NEC POS device supports embedded Linux

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May 10, 2005

A division of NEC in Holland is shipping a POS (point-of-sales/service) terminal that can run embedded Linux. NEC Infrontia BV says the Twinpos Acton's ability to run Linux allows companies with custom applications to run them on a normal POS terminal, rather than on PC hardware.

(Click for slightly larger view of NEC Twinpos Acton)

The Twinpos Acton is based on a 32-bit processor clocked at 200MHz. It boots from 16MB of Flash (standard), and has 8MB of SRAM and 32MB of SDRAM. External memory boards can add 64MB of FROM or 64MB of additional SDRAM.

The Twinpos Acton has a VGA (640x480) monochrome STN display that can display 20 lines with up to 80 characters each. It also has a customer display that can show two lines of up to 20 characters.

The device includes a membrane-type 144-key keypad. A six-position keylock enables access to register programming, reporting, and other modes.

The Twinpos Acton includes a 10/100 Ethernet port that can be used to connect it to up to 24 terminals, the company says. The device includes a two-channel cash drawer I/O connection that carriers +24Volt power. It also has eight channels of RS232C ports, for connections to local scanners, card readers, and other peripherals.

The Twinpos Acton also includes a number of PC-type ports and card readers. These include PCMCIA and USB client ports, as well as MSR, MMC, and SIM card readers.

The device comes with an AC adapter, and supports a backup battery as well. It measures 19 x 11.3 x 9.3 inches (483 x 286 x 235mm).

Linux adds flexibility

NEC says the Twinpos Acton can run a 2.4.20 embedded Linux kernel, a feature that enables software companies to run their own applications on the terminal. The company says the device offers companies with custom software needs a number of advantages compared to using PC hardware in custom POS systems, including embedded reliability and the more traditional look of a normal electronic cash register.

Companies that have recently shipped embedded Linux distributions aimed at POS devices include Novell and LynuxWorks.

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