Patent Application
20080094785
Embodiments of the present invention provide housing and support elements for containing or holding a peripheral device relative to a transaction terminal. Often, such peripheral devices are configured to supply the transaction terminal with wireless connectivity to a wireless network or device.
Turning now to the drawings,
Likewise, in some embodiments transaction system 200 may also include a storage subsystem 220 that can store the basic programming and data constructs that provide the functionality of the various embodiments of the present invention. For example, software modules implementing the functionality of the methods of the present invention, as described herein, may be stored in storage subsystem 220. These software modules are generally executed by the one or more processors 204. In a distributed environment, the software modules may be stored on a plurality of computer systems and executed by processors of the plurality of computer systems. Storage subsystem 220 can include memory subsystem 222 and file storage subsystem 228. Memory subsystem 222 may include a number of memories including a main random access memory (RAM) 226 for storage of instructions and data during program execution and a read only memory (ROM) 224 in which fixed instructions are stored. File storage subsystem 228 can provide persistent (non-volatile) storage for program and data files, and may include tangible storage media which may optionally embody merchant, customer, supplier, patient, provider, payer, or other transactional, healthcare, or financial data. File storage subsystem 228 may include a hard disk drive, a floppy disk drive along with associated removable media, a Compact Digital Read Only Memory (CD-ROM) drive, an optical drive, DVD, CD-R, CD-RW, solid-state removable memory, other removable media cartridges or disks, and the like. One or more of the drives may be located at remote locations on other connected computers at other sites coupled to transaction system 200. The modules implementing the functionality of the present invention may be stored by file storage subsystem 228. In some embodiments, the software or code will provide protocol to allow the transaction system 200 to communicate with communication network 230 via printed circuit board interface 210 and communication device 230.
It is appreciated that system 200 can be configured to carry out various methods of the present invention. For example, processor component or module 204 can be a microprocessor control module configured to receive financial or healthcare transaction signals from input device or module 206, and transmit financial or healthcare transaction signals to output device or module 208 and/or interface device or module 210. Each of the devices or modules of the present invention can include software modules on a computer readable medium that is processed by a processor, hardware modules, or any combination thereof. Any of a variety of commonly used platforms, such as Windows, MacIntosh, and Unix, along with any of a variety of commonly used programming languages, may be used to implement the present invention.
User interface input devices 206 may include, for example, a touchpad, a keyboard, pointing devices such as a mouse, a trackball, a graphics tablet, a scanner, a joystick, a touchscreen incorporated into a display, audio input devices such as voice recognition systems, microphones, and other types of input devices. User input devices 206 may also download a computer executable code from a tangible storage media or from communication network 230, the code embodying any of the methods of the present invention. It will be appreciated that terminal software may be updated from time to time and downloaded to the terminal as appropriate. In general, use of the term “input device” is intended to include a variety of conventional and proprietary devices and ways to input information into transaction system 200.
User interface output devices 206 may include, for example, a display subsystem, a printer, a fax machine, or non-visual displays such as audio output devices. The display subsystem may be a cathode ray tube (CRT), a flat-panel device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), a projection device, or the like. The display subsystem may also provide a non-visual display such as via audio output devices. In general, use of the term “output device” is intended to include a variety of conventional and proprietary devices and ways to output information from computer system 200 to a user.
Bus subsystem 202 provides a mechanism for letting the various components and subsystems of transaction system 200 communicate with each other as intended. The various subsystems and components of transaction system 200 need not be at the same physical location but may be distributed at various locations within a distributed network. Although bus subsystem 202 is shown schematically as a single bus, alternate embodiments of the bus subsystem may utilize multiple busses.
Printed circuit board interface 210 can provide an interface to an outside device such as communication device 230, which can in turn provide an interface to other outside networks and/or other devices. Outside communication network 230 can be configured to effect communications as needed with various entities. It thus receives an electronic packet from transaction system 200 and transmits any information as needed back to transaction system 200. In addition to providing such infrastructure communications links internal to the system, the communications network system 230 may also provide a connection to other networks such as the internet and may comprise a wired, wireless, modem, and/or other type of interfacing connection.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that substantial variations may be used in accordance with specific requirements. For example, customized hardware might also be used and/or particular elements might be implemented in hardware, software (including portable software, such as applets), or both. Further, connection to other computing devices such as network input/output devices may be employed. Transaction terminal system 200 itself can be of varying types including a computer terminal, a personal computer, a portable computer, a workstation, a network computer, or any other data processing system. Due to the ever-changing nature of computers and networks, the description of transaction system 200 depicted in
It is understood that a transaction terminal 201 according to embodiments of the present invention may include any element, configuration, or functionality of a point-of-sale, point-of-service, or point-of-care device as described in U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60/147,899, Ser. Nos. 09/634,901, 10/358,615, 10/116,686, 10/116,689, 10/116,891, 10/116,735, 11/153,218, and 11/370,202, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
A transaction system 300 according to embodiments of the present invention is illustrated in
Transaction system 400 can be used to carry out any of a variety of financial or healthcare transactions. For example, a retailer such as Macy's® can provide a customer with a debit card or account number that is linked with the customer's checking account. When the customer shops at a Macy's® store or affiliate, a sales representative or the customer can swipe the customer's debit card, drivers license, or other personal identification instrument that is associated with the customer's debit card or account number through the reader of the transaction terminal. The transaction system can communicate over a variety of financial or healthcare networks in order to authorize and complete the transaction, including credit card networks, demand deposit account (“DDA”) networks, private label networks, in store card enrollment networks, healthcare enrollment networks, and the like. For example, transaction system embodiments according to the present invention are well suited to support or execute debit transactions from demand deposit accounts as described in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 10/825,971, 10/825,960, and 10/825,950, all filed Apr. 16, 2004, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
Components of a transaction system 500 according to embodiments of the present invention are depicted in
Cable 560 can include a first interface 562 that couples with the peripheral device 550 and a second interface 564 that couples with the printed circuit board 570. For example, cable 560 can include a communication port or connection 562 at one end, and a communication connection or port 564 at another end. Typically, communication connection or port 564 is configured for attachment with an interface or internal component of a transaction terminal. For example, communication connection 564 can be configured for attachment with a port or connection 572 of a printed circuit board 570 disposed within a transaction terminal. Relatedly, port 572 is often disposed at or near an aperture in an enclosure of the transaction terminal enclosure. In some cases, port or header 572 may include a detachable or disposable cover, which may be removed by the user prior to connecting the cable. For example, the header can be accessed by removing a disposable cover that is removably attached with the bottom cover. Communication port 562 can include, for example, a universal serial bus port or connection. Communication connection 564 can include, for example, a five pin connection configured for attachment with a five pin header or port of a printed circuit board. Any of a variety of connectivity means can be used to provide communication between the peripheral device 550 and the printed circuit board 570 or other transaction terminal component. In addition to universal serial bus connections and five pin connections, suitable modalities for connectivity include FireWire or IEEE 1394, WiFi, infrared, radio frequency, or other wired or wireless communication means.
Although certain preferred embodiments and methods have been disclosed herein, it will be apparent from the foregoing disclosure to those skilled in the art that variations, modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents of such embodiments and methods may be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the above description should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention which is defined by the appended claims.
