AU711466B2

AU711466B2 - Promotional linked display for electronic point of sale devices

Info

Publication number: AU711466B2
Application number: AU27579/97A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Clive Davies
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-05-24
Filing date: 1997-05-23
Publication date: 1999-10-14
Anticipated expiration: 2017-05-23
Also published as: AU2757997A

Description

WO 97/45812 PCT/AU97/00317

I

PROMOTIONAL LINKED DISPLAY FOR ELECTRONIC POINT OF SALE DEVICES The present invention relates to systems for awarding rewards to consumers; the rewards being quantified in accordance with inputs from electronic point of sale devices.

For many years jackpot type systems have been common in relation to gaming devices as may be found in casinos, clubs or elsewhere. Typically such devices receive inputs from one or more gaming devices based upon the coinage passing through the device. A visual display may be associated with such devices indicating that a jackpot is accumulating.

The jackpot is usually triggered in such instances by an input from a gaming machine providing the final necessary increment to achieve a predetermined jackpot amount whereupon the operator of the machine providing the final increment which achieved the jackpot device would be awarded the jackpot.

Such systems are designed to encourage gamblers to continue placing coinage through the machines in the hope that their use of their machine will trigger the jackpot to their benefit.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) WO 97/45812 PCT/AU97/00317 2 It is the object of the present invention to provide a system which facilitates the introduction of a jackpot type system to trading situations controlled or monitored by electronic point of sale devices such as cash registers.

According to the present invention there is provided a prize allocation system for use in connection with one or more electronic point of sale devices comprising microprocessor means; means to input and store a minimum displayed prize value; input and storage means adapted to facilitate input and storage of one or more constraints defining a qualified transaction on an electronic point of sale device and an upper and lower number of qualified transactions defining a numerically identified range within which a win indication may occur; means for counting the quantity of qualified transactions so as to maintain a current total; means to randomly generate a win number within the defined qualified transaction range; interface means adapted to receive quantitative consumption information from one or more electronic point of sale devices; means to convert the quantitative consumption information to currency prize values substantially proportional to such consumption information; means to aggregate successive currency prize values to give a total prize value; display means in communication with the microprocessor means and visible from each electronic point of sale device on the system capable of displaying a prize win state and accrued currency prize value; means to SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) WO 97/45812 PCT/AU97/00317 3 compare current total of the valid transaction numbers to the randomly generated qualified transaction number; the system being adapted to generate a prize win indication specific to an electronic point of sale device immediately after a consumption transaction is completed on such device provided that consumption transaction caused the then current total of the qualified transaction numbers to equal the randomly generated win number; means to ensure that after a win the displayed prize value equals or exceeds the preset minimum to which successive accruing currency prize values are added.

According to a further aspect of the present invention the prize allocation system includes interface means adapted for interface with a point of sale terminal between the point of sale terminal's microprocessor and the point of sale terminal's journal printer in order to intercept information passing therebetween; the interface device being in communication with the microprocessor and adapted to interpret the protocol utiised by the point of sale terminal for the purpose of determining "end of transaction" signals and "total value of transaction" signals for the purpose of transmitting this information to the microprocessor.

The present invention additionally discloses a prize allocation system in accordance with the previous paragraph wherein a maximum prize value may be input and stored such that aggregating currency prize values SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) WO 97/45812 PCT/AU97/00317 4 occurring after the maximum total prize value is reached and displayed are not displayed and are not added to the aggregating currency prize value but are rather added to subsequent prize allocation games or discarded; the displayed total prize value at no time exceeding the input maximum.

The present invention additionally discloses a device in accordance with the previous paragraph wherein the potential prize triggering information is the aggregate of qualified transactions occurring on participating electronic point of sale devices; a qualified transaction being a transaction satisfying certain constraints capable of being input and stored in the prize allocation system. For example a qualifying transaction may be a transaction exceeding ten dollars or alternatively a transaction using a particular brand of valid and current credit card.

The present invention additionally discloses a prize allocation system in accordance with the penultimate paragraph wherein the potential prize triggering information is a proportion of total value of sales on participating electronic point of sale devices. For example one percent of total sales on participating electronic point of sale devices may be aggregated towards a total prize value. When this total prize value equates with a randomly selected prize value falling between two predetermined upper and lower limits a win would occur being equal to the randomly determined prize value.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) WO 97/45812 PCT/AU97/00317 The present invention additionally discloses a prize allocation system in accordance with the previous paragraph wherein a maximum prize value may be input and stored; aggregating currency prize values occurring after the maximum total prize value is reached and displayed either being added to subsequent prize allocation games or alternatively stored; the displayed total prize value at no time exceeding the input maximum.

According to a further aspect of the present invention the prize allocation system includes interface means adapted for interface with a point of sale terminal between the point of sale terminal's microprocessor and the point of sale terminal's journal printer in order to intercept information passing therebetween; the interface device being in communication with a microprocessor adapted to interpret the protocol utilised by the point of sale terminal for the purpose of determining "end of transaction" signals and "total value of transaction" signals.

Two embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a stand alone cash register fitted with a system in accordance with the present invention; SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) WO 97/45812 PCT/AU97/00317 6 Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a series of five cash registers each forming part of a system in accordance with the present invention; Figure 3 is a flow chart indicating the logic used by the microprocessor of a system in accordance with the present invention.

The system if figure 1 is designed for usage in relation to a single electronic point of sale device such as a cash register.

In this case a conventional electronic cash register 1 is linked via cable 2 to interface device 3 which in turn is in communication via cabling 4 and with display device 6 and printer 7 respectively.

The interface device includes a microprocessor and is adapted to receive dollar value sales information via cable 2 from cash register 1. This information is processed so as to generate a dollar value prize amount proportional to the sales recorded by the cash register (say one percent).

It will be appreciated that each sale going through the cash register therefore adds a small increment to the accruing prize amount calculated by the interface device. The interface device initially displays a predetermined minimum dollar value prize amount via display unit 6.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) WO 97/45812 PCT/AU97/00317 7 In order that the total prize value may not be "known" to staff or others and consequently manipulation of the winning transaction facilitated the interface device 3 contains a keypad in order that both a minimum and a maximum prize value may be input into the microprocessor via keyboard 8 and associated storage (not shown) in the interface device. A random number generation algorithm within the interface device then selects a random win amount from the lastmentioned range in order that a win indication may occur when the increments from each transaction give an accrued prize amount equal to the randomly selected value. For this purpose comparator means are included in the interface device. Although the display device 6 initially displays the minimum value within the selected range of prizes once the minimum value is exceeded then the display indicates the total accrued prize value until such time as the win value is reached. In alternative embodiments however the system may be programmed so that the minimum prize value reset after a win situation the display will immediately start to add to the minimum prize value in accordance with the predetermined proportion of qualified transactions which are at that time passing through the system. After a win the microprocessor should instruct the display device 6 to return to the minimum prize value for the commencement of the next prize allocation game.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) WO 97/45812 PCT/AU97/00317 8 It will be appreciated that the winning consumer will be that consumer whose transaction has just been processed by the cash register at the time when the interface device determines that the win criteria have been satisfied. The minimum prize value and threshold prize value are programmed into the interface device via keyboard 8 associated with the interface device and may be readily altered from time to time. Access to the keyboard may be protected in the usual manner via personal identification numbers and/or card access controllers.

The purpose of the minimum award to be displayed is to ensure that at all times a sufficiently enticing award value is displayed to consumers and to avoid a situation where a very low and consequently not attractive prize value is displayed after a preceding win, perhaps for a long period if the cash register is not recording sales at a great rate in a particular time period.

When the printer 7 produces a win voucher the operator would reset the device via keyboard 8 using a sequence of predetermined reset keyboard strokes.

Figure 2 depicts a device in accordance with the present invention when fitted to a network of cash registers or electronic point of sale devices. It will be appreciated that in this situation there is still a necessity for SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) WO 97/45812 PCT/AU97/00317 9 interface devices 11 associated with each cash register in order that dollar value recording devices in the electronic point of sale device may generate an appropriate signal for input to the system and that each electronic point of sale device may generate its own address signal. Display 6 is linked to a number of electronic point of sale devices and the input device controlling the system may comprise a conventional PC 9 remote from the electronic point of sale devices.

It is necessary that each interface device 11 has its own address in order that an individual electronic point of sale device may be identified on the common display unit 6 when a win state occurs. The electronic point of sale device to which the win is allocated is that which first provides the increment of the prize value that breaks through the randomly selected winning prize value. It should be appreciated that in some instances it may not be practicable for a common display 6 to be shared by all electronic point of sale devices linked to the system and consequently multiple displays may be required. In such a system each display would provide the same information irrespective of its location. If a standard PC 9 is utilised as the host device for the system then a display interface device 10 would also be required as depicted in figure 2.

Although not illustrated herein it will be appreciated that the present system could be adapted to allocate prizes only to card users associated SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) WO 97/45812 PCT/AU97/00317 with the electronic point of sale devices as distinct from cash customers.

In this manner card usage could be encouraged and consumer information could be gathered due to the consumer identification associated with each card. Naturally if the system were configured so as to operate only in relation to card usage of the electronic point of sale devices then a data base allowing the entry and collation of personal details and usage information relating to the use of the cards would have to be provided.

Figure 3 depicts a flow chart depicting the type of programming necessary in relation to the microprocessor controlling a system in accordance with the present invention.

It should be appreciated that the data stream passing between a point of sale terminal microprocessor and journal printer is transmitted as a serial data stream and consequently the microprocessor of the present system must be capable of interpreting the relevant serial protocol in use such as RS232 or RS485. Furthermore the rmicroprocessor associated with the current system which interprets such data stream may be immediately adjacent one or more point of sale terminals linked to the system for the purposes of directly interpreting information from each terminal or alternatively the microprocessor associated with the present system may interface with a host computer associated with a number of point of sale SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) WO 97/45812 PCT/AU97/00317 11 terminals for the purpose of deriving end of transaction signals and total value of transaction signals associated with each point of sale terminal.

The number of point of sale terminals attached to a network in accordance with the present invention need not be limited by the number of point of sale terminals in a single venue but the network can operate in real time from a central controller to multiple sites containing point of sale devices that may situated large distances from each other via a telephone or satellite network.

A further aspect of the present invention allows that the total jackpot value can be broken into separate components with each component incrementing according to the value of items within a single purchase transaction at a cash register. For example a customer may spend $10.00 at a register of which $1.00 was referable to a Coca Cola purchase. In such a case a percentage of the $1.00 Coca Cola purchase may go towards incrementing a separate Coca Cola jackpot and a percentage of the remaining $9.00 may go towards a main jackpot. The number of components that can be handled in this way is not limited but a percentage of the remainder of the purchase after all components have been deducted will always be added to the main jackpot total.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) WO 97/45812 PCT/AU97/00317 12 The above example assumes that the win trigger will be a proportion of total sales on the system reaching a randomly selected total sales value (or value proportional thereto); the randomly selected value being selected from a range input to the system by the operator.

Alternate triggers may be utilised and for example as above described each transaction may aggregate towards a winning transaction number; the wining transaction number having been similarly selected from a range of transaction numbers input into the system.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)

Claims

1. A prize allocation system for use in connection with one or more electronic point of sale devices in one or more venues comprising microprocessor means; means to input and store a minimum and maximum prize value; input and storage means adapted to facilitate random generation of one or more potential prize triggers each being a number selected from, or related by a present formula to, the number, type or value of consumption transactions on the electronic point of sale devices; means for ensuring that the prize trigger numbers result in prize values within the preset maximum and minimum; means for counting selected consumption transactions occurring on participating electronic point of sale devices so as to maintain one or more current totals of potential prize triggering consumption information; means to convert the total or totals to a currency prize value proportional thereto; means to compare the current total or totals of potential prize triggering consumption information to the corresponding type of prize trigger or triggers; one or more display means in communication with the microprocessor means, visible from areas adjacent a majority of the electronic point of sale devices in each venue and capable of displaying a prize win state and accrued currency prize value; means to compare the current total or totals of the selected potential prize triggering consumption information to the corresponding randomly generated WO 97/45812 PCT/AU97/00317 14 prize trigger or triggers; the system being adapted to generate a prize win indication specific to an electronic point of sale device immediately after a consumption transaction is completed on such device provided the then current potential prize triggering information total equals the randomly generated prize trigger; means to ensure that after a win the displayed prize value equals or exceeds the present minimum.

2. A prize allocation system in accordance with claim 1 hereof wherein the system generates a prize trigger number proportional to the total value of consumption transactions on the electronic point of sale devices.

3. A prize allocation system in accordance with claim 1 hereof wherein the system generates a prize proportional to the value of predetermined types of goods or services comprising part of the consumption transactions on the electronic point of sale devices.

4. A prize allocation system in accordance with claim 1 hereof wherein the system generates a prize proportional to the number of consumption transactions on the electronic point of sale devices. A system in accordance with any one of the preceding claims wherein the display means are visible from normal purchaser positions adjacent all of the electronic point of sale devices in each venue.

WO 97/45812 PCT/AU97/00317

6. A prize allocation system in accordance with claim 1 hereof where there is one prize associated with total number of transactions occurring on electronic point of sale devices and a second prize associated with the dollar value of purchases of goods or services from a particular manufacturer or distributor; the display means being capable of concurrently displaying the prize values and win states associated with each prize.

7. A system in accordance with any one of the preceding claims wherein the prize win indication is displayed on the display means and is also printed on a docket associated with the electronic point of sale device with which the prize win is associated.

8. A system in accordance with any one of the preceding claims wherein the various parameters defining the prize allocation process are programmable from an input device associated with one or more electronic point of sale devices.

9. A prize allocation system in accordance with any of the preceding claims hereof wherein the various parameters defining the prize allocation process are programmed to the microprocessor only from an input device remote from the electronic point of sale devices. WO 97/45812 PCT/AU97/00317 16 A prize allocation system in accordance with any one of the preceding claims including interface means adapted for interface with a point of sale terminal between the point of sale terminal's microprocessor and the point of sale terminal's journal printer in order to intercept consumption information passing therebetween; the interface device being in communication with the microprocessor and adapted to interpret the protocol utilised by the point of sale terminal for the purpose of determining "end of transaction" signals and "total value of transaction" signals for the purpose of transmitting this information to the microprocessor.