Method and system for communications with remote embedded applications

摘要

A vending machine module (12) is pre-programmed with a unique serial number. It is also programmed to dial up and connect to a specific registration database when first installed and powered up in the vending machine (1) which is one example of a remote embedded application. When the vending machine module (12) dials up the registration database for the first time, the registration database identifies the specific module (12) by means of its unique serial number, and then programs the module (12) with all of its relevant customised configuration—such as, for example, Telnet and PTP passwords, PTP Public Encryption Keys, telephone numbers for local ISP access (local telephone rates), customer name, customised web pages, new user configuration, subsequent database IP addresses, etc. Having been programmed with all of this data, the vending machine (12) is then ready to dial up an ISP server (2) over the Internet, for file transfer sessions. Thus, the vending machine module (12) requires only minimal programming. Many similar almost exactly the same information, each differing only in its own, unique serial number.