TKD RingSetup guide
1. How a ring fits together
Each ring has a ring computer that runs the scoring. Everything else at the ring connects to it over the venue's Wi-Fi:
- the operator screen at the control table, which runs the ring;
- the audience display, a TV or monitor facing the spectators;
- the judges' devices: the TKD Ring app on iPhone, iPad or Android, or the same judge screen in a phone's browser.
Nothing leaves the building. The ring computer is the only place scores are kept, and it does not need an internet connection.
2. What you need
| Item | Per ring | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ring computer | 1 | A Windows laptop. One computer can also run several rings. |
| Operator screen | 1 | Usually the ring computer itself, or any laptop with a browser. |
| Audience display | 1 | A TV or monitor: a second screen on the operator laptop, or a separate device with a browser. |
| Judge devices | 3, 5 or 7 | iPhone, iPad, Android phone or tablet, one per judge seat. |
| Wi-Fi router or access point | shared | One network covering every ring. Internet access is not required. |
| Chargers | per device | Judge devices keep their screen on for the whole session. |
3. The network
- Set up one Wi-Fi network for the scoring equipment. A dedicated router works best; the venue's own Wi-Fi works if devices on it can reach each other (see the note below).
- Give the computer that runs the rings a fixed address, either a static IP or a reservation on the router, so the ring address stays the same all day.
- Connect the ring computer, the operator and display screens, and every judge device to that network.
Guest networks often block this. Many venue and guest Wi-Fi networks stop devices from talking to each other ("client isolation" or "AP isolation"). If judges can't connect, this is the most common cause. Use your own router, or ask the venue to turn isolation off.
4. The ring computer and screens
- Start the scoring software on the ring computer. If Windows asks whether to allow it on the network, allow it on private networks; judge devices can't connect through a blocking firewall.
- On the operator laptop, open the ring's operator screen. It shows the
ring address judges will need, for example
192.168.1.225:8001. - On the TV or second monitor, open the ring's audience display and make it full screen.
- In the operator screen, set the number of judges (3, 5 or 7) and load the first division.
5. Judges: connecting the app
Before the event: install TKD Ring on your phone or tablet and charge it.
At the ring:
- Join the tournament Wi-Fi. The operator or technical staff will give you its name and password.
- Open TKD Ring. On iPhone and iPad, tap Allow when asked to find devices on your local network. The app needs this to reach the ring computer.
- Type the ring address shown on the operator screen and tap Connect.
- Enter your name and tap your seat (R, J1, J2 and so on). A seat marked as taken is handed over only when the operator approves.
- Keep the app open. The screen stays on and changes automatically when each performance begins.
Judges sitting on the far side of the mat see Chung and Hong mirrored, so each athlete appears on the same side as in front of you. Colors always stay with the athlete.
6. Replacing a device with any phone
If a judge's device fails, any phone on the tournament Wi-Fi can take its place with nothing to install. Open the judge page from the ring's operator screen on the replacement phone's browser, then choose the same seat. The operator approves the handover.
Scores already submitted are safe on the ring computer. A score that was not yet submitted for the current performance is entered again by the judge, or by the operator from a paper score slip.
7. Scoring
- Accuracy: tap the large buttons at the outer edge of the screen for each minor and major deduction. The small buttons nearer the middle undo one.
- Presentation: one swipe below are the presentation sliders.
- Submit: if you have made no deductions, or haven't moved the presentation sliders, the app asks you to check before submitting. Tap Submit to confirm or Go back to change it.
- Received: after submitting, the app shows Sending and then Received with the score the ring is holding. The screen then locks until the next performance.
8. Troubleshooting
The app won't connect to the ring
Check that the device is on the tournament Wi-Fi and not on mobile data or another network.
Check the address: it must match the operator screen exactly, including the number after the colon.
On iPhone and iPad, open Settings > Privacy & Security > Local Network and make sure TKD Ring is switched on.
If no device can connect, the ring computer's firewall or the Wi-Fi's client isolation is the likely cause (see the network).
My score is stuck on "Sending"
The connection to the ring dropped. Your score is saved on the device and will be sent automatically when the connection returns; it will not be counted twice. Stay on the Wi-Fi and keep the app open. Tell the operator if it doesn't clear.
My seat says it is held by another device
Someone, or your own earlier session on another device, holds that seat. Tap it anyway and wait: the operator approves the handover. Choose another seat if you picked the wrong one.
I entered the wrong score
Tell the operator straight away. Before you submit you can still change it. After the ring has received it, the operator can reopen your seat so you can enter it again, or correct it at the control table.
The screen keeps rotating or turning off
The app holds the screen in landscape and keeps it awake. In a browser, turn the phone sideways and keep the page in front; some browsers can't stop the screen sleeping, so set the phone's auto-lock to a longer time.
Still stuck? See Support or email support@tkdring.com.