Abstract: An electronic price label (EPLs) and assembly method which allow multiple such EPLs to be produced together. The EPL includes a container, electronic circuitry, including a display, in the container, and a transparent lid over the container to expose the display. The assembly method involves aligning a plurality of containers, inserting electronic circuitry, including a display, in each container, and applying a lid having a transparent area for exposing the display to the containers. Following assembly, the EPLs are separated.

Abstract: An apparatus for grouping electronic price labels (EPLs) which facilitates installation of electronic price labels in signs and promotional displays rather than standard shelf edges. The apparatus primarily includes a frame member for mounting the EPLs including a plurality of bays arranged in a plurality of rows and columns. The apparatus additionally includes a product description sheet mounted to the frame member including apertures for exposing displays within the EPLs. Optionally included are a product description sheet holder which mounts to the frame member for retaining the product description sheet against the front surface and a base for supporting the frame member on a flat surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for grouping electronic price labels (EPLs) to form an electronic sign. The apparatus primarily includes a frame member which defines a plurality of bays arranged in a single line for containing the EPLs. The apparatus additionally includes a product description sheet mounted to the frame member including apertures for exposing displays within the EPLs. Optionally included are a product description sheet holder which mounts to the frame member for retaining the product description sheet against the frame member and a base for supporting the frame member on a flat surface. A method of grouping EPLs includes the steps of providing a frame member defining a plurality of bays arranged in a line for containing the EPLs, retaining the EPLs within the bays, placing a product description sheet adjacent to the frame member, and orienting apertures in the product description sheet to expose displays within the EPLs.

Abstract: A method of operating an assisted checkout terminal includes the step of operating a scanner associated with the checkout terminal so as to allow retail personnel to enter a number of items for purchase into the checkout terminal. The method also includes the step of generating an end-of-itemization control signal in response to an indication by the retail personnel that a last item for purchase of the number of items for purchase has been entered into the checkout terminal. Moreover, the method includes the step of operating a currency acceptor associated with the checkout terminal so as to allow a customer to tender payment for the number of items for purchase in response to generation of the end-of-itemization control signal. The checkout terminal includes a customer side and a personnel side which is opposite the customer side. Retail personnel is positioned on the personnel side of the checkout terminal during both the scanner operating step and the currency acceptor operating step.

Abstract: A KeyScreen includes a touchscreen for providing an output position signal indicative of location thereon, with a keypad disposed over the touchscreen. The keypad has a plurality of articulated keys to operably engage the touchscreen upon depression thereof and thereby provide tactile feedback to the user.

Abstract: An electronic price label mounting apparatus which securely retains electronic price label. The electronic price label mounting apparatus includes a frame member defining an aperture through which the electronic price label is inserted, and a top member extending from the frame member which is secured by a fastener to a mounting surface. The top member may be secured to a mounting surface, including a C-channel, wall, or sign.

Abstract: A method of operating a self-service checkout terminal is herein. The self-service checkout terminal has a housing, a stationary scanner secured to the housing, and a hand-held scanner having a holder associated therewith. The hand-held scanner is movable relative to the housing. The method includes the step of detecting when the hand-held scanner is removed from the holder and generating a removed-from-holder control signal in response thereto. The method also includes the step of disabling the stationary scanner in response to generation of the removed-from-holder control signal. The method further includes the step of generating a first item-entered control signal when a first product code associated with a first item for purchase is read by the hand-held scanner. Moreover, the method includes the step of marking the first item for purchase so as to indicate that the first product code was read by the hand-held scanner.

Abstract: An apparatus for grouping electronic price labels (EPLs) to form an electronic sign. The apparatus primarily includes a frame member which defines a plurality of bays arranged in a single line for containing the EPLs. The apparatus additionally includes a product description sheet mounted to the frame member including apertures for exposing displays within the EPLs. Optionally included are a product description sheet holder which mounts to the frame member for retaining the product description sheet against the frame member and a base for supporting the frame member on a flat surface. A method of grouping EPLs includes the steps of providing a frame member defining a plurality of bays arranged in a line for containing the EPLs, retaining the EPLs within the bays, placing a product description sheet adjacent to the frame member, and orienting apertures in the product description sheet to expose displays within the EPLs.

Abstract: An apparatus for grouping electronic price labels (EPLs) which facilitates installation of electronic price labels in signs and promotional displays rather than standard shelf edges. The apparatus primarily includes a frame member for mounting the EPLs including a plurality of bays arranged in a plurality of rows and columns. The apparatus additionally includes a product description sheet mounted to the frame member including apertures for exposing displays within the EPLs. Optionally included are a product description sheet holder which mounts to the frame member for retaining the product description sheet against the front surface and a base for supporting the frame member on a flat surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for grouping electronic price labels (EPLs) which facilitates installation of electronic price labels in signs and promotional displays rather than standard shelf edges. The apparatus primarily includes a frame member for mounting the EPLs including a plurality of bays arranged in a plurality of rows and columns. The apparatus additionally includes a product description sheet mounted to the frame member including apertures for exposing displays within the EPLs. Optionally included are a product description sheet holder which mounts to the frame member for retaining the product description sheet against the front surface and a base for supporting the frame member on a flat surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for grouping electronic price labels (EPLs) to form an electronic sign. The apparatus primarily includes a frame member which defines a plurality of bays arranged in a single line for containing the EPLs. The apparatus additionally includes a product description sheet mounted to the frame member including apertures for exposing displays within the EPLs. Optionally included are a product description sheet holder which mounts to the frame member for retaining the product description sheet against the frame member and a base for supporting the frame member on a flat surface. A method of grouping EPLs includes the steps of providing a frame member defining a plurality of bays arranged in a line for containing the EPLs, retaining the EPLs within the bays, placing a product description sheet adjacent to the frame member, and orienting apertures in the product description sheet to expose displays within the EPLs.

Abstract: A transaction terminal includes a modular controller having a back housing containing a processor main board covered by a front cover removably mounted to the housing. An accessory board is disposed inside the front cover and includes a display driver removably operatively joined to the main board for communicating data therebetween. The cover is interchangeable with different front covers for effecting a variety of different transaction terminal displays.

Abstract: A self-service shopping system which uses an electronic price label (EPL) associated with an item to send a signal to a transaction processing system to record the selection of a product by a customer. An item selector card associated with a customer selects items for purchase. An item selector card reader reads the item selector card. The transaction processing system maintains a list of the selected items. The EPL system includes a plurality of EPLs associated with a plurality of items including the selected items. The EPLs communicate item identification information for the selected items to the transaction processing system.

Abstract: A shield for shielding a capacitive touch screen from external noise arising from stray capacitance is located between the exterior housing of a touch screen device and the touch screen itself. The shield comprises a thin piece of conductive material such as aluminum foil laminated between two layers of insulating material such as a polycarbonite and is secured to the upper surface of the touch screen, as by an adhesive. The shield has a central opening which is smaller than an opening in the housing of the touch screen device that is provided to enable the touch screen to be contacted for entry of data, and to enable a user to view a display that is located beneath the touch screen, which is transparent. Portions of the shield are thus visible, and the central opening of the shield thus defines the portion of the display which can be viewed.

Abstract: A modular business terminal comprises a base unit having a docking surface with a number of parallel grooves, on which surface a plurality of detachable terminal modules having elongated projections associated therewith may be positioned and secured by a snap fit connection between the projections and the grooves. The terminal modules may include such devices as a keyboard, a touch screen, a CRT or other type of display, a magnetic stripe reader, a printer, etc. Various arrangements may be employed to provide data coupling between the base unit and the terminal modules, such as infra-red coupling devices, or the use of a cable attached to the terminal module, which cable is retained within the groove which retains the terminal module in position on the docking surface. The base unit may be configured to rest upon a supporting surface, such as a counter, or may be wall mounted. The docking surface may be angled slightly from the horizontal, or may be substantially vertical.

Abstract: A transaction terminal comprises a base module which includes a printer and a portable hand-held data input module which can be removed by a user from the base module to enable the user to move around an area such as a store to gather input data. The portable data input module can then be connected to the base module for printing of the gathered data. The portable hand-held data input module may include several types of data input devices such as a keyboard, a touch screen, a digitizer and a storage disk.