Cygnus MR400 User manual

© 2014 Cygnus Automotive Limited
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Contents
1 ABOUT THIS MANUAL 1
2 THE MR400 TAXIMETER 2
2.1 This Section 3
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 MR400’s Basic Operations 8
2.9 Using the MR400 with a Receipt Printer 9
2.10 What Next? 10
2.11 Flowchart of the MR400’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 MR400’s Built-In PIN Numbers 14
4.2.1 The “Disable” PIN 14
4.2.2 The “Totals” PIN 15
4.2.3 The Clock Set PIN 15
4.3 The “User” PIN 15
4.4 Entering a PIN 16
4.5 Setting a New PIN 16
5 THE MR400’S “INFO” MENU 17
5.1 Accessing the “Info” Menu 17
5.2 Navigating the “Info” Menu 18
5.3 Driver Log On/Log Off 19
5.4 Time Options 21
5.4.1 Time 21
5.4.2 Date 24
5.4.3 Disable Feature 25
5.5 User Options 27
5.5.1 Display Brightness 28
5.5.2 Sounder Setting 29
5.5.3 Automatic Turn Off Feature 29
5.5.4 User PIN 31
5.5.5 The User PIN Submenus 32
5.5.6 Comms Options 33
5.5.7 Baud Rate 34
5.5.8 Parity 35
5.5.9 MDT Mode 36
5.6 Tariff and Software Information 37
5.6.1 Serial Number 37
5.6.2 Tariff Code 38

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5.6.3 Receipt Code 38
5.6.4 Contact Information 39
5.6.5 Software Information Sub-Menu 40
5.7 Vehicle Options 41
5.7.1 Calibration 42
5.7.2 Pulse Check 43
5.7.3 Speedometer 44
5.7.4 Speed Alarms 45
5.7.5 Hire Sign Detection 47
5.7.6 Payment Lamp 47
5.7.7 Door Handle Illumination 48
5.8 “Totals Config” 49
5.8.1 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 MR400 53
6.5 Totals “Banks” 54
6.6 Reading the Totals 55
6.7 Displaying/Printing Journey Summary Information 56
6.8 Clearing the Totals 57
6.9 Totals Reorganisation 57
7 THE TOTALS/CONDITIONAL ACCESS SYSTEMS 59
7.1 Basic System 59
7.2 Log on with Totals PIN 59
8 OTHER FEATURES 60
8.1 Multiple Extras 60
8.2 Totalling the Fare and Extras 61
8.3 The Time Charging Symbol 62
8.4 Progress Indicator 62
8.5 “Tariff Year” Indicator 63
8.6 Tip/Gratuity 63
8.7 Rate Selection 64
8.8 Movement Warning in STOPPED Mode 64
8.9 Real Time Clock (“Calendar Control”) Override 65
9 MESSAGES/GLOSSARY 66

Cygnus MR400 Taximeter User Guide
1About this Manual
❢MR400 should also have been provided with a record of its PIN Numbers.
Please keep these for future reference.
The Section headed “The MR400 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
MR400, later sections help you with this. These sections can also be used for
reference later on.
The MR400’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 MR400 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. The MR400 helps you, however, by only illuminating the
buttons that have a function, and 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 reserves the right to change
the function and specification of the MR400 Taximeter without notice.

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2The MR400 Taximeter
Figure 1: Front Panel Features
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
Indicator.
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.

© 2014 Cygnus Automotive Limited
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2.1 This Section
This section contains the basics of operating the MR400 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.
2.2 Applying Power to the Meter
The MR400 is designed for permanent installation in your taxi.
However, when you first connect power to the meter after a power interruption
(for example if your taxi battery is disconnected) it completes a series of
power-up tests.
During these tests, the display illuminates (all “stars”) for several seconds.
When the checks are complete, a message scrolls across the display to show
that the meter is working.
Figure 2: Display during Power-Up self test
2.3 The Internal “Battery”
❢The MR400 has an internal “rechargeable battery” which maintains the
internal clock when power is removed. The battery recharges in a few
hours once power is restored.
The MR400’s clock may need to be reset if power is removed for a continuous
period of more than 4 weeks.

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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 MR400 may display warning messages in this mode, a clock display, or
text programmed as part of your tariff.
Figure 4: For Hire Mode
❢Your taxi’s “TAXI” roof sign is driven by the MR400. In FOR HIRE
mode, it is normally turned ON. This depends, however, on how your
meter has been programmed.
The charging
rate selected.
The information in this part
of the display depends on
how your MR400 has been
programmed.
Press “SELECT” to choose
the rate to charge. The
MR400 may only allow 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 MR400
off.
Press “MODE”
to go to
“HIRED” mode.

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2.6 “HIRED” Mode – For charging for Time and/or Distance
In “HIRED” mode, your MR400 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 MR400 will not enter HIRED mode, and displays an error
message instead, please refer to the “Error Messages and Warnings”
section.
Figure 5: HIRED Mode
❢Your taxi’s “hired” lamp is driven by the MR400. In HIRED mode, it is
normally turned ON. This depends, however, on how your meter has been
programmed.
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. (Or
see “Multiple Extras”
in Section 8.1)
“Time Charging”
symbol. Appears
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 MR400 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.
(See section 8.1
for alternatives)

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2.8 Flowchart of the MR400’s Basic Operations
Figure 7: Flowchart of basic operations.

© 2014 Cygnus Automotive Limited
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2.9 Using the MR400 with a Receipt Printer
The MR400 supports the use of a printer to produce receipts and to create
copies of the totals (see section 6 for more information on the MR400’s totals
facility).
•To print a Receipt press the SELECT button on the meter whilst in
STOPPED mode.
•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 Receipt Printer User’s
Reference Guide.

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2.10 What Next?
This section has shown you the most important parts of operating the MR400,
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 MR400, 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 MR400’s Advanced Operations
Press
“TOTAL”
“EXTRAS”
“EXTRAS”
“EXTRAS”
“EXTRAS”
“EXTRAS”
“EXTRAS”
Press
“EXTRAS”
Press
“SELECT”
Press
“TOTAL”
FOR HIRE
or ON Mode
Section 6
TIME OPTS
Section 5.4
Display Next
Total
Select Next Set
of Totals
USER OPTS
Section 5.9
TRF/SW INFO
Section 5.15
VEHICL OPTS
Section 5.20
TOTAL CONF
Section 5.26
DRIVER LOG
ON/OFF
Section 5.3
Figure 8: Flowchart of Advanced Operations

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3Tariffs and Features Which Are Optional
The rules affecting taximeters can be confusing and vary greatly from one area
to another.
Fortunately, the MR400 taximeter has been designed to be simple to
understand and use. However, this does mean that the programming of your
MR400 depends on where you work and on what your local authority requires
taximeters to do. This is how the MR400 deals with this problem:
3.1 Tariffs
In order to work correctly, the MR400 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 MR400 has no tariff programmed into it, it cannot function
effectively as a Taximeter, since it does not know what to do!
If your MR400 somehow gets into this position (for example, if something
goes wrong during “Tariff Programming”), it will give messages to
explain 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 MR400. 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 MR400 may behave differently from another one, if that
unit is subject to different rules and regulations to you. From now on in this
User Guide, we have put a note against every feature to warn you that there
may be differences from your unit.

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4PIN Numbers
We have borrowed the term “PIN” from the banking industry. It stands for
“Personal Identification Number”.
The MR400 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 MR400 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 MR400’s Built-In PIN Numbers
The MR400 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 MR400.
The numbers are:
4.2.1 The “Disable” PIN
This PIN allows you to control the use of your MR400 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 MR400.

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4.2.2 The “Totals” PIN
This PIN allows the use of the “access control” and “driver management”
facilities of the MR400.
4.2.3 The Clock Set PIN
This is used to set the clock of the MR400 if required, perhaps due to the
internal battery going flat. The MR400 will prompt you if this is required.
4.3 The “User” PIN
If you do not want to have to remember the factory set “Disable” and “Totals”
PIN numbers, you can set your own numbers and use these instead.
The MR400 allows you to set a number to use for the Disable PIN, and another
number to use for the Totals PIN. Once these two PINs have been set, you
cannot change them. However, both your “User” PINs, and the original factory
set ones will also work.
Section 5.5.4 explains how to set the User PIN’s.

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4.4 Entering a PIN
At various points, your MR400 will need you to enter a PIN Number. This is
how it is done:
Figure 9: Entering a PIN Number
If you do not press a button for 20 seconds, the MR400 times out and goes
back to its previous state.
4.5 Setting a New PIN
Whenever you need to set a new PIN Number, the MR400 always gets you to
enter it twice to make sure that you have not made any typing errors.
If you enter a different number the second time, you will have to start the
whole operation again.
The dashes change
to stars as you enter
the PIN number.
Use the buttons as if
they were numbered 1
to 5 from left to right.
1
2
3 4
5

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5The MR400’s “Info” Menu
The “Info” menu gives you access to most of the options and features available
to you, and in some cases allows you to get information out of the MR400.
❢Remember that the MR400 is controlled by the information programmed
in the “tariff”, so some of the options may not be available on your unit.
5.1 Accessing the “Info” Menu
To get into the MR400’s Info. Menu, just press “EXTRAS” (As in “Extra”
features)
You will then see the first of the “Info” menu items. This may be the one
shown below, but this will depend again on your tariff set-up.
Figure 10: Navigating the "Info" Menu
Some MR400s also have a time-out that causes them to automatically drop-out
of the Info Menu if you do not press a button for a pre-set time period.
Press
“REVERT” to
go back to the
previous level
in the Menu.
Press “MODE”
to leave the
“Info” mode and
go back to “On”
or “For Hire”
mode.
Press “EXTRAS”
to go to the next
item in the menu.
Press
“SELECT” to
go to the next
level in the
menu.

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5.2 Navigating the “Info” Menu
Figure 7: Navigating the Info Menu
The Info Menu is arranged in a tree structure:
•To move to the next item at the same level, press EXTRAS.
•To move up a level, press SELECT.
•To move back down a level, press REVERT.
•To leave the Info Menu altogether, press MODE.
•If, at any time, you get lost in the Info Menu structure, just press
MODE to leave it
The rest of this Section describes what each of the Info Menu items are for,
and how to use them. Some of the features are described more fully later in this
User Guide.