Patent ID: 6053410
Filing Date: 2000-04-25
Classification: G06F,G07G

Abstract:
A method of operating a retail terminal which includes (i) a core module assembly, (ii) a first base assembly having a first power supply secured thereto, and (iii) a second base assembly having a second power supply secured thereto, comprising the steps of:operating the core module assembly so as to perform point-of-sale retail functions for a first time period while (i) the core module assembly is secured to the first base assembly, and (ii) the core module assembly is electrically coupled to the first power supply;detaching the core module assembly from the first base assembly after the first time period operating step;electrically decoupling the core module assembly from the first power supply after the first time period operating step;attaching the core module assembly to the second base assembly after the detaching step;electrically coupling the core module assembly to the second power supply after the electrically decoupling step; andoperating the core module assembly so as to perform product demonstration retail functions for a second time period while (i) the core module assembly is secured to the second base assembly, and (ii) the core module assembly is electrically coupled to the second power supply,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 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, andwherein (i) the first base assembly includes a first housing, (ii) the first power supply is contained within the first housing, (iii) the second base assembly includes a second housing, and (iv) the second power supply is contained within the second housing.