KR20160020197A - Apparatus and method for controlling power un a pos terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

Various embodiments suggest a device and a method to control the supply of a driving voltage at a predetermined level to an external device as a payment terminal device considers a type of the external device, connected to a communication port. To achieve the purpose, the payment terminal device determines whether the external device, connected to the communication port, supports a communication function. The payment terminal device supplies the driving voltage at a predetermined level to the external device if the external device does not support the communication function. The payment terminal device stops supplying the driving voltage to the external device and transmits a communication signal to the external device if the external device supports the communication function.

Description

[0001] APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING POWER [0002] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003]

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for controlling power supplied from a payment terminal apparatus to an external apparatus.

Generally, an electronic device may operate alone or in conjunction with at least one other electronic device based on a predetermined communication protocol. The communication protocol proposed for interworking of the plurality of electronic devices assumes a situation where the two electronic devices are connected through a predetermined communication medium. The predetermined communication medium may be a wired cable, a wireless channel, or the like. For example, when the wired cable is used as a communication medium, each of the plurality of electronic devices may have a communication port. The communication port means a terminal for connecting the wired cable.

One of the plurality of electronic devices not only transmits or receives information to at least one other electronic device connected via a wired cable, but also supplies the operating voltage of the at least one other electronic device.

A payment terminal device capable of connecting various types of external devices must be able to recognize the type of the external device connected to the communication port and to provide a signal of a format suitable for the type of the recognized external device. For example, the operation control by the voltage supply of a predetermined level should be performed on an external device which does not support the communication function. If the operation control by the voltage supply of the predetermined level is performed with respect to the low power external device supporting the communication function, the low power external device may be damaged.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an apparatus and a method for controlling a supply voltage of a predetermined level to the external device in consideration of the type of an external device connected to a communication port of a payment terminal device.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a payment terminal apparatus and a signal transmission method that supply an operation voltage of a predetermined level can be provided only when an external apparatus of a type that does not support a communication function is connected to a communication port.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an apparatus and method for determining a form of a signal to be output through the communication port according to the type of an external apparatus connected to a communication port by the payment terminal apparatus can be provided.

A payment terminal apparatus according to various embodiments of the present disclosure includes a communication port and supplies a predetermined level of operation voltage required by an external apparatus connected through the communication port or inputs / outputs a communication signal with the external apparatus And an external device of a type that does not support a communication function for inputting / outputting the communication signal through the communication port module, And a control module for controlling that a predetermined level of operation voltage output from the power supply module is supplied to the detected external device through the communication port module for operation of the detected external device when the connection to the communication port is detected do.

[0050] A signal is transmitted from the payment terminal device which supplies a predetermined level of operation voltage required from an external device connected through a communication port according to various embodiments of the present disclosure or inputs / outputs a communication signal with the external device The method comprising the steps of: determining whether an external device connected to the communication port supports a communication function; supplying the operating voltage of the predetermined level to the external device when the external device does not support the communication function; And blocking the supply of the operating voltage of the predetermined level to the external device when the device supports the communication function, and transmitting the communication signal to the external device.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the payment terminal device can support communication or power supply considering the kind of external device connected to the communication port, and thus can provide safe operation without damaging the external device.

1 is a diagram illustrating a card payment system, in accordance with various embodiments.
2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a payment terminal device according to various embodiments.
3 is a diagram illustrating a control flow performed by a payment terminal device according to various embodiments.

Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that this disclosure is not intended to limit the present disclosure to the particular embodiments, but includes various modifications, equivalents, and / or alternatives of the embodiments of the present disclosure. In connection with the description of the drawings, like reference numerals may be used for similar components.

In this document, the expressions " having, " " having, " " comprising, " or &Quot;, and does not exclude the presence of additional features.

In this document, the expressions "A or B," "at least one of A or / and B," or "one or more of A and / or B," etc. may include all possible combinations of the listed items . For example, "A or B," "at least one of A and B," or "at least one of A or B" includes (1) at least one A, (2) Or (3) at least one A and at least one B all together.

The terms "first," "second," "first," or "second," etc. used in various embodiments may describe various components in any order and / or importance, Lt; / RTI > The representations may be used to distinguish one component from another. For example, the first user equipment and the second user equipment may represent different user equipment, regardless of order or importance. For example, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, the first component may be referred to as a second component, and similarly, the second component may be named as the first component.

(Or functionally or communicatively) coupled with / to "another component (eg, a second component), or" Quot; connected to ", it is to be understood that any such element may be directly connected to the other element or may be connected through another element (e.g., a third element). On the other hand, when it is mentioned that a component (e.g., a first component) is "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another component (e.g., a second component) It can be understood that there is no other component (e.g., a third component) between other components.

As used herein, the phrase " configured to " (or set) to be " configured according to circumstances may include, for example, having the capacity to, To be designed to, "" adapted to, "" made to, "or" capable of ". The term " configured (or set) to " may not necessarily mean " specifically designed to " Instead, in some situations, the expression " configured to " may mean that the device can " do " with other devices or components. For example, a processor configured (or configured) to perform the phrases " A, B, and C " may be a processor dedicated to performing the operation (e.g., an embedded processor), or one or more software programs To a generic-purpose processor (e.g., a CPU or an application processor) that can perform the corresponding operations.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the other embodiments. The singular expressions may include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. All terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, may have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art of the present disclosure. Commonly used predefined terms may be interpreted to have the same or similar meaning as the contextual meanings of the related art and are not to be construed as ideal or overly formal in meaning unless expressly defined in this document . In some cases, the terms defined herein may not be construed to exclude embodiments of the present disclosure.

An electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may be, for example, a smart phone, a tablet personal computer, a mobile phone, a videophone, an electronic book reader e- book reader, a desktop personal computer, a laptop personal computer, a netbook computer, a workstation, a server, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP) Player, a mobile medical device, a camera, or a wearable device (e.g. smart glasses, head-mounted-device (HMD)), electronic apparel, electronic bracelets, electronic necklaces, An electronic device, an electronic device, an apparel, an electronic tattoo, a smart mirror, or a smart watch).

In some embodiments, the electronic device may be a smart home appliance. Smart home appliances include, for example, televisions, digital video disk players, audio, refrigerators, air conditioners, vacuum cleaners, ovens, microwaves, washing machines, air cleaners, set- (Such as a home automation control panel, a security control panel, a TV box such as Samsung HomeSync ™, Apple TV ™ or Google TV ™), a game console (eg Xbox ™, PlayStation ™) A dictionary, an electronic key, a camcorder, or an electronic frame.

In an alternative embodiment, the electronic device may be any of a variety of medical devices (e.g., various portable medical measurement devices such as a blood glucose meter, a heart rate meter, a blood pressure meter, or a body temperature meter), magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) A global positioning system receiver, an event data recorder (EDR), a flight data recorder (FDR), an automotive infotainment device, a navigation system, a navigation system, Electronic devices (eg marine navigation devices, gyro compass, etc.), avionics, security devices, head units for vehicles, industrial or home robots, ATMs (automatic teller's machines) point of sale, or Internet of Things such as light bulbs, various sensors, electrical or gas meters, sprinkler devices, fire alarms, thermostats, street lights, Toaster, exercise equipment, hot water tank, heater, boiler, etc.).

According to some embodiments, the electronic device is a piece of furniture or a part of a building / structure, an electronic board, an electronic signature receiving device, a projector, Water, electricity, gas, or radio wave measuring instruments, etc.). In various embodiments, the electronic device may be a combination of one or more of the various devices described above. An electronic device according to some embodiments may be a flexible electronic device. Further, the electronic device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described devices, and may include a new electronic device according to technological advancement.

Hereinafter, various embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this document, the terms user, payer, and the like may refer to a person using an electronic device or a device using an electronic device (e.g., an artificial intelligence electronic device).

In various embodiments to be described later, a method of supplying an operation voltage or supplying a communication signal to an external device connected to the communication port will be described based on whether or not an external device connected to a communication port of the payment terminal device supports a communication function will be.

For example, when an external device that does not support a communication function is connected to a communication port of the payment terminal device, the payment terminal device can supply a predetermined level of operating power to the external device through the communication port. When the predetermined level is supplied to an external device supporting the communication function, the predetermined level may be a power level enough to damage an external device supporting the communication function. For example, an external device that does not support the communication function may be a cash box having an operation voltage of 24 volts (V). The cache box may have a structure in which a storage box is automatically opened when an operation voltage of 24 volts is supplied from the outside. The cache box may be connected to a payment terminal through a communication port, and may be supplied with an operating voltage for driving the accommodation box from the payment terminal.

Various embodiments to be proposed below will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a diagram illustrating a card payment system, in accordance with various embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 1, the card settlement system may include a settlement terminal 110, an external device 120, and a cable 130 connecting the settlement terminal 110 and the external device 120. The payment terminal device 110 is a terminal device for processing payment by a card, cash or the like at the request of a user. The payment terminal device 110 includes at least one communication port, and various external devices 120 can be connected through the communication port. The payment terminal device 110 may include various types of communication ports according to a communication method that can be supported. The payment terminal device 110 may include a plurality of communication ports of the same type in order to support one communication method. The payment terminal device 110 can interwork with at least one external device 120 connected through a communication port for payment and the like. The payment terminal device 110 may control the external device 120 or perform communication with the at least one external device 120 for interworking.

An external device 120 connected to the payment terminal device 110 through a communication port includes an external device (hereinafter referred to as a "communication enabled device") of a type that supports a communication function, an external device of a type that does not support a communication function Quot; non-communicable device ").

For example, the non-communicable device may be a cache box or the like. The non-communication device can receive an operating voltage from the payment terminal device 110 through connection with the payment terminal device 110. For example, the cache box can perform an operation of opening an accommodating box contained therein using the operating voltage supplied by the payment terminal device 110. [ The open drawer may be manually closed by the user.

For example, the communicable device may be a sine pad or the like. The communication enabled device may provide information to the payment terminal device 110 or receive information from the payment terminal device 110 through connection with the payment terminal device 110. The voltage level of the signal (operating voltage) to be provided to the non-communicating apparatus and the voltage level of the signal (information) to be provided to the communicable apparatus have a large difference. For example, the voltage level of the signal to be provided to the communicable device may be less than 5 volts (V) while the voltage level of the signal to be provided to the communicatable device is 24 volts (V). As a result, when the communicable device is connected and supplies the operating voltage for the non-communicable device, the communicatable device may suffer fatal damage. In severe cases, the communicable device may be damaged.

The payment terminal device 110 should be able to provide a voltage level signal to the external device 120 according to the type of the external device 120 connected to the communication port. For this, the payment terminal device 110 can recognize the type of the external device 120 connected to the communication port based on the amount of change in the voltage level at the communication port. This is based on the fact that the voltage level at the communication port is different depending on whether the communication enabled device is connected or the non-communication enabled device is connected.

For example, when a communication enabled device supporting a Universal Asynchronous Receiver / Transmitter (UART) scheme is connected to a communication port, the voltage level at the communication port is? A voltage level of 5 volts (V) or less will be maintained. However, if a non-communicating device is connected to the communication port, a voltage level of 0 volts (V) will be detected at the communication port.

The payment terminal device 110 may determine whether the connected external device 120 is a communication-enabled device or a communication-disabled device based on the power consumption of the connected external device 120. This is based on the difference between the power consumed by the communicable device and the power consumed by the non-communicable device.

According to one embodiment, the payment terminal device 110 monitors a change (voltage level change, power consumption, and the like) at the time when the communication enabled device is connected, and when the communication enabled device is not connected, It is also possible to consider a non-capable device as connected. It is sufficiently possible to predict the type of the connected external device 120 by the reverse.

The payment terminal device 110 can provide a signal corresponding to the recognized type of the external device 120 to the external device 120, when it recognizes what type of the external device 120 is connected to the communication port.

For example, when the payment terminal device 110 recognizes that the communication enabled device is connected, it outputs a signal for communication. The signal for communication is information to be provided to the communicable device and can have a relatively low voltage level.

However, when it is recognized that the non-communication device is connected, the payment terminal device 110 supplies the operating voltage of the non-communication device. The payment terminal device 110 can supply an operating voltage for the purpose of controlling the operation of the communication impossible device. If the non-communicating device is a cache box, the operating voltage may be supplied for the purpose of opening a storage box contained in the cache box.

If the payment terminal device 110 recognizes that the communication enabled device is connected, it should be able to block the operation voltage that controls the operation of the non-communication device from being supplied to the non-communication device even if the user requests operation of the non-communication device . For example, even if the user requests opening of the cashbox storage box in the state that the sign pad is connected, the payment terminal device 110 should not output the operation voltage for opening the cashbox storage box.

If the payment terminal device 110 recognizes that the non-communication device is connected, it may be more free to control the signal to be output at the request of the user. This is because even if the communication signal for the communication enabled device is provided as a communication impossible device, it does not cause any serious damage to the communication impossible device.

2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a payment terminal device according to various embodiments.

2, the payment terminal device 200 may include a communication port module 210, a control module 220, and a power supply module 230.

The communication port module 210 may include at least one communication port and may output a detection signal S_det corresponding to the type of an external device connected to the at least one communication port. The communication port module 210 can output a detection signal S_det so that the communication port module 210 can distinguish the case where the communication-enabled device is connected and the case where the communication-disabled device is connected. For example, the communication port module 210 maintains the detection signal S_det at a low level when it is not detected that the communicable device is connected, and outputs the detection signal S_det at a high level ( high level). The low level may be 0 volts (V), and the high level may be +5 volts (V).

The communication port module 210 receives a signal output from the control module 220 and provides the input signal P_out to an external device connected to the communication port. For example, the signal P_out output from the control module 220 may be one of an operation voltage and a communication signal. The operating voltage will be provided by the control module 220 when a non-communicable device is connected to the communication port and the communication signal will be provided from the control module 220 when the communicatable device is connected to the communication port.

The power supply module 230 supplies the operating voltage of the payment terminal 200 and the operating voltage of the external device. For example, the power supply module 230 may generate +24 volts (V) with the operating voltage P_in for the non-communicable device.

The control module 220 outputs an output signal P_out based on the detection signal S_det provided from the communication port module 210. For example, the control module 220 outputs one of an operation voltage P_in provided from the power supply module 230 and an internally generated communication signal to the communication port module 210 based on the detection signal S_det.

According to one embodiment, when the control module 220 recognizes that the non-communicable device is connected to the communication port by the detection signal S_det, the control module 220 responds to the operation control request for the non- P_in to the communication port module 210. The control module 220 outputs a communication signal to the communication port module 210 in response to the communication output request, when it recognizes that the communication port is connected to the communication port by the detection signal S_det.

According to one embodiment, the control module 220 may include a detection unit 222, a control unit 224, and a switch unit 226.

The detection unit 222 detects whether or not the communication enabled device is connected to the communication port based on the detection signal S_det provided from the communication port module 210. When the detection signal S_det indicates a variation amount of the voltage level measured at the communication port, the detection section 222 can detect whether or not the communication enabled device is connected to the communication port by the amount of change of the measured voltage level.

For example, when the communicatable device is connected, the voltage level at the communication port is 0 volts (V)? 5 volts (V). In this case, the detection signal S_det provided from the communication port module 210 may drop from 5 volts (V) to 0 volts (V).

However, when a non-communicating device is connected, the voltage level at the communication port will be maintained at 0 volts (V). In this case, the detection signal S_det provided from the communication port module 210 will continuously keep 5 volts (V).

The detection unit 222 generates a first control signal corresponding to a result of the determination based on the detection signal S_det, and outputs the generated first control signal A. For example, when the detection unit 222 determines that a communication disablement device is connected to the communication port, it outputs a first control signal '0' of a low level. When the detection unit 222 determines that the communicable device is connected to the communication port, it outputs the first control signal " 1 "

The controller 224 generates a second control signal in response to a user's request and outputs the generated second control signal to the switch unit 226. The second control signal may be one of a control signal B for controlling the operation of the non-communicating device and a communication signal C for communicating to the communicable device. For example, the control signal B may indicate to open a storage box contained in a cache box which is a non-communicating device. The communication signal C may be a request for providing sign information to a sign pad, which is a communicable device.

The switch unit 226 communicates one of the operation voltage P_in and the communication signal C generated by the power supply module 230 in consideration of the first control signal provided from the detector 222 and the second control signal provided from the controller 224 And selects the signal P_out to be output to the port module 210.

Table 1 below shows an example in which the switch unit 226 determines the output signal P_out by the first control signal A and the second control signal B and C, respectively.

A B C P_out 0 0 0 0 One 0 One 0 One One One One 0 0 0 One One One 0 0 One One

According to Table 1, when the first control signal A is '0', it indicates that the communication device is not connected to the communication port, and when the first control signal A is '1' Indicating that the communicable device is connected.

The switch unit 226 may generate the final output signal P_out based on the second control signal B when the first control signal A is '0'. For example, when the first control signal A is '0', the second control signal B and the final output signal P_out may have the same value. That is, when the first control signal A is '0', the second control signal C does not affect the determination of the final output signal P_out.

When the first control signal A is' 1 ', the switch unit 226 generates a final output signal P -_out based on the second control signal C'. For example, when the first control signal A is '1', the second control signal C and the final output signal P_out may have the same value. That is, when the first control signal A is '1', the second control signal B does not affect the determination of the final output signal P_out.

3 is a diagram illustrating a control flow performed by a payment terminal device according to various embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 3, the payment terminal device 200 monitors connection of a communication enabled device to a communication port and detects connection of the communication enabled device (step 310). For example, the payment terminal device 200 can recognize the type of external device connected to the communication port based on the amount of change in the voltage level at the communication port. This is because the voltage level at the communication port is different depending on whether or not the communication enabled device is connected.

For example, when a communication enabled device supporting a Universal Asynchronous Receiver / Transmitter (UART) scheme is connected to a communication port, the voltage level at the communication port is? A voltage level of 5 volts (V) or less will be maintained. However, if the communicatable device is not connected to the communication port, a voltage level of 0 volts (V) will be detected at the communication port. And when the communicable device is not connected to the communication port, the communication device may be connected to the communication port.

The payment terminal device 200 may determine whether the connected external device is a communicatable device or a non-communicable device based on the power consumption of the connected external device. This is based on the difference between the power consumed by the communicable device and the power consumed by the non-communicable device.

When the payment terminal device 200 recognizes what type of external device is connected to the communication port, the payment terminal device 200 can provide a signal corresponding to the type of the recognized external device to the external device in step 312.

For example, when the payment terminal device 200 recognizes that the communication enabled device is connected, it outputs a signal for communication. The signal for communication is information to be provided to the communicable device and can have a relatively low voltage level.

However, when it is recognized that the non-communication device is connected, the payment terminal device 200 supplies the operating voltage of the non-communication device. The payment terminal apparatus 200 can supply an operation voltage for the purpose of controlling the operation of the communication impossible apparatus. If the non-communicating device is a cache box, the operating voltage may be supplied for the purpose of opening a storage box contained in the cache box.

If the payment terminal device 200 recognizes that the communication enabled device is connected, it should be able to block the operation voltage that controls the operation of the non-communication device from being supplied to the non-communication device even if the user requests operation of the non-communication device . For example, even if the user requests to open the cashbox storage box in the state that the sign pad is connected, the payment terminal apparatus 200 should not output the operating voltage for opening the cashbox storage box.

If the payment terminal device 200 recognizes that the communication impossible device is connected, the payment terminal device 200 may be more free to control the signal to be output by the user's request. This is because even if the communication signal for the communication enabled device is provided as a communication impossible device, it does not cause any serious damage to the communication impossible device.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the appended claims. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited by the illustrated embodiments, but should be determined by the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof. In addition, these modifications should not be understood individually from the technical idea or viewpoint of the present invention.

Claims (13)

A communication port module having a communication port for supplying an operating voltage of a predetermined level required by an external device connected through the communication port or inputting / outputting a communication signal with the external device;
A power supply module for outputting a predetermined level of operation voltage required by the external device; And
When it is detected that an external device of a type that does not support a communication function for inputting / outputting the communication signal through the communication port module is connected to the communication port, And a control module for controlling that a predetermined level of operating voltage is supplied to the detected external device through the communication port module. The apparatus of claim 1,
A signal for communication with the detected external device is transmitted to the communication port module through the communication port module when a connection of an external device of a type supporting a communication function for inputting / To the detected external device via the network. The apparatus of claim 1,
A detecting unit detecting that an external device of the type that supports the communication function is connected to the communication port based on a detection signal provided by the communication port module and outputting a first control signal according to the detection result;
A control unit for controlling operation of an external device of a type not supporting the communication function or outputting a second control signal for outputting to a type of external device supporting the communication function; And
When the first control signal indicates that an external device of a type that does not support the communication function is connected to the communication port and when the second control signal requests operation control on an external device of a type that does not support the communication function And a switch unit for supplying an operation voltage of a predetermined level outputted from the power supply module to an external device that does not support the communication function through the communication port module. The apparatus according to claim 3,
When the first control signal indicates that an external device of a type that supports the communication function is connected to the communication port and the second control signal is a signal to be output to an external device of a type that supports the communication function, Wherein the communication terminal is configured to block the supply of the communication port module to a predetermined level of operation voltage output from the supply module and to supply the second control signal to an external device that supports the communication function through the communication module . 5. The method of claim 4,
Wherein the detection signal provided by the communication port module is a variation amount of a voltage level as an external device supporting the communication function is connected to the communication port. 6. The communication system according to claim 5,
When the voltage level at the communication port changes from 0 volts (V) to -5 volts (V) or less, it is determined that an external device supporting the communication function is connected to the communication port, When the level is maintained at 0 volts (V), it is determined that an external device that does not support the communication function is connected to the communication port. The method according to claim 6,
Wherein the operating voltage of the predetermined level is a voltage level that can damage an external device supporting the communication function. A method for transmitting a signal from a payment terminal device which supplies a predetermined level of operation voltage required from an external device connected through a communication port or inputs / outputs a communication signal with the external device,
Determining whether an external device connected to the communication port supports a communication function;
Supplying an operation voltage of the predetermined level to the external device when the external device does not support the communication function; And
Blocking the operation voltage of the predetermined level from being supplied to the external device when the external device supports the communication function and transmitting the communication signal to the external device. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of supplying the operating voltage comprises:
Generating a first control signal indicating that an external device not supporting a communication function is connected to the communication port when the external device connected to the communication port does not support the communication function;
Generating a second control signal for controlling operation of an external device connected to the communication port; And
When the first control signal indicating that an external device not supporting the communication function is connected to the communication port is generated, the operation voltage of the predetermined level is supplied to the external device connected to the communication port by the generated second control signal The method comprising the steps of: The method of claim 9, wherein the step of transmitting the communication signal comprises:
Generating a first control signal indicating that an external device supporting the communication function is connected to the communication port when the external device connected to the communication port supports the communication function;
Generating a second control signal which is a communication signal to be transmitted to an external device connected to the communication port; And
And transmitting the generated second control signal to an external device connected to the communication port when a first control signal indicating that an external device supporting the communication function is connected to the communication port is generated Transmission method. 11. The method as claimed in claim 10,
Determining whether an external device that supports the communication function is connected to the communication port or an external device that does not support the communication function is connected based on a conversion amount of the voltage level measured at the communication port Transmission method. 12. The method as claimed in claim 11,
Determining that an external device supporting the communication function is connected to the communication port when the voltage level at the communication port changes from 0 volts to -5 volts or less;
And determining that an external device that does not support the communication function is connected to the communication port when the voltage level at the communication port is maintained at 0 volts. 13. The method of claim 12,
Wherein the operation voltage of the predetermined level is a voltage level capable of damaging an external device supporting the communication function.

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