In-store universal control system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for automating data acquisition and processing at a checkstand point-of-sale in a retail outlet. Preferred embodiments include a first local area network of POS terminals for initiating merchandise purchase transactions. All of the purchase transactions in the first local area network are passively monitored to acquire primary purchase data. A second local area network of lane terminal devices inputs secondary data, including discount coupon information, check information and bank card information to a universal system controller. The universal system controller mirrors the primary information, processes the primary and the secondary information, and generates output information to the POS terminals of the first local area network via the lane terminal devices of the second local area network, the output information including coupon verification data, coupon amount data, check verification data and bank card verification data.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A system for automating data acquisition and processing at a checkstand point of sale (POS) in a retail outlet comprising:

a first local area network of POS terminals for initiating merchandise purchase transactions;

means for passively monitoring all of said purchase transactions in said first local area network to acquire primary purchase data;

a second local area network of lane terminal devices for inputting secondary data, said secondary data including purchase discount information and/or payment verification information;

means for receiving and processing said primary and said secondary information, said receiving and processing means mirroring said primary information and generating output information to said POS terminals of said first local area network via said lane terminal devices of said second local area network, said output information including discount information and/or verification data.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein said receiving and processing means further includes:

means for calculating retail outlet value add-on to manufacture coupons.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein said lane terminal further includes:

a keyboard wedge for transferring output data from said receiving and processing means to said first local area network.

4. A system according to claim 1, wherein said lane terminal device further includes:

a check reader for capturing check information.

5. A system according to claim 1, wherein said lane terminal device further includes:

a bar code scanner for inputting bar encoded information.

6. A system according to claim 1, wherein said lane terminal device further includes:

a magnetic stripe reader for inputting bank card information;

a data encryption device for encoding predetermined financial information; and

means for electronically transferring funds in response to said encrypted bank card information.

7. A system according to claim 1, wherein said lane terminal device further includes:

means for electronically crediting electronic benefits transfer information.

8. A system according to claim 1, wherein said lane terminal device further includes:

a smart card reader.

9. A system according to claim 1, wherein said lane terminal device further includes:

a lottery ticket purchase device and a lottery redemption, recordation and verification capability.

10. A systems according to claim 1, wherein said means for receiving and processing further includes:

a check verification database for identifying and verifying check accounts.

11. A system according to claim 10, wherein said check verification data base further includes:

a record of all check accounts having a history of insufficient funds for one or more retail outlets.

12. A system according to claim 1, wherein said lane terminal device further includes:

a customer data entry keypad and display.

13. A system according to claim 1, wherein said lane terminal device further includes:

a cashier data entry keypad and display.

14. A system according to claim further including;

means for physically processing redeemed coupons to inhibit their subsequent use, said coupon processing means being connected to said second local area network for verifying whether all coupons used to generate a rebate have been physically defaced.

15. A system according to claim 14, wherein said coupon processing means is located separately from said point-of-sale checkstand.

16. A system according to claim 1, wherein said receiving and processing means further includes:

a database of coupon use and verification information for transmission to a coupon clearinghouse.

17. A system according to claim 1, wherein said data receiving and processing means further includes:

means for storing frequent shopper information for distributing predetermined benefits to subsequently identified frequent shoppers.

18. A system according to claim 17, wherein said frequent shopper information is determined by recording the number of checks the customer writes to a designated retail outlet or outlets.

19. A system according to claim 1, wherein said receiving and processing means further includes:

a currency conversion database for correlating total purchase amounts to at least one additional currency.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to data acquisition and processing systems for retail merchandisers. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems for fully automating a broad spectrum of front end (i.e., cashier checkstand) point-of-sale (POS) functions in retail merchandise outlets, such as grocery stores.

2. State of the Art

Retail merchandise outlets such as grocery stores possess unique characteristics which are reflected in their business trends. For example, these outlets constitute high volume markets having relatively low profit margins (e.g., net profits typically are in the range of 1% of sales). Accordingly, retail merchandising is a highly competitive market wherein special advertising and other promotional techniques are employed. One of the most popular promotional techniques used by these outlets and their product suppliers (i.e., product manufacturers) is the distribution of product vouchers (e.g., discount or rebate coupons and food stamps). Presently, voucher redemption and collection is handled very inefficiently because current technological advancements have not been effectively used for voucher processing and handling.

Due to their low profit margin, another characteristic of retail outlets is their provision of enhanced customer service to attract additional business. The sentiment to provide enhanced customer service in retail outlets is shared by other industries who recognize the marketing advantage which these high volume outlets afford.

For example, retail outlets (particularly retail grocery outlets) are on the average visited bi-weekly by at least one member from every household. If a third party, such as a lottery ticket distributer can conveniently market their product (e.g., lottery tickets) in a supermarket, the lottery ticket distributer is practically assured of increased sales and profits. Retail outlets can directly benefit by charging an overhead fee to the lottery ticket distributer. The retail outlet also benefits indirectly. A larger customer base is more likely to be established at a retail outlet which can provide errand saving features such as lottery ticket purchasing.

Despite the desire which may exist to enhance the efficiency with which vouchers are currently processed or to provide additional convenient in-store promotional opportunities such as a lottery ticket purchases, the aforementioned characteristics of retail outlets have limited technological advancements in these areas. In addition, other errand saving features such as foreign currency exchange and electronic funds transfer have not been introduced to checkstands of retail outlets.

There are many reasons why the inefficiencies and limited functionally of a retail outlet checkstand have not been enhanced. Of course the aforementioned low profit margins and the desire to expeditiously service a large number of customers has limited the functionality retail owners are willing to provide at retail outlet checkstands. However, a significant concern of retail outlets which severely limits the introduction of enhanced checkstand functionality is their fear that any increased functionality will increase the probability of checkstand downtime. Currently, faults in one point-of-sale (POS) terminal (i.e., cash register) can affect the networked of POS terminals of some or all checkstand lanes. Retail owners can thus not afford to introduce additional checkstand complexities which will enhance the probability of such downtime.

Retail owners are also concerned that enhanced checkstand functionally can not be implemented without increasing the significant checkstand delays which already exist. At best, present lottery ticket vending is performed with large, stand alone devices that are inconveniently located. The nature of the lottery ticket transaction is such that it is very time consuming for the clerk to perform the double function of vending the ticket and key entering the sale of the ticket into the cash register. In addition, on-line lottery games are not vended in the checkstands of major retailers because of their space requirements. The combination of a mark sense reader, ticket printer, and data communications equipment requires a large footprint which most high volume retail stores are unwilling to provide.

Other delays also already exist at checkstands. For example, 15,000 customers typically pass through a single retail supermarket each week. The principal form of payment used by these customers is the personal check and check cashing is, for the most, considered a necessary checkstand function. Check writing coupled with a minimum check verification, results in significant checkstand delays.

Voucher redemption represents another time consuming and costly function typically considered a necessary checkstand function. Due to the aforementioned limitations of retail outlets, food stamp fraud and misuse is a problem which has practically been left untreated by retail outlets. Further, coupon misredemption rates have resulted in significant financial loss to retail outlets and/or product manufacturers.

The limited functionally associated with present checkstands imposes substantial costs on the retail outlets, the product manufactures and thus, the consumers. For example, voucher redemption imposes significant handling costs on the retail outlet and the product manufacturer (e.g., coupon issuer). Presently, voucher redemption begins at a checkstand where entry of coupon or food stamp information is typically performed manually by a cashier. At best, vouchers are handled using a bar code reader to enter a portion of the information encoded on the coupon face (e.g., bar encoded value of a coupon). For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,554,446, entitled "Supermarket Inventory Control System And Method" describes a conventional coupon scanning system.

Typically, the store clerk (i.e., cashier) totals a customer's bill and then credits coupon and/or food stamp values to the bill. Some stores offer coupon doubling features in a further effort to attract customers and this information is manually keyed in by the cashier.

In some outlets, a coupon verification is required to ensure that coupons are only credited when all coupon conditions (e.g., product purchase, expiration date, and so forth) have been satisfied. However, where the coupon is conditioned on the purchase of a specified product, it is time consuming to check each item to ensure that the customer complied with conditional requirements. Failure to verify that all conditional requirements have been satisfied can result in significant financial loss to the manufacturer. For example, retail outlets can request reimbursement of manufacturers' coupons for products that have never been purchased, billing the manufacturer for the coupon's face value plus a handling charge.

Periodically store personnel accumulate all coupons and/or food stamps received at the checkstand. These coupons and food stamps are then bundled and physically shipped to a third party clearinghouse (i.e., retail outlet) for sorting, counting and processing. The clearinghouse returns the coupons to the product manufacturer and issues debits and credits to the manufacturer and retailer. Because industry estimates reflect an average 7.5 to 8 billion coupons are redeemed each year, significant costs are associated with the shipping and handling of coupons throughout the distribution-redemption and clearing cycle.

Although it would be desirable to eliminate physically returning this large volume of coupons to the manufacturer, characteristics of the retail market make this impractical. For example, manufacturers do not necessarily trust retail outlets integrity in only redeeming valid, properly used coupons. Further, additional information is often encoded on coupons which is only of interest to the manufacturer. This additional information often relates to the particular medium used to distribute the coupon (e.g., newspaper, mass-media, direct mail, on-package coupon) or other demographic information and is used by the manufacturer to assess marketing effectiveness. The low profit margin of retail stores makes it impractical to identify and compile this demographic information for the manufacturer. Thus, the physical return of coupons to the manufacturer is accepted as a cost of doing business.

Competitive retail outlets are almost forced to provide check cashing and voucher redemption functions. However, for reasons mentioned above, little has been done to effectively address the inefficiencies in handling these functions at a checkstand. Rather, the provision of limited checkstand functions has resulted in significant financial losses to both the retailers and the manufacturers.

For example, presently known systems do not address check and food stamp processing in retail outlets. These systems fail to provide efficient verification of check, food stamp or other selected benefit entitlement programs (e.g., WIC government program for women with infants). Known systems fail to verify that the consumer is entitled to use food stamps, that the food stamps actually belong to that consumer and that the proper category of goods are being purchased. Further, only limited efforts have been made to simplify coupon processing by retail outlets and manufacturers. These efforts have, for the most part, merely resulted in high cost systems which are not universally applicable to all retail outlets and which cannot be readily upgraded.

For example, in-store coupon distribution systems employing mechanical devices have been developed using a plastic card (e.g., credit or debit card) with a magnetic strip or universal product code (UPC) to initiate the coupon selection process. With these systems, selected coupons can be physically issued to the customer in-store and redeemed by the customer at the checkstand.

One such automated coupon issuing system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,882,675, entitled "Paperless System For Distributing, Redeeming And Clearing Merchandise Coupons". This patent discloses a system for storing coupon information electronically on a special card and is hereby incorporated by reference. Another automated system for dispensing in-store coupons is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,723,212 entitled "Method And Apparatus For Dispensing Discount Coupons" wherein a record of items purchased is examined and used to trigger generation of a specific product coupon in the store. U.S. Pat. No. 5,008,519, entitled "Foolproof Coupon Redemption System" also describes a manufacturers' coupon redemption system that credits the value of a coupon to a sale, and then physically alters the coupon by mutilation to prevent re-use of the coupon. Despite their limited use of relatively current technological advancements, these systems typically address niche markets which limit the coupon marketing strategies of the manufacturers.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide cost-effective, enhanced point-of-sale functionality in retail outlets. The enhanced functionality must be implemented in a manner which will not increase the potential for checkstand downtime. Further, it would be desirable to efficiently implement enhanced checkstand functions which would avoid financial losses typically incurred by retail outlets and manufacturers. In so doing, it would be desirable to enhance the speed with which checkstand functions are currently handled so that customer volume can be increased with improved integrity. Assuming that these seemingly contradictory features (i.e., increased speed versus enhanced transaction integrity without increased downtime) can be resolved, it would be desirable to provide additional functionality at the checkstand in an effort to attract consumers and derive additional revenue (e.g., from lottery ticket distribution).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, systems and methods are disclosed which permit significant time and cost savings to be realized by consumer product manufacturers, retail outlets and consumers. Using the inventive systems, enhanced checkstand functionality can be provided without increasing the potential for checkstand downtime. Accordingly, checks and voucher fraud can be significantly reduced or eliminated. Retail outlet and manufacturer handling costs associated with the redemption, verification and processing of checks, coupons and/or food stamps can also be reduced or eliminated.

In addition to increasing profits by eliminating traditional costs of doing business, the present invention can directly and dramatically increase a retail outlet's profit margin. For example, retail outlets can offer a much broader range of consumer benefits while increasing customer throughput at the checkstand. These additional services not only will increase profits through direct overhead charges, but will produce indirect benefits by attracting a greater number of customers.

In accordance with the present invention, cost-effective systems are provided which automate all non-cash tender that occurs at a retail outlet point-of-sale (e.g., conventional front end supermarket checkstands) without affecting checkstand downtime. Among other features, the systems provide checkstand functions such as check approval, positive check verification, regional or national voucher (i.e., coupon and electronic benefits transfer) redemption, voucher verification and electronic clearing, direct debit and electronic funds transfer (EFT), automatic frequent shopper benefits, on-line lottery games purchase, foreign currency conversion and other transaction related activities suitable for a checkstand. By combining these services into a single, relatively compact lane terminal device, enhanced functionality at a retail outlet can be cost-effectively provided.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a system for automating data acquisition and processing at a retail outlet point-of-sale. The system includes a first local area network of POS terminals for initiating merchandise purchase transactions; means for passively monitoring all of said purchase transactions in said first local area network to acquire primary purchase data; and a second local area network of lane terminal devices for inputting secondary data, said secondary data including discount information (e.g. voucher information) and purchase data (e.g., check information, electronic fund transfer information and so forth). Means are further provided for receiving and processing said primary and said secondary information, said receiving and processing means mirroring said primary information and generating output information to said POS terminals of said first local area network via said lane terminal devices of said second local area network, said output information including discount information (e.g., voucher data) and/or verification data (e.g., voucher verification data, check verification data, bank card verification data and so forth).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements have been designated by like numerals and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exemplary system diagram;

FIG. 2 is a more detailed diagram of an exemplary lane terminal for use in the FIG. 1 system;

FIG. 3 is a view of an exemplary user-interface for a cashier side of a lane terminal device;

FIG. 4 is a view of an exemplary user-interface for a customer side of a lane terminal device;

FIG. 5 is a more detailed diagram of a universal system controller and lane terminal network portion of the FIG. 1 system;

FIG. 6 is an overview of a protocol interface between a POS terminal (i.e., cash register), a lane terminal device, the universal system controller and the POS controller;

FIG. 7 is an illustration of logical and physical connections between a lane terminal device, and a universal system controller via a terminal server;

FIG. 8 is a general data flow diagram for a universal system controller and its associated system controller network;

FIG. 9 is an exemplary flow chart for a check approval process; and

FIG. 10 is an exemplary flow chart of a coupon validation process.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

1. System Overview

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a system for automating data acquisition and processing at a retail outlet point-of-sale. An exemplary system hardware configuration includes several primary components. These primary components are a conventional in-store POS controller for managing a first local area network of POS terminals which initiate merchandise purchase transactions; a first local area network store loop adapter for passively monitoring all purchase transactions in the first local area network; a second local area network of lane terminal devices; and a universal system controller for receiving and processing the passively monitored transactions by mirroring these transactions and generating output information to the POS terminals of the first local area network via the lane terminal devices of the second local area network. These primary components will now be described in greater detail.

2. In-Store POS Controller

The in-store POS controller is a conventional system manager for networking the individual POS terminals (i.e., cash registers) of a retail outlet. In an exemplary embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, the POS controller 2 is any known controller, including the known IBM 4683 controller. The POS controller manages a first local area network (LAN) 4 (i.e., a store loop) which interconnects plural POS terminals. Data flow is unidirectional in the POS LAN 4. For example, data flows clockwise in the direction of arrow 9.

In the preferred FIG. 1 embodiment, the network 4 operates using the known Synchronous Data Link Control (SDLC) protocol. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,773,001, entitled "Method And Apparatus For Communicating With Remote Units Of A Distributive Data Processing System", describes a POS computer system that utilizes a modification of the known SDLC protocol to communicate among peripheral devices and a central device controller. The modified signaling protocol uses a merged field that combines a beginning flag field and an address. U.S. Pat. No. 4,972,463 entitled "In-store Multiple Device Communications Unit And Centralized Data System Utilizing Same" describes use of a similar SDLC protocol. These patents are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, data from the second local area network of lane terminal devices, is introduced to the POS LAN 4 via the POS terminals. As will be further described below, data is introduced via the POS terminals as keyboard information to avoid downtime of the first LAN 4 should a fault occur in the second LAN.

Generally speaking, any of a variety of three generations of cash registers are presently used as the POS terminals in retail outlet POS networks. This poses a significant problem in attempting to architecturally define a passive POS LAN monitoring and data input system which can be easily integrated into retail outlets employing any one or all of these generations without affecting POS LAN downtime.

More particularly, third generation cash registers are typically personal computer based devices. As such, these devices can readily accept additional inputs through available I/O ports. However, because of the costs associated with upgrading to the more sophisticated third generation devices (e.g., IBM personal computers), many stores continue to operate with first and second generation devices.

First and second generation cash registers are dedicated devices with few, if any, external ports for supporting additional input/output functions. However, in accordance with the present invention, a keyboard wedge technique is used to input information generated by the universal system controller and/or the lane terminal device to a first or second generation cash register. This technique minimizes software integration requirements in adapting the present invention to older POS systems so that data associated with the enhanced functionality of the present invention can be input directly to even these older POS terminals. This technology will be described more fully in connection with the lane terminal device.

In a preferred, exemplary embodiment to be described herein, the FIG. 1 cash registers 6 and 8 are standard IBM 4683 POS terminals which are readily compatible with the IBM 4683 POS controller. These devices are third generation cash registers which include additional, unused I/O ports. However, to render the exemplary system embodiment described herein applicable to all generations of automated cash registers, inputs to the available I/O port of each IBM 4683 POS terminal from each respective lane terminal device are via a keyboard wedge. Again, a keyboard wedge is included in each lane terminal device and will be described more fully with respect to the lane terminal device.

3. Store Loop Adapter

As shown in FIG. 1, a universal system controller 10 receives, via a store loop adapter 14, all information transmitted within the POS network. For items purchased by a consumer and scanned by the cashier, this information includes each product name, whether each item is taxable, whether each item is a food stamp item, the department each item was purchased from, the number of items purchased and a description of each item.

The store loop adapter 14 is thus a physical interface between the first LAN 4 and the universal system controller 10. The store loop adapter is used to convert electrical signals from the IBM data encoding scheme to an industry standard data encoding scheme which can be processed by the universal system controller.

Such adapters can be readily implemented by those skilled in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,937,567, entitled "Communication Adapter For Store Loop Communication System", describes a typical interface and adapter for connecting data terminal equipment to a communication bus. The adapter includes a circuit arrangement which transparently monitors the bus traffic and is hereby incorporated by reference. More particularly, FIG. 5 of this patent describes an interface and adapter which can passively monitor an SDLC loop data stream without alteration. Using such a technique, all POS transactions performed by any of the cash registers in FIG. 1 of the present application can be read from the POS LAN 4 and mirrored in the universal system controller 10.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the store loop adapter translates the IBM signal levels and data encoding into an industry standard data communications interface. The store loop adapter also incorporates a phase locked loop to derive a clock from the store loop. This clock is used in qualifying data derived from the store loop. The store loop adapter outputs serial data to a serial communications controller located in the universal system controller using an industry standard format. The format chosen in a preferred embodiment uses an RS-232 electrical interface and a V.24 circuit definition.

Although an exemplary preferred embodiment is described herein using an SDLC protocol and RS-232/V.24 communication interface, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any store loop equipment and network communication protocols can be used. Where alternate equipment, communication and/or data formats are selected, appropriate interfacing between the POS LAN and the universal system controller must be provided.

4. Lane Terminal Devices

The lane terminal devices are the primary I/O devices for the FIG. 1 system. As shown in FIG. 1, a lane terminal device resides in each checkstand lane. In FIG. 1, a lane terminal device 16 is associated with the POS terminal 6 and a lane terminal device 18 is associated with the POS terminal 8. Although two POS terminals and two lane terminal devices are shown in FIG. 1, it will be appreciated that any number of these devices can be included.

A system control LAN 12 permits the lane terminal devices to communicate with the universal system controller 10. The system control LAN 12 can be any known network, including the known Ethernet network.

The lane terminal devices permit store customers and checkers to initiate, review and access a wide variety of front end functions beyond the mere purchase functions input via the POS terminals. Each lane terminal device has a separate display and keyboard on each side for the customer and for the cashier. It also contains other input/output devices necessary to perform the aforementioned variety of in-lane functions. A key attribute of the lane terminal device is that it combines into a single, compact device, a plurality of functions for enhanced convenience of the consumer and the cashiers.

The lane terminal device is physically mounted on a platform attached to the checkstand in any location convenient to both customer and cashier. For example, the lane terminal platform can be used to replace the customer's check writing stand in conventional checkstands. Accordingly, the lane terminal device includes a check writing stand 21 (FIG. 4).

In a preferred embodiment, the lane terminal is mechanically designed as a pedestal to maintain as much flexibility as possible. However, every checkstand configuration can be different, even within individual stores. For example, the basic input devices and displays can be incorporated into a platform resting on top of the pedestal. Small circuit boards and individual device controllers can be incorporated into the pedestal and the housing of the lane terminal device. Larger circuit boards can be located in a controller box located underneath the counter and connected via cables.

In an exemplary embodiment, the lane terminal device communicates with the universal system controller via an RS-423 or RS-232 standard interface at 9600 baud. In this exemplary embodiment, communications between the universal system controller and the lane terminal devices are handled using an Ethernet terminal server as will be described with respect to the universal system controller. Each of the lane terminal devices communicates asynchronously with the terminal server at the front of the store. Data is output to the terminal server via a port 55 and a DUART 57. The terminal server multiplexes each terminal's messages and transmits to the universal system controller via a single Ethernet connection. In this manner, each lane terminal will appear to be directly connected to the universal system controller.

In a preferred embodiment, each lane terminal is responsible for performing a self-test and initialization on power up. The universal system controller downloads communications software to the lane terminals after the self test. This communications software includes desired framing, sequence checks and error control for communications with the system controller network 12 and for communicating with a cash register of the in-store POS LAN.

The lane terminal, under command from the universal system controller, displays prompts and accepts inputs (e.g., keyboard, voucher, check, magnetic card, and lottery inputs) from the consumer or cashier for various applications. Any input information is formatted for transfer to the universal system controller via the system controller LAN 12.

As shown more particularly in FIG. 2, a lane terminal device 6 includes a Motorola 68008 microprocessor 28 with an associated 64K ROM 30 and a 128K RAM 32 for downloading communication codes and for frame buffering. The processor 28 can also be used for data flow control to and from various lane terminal devices including the keyboards, displays, beeper and MICR reader.

In a preferred embodiment, a second 6303 processor 34 is provided for controlling bar code decoding, magnetic stripe reading (MSR), and for driving a terminal interface which represents a keyboard wedge. In an alternate embodiment, a single processor can be used to control all features of a lane terminal device. The second microprocessor 34 includes a 32K ROM 36, an 8K RAM 38 and a 512 NVRAM 40. The FIG. 2 lane terminal device is powered from an external power supply 42.

Specific features associated with the FIG. 2 lane terminal device, including the input/output devices, will now be described in greater detail.

a. Keypads

Each lane terminal device includes two 12 key keypads 44 and 46 (i.e., telephone type keypads) and soft function keys. One keypad faces the cashier and one faces the customer. The customer keypads are used for privately entering personal identification numbers (PIN) for electronic debit as well as requests for cash back, debit or check tender. The cashier keypad is used for override information and any additional data which might be needed by the system. In an alternate embodiment, this keypad can be removed from the lane terminal device for ready access by a consumer.

A DUART 45 is associated with the keypad 44 and an associated display 48. Another DUART 47 is associated with the keypad 46 and associated display 50. The DUART's synchronize communications in and out of a lane terminal device.

Specifics of a cashier's keypad are shown in FIG. 3. Specifics of a customer keypad are shown in FIG. 4.

Referring to FIG. 3, a clerk's keypad includes a keypad 100. Specific function keys 102, 104, 106 and 108 are used for a check override, a debit/credit override, a coupon override and a currency conversion override. The keys are activated by the cashier when a manual entry of any information relating to these functions is necessary (e.g., a coupon value must be manually keyed in when information is not encoded on the coupon itself). A menu key 110 is used to display a menu of options (e.g., select lottery transactions, currency conversion, EFT and so forth). Clear and enter keys 112, 114 are provided for clearing the display or entering a selected number entry. The keys 116, 118, 120 and 122 are programmable soft font keys used for selecting among up to four options displayed subsequent to activation of any of the aforementioned function keys.

Referring to FIG. 4, a customer keypad is shown which includes a typical telephone type keypad 124 and four function keys 126, 128, 130 and 132. These function keys can, for example, correspond to typical ATM keys. Again, clear and enter keys 134 and 136, respectively, are also provided.

b. Displays

Two backlit LCD displays 48 and 50 are provided. Both displays are a minimum of two lines approximately 2 by 24 and are visible in a normal supermarket check out environment. In a preferred embodiment, the displays are dot matrix LCD units with 40-character/2-line displays available from SHARP Corporation.

The display 48 faces the cashier and the other display 50 faces the customer. Each display is separately addressable by the universal system controller because different messages will be displayed depending on the transaction type. In a preferred embodiment, exemplary messages issued by the universal system controller include:

    ______________________________________
    To The Customer To The Checker
    ______________________________________
    Enter PIN Number
                    Account Number Unknown
    Do You Want Cash Back?
                    Account Verified "99999"
    Enter Total Amount
                    Verification Denied "99999"
    Thank You
    Play Lottery    Coupon Value Must Be
    Manufacturer Coupon For
                    Manually Keyed
    Incorrect PIN Number
                    Coupon Product Not Purchased
    Product Not Purchased
                    Non-Food Stamp Item
    Thank You For Shopping
                    Currency Conversion Data
    At              Manufacturer Coupon For
    ______________________________________

    ______________________________________
    Pin # MNEMONIC    DIRECTION   DESCRIPTION
    ______________________________________
    1     DCD         LTD.rarw.USC
                                  Data Carrier Detected
    2     RxD         LTD.rarw.USC
                                  Received Data
    3     TxD         LTD.fwdarw.USC
                                  Transmitted Data
    4     DTR         LTD.fwdarw.USC
                                  Data Terminal Ready
    5     GND         N/A         Signal Ground
    6     N/C         N/A         Not Connected
    7     RTS         LTD.fwdarw.USC
                                  Request to Send
    8     CTS         LTD.rarw.USC
                                  Clear to Send
    9     N/C         N/A         Not Connected
    ______________________________________

• Inventors
  Ferguson, William L.; Wallis, Mark H.;
• Assignee
  Comark Technologies, Inc. (Elk Grove Village, IL)
• Published
  Oct-26-1993
• Current US Classes:
  705/14
  705/16
  705/17
  705/21
  705/73
  705/75
• Application #
  788288
• International Classes
  G06K 015/00; G07G 001/12
• Field of Search
  235/383 364/401 364/402 364/404 364/405 395/200
• Examiner
  Sikes; William L.
• Agent
  Fitch, Even, Tabin & Flannery
• US Patent References:
  4236604
  4554446
  4679154
  4723212
  4773001
  4791281
  4797540
  4877947
  4882675
  4908761
  4910672
  4937567
  4937742
  4972463
  5008519
  5023782
  5053607
  5054092
  5109153
  5119293