Printer Mediator for POS TSE Memory Card Security
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing point of sale (POS) systems face challenges in managing transaction-related information securely and consistently across different operating systems, particularly in preventing deletion or falsification of fiscal data stored on write once read many (WORM) memory cards, which is crucial for tax compliance and transaction legitimacy.
Innovation Solution
A POS system configuration that includes a printer, a POS terminal, and a TSE memory card, where the POS terminal generates a storage apparatus control command to instruct the printer to manage the TSE memory card, ensuring unique transaction identification numbers are generated and recorded securely, and printed on receipts, facilitating secure transaction data management and compliance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If control programs corresponding to different operating systems are recorded in the storage apparatus, then the storage apparatus can be controlled by various POS terminals with different operating systems, but the control program selection and execution becomes complex and may fail depending on the operating system
Solution Approach 1:
The printing apparatus serves as an intermediary device between the POS terminal and the WORM memory card. It contains a control program that can interpret and execute commands from various operating systems, translating them into standardized instructions for the storage apparatus. This mediator approach allows multiple POS terminals with different operating systems to control the storage apparatus without requiring each terminal to have OS-specific control programs.
Solution Approach 2:
The printing apparatus is designed with multi-functional capabilities, serving both as a printing device and as a control interface for the WORM memory card. The control program in the printing apparatus universalizes the control mechanism, enabling it to handle transactions and manage storage operations regardless of which operating system the connected POS terminal uses.
2Reliability
If transaction-related information is stored on WORM memory cards, then data integrity and prevention of falsification are improved, but the system requires complex control mechanisms to manage different operating systems
Solution Approach 1:
The printing apparatus acts as a mediator that simplifies the control mechanism while maintaining data integrity. It provides a standardized interface between the POS terminal and the WORM memory card, reducing the complexity of controlling write-once storage across different operating systems while ensuring reliable transaction recording.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service operation where the printing apparatus automatically manages the control program selection and execution based on the detected operating system. The apparatus autonomously handles the complexity of OS compatibility, allowing POS terminals to operate without needing to understand or manage the underlying control mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the printing apparatus detects the operating system and selects appropriate control programs, then compatibility with POS terminals is improved, but the control process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The printing apparatus performs automatic operating system detection and control program selection without requiring manual intervention. The system self-services by autonomously identifying the connected POS terminal's operating system and loading the appropriate control program, simplifying the user experience while maintaining high compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple control programs are pre-loaded in the printing apparatus, prepared in advance for different operating systems. The apparatus performs preliminary preparation by having all necessary control programs ready, enabling immediate automatic selection and execution based on the detected operating system without requiring real-time conversion or manual configuration.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A printer, a POS terminal that can communicate with the printer, and a TSE memory card that can be coupled to the printer are included. The POS terminal sends transaction information regarding transaction and a storage apparatus control command for ordering accessing the TSE memory card. The printer includes a connection section that can be coupled to the TSE memory card. In accordance with the received storage apparatus control command, the printer outputs the transaction information to TSE memory card via the connection section and sends to the POS terminal a transaction identification number that is output to the connection section by the TSE memory card. The TSE memory card generates, in accordance with the transaction information that is output by the printer, the transaction identification number for identifying the transaction information, records the transaction identification number and the transaction information, and outputs the transaction identification number to the printer.