Project using a Credit Card Payment Terminal as a switch device :))

[ibobibo]

Hi forum!

I'm really new to electronics and would like some advice/ideas about something.

I was dumpster-diving a few days ago and found two credit card payment terminal devices, along with some other cool electronics.
I thought it would be really fun to install it in my house as for example a light switch circuit.
My ideal situation would be that I can type in a code, press "ok", and then a light turns on. it would be nice as well if different codes did different things, but its probably easier to start by just getting a reaction from pressing 1 key.
My idea on how to go about this was to open it up, remove all unnecessary parts, and connect the keyboard to a circuit. How would you go about this?
The devices are a verifone omni 5750 (VX570), with 9V 4a, and a verifone VX820, with 9V 1a.

I'm also open to other ideas on how to apply these devices : )), please share if you have any!!

thanks so much,
ibi.

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

If you're new, then no chance - and probably no chance anyway, as it's unlikely the required programming tools and information are available.

So basically strip everything out, other than the display and keypad, and replace the insides with an Arduino (or similar) and program that to do what you want.

 

[danadak]

For a beginner this might be a heavy lift, but here are a couple of DIY approaches :

Turn Your Arduino Into a Magnetic Card Reader!

Turn Your Arduino Into a Magnetic Card Reader!: Everyone has used a magnetic card reader, I believe. I mean, who carries cash these days? They're not difficult to get your hands on, either, and during a trip to my favorite local electronics shop, I found a bin full of these guys. So....of course,…

www.instructables.com

DIY Magnetic card reader

Cheap DIY credit card reader project - "The reader mechanism shown was purchased from All Electronics for $1.50. The unit provides the magnetic head on a

makezine.com

Regards, Dana.

 

[ZipZapOuch]

Hi forum!

I'm really new to electronics and would like some advice/ideas about something.

I was dumpster-diving a few days ago and found two credit card payment terminal devices, along with some other cool electronics.
I thought it would be really fun to install it in my house as for example a light switch circuit.
My ideal situation would be that I can type in a code, press "ok", and then a light turns on. it would be really cool as well if different codes did different things, but its probably easier to start by just getting a reaction from pressing 1 key.
My idea on how to go about this was to open it up, remove all unnecessary parts, and connect the keyboard to a circuit. How would you go about this?
The devices are a verifone omni 5750 (VX570), with 9V 4a, and a verifone VX820, with 9V 1a.

I'm also open to other ideas on how to apply these devices : )), please share if you have any!!

thanks so much,
ibi.

it was thrown out for a reason.

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

it was thrown out for a reason.

Which was unlikely to be because they failed - most likely the shop moved to a different credit provider, and were supplied with different machines, so disposed of the old unwanted ones.

But even if they were faulty, it's unlikely the keypad and display are at fault, which are really the only useable parts.

 

[ZipZapOuch]

Which was unlikely to be because they failed - most likely the shop moved to a different credit provider, and were supplied with different machines, so disposed of the old unwanted ones.

But even if they were faulty, it's unlikely the keypad and display are at fault, which are really the only useable parts.

They don't have to be faulty to be useless. The programming tools or knowledge may not be available, even if they are, the terminals are likely encrypted or password protected - these are credit card terminals after all.

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

They don't have to be faulty to be useless. The programming tools or knowledge may not be available, even if they are, the terminals are likely encrypted or password protected - these are credit card terminals after all.

Perhaps you should read the thread?, particularly my replies.

 

[ZipZapOuch]

Perhaps you should read the thread?, particularly my replies.

Perhaps your posts should be written more clearly and not start your posts with a sentence that (as you apparently believe) contradicts your supporting sentences.

 

[AnalogKid]

From your description, it sounds like the only part of the terminal that you want to use is the keypad. Is this correct?

ak

 

[ZipZapOuch]

From your description, it sounds like the only part of the terminal that you want to use is the keypad. Is this correct?

ak

It seems to be a valuable part - to him.

 

[AnalogKid]

It seems to be a valuable part - to him.

I get the idea of using a not very common device in a not very common manner. But it's good to be clear about which parts of the device are being considered, and which are to be ignored. Else there could be 50 posts about data terminal comm protocols.

Photos of the device would help.

ak

 

[ibobibo]

From your description, it sounds like the only part of the terminal that you want to use is the keypad. Is this correct?

ak

I get the idea of using a not very common device in a not very common manner. But it's good to be clear about which parts of the device are being considered, and which are to be ignored. Else there could be 50 posts about data terminal comm protocols.

Photos of the device would help.

ak

Yeah! the only important part is the keypad
heres some pictures!

 

[ZipZapOuch]

Yeah! the only important part is the keypad
heres some pictures!

It's way, way easier to design a project around a known device with a clear datasheet. For $4, you can have this...

Membrane 3x4 Matrix Keypad + extras

Punch in your secret key into this numeric matrix keypad. This keypad has 12 buttons, arranged in a telephone-line 3x4 grid. It's made of a thin, flexible membrane material with an ...

www.adafruit.com

Or for $8.50, you get this...

3x4 Phone-style Matrix Keypad

Hey, Jenny, I've got your number! And I'm going to dial 867-5309 into this very nice phone-style matrix keypad. This keypad has 12 buttons, arranged in a telephone-line 3x4 grid. ...

www.adafruit.com

Or $3 - since you seem to only need one button...

Membrane LED Keypad + extras

This membrane keypad has a single key, but it does have an embedded surface-mount red LED installed. The flex cable is also extra-long, so we can think of a lot of wearable and portable ...

www.adafruit.com

 

[AnalogKid]

While reverse-engineering the RS-232 data protocol for the device might be a real fun time for some, it will take a while. AND, it will require uC board of some kind to drive the device and convert its signals into lamps and doorbells and whatever.

If you are not already a proficient uC programmer, consider ZZO's advice about starting fresh. There are a ton of cheap keyboards on ebay. I'm not a big fan of a membrane keypad, especially in this application where you want a nice clicky retro feel. The keypad in the second link is an old favorite and quasi-clicky, with a little tactile thump.

If you were in the US, I'd send you a few.

ak

 

[aliarifat794]

To use the keypad for your light switch idea, you’ll need a microcontroller like an Arduino or Raspberry Pi.

 

[AnalogKid]

you’ll need

Not automatically. There are many simple 2- or 3-button sequential lock circuits on the innerwebber that use nothing but standard logic gates. Plus, LSI makes keypad lock logic circuits (not a uC) that handle everything.

LSI/CSI - Custom and Standard ICs

LSI/CSI is the world’s first fabless semiconductor company! Our wide selection of standard products are trusted in several high volume and niche industries.

lsicsi.com

ak