To enter the configuration menu, simply press both white buttons simultaneously while on the main timer screen. After pressing and releasing both buttons, the timer configuration menu is displayed. You may scroll through the option list using the white buttons as up & down controls to move the highlight bar up and down through the list. To select the highlighted option, press the black <Enter/Ready> button. Once you have entered the configuration option menu, you must select the option “Exit Configuration” to return to the main timer screen. The following table enumerates the available configuration options, the valid choices/range, and the out-of-box default. Option Name

Brief Description

Valid Range

Default

View Time History

Displays the last 250 solve-times in a scrollable list, 8 solve-times per page.

N/A N/A

Set Averaging Mode

Enables/disables averaging in either “rolling” or “best” mode.

OFF, Rolling, Best

OFF

Set Average Length

Sets the size of the averaging sample. 2 - 100 10

Set Average Pruning

Enables/disables the discarding of the high/low times in averages.

ON, OFF OFF

Set Pre-Inspection Timing

Enables/disables the timing of the pre-inspection period during each solve attempt.

ON, OFF OFF

Set Pre-Inspection Duration

Sets the duration (in seconds) of the pre-inspection period.

1 – 60 seconds

15

Set Live Time Display

Enables/disables the time display during a solve attempt.

ON, OFF ON

Set Cube Type

Sets the type of cube when generating scramble sequences.

3x3, 4x4, 5x5 3x3

Calibrate Photocell

Takes a reading of the ambient light level for extreme accuracy of start/stop detection.

1 - 250 210

Set Display Contrast

Sets the contrast of the LCD display. 1-64 36

Set External Display Port

Enables/disables the SpeedStacks external display port.

ON, OFF OFF

Set Auto Power-off Idle Time

Sets the idle time after which the timer auto-powers off (battery power only).

5 – 60 minutes

10

Download Font / Program Code

Instructs the timer to wait for a download of firmware, font, or string data.

N/A N/A

Clear Time History Database

Clears the last 250 times in the database. N/A N/A

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Configuration Option: View Time History Upon selecting “View Time History” from the configuration option menu, the timer presents a complete list of the most recent 250 times stored in the database. Each page contains 8 times, and the user may scroll through the pages of times using the two white buttons as up & down controls.

Selecting “Time History” from the Menu to View the Time History Database

When finished viewing the time history, press the black <Enter/Ready> button to return to the option configuration menu.

Configuration Option: Set Averaging Mode Upon selecting “Set Averaging Mode” from the configuration option menu, the timer presents 3 averaging mode choices: “OFF”, “Rolling”, and “Best”. Use the two white buttons to select which of the 3 modes you desire, then press the black <Enter/Ready> button to store the selection and return to the configuration options menu.

Selecting “Averaging Mode” from the Menu to Change the Averaging Mode

Selecting the averaging mode “OFF” disables averaging altogether. The timer will not display averaging information on the bottom of the main time screen. For information on the “Rolling” and “Best” averaging modes, see the section titled “Averaging Modes” in this manual.

Configuration Option: Set Average Length Upon selecting “Set Average Length” from the configuration option menu, the timer displays the current average length. Use the two white buttons to increase and decrease the length of the average until the length you desire is displayed, then press the black <Enter/Ready> button to store the new length and return to the configuration options menu.

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Selecting “Averaging Length” from the Menu to Set the Average Length

The average length option is only valid when the averaging mode is set to either “Rolling” or “Best”. Otherwise, the timer ignores the average length option. The average length is the number of solve attempts that comprise an average, not counting puzzle-pops, and not counting high/low discarded times. When “average pruning” is enabled, two additional solve-times (beyond the average length) will be used before an average is considered complete (although two times will also be ignored in the actual average calculation). If a puzzle-pop is present in the middle of an average, then one additional time (beyond the average length) will be needed before an average is considered complete.

Configuration Option: Set Average Pruning Upon selecting “Set Averaging Pruning” from the configuration option menu, the timer presents two possible choices of “ON” and “OFF”. Use the two white buttons to select the desired choice, then press the black <Enter/Ready> button to store the new choice and return to the configuration option menu.

Selecting “Average Pruning” from the Menu to Enable/Disable Pruning

The average pruning option is only valid when the averaging mode is set to either “Rolling” or “Best”. Otherwise, the timer ignores the average pruning option. When average pruning is enabled, the timer requires two additional solve attempts beyond the “average length” before the average is considered complete. Then the timer ignores the highest time and lowest time when actually calculating the average. When displaying the individual times that form an average, the high and low discarded times are labeled and highlighted as such.

Configuration Option: Set Pre-Inspection Timing Upon selecting “Set Pre-Inspection Timing” from the configuration option menu, the timer presents two possible choices of “ON” and “OFF”. Use the two white buttons to select the desired choice, then press the black <Enter/Ready> button to store the new choice and return to the configuration option menu.

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Selecting “Pre-inspection” from the Menu to Enable/Disable Pre-inspection

This option enables or disables pre-inspection timing. The pre-inspection time is set by the configuration option “pre-inspection duration”. If the pre-inspection time elapses before solving begins, the timer records a disqualification (“D/Q”) in the time history database. See the section “Basic operation” for more information on the logistics of using pre-inspection timing.

Configuration Option: Set Pre-Inspection Duration Upon selecting “Set Pre-Inspection Duration” from the configuration option menu, the timer displays the current pre-inspection duration (in seconds). Use the two white buttons to increase and decrease the duration until the duration you desire is displayed, then press the black <Enter/Ready> button to store the new duration and return to the configuration options menu.

Selecting “Pre-inspection Time” from the Menu to set the Pre-inspection Time

The “pre-inspection duration” option is only valid when the “pre-inspection timing” is set to “ON”. Otherwise, the timer ignores the “pre-inspection duration” option. See the section “Basic operation” for more information on the logistics of using pre-inspection timing.

Configuration Option: Set Live Time Display Upon selecting “Set Live Time Display” from the configuration option menu, the timer presents two possible choices of “ON” and “OFF”. Use the two white buttons to select the desired choice, then press the black <Enter/Ready> button to store the new choice and return to the configuration option menu.

Selecting “Live Display” from the Menu to Enable/Disable Live Time Display

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When the live time display is “ON” (the default), then the timer displays a continuous time counting as the cube is being solved. When set to “OFF”, the timer displays a blank screen during solving until the cube is returned to the puzzle pad after solving is complete, at which time the timer displays the final solve-time.

Configuration Option: Set Cube Type Upon selecting “Set Cube Type” from the configuration option menu, the timer presents 3 cube type choices: “3x3”, “4x4”, and “5x5”. Use the two white buttons to select which of the 3 cube types you desire, then press the black <Enter/Ready> button to store the selection and return to the configuration options menu.

Selecting “Cube Type” from the Menu to Change the Cube Type

The cube type option only affects the scramble sequences that are generated when pressing the “SCR” soft key button. See the section titled, “generating scramble sequences” for more information on interpreting scramble moves.

Configuration Option: Calibrate Photocell Upon selecting “Calibrate Photocell” from the configuration option menu, the timer instructs the user to hold the cube 1 cm above the center of the puzzle pad. After holding the cube in this position, press the black <Enter/Ready> button to calibrate the photocell.

Selecting “Calibrate Photocell” from the Menu to Calibrate the Photocell

This is really only necessary in official competitions where world or national records are at stake. For casual solving, it is generally not necessary to calibrate the photocell every time a new lighting situation is encountered because the lighting in an average room is fine for most lighting situations. However, if you calibrate the photocell in direct sunlight, and then take the timer into a dimly lit room at night, there will be a very small (probably unnoticeable) difference as to when the timer turns on and off during a solve attempt.

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Configuration Option: Set Display Contrast Upon selecting “Set Display Contrast” from the configuration option menu, the timer displays the current contrast setting (an integer from 0 – 63). Use the two white buttons to increase and decrease the contrast until you obtain a reasonable LCD contrast, then press the black <Enter/Ready> button to store the new contrast level and return to the configuration options menu.

Selecting “Display Contrast” from the Menu to Adjust the LCD Contrast

Configuration Option: External Port Mode Upon selecting “External Port Mode” from the configuration option menu, the timer presents two possible choices of “ON” and “OFF”. Use the two white buttons to select the desired choice, then press the black <Enter/Ready> button to store the new choice and return to the configuration option menu.

Selecting “External Port” from the Menu to Enable/Disable SpeedStacks Display

When the external port is enabled, the timer will send information out the RS-232 port to drive the SpeedStacks tournament display. It will also drive the “Live Display” tab of the software utility program that comes on the CD-ROM (SpeedStacks tournament display emulator). For the external RS-232 port to function correctly, you must power the timer via the external power connector. When operating under battery power, the external port is disabled.

Configuration Option: Set Auto Power-off Idle Time Upon selecting “Set Auto Power-off Idle Time” from the configuration option menu, the timer displays the current auto-power-off idle time (in minutes). Use the two white buttons to increase and decrease the idle minutes until the time you desire is displayed, then press the black <Enter/Ready> button to store the new idle time and return to the configuration options menu.

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Selecting “Power-Off Time” from the Menu to Configure Auto-Power-Off

When operating under battery power, the timer will automatically shut itself off after being idle (no buttons depressed) for the number of minutes configured in this option. Pressing any button on the timer resets the idle time. When operating under external power, the timer never automatically powers off.

Configuration Option: Download Font/Program Code Upon selecting “Download Font/Program Code from the configuration option menu, the timer presents two possible choices of “Execute” and “Cancel”. Use the two white buttons to select the desired choice, and then press the black <Enter/Ready> button to execute.

Selecting “Download” from the Menu to Download Data to the Timer

After selecting “Execute”, the timer waits for a download to be initiated by a PC computer that must be connected to the RS-232 port. The utility CD-ROM comes with software that initiates these downloads. See the section titled “Utility Software CD-ROM” for more information on download program code, font data, or string data. In order to download data to the timer, you must power the timer via the external power jack. If operating under battery power, then the download port will not work correctly.

Configuration Option: Clear Time History Database Upon selecting “Clear Time History Database” from the configuration option menu, the timer presents two possible choices of “Execute” and “Cancel”. Use the two white buttons to select the desired choice, and then press the black <Enter/Ready> button to execute.

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Selecting “Clear History” from the Menu to Clear the Time Database After selecting “Execute”, the timer clears the entire time history database of all 250 stored times. All average data is lost at this time. Configuration option settings are not affected and remain intact.

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V. Utility Software CD-ROM The Rubik’s electronic timer comes with a CD-ROM that includes software for use with the timer. This software enables downloading new firmware code into the timer, downloading new fonts into the timer, uploading the time database from the timer to an Excel spreadsheet or Access database. The software also includes a SpeedStacks simulator to allow the use of a PC computer to display live times. To connect a PC to the timer, you must 1) have the RS-232 cable accessory, and 2) power the timer through the external power connector. The RS-232 cable may be purchased along with the other timer accessories. When connecting the timer to a computer through the RS-232 interface, you must power the timer via the external power connector. If the timer is powered via battery, then the RS-232 interface will not work.

Installing the Support Software CD on Your PC Computer TBD

Live Display (SpeedStacks Tournament Display Simulator) TBD

Downloading Font, String, and Firmware Data TBD

Uploading the Time Database to Your PC Computer TBD

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VI. Technical Support E-mail Support TBD

Providing Feedback TBD

Purchasing Accessories TBD

Obtaining the Latest Fonts, Strings, and Firmware TBD

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VII. FAQ How long can the timer run? The timer can display and store times up to 99 minutes, 59 seconds, and 99/100ths. When this time is reached in a single solve attempt, timing automatically stops. Note that such a long time is only possible when the timer is powered by the external 9 VDC power jack. When the timer is powered via batteries, the timer will automatically power itself off after the idle-time elapses. How long will a fresh set of four AA batteries last? The timer’s microcontroller runs at 18.432 MHz, which is necessary to drive a graphical LCD, and this speed uses lots of battery power. Depending on how continuously you use the timer, a fresh set of alkaline batteries will last between 60 and 80 hours of play time. How accurate is the timing? The photocell’s response time is approximately 15 microseconds, or 0.000015 seconds. That means that timing begins 0.000015 seconds after light hits the photocell, and timing ends 0.000015 seconds after the photocell is dark. This error is insignificant and furthermore, these (insignificant) errors actually cancel each other out. Also, timing accuracy drifts as time accumulates during a single solve attempt. At 25 degrees C, the timer drifts at a rate of approximately 30 parts-per-million (PPM). This is roughly equivalent to about 0.002 seconds of error per minute that that timer is running. This level of accuracy is typical of quartz-driven watches and clocks. Why doesn’t my serial cable or SpeedStacks display work? You must power the timer with the external 9 VDC power jack to use the SpeedStacks tournament display, or to connect the timer to your PC computer. Battery power is insufficient to use the RS-232 communications port. I have a blinking square on my LCD screen and nothing works; what happened? In the extremely unlikely event that your timer malfunctions in any way that it cannot recover itself, a blinking square is displayed on the LCD screen, and none of the buttons will work. The timer is waiting for a new download of font and string data to reset itself. You should download the latest font and string data, as described in the previous section. My puzzle pad is getting dirty and beat up; can I buy a replacement pad? Yes. Replacement puzzle pads are available as a timer accessory. When I disconnect external power, why does the timer shut off even though I have batteries installed? If the timer is running on batteries and you plug the external 9 VDC jack in, then the timer will power off. If the timer is running on the 9 VDC external supply and you unplug the supply, the timer will power off, even if batteries are installed. When I press the up/down buttons extremely quickly, why does skip button presses every once in a while? The microcontroller that runs the timing software has been down-clocked to 18.432 MHz to keep battery usage at a reasonable level. At this speed, it takes a little less than 1/10th second to redraw every pixel on the graphical LCD screen for each button press. If you press buttons more rapidly than the timer can draw the LCD pixels, the button-presses are ignored.

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Can I create a new font for my timer? Yes. The Rubik’s timer supports two fonts: the primary small-text font and the larger font that is used to display solve-times. A document is available from the technical support area that describes how to create a new font. Be aware that downloading a non-functional font can result in the timer becoming un-usable; if this occurs, you will need to ship your timer to the factory for repair. Can I get the source code for the timer’s firmware? No. The source code of the firmware that drives the timer will not be made public. If you have suggestions for new timer features, please submit them to technical support. Every attempt will be made to incorporate useful new features that benefit the speedcubing community. Can the text that appears on the LCD be translated to other languages? Yes. If you provide Mission Designs with a translation of every text string using the English alphabet, then a string download data file will be provided. The string file is downloaded as with any font or program file. Contact technical support to obtain more information about language translations.

rubik’s electronic timer user manualmission-designs.com/timer/usermanual1_1.pdfrubik’s...

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