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Could this be done with a BS 2? — Parallax Forums

Could this be done with a BS 2?

slotcarzslotcarz Posts: 30
edited 2005-04-08 22:33 in BASIC Stamp
hi all..
I'm in the process of building a LED moving display for my slot machine. The machine itself is set up for a progressive jackpot payoff. However the data needs to be pulled off of the machine in order to calculate the percentage for the jp. I do have the schematic of the mainboard for it and it has a·9 pin and a 25 pin·plug I believe·that could be used to pull off the data. The company that made the device holds certain rights to the equipment and hense, it did not come with it.. Are you with me so far....

Could I use the BS 2 that will be running my display to also pull off the data for the progressive? I know it sounds like a long shot but I ran into a dead end with some slot techs that basically wouldn't help with anything. I'm sure its a trade secret thing. Not that I'm trying to break the law, the machine is set up for amusement and doesn't payoff with actual money. It does however payoff with credits.

The LED dsplay is just for looks so to speak and would be a great thing to actaully monitor the progressive like in the casinos. If I am rambling too much, please let me know and I'll delete the post.

Basically I'm looking for a way to write a program and use the BS 2 to do the task.

thanks again for your help...

slotcarz

Comments

  • Chris SavageChris Savage Parallax Engineering Posts: 14,406
    edited 2005-04-08 05:55
    slotcarz,

    ·· Without knowing what data is even there, or what format it's in, how many bytes per value, etc. you can't hope to get any meaningful data from the machine.· It would be like having an EPROM from an unknown system and trying to disassemble it on an 8085 disassembler.· What if the code came from a 6809?· The analogy is to make the point that it would be hard to determine what data is what in the device without any specifications.



    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Chris Savage
    Parallax Tech Support
    csavage@parallax.com
  • Bruce BatesBruce Bates Posts: 3,045
    edited 2005-04-08 08:13
    slotcarz -

    Chris is entirely right in what he says, but some of us just can't resist such a reverse engineering challange smile.gif The first thing you need is a set of tools before you attempt to probe what you suspect is an unknown format RS-232 port.

    The first tool you need is a voltmeter to get an idea of the voltages of the signals coming out from this port, and which pins show a voltage, and which pins do not. If the output from the port appears from a voltage and pin use point of view to conform to RS-232 signals, you are well on your way.

    The second tool you need is a decent port sniffer. Undoubtedly you COULD use a Stamp for this, but provisions would have to be made to alter the baudmode parameter with each trial pass, and more importantly, the Stamp does not support all of the various combinations of word length, parity, number of start/stop bit, etc, so one might do well to use a different sniffer. Here is one I've found to be invaluable: http://www.win-tech.com/html/demos.htm .
    Scroll down the page to LISTEN32 and download it. Now you can use a PC as an RS-232 datascope or port sniffer.

    Once you have determined what the parameters are, by experimentation, then flip back to your Stamp and do whatever you need to do, now knowing the appropriate parameters to plug into the baudmode sub-parameter of your SERIN command.

    Let us know how you make out.

    Regards,

    Bruce Bates
  • slotcarzslotcarz Posts: 30
    edited 2005-04-08 22:33
    Thank you both for the info.. I am waiting for my BS 2 to arrive and have a long road ahead of me. My first task is to get the display working. If that happens, I will go from there. Start with the easiest and roll up the sleeves for the rest...
    thanks again

    slotcarz
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