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Author Topic: Interfacing with a vending machine  (Read 1473 times)

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joeyhaveafew

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Interfacing with a vending machine
« on: February 01, 2005, 02:35:36 pm »
I am building my own game and want to hook up a vending machine to the PC running it and control the vending machines operation through the game.
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ChadTower

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Re: Interfacing with a vending machine
« Reply #1 on: February 01, 2005, 02:38:02 pm »
HA, that's funny... get a high score, win a candy bar.   ;D
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Corporate Dog

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Re: Interfacing with a vending machine
« Reply #2 on: February 01, 2005, 03:41:52 pm »
Judging by his handle, it's probably more like "Clear a level of Tapper, have a beer."

 ;)

Regards,
Corporate Dog
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NoOne=NBA=

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Re: Interfacing with a vending machine
« Reply #3 on: February 01, 2005, 03:45:42 pm »
More information would help.

What type of vending machine?
How does it operate?
What do you want to control?
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joeyhaveafew

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Re: Interfacing with a vending machine
« Reply #4 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.
« Last Edit: February 01, 2005, 04:05:08 pm by joeyhaveafew »
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quadmasta

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Re: Interfacing with a vending machine
« Reply #5 on: February 01, 2005, 04:18:14 pm »
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!

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.
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BobA

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Re: Interfacing with a vending machine
« Reply #6 on: February 01, 2005, 06:27:41 pm »
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.
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Trimoor

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Re: Interfacing with a vending machine
« Reply #7 on: February 01, 2005, 08:22:05 pm »
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.
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quarterback

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Re: Interfacing with a vending machine
« Reply #8 on: February 01, 2005, 10:57:23 pm »
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.
« Last Edit: February 01, 2005, 11:00:38 pm by quarterback »
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quarterback

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Re: Interfacing with a vending machine
« Reply #9 on: February 02, 2005, 08:57:11 pm »
Nobody wants to post and tell me that my idea is brilliant?!?!?!?!?!?!?



Sheesh... tough crowd :)
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NoOne=NBA=

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Re: Interfacing with a vending machine
« Reply #10 on: February 02, 2005, 09:04:21 pm »
Quote from: quarterback on February 02, 2005, 08:57:11 pm
Nobody wants to post and tell me that my idea is brilliant?!?!?!?!?!?!?

We're waiting to see the implementation before commenting.
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joeyhaveafew

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Re: Interfacing with a vending machine
« Reply #11 on: February 03, 2005, 10:11:36 am »
Lot's of great ideas!  Thanks so much for your help!
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