Configuring SingleVend Mode

Overview

This page is intended to guide the user through the concepts and options related to pulse (SingleVend) configurations on equipment utilized in the FasCard system.

Operation

When a reader is configured for SingleVend operation, a signal is sent from the reader to the machine via an electrical or digital pulse. This is the same type of signal the machine would receive from a coin drop. This signal is sent via a one-way communication harness, where the reader does not know anything about the state of the machine. It is simply sending a vend start pulse to the machine and will report that it is in use or idle depending on the assigned cycle time.

Notes

The machine settings (cycle lengths, water temps, spin times, etc.) must all be configured on the machine. They cannot be controlled by the FasCard system.
When cycle time is set to 0, or when using the Multi-Option mode, the reader will not show as "in use".

Vend Sequence

The customer drops coins or swipes a card (credit or loyalty).
Price decreases on the reader.
Once the vend price on the reader has been met, the reader will pulse the machine.
The price decreases on the machine.
Once the machine has received all of the pulses and the vend price is satisfied, it will be available to start.

Terminology

Pulse Length: The length, in milliseconds, of the signal sent from the reader to the machine. See also: Determining Pulse Length and Interval.
- This value varies from machine to machine.
Pulse Interval: The length, in milliseconds, between each pulse.
- If set too low (fast) the machine may not recognize all pulses sent from the reader. The higher (slower) the pulse interval is, the longer it will take before the machine is ready to start. See also: Determining Pulse Length and Interval.
Pulse Type: The method in which the reader pulses the machine, e.g. Relay, MLV+, or MLV-.
- Unless otherwise instructed, always use Relay.
Sensor Input: Used to detect if the machine door is open or closed.
- Only available on certain machines with certain start harnesses.
Show Remaining Time: Controls whether the reader will display the time remaining based on the Cycle Time assigned.
Cycle Time: Because the reader does not know if the machine is running, a separate configurable timer is used for the reader.
- On washers, the timer is used to prevent additional vends.
- On dryers, the timer is used to determine if an additional vend should be charged as a top-off.
# of Pulses: The number of pulses triggered to start the machine.
- This should be set to the machine's internal vend price divided by the coin value. See Determining the number of pulses section below.

To configure an equipment type, go to https://admin.fascard.com/ and sign in. Navigate to the Setup tab and follow the Equipment Types link.

To configure pricing and features, go to https://admin.fascard.com/ and sign in. Navigate to the Setup tab and follow the Pricing and Features link.

Determining the number of pulses

Because the reader is in control of starting the machine, it must be configured to send the correct number of pulses once the vend price on the reader has been met.

The number of pulses depends on the vend price and coin values on the machine. To determine the number of pulses, take the vend price divided by the coin value.

Example calculations

Example calculations
Mach. vend price	Mach. coin value	Pulses
$3.75	$0.25	15
$2.00	$2.00	1
$8.00	$1.00	8
$1.00	$0.50	2

To determine the number of pulses required to start a machine, use either formula shown below:

Number of pulses - Formula 1:

Desired cycle time		Machine base cycle time		Number of pulses (must be a whole number)
	divide		equals	#

Example:

Desired cycle time		Machine base cycle time		Number of pulses (must be a whole number)
30 Minutes	divide	3 Minutes	equals	10 pulses

Number of pulses - Formula 2:

Machine base cycle time		Number of pulses		Max cycle time
	multiply		equals

Example:

Machine base cycle time		Number of pulses		Max cycle time
3 Minutes	multiply	5 pulses	equals	15 Minutes

Configuring machines

FasCard can be configured to start a machine whether it takes one pulse or multiple pulses to start. However, there are pros and cons to both setups.

Single pulse setups

For a machine to start on one pulse, the machine's internal vend price and coin value must be set to the same values. The same rules apply to the FasCard equipment type setup.

Pros

Only 1 pulse is sent so it is less likely for the machine to miss a pulse.
Ideal for locations that are 'Card-only'.

Cons

If the machine currently starts on one pulse, it will require re-configuring the machine. Though once configured, it will not need to be changed again.

Multiple pulse setup

For a machine to start on multiple pulses, the machine's coin value must be a factor of the machine's internal vend price. The same rules apply to the FasCard equipment type setup.

Pros

Only requires configuring FasCard to send the correct number of pulses.
Ideal for equipment that has a lower price point.

Cons

Possible for the machine to occasionally miss a pulse, especially on more expensive machines (eg. $8.00 washer / $0.25 coin value = 32 pulses)

SingleVend modes

The listed modes, below, cover the various features and pricing capabilities each mode can be configured to. Certain modes are limited to specific types of machines and will be noted as such. Use the 'Choosing a SingleVend mode' table at the bottom of the list to reference the type of mode you need for the equipment you are working on.

Simple mode is used when equipment is configured with a single price to start.

Example setup

This mode cannot be used on stack dryers with only 1 reader!

Top-Off mode is used on dryers when a separate price is charged for additional top-off vends. While idle, the reader will charge the Machine Start price. While running (determined by the Cycle Time setting) the Top-Off price will be charged.

Example setup

In the above example, the equipment is configured for a $0.50 start price (2 pulses) with an 8-minute cycle time. Additional top-off vends are $0.25 (1 pulse) with a 5-minute cycle time.

Similar to the Top-Off mode, the Extra Option mode allows a limit to be set regarding the number of times the added option can be purchased. Additionally, the ability to purchase the extra option can be set to expire. For example, if you are setting up a washer in SingleVend mode that includes one modifier, then the extra available option would be assigned to this modifier with a limit of one time.

Example setup

Notes

Allows the extra option to be chosen when the reader is running (determined from the Avail Time setting while the reader is in use).

Multi-Option mode is used on dryers when wanting to offer multiple vend options to the customer.

Example setup

Notes

Allows up to five different options to be configured, priced, and shown on the reader (whereas 17 options can be configured in total for adjustment).
Customers can select the option they wish to purchase by using the 'Up' and 'Down' arrow buttons on the FasCard reader.
- All five options can be chosen regardless if the machine is idle or running.
Filling the circle in the "Default" field will set the selected option to become the first default choice for the reader.
The number of pulses per option is dependent upon the selected machine configuration. In the above example, one pulse is configured on the machine for five minutes, translating to a default start time of fifteen minutes thus requiring three pulses.

Adding options

To configure vend options, click the Option Configuration button. Up to 5 options can be enabled at one time.
Checking the Enabled box and entering an option name in the Name field will add options to the equipment.
Once finished, click Save and then click Back to Equipment Setup.

Choosing a SingleVend mode

There are five (5) SingleVend modes, each serving a different purpose. The mode to use depends on the type of equipment and how the machine will be priced. The table below lists the SingleVend modes used for specific types of machines and their reader quantities.

Reader qty	Equipment type	Pricing	SingleVend mode

Reader qty	Equipment type	Pricing	SingleVend mode
1 reader	Washer	Single price	Simple
1 reader	Washer w/ one modifier	Single start price + single modifier	Extra Option
1 reader	Single dryer	Single price	Simple
1 reader	Single dryer	Top-off pricing	Top-Off
2 readers	Stack dryer	Single price	Simple
2 readers	Stack dryer	Top-Off pricing	Top-Off
1 reader	Stack Dryer (single control board) or Stack Washer/Dryer (combo, single control board)	Single-price	Simple
1 reader		Variable pricing	Multi-Option

Additional resources

For additional information regarding the following related topics, please see the links below.