Modular point-of-sale terminal

摘要

A point-of-sale (POS) terminal for processing transactions comprises a portable electronic device 200 comprising a display screen and one or more processors configured to receive user input and operable to control the processing of transactions in response to user input; and a communication module 110 configured to be electrically connected to the portable electronic device and being configured to communicate with at least one POS peripheral device to enable connection between the portable electronic device and at least one POS peripheral device. The portable electronic device is preferably a tablet computer with one or more integral POS elements, such as a barcode reader 210 and a card reader 220. The communication module is preferably a docking station for the portable electronic device and may provide connections to a printer, cash drawer, POS network, another portable electronic device, etc. so the portable electronic device may communicate with these peripheral devices. The communication module may hold the portable electronic device in a hinged mount 140, 118. The invention reduces the footprint of the POS terminal, allows easier updating, allows greater flexibility due to the portable nature of the portable electronic device and reduces the need for re-boot actions when peripherals are disconnected.