Can Infrared beams be used with access?

[neelsfer]

I have a comprehensive timing application for sport that is currently manually operated by adding the time, as an athlete finishes a race. I would like to establish whether Access can handle infrared beams, how it should be approached and if somebody else have used it before. If access cant handle it, then obviously i must use a different programming language. It would be nice to know where one go from here as beams will automate the application as an athlete finishes.

[Oralloy]

Access can do exactly what you want - which is to say, it can subtract time values.

The real question is how you move the information into Access using VBA. That, of course, depends on the interface to your I.R. Beam device.

Does it simply send time values to a serial port?

Or, does Access have to be hooked to a camera and do a visual interpretation of the optical display generated by the I.R. Beam?

Data handling is not the issue - how the data get into your computer is.

Cheers!

[neelsfer]

Sorry i a total novice at this but would like to integrate this feature with my application.

The security industry uses these beams to trigger alarms. I would like it to "generate something" that will enable me to add a "finishtime" using now() to a table using vba in a form, when the athlete crosses the beam at the finishline.
What hardware is required to achieve this?
I assume a transmitter, receiver, a type of "connection interface" to the pc?
Any suggestions please?

[Oralloy]

neelsfer,

What you need for the connection might be something as simple as a serial cable between the I.R. Beam control box and your computer. Or a USB cable. Or an ethernet cable. Or .... take your pick.

If you already have the I.R. Beam, you can simply go to its documentation and find out what you need to connect and control it.

If you are doing a survey of potential devices, your job is a little more difficult. Basically you have to go to each device and see what its capabilities are.

Frankly, there are probably a lot of devices out there which are set up to communicate with a P.C. In fact, I'd bet that there are a lot of these devices that have attached applications that do pretty much what you need.

What you need to do is a survey of what is available and then pick the one, which fits your needs. I'm pretty sure that some form of what you need is already out there. After all, it's not like there aren't thousands of schools that would like the convienence, too.

As you do your search, I'm pretty sure that you'll find yourself asking new questions based on what you learn. Start looking, and see where it leads you.

Luck!