OTI Connect 3000 Telemetry Controller Expands Vending Applications

ROSH PINA, Israel -- NFC payment provider On Track Innovations Ltd. reportedly has a new telemetry controller device designed to enable communication between vending machines, kiosks and meters. The modular Connect 3000 machine-to-machine controller enables real-time clearing of cashless payments, and remote inventory control and maintenance information.

The primary onboard communication channel options include cellular 3G data communication, SMS and Ethernet. The device also allows for other communication methods, like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and ZigBee via a mini USB socket.

In addition to compatibility with OTI's Uno and Trio payment readers, Connect 3000 offers physical and logical implementation for vending-machine specific interfaces, like multi-drop bus (MDB) and data exchange (DEX).

Connect 3000 can collect and transmit to the operator inputs from different components of the vending machine, including sensors, all types of serial payment acceptance devices, security devices such as PIN pads, and data collection devices like barcode scanners. These inputs can include inventory, security and transaction events.

The telemetry controller has a built-in operating system with a rich application program interface (API) that serves as a platform for the development of host applications. The Connect 3000 SDK includes source code for many of the product's software blocks that can facilitate the rapid development of host applications for the unit processor, according to the company.

The device also provides the benefits of Internet connectivity between vending, machines and their respective backend information management systems, which in turn can distribute information to the machine operator or other parties.

OTI provided the example of a beverage vending machine located in the lobby of a multi-floor building having the ability to use a Twitter or Facebook account through Connect 3000 to inform the residents of the building about machine-related events, such as price changes, inventory levels, transaction failures, as well as availability of the machine or products.

Since the unit can be connected to different parts of the machine and can aggregate information from a variety of devices, it can deliver a report to a user's smartphone about their purchase history or nutrition facts about the product they purchased.