MXPA99001435A - Touch menu panel sales terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

A fuel dispenser system (12, 14, 24, 42, 66, 74) including a fuel dispenser (42) for dispensing fuel;a plurality of switches (40) connected to the fuel dispenser (42), the switches (40) utilized by customers for determining merchandise selected for sale;a plurality of graphic icons, each icon connected respectively to a switch (40);and a point of sale system (12, 66) connected to the fuel dispenser (42) to total the sale of both fuel and customer selected merchandise.

Description

SALES TERMINAL WITH PANEL, TO THE TOUCH, FOR THE MENU BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a point-of-sale system that provides the user with a panel, to the touch, for the menu, with a graphic interface for the customer to select retail foods, or other objects. 2. Description of Related Art Most gas stations and stores provide fuel dispensers that the customer operated (self service), which are typically controlled and monitored from within the store, where there is a cashier using a device for control of fuel supply. Conventional fuel supply controllers consist of a base unit with a top counter, which has a panel with alphanumeric display and a keyboard having several function keys. When the customer is ready to supply fuel, the customer gives an indication to the controller, for example, by pressing a button on the dispenser or lifting a lever after removing the nozzle from the fuel dispenser. The controller sends a message to the screen in front of the cashier to authorize the supply of fuel. The cashier approves the supply and activates the dispenser by pressing the appropriate key on the controller's keypad. After the supply, the customer tells the cashier the dispenser he used for the fuel supply. Then, the cashier determines the amount due for the purchase of fuel by pressing the key of the controller corresponding to that dispenser. The controller presents the total amount of the sale and the cashier adds the additional customer purchases, if any, using a normal cash register. Conventional fuel supply controllers have several drawbacks, when used in conjunction with normal cash registers, to facilitate fuel supply and other sales in this point-of-sale environment. The fundamental problem is simply the workload that the ATM has since it operates, simultaneously, two separate computers. The cashier must, repeatedly, pay attention, changing from one device or device to another throughout the day. As a result of this, the ability of the cashier to attend to the customer is impaired and the procedure of verification of the sale is prolonged. Additionally, more time and resources must be devoted to the training of the cashier since he must master the operation of two devices.

Finally, the conventional point-of-sale system provides limited assistance to store personnel in evaluating the store's sales performance, since access to daily sales and inventory data, using these systems is cumbersome, and is a process that consumes time. Generally, the cashier must manually transfer the controller's data for the fuel supply and the cash register to a written form to consolidate the information of the funds or cash, sales and inventory.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a terminal for sales with a panel, to the touch, for the menu connected to a point-of-sale system that allows the customer to control the fuel supply and perform the sales transactions of the customer. The interface includes a touch panel, which presents groups of graphic icons or drawings containing images representing particular sales items. The client, simply the entire icon corresponding to the desired item, such as a sandwich, and the system responds by adding the cost of the sandwich to the total supplied. The signal is sent from the system to the location where, in this case, the sandwich is produced or provided.

Unlike conventional point of sale systems, the system of the present invention provides the signals at a remote station to take the order. Additionally, these reduce the customer's waiting time for other items that are not fuel. The touch sensitive panel of the present invention has a robust interface device. Unlike the interface like the keyboards, the switches on the screen are easily activated. In addition, the dirt and slip that is found in some gas stations will not affect the exterior surface which virtually reduces the failure induced by contamination or dirt. In operation, the touch panel provides a single point to pay attention to. Unlike the keyboard used with the screen, for example, where the user should see the keys on the keyboard, and then see the screen to verify what he marked with the keys, the touch panel provides the interface "see and touch " Unlike systems controlled with a keyboard, the point-of-sale system of the present invention is highly intuitive to operate. The images of icons or photos represent the article for purchase with an inherent meaning and arranged in a logical way on the screen, in groups based on the types of related items, ie, sandwiches, snacks or drinks.

Icons that are intuitively identified and arranged in a comfortable structure for use greatly simplify the process of ordering items while dispensing fuel. Accordingly, the time to verify a customer's purchase is reduced. In addition, since the interface is visually oriented, almost no training is required for its use. According to the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a sales terminal with a touch panel, with a point of sale system for a fuel dispensing system that allows the user to control the supply of fuel and order items for retail sale at point for fuel supply. Another objective is to provide a sales terminal with a touch panel with a point of sale system for a fuel dispensing system with an interface that is simple to operate and has reliable performance in the service station environment. Another objective of the present invention is to provide a point-of-sale system with a terminal for sales with a touch panel that uses a computer-operated system that can support other application programs that are commonly available and allow the exchange of data between the system and these other programs. Another objective of the present invention is to provide a point-of-sale system with a terminal for sales, with a touch panel, which has a highly intuitive operator interface. Still another objective is to provide a point of sale system for a fuel dispensing system that requires a minimum amount of training for the operator. Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other aspects and characteristics of the invention, and the way to achieve them, will be more apparent and the invention will be better understood with the reference of the following description of an embodiment of the invention, considered together with the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention; • Figure 2 is a view of an illustrative touch panel of the present invention; and Figure 3 is a block diagram of another embodiment of the present invention.

The corresponding reference characters indicate equal parts throughout the various views. The exemplification set forth herein illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention, in one form, and this exemplification is not construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any way. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Figure 1 shows, in a block diagram view, a terminal form of the point of sale system of the present invention 10, including a primary terminal 12 and at least a second terminal 14. plurality of secondary terminals can be connected in a similar way. The primary terminal 12 communicates with remote secondary terminal (s) 14 over a local network (LAN) 24. The LAN 24 can be implemented using any interconnection network commonly known for computer-to-computer communication. In the second remote terminal 14 a computer can be had to process the selections of the clients and issue an order obtained in the primary terminal 12. The primary terminal 12 includes a computer 26, which in the embodiment, is a compatible personal computer. IBM, connected to the touch panel 40 and a central processor 28 communicating in a bus system 30 with one or more controller cards of the fuel dispenser 32, memory 34, input and output controllers 38 and a screen 58. In a form embodiment of the invention, associated with the fuel dispenser 42, the controller 32 is connected to the fuel dispenser with a two-way communication. The input and output controller 38 is connected to the magnetic stripe reader 39 and possibly to other input and output devices 44. The present invention includes a touch panel 40 that utilizes a micro-touch system or membrane pads with a cover of the items that are promoted and at the point of sale by the operator of the service station. The control panel 40 can be integrated either with a gasoline dispenser as shown in Figure 1 or with a separate unit. This cover with the articles may have photographs, drawings or icons of the different goods or services available for purchase. The touch panel 40 allows the consumer to select food items that are sold in the store (as shown in Figure 2), view the advertisements and promotions and can have an interconnection with a credit card reader system to allow the consumer complete the transaction of fuel or other products in the first terminal of the touch panel 12.

The touch panel 40 in another embodiment may contain an illuminated back, whether it illuminates the entire menu before the customer selects and switches off each selected item, or switches on the item only after the selection. You can also incorporate an interface with sound card to provide a voice that confirms the selections or the actions that are carried out in the touch panel. In an alternative embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, the invention disposed within a current dispenser 42 positioned on a service station island is presented. The touch panel 40, made, for example, as a four-by-six switch or button pad, or alternatively, a touch-sensitive screen, is connected together with the four-by-six pad panel 44 to a terminal board. for the payment of a typical dispenser (DPT) 32. This DPT card, as is known in the art, handles the payment commands and controls the particular readers for cards, these card readers 39, together with other means of payment, such as for example machines that accept cash, or similar. The DPT card 32 is connected to a display 58 for reading particular data in relation to both the fuel supply operation and the function of the dispenser 42, together with the menu selections or the particular items selected from the menu card 40. A advanced merchandise dispenser 72, such as for example a beverage or snack dispenser can be connected via a control line 33 to the DPT card 32. This control line 32 allows to enable the supply and selection of merchandise within the dispenser 72 by commands from the DPT card 32, normally selected via one of the switches or locations on the menu card pad 40. In the particular embodiment shown in Figure 3, the universal control system for the Dispenser (UDC), which handles all the operations of the fuel dispenser, how to control the valves - of the pump and any system of vacuum vapor removal, shown as UDC 70. This UDC unit is connected via an RS485 connection to the DPT card 32. The equipment, arranged inside the fuel dispenser 42, can be connected to a processor in the store (ISP ) 66, as one of the many commercially available point of sale (POS) systems. For effective operation in a typical service station, the DPT cards 32 of a plurality of dispensers for different stations 42, the environment can be connected to an interconnection box 62. This interconnect box 62 can collect the outputs of the DPT cards 32, and pass these signals and information to the ISP 66 through a multiple drop communication line. A plurality of controllers for universal dispensers 70, can be connected by an interface box 60 like that of all universal dispenser controllers that can be connected to a dispenser output controller (DHC) 64, which allows the service control one or more nozzles at a time, allowing the authorization and cancellation of particular nozzles and / or dispensers 42. The DHC 64 system output connects to ISP 66. The processor in store 66, as a normal POS system, It can include a number of terminals 68, to enter the purchases that are made inside the store or kiosk. Additionally, the restaurant in store 74 can be connected via a communication line 75 to ISP 66, so that the selections made in the menu card, for example a hotdog or a sandwich, are made through the menu card 44 outside the store in the dispenser 42, you can communicate with the staff inside the store 74 restaurant. This function allows the staff to start working on the order of the food or merchandise, while the operation of the store is still performed. fuel supply, and the customer is outside the store. After the normal operation of fuel supply 42 is completed, the customer can drive or walk to the restaurant of store 74 to take the merchandise he ordered, in this case a hotdog or a sandwich.

This remote order at the dispenser station reduces the time the customer spends at the service station. As shown in Figure 3, the processor in store 66 can communicate through a communication line 69 with an electronic funds transfer network. In operation of the panel, to the touch, of the menu card 40, the customer can supply the fuel, in a normal way, from the fuel dispenser 42 and while waiting, select different keys or buttons (Figure 2) to select different items for the purchase. Using the indicated keys (switches), the user can start again his selection, delete an article of his selection, review an order of several articles, and transmit (once he completes the selection) the desired order. The primary terminal 12 sends the order it obtains from the client from the remote secondary terminal 14 so that the store manager or a machine complies with the presented order or any other action. Terminal 12 adds the cost of these ordered items to the total that may include the sale of fuel. - The present invention allows a terminal to take an order, simple and inexpensive, is able to increase sales through a system that takes the order automatically and eliminates the person who has to take the order or the sales assistant. The terminal for sales with a touch panel 12 can additionally be connected to the point of sale system through the use of LAN 24. In operation of the embodiment shown in Figure 3, a customer can make several selections of particular products of services in a dispenser 42. Typically, the customer may select an item, such as a beverage or sandwich using a menu card 40, and this selection may be illuminated or turned off for the customer to observe his selection. This selection can be communicated to the DPT card 32. If the selected merchandise is available outside the merchandise dispenser 72, the DPT card can operate two functions. One, the cost of the selection can be sent through an interconnection box 62 to the processor in the store or POS 66 for the registration of the total price of the sale. After the authorization of ISP 66, the DPT card 32 can emit a control signal that passes through the communication line 33 to the merchandise dispenser 72 for the supply of the selected merchandise, such as a beverage, from a machine of refrigerated drink outside the store.

Second, if the merchandise or service selected by a menu card 40 is only found inside the store, the DPT card 32 transfers this selection through the interconnection box 62 to the store processor or POS 66, and the POS sends then a command signal via a control line 75 to the restaurant in store 74, or possibly to the operator of the service station, to prepare, in advance, the selected merchandise, such as a hotdog or a sandwich. Alternatively, the staff can carry the selected merchandise to accelerate the time the customer spends at the gas station or in the store. In this case, it is possible for the client to drive to the restaurant in the store, such as a self-service or window where he takes the goods he ordered in advance on the menu card 40. Thus, the client may be able to request your order by making a remote selection in the dispenser menu 42, while taking fuel. While the invention has been described as having a preferred design, the present invention can be modified, always within the spirit and scope of the presentation. It is understood, thus, that the application is intended to cover any variation, use or adaptations of the same using its general principles. Furthermore, this application is intended to cover these derivations of the present invention that form part of the practice of the technique to which the invention belongs and which falls within the limits of the appended claims.

Claims (9)

1. A fuel dispensing system comprising: a fuel dispenser for the supply thereof; a plurality of switches connected to the fuel dispenser, customers use the switches to determine the merchandise selected for sale; a plurality of graphic icons, each icon is respectively connected to the switch; and a point-of-sale system connected to the fuel dispenser to give a total of the sale of both fuel and merchandise selected by the customer.

2. The fuel dispensing system according to claim 1 wherein, the plurality of switches is a pad for a switch, with a four-by-six membrane.

3. The fuel dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of switches is a touch sensitive video screen.

4. The fuel dispensing system according to claim 1, further comprising a restaurant in the store connected to the point of sale system, at least one switch of a plurality of switches that send a signal to the restaurant via the system of point of sale to indicate a merchandise order from the location of the fuel dispenser.

5. The fuel dispensing system according to claim 4, wherein the merchandise order comprises a food order.

6. The fuel dispensing system according to claim 1, further comprising a merchandise dispenser operatively connected to the fuel dispenser, this dispenser delivers the merchandise after the customer uses the predetermined switch by a switch.

7. The fuel dispensing system according to claim 6, wherein the dispenser of the merchandise delivers beverages. The fuel dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein the graphic icons are illuminated from behind, so that when the respective switch is activated, the respective icon is obscured. 9. - The fuel dispensing system according to claim 1, in which the graphic icons are obscured and as the respective switch is activated the corresponding icon is illuminated from behind.