JP2012185566A - Electronic apparatus and program - Google Patents

Abstract

An electronic device and a program capable of improving the security of the electronic device are provided.
According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes a position detection unit, a position determination unit, and a control unit. The position detection means detects the position of the own device. The position determination means determines whether or not the position of the device is outside a predetermined area. The control means limits the operation of the own device when the position of the own device is outside the predetermined area.
[Selection] Figure 4

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to an electronic device and a program.

  In stores such as retail stores, small POS (Point Of Sales) terminals are widely used to save space. However, since such a small POS terminal is lightweight, there is a high risk of being stolen. On the other hand, conventionally, countermeasures against theft are often performed by fixing the POS terminal to the main place of use by a chain lock or the like.

  However, the prior art has a problem that it is inconvenient because the POS terminal cannot be freely changed because the chain is locked with a chain lock or the like. Further, if the chain lock portion is broken, the POS terminal can be stolen, and there is a risk that the POS terminal can be used illegally.

  The electronic apparatus according to the embodiment includes a position detection unit, a position determination unit, and a control unit. The position detection means detects the position of the own device. The position determination means determines whether or not the position of the device is outside a predetermined area. The control means limits the operation of the own device when the position of the own device is outside the predetermined area.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a POS terminal according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a procedure of information registration processing performed by the POS terminal. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an error screen. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure of position determination processing performed by the POS terminal at the time of activation. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of position determination processing performed by the POS terminal after the OS is started. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the POS terminal according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure of position determination processing performed by the POS terminal at the time of activation. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the position determination process performed by the POS terminal after the OS is started.

  The electronic device according to the present embodiment can be used as a POS (Point Of Sales) terminal, a payment terminal, a card reader, or the like. Hereinafter, a case where a POS terminal is used as the electronic device of the present embodiment will be described.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the POS terminal 1 according to the first embodiment. The POS terminal 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 3, a scanner 4, a printer 5, a keyboard 6, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver 7, a tamper switch 8, a FROM (Flash ROM) 9, A display 10, a timer 11, and a wireless LAN I / F (Interface) 12 are mainly provided, and these are connected to each other by a bus or an interface. The POS terminal 1 can communicate information with the store server 2 via a network NT such as a wireless LAN I / F 12 and a wireless LAN.

  The scanner 4 scans a code symbol such as a barcode or a two-dimensional code attached to a product. The printer 5 prints a receipt or the like. The keyboard 6 is provided with a current key and a numeric keypad for calculating the current total amount. The display device 10 displays various screens such as a registration screen for registering products and a setting screen for performing various settings of the POS terminal 1.

  The GPS receiver 7 functions as a position detection unit, and detects the current position of the POS terminal 1 by receiving radio waves from a plurality of GPS satellites and determining the distance from each. The GPS receiver 7 detects the current position of the POS terminal 1 at predetermined intervals based on control signals transmitted by the CPU 3 at predetermined intervals.

  The tamper switch 8 stops the power supply to the POS terminal 1 by cutting a circuit in the tamper switch 8, disables the keyboard 6, or erases confidential information in the FROM 9. As a result, the operation of at least a part of the POS terminal 1 can be restricted.

  The FROM 9 stores BIOS (Basic Input / OutPut System), other various programs, and various data. The FROM 9 temporarily stores data and programs when the CPU 3 executes the programs.

  Here, the BIOS is a group of programs that are activated first when the POS terminal 1 is powered on, and activates an OS (Operating System). The BIOS also controls the CPU 3, scanner 4, printer 5, keyboard 6, GPS receiver 7, tamper switch 8, FROM 9, display 10, timer 11, wireless LAN I / F 12, etc. based on various setting data. A program group that provides data input / output to / from the above-described units to the OS and application software.

  The program executed by the POS terminal 1 of this embodiment is one of the programs that the BIOS has, and includes a display control unit 21, an information registration unit 22, a position determination unit 23, a password determination unit 24, a flag determination unit 25, and an operation. The module configuration includes the control unit 26. The CPU 3 (processor) loads the above-described units onto the main storage device by reading and executing the above-described program from the FROM 9, and as shown in FIG. 1, the display control unit 21, the information registration unit 22, and the position determination unit 23 are loaded. The password determination unit 24, the flag determination unit 25, and the operation control unit 26 are generated on the main storage device. The function of each part will be described later.

  The FROM 9 stores usable area information and a management password.

  Here, the usable area is a predetermined area where the use of the POS terminal 1 is permitted. When the POS terminal 1 is used in this usable area, the POS terminal 1 can be used by assuming that it is regular use. The usable area information is position information indicating the usable area.

  The management password is an authentication password used for operating the POS terminal 1 as usual even when the POS terminal 1 is outside the usable area. In other words, when user authentication is performed using the management password, use of the POS terminal 1 outside the usable area is permitted.

  In addition to the management password, data such as fingerprints and voiceprints are stored in the FROM 9 as authentication information. When biometric authentication is performed using this authentication information, the use of the POS terminal 1 outside the usable area is permitted. It is good.

  The user can register the usable area information or the management password in the FROM 9 when the POS terminal 1 is introduced into the store or when the usable area is changed.

  Next, the registration method of the usable area information and the management password by the display control unit 21 and the information registration unit 22 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a procedure of information registration processing performed by the POS terminal 1.

  The display control unit 21 causes the display 10 to display a registration screen (not shown) that accepts registration of usable area information and management password (step S1).

  The information registration unit 22 accepts input of usable area information on the registration screen and registers (stores) it in the FROM 9 (step S2). In addition, the information registration unit 22 receives and registers an input of a management password from the registration screen (step S3).

  As an example, a button for starting GPS communication is provided on the registration screen. The information registration unit 22 receives position information of the current position by the GPS receiver 7 when this button is selected and operated. Then, the information registration unit 22 stores a usable area information in the FROM 9 with a predetermined area (for example, within a radius of 5 m) centered on the current position as the usable area of the POS terminal 1.

  Further, the location information of a predetermined location such as a cash register installation location in the store may be stored in the FROM 9 and a predetermined range based on these locations may be registered as an available area.

  Furthermore, if a plurality of areas in the store are registered as usable areas, even when the POS terminal 1 is moved and used, the use can be permitted as a regular position in each destination area. That is, for example, if a shopping center and an event venue outside the center are registered as usable areas, the POS terminal 1 can be freely moved and used in these areas.

  Next, a method for determining the position of the POS terminal 1 performed by each unit of the POS terminal 1 based on the usable area information and the management password registered as described above will be described.

  The position determination unit 23 functions as a position determination unit, and determines whether or not the position (current position) of the POS terminal 1 is outside the usable area registered in the FROM 9.

  That is, the position determination unit 23 transmits a control signal to the GPS receiver 7 when the POS terminal 1 is activated, and detects the current position of the POS terminal 1. Then, the position determination unit 23 determines whether or not the received current position is a place outside the usable area registered in the FROM 9.

  Further, the position determination unit 23 measures the time with the timer 11 after the POS terminal 1 is activated (for example, after the OS is activated). And the position determination part 23 transmits a control signal to the GPS receiver 7 every predetermined time, and detects the present position of the POS terminal 1. Then, the position determination unit 23 determines whether or not the received current position is a place outside the usable area registered in the FROM 9.

  Moreover, the position determination part 23 transmits a control signal again, when the control signal was transmitted to the GPS receiver 7, but the detection response of the present position was not obtained. Then, the number of transmissions of the control signal, that is, the number of retries is stored in the FROM 9, and when the number of retries reaches a predetermined threshold, it is determined that the radio wave condition is bad and position detection cannot be performed.

  The position determination unit 23 may use position detection means other than the GPS receiver 7. As an example, a plurality of wireless LAN access points provided in a store may be used as position detecting means.

  When the position (current position) of the POS terminal 1 is outside the usable area, the display control unit 21 displays an error screen E (see FIG. 3) on the display 10. The display control unit 21 also displays the error screen E (see FIG. 3) on the display device 10 even when it is determined that the position cannot be detected by the GPS receiver 7 as described above.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the error screen E. As shown in FIG. 3, the error screen E indicates that the POS terminal 1 is outside the usable area, such as “It is out of the usable area. Usage is not permitted in this place.” A message for notifying or warning that the use of the POS terminal 1 is not permitted is displayed. The POS terminal 1 may notify the user by outputting the above message as a voice. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, on the error screen E, it is possible to input a management password.

  The password determination unit 24 functions as an authentication information receiving unit and receives a password input on the error screen E. The password determination unit 24 functions as an authentication information determination unit, and determines whether or not the password accepted on the error screen E matches the management password registered in the FROM 9.

  That is, when the password received on the error screen E matches the management password registered in the FROM 9, the password determination unit 24 uses the POS terminal 1 outside the usable area by the authorized user. It is a state, and it is determined that it is a normal take-out.

  On the other hand, if the password received on the error screen E and the management password registered in the FROM 9 do not match, the password determination unit 24 determines that the POS terminal 1 has been illegally taken out of the usable area. To do.

  Further, when the management passwords match, the password determination unit 24 turns ON (1) a flag for storing that the authentication process using the management password has been completed. This flag is stored in the FROM 9, and the initial value is OFF (0).

  The flag determination unit 25 reads the flag value in the FROM 9 after the POS terminal 1 is started (for example, after the OS is started), and determines whether or not the flag is ON. When the flag is ON, since the authentication process has been completed as described above, the position determination unit 23 does not determine the position of the POS terminal 1. On the other hand, when the flag is OFF, since the authentication process has not been completed, the position determination unit 23 determines the position of the POS terminal 1.

  The operation control unit 26 functions as a control unit, and restricts the operation of the POS terminal 1 when the position (current position) of the POS terminal 1 is outside the usable area. That is, the operation control unit 26 controls the tamper switch 8 and restricts at least a part of the operation of the POS terminal 1 when the password determination unit 24 determines that it is illegally taken out.

  More specifically, when it is determined that the POS terminal 1 is illegally taken out when the POS terminal 1 is activated, the operation control unit 26 stops the activation process of the POS terminal 1 and does not activate the POS terminal 1. The operation control unit 26 may activate the POS terminal 1 by restricting some functions of the POS terminal 1.

  In addition, the operation control unit 26 stops the operation of the POS terminal 1 when it is determined that the POS terminal 1 is illegally taken out after the POS terminal 1 is started (for example, after the OS is started). The operation control unit 26 may limit some functions of the POS terminal 1 without stopping the operation of the POS terminal 1.

  Although the operation control unit 26 controls at least a part of the operation of the POS terminal 1 by controlling the tamper switch 8 or the like, the operation control unit 26 may perform the operation restriction without using the tamper switch 8. As another example, the operation control unit 26 may restrict at least a part of the operation of the POS terminal 1 by controlling each unit (see FIG. 1) of the POS terminal 1 by the BIOS.

  On the other hand, when the position (current position) of the POS terminal 1 is within the usable area, the operation control unit 26 operates the POS terminal 1 as usual without restricting the operation of the POS terminal 1. In addition, when the password determination unit 24 determines that the password has been properly taken out, the operation control unit 26 does not restrict the operation of the POS terminal 1 and operates the POS terminal 1 as usual.

  In other words, the operation control unit 26 continues the activation process of the POS terminal 1 and determines the activation process of the OS and other applications when it is determined that the POS terminal 1 is in the usable area or is properly taken out when the POS terminal 1 is activated. I do.

  In addition, the operation control unit 26 does not limit the operation of the POS terminal 1 when it is determined that the POS terminal 1 is within the usable area or is properly taken out after the POS terminal 1 is activated (for example, after the OS is activated). The functions of the OS and other applications can be used as usual.

  Next, a procedure of position determination processing performed by the POS terminal 1 when the POS terminal 1 is activated will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure of position determination processing performed by the POS terminal 1 at the time of activation.

  When a power switch (not shown) of the POS terminal 1 is turned on, the POS terminal 1 starts the activation process of the POS terminal 1. First, the POS terminal 1 transmits a control signal to the GPS receiver 7 to detect the current position of the POS terminal 1 (step S11). If the current position cannot be detected due to factors such as poor radio wave conditions (step S11: No), it is determined whether the number of position detection retries has reached a threshold (step S12). If the threshold has not been reached (step S12: No), the control signal is transmitted again to the GPS receiver 7 to detect the current position (step S11).

  If the current position is detected (step S11: Yes), it is determined whether or not the detected current position is outside the usable area (step S13). If it is within the usable area and not outside the usable area (step S13: No), the activation process of the POS terminal 1 is continued and the OS is activated (step S14).

  On the other hand, when the detected current position is outside the usable area (step S13: Yes), and when the number of retries reaches the threshold (step S12: Yes), an error screen E (see FIG. 3) is displayed (step S15).

  The POS terminal 1 determines whether or not a password has been input on the error screen E (step S16). When the password is input (step S16: Yes), it is determined whether or not the input password matches the management password registered in the FROM 9 (step S17). If the passwords match (step S17: Yes), the flag of the FROM 9 is turned on (step S18), the POS terminal 1 startup process is continued, and the OS is started (step S14). Note that after the OS is started, the processes after A in FIG. 5 are performed.

  On the other hand, if the password is not entered even after a predetermined time has elapsed on the error screen E (step S16: No), or if the entered password does not match the management password registered in the FROM 9 (step S17: No) ), The activation process of the POS terminal 1 is stopped, the power of the POS terminal 1 is turned off, and the process is terminated (step S19).

  Next, the procedure of the position determination process performed by the POS terminal 1 after the OS is started (after A in FIG. 4) will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of position determination processing performed by the POS terminal 1 after the OS is started.

  When the OS is activated in step S14 in FIG. 4, the POS terminal 1 performs the processes after A in FIG. First, the POS terminal 1 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed using the timer 11 (step S21). If the predetermined time does not elapse (step S21: No), the process waits until the predetermined time elapses (step S21). If the predetermined time has elapsed (step S21: Yes), it is determined whether or not the flag of the FROM 9 is ON (step S22). If the flag is ON (step S22: Yes), since the management password has been authenticated, the current position determination process is not performed and the position determination process ends. That is, the POS terminal 1 is in a state where it can perform a normal operation using application software or the like.

  On the other hand, when the flag is OFF (step S22: No), the current position is detected by the GPS receiver 7 (step S11). Henceforth, since step S11-S18 are the same as the procedure mentioned above in FIG. 4, description here is abbreviate | omitted.

  If it is determined in step S13 that the POS terminal 1 is within the usable area and not outside the usable area (step S13: No), and if the flag is turned on in step S18, step S21 is performed. Return to. The POS terminal 1 repeats the current position determination process (step S13) at predetermined time intervals (step S21: Yes).

  On the other hand, if the password is not entered even after a predetermined time has elapsed on the error screen E (step S16: No), or if the password entered on the error screen E does not match the management password (step) In S17: No, the operation of the POS terminal 1 is stopped (step S23), the power of the POS terminal 1 is turned off, and the process is terminated.

  Note that after the OS is started, the position determination process described with reference to FIG. 5 may be performed by application software other than the BIOS.

  The program executed in the POS terminal 1 of the present embodiment is a file in an installable format or an executable format, such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), or the like. You may comprise so that it may record and provide on a computer-readable recording medium.

  Furthermore, the program executed by the POS terminal 1 of the present embodiment may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. Further, the program executed by the POS terminal 1 of the present embodiment may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, since the operation of the own device is restricted when the POS terminal 1 is outside the usable area, the POS terminal 1 is taken out of the usable area and illegal activities are performed. Can be prevented. Therefore, the security of the POS terminal 1 can be improved.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the POS terminal 201 according to the second embodiment. Since the hardware configuration of the POS terminal 201 is the same as the hardware configuration of the POS terminal 1 of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted here.

  The program executed in the POS terminal 201 of the present embodiment includes the display control unit 21, the information registration unit 22, the position determination unit 23, the password determination unit 24, the flag determination unit 25, and the operation included in the program executed in the POS terminal 1. In addition to the control unit 26, the module configuration further includes a position information output unit 27.

  The CPU 3 reads the above-mentioned program from the FROM 9 and executes it to load the above-described units onto the main storage device. As shown in FIG. 6, the display control unit 21, the information registration unit 22, the position determination unit 23, the password determination The unit 24, the flag determination unit 25, the operation control unit 26, and the position information output unit 27 are generated on the main storage device. The configurations described above in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted here.

  The position information output unit 27 functions as an output unit, and outputs the current position of the POS terminal 201 to the store server 2 via the network NT when the current position of the POS terminal 201 is outside the usable area.

  Next, a procedure of position determination processing performed by the POS terminal 201 at the time of activation will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the position determination process performed by the POS terminal 201 at the time of activation. The same steps as those described in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted here.

  When the POS terminal 201 does not input a password even after a predetermined time has elapsed on the error screen E (step S16: No), or when the input password does not match the management password registered in the FROM 9 (step S16). In S17: No), the current position of the POS terminal 201 is output to the store server 2 (step S31). Thereafter, the activation process of the POS terminal 201 is stopped (step S19), the power of the POS terminal 201 is turned off, and the process is terminated.

  Next, a procedure of position determination processing performed by the POS terminal 201 after the OS is started will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of position determination processing performed by the POS terminal 201 after the OS is started. The same steps as those described in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted here.

  When the POS terminal 201 does not input a password even after a predetermined time has elapsed on the error screen E (step S16: No), or the password input on the error screen E does not match the management password. In the case (step S17: No), the current position of the POS terminal 201 is output to the store server 2 (step S32). Thereafter, the operation of the POS terminal 201 is stopped (step S23), the power of the POS terminal 201 is turned off, and the process is terminated.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the current position of the POS terminal 201 is output to the store server 2 and notified when it is outside the usable area. Therefore, since the store server 2 can grasp the current position of the POS terminal 201, the security of the POS terminal 201 can be improved.

  As described above, according to the first and second embodiments, since the operation of the own device is restricted when the position of the own device is outside the predetermined area, the electronic device (POS terminal 1, 201) Security can be improved.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. Moreover, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, the constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

1 POS terminal (electronic equipment)
2 Store server 3 CPU
7 GPS receiver (position detection means)
21 Display control unit (display control means)
22 Information registration unit 23 Position determination unit (position determination means)
24 Password determining unit (authentication information receiving means, authentication information determining means)
25 Flag determination unit 26 Operation control unit (control means)
27 Position information output unit (output means)
E Error screen

JP 2009-104248 A

Claims (6)

Position detecting means for detecting the position of the device itself;
Position determination means for determining whether or not the position of the device is outside a predetermined area;
An electronic device comprising: control means for restricting the operation of the own device when the position of the own device is outside the predetermined area. When the position of the own apparatus is outside the predetermined area, the apparatus further comprises display control means for displaying a message notifying that the own apparatus is outside the predetermined area.
The electronic device according to claim 1. Storage means for storing authentication information for operating the own apparatus when the position of the own apparatus is outside the predetermined area;
Authentication information receiving means for receiving input of the authentication information;
Authentication information determination means for determining whether or not the received authentication information matches the authentication information stored in the storage means;
The control means does not limit the operation of the own device when the authentication information matches.
The electronic device according to claim 1. The storage means stores, when the authentication information matches, that the authentication information has been authenticated;
The position determination means does not make a determination on the position of the own device when the storage means stores that the authentication information has been authenticated.
The electronic device according to claim 3. When the position of the own apparatus is outside the predetermined area, the apparatus further comprises output means for outputting the position of the own apparatus to a server.
The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. Position detecting means for detecting the position of the device itself;
Position determination means for determining whether or not the position of the device is outside a predetermined area;
A program for functioning as control means for restricting the operation of the own device when the position of the own device is outside the predetermined area.

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