FinishLynx → Swimnerd Integration

Connect FinishLynx photo-finish cameras to Swimnerd Live scoreboard software

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🏁 What is This?

FinishLynx is the industry-standard photo-finish timing system for track & field, used at the Olympics, NCAA championships, and thousands of meets worldwide.

Swimnerd is a modern swim meet timing and scoreboard platform.

This integration lets you send race results from FinishLynx cameras directly to Swimnerd scoreboards for:

• Track & field meets
• Open water swimming
• Triathlons
• Multi-sport events
• Backup timing systems

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⚡ Quick Start

1. Install the LSS Script

Copy swimnerd.lss to your FinishLynx directory:

Windows:

C:\Lynx\swimnerd.lss

Mac:

/Applications/FinishLynx/swimnerd.lss

2. Configure FinishLynx

1. Open FinishLynx
2. File → Options → Hardware → Scoreboard
3. Click Add:
   • Name: Swimnerd
   • Script: swimnerd.lss
   • Port: -1 (TCP/IP)
   • IP: 0.0.0.0
   • Port Number: 1024
4. Enable the scoreboard

3. Test It

python3 finishlynx_receiver.py

Run a race in FinishLynx → see results appear in real-time!

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📦 What's Included

General Integration

File	Description
swimnerd.lss	FinishLynx scoreboard script (ready to use)
finishlynx_receiver.py	Python TCP receiver (demo/starter code)
FINISHLYNX_README.md	Quick start guide
FINISHLYNX_INTEGRATION.md	Full technical documentation

Hardware Clocks

File	Description
swimnerd_bluetooth_clock.lss	LSS script for Bluetooth racing clock
stm32_bluetooth_clock.ino	STM32 firmware (Arduino)
BLUETOOTH_CLOCK_GUIDE.md	Complete build guide for Bluetooth clock
QUICK_REFERENCE.md	Quick setup card (print this!)
swimnerd_6digit_clock.lss	Generic 6-digit clock script
test_clock_output.py	Hardware testing tool
CLOCK_SETUP.md	General clock configuration guide

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📊 Data Format

Results are sent as pipe-delimited text:

RESULT|Place|Lane|Id|Name|Team|Time|Delta|ReacTime

Example:

RESULT|1|4|123|John Smith|Team A|10.23|-|0.145
RESULT|2|6|456|Jane Doe|Team B|10.45|+0.22|0.132

Parse this in your Swimnerd software to update the scoreboard.

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🔥 NEW: Bluetooth Racing Clock (DIY Hardware)

Build your own wireless 6-digit racing clock with Bluetooth!

Hardware:

• STM32F103 microcontroller ($3)
• HC-08 Bluetooth module ($5)
• 6-digit LED display ($4)
• Total cost: ~$22

Features:

• ✅ Wireless Bluetooth connection (10m range)
• ✅ Real-time display updates
• ✅ 6-digit precision (MM:SS.HH)
• ✅ Open-source firmware
• ✅ Arduino IDE compatible

See: BLUETOOTH_CLOCK_GUIDE.md for complete build instructions.

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🎯 Use Cases

Track & Field

Display track results on Swimnerd scoreboards at venues that already use FinishLynx

Open Water Swimming

FinishLynx cameras at the finish line → Swimnerd displays results

Triathlons

Coordinate swim exit times with bike/run timing

Multi-Sport Events

One unified results system for track + swim competitions

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🔧 Integration Options

Option 1: Standalone Bridge

Run finishlynx_receiver.py as a service:

• Receives FinishLynx data on port 1024
• Transforms to Swimnerd format
• Forwards via HTTP/WebSocket

Option 2: Direct Integration

Add TCP listener to Swimnerd Live software:

import socket

def listen_for_finishlynx():
    with socket.socket(socket.AF_INET, socket.SOCK_STREAM) as s:
        s.bind(('0.0.0.0', 1024))
        s.listen()
        while True:
            conn, addr = s.accept()
            data = conn.recv(1024).decode('utf-8')
            if data.startswith('RESULT|'):
                parts = data.split('|')
                update_scoreboard(parts[1], parts[4], parts[6])

Option 3: Modify LSS Script

Customize swimnerd.lss to output JSON, CSV, or any format you need

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🌐 Network Setup

Same Machine

FinishLynx → 127.0.0.1:1024 → Swimnerd

Different Machines (LAN)

FinishLynx → 192.168.1.50:1024 → Swimnerd
(Ensure port 1024 is open in firewall)

Broadcast Mode

FinishLynx → 0.0.0.0:1024 → Multiple Swimnerd displays simultaneously

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📚 Documentation

• Quick Start Guide - Setup, troubleshooting, tips
• Technical Documentation - LSS format, customization, advanced features

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🛠️ Requirements

FinishLynx Side

• FinishLynx software (any version with scoreboard script support)
• Network connection or serial port

Swimnerd Side

• Python 3.6+ (for demo receiver)
• Network connection on port 1024

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🐛 Troubleshooting

No connection?

• Check firewall (port 1024 must be open)
• Verify FinishLynx scoreboard is enabled
• Test with: telnet localhost 1024

No data?

• Results must be finalized in FinishLynx (not draft)
• Try manual send: Scoreboard → Send Results

Garbled characters?

• Use UTF-8 encoding
• Check line endings (should be \r\n)

See FINISHLYNX_README.md for full troubleshooting guide.

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📝 Example Output

When you run a race, FinishLynx sends:

[12:35:10.124] SWIMNERD_INIT|v1.0
[12:35:10.125] START_RESULTS|100 Meter Dash|5|1|8|OFFICIAL
[12:35:10.126] RESULT|1|4|123|John Smith|Team A|10.23|-|0.145
[12:35:10.127] RESULT|2|6|456|Jane Doe|Team B|10.45|+0.22|0.132
[12:35:10.128] RESULT|3|2|789|Bob Johnson|Team C|10.67|+0.44|0.158
[12:35:10.150] END_RESULTS

Python receiver displays:

[12:35:10.124] >>> Initialized (version: v1.0)
[12:35:10.125] >>> Event: 100 Meter Dash (Heat 1)
[12:35:10.126] >>>   1. Lane 4 - John Smith                  10.23
[12:35:10.127] >>>   2. Lane 6 - Jane Doe                    10.45
[12:35:10.128] >>>   3. Lane 2 - Bob Johnson                 10.67
[12:35:10.150] >>> Results complete (8 finishers)

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🤝 Contributing

Pull requests welcome! Areas for improvement:

• WebSocket support
• Additional output formats (JSON, XML, etc.)
• Multi-language support
• Real-time split display
• HyTek file export

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📜 License

MIT License - Free to use, modify, and distribute.

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🌟 About

Created by: Swimnerd (@SwimNerds)
Website: swimnerd.com
Support: support@swimnerd.com

FinishLynx: finishlynx.com

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🚀 Get Started

1. Download swimnerd.lss
2. Copy to FinishLynx directory
3. Enable in FinishLynx settings
4. Run python3 finishlynx_receiver.py
5. See results in real-time!

Questions? See FINISHLYNX_README.md or open an issue.

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Built with ❤️ for track & field and swimming communities