Pachinko Card Reader Emulator System
Operation
The basic operation of the Card Reader Emulator system is that when the 'Ball Loan' button on the pachinko is pressed, 25 balls will be dispensed by the pachinko into the ball shooter tray. Depending on the operation mode of the Card Reader Emulator system, the user can control when balls are able to be dispensed, and when they are not.
If the Card Reader Emulator Unit is set to an operation mode where ball dispensing is possible, then the Ball Loan Available LED will be lit on the pachinko machine. This LED is usually located next to the credit display. If the pachinko is unable to dispense balls for any reason, then this LED will flash to indicate the problem.
For example if the pachinko is out of balls or if the shooter tray is full when the Ball Loan button is pressed, then the Ball Loan Available LED will flash three times. If the problem occurs in the middle of a payout cycle, then the Ball Loan Available LED will remain flashing until the payout can be completed.
Operation Mode 0 - Card Reader Emulator Functions Disabled
In this mode the unit functions exactly like a regular Card Reader Bypass dongle. There is no display and neither of the buttons have any function.
Operation Mode 1 - Freeplay
In this mode the Ball Loan Available LED next to the credit display is lit, but the credit display remains blank. In this mode each press of the ball loan button will dispense 25 balls.
Operation Mode 2 - Ball Counter
In this mode each press of the ball loan button will dispense 25 balls. The credit display will act as a ball counter, increasing as balls are dispensed.
The only way to reset the count is to use an external switch connected to the Card Reader Emulator units expansion connector, or to remove the power from the pachinko machine.
The counter will increase each time 25 balls are dispensed if the count divisor setting
in setup mode is set to 
, or on every 4th time balls are dispensed (ie every 100 balls)
for a setting of 
.
Operation Mode 3 - Ball Counter (Resettable)
This mode operates in the same way as Mode 2, but the count can also be reset by pressing and holding down the pachinko's Return button for 5 seconds.
Operation Mode 4 - Card Unit Emulation
In this mode the credit display will indicate the credit remaining on a virtual parlour pre-paid card, and the Ball Loan button can be pressed to dispense balls only while there is credit showing on the display.
Each time balls are dispensed, one credit is removed from the virtual pre-paid card
When the virtual pre-paid card is empty, it can be replaced with a full one by pressing an external switch connected to the Card Reader Emulator units expansion connector. The initial credit value of the virtual pre-paid card is set in setup mode by changing the values of the 'h', 't' and 'u' settings.
If the pachinko machine is turned off at any time, the credit balance on the virtual pre-paid card will be lost and will return to zero next time the machine is powered on. If you wish the balance to be stored while the power is off, then you will need to connect the optional smartcard reader, and set the Card Reader Emulator to operation mode 8.
Operation Mode 5 - Card Unit Emulation
This mode operates in the same way as Mode 4, but the virtual pre-paid card can also be changed for a full one by pressing and holding down the pachinko's Return button for 5 seconds.
Operation Mode 6 - Cash Unit Mode
In this mode the credit display again shows how much credit is available, and balls can only be dispensed while there is credit showing on the display. A switch closure on the external switch input simulates inserting a coin into a cash enabled pachinko machine, and will increase the credit balance on the display.
The credit value of each inserted coin can be set in setup mode by changing the values of the 'h', 't' and 'u' settings.
This mode is for arcade use and is intended to be used in conjunction with a coin/token acceptor. More information about connecting a coin/token acceptor to the Card Reader Emulator unit can be found on the Installation page.
Operation Mode 7 - Cash Unit Emulation
This mode operates in the same way as Mode 6, but the Return button can be pressed and held for 5 seconds to simulate inserting a coin and adding credit to the display.
Operation Mode 8 - Card Unit Mode
This mode is identical to operation mode 4, but uses the smartcard inserted into the optional smartcard reader to store the credit balance.
This mode is designed to be as close as possible to the operation of prepaid card units in Japanese pachinko parlours. Credit can only be obtained by inserting a smartcard into the smartcard reader, and when the credit balance on the smartcard is exhausted, the card needs to be replaced with another card.
The external switch connection can still be used to reload the card with the preset amount of credit. Though as the expansion connector has been used for connecting the smartcard reader, the external switch needs to be connected to the header provided on the smartcard reader board.
Operation Mode 9 - Card Unit Emulation (with Smartcard)
This mode is identical to operation mode 5, but uses the smartcard inserted into the optional smartcard reader to store the credit balance. This way the credit balance can be stored while the pachinko machine is switched off, and each player can keep their individual credit balances on their own smartcards.
This mode can also be used to restore the credit balance on empty smartcards used in operation mode 8, without needing an external credit switch to be connected.
