CA2246171C - Point-of-sale system including isolation layer between client and server software - Google Patents

Point-of-sale system including isolation layer between client and server software Download PDF

Info

Publication number
CA2246171C
CA2246171C CA002246171A CA2246171A CA2246171C CA 2246171 C CA2246171 C CA 2246171C CA 002246171 A CA002246171 A CA 002246171A CA 2246171 A CA2246171 A CA 2246171A CA 2246171 C CA2246171 C CA 2246171C
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
software application
client
server
isolation layer
software
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
CA002246171A
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
CA2246171A1 (en
Inventor
John C. Goodwin, Iii
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
NCR Voyix Corp
Original Assignee
NCR Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by NCR Corp filed Critical NCR Corp
Publication of CA2246171A1 publication Critical patent/CA2246171A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA2246171C publication Critical patent/CA2246171C/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07G—REGISTERING THE RECEIPT OF CASH, VALUABLES, OR TOKENS
    • G07G1/00—Cash registers
    • G07G1/12—Cash registers electronically operated
    • G07G1/14—Systems including one or more distant stations co-operating with a central processing unit
    • G07G1/145—PLU-management
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
    • G06Q20/08—Payment architectures
    • G06Q20/20—Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
    • G06Q20/08—Payment architectures
    • G06Q20/20—Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
    • G06Q20/202—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
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
    • G06Q20/08—Payment architectures
    • G06Q20/20—Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
    • G06Q20/204—Point-of-sale [POS] network systems comprising interface for record bearing medium or carrier for electronic funds transfer or payment credit

Landscapes

  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Accounting & Taxation (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Finance (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Strategic Management (AREA)
  • General Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Development Economics (AREA)
  • Economics (AREA)
  • Computer And Data Communications (AREA)
  • Stored Programmes (AREA)
  • Cash Registers Or Receiving Machines (AREA)
  • Management, Administration, Business Operations System, And Electronic Commerce (AREA)
  • Communication Control (AREA)
  • Time Recorders, Dirve Recorders, Access Control (AREA)
  • Multi Processors (AREA)

Abstract

A system and method of transferring information between a first software application and a second software application which employ an isolation layer. The system includes a client computer system provided by a first seller of computer systems, including a client software application, and a server computer system provided by a second seller of computer systems different from the first seller of computer systems, including a server software application which provides information from the server computer system to the client computer system. The system additionally includes isolation layer software, either at the client computer system or at the server computer system, which facilitates communication between the client software application and the server software application to transfer the information.

Description

POINT-OF-SALE SYSTEM INCLUDING ISOLATION
LAYER BETWEEN CLIENT AND SERVER SOFTWARE

Cross-reference to related applications The present application is related to co-pending application serial number 08/539,449, filed 10/05/95, entitled "SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OBTAINING INFORMATION FROM A PRICE LOOK-UP
FILE", and having as inventor, John Goodwin.

Background of the Invention The present invention relates to point-of-sale (POS) systems, and more specifically to a POS system including an isolation layer between POS server software and a client POS
application program.
POS systems typically include a central server and a plurality of checkout terminals connected through a client-server network.
The checkout terminals include bar code readers and keyboards for entry of the item numbers during a transaction.
The central server stores a price look-up (PL~) file which associates item numbers with item prices. The central server processes requests from the checkout terminals for price information for the items. The central server may perform additional tasks, such as storing transaction history (audit log and transaction totals history), storing accountability totals, storing cashier and terminal accountability totals, holding future price change information (batches), performing credit authorization, performing check validation, and performing frequent shopper validation and specials.
POS checkout software has traditionally included client and server software that have been developed together and sold as a single proprietary product. However, this solution may not be an optimal one for a retailer. Retailers may find that combining server software from one developer with client software from another developer gives their POS systems the features that they want. This may be especially true for retailers that want the best solutions for both the server and client software in a market where no one developer of proprietary POS software exceeds at both.
Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a POS
system including an isolation layer between the POS server software and the POS client application software to enable server and client software from different developers to be combined.

Summary of the Invention In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a POS system including an isolation layer between POS
server software and a client POS application program is provided.

A system and method of transferring information between a first software application and a second software application which employ an isolation layer. The system includes a client computer system provided by a first seller of computer systems, including a client software application, and a server computer system provided by a second seller of computer systems different from the first seller of computer systems, including a server software application which provides information from the server computer system to the client computer system. The system additionally includes isolation layer software, either at the client computer system or at the server computer system, which facilitates communication between the client software application and the server software application to transfer the information.
The method includes the steps of providing the first software application by a first company, providing the second software application by a second company different from the first company, executing the first software application by a first computer, executing the second software application by a second computer different from the first computer, providing an isolation layer having hooks into the second software application, executing the isolation layer, and establishing communication between the first software application and the second software application by the isolation layer to transfer the information.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a POS system including an isolation layer between POS
server software and a client POS application program.
It is another object of the present invention to allow server and client software from different developers to be combined using an isolation layer.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an isolation layer for server software that provides read and write services for client POS software in a computer network that includes client computers running different client POS
software.

Brief Description of the Drawings Additional benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates from the subsequent description of the preferred embodiments and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a transaction management system;
Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the client POS
software, server POS software, and the isolation layer between them;

Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a system for producing the isolation layeri Fig. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating how the isolation layer is created; and Fig. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating operation of a system specific application and, in particular, a method of transferring information from the system specific application to the client POS software through the isolation layer.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment Referring now to Fig. 1, transaction system 10 preferably includes host computer system 12 and point-of-service (POS) terminals 22A and 22B. Host computer system 12 and point-of-service (POS) terminals 22A and 22B are coupled together to form a network.
POS terminals 22A and 22B execute independent applications 23A and 23B, including client POS software 24A and 24B for completing transactions. POS software 24A and 24B may be identical (e.g. the same application from the same developer) or may be different transaction processing applications.
As illustrated, independent applications 23A were developed by a different developer than the developer of server POS software 16. Thus, independent applications 23A require isolation layer 14 to communicate with POS server software 16.

Independent applications 23B were developed by the same developer as the developer of POS server software 16. Thus, independent applications 23B do not require isolation layer 14 to communicate with server POS software 16. Advantageously, the present invention is capable of connecting a plurality of independent applications 23A running on a plurality of different client terminals from different developers to server POS software 16.
Client POS software 24A and 24B display transaction information on displays 27A, 27B. Client POS software 24A and 24B receive article identification information from bar code readers 26A, 26B and keyboards 28A, 28B. Client POS software 24A
and 24B send the article identification information to host computer system 12. Host computer system 12 reads price look-up (PLU) file 20 to obtain price information and sends the price information to POS terminals 26A and 26B.
Other examples of independent applications 17 include price checking software for consumer price checking computers, weighing software for electronic scales, price checking software and item description label printing software for hand-held terminals, and EPL auditing software.
Host computer system 12 executes POS server software 16 and isolation layer 14. POS server software 16 processes requests from independent applications 23A and 23B. POS server software 16 includes system specific applications 17, such as price look-up (PLU) file software 40, transaction totals software 42, cashier authentication software 44, and credit checking software 46. These are but examples of system specific software in use today. The present invention anticipates other types of system specific software 17 as well.
Isolation layer 14 provides translation services between independent applications 23A and server POS software 16.
Thus, isolation layer 14 allows client POS software 24A from one developer to function with system specific applications 17 from a different developer.
Isolation layer 14 may reside in host computer system 12 or client terminal 22A. Typically, a provider of client terminals 22A also provides independent applications 23A, and a provider of host computer system 12 also provides server POS
software 16.
If the provider of client terminals 22A is adding client terminals 22A to an existing network including a server from a different provider, the provider of client terminals 22A
may wish to write and store isolation layer 14 in client terminals 22A.
On the other hand, if a provider of servers and server POS software 16 is adding host computer system 12 to an existing network including client terminals 22A from a different provider, the provider of servers may wish to write and store isolation layer 14 in host computer system 12.
Isolation layer 14 preferably includes one library file for all system specific applications 17 or individual library files for system specific applications 17. Use of multiple libraries adds network design flexibility but penalizes operation by loading each library into memory, even if only part of isolation layer 14 is used. Isolation layer 14 may take other forms including a single application, a single driver, or multiple drivers that perform read operations into server POS
software 16 in order to obtain and map information to be used by client POS software 24A. These drivers also perform writes into server POS software 16 map information created by client POS
software 24A.
Storage medium 18 stores PLU file 20 and other information files and is preferably a fixed disk drive.
Turning now to Fig. 2, the software architecture within system 10 is described in more detail. Discussion references client POS software 24A, but other independent applications 23A
operate in a similar fashion.
Client POS software 24A includes POS checkout application software 30 and interprocess communications (IPC) software 32. POS checkout software 30 records items by scanning them, prints them on a receipt, and adds their prices to produce a total transaction amount. POS checkout software 30 also performs specific transaction-related functions, such as processing food stamps and other forms of payment under government entitlement programs, calculating service charges, performing price change functions, performing out of transaction functions (loans, pickups), etc. An example of POS checkout software 30 is the UNITY~ checkout application developed and sold by the Assignee of the present invention.
IPC software 32 is software that is added to POS
checkout software 30 to facilitate interprocess communications (IPC) between POS checkout software 30 and isolation layer 14.
IPC software 32 will vary with operating system, from threads, queues, named pipes, shared files, sockets, etc.
Isolation layer 14 includes read/write engine and translation layer 34 and read/write layer 36. Read/write engine and translation layer 34 translates one request into one or more read/ write requests as needed for host computer system 12 based on standard server inputs and custom outputs. Read/write layer 36 performs the actual reads and writes to host computer system 12 based on the requests issued in read/write engine and translation layer 34.
An example of read/write layer 36 is the UNITY~ file servlce layer.

Server POS software 16 may include both the UNITY~ file service layer and the UNIX~ file system.
In a traditional POS system, client POS software communicates directly with POS server software through a communication methodology, such as named pipes. Under Applicant's invention, client POS software 24A is modified to include IPC software 32, and an isolation layer 14 is added.
Communication between client POS software 24A and POS server software 16 occurs between IPC software and isolation layer 14.
Turning now to Fig. 3, the components that are used to construct isolation layer 14 include templates 60, object code 62, example mappings and translations 64, target routines 66, and make files 68 for each of system-specific applications 17.
Templates 60 are a super set of example mappings and translations 64 and target routines 66. Isolation layer 14 includes templates 60 for each of system specific applications 17. Example mappings and translations 64 and target routines 66 are edited and customized by developers to produce customized mappings and translations 65 and customized target routines 67 (customized templates 61). Customized mappings and translations 65 and customized target routines 67 along with object code 62 are fed into make files 68 in order to produce executable code for isolation layer 14.

Object code 62 consists of libraries 41 for each of system specific applications 17. As mentioned above, isolation layer 14 may include one library for establishing communication for all system specific applications 17 or a plurality of separate libraries.
Example mappings and translations 64 provide non-displayable information (in code and/or in documentation) and may be edited to customize isolation layer 14.
Target routines 66 are system specific application routines that may be edited and customized to suit the needs of the target transaction establishment.
Make files 68 are files that pass source code (templates 60) through compiler 72 and then pass object code 62 through linker 74 to produce the target executable.
Turning now to Fig. 4, the method of creating isolation layer 14 begins with START 80.
In step 82, independent applications 23A are isolated from system specific applications 17 through a non-displayable mapping determination and translation process. Example mappings and translations 64 result.
In steps 84, a template 60 for one of system specific applications 17 is provided. Template 60 is packaged in an installable format that can then be distributed and installed on the target system.

In step 86, customized mappings and translations 65 and customized target routines 67 are determined.
In steps 88-92, customized template 61 is produced by changing template 60 to reflect customized mappings and translations 65.
In step 88, functions to be implemented are edited.
For example, for PLU file reader software 40, the "read first", "read next", and "read specific" sections are edited. The "read first" section is a routine that must be completed/customized to read the first PLU in PLU file 20. The "read next" section is a routine that must be completed/customized to read the next PLU in PLU file 20 sequentially. The "read specific" section is a routine that must be completed/customized to read a specific PLU
file record.
In step 90, customized mapping and translations 65 and customized target routines 67 derived from step 86 are applied to template 60.
In step 92, operation returns to step 84 if library functionality for an additional specific application 17 must be added. Otherwise, operation continues to step 94.
In step 94, a new executable (isolation layer 14) is compiled and linked from object code 62 and templates 61 for each of system specific applications 17 using make files 68, compiler 72, and linker 74.

In step 96, the method ends.
Referring now to Fig. 5, operation of a system specific application 17 is illustrated in detail, beginning with START
100. In particular, operation illustrates a method of transferring information between a terminal 22A and host computer system 12 through isolation layer 14.
In step 102, a system specific application 17 starts up and configures itself.
In step 104, system specific application 17 waits for an interprocess communications message from isolation layer 14.
Interprocess communication services (e.g., "queues" for UNIX, threads or pipes for OS/2) are provided by the operating system executed by host computer system 12.
Isolation layer 14 calls on the operating system to send a request from client POS software 24A to system specific application 17. Client POS software 24A issues a call to isolation layer 14, instructing isolation layer 14 to perform a routine provided by isolation layer 14 and related to the purpose of system specific application 17.
For example, when system specific application 17 is PLU
file reader software 40, the routine would be a "read direct"
routine within isolation layer 14. Isolation layer 14 calls on the operating system to send the interprocess communications message to system specific application 17.

If such a message is received, system specific application 17 determines whether the interprocess communications message contains an "exit" command in step 105. If it does, system specific application 17 terminates in step 116.
If the interprocess communications message does not contain an "exit" command, system specific application 17 obtains the information from its source in step 106. For example, if system specific application 17 is PLU file reader software 40, system specific application 17 uses operating system 52 to obtain the information from PLU file 20.
In step 114, system specific application 17 calls on the operating system to return the information via interprocess communications to the client POS software 24A via isolation layer 14. System specific application 17 returns to a waiting state in step 104.
After system specific application 17 sends the information to isolation layer 14, isolation layer 14 passes the information to client POS software 24A. Client POS software application 24A can then display the information, compare the information, or otherwise examine the information in accordance with the functions of client POS software 24A.
Although the present invention has been described with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, variations and modifications of the present invention can be effected within the spirit and scope of the following claims.

Claims (8)

1. A transaction system comprising:
a client computer system provided by a first seller of computer systems, including a client software application;
a server computer system provided by a second seller of computer systems different from the first seller of computer systems, including a server software application which provides information from the server computer system to the client computer system and isolation layer software which facilitates communication between the client software application and the server software application to transfer the information.
2. A transaction system comprising:
a server computer system provided by a first seller of computer systems, including a server software application;
a client computer system provided by a second seller of computer systems different from the first seller of computer systems, including a client software application which obtains information from the server computer system and isolation layer software which facilitates communication between the client software application and the server software application to transfer the information.
3. A method of transferring information between a first software application and a second software application comprising the steps of:
(a) providing the first software application by a first company;
(b) providing the second software application by a second company different from the first company;
(c) executing the first software application by a first computer;
(d) executing the second software application by a second computer different from the first computer;
(e) providing an isolation layer having hooks into the second software application;
(f) executing the isolation layer; and (g) establishing communication between the first software application and the second software application by the isolation layer to transfer the information.
4. The method as recited in claim 3, wherein step f comprises the substep of:
(f) executing the isolation layer by the first computer.
5. The method as recited in claim 3, wherein step f comprises the substep of:
(f) executing the isolation layer by the second computer.
6. A method of transferring information between a client software application and a server software application comprising the steps of:
(a) installing a client computer by a first company;
(b) providing and installing the client software application by the first company;
(c) installing a server computer by a second company different from the first company after installation of the client computer and the client software by the first company;
(d) providing and installing the server software application by the second company;
(e) providing and installing an isolation layer having hooks into the server software application by the second company;
(f) executing the client software application by the client computer;
(g) executing the server software application and the isolation layer by the server computer; and (h) establishing communication between the client software application and the server software application by the isolation layer to transfer the information.
7. A method of transferring information between a client software application and a server software application comprising the steps of:
(a) installing a server computer by a first company;
(b) providing and installing the server software application by the first company;
(c) installing a client computer by a second company different from the first company after installation of the server computer and the server software by the first company;
(d) providing and installing the client software application by the second company;
(e) providing and installing an isolation layer having hooks into the server software application by the second company;
(f) executing the client software application and the isolation layer by the client computer;
(g) executing the server software application by the server computer; and (h) establishing communication between the client software application and the server software application by the isolation layer to transfer the information.
8. A method of obtaining information for a client software application from a server software application comprising the steps of:
(a) providing the client software application from a first company;
(b) providing a server software application for accessing the information by a second company different from the first company;
(c) providing an isolation layer between the client software application and the server software application;
(d) sending a call for the information to the isolation layer by the client software application;
(e) sending a request message for the information to the server software application by the isolation layer;
(f) instructing control software to obtain the information by the server software application;
(g) sending the information to the isolation layer by the server software application; and (h) sending the information to the client software application by the isolation layer.
CA002246171A 1997-10-14 1998-08-31 Point-of-sale system including isolation layer between client and server software Expired - Lifetime CA2246171C (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US08/949,410 1997-10-14
US08/949,410 US5987426A (en) 1997-10-14 1997-10-14 Point-of-sale system including isolation layer between client and server software

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2246171A1 CA2246171A1 (en) 1999-04-14
CA2246171C true CA2246171C (en) 2000-09-26

Family

ID=25489036

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA002246171A Expired - Lifetime CA2246171C (en) 1997-10-14 1998-08-31 Point-of-sale system including isolation layer between client and server software

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (2) US5987426A (en)
EP (1) EP0910030A3 (en)
JP (1) JPH11191169A (en)
AU (1) AU8612398A (en)
CA (1) CA2246171C (en)
NZ (1) NZ331887A (en)
ZA (1) ZA988464B (en)

Families Citing this family (64)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7203728B2 (en) * 1993-01-26 2007-04-10 Logic Controls, Inc. Point-of-sale system and distributed computer network for same
US6272529B1 (en) * 1993-01-26 2001-08-07 Logic Controls, Inc. Point-of-sale system and distributed computer network for same
US5751257A (en) 1995-04-28 1998-05-12 Teletransactions, Inc. Programmable shelf tag and method for changing and updating shelf tag information
US6269342B1 (en) * 1995-04-28 2001-07-31 Telxon Corporation Programmable shelf tag system
US6822550B1 (en) 1998-01-12 2004-11-23 At Systems, Inc. Intelligent rolled coin dispenser
GB9819354D0 (en) 1998-09-04 1998-10-28 Seiko Epson Corp Pos terminal,method of controlling the pos terminal,pos system using the pos terminal and information storage medium
WO2000021807A1 (en) * 1998-10-09 2000-04-20 Autovend, Inc. Cash management system interface
US6324563B1 (en) * 1998-12-30 2001-11-27 Compaq Computer Corporation Customer information control system application programming interface, with global and local system and file control functions, in a loosely coupled data processing environment
US6243737B1 (en) * 1999-04-09 2001-06-05 Translink Software, Inc. Method and apparatus for providing direct transaction access to information residing on a host system
EP1045323A3 (en) * 1999-04-14 2009-05-06 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Information providing system and method therefor
US7600673B2 (en) * 1999-08-09 2009-10-13 First Data Corporation Systems and methods for performing transactions at a point-of-sale
US20050015280A1 (en) * 2002-06-11 2005-01-20 First Data Corporation Health care eligibility verification and settlement systems and methods
BR0013224A (en) * 1999-08-09 2003-07-15 First Data Corp Integrated point of sale payment terminal and electronic check conversion method for use with an integrated point of sale payment terminal
US6827260B2 (en) * 1999-08-09 2004-12-07 First Data Corporation Systems and methods for utilizing a point-of-sale system
US8751250B2 (en) * 1999-08-09 2014-06-10 First Data Corporation Health care eligibility verification and settlement systems and methods
US6886742B2 (en) * 1999-08-09 2005-05-03 First Data Corporation Systems and methods for deploying a point-of sale device
US7086584B2 (en) * 1999-08-09 2006-08-08 First Data Corporation Systems and methods for configuring a point-of-sale system
US20040148203A1 (en) * 2002-10-08 2004-07-29 First Data Corporation Systems and methods for verifying medical insurance coverage
US6876991B1 (en) 1999-11-08 2005-04-05 Collaborative Decision Platforms, Llc. System, method and computer program product for a collaborative decision platform
WO2001041279A1 (en) * 1999-11-30 2001-06-07 Automated Power Exchange, Inc. Method and system of managing ac power networks based upon flow-gate market transactions
US7376587B1 (en) 2000-07-11 2008-05-20 Western Union Financial Services, Inc. Method for enabling transfer of funds through a computer network
JP2001222482A (en) * 2000-02-09 2001-08-17 Nec Infrontia Corp Pos system
US6550683B1 (en) * 2000-02-24 2003-04-22 Telxon Corporation Hand held portable device with multiple functions
US7472394B1 (en) 2000-07-07 2008-12-30 Paymentech, L.P. System and method for programming point of sale devices
EP1312012A4 (en) 2000-07-11 2006-09-06 First Data Corp Wide area network person-to-person payment
US7266533B2 (en) 2000-12-15 2007-09-04 The Western Union Company Electronic gift greeting
US9853759B1 (en) 2001-03-31 2017-12-26 First Data Corporation Staged transaction system for mobile commerce
US7184989B2 (en) 2001-03-31 2007-02-27 First Data Corporation Staged transactions systems and methods
US7117183B2 (en) 2001-03-31 2006-10-03 First Data Coroporation Airline ticket payment and reservation system and methods
CA2443220A1 (en) 2001-03-31 2002-10-10 First Data Corporation Electronic identifier payment system and methods
US8150763B2 (en) * 2001-03-31 2012-04-03 The Western Union Company Systems and methods for staging transactions, payments and collections
US8244632B2 (en) 2001-10-26 2012-08-14 First Data Corporation Automated transfer with stored value
US8374962B2 (en) 2001-10-26 2013-02-12 First Data Corporation Stored value payouts
US20050038705A1 (en) * 2001-11-01 2005-02-17 Tokuhiro Yamada Pos system, pos server, shop terminal, sales managing method, and recording medium
JP2003281418A (en) * 2002-03-20 2003-10-03 Hitachi Ltd Method and system for article management
EP1535217A4 (en) * 2002-06-11 2006-06-21 First Data Corp Value processing network and methods
US7143241B2 (en) * 2002-08-06 2006-11-28 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Cache management in a mobile device
US20040068734A1 (en) * 2002-10-07 2004-04-08 Microsoft Corporation Software license isolation layer
US8032452B2 (en) 2002-11-06 2011-10-04 The Western Union Company Multiple-entity transaction systems and methods
US20050021409A1 (en) * 2003-07-16 2005-01-27 Michaud Gene R. Application service provider point of sale system and method
US7984195B2 (en) * 2006-07-07 2011-07-19 Logic Controls, Inc. Hybrid industrial networked computer system
US7831519B2 (en) 2003-12-17 2010-11-09 First Data Corporation Methods and systems for electromagnetic initiation of secure transactions
US7707110B2 (en) * 2004-05-04 2010-04-27 First Data Corporation System and method for conducting transactions with different forms of payment
US7404192B2 (en) * 2004-08-03 2008-07-22 International Business Machines Corporation Apparatus, system, and method for isolating a storage application from a network interface driver
US8152054B2 (en) 2004-10-19 2012-04-10 The Western Union Company Money transfer systems and methods
US7813982B2 (en) * 2004-11-08 2010-10-12 First Data Corporation Unit-based prepaid presentation instrument accounts and methods
US7844420B2 (en) * 2005-02-02 2010-11-30 Gm Global Technology Operations, Inc Manufacturing system performance analysis tool software architecture
US8942957B2 (en) * 2005-02-02 2015-01-27 GM Global Technology Operations LLC Manufacturing system performance analysis tool software architecture
US8672220B2 (en) 2005-09-30 2014-03-18 The Western Union Company Money transfer system and method
US7392940B2 (en) 2005-05-18 2008-07-01 The Western Union Company In-lane money transfer systems and methods
US8345931B2 (en) * 2006-02-10 2013-01-01 The Western Union Company Biometric based authorization systems for electronic fund transfers
US8818904B2 (en) 2007-01-17 2014-08-26 The Western Union Company Generation systems and methods for transaction identifiers having biometric keys associated therewith
US7933835B2 (en) 2007-01-17 2011-04-26 The Western Union Company Secure money transfer systems and methods using biometric keys associated therewith
US8504473B2 (en) 2007-03-28 2013-08-06 The Western Union Company Money transfer system and messaging system
EP1998279A1 (en) * 2007-05-29 2008-12-03 First Data Corporation Secure payment transaction in multi-host environment
US7783571B2 (en) 2007-05-31 2010-08-24 First Data Corporation ATM system for receiving cash deposits from non-networked clients
US8635543B2 (en) * 2007-09-07 2014-01-21 Microsoft Corporation Multiple UI paradigms within a single application
US8095113B2 (en) * 2007-10-17 2012-01-10 First Data Corporation Onetime passwords for smart chip cards
US8565723B2 (en) * 2007-10-17 2013-10-22 First Data Corporation Onetime passwords for mobile wallets
US9400640B2 (en) * 2008-02-05 2016-07-26 Wayne Baratta Web-based point of sale builder
US8049918B2 (en) * 2008-11-03 2011-11-01 Microsoft Corporation Print plug-in isolation
US8346611B2 (en) * 2009-04-21 2013-01-01 First Data Corporation Systems and methods for pre-paid futures procurement
TWI424917B (en) * 2011-04-11 2014-02-01 Microjet Technology Co Ltd Control method of three-dimensional make-up machine
TWI505178B (en) * 2012-03-23 2015-10-21 Seiko Epson Corp Printing systems and printers

Family Cites Families (110)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3182357A (en) 1961-10-18 1965-05-11 Robert G Tuttle Check-out regulator system for stores
US3263774A (en) 1964-06-22 1966-08-02 Paul R Smith Control apparatus
US3436968A (en) 1965-02-11 1969-04-08 Fairbanks Morse Inc Processing control system
US3735350A (en) 1966-02-10 1973-05-22 J Lemelson Code scanning system
CH504907A (en) 1969-03-26 1971-03-31 Zellweger Uster Ag Method and device for the identification of objects and application of the method to the issue of objects from warehouses
CH507750A (en) 1969-04-21 1971-05-31 Zellweger Uster Ag Method and device for the identification of objects and application of the method
DE1965332C3 (en) 1969-12-29 1981-08-13 Werner 4320 Hattingen Potrafke Billing status for self-service shops
US3819012A (en) 1970-03-20 1974-06-25 Rca Corp Merchandise handling and identifying system
US3696586A (en) 1971-03-31 1972-10-10 Fred L Sparks Bagging and checkout counter system
US3869575A (en) 1971-04-02 1975-03-04 Thomson Csf Speech-synthesis system
CH548073A (en) 1972-02-14 1974-04-11 Gretag Ag EQUIPMENT FOR A SELF-SERVICE SHOP.
US3725895A (en) 1972-07-13 1973-04-03 L Haynes Stolen article detection
CH543871A (en) 1972-11-03 1973-11-15 Peyer Siegfried Procedure for performing stab checks at the collective checkout of a self-service shop
GB1445098A (en) 1973-04-04 1976-08-04 Plessey Co Ltd Optical code recognition
US3947817A (en) 1974-01-07 1976-03-30 Recognition Equipment Incorporated Hand operated optical character recognition wand
US3962569A (en) 1974-01-18 1976-06-08 Reliance Electric Company Value computing scale
US3962570A (en) 1974-01-18 1976-06-08 Reliance Electric Company Scale with manual tare entry
US3984667A (en) 1974-01-18 1976-10-05 Reliance Electric Company Motion detecting scale
US4004139A (en) 1974-01-18 1977-01-18 Reliance Electric Company Digital scale with means to shift displayed weight to show fraction of least normally displayed graduation
US3986012A (en) 1974-05-02 1976-10-12 Reliance Electric Company Digital weight measuring and computing apparatus with automatic zero correction
US4028537A (en) 1976-03-31 1977-06-07 Champion International Corporation Product processing system with price printer
US4071740A (en) 1976-05-26 1978-01-31 Paul Gogulski Mobile automated shopping system
US4069970A (en) 1976-06-24 1978-01-24 Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated Data access circuit for a memory array
US4084742A (en) 1976-08-02 1978-04-18 Silverman Richard H Price marking system for automated check-out of merchandize
US4145715A (en) 1976-12-22 1979-03-20 Electronic Management Support, Inc. Surveillance system
US4114721A (en) 1977-02-28 1978-09-19 Mobil Oil Corporation Method and system for acoustic noise logging
US4138000A (en) 1977-07-08 1979-02-06 Bel Air Mart Checkout counter
US4353564A (en) 1977-09-23 1982-10-12 Stanley Joseloff Supermarket counter construction and method of using same
US4177880A (en) 1977-09-23 1979-12-11 Stanley Joseloff Combination supermarket counter and cart therefor
JPS5823576B2 (en) 1978-07-10 1983-05-16 株式会社島津製作所 electronic balance
JPS5553772A (en) 1978-10-16 1980-04-19 Sharp Corp Electronic register
US4180204A (en) 1978-11-08 1979-12-25 The J. C. Penney Corporation, Inc. Automatic inventorying system
JPS55104724A (en) 1979-02-06 1980-08-11 Tokyo Electric Co Ltd Method for zero adjusting of automatic weighing machine
US4369334A (en) 1979-03-16 1983-01-18 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Audible announcement in an electronic cash register
US4236604A (en) 1979-03-30 1980-12-02 Tri-Tronics Company, Inc. Start/stop control of conveying means
US4412298A (en) 1979-09-20 1983-10-25 Pitney Bowes Inc. Method for tracking creep and drift in a digital scale under full load
US4373133A (en) 1980-01-03 1983-02-08 Nicholas Clyne Method for producing a bill, apparatus for collecting items, and a self-service shop
US4369361A (en) 1980-03-25 1983-01-18 Symbol Technologies, Inc. Portable, stand-alone, desk-top laser scanning workstation for intelligent data acquisition terminal and method of scanning
US4377741A (en) 1980-06-26 1983-03-22 The Brekka Corporation Apparatus for producing updated information on a tangible medium
US4605080A (en) 1980-07-11 1986-08-12 Lemelson Jerome H Speech recognition control system and method
US4327819A (en) 1980-08-01 1982-05-04 Coutta John M Object detection system for a shopping cart
US4500880A (en) 1981-07-06 1985-02-19 Motorola, Inc. Real time, computer-driven retail pricing display system
US4549867A (en) 1982-05-25 1985-10-29 Texas Instruments Incorporated Electronic learning aid with random number modes
US4529871A (en) 1982-09-29 1985-07-16 Loblaw Companies Limited Price marking system
US4602152A (en) 1983-05-24 1986-07-22 Texas Instruments Incorporated Bar code information source and method for decoding same
US4583619A (en) 1983-08-19 1986-04-22 Fry Raymond A Automatic gate for checkout lane
US4574317A (en) 1983-12-12 1986-03-04 Wayne Scheible Hand scannable portable copier and method
JPS60228926A (en) 1984-04-26 1985-11-14 Tokyo Electric Co Ltd Electronic charge scale with label printer
US4729097A (en) 1984-05-11 1988-03-01 Tokyo Electric Co., Ltd. Sales registration apparatus with means to transfer control program and sales registration data between individual units
US4661908A (en) 1984-06-13 1987-04-28 Tokyo Electric Co., Ltd. Sales data processing system
US4583083A (en) 1984-06-28 1986-04-15 Bogasky John J Checkout station to reduce retail theft
US4792018A (en) 1984-07-09 1988-12-20 Checkrobot Inc. System for security processing of retailed articles
US4676343A (en) 1984-07-09 1987-06-30 Checkrobot Inc. Self-service distribution system
JPS6146596A (en) 1984-08-10 1986-03-06 オムロン株式会社 Electronic cash register
US4723118A (en) 1984-08-28 1988-02-02 Retail Security Systems Magnetic detection system for items on the lower tray of a shopping cart
US4725822A (en) 1984-08-28 1988-02-16 Hooley Charles M Shopping cart with lower tray signalling device
DE3582573D1 (en) * 1984-12-27 1991-05-23 Fujitsu Ltd DATA SYSTEM FOR SALES POINTS.
EP0199232A1 (en) * 1985-04-16 1986-10-29 Siemens Nixdorf Informationssysteme Aktiengesellschaft Data acquisition system with several operator stations, in particular cash registers
JPS61248760A (en) 1985-04-26 1986-11-06 Sato :Kk Thermal printer
US4688105A (en) 1985-05-10 1987-08-18 Bloch Arthur R Video recording system
US4679154A (en) 1985-07-09 1987-07-07 Ncr Corporation Scanning control system for merchandise checkout
JPS62133321A (en) 1985-12-05 1987-06-16 Yamato Scale Co Ltd Correcting device for dynamic metered value of metering conveyor
US4736098A (en) 1986-02-10 1988-04-05 Rehrig International Signalling method and apparatus for a conventional shopping cart
US4866661A (en) 1986-03-26 1989-09-12 Prins Maurits L De Computer controlled rental and sale system and method for a supermarket and the like
US4766299A (en) 1986-03-28 1988-08-23 Spectra-Physics, Inc. Hand-mounted bar code reader
US4715457A (en) 1986-05-27 1987-12-29 Ncr Corporation Method for fast weighing
USD296788S (en) 1986-10-14 1988-07-19 Mars, Inc. Combined portable data scanner and printer
US4779706A (en) 1986-12-17 1988-10-25 Ncr Corporation Self-service system
JPH0769983B2 (en) 1987-03-16 1995-07-31 株式会社テック Product information reader
US4766296A (en) 1987-04-29 1988-08-23 Checkrobot, Inc. Article checkout counter and system
GB2207027B (en) 1987-07-15 1992-01-08 Matsushita Electric Works Ltd Voice encoding and composing system
US4787467A (en) 1987-07-31 1988-11-29 Johnson Neldon P Automated self-service checkout system
US4789048A (en) 1987-09-28 1988-12-06 Ncr Corporation Checkout counter
US4775782A (en) 1987-09-30 1988-10-04 Ncr Corporation Checkout counter with remote keyboard writing pad and display
IT1215809B (en) 1988-02-05 1990-02-22 Awax Srl MADE TO MEASURE COMPLIANT WITH THE VOLUME OF THE SUPERMARKET BOX COMPLETELY ITEMS. SELF SERVICE INCORPORATING AN INTEGRATED APPARATUS TO MANUFACTURE ON REQUEST BAGS
JPH01269197A (en) 1988-04-21 1989-10-26 Tokyo Electric Co Ltd Electronic cash register
US4964053A (en) 1988-04-22 1990-10-16 Checkrobot, Inc. Self-checkout of produce items
US4940116A (en) 1989-03-07 1990-07-10 Checkrobot Inc. Unattended checkout system and method
US5053636A (en) 1988-05-18 1991-10-01 American Sterilizer Company Override circuit for medical table
IL87114A (en) 1988-07-15 1991-03-10 Shekel Electronic Scales Apparatus for computing sale article prices
US4947028A (en) 1988-07-19 1990-08-07 Arbor International, Inc. Automated order and payment system
US5121103A (en) 1988-07-29 1992-06-09 Knogo Corporation Load isolated article surveillance system and antenna assembly
GB2223454A (en) 1988-08-12 1990-04-11 Scient Generics Ltd Printers and ancillary systems
US4914280A (en) 1988-10-19 1990-04-03 Spectra-Physics, Inc. Optical wand interface to fixed scanner
US4929819A (en) 1988-12-12 1990-05-29 Ncr Corporation Method and apparatus for customer performed article scanning in self-service shopping
US4959530A (en) 1989-03-07 1990-09-25 Checkrobot Inc. Article price indicator
US4971177A (en) 1989-03-24 1990-11-20 Spectra-Physics, Inc. Data gathering system housing/mounting
US5004916A (en) 1989-07-28 1991-04-02 Ncr Corporation Scanning system having automatic laser shutdown upon detection of defective scanning element motion
US4975948A (en) 1989-10-13 1990-12-04 Andresen Dennis R Rapid dialing method for telecommunications
US5040636A (en) 1989-11-16 1991-08-20 Ncr Corporation Merchandise checkout work station
AU6903591A (en) * 1989-11-21 1991-06-13 Viata Corporation Point of sale system
US5058691A (en) 1990-04-02 1991-10-22 W. G. Associates Infrared detector for ensuring correct weighing
US5142161A (en) 1990-04-26 1992-08-25 Brackmann Rogers F Hand-held optical scanner and highlighter
US5140145A (en) 1990-08-28 1992-08-18 Bianco James S Bar code reader test and tampering indication system
US5083638A (en) 1990-09-18 1992-01-28 Howard Schneider Automated point-of-sale machine
IT1244004B (en) 1990-11-02 1994-06-28 Awax Progettazione PLASTIC BAGS DISPENSER FOR SUPERMARKETS PROVIDED WITH CONFERENCES FOR THE REGISTRATION OF THE PURCHASED PRODUCTS.
US5115888A (en) 1991-02-04 1992-05-26 Howard Schneider Self-serve checkout system
US5123494A (en) 1991-02-04 1992-06-23 Howard Schneider Anti-theft weighing system
US5168961A (en) 1991-02-04 1992-12-08 Howard Schneider Supermarket with self-service checkout
US5174399A (en) 1991-02-04 1992-12-29 Point Of Sale Data Products, Inc. Point-of-sale scanner/scale system with scale activation of scanner
US5125465A (en) 1991-02-04 1992-06-30 Howard Schneider Fast retail security weighing system
US5139100A (en) 1991-02-04 1992-08-18 Point Of Sale Data Products, Inc. Point-of-sale scanner/scale system with scale activation of scanner
US5734823A (en) * 1991-11-04 1998-03-31 Microtome, Inc. Systems and apparatus for electronic communication and storage of information
WO1994015294A1 (en) * 1992-12-23 1994-07-07 Surefind Corporation Interactive computer system with multi-protocol capability
US6269342B1 (en) * 1995-04-28 2001-07-31 Telxon Corporation Programmable shelf tag system
US5541925A (en) * 1995-03-27 1996-07-30 Compuserve Incorporated Point of sale system that bypasses the public telephone network
JP3267834B2 (en) * 1995-05-12 2002-03-25 松下電器産業株式会社 POS system device
US5710887A (en) * 1995-08-29 1998-01-20 Broadvision Computer system and method for electronic commerce
US5839116A (en) * 1995-10-05 1998-11-17 Ncr Corporation System and method of obtaining information from a price look-up file
US6163797A (en) * 1996-08-06 2000-12-19 Hewlett-Packard Company Application dispatcher for seamless, server application support for network terminals and non-network terminals

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0910030A3 (en) 2001-02-14
JPH11191169A (en) 1999-07-13
AU8612398A (en) 1999-05-06
USRE40576E1 (en) 2008-11-18
EP0910030A2 (en) 1999-04-21
US5987426A (en) 1999-11-16
NZ331887A (en) 2000-09-29
CA2246171A1 (en) 1999-04-14
ZA988464B (en) 2000-03-22

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
CA2246171C (en) Point-of-sale system including isolation layer between client and server software
US7648067B2 (en) POS system, input/output control apparatus for use in a POS system, and method
US20080015940A1 (en) System and Methods for Integrating A Self-Checkout System into an Existing Store System
US20020046082A1 (en) Process, system and computer readable medium for in-store printing of rainchecks for discount coupons and/or other purchasing incentives in a retail store
JPH10187820A (en) Commodity sale using method in ec system
US5839116A (en) System and method of obtaining information from a price look-up file
US20130110656A1 (en) Smart payment system
US20080270310A1 (en) Facilitating dynamic configuration of software products
US6044358A (en) System and method of determining price differences between price look-up files
US6520411B1 (en) System and method of graphically displaying relative information by an electronic price label
US20070185771A1 (en) Prepaid subscription voucher
US20220147981A1 (en) Server, information processing device, settlement system, and method
EP1093643B1 (en) Process, system and computer readable medium for consolidation of communication among peripheral devices in a retail store environment
KR19990015765A (en) Payment system for purchase terminals
AU719662B2 (en) Method of assigning and displaying promotional messages for electronic price labels
JP2002297394A (en) Information processor, and method and system for processing information
JP7476368B2 (en) Trade management system, trade management method, and trade management program
EP1052585A2 (en) System and method of graphically displaying relative information by an electronic price label
JP3071630U (en) Core business control device with electronic commerce function
JPH09326084A (en) Article sales registration data processor
JPH08335240A (en) Processing method for raying-in data in billing system
JPH1011380A (en) Terminal managing device
WO2004102383A1 (en) Method and apparatus for controlling a computing or electronic device
JP2002007925A (en) Server management type wallet counter settlement system
KR20030097159A (en) A terminal for electronic commerce

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
EEER Examination request
MKEX Expiry

Effective date: 20180831