Multi-functional retail terminal and associated method
First Claim
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1. A method for maintaining security of a computer terminal having a docking station and a portable computer, comprising the computer-implemented steps of:
- generating electronic information in response to an unlocking attempt to unlock the portable computer from the docking station;
storing a plurality of values that are indicative of valid unlocking attempts;
determining whether the unlocking attempt is valid based upon the electronic information and the plurality of values;
unlocking the portable computer from the docking station in response to the determining step determining that the unlocking attempt is valid; and
preventing unlocking of the portable computer from the docking station in response to the determining step determining that the unlocking attempt is invalid.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for maintaining security of a retail terminal having a docking station and a portable computer includes the computer-implemented steps of receiving an unlocking attempt to unlock the portable computer from the docking station; determining whether the unlocking attempt is valid; and unlocking the portable computer from the docking station if the unlocking attempt is valid. A multi-functional retail terminal is also disclosed.
289 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for maintaining security of a computer terminal having a docking station and a portable computer, comprising the computer-implemented steps of:
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generating electronic information in response to an unlocking attempt to unlock the portable computer from the docking station; storing a plurality of values that are indicative of valid unlocking attempts; determining whether the unlocking attempt is valid based upon the electronic information and the plurality of values;
unlocking the portable computer from the docking station in response to the determining step determining that the unlocking attempt is valid; andpreventing unlocking of the portable computer from the docking station in response to the determining step determining that the unlocking attempt is invalid. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A multi-functional retail terminal, comprising:
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a docking station; a portable computer; a coupler configured to detachably couple said portable computer to said docking station; and a locking mechanism configured to unlock said portable device from said docking station in response to determining that an unlocking attempt to unlock said portable computer from said docking station is valid, wherein said docking station includes a retail peripheral, and said portable computer and said docking station are configured to perform a point of sale transaction and general purpose computing, and wherein said docking station and said portable computer are configured to (i) generate electronic information in response to said unlocking attempt, (ii) determine whether said unlocking attempt is valid based upon said electronic information and a plurality of stored values that are indicative of valid unlocking attempts, and (iii) prevent unlocking of said portable computer from said docking station in response to determining that said unlocking attempt is invalid. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A retail network, comprising:
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a network server; a docking station; a portable computer; a coupler configured to detachably couple said portable computer to said docking station; a network interface configured to provide a communications link between said network server and said docking station; and a locking mechanism configured to unlock said portable device from said docking station in response to determining that an unlocking attempt to unlock said portable computer from said docking station is valid, wherein said docking station includes a retail peripheral, and said portable computer and said docking station are configured to perform a point of sale transaction and general purpose computing, wherein a plurality of values that are indicative of valid unlocking attempts are stored in said network server, and wherein said docking station and said portable computer are configured to (a) generate electronic information in response to said unlocking attempt, (b) determine whether said unlocking attempt is valid based upon said electronic information and said plurality of values stored in said network server, and (c) prevent unlocking of said portable computer from said docking station in response to determining that said unlocking attempt is invalid. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification