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Interfacing with a vending machine

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quadmasta:


--- Quote from: joeyhaveafew on February 01, 2005, 03:59:38 pm ---I want to install the "dispensing" mechanism in the cabinet of my game and have action from the game initiate the "dispense".

I am building the game in Flash.  i'm wondering what would be the best route (pretty new to BYOG-ing, but have a good base knowledge of hardware and programming) of getting this to work.  Is it involve soldering wires, low level bios programming, etc.

The "tapper" guy might be on to something...  ;']

Thanks!

--- End quote ---

There was a thread not too long ago about controlling external things through the parallel port using a relay system.  All you'd have to do was make the machine think you'd put in the correct amount of money:  multiple pulses to the coin mech, and then press the button to vend a certain item: emulate the selection on the button panel.  The mechanics of the vending machine would do the rest.

BobA:

If you want a newer IO interface, here is a link to USB to I/O modules that you could interface for a vending mech.

Trimoor:

Attaching a relay to the parallel port is cheap and easy.  Controlling it with windoze is not.
I highly doubt flash can controll the parallel port.  Even VB can't unless you install special drivers.

My advice: switch to Linux.

quarterback:

Wanna know how I'd solve this problem?

Rig your machine so the opening of your CD-Rom will knock whatever product (or lever, or mechanism) you need to be knocked. It should be no problem in VB to get the cdrom to eject.

quarterback:

Nobody wants to post and tell me that my idea is brilliant?!?!?!?!?!?!?



Sheesh... tough crowd :)

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