Authors:
Merrick Wang, Rebecca Hsiao, Edward Lee, Leo Lee, Wayne Liu, Kenter Su, Saturn Tsai, Hawaii Xuan
Abstract:
The Disclosure proposes modular I/O devices that can plug into a framework on a POS(Point of Sale) System. This allows a customer to mix and match I/O devices on an individual POS System. The intention is for more I/O modules to be able to attach to a System and for those Modules to be usable across many generations of Systems.
Background:
In the existing POS side/top I/O devices, it's required to determine the specific feature e.g., MSR, iButton, wireless antenna...etc. for one single USB port. It's frequently required to redesign new IO devices if a different POS mechanical ID is desired. If a customer wants to have a specific combination, we need to design a specific new IO device to support the request. We propose a flexible way to provide the side/top IO devices.
Description:
The concept is to design several IO cubes with the specific dimension e.g., 5x5 or 10x5 cm for each device.
The IO features can select a suitable dimension for the design. As the figures shown, 5x5 for wireless, ibutton ...etc. and 10x5 for MSR, APA.etc.
Concept I:
On each IO cube, there are one male & one female connectors (e.g., USB protocol) to connect between each IO cube.
Design a general bracket frame connected between the POS side/top USB port and the 1st IO cube. All IO cubes can be series connected.
Concept II:
On each IO cube, there are one female connector and there are three male connectors on the bracket frame
So each cube will connect on to the bracket frame directly.
Both the two concepts are similar. Any IO cube can be assembled depends on user demand.
With this kind of mechanism, a 15x5 bracket can assemble three 5x5 cubes or one 5x5 cube & one 10x5 cube.
For example, at the top side, we can put one 5x5 camera and one 10x5 2x20 cubes.
Or we can combine 10x5 MSR & 5x5 wireless cubes at single side port.
This idea also can assemble more features on one system. In the current design, only allow 3 kinds of feature at the right/left and top USB ports.
With this concept, more than 3 IO features can be installed together. And these cubes can be used on different POS systems.
The exact mechanical design details are not the major claim in this disclosure e.g., how to fix each cube together.
It can be several powerful magnets on each cube or hidden hooks/latches to connected each other.
Or we can design 5x5, 10x5 brackets for smaller IO dimensions.
TGCS Reference 2907
