Registers – Systems controlled by data bearing records – Credit or identification card systems
Patent
1982-11-08
1985-05-21
Trafton, David L.
Registers
Systems controlled by data bearing records
Credit or identification card systems
235383, 364405, G06F 708
Patent
active
045188521
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The invention relates to a method for operating automatic devices such as cash registers or the like, in which parameters such as, for example, the prices can be set by the operator.
In particular in the case of automatic cash registers for goods and/or services, the prices for certain goods and/or services are set by setting coding switches provided in the interior of the cash register. Especially in the case of those cash registers which are used in chainstores it is desirable that the setting and any change in the price setting which may become necessary should be undertaken only by a person authorised to do so, and that all settings to be carried out are also actually done at a certain time, since correct accounting can be achieved only in this manner. It is further desirable that it can be determined as to what extent goods are affected by a parameter change, that is to say price change, to be carried out, so that manipulations for instance by a branch manager can be made impossible.
This object is achieved by means of a method of the type described initially, which, according to the invention, is characterised in that the command for setting a parameter is entered into a computer of the device by means of a data carrier which cannot be altered by the operator with respect to the command.
The device for carrying out the method comprises a computer and a read device for reading data written on a data carrier into the computer and, according to the invention, is characterised in that the control circuit of the computer is constructed in such a manner that parameters can be set by means of a data carrier which cannot be altered by the operator with respect to the command for changing a parameter.
Further features and suitable characteristics of the invention are evident from the description of an illustrative embodiment with reference to the figures, in which:
FIG. 1 shows the diagrammatic configuration of a device for carrying out the method; and
FIG. 2 shows a diagram for explaining the method.
The automatic device comprises a sales station 1 into which the goods and/or services to be calculated is entered in a known manner via a keyboard or a device which, for example, reads out an EAN code of the item of goods and/or service. The sales station is connected to a micro-computer 2 provided with a ROM memory and a RAM memory. The RAM memory is preferably constructed as a non-volatile memory. The micro-computer 2 is connected to a read-write device 3. The read-write device comprises a pull-in mechanism for pulling in a data carrier 4 which is constructed in the form of a card with a magnetic track 5. In addition, the read-write device 3 comprises a device for reading out the data written onto the magnetic track and for checking the data carrier for authenticity and for the authority of the user, and for writing data into the data carrier.
The control circuit, which is essentially formed by the ROM memory, of the micro-computer 2 is constructed in such a manner that, when a certain item of goods and/or service is entered into the sales station 1, the purchaser is charged a certain price, for example by outputting a bill. Simultaneously, the stock on hand is reduced by the outgoing. The goods or services issued are preferably paid by means of a value card 6 which is input into the read-write device 3. The value presented by the value card is read out and the value reduced by the purchase is written in in a known manner.
If now for instance in the branches of a chain store the price for a certain item of goods and/or a certain service is to be changed as from a certain day, the branch receives a data carrier 4 in the form of a prices card 7. This prices card contains written onto the magnetic track 5 the command by means of which the parameter of the programme, for determining the prices, contained in the RAM memory is changed. The prices card comprises an individualising mark 8 which can be set by the operator. The operator uses the individualising mark 8 first to set a code which characterises the personal
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Stockburger Hermann
Winderlich Hans-Georg
Asher Robert M.
Brown Donald
Trafton David L.
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