GB1584431A - Cash register apparatus - Google Patents

Description

(54) CASH REGISTER APPARATUS (71) I, SYDNEY WILLIAM MACKENZIE, a British subject, of 36 Mill Close, Huthwaite, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, do hereby declare the invention, for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- This application is concerned with cash register apparatus including a cash register with a cash drawer and a display arrangement.

Such cash register apparatus usually displays only what amount has been tendered by a customer. It is, therefore, not uncommon for wrong change to be given and, sometimes insufficient change is deliberately given in the hope that this will not be noticed by the recipient. In addition, the display, which is on the top of the cash register, is sometimes not easily seen by a customer.

For example, in a public bar, where it is inconvenient for the cash register to be provided on a counter in front of the customer.

It is, therefore, easy for the wrong amount to be entered on the cash register, the difference between the correct amount and the amount entered being fraudulently retained.

The present invention provides improved cash register apparatus In accordance with this invention, there is provided cash register apparatus comprising a cash register having a container provided with a cash drawer which locks in the closed position and with a keyboard, a display unit, which is a separate unit from the cash register, a lead between the display unit and the cash register, and an electronic circuit, the keyboard being operable to actuate the electronic circuit to provide a display on the display unit and to release said cash drawer, said display including a first section to dis play an amount tendered, a second section to display an amount charged and a third section to display the difference between the first and second displays, said circuit including means to calculate said difference.

Since the cash register is a separate unit from the display unit, the display unit can be mounted in a prominent position, where it is easily seen by a customer, remote from the location of the cash register.

Reference is now made to the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a perspective view of apparatus according to the invention; Figure 2 is a block diagram of an electronic circuit; and Figure 3 is a more detailed block diagram of the electronic circuit.

The cash register apparatus illustrated comprises a cash register 11 and a display unit 12 which is separate from the cash register. It is, however, envisaged that the display unit may be mounted on the cash register.

The cash register comprises, as is conventional, a container 10 having a keyboard 13 and a cash drawer 14, the cash drawer being spring-biased to an open position and internally latched to prevent opening. An electronic circuit (not shown in figure 1) is housed in the container 10 and is operated by actuation of the keyboard 13. The cash register has a display panel 16, which includes a section 17, which displays an amount charged as entered on the keyboard. The display panel also includes a section 18, which displays an amount tendered, as entered on the keyboard. A further section 19 displays the difference between the other two displays and represents the change to be given, this being calculated by the electronic circuit.

The circuit releases the latch to allow the cash drawer to open, after the two values have been entered on the keyboard. The latch may be released, for example, by a solenoid. A counter (not shown) is also provided to give a total of all entries displayed on the displays 17, 18 respectively.

The display unit 12 is only connected with the cash register 11 by a cable 21 from the electronic circuit. The display unit provides a larger display identical to that shown on the cash register in three sections 22, 23, 24.

These sections are labelled with "sales", "you have tendered" and "change" respectively. The labelling is provided by a translucent screen carrying the letters, the screen being illuminated from within the display unit casing. Other wording, such as a warning about rectifying mistakes, may be provided on the screen. The illumination may be intermittent to draw attention to the display.

Referring to figure 2, the electronic circuit includes a microprocessor 30 which is connected with the keyboard 13 and a power supply 31. The microprocessor provides the necessary information for display to both the display unit 12 and the display panel 16 and processes digital information provided from the keyboard. Any number of display units may be connected to the microprocessor.

The electronic circuit does not itself form a part of this invention and construction of a suitable circuit would be obvious to a person skilled in that art. Figure 3 shows a block diagram of the circuit including first and second information storage parts 35, 36 connected to the keyboard to receive information therefrom. These storage parts pass on their information to the display sections 17, 18, 22, 23 and, on instructions from the keyboard, also to respective counters 37, 38 and to a subtraction part 39. The subtraction part feeds the third display sections 19, 24. The circuit also includes a time switch (not shown) to de-actuate the display sections after a predetermined period.

WHAT I CLAIM IS 1. Cash register apparatus comprising a cash register having a container provided with a cash drawer that locks in the closed position and with a keyboard, a display unit, which is a separate unit from the cash register, a lead between the display unit and the cash register, and an electronic circuit, the keyboard being operable to actuate the electronic circuit to provide a display on the display unit and to release said cash drawer, said display including a first section to display an amount tendered, a second section to display an amount charged and a third section to display the difference between the first and second displays, said circuit including means to calculate said difference.

2. Cash register apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein each of said first, second and third displays is labelled on a translucent surface and the display unit includes lighting means illuminating said labels.

3. Cash register apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electronic circuit is housed in said container.

4. Cash register apparatus according to any preceding Claim including display sections on the cash register, each corresponding to the display sections on the display unit, so that each display is duplicated.

5. Cash register apparatus according to Claim 4 including a plurality of said display units simultaneously actuated by the electronic circuit.

6. Cash register apparatus according to any preceding claim including a time switch to de-actuate the display sections after a predetermined period.

7. Cash register apparatus constructed substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (7)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. unit casing. Other wording, such as a warning about rectifying mistakes, may be provided on the screen. The illumination may be intermittent to draw attention to the display. Referring to figure 2, the electronic circuit includes a microprocessor 30 which is connected with the keyboard 13 and a power supply 31. The microprocessor provides the necessary information for display to both the display unit 12 and the display panel 16 and processes digital information provided from the keyboard. Any number of display units may be connected to the microprocessor. The electronic circuit does not itself form a part of this invention and construction of a suitable circuit would be obvious to a person skilled in that art. Figure 3 shows a block diagram of the circuit including first and second information storage parts 35, 36 connected to the keyboard to receive information therefrom. These storage parts pass on their information to the display sections 17, 18, 22, 23 and, on instructions from the keyboard, also to respective counters 37, 38 and to a subtraction part 39. The subtraction part feeds the third display sections 19, 24. The circuit also includes a time switch (not shown) to de-actuate the display sections after a predetermined period. WHAT I CLAIM IS

1. Cash register apparatus comprising a cash register having a container provided with a cash drawer that locks in the closed position and with a keyboard, a display unit, which is a separate unit from the cash register, a lead between the display unit and the cash register, and an electronic circuit, the keyboard being operable to actuate the electronic circuit to provide a display on the display unit and to release said cash drawer, said display including a first section to display an amount tendered, a second section to display an amount charged and a third section to display the difference between the first and second displays, said circuit including means to calculate said difference.

2. Cash register apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein each of said first, second and third displays is labelled on a translucent surface and the display unit includes lighting means illuminating said labels.

3. Cash register apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electronic circuit is housed in said container.

4. Cash register apparatus according to any preceding Claim including display sections on the cash register, each corresponding to the display sections on the display unit, so that each display is duplicated.

5. Cash register apparatus according to Claim 4 including a plurality of said display units simultaneously actuated by the electronic circuit.

6. Cash register apparatus according to any preceding claim including a time switch to de-actuate the display sections after a predetermined period.

7. Cash register apparatus constructed substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.