Overview
ScoreControl solves the problem of keeping track of the score while playing.
Multiple devices running ScoreControl connect to each other to view or modify the score which stays in sync on all connected devices.
Essentially, ScoreControl replaces a large scoreboard with multiple small ones.
Place devices running ScoreControl in locations close to where players would be after a score (under the basket, behind each server, etc) and have a player on the scoring team update their score, which will update the score on all connected devices.
No more mentally keeping track of the score.
No more arguments about the score.
All it takes is one device running as Caster and one or more devices running as Remote(s) requesting to the Caster to connect. The Caster determines which device can control the score of which team. It can grant the ability for a device (including the Caster) to control the score(s) of one team, the other team, both teams, or neither team (display only).
It can also deny connection or grant view-only connection to any requesting device or all future requesting devices. It allows for full flexibility to display and control the score of both teams.
Quick Start
To use ScoreControl, you must have at least two devices with ScoreControl installed.
If available, connect both devices to the same WiFi network.
Start ScoreControl on both devices — the Select Mode screen appears.
On the Caster device:
- Select 'Caster'.
- Push OK.
- Modify Location, Team Names, and Team Colors, as necessary.
- Check 'Unlink Remotes' to start with a new Lock.
- Push 'Start New Game'.
- The Caster's score screen appears with the game's Key QR Code already showing.
On the Remote device:
- Select 'Remote'.
- Push OK.
- If the QR scanner does not appear, push 'Scan'.
- Scan the Key QR Code on the Caster's score screen.
On the Caster device:
- The network is tested — the Remote scans the code shown, and the Caster picks how it will send scores.
- A dialog asks whether to grant control to the Remote. Select which scores to grant (one, the other, both, or neither), then push Grant or Deny.
On the Remote device:
- A dialog confirms whether control was granted or denied, then the score screen appears.
On both devices:
- If control was granted, a command such as swiping up to increment the score updates it on both devices.
Lock/Key
Every game broadcast carries a Lock, and its Key is handed out as a Key QR Code.
A remote scans the Key QR Code to find the game and follow it.
The Lock decides which games a remote shows you, not who can overhear them: scores are broadcast openly, so treat them as public within radio range. What the Lock protects is control — a remote holding the Key can ask to change the score, and only the Caster can grant that.
Once a remote has scanned a Key QR Code, it is displayed on its score screen so other remotes can scan it.
A Key QR Code does not have to be scanned in person. Long press it to send it as an image — by Messages, AirDrop or Mail — and the remote receiving it reads it with the Photo button on its list screen.
Controls
Score Controls:
The following controls work on teams for which a device was granted control (does not have a lock icon next to its name). You can control the score of a locked team by tapping and holding the locked team name, which will undim the team score and name and allow you to change its score.
- Swipe up on a score: +1
- Two-finger swipe up: +2
- Three-finger swipe up: +3
- Swipe down on a score: -1
- Two-finger swipe down: -2
- Three-finger swipe down: -3
- Horizontal swipe left: Undo
- Horizontal swipe right: Redo
Buttons:
- Save (tap): Save current set, advance to next
- Save (long press): Mark match as Final
- Zero (tap): Zero the game score, keeping completed sets
- Zero (long press): Zero the game score and every completed set
- Stop: Stop broadcasting
Swap Button:
- Tap: Local swap (switches sides on this device only)
- Long press: Global swap (switches sides on all devices)
QR Code:
- Tap QR code: Enlarge for easy scanning
Screen Lock:
- Long press both scores simultaneously: Toggle screen lock
- When locked: screen dims after 5 seconds
- Tap anywhere: Wake screen for 5 seconds
Mounting
ScoreControl uses connected phones and tablets to display and update the score. For reliable operation, each device should be mounted where it is easy to see, easy to reach, and protected from accidental contact. In most sports settings, this means attaching the device to a wall, post, or another stable surface.
Attachment methods
Magnetic mounting. A MagSafe- or Qi2-compatible phone or case, or a magnetic or ferrous metal ring with an adhesive backing can be used to attach.
Suction mounting. Smooth, nonporous surfaces such as glass, polished metal, or tile, or the backs of phones/cases can be used with suction cups to attach.
Adhesive mounting. Provides a permanent attachment when suction or magnetic mounting is not practical.
Combination mounts
Many commercial phone holders combine magnetic, suction-cup, and adhesive interfaces on opposite sides. Choose a holder by considering both connections: how the phone or case attaches to the holder, and how the holder attaches to the wall, post, or other support.
Mounting examples
The following products illustrate common attachment combinations.
A magnetic connection works when at least one side contains magnets and the opposing side contains either compatible magnets or ferrous metal. A 55 mm magnetic ring adapter can be adhesively attached to either the phone/case or the mounting surface. When attached to a surface, it can hold a MagSafe/Qi2 magnetic phone/case, a phone/case fitted with a passive ferrous-metal ring, or a phone/case fitted with a compatible magnetic ring. When attached to the phone/case, it can connect to a passive ferrous-metal ring, a compatible magnetic ring, or a suitable ferrous surface.
Suction cups on both faces connect a smooth, nonporous phone back/case to a smooth, nonporous surface.
The adhesive face can attach to either the phone/case or the mounting surface, while the suction-cup face grips the opposite smooth, nonporous surface.
A magnetic face attaches to a compatible phone or case, while the suction-cup face adheres to a smooth surface.
WiFi
ScoreControl is designed to work optimally on the local WiFi network. But many public WiFi networks have settings that inhibit ScoreControl from functioning optimally. To get around these network configuration issues, ScoreControl automatically tests the network and configures itself to use whatever the network allows, so there is nothing for you to choose. If nothing works, ScoreControl resorts to using Bluetooth instead of WiFi. If Bluetooth's distance and environmental limitations make ScoreControl unusable, there are several changes that can be done to make WiFi work with ScoreControl.
WiFi Options
If Bluetooth does not meet your needs, there are a few things you can try to get WiFi to work with ScoreControl:
1. Have the network administrator turn off AP Isolation (sometimes called Client Isolation).
2. If you are on a guest WiFi network, AP Isolation is often turned on by default. Try switching to a non-guest WiFi network.
3. Buy a small, cheap travel router and connect it to the WiFi in bridge or repeater mode, then have all devices using ScoreControl connect to the WiFi network of the travel router.
4. Start a hotspot on a phone and have all devices you use join the hotspot. Be aware that all internet traffic of any of the devices will go through the hotspot.
Bluetooth
If WiFi is not available or its settings make it unusable by ScoreControl, ScoreControl resorts to using Bluetooth. But Bluetooth has distance limitations depending on the environment (how many Bluetooth and WiFi devices are active in your vicinity). Indoors that distance is usually 10-30 meters. Outdoors it is farther.
If ScoreControl is using Bluetooth, if the delay value shown in the lower right corner of the Remote score screen is greater than 5 seconds, there is too much interference from Bluetooth and WiFi devices or the Remote is just too far away from the Caster and the Remote needs to move closer to the Caster.
VPN
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) on any device can prevent ScoreControl from working over WiFi.
VPNs route network traffic through a remote server, which can stop devices on the same WiFi network from communicating directly with each other. When that happens the network compatibility test fails and ScoreControl falls back to Bluetooth.
If ScoreControl is not working as expected:
1. Check if a VPN is active on your device (look for a VPN icon in the status bar or check Settings > General > VPN & Device Management).
2. Disable the VPN on all devices running ScoreControl.
3. If you must use a VPN, check if it has an "Allow Local Network Access" or "Split Tunneling" option that lets local network traffic bypass the VPN.
Note: iCloud Private Relay (in Settings > Apple Account > iCloud) can also interfere. Try disabling it if you experience issues.
FAQ
Q: Why can I save invalid set scores (where one score is not 25 or 15, or not a win by 2)?
A: Because rules can change, ScoreControl does not check for valid scores and trusts that the user operating the Caster enters valid scores.
Q: Can any score update be undone?
A: Yes, even marking a score as Final. Just swipe left over either score.
Q: How do I switch from Remote to Caster or vice versa?
A: ScoreControl stays in the same mode the entire time that it runs, so to switch modes, you must kill the app and restart ScoreControl, selecting the other mode.
Q: How do I get out of Show Bars or Help Mode, or make the floating QR Code disappear?
A: Tap anywhere outside the Buttons or Yellow-Bordered Boxes.
Q: What is with the Circle Buttons ()?
A: To maximize the size of fonts for the score to be seen from as far away as possible, commands and functionality are hidden and accessed through the circle buttons.
Q: How do I send a Key QR code to another device?
A: Long tap the QR Code button to bring up a dialog to AirDrop, text, email, etc. the image to another device.
Or alternatively, tap the QR Code button to show the QR Code, take a screen shot that includes it, then email, text, AirDrop, etc. it to another device.
Q: Are there some WiFi settings that prevent ScoreControl from operating?
A: Yes, WiFi networks are very complex and have settings that could prevent ScoreControl from operating. If network settings cannot be modified, ScoreControl can use Bluetooth instead of WiFi. Depending on your environment (how many Bluetooth and WiFi devices are in close physical proximity), Bluetooth may operate very well, especially outdoors. If ScoreControl cannot use WiFi, give Bluetooth a try — you may be surprised.
The Network Test may conclude that WiFi is unusable and default to using Bluetooth. If you feel that something about WiFi is interfering with ScoreControl working properly, manually specify using Bluetooth by checking "Use Bluetooth" in the Caster Setup Screen.
Q: Can Casters broadcast onto the internet (Can grandma receive scores at her home)?
A: No, ScoreControl is specifically designed to operate in the local network using peer-to-peer communications and not send any game data over the internet.