JP2021064259A - Window processing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a window processing machine which enables stable communication with a wireless communication medium.SOLUTION: A window processing machine includes: a staff terminal including an input unit which accepts input of operation; and a reader/writer which is connected to the staff terminal, reads information from a wireless communication medium, and writes the information onto the wireless communication medium. The reader/writer includes: a loop antenna which is driven based on the input in the input unit; a light source which is located inside of the loop antenna; and a hosing which includes the loop antenna and the light source.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a window processing machine.

The counter processor located at the staff counter is equipped with a reader / writer that reads information from the wireless communication medium and writes information to the wireless communication medium. In recent years, the area of mobile phones has expanded, and mobile phones with antennas attached to the ends of terminals have become widespread. Therefore, even if the wireless communication medium is placed in the center of the reader / writer, the antenna of the wireless communication medium may not be located within the reading range of the reader / writer antenna, and reading may not be possible. In such a case, it is necessary to arrange the antenna of the wireless communication medium so as to be within the reading range of the reader / writer, but since the wireless communication medium cannot be placed in the center on the reader / writer, it falls from the reader / writer and is damaged. There was a possibility. Further, since the light source is arranged in parallel with the antenna of the reader / writer, there is a problem that the area ratio of the antenna to the reading surface becomes small and the reading range becomes small.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2007-72848 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-355580 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-45129 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2007-72848 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-84794 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-183773

An object of the present embodiment is to provide a window processor capable of stable communication with a wireless communication medium.

The window processing machine according to the embodiment is connected to a staff terminal having an input unit for receiving an operation input and the staff terminal to read information from a wireless communication medium and write information to the wireless communication medium. The reader / writer includes a loop antenna driven based on an input in the input unit, a light source located inside the loop antenna, the loop antenna, and the light source. It is provided with a housing for accommodating.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a window processing machine according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the window processing machine of the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the window processing machine of the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the reader / writer shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the reader / writer shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a state in which the wireless communication medium is arranged on the mounting surface of the reader / writer. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the reader / writer.

Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the disclosure is merely an example, and those skilled in the art can easily conceive of appropriate changes while maintaining the gist of the invention are naturally included in the scope of the present invention. Further, in order to clarify the description, the drawings may schematically represent the width, thickness, shape, etc. of each part as compared with the actual embodiment, but this is merely an example, and the present invention is provided. It does not limit the interpretation. Further, in the present specification and each figure, components exhibiting the same or similar functions as those described above with respect to the above-mentioned figures may be designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate detailed description may be omitted as appropriate. ..

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the window processing machine 50 according to the present embodiment.
The window processing machine 50 includes a staff terminal 100 operated by a staff member and a reader / writer 1 connected to the staff terminal 100. The reader / writer 1 reads the information from the wireless communication medium and writes the information to the wireless communication medium. In the present embodiment, the wireless communication medium is, for example, an IC card or a mobile phone provided with an IC chip for short-range wireless communication. The reader / writer 1 is electrically connected to the staff terminal 100 by a cable 30. The reader / writer 1 may communicate with the staff terminal 100 by wireless communication.

The staff terminal 100 includes a control unit 10, a communication unit 11, a memory 12, a display unit 13, and an input unit 14. The control unit 10 is connected to the communication unit 11, the memory 12, the display unit 13, and the input unit 14, and controls each of them. The communication unit 11 communicates with the reader / writer 1 based on the control by the control unit 10. The communication unit 11 communicates information necessary for processing the wireless communication medium. The memory 12 stores control data necessary for controlling the staff terminal 100, various data necessary for processing the wireless communication medium, and the like based on the control by the control unit 10.

The display unit 13 displays a screen or the like that guides the station staff to various operations necessary for processing the wireless communication medium based on the control by the control unit 10. The input unit 14 is composed of various buttons, a touch panel that outputs corresponding information based on the detection of contact, and the like. The input unit 14 receives input of various operations by the station staff based on the control by the control unit 10. At least a part of the display unit 13 and the input unit 14 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display device having a built-in touch panel.

The reader / writer 1 includes a control unit 20, a communication unit 21, a memory 22, a loop antenna AT, and a light source 8. The control unit 20 is connected to the communication unit 21, the memory 22, the loop antenna AT, and the light source 8 and controls each of them. The communication unit 21 communicates with the window processing machine 50 based on the control by the control unit 20. The communication unit 21 communicates information necessary for processing the wireless communication medium. The memory 22 stores control data necessary for controlling the reader / writer 1 and various data necessary for processing the wireless communication medium based on the control by the control unit 20. The loop antenna AT is driven and generates a magnetic field based on the control by the control unit 20. The light source 8 emits light based on the control by the control unit 20.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the window processing machine 50 of the present embodiment. Here, the operation of the window processing machine 50 will be described with reference to FIG.
The control unit 10 determines whether or not the input unit 14 has received the input for starting processing (ST1). The control unit 10 controls the control unit 20 of the reader / writer 1 so as to put the reader / writer 1 in the standby mode based on the determination that the input unit 14 has received the input for starting processing (ST1, YES) (ST1, YES). ST2). The standby mode is a mode for prompting the placement of the wireless communication medium on the reader / writer 1. Specifically, the control unit 20 controls the light source 8 to emit light in the standby mode. Further, the loop antenna AT is driven based on the input in the input unit 14, similarly to the light source 8. The control unit 20 controls to generate a magnetic field by passing a current through the loop antenna AT in the standby mode. The light source 8 emits light based on the input in the staff terminal 100, and the staff mounts the wireless communication medium on the mounting surface after confirming that the mounting surface emits light, for example. The control unit 10 determines whether or not the reader / writer 1 has detected the wireless communication medium mounted on the mounting surface (ST3). Based on the determination that the reader / writer 1 has detected the wireless communication medium mounted on the mounting surface (ST3, YES), the control unit 10 sets the reader / writer 1 into the processing mode. Controls the control unit 20 (ST4). The processing mode is a mode in which processing is performed on the wireless communication medium. Specifically, the control unit 20 controls the light source 8 to emit light in the processing mode. The light source 8 emits light in the processing mode with a color or pattern different from that in the standby mode.

The control unit 10 determines whether or not information has been input in the input unit 14 (ST5). That is, the clerk terminal 100 receives the input of the process to be performed on the wireless communication medium by the operation by the clerk. The control unit 10 performs processing on the wireless communication medium based on the determination that the information has been input by the input unit 14 (ST5, YES) (ST6). Specifically, the control unit 10 reads information from the wireless communication medium in the reader / writer 1, processes the staff terminal 100 based on the read information, and writes in the wireless communication medium in the reader / writer 1.

The control unit 10 determines whether or not the processing to the wireless communication medium is completed (ST7). The control unit 10 terminates the operation of the window processing machine 50 based on the determination that the processing to the wireless communication medium is completed (ST7, YES). On the other hand, the control unit 10 determines whether or not an error has occurred based on the determination that the processing to the wireless communication medium has not been completed (ST7, NO) (ST8). The control unit 10 controls the control unit 20 of the reader / writer 1 so as to put the reader / writer 1 in the error mode based on the determination that an error has occurred (ST8, YES) (ST9). The error mode is a mode indicating that the processing of the reader / writer 1 cannot be continued. Specifically, the control unit 20 controls the light source 8 to emit light in the error mode. In the error mode, the light source 8 emits light in a color or pattern different from that in the standby mode and the processing mode. The control unit 10 ends the operation of the window processing machine 50. The light source 8 is not lit before, for example, the standby mode of the reader / writer 1.

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the window processing machine 50 of the present embodiment.
The reader / writer 1 is electrically connected to the staff terminal 100 by a cable 30. The reader / writer 1 includes a housing 2 that houses various members that make up the reader / writer 1. Further, the reader / writer 1 includes a mounting surface 3 on which a wireless communication medium is mounted. The mounting surface 3 is inclined with respect to the bottom plate of the housing 2, and has an upper end EG1 and a lower end EG2 located closer to the bottom plate than the upper end EG1. The housing 2 includes a stopper 9 protruding upward from the lower end EG2. In the window processing machine 50, for example, a station clerk keeps a wireless communication medium from a user and places it on the mounting surface 3. The stopper 9 can prevent the wireless communication medium mounted on the inclined mounting surface 3 from slipping down. The reader / writer 1 includes a light guide plate LG. The light guide plate LG is located on the mounting surface 3.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the reader / writer 1 shown in FIG.
The reader / writer 1 further includes a support 60 that holds the loop antenna AT. The support 60 has an opening 7 inside the loop antenna AT. The support 60 is fixed to the light guide plate LG by screws 11a and 11b. The end of the support 60 is screwed from below. The support 60 and the loop antenna AT are provided close to the mounting surface 3. Therefore, the distance from the loop antenna AT to the wireless communication medium can be made close.

The housing 2 houses the loop antenna AT, the light source 8, and the support 60. The mounting surface 3 is inclined with respect to the bottom plate 2a of the housing 2. The lower end EG2 of the mounting surface 3 is located closer to the bottom plate 2a than the upper end EG1 of the mounting surface 3. The light source 8 is located in the opening 7 and is located inside the loop antenna AT. The light source 8 does not project above the upper surface of the support 60. Further, the light source 8 may project below the lower surface of the support 60. As will be described later, the light source 8 does not necessarily have to be arranged in the opening 7 of the support 60, and may be arranged at a position overlapping the opening 7. The light source 8 may be fixed to the support 60 or the light guide plate LG. As shown in FIG. 2, the light source 8 emits light so as to indicate the state of the reader / writer 1. The light source 8 may blink in a different color or pattern when the wireless communication medium is being read, is being read, is being read, is being read, is being read, is being written, or is being processed. Further, for example, when the light source 8 is not emitting light, the staff terminal 100 does not detect the wireless communication medium even if the wireless communication medium is placed on the mounting surface 3.

The light guide plate LG overlaps the loop antenna AT, the light source 8, and the support 60. The light guide plate LG is provided along the mounting surface 3 and is inclined with respect to the bottom plate 2a. In the illustrated example, the upper surface of the light guide plate LG forms the mounting surface 3. The control unit 10 is arranged on the bottom plate 2a. The light source 8 and the loop antenna AT are connected to the control unit 10.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the reader / writer 1 shown in FIG.
The outer shape of the support 60 is formed in a rectangular shape. The opening 7 is located inside the loop antenna AT. The light source 8 is located inside the opening 7.

According to this embodiment, the light source 8 is located inside the loop antenna AT. That is, the light source 8 can be arranged in the opening 7 by providing the opening 7 in the support 60 of the loop antenna AT. Therefore, the reading area of the loop antenna AT occupying the mounting surface 3 can be increased as compared with the case where the light source 8 is arranged in parallel on the outside of the loop antenna AT. The readable range of the loop antenna AT can be increased without changing the size of the housing 2. Further, regardless of the size and shape of the wireless communication medium, it is possible to communicate with the loop antenna AT at any place on the mounting surface 3. Even a wireless communication medium such as a mobile phone whose antenna is located at the end of the terminal can be mounted on the mounting surface 3 in a stable manner. Further, the present embodiment can be applied by forming the opening 7 in the support 60 of the conventional loop antenna AT. Further, since the light source 8 does not overlap with the loop antenna AT, the metal contained in the light source 8 does not block the communication of the loop antenna AT, so that the deterioration of the communication performance of the loop antenna AT can be suppressed.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a state in which the wireless communication medium 200 is arranged on the mounting surface 3 of the reader / writer 1.
FIG. 6A shows a state in which the light source 8 is not lit. The mounting surface 3 has a mounting area AR on which the wireless communication medium is mounted. The size of the mounting area AR is preferably the maximum size of the wireless communication medium on which the mounting area AR can be mounted. The wireless communication medium 200 is mounted in the mounting area AR. The light guide plate LG extends to the outside of the mounting area AR.

FIG. 6B shows a state in which the light source 8 is lit. The light guide plate LG can deliver the light of the light source 8 to the outside of the mounting area AR. Therefore, as shown in the figure, it can be confirmed that the mounting surface 3 is lit even when the wireless communication medium 200 overlaps with the light source 8.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the reader / writer 1. In the configuration shown in FIG. 7, the position of the light source 8 is different from that in the configuration shown in FIG.
The control unit 10 includes a light source 8. The light source 8 overlaps with the opening 7 of the support 60. The light emitted from the light source 8 is transmitted to the light guide plate LG through the opening 7.
Even in such a modified example, the same effect as that of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to obtain a window processor capable of stable communication with a wireless communication medium.

Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other embodiments, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

1 ... reader / writer, 50 ... window processing machine, 100 ... staff terminal,
AT ... loop antenna, 2 ... housing, 2a ... bottom plate, LG ... light guide plate, 3 ... mounting surface,
7 ... opening, 8 ... light source, 9 ... stopper, 14 ... input, AR ... mounting area,
EG1 ... upper end, EG2 ... lower end, 60 ... support.

Claims (6)

A staff terminal equipped with an input unit that accepts operation input,
It is provided with a reader / writer which is connected to the staff terminal and reads information from the wireless communication medium and writes information to the wireless communication medium.
The reader / writer
A loop antenna driven based on the input in the input unit and
A light source located inside the loop antenna and
A window processing machine including a housing for accommodating the loop antenna and the light source. The reader / writer further includes a light guide plate that overlaps the loop antenna and the light source.
A mounting surface having a mounting area on which the wireless communication medium is mounted is provided.
The window processing machine according to claim 1, wherein the light guide plate extends to the outside of the above-described storage area. The reader / writer includes a mounting surface having a pre-described placement area on which the wireless communication medium is mounted.
The above-mentioned mounting surface is inclined with respect to the bottom plate of the housing and has an upper end and a lower end located closer to the bottom plate than the upper end.
The window processing machine according to claim 2, wherein the housing includes a stopper protruding upward from the lower end. The window processing machine according to claim 3, wherein the light guide plate is provided along the above-mentioned mounting surface and is inclined with respect to the bottom plate. The reader / writer further comprises a support for holding the loop antenna.
The support has an opening inside the loop antenna.
The window processing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the light source is located in the opening. The light source emits light in a standby mode that prompts the placement of the wireless communication medium based on the start input, and performs processing based on the detection that the wireless communication medium is placed on the mounting surface. The window processing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which emits light in a color or pattern different from that of the standby mode.

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