Abstract: Multi-mode computing systems for point of sale transactions are disclosed. According to an aspect, a computing system includes a first housing and a processing device disposed in the first housing. A user interface and a first input/output interface is integrated with the first housing and in communication with the processing device. The first input/output interface is configured to receive power for delivery to the processing device. A second housing is configured to carry the first housing. An attachment mechanism is configured to selectively attach together the first housing and the second housing for carry of the first housing. A second input/output interface is configured to be communicatively coupled to the first input/output interface when the first housing and the second housing are attached. A power source is connected to the second input/output interface for delivery of power to the processing device via the first input/output interface.

Abstract: Multi-mode computing systems for point of sale transactions are disclosed. According to an aspect, a computing system includes a first housing and a processing device disposed in the first housing. A user interface and a first input/output interface is integrated with the first housing and in communication with the processing device. The first input/output interface is configured to receive power for delivery to the processing device. A second housing is configured to carry the first housing. An attachment mechanism is configured to selectively attach together the first housing and the second housing for carry of the first housing. A second input/output interface is configured to be communicatively coupled to the first input/output interface when the first housing and the second housing are attached. A power source is connected to the second input/output interface for delivery of power to the processing device via the first input/output interface.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments describe a design structure embodied in a machine readable storage medium for designing, manufacturing, and/or testing a design for performing the functions of a PCI Express feature card remotely from a data processing system. The system is comprised of a circuit board connected to a PCI-E feature card. The PCI-E feature card is remotely located in comparison to the circuit board. Architecturally, the PCI-E feature card appears to the circuit board to be located at the circuit board.

Abstract: A point of sale (POS) system includes primary and auxiliary printers powered by a shared power supply. A POS terminal includes the shared power supply, a user interface, and a host including a printer driver for dynamically generating primary print commands. A printer connection card connected to the POS terminal includes a Universal Serial Bus (USB) hub in communication with the host and having at least one USB connector powered by the shared power supply. The primary printer is connected to the USB hub for receiving power and the primary print commands through the USB hub from the POS terminal. An auxiliary printer has a power-only connection to the printer connection card, receiving independently generated auxiliary print commands from a separate host computer. A controller includes control logic for selectively blocking the primary print commands to the primary printer in response to the signal drawn by the auxiliary printer exceeding a threshold.

Abstract: Multi-mode computing systems for point of sale transactions are disclosed. According to an aspect, a computing system includes a first housing and a processing device disposed in the first housing. A user interface and a first input/output interface is integrated with the first housing and in communication with the processing device. The first input/output interface is configured to receive power for delivery to the processing device. A second housing is configured to carry the first housing. An attachment mechanism is configured to selectively attach together the first housing and the second housing for carry of the first housing. A second input/output interface is configured to be communicatively coupled to the first input/output interface when the first housing and the second housing are attached. A power source is connected to the second input/output interface for delivery of power to the processing device via the first input/output interface.

Abstract: A point of sale (POS) system includes primary and auxiliary printers powered by a shared power supply. A POS terminal includes the shared power supply, a user interface, and a host including a printer driver for dynamically generating primary print commands. A printer connection card connected to the POS terminal includes a Universal Serial Bus (USB) hub in communication with the host and having at least one USB connector powered by the shared power supply. The primary printer is connected to the USB hub for receiving power and the primary print commands through the USB hub from the POS terminal. An auxiliary printer has a power-only connection to the printer connection card, receiving independently generated auxiliary print commands from a separate host computer. A controller includes control logic for selectively blocking the primary print commands to the primary printer in response to the signal drawn by the auxiliary printer exceeding a threshold.

Abstract: Graphical retail item identification including receiving, from a digital camera, an image of a retail item to be identified; decoding, by an image decoding module, the image into one or more image processing tasks; assigning, by a task assignment engine, the one or more image processing tasks to one or more of the POS terminals, the one or more POS terminals characterized as image processing terminals; executing the image processing tasks by the image processing terminals, including reporting results of the image processing tasks to an item identification engine; and identifying, by the item identification engine upon completion of the image processing tasks by the image processing terminals, the retail item.

Abstract: Method, system and apparatus enabling a computing system to automatically identify the capabilities of a power supply coupled to the computing system. The power supply includes a controller that sends an identification code to a computing system prior to sending a power good signal to the computing system. The identification code and the power good signal are preferably sent over a single conductor, such as a power supply connector pin. The computing system receives the identification code for cross-referencing against a list of power supply identification codes and associated capabilities. Optionally, instructions from the computer system to an output device may be controlled as a function of the identified power supply capabilities.

Abstract: Method, system and apparatus enabling a computing system to automatically identify the capabilities of a power supply coupled to the computing system. The power supply includes a controller that sends an identification code to a computing system prior to sending a power good signal to the computing system. The identification code and the power good signal are preferably sent over a single conductor, such as a power supply connector pin. The computing system receives the identification code for cross-referencing against a list of power supply identification codes and associated capabilities. Optionally, instructions from the computer system to an output device may be controlled as a function of the identified power supply capabilities.

Abstract: Graphical retail item identification including receiving, from a digital camera, an image of a retail item to be identified; decoding, by an image decoding module, the image into one or more image processing tasks; assigning, by a task assignment engine, the one or more image processing tasks to one or more of the POS terminals, the one or more POS terminals characterized as image processing terminals; executing the image processing tasks by the image processing terminals, including reporting results of the image processing tasks to an item identification engine; and identifying, by the item identification engine upon completion of the image processing tasks by the image processing terminals, the retail item.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and products are disclosed for controlling a Point Of Sale (‘POS’) terminal using surveillance video that include: receiving, by a surveillance module, a digital surveillance video of a region adjacent to a POS terminal, the digital surveillance video captured by a digital surveillance camera; identifying, by the surveillance module in dependence upon the digital surveillance video, operator characteristics for an operator captured on the digital surveillance video in the region adjacent to a POS terminal; and administering, by the surveillance module, the POS terminal in dependence upon the operator characteristics.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement (adapter) for attaching a display device to a serial I/O channel is disclosed. The circuit arrangement captures a serial message of indeterminate length and places said message unit into a refresh RAM in a synchronous manner during non-display periods. The circuit arrangement includes a microprocessor whose address and data buses are coupled to a microprocessor RAM and through control circuitry to the address and data buses of a refresh RAM. Data is transferred at high speed from the serial I/O channel to the microprocessor RAM. When the microprocessor executes a read command, the microprocessor RAM is placed in a "read mode" while the refresh RAM is placed in a "write" mode. Data at the address selected in the microprocessor RAM is transferred to an identical address in the refresh RAM. Similarly, data can be transferred from the refresh RAM into the microprocessor RAM. Thus, the execution of a single command at a single address results in the selection of two RAMs.