NetVend: Control Architecture

Student: Toby John Tomkins

Supervisor: Richard Cocks

Category: Software Engineering Thesis Project

The ordering, distribution and tracking of electronic components to students is a difficult and time consuming task. The aim of the NetVend project is to offer an alternative to this process through the use of modular subsections, standard interfaces and student proof design.

The NetVend system is a prototype vending machine capable of supplying electronic components to students and recording each transaction to allow for inventory validation. It consists of a number of individual sections each a project within itself. These consist of:-

• server side business rules and web interface
• embedded control architecture including user interface
• vial movement control
• scanning element to facilitate vial identification

The focus of my thesis is the control architecture of the vending machine itself. This is achieved through the use of a Lineo SecureEdge embedded device. This allows for the transmission of information to the server over a secure channel. Gives low level control over the various components that make up the vending machine. It also allows in system updating of many of the constituent parts of the system.

Poster Presentation (PDF)

Thesis Document (PDF)