Device for exchanging information between a cash register and a payment-processing device

ES 2 236 732 T3

DESCRIPTION

Information exchange device between a cash register and a payment processing device.

Background of the invention

In the retail trade it is known to use a cash register to enter the prices of the goods that a consumer buys and also to enter the amount that the customer has paid. According to the prior art, a cash register comprises means for calculating the total cost of the goods, also called the quantity ordered, and means for calculating the difference between the quantity supplied and the quantity ordered.

According to the prior art, the cash register is connected to a receipt printer. The cash register has a function of supplying information to the receipt printer so that the latter can print a receipt. It also has a command function that activates the receipt printer. The cash register further comprises a data processing unit for calculating, for example, the difference between the quantity offered and the quantity ordered, this unit operating in accordance with software or computer programs specially adapted to the cash register.

It is also known to couple a cash register to a device to process payment means, this device being of the CashGuard type (registered trademark) that is described in document WO 93/10511 A and whose purpose is to process, that is, receive and evaluate banknotes and coins in a reliable way. The object of this device is also to supply the correct amount of change and thus eliminate or reduce the risk of financial loss and / or the possibility of taking more money than due. However, if this payment processing device is capable of performing its tasks, it needs to share the information that the cash register processes. An example of such information is the quantity ordered.

According to the prior art, it is necessary to adapt the aforementioned software of the cash register in order to provide the correct information to the device processing the means of payment, and to ensure that the correct printed outputs are supplied from the cash register to the receipt printer.

The cash register and the payment processing device have been coupled together by connecting the latter directly to an interface on the cash register, the interface of which, depending on the manufacture and design of the cash register, had to be modified to obtain the function. desired. This has proven to be complicated and time consuming as it has to be done for each model and manufacture of cash register to be used in conjunction with a payment processing device. One is forced to make changes to the cash register's computer program, and this may require the assistance or permission of the cash register manufacturer. In addition to this, current cash registers are often embedded in a computer network, and this may mean that modifications or connections are not possible without the entire checking system having been stopped.

EP 0 448 050 A describes an electronic cash register that can be used with a range of different printers and display devices. This is achieved by providing the cash register controller with memory means for storing information in the output formats required by the different output devices. The controller then selects the output formats according to the output devices that are connected. Document EP 0 627 714 A describes an apparatus for executing card transactions, comprising an input unit, a printer, a presentation terminal and an automatic card reader. However, it is not envisaged to use different card readers with the apparatus or to use the card reader with different apparatus. Summary

The problem to be solved by the invention in comparison with the closest prior art is to make it possible to join a payment processing device with a cash register and a display arrangement without making it necessary to make modifications to the cash register.

An object of the present invention is to achieve a system for the processing of means of payment, which includes a payment processing device that can be connected, advantageously simply, to a cash register and its receipt printer.

Another object of the present invention is to produce a payment processing device that can be attached to different types of cash registers without requiring modifications to the cash register, in relation to its hardware or software.

A further object of this invention is to produce a device that, in a simple and inexpensive way, can improve existing cash registers and can also, with limited costs, increase the reliability of the processing of the means of payment.

These objects, and others that are apparent from the following description, are achieved by a signal processing device according to appended claim 1.

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In another embodiment, the invention provides a system for the processing of means of payment according to appended claim 13.

Brief description of the drawings

In order to ensure that the present invention can be easily understood and executed, it will be described by way of illustrative example, with reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a device according to the prior art;

Figure 2 shows a basic circuit diagram of an embodiment of the signal processing device according to the present invention;

Figure 3 shows a flow chart of a first embodiment of a method according to the invention; Figure 4 shows a flow chart of a second embodiment of the method;

Figure 5 shows a first embodiment of the system according to the present invention;

Figure 6 shows a second embodiment of the system according to the present invention;

Figure 7 shows a third embodiment of the system according to the present invention;

Figure 8 shows a fourth embodiment of the system according to the present invention;

Figure 9 shows a block diagram of a system for processing payment means according to one embodiment; Figure 10 shows a functional block diagram of signal processing unit 50.

Detailed description of the drawings

Figure 2 is a basic circuit diagram of one embodiment of the system.

A cash register 10 comprises members 20 for entering data, for example price information, and a data port 30 for data communication. The cash register 10 is connected via data port 30 to a first data port 40 of a signal processing arrangement 50, hereinafter referred to as arrangement 50.

The arrangement 50 comprises a second data port 60 for communication with the display arrangement 70, and a third data port 80 for communication with a device 90 for processing the means of payment, hereinafter referred to as device 90.

The display arrangement 70 may consist of a printer such as a receipt printer. Alternatively, it can be a display or a combination of printer and display.

Figure 3 shows a flow chart of a method according to the invention. According to a first embodiment of the method, the latter comprises the steps of:

S1A generating a first amount of data based on the information entered in the cash register 10, and getting the first amount of data in coded form according to a first predetermined code;

S1B supplying the first amount of data to data port 40 through data port 30;

S1C receive data from data port 40. This data may comprise text and / or numbers, such as pricing information along with the designation and number of associated items, eg "Toothbrush, 2 ', aX crowns ";

deciding whether the received data indicates a predetermined event such as the event that all price information and all merchandise information have been entered. This predetermined event could be indicated by a predetermined indicator signal or by a predetermined message indicating "receipt completed". This message, or indicator signal, is generated by a cash register 10 that is connected to the data port 40;

in case the received data does not correspond to the predetermined message, conducting said data forward to data port 60. Data that is fed to data port 60 is conducted forward to display arrangement 70 to control its functioning. This control data may include information such as, for example, numbers and / or text, to be printed, settings

ES 2 236 732 T3 and preparation of the information, and information on whether the transmitted information is to be displayed. Then follow step S1 once more.

In case the received data corresponds to the predetermined message, the arrangement 50 asks for information concerning the actual value of the quantity offered. This value is generated by device 90 when banknotes and / or coins are fed to device 90. Alternatively, the actual value of the quantity offered can be generated by means of a card reader that reads an account card well. known;

receiving information on the amount offered from device 90 through data port 80;

check the information. This check may include calculating whether the relationship between the quantity supplied and the quantity ordered satisfies certain conditions;

in case the checking conditions have not been satisfied, step S5 has to be repeated. If the checking conditions are satisfied, the information concerning the quantity ordered and the information concerning the quantity offered will be supplied to the data port 60 (step S8);

S9 when this stage of the procedure is reached, the data that has been received from the data port 40 has been processed in accordance with the steps described above, which means that a secure payment for the goods has been obtained in the device 90. Arrangement 50 controls display arrangement 70 such that the latter displays selected information.

A second embodiment of the method is illustrated in Figure 4. According to the second embodiment, the first stages correspond to the previously described stages S1A, S1B, S1C, S2 and S3.

The predetermined message that was checked in step S2 is the message indicating receipt completed, that is, a confirmation from the cash register that the price information of all the goods that a customer wishes to buy has been entered. When, in step S2, the predetermined message has been received and found to be correct, the steps carried out according to the second embodiment are:

S4B Send a message to device 90 to process the means of payment, with an instruction to request that the operator feed the means of payment.

Steps S5B and S6B are then carried out.

In step S5B the device 90 generates a request signal to an operator about the fact that it is necessary to introduce means of payment. This signal can be displayed on the screen through a display member 100 provided in the device 90. According to a variant of the invention, the request signal is supplied to the display arrangement 70 to thereby draw the operator's attention. on the fact that it is necessary to supply means of payment.

According to the second embodiment, step S6B comprises calculating a difference D between the quantity supplied B, and the quantity ordered B_to.

D - Bi - B_to.

According to the second embodiment of the procedure, the difference D is compared with a preset value K. The value K determines which difference D can be accepted between the quantities B_i and B_to.

According to a variant of the invention, the variable K has the value zero, and the criterion for the checking step S7b is that D is greater than or equal to K. If the variable K has a predetermined zero value , this checking step means that the quantity offered has to be greater than or equal to the quantity requested if the device 90 is to be able to dispense any quantity of money. This provides the advantageous effect of limiting the amount of money dispensed to a value lower than or equal to the amount received. In this way, financial losses due to the wrong amount of change being delivered are eliminated.

Step S8B is executed if the above-described check criteria have been satisfied. In step S8B, the information, such as the quantity supplied Bi, the quantity requested Ba and the difference D, is supplied to the display arrangement 70 through the data port 60.

After step S8B, step S9 described above is executed.

S10 After step S9, the arrangement 50 generates a continue signal that is supplied to the device 90.

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Upon receiving the continue signal, the device 90 performs the necessary measurements to dispense an amount of money amounting to a sum corresponding to the difference D. In addition, a counter mechanism that is inside the payment processing device can be reset. payments 90, and which calculates the amounts offered in relation to the current transaction, so that a new cycle of functions can begin.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, shown in Figure 5, the signal processing unit 50 constitutes a single unit that is physically separated from a cash register 10, a display arrangement 70 and a device 90 for process means of payment.

The second, third, and fourth embodiments, shown in Figures 6, 7, and 8, respectively, illustrate how the signal processing unit 50 is, respectively, an integrated part of the cash register 10, the arrangement of display 70 and payment processing device 90.

In accordance with one version of the invention, which is useful at least in the embodiments shown in Figures 5, 7, and 8, the signal processing device 50 emulates the communications interface of a display arrangement, such as a printer. of receipts 70. Therefore, the communication between the device 50 and the device 10 is performed in such a way that messages or signals can be transmitted in both directions.

Figure 9 shows a block diagram of a system for processing means of payment according to one embodiment. The system comprises a data entry unit 20 which is integrated in the cash register 10. The data entry unit 20 is provided for entering a first quantity of data, from which quantity of data the first numerical value Ba can be calculated. .

The data input unit 20 is arranged to provide the first amount of data in coded form, according to a first predetermined code, to the data port 30 of the cash register. The term "first predetermined code" includes the manner and order of supply of the price information, the designation of the goods and the number of items of the goods. One type of input unit 20 can present the information according to a specific code, while another type of cash register provides the same information according to another specific code.

The first predetermined code may also be defined as the manner of transmission of the information that is supplied to the data port 40. Furthermore, the predetermined message indicating completed receipt from the cash register 10 may differ from one type of cash register to another.

In addition, the system comprises a storage member 200 that is integrated in device 90 for processing payment media and that is used to store payment media, such as banknotes and coins. These means of payment are arranged in the theft-proof storage member 200 and can be removed from the storage member only by means of a dispensing member 220 in accordance with a dispensing signal.

Device 90 comprises at least one input unit 210 for feeding means of payment to storage member 200.

The input unit for means of payment comprises detecting means 230 for generating a second numerical value Bi as a function of the means of payment that are fed. The second numerical value Bi corresponds to the amount of money offered by a customer at the checkpoint to which the device 90 is attached.

The system further comprises a signal processing unit 50 having control means that are arranged to generate the dispensing signal as a function of the first numerical value, that is, the ordered quantity Ba, and the second numerical value, that is, the quantity supplied Bi. The control means comprise a first memory element 240 in which at least one selectable program routine is stored in a memory segment 250.

A second selectable program routine is stored in a second memory segment 260. A computer unit 270 is arranged to operate in accordance with the selected program routine. Memory element 240 may comprise a plurality of program routines, each of the program routines being intended to cause the computer unit to interpret the first amount of data according to its specific codes. To prepare the device 50 for communication with a specific type of cash register, a program routine is chosen to suit this purpose. In this way, the signal processing device 50 can be attached to different types of cash registers and different types of display terminal arrangements in an advantageously simple manner.

The program routine can be selected using a selector member 280 that can communicate with the computer unit 270. The selector member can comprise a group of hardware switches that can be set to the desired position of an operator. Alternatively, the selection can be made automatically by attaching the arrangement 50 to a cash register 10 or to a display arrangement 70.

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The arrangement 50 also comprises a memory element 290 for temporary storage of a predetermined number of messages constituting a portion of the first amount of data. Signal processing device 50 cooperates with memory element 290, in accordance with instructions recorded in memory 290, to control communication between cash register 10, payment processing device 90, and display arrangement 70. . Computer unit 270 is arranged to operate in accordance with the selected program routine such that computer unit 270 in cooperation with memory element 290 and data ports 40, 60, and 80 at least temporarily stores a message. received until the next consecutive message is received at data port 40. The resulting function of signal processing device 50 is described below with reference to FIG. 10.

Figure 10 shows a functional block diagram of the signal processing device 50. A first amount of data that is received from the port 40 passes through detector means 300 that have the mission of reading data and detecting the data message 310 receipt completed.

The first data quantity comprises one or more messages and data sets. Each data set can comprise a combination of characters and one or more digits. The combination of characters can be, for example, a description of merchandise, and the digits can represent quantity information and / or price information.

As long as the message indicating receipt completed 310 does not appear, all data is routed forward through a data buffer 320 to data port 60. The data buffer 320, in the physical embodiment, may comprise a microprocessor cooperating with a memory element 290 as described above in connection with FIG. 9.

A receipt printer 70 may be coupled to data port 60. Receipt printer 70 provides printouts of the data from data port 60.

The data buffer 320 stores an arbitrary amount of the data received from the port 40 in accordance with the "first in, first out" principle, and then supplies the information to the data port 60. The data destined for the receipt printer 70 is thus initially delayed, but for a short period of time such that this does not affect the processing or operation of the cash register 10, and for a time that is long enough for the cash register unit. signal processing 50 has the opportunity to process the data located in buffer 320. During this processing a second amount of data is generated, and the final print is thus manipulated.

When the detector means 300 detects the completed receipt data code 310, the receipt printer 70 is instantly stopped, after which the detector 300 generates a detection signal 330 which is supplied to a transmitter unit 340 which, through A data bus 350 supplies a request signal that requests the payment processing device 90 to supply information concerning the quantity offered Bi.

Upon receiving this request signal, device 90 supplies information concerning the offered quantity Bi via data bus 350 to receiver unit 360. Receiver unit 360 and transmitter unit 340 are included in data port 80.

A calculating unit 370 calculates the difference D between the quantity Bi from the device 90, which processes the means of payment, and the ordered quantity Ba supplied from the cash register 10. The requested quantity Ba is located in the data buffer. The requested quantity Ba is located in the first data quantity among the data that reached the buffer 320 before the completed receipt data code 310. This data set comprises a reference that is usually "subtotal" or "total", and a figure corresponding to the ordered quantity Ba.

If the amount Bi that is paid to the payment processing device 90 is greater than or equal to the requested amount Ba from the cash register 10, the receipt will be finalized by supplying an amount of information 380 to the data buffer 320. The amount of information 380 is supplied in front of the completed receipt data code 310. This information quantity 380 is preferably data sets comprising texts and values ​​of the requested quantity Ba, the supplied quantity Bi and any changes to be returned D. This information quantity 380 and the completed receipt data code 310 constitute the conclusive part of the second quantity of data. When the entire second amount of data has been supplied to data port 60, receipt printer 70 is instructed to execute the final print and finalize the receipt.

The calculating unit 370 generates a signal 390 based on the completion of the receipt, which signal 390 is supplied through the transmitter unit 340 to the payment processing device 90 which is asked to disburse any difference D as change, if the difference D is greater than zero. A counter mechanism within the payment processing device 90 that is used for payments related to the current transaction can then be reset so that a new cycle of functions can be started.

If the response Bi from the payment processing device 90 does not reach the requested amount, the transmitter unit 340 of the arrangement 50 supplies, according to one embodiment, a request signal to the device.

ES 2 236 732 T3 payment processing device 90. Based on this, the payment processing device 90 communicates the message that additional payment is required.

The receipt printer 70 will finalize the receipt only when it receives the completed receipt code 310. This does not take place until the payment reaches at least the amount requested by the cash register 10. The cash register 10 may also receive a wait signal 400 from receipt printer 70 via bus 410. Alternatively, the wait signal may be generated by calculating unit 370 and supplied to the cash register. The wait signal indicates that the printing is not yet ready, which may prevent the cash register 10 from starting to record new entries in a new transaction corresponding to a new receipt.