Overview
No scoreboard? No Problem.
OwnScore solves the problem at sports venues with no scoreboard or a scoreboard with limited visibility by turning everyone's phones into their OwnScore board.
All it takes is one device running as Caster and one or more devices running as Viewers. OwnScore operates in a server-client(s) manner on the local WiFi network (no server on the internet is involved). It automatically tests the WiFi network to determine which of 3 WiFi communication modes to use if the local WiFi network is fully or partially compatible with OwnScore.
If the network test finds the local WiFi network to be incompatible or there is no accessible WiFi network, OwnScore can still fully function using Bluetooth.
Quick Start
You must have at least two devices with OwnScore installed. Start OwnScore on both devices.
On one device:
1. Select Base, push OK.
2. Modify Location, Team Names, and Team Colors, as necessary.
3. Push "Start Score Casting".
4. Caster score screen will appear with a Key QR Code. Swipe up on score to increment.
On the other device:
5. Select Viewer, push OK.
6. Push Scan.
7. Scan Key QR code on Caster score screen (tap to enlarge).
On both devices:
8. Scores will be displayed and synced across devices.
Controls
Score Controls
- 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): Reset current set to 0-0
- Zero (long press): Clear all sets
- Stop: Stop broadcasting
Swap Area (between scores)
- 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
Lock/Key
All game broadcasts are locked and a key is provided through a Key QR Code.
A viewer must scan the Key QR Code to find and unlock the game broadcast.
Once a viewer has scanned a Key QR Code, it is displayed on its score screen so other viewers can scan it.
A lock can be shared amongst casters by copying the Lock QR Code, allowing viewers with key to unlock multiple games using the same lock.
A viewer can scan multiple Key QR Codes, allowing them to access multiple groups of games using the same lock.
WiFi
OwnScore is designed to work optimally on the local WiFi network. But many public WiFi networks have settings that inhibit OwnScore from functioning optimally. To get around these network configuration issues, OwnScore automatically tests the network and chooses one of three WiFi communications modes (W0, W1, W2) that will work within the network settings.
If none of the three communication modes will work, OwnScore resorts to using Bluetooth instead of WiFi. If Bluetooth's distance and environmental limitations make OwnScore unusable, there are several changes that could be done to make WiFi work.
WiFi Options
If Bluetooth does not meet your needs, there are a few things you can try to get WiFi to work:
- Have the network administrator turn off AP Isolation (sometimes called Client Isolation).
- If you are on a guest WiFi network, AP Isolation is often turned on by default. Try switching to a non-guest WiFi network.
- Buy a small, cheap travel router and connect it to the WiFi in bridge or repeater mode, then have all devices connect to the WiFi network of the travel router.
Bluetooth
If WiFi is not available or its settings make it unusable by OwnScore, OwnScore 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 3-10 meters. Outdoors it is farther.
If OwnScore is using Bluetooth, if the delay value shown in the lower right corner of the Viewer score screen is greater than 5 seconds, there is too much interference from Bluetooth and WiFi devices or the Viewer is just too far away from the Caster and the Viewer needs to move closer to the Caster.
VPN
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) on any device can prevent OwnScore from working over WiFi.
VPNs route network traffic through a remote server, which prevents devices on the same WiFi network from communicating directly with each other. This causes the network compatibility test to fail and forces OwnScore to fall back to Bluetooth.
If OwnScore is not working as expected:
- 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).
- Disable the VPN on all devices running OwnScore.
- If you must use a VPN, check if it has a "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.