POS Data Processing Apparatus for Simplified Device Association

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing POS systems with multiple reading apparatuses require complex configurations and management due to the need for each device to have additional functions like selecting and communicating with transmission destinations, making it difficult to implement and maintain.

Innovation Solution

A data processing apparatus that connects reading devices and terminal apparatuses, transmitting identification information to determine associations based on read data, allowing for simplified device and terminal pairing without requiring special functions in the reading devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple reading apparatuses are used with selection and communication functions, then the system can handle multiple terminals, but the device complexity and management difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to handle multiple terminalsVSAvoidconfiguration and management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a data processing apparatus as an intermediary between reading apparatuses and terminal apparatuses. The intermediary manages the associations and routing of data, allowing multiple terminals to be served without increasing the complexity of individual reading devices. The data processing apparatus handles the complex tasks of matching read data with terminal identification information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the complex selection and communication functions from the reading apparatuses and places them in a separate data processing apparatus. This allows the reading apparatuses to remain simple devices focused solely on reading data, while the intermediary handles terminal selection and data routing based on stored associations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If each reading apparatus has selection and communication functions, then it can autonomously communicate with terminals, but the ease of manufacture and implementation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautonomous communication capabilityVSAvoidimplementation difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The data processing apparatus serves as an intermediary that centralizes the communication management functionality. Individual reading apparatuses don't need autonomous selection and communication capabilities; instead, they simply read data and transmit it to the intermediary, which handles terminal identification and data routing based on pre-stored associations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The data processing apparatus provides universal functionality by serving multiple reading apparatuses and multiple terminal apparatuses through a single centralized system. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for each reading device to have duplicate communication and selection capabilities, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining operational effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2680243B1Data processing apparatus, POS system and control method of the POS system
Publication Date: 2021.04.21 SEIKO EPSON CORP
  • EP2680243B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2680243B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2680243B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4B

AI summary

A data processing apparatus includes a first interface to which a device which reads data is connected, a second interface to which a terminal apparatus is connected, an identification information transmission unit that transmits identification information to the terminal apparatus, and a control unit that when the data read by the device is input to the first interface, determines an association of the device and the terminal apparatus based on a correspondence of the read data and the identification information transmitted to the terminal apparatus.