Compact POS machine

Abstract

This application relates to a compact POS machine, including a host (10), a motherboard located in the host, and a printer (16). The printer is detachably mounted in the host and connected to a first interface (17) on the motherboard via a flexible flat cable (16-1). The first interface (17) is located in the non-information security area (20) of the motherboard and is covered by a removable baffle (14). The motherboard area exposed after the baffle (14) is removed is the non-information security area (20) or a portion thereof. Therefore, during printer replacement, it is not necessary to remove the secure outer casing, thus preventing security attack alarms.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of secure payment terminals, and more particularly to a compact POS machine that allows for easy printer replacement. Background Technology

[0002] A POS (point of sale) payment terminal (commonly known as a "POS machine") is a multi-functional terminal. When installed in merchant locations and payment outlets that accept credit cards and connected to a computer network, it enables automatic electronic fund transfers. It supports functions such as purchases, pre-authorization, balance inquiries, and transfers, and is safe, fast, and reliable to use. As a financial information security device, the POS machine has an information security zone on its motherboard to prevent data tampering.

[0003] The printer is the voucher output component of a POS machine, but because it typically operates under high-temperature and high-speed conditions, it has a high failure rate and frequently requires repair or replacement. In existing POS machines, the printer is generally built into the casing, requiring the casing to be removed before the printer can be taken out. The POS machine casing is a crucial protective component, usually equipped with multiple tamper-evident contacts or other anti-tamper protections. Removing the casing will trigger a security attack alarm. Therefore, after replacing the printer cartridge and reassembling the machine, a new security program needs to be recorded, a cumbersome operation requiring professional personnel or security authorization. Furthermore, the printer is usually fixed to a bracket inside the machine, electrically connected to the motherboard via its built-in FPC. Disassembly and replacement expose the entire PCB board, potentially causing further damage to components on the motherboard. Therefore, printer repair and replacement are very troublesome, time-consuming, and labor-intensive. Utility Model Content

[0004] One of the purposes of this application is to provide a compact POS machine that allows for quick and easy disassembly, repair, and replacement of the printer.

[0005] Therefore, this utility model provides a compact POS machine, which includes a host, a motherboard located in the host, and a printer. The printer is detachably disposed in the host and is pluggably connected to a first interface on the motherboard via a flexible flat cable. The first interface is located in the non-information security area of ​​the motherboard and is covered by a removable baffle. The motherboard area exposed after the baffle is removed is the non-information security area or a part thereof.

[0006] In this invention, "compact POS machine" is distinguished from "large POS machine" and refers to a small POS machine with a smaller size (usually weighing less than a few hundred grams) and a compact design. Common examples of "compact POS machines" include handheld POS machines, mobile POS machines, and small desktop POS machines. "Host" refers to the main body of the POS machine containing its main components and circuitry. "Motherboard," also known as "PCB board," is generally divided into "information security area" and "non-information security area." It is a hardware-level security isolation architecture established based on financial payment security standards (such as PCIPTS, EMVco, etc.) to physically protect sensitive data (such as bank card numbers, passwords, and keys).

[0007] In this invention, the printer is "detachably" mounted within the main unit, meaning it can be independently and reversibly disassembled without destructively disassembling itself or other components, and without triggering security alarms during disassembly. To this end, a flexible flat cable connects the printer to the motherboard's first interface in a pluggable manner for power supply and information transmission. "Pluggable" refers to a connection method that can be plugged and unplugged multiple times at a physical and mechanical level, rather than a connection method like solder joints that can only be destructively removed. This first interface is located in the non-information security area of ​​the motherboard, allowing disassembly and assembly without triggering security alarms. Furthermore, this first interface is covered by a removable cover to ensure the motherboard's enclosure during normal use. Moreover, when the cover is removed, the entire exposed area of ​​the motherboard is within the non-information security area, thus ensuring that the removal of the cover will not trigger security alarms, making it safe and convenient. Therefore, during printer replacement, it is not necessary to remove the security-protected outer casing, thus preventing security attack alarms. Simultaneously, printer replacement can be performed quickly without the need for specialized tools.

[0008] According to some embodiments of this utility model, the host includes an openable back cover that covers at least a portion of the information security area of ​​the motherboard. The back cover and the baffle are independent of each other. The "back cover" refers to a cover that connects to the back of the host (i.e., the side facing away from the user during normal use of the POS machine, opposite to the front where a display screen is usually located). Because it covers the information security area of ​​the motherboard, it is usually equipped with multiple tamper-evident contacts or other tamper-evident protections. Opening it will trigger a security attack alarm. In the POS machine according to this utility model, since the baffle that needs to be removed for printer assembly and disassembly is independent of the back cover with tamper-evident contacts, disassembly and assembly do not interfere with each other, and opening the printer baffle will not trigger a security alarm.

[0009] According to some embodiments of this utility model, the printer is detachably installed in the paper tray of a POS machine, and the main unit includes a paper tray cover that can open and close the paper tray. Generally, printers are located inside or near the paper tray to print payment vouchers in conjunction with printing paper. Preferably, the printer according to this utility model is placed inside the paper tray to save space. The paper tray cover is, for example, hinged to the back of the main unit and is independent of the rear cover, thus being separately installed.

[0010] According to some embodiments of this utility model, the baffle is detachably fixed to the bottom plate of the paper compartment by a first screw. The "bottom plate" refers to the surface of the paper compartment bottom that is immediately adjacent to the main board. Detachably fixing the baffle to the bottom plate of the paper compartment with the first screw is simple, convenient, and easy to operate.

[0011] According to some embodiments of this utility model, the printer is detachably fixed to the inner wall or internal support of the paper tray by a second screw. Preferably, the printer is fixed to the inner wall opposite the fixing side of the paper tray cover, or to a fixing bracket extending from the inner wall, which facilitates operation. The fixing bracket may also extend from other side walls or the bottom wall of the paper tray.

[0012] It should be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and are not intended to limit the present invention. Other features, objects, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the specification, drawings, and claims. Attached Figure Description

[0013] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that these drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this utility model. For illustrative purposes, these drawings may not be drawn to scale.

[0014] Figure 1 This is a partially exploded top view of a POS machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the baffle has been removed while the printer is still fixed in the host.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a partially exploded side view of a POS machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the baffle and printer have been removed.

[0016] List of reference numerals in the attached diagram:

[0017] 10: Main unit 11: Back cover 12: Paper tray cover 13: First screw

[0018] 14: Baffle plate 15: Second screw 16: Printer 16-1: Flexible flat cable

[0019] 17: First Interface; 18: Paper Tray; 19: Support Frame; 20: Non-Information Security Area Detailed Implementation

[0020] Exemplary embodiments will now be described in detail, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. When the following description refers to the drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numbers in different drawings denote the same or similar elements. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments according to this application. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatuses consistent with some aspects of this application as detailed in the appended claims.

[0021] Figure 1 A compact POS machine according to one embodiment of the present invention is schematically illustrated. The compact POS machine includes a main unit 10 and a motherboard disposed inside the main unit 10. Figure 1 The host 10 shown is positioned with its back facing up and its front, i.e., the side containing the display screen, facing down. From Figure 1 As can be seen, the main unit 10 includes a back cover 11, which is fixed to the back of the main unit 10 by clips and covers the information security area of ​​the motherboard. The back cover 11 is equipped with multiple anti-tamper contacts, which will trigger a security attack alarm if it is removed. The main unit 10 also includes a paper tray 18, one end of which is hinged to the main unit 10 to open and close the paper tray 18. The paper tray cover 12 is independent of the back cover 11, that is, the two are separate designs. Figure 1 The paper tray cover 12 is shown in the open position, and the printing paper roll loaded therein has been removed to show the components and layout inside the paper tray 18.

[0022] from Figure 1 As can be seen, the printer 16 is installed in the paper tray 18 and located at the top of the entire POS machine, opposite the hinged side of the paper tray cover 12 that is fixed to the main unit 10. This configuration makes it easier to install and remove the printer. The printer 16 is secured inside the paper tray 18 by the second screw 15, as shown. Figure 2 As shown, in this embodiment, it is fixed to the mounting bracket 19 inside the paper tray 18. This fixing method is simple, secure, and easy to assemble and disassemble. The printer 16 is connected to the first interface 17 on the motherboard via a flexible flat cable 16-1 to achieve electrical connection and information transmission with the motherboard. According to this utility model, the first interface 17 is located in the non-information security area 20 of the motherboard and is covered by a baffle 14. The baffle 14 is fixed to the bottom plate of the paper tray 18 by a first screw 13, and its overall shape matches the shape of the bottom of the paper tray. Figure 1As shown, after the cover 14 is removed, the exposed motherboard area only includes the non-information security area 20, excluding the information security area. In other words, the inventors have specifically designed the hardware layout of the motherboard so that the cover 14 only covers the non-information security area or a portion thereof. This ensures that removing the cover 14 will not trigger a security alarm, making the process safe and convenient. Therefore, during printer replacement, it is not necessary to remove the security-protected back cover 11, thus preventing security attack alarms. Furthermore, printer replacement can be performed quickly without the need for specialized tools.

[0023] The following is combined Figures 1-2 This describes the process of replacing the printer 16 of a POS machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Open the paper cover 12, unscrew the first screw 13, and then remove the baffle 14. Figure 1 As shown, at this point, at least a portion of the non-information security area 20 of the motherboard is exposed, revealing the first interface 17 where the printer flexible cable 16-1 is connected. By disconnecting the printer flexible cable 16-1 from the first interface 17 on the PCB motherboard and then unscrewing the second screw 15, the printer 16 can be disassembled and a new printer replaced. Subsequently, the above operations can be reversed to restore the entire machine.

[0025] As can be seen, during the entire process of replacing printer 16, it is not necessary to disassemble the POS machine back cover 11 with security protection, thus avoiding exposure of the motherboard's information security area and preventing any security risks to the entire machine. Moreover, the security attack alarm will not be triggered by touching the anti-tamper contacts on the back cover 11 or by a power outage in the information security area, so there is no need for a security reset, greatly reducing the requirements for operators and the site.

[0026] Unless otherwise defined, the technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” used herein are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term “and / or” as may be used herein refers to and includes any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0027] Terms such as “upper,” “lower,” “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “thickness,” “radial,” and “axial,” used herein to describe the relationship of one feature relative to another, as shown in the accompanying drawings, are for illustrative purposes and are not limited to a single location or spatial orientation. It is understood that, depending on the product's placement, the terms describing spatial relative positions may be intended to include different orientations besides those shown in the figures, and should not be interpreted as limiting. Furthermore, the descriptive term “horizontal,” as used herein, is not entirely equivalent to being perpendicular to the direction of gravity and allows for a certain angle of inclination. The terms “including” or “comprising” and similar expressions used herein mean that the elements or objects preceding “including” or “comprising” encompass the elements or objects listed following “including” or “comprising” and their equivalents, but do not exclude other elements or objects.

[0028] It should be understood that the terms "first," "second," and similar terms used in this application specification do not indicate any order, quantity, or importance, but are merely used to distinguish different components.

[0029] The above are merely preferred embodiments of this utility model and are not intended to limit this utility model. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A compact POS machine comprising a main unit (10), a main board located in said main unit and a printer (16), characterized in that, The printer is detachably installed in the host and is pluggably connected to the first interface (17) on the motherboard via a flexible cable (16-1). The first interface (17) is located in the non-information security area (20) of the motherboard and is covered by a removable baffle (14). The motherboard area exposed after the baffle (14) is removed is the non-information security area (20) or a part thereof.

2. The compact POS machine of claim 1, wherein, The host (10) includes an openable back cover (11) that covers at least a portion of the information security area of ​​the motherboard, and the back cover (11) is independent of the baffle (14).

3. The compact POS machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The printer (16) is detachably mounted in the paper tray (18) of the POS machine, and the host (10) includes a paper tray cover (12) that can open and close the paper tray (18).

4. The compact POS machine of claim 3, wherein, The baffle (14) is detachably fixed to the bottom plate of the paper tray (18) by the first screw (13).

5. The compact POS machine of claim 3, wherein, The printer (16) is detachably fixed to the inner wall or internal support of the paper tray (18) by a second screw (15).

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