Emergence Of Generic Technology For Vending Machines

A perfect example of generic technology is the multi-drop bus, MDB, that is an internal communication protocol designed to ensure that coin mechanism, bill validators and cashless payment devices can be properly interfaced to a vending machine controller without any concern for manufacturing. The key benefit of MDB for Planet Antares vending operators is it being a generic technology.

Often, MDB has been compared to the plug and play standards that are common to generic computer component interfacing. A consistent standard is applicable to bills, coins and credit/debit cards. MDB indicates a movement towards open system architecture that allows a variety of peripheral devices to automatically become functional.

MDB is also called the multi drop bus/internal communication protocol (MDB/ICP). The MDB standard defines the serial interface equipment communicate identically. This system helps to capture transactional data, including method of payment, purchase price and change paid. On combining these functions with tie of transactions and column information, it can develop a good transaction record.

Moreover, this system enables Planet Antares vending machine controller to determine which coins the mechanism accepted, which bills were stored by the bill validator and how much credit is available through a cashless payment device. It is a method for the vending machine controller to direct the coin mechanism to pay out correct change. The MDB standard allows a Planet Antares vending operator to choose peripheral devices based on performance, reliability, price and features, as opposed to connectivity.

Instant updating of your vending machine status is possible with MDB. The system allows the attachment of an audit device that recieves information of all events happening in the Planet Antares vending machine through MDB.