CA2120011C - Integrated portable device for point of sale transactions - Google Patents
Integrated portable device for point of sale transactionsInfo
- Publication number
- CA2120011C CA2120011C CA002120011A CA2120011A CA2120011C CA 2120011 C CA2120011 C CA 2120011C CA 002120011 A CA002120011 A CA 002120011A CA 2120011 A CA2120011 A CA 2120011A CA 2120011 C CA2120011 C CA 2120011C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- housing
- printer
- portable device
- user
- carried
- 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 - Fee Related
Links
Classifications
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- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07G—REGISTERING THE RECEIPT OF CASH, VALUABLES, OR TOKENS
- G07G5/00—Receipt-giving machines
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G06K17/00—Methods or arrangements for effecting co-operative working between equipments covered by two or more of main groups G06K1/00 - G06K15/00, e.g. automatic card files incorporating conveying and reading operations
- G06K17/0022—Methods or arrangements for effecting co-operative working between equipments covered by two or more of main groups G06K1/00 - G06K15/00, e.g. automatic card files incorporating conveying and reading operations arrangements or provisious for transferring data to distant stations, e.g. from a sensing device
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G06K7/00—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
- G06K7/10—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation
- G06K7/10544—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation by scanning of the records by radiation in the optical part of the electromagnetic spectrum
- G06K7/10821—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation by scanning of the records by radiation in the optical part of the electromagnetic spectrum further details of bar or optical code scanning devices
- G06K7/10881—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation by scanning of the records by radiation in the optical part of the electromagnetic spectrum further details of bar or optical code scanning devices constructional details of hand-held scanners
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G06K7/00—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
- G06K7/10—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation
- G06K7/10544—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation by scanning of the records by radiation in the optical part of the electromagnetic spectrum
- G06K7/10821—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation by scanning of the records by radiation in the optical part of the electromagnetic spectrum further details of bar or optical code scanning devices
- G06K7/10881—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation by scanning of the records by radiation in the optical part of the electromagnetic spectrum further details of bar or optical code scanning devices constructional details of hand-held scanners
- G06K7/109—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation by scanning of the records by radiation in the optical part of the electromagnetic spectrum further details of bar or optical code scanning devices constructional details of hand-held scanners adaptations to make the hand-held scanner useable as a fixed scanner
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- 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
- G06Q20/30—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks
- G06Q20/34—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks using cards, e.g. integrated circuit [IC] cards or magnetic cards
- G06Q20/341—Active cards, i.e. cards including their own processing means, e.g. including an IC or chip
-
- 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
- G06Q20/30—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks
- G06Q20/34—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks using cards, e.g. integrated circuit [IC] cards or magnetic cards
- G06Q20/343—Cards including a counter
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F7/00—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
- G07F7/02—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by keys or other credit registering devices
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F7/00—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
- G07F7/08—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by coded identity card or credit card or other personal identification means
- G07F7/0873—Details of the card reader
- G07F7/088—Details of the card reader the card reader being part of the point of sale [POS] terminal or electronic cash register [ECR] itself
- G07F7/0886—Details of the card reader the card reader being part of the point of sale [POS] terminal or electronic cash register [ECR] itself the card reader being portable for interacting with a POS or ECR in realizing a payment transaction
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F7/00—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
- G07F7/08—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by coded identity card or credit card or other personal identification means
- G07F7/10—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by coded identity card or credit card or other personal identification means together with a coded signal, e.g. in the form of personal identification information, like personal identification number [PIN] or biometric data
- G07F7/1008—Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07G—REGISTERING THE RECEIPT OF CASH, VALUABLES, OR TOKENS
- G07G1/00—Cash registers
- G07G1/0036—Checkout procedures
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07G—REGISTERING THE RECEIPT OF CASH, VALUABLES, OR TOKENS
- G07G1/00—Cash registers
- G07G1/0036—Checkout procedures
- G07G1/0045—Checkout procedures with a code reader for reading of an identifying code of the article to be registered, e.g. barcode reader or radio-frequency identity [RFID] reader
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07G—REGISTERING THE RECEIPT OF CASH, VALUABLES, OR TOKENS
- G07G1/00—Cash registers
- G07G1/0036—Checkout procedures
- G07G1/0045—Checkout procedures with a code reader for reading of an identifying code of the article to be registered, e.g. barcode reader or radio-frequency identity [RFID] reader
- G07G1/0081—Checkout procedures with a code reader for reading of an identifying code of the article to be registered, e.g. barcode reader or radio-frequency identity [RFID] reader the reader being a portable scanner or data reader
Abstract
A handheld, portable device (10) for processing point of sale transactions includes a housing (20), a magnetic card reader (40) for reading credit card information, the reader (40) carried within the housing (20) substantially adjacent to the first end (23) of the housing (20), a numeric keyboard (50) and an alphabetic keyboard (60) for entering customer information, and a barcode scanner (70) for scanning product identification information, the barcode scanner (70) carried within the housing (20) substantially adjacent to a second end (24) of the housing (20). Also included is a display (80) for displaying selected information, a printer (90) for printing a customer receipt, a communications assembly (110) for furnishing the information needed to obtain transaction approval, and a processor (130) for receiving the information, and controlling the display (80), the printer (90) and the communications assembly (110).
Description
Wo 93/06564 ? 1 ~ 1 I J Pcr/us92/o82lo INTEGRATED PORTABLE DEVICE
FOR PO~NT OF SALE TRANSACTIONS
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates in general to portable devices for data collection.
More particularly, the present invention pertains to devices for transacting credit card sales as portable, h~ndheld point of ~ale terminals. More specifically, the present invention relates to devices which provide all functions necessa,y for proces~ing a credit card sales transaction remote iFrom a conventional checkout register, including a credit card reader, data entry keyboard, barcode scanner, display, receipt printer, transaction approval communicator and controlling processor.
BACKGROUND ART
Data collection devices whose primary or exclusive function is as a point of sale (hereinafter POS) terrninal are known and in recent years have become quitesophi~ti~ted, including a variety of functions to facilitate credit card sales transactions. For example, POS terrninals have provided readers for reading custo-mer information from the credit card, barcode scanners for autom~tic~lly entering product information from barcodes on products, their label or p~ging, keyboards for entering customer personal identification numbers and other transaction informa-tion and commands, displays, receipt printers, and telephone or computer links to obtain transaction approval.
Many bucines~s accepting payment by credit card, especially those engaged in retail sales or services, have found it desirable to employ less expensive and more flexible portable POS terminals to process credit card transactions for more expedi-tious customer checkout, and to address peak customer volume, reduce traffic at con-gested checkout counters, reduce capital equipment expenditures, provide additional, easily relocatable te~ r checkout registers, and allow additional order-entry terminals for products presently unavailable at the point of sale, among other rea-sons. Invariably, however, existing POS terminals intended for portable operation fail to provide all functions necesc~ry to facilitate credit card transaction processing - 2 - ~ ~ X 0 0 1 ~
by a portab]e handhe~d POS termina]. Moreover- it is also evident that existing POS ter-minals have not begun to address component arrangement to facilit.ate nand-he~d operation.
For example ~.S. Patent No. 4 72~54 discloses an input system for a POS terminal naving a portable unit which provides a card r-eader thraugh which tn customer may pass a credit card and a keypad into which ~ cust.omer may input a per-sonal identification number. The cu tomer then returns the portable unit to the sales counter where a sa]esperson connects it to a r-epeater to transmit that i.nformation to a stationary contIol~er. Information on lhe purchased products must be manual]y entered into lhe stationary cont.ro]ler by the sa]esperson. In much the same manner the ~5 unattached keypad shown in ~.S. Patent l~o. 4 Y67 36~ only allows the renote entry of the customer s personal identification number; all other t.ransaction information must be stil~ entered into the fixed POS authorization controller.
2~ Another POS termina~ the Model E 2~2 Electronic Payment. Terminal manufacture~d by Electronique Serge Dassau]t of St-Cloud Cedex Franz provides for magnetic card r-eading a keypad a readou.t screen and a printer to generate a receipt. Intend.ed for e]ectronic fund transfer authorization this device not on]y doe not inc]ude a bar-code scanner it a]so dces not permir manual entry of ' 9, ~.
~ ~ 2 ~
purchasing pr-oduct identification.
Thus despite the incr:-eased QOpUl~t ity of the handheld POS terminal no such termina] has been provided that provides all the necessary i.unctions to alloh~ t.he trans-action to be comp~eted at rl location remote from stat.ionary POS terminals while simu~t.aneous~y ar-ranging components to facilitate handheld use.
]~ STATEMENT O~ INVENTION
The purpose of the pre ent. invention is to provide a portable device for- process:ing point of saie transactions wherein the portab~e device has a p~ura~ity cf component.s carried and oriented to fac:i]it.at.e hands-free operation by a user.
In one form of t.he invention there is provided a housing means for carrying the components the housing means having an operationa] orient.ation re~ative to the user. A
scanner means is provided for generating a scanning beam and scanning product identification infor-mation with the beam the scanning means being ca;rried by the housing at a location such that when the housing is in t.he operational orientation the scanner beam is projected substantially away from the eyes ol~ the user. The portab~e device ~5 inc~udes a printer means fot pr-inting a customer receipt the printer means carried by the housin~ at a ]ocation such that when the housing is in the operationa] crientation the printer receipt is visib]e to the user and the housing is -- ~a -substantia]ly balanced I-or hands-free op(~ration, and/or- a disp]ay means for disp~aying prc)duct and customer identification information, the display means carr-ied by the housing at a ]ocation such that when t:lle hous;ing is in the operational orientation, the clisplay mear,s is visible to the user and the t~ousing is substantia]ly ba:]anced for hands-free operation.
In another form of the portable dev~ce oi~ the present.
IU operation, there is provided housing medrls for carrying the components, the housing means having an operat.ional orientation relative to the user, and di.-;play means for displaying product and customer identification information, the displ.ay means carr-ied by tne housing at a location such that when the housing is in t:he operatio}a] orientation the display means is visible to t-.he user and tne housing is substanti.ally balanced for nands-free op~ration. The device furt.her includes data entry means for enlering cust.omer and product informat.ion, t.he data ent.ry meani car]:-ied by t.he housing, and pr-inter- means for printing a cusl.omer receipt., the printer means car-ried by t.he llousing such t.hat t.he pr-inter receipt is visible to the useI: when tlle housing is in the operational orientation.
In yet. another form of t.he inventiorl the]-e is pr-ovided a portable device for process.ing point-of-sale t.ransactions having a plurality of componellts and i.nc uding a housing for carrying by the user having an operat.iotlll or-ientation which when carried by the user is hands-free-, and including a 9 ~
~ , first end and a se ond en~l.. There is further included a printer for pr-inting a cust.omer- r-eceipt the printer carried by the housing at a locatic)n such that when the housing is 5 in the oper-ationa] orientat-.ion the printer- receipt is vi.sible to t.he user and the housing is substantially balanced for hands-free operation and a pr-inter paper holder means carried by the housing adjacent the print.er. A
data input means is pr-ovicled and is carr-ied by the housing adjacent bot.h tne second ena of tne nousing and the printer paper ho~der means so that t.he data input means is accessible to the user- wherl the housing is balanced for hands-free c~per~ltion.
5BK:[EF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. :1 is a top perspect.ive view of an exemplary device in accordance wit.h t:he pre;ent invent.ion.
Fig. ~ is a ver-tica] ;ectiona] view of the exemplary device shown in Fig. I taken substant.ia]:ly along line 2--2 shown in o:f Fig. 1.
Fig. .~ is a r-ear- view of the exe~rlplary device shown in Fig. ~ t.aken su:~st.antial]y a~ong line ~ shown in Fig. 2 showing the scanner window and paper holder.
Fig. 4 is ~ bottom pe]rs~ect.ive vie~ of t.le exemp~ary device shown in Fig. I depicting a r-eceipt caddy in exploded view for-mat:.
Fig. j is pr-ospect.ive view of an exemplar-y paper ho]der assemb~y.
WO 93/06564 '~ ! t) 11 Pcr/uss2/(~8210 Fig 6. is a block diagram of the functional co~,-ponents of the exemplary deviceshown in Fig. 1 and a device for obtaining credit card transaction approval including a tl~ulscei~er for communication with the device of the present invention.
S PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Fig. 1 pl~nls in pc-~tive an exemplary portable device in accordance with the present invention, generally indicated by the numeral 10, that within a single housing 20 integrally furnishes all functions n~s~- y to complete a credit card transaction as a POS terminal and f~rilit~te h~n~held operation. Device 10, best seen overall in Figs. 1 and 2, the latter of which pl~senls vertical sectional view of device 10 taken subst~nt~ y along line 2--2 shown in of Fig. 1, may be made of several sep~ co",pone~,t~ furnishing various functions: m~gnetic card reader 40, first data entry keyboard 50, second data entry keyboard 60, barcode scanner 70, display 80, printer assembly 90, communi~tionS assembly 110 and processor assembly 130.
Housing 20 may be formed by molding or other acceptable means of a suitable m~tPri~l such as a rigid plastic suitable to integrally carry all the co",ponents in a subst~nti~lly rectangular block having a top surface 21, a bottom surface 22, a first end 23 and a second end 24. For reasons which will become more a~ar~nt herein-after, a portion of the top surface 21 of housing 20 is sloped or titled upward moving from the first end 23 to the second end 24, as shown at 25. The width of housing 20 should be about what may be comfortably grasped in a human ope.~lu~s hand, less than about four inches (10.16 cm).
Magnetic card reader 40 may be any conventional reader suitable for reading credit card information Pnco~ed on a m~netic credit card 41 (Fig. 6) and carriedand mounted by means not relevant hereto within housing 20 substantially adjacent to the first end 23 of housing 20 so as to allow an operator, whether a sale~ on orcustomer, to wipe the m~netic stripe of the card across the exposed reading head 42 of m~nPtic card reader 40, as further ~liccuccP~ below. Of course, where credit card 41 employs a different information encoding method, such as optical or electri-cal, card reader 40 may be applul~-iately selected to respond to such other encoding method. A subst~nti~lly planer card guide 43 for directing credit card 41 and its m~netic stripe into operative engagement with reading head 42 may be furnished and connectP~ to housing 11 as with flat head screws 44.
Wo 93~06564 ? ~ Pcr/uss2/o82lo First data entry keyboard 50 may be a conventional data entry mechanism, such as a keyboard with raised, travel-tactile keys, suitable for entry of customer informa-tion and, optionally, device comm~n~s. Keyboard 50 is carried and mounted by means not relevant hereto within housing 20 subst~nti~lly ~ljacent to the first end 23 of housing 20 so as to allow the operator to make entries at the top surface 21 of housing 20, and is prefel~bly relatively thin to preserve as much space as possible within housing 20.
Second data entry keyboard 60 also may be a conventional data entry mechan-ism, but where customer receipts are to be signed by the customer atop keyboard 60, is a ~ubs~ 11y flat preferably membrane keyboard having a mylar, customizable, user-in~erchangeable keypad cover. Keyboard 60 may be suitable for entry of addi-tional customer or other information, and is carried and mounted, again by meansnot relevant hereto, within housing 20 subst~nti~lly adjacent to keyboard 50 so as to allow the ope.~tor to make entries at the top surface 21 of housing 20. A secondkeyboard is not es~Pnti~1 to the succ~s~ful operation of device l0 as explained hereinafter; however, a second keyboard may be advantageously utilized for primar-ily alphabetic and preselectable command function input while the first keyboard may be employed for primarily numeric and limited query les~nsc.
Barcode scanner 70 may be a compact mech~nisrn for facilitating acquiring information about the item(s) the customer wishes to purchase, such as the CCD
sc~nning module manufactured by Opticon Inc. of Orangeburg, New York, or a diode laser sc~nning module such as that available through Photographic SciencesCorp of Webster, New York. Optically sr~nn~hle barcodes, now almost always placed on retail and inventory product, provides a unique product identification. As shown diagr~mm~tic~11y in Fig. 6, barcode scanner 70 generates a light sc~nning beam 71 for striking the barcode 72 applied to a product 73 to be purchased, its label or p~ ging. Barcode scanner 70 is carried within housing 20 by suitable means (not shown or relevant herein) such that the light sc~nning beam 7l is projectedoutwardly and upwardly from the upwardly inclined second end 24 of housing 20 through a light ll~s~are. t window 74 (best seen in Figs. 2 and 3). This orientation of light sc~nning beam 71 greatly enh~nces the ease with which the operator of device l0 may quickly and automatically identify all products to be purchased, as will be further explained hereinbelow.
WO 93/06~64 ? 1 2 ~) O 11 - 6 - Pcr/US92/08210 Display 80 may be any conventional low-power consumption display such as a liquid crystl display for visual depiction of operating mode status, operator p~ p~s, or any information acquired during the POS transaction. Display 80 may be carried and mounted by means not relevant hereto within housing 20 so that its display is viewable through a window in the upward sloping portion 25 of top surface 21.
Printer assembly 90 may include any conventional receipt printer 91 able to print a narrow customer receipt in duplicate originql, one copy of which is retained by the op~l~.tor and the other given to the customer, a paper exit cover 92 and a printer paper holder 93. One suitable compact impact receipt printer 91 capable of printing 24 characters per line on 2.26 inch (5.74 cm) wide two-ply paper is dotmatrix printer Model M-180 Ultra Small-Sized Printer available from Epson America Inc. of Torrance, Califomia. Receipt printer 91 is carried within and mounted bymeans not relevant hereto to housing 20 such that paper exiting receipt printer 91 passes directly to papcr exit cover 92 described further h~;naf~r. The width of receipt printer 91 may require housing 20 to include slight side prot~1be~qnces 98 for acco----..o~qtion, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4.
Paper exit cover 92, best shown in Figs. 1 and 2, is mounted in the top surface 21 of housing 20 between the inclined portion 25 and keyboard 60, and includes two parallel flanges 94 forrning a guide chqnn~l 95 for directing the printer paper 96 out of device 10, and a serrated cutting edge 97. Printer paper holder 93, best depicted in Figs. 2 and 5, includes a plate 100 contoured to removably, mqtinely engage the lower portion of the second end 24 of housing 20 and a portion of the bottom surface 22 of housing 20 nearby the second end 24, posts 101 to carry a roll of printer paper 96, and an angled paper guide 102 for optimally directing printer paper 96 into paper receipt printer 91. A plurality of interchangeable plates 100 may be forrned with s~ffirient curvature to receive rolls of printer paper 96 of dirr, Icnt ~ n~--te-, as may be desired by the opeldtor and as shown in IJhanto-~ in Fig. 2. An interlock 103may be integrally formed in plate 100 to allow the requisite removable, mating engagement with housing 20. The side edges of paper guide 102 may be made slightly wider than that of printer paper 96 sufficient to fold over and furnish paper edge guides 104 for more readily directing printer paper 96 into the printhead of receipt printer 91.
Prior to initial operation, and anytime the supply of receipt paper 91 is WO 93/06564 7~ 1 ~ O ~ 1 1 PCr/USs2/08210 substantially depleted, the operator may install or replenish the supply by applying slight ~ U-C on plate 100 under interlock 103 and removing the printer paper holder from its operational position. A new roll of printer paper 96 is placed between posts 101, and the free end of printer paper 96 inserted through paper guide 102. Theleaf~er plate 100 is reinserted into housing 20, placing the free end ofprinter paper 96 into receipt printer 91, and a preselected keyboard button actuating the paper feed by receipt printer 91 deplcssed until printer paper 96 extends through guide ch~nnel 95 and out past serrated cutting edge 97. Device 10 is then ready to print customer r~ceipt~.
Processor 130 may include any conventional central proce~c;ng unit (CPU) 131, microprocessor or microco.,-p~le. having sufficient capacity to control operation of device 10, memory 132 to retain the control program and an input/output circuit 133 for receiving and conditioning all control and data signals.
Communi-~tions assembly 110 allows device 10 to obtain approval of credit card transactions, and may include, alternatively or in co",bination, the coml)onents nf~eS~ry to effect several different methods of obtaining such approval. For example, device 10 may include a conventional radio fre~uency transceiver 111, preferably employing spread S~lulll modulation, to send the information nP~esc.~ry for approval to a base station 112 including a like transceiver 113, central procescing unit 114, memory 115 and input/output circuit 116 connected to a telephone line.Base station 112 will call the credit card verification telephone r,ull,ber, forward the ne~es~-. y information, and receive and radio back to device 10 approval or disap-proval. If desired additional memory 117 may be included within communications assembly 110 to store the information neceCc~ry for approval and transmit all such information in one or more larger data b~trh~s, instead of transmitting each piece of information as it is read, scanned or entered in device 10. Data jacks suitable for direct serial data tr~nsmiscion may be provided in both device 10 and base station 112, and device 10 and base station 112 plugged together to effect transfer. A
modem 118 and telephone jack may be inct~ll~ within device 10, and device 10 plug-ged directly into the public telephone network to obtain transaction approval.
Communications assembly 110 may be carried within and mounted by means not rele-vant hereto to housing 20 substantially adjacent to magnetic card reader 40 underneath keyboard 50.
wo 93/06564 Pcr/US92/08210 e2 ~ ~ n ~ 8 -Device 10 may include a caddy 140 to facilitate ~ignqtllre of the customer receipt and ~~ ily store the operator's copy of the signed receipt. One suitablecaddy 140 is illustrated in partial exploded form in Fig. 4 where a five-sided, sub-st~qnti~lly planer tray only slightly narrower than the width of device 10 is seen to include four corner hooks 141 for removable, sliding engagement with the bottom surface 22 of housing 20, thereby providing a receipt storage chamber 142. The height of caddy 140 may be selected by the mqnufa~turer, and holders having a variety of heights may be made available, but a shallow depth of about 3/16 inch(0.48 cm) is believed to provide ade~uate storage capacity for many applications.
An ape.lure 143 through which signed customer receipts may be inserted into holder 141 may be formed at the end closest to the first end 23 of housing 20, and a receipt holtiing recessed flange 144 integrally formed into the end of caddy 140 closest to the second end 24 of housing 20 with a very small clearance above the preferablyr~ce~d top surface of caddy 140. When a customer receipt is printed and ready for cignqture, the opelatol of device 10 may turn it over, slip a narrow end of the customer receipt under ~:~ssed flange 144, securing the receipt by int~lre~nce fit and providing a hard, flat surface for ~ign~tnre by the customer. A raised flange (not shown) also may be integrally formed into housing 20 extPn-ling from top surface 21 between the keyboard 50 and keyboard 60 such that the customer receipt is positioned over the flat ke~ 60 for Cignqtllre, and keyboard 60 selectively, telllpol~rily deactivated during such ~ignqtllre.
Fig. 4 also ~.iese. ts two mechqni~m~ for carrying of device 10 by the operator.The first me~hqni~m is a somewhat s-shaped, flexible clothing (including belt) hook 146 that may be integrally formed with the card guide 43 so that it extends out from the center thereof along the bottom surface 22 of housing 20. The second mechan-ism is an adjustable neck strap 147 the ends of which are secured to the opposite ends of a closure bar 148, which is in tum slid under clothing hook 146. Closurebar 148 may be made to extend beyond the width of device 10 to fa~-ilit~te separdlion of closure bar 148 from device 10. Carry device 10 with such me~hqnicm.$ allows device 10 to be hung from the operator's clothing in a vertical orientation with the first end 23 closest to the operator's head and the second end 24 furthest thererl(""
whether device 10 is suspended from the operator's clothing or from the neck strap Wo 93/06564 ~ ? ~ 3 Pcr/US92/08210 g positioned around the operator's nec~. In such a position the op~ldlor will have both hands free for other operations and device 10 will be stabilized by the front of the ope,dlor's body.
A self-contained energy source such as batteries 149 are carried within and 5 mounted by means not relevant hereto to housing 20 between communications assem-bly 110 and receipt printer 91 underneath keyboard 60.
O~l~ion of device 10 is straightforward. For purposes of explanation it shall be ~csumed that a supply of printer paper 96 is inst~lled within device 10, device 10 is Ll ~n~ uin~ n~es~.y information to base station 112 for transaction approval, and a customer has approached the opc-dtor with several products to be purchased in a credit card transaction, all as ~ cusse~ above.
First, allowing device 10 to hang vertically free from the operator's clothing or neck, the OpCld~Ol may use both hands to guide the products to be purchased so that barcodes thereon pass beneath barcode scanner 70. The angular orientation of theupward sloping portion 25 of top surface 21, which for this example is believed to be about 30 degrees, positions the scanner window at an ideal angle to f~ te sc~nning product barcodes and simultaneously allow the ope.dtol to view display 80.
In ess~nc~ this incline allows the ope,dlor's hands to remain free while operating device 10.
Once all products to be purchased have been scanned, and at any time during operation when keyboard input is required or desired, the operator may use one hand to lift device 10 in its middle and the other hand to press the desired keys. The arr~n~ement of ~n~l.oJ-ellts within device 10 provides a uniform distribution ofweight and makes slJppo,ling device 10 with one hand comfortable and relatively effortless.
At any convenient time, but most likely either before or after sc~nning is complete, the operator, while allowing device 10 to hang free, may use one hand to pass the customer's charge card by magnetic card reader 40 and, if desired, use the other hand to lightly secure device 10 from any slight lateral motion.
Thereafter, the operator may package the purchased products during which time device 10 will most likely receive a transaction approval from base station 112 and autom~ti~lly print a customer receipt. The operator then tears off the customer receipt, places it under recessed flange 144 atop receipt caddy 140, and requests that WO 93/06564 ~ 1 2 ~ ~ 1~ Pcr/US92/0~210 the customer sign it. After it has been signed, the two-ply customer receipt is removed, a copy handed to the customer or placed in the products package, and the opcldtor~s copy passed through apellure 143 into chamber 142. At this juncture the opelator and device 10 are ready to process another transaction. At any convenient 5 time caddy 140 may be removed and all rcceipls in chamber 142 withdrawn.
In addition to the aspects of the present invention noted above, other alter-natives and fealulcs should now be appa~cnt. For example, in the plcf~led embodi-ment shown and described herein the angle of sloping portion 25 of top surface 21 is about 30 degrees. However, it should be app~nt to one skilled in the art, that other values are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
Also, as should again be apparcl~t to one skilled in the art, barcode scanner 70 could employ a removable wand. Still other modifications that should be understood embrace using any suitable form of modulation in communications assembly 110, including infrared where there exists a clear line of sight to base station 112, and the substitution of only "'l-~itiOI~ memory 117 for communi~tions assembly 110. In the later inct~nce, additional memory 117 will retain all information n~esC~y for tldc~ction approval.
Inasmuch as the present invention is subject to variations, mo lifit~tions and changes in detail, some of which have been expressly stated herein, it is intended that all matter described throughout this entire specification or shown in the accom-panying drawings be inte~ eled as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. It should thus be evident that a device constructed according to the concept of the present invention, and re~con~hly equivalent thereto, will accomplish the objects of thepresent invention and otherwise subst~nti~lly improve the art of portable data collec-tion and, more particularly, portable h~ntlhPld POS terminals.
FOR PO~NT OF SALE TRANSACTIONS
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates in general to portable devices for data collection.
More particularly, the present invention pertains to devices for transacting credit card sales as portable, h~ndheld point of ~ale terminals. More specifically, the present invention relates to devices which provide all functions necessa,y for proces~ing a credit card sales transaction remote iFrom a conventional checkout register, including a credit card reader, data entry keyboard, barcode scanner, display, receipt printer, transaction approval communicator and controlling processor.
BACKGROUND ART
Data collection devices whose primary or exclusive function is as a point of sale (hereinafter POS) terrninal are known and in recent years have become quitesophi~ti~ted, including a variety of functions to facilitate credit card sales transactions. For example, POS terrninals have provided readers for reading custo-mer information from the credit card, barcode scanners for autom~tic~lly entering product information from barcodes on products, their label or p~ging, keyboards for entering customer personal identification numbers and other transaction informa-tion and commands, displays, receipt printers, and telephone or computer links to obtain transaction approval.
Many bucines~s accepting payment by credit card, especially those engaged in retail sales or services, have found it desirable to employ less expensive and more flexible portable POS terminals to process credit card transactions for more expedi-tious customer checkout, and to address peak customer volume, reduce traffic at con-gested checkout counters, reduce capital equipment expenditures, provide additional, easily relocatable te~ r checkout registers, and allow additional order-entry terminals for products presently unavailable at the point of sale, among other rea-sons. Invariably, however, existing POS terminals intended for portable operation fail to provide all functions necesc~ry to facilitate credit card transaction processing - 2 - ~ ~ X 0 0 1 ~
by a portab]e handhe~d POS termina]. Moreover- it is also evident that existing POS ter-minals have not begun to address component arrangement to facilit.ate nand-he~d operation.
For example ~.S. Patent No. 4 72~54 discloses an input system for a POS terminal naving a portable unit which provides a card r-eader thraugh which tn customer may pass a credit card and a keypad into which ~ cust.omer may input a per-sonal identification number. The cu tomer then returns the portable unit to the sales counter where a sa]esperson connects it to a r-epeater to transmit that i.nformation to a stationary contIol~er. Information on lhe purchased products must be manual]y entered into lhe stationary cont.ro]ler by the sa]esperson. In much the same manner the ~5 unattached keypad shown in ~.S. Patent l~o. 4 Y67 36~ only allows the renote entry of the customer s personal identification number; all other t.ransaction information must be stil~ entered into the fixed POS authorization controller.
2~ Another POS termina~ the Model E 2~2 Electronic Payment. Terminal manufacture~d by Electronique Serge Dassau]t of St-Cloud Cedex Franz provides for magnetic card r-eading a keypad a readou.t screen and a printer to generate a receipt. Intend.ed for e]ectronic fund transfer authorization this device not on]y doe not inc]ude a bar-code scanner it a]so dces not permir manual entry of ' 9, ~.
~ ~ 2 ~
purchasing pr-oduct identification.
Thus despite the incr:-eased QOpUl~t ity of the handheld POS terminal no such termina] has been provided that provides all the necessary i.unctions to alloh~ t.he trans-action to be comp~eted at rl location remote from stat.ionary POS terminals while simu~t.aneous~y ar-ranging components to facilitate handheld use.
]~ STATEMENT O~ INVENTION
The purpose of the pre ent. invention is to provide a portable device for- process:ing point of saie transactions wherein the portab~e device has a p~ura~ity cf component.s carried and oriented to fac:i]it.at.e hands-free operation by a user.
In one form of t.he invention there is provided a housing means for carrying the components the housing means having an operationa] orient.ation re~ative to the user. A
scanner means is provided for generating a scanning beam and scanning product identification infor-mation with the beam the scanning means being ca;rried by the housing at a location such that when the housing is in t.he operational orientation the scanner beam is projected substantially away from the eyes ol~ the user. The portab~e device ~5 inc~udes a printer means fot pr-inting a customer receipt the printer means carried by the housin~ at a ]ocation such that when the housing is in the operationa] crientation the printer receipt is visib]e to the user and the housing is -- ~a -substantia]ly balanced I-or hands-free op(~ration, and/or- a disp]ay means for disp~aying prc)duct and customer identification information, the display means carr-ied by the housing at a ]ocation such that when t:lle hous;ing is in the operational orientation, the clisplay mear,s is visible to the user and the t~ousing is substantia]ly ba:]anced for hands-free operation.
In another form of the portable dev~ce oi~ the present.
IU operation, there is provided housing medrls for carrying the components, the housing means having an operat.ional orientation relative to the user, and di.-;play means for displaying product and customer identification information, the displ.ay means carr-ied by tne housing at a location such that when the housing is in t:he operatio}a] orientation the display means is visible to t-.he user and tne housing is substanti.ally balanced for nands-free op~ration. The device furt.her includes data entry means for enlering cust.omer and product informat.ion, t.he data ent.ry meani car]:-ied by t.he housing, and pr-inter- means for printing a cusl.omer receipt., the printer means car-ried by t.he llousing such t.hat t.he pr-inter receipt is visible to the useI: when tlle housing is in the operational orientation.
In yet. another form of t.he inventiorl the]-e is pr-ovided a portable device for process.ing point-of-sale t.ransactions having a plurality of componellts and i.nc uding a housing for carrying by the user having an operat.iotlll or-ientation which when carried by the user is hands-free-, and including a 9 ~
~ , first end and a se ond en~l.. There is further included a printer for pr-inting a cust.omer- r-eceipt the printer carried by the housing at a locatic)n such that when the housing is 5 in the oper-ationa] orientat-.ion the printer- receipt is vi.sible to t.he user and the housing is substantially balanced for hands-free operation and a pr-inter paper holder means carried by the housing adjacent the print.er. A
data input means is pr-ovicled and is carr-ied by the housing adjacent bot.h tne second ena of tne nousing and the printer paper ho~der means so that t.he data input means is accessible to the user- wherl the housing is balanced for hands-free c~per~ltion.
5BK:[EF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. :1 is a top perspect.ive view of an exemplary device in accordance wit.h t:he pre;ent invent.ion.
Fig. ~ is a ver-tica] ;ectiona] view of the exemplary device shown in Fig. I taken substant.ia]:ly along line 2--2 shown in o:f Fig. 1.
Fig. .~ is a r-ear- view of the exe~rlplary device shown in Fig. ~ t.aken su:~st.antial]y a~ong line ~ shown in Fig. 2 showing the scanner window and paper holder.
Fig. 4 is ~ bottom pe]rs~ect.ive vie~ of t.le exemp~ary device shown in Fig. I depicting a r-eceipt caddy in exploded view for-mat:.
Fig. j is pr-ospect.ive view of an exemplar-y paper ho]der assemb~y.
WO 93/06564 '~ ! t) 11 Pcr/uss2/(~8210 Fig 6. is a block diagram of the functional co~,-ponents of the exemplary deviceshown in Fig. 1 and a device for obtaining credit card transaction approval including a tl~ulscei~er for communication with the device of the present invention.
S PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Fig. 1 pl~nls in pc-~tive an exemplary portable device in accordance with the present invention, generally indicated by the numeral 10, that within a single housing 20 integrally furnishes all functions n~s~- y to complete a credit card transaction as a POS terminal and f~rilit~te h~n~held operation. Device 10, best seen overall in Figs. 1 and 2, the latter of which pl~senls vertical sectional view of device 10 taken subst~nt~ y along line 2--2 shown in of Fig. 1, may be made of several sep~ co",pone~,t~ furnishing various functions: m~gnetic card reader 40, first data entry keyboard 50, second data entry keyboard 60, barcode scanner 70, display 80, printer assembly 90, communi~tionS assembly 110 and processor assembly 130.
Housing 20 may be formed by molding or other acceptable means of a suitable m~tPri~l such as a rigid plastic suitable to integrally carry all the co",ponents in a subst~nti~lly rectangular block having a top surface 21, a bottom surface 22, a first end 23 and a second end 24. For reasons which will become more a~ar~nt herein-after, a portion of the top surface 21 of housing 20 is sloped or titled upward moving from the first end 23 to the second end 24, as shown at 25. The width of housing 20 should be about what may be comfortably grasped in a human ope.~lu~s hand, less than about four inches (10.16 cm).
Magnetic card reader 40 may be any conventional reader suitable for reading credit card information Pnco~ed on a m~netic credit card 41 (Fig. 6) and carriedand mounted by means not relevant hereto within housing 20 substantially adjacent to the first end 23 of housing 20 so as to allow an operator, whether a sale~ on orcustomer, to wipe the m~netic stripe of the card across the exposed reading head 42 of m~nPtic card reader 40, as further ~liccuccP~ below. Of course, where credit card 41 employs a different information encoding method, such as optical or electri-cal, card reader 40 may be applul~-iately selected to respond to such other encoding method. A subst~nti~lly planer card guide 43 for directing credit card 41 and its m~netic stripe into operative engagement with reading head 42 may be furnished and connectP~ to housing 11 as with flat head screws 44.
Wo 93~06564 ? ~ Pcr/uss2/o82lo First data entry keyboard 50 may be a conventional data entry mechanism, such as a keyboard with raised, travel-tactile keys, suitable for entry of customer informa-tion and, optionally, device comm~n~s. Keyboard 50 is carried and mounted by means not relevant hereto within housing 20 subst~nti~lly ~ljacent to the first end 23 of housing 20 so as to allow the operator to make entries at the top surface 21 of housing 20, and is prefel~bly relatively thin to preserve as much space as possible within housing 20.
Second data entry keyboard 60 also may be a conventional data entry mechan-ism, but where customer receipts are to be signed by the customer atop keyboard 60, is a ~ubs~ 11y flat preferably membrane keyboard having a mylar, customizable, user-in~erchangeable keypad cover. Keyboard 60 may be suitable for entry of addi-tional customer or other information, and is carried and mounted, again by meansnot relevant hereto, within housing 20 subst~nti~lly adjacent to keyboard 50 so as to allow the ope.~tor to make entries at the top surface 21 of housing 20. A secondkeyboard is not es~Pnti~1 to the succ~s~ful operation of device l0 as explained hereinafter; however, a second keyboard may be advantageously utilized for primar-ily alphabetic and preselectable command function input while the first keyboard may be employed for primarily numeric and limited query les~nsc.
Barcode scanner 70 may be a compact mech~nisrn for facilitating acquiring information about the item(s) the customer wishes to purchase, such as the CCD
sc~nning module manufactured by Opticon Inc. of Orangeburg, New York, or a diode laser sc~nning module such as that available through Photographic SciencesCorp of Webster, New York. Optically sr~nn~hle barcodes, now almost always placed on retail and inventory product, provides a unique product identification. As shown diagr~mm~tic~11y in Fig. 6, barcode scanner 70 generates a light sc~nning beam 71 for striking the barcode 72 applied to a product 73 to be purchased, its label or p~ ging. Barcode scanner 70 is carried within housing 20 by suitable means (not shown or relevant herein) such that the light sc~nning beam 7l is projectedoutwardly and upwardly from the upwardly inclined second end 24 of housing 20 through a light ll~s~are. t window 74 (best seen in Figs. 2 and 3). This orientation of light sc~nning beam 71 greatly enh~nces the ease with which the operator of device l0 may quickly and automatically identify all products to be purchased, as will be further explained hereinbelow.
WO 93/06~64 ? 1 2 ~) O 11 - 6 - Pcr/US92/08210 Display 80 may be any conventional low-power consumption display such as a liquid crystl display for visual depiction of operating mode status, operator p~ p~s, or any information acquired during the POS transaction. Display 80 may be carried and mounted by means not relevant hereto within housing 20 so that its display is viewable through a window in the upward sloping portion 25 of top surface 21.
Printer assembly 90 may include any conventional receipt printer 91 able to print a narrow customer receipt in duplicate originql, one copy of which is retained by the op~l~.tor and the other given to the customer, a paper exit cover 92 and a printer paper holder 93. One suitable compact impact receipt printer 91 capable of printing 24 characters per line on 2.26 inch (5.74 cm) wide two-ply paper is dotmatrix printer Model M-180 Ultra Small-Sized Printer available from Epson America Inc. of Torrance, Califomia. Receipt printer 91 is carried within and mounted bymeans not relevant hereto to housing 20 such that paper exiting receipt printer 91 passes directly to papcr exit cover 92 described further h~;naf~r. The width of receipt printer 91 may require housing 20 to include slight side prot~1be~qnces 98 for acco----..o~qtion, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4.
Paper exit cover 92, best shown in Figs. 1 and 2, is mounted in the top surface 21 of housing 20 between the inclined portion 25 and keyboard 60, and includes two parallel flanges 94 forrning a guide chqnn~l 95 for directing the printer paper 96 out of device 10, and a serrated cutting edge 97. Printer paper holder 93, best depicted in Figs. 2 and 5, includes a plate 100 contoured to removably, mqtinely engage the lower portion of the second end 24 of housing 20 and a portion of the bottom surface 22 of housing 20 nearby the second end 24, posts 101 to carry a roll of printer paper 96, and an angled paper guide 102 for optimally directing printer paper 96 into paper receipt printer 91. A plurality of interchangeable plates 100 may be forrned with s~ffirient curvature to receive rolls of printer paper 96 of dirr, Icnt ~ n~--te-, as may be desired by the opeldtor and as shown in IJhanto-~ in Fig. 2. An interlock 103may be integrally formed in plate 100 to allow the requisite removable, mating engagement with housing 20. The side edges of paper guide 102 may be made slightly wider than that of printer paper 96 sufficient to fold over and furnish paper edge guides 104 for more readily directing printer paper 96 into the printhead of receipt printer 91.
Prior to initial operation, and anytime the supply of receipt paper 91 is WO 93/06564 7~ 1 ~ O ~ 1 1 PCr/USs2/08210 substantially depleted, the operator may install or replenish the supply by applying slight ~ U-C on plate 100 under interlock 103 and removing the printer paper holder from its operational position. A new roll of printer paper 96 is placed between posts 101, and the free end of printer paper 96 inserted through paper guide 102. Theleaf~er plate 100 is reinserted into housing 20, placing the free end ofprinter paper 96 into receipt printer 91, and a preselected keyboard button actuating the paper feed by receipt printer 91 deplcssed until printer paper 96 extends through guide ch~nnel 95 and out past serrated cutting edge 97. Device 10 is then ready to print customer r~ceipt~.
Processor 130 may include any conventional central proce~c;ng unit (CPU) 131, microprocessor or microco.,-p~le. having sufficient capacity to control operation of device 10, memory 132 to retain the control program and an input/output circuit 133 for receiving and conditioning all control and data signals.
Communi-~tions assembly 110 allows device 10 to obtain approval of credit card transactions, and may include, alternatively or in co",bination, the coml)onents nf~eS~ry to effect several different methods of obtaining such approval. For example, device 10 may include a conventional radio fre~uency transceiver 111, preferably employing spread S~lulll modulation, to send the information nP~esc.~ry for approval to a base station 112 including a like transceiver 113, central procescing unit 114, memory 115 and input/output circuit 116 connected to a telephone line.Base station 112 will call the credit card verification telephone r,ull,ber, forward the ne~es~-. y information, and receive and radio back to device 10 approval or disap-proval. If desired additional memory 117 may be included within communications assembly 110 to store the information neceCc~ry for approval and transmit all such information in one or more larger data b~trh~s, instead of transmitting each piece of information as it is read, scanned or entered in device 10. Data jacks suitable for direct serial data tr~nsmiscion may be provided in both device 10 and base station 112, and device 10 and base station 112 plugged together to effect transfer. A
modem 118 and telephone jack may be inct~ll~ within device 10, and device 10 plug-ged directly into the public telephone network to obtain transaction approval.
Communications assembly 110 may be carried within and mounted by means not rele-vant hereto to housing 20 substantially adjacent to magnetic card reader 40 underneath keyboard 50.
wo 93/06564 Pcr/US92/08210 e2 ~ ~ n ~ 8 -Device 10 may include a caddy 140 to facilitate ~ignqtllre of the customer receipt and ~~ ily store the operator's copy of the signed receipt. One suitablecaddy 140 is illustrated in partial exploded form in Fig. 4 where a five-sided, sub-st~qnti~lly planer tray only slightly narrower than the width of device 10 is seen to include four corner hooks 141 for removable, sliding engagement with the bottom surface 22 of housing 20, thereby providing a receipt storage chamber 142. The height of caddy 140 may be selected by the mqnufa~turer, and holders having a variety of heights may be made available, but a shallow depth of about 3/16 inch(0.48 cm) is believed to provide ade~uate storage capacity for many applications.
An ape.lure 143 through which signed customer receipts may be inserted into holder 141 may be formed at the end closest to the first end 23 of housing 20, and a receipt holtiing recessed flange 144 integrally formed into the end of caddy 140 closest to the second end 24 of housing 20 with a very small clearance above the preferablyr~ce~d top surface of caddy 140. When a customer receipt is printed and ready for cignqture, the opelatol of device 10 may turn it over, slip a narrow end of the customer receipt under ~:~ssed flange 144, securing the receipt by int~lre~nce fit and providing a hard, flat surface for ~ign~tnre by the customer. A raised flange (not shown) also may be integrally formed into housing 20 extPn-ling from top surface 21 between the keyboard 50 and keyboard 60 such that the customer receipt is positioned over the flat ke~ 60 for Cignqtllre, and keyboard 60 selectively, telllpol~rily deactivated during such ~ignqtllre.
Fig. 4 also ~.iese. ts two mechqni~m~ for carrying of device 10 by the operator.The first me~hqni~m is a somewhat s-shaped, flexible clothing (including belt) hook 146 that may be integrally formed with the card guide 43 so that it extends out from the center thereof along the bottom surface 22 of housing 20. The second mechan-ism is an adjustable neck strap 147 the ends of which are secured to the opposite ends of a closure bar 148, which is in tum slid under clothing hook 146. Closurebar 148 may be made to extend beyond the width of device 10 to fa~-ilit~te separdlion of closure bar 148 from device 10. Carry device 10 with such me~hqnicm.$ allows device 10 to be hung from the operator's clothing in a vertical orientation with the first end 23 closest to the operator's head and the second end 24 furthest thererl(""
whether device 10 is suspended from the operator's clothing or from the neck strap Wo 93/06564 ~ ? ~ 3 Pcr/US92/08210 g positioned around the operator's nec~. In such a position the op~ldlor will have both hands free for other operations and device 10 will be stabilized by the front of the ope,dlor's body.
A self-contained energy source such as batteries 149 are carried within and 5 mounted by means not relevant hereto to housing 20 between communications assem-bly 110 and receipt printer 91 underneath keyboard 60.
O~l~ion of device 10 is straightforward. For purposes of explanation it shall be ~csumed that a supply of printer paper 96 is inst~lled within device 10, device 10 is Ll ~n~ uin~ n~es~.y information to base station 112 for transaction approval, and a customer has approached the opc-dtor with several products to be purchased in a credit card transaction, all as ~ cusse~ above.
First, allowing device 10 to hang vertically free from the operator's clothing or neck, the OpCld~Ol may use both hands to guide the products to be purchased so that barcodes thereon pass beneath barcode scanner 70. The angular orientation of theupward sloping portion 25 of top surface 21, which for this example is believed to be about 30 degrees, positions the scanner window at an ideal angle to f~ te sc~nning product barcodes and simultaneously allow the ope.dtol to view display 80.
In ess~nc~ this incline allows the ope,dlor's hands to remain free while operating device 10.
Once all products to be purchased have been scanned, and at any time during operation when keyboard input is required or desired, the operator may use one hand to lift device 10 in its middle and the other hand to press the desired keys. The arr~n~ement of ~n~l.oJ-ellts within device 10 provides a uniform distribution ofweight and makes slJppo,ling device 10 with one hand comfortable and relatively effortless.
At any convenient time, but most likely either before or after sc~nning is complete, the operator, while allowing device 10 to hang free, may use one hand to pass the customer's charge card by magnetic card reader 40 and, if desired, use the other hand to lightly secure device 10 from any slight lateral motion.
Thereafter, the operator may package the purchased products during which time device 10 will most likely receive a transaction approval from base station 112 and autom~ti~lly print a customer receipt. The operator then tears off the customer receipt, places it under recessed flange 144 atop receipt caddy 140, and requests that WO 93/06564 ~ 1 2 ~ ~ 1~ Pcr/US92/0~210 the customer sign it. After it has been signed, the two-ply customer receipt is removed, a copy handed to the customer or placed in the products package, and the opcldtor~s copy passed through apellure 143 into chamber 142. At this juncture the opelator and device 10 are ready to process another transaction. At any convenient 5 time caddy 140 may be removed and all rcceipls in chamber 142 withdrawn.
In addition to the aspects of the present invention noted above, other alter-natives and fealulcs should now be appa~cnt. For example, in the plcf~led embodi-ment shown and described herein the angle of sloping portion 25 of top surface 21 is about 30 degrees. However, it should be app~nt to one skilled in the art, that other values are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
Also, as should again be apparcl~t to one skilled in the art, barcode scanner 70 could employ a removable wand. Still other modifications that should be understood embrace using any suitable form of modulation in communications assembly 110, including infrared where there exists a clear line of sight to base station 112, and the substitution of only "'l-~itiOI~ memory 117 for communi~tions assembly 110. In the later inct~nce, additional memory 117 will retain all information n~esC~y for tldc~ction approval.
Inasmuch as the present invention is subject to variations, mo lifit~tions and changes in detail, some of which have been expressly stated herein, it is intended that all matter described throughout this entire specification or shown in the accom-panying drawings be inte~ eled as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. It should thus be evident that a device constructed according to the concept of the present invention, and re~con~hly equivalent thereto, will accomplish the objects of thepresent invention and otherwise subst~nti~lly improve the art of portable data collec-tion and, more particularly, portable h~ntlhPld POS terminals.
Claims (20)
OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A portable device for processing point of sale transactions, the portable device having a plurality of components carried and oriented to facilitate hands-free operation by a user, comprising:
housing means for carrying the components, said housing means having an operational orientation relative to the user;
reader means carried by said housing for reading credit card information;
scanner means for generating a canning beam and scanning product. identification information with said beam, said scanner means carried by said housing at a location such that when said housing is in said operational orientation said scanner beam is projected substantially away from the eyes of the user; and printer means for printing a customer receipt, said printer means carried by said housing at a location such that when said housing is in said operational orientation said printer receipt is visible to the user and said housing is substantially balanced for hands-free operation.
housing means for carrying the components, said housing means having an operational orientation relative to the user;
reader means carried by said housing for reading credit card information;
scanner means for generating a canning beam and scanning product. identification information with said beam, said scanner means carried by said housing at a location such that when said housing is in said operational orientation said scanner beam is projected substantially away from the eyes of the user; and printer means for printing a customer receipt, said printer means carried by said housing at a location such that when said housing is in said operational orientation said printer receipt is visible to the user and said housing is substantially balanced for hands-free operation.
2 A portable device for processing point of sale transactions as set forth in Claim 1 further including:
display means for displaying selected of said credit card information and said product identification information said display means carried within said housing at a location such that when said housing is in said operational orientation said display means is visible to the user and said housing is substantially balanced for hands-free operation;
means for furnishing at least selected of said credit card information, said customer information and said product identification information to obtain transaction approval, said means for furnishing carried within said housing at a location such that when said housing is in said operational orientation said housing is substantially balanced for hands-free operation; and, processor means within said housing for receiving said credit card information, said customer information and said product identification information, and controlling said display means, said printer means and said means for furnishing.
display means for displaying selected of said credit card information and said product identification information said display means carried within said housing at a location such that when said housing is in said operational orientation said display means is visible to the user and said housing is substantially balanced for hands-free operation;
means for furnishing at least selected of said credit card information, said customer information and said product identification information to obtain transaction approval, said means for furnishing carried within said housing at a location such that when said housing is in said operational orientation said housing is substantially balanced for hands-free operation; and, processor means within said housing for receiving said credit card information, said customer information and said product identification information, and controlling said display means, said printer means and said means for furnishing.
3. A portable device for processing point of sale transactions, the portable device having a plurality of components carried and oriented to facilitate hands-free operation by a user, comprising;
housing means for carrying the components, said housing means having an operational orientation relative to the user;
reader means carried by said housing for reading credit card information;
scanner means for generating a scanning beam and scanning product identification information with said beam, said scanner means carried by said housing at a location such that when said housing is in said operational orientation said scanner beam is projected substantially away from the eyes of the user; and display means for displaying product and customer identification information, said display means carried by said housing at a location such that when said housing is in the said operational orientation said display means is visible to the user and said housing is substantially balanced for hands-free operation.
housing means for carrying the components, said housing means having an operational orientation relative to the user;
reader means carried by said housing for reading credit card information;
scanner means for generating a scanning beam and scanning product identification information with said beam, said scanner means carried by said housing at a location such that when said housing is in said operational orientation said scanner beam is projected substantially away from the eyes of the user; and display means for displaying product and customer identification information, said display means carried by said housing at a location such that when said housing is in the said operational orientation said display means is visible to the user and said housing is substantially balanced for hands-free operation.
4. A portable device for processing point of sale transactions as set forth in Claim 3 further comprising;
means for furnishing at least selected of said credit card information said customer identification information and said product information to obtain transaction approval, said means for furnishing carried within said housing at a location such that when said housing is in said operational orientation said housing is substantially balanced for hands-free operation; and processor means within said housing for receiving said credit card information said customer information and said product identification information, and controlling said display means, said printer means and said means for furnishing.
means for furnishing at least selected of said credit card information said customer identification information and said product information to obtain transaction approval, said means for furnishing carried within said housing at a location such that when said housing is in said operational orientation said housing is substantially balanced for hands-free operation; and processor means within said housing for receiving said credit card information said customer information and said product identification information, and controlling said display means, said printer means and said means for furnishing.
5. A portable device for processing point of sale transactions the portable device having a plurality of components carried and oriented to facilitate hands-free operation by a user, comprising;
housing for carrying the components, said housing having an operational orientation relative to the user;
display means for displaying product and customer identification information, said display means carried by said housing at a location such that when said housing is in the said operational orientation said display means is visible to the user and said housing is substantially balanced for hands-free operation;
data entry means for entering customer and product information, said data entry means carried by the housing; and printer means for printing a customer receipt, said printer means carried by said housing such that the printer receipt is visible to the user when the housing is in said operational orientation.
housing for carrying the components, said housing having an operational orientation relative to the user;
display means for displaying product and customer identification information, said display means carried by said housing at a location such that when said housing is in the said operational orientation said display means is visible to the user and said housing is substantially balanced for hands-free operation;
data entry means for entering customer and product information, said data entry means carried by the housing; and printer means for printing a customer receipt, said printer means carried by said housing such that the printer receipt is visible to the user when the housing is in said operational orientation.
6. A portable device for processing point of sale transactions, as set forth in Claim 5, in which a paper exit means is included in said housing between said data entry means and said display means adapted for receiving an end of a paper roll exiting the printer means.
7. A portable device for processing point of sale transactions, as set forth in Claim 6, in which the paper exit means is a paper exit cover attached to the housing.
8. A portable device for processing point of sale transactions, as set forth in Claim 5, 6 or 7, in which the housing includes a bottom wall, and in which at least a portion of the printer means is interposed between the data entry mean and said bottom wall.
9. A portable device for processing point of sale transactions as set forth in Claim 5 in which the housing includes removable printer paper holder means adapted for holding a supply of paper for said printer means and for directing the paper into said printer means.
10. A portable device for processing point of sale transactions, as set forth in Claim 9 in which the housing includes a first end and a second end and in which the printer paper holder includes a plate contoured to matingly engage a first portion of said second end of said housing and a portion of said bottom surface of said housing nearby said second end said plate being curved to carry a substantially cylindrical roll of said supply of paper of a preselected maximum diameter, and further including the substantially planer paper guide inoperative association with said plate for directing the paper into said printer means.
11. A portable device for processing point of sale transactions, as set forth in Claim 10, further comprising scanner means for generating a scanning beam adjacent a second portion of the second end of the housing.
12. A portable device for processing point of sale transactions, as set forth in Claim 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 or 11, in which the housing includes a top wall, and in which the data entry means is a keyboard carried by said top wall.
13. A portable device for processing point of sale transactions having a plurality of components, said portable device comprising:
a housing for carrying by the user having an operational orientation which when carried by the user is hands-free, said housing including a first end and a second end;
a printer for printing a customer receipt, said printer carried by said housing at a location such that when said housing is in said operational orientation said printer receipt is visible to the user and said housing is substantially balanced for hands-free operation;
printer paper holder means for holding a supply of paper adjacent said printer matingly engaging said second end of the housing; and data input means carried by the housing and adjacent both the second end of the housing and the printer paper holder means whereby the data input means is accessible to the user when said housing is balanced for hands-free operation.
a housing for carrying by the user having an operational orientation which when carried by the user is hands-free, said housing including a first end and a second end;
a printer for printing a customer receipt, said printer carried by said housing at a location such that when said housing is in said operational orientation said printer receipt is visible to the user and said housing is substantially balanced for hands-free operation;
printer paper holder means for holding a supply of paper adjacent said printer matingly engaging said second end of the housing; and data input means carried by the housing and adjacent both the second end of the housing and the printer paper holder means whereby the data input means is accessible to the user when said housing is balanced for hands-free operation.
14. A portable device for processing point of sale transactions having a plurality of components, said portable device comprising;
a housing for carrying by the user having an operational orientation which when carried by the user is hands-free, said housing including a top surface, a bottom surface, a first end and a second end;
the second end having a first portion and a second portion;
a printer for printing a customer receipt, said printer carried by the housing adjacent the first portion of the second end and at a location such that when said housing is in said operational orientation said printer receipt is visible to the user and said housing is substantially balanced for hands-free operation;
data input means carried by the housing accessible to the user when said housing is balanced for hands-free operation and adjacent the second portion of the second end; and printer paper holder means carried by the housing adjacent the printer.
a housing for carrying by the user having an operational orientation which when carried by the user is hands-free, said housing including a top surface, a bottom surface, a first end and a second end;
the second end having a first portion and a second portion;
a printer for printing a customer receipt, said printer carried by the housing adjacent the first portion of the second end and at a location such that when said housing is in said operational orientation said printer receipt is visible to the user and said housing is substantially balanced for hands-free operation;
data input means carried by the housing accessible to the user when said housing is balanced for hands-free operation and adjacent the second portion of the second end; and printer paper holder means carried by the housing adjacent the printer.
15. A portable device for processing point of sale transactions as set forth in claim 14, in which the printer paper holder means includes a substantially planer paper guide for directing the paper into the printer.
16. a portable device for processing point of sale transactions as set forth in Claim 15 in which the paper guide is positioned on the portable paper holder means adjacent the printer and the printer paper holder means is adapted to retain a paper roll at least partially under the data input means.
17. A portable device for processing point of sale transactions as set forth in Claim 16 in which the printer paper holder means includes a plate contoured to matingly engage the first portion of said second end of slid housing and a portion of said bottom surface of said housing nearby said second end said plate being curved to carry a substantially cylindrical roll of a supply of paper of a preselected maximum diameter.
18. A portable device for processing point of sale transactions, as set forth in Claim 17, in which the data input means is a scanner for generating a scan beam and scanning product identification information with said beam.
19. A portable device for processing point of sale transactions as set forth in Claim 18 further comprising a display for displaying selected consumer and product identification information said display means positioned on the opposite side of the printer as the removable printer paper holder means.
20. A portable device for processing point of sale transactions as set forth in Claim 19, in which the display is angularly oriented upwardly and away from the printer, and substantially parallel to the data input means such that when the housing is in the operational orientation said display is visible to the user.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US767,270 | 1991-09-27 | ||
| US07/767,270 US5294782A (en) | 1991-09-27 | 1991-09-27 | Integrated portable device for point of sale transactions |
| PCT/US1992/008210 WO1993006564A1 (en) | 1991-09-27 | 1992-09-25 | Integrated portable device for point of sale transactions |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2120011A1 CA2120011A1 (en) | 1993-04-01 |
| CA2120011C true CA2120011C (en) | 1999-08-03 |
Family
ID=25078987
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002120011A Expired - Fee Related CA2120011C (en) | 1991-09-27 | 1992-09-25 | Integrated portable device for point of sale transactions |
Country Status (7)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (3) | US5294782A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0605630B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP2983288B2 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU2756492A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2120011C (en) |
| DE (1) | DE69231684D1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1993006564A1 (en) |
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-
1991
- 1991-09-27 US US07/767,270 patent/US5294782A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1992
- 1992-09-25 CA CA002120011A patent/CA2120011C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1992-09-25 AU AU27564/92A patent/AU2756492A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1992-09-25 DE DE69231684T patent/DE69231684D1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1992-09-25 JP JP5506400A patent/JP2983288B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1992-09-25 WO PCT/US1992/008210 patent/WO1993006564A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1992-09-25 EP EP92921193A patent/EP0605630B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
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1994
- 1994-03-15 US US08/213,489 patent/US5386106A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1994-12-08 US US08/352,231 patent/US5489773A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
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|---|---|
| US5294782A (en) | 1994-03-15 |
| US5386106A (en) | 1995-01-31 |
| DE69231684D1 (en) | 2001-03-15 |
| EP0605630A4 (en) | 1999-02-03 |
| US5489773A (en) | 1996-02-06 |
| JP2983288B2 (en) | 1999-11-29 |
| AU2756492A (en) | 1993-04-27 |
| WO1993006564A1 (en) | 1993-04-01 |
| EP0605630A1 (en) | 1994-07-13 |
| EP0605630B1 (en) | 2001-02-07 |
| CA2120011A1 (en) | 1993-04-01 |
| JPH07501903A (en) | 1995-02-23 |
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| EEER | Examination request | ||
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