Using Bridgemates with Scorebridge

Using Bridgemates with Scorebridge

Contents

Page

1. General Overview2

2. Pre-session Preparation

A. Bridgemates3

B. Server(s)4

C. Communication & BM Pro Preferences5

3. Getting the Session Started – One Section Event

3.1 Setting Preferences in ScoreBridge6

3.2 Scrolling Results7

3.3 Event Details8

3.4 Movement Details8

3.5 Name Entry8

4. Changing and Deleting Scores9

5. Final Results10

6. Setting up a Session in Advance11

7. Two (or more) Sections

A. Sections scored independently12

B. Sections scored across the field15

8. Multi-section Events16

9. Swiss Pairs17

10. When Things Go Wrong

10.1 Re-setting the Movement19

10.2 Replacing a bridgemate during an event23

10.3 Server loses power input23

10.4 Computer closes down during an event23

11. Using the TD Key25

1.General Overview

The key idea behind Bridgemates is that the scoring program, ScoreBridge, is in charge and all “the work” is done using ScoreBridge.

Before you start the system you need to know some basic information such as: -

• The event name e.g. Open Pairs
• One or two winners
• The number of sections
• The number of tables per section
• The movement
• If there is a sit out
• Whether you add a number to the EW pair numbers in Mitchells.
• Whether you want to arrow switch and on which round(s).

Of course, you may not know all this until everyone has sat down and you are just about to start the session. However, you can get them started and then put in the information, as they will not need to score for another 6 or 7 minutes.

It is suggested that you do not enter the movement until play has started and you are no longer accepting any latecomers. ScoreBridge has extensive online help, which will guide you at every stage.

Hardware and OS requirements

Hardware

ProcessorPentium II 300 MHz or higher

Memory64MB or higher

The PC must also be equipped with a serial port. If your PC does not have a serial port, you will need a USB – Serial converter (available from Bridgemate Pro supplier or other computer equipment outlets) – see Bridgemate Pro manual p8 for details.

Operating System

Windows 95 or higher

2.Pre-Session Preparation

A.Bridgemates

A1.Setting up the Bridgemates

Switch on the Bridgemates by pressing OK. The following message should appear on the screen: -

(The 2nd line indicates the firmware version and language)

A2.Altering the Contrast

Press the + or – key repeatedly to adjust contrast (do not press and hold either the + or - key).

A3.Setting the Group (ie Section), Table & Channel

While the BRIDGEMATE PRO message is on the screen insert the TD key (if message has disappeared, press OK to awaken the Bridgemate). A message similar to that below will appear:-

Press +/- to alter the Group (Section) letter. If one section then A; if more than one (max 26), sections must be consecutive (eg A, B, C); then OK

Cursor now flashes at Table No.

To alter the Table Number, press CANCEL to delete current number, enter the required Table Number, and then press OK.

The following message now appears: -

If only using one server, select 0; then OK. If using more than one server, it is advisable to have each server on a different channel (8 available; numbered 0-7). To change channel, press CANCEL to delete the current channel and then enter number (0-7) for required channel. Press OK; and the message SETTINGS SAVED appears. After a few seconds the message shown in A1 appears. Remove the TD key.

B.Servers

B1.General information

• Each server can service up to 128 Bridgemates simultaneously.
• A server has an uninterrupted range of ~100m, but this can be reduced severely if the signal had to pass through walls or partitions.
• The server MUST be connected to the mains when in use. Batteries are only for back-up in an emergency (e.g. power failure).
• At the end of a session, disconnect the mains supply and remove one battery from the server (screwdriver or other suitable device).
• The server should be at located at least 12” from any electronic equipment (e.g. computer).
• The server should be placed horizontally on a level surface.
• Do not place any object on or near the server.
• Server connects to the PC via a serial port. If your computer does not have a serial port you will need a USB – Serial Converter (see Bridgemate Pro manual p8 for details).

B2.Setting up the Server

• Insert battery into the server; red light will come on.
• Connect to mains and light will turn green.
• Connect server to computer via the serial port of the computer (or via USB – Serial Converter).
• Place server in a suitable position (see para B1 above)

B3.Check Communications & Set BMPro Preferences

B3.1Communication

After the server & the bridgemates are all set up start Bridgemate Pro Control using BMPro.exe.

Check that the Bridgemate RF server is connected – top left-hand pane

B3.2Preferences

Click on Tools > Options; the following screen appears: -

On the General Tab, tick “Show report when movement updated by external program”. Leave the other two options unticked > OK

This way the Bridgemate Preferences are set via the scoring program and there is no need to alter any of the options given in the Bridgemate tab.

B3.3Setting the Channel

The server must be on the same channel as the Bridgemates it is communicating with. To check or alter the channel, select Server from the Menu Bar > Channel selection. The “Current channel” function displays the current channel. To alter the channel, select the new channel and click Set then Close.

Close Bridgemate Pro Control using File > Exit.

3.Getting the session started

3.1 Setting Preferences

A.General

From the Scorebridge start-up screen; select Club > Preferences > Bridgemate Preferences. Options screen appears: -

Set up preferences as required. Preferences may be changed from event to event, but once an event has started and the information has been sent to the bridgemates, the preferences cannot be altered for that event

B.Scrolling Results

From the Scorebridge start-up screen, select Club > Preferences > Results Preferences and tick Smooth Scroll in the Scrolling Results section. For further details of Scrolling Results options, see Section 3.2.

C.Multiple events

It is possible to score two or more independent events (each of which may have multiple sections using one computer, one server and sharing a database (for further details see Section 7.

To allow this: Select “Settings” on Menu Bar > System Preferences > Tick “Allow Parallel Bridgemate Events”.

3.2 Scrolling Results

Introduction

There are two areas where preferences can be set for Scrolling Results: -

a)Club > Preferences > Bridgemate Preferences

Write Scrolling Results to a separate File

b)Club > Preferences> Rolling Screen Preferences

Smooth Scroll

Choose name & location each time opened

Additional Smooth Scroll preferences

Bridgemate Preferences

Write Scrolling Results to a Separate File > UNTICKED

Rolling Screen Preferences

Smooth Scroll > TICKED

Choose name & location each time opened > TICKED

Additional Smooth Scroll preferences as appropriate

Using these settings, when you first click on Scrolling Results – Updating in the Scorebridge Bridgemate Control screen, a dialogue box appears: -

Either accept default name (Rolling.htm) or give it another name (ending.htm). The default location for the file is Desktop. To save it there, click Save (an icon for this file will appear on the desktop) or select another location.

Scrolling Results screen now appears using your default web browser program.

The display is updated every minute.

Size of text can be increased or decreased by pressing Ctrl+ / Ctrl-.

Should you inadvertently close the Scrolling Results screen, go to Scorebridge Bridgemate Control screen > Restart (on Menu Bar) > Re-open Scrolling Results Screen or alternatively, double click on the Rolling.htm icon created on the desktop

3.3Event Details

Start ScoreBridge and click on “Input New Event”.

When all the details are all entered, (No of Sections, Description, Type of Event, Number of Tables), make sure you select “Use Bridgemate”), then click OK

Movement Screen then appears: -

3.4Movement Details

Complete the movement screen and click “OK”.

If there are two or more sections, you must enter a Section letter, Use “A” for section 1, “B” for section 2 (See Section 7 for further details).

ScoreBridge now asks if you have a missing pair. If so, enter either the pair number (for one winner movements) or the table number anddirection.

If you have another section, ScoreBridge will then ask for its details.

Use an existing Bridgemate database? > No

Click OK on message, “Movement has been sent to Bridgemate server”.

At this stage all the movement data is sent to the Bridgemates and ScoreBridge starts the Bridgemate Pro Control program automatically. This shows which tables have started using the Bridgemates (green light). Check two important lines on the screen - “Bridgemate RF server – Connected” and “Status – retrieving data from server”.

When all the lights are green, either restore down or minimize Bridgemate Pro Control (do not exit).

On the ScoreBridge Bridgemate Control screen, click “Retrieving” and everything is now running.

The left-hand side of this screen shows you the tables that still have to send results for the current round.

To initiate Scrolling Results, click Scrolling Results - Updating

3.5Name Entry

At any stage you can go via the Other Pages on the Menu Bar to Allocation of Names to Tables to enter the names. When you return to the ScoreBridge Bridgemate Control screen, click “Retrieving” as ScoreBridge stops the retrieving scores when you enter the names.

4.Changing and Deleting Scores

If a score needs changed/deleted the best way is to make the change at the bridgemate terminal as this updates the server, BM Pro and ScoreBridge– but there are limits on this (See Section 11).

If you need to check or adjust a score in ScoreBridge, click on “Queried Scores”. When you return to the ScoreBridge Bridgemate Control screen, click “Retrieving” as ScoreBridge stops retrieving when you look at the score sheets.

If ScoreBridge has already read the board result, it makes little sense to change the board result in BM Pro Control. It would be better in this instance to change it directly in ScoreBridge.

However, you do have the option of changing or deleting results in the BM Pro result file and displayed in its result list.

4.1Changing scores in BM Pro Control

Right-click on the result you would like to change and select Edit score. A detail screen will appear displaying all the score data. You can now edit the result using the following notation: In the NS/EW box enter the Declarer; in the Result box: clubs = C, diamonds = D, hearts = H, Spades = S, no trumps = NT, double = x, redouble =xx, pass = PASS. Enter a space between the level of the contract, the denomination and double/redouble. Enter the new score in the Remarks box preceded by an X (eg X600 for 600 to NS). The X ensures that ScoreBridge is updated

To replace a score with an artificial assigned score, edit the Contract & Results boxes so that they are blank and then enter the assigned score in the Remarks column preceded with an X. For example

X60% will give 60% to NS and (100-60)% to EW

X6030% will give 60% to NS and 30% to EW.

The X ensures that ScoreBridge is updated

If a board result is changed in BM Pro, the new result is not transferred to the server/bridgemates. If you do need to update the server/bridgemates: -

From BM Pro > Menu Bar > Session > Synchronise Client – Server > Recovery Tab > recover Server. Follow on-screen instructions >Close Report > Close message screen.

4.2Deleting scores in BM Pro Control

To delete a board result, right-click on the score you would like to delete and select Delete score. To delete multiple scores simultaneously, press and hold the Ctrl key and use the left mouse button to select the scores you would like to delete; right-click > delete. Deleted scores will also be deleted from the scoring program even if the score has already been read and will also be deleted from the server/bridgemates.

5.The Final Results

At the start of the last round it is worthwhile reminding the players that after the last board has been entered and verified they should then press OK until the message “End of Session” appears.

Once the last result on the last round has been received, you should click the “Queried Scores” button

You will then see the Score Sheets. There may be some queried scores at the bottom. Review these and make any corrections before pressing the “All Done” button to see the final result.

You can print the results, personal scorecards; create a web page, etc.

Click on Close Event and then on Close to shutdown ScoreBridge

In the BM Pro Control program click on File > Close then File > Exit to shut it down (ignoring any message that data is still being retrieved). Do not close by clicking on the red X at the top right-hand corner of the screen.6.Setting up a Session in Advance

6.1Initial Set-up

With no server attached, start ScoreBridge > Input New Event and enter event details making sure to select Use Bridgemates > Movement details > OK.

Scorebridge Bridgemate Control starts followed by BM Pro (slow).

Exit BM Pro via File > Exit

From Scorebridge Bridgemate Control, select Other Pages > Names.

Enter names as usual > OK/Save

If setting up an event with two or more independent sections start ScoreBridge again and repeat the above but respond, “Yes” to the message re using an existing Bridgemate database (see section 7 for more details).

Once both events are set up, close event A and its ScoreBridge file; repeat for event B.

If only setting up one section; once names are entered and saved > Close event > Close ScoreBridge.

6.2Starting the Event

With the bridgemates all in position, and server attached, open ScoreBridge > Retrieve Event.

Event opens at Score Sheets screen

Other pages > ScoreBridge Bridgemate Control

If the event has two or more independent sections start ScoreBridge again and repeat the above.

Start BM Pro via BMPro.exe (do not use Restart menu on ScoreBridge Bridge mate Control) > File > Open > navigate to BridgeData\“Club”\Bridgemate > select required .bws file > Open

From BM Pro > Menu Bar > Session > Synchronise client-server > Recovery Tab > Recover server > Are You Sure? > Yes > Are you Sure? > Yes > Enter number supplied > OK > Close Report.

(If you are using Win98 you may get an error message “run time error 7 out of memory” at this stage – click OK on the message; BMPro closes down. Re-start BMPro and pick up the bws file again)

Check to ensure that BM Pro is retrieving data; if not, Session > Retrieve data from server.

Scorebridge Bridgemate Control > click Retrieving.

If the event has more than one section click Retrieving on both Scorebridge Bridgemate Control screens.

7.Two (or More) Sections

Note:

If running two or more sections THAT ARE TO BE SCORED INDEPENDENTLY you must run a separate ScoreBridge file for each section. If you try to run both sections using only one ScoreBridge file (see 7B) the program will automatically score these sections across the field even if the option in Club > Preferences > Bridgemate Preferences > “Group All Sections Together” is unticked.

A.Each section is independent

Treat this as two separate events with separate results - not scored across the field. This method assumes that the two sections are in one room using one server (or in two separate rooms but still using only one server).

Bridgemates must be set up as Section A: 1-? Section B: 1-? (Can’t use Section D & E)

7A.1Preferences in ScoreBridge

Settings > System Preferences > Allow Parallel Bridgemate Events – TICKED

Club > Preferences > Bridgemate Preferences > Write Scrolling Results to a separate File - UNTICKED

Club > Preferences > Scrolling Screen Preferences > Smooth Scroll – TICKED

Choose name & location each time opened - TICKED

7A.2Create Sections

7A.2.1 First Section

ScoreBridge Events screen > Input New Event

Use Bridgemates – checkNo of Sections – 1

Event Description – include section label in name (e.g. Open Pairs Section A; Open Pairs – Red Section)

No of Tables – type in no of tables in first section

Complete Movements screen as appropriate > ScoreBridge Bridgemate Control screen > Use Existing Bridgemate Database? > No > Movement has been sent to Bridgemate server > OK > BM Pro Control starts. Minimise all windows.

7A.2.2 Second Section

Start Scorebridge again (without closing the first one).

Message: Did Scorebridge close abnormally last time it ran? > No

Message: Is another copy of Scorebridge already running? > Yes

Message: Is the other copy to score a Parallel Event? > Yes

Another copy of ScoreBridge starts; ensure using the same club.

Set up the second section as described above in Events screen & Movement screen. Message: Use a Existing Bridgemate Database > Yes

A dialogue box appears; navigate to BridgeData > Club folder > Bridgemate

Select the appropriate database file (ending .bws) and then click Open. (Ignore the .idb file – it is a temporary Access database file that only appears when that database is open).

Message: Is this a New event replacing the Existing Event > No

Message: re BM Pro not being minimised & select all tables tab

Maximise BM Pro Control & select All Tables tab; then click OK on above message.

Message: Be Sure to close BM Pro …… > OK

Message now appears that Movement has been sent to server > OK.

If all windows are minimised there should be three open files shown in the Taskbar at the bottom of the screen: - Scorebridge, BM Pro Control & ScoreBridge Copy-2-