| 摘要 |
A wiring hub for a retail terminal system provides an interface between a main terminal of the retail terminal system and a plurality of peripherals associated with the retail terminal system, such as an input device, a scanner, a printer, and a customer display. The wiring hub provides a centralized chassis containing a plethora of connectors for power distribution to each peripheral and the main unit/terminal and for communication between each peripheral and the main terminal. Each peripheral includes a single cable having integrated power and communications wiring that attaches to appropriate connectors of the wiring hub. The wiring hub is coupled to a source of electricity and includes appropriate electricity routing and conversion for AC and DC peripherals/components. The main terminal is coupled to the wiring hub via one or two cables carrying power wiring, network wiring, and communication wiring. The wiring hub also provides a network connection for the main terminal. Additionally, the wiring hub includes a plurality of various protocol ports and a protocol converter and communications hub for allowing communications between the plurality of peripherals and the main terminal regardless of the communications protocol used by either one. The present invention improves installation and servicing of a retail terminal system. In addition, the present invention provides a consolidation of cabling. |
