MDB Adapter Module for Secure Vending Refunds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Processing refunds at vending machines is a difficult problem due to the need for secure and easy methods that allow for cashless payments and refunds, especially in scenarios without persistent network connections.
Innovation Solution
A mobile-device-to-machine payment processing system that uses a retrofitting method with an adapter module to enable hands-free and manual payment modes, allowing for secure cashless transactions and refunds over non-persistent network connections by registering payment peripherals as slaves to a payment accepting unit via MDB protocol, facilitating communication between mobile devices and vending machines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional payment accepting unit is used, then the machine structure is simple, but it cannot process cashless payments or refunds securely
Solution Approach 1:
An adapter module is introduced as an intermediary device that couples between the MDB bus and payment peripherals (card reader, mobile device interface). This adapter handles the complex communication protocols and security operations, allowing the original vending machine to process cashless payments and refunds without modifying its core structure. The adapter translates between the simple MDB protocol and the complex payment processing requirements.
2Reliability
If network connection is made non-persistent, then energy consumption is reduced and machine reliability improves, but payment processing becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by establishing payment authorization and transaction parameters before the actual payment moment. The adapter module pre-configures communication protocols and security handshakes, allowing payments to be processed even when network connections are intermittent or non-persistent. This preliminary setup ensures that when the payment moment arrives, all necessary protocols are already in place.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple payment peripherals are added, then payment options are increased, but the number of MDB interfaces required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter module serves multiple functions: it acts as an MDB slave device to the vending machine, simultaneously manages multiple payment peripherals (card readers, mobile device interfaces, cash acceptors), and provides a unified interface layer. This universal adapter allows the system to support diverse payment methods through a single MDB connection point, eliminating the need for separate MDB interfaces for each peripheral.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is performed at an electronic payment module with one or more processors, memory, a slave interface that couples the module with an unattended machine via a multi-drop bus (MDB), and one or more host interfaces that couple the module with at least one payment peripheral of the unattended machine. The method also includes: receiving, from a refund center, a request to issue an approved refund of a predetermined amount and one or more criteria that must be satisfied before dispensing the predetermined amount. In accordance with a determination that the one or more criteria are met, the method includes issuing (i) a signal to the unattended machine, via the slave interface, that the at least one payment peripheral is unavailable and (ii) a signal to the at least one payment peripheral, via the one or more host interfaces, to dispense the predetermined amount.