JP2010026609A - Uninterruptible pos operation system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a low cost uninterruptible POS operation system which quickly returns to a consolidated management state similar to a normal operation state, when restoring from a failure. <P>SOLUTION: A substitutive server PS4 of headquarters information center 2 includes a substitutive POS data storing register D1, and a POS terminal device PT2 of each store 3 includes a POS program PP with a three operation modes and a substitutive POS data storing register D2. When a POS server PS3 is in normal operation, POS program is set to an operation mode 1 and saves working data in the POS server. When the POS server fails, the POS program is switched to operation mode 2, working data is transmitted to the substitutive server, and the working data is saved in the substitutive POS data storing register D1. When both of the POS server and the substitutive server fail, the POS program is switched to operation mode 3 and the working data is saved in the substitutive POS data storing register of the POS terminal device. When restoration from a failure is detected, all of the data are transmitted to POS data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention connects a plurality of computers installed in a plurality of stores and a headquarters information center via a network, and manages point-of-sale point-of-sale (POS) of point-of-sale (POS), which collectively manages business data of each store in the headquarters information center. Specifically, the present invention relates to a POS non-stop operation system that can be operated to stop POS even when trouble such as a failure occurs.

In chain stores with multiple affiliated stores such as supermarkets, convenience stores, home appliance mass retailers, restaurants, and drug stores, POS terminal devices installed in each store and POS servers installed in the information center of the management headquarters are connected via a network. A POS system is operated in which the business data of each store is transmitted from the POS terminal device to the POS server of the head office information center through the network.
In this POS system, management data such as product sales data, inventory data, and customer data is stored and managed in conjunction with the cash register for settlement, and each master data such as product master, customer master, cash register settlement data, and sales data is stored. In addition to storing and updating the POS registration data to the POS server, it is possible to perform precise inventory / order management, compare sales trends at multiple stores, There is a merit that analysis and utilization in cooperation with other data can be performed, such as checking sales trends by comparing sales.

  In this way, the POS system is a key point of business that centrally manages a large number of information at multiple stores at the headquarters information center, so if a failure occurs for any reason, it will have a significant impact on store sales activities. In addition, there is a great risk that a huge amount of business data will be lost. Therefore, dual management including a backup device or the like is generally performed as a backup when a failure occurs in the POS system.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of a conventional POS system equipped with a backup device. Each store has a POS terminal device PT1, and the head office information center has a built-in backup device similar to the POS server PS1 with a built-in backup device. The alternative server PS2 is arranged and connected to the network NW1 using the router RT and the terminal adapter TA, and a backup network NW2 is constructed in parallel therewith.

  In addition, the POS terminal device includes a first storage unit and a second storage unit using an SRAM using a DRAM. The POS data is stored in the second storage unit, and the battery is connected to the SRAM and the internal power source. Technologies that constitute backup storage means (for example, see Patent Document 1), a store processor having a hard disk, and a memory that stores management data, and a large number of POS terminals connected to the store processor via a LAN And adjustment data collection means for collecting the management data stored in the memory of each POS terminal at the store processor at the end of business of these POS terminals, and storing the collected adjustment data in the hard disk of the store processor Consists of backup means, backup after closing the hard disk installed in each store Technique of storing over data is known (e.g., see Patent Document 2).

JP 2006-34391 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-114084

However, in the conventional example shown in FIG. 5, two identical servers are prepared in the headquarters information center to perform exactly the same operation, and a backup network is also constructed, so that a high cost burden can be avoided. Absent. Further, once a failure occurs in the system, a special operation is required artificially, and recovery takes about 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Further, Patent Document 1 is provided with a battery backup storage unit in each POS terminal device in each store so as to store the minimum necessary information in the POS terminal device in each store at the time of a system failure. Since each POS terminal device only stores data related to sales at each store and does not receive commands from the POS server, it cannot be said to back up the entire POS system. Moreover, Patent Document 1 does not specifically describe what happens to the storage data stored in the POS server in a system failure state, or what happens to the storage information stored in the battery backup storage means of the POS terminal device. From these points, it is not appropriate as a backup of the POS system.

  Further, Patent Document 2 shows that the POS terminal device information of each store is periodically supplied to the POS server of the headquarters information center, and at the night when information is not accumulated in the POS terminal device, the entire POS system is stopped to save power. It is inevitable that the entire POS system stops when a failure occurs when the store is opened during the day.

  The present invention has been made in the background of such a situation, and the purpose of the present invention is to recover from a failure without requiring a conventional switching operation and an expensive dual-structure POS terminal device. In this case, it is possible to instantaneously return to a centralized management state similar to normal operation, and to provide a POS non-stop operation system at low cost.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a POS terminal device arranged in a plurality of stores and a POS server of a head office information center that manages the plurality of stores are connected by a network. In the POS system in which business data recorded in the POS terminal device is transmitted to the POS server through the network and the business data of each store is centrally managed by the head office information center, an alternative server is arranged in the head office information center. Then, an operation authentication data register and an alternative POS data storage register are set in the alternative server, and each POS terminal device has a POS program having three modes P1, P2, and P3 for operating the POS system; An operation confirmation sensor for confirming access from the operation authentication data register of the POS server or the alternative server; A program mode switching control mechanism for selecting the POS program according to a command from the operation confirmation sensor and an alternative POS data storage register are provided, and when the operation confirmation data register authentication of the POS server is obtained by the operation confirmation sensor, It is determined that the POS server is functioning normally, and the program mode switching control mechanism selects the mode P1 of the POS program, transmits the business data from each POS terminal device to the POS server, and the POS server When the server stores and updates business data from each POS terminal device and the operation check data register authentication of the POS server is not obtained by the operation check sensor, it is determined that the POS server has failed. The program mode switching control mechanism changes the POS program from mode P1. Switch to de P2, the business data from the POS terminal device transmits to the alternate server, it is characterized by storing the alternate POS data storage register of surrogate replacement server business data as an alternative business data.

  Further, in the invention of claim 2, in the invention of claim 1 above, when the operation check sensor obtains the authentication of the operation authentication data register of the POS server while operating the POS terminal device in the mode P2, The program mode switching control mechanism determines that the POS server has been restored, switches the POS program from mode P2 to mode P1, and transmits business data from each POS terminal device to the POS data storage register of the POS server. In addition, the alternative business data stored in the alternative POS data storage register of the alternative server is transmitted to the POS data storage register of the POS server.

  Further, as the invention of claim 3 of the present application, in the invention of claim 2 above, the operation authentication data register authentication of both the POS server and the alternative server is performed while the POS terminal device is operating in the mode P2. If it is not obtained by the operation confirmation sensor, it is determined that both the POS server and the alternative server have failed, and the program mode switching control mechanism switches the POS program from mode P2 to mode P3, and the POS terminal device itself A part or all of the business data is stored as alternative business data in the alternative POS data storage register of the POS terminal device.

  Furthermore, in the invention of claim 4 of the present application, in the invention of claim 3, the operation check sensor obtained the authentication of the operation authentication data register of the POS server while operating the POS terminal device in the mode P3. Sometimes, it is determined that the POS server has been restored, the program mode switching control mechanism switches the POS program from mode P3 to mode P1, and transmits business data from each POS terminal device to the POS server. The alternative business data stored in the alternative POS data storage register of each POS terminal device is transmitted to the POS server.

In the POS non-stop operation system of the present invention, the store entrance / exit information data, weather information data, regional information data, selling price change data, shelf allocation change data, sales promotion data, inspection data, employee data, etc. are networked. Input is written to the POS server in the headquarters information center via the network. At this time, the master data such as merchandise sales data, purchased customer data, and sales type data is registered and recorded.
The operation authentication data of the POS server is provided with a date / time timer, and collation data for each server is created and recorded in the operation authentication data register. This is updated from time to time.

  In the POS non-stop operation system according to the present invention, one alternative server having a capability equivalent to that of a POS server arranged in advance in the headquarters information center is used for backup. However, the present invention provides two or more alternative servers. It does not preclude a non-stop operation system with multiple backup functions using more than that.

In the POS non-stop operation system of the present invention, a POS terminal device equipped with a mode mechanism of a plurality of POS programs selected by automatic switching is arranged in each store, and the POS server of the head office information center is faulty due to failure or the like. When it occurs, by switching the mode of the POS program instantly, operating the alternative server of the headquarters information center and managing the alternative business, while recording the business data of the POS terminal device of each store on the alternative server, It is possible to operate the POS system without stopping, and when a failure occurs in this alternative server, the POS system can be stopped without leaving the minimum business data in the POS terminal device of each store. It can be operated.
In addition, when the POS server or substitute server of the headquarters information center recovers from a failure and restarts, it can automatically return to the initial POS program mode, and the substitute server or POS terminal device. Since the record of the substitute business data temporarily performed in step 1 is also transmitted to the POS server and the entire information including the already stored information is updated and recorded, the series of management by the POS system may be impaired. Absent.
Moreover, the configuration is simple, the operation management is easy, and the implementation can be performed at a low cost. In addition, when a POS server or an alternative server fails, the mode is quickly switched, so that there is almost no downtime associated with switching.

Hereinafter, an embodiment to which the POS non-stop operation system of the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIGS.
1 to 3 show schematic views of a POS non-stop operation system. FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a normal operation state of the system. FIG. 2 is an operation state in mode P2 of the POS program. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an operation state in the mode P3 of the POS program, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the non-stop operation system.

  In the POS non-stop operation system 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a POS server PS3 which is a main server and an alternative server PS4 having a slightly more compact size than the POS server PS3 are arranged in the headquarters information center 2. A plurality of stores 3 placed under the management of the headquarters information center 2 are provided with POS terminal devices PT2, respectively. The POS server PS3, the alternative server PS4, and each POS terminal device PT2 include a network NW3, a router RT, Connected using a terminal adapter TA.

The POS server PS3 is provided with an operation authentication data register R1 with a date / time timer, and the alternative server PS4 is provided with an operation authentication data register R2 and an alternative POS data storage register D1. In the state where PS3 is functioning normally, business data such as the product name, price, payment method, deposit, change, receipt contents, etc., of the sale product transmitted from each POS terminal device PT2 is sent to the POS server PS3 in real time. In addition, the verification data of each server is created in the operation authentication data register R1, and this is recorded and updated.
Further, when the POS server PS3 fails due to a failure or the like, the alternative server PS4 operates instead, and the business data from each POS terminal device PT2 is stored in the POS data storage of the alternative server PS4 in place of the POS server PS3. The cash register D1 is temporarily stored as alternative work data.

  Each POS terminal device PT2 incorporates a POS program PP, a program mode switching control mechanism PC, an operation check sensor SS, and a substitute POS data storage register D2. The POS program PP has three switching modes of modes P1, P2 and P3. When the POS server PS3 is functioning normally as a main server, the program mode switching control mechanism PC sets the mode P1 which is the normal mode. Is selected, and the POS server PS3 collects and stores various commands to the POS terminal PT2 and business data from the POS terminal PT2.

The mode P2 is used as an alternative mode for operating the alternative server PS4 as an alternative when the POS server PS3 as the main server fails. Further, the mode P3 is used by both the POS server PS3 and the alternative server PS4. Is used as a self mode for operating the POS terminal PT2 itself so as to temporarily store a minimum amount of business data.
When the POS server PS3 fails, the program mode switching control mechanism PC automatically selects the mode P2 which is an alternative mode, collects various commands to the POS terminal device PT2, collects business data from the POS terminal device PT2, When the storage is performed by the alternative server PS4 and both the POS server PS3 and the alternative server PS4 fail, the mode P3 which is the self mode is automatically selected by the program mode switching control mechanism PC, and each POS terminal device PT2 manages, collects, and stores information related to the sale of products.

  The operation check sensor SS provided in each POS terminal device PT2 is for detecting the authentication of the operation authentication data registers R1 and R2 of the POS server PS3 and the alternative server PS4, and also the POS data at the time of replacement of the POS terminal device PT2. When the POS program PP selects the mode P3 in which the POS program PP is in the self mode due to the failure of both the POS server PS3 and the alternative server PS4, the storage register D2 stores all of business data such as product sales data of the POS terminal device PT2 itself or the like. Temporarily store a part as alternative business data.

  Business data such as entrance / exit information data, weather information data, regional information data, selling price change data, shelf allocation change data, sales promotion data, inspection data and employee data are individually input to the POS terminal device PT2 of each store 3. The business data is input to the POS server of the head office information center 2 through the network NW3 and written. Further, the business data includes merchandise sales data, purchased customer data, sales type data, and the like. These business data are also processed and transmitted to the POS server PS3.

Next, an operation example of the POS non-stop operation system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, in step S1 of FIG. 4 where the entire non-stop operation system 1 is functioning normally, the operation check sensor SS of the POS terminal device PT2 of each store 3 is the POS server PS3 of the head office information center 2. POS terminal device PT2 operates in the normal mode P1.

Next, in step S2, the operation check sensor SS of each POS terminal device PT2 accesses the operation authentication data registers R1 and R2 of the POS server PS3 and the alternative server PS4 of the head office information center 2 at regular intervals, and performs these operation authentications. The authentication data of the data registers R1 and R2 are fetched.
In step S3, it is determined whether or not the operation authentication data register R1 of the POS server PS3 is normal. If the operation authentication data register R1 is recognized as normal, the process enters step S4 and the replacement POS data of the alternative server PS4. The access point POS data storage register D2 of the storage register D1 and the POS terminal PT2 itself is accessed, and it is determined whether or not there is alternative work data in the replacement point POS data storage registers D1 and D2. If it is recognized that there is no substitute business data in both the substitute POS data storage registers D1 and D2, the process enters step S5, and the operation of the POS program PP of its own POS terminal device PT2 is continued in mode P1. The process returns to step S2.

  In the above routine in which the POS server PS3, which is the main server of the non-stop operation system 1, is functioning normally and the POS program PP of the POS terminal device PT2 is operating in the normal mode P1, the product sales at each store 3 All business data such as data is written in real time from the POS terminal device PT2 to the POS server PS3 through the network NW3, and each data is stored and updated (see FIG. 1).

  In step S4, if it is recognized that there is substitute business data in either or both of the substitute server POS data storage registers D1 and D2 of the substitute server PS4 and the POS terminal PT2 itself, the process enters step S6 and the data After the recovery system is activated and the replacement work data is fetched and updated in the POS server PS3, the process returns to step S2 through step S5.

  If the authentication of the operation authentication data register R1 of the POS server PS3 is not obtained in step S3, it is determined that the POS server PS3 is out of order and the process proceeds to step S7. In step S7, the operation authentication data register of the alternative server PS4 is registered. When it is determined whether or not R2 is normal and the operation authentication data register R2 is recognized as normal, the process enters step S8, and the program mode switching control mechanism PC starts the POS program PP of each POS terminal device PT2 from the mode P1. The mode is automatically switched to mode P2, and in step S9, the business data from each POS terminal device PT2 is stored as alternative business data in the alternative POS data storage register D1 of the alternative server PS4, and then the process returns to step S2 (FIG. 2).

  As described above, since the substitute server PS4 is smaller in size than the POS server PS3 as the main server, it is functionally inferior to the POS server PS3, and the substitute POS data storage register. The alternative business data stored in D1 is slightly inferior in quantity to the business data stored in the POS server PS3, but necessary data such as product sales data of the store 3 is stored via the network NW3. It is written and stored in the alternative server PS4.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the POS server PS3 as the main server is restored during the operation of the alternative server PS4 using the mode P2 of the POS program PP, the operation authentication data register R1 is set to normal in step S3. Recognizing and entering step S4, accessing the substitute POS data storage register D1 of the substitute server PS4 and the substitute POS data storage register D2 of the POS terminal PT2 itself, and entering the substitute POS data storage register D1 of the substitute server PS4 Recognize stored alternative business data.
Then, in step S6, the data recovery system is operated, and the replacement business data is fetched and updated (including recovery for storing data in a normal state) to the POS server PS3. The operation of the POS program PP of the POS terminal device PT2 is switched from mode P2 to mode P1, and the process returns to step S2.

  In step S7, if the authentication of the operation authentication data register R2 of the alternative server PS4 is not obtained, it is determined that both the POS server PS3 and the alternative server PS4 are out of order, and the process enters step S10. Then, the POS program PP of each POS terminal device PT2 is automatically switched from the mode P2 to the mode P3 which is the self mode by the program mode switching control mechanism PC, and the business data of the POS terminal device PT2 itself is replaced in step S11. After being stored in the POS data storage register D2 as alternative work data, the process returns to step S2 (see FIG. 3).

As shown in FIG. 3, the operation of the POS terminal device PT2 using the mode P3 of the POS program PP is operated with a minimum function sufficient to sell the product, and during this operation, the operation is the main server. When the POS server PS3 is restored, the operation authentication data register R1 is recognized as normal in step S3, and the process enters step S4 to replace the substitute POS data storage register D1 of the substitute server PS4 and the POS terminal device PT2 itself. The time POS data storage register D2 is accessed, and the replacement work data stored in the replacement time POS data storage register D2 of the POS terminal PT2 itself is recognized.
Then, in step S6, the data recovery system is operated, and the replacement business data is fetched and updated (including recovery for storing data in a normal state) to the POS server PS3. The operation of the POS program PP of the POS terminal device PT2 is switched from mode P3 to mode P1, and the process returns to step S2.

As described above, the relationship between the state change of the operation authentication data registers R1 and R2 in the POS non-stop operation system 1 of this embodiment and the automatic selection of the mode of the POS program PP associated therewith can be summarized as shown in Table 1 below. It becomes like this.

It is the schematic which shows the state which operates the POS non-stop operation system which shows one Example of this invention by the mode P1 of normal time. It is a block diagram which shows the state which operates the POS non-stop operation system which shows one Example of this invention by mode P2. It is a block diagram which shows the state which operates the POS non-stop operation system which shows one Example of this invention by mode P3. It is a flowchart of the POS non-stop operation system of the present invention. It is the schematic which shows the operation state of the conventional POS system.

Explanation of symbols

1 POS non-stop operation system 2 headquarters information center 3 store PS3 POS server PS4 alternative server PT2 POS terminal device NW3 network network RT router TA terminal adapter R1, R2 operation authentication data register PC program mode switching control mechanism PP POS program SS operation check POS data storage register when sensor D1, D2 is replaced

Claims (4)

A POS terminal device arranged in a plurality of stores and a POS server of a headquarters information center that manages the plurality of stores are connected by a network network, and business data recorded in each POS terminal device is transmitted through the network network. In a POS system that transmits to a POS server and centrally manages the business data of each store at the headquarters information center,
An alternative server is arranged in the headquarters information center,
Set an operation authentication data register and an alternative POS data storage register on the alternative server,
Each POS terminal device has an POS program having three modes P1, P2, and P3 for operating the POS system, and an operation check for checking access from the operation authentication data register of the POS server or the alternative server. A sensor, a program mode switching control mechanism for selecting the POS program according to a command from the operation check sensor, and an alternative POS data storage register,
When the operation confirmation data register authentication of the POS server is obtained by the operation confirmation sensor, it is determined that the POS server is functioning normally, and the program mode switching control mechanism selects the mode P1 of the POS program. The business data from each POS terminal device is transmitted to the POS server, and the business data from each POS terminal device is stored and updated at the POS server.
If the operation confirmation data register authentication of the POS server is not obtained by the operation check sensor, the POS server determines that the failure has occurred, and the program mode switching control mechanism switches the POS program from mode P1 to mode P2. A non-stop operating system for POS, wherein business data from each POS terminal device is transmitted to the alternative server, and the business data is stored as alternative business data in an alternative POS data storage register of the alternative server. While the POS terminal device is operating in the mode P2, when the operation confirmation sensor obtains the authentication of the operation authentication data register of the POS server, it is determined that the POS server has been restored, and the program mode switching control mechanism Switches the POS program from mode P2 to mode P1, transmits business data from each POS terminal device to the POS data storage register of the POS server, and
The POS non-stop operation system according to claim 1, wherein the substitute business data accumulated in the substitute POS data storage register of the substitute server is transmitted to the POS data storage register of the POS server. When the operation confirmation data register authentication of both the POS server and the alternative server is not obtained by the operation check sensor while the POS terminal device is operating in the mode P2, both the POS server and the alternative server The program mode switching control mechanism switches the POS program from mode P2 to mode P3,
The POS non-stop operation system according to claim 2, wherein a part or all of business data of the POS terminal device itself is stored as alternative business data in an alternative POS data storage register of the POS terminal device. While the POS terminal device is operating in the mode P3, when the operation check sensor obtains the authentication of the operation authentication data register of the POS server, it is determined that the POS server has been restored, and the program mode switching control The mechanism switches the POS program from mode P3 to mode P1, transmits the business data from each POS terminal device to the POS server, and stores the alternative business data stored in the alternative POS data storage register of each POS terminal device. The POS non-stop operation system according to claim 3, wherein the POS server is transmitted to the POS server.

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