GB2113442A

GB2113442A - Cash register display

Info

Publication number: GB2113442A
Application number: GB08235894A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Henry Gross; Sam Gross
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-01-12
Filing date: 1982-12-16
Publication date: 1983-08-03
Also published as: GB2113442B

Abstract

An electronic cash register has a subsidiary display panel (24) on the operator's side in addition to the usual main display panel (10) front and back, all operated by a logic system whereby operation of the usual amount keys (13) causes the amount to be displayed on the subsidiary display panel only, where upon corrections of miskeying may be made and operation of any of the usual function keys (14) serves to effect display in the main panels and enter the amount of the logic memory. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to cash registers This invention relates to cash registers, which term is intended to include so-called point-of-sale terminals, and in particular to electronically operated cash registers.

Such cash registers have amount keys by which the values of items purchased are recorded, and function keys, such as sub-totals and department keys, operation of which causes the values to be entered in an electronic memory and the corresponding value is displayed in a main display comprising an electronic display front and back or remote of the register commonly of the light emitting diode type. When an amount key is actuated the value is shown in the main display. They also have a "clear" key for cancelling the display in case the operator inadvertently actuates the wrong keys or if a customer decides not to purchase an item after the corresponding keys have been actuated.

Known cash registers have an unfortunate disadvantage in that they enable dishonest assistants to obtain cash which ought to be entered in the cash register. Thus the assistant can enter an amount but not a function key. At this stage the amount is shown in the main display means so that a supervisor or customer may believe that the amount shown has been entered in the memory of the cash register. For the next amount he can actuate the "clear" key, pocket the cash of the first item, and then actuate the amount keys for the said next item.

According to the present invention the cash register comprises keyboard amount entry keys, function keys, at least one, main display means, a separate keyboard entry display means, and electronic means, including an electronic memory, which upon operation of the amount keys, the separate keyboard entry display means is operated to show the amount entered but no display occurs in the main display means and no entry occurs in the memory, and upon operation of any of the function keys the required value is shown in the main display means and the amount is entered in the memory.

The display in the main display means will be cancelled at the commencement of entering a new item by the amount keys.

The keyboard entry display may be cancelled on operation of a function key. However, it is not necessary to cancel the display in the auxiliary display means by operation of a function key so that all display means may indicate the amounts upon operation of a function key; the display in the auxiliary display means will in this case be erased when the next items are entered by the keyboard amount keys.

The main display means may include separate display panels one at the front of the register and the other at the back or at some other remote positiojn for view by the customers.

In a preferred construction in accordance with the invention the keyboard entry display means is arranged to show values the same as the main display means but is located spaced from and much smaller than the main display means and immediately visible to the operator but not readily visible to others.

As an example of operation, assume that an item value 20p is required. The operator presses the appropriate amount keys and 20p is displayed on the keyboard entry display means so that the operator can check that he has pressed the correct keys. No display occurs on the main display means. Now he presses a function key e.g. "Department" and the amount is entered in the electronic memory, and is displayed on the main display means and is cancelied on the keyboard entry display means. If the next item is say 40p he will again press the appropriate keys which cancels the display on the main display means and lights the display for 40p on the keyboard entry display means so that again he can check that he has pressed the correct keys.

A clear key is provided but now if only amount keys have been actuated there is no display in the main display means so that nothing is entered at all in the main display and any nearby supervisor can see that the amount has not been recorded by means of a function key which thereby increases the danger to a dishonest assistant and consequently reduces the likelihood of dishonesty.

A constructional form of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a front view of a cash register made in accordance with the invention; and Figure 2 is a diagram showing electrical connections.

The cash register has the usual cash drawer 9, display means 10 at the front with a duplicate display means 11 for the customers at the rear. A key board 12 has amount keys 13 for entry of amount of items purchased and function keys 14. Also as usual in an electronic cash register, it has an electronic logic system 18 which may be largely in the form of a silicon chip. The system 18 is connected by lead 19 to the keyboard, lead 20 to the display means 10, 11 and 21 to a ticket printer.

Now in accordance with the present invention a separate keyboard entry display means 24 is provided only in the front of the register where it can be seen by the operator and this is quite small compared with the main display means 10, 11. The display means 24 is connected by a lead 25 to the logic system 18. The logic system is arranged so that upon operation of the amount keys 13 the corresponding amount is shown only in the keyboard entry display means 24 so that the operator can check that he has actuated the correct amount keys. Thus no amounts are shown in the main display means 10, 11 and no entry of the item amount is entered in the memory of the logic system 18. In this example when any of the function keys 14 are actuated the item amount in the keyboard entry display means 24 is cancelled and is shown in the main display means 10, 11 and at the same time is entered in the memory of the logic system.

It is unnecessary to describe the circuitry of the logic system since this is ordinary electronic engineering to produce the functions described above.

If desired, a warning sign e.g. "sale not yet recorded" may be provided which will be activated coincidently with the separate keyboard entry display means.

Claims

1. An electronic cash register comprising keyboard amount entry keys, function keys, at least one main display means, a separate keyboard entry display means, and electronic means, including an electronic memory, which upon operation of the amount keys, the separate keyboard entry display means is operated to show the amount entered but no display occurs in the main display means and no entry occurs in the memory, and upon operation of any of the function keys the required value is shown in the main display means and the amount is entered in the memory.

2. An electronic cash register as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display in the keyboard entry display means is erased by operation of a function key.

3. An electronic cash register as claimed in claim 1, wherein the keyboard entry display means is only on the operator's side of the register and the main display means is visible on both sides thereof.

4. An electronic cash register substantially as described and substantially as shown in the accompanying drawings.