User Manual

Chapter 1: Description Bridgemate Pro scoring system 12
board results in return. The server can control up to 128 Bridgemates simultaneously. The server can
be powered by either an external power adapter or by 4 AA Batteries.
USB-to-serial converter
The server is connected to the serial port of your PC. If your PC does not have a serial port, use the
USB-to-serial converter, included with the Bridgemate Pro server. To add a serial port to your PC,
connect the converter to a USB port on your PC.
Data communications cable
The data communications cable enables you to connect the Bridgemate scoring devices directly to the
PC. This in turn enables you to read the board results stored in the Bridgemate memory manually, or
to install new firmware in the Bridgemates.
Tournament directors key
The tournament directors key, TD-key for short, is a small key that enables the tournament director to
configure the Bridgemate for each section and table, and to activate the special TD menu.
Bridgemate Pro Control software
A specific program is required to control the server from the PC: Bridgemate Pro Control (“BPC”). This
program runs on Windows95 or higher and is controlled in part by your scoring program. BPC fully
controls the server and data exchange between the server and the PC. BPC first saves all the relevant
session data used by the server to control the Bridgemates. BPC then retrieves all entered board
results from the server and stores these in the result file. All other server controls are also executed
from BPC.
In addition, the following three components are important. Although they are not supplied together with
your Bridgemate Pro scoring system, they are of crucial importance to the correct operation of the
system.
• Client (=Personal computer with Bridgemate Pro Control software)
• Result file
• Scoring program
Client
The Bridgemate Pro Control program runs on a so-called “client” (Windows-based) personal computer
(PC). The scoring program and BPC usually run on one client PC, to which the server is also
connected. During big tournaments, multiple servers may be required to support the high number of
Bridgemates and/or to establish and maintain the wireless communication between the server and the
Bridgemates. In this case, the servers are connected to a network PC, and the network consists of
multiple clients.
Note: The term “client” suggests that the Bridgemate Pro scoring system also consists of a PC
network server. This is not the case. All (network) PCs running the Bridgemate Pro scoring system are
known as clients.
Result file
The result file is created by the scoring program. It contains all the session data, including sections,
tables, movements, etc. This data is generated by the session configured in the scoring program. BPC
reads this session data and feeds the correct data to the server. During the session, BPC reads all the
board results entered in the server and saves these in the result file. All Bridgemate Pro result files
have the file extension .bws.
Scoring program
The scoring program creates the session and calculates the scores. After you have created a session,
the scoring program will create the abovementioned result file. This file contains all the relevant