Title of Invention	"AN USER INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR MULTIPLE SEERVICES PUBLIC UTILITIES COUNTERS OPERABLE BY COMPUTER ILLITERATES".
Abstract	Tnis invention relates to an user inforrmition system/for multiple services public utilities counters operable by computer illiterates comprising a personal computer (PC) based processor (4) to be connected with a plurality of CUPS machines (1, 2 & 3) and ARTS machines (5) provided with keyboard (7), printer (8) and display (6) etc wherein the cable is connected to RS 232 port. (Fig. 1 and 2)

Full Text

FIELD OF INVENTION This invention relates to a universal information system for multiple services public utilities counters operable by computer illiterates. BACKGROUND oF INVENTION It is generally known that there are many public utility organisations providing multiple types of services. In traditional service systems there ar» number of service counters for same type of services and specialised ones each earmarked for one type of service. All counters are in general manned by clerks/operators which are computer illiterates. These are cases different from applications like in railways and airline reservations, banking services etc., working in applications needing Online Transaction Processing (OLTP) mode using distributed computer systems technology which is well established and affordable for comparatively higher income group of population segment which needs and pays for an overall efficient system. For this market segment the total computer system is handled by a team of workers which are computer literates and technically qualified to operate a software package. OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION A primary object of the present invention is to propose a system 50 as to make available variety of low cost and dedicated machine,which once customised for a particular branch/station/service counter become its permanent asset usable by even a clerical level computer i11iterate operator. Another object of this invention is to propose a system so that the operator wise accountig of money colleted by each of them should be generated by the machine itself in a safe, secure and in real time mode. Yet another object of this invention is to propose a system to make it very user friendly so that a computer illiterate can also easily operate it. Still another object of this invention is to provide a system so as to provide security against any tampering of records by any unauthorized user by assigning user names and passwords etc. for each operator. Another object is to propose a system so as to provide a provision for online back-up of a day's transaction in a pluggable cartridge for generating architeral date for overall assessments and planning for example for a post office in future. A further object is to propose a system so as to make the system workable utilising 3 language formula in English, Hindi and the regional language where the system is located so as to provide full customer satisfaction. A still further object is to propose a system so as to increase the system reliability using concept of a local area network. STATEMENT OF INVENTION According to this invention there is provided an user information system for multiple services public utilities counters operable by computer illiterates comprising a personal computer (PC) based processor to be connected with a plurality of CUPS machines and ARTS machines provided with keyboard, printer and display etc wherein the cable is connected to RS 232 port. In accordance with one embodiment, there is provided a processor such as a Motorola 68000 processor. It has 256K of PROM and 128K of battery backed RAM. The dialogue with the operator is through a 2 40 column LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and a normal QWERTY keyboard. A five column 7 segment LED display is provided for displaying commission/time to the customer. A transaction cartridge is provided which consists of 64K of PROM and 64K of battery backed RAM. An RS 232 port is provided to capture weight details from the weighing machine. A high speed dot matrix printer is used to print duplicate receipts. Such a computerized universal postal system is capable of performing the following functions: i) All types of transactions related to INLAND and • OVERSEAS post ii) All varieties of money orders, registered articles, parcels iii) Value paid articles iv) Unclassified receipts v) Postal life insurance (premium and loan) vi) Telegraphic receipts (telegraphic bill, demand note, telex, fax) vii) Automatic report generation viii) Intermediate summery report (ISR) for the/ vigilance ix) Automatic report of time off taken by the Operator x) LED display for the customers for speedy tr ansactions xi) Bar code printing on the stamp xii) Weighing machine interface. In accordance with another embodiment of this invention, there is provided a centralised accounting and reporting system comprising a PC based accounting system required in post offices and railway reservation system functioning with more than one CUPS and ARTS machine respectively. It generates a consolidated report of all the transactions carried out by the counter machines. Though reports can be generated and printed from each CUPS machine, a consolidated report for the entire post office can be obtained only if the CUPS machines are connected to a CARS machine. An universal information system according to a preferred embodiment is herein described and i11ustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein - Fig. 1 shows central accounting and reporting system (CARS) and Fig. 2 shows advance rail ticketing system (ARTS) Referring to the drawings paticularly Fig. 1 all the CUPS machines 1,2 and 3 are connected to the CARS PC through a cable connected to the RS 232 port. The transactions are carried out on the CUPS machine 1,2 and 3 and at the end of the shift, these transactions are transferred through the cable to the CARS PC 4.once all the transactions from all the CUPS 1, 2 and 3 machines are successfully transferred to the CARS PC 4, an end of day procedure can be run to generate the various types of reports. Monthly consolidated reports can also be generated and printed. Further in accordance with htis invention and as shown in Fig. 2 ARTS 5 consists of a special hardware based on a Micro processor, it has enough of EPROM and 128K of battery backed RAM. The dialogue with the operator is through a 2 40 column Liquid Crystal Display 6 and a normal QUERTY keyboard 7. An LED display is provided for fare/time display to the passenger for his/her confirmation of money amount in ticket being printed by the printer 8. A pluggable cartridge contains a variable data storage media (semi conductor chips) having enough storage capacity and a separate RAM which in used in conjunction with fixed architecture machine to customise it from one station to the other. The software resides on the main EPROM. The fare and station data reside on the EPRDM in the cartridge and the transaction data on the RAM in the main system as well as the cartridge. A real time clock keeps the time, ARTS can download the transaction data over a serial port like RS 485 (multi dropped or non multidropped) or an usual RS 232C and both are supported on the machine. There is also a provision for a Centronics parallel port. high nspeed dot matrix printer is used to print tickets in English, Hindi and local language. WE CLAIM 1. An user information system for multiple services public utilities counters operable by computer illiterates comprising a personal computer (PC) based processor (4) to be connected with a plurality of CUPS machines (1, 2 85 3) and ARTS machines (5) provided with keyboard (7), printer (8) and display (6) etc wherein the cable is connected to RS 232 port. 2. An user information system for multiple services public utilities counters operable by computer illiterates substantailly as herein described and illustrated.

Documents:

2043-del-1998-abstract.pdf

2043-del-1998-claims.pdf

2043-del-1998-correspondence-others.pdf

2043-del-1998-correspondence-po.pdf

2043-del-1998-description (complete).pdf

2043-del-1998-drawings.pdf

2043-del-1998-form-1.pdf

2043-del-1998-form-19.pdf

2043-del-1998-form-2.pdf

2043-del-1998-form-26.pdf

2043-del-1998-form-3.pdf

2043-del-1998-form-4.pdf

2043-del-1998-form-5.pdf

2043-del-1998-petition-138.pdf

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