CA2202136A1 - Modular point-of-sale transaction apparatus and method of manufacture and assembly - Google Patents
Modular point-of-sale transaction apparatus and method of manufacture and assemblyInfo
- Publication number
- CA2202136A1 CA2202136A1 CA 2202136 CA2202136A CA2202136A1 CA 2202136 A1 CA2202136 A1 CA 2202136A1 CA 2202136 CA2202136 CA 2202136 CA 2202136 A CA2202136 A CA 2202136A CA 2202136 A1 CA2202136 A1 CA 2202136A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- printer
- module
- transaction terminal
- terminal
- base module
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 6
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 title description 2
- 241000282320 Panthera leo Species 0.000 description 5
- 238000013459 approach Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000002991 molded plastic Substances 0.000 description 2
- 240000005020 Acaciella glauca Species 0.000 description 1
- 101100457838 Caenorhabditis elegans mod-1 gene Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 240000001973 Ficus microcarpa Species 0.000 description 1
- 101150110972 ME1 gene Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 101100115146 Mus musculus Ctif gene Proteins 0.000 description 1
- YFONKFDEZLYQDH-OPQQBVKSSA-N N-[(1R,2S)-2,6-dimethyindan-1-yl]-6-[(1R)-1-fluoroethyl]-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine Chemical compound C[C@@H](F)C1=NC(N)=NC(N[C@H]2C3=CC(C)=CC=C3C[C@@H]2C)=N1 YFONKFDEZLYQDH-OPQQBVKSSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 241000282887 Suidae Species 0.000 description 1
- 101100115147 Xenopus tropicalis ctif gene Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 108090000623 proteins and genes Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 235000003499 redwood Nutrition 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
- G06F1/16—Constructional details or arrangements
- G06F1/1613—Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers
- G06F1/1632—External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07G—REGISTERING THE RECEIPT OF CASH, VALUABLES, OR TOKENS
- G07G1/00—Cash registers
- G07G1/12—Cash registers electronically operated
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
- Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
- Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Accessory Devices And Overall Control Thereof (AREA)
- Control Of Vending Devices And Auxiliary Devices For Vending Devices (AREA)
- Management, Administration, Business Operations System, And Electronic Commerce (AREA)
Abstract
A modular point-of-sale transaction apparatus comprising a modular portion having a printer mechanism mounted within a housing (20) thereof and having structure providing a terminal platform (30) for supporting a transaction terminal in a prearranged position forward or rearward of the printer mechanism. The housing (20) for the printer and the platform (30) for supporting the transaction terminal are formed in size and shape and location such that the combination of the modular portion and the transaction terminal has substantially the appearance of a single integrated terminal and printer apparatus.
Description
MODULAR POINT-OF-SALE TRANSACIION APPARATUS AND
MEIHOD OF MANUFACTURE AND 1~ ~S~lUR~.Y
Field of ~e Il~ellLoll This invention relates in gene~al to tn~ r point-o~-sale lrans~ on l~;in~l ~st.,.--s and in particular to point-of-sale ~;On t~ l system in which va~ious ~ lr. m~Ylvlps~ such as l-~t~ l and printer mnd~lle~ are ~ ~o~ d on a ba~e unit.
n~n~ui~d of the I.l~,en~ll It is well known in the art to provide ~u~ u~ pl~ r.,. l--c for m~dul~r units to tie them tog.-~1~e~ into a single ;~ ,h~clule, for c~ nce of ca U~g,0 opf~-~;.t;~n and the lil~e. In the l-~ n 1~ field, ~ere are many prior art nS of s~ands for ~ Q and p; o~ and the other units to provide For e~ ,'e, a . ~ of years ago, VeriFone Inc. provided a stand for a :15 ~ n ~...... in~l and a ~1e~ ne unit to hold the two s.,L~ ul~ps in side by side r~;onQhir~
Each of ~e following patent.. illu~h~t~s one of the prior art approaches to . ~o~ various point-of-sale eq~ nod111~Q, on a stand or in other ways to ,~0 provide a COIl~ t and easy to use ~Q-Q-Pmbly ~ -eur.
Moroe U.S. Patent 4,840,344 .~h~lritsl et al. U.S. Patent 4,776,554 Watt et al. U.S. Patent 5,284,253 CA 02202l36 l997-04-08 Cob~ et al. U.S. Patent 5,394,994 .shPrm~n et al. U.S. Patent 5,347,115 Coblent~ et al. U.S. Patent D356,074 Knnho.l U.S. Patent D323,085 S Buie et al. U.S. Patent D358,162 Zahabi U.S. Patent D344,076 Reph U.S. Patent D355,437 None of these designs and s~ ls provides a simple and facile approach to ~c~mhlinE a ~ .1;nn t~- ,.. ;n~l and a printer module into an overall system that has s~ s~ y the a~ r~ of a ~ ,etr'y ;~ ~ system, i.e. one in which the various mod~ s seem to be all part of one unit inside a single ho~cinE
Objects of this I~ ,ntion It is the p~ rl object of this ,n~ ion to provide a m~nl~r point-of-sale ~ ~c1;nn a~ s inr.ln~1i~ a ~ l and printer which has ly the a~ of a system in which all ~e unit are in a single h~n~cir~
Features and Ad~i1.. l~es of this Invention One aspect of this invention l~~lllff~s a m~ point-of-sale ~n~rtinn ~ c ng a mn~ . portion having a printer ~ icm rnollntJ~d within a hou~ing thereof and having sllu~:lul~l means providing a terrnin~ ldlf~ for s~ g a l~ ;nn t ~ in a p~æs~ poc;tinn ~lw~d or 25 l~w~d of the printer ~ .. The ho..~ g for the printer and the ~ r~..... for s.~u,ling the ~ rl;nn ~ 1 being formed in size and shape and loc~tinn such ~that the cC~ A~;on of the m~~ r portion and the h~nc~rfinn l has s~ y the a~ r~; of a single ;n~e~ ed lr -~ l and printer a~
WO 97/06716 PCT/US96/139:19 012j~t~ of this T~ .nl;~
It is ~e p.;l..`;l~1 object of this in~_alion to plo.ide a ~ 1gr point-of-sale r5~ r.l~ g a ~ A1 and printer which has ;,~ ;s11y the e. of a system in which all the unit are ~ a single ho F~o~tl-res z~n~ Ad~ es of thi~ T..
One aspect of this invention realules a m~xl~ r point~-sale ~n,~-~.tinn ;~L)~ 1 Ul~
c~mrricin~ a m(Yl~ r por~on h-aving a printer ~ hA~;C~ ,-.o,.l~l~d within a houci~ ~ereof and having ~llu~;~wdl means providing a lr~ "~ for a l-~fi~ n l~ A1 ~I~ a ~ ~ pc~itinn r~,w~ or ~
of the pnnter ~ IAn;C.ll, The hollsin~ for the printer and ~e pl~l~on" for i.lg the ~ .ql being formed in size and shape and 10çz~ti~n such ~at the c~l~*~ ;nn of the m~ r por~on and the ~ I;on ~ inq1 has 15 ~IJ~ ;q11Y the ~PL~ e of a single ;.~ 1 and printer ~ S~
r~r~.ably, the modu1qrportion co~ .s the CQ~ ;n~;OI~ of a base modl~le and a s.,~ e printer module ~"'J~ d on a pnnter ",~ portion provided on a ud portion of the base mod~le, The ~ -...;nq1 plat~u,.n is ~lPfined on the .20 base m~d111Q at a p~ .~ g~ ru~w~u~ portion thereof and is ^~q-rte~ to mount a -ctir~n t~inql thereon in a po.~i~inn such that a back wall portion of the ~-~--~c~;on t~ n~l iS 7~ nl to a front wall portion of the printer m~--l~, In one e...~ t of the invention, the printer module is ~1~pt~ to be used with ,!5 a I ;on torm;n~l which has power and data oonnP~t~rs .. ~o~ ~ on a ~W~/d facing wall the~Eof. The printer module has a holl~in~ with a ~
îc" w~d waU por~on ~ l~rled to cover the power and data cQnn~tor means when rO.~ waU portion ^~pb~d to cover the power and data cQnnF~l means when both the printer m~~ and the ~ ~c~ q1 are rnol-nt~P~l on the base mr~ lP"
5 I`reÇ~bly, the ~....:..q1 r-~r....-. is secured on the 1~ 1 p1~r.~..., of the base unit using c~ g shu~:tu~s formed on a top waU surface of the t~ . ~;n~1 p1?lrl....- and cw~,~ with ~ ~ .s~u-;i~ shuetul~,D ~lefinP~ on a bottom waU surface of the ~ r~,l;r n t~
In a p ~,f~ ed en~borl;~ , the printer mounting portion of the base mrxl11le andbottom wall ~.Lons of the ho~ of the printer rnr~l11P c~ope ~;v~iy provide a slide-on mollntir~ l;o~hip bG~ the base modllle and the printer mod11lP"
inr1~..1;i~g a coo~,-i~;ve detent and groove for ~-u~ g the printer modll1e on the printer .~o~ portion of ~e base module~ In ~diff~ n, the printer n~r~111P. is ~pt~ to be used with a f -cl; n t~ l ad~rl~ to have power and data cnn~r means .. )~ ~'~ on a l~rvald facing wall thereof, and the printer mod11hP- has a hl~u~ g with a ...~ fo,vv~.l wall portion ~ 1~rtecl to cover the power and data conn~ means when both the printer module and the tr~n~l~.tjon are . u~ ~ on the base ~11P.
~,fGl~bly, the printer ~u~ g portion of the base module C4~ ;~5 an open frame section having c,able races def~ned thereon and ~rt~CI for receiving cables of the power and data c~nn-Pctors for the ~ ;fm t~,.,-,inal to route the cables ~1nd~...e~ the printer mnd11lP, and lhl~u~ a back wall portion of the base m~~ P.
In a p ef~ cd e 1~ , the ~o..;.-~l pl,,r.,.... has a first s~-u ;i~ uelule formed on a top wall surfa~e thereof and ~ ~ for c~p, li--~ with ~c~ :~ed second s~,u ;i~ sh~lclule defined on a bottom wall surface of the ~nQ~tion to secure the ~ t~ al on the ~ ,rO..., ~e printer S .~ , portion of the base module and bottom wall portions of the hl~ ~;~ of the printer tn~du1~ c4op~" .~ ely provide a slide-on . ~ ;n~, relqtiOnctlir ~
the base r~ le and the printer rn~l~ C`1~ 40~ ~ e detent and groove means for ~ P the printer module on the printer -~ou~ por~on of the base mn~1.11f-.
With these r~~ es the a~ dlus is ~"~rt~ to be ~c~embled with a tr~nc~rti~n t~ ol by first .~ ou ~ and ~vu~ the l.~ n l~.. ;n~l on the ~.. ;.,~1 pl~lr~ usingthes~ g~ g~ onpialro~ andtr--.~ ,then~
the power and data C~ O~ means to the t~ ---n~l at a rear waU portion thereof and placing the cables of the power and data c4 ~l~tol means in the cable races defined on the open frame s~ticm) followed by sliding the printer module onto the printer . ~o~ l;..g portion of the base module until the coo~ e detent and groove means engage and the fC~ C~d rO~ waU portion of the printer module covers the power and data c~ ul means previously ~ to the Iear wall :20 portion of ~e ~r~ 1 In acconla. ce with ~ otll~r aspect, this invention rcalui~
a ~ lhr point-of-sale l~"Q ~' ;n~ a~ C C~ ;C i~ a base r~ e, a printer Inod~le ",o.~ -l~ on the base InOdllle~ and a ~ ;on ~ ~n~ln~d on the base n~oAlll~ The base module has stluclu~al means providing a t r~ for ~ ing a t~r'S~ti~n ~ l in a~ ,~ pQs~ n ru~
or r~h.. d~d of the printer n-~ule. The printer module has a h- u~ of P1'~A~ ~A~I~ed size and shape and the t~o-rmin~Al pl~lro~ll, is formed in size and shape and 1r~c-Ati( n such that the cc~ b;l~AI;on of the base mr)d~lle, the ~n~ct ;nA1 and the printer m~4 has substantially the a~ æ of a single ; ,~g,~ t~ q1 and printer a~ S
In acco~ ce with an.nl,~. aspect, this invention f~ules a method of AccPmhli~
a m~ r point-of-sale trAn~tinn a~ l.. c using an eyi~inf~ type of trAn~A~fi-m~....;~A1 of particular design and shape and having rear wall power and data cQn~;t~ The method involves rO----;,~g a base modvl~o with a trAncA~fir~n A1 n~ p1 ~rl"... on a rc,~ d portion thereof and a printer .~-,u~
section on a rearward ponion thereof with the ~ -q1 ...o~.n~ g pl~l r.-- ..- having size and shape such that it ~c~ Fs the shape of the ~n~^^tinn 1~.. --.il-q1.
Another step of the method is rO .~ inp a printer mod1~1e A-1~p'~ to mount on the base module and having a size and shape ~rt~P~I to il-~ P. well with the size and shape of the l,"~t ~ n ~r ~ Al~ in~ i~ a r~ wall section ~lapt,;d to receive and cover the power and data c~ ect~ of the '~
The l. ~-~c~ al iS then ..~o!~ d on the t~ .;n~1 p1~r".... of the base mt~du1e, the power and data col~ are ~uu~ d to the rear wall of the Al; and finally the printer m-~d~ . iS ~ pl~ on the printer mo--~ g portion of the base module with the f~lvv~d waU section thereof c~ ing the 20 power and data C41~
Using the a~ -C and method of this i,.~ Lon provides a way to easily ;nt..~ . S"~ f; tnodv1es into a eun~ ienl ul~it that has the a~ e and r~ 1ity of an i~ .g.~'~ t~ n...~A1 and printer unit. ~jt'tj~ t~ 1 devices can be ~t,~ d into the ~CcPmbly of this invention to achieve a much more c~ -.~ t and op~tinnAlly ;--~2~ ;nn t -~ Al system.
CA 02202l36 l997-04-08 Other objects, r~ . and ad~ of ~is iu~ Lon will be a~ l from a c~ne;f~-~tion of the following d~Pil~d d~ of ~ of ~e ,.Lon ~ wi~ ~e~ ...~..ying d,dwilgs.
Brief l~cs~ ;on of Dl~w;~ Fi~ures ~IG. lA is a r- ~ri~l view of a mod~ r point-of-sale ~ n Z~ J.C in acco.d~lce with this invention wi~ modlJlPc fully ~e~mbl~ for opP~l;~n 0 FIG. lB is pict~nql view from a dirr~ c,~l vk;w~ l of a m~u1~r point-of-sale a~udluS ~ acc~ Ce with this ~llv~ ~th modlllels fully q~:~mhl~rl for ope~ ;on.
FIG. 2 is an ;i p'cde~ ~s~mhly view of the m~le$ and ~ s of a mQ~Ul~r 15 point~f-sale ~ I;nn ~ ..c in accol~ce ~,-vith this invention.
PIG. 3 is a pi~ l view of a par~ally ~Pml~l~ m~ r point-of-sale '20 FIG. 4 is an e~cploded view ill~ the ...~u..l;n~ of a ~ c~e1;nn ~....in~l m~lllle on a base module to form a portion of a m~llhr point-of-sale ~n~e~tjnn apl)a.alus in accor~nce with this invention.
FIG. 4A is a pe ~ e view ill..~ -o--~ll;n~ holes on ~e bot~om of a :25 !.,m~-~ 1;nn ~,.rmin:~l mod~le useful in ~;.pl~;n;n~ the --~ nt shown in ~IG. 4.
WO 97/06716 PCTtUS96tl3919 FIG. 5 is a pictorial view ill..~ the co~ F~1;0~ of cables to a ~ c, ~
A1 module after ~ I;n~ of the t ...~ l on a base m~ to form a portion of a m~ r point~f-sale l.,..~e,..~ a~ Js in acco~ ce with this i l~c~
~IG. 6 is a pictorial view i~ g l.~U~ g of a printer module on a base module after a ~ l mod~le and cable cm-nF~ C thereto have been comp',etcd FIG. 7 is a pictorial view ill~.~h,.l;i~g one approach to providing o~, .~ cablec4nllF~1;nl-e to a tr~n~tinn te ~ l m-~dll1i~. and printer module of a mod~ r point-of-sale l~n.e~tiC n ~p~ l .........................e in accol~nce with this invention.
FIG. 8 is a p:-tori~l view ill .........................~ an ~ltprn~tive appr~ to providing 15 u~ ,~ g cable Col~ e~ to a l.,..~ ;nn ~....;.~1 modlll.o. and printermod-llF
of a mod~ r point-of-sale ~ .c~ ;on ~p~ .l..c in acco~ ce with this invention.
PIG. 9 is a p ~ 1 view ill~.~l .,.l;i~g an optinn~l c~nn~tinn of a bar code wandor a PIN-Pad modllle to one of the ports of a t~nc~^.tinn ~F.~ l mlyllllF~ in a 20 mnd~ r point-of-sale ~.,...c ~ - a~ lus in accol~ ce with this illV~llLiOI .
FIG. 10 is a ~ ;ve -view of a base module of a my:llll~r point-of-sale l-, --C~-l;o~ ~p~-,-~ in accol~& ce with this invention.
FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of a base module of a m~lll~r point-of-sale tr~n.c~.tinn app~alus in accol~ce wi~ this invention.
WO 97/06716 PCT/US96/1391.9 ~IG. 12 is a back ~ ali~al view of a base ~odule of a m~lll~r point~f-sale ~ ^fion z~ c in a~ e with this invention with a cu~w~ portion fo itll-cf~r~f~ one feature ~ereof.
S FIG. 13 is an exploded ~mbly d~ g ifl-.~h,.l;.~f~ ~e use of two ~p~ ly m~ld~d pieces f~ form a base module of a mod--l~r point~f-sale fr~n~rfi-~n S in acco~ oe with this invention.
FIG. 13A is a par~al section view talcen along the lines A-A in FIG. 13 and 10 ill~ fe~ s of a base module of a mod~ r point-of-sale t~n~ti~n a~aLus in acco~danc~ wif~l this L~ -Lio l.
FIG. 14 is a ~ ;,r~-~;ve view of a printer mod-lle of a modl-l~r point-of-sale Js in accor~lce with this invention.
~IG. 15 is a side elevational view of a p~inter m~lllP of a m~--l~r point-of-sale , in accol~lce wi~ this illv~l~Lil)lh.
FIG. 16 is a back c,l~,~aLiol~al view of a printer m~llkP of a mod~ r point-of-sale 'W tr~n.~rtir~ p~ .c in ~ ~nce with this i~vcl~Lioll.
FIG. 17A and FIG. 17B illl-~t~ts ~ t;vc ap~oacl~s to providing a modlll~r point-of-sale ~ n ~ c in acco,~lce with this ~lv~llLiol-.
'25 FIG. 18 is a side view illv~ details of an ~ ;ve e~.bo~ l of a m~llll~r point-of-sale ~ ~rl;on al)pA~ in accor~ncc with this inv~lion.
Des~ tion of Invention rS,..h~~
l2~rr~ initially to ~IGS. 1-6 of the d1~W1I~,S~ it is seen that a mo~ r point-of-sale !.,~ ar)~c".l~c in acco~ ce with a one P ~ t of this S ~Ivel~lion co~ a base mod~lkp 10, a printer modllle 20, and a tr~ne~tinn t~ l module 30. Base module 10 provides a msuntin~ and ~ poll ,e~ for both printer modlllP 20 and tr~n~r~.tir~n ~....in~l my3-11P. 30. As FIGS. lA and lB illl)ct~te~ this emho~ l of a msd~ r point-of-sale tr~n~ ~^tit~n ~l,pc,~l"c provides the look and fPAl of an intP.~r~l te~ 1 and printer 10 unit when the ~ree m~d~lp~ are ~Pmb4~ tC~e~l~e~.
As shown in FIG. 2, ~1~1iff~ n~l cables and a power supply are requircd to complOEte a msd~ r point~f-sale l.,~ a~ c in acco~ance with this invention. Base module 10 and printer mndllkP. 20 are ~qlly constructed and ~ ,ed to aG~ .~ oA~e the cabling l~U~d. Power supply 41 in the e ~ of FIG. 2 provides op~ e~ Al power to both printer n.~..l~o 20 and !.~ .- te~ninAl m~dvle 30. Plug 42 is ~s~.~ble in a standard Pl~jt~l outlet and male co~n~ 43 and 44 are ins~ble into female fec~ s provided on ~e printer module 20 and l.~ ;nn le~ A1 rn~vl~.30 20 in a ,.,~m~r shown in FIG. 7 and d~..~;bed in more détail later. A standard t~ol~hl ne cord 45 provides ~lepl~Q~ - cQnn~-~;rn for tr~n~tiQn t~ l mo~nllo 30 to a t~le~h~ e jack hooked to a public switched t~l~.ph~ l-e n~w~lh. Cable 46is a serial port to serial port co~ ~r cable to couple data signals b~,lwe~
n ~,nnin~l module 30 and printer m~lllP, 20. The use of these cables 25 and ports is ~ ed in more detail below.
Tr~rl~rfinn ~.rmin~l mo~llP. 30 may c~mrriQ~o one of several models of rmin~l~ co~ idlly available from VeriFone, Inc. of Redwood City, ~lifQrni~, namely ~ose models which have ~e same rOCJI~ t FIGS. lA
and lB illnct~tlo use of a TRANZ 330 model of VeriFone ~ fi~-~ .,;n~l Any of the ZON XL, TRANZ 3x~c, and OMNI 3x~c models of ~ Al~ m ay also be deployed on base mnrllllP. 10.
PfG. 4 ill...~t~s an ~ np~ for. ,u~ 3<1;~n t~ n~l mndlll~300n base modllle 10. Base m~l~le 10 has a ~ Al .~ou~ ,lr~..". 11 on a ru~ portion thereof and a pnnter ~ou~ portion 12 on a ,~vv~.l portion of base mod~llP. 10. The collsl.uclion and ~Pmhly details of a one emboAimPnt of base module 10 comrri~in~ two .~ y molded pieces are de~ee~ ;bed below in conjul-ction with FIGS. 1~13. TP.rminAl mmlntin~ 11AIr.~.... 11 cQmrri~ a ilat ..~ surface 13 wi~ lips 14A-14C on the sides thereof to~th~r with an 15 ~ ~ement of three .. ~ p posts 15 ca~ried on .~ unl;~ surface 12.
Tr~n~ ;o~ t~ormin~1 30 has a lower base portion 35 ~ith a smaUer length and width and ~is lower base portion is r~ci~cd in the recess formed by side lips 14A-14C of bo~rnin-Al pl,lrl".,. 11. Mollnti~ posts 15 are ~ red in three keyhole shaped insert and slide type .~O!~ .f ;~-g ~e . ~ 73 which are n~ol~e~d into a bottom waU 31 of l.~ m~ ...nAl module 30. Tl~n~ ~e1;nn t ~..in~ P.
30 is then pushed rO, ~ I to capture it in secure fashion on n~ollnti~ surface 12.
After this ~ A1 ~..o~Jn~ is complete, the front wall 31 and the side waUs 33 and 34 of tr~n~ctif~n ~.n~in~l module 30 are aligned with the co~ qn~
e~t~rinr walls of lips 14A-14C. This makes it lifficult to discern without close ins~ ;nn that the t~n~tion ~ A1 module 30 and base module 10 are two sc~ ~ Pl- .". nl~ This close ~li~mPnt g~.-...h,~ of the base modlllr~ 10 and l.,...c,~.1;r)n t~rmin~l module 30 are not e~ to the illvelllion. However, they are highly ~l~,f~.led from an a~ n~ ~nr~
S The aesthetic design a~ ~ of the base module 10 and printer modll1P 20 are the subject of a co-~n~ p and ~----..-~nly ~cig~ design patent ~ ir`~tir n filedon July 31, 1995, and ~c~ig~ S.N. 29/042,056, now U.S. Patent D372,492;
Issued: August 6, 1996.
0 ~lh-~ ;ve l.~C~ l;n~æ 5"1`'-'~,,f""-nl could be u~ili7P~ For example, the ~Uu~ posts 15 could be el;~h~ d and the l.~ tn ~ ~inal module 30 could simply rest on ~ ing surface 13~ Other ~1~. ..~I;ve cmho~ will be ~ ~ below.
After l.~ n k~ n~l module 30 is . ~oun~ed on base m~ P 10, data and power cables le~u~ed for ope-~ ,- thereof are C~ nn~ to tr~n.~tion t~
module 30 as shown ~nP.~11y in FIG. 5. More details of this opP~ti~ n are shown in FIGS. 7-10 and ~ u~l below. ~lthough FIG. 5 shows a cable con~ing out a side slot in base module 10, the ~ ~ngPm~P.nt is for all 20 cables to exit lhl~ugll the rear cable guide 16B.
After cable CQn~ n~ are made to ~ n te~ l modlll~p 30, printer modllle 20 is slid onto the printer .- ~..nl;i~g portion 12 of base mod~llP. 10 as gFn~ ly shown in FIG. 6. Printer module 20 is secured on base m~ll~le 10 25 using a post and groove ~ ~en-. n~ at the rear and a tab and detent ~ ng~.-..-~.nl at the front. These reaLul~s will be ~ s~ more fully below in conjunction with other drawing figures.
e~ ~ ~1 allows the cables leading from ~e c4nn~t~r~ on ~he back of ;on Lt;- ;n~1 m~l4 30 to enter ~e cable laccw~ 16A . nd 16B formed in base m~h~le 10 and then to exit the back of base Inodlll~P 10 as shown in FIGS.
7 . nd 8.
-r ~ g now to Pigs. 7-9, ~e cabling c4nnPe~ llc to printer m~ P. 20 and v ~;o~ q~ 30 will be tlieellQ~ ;IG. 7 ~ s the use of single power supply 41 to power both t.~nC~ 1 modulP. 30 and printer ~OdlU1P- 20. Plug 42 insertable into a ~l~ldanl wall soc~et ~2. Male CC~
43 is h~s_.~d into ~e female power supply f~ 22 on the back of printer module 20. The other male cnnnPc~r 44 is i~ls~ d into the female power supply ~p~ e 35A on the back wall of ~ ~rl;on 1~- ~..h~Al m9dll1e 30 after the cable leading thereto is placed in one part of the cable races 16A and 16B. Serial data cable 46 is used to conn~;l serial port 36 on ~ ~ction ~ o 30 with serial port 23 on printer module 20 using male cn~ u~ ~ 47 and 48, ;v~ly, after the cable is il~.led into one of ~e cables r ces 16A and 16B.
Tele~hrlne cord 45 is ing~lt~d into one portion of ~e cable races 16A and 16B
and is con~t~ on one end into phone outlet port 39 on t~n.~Arti~n t,~-...in~l m~lllle 30. The other end is i~ ble into a sl~ d~.l t~l~hon~o jack 51 as shown.
Tele~hQ~e outlet port 38 may be used to c4 ~nf~l a stalldard voice telf,rl?h"~-e (not shown) to l-~ -^f ;nn ~ nAl for voice CO~ ;rs~tinn~ on ~e same ~ ,hc~
line as is used for data c~ .. n;rqtinnc CA 02202l36 l997-04-08 A second serial port 36 on te ..~ 1 30 may be co~ ~~' to a bar code wand 54 via a cable 57 and co~ F~,~or 56 as shown in FIG. 9. ~ ely, a PIN-Pad 55 may be conn~ to serial port 36 via a cable 58.
5 FIG. 8 ~ ; t' S a~ " c~l~ner~J~n scheme using two scp~ f~ power supplies 41A and 41B for l~ne~ ~lvle 30 and printer module 20. This ,r .~ .~ is likely to be used if the c ~t.~ ~f-' already ~ ng a l.~.~c~^1;m~
l mod-lle 30 with ~c~ ~ power supply 41B. The ~rrane.- ~e~ of FIG.
7 is likely to be used when mod~ r point-of-sale ~ n Appi~ of this 10 invention is a new in~t~ tion FIGS. 10-13 illl)st-~te ~e slluclu,dl details of a base module 10 formed by two sc~ f~ly m~'1P~d pieces. ~f~ferrinP particularly to FIGS. 13 and 13A, the consllu~t;on and ~c~Pmh]y details of this ~---ho l;.-~ of base module 10 are illli~h;~. As shown, the b~".. ;~ u~ pl~tfiorm 11 on base module 10 is c~ ~l of two ~ ely m~ldP~d pieces, a ~ lro - piece llA and a base piece llB. Th_se two pieces snap ~ c~ using an qrr.qngP-mPnt of resilient hooks l9A on ~l ~r~.... piece and catches l9B on base piece llB. In ~ don, screws 1lC may be used to fasten the two pieces 5~;u-_ly ~r-~t . These screws extend llu~ugl~ ap~.lulcs 18A in base piece llB and thread into holes in s~qn~Qff~
18B on the ~n~ e of pl~r.~.... piece llA as shown in Fig. 13A. Prior to mo...-~ rV- -- piece 1 lA onto base piece 1 lB, the three mollntin~ pins 15 are ed into a~;llul~,s 16 in pl Ir.,.... piece llA as shown in Fig. 13A. The Larger ~ portion of pins 15 is swaged or force fit into the ..~o....l;l-g ~.lul~ 16. .~tqr.~Qff~ 17B in base piece llB are po~ n~d to provide su~poll for the ~ I;ng pins 15 when the two pieces are put t~ J. In .~ ir)n a r~-t-qng~ r lJulll~s llD is molded into the un~le~side of pl~lrv.". piece llA to WO 97/06716 PCT/US96/139~19 provide more rigidity and preclude ~Iv~il~g of the molded plastic piece. A
portion of the bottom of this l,ull-~,ss rests on the ho~;~n.-l~1 wall ~.ti~n~ 11E of base portion l lB.
S Printer ~o.~ P portion 12 of base ~ 10 has a pair of tabs 12A locat~d in ~e ru - ~d end thereof as shown in each of Figs. 1~13. On the l~nd~P~ e of tabs 12A is a detent 12B as shown in each of FIGS. 11 and 12. Tabs 12A are posi~inn~p~ with their llnd~r~;de raised above the printer support rails 12D by the r~s of the bottom wall section 24 on the front hollow ~ ~ por~on 21 on print~r nlodulP 20 as shown in FIG. 14. A groove 25 in bottom wall section 24 l~S detent 12B on tabs 12A of base rno~iule 10 as printer m~~ P 20 is slid ro~ l on rails 12D and locks printer module 20 onto base nlod..l~ 10 at thef~l~d ~~ thereof.
~ (liti~n~ printer ~.,u ~ p por~on 12 of base module 10 has a pair of glUO~
12C formed in a back portion thereof at a ~s;l;~ below the printer sup~.l rails 12D. These g~ou~rcs 12C receive posts 27 formed on o~ side walls 28A and 28B of printer module 20 as best depicted in FIGS. 15 and 16. When printer 1nndulp 20 is slid fully forward on s.l~ll rails 12D and detents 12B click into '20 g~es 25, posts 27 on printer mod~lle 20 are ~ d into and seated in gl~ ,S
12C. This ..~0!~ fully secures printer module 20 on base module 10. l~et~ntC 12B and z~ ~ gr~.~s 25 r. .- ~; ~.. to p~clude printer module 20 from sliding off of base module 10 and also to ~r~v~llt the front portion of printer modll4 20 from lifbng off base ~od~lle 10. Tabs 27 and 7-~C;'~Pd ~,s 12C ru~r-3i~ to prevent the backportion of printer module 20 from being lifted off of base module 10.
It will be ~ ated by those slcilled in the art that other ~ g~ for se~ P printer modlllP 20 on base module 10 could be provided without d~p~lillg from this invention. For example, a pair of screws through tabs 12A
could he used to fasten the r~ w~ portion of printer mndvlp 20 on base m~
S 10. Many o~er . .~l~ l r Yt~ n~p hl~ could be employed.
FIGS. 17A and 17B and Fig. 18 illll~tratç other optinn~l appluach~ to achieving a mn~ r point-of-sale li~ ;nn ~pp~.,.ll.c in accor~ ce with this invention.
10 In Fig. 17A the printer modlllp and base module are ~o~ ~1 into a single unit110, optinn~lly with A SepA~ f'. cable cover portion 111 as shown in Fig. 18.
~lalr~,l..~ portion 112 mounts l~ n~ tPrmin~l ntn~ o 30 in aI~y ~ le l~m~. rl~ul~ll portion 112 may also house a circuit board 113 controlling Ope~i ~;m~ of the printer ~ .l 114. E~er~ably, a groove 116 would be provided in the top of the h.J~ g of the printer portion of unit 110 to 4~ te a card swipe ll~ ug1l the I.~n~- I;nn tr . Inin~l mndlll~ 130.
FIG. 17B ilh.~ tr~ the pos~ihility of using a cc~ k;~ base and printer m~l~lP
130 with a printer portion 140 fc,l~ of tr~n~^tinn ~ 1 m~lllP 30. This is cs!n~ Prp-d a less co"~. icnl ~rr~rlEi .~n~ for the user of the t~ n~l, however.
It should be lln~ uod that Figs. 17A and 17B are C~Qn~ l drawings only. The printer and base module in a final version would be des~gl-Pd with ~e~th~Ptir, PlPmPnt~ which match those of tr~n~-~l;nn tPrnlin~l 30 to form an overall modlll~r ~s~Pmhly that has the ~l'~"""'~ of a single in~ ed le~ l and printer unit in the same fashion as the e-~ o~l;lllenl shown in Figs. lA and lB.
WO 97/06716 PCT/US96/139:19 It _hould be ~ l to those of slcill in the art that many vA~A1;0nQ of the ~.,,ho~1;,..~nl~ of r~dulqr point-of-.,ale ~ Q ~rl;-~n a~ C in accci~-ce with this L~_..Loll could be made ~ oul de~ling from ~he in~ lion.
S p~r~ , to FIG. 13, it should be a~)~h~.. l that a single piece base Ino~ lR 10 could be utilized to support and mount l" l~c~ ~;on ~ 1 module 30. For e~cample, base piece llB could be used willloul the ~.~ . pl,lr~.. .-- piece 11Aby providing flat head .-.~ screws in s~n~lQrr~ 17B to be received into --ou~ P slots 73 of l.,~..c,~. 1;~ n te~T-in~l module 30 as shown in FIG. 4A. The feet 72 on the bottom of t.,.. ~.;1 nn ~ Al mod.. le 30 could rest on the s~n~1cff~ 18A ~lop~,.ly positit~n~ and shaped with elon~tic-n in the dircction of sliding of t~n~ti~n ~ -...;nz~l module 30 after setting it on the ~ screws.The edges of section 11 of base module 10 could be raised higher to give close tothesameaesthetica~ nG~ ofthey~,f~ o~l;,... n~ shownintheFIGS.
lA and lB.
In another ~ , the l.;.n~. 1;nn termin~l mo...-~ portion 11 of base mr~ le 10 could lbe a s~ o unit from ~e printer m~~ o rnsl-nting section 12 with an ~ d~g~ -nt to fasten the two module pieces t~-~,e~ ,r after or before ~e 20 ~ ;on t~ - .n;~ module 30 and printer rnn~llle 20 are .~ ou~t~l thereon.
In al ~lwr ~ -, printer module 20 could be provided with an ~rran~em~nt of cn~n~ ;on~Yi in the lCC~I portion 21, i.e. c~nn~.~.~.s that plug di~c~ into ~e various ports on the back of ~ 1;nn lel --;l-~1 m~Ule 30, ~,vith 25 lead thlougll of some ports, if n~ , to ~e back of the printer for cnnn~- 1;ru~
there to eYt~orn~l units such as power supply or t~ol~hnne jack. In another v~ tir~n~ printer module 20 could have a top holl~in~ molded with a card slot CA 02202l36 l997-04-08 aligned with that of trAn~A-~tinn ~ A1 myl111e 30 rather than having an inApnt~p~d right hand shelf section with a shallow groove receiving a small portion of a ;on card 200 as shown in FIGS. lA and lB.
S In ~.~h~r v~ ;nn~ base module lO and printer mo~ lP 20 could be colllbilled using two or three molded plastic k.~u~;l-P portions that snap log~l~.er or otherwise f_sten ~.gr~ r before . ,...~ v~;on ~.~ Al m~~ 30 there~n T~is v~riAtion would be eq~i~11y suitable if c~ to ~e ports of the mndu1e 30 are provided in the ,~c~c~ f~lw~d wall portion of printer m~ 4 20. S~P~--ri~ I.~ n ~ l mod~ P. 30 on the folwanl mu~ g ~ r.~.... of the cc~ h;~ base mod111e and printer rnod111P could be achieved by providing a simple adapter on the bottom of ~ ~el;~n l~
modllle 30 to reverse the dil~lion of the slots 73, for example, so that l.~.~c~ ;nn ~F.. ~ Al m~llle 30 could mount on pl~l rv. ..~ portion l l with a bacLw~ds sliding lS movement.
ely, the .~nv ~; .g pins lS could be provided on ~ d or oth~w;~
ing and sliding tabs ~ 11P- from the bottom of the base my3llle Using this appl~ , the l.,...c ~ A1 modlllP 30 could have cables il~se,t~xl in 20 the back, and ~en phced on ~e .~.ou~;~ p1~ rO. m over the, o~ pins with cable c4n~ ed into ~e ,~Y~I portion of ~e pnnter ho11~in~. The ..~u~ ~lin~ pins could then be slid bacl,w~u~ds and locked in po~;tir)n to capture ~e t~ d111P 30 on its .~ p pl lr4,...
25 Many other eh~n~p~s and m~lificAtion~ could be made to various emho l;--- -.l~ of the invention Wi~llUU~ dep~uLing from the scope of ~e i l./~.lion as set forth in ~e following claims.
MEIHOD OF MANUFACTURE AND 1~ ~S~lUR~.Y
Field of ~e Il~ellLoll This invention relates in gene~al to tn~ r point-o~-sale lrans~ on l~;in~l ~st.,.--s and in particular to point-of-sale ~;On t~ l system in which va~ious ~ lr. m~Ylvlps~ such as l-~t~ l and printer mnd~lle~ are ~ ~o~ d on a ba~e unit.
n~n~ui~d of the I.l~,en~ll It is well known in the art to provide ~u~ u~ pl~ r.,. l--c for m~dul~r units to tie them tog.-~1~e~ into a single ;~ ,h~clule, for c~ nce of ca U~g,0 opf~-~;.t;~n and the lil~e. In the l-~ n 1~ field, ~ere are many prior art nS of s~ands for ~ Q and p; o~ and the other units to provide For e~ ,'e, a . ~ of years ago, VeriFone Inc. provided a stand for a :15 ~ n ~...... in~l and a ~1e~ ne unit to hold the two s.,L~ ul~ps in side by side r~;onQhir~
Each of ~e following patent.. illu~h~t~s one of the prior art approaches to . ~o~ various point-of-sale eq~ nod111~Q, on a stand or in other ways to ,~0 provide a COIl~ t and easy to use ~Q-Q-Pmbly ~ -eur.
Moroe U.S. Patent 4,840,344 .~h~lritsl et al. U.S. Patent 4,776,554 Watt et al. U.S. Patent 5,284,253 CA 02202l36 l997-04-08 Cob~ et al. U.S. Patent 5,394,994 .shPrm~n et al. U.S. Patent 5,347,115 Coblent~ et al. U.S. Patent D356,074 Knnho.l U.S. Patent D323,085 S Buie et al. U.S. Patent D358,162 Zahabi U.S. Patent D344,076 Reph U.S. Patent D355,437 None of these designs and s~ ls provides a simple and facile approach to ~c~mhlinE a ~ .1;nn t~- ,.. ;n~l and a printer module into an overall system that has s~ s~ y the a~ r~ of a ~ ,etr'y ;~ ~ system, i.e. one in which the various mod~ s seem to be all part of one unit inside a single ho~cinE
Objects of this I~ ,ntion It is the p~ rl object of this ,n~ ion to provide a m~nl~r point-of-sale ~ ~c1;nn a~ s inr.ln~1i~ a ~ l and printer which has ly the a~ of a system in which all ~e unit are in a single h~n~cir~
Features and Ad~i1.. l~es of this Invention One aspect of this invention l~~lllff~s a m~ point-of-sale ~n~rtinn ~ c ng a mn~ . portion having a printer ~ icm rnollntJ~d within a hou~ing thereof and having sllu~:lul~l means providing a terrnin~ ldlf~ for s~ g a l~ ;nn t ~ in a p~æs~ poc;tinn ~lw~d or 25 l~w~d of the printer ~ .. The ho..~ g for the printer and the ~ r~..... for s.~u,ling the ~ rl;nn ~ 1 being formed in size and shape and loc~tinn such ~that the cC~ A~;on of the m~~ r portion and the h~nc~rfinn l has s~ y the a~ r~; of a single ;n~e~ ed lr -~ l and printer a~
WO 97/06716 PCT/US96/139:19 012j~t~ of this T~ .nl;~
It is ~e p.;l..`;l~1 object of this in~_alion to plo.ide a ~ 1gr point-of-sale r5~ r.l~ g a ~ A1 and printer which has ;,~ ;s11y the e. of a system in which all the unit are ~ a single ho F~o~tl-res z~n~ Ad~ es of thi~ T..
One aspect of this invention realules a m~xl~ r point~-sale ~n,~-~.tinn ;~L)~ 1 Ul~
c~mrricin~ a m(Yl~ r por~on h-aving a printer ~ hA~;C~ ,-.o,.l~l~d within a houci~ ~ereof and having ~llu~;~wdl means providing a lr~ "~ for a l-~fi~ n l~ A1 ~I~ a ~ ~ pc~itinn r~,w~ or ~
of the pnnter ~ IAn;C.ll, The hollsin~ for the printer and ~e pl~l~on" for i.lg the ~ .ql being formed in size and shape and 10çz~ti~n such ~at the c~l~*~ ;nn of the m~ r por~on and the ~ I;on ~ inq1 has 15 ~IJ~ ;q11Y the ~PL~ e of a single ;.~ 1 and printer ~ S~
r~r~.ably, the modu1qrportion co~ .s the CQ~ ;n~;OI~ of a base modl~le and a s.,~ e printer module ~"'J~ d on a pnnter ",~ portion provided on a ud portion of the base mod~le, The ~ -...;nq1 plat~u,.n is ~lPfined on the .20 base m~d111Q at a p~ .~ g~ ru~w~u~ portion thereof and is ^~q-rte~ to mount a -ctir~n t~inql thereon in a po.~i~inn such that a back wall portion of the ~-~--~c~;on t~ n~l iS 7~ nl to a front wall portion of the printer m~--l~, In one e...~ t of the invention, the printer module is ~1~pt~ to be used with ,!5 a I ;on torm;n~l which has power and data oonnP~t~rs .. ~o~ ~ on a ~W~/d facing wall the~Eof. The printer module has a holl~in~ with a ~
îc" w~d waU por~on ~ l~rled to cover the power and data cQnn~tor means when rO.~ waU portion ^~pb~d to cover the power and data cQnnF~l means when both the printer m~~ and the ~ ~c~ q1 are rnol-nt~P~l on the base mr~ lP"
5 I`reÇ~bly, the ~....:..q1 r-~r....-. is secured on the 1~ 1 p1~r.~..., of the base unit using c~ g shu~:tu~s formed on a top waU surface of the t~ . ~;n~1 p1?lrl....- and cw~,~ with ~ ~ .s~u-;i~ shuetul~,D ~lefinP~ on a bottom waU surface of the ~ r~,l;r n t~
In a p ~,f~ ed en~borl;~ , the printer mounting portion of the base mrxl11le andbottom wall ~.Lons of the ho~ of the printer rnr~l11P c~ope ~;v~iy provide a slide-on mollntir~ l;o~hip bG~ the base modllle and the printer mod11lP"
inr1~..1;i~g a coo~,-i~;ve detent and groove for ~-u~ g the printer modll1e on the printer .~o~ portion of ~e base module~ In ~diff~ n, the printer n~r~111P. is ~pt~ to be used with a f -cl; n t~ l ad~rl~ to have power and data cnn~r means .. )~ ~'~ on a l~rvald facing wall thereof, and the printer mod11hP- has a hl~u~ g with a ...~ fo,vv~.l wall portion ~ 1~rtecl to cover the power and data conn~ means when both the printer module and the tr~n~l~.tjon are . u~ ~ on the base ~11P.
~,fGl~bly, the printer ~u~ g portion of the base module C4~ ;~5 an open frame section having c,able races def~ned thereon and ~rt~CI for receiving cables of the power and data c~nn-Pctors for the ~ ;fm t~,.,-,inal to route the cables ~1nd~...e~ the printer mnd11lP, and lhl~u~ a back wall portion of the base m~~ P.
In a p ef~ cd e 1~ , the ~o..;.-~l pl,,r.,.... has a first s~-u ;i~ uelule formed on a top wall surfa~e thereof and ~ ~ for c~p, li--~ with ~c~ :~ed second s~,u ;i~ sh~lclule defined on a bottom wall surface of the ~nQ~tion to secure the ~ t~ al on the ~ ,rO..., ~e printer S .~ , portion of the base module and bottom wall portions of the hl~ ~;~ of the printer tn~du1~ c4op~" .~ ely provide a slide-on . ~ ;n~, relqtiOnctlir ~
the base r~ le and the printer rn~l~ C`1~ 40~ ~ e detent and groove means for ~ P the printer module on the printer -~ou~ por~on of the base mn~1.11f-.
With these r~~ es the a~ dlus is ~"~rt~ to be ~c~embled with a tr~nc~rti~n t~ ol by first .~ ou ~ and ~vu~ the l.~ n l~.. ;n~l on the ~.. ;.,~1 pl~lr~ usingthes~ g~ g~ onpialro~ andtr--.~ ,then~
the power and data C~ O~ means to the t~ ---n~l at a rear waU portion thereof and placing the cables of the power and data c4 ~l~tol means in the cable races defined on the open frame s~ticm) followed by sliding the printer module onto the printer . ~o~ l;..g portion of the base module until the coo~ e detent and groove means engage and the fC~ C~d rO~ waU portion of the printer module covers the power and data c~ ul means previously ~ to the Iear wall :20 portion of ~e ~r~ 1 In acconla. ce with ~ otll~r aspect, this invention rcalui~
a ~ lhr point-of-sale l~"Q ~' ;n~ a~ C C~ ;C i~ a base r~ e, a printer Inod~le ",o.~ -l~ on the base InOdllle~ and a ~ ;on ~ ~n~ln~d on the base n~oAlll~ The base module has stluclu~al means providing a t r~ for ~ ing a t~r'S~ti~n ~ l in a~ ,~ pQs~ n ru~
or r~h.. d~d of the printer n-~ule. The printer module has a h- u~ of P1'~A~ ~A~I~ed size and shape and the t~o-rmin~Al pl~lro~ll, is formed in size and shape and 1r~c-Ati( n such that the cc~ b;l~AI;on of the base mr)d~lle, the ~n~ct ;nA1 and the printer m~4 has substantially the a~ æ of a single ; ,~g,~ t~ q1 and printer a~ S
In acco~ ce with an.nl,~. aspect, this invention f~ules a method of AccPmhli~
a m~ r point-of-sale trAn~tinn a~ l.. c using an eyi~inf~ type of trAn~A~fi-m~....;~A1 of particular design and shape and having rear wall power and data cQn~;t~ The method involves rO----;,~g a base modvl~o with a trAncA~fir~n A1 n~ p1 ~rl"... on a rc,~ d portion thereof and a printer .~-,u~
section on a rearward ponion thereof with the ~ -q1 ...o~.n~ g pl~l r.-- ..- having size and shape such that it ~c~ Fs the shape of the ~n~^^tinn 1~.. --.il-q1.
Another step of the method is rO .~ inp a printer mod1~1e A-1~p'~ to mount on the base module and having a size and shape ~rt~P~I to il-~ P. well with the size and shape of the l,"~t ~ n ~r ~ Al~ in~ i~ a r~ wall section ~lapt,;d to receive and cover the power and data c~ ect~ of the '~
The l. ~-~c~ al iS then ..~o!~ d on the t~ .;n~1 p1~r".... of the base mt~du1e, the power and data col~ are ~uu~ d to the rear wall of the Al; and finally the printer m-~d~ . iS ~ pl~ on the printer mo--~ g portion of the base module with the f~lvv~d waU section thereof c~ ing the 20 power and data C41~
Using the a~ -C and method of this i,.~ Lon provides a way to easily ;nt..~ . S"~ f; tnodv1es into a eun~ ienl ul~it that has the a~ e and r~ 1ity of an i~ .g.~'~ t~ n...~A1 and printer unit. ~jt'tj~ t~ 1 devices can be ~t,~ d into the ~CcPmbly of this invention to achieve a much more c~ -.~ t and op~tinnAlly ;--~2~ ;nn t -~ Al system.
CA 02202l36 l997-04-08 Other objects, r~ . and ad~ of ~is iu~ Lon will be a~ l from a c~ne;f~-~tion of the following d~Pil~d d~ of ~ of ~e ,.Lon ~ wi~ ~e~ ...~..ying d,dwilgs.
Brief l~cs~ ;on of Dl~w;~ Fi~ures ~IG. lA is a r- ~ri~l view of a mod~ r point-of-sale ~ n Z~ J.C in acco.d~lce with this invention wi~ modlJlPc fully ~e~mbl~ for opP~l;~n 0 FIG. lB is pict~nql view from a dirr~ c,~l vk;w~ l of a m~u1~r point-of-sale a~udluS ~ acc~ Ce with this ~llv~ ~th modlllels fully q~:~mhl~rl for ope~ ;on.
FIG. 2 is an ;i p'cde~ ~s~mhly view of the m~le$ and ~ s of a mQ~Ul~r 15 point~f-sale ~ I;nn ~ ..c in accol~ce ~,-vith this invention.
PIG. 3 is a pi~ l view of a par~ally ~Pml~l~ m~ r point-of-sale '20 FIG. 4 is an e~cploded view ill~ the ...~u..l;n~ of a ~ c~e1;nn ~....in~l m~lllle on a base module to form a portion of a m~llhr point-of-sale ~n~e~tjnn apl)a.alus in accor~nce with this invention.
FIG. 4A is a pe ~ e view ill..~ -o--~ll;n~ holes on ~e bot~om of a :25 !.,m~-~ 1;nn ~,.rmin:~l mod~le useful in ~;.pl~;n;n~ the --~ nt shown in ~IG. 4.
WO 97/06716 PCTtUS96tl3919 FIG. 5 is a pictorial view ill..~ the co~ F~1;0~ of cables to a ~ c, ~
A1 module after ~ I;n~ of the t ...~ l on a base m~ to form a portion of a m~ r point~f-sale l.,..~e,..~ a~ Js in acco~ ce with this i l~c~
~IG. 6 is a pictorial view i~ g l.~U~ g of a printer module on a base module after a ~ l mod~le and cable cm-nF~ C thereto have been comp',etcd FIG. 7 is a pictorial view ill~.~h,.l;i~g one approach to providing o~, .~ cablec4nllF~1;nl-e to a tr~n~tinn te ~ l m-~dll1i~. and printer module of a mod~ r point-of-sale l~n.e~tiC n ~p~ l .........................e in accol~nce with this invention.
FIG. 8 is a p:-tori~l view ill .........................~ an ~ltprn~tive appr~ to providing 15 u~ ,~ g cable Col~ e~ to a l.,..~ ;nn ~....;.~1 modlll.o. and printermod-llF
of a mod~ r point-of-sale ~ .c~ ;on ~p~ .l..c in acco~ ce with this invention.
PIG. 9 is a p ~ 1 view ill~.~l .,.l;i~g an optinn~l c~nn~tinn of a bar code wandor a PIN-Pad modllle to one of the ports of a t~nc~^.tinn ~F.~ l mlyllllF~ in a 20 mnd~ r point-of-sale ~.,...c ~ - a~ lus in accol~ ce with this illV~llLiOI .
FIG. 10 is a ~ ;ve -view of a base module of a my:llll~r point-of-sale l-, --C~-l;o~ ~p~-,-~ in accol~& ce with this invention.
FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of a base module of a m~lll~r point-of-sale tr~n.c~.tinn app~alus in accol~ce wi~ this invention.
WO 97/06716 PCT/US96/1391.9 ~IG. 12 is a back ~ ali~al view of a base ~odule of a m~lll~r point~f-sale ~ ^fion z~ c in a~ e with this invention with a cu~w~ portion fo itll-cf~r~f~ one feature ~ereof.
S FIG. 13 is an exploded ~mbly d~ g ifl-.~h,.l;.~f~ ~e use of two ~p~ ly m~ld~d pieces f~ form a base module of a mod--l~r point~f-sale fr~n~rfi-~n S in acco~ oe with this invention.
FIG. 13A is a par~al section view talcen along the lines A-A in FIG. 13 and 10 ill~ fe~ s of a base module of a mod~ r point-of-sale t~n~ti~n a~aLus in acco~danc~ wif~l this L~ -Lio l.
FIG. 14 is a ~ ;,r~-~;ve view of a printer mod-lle of a modl-l~r point-of-sale Js in accor~lce with this invention.
~IG. 15 is a side elevational view of a p~inter m~lllP of a m~--l~r point-of-sale , in accol~lce wi~ this illv~l~Lil)lh.
FIG. 16 is a back c,l~,~aLiol~al view of a printer m~llkP of a mod~ r point-of-sale 'W tr~n.~rtir~ p~ .c in ~ ~nce with this i~vcl~Lioll.
FIG. 17A and FIG. 17B illl-~t~ts ~ t;vc ap~oacl~s to providing a modlll~r point-of-sale ~ n ~ c in acco,~lce with this ~lv~llLiol-.
'25 FIG. 18 is a side view illv~ details of an ~ ;ve e~.bo~ l of a m~llll~r point-of-sale ~ ~rl;on al)pA~ in accor~ncc with this inv~lion.
Des~ tion of Invention rS,..h~~
l2~rr~ initially to ~IGS. 1-6 of the d1~W1I~,S~ it is seen that a mo~ r point-of-sale !.,~ ar)~c".l~c in acco~ ce with a one P ~ t of this S ~Ivel~lion co~ a base mod~lkp 10, a printer modllle 20, and a tr~ne~tinn t~ l module 30. Base module 10 provides a msuntin~ and ~ poll ,e~ for both printer modlllP 20 and tr~n~r~.tir~n ~....in~l my3-11P. 30. As FIGS. lA and lB illl)ct~te~ this emho~ l of a msd~ r point-of-sale tr~n~ ~^tit~n ~l,pc,~l"c provides the look and fPAl of an intP.~r~l te~ 1 and printer 10 unit when the ~ree m~d~lp~ are ~Pmb4~ tC~e~l~e~.
As shown in FIG. 2, ~1~1iff~ n~l cables and a power supply are requircd to complOEte a msd~ r point~f-sale l.,~ a~ c in acco~ance with this invention. Base module 10 and printer mndllkP. 20 are ~qlly constructed and ~ ,ed to aG~ .~ oA~e the cabling l~U~d. Power supply 41 in the e ~ of FIG. 2 provides op~ e~ Al power to both printer n.~..l~o 20 and !.~ .- te~ninAl m~dvle 30. Plug 42 is ~s~.~ble in a standard Pl~jt~l outlet and male co~n~ 43 and 44 are ins~ble into female fec~ s provided on ~e printer module 20 and l.~ ;nn le~ A1 rn~vl~.30 20 in a ,.,~m~r shown in FIG. 7 and d~..~;bed in more détail later. A standard t~ol~hl ne cord 45 provides ~lepl~Q~ - cQnn~-~;rn for tr~n~tiQn t~ l mo~nllo 30 to a t~le~h~ e jack hooked to a public switched t~l~.ph~ l-e n~w~lh. Cable 46is a serial port to serial port co~ ~r cable to couple data signals b~,lwe~
n ~,nnin~l module 30 and printer m~lllP, 20. The use of these cables 25 and ports is ~ ed in more detail below.
Tr~rl~rfinn ~.rmin~l mo~llP. 30 may c~mrriQ~o one of several models of rmin~l~ co~ idlly available from VeriFone, Inc. of Redwood City, ~lifQrni~, namely ~ose models which have ~e same rOCJI~ t FIGS. lA
and lB illnct~tlo use of a TRANZ 330 model of VeriFone ~ fi~-~ .,;n~l Any of the ZON XL, TRANZ 3x~c, and OMNI 3x~c models of ~ Al~ m ay also be deployed on base mnrllllP. 10.
PfG. 4 ill...~t~s an ~ np~ for. ,u~ 3<1;~n t~ n~l mndlll~300n base modllle 10. Base m~l~le 10 has a ~ Al .~ou~ ,lr~..". 11 on a ru~ portion thereof and a pnnter ~ou~ portion 12 on a ,~vv~.l portion of base mod~llP. 10. The collsl.uclion and ~Pmhly details of a one emboAimPnt of base module 10 comrri~in~ two .~ y molded pieces are de~ee~ ;bed below in conjul-ction with FIGS. 1~13. TP.rminAl mmlntin~ 11AIr.~.... 11 cQmrri~ a ilat ..~ surface 13 wi~ lips 14A-14C on the sides thereof to~th~r with an 15 ~ ~ement of three .. ~ p posts 15 ca~ried on .~ unl;~ surface 12.
Tr~n~ ;o~ t~ormin~1 30 has a lower base portion 35 ~ith a smaUer length and width and ~is lower base portion is r~ci~cd in the recess formed by side lips 14A-14C of bo~rnin-Al pl,lrl".,. 11. Mollnti~ posts 15 are ~ red in three keyhole shaped insert and slide type .~O!~ .f ;~-g ~e . ~ 73 which are n~ol~e~d into a bottom waU 31 of l.~ m~ ...nAl module 30. Tl~n~ ~e1;nn t ~..in~ P.
30 is then pushed rO, ~ I to capture it in secure fashion on n~ollnti~ surface 12.
After this ~ A1 ~..o~Jn~ is complete, the front wall 31 and the side waUs 33 and 34 of tr~n~ctif~n ~.n~in~l module 30 are aligned with the co~ qn~
e~t~rinr walls of lips 14A-14C. This makes it lifficult to discern without close ins~ ;nn that the t~n~tion ~ A1 module 30 and base module 10 are two sc~ ~ Pl- .". nl~ This close ~li~mPnt g~.-...h,~ of the base modlllr~ 10 and l.,...c,~.1;r)n t~rmin~l module 30 are not e~ to the illvelllion. However, they are highly ~l~,f~.led from an a~ n~ ~nr~
S The aesthetic design a~ ~ of the base module 10 and printer modll1P 20 are the subject of a co-~n~ p and ~----..-~nly ~cig~ design patent ~ ir`~tir n filedon July 31, 1995, and ~c~ig~ S.N. 29/042,056, now U.S. Patent D372,492;
Issued: August 6, 1996.
0 ~lh-~ ;ve l.~C~ l;n~æ 5"1`'-'~,,f""-nl could be u~ili7P~ For example, the ~Uu~ posts 15 could be el;~h~ d and the l.~ tn ~ ~inal module 30 could simply rest on ~ ing surface 13~ Other ~1~. ..~I;ve cmho~ will be ~ ~ below.
After l.~ n k~ n~l module 30 is . ~oun~ed on base m~ P 10, data and power cables le~u~ed for ope-~ ,- thereof are C~ nn~ to tr~n.~tion t~
module 30 as shown ~nP.~11y in FIG. 5. More details of this opP~ti~ n are shown in FIGS. 7-10 and ~ u~l below. ~lthough FIG. 5 shows a cable con~ing out a side slot in base module 10, the ~ ~ngPm~P.nt is for all 20 cables to exit lhl~ugll the rear cable guide 16B.
After cable CQn~ n~ are made to ~ n te~ l modlll~p 30, printer modllle 20 is slid onto the printer .- ~..nl;i~g portion 12 of base mod~llP. 10 as gFn~ ly shown in FIG. 6. Printer module 20 is secured on base m~ll~le 10 25 using a post and groove ~ ~en-. n~ at the rear and a tab and detent ~ ng~.-..-~.nl at the front. These reaLul~s will be ~ s~ more fully below in conjunction with other drawing figures.
e~ ~ ~1 allows the cables leading from ~e c4nn~t~r~ on ~he back of ;on Lt;- ;n~1 m~l4 30 to enter ~e cable laccw~ 16A . nd 16B formed in base m~h~le 10 and then to exit the back of base Inodlll~P 10 as shown in FIGS.
7 . nd 8.
-r ~ g now to Pigs. 7-9, ~e cabling c4nnPe~ llc to printer m~ P. 20 and v ~;o~ q~ 30 will be tlieellQ~ ;IG. 7 ~ s the use of single power supply 41 to power both t.~nC~ 1 modulP. 30 and printer ~OdlU1P- 20. Plug 42 insertable into a ~l~ldanl wall soc~et ~2. Male CC~
43 is h~s_.~d into ~e female power supply f~ 22 on the back of printer module 20. The other male cnnnPc~r 44 is i~ls~ d into the female power supply ~p~ e 35A on the back wall of ~ ~rl;on 1~- ~..h~Al m9dll1e 30 after the cable leading thereto is placed in one part of the cable races 16A and 16B. Serial data cable 46 is used to conn~;l serial port 36 on ~ ~ction ~ o 30 with serial port 23 on printer module 20 using male cn~ u~ ~ 47 and 48, ;v~ly, after the cable is il~.led into one of ~e cables r ces 16A and 16B.
Tele~hrlne cord 45 is ing~lt~d into one portion of ~e cable races 16A and 16B
and is con~t~ on one end into phone outlet port 39 on t~n.~Arti~n t,~-...in~l m~lllle 30. The other end is i~ ble into a sl~ d~.l t~l~hon~o jack 51 as shown.
Tele~hQ~e outlet port 38 may be used to c4 ~nf~l a stalldard voice telf,rl?h"~-e (not shown) to l-~ -^f ;nn ~ nAl for voice CO~ ;rs~tinn~ on ~e same ~ ,hc~
line as is used for data c~ .. n;rqtinnc CA 02202l36 l997-04-08 A second serial port 36 on te ..~ 1 30 may be co~ ~~' to a bar code wand 54 via a cable 57 and co~ F~,~or 56 as shown in FIG. 9. ~ ely, a PIN-Pad 55 may be conn~ to serial port 36 via a cable 58.
5 FIG. 8 ~ ; t' S a~ " c~l~ner~J~n scheme using two scp~ f~ power supplies 41A and 41B for l~ne~ ~lvle 30 and printer module 20. This ,r .~ .~ is likely to be used if the c ~t.~ ~f-' already ~ ng a l.~.~c~^1;m~
l mod-lle 30 with ~c~ ~ power supply 41B. The ~rrane.- ~e~ of FIG.
7 is likely to be used when mod~ r point-of-sale ~ n Appi~ of this 10 invention is a new in~t~ tion FIGS. 10-13 illl)st-~te ~e slluclu,dl details of a base module 10 formed by two sc~ f~ly m~'1P~d pieces. ~f~ferrinP particularly to FIGS. 13 and 13A, the consllu~t;on and ~c~Pmh]y details of this ~---ho l;.-~ of base module 10 are illli~h;~. As shown, the b~".. ;~ u~ pl~tfiorm 11 on base module 10 is c~ ~l of two ~ ely m~ldP~d pieces, a ~ lro - piece llA and a base piece llB. Th_se two pieces snap ~ c~ using an qrr.qngP-mPnt of resilient hooks l9A on ~l ~r~.... piece and catches l9B on base piece llB. In ~ don, screws 1lC may be used to fasten the two pieces 5~;u-_ly ~r-~t . These screws extend llu~ugl~ ap~.lulcs 18A in base piece llB and thread into holes in s~qn~Qff~
18B on the ~n~ e of pl~r.~.... piece llA as shown in Fig. 13A. Prior to mo...-~ rV- -- piece 1 lA onto base piece 1 lB, the three mollntin~ pins 15 are ed into a~;llul~,s 16 in pl Ir.,.... piece llA as shown in Fig. 13A. The Larger ~ portion of pins 15 is swaged or force fit into the ..~o....l;l-g ~.lul~ 16. .~tqr.~Qff~ 17B in base piece llB are po~ n~d to provide su~poll for the ~ I;ng pins 15 when the two pieces are put t~ J. In .~ ir)n a r~-t-qng~ r lJulll~s llD is molded into the un~le~side of pl~lrv.". piece llA to WO 97/06716 PCT/US96/139~19 provide more rigidity and preclude ~Iv~il~g of the molded plastic piece. A
portion of the bottom of this l,ull-~,ss rests on the ho~;~n.-l~1 wall ~.ti~n~ 11E of base portion l lB.
S Printer ~o.~ P portion 12 of base ~ 10 has a pair of tabs 12A locat~d in ~e ru - ~d end thereof as shown in each of Figs. 1~13. On the l~nd~P~ e of tabs 12A is a detent 12B as shown in each of FIGS. 11 and 12. Tabs 12A are posi~inn~p~ with their llnd~r~;de raised above the printer support rails 12D by the r~s of the bottom wall section 24 on the front hollow ~ ~ por~on 21 on print~r nlodulP 20 as shown in FIG. 14. A groove 25 in bottom wall section 24 l~S detent 12B on tabs 12A of base rno~iule 10 as printer m~~ P 20 is slid ro~ l on rails 12D and locks printer module 20 onto base nlod..l~ 10 at thef~l~d ~~ thereof.
~ (liti~n~ printer ~.,u ~ p por~on 12 of base module 10 has a pair of glUO~
12C formed in a back portion thereof at a ~s;l;~ below the printer sup~.l rails 12D. These g~ou~rcs 12C receive posts 27 formed on o~ side walls 28A and 28B of printer module 20 as best depicted in FIGS. 15 and 16. When printer 1nndulp 20 is slid fully forward on s.l~ll rails 12D and detents 12B click into '20 g~es 25, posts 27 on printer mod~lle 20 are ~ d into and seated in gl~ ,S
12C. This ..~0!~ fully secures printer module 20 on base module 10. l~et~ntC 12B and z~ ~ gr~.~s 25 r. .- ~; ~.. to p~clude printer module 20 from sliding off of base module 10 and also to ~r~v~llt the front portion of printer modll4 20 from lifbng off base ~od~lle 10. Tabs 27 and 7-~C;'~Pd ~,s 12C ru~r-3i~ to prevent the backportion of printer module 20 from being lifted off of base module 10.
It will be ~ ated by those slcilled in the art that other ~ g~ for se~ P printer modlllP 20 on base module 10 could be provided without d~p~lillg from this invention. For example, a pair of screws through tabs 12A
could he used to fasten the r~ w~ portion of printer mndvlp 20 on base m~
S 10. Many o~er . .~l~ l r Yt~ n~p hl~ could be employed.
FIGS. 17A and 17B and Fig. 18 illll~tratç other optinn~l appluach~ to achieving a mn~ r point-of-sale li~ ;nn ~pp~.,.ll.c in accor~ ce with this invention.
10 In Fig. 17A the printer modlllp and base module are ~o~ ~1 into a single unit110, optinn~lly with A SepA~ f'. cable cover portion 111 as shown in Fig. 18.
~lalr~,l..~ portion 112 mounts l~ n~ tPrmin~l ntn~ o 30 in aI~y ~ le l~m~. rl~ul~ll portion 112 may also house a circuit board 113 controlling Ope~i ~;m~ of the printer ~ .l 114. E~er~ably, a groove 116 would be provided in the top of the h.J~ g of the printer portion of unit 110 to 4~ te a card swipe ll~ ug1l the I.~n~- I;nn tr . Inin~l mndlll~ 130.
FIG. 17B ilh.~ tr~ the pos~ihility of using a cc~ k;~ base and printer m~l~lP
130 with a printer portion 140 fc,l~ of tr~n~^tinn ~ 1 m~lllP 30. This is cs!n~ Prp-d a less co"~. icnl ~rr~rlEi .~n~ for the user of the t~ n~l, however.
It should be lln~ uod that Figs. 17A and 17B are C~Qn~ l drawings only. The printer and base module in a final version would be des~gl-Pd with ~e~th~Ptir, PlPmPnt~ which match those of tr~n~-~l;nn tPrnlin~l 30 to form an overall modlll~r ~s~Pmhly that has the ~l'~"""'~ of a single in~ ed le~ l and printer unit in the same fashion as the e-~ o~l;lllenl shown in Figs. lA and lB.
WO 97/06716 PCT/US96/139:19 It _hould be ~ l to those of slcill in the art that many vA~A1;0nQ of the ~.,,ho~1;,..~nl~ of r~dulqr point-of-.,ale ~ Q ~rl;-~n a~ C in accci~-ce with this L~_..Loll could be made ~ oul de~ling from ~he in~ lion.
S p~r~ , to FIG. 13, it should be a~)~h~.. l that a single piece base Ino~ lR 10 could be utilized to support and mount l" l~c~ ~;on ~ 1 module 30. For e~cample, base piece llB could be used willloul the ~.~ . pl,lr~.. .-- piece 11Aby providing flat head .-.~ screws in s~n~lQrr~ 17B to be received into --ou~ P slots 73 of l.,~..c,~. 1;~ n te~T-in~l module 30 as shown in FIG. 4A. The feet 72 on the bottom of t.,.. ~.;1 nn ~ Al mod.. le 30 could rest on the s~n~1cff~ 18A ~lop~,.ly positit~n~ and shaped with elon~tic-n in the dircction of sliding of t~n~ti~n ~ -...;nz~l module 30 after setting it on the ~ screws.The edges of section 11 of base module 10 could be raised higher to give close tothesameaesthetica~ nG~ ofthey~,f~ o~l;,... n~ shownintheFIGS.
lA and lB.
In another ~ , the l.;.n~. 1;nn termin~l mo...-~ portion 11 of base mr~ le 10 could lbe a s~ o unit from ~e printer m~~ o rnsl-nting section 12 with an ~ d~g~ -nt to fasten the two module pieces t~-~,e~ ,r after or before ~e 20 ~ ;on t~ - .n;~ module 30 and printer rnn~llle 20 are .~ ou~t~l thereon.
In al ~lwr ~ -, printer module 20 could be provided with an ~rran~em~nt of cn~n~ ;on~Yi in the lCC~I portion 21, i.e. c~nn~.~.~.s that plug di~c~ into ~e various ports on the back of ~ 1;nn lel --;l-~1 m~Ule 30, ~,vith 25 lead thlougll of some ports, if n~ , to ~e back of the printer for cnnn~- 1;ru~
there to eYt~orn~l units such as power supply or t~ol~hnne jack. In another v~ tir~n~ printer module 20 could have a top holl~in~ molded with a card slot CA 02202l36 l997-04-08 aligned with that of trAn~A-~tinn ~ A1 myl111e 30 rather than having an inApnt~p~d right hand shelf section with a shallow groove receiving a small portion of a ;on card 200 as shown in FIGS. lA and lB.
S In ~.~h~r v~ ;nn~ base module lO and printer mo~ lP 20 could be colllbilled using two or three molded plastic k.~u~;l-P portions that snap log~l~.er or otherwise f_sten ~.gr~ r before . ,...~ v~;on ~.~ Al m~~ 30 there~n T~is v~riAtion would be eq~i~11y suitable if c~ to ~e ports of the mndu1e 30 are provided in the ,~c~c~ f~lw~d wall portion of printer m~ 4 20. S~P~--ri~ I.~ n ~ l mod~ P. 30 on the folwanl mu~ g ~ r.~.... of the cc~ h;~ base mod111e and printer rnod111P could be achieved by providing a simple adapter on the bottom of ~ ~el;~n l~
modllle 30 to reverse the dil~lion of the slots 73, for example, so that l.~.~c~ ;nn ~F.. ~ Al m~llle 30 could mount on pl~l rv. ..~ portion l l with a bacLw~ds sliding lS movement.
ely, the .~nv ~; .g pins lS could be provided on ~ d or oth~w;~
ing and sliding tabs ~ 11P- from the bottom of the base my3llle Using this appl~ , the l.,...c ~ A1 modlllP 30 could have cables il~se,t~xl in 20 the back, and ~en phced on ~e .~.ou~;~ p1~ rO. m over the, o~ pins with cable c4n~ ed into ~e ,~Y~I portion of ~e pnnter ho11~in~. The ..~u~ ~lin~ pins could then be slid bacl,w~u~ds and locked in po~;tir)n to capture ~e t~ d111P 30 on its .~ p pl lr4,...
25 Many other eh~n~p~s and m~lificAtion~ could be made to various emho l;--- -.l~ of the invention Wi~llUU~ dep~uLing from the scope of ~e i l./~.lion as set forth in ~e following claims.
Claims (19)
- WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
l. A modular point-of-sale transaction apparatus comprising a modular portion having a printer mechanism mounted within a housing thereof and having structural means providing a terminal platform for supporting a transaction terminal in a prearranged position forward or rearward of said printer mechanism;
said housing for said printer and said platform for supporting said transaction terminal being formed in size and shape and location such that the combination of said modular portion and said transaction terminal has substantially the appearance of a single integrated terminal and printer apparatus. - 2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said modular portion comprises the combination of a base module and a separate printer module mounted on a printer mounting portion provided on a rearward portion of said base module, said terminal platform being defined on said base module at a prearranged forward portion thereof and adapted to mount a transaction terminal thereon in a position such that a back wall portion of said transaction terminal is adjacent to a front wall portion of said printer module.
- 3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said printer module is adapted to beused with a transaction terminal adapted to have power and data connector means mounted on a rearward facing wall thereof, and said printer module has a housingwith a recessed forward wall portion adapted to cover said power and data connector means when both said printer module and said transaction terminal are mounted on said base module.
- 4. Apparatus in claim 2, wherein said terminal platform first securing means formed on a top wall surface thereof and adopted for cooperating with associated second securing means defined on a bottom wall surface of said transaction terminal to secure said transaction terminal on said terminal platform of said base module.
- 5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said printer mounting portion of said base module and bottom wall portions of said housing of said printer module cooperatively provide a slide-on mounting relationship between said base module and said printer module, including cooperative detent and groove means for securing said printer module on said printer mounting portion of said base module;
said printer module is adapted to be used with a transaction terminal adapted tohave power and data connector means mounted on a rearward facing wall thereof, and said printer module has a housing with a recessed forward wall portion adapted to cover said power and data connector means when both said printer module and said transaction terminal are mounted said base module. - 6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said printer module is adapted for use with a transaction terminal having a magnetic card reader slot defined in a top wall portion thereof adjacent a prearranged sidewall of said transaction terminal, and said printer module includes a top housing portion defining a shelf region on a side corresponding to the position of said magnetic card reader slot of said transaction terminal for admitting a magnetic card to said magnetic card reader slot when both said transaction terminal and said printer module are mounted on said base module.
- 7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said printer module is adapted for use with a transaction terminal having a magnetic card reader slot defined in a top wall portion thereof adjacent a sidewall of said transaction terminal, and said printer module includes a top housing portion defining a card slot section a side corresponding to the position of said magnetic card reader slot of said transaction terminal, said card slot section on said printer module adapted to cooperate with said magnetic card reader slot to form an apparently integrated card slot when both said transaction terminal and said printer module are mounted on said base module.
- 8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said modular portion comprises the combination of a base module and a separate printer module mounted on a printer mounting portion provided on a rearward portion of said base module, said terminal platform is defined on said base module at a prearranged forward portion thereof and adapted to mount a transaction terminal thereon in a position such that a back wall portion of said transaction terminal is adjacent to a front wall portion of said printer module, said printer module is adapted to be used with a transaction terminal to have power and data connector means mounted on a rearward facing wall thereof, and has a housing with a recessed forward wall portion adapted to cover said power and data connector means when both said printer module and said transaction terminal are mounted on said base module;
said printer mounting portion of said base module comprising an open frame section having cable races defined thereon and adapted for receiving cables of said power and data connector means for said transaction terminal to route said cables underneath said printer module and through a back wall portion of said base module. - 9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said terminal platform has first securing means formed on a top wall surface thereof and adapted for cooperating with associated second securing means defined on a bottom wall surface of said transaction terminal to secure said transaction terminal on said terminal platform; and said printer mounting portion of said base module and bottom wall portions of said housing of said printer module cooperatively provide a slide-on mounting relationship between said base module and said printer module, including cooperative detent and groove means for securing said printer module on said printer mounting portion of said base module, whereby said apparatus is adapted to be assembled with a transaction terminal byfirst mounting and securing said transaction terminal on said terminal platform using said first securing means, then attaching said power and data connector means to said terminal at a rear wall portion thereof and placing the cables of said power and data connector means in said cable races defined on said open frame section followed by sliding said printer module onto said printer mounting portion of said base module until said cooperative detent and groove means engage and said recessed wall portion of said printer module covers said power and data connector means said to said rear wall portion of said terminal.
- 10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein said printer module is adapted for use with a transaction terminal having a magnetic card reader slot defined in a top wall portion thereof adjacent a prearranged sidewall of said said transaction terminal, and said printer module includes a top housing portion defining a shelf region on a side corresponding to the position of said magnetic card reader slot of said transaction terminal for admitting a magnetic card to said magnetic card reader slot when both said transaction terminal and said printer module are mounted on said base module.
- 11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein said printer module is adapted for use with a transaction terminal having a magnetic card reader slot defined in a top wall portion thereof adjacent a prearranged sidewall of said transaction terminal, and said printer module includes a top housing portion defining a card slot section a side corresponding to the position of said magnetic card reader slot of said transaction terminal, said card slot section on said printer module adapted to cooperate with said magnetic card reader slot to form an apparently integrated card slot when both said transaction terminal and said printer module are mounted on said base module.
- 12. A modular point-of-sale transaction apparatus comprising a base module, a printer module mounted on said base module, and a transaction terminal mounted on said base module said base module having structural means providing a terminal platform for supporting a transaction terminal in a prearranged position forward or rearward of said printer module, said printer module having a housingof prearranged size and shape and said terminal platform being formed in size and shape and location such that the combination of said base module, said transaction terminal and said printer module has substantially the appearance of a single integrated terminal and printer apparatus.
- 13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein said printer module is mounted on a printer mounting portion of said base moduledefined on a rearward portion of said base module, said terminal platform is defined on said base module at a prearranged forward portion thereof; and said transaction terminal is mounted on said terminal platform of said base module in a position such that a back wall portion of said transaction terminal is adjacent to a front wall portion of said printer module.
- 14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein said transaction terminal has power and data connector means mounted on a rearward facing wall thereof, and and said printer module has a housing with a recessed forward wall portion adapted to cover said power and data connector means of said transaction terminal when both said printer module and said transaction terminal are mounted on said base module.
- 15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein said terminal platform has first securing means formed on a top wall surface thereof and adapted for cooperating with associated second securing means defined on a bottom wall surface of said transaction terminal to secure said transaction terminal on said terminal platform of said base module.
- 16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein said printer mounting portion of said base module and bottom wall portions of said housing of said printer module cooperatively provide a slide-on mounting relationship between said base module and said printer module, including cooperative detent and groove means for securing said printer module on said printer mounting portion of said base module;
said transaction terminal has power and data connector means mounted on a rearward facing wall thereof, and said printer module includes a housing with a recessed forward wall portion adapted to cover said power and data connector means mounted on said rear wall of said transaction terminal when said transaction terminal is mounted firstly on said terminal platform of said base module and followed by mounting of said printer module on said base module with said recessed forward wall portion of said printer module sliding over and covering said power and data connector means. - 17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein said transaction terminal has a magnetic card reader slot defined in a top wall portion thereof adjacent a prearranged sidewall thereof said printer module includes a top housing portion defining a shelf region on a side corresponding to the position of said magnetic card reader slot of said transaction terminal for admitting a magnetic card to said a magnetic card reader slot of said transaction terminal when both said transaction terminal and said printer module are mounted on said base module.
- 18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein said transaction terminal has a magnetic card reader slot defined in a top wall portion thereof adjacent a prearranged sidewall thereof; and said printer module includes a top housing portion defining a card slot section on a side corresponding to the position of said magnetic card reader slot of said transaction terminal said card slot section on said printer module adapted to cooperate with said magnetic card reader slot to form an apparently integrated single card slot.
- 19. A method of assembling a modular point-of-sale transaction apparatus using an existing type of transaction terminal of particular design and shape and having rear wall power and data connectors, comprising the steps of:
forming a base module with a transaction terminal mounting platform on a forward portion thereof and a printer mounting section on a rearward portion thereof with said terminal mounting platform having size and shape such that it accommodates the shape of said transaction terminal;
forming a printer module adapted to mount on said base module and having a size and shape adapted to integrate well with the size and shape of said transaction terminal, including a forward wall section adapted to receive cover said power and data connector;
mounting said transaction terminal on said terminal platform of said base module;
mounting said power and data connectors to said rear wall of said terminal; and module with said forward wall section thereof covering said power and data
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US251895P | 1995-08-18 | 1995-08-18 | |
| US60/002,518 | 1995-08-18 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2202136A1 true CA2202136A1 (en) | 1997-02-27 |
Family
ID=21701143
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2202136 Abandoned CA2202136A1 (en) | 1995-08-18 | 1996-08-17 | Modular point-of-sale transaction apparatus and method of manufacture and assembly |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU706786B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2202136A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1997006716A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE20003187U1 (en) | 2000-02-22 | 2000-07-06 | URScom Computer- u. Kommunikations GmbH, 40670 Meerbusch | Device for goods registration and labeling |
| FR3063562B1 (en) * | 2017-03-02 | 2021-05-21 | Ingenico Group | PAYMENT TERMINAL SUPPORT DEVICE |
Family Cites Families (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4776554A (en) * | 1984-08-30 | 1988-10-11 | International Business Machines Corp. | Positioning scheme for multiple mounting positions of input/output devices |
| JPS62199891U (en) * | 1986-06-09 | 1987-12-19 | ||
| SE500298C2 (en) * | 1989-02-27 | 1994-05-30 | Bjoern Jondelius | Box for carrying printers to a computer |
| US5040766A (en) * | 1990-05-29 | 1991-08-20 | Robert A. Egly | Adjustable printer stand |
| US5232276A (en) * | 1991-04-16 | 1993-08-03 | Martin Mitchell L | Adapter for releasably securing a computer and a printer in fixed, spatial relation |
| US5289923A (en) * | 1992-11-23 | 1994-03-01 | Atlantic Richfield Company | Stacker for electronic payment system key pad and printer |
| US5284253A (en) * | 1992-11-25 | 1994-02-08 | Atlantic Richfield Company | Stacker for electronic payment system key pads |
| US5394994A (en) * | 1993-07-28 | 1995-03-07 | Atlantic Richfield Company | Adjustable riser pin pad holder with mounting provisions for a printer holder |
-
1996
- 1996-08-17 WO PCT/US1996/013919 patent/WO1997006716A1/en unknown
- 1996-08-17 CA CA 2202136 patent/CA2202136A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1996-08-17 AU AU68637/96A patent/AU706786B2/en not_active Ceased
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU706786B2 (en) | 1999-06-24 |
| WO1997006716A1 (en) | 1997-02-27 |
| AU6863796A (en) | 1997-03-12 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Dead |