Method and apparatus for continuous operation of a point-of-sale system during a single point-of-failure
US7724642B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 6, 2004 |
| Grant date | May 25, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 8, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L69/40
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A computer network includes servers, controllers, and a plurality of workstations. The servers and controllers are coupled by Ethernet and secondary communication links. The workstations are serially coupled with the controllers. In this network, each server and controller acts as a failsafe and is adapted to assume the functionality of another server or controller in response to failure in that server or controller. In this manner, the secondary communication link assumes functionality of the Ethernet link in response to failure in the Ethernet link. A method of eliminating interruptions in a computer network due to a single point-of-failure includes assuming functionality of a server or controller by another server or controller in response to failure in the server or controller, and assuming functionality of an Ethernet link by a secondary communication link in response to failure in the Ethernet link.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.