Retail terminal which is configured to protect electrical cables interfaced thereto and associated method

• US 6,053,412 A
• Filed: 04/30/1998
• Issued: 04/25/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: NCR Voyix Corporation
• Original Assignee: NCR Corporation
• Inventors: Wright, David M., Kamphuis, Kevin L., Nugent, Paul F. Jr., Wike, Charles K. Jr., Lippert, Kurt J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hajec, Donald
• Assistant Examiner(s): TREMBLAY, MARK STEPHEN
• Application Number:
  US09/070,623
• Time in Patent Office: 726 Days
• Field of Search: 235/462.43, 235/462.45, 235/462.47, 235/375, 235/383, 361/725, 361/731
• US Class Current: 235/462.43
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/16 Constructional details or arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1631 Panel PC, e.g. single housing hosting PC and display panel
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/0018 Constructional details, e.g. of drawer, printing means, input means

Abstract

A retail terminal includes a first base assembly secured to a first mounting surface. The first mounting surface has a first mounting opening defined therein out of which a first electrical cable segment extends. The retail terminal also includes a second base assembly secured to a second mounting surface. The second mounting surface has a second mounting opening defined therein out of which a second electrical cable segment extends. The retail terminal further includes a core module assembly which operates to perform retail functions in a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation. The core module assembly is electrically coupled to the first electrical cable segment and attached to the first base assembly when the core module assembly is operating in the first mode of operation. The core module assembly is electrically coupled to the second electrical cable segment and attached to the second base assembly when the core module assembly is operating in the second mode of operation. The core module assembly and the first base assembly cooperate to define a first protective housing which completely contains the first cable segment when the core module assembly is attached to the first base assembly and operating in the first mode of operation. The core module assembly and the second base assembly cooperate to define a second protective housing which completely contains the second cable segment when the core module assembly is attached to the second base assembly and operating in the second mode of operation.

Claims

1. A retail terminal, comprising:

a first base assembly secured to a first mounting surface, said first mounting surface having a first mounting opening defined therein out of which a first electrical cable segment extends;

a second base assembly secured to a second mounting surface, said second mounting surface having a second mounting opening defined therein out of which a second electrical cable segment extends; and

a core module assembly which operates to perform point-of-sale retail functions in a first mode of operation and product demonstration retail functions in a second mode of operation, wherein (i) said core module assembly is electrically coupled to said first electrical cable segment and attached to said first base assembly when said core module assembly is operating in said first mode of operation, and (ii) said core module assembly is electrically coupled to said second electrical cable segment and attached to said second base assembly when said core module assembly is operating in said second mode of operation,

wherein said core module assembly and said first base assembly cooperate to define a first protective housing which completely contains said first cable segment when said core module assembly is (i) attached to said first base assembly, and (ii) operating in said first mode of operation,

wherein said core module assembly and said second base assembly cooperate to define a second protective housing which completely contains said second cable segment when said core module assembly is (i) attached to said second base assembly, and (ii) operating in said second mode of operation,

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,

wherein 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 module 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.

2. The retail terminal of claim 1, wherein:

said first base assembly is secured to said first mounting surface with a first mounting plate, said first mounting plate having a first plate opening defined therein,

said second base assembly is secured to said second mounting surface with a second mounting plate, said second mounting plate having a second plate opening defined therein,

said first plate opening is aligned with said first mounting opening,

said second plate opening is aligned with said second mounting opening,

said first electrical cable segment extends out of both said first plate opening and said first mounting opening, and

said second electrical cable segment extends out of both said second plate opening and said second mounting opening.

3. The retail terminal of claim 2, wherein:

said first base assembly has a first access opening defined therein,

said second base assembly has a second access opening defined therein,

said first access opening is aligned with both said first mounting opening and said first plate opening,

said second access opening is aligned with both said second mounting opening and said second plate opening,

said first electrical cable segment extends out of both said first plate opening and said first mounting opening and through said first access opening so as to be received into said first protective housing, and

said second electrical cable segment extends out of both said second plate opening and said second mounting opening and through said second access opening so as to be received into said first protective housing.

4. The retail terminal of claim 1, wherein:

said first electrical cable segment includes a first data cable segment which extends out of said first mounting opening, said first data cable segment having a first data cable connector secured thereto,

said second electrical cable segment includes a second data cable segment which extends out of said second mounting opening, said second data cable segment having a second data cable connector secured thereto,

said first data cable connector is coupled to said LAN connector when said core module assembly is (i) attached to said first base assembly, and (ii) operating in said first mode of operation, and

said second data cable connector is coupled to said LAN connector when said core module assembly is (i) attached to said second base assembly, and (ii) operating in said second mode of operation.

5. The retail terminal of claim 1, wherein:

said first electrical cable segment includes a first power cable segment which extends out of said first mounting opening, said first power cable segment having a first power cable connector secured thereto,

said second electrical cable segment includes a second power cable segment which extends out of said second mounting opening, said second power cable segment having a second power cable connector secured thereto,

said first base assembly includes a first power supply which has a first power input connector,

said second base assembly includes a second power supply which has a second power input connector,

said first power cable connector is coupled to said first power input connector when said core module assembly is (i) attached to said first base assembly, and (ii) operating in said first mode of operation, and

said second power cable connector is coupled to said second power input connector when said core module assembly is (i) attached to said second base assembly, and (ii) operating in said second mode of operation.

6. The retail terminal of claim 5, further comprising a first intermediate cable and a second intermediate cable, wherein:

said first power supply includes a first power output connector,

said second power supply includes a second power output connector,

said first power output connector is electrically coupled to said module power connector via said first intermediate cable when said core module assembly is (i) attached to said first base assembly, and (ii) operating in said first mode of operation,

said second power output connector is electrically coupled to said module power connector via said second intermediate cable when said core module assembly is (i) attached to said second base assembly, and (ii) operating in said second mode of operation,

said first protective housing completely contains said first intermediate cable when said core module assembly is (i) attached to said first base assembly, and (ii) operating in said first mode of operation, and

said second protective housing completely contains said second intermediate cable when said core module assembly is (i) attached to said second base assembly, and (ii) operating in said second mode of operation.

7. A method of operating a retail terminal having a core module assembly, a first base assembly, and a second base assembly, wherein (i) the first base assembly is secured to a first mounting surface, the first mounting surface having a first mounting opening defined therein out of which a first electrical cable segment extends, and (ii) the second base assembly is secured to a second mounting surface, the second mounting surface having a second mounting opening defined therein out of which a second electrical cable segment extends, comprising the steps of:

attaching the core module assembly to the first base assembly so that the core module assembly and the first base assembly cooperate to define a first protective housing which completely contains the first cable segment;

operating the core module assembly for a first time period so as to perform point-of-sale retail functions while the first cable segment is completely contained by the first protective housing;

detaching the core module assembly from the first base assembly after the first time period operating step;

attaching the core module assembly to the second base assembly, after the detaching step, so that the core module assembly and the second base assembly cooperate to define a second protective housing which completely contains the second cable segment; and

operating the core module assembly for a second time period so as to perform product demonstration retail functions while the second cable segment is completely contained by the second protective housing,

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,

wherein 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 module 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.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein:

the first base assembly is secured to the first mounting surface with a first mounting plate, the first mounting plate having a first plate opening defined therein,

the second base assembly is secured to the second mounting surface with a second mounting plate, the second mounting plate having a second plate opening defined therein,

the first plate opening is aligned with the first mounting opening,

the second plate opening is aligned with the second mounting opening,

the first electrical cable segment extends out of both the first plate opening and the first mounting opening, and

the second electrical cable segment extends out of both the second plate opening and the second mounting opening.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein:

the first base assembly has a first access opening defined therein,

the second base assembly has a second access opening defined therein,

the first access opening is aligned with both the first mounting opening and the first plate opening,

the second access opening is aligned with both the second mounting opening and the second plate opening,

the first electrical cable segment extends out of both the first plate opening and the first mounting opening and through the first access opening so as to be received into the first protective housing, and

the second electrical cable segment extends out of both the second plate opening and the second mounting opening and through the second access opening so as to be received into the first protective housing.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein:

the first electrical cable segment includes a first data cable segment which extends out of the first mounting opening, the first data cable segment having a first data cable connector secured thereto,

the second electrical cable segment includes a second data cable segment which extends out of the second mounting opening, the second data cable segment having a second data cable connector secured thereto,

the step of attaching the core module assembly to the first base assembly includes tie step of connecting the first data cable connector to the LAN connector, and

the step of attaching the core module assembly to the second base assembly includes the step of connecting the second data cable connector to the LAN connector.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein:

the first electrical cable segment includes a first power cable segment which extends out of the first mounting opening, the first power cable segment having a first power cable connector secured thereto,

the second electrical cable segment includes a second power cable segment which extends out of the second mounting opening, the second power cable segment having a second power cable connector secured thereto,

the first base assembly includes a first power supply which has a first power input connector,

the second base assembly includes a second power supply which has a second power input connector,

the step of attaching the core module assembly to the first base assembly includes the step of connecting the first power cable connector to the first power input connector, and

the step of attaching the core module assembly to the second base assembly includes the step of connecting the second power cable connector to the second power input connector.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein:

the first power supply includes a first power output connector,

the second power supply includes a second power output connector,

the step of attaching the core module assembly to the first base assembly includes the step of connecting the first power output connector to the module power connector with a first intermediate cable,

the step of attaching the core module assembly to the second base assembly includes the step of connecting the second power output connector to the module power connector with a second intermediate cable,

the first protective housing completely contains the first intermediate cable during the step of connecting the first power output connector to the module power connector, and

the second protective housing completely contains the second intermediate cable during the step of connecting the second power output connector to the module power connector.

13. A retail terminal, comprising:

a first base assembly secured to a first mounting surface, said first mounting surface having a first mounting opening defined therein out of which a first electrical cable segment extends;

a second base assembly secured to a second mounting surface, said second mounting surface having a second mounting opening defined therein out of which a second electrical cable segment extends; and

a core module assembly which operates to perform point-of-sale retail functions in a first mode of operation and product demonstration retail functions in a second mode of operation, wherein (i) said core module assembly is electrically coupled to said first electrical cable segment and attached to said first base assembly when said core module assembly is operating in said first mode of operation, and (ii) said core module assembly is electrically coupled to said second electrical cable segment and attached to said second base assembly when said core module assembly is operating in said second mode of operation,

wherein said core module assembly and said first base assembly cooperate to define a first protective housing which completely contains said first cable segment when said core module assembly is (i) attached to said first base assembly, and (ii) operating in said first mode of operation,

wherein said core module assembly and said second base assembly cooperate to define a second protective housing which completely contains said second cable segment when said core module assembly is (i) attached to said second base assembly, and (ii) operating in said second mode of operation,

wherein the core module assembly includes (i) a housing, (ii) a main controller board positioned within the housing, (iii) 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, (iv) 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, and

wherein the plurality of electrical connectors include (i) a LAN connector configured to electrically couple a LAN to the main controller board, (ii) a scanner connector configured to electrically couple a scanner to the main controller board, and (iii) a module power connector configured to electrically couple a power supply to the main controller board.

14. The retail terminal of claim 13, wherein:

said first electrical cable segment includes a first data cable segment which extends out of said first mounting opening, said first data cable segment having a first data cable connector secured thereto,

said second electrical cable segment includes a second data cable segment which extends out of said second mounting opening, said second data cable segment having a second data cable connector secured thereto,

said first data cable connector is coupled to said LAN connector when said core module assembly is (i) attached to said first base assembly, and (ii) operating in said first mode of operation, and

said second data cable connector is coupled to said LAN connector when said core module assembly is (i) attached to said second base assembly, and (ii) operating in said second mode of operation.

15. The retail terminal of claim 13, wherein:

said first electrical cable segment includes a first power cable segment which extends out of said first mounting opening, said first power cable segment having a first power cable connector secured thereto,

said second electrical cable segment includes a second power cable segment which extends out of said second mounting opening, said second power cable segment having a second power cable connector secured thereto,

said first base assembly includes a first power supply which has a first power input connector,

said second base assembly includes a second power supply which has a second power input connector,

said first power cable connector is coupled to said first power input connector when said core module assembly is (i) attached to said first base assembly, and (ii) operating in said first mode of operation, and

said second power cable connector is coupled to said second power input connector when said core module assembly is (i) attached to said second base assembly, and (ii) operating in said second mode of operation.

16. The retail terminal of claim 15, further comprising a first intermediate cable and a second intermediate cable, wherein:

said first power supply includes a first power output connector,

said second power supply includes a second power output connector,

said first power output connector is electrically coupled to said module power connector via said first intermediate cable when said core module assembly is (i) attached to said first base assembly, and (ii) operating in said first mode of operation,

said second power output connector is electrically coupled to said module power connector via said second intermediate cable when said core module assembly is (i) attached to said second base assembly, and (ii) operating in said second mode of operation,

said first protective housing completely contains said first intermediate cable when said core module assembly is (i) attached to said first base assembly, and (ii) operating in said first mode of operation, and

said second protective housing completely contains said second intermediate cable when said core module assembly is (i) attached to said second base assembly, and (ii) operating in said second mode of operation.

17. A method of operating a retail terminal having a core module assembly, a first base assembly, and a second base assembly, wherein (i) the first base assembly is secured to a first mounting surface, the first mounting surface having a first mounting opening defined therein out of which a first electrical cable segment extends, and (ii) the second base assembly is secured to a second mounting surface, the second mounting surface having a second mounting opening defined therein out of which a second electrical cable segment extends, comprising the steps of:

attaching the core module assembly to the first base assembly so that the core module assembly and the first base assembly cooperate to define a first protective housing which completely contains the first cable segment;

operating the core module assembly for a first time period so as to perform point-of-sale retail functions while the first cable segment is completely contained by the first protective housing;

detaching the core module assembly from the first base assembly after the first time period operating step;

attaching the core module assembly to the second base assembly, after the detaching step, so that the core module assembly and the second base assembly cooperate to define a second protective housing which completely contains the second cable segment; and

operating the core module assembly for a second time period so as to perform product demonstration retail functions while the second cable segment is completely contained by the second protective housing,

wherein the core module assembly includes (i) a housing, (ii) a main controller board positioned within the housing, (iii) 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, (iv) 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, and

wherein the plurality of electrical connectors include (i) a LAN connector configured to electrically couple a LAN to the main controller board, (ii) a scanner connector configured to electrically couple a scanner to the main controller board, and (iii) a module power connector configured to electrically couple a power supply to the main controller board.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein:

the first electrical cable segment includes a first data cable segment which extends out of the first mounting opening, the first data cable segment having a first data cable connector secured thereto,

the second electrical cable segment includes a second data cable segment which extends out of the second mounting opening, the second data cable segment having a second data cable connector secured thereto,

the step of attaching the core module assembly to the first base assembly includes the step of connecting the first data cable connector to the LAN connector, and

the step of attaching the core module assembly to the second base assembly includes the step of connecting the second data cable connector to the LAN connector.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein:

the first electrical cable segment includes a first power cable segment which extends out of the first mounting opening, the first power cable segment having a first power cable connector secured thereto,

the second electrical cable segment includes a second power cable segment which extends out of the second mounting opening, the second power cable segment having a second power cable connector secured thereto,

the first base assembly includes a first power supply which has a first power input connector,

the second base assembly includes a second power supply which has a second power input connector,

the step of attaching the core module assembly to the first base assembly includes the step of connecting the first power cable connector to the first power input connector, and

the step of attaching the core module assembly to the second base assembly includes the step of connecting the second power cable connector to the second power input connector.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein:

the first power supply includes a first power output connector,

the second power supply includes a second power output connector,

the step of attaching the core module assembly to the first base assembly includes the step of connecting the first power output connector to the module power connector with a first intermediate cable,

the step of attaching the core module assembly to the second base assembly includes the step of connecting the second power output connector to the module power connector with a second intermediate cable,

the first protective housing completely contains the first intermediate cable during the step of connecting the first power output connector to the module power connector, and

the second protective housing completely contains the second intermediate cable during the step of connecting the second power output connector to the module power connector.