Abstract: A bar code reading device includes a code reading section for reading a bar code attached to an article by emitting a light beam through a window and receiving therethrough the light beam reflected from the bar code, and a manual input section for inputting article information by operation of a keyboard. In the bar code reading device, the manual input section includes a transparent liquid crystal display panel, a transparent touch sensor panel disposed on the liquid crystal display panel, and a control circuit for selectively setting one of a manual input mode and an automatic reading mode, driving the liquid crystal display panel so as to display an image of keyboard in the manual input mode and to erase the image of keyboard in the automatic reading mode, and reading key-in data entered by touching portions of the touch sensor panel with reference to the image of the displayed keyboard in the manual input mode.

Abstract: A POS loop switching apparatus includes a switching circuit for selectively connecting first and second transmission lines, to which at least one Point Of Sales (POS) terminal is connected, and first and second file control means for periodically supplying a control signal, so as to constitute at least one closed loop, and switch control means for supplying a first switching signal to a switching circuit, in response to control signals from the first and second file control means, to cause the switching circuit to connect the first and second file control means respectively to the first and second transmission lines, thereby to constitute first and second closed loops, and when one of the first and second file control means does not generate a control signal over a predetermined period of time, for supplying a second switching signal to the switching circuit, to cause the switching circuit to connect one of first and second transmission lines connected to the file control means which does not generate the con