Possible New Counter Mod

[pfiesm]

I am considering producing a new counter mod for Pachi machines. The device would mount inside the machine and would keep track of tokens and bonuses. You would be able to interconnect multiple slot machines into a daisy chain network, using simple telephone wire. Then you would connect the first machine back to you home PC using a simple adapter. (Serial or USB) Then, PC Software would be provided to read and manage the stats from the counters.

Target price would be around $45 for the counter, and then you would also need the PC adapter for about $20. So this puts you at about $65 for the first machine (+Shipping, etc..) and about $45 for each additional machine.

So my question is: Is anybody interested in something like this? I suspect the moderators will not like it if this forum gets overloaded with comments on this subject, so please send me an EMail directly if you are interested.

Send to:
Feedback@TamMarProducts.com

[arbycoffee]

this is were the info should be, above board and out in the open

[azlew]

Sounds GREAT to me!

How about something for Pachinkos also?

[pfiesm]

Based on the lack of response here, it looks like not many would be interested in this. Not really sure if it's the price or the mod that's the issue. I would apprieciate some feedback. Please let me know if you think this is just a dumb idea, or if you think it's too expensive, or if there is some other reason why you would would not be interested in this.

Thanks

[logicprobe]

Yeah... it didn't exactly get "overloaded with comments" now, did it?

I figured you wanted comments emailed to you, since that's what you asked for.

So you either wanted to keep things a secret... or was collecting email addresses for something.

If you're in it for profit, design and build it, demo it, and see if they will come. It's all part of the R+D. Then, put it on the auction site here.

If you're in it for fun and sharing a good idea, that some (those with LOTS of machines) might want... and be able to construct with open source code, parts, and some boards... there are places for that as well, like sourceforge. And by all means, link to the project here.

[azlew]

Well I commented and asked if anything is available for Pachinkos. I got no response. Dealers that ignore questions are noticed by members here and they tend to remember that. Good luck in your future surveys.

[pfiesm]

Thanks for the feedback. I did actually ask for direct EMails in my initial message, because I thought the moderators would not like this generating a lot of messages in the forum, but the moderator chimed in and said it was OK, so messages in here are OK. I understand your concern about the possiblility of me collecting EMails (somthing I had not thought about) so I can understand why nobody had taken that route either.

As for profit vs fun, I wouldn't mind making a few bucks on this, but I'm not looking to get rich. I certainly would need to make enough to cover my time. Would help to subsidize my electronics hobbie. (Thus keeping the other half off my back ) Maybe I will considder making a few and see if people like them.

As for the Pachinko's, I don't own one, so I have no idea if supporting them would be possible. I suspect not, but I would be interested in hearing if they have similar relay boards in them like the Pachislos. I appologize for not reponding directly to that message. I didn't know how to answer it, so I didn;t respond.

Again, thanks for the feedback. I would still like to hear from a few more people if they have input. It would help me decide if I really want to spend a few hundred bucks to make a batch of these. I have a prototype working on a breadboard, but to make something good, I need to buy real circuit boards and components.

Marty

[azlew]

Thanks for responding. I know that there is interest in what you are talking about and I am glad you are willing to share with us what you need to do to do it. Please continue to keep us informed.

[Lddrizzt]

What I would like to see is something like a battle counter with flashing lights n stuff but maybe on the computer screen?
If one could display mutilpe machines info at one time with the flashing lights during a bonus that would be really cool. I would dedicate a computer to something like that and mount the monitor up so everyone could see it.

[pfiesm]

What I would like to see is something like a battle counter with flashing lights n stuff but maybe on the computer screen?
If one could display mutilpe machines info at one time with the flashing lights during a bonus that would be really cool. I would dedicate a computer to something like that and mount the monitor up so everyone could see it.

Interesting ideas. I hadn't really thought of something as interactive as this. I'm definetly thinking you would be able to see stats from multiple machines all at once. The stats would probably refresh at some interval, because the PC would need to poll the data from the slot machine counter. So, yes, I think a program could know within a reasonable amount of time (maybe a few seconds?) that a slot has entered a bonus round. I was currently thinking an update rate of 30 seconds or so, so I may need to work on the update rate a little. I'm not really sure about the flashing lights though. I suppose it could do some sort of graphics? I'm really not a very good graphics guy, so I may need some help on that part.

Marty

[pfiesm]

Update:

I've ordered parts to make a few of these. It will be a few weeks, but I'll let you all know when there ready. I've obviously got some work ahead of me to get these ready. I did some work testing performance, and it looks like I can get the refresh rate on the PC down to the 8-10 second range. I think this will make a good 'Parlor" type system for those with multiple machines.

When I have some more details, I'll try to get a Web site up, and I'll post it.

Marty

[pfiesm]

Does anyone have Copyright free pictures of the relay boards inside the slot machines that I could use in documentation and the web sit to illustrate how to install the board. I know there are at least two types. Ihave two slots machines an they have two different types, but its kinda hard to get a picture inside the cabinet. I really don;t want to remove the boards if I don't have to.

As this post implies, I'm getting close to having something and I'm working on a web page. I think (hope) your going to like it.

Marty

[compirate]

They're actually easy to remove, one connector and a couple clips. I can't believe all the pictures I have and none of that!

[pfiesm]

We put up a crude web site if you want to get a look. Should be ready to sell in about a week. We have only a limited number (10) built. We will build more as soon as we see how well they go over.

www.tammarproducts.com

Marty

[drcrippen324]

looks real good marty have you managed to get anywhere with the pachinko side you were thinking of or has it stopped with just pachislo also have you got a price yet

[pfiesm]

I would love to get involved in the Pachinko side, but I want to see this one get off the ground first. Then I will need some help from someone who understands the Pachinko machines. I would need some preliminary questions answered, first and formost: Do they have a relay board that the casino's would hook up to like the Pachislo's? I would also need to buy a couple so that I could understand them better and to have something to test with. I think it would be cool to be able to network both Pachislo and Pachinko machines together and see the stats on a single PC application.

As for PachiCount pricing, it will be as follows:

1-2 Units - $45 each
3-4 Units - $42.75 each (5% discount)
5-10 Units - $40.50 each (10% discount)
10+ Units - $38.25 each (15% discount)
These prices include the PachiCount card, AC Adapter, and a 25ft phone cord.

Shipping I'm not really sure on. I think it will be something like $12 for the first unit and $2 per additional unit anywhere in the 48 states. But it really depends on what the real shipping charges turn out to be. I will adjust the shipping to cover the actual shipping and packaging costs as closely as possible.

You will also need an adapter for your PC. It's available in both serial and USB versions and they cost $20-$25 plus shipping. You only need one adapter because the PachiCounts get Daisy chained together. I don't have the adapters, but I will post where to get them on the web site in a few days.

Thanks for the feedback.

Marty

[pfiesm]

Because paypall does not support volume discount pricing, we decided to change the pricing a little. It will be $45 each without price discounts, but the shipping will be $10 flat rate. So if you order 10, the shipping is still $10. This just makes it a lot easier to setup a shopping cart. It also makes the low volume pricing a little bit better.

I think were ready to sell now, but were just taking care a couple details. Should be ready soon. (Maybe tomorrow?)

[drcrippen324]

ok the easy answer is ther is a relay bord as such that gives out bonus big bonus number of starts on the reels ect but it works by shorting the conections as aposed to sending a signal down the cable im kinda on a steep lurning curve at the momet as im working out how the parlour battle counters are connected in with a little help from compirate but im almost there iv got 2 of the 3 counters working that i purchased (3 difrent makes)

[compirate]

Most pachinkos work by grounding the connections although some (I assume older models) provide a voltage instead.

I would think these count modules could easily be used for pachinko, just a little redo of the software to reflect what's being counted. Also leaves 3 other things that can be counted. Like balls played/won (using some kind of sensors).

[pfiesm]

ok the easy answer is ther is a relay bord as such that gives out bonus big bonus number of starts on the reels ect but it works by shorting the conections as aposed to sending a signal down the cable im kinda on a steep lurning curve at the momet as im working out how the parlour battle counters are connected in with a little help from compirate but im almost there iv got 2 of the 3 counters working that i purchased (3 difrent makes)

Sounds very similar to the Pachislo machines. I'd love to see a picture of the relay board. Maybe I'll just have to break down and buy a pachinko and see for myself. If it is exactly like the Pachislo relays, then the PachiCount board may work as is?

By the way, the PachiCount web site is now open for business. If you have any trouble, please let me know.

www.TamMarProducts.com

Marty

Most pachinkos work by grounding the connections although some (I assume older models) provide a voltage instead.

I would think these count modules could easily be used for pachinko, just a little redo of the software to reflect what's being counted. Also leaves 3 other things that can be counted. Like balls played/won (using some kind of sensors).

Balls played/won is similar to Pachislo Tokens In/Out. The Pachislo's have 4 pins that go to a common. The connections are just closed by a set of relays. The 4 relays equate to: Tokens In/Out, Regular Bonus, and Big Bonus. The token relays pulse when tokens are played/won, and the bonus relays stay on when the machine is in a bonus round. As I said, there just relays, so its up to the user to provide power. The PachiCount has a 5V supply that provide the power.

Marty