Relay device and POS system

Abstract

To provide a relay device and a POS system capable of forming a further organized system.SOLUTION: A relay device 1 includes: a plurality of connectors to which external electronic devices are connected; a control unit that controls communication between the electronic devices; a power supply unit that supplies power input from the exterior to the control unit and to the electronic device connected to at least one of the connectors via such a connector; a main board 2 on which at least one of the control unit and the connectors is provided; and a communication board 13 which is connected to the main board 2 and on which a communication unit for wireless communication is provided. The connectors are placed at one-end side of the main board 2, and the communication board 13 is placed at the other-end side located at the opposite side to the one-end side in a first direction on the plane of the main board 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a relay device and a POS system. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for connecting a drawer, barcode scanner, and display to a card processing terminal equipped with a printing device via a USB hub. Patent Document 1 supports only USB connections using the USB hub. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-285805 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In addition to devices that use USB connectors as in Patent Document 1, devices that use connectors of other standards or types, such as serial connectors, may be connected to POS systems. In such cases, there is a risk that such devices may not be able to be connected to a system such as that in Patent Document 1. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] One aspect of the present invention that solves the above problem is a relay device comprising: multiple types of connectors to which external electronic devices are connected; a control unit that controls communication between the electronic devices; a power supply unit that supplies power input from the outside to the control unit and to the electronic devices connected to the connector via at least one of the connectors; a main board on which the control unit and at least one of the connectors are provided; and a communication board connected to the main board and on which a communication unit that performs wireless communication is provided, wherein the connectors are arranged at one end of the main board, and the communication board is arranged at the other end opposite the one end in a first direction on the plane of the main board.

[0006] Another aspect of the present invention for solving the above problem is a POS system including the above relay device, a POS terminal, and a POS peripheral device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a POS system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the relay device as seen from the front. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the relay device as seen from the front. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the substrate container as viewed from the left. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, directions such as front, back, left, right, and up and down are the same as directions relative to the relay device 1. Also, the symbol FR shown in each drawing indicates the front of the relay device 1 when it is installed on an installation surface for use, the symbol UP indicates the top of the relay device 1, and the symbol LH indicates the left of the relay device 1. In each drawing, the up and down direction corresponds to the vertical direction, and the front, back, and left and right directions correspond to the horizontal direction. The front-rear direction corresponds to the "first direction" in this disclosure, the up-down direction corresponds to the "second direction" in this disclosure, and the left-right direction corresponds to the "third direction" in this disclosure.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a POS system 100 according to this embodiment. The POS system 100 includes a relay device 1. The relay device 1 includes a main board 2. On the main board 2, a power supply circuit 5, a communication control circuit 7, and a printing device control circuit 8 are mounted. The main board 2 is electrically connected to the sub-board 3, the display board 9, and the communication board 13.

[0010] A switch 15, a switch control circuit 17, a plurality of LEDs 19, and an LED control circuit 21 are mounted on the display board 9. The switch 15 and the switch control circuit 17, and the plurality of LEDs 19 and the LED control circuit 21 may be mounted on different boards. A communication circuit 23 is mounted on the communication board 13, and an antenna 25 is connected to the communication circuit 23. The communication board 13 performs wireless communication between the relay device 1 and a predetermined device. The communication circuit 23 and the antenna 25 correspond to the "communication unit" in this disclosure.

[0011] A power connector 26 is connected to the power supply circuit 5. A power adapter 28 is connected to the power connector 26 via a power adapter cable 27. The power adapter 28 is a power supply device that converts AC power supplied from a commercial power source 120 into DC power, AC power of a predetermined voltage, or the like. A power cable 29 is connected to the power adapter 28. The power cable 29 can be connected to a commercial power source 120. In this embodiment, the power adapter cable 27 functions as a so-called DC cable, and the power cable 29 functions as a so-called AC cable.

[0012] Connectors of multiple standards are connected to the communication control circuit 7. In this embodiment, a LAN connector 30, a modular connector 31, multiple serial connectors 32, multiple USB Type-C connectors 34, and multiple USB Type-A connectors 36 are connected to the communication control circuit 7. These connectors provided on the relay device 1 all function as sockets for various types of plugs.

[0013] The LAN connector 30 is an RJ-45 connector. The relay device 1 may be connected to a predetermined communication network via a LAN cable connected to the LAN connector 30. The communication network may be a network made up of a public line network, a dedicated line, other communication lines, and various communication facilities, and the specific form is not limited.

[0014] A tablet terminal 114 is connected to the USB Type-C connector 34. In this embodiment, the tablet terminal 114 is a terminal device that includes a processor such as a CPU or MPU, and a storage device such as a RAM or ROM, and manages sales by having the CPU or MPU operate in accordance with a program stored in the storage device. The tablet terminal 114 is capable of generating image data for printed materials such as receipts.

[0015] The tablet terminal 114 may also function as a payment terminal. Alternatively, the tablet terminal 114 may be another terminal device such as a smartphone. The tablet terminal 114 corresponds to the "POS terminal" and "electronic device" of the present disclosure.

[0016] A printer 116 that prints receipts and the like is connected to the USB Type-C connector 34. The printing device 116 is equipped with a device control circuit 118. The device control circuit 118 is provided with a processor such as a CPU or MPU, and a storage device such as a RAM or ROM. The device control circuit 118 operates the CPU or MPU in accordance with a program stored in the storage device, and generates commands such as commands to convey a print medium such as printing paper by a predetermined amount and commands to cut the print medium.

[0017] The USB Type-A connector 36 may be connected to various devices, such as a display device such as a monitor, a handheld scanner, or another printing device.

[0018] The modular connector 31 is, for example, an RJ-11 connector to which a cash drawer 110 is connected. The serial connector 32 is an RS-232C connector to which the payment terminal 112 is connected. The payment terminal 112 is, for example, a card reader. Note that the serial connector 32 may also be connected to other devices.

[0019] In this way, devices with different connectors can be connected via various connectors to the relay device 1. Therefore, the relay device 1 and the POS system 100 can form a more organized system. The cash drawer 110, the payment terminal 112, and the printing device 116 correspond to the "electronic device" and the "POS peripheral device" in this disclosure.

[0020] The LAN connector 30, the modular connector 31, the plurality of serial connectors 32, the plurality of USB Type-C connectors 34, and the plurality of USB Type-A connectors 36 correspond to the "connectors" of the present disclosure.

[0021] Of the above-mentioned connectors, the LAN connector 30, the multiple USB Type-C connectors 34, the multiple USB Type-A connectors 36, and the power connector 26 are mounted on the main board 2. The modular connector 31 and the serial connector 32 are mounted on the sub-board 3. The relay device 1 may be provided with any connector that can be used to form the POS system 100, not just the various connectors described above.

[0022] Next, the configuration relating to the control of the relay device 1 will be described. The communication control circuit 7 is provided with a processor such as a CPU or MPU, and a storage device such as a RAM or ROM. The communication control circuit 7 controls the operation of each part of the relay device 1 by having the CPU or MPU operate in accordance with a program stored in the storage device, and also controls the operation of specific devices connected via various connectors and the transmission and reception of signals. The communication control circuit 7 functions as a control unit that controls communication between the tablet terminal 114 connected to the relay device 1 and the POS peripheral devices.

[0023] A printing device control circuit 8 is connected to the communication control circuit 7. The printing device control circuit 8 controls the printing device 116 connected to the relay device 1 in accordance with the communication control circuit. When the printing device 116 performs printing, the tablet terminal 114 generates image data and transmits it to the communication control circuit 7 via the USB Type-C connector 34.

[0024] When the communication control circuit 7 detects that the printer 116 has been connected to the USB Type-C connector 34, it transmits the acquired image data to the printer control circuit 8. The printer control circuit 8 generates a print control command based on the image data. The print control command is a command that causes the printer 116 to print characters, images, etc.

[0025] The communication control circuit 7 acquires the print control command and transmits it together with the image data as print data to the printing device 116 via the USB Type-C connector 34. When the printing device 116 acquires the print data, it starts printing in accordance with the print data and commands generated by the device control circuitry 118 . In this way, by connecting the printer 116 to the relay device 1, it becomes possible to print receipts and the like.

[0026] As a result, in the POS system 100, the printer control circuit 8 that controls at least a part of the printer 116 is provided in the relay device 1, thereby simplifying the structure of the printer 116. Therefore, the relay device 1 can form a POS system 100 with a more organized wiring structure.

[0027] In addition, when a printing device other than printing device 116 is connected, even if the communication control circuit 7 receives image data generated by tablet terminal 114, it may not generate a print control command and may send the image data to the printing device. The communication control circuit 7 corresponds to the "control unit" of the present disclosure.

[0028] A power supply circuit 5 is connected to the communication control circuit 7. The power supply circuit 5 supplies power received via a power connector 26 to the communication control circuit 7. When a specific device is connected to either the USB Type-C connector 34 or the USB Type-A connector 36, the communication control circuit 7 supplies power received from the power supply circuit 5 to the device via the connector.

[0029] When the communication control circuit 7 detects that the printing device 116 has been connected to the USB Type-C connector 34, it sends a signal to the power supply circuit 5 to supply a larger amount of power to the printing device 116 than when other devices are connected. As a result, a larger amount of power is supplied to the printing device 116 via the USB Type-C connector 34 to the power supply circuit 5 than when other devices are connected. The printing device 116 can be directly driven without storing power in a storage unit such as a battery provided in the printing device 116.

[0030] As a result, the printer 116 can be driven without being connected to a power source via a power supply line or the like by receiving power from the relay device 1. Therefore, in the POS system, the power supply line extending from the printer 116 is omitted, and the relay device 1 can form a more organized POS system 100. The power supply circuit 5 corresponds to the "power supply unit" of the present disclosure.

[0031] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the relay device 1 as seen from the front side, and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the relay device 1 as seen from the rear side. 2 and 3, the relay device 1 includes a resin case 40 having a space S therein. The case 40 has a rectangular box shape in which the height dimension is longer than the length dimension in at least the left-right direction when installed on an installation surface. In this embodiment, the case 40 is formed so that the length dimension in the left-right direction is shorter than the length dimension in the front-rear direction. This makes it possible to suppress an increase in the space required for installation in plan view when the relay device 1 is installed on an installation surface.

[0032] The case 40 includes a front plate 40A that forms the front surface, a pair of side plates 40B and 40C that form the left and right sides, a bottom plate 40D that forms the bottom surface, and a top plate 40E that forms the top surface. Each surface of the case 40 is formed to be flat.

[0033] The bottom surface of the bottom plate 40D is provided with a plurality of legs 38. The legs 38 are arranged at each corner of the bottom plate 40D, which is rectangular in plan view. The legs 38 allow the bottom plate 40D to be spaced apart from the installation surface. As shown in FIG. 3, a rear opening 41 is provided on the rear surface of the case 40, which is an opening that connects the inside and outside of the case 40 over the entire surface.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, the front panel 40A is formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from the front, with the long sides arranged along the vertical direction. The front panel 40A is provided with a transmissive portion 42 that transmits light from the LEDs 19. The transmissive portion 42 is formed of a transparent material or the like at a position overlapping the plurality of LEDs 19. In the relay device 1, the display board 9 and the transmissive portion 42 function as a display portion. The transmissive portion 42 is provided on the upper side of the front panel 40A and in a position close to the right side.

[0035] The front plate 40A has a recess 43 recessed toward the rear below the transmission portion 42. Inside the recess 43, there are provided a plurality of insertion holes 45 which are through-holes that penetrate the front plate 40A in the plate thickness direction. An operator 16 of the switch 15 is inserted into each of the insertion holes 45.

[0036] Fig. 4 is a perspective view seen from the front of the relay device 1. For ease of explanation, legs 38 are omitted in Fig. 4, and a front panel 40A, side panels 40C, and top panel 40E are indicated by two-dot chain lines. As shown in FIG. 4, inside the recess 43, at a position lower than the insertion hole 45, an opening 47 is provided which is a through-hole that penetrates the front plate 40A in the plate thickness direction. A pair of mounting portions 44 are provided on both ends of an upper edge portion 49 of the opening 47. The mounting portions 44 are formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the left-right direction.

[0037] A cover 50 is attached to the upper edge 49. The cover 50 includes a cover portion 52 formed in the shape of a long flat plate, and a flat abutment portion 54 that stands at a predetermined angle from one end of the cover portion 52 toward the inside of the case 40.

[0038] The cover portion 52 is provided with an annular engaging portion 56, partially open in the circumferential direction, at a midpoint in the longitudinal direction. Two engaging portions 56 are formed along the left-right direction. Each engaging portion 56 is inserted into the open portion, and engages with the mounting portion 44 so that the inner circumferential surface abuts against the circumferential surface of the mounting portion 44. As a result, the cover 50 is attached to the upper edge portion 49 so as to be rotatable in a direction intersecting the plane of the front panel 40A, with the mounting portion 44 as the rotation axis.

[0039] The cover 50 is attached to the front panel 40A so that the longitudinal direction thereof extends along the vertical direction. In the following description, the portion located above the engaging portion 56 in the longitudinal direction of the cover portion 52 is referred to as the covering portion 52A, and the portion located below the engaging portion 56 is referred to as the pressing portion 52B.

[0040] Cover portion 52 is rotatable from a position where its plane is disposed substantially parallel to front plate 40A to a position where the plane intersects with front plate 40A when viewed from the left and right. When cover portion 52 is disposed so that its plane is substantially parallel to front plate 40A, the entire cover portion is housed inside recess 43, and its front surface is flush with the front surface of front plate 40A. In this case, covering portion 52A covers each of operating elements 16, and pressing portion 52B covers opening 47. In the following description, the state in which the cover portion 52 covers the operation element 16 and the opening 47 is referred to as the cover 50 being in a closed state.

[0041] When the user presses the pressing portion 52B of the cover 50, the pressing portion 52B enters the inside of the case 40 through the opening 47, and the covering portion 52A moves away from the recess 43. When viewed from the left and right, the cover 50 rotates to a position where the cover portion 52 forms a predetermined angle with the front panel 40A. As a result, the cover 50 rotates from the closed state in a direction intersecting the plane of the front plate 40A, and the cover portion 52 rotates to a position where it forms a predetermined angle with the front plate 40A when viewed from the left and right. In the following description, a state in which the covering portion 52A is separated from the recessed portion 43 is referred to as an open state of the cover 50.

[0042] The relay device 1 is configured so that the cover 50 is opened and closed by rotating in a direction intersecting the plane of the front panel 40A. This makes it possible to suppress expansion of the installation space in the vertical or horizontal direction of the relay device 1 compared to, for example, a case in which the cover 50 is slid in a direction parallel to the plane of the front panel 40A.

[0043] 4, the case 40 houses a board housing 60 that houses the main board 2 and the sub-board 3. Similar to the case 40, the board housing 60 has a rectangular box shape whose height is longer than its length in at least the left-right direction when the relay device 1 is installed on an installation surface.

[0044] In this embodiment, the board housing 60 is made of a metal material, which prevents noise emitted from the main board 2 and the sub-board 3 from leaking out of the board housing 60, and also prevents noise from outside the board housing 60 from reaching the main board 2 and the sub-board 3.

[0045] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the substrate housing 60 as seen from the right. For ease of explanation, in Fig. 5, the front surface of the substrate housing 60 and the side surface located on the right are indicated by two-dot chain lines. 5, inside the board housing 60, the main board 2 and the sub-board 3 are arranged so that their planes are perpendicular to the left-right direction and so that their planes are parallel to each other. This prevents the relay device 1 from increasing in length in the up-down and front-rear directions. The various connectors mounted on the main board 2 and the sub-board 3 are mounted so as to be aligned in the vertical direction along the sides located at the rear ends of the respective boards.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 3, the rear surface of the substrate container 60 is exposed to the outside of the case 40 through a rear opening 41. In the board housing 60, the LAN connector 30, the modular connector 31, multiple serial connectors 32, multiple USB Type-C connectors 34, multiple USB Type-A connectors 36, and the power connector 26 are arranged so that they open toward the rear of the case 40.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 5, the main board 2 and the sub-board 3 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction, and the various connectors mounted on these boards are arranged in two rows in the left-right direction. In this embodiment, the multiple serial connectors 32 and the modular connector 31 are arranged to the right of the other connectors. The various connectors in each row are arranged in a vertical line.

[0048] In this way, in the relay device 1, by mounting various connectors separately on two boards, it is possible to suppress an increase in the vertical length dimension, and therefore, in the relay device 1, it is possible to suppress an increase in the size of the case 40. In addition, in the relay device 1, the main board 2 and the sub-board 3 are arranged so that they overlap each other when viewed from the left, right, and right directions, and are also arranged side by side in the left-right direction, so that an increase in the length dimensions in the front-to-back and up-to-down directions can be suppressed.

[0049] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the substrate container 60 as viewed from the left. 6, the communication board 13 is attached to the front surface of the board housing 60. The communication board 13 is disposed at the upper end of the front surface of the board housing 60, close to the left side. The communication board 13 is attached to the board housing 60 via the support member 70 in a state where the plane faces the front surface of the board housing 60, that is, in a state where the plane intersects with the front-rear direction.

[0050] The support member 70 is made of a resin material and covers the entire flat surface of the communication board 13 that faces the board container 60. The support member 70 of this embodiment is provided with upright portions 72 that cover the communication board 13 from the left and right. In this way, the support member 70 is disposed between the board housing 60 and the communication board 13, and the communication board 13 is shielded by the support member 70 from the board housing 60, which is made of a metal material. This prevents the wireless communication of the communication board 13 from being affected by the board container 60 in the relay device 1. Therefore, the relay device 1 can provide a good communication environment in the POS system 100.

[0051] The communication board 13 is disposed at a position overlapping the main board 2 in a front view, and the plane of the communication board 13 is disposed so as to intersect with the plane of the main board 2. Therefore, the main board 2 and the communication board 13 are arranged so as to overlap in the front-rear direction, and the plane of the communication board 13 is arranged so as to intersect with the front-rear direction. In addition, the communication board 13 of this embodiment is formed so that the length dimension in the left-right direction is smaller than the length dimension in the left-right direction of the board container 60. This prevents an increase in the length of the relay device 1 in the left-right and front-rear directions, and therefore allows the relay device 1 to have a smaller case 40.

[0052] In the relay device 1, the communication board 13 is provided at the upper end of the front surface of the board container 60, so that when the relay device 1 is installed, communication is prevented from being interrupted by peripheral devices or obstacles. Therefore, the relay device 1 can provide a good communication environment in the POS system 100.

[0053] The display board 9 is attached to the front surface of the board housing 60. The display board 9 is formed in the shape of a long plate. On one flat surface, the mounting surface 9A, of the display board 9, a plurality of LEDs 19 are mounted on one end side in the longitudinal direction, and a plurality of contacts 18 provided for each of the switches 15 are mounted on the other end side.

[0054] The display substrate 9 is fixed to the substrate housing 60 via a plurality of fixing portions 62 provided on the front surface of the substrate housing 60. The fixing portion 62 extends forward from the front surface of the substrate housing 60 by a predetermined length, and is provided at its tip with an attachment piece 64 having a flat surface facing the front surface of the substrate housing 60 and the front plate 40A. The fixing portions 62 of this embodiment are provided at the bottom of the substrate container 60 and at approximately the center in the up-down direction.

[0055] The display board 9 is fixed to the board container 60 by fastening the mounting pieces 64 together with the screw members 66 in a state where the flat surfaces of the mounting pieces 64 abut against the mounting surface 9B, which is a flat surface located opposite the mounting surface 9A. The display board 9 of this embodiment is fixed to each of the fixing portions 62 so that one end side where the LEDs 19 are mounted is located at the top and the other end side where the contacts 18 are mounted is located at the bottom.

[0056] By attaching the display board 9 to the fixing portion 62, the display board 9 is disposed in front of the communication board 13 with the mounting surface 9A facing forward. The display board 9 is disposed on the opposite side of the communication board 13 from the main board 2 and the sub-board 3. The display board 9 is disposed in a position overlapping the communication board 13 in a front view, and the mounting surface 9A of the display board 9 is disposed so as to intersect with the main board 2 and the sub-board 3. Therefore, the display board 9 and the communication board 13 are disposed so as to overlap in the front-to-rear direction, and the plane of the display board 9 is disposed so as to intersect with the front-to-rear direction. This prevents an increase in the length of the relay device 1 in the left-right and front-rear directions, and therefore allows the relay device 1 to have a smaller case 40.

[0057] The support member 70 is provided with an extension 74 that extends forward. A groove 75 that is recessed toward the left is provided at the tip of the extension 74. The upper end of the display substrate 9 is inserted into the groove 75 and is clamped. In this way, the upper end of the display substrate 9 is supported by the support member 70. That is, the communication board 13 and the display board 9 are both supported by the same support member 70. Therefore, the relay device 1 can support multiple boards while suppressing an increase in the number of parts, and the cost associated with manufacturing the relay device 1 can be suppressed.

[0058] The display substrate 9 is supported by each of the fixing portions 62 and the extending portions 74, and is disposed with the mounting surface 9A facing and close to the rear surface of the front panel 40A. As a result, the LEDs 19 are disposed in a position overlapping the transmissive portions 42 in a front view and in a position close to the transmissive portions 42. Therefore, light emitted from the LEDs 19 is emitted to the outside of the case 40 from the transmissive portions 42. This prevents light emitted from the LED 19 from emitting as so-called leaked light from areas other than the transmissive portion 42 in the relay device 1. Additionally, the relay device 1 can improve the visibility of the display portion formed by the display substrate 9 and the transmissive portion 42.

[0059] Each of the contacts 18 is disposed at a position overlapping with the operator 16 in a front view and close to the operator 16. When the user presses the operator 16, the contact 18 is pressed and a predetermined signal is transmitted to the communication control circuit 7. In this way, the switch 15, which includes the operator 16 and the contacts 18, functions as an operation unit or an input unit of the relay device 1.

[0060] 3 and 4, in relay device 1, the various connectors mounted on main board 2 and sub-board 3 are all arranged so that they open toward the rear of case 40. In contrast, the display unit visible to the user, switches 15 operated by the user, and communication board 13 for wireless communication with external devices are all arranged on the opposite side of main board 2 and sub-board 3 from the various connectors.

[0061] This allows various connectors to be arranged together on one surface in the relay device 1, facilitating wiring connections and streamlining the routing of the connected wiring. As a result, the relay device 1 can simplify the wiring structure of the POS system 100 that is formed by including external electronic devices. Therefore, the relay device 1 can improve expandability and installation flexibility. Furthermore, in the relay device 1, various connectors are concentrated and arranged on the opposite side of the display unit visible to the user, the switch 15 operated by the user, the communication board 13 that performs wireless communication with external devices, etc., thereby improving the design.

[0062] The above-described embodiment is merely an example of one aspect of the present disclosure, and any modifications and applications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present disclosure.

[0063] In the above-described embodiment, the relay device 1 is disposed so that the bottom plate 40D faces the installation surface. However, this is not limiting, and the relay device 1 may be disposed so that another side surface faces the installation surface. For example, the relay device 1 may be disposed so that the side plate 40B or the side plate 40C faces the installation surface. In this case, the relay device 1 may be provided with a plurality of legs 38 on the side plate 40B or the side plate 40C.

[0064] The units shown in Figure 1 are merely examples, and the specific implementation form is not particularly limited. In other words, it is not necessary to implement hardware corresponding to each unit individually, and it is of course possible to configure the units so that the functions are realized by a single processor executing a program. Furthermore, some of the functions realized by software in the above-described embodiments may be implemented by hardware, or some of the functions realized by hardware may be implemented by software.

[0065] Unless otherwise specified, the horizontal, vertical, and other directions and various shapes in the above-described embodiments include a so-called equivalent range that provides the same action and effect as those directions, values, and shapes.

[0066] Summary of this disclosure A summary of this disclosure is provided below.

[0067] (Appendix 1) a power supply unit that supplies power input from the outside to the control unit and to the electronic device connected to the connector via at least one of the connectors; a main board on which the control unit and at least one of the connectors are provided; and a communication board that is connected to the main board and has a communication unit that performs wireless communication, wherein the connectors are arranged at one end of the main board, and the communication board is arranged at the other end opposite the one end in a first direction on the plane of the main board. This allows the relay device to connect various electronic devices and supply power to specific electronic devices. Furthermore, the relay device is arranged in the order of the communication board, the main board, and the connector in the first direction. This allows the relay device to organize the routing of wiring such as power lines and signal lines, simplifying the wiring structure of a POS system formed by including external electronic devices. Therefore, the relay device can improve expandability and installation flexibility.

[0068] (Appendix 2) The relay device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit transmits a signal to the printing device to control the printing device when the printing device is connected to one of the connectors as the electronic device. This allows the relay device to control the operation of a specific printing device. Therefore, the relay device can simplify the structure of the printing device. Furthermore, for example, the relay device can reduce the size of the printing device, and can also form a POS system by connecting a printing device that does not require a specific control circuit, thereby enabling the formation of a more streamlined POS system.

[0069] (Appendix 3) The relay device described in Appendix 2, wherein when the printing device is connected to one of the connectors, the control unit supplies the power supply unit with power sufficient to drive the printing device via the connector. This allows the relay device to be connected to a recording device that does not require a power cord to form a POS system, which simplifies the wiring structure between the relay device and the various electronic devices connected to the relay device, and provides a POS system that can prevent the occupancy of space from increasing.

[0070] (Appendix 4) A relay device as described in Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 3, comprising a case that houses the main board and the communication board, and the communication board is arranged inside the case so as to be located at the upper end of the case when the case is installed so that a second direction that intersects the first direction is along the vertical direction. As a result, in the relay device, the communication board is disposed above the relay device, so that good wireless communication can be provided.

[0071] (Appendix 5) 5. The relay device according to claim 1, wherein the plane of the communication board is disposed so as to intersect with the first direction. This allows the length of the relay device in the first direction to be reduced.

[0072] (Appendix 6) 6. The relay device according to claim 1, wherein the main board and the communication board are arranged to overlap in the first direction. This allows the length of the relay device to be reduced in a direction intersecting the first direction.

[0073] (Appendix 7) 7. A relay device as described in any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 6, comprising a display board on which a display unit is provided, the display board being arranged on the opposite side of the main board along the first direction, with the communication board sandwiched between them, the display board and the communication board being arranged to overlap in the first direction, and the plane of the display board being arranged to intersect with the first direction. This allows the length of the relay device to be reduced in a direction intersecting the first direction.

[0074] (Appendix 8) 8. The relay device according to claim 7, further comprising a support member for supporting the communication board, the support member supporting at least a portion of the display board. This makes it possible to suppress an increase in the number of parts in the relay device, thereby suppressing an increase in manufacturing costs.

[0075] (Appendix 9) A relay device as described in any one of Appendix 1 to Appendix 8, comprising a sub-board on which at least one of the connectors is provided, the plane of the sub-board being arranged opposite the main board, and the sub-board and the main board being arranged to overlap in a third direction that is a direction intersecting the plane of the main board. This allows the length of the relay device in the first direction to be reduced.

[0076] (Appendix 10) A POS system comprising the relay device according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 9, a POS terminal, and a POS peripheral device. This allows the POS system to achieve the same effects as the relay device described above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 1...Relay device, 2...Main board, 3...Sub board, 5...Power supply circuit (power supply section), 7...Communication control circuit (control section), 8...Printing device control circuit, 9...Display board, 13...Communication board, 30...LAN connector (connector), 31...Modular connector (connector), 32...Serial connector (connector), 34...USB Type-C connector (connector), 36...USB Type-A connector (connector), 100...POS system, 110...Cash drawer (electronic device, POS peripheral device), 112...Payment terminal (electronic device, POS peripheral device), 114...Tablet terminal (electronic device, POS terminal), 116...Printing device (electronic device, POS peripheral device), 118...Device control circuit, 120...Commercial power supply.

Claims

1. a plurality of types of connectors to which external electronic devices are connected; a control unit that controls communication between the electronic devices; a power supply unit that supplies power input from an external source to the control unit and the electronic device connected to the connector via at least one of the connectors; a main board on which the control unit and at least one of the connectors are provided; a communication board connected to the main board and having a communication unit for wireless communication; Equipped with the connector is disposed at one end of the main board, the communication board is disposed on the other end side of the main board, opposite to the one end side in a first direction on a plane of the main board; Relay device.

2. the control unit transmits a signal to the printing device to control the printing device when the printing device is connected to any of the connectors as the electronic device; The relay device according to claim 1 .

3. The control unit When the printing device is connected to any of the connectors, the power supply unit supplies the printing device with power capable of driving the printing device via the connector. The relay device according to claim 2 .

4. a case that houses the main board and the communication board; the communication board is disposed inside the case so as to be located at an upper end of the case when the case is installed so that a second direction intersecting the first direction is along a vertical direction. The relay device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. a plane of the communication board is disposed so as to intersect with the first direction; The relay device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. The main board and the communication board are arranged to overlap in the first direction. The relay device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

7. a display substrate on which a display unit is provided, the display board is disposed on the opposite side of the main board with the communication board interposed therebetween along the first direction, the display substrate and the communication substrate are arranged to overlap in the first direction, the plane of the display substrate is disposed to intersect with the first direction; The relay device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

8. a support member for supporting the communication board; The support member supports at least a portion of the display substrate. The relay device according to claim 7.

9. a sub-board on which at least one of the connectors is provided; The sub-board has a flat surface facing the main board, The sub-board and the main board are arranged to overlap in a third direction that is a direction intersecting a plane of the main board. The relay device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

10. The relay device according to any one of claims 1 to 3; A POS terminal; POS peripheral devices, Equipped with POS system.

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