Transaction control system including portable data terminal and mobile customer service station
First Claim
1. A transaction control system comprising:
- at least one portable data terminal, such data terminal including means for entering and for transmitting uniquely identifiable data and data messages relating to customer transactions;
at least one mobile customer service station, said service station including a self-contained power source, a printer for printing customer transaction records and means for receiving uniquely addressed data and data messages;
a wireless communications station including means for individually polling and addressing a plurality of such portable data terminals and mobile customer service stations and for transmitting to such data terminals and customer service stations said uniquely addressed data and data messages and for receiving from such customer service stations and data terminals said uniquely identifiable data and data messages; and
a computer, said computer being communicatively interconnected with said wireless communications station for transfer of said uniquely identifiable data and data messages, including means for uniquely addressing any of such uniquely identifiable data and data messages for transfer to and transmission by said wireless communications system to any one and any selected ones of said at least one portable data terminal and said at least one mobile customer service station, means for initiating such transfer to receive from such wireless communications station said uniquely identifiable data and data messages relating to customer transactions from any one such data terminal, means for encoding said uniquely identifiable transaction data and data messages with a unique address for transfer to and transmission by said wireless communications station to said at least one mobile customer service station having such unique address and means for directing such customer service station to print a record of such customer transaction.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A mobile customer service station includes a console on a wheeled chassis. The console carries and houses a number of components which are used in merchandising operations to conclude customer purchase transactions. The items supported externally on the console are a printer for printing purchase receipts, customer credit charge agreements and records of transactions, and a magnetic card reader for reading information from a magnetic stripe of a customer'"'"'s credit card. The console further includes a cash drawer. The operation of the printer, credit card reader and the cash drawer is controlled by a multi-function control unit located within an enclosure of the console. The control unit is electrically powdered by a self-contained power source which is preferably a deep cycle rechargeable battery. The console also houses a transceiver unit which under the control of the control unit is capable of interactive communication with a radio communication system. The radio communications system is controlled by a central computer and includes a plurality of portable data terminals which are coded to individually communicate with the central computer. The infusion of the customer service station into the radio communications system allows the data terminals to become data entry units for the mobile customer service station. The self-contained power source and the transceiver permit the customer service station to be moved to merchandising locations of temporary peak customer activity without the expense or time requirements of first having to install electrical services.
169 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A transaction control system comprising:
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at least one portable data terminal, such data terminal including means for entering and for transmitting uniquely identifiable data and data messages relating to customer transactions; at least one mobile customer service station, said service station including a self-contained power source, a printer for printing customer transaction records and means for receiving uniquely addressed data and data messages; a wireless communications station including means for individually polling and addressing a plurality of such portable data terminals and mobile customer service stations and for transmitting to such data terminals and customer service stations said uniquely addressed data and data messages and for receiving from such customer service stations and data terminals said uniquely identifiable data and data messages; and a computer, said computer being communicatively interconnected with said wireless communications station for transfer of said uniquely identifiable data and data messages, including means for uniquely addressing any of such uniquely identifiable data and data messages for transfer to and transmission by said wireless communications system to any one and any selected ones of said at least one portable data terminal and said at least one mobile customer service station, means for initiating such transfer to receive from such wireless communications station said uniquely identifiable data and data messages relating to customer transactions from any one such data terminal, means for encoding said uniquely identifiable transaction data and data messages with a unique address for transfer to and transmission by said wireless communications station to said at least one mobile customer service station having such unique address and means for directing such customer service station to print a record of such customer transaction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A customer service station for communication with at least one portable data terminal via a radio communication system, said system including a computer coupled to said system, comprising:
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a printer for printing a customer transaction record; a uniquely identifiable wireless transceiver, said transceiver including circuit means for coding and transmitting data and data messages uniquely identifiable by said radio communications system as having originated from said transceiver, and for receiving and decoding data and data messages from said at least one portable data terminal uniquely addressed for being decoded solely by said transceiver by the computer coupled to said radio communications system; means for transferring decoded data and data messages from said transceiver to said printer for printing a record of said data and data messages; a self-contained power source; and means for coupling said power source to said printer, to said wireless transceiver and to said transfer means, whereby said printer, said wireless transceiver, said transfer means and said self-contained power source are collectively mobile for infusion at a preselected location into said radio communications system to co-operate with said at least one portable data terminal and said radio communications system as a customer transaction control system wherein data and data messages from said at least one portable data terminal uniquely addressed to said wireless transceiver by said radio communication system comprise information for printing a customer transaction record. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification