Patent ID: 6062477
Filing Date: 2000-05-16
Classification: G06F,G07G

Abstract:
A method of operating a retail terminal having a core module assembly, a single-orientation base assembly, and a multiple-orientation base assembly, comprising the steps of:attaching the core module assembly to the single-orientation base assembly;operating the core module assembly so as to perform unassisted retail functions while the core module assembly is secured to the single-orientation base assembly;detaching the core module assembly from the single-orientation base assembly after the unassisted retail function operating step;attaching the core module assembly to the multiple-orientation base assembly after the detaching step; andoperating the core module assembly so as to perform assisted point-of-sale retail functions while the core module assembly is secured to the multiple-orientation base assembly,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, andwherein 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.