Abstract: A point-of-sale system includes a monitor and interchangeable bases. The monitor includes a display and a connecting member. The interchangeable bases receive the connecting member and are selectively removable therefrom. A point-of-sale monitor includes a display and a connecting member. The connecting member is received by each of a plurality of interchangeable bases and selectively removable therefrom. A plurality of interchangeable bases for a point-of-sale system include a receiving area for a point-of-sale monitor, and a mounting device to removably attach the interchangeable base to the monitor. A method of displaying point-of-sale information includes providing a monitor with a display and connecting member coupled thereto, adapting the interchangeable bases to receive the connecting member, and adapting the interchangeable bases to be selectively removable from the connecting member.

Abstract: A rugged computing module includes a circuit board having traces associated therewith, an integrated circuit mounted on the circuit board, and an interface connector mounted proximate to an edge of the circuit board. The interface connector is electrically coupled to the integrated circuit exclusively through the traces associated therewith, thereby eliminating cable connections between the integrated circuit and the interface connector. The computing module may include a housing substantially enclosing the circuit board and restricting airflow to the integrated circuit, and a thermal transfer device thermally coupled to the integrated circuit. The thermal transfer device is adapted to transfer heat from the integrated circuit to the housing, and includes at least one of a heat sink, thermally conductive foam, and a heat pipe.

Abstract: A computer network, method, and control unit provide two transmitters and two receivers connected to a server and workstations. The workstations are serially connected by transmit and receive paths. The transmitters are connected to opposing ends of the transmit path and the receivers are connected to opposing ends of the receive path. The first transmitter and receiver are enabled and the second transmitter and receiver are disabled during a first phase of a breakage diagnostic mode. The first transmitter transmits a first test sequence and the first receiver receives first acknowledgement sequences. The first transmitter and receiver are disabled and the second transmitter and receiver are enabled during a second phase. The second transmitter transmits a second test sequence and the second receiver receives a quantity of second acknowledgement sequences, which is compared to the quantity of first acknowledgement sequences to determine whether there is a discontinuity in the network.

Abstract: A computer network includes servers, controllers, and a plurality of workstations. The servers and controllers are coupled by Ethernet and secondary communication links. The workstations are serially coupled with the controllers. In this network, each server and controller acts as a failsafe and is adapted to assume the functionality of another server or controller in response to failure in that server or controller. In this manner, the secondary communication link assumes functionality of the Ethernet link in response to failure in the Ethernet link. A method of eliminating interruptions in a computer network due to a single point-of-failure includes assuming functionality of a server or controller by another server or controller in response to failure in the server or controller, and assuming functionality of an Ethernet link by a secondary communication link in response to failure in the Ethernet link.

Abstract: A method of using a customer pole display, point-of-sale pole display, point-of sale display, or pole display includes connecting a Universal Serial Bus, inputting a power signal from the Universal Serial Bus, translating the power signal to a display power signal, and connecting the display power signal to the display. A Universal Serial Bus-compatible interface adapted to provide power to a point-of-sale display includes a connector adapted to be coupled to a Universal Serial Bus and a converter operatively coupled to the connector and adapted to translate a power signal input from the Universal Serial Bus to a display power signal. A point-of-sale display assembly includes a display, a connector adapted to be coupled to a Universal Serial Bus, and a converter operatively coupled to the connector and adapted to translate a power signal input from the Universal Serial Bus to a display power signal.

Abstract: A circuit for protecting a solenoid and/or receipt printer in an electronic device, such as a point-of-sale terminal, includes a resistance and a capacitance. The resistance is electrically coupled in parallel with the capacitance, and the parallel network of resistance and capacitance is coupled in series with the solenoid. An energizing signal is applied to the parallel network to energize the solenoid. A method of protecting a solenoid and/or receipt printer in the electronic device includes the steps of coupling a resistance electrically in parallel with a capacitance, coupling the parallel network electrically in series with the solenoid, and applying an energizing signal to the parallel network to energize the solenoid. The capacitance preferably includes two polarized electrolytic capacitors electrically coupled in a back-to-back series configuration with common polarities connected to each other.

Abstract: A rugged computing module includes a microcontroller, flash memory, and at least one interface port. The flash memory is operatively coupled to the microcontroller, and at least a portion of the flash memory is used as a substitute for disk drive storage area, thereby eliminating moving parts in the computing module. The interface port is operatively coupled to the microcontroller and includes at least one of an Ethernet port, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, a serial port, a parallel port, a keyboard/mouse port, and a Super Video Graphics Array (SVGA) port.

Abstract: A distributed network is for use with a general purpose computer having a communications port. The network includes a master controller having first and second communications ports. The first communications port communicates with a general purpose computer. The network includes input/output controllers, having a first communications port for communicating with the master controller and a second communications port for communicating with peripheral devices. The peripheral devices are connected together in a serial daisy chain configuration. The master controller communicates with the input/output controllers via an RS-485 or Ethernet network bus. The master controller also communicates with the general purpose computer via an RS-232, USB, Ethernet, or wireless communication links. The master controller performs protocol management functions including conversion between RS-232 or Ethernet and RS-485, USB, Ethernet, or wireless protocols, error correction and detection, bus arbitration and data buffering.

Abstract: A distributed computer network is disclosed for use with a general purpose computer having a communications port and capable of running applications software for controlling the network. The distributed computer network includes a master controller having first and second communications ports, the first communications port of the master controller for operatively communicating with a general purpose computer. The distributed network further includes one or more input/output controllers, each having a first communications port for operatively communicating with the master controller and a second communications port for serially communicating with one or more peripheral devices. The peripheral devices are connected together in a serial daisy chain configuration. The master controller communicates with the input/output controllers via a multidrop RS-485 network bus.

Abstract: A point-of-sale system is disclosed which is freely configurable with a plurality of peripheral input devices. The system includes a general purpose computer having a communications port for receiving and/or transmitting data. An electronic interface is coupled to the communications port and readily connectable to the plurality of peripheral input devices for communicating data between the plurality of input devices and the computer. The plurality of peripheral input devices can be selectively connected and disconnected from the electronic interface, the electronic interface maintaining a continuous dialogue with the computer during the connection and disconnection of the input devices.

Abstract: A distributed computer network is disclosed for use with a general purpose computer having a communications port and capable of running applications software for controlling the network. The distributed computer network includes a master controller having first and second communications ports, the first communications port of the master controller for operatively communicating with a general purpose computer. The distributed network further includes one or more input/output controllers, each having a first communications port for operatively communicating with the master controller and a second communications port for serially communicating with one or more peripheral devices. The peripheral devices are connected together in a serial daisy chain configuration. The master controller communicates with the input/output controllers via a multidrop RS-485 network bus.

Abstract: An integrated keyboard input device is disclosed, including those used for Point-Of-Sale system (POS). The standard keyboard is integrated with one or more optical scanners and any combination of other input peripheral devices, the optical scanner being mounted within the keyboard housing. The peripherals preferably can be selectively connected and disconnected from the keyboard and are interfaced with a keyboard wedge which allows each input peripheral to communicate directly to a computer in keyboard data format without requiring separate electrical connections to the computer.

Abstract: A distributed computer network is disclosed for use with a general purpose computer having a communications port and capable of running applications software for controlling the network. The distributed computer network includes a master controller having first and second communications ports, the first communications port of the master controller for operatively communicating with a general purpose computer. The distributed network further includes one or more input/output controllers, each having a first communications port for operatively communicating with the master controller and a second communications port for serially communicating with one or more peripheral devices. The peripheral devices are connected together in a serial daisy chain configuration. The master controller communicates with the input/output controllers via a multidrop RS-485 network bus.

Abstract: A point-of-sale system freely configurable with a plurality of peripheral input devices. The system includes a general purpose computer with an input port for receiving data. An electronic interface is coupled to the input port and readily connectable to the plurality of peripheral input devices for transmitting data from the plurality of peripheral input devices to the computer input port. The plurality of peripheral input devices can be selectively connected and disconnected from the electronic interface, the electronic interface maintaining a continuous dialogue with the computer during the connection and disconnection of the plurality of input devices.