WO1997022056A1

WO1997022056A1 - Replacing peripheral devices in a terminal without interruption

Info

Publication number: WO1997022056A1
Application number: PCT/US1996/020473
Authority: WO
Inventors: Everett Zurlinden
Original assignee: Gtech Corporation
Priority date: 1995-12-15
Filing date: 1996-12-16
Publication date: 1997-06-19
Also published as: AU1343397A

Abstract

A peripheral device (24) is connected to and disconnected from a terminal (72), without interrupting operation of the terminal. The terminal has a central processing unit (12). A first connector (32) is disposed on the peripheral device, and a second mating connector (30) is disposed in the terminal for receiving the first connector. A power source (16) disposed in the terminal provides power independently to the central processing unit and to the peripheral device through the first connector engaged with the second mating connector. The invention may be applied in general to a lottery ticket terminal.

Description

REPLACING PERIPHERAL DEVICES IN A TERMINAL WITHOUT INTERRUPTION

Background of the Invention This invention relates to replacing peripheral devices in a terminal without turning off the terminal or disconnecting the terminal from a network to which it is connected.

A terminal, such as a lottery ticket terminal, is typically part of a network containing a central computer. The terminal has its own central processing unit (CPU) which communicates with the central computer via the network.

The terminal permits an operator to carry out a transaction with the central computer from a remote location. For example, a lottery ticket terminal may be used to generate a lottery ticket based on numbers selected by the central computer.

Printers and play slip readers are peripheral devices typically used with a terminal. Such peripheral devices have an interface with the operator, for example, to provide a written receipt of the transaction, to display information, or to obtain a digital representation of a document. Because printers and play slip readers have numerous moving parts and process moving paper, they tend to require maintenance and repair more often than other terminal hardware.

In an integrated terminal, the peripheral devices are located within the terminal's chassis. Printers and play slip readers typically are built directly into the terminal and securely fastened by hardware and electrical connections such as screws and cables. If there is a problem with a printer or play slip reader that is securely fastened in the terminal, the terminal must be shut off to unfasten and remove the peripheral device. Turning off the terminal involves powering down the terminal and disconnecting the terminal from the network. To make repairs, the entire terminal usually is exchanged with a functioning terminal to minimize the time during which the operator is prevented from making transactions over the network.

Summary of the Invention In general, in one aspect, the invention features an apparatus in which a peripheral device is connected to or disconnected from a terminal, without interrupting operation of the terminal. The terminal has a central processing unit. A first connector is disposed on the peripheral device, and a second mating connector is disposed in the terminal for receiving the first connector. A power source is disposed in the terminal for supplying power independently to the central processing unit and to the peripheral device through the first connector engaged with the second mating connector. Implementations of the invention may also include one or more of the following features.

The central processing unit may be capable of detecting a disconnection condition of the peripheral device and interrupting operations concerning the peripheral device upon detection of the disconnection condition.

The terminal may include a lottery ticket terminal.

The peripheral device may include a printer or an optical mark reader. The apparatus may include a means for securing the peripheral device within the terminal. The securing means be include a lever having a cam, the lever being pivotally attached to the terminal, and the cam being engageable with the peripheral device. The first connector may include a plurality of connector pins and the second mating connector may have a plurality of holes which receive the plurality of connector pins. One of the plurality of connector pins may be elongated for providing an electrical ground connection. The second mating connector may be a floating socket.

The apparatus may include a semiconductor device for absorbing static charges from the peripheral device. In general, in another aspect, the invention features a method of connecting a peripheral device to a terminal having a central processing unit, without interrupting operation of the terminal, by providing a power source in the terminal for supplying power independently to the central processing unit and to the peripheral device, and by connecting the peripheral device to the terminal.

Implementations of the invention may include one or more of the following features. The method may include detecting a disconnection condition of the peripheral device and interrupting operations concerning the peripheral device upon detection of the disconnection condition.

The terminal may include a lottery ticket terminal. The peripheral device may include a printer or an optical mark reader.

The connecting may be accomplished with a lever having a cam, the lever being pivotally attached to the terminal, and the cam being engageable with the peripheral device.

The method may include downloading operating software from the terminal to the peripheral device after the peripheral device has been connected to the terminal. In general, in another aspect, the invention features a method of removing a peripheral device from a terminal having a central processing unit, without interrupting operation of the terminal, by providing a power source to the terminal for supplying power independently to the central processing unit and to the peripheral device, and by separating the peripheral device from the terminal.

Implementations of the invention may include one or more of the following features.

The method may include detecting a disconnection condition of the peripheral device and interrupting operations concerning the peripheral device upon detection of the disconnection condition.

The separating may be accomplished with a lever having a cam, the lever being pivotally attached to the terminal, and the cam being engageable with the peripheral device.

In general, in another aspect, the invention features an apparatus for connecting a plurality of peripheral devices to a terminal having a central processing unit, without interrupting operation of the terminal. A power source is disposed in the terminal for supplying power independently to the central processing unit and to the plurality of peripheral devices, the plurality of peripheral devices being connected to the power source in series. A plurality of first connectors is each disposed on one of the peripheral devices. A plurality of second mating connectors disposed within the terminal is each capable of receiving one of the first connectors. The plurality of first connectors and the plurality of second mating connectors are capable of being connected to form the series connection. In general, in another aspect, the invention features an apparatus for disconnecting one of a plurality of peripheral devices from a terminal having a central processing unit, without interrupting operation of the terminal. A power source is disposed in the terminal for supplying power independently to the central processing unit and to the plurality of peripheral devices, the plurality of peripheral devices being connected to the power source in series. A plurality of first connectors is each disposed on one of the peripheral devices. A plurality of second mating connectors disposed within the terminal is each capable of receiving one of the first connectors. The plurality of first connectors and the plurality of second mating connectors are capable of being separated to break the series connection.

The present invention allows peripheral devices to be removed from and reconnected to the terminal while the power supplied to the terminal is on and the terminal is connected to the network. Peripheral devices can be replaced without interrupting terminal operation and without extensive maintenance repair actions other than physically pulling the peripheral device out of the terminal chassis and re-installing it or a replacement. No handling or routing of cables is necessary, so that an untrained operator can perform a service action by replacing a peripheral without turning off the terminal or logging out of the network. The time to repair a non- functioning terminal also will be decreased. Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, and from the claims. Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 schematically shows a terminal. Fig. 2 somewhat schematically shows in side elevation a reader peripheral device with a connector. Fig. 3 somewhat schematically shows the cavity in the terminal in which the reader is received. Fig. 4 shows a connector and a socket. Fig. 5 schematically shows the electrical connections for peripheral devices. Fig. 6 is a flow diagram of the operations software during replacement of a printer.

Fig. 7 is a flow diagram of the operations software during replacement of a reader.

Fig. 8 somewhat schematically shows a reader inserted into the terminal.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments In Fig. 1, an integrated terminal 10 for carrying out a transaction includes a CPU 12 , and a memory 14 accessible to CPU 12 for storing data and computer software needed to operate terminal 10. Power supply 16 provides power to CPU 12 and peripheral devices 24, 25 located within the chassis of terminal 10. Through a keyboard 20, the terminal operator inputs commands to CPU 12 to carry out the transaction. Modem 18 serves as a communications link between CPU 12 and a central computer (not shown) over a network 22.

Within terminal 10, several peripheral devices 24, 25, 26, 28 for performing various functions are connected to CPU 12. A peripheral device may be any integral terminal component, i.e. a major serviceable module that can be incorporated in a terminal. For example, a printer 24 can be used to print tickets or receipts generated by CPU 12. An optical mark reader 25 or a charge-coupled device (CCD) bar code reader 26 may be used to convert numbers or bar codes from a printed ticket into a ormat that can be processed by CPU 12. A liquid crystal display (LCD) 28 may be used to display a message to the operator from CPU 12. Some of the peripheral devices, e.g. printer 24 and optical mark reader 25, may be powered by power supply 16. Other peripheral devices, e.g. CCD reader 26 and LCD 28, may be powered through their connection to CPU 12.

Reader 25 will be described hereinafter in detail. The description of reader 25 is representative of all possible peripheral devices.

As shown in Fig. 2, a peripheral device such as reader 25 has a connector 30 protruding from one end. Connector 30 is attached to electrical components (not shown) inside reader 25 to provide electrical input and output connections for operating reader 25.

A notch 42 is cut from a portion of an extension rearwardly of the body of reader 25 near connector 30. Notch 42 permits reader 25 to be securely connected to terminal 10, as described below. As shown in Fig. 3, terminal 10 has a cavity 40 that is shaped to receive reader 25. A socket 32 attached to one side of a plastic connector housing 70 is located at one end of cavity 40. Socket 32 is held in place by a shoulder screw 36. Socket 32 is connected to electronic components (not shown) in terminal 10 through housing 70 to provide electrical input and output connections to reader 25.

Attached to the side wall 58 of cavity 40 is a pivoted lever 60. At the pivot point of lever 60, a cam portion 62 of lever 60 projects toward the inside of cavity 40. Cam 62 includes a nub 64 at one point along its perimeter. The lever 60, cam 62 and nub 64 are preferably made from extruded aluminum. Turning lever 60 about its pivot point rotates cam 62 and nub 64 to engage nub 64 in notch 42 of reader 25. Connector 30, as shown in Fig. 4, includes contact pins 31. Contact pins 31 mate with receptacle holes 33 in socket 32, which are spaced to receive contact pins 31. For example, connector 30 may be a 25-pin male connector, and socket 32 may be a 25-hole floating female socket. Acceptable connectors and sockets include the 25-pin Metrimate Pin and Socket connectors manufactured by AMP (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania) which are standard drawer connectors with parallel mountings. For ease of mating with connector 30, socket 32 is movable approximately 0.100 inch in any direction despite being fixedly attached to housing 70. Shoulder screw 35 is loosely connected, thus allowing for sufficient play. This "floating" feature of socket 32 permits the entire connector assembly to move and align itself during engagement, so that the operator need not touch the electrical connections during removal and replacement of the peripheral device. The floating feature permits connector 30 to mate with socket 32 even if there is some misalignment between them. The connection between connector 30 and socket 32 also is considered "blind" in that engagement can be accomplished without direct handling or visualization by the operator.

As shown in Fig. 8, reader 25 fits into cavity 40 under terminal hood 90. Reader 25 is moved into position within cavity 40 so that connector 30 is engaged with terminal socket 32.

The operator locks reader 25 into place inside terminal 10 by rotating lever 60 about its pivot point until nub 64 sits within notch 42, as shown in Fig. 8.

The combination of nub 64 and notch 42 securely holds reader 25 in place until lever 60 is again actuated. Locking reader 25 into place causes connector pins 31 of connector 30 to mate with holes 33 of socket 32. The mating between connector 30 and socket 32 completes the electrical connections between reader 25 and terminal 10. To remove reader 25, the operator rotates lever 60 around its pivot point. Nub 64 pushes against notch 42, forcing connector 30 and socket 32 to separate. Nub 64 leverages reader 25 away from housing 70 and up into cavity 40 so that reader 25 can be lifted from inside terminal 10. Nub 64 is pushed out of notch 42, releasing its hold on reader 25. As shown in Fig. 5, certain of the peripheral devices, e.g. printer 24 and reader 25, which are particularly prone to failure, are connected to a power voltage source from power supply 16, which is separate from the voltage source which powers CPU 12. The peripheral devices 24, 25 may be connected to power supply 16 by a daisy chain control circuit 72. Daisy chain circuit 72 consists of a series connection between the peripheral devices so connected and power supply 16. Each of the peripheral devices forms a link in daisy chain circuit 72 through a hardware interlock connection, which includes connector 30 and socket 32. Thus, if one of the peripheral devices is removed, power to the peripheral devices 24, 25 will be turned off from power supply 16. However, power will continue to be provided to CPU 12 through an independent voltage source from power supply 16.

When one of the peripherals, such as printer 24, is disconnected, the connector pins 31 and holes 33 of connector 30 and socket 32 are exposed. Static charges, such as those carried by the operator's body, can damage the electronic components of terminal 10 and peripheral devices 24, 25 if discharged onto the electrical devices.

Terminal 10 and peripheral devices 24, 25 are protected from damage that could result from discharging static charges. Ground pin 36 is longer than the other pins 31 of connector 30. During mating of connector 30 and socket 32, elongated ground pin 36 makes contact first and disconnects last, ensuring that terminal 10 and peripheral devices 24, 25 are grounded at the point where static charges are most likely to discharge. In addition, an electro-static discharge protection shield or an electro-static discharge foil (not shown) may be included.

The apparatus is also protected from electro- static discharge damage with the use of semiconductor devices, such as transorbs 76, which are capable of absorbing static charges from the peripheral devices 24, 25. A transorb may be, for example, a fast diode that supplies a current path to ground. As seen in Fig. 6, a software program controls the operation of terminal 10 with respect to a peripheral device when the peripheral device is replaced. Such operations software is separate from the application software in use by CPU 12 at any given time, although the two may interact. The operations software may be implemented while CPU 12 is processing a specific applications program, such as formatting a lottery ticket to be printed. The operations software may also determine the presence or absence of the peripheral device and provide appropriate messages to the operator.

The operations software handles the protocol of communications between CPU 12 and the peripheral devices. For example, when printer 24 enters a fault state, the operator may open hood 90 of terminal 10. The software informs printer 24 that hood 90 is open to terminate operation of printer 24 (step 100) . A switch 80, such as a Hall effect sensor, is located near a pivoted end of hood 90 to determine whether hood 90 is open. The software also informs the current software application of CPU 12 that printer 24 is off line (step 102) , thus suspending any transaction involving printer 24. The operator may then remove printer 24.

The operations software then considers whether CPU 12 can communicate with printer 24 (step 104) . If CPU 12 is in communication with printer 24 (because it has not yet been removed) , then the operations software queries whether the fault in printer 24 has cleared (step 106) . If the fault has cleared, then the software application of CPU 12 continues. If the fault has not cleared, the query is repeated.

If CPU 12 is not in communication with printer 24, CPU 12 waits until communication is restored before proceeding (step 108) . The operations software asserts a "reset mode" while waiting for re-connection of printer 24. The reset mode is asserted almost continuously, but is removed briefly to see if printer 24 has been reconnected, and then asserted again. This reset mode allows the terminal 10 to continue to look for printer 24 in the event of an unsuccessful insertion attempt. The operator inserts repaired printer 24 or a new printer into terminal 10. When communication between CPU 12 and printer 24 is restored, CPU 12 downloads the software needed to operate printer 24 (step 110) . The operations software generates a sound to notify the operator that the downloading is complete (step 112) .

The operations software waits until hood 90 is closed by the operator (step 114) . The operations software notifies printer 24 that hood 90 is closed (step 116) . Printer 24 is then operable within terminal 10. Finally, the operations software notifies the software application of CPU 12 that printer 24 is on line (step 118), and the application continues.

Fig. 7 shows the processing of the operations software when reader 25 is replaced. CPU 12 continuously sends polling signals to reader 25 to determine whether reader 25 is connected and responsive (step 200) . If there is a response, the current software application of CPU 12 continues. If the operator has removed reader 25, the operations software takes reader 25 off line from the system (step 202) , and the operations software sends a message to the software application of CPU 12 to discontinue any processing involving reader 25 until it is replaced.

When the operator inserts repaired reader 25 or a new reader, the software required to operate reader 25 is downloaded (step 204) . If the attempt to download the software is unsuccessful, the operations software again attempts to download it. If the downloading procedure is successful, the software application of CPU 12 continues. The present invention enables an operator to remove and replace peripheral devices in an integrated terminal without having to turn off the power to the terminal, disconnect the terminal from the network, or reboot the CPU's software application. Other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

Claims

1. An apparatus for connecting a peripheral device to a terminal and disconnecting said peripheral device from said terminal, said terminal having a central processing unit, without interrupting operation of said terminal, comprising: a first connector disposed on said peripheral device; a second mating connector disposed in said terminal for receiving said first connector; and an power source disposed in said terminal for supplying power independently to said central processing unit and to said peripheral device through said first connector engaged with said second mating connector.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said central processing unit is capable of detecting a disconnection condition of said peripheral device and interrupting operations concerning said peripheral device upon detection of said disconnection condition.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said terminal comprises a lottery ticket terminal.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said peripheral device comprises a printer.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said peripheral device comprises an optical mark reader.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising means for securing said peripheral device within said terminal.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said securing means comprises a lever having a cam, said lever pivotally attached to said terminal, said cam engageable with said peripheral device.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first connector comprises a plurality of connector pins and said second mating connector has a plurality of holes which receive said plurality of connector pins.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein one of said plurality of connector pins is elongated for providing an electrical ground connection.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said second mating connector is a floating socket.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a semiconductor device for absorbing static charges from said peripheral device.

12. A method of connecting a peripheral device to a terminal having a central processing unit, without interrupting operation of said terminal, comprising: providing a power source in said terminal for supplying power independently to said central processing unit and to said peripheral device; and connecting said peripheral device to said terminal.

13. The method according to claim 12 further comprising detecting a disconnection condition of said peripheral device and interrupting operations concerning said peripheral device upon detection of said disconnection condition.

14. The method according to claim 12 wherein said terminal comprises a lottery ticket terminal.

15. The method according to claim 12 wherein said peripheral device comprises a printer.

16. The method according to claim 12 wherein said peripheral device comprises an optical mark reader.

17. The method according to claim 12 wherein said connecting is accomplished with a lever having a cam, said lever pivotally attached to said terminal, said cam engageable with said peripheral device.

18. The method according to claim 12 further comprising downloading operating software from said terminal to said peripheral device after said peripheral device has been connected to said terminal.

19. A method of removing a peripheral device from a terminal having a central processing unit, without interrupting operation of said terminal, comprising: providing a power source to said terminal for supplying power independently to said central processing unit and to said peripheral device; and separating said peripheral device from said terminal.

20. The method according to claim 19 further comprising detecting a disconnection condition of said peripheral device and interrupting operations concerning said peripheral device upon detection of said disconnection condition.

21. The method according to claim 19 wherein said terminal comprises a lottery ticket terminal.

22. The method according to claim 19 wherein said peripheral device comprises a printer.

23. The method according to claim 19 wherein said peripheral device comprises an optical mark reader.

24. The method according to claim 19 wherein said separating is accomplished with a lever having a cam, said lever pivotally attached to said terminal, said cam engageable with said peripheral device.

25. An apparatus for connecting a plurality of peripheral devices to a terminal having a central processing unit, without interrupting operation of said terminal, comprising: a power source disposed in said terminal for supplying power independently to said central processing unit and to said plurality of peripheral devices, said plurality of peripheral devices connected to said power source in series; a plurality of first connectors, each first connector disposed on one of said peripheral devices; a plurality of second mating connectors disposed within said terminal, each second mating connector capable of receiving one of said first connectors; and said plurality of first connectors and said plurality of second mating connectors capable of being connected to form said series connection.

26. An apparatus for disconnecting one of a plurality of peripheral devices from a terminal having a central processing unit, without interrupting operation of said terminal, comprising: a power source disposed in said terminal for supplying power independently to said central processing unit and to said plurality of peripheral devices, said plurality of peripheral devices connected to said power source in series; a plurality of first connectors, each first connector disposed on one of said peripheral devices; a plurality of second mating connectors disposed within said terminal, each second mating connector capable of receiving one of said first connectors; and said plurality of first connectors and said plurality of second mating connectors capable of being separated to break said series connection.