Transaction control system including portable data terminal and mobile customer service station
First Claim
1. A transaction control system comprising:
- (a) at least one portable data terminal, said data terminal including means for entering data relating to customer transactions and means for transmitting uniquely identifiable data messages based on the entered data;
(b) 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 customer transaction-related messages pertaining to customer transactions which originate at the portable data terminal;
(c) wireless communications station means including means for receiving said uniquely identifiable data messages transmitted from said portable data terminal, and for transmitting to said portable data terminal and to said mobile customer service station customer transaction-related data messages pertaining to customer transactions which originate at said portable data terminal; and
(d) computer means, said computer means being communicatively interconnected with said wireless communications station means for transfer of said uniquely identifiable data messages from said wireless communications station means to said computer means, means for receiving from said wireless communications station means said uniquely identifiable data messages which originate at said portable data terminal, means for processing said uniquely identifiable data messages and generating customer transaction-related data messages pertaining thereto, means for uniquely addressing such customer transaction-related data messages to a selected one of said portable data terminal and said mobile customer service station, and means for transferring said customer transaction-related data messages to said wireless communications station means,(e) said mobile customer service station upon receipt of said customer transaction-related data messages from the wireless communications station means being controllable to cause said printer to print customer transaction records in accordance therewith.
6 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 features a cash drawer. The operation of the printer, credit card reader and the cash drawer is controlled by a multifunction control unit located within an enclosure of the console. The control unit is electrically powered 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 communications 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.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. A transaction control system comprising:
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(a) at least one portable data terminal, said data terminal including means for entering data relating to customer transactions and means for transmitting uniquely identifiable data messages based on the entered data; (b) 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 customer transaction-related messages pertaining to customer transactions which originate at the portable data terminal; (c) wireless communications station means including means for receiving said uniquely identifiable data messages transmitted from said portable data terminal, and for transmitting to said portable data terminal and to said mobile customer service station customer transaction-related data messages pertaining to customer transactions which originate at said portable data terminal; and (d) computer means, said computer means being communicatively interconnected with said wireless communications station means for transfer of said uniquely identifiable data messages from said wireless communications station means to said computer means, means for receiving from said wireless communications station means said uniquely identifiable data messages which originate at said portable data terminal, means for processing said uniquely identifiable data messages and generating customer transaction-related data messages pertaining thereto, means for uniquely addressing such customer transaction-related data messages to a selected one of said portable data terminal and said mobile customer service station, and means for transferring said customer transaction-related data messages to said wireless communications station means, (e) said mobile customer service station upon receipt of said customer transaction-related data messages from the wireless communications station means being controllable to cause said printer to print customer transaction records in accordance therewith. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification