A-LINK

In an A-Link, the participating machines are operating

without an external controller hardware. Data com-
munication is carried out via an "in-machine" communi-
cations board (Commboard) which also interfaces into
the Player Tracking and/or On-line application.

This means that each machine is equipped with its own

commboard and link software and can take on the role
of either Master or Slave. This function is well known
in computer network systems and now, for the first
time, it is being introduced into Casino Slot Link appli-
cations. This principle ensures that, if the Master unit
should malfunction, all valid Jackpot data and the func-
tionality of the system remains intact.

A-Link
Complete A-Link with optional Mikohn display
and Soundbox:

August 99 6501 0764

A-Link-1
Installation
Prepare machines
(only where not delivered as a complete system)

• Check and replace software where necessary

additional
information See section "software"

• Set the machine address with the switches S1 and

S2 on the Commboard. Each machine must have a
different address. The addresses range from 01 to
32. The address 00 is not valid.

S1: x10
S2: x 1
Note:
Take note of each machines ad-
eg: the address 24 = S1 to 2 and S2 to 4
dress for easily finding the mas-
ter later on.

A-Link
• Set Commboard Switch S5/2 to
ON: Progressive System A-Link.

• Install upgraded boards (where necessary) in all

machines participating in the link.

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A-Link-2
Link machines System requirements:
• Commboard for each machine
• Connect the machines via the Commboard • Same number of A-Link cables
Connect power supply to first Commboard (J10 or • Power supply
J11)
Connect the cables Commboard to Commboard (J10
and J11)

• Mikohn Sign (optional)

A-Link
Connect to J7 on any Commboard participating in
the A-Link and enable sign in configuration software.

• External event eg: Soundbox (optional)

Connect to J3 on any Commboard participating in
the A-Link and enable trigger in configuration soft-
ware.

August 99
A-Link-3
Initialize machines

• Power up all the machines participating in the A-

Link and perform a RAM Clear (RRES08 in socket
additional
information See section "software"
U2 on Masterboard).

A-Link
• Perform basic machine setup (starts automatically additional
information See section "software"
after power up).

The converted machines are now ready for the

A-Link configuration.

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A-Link-4
Configure machine - general

Determine the Master machine

(A-Link configuration can only be performed via the
Master machine)

• Enter Service Menu

• Enter Selftest
• Select A-Link Status

When the link is initializing, the status will be a number

from 1-3

Where the link is operating, the status will be Master

or Slave.

A-Link
SLAVE
determine master machine

MASTER
carry on with configuration

• Enter the Service menu at the Master machine, and

select PC-Setup.

• Select Jackpot Configuration (appropriate configu-

ration software version will be displayed on the
screen).

No need to configure Slaves

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A-Link-5
Prepare PC/Laptop

• Connect PC/Laptop, fitted with hardlock Dongle, to

the Master machine, using the PC-Setup cable.

• Start the PC/Laptop in DOS-mode and run the Jack-

pot configuration software.

• Download the current Jackpot configuration.

(Start transmission on PC/Laptop and press cen-
ter lit button on Master machine within ten sec-
onds.)

Depending on the jackpot mode to be configured se-

A-Link
lect:
• Progressive Jackpot
• Action Jackpots

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A-Link-6
Configure Progressive Jackpot
The Progressive Jackpot is configured using three
menus:

Progressive General Settings:

A-Link
• Used to set up the way the Jackpot amount is to
be displayed

Progressive Parameters:
• Used to set up the different values and limits for
the Jackpot

Progressive Text & Colors

• Used to set up the text shown on the "in-machine"
display

Navigate through the menus with the cursor "up" and

"down" keys.

Type in the appropriate values in the data fields.

Press the "return" key to display the possible selec-

tions in the predefined field and select setting with
the cursor "up" and "down" keys, then press the "re-
turn" key to confirm selection.

Transmit changed settings to the Master machine by

pressing the "F2" key (changes to the Jackpot calcula-
tion have to be confirmed with the "F8" key) and press-
ing the center lit button on the machine within 10
seconds.

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A-Link-7
Progressive General Settings

• Denomination: Denomination of a single credit

(this value is used to calculate the Jackpot incre-
ment).

A-Link
• Currency: Currency symbol or abbreviation (is dis-
played together with the Jackpot amount).

• Currency Position: Can be set to lead or trail the

displayed Jackpot amount.

• Thousand Separator: When activated, the speci-

fied symbol will be inserted after each third digit.

• Decimal Separator: When activated, the specified

symbol will be inserted and the decimal will be dis-
played.

• Debug Mode: Only for internal use.

• Overhead Display Type: Depending on the connect-

ed external display select None, Mikohn SC (Super
Cameleon) or Mikohn Supreme.

• In Machine Display: When activated, each machine

will display the Jackpot amount at the top of the
screen alternatively with the text set in "Progres-
sive Text & Colors".

• Odometer Enable: If disabled, the machine displays

changed Jackpot value instantly, if enabled, the "in
machine" display counts up to the new Jackpot val-
ue.

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A-Link-8
• Alink Mode: Set to Stand Alone for an in machine
Progressive Jackpot and to Link for A-Link Progres-
sive.

• Text Display Time: The machine displays the text

set in "Progressive Text & Colors" for this period of
time before it changes to the Jackpot amount.

• Value Cycle Time: The machine displays the Jack-

pot amount for this period of time before it changes
to the defined text.

Progressive General Settings

A-Link
There are two different types of Progressive Jackpots
which can be configured. A Currency Jackpot or a Prize
Jackpot.

Money Jackpot:

• JP1: Select NORMAL, set the Current and Base

Value, set the Limit, set Jackpot Increment Per-
centage.

The NORMAL Jackpot is displayed on the screen; when Note:

the top award is hit, this amount will be paid. The Jack- The Base Value is money donat-
pot amount increases with every credit played: ed by the casino to establish a
Denomination x Credits Played x Percentage starting value for the jackpot
After the Jackpot is hit, the current value will be set (normally used for the first jack-
to: pot period, later established by
Base Value + Hidden Jackpot Value the hidden jackpot).
If a limit has been set, the Jackpot amount will not
exceed this upper limit.

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A-Link-9
• JP2: Select HIDDEN, set Hidden Jackpot Increment
Percentage (Current, Base Value and Limit can be
set if necessary).

The Hidden Jackpot increases with every credit played.

After the Jackpot has been hit, the hidden value will be
transferred to the Normal Jackpot and gives the new
starting value (together with the normal base value, if
set).

Prize Jackpot:

• JP1: Select Prize

Progressive Text & Colors

A-Link
Used to configure the text displayed on the machine.

• JP Won: Text displayed after the Jackpot has been

won.

• JP 1: Text which is displayed alternatively with the

actual Jackpot value. The text color can also be con-
figured.

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A-Link-10
Configure Action Jackpot
The Action Jackpot is configured using three menus:

Action Jackpots General Settings:

A-Link
• Used to set up the general Jackpot features

Normal Action Jackpots:

• Used to set up the different values and limits for
the Jackpot

Promotional Action Jackpots:

• Used to set up the time and value of a Promotional
Jackpot

Navigate through the menus with the cursor "up" and

"down" keys.

Type in the appropriate values in the data fields.

Press the "return" key to display the possible selec-

tions in the predefined field and select setting with
the cursor "up" and "down" keys, then press the "re-
turn" key to confirm selection.

Transmit the changed settings to the Master machine

by pressing the "F2" key, (changes to the Jackpot cal-
culations have to be confirmed using the "F8" key), and
pressing the centre lit button on the machine within
10 seconds.

August 99
A-Link-11
Action Jackpots General Settings

• Denomination: Denomination of a single credit (this

value is used to calculate the jackpot increment).

• AJ Separation Time: The period of time in which an

A-Link
Action Jackpots sequence can not be triggered (in-
hibited by the Master machine).

• AJ Installation Size: Determines the number (3-5)

of Cars, Horses, etc. which participate in the Ac-
tion Jackpots race (enter "0" for links up to ten
machines and "1" for links with more than ten ma-
chines).

• Debug Mode: Only for internal use.

• Bet Time: Period of time, in which bets can be placed

or changed before the race starts.

• Overhead Display Type: Depending on the connect-

ed external display select None, Mikohn SC (Super
Cameleon) or Mikohn Supreme.

• Extended Qualification Time: The period of time, in

which a player can qualify for Action Jackpots by
playing at the machine, can be extended from 8 min-
utes (standard) up to 12 minutes (only valid if qual-
ification in the normal settings menu is enabled).

• Sound Box: Activates an external event trigger. If

activated, a trigger signal is generated. This can be
used to control a sound box.

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A-Link-12
• Sound Length: Length of the event trigger signal.

• Qualify Timeout: Length of time the Master ma-

chine waits for a non-responding Slave before the
Betting phase starts.

• Payout: The handling of the credits won in the Ac-

tion Jackpots can be configured.

Normal Action Jackpots

A-Link
• Action Jackpot: Enables or disables Action Jack-
pots

• Current Value: Current Action Jackpots value.

• Initial Value: Starting value for the first Action

Jackpots.
This is donated by the Casino.

• Increment Jackpot: Percentage of each credit

played which is added to the Jackpot value.

• Increment Hidden: Percentage of each credit played

which is added to the Hidden Jackpot value.

• Qualification: Enables or disables the additional qual-

ification for Action Jackpots. If activated, a player
must get a scattered combination of three laurel
wreaths to qualify for Action Jackpots.

• Hidden value: Current Hidden Jackpots value (in

currency)

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A-Link-13
• Lower Limit: The Jackpot value must exceed this
limit before the Action Jackpots can be triggered.

• Upper Limit: The maximum value the Jackpot can

reach before it is triggered.

Promotional Action Jackpots

A-Link
• Promotional Action Jackpot: Enables or disables
the Promotional Action Jackpots

• Date and Time: Configures the starting time for

the Promotional Action Jackpots. The Jackpot will
be randomly triggered within one hour of starting
time

• Value: The Jackpot value which can be won during

the Promotional Action Jackpots.
This is donated by the Casino.

• Qualification: Enables or disables the additional qual-

ification (same as Normal Action Jackpots).

August 99
A-Link-14