Secondary Bus for Peer-to-Peer Device Communication
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated transaction systems, such as vending machines and ATMs, require physical technician access for updates and service requests due to limitations in data communication protocols, leading to delays and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a secondary bus within automated transaction systems to enable peer-to-peer communication between devices, allowing direct command transmission and resource sharing, thereby reducing the need for physical access and enhancing communication efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If standard industry protocols (MDB) are used for communication, then basic functionality is achieved, but additional information transfer and service operations require physical technician access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the communication system into two separate buses: a primary bus (MDB) for basic device communication and a secondary bus for direct peer-to-peer communication between devices. This segmentation allows service operations to occur directly between devices over the secondary bus, eliminating the need for physical technician access while maintaining basic functionality over the primary bus.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary bus acts as an intermediary communication channel that enables direct data exchange between devices (payment device and selection interface) without requiring host controller mediation for every operation. This intermediary bus facilitates remote service operations and information transfer that would otherwise require physical access.
2Ease of repair
If a technician physically accesses the machine for updates and service requests, then service operations can be performed, but costs increase and delays occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables devices to perform service operations autonomously through direct communication over the secondary bus. The payment device and selection interface can exchange commands and data directly, allowing updates and service requests to be executed remotely without technician intervention, thus achieving self-service capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary bus provides a universal communication infrastructure that supports multiple service operations including updates, diagnostics, and remote configuration. This multi-functional bus enables various service tasks to be performed through a single communication channel, reducing operational costs while maintaining comprehensive service capability.
3Productivity
If direct peer-to-peer communication is implemented between devices, then communication efficiency improves and remote access is enabled, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication architecture into two distinct buses with specific roles: the primary bus for basic device connectivity and the secondary bus for direct peer-to-peer communication. This segmentation improves communication efficiency by allowing simultaneous operations on different buses while maintaining manageable system complexity through clear functional separation.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An embodiment of this disclosure provides an apparatus (212) for use in an automated transaction system (200). The apparatus includes a first interface (625) coupled to a primary bus (210), the first interface configured to permit communication of data. The apparatus also includes a second interface (626) coupled to a secondary bus (214), the second interface configured to permit communication of the data. A network topology of the primary bus is different from a network topology of the secondary bus. The apparatus also includes at least one processing device (610) coupled to the first interface and second interface. The at least one processor is configured to communicate the data over at least one of the first interface or second interface.