WO2007069917A1

WO2007069917A1 - A device, a system and methods for handling data generated by a point-of-sale system

Info

Publication number: WO2007069917A1
Application number: PCT/NZ2006/000325
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ian Michael Fahy
Original assignee: Retail Insight Limited
Priority date: 2005-12-14
Filing date: 2006-12-14
Publication date: 2007-06-21

Abstract

Data generated by a point-of-sale system during a retail transaction is processed to facilitate targeting of promotional material. The promotional material is selected based on its relevance to the current transaction. It is then printed on receipts issued by the point-of-sale system. Also, targeted media content may be received from a computer system via the communication network for visual presentation.

Description

A DEVICE, A SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR HANDLING DATA GENERATED

BY A POINT-OF-SALE SYSTEM

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of point-of-sale systems, and more particularly - but by no means exclusively — the field of printing information on a receipt issued by a point-of-sale system.

Background of the Invention

Today's point-of-sale (POS) systems typically include a computer, POS application software that is loaded on the computer, and one or more peripheral devices that are electrically connected to the computer. The POS application software provides various functions associated with retail transactions such as, for example, recording the sale of merchandise. The peripherals connected to the computer can include, for instance, a barcode scanner, a receipt printer, a cash draw, and a magnetic card reader.

Existing point-of-sale systems have been used to issue receipts containing promotion material such as, for example, general advertisements and special product offers including discounts. Existing point-of-sale systems are such that the promotional material is set prior to transactions being logged by the point-of-sale systems. For instance, the promotional material may have been pre-printed on the back of blank paper receipt. As such, promotional material appearing on receipts issued by existing point-of sale system is not 'targeted' and therefore may not be effective in reaching the desired consumer group. Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a device for handling data generated by a point-of-sale system, the device comprising a processing means arranged to perform the steps of: obtaining transaction data generated by the point of sale system; processing the transaction data to obtain promotion data; and sending the promotion data to a printing device.

An embodiment of the device according to the first aspect of the present invention provides an advantage of being able to facilitate targeting of promotional material that is to appear on receipts issued by a point-of-sale system. As a result of processing the transaction data (which may for example be a scanned barcode) to obtain the promotion data, the embodiment of the device is capable of obtaining promotion data that has some relevance to a particular transaction. Thus, for example, if the transaction data represents the barcodes for various dog products then the promotion data obtained by the embodiment of the device may relate to current promotions associated with other dog products or services.

Preferably, the processing means is arranged to perform the steps of: processing the transaction data to obtain media content; and sending the media content to a visual display device for visual presentation. Preferably, the processing means is arranged such that the step of processing the transaction data comprises the steps of: sending the transaction data to a computer system via a communication network; and receiving the promotion data from the computer system via the communication network.

Preferably, the processing means is arranged such that the step of processing the transaction data further comprises the step of receiving the media content from the computer system via the communication network.

Another advantage of the embodiment of the device according to the first aspect of the present invention is that by obtaining the promotion data from the computer system the embodiment of the device requires only minimal internal data storage facilitates . The embodiment of the device effectively allows the promotion data to be stored remotely in the computer system (which may, for example, be a database) and retrieved only when needed, which is typically in response to receiving the transaction data.

A further advantage of the embodiment of the device is that by sending the transaction data to the computer system, the computer system can use the transaction data to prepare various reports about various transactions and the associated promotions.

Preferably, the processing means is arranged to perform the steps of: determining a temporal parameter associated with the step of processing the transaction data; performing the step of sending the promotion data to the printing device if the temporal parameter meets a predefined criterion; obtaining error data from a local data storage means in the device if the temporal parameter does not meet the predefined criterion; and sending the error data to the printing device.

An additional advantage of the embodiment of the device is that by using the error data the device is still capable of effecting printing of promotional material on the receipt in the event that the promotion data cannot be obtained from the computer system. In this regard, the error data can represent default promotion material.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of handling data generated by a point-of-sale system, the method comprising the steps of: obtaining transaction data generated by the point-of- sale system; processing the transaction data to obtain promotion data; and sending the promotion data to a printing device.

Preferably, the method further comprises the steps of: processing the transaction data to obtain media content; and sending the media content to a visual display device for visual presentation.

Preferably, the method further comprises the steps of: sending the transaction data to a computer system via a communication network; and receiving the promotion data from the computer system via the communication network.

Preferably, the step of processing the transaction data further comprises the step of receiving the media content from the computer system via the communication network.

Preferably, the method comprises the steps of: determining a temporal parameter associated with the step of processing the transaction data; performing the step of sending the promotion data to the printing device if the temporal parameter meets a predefined criterion; obtaining error data from a local data storage means in the device if the temporal parameter does not meet the predefined criterion; and sending the error data to the printing device.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for handling data generated by a point-of-sale system, the system comprising a processing means arranged to perform the steps of: receiving transaction data from a device; processing the transaction data to obtain promotion data; and sending the promotion data to the device.

As described in a preceding paragraph, an advantage of processing the transaction data to obtain the promotion data is that it facilitates targeting of promotional material, which is represented by the promotion data.

Preferably, the processing means is further arranged to perform the steps of: processing the transaction data to obtain media content; and sending the media content to the device.

Preferably, the processing means is arranged to perform the steps of: supporting an interface arranged to receive details of a promotion; and creating the promotion data such that the device can process the promotion data to determine the details of the promotion.

An advantage of using the interface in an embodiment of the system according to the second aspect of the present invention is that it enables, for example, a user to readily enter details of the promotion. In this case the interface would be in the form of a graphical user interface.

Preferably, the interface comprises a graphical user interface .

Preferably, the processing means is arranged such that the step of receiving the transaction data, and the steps of sending the promotion data and sending the media content respectively comprise the step of receiving the transaction data via a communication network and the steps of sending the promotion data and the media content via the communication network.

As described in a preceding paragraph, an advantage of using the communication network is that the system and the device can be remote from each other. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of handling data generated by a point-of-sale system, the method comprising the steps of: receiving transaction data from a device; processing the transaction data to obtain promotion data; and sending the promotion data to the device.

Preferably, the method further comprises the steps of: processing the transaction data to obtain media content; and sending the media content to the device.

Preferably, the method comprises the steps of: supporting an interface arranged to receive details of a promotion; and creating the promotion data such that the device can process the promotion data to determine the details of the promotion.

Preferably, the interface comprises a graphical user interface.

Preferably, the step of receiving the transaction data, and the steps of sending the promotion data and sending the media content respectively comprise the step of receiving the transaction data via a communication network and the steps of sending the promotion data and sending the media content via the communication network.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a computer program comprising at least one instruction, which when executed by a computing device causes the computing device to perform the method according to the second aspect and/or the fourth aspect of the present invention.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention there is provided a computer readable medium comprising the computer program according to the fifth aspect of the present invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Notwithstanding any other embodiments that may fall within the scope of the present invention, an embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

figure l(a) provides a schematic representation a point-of-sale system including an embodiment of the present invention;

figure 1 (b) provides a schematic representation of an architecture of the system shown in figure l(a);

figure l(c) provides a schematic representation of an architecture of an element depicted in figure l(b); and

figure 1 (d) provides a schematic representation of another architecture of the element depicted in figure Kc) .

An Embodiment of the Invention

With reference to figure l(a), a point-of-sale system 100 including an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a personal computer based terminal 102; several peripheral devices in the form of a barcode scanner 104, a magnetic card reader 106, (for scanning loyalty cards) , and a receipt printer 108; a store controller 110; a communication network 112; computer servers 114 and 116; and a relatively visual display device in the form of a wide screen LCD monitor 118.

As persons skilled in the art will readily appreciate, the personal computer based terminal 102 comprises traditional computer hardware including a motherboard that is fitted with numerous components such as a central processing unit, a video card, random access memory, and various data ports (in the form of, for example, RS232 and/or USB ports) . In addition to the aforementioned components, the personal computer based terminal 102 comprises a touch screen monitor that is coupled to the video card, a power supply that is electrically coupled to the motherboard, and a hard disk that is also electrically coupled to the motherboard.

The hard disk of the terminal 102 is loaded with various pieces of software including an operating system in the form of Microsoft's Windows XP. As persons skilled in the art will readily appreciate, the operating system and the hardware of the terminal 102 cooperate to provide an environment in which software applications can be executed. In this regard, the hard disk of the terminal 102 is also loaded with a point-of-sale application in the form of Microsoft's Retail Management System. Persons skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the point- of-sale application enables retailers to use the terminal for various retail related functions including, for example, inventory control, label design and printing (for barcodes) , and invoicing. The peripheral devices 104 to 108 are readily available from many distributors including, for example, DR Technology Pty Ltd of Mulgrave, Melbourne, Victoria Australia. The barcode scanner 104 and the magnetic card reader 106 are connected to the data ports of the store controller 110 (which is described in more detail in subsequent paragraphs of this specification) and are arranged to send/receive data to/from the data ports of the store controller 110. For instance, on scanning a product barcode the barcode scanner 104 sends data encoded with the barcode information to the respective data port of the store controller 110. As persons skilled in the art will readily appreciate, the store controller 110 sends data from the devices 104 and 106 to the point-of-sale application loaded on the terminal 102, which in turn uses the received data to perform various retail functions. In addition to receiving data from the peripheral devices 104 to 106, the data ports of the store controller 110 are also used by the point-of-sale application to send data to the peripheral devices 104 and 106.

It is noted that the bar code scanner may send a product bar code to the store controller 110 and the store controller 110 may either send the same bar code to the computer 102 or may send an alternative bar code. The alternative bar code can represent the same product but at a discounted price.

The store controller 110, which is available from Retail Insight Ltd of Auckland, New Zealand, is in the form of an embedded computer device. The store controller 110 includes several data ports, which are in the form of PS2 ports, parallel ports, and USB ports. As indicated previously, the peripheral devices 104 and 106 are each connected to a respective data port on the store controller 110. One of the data ports of the controller 110 is electrically coupled to one or more of the data ports of the terminal 102. This enables the terminal 102 and the store controller 110 to exchange data with each other. As indicated previously, the data exchanged between the terminal 102 and the store controller 110 can include data from the peripheral devices 104 and 106.

Another of the data ports of the controller 110 is electrically coupled to the receipt printer 108. As described in more detail in subsequent paragraphs of this specification, the store controller 110 and the point-of- sale terminal 102 exchange data with each other via their respective data ports. Furthermore, the controller 110 is arranged to send data to the receipt printer 108 via the respective data port. In addition to the data ports the store controller 110 also includes a network interface that is electrically coupled to the communication network 112. As described in more detail in subsequent paragraphs of this specification, the store controller 110 uses the network interface to send/receive data via the network 112. It is noted that the store controller 110 also has a video output port to which the LCD monitor 118 is electrically connected.

The store controller 110 is based on an embedded computer hardware platform and as such includes components such as a motherboard with a central processing unit and random access memory fitted thereto. Furthermore, the store controller 110 includes a data storage device in the form of flash memory device. The flash memory is loaded with an operating system in the form of Linux, which cooperates with the hardware of the controller 110 to provide an environment in which software applications can be executed. In this regard, the flash memory of the controller 110 is loaded with a software application that, broadly speaking, is arranged to handle the exchange of data between the terminal 102, the receipt printer 108, and the computer server 114, and the LCD monitor 118.

The communication network 112 is in the form of a public access packet switched network such as the Internet. More specifically, the communication network 112 is arranged to support the Internet Protocol (IP) suite of protocols. As persons skilled in the art will readily appreciate, the communication network 112 comprises numerous routers/switches interconnected via high speed data links. The routers/switches support at least one IP routing protocol to thereby enable data to be exchanged via the network 112. In this regard, the network 112 is used by the store controller 110 to primarily exchange data with the computer server 114.

The computer servers 114 and 116 each comprise traditional computer hardware including a motherboard that is fitted with numerous components such as a central processing unit, random access memory, and a network interface card. The network interface is electrically coupled to the communication network 112. In addition to the aforementioned components, each server 114 and 116 also comprises a power supply that is electrically coupled to the motherboard, and a hard disk that is also electrically coupled to the motherboard.

Each hard disk of the computer servers 114 and 116 is loaded with various pieces of software including an operating system in the form of Microsoft's Windows 2003 Server. As persons skilled in the art will readily appreciate, the operating system interacts with the hardware of the server 114 and 116 to provide an environment in which software applications can be executed. In this regard, the hard disks of the servers 114 and 116 are loaded with several software applications. The first software application loaded on the server 114 is a web server application in the form of Microsoft's Internet Information Server, while the second software application loaded on server 114 is, broadly speaking, arranged to handle data received from the controller 110, request data from server 116 and to data send to the controller 110. The first software application loaded on the other server 116 is a database application in the form of Microsoft's SQL Server 2000, while the second software application loaded on the server 116 is broadly speaking, arranged to handle data received from the server 114 and to respond to requests for data from the server 114.

As mentioned previously, both the store controller 110 and the computer servers 114 and 116 are loaded with application software. In this regard, the functional architecture of the application software is depicted in figure l(b) . The main elements of the functional architecture that reside in the store controller 110 include a "web service" module and a "windows service" module. In contrast, the main elements of the functional architecture that reside in the computer server 114 include a "configuration manager web service" module and a "configuration manager interface" module. The main element of the functional architecture that resides in the computer server 116 is the relational database management.

Generally speaking, the web service module of the store controller 110 is arranged to support the exchange of data between the windows service module and the terminal 102. To facilitate the exchange of data the web service module uses the simple object access protocol (SOAP) to transfer data to/from the terminal 102, which also supports the simple object access protocol. The transfer of data between the web service module and the windows service module is performed by a PCI data bus in the controller 110. The main benefits provided by the web service module is it can provide security and authentication protocols. Furthermore, the web service module isolates the windows service module from the dependences of the terminal 102, thus allowing the windows service module to be readily used with a broad range of different terminals 102.

Generally speaking, the windows service module of the store controller 110 is arranged to perform various tasks related to the exchange of data between the terminal 102, the receipt printer 108, and the computer server 114. The functional architectures of the windows service module are depicted in figure l(c) and figure l(d) . The first of the functional architectures, which is depicted in figure l(c), represents the real-time components of the architecture. The second of the functional architectures, which is depicted in figure 1 (d) , represents the various background components of the architecture .

With reference to figure l(c), the first (real-time) architecture comprises a "sales manager" module that is arranged to maintain a list of custom product (RI) numbers, iterms and sales total for each product entered into the terminal 102. In this regard, the sales manager module maintains the list by processing transaction data received, via the data ports, from the terminal 102. The data terminal 102 typically generates the transaction data as a result of the barcode scanner 104 scanning the barcodes of various products or as a result of a loyalty card being scanned by the magnetic card reader 106 (which has the advantage of being able to link the loyalty- information and the transaction data) . The sales manager module is such that on receiving certain command data from the terminal 102 the sales manager module updates the list accordingly. For instance, on receiving a "cancel transaction" command from the terminal 102 the sales manager module responds by deleting the custom product numbers, items and sales total from the list.

The following sets out an example of the various steps performed by the sales manager module:

1. On receiving barcode data, custom product number or command data (transaction data) from terminal 102:

• Add barcode data to sales list;

• Add custom product number to sales list;

• Remove last item from sales list if command data is a cancel item key; • Remove all items from sale if command data is a cancel transaction key.

2. On receiving print command from terminal 102:

• Parse total from receipt; • Prepend merchant logo;

• Send to promotion manager queue;

• Get offline promotion;

• Prepare printer manager for incoming print job using the offline promotion as the "error" to print in case process takes too long.

3. On receiving custom barcode (transaction data) from terminal 102: • Prepare print manager for incoming print job using communication failure image as the "error" to print in case process takes too long;

• Send custom barcode data to coupon manager.

In addition to the sales manager module, the first^' (real-time) architecture of the windows service module includes a "promotion manager" module. The promotion manager module is arranged to process sale transactions. In this regard, the promotion manager is arranged to receive sales related data from the sales manager module and send the sales related data (transaction data) to the computer server 114. The promotion manager module is also arranged to receive promotion data from the computer server 114 in response to sending the sales related data. The promotion data may, for example, include media content in the form of an audio/visual clip. On receiving media content the controller sends the content to the LCD monitor 118, which in turn displays the media content. In order to send and receive the sales related data and the promotion data the promotion manager uses the simple object access protocol over the communication network 112. On receiving promotion data the promotion manager module places the data into a print queue for printing by the receipt printer 108.

The following sets out an example of the various steps performed by the promotion manager module :

1. On detecting a queued sales data:

Send sales (transaction) data to computer server 114 to obtain relevant promotion data; Convert promotion data to the ESCPOS printer format; • Send ESCPOS data to printer manager queue for printing by the receipt printer 108.

2. On Failing to obtain promotion data: • Change print priority of sales data such that it is not scheduled for printing until all pending sale transactions are completed;

• Re-queue sales data.

The first (real time) architecture of the windows service module also includes a "coupon manager" module, which has the primary responsibility of processing custom barcodes encoded in the transaction data. The following sets out an example of the various steps performed by the coupon manager module:

1. On detecting a queued custom barcode:

• Send custom barcode to computer server 114 to obtain therefrom resultant data; • Covert resultant data to ESCPOS printer format;

• Send ESCPOS data to printer manager queue for printing by the receipt printer 108.

In addition the previously described modules, the first (real-time) architecture of the windows service module includes a "print manager" module. The print manager module maintains at least one printer queue. The print manager module is such that the sales manager module and the coupon manager module prepare the print manager module for printing. Consequently, the print manager module is arranged to determine when a print task is taking too long. Furthermore, on detecting that a print task is taking too long the print manager places an error message in the print queue so that the print task can proceed without further delay. The following sets out an example of the various steps performed by the print manager module:

1. On generating an error message:

• If an error message is expected - o Cancel timer o Add error message to print queue;

• Else, discard error message.

2. Expiry of print timer:

• Add error message to print queue.

With reference to figure l(d), the second (background) architecture of the windows service module includes a "log manager" module that enables the store controller 110 to send general information to the computer server 114. In this regard, the log manager module uses the simple object access protocol over the communication network 112 to send the general information to the computer server 114. The information is then sent to server 116 where it is stored in a database. The following summarises the steps performed by the log manager module:

1. On detecting information in message queue:

• Send information to computer server 114.

2. On failing to send information to computer server 114:

• Adjust priority of information so that it will not be sent until all pending sale transactions are complete;

• Re-queue information. The second (background) architecture of the windows service module also includes an "update manager" module that is arranged to ensure the local data tables are in sync with corresponding data tables maintained by the computer server 114. The following is an example of some of the steps performed by the update manager module:

1. Every hour:

• Synchronise promotion data table; • Synchronise trigger data table;

• Synchronise options data table;

• Synchronise software data table;

• Synchronise merchant data table; Synchronise terminal 102 configuration table; and

• Synchronise receipt parsing table.

2. On start-up:

• Check version required by computer server 114 - o If okay

Start other managers o Else

• If have required version

Install • Else

• Download and install

3. Every minute:

• Check version required by computer server 114 - o If not okay

• Stop managers

Install as set out in preceding point 2 4. New software version available:

• Download software in IK byte portions from the computer server 114;

• Save to software data table when download complete.

In addition to the previous two modules, the second (background) architecture of the windows service module includes a "barcode" module. The barcode module is arranged to generate and recognise barcode data in the following format:

The second (background) architecture of the windows 15 service module also includes a "receipt" module that is arranged to manipulate ESCPOS printer data. The functions performed by the receipt module include:

Obtaining receipt total;

Appending promotional information to receipt;

Reformatting of promotion data to ESCPOS format; and

Reformatting of barcode data to ESCPOS format.

The second (background) architecture of the windows service module also includes three objects. The first object is a table object that is in the form of a hard disk based data table with a memory cache for fast access, The second object is a thread object that enables the various models of the windows service module to perform background processing. The third object is a queue object that provides a hard disk based memory queuing.

As can be seen in figure l(b), the architecture also includes two elements that are associated with the computer server 114. The first element is the "configuration manager web service" module, which is arranged to process requests from the windows service module of the store controller 110. To receive requests from the windows service module, the configuration manager web service uses the simple object access protocol over the communication network 112. The configuration manager web service has an application programming interface (API) that supports various request methods that can be invoked by the windows service module of the store controller 110. The request methods include :

• PromotionList ProcessSale (Sale) - Adds a sale transaction, finds associated promotion data, and creates a coupon if required;

• CouponResult ProcessCoupon (Coupon) - Find the coupon, set status to used, and return the result;

• LogResult Log (Message) - Adds the message to the database;

KeyList GetTableList (tableName) - Get the list of item in the table;

Object GetTable(i) - get the i ' th object in the table; • KeyList GetTodaysPromotions ( ) - get the list of promotions that might be sent out today (yesterday + today + tomorrow) ;

• Int GetSoftwareSize (iVersion) - how big is the software; • DataChunk GetSoftwareChunk (iVersion, ChunkNumber) - return a chuck of software; and

• DataChunk GetSoftware (iVersion) - return the whole software.

The second element of the architecture in the computer server is the "configuration manager interface" module. The configuration manager interface comprises ASP.NET web-pages that allow remote access to the database of the server 116 via ADO.NET.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that in alternative embodiments of the present invention promotional offers can be made to customers via different communication channels such as, for example, newspaper

^• advertisements or via text messages sent to mobile telephones. Each offer contains a unique bar code

(coupon) . The bar code scanner at the point-of-sale is used to scan the coupon. The store controller 110 determines that the bar code is a coupon and not a product bar code. The store controller 110 prints a message on the receipt (as previously described) depending on the status of the coupon. The status could include, for example, coupon valid, coupon expired or coupon already used. The coupon redemption is recorded along with the point-of-sale transaction in the database.

Furthermore, in the alternative embodiment of the present invention the database server may contain a loyalty database that contains membership data such as member name, loyalty points history, loyalty points tatal, areas of interest. The promotion information printed on the receipt may include dynamic data from the loyalty- database such as the customer' s current points balance or a promotion related to the customer's area of interest (for example, fishing)

While the present embodiment of the invention has been described with reference to the aforementioned embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that alterations, changes and improvements may be made and equivalents may be substituted for the elements thereof and steps thereof without departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt to a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present invention without departing from the central scope thereof. Such alterations, changes, modifications and improvements, though not expressly described above, are nevertheless intended an implied to be within the scope and sprit of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the independent claims .

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A device for handling data generated by a point- of-sale system, the device comprising a processing means arranged to perform the steps of: obtaining transaction data generated by the point- of-sale system; processing the transaction data to obtain promotion data; and sending the promotion data to a printing device.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processing means is arranged to perform the steps of: processing the transaction data to obtain media content; and sending the media content to a visual display device for visual presentation.

3. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the processing means is arranged such that the step of processing the transaction data comprises the steps of: sending the transaction data to a computer system via a communication network; and receiving the promotion data from the computer system via the communication network.

4. The device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the processing means is arranged such that the step of processing the transaction data further comprises the step of receiving the media content from the computer system via the communication network.

5. The device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the processing means is arranged to perform the steps of: determining a temporal parameter associated with the step of processing the transaction data; performing the step of sending the promotion data to the printing device if the temporal parameter meets a predefined criterion; obtaining error data from a local data storage means in the device if the temporal parameter does not meet the predefined criterion; and sending the error data to the printing device.

6. A method of handling data generated by a point- of-sale system, the method comprising the steps of: obtaining transaction data generated by the point- of-sale system; processing the transaction data to obtain promotion data; and sending the promotion data to a printing device.

7. The method as claimed in claim 6, further comprising the steps of: processing the transaction data to obtain media content; and sending the media content to a visual display device for visual presentation.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7, comprising the steps of: sending the transaction data to a computer system via a communication network; and receiving the promotion data from the computer system via the communication network.

9. The method as claimed in claim 8, The device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the step of processing the transaction data further comprises the step of receiving the media content from the computer system via the communication network.

10. The method as claimed in claim 9, comprising the steps of: determining a temporal parameter associated with the step of processing the transaction data; performing the step of sending the promotion data to the printing device if the temporal parameter meets a predefined criterion; obtaining error data from a local data storage means in the device if the temporal parameter does not meet the predefined criterion; and sending the error data to the printing device.

11. A system for handling data generated by a point- of-sale system, the system comprising a processing means arranged to perform the steps of: receiving transaction data from a device; processing the transaction data to obtain promotion data; and sending the promotion data to the device.

12. The system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the processing means is further arranged to perform the steps of: processing the transaction data to obtain media content; and sending the media content to the device.

13. The system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the processing means is arranged to perform the steps of: supporting an interface arranged to receive details of a promotion; and creating the promotion data such that the device can process the promotion data to determine the details of the promotion.

14. The system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the interface comprises a graphical user interface.

15. The system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the processing means is arranged such that the step of receiving the transaction data, and the steps of sending the promotion data and sending the media content respectively comprise the step of receiving the transaction data via a communication network, and the steps of sending the promotion data and the media content via the communication network.

16. A method for handling data generated by a point-of-sale system, the method comprising the steps of: receiving transaction data from a device; processing the transaction data to obtain promotion data; and sending the promotion data to the device.

17. The method as claimed in claim 16, further comprising the steps of: processing the transaction data to obtain media content; and sending the media content to the device.

18. The method as claimed in claim 17, comprising the steps of: supporting an interface arranged to receive details of a promotion; and creating the promotion data such that the device can process the promotion data to determine the details of the promotion.

19. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the interface comprises a graphical user interface.

20. The method as claimed in claim 19, wherein the step of receiving the transaction data, and the steps of sending the promotion data respectively comprise the step of receiving the transaction data via a communication network, and the steps of sending the promotion data and the media content via the communication network.

21. A computer program comprising at least one instruction, which when executed by a computing device causes the computing device to perform the method as claimed in anyone of claims 6 to 10 and 16 to 20.

22. A computer readable medium comprising the computer program as claimed in claim 21.