[go: up one dir, main page]

WO1982001609A1 - Registre de tiroir-caisse - Google Patents

Registre de tiroir-caisse Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1982001609A1
WO1982001609A1 PCT/GB1981/000233 GB8100233W WO8201609A1 WO 1982001609 A1 WO1982001609 A1 WO 1982001609A1 GB 8100233 W GB8100233 W GB 8100233W WO 8201609 A1 WO8201609 A1 WO 8201609A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
till
computer
information
remote computer
till register
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/GB1981/000233
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Ltd Fibs
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of WO1982001609A1 publication Critical patent/WO1982001609A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07G—REGISTERING THE RECEIPT OF CASH, VALUABLES, OR TOKENS
    • G07G1/00—Cash registers
    • G07G1/12—Cash registers electronically operated
    • G07G1/14—Systems including one or more distant stations co-operating with a central processing unit

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a till register and a computer installation including a plurality of such till registers.
  • a till register comprising in combination a cash drawer, means for receiving product identification information, means for transmitting and receiving information whereby such product identification information may be transmitted to a remote computer which is programmed to accept such information and to derive therefrom corresponding price information and to total such price information in a single transaction and to transmit such price and total information back to the till register, and means responsive to information from the remote computer for displaying such information at the till register.
  • the product identification information may be applied by means of a manually operable keyboard, and/or by means of any appropriate form of reader for recognising data presented in various forms, such as in magnetic ink characters, optical characters, optical bar codes, bar codes, magnetic strips on credit cards or the like, holographic optical hologram messages and so forth.
  • the price information may be displayed on any appropriate visual display unit and/or a print-out facility. Additionally such display unit and/or printout may handle product identification information in alpha-numeric characters.
  • the till register may also be provided with facilities for recording other information such as date and the identity of the till operator, it is essentially 'non-intelligent' and all calculations and other operations requiring computer intelligence are performed by the external computer which can readily service several such till registers.
  • the invention also resides in a computer installation comprising a plurality of such till registers linked to a single computer.
  • the computer may be a micro- or mini-computer handling all till registers on the premises, and it may in turn be linked to a central, e.g. main frame, computer located at a regional head-quarters whereby stock control information derived by the micro- or mini-computers from input from all the tills at various premises is transmitted to the main frame computer, which may itself be programmed for ordering and despatching replacement stock as necessary.
  • FIGURE 1 shows a block schematic diagram, including various optional features, of a till register in accordance with the invention
  • FIGURE 2 shows a main keyboard incorporated in such till register
  • FIGURE 3 is a diagram showing how said till register may be operated in conjunction with remote micro-computer and optionally a further main frame computer;
  • FIGURE 4 is a flow chart representing a typical operating program.
  • a till register 10 in accordance with the invention has provision for product identification input which may take the form of a main keyboard 11, and optional extension keyboard 12, or any of a plurality of auxiliary input/output ports 13 where such are provided.
  • product identification information is fed through the intermediary of a control unit 14 to a computer interface 15 to which is connected a remote, computer, such as the micro-computer 30 indicated in Figure 3.
  • the remote computer 30 is programmed to derive the corresponding price information from the product identification information and transmit this by way of the interface 15 back to the till register for display.
  • the price information supplied from the remote computer is fed by the control unit 14 to an output device in the form of a display unit 16, a receipt printer 17 or a journal printer 18.
  • the output device or devices incorporated in the till register 10 are driven by the remote computer 30 and not by any internal intelligence provided within the till 10 itself.
  • the till incorporates a cash drawer 19 and authorisation lock 20.
  • An audible device or "beeper" 21 may also be provided to give an audible indication of certain operations.
  • a second interface 22 may be provided for enabling several such till registers, as hereinafter described, to be used on a single port of the remote computer.
  • the main keyboard 11, extension keyboard 12 (where provided), authorisation lock 20 and auxiliary input/output ports 13 are sources of data which is received and buffered by the control unit 14 and transmitted to the remote computer over the computer interface 15.
  • Data received from the remote computer over the computer interface 15 is buffered and interpreted by the control unit 14 and then sent to one or more of the dislay units 16, receipt printer 17, journal printer 18, cash drawer 19, auxiliary input/output ports 13 and beeper 21 as appropriate.
  • the main keyboard 11, as shown in Figure 2, consists of 23 input keys, each of each causes a single character code to be generated when it is pressed, the beeper 21 preferably being activated to confirm operation of each key.
  • the keys of the main keyboard 11 include a block of numerical keys as well as various control keys and keys for the input of additional information.
  • a coded product identification number may be entered on the main keyboard, but the till may also be equiped with a bar code reader or the like, connected to one of the ports 13 so as to obtain the required product identification information directly from the product.
  • extension keyboard 12 which is preferably provided in the form of a plug-in module, can be employed for this purpose.
  • one form of extension keyboard may include a block of typically 96 keys which are individually programmable by the remote computer to represent specific items, These might be used to represent various beverages, sandwiches and other foods where the till register is to be used in a self- service restaurant or a public house bar.
  • an extension keyboard may take the form of a standard alphanumeric typewriter set of keys.
  • the remote computer could be programmed to identify products or services by name.
  • extension keyboard could be provided as a plug-in option for use in addition to the main keyboard 11, it will be appreciated that the keys required for the main keyboard could be themselves provided as a plug-in unit, the extension keyboards then also incorporating a main keyboard key block.
  • the till register could afford a main body with space for the reception of any one of a number of keyboard units, all of modular construction so as to be interchangeable within the body.
  • the authorisation lock 20 is operated by a key which is inserted by the operator before starting to use the till. When this key is inserted in the lock, a control code is generated. Likewise when the key is removed from the lock, another control code is generated, such control codes being fed to the remote computer.
  • the display unit 16 preferably includes two separate display screens facing in opposite directions, each of each is arranged to display the same information. The display screens may use LEDs or gas discharge display elements for displaying required information in the appropriate characters. Alternatively, a cathode ray tube display unit may be provided as a plug-in module.
  • the journal printer 18 preferably consists of a 40 column printer, using the same character set as the display unit and is preferably arranged to print out a complete record of all information shown by the display unit whilst the till is in operation.
  • the receipt printer 17 is similar in nature to the journal printer, but can be operated independently and prints out only selected information as required to be shown on a receipt.
  • the journal printer and receipt printer may both be provided as plug-in modules.
  • the cash drawer 19 is opened only under the control of the remote computer when the appropriate code is received. It is closed manually and automatically latches shut until again released by the remote computer. However, a manual overide lock may be provided on the cash drawer for use in the event of electrical failure.
  • the state of the cash drawer, whether open or closed, and also the state of the authorisation lock 20 may be examined on request by the remote computer, and in this case the control unit sends back to the remote computer appropriate report signals.
  • the provision of the second interface 22 in the till register 10 effectively allows several such till registers 10a, 10b to be connected to the remote computer by a single line from only one of them. All data received on the computer interface 15 is immediately transmitted on the second interface 22, without buffering, and likewise all data received on the second interface 22 is immediately transmitted on the computer interface 15, without buffering.
  • the auxiliary input/output ports 13 allow various optional equipment to be used with the till, such a bar code reader, magnetic card reader, automatic weighing machine, and automatic change dispensing machine.
  • the control unit 14 controls the operation of the other functional units of the till. It buffers data to and from the remote computer and controls the routing of data to and from the various input/output devices, such as the keyboards, display unit, printers etc.
  • control unit Since the control unit will incorporate only a relatively small RAM memory for such buffering function, it is also arranged in known manner to generate and transmit a signal to the remote computer when the buffer is almost full.
  • the remote computer is accordingly programmed to respond to the signal and to cease transmission to the till until the latter sends a further signal indicating that transmission may be resumed.
  • each till register is given its own code number, and the remote computer is programmed to select only one such till at a time by sending out a till-select code corresponding to that till register, the till register then communicating with the remote computer until a different till-select code is sent out.
  • any particular till register is selected by receipt of its own till-select code from the remote computer, it may transmit any data from the keyboards or other input devices to the remote computer.
  • an end-of-transmission code is transmitted, and the remote computer is programmed so as not to select a different till until it has received this code.
  • control unit 14 Whilst the control unit 14 is, as mentioned above, responsible for the routing of data to and from the various input and output devices, output to the display unit, the printers and the auxiliary input/output ports is controlled by codes transmitted to the till register by the remote computer.
  • control codes operative between the till register and the remote computer are, in summary, as follows:- 1. Control codes received from the remote computer.
  • Select display Deselect display.
  • Computer may resume transmission. Start data from auxiliary input/output port No. 1 - 4.
  • a typical operating programme includes three main portions namely: A. an initial or control portion; 3. a price identification and totalling portion; C. a payment portion.
  • the initial or control portion A provides an internal systems check when the till register is initially switched on .
  • a system error such as failure to establish a link with the remote computer, or an inoperative accessory unit
  • an appropriate error report can be displayed on the display unit.
  • the till register can then be placed into any one of several different modes, and information relative to the choice of modes can be shown on the display unit.
  • four such modes are provided for, namely an "X read” mode, an "end” mode, a "returns” mode and a "transact” mode.
  • this sends a control code to the remote computer for the purpose of authorising a refund and identifying the returned item in the next portion of the programme.
  • the till register can then be used to determine and total prices.
  • the display unit may initially ask the operator to enter an authorisation number, which may be done either manually on the keyboard, or for example by means of a magnetic card reader. This information is checked by the remote computer to determine whether the entered number is valid, and if so the display unit then shows a request for the entry of a product number. Again, such information may be entered manually on the keyboard, cr by means an appropriate reader. The number is then shown on the display unit, followed by an identification of the relevant product as determined by the external computer. If this information is correct, the number of such items can then be entered, and this information will be processed by the remote computer to give a display showing the "extended" price, that is to say the total cost of the indicated number of the items under consideration.
  • the "enter" button on the keyboard can be operated to cause the corresponding entry to be printed and remembered by the external computer.
  • the "total" button can be operated, whereupon the remote computer will calculate the total cost of the transaction and display this information on the display unit.
  • the final portion of the programme enables payment to be effected in various ways, selected by operation of the appropriate key on the keyboard.
  • the appropriate button is pressed and this causes the remote computer to enter on the display unit a request for appropriate verification information, such as the purchaser's cheque card number.
  • the external computer asks for the appropriate information in this case also.
  • the transaction could similarly be charged to a customer's account after verification by the remote computer, including if necessary a credit check.
  • the appropriate information may be applied by means of a magnetic card reader where appropriate,
  • the remote computer When payment by any of these methods is admitted, the remote computer will cause the receipt printer to print out the required full receipt.
  • the remote computer which in turn causes the display unit to show the amount of change required, and may simultaneously operate any change dispenser which may be connected to the till register on of the auxiliary input/output ports 13. In this case also, a receipt will be printed as required.
  • the remote computer can service all the till registers of a particular establishment in which it is installed and also perform a stock control operation.
  • the remote computer can continuously monitor the rate of transactions being carried out, either as a whole, or in relation to individual lines of merchandise, so that management can, for example, at any time introduce a price variation in relation to a particular line without the need for each till to be re-programmed individually.
  • the computer in each establishment can be linked by any suitable means to a central main frame computer indicated at 50 for the transmission of stock control or other information either continuously or on demand.
  • the till register 10 may be operated either with only a local micro- or mini-computer 30 or alternatively by direct access to a main frame computer 50 without the intermediary of micro- or mini-computers if required.
  • the system is also suitable for use in counter-service establishments, and especially in public houses where the prices of drinks may vary between different bars.
  • the tills in the latter case may have an appropriate alpha-numeric keyboard for product identification information and the price as determined by the remote computer will be determined by reference to the particular till register according to its location, so that operators may be transferred between different bars according to demand without having to remember various different tariffs.
  • the latter may themselves incorporate means for generating product information and applying it directly either to the remote computer or to the till through one of the input/output ports.
  • the appropriate input may be applied to the product identification file within the computer and then transmitted to the till.
  • the till register in accordance with the invention is, in essence, a combination of cash drawer and computer terminal. This provides for a greater degree of flexibility in operation as compared with existing computer linked till systems wherein the tills themselves are "intelligent". In the case of the present invention, even access to the cash drawer may be controlled by the external computer, so that in an emergency, such as an attempted robbery , all tills could be locked simultaneously in response to the operation of a single alarm signal.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Cash Registers Or Receiving Machines (AREA)

Abstract

Un registre de tiroir-caisse (10) comprend essentiellement une combinaison de tiroir-caisse (19) et un terminal d'ordinateur, tous les calculs etant executes par un ordinateur (30) a distance du registre de tiroir-caisse et les donnees etant affichees sur une unite d'affichage (16) ou imprimees par une imprimante (17, 18) incorporee dans le registre de tiroir-caisse et commandees a distance par l'ordinateur. L'ouverture du tiroir-caisse est aussi commandee a distance par l'ordinateur. Plusieurs registres de tiroir-caisse de ce type (10, 10a, 10b) peuvent etre relies ensembles et connectes a l'ordinateur a distance au moyen d'une seule ligne pour former une installation complete. L'ordinateur peut comprendre un mini-ordinateur ou un micro-ordinateur connecte a son tour a un autre ordinateur (50), par exemple une unite centrale de traitement.
PCT/GB1981/000233 1980-10-25 1981-10-23 Registre de tiroir-caisse Ceased WO1982001609A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8034438 1980-10-25
GB8034438801025 1980-10-25

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1982001609A1 true WO1982001609A1 (fr) 1982-05-13

Family

ID=10516885

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB1981/000233 Ceased WO1982001609A1 (fr) 1980-10-25 1981-10-23 Registre de tiroir-caisse

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0063133A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO1982001609A1 (fr)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0199232A1 (fr) * 1985-04-16 1986-10-29 Siemens Nixdorf Informationssysteme Aktiengesellschaft Système de saisie de données comportant plusieurs postes de travail, en particulier des caisses enregistreuses
US4852466A (en) * 1987-05-15 1989-08-01 The Foxboro Company Floating diaphragm apparatus
EP0769737A3 (fr) * 1995-10-13 1997-06-11 Seiko Epson Corporation Dispositif et méthode d'impression avec une fonction de commande de tiroir de caisse
US6198985B1 (en) 1993-11-08 2001-03-06 Seiko Epson Corporation Printing apparatus with a cash drawer control function, and a control method therefor
US6975423B2 (en) 1993-11-08 2005-12-13 Seiko Epson Corporation Printing apparatus and a control method therefor
WO2006002276A1 (fr) * 2004-06-22 2006-01-05 Block And Company, Inc. Systemes de points de vente a modules d'interface interchangeables et etat ouvert de tiroirs caisse multiples

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3899775A (en) * 1973-04-13 1975-08-12 Msi Data Corp Automatic store transaction system and terminal therefor

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3899775A (en) * 1973-04-13 1975-08-12 Msi Data Corp Automatic store transaction system and terminal therefor

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
Data Processing, Volume 13, No. 13, issued July/August 1971 (London, GB) "SWEDA 700", pages 266-267, see page 266, right-hand column, lines 11-62; page 267, left-hand column; line 22 *

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0199232A1 (fr) * 1985-04-16 1986-10-29 Siemens Nixdorf Informationssysteme Aktiengesellschaft Système de saisie de données comportant plusieurs postes de travail, en particulier des caisses enregistreuses
US4852466A (en) * 1987-05-15 1989-08-01 The Foxboro Company Floating diaphragm apparatus
US6360135B1 (en) 1993-11-08 2002-03-19 Seiko Epson Corporation Printing apparatus with a cash drawer control function, and a control method therefor
US6198985B1 (en) 1993-11-08 2001-03-06 Seiko Epson Corporation Printing apparatus with a cash drawer control function, and a control method therefor
US6205363B1 (en) 1993-11-08 2001-03-20 Seiko Epson Corporation Printer and control method for obtaining printer status
US6208906B1 (en) 1993-11-08 2001-03-27 Seiko Epson Corporation Printing apparatus with a cash drawer control function, and a control method therefor
US6362896B1 (en) * 1993-11-08 2002-03-26 Seiko Epson Corporation Printing apparatus with a cash drawer control function, and a control method therefor
US6434445B2 (en) 1993-11-08 2002-08-13 Seiko Epson Corporation Printing apparatus with real-time cut-sheet waiting state cancellation
US6453208B2 (en) 1993-11-08 2002-09-17 Seiko Epson Corporation Printing apparatus with real-time error recovery
US6697678B2 (en) 1993-11-08 2004-02-24 Seiko Epson Corporation Printing apparatus with real-time status reporting to a host device
US6975423B2 (en) 1993-11-08 2005-12-13 Seiko Epson Corporation Printing apparatus and a control method therefor
EP0769737A3 (fr) * 1995-10-13 1997-06-11 Seiko Epson Corporation Dispositif et méthode d'impression avec une fonction de commande de tiroir de caisse
WO2006002276A1 (fr) * 2004-06-22 2006-01-05 Block And Company, Inc. Systemes de points de vente a modules d'interface interchangeables et etat ouvert de tiroirs caisse multiples

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0063133A1 (fr) 1982-10-27

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5119293A (en) System and apparatus for dispensing negotiable instruments
US5149947A (en) Portable checkout system
CA1290453C (fr) Systeme de caisses enregistreuses informatisees sans caissier
US5992570A (en) Self-service checkout apparatus
US6367694B1 (en) Device and method for secure data updates in a self-checkout system
US5021967A (en) Apparatus for dispensing money orders
EP1258845A2 (fr) Système modulable d'enregistrement d'articles en libre-service
KR20020077499A (ko) 품목 자동지급 시스템 및 방법
JPH0332100B2 (fr)
JPS62226299A (ja) 販売登録装置
WO1982001609A1 (fr) Registre de tiroir-caisse
US6089454A (en) Method and apparatus for checking out items which do not have a record corresponding thereto stored in a master product database
EP0993191A2 (fr) Vidéoconférence pour un système de vente au détail
NO783628L (no) Transaksjonsterminal.
JP2000123257A (ja) 飲食店ゲート装置及びこのゲート装置を備えた飲食店システム
ES2039141A1 (es) Expendedor automatico de tickets.
JPS6359698A (ja) 電子式キヤツシユレジスタ
JP3193848B2 (ja) 商品販売登録データ処理装置
JPH08329316A (ja) 自動取引装置及び該装置における待ち時間表示方法
JPH06301861A (ja) 商品販売データ処理装置
JP3889756B2 (ja) 商品販売データ処理装置
JP2501476B2 (ja) クレジット処理装置
JPS61502570A (ja) 自動車小切手符号器を有する電子式金銭登録端末装置および方法
GB2224874A (en) System for dispensing money orders
JPH0981859A (ja) セルフスキャンシステム

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Designated state(s): FI GB JP US

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Designated state(s): AT CH DE FR LU NL SE