MDB Payment Module for Offline Vending Refunds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Processing refunds at unattended vending machines is a difficult problem due to the need for secure and easy methods that allow for cashless payment processing without requiring a persistent network connection.
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 over a non-persistent network connection by registering payment peripherals as slaves to a payment accepting unit via MDB protocol, facilitating refund processing and dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a persistent network connection is required for cashless payment processing, then transaction security and reliability are improved, but device complexity and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary authorization by storing authorization tokens and transaction data locally in the vending machine's memory before network connection is needed. This allows the machine to process refunds offline using pre-stored authorization data, eliminating the need for persistent network connections while maintaining security through pre-validated transaction records.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates local copies of transaction data and authorization tokens in the vending machine's memory, allowing it to operate independently of continuous network connectivity. These copied data elements enable the machine to verify and process refunds using stored information rather than requiring real-time network validation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple payment peripherals are directly connected to the MDB interface, then payment processing versatility is improved, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a payment module as an intermediary device between the MDB interface and multiple payment peripherals. This module acts as a mediator that receives commands from the vending machine via MDB and distributes them to the appropriate peripheral devices, simplifying the interface architecture and reducing installation complexity while maintaining support for multiple peripheral types.
Solution Approach 2:
The payment module is designed with universal functionality to interface with multiple types of payment peripherals (coin acceptors, bill acceptors, card readers, mobile payment devices) through a single unified interface. This multi-functional design allows the system to support diverse payment methods without requiring separate specialized interfaces for each peripheral type.
3Reliability
If refund processing requires network connectivity, then transaction security is improved, but ease of operation and convenience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary authorization and stores approval tokens locally before network connection is available. When a refund is requested, the machine can immediately process it using pre-stored authorization data without requiring real-time network validation, thereby maintaining security while significantly improving convenience and reducing processing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The vending machine is equipped with self-service capabilities to verify and process refunds using locally stored transaction data and authorization tokens. The system can independently validate refund requests against stored records and dispense refunds without requiring operator intervention or network connectivity, enhancing both security and operational convenience.
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.