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: 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: 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: Retrofitted vending systems including a card reader and a vending machine in communication with the card reader are disclosed. The systems may include a spacer positioned between the card reader and the vending machine that is adapted for mounting the card reader to the vending machine. Wireless communication device are also disclosed. The wireless communication devices may be electronically coupled to the vending machine and may include a bracket configured for attachment in the spacer and a wireless communication board fastened to the bracket.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for obtaining application data using a card reader having a pass-through mode and an automatic polling mode are disclosed. Application data may be obtained by enabling the pass-through mode of the card reader, instructing the card reader to poll for an exchange event, identifying the exchange event, identifying a subject of the exchange event, and obtaining application data from the subject when the subject of the exchange event is a predefined application. The pass-through mode may be disabled and the automatic polling mode may be enabled after the application data is obtained. An account number from the subject of the exchange event may also be obtained for use in authorizing a vending transaction.

Abstract: Retrofitted vending systems including a card reader and a vending machine in communication with the card reader are disclosed. The systems may include a spacer positioned between the card reader and the vending machine that is adapted for mounting the card reader to the vending machine. Wireless communication device are also disclosed. The wireless communication devices may be electronically coupled to the vending machine and may include a bracket configured for attachment in the spacer and a wireless communication board fastened to the bracket.

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, systems, and apparatus for obtaining application data using a card reader having a pass-through mode and an automatic polling mode are disclosed. Application data may be obtained by enabling the pass-through mode of the card reader, instructing the card reader to poll for an exchange event, identifying the exchange event, identifying a subject of the exchange event, and obtaining application data from the subject when the subject of the exchange event is a predefined application. The pass-through mode may be disabled and the automatic polling mode may be enabled after the application data is obtained. An account number from the subject of the exchange event may also be obtained for use in authorizing a vending transaction.

Abstract: Devices and methods for generating an alert for a vending machine are disclosed. A method of generating an alert includes monitoring a bus for at least one communication from the vending machine controller via the bus. The bus is then monitored for a response to the communication from a peripheral device to the vending machine controller via the bus. The response from the peripheral device is then processed. An alert is then generated based on the processed response. A peripheral device for generating the alert includes a bus interface configured to receive data from the bus and to transmit data onto the bus, and a processing unit coupled to the bus interface, the processing unit configured to process data received from the at least one other peripheral device and generate an alert based on the processed data.

Abstract: Devices and methods for generating an alert for a vending machine are disclosed. A method of generating an alert includes monitoring a bus for at least one communication from the vending machine controller via the bus. The bus is then monitored for a response to the communication from a peripheral device to the vending machine controller via the bus. The response from the peripheral device is then processed. An alert is then generated based on the processed response. A peripheral device for generating the alert includes a bus interface configured to receive data from the bus and to transmit data onto the bus, and a processing unit coupled to the bus interface, the processing unit configured to process data received from the at least one other peripheral device and generate an alert based on the processed data.

Abstract: A peripheral device for a vending machine, a method of communicating with a vending machine, a vending system, and a computer readable storage medium including software that is adapted to control a computer to implement a method of communicating with a vending machine are provided. The peripheral device includes a bus interface and a processor coupled to the bus interface. The peripheral device, via the bus interface, receives data from a bus and transmits data onto the bus. The processor enables cashless payment and provides diagnostic information for at least one other peripheral device of the vending machine based on data received from the at least one other peripheral device via the bus interface.

Abstract: A bill acceptor module may receive configuration data from at least one of an interface board, a programming tool, a plug-in memory, a memory on a currency cassette, and a host machine, store the configuration data in a memory, and process signals according to the configuration data to enable operation of the bill acceptor module with a host machine. The operation of the bill acceptor module may include communication with a currency cassette.

Abstract: An optical sensor system for validating documents transports a document under test between a light source and an optical interface circuit. A photodetector within the optical interface circuit generates an electrical current signal at its output based on the amount of detected light transmitted through and/or reflected by the document. A photodetector interface circuit is connected to the photodetector output and converts the current signal to a signal indicative of the detected light without undesirable electrical offsets, such as manufacturing, production and temperature offsets. In particular embodiments, the current signal is further processed to take advantage of the dynamic range of an associated analog converter.

Abstract: A bill acceptor module may receive configuration data from at least one of an interface board, a programming tool, a plug-in memory, a memory on a currency cassette, and a host machine, store the configuration data in a memory, and process signals according to the configuration data to enable operation of the bill acceptor module with a host machine. The operation of the bill acceptor module may include communication with a currency cassette.

Abstract: An optical sensor system for validating documents transports a document under test between a light source and an optical interface circuit. A photodetector within the optical interface circuit generates an electrical current signal at its output based on the amount of detected light transmitted through and/or reflected by the document. A photodetector interface circuit is connected to the photodetector output and converts the current signal to a signal indicative of the detected light without undesirable electrical offsets, such as manufacturing, production and temperature offsets. In particular embodiments, the current signal is further processed to take advantage of the dynamic range of an associated analog converter.

Abstract: A bill validator comprising a removable magazine having reflective surfaces, such as a prism, which reflects light from a light source, such as a light emitting diode, to a photodetector, such as a phototransistor, is disclosed. The prism can include a recess and the magazine can further comprise a blocker with an arm that can be moved into and out of the recess based on movement of a pressure plate within the magazine, to block light from passing across the recess. This arrangement can be used to determine whether the bill validator can go back into service, whether the magazine has been removed from and reattached to the validator, whether bills have been removed from the magazine, whether the magazine is full and whether a bill is in position for stacking, for example.

Abstract: A switching power supply having a power steering clamp is disclosed. The power supply may suitably include a pulse width modulator controller which controls a first switch for controlling the flow of energy into and out of a transformer. The power steering clamp suitably includes a second switch, clamp diodes, and circuitry for driving the gate of the second switch. The circuitry for driving the gate of the second switch is preferably controlled by the pulse width modulator controller. Use of the power steering clamp permits leakage energy to be rerouted subsequently to the transformer. This feature may improve the efficiency of the circuit and also avoids the need for heat sinks to prevent overheating of circuit components. Such a switching power supply is particularly suitable for use in high density devices, such as a banknote or bill validator.