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Ardac Elite EP User Guide

Contents

1 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 1

2 Getting started...................................................................................................... 2
2.1 Equipment supplied 2
2.2 To power up the Ardac Elite EP 2
2.3 To configure a laptop/PC 2
2.3.1 To transfer EPHost files 2
2.3.2 To install EPHost 3
2.3.3 To install the driver 3
2.3.4 To assign the communication port 5

3 To configure an Ardac Elite EP .......................................................................... 6

3.1 To Set To Upload Mode 7
3.2 To Set To Audit Mode 8

4 To Change Access Level..................................................................................... 9

5 Uploading firmware............................................................................................ 10
5.1 To update firmware 11
5.2 To overwrite firmware (OEM Level). 13

6 Uploading note tables........................................................................................ 15

6.1 To upload currency specification files 16
6.2 To overwrite currency specification files 18
6.3 To overwrite a specification file with one for a different currency 19

7 Programming Macros ........................................................................................ 20

8 Uploading from Ardac Elite EP to an Ardac Elite ........................................... 21

9 Extracting data ................................................................................................... 22

9.1 To extract data from an Ardac Elite 22
9.2 To load data on to a laptop/PC 22

10 Programming Macros (to be added) ................................................................ 24

11 Troubleshooting................................................................................................. 25
 Ardac Elite EP User Guide
1 Introduction
Ardac Elite EP is a simple-to-operate, battery-powered, hand-held device that
connects to Ardac Elite’s update/diagnostics panel via a USB cable. It enables
fast and simple updating of Ardac Elite core firmware and note tables, and the
extraction of Ardac Elite usage data.

Core firmware and note tables are provided on the accompanying Ardac Elite EP
CD and should be copied to a laptop or PC, from where they can be loaded, via a
USB connection, into Ardac Elite EP. Future updates to the firmware and note
tables can be downloaded from the Money Controls web site.

Having been loaded with the new data, the Ardac Elite EP is plugged in to an
Ardac Elite in a host machine and the firmware and/or note tables are
automatically updated within a matter of seconds. Before updating, Ardac Elite
EP checks which protocol is used (Netplex, ID003 or ccTalk) and writes the
update accordingly.

An Ardac Elite EP can be set to extract performance data from Ardac Elite for
analysis by appropriate PC software. This data includes acceptance rate tables
from Ardac Elite counters. At least 250 audit counts can be stored on a single
Ardac EP.

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2 Getting started
2.1 Equipment supplied
The Ardac Elite EP box contains:
• Ardac Elite EP
• Ardac Elite EP Software CD
• Ardac Elite EP Quick Reference Guide
• USB Cable (Type A to Type B)
• Two AA high-performance batteries
2.2 To power up the Ardac Elite EP
1. Remove the rear cover of the device
2. Insert the two batteries as indicated on the plastic inside the device
3. Replace the rear cover
4. Press the button on the front of the device.
The green LED should flash for several seconds, followed by six flashes of the amber
LED, indicating that the device is powered correctly but not yet uploaded with data.
2.3 To configure a laptop/PC
Before an Ardac Elite can be programmed, the appropriate device driver and EPHost
software must be installed on a laptop or PC, with the following minimum specification:

Windows XP / 2000
Pentium P4 or above running at 1Ghz
512 Mb Ram
20Gb hard disk drive

Note: In order to assign the Ardac Elite USB driver to the correct
communication port on your laptop or PC, the driver installation
procedure has to be performed TWICE.

2.3.1 To transfer EPHost files

1. Insert the Ardac Elite EP Software CD into the CD drive of the laptop or PC
2. The following screen will appear:

3. Extract the files from the zipped folder ‘EPHostInstall.zip’

The files should automatically be extracted to:
‘C:\Program files\MoneyControls\EPHost’

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2.3.2 To install EPHost
1. Select directory ‘C:\Program files\MoneyControls\EPHost’

2. Open ‘EPHostInstall’

3. Open ‘EPHost V0.6.6’ (or later version)

4. Open ‘setup.exe’ and follow the on-screen instructions

2.3.3 To install the driver

1. Connect the EP handset to your laptop/PC with the USB cable

The following message will appear:

2. Select ‘No, not this time’

3. Click ‘Next’
The following message will appear:

4. Select ‘Install from a list or specified location (Advanced)’

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5. Click ‘Next’

The following message will appear:

6. Select ’Include this location in the search’

7. Click ‘Browse’
The file you are looking for is ‘ArdacEPUSBDrive’” in the directory
‘C:\Program files\MoneyControls\EPHost’
8. Click ’Next’
9. Ignore the error message and click ‘Continue’
10. When the installation is complete, click ‘Finish’

The following message will appear:

11. Repeat instructions 2 to 10 to install the next driver.

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2.3.4 To assign the communication port
1. Open Control Panel*, then, in turn, select ‘System’, ‘Hardware’, ‘Device Manager’ and
finally ‘Ports (COM & LPT)’

A list of the configured Ports is displayed, similar to the view below:

2. Record the COM number alongside ArdacEP USB Serial Port (COM4 in the example
above)
3. Select directory ‘C:\Program files\MoneyControls\EPHost’ (there is a shortcut on the
Desktop)
4. Open ‘EPHost ’
5. The following message box will appear.

6. Enter the correct communication port number

7. Click ‘OK’

The laptop/PC is now ready to program the Ardac Elite EP

*Note: If the screen display is set to ‘Category view’, you need to select ‘Performance and Maintenance’ before
selecting ‘System’.

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3 To configure an Ardac Elite EP
1. Connect the Ardac Elite EP to the laptop or PC with the USB cable supplied.
The Green LED on the EP will light up.

EPHost Version

2. Press “Read Device”

Note: If the Ardac Elite EP does not have latest version of the Ardac Elite EP firmware
installed the following message will appear.

The latest version will be

displayed here

3. Press “Yes”
The Ardac Elite EP is then updated with the latest version of firmware
When updating is compete, the following screen appears:

4. Unplug, re-connect, THEN AND ONLY THEN PRESS “OK”.

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3.1 To Set To Upload Mode

1. Ensure the EP has been fully erased by pressing the “Flash Erase” button.

Device Control

2. Press the Device Control button.

The status bar will change to Upload only – as shown below.

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3.2 To Set To Audit Mode

1. Ensure the EP has been fully erased by pressing the “Flash Erase” button.

Device Control

2. Press the “Device Control” button.

The status bar will change to Audit only – as shown below.

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4 To Change Access Level
This allows the customer to Overwrite Firmware Files with previous versions and to change
the Currency programmed in the Elite.

1. Connect the Ardac Elite EP to the laptop or PC with the USB cable supplied.
The Green LED on the EP will light up.

2. Ensure the EP has been fully erased by pressing the “Flash Erase” button.

3. Select <File> <Access> from the dropdown menu.

4. Enter the new Key code supplied by Money Controls.

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5 Uploading firmware

There are three types of firmware file, one for each of the available protocols for
Ardac Elite: ID003, Netplex and ccTalk. You will need to know which protocol
applies to the Ardac Elite being programmed when selecting the firmware file to
upload. The files are identified as follows:
Netplex — AEN…
ID003 — AE3…
ccTalk — AEC…
Note: It is possible that you might have a range of machines using different
protocols, e.g. some using ID003, some Netplex and some using ccTalk. If
this is the case, the Ardac Elite EP will allow you to program each one
individually. Up to six firmware versions can be programmed into EP.
There are two modes for loading firmware files on to the Ardac Elite EP:
Update: this uploads the latest version of the same firmware type
Overwrite: this uploads an earlier version of the same firmware type.
Overwrite requires Headmaster access for which an authorisation code is
required, please contact Money Controls for further information.
The Ardac Elite EP CD contains the version of the Ardac Elite firmware that was
current when the device was shipped. If there have been subsequent updates,
the latest version of the firmware can be downloaded from the Money Controls’
web site — see Section 5 of this User Guide.

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5.1 To update firmware
1. Connect the Ardac Elite EP to the laptop or PC with the USB cable supplied.
The green LED on the EP will light up.

EPHost Version

2. Press “Read Device”.

EP Status

3. Ensure the EP Status is set to “Upload only”. See section 3.1

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4. Double click in the green-highlighted ‘Firmware Files’ – ‘Description’ - 1 box
This will then take you to the directory containing the available firmware files
C:\Program Files\Money Controls\Common\Firmware
5. Click / Double click the appropriate firmware file.
The selected file is then copied into EPHost and the’ Firmware Files’ – ‘Description’ - 2
box is highlighted.
6. If a second firmware file is to be loaded, double click in the ‘Firmware Files’ –
‘Description’ - 2 box and then select the appropriate firmware file.
Repeat until all firmware files have been loaded into EPHost.
The screen should look like:-

Note: There are six Description boxes to allow for the firmware and currency tables to
be combined into a single set of files (see section XX of this guide)
7. Once all of the required firmware files have been loaded into EPHost, press “Program
Device”

The selected firmware file(s) are then loaded into the attached Ardac Elite EP, during
which time its green LED will flash; when the update is complete, the green LED will stay
lit.

8. To check programming has been successful press “Read Device”. The following screen
should be seen. The Blue boxes indicate programmed data.

9. Unplug the Ardac Elite EP.

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5.2 To overwrite firmware (OEM Level).
Refer to section 4 to change the Access level
The following screen is now available.

EP Status

1. Ensure the EP Status is set to ‘Upload only’. See section 3.1.

2. Double click in the green-highlighted ‘Firmware Files’ – ‘Description’ – 1 box.
This will then take you to the directory containing the available firmware files
C:\Program Files\Money Controls\Common\Firmware
3. Select the corresponding ‘Firmware Files’ Overwrite button.
4. Click / Double click the appropriate firmware file.
The selected file is then copied into EPHost
5. Repeat instructions 4 to 6 for each firmware file that is to be overwritten.
Note: There are six Description boxes to allow for the firmware and currency tables to
be combined into a single set of files if using the Netplex protocol (see section
XX of this guide).

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6. Once all of the required firmware files have been loaded in EPHost, press “Program
Device”
The selected firmware file(s) are then loaded into the attached Ardac Elite EP, during
which time its green LED will flash; when the update is complete, the green LED will stay
lit.

7. To check the f/w has been programmed correctly, press the “Read Device” button.
The Blue boxes indicate programmed data.

8. Unplug the Ardac Elite EP

*When clicked, the Device Control button alternates between ‘Set to Audit’ and ‘Set to Upload’

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6 Uploading note tables

Note tables:
Note tables are available for most of the world’s currencies.

Generally, an Ardac Elite will accept more than one denomination of note, and
possibly different currencies. Usually, a currency specification will contain the
note tables for all denominations of a particular currency issued by a specified
bank. However, occasionally MCL will supply on request, note tables for more
than one currency that can be accepted at the same time, or individually inhibited
via a dipswitch.
There are three modes for loading note table files on to the Ardac Elite EP:
Update: this uploads the latest version of the note table files for the same
currency already programmed.
Overwrite: this uploads earlier versions of the note table files for the same
currency already programmed.
Master Overwrite: this uploads note table files for a different currency than
that already programmed.
Master Overwrite requires Headmaster access for which an authorisation code is
required. Please contact Money Controls for further information.
The Ardac Elite EP CD contains the version of the appropriate Ardac Elite note
tables that were current when the device was shipped. If there have been
subsequent updates, the latest note tables can be downloaded from the Money
Controls’ web site — see Section Error! Reference source not found. of this
User Guide.

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6.1 To upload currency specification files
1. Connect the Ardac Elite EP to the laptop or PC with the USB cable supplied.
The green LED on the EP will light up.

2. Press “Read Device”

3. Ensure the EP Status is set to “Upload only”. See section 3.1.

EP Status

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4. Double click in the green-highlighted ‘Currency Spec ID’ - 1 box
This will then take you to the directory containing the available currency specifications.
C:\Program Files\Money Controls\Common\Notes
5. Click / Double click the appropriate currency specification file.
The selected file is copied into EPHost and the ‘Currency Spec ID’ - 2 box is highlighted.
6. If more than one currency specification is required, double click the remaining ‘Currency
Spec ID’ boxes in turn, each time selecting one of the required currency specifications.
7. Once all of the required currency specifications have been loaded into EPHost, press
“Program Device”.
The selected currency specification(s) are then loaded into the attached Ardac Elite EP,
during which time its green LED will flash; when the update is complete, the green LED
will stay lit.

8. To check the f/w has been programmed correctly, press the “Read Device” button.
The Blue boxes indicate programmed data.

9. Unplug the Ardac Elite EP

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6.2 To overwrite currency specification files
The procedure is similar to that for the initial uploading of the currency specifications described in
section 6.1 except instead of the ‘update’ button being selected, the ‘Overwrite’ button is selected.

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6.3 To overwrite a specification file with one for a different currency
Note: A currency specification file can normally only be overwritten with files for the same
currency. An Authorisation Key code is required to overwrite a currency file with one
for a different country.
Refer to section 4 to change the Access level
The following screen is now available.

EP Status

1. Press “Read Device”.

2. Ensure the EP Status is set to “Upload only”. See section 3.1.
3. Double click in the green-highlighted ‘Currency Spec ID’ - 1 box.
This will then take you to the directory containing the available currency specifications.
C:\Program Files\Money Controls\Common\Notes
4. Click / Double click the appropriate currency specification file.
The selected file is copied into EPHost and the ‘Currency Spec ID’ - 2 box is highlighted.
5. Once the required “overwrite” currency specification has been loaded into EPHost, check
the “Master Overwrite" button alongside the Currency Spec ID box programmed.
Press the “Program” button.
If more than one currency specification is to be overwritten, then the above has to be
performed separately for each currency. Otherwise, the first (ID1) currency will be written
followed by the second (ID2) which will overwrite the first etc.
6. Unplug the Ardac Elite EP.

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7 Programming Macros
A Macro CANNOT currently be run on its own using EP. Either a Firmware & Currency
combined – in the case of Netplex or a Firmware or Currency in the case of ID003 and
ccTalk, must also be programmed at the same time.

The picture below shows that each of the 6 macro positions can be associated with each of
the 6 firmware files and / or each of the 6 Note table files.

For Example:-

If

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8 Uploading from Ardac Elite EP to an Ardac Elite

1. With the firmware/currency files having been uploaded to Ardac Elite EP, connect the
device to the Ardac Elite, with the Type A USB connector to the Ardac Elite EP and the
Type B USB connector to the Ardac Elite.

2. Press and hold the large button in the centre of the handset until the LED above the button
begins to flash green.

Note: if the LED is amber or red, there is an error as listed below:

Flashing Amber x1 No valid file available (mismatch of product code flags)
Flashing Amber x2 Ardac Elite error
Flashing Amber x3 Ardac Elite EP error
Flashing Amber x4 Program error
Flashing Red Battery low
Solid Red Ardac Elite EP hardware error

3. Release the button.

The LED will continue flashing green whilst data is being transferred
When uploading is complete, the LED will switch off

4 Disconnect Ardac Elite EP from the Ardac Elite when uploading is complete.

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9 Extracting data
Note: In order to extract usage data files from an Ardac Elite, the Ardac Elite EP must be
configured for ‘Audit Only’ See section 3.2.

9.1 To extract data from an Ardac Elite

1. Connect the Ardac Elite EP to the Ardac Elite
2. Press and hold the large button in the centre of the handset until the LED above the
button begins to flash
3. Release the button
The LED will continue flashing whilst data is transferred, the LED will then turn solid.
When data extraction is complete, the LED switches off
4. Disconnect Ardac Elite EP from the Ardac Elite when data extraction is complete.

9.2 To load data on to a laptop/PC

1. Connect the Ardac Elite EP to the laptop/PC
The LED on the handset will light.
2. Open EPHost.
3. Press ‘Read Device’
The LED on the handset will flash as data is transferred. When the LED has stopped
flashing, data transfer is complete and the USB cable can be unplugged if needed. The
LED will go out when the cable is unplugged.

The Status bar will also change to ‘Device Read’ – as shown below.

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 4. Click on the Audit tab to view the data.
The following screen will wil be displayed, showing details of the data extracted from an
Ardac Elite.

5. If more than one Ardac Elite has been accessed, use ‘Select Serial Number’ to view data
from each Ardac Elite.
The screen also shows Firmware Version, Currency Issue and Notes programmed in the
Elite.
6. Click the ‘Debug’ tab
Information relating to the EP download status and its installed software is displayed.

The Audit files are saved collectively in directory ‘C:\Program files\MoneyControls\EPHost\Audit in

Historical.csv’.
The .map files are saved individually.
E-mail the .map and .csv files to technical.uk@moneycontrols.com

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10 Programming Macros (to be added)

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11 Troubleshooting

25