Abstract: A system and method are provided to control access of a plurality of remote terminals to one or more service(s). A first server receives requests to access the services(s) from the plurality of terminals. In response the first server provides a terminal program to the terminals to control further communication between the terminals and first server. This enables substantial data to be stored on a user's terminal rather than on the first server, thereby reducing the data load on the first server. Each terminal runs at a pace set by its interaction with the server and thus operates asynchronously from the other terminals and the first server. A second server, operable after the first, provides the services. The terminal program initiates communication between the terminals and the first server, which selectively redirects the terminals to connect to the second server for accessing the service(s).

Abstract: A digital timing system for sports competitions in which a large number of participants progress independently and simultaneously on the same track between a starting line and a finish line. This system comprises a starting time memory, a finish time memory, and a register which permits the temporary storing of the times of a predetermined number of events happening nearly simultaneously. The time is furnished by means of an oscillator and decade counters of which the multiplexed output is applied to the register where the information is entered. This information is shortly thereafter transferred to the starting time memory or to the finish time memory, as the case may be. A subtractor unit subtracts the recorded starting time of a selected participant from the real time when it is desired to display the lapsing time of the participant. At the final, the final track time is displayed.