Registers – Cash registers
Utility Patent
1998-09-08
2001-01-02
Frech, Karl D. (Department: 2876)
Registers
Cash registers
C235S012000, C705S016000
Utility Patent
active
06168076
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an electronic cash register, and a price calculation method used therein.
2. Description of the Related Art
Some fast-food stores have both a normal menu for unit items and a set menu for predetermined combinations of specified unit items. A discount is given on each set-menu item combination. Accordingly, the price of each set-menu item combination is lower than the sum of the prices of the unit items therein. The price of the set-menu item combination is called the set price or the discount price.
A typical electronic cash register in a fast-food store has first keys for unit items and second keys for set-menu item combinations. When the second keys are operated in response to customer's orders, the electronic cash register applies the discount prices of corresponding set-menu item combinations to the customer's orders. On the other hand, a discount price is not applied in the following case. A customer orders unit items, and corresponding ones of the first keys of the electronic cash register are operated. The ordered unit items are accidentally equal to the unit items of a set-menu item combination, and the customer does not point out that the customer's order is based on a set menu.
Accordingly, the typical electronic cash register fails to apply a discount price when a customer accidentally orders unit items equal to the items of a set-menu item combination.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a first object of this invention to provide an improved electronic cash register.
It is a second object of this invention to provide an improved price calculation method.
A first aspect of this invention provides a method of calculating a price corresponding to a customer's order which comprises the steps of accepting unit items ordered by a customer; automatically selecting unit items, from among the accepted unit items, which compose at least one of predetermined set-menu item combinations having respective predetermined discount prices; and calculating a price corresponding to a customer's order in response to the predetermined discount price of said one of the predetermined set-menu item combinations.
A second aspect of this invention is based on the first aspect thereof, and provides a method wherein the automatically selecting step comprises selecting possible set-menu item combinations from among the predetermined set menu item combinations in response to the accepted unit items; selecting a final set-menu item combination from among the possible set-menu item combinations in response to parameters of the respective possible set-menu item combinations; and automatically selecting unit items, from among the accepted unit items, which compose the final set-menu item combination.
A third aspect of this invention is based on the second aspect thereof, and provides a method wherein the parameters include the predetermined discount prices of the respective possible set-menu item combinations.
A fourth aspect of this invention provides an electronic cash register comprising a memory for storing first information of predetermined set-menu item combinations and second information of predetermined discount prices of the respective predetermined set-menu item combinations; an input section for accepting items ordered by a customer; a menu search unit for deciding whether or not items among the accepted items compose at least one of the predetermined set-menu item combinations by referring to the first information stored in the memory; and a calculator for, when the menu search unit decides that items among the accepted items compose at least one of the predetermined set-menu item combinations, calculating a price corresponding to a customer's order in response to the predetermined discount price of said one of the predetermined set-menu item combinations by referring to the second information stored in the memory.
A fifth aspect of this invention is based on the fourth aspect thereof, and provides an electronic cash register wherein the menu search unit comprises means for searching the first information in the memory for a set-menu item combination, among the predetermined set-menu item combinations, which is composed of items among the accepted items.
A sixth aspect of this invention is based on the fourth aspect thereof, and provides an electronic cash register wherein the menu search unit comprises means for selecting possible set-menu item combinations from among the predetermined set menu item combinations in response to the accepted items; means for selecting a final set-menu item combination from among the possible set-menu item combinations in response to parameters of the respective possible set-menu item combinations; and means for storing information of the parameters of the respective possible set-menu item combinations.
A seventh aspect of this invention provides a method of calculating a price corresponding to a customer's order which comprises the steps of accepting unit items ordered by a customer; deciding whether or not unit items among the accepted unit items compose a predetermined set-menu item combination having a predetermined discount price; and when it is decided that unit items among the accepted unit items compose the predetermined set-menu item combination, calculating a price corresponding to a customer's order in response to the predetermined discount price.
An eighth aspect of this invention provides an electronic cash register comprising first means for accepting unit items ordered by a customer; second means for deciding whether or not unit items among the accepted unit items compose a predetermined set-menu item combination having a predetermined discount price; and third means for, when the second means decides that unit items among the accepted unit items compose the predetermined set-menu item combination, calculating a price corresponding to a customer's order in response to the predetermined discount price.
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Aoki Toshiaki
Yamamoto Mayumi
Cyr Daniel St.
Frech Karl D.
Matsushita Electric - Industrial Co., Ltd.
Woo Louis
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