Terminal device

Abstract

A terminal apparatus (10) is used to perform at least one of a product registration process and a settlement process, and is provided with a housing (110), a first input device (172), and a shielding portion (300). The first input device (172) is provided on an upper surface of the housing (110), and is used by a user to enter at least one of a letter and a number. The shielding portion (300) is provided on the housing (110) and shields the line of sight to the first input device (172) from someone other than the user. The shielding portion (300) has a first member (302) and a second member (304). The first member (302) is located next to one side of the first input device (172) as viewed from the user. The second member (304) is located next to the other side of the first input device (172) as viewed by the user.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a terminal device.

Background Art

[0002] In a retail store or the like, a terminal device that performs at least one of product registration processing and settlement processing is used, as represented by a POS terminal.

[0003] On the other hand, in a public place, highly confidential information such as a PIN number or personal information may be input into the terminal. In response to this, for example, Patent Document 1 describes providing a wall for shielding the line of sight in an enclosure that houses a keypad. Patent Documents 2, 3, and 4 describe providing a cover on the keypad of an automated transaction device.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Patent Document 4

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In recent years, in a terminal device used when performing at least one of product registration processing and settlement processing, the opportunity to input highly confidential information has been increasing. An example of the object of the present invention is to make it difficult for information to leak to others when inputting highly confidential information into such a terminal device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a housing, a first input device provided on the upper surface of the housing and into which at least one of letters and numbers is input by a user; a shielding portion provided on the housing and shielding the line of sight from a person other than the user to the first input device; and the shielding portion includes a first member located beside one side of the first input device as viewed from the user; and a second member located beside the other side of the first input device as viewed from the user. There is provided a terminal device used when performing at least one of product registration processing and settlement processing.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, in a terminal device used when performing at least one of product registration processing and settlement processing, when inputting highly confidential information, this information is less likely to leak to others.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008] The above-described object, as well as other objects, features, and advantages, will become more apparent from the preferred embodiments described below and the accompanying drawings.

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In all the drawings, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description will be omitted as appropriate.

[0011] (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the terminal device 10 according to this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a side view of the terminal device 10. The terminal device 10 is used, for example, in a store and performs at least one of product registration processing and settlement processing. When this processing is performed, the terminal device 10 is located between the store clerk and the customer. An example of the terminal device 10 is a POS terminal. The terminal device 10 is arranged, for example, at a cash register counter.

[0012] The terminal device 10 includes a housing 110, a first input device 172, and a shielding unit 300. The first input device 172 is provided on the upper surface of the housing 110, and at least one of characters and numbers is input by the user. The shielding unit 300 is provided on the housing 110 and blocks the line of sight to the first input device from people other than the user. The shielding unit 300 has a first member 302 and a second member 304. The first member 302 is located beside one side of the first input device as seen from the user. The second member 304 is located beside the other side of the first input device as seen from the user. Hereinafter, the terminal device 10 will be described in detail.

[0013] The terminal device 10 has a housing 110. An arithmetic processing unit is housed in the housing 110. This arithmetic processing unit performs at least one of product registration processing and settlement processing, for example, both. The arithmetic processing unit may perform part or all of the product registration processing, or may perform part or all of the settlement processing. Further, this arithmetic processing unit may control the first display 130, and the second display 140 and the third display 150 described later.

[0014] On one surface of the housing 110, for example, the upper surface, a first input device 172 and a second input device 174 are arranged. Since the first input device 172 and the second input device 174 are operated by a customer, in a plan view, they are located closer to the customer side than the center of the upper surface of the housing 110. The first input device 172 is a device for inputting at least one of letters and numbers as described above. An example of the first input device 172 is a numeric keypad. An example of the second input device 174 is a reading device for reading information from a medium. The medium used here may be, for example, a card having an IC chip, a portable terminal such as a smartphone, or a piece of paper with a code printed thereon. The code used here may be a barcode or a two-dimensional code. The second input device 174 may read information from the medium by generating an image, may acquire information by performing short-range wireless communication with the medium, or may acquire information from a magnetic medium within the medium. Note that the second input device 174 may further have a function of writing information to the medium.

[0015] When the input surface of the first input device 172 is visible to others, such as other customers or store clerks, while the customer is operating the first input device 172, there is a possibility that the information input by the customer to the first input device 172 may be leaked to others. In contrast, the terminal device 10 has a shielding portion 300. The shielding portion 300 includes a first member 302 and a second member 304 as described above.

[0016] The first member 302 and the second member 304 are located beside the first input device 172 and have a portion that protrudes upward from the upper surface of the housing 110. Thereby, when there are others in the lateral direction of the terminal device 10, these others cannot see the operation surface of the first input device 172. The height from the operation surface of the first input device 172 to the upper end of the first member 302 is, for example, 3 cm or more, preferably 5 cm or more, but is not limited thereto. The height from the operation surface of the first input device 172 to the upper end of the second member 304 is the same.

[0017] In the depth direction of the first member 302 and the second member 304, that is, the left - right direction in FIG. 2 (in other words, the direction from the customer to the clerk), both the first member 302 and the second member 304 are longer than the operation surface of the first input device 172 (for example, the area where the numeric keypad is arranged). When the first input device 172 has a display, it is preferable that the first member 302 and the second member 304 also extend horizontally to the side of this display.

[0018] Also, the shielding portion 300 has a third member 306. The third member 306 is located on the side opposite to the customer via the first input device 172. The third member 306 extends from the clerk side towards the customer side above the first input device 172. Thus, when viewed from the clerk, at least the operation surface of the first input device 172 is covered by the third member 306. Also, the height of the operation surface of the first input device 172 is lower than that of the third member 306. For this reason, a space for the customer to operate the operation surface is secured between this operation surface and the third member 306. Therefore, even if the third member 306 is provided, the operability of the first input device 172 does not deteriorate.

[0019] In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the third member 306 is supported by the upper end of the first member 302 and the upper end of the second member 304. In other words, the third member 306 straddles the first member 302 and the second member 304. In the depth direction of the first member 302 and the second member 304, that is, the left - right direction in FIG. 2, the length of the third member 306 is 0.2 times or more and 0.5 times or less that of the first member 302. And the end of the third member 306 on the clerk side is connected to the upper surface of the housing 110. The positional relationship between the second member 304 and the third member 306 is the same.

[0020] Also, the input device 120 and the first display 130 face the clerk side, and the second display 140 and the third display 150 face the customer side.

[0021] The input device 120 is operated by a store clerk. An example of the input device 120 is a keyboard as described above, but it may be other input devices.

[0022] The first display 130 displays an operation screen for the store clerk and also displays at least one of information related to the product registration process and information related to the settlement process. The operation screens displayed on the first display 130 are various.

[0023] The third display 150 is smaller than the second display 140. For example, the width in the height direction of the third display 150 is 0.5 times or more and 0.8 times or less the width in the height direction of the second display 140. Also, the second display 140 and the third display 150 face the same direction. For example, the angle formed by the normal of the third display 150 and the normal of the second display 140 is, for example, 30° or less, and further 15° or less.

[0024] One of the second display 140 and the third display 150 displays information related to the settlement process of the product, such as the registered product name, price, total payment amount, payment method, and the amount of change. The other of the second display 140 and the third display 150 displays an advertisement. However, the information displayed by the second display 140 and the third display 150 may be reversed.

[0025] Also, as shown in FIG. 2, the first display 130, the second display 140, and the third display 150 are supported by the support portion 200. Specifically, the support portion 200 has a column portion 250, holding portions 210 and 230, and rotating portions 220 and 240.

[0026] The column portion 250 is cylindrical or tubular and rises from the upper surface of the housing 110. At the upper part of the column portion 250, the holding portion 210 is fixed via the rotating portion 220, and the holding portion 230 is fixed via the rotating portion 240.

[0027] The holding part 210 is fixed to the back surface of the first display 130. The rotating part 220 attaches the holding part 210 to the upper part of the support part 250 in a state where it can rotate in both the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. Therefore, the first display 130 can rotate in both the vertical direction and the horizontal direction with respect to the housing 110.

[0028] The holding part 230 is fixed to the back surfaces of the second display 140 and the third display 150. The rotating part 240 attaches the holding part 230 to the upper part of the support part 250 in a state where it can rotate in both the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. Therefore, the second display 140 and the third display 150 can rotate in both the vertical direction and the horizontal direction with respect to the housing 110.

[0029] In the example shown in this figure, the second display 140 and the third display 150 are integrated by the holding part 230. Therefore, the orientations of the second display 140 and the third display 150 change simultaneously. However, in at least one of the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, the second display 140 and the third display 150 may be able to rotate independently of each other.

[0030] Also, an imaging part 160 is attached to the second display 140. The image generated by the imaging part 160 includes customers. And this image is used, for example, when selecting an advertisement to be displayed on the third display 150 or the second display 140. Note that the imaging part 160 may be attached to the third display 150.

[0031] In the example shown in this figure, both the second display 140 and the third display 150 are vertically long. However, at least one of the second display 140 and the third display 150, for example, the third display 150, may be horizontally long.

[0032] The terminal device 10 further includes a code reader 180. The code reader 180 reads at least one of the codes possessed by the product, such as a barcode and a two-dimensional code. In the example shown in this figure, the code reader 180 includes a support column 182 and a reading unit 184. The support column 182 rises from the upper surface of the housing 110. The reading unit 184 extends obliquely upward from the upper part of the support column 182 and has a mechanism for reading a code on the lower surface side. Since the reading unit 184 extends obliquely upward, the readable area for the code by the code reader 180 spreads obliquely downward from the lower surface of the reading unit 184. Therefore, the code reader 180 can arrange larger products in the readable area compared to the case where the reading unit 184 extends horizontally.

[0033] Also, as shown in FIG. 2, in the depth direction of the housing 110, that is, the direction connecting the customer side and the store clerk side, when the width of the housing 110 is L, the distance w from the end on the customer side of the housing 110 to the center of the support column 182 is L / 3 or more and 2L / 3 or less from the customer side. And the reading unit 184 extends from the support column 182 toward the surface of the side of the housing 110 that does not face either the customer or the store clerk. Therefore, both the store clerk and the customer can use the code reader 180.

[0034] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the first member 302 and the second member 304. In the example shown in this figure, a recess 112 is provided on the upper surface of the housing 110. The first input device 172 is located in the recess 112. The first member 302 and the second member 304 are located beside the recess 112. And the upper surface of the first input device 172 is lower than the upper surface of the housing 110. Therefore, the lower parts of the first member 302 and the second member 304 are constituted by the inner walls of the recess 112. By doing so, the height of the first member 302 and the second member 304 with respect to the upper surface of the housing 110 can be lowered.

[0035] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a modified example of FIG. 3. Also in the example shown in this figure, although the first input device 172 is located in the recess 112, the upper surface of the first input device 172 is higher than the upper surface of the housing 110. Even in this case, compared with the case where the recess 112 is not provided, the upper surface of the first input device 172 is lowered, so the shielding effect by the first member 302 and the second member 304 is enhanced.

[0036] FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the positional relationship between the first input device 172 and the code reader 180. When viewed from the customer, the code reader 180 is located behind the first input device 172, and at least a part of the code reader 180 overlaps with the first input device 172 in the width direction, that is, the left-right direction in FIG. 5 (in other words, the left-right direction when viewed from the customer). In this way, when viewed from the store clerk, at least a part of the first input device 172 is likely to be hidden by the code reader 180. Therefore, the possibility that the information input to the first input device 172 leaks to the store clerk is reduced.

[0037] Particularly in this embodiment, as described above, the reading unit 184 extends obliquely upward from the upper part of the support column 182. The direction in which the reading unit 184 extends is the left-right direction in FIG. 5, that is, the left-right direction when viewed from the customer. Therefore, when viewed from the store clerk, at least a part of the first input device 172 is likely to be hidden by the reading unit 184.

[0038] As described above, according to this embodiment, the terminal device 10 has the shielding unit 300 around the first input device 172. Therefore, when information is input to the first input device 172, this information is less likely to leak to others.

[0039] (Second Embodiment) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the terminal device 10 according to this embodiment, corresponding to FIG. 1 in the first embodiment. The terminal device 10 shown in this figure is the same as the terminal device 10 according to the first embodiment except for the shape of the first member 302.

[0040] The first member 302 is located between the first input device 172 and the second input device 174. Therefore, the operability of the second input device 174 may be reduced by the first member 302. For example, the medium for inputting information to the second input device 174 may physically contact the first member 302. In contrast, in the present embodiment, the area of the first member 302 located on the customer side is lower than other areas.

[0041] For example, in the depth direction, a first average value, which is the average height of the portion of the first member 302 located on the customer side from the center, is lower than a second average value, which is the average height of the portion of the first member 302 located on the side opposite to the customer from the center. The height of the first member 302 is defined as the height from, for example, the connection portion of the first member 302 and the upper surface of the housing 110 to the upper end of the first member 302. And the first average value is, for example, 0.5 times or less, preferably 0.3 times or less of the second average value. The first average value is, for example, 3 cm or less, preferably 2 cm or less, more preferably 1.5 cm or less.

[0042] When the second input device 174 has a reading unit (for example, an area where the medium should be held) for reading information from the medium, in the depth direction, a part of the first member 302 overlaps with this reading unit. In this case, in the depth direction, the average value of the height of the area of the first member 302 that overlaps with this reading unit is preferably lower than the second average value described above. This average value is, for example, 0.5 times or less, preferably 0.3 times or less of the second average value.

[0043] Also in this case, a third average value, which is the average height of the entire first member 302, is lower than a fourth average value, which is the average height of the entire second member 304. The third average value is, for example, 0.7 times or less, preferably 0.5 times or less of the fourth average value.

[0044] When calculating the first average value, the second average value, and the third average value, the areas within 5% from each end of the first member 302 in the depth direction may be excluded. Similarly, when calculating the fourth average value, the areas within 5% from each end of the second member 304 in the depth direction may be excluded.

[0045] Also according to this embodiment, since the terminal device 10 has the shielding portion 300, when information is input to the first input device 172, this information is less likely to leak to others. Further, the region of the first member 302 located on the customer side is lower than other regions. For this reason, even if the first member 302 is provided, the operability of the second input device 174 does not deteriorate.

[0046] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the drawings, but these are examples of the present invention, and various configurations other than the above can also be adopted.

[0047] Some or all of the above embodiments may be described as follows in the appended claims, but are not limited thereto. 1. A housing, A first input device provided on the upper surface of the housing and into which at least one of letters and numbers is input by a user, A shielding portion provided on the housing and blocking the line of sight from a person other than the user to the first input device, Comprising: The shielding portion is A first member located beside one side of the first input device as viewed from the user, A second member located beside the other side of the first input device as viewed from the user, Having: A terminal device used when performing at least one of product registration processing and settlement processing. 2. The terminal device according to 1 above, A second input device located on the upper surface of the housing, located opposite to the first input device via the first member, and acquiring information from a medium is provided, A terminal device in which a first average value, which is an average of the heights of the portions of the first member located on the user side from the center, is lower than a second average value, which is an average of the heights of the portions of the first member located on the side opposite to the user from the center. 3. The terminal device according to 2 above, The second input device has a reading unit that reads information from the medium. A terminal device, wherein a height of a region of the first member that overlaps with the reading unit in a depth direction is lower than the second average value. 4. In the terminal device according to any one of 1 to 3 above, A second input device that is located on an upper surface of the housing, is located opposite to the first input device via the first member, and acquires information from a medium is provided. A terminal device, wherein a third average value that is an average of heights of the first member is lower than a fourth average value that is an average of heights of the second member. 5. In the terminal device according to any one of 1 to 4 above, The upper surface of the housing has a recess. The first input device is located in the recess. A terminal device, wherein at least a part of the first member and at least a part of the second member are inner walls of the recess. 6. In the terminal device according to any one of 1 to 5 above, The shielding unit includes a third member that is located opposite to the user via the first input device. 7. In the terminal device according to any one of 1 to 6 above, A code reader that stands on an upper surface of the housing is provided. A terminal device, wherein when viewed from a customer, the code reader is located deeper than the first input device, and at least a part of the code reader overlaps with the first input device in a width direction. 8. In the terminal device according to 7 above, The code reader includes a support column portion located on an upper surface of the housing, a reading unit that extends laterally from an upper portion of the support column portion and has a reading surface for reading a code on a lower surface, and A terminal device, wherein when viewed from a customer, the reading unit extends in a left - right direction. 9. A housing, a code reader that stands on an upper surface of the housing, comprising The code reader a support column portion located on the upper surface of the housing, a reading portion that extends horizontally from the upper portion of the support column portion as viewed by the user and has a reading surface for reading a code on the lower surface, comprising a terminal device used when performing at least one of product registration processing and settlement processing.

Explanation of Signs

[0048] 10 Terminal device 110 Housing 112 Recess 120 Input device 130 First display 140 Second display 150 Third display 160 Imaging unit 172 First input device 174 Second input device 180 Code reader 182 Support column 184 Reading portion 200 Support portion 210 Holding portion 220 Rotating portion 230 Holding portion 240 Rotating portion 250 Support column portion 300 Shielding portion 302 First member 304 Second member 306 Third member

Claims

1. A housing, a first input device provided on the upper surface of the housing, into which at least one of characters and numerals is input by a user, a shielding portion provided on the housing for shielding the line of sight from a person other than the user to the first input device, comprising: the shielding portion has a first member located beside one side of the first input device as viewed from the user, and a second member located beside the other side of the first input device as viewed from the user, and has is used when performing at least one of product registration processing and settlement processing, is located on the upper surface of the housing, is located opposite to the first input device via the first member, and includes a second input device for acquiring information from a medium, A terminal device, wherein a first average value, which is an average of heights of portions of the first member located closer to the user than the center, is lower than a second average value, which is an average of heights of portions of the first member located on the side opposite to the user from the center.

2. The terminal device according to Claim 1, wherein the second input device has a reading unit for reading information from the medium, and a height of a region of the first member that overlaps with the reading unit in the depth direction is lower than the second average value. A terminal device.

3. A housing, a first input device provided on the upper surface of the housing, into which at least one of characters and numerals is input by a user, a shielding portion provided on the housing for shielding the line of sight from a person other than the user to the first input device, comprising: the shielding portion has a first member located beside one side of the first input device as viewed from the user, and a second member located beside the other side of the first input device as viewed from the user, and has is used when performing at least one of product registration processing and settlement processing, is located on the upper surface of the housing, is located opposite to the first input device via the first member, and includes a second input device for acquiring information from a medium, A terminal device, wherein a third average value, which is an average of heights of the first member, is lower than a fourth average value, which is an average of heights of the second member.

4. The terminal device according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the upper surface of the housing has a recess, the first input device is located in the recess, and at least a part of the first member and at least a part of the second member are inner walls of the recess. A terminal device.

5. The terminal device according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, The shielding portion is a terminal device including a third member located opposite to the user via the first input device.

6. A housing, A first input device provided on the upper surface of the housing for inputting at least one of letters and numbers by a user, A shielding portion provided on the housing for blocking the line of sight from a person other than the user to the first input device, Comprising, The shielding portion, A first member located beside one side of the first input device as seen from the user, A second member located beside the other side of the first input device as seen from the user, Having, Used when performing at least one of product registration processing and settlement processing, Comprising a barcode reader standing upright on the upper surface of the housing, When viewed from a customer, the barcode reader is located deeper than the first input device, and at least a part of the barcode reader overlaps the first input device in the width direction. A terminal device.

7. In the terminal device according to Claim 6, The barcode reader, A support portion located on the upper surface of the housing, A reading portion extending laterally from the upper portion of the support portion and having a reading surface for reading a code on the lower surface, Comprising, When viewed from a customer, the reading portion extends in the left-right direction. A terminal device.

Images