Point-of-sale system and distributed computer network for same

Abstract

A distributed computer network is disclosed for use with a general purpose computer having a communications port and capable of running applications software for controlling the network. The distributed computer network includes a master controller having first and second communications ports, the first communications port of the master controller for operatively communicating with a general purpose computer. The distributed network further includes one or more input/output controllers, each having a first communications port for operatively communicating with the master controller and a second communications port for serially communicating with one or more peripheral devices. The peripheral devices are connected together in a serial daisy chain configuration. The master controller communicates with the input/output controllers via a multidrop RS-485 network bus. The master controller also communicates with the general purpose computer via a RS-232 serial bus, so that the master controller performs protocol management functions including conversion between RS-232 and RS-485 protocol, error correction and detection, bus arbitration and data buffering. In one embodiment, the present invention is configured as a Kitchen System. In the Kitchen System embodiment, one or more input/output controllers include an indicating device, such as a buzzer, or a visual or tactile indicating device. The I/O controller also includes a display, such as a video monitor. The I/O controller's input/output peripheral device is preferably a bump bar.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A distributed computer network for use with a general purpose computer having a communications port and capable of running application software for controlling the network, comprising: 
 a master controller having first and second communications ports, the first communications port of said master controller for operatively communicating with a general purpose computer; and    an input/output controller having first and second communications ports, said first communications port of said input/output controller for operatively communicating with the second communications port of the master controller and said second communications port of said input/output controller for operatively communicating with a peripheral device.    
     
     
         2 . A distributed computer network as defined by    claim 1   , wherein said master controller communicates with a plurality of input/output controllers, said plurality of input/output controllers being operatively connected together via a multidrop network bus.  
     
     
         3 . A distributed computer network as defined by    claim 1   , wherein said second communications port of the input/output controller communicates with a plurality of peripheral devices, said plurality of peripheral devices operatively connected together in a serial daisy chain configuration, said serial daisy chain forming a peripheral device bus.  
     
     
         4 . A distributed computer network as defined by    claim 3   , further comprising a wedge interface for communicating between said second communications port of the input/output controller and a peripheral device, said wedge interface including a first wedge communications port for communicating with the second communications port of the input/output controller, a second wedge communications port for communicating with a first peripheral device, and a third wedge communications port for serially communicating with another peripheral device.  
     
     
         5 . A distributed computer network as defined by    claim 4   , wherein said wedge interface receives data in a first predetermined data format and converts said data to a second predetermined data format which is compatible for communication with the input/output controller.  
     
     
         6 . A distributed computer network as defined by    claim 5   , wherein said second predetermined data format is keyboard data format.  
     
     
         7 . A distributed computer network as defined by    claim 4   , wherein said wedge interface further comprises a multiplexer for selectively disabling said other peripheral device from communicating with the I/O controller.  
     
     
         8 . A distributed computer network as defined by    claim 7   , wherein said wedge interface further comprises a microprocessor for monitoring said peripheral device bus and controlling said multiplexer in response to whether said peripheral device bus is available for transmitting data to the input/output controller, wherein said microprocessor having memory for storing data from a peripheral device when said peripheral device bus is not available for data transmission.  
     
     
         9 . A distributed computer network for use with a general purpose computer having a communications port and being capable of running applications software for controlling the network, comprising: 
 a master controller having first and second communications ports, the first communications port of said master controller for operatively communicating with a general purpose computer; and    an input/output controller having a first communications port for operatively communicating with said multidrop network bus, a second communications port for operatively communicating with a display, and a third communications port for operatively communicating with an input/output peripheral device.    
     
     
         10 . A distributed computer network as defined by    claim 9   , wherein said distributed network includes a plurality of input/output controllers, said plurality of input/output controllers operatively connected together via a common multidrop network bus for communicating with said master controller.  
     
     
         11 . A distributed computer network as defined by    claim 10   , wherein said multidrop network bus is an RS-485 bus and wherein said master controller communicates with the general purpose computer via a RS-232 serial bus, whereby said master controller performs protocol management functions including conversion between RS-232 and RS485 protocol, error correction and detection, bus arbitration and data buffering.  
     
     
         12 . A distributed computer network as defined by    claim 11   , wherein said input/output controller includes an indicating device, said display is a video monitor and said input/output peripheral device is a bump bar, and wherein said distributed computer network is configured as a Kitchen System.  
     
     
         13 . A distributed computer network for use with a general purpose computer having a communications port and being capable of running applications software for controlling the network, comprising: 
 a master controller having first and second communications ports, the first communications port of the master controller for operatively communicating with a general purpose computer;    an input/output controller having a first communications port for operatively communicating with said master controller and a second communications port for serially communicating with a plurality of peripheral devices.    
     
     
         14 . A distributed computer network as defined by    claim 13   , wherein said plurality of peripheral devices are connected together in a serial daisy chain configuration.  
     
     
         15 . A distributed computer network as defined by    claim 13   , wherein said master controller communicates with a plurality of input/output controllers, said plurality of input/output controllers being operatively connected together via a multidrop network bus.  
     
     
         16 . A distributed computer network as defined by    claim 15   , further comprising a wedge interface for communicating between said second communications port of the input/output controller and a peripheral device, said wedge interface including a first wedge communications port for communicating with the second communications port of the input/output controller, a second wedge communications port for communicating with a first peripheral device, and a third wedge communications port for serially communicating with another peripheral device.  
     
     
         17 . A distributed computer network as defined by    claim 16   , wherein said wedge interface receives data in a first predetermined data format and converts said data to a second predetermined data format which is compatible for communication with the input/output controller.  
     
     
         18 . A distributed computer network as defined by    claim 17   , wherein said second predetermined data format is keyboard data format.  
     
     
         19 . A distributed computer network as defined by    claim 16   , wherein said wedge interface further comprises a multiplexer for selectively disabling said other peripheral device from communicating with the I/O controller.  
     
     
         20 . A distributed computer network as defined by    claim 19   , wherein said wedge interface further comprises a microprocessor for monitoring said peripheral device bus and controlling said multiplexer in response to whether said peripheral device bus is available for transmitting data to the input/output controller, wherein said microprocessor having memory for storing data from a peripheral device when said peripheral device bus is not available for data transmission.