JP2017191560A - Input control device, electronic register, and pos register - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve crime preventive performance during temporary absence of a specific operator from his/her post.SOLUTION: An input control device added to a main device having an input unit to which a signal is input through operation of a previously-registered specific operator, comprises detection means for detecting whether the specific operator is present around the main device, determination means for determining that the specific operator left the main device if an absence detection signal outputted by the detection means has continued for a fixed period of time or longer, and input control means for prohibiting input from the input unit on the basis of a leave determination signal outputted by the determination means or invalidating operation on the input unit and holding the prohibiting or invalidating state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1A

Description

  The present invention relates to an input control device, an electronic register, and a POS register formed by coupling a drawer unit to an electronic register.

  A POS register, that is, a register having a POS (point-of-sale information management) function includes an electronic register and a drawer unit coupled to the electronic register.

  The electronic register is used for settlement at a retail store or the like, and includes a main body, an input unit such as a keyboard provided in the main body, an arithmetic control unit (CPU), a storage unit, a receipt printer, And an output unit such as a monitor. The input unit usually includes a scanner.

  In general, when the cashier enters information such as product name, quantity, and price from the barcode label attached to the product at the time of product sales, the calculation control unit performs total processing of the purchase price. When the purchase amount and total amount are displayed on the monitor (display unit), and the amount received from the customer is input, the calculation control unit calculates the change, and when there is change, the amount is displayed on the display unit. indicate. When the cashier receives more cash than the purchase amount displayed on the display unit from the customer, the cashier will store the cash in the drawer unit, and if the change amount is displayed on the display unit, the cashier will receive the same amount of change. Take it out and give it to the customer.

  The drawer unit generally has a housing, a drawer (drawer) accommodated in the housing so as to be able to be put in and taken out, and a lock mechanism that holds the drawer accommodated in the housing (closed state). And a drawer opening mechanism that releases the lock when operated and moves the drawer to a state of being protruded out of the housing (open state), and a locking device that prevents unauthorized opening of the drawer that is not operating. Have The locking device is, for example, a lock provided in a housing, a latch coupled to the lock, and a hole provided in a drawer, where a key inserted in the keyhole of the lock is rotated in a predetermined direction. And a hole for latching or releasing the latch.

  When the POS register can be used at the start of business, the cashier uses the key to unlock the drawer unit locking device and waits for the customer to bring the product into the cashier. The cashier reads a bar code or the like of a customer's product at the cash register with a scanner, or inputs the product price from a numeric keypad on a keyboard provided in the electronic register. Then, before or after receiving the commodity price from the customer, one key of the keyboard is pressed as a drawer opening key (open key) to operate the drawer opening mechanism to unlock and open the drawer. Then, the received cash is stored in the drawer, the change of the amount displayed on the display unit is taken out and handed over to the customer, thereby completing the settlement.

  The cashier may be closed by manually pushing the cashier into the housing every time the customer is finished paying, but is often not closed every time the customer is finished paying.

  There are no prior art documents.

  The cashier may leave the POS register for a while in order to search for a product according to the customer's request or to exchange the product. In such a case, not only when the drawer is left open, but even if the cashier closes the drawer, it is easily opened when the bandits press the open key. There was a problem of being scarce.

  Devices that use a keyboard include, for example, a personal computer and various control devices in addition to an electronic register. Even in such a device, while a specific operator (user) who has the authority to use is temporarily away from the device, it may cause unexpected damage by being operated without permission by a person who does not have the authority to use it. May occur.

  This invention is made | formed in view of said point, and makes it a main objective to improve the crime prevention property when a specific operator leaves a place temporarily. Another object of the present invention is to provide an input control device that realizes crime prevention when a specific operator temporarily leaves the place in a device using a keyboard, and an electronic register and a POS register incorporating the input control device. And

[1] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is an input control device added to a main device having an input unit for inputting a signal by an operation of a specific operator registered in advance. A detection means for detecting whether or not the apparatus is in the vicinity of the apparatus, and a determination to output a separation determination signal by determining that a specific operator has left the main apparatus when the absence detection signal output by the detection means continues for a certain period of time or longer. And an input control means for prohibiting input from the input unit based on the separation determination signal output from the determination unit or invalidating the operation of the input unit and holding the state.
With the above configuration, when a specific operator is away from the main apparatus for a certain time or more, the main apparatus does not function even if the input unit is operated during that time. When a specific operator does not leave the main apparatus, the main apparatus does not become inoperable even if the input unit is not operated for a certain period of time.

  When the presence detection signal is input from the detection unit after the determination unit outputs the separation determination signal, or when the absence detection signal is not input from the detection unit, the determination unit stops outputting the separation determination signal, or A feedback determination signal is output instead of the determination signal, and the input control means cancels the input prohibition from the input unit based on the stop of the separation determination signal input from the determination means or the input of the feedback determination signal, Alternatively, it is desirable to cancel the invalidation of the operation of the input unit.

  The input control means includes means for prohibiting code input of all keys of the keyboard or means for prohibiting acceptance of codes output by all keys when the determination means outputs a separation determination signal. Can do.

  [2] The main device is a device (a personal computer, an electronic register, a control device, etc.) that uses a keyboard as an input unit, and the input control device is incorporated, and the input control means is a separation determination output by the determination means. Based on the signal, the code input from at least a predetermined key of the keyboard is prohibited, or the operation of at least the predetermined key of the keyboard is invalidated and the state is maintained.

  For example, when a device using a keyboard is a POS register and a predetermined key of the keyboard is a key for opening a drawer opening / closing mechanism that opens and closes a drawer of the POS register, when a specific operator leaves the device The drawer opening / closing mechanism can be prevented from opening even if another person operates the key.

  According to the present invention, the main device is an electronic register or a POS register, the input control device is incorporated, and a predetermined key of the keyboard of the electronic register is used to open the drawer opening / closing mechanism of the drawer unit of the POS register. It is an open key.

  In the input control device, when the determination means outputs a separation determination signal, the input control means prohibits code input of all keys of the keyboard (means), or means for prohibiting reception of codes output by all keys (Circuit) can be provided.

  The electronic register or the POS register includes two open keys (lock release keys) that output a drawer release request signal when operated by a keyboard (first open key and second open key), and the detection means has a presence detection signal. If the absence detection signal is not output, or the determination means does not output the separation determination signal, or if the feedback determination signal is output, the first open key and the second open When the keys are operated at the same time, the arithmetic control unit gives an opening command signal to the drawer opening / closing mechanism of the drawer unit.

  Preferably, the first open key is a fixed key that outputs a predetermined code, and the second open key is an arbitrary key selected from a plurality of keys that output a predetermined code.

  Each of the first open key and the second open key may be any key selected from a plurality of keys that output a predetermined code.

  [3] The present invention includes an input unit including an open key that outputs a drawer opening request signal when operated, and a control unit that outputs an opening command signal when a drawer opening request signal is input from the open key. An electronic register provided with a lock mechanism that locks the drawer when the drawer is housed in the housing, and unlocking the lock mechanism when the drawer opening command signal is given from the control unit In a POS register having a drawer unit having a drawer opening / closing mechanism for opening a drawer, detection means for detecting whether or not a specific registered cashier is in the vicinity of the POS register, and absence detection output by the detection means When the signal continues for a certain time or more, it is determined that the specific cashier has left the POS register and outputs a separation determination signal. When the determination means outputs a separation determination signal, the input control prohibits the output of the drawer opening request signal from the open key, or prohibits or disables the output of the opening command signal from the control unit. And means.

  As the detection means, a short-range wireless communication device or a biometric recognition device having a personal identification function can be used.

  The short-range wireless communication device having the personal identification function uses an RFID communication system, and is attached to a passive type RFIC tag possessed by a cashier and the POS register, and predetermined identification information from the RFIC tag ( ID), and the determination means outputs a separation determination signal when the RF reader or RF reader / writer does not receive from a predetermined RFIC tag for a predetermined time or longer. It is characterized by that.

  The short-range wireless communication device having the personal identification function uses a Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication device, and is attached to a transmitter for transmitting predetermined identification information (ID) possessed by a cashier and the POS register. And a receiver that receives a predetermined digital signal from the transmitter, wherein the determination means outputs a separation determination signal when a time during which the receiver does not receive from the transmitter continues for a predetermined time or longer. It is characterized by.

  The biological recognition device is a voice recognition sensor or a facial or appearance determination system, and the determination unit coupled to the biological recognition device has a predetermined time during which the voice recognition sensor does not recognize the voice of a predetermined cashier registered in advance. A separation determination signal is output when the face or appearance appraisal system continues for a predetermined time or more when the face or appearance appraisal system has not been able to recognize the face or appearance of a predetermined registered cashier.

  When the judgment means outputs the separation judgment signal, the input control means that prohibits the output of the drawer opening request signal from the open key, or prohibits or disables the output of the opening command signal from the control section is open. The first circuit that gives a signal output by the operation of the key to the arithmetic control unit is opened based on the separation determination signal, and the disappearance of the separation determination signal (for example, a predetermined registration in which a voice recognition sensor is registered in advance) Provide a second circuit that closes the first circuit based on when the cashier's voice is recognized, or when the facial / appearance appraisal system recognizes the pre-registered cashier's facial / appearance Can do.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the apparatus which improved the crime prevention property when a specific operator leaves a place temporarily can be provided. In addition, in an apparatus using a keyboard, it is possible to provide an input control device that realizes crime prevention when a specific operator temporarily leaves the place, an electronic register incorporating the input control device, and a POS register.

It is a block block diagram which shows one embodiment of this invention. It is a block block diagram which shows other embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of an example of a POS register which is an application example of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a POS register in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the drawer unit of the POS register in FIG. 2 with a cover removed. It is a top view of the drawer unit of FIG. It is the sectional view on the AA line of FIG. FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. 5. It is CC sectional view taken on the line of FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which the drawer of the drawer unit in FIG. 4 is opened. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the drawer unit in FIG. 9 with a drawer and a housing separated from each other. It is a perspective view which shows the bottom face side of the drawer of FIG. It is the perspective view which looked at the carriage to which the lock mechanism and drawer opening / closing mechanism of FIG. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a circle S portion in FIG. 5. It is the DD line enlarged view of FIG. It is the EE line enlarged view of FIG. It is a figure which shows the state by which the finger was pinched | interposed between the drawer of the drawer unit of FIG. 15, and the front-end part of a housing | casing. It is a perspective view in the state where the cover of the drawer unit concerning other embodiments of the present invention was removed. It is the perspective view which looked at the drawer unit of FIG. 17 from the right side. FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a state in which the drawer is removed from the drawer unit of FIG. 17. FIG. 20 is a plan view of the drawer unit of FIG. 19. It is the FF sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is the figure which took out the locking mechanism of FIG. 19, (a) is the perspective view seen from the downward | lower direction, (b) is a side view. It is a perspective view which extracts and shows the lock lever of FIG. 19, FIG. It is a perspective view of an example of the POS register which shows the other example of a detection means. It is a top view of an example of the keyboard of an electronic register. It is sectional drawing which shows the other example of the drawer opening / closing mechanism of a drawer unit.

[Input control device]
As shown by A in FIG. 1A, the input control device according to the embodiment of the present invention is a main device in which a signal is input to the arithmetic control unit 500 when a specific operator registered in advance operates the input unit 400. It is used in addition to B. The input control device A includes, as basic components, a detection means 100 for detecting whether or not a specific operator is in an area where the main device B can be operated, and an absence detection signal s10 output by the detection means 100. Based on the determination unit 200 that determines that a specific operator has left the main apparatus B when it has continued for a certain period of time and the separation determination signal s21 output from the determination unit 200, the input from the input unit 400 to the arithmetic control unit 500 is input. And an input control means 300 that prohibits or disables the operation of the input unit 400 and maintains the state.

  The arithmetic control unit 500 performs predetermined arithmetic processing and control depending on the type of the main apparatus B, and causes the control object 700 to perform a predetermined operation via the drive control unit 600 based on the arithmetic result.

  As the detection means 100 for detecting whether or not a specific operator registered in advance is in an area where the main device B can be operated, a short-range wireless communication device or a biological recognition device having a known personal identification function can be used. . As a short-range wireless communication device having a personal identification function, for example, an RFID communication system or a Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication device can be used.

  An RFID communication system uses a passive RFIC tag possessed by a specific operator and an RF reader or an RF reader / writer attached to the main apparatus B and receiving predetermined identification information (ID) from the RFIC tag. . A device using a Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication device is attached to a transmitter (for example, a mobile phone) that transmits predetermined identification information (digital ID) possessed by a specific operator and a main device B. It consists of a receiver that receives digital signals.

  A voice recognition sensor or a face or appearance appraisal system can be used for the biometric recognition device.

  When the detection unit 100 uses an RFID communication system, the determination unit 200 outputs a separation determination signal when the time during which the RF reader or the RF reader / writer does not receive from a predetermined RFIC tag continues for a predetermined time or longer. When the detection unit 100 uses a Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication device, the determination unit 200 outputs a separation determination signal when a time during which the receiver does not receive from the transmitter continues for a predetermined time or longer. When the detection unit 100 uses a biometric recognition device, the determination unit 200 determines that the time during which the voice recognition sensor does not recognize the voice of a predetermined registered registrant is a predetermined time, for example, 3 to 5 seconds or more. A separation determination signal is output when the operation is continued, or when the operation of the facial / appearance appraisal system has not been performed for a predetermined period of time, in which the facial / appearance of a predetermined cashier registered in advance is not recognized.

  When the determination unit 200 outputs the separation determination signal and then inputs the presence detection signal from the detection unit 100, the determination unit 200 stops outputting the separation determination signal or outputs a feedback determination signal instead of the separation determination signal. Further, the input control unit 300 cancels the input prohibition from the input unit 400 based on the stop of the input of the separation determination signal from the determination unit 200 (or the input of a feedback determination signal instead of the separation determination signal), or the input unit It is desirable to cancel the invalidation of 400 operations.

  In the embodiment of FIG. 1A, the input control device A is configured separately from the main device B. However, as another embodiment, the determination unit 200 other than the detection unit 100 and the input control unit 300 are incorporated in the calculation control unit 500 of FIG. 1A, and as shown in FIG. 500a, input control means 500b, and arithmetic control means 500c may be configured.

[POS register]
Next, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a POS register, which is one of devices using a keyboard, will be described with reference to FIGS.

The POS register 1 illustrated in FIG. 2 includes an electronic register 10 and a drawer unit 20.
[Electronic register]
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the electronic register 10 includes an input unit 11 including an open key that outputs a drawer opening request signal when operated, and an arithmetic process / process based on a signal input from the input unit 11. An arithmetic control unit (CPU) 12 that performs control, a display unit 13 that displays input contents and processing results, a storage unit 14 that stores programs and working data, and temporarily stores input contents and processing results; A drive control unit 15 for driving a lock mechanism and a drawer opening / closing mechanism, which will be described later, of the drawer unit 20 corresponding to the control object 700 based on the processing result of the arithmetic control unit 12, and the drive control unit 15 from the input unit 11. And an I / O interface unit 16 for adjusting access (electrical connection) between each of the above and the arithmetic control unit 12. 3A is the input control device A of FIG. 1A incorporated in the electronic register 10.

[Drawer unit]
As shown in detail in FIGS. 4 to 11, the drawer unit 20 includes a housing 21, a drawer 22, a lock mechanism 23, and a drawer opening / closing mechanism 24. These are described in detail below.

[Case]
The housing 21 includes a cover 21a and a main body 21b, and has a housing space 212 (see FIGS. 9 and 10) where the entire surface except the front opening 211 is shielded. The drawer 22 is accommodated through the opening 212 so that it can be opened and closed. In order to allow the drawer 22 to be opened and closed, the drawer 22 is coupled to a carriage 214 provided near the bottom plate 213 of the housing 21. The connecting means is arbitrary, but as an example, pins 222 protrude downward on the left and right sides of the rear end of the bottom plate 221 of the drawer 22, and the pins 222 are formed at the front end of the carriage 214. The two holes 215 are fitted. Also, grooved guide rails 217a extending horizontally in the front-rear direction of the housing 21 are provided at the lower ends of the left and right side walls 216 of the housing 21, and the left and right edges of the carriage 214 are slidable in the grooves of each guide rail 217a. It is mated. Further, both ends of a guide rod 2110 extending in the front-rear direction are fixed to protrusions 218 and 219 provided near the front and rear ends in the center of the width of the bottom plate 213 of the housing 21, and the guide rod 2110 is fixed to the carriage 214. It is slidably fitted in a hole of a block 2111 fixed to the bottom surface.

  In order to make the drawer 22 open and close more smoothly, grooved guide rails 217 b are also provided on the upper portions of the left and right side walls 216 of the housing 21, near the outer surface upper end portions of the left and right side walls 223 of the drawer 22. A protrusion 224 extending in the front-rear direction is slidably fitted in the groove of the guide rail 217b.

[Lock mechanism]
The lock mechanism 23 is configured so that the carriage 214 cannot be pulled out by pulling in and out of the restriction member in a square hole 231 formed in the rear portion of the carriage 214. This will be described in detail below.

  A bracket 232 is erected on the upper surface of the bottom plate 213 of the housing 21 and behind the drawer 22 accommodated in the accommodation space 212, and a solenoid 233 is attached to the bracket 232. The upper portion of the lock lever 234 corresponding to the restriction member pivotally supported by the bracket 232 is engaged with the pin of the plunger 235 of the solenoid 233, and thus swings when the solenoid 233 is sucked and restored. A latch portion 236 is provided at the front end of the lock lever 234, and the latch portion 236 falls into the square hole 231 of the carriage 214 when the solenoid 233 is restored, so that the forward movement of the carriage 214 is restricted. In addition, a drawer home detection sensor 237 for detecting a state in which the drawer 22 is closed is provided at the rear portion of the casing 21.

  Although not shown, the carriage 214 is provided with a drawer detection sensor that detects that the drawer 22 is attached.

[Drawer opening and closing mechanism]
A drawer opening / closing mechanism 24 that pulls the drawer 22 in and out of the housing 21 with power is provided at the rear of the housing space 212 of the housing 21. The drawer opening / closing mechanism 24 is rotated by a motor 241 installed at the back end of the bottom plate 212 of the housing 21 via a bracket 240, a driving pulley 242 rotated by the motor 241, and the driving pulley 242. It is comprised with the wires 243, such as a steel wire. A motor gear 244 and a driven gear 245 that mesh with each other are provided between the motor 241 and the drive pulley 242, and a torque limiter (trademark) 246 is provided between the driven gear 245 and the drive pulley 242.

  On the front wall 225 of the drawer 22, an opening / closing button K0 for opening / closing the drawer 22 is provided. The open / close button K0 is one component of the input unit 11 in FIG. The open / close button K0 alternately outputs a drawer opening request signal and a drawer closing request signal each time it is pressed. That is, the drawer opening request signal (open command) is given to the arithmetic control unit 12 by the first pressing of the open / close button K0. Further, a drawer closing request signal (closing command) is given to the arithmetic control unit 12 by the second pressing of the open / close button K0.

  Thus, when the open / close button K0 is pressed while the drawer 22 is in the closed state of FIG. 2, an open command is given to the arithmetic control unit 12, and the arithmetic control unit 12 is provided with a lock mechanism 23 on one side via the drive control unit 15. This causes the solenoid 233 to be sucked, thereby releasing the lock of the drawer by the lock mechanism 23, and the motor 241 of the drawer opening / closing mechanism 24 is rotated forward. As a result, the drive pulley 242 is rotated forward and the wire 243 is moved in a predetermined direction, so that the drawer 22 is opened as shown in FIG.

  Further, when the open / close button K0 is pressed while the drawer 22 is in the open state of FIG. 9, a close command is given to the arithmetic control unit 12, and the arithmetic control unit 12 is provided with a lock mechanism 23 on one side via the drive control unit 15. The solenoid 233 is restored, and the motor 241 of the drawer opening / closing mechanism 24 is reversed in the other direction. As a result, the drive pulley 242 is reversed and the wire 243 is moved in a predetermined other direction, so that the drawer 22 is closed as shown in FIG. 2 and the drawer 22 is locked by the lock lever 234.

  When the drawer 22 is closed, the solenoid 233 is in a restored state. However, when the carriage 214 pushes up the slope of the lock lever 234 and the carriage 214 comes to a predetermined position, the lock lever 234 has its own weight and the square hole of the carriage 214 is moved. Enter 231 and lock the drawer 22.

  A limit switch 247 is provided at the rear of the accommodation space 212. When the drawer 22 is stored to a predetermined position in the storage space 212, the drawer home detection sensor 237 is operated and output, so that the rotation of the motor 241 is stopped.

  An idle pulley 248 is provided in the front bottom surface of the accommodation space 212, that is, in the vicinity of the opening 211 on the top surface of the bottom plate 213 of the housing 21. Between the idle pulley 248 and the driving pulley 242 at the rear, a wire 243 stretched in a substantially loop shape is hung. Both ends of the wire 243 pass through a sphere (not shown) having a hole, and the wire and the sphere are pressure-bonded. Further, a sphere (not shown) is also crimped to the middle of the wire 243, and a total of three spheres are fixed to the wire 243. The two spheres at both ends of the wire are pushed into the grooves of the drive pulley 242 so as not to come out, and the sphere in the middle of the wire is sandwiched between four protrusions on the side surface of the undulating portion of the carriage 214. With such a configuration, the carriage 214 and the drawer 22 can move back and forth by the rotation (forward rotation and reverse rotation) of the motor 241.

The opening / closing operation of the drawer 22 may be automatically performed based on the end of the calculation by the electrical register 10 as well as the operation of the opening / closing button K0. Hereinafter, an operation flow when the drawer is automatically opened and closed based on the end of the calculation will be described.
(1) The calculation control unit 12 gives a lock release command signal to the drive control unit 15 based on the end of the calculation by the electrical register 10, and the drive control unit 15 sucks the solenoid 233 to release the lock of the carriage 214.
(2) Next, the arithmetic control unit 12 gives a motor normal rotation command signal to the drive control unit 15, and the drive control unit 15 causes the drive motor 231 to perform normal rotation, advance the carriage 214, and define the drawer 22 to the front. Move the amount and open the drawer.
(3) The arithmetic control unit 12 detects the opening of the drawer and then restores the solenoid 233 via the drive control unit 15.
(4) A cashier performs a deposit / withdrawal process of money to a customer.
(5) When the deposit / withdrawal process is completed, the arithmetic control unit 12 gives a motor reverse rotation command signal to the drive control unit 15, and the drive control unit 15 reverses the drive motor 231 to retract the carriage 214.
(6) After the drawer home detection sensor 237 detects the carriage 214, the carriage 214 is further retracted several millimeters to stop the drive motor 231 at a predetermined position.
(7) Since the solenoid 233 has been restored, the carriage 214 stopped at a predetermined position is locked by the lock lever 234, and the drawer 22 is closed.

  In the above embodiment, it is not desirable for the crime prevention to open the drawer immediately by simply pressing the open / close button K0 or when the deposit / withdrawal process is completed.

  13 to 16 are mechanisms for stopping the closing operation of the drawer 22 when a finger or the like is sandwiched between the casing 21 and the closing drawer 22 or when a foreign object is present. Grooves are provided on the left and right of the front upper portion of the housing 21, and the detection bar 238 is supported in the grooves so as to be swingable. Furthermore, the housing 21 is provided with a foreign matter detection sensor 239 at a position where the optical axis is blocked by the detection bar 238 when the detection bar 238 rotates.

  As shown in FIG. 16, when a finger or the like f is sandwiched between the casing 21 and the drawer 22, the detection bar 238 is pushed and rotated to turn on the foreign matter detection sensor 239, stop the motor 231 and instantaneously Then, the motor 231 is rotated in the opening direction, and the drawer 22 is once pulled back. Thereafter, the drawer 22 is closed again. The control from the stop of the motor after the detection to the closing operation of the restoration can be performed by time control or by pressing the button.

  The torque limiter 236 is also used for slipping so as not to hurt the hand in such a case, but it is considered that the drawer 22 can be pulled out with a strong force after the lock lever 234 is manually opened in the event of a power failure. Yes. To release the lock lever 234 at this time, the latch portion 236 can be released from the carriage 214 by pulling the front end of the lock lever 234 protruding from the bottom of the housing 21 forward.

[Other embodiments]
Next, a lock mechanism and a drawer opening / closing mechanism different from the previous embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 17 and subsequent drawings. The same code | symbol is used for the member which is common in previous embodiment.
[Drawer unit]
As shown in detail in FIGS. 17 to 21, the drawer unit 20 includes a housing 21, a drawer 22 that is housed in the housing so as to be able to be put in and taken out, and a drawer 22 in the housing 21. A lock mechanism 30 that locks when it is accommodated and maintains a closed state, and a drawer that releases the lock by the lock mechanism 30 when operated and moves the drawer 22 to an open state protruding out of the housing 21 It has an opening / closing machine 40 and a locking device 50 that prevents unauthorized opening (drawing) of a drawer that is not in operation.

  The locking mechanism 30 is attached to the mounting member 31 in the vicinity of the locking member 32, the mounting member 31 fixed to the upper surface of the rear portion of the bottom plate 213 of the housing 21, the lock lever 32 supported by the mounting member 31 in a swingable manner. The solenoid 33 is provided.

  The drawer opening / closing machine 40 includes a coil spring 41 having a rear end fixed to the front surface of the attachment member 31 and extending forward, and an operation rod 42 provided for emergency use.

  As shown in FIG. 23, the lock lever 32 is formed in a substantially T shape, and is supported by the mounting member 31 so as to be swingable by a pin penetrating through an intermediate hole 34. The hanging piece 35 of the lock lever 32 exists on the rear movement line of the operation rod 42 immediately after the rear end portion of the operation rod 42. Further, the front horizontal piece 36 of the lock lever 32 is formed with an upward hook-shaped latch 37 at the tip. A plunger 38 of a solenoid 33 is coupled to the tip of the rear horizontal piece 37 of the lock lever 32 via a pin 39.

  As shown in FIGS. 18, 20, and 21, the back wall 226 of the drawer 22 is provided with a locking pin 310 that protrudes from the outer surface. When the drawer 22 is completely accommodated in the accommodating space of the housing 21, the locking pin 310 is engaged with the latch 37 of the lock lever 32, so that the drawer 22 is locked. Therefore, the locking pin 310 of the drawer 22 is one of the components of the lock mechanism 30.

  The locking device 50 is a well-known thing, for example, when the lock provided on the front wall 225 of the drawer 22 and the key inserted in the key hole of the lock are rotated in a predetermined forward direction or reverse direction. Latch (not shown) and a hole (not shown) provided in the lower side of the opening 211 of the housing space of the housing 21 for locking or locking the rotated latch of the lock. It consists of a hole to be released.

  With the above configuration, when the drawer 22 is completely pushed into the housing space of the housing 21, the coil spring 41 is compressed by the back wall 226 of the drawer 22, and the locking pin 310 of the drawer 22 is locked by the lock lever 32 of the lock mechanism 23. The latch 37 is engaged with the latch 37 which is lifted and restored when the latch 37 is pushed down and the vehicle is moved over. At this time, the solenoid 33 is in a restored (non-excited) state, and the plunger 38 is in the lowered position. That is, the drawer 22 is locked and maintained in the closed state.

  In order to open the drawer 22 in the closed state, that is, to release the locked state of the drawer 22, it is necessary to electrically drive the solenoid 33 by the drive control unit 15 to bring it into the attraction (excitation) state. . Conventionally, in order to drive the solenoid 33, the solenoid 33 is excited and the drawer 22 is unlocked simply by pressing the oven key with a predetermined one key of the keyboard as an input unit as an open key. I was able to. That is, if anyone presses the oven key, the drawer 22 opens, so that countermeasures have been desired as in the above embodiment.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, as a countermeasure, the above-mentioned input control device A is added to the electronic register 10 so that the opening / closing button can be opened only when a specific operator (registry) operates the opening / closing button K0 under a predetermined condition. When the operation of K0 is validated and a predetermined condition is not satisfied, the drawer opening / closing mechanism 24 is not operated even when the opening / closing button K0 is operated.

  Next, a specific example of the input control device A used in the POS register 1 will be described in detail. The detection means 100 of the input control device A detects whether or not a specific cashier registered in advance is within a predetermined distance from the POS register 1, for example, within 1 m from the POS register 1.

  The detection means 100 for detecting whether or not a specific cashier registered in advance is in an area where the POS register 1 can be operated includes a short-range wireless communication device having a personal identification function, for example, an RFID communication system or Bluetooth ( (Registered trademark) communication device can be used.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the RFID communication system uses a known passive RFIC tag 101 possessed by a cashier, and a predetermined identification information (ID) from the RFIC tag 101 attached to the POS register 1. It can be composed of a known RF reader or RF reader / writer 102 to receive. In this case, the RFIC tag 101 can communicate by receiving a power wave from the RF reader or the RF reader / writer 102 when it is within a predetermined distance from the POS register 1, but is separated from the POS register 1 beyond the predetermined distance. Is set to disable communication. Further, the determination unit 200 connected to the RF reader or the RF reader / writer 102 determines that a predetermined time, for example, 3 to 5 seconds elapses after the RF reader or the RF reader / writer 102 stops receiving from the predetermined RFIC tag 101. A separation determination signal is output to.

  When a plurality of cashiers take charge of one POS register 1, the communication frequency used between the RFIC tag 101 of each cashier and the RF reader or RF reader / writer 102 is different for each cashier. The frequency is good. This will clarify the responsibilities of each cashier.

  A device using a Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication device is attached to a POS register 1 and a transmitter (for example, a mobile phone) that transmits predetermined identification information (digital ID) possessed by a cashier. It can be composed of a receiver that receives a signal. In this case, the receiver receives predetermined identification information from the transmitter when the transmitter is within a predetermined distance from the POS register 1, for example, within 1 m, but when the transmitter is separated from the POS register 1 beyond the predetermined distance. Is set to disable communication. The determination unit 200 connected to the receiver outputs a separation determination signal when the elapsed time from when the receiver stops receiving from the transmitter exceeds a predetermined time, for example, 3 to 5 seconds.

  A known biological recognition device can be used as the detection means 100 for detecting whether or not a specific cashier registered in advance is in an area where the POS register 1 can be operated. As shown in FIG. 24, for example, a voice recognition sensor using a microphone attached to a display unit (monitor) 13 or a camera 103 or a surface or appearance appraisal system can be used as the biometric recognition device. The determination means 200 coupled to the biometric recognition device is pre-registered when a predetermined time has elapsed from when the voice recognition sensor stops recognizing a pre-registered cashier's specific frequency voice or when the facial or appearance detection system is pre-registered. A separation determination signal is output when a predetermined time elapses from when the specific face or appearance of the registered cashier is no longer recognized.

  As described above, if it is determined that a specific cashier is in the vicinity of the POS register 1, input from the keyboard KB and the scanner (when the scanner is connected) including the open / close button K0 Is possible.

  When a specific cashier presses the open / close button K0 of the POS register 1, a drawer open request signal is output and input to the arithmetic control unit 500. Therefore, the arithmetic control unit 500 can open the drawer 22 by driving the solenoid 233 and the motor 241 of the POS register 1 in the first embodiment via the drive control unit 600. In the second embodiment, the solenoid 33 is driven to unlock the closed drawer 22 and the drawer 22 can be opened by the bias of the coil spring 41.

  That is, the drawer 22 can be opened only when two conditions are satisfied: a specific cashier is in a predetermined area of the POS register 1 and a specific key (open / close button K0) is pressed. When the cashier leaves the POS register 1, the drawer 22 does not open even if an outsider presses a specific key (open / close button K0). Therefore, crime prevention is obtained.

  The security of the POS register 1 is ensured only by the above example. However, as another embodiment, if two open keys are provided, crime prevention is further improved. That is, as shown in FIG. 25, the keyboard KB is provided with two open keys K1 and K2 for outputting a drawer opening request signal when operated.

  FIG. 25 shows an example of the keyboard KB which is the input unit 400 of the POS register 1. The keyboard KB is provided with numeric keys and operation keys. The first open key K1 and the second open key K2 can be (a) both fixed keys, (b) one fixed key and the other optional key, and (c) both optional keys. The fixed key is a key that is not changed to another key after the output code of the specified key is stored in the storage unit 16 and set as an open key. The arbitrary key is an output code of the specified key. Is stored in the storage unit 16 and set as an open key, and then changed to another key periodically or at an arbitrary time.

  When the first open key K1 is pressed, the first drawer opening request signal is given to the calculation control unit 12, and when the second open key K2 is pressed, the second drawer opening request signal is given to the calculation control unit 12. When the condition that the first drawer opening request signal and the second drawer opening request signal are simultaneously input is satisfied, the arithmetic control unit 12 provides the drawer opening command signal to the drive control unit 15, so that the drawer 22 Can be opened.

  The means for invalidating the output of the drawer open request signal from the open key when the determination means 200 outputs the separation determination signal is separated to the first circuit that gives the arithmetic control unit 500 a signal output by the operation of the open key. The first circuit is opened based on the determination signal, and the disappearance determination signal disappears (or when the voice recognition sensor recognizes the voice of a predetermined cashier registered in advance, or the face or appearance detection system is registered in advance. A second circuit for closing the first circuit on the basis of a predetermined cashier's appearance or appearance can be provided.

  The means for invalidating the output of the opening command signal from the calculation control unit 500 when the determination unit 200 outputs the separation determination signal is provided to the first circuit that gives the opening command signal from the calculation control unit 500 to the drawer opening mechanism. Disappearance of the separation determination signal (or when the voice recognition sensor recognizes the voice of a predetermined cashier registered in advance, or when the face or appearance appraisal system recognizes the face or appearance of a predetermined cashier registered in advance) The second circuit that opens the first circuit based on the above can be provided.

  In the above embodiment, the drawer 22 is housed in the housing 21 and locked by pushing the opened drawer 22 by hand. However, it is possible to provide an automatic opening / closing mechanism that automatically accommodates and locks the drawer 22 in the housing 21 when it is detected that a specific cashier has left the POS register 1.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 26, the automatic opening / closing mechanism 60 has a nut 61 fixed to the side surface of the drawer 22, and a ball screw 62 is screwed onto the nut 61, and the ball screw 62 is connected to the bottom plate 211 of the housing 21. A motor 65 that is rotatably supported by support members 63, 64 that are erected on the front and rear sides and that rotates the ball screw 62 can be provided in the housing 21. In FIG. 26, 66 and 67 are the gear of the motor 65 and the gear of a ball screw, and are meshing. In FIG. 26, the above-described locking mechanism 23 is omitted.

  The input control device A is connected to the control unit 66 that controls the motor 65. A drawer closing command signal output from the calculation control unit 500 when the determination means outputs a separation determination signal is given to the control unit 68, and the motor 65 is rotated in a predetermined direction, whereby the ball screw 62 and the nut are rotated. The drawer 22 in the open position is drawn into the housing 21 via 61 and is locked by the lock mechanism 23 in the same manner as described above.

  Further, when the determination means of the input control device A outputs a feedback determination signal, the calculation control unit 500 outputs a drawer opening command signal to the control unit 68 to rotate the motor 65 in the opposite direction. When a particular cashier who has been away from the POS register 1 returns to the POS register 1, the door 22 can be automatically unlocked and opened.

  As described above, when it is detected that a specific cashier has left the POS register 1 and a predetermined time has elapsed, pressing any key on the keyboard will not unlock the drawer 22 in the closed state. Security is ensured when a specific cashier leaves the office. However, there may be cases where the cashier leaves the office for sudden illness or other reasons and cannot return immediately. In addition, there may be a state in which the drawer 22 cannot be unlocked due to some failure of the detection means or the determination means.

  In order to avoid inconvenience due to the drawer 22 being left in an unlockable state when such an emergency situation occurs, in a preferred embodiment, a person other than a specific cashier has a drawer opening / closing mechanism. The drawer can be opened manually. The emergency operation bar 42 in FIG. 19 is for that purpose. That is, when an operation piece (not shown) provided at a position where the drawer unit 20 is not exposed is operated, the operation rod 42 pushes the hanging piece 35 of the lock lever 32 to rotate the lock lever 32 and the latch 37 of the lock lever 32 is rotated. Releases the locking pin 310, so that the drawer 22 is opened under the force of the coil spring 41.

  26 is provided on both the left and right sides of the drawer 22 in order to move the drawer 22 stably, and the ball screws 62 on both sides are synchronously rotated by one motor 65.

A Input control device
100 detection means
200 Judgment means
300 Input control means B Main unit
400 input section
500 Operation control unit
600 Drive controller
700 Control target 1 POS register 10 Electronic register 11 Keyboard 12 Arithmetic control unit 13 Display unit 15 Drive control unit
20 Drawer unit 21 Housing 22 Drawer 23 Lock mechanism 24 Drawer opening / closing mechanism 25 Locking device

Claims (13)

An input control device added to a main device having an input unit for inputting a signal by an operation of a specific operator registered in advance,
Detection means for detecting whether or not a specific operator is in the vicinity of the main device, and determination means for determining that the specific operator has moved away from the main device when the absence detection signal output by the detection means continues for a predetermined time or more. An input control device comprising: an input control unit that prohibits input from the input unit based on a separation determination signal output by the determination unit or invalidates operation of the input unit and maintains the state thereof . The input control device according to claim 1,
If the presence detection signal is input from the detection means after outputting the separation determination signal, the determination means stops outputting the separation determination signal or outputs a feedback determination signal instead of the separation determination signal. ,And,
The input control unit cancels the input prohibition from the input unit or invalidates the operation of the input unit based on the stop of the input of the separation determination signal from the determination unit or the input of the feedback determination signal instead of the separation determination signal An input control device for canceling The input control device according to claim 1,
The input control means includes means for prohibiting code input of all keys on the keyboard or means for prohibiting acceptance of codes output by all keys when the determination means outputs a separation determination signal. An input control device characterized by that.   3. An apparatus using a keyboard as an input unit, wherein the input control device according to claim 1 or 2 is incorporated, and the input control means is based on a separation determination signal output from the determination means, and includes at least a predetermined key on the keyboard. A device that prohibits code input from the keyboard or disables operation of at least a predetermined key of the keyboard and maintains the state. The apparatus according to claim 4.
The device is an electronic register or a POS register,
The electronic register or the POS register, wherein the predetermined key of the keyboard is an open key for causing the drawer opening / closing mechanism of the drawer unit of the POS register to open. The electronic register or POS register according to claim 5,
When the detection means outputs a presence detection signal, or when the determination means does not output a separation determination signal, the first open key (unlock key) and the second open key (unlock key) of the keyboard The electronic control unit or the POS register is characterized in that the operation control unit gives an open command signal to the drawer opening / closing mechanism of the drawer unit when the control unit is operated simultaneously. The electronic register or POS register according to claim 6,
The first open key is a fixed key that outputs a predetermined code, and the second open key is an arbitrary key selected from a plurality of keys that output a predetermined code. Electronic register or POS register. The electronic register or POS register according to claim 6,
The electronic register or the POS register is characterized in that each of the first open key and the second open key is an arbitrary key selected from a plurality of keys each outputting a predetermined code. An electronic register including an input unit including an open key that outputs a drawer opening request signal when operated, and a control unit that outputs an opening command signal when the drawer opening request signal is input from the open key; A lock mechanism that locks the drawer when the drawer is housed in the housing, and a drawer opening / closing mechanism that unlocks the lock mechanism and opens the drawer when the drawer opening command signal is given from the control unit. In a POS register having a drawer unit having
Detection means for detecting whether or not a specific cashier registered in advance is in the vicinity of the POS register, and when the absence detection signal output by the detection means continues for a predetermined time or more, the specific cashier A determination unit that determines that the register is separated and outputs a separation determination signal; and when the determination unit outputs a separation determination signal, prohibits output of a drawer release request signal from an open key, or from the control unit A POS register comprising input control means for prohibiting or invalidating the output of an open command signal. The POS register according to claim 9,
The POS register, wherein the detection means is a short-range wireless communication device or a biometric recognition device having a personal identification function. The POS register according to claim 10,
The short-range wireless communication device having the personal identification function uses an RFID communication system, and is attached to a passive RFIC tag possessed by a cashier and the POS register, and predetermined identification information from the RFIC tag ( ID), and the determination means outputs a separation determination signal when the RF reader or RF reader / writer does not receive from a predetermined RFIC tag for a predetermined time or longer. POS register characterized by the above. The POS register according to claim 10,
The short-range wireless communication device having the personal identification function uses a Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication device, and is attached to a transmitter for transmitting predetermined identification information (ID) possessed by a cashier and the POS register. And a receiver that receives a predetermined digital signal from the transmitter, wherein the determination means outputs a separation determination signal when a time during which the receiver does not receive from the transmitter continues for a predetermined time or longer. A POS register characterized by The POS register according to claim 10,
The biological recognition device is a voice recognition sensor or a facial or appearance determination system, and the determination unit coupled to the biological recognition device has a predetermined time during which the voice recognition sensor does not recognize the voice of a predetermined cashier registered in advance. A POS register that outputs a separation determination signal when it continues for more than a certain period of time or when a period of time during which the aspect or appearance of a predetermined cashier registered in advance has not been recognized for a predetermined period of time or longer. .

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