Development and Beta Releases
New firmware and software for the Rubik's timer will be released as new features are developed. This page lists the items that are currently in development and are likely to be available in the next release. Please note that in order to download firmware upgrades, you must purchase the Timer accessory Kit. It can be purchased at www.rubiks.com along with the timer itself.
If you have a new feature you'd like to suggest, please submit the feature on the technical support page. Every attempt will be made to incorporate useful features in to the software and firmware, although please understand that not every suggested feature can be implemented.
Currently In Beta Testing
The term "Beta" refers to newly developed software which has been developed and is ready for test by the Rubik's speedcubing community, but is not yet ready for general release to the public. It is important to understand that beta software may still contain flaws that could cause your Rubik's timer to crash or otherwise perform incorrectly. In the vast majority of cases, the crash is easily recoverable by either powering off the timer, or reloading the firmware (the manufacturer fully supports all beta testers to recover from any type of malfunction). In very rare extreme cases, the timer could possibly enter a state where it will not accept new firmware through the communications port. If this happens, the timer can only be restored by the manufacturer, which will be done free of charge if you send the timer to us (we will pay for return shipping to your address). This is extraordinarily unlikely, but you should be aware that by using the beta software, you accept this risk. To request a copy of the beta software and firmware, please email us at rubikstimer@comcast.net.
August 27, 2006: Revision 2.0 (BETA)
The beta software and firmware for version 2.0 is now in the beta testing phase. When the community of beta testers agree that the firmware works and is not flawed, it will be released to the general public in the download area.
1. A new persistent configuration items enables you to disable storage of times. The title-bar in the LCD display announces that averaging and time history are disabled.
2. The solve time database now holds over 7500 times. (The original firmware only held 250 solve times). Before the public release, a mechanism is needed to scroll through the list of times quickly (navigating page by page with 8 solve times per page takes a *long* time).
3. The "Upload Time Database" dialog in the Rubik's timer utility software now works. Each time you upload your time database, you can select to either start a new database file, or append the new solve times to an existing database file. Only those times which are new since the previous upload are retrieved. The database files can be imported into Microsoft Excel for more advanced analysis.
4. Auto-calibration for the photocell reads the ambient light when the timer is powered on and automatically adjusts the sensitivity of the photocell using intelligent heuristics. Also, as available light changes while the timer is in use, the Rubik's timer constantly recalibrates the photocell timer during every solve. The manual calibration mode still functions as before, but the default when the timer is powered up is the auto-calibration mode.
Currently In Development
November 8, 2005
Many thanks to those who made suggestions for the Rubik's timer at the recent Rubik's World Championships!
Disable storage of times
Many people have suggested that there be a way to turn off the storage of times, so they are not stored in the database and do not affect any currently active average. This allows a friend to try the timer without disrupting your averages in-progress. This feature should have been in the original firmware, but will be added now.
Add the ability to upload the solve time database to your PC in Microsoft-Excel compatible format
The current accessory application that comes with the Rubik's timer supports the ability to download firmware, and to use your PC as a large tournament display that displays a live solve time. The tab for "Upload Time Database" is currently inactive. Development is underway to support this feature.
Increase the history database size from 250 solve times to 4000+ solve times
Currently, the Rubik's timer can store 250 solve times in its internal database-- this data is stored in "flash" memory so it is not lost when the timer is powered off. There is an additional 28KB of flash memory that is currently unused in the timer (it must be accessed differently than the flash memory that is currently being used). Development is underway to access this additional flash memory area and store additional solve times in the internal database. Once the additional storage area is available, it will become possible to keep independent histories and averages of the different puzzle types.
Photocell auto-calibration
Calibrating the photocell is utterly simple, but its also easy to forget to do, especially if you haven't used your timer in a couple of days and you forget that you last used it in bright sunlight, and are now indoors at night. Development is underway to have the timer store calibration information for 4 conditions (bright sunlight, outdoor shade, brightly lit indoor room, dimly lit indoor room). The timer will then sense the ambient light when it is powered on and auto-select the closest calibration configuration. Of course, it will still be possible to override the auto-calibration and do a manual calibration.
Exact calibration isn't critical for casual use-- getting the the photocell calibration 'close enough' will give timing accuracy to within 1/100th of a second. Auto-calibration should eliminate the need to ever calibrate the timer again for casual use. New timers will come pre-calibrated from the factory with the 4 lighting conditions. Users with existing timers who upgrade firmware will need to perform the 4 calibrations once for each lighting condition, and then will not have to do it again.