Transaction data capture device and system

Abstract

A transaction data capture device including an input adapted to receive transaction data sent from a point of sale terminal to a peripheral device during the course of a transaction with a customer, an output which is adapted to transmit the transaction data to the peripheral device, a processor programmed to detect and save the transaction data and associate the transaction data with customer identity information identifying the customer, a memory for storing the associated transaction data and customer identity information and a network interface for routing the transaction data and associated identity information from memory over a data communications network, wherein such input, output, processor, memory and network interface are disposed in and preserve an existing data connection between the point of sale terminal and the peripheral device, and wherein such point of sale terminal and such peripheral device are physically separate from the transaction data capture device.

1 .- 60 . (canceled) 
     
     
         61 . A transaction data capture device, the transaction data capture device comprising:
 an input adapted to receive transaction data sent from a point of sale terminal to a peripheral device during the course of a transaction with a customer;   an output which is adapted to transmit the transaction data to the peripheral device;   a processor programmed to detect and save the transaction data and associate the transaction data with customer identity information identifying the customer;   a memory for storing the associated transaction data and customer identity information; and   a network interface for routing the transaction data and associated identity information from memory over a data communications network,   wherein such input, output, processor, memory and network interface are disposed in and preserve an existing data connection between the point of sale terminal and the peripheral device, and wherein such point of sale terminal and such peripheral device are physically separate from the transaction data capture device.   
     
     
         62 . A device according to  claim 61 , further comprising:
 a customer interface for identifying the customer participating in the transaction with the point of sale terminal and communicating customer identity information to the processor.   
     
     
         63 . A device according to  claim 61 , wherein an output for the point of sale terminal is linked to an input for the peripheral device in order to facilitate passing the transaction data between the input for the peripheral device and the output for the point of sale terminal. 
     
     
         64 . A device according to  claim 63 , further comprising:
 a splitter coupled between the input and the output of the transaction data capture device, the splitter being adapted to replicate the transaction data,   wherein the splitter is also coupled to the processor so as to transmit the transaction data to the processor.   
     
     
         65 . A device according to  claim 64 , wherein the input is a serial input and the output is a serial output. 
     
     
         66 . A device according to  claim 64 , wherein the input is a parallel input and the output is a parallel output. 
     
     
         67 . A device according to  claim 61 , wherein the processor is coupled to the input and is programmed to perform handshaking functions characterizing the peripheral device. 
     
     
         68 . A device according to  claim 67 , where in the processor is coupled to the output and is programmed to perform handshaking functions characterizing the point of sale terminal. 
     
     
         69 . A device according to  claim 67 , wherein the processor is programmed to duplicate the transaction data sent to the input and transmit at least one copy of the transaction data to the output. 
     
     
         70 . A device according to  claim 69 , wherein the input comprises at least one of a USB input, an Ethernet input, an Ethernet input, a parallel input, and a serial input and the output comprises at least one of a USB output, an Ethernet output, a parallel output, and a serial output. 
     
     
         71 . A device according to  claim 61 , wherein the transaction data capture device has a plurality of terminal inputs and a plurality of outputs. 
     
     
         72 . A device according to  claim 61 , wherein the point of sale terminal is a cash register. 
     
     
         73 . A device according to  claim 61 , wherein the peripheral device is a receipt printer. 
     
     
         74 . A device according to  claim 62 , wherein the customer interface is at least one of a radio-frequency identifier, a magnetic strip reader, and a bar code reader. 
     
     
         75 . A device according to  claim 61 , wherein the transaction data includes a receipt. 
     
     
         76 . A device according to  claim 61 , wherein the transaction data includes at least one of a warranty, a rebate, an operational report generated by the point of sale terminal, and a financial report generated by the point of sale terminal. 
     
     
         77 . A device according to  claim 61 , wherein the data connection is at least one of an internet modem, an Ethernet modem, and a wireless modem.