International Business Machines Corporation

Roger C Williams

Richard F Sapper

Timothy D Wetzel

Gregory A Shekita

Ronald A Smith

Robert Edward Steinbugler

George R Stilwell, Jr

Kevin Thomas McClain

Dennis H Kekas

Larry G Beaton

Jonathan J Vitello

Robert M Walsh

Receipt printer

Computer display

A modular data entry terminal includes a base unit and a plurality of I/O units, (such as a keyboard unit, a printer unit and display unit) which can be assembled to provide an integrated configuration or separated to provide a distributed configuration. The base unit has at least one recessed nesting area with at least one raised island thereon. Each I/O unit is provided with complementary locating devices which mate with the raised island when said unit is seated in the nesting area. The units are held in a positive manner that precludes movements resulting from vibrations (external or internal in the case of printers, etc.) or from bumps associated with normal operation of the units. Another nesting area is provided for anchoring pedestal-like devices. The terminal is readily converted from an integrated configuration to a distributed configuration by simply removing the I/O units from the base unit and locating them on suitable support surfaces relative to the base unit.

Positioning scheme for multiple mounting positions of input/output

Keyboard

Printer

Cash drawer for an electronic cash register

Display monitor

Control unit for an electric cash register

A modular terminal comprising a frame, a data distribution chamber, a power distribution apparatus and plural functional units. The functional units are supported and oriented by the frame in such a way that each interconnects with the power distribution components. Functional units communicate via optical transmissions through the data distribution chamber. This allows a functional unit to be inserted, removed or moved from one frame location to another without special equipment or tools by unskilled personnel.

Pluggable terminal architecture

Store data entry terminal

Store terminal

Growing community of inventors

Raleigh, NC, United States of America

Roger C Williams