Abstract:
A point-of-sale system includes a housing, processing device, and radio frequency card reader. The processing device and reader are disposed within the housing, which eliminates external electrical connections associated with the reader. The system may include a monitor and an interchangeable base, which receives the monitor and is selectively removable from the monitor. The interchangeable base houses the processing device. The housing may include the interchangeable base, which also houses electrical connections associated with the RF card reader. A method of displaying point-of-sale information includes providing a housing, disposing a processing device within the housing, and disposing a radio frequency card reader within the housing, thereby eliminating external electrical connections associated with the reader. The method may include providing a monitor with a display and receiving area, adapting the interchangeable base to receive the receiving area and to be selectively removable from the receiving area.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/779,566 filed on Mar. 6, 2006, and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/241,735 filed on Sep. 30, 2005, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention generally relates to point-of-sale (POS) terminal systems, and more particularly to integrating a radio frequency (RF) card reader and providing interchangeable bases for a POS terminal system.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     Point-of-sale (POS) terminal systems are commonly used in retail stores, supermarkets, and restaurants for sales transactions. In a typical POS terminal system, popular components include a cash drawer, printer, credit card reader, bar code reader, monitor, customer display, POS keyboard, touch screen monitor, signature verifier, and computer.  
         [0006]     However, in most POS customer service areas, counter space is limited. Therefore, although it is advantageous to integrate several components into one compact unit, a high degree of integration has at least one drawback. Specifically, different components have different usable life spans. Therefore, a single outdated component can render the entire system obsolete even if the remaining components are perfectly functional and up-to-date. In an integrated POS terminal system, the computer provides an excellent example of a component that is readily outdated.  
         [0007]     A radio frequency (RF) card is also known as a contactless credit card and operates on the principle of radio frequency identification technology. For example, an RF card reader radiates a radio frequency signal that is received by an antenna in the RF card. Data is exchanged when the card is within the RF field of the reader antenna. The RF card derives its power from the RF card reader signal and does not require a battery or external power source. A complete line of contactless RF card products in wafer and module form is available from Atmel Corporation, 2325 Orchard Parkway, San Jose, Calif. 95131. With the addition of an external antenna to these commercially available components a complete RFID tag of RF card may be manufactured by means well known in the art.  
         [0008]     The received signal generates enough electrical power to activate the electronics of the RF card. The RF card then transmits its unique identification back to the card reader. With the proper security encryption, the card reader deciphers data on the card and converts this data into standard magnetic stripe reader data. This type of RF card and card reader offer the advantages of higher security, faster reading, and more convenient processing when compared with conventional magnetic stripe cards and the corresponding card readers.  
         [0009]     As a result, RF card readers are gaining popularity. Rather than replacing conventional magnetic stripe readers by the much anticipated Smart Cards, many applications plan to adopt the RF card instead. The advantages of the RF card include: 
        1. an output format that is compatible with that of magnetic stripe readers, which enables traditional credit check systems to be preserved;     2. rapid reading of information on the RF card;     3. high security;     4. the ability of the card holder to physically retain the RF card while it is being read;     5. lower manufacturing costs when compared with Smart Cards;     6. lack of physical wear caused by reading, which would require issuance of a new card as is done with conventional credit cards that are swiped;     7. high success rate for initial reads; and     8. reading is independent of the RF card orientation with respect to the card reader.        
 
         [0018]     A conventional POS terminal system  30 , in which each of the components is integrated into a single assembly, is shown in  FIG. 1 . The display is often a touch screen Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)  32 . The electronics required to power and drive the touch screen monitor  32  are generally housed behind the display  16 .  
         [0019]     An important component of the integrated terminal system  30  is the computer (not shown). In  FIG. 1 , the computer is located either inside a base  34  or in a rear portion of the terminal housing  36 . In either case, the computer is an integral part of the system and it is not separable from the remaining assembly to enable the computer to be, for example, upgraded to a more powerful computer.  
         [0020]     Thus, there is a need in the field of POS terminal systems for an alternative that would provide the advantages of conventional integrated POS terminal systems, which include many essential components, such as an RF card reader, while addressing the limitation of rendering an entire system obsolete with a single outdated component, such as the computer. In addition, there is a need to improve flexibility in customizing the features of an integrated POS terminal system.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0021]     These and other goals, purposes, and objectives are met by the present invention that provides a point-of-sale system, which include a housing, a processing device, and a radio frequency (RF) card reader. The processing device and the RF card reader are disposed or at least partially disposed within the housing, thereby eliminating electrical connections associated with the RF card reader that are external to the housing. The system may also include a monitor, and an interchangeable base, which may be one of a plurality of interchangeable bases adapted to fit various monitors. The interchangeable base may be adapted to receive the monitor and is selectively removable from the monitor. The interchangeable base may be adapted to house the processing device. The housing may include the interchangeable base that is adapted to house electrical connections associated with the RF card reader.  
         [0022]     The system may also include a magnetic strip reader (MSR), customer display, touch-screen display, speaker, fingerprint verifier, printer, bar code reader, cash drawer, keyboard, flash-based mass storage, disk drive mass storage, memory, Universal Synchronous Bus (USB) port, RS-232 port, SVGA port, Ethernet port, parallel port, PS/2 port, audio port, programmable cash drawer kickout port, and/or mouse operatively coupled to the processing device. The RF card reader may be positioned in proximity to the customer display, such that the RF card reader can be accessed while viewing the customer display.  
         [0023]     The present invention further provides a point-of-sale monitor, which includes a housing, a display and a radio frequency (RF) card reader fully or partially disposed within the housing, thereby eliminating electrical connections associated with the RF card reader that are external to the housing. The monitor may include a receiving area, which is adapted to be received by one or more interchangeable base. The receiving area may be adapted to be selectively removable from the interchangeable base. The RF card reader may be disposed fully or partially within the interchangeable base.  
         [0024]     The present invention yet further provides a plurality of interchangeable bases adapted for use in a point-of-sale system, at least one of which includes a receiving area adapted to receive a monitor, and a mounting device adapted to removably attach the interchangeable base to the monitor. The interchangeable bases may be adapted to house a processing device, which includes a computer, microprocessor, microcontroller, application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and/or programmable logic device. The interchangeable bases may be adapted to house electrical connections associated with a monitor.  
         [0025]     The present invention still further provides a method of displaying point-of-sale information, which includes providing a housing, disposing a processing device fully or partially within the housing, and disposing a radio frequency (RF) card reader fully or partially within the housing, thereby eliminating electrical connections associated with the RF card reader that are external to the housing. The method may also include providing a monitor comprising a display and a receiving area, adapting an interchangeable base to receive the receiving area, and adapting the interchangeable base to be selectively removable from the receiving area.  
         [0026]     The method may include adapting least the interchangeable base to house the processing device, providing the processing device as a computer, microprocessor, microcontroller, application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and/or programmable logic device, and/or adapting the interchangeable base to house electrical connections associated with the RF card reader. The method may further include coupling a magnetic strip reader (MSR), customer display, touch-screen display, speaker, fingerprint verifier, printer, bar code reader, cash drawer, keyboard, flash-based mass storage, disk drive mass storage, memory, Universal Synchronous Bus (USB) port, RS-232 port, SVGA port, Ethernet port, parallel port, PS/2 port, audio port, programmable cash drawer kickout port, and/or mouse operatively to the processing device. The method may include positioning the RF card reader in proximity to a customer display, such that the RF card reader can be accessed while viewing the customer display.  
         [0027]     These and other objectives, features, and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof, which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0028]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a conventional point-of-sale integrated terminal system.  
         [0029]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an all-in-one point-of-sale integrated terminal system in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0030]      FIG. 3  is a rear view of the all-in-one point-of-sale integrated terminal system.  
         [0031]      FIG. 4  is a side perspective view of the all-in-one point-of-sale integrated terminal system.  
         [0032]      FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of the all-in-one point-of-sale integrated terminal system.  
         [0033]      FIG. 6  is a rear view of the all-in-one point-of-sale integrated terminal system.  
         [0034]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an integrated terminal system with an interchangeable base in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0035]      FIG. 8  is a side view of a monitor shown in  FIG. 7 .  
         [0036]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an interchangeable base shown in  FIG. 7 .  
         [0037]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the interchangeable base shown in  FIG. 9 .  
         [0038]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the integrated terminal system with interchangeable base shown in  FIG. 7 .  
         [0039]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the interchangeable base shown in  FIG. 9 .  
         [0040]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the integrated terminal system with interchangeable base shown in  FIG. 6 .  
         [0041]      FIG. 14  is a side view showing a first embodiment of a method for mounting the monitor to the interchangeable base in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0042]      FIG. 15  is a side view showing a second embodiment of a method for mounting the monitor to the interchangeable base in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0043]     In accordance with the present invention,  FIGS. 2-6  show various views of an integrated point-of-sale (POS) terminal system  10  with a radio frequency (RF) card reader  12  in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. The terminal system  10  preferably also includes a magnetic stripe reader  14 , touch screen display  16 , customer display  18 , and a computer  20 . Accordingly, the terminal system  10  provides displays for both a cashier and a customer.  
         [0044]     Although the RF card reader  12  is shown as being preferably mounted on a rear internal surface of the terminal system  10 , the RF card reader  12  could as well be mounted anywhere in or on the terminal system  10  while remaining within the scope of the present invention. The RF card reader  12  is preferably mounted at a location that is easily accessible to customers using the terminal system  10 . The RF card reader  12  is commercially available as model number UIC 680 contactless module from Uniform Industrial Corp., 47709 Fremont Blvd., Fremont, Calif. 94538.  
         [0045]     The RF card reader is also preferably enclosed within the terminal system  10 , such that any visible external interface cables are not required. In addition, the RF card reader  12  is preferably fixed at a position on the terminal system  10  that will not be in proximity with any metallic objects since such proximity reduces the sensitivity of the RF card reader  12 . The RF card reader  12  is also preferably positioned in proximity to the customer display  18 , which preferably shows information including the status of the RF card being read, the payment tendered, and the balance remaining on the RF card following the current transaction.  
         [0046]     Output from the RF card reader  12  is preferably connected to and processed by the computer  20 . The RF card reader  18  is preferably powered by a power supply (not shown) of the terminal system  10 , but may be powered by any means known in the art.  
         [0047]     Thus, the terminal system  10  in accordance with the present invention may provide one or more the following features: 
        1. a built-in integrated RF card reader;     2. a fanless computer, as disclosed in further detail in U.S. application Ser. No. 10/662,120, which is incorporated herein by reference.     3. a small footprint;     4. a detachable base unit, as disclosed in further detail in U.S. application Ser. No. 11/241,735, which is incorporated herein by reference;     5. ease of service;     6. ruggedness and reliability of design;     7. additional peripherals and components, such as integrated WiFi capability (such as be incorporating a WiFi adapter by means well known in the art), built-in magnetic stripe reader, a customer display (such as a touch-screen display), speakers, HDD and/or flash-based mass storage, RAM, I/O ports (USB, RS-232, SVGA, Ethernet, parallel, PS/2 keyboard/mouse, audio, power USB, and programmable cash drawer kickouts).     9. the option of not having internal moving parts by selecting the appropriate components; and     10. multimedia ready (MPEG-2 decoding and video).        
 
         [0057]     Since the terminal system  10  is preferably a fanless units, it is highly suitable for retail or hospitality environments where dust and/or grease may be present or when fan noise is not desirable. For enhanced reliability, the single board computer of the terminal system  10  preferably limits the number of internal cables, which is a common source of loose connections and failure. A true no-moving parts operation is provided when compact flash is used for mass storage or boot-from-network operation is provided.  
         [0058]     The terminal system  10  preferably provides a high-quality, bright 15″ touch-screen display (which is typically 15″, but may be larger or smaller while remaining within the scope of the present invention) with ample room for screen display and navigation. The display preferably includes hardened antiglare coatings and a high contrast for applicability in any POS environment. Since counter space is very limited in most retail and hospitality stores, the terminal system  10  preferably has a small footprint. The terminal system  10  preferably also includes two front-accessible USB 2.0 ports, special multimedia functionality, built-in speakers for computer-based training, and the capability to boot from a network or USB flash drive.  
         [0059]     In accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, which may be combined with the features of the first embodiment while remaining within the scope of the present invention,  FIG. 7  shows an integrated point-of-sale (POS) terminal system  38  with a removable and/or interchangeable computer base  40 . An upper section of the system  38  preferably includes a touch screen LCD monitor  42 , a credit card reader  44  which is preferably located on the right-hand side of the monitor  42 , and a customer display  46 , which is preferably mounted on the rear side of the LCD monitor and is only partially visible near the top of the monitor  42 .  
         [0060]     The lower section of the system  38  includes the readily detachable computer housing or interchangeable base  40 . The upper section  48  of the system  38  shown in  FIG. 8 , and the lower section  50  is shown in  FIG. 9  detached from each other.  
         [0061]     The interchangeable base  40 , which is preferably used to enclose the computer (not shown) is shown in  FIG. 9  and can be replaced with different bases, such as those shown in  FIGS. 10 and 12 , to achieve different dimensions, functionality, and/or performance. For example, if a simple passive base  52  shown in  FIG. 10  is used, a simple terminal system  54  shown in  FIG. 11 , which is a basic touch screen monitor  54 , can be achieved. Alternatively, if a more powerful computer requires a larger active base  56  shown in  FIG. 12 , a high-performance terminal system  58  shown in  FIG. 13  is achieved.  
         [0062]     The interchangeable base  40  may incorporate an opening  51  to permit cabling and other connections to be made between the upper and lower sections of the POS terminal system or to merely enable the connections to pass through the interchangeable base  40 . The interchangeable base  40  preferably performs the following functions: 
        1. It encloses a computer board, which is preferably used as a central processing unit (CPU) for the POS terminal system. The computer board or processing device preferably includes at least one of computer, microprocessor, microcontroller, application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and/or programmable logic device.     2. It encloses and anchors all excess cables to the computer board from the monitor, magnetic strip reader (MSR), customer display, speakers, fingerprint verifier, printer, bar code reader, cash drawer, keyboard, mouse, and other peripherals that may be associated with and/or integrated in the POS terminal system.     3. It facilitates and simplifies the serviceability of the POS terminal system. Accordingly, by removing all the attached cables and only one or more screws, the entire computer unit can be detached for repair, upgrade or relocation.     4. Interface cables from the monitor and attached peripherals preferably enter the interchangeable base through the opening in the top surface of the base. Interface cables from other peripherals preferably enter the base through a bottom and/or rear opening (not shown).     5. The front side of the adapter base unit can support all the computer user interface functions, such as a power on/off switch, reset switch, power on indicator, hard drive activity indicator, beeper, and universal serial bus (USB) ports.        
 
         [0068]     The interchangeable base is particularly advantageous since it substantially overcomes problems associated with variations in the useful life of different components integrated in the POS terminal system. For example, the user may upgrade or downgrade the computer associated with the terminal system while continuing to use the same touch screen monitor, which typically has a much longer usable life than the computer.  
         [0069]     Two embodiment of the methods for attaching the monitor  42  to the interchangeable base  40  are shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 14 , a tapered base edge  60  of the monitor  42  is preferably slid into a tapered recess  62  in the interchangeable base  40 . A front base portion  64  is then preferably lowered into a straight recess  66  in the interchangeable base  40 . The monitor  42  and interchangeable base  40  are then preferably fastened together using a screw  68  and a mating nut  70 . The first mounting method provides the minimum number of screws required to attach the monitor  42  to the interchangeable base  40 .  
         [0070]     Another embodiment is shown in  FIG. 15 , in which no tapered edges are used and the monitor  42  is placed into two straight recesses  66  in the interchangeable base  40 . Two to four mounting screws  68  and nuts  70  are preferably used to attach the monitor  42  to the interchangeable base  40  in this embodiment. This embodiment provides the advantages of simplicity and lower cost in tooling.  
         [0071]     Accordingly, the advantages provided by the integrated POS terminal system with the interchangeable base in accordance with the present invention include the following: 
        1. The system substantially reduces problems associated with obsolescence. For example, in the simplest configuration, the terminal system may be downgraded to a useful touch screen monitor with a simple passive base as shown in  FIG. 11 .     2. As future applications impose different requirements, such as a more powerful CPU, a different or larger base can be used, if required.     3. The interchangeable base can be redesigned to accommodate different footprints or styles to match and/or complement additional physical requirements, thus providing complete flexibility concerning variations in the shape, style, and/or dimensions of the system footprint.        
 
         [0075]     Although illustrative embodiments of the present invention have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawing, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may be affected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.