WO2017215692A1 - Operating terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an operating terminal (1, 1', 1") for detecting data and/or inputting data. The aim of the invention is to provide an operating terminal (1, 1', 1") which can be operated flexibly and which can be used with different commercially available tablet PCs (8, 8') in a structurally simple manner. This is achieved by an operating terminal (1, 1', 1") which comprises an operating part and a docking station (2, 2'). The operating part can be connected to the docking station (2, 2') via a mechanical connection which can be disconnected and reconnected, and the operating part is designed as a closable housing (3, 3') and comprises an interior which is designed to receive a tablet PC (8, 8'). The housing (3, 3') has a cover surface with a transparent visual operating region (7, 7'). Advantageously, the operating terminal (1, 1', 1") can be adapted to the three-dimensional shape of commercially available tablet PCs (8, 8') in a structurally simple manner and can be easily used with different models in that solely the respective housing (3, 3') must be adapted to the respective three-dimensional shape of the desired tablet PC (8, 8'). The tablet PC (8, 8') is additionally protected against external influences by the housing (3, 3').

Description

 operating terminal

Technical area

The invention relates to an operator terminal for data acquisition and / or input. State of the art

Operator terminals serve to capture and / or input information in the form of digital data, for example at points of sale or at transfer points of shipping or transport goods. To handle the data acquisition or input process such terminals must be designed as practical and ergonomically operated. Because of its flexible manageability, it makes sense for this purpose simple, flat, portable computer with a touch-sensitive screen

("Touchscreen") and a battery, but without mechanical keyboard, so-called.

"Tablet PC" to use. For the practical handling of the sales and

 Transfer points, however, it is necessary here to be able to operate the tablet PC also freehand, for which he must be fixable in a suitable manner in its position.

US 5,237,487 A discloses a payment terminal comprising a docking station on which a tablet computer can be placed and electrically connected to. US 5,640,002 A describes a portable barcode and RFID reader that can be used for charging in a docking station. The devices disclosed by US Pat. No. 5,237,487 A and US Pat. No. 5,640,002 A have the disadvantage that the receiving area of the docking station has to be adapted in each case specifically to the spatial form of the device to be recorded (tablet PC or barcode and RFID reader) and without any constructional features Changes can not be used with other devices. Furthermore, the device is exposed to external influences unprotected.

CONFIRMATION COPY EP 2 682 921 A1 discloses a payment terminal which comprises a docking station to which a tablet PC with a touch screen can be fastened directly via a releasable and recoverable mechanical connection. In this case, it is disadvantageous that the releasable connection takes place directly on the tablet PC, for which purpose either the docking station or the tablet PC or both components of the payment terminal must each be formed directly with appropriate means. As a releasable and recoverable mechanical connection, EP 2 682 921 A1 proposes that the tablet PC is formed on its base with two latching elements which engage in two complementary locking elements of the docking station for producing the detachable and recoverable connection. The terminal can therefore only be used with specially designed tablet PCs. Furthermore, the tablet PC is exposed to outside influences unprotected. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

 The invention has for its object to provide a flexible manageable operating terminal that avoids the disadvantages described. In particular, an operator terminal is to be provided, which can be used in a structurally simple manner with different market-standard tablet PCs.

The object is achieved by an operating terminal according to claim 1, advantageous embodiments are described in the subclaims.

The core of the invention forms an operating terminal, comprising a control panel and a docking station, wherein the control panel via a releasable and recoverable mechanical connection with the docking station is connectable, and the control panel is designed as a closable housing and comprises an interior which is suitable for receiving a tablet PC is formed, and the housing has a top surface with a transparent viewing and operating area. For the purposes of the invention, closable means that the housing completely encloses it after inserting a tablet PC, ie is closed. As a result, the tablet PC is protected against external influences and at the same time can be operated via the transparent viewing and operating area of the top surface. The housing is for this purpose each dimensioned and spatially designed so that it can accommodate the desired tablet PC in its interior. The invention has the advantage that the control terminal in a structurally simple manner to the spatial shape of commercially available tablet PCs adaptable and easy with different models can be used by each only the housing must be adapted to the respective spatial shape of the desired tablet PC. The case of the tablet PC is also protected from external influences.

The operating ergonomics of the operating terminal is ensured at sales or transfer points with a relative to the operator relatively low footprint for the control terminal by the docking station is formed with a substantially perpendicular to their level aligned connecting arm, in the upper region or at the upper end or a plurality of means for mechanical connection with the housing is or are provided. This ensures the arrangement of the viewing and operating area of the housing in an ergonomic height for the operator.

Flexible adaptability of the height of the operating terminal for different levels of floor space is ensured by the connecting arm is formed from at least two telescopically slidable sub-elements. The high of

Arrangement of the viewing and operating area of the housing can be so easily adjusted by moving the sub-elements relative to each other within a substantially vertical axis to the level of the operating terminal. By the upper portion or at the upper end of the connecting arm is pivotable about a parallel to the standing plane pivot axis, so that the top surface of the housing is zuwendbar either the operator or a customer facing her, the viewing and operating area is flexible for desired inputs Both the operator, as well as a customer customizable. Transactions at points of sale or at transfer points of shipping or transport goods often require input from both the operator and the customer. By the about a parallel to the level oriented pivot axis pivotable execution of Link arm ensures that the viewing and operating area for input can be aligned to both the operator and the customer.

A particularly flexibly manageable connection of the docking station and the housing is achieved by the mechanical connection between the two elements is formed such that the docking station or the upper portion or at the upper end of a connecting arm of the docking station from a connection plane

having protruding, symmetrical cross-shaped connecting means, which is arranged axially symmetrically with respect to the standing plane of the docking station, and the housing has on the outside of its base a corresponding recess, wherein the cross-shaped connecting means is positively inserted into the recess, and the cross-shaped connecting means and the recess at the same time formed on each other magnetically acting means. Due to this combined positive and non-positive connection of the two elements is a simple structural means sufficient connection stability at the same time (by the

Positive fit of the protruding cross in the corresponding recess) predetermined, guided positioning of the housing relative to the docking ensured. Due to the symmetry of the cross-shaped connecting means and the corresponding recess, the connection between the housing and

Docking station here in four possible, different positions each in 90 ° - sections of an imaginary circle. The housing can be connected to the docking station either vertically or horizontally due to the simultaneous axisymmetric arrangement of the cross-shaped connecting means relative to the level of the docking station in two different orientations. Since that

Connecting means is formed on the side of the housing as a recess, this is flat stored in a separate use on a shelf.

Tablet PCs have an accumulator as mobile computers. In that the docking station is connectable to a power source and the mechanical connection comprises contact means for connecting the housing to the power source, and the housing has in its interior contact means for connecting one of them has received tablet PCs with the power source, the accumulator in the connection of the housing with the docking station is rechargeable.

In particular, for the use of the control terminal for the detection and / or input of information to transfer points of shipping or transport goods this includes a mobile Handscangerät for scanning located on the respectively to be detected shipping or transporting barcodes. As a mobile Handscangerät this has an accumulator. In that the docking station is connectable to a power source and the operating terminal comprises a receiving space for a mobile hand-held scanning device, and the receiving space with electrical contact means for connection to the

 Power source is formed, the accumulator of Handscangerätes in the arrangement in the receiving space of the docking station is rechargeable. The data exchange between the mobile hand-held scanning device and a tablet PC accommodated by the housing is ensured here via standard wireless communication interfaces (IrDA, Bluetooth, WLAN, Wi-Fi).

To make printouts, the operator terminal is designed with a printer or an additional printer housing (4, 4 ') for a printer. The exchange of data between the printer and a tablet PC accommodated by the housing is ensured here via standard wireless communication interfaces (IrDA, Bluetooth, WLAN, Wi-Fi).

In the above embodiment, a space-saving use of the operator terminal is ensured by the docking station is formed on the printer or the printer housing can be arranged. This can be either in the form of a fixed assembly of the

Docking station on the printer housing, or be implemented by that

Docking station on the printer housing or the printer stackable, that is on this or this can be set up, designed. By exchangeable adapter means for receiving in the interior of the housing

different tablet PCs can be arranged in the housing, the housing is to

Recording different models of tablet PCs with different dimensions and / or room forms usable. Any adapter means known in the art may be used to ensure a tight fit of devices in larger size housings, such as interchangeable rails or clips or spring loaded means.

Further measures improving the invention will be described in more detail below together with the description of preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention with reference to FIGS. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an operator terminal;

Fig. 2 is a schematic, perspective view of the operator terminal after

 1 with a tablet PC accommodated in the housing, FIG. 3 shows a front view of the housing of the operating terminal according to FIG. 1;

4 shows a front view of the housing of the operating terminal according to FIG. 1 with a tablet PC accommodated by the latter; Fig. 5 is a rear view of the docking station of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the docking station of FIG. 1; FIG.

Fig. 7 is a rear view of the housing of FIG. 1;

Fig. 8 is a rear view of the docking station of FIG. 1 with

 connected housing;

Fig. 9 is a front view of the docking station of FIG. 1 with connected

Housing and a recorded by this tablet PC; a partial perspective view of another embodiment of a docking station with contact means; a schematic perspective view of another embodiment of the control terminal with a arranged on a printer housing docking station.

1 is a schematic, perspective view of an operating terminal 1, which comprises the docking station 2 and the housing 3. The docking station 2 is with a

Connecting arm 2a formed, which is aligned perpendicular to its level. The operating terminal 1 further comprises an additional printer housing 4 for receiving a printer and a separate scanner housing 5 with a hand-held scanner 6, which is inserted into a receiving space of the scanner housing 5. The housing 3 has, within its top surface, a transparent viewing and operating area 7, which is formed by thin-layered transparent plastic. FIG. 2 is a schematic, perspective view of the operating terminal 1 with a housing 3

recorded tablet PC 8. The touch screen 9 of the tablet PC 8 can be seen through transparent viewing and operating area 7 (and by touching the viewing and operating area 7 through this operated). 3 is a front view of the housing 3 of the operating terminal 1. FIG. 4 is a front view of the housing 3 of the operating terminal 1 with a tablet PC 8 received by it

Touchscreen 9 can be seen through the transparent viewing and operating area 7 of the housing 3 therethrough. Fig. 5 is a rear view of the docking station 2. Fig. 6 is a front view of the docking station 2 on which the symmetrical cross-shaped

Connecting means 10 can be seen, which is formed in the upper region 2 b of the connecting arm 2 a and which protrudes from the connection plane 1 1. Fig. 7 is a rear view of the outer side 12 of the base of the housing 3. On the

Outside is 12 of the base of the housing 3 is the symmetrical cruciform depression 13. Fig. 8 is a rear view of the docking station 2 with its associated housing 3, the on the Fig. 8 representation not visible cross-shaped connecting means 10 is in this case form-fitting in the due to the presentation also not visible cross-shaped recess 13 is used. Fig. 9 is a Frontal view of the docking station 2 with its associated connected housing 3 and the latter received by this tablet PC 8. Fig. 10 is a partial perspective view of the upper portion 2b 'of the connecting arm 2a' another embodiment of a docking station. Within the symmetrical cross-shaped connection means 10 ', which protrudes from the connection plane 11', the contact means 14 are formed. 11 is a schematic, perspective view of the operating terminal 1 "with the docking station 2 'arranged on the printer housing 4' The docking station 2 'is mounted directly on the printer housing 4'.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1, 1U "operating terminal

 2, 2 'docking station

 2a, 2a ', 2a "connecting arm

 2b, 2b 'upper area

 3, 3 'housing

 4, 4 'printer housing

 5, 5 'scanner housing

 6, 6 'handheld scanner

 7, 7 'viewing and operating area

 8, 8 'tablet PC

 9, 9 'touch screen

 10, 10 'connecting means

 11, 11 'connection level

 12 outside

 13 deepening

 14 contact agents

Claims

Patent claims 1. Operating terminal, comprising a control panel and a docking station, wherein the Control panel has a detachable and re-establishable mechanical connection to the Docking station can be connected, characterized in that the control panel is designed as a lockable housing (3, 3 ') and comprises an interior which is designed to accommodate a tablet PC (8, 8'), and the housing (3, 3' ) has a top surface with a transparent viewing and operating area (7, 7 '). 2. Operating terminal (1, , 1 ") according to claim 1, characterized in that the docking station (2, 2') is formed with a connecting arm (2a, 2a', 2a") which is aligned essentially perpendicular to its standing plane, in the upper region (2b, 2b') or at the upper end of which there are one or more means for mechanical Connection to the housing (3, 3 ') is or are provided. 3. Operating terminal (1, 1") according to claim 2, characterized in that the connecting arm (2a, 2a', 2a") consists of at least two telescopic arms movable sub-elements is formed. 4. Operating terminal (1, 1 ") according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the upper region (2b, 2b ') or to the upper end of the connecting arm can be pivoted about a pivot axis oriented parallel to the standing plane, so that the top surface of the housing can be directed either to the operator or to a customer opposite him. 5. Operating terminal (1, 1 ") according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the mechanical connection is designed such that the docking station (2, 2 ') or the upper area (2b, 2b') or on the upper end of a connecting arm of the docking station (2, 2') has a symmetrical cross-shaped connecting means (10, 10') protruding from a connecting plane (11, 11'), which is axially symmetrical with respect to the standing plane of the docking station (2, 2'). is arranged, and the housing (3, 3 ') has a corresponding base surface on the outside (12). Recess (13), wherein the cross-shaped connecting means (10, 10') can be inserted into the recess (13) in a form-fitting manner, and the cross-shaped connecting means (10, 10') and the recess (13) are simultaneously formed with mutually magnetically acting means . 6. Operating terminal (1, 1 ") according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the docking station (2, 2 ') is designed to be connectable to a power source and the mechanical connection comprises contact means (14) for connecting the housing to the Power source includes, and the housing (3, 3 ') has contact means in its interior for connecting a tablet PC (8, 8') to the power source. 7. Operating terminal (1, , 1 ") according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the docking station (2, 2 ') is designed to be connectable to a power source and the operating terminal (1, ) has a receiving space for a mobile hand-held scanning device ( 6, 6 '), and the receiving space is designed with electrical contact means for connection to the power source. 8. Operating terminal (1, 1 ") according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the operating terminal (1, 1 ") with a printer or an additional or an additional printer housing (4, 4 ') for a printer is trained. 9. Operating terminal (1, 1 ") according to claim 8, characterized in that the docking station (2, 2 ') is designed to be arranged on the printer or the additional printer housing (4, 4'). 10. Operating terminal (1, 1 ") according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized characterized in that exchangeable adapter means for accommodating different tablet PCs (8, 8') in the housing (3, 3') can be arranged in the interior of the housing (3, 3').