( 12 ) United States Patent
`Baratta et al .
`
`( 10 ) Patent No .: US 11,226,793 B2
`( 45 ) Date of Patent :
`* Jan . 18 , 2022
`
`9
`
`US011226793B2
`
`( * ) Notice :
`
`( 54 ) WEB - BASED POINT OF SALE BUILDER
`( 71 ) Applicant : CLOUDOFCHANGE , LLC ,
`Poughkeepsie , NY ( US )
`( 72 ) Inventors : Wayne Baratta , Poughkeepsie , NY
`( US ) ; Quentin Olson , Port Townsend ,
`WA ( US )
`( 73 ) Assignee : Cloudofchange , LLC , Poughkeepsie ,
`NY ( US )
`Subject to any disclaimer , the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154 ( b ) by 0 days .
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis
`claimer .
`( 21 ) Appl . No .: 15 / 827,948
`( 22 ) Filed :
`Nov. 30 , 2017
`( 65 )
`Prior Publication Data
`Mar. 29 , 2018
`US 2018/0088909 A1
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`( 63 ) Continuation of application No. 15 / 635,097 , filed on
`Jun . 27 , 2017 , now Pat . No. 10,083,012 , which is a
`( Continued )
`
`( 51 ) Int . Cl .
`G06Q 10/00
`G06F 8/30
`
`( 52 ) U.S. Ci .
`CPC
`
`( 2012.01 )
`( 2018.01 )
`( Continued )
`GO6F 8/30 ( 2013.01 ) ; G06F 8/34
`( 2013.01 ) ; G060 20/20 ( 2013.01 ) ; G060
`20/202 ( 2013.01 ) ; G06Q 30/06 ( 2013.01 ) ;
`H04L 67/02 ( 2013.01 )
`
`( 58 ) Field of Classification Search
`G06Q 20/20 ; G06Q 20/202
`CPC
`( Continued )
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`( 56 )
`
`5,818,428 A
`5,889,863 A
`
`10/1998 Eisenbrandt et al .
`3/1999 Weber
`( Continued )
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`EP
`GB
`
`5/2017
`1450324 A1
`2369201
`2/2002
`( Continued )
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Co - pending US Patent TY06-001 , U.S. Appl . No. 11 / 710,722 , filed
`Feb. 26 , 2007 , “ Point of Sale System with Web - Based Back - Office , "
`by Quentin Olson , 25 pgs .
`( Continued )
`Primary Examiner Rokib Masud
`( 74 ) Attorney , Agent , or Firm — Knobbe , Marten , Olson
`& Bear , LLP
`( 57 )
`ABSTRACT
`This invention provides a system and a method for online ,
`web - based point of sale ( POS ) building and configuration ,
`which can assist non - expert business operators in building ,
`editing and testing a point of sale system to manage their
`businesses . The business operations range from a single
`branch to a large chain of stores or branches . The key
`advantages of the Web - based POS builder are that it is
`completely built on the foundation of the Web . The POS
`builder is accessible anywhere in the world . It can be used
`by a person of any skill level . The POS builder builds , edits ,
`and tests new POS terminals in real time .
`44 Claims , 5 Drawing Sheets
`
`java POS
`
`Relational DB
`
`POS 2
`POS N
`Store
`
`java POS
`
`Relational DB
`
`POS 2
`POS N
`Store N
`
`33
`
`36
`
`Web Server
`Apache
`
`Relation DB
`
`XMLARPC
`
`35
`HTTPS
`
`Web Browser
`
`37
`
`1
`
`ty
`
`CLOVER NETWORK 1001
`
`

`

`US 11,226,793 B2
`Page 2
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`continuation of application No. 15 / 198,117 , filed on
`Jun . 30 , 2016 , now Pat . No. 9,715,371 , which is a
`continuation of application No. 12 / 012,666 , filed on
`Feb. 5 , 2008 , now Pat . No. 9,400,640 .
`
`( 51 ) Int . Ci .
`G06Q 30/06
`( 2012.01 )
`( 2018.01 )
`G06F 8/34
`G06Q 20/20
`( 2012.01 )
`( 2006.01 )
`H04L 29/08
`( 58 ) Field of Classification Search
`USPC
`705/16 , 34
`See application file for complete search history .
`
`1
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Co - pending US Patent TY06-002 , U.S. Appl . No. 11 / 710,723 , filed
`Feb. 26 , 2007 , “ Point of sale Video Server Processing System , ” by
`Quentin Olson et al . , 24 pgs .
`Co - pending US Patent TY06-003 , U.S. Appl . No. 12 / 012,393 , filed
`Feb. 1 , 2008 ,
`“ Hand - Held Web Browser Inventory Checking Sys
`tem , ” by Quentin Olson et al . , 24 pgs .
`Localsoft Tech , db2k e - Store Builder 3.00 details , 3 pgs , found Feb.
`8 , 2008 , http://www.soft32donwload.com/software/dbk-e-STore
`Builder - download - details.html .
`IBM 4690 ASTRA - Graphical User Interface ( GUI )
`Specifications , 1 pg . , found Feb. 8 , 2008 , http://www.03.ibm.com/
`products / retail / products / software / gui / astra / specs.html .
`Defendant's Invalidity Contentions in Case No. 6 : 19 - CV - 00513
`ADA , CloudofChange , LLC , v . NCR Corporation , dated Feb. 24 ,
`2020 in 27 pages .
`Exhibit Al : Invalidity of U.S. Pat . No. 9,400,640 based on
`US2007265935 ( “ Woycik ” ) in 10 pages .
`Exhibit A2 : Invalidity of U.S. Pat . No. 10,083,012 based on
`US2007265935 ( “ Woycik ” ) in 10 pages .
`Exhibit A3 : Invalidity of U.S. Pat . No. 9,400,640 based on
`US20070175992 ( “ Brown ” ) in 9 pages .
`Exhibit A4 : Invalidity of U.S. Pat . No. 10,083,012 based on
`US20070175992 ( “ Brown ” ) in 11 pages .
`Exhibit A5 : Invalidity of U.S. Pat . No. 9,400,640 based on U.S. Pat .
`No. 5,920,312 ( “ Wagner ” ) in 6 pages .
`Exhibit A6 : Invalidity of U.S. Pat . No. 10,083,012 based on U.S.
`Pat . No. 5,920,312 ( “ Wagner " ) in 7 pages .
`Exhibit A7 : Invalidity of U.S. Pat . No. 9,400,640 based on
`US20020194074 ( " Jacobs ” ) in 6 pages .
`Exhibit A8 : Invalidity of U.S. Pat . No. 10,083,012 based on
`US20020194074 ( " Jacobs ” ) in 6 pages .
`Exhibit A9 : Invalidity of U.S. Pat . No. 9,400,640 based on
`US20060235755 ( " Mueller ” ) in 8 pages .
`Exhibit A10 : Invalidity of U.S. Pat . No. 10,083,012 based on
`US20060235755 ( " Mueller ” ) in 8 pages .
`Exhibit All : Invalidity of U.S. Pat . No. 9,400,640 based on
`US20050049921 ( “ Tengler ” ) in 9 pages .
`Exhibit A12 : Invalidity of U.S. Pat . No. 10,083,012 based on
`US20050049921 ( “ Tengler ” ) in 9 pages .
`Exhibit B1 : Invalidity of U.S. Pat . No. 9,400,640 based on
`US20050021409 ( “ Michaud ” ) in 6 pages .
`Exhibit B2 : Invalidity of U.S. Pat . No. 10,083,012 based on
`US20050021409 ( “ Michaud ” ) in 6 pages .
`Exhibit B3 : Invalidity of U.S. Pat . No. 9,400,640 based on
`US20040143512 ( “ Sturr ” ) in 6 pages .
`Exhibit B4 : Invalidity of U.S. Pat . No. 10,083,012 based on
`US20040143512 ( " Sturr ” ) in 6 pages .
`Exhibit B5 : Invalidity of U.S. Pat . No.9,400,640 based on EP1450324
`( “ Yamada ” ) in 6 pages .
`Exhibit B6 : Invalidity of U.S. Pat . No. 10,083,012 based on
`EP1450324 ( “ Yamada ” ) in 7 pages .
`Exhibit B7 : Invalidity of U.S. Pat . No. 9,400,640 based on U.S. Pat .
`No. 6,384,850 ( “ McNally ' ' ) in 7 pages .
`Exhibit B9 : Invalidity Claims of U.S. Pat . No. 9,400,640 based on
`ACS Back Office Options , R6.0 in 9 pages .
`Exhibit B9 : Invalidity of U.S. Pat . No. 10,083,012 based on U.S.
`Pat . No. 6,384,850 ( “ McNally ” ) in 7 pages .
`Exhibit B10 : Invalidity of U.S. Pat . No. 10,083,012 based on ACS
`Back Office Options , R6.0 in 10 pages .
`Exhibit C1 : Invalidity of U.S. Pat . No. 9,400,640 under 35 U.S.C.
`$ 112 in 4 pages .
`Exhibit C2 : Invalidity of U.S. Pat . No. 10,083,012 under 35 U.S.C.
`$ 112 in 3 pages .
`Exhibit D1 : Claims 1-14 of the ' 640 Patent Are Invalid Under 35
`U.S.C. $ 101 in 2 pages .
`Exhibit D2 : Claims 1-13 of the ' 012 Patent Are Invalid Under 35
`U.S.C. $ 101 in 3 pages .
`DynaKey 5952 , DynaKey Real POS 5952 Wedge User's Guide ,
`R1.0 , NCR , 1999 .
`
`GO8B 13/19671
`348/150
`
`( 56 )
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`6,304,886 B1
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`
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`2001/0037245 Al
`2002/0194074 A1 * 12/2002 Jacobs
`
`2/2003 Smith
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`2003/0078849 A1
`6/2003 Cusack et al .
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`2003/0236755 A1 12/2003 Dagelet
`2004/0128199 A1 *
`7/2004 Cusack
`
`2004/0143512 Al
`2004/0181454 A1 *
`
`7/2004 Sturr
`9/2004 Manno
`
`1/2005 Michaud , Jr.
`2005/0021409 A1 *
`3/2005 Tengler
`2005/0049921 A1 *
`8/2005 Jones et al .
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`2/2006 Dutta
`2006/0026502 Al
`2006/0235755 A1 * 10/2006 Mueller
`
`1/2007 Chau et al .
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`8/2007 Brown
`2007/0175992 A1
`2007/0265935 A1 * 11/2007 Woycik
`2007/0276763 A1
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`
`8/2008 Olson et al .
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`2017/0300301 A1 10/2017 Baratta et al .
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`G06F 9/451
`715/763
`
`G06F 16/9577
`715/810
`
`G07G 1/145
`705/16
`
`G06Q 20/20
`705/16
`G06Q 20/202
`705/21
`G07G 1/14
`705/16
`G06Q 10/087
`705/15
`
`G06Q 30/06
`705/15
`
`G07F 9/002
`705/65
`
`G06F 8/38
`715/762
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`WO
`WO
`WO
`WO
`
`WO2001018629
`WO2001065427
`WO2003065178
`WO2005115074
`
`3/2001
`9/2001
`8/2003
`12/2005
`
`

`

`US 11,226,793 B2
`Page 3
`
`( 56 )
`
`References Cited
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`DynaKey 5953 , NCR Real POSTM 5953 USB DynaKeyTM User's
`Guide , Release 2.3 , NCR , 2002 .
`DynaKey 5954. DynaKey Real POS 5954 Next Generation R1.2 ,
`NCR , 2006 .
`DynaKey 80c , NCR Real POSTM 80c Hardware User's Guide ,
`Release 1.1 , NCR , 2002 .
`ACS Trng 6.0 , Advanced Checkout Solution Operator , Training
`Guide , R6.0 , NCR , 2003 .
`ACS 6.0 , Advanced Checkout Solution BackOffice Options , R6.0 ,
`NCR , 2000 .
`ACS 6.2 , Advanced Checkout Solution BackOffice Options , R6.2 ,
`NCR , 2008 .
`ACS Brochure , NCR Advanced Checkout Solution , NCR , 2003 .
`ACS Buehler , NCR ACS Buehler's Success Story , NCR , 2004 .
`ACS Heinen , NCR ACS Heinen's Success Story , NCR , 2004 .
`ACS Lund , NCR ACS Lund's Success Story , NCR , 2005 .
`UPOS , NCR Retail Controls 3.x UPOS Users Guide , Issue H , NCR ,
`2007 .
`RSM Win , NCR Retail Platform Software for Windows , Release
`4.0 , NCR , 2009 .
`Van der Vlugt , Michel , and Sambasivam , Samuel . “ Redesign of
`Stand - Alone Applications into Thin - Client / Server Architecture ” .
`Retrieved from : http://proceedings.informingscience.org/InSITE2005/
`157f13Vulg.pdf . ( 2005 ) .
`CloudofChange , LLC v . NCR Corporation , Defendant's First Amended
`Invalidity Contentions , Aug. 19 , 2020 .
`CloudofChange , LLC v . NCR Corporation , Defendant's Final Inva
`lidity Contentions , Aug. 31 , 2020 .
`Exhibit Al : Invalidity of U.S. Pat . No. 9,400,640 based on
`US2007265935 ( “ Woycik ” ) ( First Supplement ) .
`Exhibit A2 : Invalidity of U.S. Pat . No. 10,083,012 based on
`US2007265935 ( “ Woycik ” ) ( First Supplement ) .
`Exhibit A3 : Invalidity of U.S. Pat . No. 9,400,640 based on
`US20070175992 ( “ Brown ” ) ( First Supplement ) .
`Exhibit A3 : Invalidity of U.S. Pat . No. 9,400,640 based on
`US20070175992 ( “ Brown ” ) ( Second Supplement ) .
`Exhibit A4 : Invalidity of U.S. Pat . No. 10,083,012 based on
`US20070175992 ( “ Brown ” ) ( First Supplement ) .
`
`Exhibit A4 : Invalidity of U.S. Pat . No. 10,083,012 based on
`US20070175992 ( “ Brown ” ) ( Second Supplement ) .
`Exhibit A5 : Invalidity of U.S. Pat . No. 9,400,640 based on U.S. Pat .
`No. 5,920,312 ( “ Wagner ” ) ( First Supplement ) .
`Appendix A6 : Invalidity of U.S. Pat . No. 10,083,012 based on U.S.
`Pat . No. 5,920,312 ( “ Wagner ” ) ( First Supplement ) .
`Exhibit A7 : Invalidity of U.S. Pat . No. 9,400,640 based on
`US20020194074 ( “ Jacobs ” ) ( First Supplement ) .
`Exhibit A8 : Invalidity of U.S. Pat . No. 10,083,012 based on
`US20020194074 ( “ Jacobs ” ) ( First Supplement ) .
`Exhibit A9 : Invalidity of U.S. Pat . No. 9,400,640 based on
`US20060235755 ( “ Mueller ” ) ( First Supplement ) .
`Exhibit A10 : Invalidity of U.S. Pat . No. 10,083,012 based on
`US20060235755 ( “ Mueller ” ) ( First Supplement ) .
`Exhibit All : Invalidity of U.S. Pat . No. 9,400,640 based on
`US20050049921 ( “ Tengler ” ) ( First Supplement ) .
`Exhibit A12 : Invalidity of U.S. Pat . No. 10,083,012 based on
`US20050049921 ( “ Tengler ” ) ( First Supplement ) .
`Exhibit A13 : Invalidity of U.S. Pat . No. 9,400,640 based on the
`Cybertill System ( First Supplement ) .
`Exhibit A13 : Invalidity of U.S. Pat . No. 9,400,640 based on the
`Cybertill System .
`Exhibit A14 : Invalidity of U.S. Pat . No. 10,083,012 based on the
`Cybertill System ( First Supplement ) .
`Exhibit A14 : Invalidity of U.S. Pat . No. 10,083,012 based on the
`Cybertill System .
`Exhibit B7 : Invalidity of U.S. Pat . No. 9,400,640 based on U.S. Pat .
`No. 6,384,850 ( “ McNally ' ) ( First Supplement ) .
`Exhibit B8 : Invalidity of U.S. Pat . No. 10,083,012 based on U.S.
`Pat . No. 6,384,850 ( “ McNally ” ) ( First Supplement ) .
`MICROS SimphonyTM , http://www.micros.com:80/Products/
`Simphony / , dated 2006 , in 1 page .
`MICROS mymicros.net , http://www.micros.com:80/Products/
`Simphony / , dated 2006 , in 1 page .
`MICROS Restaurants , http://www.micros.com:80/Products/
`Simphony / , dated 2006 , in 2 pages .
`MICROS Delivers Harmony to POS Technology with Simphony ( TM ) .
`The Industry's First True Enterprise POS Solution , Featuring Ser
`vice Oriented Architecture , Debuts at FS / TEC , Oct. 10 , 2007 , 3 pp .
`* cited by examiner
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 18 , 2022
`
`Sheet 1 of 5
`
`US 11,226,793 B2
`
`Description
`
`Åmout
`
`PRETZELS DRINKS
`
`11
`Caramel Cinnamon Carlic Original Parmesan
`Crunch Sugar
`Pretzel paquetzel
`Pretzel Pretzel
`
`Preizel
`Dog
`
`Cream
`Onion
`Pretzel
`Honey
`Nacho
`Mustard Cheese
`
`Preizel Caramel Cheddar
`Cheese
`Slices
`
`Pizza
`Sauce
`
`SOLD
`TEN
`
`COIN
`
`DRAWER
`
`RETURN MISC
`LAST
`RECEIPT
`
`FUNCTION $ 5
`
`$ 10
`
`$ 20
`
`FIG .
`
`1
`
`DOWN
`
`9
`
`6
`
`3
`
`7
`
`4
`
`1
`
`5
`
`2
`
`CLEAR O
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 18 , 2022
`
`Sheet 2 of 5
`
`US 11,226,793 B2
`
`Amou .
`Description
`garlic
`2.29
`0.59
`pizza sauce
`Cranberry grape 1.49
`large sprite
`
`DRINKS SMALL
`
`MEDIUM LARCE
`
`COKE DIETCOKET
`
`PUNCH
`
`SPRITE
`
`APPLE CRANBERRY CRANBERRY DANNON MINUTE
`SPRING
`WAID
`APPLE
`WATER
`ORANGE
`RASPBERRY
`JUICE
`MACADANIA
`
`COLUMBIAM
`
`VANILLA
`
`7
`
`4
`
`1
`
`5
`
`2
`
`9
`
`6
`
`3
`
`CLEAR O
`
`00
`
`ENTER
`
`CASH
`
`RETURN MISC
`LAST
`RECEIPT
`
`FUNCTION $ 5
`
`$ 20
`
`FIG . 2
`.
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 18 , 2022
`
`Sheet 3 of 5
`
`US 11,226,793 B2
`
`36
`
`Apache
`
`
`
`Web Server
`
`Relation DB
`
`EN
`
`35
`
`XML RPC
`
`HTTPS
`
`NH
`
`w
`
`CK
`
`49
`
`35
`
`HTTPS
`
`1
`
`.
`
`}
`
`I
`
`I }
`
`I I
`
`1
`
`3
`G FIG . 3
`
`37
`
`
`
`Web Browser
`
`3
`
`WAY
`
`Relational DB POS 1
`
`POS N Store
`
`
`
`java POS
`
`I
`
`3
`
`KE
`
`
`
`Java POS
`
`33
`
`POS N Store N
`
`Relational DB POS 1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 18 , 2022
`
`Sheet 4 of 5
`
`US 11,226,793 B2
`
`Screen 1 Screen 2 Screen 3 Screen ,
`
`21
`
`SUBS
`
`Add ItemAdd Item Add Item Add Item
`
`20
`
`FIG . 4?
`
`Screen 1
`
`PIZZA
`
`22
`
`LARGE
`PIZZA
`
`ENRY
`
`TIR
`
`I TEM NAME
`PRICE
`COST
`GROUP
`TAXABLE
`INVENTORY
`
`23
`
`FIG . 45
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 18 , 2022
`
`Sheet 5 of 5
`
`US 11,226,793 B2
`
`Begin POS Build
`*
`-52 V
`Select Screen
`
`?e
`Edit Selected Screen #
`Enter edit screen name ,
`TAT
`Enter number of touch keys
`
`55 F
`
`Edit Selected Add Item Key
`Enter edit item nane , price ,
`cost , group , tazable , inventory
`
`3
`
`7 51
`
`54
`
`56
`
`58
`
`Nó
`
`57
`
`Screen N
`done ?
`Lyes
`
`FIG . 5
`
`

`

`US 11,226,793 B2
`
`1
`WEB - BASED POINT OF SALE BUILDER
`
`This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser . No.
`a
`15 / 635,097 , filed Jun . 27 , 2017 , which is a continuation of
`U.S. patent application Ser . No. 15 / 198,117 , filed Jun . 30 ,
`2016 , which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser .
`a
`No. 12 / 012,666 , filed on Feb. 5 , 2008 , each of which are
`herein incorporated by reference in their entirety .
`RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS
`This application is related to U.S. application Ser . No.
`11 / 710,722 , filed on Feb. 26 , 2007 , and U.S. application Ser .
`No. 11 / 710,723 , filed on Feb. 26 , 2007 , which are herein
`incorporated by reference in its entirety .
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Field of the Invention
`
`2
`ing hardware units which are serviced by a center which
`services a multiplicity of similar units having a plurality of
`different configurations .
`U.S. Pat . No. 5,987,426 ( Goodwin ) describes a system
`5 and method of transferring information between a first
`software application and a second software application
`which employ an isolation layer . The system includes a
`client computer system provided by a first seller of computer
`systems , including a client software application , and a server
`computer system provided by a second seller of computer
`system .
`
`10
`
`BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`15
`
`20
`
`It is the objective of this invention to provide a system and
`a method for building a point of sale ( POS ) system to
`manage business operations . The business operations range
`from a single branch to a large chain of stores or branches .
`It is further an object of this invention to provide an
`online , web - based point of sale builder system and method ,
`This invention relates to a system and a method for
`which can assist non - expert or expert business operators in
`assembling a point of sale system to manage their busi
`building a point of sale ( POS ) system to manage business
`nesses . This point of sale building operation can be done in
`operations . The business operations range from a single
`branch to a large chain of stores or branches .
`25 real time from anywhere in the world .
`The objects of this invention are achieved by a web - based
`More particularly this invention relates to an online ,
`web - based point of sale builder method , which can assist
`point of sale ( POS ) builder comprising one or more point of
`sale terminals , which display POS , screens , an Internet
`non - expert business operators in assembling a point of sale
`system to manage their businesses .
`connection to a web server , one or more local or remote PC
`30 workstations , and point of sale builder software which runs
`Description of Related Art
`on said web server . Local or remote workstations can be
`utilized to build or edit said POS terminals in real time , from
`anywhere in the world and over the world - wide web .
`Current practice in the field of assembling point of sale
`systems includes manually coding front - of - screen informa
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`tion . Typically , this front - of - screen information contains 35
`menu selections , page selections , and general answers to
`FIG . 1 shows a typical point of sale touch screen for a
`business questions . This front - of - screen menu is typically
`pretzel store , as an example only .
`manually coded by a business expert with the help of a
`FIG . 2 shows a typical touch screen for the drinks panel
`programmer or data expert . Also , currently the entry of this
`front - of - screen information requires intimate knowledge of 40 of a pizza restaurant , as an example only .
`FIG . 3 is a system diagram for web - based back office
`a complex interface to a front - of - screen programming lan
`which supports point of sale terminals .
`guage . In summary , current practice includes the manual
`FIG . 4a is a sample screen builder panel before the screen
`building of a point of sale ( POS ) screen . This manual
`building process begins .
`process requires defining the position and operation of touch
`FIG . 46 is a sample screen builder panel after the screen
`screen keys and their database correspondence . Currently ,
`building process is under way .
`only specially trained people can build or change POS
`FIG . 5 is a high level flowchart which illustrates the main
`screens . This manual POS building and editing is prone to
`embodiment of the screen building process .
`mistakes and is time - consuming . Since POS screen changes
`are difficult and prone to error , store owners tend to retain 50
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`older , inaccurate , out - of - date POS screens in order to avoid
`INVENTION
`the POS screen editing process . Also , current POS screen
`editing occurs off - line with the testing of the screens occur-
`FIG . 1 shows a typical point of sale ( POS ) touch screen
`ring at a later date , at a remote store location . The following
`for , as an example only , a pretzel store . There are touch keys
`references represent prior art in the field of screen configu- 55 for pretzels 11 and for drinks 12. Selecting these keys would
`typically bring up secondary screens displaying specific
`ration building .
`U.S. Pat . No. 5,818,428 ( Eisenbrandt et al . ) describes a
`product keys for ordering different types of pretzels and
`control system with a user configurable interface , particu-
`drinks respectively . In addition , the screen in FIG . 1 has
`larly suitable for use in connection with appliances . Users
`some specific pretzel product keys 13 and specific pretzel
`can configure display screens either at a point of sale 60 topping keys 14. Currently in the prior art , a touch screen as
`shown in FIG . 1 is manually configured by a programmer
`location or at home with a personal computer .
`U.S. Pat . No. 6,629,080 B1 ( Kolls ) describes a universal
`who knows the specific proprietary point of sale system used
`advertising and payment system and method for networking ,
`by a store or business . The FIG . 1 screen design involves the
`monitoring and advancing electronic commerce and con-
`specific key layout and size of keys . In addition , the FIG . 1
`trolling vending equipment .
`65 screen keys must have corresponding hooks or references to
`U.S. Pat . No. 7,051,091 B1 ( Cohen et al . ) discloses a
`product data such as item name , price , cost , group , taxable ,
`configuration builder useful in configuring software contain-
`and inventory as shown in FIG . 4. In this invention , this
`
`a
`
`45
`
`a
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`

`

`US 11,226,793 B2
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`a
`
`NAME
`
`COMPANY
`
`Jane A. Doe
`Bill X. Smith
`
`ABC
`XYZ
`
`E_MAIL
`jad@abc.com
`bxs@xyz.com
`
`4
`is not required for the basic business functions of the POS .
`All transaction data is stored in a relational database on the
`hard drive in the POS .
`A relational database stores all of its data inside tables . All
`operations on data are done on the tables themselves . Some
`operation produce other tables as the result . A table is a set
`a
`of rows and columns . Each row is a set of columns with only
`one value for each . All rows from the same table have the
`same set of columns , although some columns may have
`NULL values . A NULL value is an “ unknown " value . The
`rows from a relational table are analogous to a record , and
`the columns are analogous to a field . Below is an example
`of a relational table .
`
`3
`product data and the touch key structure is stored in rela-
`tional databases in the back office which is stored on the web
`servers 36 shown in FIG . 3 .
`As an example only , FIG . 2 shows a touch screen for the
`a
`drinks page of a pizza restaurant . Again in the prior art , a
`specialized programmer had to design the layout and data
`for these POS touch keys . Typically , the programmer is
`located remotely from the store or business . He or she must
`learn about the store's POS requirements via phone calls ,
`emails , and meetings with store operators . In addition , the
`programmer would need to iterate several passes of the
`touch screen design and allow the store operator to test the
`screens . With this invention , the store operator will be able
`to build his POS screens online over the Internet . With input
`from the store operator , the POS builder can specify and
`display the number , shape and arrangement of selection keys
`or buttons on said POS screens . The store operator , who does
`not have to be technically trained , will be able to edit and test
`his screens until he is satisfied with the end results . The 20
`There are two basic operations one can perform on a
`testing of said POS screens can be done iteratively by the
`relational table . The first one is retrieving a subset of its
`store operator in real time while said POS terminals are
`columns . The second is retrieving a subset of its rows . The
`simultaneously in use during store and business operation
`field names such as company describe the content of the
`hours or after store hours . Alternatively , the testing of said
`POS screens can be done iteratively by a remotely located 25 columns of the relational table . The rows delineate the
`person such as a store manager or director in real time while
`individual records stored in the relational tables .
`As transactions are created at a POS a log entry for the
`said POS terminals are simultaneously in use during store
`newest transaction is also created , this log entry is used to
`hours or after store hours . All backoffice changes which
`flag if the transaction has been uploaded to the web server .
`include screen changes , price changes , employee validation
`changes are submitted to a batch bucket or queue . These 30 Part of the POS application , the BO interface is continuously
`running in the background . This component reads the log of
`changes have to be submitted for final posting at a scheduled
`transactions . If a transaction needs to be sent , it tries to send
`time . For example , the phasing in of new screens and / or new
`it . If the send fails ( for example , if the connection to , or the
`data such as prices and employee validation can be sched
`Internet itself , is down ) , it goes to sleep and tries again later .
`uled . The time schedule for uploading or posting these 35 Additionally , the BO interface requests update from the BO
`screen changes and / or new data can be specified as follows .
`such as new items , price changes , employees , etc. The POS
`Only as examples , the changes can take place after the
`terminals communicate via HTTP protocol ( hypertext trans
`present transactions are completed . Alternatively , the
`fer protocol ) 35 with Back - office BO software , which is
`changes can take place at the end of the business day , during
`implemented on web servers 36 , which can be located
`the night , at the start of the next day or at the next application 40 anywhere in the world . In addition , the BO software and data
`restart for example . Typically , screen changes will take place
`can be viewed from any store employee at any PC 33 who
`at the next application start at the beginning of a business
`has Internet access 37 and a password .
`day .
`The POS such as 31 send transaction data to the BO in the
`This automatic online POS builder will reduce the devel-
`form of an HTTP post or communication . The packet 35 sent
`opment time for POS screens by weeks . In addition , the store 45 from the POS to the BO consists of transactions , employee
`operator will be able to edit the POS screens and its
`clock , customer add / update , item add / update , promotions
`relational databases any time as often as desired . In addition ,
`and more . Promotions are configured in the back office and
`the store operator will be able to edit , change and test the
`associated with items or customers or departments . For
`screens within minutes in real time . The store operator can
`example , a promotion may be associated with a customer to
`iterate these changes instantly until he gets the desired 50 implement customer loyalty points or a promotion may be
`screen appearance . This real - time testing and iteration of
`associated with a certain item for a % discount . A client who
`a
`screen designs is an important feature of this invention . This
`is the store manager or owner selects a promotion type ,
`feature motivates the store operator to keep his screens up to
`associates it with an item , department , etc , then sets the
`date and accurate . Previously , the store operator would avoid
`parameters that control how that promotion works . These
`updating screens , since it involved the time and expense of 55 transaction transmissions between the POS and the BO can
`be encrypted to insure privacy and security . A typical
`working with programmers off line .
`FIG . 3 shows a high level diagram of this invention . There
`encryption method is 128 bit SSL ( secure sockets layer ) . A
`are N POS terminals ( POS 1 , POS 2 ... POS N ) in “ Store ”
`further element of security is that each BO client ( individual
`31 and in “ Store N ” 32 . POS 31 is in Store 1 and POS 2 ( 32 )
`POS , store or multi - store owner ) gets their own instance of
`is in Store 2. Each POS includes personal computer hard- 60 a database . When they log into the BO they are attached to
`ware and software . Additional POS terminals beyond those
`their own relational database associated and validated via
`shown , as well as additional stores beyond the two shown ,
`their user login and password .
`are within the scope of the invention . Each POS normally
`FIGS . 4a and 4b show a typical web - based POS builder
`operates with a hardware / software connection 35 to the
`interface . FIG . 4a shows a grid of boxes labeled with screen
`Internet or Web . However , if the web goes down , the POS 65 numbers 1-4 . Typically , screens will have screen names such
`terminal continues to operate . There is a “ loose coupling " of
`as in 21 , “ Subs ” . Under each screen box column are boxes
`a
`the POS to the back office ( BO ) : the POS to BO connection
`labeled “ Add Item ” . These boxes allow the addition of
`
`

`

`US 11,226,793 B2
`
`5
`6
`this invention due to the flexibility of easy design changes
`different products such as small pizza , large pizza , etc. as
`and well - understood software . There is less training required
`shown in FIG . 46. FIG . 4b shows the data interface which
`for programmers and system testers . Projects can draw on
`would appear when selecting the large pizza box . The store
`the huge talent pool in the open source development com
`operator would be able to enter and / or modify item name ,
`price , cost , group , taxable and inventory . The above illus- 5 munity . The invention allows configurable software modules
`trates the ease of building POS screens by store operators via
`for different types of businesses and sales promotions . The
`invention allows remote monitoring of screen designs from
`the Web .
`FIG . 5 shows a flowchart of the point of sale builder
`anywhere via the web . There is minimal time required for
`the implementation and installation of the POS builder
`methodology . The flow in FIG . 5 also refers to FIGS . 4a and
`4b . The Begin POS Build block 51 is entered when the 10 system , since the POS builder setup is as basic as a home PC
`Builder Program is initiated 50 from a Web page action .
`setup . Another advantage is that the POS builder system can
`When creating a new POS , Block 51 brings up a screen
`be provided as a service or deployed within a corporation .
`such as that shown in FIG . 4a . The screens in FIG . 4a need
`For example , Software as a Service ( SAAS ) is a software
`to be defined . Block 53 allows the store operator to select
`distribution model in which applications are hosted by a
`which screen number to define . FIG . 4b shows what appears 15 vendor or service provider and made available to customers
`on the Web screen after the store operator selects screen # 1
`over a network , typically the Internet . Another advantage of
`( 53 ) to work on . In FIG . 5 , Block 54 allows the store
`this invention is that the POS builder system is maintained
`operator to enter / edit the screen name being worked on , such
`in customer centric databases , making it impossible for
`as pizza , as an example only , in FIG . 46. In FIG . 5 , block 54
`customers to see other's data . Each POS builder system
`allows the store operator to enter the number of touch keys 20 client gets their own instance of a database . When they log
`planned for the pizza screen , as an example only .
`into the BO they are attached to their own relational database
`FIG . 4b shows the screen after a few touch screen buttons
`associated and validated via their user login and password .
`a
`have been defined . Screen 1 has been labeled Pizza . The
`While this invention has been particularly shown and
`pizza screen in FIG . 4b currently has 1 touch screen button
`described with Reference to the preferred embodiments
`item defined on the screen , Large pizza 22. The Large Pizza 25 thereof , it will be understood by those Skilled in the art that
`item button was entered by hitting ADD Item 20 in FIG . 4a .
`various changes in form and details may be made without
`After hitting add item , FIG . 4b appears with the template 23
`Departing from the spirit and scope of this invention .
`to be filled in . This step is shown in block 56 of FIG . 5. The
`What is claimed is :
`template includes Item Name , Price , Cost , Group . Taxable ,
`1. A web - based point of sale ( POS ) builder system com
`Inventory . Item Name is Large Pizza . Price is easily change- 30 prising :
`able , Cost is the cost of making materials . Group is the Pizza
`at least one server configured to :
`Group , Taxable is as yes