Patent ID: 6701192
Filing Date: 2004-03-02
Classification: G06Q,H04L,Y04S

Abstract:
A retail terminal system comprising:a retail terminal suitable for location at a checkout counter; a plurality of retail peripherals that are suitable for location at the checkout counter; and a hub suitable for location at the checkout counter for consolidating power and data wires between the retail peripherals and the retail terminal, for consolidating power outlets for the retail peripherals and the retail terminal, and thereby improving the safety and appearance of the retail terminal system, wherein the hub includes a chassis; a plurality of AC electricity outlets carried by said chassis and in communication with a source of AC electricity for providing power to the retail terminal and a first group of the retail peripherals; a power supply in communication with the source of AC electricity for providing power to a power connector of said retail terminal and adapted to provide DC electricity; a plurality of DC electricity outlets carried by said chassis and in communication with said power supply for providing power to a second group of the retail peripherals; a universal serial bus (USB) hub within the chassis for converting non-USB serial data signals to USB signals, including a plurality of communication ports for connection to the retail peripherals; and a USB hub port for connection to a USB interface in said retail terminal; a first network port in communication with an external retail network; and a second network port in communication with a network interface in the retail terminal; wherein each one of said plurality of retail peripherals has a first integrated cable which is coupled between one of said plurality of AC electricity outlets or said plurality of DC electricity outlets and one of said communication ports; and wherein said hub has a second integrated cable coupled between the second network port and the network interface of said retail terminal, coupled between the USB hub port and the USB interface of said retail terminal, and coupled between said power supply and said power connector of said retail terminal.