Printer Device Display Control Integration for POS Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing POS system suffers from inefficiencies in payment processing due to independent control of printer and display devices by the processor, leading to increased processing time and reduced throughput.

Innovation Solution

A printer device that includes a display information generation module, a detector, and a printing controller to convert instruction information using an association table, allowing it to determine whether to output printing information based on detected instructions, thereby reducing the need for independent output to both the printer and display devices, optimizing communication and processing efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the processor controls the printer device and display device independently of each other, then each device can be controlled separately, but the processing efficiency of the processor deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveIndependent control capabilityVSAvoidPayment processing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the control functions of the printer device and display device into a single integrated control system. The printer device now generates control signals for both the printer mechanism and the display device, eliminating the need for the processor to independently control both devices. This integration reduces the processor's workload and improves payment processing efficiency while maintaining the ability to control both devices separately through the unified control architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If the processor outputs information to both printer device and display device independently, then both devices receive their required information, but the amount of information transmission increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveInformation delivery completenessVSAvoidCommunication overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the display control function from the processor and relocates it to the printer device. The printer device now generates display control signals based on the print data, eliminating the need for the processor to separately transmit information to the display device. This extraction reduces communication overhead while ensuring the display device receives the necessary information through the printer device's generated signals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If the printer device generates display control signals based on print data, then processing efficiency improves, but the printer device's functionality increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovePayment processing efficiencyVSAvoidPrinter device functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements multi-functionality in the printer device by enabling it to perform both printing and display control functions. The printer device generates control signals that can drive various types of display devices (LCD, LED, OLED, etc.), making it a universal control unit. This approach improves processing efficiency by consolidating control functions while the printer device's enhanced functionality is justified by the overall system simplification and performance improvement.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3499472B1Printer device
Publication Date: 2024.09.25 SEIKO INSTR INC
  • EP3499472B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3499472B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3499472B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A printer device (100) includes: a receiver (140) configured to receive pieces of information from a host device (200); a storage (130) configured to store output information among the pieces of information received by the receiver (140); a printer (160) configured to print information on a sheet (R1) based on printing information; a display communication device (150) configured to transmit display information to a display device (300); an output destination selection module (111) configured to select an output destination of the output information stored in the storage (130) based on instruction information among the pieces of information received by the receiver (140) from the host device (200); a display information generation module (113) configured to generate, when the output destination selected by the output destination selection module (111) is the display device (300), the display information based on the output information stored in the storage (130); and a printing controller (112) configured to output, when the output destination selected by the output destination selection module (111) is the printer (160), the printing information that is based on the output information stored in the storage (130), to the printer (160), wherein the display communication device (150) configured to output the display information generated by the display information generation module (113) to the display device (300).