Point-of-sale system and method for processing product-specific information and item-specific information
First Claim
1. A method for processing transaction data obtained from a point-of-sale data entry device for transmission to a point-of-sale terminal equipped for processing product-specific information, said method enabling the data entry device to be used for also processing item-specific information, and said method comprising:
- receiving from the data entry device transaction data containing either item-specific information or product-specific information or both item-specific information and product-specific information;
processing the thus-received transaction data to distinguish product-specific information from item-specific information;
transferring transaction data containing the product-specific information to the point-of-sale terminal in a format recognizable by the terminal; and
transferring transaction data containing the item-specific information to a separate item-level processor equipped for processing of item-specific information.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The invention is a system and method of using a device that is communcatively disposed between a scanner and a conventional point-of-sale (POS) terminal. The device (IPDP) can be used to process and distinguish between product-specific information, such as a UPC bar code, and item-specific information, such as a serial number. The IPDP transfers product-specific information to the POS terminal where it is processed in a conventional manner. The item-specific information is transferred to a separate item-level processor that analyzes the data and communicates with an item-level database. The item-level database can be used to verify the specific item'"'"'s authenticity, expiration date, warranty registration, and the like. As a result, the system can be used to help prevent counterfeiting.
-
Citations
27 Claims
-
1. A method for processing transaction data obtained from a point-of-sale data entry device for transmission to a point-of-sale terminal equipped for processing product-specific information, said method enabling the data entry device to be used for also processing item-specific information, and said method comprising:
-
receiving from the data entry device transaction data containing either item-specific information or product-specific information or both item-specific information and product-specific information; processing the thus-received transaction data to distinguish product-specific information from item-specific information; transferring transaction data containing the product-specific information to the point-of-sale terminal in a format recognizable by the terminal; and transferring transaction data containing the item-specific information to a separate item-level processor equipped for processing of item-specific information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A method of using a point-of-sale terminal for verifying the authenticity of an item or product, said method comprising:
-
reading transaction data for said item or product with a point-of-sale data entry device; receiving from the data entry device transaction data containing item-specific information and product-specific information; processing the thus-received transaction data to distinguish product-specific information from item-specific information; transferring transaction data containing the product-specific information to the point-of-sale terminal in a format recognizable by the terminal; and transferring transaction data containing the item-specific information to a separate item-level processor equipped for processing of item-specific information; communicating the item-specific information with an item-level database that is in communication with the item-level processor; and receiving authentication from the item-level database. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A system for processing transaction data obtained from a point-of-sale data entry device for transmission to a point-of-sale terminal equipped for processing product-specific information, said system enabling the data entry device to be used for also processing item-specific information, and said system comprising:
-
an input operatively connected to the data entry device for receiving therefrom transaction data containing either item-specific information or product-specific information or both item-specific information and product-specific information; a processor operatively connected to said input and operable for processing the transaction data to distinguish product-specific information from item-specific information; a first output operatively connected to said processor and adapted to be connected to the point-of-sale terminal for transferring transaction data containing the product-specific information to the point-of-sale terminal in a format recognizable by the terminal; and a second output operatively connected to said processor and adapted for transferring transaction data containing the item-specific information to a separate item-level processor equipped for processing of item-specific information. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
-
Specification