GB2186237A - Apparatus for use in training personnel in keyboard or switchboard operation - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for use in training personnel in keyboard, keypad or switchboard operation comprises electronic processing means capable of receiving inputs from a keyboard. keypad or switchboard and producing a display on a display board connectable thereto, wherein the electronic processing means is programmed to perform a sequence of operations including sequences of familiarisation exercise and accuracy training routines to be displayed on the display device and to be followed by the user. The device is capable of performing the programmes interactively with the user and to monitor the progress of the user in response to the performing of the switchboard operation as set forth in said routines. The apparatus is particularly intended for use in training till operators. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Apparatus for use in training personnel in keyboard or switchboard operation The present invention relates to the training of personnel in the operation of various types of keyboard, keypad or switchboard, but is particularly intended for use for training till operators. The apparatus of the present invention is primarily intended to be provided as a module which can be incorporated into a till during manufacture enabling the till to be utilised in a training mode as well as in a normal mode, but the module could be provided as an attachment to existing tills or other key/switch boards provided with an interface for connection thereof.

A variety of different types of training techniques have been utilised in various fields ranging from a simple set of exercises provided in printed form, normally in a book, which the operator works through progressively until the required skill level is achieved, through to more modern audio/visual techniques utilising training films and more recently video recordings. The disadvantages of these previous arrangements are that generally speaking the operator needs to be supervised and tested periodically to ensure that they perform the exercises correctly and to assess their progress and ability, so that for each operator being trained or assessed a supervisor or training officer must be available to monitor the progress of the operator.In retail stores it is often a problem, particularly during busy periods, to maintain a regular scheduie of training and assessment due to lack of time available and it is often considered an onerous task for the senior staff to have to supervise such sessions.

More recently, computer based products have come into the field of keyboard training techniques, particularly having regard to the typewriter or wordprocessor keyboard and a range of software packages are available and in use which generally speaking, embody the majority of the features of the standard type of printed teaching techniques but using the computer screen rather than the printed page.

Although such types of devices do enable the operator to perform a series of graduated exercises and may also give a score for the operator's performance such systems are generally inflexible and not suitable for specialised use, for example, in the field of till training, although one known system utilises a microcomputer having a separate numeric keypad connected thereto, which is adapted to resemble at least a portion of a till keypad.

However, such latter system does not accurately model an actual till keypad and has not generally attained operator acceptance.

It is the object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for use in training personnel in keyboard, keypad or switchboard operation, particularly suitable for use in the training of till operators and which combines the advantages of audio/visual techniques and computer training techniques together with a system of continuous assessment of one or more individually identifiable operators.

According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus for use in training personnel in keyboard, keypad or switchboard operation comprising input means for receiving input signals from a keyboard, keypad or switchboard, electronic processing means for processing said signals and capable of providing an output for driving a display device, wherein said electronic processing means performs a programmed sequence of operations including sequences of familiarisation, exercise and accuracy training routines to be output to a display device in use, said electronic processing means monitoring the performance of an operator, in use, in accordance with input signals received from said keyboard, keypad or switchboard, in use, in response to performing the sequences of operations set forth in said routines.

Preferably, the electronic processing means comprises a microprocessor and associated memory storage means containing a computer program for performing the various sequence of routines. It is also preferable that the skill level required to successfully perform the various routines be adjustable by the supervisor presetting various parameters of the program and in order to enable the number of correct inputs to be achieved before proceeding to the next sequence of routines to be adjusted in order to improve and test accuracy, where required.

According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for training personnel in till operation comprising a till keypad for providing input signals to an electronic processing means for processing said signals and capable of providing an output to a display device, wherein said electronic processing means includes a microprocessor and associated program memory means and data storage means, said electronic processing means being capable of performing a sequence of operations including familiarisation, exercise, and speed and accuracy training routines in response to input signals from said keypad and providing an output for said display device for displaying said sequence of routines, said electronic processing means being capable of monitoring the performance of an operator, in use.

The apparatus of the present invention could be realised in various manners, either as a stand-alone unit having a mock-up keypad accurately corresponding to a till keypad and connectable to a display device, or could be a unit connectable to or incorporated in a till thereby utilising the actual keypad of a till for operator input. Alternatively, the apparatus could be combined with the display device which would then be connectable to a till to utilise the keypad thereof or to a separate keypad. A display device may be of any suitable type and would, for example, comprise a colour T.V. or monitor.

The use of the apparatus of the present invention in a training process will now be described further.

Upon activation of the training apparatus, the electronic processing means, which is a microcomputer, generates a message which is displayed on a display device requesting that the operator input personal details including their name, and a personal code if they have one, and enables the operator to enter the program at an appropriate point depending upon previous performance. For a new operator using the device for the first time, the training routine commences with a series of keypad familiarisation routines explaining the function of each key in turn and directing the operator to press each key when instructed to confirm that they have all been correctly identified.A representation of the keypad is pictorially produced on the screen of the display device and the operator is instructed which key to press by means of the appropriate key representation on the screen flasking until the key is pressed and a visual and/or audible indication being given, when the correct or incorrect key has been pressed in response to instructions displayed on the screen. In order to complete a routine the required number of correct entries must be completed consecutively, any error resetting the count to zero.

Upon successful completion of this routine, the program then moves on to identify three "home keys", which are visually identified on a display device and the operator is instructed to lightly rest three fingers of their right hand on these home keys and to return to these keys after each input. A series of practice routines then follow with one of the home keys, displayed on the display device, flashing in turn with instructions that the operator should press the appropriate key when it flashes on the screen.

Upon successful completion of this exercise for a predetermined number of key entries, the program then moves on to display three digit numbers corresponding to the numbers to which the home keys relate and the operator is then instructed to enter these numbers in the correct sequence using the keypad, and again, the successful completion or otherwise of each entry is indicated audibly and/or visually.

Upon successfully completing this sequence of operations a predetermined number of times, the program will then move on to an option screen wherein a display will be provided giving the operator opportunity to re-do the exercise for further practice, move on to the next sequence of exercises, or to leave the training program, in which latter case the operator would be given a unique personal identity code which would indicate the termination of this session and enable the operator to commence at this point when next using the training program.

A similar sequence of operation is then followed for each row of keys on the keypad the operator being instructed to return their fingers to the home keys after each key entry in order to attempt to teach the key operator in a touch-typing manner.

After each set of exercises the operator has the option of either moving on to the next set of exercises or leaving the program or re-doing the exercise. In the final exercise of the numeric keypad routine, random numbers corresponding to any of the keys are produced to familiarise the operator with the use of the whole numeric keypad, returning their fingers to the home keys after the entry of each number.

The program then moves on to a series of routines for familiarisation of the operator with the specialist keys utilised with the keypad and identifying the nature of each number entered, i.e. whether such relates to a department number or an amount and keys for totalling the entries made, clearing errors or for identifying the method of payment. A series of routines then follows with each key being represented on the screen at random with an instruction for the operator to press the appropriate key and upon successful completion of such exercise, the operator is given the option to re-do the exercise, leave the program or move on to the next routine.

In the next series of exercises examples of department numbers and prices are displayed on the screen and is instructed to enter the department number followed by a depression of the department key and then the amount followed by a depression of the amount key, and upon successful conclusion of this exercise, a further exercise follows regarding the use of the total key. As a final exercise, the display device displays a representation of a cash register showing the register display, a representation of a till roli, a representation of a price ticket having the department number and price displayed on it and the type of transaction. The operator is then required to enter each item and total these noting the type of transaction involved for a range of different items and transaction types simulating a typical cash operator's day.

As a final routine a test/assessment routine is run requiring the operator to enter a number of transactions and providing a cumulative score regarding their performance as to the percentage of correct and incorrect entries and upon successful completion of this final test, if successful, then a certificate may be produced for the operator's retention to evidence that the tests have been successfully completed.

Once the training has been completed, the assessment routines which can be set at a variety of skill levels and speeds can be uitilised for subsequent operator assessment at the place of work on a regular basis to ensure that standards are being maintained.

It will be appreciated that the training system and apparatus of the present invention facilitates training and assessment with the minimum of supervision, a variety of safeguards having been built into the system to prevent falsification of results, so that the use of such system can represent a considerable saving in the cost of operator training and due to the application of touch-typing techniques to till operation, the system should provide a considerable improvement in operator accuracy and efficiency utilising a relatively low cost module for attachment to or incorporation in existing tills.

As was indicated at the introduction of the specification, the operation of the present invention could readily be adapted for other types of keyboard or switchboard training processes, a particular advantage of the apparatus being the programming of the training routines adapts itself to the abilities of the particular operator determined by measured performance and therefore will enable a very able operator to progress quickly through the various routines whilst a less able operator would be required to perform a sufficient number of training routines until an appropriate acceptable level of performance has been achieved.

Claims (6)

1. An apparatus for use in training personnel in keyboard, keypad or switchboard operations comprising input means for receiving input signals from a keyboard, keypad or switchboard, electronic processing means for processing said signals and capable of providing an output for driving a display device, wherein said electronic processing means programmed to perform a sequence of operations including sequences of familiarisation, exercise and accuracy training routines to be output to a display device, in use, said electronic processing means monitoring the performance of an operator, in use, in accordance with the input signals received from said keyboard, keypad or switchboard, in use, in response to peforming the sequences of operation set forth in said routines.

2. An apparatus for training personnel in till operation, comprising a till keypad for providing input signals to an electronic processing means for processing said signals and capable of providing an output to a display device, wherein said electronic processing means programmed to perform a sequence of operations including sequences of familiarisation, exercise and accuracy training routines to be output to a display device, in use, said electronic processing means monitoring the preformance of an operator, in use, in accordance with input signals from said keypad, in use, in response to performing the sequences of operation set forth in said routines.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the electronic processing means comprises a micro-processor and associated program memory means containing the program for performing the various sequences of routines, and data storage means.

4. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein in combination with a display device for displaying the various steps in the programmed sequence of routines.

5. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the skill level of the programmed sequence of operations is adjustable and presettable.

6. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said electronic processing means is capable of controlling a printer connectable thereto for producing a printed report of the performance of a user following a test sequence of routines.