JP7806536B2 - Information processing device and method of using the information processing device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing device and a method for using the information processing device.

In recent years, stores have come to use information processing devices for a variety of purposes. For example, stores have a variety of customer-operated information processing devices, including payment devices for semi-self-service POS systems, product registration and payment devices for full-self-service POS systems, and information kiosks.

On the other hand, Patent Document 1 describes the provision of multiple panel units with standardized shapes and dimensions on an operation and display panel for centralized operation and management of plants, machine tools, etc.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-187522

The above-mentioned Patent Document 1 relates to an operation display panel for a plant or machine tool. Meanwhile, the input/output devices required for information processing devices used in stores vary depending on the function. However, if this information processing device were equipped with input/output devices to support all functions, the number of input/output devices would increase, resulting in a problem in that the information processing device would become larger.

In view of the above-mentioned problems, one example of the object of the present invention is to provide an information processing device and a method for using the information processing device that can be used in stores, can be used for multiple purposes, and can prevent the device from becoming too large.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a device for use in a store,
a main housing that houses a control means;
one of a first sub-housing and a second sub-housing;
and
a first sub-housing having a first input/output device and being attachable to and detachable from the main housing;
a second sub-casing having a second input/output device having a function different from that of the first input/output device, and being attachable to and detachable from the main casing;
the control means controls the first input/output device and the second input/output device;
An information processing device is provided in which at least a portion of a first area of the main housing, which is an area where the first sub-housing is attached, overlaps with at least a portion of a second area of the main housing, which is an area where the second sub-housing is attached.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a main housing stores a control unit for controlling a first input/output device and a second input/output device having a function different from that of the first input/output device;
a first sub-casing that holds the first input/output device and is attachable to and detachable from the main casing;
a second sub-casing that holds the second input/output device and is attachable to and detachable from the main casing;
Prepare
the control means controls the first input/output device and the second input/output device;
at least a part of a first region of the main housing, which is a region where the first sub-housing is attached, overlaps with at least a part of a second region of the main housing, which is a region where the second sub-housing is attached;
There is provided a method of using an information processing device, in which one of the first sub-housing and the second sub-housing is attached to the main housing depending on the application.

One aspect of the present invention provides an information processing device and a method for using the information processing device that can be used for multiple purposes and that prevents the device from becoming too large.

1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of an information processing apparatus according to a first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a method of using an information processing device. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a method of using an information processing device. FIG. 2 illustrates an example of the hardware configuration of a control unit. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an overview of an information processing apparatus according to a second embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a method of using an information processing device. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a method of using an information processing device. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an information processing apparatus according to a third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an information processing apparatus according to a third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an information processing apparatus according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a side view showing an information processing device 10 according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a modified example of the information processing device 10 illustrated in FIG. 11. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a modified example of the information processing device 10 illustrated in FIG. 11.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that in all drawings, similar components will be given similar reference numerals, and descriptions will be omitted where appropriate. In the following description, an input/output device refers to a device that performs at least one of input and output.

(First embodiment)
Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of an information processing device 10 according to this embodiment. Figs. 2 and 3 are diagrams for explaining how to use the information processing device 10. Both figures correspond to views of the information processing device 10 as seen from one side, for example, the top side. The information processing device 10 is used in a store and includes a main housing 110 and one of a first sub-housing 120 and a second sub-housing 130. A control unit 210 is housed in the main housing 110.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the first sub-housing 120 has a first input/output device 220 and can be attached to and detached from the main housing 110. The area of the main housing 110 where the first sub-housing 120 is attached is referred to as the first area 111.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the second sub-housing 130 has a second input/output device 230 and can be attached to and detached from the main housing 110. The second input/output device 230 has a different function from the first input/output device 220. The area of the main housing 110 where the first sub-housing 120 is attached is referred to as the second area 112.

One of the first sub-housing 120 and the second sub-housing 130 is attached to the main housing 110. The control unit 210 controls the first input/output device 220 and the second input/output device 230. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, when the first sub-housing 120 is attached to the main housing 110, the control unit 210 controls the first input/output device 220. On the other hand, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, when the second sub-housing 130 is attached to the main housing 110, the first input/output device 220 controls the second input/output device 230.

And, at least a portion of the first region 111 overlaps with at least a portion of the second region 112.

With this information processing device 10, the function of the information processing device 10 can be changed by switching the sub-housing attached to the main housing 110 from the first sub-housing 120 to the second sub-housing 130. As a result, the use of the information processing device 10 can be changed. In other words, the information processing device 10 can be used for multiple purposes. Furthermore, because at least a portion of the first area 111 overlaps with at least a portion of the second area 112, the size of the information processing device 10 can be prevented from increasing.

The information processing device 10 is described in detail below.

As described above, the first sub-housing 120 has a first input/output device 220, and the second sub-housing 130 has a second input/output device 230. An example of the first input/output device 220 and an example of the second input/output device 230 are both any of the following.
- A printing device for printing receipts, tickets, etc. - A card reader for reading at least one of a credit card and a membership card - A code reader for reading at least one of a barcode and a two-dimensional code

As described above, the functions of the second input/output device 230 differ from the functions of the first input/output device 220. Here, the second input/output device 230 may have the same application as the first input/output device 220 (for example, a printing device, card reader, or code reader). In this case, some of the functions of the second input/output device 230 are included in the functions of the first input/output device 220, but other parts of the functions of the second input/output device 230 are not included in the functions of the first input/output device 220. For example, if the first input/output device 220 and the second input/output device 230 are both printing devices, the functions of the first input/output device 220 and the second input/output device 230 can be said to differ if at least one of the type and size of printable media is different. Furthermore, if the first input/output device 220 and the second input/output device 230 are both card readers, the functions of the first input/output device 220 and the second input/output device 230 can be said to differ if the types of cards they can read are different. Furthermore, if the first input/output device 220 and the second input/output device 230 are code readers, and the types of codes that can be read are different, the functions of the first input/output device 220 and the second input/output device 230 can also be said to be different.

As described above, the first area 111 is the area of the main housing 110 where the first sub-housing 120 is attached, and the second area 112 is the area of the main housing 110 where the second sub-housing 130 is attached. Both the first area 111 and the second area 112 are part of the outer surface of the main housing 110, for example, a side surface. Here, it is preferable that 70% or more of the first area is included in the second area. Furthermore, it is preferable that 70% or more of the second area is included in the first area. In this way, the difference in shape between the information processing device 10 when the first sub-housing 120 is attached to the main housing 110 and the information processing device 10 when the second sub-housing 130 is attached to the main housing 110 is small. Therefore, the space required to install the information processing device 10 is reduced. In other words, the information processing device 10 can be prevented from becoming larger.

As described above, the information processing device 10 is used in a store. The user of the information processing device 10 may be a store clerk or a customer. The first area 111 and the second area 112 face, for example, the front side of the main housing 110, i.e., the side facing the user of the information processing device 10. This makes it easy for the user of the information processing device 10 to use the first input/output device 220 and the second input/output device 230.

In the example shown in this figure, the first area 111 and the second area 112 are approximately the same area. To achieve this, the surface of the first sub-housing 120 facing the main housing 110 and the surface of the second sub-housing 130 facing the main housing 110 can be made the same shape. Here, the overall shape of the first sub-housing 120 may be made the same as the overall shape of the second sub-housing 130. Note that "same" means same in terms of design, and allows for manufacturing errors.

It is also preferable that the front surface of the first sub-housing 120 and the front surface of the second sub-housing 130 have the same shape. This reduces the difference in appearance of the information processing device 10 between when the first sub-housing 120 is attached to the information processing device 10 and when the second sub-housing 130 is attached to the information processing device 10.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, it is preferable that the step between the main housing 110 and the first sub-housing 120 is small at the portion of the boundary 12 between the main housing 110 and the first sub-housing 120 that is exposed to the outside. This step is preferably 2 cm or less, and more preferably 1 cm or less. This increases the sense of unity between the main housing 110 and the first sub-housing 120.

Similarly, as shown in FIG. 3, it is preferable that the step between the main housing 110 and the second sub-housing 130 is small at the portion of the boundary 14 between the main housing 110 and the second sub-housing 130 that is exposed to the outside. This step is preferably 2 cm or less, and more preferably 1 cm or less. This increases the sense of unity between the main housing 110 and the second sub-housing 130.

Figure 4 shows an example hardware configuration of the control unit 210. The control unit 210 has a bus 1010, a processor 1020, a memory 1030, a storage device 1040, an input/output interface 1050, and a network interface 1060.

The bus 1010 is a data transmission path through which the processor 1020, memory 1030, storage device 1040, input/output interface 1050, and network interface 1060 transmit and receive data to and from each other. However, the method of connecting the processor 1020 and other components to each other is not limited to bus connection.

Processor 1020 is a processor implemented as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or GPU (Graphics Processing Unit).

Memory 1030 is a main storage device implemented as RAM (Random Access Memory) or the like.

The storage device 1040 is an auxiliary storage device realized by removable media such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), or a memory card, or by read-only memory (ROM). The storage device 1040 stores program modules that realize each function of the control unit 210. The processor 1020 loads and executes each of these program modules into the memory 1030, thereby realizing each function corresponding to that program module.

The input/output interface 1050 is an interface for connecting the control unit 210 to various input/output devices. For example, the control unit 210 communicates with the first input/output device 220 and the second input/output device 230 via the input/output interface 1050.

The network interface 1060 is an interface for connecting the control unit 210 to a network. This network may be, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network). The network interface 1060 may connect to the network via a wireless connection or a wired connection.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the information processing device 10 comprises a main housing 110 and one of a first sub-housing 120 and a second sub-housing 130. The first sub-housing 120 has a first input/output device 220 and is attachable to and detachable from the main housing 110. The second sub-housing 130 has a second input/output device 230 and is attachable to and detachable from the main housing 110. This allows the information processing device 10 to be used in a variety of applications. Furthermore, at least a portion of the first region 111 of the main housing 110 to which the first sub-housing 120 is attached overlaps at least a portion of the second region 112 to which the second sub-housing 130 is attached. This prevents the information processing device 10 from becoming too large.

Second Embodiment
Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an overview of the information processing device 10 according to this embodiment. Figs. 6 and 7 are diagrams for explaining how to use the information processing device 10. The information processing device 10 according to this embodiment is similar to the information processing device 10 according to the first embodiment except for the following points.

First, a third sub-housing 140 can be attached to and detached from the main housing 110 of the information processing device 10. The third sub-housing 140 has a third input/output device 240. At least some of the functions of the third input/output device 240 differ from the functions of the first input/output device 220 and the second input/output device 230. When the third sub-housing 140 is attached to the main housing 110, the control unit 210 controls the third input/output device 240.

The main housing 110 also has a third area 113. The third area 113 is an area where the third sub-housing 140 is attached, and does not overlap with the first area 111 or the second area 112. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, the user can use the information processing device 10 with both the first sub-housing 120 and the third sub-housing 140 attached to the main housing 110. In this case, the user can use the first input/output device 220 and the third input/output device 240. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7, the user can use the information processing device 10 with both the second sub-housing 130 and the third sub-housing 140 attached to the main housing 110. In this case, the user can use the second input/output device 230 and the third input/output device 240.

In the example shown in this figure, the first region 111 is substantially the same region as the second region 112. The third region 113 is adjacent to the first region 111. Specifically, the first region 111, the second region 112, and the third region 113 are provided on the same surface of the main housing 110, for example the front surface. In the portion of the boundary 16 between the main housing 110 and the third sub-housing 140 that is exposed to the outside, it is preferable that the step between the main housing 110 and the third sub-housing 140 is small. This step is preferably 2 cm or less, and more preferably 1 cm or less.

Here, the surface of the first sub-housing 120 facing the main housing 110, the surface of the second sub-housing 130 facing the main housing 110, and the surface of the third sub-housing 140 facing the main housing 110 may have the same shape. Furthermore, the shapes of the first sub-housing 120, the second sub-housing 130, and the third sub-housing 140 may be the same.

On the other hand, the size of the third sub-housing 140 may differ from the sizes of the first sub-housing 120 and the second sub-housing 130. In this case, the sizes of the second region 112 and the second region 112 and the third region 113 differ from each other. For example, if the third sub-housing 140 is smaller than the first sub-housing 120 and the second sub-housing 130, the third region 113 is smaller than the first region 111 and the second region 112.

The main housing 110 also has a first connector 114 and a connector 116. The first connector 114 and the connector 116 are connected to the control unit 210. In other words, the first connector 114 and the connector 116 are provided to connect the control unit 210 to the outside.

Furthermore, the first sub-housing 120 has a second connector 122, the second sub-housing 130 has a third connector 132, and the third sub-housing 140 has a connector 142. The second connector 122 is connected to the first I/O device 220, the third connector 132 is connected to the second I/O device 230, and the connector 142 is connected to the third I/O device 240. In other words, the second connector 122 is provided for connecting the first I/O device 220 to the outside, the third connector 132 is provided for connecting the second I/O device 230 to the outside, and the connector 142 is provided for connecting the third I/O device 240 to the outside.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the first sub-housing 120 is attached to the main housing 110, the first connector 114 connects to the second connector 122. This allows the control unit 210 to control the first input/output device 220.

Also, as shown in FIG. 7, when the second sub-housing 130 is attached to the main housing 110, the first connector 114 connects to the third connector 132. This allows the control unit 210 to control the second input/output device 230.

Furthermore, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, when the third sub-housing 140 is attached to the main housing 110, the connector 116 connects to the connector 142. This allows the control unit 210 to control the third input/output device 240.

The connection between the first connector 114 and the second connector 122, the connection between the first connector 114 and the third connector 132, and the connection between the connector 116 and the connector 142 may be made via wiring. The connection between these connectors may also be made by directly contacting the connectors. In this case, as shown in FIG. 6, when the first sub-housing 120 is attached to the main housing 110, the first connector 114 and the second connector 122 face each other. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7, when the second sub-housing 130 is attached to the main housing 110, the first connector 114 and the third connector 132 face each other.

As described above, this embodiment, like the first embodiment, allows the use of the information processing device 10 to be changed and prevents the information processing device 10 from becoming larger. Furthermore, a third sub-housing 140 can be attached to the main housing 110, along with the first sub-housing 120 or the second sub-housing 130. When the third sub-housing 140 is attached to the main housing 110, the user of the information processing device 10 can use the third input/output device 240 in addition to the first input/output device 220 or the second input/output device 230. This further increases the number of uses for the information processing device 10.

Furthermore, the first sub-housing 120, second sub-housing 130, and third sub-housing 140 are all attached to the front side of the main housing 110, i.e., the user side. This makes it easy for the user to use the first input/output device 220, second input/output device 230, and third input/output device 240.

Furthermore, the main housing 110 has a first connector 114 and a connector 116, the first sub-housing 120 has a second connector 122, the second sub-housing 130 has a third connector 132, and the third sub-housing 140 has a connector 142. This facilitates connection between the control unit 210 and the first input/output device 220, second input/output device 230, and third input/output device 240.

(Third embodiment)
8 and 9 are diagrams showing the configuration of the information processing device 10 according to this embodiment, and correspond to Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 in the second embodiment, respectively. The information processing device 10 according to this embodiment is similar to the information processing device 10 according to the second embodiment except for the following points.

First, the third sub-housing 140 has a fourth connector 144. The fourth connector 144 is provided for connecting the third input/output device 240 to a member other than the main housing 110. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 8, the first sub-housing 120 has a fifth connector 124. The fifth connector 124 is provided for connecting the first input/output device 220 to the outside. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 9, the second sub-housing 130 has a sixth connector 134.

As shown in FIG. 8, when the first sub-housing 120 and the third sub-housing 140 are attached to the main housing 110, the fourth connector 144 connects to the fifth connector 124. This connects the third input/output device 240 to the first input/output device 220. As shown in FIG. 9, when the second sub-housing 130 and the third sub-housing 140 are attached to the main housing 110, the fourth connector 144 connects to the sixth connector 134. This connects the third input/output device 240 to the first input/output device 220.

As described above, this embodiment, like the first or second embodiment, allows the use of the information processing device 10 to be changed and prevents the information processing device 10 from becoming larger. Furthermore, the third input/output device 240 can be connected to the first input/output device 220 or the second input/output device 230. This allows for an increased variety of functions performed by the information processing device 10. As a result, the range of uses for the information processing device 10 is broadened.

(Fourth embodiment)
Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an information processing device 10 according to this embodiment. The information processing device 10 according to this embodiment is similar to the information processing device 10 according to the first to third embodiments, except for the following points. Note that Fig. 10 shows a case similar to the information processing device 10 according to the second or third embodiment.

First, a display 300 is attached to the top of the main housing 110. The display 300 is controlled by the control unit 210. For example, the control unit 210 changes the content shown on the display 300 in conjunction with the operations of the first input/output device 220, the second input/output device 230, and the third input/output device 240.

Furthermore, the first sub-housing 120, the second sub-housing 130, and the third sub-housing 140 are located on the front side of the main housing 110. The height of the main housing 110 is greater than the height of the first sub-housing 120, the second sub-housing 130, and the third sub-housing 140. Therefore, even if at least one of the first sub-housing 120, the second sub-housing 130, and the third sub-housing 140 is attached to the main housing 110, the visibility of the display 300 is unlikely to be reduced.

As described above, this embodiment, like the first to third embodiments, allows the use of the information processing device 10 to be changed and prevents the information processing device 10 from becoming larger. Furthermore, because the information processing device 10 has a display 300, the functions of the information processing device 10 can be further diversified.

Fifth Embodiment
11 is a side view showing the information processing device 10 according to this embodiment. The information processing device 10 according to this embodiment has the same configuration as the information processing device 10 according to the fourth embodiment except for the following points.

First, the information processing device 10 has a holding member 400. The holding member 400 holds the main housing 110, at least one sub-housing (e.g., at least one of the first sub-housing 120, second sub-housing 130, and third sub-housing 140), and the display 300.

Specifically, the holding member 400 has a support portion 410, a shelf portion 420, and a foot portion 430.

The feet 430 are the parts that come into contact with the floor. The feet 430 may be made up of a combination of multiple rod-shaped members, or may be plate-shaped. By providing the feet 430, the information processing device 10 can be placed stably on the floor. The size of the feet 430 is determined based on the criterion of ensuring that the weight of the main housing 110 and sub-housing does not make the information processing device 10 unstable.

The support unit 410 rises upward from the foot unit 430. In the example shown in this figure, the lower end of the support unit 410 is attached to the end of the foot unit 430 on the far side in the depth direction, i.e., the left-right direction in Figure 11, i.e., the end opposite the user. The support unit 410 may be a combination of multiple pillars, or may be plate-shaped. The display 300 is rotatably attached to the upper end of the support unit 410. The height of the support unit 410 is, for example, between 130 cm and 160 cm from the floor.

The shelf 420 is attached midway along the foot 430 and is a shelf for placing the main housing 110 and at least one sub-housing. In the example shown in this figure, the shelf 420 is attached in the same horizontal direction as the foot 430. In other words, the support 410 is attached to the rear end of the shelf 420. The height of the shelf 420 is, for example, between 100 cm and 140 cm from the floor.

Figure 12 shows a modified example of the information processing device 10 shown in Figure 11. In the example shown in this figure, the information processing device 10 is placed on a table. Specifically, the information processing device 10 does not have feet 430, and a shelf 420 is attached to the lower end of the support 410. In the example shown in this figure, the height of the support 410 is, for example, between 30 cm and 100 cm.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 13, in a tabletop-type information processing device 10, the shelf portion 420 may be attached to the front end of the support portion 410, i.e., the end on the user side. In addition, in the information processing device 10 shown in FIG. 11, the shelf portion 420 and the foot portion 430 may be attached to the front end of the support portion 410, i.e., the end on the user side.

As with the first to fourth embodiments, this embodiment also allows the use of the information processing device 10 to be changed and prevents the information processing device 10 from becoming larger. Furthermore, by using the holding member 400, it is possible to prevent the information processing device 10 from becoming unstable due to the weight of the main housing 110 and sub-housing.

The above describes embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings, but these are merely examples of the present invention, and various configurations other than those described above can also be adopted.

In addition, in each embodiment, the order of the illustrated steps can be changed as long as it does not cause any problems in terms of content. Furthermore, the above-mentioned embodiments can be combined as long as the content does not contradict each other.

Some or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but are not limited to, the following supplementary notes.
1. Used in stores,
a main housing that houses a control means;
one of a first sub-housing and a second sub-housing;
and
a first sub-housing having a first input/output device and being attachable to and detachable from the main housing;
a second sub-casing having a second input/output device having a function different from that of the first input/output device, and being attachable to and detachable from the main casing;
the control means controls the first input/output device and the second input/output device;
An information processing device, wherein at least a portion of a first area of the main housing, which is an area where the first sub-housing is attached, overlaps with at least a portion of a second area of the main housing, which is an area where the second sub-housing is attached.
2. In the information processing device described in 1 above,
70% or more of the first region is included in the second region,
An information processing device, wherein 70% or more of the second area is included in the first area.
3. In the information processing device according to 1 or 2 above,
a maximum difference in level between the main housing and the first sub-housing at a portion of the boundary between the main housing and the first sub-housing that is exposed to the outside is 2 cm or less;
An information processing device, wherein the maximum difference in level between the main housing and the second sub-housing at a portion of the boundary between the main housing and the second sub-housing that is exposed to the outside is 2 cm or less.
4. In the information processing device according to any one of the above items 1 to 3,
The information processing device, wherein the first sub-housing and the second sub-housing are located on the front side of the main housing.
5. In the information processing device described in 4 above,
An information processing device, wherein the shape of the front surface of the first sub-housing and the shape of the front surface of the second sub-housing are substantially the same.
6. In the information processing device according to any one of the above items 1 to 5,
the main housing has a first connector for connecting the control means to an external device,
the first sub-housing has a second connector for connecting the first input/output device to the first connector;
The second sub-housing has a third connector for connecting the second input/output device to the first connector.
7. In the information processing device according to any one of 1 to 6 above,
an information processing apparatus, wherein a third sub-housing can be attached to and detached from an area of the main housing that does not overlap with the first sub-housing and the second sub-housing;
8. In the information processing device described in 7 above,
The third sub-housing has a third input/output device having a function different from the first input/output device and the second input/output device.
9. In the information processing device described in 8 above,
the third sub-housing has a fourth connector for connecting the third input/output device to an external device,
the first sub-housing has a fifth connector for connecting the first input/output device to the fourth connector;
The second sub-housing has a sixth connector for connecting the second input/output device to the fourth connector.
10. In the information processing device according to any one of 1 to 9 above,
The information processing device further comprises a display fixed to an upper portion of the main housing.
11. A main housing that houses a control unit that controls a first input/output device and a second input/output device having a function different from that of the first input/output device;
a first sub-casing that holds the first input/output device and is attachable to and detachable from the main casing;
a second sub-casing that holds the second input/output device and is attachable to and detachable from the main casing;
Prepare
the control means controls the first input/output device and the second input/output device;
at least a part of a first region of the main housing, which is a region where the first sub-housing is attached, overlaps with at least a part of a second region of the main housing, which is a region where the second sub-housing is attached;
A method of using an information processing device, comprising attaching one of the first sub-housing and the second sub-housing to the main housing depending on the intended use.
12. In the method of using the information processing device described in 11 above,
70% or more of the first region is included in the second region,
A method for using an information processing device, wherein 70% or more of the second area is included in the first area.
13. In the method of using the information processing device according to 11 or 12 above,
a maximum difference in level between the main housing and the first sub-housing at a portion of the boundary between the main housing and the first sub-housing that is exposed to the outside is 2 cm or less;
A method for using an information processing device, wherein the maximum difference in level between the main housing and the second sub-housing at the portion of the boundary between the main housing and the second sub-housing that is exposed to the outside is 2 cm or less.
14. In the method of using the information processing device according to any one of the above items 11 to 13,
A method of using an information processing device, wherein the first sub-housing and the second sub-housing are positioned on the front side of the main housing.
15. In the method of using the information processing device described in 14 above,
A method of using an information processing device, wherein the shape of the front surface of the first sub-housing and the shape of the front surface of the second sub-housing are substantially the same.
16. In the method of using the information processing device according to any one of the above items 11 to 15,
the main housing has a first connector for connecting the control means to an external device,
the first sub-housing has a second connector for connecting the first input/output device to the first connector;
A method of using an information processing device, wherein the second sub-enclosure has a third connector for connecting the second input/output device to the first connector.
17. In the method of using the information processing device according to any one of the above items 11 to 16,
A method of using an information processing device, wherein a third sub-housing can be attached to and detached from an area of the main housing that does not overlap with the first sub-housing and the second sub-housing.
18. In the method of using the information processing device described in 17 above,
A method of using an information processing device, wherein the third sub-enclosure has a third input/output device having a function different from the first input/output device and the second input/output device.
19. In the method of using the information processing device described in 18 above,
the third sub-housing has a fourth connector for connecting the third input/output device to an external device,
the first sub-housing has a fifth connector for connecting the first input/output device to the fourth connector;
A method of using an information processing device, wherein the second sub-enclosure has a sixth connector for connecting the second input/output device to the fourth connector.
20. In the method of using the information processing device according to any one of the above items 11 to 19,
A method of using an information processing device further having a display fixed to an upper portion of the main housing.

10 Information processing device 12 Boundary 14 Boundary 16 Boundary 110 Main housing 111 First area 112 Second area 113 Third area 114 First connector 116 Connector 120 First sub-housing 122 Second connector 124 Fifth connector 130 Second sub-housing 132 Third connector 134 Sixth connector 140 Third sub-housing 142 Connector 144 Fourth connector 210 Control unit 220 First input/output device 230 Second input/output device 240 Third input/output device 300 Display 400 Holding member 410 Support portion 420 Shelf portion 430 Foot portion

Claims (9)

Used in stores,
a main housing that houses a control means;
one of a first sub-housing and a second sub-housing;
and
a first sub-housing having a first input/output device and being attachable to and detachable from the main housing;
a second sub-casing having a second input/output device having a function different from that of the first input/output device, and being attachable to and detachable from the main casing;
the control means controls the first input/output device and the second input/output device;
at least a part of a first region of the main housing, which is a region where the first sub-housing is attached, overlaps with at least a part of a second region of the main housing, which is a region where the second sub-housing is attached ;
The information processing device , wherein the first sub-housing and the second sub-housing are located on the front side of the main housing . 2. The information processing device according to claim 1,
70% or more of the first region is included in the second region,
An information processing device, wherein 70% or more of the second area is included in the first area. 3. The information processing device according to claim 1,
a maximum difference in level between the main housing and the first sub-housing at a portion of the boundary between the main housing and the first sub-housing that is exposed to the outside is 2 cm or less;
An information processing device, wherein the maximum difference in level between the main housing and the second sub-housing at a portion of the boundary between the main housing and the second sub-housing that is exposed to the outside is 2 cm or less. In the information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
an information processing device, wherein the shape of the front surface of the first sub-housing and the shape of the front surface of the second sub-housing are substantially the same; The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
the main housing has a first connector for connecting the control means to an external device,
the first sub-housing has a second connector for connecting the first input/output device to the first connector;
The second sub-housing has a third connector for connecting the second input/output device to the first connector. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
An information processing apparatus, wherein a third sub-housing can be attached to and detached from an area of the main housing that does not overlap with the first sub-housing and the second sub-housing. 7. The information processing device according to claim 6 ,
The third sub-housing has a third input/output device having a function different from the first input/output device and the second input/output device. 8. The information processing device according to claim 7 ,
the third sub-housing has a fourth connector for connecting the third input/output device to an external device,
the first sub-housing has a fifth connector for connecting the first input/output device to the fourth connector;
The second sub-housing has a sixth connector for connecting the second input/output device to the fourth connector. a main housing that houses a control unit that controls a first input/output device and a second input/output device having a function different from that of the first input/output device;
a first sub-casing that holds the first input/output device and is attachable to and detachable from the main casing;
a second sub-casing that holds the second input/output device and is attachable to and detachable from the main casing;
Prepare
the control means controls the first input/output device and the second input/output device;
at least a part of a first region of the main housing, which is a region where the first sub-housing is attached, overlaps with at least a part of a second region of the main housing, which is a region where the second sub-housing is attached;
A method of using an information processing device, comprising: preparing an information processing device having one of the first sub-housing and the second sub-housing and the main housing by attaching one of the first sub-housing and the second sub-housing to the front side of the main housing depending on the application; and using the information processing device in a store .