JP2005135147A - Information processor and method for updating program thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To deal with the cancellation or postponement of an update of an update program which is distributed on-line in advance and for which the date of update is reserved. <P>SOLUTION: The update program distributed from a host machine and information on the date of update of the update program are stored and it is determined whether or not a current date is later than a date indicated by the information on the date of update. If the current date is determined to be later than the date of update, it is verified whether the information on the date of update of the update program matches information on the date of update of the same update program stored in the host machine. On condition that the dates of update match, the program stored in a program file is updated into the update program stored in an update program storage means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus that performs various types of information processing based on a program distributed online from a host machine, and a program update method for the apparatus.

  There is an information processing system in which a plurality of information processing apparatuses that perform information processing based on a common program and a server computer that functions as a host machine of each information processing apparatus are connected via a network. For example, a POS (Point Of Sales) system used in the retail distribution industry is applicable.

In this type of information processing system, when it is necessary to update a program implemented by each information processing apparatus, conventionally, information for reserving an updated program and program update date and time from the server computer to each information processing apparatus Are distributed in advance online via a network. Each information processing device checks whether the current date and time measured by the system clock of the device has passed the program update date and time, for example, when the system is started by turning on the power. There has been known a program update method for automatically rewriting program data stored in a file to program data already distributed online (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP-A-11-232337

  By the way, for example, when a bug is found in the program after the update program is distributed online, conventionally, the server computer instructs each information processing apparatus to cancel the program update. Then, the information processing apparatus that has received this command discards the distributed update program, so that the program is not updated even when the program update date and time has elapsed. In addition, the program update date and time of the distributed update program may be postponed. Also in this case, conventionally, the server computer instructs each information processing apparatus to change the program update date and time. Then, since the information processing apparatus that has received this command changes the program update date and time to the postponed date and time, the program is updated at the postponed date and time.

  However, when an instruction to cancel the program update or change the program update date / time is issued from the server computer, for example, when an information processing apparatus that cannot receive the command because the power is off or is operating offline, In the information processing apparatus, there is a problem that the program is automatically updated in accordance with the elapse of the program update date and time before the change.

  The present invention has been made based on such circumstances, and the purpose of the present invention can reliably cope with update suspension or update postponement of an update program that is distributed online in advance and whose update date and time is reserved, It is an object of the present invention to provide an information processing apparatus capable of improving the reliability of an information processing system and a program update method for the apparatus.

  An information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes an update program storage means for storing an update program distributed from a host machine and update date information of the update program, a time measurement means for measuring the current date, and a time measurement by the time measurement means. Update date determination means for determining whether or not the current date has passed the date of the update date information. However, even if it is determined that the current date has passed the date of the update date information, the program is not updated unconditionally, but the update date confirmation means stores the update date information of the update program on the host computer side. Update program storage means stores the program stored in the program file by the program update means on the condition that the update date information matches the update date information of the same update program. The program is updated.

  The program update method of the present invention stores an update program distributed from a host machine in advance and update date information of the update program. Further, it is determined whether or not the current date timed by the time keeping function of the information processing apparatus has passed the date of the update date information. When it is determined that the current date has passed the date of the update date information, it is confirmed whether the update date information of the update program matches the update date information of the same update program stored on the higher-level machine. The program stored in the program file is updated to the update program stored in advance on condition that the date information matches.

  According to the present invention in which such measures are taken, it is possible to reliably cope with update suspension or update postponement of an update program that has been distributed online in advance and whose update date / time is reserved, thereby improving the reliability of the information processing system. There is an effect that can be done.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a POS terminal of a POS system as an example of an information processing apparatus.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a POS system. In a single store, a plurality of POS terminals 1 that perform information processing such as merchandise registration processing and accounting processing, and a store computer 2 that functions as a host machine of each POS terminal 1 are connected via a LAN 3 so that the POS system is Has been built. A host computer 4 installed in the headquarters that controls each store is connected to the store computer 2 of each store via a network 5 such as ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network).

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the POS terminal 1. The POS terminal 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 as a control unit main body. In addition, a storage unit of a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12 and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) device 14 as an auxiliary storage device, and a clock as timekeeping means for measuring the current date and time. And a communication interface 16 that controls data communication performed through the LAN 3. Furthermore, a keyboard controller 18 for controlling the keyboard 17, a display controller 20 for controlling the display 19, an I / O port 22 for outputting a drive signal to a drawer 21 for storing cash, etc., and a display 23 for customers are connected. A display interface 24, a printer interface 26 to which a printer 25 for printing receipts and the like are connected, a scanner interface 28 to which a scanner 27 for reading barcodes and the like are connected are provided. The CPU 11, the ROM 12, the RAM 13, the HDD device 14, the clock unit 15, the communication interface 16, the keyboard controller 18, the display controller 20, the I / O port 22, the display interface 24, the printer interface 26, and the scanner interface 28 are addresses. They are connected by a bus line 29 such as a bus or a data bus.

  On the hard disk of the HDD device 14, as shown in FIG. 3, in addition to an OS (Operating System) as a basic program, various applications such as a POS business program P1, a file transfer program P2, a batch program P3, and a program update program P4. A program folder 31 for storing programs, drivers, and the like, a temporary save folder 32 for temporarily holding data, and the like are formed.

  The POS business program P1 controls information processing of various businesses that can be executed as the POS terminal 1. The file transfer program P2 controls a data file transfer procedure performed with the store computer 2 via the LAN 3. The batch program P3 sequentially registers commands received from the store computer 2 via the LAN 3, and instructs other programs to execute the commands. The program update program P4 controls updating of other application programs and drivers.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the POS business program P1 installed in each POS terminal 1 is centrally managed by the host computer 4 at the head office. When the POS business program P1 is changed due to version upgrade or the like, as shown in FIG. 4A, the program ID for identifying the type of program and the updated POS business program data Q1 are stored. 4B, an update information file 7 in which program update information such as the same program ID and update designated date / time information Q2 is stored as shown in FIG. 4B, and as shown in FIG. A management information file 8 storing program management information such as the same program ID and version number Q3 is created on the host computer 4. These information files 6, 7 and 8 are transmitted to the store computer 2 of each store via the network 5.

  When the store computer 2 receives various information files 6, 7, and 8 related to program update from the host computer 4 via the network 5, the store computer 2 stores these files 6 to 8 in the storage device 9 as shown in FIG. 5. To do. Further, a program update request message is transmitted to each POS terminal 1 via the LAN 3.

  When the POS terminal 1 receives a program update request message from the store computer 2 via the LAN 3, the batch program P3 operates to instruct the file transfer program P2 to acquire and execute a program related file. As a result, the file transfer program P2 operates, a program-related file acquisition notification signal is transmitted to the store computer 2 via the LAN 3, and the program file 6, the update information file 7 and the management information file 8 which are program-related files are sequentially added. Downloaded to the POS terminal 1. The downloaded information files 6 to 8 are stored in the temporary save folder 32. When the download ends, an end notification signal is transmitted to the store computer 2 via the LAN 3, and the file transfer program P2 ends. Here, the temporary save folder 32 constitutes an update program storage unit.

  Thereafter, when the power of the POS terminal 1 is once turned off and then turned on again, the POS terminal 1 starts an initial process. In the present embodiment, the update program P4 is activated as the first step of this initial process. Thereby, in the POS terminal 1, the update process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 is performed.

  That is, the CPU 11 of the POS terminal 1 in which the update program P4 is activated first determines whether or not the update information file 7 is stored in the temporary save folder 32 as ST (step) 1. If the update information file 7 is not stored, the update process is terminated and the process proceeds to the next step of the initial process.

  When the update information file 7 is stored, the CPU 11 reads the update designation date / time information Q2 from the update information file 7 as ST2, and acquires the program update date / time A. Next, the CPU 11 reads the current date and time (system date and time) counted by the clock unit 15 as ST3 and compares it with the update date and time A to determine whether or not the update date and time A has passed (update date determination). means). Here, if the update date A is greater than the current date, the update date A has not elapsed, so the CPU 11 ends this update process and moves to the next step of the initial process.

  If the update date / time A is equal to or smaller than the current date / time, the update date / time A has elapsed, so the CPU 11 reads the program ID from the update information file 7 as ST4 and assigns the same program ID to the file transfer program P2. Directs update information file acquisition execution. As a result, the file transfer program P2 operates, an update information file acquisition notification signal is transmitted to the store computer 2 via the LAN 3, and the latest update information file 7N of the same program ID stored in the storage device 9 is POS. Downloaded to the terminal 1.

  If the CPU 11 confirms that the update information file 7N has been downloaded in ST5, the CPU 11 reads the update designation date / time information Q2 from the update information file 7N in ST6 and obtains the program update date / time B. Then, the CPU 11 compares the program update date / time B of the update information file 7N newly downloaded as ST7 with the program update date / time A of the update information file 7 stored in the temporary save folder 32, and determines whether or not they match. Confirm (update date confirmation means).

  If the update date and time A and the update date and time B match, the CPU 11 reads the program ID from the management information file 8 stored in the temporary save folder 32 as ST8 and assigns the same program ID to the file transfer program P2. Directs execution of management information file acquisition. As a result, the file transfer program P2 operates, a management information file acquisition notification signal is transmitted to the store computer 2 via the LAN 3, and the latest management information file 8N of the same program ID stored in the storage device 9 is POS. Downloaded to the terminal 1.

  If the CPU 11 confirms that the management information file 8N has been downloaded in ST9, the CPU 11 reads the version number Q3 from the management information file 8N in ST10 and also stores the management information file 8 stored in the temporary save folder 32. The version number Q3 is read out from the data, and the two are compared (version confirmation means). As a result, if it is confirmed in ST11 that both version numbers match, the CPU 11 updates the program data in ST12. That is, the program ID and program data Q1 are read from the program file 6 stored in the temporary save folder 32, and the program (POS business program P1) stored in the program folder 31 is rewritten and updated with the program data Q1. (Program update means) Thereafter, the CPU 11 ends this update process, and proceeds to the next step of the initial process.

  On the other hand, when the program update date / time B of the update information file 7N newly downloaded in ST7 and the program update date / time A of the update information file 7 stored in the temporary save folder 32 are compared, they do not match. The CPU 11 determines whether or not the update date B is “0” in ST13. If the update date / time B is not “0”, the CPU 11 determines in ST14 whether the update date / time B has been changed to a date / time earlier than the update date / time A (future: may be before or after the system date / time). (Date change determination means). If the update date / time B has been changed to a date / time earlier than the update date / time A, the update information file 7 stored in the temporary save folder 32 is overwritten and updated to the newly downloaded update information file 7N. Then, the update date is postponed (update date postponing means). Thereafter, the CPU 11 ends this update process, and proceeds to the next step of the initial process.

  On the other hand, if the update date / time B is “0” in ST13 or the update date / time B is changed to a date before (in the past) the update date / time A in ST14, the CPU 11 determines as ST16. All of the program file 6, the update information file 7 and the management information file 8 stored in the temporary save folder 32 are cleared, and the update to the update program is canceled (program update canceling means). Further, when the version number Q3 of the management information file 8N newly downloaded in ST11 and the version number Q3 of the management information file 8 stored in the temporary save folder 32 are compared with each other, the CPU 11 Clears all of the program file 6, the update information file 7 and the management information file 8 stored in the temporary save folder 32 as ST16, and stops the update to the update program (program update canceling means). Thereafter, the CPU 11 ends this update process, and proceeds to the next step of the initial process.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the POS terminal 1 has the program file 6 in which the update program is stored and the update information file 7 in which the update date information is stored from the store computer 2 which is the host device. When the management information file 8 in which the version number and the like are stored is distributed via the LAN 3, these files 6 to 8 are stored in the temporary save folder 32.

  Then, in the initial process when the power is turned on, it is determined whether or not the update date A set by the update date information in the update information file 7 has elapsed. However, even when the update date / time A has elapsed, the program update is not performed unconditionally, but the latest update information file 7N is downloaded from the store computer 2 and set by the update date information of the update information file 7N. It is confirmed whether the updated date / time B matches the updated date / time A. Here, if they match, the latest management information file 8N is downloaded from the store computer 2 and the version number of the management information file 8N is stored in the temporary save folder 32. Check if it matches the version number.

  Thus, the update date of the update information file 7 distributed in advance coincides with the latest update date of the same update information file 7N stored in the storage device 9 of the store computer 2 that is a higher-level machine. On the condition that the version number of the management information file 8 distributed in advance matches the latest version number of the same management information file 8N stored in the storage device 9 of the store computer 2, it is stored in the temporary save folder 32. The POS business program P1 is updated by the update program of the stored program file 6.

  On the other hand, if the update date B of the update information file 7N is “0” or has been changed to a date older than the update date A of the update information file 7, it is stored in the temporary save folder 32. The program file 6, the update information file 7 and the management information file 8 are cleared, and the program update is stopped. Similarly, when the version number of the management information file 8N does not match the version number of the management information file 8, the information files 6 to 8 are cleared and the program update is stopped.

  When the update date / time B has been changed to a date earlier than the update date / time A, the update information file 7 stored in the temporary save folder 32 is overwritten and updated to the update information file 7N, and the update date / time is changed. Postponed.

  Therefore, for example, when a bug is found in the update program distributed in advance to each POS terminal 1 and the program update is stopped, the update date information of the update information file 7N stored in the storage device 9 of the store computer 2 is displayed. By rewriting to another date or rewriting the version number of the management information file 8 to another number, it is possible to update the program at each POS terminal 1 without instructing each POS terminal 1 to cancel the program update. Can be canceled.

  When the program update date / time of the distributed update program is postponed, the program update date / time of each POS terminal 1 is changed by changing the update date / time information of the update information file 7N to the information of the postponed date / time. The update date and time is automatically postponed without commanding.

  Therefore, it is possible to reliably cope with update suspension or update postponement of an update program that has been distributed online in advance and whose update date and time is reserved, so that the reliability of the system can be improved.

The present invention is not limited to the one embodiment.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, when the update date and time of the update information file 7 stored in the temporary save folder 32 has elapsed, first, the latest update information file 7N is acquired to check whether the update date and time match. If they match, the latest management information file 8N is acquired next to check whether the version information matches. If the version information matches, the update date is confirmed. You may check if matches.

  Also, it can be configured to update the program on the condition that the update date is matched by omitting the version information check, or to update the program on the condition that the version information is matched by omitting the check of the update date. Even if comprised in this way, it can respond reliably with respect to the update cancellation and update postponement of the update program distributed online beforehand, and there is no problem.

In the above embodiment, the start of the update program P4 is the timing of the initial process of the initialization process when the power is turned on. However, the start timing is not limited to this. The program update program P4 may be activated at the timing of the final process of the settlement process to be performed to update the program.
Of course, various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

1 is a block diagram schematically showing an overall configuration of a POS system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the POS terminal in the embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the main data folders formed in the hard disk of the POS terminal. The schematic diagram which shows the information file and data structure which are delivered from a high-order machine in the case of the program update in the embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the relationship between the motion of the information file in connection with the program update in the same embodiment, and the program which acts on it. The flowchart which shows the principal part of the program update process sequence which CPU of a POS terminal performs in the same embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... POS terminal, 2 ... Store computer, 3 ... LAN, 4 ... Host computer, 5 ... Network, 6 ... Program file, 7, 7N ... Update information file, 8, 8N ... Management information file, 31 ... Program folder, 32 ... temporary backup folder.

Claims (7)

In an information processing apparatus that performs information processing based on a program stored in a program file,
Update program storage means for storing the update program distributed from the host machine and the update date information of the update program;
A timing means for timing the current date;
Update date determination means for determining whether the current date timed by this time measurement means has passed the date of the update date information; and
When it is determined by the update date determination means that the current date has passed the date of the update date information, the update date information of the update program is updated with the update date information of the same update program stored on the higher-level machine side. An update date checking means to check whether they match,
Program update means for updating the program stored in the program file to the update program stored in the update program storage means on condition that the update date is matched by the update date confirmation means;
An information processing apparatus comprising:   The program update canceling means for canceling the update to the update program stored in the update program storage means when the update date does not match by the update date confirmation means. 1. An information processing apparatus according to 1. If the update date does not match by the update date confirmation means, the date change determination means for determining whether the update date has been changed to the previous date;
When the date change determining means determines that the update date has been changed to the previous date, the update date for changing the update date information of the update program stored by the update program storage means to the date information of the previous date Postponement means,
A program update canceling means for canceling the update to the update program stored by the update program storage means when the date change determination means determines that the update date has not been changed to the previous date;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: In an information processing apparatus that performs information processing based on a program stored in a program file,
Update program storage means for storing an update program distributed from the host machine and update date information and version information of the update program;
A timing means for timing the current date;
Update date determination means for determining whether the current date timed by this time measurement means has passed the date of the update date information; and
If it is determined by the update date determination means that the current date has passed the date of the update date information, the version information of the update program matches the version information of the same update program stored on the higher-level machine side. Version checking means to check whether
Program update means for updating the program stored in the program file to an update program stored in the update program storage means on condition that version information is matched by the version confirmation means;
An information processing apparatus comprising:   5. The apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising program update canceling means for canceling update to the update program stored in the update program storage means when the version information does not match by the version confirmation means. The information processing apparatus described. In a program update method for an information processing apparatus that performs information processing based on a program stored in a program file,
Storing an update program distributed in advance from the host machine and update date information of the update program;
Determining whether the current date timed by the timekeeping function of the information processing apparatus has passed the date of the update date information;
Determining that the current date has passed the date of the update date information, confirming whether the update date information of the update program matches the update date information of the same update program stored on the host device side;
Updating the program stored in the program file to an update program stored in advance on condition that the update date information matches, and
A program update method for an information processing apparatus, comprising: In a program update method for an information processing apparatus that performs information processing based on a program stored in a program file,
Storing an update program distributed in advance from a host machine and update date information and version information of the update program;
Determining whether the current date timed by the timekeeping function of the information processing apparatus has passed the date of the update date information;
Determining that the current date has passed the date of the update date information, checking whether the version information of the update program matches the version information of the same update program stored on the host device side;
Updating the program stored in the program file to an update program stored in advance on condition that the version information matches;
A program update method for an information processing apparatus, comprising:

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