Patent Description:
Various types of wired interconnectivity devices are known for interconnecting elements of point of sale systems. <CIT> discloses a programmable controller (PLC of building block type), which includes a switch module incorporating a switch part having N-to-N switch function between serial communication lines with a plurality of lines and a plurality of device modules individually incorporating device systems with various advanced-function device module characteristics. On the basis of a diagram, a PLC for carrying out communications among the modules by the serial bus method is explained. On the basis of another diagram a PLC for carrying out communications among the modules by the bucket relay method is explained. <CIT> discloses a universal input/output device for an industrial automation control system. <CIT> discloses a cable length extension of universal serial bus (USB), through the provision of a transmitter hub coupled to a receiver hub over a non-USB data transport connection.

The present invention seeks to provide improved interconnectivity for various elements of point of sale systems.

There is thus provided a modular interconnectivity assembly for interconnecting elements of a point of sale system according to claim <NUM>.

There is also provided a point of sale system according to claim <NUM>.

Preferably, the at least one interface includes an I/O bridge circuit. Additionally, the I/O bridge circuit is at least one of a USB-Serial bridge circuit, a USB-Ethernet bridge circuit, an Ethernet-Serial bridge circuit and an Ethernet-USB bridge circuit.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the at least one interface includes a wireless interface circuit.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the at least one interconnectivity module includes at least a first interconnectivity module and a second interconnectivity module which is selectably connected to the first interconnectivity module, the first interconnectivity module including a first module Input/Output (I/O) hub having at least one first module upstream facing port and at least two first module downstream facing ports, at least one first module upstream connector connected to the at least one first module upstream facing port of the first module I/O hub and adapted for communication in accordance with the first communication protocol, at least one first module downstream connector connected to at least one of the at least two first module downstream facing ports and adapted for communication in accordance with the first communication protocol and at least one first module interface including an I/O bridge circuit connected to another of the at least two first module downstream facing ports and adapted for communication in accordance with the second communication protocol, different from the first communication protocol and the second interconnectivity module including a second module Input/Output (I/O) hub having at least one second module upstream facing port and at least two second module downstream facing ports, at least one second module upstream connector connected to the at least one second module upstream facing port of the second module I/O hub and adapted for communication in accordance with the first communication protocol, at least one second module downstream connector connected to at least one of the at least two second module downstream facing ports and adapted for communication in accordance with the first communication protocol and at least one second module interface, not including an I/O bridge circuit, connected to another of the at least two second module downstream facing ports and adapted for communication in accordance with a third communication protocol, different from the first and second communication protocols.

Preferably, the at least one interconnectivity module includes at least a first interconnectivity module and a second interconnectivity module which is selectably connected to the first interconnectivity module, the first interconnectivity module including a first module Input/Output (I/O) hub having at least one first module upstream facing port and at least two first module downstream facing ports, at least one first module upstream connector connected to the at least one first module upstream facing port of the first module I/O hub and adapted for communication in accordance with the first communication protocol, at least one first module downstream connector connected to at least one of the at least two first module downstream facing ports and adapted for communication in accordance with the first communication protocol and at least one first module interface including an I/O bridge circuit connected to another of the at least two first module downstream facing ports and adapted for communication in accordance with the second communication protocol, different from the first communication protocol and the second interconnectivity module including a second module Input/Output (I/O) hub having at least one second module upstream facing port and at least two second module downstream facing ports, at least one second module upstream connector connected to the at least one second module upstream facing port of the second module I/O hub and adapted for communication in accordance with the first communication protocol, at least one second module downstream connector connected to at least one of the at least two second module downstream facing ports and adapted for communication in accordance with the first communication protocol; and at least one wireless interface connected to another of the at least two second module downstream facing ports.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the at least one interconnectivity module includes at least a first interconnectivity module and a second interconnectivity module which is selectably connected to the first interconnectivity module, the first interconnectivity module including a first module Input/Output (I/O) hub having at least one first module upstream facing port and at least two first module downstream facing ports, at least one first module upstream connector connected to the at least one first module upstream facing port of the first module I/O hub and adapted for communication in accordance with the first communication protocol, at least one first module downstream connector connected to at least one of the at least two first module downstream facing ports and adapted for communication in accordance with the first communication protocol and at least one first module interface including a first type of I/O bridge circuit connected to another of the at least two first module downstream facing ports and adapted for communication in accordance with the second communication protocol, different from the first communication protocol and the second interconnectivity module including a second module Input/Output (I/O) hub having at least one second module upstream facing port and at least two second module downstream facing ports, at least one second module upstream connector connected to the at least one second module upstream facing port of the second module I/O hub and adapted for communication in accordance with the first communication protocol, at least one second module downstream connector connected to at least one of the at least two second module downstream facing ports and adapted for communication in accordance with the first communication protocol and at least one second module interface, including a second type of I/O bridge circuit, different from the first type of I/O bridge circuit, and connected to another of the at least two second module downstream facing ports and adapted for communication in accordance with a third communication protocol, different from the first and second communication protocols.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the at least one interconnectivity module includes at least a first interconnectivity module and a second interconnectivity module which is selectably connected to the first interconnectivity module, the first interconnectivity module including a first module Input/Output (I/O) hub having at least one first module upstream facing port and at least two first module downstream facing ports, at least one first module upstream connector connected to the at least one first module upstream facing port of the first module I/O hub and adapted for communication in accordance with the first communication protocol, at least one first module downstream connector connected to at least one of the at least two first module downstream facing ports and adapted for communication in accordance with the first communication protocol and at least one first module interface including a first type of I/O bridge circuit connected to another of the at least two first module downstream facing ports and adapted for communication in accordance with the second communication protocol, different from the first communication protocol and the second interconnectivity module including a second module Input/Output (I/O) hub having at least one second module upstream facing port and at least two second module downstream facing ports, at least one second module upstream connector connected to the at least one second module upstream facing port of the second module I/O hub and adapted for communication in accordance with the second communication protocol, at least one second module downstream connector connected to at least one of the at least two second module downstream facing ports and adapted for communication in accordance with the second communication protocol and at least one second module interface, including a second type of I/O bridge circuit, different from the first type of I/O bridge circuit, and connected to another of the at least two second module downstream facing ports and adapted for communication in accordance with a third communication protocol, different from the first and second communication protocols.

Preferably, the first communication protocol is one of a USB communication protocol and an Ethernet communication protocol. Additionally, the second communication protocol is one of a serial communication protocol, a USB communication protocol, an Ethernet communication protocol, a Tailgate communication protocol, an SPI communication protocol, an I2C communication protocol, a WiFi communication protocol and a Bluetooth communication protocol.

Reference is now made to <FIG>, which is a simplified illustration of a point of sale (POS) system connection module <NUM> constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. For the purposes of the present application, a point of sale system is any system that is used for a payment transaction and which includes at least two POS devices, such as any of a cash register, a point of sale terminal, a payment terminal, a PINpad, a payment card reader, a printer, a display, a bar code reader and a wireless payment device reader.

As seen in <FIG>, the point of sale connection module <NUM> includes an Input/Output (I/O) hub <NUM> having at least one upstream facing port <NUM> and at least two downstream facing ports, here two downstream ports respectively designated by reference numerals <NUM> and <NUM>. Hub <NUM> may be any suitable I/O hub. Examples of possibly suitable I/O hubs include USB hubs and Ethernet hubs. The point of sale connection module <NUM> preferably includes at least one upstream connector, here shown as a single upstream connector designated by reference numeral <NUM>, connected to the upstream facing port <NUM> of (I/O) hub <NUM> and adapted for communication in accordance with a first communication protocol. The first communication protocol may be any suitable communication protocol. Examples are USB and Ethernet protocols.

At least one downstream connector, here shown as a single downstream connector <NUM> is connected to one of the at least two downstream facing ports, here downstream port <NUM>, and is adapted for communication in accordance with the first communication protocol. At least one interface, here a single interface <NUM>, is connected to another of the at least two downstream facing ports, here port <NUM>, and is adapted for interfacing between communication in accordance with the first communication protocol and communications with a second communication protocol, different from the first communication protocol. The second communication protocol may be any suitable communication protocol other than the first communication protocol. Examples are USB, Ethernet, Tailgate, SPI, I2C, WiFi and Bluetooth protocols.

Interface <NUM> may be any suitable interface, such as, for example, a USB-Serial IO Bridge, a USB-Ethernet IO Bridge, a USB-Wireless Interface, a USB-Tailgate Interface, a USB-SPI Interface, a USB-I2C Interface, an Ethernet-Serial IO Bridge, an Ethernet-USB IO Bridge, an Ethernet-Wireless Interface, an Ethernet-Tailgate Interface, an Ethernet-SPI Interface and an Ethernet-I2C Interface.

It is appreciated that multiple modules of the same or different types may be interconnected via their respective upstream and downstream connectors to provide suitably configured interconnectivity between a multiplicity of point of sale devices using different communication protocols, thus obviating the need to provide a universal interconnectivity cable suitable for many different communication protocols and having a multiplicity of conductors and a multiplicity of connectors, most of which are not used and are exposed in any given connection configuration.

Reference is now made to <FIG>, which are simplified illustrations of specific examples of point of sale system connection modules operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

<FIG> illustrates an implementation of a module <NUM> in which Input/Output (I/O) hub <NUM> (<FIG>) is a USB hub, here designated by reference numeral <NUM>; upstream connector <NUM> (<FIG>) is a USB connector, here designated by reference numeral <NUM>, connected to an upstream-facing port <NUM> of hub <NUM>; downstream connector <NUM> (<FIG>) is a USB connector, here designated by reference numeral <NUM>, connected to a downstream-facing port <NUM> of hub <NUM> and interface <NUM> (<FIG>) is a USB-Serial I/O Bridge, here designated by reference numeral <NUM>, connected to a downstream-facing port <NUM> of hub <NUM>. A serial connector <NUM> is connected to USB-Serial I/O Bridge <NUM>. Here the first communication protocol is USB and the second communication protocol is Serial.

<FIG> illustrates an implementation of a module <NUM> in which Input/Output (I/O) hub <NUM> (<FIG>) is a USB hub, here designated by reference numeral <NUM>; upstream connector <NUM> (<FIG>) is a USB connector, here designated by reference numeral <NUM>, connected to an upstream-facing port <NUM> of hub <NUM>; downstream connector <NUM> (<FIG>), is a USB connector, here designated by reference numeral <NUM>, connected to a downstream-facing port <NUM> of USB hub <NUM> and interface <NUM> (<FIG>) is a USB-Ethernet I/O Bridge, here designated by reference numeral <NUM>, connected to a downstream-facing port <NUM> of USB hub <NUM>. An Ethernet connector <NUM> is connected to USB-Ethernet I/O Bridge <NUM>. Here the first communication protocol is USB and the second communication protocol is Ethernet.

<FIG> illustrates an implementation of a module <NUM> in which Input/Output (I/O) hub <NUM> (<FIG>) is a USB hub, here designated by reference numeral <NUM>; upstream connector <NUM> (<FIG>) is a USB connector, here designated by reference numeral <NUM>, connected to an upstream-facing port <NUM> of USB hub <NUM>; downstream connector <NUM> (<FIG>), is a USB connector, here designated by reference numeral <NUM>, connected to a downstream-facing port <NUM> of USB hub <NUM> and interface <NUM> (<FIG>) is a USB-Wireless Interface, here designated by reference numeral <NUM>, connected to a downstream-facing port <NUM> of USB hub <NUM>. Here the first communication protocol is USB and the second communication protocol is a wireless communication protocol.

<FIG> illustrates an implementation of a module <NUM> in which Input/Output (I/O) hub <NUM> (<FIG>) is a USB hub, here designated by reference numeral <NUM>; upstream connector <NUM> (<FIG>) is a USB connector, here designated by reference numeral <NUM>, connected to an upstream-facing port <NUM> of USB hub <NUM>; downstream connector <NUM> (<FIG>), is a USB connector, here designated by reference numeral <NUM>, connected to a downstream-facing port <NUM> of USB hub <NUM> and interface <NUM> (<FIG>) is a USB-SPI IO Bridge, here designated by reference numeral <NUM>, connected to a downstream-facing port <NUM> of USB hub <NUM>. An SPI connector <NUM> is connected to USB-SPI I/O Bridge <NUM>. Here the first communication protocol is USB and the second communication protocol is an SPI communication protocol.

<FIG> illustrates an implementation of a module <NUM> in which Input/Output (I/O) hub <NUM> (<FIG>) is a USB hub, here designated by reference numeral <NUM>; upstream connector <NUM> (<FIG>) is a USB connector, here designated by reference numeral <NUM>, connected to an upstream-facing port <NUM> of USB hub <NUM>; downstream connector <NUM> (<FIG>), is a USB connector, here designated by reference numeral <NUM>, connected to a downstream-facing port <NUM> of USB hub <NUM> and interface <NUM> (<FIG>) is a USB-I2C IO Bridge, here designated by reference numeral <NUM>, connected to a downstream-facing port <NUM> of USB hub <NUM>. An I2C connector <NUM> is connected to USB-SPI I/O Bridge <NUM>. Here the first communication protocol is USB and the second communication protocol is an I2C communication protocol.

<FIG> illustrates an implementation of a module <NUM> in which Input/Output (I/O) hub <NUM> (<FIG>) is a USB hub, here designated by reference numeral <NUM>; upstream connector <NUM> (<FIG>) is a USB connector, here designated by reference numeral <NUM>, connected to an upstream-facing port <NUM> of USB hub <NUM>; downstream connector <NUM> (<FIG>), is a USB connector, here designated by reference numeral <NUM>, connected to a downstream-facing port <NUM> of USB hub <NUM> and interface <NUM> (<FIG>) is a USB-Tailgate IO Bridge, here designated by reference numeral <NUM>, connected to a downstream-facing port <NUM> of USB hub <NUM>. A Tailgate connector <NUM> is connected to USB-Tailgate I/O Bridge <NUM>. Here the first communication protocol is USB and the second communication protocol is a Tailgate communication protocol.

<FIG> illustrates an implementation of a module <NUM> in which Input/Output (I/O) hub <NUM> (<FIG>) is a Ethernet hub, here designated by reference numeral <NUM>; upstream connector <NUM> (<FIG>) is a Ethernet connector, here designated by reference numeral <NUM>, connected to an upstream-facing port <NUM> of hub <NUM>; downstream connector <NUM> (<FIG>) is a Ethernet connector, here designated by reference numeral <NUM>, connected to a downstream-facing port <NUM> of hub <NUM> and interface <NUM> (<FIG>) is a Ethernet-Serial I/O Bridge, here designated by reference numeral <NUM>, connected to a downstream-facing port <NUM> of hub <NUM>. A serial connector <NUM> is connected to Ethernet-Serial I/O Bridge <NUM>. Here the first communication protocol is Ethernet and the second communication protocol is Serial.

<FIG> illustrates an implementation of a module <NUM> in which Input/Output (I/O) hub <NUM> (<FIG>) is a Ethernet hub, here designated by reference numeral <NUM>; upstream connector <NUM> (<FIG>) is a Ethernet connector, here designated by reference numeral <NUM>, connected to an upstream-facing port <NUM> of hub <NUM>; downstream connector <NUM> (<FIG>) is a Ethernet connector, here designated by reference numeral <NUM>, connected to a downstream-facing port <NUM> of hub <NUM> and interface <NUM> (<FIG>) is a Ethernet-USB I/O Bridge, here designated by reference numeral <NUM>, connected to a downstream-facing port <NUM> of hub <NUM>. A USB connector <NUM> is connected to Ethernet-USB I/O Bridge <NUM>. Here the first communication protocol is Ethernet and the second communication protocol is USB.

<FIG> illustrates an implementation of a module <NUM> in which Input/Output (I/O) hub <NUM> (<FIG>) is a Ethernet hub, here designated by reference numeral <NUM>; upstream connector <NUM> (<FIG>) is a Ethernet connector, here designated by reference numeral <NUM>, connected to an upstream-facing port <NUM> of Ethernet hub <NUM>; downstream connector <NUM> (<FIG>), is a Ethernet connector, here designated by reference numeral <NUM>, connected to a downstream-facing port <NUM> of Ethernet hub <NUM> and interface <NUM> (<FIG>) is a Ethernet-Wireless Interface, here designated by reference numeral <NUM>, connected to a downstream-facing port <NUM> of Ethernet hub <NUM>. Here the first communication protocol is Ethernet and the second communication protocol is a wireless communication protocol.

<FIG> illustrates an implementation of a module <NUM> in which Input/Output (I/O) hub <NUM> (<FIG>) is a Ethernet hub, here designated by reference numeral <NUM>; upstream connector <NUM> (<FIG>) is a Ethernet connector, here designated by reference numeral <NUM>, connected to an upstream-facing port <NUM> of Ethernet hub <NUM>; downstream connector <NUM> (<FIG>), is a Ethernet connector, here designated by reference numeral <NUM>, connected to a downstream-facing port <NUM> of Ethernet hub <NUM> and interface <NUM> (<FIG>) is a Ethernet-SPI IO Bridge, here designated by reference numeral <NUM>, connected to a downstream-facing port <NUM> of Ethernet hub <NUM>. An SPI connector <NUM> is connected to Ethernet-SPI I/O Bridge <NUM>. Here the first communication protocol is Ethernet and the second communication protocol is an SPI communication protocol.

<FIG> illustrates an implementation of a module <NUM> in which Input/Output (I/O) hub <NUM> (<FIG>) is a Ethernet hub, here designated by reference numeral <NUM>; upstream connector <NUM> (<FIG>) is a Ethernet connector, here designated by reference numeral <NUM>, connected to an upstream-facing port <NUM> of Ethernet hub <NUM>; downstream connector <NUM> (<FIG>), is a Ethernet connector, here designated by reference numeral <NUM>, connected to a downstream-facing port <NUM> of Ethernet hub <NUM> and interface <NUM> (<FIG>) is a Ethernet-I2C IO Bridge, here designated by reference numeral <NUM>, connected to a downstream-facing port <NUM> of Ethernet hub <NUM>. An I2C connector <NUM> is connected to Ethernet-I2C I/O Bridge <NUM>. Here the first communication protocol is Ethernet and the second communication protocol is an I2C communication protocol.

<FIG> illustrates an implementation of a module <NUM> in which Input/Output (I/O) hub <NUM> (<FIG>) is a Ethernet hub, here designated by reference numeral <NUM>; upstream connector <NUM> (<FIG>) is a Ethernet connector, here designated by reference numeral <NUM>, connected to an upstream-facing port <NUM> of Ethernet hub <NUM> downstream connector <NUM> (<FIG>), is a Ethernet connector, here designated by reference numeral <NUM>, connected to a downstream-facing port <NUM> of Ethernet hub <NUM> and interface <NUM> (<FIG>) is a Ethernet-Tailgate IO Bridge, here designated by reference numeral <NUM>, connected to a downstream-facing port <NUM> of Ethernet hub <NUM>. A Tailgate connector <NUM> is connected to Ethernet-Tailgate I/O Bridge <NUM>. Here the first communication protocol is Ethernet and the second communication protocol is a Tailgate communication protocol.

Reference is now made to <FIG>, which is a simplified illustration of a point of sale interconnection arrangement employing modules of the type shown in <FIG>, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

As seen in <FIG>, a point of sale (POS) device <NUM>, such as any of a cash register, a point of sale terminal, a payment terminal, a PINpad, a payment card reader, a printer, a display, a bar code reader and a wireless payment device reader, preferably including an IO controller <NUM>, an IO bus <NUM> and a POS device connector <NUM> is physically coupled to a device connection cable <NUM>, preferably including an upstream connector <NUM>, an IO bus <NUM> and a downstream connector <NUM>. The device connection cable <NUM> is preferably physically coupled via its downstream connector <NUM> to an upstream connector <NUM> of a first point of sale connection module <NUM>, which is preferably a point of sale connection module <NUM> (<FIG>) of the type described hereinabove, examples of which are described hereinabove with reference to <FIG>.

A downstream connector <NUM> of first point of sale connection module420 is physically coupled to an upstream connector <NUM> of a second point of sale connection module <NUM>, which is also preferably a point of sale connection module <NUM> (<FIG>) of the type described hereinabove, examples of which are described hereinabove with reference to <FIG>, and may be identical to or different from the first point of sale connection module <NUM>.

A downstream connector <NUM> of second point of sale connection module <NUM> is physically coupled to an upstream connector <NUM> of a third point of sale connection module <NUM>, which is also preferably a point of sale connection module <NUM> (<FIG>) of the type described hereinabove, examples of which are described hereinabove with reference to <FIG>, and may be identical to or different from the first point of sale connection module <NUM> and the second point of sale connection module <NUM>. Preferably, a downstream connector <NUM> of the third point of sale connection module <NUM> is covered by a cover element <NUM>, preventing unauthorized access thereto. Alternatively, third point of sale connection module <NUM> may be formed without a downstream connector <NUM>. It is also appreciated that more than three point of sale connection modules may be physically interconnected in this manner or any other suitable manner.

An I/O hub <NUM> of first point of sale connection module <NUM> is preferably connected via an upstream facing port <NUM> to upstream connector <NUM> and via a downstream facing port <NUM> to downstream connector <NUM>. Hub <NUM> is also preferably connected via a downstream facing port <NUM> to an interface <NUM> which communicates with a POS device <NUM> via a first communication protocol. Hub <NUM> may be any suitable I/O hub. Examples of possibly suitable I/O hubs include USB hubs and Ethernet hubs. Upstream connector <NUM> and downstream connector <NUM> may be any suitable connectors. Examples of possibly suitable connectors include USB connectors, Ethernet connectors, serial connectors and parallel connectors. Interface <NUM> may be any suitable interface, such as, for example, a USB-Serial IO Bridge, a USB-Ethernet IO Bridge, a USB-Wireless Interface, a USB-Tailgate Interface, a USB-SPI Interface, a USB-I2C Interface, an Ethernet-Serial IO Bridge, an Ethernet-USB IO Bridge, an Ethernet-Wireless Interface, an Ethernet-Tailgate Interface, an Ethernet-SPI Interface and an Ethernet-I2C Interface. POS device <NUM> may be any suitable POS device, such as any of a cash register, a point of sale terminal, a payment terminal, a PINpad, a payment card reader, a printer, a display, a bar code reader and a wireless payment device reader. The first communication protocol may be any suitable communication protocol. Examples are USB, Ethernet, Tailgate, SPI, I2C, WiFi and Bluetooth.

An I/O hub <NUM> of second point of sale connection module <NUM> is preferably connected via an upstream facing port <NUM> to upstream connector <NUM> and via a downstream facing port <NUM> to downstream connector <NUM>. Hub <NUM> is also preferably connected via a downstream facing port <NUM> to an interface <NUM> which communicates with a POS device <NUM> via a second communication protocol. Hub <NUM> may be any suitable I/O hub. Examples of possibly suitable I/O hubs include USB hubs and Ethernet hubs. Upstream connector <NUM> and downstream connector <NUM> may be any suitable connectors. Examples of possibly suitable connectors include USB connectors, Ethernet connectors, serial connectors and parallel connectors. Interface <NUM> may be any suitable interface, such as, for example, a USB-Serial IO Bridge, a USB-Ethernet IO Bridge, a USB-Wireless Interface, a USB-Tailgate Interface, a USB-SPI Interface, a USB-I2C Interface, an Ethernet-Serial IO Bridge, an Ethernet-USB IO Bridge, an Ethernet-Wireless Interface, an Ethernet-Tailgate Interface, an Ethernet-SPI Interface and an Ethernet-I2C Interface. POS device <NUM> may be any suitable POS device, such as any of a cash register, a point of sale terminal, a payment terminal, a PINpad, a payment card reader, a printer, a display, a bar code reader and a wireless payment device reader. The second communication protocol may be any suitable communication protocol. Examples are USB, Ethernet, Tailgate, SPI, I2C, WiFi and Bluetooth. The second communication protocol is preferably different from the first communication protocol.

An I/O hub <NUM> of third point of sale connection module <NUM> is preferably connected via an upstream facing port <NUM> to upstream connector <NUM> and via a downstream facing port <NUM> to downstream connector <NUM>. Hub <NUM> is also preferably connected via a downstream facing port <NUM> to an interface <NUM> which communicates with a POS device <NUM> via a third communication protocol. Hub <NUM> may be any suitable I/O hub. Examples of possibly suitable I/O hubs include USB hubs and Ethernet hubs. Upstream connector <NUM> and downstream connector <NUM> may be any suitable connectors. Examples of possibly suitable connectors include USB connectors, Ethernet connectors, serial connectors and parallel connectors. Interface <NUM> may be any suitable interface, such as, for example, a USB-Serial IO Bridge, a USB-Ethernet IO Bridge, a USB-Wireless Interface, a USB-Tailgate Interface, a USB-SPI Interface, a USB-I2C Interface, an Ethernet-Serial IO Bridge, an Ethernet-USB IO Bridge, an Ethernet-Wireless Interface, an Ethernet-Tailgate Interface, an Ethernet-SPI Interface and an Ethernet-I2C Interface. POS device <NUM> may be any suitable POS device, such as any of a cash register, a point of sale terminal, a payment terminal, a PINpad, a payment card reader, a printer, a display, a bar code reader and a wireless payment device reader. The third communication protocol may be any suitable communication protocol. Examples are USB, Ethernet, Tailgate, SPI, I2C, WiFi and Bluetooth. The third communication protocol is preferably different from at least one of the first and second communication protocols and may be different from both.

It is appreciated that embodiments of the present invention preferably support communication with POS devices using more than one different communication protocols but may also support communication with multiple POS devices using the same communication protocol.

Reference is now made to <FIG>, <FIG> and4C, which are simplified illustrations of specific examples of interconnections employing various embodiments of the modular interconnectivity assembly employing different combinations of connection modules of the types shown in <FIG>.

Referring initially to <FIG>, it is seen that a point of sale (POS) device <NUM>, such as a Point of Sale (POS) Terminal including an IO controller <NUM>, which is coupled via an IO bus <NUM> to an Ethernet connector <NUM>, is physically coupled to a device connection cable <NUM>, preferably including an upstream Ethernet connector <NUM>, an Ethernet bus <NUM> and a downstream Ethernet connector <NUM>. The device connection cable <NUM> is preferably physically coupled via its downstream Ethernet connector <NUM> to an upstream Ethernet connector <NUM> of a first point of sale connection module <NUM>, which is preferably a point of sale connection module <NUM> (<FIG>) of the type described hereinabove with reference to <FIG>.

A downstream Ethernet connector <NUM> of first point of sale connection module <NUM> is physically coupled to an upstream Ethernet connector <NUM> of a second point of sale connection module <NUM>, which is also preferably a point of sale connection module <NUM> (<FIG>) of the general type described hereinabove and is seen to be different from the first point of sale connection module <NUM>.

A downstream Ethernet connector <NUM> of second point of sale connection module <NUM> is physically coupled to an upstream Ethernet connector <NUM> of a third point of sale connection module <NUM>, which is also preferably a point of sale connection module <NUM> (<FIG>) of the type described hereinabove and is seen to be different from the first point of sale connection module <NUM> and from second point of sale connection module <NUM>. Preferably, an Ethernet downstream connector <NUM> of the third point of sale connection module <NUM> is covered by a cover element <NUM>, preventing unauthorized access thereto. Alternatively, third point of sale connection module <NUM> may be formed without a downstream connector <NUM>. It is also appreciated that more than three point of sale connection modules may be physically interconnected in this manner or any other suitable manner.

An Ethernet hub <NUM> of first point of sale connection module <NUM> is preferably connected via an upstream facing port <NUM> to upstream Ethernet connector <NUM> and via a downstream facing port <NUM> to downstream Ethernet connector <NUM>. Hub <NUM> is also preferably connected via a downstream facing port <NUM> to an Ethernet/Serial I/O bridge interface <NUM> which communicates via a serial connector <NUM> with a Barcode Reader POS device <NUM> using a Serial communication protocol.

An Ethernet hub <NUM> of second point of sale connection module <NUM> is preferably connected via an upstream facing port <NUM> to upstream Ethernet connector <NUM> and via a downstream facing port <NUM> to downstream Ethernet connector <NUM>. Hub <NUM> is also preferably connected via a downstream facing port <NUM> to an Ethernet/USB I/O bridge interface <NUM> which communicates via a USB connector <NUM> with a Display POS device <NUM> using a USB communication protocol.

An Ethernet hub <NUM> of third point of sale connection module <NUM> is preferably connected via an upstream facing port <NUM> to upstream Ethernet connector <NUM> and via a downstream facing port <NUM> to downstream Ethernet connector <NUM>. Hub <NUM> is also preferably connected via a downstream facing port <NUM> to an Ethernet/Wireless I/O interface <NUM> which communicates wirelessly with a Printer POS device <NUM> using a wireless communication protocol.

Referring now to <FIG>, it is seen that a point of sale (POS) device <NUM>, such as a Point of Sale (POS) terminal including an IO controller <NUM>, which is coupled via an IO bus <NUM> to a USB connector <NUM>, is physically coupled to a device connection cable <NUM>, preferably including an upstream USB connector <NUM>, a USB bus <NUM> and a downstream USB connector <NUM>. The device connection cable <NUM> is preferably physically coupled via its downstream USB connector <NUM> to an upstream USB connector <NUM> of a first point of sale connection module <NUM>, which is preferably a point of sale connection module <NUM> (<FIG>) of the type described hereinabove with reference to <FIG>.

A downstream USB connector <NUM> of first point of sale connection module <NUM> is physically coupled to an upstream USB connector <NUM> of a second point of sale connection module <NUM>, which is also preferably a point of sale connection module <NUM> (<FIG>) of the general type described hereinabove and is seen to be different from the first point of sale connection module <NUM>.

A downstream USB connector <NUM> of second point of sale connection module <NUM> is physically coupled to an upstream USB connector <NUM> of a third point of sale connection module <NUM>, which is also preferably a point of sale connection module <NUM> (<FIG>) of the type described hereinabove and is seen to be different from the first point of sale connection module <NUM> and from second point of sale connection module <NUM>. Preferably, a downstream USB connector <NUM> of the third point of sale connection module <NUM> is covered by a cover element <NUM>, preventing unauthorized access thereto. Alternatively, third point of sale connection module <NUM> may be formed without a downstream connector <NUM>. It is appreciated that more than three point of sale connection modules may be physically interconnected in this manner or any other suitable manner.

A USB hub <NUM> of first point of sale connection module <NUM> is preferably connected via an upstream facing port <NUM> to upstream USB connector <NUM> and via a downstream facing port <NUM> to downstream USB connector <NUM>. Hub <NUM> is also preferably connected via a downstream facing port <NUM> to a USB/Serial I/O bridge interface <NUM> which communicates via a serial connector <NUM> with a Barcode Reader POS device <NUM> using a Serial communication protocol.

A USB hub <NUM> of second point of sale connection module <NUM> is preferably connected via an upstream facing port <NUM> to upstream USB connector <NUM> and via a downstream facing port <NUM> to downstream USB connector <NUM>. Hub <NUM> is also preferably connected via a downstream facing port <NUM> to a USB/Ethernet I/O bridge interface <NUM> which communicates via an Ethernet connector <NUM> with a Display POS device <NUM> using an Ethernet communication protocol.

A USB hub <NUM> of third point of sale connection module <NUM> is preferably connected via an upstream facing port <NUM> to upstream USB connector <NUM> and via a downstream facing port <NUM> to downstream USB connector <NUM>. Hub <NUM> is also preferably connected via a downstream facing port <NUM> to a USB/Wireless I/O interface <NUM> which communicates wirelessly with a Printer POS device <NUM> using a wireless communication protocol.

Referring to <FIG>, it is seen that a point of sale (POS) device <NUM>, such as a Point of Sale (POS) terminal including an IO controller <NUM>, which is coupled via an IO bus <NUM> to an Ethernet connector <NUM>, is physically coupled to a device connection cable <NUM>, preferably including an upstream Ethernet connector <NUM>, an Ethernet bus <NUM> and a downstream Ethernet connector <NUM>. The device connection cable <NUM> is preferably physically coupled via its downstream Ethernet connector <NUM> to an upstream Ethernet connector <NUM> of a first point of sale connection module <NUM>, which is preferably a point of sale connection module <NUM> (<FIG>) of the general type described hereinabove.

An Ethernet hub <NUM> of first point of sale connection module <NUM> is preferably connected via an upstream facing port <NUM> to upstream Ethernet connector <NUM> and via a downstream facing port <NUM> to downstream Ethernet connector <NUM>. Hub <NUM> is also preferably connected via a downstream facing port <NUM> to an Ethernet/USB I/O bridge interface <NUM> which communicates via a downstream USB connector <NUM> with a second point of sale connection module <NUM> using a USB communication protocol and an upstream USB connector <NUM> of second point of sale connection module <NUM>. Ethernet connector <NUM> communicates with Display <NUM> via Ethernet protocol.

Second point of sale connection module <NUM>, is preferably a point of sale connection module <NUM> (<FIG>) of the general type described hereinabove and described hereinabove with reference to <FIG> and is seen to be different from the first point of sale connection module <NUM>.

A downstream USB connector <NUM> of second point of sale connection module <NUM> is physically coupled to an upstream USB connector <NUM> of a third point of sale connection module <NUM>, which is also preferably a point of sale connection module <NUM> (<FIG>) of the general type described hereinabove and described hereinabove with reference to <FIG> and is seen to be different from first point of sale connection module <NUM> and from second point of sale connection module <NUM>. It is also appreciated that more than three point of sale connection modules may be physically interconnected in this manner or any other suitable manner.

A USB hub <NUM> of second point of sale connection module <NUM> is preferably connected via an upstream facing port <NUM> to upstream USB connector <NUM> and via a downstream facing port <NUM> to downstream USB connector <NUM>. Hub <NUM> is also preferably connected via a downstream facing port <NUM> to a USB/Serial <NUM>/<NUM> bridge interface <NUM>, which communicates via a Serial connector <NUM> with a Barcode Reader POS device <NUM> using a Serial communication protocol.

Claim 1:
Modular interconnectivity assembly for interconnecting elements of a point of sale system, the modular interconnectivity assembly (<NUM>) including at least one interconnectivity module comprising:
an Input/Output-hub (<NUM>; I/O) having at least one upstream facing port (<NUM>) and at least two downstream facing ports (<NUM>, <NUM>);
at least one upstream connector (<NUM>) connected to the at least one upstream facing port (<NUM>) of the Input/Output-hub (<NUM>; I/O) and configured to communicate in accordance with a first communication protocol;
at least one downstream connector (<NUM>) connected to a first downstream facing port of the at least two downstream facing ports (<NUM>, <NUM>) and configured to communicate in accordance with the first communication protocol; and
at least one interface (<NUM>) connected to a second downstream facing port of the at least two downstream facing ports (<NUM>, <NUM>) and configured to communicate in accordance with a second communication protocol, different from the first communication protocol.