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Interfacing with a vending machine
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 :)