Abstract: A POS system includes a device broker server that is shared by multiple client devices in the POS system. The device broker server manages POS devices (e.g. cash drawer, bar code scanner, receipt printer, card reader, etc.) and device-related business functions (e.g. payment handling, receipt printing, scanning, etc.). A discovery mechanism enables the client devices to discover the device broker server. The client devices may select a device broker and send service requests to the selected device broker server. The device broker server controls the POS devices to provide the requested service and sends response messages to the client devices indicating the results of the services provided by the device broker utilizing the POS devices.

Abstract: One embodiment for ordering one or more items, i.e., goods or services, within a store includes choosing, by a person in a store, the one or more items on a computerized personal shopping assistant, wherein the computerized personal shopping assistant may be optionally associated with a cart. Further, the method includes selecting, by the person in the store, a request date-time on the computerized personal shopping assistant for each of the one or more items chosen, and, thereby, resulting in an order of one or more selected items at a selection date-time, wherein the request date-time is subsequent to the selection date-time. Further still, transmitting, by the computerized personal shopping assistant, the order to a data collection center associated with the store. Yet further, the method includes filling, by the store, the order after the transmitting and then providing the order by the request date-time subsequent to purchasing the order.

Abstract: A method and system for wirelessly coupling a computer with a peripheral device. The peripheral device is initially docked to a docking port in the computer. Detecting the docking event, the computer then turns on the docked peripheral device and listens for identifiers from all peripheral devices within range of the computer, including the identifier for the peripheral device that is presently docked with the computer. The computer then instructs the docked peripheral device to turn off, thus preventing the docked peripheral device from broadcasting its identifier. By a process of deduction, the computer is able to identify the docked peripheral device. In a preferred embodiment, the docked peripheral device subsequently is wirelessly associated only with the computer to which that peripheral device was initially docked.

Abstract: A method and system for wirelessly coupling a computer with a peripheral device. The peripheral device is initially docked to a docking port in the computer. The computer then listens for identifiers from all peripheral devices within range of the computer, including the identifier for the peripheral device that is presently docked with the computer. The computer then instructs the docked peripheral device to stop sending its identifier. By a process of deduction, the computer is able to identify the docked peripheral device. The step of stopping the docked peripheral device from sending the peripheral device's identifier is preferably controlled by monitoring whether the computer is charging a battery in the docked peripheral device. Thus, the docked peripheral device transmits its identifier only when it is charging its battery.

Abstract: A method and system for wirelessly coupling a computer with a peripheral device. The peripheral device is initially docked to a docking port in the computer. Detecting the docking event, the computer then turns on the docked peripheral device and listens for identifiers from all peripheral devices within range of the computer, including the identifier for the peripheral device that is presently docked with the computer. The computer then instructs the docked peripheral device to turn off, thus preventing the docked peripheral device from broadcasting its identifier. By a process of deduction, the computer is able to identify the docked peripheral device. In a preferred embodiment, the docked peripheral device subsequently is wirelessly associated only with the computer to which that peripheral device was initially docked.

Abstract: A method and system for wirelessly coupling a computer with a peripheral device. The peripheral device is initially docked to a docking port in the computer. The computer then listens for identifiers from all peripheral devices within range of the computer, including the identifier for the peripheral device that is presently docked with the computer. The computer then instructs the docked peripheral device to stop sending its identifier. By a process of deduction, the computer is able to identify the docked peripheral device. The step of stopping the docked peripheral device from sending the peripheral device's identifier is preferably controlled by monitoring whether the computer is charging a battery in the docked peripheral device. Thus, the docked peripheral device transmits its identifier only when it is charging its battery.