JP2019153148A - Information processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an information processing device capable of correctly reading information about a target.SOLUTION: An information processing device 1 includes a reader 2 that has an inclined reading surface 20 and reads information from a target opposed to the reading surface 20, and a projection 2c formed on at least part of the upper edge part of the peripheral edge part of the reading surface 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a barcode scanner having an inclined surface on which a product can slide. This barcode scanner automatically reads a barcode attached to a product by sliding the product on an inclined surface.

JP-A-2-278484

  However, since the apparatus described in Patent Document 1 performs reading while sliding the object, the position of the object on the inclined surface becomes unstable. For this reason, it becomes difficult to accurately read the information of the object.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide an information processing apparatus that can appropriately read information by guiding an object to an appropriate position.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, the reading unit has an inclined reading surface, reads information from an object facing the reading surface, and at least a part of the upper edge portion of the peripheral portion of the reading surface. An information processing apparatus including the formed protrusion is provided.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an information processing apparatus capable of appropriately reading information on an object by guiding the object to an appropriate position.

1 is an external view of an information processing apparatus according to a first embodiment. It is a block diagram of the information processor in a 1st embodiment. It is a top view of the reading part in a 1st embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the information processing apparatus in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating operation in the reading part in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating operation in the reading part in 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the information processing apparatus in 2nd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the information processing apparatus in 3rd Embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram of the information processing apparatus in 4th Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is an external view of an information processing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment. The information processing apparatus 1 can be used, for example, as a self-type POS (Point Of Sales) terminal, kiosk terminal, check-in terminal, and information providing terminal for settlement of commercial transactions. The information processing apparatus 1 is installed in a store, an accommodation facility, a service counter, or the like. The user of the information processing apparatus 1 can include customers, salesclerks, and service providers.

  The information processing apparatus 1 includes a housing including front panels 10a and 10b and side panels 10c and 10d. The front panel 10b and the side panels 10c and 10d are vertically connected to a bottom panel (not shown), and the front panel 10a is connected to the front panel 10b at a predetermined angle. The front panel 10 a is provided with a reading unit 2, a touch panel 3, a card processing unit 4, a magnetic reader 5, a printer 6, a coin slot 7, and a banknote deposit / withdrawal port 8, and a change dispensing slot 9 is provided on the front panel 10 b. Is provided. When the information processing apparatus 1 is installed on a horizontal ground surface such as a floor or a shelf, the angle between the front panel 10b and the installation surface is vertical, and the front panel 10a is inclined by a predetermined angle with respect to the ground surface. Yes.

  The reading unit 2 includes a reading surface 20 inclined with respect to the ground surface, and can read information such as a barcode, a QR code, characters, numbers, and an image from an object facing the reading surface 20. Further, the reading unit 2 can perform reading using not only optical reading but also wireless communication such as an RF (Radio Frequency) tag and an NFC (Near Field Communication). The object may be a product, tag, card, bill, passport, membership card, coupon, receipt, portable terminal, and the like. The portable terminal can cause the reading unit 2 to read information on the display, and can also cause the reading unit 2 to read information by wireless communication.

  The reading unit 2 is provided in a concave portion formed in the front panel 10a and includes an inclined reading surface 20. The reading surface 20 has a rectangular shape, and the peripheral portion of the reading surface 20 includes a lower edge portion 201 positioned on the lower side, an upper edge portion facing the lower edge portion 201, and each of the lower edge portion 201 and the upper edge portion. A first side edge portion and a second side edge portion connecting the end portions; The reading surface 20 is connected to the lower edge portion 201 at an angle different from that of the front panel 10a, and the lower edge portion 201 forms a corner portion. Of the peripheral edge of the reading surface 20, a wall-like protruding portion that protrudes from the reading surface is formed at an edge other than the lower edge 201. That is, the protrusion 2a is formed on the first side edge, and the protrusion 2b is formed on the second edge. Moreover, the protrusion part 2c is formed in the upper edge part. The protrusions 2a, 2b, and 2c constitute the inner wall of the recess of the front panel 10a, and the protrusions 2a, 2b, and 2c are connected to the front panel 10a. Since the user can position the reading object in the space surrounded by the protruding portions 2a, 2b, and 2c, the user can correctly determine the position of the object on the reading surface 20. Furthermore, even in a booklet-like object such as a passport, the position of the object on the reading surface 20 can be determined by bringing the binding portion of the booklet into contact with the lower edge portion 201. With such a configuration, the reading unit 2 can correctly read information from the object.

  The touch panel 3 is provided in the vicinity of the reading unit 2 on the front panel 10a. The touch panel 3 includes a display and a touch sensor, displays a screen for the user, and inputs an operation from the user. For example, the touch panel 3 can display an operation procedure of the information processing apparatus 1, information read by the reading unit 2, an amount received, an amount of goods or services, an advertisement for a user, and the like.

  The card processing unit (authentication information input unit) 4 is provided above the reading unit 2 in the front panel 10a. The card processing unit 4 includes a card reader 4a, a display unit 4b, and operation buttons 4c. The card reader 4a can read information from a card-like medium such as a credit card, a membership card, or a card key. The display unit 4b is composed of a liquid crystal or an organic light emitting element, and can display a transaction amount and operation details. The operation button 4c is used for inputting authentication information such as a password.

  A magnetic reader (magnetic card reading unit) 5 is provided between the touch panel 3 and the card processing unit 4 on the front panel 10a. The magnetic reader 5 includes a guide groove formed in the front panel 10a and a magnetic head provided in the guide groove. When the user inserts the card into the guide groove and slides it downward, the magnetic head can read the magnetic information recorded in the magnetic stripe on the card. A card to be read may include a credit card, a prepaid card, a membership card, and a card key regardless of the type of card as long as it has a magnetic stripe.

  The printer 6 is provided between the reading unit 2 and the card processing unit 4 on the front panel 10a. The printer 6 is used for printing accounting receipts, information on goods or services, room numbers, receipts, and the like.

  The coin slot 7 is provided below the reading unit 2 in the front panel 10a. The coin slot 7 is connected to a coin transport mechanism, a coin sorting mechanism, and a coin storage. The coins inserted into the coin insertion slot 7 are sorted by denomination by the coin sorting mechanism and stored in the coin storage.

  The banknote deposit / withdrawal port 8 is provided below the reading unit 2 on the front panel 10 a and to the side of the coin slot 7. The bill deposit / withdrawal port 8 is connected to a bill transport mechanism, a bill sorting mechanism, and a bill storage. The banknotes inserted into the banknote deposit / withdrawal port 8 are sorted for each denomination by the banknote sorting mechanism and stored in the banknote storage.

  The change dispensing port 9 is provided on the lower front panel 10b. When change is generated in the inserted coin or bill, the coin of the change is paid out from the change outlet 9. The banknote of the change is paid out to the banknote deposit / withdrawal port 8 described above.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the information processing apparatus 1. The information processing apparatus 1 includes a bus 100, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103, an HDD (Hard Disc Drive) 104, a card reader 4a, a display unit 4b, and an operation. A button 4c, a magnetic reader 5, a printer 6, a coin processing unit 7a, a banknote processing unit 8a, and a change processing unit 9a are provided. Further, the information processing apparatus 1 includes a LAN interface (LAN I / F) 105, an audio processing unit 106, a touch sensor 3a, a display 3b, an imaging unit 21, an NFC reader 22, and an LED (Light Emitting Diode) 23. Is provided. The above-described units are connected to each other via a bus 100.

  The CPU 101 controls the overall operation of the information processing apparatus 1 according to a predetermined application program. The ROM 102 keeps the stored contents even after the power is turned off, such as a mask memory and a nonvolatile memory. In the ROM 102, a boot program at the time of power-on is written. The RAM 103 is used as a work area for the operation of the CPU 101. The HDD 104 can store the above-described application program, operating system, database for commercial transactions, customer information, and the like. Further, an SSD (Solid State Drive) may be used instead of the HDD 104.

  The card reader 4a, the display unit 4b, and the operation buttons 4c constitute the card processing unit 4 as described above. Although not shown, the card processing unit 4 further includes a control unit for controlling the card processing unit 4 and a communication unit that manages communication between the card processing unit 4 and the CPU 101.

  The magnetic reader 5 includes a magnetic head that reads the magnetic information of the magnetic stripe on the card, and a decoding circuit that decodes an output signal from the magnetic head. The decoded signal is used by the CPU 101 for user identification, commercial transaction settlement, and the like.

  The printer 6 includes an ink head, a paper feed mechanism, and a control circuit. The paper feed mechanism may include a roll paper transport mechanism and a roll paper cutting mechanism. Further, the printing method is not limited to the ink jet type, and may be a thermal type.

  The coin processing unit 7a includes a transport mechanism that transports coins inserted from the coin slot 7, a sensor that detects the type of coins, a coin sorting mechanism that sorts coins for each type, and a coin storage that stores coins. And a control circuit for controlling the operation of the coin processing unit 7a. The coin processing unit 7a stores the inserted coins in the coin storage for each type according to the type of coin detected by the sensor. When the control circuit determines that the inserted coin does not belong to any type, the transport mechanism discharges the inserted coin to the change outlet 9.

  The banknote processing unit 8a includes a banknote transport mechanism, a sensor that detects the type of banknote, a banknote selection mechanism that sorts banknotes for each type, a counter that counts banknotes for each type, a banknote storage that stores banknotes, And a control circuit that controls the operation of the banknote processing unit 8a, and processes banknote deposits and withdrawals at the banknote deposit / withdrawal port 8. The banknote processing unit 8a stores the received banknotes in the banknote storage for each type, and pays out banknotes as change to the banknote deposit / withdrawal port 8. When the sensor detects a foreign matter that does not correspond to the type of bill, the bill transport mechanism discharges the foreign matter to the bill deposit / withdrawal port 8.

  The change processing unit 9a has a control unit that determines the type of coins or banknotes constituting the change, and pays out the change coins from the coin storage to the change dispensing port 9, or transfers the change banknotes from the banknote storage And a transport mechanism that pays out to the mouth 8.

  The LAN interface 105 is a wired or wireless communication interface and communicates with the server 15. The server 15 is a store server, a cloud server, or the like, and stores a customer database and a product database.

  The audio processing unit 106 includes a digital / analog conversion circuit that converts audio data into an analog signal, and an amplification circuit that amplifies the analog signal and drives a speaker. The voice processing unit 106 can output not only guide voices related to operation of the information processing apparatus 1 but also music, warning sounds, and the like.

  The touch sensor 3a and the display 3b constitute the touch panel 3. The display 3b includes a liquid crystal display or an organic light emitting display, and includes an image processing circuit that performs luminance conversion of an image signal, a drive circuit that drives pixels, and the like. The touch sensor 3a includes a capacitance sensor or a resistance type pressure sensitive sensor, and is arranged in a matrix on the display 3b.

  The imaging unit 21, NFC reader 22, and LED 23 constitute a reading unit 2. The imaging unit 21 includes a lens optical system, a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor or a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor, an analog / digital conversion circuit, and an image processing circuit. The NFC reader 22 includes a transmission / reception antenna, a high frequency circuit, a detection circuit, a modulation circuit, and the like. The LED 23 is composed of, for example, a plurality of LED arrays, and uniformly irradiates the reading object.

  FIG. 3 is a plan view of the reading surface 20. The reading surface 20 is made of rectangular glass or the like, and a light transmitting portion 20a capable of transmitting light is provided at the center. A frame portion 20b is provided around the light transmitting portion 20a, and a peripheral portion of the frame portion 20b is composed of a lower edge portion 201, an upper edge portion 202, a first side edge portion 203, and a second side edge portion 204. ing. The lower edge portion 201 is positioned below the inclined reading surface 20, and the upper edge portion 202 faces the lower edge portion 201. The respective end portions of the lower edge portion 201 and the upper edge portion 202 connect the respective end portions of the first side edge portion 203 and the second side edge portion 204. That is, the first side edge 203 and the second side edge 204 are perpendicular to the lower edge 201 and the upper edge 202, and the first side edge 203 and the second side edge 204 are opposed to each other. is doing.

  In order to place the passport on the reading surface 20, it is preferable that the length of the lower edge portion 201 and the upper edge portion 202 is longer than the length of the long side of the passport. Further, the reading surface 20 does not necessarily have to be a rectangle, and may be a polygon, trapezoid, semicircle, ellipse, or the like that exceeds a rectangle as long as information such as cards, passports, and merchandise can be read.

  FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the information processing apparatus 1 in the present embodiment, and is a cross-sectional view in which the reading unit 2 is broken along a plane parallel to the side panels 10c and 10d.

  Below the reading surface 20, an imaging unit 21, an NFC reader 22, and an LED 23 are provided. For simplicity of explanation, only one LED 23 is shown in FIG. 4, but the LEDs 23 may be arranged in an array. Thereby, illumination light can be uniformly irradiated with respect to a target object. The front panel 10a is formed with a recess having the protrusions 2a, 2b and 2c as inner walls, and the reading surface 20 is fitted in the recess. The lower edge portion 201 of the reading surface 20 is connected to the front panel 10a, and the upper edge portion 202 opposite to the lower edge portion 201 is connected to a rectangular protruding portion 2c. The protruding portion 2 c extends vertically from the upper edge portion 202 with respect to the reading surface 20. Further, the protruding portion 2a extends vertically from the first side edge 203 to the reading surface 20, and the protruding portion 2b extends from the second side edge 204 to the reading surface 20 vertically. Yes. The protrusions 2 a and 2 b are substantially right-angled triangles, and the height of the protrusions 2 a and 2 b with respect to the reading surface 20 decreases from the upper edge 202 toward the lower edge 201.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the inclination angle α of the reading surface 20 with respect to the ground surface is smaller than the inclination angle β with respect to the ground surface of the touch panel 3. Since the user touches the surface of the touch panel 3 while looking at the touch panel 3, the touch panel 3 may be inclined so that the user's line of sight is horizontal or slightly downward. For example, the inclination angle β of the touch panel 3 is preferably 55 ° to 95 °. On the other hand, on the reading surface 20, the user needs to make the object face the reading surface 20 while holding the object such as a card or a portable terminal. Considering the natural angle of the wrist, it is preferable that the inclination angle α of the reading surface 20 is smaller than the inclination angle β of the touch panel 3. For example, the inclination angle α of the reading surface is 20 ° or more than the inclination angle β of the touch panel 3. 40 ° smaller. As an example, the inclination angle α of the reading surface 20 may be 45 °, and the inclination angle β of the touch panel 3 may be 75 °. Thus, by making the inclination angle α of the reading surface 20 smaller than the inclination angle β of the touch panel 3, the user can read an object on the reading surface 20 while operating the touch panel 3 in a natural posture. Become. Further, by tilting the reading surface 20, the depth of the housing of the information processing apparatus 1 can be shortened, and the information processing apparatus 1 can be downsized. Thereby, the information processing apparatus 1 in the present embodiment can be installed even in a narrow store or facility.

  Further, the reading surface 20 is connected to the front panel 10a at the angle γ at the lower edge 201. The angle γ is less than 180 °, preferably less than 150 °, so that the lower edge 201 forms a corner. The user can determine the position of the object on the reading surface 20 by bringing a binding portion of a booklet such as a passport into contact with the lower edge portion 201.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an operation in the reading unit 2 in the present embodiment, and shows a cross-sectional view of the reading unit 2 when reading information from the portable terminal 501.

  The reading unit 2 can read barcodes, characters, and images displayed on a portable terminal 501 such as a smartphone. The user makes the display of the portable terminal 501 face the reading surface 20 while holding the portable terminal 501 with one hand. The portable terminal 501 may be separated from the reading surface 20 or may be placed on the reading surface 20. At this time, since the mobile terminal 501 is located in the space surrounded by the protrusions 2a, 2b, and 2c, the user can set the mobile terminal 501 at a correct position with respect to the reading surface 20. Further, the user may avoid the positional deviation of the portable terminal 501 during imaging by causing the end of the portable terminal 501 to abut on the protruding portions 2a, 2b, and 2c.

  When the reading unit 2 correctly reads information from the portable terminal 501, the information processing apparatus 1 notifies the user of a reading completion message through the touch panel 3 or the voice processing unit 106. The user lifts the portable terminal 501 from the reading surface 20 to complete the reading operation. In the present embodiment, the reading surface 20 is inclined, and no protrusion is provided on the lower edge portion 201 of the reading surface 20. For this reason, even if the user misplaces the portable terminal 501 on the reading surface 20, the portable terminal 501 slides downward from the reading surface 20. Therefore, the user can immediately notice that the portable terminal 501 is misplaced. It should be noted that a special effect such as accurate reading and prevention of misplacement can be achieved even for objects other than the portable terminal 501, such as cards, membership cards, products, tags, bills, passports, coupons, and receipts.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an operation in the reading unit 2 in the present embodiment, and shows a cross-sectional view of the reading unit 2 when reading information on the passport 502.

  The reading unit 2 in the present embodiment can also read a book-like object such as a passport 502. The user opens the passport 502 and places the page 502 a to be read on the reading surface 20. At this time, the user can easily determine the page 502 a at the correct position on the reading surface 20 by aligning the binding portion 502 b of the passport 502 with the lower edge portion 201. That is, since the lower edge portion 201 forms a corner portion, the binding portion 502 b can be aligned with the position of the lower edge portion 201 by pressing the binding portion 502 b against the lower edge portion 201. Further, even when the passport 502 is difficult to open, it is possible to avoid the page 502 from floating from the reading surface 20 in the vicinity of the binding portion 502b of the page 502a to be read.

  Furthermore, since the passport 502 is located in a space surrounded by the protrusions 2a, 2b, and 2c, the user can set the passport 502 at a correct position with respect to the reading surface 20. Further, the position of the passport 502 at the time of imaging may be fixed by bringing the end of the passport 502 into contact with the protruding portions 2a, 2b, and 2c.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, since the protruding portion is formed at the peripheral portion of the reading surface 20, the object can be positioned in the space surrounded by the protruding portion, and information can be obtained from the object. It can be read correctly. Further, the reading surface 20 is inclined, and no protrusion is formed on the lower edge portion 201 of the reading surface 20. For this reason, even if the user misplaces the object on the reading surface 20, the object slips off from the reading surface 20, so that the user can immediately notice that the object is misplaced.

  In the present embodiment, the inclination angle α of the reading surface 20 is smaller than the inclination angle β of the touch panel 3. Since the touch panel 3 and the reading unit 2 have an inclination angle suitable for each operation, the user can operate the touch panel 3 and the reading unit 2 in a natural posture. Further, since the lower edge portion 201 of the reading surface 20 forms a corner portion, the binding portion of the booklet-like object can be aligned with the lower edge portion 201 like a passport, and the booklet-like object is read. The correct position on the surface 20 can be established.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, the information processing apparatus in this embodiment will be described. In the following description, the configuration different from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the description of the same configuration as the first embodiment will be omitted.

  FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, and shows a cross-sectional view in which the reading unit 2 is broken along a plane parallel to the side panels 10c and 10d. In the reading unit 2 of the present embodiment, the reading surface 20 is provided to protrude forward from the front panel 10a. Also in this embodiment, the reading surface 20 is inclined at an inclination angle α with respect to the ground plane. For this reason, even if the user misplaces the object on the reading surface 20, the object slides down from the reading surface 20, so that the user can immediately notice that the object is misplaced.

  The lower edge portion 201 of the reading surface 20 is positioned in front of the lower front panel 10a, and the lower edge portion 201 is connected to the lower front panel 10a via the plate portion 11. The lower edge portion 201 forms an angle γ ′ with the plate portion 11, and the lower edge portion 201 forms a corner portion. Since the angle γ ′ is smaller than the angle γ in the first embodiment, the binding portion of a booklet such as a passport can be easily aligned with the lower edge portion 201.

  The upper edge portion 202 is connected to the upper front panel 10a 'without a protruding portion. If the inclination angle with respect to the ground plane of the touch panel 3 is β, the angle between the reading surface 20 and the upper front panel 10a ′ is (α + β). According to the example of the inclination angles α and β described in the first embodiment, the angle (α + β) is less than 180 °, and thus the upper front panel 10 a ′ can function as a protrusion with respect to the reading surface 20. . Accordingly, also in the present embodiment, the upper limit position of the object can be determined at the upper edge portion 202 of the reading surface 20.

  In the first side edge portion 203 and the second side edge portion 204, plate-like projecting portions 2 a ′ and 2 b ′ extend vertically with respect to the reading surface 20, respectively. The protrusions 2 a ′ and 2 b ′ are substantially triangular, and the height of the protrusions 2 a ′ and 2 b ′ with respect to the reading surface 20 decreases from the upper edge 202 toward the lower edge 201.

  Also in this embodiment, the inclination angle α of the reading surface 20 with respect to the ground plane is smaller than the inclination angle β with respect to the ground plane of the touch panel 3. The tilt angle β of the touch panel 3 is preferably 55 ° to 95 °, and the tilt angle α of the reading surface is preferably 20 ° to 40 ° smaller than the tilt angle β of the touch panel 3. Similarly to the first embodiment, the inclination angle α of the reading surface 20 may be 45 °, and the inclination angle of the touch panel 3 may be 75 °. Thus, by making the inclination angle α of the reading surface 20 smaller than the inclination angle β of the touch panel 3, the user can read an object on the reading surface 20 while operating the touch panel 3 in a natural posture. Become.

  In the present embodiment, the angle γ ′ at the lower edge portion 201 is smaller than the angle γ in the first embodiment. For this reason, it becomes easier to align the binding portion of the booklet with the lower edge portion 201 than in the first embodiment, and the information printed on the passport can be accurately read by the reading portion 2. Also in this embodiment, the protrusions 2a 'and 2b' are provided, and the upper front panel 10a 'can function as a protrusion. Accordingly, the object can be positioned in the space surrounded by the protrusions 2a 'and 2b' and the upper front panel 10a ', and the position of the object with respect to the reading surface 20 can be determined correctly.

  Note that the shapes and positions of the protrusions 2a 'and 2b' are not necessarily limited to those described above. Only one of the protruding portions 2a 'and 2b' may be provided, or only the upper front panel 10a 'may be used as the protruding portion. A protrusion may be provided only on at least a part of the upper edge 202 of the peripheral edge of the reading surface 20. Even in this case, the position of the object on the reading surface 20 can be determined by bringing the end of the object into contact with the protruding portion, and information can be accurately read from the object.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, the information processing apparatus in this embodiment will be described. In the following description, the configuration different from that of the second embodiment will be mainly described, and the description of the same configuration as that of the second embodiment will be omitted.

  FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, and shows a cross-sectional view in which the reading unit 2 is cut along a plane parallel to the side panels 10c and 10d. In the second embodiment, the upper front panel 10a 'functions as a protrusion, but in this embodiment, a protrusion 2c' is formed separately from the front panel 10a '. The protruding portion 2 c ′ is formed to protrude from at least a part of the upper edge portion 202 of the reading surface 20. The protruding portion 2c 'has a bent plate shape, and includes a lower plate portion that is perpendicular to the reading surface 20, and an upper plate portion that is bent and extends from the upper end of the lower plate portion. The upper plate portion is formed, for example, in parallel with the ground plane, and covers a part above the reading surface 20.

  In the present embodiment, since the lower plate portion of the protruding portion 2c ′ is formed perpendicular to the reading surface 20, the position of the object protrudes compared to the case where the upper front panel 10a ′ is used as the protruding portion. The portion 2c ′ can be reliably stopped. Further, since the upper plate portion of the protruding portion 2 c ′ covers a part of the upper side of the reading surface 20, it is possible to avoid the external illumination light from entering the reading surface 20.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, it is possible to achieve the same effects as those in the first embodiment and the second embodiment. The reading surface 20 is inclined and no protrusion is formed on the lower edge 201 of the reading surface 20. For this reason, even if the user misplaces the object on the reading surface 20, the object slips off from the reading surface 20, so that the user can immediately notice that the object is misplaced. Further, since the touch panel 3 and the reading unit 2 have inclination angles suitable for respective operations, the user can operate the touch panel 3 and the reading unit 2 with a natural posture. Further, since the lower edge portion 201 of the reading surface 20 forms a corner portion, the binding portion of the booklet-like object can be aligned with the lower edge portion 201 like a passport, and the booklet-like object is read. The correct position on the surface 20 can be established.

  Instead of forming the protruding portion 2c 'by a plate-shaped member, the protruding portion 2c' may be formed by a rod-shaped member. The protrusion 2c 'is not limited to the above example, and any shape may be used as long as the protrusion 2c' can determine the position of the object by the upper edge 202. Further, the protruding portions 2a 'and 2b' in the second embodiment may be formed in the first side edge portion 203 and the second side edge portion 204. As a result, the position of the object can be accurately determined, and irradiation light from the outside can be blocked.

[Fourth Embodiment]
FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the information processing apparatus according to this embodiment. The information processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment has an inclined reading surface 20, and at least an upper edge portion of a reading portion 2 that reads information from an object facing the reading surface 20 and a peripheral portion of the reading surface 20. And a protruding portion 2c formed in part. According to this embodiment, the protrusion part 2c is formed in at least one part of the upper edge part. For this reason, the position of the object on the reading surface can be guided to an appropriate position by the protrusion 2c, and information can be appropriately read from the object.

  A part or all of the above-described embodiment can be described as in the following supplementary notes, but is not limited thereto.

(Appendix 1)
A reading unit having an inclined reading surface and reading information from an object facing the reading surface;
Of the peripheral edge of the reading surface, a protrusion formed on at least a part of the upper edge;
An information processing apparatus comprising:

(Appendix 2)
It has a front panel with a recess,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reading unit is provided in the concave portion, and the protruding portion is formed by an inner wall of the concave portion.

(Appendix 3)
The reading surface includes a lower edge portion facing the upper edge portion, and a first side edge portion and a second side edge portion connecting the respective ends of the lower edge portion and the upper edge portion,
The protrusion includes a first protrusion formed on the first side edge, a second protrusion formed on the second side edge, and a first protrusion formed on the upper edge. 3 protrusions,
The information processing apparatus according to appendix 2, wherein each height of the first protrusion and the second protrusion with respect to the reading surface decreases from the upper edge toward the lower edge.

(Appendix 4)
A touch panel,
4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an inclination angle of the reading surface with respect to the ground surface is smaller than an inclination angle of the touch panel with respect to the ground surface.

(Appendix 5)
The information processing apparatus according to appendix 4, wherein an inclination angle of the reading surface with respect to a ground contact surface is 35 ° to 55 °.

(Appendix 6)
The information processing apparatus according to appendix 4, wherein an inclination angle of the reading surface with respect to the ground surface is 20 ° to 40 ° smaller than an inclination angle of the touch panel with respect to the ground surface.

(Appendix 7)
The information processing apparatus according to any one of appendices 1 to 6, further comprising an authentication information input unit that is provided above the reading unit and authenticates an owner of the object.

(Appendix 8)
The information processing apparatus according to appendix 4, further comprising a magnetic card reading unit provided between the reading unit and the touch panel.

(Appendix 9)
The length of the lower edge part facing the said upper edge part of the said reading part is longer than the long side of a passport, The information processing apparatus of Additional remark 1 or 2 characterized by the above-mentioned.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Information processing apparatus 2 Reading part 2a, 2b, 2c, 2a ', 2b', 2c 'Protrusion part 201 Lower edge part 202 Upper edge part 203 1st side edge part 204 2nd side edge part 3a Touch sensor 3b Display 4 Card processing unit 4a Card reader 4b Display unit 4c Operation button 5 Magnetic reader 6 Printer 7 Coin insertion slot 7a Coin processing unit 8 Banknote deposit / withdrawal port 8a Banknote processing unit 9 Change dispensing port 10a, 10b Front panel 10c, 10d Side panel 11 Board 15 Server 101 CPU
102 ROM
103 RAM
104 HDD
105 LAN I / F
106 Voice processing unit 501 Portable terminal 502 Passport 502a Page 502b Binding unit

Claims (9)

A reading unit having an inclined reading surface and reading information from an object facing the reading surface;
Of the peripheral edge of the reading surface, a protrusion formed on at least a part of the upper edge;
An information processing apparatus comprising: It has a front panel with a recess,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reading unit is provided in the recess, and the protrusion is formed by an inner wall of the recess. The reading surface includes a lower edge portion facing the upper edge portion, and a first side edge portion and a second side edge portion connecting the respective ends of the lower edge portion and the upper edge portion,
The protrusion includes a first protrusion formed on the first side edge, a second protrusion formed on the second side edge, and a first protrusion formed on the upper edge. 3 protrusions,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein heights of the first protrusion and the second protrusion with respect to the reading surface are decreased from the upper edge toward the lower edge. A touch panel,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an inclination angle of the reading surface with respect to a ground surface is smaller than an inclination angle of the touch panel with respect to the ground surface.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein an inclination angle of the reading surface with respect to a ground contact surface is 35 ° to 55 °.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein an inclination angle of the reading surface with respect to the ground surface is 20 ° to 40 ° smaller than an inclination angle of the touch panel with respect to the ground surface.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an authentication information input unit that is provided above the reading unit and authenticates an owner of the object.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a magnetic card reading unit provided between the reading unit and the touch panel.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a length of a lower edge portion of the reading unit facing the upper edge portion is longer than a long side of a passport.

Images