KarL4 by Garz & Fricke
Contactless Payment Terminal
Operating Manual
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General Safety Instructions
The Contactless Payment Terminal may only be connected by a qualified electrician.
Before installing the terminal, the vending machine must be disconnected from its
operating voltage. To do this, please disconnect the corresponding plug from the
battery or, in the case of mains-powered devices, the mains plug.
Consult SECO Northern Europe if you want to make any changes, additions, or
conversions to the Contactless Payment Terminal. The terminal contains
components that can be damaged or destroyed by electrostatic discharge.
Only intervene in the unit in compliance with the relevant safety measures against
electrostatic discharge (ESD) (according to EN 100015, Part 1).
Check the supply voltage before putting the terminal into operation.
Always use the latest software version. This is the only way to benefit from
innovations and error corrections.
KarL4 by Garz & Fricke
Contactless Payment Terminal
Documentation (only valid for hardware version 1.3 and software version 1.14)
Revision 1.0
July 11, 2022
Publisher:
SECO Northern Europe GmbH
Schlachthofstraße 20
21079 Hamburg
Phone: +49 (0)40 791 899-0
Fax: +49 (0)40 791 899-39
Email: north@seco.com
Web: north.seco.com
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Contents
General Safety Instructions ...................................................................................................... 2
Contents ................................................................................................................................. 3
1 Accessories ................................................................................................................... 5
2 KarL4 vending machine module ...................................................................................... 7
2.1.1 KarL4 contactless payment terminal ........................................................................... 8
2.1.2 KarL4 combi terminal ................................................................................................. 8
3 About contactless Payment .......................................................................................... 11
4 KarL4 circuit board ....................................................................................................... 12
5 Assembly ..................................................................................................................... 13
6 Keys and LEDs ............................................................................................................. 16
7 Getting started ............................................................................................................. 17
8 Maintenance ................................................................................................................ 19
9 Service menu ............................................................................................................... 20
9.2.1 Terminal time ........................................................................................................... 22
9.2.2 Terminal ID .............................................................................................................. 22
9.2.3 Serial number .......................................................................................................... 22
9.2.4 Vending machine number ........................................................................................ 22
9.2.5 Dealer card ............................................................................................................. 22
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9.2.6 End of menu ............................................................................................................ 23
9.3.1 Mobile status ........................................................................................................... 23
9.3.2 Provider ................................................................................................................... 24
9.3.3 Field strength ........................................................................................................... 24
9.3.4 IMSI ........................................................................................................................ 24
9.3.5 End of menu ............................................................................................................ 24
9.4.1 Telemetry started ..................................................................................................... 25
9.4.2 Telemetry start failed ................................................................................................ 25
9.4.3 Telemetry successful ............................................................................................... 25
9.4.4 Telemetry status ...................................................................................................... 25
10 Error menu ................................................................................................................... 26
11 Error Numbers ............................................................................................................. 28
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1 ACCESSORIES
The following accessories are available for the “KarL4 Contactless Payment Terminal:”
Order number
Designation
Significance
Fig.
903-2004R
KarL4 contactless
payment controller
LTE
Terminal electronics
903-0657R
KarL4 contactless
payment Antenne
Typ C
NFC antenna
921-0442R
GuF KarL4 -
Antennenkabel
MCX-MCX 090
RG174 80cm mit
Erdungsanschluss
Connecting cable
KarL4 NFC antenna
921-0384R
GuF KarL4 -
Antennenkabel
LEDs JST-JST
80cm
Connecting cable
KarL4 LEDs in NFC antenna
090-0995R
Klebeantenne für
LTE/GSM 700-
960/1700-2700 LC
150cm
Mobile antenna for
mounting behind glass
(indoor vending machine)
090-0899R
Planarantenne für
LTE/GSM 700-
960/1575-2700 LC
200cm
Mobile antenna for
mounting on metal
(outdoor vending machine)
0-0047
KRS Halter KarL²
universal
Bracket for mounting
terminal electronics on the
wall
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Order number
Designation
Significance
Fig.
400-1662R
KarL³ / KarL²
Halter
semikompakt
Bracket for mounting
terminal electronics on the
contact unit
400-2555R
KarL4 Halter
semikompakt lang
Rev. 1.1
Bracket for mounting
terminal electronics on the
contact unit
400-2788R
KarL4
Bohrschablone für
Antenne Sielaff
SC-Automaten
Drilling template for
mounting the antenna
400-2577Ra
KarL4
Bohrschablone für
Antenne
Drilling template for
mounting the antenna
400-2843R
Montage-Adapter
KarL4 NFC
Antenne Typ C (TL
Touch)
Mounting plate for the NFC
antenna in the TL Touch
400-2814R
Montage-Adapter
KarL4 NFC
Antenne Typ C
(Basicline)
Mounting plate for the NFC
antenna in the basic line
903-0677R
KarL4 contactless
payment Testkarte
Necessary for carrying out
the self-test
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Order number
Designation
Significance
Fig.
903-0002R
KarL contact unit
AV – 26K
Contact unit for contact-
based age verification
903-0582R
903-0582R
903-0551R
KarL connection
cable, 26-pole
500 mm, RM2.0
mm Rev. B
250 mm, RM2.0
mm Rev. B
50 mm, RM2.0
mm Rev. C
Connection cable for
contact unit
Table 1: Accessories
2 KARL4 VENDING MACHINE MODULE
The KarL4 vending machine module is a robust, vandalism-resistant contactless payment
terminal for indoor and outdoor vending machines.
KarL4 is designed as an OEM solution. The module can be installed in existing vending
machines as well as in new vending machines and thus represents a cost-effective expansion.
KarL4 is our innovation for contactless payment with the girocard and credit card. The payment
terminal runs entirely without a PIN pad (TOPP) and allows also quick age verification if desired.
It enables your customers to use their girocards and credit cards for contactless payment of
amounts of up to €50 without entering a PIN, securely and intuitively. KarL4 uses Near Field
Communication (NFC) for data transmission.
All common smartcards according to ISO 14443 A&B,m as well as NFC are supported.
Currently, the girocard and credit card application can be used.
The electronics are housed in a robust casing that can be installed on a suitable holder using the
snap-on method. The necessary NFC antenna is mounted separately from the electronics on the
front of the vending machine.
KarL4 can be connected via MDB to the vending machine controller. Compatibility with KarL²
and KarL3 is ensured.
USB is optional also possible for the connection to the vending machine controller, but not
implemented yet from software side.
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Variants
2.1.1 KarL4 contactless payment terminal
As a rule, girocards are equipped with a contactless interface. For payment and age verification
with such cards, it is sufficient to hold them in front of the NFC antenna.
The heart of the system is formed by the KarL4 payment terminal, which comes in a compact
plastic housing and can be connected to a controller via USB or MDB.
The KarL4 contactless payment terminal consists of the KarL4 contactless payment controller
and an NFC antenna.
The NFC antenna is designed to be mounted on the front of a metal vending machine housing.
2.1.2 KarL4 combi terminal
The KarL4 combi terminal is the complete solution for contactless payment with the girocard as
well as contactless and contact-based age verification. The heart of the system is formed by the
KarL4 payment terminal, which comes in a compact plastic housing and can be connected to a
controller via USB or MDB.
The KarL4 combi terminal consists of the KarL4 contactless payment controller, an NFC
antenna, and a contact card reader module.
The NFC antenna is designed to be mounted on the front of a metal vending machine housing.
The contact-based card reader module is equipped with a robust mouthpiece.
Figure 1 – KarL4 contactless terminal
Figure 2 – KarL4 combi terminal
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Vending machine interface
Communication with the vending machine control is via MDB (Multi Drop Bus).
The KarL4 is compliant with the latest MDB specification version 4.3 from July 2019.
This specification is provided by:
In battery mode, the KarL4 activates the vending machine by placing a card on the NFC antenna
or by inserting a card into the card reader module.
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Technical data
Chipcard Interfaces
Customer Card
Contactless
ISO 18092 (NFC)
Customer Card
Contact-based
ISO 7816 (EMV) via
Contact-based card reader
Dealer Card
ISO 7816 (EMV) via
Plug-In-Sockel ID000 (1x)
Data Transmission
via Mobile Network
RTC & Tamper Protection
Battery buffered
Software-Update
Via Mobile Network
Interfaces
Vending Machine
Controller
MDB/IPC Level 02/03
(optional USB)
Terminal
Managementsystem
2G .. 4G Modem
Cardholder
NFC Antenna
4 LED Status green
Display Vending Machine
Acoustic signal transmitter
Optional card reader
Service technician
2 Keys Service Menu
2 LEDs Status controller
red / green
1 LED Status Modem green
1 LED Status NFC red
Extensions
MDB Master
To connect:
MDB Display,
MDB Bill Validator
MDB Coin Changer
Bluetooth
To connect:
BLE-Module
Power Supply
8,0 V to 42,5 V DC
Power Consumption
Stand-By
typ. 2,5mA (@ 13,8V)
Operation
typ. 125mA (@ 13,8V)
Environmental conditions
Operating
Temperature
-25 to +70 °C
Humidity
Up to 100 %
Dimensions
Terminal Electronics
85 x 90 x 18 mm (LxBxH)
NFC Antenna
98 x 98 x 13 mm (LxBxH)
Battery
Li Battery (CR2032)
Connectors
MDB-Slave
JST S7B-PH-SM4-TB
MDB-Master
JST S6B-PH-SM4-TB
Card Reader
AMC170F-26POL
USB-OTG
USB-Micro-AB
Antenna NFC
MCX
LED NFC
JST SM12B-GHS-TB
BLE-Modul (optional)
JST SM10B-GHS-TB
Antenna Modem
MMCX
Figure 3 – KarL4 Technical data
3 ABOUT CONTACTLESS PAYMENT
Contactless payment describes the possibility to carry out payments by using the Near Field
Communication technology (NFC). This kind of payment today is supported by most of the
known payment cards, e.g. credit cards and also local solutions like the girocard in Germany
(formaly EC card), state-of-the-art smartphones and on the other side POS terminals. The NFC
technology, which makes secure contactless payment possible, was the linchpin for new
applications that makes payment cards even smarter and more convenient.
▪ Just hold it close to the payment terminal and you’re done!
▪ The payment process is reduced to seconds.
▪ Amounts of up to 50 euros can usually be paid without PIN or signature.
Payment transactions that do not require the entry of a PIN, are especially common in
applications in the area of vending and ticketing machines due to the small amounts of money
involved.
The easy payment process with a Terminal without PIN pad
The payment process is started by placing the card or smartphone on the NFC antenna.
Payment is made without authorization. Neither a PIN nor a signature is required. The payment
process is controlled by the risk management of the card, either offline or online. In the case of
online payment, the card is checked beforehand via the banks’ authorization system.
The contactless payment terminal KarL4 stores the data of each transaction, but passes them
on online as quickly as possible for further processing by the banking systems. As a rule, the
cardholder’s account is debited and the amount is credited to the dealer’s account the day after
the payment. The dealer’s account is credited as a collective transfer via all of the dealer’s
terminals and all transactions of a given day.
Special feature “Dealer card” for the girocard in Germany
For age verification, each terminal requires a dealer card (a “small” chip card in ID000 plug-in
format). Information is stored in the chip of the dealer card that enables the terminal to evaluate
the age information on the girocard.
Dealer cards are only valid for a limited period. After the validity period has expired,
they no longer function and must be replaced.
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4 KARL4 CIRCUIT BOARD
Front
The vending machine module is equipped with 2 keys and 2 LEDs (red and green). This allows a
service technician to see the operating status of the terminal and make adjustments if
necessary.
The arrangement of the keys, LEDs, and card slots is shown below:
The system has 2 slots for chip cards: one slot for the dealer card and one slot for an optional
SIM card for mobile communications. A SIM card is not required as the KarL4 is equipped ex
works with a SIM chip which is already activated.
Back
MODEM
MDB-MASTER
BLE
RFID LEDS
RFID ANT
Figure 4 – Front view of KarL4
READER
MDB-SLAVE
Figure 4 – Back view of KarL4
Status LED Modem (green)
Plug-in slot SIM-card (currently not necessary)
Plu-in slot dealer card
Status LED Testmode (yellow)
S2 and red LED
S1 and green LED
Backup battery
Status LED (red)
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KarL4 offers the following connection options for external components. The designations of the
connections are stamped on the housing.
▪ “READER”
connection for the contact unit (26-pole)
▪ “MDB-SLAVE”
connection for the vending machine for power supply of KarL4 and for communication
with the vending machine controller (MDB)
▪ “RFID ANT”
connection for antenna cable with coaxial plug
▪ “RFID LEDS”
connection for antenna cable with JST plug
▪ “BLE”
connection for optional Bluetooth module
▪ “MDB-MASTER”
connection for MDB periphery (e.g., LCD) (12-pole)
▪ “MODEM”
connection for mobile antenna
5 ASSEMBLY
Installation of terminal electronics
The KarL4 terminal electronics are mechanically compatible with KarL²/KarL³. Brackets that
have already been installed can still be used.
▪ Disconnect all connection cables on the KarL²/KarL³.
▪ Remove the KarL²/KarL³ terminal electronics from the bracket.
▪ Insert the KarL4 terminal electronics into the bracket.
▪ Connect the MDB connection cable with KarL4.
▪ Connect the contact unit to KarL4.
Brackets available for the terminal electronics:
Bracket for wall mounting Bracket for mounting on contact unit
Figure 6 – Bracket for wall mounting
Figure 7 – Bracket for mounting on contact unit
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Installing the NFC antenna
The NFC antenna is suitable for installation behind a glass front as well as for mounting on the
outer surface of a vending machine door. The antenna is fixed with four M4 screws. The length
of the screws depends on the wall thickness of the vending machine door. The screws must not
penetrate deeper than 5 mm into the threaded bushes of the NFC antenna.
A length of 8 mm should generally suffice.
The fixing screws are not included in the scope of delivery of the NFC antenna.
Appropriate holes (4x 5.5 mm and 1x 25 mm) must be drilled in the vending machine door for
the fastening screws and for the cable feed-through. Two drilling templates are available to
make this easier:
▪ KarL4 standard drilling template (Art. no. 400-2577Ra)
This template has the same outer diameters as the
antenna itself and can therefore always be used,
especially where only limited space is available for
mounting the antenna.
Figure 8 – NFC antenna
Figure 9 – Standard drilling template
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▪ KarL4 drilling template Sielaff SC (Art. no. 400-2788R)
This is a template specially designed for Sielaff SC vending machines. The contact edges
to be used are the decorative panel and the advertising panel on the vending machine
door. Using the template not only ensures the correct positioning of the holes in relation
to each other but also the correct position of the antenna itself.
Contact edge for
Contact edge for right edge of
top edge of advertising panel decorative panel
After fixing the NFC antenna with the 4 screws, the connection cables are connected and laid.
The earthing lug of one of the antenna cables must be connected to the housing of the vending
machine in an electrically conductive manner.
Finally, the label for operator guidance is attached to the front of the door.
Figure 11 – Front of vending machine door
Figure 12 – Back of vending machine door
Figure 10 – Sielaff drilling template
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Installing the mobile antenna
Two different mobile antennae are available:
Planar antenna:
▪ For use outdoors
▪ For mounting on sheet metal
▪ Ideally, for mounting on the top of the vending machine housing
Adhesive antenna:
▪ For use indoors
▪ For mounting behind glass or plastic
6 KEYS AND LEDS
Key function
The S1 key (see Figure 4) takes you to the service menu and then to the next menu item.
The menu item shown can be processed by pressing the S2 key.
Significance of LEDs
The terminal operating status is indicated by the LEDS on the S1 and S2 keys (see Figure 4).
Red LED
Green LED
Significance
Off
Off
Idle state, terminal is switched off
Off
On
Terminal ready for operation, no errors
On
On
Firmware signature successfully checked, update active
Flashing
Off
Terminal out of order, Firmware signature incorrect
Flashing
On
Terminal out of order, tampered
The status of the mobile connection is indicated by a green LED in the area of the mobile
antenna connection:
LED modem status
Significance
Off
Modem switched off
Flashing fast
Network search
Flashing, off longer than on
Modem is registered in network
The status of the NFC reader is indicated by a red LED in the area of the NFC antenna
connection:
LED NFC
Significance
Off
Operational
On
Overcurrent protection tripped
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7 GETTING STARTED
▪ A SIM card is not required as the KarL4 is fitted with a SIM chip.
▪ When using the “age verification” function, insert the dealer card (SIM socket with white
border).
LED modem status (green)
▪ Connect NFC antenna
▪ Connect mobile antenna
▪ Connect contact unit
▪ Connect controller (MDB)
▪ Switch on vending machine
▪ Mobile connection is established if it beeps twice after switching on and the green
modem status modem status LED is on longer than it is off.
▪ Start telemetry via the KarL4 service menu. This will assign a terminal ID to the unit, load
an EMC configuration, and update it if necessary.
Figure 13 – KarL4 within the case
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▪ Check the position of the debug switch:
a so-called debug switch is required for development and function tests after production.
This switch must be in the “off” position so that the KarL4 does not need unnecessary
power. The yellow LED must not light up.
Incorrect switch position: Switch on right, yellow LED lights up:
Yellow
LED
Debug
switch
Correct switch position: Switch on left, yellow LED does not light up:
Figure 14 – Incorrect switch position
Figure 15 – Enlarged view of the incorrect switch position
Figure 16 – Correct switch position
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Functional test without test card
▪ Check via the KarL4 service menu whether the machine has received a terminal ID
(display machine data).
▪ For machines with activated youth protection and contact unit:
o Insert a girocard with an age information greater than 18.
▪ Successful age check, machine is unlocked.
▪ The machine is in the basic state, in sleep mode in battery operation, and in idle mode in
mains operation:
o Place the girocard on the NFC antenna.
▪ A battery-operated vending machine is activated.
▪ The maximum sales price is reserved and is available for a sale.
o Cancel the transaction by pressing the return key.
▪ The reserved amount is cancelled.
Functional test with test card
A self-test is started by inserting the test card.
The display shows
▪ which test is currently being carried out
▪ what the test result is
Tests carried out include:
▪ Triggering hardware security
▪ Terminal ID configuration
▪ Presence and validity of the dealer card
▪ Digital connection to the NFC antenna
▪ Result of last day closing
▪ Payments within the last 7 days
▪ Result of last telemetry
▪ Accessibility to payment network operation
▪ Connection to mobile network
▪ Data connection to telemetry server
8 MAINTENANCE
Battery/Coin cell
The battery on the KarL4 is necessary for the date and time as well as for protecting the digital
keys. If it is necessary to change the battery, this must always be done with the power on, i.e.,
with the MDB cable plugged in and the machine switched on or the battery plugged in.
Figure 17 – KarL4 test card
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Dealer card
A dealer card is required to carry out the age check. Dealer cards are only valid for a maximum
of 3 years and must therefore be replaced regularly.
The dealer card may only be replaced when the terminal is switched off.
Software updates
The terminal operator does not have to worry about updating the software. The devices are
integrated into a terminal management system. The software of the unit is automatically kept up
to date via this system.
However, it is possible to search for and perform updates manually via the service menu:
Find updates.
S1 – Next menu item
S2 – Start update search
9 SERVICE MENU
Pressing the S1 key or opening the machine door takes you to the service menu. Information is
shown on the display of the vending machine and settings can be made.
The keys generally have the following functions:
S1
Access to the service menu after opening the door
Calling up the next menu item within the respective menu
Acceptance of a value edited with S2
In editing mode, switch to the next editable value
In submenu, press and hold to exit the submenu
S2
Switching from the service menu to editing mode
Changing values in editing mode
At the end of the main menu, call up the service menu again
In the service menu, each menu item can be accessed using the two keys and – if provided –
the corresponding menu item can be changed.
The individual menu items of the service menu are also accessed automatically. This happens at
intervals of 5 seconds, after which the next menu item is called up.
After the last menu item has been called up, the service menu is automatically closed if no user
entries are made. If the service menu has been exited by the automatic switch-off when the door
was open, the service menu can be called up again by pressing the S1 key.
Check for
new software
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