Automatic Vending Machine using RFID

Gopal Gawande [A], Atharva Aher [B], Om Gali [B], Suraj Haral [B]
[A] HOD Professor, Dept. of Electronics and Telecommunication
Engineering, MMM College of Engineering, Pune, India A
[B] U.G. Student, Dept. of Electronics and Telecommunication
Engineering, MMM College of Engineering, Pune, India B

Email –[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]

Abstract-- In this contemporary dynamic storage space is a crucial issue in small vending
automated world, every product is smart and machines. The additional features added to RFID
mechanized, all of the human desires are met virtual machines are security and convenience. This
with the aid of using shrewd gadgets. The technology allows access only via RFID, which
automatic vending machine presents the prevents the machine from being misused.
packed meals items. These systems are
1.1 Components of Automatic Vending
operated with mixture of manually operated
transfer buttons in conjunction with RFID tag.
Machine

This task is achieved by the use of machine Following are the components:

which operates on four independent servo AVR Microcontroller (ATmega328), RFID reader,

motors as an actuator with recognize to the Servo Motors, LCD display 16*2, Regulator 7805,

Arduino Uno and Atmega 328. Buck converter.

1. INTRODUCTION 2. LITERATURE SURVEY

A vending machine is an automated device that In [1] Sarika Oundhakar presents a pragmatic
allows customers to make purchases of things such solution for managing mild health problems that
as snacks, drinks, and other items through the input require prompt attention. Focusing on these
of cash, a credit card, or alternative specially crafted symptoms in the workplace can effectively avert
RFID cards into the machine. In many nations, food absenteeism and curtail expenses associated with
vending machines are a prevalent method of keeping open medicine cabinets. Workplaces
automated, low-maintenance, low-cost product without clinics or pharmacies can leverage the
distribution. benefits of an over the counter vending machine,
which boosts productivity while reducing
The Vending machine is an automated gadget that
underperformance from unwell staff members.
serves and dispenses packed meals items and
Furthermore, this approach eliminates the need to
products. The project introduces the system
spend long hours waiting at clinics for minor
working with the wireless transactions using RFID
ailments like colds and headaches - a predicament
tags as storing traditional currency such as
banknotes and coins can be a limiting factor as

1
compounded by localized disease epidemics or The author Vishal Tank explained in [4] that access
pandemics. to primary health care is an important pillar of
development to build a healthy future. This is
The method used by author Malashree.G in [2] is
achieved by machine. The communication between
creating All Time Medicine (ATM).This is a machine
the Raspberry Pi and the Arduino controllers is
which delivers the medicine in emergency cases
serial via a USB cable. Power supply via a normal
and ensure availability of drugs 24x7 and hence the
230 V socket (alternating current). Due to the
name “All Time Medicine”. ATM will be very useful
physical and infrastructural limitations of setting up
in saving life in case of an accident on highways,
a medical camp in remote areas, this machine was
remote areas, rural areas and places where medical
designed as a self-contained unit that requires
stores are not within the reach in case of
minimal supervision to operate over long periods of
emergency. At least first aid can be made easily
time.
accessible with the help of this system. The crux of
this project lies in the utilization of the Advanced
The method used by Rajani Karalgikar in [5]
RISC Machine PIC microcontroller, which is
describes the use of a vending machine to dispense
responsible for driving various subsystems such as
water. The machines are the ones that dispense
the RFID Reader, GSM, medication dispenser and
the water for free. Flowing substances like water,
inventory control. The system operates on an
oil, food, drink etc. To help the public, the
identification method based on RFID tags to
government had already created the facility to
determine unique users. In case a prescription
provide clean drinking water with the coin-based
requires refill, inventory control is notified by GSM.
water dispenser, where by inserting a coin, the
The medicine storage component of the system
system dispenses the purified water on
goes by the name ‘Medicine Dispenser’.
demand .This project uses RFID technology, the
J.Paruvathavardhini, according to the author [3] non-contact technology used to uniquely identify the
individuals frequenting commercial areas could person or object using the unique code in tag.
greatly benefit from autonomous vending machines
providing essential requirements. Based on In [6] Govind Sopan Waghmare describes how
Embedded Systems technology these vending important feminine hygiene is and the need of
machines have gained significant popularity lately buying sanitary napkins in medical supply stores
owing to their convenience factor. In today’s fast- and other shops. One solution to this problem is to
paced world its not uncommon for people to install a sanitary napkin dispensing system. People
overlook vital needs while leaving home and resort in an emergency without going to a pharmacy. It is
to nearby options like vending machines as a quick a microcontroller and motor based system for
fix. However modern payment methods using RFID dispensing medication when accessed by the user
tags have become more preferred over traditional via an input event. Aims to install automatic sanitary
cash transactions due to its added convenience. napkin dispensers in toilets and places such as long
The device restricts access only to RFID enabled highways and remote tribal areas by using an online
devices thereby preventing misuse of the system. A payment gateway. This increases the availability of
specialized machine created specifically for sanitary napkins in the system at once, so no need
educational institutions provides critical supplies like to fill the napkins in the system regularly.
feminine hygiene products or face masks among
others that children may require. Displayed on an
3. METHODOLOGY
LCD screen are both available fund balance and
remaining product counts.

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The methodology of the RFID reader and key in a
vending machine system is essential for facilitating
user interaction and item selection. The RFID
reader plays a critical role in reading the unique
identification (UID) number stored on the RFID
card. The process begins with providing a stable
power supply to the RFID reader module and
connecting the antenna for signal transmission. The
reader is then initialized by configuring
communication protocols and other parameters.

Continuously scanning for RFID cards, the reader

detects their presence within its range. Upon card
detection, the reader reads the UID number by
sending a command to the RFID card, which Fig. 1: Block Diagram of Automatic Vending
responds by transmitting its UID back to the reader. Machine using RFID
The received UID is processed using the connected
microcontroller or software, allowing for tasks such 3.1 GUIDELINE OF THE OPERATION
as storing the UID in a database or comparing it The RFID reader creates an electromagnetic field at
with existing records. a frequency of 125 kHz, which powers latent RFID
transponders. These transponders have built-in
The key serves as the user interface, enabling antennas tuned to the same frequency. When they
users to make selections. Integrated into the come within range of the reader, they draw power
vending machines microcontroller or control circuit, from the electromagnetic field to activate their
the key is monitored for key press events using internal devices.
code or algorithms. Upon detecting a key press, the
microcontroller initiates the corresponding Once powered, the transponders can modulate the
operation, such as dispensing the chosen item from incident magnetic field, which is detected by the
the appropriate chamber. Visual indicators or audio reader. As a consequence, the reader is able to get
signals provide feedback to the user, confirming the data from the transponders. Varied transponder
registered key press and ongoing operation. types with varied capabilities and data transmitting
limits were developed for operation at various
The methodology ensures accurate card detection,
wavelengths each with different capabilities and the
UID reading, and seamless operation of the vending
amount of data they can transmit.
machine. By following these steps, the system
enhances user experience, enabling convenient The RFID reader creates an electromagnetic field at
and efficient item selection in the vending machine. a frequency of 125 kHz, which powers latent RFID
transponders. These transponders have built-in
antennas tuned to the same frequency. When they
come within range of the reader, they draw power
from the electromagnetic field to activate their
internal devices.

Once powered, the transponders can modulate the

incident magnetic field, which is detected by the

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reader. The readability and style enhance this
explanation of how transmitted data is exchanged
between passive RFID systems’ components 5. HARDWARE AND EXPERIMENTAL
(transponder/reader). Transmitters-modulated SETUP
signals are intercepted as they approach range- The circuit diagram Fig.3 contains pin configuration
limited activation zones; whereupon sophisticated interfacing unit to which servo motors are
decoding protocols in precise frequencies, connected to the PD4, PD5, PD6, PD7 and LCD
processing requirements, and compatibility levels display is connected to digital pins of controller Port
convert the received data appropriately. B. The power supply of system contains the
transformer and regulator 7805 which gives fixed 5v
for microcontroller.

Regardless of these functional variances: it's

essential to note that collision avoidance features
are critical in minimizing reading errors among
active cards. Hence, only one card is allowed within
the reader's zone at a time. Upon detection of an
active transponder signal, it'll be interpreted through
an ASCII translation process for ease of access and
utilization purposes.

4. SOFTWARE ALGORITHM Fig.3: Circuit Diagram

The flow chart states the complete algorithm to
show the working of the embedded system with
respect to automated vending machine.

Fig.4: Experimental Setup

6. RESULT
The vending machine incorporates an Arduino Uno
microcontroller as a sophisticated control system,
together with an RFID tag and reader. This system
Fig 2: Algorithm Flow Chart
features four chambers for dispensing items, with

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each chamber equipped with a continuous rotation
DC motor positioned behind it. When a user inserts
an RFID card into the candy machine and presses
the corresponding button, the associated DC motor
rotates, allowing the dispensing of one item. Coils
made of material holder wires are connected to the
DC motor, facilitating the release of the item during
the motor's rotation. Once the motor reaches a fixed
point, the items become accessible to the user at
the output of the candy machine. The LCD display
provides information such as the insertion of the
RFID card, item selection, and account balance.
Users possess passive RFID cards operating at a
frequency of 13.56 megahertz. When a purchaser
places their RFID card within range of the RFID
reader, the stored unique identification (UID) 7. CONCLUSION
number on the card is read by the RFID reader. The
In summary, the RFID reader emits an
Arduino programming utilizes this UID number to
electromagnetic field that powers transponders
establish a database for each RFID user, storing
within its range. The transponders modulate the
details such as the user's identity, current balance,
magnetic field to transmit their data to the reader.
and post-transaction balance associated with the
The reader scans for transponders and retrieves
card. The LCD display shows the current count.
their information, transmitting it in a readable

If a user selects an item by pressing the format. The presented framework requires the

corresponding button, metal springs are activated, customer to insert an RFID card and select an item

allowing the item to be retrieved at the candy by pressing a designated button, upon which the

machine's output, and the remaining balance is vending machine will dispense the corresponding

displayed on the LCD screen. In this system, users product. This RFID based vending machine utilizes

are required to Insert an RFID card and press a four essential components: an Arduino Uno

button of their choice to receive the corresponding microcontroller, four durable constant rotation DC

item. motors an LCD display, an RFID card, and a 12V

power supply. Two buttons are provided for item
The RFID-based vending machine primarily
selection in the respective chambers, while the LCD
employs four hardware components: Arduino Uno,
display conveys messages and provides
two continuous rotation DC motors, an LCD display,
instructions for operating the machine. The system
an RFID card, and a 12V power supply. Two
is designed to be versatile cost-effective, energy-
buttons are provided for selecting items in the
efficient, and easily accessible, allowing customers
respective chambers, while the LCD display
to utilize it at their convenience respectively.
provides instructions and messages for operating
the machine. This system is portable, cost-effective, 8. REFERENCES
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