Can be used any time to update the current screen. So for example if the contract entry screen didn't show Bidding button, director will go to BridgePal Server and tick the Record Bidding box. If you refresh the contract entry screen now, this will show the Bidding button.

It displays the BridgePal app version number.

This causes the BridgePal to listen for 20 seconds for a broadcast message containing the ip address of the scoring PC. Broadcast messages are sent by running the bridgepalBroadcast.exe application on the scoring PC. If a message is received the app will configure itself to communicate with the scoring PC using that ip address. For diagnostic purposes.

Selects one of several IP addresses on the network. For troubleshooting. BridgePals normally connect automatically, using BridgePal Broadcast.

Uploads logs from the BridgePal app to the scoring PC. This function is for development/diagnostic purposes. Connect wifi router first and then upload logs. The files go into c:/BridgePal/htdocs/request_logs. Note that the files are kept on the Pals for one week. Files older than one week are deleted.

The BridgePal app currently has two configuration options for which the settings are password protected (see below). The default password setting is "xxx" but can be changed via this function. The function displays a dialog box which requires entry of the current password, and the new password (twice). The password setting is retained across reboots or BridgePal app upgrades. If the password is forgotten it can be reset to the default value by uninstalling and re-installing the BridgePal app

This menu item contains a checkbox, by default this is not ticked.  The setting is password protected, the default password is "xxx". This can be changed via the menu item 'Change Password'.

The purpose of this setting is to allow the BridgePal app to operate in "kiosk mode". Normally, an android device has a launcher application (the display you see after startup when the screen is on and unlocked). This contains a number of icons allowing the user to launch apps which are installed on the device. It is also the screen that is displayed when the "Home" button is pressed.

Ticking this checkbox in BridgePal enables the BridgePal app to be designated as an alternative launcher. In this case the BridgePal app will be launched at startup, the Home button will not transfer control from the BridgePal app, and exiting the app via the "Back" key will cause the app to be restarted immediately. In effect the user will only interact with the BridgePal app and cannot inadvertently exit from the app or launch other apps. this is particularly useful in an environment where users are not familiar with the conventions of operating android phones or tablets.

To change the device to this mode, first tick the checkbox in the menu item, entering the password as requested. Then press the Home button. At this point (or on some devices even before pressing the Home button) you will be asked to select a "launcher" from a list of icons which should include BridgePal. Tap the BridgePal icon. Some devices may also show the options "Just Once" or "Always". If this is the case select "Always". To make the selection fully effective reboot the BridgePal device.

To revert the device to normal operation untick the menu option in the BridgePal app (the password must be entered) and press the Home button. Once again, you will be asked to select a launcher. Tap on the icon for the device's default launcher and the device will now function as before. If the password has been forgotten, go to the android Settings menu (normally by swiping down from the top of the screen and tapping on a gear icon), select "Apps", select "BridgePal" from the display list, tap on "Set As Default" and then on "Clear Defaults". Now press the Home button and you will be asked to select a launcher. Select the default launcher for the device.

This menu item contains a checkbox. If the checkbox is ticked the device will automatically switch to landscape mode when displaying a traveller. If it is unticked the traveller will display in landscape or portrait mode depending on the physical orientation of the device. All other screens are displayed in portrait mode irrespective of the checkbox setting. When the BridgePal app is installed the traveller is displayed in landscape mode by default. However, on larger screens (i.e. tablets rather than phones) it is normally preferable to display the traveller in portrait mode since it is perfectly readable in that mode and avoids having to rotate the device.

If the password has been changed from the default value of "xxx" the user will be prompted to enter the password when attempting to tick or untick the checkbox. Enter the password and tap on OK to toggle the checkbox setting. If the password has not been changed from the default value the user will not be prompted for the password when changing the setting (this is for backward compatibility with the previous release of the BridgePal app, which did not password protect this setting).