FR2819605A1 - Device for calculating currency conversions between any of the constituent currencies in the Euro zone and the Euro comprises an easy to use keypad and identical displays that can be seen by customer and shop assistant - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for calculating conversions between all the currencies of the Euro zone has two digital liquid crystal display screens (4) of two lines each, each able to display eight figures and means for inputting amounts that provide a clear conversion between currencies. The input means comprise a keypad (3) with numerical and arithmetical operator keys and in addition a current key (e.g. Franc-Euro), pay and change. The display element (5) is a concave or circular section with display screens on either end that can be seen by a customer and shop assistant stood on either side of a counter.

Description

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The present invention relates to an electronic device for returning money with cross conversion between a current European currency and the Euro, the essential aim of which is to meet the needs and facilitate trade, and in particular that in fiat money (between a merchant and are customer) during and after the period of dual circulation of the various current European currencies and the Euro.

The device according to the invention allows the user: to select the currency to be converted (for example Francs in Euro or Euro in
Francs) using the Currency Franc / Euro selection key.

 - enter amounts that will be instantly and simultaneously converted (with a two-digit decimal system rounded to the second decimal according to the rule of 100 higher or lower) and visible in the 2 currencies thanks to 2 liquid crystal screens (one client side, seller side) double line (one line for Francs, one line for Euros).

 Device characterized in that it also includes means for displaying icons specific to the various operations allowing a clear and direct reading of the cross conversion.

 - perform standard calculation operations (+, -, x, :), the result of which is displayed instantly and simultaneously in the two currencies.

 -to choose the currency of payment Francs or Euro by pressing the Franc / Euro key.

 -to proceed to the payment of his purchases by pressing the PAYMENT key. The device makes it possible, by means of the PAYMENT key, to deduct an amount in Euro from an amount in Francs.

 - enter the amount of the Ticket (s) and / or coins in Francs or in Euro with which the user wishes to pay.

 - to have in return the amount of change to be received instantly calculated in both currencies by simply pressing the Change button.

 The device according to the invention also includes display means, a negative number indicator - and an indicator of the error state E. It also has an automatic stop means after 4 to 11 minutes following the last pressing of the keys.

 This same device, according to particular embodiments, works in the same way with all current European currencies. The conversion rate for each European currency concerned is fixedly set in the integrated circuit. In fact, the device includes a memory for storing the conversion rates of all the countries in the Euro zone.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention:
Figure 1 shows a top view of the device of the invention.

 Figure 2 shows in profile view the device of the invention.

 Figure 3 represents one of the 2 double line screens displaying the result of amounts added by the user in Euros and its instantaneous and simultaneous conversion in Francs (with rounding to the second decimal according to the rule of 100 higher or lower).

 FIG. 4 represents one of the two double line screens displaying the word PAY and the amount of the bill or coins or coins with which the user wishes to pay.

 FIG. 5 represents one of the 2 double line screens displaying the word CHANGE and the amount of change expected by the user.

With reference to these drawings, the device comprises a plastic case (1) composed of 2 parts:
Part (2) is a keyboard, the matrix of which includes the following plastic rubber keys: ON / C (3) enabling the device to be switched on, then 0.1, 2.3, 4, 5, 6.7, 8, 9, +, -, x,:, ,, allowing to enter amounts and perform calculation operations which will be instantly visible on the part which has two double line triplex liquid crystal screens allowing to display 8 digits (4 ) as well as between these 2 screens, a part of the casing which is curved (5) allowing the exchange (bill (s) or coin (s)) to be placed.

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 The keyboard also has the Franc / Euro key (6) to select the currency to convert. By pressing this key a cursor moves on the screens (4) and indicates the line of the selected currency.

The invention makes it possible to convert Francs to Euro with a system of rounding to the second decimal place according to the rule of 100 higher or lower (Fig. 3) and vice versa and to perform standard calculation operations at the same time, instantly visible and simultaneously on the two double-line screens (one client side, one seller side).

The keyboard also has the PAYMENT key (7) which allows the user, once the sum of his purchases has been made, to proceed to payment for them. Pressing this key displays the word PAY (Fig. 4) on the screens.

Then the user selects with the FF / Euro key (6) the payment currency chosen to make his purchases, then enters using the numeric keys the amount of the banknote or coins and / or coins chosen for payment.

The simple press of the CHANGE = key will instantly display the change of currency to be made in Francs and Euros on both screens (Fig. 5). The whole advantage of the invention lies in the fact that the user can have added amounts in Euro and make the payment of these in Francs, the device automatically calculates the change of currency to be made in Euro and in Francs thus carrying out a cross conversion.

By way of nonlimiting example, the plastic case will have a dimension of 22 x 9 x 5.5 cm, each of the two liquid crystal screens a dimension of 9 x 2.3 cm.

The device according to the invention is particularly intended to be placed or fixed on a counter and to facilitate exchanges between a customer and a merchant or a seller, particularly those in fiat money, during and after the period of dual circulation of Francs and euros.

Claims (8)

1-Device for calculating and cross-converting all the currencies of the Euro zone, characterized in that it comprises two digital triplex double-line liquid crystal screens for each of them capable of displaying 8 digits (4) and means for bring up icons specific to the different operations allowing a clear and direct reading of the cross conversion. 2-Device according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises a main matrix comprising the following different keys: 0.1, 2.3, 4.5, 6.7, 8, 9, +, -,:, x , ON / C, ,, Franc / Euro, PAYMENT, CHANGE / =. 3-Device according to one of the two preceding claims characterized in that it performs 4 arithmetic operations (+, -, x,:) and the simultaneous and instantaneous conversion function on each of the 2 screens with a decimal system with 2 digits rounded to the second decimal according to the rule of 100 higher or lower (FIG. 3). 4-Device according to claim 3 characterized in that it comprises display means, a negative number indicator - and the error state E. 5-Device according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises the means to display the PAY icon (FIG. 4) by pressing the PAYMENT key (7) and the CHANGE icon (FIG. 5) by pressing the CHANGE = button (8). 6-Device according to claim 5 characterized in that it comprises a memory for storing the conversion rates of all the countries of the Euro zone linked to the single currency Euro. 7-Device according to claim 1 and 5 characterized in that it allows by means of the PAYMENT key (7) to deduct an amount in Euro from an amount in Francs and to display instantly and simultaneously the result rendered in Francs and in Euro using the CHANGE = button (8). 8-Device according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises an automatic stop means after 4 to 11 minutes following the last press of one of the keys.