The present invention relates to a payment module implementing a MDB
TRANSACTION STRING in memory to effectuate cashless vending. The MDB
TRANSACTION STRING allows the payment module and or computing platform to
manage cashless vending by monitoring data fields within the MDB
TRANSACTION STRING.The MDB TRANSACTION STRING is constructed and managed
in payment module memory. The MDB TRANSACTION STRING includes at least
one of the following data fields a VEND STATE field, a MAX VEND SALE
field, a SALE PRICE field, a COLUMN field, or a VEND FLAG field.In
operation, the payment module obtains data from a vending machine and
constructs and manages an MDB TRANSACTION STRING in memory. Utilization
of the MDB TRANSACTION STRING occurs when the payment module application
code and or a computing platform interconnected with the payment module
reads the MDB TRANSACTION STRING to make certain determinations to
effectuate cashless vending.