Tag-based Punching (non-GPS-based)
MapRun6+ now supports punching based on physical tags in the field. Tags could be attached to Orienteering flags or to permanent markers at each site (e.g. for a permanent course).
This may suit events such as:
- permanent courses where there are already permanent markers in place
- courses where GPS-punching is problematic eg around, in and under buildings in cities or campuses
- for particularly compact courses like Grid-O (or indoor courses)
- where it is desirable to require the runner to actually visit the precise control location (rather than a prescribed radius.)
Similar to GPS-based punching, Internet access is NOT required to punch using tags.
The main disadvantages of tag-based punching are:
- the need to put tags in the field,
- the runner needing to handle their phone at each control, and
- tag-based punching does not work with MapRunG
Tags can be:
In either case, the runner needs to tap a button on the phone to activate scanning as they approach the control. The button is either:
New settings for an event are:
In all cases, the GPS track is recorded and saved as per normal.
HITMO still works based on the GPS track.
Typically, Administrators would turn OFF GPS-based punching if they have markers in the field with tags (QR Code tags or NFC tags). However, events can be set to be multi-mode punching. For example, GPS and QR Code tags, or even GPS and QR Code and NFC tags.
Often GPS-based punching will punch the control before the runner reaches the control site. If flags are being put out on the course, tag-based punching may provide a backup for those control sites where GPS-based punching is not reliable e.g. under a building, near a tall building, in a deep gully, inside a fence (vs outside a fence), in a deep gully, bottom of a cliff vs top of a cliff.
For non-GPS-based punching, the results file includes details of which punching method was used at each control. (This is available in CSV format to Admins who download the result file)
Tag-based punching (QR or NFC) is NOT available in MapRunG (on a Garmin Watch) and requires MapRunF/MapRun6 version 6.0 or greater.
Tag Punching for Start Anywhere (MapRun6 version 6.3.9+)
The "Start Anywhere" (SAW) option, allows runners to start at any control on a course. The course is dynamically reconfigured so that the control they first approached becomes Start and Finish (ie S1, F1) and the original S1 becomes a new normal control. See more on SAW here.
If tag-based punching is being used, even though the course can be dynamically changed on the screen of the phone, the QR codes or NFC tags at each location will remain unchanged. MapRun does the translation of the tag at the site to the reconfigured course as the tag is scanned and will display the correct punch on the reconfigured course. In particular:
- If the runner approaches 31 first, it will punch and display "S1 punched"
- If the runner then approaches S1 (or F1), it will punch as the new normal control eg "35 punched"
- When 31 is approached again, it will punch as the Finish (F1) .
QR Codes - Details for Administrators
For a sample set of QR Codes in a pdf document click here
The following "Slide Show" displays QR Codes for S1, F1, and 31 to 65. Right Click to download a .png version of any of these codes.
Or download a Zip file of these codes in .png format or .svg format (best for printing).
This may suit events such as:
- permanent courses where there are already permanent markers in place
- courses where GPS-punching is problematic eg around, in and under buildings in cities or campuses
- for particularly compact courses like Grid-O (or indoor courses)
- where it is desirable to require the runner to actually visit the precise control location (rather than a prescribed radius.)
Similar to GPS-based punching, Internet access is NOT required to punch using tags.
The main disadvantages of tag-based punching are:
- the need to put tags in the field,
- the runner needing to handle their phone at each control, and
- tag-based punching does not work with MapRunG
Tags can be:
- Printed QR Codes tags (Quick Response Codes) that the runner “punches” with the camera in their phone
- NFC tags (Near-Field-Communication) programmed with the control ID. This requires a phone that supports NFC (as commonly used for tap-and-pay) and MapRun6 version 6.5+ . The runner “punches” a control by bringing their phone near an NFC tag.
In either case, the runner needs to tap a button on the phone to activate scanning as they approach the control. The button is either:
- “Scan for QR” (MapRun6 version 6.0+), or
- “Scan for NFC” (MapRun6 version 6.5+)
New settings for an event are:
- NFC tag punching – defaults to off
- QR Code punching – defaults to off
- GPS punching – defaults to on
In all cases, the GPS track is recorded and saved as per normal.
HITMO still works based on the GPS track.
Typically, Administrators would turn OFF GPS-based punching if they have markers in the field with tags (QR Code tags or NFC tags). However, events can be set to be multi-mode punching. For example, GPS and QR Code tags, or even GPS and QR Code and NFC tags.
Often GPS-based punching will punch the control before the runner reaches the control site. If flags are being put out on the course, tag-based punching may provide a backup for those control sites where GPS-based punching is not reliable e.g. under a building, near a tall building, in a deep gully, inside a fence (vs outside a fence), in a deep gully, bottom of a cliff vs top of a cliff.
For non-GPS-based punching, the results file includes details of which punching method was used at each control. (This is available in CSV format to Admins who download the result file)
Tag-based punching (QR or NFC) is NOT available in MapRunG (on a Garmin Watch) and requires MapRunF/MapRun6 version 6.0 or greater.
Tag Punching for Start Anywhere (MapRun6 version 6.3.9+)
The "Start Anywhere" (SAW) option, allows runners to start at any control on a course. The course is dynamically reconfigured so that the control they first approached becomes Start and Finish (ie S1, F1) and the original S1 becomes a new normal control. See more on SAW here.
If tag-based punching is being used, even though the course can be dynamically changed on the screen of the phone, the QR codes or NFC tags at each location will remain unchanged. MapRun does the translation of the tag at the site to the reconfigured course as the tag is scanned and will display the correct punch on the reconfigured course. In particular:
- If the runner approaches 31 first, it will punch and display "S1 punched"
- If the runner then approaches S1 (or F1), it will punch as the new normal control eg "35 punched"
- When 31 is approached again, it will punch as the Finish (F1) .
QR Codes - Details for Administrators
- QR codes can be prepared and downloaded from sites such as www.qrcode-tiger.com. Also Michael Raz has developed a Windows application to produce QR codes for MapRun. See more details below or follow this link to the MapRun Forum: http://maprun.308.s1.nabble.com/QRCode-generator-td1318.html
- The code to be included in the programming is typically, for control 45: "http://www.maprunners.com.au?c=45”, however the prefix can be changed with the new setting for QR Code Prefix, which allows changing “http://www.maprunners.com.au?c=” to any other string.
- The advantage of a prefix of this format is:
- If the tag is simply scanned with a phone camera, a link is provided to the MapRun website (or a local club website), including links to install MapRunF
- If the tag is scanned with the phone camera whilst running MapRunF, the control will be “punched”
- Start can be S1, Start, STA1, STA and Finish can be F1, Finish, FIN1, FIN (all preceded by the nominated prefix.
For a sample set of QR Codes in a pdf document click here
The following "Slide Show" displays QR Codes for S1, F1, and 31 to 65. Right Click to download a .png version of any of these codes.
Or download a Zip file of these codes in .png format or .svg format (best for printing).
Preparing you own QR Codes
The following section describes how to produce your own QR Codes.
The preferred format of QR Codes:
Following is a step-by-step process using www.qrcode-tiger.com
Note: The following steps produce a particular style/variant of a QR Code. Other styles, formats, variants, colours etc are possible, but should be tested with MapRunF to confirm that they are recognised by the App.
Register for a free account
Use the function: “Make a static QR code with logo for Free”
Choose “Text” (not URL)
Enter the text code for the QR code you are creating eg: http://www.maprunners.com.au?c=S1
The preferred format of QR Codes:
- Allows for the URL format http://www.maprunners.com.au?c=S1 (some sites to create QR codes don’t allow the ?c=S1 part – but this format is being used to allow a casual scan of the QR with a normal phone camera, providing a link to a website (in this case Maprunners, but this could be to a local club website), whilst also giving the Control Id for MapRunF
- Allows for a Logo – in this case MapRun – but it could be a club logo
- Have a frame which shows the control Id. This is useful for the runner, but also helps to minimise the chance of an organiser putting out an incorrect QR code.
Following is a step-by-step process using www.qrcode-tiger.com
Note: The following steps produce a particular style/variant of a QR Code. Other styles, formats, variants, colours etc are possible, but should be tested with MapRunF to confirm that they are recognised by the App.
Register for a free account
Use the function: “Make a static QR code with logo for Free”
Choose “Text” (not URL)
Enter the text code for the QR code you are creating eg: http://www.maprunners.com.au?c=S1
- If you are using a "non-standard" text code, remember to also enter this into the MapRun Console when publishing the event. MapRunF will only recognise QR code tags that match the expected text format for the event.
Chose the common square “eyes” - as shown below.
Add the MapRun logo (or Club logo if desired)
Change the colour to Black
Chosoe a “Frame” and entered the Control Id and change the colour to Black
Change the colour to Black
Chosoe a “Frame” and entered the Control Id and change the colour to Black
Saving the settings as a template may help in doing a set of QR Codes.
Prepared QR Codes are available here in .svg format and .png format. See green buttons on bottom right:
Prepared QR Codes are available here in .svg format and .png format. See green buttons on bottom right:
MapRun QR Code Generator - Windows Application
Michael Raz has kindly developed a program to develop QR Codes for MapRun. The program needs to be downloaded and installed as a Windows application.
See a screen shot of the system below.
See Michael's original post to the MapRun Forum.
A helpful video, documentation and the installation file is available here.
Michael Raz has kindly developed a program to develop QR Codes for MapRun. The program needs to be downloaded and installed as a Windows application.
See a screen shot of the system below.
See Michael's original post to the MapRun Forum.
A helpful video, documentation and the installation file is available here.
NFC Tags - Details for Administrators
NFC Tags are inexpensive (potentially disposable) items that are available in a wide range of types.
The recommended tag standard is NTAG216. There is a wide variety of NTAG216 tags available.
For example: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=ntag216&crid=2F1O9AEES9VLJ&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_3_4
The specific tags used for testing have been credit-card-sized plastic tags similar to the image below. It is possible to punch a hole in these cards to facilitate tying them to a flag, or attaching them to a stand or post. Care needs to be taken to not cut the wires inside the card, which are normally visible if a bright light is held behind the card.
Tags can be written on with a permanent marker pen or an adhesive label could be attached.
NFC Tags are inexpensive (potentially disposable) items that are available in a wide range of types.
The recommended tag standard is NTAG216. There is a wide variety of NTAG216 tags available.
For example: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=ntag216&crid=2F1O9AEES9VLJ&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_3_4
The specific tags used for testing have been credit-card-sized plastic tags similar to the image below. It is possible to punch a hole in these cards to facilitate tying them to a flag, or attaching them to a stand or post. Care needs to be taken to not cut the wires inside the card, which are normally visible if a bright light is held behind the card.
Tags can be written on with a permanent marker pen or an adhesive label could be attached.
For a permanent installation, an option like the following could be considered.
Programming NFC tags
There is a range of Apps for smartphones available to easily program NFC tags.
For example "NFC21 Tools" for iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/de/app/nfc21-tools/id1496636288
To program an NFC tag in this App: “NFC21 Tools” > Tag-Types > URL > enter text and set locked > Write to NFC Tag
There is a range of Apps for smartphones available to easily program NFC tags.
For example "NFC21 Tools" for iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/de/app/nfc21-tools/id1496636288
To program an NFC tag in this App: “NFC21 Tools” > Tag-Types > URL > enter text and set locked > Write to NFC Tag
The code to be used is the same as for QR Codes (see above). The same default prefix to the control Id is used, but as with QR Codes, it can be changed for any event. If you do change the prefix be sure to match the setting in the Event Settings with the prefix used in the NFC tags.
Tags can be programmed to be locked, and so are not reprogrammable (recommended), or left unlocked to allow changes.
Tags can be programmed to be locked, and so are not reprogrammable (recommended), or left unlocked to allow changes.