POS terminal, method of controlling the POS terminal, POS system using the POS terminal, and information storage medium

• US 6,845,363 B1
• Filed: 09/02/1999
• Issued: 01/18/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group), The PCMS Group PLC
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group), The PCMS Group PLC
• Inventors: Matsubara, Yoshihiro, Belk, Chris, Mikami, Yukihiro
• Primary Examiner(s): ZEENDER, FLORIAN M
• Application Number:
  US09/530,672
• Time in Patent Office: 1,965 Days
• Field of Search: 705/16, 705/21, 705/20, 705/17, 709/221, 709/217, 709/219, 709/220, 709/212, 709/216, 235/375, 714/38, 717/168, 717/172, 707/201, 707/203
• US Class Current: 705/16
• 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 20/202 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 20/387 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: G07G 1/145 PLU-management
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99953 Recoverability
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99954 Version management

Abstract

The POS system has at least one POS terminal (101) and a store controller (121) connected to the POS terminal. The POS terminal has a program storage device (107), a program updating device (106), a program executing device (106), a goods information storage device (107) and a goods information updating device (106). The program storage device and the goods information storage device serve to store data in a non-volatile storage device. When the POS terminal (101) is started up, the program updating device and the goods information updating device operate to compare the data stored in the non-volatile storage device (107) and the data stored in the store controller (121). If the program and the goods information stored in the non-volatile storage device is incorrect or older than those stored in the store controller, the program updating device and the goods information updating device serve to read the program and the goods information from the store controller and store the read program and goods information in the non-volatile storage device.

Claims

1. A POS terminal connectable to a store controller, comprising:

(a) program storage means having a first non-volatile storage means storing a computer program for controlling the operation of the POS terminal;

(b) program updating means for comparing, at the time of startup of said POS terminal, a first version of the computer program stored in said program storage means with a second version of the computer program stored in said store controller and for reading the second version of the computer program and storing the read second version of the computer program in said program storage means when a comparison between the first and second versions of the computer program shows that the first version of the computer program stored in said program storage means is older than the second version of the computer program;

(c) program executing means for executing the most recent version of the computer program stored in said program storage means after the program comparison is performed;

(d) goods identification code inputting means for inputting codes identifying items of commercial goods;

(e) goods information storage means for holding, by storing in the first non-volatile storage means, a first version of goods information which corresponds to the goods identification codes and which includes at least one of prices or names of the items of the commercial goods;

(f) goods information updating means for comparing the first version of goods information stored in said goods information storage means with a second version of goods information stored in said store controller and for reading the second version of goods information and storing the read second version of goods information in said goods information storage means when a comparison between the first and second versions of goods information shows that the first version of goods information stored in said goods information storage means is incorrect or older than the second version of goods information;

(g) sales data generating means for generating sales data including at least transaction data, based on the goods identification code inputted by said goods identification code inputting means and on the correct or most recent version of goods information stored in said goods information storage means;

(h) environment data storage means for storing environment data including, at least, information concerning a peripheral device connected to said POS terminal, the environmental data being stored together with an identification code identifying the POS terminal; and

(i) environment data updating means for comparing a first version of the environment data stored in said environment data storage means with a second version of the environment data concerning said POS terminal stored in said store controller and for reading the second version of the environment data and storing the read second version of the environment data in said environment data storage means when a comparison between the first and second versions of the environment data shows that the first version of the environment data stored in said environment data storage means is incorrect or older than the second version of the environment data.

2. A POS terminal according to claim 1, further comprising:

(j) updated goods information receiving means for enabling said POS terminal to receive updated goods information, when an updating process including alteration, correction and/or addition of goods information is conducted by said store controller during execution of the computer program by said POS terminal; and

(k) updated goods information storage means having a second non-volatile storage means for storing the updated goods information received by said updated goods information receiving means;

wherein said sales data generating means generates said sales data while additionally using said updated goods information.

3. A POS terminal according to claim 2, further comprising:

(l) terminal identification code setting means for setting the code which identifies the POS terminal;

(m) environment data transmitting means for transmitting the environment data to said store controller; and

(n) environment data editing means for editing environment data including at least one of correction or change of the data and addition to the data, edited environment data being stored in said first or second non-volatile storage means.

4. A POS terminal according to claim 3, further comprising:

(o) verifying means responsive to said sales data generating means for checking whether or not data transmission to the store controller is possible;

(p) sales data storing means for storing said sales data when said verifying means has determined that the data transmission is not possible; and

(q) sales data transmission means for transmitting sales data generated by said sales data generation means and sales data stored by said sales data storing means to said store controller when said verifying means has determined the data transmission is possible.

5. A POS terminal according to claim 4, wherein said verifying means is also responsive to the startup of the POS terminal, and said sales data transmission means is adapted to transmit stored sales data, if any, to said store controller at the time of startup of the POS terminal when said verifying means has determined that the data transmission is possible.

6. A POS system, comprising:

a store controller; and

a POS terminal comprising;

(a) program storage means having a first non-volatile storage means storing a computer program for controlling the operation of the POS terminal;

(b) program updating means for comparing, at the time of startup of said POS terminal, a first version of the computer program stored in said program storage means with a second version of the computer program stored in said store controller and for reading the second version of the computer program and storing the read second version of the computer program in said program storage means when a comparison between the first and second versions of the computer program shows that the first version of the computer program stored in said program storage means is older than the second version of the computer program;

(c) program executing means for executing the most recent version of the computer program stored in said program storage means after the program comparison is performed;

(d) goods identification code inputting means for inputting codes identifying items of commercial goods;

(e) goods information storage means for holding, by storing in the first non-volatile storage means, a first version of goods information which corresponds to the goods identification codes and which includes at least one of prices or names of the items of the commercial goods;

(f) goods information updating means for comparing the first version of goods information stored in said goods information storage means with a second version of goods information stored in said store controller and for reading the second version of goods information and storing the read second version of goods information in said goods information storage means when a comparison between the first and second versions of goods information shows that the first version of goods information stored in said goods information storage means is incorrect or older than the second version of goods information;

(g) sales data generating means for generating sales data including at least transaction data, based on the goods identification code inputted by said goods identification code inputting means and on the correct or most recent version of goods information stored in said goods information storage means;

(h) environment data storage means for storing environment data including, at least, information concerning a peripheral device connected to said POS terminal, the environmental data being stored together with an identification code identifying the POS terminal; and

(i) environment data updating means for comparing a first version of the environment data stored in said environment data storage means with a second version of the environment data concerning said POS terminal stored in said store controller and for reading the second version of the environment data and storing the read second version of the environment data in said environment data storage means when a comparison between the first and second versions of the environment data shows that the first version of the environment data stored in said environment data storage means is incorrect or older than the second version of the environment data; and

wherein the store controller is connected to said POS terminal.

7. A method of controlling a POS terminal for use in communication with a store controller, said POS terminal having a program storage means including first non-volatile storage means storing a computer program for controlling said POS terminal and goods information storage means for holding, by storing in the first non-volatile storage means, goods information corresponding to codes which identify items of goods, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) comparing a first version of the computer program stored in said program storage means with a second version of the computer program stored in said store controller, and reading the second version of the computer program and storing the read second version of the computer program in said program storage means when a comparison between the first and second versions of the computer program shows that the first version of the computer program stored in said program storage means is older than the second version of the computer program;

(b) executing the most recent version of the computer program stored in said program storage means after step (a) is performed;

(c) inputting codes identifying items of commercial goods;

(d) storing a first version of goods information which correspond to the inputted goods identification codes in said goods information storage means;

(e) comparing the first version of goods information stored in said goods information storage means with a second version of goods information stored in said store controller, and reading the second version of goods information and storing the read second version of goods information in said goods information storage means when a comparison between the first and second versions of goods information shows that the first version of goods information stored in said goods information storage means is incorrect or older than the second version of goods information;

(f) generating transaction data based on the inputted goods identification code and on the correct or most recent version of goods information stored in said goods information storage means;

(g) generating environment data including information concerning at least one of the specifications of a peripheral device connected to said POS terminal, and storing the environment data in an environment data storage means together with an identification code identifying the POS terminal;

(h) comparing a first version of the environment data stored in said environment data storage means with a second version of the environment data concerning said POS terminal stored in said store controller, and reading the second version of the environment data and storing the read second version of the environment data in said environment data storage means when a comparison between the first and second versions of the environment data shows that the first version of the environment data stored in said environment data storage means is incorrect or older than the second version of the environment data.

8. A method according to claim 7, further comprising the steps of:

(i) receiving updated goods information, when an updating process is conducted in the store controller by alteration, correction and/or addition of goods information during the operation of said POS terminal;

(j) storing, in a second non-volatile storage means, the received updated goods information; and

(k) generating sales data including at least transaction data while additionally using said received updated goods information.

9. A method according to claim 8, further comprising:

(l) setting the code for identifying the POS terminal;

(m) transmitting the environment data to said store controller; and

(n) starting up the POS terminal using the correct or most recent version of the environment data.

10. A method according to claim 9, further comprising the steps of:

(o) checking whether or not transmission of sales data to the store controller is possible;

(p) transmitting sales data generated in said sales data generation step when step (o) reveals that transmission is possible;

while

(q) storing said sales data when step (o) reveals that transmission is not possible; and

(r) transmitting sales data stored in step (q), if any, next time step (o) is executed.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein sales data stored in step (q), if any, is transmitted at the time of startup of the POS terminal when said transmission of sales data to the store controller has been determined to be possible.

12. A computer-readable information storage medium storing a computer program which implements a control method for controlling a POS terminal for use in communication with a store controller, said POS terminal having program storage means for storing the computer program in a non-volatile manner and goods information storage means for holding, by storing in a first non-volatile storage means, goods information corresponding to codes which identify items of goods, and environment data storage means for holding, by storing in said first or a second non-volatile storage means, a code identifying the POS terminal and information which includes, at least, information concerning the specifications of a peripheral device connected to the POS terminal or information concerning the setting of the peripheral device, said control method comprising the steps of:

(a) comparing a first version of the computer program stored in said program storage means with a second version of the computer program stored in said store controller, and reading the second version of the computer program and storing the read second version of the computer program in said program storage means when a comparison between the first and second versions of the computer program shows that the first version of the computer program stored in said program storage means is older than the second version of the computer program;

(b) executing the most recent version of the computer program stored in said program storage means after step (a) is performed;

(c) inputting codes identifying items of commercial goods;

(d) storing a first version of goods information which correspond to the inputted goods identification codes in said goods information storage means;

(e) comparing the first version of goods information stored in said goods information storage means with a second version of goods information stored in said store controller, and reading the second version of goods information and storing the read second version of goods information in said goods information storage means when a comparison between the first and second versions of goods information shows that the first version of goods information stored in said goods information storage means is incorrect or older than the second version of goods information;

(f) generating transaction data based on the inputted goods identification code and on the correct or most recent version of goods information stored in said goods information storage means;

(g) generating the environment data including at least one of information concerning the specifications or the settings of the peripheral device connected to said POS terminal, and storing the environment data in said environment data storage means together with an identification code identifying the POS terminal;

(h) comparing a first version of the environment data stored in said environment data storage means with a second version of the environment data concerning said POS terminal stored in said store controller, and reading the second version of the environment data and storing the read second version of the environment data in said environment data storage means when a comparison between the first and second versions of the environment data shows that the first version of the environment data stored in said environment data storage means is incorrect or older than the second version of the environment data.

13. A storage medium according to claim 12,

wherein said POS terminal has updated goods information storage means which holds, by storing in a second non-volatile storage means, any goods information updated during the operation of the POS terminal, and wherein said control method further comprises the steps of:

(i) receiving updated goods information, when an updating process is conducted in the store controller by alteration, correction and/or addition of the goods information during the operation of said POS terminal, the;

(j) storing, in said second non-volatile storage means, the received updated goods information; and

(k) generating sales data including at least transaction data, based on the received updated goods information.

14. A storage medium according to claim 13,

said control method further comprising the steps of:

(l) setting the code for identifying the POS terminal;

(m) transmitting the environment data to said store controller; and

(n) operating the POS terminal using the correct or most recent version of the environment data.

15. A storage medium according to claim 14, wherein said control method further comprises the steps of:

(o) checking whether or not transmission of sales data to the store controller is possible;

(p) transmitting sales data generated in said sales data generation step when step (o) reveals that transmission is possible;

while

(q) storing said sales data when step (o) reveals that transmission is not possible; and

(r) transmitting sales data stored in step (q), if any, next time step (o) is executed.

16. A storage medium according to claim 15,

wherein said stored sales data, if any, is transmitted at the time of startup of the POS terminal when said transmission has been determined to be possible.

17. A POS terminal connectable to a store controller, comprising:

(a) a program storage medium having a first non-volatile storage medium storing a computer program configured to control the operation of the POS terminal;

(b) a program updater configured to compare, at the time of startup of said POS terminal, a first version of the computer program stored in said program storage medium with a second version of the computer program stored in said store controller and to read the second version of the computer program and store the read second version of the computer program in said program storage medium when a comparison between the first and second versions of the computer program shows that the first version of the computer program stored in said program storage medium is older than the second version of the computer program;

(c) a program executer configured to execute the most recent version of the computer program stored in said program storage medium after the program comparison is performed;

(d) a goods identification code input configured to input codes identifying items of commercial goods;

(e) a goods information storage medium configured to hold, by storing in the first non-volatile storage medium, a first version of goods information which corresponds to the goods identification codes and which includes at least one of prices or names of the items of the commercial goods;

(f) a goods information updater configured to compare the first version of goods information stored in said goods information storage medium with a second version of goods information stored in said store controller and to read the second version of goods information and store the read second version of goods information in said goods information storage medium when a comparison between the first and second versions of goods information shows that the first version of goods information stored in said goods information storage medium is incorrect or older than the second version of goods information;

(g) a sales data generator configured to generate sales data including at least transaction data, based on the goods identification code inputted by said goods identification code input and on the correct or most recent version of goods information stored in said goods information storage medium;

(h) an environment data storage medium configured to store environment data including, at least, information concerning a peripheral device connected to said POS terminal, the environment data being stored together with an identification code identifying the POS terminal; and

(i) an environment data updater configured to compare a first version of the environment data stored in said environment data storage medium with a second version of the environment data concerning said POS terminal stored in said store controller and for reading the second version of the environment data and storing the read second version of the environment data in said environment data storage medium when a comparison between the first and second versions of the environment data shows that the first version of the environment data stored in said environment data storage medium is incorrect or older than the second version of the environment data.

18. A POS terminal according to claim 17, further comprising:

(j) an updated goods information receiver configured to enable said POS terminal to receive updated goods information, when an updating process including alteration, correction and/or addition of goods information is conducted by said store controller during execution of the computer program by said POS terminal; and

(k) an updated goods information storage medium having a second non-volatile storage medium configured to store the updated goods information received by said updated goods information receiver;

wherein said sales data generator generates said sales data while additionally using said updated goods information.

19. A POS terminal according to claim 18, further comprising:

(l) a terminal identification code setter configured to set the code which identifies the POS terminal;

(m) an environment data transmitter configured to transmit the environment data to said store controller; and

(n) an environment data editor configured to edit environment data including at least one of correction or change of the data and addition to the data, edited environmental data being stored in said first or second non-volatile storage medium.

20. A POS terminal according to claim 19, further comprising:

(o) a verifier responsive to said sales data generator configured to check whether or not data transmission to the store controller is possible;

(p) a sales data storing medium configured to store said sales data when said verifier has determined that the data transmission is not possible; and

(q) a sales data transmitter configured to transmit sales data generated by said sales data generator and sales data stored by said sales data storing medium to said store controller when said verifier has determined the data transmission is possible.

21. A POS terminal according to claim 20, wherein said verifier is also responsive to the startup of the POS terminal, and said sales data transmitter is adapted to transmit stored sales data, if any, to said store controller at the time of startup of the POS terminal when said verifier has determined that the data transmission is possible.

22. A POS system, comprising:

a store controller; and

a POS terminal comprising;

(a) a program storage medium having a first non-volatile storage medium storing a computer program configured to control the operation of the POS terminal;

(b) a program updater configured to compare, at the time of startup of said POS terminal, a first version of the computer program stored in said program storage medium with a second version of the computer program stored in said store controller and to read the second version of the computer program and store the read second version of the computer program in said program storage medium when a comparison between the first and second versions of the computer program shows that the first version of the computer program stored in said program storage medium is older than the second version of the computer program;

(c) a program executer configured to execute the most recent version of the computer program stored in said program storage medium after the program comparison is performed;

(d) a goods identification code input configured to input codes identifying items of commercial goods;

(e) a goods information storage medium configured to hold, by storing in the first non-volatile storage medium, a first version of goods information which corresponds to the goods identification codes and which includes at least one of prices or names of the items of the commercial goods;

(f) a goods information updater configured to compare the first version of goods information stored in said goods information storage medium with a second version of goods information stored in said store controller and to read the second version of goods information and store the read second version of goods information in said goods information storage medium when a comparison between the first and second versions of goods information shows that the first version of goods information stored in said goods information storage medium is incorrect or older than the second version of goods information;

(g) a sales data generator configured to generate sales data including at least transaction data, based on the goods identification code inputted by said goods identification code input and on the correct or most recent version of goods information stored in said goods information storage medium;

(h) environment data storage means for storing environment data including, at least, information concerning a peripheral device connected to said POS terminal, the environment data being stored together with an identification code identifying the POS terminal; and

(i) environment data updating means for comparing a first version of the environment data stored in said environment data storage means with a second version of the environment data concerning said POS terminal stored in said store controller and for reading the second version of the environment data and storing the read second version of the environment data in said environment data storage means when a comparison between the first and second versions of the environment data shows that the first version of the environment data stored in said environment data storage means is incorrect or older than the second version of the environment data; and

wherein the store controller is connected to said POS terminal.