Point of sale terminal having integrated customer and operator interfaces
The present invention provides an integrated point of sale transaction terminal that includes both operator and customer interfaces. A housing for the electronics of the point of sale terminal comprises an operator interface unit integrally associated therewith and extending from one side thereof and a customer interface unit integrally associated therewith and extending from the opposing side thereof.
1 ) A point of sale transaction terminal for use in a point of sale environment in which customers form a line that extends along a longitudinal axis in which the terminal itself and an operator of the terminal are also positioned, comprising:
a) a housing having first and second opposite sides interconnected by sidewalls extending therebetween, and storing a processing unit therein;
b) an operator interface unit positioned on said first side of said housing and that is in communication with said processing unit and is adapted for physical interaction with the operator; and
c) a customer interface unit positioned on said second side of said housing and in communication with said processing unit and adapted for physical interaction with a first customer.
2 ) The point of sale terminal of claim 1 , wherein said operator interface unit includes a video monitor.
3 ) The point of sale terminal of claim 1 , wherein said operator interface includes a touch screen adapted for engagement by the operator;
4 ) The point of sale terminal of claim 1 , wherein said operator interface unit includes a security device incorporated therein;
5 ) The point of sale terminal of claim 4 , wherein said security system is a biometric reader.
6 ) The point of sale terminal of claim 5 , wherein said security system is a fingerprint reader.
7 ) The point of sale terminal of claim 1 , wherein said customer interface unit includes a video monitor.
8 ) The point of sale terminal of claim 1 , wherein said customer interface unit includes a touch screen adapted for engagement by a customer.
9 ) The point of sale terminal of claim 1 , wherein said customer interface unit includes a magnetic stripe reader incorporated therein.
10 ) The point of sale terminal of claim 1 , wherein said customer interface unit includes speakers mounted therein.