Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6225982
-
Patent Number
6,225,982
-
Date Filed
Friday, July 1, 199430 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, May 1, 200123 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 345 173
- 345 174
- 345 175
- 345 176
- 345 177
- 345 178
- 345 168
- 178 18
- 178 19
- 178 1801
- 178 1805
- 178 181
- 178 1901
- 178 1904
- 364 405
- 364 404
- 364 406
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International Classifications
-
Abstract
A dynamic key terminal including a choice-driven interface which employs multi-pathing to guide a retail operator through a retail transaction. A display displays choices vertically on one side of the display to an operator. A first keypad, vertically oriented in the front surface of the housing adjacent the choices displayed by the display, is used by an operator for entering choices. A second keypad adjacent the first keypad is used by the operator to enter item information. The terminal may also have a card reader. A processor controls operation of the terminal and executes a graphic user interface including a plurality of overlays wherein each overlay is associated with a choice selected by the operator using the first keypad. A method for guiding an operator through a retail transaction is also disclosed, wherein each user choice causes the processor to display an overlay specific to the choice entered.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to retail terminals and more specifically to a dynamic key terminal including a choice-driven interface.
Within the retail environment, operation of current terminals by employees is not intuitive. Employees must receive training and use the terminals for a predetermined amount of time in order to become proficient at operating the terminals. Inexperienced operators cause delays in the checking lines and are prone to making mistakes.
Therefore, it would be desirable to provide an input terminal and an interface that are intuitive for inexperienced employees to operate and which reduces the likelihood of errors by employees.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a dynamic key terminal including a choice-driven interface is provided. A display displays choices vertically on one side of the display to an operator. A first keypad, vertically oriented in the front surface of the housing adjacent the choices displayed by the display, is used by an operator for entering choices. A second keypad adjacent the first keypad is used by the operator to enter item information. The terminal may also have a card reader. A processor controls operation of the terminal and executes a graphic user interface including a plurality of overlays wherein each overlay is associated with a choice selected by the operator using the first keypad.
A method for guiding an operator through a retail transaction is also disclosed. The method employs multi-pathing as a tool to complete a transaction. Multi-pathing may be defined as providing a plurality of ways to accomplish the same function. The present invention employs the choice-driven actuators and the keypad to accomplish multi-pathing. For example, if the choice is to modify an item entry, the possible ways to modify an item entry may include various combinations of actuator and keypad entries.
The method begins with the processor displaying a first overlay of the choice-driven interface, which contains a choice to enter information about an item to be purchased by a customer. The processor records the information entered by the operator. The processor displays the item information as part of the first overlay. The processor displays additional choices for modifying the item information as part of the first overlay. The processor displays a second overlay containing payment choices. Finally, the processor records the payment choice entered by the operator through a keypad adjacent the choices.
Additional steps may include displaying a third overlay containing payment amount choices and total cost information by the processor, recording a payment amount choice entered by the operator through the keypad adjacent the choices, and displaying a fourth overlay containing a representation of change information, if the payment amount choice is more than the total cost, by the processor.
The method also includes steps for displaying an overlay on a retail terminal, including the steps of establishing left and right portions of the overlay; providing operator choices within the right portion of the overlay; displaying the operator choices; establishing top, middle, and bottom areas within the left portion of the overlay; providing overlay title information within-the top portion of the overlay; providing an item list within the middle portion of the overlay; providing payment information within the bottom portion-of the overlay; and displaying the top, middle, and bottom portions.
It is a feature of the present invention that the keys with the keypad associated with the choices displayed in the choice-driven interface change their functions as the overlays change.
It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a dynamic key terminal including a choice-driven interface.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a dynamic key terminal including a choice-driven interface which is intuitive to use and which guides an operator through a retail transaction with minimal supervisor intervention.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a dynamic key terminal including a choice-driven interface which includes a plurality of overlays wherein each overlay includes choices that are recorded by an operator using a keypad adjacent the choices.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a dynamic key terminal which includes a display for displaying a choice-driven interface, a plurality of choice buttons adjacent the display, and a keypad, all within a housing that has a small footprint on the checkout counter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Additional benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates from the subsequent description of the preferred embodiments and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1
is a block diagram of the dynamic key terminal of the present invention;
FIG. 2
is front view of the dynamic key terminal of the present invention;
FIG. 3
is front view of another embodiment of the dynamic key terminal of the present invention;
FIG. 4
is a side view of the dynamic key terminal of the present invention;
FIG. 5
is a view of the display of the dynamic key terminal illustrating the functional sections of the choice-driven interface;
FIGS. 6A and 6B
form a flow diagram illustrating the operation of the choice-driven interface in connection with a retail transaction;
FIG. 7
is a view of an overlay of the choice-driven interface;
FIG. 8
is a view of another overlay of the choice-driven interface;
FIG. 9
is a view of another overlay of the choice-driven interface;
FIG. 10
is a view of another overlay of the choice-driven interface;
FIG. 11
is a view of another overlay of the choice-driven interface;
FIG. 12
is a view of another overlay of the choice-driven interface;
FIG. 13
is a view of another overlay of the choice-driven interface;
FIG. 14
is a view of another overlay of the choice-driven interface;
FIG. 15
is a view of another overlay of the choice-driven interface;
FIG. 16
is a view of another overlay of the choice-driven interface;
FIG. 17
is a view of another overlay of the choice driven interface;
FIG. 18
i s a view of another overlay of the choice-driven interface; and
FIG. 19
is a view of another overlay of the choice-driven interface.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to
FIG. 1
, system
10
includes dynamic key terminal
12
and terminal
14
. In a network environment, system
10
also includes server
16
.
Terminal
12
includes liquid crystal display (LCD)
18
, choice-driven interface actuators
20
, and keypad
22
. In a first embodiment (FIG.
2
), choice-driven interface actuators
20
are mechanical buttons
35
. In a second embodiment (FIG.
3
), choice-driven interface actuators
20
are touch sensitive screen portions
37
within LCD
18
. Terminal
12
may also include other peripheral devices in the same housing such as magnetic stripe reader
24
.
LCD
18
displays the choice-driven interface.
Choice-driven interface actuators
20
enter user inputs corresponding to displayed interface choices. Actuators
20
record user choices in response to instructions and choice queries displayed by LCD
18
. The functions associated with actuators
20
change and are specific to each overlay generated by choice-driven interface application program
28
.
Keypad
22
provides keys, numerical keys and other standard retail function keys. Keypad
22
may be used to implement any of the functional choices displayed by choice driven interface
28
, either alone or in combination with actuators
20
, thereby providing a plurality of ways to accomplish the same function. This concept, called multi-pathing, is employed throughout the present invention.
MSR
24
reads magnetic stripes on credit and debit cards.
Terminal
14
includes processor
26
which executes choice-driven interface application program
28
. Thus, terminal
12
cannot be operated without terminal
14
Processor
26
responds to user inputs from actuators
20
, keypad
22
, and MSR
24
by displaying instruction and choice query overlays generated by application program
28
.
Choice-driven interface application program
28
provides a graphic interface for executing known terminal functions. Choice-driven interface application program
28
may be implemented to run in a Microsoft Disk Operating System (DOS) or Windows environment.
Server
16
stores application program
28
and makes it available for loading by terminal
14
.
Scanner
29
provides item information to processor
26
.
Terminal
12
may also include ports for connecting additional peripherals, including signature capture device
23
and SMART card reader
25
.
Turning now to
FIGS. 2-4
, terminal
12
is shown in more detail. Terminal
12
includes housing
30
and housing support stand
32
.
Housing
30
includes a display and input portion
36
and an MSR portion
38
. Display and input portion is generally rectangular in shape and includes LCD
18
, actuators
20
, and keypad
22
. MSR portion
38
is inclined slightly towards an operator and contains MSR
24
(FIG.
4
).
Use of LCD
18
allows housing
30
to be lightweight and slender. Components
18
-
24
are organized within housing
30
in accordance with recommendations from human factors research which provided the most ergonomic and user-friendly locations. Keypad
22
is rectangular in shape and is arranged vertically. MSR
24
is located horizontally in MSR portion
38
. LCD
18
is located on the side opposite keypad
22
. Actuators
20
are vertically arranged one over the other along one side
34
of LCD
18
.
With reference to
FIG. 2
, mechanical choice buttons
35
are arranged vertically adjacent corresponding choices
44
displayed by LCD
18
.
With reference to
FIG. 3
, touch screen actuators
37
overlap displayed choices
44
.
Stand
32
supports terminal
12
above checkout counter, typically behind scanner within checkout counter and facing the operator. Stand
32
also provides a conduit for wiring between terminal
12
and terminal
14
, which is located within checkout counter. Terminal
12
may be rotated about stand
32
for operator comfort.
Key lock
39
allows terminal
12
to be secured from unauthorized use.
Power/standby switch
41
has three positions, “P” for “On”, “S” for “Standby”, and “O” for “Off”. The standby position places terminals
12
and
14
into a low-power mode.
Turning now to
FIGS. 5-19
, the choice-driven interface of the present invention is illustrated. With reference to
FIG. 5
, choice-driven interface application program
28
creates a graphic interface which divides LCD
18
into functional sections.
Title and instruction section
50
in the upper left corner of LCD
18
displays the title of the overlay and any instructions.
Prompt section
52
displays prompts for information.
Echo section
54
is adjacent prompt section
52
and displays responses entered by an operator.
List section
56
is in the lower left hand corner and is used to display lists of merchandise items entered through keypad
22
or scanner
29
.
List caption section
58
contains information about the number of items displayed in list section
56
.
Options section
59
occupies the entire right half of LCD
18
and displays user-driven interface choices
44
.
Referring now to
FIGS. 6A and 6B
, a flow diagram illustrating a typical sequence of interface choices is shown beginning with START
60
. Each step follows the next and takes an operator through a specific sequence of overlays based upon the choice entered by the operator.
In step
62
(FIG.
7
), choice-driven interface application program
28
displays a list of user names and an “Enter ID” choice on the right. Scroll up and down choices are also displayed.
In step
64
, choice-driven interface application program
28
accepts a proper name entered by the user from the list, a user identification number entered by the user, and checks the identification number, all after the user selects the “Enter ID” choice. Choice-driven interface application program
28
also records the time of day in order to keep an electronic record of the operator's working hours.
In step
66
(FIG.
8
), choice-driven interface application program
28
displays broadcast and other messages of interest to the operator.
In step
68
, choice-driven interface application program
28
displays an item entry overlay (
FIG. 9
) and accepts item information, such as a price look-up number, entered through keypad
22
or scanner
29
.
In step
70
(FIG.
10
), choice-driven interface application program
28
displays the item information entered in step
68
. Choice-driven interface application program
28
offers choices along the right side to modify any item that has been entered. The choices include “Change Quantity”, “Item Repeat”, “Change Price”, “Item Void”, “Make Non-Discountable”, “Change Tax”, “Make Food-stampable”, and “Item Inquiry”. The item to be modified may be chosen by moving cursor keys on the keypad
22
.
In step
71
, determines whether more items are to be entered. If so, the method loops back to step
68
. If not, the method proceeds to step
72
.
FIG. 11
illustrates the items entry overlay of
FIG. 10
after a second item has been entered.
In step
72
, choice-driven interface application program
28
determines whether a modification choice has been entered by a user. If so, it displays additional overlays, based upon the modification choice of the user in step
73
.
FIG. 12
illustrates the case in which a user selects the “Change Quantity” choice in
FIG. 11
to change the number of blue jeans purchased. The “Change Quantity” choice produces further choices along the right side for likely numbers of blue jeans to be purchased, from 1 to 8. The number may also be entered manually using keypad
22
. Other modification choices are made in a similar way.
The item modification process of step
72
illustrates the concept of multi-pathing, which is used throughout the choice-driven interface of the present invention. An operator function may be performed in a plurality of different ways, using actuators
20
and keypad
22
. For example, item modification may be performed by engaging a number key within keypad
22
, followed by the quantity actuator. Or, item modification may be performed by engaging the quantity actuator, followed by the number actuator. Or, item modification may be performed by engaging the quantity actuator, followed by the number key within keypad
22
, followed by the “Enter” key of keypad
22
.
Finally, item modification may be performed by engaging the “Repeat” key a number of items equal to the number of items less one time.
In step
74
, choice-driven interface application program
28
accepts the modification by the user and returns to step
70
in which choice-driven interface application program
28
displays the item as modified. Here the item entry overlay of
FIG. 13
shows a new quantity of blue jeans.
After an item is modified, the method returns to step
71
, in which more items may be entered. Alternatively, the method may proceed again to step
72
for further modifications. If there are no further modifications necessary, the method proceeds to step
75
for more item entries. If there are no further item entries or modifications, the method proceeds to the payment process, beginning with step
76
.
In step
76
, choice-driven interface application program
28
displays predetermined payment options (FIG.
14
). Here, the options include “Cash”, “Personal Checks”, “Credit Card”, “Smart Card”, “Food Stamp”, “Gift Certificate”, “Traveler's Check”, or other forms of payment.
In step
78
, the method is simplified to reflect only the choices of “Cash” and “Credit Card”. Thus, the method determines whether the payment option is cash. If so, the method proceeds to step
80
(
FIG. 15
) in which choice-driven interface application program
28
displays predetermined payment options and accepts a choice entry by the operator based upon a choice by the customer. The payment choices for cash include exact change and additional combinations of paper currency that exceed the total price. The user may also manually enter the paid amount using keypad
22
.
In step
82
, choice-driven interface application program
28
determines whether any choice other than the exact change choice has been entered by the employee. If so, choice-driven interface application program
28
displays the correct change in terms of paper currency and coins in step
84
(FIG.
16
). Advantageously, choice-driven interface application program
28
reduces the chance of employee error in calculating change.
Referring back to step
82
, if the exact change choice is entered by the employee, then the method terminates at END
86
.
Referring back to step
78
, if the payment choice was credit card, then choice-driven interface application program
28
displays an overlay (
FIG. 17
) for instructing an operator to enter an account number from the credit card in step
79
.
In step
81
, choice-driven interface application program
28
displays an overlay (
FIG. 18
) instructing the operator to verify a signature recorded by signature capture device
23
.
In step
84
, choice-driven interface application program
28
choice-driven interface application program
28
displays a cash drawer indicating that no change is due (FIG.
19
), and then terminates at END
86
.
Although the present invention has been described with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, variations and modifications of the present invention can be effected within the spirit and scope of the following claims.
Claims
- 1. A computer terminal comprising:a first portion having a housing including a display for displaying a first overlay of a plurality of choice icons to an operator; and a first keypad adjacent the choice icons displayed by the display for recording selection of one of the choice icons by the operator; wherein the first overlay is an item entry overlay in which a number of purchased merchandise items forming a transaction are recorded and wherein the choice icons allow the operator to perform operations related to the transaction; and a second portion having a housing different than the housing of the first portion and coupled to the first portion including a processor for controlling operation of the first keypad and the display of the first portion, and for executing a transaction processing application program including a graphic user interface including the first overlay and a plurality of additional overlays which are individually displayed and which describe each choice icon of the first overlay, wherein each of the additional overlays is displayed after the operator has selected a corresponding choice icon on the first overlay using the first keypad.
- 2. The computer terminal as recited in claim 1, further comprising:a second keypad within the housing of the first portion and coupled to the processor for recording information into the computer by the operator.
- 3. The computer terminal as recited in claim 1, wherein the display comprises a liquid crystal display.
- 4. The computer terminal as recited in claim 1, further comprising:a card reader within the housing of the first portion and coupled to the processor.
- 5. The computer terminal as recited in claim 2, wherein the first and second keypads in combination perform a predetermined function in a plurality of different ways.
- 6. A retail terminal comprising:a first portion having a housing including a display in the front surface of the housing for displaying a first overlay, including a plurality of choice icons vertically on one side of the display, to an operator; a first keypad vertically oriented in the front surface of the housing adjacent the choice icons displayed by the display for recording selection of one of the choice icons by the operator; wherein the first overlay is an item entry overlay in which a number of purchased merchandise items forming a transaction are recorded and wherein the choice icons allow the operator to perform operations related to the transaction; a second keypad adjacent the first keypad for recording information into the terminal by the operator; wherein the first and second keypads in combination perform a predetermined function in a plurality of different ways; and a card reader within the housing and below the second keypad; and a second portion having a housing different than the housing of the first portion and coupled to the first portion including a processor for controlling operation of the first keypad, the second keypad, the display, and the card reader of the first portion, and for executing a transaction processing application program including a graphic user interface including the first overlay and a plurality of additional overlays which are individually displayed and which describe each choice icon of the first overlay, wherein each of the additional overlays is displayed after the operator has selected a corresponding choice icon on the first overlay using the first keypad.
- 7. A retail system comprising:a terminal having a housing; a bar code scanner coupled to terminal for scanning merchandise items to obtain bar code information; and a data recording device which must be connected to the terminal in order for the data recording device to operate and which allows an operator to process the bar code information including a housing different than the housing of the terminal; a display within the housing of the data recording device for displaying a first overlay, including a plurality of choice icons, to an operator; and a first keypad within the housing of the data recording device and adjacent the choice icons displayed by the display for recording selection of one of the choice icons by the operator; wherein the first overlay is an item entry overlay in which a number of purchased merchandise items forming a transaction are recorded and wherein the choice icons allow the operator to perform operations related to the transaction; wherein the terminal includes a processor for controlling operation of the first keypad and the display of the data recording device, and for executing a graphic user interface including the first overlay and a plurality of additional overlays which are individually displayed and which describe each choice icon of the first overlay, wherein each of the additional overlays is displayed after the operator has selected a corresponding choice icon on the first overlay using the first keypad.
- 8. The retail system as recited in claim 7, further comprising:a second keypad in the data recording device and adjacent the first keypad and coupled to the processor of the terminal for recording information entered by the operator.
- 9. The retail system as recited in claim 8, further comprising:a checkout counter upon which the data recording device is mounted and which contains the optical scanner.
- 10. The retail system as recited in claim 9, wherein the housing of the data recording device is substantially rectangular and wherein the system further comprises:a stand for supporting the housing of the data recording device above the checkout counter.
- 11. The retail system as recited in claim 10, wherein the data recording device further comprises:a card reader within the housing of the data recording device and coupled to the processor.
- 12. The retail system as recited in claim 10, wherein the bar code scanner is located between the stand and the operator.
- 13. The retail system as recited in claim 8, wherein the first and second keypads in combination perform a predetermined function in a plurality of different ways.
- 14. The retail system as recited in claim 8, further comprising:a signature capture device coupled to the terminal.
- 15. The retail system as recited in claim 8, wherein the data recording device further comprises:a lock for preventing unauthorized access to the system.
- 16. The retail system as recited in claim 8, wherein the data recording device further comprises:a power switch which includes a standby position for placing the terminal in a standby mode.
US Referenced Citations (6)