US5239662A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System including multiple device communications controller which coverts data received from two different customer transaction devices each using different communications protocols into a single communications protocol
Assignee: Intermec IP Corp
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Filing: 1992-06-26
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Granted: 1993-08-24
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Expires: 2012-06-26
Abstract
Abstract In a store data communications system, multiple data sources having disparate communications standards are connected with respective device interfaces of a multiple device communications controller unit. Multiple protocol controllers are coupled with the respective device interfaces and convert the data from each to a common protocol for transmission via a single telephone line. The interface units preferably can be customized to operate with various data sources, a fiber optic coupler, or a modem, or another controller unit for convenient expansion. The device interfaces preferably have snap-in assembly with the controller unit so that device interfaces customized to different standards can be inserted or replaced at any interface receptacle, the multiple protocol controllers preferably being capable of corresponding re-programming by downloading from a remote station preferably via one of the device interfaces.
Inventors
- 👤 Arvin D. Danielson
- 👤 Joseph J. Kubler
- 👤 Dennis A. Durbin
- 👤 Michael D. Morris
- 👤 Keith K. Cargin, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 06:19
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M11/00; H04M11/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
A communications system comprising: a plurality of customer transaction devices on site at a store location, at least two of said plurality of customer transaction devices using two different communications protocols; and a multiple device communications controller unit connected to receive data from said plurality of customer transaction devices using said at least two communications protocols, said multiple device communications controller unit converting data received from said plurality of customer transaction devices into a single communications protocol for transmission to a district central site along a single communications link for processing at said district central site, said district central site being remote from said store location; and means for altering at least one communication protocol that said multiple device communications controller unit uses to communicate with at least one of said plurality of customer transaction devices, said means for altering being responsive to custom object code downloaded from said district central site.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
152 words
A communications system comprising: a plurality of customer transaction devices on site at a store location, at least two of said plurality of customer transaction devices using two different communications protocols; and a multiple device communications controller unit connected to receive data from said plurality of customer transaction devices using said at least two communications protocols, said multiple device communications controller unit converting data received from said plurality of customer transaction devices into a single communications protocol for transmission to a district central site along a single communications link for processing at said district central site, said district central site being remote from said store location; and means for altering at least one communication protocol that said multiple device communications controller unit uses to communicate with at least one of said plurality of customer transaction devices, said means for altering being responsive to custom object code downloaded from said district central site.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
A communication system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said plurality of customer transaction devices includes at least two transaction devices selected from the group consisting of an automatic teller device, a credit/debit authorization terminal, a point of sale terminal, a fuel volume sensing device, and a video rental terminal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
141 words
A multiple device communications unit comprising: device interface means for communicating with a plurality of customer transaction devices on site at a store location, said device interface means further providing means for communicating with at least two of said customer transaction devices using two different communications protocols unique to said at least two of said customer transaction devices; transmitting means for transmitting data received from said plurality of customer transaction devices along a single communications link to a district central site that is remote from said store location, data transmitted by said transmitting means along said single communications link being formatted in accordance with a single communications protocol; means for receiving and storing custom object code downloaded from said district central site; and, means responsive to said custom object code for altering at least one of said two different communications protocols.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
141 words
A multiple device communications unit comprising: device interface means for communicating with a plurality of customer transaction devices on site at a store location, said device interface means further providing means for communicating with at least two of said customer transaction devices using two different communications protocols unique to said at least two of said customer transaction devices; transmitting means for transmitting data received from said plurality of customer transaction devices along a single communications link to a district central site that is remote from said store location, data transmitted by said transmitting means along said single communications link being formatted in accordance with a single communications protocol; means for receiving and storing custom object code downloaded from said district central site; and, means responsive to said custom object code for altering at least one of said two different communications protocols.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
A multiple device communications unit as claimed in claim 3 wherein said plurality of customer transaction devices includes at least two transaction devices selected from the group consisting of an automatic teller device, a credit/debit authorization terminal, a point of sale terminal, a fuel volume sensing device, and a video rental terminal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
213 words
A communications system comprising: a first multiple device communications unit; a second multiple device communications unit; each of said first and second multiplied device communications units comprising device interface means for communicating with a plurality of customer transaction devices on site at a store location, said device interface means further providing means for communicating with at least two of said customer transaction devices using two different communications protocols unique to said at least two of said customer transaction devices; transmitting means for transmitting data received from said plurality of customer transaction devices along a single communications link, data transmitted by said transmitting means along said single communications link being formatted in accordance with a single communications protocol; said single communications link of said first multiple device communications unit being connected as one of said plurality of customer transaction devices to said second multiple device communications unit; said single communications link of said second multiple device communications unit being connected in transmit data to a district central site remote from said store; wherein said plurality of customer transaction devices includes at least two transaction device selected from the group consisting of an automatic teller device, a credit/debit authorization terminal, a point of sale terminal, a fuel volume sensing device, and a video rental terminal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
213 words
A communications system comprising: a first multiple device communications unit; a second multiple device communications unit; each of said first and second multiplied device communications units comprising device interface means for communicating with a plurality of customer transaction devices on site at a store location, said device interface means further providing means for communicating with at least two of said customer transaction devices using two different communications protocols unique to said at least two of said customer transaction devices; transmitting means for transmitting data received from said plurality of customer transaction devices along a single communications link, data transmitted by said transmitting means along said single communications link being formatted in accordance with a single communications protocol; said single communications link of said first multiple device communications unit being connected as one of said plurality of customer transaction devices to said second multiple device communications unit; said single communications link of said second multiple device communications unit being connected in transmit data to a district central site remote from said store; wherein said plurality of customer transaction devices includes at least two transaction device selected from the group consisting of an automatic teller device, a credit/debit authorization terminal, a point of sale terminal, a fuel volume sensing device, and a video rental terminal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-08-23 | 1997-02-22 | 1997-08-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-08-23 | 2001-02-22 | 2001-08-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-08-23 | 2005-02-22 | 2005-08-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |