Currency exchange and merchandise sales system and method

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] 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.

[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0005] 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.

[0006] 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.

[0007] 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.

[0008] 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.

[0009] 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' requirements for local currency for ground transportation and other needs on arrival.

[0010] 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.

[0011] 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.

[0012] 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.

[0013] 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.

[0014] 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.

[0015] 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.

[0016] 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.

[0017] The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a currency exchange and merchandise sales system embodying the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 2 is an overview of a currency exchange and merchandise sales method embodying the present invention.

[0020] FIGS. 2a-icollectively comprise a flowchart of the method of the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 3 is an upper, perspective view of a service cart with a security drawer for receiving currency and merchandise.

[0022] FIG. 4 is an upper, perspective view of the security drawer in an open position.

[0023] FIG. 5 is an upper, perspective view of the security drawer, showing a cash box thereof in an open position.

[0024] FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the security drawer with a key therefor in place.

[0025] FIG. 7 is a cash summary form (CSF).

[0026] 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.

[0027] I. Introduction and Environment

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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 4afor receiving currency 6. Merchandise 8 (e.g., duty-free goods) is received in the service cart 4. The security drawer 4ais the subject of Applicants' 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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] II. Currency Exchange and Merchandise Sales Handling Method

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] FIG. 2ashows a procedure for pre-flight setup of the security drawer 4aat 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] FIG. 2bshows 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.

[0038] FIG. 2cshows 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 4ais 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.

[0039] FIG. 2dshows 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'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's ID forms against the cart'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. 2f).

[0040] FIG. 2eshows 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 4asystem-wide for a particular airline. If such a person with a master key is not available, a temporary key for the security drawer 4acan 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.

[0041] FIG. 2fshows 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 4awith 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 4awith 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.

[0042] FIG. 2gshows 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.

[0043] 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 4awith 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. 2h), otherwise the next procedure is pre-flight at non-originating station/transfer to next aircrew 136 (FIG. 2e).

[0044] FIG. 2hshows 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 4aat 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.

[0045] FIG. 2ishows 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 4ais 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.

[0046] 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 4asystem-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'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'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.

[0047] III. First Modified Embodiment Real Time Currency Exchange and Merchandise Sales System 302

[0048] 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' accounts in real time. Another use of the system 302 would be to transmit transactional data to the POS computer 9 in flight.

[0049] 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.