Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
-` 10818~7 :
This invention relates to an electronic cash register
including printing means for printing on receipt of a
plurality of input data each showing a merchandise price and
the total of these input data. More particularly, it
relates to an electronic cash register provided with means ~ -
for setting in a memory device first and second data to be
printed, whose contents need not be varied during a plura-
lity of cash registering operations.
A department store, for example, is equipped with a
number of electronic cash registers which are assigned
specific register numbers which are printed on receipt -
sheets and journal papers together with dates as printing ;
items. Such register numbers are semipermanent and are not
required to be changed whereas the date changes daily.
Thus, the data regarding the register number and the date
are not required to be changed during a number of cash
registering operations. -
A prior art electronic register designed to set the
date and the register number in a memory device is provided
1 20 with a double function key (termed a data/register number
j key) for setting the date and the register number in a group
., .
of function keys. In such register, entry keys are first
operated to store the date and then a data/register number
key is operated to set the stored date in a date memory
i; . . .
'3: 25 device. Thereafter, the entry keys are operated to store
. ~ , . .
the register number and then the date/register number key is
operated again for setting the stored register number in a
register number memory device. However, if the register ~ -
~ .
` number were inadvertently set it would be necessary to
1, 30 recycle the operation starting from the setting of the date.
-2- -~
' 1 ~ '
. ~ . .
108184~7
Such recycling is of course inconvenient in the daily
operation of the register. -
This invention seeks to provide an improved electronic
cash register wherein a double function key is operated to ~ ;
store first and second input data to be printed, the con-
tents of which need not be changed during a plurality of
cash registering operations and wherein the second input
data can be corrected, when necessary, by storing new
correct second data and setting the same by operating the
double function key.
According to this invention, an electronic cash regis- . :
ter comprises a read only memory storing a predetermined
program; a central processor unit; a plurality of entry keys
for entering merchandise price data which is to be printed
on a recording paper, and for entering first data and second
data which are to be printed on the recording paper, the
first data and second data not being varied during a plura-
lity of cash registering operations; a plurality of function
1 keys; a memory means coupled to the entry keys and including
2 an entry memory for temporarily storing the merchanaise
price data and the first and second data, a first data
: memory for storing the first data and a second data memory
for storing the second data; a double function key coupled
:~ to the memory means for generating a ~ignal to transfer the
25 first data from the entry memory to the first data memory
and to transfer the second data from the entry memory to the
second memory; a totalizer for accumulating a plurality of
merchandise price data entered by the entry keys; and
., .
l printing means for printing on the recording paper the
., :
merchandise price data temporarily stored in the entry
!~ .
. . ~
~ ,.
'','~' ' ' ~'. ~ ' '
.~ , . ~ ,
108~847
memory, the total accumulated in the totalizer, the first
data stored in the first data memory and the second data :
stored in the second data memory. The memory means further
comprises a first flag memory for storing a binary bit "1" --
when the entry memory stores merchandise price data, the
first data and the second data; and a second flag memory for
storing a binary bit "l" when the first data is transferred
from the entry memory to the first data memory. The cash
register further comprises first means for transferring the
first data from the entry memory to the first data memory
when the double function key is operated to store a binary :
bit "1" into the second flag memory and for clearing the
entry memory and the first flag memory upon completion of
the transfer of the first data, the double function key
being operated while the first and second flag memories .
store a binary bit "l" and a binary bit "0", respectively;
second means for transferring the second data from the entry :
memory to the second data memory when the double function
key is operated and for clearing the entry memory and the
first flag memory upon completion of the transfer of the
second data, the double function key being operated while
both the first and second flag memories store a binary bit
. "l"; a third means coupled to the second flag memory for
clearing the contents of the second flag memory.
According to the invention, after the second data has
l been set when it is ne¢essary to correct the set second
; data, such correction can be made by the entry of a new
second data and by the operation of the double function key .
so that it is not necessary to set again the first data
~ _4_
., :
B
., ~ . . ~ ..
.
. ~ . . .
~08~84`7
whiCh has already been set, thereby simplifying the opera-
tion of the cash register.
This invention can be more fully understood from the
following detailed description when taken in conjuction with
the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of an electronic cash
register embodying the invention;
Figure 2 is a plan view showing the detail of the
keyboard utilized in the cash register shown in Figure l;
Figure 3 is a block diagram showing one example of the
electric circuit utilized in the cash register shown in
Figure l; and
Figure 4 is a flow chart showing the sequence of the
control performed by the electric circuit shown in Figure 3.
An electronic cash register shown in Figure 1 comprises
a casing 10 containing the electric circuit shown in Figure
3. A keyboard 11 is mounted on the front panel of the
casing and including various types of keys shown in Figure
2. More particulary, there are provided an entry key gxoup
12 for setting the price and number of the merchandise sold,
a function key group 13 fox operating, for example, ad-
dition, subtraction and multiplication operations of the
. input data, a clerk key group 14 for setting the operator of
: the register in the form of a code A, B, C, or D, for
:
example, a department key group 15 for setting the depart-
ments of the merchandises sold in the form of digits 1, 2,
. 3, 4,..... , for example, a receipt feed key (RF) 16 for
feeding receipt sheet without any interlocking with the
~ printing operation of the input data, a journal paper feed
. 30 key (JF) 17 for feeding a journal paper without any inter-
locking with the
-4a-
113 ,
, :
- . . . .
lOB184~7
printing operation of the input data, and a data/register
number set key tD/NO) 18 which is operated when the date and
the register number are set in a memory device. The entry
key group 12 includes keys for ".", "00" and "0" to "9", for
example. The function key group 13 contains for example a
clear key "C" (13-1), a multiplication key "X'(13-2), a void
key "VOID" (13-3), a no sale key "NS" (13-4), a return
merchandise key "RTN" (13-5), percent keys "%-" (13-6) and
"~" (13-7), a number key "#" (13-8), a received on account
key "R/A" (13-9), a subtract key "(-)" (13-10), a paid out
key "PO (13-11), a sub-total key "ST" (13-12), a credit
sales total key "CRT" (13-13) and a double function key
"AT/TL" (13-14) having functions of both of amount tendered
key "AT" and a cash total key "TL". Further, the casing 10
is provided with a display section 20 for displaying sub-
total (ST), total (TL), register number, void, etc., a roll
mounting section 22 for mounting a supply roll 21 of the
receipt sheet and the journal paper, a receipt taking out
portion 23, a window for inspecting the content of the
record printed on the journal paper, a memo paper holder 25
for holding a memo paper or the like by a permanent magnet, ~-
not shown, a drawer 26 for accommodating and taking out
cash, and a main key switch 27. The main key switch 27 is -
operated by a key carried by the operator of a given regis-
ter or a supervisor for applying to a central processor unit
(CPU) to be described later a command signal for causing it
to perform such operations as "register", "inspection" and
"clear". The term "register" is used herein to express a
.,
; series of operations of storing the input data regarding the
price of the merchandise in a memory device of the cash
~" .
.'' .
'.~'~':'''. ~ ' . . . .
`
108184!7
register, totalizing the inputs, and printing respective
input data and the total thereof on the receipt sheet and
the journal paper. The term "inspection" means the opera-
tion of checking the total price of the merchandises sold
and the total number of the merchandises sold which have
been stored in the memory by printing these data on the
journal paper. The term "clear" is used to mean an opera-
tion for clearing the content of the memory device when a
given operation has been completed while at the same time
for printing on the journal paper the total price and the
total number of the merchandises sold which are stored in
the memory device.
As shown in Figure 3, the movable contact 27a of a main
key switch 27 is thrown to either one of stationary contacts
lS 27b-27e. When contact 27b is closed the operation is "OFF"
and when contact 27c is closed the operation is "register".
When contacts 27d and 27e are closed the operations are
"inspection" and "clear" respectively. Assume now that
contact 27c, that is the "register" terminal is closed, a
circuit 28 for judging and processing a signal from the main
key 27 transmits an order to a central processor unit 29 for
commanding it to perform an operation necessary for regis-
tration. The output from the key board 11 is applied to a
circuit 30 for judging and processing the output whereby the
circuit 30 sends a signal corresponding to the operation of
the key of the key board to the central processor unit 29.
The output of the central processor uni* 29 is applied to a
memory device 32 via an interface 31. The data stored in
the memory device 32 and to be printed on the receipt sheet
and the journal paper are sent to a data selector 33 via the
~, ~
',
.
.
~`
` `` ~08184q
:
interface 31. The output data from the data selector 33 are
stored in a print buffer register 34. A printer 35 is
controlled by a printer driver 36. The printer driver 36 is
controlled by the central processor unit 29 via conductor 37
for printing the data from the print buffer register 34 on a
printing paper, not shown. A bit pulse generator 38 gene-
rates a clock signal under the control of the central ,
processor unit 29 for writing the input data with a prescri-
bed timing in a totalizer to be described later. A circuit
29 for producing a processing instruction signal after
recovering a source of supply is connected to the memory
device 32 via the interface 31 and the instruction signal
produced by the circuit 29 is applied to a read only memory
circuit 40 which is coupled with the central processor unit
29 and storing therein a fixed program.
The memory device 32 comprises an entry memory (entry
key input
;.
;,
1~ ~
! ~ '
71
j~ -6a-
~' ,'. '.
10818~7
data memory) 41 for temporarily storing the entry produced
by the operation of the entry key group 12 of the key board,
an entry key flag memory (flag memory for entry key) 42, a
flag memory 43 for the date/register number set key 18, a
date memory 44, a register number memory 45 and a totalizer
46. The totalizer may be constructed such that it can
totalize the input data according to the types of the
merchandise, customers, register operators or supervisors,
respectively, and may be constituted by a memory circuit
utilizing complementary metal oxide semiconductors (CMOS).
Memories 41, 42, 43, 44 and 45 can also be constituted by
CMOS. These memories may be provided with means which
prevents erasure of the contents thereof at the time of the
interruption of the source of supply, for example a transfer
! 15 switch which connects a battery to the memories upon interr-
uption of the power supply, or may comprise non-volatile
memories. The entry key flag memory 42 and the date/regis-
ter number set key flag memory 43 may be constructed as
units independent of other memories.
2 The invention is characterized in that there are
provided the entry key flag memory 42 and the date/register
number set key flag memory 43, and that the flag memorising
states of these flag memories are interlocked with the
operations of the entry keys 12 and the date/register number
set key 18 thereby enabling ready setting of the date and
the register number in the date memory 44 and the register
number memory 45 respectively. The entry key flag memory 42
is composed of a bistable memory, for example, which takes
first or second output state and which stores binary "1"
;i 30 (first output state, for example) when the entry data are
~ ~7~
. ~
~ -.
.. ~ ,'' .
~08~
stored in the entry memory 41. Thus, the flag memory 42
stores a binary "1" when a date to be set in the date memory
44 is stored in the entry memory 41. The date/register
number setting flag memory 43 is constructed to store binary
"1" when the date data that has been stored in the entry
memory 41 is written in the data memory 44. The relation-
ship among the flag memories, the operations of respective
keys and the setting of the date and the register number is
as follows.
1 When the entry key group 12 is operated to set the
date the key board input judging and processing circuit 30
; sends the content of the entry to the central processor unit
29, which in turn causes to store the content of the entry
in the entry memory 41 of the memory device via the in-
terface 31. When the content of the entry is stored in the
`~ memory 41 the entry key flag memory 42 stores binary "1".
When the date/register number set key 18 is operated under
these conditions, the key board input judging and processing
circuit 30 transmits the content of the key 18 to the
central processing unit 29. Then, the unit 29 firstly reads
the content of the entry key flag memory 42, and when this
. memory 42 is storing "1" at this time, then reads the
content of the date/register number set key flag memory 43.
~ If the memory 43 is not storing "1" at this time, the date
;', 25 data which has been stored in the entry memory 41 is set in
the date memory 44. Upon completion of the date setting the
~j central processor unit 29 causes to store "1" (first output
-~ state, for example) in the date/register number set flag
. .
. memory 43. Upon setting of ~he date in the date memory 44
the date data in the entry memory 41 and the "1" in the
~ entry key flag memory 42 are cleared. Such clearing
;, ,
~ 8-
., .~ .
,:, : .
.. - - . : ~
``- 108~84~7
may be performed at the first step of the operation of the
next entry key.
When the register number is set by the operation
of the entry key group 12, the key board input judging and
processing circuit 30 transmits the content of the operation
; of the key to the central processor unit 29, thereby causing
; to store the entry content of the register number in the
entry memory 41 via the interface 31. When the entry memory
41 stores the register number the entry key flag memory 42
stores again "1". At this stage, that is under the con-
dition wherein the flag memories 42 and 43 respectively
storing "1", when the set key 18 is operated, the key board
input judging and processing circuit 30 transmits the
' content of the operation of the key 18 to the central
; 15 processor unit 29. Then, this unit reads the content of the
entry key flag memory 42 and if this memory is storing "1",
the unit reads the content of the date/register number set key
,:
., .
.1
'~ ....
' .
,~ .. ..
~ -8a-
''''"'~
`- lOB~84~
flag memory 43. At this time, when this memory 43 is
storing "1" the register number stored in the entry memory
41 is written into the register number memory 45. upon
setting the register number into the memory 45, the contents
of the entry memory and the entry key flag memory 42 are
cleared. The clearing of the memories 41 and 42 may be made
at the first stage of the entry operation which is performed
after setting the date and register number. In this manner,
the date and the register number are set in the date memory
44 and the register number memory 45, respectively.
When the register number is erroneously set at the time
of setting the date and the register number, the entry key
group 12 is operated to set a correct register number by the
operations of the entry key group 12 and the date/register
number set key 18. At this time, as "1" is stored in the
date/register number set key flag memory 43 when the date is
set in the date memory 44, the correct register number newly
stored in the entry memory 41 is set in the register number
memory 45. Thus, the erroneously set register number is
automatically cleared when the correct register number is
set again. In the prior art cash register, however, in
order to set again the register number, it is necessary to
reset the date again and then set the correct register
number. In this invention, after setting the date and the --
register number, when the operator of the cash register
!, comes to aware that the set data of the date is not correct,
~ or where it is necessary to set a new date the clear key 13-
~j . .
1, for example, is operated to clear "1" in the date/regis-
ter number set key flag memory 43. Then the operator
operates the entry key 12 and the double function key 18 for
_g_
. " .
.
. . . . . . . .
--`` ` 108184~
setting the correct date or the new date.
When the correct data and register number have been
set the second flag memory continues to store "1" until
clear key 13-1 is operated. The "1" stored in the date/regis-
ter number set key flag memory 43 can be cleared by the
operation of the clear key 13-1 or the no sale key 13-4.
Further the "1" can also be cleared by the first registra-
tion data input immediately succeeding the settings of the
date and the register number, that is by the first operation
of the entry key 12 and the operation of the department key
15 succeeding thereto.
Following the setting of the date and the register
number, various data regarding the sales are registered.
For example, the prices of the merchandises sold, and the
departments thereof are set by the operation of the entry
key group 12 and the department key group 15. Then these
data are written in the totalizer 46. The data written in
the totalizer 46, the date written in the date memory 44 and
the register number written in the register number memory 45
are applied to the printing buffer register 34 via the
interface 31 and the data selector 33. These data are
printed on a receipt sheet and the journal paper by the
~ printer 35 driven by the printer drive circuit 36 which is
`~ controlled by the central processor circuit 29.
To perform the "inspection" operation, the contact 27d
of the main key 27 is closed and then the AT/TL key 13-14 is
operated for sequentially reading out the data which have
been stored in the totalizer 46 from the previous clear
operation prior to this time. The date in the date memory
44 and the register number in the register number memory 45
are also read out and printed together with the data read
.
-10-
','
108184~ :
.~ .
out from the totalizer 46 on the journal paper. The content
of the totalizer is preserved even when these data are read
during the "inspection" operation. To perform the "clear"
operation, the stationary contact 27e of the main key 27 is
closed to operate the AT/TL key 13-14. At this time, the
content which has been stored in the totalizer 46 between
the previous "clear" operation and the closure of the
contact 27e is read out together with the date and the
register number stored in the date memory 44 and the regis-
ter number memory 45, respectively. These read out data are
also printed on the journal paper in the same manner as in
the "inspection" operation. However, the contents of the
totalizer and various memories 41, 42, 43, 44 and 45 are
also cleared.
Where the first and second data are not required to be
changed during a number of registration operations, it is
possible to store the first data in the date memory 44
instead of a date and to store the second data in the
register number memory 45 instead of a register number.
Turning now to the flow chart shown in Figure 4, how
and in what sequence the necessary data are stored or set in
the memories 41, 44 and 45, and how "1" is stored in the
flag memories 42 and 43 in accordance with the operations of
the entry key 12 and the double function key 18 will be
described hereunder. (A) When the operation of the key is
requested, (B) the operation or not operation of the entry
keys is judged. (C) When the entry keys are operated the
entry data are stored in the entry memory 41. (D) When the
entry data (in this case, the first data) is stored in the
entry memory 41, the entry key flag memory 4~ store~ "1".
, ' '~'
'
.. . .
` 108184~7
(E) When the date/register number set key 18 is operated(YES). (G) The fact that whether the date/register number
set key flag memory 43 is storing "1" or not is judged.
When "1" has not been stored (NO), (H) the content or the
date in the entry memory 41 is set in the date memory 44.
(J) When the date is set in the memory 44, the date/register
number set key flag memory 43 stores "1". If, at the stage
(G), the flag memory 43 is storing "1", (I) the content,
that is, the register number in the entry memory 41 is set
in the register number memory 45. When the operation of the
date/register number set key 18 is not requested at stage
(E) (NO) that is the clear of the data in the memories 44
and 45 is requested, (K) clear key 13-1 or the no sale key
13-4 is operated. The (L) in the entry key flag memory 42
and (M) the "1" in the flag memory 43 for the date/register
number set key 18 are cleared.
: .
':
'
,: ~
.
