System and method for encoding and decoding itemized transaction data

Abstract

A system for translating receipt data output by a point of sale system of the present invention. The system includes a first electrical interface coupled to said point of sale system; an electronic encoder circuit coupled to said first interface, said encoder circuit being adapted to receive receipt and translate alpha-numeric receipt data into two-dimensional bar code data; and a second electrical interface between said encoder and an output device for displaying said two-dimensional bar code data on an electronic or physical medium. A digital embodiment includes an electronic circuit operationally coupled between the point of sale system and a device, such as a printer, adapted to output a purchase receipt. Memory fixed in a tangible medium is coupled to the electronic circuit and code is stored therein. When the software is executed by the system, the system captures and processes itemized receipt data and, optionally, other data and information from the point of sale system and outputs to a printer, or to an electronic display, an optical machine-readable symbol, or series of symbols, representative of and encoding the itemized receipt data and, optionally, additional data and information. In the illustrative embodiment, the code is a two-dimensional bar code, or series of codes. The code or codes may be encrypted and compressed. The code, or codes, are read, decoded, decrypted and decompressed by a scanner implemented on a second platform, independent from the platform on which the first system is mounted. This process yields accurate itemized receipt data that can be read and processed by a smart phone or similar device for displaying, being read audibly or printing subject to the user's preferences and device capabilities.