Appendix Drs-485 Networker - AVE VSI-PRO Operation Manual

APPENDIX D
RS-485 NETWORKER
The RS-485 Networker is designed to convert the RS-232 serial port output of the VSI-Pro to be a poll/select
network. This allows all the transaction data to be collected by one computer for up to 64 VSI-Pros.
APPLICATION
Many users of the VSI-Pro want to capture all the transaction data from several units to one device. The RS-485
Networker allows all data from up to 64 VSI-Pros to be recorded on one PC or sent to one DVR. The user can then
later search data history for evaluation. With remote software like PC Anywhere, a remote location could dial into
many sites and review exception history and provide a value added service their existing customers.
THEORY
The VSI-Pro contains an internal data buffer of 24K bytes. The VSI-Pro can also be programmed for this buffer to
hold all the on-screen data or just exceptions optionally containing Time/Date and other trigger text. The "handshaking"
option in the VSI-Pro allows for external hardware handshaking for this output port to be controlled by the "RTS"
input. When this hardware handshaking input is false, the data is saved to the internal buffer. When this input is true
the data is sent out the serial port. The RS-485 Networker controls this handshaking signal to the VSI-Pro and when
the networker is addressed by the host the data from the VSI-Pro is sent to the host. The data from each Networker
is saved to a log file on the PC which can be read later as a data history from each VSI-Pro.
RS-485 NETWORK
Up to 64 RS-485 Networkers can be connected on one RS-485 2-wire network. A unique address for each RS-485
Networker is set by its internal dipswitch. The protocol is basically poll/select. The baud rate is set at 19.2K.
RS-485 to RS-232 CONVERTER
A standard PC or Laptop is used with the supplied software. The RS-485 to RS-232 Converter converts the PC or
DVR RS-232 to RS-485. The handshaking signals of the PC control the direction of the RS-485 communications.
Triport
CASH REGISTER 1
Triport
CASH REGISTER "n"
"n" means up to 64 Cash Registers / VSI-Pros / RS-485 Networkers can be connected on one RS-485
Network
VSI-Pro VIDEO SERIAL INTERFACE
RS-232
Cable
VSI-Pro 1
RS-485 Networker
1
RS-232
Cable
VSI-Pro "n" RS-485 Networker "n"
Figure 1D: Connection Diagram for RS-485 Network
Hydra
Controller
RS-485
Cable
RS-485 to RS-232
Converter
62
RS-485 NETWORKER
COM 1 (DB-9)
COM 2 (DB-25)
RS-232
Cable
DVR
MODEM