POS Peripheral Controller Mediating Mobile Host and Peripherals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing POS systems face difficulties in using electronic devices like tablet PCs or smartphones as POS terminals due to interface issues with peripherals, making it cumbersome to control multiple peripherals efficiently.

Innovation Solution

A POS peripherals controlling device with a wireless communication unit and interface part that receives control data from a mobile host device, identifies the target peripheral, and transmits the appropriate control data, allowing for indirect connection and control of multiple peripherals without direct hardware changes or additions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If electronic devices like tablet PCs or smartphones are used as POS terminals, then portability and computing capability are improved, but interface compatibility with POS peripherals deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveportabilityVSAvoidinterface compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a POS peripheral controller as an intermediary device between the mobile host device and POS peripherals. This controller includes a wireless communication unit that receives control data from the mobile device and an interface part that transmits the data to the appropriate peripheral. The controller acts as a mediator that bridges the interface compatibility gap, allowing mobile devices to control various peripherals without direct hardware connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple POS peripherals are connected to a traditional POS terminal, then peripheral control capability is improved, but device complexity and connection requirements deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveperipheral control capabilityVSAvoidconnection requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the control of multiple POS peripherals through a single mobile host device via wireless communication. Instead of requiring separate physical connections for each peripheral, the system combines all peripheral control functions through one wireless interface. The POS peripheral controller manages multiple peripherals (barcode readers, receipt printers, cash drawers) through unified wireless communication protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile host device is designed to perform multiple functions: it can control various types of POS peripherals (barcode readers, receipt printers, cash drawers, card payment signature pads) through a single device. The POS peripheral controller provides universal interface support, allowing one mobile device to replace traditional multi-connection POS terminals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If direct hardware connections are used between POS terminal and peripherals, then control reliability is improved, but ease of deployment and flexibility deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol reliabilityVSAvoidease of deployment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical/wired connection systems with wireless communication systems. Instead of physical cables connecting the POS terminal to peripherals, the system uses wireless communication protocols (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Zigbee) to transmit control data. The POS peripheral controller includes a wireless communication unit that handles data transmission without physical connections, maintaining reliability through protocol validation and error handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10185944B2POS peripherals controlling device, mobile host device, and control method thereof

Publication Date: 2019.01.22 BIXOLON

AI summary

Provided is a POS peripherals controlling device including: a wireless communication unit; an interface part including at least one interface unit; and a controller determining whether data received from a mobile POS host device through the wireless communication unit includes control data for controlling at least one POS peripheral connected through the interface part, when the received data includes control data, checking a target POS peripheral where the control data is to be delivered among the at least one peripheral, and transmitting control data included in the received data to the checked POS peripheral through a first interface unit connected to the checked target peripheral among the at least one interface unit, wherein the control data is generated by the mobile POS host device and is generated in a format corresponding to the target peripheral that is to receive the control data.