POS Terminal Storage Segmentation for Misuse Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing POS terminal devices cannot restrict their use to only transaction processing after a transaction processing program is pre-installed, allowing for potential misuse of the device.

Innovation Solution

An information processing device with a processor that acquires device information, generates keys to unlock restricted storage areas, and executes specific programs only when predetermined conditions are met, such as connection of specific peripheral devices, thereby restricting usage to transaction processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a transaction processing program is pre-installed on the information processing device, then the device can execute transaction processing functions, but the device cannot be restricted to only transaction processing uses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransaction processing capabilityVSAvoiddevice misuse risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The storage unit is divided into a first storage area (unrestricted) and a second storage area (restricted). The transaction processing program is stored in the second storage area, which is inaccessible without specific peripheral devices connected. This segmentation isolates the transaction processing functionality from other potential uses, allowing the program to be pre-installed while preventing unauthorized access or misuse.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the information processing device is designed for general-purpose use, then the device is flexible and adaptable, but it cannot ensure restricted use for transaction processing only

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice flexibilityVSAvoidusage restriction guarantee

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Specific peripheral devices act as intermediaries between the user and the transaction processing program. The processor is configured to determine whether specific peripheral devices are connected before allowing access to the second storage area where the transaction processing program resides. This intermediary mechanism maintains device flexibility for general-purpose use while ensuring reliability of usage restriction when transaction processing is intended.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11983694B2Information processing device for retail transaction processing systems

Publication Date: 2024.05.14 TOSHIBA TEC KK

AI summary

According to one embodiment, an information processing device connectable to peripheral devices for retail transaction processing includes an interface for connecting to a plurality of peripheral devices, a storage unit including an unrestricted storage area and a restricted storage area, and a processor. The processor is configured to acquire device information from each of the plurality of peripheral devices connected to the interface, identify whether the acquired device information meets to a first condition, generate a first key from at least a portion of the acquired device information if the first condition is met, then use the generated first key to unlock a first area of the restricted storage area. The processor then executes a first processing program that was stored in the unlocked first area.