JP2015222496A - Information terminal, control program and commodity sales data processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To develop an information terminal with a magnetic card reader which acquires data by the same movement operation of a magnetic card even when the magnetic card reader is placed at any of left and right positions of the information terminal.SOLUTION: An information terminal detects a rotation angle when a main body is rotated about an axis line obtained by connecting an intersection point of diagonal lines intersecting on a front surface of the main body and an intersection point of diagonal lines intersecting on a rear surface. The information terminal determines whether a position of a magnetic card reader is in a forward position range or in a reverse position range set beforehand on the basis of the rotation angle detected. The information terminal performs processing of a card data row of the magnetic card read by the magnetic card reader as a data row in a reverse order when the position of the magnetic card reader is determined to be in the reverse position range.

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to an information terminal, a control program, and a product sales data processing apparatus.

  In recent years, portable information terminals equipped with touch panels and operated with fingers, so-called tablet information terminals (hereinafter simply referred to as information terminals) have become widespread. It is also known to use this information terminal as a POS terminal equipped with a magnetic card reader capable of card payment. By using this information terminal, for example, sales data of products purchased by customers can be registered and settled while serving customers at a sales floor.

  Since the information terminal is not fixed, the handle of the information terminal differs depending on the dominant hand of the operator. For this reason, if the position of the magnetic card reader provided on one side of the information terminal changes depending on how the operator holds the information terminal, a problem of reading the magnetic card may occur.

JP 2010-49429 A

  Therefore, it is desired to develop an information terminal with a magnetic card reader that can acquire data without changing the moving direction of the magnetic card regardless of whether the magnetic card reader is located on the left or right side of the information terminal.

  In one embodiment, the information terminal has an input device and a display device disposed on the surface of the main body, a magnetic card reader disposed on the peripheral edge, and is detachably connected to an external device. The information terminal includes an angle detection unit, a determination unit, and a card processing unit. The angle detection means detects a rotation angle when the main body is rotated around an axis connecting an intersection of diagonal lines intersecting the surface of the main body and an intersection of diagonal lines intersecting the back surface. The determination means determines whether the position of the magnetic card reader falls within a preset normal position range or reverse position range based on the rotation angle detected by the angle detection means. When it is determined that the position of the magnetic card reader is in the reverse position range, the card processing means processes the card data string of the magnetic card read by the magnetic card reader as a reverse data string.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the merchandise sales data processing apparatus shown in the present embodiment. 2 is an information terminal attached to the merchandise sales data processing apparatus of FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the connection relationship of the main parts of the merchandise sales data processing apparatus of FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of the magnetic card of the information terminal of FIG. FIG. 5 is a data table for the CPU to replace the angle data detected by the angle sensor incorporated in FIG. 1 with a determination value. FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a direction in which a magnetic card reader of a conventional information terminal reads a magnetic card. (A) is an example in which the information terminal is in the normal position range, and (b) shows a state in which the information terminal is rotated 180 degrees from the position (a) around the virtual axis passing through the intersection of the surface of the touch panel. . FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing directions in which the magnetic card reader of the information terminal of FIG. 2 reads the magnetic card. (A) is an example when the determination value of FIG. FIG. 5B is an example when the determination value in FIG.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an information terminal with a magnetic card reader capable of acquiring data without changing the moving direction of the magnetic card regardless of whether the magnetic card reader is located on the left or right side of the information terminal will be described with reference to the drawings. To do.

  In addition, this embodiment illustrates the product sales data processing apparatus 100 which implement | achieves the function as a POS terminal using the information terminal 1 which is a main body, as shown in FIG.

  First, an outline of a POS system using the merchandise sales data processing apparatus 100 will be described. The POS system includes a plurality of product sales data processing devices 100 and a store server (not shown) that manages each product sales data processing device 100 in an integrated manner. Each merchandise sales data processing apparatus 100 and the store server are connected to each other via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) so as to be capable of two-way communication. In addition, at least one wireless repeater is connected to the network.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the commodity sales data processing apparatus 100 shown in the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state where the information terminal 1 is separated from the docking station 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the merchandise sales data processing apparatus 100 includes an information terminal 1 and a docking station 2 that is an external apparatus. The information terminal 1 is detachable from the docking station 2. The information terminal 1 can realize the function as a POS terminal not only when connected but also when disconnected. The docking station 2 electrically connects the drawer 3 and the receipt printing printer 53 (see FIG. 3) to the information terminal 11.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the information terminal 1 includes a casing 10 having a rectangular plate shape, and a touch panel 11 including an input device 11 b and a display device 11 a on the surface of the casing 10. The information terminal 1 has a magnetic card reader 20 attached to the right side of the peripheral portion of the housing 10 in the figure.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the information terminal 1 and the docking station 2. The information terminal 1 includes a battery 30 as a driving power source. Furthermore, the information terminal 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 40, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 41, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 42, a clock unit 43, a touch panel controller 44, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector 46, and a wireless unit 47. A docking connector 45, an input port 48, and an angle sensor 49 are mounted. The CPU 40, ROM 41, RAM 42, clock unit 43, touch panel controller 44, USB connector 46, wireless unit 47, docking connector 45, and input port 48 are connected by a bus line 70 such as an address bus or a data bus.

  The CPU 40 corresponds to the central part of the computer. The CPU 40 controls each unit to realize various functions as a POS terminal according to the operating system and application programs.

  The ROM 41 corresponds to a main storage part of the computer. The ROM 41 stores the above operating system and application programs. The ROM 41 may store data necessary for the CPU 40 to execute various processes.

The RAM 42 corresponds to the main storage portion of the computer. The RAM 42 stores data necessary for the CPU 40 to execute various processes as necessary. The RAM 42 is also used as a work area when the CPU 40 performs various processes. The clock unit 64 measures the current date and time.
The touch panel 11 includes a display device 11a that displays an image and the like, and an input device 11b that inputs information to the displayed image and the like. The touch panel controller 44 to which the touch panel 11 is connected controls the screen display of the display device 11a and monitors the signal of the input device 11b. The touch panel controller 44 detects input data from the position coordinate information on the touch operation and the screen information of the display device 11a at that time.

  The USB connector 46 is a connector for detachably connecting various USB devices having a communication method compliant with the USB standard. In the present embodiment, a USB-compatible magnetic card reader 20 capable of reading and writing data on a magnetic card is connected to the USB connector 46.

  The wireless unit 67 transmits / receives data to / from the wireless relay device using wireless communication.

  The angle sensor 49 is connected to the input port 48. The angle sensor 49 detects the angle of the information terminal 1 separated from the docking station 2. Specifically, the rotation angle when the information terminal 1 is rotated around a virtual axis connecting the intersection of diagonal lines intersecting the display surface of the touch panel 11 of the information terminal 1 and the intersection of diagonal lines intersecting the back surface thereof. It is a sensor to detect. In other words, the angle sensor 49 detects how many times the information terminal 1 is tilted around the virtual axis from the reference position (in the embodiment, the position fixed to the docking station 2). For example, a gyro sensor or an acceleration sensor is used as the sensor.

  The docking connector 45 is a connector for connecting the information terminal 1 to the docking station 2. The docking connector 45 is provided on a surface (referred to as a back surface) opposite to the display surface on which the touch panel 11 of the housing 10 is provided. The connection position and method between the information terminal 1 and the docking station 2 that is an external device are not limited to this.

  The docking station 2 has a box-shaped housing 80 that can be stationary. The docking station 2 has an attachment surface 81 of the information terminal 1 with the upper surface of the housing 80 inclined toward the front side. As shown in FIG. 3, the docking station 2 arranges the expansion connector 51 on the mounting surface 81. The expansion connector 51 is connected to the docking connector 45 by attaching the information terminal 1 to the attachment surface 81 from the back side. As a result, the information terminal 1 is electrically connected to the docking station 2.

  In addition to the expansion connector 51, the docking station 2 includes an auxiliary storage device 50, a power supply unit 52, a printer 53, a communication interface 60, and an I / O controller 61.

  The expansion connector 51, the auxiliary storage device 50, the printer 53, the communication interface 60, and the I / O controller 61 are connected by a bus line 71 such as an address bus or a data bus.

  The auxiliary storage device 50 corresponds to an auxiliary storage portion of the computer. The auxiliary storage device 50 is, for example, an EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or an SSD (solid state drive). The auxiliary storage device 50 stores data used when the CPU 40 of the information terminal 1 performs various processes and data generated by the processes of the CPU 40. The auxiliary storage device 50 may store an application program.

  The power supply unit 52 supplies driving power to input / output devices such as the auxiliary storage device 50 and the printer 53. In addition, the power supply unit 52 supplies power for charging the battery 30 of the information terminal 1 via the expansion connector 51. Note that the power supply method for charging the battery 30 of the information terminal 1 only needs to be electrically connected to the expansion connector 51. For example, a non-contact charging method may be used.

  The printer 53 prints on the conveyed roll paper by, for example, a thermal method. The printed roll paper is discharged from the receipt issuing port, cut, and issued as a receipt. The printer 53 can also issue a label by using label paper as roll paper. The printer 53 may employ a printing method other than the thermal method.

  The communication interface 60 is connected to a network. The communication interface 60 manages data transmission / reception between the information terminal 1 and the store server via the network.

  The I / O controller 61 is electrically connected to the drawer 3 or the like and controls its operation.

  Next, the magnetic card reader 20 will be described. The magnetic card reader 20 used an external type separate from the information terminal 1. The magnetic card reader 20 has a rectangular casing 21. A reading groove 22 for moving the magnetic card is provided at a substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction of one surface of the housing 21 (the same surface as the touch panel 11 of the information terminal 1). Magnetic card data reading devices are arranged on both sides of the reading groove 22. In the present embodiment, X is a reading device located on the information terminal 1 side, and Y is the other side. In addition, in this embodiment, although the information terminal 1 and the magnetic card reader 20 were comprised as a different body, you may be comprised integrally.

  The magnetic card reader 20 of the embodiment corresponds to a magnetic card such as a so-called credit card. The magnetic card stores necessary information in the magnetic stripe as a data string. The magnetic stripe of the magnetic card is not limited to one side. Some magnetic cards have magnetic stripes on both sides of the magnetic card depending on the type of data to be stored. For example, a credit card PIN can be stored on one side, and point card point data can be stored on a magnetic stripe on the other side. Thus, different information is stored in the magnetic stripes on the respective surfaces of the magnetic card. Therefore, in order to cope with a magnetic card having magnetic stripes on both sides, the magnetic card reader 20 of this embodiment also has reading devices X and Y on both sides of the reading groove.

  Here, a simple operation of the magnetic card and the magnetic card reader will be described.

  When the magnetic card is moved through the reading groove 22, the magnetic card reader 20 reads data recorded on the magnetic stripe as a data string in order from the head in the moving direction of the magnetic card. The read data string is serially stored in the shift register in the information terminal 1. For example, a magnetic card reader 20 shown in FIG. 6A is a device in which the reading device X reads a point data string, and the reading device Y reads a credit card number or the like. In this case, the moving surface of the magnetic stripe of the magnetic card also needs to move corresponding to each reading device X and Y. If the magnetic card is moved in a direction other than this, the magnetic stripe data string is not read correctly, resulting in an error. For this reason, an arrow for guiding the moving direction of the magnetic card assuming a stationary magnetic card reader is usually printed on the magnetic card.

  Subsequently, a processing flow of the magnetic card of the information terminal 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  This processing flow shows main information processing means executed by the CPU 40 which is a processing unit of the information terminal 1. This procedure follows a control program stored in the ROM 41. It should be noted that the contents of the processing described below and shown in this processing flow are merely examples, and various processing that can obtain similar results can be used as appropriate.

  The CPU 40 waits for the magnetic card reader 20 to read the data on the magnetic card (Act 1). When it is confirmed by the signal from the magnetic card reader 20 that the magnetic card data has been read by the magnetic card reader 20 (YES in Act 1), the CPU 40 confirms the connection state between the information terminal 1 and the docking station 2 ( Act2: confirmation means). When the docking connector 45 of the information terminal 1 and the expansion connector 51 of the docking station 2 are electrically connected, the CPU 40 recognizes that the information terminal 1 and the docking station 2 are in a connected state (in Act 2). YES) The CPU 40 proceeds to the process of Act5.

  In Act 2, when the CPU 40 determines that the information terminal 1 is separated from the docking station 2, the process proceeds to angle detection means.

  FIG. 6A shows a schematic diagram of the information terminal 1 in the normal position range. Here, the magnetic card reader 20 is located on the right side in the figure. The magnetic card moves in the direction indicated by the arrow Z from the top to the bottom of the reading groove 22 of the magnetic card reader 20 in accordance with the movement instruction direction printed on the magnetic card.

  On the other hand, when the information terminal 1 is rotated 180 degrees as shown in FIG. 6B, the left and right positions and the vertical positions of the reading devices X and Y provided on both sides of the reading groove 22 are reversed. . For this reason, when the magnetic card is moved in the reading groove 22 in the same manner as in FIG. 6A with the left and right and vertical positions of the reading devices X and Y reversed as shown in FIG. 6 (b), the contact surface of the magnetic stripe of the magnetic card and the contact surface of the reading devices X and Y are reversed so that the data string of the magnetic card is read correctly. I can't help. Of course, in this position, the data string can be read accurately by moving the magnetic card in the direction of arrow Z in FIG. However, it is very difficult to move the magnetic card in the direction of the arrow Z in FIG. 6B while holding the information terminal 1 with one hand. Further, the operation of moving the magnetic card so as to push it forward from the front may cause the information terminal 1 to fly forward to the operator and fall when the hand holding the magnetic card hits the information terminal 1 by mistake. .

  For this reason, in the present embodiment, there is provided determination means for determining whether the position of the magnetic card reader 20 falls in a preset normal position range or reverse position range based on the rotation angle detected by the angle detection means. It was. For example, even when the position of the magnetic card reader 20 is rotated 180 degrees to the left in the figure as in the information terminal 1 shown in FIG. 7B, the moving direction of the magnetic card in the magnetic card reader 20 is downward from the top in the figure. The card information can be read by moving to.

  Specifically, when the information terminal 1 of the present embodiment is separated from the docking station 2, the CPU 40 uses the angle sensor 49 to determine the position of the magnetic card reader 20 from the angle of the information terminal 1. (Act 4). Specifically, the angle sensor 49 built in the information terminal 1 operates when the information terminal 1 is separated from the docking station 2. The angle sensor 49 outputs a detection signal according to the detection angle. The CPU 40 detects the angle T from the angle signal output from the angle sensor 49, and replaces it with a determination value with reference to the data table 90 shown in FIG. 5 (determination means). For example, when the angle of the information terminal 1 is an inclination of 0 degrees or more and 90 degrees or less, the CPU 40 sets the determination value to 0 (normal position range). When the inclination exceeds 90 degrees and is within a range of 270 degrees or less, the CPU 40 sets the determination value to 1 (reverse position range). When the inclination of the information terminal 1 is between 270 degrees and 360 degrees or less (that is, 0 degrees), the CPU 40 sets the determination value to 0 (normal position range). As described above, the CPU 40 has determination means for determining the position of the magnetic card reader 20 from the inclination of the information terminal 1. Note that the angle of the data table 90 shown in FIG. 5 is the rotation angle when the information terminal 1 is rotated around the axis connecting the intersection of the diagonal lines intersecting the surface of the information terminal 1 and the intersection of the diagonal lines intersecting the back surface. Represents. At 0 degree, the state where the information terminal 1 is connected to the docking station 2 is set as the reference position.

  When the determination value is “0”, the CPU 40 determines that the magnetic card reader 20 is in the normal position range (right side in the figure) as shown in FIG. 7A (see FIG. 4). In this case, the CPU 40 proceeds to the process of Act5.

  When the determination value is “1”, the CPU 40 determines that the magnetic card reader 20 is in the reverse position range (left side in the figure) as shown in FIG. In this case, the CPU 40 proceeds to the process of Act8.

  In Act 5, the CPU 40 determines that the magnetic card reader 20 is in the normal position range. In this case, the CPU 40 sequentially reads the magnetic card data stored in the shift register from the first cell of the shift register (Act 6). Then, the CPU 40 performs subsequent processing on the read card data (Act 7).

  In Act 8, the CPU 40 determines that the magnetic card reader 20 is located in the reverse position range. In this case, the CPU 40 sequentially reads the data of the magnetic card stored in the shift register from the cells behind the shift register. That is, the CPU 40 has card processing means for reading card data in reverse order (Act 9). Then, the CPU 40 performs subsequent processing on the card data read in the reverse order (Act 7).

  Thus, by developing and processing the data sequence of the magnetic card in the reverse order, the card data can be accurately read and processed even when the magnetic card reader 20 is in the reverse position range. At this time, a cautionary note or an illustration showing which side of the magnetic stripe of the magnetic card is to be moved in correspondence with which side of the reading device X or Y is displayed on the touch panel 11. If this is done, there will be no reading error due to an error in the direction of movement of the magnetic card by the operator.

  In the present embodiment, a magnetic card for a financial institution such as a credit card, a cash card, or a debit card as a magnetic card, and a POS terminal that processes the magnetic card, and exchanges data such as a personal identification number via the Internet. Although a possible device has been described as an example, the usage mode of the magnetic card is not limited to this. For example, a point card or a card key may be used.

  In the present embodiment, the extension terminal 51 is connected to the docking connector 45 so that the information terminal 1 is electrically connected to the docking station 2 and receives various data. Not limited to this. The connection between the information terminal 1 and the docking station 2 may not be an electrical connection using a connector but may be connected wirelessly. In this case, the docking station 2 can also be provided with a wireless unit to perform wireless communication with the wireless unit 47 of the information terminal 1 as data receiving means.

  When connecting wirelessly, the information terminal 1 may be contactlessly charged with the information terminal 1 attached to the docking station 2. In this case, the information terminal 1 includes a contactless power receiving unit, and the docking station 2 includes a contactless charging unit.

  In addition, although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof. It is included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents.

  Further, the transfer of the information terminal 1 is generally performed in a state where a program such as a control program is stored in the ROM. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a control program or the like assigned separately from the computer apparatus may be written in a writable storage device included in the computer apparatus in accordance with an operation of a user or the like. The transfer of the control program or the like can be performed by recording on a removable recording medium or by communication via a network. The recording medium may be in any form as long as it can store a program such as a CD-ROM or a memory card and can be read by the apparatus. Further, the function obtained by installing or downloading the program may be realized in cooperation with an OS (operating system) in the apparatus.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Information terminal, 10 ... Case, 11 ... Touch panel, 11a ... Display device, 11b ... Input device, 2 ... Docking station, 3 ... Drawer, 20 ... Magnetic card reader, 21 ... Case, 22 ... Reading groove, 30 ... Battery, 40 ... CPU, 41 ... ROM, 42 ... RAM, 43 ... Clock unit, 44 ... Touch panel controller, 45 ... Docking connector, 46 ... USB connector, 47 ... Wireless unit, 48 ... Input port, 49 ... Angle sensor 51 ... Extended connector, 52 ... Power supply unit, 53 ... Printer, 60 ... Communication interface, 61 ... I / O controller, 70, 71 ... Bus line, 80 ... Housing, 81 ... Mounting surface, 90 ... Data table, X, Y: Reading device, Z: Magnetic card reading direction.

Claims (6)

An information terminal in which an input device and a display device are arranged on a surface of a main body, a magnetic card reader is arranged in a peripheral portion, and is detachably connected to an external device,
An angle detection means for detecting a rotation angle when the main body is rotated around an axis connecting an intersection of diagonal lines intersecting the surface of the main body and an intersection of diagonal lines intersecting the back surface;
Determination means for determining whether the position of the magnetic card reader falls in a preset normal position range or reverse position range based on a rotation angle detected by the angle detection means;
A card processing means for processing the card data string of the magnetic card read by the magnetic card reader as a reverse data string when it is determined that the position of the magnetic card reader is in the reverse position range;
An information terminal comprising:   It further comprises confirmation means for confirming whether or not the external device is connected to the main body, and for starting the angle detection means when it is confirmed that the main body and the external device are not connected. The information terminal according to claim 1. The input device accepts input of data related to commerce,
The said main body is provided with the process part which processes the card payment of a commercial transaction based on the data input from the said input device, and the card | curd data of the said magnetic card read with the said magnetic card reader. Or the information terminal of 2. An input device that accepts input of data relating to commercial transactions and a display device are arranged on the surface of the main body, a magnetic card reader is arranged at a peripheral portion, and the data input from the input device and the magnetic card reader read An information terminal including a processing unit for processing a card settlement of a commercial transaction based on the card data of the magnetic card;
An external device detachably connected to the information terminal;
A product sales data processing apparatus having
The information terminal
An angle detection means for detecting a rotation angle when the main body is rotated around an axis connecting an intersection of diagonal lines intersecting the surface of the main body and an intersection of diagonal lines intersecting the back surface;
Determination means for determining whether the position of the magnetic card reader falls in a preset normal position range or reverse position range based on a rotation angle detected by the angle detection means;
Card processing means for processing the card data string of the magnetic card read by the magnetic card reader as a reverse data string when it is determined that the position of the magnetic card reader is in the reverse position range;
The external device is
Receiving means for receiving card payment data processed by the processing unit of the information terminal,
A product sales data processing apparatus characterized by comprising: The information terminal
It further comprises confirmation means for confirming whether or not the external device is connected to the main body, and for starting the angle detection means when it is confirmed that the main body and the external device are not connected. 5. The merchandise sales data processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein An information terminal computer in which an input device and a display device are arranged on the surface of the main body, a magnetic card reader is arranged in the peripheral portion, and an external device is detachably connected.
A function of detecting a rotation angle when the main body is rotated around an axis connecting an intersection of diagonal lines intersecting the surface of the main body and an intersection of diagonal lines intersecting the back surface;
A function of determining whether the position of the magnetic card reader corresponds to a preset normal position range or reverse position range based on the rotation angle;
A function of processing the card data string of the magnetic card read by the magnetic card reader as a reverse data string when it is determined that the position of the magnetic card reader is in the reverse position range;
Control program to realize.

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