In-store universal control system

• US 5,256,863 A
• Filed: 11/05/1991
• Issued: 10/26/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Comark Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Comark Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Ferguson, William L., Wallis, Mark H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sikes, William L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRAN, TOAN V
• Application Number:
  US07/788,288
• Time in Patent Office: 721 Days
• Field of Search: 235/383, 364/401, 364/402, 364/404, 364/405, 395/200
• US Class Current: 705/21
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/042 characterized in that the payment protocol involves at least one cheque
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/202 Interconnection or interaction of plural electronic cash registers [ECR] or to host computer, e.g. network details, transfer of information from host to ECR or from ECR to ECR
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/204 comprising interface for record bearing medium or carrier for electronic funds transfer or payment credit
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/382 insuring higher security of transaction
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/401 Transaction verification
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0225 Avoiding frauds
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0226 Incentive systems for frequent usage, e.g. frequent flyer miles programs or point systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0234 Rebates after completed purchase
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0238 at point-of-sale [POS]
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/14 Systems including one or more distant stations co-operating with a central processing unit data transmission in general H04L; telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station H04Q9/00

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

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.

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.

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.