(1) According to the hardware structure classification [2]: Divided into dedicated cash registers and PC-based cash registers
The special cash register is specially designed and developed for the reception and transaction of shopping malls and restaurants. Its functions include basic input and output, communication, equipment monitoring, etc. The required program is specially developed and solidified in the machine's read-only memory (ROM). Such cash registers can usually be connected to special external devices such as magnetic card readers, printers, bar code readers, smart cards and floppy disk drives, and can also communicate data with the outside through a serial communication interface.
The PC-based cash register is a cash register that can be used for counter service management after the PC is modified and equipped with auxiliary external equipment. A dedicated motherboard for the cash register is inserted on it, and it is connected to external devices through the dedicated motherboard for the cash register.
(2) According to the functional classification of the cash register: Class I machines, Class II machines and Class III machines.
The main function of the first type of machine is to check out and collect payments. The machine is simple, the management function is weak, there are only one or two payment methods, the number of cashiers is small, the number of product departments that can be managed is generally less than 10, and the number of single product price queries is small, and only single product management can be performed on key products. Suitable for small retail businesses, convenience stores, individual businesses, etc. The first type of machine does not have the communication capability and cannot be directly used as the data collection terminal of the information system.
The second type of machine is a cash register with management functions and communication networking capabilities. The number of single-product management of this type of cash register is usually more than several thousand, and the number of departments is more than dozens. Can be connected to a variety of external devices, such as bar code scanners, receipt printers, etc., and has the Chinese character processing function, and can print Chinese character receipts