KR20080006172U - Keypad input apparatus of taximeter - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a taxi meter having a keypad for improving the operability of a taxi meter with a printer for outputting a receipt.

Taxi meter of the present invention is a taxi meter composed of a first function unit for performing a function related to the setting and display of a fare on one side, and a second function unit for a function of printing a receipt, such as a built-in printer on the other side The second function unit includes a foldable keypad configured to be opened from the top to the bottom, having at least one button on an inner side or an outer side of the foldable keypad, and reading card information on the outer side thereof. And a printer cover coupled between the printer and the foldable keypad so as to be opened in one direction.

Taxi Meter, Folding Keypad, Separate Keypad, Card Interface

Description

Keypad input device of taxi meter {KEYPAD INPUT APPARATUS OF TAXIMETER}

1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a conventional two-din (din) deck type taxi meter.

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a conventional 1-din deck type taxi meter.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment showing the external appearance of the folding keypad of the taxi meter according to the present invention.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment showing the appearance of the folding folding keypad of the taxi meter according to the present invention combined with the main body.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment showing the external appearance of the taxi meter with a foldable keypad according to the present invention.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment showing the external appearance of a taxi meter with a foldable detachable keypad according to the present invention.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment showing the external appearance of a taxi meter with a card interface means on the folding keypad according to the present invention.

Figure 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a taxi meter having a foldable keypad or foldable detachable keypad according to the present invention.

* Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings *

509: mini printer 510: receipt output unit

511: keypad 512: printer cover

513: support means 514, 516: connector

515: button portion 517: function button

518: keypad cover 520: card interface means

The present invention relates to a taxi meter, and more particularly, to a taxi meter having a folding keypad for improving the operability of a taxi meter with a printer for output of a receipt.

In general, the front deck of the taxi is equipped with a taxi meter for calculating and displaying the fare according to the mileage and operating time, the taxi meter is a mini for issuing a receipt or printing the information stored in the taxi fare The printer is being installed.

Here, the mini printer is made of a structure that is covered with a printing paper cover combined with a roller for supplying printing paper therein and a roller for discharging the receipt paper to the outside, which corresponds to a general known technology, the mini Detailed description of the printer will be omitted.

Hereinafter, a taxi meter incorporating a conventional mini printer will be described.

1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a conventional 2 DIN (Din-German Industrial Standard) deck type taxi meter.

The upper 1 deck deck 100 is configured with a taxi meter having a basic function related to the taxi fare. For example, the fare includes a vacant car, a driving, a premium, a payment, a compound, a total, and the like, and include buttons 120 for setting the fare and a display window 110 displaying a fare according to a travel time and a distance. Doing.

In addition, the lower 1 deck deck 200 has a mini printer, and a function input button 220 and a display window 230 for controlling the printer are separately configured. More specifically, the lower one deck of the deck 200 is configured to mount printing paper, the outside of the lower deck 1 of the deck 200 to assist or instead of the button 120 for the fee setting And a function button 220 capable of inputting various kinds of information necessary for printing.

However, when the taxi meter configured as a 2-din deck type as described above is mounted on the vehicle, there is no deck space for attaching other functional decks to the front deck portion in the vehicle, thereby reducing the utilization of the front deck portion of the vehicle. As the volume of the meter increases, manufacturing cost increases.

Therefore, in order to supplement the above problems, a 1-deck type taxi meter has been proposed in 'Registration Room 20-0375039'.

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a conventional 1-din deck-type taxi meter, one side 300 displays the setting buttons 320 and the fare according to the running time and distance to set the basic functions related to the fare of the taxi meter The display window 310 is provided.

In addition, the other side 400 of the taxi meter has a built-in mini printer (not shown), it is configured to set a function related to the control of the printer. The 1-deck type taxi meter is configured to use the display window 310 for displaying the fare also to display information necessary for controlling the printer.

However, the conventional 1-deck type taxi meter shown in FIG. 2 has a function input button which is not frequently used (car number, date, time, phone number, etc. required for receipt printing only once upon initial setting of the taxi meter). The number button and the function button for the setting) are also exposed on the front of the cover.

However, recently, in the market situation where a design suitable for the interior of a vehicle as well as the function of a taxi meter is emphasized, the taxi meter of the above-described configuration is not only visually complicated, but also aesthetically unfavorable. In order to have many function buttons in a narrow space, the buttons disposed in close proximity to each other face the front of the taxi meter, thereby causing a user error when the button is input.

In addition, since the taxi meter is attached to the front of the taxi to face the driver, there is a problem that the user looks at the button for the button input, and also with a fingernail or fingertip at a 90 degree angle in front of the taxi meter for button input There is a problem that the input is inconvenient because it must be pressed, and since the keypad is always exposed to the outside of the taxi meter, dust may be easily introduced or accumulated.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a taxi meter having a folding keypad for improving the convenience of operation of a taxi meter in which a printer is built.

In addition, the present invention has an object to provide a taxi meter having a folding removable keypad for improving the convenience of operation and management of the built-in taxi meter.

The present invention for achieving the above object is a first function unit for performing a function related to the setting and display of charges on one side, and a second function unit for embedding the printer on the other side and performing a function related to printing such as a receipt In the taxi meter consisting of, the second functional unit includes a foldable keypad configured to open from the top to the bottom, at least one button on the inner side or the outer side of the foldable keypad, the card on the outer side Interface means for reading information, characterized in that it further comprises a printer cover coupled to open between the printer and the foldable keypad in one direction.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. However, in describing the present invention, a detailed description of known functions and configurations will be omitted to clarify the gist of the present invention. In addition, in the description of the present invention with reference to the drawings, the same reference numerals will be given to the components that perform the same function.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment showing the external appearance of a taxi meter with a foldable keypad according to the present invention, the front cover of the taxi meter has a first side performing a function related to the setting and display of the existing taxi meter on one side And a second function unit which performs a function related to various function inputs required for printing of an assistant or a receipt for setting the fee on the other side.

In this case, since the first functional part corresponds to a general known technology, a detailed description thereof will be omitted, and hereinafter, only the configuration and operation of the second functional part will be described in more detail.

Typically, a taxi meter rarely needs to be replaced once it has been mounted on a vehicle and before it is broken or subject to regular inspection. Therefore, after inputting information for receipt printing when the taxi meter is first installed, it is not necessary to re-enter the information unless the taxi meter is changed. In other words, in the installation step, once the information such as the vehicle number, date, time, telephone number, company name, etc. necessary for printing the receipt once, the button necessary for the input of the information is hardly used.

In rare cases, when a taxi is rented out, it is rarely used except when a user (driver) manually inputs a contracted fare with the passenger instead of the fare automatically calculated by the taxi meter.

Accordingly, the taxi meter of the present invention, as shown in Figure 3, constitutes a button (for example, a number button, a letter button, a specific function button) necessary for the input of the infrequently used information inside the keypad 511. And, as shown in Figure 4, by configuring only some of the frequently used function buttons (eg, print button, cancel button) 517 on the outside of the keypad, various designs in consideration of aesthetics can be easily made, and also the user Since it is placed at an angle that is easy to see, there is a convenient effect that the button can be easily pressed, and the effect of not only preventing a user's button input error but also improving the stability by preventing an unintentional input of the button. have.

Hereinafter, the present invention shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 will be described in more detail.

Referring to FIG. 3, the second function unit is configured by combining a hinge at a lower side to open the keypad 511 in a downward direction, and having a receipt output unit 510 at an upper end of the keypad. Do not interfere with receipt output during opening. In addition, normally, the function button 517 provided on the outside of the keypad is used, and when a specific input situation occurs, such as initial environmental information input of a taxi meter, the keypad 511 is opened to use the function buttons inside the keypad. Can be.

Opening the keypad 511 as described above, so that the function buttons are exposed on the upper surface, the user can easily enter the button while looking down on the buttons.

In addition, a mini printer 509 is built into the taxi meter. In the present invention, in order to spatially separate the printer 509 and the keypad 511, a separate printer cover (as shown in FIG. By providing 512 between the printer 509 and the keypad 511, the keypad 511 can be protected from being affected by the printer, and the printer cover 512 when the printing paper is to be replaced or the printer is to be repaired. Open) to use.

Even when the keypad 511 is opened, the printer cover 512 prevents dust or foreign matter from entering the inside of the printer and prevents the inside of the printer from being visible to the outside. It is preferable to configure the roller 519 of the) to be detachable, and to combine the hinge at the bottom so that it can be opened from the top to the bottom like the keypad 511. It can also be configured.

At this time, the back of the printer cover 512 (surface corresponding to the keypad) is attached to the user manual, or the information display means (not shown) or auxiliary light (not shown) consisting of an LCD or LED for the second functional unit By attaching, the keypad can be opened to assist in use.

On the other hand, as shown in Figure 4, in order to fold the keypad 511 to the taxi meter body, it may be provided with a locking projection (not shown) on the keypad with a locking groove (not shown) in the taxi meter body, In addition, the main body and the keypad may be provided with a magnet (not shown) for coupling. Accordingly, when the keypad is coupled to the main body as described above, the user can open the keypad by pressing (PUSH) or pulling (PULL) with a finger.

Here, since the locking structure of the keypad for coupling with the main body is outside the gist of the present invention, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment showing the shape of the folding folding keypad of the taxi meter according to the present invention coupled to the main body, as shown in the bottom of the keypad 511 or the outer surface of the keypad commonly used as usual One or more function buttons 517 are provided. For example, the function button 517 includes a 'print button' for printing a receipt and a 'cancel button' for canceling printing, and it is obvious that a button frequently used can be added in addition to the button. Do.

When the keypad 511 is folded as described above and combined with the main body, a user manual or one or more function buttons may be additionally attached to the rear surface of the keypad 511 (without a button), or information using an LCD or LED may be used. Lighting for display means or aesthetics can be attached.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, when the keypad 511 is opened and the button exposed to the upper side is pressed, the hinge of the keypad demands the robustness that the user can press. Therefore, in the present invention, as shown in Figure 5, it provides a taxi meter having a foldable keypad having a support means 513 that can hold the user's button press.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment showing the external appearance of the taxi meter with a foldable keypad according to the present invention, as shown in Figure 3 is composed of a first functional unit and a second functional unit, the second function When the negative keypad is opened to receive a button input from the user, a support means 513 capable of withstanding the button input is provided.

One side of the support means 513 is rotatably connected to the taxi meter body, the other side is rotatably connected to the side of the keypad, when the support means are separated into one or more, each support means By being connected to each other by the rotatable connecting means to be refracted, the keypad is configured to be easily folded.

At this time, the support means 513 may be configured using a flexible and flexible material such as a cable or a tape that does not require a separate connection means.

Meanwhile, the taxi meter illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 5 is a folding keypad in which each function button is integrally provided inside the keypad, and in the event of a failure of the keypad, the taxi meter needs to be removed and maintained. Remorse may occur. Accordingly, the present invention, as shown in Figure 6, provides a taxi meter having a detachable keypad configured to easily detach or combine only the buttons of the keypad.

In the following description, the keypad is divided into a button unit 515 and a keypad cover 518 for convenience of description.

The keypad cover 518 is connected to a control circuit (not shown) and a cable (not shown) of the taxi meter body, and has a connector 514 for coupling the button portion 515 to the keypad cover 518. do. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 7, a specific interface circuit (not shown) may be built in the keypad cover 518, and a means 520 for interfacing a card reader or the like may be further provided outside.

The interface means 520 will be described in detail below.

In addition, the button unit 515 includes various function buttons and a key driving circuit (not shown), and includes another connector 516 that can be connected to the connector 514 of the keypad cover 517.

The connectors 514 and 516 may be used for data communication with a control circuit (not shown) of an taxi cab body or an external device (eg, a programmer or a computer). For example, when updating the program of the taxi meter, it is possible to easily update by connecting to the computer through the connector 514 without removing the taxi meter from the vehicle.

In this case, various circuits for connecting the connector 514, the cable, and the removable keypad to the main body correspond to the keypad interface 617 in FIG.

In addition, the function button of the button unit 515 may be configured using a push-type button or a touch screen. If the touch screen is configured using a touch screen, the button unit 515 is communicatively connected to an external device (eg, a programmer or a computer) through the connector 516 to change a keypad driving program, thereby adding a new function button. Display the screen or easily change the design or position of the buttons.

On the other hand, the conventional taxi meter is fixed by inserting so as not to be exposed to the front deck portion (not shown) of the vehicle, if you want to be able to pay the taxi fare with a credit card, card reader separately from the taxi meter Hassle to mount (not shown) may occur.

Since a credit card has a magnetic strip of about 1 cm wide on a rectangular card with a size of about 5 * 9 cm, the card reader must be configured to be scratched by inserting the magnetic strip. There is not enough space exposed to the outside to mount it.

Therefore, the present invention, as shown in Figure 7, provides a taxi meter having a foldable keypad that can be further provided with an interface means 520 for credit card payment. In other words, the foldable keypad provided in the present invention, because it has the advantage of obtaining a sufficient space exposed to the outside when opened.

As shown in FIG. 7, the present invention can easily configure the card interface means 520 for card payment.

At this time, in Figure 7, the card interface means 520 is shown so as to scratch the card in the horizontal direction on the upper surface of the keypad, according to the design can be read the information stored in the magnetic strip of the card by scraping the card in the vertical direction A magnetic reader may be provided, and a keypad interface may be built in the keypad cover to connect the main body of the taxi meter through a cable.

Next, in order to receive the approval by transmitting the card information read through the card interface means 520, the taxi meter of the present invention includes a wireless communication unit 619 in FIG.

Figure 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a foldable keypad, or a cab meter with a foldable detachable keypad according to the present invention, as shown, the taxi meter of the present invention, detects the mileage of the vehicle required for fare calculation Distance detecting unit 615, a timer unit 614 for calculating the traveling time of the vehicle, a display unit 612 for displaying various contents of the fare of the taxi meter, and related programs necessary for fare calculation and receipt output, A charge keypad 618 including a memory 616 in which data is stored, a print unit 611 including a mini printer for printing a receipt, a setting button for operating a charge related function, and a separate keypad Keypad interface 617 for controlling the connection to the main body, and a wireless communication to communicate with an external card payment service server for data exchange and card payment with the outside For section 619 and a payment card, taxi fare receipts or output is configured to include a controller 610 that controls each component described above.

Hereinafter, the operation of the taxi meter configured as described above will be described.

First, when a user (driver) presses a driving button through the fare input unit 618 and starts driving of a taxi, the controller 610 calculates a fare according to a distance or time, and stores the fare information in the memory 616. In addition to the storage, it is controlled to output to the display unit 612.

Next, in order to output the receipt after completing the taxi driving, when the user (driver) presses the 'print button' among the function buttons 517 shown in the second function unit of FIG. 4, the controller 610 may store a memory ( The data related to the charge information and the receipt output stored in 616 are extracted and output to the printing unit 611.

Accordingly, the printing unit 611 controls the printer embedded in the taxi meter, prints the data related to the fee and receipt on the receipt paper and outputs.

Generally, taxi fare is mainly for cash payment, but when a passenger requests card payment, the user opens the keypad and reads the card information through the card interface means 520, and then presses the card payment function button (not shown). The controller 610 transmits the fee information and the card information to an external server (not shown) that performs a card approval service through the wireless communication unit 619, and receives the approval information from the server. Control and print a taxi fare receipt with the approval information.

In this case, the fare information is automatically input through the controller 610, but in order to additionally pay a fee not included in the taxi fare, for example, an additional service fee provided by a taxi user (driver). You can also enter your fare directly from the keypad. In addition, when using a taxi, the user may manually input the desired fare through the keypad instead of the fare calculated automatically by the taxi meter.

In the above, preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Here, the terms or words used in the present specification and claims should not be construed as being limited to ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be construed as meanings and concepts corresponding to the technical spirit of the present invention.

Therefore, the embodiments described in the present specification and the configuration shown in the drawings are only one of the most preferred embodiments of the present invention, and do not represent all of the technical ideas of the present invention, which can be replaced at the time of the present application. It should be understood that there may be various equivalents and variations.

As described above, a taxi meter having a foldable keypad of the present invention usually hides a complicated input button inside the keypad so that the keypad can be opened and used only when necessary, thereby improving operation convenience and improving aesthetics. It works.

In addition, a taxi meter having a foldable keypad of the present invention has the effect of adding more function buttons by utilizing both the inner and outer space of the keypad.

In addition, the taxi meter having a foldable keypad of the present invention is normally hidden by the input button inside the keypad, if necessary, by opening the foldable keypad configured to be easy to visually look and easy to operate, the user, In addition to preventing the button input error of, there is an effect to improve the stability by preventing the unintentional input of the button.

Claims (2)

In a taxi meter comprising a first function unit for performing a function related to the setting and display of a fare on one side, and a second function unit for incorporating a printer on the other side and performing a function related to printing such as a receipt, The second function unit includes a foldable keypad configured to open from the top to the bottom, having at least one button on the inner side or the outer side of the foldable keypad, the interface means for reading card information on the outer side Equipped with Between the printer and the foldable keypad, keypad input device of the taxi meter further comprises a printer cover coupled to open in one direction. The method of claim 1, The printer cover is provided with a roller for discharging the receipt paper to the outside, and has a hinge for coupling with the main body of the taxi meter on one side to open in a downward direction, or configured to be removable in one direction. Keypad input device of the taxi meter.

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