WO2009022760A1

WO2009022760A1 - Apparatus and method for analyzing transaction data of a pos device

Info

Publication number: WO2009022760A1
Application number: PCT/KR2007/003953
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gyu-Yong Lee
Original assignee: Qtum Co., Ltd
Priority date: 2007-08-16
Filing date: 2007-08-17
Publication date: 2009-02-19
Also published as: KR100794614B1

Abstract

Provided is a transaction information analysis apparatus for analyzing transaction source information received from a point-of-sales terminal. The apparatus includes: an ASCII code converting part that converts the transaction source information received from the point-of-sales terminal into ASCII codes; a transaction information extracting part that extracts transaction-related information from the transaction source information converted in the ASCII code converting part; a particular information filtering part that analyzes the transaction-related information extracted in the transaction information extracting part to determine whether or not a particular transaction occurs; and a particular transaction processing part that controls a camera in the vicinity of the point-of-sales terminal related to the particular transaction for an enlarged recording if it is determined by the particular information filtering part that the particular transaction occurs.

Description

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ANALYZING TRANSACTION DATA OF A POS DEVICE

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a point-of-sales apparatus and method which is capable of transmitting sales information to remote devices, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for transaction information analysis on point-of-sales terminals for analyzing and processing transaction information on the point-of sales terminals, which is transmitted to the remote devices. Background Art

[2] In general, a point-of-sales (POS) system refers to a management system that inputs distribution-related information on items, prices, sales volume, etc. to a computer and analyzes and utilizes the information at the same time of selling goods and services in stores. The POS system inputs sales information to point-of-sales terminals (hereinafter referred to as "POS terminals") by contacting unique marks or bar codes, which are printed on or attached to product packaging papers, to a reader (that is, a scanner), and collectively manages information of a plurality of POS terminal through a main computer. Based on the sales information, distributors can implement automation of goods management and affairs such as grasping sales tendency whenever necessary, maintaining inventories at a proper level, extending exhibition of salable goods, etc.

[3] In the meantime, a CCTV (Closed Circuit TV) system includes cameras installed at places to be photographed and a CCTV terminal equipped with video processing cards (a digital video recorder (DVR) card and an input/output (I/O) card) for monitoring places where CCTVs are installed. The DVR is a security equipment for replacement for CCTV, which stores a recorded video as a digital signal, and has spread in use because of image quality superior to existing CCTVs, no troublesome of changing video tapes, convenient edition, transmission and search, etc.

[4] Such a CCTV system is used for prevention of theft in stores and is provided separately from the POS system. Typically, a main computer of the POS system and a CCTV terminal are concentrated and managed in a computer room or a control room, POS terminals of stores engage in only settlement of sales, and the computer room or the control room is in charge of monitoring of stores through CCTV. In recent years, there have been proposed methods of connecting remote devices such as DVR terminals and the like to the POS system for integrated goods management.

[5] However, since information outputted from different POS terminals has different data formats, it is not ease to utilize such information in DVR terminals and so on. In addition, as transaction information collected from POS terminals is stored separately from video information recorded from CCTV, it is not ease to search a detailed video for a possible particular transaction. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[6] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a transaction information analysis apparatus and method for point-of-sales terminals, which is capable of converting formats of data outputted from the point-of-sales terminals into a single data format.

[7] It is another object of the present invention to provide a transaction information analysis apparatus and method for point-of-sales terminals, which is capable of analyzing details of transaction by storing transaction information outputted from the point-of-sales terminals in synchronization with a video signal of CCTV. Technical Solution

[8] To achieve the above objects, according to an aspect, the present invention provides a transaction information analysis apparatus for analyzing transaction source information received from a point-of-sales terminal, including: an ASCII code converting part that converts the transaction source information received from the point-of-sales terminal into ASCII codes; a transaction information extracting part that extracts transaction-related information from the transaction source information converted in the ASCII code converting part; a particular information filtering part that analyzes the transaction-related information extracted in the transaction information extracting part to determine whether or not a particular transaction occurs; and a particular transaction processing part that controls a camera in the vicinity of the point- of-sales terminal related to the particular transaction for an enlarged recording if it is determined by the particular information filtering part that the particular transaction occurs.

[9] Preferably, the transaction-related information is one or more selected from a group consisting of transaction method, price, volume and goods.

[10] Preferably, the transaction information analysis apparatus further comprises a transaction information converting part that converts the ASCII code type transaction information extracted in the transaction information extracting part into Unicode type transaction information.

[11] Preferably, the transaction information analysis apparatus includes: a DBMS storing part that stores the transaction information extracted in the transaction information extracting part and index information related to the extracted transaction information; and a file archive storing part that stores video information received from the camera and the transaction information in a temporal order.

[12] Preferably, if it is determined by the particular information filtering part that the particular transaction occurs, the particular transaction processing part controls a camera in the vicinity of the point-of-sales terminal related to the particular transaction such that a video for the particular transaction is recorded at a high speed and with a higher image quality factor for provision of a clearer image.

[13] Preferably, if it is determined by the particular information filtering part that the particular transaction occurs, the particular transaction processing part generates an alarm signal in a sensor connected to the apparatus.

[14] According to another aspect, the present invention provides a transaction information analysis method for analyzing transaction source information received from a point- of-sales terminal, including the steps of: converting the transaction source information received from the point-of-sales terminal into ASCII codes; extracting transaction- related information from the transaction source information converted into the ASCII codes; analyzing the extracted transaction-related information to determine whether or not a particular transaction occurs; and controlling a camera in the vicinity of the point- of-sales terminal related to the particular transaction for an enlarged recording when it is determined that the particular transaction occurs.

[15] Preferably, the transaction-related information is one or more selected from a group consisting of transaction method, price, volume and goods.

[16] Preferably, the transaction information analysis method further includes the step of: after the step of extracting the transaction-related information, converting the extracted ASCII code type transaction information into Unicode type transaction information.

[17] Preferably, if it is determined that the particular transaction occurs, a camera in the vicinity of the point-of-sales terminal related to the particular transaction is controlled such that a video for the particular transaction is recorded at a high speed and with a higher image quality factor for provision of a clearer image.

[18] Preferably, if it is determined that the particular transaction occurs, an alarm signal is generated in a sensor.

Advantageous Effects

[19] According to the present invention, by converting formats of data outputted from a plurality of point-of-sales terminals into a single data format, it is possible to effectively filter particular transaction information and effectively search and classify converted transaction information.

[20] In addition, according to the present invention, by storing transaction information outputted from point-of-sales terminals in synchronization with a video signal of CCTV, it is possible to confirm a video signal mapped with particular transaction and thus easily check abnormal situations such as theft or robbery. Brief Description of the Drawings

[21] Fig. 1 is a view illustrating a point-of-sales system for transmitting sales information to remote devices in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [22] Fig. 2 is a view illustrating detailed structures of a point-of-sales terminal and a digital video storage device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [23] Fig. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a process of transaction information analysis on a point-of-sales terminal in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [24] Fig. 4 is a view illustrating fields of data transmitted to a transaction information analysis apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [25] Fig. 5 is a view illustrating a detailed structure of data stored in a storage device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [26] <Reference Numerals>

[27] 100: POS terminal

[28] 110: Scanner

[29] 120: Monitor

[30] 130: Printer

[31] 140: Network

[32] 150: Transaction information analysis apparatus

[33] 160: Remote terminal

[34] 201 : POS operation program part

[35] 202: Transaction information monitoring program part

[36] 203: TCP/IP driver

[37] 204: Network input/output port

[38] 211: Particular information filtering part

[39] 212: Particular transaction processing part

[40] 213: Transaction information extracting part

[41] 214: DVR functioning part

[42] 215 : ASCII code converting part

[43] 216: Transaction information converting part

[44] 217: Network input/output port

[45] 218: Storing part

[46] 410: Entire data length information

[47] 420: Device identification information

[48] 430: Transaction source information [49] 500: DBMS storing part

[50] 501, 512: Transaction information

[51] 502: Index

[52] 510: File archive storing part

[53] 511: Video information

Mode for the Invention

[54] The present invention suggests an apparatus and method which is capable of converting different formats of data used for different point-of-sales (POS) terminals into a single data format for effective analysis of the data. That is, data received from different POS terminals are converted into data of a single format, and as a result of analysis on the data, if a particular transaction occurs, a preset proper measure for the particular transaction is taken. In addition, upon receiving transaction information, by storing the transaction information in synchronization with a video signal received from CCTV, it is possible to search a video screen for details of the transaction.

[55] In addition, if the particular transaction occurs, it is possible to effectively monitor the transaction by separately controlling a camera connected to a place where the particular transaction occurs.

[56] In the meantime, the transaction information analysis apparatus that analyzes and stores the data received from the POS terminals may be implemented as a separate apparatus connected to a network, or may be incorporated into a DVR connected to the POS terminals via a network. In this case, the transaction information analysis apparatus maps the transaction information received from the POS terminals with the video information received via the DVR and stores a result of the mapping. In the following description, the transaction information analysis apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be assumed to be included in the DVR.

[57] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following detailed description of the present invention, concrete description on related functions or constructions will be omitted if it is deemed that the functions and/or constructions may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention.

[58] First, a transaction information analysis apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2, and then a transaction information analysis method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 3.

[59] Fig. 1 is a view illustrating a point-of-sales system for transmitting sales information to remote devices in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Fig. 1, goods information inputted through a scanner 110 is transmitted to a POS terminal 100 which then outputs operation information (i.e., sales information) related to sales of the goods to various external devices (e.g., a monitor 120, a printer 130, a DVR 150, etc.). For example, the sales information is transmitted to the printer 130 to print out receipts and the like, and to the monitor 120 (e.g., an LED (Light Emitting Diode) display device or the like) to display information such as selling prices and the like to allow a consumer to check the information. In the meantime, the operation information related to goods sales is transmitted to remote devices such as the DVR 150 via a network 140 in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention. In the following description, the transaction information analysis apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be assumed to be included in the DVR 150.

[60] Accordingly, when transaction information is transmitted to the DVR 150 at the point-of-sales, it is possible to perform an effective sale monitoring operation by storing video information on the point-of-sales, with the video information mapped with the sales information.

[61] At this time, since data received from the POS terminal 100 may have different formats for different POS terminals 100, the transaction information analysis apparatus (i.e., the DVR 150) according to the embodiment of the present invention converts the received data into a single data format for the purpose of effective use of the data.

[62] In the meantime, the POS terminal 100 communicates with the scanner 110 according to a PS2 scheme and communicates with the monitor 120 and the printer 130 according to an RS232 scheme. The PS2 communication scheme is a serial communication scheme used mainly for input devices such as keyboard or mousse of PCs for communication with the scanner 110. The RS232 scheme is a typical serial communication scheme prescribed by EIA (Electronic Industries Association) and has been widely used as general data communication means since this scheme requires a single transmission line for single transmission, thereby saving costs, although this scheme has a demerit of a low communication speed and a short communication distance.

[63] When the POS terminal 100 transmits the operation information related to sales to the printer 130, the monitor 120 and so on according to the RS232 communication scheme, the transaction information is converted into data which can be transmitted from the POS terminal 100 via the network, according to the embodiment of the present invention. The converted operation information is transmitted to remote equipments (e.g., the DVR 150, a remote terminal 160, etc.) via the network 140. Thus, when a payment is made at the point-of-sales, it is possible to perform an effective monitoring operation by means of the DVR 150 or the like and it is also possible to effectively monitor sales by linking information on the settlement to a video data clip at the point of time of the settlement. In addition, a manager at any places can monitor and manage sales in real time through the remote terminal 160 connected to Internet or the like.

[64] Hereinafter, a detailed structure using a single data format into which the transaction- related information received in the DVR 150 including the function of the point- of-sales terminal is converted in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 2.

[65] Fig. 2 is a view illustrating detailed structures of a point-of-sales terminal and a digital video storage device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Fig. 2, the POS terminal 100 may include a POS operation program part 201, a transaction information monitoring program part 202, a TCP/IP driver 203, a network input/output port 204, etc., and the DVR 150 including the function of the point-of-sales terminal may include a particular information filtering part 211, a particular transaction processing part 212, a transaction information extracting part 213, a DVR functioning part 214, an ASCII code converting part 215, a transaction information converting part 216, a network input/output port 217, a storing part 218, etc.

[66] As described above, the DVR function part 214 of the DVR 150 is a part to perform

DVR unique functions such as video recording, video display, camera control, sensor signal control and the like, and remaining elements of the DVR 150 are additional parts to perform functions of the point-of-sales terminal in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention. Accordingly, a separate point-of-sales terminal may be configured by parts except for the DVR function part 214 of the DVR 150 and may be implemented to be controlled through interfacing with the DVR 150.

[67] The POS operation program part 201, which is software installed to process sales information on the POS terminal 100, processes various information inputted at the time of sales to generate operation information related to sales (e.g., sales time, goods information, price information, settlement information, etc.) and transmit the operation information to external devices such as the monitor 120, the printer 130, remote devices (e.g., the DVR 150, the remote terminal 160, etc.) and so on in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention. The transaction information monitoring program part 202 serves to transmit transaction source information to the transaction information analysis apparatus (i.e., the DVR 150) when the transaction information is generated in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.

[68] The TCP/IP driver 203 enables data transmission/receipt of a TCP/IP communication scheme by providing description about a TCP/IP operation to the network input/output port 204 when the driver 203 transmits/receives data through the network input/output port 204. The network input/output port 204 performs data communication of the TCP/ IP communication scheme with the external remote devices (e.g., the DVR 150, the remote terminal 160, etc.) through control of the TCP/IP driver 203.

[69] The transaction source information transmitted from the POS apparatus 100 is transmitted to the DVR 150 via the network 140 and is received via the network input/ output port 217 of the DVR 150. At this time, since the transaction source information received from the POS apparatus 100 may have different raw data formats for different POS apparatuses 100, the different raw data formats are converted into a single format in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.

[70] First, the received transaction source information is converted into ASCII codes in the ASCII code converting part 215. That is, since the transaction source information may have different formats for different POS apparatuses 100, this information is converted into the generalized ASCII code for facilitation of analysis in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.

[71] The ASCII code information generated in the ASCII code converting part 215 is inputted to the transaction information extracting part 213 in which the transaction information is analyzed through the ASCII code to extract transaction-related information such as transaction method, price, volume, goods and so on.

[72] At this time, the transaction information is provided to the DVR functioning part

214. The DVR functioning part 214 maps the transaction information with transaction- related video information at the time of generation of the received transaction information and stores a result of the mapping in the storing part 218. That is, the extracted transaction-related information in the transaction information extracting part 213 is reported to the DVR functioning part 214. In the DVR functioning part 214, the transaction-related information is overlapped on a picture along with a video signal and is recorded. In this manner, the overlapping of the transaction-related information on the picture in the vicinity of the POS apparatus 100 allows a user to quickly grasp transaction situations. At this time, the transaction information is recorded in the same file along with a real time video signal, which will be described in detail later with reference to Fig. 5.

[73] In addition, the ASCII code type transaction information extracted in the transaction information extracting part 213 is converted into Unicode type transaction information in the transaction information converting part 216 for security of neutrality between individual national languages and then is stored in the storing part 218.

[74] In the meantime, the transaction-related information extracted in the transaction information extracting part 213 is provided to the particular information filtering part 211. The particular information filtering part 211 analyzes the extracted information to check whether or not the transaction-related information includes particular information. For example, the transaction-related information may be assumed to include particular information if "transaction cancel", "returning goods", etc. are included in transaction details.

[75] In this manner, if particular transaction occurs, the particular transaction processing part 212 performs its preset function. Specifically, the particular transaction processing part 212 reports contents corresponding to the particular transaction to the DVR functioning part 214 and then performs the preset function.

[76] For example, if the particular transaction occurs, a video for the particular transaction is recorded at a high speed and with a higher image quality factor for provision of a clearer image. In addition, an alarm signal may be generated through a sensor connected to the DVR 150. In addition, a camera connected to the DVR 150 may be controlled to zoom-in and record the surroundings of the POS apparatus 100 in which a particular transaction occurs.

[77] Fig. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a process of transaction information analysis on a point-of-sales terminal in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Fig. 3, first, upon receiving the transaction source information through TCP/IP (S301), the transaction information analysis apparatus (i.e., the DVR) analyzes the received transaction source information to convert this information into ASCII codes (S302). Next, transaction information is extracted from the ASCII code (S303) and is then analyzed (S304).

[78] As a result of the analysis, if a particular transaction occurs (S305), a preset function corresponding to the particular transaction is performed (S306). For example, a video for the particular transaction is recorded at a high speed and with a higher image quality factor for provision of a clearer image, and/or an alarm signal may be generated through a sensor, and/or a camera may be controlled to zoom- in and record the particular transaction.

[79] In the meantime, the extracted transaction-related information is recorded along with a video signal received at the point of time of the transaction (S307), and the ASCII code type transaction information is converted into Unicodes (S308) and is then stored in a database (S309).

[80] Fig. 4 is a view illustrating fields of data transmitted to the transaction information analysis apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Fig. 4, data transmitted from the POS apparatus 100 have raw data formats and contain different contents for different programs and transaction information display devices of different POS apparatuses 100.

[81] In the meantime, as shown in Fig. 4, the data transmitted from the POS apparatus 100 may include a field that represents an entire data length 410, a field that represents device identification information 420, and a field that represents transaction source information 430.

[82] The entire data length field 410 is a field representing an entire packet size of the transmitted data.

[83] The device identification information field 420 is a field representing an origination of the transaction source information. For example, if the device identification information is set to 1, it represents a "printer", if the device identification information is set to 2, it represents a "customer display", if the device identification information is set to 3, it represents a "cash draw", etc.

[84] The transaction source information field 430 represents transaction data inputted to a transaction information display device used for transaction.

[85] Fig. 5 is a view illustrating a detailed structure of data stored in a storage device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Fig. 5, transaction information may be stored into two types. As a first type, the transaction information is stored as separate data in a DBMS (DataBase Management System) storing part 500 for high efficiency of search. As a second type, the transaction information may be stored as a file in a file archive storing part 510 according to a signal generation order of video and transaction information for synchronization with a video signal.

[86] Specifically, the above converted and extracted transaction information 510 and a transaction information index 502 are stored in the DBMS storing part 500, and the video information 511 and the transaction information 512 are stored in the file archive storing part 510 in a temporal order.

[87] Accordingly, the transaction information 501 stored in the DBMS storing part 500 is used to confirm the entire transaction details, and the transaction information 512 stored in the file archive storing part 510 and the video information 511 mapped with the transaction information 512 are referred to in order to confirm the video signal related to the transaction details. Since the information stored in the file archive storing part 510 is information recorded in a temporal order, this information may have legal admissibility of evidence.

[88] While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

Claims

[1] A transaction information analysis apparatus for analyzing transaction source information received from a point-of-sales terminal, comprising: an ASCII code converting part that converts the transaction source information received from the point-of-sales terminal into ASCII codes; a transaction information extracting part that extracts transaction-related information from the transaction source information converted in the ASCII code converting part; a particular information filtering part that analyzes the transaction-related information extracted in the transaction information extracting part to determine whether or not a particular transaction occurs; and a particular transaction processing part that controls a camera in the vicinity of the point-of-sales terminal related to the particular transaction for an enlarged recording when it is determined by the particular information filtering part that the particular transaction occurs.

[2] The transaction information analysis apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the transaction-related information is one or more selected from a group consisting of transaction method, price, volume and goods.

[3] The transaction information analysis apparatus according to Claim 1, further comprising a transaction information converting part that converts the ASCII code type transaction information extracted in the transaction information extracting part into Unicode type transaction information.

[4] The transaction information analysis apparatus according to Claim 1, further comprising: a DBMS storing part that stores the transaction information extracted in the transaction information extracting part and index information related to the extracted transaction information; and a file archive storing part that stores video information received from the camera and the transaction information in a temporal order.

[5] The transaction information analysis apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein, when it is determined by the particular information filtering part that the particular transaction occurs, the particular transaction processing part controls a camera in the vicinity of the point-of-sales terminal related to the particular transaction such that a video for the particular transaction is recorded at a high speed and with a higher image quality factor for provision of a clearer image.

[6] The transaction information analysis apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein, when it is determined by the particular information filtering part that the particular transaction occurs, the particular transaction processing part generates an alarm signal in a sensor connected to the apparatus.

[7] A transaction information analysis method for analyzing transaction source information received from a point-of-sales terminal, comprising the steps of: converting the transaction source information received from the point-of-sales terminal into ASCII codes; extracting transaction-related information from the transaction source information converted into the ASCII codes; analyzing the extracted transaction-related information to determine whether or not a particular transaction occurs; and controlling a camera in the vicinity of the point-of-sales terminal related to the particular transaction for an enlarged recording when it is determined that the particular transaction occurs.

[8] The transaction information analysis method according to Claim 7, wherein the transaction-related information is one or more selected from a group consisting of transaction method, price, volume and goods.

[9] The transaction information analysis method according to Claim 7, further comprising the step of: after the step of extracting the transaction-related information, converting the extracted ASCII code type transaction information into Unicode type transaction information.

[10] The transaction information analysis method according to Claim 7, wherein, when it is determined that the particular transaction occurs, a camera in the vicinity of the point-of-sales terminal related to the particular transaction is controlled such that a video for the particular transaction is recorded at a high speed and with a higher image quality factor for provision of a clearer image.

[11] The transaction information analysis method according to Claim 7, wherein, when it is determined that the particular transaction occurs, an alarm signal is generated in a sensor.