Abstract:
A currency exchange and merchandise sales system includes a point-of-sale (POS) computer for inventorying currency and merchandise and for recording transactions involving same. A cash/currency processing computer (CPC) is located remote from the POS computer and receives data therefrom and transfers data thereto. The system is adapted for conducting currency exchange and merchandise sales transactions among passengers on a vehicle, such as an airliner, particularly on international flights. A security drawer is removably mounted in an airliner service cart packed with merchandise. The security drawer receives currency used for foreign currency exchange (FX) and for merchandise sales transactions. A currency exchange and merchandise sales method includes the steps of inventorying the currency and merchandise and loading same in the security drawer and the service cart preflight. Currency exchange and merchandise sales transactions are conducted by the aircrew in-flight and recorded on the POS computer. Data from the POS computer is transferred to the CPC computer post-flight for reconciliation, report generation and payment distribution.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to currency exchange and merchandise sales transactions and equipment, and in particular to a system and method for handling merchandise sales and foreign currency exchange on commercial airline flights utilizing a service cart with a security drawer. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Passengers on commercial aircraft and other vehicles represent commercial opportunities for merchandise sales. For example, on international flights merchandise sales can often be made “duty-free”. Duties assessed on various consumer goods can be substantial in a number of countries. Therefore, duty-free sales tend to be relatively popular among international travelers, particularly with relatively expensive, luxury-type items. 
     Duty-free merchandise inventories can be stowed in the service carts commonly used by airlines for in-flight food and beverage service. The service carts are stocked with merchandise, food and beverages by vendors and caterers at airports for loading on outbound flights. The flight attendants sell duty-free merchandise to passengers in much the same way as beverage sales are handled. Empty carts are offloaded for restocking. 
     Service carts tend to be relatively uniform in size to facilitate stowing in standard-size airliner galleys and to facilitate passing through the aisles. They are subject to applicable regulations and certifications for airline use. For example, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certifies equipment for use on airliners in the United States. Therefore, an important objective in utilizing service carts for currency exchange and merchandise sales is to avoid modifying the carts. Such modifications, even if allowed, could require FAA recertification. 
     Service carts on international flights have previously been utilized for currency exchange. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,003,008 and Des. 406,270, which are assigned to a common assignee herewith, disclose point-of-sale devices for mounting on top of airline service carts. Such devices receive currency and process transactions, including currency exchange and merchandise sales. However, more compact equipment is desirable to comply with airliner weight restrictions and size limitations. 
     Currency conversion represents another type of commercial opportunity among airline passengers. Relativity high percentages of international travelers convert currency. Although currency conversion transactions can be conducted in both the originating and destination countries, in-flight conversion tends to be considerably more convenient than the alternative of locating a financial institution before or after traveling. Moreover, in-flight currency exchange can accommodate passengers&#39; requirements for local currency for ground transportation and other needs on arrival. 
     Duty-free sales and foreign currency exchange provide revenue for airlines and other entities which receive portions of the profits generated by merchandise sales and foreign currency exchange. Although such transactions have a number of advantages for passengers, airlines and vendors, several difficulties are typically encountered in providing merchandise sales and currency exchange. For example, space limitations significantly restrict the types of merchandise which can be loaded into service carts. Therefore, the merchandise stocked in the service carts tends to be relativity small and high-value. Examples include watches, perfumes, liquor, cigarettes, electronics and other luxury-type items which are typically associated with relatively high duties. 
     Security and accountability for currency and merchandise are also concerns. They assume even greater significance when foreign currency exchange services are offered because the inventory must include additional cash of various currencies. 
     Other problems arise from multiple flight crews handling the service carts and the merchandise and currency stocked thereon. Since different flight crews are often involved in outbound, intermediate and return flights, responsibility for goods and currency must be transferred at different stations in route. Still further, currency inventory utilized for conversion and making change for merchandise sales represents assets which are tied up and at risk to the provider. 
     The present invention addresses the shortcomings of the prior art. Heretofore, there has not been available a system and method for controlling currency exchange and merchandise sales with the advantages and features of the present invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In the practice of the present invention, a currency exchange and merchandise sales system is provided which includes a security drawer for mounting in an airliner service cart packed with merchandise. The security drawer receives currency used for foreign currency exchange (FX) and for merchandise sales transactions. An on-board, point-of-sale (POS) computer is used for inventorying the currency and merchandise and for recording transactions involving same. A cash/currency processing computer (CPC) is located remote from the aircraft and receives data from and transfers data to the POS computer. In the practice of the method of the present invention, merchandise and FX currency are inventoried and loaded in the service cart and the security drawer preflight. Responsibility for the service cart and the security drawer contents are transferred to a flight crew. Merchandise is sold and currency is exchanged in-flight and resulting inventories are reconciled and secured. The service cart and the security drawer are transferred to another flight crew for additional flight legs. Inventory and transaction reports are generated post-flight at an originating station for reconciliation and distributing payments. 
     OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION 
     The principal objects and advantages of the invention include: providing a system for exchanging currency and selling merchandise in-flight; providing such a system which utilizes existing airline service carts; providing such a system which utilizes a point-of-sale (POS) computer and a cash/currency processing computer (CPC) for inventory control, transaction recording, reconciliation and report generation; providing such a system which is relatively secure; providing such a system which is relatively easy to use; providing such a system which requires minimal training; providing such a system which avoids modifying existing airline equipment, such as service carts; providing such a system which requires minimal space on airliners; providing a method for exchanging currency and selling merchandise; providing such a method which enhances the revenue potential from currency exchange and merchandise sales; providing such a method which is adaptable to various currencies; and providing such a method which is relatively secure and efficient. 
     Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. 
     The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a currency exchange and merchandise sales system embodying the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is an overview of a currency exchange and merchandise sales method embodying the present invention. 
     FIGS. 2 a-i  collectively comprise a flowchart of the method of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is an upper, perspective view of a service cart with a security drawer for receiving currency and merchandise. 
     FIG. 4 is an upper, perspective view of the security drawer in an open position. 
     FIG. 5 is an upper, perspective view of the security drawer, showing a cash box thereof in an open position. 
     FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the security drawer with a key therefor in place. 
     FIG. 7 is a cash summary form (CSF). 
     FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a real time currency exchange and merchandise sales system comprising a first modified embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     I. Introduction and Environment 
     As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. 
     Referring to the drawings in more detail, the reference numeral  2  generally designates a foreign currency exchange (FX) and merchandise sales system (FIG.  1 ). The system  2  generally includes a service cart  4  with a locking security drawer  4   a  for receiving currency  6 . Merchandise  8  (e.g., duty-free goods) is received in the service cart  4 . The security drawer  4   a  is the subject of Applicants&#39; co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/652,086 for SECURITY DRAWER FOR SERVICE CART, which is assigned to SkyTeller, LLC, a division of First Data Corporation, which is a corporation in the State of Colorado, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/653,498 for CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CURRENCY EXCHANGE AND MERCHANDISE SALES, assigned to SkyTeller, LLC, a division of First Data Corporation, which is a corporation in the State of Colorado. The two additional filings were filed concurrently on Aug. 31, 2000. 
     Without limitation on the generality of useful applications of the control system  2  and the method, an application in a commercial airliner  10  is shown and described. The aircraft  10  operates out of originating and nonoriginating stations  12 ,  14  respectively. A point-of-sale (POS) computer  9  is utilized on the aircraft  10  for recording the transactions involving the currency  6  and the merchandise  8 . Without limitation on the generality of suitable computing devices, hand-held, touch screen computers available from TouchStar Technologies, LLC of Tulsa, Okla. are suitable for this application. Suitable programming is available from Novo ivc of Warwickshire, England. Data from the POS computer  9  is stored on an FX PC card  11  and a merchandise PC card  13  for transfer to a cash/currency processing computer (CPC)  15  which can be located remote from the aircraft  10  and the airports  12 ,  14 . 
     II. Currency Exchange and Merchandise Sales Handling Method 
     FIG. 2 is an overview of a method for handling currency exchange and merchandise sales embodying the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the method includes a series of steps occurring as part of a pre-flight at originating station sequence  16  and comprising a merchandise sales decision at  18 , packing merchandise at  20 , an FX decision at  22 , packing FX at  24 , inventorying merchandise and FX currency at  26  and loading the service cart  4  on the aircraft  10  at  28 . The service cart  4  is transferred to a first or next aircrew at  30 , which occurs at either an originating or a non-originating station  12  or  14  at  32 . 
     An in-flight sequence of events  34  includes inventorying currency  6  and merchandise  8  at  36 , selling/exchanging same at  38 , and reconciling and securing at  40 . 
     A post-flight at originating station sequence of events at  46  includes offloading the service carts  4  at  42  and inventorying same at  44 . At a decision box  41  a determination is made if the flight is a return-to-origin flight, in which case the method proceeds to post-flight at originating station  46  or returns to a transfer to first or next aircrew at  30 . 
     FIG. 2 a  shows a procedure for pre-flight setup of the security drawer  4   a  at the originating station  12 . A determination is made at  54  if FX will be provided, and if so, an FX card  11  is installed in the POS computer  9  at  56 . The currency inventory  270  is input in the POS computer  9  at  58  and a cash summary form (CSF)  272  (FIG. 7) is printed at  60 . Outbound/inbound (O/I) currency bags  274  are packed with FX currency, the CSF  272 , a closeout bag, a closeout seal and O/I drawer keys  276  at  62 . The O/I currency bags  274  are placed in the O/I cash boxes  276  at  64  and the cash boxes are sealed with seals  280  (FIGS. 4 and 5) at  66  and labeled at  68 . 
     A customs inspection decision is made at  70 . If affirmative, the cash box seals are broken at  72 , the cash box is opened at  74 , the cash box contents are verified at  76  and the cash box is resealed at  78 . The cash box seal numbers are noted on inspection forms at  80  and acknowledged by a customs official, a purser and a station representative at  82 . If customs inspection is not required, or after customs inspection is completed, the method proceeds to preflight at originating station/merchandise at  84 . 
     FIG. 2 b  shows a procedure  84  for loading merchandise  8  preflight at an originating station  12 . Merchandise  8  is packed in a service cart  4  at  86 . The merchandise inventory is input in the POS computer  9  at  88  and the merchandise card  13  is installed in the POS computer  9  at  90 . The POS computer  9  is packed in the service cart  4  at  92 . A beginning inventory form is placed in the cart  4  at  94 . The method proceeds to preflight at originating station/cart staging at  96 . 
     FIG. 2 c  shows a procedure  96  for cart staging preflight at an originating station  12 . The cart  4  is delivered to “inspection and delivery” at  98  and inspected by a station representative who countersigns for its contents at  100 . The security drawer  4   a  is installed at  102  and the cart is sealed at  104 . The carts  4  are assembled in catering for loading on the aircraft  10  at  106  and the cart ID forms are completed with cart and seal numbers at  108 . The BFR and the security drawer keys  276  are placed in a sealed envelope at  110  and the envelope is labeled with the flight number, departure time and destination at  112 . The station representative delivers a sealed envelope to the purser at  114  and verifies that the carts  4  are locked and sealed at  116 . The station representative checks the cart identification forms against the cart seal numbers at  118  and the method proceeds to preflight at originating station/transfer to first aircrew at  120 . 
     FIG. 2 d  shows the procedure  120  for transferring the cart  4  to a first aircrew pre-flight at an originating station  12 . The cart(s)  4  is loaded on the aircraft  10  along with the food service carts at  122  and stowed in the aircraft&#39;s galley at  124 . The station representative delivers the cart key and the cart ID forms to the flight crew at  126  and checks the cart&#39;s ID forms against the cart&#39;s seal numbers at  128 . The station representative and the purser open the cart at  130  and inventory its merchandise contents with the BFR at  132 . The purser signs the BFR acknowledging the cart merchandise contents at  134 . The method proceeds to an in-flight/sales and currency exchange (FX) procedure  136  (FIG. 2 f ). 
     FIG. 2 e  shows a procedure  136  for transferring the cart  4  to the next aircrew preflight at a nonoriginating station  14 . A determination is made at  137  if a master key is available with an IFS, i.e. an “in-charge” or supervisory individual who has been issued a master key for accessing security drawers  4   a  system-wide for a particular airline. If such a person with a master key is not available, a temporary key for the security drawer  4   a  can be signed out to the purser at  138 . The temporary key is similar to a master key in that it is an electronic key which electroof anically records all operations of the locking mechanisms which it activates, and associates all such operations with the particular number of the temporary key which can be traced back to the purser who signed for it. The method then proceeds to an in-flight sales and FX procedure at  148 . 
     FIG. 2 f  shows an in-flight sales and FX procedure  148 . A sales and currency exchange (FX) announcement is made at  150 . The IFS (or supervisor or “in-charge”) opens the security drawer  4   a  with a master key at  154 , removes the drawer key  276  and secures it (e.g., with a wrist coil cord  282 ) to the purser at  156 . The purser opens the security drawer  4   a  with the drawer key  276  at  158  and breaks the cash box seal  280  at  160 . The cash box seal number is matched with the CSF at  162  and the cash bag  274  is opened at  164 . The CSF  272  is removed at  166  and the date, flight, purser name and purser employee number are noted thereon at  168 . The cash is inventoried and compared to the CSF  272  at  170  and the purser and the IFS (if available) verify the cash count and the seal number on the CSF  272  at  172 . A determination is made at  174  if there is a discrepancy, in which case it is noted on the CSF  272  at  176 . Sales and currency exchange transactions are conducted among the passengers at  178  and the transactions are recorded on the POS computer  9  at  180 . The method next proceeds to an in-flight/closeout procedure  182 . 
     FIG. 2 g  shows an in-flight/closeout procedure  182 . The end-of-flight report (EFR) is printed at  184  and the purser takes a commission on the merchandise sales at  186 . The purser retains a copy of the EFR at  188  and reconciles the merchandise and currency with the EFR and with the purser at  190 . Discrepancies detected at  192  are noted and initialed at  194 . If there are no discrepancies, or after noting same at  194 , the closing drawer seal is matched with the CSF  272  whereupon the remaining currency, credit card vouchers, EFR, CSF  272  and drawer key  276  are placed in a closing bag at  198 . 
     The closing bag is sealed and placed in the cash box  278  at  200  and the cash box  278  is sealed with a closing seal at  202 . The IFS locks the drawer  4   a  with a master key at  206 . If the flight is a return-to-origin flight detected at  214 , the method proceeds to a post flight at originating station/closeout procedure  216  (FIG. 2 h ), otherwise the next procedure is pre-flight at non-originating station/transfer to next aircrew  136  (FIG. 2 e ). 
     FIG. 2 h  shows the post-flight at originating station closeout procedure  216 , which includes the station representative boarding the aircraft at  218 , inventorying thwhome stock on the cart  4  with the purser at  220 , verifying the stock with the EFR at  222 , detecting any discrepancies at  224  and completing and acknowledging a discrepancy report at  226 ,  228  respectively. If a customs inspection is required at  230 , the IFS opens the security drawer  4   a  at  232 , the IFS breaks the cash box seal  280  at  234 , the customs official inspects the contents at  236 , the broken seals are placed in the cash boxes  278  at  238 , the cash boxes  278  are resealed at  239 , the seal numbers are noted on the customs seal form at  240 , the customs official seals the cart at  242 , the cart seal numbers are noted on the customs seal form at  243  and the customs seal form is acknowledged by the customs official, the IFS and the station representative at  244 . The station representative locks and seals the cart  4  in the presence of the purser at  246 , the cart seal numbers are noted on the receipt form at  248  and the station representative collects the cart key, the customs seal form, the receipt form and the EFR at  250 . The method then proceeds to a procedure  252  for cart handling post-flight at the originating station  12 . 
     FIG. 2 i  shows the post-flight cart handling procedure  252  which occurs at the originating station  12 . The sealed cart  4  is offloaded from the aircraft at  254 , transported to the catering area at  256 , accepted by the station representative at  258  and the station representative delivers the cart key, EFR, customs form and receipt form at  260 . The security drawer  4   a  is collected for inventory, reconciliation and repacking at  262  and any cart stock discrepancies are detected at  264  for producing a discrepancy report at  266  and initiating an investigation at  268 . 
     For security and accountability, we system and method described above utilizes four types of keys: 1) a cart key for opening the main doors on the service cart  4 ; 2) a master key assigned to an individual by the airline and opening all security drawers  4   a  system-wide; 3) drawer keys  276  which are programmed to operate only individual security drawer sections, i.e. normally the security drawer section associated with a particular flight; and 4) temporary keys which can be signed out to substitute IFS&#39;s in the event the normal IFS with a master key is not available for a particular flight. The master, drawer and temporary keys are all electronic and programmable whereby the electronic, programmable lock mechanisms record and store the key numbers when they are operated. The key numbers are associated with individuals (i.e., IFS&#39;s, pursers, flight attendants, etc.) whom they are assigned to for accountability. The use of programmable keys facilitates changes in security procedures and reduces risks if a key is lost since the programmable locks can simply be reprogrammed for the replacement key. 
     III. First Modified Embodiment Real Time Currency Exchange and Merchandise Sales System  302   
     FIG. 8 shows a system for handling currency exchange and merchandise sales in real time comprising a first modified embodiment of the present intention. An on-board server  304  is linked (e.g., wireless, RF, hard-wired, etc.) to the POS computer  9  and uploads data to a satellite  306  for downloading to a master server  308  which is linked to the CPC  15 . With the system  302 , data can flow in both directions between the POS computer  9  and the CPC computer  15 . For example, transactions can be charged to passengers&#39; accounts in real time. Another use of the system  302  would be to transmit transactional data to the POS computer  9  in flight. 
     It is to be understood that while certain forms of the present invention have been illustrated and described herein, it is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangement of parts described and shown.