Cygnus MR 500 User manual

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CYGNUS
MR 500
TAXIMETER USER MANUAL
I SSUE 3

Cygnus MR500 Taximeter User Manual
ii
Visit Cygnus Online at:
www.cygnus-automotive.com

© 2009 Cygnus Automotive Limited
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Contents
1 ABOUT THIS MANUAL 1
2 THE MR500 TAXIMETER 2
2.1 This Section 2
2.2 Applying Power to the Meter 3
2.3 The Internal “Battery” 3
2.4 "On" and "Off" Modes - When the taxi is not for hire 4
2.5 FOR HIRE Mode – For when the taxi is for hire 5
2.6 HIRED Mode – For charging for Time and/or Distance 6
2.7 STOPPED Mode – At the end of the journey 7
2.8 Flowchart of the MR500’s Basic Operations 8
2.9 Using the MR500 with a Receipt Printer 9
2.9.1 Loading a Receipt Definition 9
2.9.2 Printing a Receipt 9
2.9.3 Printing the Meter Totals 9
2.10 What Next? 10
2.11 Flowchart of the MR500’s Advanced Operations 11
3 TARIFFS AND FEATURES WHICH ARE OPTIONAL 12
3.1 Tariffs 12
3.2 Tariff Code Number 13
3.3 What Does all of this Mean? 13
4 PIN NUMBERS 14
4.1 How are PIN Numbers Formed? 14
4.2 The MR500’s Built-In PIN Numbers 14
4.2.1 The “Disable” PIN Number 14
4.2.2 The “Totals” PIN Number 15
4.2.3 The Clock Set PIN Number 15
4.3 “User” PIN Numbers 15
4.4 Entering a PIN Number 15
4.5 Setting a New PIN Number 16
5 THE MR500’S “INFO” MENU 17
5.1 Accessing the “Info” Menu 17
5.2 Navigating the “Info” Menu 18
5.3 Log On/Log Off 20
5.4 Time Options 22
5.4.1 Time 23
5.4.2 Date 25
5.4.3 Disable Feature 26
5.4.4 Alarm Clock 28
5.4.5 Extended Disable Feature 29
5.5 User Options 31
5.5.1 Display Brightness 32
5.5.2 Sounder Setting 33
5.5.3 Automatic Turn Off Feature 33
5.5.4 User PIN 34

Cygnus MR500 Taximeter User Manual
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5.5.5 The User PIN Submenus 36
5.5.6 Comms Options 38
5.5.6.1 UART0/1 Baud Rate 38
5.5.6.2 UART0/1 Parity 38
5.5.6.3 MDT Mode 38
5.6 Tariff and Software Information 39
5.6.1 Serial Number 40
5.6.2 Tariff Code 40
5.6.3 Next Code 41
5.6.4 Printer Code 41
5.6.5 Software Information Sub-Menu 42
5.7 Vehicle Options 43
5.7.1 Calibration 44
5.7.2 Pulse Check 45
5.7.3 Speedometer 46
5.8 Speed Alarms 47
5.9 “Totals Config” 49
5.9.1 Totals System 50
6 TOTALS AND CONDITIONAL ACCESS 51
6.1 Totals 51
6.2 Conditional Access 51
6.3 The Totals Systems 51
6.4 The Totals Information Stored by the MR500 52
6.5 Totals “Banks” 53
6.6 Reading the Totals 53
6.7 Displaying Journey Summary Information 55
6.8 Clearing the Totals 56
7 THE TOTALS/CONDITIONAL ACCESS SYSTEMS 57
7.1 Basic System 57
7.2 Log on with Totals PIN 58
8 OTHER FEATURES 59
8.1 Totalling the Fare and Extras 59
8.2 The Time Charging Symbol 60
8.3 Speedometer and Journey Distance 60
8.4 “Tariff Year” Indicator 62
8.5 Rate Selection 62
8.6 Movement Warning in STOPPED Mode 63
8.7 Real Time Clock (“Calendar Control”) Override 63
9 MESSAGES/GLOSSARY 65
10 SPECIFICATIONS 68
11 MR500 "ALPHABET" 69
12 LIST OF FIGURES 70
13 INDEX 72

© 2009 Cygnus Automotive Limited
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© 2009 Cygnus Automotive Limited
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1 About this Manual
The MR500 Taximeter is designed to be easy to use. The Section
headed “The MR500 Taximeter” shows you how to switch it on and use
it in your taxi. We recommend that you read Section 2 of this manual to
at least get to know your taximeter before you begin to work with it.
If, however, you need to use some of the more advanced features of
the MR500, later sections help you with this. These sections can also
be used for future reference.
The MR500’s features are dependent on the software installed and on
the options selected in the particular tariff installed at any one time. The
behaviour of your particular MR500 may differ in detail from that
described in this User Guide and this may mean that some of the
operations shown here may not be available to you. Also, additional
operations may be available that are not described in this User Guide.
The MR500 helps you, however, by giving easy-to-understand
messages when something unexpected happens.
❢While every effort is made to make this manual as accurate and
as informative as possible, Cygnus Automotive reserve the
right to change the function and specification of the MR500
Taximeter without notice.

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2 The MR500 Taximeter
Figure 1: Front Panel Features
2.1 This Section
This section contains the basics of operating the MR500 Taximeter.
There are many other features, which can be accessed by pressing the
buttons other than those shown here. Please consult later sections for
details of these.
Tariff Programming
Connector (Covered
by Seal Retainer).
Seal to prevent
unauthorised
tampering with the
Taximeter.
Seal to prevent
unauthorised
removal and
replacement of
the taximeter in
the vehicle.
Mode
Indicators.
Here Showing
that the meter
is in HIRED
mode.
“Rate
Window”.
Used to show
the rate being
charged. Also
used for other
purposes.
“Fare Window”.
Shows the Fare
being charged.
Also used for
other purposes.
Operating Buttons:
SELECT
REVERT
MODE
TOTAL
EXTRAS
“Extras Window”.
Shows the Extras
being charged. Also
used for other
purposes.

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2.2 Applying Power to the Meter
The MR500 is designed for permanent connection to the vehicle’s
power.
However, when you first connect power to the meter, it completes a
series of power-up tests.
During these tests, the MR500 first illuminates the symbol for 2
seconds before illuminating all segments for two seconds emitting a
"beep". When the checks are complete the MR500 enters ‘On’ mode.
If the symbol remains lit and the MR500 does not enter ‘On’ mode
then consult your Cygnus Dealer.
If the date and time have not been set the MR500 will automatically
select the Set Time option (consult your dealer for details). After the
time has been set it will enter the ‘For Hire’ mode.
Figure 2: Display during Power-Up self test
2.3 The Internal “Battery”
The MR500 has an internal battery which maintains the internal
clock when power is removed.
❢
❢❢
❢If the time is not maintained when power is removed, the
internal battery will need to be replaced. See your dealer.

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2.4 "On" and "Off" Modes - When the taxi is not for hire
When in OFF mode, the meter’s display is blank. In ON mode,
there is a dot shown in the Rate Window. There may also be a
clock display in the Fare Window.
If the meter is in ON mode and your vehicle does not move for 30
seconds, it changes automatically to OFF mode. If the meter is in
OFF mode and your vehicle moves, it changes to ON mode.
Figure 3: On Mode
Press “MODE” to
enter FOR HIRE
mode.
Press “REVERT” to
revert to OFF Mode.

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2.5 FOR HIRE Mode – For when the taxi is for hire
From ON or OFF, press “Mode" to get into FOR HIRE.
The MR500 may display warning messages in this mode and a
clock or blank display programmed as part of your tariff. At this
stage the Rate Window usually shows the rate to charge but,
according to tariff option, it may show the year to which the tariff
applies. If so, pressing Revert will cancel the year display and
show the charging rate.
Figure 4: For Hire Mode
The charging
rate selected.
The information in this part
of the display depends on
how your MR500 has been
programmed.
Press “SELECT” to choose
the rate to charge. The
MR500 may allow only some
of the available rates to be
selected if your tariff is
“Calendar Controlled”. It may
not allow any manual rate
selection at all.
Press “REVERT”
to turn the MR500
off.
Press “MODE” to
go to HIRED
mode.

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If the MR500 is connected to a “TAXI” sign on the roof of your
vehicle, it may turn it on. This also depends on how your meter has
been programmed.
2.6 HIRED Mode – For charging for Time and/or Distance
In HIRED mode, your MR500 calculates a fare based on a
combination of the distance travelled by your vehicle and the time
taken. At the start of a journey in FOR HIRE mode, press the
“MODE” button to get into HIRED mode.
If your MR500 will not enter HIRED mode, and displays an error
message instead, please refer to Messages/Glossary (section 10).
Figure 5: HIRED Mode
If the MR500 is connected to a HIRED lamp, it may turn it on in this
mode.
The Rate
being
charged.
The Fare so far. The “Extras” so far.
Press “SELECT”
to select a new
rate to charge if
allowed by your
tariff.
Press “MODE”
to go to
STOPPED
mode.
Press “EXTRAS” to
add more extras.
WAITING TIME
illuminates
when the meter
is charging for
time.

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2.7 STOPPED Mode – At the end of the journey
At the end of the journey, select STOPPED mode. The MR500 will
now no longer increase the fare due to time. However, it may
increase it due to distance travelled. In STOPPED mode you can
also add the fare and extras together to show a Total Fare.
Figure 6: Stopped Mode
❢STOPPED mode can be used by authorities to test the meter, as
it calculates the fare based on distance alone. It is not
appropriate to use HIRED mode for this purpose.
Press “REVERT”
to go back to
HIRED mode to
continue the
journey if
allowed.
Press “MODE” to
end the journey and
go back to FOR
HIRE mode.
Press “TOTAL”
to add the fare
and extras
together.
Press “SELECT”
to change the
rate being
charged.
Press “EXTRAS”
to add extras.

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2.8 Flowchart of the MR500’s Basic Operations
Figure 7: Flowchart of Basic Operations

© 2009 Cygnus Automotive Limited
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2.9 Using the MR500 with a Receipt Printer
The MR500 supports the use of the PT73 printer to produce
receipts and to create copies of the totals (see section 6 for more
information on the MR500’s totals facility).
2.9.1Loading a Receipt Definition
Receipt definitions are programmed onto a normal tariff card and
loaded in the same way as a tariff. The MR500 is able to distinguish
between a tariff card carrying a tariff or a receipt definition. If the receipt
definition contains bitmaps it should also be loaded into the printer (see
PT73 User Guide).
As well as defining the receipt appearance, it is also possible to include
in the receipt definition a customised header for the Totals printout.
2.9.2Printing a Receipt
Printing a receipt is accomplished by pressing either the Select or the
Totals button (according to tariff option) on the meter whilst in
STOPPED mode. There is also a tariff option to print a receipt when
going from STOPPED mode to FOR HIRE mode, if a receipt has not
already been printed.
2.9.3Printing the Meter Totals
To print the Totals press the EXTRAS button on the meter whilst
viewing the totals to be printed.
❢For more information please read the Cygnus PT73 Receipt
Printer User Guide, part no. C2021.

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2.10 What Next?
This section has shown you the most important parts of operating
the MR500, namely:
•Switching it on.
•Working out the fare for a journey.
•Finding out the amount to charge the customer at the end of the
journey.
The MR500, however, has many more options and features
available to you if you want to use them.
From FOR HIRE and ON Modes, you can access two “menus”.
These are:
•The “Info” Menu.
•The “Totals” Menu.
These allow you to set up options and view information.
Firstly, however, there are some important ideas, which need to be
explained before going into the detail. The next sections will deal
with these.

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2.11 Flowchart of the MR500’s Advanced Operations
Figure 8 Flowchart of Advanced Operations
FOR HIRE
or ON mode
Press
“TOTAL”
Press
“TOTAL”
Press
“SELECT”
Press
“EXTRAS”
“EXTRAS”
“EXTRAS”
“EXTRAS”
“EXTRAS”
“EXTRAS”
“EXTRAS”
Display Next
Total
Display Next
Set of Totals
Time Opts
Section 5.4
User Opts
Section 5.5
Trf/Sw Info
Section 5.6
Vehicle Opts
Section 5.7
Total Conf
Section 5.9
Driver Log On/Off
Section 7
Display Totals
Section 6

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3 Tariffs and Features Which Are Optional
The rules affecting taximeters can be confusing and vary greatly from
one area to another.
Fortunately, the MR500 taximeter has been designed to be simple to
understand and use. However, this does mean that the programming of
your MR500 depends on where you work and on what your local
authority requires taximeters to do. This is how Cygnus deals with this
problem:
3.1 Tariffs
In order to work correctly, the MR500 needs to be programmed
with a Tariff. As well as containing the charges, times, distances
etc., it also contains information such as:
•The times and days of the week when particular rates
are being charged.
•The times and dates (e.g.: Bank Holidays) when
particular rates are to be charged.
•The amounts of money allowed to be added as
“Extras”.
•When to activate the circuits to control the Hire Sign
and other external equipment.
•Other options governing the behaviour of the meter.
❢If your MR500 has no tariff programmed into it, it cannot
function effectively as a Taximeter, since it does not know what
to do!
If your MR500 somehow gets into this position, for example, if
something goes wrong during “Tariff Programming”, it will give
messages to diagnose the problem.

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3.2 Tariff Code Number
You will see later on that you can find out the tariff code number
of the tariff in your MR500. When the information in the tariff is
programmed, it is given a unique number.
From your tariff code number we can find out how your meter has
been programmed and deal with any queries you may have.
3.3 What Does all of this Mean?
It means that your MR500 may behave differently from another
one, if that unit is subject to different rules and regulations to yours.
From now on in this User Guide, we have put a note against every
feature to warn you where there may be differences from your unit.

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4 PIN Numbers
We have borrowed the term “PIN” from the banking industry. It stands
for “Personal Identification Number”.
The MR500 uses PINs, or as we frequently call them “PIN Numbers”,
extensively to control functions that are important to the security of the
information in the meter and in controlling its use.
The use of the specific PINs is explained in later sections. However,
this section contains an overview.
4.1 How are PIN Numbers Formed?
•A PIN number for an MR500 may contain only the digits
1,2,3,4 or 5. This makes a PIN number easy to enter into
the front panel of the meter by using the five buttons.
•PIN numbers may be either 3 or 6 digits long.
4.2 The MR500’s Built-In PIN Numbers
The MR500 has three PIN numbers, which are programmed into it
when it is first manufactured. These cannot be changed. These are
all six-digit numbers, which provide 15,625 possible combinations.
A record of these numbers is provided with your new MR500.
The numbers are:
4.2.1The “Disable” PIN Number
This PIN allows you to control the use of your MR500 by only
allowing it to work for a pre-set period of time before it is disabled.
See section 5.4.3 for details.
❢The “Disable Feature” is dependent on the settings in your
Tariff. It may not, therefore, be available on your MR500.