Minibots not triping pole sensor but getting points

[meakerb]

From a completely different thread (Another Culture Change) I followed a link (San Antonio 2011 Video)and watched videos from the Alamo regionals. What I noticed (besides the amazing functionality of the robots on the red alliance) was that the red alliance minibots never triped the pole sensor, but still were awarded the points. In some matches the blue alliance had a minibot that did trip the sensor (which then showed 4 lights), but it was not awarded 1st place.

In the Semi Finial 1, Match 1, red alliance had the two fastest minibots, but neither of them triped the pole sensor. The blue alliance had two minibots that scored, showing 4 and 3 lights respectivly, but finished with only 27 points (one red triangle on the middle row for 2 points, and then 3rd and 4th minibot place for 25 more points).

Were there issues with the pole sensors (but only for the red alliance)? I'm not trying to take anything away from the red alliance, but what is the ruling for triping the pole sensor?