Abstract: A host device of a serial device system having a serial communications connection The host device including a host serial communication transceiver connected to a peripheral serial communication transceiver of a peripheral device via a serial connection of a serial communications cable having communication lines. The host device measures electrical power consumption of the host serial communication transceiver to determine when serial communications is prevented due to the serial communications cable being disconnected which includes at least one of the communication lines being detached from the host, detached from the peripheral device, or broken.

Abstract: Methods for authorizing wireless payment transactions that include encrypting, with an encryption module on the mobile payment device, a payment account token stored on a mobile payment device and a session key generated on the mobile payment device with a public key. The methods also include transmitting the encrypted payment account token and session key to a vending machine, further encrypting, with the vending machine, the encrypted payment account token and session key with a device key, and transmitting, from the vending machine, the encrypted payment account token and session key to a central server. The methods further include decrypting the payment account token and session key with the device key and with a private key stored at the central server and sending an authorization determination and session key from the central server to the vending machine based on the decrypted payment account token and session key.

Abstract: Methods for generating a consumer profile. The method may include receiving a purchase authorization request including a card number from a consumer, generating, with a key module, a hash value of the card number and generating, at the server, a card identifier. The method may also include associating the generated card identifier with the generated hash value, storing, at a server database, the associated card identifier, and associating, with a processor, the card identifier with the consumer profile.

Abstract: Methods for sending information to a mobile payment device, including selecting information to be associated with a particular mobile payment device identifier, receiving an identifier stored in the mobile payment device, determining whether the received identifier corresponds to the particular mobile payment device identifier associated with the information, and transmitting the information to the mobile payment device upon determining the received identifier corresponds to the particular mobile payment device identifier associated with the information.

Abstract: Methods for authorizing wireless payment transactions that include encrypting, with an encryption module on the mobile payment device, a payment account token stored on a mobile payment device and a session key generated on the mobile payment device with a public key. The methods also include transmitting the encrypted payment account token and session key to a vending machine, further encrypting, with the vending machine, the encrypted payment account token and session key with a device key, and transmitting, from the vending machine, the encrypted payment account token and session key to a central server. The methods further include decrypting the payment account token and session key with the device key and with a private key stored at the central server and sending an authorization determination and session key from the central server to the vending machine based on the decrypted payment account token and session key.

Abstract: Methods for generating a consumer profile. The method may include receiving a purchase authorization request including a card number from a consumer, generating, with a key module, a hash value of the card number and generating, at the server, a card identifier. The method may also include associating the generated card identifier with the generated hash value, storing, at a server database, the associated card identifier, and associating, with a processor, the card identifier with the consumer profile.