Wiring hub for a retail terminal

• US 6,701,192 B1
• Filed: 09/13/2000
• Issued: 03/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: NCR Voyix Corporation
• Original Assignee: NCR Corporation (NCR Voyix Corporation)
• Inventors: Herwig, Nathaniel C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Starks, Jr., Wilbert L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HARTMAN JR, RONALD D
• Application Number:
  US09/661,061
• Time in Patent Office: 1,266 Days
• Field of Search: 710/63, 705/16, 705/21, 235/2, 235/7, 700/1, 700/2, 700/19, 700/20
• US Class Current: 700/19
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/202 Interconnection or interaction of plural electronic cash registers [ECR] or to host computer, e.g. network details, transfer of information from host to ECR or from ECR to ECR
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/101 using crossbar or matrix
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/30 Peripheral units, e.g. input or output ports
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 50/12 Billing, invoicing, buying or selling transactions or other related activities, e.g. cost or usage evaluation

Abstract

A wiring hub for a retail terminal system provides an interface between a main terminal of the retail terminal system and a plurality of peripherals associated with the retail terminal system, such as an input device, a scanner, a printer, and a customer display. The wiring hub provides a centralized chassis containing a plethora of connectors for power distribution to each peripheral and the main unit/terminal and for communication between each peripheral and the main terminal. Each peripheral includes a single cable having integrated power and communications wiring that attaches to appropriate connectors of the wiring hub. The wiring hub is coupled to a source of electricity and includes appropriate electricity routing and conversion for AC and DC peripherals/components. The main terminal is coupled to the wiring hub via one or two cables carrying power wiring, network wiring, and communication wiring. The wiring hub also provides a network connection for the main terminal. Additionally, the wiring hub includes a plurality of various protocol ports and a protocol converter and communications hub for allowing communications between the plurality of peripherals and the main terminal regardless of the communications protocol used by either one. The present invention improves installation and servicing of a retail terminal system. In addition, the present invention provides a consolidation of cabling.

Claims

1. A retail terminal system comprising:

a retail terminal suitable for location at a checkout counter;

a plurality of retail peripherals that are suitable for location at the checkout counter; and

a hub suitable for location at the checkout counter for consolidating power and data wires between the retail peripherals and the retail terminal, for consolidating power outlets for the retail peripherals and the retail terminal, and thereby improving the safety and appearance of the retail terminal system, wherein the hub includes

a chassis;

a plurality of AC electricity outlets carried by said chassis and in communication with a source of AC electricity for providing power to the retail terminal and a first group of the retail peripherals;

a power supply in communication with the source of AC electricity for providing power to a power connector of said retail terminal and adapted to provide DC electricity;

a plurality of DC electricity outlets carried by said chassis and in communication with said power supply for providing power to a second group of the retail peripherals;

a universal serial bus (USB) hub within the chassis for converting non-USB serial data signals to USB signals, including

a plurality of communication ports for connection to the retail peripherals; and

a USB hub port for connection to a USB interface in said retail terminal;

a first network port in communication with an external retail network; and

a second network port in communication with a network interface in the retail terminal;

wherein each one of said plurality of retail peripherals has a first integrated cable which is coupled between one of said plurality of AC electricity outlets or said plurality of DC electricity outlets and one of said communication ports; and

wherein said hub has a second integrated cable coupled between the second network port and the network interface of said retail terminal, coupled between the USB hub port and the USB interface of said retail terminal, and coupled between said power supply and said power connector of said retail terminal.