Patent ID: 6065679
Filing Date: 2000-05-23
Classification: G06Q,G07F,G07G,H05K

Abstract:
A modular Point-Of-Sale (POS) terminal apparatus comprising:a core unit comprising a printed wiring board including a processor and associated basic memory, a keypad for inputting data, an integral display for displaying data from the processor, and plural hardware-based interfaces that, in use, support optional modules which may be connected to said core unit, said core unit hardware-based interfaces including:a hardware-based magnetic stripe card reader interface for, in use, supporting a magnetic stripe card reading module,a hardware-based smart card module interface for, in uses, supporting a smart card module,a hardware-based memory interface for, in use, supporting an expansion memory module,a hardware-based security module interface for, in use, supporting a security module, anda hardware-based data exchange interface for providing data exchange with a communication unit printed wiring board; and a communication unit including:a top cover having an opening facing the core unit;said communication unit printed wiring board including an interface connector extending through the opening to connect to the core unit hardware-based data exchange interface; anda bottom cover, wherein the top cover and the bottom cover define a housing capable of retaining plural optional modules.