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iPhone sprintTimer – Photo Finish & Race Timing

Posted: 10 May 2011 01:00 AM PDT

sprintTimer – Introducing Photo Finish and Race Timing for iPhone

Summary

The sprintTimer 1.0 for iPhone 4 and 3Gs photo finish app employs the same techniques used in the Olympics. Simply start the timer and point the camera towards the finish line. sprintTimer will build an image of narrow slices of the finish line, each representing 0.03 seconds in time. Users can then scroll along the photo to get the time when each competitor crossed the finish line with 0.01 s resolution. The app also includes a motion controlled lap timer.

Kaiser & Kaiser is pleased to introduce sprintTimer 1.0 for iPhone 4 and 3Gs, their timer and photo finish app that employs the same techniques as the professional equipment used at the Olympics. The user starts the timer and points the camera towards the finish line. sprintTimer will then build an image of narrow slices of the finish line, each representing 0.03 seconds in time. Users can then scroll along the photo to read the exact elapsed time for each competitor as they cross the finish line with a resolution of 0.01 s. The app also includes an automatic, motion controlled lap timer. Because it relies for its operation on a built-in video camera and a fast processor, the app is presently compatible only with iPhone 3Gs, iPhone 4, iPad 2, and iPod touch 4.

Operation of sprintTimer in the Photo Finish mode involves a simple setup procedure. The app functions in portrait orientation, and the user must first choose the direction of the race, moving across the screen from left to right or vice versa. Next, the user has three choices of how to start the camera: Motion, Manual, and Time. Motion starts the camera automatically upon detection of motion in a selected field of view. Manual permits the user to push a button to start the camera seconds before the race is won. And Time automatically starts the camera a predetermined number of seconds after the timer is started. The recording may be set to run for two, four, or six seconds. Longer record times would require more memory and processing power than the iPhone 4 currently offers.

An alignment guide allows placement of the camera centered over the finish line. Once still image recording starts, the camera takes a succession of pictures. Each picture is a small vertical slice of the entire frame, so that each picture is 100% tall but only 10% wide. The final horizontally scrollable image is a composite of many slices that together form a single, wide image. The width of each slice is user adjustable to obtain optimal results under varying conditions. The Mark button will insert a thin vertical line anywhere along the finished photo, so as the user scrolls horizontally, they may mark and display on a digital readout the exact finish time for each runner.

Since sprintTimer relies on a manual start, it cannot be used to set any official records. However, it offers far greater accuracy and versatility than the best digital stopwatch. All recordings may be saved or deleted. sprintTimer can be used for athletics, horse racing, greyhound racing, cycling, speed skating, car racing, rowing, etc.

sprintTimer has several advantages over a manual stopwatch:

One person can time several runners, cars, etc.
Higher accuracy than a stopwatch
Easier to determine the order of finishers
Gives the time difference between competitors with high accuracy
The image and the results can be saved
Can operate "hands free" when started

Video Demo On YouTube:

"sprintTimer will surprise coaches, athletes, and sports enthusiasts with its remarkable versatility. Easy to setup and operate, its comparable to carrying a large, expensive photo finish camera in your pocket."

Owner, Sten Kaiser

Device Requirements:

iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch (video camera equipped)
Compatible with iPhone 3Gs, iPhone 4, iPad 2, and iPod touch 4
iOS 4.0 or later
0.5 MB

Pricing and Availability:

sprintTimer 1.0 is $0.99 (USD) and available worldwide exclusively through the App Store in the Sports category. To purchase and download, visit the iTunes Store.

About Kaiser & Kaiser

Based in Stockholm, Sweden, Kaiser & Kaiser is a small, independent software company founded in 1986 by Sten and Bo Kaiser. With a sole focus on OS X and iOS platforms, Kaiser & Kaiser’s aim is to develop innovative iPhone utilities. Copyright (C) 1986-2011 Sten Kaiser. All Rights Reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, iPhone and iPod are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries.