(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2004/0128.199 A1
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Jul. 1, 2004
`Cusack et al.
`
`US 2004.0128 199A1
`
`(54) SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR
`FACILITATING REAL-TIME, WEB BASED
`POINT OF SALE (POS) TRANSACTIONS
`AND OPERATIONS
`(75) Inventors: Bob Cusack, Germantown, MD (US);
`Lee M. Hindin, Potomac, MD (US);
`Brian Taff, Potomac, MD (US)
`Correspondence Address:
`ARENT FOX KINTNER PLOTKIN & KAHN
`1050 CONNECTICUT AVENUE, N.W.
`SUTE 400
`WASHINGTON, DC 20036 (US)
`Assignee: Chicken-Out, Inc.
`Appl. No.:
`10/734,200
`
`Filed:
`
`Dec. 15, 2003
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(63) Continuation of application No. 09/519,332, filed on
`Mar. 7, 2000.
`
`(73)
`(21)
`(22)
`
`(52) U.S. Cl. ................................................................ 705/16
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`System and method for facilitating real-time, web based
`point of Sale operations Such as Sales, reporting, etc. The
`System and method include and involve a central database
`management facility Storing and managing data related to at
`least one user interface form operable within a browser
`application and to items which may be Sold or otherwise
`processed at a point of Sale. Also included and involved is
`a plurality of client data processing facilities which are
`coupled to the central database management facility via an
`electronic data network. Each client data processing System
`is located at a remote point of Sale and is coupled to the
`central database management facility via a network connec
`tion over the electronic data network. Each client data
`processing facility is configured to execute the browser
`application, to access the central database management
`facility via the network connection to retrieve and process at
`least one user interface form within the browser application,
`to access the central database management facility in real
`time to retrieve data related to at least one of the items to
`facilitate a remote point of Sale related operation, and to
`cause the central database management facility to manage
`the databased on the remote point of Sale related operation.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Int. Cl. ............................................. G06F 17/60
`
`SYSTEM
`
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`
`
`
`
`
`
`
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`
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`TELEPHONY
`NETWORK
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`STORE 1
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`DIRECT
`BACK-END
`1561 SYSTEMS
`
`CENTRAL
`DATABASE
`FACILITY
`WEBENABLED
`HOSTED
`
`175
`
`GLOBAL
`NETWORK
`(INTERNET, WEB)
`
`ITEM DATA
`PRCING DATA
`tMANAGEMENT DATAETC,
`(CENTRALIZEDDATA
`STORED IN REAL-TIME)
`TRAINING DATA, POLICIES, ETC.
`
`EACH "POS"SYSTEM
`ISA CIENT DATA
`PROCESSINGFACILITY
`
`--
`
`-158
`
`8
`
`-160
`
`CLOVER NETWORK 1009
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`

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`Patent Application Publication
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`Jul. 1, 2004 Sheet 1 of 9
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`US 2004/0128.199 A1
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`Patent Application Publication Jul. 1, 2004 Sheet 3 of 9
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`Patent Application Publication Jul. 1, 2004 Sheet 5 of 9
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`US 2004/0128.199 A1
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`FIG. 3A
`Chicken Out Rotisserie
`Shady Grove - Register: 1
`Wednesday 9:21:22AM 2/16/2000
`Enter paSSWOrd and Select function.
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`Patent Application Publication Jul. 1, 2004 Sheet 6 of 9
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`Patent Application Publication Jul. 1, 2004 Sheet 7 of 9
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`Patent Application Publication Jul. 1, 2004 Sheet 8 of 9
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`US 2004/0128.199 A1
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`Patent Application Publication Jul. 1, 2004 Sheet 9 of 9
`FIG. 4A
`START
`
`S4-1
`
`US 2004/0128.199 A1
`
`LOGINTO
`POS COM
`
`SELECT TEM
`BEGINORDER
`
`S4-2
`
`S4-3
`
`BUILD ORDER
`
`S4-4
`
`PRINT TICKET 1-S4-5
`
`TAKE PAYMENT --S4-6
`
`GENERATE RECEIPT-S47
`
`FULFILL ORDER
`AND CLOSE ORDER
`
`S4-8
`
`

`

`US 2004/O128199 A1
`
`Jul. 1, 2004
`
`SYSTEMAND METHOD FOR FACILITATING
`REAL-TIME, WEB BASED POINT OF SALE (POS)
`TRANSACTIONS AND OPERATIONS
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`0001) 1. Field of the Invention
`0002 The present invention relates to systems and meth
`ods used to facilitate point of Sale transactions. More par
`ticularly, the present invention relates to Systems and meth
`ods used to facilitate point of Sale transactions and
`operations via a global network, Such as the Internet and
`World Wide Web (WWW).
`0003 2. Description of the Related Art
`0004 Point of sale systems and processes such as those
`used in fast food, restaurant, and retail Store environments
`are well known. For years, point of Sale Systems have been
`the focus of business practices as both providers and com
`mercial users of point of Sale Systems Strive for greater
`efficiencies that can lead to increased revenues and, ulti
`mately, higher profits. As a result, providers have developed
`a wide variety of point of sale (POS) systems from simple
`cash registers to elaborate networked Systems.
`0005 Since the advent of the cash register, for example,
`developers have strived to improve on the number of fea
`tures Such machines possess, and the ability of Such
`machines to provide management reporting and accounting
`functions. Unfortunately, such machines have become all
`but obsolete for the modern retail business enterprise that
`may include remotely located POS stations and the like
`within geographically dispersed Stores/establishments that
`may make up a multiple facility enterprise Such as a chain
`of co-owned or operated restaurants, etc.
`0006. At the other end of the spectrum, currently avail
`able network based POS systems attempt to address the need
`for enhanced Services and reporting functions. Such Systems
`are commonplace in today's retail marketplace. Unfortu
`nately, however, Such modern Systems are not without their
`problems. For example, even the most Sophisticated Systems
`used today in multiple facility enterprises (e.g., chain res
`taurants, etc.), for example, require elaborate Software and
`hardware based local POS networks (Sophisticated local area
`networks or LANs) at each retail store location. Typically,
`data is stored locally on each POS network or within each
`POS terminal device. A retailer that owns more than one
`Store, or a chain of Stores, in order to gather data relating to
`all locations, typically has to download data from each POS
`network on a regular, periodic basis, Such as nightly. Down
`loads are commonly made Via dedicated modem lines and
`may use complex, customized download programs. Unfor
`tunately, only after periodic downloads can business per
`Sonnel Such as Store or regional managers analyze company/
`enterprise wide data to derive enterprise based management
`reports Such as Sales reports, inventory reports, etc. to better
`run and operate their businesses.
`0007 An example of a modern POS system-which may
`be used in a multiple facility enterprise is shown in a
`drawing figure which has been attached to this patent
`document and which has been identified as "FIG. 1A. In
`particular, in FIG. 1A, an exemplary enterprise wide POS
`system 10 includes several stores 102, a download facility
`108, a pricing System, and an enterprise System 116. Each
`
`Store 102 (e.g., a restaurant, retail store, etc.) within the
`multiple facility enterprise within POS system 10, has a POS
`network containing a plurality of POS terminals 104 linked
`together via a LAN, Such as one incorporating an Ethernet
`backbone. Each POS terminal contains data relating to the
`items (goods, Services, etc.) to be Sold in the Store, and is
`configured to perform standard POS functions, such as
`executing purchases (cash, credit card, etc.), enabling cou
`pon redemption, providing returns and refunds, performing
`credit card transactions, engaging in credit card Settlement
`transactions, permitting cash/drawer transactions, etc. Dur
`ing business hours, POS terminals are the center of business
`transactions, Storing transaction data locally as transactions
`(e.g., Sales, returns, etc.) occur. After business hours, a store
`manager, for example, may place the POS Systems into a
`reconciliation mode to reconcile the day's business acroSS
`the POS network. Unfortunately, to consolidate enterprise
`wide data, each Store 102 uploads its data periodically (e.g.,
`nightly, etc.), or in response to a polling type operation
`initiated by enterprise System 116 in conjunction with an
`application Such as one provided via application program
`interface “API'112, for example.
`0008 Typically, such transmission of data is done over
`Standard telecommunications or modem lines 106 (e.g.,
`telephone lines which may be dedicated, leased, or plain old
`telephone “POTs” lines) to some sort of a download (or
`upload) facility 108. For some enterprises that may have tens
`or even hundreds of remote facilities Such as remote fran
`chises, etc. periodic downloads/uploads may be performed
`over dozens of modems and may take hours, or may not be
`possible at all. And, because of the bandwidth issues, etc.
`prior art systems similar or like those depicted in FIG. 1A
`typically cannot integrate individual retail Store data with
`enterprise wide data until all download/upload operations
`are complete. And, Since Store-based data is transferred at
`the end of busineSS period, once a week, etc., company wide
`retail Store data cannot be integrated in real time.
`0009. In addition to being unable to efficiently and effec
`tively gather and consolidate enterprise wide data to drive
`management and post-POS functions, for example, POS
`systems like or similar to those shown in FIG. 1A do not
`permit real-time changes to inventory data to bring about
`enterprise or Store-wide changes. For example, modern POS
`Systems do not permit item price changes in real time to
`affect global changes in Sales prices, etc. Such adjustments
`must either be done locally on each POS network, within
`each POS terminal 104, or via Some other infrastructure
`change. At best, an enterprise may deploy a pricing System
`114 in conjunction with an appropriate application Such as
`one provided via API 112, which functions to disseminate
`pricing data to at least one Store 102 during Scheduled
`Synchronization operations and, certainly, not in real time.
`0010. Accordingly, POS systems similar or like those
`shown in FIG. 1A do not permit enterprise personnel,
`owners and operators, etc. to obtain data in real time to drive
`better and more efficient busineSS processes. And, Since
`modern Systems do not permit item data changes to be made
`in real time, global changes cannot be made instantaneously
`to affect individual Sales in real time. AS Such, many types
`of enterprise management decisions cannot be made effec
`tively because of the lack of real time enterprise data.
`0011 Thus, there exists a need to provide new and
`improved POS systems and methods. Such systems and
`
`

`

`US 2004/O128199 A1
`
`Jul. 1, 2004
`
`methods should provide real time enterprise wide data
`management. And, to be viable, Such Systems and methods
`must be implemented without causing Significant burdens to
`network infrastructures or undue increases in infrastructure
`COStS.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`0012. In view of the foregoing comments regarding the
`related art, the principal object of the present invention is to
`solve the aforementioned problems. It is another object of
`the present invention to provide new and improved Systems
`and methods for facilitating point of Sale transactions and
`operations in real time and via a network connection Such as
`via a web connection.
`0013 In achieving its objects, certain benefits of the
`present invention are realized which have not heretofore
`been possible. For example, the present invention now
`permits real time access to consolidated, centrally Stored
`inventory and related data, to drive generation and Storage of
`real-time transaction and operation data. AS Such, both POS
`operations and transactions and back end type processes can
`take advantage of real time data Storage to facilitate Small
`footprint infrastructures and up-to-the-minute management
`reporting capabilities, respectively. And, because the present
`invention takes advantage of modern communications infra
`structures such as the Internet and World Wide Web
`(WWW), what used to be done with elaborate, custom built,
`and expensive hardware based platforms may now be
`enhanced and provided via easily modifiable Software back
`bones that are more efficient and cost effective to implement.
`0.014. As such, the present invention achieves the above
`stated and other objects to deliver the aforementioned ben
`efits by providing new and improved Systems and methods
`for facilitating real-time, web based point of Sale operations
`Such as Sales, reporting, etc. The System and method include
`and involve a central database management facility Storing
`and managing data related to at least one user interface form
`operable within a browser application and items which may
`be sold or otherwise processed at a point of Sale. Also
`included and involved is a plurality of client data processing
`facilities which are coupled to the central database manage
`ment facility via an electronic data network. Each client data
`processing System is located at a remote point of Sale and is
`coupled to the central database management facility via a
`network connection over the electronic data network. Each
`client data processing facility is configured to execute the
`browser application, to access the central database manage
`ment facility via the network connection to retrieve and
`process at least one user interface form within the browser
`application, to access the central database management
`facility in real time to retrieve data related to at least one of
`the items to facilitate a remote point of Sale related opera
`tion, and to cause the central database management facility
`to manage the databased on the remote point of Sale related
`operation.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
`FIGURES
`0.015 The present invention is described in detail below
`with reference to the attached drawing figures, of which:
`0016 FIG. 1A is a block diagram of a prior art point of
`Sale System;
`
`0017 FIG. 1B is a block diagram of a point of sale
`System according to a preferred embodiment of the present
`invention;
`0018 FIG. 2A is a block diagram that illustrates an
`automatic data processing System (ADP) which may be
`configured to facilitate the operations of component parts of
`a point of Sale System provided in accordance with the
`present invention;.
`0019 FIG. 2B is a diagram of a point of sale terminal
`which may be used within a point of Sale System provided
`in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
`invention;
`0020 FIG. 3A is a screen shot of a user-interface imple
`mented as an HTML document (web page) that includes
`mark-up Scripts and, possibly, other Scripts Such as those
`implemented using enhanced language Scripts (e.g.,
`MICROSOFT ACTIVE-X control scripts, Javascript, etc.)
`and which facilitates an enterprise wide point of Sale System
`according to a preferred embodiment of the present inven
`tion;
`FIG. 3B is another screen shot of a web page used
`0021
`to facilitate POS operations and transactions according to a
`preferred embodiment of the present invention;
`0022 FIG. 3C is another screen shot of a web page used
`to facilitate POS operations and transactions according to a
`preferred embodiment of the present invention;
`0023 FIG. 3D is another screen shot of a web page used
`to facilitate POS operations and transactions according to a
`preferred embodiment of the present invention; and
`0024 FIG. 4 is a flow chart that illustrates certain steps
`of a method which may be used within the system shown in
`FIG. 1B to facilitate real time web based POS operations
`and transactions in accordance with a preferred embodiment
`of the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`0025) A point of sale (POS) system and, in particular, one
`facilitating real-time, web based point of sale (POS) trans
`actions and operations in accordance with a preferred
`embodiment of the present invention is next described in
`detail with reference to the drawing figures that were briefly
`described above. Unless otherwise Specified, like parts and
`processes are referred to with like reference numerals.
`0026. In the context of the present invention an “item”
`refers to any good or Service about which data may be
`processed in relation thereto in a POS system provided by
`the present invention. Accordingly, an item may be pur
`chased/sold at a point of Sale, thus causing at least one
`corresponding database operation to occur in the context of
`the present invention. Moreover, queries related to items
`operated upon at a point of Sale may be carried in the context
`of the present invention. Such queries may be used to derive
`management reports, etc. based on POS transaction data
`Stored and managed in real time.
`0027. A “point of sale” or “POS” refers to a place or
`connection at which or over which an item may be pur
`chased, Sold, or otherwise operated upon. Additionally, a
`POS may, in accordance with the present invention, includes
`
`

`

`US 2004/O128199 A1
`
`Jul. 1, 2004
`
`a data processing System that is configured to access the
`Systems and processes provided by the present invention to
`engage in Some type of operation related to items purchased
`or otherwise operated upon. So, a POS would include a
`personal computer at which management perSonnel coupled
`to the Systems and methods provided by the present inven
`tion may engage in generation of a management report (e.g.,
`a Sales related report, an inventory update report based on
`real-time data, etc.) related to data Stored and management
`in real-time. Each POS (system) provided in accordance
`with the present invention is capable of running an entire
`POS system to facilitate web based, real time POS transac
`tions and operations.
`Structural Aspects of the Present Invention
`0028 Referring now to FIG. 1B, depicted therein is a
`POS system which facilitates real-time, web based POS
`operations according to a preferred embodiment of the
`present invention. POS system 150 is a web based POS
`System that performs all the functions of a present day
`System with the addition of an enterprise wide Solution to the
`aforementioned problems associated with the prior art as
`discussed above with reference to FIG. 1A. POS system 150
`may include a plurality of remotely located retail establish
`ments (possibly among disparate retail vendors) including
`multiple facility locations shown as Store 1 and Store 2
`(phantom lines). Each remotely located retail establishment
`includes at least one POS terminal 162 (denoted in FIG. 1B
`as POSX where X is the subscript that indicates any number
`of POS terminals) and a print server 170. Each POS terminal
`is capable of running an entire POS System in accordance
`with the present invention.
`0029 POS system 150 further includes an application
`server 152 and a central database 154 which can be inte
`grated with back office systems 156. Application server 152
`can be any well know Web Server that is coupled to a
`network 175 (e.g., a globally accessible network Such as the
`Internet and World Wide Web (WWW), a network incorpo
`rating open-standards based technologies and protocols,
`etc.) and is configured to serve and process content Such as
`web pages in accordance with the present invention.
`0030 Application server 152 is coupled to central data
`base 154 and is configured So that Systems and processes
`running with and on application Server 152 can make
`real-time inserts, updates, queries and deletions, and per
`form other database operations in relation to data Stored in
`central database 154. For example, Such real-time database
`operations may include real-time price changes related to
`particular items about which POS transactions may relate
`(e.g., Sale transactions, etc.). In particular, the present inven
`tion and, in particular, System 150 now permits real-time
`changes to pricing data Say for a large drink at perceived
`peak times during a business period to maximize revenue or
`Sales, etc. In particular, the present invention now permits a
`user (e.g., a regional store manager associated with a mul
`tiple facility enterprise) to access a web connection and
`change pricing data, quantity and availability data, etc. to
`more effectively meet changing market conditions to
`enhance Sales, increase revenues, etc. And, a price or other
`datum may be reduced to aid Slow moving inventory based
`on real-time transaction data analysis. The present invention
`now provides real-time control over what may be a global
`enterprise via a common and well know user medium-the
`Internet and WWW.
`
`0031 Additionally, system 150 permits centralized stor
`age of enterprise data including training materials and
`employee policies which may be used to remotely train Store
`perSonnel, etc. Store employees can now log into central
`facilities that can house and Serve multi-media presentations
`that train, for example, personnel on proper Sales practices,
`etc.
`0032) To achieve Such functionality, application server
`152 hosts at least one web page that forms a user interface
`to the POS system (described below with reference to FIGS.
`3A-3D). Such web pages provide in software all the various
`functions expected in a POS System (e.g., item Selection,
`pricing, Sub and total computations, etc.). Such an applica
`tion Server arrangement is well known, with the front end of
`a System being Stored and Served on an application Server
`coupled electronically (via common protocols, for example,
`SQLNET) to the database, or backend, of the system. One
`having ordinary skill in the art will immediately understand
`the configuration described herein.
`0033 Each POS terminal 162 can provide standard POS
`functionality, Such as touch Screens, cash drawers, etc., and
`is configured to execute a common web browser, access the
`global network 175 (e.g., via modem or another network
`interface, etc.) and download the web pages that make the
`System's user interface, hosted by application Server 152.
`Accordingly, a Store can arrange its POS terminals 162 on a
`Local Area Network (LAN), as stand alone PC's, dedicated
`type POS terminals. Such as those manufactured and mar
`keted by JAVELIN (VIPER machines including touch
`screen entry devices), etc. attached to network 175 via a
`modem or other common network connection, or in any
`other well known arrangement such that each POS terminal
`is provided Internetnetwork access. For example, POS6 is
`shown directly accessing an ISP and POS5 is shown directly
`accessing network 175. Each POS terminal 162 may be
`Stationed throughout, Such as throughout a retail restaurant
`establishment, and may be placed anywhere that is acces
`Sible to network 175.
`0034). Each store location may have a printer facility that
`is, in the context of the present invention, implemented via
`print server 170 for printing various POS documents, such
`as receipts and, restaurant food order tickets, management
`tally reports and reports, etc. Application Server 152 is
`configured to print jobs to print server 170.
`0035 POS system 150 also may include a telephony
`gateway Such as Internet telephony gateway (ITG) 166
`which supports voice connections to network 175 which,
`ultimately, may be processed within POS 150. Such voice
`connections may initiate at a telephony Station 172 (e.g., a
`telephony based POS station) which accesses a central office
`CO 170 and, ultimately, a telephony network such as a
`POTS network (plain old telephone service network). Such
`an ITG will be readily understood by those skilled in the art
`and may include Voice response Systems and devices which
`are configured to provide voice prompts Such as menu
`prompts, prompts for credit card numbers, etc. which may be
`used to facilitate POS transactions Such as phone-in orders,
`management requests for reports in real-time received via
`telephone connections, etc.
`0036). It is important to note that POS system 150 may be
`configured to operate in accordance with and process the
`POS transactions arising from disparate Stores, each Store
`
`

`

`US 2004/O128199 A1
`
`Jul. 1, 2004
`
`possibly being a multiple facility enterprise. There is no
`requirement that the present invention must be individually
`tailored to any particular enterprise; instead, the present
`invention takes advantage of Secure database techniques,
`relational database practices and paradigms, etc. to allow
`possibly multiple and disparate enterprises to share
`resources (and store data in common resources like or
`Similar to central database facility 154) to engage in real
`time web enabled e-commerce like POS transactions.
`Accordingly, the present invention now permits access to
`POS technologies that have heretofore been out of reach for
`Smaller enterprises.
`0037 Referring now to FIG. 2A, therein is depicted a
`block diagram that illustrates an exemplary automatic data
`processing System (ADP) which may be configured to
`operate in accordance with the present invention. ADP 200
`includes a processor arrangement 202, multimedia input and
`output device(s) 204, and data storage subsystem 206. ADP
`200 is configurable to operate as a web based POS terminal
`162 (e.g., an application facility configured to run applica
`tions in the form of web pages, etc.), application server 152,
`central database 154, etc. and could be coupled to a printer
`and configured to operate as a print Server facility Such as
`one that may operated in accordance with print server 170.
`As such, ADP 200 may be configured to store and serve web
`pages and other files, to run a database engine, Such as
`SOL-SERVER or ORACLE, and to execute a web browser,
`Such as the NETSCAPE NAVIGATOR/COMMUNICA
`TOR, ADP 200 is further configurable to access/traverse
`network addresses (e.g., TCP/IP address such as
`XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX) and network 175. The arrangement and
`configuration of ADP 200 to operate as a POS terminal 162,
`application Server 152, central database 154, as a print Server
`170, etc. will be immediately understood by those skilled in
`the art after reviewing the present invention and this patent
`document.
`0.038
`Although, to run the present invention, one only
`needs the ability to access the Internet to access the appli
`cation server 152 to download and run a user interface
`within an executing web browser, retail establishments may
`require additional devices in order to facilitate POS trans
`actions and operations. Accordingly, FIG. 2B depicts a
`diagram of a POS terminal which may facilitate POS
`transactions according to a preferred embodiment of the
`present invention. A POS terminal, for example, a cash box
`PC, may include a POS processor 202 coupled to a touch
`Screen monitor 208, a bar code reader 210, a cash drawer
`216, an ATM/Credit Card Swipe device 218, a mouse 214
`and a keyboard with card Swipe capabilities 212. POS
`processor 202 is configured to execute a web browser and to
`access network 175 to download the user interface from
`application Server 152. An exemplary user interface pro
`Vided in accordance with the present invention is shown in
`and is described below with reference to FIGS 3A-3D. POS
`processor 202 is configured to accept input data from bar
`code reader 210, ATM/Credit Card Swipe device 218, mouse
`214 and the keyboard with card Swipe capabilities 212. The
`cash drawer 216 is used to hold cash for retail cash trans
`actions. Cash box style PC's may be used as POS terminals
`according to a preferred embodiment of the present inven
`tion, but are not required. Cash box style PCs are commer
`cially available and well known and include those manu
`factured and marketed by JAVELIN (e.g., the VIPER
`SERIES POS PC).
`
`0039 Having described the structural components of the
`present invention, operational aspects of the present inven
`tion are next described in terms of a user interface, which is
`shown in FIGS. 3A-3D. The invention is described by way
`of example as it relates to restaurant applications and, in
`particular, multiple facility restaurant applications. The
`present invention, however, is not limited to restaurant
`applications and instead, can be applied to virtually any kind
`of retail business that Sells goods or Services at points of Sale.
`0040. Referring now to FIG. 3A, depicted therein is a
`screen shot of a user-interface implemented as an HTML
`document (web page) that includes mark-up Scripts and,
`possibly, other Scripts Such as those implemented using
`enhanced language scripts (e.g., MICROSOFT ACTIVE-X
`control scripts, JavaScript, etc.) and which facilitates a POS
`System according to a preferred embodiment of the present
`invention. In particular, a Store employee executes a web
`browser on a POS terminal 162 and accesses the login screen
`via network 175 to run a POS application provided in
`accordance with the present invention. The login Screen can
`be configured to address Standard Security issues (e.g.,
`password, encryption, etc.). As shown here, a password is
`required to gain entry into the POS system. Also shown in
`FIG. 3A, an employee may select from a variety of func
`tions: New Order, Last Order, Past Order, POS Console,
`Clock-In/Clock-Out, Training Menu, and Main Menu.
`0041. In addition to the standard POS functions provided
`by the present invention, the Clock-in/Clock-Out function
`provides the ability for an employee (e.g., a store clerk, etc.)
`to remotely “punch-in' their in and out times to facilitate
`human resource management. For example, when an
`employee logs-in to the POS System and Selects Clock-in,
`the user-interface may update employee data (e.g., time card
`data, etc.) stored in the central database 154 based on the
`user-id and the current time. By managing employee time
`data centrally and in real-time, the POS system facilitates
`real-time enterprise employment resource management
`(e.g., Scheduling, etc.). Similarly, corporate training and the
`like may be remotely managed in real-time through the
`Training Menu. Such operations can be used to permit
`enterprise management to obtain and manage teams of
`people remotely and in real time. For example, a Store
`manager who is sick at home can now log into the POS
`System provided by the present invention from home and
`manage perSonnel needs Such as adding Staff to address busy
`times, etc.
`0042. User interfaces such as that shown in FIG. 3A can
`be designed using common web design techniques, Such as
`those used to design and implement HTML or Active Server
`Pages, and will be readily understood by those having
`ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, although the present
`invention is described in terms of HTML documents and the
`like, the present invention is not limited Such designs, and a
`user interface may be designed using other methods and
`techniques that enable an application interface to be acces
`sible via a web browser and perform the functionality
`described herein. It will also be appreciated that the interface
`shown here is only exemplary, and a user interface may be
`designed to be more or leSS user-friendly and to provide
`more or leSS functionality as a company's business practices
`may require.
`0043. Once a POS user has logged-in to the system, he or
`She may select a function, for example, Such as the POS
`
`

`

`US 2004/O128199 A1
`
`Jul. 1, 2004
`
`console. An example POS console is shown in FIG. 3B.
`Referring now to FIG. 3B, the. POS Console has additional
`functions: New Order, Last Order, Past Order, Open Drawer
`(e.g., cash drawer, etc.), Log Off, Activation, etc. These
`functions are commonplace in a restaurant and will be
`readily-unde