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Portable transaction terminal apparatus adapted for use in eating and drinking establishments. A terminal housing has a generally rectangular shape and a size slightly larger in length and width to corresponding dimensions of a restaurant guest check. A folio-type cover is mounted to a left side por

Portable transaction terminal apparatus adapted for use in eating and drinking establishments. A terminal housing has a generally rectangular shape and a size slightly larger in length and width to corresponding dimensions of a restaurant guest check. A folio-type cover is mounted to a left side portion of the terminal housing by a hinge arrangement and thereby adapted to swing between open and closed cover positions, the cover corresponding in length and width to the terminal housing so as to completely cover a top face of the terminal housing in the closed cover position and to lie flat against a surface in the open cover position. A data entry keypad and an alphanumeric display are carried on the top face of the terminal housing. A card reader module is mounted in the terminal housing for accepting and reading a transaction data card selected for use by a guest of the establishment for payment of the amount of the guest check. A microcomputer system is carried within the terminal housing and being pre-programmed with operating system and application software for management of data entry, message display, card reading and transaction message formatting and storing functions associated with a preselected data entry sequence and data message format. The microcomputer system communicates a transaction data message to an external transaction terminal system for completion of transaction processing steps. A docking station is provided for communication with a transaction terminal. Recharging stations with intelligent charge controllers are provided for recharging the batteries of the portable transaction terminal.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] Portable transaction terminal system adapted for use in an eating and drinking establishment, including a portable transaction terminal apparatus comprising:a terminal housing having a generally rectangular shape and of size slightly larger in length and width to correspo

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] Portable transaction terminal system adapted for use in an eating and drinking establishment, including a portable transaction terminal apparatus comprising:a terminal housing having a generally rectangular shape and of size slightly larger in length and width to corresponding dimensions of a restaurant guest check,a folio cover mounted to a left side portion of said terminal housing by a hinge arrangement and thereby adapted to swing between open and closed cover positions, said cover corresponding in length and width to said terminal housing so as to completely cover a top face of said terminal housing in said closed cover position and to lie flat against a surface in said open cover position,a data entry keypad and an alphanumeric display carried on said top face of said terminal housing,a card reader module mounted in said terminal housing for accepting and reading a transaction data card selected for use by a guest of the establishment for payment of the amount of the guest check,a microcomputer system carried within said terminal housing and being pre-programmed with operating system and application software for management of data entry, message display, card reading and transaction message formatting and storing functions associated with a preselected data entry sequence and data message format, and including a data communication means for communicating a transaction data message to an external transaction terminal system for completion of transaction processing steps;said terminal housing including a battery compartment carrying a rechargeable battery to provide power therefor, and an arrangement of charging contact elements carried in a prearranged position on a selected one of a front edge and back edge of said terminal housing for applying recharging voltage and current to said rechargeable battery,and said system further including a battery charger unit comprisinga charger housing defining at least one cavity adapted for close insertion of said terminal housing with said cover in said closed cover position and in a single predetermined orientation dictated by said hinge arrangement,said cavity having a cavity bottom surface with an arrangement of spring mounted charger contact elements carried thereon and positioned to contact said charging contacting elements on said terminal housing when fully inserted into said cavity, anda charge control circuit mounted in a base portion of said charger housing and powered by a power supply module for intelligently controlling the charging of said rechargeable battery, said charge control circuit including charge state monitoring means and charge state display means for indicating the operation of said battery charger unit and the charge state of said rechargeable battery.