WO2019139480A2

WO2019139480A2 - Device with a network connection to a (cloud) server for coupling a cash drawer, a point of sale (pos) system and various peripherals, for integrating sales- and payment transactions for managing, monitoring, reporting and securing counter sales

Info

Publication number: WO2019139480A2
Application number: PCT/NL2019/050017
Authority: WO
Inventors: Maxim SCHOEW; Erik HOEKSTRA; Dmytro HARIACHYI
Original assignee: Numus Enterprise B.V.
Priority date: 2018-01-15
Filing date: 2019-01-14
Publication date: 2019-07-18
Also published as: WO2019139480A3; NL2020277B1

Abstract

The invention provides a device for coupling a cash drawer and a point of sale (POS) system, the device comprising a series of interfaces for coupling said cash drawer, said POS system and for coupling said device to an external network and a remote server, for registering a transaction, the device further comprises an internal network in said device, and a data storage medium coupled to said internal network, said device further comprising at least one data processor and software which identifies an external network coupled to one of said interfaces, sets said interface as a first interface for coupling said device to said external network, a cash drawer coupled to a further one of said interfaces, and sets said interface as a second interface for coupling said cash drawer via said device to said internal network, and a POS system coupled to yet a further one of said interfaces, and sets said interfaces as a third interface for coupling said POS system via said device to said internal network.

Description

Device with a network connection to a (cloud) server for coupling a cash drawer, a point of sale (POS) system and various peripherals, for integrating sales- and payment transactions for managing, monitoring, reporting and securing counter sales

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a device for connecting a cash drawer and a point of sale system to a network, and a method for this.

Background of the invention

Ever since shops and venues exist systems for counter sales have been developed. Typically systems to support counter sales can be split into payment systems for processing payment transactions, and into point of sale (POS) systems for processing sales transactions.

Known payment systems can include cash drawers, safes, cash machines, and chip-and-pin terminals for supporting payment transactions. Payment systems can for instance handle payment methods such as cash, digital coins (also based on block chain technology), checks, coupons, credit cards, and debit cards.

Known POS systems can include systems for retail sales, ticketing sales, and catering sales with coupled devices like card readers, barcode scanners, displays, and printers. These known POS systems can for instance process actions like product/ticket sales, ticket printing, product/tickets returns, stock changes, order cancellations, reservations, invoicing, customer/member registration, and loyalty card handling.

When an action such as for instance a sale, payment, refund, skim, cash deposit or withdrawal of cash is performed, a transaction is created.

Payment systems as well as POS systems develop continuously and rapidly in order to adapt to new technology and markets.

Application US 12/983,493 according to its abstract describes“Cash drawers having a network interface and a processing unit are disclosed. The network interface connects to a network. The processing unit detects cash drawer events and transmits an indication of the cash drawer events across the network interface. The cash drawer 9

optionally includes a storage component that stores the indication of the cash drawer events. The network interface may be a wired or a wireless interface. The cash drawer may receive electrical power from an external supply or from the network connection.”

Application CN 201610333045 according to its English abstract describes‘‘The invention discloses a cloud intelligent cashier system which comprises an integrated cash register and a cashier data cloud server, wherein the integrated cash register comprises an intelligent terminal device, a network connection device and a card swiping device; the network connection device is used for connecting the intelligent terminal device with an external network; the intelligent terminal device is respectively connected with the card swiping device and the cashier data cloud server; the cashier data cloud server is used for receiving cashier information of the intelligent terminal device; the cashier data cloud server is further used for carrying out storage, statistics, analysis and mining on the cashier information and providing an information service for a user of the integrated cash register according to a cashier information analysis and mining result; and sales data can be deeply analyzed, and more useful information can be provided for a merchant. Correspondingly, the invention further provides a cash register. The cash register has functions of the abovementioned integrated cash register.”

Application US 11/841,203 according to its abstract describes“Tracking at the local point of sale terminal level, changes in data associated with each terminal, such as a changed printer or POS register supporting a particular POS terminal, the identified cash drawer for the terminal, the particular changeable removable cash till in the cash drawer or the particular terminal operator. The POS terminal comprises a cash drawer including a drawer identifier, a cash till, including a till identifier, removably engagable with the drawer, as well as apparatus for reading the drawer identifier, apparatus for reading the till identifier when said till is engaged with the drawer and apparatus for transmitting the read drawer and till identifiers to the system

administrator.”

EP3190522 according to its abstract describes“A system in which a terminal device communicates with a server and processes data enables the terminal device to continue processing data even when a communication fault occurs. A data processing device has a data storage unit storing data processing device-side master data, connects through a server communication path to a server, updates the data processing device- side master data stored in the data storage unit based on server-side master data stored by the server, connects to a tablet through a process communication path, responds based on the data processing device-side master data stored by the data storage unit to a master data transmission request sent by the tablet, and receives the process information sent by the tablet.”

None of these references offers the solution as presented by the invention.

Summary of the invention

The device according to the invention has many advantages and adds functionality to existing systems such as payment- and POS systems.

To that end, the invention provides a device for coupling a cash drawer and a point of sale (POS) system, the device comprising:

- a series of interfaces for coupling said cash drawer, said POS system to said device and for coupling said device to an external network and via said external network to a server that is remote from said device, for registering a transaction;

- an internal network in said device, and

- a data storage medium coupled to said internal network,

said device further comprising at least one data processor and software which, when executed by said data processor:

identifies an external network coupled to one of said interfaces, sets said interface as a first interface for coupling said device to said external network;

identifies a cash drawer coupled to a further one of said interfaces, and sets said interface as a second interface for coupling said cash drawer via said device to said internal network;

identifies a POS system coupled to yet a further one of said interfaces, and sets said interfaces as a third interface for coupling said POS system via said device to said internal network, and

detects a change in an amount of cash money of said cash drawer, for providing a cash transaction;

detects at least one action from said POS system;

wherein said software further registers transactions comprising said cash transaction and said at least one action from said POS system, the registering of said transactions comprising: storing data of at least one of said transactions to said data storage medium;

transmitting said data via said external network to said server for registering said at least one of said transactions;

subsequently receiving an acknowledgement of receipt of said transmitted data from said server, and

removing said stored data from said data storage after receipt of said acknowl edgement .

As referred to above, payment systems as well as POS systems develop continuously and rapidly in order to adapt to new technology and markets. Online services and monitoring tools via networks such as the Internet, either cloud-based or not, require accurate up-to-date data with low latency. Despite this, it was found that many payment transactions consist of cash payments. Therefore systems which aim to generate a full overview of all transactions preferably including cash transactions. Networks and servers connecting these systems, whether or not part of a cloud, can be offline but as soon as they get online they should provide accurate and up-to-date data about transactions.

Nowadays systems, including payment- and POS systems, are often distributed over wide areas and need to be monitored themselves. Remote monitoring and notification services via a network should inform system administrators about the status and behavior of systems. In addition remote updating (including upgrading) of systems via a network is needed to correct failures, maximize security, adapt to new standards and to add new functionality. Examples of this would be adding a new payment method to a payment system and POS system or updating the firmware of a smart cash safe.

The server is remote from the device. In general, such a server is at a physical location that is at a distance from the device. In some case, the server can be in the same building as the device.

In an embodiment, the software controls said internal network and said interfaces for controlling data communication between said interfaces, in particular said software controls access rights to and from said interfaces, in an embodiment said data comprising control instructions for at least partially controlling at least one of said cash drawer and said POS system. In an embodiment, the POS system is selected from the group consisting of a retail system, a ticketing system and a vendor machine system.

In an embodiment, the software further identifies a further functional device coupled to a further one of said interfaces, and sets said further one of said interfaces as a further interface for coupling said further functional device to said internal network. If coupled, the software controls said internal network and said further interface for controlling data communication between said interfaces and allows said further functional device to communicate with at least one selected from said cash drawer, said POS system, and a further function device.

In an embodiment, the further functional device comprises an interactive display, and said software controls said interactive display to display information regarding at least one payment transaction to a user, to receive user input regarding at least one payment transaction from a user, and to provide data regarding said at least one payment transaction to at least one selected from said cash drawer, said POS system, and said further functional device.

In an embodiment, the displayed information comprises messages to instruct the cashier.

In an embodiment, the further functional device comprises a safe, and wherein said software controls said safe for detecting at least one safe transaction comprising a deposit or a withdrawal of an item of value into said safe, said transactions further comprising said safe transaction.

In an embodiment, in case of a connection failure to said external network or said server, said software transmits said data after said connection to said network or said server is restored.

In an embodiment, the further functional device comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of a card reader, a barcode scanner, a display, touch screen, a keyboard, a pointing device, a cash machine, a printer, a smart till, a cash recycling machine, cash smart safe, a chip and pin terminal for credit- and debit cards and a loyalty card device.

In an embodiment, the software further sets said interface for executing at least one action selected from the group consisting of till payments, till refunds, till skims, till withdraws, till deposits, till cash for pin, till cash for cash, safe deposit and safe withdrawals. In an embodiment, the software further controls said internal network for providing data communication between said series of interfaces.

In an embodiment, the software further couples said first interface to said internal network, thus coupling said internal network to said external network.

In an embodiment, the software further couples selected interfaces from said series of interfaces to said internal network. This allows said interfaces and devices coupled to said interfaces to communicate data to one another.

In an embodiment, the device comprises a housing comprising said data processor and said data storage. In the embodiment, the housing comprises said internal network.

In an embodiment, at least one of said interfaces comprises a physical connector for connecting a further device, and said housing comprises said physical connector. Examples of these physical connectors are USB, USB-C, Firewire, optical interface, serial, parallel, thunderbolt, HDMI, VGA, Ethernet, DVI, Displayport.

The device in an embodiment has multiple interfaces for coupling further functional devices and connecting or coupling further systems. The device thus coupled allows these coupled functional devices and connected systems to exchange data and to execute transactions, such as payment- and sales transactions. The device via said software sends up-to-date data of transactions via said coupled external network to a connected, remote server. Such a remote server can for instance be a one physical server, or it can be part of a cloud server environment. The device allows integrating coupled functional devices and connected systems, and the software monitors, administrates and secures them. As a result, for example, when a payment system and a POS system are both coupled to the device, payment- and sales transactions are less exposed to errors and fraud, due to reduced human interference. For example, manual cash counting’s can be made redundant. Furthermore, the device can provide an audit trail of each transaction. The device can make it easier to adapt to new requirements. Examples of such new requirements are new standards and compliance rules. The device allows adding new functionality either by updating the software of the device or by adding a new functional device to the group of coupled functional devices. Thus, the device allows to correct software and other failures. Furthermore, it allows to maximize security. Examples of possible steps the device may support for a payment- and POS system comprise the updating of a smart cash safe with new firmware, including the latest security requirements, and adding new functionality by coupling a new voucher scanner for use by a coupled POS system.

The device through said software allows self-monitoring and monitoring of a status of coupled functional devices, and it allows sending notifications when predefined events occur. Notifications can comprise, but not limited to, information about:

• whether or not an initially coupled functional device is still coupled to the device, for example:“Is a cash drawer or POS system still coupled?”;

• the current status of the device or a coupled functional device including for example its off/on status, its temperature, its condition (such as:“Is the housing of the device in good condition or has it been tampered with?”) and its position when supported by the device or the coupled functional device;

• the functioning of the device or a coupled functional device, for example:

“Is a device still meeting expectations?” wherein examples of expectations can include the speed of handling by a POS system, the locking of a cash drawer, the print quality of a printer and the use of a cash safe, and

• the version of software or firmware installed on the device or a coupled functional device.

Notifications can be triggered by events like:

• when the cash in the cash drawer exceeds a pre-defmed threshold;

• when cash discrepancies exceed a pre-defmed threshold;

• when a coupled device is decoupled;

• when the number of transactions exceeds a pre-defmed threshold;

• when the temperature of a device exceeds a pre-defmed threshold, and

• when a device is subject to tampering.

Administering the device itself can be done remotely via an external network, as can be done with coupled functional devices via the current device. The device allows administrating tasks, for instances:

• updating the device with software and firmware; • configuring the device settings, including, but not limited, operation hours, notification messages (when and what should be notified to whom by which method), adding and registering a device or system for coupling, planning updates (including upgrades) and restart the device manually or automatically at pre-defmed times or intervals;

• configuring security settings of the device to allow access and the use of the device;

• updating a coupled functional device with software and firmware when supported by the coupled functional device;

• configuring a coupled functional device with options supported by the coupled device, and

• configuring security settings of a coupled functional device to allow access and the use of the coupled functional device with options supported by the coupled functional device.

An embodiment of the device enables coupling of a cash drawer and a POS system for processing sales transactions and the payments thereof, and various other functional devices which then become peripherals, such as, but not limited, to an interactive display, a display, a keyboard, a pointing device, a card reader, a barcode scanner, a voucher scanner, a display, a cash machine, a printer, a (smart) till, a cash recycling machine, cash (smart) safe, a chip and pin terminal for credit- and debit cards and a loyalty card device for supporting transactions. Typically, such an embodiment of the device supports till payments, till refunds, till skims, till withdraws, till deposits, till cash for pin, till cash for cash, safe deposit and safe withdrawals. The embodiment of the device comprises a storage medium and has a connection to an external network. The embodiment of the device stores data, of at least one transaction from coupled functional devices, locally on said data storage medium. It transmits the data of the transaction via said external network to the server, whether or not part of a cloud, for registering the transaction. After receiving an acknowledgement of receipt of the data from the server, the embodiment of the device can remove the data locally from the data storage medium. The removal of local data can be delayed by a configuration setting in order to preserve a backup for a predefined time. In case of a connection failure to the network or the server the software transmits the local data after the connection is restored. The transmission, after the restored connection, can be delayed by a configuration setting in order to guarantee stable quality of service (QoS). Instead of instantly updating the server with the data of the transactions, the software can also be set in offline mode and be enabled to transmit at scheduled times or intervals.

The software of the device according to the invention in an embodiment comprises generic Application Programming Interfaces (API’s) per type of device or system, supporting a set of functions relevant for the type of device or system. For example, the driver for a coupled cash drawer can call the API function for registering a change of amount of cash money and the driver for a POS system can call the API function for requesting a payment. Similarly, the driver for a refrigerator can call the API function for registering the change of temperature and the driver for a surveillance camera can call the API function for triggering an alarm. The software of the driver is in an embodiment installed and executed by the processor of the coupled functional device or system but can also be installed and executed on the device itself. The software of the device typically comprises one or more API types selected from the group consisting of but not limited to: a (smart) cash drawer API, a (smart) safe API, a debit card API, a credit card API, a virtual currency API, a voucher API, a POS API, a printer API, a scanner API, a (surveillance) camera API, a lock API, an appliance API, an energy API and an alarm API.

In an embodiment, the API’s support all kind of payments such as cash payments, pin-payments, debit- and credit card payments, virtual currency payments, loyalty card payments, voucher payments, and combinations of those payments. For instance in the Netherlands the embodiment and various coupled devices support: cash payments through provider Numus, credit card payments through providers EMS and Equens, debit card payments through providers CCV, Worldline and Equens, virtual currency payments through providers Bitcoin and Ethereum, loyalty card payments through providers like (in the Netherlands) Airmiles, Hema card, and Ippies and voucher payments throught providers like (in the Netherlands) VVV Payment Card, Fashion Cheque and Podium Cadeau Kaart.

Typically, all transactions and counting’s will be published at a portal on the Internet. The data transmitted in this embodiment can be used for customized views, reporting, analyzing, monitoring and automated notifications. As a result, in this embodiment many aspects of managing the operations of a business with counter sales can be supported. For instance, next to the aspect of controlling cash operations, the invention can support managing stock, managing crowd based on (ticket) sales and managing counter sale staff when sales are higher or lower then expected.

An interactive display (for example a touch screen) can be connected to the device for managing payment transactions. The interactive display can be coupled directly to the embodiment, or be coupled to the embodiment via a switch coupling the POS system and allowing a temporarily coupling with the interactive display or be coupled to a printer port of the POS system coupled to the embodiment and be connected to the embodiment via a network connection. On the interactive display a cashier can manage payments, is informed about the status of a transaction and can be instructed through messages what to do. For instance on pin and credit card payments the interactive display will show the amount to pay, the accepted cards and whether the payment has been successful or not; similar for other payment methods. Other operations which can be conducted through the interactive display can include the managing of: voucher payments, cash payments with an immediate control of discrepancies, skimming of cash, cash deposits, cash withdrawals, cash deposits in safe, cash withdrawals from safe and exchange transactions such as cash-for-cash- and pin-for-cash transactions.

In conclusion, the embodiment of the device can almost instantly link a cash drawer with a POS system and vise versa. Thus, the device integrates an existing payment- and POS system by just coupling these systems to the embodiment.

Augmenting the functionality of the integrated system just requires the coupling of new devices, which support the API’s of the embodiment. For instance, by coupling a new chip & pin device to the embodiment, it is easy to add support for additional payment methods such as credit- and debit card payments, next to support for cash payments, into an integrated system with only a cash drawer and a POS system.

Payment systems, POS systems and peripherals, which were not built to communicate, can transmit data to each other, can receive data from each other and can execute operations for each other. In addition, devices with no network interface can be connected to a network and to a server by coupling these devices to the device according to the invention.

The coupling of functional devices to the device can be wired or wirelessly.

A further aspect of the invention relates to a device for coupling a series of functional devices, said device comprising: - a series of interfaces for coupling said functional devices and for coupling said device to an external network and via said external network to a server that is remote from said device, for registering data, and

- an internal network in said device,

identifies an external network coupled to one of said interfaces, and sets said interface as a first interface for coupling said device to said external network;

identifies said functional devices coupled to further ones of said interfaces, and sets said interfaces as interfaces for coupling said functional devices to said internal network;

controls said internal network and said interfaces for controlling data communication between said interfaces, said data comprising control instaictions for at least partially controlling said functional devices.

In an embodiment, the device further comprises a data storage medium coupled to said internal network.

In an embodiment, the software further executes actions, the executing of said actions comprising:

- storing data of at least one of said actions to said data storage medium;

- transmitting said data via said external network to said server for registering said at least one of said actions;

- subsequently receiving an acknowledgement of receipt of said transmitted data from said server, and

- removing said stored data from said data storage after receipt of said

acknowl edgement .

The data can be stored on said storage medium and transmitted via said network substantially simultaneously.

The embodiments described in this application can be combined with this embodiment. In such cases, the particular devices that support payment- and sales transactions may be other functional devices.

In particular, said software controls access rights to and from said interfaces.

The term“substantially” herein, such as in“substantially all emission” or in “substantially consists”, will be understood by the person skilled in the art. The term “substantially” may also include embodiments with“entirely”,“completely”,“all”, etc. Hence, in embodiments the adjective substantially may also be removed. Where applicable, the term“substantially” may also relate to 90% or higher, such as 95% or higher, especially 99% or higher, even more especially 99.5% or higher, including 100%. The term“comprise” includes also embodiments wherein the term“comprises” means“consists of’.

The term "functionally" will be understood by, and be clear to, a person skilled in the art. The term“substantially” as well as“functionally” may also include embodiments with“entirely”,“completely”,“all”, etc. Hence, in embodiments the adjective functionally may also be removed. When used, for instance in“functionally parallel”, a skilled person will understand that the adjective“functionally” includes the term substantially as explained above. Functionally in particular is to be understood to include a configuration of features that allows these features to function as if the adjective“functionally” was not present. The term“functionally” is intended to cover variations in the feature to which it refers, and which variations are such that in the functional use of the feature, possibly in combination with other features it relates to in the invention, that combination of features is able to operate or function. For instance, if an antenna is functionally coupled or functionally connected to a communication device, received electromagnetic signals that are receives by the antenna can be used by the communication device. The word“functionally” as for instance used in “functionally parallel” is used to cover exactly parallel, but also the embodiments that are covered by the word“substantially” explained above. For instance,“functionally parallel” relates to embodiments that in operation function as if the parts are for instance parallel. This covers embodiments for which it is clear to a skilled person that it operates within its intended field of use as if it were parallel.

Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other sequences than described or illustrated herein. The devices or apparatus herein are amongst others described during operation. As will be clear to the person skilled in the art, the invention is not limited to methods of operation or devices in operation.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be constaied as limiting the claim. Use of the verb "to comprise" and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. The article "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The invention may be implemented by means of hardware comprising several distinct elements, and by means of a suitably programmed computer. In the device or apparatus claims enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

The invention further applies to an apparatus or device comprising one or more of the characterizing features described in the description and/or shown in the attached drawings. The invention further pertains to a method or process comprising one or more of the characterizing features described in the description and/or shown in the attached drawings.

The various aspects discussed in this patent can be combined in order to provide additional advantages. Furthermore, some of the features can form the basis for one or more divisional applications.

Brief description of the drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts, and in which:

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the device with an Internet connection to a server, coupled to a cash drawer and a POS system;

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the device with an Internet connection to a server, coupled to a cash drawer, a POS system and a touch screen; FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the device with an Internet connection to a server, coupled to a cash drawer and a POS system allowing a temporarily coupling with a touch screen by setting a switch;

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the device with an Internet connection to a server, coupled to a cash drawer and a POS system with a coupled touch screen via a printer port, and the touch screen connected to the device;

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the device with an Internet connection to a server, coupled to a cash drawer, a POS system and various peripherals;

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the device in a housing with wired physical plugs for coupling devices;

FIG. 7A-D shows the storing and transmitting of data by an embodiment of the device;

FIG. 8A-C shows the notifying when a cash drawer is subject to tampering, and

FIG. 9A-E shows the managing of available counters when the volume of sales transactions exceeds a pre-defmed threshold;

FIG. 10 shows the device according to the invention with an Internet connection to a server, with generic API’s for each type of device or system;

FIG. 11 shows the internal network of the device according to the invention with coupled interfaces.

The drawings are not necessarily on scale.

Description of embodiments

In Figure 1 is shown an embodiment of the device 1 connected to the Internet 3 and an external network connection 6 to a server 2. This server 2 can be standalone, part of a server group or part of a server cloud. A (smart) cash drawer 4 has a coupling 7 with the embodiment of device 1. A POS system 5 has a coupling 8 with the embodiment of device 1. The interfaces of the device 1 and the software running on the device 1 provide couplings that can be provided wirelessly or by wire.

In this relation, a smart cash drawer 4 is a functional device that can detect the specific amount of cash money entering of exiting the cash drawer 4. Such a cash drawer 4 can communicate the modification of the amount of cash in the cash drawer

4 The couplings of the external network, the POS system 5 and cash drawer 4 comprises an interface, that is not explicitly indicated in this drawing.

In Figure 2 is shown an embodiment of the device 1 connected to the Internet 3 and via an external network connection 6 to a server 2. A (smart) cash drawer 4 has a coupling 7 with the device 1. A POS system 5 has a coupling 8 with the device 1. A touchscreen 9 has a coupling 10 with the device 1. The touch screen 9 receives data to display from the device 1, from the cash drawer 4 or the POS system 5. The touch screen 9 can activate an instruction to be executed by the device 1, the cash drawer 4 or the POS system 5. Said data to display can comprise, but not limited to: a product description, a price, an amount (still) to be paid, alerts regarding fraud (such as cash and credit/debit card fraud), other information relevant to a payment- or sale transaction, or any other messages to the operator of the touch screen 9. Said instruction can comprise, but not limited to: an instaiction to register user input, an instruction to open cash drawer 4, an instaiction to register a payment- or sales transaction at the POS system 5, or any other instruction to support the payment- or sales transaction.

Figure 3 shows an embodiment of the device 1 as depicted in Figure 2 with alternative coupling 12 instead of the coupling 8 and 10 in Figure 2. The embodiment of Figure 3 has only one coupling 12 that is currently used. By setting the switch of coupling 12 the device 1 can temporarily be coupled with the touch screen 9 in order to display the data and activate the instruction as described in Figure 2. The software running on device 1 is in this embodiment adapted to set the interface for detecting which functional device is actually coupled/functionally coupled.

Figure 4 shows the same couplings with an embodiment of the device 1 as depicted in Figure 2 and an additional coupling 1 1 provided between the POS system 5 and the touch screen 9. Coupling 1 1 can, for example, be established through the printer port of the POS system 5. In this example, the touch screen 9 communicates data about the sales with POS system 5 sales via coupling 11 and it handles payments via coupling 10 (dash line) with the embodiment 1.

Figure 5 shows the same couplings with an embodiment of the device 1 as depicted in Figure 1 and additional couplings 13 between the device 1 and various peripherals or coupled functional devices. One of the peripherals is a chip & pin device 14 with a connection 15 to a bank or payment provider to authorize the payment transaction. This depicts the option of another payment method in addition to cash.

In Figure 6 an embodiment of the device 1 is shown in a housing 16 with 6 USB connectors 17 and wired physical plugs 17 for coupling devices. The (physical) connectors 17 are coupled to the interfaces.

In Figure 7A the (smart) cash drawer 4 transmits (dark arrow) data -such as data about a change in cash money- to an embodiment of the device 1 via a coupling 7. The device 1 stores the data on its local storage medium.

In Figure 7B, the device 1 transmits (dark arrow) the data via Internet 3 and connection 6 to server 2 while there is a connection failure in connection 6.

In Figure 7C, the (smart) cash drawer 4 continues to transmit (dark arrow) data to the device 1 via a coupling 7. The device 1 continues to store the data on its local storage medium data, while there is a connection failure to server 2.

In Figure 7D, the connection 6 to server 2 is restored. The device 1 transmits (dark arrow) the stored data on its local storage via Internet 3 and connection 6 to server 2.

In Figure 8 A a surveillance camera 18 detects a person 19 and transmits (dark arrow) detection data to an embodiment of the device 1 via a coupling 20 and the device 1 transmits (dark arrow) at least part of this data via the Internet 3 and an external network connection 6 to a remote server 2. Note that due to the flexible interface that is set by the software, any camera device or in fact any detector may easily be coupled is described above, for instance using APFs. The software enable data communication with other coupled functional devices.

In Figure 8B (smart) cash drawer 4’ detects tampering of its housing and transmits (dark arrow) detection data to an embodiment of the device 1 via a coupling 7 and the device 1 transmits (dark arrow) at least part of this data via the Internet 3 and the connection 6 to the server 2. In an embodiment, data transmitted by the cash drawer 4 onto the internal network may control the surveillance camera 18 to start and stop recording, or for instance record at a higher resolution. The software may control the internal network in such a way that the recorded data and alarm is directly transmitted to a police station. In Figure 8C the server 2 transmits (dark arrow) a burglar alert by notification 22 based upon the data received from the device 1. The data indicates there is an intruder stealing money.

In Figure 9A a first sales counter 23 is shown with a queue of two customers and a counterman. On the counter 23 there is a POS system 5 coupled via a coupling 8 with an embodiment of the device 1 which is connected via the Internet and an external network connection 6 to a remote server 2. Also a second sales counter 24 is shown with no customers and no counterman. On the counter 24 there is a further POS system 5’ coupled via a coupling 8’ with device 1. Both, the POS system 5 and the POS system 5’ transmit (dark arrows) data about transactions to the device 1. The device 1 transmits (dark arrow) at least part of this data to a remote server 2. In such a set-up, the device 1 in fact manages and controls the payment devices and payment systems of a complete store. The device allows data communication between different type of systems, and allows addition of new payment devices and payment systems and, in case of for instance POS systems, of complete transaction as illustrated.

In Figure 9B a first sales counter 23 is shown with a queue of four customers and a counterman. The four customers include one existing customer from Figure 9A and three new customers. The two customers in the queue look unhappy. On the counter 23 there is a POS system 5 coupled with the device 1. A second sales counter 24 is shown with still no customers and no counterperson. On the counter 24 there is a POS system 5’ coupled with device 1. Both, the POS system 5 and the POS system 5’ transmit (dark arrows) data about sales transactions to the device 1. The device 1 transmits (dark arrow) at least part of this data to a remote server 2.

In Figure 9C server 2 transmits (dark arrow) an occupancy alert by notification 25 based upon the data received from the device 1 and a configuration of a pre-defmed threshold when the volume of sales transactions exceeds a limitation.

The data indicates that the first counter 23, based on the number of sales transactions per minute is too busy while the second counter 24 is not processing any sales transactions thus being out of service. The notification 25 is transmitted to for instance a (smart) phone 26 of manager 27.

In Figure 9D manager 27 calls counterwoman 28 in order to help waiting customers by opening the second sales counter 24. In Figure 9E the second sales counter 24 is shown with a queue of the last two customers in the queue at the first sales counter 23 from Figure 9B and 9C. The two customers at counter 24 look happy since counterwoman 28 operates the counter 24 and their waiting time has been diminished.

This example shows that the device 1 not only supports the managing of open sales counters, thus helps optimizing the use of staff hours and the customer’s experience, but also supports crowd management within a venue, shop area or any area where customers can cause long queues for sales counters.

Figure 10 depicts the architecture of the software and the generic API’s 29 for each type of device or system 30 running on an embodiment of the device 1. The API’s 29 enable loose coupling by offering one generic interface API 29 per device- or system type. Each device- or system type comprises at least one device or system 30.

In Figure 10, the symbol in the upper left corner of a device or system 30 determines to which API 29, with the same symbol in the upper left corner, the device or system 30 is linked. The example of Figure 10 shows three devices or systems 30, belonging to the same device- or system type, per API 29.

Figure 1 1 depicts an internal network 31 within an embodiment of the device 1. The network 31 is physically coupled by wire to eight interfaces 32 providing interfaces for coupling functional devices either by wire or wirelessly. The network 31 is also physically coupled by wire to a storage device 35. Physically coupling“by wire” can refer to copper, optical fiber and/or other data coupling provisions.

Additionally the network 31 is physically coupled by wire to an interface 33 for coupling an external network.

In another embodiment of the device 1 the number of interfaces can differ, as there can be multiple storage devices and external networks.

It is to be understood that the above description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiments and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is to be limited only by the following claims. From the above discussion, many variations will be apparent to one skilled in the art that would yet be encompassed by the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A device for coupling a cash drawer and a point of sale (POS) system, the device comprising:

- an internal network in said device, and

- a data storage medium coupled to said internal network,

- identifies an external network coupled to one of said interfaces, sets said

interface as a first interface for coupling said device to said external network; - identifies a cash drawer coupled to a further one of said interfaces, and sets said interface as a second interface for coupling said cash drawer via said device to said internal network;

- identifies a POS system coupled to yet a further one of said interfaces, and sets said interfaces as a third interface for coupling said POS system via said device to said internal network, and

- detects a change in an amount of cash money of said cash drawer, for providing a cash transaction;

- detects at least one action from said POS system;

wherein said software further registers transactions comprising said cash transaction and said at least one action from said POS system, the registering of said transactions comprising:

- storing data of at least one of said transactions to said data storage medium;

- transmitting said data via said external network to said server for registering said at least one of said transactions;

- removing said stored data from said data storage after receipt of said

acknowledgement.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said software controls said internal network and said interfaces for controlling data communication between said interfaces, in particular said software controls access rights to and from said interfaces, in an embodiment said data comprising control insftuctions for at least partially controlling at least one of said cash drawer and said POS system.

3. The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein said POS system is selected from the group consisting of a retail system, a ticketing system and a vendor machine system.

4. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said software further identifies a further functional device coupled to a further one of said interfaces, and sets said further one of said interfaces as a further interface for coupling said further functional device to said internal network, and if coupled controls said internal network and said further interface for controlling data communication between said interfaces allows said further functional device to communicate with at least one selected from said cash drawer, said POS system, and a further functional device.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein said further functional device comprises an

interactive display, and wherein said software controls said interactive display to display information regarding at least one payment transaction to a user, to receive user input regarding at least one payment transaction from a user, and to provide data regarding said at least one payment transaction to at least one selected from said cash drawer, said POS system, and said further functional device.

6. The device of claim 5, where said displayed information comprises messages to instruct the cashier.

7. The device of claim 4, wherein said further functional device comprises a safe, and wherein said software controls said safe for detecting at least one safe transaction comprising a deposit or a withdrawal of an item of value into said safe, said transactions further comprising said safe transaction.

8. The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein in case of a connection failure to said server, said software transmits said data after said connection to said server is restored.

9. The device of any one of the preceding claims when depending on claim 4,

wherein said further functional device comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of a card reader, a barcode scanner, a display, touch screen, a keyboard, a pointing device, a cash machine, a printer, a smart till, a cash recycling machine, cash smart safe, a chip and pin terminal for credit- and debit cards and a loyalty card device.

10. The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said software further sets said interface for executing at least one action selected from the group consisting of till payments, till refunds, till skims, till withdraws, till deposits, till cash for pin, till cash for cash, safe deposit and safe withdrawals.

11. The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said software further

controls said internal network for providing data communication between said series of interfaces.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein said software further couples said first interface to said internal network, thus coupling said internal network to said external network.

13. The device of claim 11 or 12, wherein said software further couples selected

interfaces from said series of interfaces to said internal network for allowing said interfaces and devices coupled to said interfaces to communicate data to one another.

14. The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said device comprises a housing comprising said data processor and said data storage.

15. The device according to claim 14, wherein said housing comprises said internal network.

16. The device according to claim 14 or 15, wherein at least one of said interfaces comprises a physical connector for connecting a further device, and said housing comprises said physical connector.

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