Extended Implementation of a Software Architecture for a Networked Vending System.

Student: Jess Ernest Morecroft

Supervisor: Richard Cocks

Category: Computer Systems Engineering Thesis Project

A multi-year project conducted by the University of Queensland’s Just Off Campus Group, the NetVend Project involves the development of a centralized, software server system to facilitate Internet driven, or Web-enabled, vending machines. In addition, NetVend also encompasses the development of a physical, Small Component Vending Machine (SCVM) that will provide the first real world application of the NetVend software system.

The eventual goal of the NetVend server system, the topic of this thesis, is to provide users with the ability to place orders to a particular vending machine over the Internet using a customised Web interface. NetVend will provide users with unique user/order identification, which they may later use to trigger corresponding vends at the physical vending machines. The vending machines are able to respond in this intelligent way by querying and responding to the central software system. Communication is achieved via secure communication, over the Internet, a local area network (LAN), or any other computer network.

The particular aim of this thesis is to establish basic communication with the SCVM. The system must additionally be able to initiate basic, physical operation of the vending machine. Simply stated, the vending machine must visibly move in response to the NetVend system.

Poster Presentation (PDF)

Thesis Document (PDF)