COOLSIGN CASINO EQUIPMENT INTERFACE

Casino Equipment Interface

Recommended Mikohn CON2 Setup
February 10, 2003

COOLSIGN CASINO EQUIPMENT INTERFACE

Authors
Drew Topel, Sergio Palacio
Copyright
Copyright 2003 AdSpace Networks, Inc.
All rights reserved.
The information contained in this document is believed to be reliable, but AdSpace Networks makes no warranties
as to its accuracy or completeness.
AdSpace Networks reserves the right to change product specifications without prior notice.
Trademarks
AdSpace, and CoolSign are registered trademarks or trademarks of AdSpace Networks, Inc.
All other products, names, and services may be trademarks of their respective companies.
Software Release
This documentation applies to CoolSign Management Workstations employing at least Release 1.3 of the
CoolSign System Manager software.
Later software releases are intended to be backward compatible but may introduce new functionality not treated in
this document. Other AdSpace documentation may describe functionality not treated in this document that will
become available with later software releases.
Please consult with AdSpace Networks or its authorized representatives to ensure compatibility.
Publication Date
February 10, 2003

AdSpace Networks, Inc.

270 E. Lane, Ste 1
Burlingame CA USA
tel/+1 (650) 231-0120
fax/+1 (650) 231-0121

ii

COOLSIGN CASINO EQUIPMENT INTERFACE

Table of Contents
Overview.................................................................................................................................................1
Installing the Equipment ..........................................................................................................................2
Controller ............................................................................................................................................2
RS-232 to RS-485 Cable ......................................................................................................................2
Programming the Mikohn system.............................................................................................................4
Overview .............................................................................................................................................4
Installation and access to the PSP interface...........................................................................................4
Critical Parameter settings....................................................................................................................7
PSP Interface .......................................................................................................................................8
Function keys in the PSP......................................................................................................................8
F1 SEND .........................................................................................................................................8
F2 LOAD ........................................................................................................................................8
F3 Jackpot Types .............................................................................................................................8
F4 Machine Type .............................................................................................................................8
F5 Time Duration ............................................................................................................................8
F6 Jackpot Group.............................................................................................................................9
F7 Coin and $$$$.............................................................................................................................9
F8 Machine Serial Communication ..................................................................................................9
Appendix A: Technical Details ..........................................................................................................10
The Mikon Super Controller ..........................................................................................................10

iii

Overview
The Casino Equipment Interface (CEI) is an optional software module that enables casino operators to
show totals from progressive gaming machines on CoolSign displays. Primarily intended for AdSpace
installers and Value Added Representatives (VARs), this document describes the preferred setup of the
Mikohn CON2 device that has been shown to work reliably with our CON2 reader software (CEI).
This document provides you the information you need to configure the Mikhon software to use with the
CEI. It assumes that you have an AdSpace Networks Display Controller that has had the CEI software
installed on it.
Another document, the Casino Equipment Interface, describes the installation of the CEI software and the
required connection to the CON2 box.

COOLSIGN CASINO EQUIPMENT INTERFACE

Installing the Equipment

This section describes how to install the equipment needed by the Casino Equipment Interface.

Controller
The Casino Equipment Interface currently interfaces with one controller: Mikohns Super Controller
(Con 2). Mikohns Super Controller handles the tallying of the progressive amount and detects when a
machine has won a progressive jackpot. For a jackpot, it captures the jackpot amount and a reference to
the winning gaming machine.

RS-232 to RS-485 Cable

Connecting the Mikohn Super Controller to the Display Controller requires a specific cable converter and
connector. A commonly used converter is Atens IC-485. Two different models are available: one
requiring and including a power supply, and one non-powered unit. Both are supported and are available
at about the same price.
Other solutions to convert RS-232 to RS-485 are possible and perhaps desirable, especially if the
alternative does not require a separate power supply or if it is a card that can be inserted in the Display
Controller.
The cable, IC-485 converter, and connector are shown in the photographs provided on the next page. In
this picture you can see how the red plug from the RS-485 side of the cable connects to the Mikohn
controller. The RS-232 side of the converter is a 9-pin female connector that is attached to the Display
Controllers serial port. Note which COM port you use to attach the Mikohn, as you will need this
information for the software installation. Typically, you will use COM1, unless that port is already in use
(e.g. to control the plasma) Then you would use COM2.

COOLSIGN CASINO EQUIPMENT INTERFACE

IC-485S Converter
RS 232

From left to right, black,

yellow, green, and red
wires.

Set right side

switch Down
Set left side
switch Up

RS 485
From left to right, red,
green, yellow, and
black wires.

Connection to Mikohns
Super Controller. Wires:
Red, Grn, Yellow, Black

COOLSIGN CASINO EQUIPMENT INTERFACE

Programming the Mikohn system

Overview
Mikohn systems are programmed with a program called PSP.exe provided by Mikohn. To configure the
Mikohn you will need to hook up your computer to the front of the Mikohn CON2 box with a DB9
female to male straight through serial cable. Typically, you do not need to do anything to the CON2 box
since it will be setup already by the casino in fact you should NOT change the configuration unless
directed by a slot technician from the casino. But if the CEI does not seem to function, it is important to
look at the configuration is to see whether it is compatible with CEI.

Installation and access to the PSP interface

1. The PSP utility can be found in \\mulder\x\software\Progressive-CEI-Casino Equipment Interface\CDDelivery-Template\CEI\mikohn disk.zip and should be extracted in the C:\PSP directory
2. Double-click the PSP.exe
3. Select the type of Controller (See second graphic below) ? Enter

COOLSIGN CASINO EQUIPMENT INTERFACE

Notice the Default error in the bottom

4. Enter the Password: 135642 ? Press F10
5. Select Main Menu ? Enter

6. Select Default Path ? Enter

COOLSIGN CASINO EQUIPMENT INTERFACE

7. Select option 1. JackPot Programming ? Enter

COOLSIGN CASINO EQUIPMENT INTERFACE

1. This is the screen used to configure the Mikohn Controller

2. Hit F2 to load in the current configuration from the Mikohn. You should see the current jackpot
amount change to the correct value. If you enter some more coins and hit F2 again, you should
see the jackpot increment (assuming that you entered enough coins to make a jackpot
contribution).

Critical Parameter settings

There are a few parameters that need close attentions as they affect the jackpot increment or can cause the
CEI to be incompatible with the Mikohn. See the PSP Interface section below for more information on
the use of the function keys.
The following Jackpot types are supported by CEI (changed via the F3 key):
JP Types
Meaning
SNGL
Only one JP or game is incremented by the total progressive %
(this is the recommended setting for CEI)
HID1
Half the % is directed towards the hidden value. Supports up to 4
simultaneous games
HID2
Same as above. Supports 2 simultaneous games
HID3
Two different increment modes. Uses 8 JPs
ARRW
Uses Arrow to flip between displays. Uses 2 JPs
HIGH
Arrow always points to the larger JP
MANY
Runs up to 8 single-type games
2BET
Allows separate coins and JP signals for ea/output line

The following Communications Protocol have been shown to work with CEI (changed via F8 key):
Protocol
JP Groups
Setting
MS00
Mikohn
MS04
1 group no cycling
0
MS08
1 group cycling
0

COOLSIGN CASINO EQUIPMENT INTERFACE

All other communication protocols need either a special kind of software for swapping JP or additional JP
configurations.

PSP Interface

Function keys in the PSP

There are eight different function keys in the PSP.exe interface:
F1 SEND
Transmits all values entered to the SuperController
F2 LOAD
This key is the reverse of SEND. It reads values from the SuperController in to the PSP interface
F3 Jackpot Types
This function key selects jackpot types or mode. There are modes: single, hidden (3 forms),
double, many and 2bet.
F4 Machine Type
This function addresses what is known as Machine Type. No standard of reporting coin or jackpot
signals from a slot machine exists. Each manufacturer has created its own output specifications.
F5 Time Duration
The function key F5 adapts mikohns SuperController to different manufacturersequipment by
informing the SuperController the time duration of a jackpot signal.

COOLSIGN CASINO EQUIPMENT INTERFACE

F6 Jackpot Group
The supercontroller maintains eight jackpot groups. Each group has an independent Base Value,
Current JP, JP Limit, and increment values. F6 determines which group is being worked on
(Jackpot type work with jackpot Type)
F7 Coin and $$$$
Mikohn displays can present jackpots as a currency value or as a coin amount.
F8 Machine Serial Communication
F8 addresses the type of serial communication protocol that the SuperController uses to
communicate with the slot machines (settings are Ms00 through MS09)
The Jackpot Groups (F6) are associated with their corresponding Jackpot Types (F3). For example:
Jackpot type
SNGL
HID1
HID2
ARRW
2BET

is associated
with
with
with
with
with

JP Group
JP0
JP0, JP2, JP4, JP6
JP0, JP1
JP0, JP1
JP0, JP1, JP2, JP3

Single mode is the simplest since only one game (JP0) is incremented by the total progressive percentage.
When this value is paid out by the occurrence of a progressive jackpot on a connected slot machine, the
new value to be won is a pre-configured base amount, which is called the BASE VALUE. The
BASE Value replaces the CURRENT JP. This new CURRENT JP value is then incremented when coins
are played.
The Increment1 and Increment2 formulas are dependent on the F7 currency value or coin amount of the
machine. If the machine is set to use currency then the increment rate equals the machine denomination.
For example:
Machine denomination
Progression Rate
Increment rate

=
=
=

$1.00
5% (.05)
1 * .05

.05 (5 cents) per coin in

If the machine is set to use a coin format then the formula to be used is Increment rate equals the
Progressive rate divided by 100.
For example:
Machine denomination
Progression Rate
Increment rate

=
=
=

$1.00
5% (.05)
.05/100

.0005

COOLSIGN CASINO EQUIPMENT INTERFACE

Appendix A: Technical Details

The Mikon Super Controller
The controller handles up to 8 jackpot groups, and it supports slot and poker machines from most gaming
manufacturers. Each Super Controller can manage 32 machines. Controllers can be connected with fiber
optic cables, so as many as 160 machines can be linked to form a single progressive jackpot. The Casino
Equipment Interface handles any number of jackpot groups used from the Mikohn controller.

10