Patent ID: 6053412
Filing Date: 2000-04-25
Classification: G06F,G07G

Abstract:
A retail terminal, comprising:a first base assembly secured to a first mounting surface, said first mounting surface having a first mounting opening defined therein out of which a first electrical cable segment extends;a second base assembly secured to a second mounting surface, said second mounting surface having a second mounting opening defined therein out of which a second electrical cable segment extends; anda core module assembly which operates to perform point-of-sale retail functions in a first mode of operation and product demonstration retail functions in a second mode of operation, wherein (i) said core module assembly is electrically coupled to said first electrical cable segment and attached to said first base assembly when said core module assembly is operating in said first mode of operation, and (ii) said core module assembly is electrically coupled to said second electrical cable segment and attached to said second base assembly when said core module assembly is operating in said second mode of operation,wherein said core module assembly and said first base assembly cooperate to define a first protective housing which completely contains said first cable segment when said core module assembly is (i) attached to said first base assembly, and (ii) operating in said first mode of operation,wherein said core module assembly and said second base assembly cooperate to define a second protective housing which completely contains said second cable segment when said core module assembly is (i) attached to said second base assembly, and (ii) operating in said second mode of operation,wherein the core module assembly includes (i) a housing, (ii) a main controller board positioned within the housing, (iii) a hard drive device positioned within the housing and electrically coupled to the main controller board, (iv) a data input device, electrically coupled to the main controller board, which is configured to allow a user to input data signals to the main controller board, (v) a plurality of electrical connectors, supported by the housing, which are configured to electrically couple the main controller board to a number of external devices,wherein the plurality of electrical connectors includes (i) a cash drawer connector configured to electrically couple a cash drawer to the main controller board, (ii) a LAN connector configured to electrically couple a LAN to the main controller board, (iii) a scanner connector configured to electrically couple a scanner to the main controller board, (iv) a module power connector configured to electrically couple a power supply to the main controller board, (v) an external speaker connector configured to electrically couple an external speaker to the main controller board, and (vi) a printer connector configured to electrically couple a printer to the main controller board.