Alvarado UltraQ User manual

Alvarado Manufacturing Company, Inc.
12660 Colony Street, Chino, CA 91710
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
UltraQ User Guide
PUD4478 Version 1.0

UltraQ User Guide | Version 1.0
Copyright © 2020 Alvarado Mfg. Co., Inc.
All rights reserved.
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PUD4478
Contents
Document Preface............................................................................................................. 3
Basic Operations ............................................................................................................... 4
Powering the Unit On and Off...................................................................................................................... 4
Going Online ................................................................................................................................................ 5
Scanning Barcodes...................................................................................................................................... 7
Scanning RFID/NFC Media ......................................................................................................................... 8
Exit Mode ..................................................................................................................................................... 9
Offline Validation.......................................................................................................................................... 9
Cleaning and Disinfecting ............................................................................................................................ 10
Administrator Functions..................................................................................................... 11
Logging into the Administrator Menu........................................................................................................... 11
Device Setup ............................................................................................................................................... 12
Performing Hardware Tests......................................................................................................................... 12
Manual Validation and Response Lookup ................................................................................................... 13
Validation Masks.......................................................................................................................................... 15
Reset Counters ............................................................................................................................................ 16
Device Information....................................................................................................................................... 17
Create and Export Configuration File .......................................................................................................... 18
Clone Device Settings............................................................................................................................................. 18
Load INI File on Device Startup .............................................................................................................................. 19
Scan Setup Barcode ............................................................................................................................................... 19
Exiting the ValiD8 Application...................................................................................................................... 20
Appendix 1 – Viewing and Editing Device Files................................................................. 21
Using GateUtility .......................................................................................................................................... 21
Using a Computer ........................................................................................................................................ 21
Using a USB Flash Drive ............................................................................................................................. 24

UltraQ User Guide | Version 1.0
Copyright © 2020 Alvarado Mfg. Co., Inc.
All rights reserved.
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PUD4478
Document Preface
This document describes how to use the Alvarado UltraQ intelligent admission device with ValiD8 software,
change some basic configurations, and perform basic troubleshooting.
This document is intended to be used by gate managers, IT personnel, and any other personnel responsible for
overseeing the use and maintenance of Alvarado UltraQ devices.
This document assumes the following about your UltraQ device(s).
•The device is installed on a turnstile.
•The device connected to power.
•The device can connect to the venue’s validation server.
For support, questions, or comments, contact Alvarado Entertainment Support from Monday – Friday, 7:00 AM
– 4:00 PM Pacific Time
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

UltraQ User Guide | Version 1.0
Copyright © 2020 Alvarado Mfg. Co., Inc.
All rights reserved.
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Basic Operations
Powering the Unit On and Off
Use a slim object, like a pencil or stylus, to press the recessed power button on the back of the turnstile cabinet,
or on the back of the head for OEM units, to power it on. The device runs through its boot-up sequence after it
receives power. The unit is typically ready to validate tickets 40 to 60 seconds after startup.
Recessed power button on UltraQ-AMT devices
Recessed power button on OEM devices
Turn battery-powered devices on shortly before scanning events and turn them off when
scanning is finished. Don’t leave the devices powered on for long periods of time when not
being actively used during a scanning event.

UltraQ User Guide | Version 1.0
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Going Online
After the ValiD8 application launches, the device will try to establish a connection (go online) to the validation
server. UltraQ devices typically require only a few seconds to go online but may take up to a minute depending
on their connection strength.
If the unit cannot connect to the server, it enters Offline Mode. See the Offline Validation section on page 9for
more information. The device’s connectivity status is shown in the ValiD8 application and indicated by the
attendant-facing LED.
To check connectivity status using the ValiD8 application, swipe up from the bottom of the “Please Scan” screen
to display network information.

UltraQ User Guide | Version 1.0
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You can also tap the screen three times within two seconds and check the connection status icon. The icon in
the upper-right corner of the screen will indicate if the device is currently online or offline.
Connection status icon
Online icon
Offline icon
The rear-facing LED blinks continuously if the device is offline. If it is constantly illuminated, the device is online.
Attendant-facing LED

UltraQ User Guide | Version 1.0
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Scanning Barcodes
The imager in the UltraQ can scan both 1D and 2D barcode symbologies. The imager can detect barcodes on
traditional paper media, plastic cards, and mobile phone screens.
The UltraQ indicates it is ready to scan barcodes when the imager is on and the “Scan Ticket” image or video
displays on the screen. To scan a ticket, align the barcode with the green aimer light until the device reacts to
the scan. The green aimer light is not visible until something is presented to scan.
After the device scans a ticket, it requests a validation response from the validation server. The server
determines whether a ticket is valid or invalid and returns that response to the device. The device will then
display the validation result to the patron.
When the ticket is valid, the UltraQ will:
•Play a “Good Ticket” chime
•Display a “Valid Ticket” image
•Unlock the turnstile arm
Green Aimer Light

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When the ticket is invalid, the UltraQ will:
•Play an “Invalid Ticket” alarm
•Display an “Invalid Ticket” image
•Keep the turnstile arms locked
“Valid Ticket” and “Invalid Ticket” images can be customized for specific responses from the validation server,
so the images you see may differ from those shown above.
You can check the validation response for any ticket on the Manual Validation screen. See the Manual
Validation and Response Lookup section on page 13 for more information.
Scanning RFID/NFC Media
The RFID/NFC reader installed in UltraQ devices can read both RFID media, such as cards or wristbands, and
NFC information on mobile devices like Apple Wallet and Google Pay. UltraQ devices are certified for both
Apple Wallet and Google Pay.
The UltraQ indicates it is ready to scan RFID or NFC media when the imager is on and the “Scan Ticket” image
or video displays on the screen. To scan, touch the RFID or NFC media directly against the reader zone on the
face of the UltraQ unit.
The UltraQ will respond to RFID and NFC scans the same way it responds to standard barcode ticket scans.
Refer to the previous section for details.

UltraQ User Guide | Version 1.0
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Exit Mode
Entry/exit validation events allow patrons to enter and exit a facility multiple times using a single ticket. After a
ticket is scanned in by a device in entry mode, it can be scanned out by a device in exit mode. After the ticket is
scanned out, it can be scanned in again by a device in entry mode.
Offline Validation
Devices can perform limited ticket validation even if they are not connected to the server. The device enters
Offline Mode whenever it loses connection to the server or if the device operator manually enables it. Offline
Mode can be manually enabled on the Device Setup screen. See the Device Setup section on page 12.
The default method for validating tickets while in Offline Mode, the device can only use the ticket’s barcode
length and offline validation masks to determine whether it is valid or not.
The minimum and maximum ticket length fields on the Device Setup screen define the number of digits the
barcode must have for device to accept it for validation. If the device is online, it will not validate any ticket that
has barcode number that falls outside this range. When in Offline Mode, the device assumes that any ticket that
falls within this range is valid. Unless a validation mask is also set up for the event, the barcode range is the only
method the device uses to validate tickets while offline.

UltraQ User Guide | Version 1.0
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All rights reserved.
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Cleaning and Disinfecting
Clean and disinfect UltraQ devices according to the guidelines below.
•CAUTION: Disconnect the unit from all power before cleaning any electrical contacts.
•Alvarado recommends using DeoxIT to clean electrical contacts.
•When cleaning the devices, do not pour, spray, or spill any liquid directly onto the devices. Instead, use
a soft cloth dampened with an approved cleaning solution to clean and disinfect the UltraQ.
•Do not use paper towels to clean the UltraQ as they may scratch the surfaces.
•For standard daily cleaning, use a damp microfiber cloth to remove dirt particles from any powder coat
or stainless-steel surfaces.
•To clean stainless steel surfaces, use a commercially available stainless-steel cleaner or polish. If a
heavier scratch mark is apparent, a metal blend and finish pad by 3M Company, or equivalent, may be
used before the stainless-steel cleaner is applied. Always polish in the direction of the grain.
•If powder coat surfaces require additional cleaning, use a soft, non-abrasive brush and a dilute solution
of a mild detergent, such as pH-neutral liquid hand dishwashing detergent in warm water. Thoroughly
rinse the powder coat surfaces with clean, fresh water afterwards. Do not use the brush to clean the
IntraQ head or you may get water inside the housing.
•When disinfecting, use a cleaning agent that is free of bleach, ammonia, or any of the other chemicals
in the list of known harmful ingredients below. Gently wipe all surfaces that need to be disinfected,
including the screen and any powder coat surfaces, and allow to air-dry.
•Examples of acceptable disinfecting products include, but are not limited to, Clorox Non-Bleach
Disinfecting Wipes or Sani-Cloth Plus Germicidal Wipes.
•The following ingredients are known to be harmful to the devices. Do not use cleaning products that
include any of these chemicals.
oAmmonia solutions
oCompounds of amines or ammonia
oAcetone
oKetones
oEthers

UltraQ User Guide | Version 1.0
Copyright © 2020 Alvarado Mfg. Co., Inc.
All rights reserved.
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Administrator Functions
Logging into the Administrator Menu
Use the Administrator Menu to access the device’s advanced functionality.
Making changes to the device can affect the device’s ability to scan tickets, so only
authorized personnel should be able to access and use the Administrator Menu.
The instructions below show how to access the Administrator Menu.
1. While on the scan screen, tap the screen three times within two seconds to go to the Login screen.
2. On the Login screen, enter a valid Login ID into the field and press LOGIN to go to the Administrator
Menu, shown below.
3. Press one of the buttons on the Administrator Menu to go to that screen.

UltraQ User Guide | Version 1.0
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Device Setup
The Device Setup menus allow you to manually configure each device. See the ValiD8 Advanced Configuration
Guide (PUD4454) for information on the individual device setup options. Contact Alvarado Entertainment
Support for a copy.
These settings can affect communication with the validation server and how the device
validates tickets. Alvarado does not recommend changing configuration settings
manually during normal operations.
If you need to make the same configuration changes to multiple devices, Alvarado recommends using Gate
Utility instead of updating each device manually. See the GateUtility User Guide (PUD4318)for more
information. Contact Alvarado Entertainment Support for a copy.
To go to the Device Setup screen, log into the Administrator Menu and select Device Setup. The Device Setup
screen can be password protected to prevent unauthorized access. The default password is alvarado.
Performing Hardware Tests
There are some hardware tests you can perform under the Device Setup > Advanced Setup > Hardware menu
to verify proper operation of your UltraQ and turnstile, if applicable. The hardware tests can be found at the very
bottom of the Hardware configuration screen.

UltraQ User Guide | Version 1.0
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The following tests are available.
•Activate Turnstile Entry – Unlocks the turnstile arm so you can rotate it once in the entry direction. The
Forward Rotation Counts number will increment to indicate a successful rotation.
•Activate Turnstile Exit - Unlocks the turnstile arm so you can rotate it once in the exit direction. The
Backward Rotation Counts number will increment to indicate a successful rotation.
•Activate Relay – Activates the connected relay, if installed.
•Toggle Fan – Turns the fan on or off.
Manual Validation and Response Lookup
Device operators can manually enter a ticket number for validation, such as when a printed barcode is of poor
quality and cannot be read by the imager. Operators can also use the Manual Validation screen to check the
response code returned when a ticket is validated, such as when a ticket is invalid but is only displaying the
generic “Invalid Ticket” image.
Go to the Manual Validation screen by logging into the Administrator Menu and pressing the Manual Validation
button.
If you only want to manually validate or check the response of a single ticket, tap the screen two times and
swipe to the left. Once the ticket is validated, the device will return to the “Please Scan” screen.
When on the Manual Validation screen, you can either scan a ticket normally using the imager or RFID/NFC
reader, or you can tap the Enter ticket number field and manually enter the ticket number.

UltraQ User Guide | Version 1.0
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Operators can also use Ticket Information Mode to display details about a ticket. The device does not attempt to
validate a ticket while it is in Ticket Information Mode. Information Mode displays the following information about
a ticket after a scan or manual entry.
•The ticket number (if the ticket was scanned instead of entered manually).
•The response message that would appear if the ticket was validated.
•The date, time, and device at which the most recent scanning activity occurred.
•The ticket’s User Field information (Level, Section, Row, and Seat by default and if applicable).
The information displayed when in Information Mode may change depending on what
information is provided by your ticketing provider. Information Mode may not be
compatible with some ticketing providers.
You can set whether Ticket Validation Mode or Ticket Information Mode applies by default by enabling the
Information Mode option in the Device Setup menu.
Use one of the following methods to bring up information about a ticket.
•Scan a ticket while in Ticket Information Mode.
•Manually enter a ticket number and press the Info button.
•Press the Info button after validating a ticket.
Pressing the Info button while in Ticket Validation Mode will display information for the last
ticket the device validated.

UltraQ User Guide | Version 1.0
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Validation Masks
Go to the Validation Masks screen by logging into the Administrator Menu and pressing the Validation Masks
button.
The Validation Masks screen allows operators to add, edit, or delete validation masks, if the device is not
currently connected to the server and the Edit Validation Masks setting is enabled. A validation mask is a
pattern that ticket barcodes must match to be considered valid.
The device automatically downloads validation masks that are valid for the day when the device first comes
online. Each device can have up to eight validation masks active at one time. In cases where there are more
than eight events with validation masks that are valid for the day, the device will download masks by event
name in alphanumeric order.

UltraQ User Guide | Version 1.0
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Reset Counters
Device counters keep track of entry and exit passages recorded by the device and are visible on the Operator
Login screen.
Entry/Exit Counts
To reset the device counts, log into the Administrator Menu and press Reset Counters. Press Yes when
prompted.

UltraQ User Guide | Version 1.0
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Device Information
Go to the Device Information screen by logging into the Administrator Menu and pressing the Device Info
button.
The Device Info screen displays the following information:
1. Number of offline tickets the device has stored in its local memory.
2. The device name, which it obtains from the server.
3. The IP address the device is currently assigned.
4. The name (SSID) of the network the device is currently connected to.
5. The MAC address of the access point the device is connected to.
6. The signal strength of the device’s connection to the access point.
7. The firmware version of the RFID/NFC reader, if applicable.
8. The release date and version of ValiD8 the device is currently running.
1
2
3
4
7
8
6
5

UltraQ User Guide | Version 1.0
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Create and Export Configuration File
You can create a setup file that can be used to configure other devices with identical settings.
Clone Device Settings
1. Configure the Device Setup as desired.
2. Press the Menu button and select Device Info.
3. Press Create Setup Barcode. The device exports an INI file containing the current configuration to the
device’s Internal Storage\Documents folder.
Setup file save location as seen from your computer

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Load INI File on Device Startup
You can clone device settings from one device onto any other device using the INI file.
See Appendix 1 on page 21 for information about connecting to the device to add,
remove, or edit files.
1. Follow the steps in the Clone Device Settings section on page 18.
2. Cut or copy the INI file from the original device to your computer.
3. Rename the file to valid8.ini.
4. Paste the INI file into the Internal Shared Storage\Settings folder of each device you would like to
update.
5. Restart the device(s). The settings from the valid8.ini file will be applied to the devices when the
application starts and the INI file will be removed from the Settings folder.
Scan Setup Barcode
Instead of moving the INI file to devices to update their configuration, you can create a setup barcode. Scanning
the setup barcode will update the device’s configuration.
1. Follow the steps in the Clone Device Settings section on page 18.
2. Cut or copy the INI file from the original device to your computer.
3. Use a barcode generator to turn the text of the INI file into a QR code.
4. On a device you want to update, log into the Administrator Menu and select Device Info.
5. Press the Scan Setup Barcode button.
6. Present the setup barcode to the imager. The device will report when it successfully scans the barcode.

UltraQ User Guide | Version 1.0
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Exiting the ValiD8 Application
To exit the application and go to the applications menu, go to the Device Information screen by logging into the
Administrator Menu and press the Exit button. Tap the (password) field to bring up the on-screen keyboard.
Enter the password into the field and press Confirm. The default password is alvarado.