The Mini Supermarket Checkout System

The checkout system in a supermarket consists of a store computer to which the cash registers are
connected. Each cash register is equipped with its own processor, a keypad with numeric keys and
function keys, an electronic bar-code scanner, a scale, a customer order receipt printer, a
credit/debit/ card reader, a credit/debit card receipt printer and a display where item and price
information is shown. The display is visible to both the customer and the cashier. Each register has a
holder for a till containing cash, checks, coupons, etc., which is automatically opened at the end of
each customer transaction.
As a cashier begins a shift, he or she inserts a till into the cash register, logs onto the register and
waits for approval from the system. He or she is then ready to process customer orders. A customer
order can only be processed when a till has been locked in the till holder.
As a customer checks out an order, the cashier enters the identification number of each item.
Scanning the item over the bar-code scanner or manually from the keypad does this either. In the
latter case, the cashier enters the number followed by the function key ITEM-ID. Based on the
number, the cash register obtains product information from the product inventory. The product
information contains an item description to be displayed and printed on the receipt, price.
As items are being checked through, prices and item descriptions appear on the display. The system
also outputs the item description and price to the customer order receipt printer.
If an item is to be credited, the cashier presses CREDIT before scanning the item or manually
entering the identification number.
After all the items in the order have been processed, the cashier presses the SUBTOTAL function
key. The cash register computes and displays the total price including tax. The tax and the total are
also printed on the receipt. The SUBTOTAL button may be pressed more than once for each order.
Each time, the current subtotal and tax is displayed and printed.
The TOTAL button can be pressed only once for each order. Once TOTAL has been pressed, the
order cannot be changed. When the total has been computed, the till is automatically opened.
After the discounted total has been displayed, the cashier accepts payment. The payment amount is
entered followed by a payment type button: CASH, CHECK, and CREDIT/DEBIT.
The customer may also pay by credit card or debit card. The credit/debit card reader first scans the
card. A message is then sent to the appropriate credit/debit card authorization center. The credit card
request is either accepted or rejected. If accepted, an authorization code is returned. The credit card
number and authorization code are printed on the receipt. Two copies of a receipt are then printed on
the credit/debit card receipt printer, one for the customer, the second is signed by the customer and
kept by the supermarket.
If a credit/ debit card is not accepted and no other payment is offered, the order is cancelled.
When complete payment has been received, the cash register computes the amount of change,
displays it and prints it on the receipt. Finally, the receipt is fed out of the printer. At this point the
cashier must close the till, which is automatically locked in position until the next customer
transaction has been completed.
A cashier repeatedly processes customer orders until the end of his or her shift. The cashier then logs
off of the cash register. The log off operation unlocks the till, which is removed by the cashier.

Each customer order processed is given a transaction id. A transaction log is maintained of all
transactions and a daily report is automatically prepared containing the number of items sold for each
product and the total revenue for the day. This report is printed on the supermarket printer and also
sent to the supermarket headquarters.