ElectroKicK
ElectroKicK is a powered paragliding time measurement system used for time counting in ground tasks, like clover-leaf, Japanese slalom, slow-fast etc. It is meant to replace old-fashioned and imprecise manual time measurement. The system comprises of the hardware and the software part. The hardware consists of the set of detectors attached to poles and connected to the USB interface device which is then connected to a PC computer. The software part is a computer program which measures the time, saves scores, creates score lists etc.
The hardware
The sensors are designed in such a way that they react to both mild touches of the pole and brutal kicks, yet they ignore pole swinging due to wind, propeller stream or high energy kicks. Wire communication between sensors and a computer interface provides a stable and a reliable readings, insusceptible to electromagnetic clutter produced by radios and engine ignition systems. The interface uses a USB port to connect a PC computer with the sensors. It also acts as a power supply for the sensors, using 12V gel battery. On the top panel of the interface there is a on/off switch, power-on diode, and two buttons – one for manually starting the stopwatch and one for resetting it. A drum with the cable complements the hardware part of the system.
The software
There are three pieces of software related to ElectroKicK: ElectroKicK Stopwatch, which is the main program, ElectroKicK RD, which is a client application for displaying stopwatch and results list remotely, on a computer LCD monitor, a plasma TV attached to a PC, a projector etc.