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Nucore USB Device

Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 5:30 pm
by Pinball Wizard
What is it exactly that the USB device that comes in the Nucore kit do? Does anything plug into it or does it just act as a USB security key so people don't steal your software?

Re: Nucore USB Device

Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 10:55 pm
by Chuck
Pinball Wizard wrote:What is it exactly that the USB device that comes in the Nucore kit do? Does anything plug into it or does it just act as a USB security key so people don't steal your software?
The answer is somewhere in the forums but I'd rather type it again than look ;-)

It really serves 3 purposes:

1) Hardware NVRAM storage. The game constantly is updating the nvram and long story short we needed to create hardware for it. This is really it's main function.
2) Expansion port. Hopefully in the near future you'll be able to plug additional hardware into the usb board's port. A hardware knocker. Shaker motor. New Bill Ung mod etc.
3) Since we needed the board for point number 1 it also acts as a security device. This was part of our contractual obligation.

Re: Nucore USB Device

Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 8:24 am
by Pinball Wizard
Oh, okay. I have always wondered about this thing. I don't yet own a Pin2K of any sort to have my head into one too deep but enough to know the only communication between PC and pinball was through parallel and serial ports. Thanks for the info Chuck.

Re: Nucore USB Device

Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2017 7:28 am
by Wizboy
Chuck wrote: Mon Aug 02, 2010 10:55 pm
Pinball Wizard wrote:What is it exactly that the USB device that comes in the Nucore kit do? Does anything plug into it or does it just act as a USB security key so people don't steal your software?
The answer is somewhere in the forums but I'd rather type it again than look ;-)

It really serves 3 purposes:

1) Hardware NVRAM storage. The game constantly is updating the nvram and long story short we needed to create hardware for it. This is really it's main function.
2) Expansion port. Hopefully in the near future you'll be able to plug additional hardware into the usb board's port. A hardware knocker. Shaker motor. New Bill Ung mod etc.
3) Since we needed the board for point number 1 it also acts as a security device. This was part of our contractual obligation.
Did your tests were succesfull in installing a Shaker and hardware knocker?

Re: Nucore USB Device

Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2017 8:27 pm
by Chuck
The original Nvram/protection board did have an external interface. We honestly never had time to implement anything. Don and I have discussed possible hardware additions so the idea is not dead.