Group SD0802

From ECE Department Wiki

Vending Machine Monitoring System

The purpose of this project will be to change how vending machines communicate with suppliers when they need to be serviced or re-filled. This project would propose a more cost-effective solution than wireless communication. The customer at the vending machine will be given a code from a module and a phone number to call and enter the code. In return, the customer will receive code to enter back into the module to receive a free item from the vending machine. This project will encompass encrypting the codes so that customers cannot guess the code for getting free items from the machine. The module will have a keypad and will need to receive the data provided by the machine.

Group Members

Shannon Earley, Peter Kannianen, Birendra Thapa

Advisors

Dr. Mark J. Schroeder

Travis Smith (Appolis, Inc.)

Overview

This project involves creating a device that reads status information from a vending machine controller. When there is an inventory or warning status that the vending machine owner should be aware of, the device will blink an LED. Consumers who see the blinking LED will also see the LCD ask them to press the # button. Once the # button is pushed the consumer will be given a phone number to call and an encrypted number to enter. That encrypted number they enter will be decrypted by the system on the phone-end, which tells what product(s) are empty. Upon receiving a valid encrypted number, the system will send back a code that the user can enter into the device to receive a free item from the vending machine.

Requirements

Official Requirements Capture Document (Updated Sept. 08): File:NDSU Requirements-TS update.pdf

•Notify customer with indicator, code, and number to call

•Information to be transmitted from the machine to the back-end system

    o Worst-case: machine needs servicing based on inventory level of at least 1 selection
    o Next-best: which selections are low
    o Best-case: full inventory level triggering
    o Code should give information to identify the machine
    o Nice to have: Capability for transmitting at certain times

• Automated phone call system verifies code from machine and returns a code for a free item from the machine to be entered into keypad (for this phase, this function will likely be simulated via web page provided by Appolis.)

• Make sure codes can not be re-used, and that after free item is issued, sensor will not trigger another indication until the machine has been reset (re-filled)