What do I need to develop for a Vending Machine that uses the MDB protocol?

Question

I have a project with a Vending Machine. The documentation says that the machine uses the MDB protocol (a standard protocol for vending machines).

How do I develop an application to interact with the machine, and, for example, change the price of a product?

What tools and API's do I need?

Answer 1

You need to have an interface connector, such as the one at http://www.waferstar.com/en/MDB-PC.html as the MDB interface isn't native RS-232.

Answer 2

MDB is a a simple 9 bit serial interface, with a single controller and multiple slaves. A 9bit UART capable of 9600bps is all you need. Bill changers, CC readers, etc are all slaves. You can find the spec online:

www.vending.org/technical/MDB_3.0.pdf

Note that the vending machine itself contains the controller, and all of the controllers have their own peculiarities.