Setting Up Payment Devices

To run your Foto Master booth in pay-per-use mode, you need a payment device connected to FMX. This article walks you through configuring each supported payment integration, testing the payment flow, and resolving common setup issues.

Before you begin, make sure your FMX software is updated to the latest version and that your Foto Master Cloud account is active.

Nayax Integration Setup

Nayax is the most popular payment integration among Foto Master operators. Nayax terminals support contactless credit cards, mobile wallets, and chip payments, and include built-in cellular connectivity for remote management.

Requirements

• A Nayax VPOS Touch or compatible Nayax terminal
• An active Nayax merchant account at nayax.com
• FMX software running on your booth device

Configuration Steps

1. Install the Nayax terminal -- Mount the Nayax reader on your booth enclosure and connect it to your booth device via USB or serial cable, depending on the terminal model.
2. Register the terminal -- Log into your Nayax management dashboard and register the terminal using its serial number. Assign it to the correct machine and location.
3. Configure FMX -- In FMX, navigate to Settings > Payment and select Nayax as your payment provider. Enter the terminal identifier provided by Nayax.
4. Set the price -- Enter the session price in FMX. This amount will be charged to the guest when they tap or insert their card.
5. Enable pay-per-use mode -- In FMX, toggle the pay-per-use mode on. The booth will now display an idle screen and wait for a payment signal before launching the experience.
6. Test the connection -- Run a test transaction to confirm that FMX receives the payment confirmation and starts the session correctly.

Intercard Setup

Intercard is a cashless payment system commonly used in family entertainment centers (FECs) and amusement venues. Guests load credits onto an Intercard debit card at a kiosk, then use that card to pay for activities including your photo booth.

Requirements

• An Intercard reader compatible with your venue's Intercard system
• Coordination with your venue's Intercard administrator for pricing and integration
• FMX software running on your booth device

Configuration Steps

1. Install the Intercard reader -- Mount the reader on your booth and connect it to the booth device via the provided interface cable.
2. Coordinate with the venue -- Work with the venue's Intercard administrator to register your booth as a play point in the Intercard system. They will assign a machine ID and set the credit cost per session.
3. Configure FMX -- In FMX, go to Settings > Payment and select Intercard. Enter the machine ID and connection settings provided by the venue.
4. Test the integration -- Swipe a test card to verify that the credit deduction and session launch work correctly.

Embed Card Setup

Embed Card is another entertainment venue payment platform that operates similarly to Intercard. Guests use preloaded cards to pay for experiences at participating machines.

Requirements

• An Embed Card reader compatible with your venue's system
• Coordination with the venue's Embed administrator
• FMX software running on your booth device

Configuration Steps

1. Install the Embed Card reader -- Mount the reader on your booth enclosure and connect it to your booth device.
2. Register with the venue -- Work with the venue's Embed administrator to add your booth to the Embed system. They will provide the necessary machine credentials and set the cost per play.
3. Configure FMX -- In FMX, navigate to Settings > Payment and select Embed Card. Enter the credentials and connection details provided by the venue.
4. Test the integration -- Use a test card to confirm that the payment triggers the booth experience.

Coin Acceptor Setup

Coin acceptors are a straightforward option for venues where cash payment is preferred. They are commonly used in arcade-style setups and locations where guests are accustomed to coin-operated machines.

Requirements

• A compatible coin acceptor (pulse-based)
• A connection cable (typically wired to the booth device via a serial or GPIO interface)
• FMX software running on your booth device

Configuration Steps

1. Install the coin acceptor -- Mount the coin acceptor in your booth enclosure and wire it to your booth device according to the manufacturer's instructions.
2. Configure coin values -- In FMX, go to Settings > Payment and select Coin Acceptor. Set the coin denominations the acceptor will recognize and the number of coins required to start a session.
3. Set the price -- Define how many coins equal one session. For example, you might set the booth to require four quarters ($1.00) for a standard session.
4. Test the acceptor -- Insert test coins and verify that FMX correctly counts the coins and launches the experience when the required amount is reached.

Credit Card Reader Configuration

If you are using a standalone credit card reader (not Nayax), you can configure it as a generic payment device in FMX.

Configuration Steps

1. Connect the reader -- Attach the credit card reader to your booth device via USB.
2. Install drivers -- Install any drivers required by the card reader manufacturer.
3. Configure FMX -- In FMX, go to Settings > Payment and select the appropriate reader type. Enter the merchant account details and connection settings.
4. Set the price -- Enter the session price.
5. Test a transaction -- Run a small test charge to confirm the reader communicates with FMX and triggers the session.

Testing the Payment Flow

Before deploying your booth, always run a full end-to-end test:

1. Start FMX in pay-per-use mode -- Confirm the idle screen displays correctly with pricing information.
2. Make a test payment -- Use a real payment method (card, coin, or venue card) to initiate a transaction.
3. Verify session launch -- Confirm that the photo experience starts immediately after payment is confirmed.
4. Complete the session -- Go through the full guest experience (capture, processing, sharing) to make sure everything works.
5. Check the Cloud dashboard -- Log into cloud.fotomaster.com and verify that the transaction and any related cloud activity appear in your reports.
6. Test failure scenarios -- Try canceling a payment mid-transaction, removing a card too early, or inserting insufficient coins to make sure FMX handles these cases gracefully.

Troubleshooting Payment Issues

Payment device not detected

• Check the physical connection -- Make sure the USB or serial cable is firmly connected at both ends.
• Verify drivers are installed -- Some payment devices require manufacturer-specific drivers. Check the device documentation.
• Restart FMX -- Close and reopen FMX to force a fresh connection attempt.
• Try a different USB port -- Some USB ports may not provide enough power for certain devices.

Payment is accepted, but the session does not start

• Check FMX payment settings -- Verify the correct payment provider is selected, and the credentials match.
• Check the communication protocol -- Make sure FMX is set to the correct baud rate or connection type for your device.
• Review FMX logs -- Enable logging in FMX and check for error messages related to the payment trigger.

The transaction appears on the guest's card, but the booth did not respond

• Contact the payment provider -- If the charge went through but FMX did not receive the signal, there may be a communication issue between the payment terminal and FMX.
• Check cable integrity -- A damaged or loose cable can cause intermittent signal failures.
• Review the Nayax dashboard -- If using Nayax, check the terminal status in your Nayax management dashboard for error codes.

Coin acceptor is not counting correctly

• Clean the coin path -- Dust and debris can cause coins to be rejected or miscounted.
• Check coin settings -- Verify that the coin denominations in FMX match the physical coins the acceptor is configured to recognize.
• Inspect the acceptor -- Look for mechanical issues such as stuck coin gates or worn sensors.

Next Steps

• Pricing Your Booth Experiences -- Configure pricing for different experiences
• Revenue Tracking -- Monitor transactions and revenue in the Cloud dashboard
• Pay-Per-Use Overview -- Review the full pay-per-use concept and ideal locations