Remote communications with a vending machine using call back

A communications system comprising a computer network server which is arranged to communicate simultaneously with a plurality of remote computers, the system further comprising:

• a remote embedded application device that is arranged to carry out its normal functions, including physical operations, under the control of a local electronic controller with no direct human control and maintains a local database on the device containing data that provides a record of various parameters at said device, in which:
• said controller is arranged to communicate with said computer network server such that file transfer sessions are carried out over the Internet between said computer network server and said remote embedded application device;
• said server is arranged to cause call request data to be transmitted to said controller;
• said controller is arranged to initiate a connection to the Internet in response to said call request data and then establish a communications link over the Internet to said server or other designated server for a file transfer session, thereby to download to said remote embedded application device from the server, when required, a machine-specific data file that is used to determine said normal functions and to upload to said server, when required, a data file from said database during said transfer session;
• and the transfer session is torn down after files have been exchanged between said remote embedded application device and said server.