Method and system for processing supplementary product sales at a point-of-sale terminal

• US 6,119,099 A
• Filed: 08/26/1997
• Issued: 09/12/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: PayPal, Inc. (PayPal Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Walker Asset Management Limited Partnership
• Inventors: Walker, Jay S., Jorasch, James A., Van Luchene, Andrew S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tkacs, Stephen R.
• Application Number:
  US08/920,116
• Time in Patent Office: 1,113 Days
• Field of Search: 705/10, 705/14, 705/16, 705/17, 705/20, 705/21, 705/39, 235/375, 235/376, 235/379, 235/380, 235/381, 345/156, 463/17, 463/18, 463/25, 340/825.35
• US Class Current: 705/16
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/00 Payment architectures, schemes or protocols apparatus for performing or posting payment transactions G07F7/08, G07F19/00; electronic cash registers G07G1/12
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/12 specially adapted for electronic shopping systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/201 Price look-up processing, e.g. updating
• 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 20/387 Payment using discounts or coupons relating to marketing G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0212 Chance discounts or incentives
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0226 Incentive systems for frequent usage, e.g. frequent flyer miles programs or point systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0235 constrained by time limit or expiration date
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0238 at point-of-sale [POS]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0283 Price estimation or determination
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/188 Electronic negotiation
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 15/005 with dispensing of lottery tickets
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3248 involving non-monetary media of fixed value, e.g. casino chips of fixed value
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3255 Incentive, loyalty and/or promotion schemes, e.g. comps, gaming associated with a purchase, gaming funded by advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/329 Regular and instant lottery, e.g. electronic scratch cards
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 5/24 : with change-giving
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/02 : Devices for alarm or indication, e.g. when empty; Advertising arrangements in coin-freed apparatus alarms or warning devices indicating the interruption of flow to be metered G07F15/10
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/0036 : Checkout procedures
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/12 : electronically operated digital data processing aspects G06Q20/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 5/00 : Receipt-giving machines cash registers giving receipts G07G1/00

Abstract

A POS terminal determines an upsell to offer in exchange for the change due to a customer in connection with a purchase. The point-of-sale terminal preferably maintains a database of at least one upsell price and a corresponding upsell to offer a customer in exchange for the change due to him. If the customer accepts the upsell, the cashier so indicates by pressing a selection button on the POS terminal. The required payment amount for the customer to pay is then set equal to the rounded price, rather than the purchase price. Thus, the customer receives the upsell in exchange for the coins due to him, and the coins need not be exchanged between the customer and the POS terminal.

Claims

1. A method for determining an upsell of a purchase at a point-of-sale terminal, comprising:

generating a purchase price of the purchase;

generating a rounded price;

calculating a round-up amount, the round-up amount being a difference between the purchase price and the rounded price;

generating a selection signal for indicating selection between the upsell and change; and

exchanging the round-up amount for the upsell if the selection signal indicates selection of the upsell.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

if the selection signal indicates selection of change, identifying a second upsell;

generating a second selection signal for indicating selection between the second upsell and change; and

exchanging the round-up amount for the second upsell if the second selection signal indicates selection of the second upsell.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

generating a random value; and

wherein the step of identifying a second upsell is performed only if the random value is within a prescribed range of values.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

printing a voucher.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

maintaining an identifier database;

generating a unique identifier;

storing the unique identifier in the identifier database; and

printing the unique identifier on the voucher.

6. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

generating a date identifier in dependence on a date of the purchase; and

printing the date identifier on the voucher.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

maintaining a database of offered upsells;

storing the round-up amount in the database of offered upsells;

storing the upsell in the database of offered upsells; and

storing the selection signal in the database of offered upsells.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

storing a date of the purchase in the database of offered upsells.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the upsell comprises a game entry.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

maintaining a game database;

generating a unique identifier;

storing the unique identifier in the game database; and

storing the round-up amount in the game database.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

if the selection signal indicates selection of the upsell, storing signals indicative of the upsell in a customer record, thereby associating the upsell with a customer.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

storing signals indicative of a first customer identifier for identifying a first customer who donates the upsell; and

storing signals indicative of a second customer identifier for identifying a second customer who receives the upsell.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

storing signals indicative of a first customer identifier for identifying a first customer who donates the upsell;

storing signals indicative of a plurality of customer identifiers for identifying a plurality of customers; and

selecting at least one of the plurality of customer identifiers, thereby selecting at least one customer to receive the upsell.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of identifying the upsell comprises identifying a plurality of upsells in the database which correspond to the compared upsell price, and wherein the step of outputting comprises outputting signals indicative of at least one of the plurality of identified upsells.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

generating a selection signal for indicating selection between at least one of the plurality of identified upsells and change.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

sorting the plurality of identified upsells, thereby arranging a first upsell to be ordered before a second upsell.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of outputting comprises outputting signals indicative of the first upsell.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

generating a selection signal for indicating selection between the identified upsell and change; and

outputting signals indicative of the second upsell if the selection signal does not indicate selection of the first upsell.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of sorting comprises sorting the plurality of identified upsells according to a cost of each identified upsell.

20. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

generating a purchase condition;

and wherein the step of maintaining a database comprises;

maintaining a database of at least one upsell price and a corresponding upsell and at least one corresponding upsell condition;

and wherein the step of identifying comprises;

identifying at least one upsell in the database which corresponds to the compared upsell price and the purchase condition.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of generating a rounded price comprises generating a rounded price in dependence on a whole number which is greater than the purchase price.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the step of generating a rounded price comprises generating a rounded price in dependence on the smallest whole number which is greater than the purchase price.

23. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of generating a rounded price comprises generating a rounded price in dependence on a multiple of 1/4 which is greater than the purchase price.

24. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

storing a preferred-upsell signal indicative of an upsell for each of a plurality of customers.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the step of generating the selection signal comprises accessing the stored preferred-upsell signals, and generating the selection signal in dependence thereupon.

26. A method for determining an upsell of a purchase at a point-of-sale terminal, comprising:

maintaining a database of at least one upsell price and a corresponding upsell;

generating a purchase price of the purchase;

generating a rounded price;

calculating a round-up amount, the round-up amount being a difference between the purchase price and the rounded price;

comparing the calculated round-up amount with at least one of the upsell prices in the database; and

if the calculated round-up amount corresponds to a compared upsell price, identifying at least one upsell in the database which corresponds to the compared upsell price.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising:

generating a selection signal for indicating selection between the identified upsell and change.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the database includes a plurality of upsell prices and corresponding upsells, the method. further comprising:

if the selection signal indicates selection of change, identifying a second upsell in the database which corresponds to the compared upsell.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein the step of generating a selection signal comprises:

generating a selection signal for indicating selection between the identified upsell, change and a second upsell, and the method further comprising;

if the selection signal indicates selection of the second upsell, determining a second upsell price corresponding to the second upsell.

30. The method of claim 27, further comprising:

printing a voucher.

31. The method of claim 30, further comprising:

printing an identifier on the voucher.

32. The method of claim 30, further comprising:

maintaining an identifier database;

generating a unique identifier;

storing the unique identifier in the identifier database; and

printing the unique identifier on the voucher.

33. The method of claim 30, further comprising:

generating a date identifier in dependence on a date of the purchase; and

printing the date identifier on the voucher.

34. The method of claim 27, further comprising:

maintaining a database of offered upsells;

storing the round-up amount in the database of offered upsells;

storing the identified upsell in the database of offered upsells; and

storing the selection signal in the database of offered upsells.

35. The method of claim 34, further comprising:

storing a date of the purchase in the database of offered upsells.

36. The method of claim 27, wherein the upsell comprises a game entry.

37. The method of claim 36, further comprising:

maintaining a game database;

generating a unique identifier;

storing the unique identifier in the game database; and

storing the round-up amount in the game database.

38. The method of claim 27, further comprising:

if the selection signal indicates selection of the identified upsell, storing signals indicative of the identified upsell in a customer record, thereby associating the identified upsell with a customer.

39. The method of claim 38, further comprising:

storing signals indicative of a first customer identifier for identifying a first customer who donates the identified upsell; and

storing signals indicative of a second customer identifier for identifying a second customer who receives the donated upsell.

40. The method of claim 38, further comprising:

storing signals indicative of a first customer identifier for identifying a first customer who donates the identified upsell;

storing signals indicative of a plurality of customer identifiers for identifying a plurality of customers; and

selecting at least one of the plurality of customer identifiers, thereby selecting at least one customer who receives the donated upsell.

41. The method of claim 27, further comprising:

storing a preferred-upsell signal indicative of an upsell for each of a plurality of customers.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein the step of generating the selection signal comprises accessing the stored preferred-upsell signals, and generating the selection signal in dependence thereupon.

43. The method of claim 26, wherein the step of identifying the upsell comprises identifying a plurality of upsells in the database which correspond to the compared upsell price.

44. The method of claim 43, further comprising:

generating a selection signal for indicating selection between at least one of the plurality of identified upsells and change.

45. The method of claim 43, further comprising:

sorting the plurality of identified upsells, thereby arranging a first upsell to be ordered before a second upsell.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein the step of sorting comprises sorting the plurality of identified upsells according to a cost of each identified upsell.

47. The method of claim 26, further comprising:

generating a purchase condition;

and wherein the step of maintaining a database comprises;

maintaining a database of at least one upsell price and a corresponding upsell and at least one corresponding upsell condition;

and wherein the step of identifying comprises;

identifying at least one upsell in the database which corresponds to the compared upsell price and the purchase condition.

48. The method of claim 26, wherein the step of generating a rounded price comprises generating a rounded price in dependence on a whole number which is greater than the purchase price.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein the step of generating a rounded price comprises generating a rounded price in dependence on the smallest whole number which is greater than the purchase price.

50. The method of claim 26, wherein the step of generating a rounded price comprises generating a rounded price in dependence on a multiple of 1/4 which is greater than the purchase price.

51. An apparatus for determining an upsell of a purchase, comprising:

a storage device; and

a processor connected to the storage device, the storage device storing

a database of at least one upsell price and a corresponding upsell; and

a program for controlling the processor; and

the processor operative with the program to generate a purchase price of the purchase;

generate a rounded price;

calculate a round-up amount, the round-up amount being a difference between the purchase price and the rounded price;

compare the calculated round-up amount with at least one of the upsell prices in the database; and

if the calculated round-up amount corresponds to a compared upsell price, identify at least one upsell in the database which corresponds to the compared upsell price.

52. The apparatus of claim 51, wherein the processor is further operative with the program to generate a selection signal for indicating selection between the identified upsell and change.

53. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein the database includes a plurality of upsell prices and corresponding upsells, and wherein the processor is further operative with the program to identify a second upsell in the database which corresponds to the compared upsell if the selection signal indicates selection of change.

54. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein the processor is further operative with the program to:

generate a selection signal for indicating selection between the identified upsell, change and a second upsell; and

if the selection signal indicates selection of the second upsell, determine a second upsell price corresponding to the second upsell.

55. The apparatus of claim 52, further comprising:

a printer connected to the processor for printing a voucher.

56. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the processor is further operative with the program to drive the printer to print an identifier on the voucher.

57. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the storage device further stores an identifier database;

and

wherein the processor is further operative with the program to;

generate a unique identifier;

store the unique identifier in the identifier database; and

drive the printer to print the unique identifier on the voucher.

58. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the processor is further operative with the program to:

generate a date identifier in dependence on a date of the purchase; and

drive the printer to print the date identifier on the voucher.

59. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein the storage device further stores a database of offered upsells;

and wherein the processor is further operative with the program to;

store the round-up amount in the database of offered upsells;

store the identified upsell in the database of offered upsells; and

store the selection signal in the database of offered upsells.

60. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein the processor is further operative with the program to store a date of the purchase in the database of offered upsells.

61. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein the upsell comprises a game entry.

62. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein the storage device further stores a game database;

and

wherein the processor is further operative with the program to;

generate a unique identifier;

store the unique identifier in the game database; and

store the round-up amount in the game database.

63. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein the storage device further stores a customer record, and wherein the processor is further operative with the program to:

if the selection signal indicates selection of the identified upsell, store signals indicative of the identified upsell in the customer record, thereby associating the identified upsell with a customer.

64. The apparatus of claim 63, wherein the storage device further stores:

signals indicative of a first customer identifier for identifying a first customer who donates the identified upsell; and

signals indicative of a second customer identifier for identifying a second customer who receives the donated upsell.

65. The apparatus of claim 63, wherein the storage device further stores:

signals indicative of a first customer identifier for identifying a first customer who donates the identified upsell; and

signals indicative of a plurality of customer identifiers for identifying a plurality of customers;

and wherein the processor is further operative with the program to select at least one of the plurality of customer identifiers, thereby selecting at least one customer who receives the donated upsell.

66. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein the storage device further stores a preferred-upsell signal indicative of an upsell for each of a plurality of customers.

67. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein the processor is further operative with the program to access the stored preferred-upsell signals, and generate the selection signal in dependence thereupon.

68. The apparatus of claim 51, wherein the processor is further operative with the program to identify a plurality of upsells in the database which correspond to the compared upsell price.

69. The apparatus of claim 68, wherein the processor is further operative with the program to:

generate a selection signal for indicating selection between at least one of the plurality of identified upsells and change.

70. The apparatus of claim 68, wherein the processor is further operative with the program to:

sort the plurality of identified upsells, thereby arranging a first upsell to be ordered before a second upsell.

71. The apparatus of claim 70, wherein the processor is further operative with the program to sort the plurality of identified upsells according to a cost of each identified upsell.

72. The apparatus of claim 51, wherein the storage device further stores:

a database of at least one upsell price and a corresponding upsell and at least one corresponding upsell condition;

and wherein the processor is further operative with the program to

generate a purchase condition; and

identify at least one upsell in the database which corresponds to the compared upsell price and the purchase condition.

73. The apparatus of claim 51, wherein the processor is further operative with the program to generate a rounded price in dependence on a whole number which is greater than the purchase price.

74. The apparatus of claim 73, wherein the processor is further operative with the program to generate a rounded price in dependence on the smallest whole number which is greater than the purchase price.

75. The apparatus of claim 51, wherein the processor is further operative with the program to generate a rounded price in dependence on a multiple of 1/4% which is greater than the purchase price.

76. A method for determining an upsell of a purchase at a point-of-sale terminal, the terminal storing a required payment amount, comprising:

maintaining a database of at least one upsell price and a corresponding upsell;

generating a purchase price of the purchase;

setting the required payment amount to be equal to the purchase price;

generating a rounded price;

calculating a round-up amount, the round-up amount being a difference between the purchase price and the rounded price;

comparing the calculated round-up amount with at least one of the upsell prices in the database; and

if the calculated round-up amount corresponds to a compared upsell price;

identifying at least one upsell in the database which corresponds to the compared upsell price; and

outputting signals indicative of the identified upsell.

77. The method of claim 76, further comprising:

generating a selection signal for indicating selection between the identified upsell and change; and

setting the required payment amount to be equal to the rounded price if the selection signal indicates selection of the identified upsell.

78. The method of claim 77, wherein the database includes a plurality of upsell prices and corresponding upsells, the method further comprising:

if the selection signal indicates selection of change;

identifying a second upsell in the database which corresponds to the compared upsell price; and

outputting signals indicative of the identified second upsell.

79. The method of claim 78, further comprising:

generating a random value; and

wherein the step of outputting signals indicative of the identified second upsell is performed only if the random value is within a prescribed range of values.

80. The method of claim 77, wherein the step of generating a selection signal comprises:

generating a selection signal for indicating selection between the identified upsell, change and a second upsell, and the method further comprising;

if the selection signal indicates selection of the second upsell;

determining a second upsell price corresponding to the second upsell; and

setting the required payment amount to be equal to the rounded price if the calculated round-up amount corresponds to the second upsell price.

81. The method of claim 77, further comprising:

printing a voucher.

82. The method of claim 81, further comprising:

printing an identifier on the voucher.

83. The method of claim 81, further comprising:

maintaining an identifier database;

generating a unique identifier;

storing the unique identifier in the identifier database; and

printing the unique identifier on the voucher.

84. The method of claim 81, further comprising:

generating a date identifier in dependence on a date of the purchase; and

printing the date identifier on the voucher.

85. The method of claim 77, further comprising:

maintaining a database of offered upsells;

storing the round-up amount in the database of offered upsells;

storing the identified upsell in the database of offered upsells; and

storing the selection signal in the database of offered upsells.

86. The method of claim 85, further comprising:

storing a date of the purchase in the database of offered upsells.

87. The method of claim 77, wherein the upsell comprises a game entry.

88. The method of claim 87, further comprising:

maintaining a game database;

generating a unique identifier;

storing the unique identifier in the game database; and

storing the round-up amount in the game database.

89. The method of claim 77, further comprising:

if the selection signal indicates selection of the identified upsell, storing signals indicative of the identified upsell in a customer record, thereby associating the identified upsell with a customer.

90. The method of claim 89, further comprising:

storing signals indicative of a first customer identifier for identifying a first customer who donates the identified upsell; and

storing signals indicative of a second customer identifier for identifying a second customer who receives the donated upsell.

91. The method of claim 89, further comprising:

storing signals indicative of a first customer identifier for identifying a first customer who donates the identified upsell;

storing signals indicative of a plurality of customer identifiers for identifying a plurality of customers; and

selecting at least one of the plurality of customer identifiers, thereby selecting at least one customer who receives the donated upsell.

92. The method of claim 77, further comprising:

storing a preferred-upsell signal indicative of an upsell for each of a plurality of customers.

93. The method of claim 92, wherein the step of generating the selection signal comprises accessing the stored preferred-upsell signals, and generating the selection signal in dependence thereupon.

94. The method of claim 76, wherein the step of identifying the upsell comprises identifying a plurality of upsells in the database which correspond to the compared upsell price, and wherein the step of outputting comprises outputting signals indicative of at least one of the plurality of identified upsells.

95. The method of claim 94, further comprising:

generating a selection signal for indicating selection between at least one of the plurality of identified upsells and change.

96. The method of claim 94, further comprising:

sorting the plurality of identified upsells, thereby arranging a first upsell to be ordered before a second upsell.

97. The method of claim 96, wherein the step of outputting comprises outputting signals indicative of the first upsell.

98. The method of claim 97, further comprising:

generating a selection signal for indicating selection between the identified upsell and change; and

outputting signals indicative of the second upsell if the selection signal does not indicate selection of the first upsell.

99. The method of claim 96, wherein the step of sorting comprises sorting the plurality of identified upsells according to a cost of each identified upsell.

100. The method of claim 76, further comprising:

generating a purchase condition, and wherein the step of maintaining a database comprises;

maintaining a database of at least one upsell price and a corresponding upsell and at least one corresponding upsell condition;

and wherein the step of identifying comprises;

identifying at least one upsell in the database which corresponds to the compared upsell price and the purchase condition.

101. The method of claim 76, wherein the step of generating a rounded price comprises generating a rounded price in dependence on a whole number which is greater than the purchase price.

102. The method of claim 101, wherein the step of generating a rounded price comprises generating a rounded price in dependence on the smallest whole number which is greater than the purchase price.

103. The method of claim 76, wherein the step of generating a rounded price comprises generating a rounded price in dependence on a multiple of 1/4 which is greater than the purchase price.

104. An apparatus for determining an upsell of a purchase, comprising:

a storage device; and

a processor connected to the storage device;

the storage device storing a required payment amount;

a database of at least one upsell price and a corresponding upsell; and

a program for controlling the processor; and

the processor operative with the program to generate a purchase price of the purchase;

set the required payment amount to be equal to the purchase price;

generate a rounded price;

calculate a round-up amount, the round-up amount being a difference between the purchase price and the rounded price;

compare the calculated round-up amount with at least one of the upsell prices in the database; and

if the calculated round-up amount corresponds to a compared upsell price;

identify at least one upsell in the database which corresponds to the compared upsell price; and

output signals indicative of the identified upsell.

105. The apparatus of claim 104, wherein the processor is further operative with the program to generate a selection signal for indicating selection between the identified upsell and change.

106. The apparatus of claim 105, wherein the database includes a plurality of upsell prices and corresponding upsells, and wherein the processor is further operative with the program to identify a second upsell in the database which corresponds to the compared upsell if the selection signal indicates selection of change.

107. The apparatus of claim 105, wherein the processor is further operative with the program to:

generate a selection signal for indicating selection between the identified upsell, change and a second upsell; and

if the selection signal indicates selection of the second upsell, determine a second upsell price corresponding to the second upsell.

108. The apparatus of claim 105, further comprising:

a printer connected to the processor for printing a voucher.

109. The apparatus of claim 108, wherein the processor is further operative with the program to drive the printer to print an identifier on the voucher.

110. The apparatus of claim 108, wherein the storage device further stores an identifier database;

and

wherein the processor is further operative with the program to;

generate a unique identifier;

store the unique identifier in the identifier database; and

drive the printer to print the unique identifier on the voucher.

111. The apparatus of claim 108, wherein the processor is further operative with the program to:

generate a date identifier in dependence on a date of the purchase; and

drive the printer to print the date identifier on the voucher.

112. The apparatus of claim 105, wherein the storage device further stores a database of offered upsells;

and wherein the processor is further operative with the program to;

store the round-up amount in the database of offered upsells;

store the identified upsell in the database of offered upsells; and

store the selection signal in the database of offered upsells.

113. The apparatus of claim 112, wherein the processor is further operative with the program to store a date of the purchase in the database of offered upsells.

114. The apparatus of claim 105, wherein the upsell comprises a game entry.

115. The apparatus of claim 114, wherein the storage device further stores a game database;

and

wherein the processor is further operative with the program to;

generate a unique identifier;

store the unique identifier in the game database; and

store the round-up amount in the game database.

116. The apparatus of claim 105, wherein the storage device further stores a customer record, and wherein the processor is further operative with the program to:

if the selection signal indicates selection of the identified upsell, store signals indicative of the identified upsell in the customer record, thereby associating the identified upsell with a customer.

117. The apparatus of claim 116, wherein the storage device further stores:

signals indicative of a first customer identifier for identifying a first customer who donates the identified upsell; and

signals indicative of a second customer identifier for identifying a second customer who receives the donated upsell.

118. The apparatus of claim 116, wherein the storage device further stores:

signals indicative of a first customer identifier for identifying a first customer who donates the identified upsell; and

signals indicative of a plurality of customer identifiers for identifying a plurality of customers;

and wherein the processor is further operative with the program to select at least one of the plurality of customer identifiers, thereby selecting at least one customer who receives the donated upsell.

119. The apparatus of claim 105, wherein the storage device further stores a preferred-upsell signal indicative of an upsell for each of a plurality of customers.

120. The apparatus of claim 119, wherein the processor is further operative with the program to access the stored preferred-upsell signals, and generate the selection signal in dependence thereupon.

121. The apparatus of claim 104, wherein the processor is further operative with the program to identify a plurality of upsells in the database which correspond to the compared upsell price.

122. The apparatus of claim 121, wherein the processor is further operative with the program to:

generate a selection signal for indicating selection between at least one of the plurality of identified upsells and change.

123. The apparatus of claim 121, wherein the processor is further operative with the program to:

sort the plurality of identified upsells, thereby arranging a first upsell to be ordered before a second upsell.

124. The apparatus of claim 123, wherein the processor is further operative with the program to sort the plurality of identified upsells according to a cost of each identified upsell.

125. The apparatus of claim 104, wherein the storage device further stores:

a database of at least one upsell price and a corresponding upsell and at least one corresponding upsell condition;

and wherein the processor is further operative with the program to

generate a purchase condition; and

identify at least one upsell in the database which corresponds to the compared upsell price and the purchase condition.

126. The apparatus of claim 104, wherein the processor is further operative with the program to generate a rounded price in dependence on a whole number which is greater than the purchase price.

127. The apparatus of claim 126, wherein the processor is further operative with the program to generate a rounded price in dependence on the smallest whole number which is greater than the purchase price.

128. The apparatus of claim 104, wherein the processor is further operative with the program to generate a rounded price in dependence on a multiple of 1/4 which is greater than the purchase price.

129. A method for determining a second product in dependence on a purchase, the purchase including a first product, the terminal storing a required payment amount, comprising:

maintaining a database of at least one upsell price, a corresponding item purchased and a corresponding second product;

generating a purchase price of the purchase;

setting the required payment amount to be equal to the purchase price;

generating a rounded price;

calculating a round-up amount, the round-up amount being a difference between the purchase price and the rounded price;

comparing the calculated round-up amount with at least one of the upsell prices in the database; and

if the calculated round-up amount corresponds to a compared upsell price;

identifying the item purchased and second product which correspond to the compared upsell price in the database; and

if the first product corresponds to the identified item purchased, outputting a signal indicative of the second product and the first product.

130. The method of claim 129, further comprising:

generating a selection signal for indicating selection between the second product and the first product; and

setting the required payment amount to be equal to the rounded price if the selection signal indicates selection of the second product.

131. An apparatus for determining a second product in dependence on a purchase, the purchase including a first product, comprising:

a storage device; and

a processor connected to the storage device;

the storage device storing;

a required payment amount;

a database of at least one upsell price and a corresponding upsell; and

a program for controlling the processor; and

the processor operative with the program to generate a purchase price of the purchase;

set the required payment amount to be equal to the purchase price;

generate a rounded price;

calculate a round-up amount, the round-up amount being a difference between the purchase price and the rounded price;

compare the calculated round-up amount with at least one of the upsell prices in the database; and

if the calculated round-up amount corresponds to a compared upsell price;

identify the item purchased and second product which correspond to the compared upsell price in the database, and

if the first product corresponds to the identified item purchased, outputting a signal indicative of the second product and the first product.

132. The apparatus of claim 131, wherein the processor is further operative with the program to:

generate a selection signal for indicating selection between the second product and the first product; and

set the required payment amount to be equal to the rounded price if the selection signal indicates selection of the second product.

133. A method for determining a second product in dependence on a purchase, the purchase including a first product, the terminal storing a required payment amount, comprising:

maintaining a database of at least one upsell price, a corresponding item purchased and a corresponding second product;

generating a purchase price of the purchase;

setting the required payment amount to be equal to the purchase price;

generating a rounded price;

calculating a round-up amount, the round-up amount being a difference between the purchase price and the rounded price;

comparing the calculated round-up amount with at least one of the upsell prices in the database; and

if the calculated round-up amount corresponds to a compared upsell price;

identifying the item purchased and second product which correspond to the compared upsell price in the database; and

if the first product corresponds to the identified item purchased, outputting a signal indicative of the second product.

134. The method of claim 133, further comprising:

generating a selection signal for indicating selection between the second product and change; and

setting the required payment amount to be equal to the rounded price if the selection signal indicates selection of the second product.

135. An apparatus for determining a second product in dependence on a purchase, the purchase including a first product, comprising:

a storage device; and

a processor connected to the storage device;

the storage device storing;

a required payment amount;

a database of at least one upsell price and a corresponding upsell; and

a program for controlling the processor; and

the processor operative with the program to generate a purchase price of the purchase;

set the required payment amount to be equal to the purchase price;

generate a rounded price;

calculate a round-up amount, the round-up amount being a difference between the purchase price and the rounded price;

compare the calculated round-up amount with at least one of the upsell prices in the database; and

if the calculated round-up amount corresponds to a compared upsell price;

identify the item purchased and second product which correspond to the compared upsell price in the database; and

if the first product corresponds to the identified item purchased, outputting a signal indicative of the second product.

136. The apparatus of claim 135, wherein the processor is further operative with the program to:

generate a selection signal for indicating selection between the second product and change; and

set the required payment amount to be equal to the rounded price if the selection signal indicates selection of the second product.

137. A method for offering an upsell of a purchase at a point-of-sale terminal, comprising:

generating a purchase price of the purchase;

setting a required payment amount to be equal to the purchase price;

generating a rounded price;

calculating a round-up amount, the round-up amount being a difference between the purchase price and the rounded price;

generating a selection signal for indicating selection between the upsell and change; and

setting the required payment amount to be equal to the rounded price if the selection signal indicates selection of the upsell.

138. The method of claim 137, further comprising:

providing a voucher if the selection signal indicates selection of the upsell.

139. The method of claim 138, further comprising:

printing an identifier on the voucher.

140. The method of claim 138, further comprising:

maintaining an identifier database;

generating a unique identifier;

storing the unique identifier in the identifier database; and

printing the unique identifier on the voucher.

141. The method of claim 138, further comprising:

generating a date identifier in dependence on a date of the purchase; and

printing the date identifier on the voucher.

142. The method of claim 137, further comprising:

maintaining a database of offered upsells;

storing the round-up amount in the database of offered upsells;

storing the identified upsell in the database of offered upsells; and

storing the selection signal in the database of offered upsells.

143. The method of claim 142, further comprising:

storing a date of the purchase in the database of offered upsells.

144. The method of claim 137, wherein the upsell comprises a game entry.

145. The method of claim 144, further comprising:

maintaining a game database;

generating a unique identifier;

storing the unique identifier in the game database; and

storing the round-up amount in the game database.

146. The method of claim 137, further comprising:

if the selection signal indicates selection of the identified upsell, storing signals indicative of the identified upsell in a customer record, thereby associating the identified upsell with a customer.

147. The method of claim 146, further comprising:

storing signals indicative of a first customer identifier for identifying a first customer who donates the identified upsell; and

storing signals indicative of a second customer identifier for identifying a second customer who receives the donated upsell.

148. The method of claim 146, further comprising:

storing signals indicative of a first customer identifier for identifying a first customer who donates the identified upsell;

storing signals indicative of a plurality of customer identifiers for identifying a plurality of customers; and

selecting at least one of the plurality of customer identifiers, thereby selecting at least one customer who receives the donated upsell.

149. The method of claim 137, further comprising:

storing a preferred-upsell signal indicative of an upsell for each of a plurality of customers.

150. The method of claim 149, wherein the step of generating the selection signal comprises accessing the stored preferred-upsell signals, and generating the selection signal in dependence thereupon.

151. The method of claim 137, wherein the step of generating a rounded price comprises generating a rounded price in dependence on a whole number which is greater than the purchase price.

152. The method of claim 151, wherein the step of generating a rounded price comprises generating a rounded price in dependence on the smallest whole number which is greater than the purchase price.

153. The method of claim 137, wherein the step of generating a rounded price comprises generating a rounded price in dependence on a multiple of 1/4 which is greater than the purchase price.

154. An apparatus for offering an upsell of a purchase, comprising:

a storage device; and

a processor connected to the storage device;

the storage device storing a required payment amount; and

a program for controlling the processor; and

the processor operative with the program to generate a purchase price of the purchase;

set a required payment amount to be equal to the purchase price;

generate a rounded price;

calculate a round-up amount, the round-up amount being a difference between the purchase price and the rounded price;

generate a selection signal for indicating selection between the upsell and change; and

set the required payment amount to be equal to the rounded price if the selection signal indicates selection of the upsell.

155. The apparatus of claim 154, wherein the processor is further operative with the program to generate a selection signal for indicating selection between the identified upsell and change.

156. The apparatus of claim 155, further comprising:

a printer connected to the processor for printing a voucher.

157. The apparatus of claim 156, wherein the processor is further operative with the program to drive the printer to print an identifier on the voucher.

158. The apparatus of claim 156, wherein the storage device further stores an identifier database;

and

wherein the processor is further operative with the program to;

generate a unique identifier;

store the unique identifier in the identifier database; and

drive the printer to print the unique identifier on the voucher.

159. The apparatus of claim 155, wherein the processor is further operative with the program to:

generate a date identifier in dependence on a date of the purchase; and

drive the printer to print the date identifier on the voucher.

160. The apparatus of claim 155, wherein the storage device further stores a database of offered upsells;

and wherein the processor is further operative with the program to;

store the round-up amount in the database of offered upsells;

store the identified upsell in the database of offered upsells; and

store the selection signal in the database of offered upsells.

161. The apparatus of claim 160, wherein the processor is further operative with the program to store a date of the purchase in the database of offered upsells.

162. The apparatus of claim 155, wherein the upsell comprises a game entry.

163. The apparatus of claim 162, wherein the storage device further stores a game database;

and

wherein the processor is further operative with the program to;

generate a unique identifier;

store the unique identifier in the game database; and

store the round-up amount in the game database.

164. The apparatus of claim 155, wherein the storage device further stores a customer record, and wherein the processor is further operative with the program to:

if the selection signal indicates selection of the identified upsell, store signals indicative of the identified upsell in the customer record, thereby associating the identified upsell with a customer.

165. The apparatus of claim 164, wherein the storage device further stores:

signals indicative of a first customer identifier for identifying a first customer who donates the identified upsell; and

signals indicative of a second customer identifier for identifying a second customer who receives the donated upsell.

166. The apparatus of claim 164, wherein the storage device further stores:

signals indicative of a first customer identifier for identifying a first customer who donates the identified upsell; and

signals indicative of a plurality of customer identifiers for identifying a plurality of customers;

and wherein the processor is further operative with the program to select at least one of the plurality of customer identifiers, thereby selecting at least one customer who receives the donated upsell.

167. The apparatus of claim 155, wherein the storage device further stores a preferred-upsell signal indicative of an upsell for each of a plurality of customers.

168. The apparatus of claim 167, wherein the processor is further operative with the program to access the stored preferred-upsell signals, and generate the selection signal in dependence thereupon.

169. The apparatus of claim 154, wherein the processor is further operative with the program to generate a rounded price in dependence on a whole number which is greater than the purchase price.

170. The apparatus of claim 169, wherein the processor is further operative with the program to generate a rounded price in dependence on the smallest whole number which is greater than the purchase price.

171. The apparatus of claim 154, wherein the processor is further operative with the program to generate a rounded price in dependence on a multiple of 1/4 which is greater than the purchase price.

172. A method for determining an upsell of a purchase at a point-of-sale terminal, comprising:

generating a purchase price of the purchase;

generating a rounded price;

calculating a round-up amount, the round-up amount being a difference between the purchase price and the rounded price;

generating a selection signal for indicating selection between the upsell and change; and

printing indicia indicative of the round-up amount if the selection signal indicates selection of the upsell.

173. An apparatus for determining an upsell of a purchase, comprising:

a storage device;

a processor connected to the storage device; and

a printer connected to the processor;

the storage device storing a program for controlling the processor;

the processor operative with the program to generate a purchase price of the purchase, generate a rounded price;

calculate a round-up amount, the round-up amount being a difference between the purchase price and the rounded price; and

generate a selection signal for indicating selection between the upsell and change; and

the printer for printing indicia indicative of the round-up amount if the selection signal indicates selection of the upsell.

174. A method for determining an upsell of a purchase at a point-of-sale terminal, the terminal storing a required payment amount, comprising:

generating a purchase price of the purchase;

generating a rounded price;

calculating a round-up amount, the round-up amount being a difference between the purchase price and the rounded price;

setting the required payment amount to be equal to the rounded price;

providing an upsell in exchange for the round-up amount.

175. A method for determining an upsell of a purchase, comprising:

maintaining a database of at least one upsell price and a corresponding upsell;

receiving a purchase price of the purchase;

generating a rounded price;

calculating a round-up amount, the round-up amount being a difference between the purchase price and the rounded price;

comparing the calculated round-up amount with at least one of the upsell prices in the database; and

if the calculated round-up amount corresponds to a compared upsell price;

identifying at least one upsell in the database which corresponds to the compared upsell price; and

outputting signals indicative of the identified upsell.

176. The method of claim 175, further comprising:

generating a selection signal for indicating selection between the identified upsell and change; and

transmitting the rounded price if the selection signal indicates selection of the identified upsell.

177. The method of claim 176, wherein the step transmitting the rounded price comprises transmitting the rounded price to a register if the selection signal indicates selection of the identified upsell.

178. The method of claim 175, wherein the step of receiving the purchase price comprises receiving the purchase price of the purchase from a register.

179. An apparatus for determining an upsell of a purchase, comprising:

a storage device; and

a processor connected to the storage device;

the storage device storing a database of at least one upsell price and a corresponding upsell; and

a program for controlling the processor;

the processor operative with the program to receive a purchase price of the purchase;

generate a rounded price;

calculate a round-up amount, the round-up amount being a difference between the purchase price and the rounded price;

comparing the calculated round-up amount with at least one of the upsell prices in the database; and

if the calculated round-up amount corresponds to a compared upsell price;

identify at least one upsell in the database which corresponds to the compared upsell price; and

output signals indicative of the identified upsell.

180. The apparatus of claim 179, wherein the processor is further operative with the program to

generate a selection signal for indicating selection between the identified upsell and change;

and

transmit the rounded price if the selection signal indicates selection of the identified upsell.

181. The apparatus of claim 180, wherein the processor is further operative with the program to transmit the rounded price to a register if the selection signal indicates selection of the identified upsell.

182. The apparatus of claim 179, wherein the processor is further operative with the program to receive the purchase price of the purchase from a register.