Abstract:
A method and system for issuing incentives based on pressing certain mechanical or virtual keys on a POS system where such keys correspond to products, totals, sub-totals and other functions normally associated with a POS keyboard and the location of such keys are in a constant state of flux. A system and method for harvesting the information that describes the name and location of keys and using this information to issue incentives to a consumer at the POS terminal.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED CASES  
       [0001]     This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application No. 60/514,016 filed Oct. 27, 2003. U.S. provisional application No. 60/514,016 is incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     This invention relates to inventory control and marketing.  
         [0004]     Terms used in this application are defined below.  
         [0005]     A sensor, in this application, is a device that produces a specified signal in response to a specified stimulus.  
         [0006]     A touch screen, in this application, is a surface having sensors that respond to touching the screen.  
         [0007]     An icon, in this application, is an image.  
         [0008]     A key, in this application, may be either an icon on a touch screen or a mechanical key.  
         [0009]     A touch screen icon, in this application, is an image on a touch screen.  
         [0010]     An image touch screen, in this application, is a touch screen with different sensors associated with different icons appearing on the screen.  
         [0011]     POS, in this application, means point of sale, which is the area where a consumer engages in transactions.  
         [0012]     POS terminal, in this application, means point of sale terminal, which is an input output device for communicating consumer transaction information between a consumer and a store to a computer system associated with the store.  
         [0013]     A signal, in this application, refers to data transmission, such as a binary datastream, and includes the type of data transmission that results from a person touching an icon on a touch sensitive image touch screen.  
         [0014]     A POS terminal data signal, in this application, means a signal generated from the POS terminal, for example, a data signal containing data resulting from pressing an icon on an image screen.  
         [0015]     A lookup table, in this application, is a table that enables hardware and software to convert the data signal generated received from the touch screen image to meaningful information, for example, by identifying either a product or an alphanumeric portion of a product identification corresponding to the data signal.  
         [0016]     A product code, in this application, is a code associated with a product. For example, a product code may be a code assigned by a company, or by an industry standard, to a product.  
         [0017]     A CID, in this application, is any identifier that is scanned, read, or otherwise entered into a computer or terminal to identify a consumer. A CID is also known as a consumer ID or a consumer identification. As used in this context, the term “consumer” includes households and/or other groups of people that use the same identifier. Each consumer may have multiple CIDs. Preferably, the CID is represented as a bar code so that it can be quickly scanned at checkout by a scanner although any other type of machine readable or non-machine readable implementations for storing or displaying identifications may be used, including magnetic strips, memory chips, and smart cards. Examples of CIDs include credit card numbers, debit card numbers, social security card numbers, driver&#39;s license numbers, license plate numbers, checking account numbers, street addresses, names, e-mail addresses, telephone numbers, frequent consumer card numbers, shopper card identifications (SCIDs), retina scans, biometric scan indicia (fingerprint, face recognition), shopper loyalty card numbers, or an identification code uniquely associated with the consumer or the consumer&#39;s household.  
         [0018]     An incentive, in this application, means value offered to a consumer the receipt of which by the consumer is contingent upon the consumer entering into a specified transaction. An incentive includes a promotion, message, research invitation, or game piece.  
         [0019]     A game piece, in this application, means a printed item offered by incentive local computer that can be used for a game that is currently being offered by a retail store. For example, the printed item may have a B5 on it for Bingo. Alternatively, it could have a different number for a different game. In addition, the incentive system randomizes the game pieces issued to each consumer.  
         [0020]     Database, in this application, means-data organized in some format in a computer memory that can be accessed by an associated computer system. Such a concept is also referred to as a database management system. A database or database management system includes commercial database products such as the Microsoft Access and SQL server, as well as any set of files stored in computer memory that can be accessed by an associated computer system.  
         [0021]     Value, in this application, means a good, a service, or a pecuniary interest including cash, check, credit, and conditional credit.  
         [0022]     Transaction, in this application, means an exchange involving at least two legal entities. A purchase is a transaction.  
         [0023]     Purchase, in this application, means a transaction involving at least two parties in which cash, check, charge or credit is exchanged for one or more goods or services.  
         [0024]     Store identification, in this application, means an identification associated with a store that uniquely identifies that store.  
         [0025]     Sniffer line, in this application, refers to a line that connects to or otherwise detects the digital data stream being transmitted from a POS terminal in a POS computer system. The sniffer line propagates the digital signal to an input of an incentive local computer.  
         [0026]     Purchase data, in this application, includes data associated with purchases, product code for the product purchased, date of purchase, time of purchase, price of items purchased, and type of payment, typically, in association with a CID.  
         [0027]     POS computer, in this application, refers a computer that operatively connects to at least once POS terminal.  
         [0028]     A POS computer system, in this application, includes a POS computer and peripheral and input and output devices connected thereto, such as POS terminals, opticals, scanners, etc.  
         [0029]     Incentive central computer, in this application, refers to a computer which is preferably owned by a legal entity, herein referred to as the marketing company. An incentive central computer preferably functions to determine whether to offer an incentive to a consumer; and transmits data for criteria for issuing incentives to an incentive local computer.  
         [0030]     An incentive local computer, in this application, refers to a computer connectable to an incentive central computer via a network. Incentive local computer converts POS terminal data signals received on the sniffer line to meaningful- information, for example, by identifying either a product or an alphanumeric portion of a product identification corresponding to the data signal. An incentive local computer will thereafter recognize conditions for issuing incentives and, in turn, offer an incentive to a consumer when or after those conditions are met. Incentive central computer may also function to perform the functions of the incentive local computer.  
         [0031]     Real time, in this application, refers to a time for offering incentives, wherein it is determined whether and which incentives to offer to a consumer while a consumer is determined to be at a POS terminal and then offering the consumer the determined incentives.  
         [0032]     POS M central computer, in this application, refers to a central POS computer connectable to multiple POS computer systems.  
         [0033]     Computer system M 1 , in this application, means a computer system including at least one POS computer, an associated POS M central computer, POS terminal, memory, input, and output devices. Preferably there are computer systems M 1 , M 2 , . . . Mn.  
         [0034]     Retail store, in this application, refers to a store in which product services are sold to consumers. Examples of stores include quick service restaurants, convenience stores, retail clothing stores, supermarkets, petroleum stores, etc.  
         [0035]     A retail chain of stores, in this application, refers to a plurality of stores in a chain of stores in which the equivalents of menu item vary or can be varied between each store in the chain of stores.  
         [0036]     Sniff, in this application, refers to connecting to or otherwise detecting a digital data stream.  
         [0037]     Price number, in this application, refers to a numerical value of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6. For example, price number  1  refers to the product price for a non-employee.  
         [0038]     Transaction data means data associated with a transaction. For example, transaction data may include product purchase data, time and date data, CID, transaction terminal ID, store ID, etc.  
         [0039]     2. Background Art  
         [0040]     Keyboard monitoring software for monitoring which keys are depressed on a keyboard is known. See U.S. patent publication No. 20020036620. It is typically used to monitor activity of employees to measure productivity and to identify use of computers by employees that are prohibited by their employers.  
         [0041]     Systems for maintaining a customer database using license plate scanning are known. See U.S. Pat. No. 6,374,240.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0042]     A problem identified by the inventors that is particularly relevant to fast food restaurants retail chain of stores, is that restaurants in the same retail chain of stores may change menus during the day, and different retail stores of the same retail chain of stores may have different menus. The menus are reflected in the configuration of image touch screens used in the POS terminals in these retail stores. The image touch screens have configurations of icons that may represent different products in different retail stores. In addition, each store may reconfigure its image touch screen to define different menus at different times of the day, such as a breakfast menu and a daytime menu. That is, the same image icon may represent purchase of an item of different products at different times of day or in different retail stores. The inventors recognize that the same problem can exist in any other retail chain of stores in which the equivalents of menu item vary or can be varied between each retail store in the chain. For example, convenience stores, retail clothing stores, supermarkets, petroleum stations, etc.  
         [0043]     A related problem identified by the inventors is related to their realization that retail stores of a retail chain of stores often have different POS computer system hardware and software from one another. As a result, the inventors realized that implementing hardware and software in the various existing POS computer systems of the stores in the retail chain in order to implement storage and use of product purchase data, and generating incentives for such data, would have been inefficient.  
         [0044]     Typically, in these types of stores, the relationships between the image touch screen icons and the products they represent are programmed so that the POS computer recognizes what is being purchased in response to each signal. The inventors recognized that these stores typically have no mechanism to store customer identification in association with an order, although these systems often provide some mechanism for reading a customer identification, such as a bar code reader, a magnetic card reader, or keypad input.  
         [0045]     One aspect of the inventors&#39; solution to the problem associated with identifying and storing items purchased in orders and customer identifications in various retail stores in a chain is to provide in each store hardware and software that can listen in on the data stream flowing between the image touch screen and the POS computer system, and then interpret that data read thereby as transaction data, including purchase data and preferably also price number data and CID data, using one or more lookup tables in the interpretation.  
         [0046]     The lookup tables enable hardware and software to convert the data signal generated from touching a touch screen image to meaningful information, for example, by identifying either a product or an alphanumeric portion of a product identification corresponding to the data signal. The lookup tables can be configured differently for each retail store to reflect the correspondence of the image icons on the touch screen and corresponding products and services associated therewith in that particular store. The lookup tables or correspondences in a lookup table that are used can be time dependent, or can be otherwise synced to the POS system so that the image icon to product or service correspondence table at any given time represents the correspondence of the image icons on the touch screen and products and services associated therewith in that particular store. The lookup tables may be stored in a computer system distinct from the POS system, or may be integrated into the POS system, or both.  
         [0047]     Preferably, the invention also includes a coordinating or POS M central computer that can distribute new lookup tables, lookup table time syncing times, and lookup table control information to the POS computer systems associated with the retail stores and controlling the lookup tables.  
         [0048]     Preferably, the POS computer systems controlling the lookup tables also contain means, such as a modem or a NIC card, and associated telephone or network line, to communicate with the coordinating or POS M central computer.  
         [0049]     Preferably, the invention includes a incentive central computer. The incentive central computer preferably receives the lookup tables from the POS M central computer. The incentive central computer preferably sends the lookup tables to a local incentive computer.  
         [0050]     Preferably, the invention includes a local incentive computer. The incentive local computer receives lookup tables from the incentive central table via a network. The local incentive computer also uploads purchase data and associated customer identification data. Preferably, the local incentive computer includes means for analyzing that data and generating incentives. Preferably, the local incentive computer has means to respond to customer identifications by printing or displaying incentives, advisory messages, or instructions for providing product samples to customers identified.  
         [0000]     Objects of the Invention  
         [0051]     An object of this invention is to monitor transaction data generated in POS terminals that include image touch screens.  
         [0052]     Another object of this invention is to identify customers purchasing items from POS terminals.  
         [0053]     Another object of this invention is to identify product purchase information from signals generated in POS terminals, such as those including an image touch screen, reading associated customer identification information, and storing that product purchase information in association with the customer&#39;s identification information, such as a CID, in a computer database.  
         [0054]     A further object of the invention is to use the stored customer&#39;s identification information in a computer database to generate incentives, product samples, and informational messages likely to be useful to the consumers, and to provide those incentives, samples, and messages to the consumers.  
         [0055]     Another object of the invention is to issue incentives, promotions, messages, research invitations and game pieces based on pressing certain virtual or mechanical keys.  
         [0056]     Another object of the invention is to harvest the information that describes the name and location of the keys.  
         [0057]     Another object of the invention is to dynamically and accurately adjust the issuance of incentives, promotions, messages, research invitations and game pieces based on the new or reconfigured keyboard.  
         [0058]     Another object of the invention is to issue incentives, promotions, messages, research invitations and game pieces based upon meeting a service level of failure to meet a service level.  
         [0059]     Another object of the invention is to issue incentives, promotions, messages, research invitations and game pieces based on whether the customer drives up or walks in.  
         [0060]     Another object of this invention is to read the license plate number on a vehicle while the consumer is in the vehicle in a line for ordering food, and to link one or more vehicle license plates to a loyalty card, CID, so that purchases of the consumer can be stored in association with the consumer CID.  
         [0061]     It is another object of this invention to provide an integrated printer that can communicate using two network protocols and communicate to each of two separate computers using one protocol for each of those computers.  
         [0062]     Another object of this invention is to provide a line connecting POS terminal to POS computer that does not have a voltage divider so there is no impedance on the line.  
         [0063]     Objects of this invention include issuing incentives, promotions, messages, research invitations and game pieces based on pressing certain virtual or mechanical keys in an environment where the location of the keys and/or the products associated with the keys are in a constant state of flux.  
         [0064]     These and other objects of the invention are provided by a novel computer network system including at least one POS M central computer having a local store information database, an incentive central computer associated with a purchase data database and a criteria data database, at least one incentive local computer, a lookup table database, a purchase data database, and a criteria data database. Preferably, the system also includes at least one printer and a POS computer having a POS terminal.  
         [0065]     The novel computer system enables incentives, promotions, messages, research invitations and game pieces to be issued based on pressing certain virtual or mechanical keys on a POS terminal where such keys correspond to products, totals, subtotals and other functions normally associated with a POS keyboard.  
         [0066]     The novel computer system also enables incentives, promotions, messages, research invitations and game pieces to be issued based on pressing certain virtual or mechanical keys on a POS terminal where such keys are specially created to designate demographic characteristics such as male or female, teen or adult, etc.  
         [0067]     In one aspect, the invention provides a computer network implemented method, comprising the steps of: transmitting a lookup table in association with a store identification from a POS central computer to an incentive central computer; transmitting said lookup table from said incentive central computer to an incentive local computer for a store associated with said store identification; and converting in said local incentive computer POS terminal data signals propagating on a sniffer line to product codes based at least in -part on said lookup table stored in said local incentive computer.  
         [0068]     In another aspect, the invention provides a computer network implemented system comprising: A computer network system comprising: a POS central computer; an incentive central computer; a POS terminal for receiving data from an image touch screen; means for transmitting a lookup table in association with a store identification from said POS central computer to said incentive central computer; an incentive local computer; and means for transmitting said lookup table from said incentive central computer to said incentive local computer for a store associated with said store identification. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0069]     A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0070]      FIG. 1  is a schematic overview of system  1 ;  
         [0071]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view of computer system M 1 ;  
         [0072]      FIG. 3  shows a physical plan view schematic of the stations and sensors to scan license plate numbers as a consumer identification;  
         [0073]      FIG. 4  is an exemplary database schema showing database tables and table relationships for lookup table database  220 , purchase data database  225 , and criteria data database  230 ;  
         [0074]      FIG. 5  is a representation of lookup table record  221  in lookup table database  220 ;  
         [0075]      FIG. 6  is a representation of a purchase data record  226  in purchase data database  225 ;  
         [0076]      FIG. 7  is a representation of a criteria data record  231  in criteria data database  230 ;  
         [0077]      FIG. 8  is a representation of a local store information record  81  of local store information database  80 ;  
         [0078]      FIG. 9  is a schematic overview of the method for system  1 ;  
         [0079]      FIG. 10  is a flowchart showing the method for using system  1 ;  
         [0080]      FIGS. 11A and 11B  show the electrical configuration for the integrated printer of this invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0081]      FIG. 1  shows an overview of the novel system  1 . The system  1  includes an incentive central computer  10 , a central computer purchase data database  20 , a central computer criteria data database  30 , a network  40 , such as the Internet, a connection  50   a  from the central computer  10  to the network  40 , a connection  50   b  from incentive central computer  10  to network  40   b,  POS M central computer  70 , local store information database  80 , a connection  60   a  from the POS central computer  70  to the network  40   a,  a connection  60   b  from the POS M central computer  70  to the network  40   b,  connections  90  between the network  40  and a plurality of restaurant store computer systems M 1 , M 2 , . . . Mn, and connections  100  between the network  40   a  and a plurality of restaurant store computer systems M 1 , M 2 , . . . Mn.  
         [0082]     Each of the computer systems M 1 , M 2 , . . . Mn include at least one digital computer including associated central processor, memory, input, and output devices.  
         [0083]     Each restaurant store computer system has structure similar to computer system M 1 . Computer system M 1  includes a physical structure as indicated in  FIG. 2 . Computer system M 1  represents, for example, a POS computer system for managing sales, inventory, and accounting data for a McDonald&#39;s brand fast food restaurant. An example of the computer system M 1  is shown in  FIG. 2  and described in more detail below.  
         [0084]     Incentive central computer  10  is connected to incentive local computer  215  via network  40  and is also connected to POS M central computer  70  via network  40   b.  Incentive central computer  10  is associated with a central computer purchase data database  20  and a central criteria data database  30 . Incentive central computer  10  also functions to transfer lookup table database  220  to the incentive local computer  215 . Incentive central computer  10  is a computer which is preferably owned by a legal entity, herein referred to as the marketing company.  
         [0085]     Incentive central computer  10  preferably functions to determine the conditions under which to offer an incentive to a consumer; and transmits criteria for issuing incentives data to incentive local computer  215  so that it will thereafter recognize such conditions and in turn, offer an incentive to the consumer. The criteria for issuing incentives data is stored in a database table. For example, the criteria for issuing incentives could be stored in a record like the record shown in  FIG. 7 .  
         [0086]     Central computer  10  may also store purchase data in association with customer identify data and run criteria against that data in a manner similar to that described for local computer  215 . Incentive central computer  10  may identify criteria for issuing incentives, and periodically transmit that criteria for issuing incentives back to local computer  215  for storage in criteria data database  230 . Alternatively, incentive central computer  10  may retain the criteria for issuing incentives, and monitor, via local computer  215 , identifications in the computer system M 1  data stream and respond with criteria for issuing incentives when noting an identification for which there exists a stored action. Incentive central computer  10  can also transmit to specified ones or all of computer systems M 1 , M 2  . . . Mn criteria for issuing incentives for storage in the criteria data database  230  at each store. Incentive central computer  10  may act in real time.  
         [0087]     Purchase data database  20  refers to the database that is controlled by incentive central computer  10 . Purchase data database  20  preferably stores transaction identification field, lane number field, consumer identification field, number of items purchased field, price number field, product code field, product description field, product purchase price field, date of transaction field, time of transaction field, time at order station field, time at payment station field, and time at pickup station field.  
         [0088]     Criteria data database  30  refers to the database that is controlled by incentive central computer  10 . Criteria data database  30  preferably stores an incentive field, an incentive start date field, an incentive expiration date field, a product code field, criteria for issuing incentive, and a price number.  
         [0089]     Network  40  refers to a network system, for example a dial up, private digital corporate network, or the Internet. Network  40  may be the same or different from networks  40   a  and  40   b.  The incentive central computer  10  communicates to the incentive local computer  215  via network  40 .  
         [0090]     Network  40   a  refers to a network system, including a dial up, private digital corporate network, or the Internet. Network  40   a  may be the same or different from networks  40  and  40   b.  The POS M central computer  70  communicates to the POS computer  250  via network  40   a.    
         [0091]     Network  40   b  refers to a network system, including a dial up, private digital corporate network, or the Internet. Network  40   b  may be the same or different from Networks  40  and  40   a.  The incentive central computer  10  communicates to the POS M central computer  70  via network  40   b.    
         [0092]     Connection  50   a  refers to the line connecting incentive central computer  10  to network  40 .  
         [0093]     Connection  50   b  refers to the line connecting incentive central computer  10  to network  40   b.    
         [0094]     Connection  60   a  refers to the line connecting POS M central computer  70  to network  40   a.    
         [0095]     Connection  60   b  refers to the line connecting POS M central computer  70  to the network  40   b.    
         [0096]     POS M central computer  70  refers to the central computer for computer systems M 1 , M 2 , . . . Mn. POS M central computer  70  generates and stores product codes for the products sold in computer systems M 1 , M 2 , . . . Mn. POS M central computer is connected to POS computer  250  via network  40   a.  POS M central computer uploads POS terminal data signals from computer system M 1  and stores them in association with the store identification for computer system M 1 . POS M central computer  70  is also associated with local store information database  80 .  
         [0097]     Local store information database  80  refers to the database that is controlled by POS M central computer  70 . The local store information database  80  may store the correspondence between POS terminal data signals and product items, currently in use in each, or at least a large number of, McDonald&#39;s brand restaurants, for computer systems M 1 , M 2 , . . . Mn. Specifically, the local store information database  80  stores a store identification and POS terminal data signals associated with that store identification. POS terminal data signals contain the information in the lookup table, which includes a product code, a description of product, the prices of the product, and a sequence of keys pressed.  
         [0098]     Connection  90  refers to the line connecting the network  40  and a plurality of restaurant store computer systems M 1 , M 2 , . . . Mn.  
         [0099]     Connection  100  refers to the line connecting the network  40   a  and a plurality of restaurant store computer systems M 1 , M 2 , . . . Mn.  
         [0100]      FIG. 2  shows computer system M 1 . Computer system M 1  includes an incentive central computer  10 , purchase data database  20 , criteria data database  30 , a network  40 , a network  40   b,  a POS M central computer  70 , a local store information database  80 , a network  40   a,  a connection  200  connecting POS computer  250  to POS terminal  245 , a connection  205  connecting POS computer  250  to incentive local computer  215 , an incentive local computer  215 , a lookup table database  220 , a purchase data database  225 , a criteria data database  230 , a POS input device  235 , a connection  270  connecting POS input device  235  to POS terminal  245 , a printer  240 , a POS terminal  245 , a POS computer  250 , a POS database  255 , a connection  100  connecting POS computer  250  to network  40   a,  a connection  260  connecting POS terminal  245  to printer  240 , a connection  265  connecting incentive local computer  215  to printer  240 , order station sensor  320 , a connection  325  connecting order station sensor  320  to POS terminal  245 , payment station sensor  340 , a connection  345  connecting payment station sensor  340  to POS terminal  245 , pickup station sensor  360 , a connection  365  connecting pickup station sensor  360  to POS terminal  245 , order station  310 , a connection  315  connecting order station  310  to POS terminal  245 , payment station  330 , a connection  335  connecting payment station  330  to POS terminal  245 , a pickup station  350 , and a connection  355  connecting pickup station  350  to POS terminal  245 .  
         [0101]     Connection  200  is the line connecting the POS terminal  245  to the POS computer  250 . The line  200  typically transmits information encoded as digital signals, such as a temporally spaced sequence of voltage pulses at two distinct voltages, such as 0 volts and 5 volts, or five volts and ten volts. The line  200  may vary from each retail store. Furthermore, the line  200  does not have a voltage divider so there is no impedance on the line. In one embodiment, there is a line parallel to line  200 , for reading a consumer&#39;s license plate.  
         [0102]     Connection  205  is the direct data line between the incentive local computer  215  and the POS computer  250 .  
         [0103]     Sniffer line  210  is a line that connects to or otherwise detects the digital data stream, or the POS terminal data signal, being transmitted from the POS terminal  245  to the POS computer  250 . The sniffer line  210  carries the POS terminal data signal to an input of local computer  215 .  
         [0104]     Incentive local computer  215  is a computer connected to incentive central computer  10  via network  40 . Incentive local computer  215  sits in computer systems M 1 , M 2 , . . . Mn. Incentive local computer  215  converts the POS terminal data signals to actual product codes based on lookup tables received. Incentive local computer  215  preferably uploads purchase data with associated consumer identification, analyzes that data and generates incentives.  
         [0105]     Lookup table database  220  is the database that is controlled by incentive local computer  215 . Lookup table database  220  stores the product code, description of product, price 1  of product, price  2  of product, price  3  of product, price  4  of product, price  5  of product, price  6  of product, and sequence of keys pressed.  
         [0106]     Purchase data database  225  is the database that is controlled by incentive local computer  215 . Purchase data database  225  may store purchase information received and sniffed, from the data line  200  by the sniffer line  210 . This data may be analyzed “in real time”, which means that during a customer&#39;s transaction at the POS terminal the transaction data is analyzed to determine if the local computer should generate an incentive to the consumer. Purchase data database  225  preferably stores transaction ID, lane number, consumer identification, number of items purchased, price number, product code, product description, product purchase price, date of transaction, time of transaction, time at order station, time at payment station, and time a pickup station.  
         [0107]     Criteria data database  230  is the database that is controlled by incentive local computer  215 . Criteria data database  230  preferably stores incentive, incentive start date, incentive expiration date, product code, criteria for issuing incentive, and price number. Criteria data database  230  stores criteria against which the purchase data received from POS terminal  245  may be run. When criteria are met, local computer  215  takes certain action. Specifically, local computer  215  may store this data, or it may immediately send an incentive to printer  240 . Alternatively, incentive local computer  215  may send an electronic message, or instruction, to POS computer  250  and/or POS terminal  245 . The electronic message may be, for example, an instruction to offer to the customer at the POS terminal an incentive, such as a coupon, a notification, the existence of a charity event, or a game that the consumer may participate in, or instruct the teller at the POS terminal to give the consumer a specific sample or free product. Alternatively, the criteria for issuing an incentive in association with a CID may be stored in criteria data database  230 . The incentive local computer  215  can then forego giving incentives, notifications, and free products in real time, and activate the stored criteria for issuing incentives upon subsequent identification of the stored CID in the datastream read from sniffer line  210 .  
         [0108]     POS input device  235  is a device whereby a consumer identification may be entered. POS input device  235  is attached to POS terminal  245  via line  270 . Examples of POS input devices include-a bar code reader, a magnetic card reader, keypad input, or a sensor to scan a license plate. Additionally, order station sensor  320 , payment station sensor  340 , and pickup station sensor  360  are types of POS input devices.  
         [0109]     Printer  240  is a printer that sits in computer systems M 1 , M 2 , . . . Mn. Incentives offered by marketing company are printed on printer  240 . Printer  240  is an integrated printer, and can communicate to two network protocols, a parallel protocol and an Ethernet. Printer  240  is connected POS terminal  245  and incentive local computer  215 .  
         [0110]     POS terminal  245  is the terminal where transaction data is entered. A POS terminal preferably is associated with an image touch screen having icons that relate to products. POS terminal  245  is connected to POS computer  250  via line  200 . Order station  310 , payment station  330 , and a printer at pickup station  350  are connected to POS terminal  245 . In addition, order station sensor  320 , payment station sensor  340 , and pickup station sensor  360  are connected to POS terminal  245 . Also, POS input device  235  is connected to POS terminal  245 .  
         [0111]     POS computer  250  is the POS computer that controls the inventory and accounting functions of computer systems M 1 , M 2 , . . . Mn. POS computer  250  is connected to POS M central computer via network  40   a.  POS computer  250  is associated with POS database  255 . POS computer  250  is connected to POS terminal via line  200 .  
         [0112]     POS database  255  is the database that is controlled by POS computer  250 . POS database  255  refers to a database for storing a POS terminal data signal to product identifications and optionally price lookup tables, inventory, etc. Preferably, POS database  255  is a file that preferably includes records containing information for managing points accounts of consumers in accordance with the present invention. The records in the POS database  255  preferably contain fields for associating consumers with account IDs, coupon values, transaction dates, and coupon points. The POS database  255  also preferably includes operations for searching, sorting, recombining, and other database functions. The POS database  255  may be implemented as two or more databases, if desired. Preferably, sales transaction information stored in the POS database  255  is periodically (e.g., daily or weekly) retrieved by the incentive local computer  215  and sent to the incentive central computer  10 , which uses the information to update the points accounts of consumers stored in the purchase data database  225  and purchase data database  20 .  
         [0113]     Connection  270  is the line connecting POS input device  235  to POS terminal  245 .  
         [0114]     Order station sensor  320  is a sensor that reads the consumer vehicle&#39;s license plate while the consumer&#39;s vehicle is at the order station  310 . The order station sensor  320  sends the time and data that the consumer&#39;s vehicle is at the order station  310  to the POS terminal  245  via line  325 . The incentive local computer  215  then uploads this information in one of two ways. First, the POS terminal  245  sends the time and date to the POS computer  250  via line  200 . The POS computer  250  sends a message to the incentive local computer  215  that an event has occurred. Criteria is set up in the POS computer  250  for when messages should be send and what information that message should contain. Second, the incentive local computer  215  gets the time and date information via sniffer line  210 . Incentive local computer  215  then stores the time the consumer is at the order station  310  in purchase data database  225 .  
         [0115]     Connection line  325  is the line connecting order station sensor  320  to POS terminal  245 .  
         [0116]     Payment station sensor  340  is a sensor that reads the consumer vehicle&#39;s license plate while the consumer&#39;s vehicle is at the payment station  330 . The payment station sensor  340  sends the time and date that the consumer&#39;s vehicle is at the payment station  330  to the POS terminal  245  via line  345 . The incentive local computer  215  then uploads this information in one of two ways. First, the POS terminal  245  sends the time and date to the POS computer  250  via line  200 . The POS computer  250  then sends a message to the incentive local computer  215  that an event has occurred. Criteria is set up in the POS computer  250  for when messages should be send and what information that message should contain. Second, the incentive local computer  215  gets the time and date information via sniffer line  210 . Incentive local computer  215  then stores the time the consumer is at the order station  310  in purchase data database  225 .  
         [0117]     Connection line  345  is the line connecting payment station sensor  340  to POS terminal  245 .  
         [0118]     Pickup station sensor  360  is a sensor that reads the consumer vehicle&#39;s license plate while the consumer&#39;s vehicle is at the pickup station  350 . The pickup station sensor  360  sends the time and date that the consumer&#39;s vehicle is at the pickup station  350  to the POS terminal  245  via line  365 . The incentive local computer  215  then uploads this information in one of two ways. First, the POS terminal  245  sends the time and date to the POS computer  250  via line  200 . The POS computer  250  then sends a message to the incentive local computer  215  that an event has occurred. Criteria is set up in the POS computer  250  for when messages should be send and what information that message should contain. Second, the incentive local computer  215  gets the time and date information via sniffer line  210 . Incentive local computer  215  then stores the time the consumer is at the order station  310  in purchase data database  225 .  
         [0119]     Connection line  365  is the line connecting pickup station sensor  360  with the POS terminal  245 .  
         [0120]     Order station  310  is the station connected POS terminal  245  in computer systems M 1 , M 2 , . . . Mn where orders are placed from a consumer vehicle. Preferably, order station  310  is connected to POS terminal  245  via line  315 .  
         [0121]     Connection line  315  is the line that connects order station  310  with POS terminal  245 .  
         [0122]     Payment station  330  is the station connected to POS terminal  245  in computer systems M 1 , M 2 , . . . Mn where the consumer pays for the products that were ordered at the order station  310 . Preferably, payment station  330  is connected to POS terminal  245  via line  335 .  
         [0123]     Connection line  335  is the line that connects payment station  330  with POS terminal  245 .  
         [0124]     Pickup station  350  is the station where the consumer picks up the products they ordered and paid for. Preferably, there is a printer at pickup station which is connected to computer systems M 1 , M 2 , . . . Mn so that incentives can be given to the consumer at the pickup station. Preferably, the printer at pickup station  350  is connected to POS terminal  245  via line  355 .  
         [0125]     Connection line  355  is the line that connects the printer in pickup station  350  with POS terminal  245 .  
         [0126]     The system in  FIG. 3  includes a M restaurant  300 , an order station  310 , a connection  315  connecting order station  310  to POS terminal  245 , an order station sensor  320 , a connection  325  connecting order station sensor  320  to POS terminal  245 , a payment station  330 , a connection  335  connecting payment station  330  to POS terminal  245 , a payment station sensor  340 , a connection  345  connecting payment station sensor  340  to POS terminal  245 , a pickup station  350 , a connection  355  connecting pickup station  350  to POS terminal  245 , a pickup station sensor  360 , a connection  365  connecting pickup station sensor  360  to POS terminal  245 , and a customer vehicle  370 .  
         [0127]     M restaurant  300  represents a quick service restaurant, such as a McDonalds brand retail store.  
         [0128]     Order station  310  is the terminal where orders are placed from a consumer vehicle. Order station  310  is connected to POS terminal  245  via line  315 .  
         [0129]     Connection  315  is the line connecting order station  310  to POS terminal  245 .  
         [0130]     Order station sensor  320  is a sensor that reads the consumer vehicle&#39;s license plate while the consumer&#39;s vehicle is at the order station  310 . The order station sensor  320  sends the time and date that the consumer&#39;s vehicle is at the order station  310  to the POS terminal  245  via line  325 . The incentive local computer  215  then uploads this information in one of two ways. First, the POS terminal  245  sends the time and date to the POS computer  250  via line  200 . The POS computer  250  then sends a message to the incentive local computer  215  that an event has occurred. Criteria is set up in the POS computer  250  for when messages should be send and what information that message should contain. Second, the incentive local computer  215  gets the time and date information via sniffer line  210 . Incentive local computer  215  then stores the time the consumer is at the order station  310  in purchase data database  225 .  
         [0131]     Connection  325  is the line connecting order station sensor  320  with POS terminal  245 .  
         [0132]     Payment station  330  stores the station where the consumer pays for the products that were ordered at order station  310 . Payment station  330  is connected to POS terminal  245  via line  335 .  
         [0133]     Connection  335  is the line connected payment station  330  with POS terminal  245 .  
         [0134]     Payment station sensor  340  is a sensor that reads the consumer vehicle&#39;s license plate while the consumer&#39;s vehicle is at the payment station  330 . The payment station sensor  340  sends the time and date that the consumer&#39;s vehicle is at the payment station  330  to the POS terminal  245  via line  345 . The incentive local computer  215  then uploads this information in one of two ways. First, the POS terminal  245  sends the time and date to the POS computer  250  via line  200 . The POS computer  250  then sends a message to the incentive local computer- 215  that an event has occurred. Criteria is set up in the POS computer  250  for when messages should be send and what information that message should contain. Second, the incentive local computer  215  gets the time and date information via sniffer line  210 . Incentive local computer  215  then stores the time the consumer is at the order station  310  in purchase data database  225 .  
         [0135]     Connection  345  is the line connecting payment station sensor  340  with POS terminal  245 .  
         [0136]     Pickup station  350  is the station of the M restaurant where consumers pick up the products they ordered and paid for. Preferably, pickup station  350  has a printer which is connected to POS terminal  245  via line  355 .  
         [0137]     Connection  355  is the line connecting the printer of pickup station  350  to POS terminal  245 .  
         [0138]     Pickup station sensor  360  is a sensor that reads the consumer vehicle&#39;s license plate while the consumer&#39;s vehicle is at the pickup station  350 . The pickup station sensor  360  sends the time and date that the consumer&#39;s vehicle is at the pickup station  350  to the POS terminal  245  via line  365 . The incentive local computer  215  then uploads this information in one of two ways. First, the POS terminal  245  sends the time and date to the POS computer  250  via line  200 . The POS computer  250  then sends a message to the incentive local computer  215  that an event has occurred. Criteria is set up in the POS computer  250  for when messages should be send and what information that message should contain. Second, the incentive local computer  215  gets the time and date information via sniffer line  210 . Incentive local computer  215  then stores the time the consumer is at the order station  310  in purchase data database  225 .  
         [0139]     Connection  365  is the line connecting pickup station sensor  360  with POS terminal  245 .  
         [0140]     Customer vehicle  370  is the vehicle the consumer uses to drive through the drive thru of M restaurant  300  to each of the order station  310 , the payment station  330 , and the pickup station  360 . The consumer vehicle preferably has a license plate.  
         [0141]     In one embodiment, an incentive is issued depending on the service in the drive-thru line. For example, if the service takes more time than a specified interval, the consumer will be issued an incentive at the pickup station  350 . The retail store determines the level of service desired and thus predetermines a specified interval. Examples of specified intervals include 30 seconds, 1 minute, 2 minutes, 3 minutes, 4 minutes, 5 minutes, etc. For example, if it takes more than one minute for the consumer to get from the order station  310  to the pickup station  350 , an incentive will issue to that consumer. The incentive can be a generic incentive, or an incentive based on how frequently the consumer purchases products at the retail store. For example, if it is determined that the consumer frequently purchases products at the retail store, and the consumer is in line for longer than the specified interval, the consumers may be issued an incentive for a free meal. Alternatively, the consumer can be issued an incentive at the payment station  330  based on service in the drive-thru line.  
         [0142]      FIG. 4  is a exemplary database schema showing database tables and table relationships. This relational database stores data in the form of related tables. Each table contains one or more data categories in columns. Each row contains unique data for the categories in each column.  FIG. 4  shows a sample record for three tables of this relational database: Lookup table record  221 , purchase data record  226  and criteria data record  231 . Each record shows an example of the type of data that is stored in the table. Each table is linked to the others by the product code field.  
         [0143]      FIG. 5  shows a representation of a lookup table record  221 . Lookup table record  221  represents data for a lookup table that is used to convert the POS terminal data signals from the POS terminal  245  to meaningful information. It shows field names for fields of record  221 . Each field stores corresponding data. Each lookup table record in lookup table database generally contains data for the field names shown in lookup table record  221 . Preferably, a lookup table database is stored on incentive local computer  215 .  
         [0144]     Lookup table record  221  preferably includes product code  500 , description of product  510 , price  1  of product  520 , price  2  of product  530 , price  3  of product  540 , price  4  of product  550 , price  5  of product  560 , price  6  of product  570 , and sequence of keys pressed  580 .  
         [0145]     Produce code field  500  stores a product code.  
         [0146]     Description of product field  510  stores information describing the products sold at M retail store. For example, this field would store whether the product was a hamburger and preferably stores the specific type of hamburger, such as Big Mac. It could also store that the product was french fries, and preferably stores the size of fries. The field would also store the type and size of beverage.  
         [0147]     Price  1  of product field  520  stores the price of a product purchased by a non-employee.  
         [0148]     Price  2  of product field  530  stores the price of a product purchased by an employee.  
         [0149]     Price  3  of product field  540  stores the price of a product purchased by a manager.  
         [0150]     Price  4  of product field  550  stores an additional price as designated by the retail store.  
         [0151]     Price  5  of product field  560  stores an additional price as designated by the retail store.  
         [0152]     Price  6  of product field  570  stores an additional price as designated by the retail store.  
         [0153]     Sequence of keys pressed field  580  stores the sequence of the keys pressed at the POS terminal  245 . For example, if a consumer buys a hamburger at lunch time, the sequence of keys field would store the information that a product was purchased from menu  3 , brought up by key  7 . There is only one key sequence per product. Each key sequence preferably has 6 price fields associated with it. The type of discount tells which price to charge. The key sequence data signal is typically a binary data format signal.  
         [0154]      FIG. 6  shows a representation of purchase data record  226  contained in purchase data database  225 . Purchase data record  226  represents data for a transaction. It shows record field names for fields of record  226 . Each field stores corresponding data. Each purchase data record in purchase data database  225  generally contains the fields identified in purchase data record  226 , although in different structures. Preferably, both incentive local central computer  10  and local incentive computer  215  are associated with a purchase data database. Preferably, incentive local central computer is associated with purchase data database  20  and local incentive computer  215  is associated with purchase data database  225 .  
         [0155]     Purchase data record  226  preferably includes transaction ID  600 , lane number  605 , consumer identification  610 , number of items purchased  615 , price number  620 , product code  625 , product description  630 , product purchase price  635 , date of transaction  640 , time of transaction  645 , time at order station  650 , time at payment station  655 , time a pickup station  660 .  
         [0156]     Transaction ID field  600  stores a unique identification associated with a transaction.  
         [0157]     Lane number field  605  stores the lane number associated with the POS terminal  245  where the transaction occurs.  
         [0158]     Consumer identification field  610  stores a CID.  
         [0159]     Number of items purchased field  615  stores the number of items purchased in one transaction. For example if two hamburgers were purchased, the number two would be stored in this field.  
         [0160]     Price number field  620  stores a numerical value of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6. Number  1  represents a regular purchase. Number  2  represents an employee purchase. Number  3  represents a manager purchase. Number  4  represents an additional price field as designated by the retail store. Number  5  represents an additional price field as designated by the retail store. Number  6  represents an additional price field as designated by the retail store.  
         [0161]     Product code field  625  stores a product code.  
         [0162]     Product description field  630  stores information describing the products sold at M retail store. For example, this field would store whether the product was a hamburger and preferably stores the specific type of hamburger, such as Big Mac. It could also store that the product was french fries, ad preferably stores the size of fries. The field would also store the type and size of beverage.  
         [0163]     Product purchase price field  635  stores the price of the product purchased in the transaction.  
         [0164]     Date of transaction field  640  stores the date of the transaction data for which is stored in purchase data record  225 .  
         [0165]     Time of transaction field  645  stores the time of the transaction data which is stored in purchase data record  226 .  
         [0166]     Time at order station field  650  stores the time of the transaction at the order station  310 .  
         [0167]     Time at payment station field  655  stores the time of the transaction at the payment station  330 .  
         [0168]     Time at pickup station field  660  stores the time of the transaction at the pickup station  350 .  
         [0169]     Product purchase record  226  is exemplary only, since many different formats may be used to store POS data associated with a consumer. For example, data may be reorganized and stored by product code instead of transaction ID.  
         [0170]      FIG. 7  shows a representation of a record in the criteria data record  231  from criteria data database  230 . Criteria data record  231  represents data for criteria in determining whether to offer an incentive. It shows field names for fields of record  231 . Each field stores corresponding data. Each criteria data record in criteria data database generally contains data for the field names shown in criteria data record  231 . Preferably, a criteria data database is associated with incentive local computer  215  and incentive central computer  10 . Preferably incentive local computer  215  is associated with criteria data database  230  and incentive central computer  10  is associated with criteria data database  30 .  
         [0171]     Criteria data record preferably includes incentive  700 , incentive start date  710 , incentive expiration date  720 , product code  730 , criteria for issuing incentive  740 , and price number  750 .  
         [0172]     Incentive field  700  stores value offered to a consumer the receipt of which by the consumer is contingent upon the consumer entering into a specified transaction.  
         [0173]     Incentive start date  710  stores the date in which the incentive will be first offered.  
         [0174]     Incentive expiration date field  720  stores the date in which the incentive becomes invalid.  
         [0175]     Product code field  730  stores a product code.  
         [0176]     Criteria for issuing incentive  740  field stores the data for criteria for issuing an incentive. There are many different types of criteria for issuing incentives. Examples of criteria includes time to fill order, license plate, product code, time of day, type of line, history of purchases, consumer identification, demographics, etc. For example, an incentive may issue depending on whether the consumer is walking up or driving thru. Additional criteria includes the number of products purchased, for example, there may be an incentive that requires the customer to purchase 2 hamburgers. Another type of criteria would be price number; for example, an incentives may be issued only to regular customers (price number  1 ). Incentives may be issued depending on incentive type. For example, the incentive type might by buy 1 unlimited, and if the customer buys 5 he gets five incentives. Or the incentive could be buy 1 limited, so if the customer buys 5 in a transaction he gets only one incentive. Other incentive criteria includes the type of consumer identification, for example, whether the consumer uses a MasterCard, Visa, or loyalty card. An incentive may be issued if the order price was greater than $10 and the customer purchased chicken nuggets. Essentially, the incentive type could be anything that a creative marketer could come up with.  
         [0177]     Price number field  750  stores a numerical value of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6. Number  1  represents a regular purchase. Number  2  represents an employee purchase. Number  3  represents a manager purchase. Number  4  represents an additional price field as designated by the retail store. Number  5  represents an additional price field as designated by the retail store. Number  6  represents an additional price field as designated by the retail store.  
         [0178]     Criteria data record  231  is exemplary only, since many different formats may be used to store criteria data. For example, data may be reorganized and stored by incentive instead of by product code.  
         [0179]      FIG. 8  shows a representation of a record from local store information record  81  from local store information database  80 . Local store information record  81  represents data associated with a local store identification and its corresponding POS terminal data signals. It shows field names for fields of record  81 . Each field stores corresponding data. Each local store information record in local store information database generally contains data for the field names shown in local store information database record  81 . Preferably, a local store identification database is associated with POS M central computer  70 .  
         [0180]     Local store information record  81  preferably includes store identification  800  and POS terminal data signals  810 .  
         [0181]     Store identification field  800  stores an identification associated with computer systems M 1 , M 2 , . . . Mn.  
         [0182]     Lookup table database  220  field  810  stores the lookup table information as determined by POS computer  250 . The lookup table database  220  field  810  stores the same information as the Lookup table record  221  stores. Thus, the lookup table database  220  field  810  stores product code, description of product, price  1  of product, price  2  of product, price  3  of product, price  4  of product, price  5  of product, price  6  of product, and sequence of keys pressed.  
         [0183]      FIG. 9  shows a method overview of the present invention. In step  900 , the system  1  is initiated, in step  910  system  1  is used, and in step  920  system  1  is updated.  
         [0184]     In step  900 , system  1  is initiated. During the initiation step, the networks are set up, the databases are set up, and the computer systems are connected to each other and to the networks.  
         [0185]     In step  910 , system  1  is used.  FIG. 10  shows the use of system  1 .  
         [0186]     In step  920 , system  1  is updated. The system is updated when the POS M central computer uploads new lookup table information from the POS computer  250 . There are two ways in which updates can be made to system  1  and the time it takes to implement the changes depends on the type of communication vehicle used. First, the tables from the POS computer  250  can be pulled up nightly, which can cause up at a 48 delay. Second, system  1  can check on an hourly basis for new updates via the Internet.  
         [0187]      FIG. 10  is a flowchart showing the method for using system  1 .  
         [0188]     In step  1000 , POS M central computer  70  uploads lookup table database from POS computer  250 .  
         [0189]     In step  1005 , POS M central computer  70  transmits lookup tables in association with store identification to incentive central computer  10  via network  40   b.  Optionally, the incentive central computer  10  runs code that revises the lookup table file formats to a standardized file format.  
         [0190]     In step  1010 , incentive central computer  10  transmits lookup tables to incentive local computer  215  via network  40 .  
         [0191]     In step  1015 , consumer purchases product at POS terminal  245  and inputs CID at POS input device  235 .  
         [0192]     Alternatively, a consumer&#39;s license plate number may be scanned at order station sensor  320 , payment station sensor  340  or pickup station  360  and used as the consumer ID.  
         [0193]     In step  1020 , POS terminal  245  sends POS terminal data signals to POS computer  250  via line  200 .  
         [0194]     In step  1025 , incentive local computer  215  converts POS terminal data signals from line  210  to actual product codes based on lookup tables received.  
         [0195]     The POS terminal data signals contain the following purchase data: transaction ID, or order ID, lane number, consumer ID, sequence of keys for purchase, number of items in purchase data, price number. Transaction ID, also known as order ID, is a unique number identifying the particular transaction. Lane number is the lane number in which the transaction occurs. Lane number is necessary so that the incentive can get delivered to the correct lane. Sequence of keys for the purchase is the sequence of keys pressed at the POS terminal to purchase the product. Number of items in purchase data is the number of items the consumer purchased in one transaction. For example, if a person bought two hamburgers in a single transaction, the number of items in purchase data would indicate two. Price number stores a numerical value of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6. Number  1  represents a regular purchase. Number  2  represents an employee purchase. Number  3  represents a manager purchase. Number  4  represents an additional price field as designated by the retail store. Number  5  represents an additional price field as designated by the retail store. Number  6  represents an additional price field as designated by the retail store.  
         [0196]     The sequence of keys is used to look up the product code, product description and price paid from the lookup table record  221 . The date and times from the various POS terminals are date stamped in the purchase data. Some of the purchase transactions could be unrelated items. For example, the total amount when the sales person presses the total key or the end of transaction after the person tenders the cash and completes the transaction. The same sequence can represent different transactions, for instance, the same sequence can represent purchases by walk up, drive thru, and garden. The transaction can be flagged at the beginning or end of the transaction. There is one table for flags, and one table for key sequences depending on the flags. These are not normalized, there are fixed prices.  
         [0197]     At this point, the item purchase data contains the following information: transaction ID, lane number, consumer ID, sequence of keys pressed for purchase (no longer relevant now that a specific product code is known), number or items in purchase data, price number, product code, product description, item price. This data, except for sequence of keys, is then stored in the purchase data database  225 . The transaction data is reviewed each time an additional item purchase is added. The criteria data table  230  is then scanned for a product code that is purchased.  
         [0198]     After step  1025 , system  1  performs steps  1030  and  1035 .  
         [0199]     In step  1030 , incentive local computer  215  stores the converted POS data and stores the data in purchase data database  225 .  
         [0200]     In step  1035 , incentive local computer  215  analyzes purchase data associated with consumer identification. Incentive local computer  215  reviews the purchase data from the transaction and scans criteria for issuing incentives to determine if it should offer an incentive.  
         [0201]     In step  1040 , incentive local computer  215  generates an incentive. Incentives may be generated if certain criteria is met. Alternatively, an incentive may be generated if a key that designates demographic characteristics such as male or female, teen or adult, etc. was pressed.  
         [0202]     In step  1045 , incentive local computer  215  prints incentive for consumer.  
         [0203]     One very useful procedure of the invention is as follows.  
         [0204]     The M central computer optionally transmits an instruction to the computer system M 1 &#39;s POS computer  250  to upload the POS terminal  245  data signal to product correspondence lookup table.  
         [0205]     The M central computer repeats the process of uploading the POS terminal data signals for each one of the POS computer systems associated with a plurality of stores, such as computer systems M 1 , M 2  . . . Mn, keeping track of the identity of each store (by logical number or address). The POS terminal data signals may be different for each computer systems M 1 , M 2 , . . . Mn.  
         [0206]     The POS M central computer transmits the pulled up lookup table files in association with the store identification from which each file originated to the central computer  10 .  
         [0207]     Optionally, the incentive central computer  10  runs code that revises the lookup table file formats to a standardized file format.  
         [0208]     The central computer  10  then transmits the lookup table files to the local computers, like local computer  215 , in each one of computer systems M 1 ,M 2  . . . Mn, such that each local computer has a lookup table accurate for the retail store from which it is sniffing POS terminal data signals along a line like sniffer line  210 .  
         [0209]     The foregoing process updates the incentive local computer  215  in each one of the computer systems M 1 , M 2  . . . Mn either hourly or nightly, so that its lookup table&#39;s data is the same as the POS terminal data signals in the POS computer  250 .  
         [0210]      FIGS. 11A and 11B  show the electrical configuration of the integrated printer used in this invention. This printer sits in computer systems M 1 , M 2 , . . . Mn. Incentives offered by the marketing company are printed on this printer. The printer shown in  FIGS. 11A and 11B  is an integrated printer, and can communicate to two network protocols, a parallel protocol and Ethernet protocol. The printer shown in  FIGS. 11A and 11B  is connected to both POS terminal  245  and incentive local computer  215 . It can communicate the same or similar information concurrently to both devices using a different data protocol to each device.