KEYPAD, PARTICULARLY A POINT OF SALE KEYPAD, AND METHOD FOR PLACING IT INTO OPERATION AND FOR EXCHANGING AND UPDATING FIRMWARE OF THE KEYPAD

摘要

The invention relates to a keypad, particularly a point of sale keypad, comprising a key block (2), a microprocessor (4), at least one read-only memory (6) inside of which the firmware required for operating the keypad is stored, and comprising at least one interface (8) for connecting the keypad to an external device (9). The invention also relates to a method for placing the keyboard into operation and to a method for exchanging or updating firmware of the keypad. In order to eliminate the need to open the keypad (1) for exchanging or updating firmware, the invention provides that at least one programmable read-only memory (6) is provided inside the keypad (1), a boot program and the firmware being stored in different storage areas (10, 11) whereby preventing the first storage area (10) containing the boot program from being able to be erased during normal operation of the keypad (1). However, the storage area (11) of the programmable memory (6), said storage area containing the firmware, can be electrically erased and rewritten whereby enabling an exchange or update of the keypad firmware via the keypad interface from outside and without opening the keypad (1).