RETAIL TERMINAL

• US 3,686,637 A
• Filed: 09/14/1970
• Issued: 08/22/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: James E. Zachar, Walter E. Jr. Srode
• Original Assignee: James E. Zachar, Walter E. Jr. Srode
• Inventors: Zachar, James E., Srode, Walter E. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shaw, Gareth D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chirlin, Sydney R.
• Application Number:
  US05/071,971
• Time in Patent Office: 708 Days
• Field of Search: 340/172.5
• US Class Current: 711/5
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0489 using dedicated keyboard keys or combinations thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/10 mechanically operated
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/12 electronically operated digital data processing aspects G06Q20/00

Abstract

A point of entry terminal suitable for use in a retail business is described which includes a terminal control unit having a plurality of peripheral units coupled thereto. Each of the peripheral units performs certain functions necessary in the processing of a sale, return, or exchange of merchandise transaction. The control unit controls each of the peripheral units in accordance with a series of program instructions associated therewith. In addition to the normal transactions, there are several special types of transactions. The operator of the terminal is guided through each portion of each transaction by special messages informing him of what entries are to be made for that portion. The terminal is connected in a real-time, online manner to a data collector for recording data concerning the transaction for processing for inventory control and the like.

Claims

1. A point of transaction terminal for processing transaction information relating to a commercial transaction comprising:

memory means including read-only memory means for providing an affectable sequence of instruction signals and further including read/write memory means for providing a sequence of transaction control signals, any desired transaction control signals being provided in response to said instruction signals;

logic means responsive to said instruction signals and said transaction control signals for providing a plurality of firsttype signals in a predetermined order, each of said first-type signals being unique to one portion of said transaction information; and

data input means for providing data signals relating to said transaction information, said data signals being provided in an order determined by said first-type signals;

said logic means further being responsive to said desired transaction control signal to provide a signal to said readonly memory to effect the sequence of said instruction signals provided thereby, said logic means further being responsive to said data signals and said affected instruction signals to process said data signals and to provide a terminal output signal representing said commercial transaction.

2. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said first-type signals are provided to a visual display means, which responds thereto, to provide a visual signal indicating the type of transaction information data signals to then be provided by said data input means.

3. The invention according to claim 2 wherein said data input means is a keyboard which provides said data signals in response to a manual operation thereof.

4. The invention according to claim 3 wherein said keyboard includes numeric and function keys and said logic means responds to data signals generated by operating said numeric keys in a first manner and to data signals generated by operating said function keys in a second manner, said first manner being to store the numeric data represented by said data signals for future processing and said second manner being to process data associated with said logic means in accordance with the function represented by said data signal generated by operating said function keys.

5. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said data input means is an automatic tag reader which provides said data signals by reading a coded tag associated with said commercial transaction, said tag reader storing the information conveyed by the code of said tag, said stored information being provided, a portion at a time, to said logic means as said data signals in response to each of said first-type signals.

6. The invention according to claim 5:

whereIn the information stored by said automatic tag reader includes predetermined portions of data occurring in a predetermined order; and

wherein said logic means applies said first-type signals to said tag reader to cause said stored data to be applied as said data signals, one portion at a time, in said predetermined order.

7. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said logic means is further responsive to said data signals for affecting the particular sequence of said instruction signals.

8. The invention according to claim 7 wherein said read-only memory means provides each of said instruction signals in response to one of a series of certain control signals applied thereto from said logic means, and said read/write memory means provides said transaction control signals in response to certain other control signals applied thereto from said logic means.

9. The invention according to claim 8:

wherein said logic means provides each one said certain control signals to said read-only memory means in response to the application to said logic means of previously provided instruction signals, previously provided transaction control signals, and previously provided data signals; and

wherein said logic means provides said certain other control signals to said read/write memory means in response to the application to said logic means of previously provided instruction signals, previously provided transaction control signals, and previously provided data signals.

10. The invention according to claim 9 wherein said read-only memory means includes a read-only memory and read-only memory logic means, said read-only memory storing information in a plurality of different locations thereof, said read-only memory logic means including counting means which can be caused to assume any value within its counting limits in response to the application thereto of one of said certain control signal or which will assume the next incremental value in response to the nonapplication thereto of said certain control signal, said read-only memory logic means providing a signal to said read-only memory indicative of the then existing count in said counting means to cause the information stored in the read-only memory location associated with that then existing count to be provided as said instruction signal.

11. The invention according to claim 8 wherein said read/write memory means includes a read/write memory for storing a plurality of transaction control words each of which is composed of at least one transaction control character, each of said transaction control characters being composed of a plurality of character segments that include at least one bit, at least some of said character segments contain coded information which is determinative of the order in which said data signals are to be provided to or processed by said logic means.

12. The invention according to claim 11 wherein a single transaction control character can be applied to said logic means at a given time as said transaction control signal, said logic means, in response to said instruction signals, decoding selected character segments of the applied transaction control signal to determine the proper first-type signal to be provided or the type of processing to be done by said logic means on previously applied data signals.

13. The invention according to claim 8 wherein said read/write memory means includes a read/write memory having a plurality of locations into each of which information can be written, said information being written into said read/write memory in response to signals from said logic means which includes information signals indicative of said information to be written and function signals commanding said read/write memory means to cause said information to be written in a predetermined location, said information signals being provided by said logic means in response to at least one of said instruction signals, said data signals, or said transaction control signals, and said Function signals being provided in response to said instruction signals.

14. The invention according to claim 13 wherein information is stored in each read/write memory location after initially being written therein, the stored information in any selected location being capable of being read from said selected location on command of the application to said read/write memory means of a read signal from said logic means, said read signal being provided by said logic means in response to at least one of said instruction signals, said transaction control signals, or said data signals.

15. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said terminal further includes error indicating means responsive to an error signal provided by said logic means, said error signal indicating that an error exists in the data being provided by said data input means, said error signal being provided in response to logical operations being performed on said data signals by said logic means in response to said affected sequence of instruction signals.

16. The invention according to claim 15 wherein said error signal inhibits further processing of said data signals by said logic means until the error condition manifested thereby has been corrected.

17. The invention according to claim 15 wherein said transaction control signals can be changed so that said error signal is provided in response to different logical operations being performed on said data signals by said logic means in response to a different sequence of instruction signals, said logic means responding to said different sequence of instruction signals by performing said different logical operations in accordance with said changed transaction control signal.

18. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said terminal further includes printing means for printing certain information relating to said commercial transaction, said printed information including information derived from said data input means and information derived from said memory means, said printing occurring on a journal, and at least one of either a slip or a receipt.

19. The invention according to claim 18 wherein the format of the printing is controlled by signals provided by said logic means in response to said instruction signals and selected transaction control signal, said format of the printing being changeable by changing said selected transaction control signal.

20. The invention according to claim 18 wherein said terminal further includes a cash drawer, and a coin dispenser each of which operates in response to signals applied thereto from said logic means.

21. The invention according to claim 20 wherein said terminal further includes at least one switchings means which is operable to control the type of transaction which said terminal is to process.

22. The invention according to claim 21 wherein said types of transactions which said terminal can process include opening the terminal, closing the terminal, and programming the terminal.

23. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said terminal output signal is applied to a central unit.

24. The invention according to claim 23 wherein a plurality of similar terminal output signals are applied to said central unit.

25. The invention according to claim 23 wherein said terminal normally applies its signals to said central unit in a real-time, on-line manner and, wherever said terminal does not apply its output signal to said central unit in a real-time, on-line manner, an indication is made of the nonapplied information and said nonapplied information may be later transmitted to said central unit by a re-entry type of transaction.

26. A point of transaction terminal for processing data relating to a commercial transaction comprising:

instruction signal providing means for providing a series of instruction signals;

read/write memory means including a read/write memory for storing coded information in each of a plurality of selected locations and means for providiNg a signal indicative of the information in a given one of said selected locations;

data input means for providing a coded data signal indicative of certain input data;

logic means for processing said data signal in accordance with said series of instruction signals, said series of instruction signals being determined by said read/write memory signals;

means for selectively providing a programming signal;

said logic means responding to said programming signal and a data signal applied in conjunction therewith to cause the coded information stored in a given one of said selected read/write memory locations to be replaced by different coded information, said data signal conveying information indicative of said given location and said different coded information, said instruction signal providing means thereafter providing a different series of instructions for processing said data.

27. The invention according to claim 26:

wherein certain ones of said predetermined locations of said read/write memory have stored therein information relating to constant values which are used in processing said data, said constants occasionally requiring change to properly process said data; and

wherein other ones of said predetermined locations of said read/write memory have stored therein information relating to the manner in which said data is processed, said manner occasionally requiring change.

28. A point of entry commercial transaction terminal for processing, in a predetermined manner, various types of transaction data relating to a commercial transaction, said terminal comprising:

a control unit which includes logic means, read-only memory means, and a plurality of ports, said read-only memory means providing a controllable sequence of different types of instruction signals to said logic means, said sequence being under the control of a control signal applied to said read-only memory means from said logic means, said logic means responding to (1) a first type of said instruction signals by operating on certain information associated therewith, (2) a second type of said instruction signals by causing an output signal to be applied to a selected port, (3) a third type of said instruction signal by causing an input signal applied to a selected port thereof to become associated therewith, and (4) a fourth type of said instruction signals by causing said control signal to be applied to said read-only memory means to affect the sequence of said instruction signals provided thereby;

data request means coupled to a first port and responsive to a port output signal applied to said first port for issuing signals indicative of the type of said transaction data being requested;

information input means coupled to a second port for providing an information input signal to said second port, a portion of said information input signal manifesting the data requested by said data request means, and another portion of said information input signal manifesting function information; and

transaction control means coupled to a third port for providing a transaction control signal to said third port in response to an output signal applied to said third port;

said logic means causing said data information portion of said information input signal to become associated therewith, said logic means processing said data information associated therewith by responding to said first type of instruction signals and by providing said control signals to control the sequence of said instruction signals in a manner determined by the transaction control signal and the function information portion of said information input signal.

29. The invention according to claim 28:

wherein said first means is a display means capable of displaying at least one visual message indicating the type of data then being requested, said message being displayed in response to the signals applied thereto from said logic means; and

wherein said signaLs applied to said display means which cause a message to be displayed are provided by said logic means responding to said transaction control input signals in accordance with said instruction signals.

30. The invention according to claim 29:

wherein said information input means is a manually operated keyboard which has numeric and function keys each capable of being depressed one at a time, said data information portion of said information input signal resulting from a depression of at least one of said numeric keys, and said function information portion of said information input signal resulting from a depression of at least one of said function keys;

wherein said logic means causes said data information portion of said information input signal to become associated therewith and to be displayed on said display means in accordance with said instruction signals; and

wherein said logic means processes said data information portion of said information input signal by causing at least one control signal to be applied to said read-only memory means to affect the sequence of said instruction signals, said sequence being affected in a manner determined by said function information portion of said information input signal and said transaction control signals, said logic means processing said data information portion of said information input signal in accordance with said sequence of instruction signals provided by said read-only memory means.

31. The invention according to claim 30 wherein said data input means further includes a tag reader means for providing another portion of said information input signal, said tag reader means being connected to a fourth port and said information input signal consisting of the signal applied to said second and fourth ports, said tag reader means portion of said information input signal being provided in response to reading coded information from a tag associated with the transaction, said tag reader portion of said information input signal including at least one data character followed by a separator character, and representing at least one type of said transaction data, said tag reader portion of said information input signal being stored by said tag reader means and being applied to said fourth port one character at a time in response to output signals applied to said fourth port by said logic means, said data applied by said tag reader being processed by said logic means after said separator character has been applied to said fourth port.

32. The invention according to claim 31 wherein said transaction control means includes a read/write memory having a plurality of storage locations, each of said storage locations being capable of storing a coded transaction control character which is composed of a given number of bits, selected ones of said transaction control characters being grouped into a plurality of transaction control words each of which controls a different portion of the transaction in a manner determined by the particular code of the characters of the word, said transaction processing being controlled by said logic means responding to instruction signals to cause a signal manifesting a selected character to be applied to said logic means as said transaction control signal and thereafter by said logic means responding to the code of said transaction control signal to cause at least one of (1) a message to be displayed on said display means requesting certain data, or (2) performing certain tests on data applied to determine whether any errors exist.

33. The invention according to claim 32 wherein said logic means performs said tests on said data by responding to the code manifested by said transaction control signal to cause control signals to be applied to said read-only memory means for certain codes manifested by a portion of said transaction control signal and by causing other codes manifested by another portion of said transaction control signal to become associated with said logic meAns and thereafter by operating on said information input signal in accordance with said associated portion of transaction control signal.

34. The invention according to claim 33 wherein said transaction processing can be altered by changing the code of said transaction control characters.

35. The invention according to claim 34 wherein said terminal further includes error indicating means responsive to an error signal provided by said logic means for indicating that an error exists in the data being provided by said data input means, said error signal inhibiting the further processing of the data input signal then being applied to said logic means until said error is corrected, said error signal being provided by the response of said logic means to said tests performed on said information input signal in accordance with the code of a previously applied transaction control signal.

36. The invention according to claim 35:

wherein said terminal further includes printing means connected to a fifth port for printing information relating to said commercial transaction in response to signals from said logic means;

wherein said terminal further includes a cash drawer means which operates in response to signals applied to a sixth port from said logic means;

wherein said terminal further includes a coin dispenser means which operates in response to signals applied to a seventh port from said logic means; and

wherein said terminal further includes at least one keylock means which provides information to said logic means to affect the type of transaction to be performed.

37. The invention according to claim 36:

wherein each of the means which receives signals from or applies signals to a port continually sends a coded status signal to that port which manifests the status condition of that means; and

wherein a fifth type of the instruction signals to which said logic means responds causes the code manifested by the status signal applied to a selected port to be compared with a stated status code.

38. A point of entry commercial transaction terminal system comprising a central unit responsive to a plurality of terminal output signals for processing said signals in a predetermined manner and a plurality of terminals each of which processes various types of transaction data relating to a commercial transaction, each of said terminals including:

a control unit which includes logic means, read-only memory means, and a plurality of ports, said read-only memory means providing a controllable sequence of different types of instruction signals to said logic means, said sequence being under the control of a control signal applied to said read-only memory means from said logic means, said logic means responding to (1) a first type of said instruction signals by operating on certain information associated therewith, (2) a second type of said instruction signals by causing an output signal to be applied to a selected port, (3) a third type of said instruction signals by causing an input signal applied to a selected port thereof to become associated therewith, and (4) a fourth type of said instruction signals by causing said control signal to be applied to said read-only memory means to affect the sequence of said instruction signals provided thereby;

data request means coupled to a first port and responsive to a port output signal applied to said first port for issuing signals indicative of the type of said transaction data being requested;

information input means coupled to a second port for providing an information input signal to said second port, a portion of said information input signal manifesting the data requested by said data request means, and another portion of said information input signal manifesting function information; and

transaction control means coupled to a third port for providing a transaction control signal to said third port in response to an output signal applied to said third port;

said logic means causing said data information portion of said information input signal to become associated therewith, said logic means processing said data information associated therewith by responding to said first type of instruction signals and by providing said control signals to control the sequence of said instruction signals in a manner determined by the transaction control signal and the function information portion of said information input signal;

said logic means providing a signal indicative of said processed data information to a fourth port, said signal becoming said terminal output signal of said terminal.

39. The invention according to claim 38:

wherein each of said terminals further includes output means coupled between said fourth port and said central unit for applying, on command, said logic means output signal applied to said fourth port to said central unit; and

wherein said central unit includes means for sequentially checking with each output means of said plurality of terminals, one at a time, to determine whether it should command the then checked output means to apply said logic means output signal applied to said fourth port to said central unit.

40. A point of sale retail terminal system for providing a terminal output signal indicative of a retail transaction, said terminal output signal conveying information concerning the type of transaction, type of merchandise, quantity of merchandise, and price of the merchandise involved in the transaction, said system comprising:

data input means for providing called for data signals indicative of the type of transaction, type of merchandise, quantity of merchandise, and price of the merchandise;

command means, responsive to a command control signal, calling for said data input means to provide said data signals in a predetermined order;

control means which includes logic means, read-only memory means, and read/write memory means, said read-only memory means providing a sequence of instruction signals to cause said logic means to operate on signals applied thereto in a predetermined manner, said read/write memory means providing a sequence of data control signals to said logic means, said logic means operating on said data control signals in a manner determined by the particular sequence of instruction signals applied thereto and providing a sequence control signal, said read-only memory means further including logic means, responsive to said sequence control signal for affecting the sequence of said instruction signals provided thereby, said logic means further responding to said data control signals and the affected sequence of instruction signals to provide said command signal to said command means, said called for data signals being applied to said logic means, and said logic means in response to the sequence of instruction signals affected by said data control signals provided thereto, operating on said data signals and providing said terminal output signal.

41. The invention according to claim 40:

wherein said command means is a visual display means capable of displaying a plurality of visual messages, the particular message displayed being determined by the command signal applied thereto, each of said visual messages indicating the particular data to be provided by said data input means; and

wherein said data input means includes a keyboard having a plurality of numerical and function keys, said data signals being provided by manually depressing a fixed number, including zero, of said numerical keys followed by one of said function keys, said logic means responding to the portion of the data signal provided as a result of depressing said numerical keys by storing the data manifested by that portion of the data signal and by providing signals to said display means to display the numbers manifested by the numerical keys so depressed, said logic means responding to the portion of said data signal provided as a result of depressing a function key by providing additional sequence control signals to further affect the sequence of said instruction signals and, in response to the further affected sequence of instruction signals, by processing said stored data in accordance with the function key portion of the data signal and the previously applied command signal applied to said display means.

42. The invention according to claim 41:

wherein said logic means includes error-detecting means to determine whether the portion of said data signal provided as a result of depressing the numeral keys meets certain criteria and for inhibiting the processing of said numeric key portion of said data signal in the event said certain criteria are not met.

43. The invention according to claim 42:

wherein said read-only memory means is capable of providing a sequence of said instruction signals which is affected to uniquely process the numerical portion of said data signal for each different type of data provided to said logic means, and wherein said read/write memory means provides a different data control signal for each different type of data to be provided by said data input means.

44. The invention according to claim 43 wherein said read/write memory means is organized to have a plurality of character storage locations each of which may include a multibit coded character, a plurality of said characters being grouped into a control word, there being a control word for each type of data which can be provided by said data input means, said logic means causing one character at a time to be provided thereto as said data control signal in response to certain of said instruction signals provided by said read-only memory means, said logic means determining from said data control signal so applied, said function key portion of said data input signal and others of said instruction signals what subsequent sequence of instruction signals should be provided by said read-only memory means.

45. The invention according to claim 44 wherein said terminal system includes:

a three-station printing means for printing data associated with said transaction on a journal tape and at least one of a receipt and a slip;

a cash drawer means; and

a coin dispenser means;

each of said printing means, cash drawer means, and coin dispenser means being under the control of signals provided thereto by said logic means.

46. The invention according to claim 45 wherein said terminal system further includes:

a plurality of other terminals which provide terminal output signals conveying information concerning the type of transaction, type of merchandise, quantity of merchandise, and price of the merchandise involved in other commercial transactions being processed by said other terminals; and

a control unit which sequentially communicates with each of said terminals to determine whether the terminal output signal of the terminal then being communicated with is ready to be provided and, if ready, to receive said terminal output signal for central processing.

47. A point of entry transaction terminal for processing transaction information relating to a commercial transaction and for normally communicating on line, in real time, with a central unit by providing, on command, a terminal output signal manifesting said commercial transaction to said central unit, said terminal further being capable of transmitting a signal to said central unit which manifests a transaction which previously occurred and which was not then communicated to said central unit, said terminal comprising:

memory means for providing a sequence of instruction signals and a sequence of transaction control signals;

logic means responsive to said instruction signals and said transaction control signals for providing a plurality of first-type signals in a predetermined order, each of said first-type signals being unique to one portion of said transaction information;

data input means for providing data signals relating to saId transaction information, said data signals being provided in an order determined by said first-type signals; and

printing means for printing the data manifested by said data signals in response to first signals applied thereto from said logic means, said printing means being capable of denoting the data printed which has not been communicated to said central unit in response to second signals applied thereto from said logic means;

said logic means being responsive to said data signals, said instruction signals and said transaction control signals to process said data signals, and to provide (1) said terminal output signal, (2) said first signal to said printing means, and (3) said second signal to said printing means in the event said terminal output signal is not communicated to said central unit.

48. The invention according to claim 47 wherein said denoted data which has been printed is re-entered into said terminal at a time when said terminal is communicating on line, in real time, with said central unit, said re-entry being controlled by a special sequence of said instruction signals.

49. A digital processing system for processing data in a programmable manner comprising:

a read-only memory for storing a plurality of individual instructions, including branching instructions, each stored instruction being provided in response to a coded address signal unique thereto;

said instructions being arranged in instruction groups with a branching instruction being used to connect different groups;

addressing means for providing to said read-only memory means a sequence of said address signals in response to a first set of control signals applied thereto, a first one of said first control signals causing a given address signal to be an incremented version of the previously provided address signal and a second one of said first control signals causing a given address signal to be a nonincremented version of the previously provided address signals;

read/write memory means for storing a plurality of command characters each of which is arranged in a predetermined coded format to signify a desired manner of processing said data, said read/write memory means being capable of having the code of any character change to cause a different manner of processing said data to occur, said read/write memory means providing a command signal manifesting the code of a given one of said command characters in response to a second control signal applied thereto;

logic means responsive to said instructions for providing said second control signal and responsive to predetermined portions of said provided command signal and said branching instructions for determining whether said first or second ones of said first control signals should be provided to said addressing means and for providing said determined one of said first control signals thereto, whereby said desired manner of processing said data occurs.

50. The invention according to claim 49 wherein each one of certain command characters is divided into at least two coded portions, the code of each portion signifying one manner of processing said data;

and wherein said logic means includes decoding means responsive to said command signal provided as a result of the provision of said second control signal by said logic means and said instructions for decoding a given portion of said command signal to determine which of said first or second ones of said first control signals is to be provided to said addressing means.

51. The invention according to claim 50 wherein said decoding means includes register means for storing the command character manifested by said provided command signal and register logic means responsive to said branching instructions for providing said second one of said first control signals in the event said given portion of said stored command character is a predetermined code and for providing said first one of said first control signals in the event said given portion of said stored command signal is not said predetermined code.

52. The invention according to claim 49 wherein said system further includes data input means for providing signals to change the code of any given command character stored by said read/write memory, whereby a different manner of processing said data occurs.