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Why can vending machines respond so accurately to our operations?
It's amazing how well the vending machines work. Many of us may use these machines in our daily lives without ever thinking about how they work. A vending machine is like a sophisticated, instant-response machine that can respond accurately to user input. The secret behind this lies in their design — the Finite-State Machine (FSM) model.
A finite state machine is a mathematical model used to compute and design systems involving state transitions. It can quickly switch between subdivided states, changing states based on input operations. At its core is a finite set of states, an initial state, and inputs that can trigger state transitions. In a vending machine, each state represents a different stage of the machine's operation, such as standby, accepting currency, selecting goods, and paying.
A vending machine is a simple example of a finite state machine, with clear inputs (e.g., inserting a coin, selecting an item) and state transitions.
When the user inserts a coin, the machine detects the input and switches to the "accept coins" state; subsequently, when the user selects a product, the system decides whether to allow the selection of the product based on the number of coins previously accepted. If the amount is sufficient, the machine will enter the "shipping" state, and if the amount is insufficient, the system will remain in the "waiting" state. This design ensures that the vending machine can accurately execute the predetermined program.
This design approach based on finite state machines is not limited to vending machines, similar applications can be found in many devices in our lives. For example, an elevator is also a state machine. It determines the direction of travel based on the floor buttons pressed by the passengers and opens the door when reaching a certain floor. The common feature of these systems is that they achieve predetermined responses through clear inputs and corresponding state transitions.
Through simple inputs and state transitions, the automated system works flawlessly like a precise machine.
The application of finite state machines has also expanded to more complex systems, such as traffic lights or digital circuits. In these systems, FSM models can simplify the design process while improving overall performance. Whether accepting input or performing transformations, FSMs provide a clear framework for managing changing states.
It is worth noting that although finite state machines are powerful, they are not without limitations. Its computing power is limited compared to a Turing machine, which means that finite state machines cannot perform certain computing tasks. However, in many applications, this limitation does not affect its practical use value. The high accuracy and reliability of vending machines undoubtedly demonstrate the importance of finite state machines in design.
Another interesting question is, with the development of technology, how can future vending machines integrate more intelligent technology to further improve their response accuracy and user experience?
