Registers – Cash registers
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-11
2001-06-05
Frech, Karl D. (Department: 2876)
Registers
Cash registers
C235S375000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06241149
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to multifunctional modular computer/operator/keyboard units for commercial use. More specifically, the present invention relates to such multifunctional units for use in the retail environment, such as a cash register.
WO 96/27861 A1 discloses an operator unit in which various input devices, namely a soft key bar, an input keypad and a swipe-through magnetic card reader are joined one to the other in any desired combination, but in a fixed arrangement, on a display unit. The devices have side profiles which correspond to one another so that the operator unit has the appearance of a monolithic block. The devices are designed and connected to one another in such a way that a duct is produced which runs through all the devices on their inside and which is also used as a cable duct. The connecting cables of all the devices can be fed through this cable duct to an outgoing cable unit which is common to said devices. The outgoing cable unit also serves as a means of mounting the operator unit on a stand.
The known arrangement permits adjustment of the angle of inclination of the entire unit. This may be sufficient if input media which only have to be operated by the press of a finger are used. However, if reading devices which also operate automatically, such as bar code readers or OCR readers, are used, only a compromise setting for the angle of inclination of the operator unit is possible. The same applies to a printer, for example a receipt printer, in which the intention is that a customer should also be able to access a printed product. A supplementary device, for example a pay terminal with a display and/or a keypad and/or a cheque card reader or money value unit reader, which would have to be operated both by a customer and by an assistant and which would be mounted on the block in this way would, however, only be able to be operated by one of the two categories of person if the entire operator unit were pivoted. However, a customer would then be able to access operator elements whose operation is reserved for the assistant.
Therefore, there is a need for an improved modular design concept for the operator unit of a device to such an extent that the various parts of the device can be adjusted relative to one another.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above need is satisfied by a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, which provides a peripheral device which can be pivoted in its inclined attitude about a horizontal and/or vertical axis can be flange-mounted onto a side wall of the block, and the cable duct is continued in the peripheral device. In this way, it becomes possible to use, for example, a bar code reader or OCR reader on the known block and to set it at an angle of inclination with respect to the space through which bar codes or OCR marks which are attached to articles which are to be billed are passed, without moving the block from the position which is ergonomically the most convenient for the user. The same applies to a printer, for example a receipt printer, which can then be moved into a position in which an operator and a customer can access the printed product. The connection cables of the peripheral devices are guided here in a concealed way so that the hands or articles are prevented from becoming caught on them.
The side walls of the block and of the peripheral device which face one another can be connected to one another here by means of a tubular coupling part, preferably a swan neck.
In another embodiment, the housing of the peripheral device is composed of a lower housing component and an upper housing component which are connected to one another in an articulated fashion. The side walls, facing one another, of the block and of the lower housing component are rigidly connected to one another and the cable duct is continued in the lower housing component. Preferably, the articulated connection between the lower housing component and the upper housing component is enclosed by a folding bellows.
According to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention in which the block has a rear wall which is bounded laterally by rear edges, the pivot axis runs in the mutually adjacent rear edge areas of the block and of a supplementary device. The mutually facing rear edge areas of the block and of the supplementary device are preferably connected to one another here in turn by means of a tubular coupling part, the pivot axis running coaxially with respect to the longitudinal axis of the coupling part.
The supplementary device, which may be a pay terminal for example, can be placed in a position in which it is located next to the block in a row with it. In this position, all the peripheral devices of the block and the supplementary device can be operated from one side, the operator side. The supplementary device can, however, also be pivoted about the coupling part, at maximum into a position in which its rear side is in parallel with the rear side of the block. In this position, the block can be operated from the operator side and the supplementary device can be operated from a customer side which is located opposite it.
In addition, the supplementary device or else the block can be held on the coupling part so as to be displaceable in the axial direction. For this purpose, the coupling part is preferably designed as a vertical pipe. The axial displaceability has the advantage that the height of the block and of the supplementary unit can be set at an ergonomically convenient height for each of the users. For example, the block is set at a low height which is convenient for a seated operator, while a customer who is generally standing finds a higher position pleasant.
In an embodiment, the present invention provides a modular operator unit comprising a block comprising at least one central device selected from the group consisting of a display unit, a keypad and a swipe-through magnetic card reader. The block further comprises first and second opposing ends. The operator unit further comprises a cable duct and first and second peripheral devices. The cable duct extends through the block and connects the first opposing end of the block to the first peripheral device. The cable duct further connects the second opposing end of the block to the second peripheral device. The first peripheral device is capable of being pivoted about a horizontal axis with respect to the central device. The second peripheral device is capable of being pivoted about a vertical axis with respect to the central device.
In an embodiment, the first peripheral device comprises an end facing the opposing end of the block. The end of the first peripheral device is connected to the first opposing end of the block by a tubular coupling part.
In an embodiment, the tubular coupling part is a swan neck coupling part.
In an embodiment, the tubular coupling part is in alignment with the cable duct.
In an embodiment, the housing of the second peripheral device comprises a lower housing component and an upper housing component. The lower housing component is flexibly connected to the upper housing component. The second peripheral device further comprises an end facing the second opposing end of the block. The end of the second peripheral device is rigidly connected to the second opposing end of the block.
In an embodiment, the cable duct extends into the lower housing component of the second peripheral device.
In an embodiment, the lower housing component of the second peripheral device is connected to the upper housing component by a folding bellows.
In an embodiment, the present invention provides a modular operator unit which comprises a block comprising at least one central device selected from the group consisting of a display unit, a keypad and a swipe-through magnetic card reader. The block further comprises a rear wall and two opposing ends. One opposing end of the block is connected to a first peripheral device. The other opposing end of the block, at the rear wall, is pivotally connected to a se
Baitz Gunter
Kamin Hartmut
Frech Karl D.
Schiff & Hardin & Waite
Siemens Nixdorf Informationssysteme Aktiengesellschaft
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