Payment Terminal Layout for Separating Card Reading Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing payment terminals face challenges in miniaturization, avoiding erroneous recognition, and ensuring easy user understanding and smooth operation, particularly when multiple payment methods are integrated.
Innovation Solution
The payment terminal is designed with a magnetic card reader slot positioned obliquely upward relative to the plane, an IC card reader slot perpendicular to the magnetic card reader slot, and a contactless payment board diagonally upward, with the slots arranged in a vertical order, preventing cards from entering the contactless payment reaction area during other payment methods, and incorporating a mountain-shaped layout for user and clerk operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If multiple payment units are aggregated in an intensive and integral manner, then the payment terminal achieves miniaturization and space saving, but it becomes difficult to avoid erroneous recognition between different payment methods
Solution Approach 1:
The payment terminal divides different payment methods into separate functional modules: contactless payment unit, magnetic card reader unit, and IC card reader unit. Each unit is spatially separated and positioned at different locations within the terminal body, allowing independent operation and eliminating interference between payment methods while maintaining a compact overall structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the contactless payment antenna is positioned to detect cards in a predetermined area, then contactless payment function is enabled, but erroneous recognition occurs when other payment methods are used
Solution Approach 1:
The contactless payment antenna is positioned in a specific localized area (upper part of the terminal) distinct from the magnetic card reader slot and IC card reader slot. This spatial differentiation creates separate detection zones for each payment method, allowing the antenna to detect contactless cards without interfering with magnetic stripe or IC card operations performed at different locations.
3Ease of operation
If the magnetic card reader slot is positioned for easy swipe operation, then user convenience is improved, but cards may be mistakenly detected by the contactless payment antenna
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic card reader slot is positioned in the lower part of the terminal body, while the contactless payment antenna is positioned in the upper part. This vertical dimensional separation creates distinct operational zones: magnetic cards are swiped horizontally at the lower slot, while contactless cards are placed vertically in the upper area, eliminating false detection while maintaining ease of operation for both methods.
4Volume of moving object
If multiple payment units are integrally provided, then the payment terminal achieves compactness, but the user interface becomes complex and difficult to understand
Solution Approach 1:
The payment terminal employs an asymmetric layout where each payment method has a distinct, dedicated position: contactless payment at the upper portion, magnetic card reading at the lower portion, and IC card reading at the side portion. This asymmetric arrangement creates an intuitive user interface where users can easily distinguish between different payment methods based on their spatial locations, simplifying operation despite the integrated compact design.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration achieves miniaturization, prevents erroneous recognition, enhances user understanding, and ensures smooth payment operations by separating payment methods and minimizing unnecessary space for security.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic card reader slot having a magnetic head
Implementation Method 2
antenna used for the contactless payment reacts to the card or the terminal in the predetermined area
Data Source
AI summary
A payment terminal includes a magnetic card reader slot having a magnetic head, an IC card reader slot configured to be front of a user, and a first board with a touch area for a contactless payment arranged diagonally upward toward the user. The magnetic card reader slot is arranged toward the user obliquely upward with respect to a direction parallel to the plane. The magnetic card reader slot and the IC card reader slot are arranged, so that a swipe direction of the magnetic card into the magnetic card reader slot and an insertion direction of an IC card into the IC card reader slot are substantially perpendicular to each other. The magnetic card reader slot, the IC card reader slot, and the first board are arranged in this order from the plane in a height direction.