Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: joeyhaveafew on February 01, 2005, 02:35:36 pm

Title: Interfacing with a vending machine
Post by: joeyhaveafew 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.

Title: Re: Interfacing with a vending machine
Post by: ChadTower on February 01, 2005, 02:38:02 pm

HA, that's funny... get a high score, win a candy bar.   ;D

Title: Re: Interfacing with a vending machine
Post by: Corporate Dog 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

Title: Re: Interfacing with a vending machine
Post by: NoOne=NBA= 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?

Title: Re: Interfacing with a vending machine
Post by: 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.

Title: Re: Interfacing with a vending machine
Post by: quadmasta 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.

Title: Re: Interfacing with a vending machine
Post by: BobA 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.

Title: Re: Interfacing with a vending machine
Post by: Trimoor 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.

Title: Re: Interfacing with a vending machine
Post by: quarterback 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.

Title: Re: Interfacing with a vending machine
Post by: quarterback on February 02, 2005, 08:57:11 pm

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



Sheesh... tough crowd :)

Title: Re: Interfacing with a vending machine
Post by: NoOne=NBA= 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.

Title: Re: Interfacing with a vending machine
Post by: joeyhaveafew on February 03, 2005, 10:11:36 am

Lot's of great ideas!  Thanks so much for your help!