Multi-path near field communication control system, operation method thereof and pos cash register

Abstract

The application provides a multi-channel near field communication control system, a running method thereof and a POS cash register device. The multi-channel near field communication control system comprises a near field communication master module, one or more near field communication slave modules and a switching control module. The switching control module comprises a near field communication middleware. The near field communication master module and the one or more near field communication slave modules are configured to: emit a radio frequency identification signal in a card reader mode; and emit a corresponding interrupt signal when a radio frequency return signal emitted by a nearby near field communication card is received. The switching control module is configured to: receive the interrupt signal emitted by the near field communication master module and the one or more near field communication slave modules; acquire a current running state of the near field communication middleware; and determine, according to an identification number corresponding to the received interrupt signal and the current running state of the near field communication middleware, a near field communication module coupled with the near field communication middleware from among the near field communication master module and the one or more near field communication slave modules.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates primarily to the field of information technology, and in particular to a multi-channel near-field communication control system and its operation method, as well as a POS cash register device. Background Technology

[0002] Near Field Communication (NFC) is a contactless radio frequency identification and transmission technology used in short-range scenarios. It evolved from contactless RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) and interconnection technologies. With the advent of the mobile payment era, NFC can be seen in many places such as access control, subways, and buses. NFC has also become one of the functions equipped on mobile devices, especially in electronic devices in commercial application scenarios.

[0003] Unlike consumer mobile devices where Near Field Communication (NFC) is typically used for card emulation, NFC in commercial electronic devices is often used as a card reader. In reader mode, NFC devices adjust the balance on a user's NFC card. Therefore, electronic devices in commercial applications, such as POS machines and cash registers, have higher requirements for the real-time performance and convenience of NFC functionality, and place greater emphasis on the user experience.

[0004] Furthermore, with the continuous expansion of mobile payment scenarios, the scenario of one main screen and multiple secondary screens in commercial applications is becoming increasingly common. When multiple screens are connected to a control system, how to enable users to conveniently use the NFC card reading function has become a problem that plagues the use of NFC in electronic devices in commercial applications. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a multi-channel near-field communication control system and its operation method and POS cash register device, so as to realize the efficient and smooth operation of multiple NFC modules and meet the needs of multiple users for NFC card swiping.

[0006] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this invention provides a multi-channel near-field communication (NFC) control system, comprising: a NFC main module, one or more NFC sub-modules, and a switching control module; the switching control module includes NFC middleware; the NFC main module and the one or more NFC sub-modules are configured to: emit RFID signals in card reader mode; and emit corresponding interrupt signals upon receiving RFID return signals from nearby NFC cards; the switching control module is configured to: receive interrupt signals from the NFC main module and the one or more NFC sub-modules; acquire the current operating state of the NFC middleware; and determine, based on the identifier corresponding to the received interrupt signal and the current operating state of the NFC middleware, the NFC module connected to the NFC middleware among the NFC main module and the one or more NFC sub-modules.

[0007] In one embodiment of the present invention, the current operating state of the near-field communication middleware includes whether the near-field communication middleware is currently connected and transmitting data with one of the near-field communication main modules and one or more near-field communication sub-modules.

[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, based on the identifier corresponding to the received interrupt signal and the current operating state of the near-field communication middleware, determining the near-field communication module connected to the near-field communication middleware among the near-field communication main module and the one or more near-field communication sub-modules includes: when the near-field communication middleware is currently in a connection and data transmission state with one of the near-field communication modules among the near-field communication main module and the one or more near-field communication sub-modules, sending a waiting prompt signal to the near-field communication module that issued the interrupt signal; detecting every first time interval whether the communication between the near-field communication middleware and the near-field communication module currently in the connection and data transmission state has ended; and after detecting that the communication between the near-field communication middleware and the near-field communication module currently in the connection and data transmission state has ended, connecting the near-field communication module that issued the interrupt signal among the near-field communication main module and the one or more near-field communication sub-modules to the near-field communication middleware.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, when different interrupt signals are received from multiple near-field communication modules among the near-field communication main module and one or more near-field communication sub-modules, the near-field communication middleware is connected sequentially according to the arrival time of the different interrupt signals.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, the near-field communication middleware is connected to a near-field communication service application.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, the near-field communication main module and the one or more near-field communication sub-modules each have a corresponding driving module; the switching control module is connected to the near-field communication main module and the one or more near-field communication sub-modules through different driving modules.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the multi-channel near-field communication control system runs an operating system; the operating system includes a kernel layer, a hardware abstraction layer, an application framework layer, and an application program layer.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, the near-field communication middleware runs on the hardware abstraction layer and application framework layer of the operating system.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention, the near-field communication card includes a physical card or an electronic card.

[0015] The present invention also provides an operation method for a multi-channel near-field communication (NFC) control system, the multi-channel NFC control system comprising: a NFC main module, one or more NFC sub-modules, and a switching control module; the switching control module comprising NFC middleware; the method comprising: issuing an RFID signal in card reader mode; issuing a corresponding interrupt signal upon receiving an RFID return signal from a nearby NFC card; receiving interrupt signals from the NFC main module and one or more NFC sub-modules; acquiring the current operating state of the NFC middleware; and determining, based on the identifier corresponding to the received interrupt signal and the current operating state of the NFC middleware, the NFC module among the NFC main module and the one or more NFC sub-modules that is connected to the NFC service application.

[0016] The present invention also provides a POS cash register device, including a multi-channel near-field communication control system; and multiple displays; the multiple displays respectively correspond to one of the near-field communication main modules and one or more near-field communication sub-modules; the multiple displays are configured to display the connection status of the near-field communication module corresponding to the display and the near-field communication service application and the operation results of the near-field communication.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages: The technical solution of this application can simultaneously support the operation and use of multiple NFC modules. Through an adaptive switching control process, it can meet the NFC card swiping needs of multiple users on different NFC modules, thereby meeting the user's need for efficient and convenient use of NFC and saving system development costs. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of this application. They form part of this application, illustrate embodiments of the application, and, together with this specification, serve to explain the principles of the application. In the drawings: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the composition of a multi-channel near-field communication control system according to an embodiment of this application.

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the composition of a multi-channel near-field communication control system according to an embodiment of this application.

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the composition of a POS cash register device according to an embodiment of this application.

[0021] Figure 4 This is a flowchart of the operation method of a multi-channel near-field communication control system according to an embodiment of this application.

[0022] Figure 5 This is a flowchart of the near-field communication module switching process in the operation method of a multi-channel near-field communication control system according to an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0023] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are merely some examples or embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, these drawings can be applied to other similar scenarios without creative effort. Unless obvious from the context or otherwise specified, the same reference numerals in the drawings represent the same structures or operations.

[0024] Unless otherwise specifically stated, the relative arrangement, numerical expressions, and values ​​of the components and steps described in these embodiments do not limit the scope of this application. It should also be understood that, for ease of description, the dimensions of the various parts shown in the accompanying drawings are not drawn to actual scale. Techniques, methods, and devices known to those skilled in the art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, such techniques, methods, and devices should be considered part of the specification.

[0025] Furthermore, it should be noted that the use of terms such as "first" and "second" to define components is merely for the purpose of distinguishing the corresponding components. Unless otherwise stated, these terms have no special meaning and therefore should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of this application. In addition, although the terminology used in this application is selected from commonly known and used terms, some terms mentioned in this application's specification may have been chosen by the applicant according to his or her judgment, and their detailed meanings are explained in the relevant sections of this description. Moreover, this application should be understood not only through the actual terms used, but also through the meaning implied by each term.

[0026] Flowcharts are used in this application to illustrate the operations performed by the system according to embodiments of this application. It should be understood that the preceding or following operations are not necessarily performed in exact order. Instead, various steps can be processed in reverse order or simultaneously. Furthermore, other operations may be added to these processes, or one or more steps may be removed from these processes.

[0027] The embodiments of this application describe a multi-channel near-field communication control system, its operation method, and a POS cash register device.

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the composition of a multi-channel near-field communication control system according to an embodiment of this application. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the composition of a multi-channel near-field communication control system according to an embodiment of this application. (Reference) Figure 1 and Figure 2 The multi-channel near-field communication control system 100 includes: a near-field communication main module (or NFC main module) 101, one or more near-field communication sub-modules (or NFC sub-modules) and a switching control module 102. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The NFC sub-module 111 (or first NFC sub-module 111), NFC sub-module 112 (or second NFC sub-module 112), and NFC sub-module 113 (or third NFC sub-module 113) are exemplarily shown. The switching control module 102 includes a near-field communication middleware 211.

[0029] The near-field communication main module 101 is the near-field communication module that the switching control module 102 is connected to by default. One or more near-field communication sub-modules can also be converted into the near-field communication main module 101 through settings adjustments.

[0030] In some embodiments, the near-field communication main module 101 and one or more near-field communication sub-modules are configured to perform the following operations: emit radio frequency identification signals in card reader mode; and emit corresponding interrupt signals when receiving radio frequency return signals emitted by a nearby near-field communication card.

[0031] For example, the first NFC sub-module 111 emits an RFID signal S1 under the reader module, and upon receiving an RFID return signal S2 from a nearby near-field communication card 141, emits a corresponding interrupt signal (e.g., a first interrupt signal INT1). The third NFC sub-module 113 emits an RFID signal S3 under the reader module, and upon receiving an RFID return signal S4 from a nearby near-field communication card 142, emits a corresponding interrupt signal (e.g., a fourth interrupt signal INT4). The near-field communication card includes a physical card or an electronic card.

[0032] The switching control module 102 is configured, for example, to perform the following operations: receive interrupt signals from the near-field communication main module 101 and one or more near-field communication sub-modules; obtain the current operating status of the near-field communication middleware 211; and determine the near-field communication module connected to the near-field communication middleware 211 among the near-field communication main module 101 and one or more near-field communication sub-modules, based on the identifier corresponding to the received interrupt signal and the current operating status of the near-field communication middleware 211.

[0033] In some embodiments, the current operating state of the near-field communication middleware 211 includes whether the near-field communication middleware 211 is currently connected and transmitting data with the near-field communication main module 101 and one or more near-field communication sub-modules.

[0034] In some embodiments, determining the near-field communication module connected to the near-field communication middleware 211 among the near-field communication main module 101 and one or more near-field communication sub-modules, based on the identifier corresponding to the received interrupt signal and the current operating state of the near-field communication middleware 211, includes the following steps: Step 501, when the near-field communication middleware 211 is currently in a connection and data transmission state with one of the near-field communication modules among the near-field communication main module 101 and one or more near-field communication sub-modules, a waiting prompt signal is sent to the near-field communication module that issued the interrupt signal; Step 502, every first time interval, it is detected whether the communication between the near-field communication middleware 211 and the near-field communication module currently in the connection and data transmission state has ended; Step 503, after detecting that the communication between the near-field communication middleware 211 and the near-field communication module currently in the connection and data transmission state has ended, the near-field communication module that issued the interrupt signal among the near-field communication main module 101 and one or more near-field communication sub-modules is connected to the near-field communication middleware 211.

[0035] In some embodiments, when different interrupt signals are received from multiple near-field communication modules in near-field communication main module 101 and one or more near-field communication sub-modules, they are sequentially connected to near-field communication middleware 211 according to the arrival time of the different interrupt signals.

[0036] In some embodiments, the near-field communication (NFC) main module 101 and one or more NFC sub-modules each have a corresponding driver module; the switching control module 102 is connected to the NFC main module 101 and one or more NFC sub-modules through different driver modules. For example, the NFC main module 101 is connected to the switching control module 102 through driver module 120. The first NFC sub-module 111, the second NFC sub-module 112, and the third NFC sub-module 113 are connected to the switching control module 102 through driver modules 121, 122, and 123, respectively. The NFC middleware 211 is, for example, connected to the NFC service application 212.

[0037] The multi-channel near-field communication control system 100, for example, runs an operating system. The operating system includes a kernel layer 201, a hardware abstraction layer 202, an application framework layer 203, and an application layer 204.

[0038] The near-field communication middleware 211 runs in the operating system's hardware abstraction layer 202 and application framework layer 203. The driver module runs in the operating system's kernel layer. The near-field communication service application 212 runs in the operating system's application layer 204.

[0039] The present invention also provides a POS (Point of Sale) cash register device.

[0040] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the composition of a POS cash register device according to an embodiment of this application. (Reference) Figure 3 The POS cash register 300 includes a multi-channel near-field communication control system 100 as described above, and multiple displays. The multiple displays correspond to a near-field communication module 101 and one of one or more near-field communication sub-modules.

[0041] For example, display screen 311 corresponds to the near-field communication (NFC) master module 101. Display screens 301, 302, and 303 correspond to the first NFC sub-module 111, the second NFC sub-module 112, and the third NFC sub-module 113, respectively. The display screen corresponding to the NFC master module 101 can also be called the main screen. The display screen corresponding to the NFC sub-modules can also be called the sub-screen.

[0042] Multiple displays are configured to show the connection status of the near-field communication module and the near-field communication service application corresponding to the display, as well as the operation results of near-field communication. For example, in step 501, when the near-field communication middleware 211 is currently connected and transmitting data with one of the near-field communication main modules 101 and one or more near-field communication sub-modules, a waiting prompt signal is sent to the near-field communication module that issued the interrupt signal. At this time, the prompt message "Another user is currently swiping their card, please wait" can be displayed on the corresponding display screen. In some embodiments, when the card swipe is successful, a corresponding prompt message can also be displayed.

[0043] The present invention also provides a method for operating a multi-channel near-field communication control system.

[0044] As mentioned above, the multi-channel near-field communication control system includes: a near-field communication main module 101, one or more near-field communication sub-modules, and a switching control module 102; the switching control module 102 includes a near-field communication middleware 211.

[0045] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating the operation method of a multi-channel near-field communication control system according to an embodiment of this application. (Reference) Figure 4 The operation method of the multi-channel near-field communication control system includes: step 401, issuing an RFID signal in card reader mode; step 402, issuing a corresponding interrupt signal when receiving an RFID return signal from a nearby near-field communication card; step 403, receiving interrupt signals from the near-field communication main module 101 and one or more near-field communication sub-modules; step 404, obtaining the current operating status of the near-field communication middleware 211; step 405, determining the near-field communication module connected to the near-field communication service application among the near-field communication main module 101 and one or more near-field communication sub-modules based on the identifier corresponding to the received interrupt signal and the current operating status of the near-field communication middleware 211.

[0046] In some embodiments, the current operating state of the near-field communication middleware includes whether the near-field communication middleware is currently connected and transmitting data with one of the near-field communication main modules and one or more near-field communication sub-modules.

[0047] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating the near-field communication module switching process in the operation method of a multi-channel near-field communication control system according to an embodiment of this application. (Reference) Figure 5Based on the identifier corresponding to the received interrupt signal and the current operating state of the near-field communication middleware, the near-field communication module connected to the near-field communication middleware among the near-field communication main module and one or more near-field communication sub-modules is determined as follows: Step 501, when the near-field communication middleware is currently in a connection and data transmission state with one of the near-field communication modules among the near-field communication main module and one or more near-field communication sub-modules, a waiting prompt signal is sent to the near-field communication module that issued the interrupt signal; Step 502, every first time interval, it is detected whether the communication between the near-field communication middleware and the near-field communication module currently in the connection and data transmission state has ended; Step 503, after detecting that the communication between the near-field communication middleware and the near-field communication module currently in the connection and data transmission state has ended, the near-field communication module that issued the interrupt signal among the near-field communication main module and one or more near-field communication sub-modules is connected to the near-field communication middleware.

[0048] When different interrupt signals are received from multiple near-field communication modules in the near-field communication main module and one or more near-field communication sub-modules, the near-field communication middleware is connected sequentially according to the arrival time of the different interrupt signals.

[0049] This application discloses a multi-channel near-field communication (NFC) control system, its operating method, and a POS cash register device, which can simultaneously support the operation and use of multiple NFC modules, such as when an electronic device is connected to multiple NFC modules at the same time. Through an adaptive switching control process, it meets the NFC card-swiping needs of multiple users on different NFC modules. Because the NFC card-swiping function takes only a few seconds, such as 1 to 2 seconds, it still ensures quick use of the NFC function in multi-user scenarios without requiring manual aggregation to a single NFC module, thus avoiding large queues and congestion in business locations.

[0050] Furthermore, the proposed solution does not require NFC functionality extended via USB, thus eliminating the need for developing a dedicated API (Application Programming Interface), thereby saving development and operating costs for multiple NFC module extensions.

[0051] The basic concepts have been described above. Obviously, for those skilled in the art, the above disclosure is merely illustrative and does not constitute a limitation of this application. Although not explicitly stated herein, those skilled in the art may make various modifications, improvements, and corrections to this application. Such modifications, improvements, and corrections are suggested in this application, and therefore remain within the spirit and scope of the exemplary embodiments of this application.

[0052] Furthermore, this application uses specific terms to describe embodiments of the application. For example, "an embodiment," "one embodiment," and / or "some embodiments" refer to a particular feature, structure, or characteristic related to at least one embodiment of the application. Therefore, it should be emphasized and noted that "an embodiment," "one embodiment," or "an alternative embodiment" mentioned twice or more in different locations in this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. In addition, certain features, structures, or characteristics in one or more embodiments of the application can be appropriately combined.

[0053] Some aspects of this application may be executed entirely by hardware, entirely by software (including firmware, resident software, microcode, etc.), or by a combination of hardware and software. The aforementioned hardware or software may be referred to as a "data block," "module," "engine," "unit," "component," or "system." The processor may be one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DAPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, or combinations thereof. Furthermore, aspects of this application may manifest as a computer product residing in one or more computer-readable media, including computer-readable program code.

[0054] Although this application has been described with reference to specific embodiments, those skilled in the art should recognize that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate this application, and various equivalent changes or substitutions can be made without departing from the spirit of this application. Therefore, any changes or modifications to the above embodiments within the essential spirit of this application will fall within the scope of the claims of this application.

Claims

1. A multi-channel near-field communication control system, comprising: Near-field communication main module, one or more near-field communication sub-modules, and a switching control module; The switching control module includes near-field communication middleware; The near-field communication main module and one or more near-field communication sub-modules are configured as follows: In card reader mode, it emits an RFID signal; upon receiving an RFID return signal from a nearby near-field communication card, it emits a corresponding interrupt signal. The switching control module is configured as follows: Receive interrupt signals from the near-field communication main module and one or more near-field communication sub-modules; Obtain the current operating status of the near-field communication middleware, including whether the near-field communication middleware is currently connected and transmitting data with one of the near-field communication main modules and one or more near-field communication sub-modules; Based on the identifier corresponding to the received interrupt signal and the current operating state of the near-field communication middleware, determine the near-field communication module connected to the near-field communication middleware among the near-field communication main module and the one or more near-field communication sub-modules, including: when the near-field communication middleware is currently in a connection and data transmission state with one of the near-field communication main module and the one or more near-field communication sub-modules, send a waiting prompt signal to the near-field communication module that issued the interrupt signal; Every first time interval, it is detected whether the communication between the near-field communication middleware and the near-field communication module currently in the connection and data transmission state has ended; after it is detected that the communication between the near-field communication middleware and the near-field communication module currently in the connection and data transmission state has ended, the near-field communication main module and the near-field communication module that issued the interrupt signal among the one or more near-field communication sub-modules are connected to the near-field communication middleware.

2. The multi-channel near-field communication control system according to claim 1, characterized in that, When different interrupt signals are received from multiple near-field communication modules in the near-field communication main module and one or more near-field communication sub-modules, the near-field communication middleware is connected sequentially according to the arrival time of the different interrupt signals.

3. The multi-channel near-field communication control system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The near-field communication middleware is connected to the near-field communication service application.

4. The multi-channel near-field communication control system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The near-field communication main module and the one or more near-field communication sub-modules each have a corresponding driver module; The switching control module is connected to the near-field communication main module and the one or more near-field communication sub-modules through different drive modules.

5. The multi-channel near-field communication control system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The multi-channel near-field communication control system runs an operating system; the operating system includes a kernel layer, a hardware abstraction layer, an application framework layer, and an application layer.

6. The multi-channel near-field communication control system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The near-field communication middleware runs on the hardware abstraction layer and application framework layer of the operating system.

7. The multi-channel near-field communication control system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The near-field communication card includes a physical card or an electronic card.

8. A method for operating a multi-channel near-field communication control system, the multi-channel near-field communication control system comprising: Near-field communication main module, one or more near-field communication sub-modules, and a switching control module; The switching control module includes near-field communication middleware; The method includes: In card reader mode, it emits an RFID signal; Upon receiving an RF return signal from a nearby near-field communication card, a corresponding interrupt signal is issued. Receive interrupt signals from the near-field communication main module and one or more near-field communication sub-modules; Obtain the current operating status of the near-field communication middleware, including whether the near-field communication middleware is currently connected and transmitting data with one of the near-field communication main modules and one or more near-field communication sub-modules; Based on the identifier corresponding to the received interrupt signal and the current operating state of the near-field communication middleware, determine the near-field communication module that is connected to the near-field communication service application among the near-field communication main module and the one or more near-field communication sub-modules, including: when the near-field communication middleware is currently in a connection and data transmission state with one of the near-field communication main module and the one or more near-field communication sub-modules, send a waiting prompt signal to the near-field communication module that issued the interrupt signal; every first time interval, detect whether the communication between the near-field communication middleware and the near-field communication module currently in the connection and data transmission state has ended; after detecting that the communication between the near-field communication middleware and the near-field communication module currently in the connection and data transmission state has ended, connect the near-field communication module that issued the interrupt signal among the near-field communication main module and the one or more near-field communication sub-modules to the near-field communication middleware.

9. The operation method of the multi-channel near-field communication control system according to claim 8, characterized in that, When different interrupt signals are received from multiple near-field communication modules in the near-field communication main module and one or more near-field communication sub-modules, the near-field communication middleware is connected sequentially according to the arrival time of the different interrupt signals.

10. A POS cash register device, comprising a multi-channel near-field communication control system as described in any one of claims 1-7; as well as Multiple displays; the multiple displays are respectively corresponding to one of the near-field communication modules in the near-field communication main module and the one or more near-field communication sub-modules; The multiple displays are configured to show the connection status of the near-field communication module and the near-field communication service application corresponding to the display, as well as the operation results of the near-field communication.

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