JP2014232479A - Data processing apparatus and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a data processing apparatus including a function to transition to a power saving mode, capable of smooth cooperation with an external device.SOLUTION: A data processing apparatus according to an embodiment includes a main body and a communication unit. The main body includes first data processing means for processing data, and a function to transition to a power saving mode of restricting processing by the first data processing means to hold down power consumption. The communication unit includes: transmitting/receiving means for transmitting/receiving data to/from an external device; and second data processing means for processing the data received by the transmitting/receiving means from the external device. If the transmitting/receiving means receives data when the main body transitions to the power saving mode and the data is data of a first type, the second data processing means processes the data. If the transmitting/receiving means receives data when the main body transitions to the power saving mode and the data is data of a second type different from the first type, the main body cancels the power saving mode to allow the first data processing means to processes the data.

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a data processing apparatus and a program that communicate with an external device.

  There is a technique for operating various data processing devices in a power saving mode. A data processing device in the power saving mode operates with less power consumption than the normal operation mode by stopping the operation of devices such as a display, an auxiliary storage device, and a processor, or reducing the operation capability. .

  When the data processing apparatus has shifted to the power saving mode, depending on the mode of the power saving mode, the apparatus may not be able to respond to data transmitted from an external device with the apparatus as a destination. If such a situation occurs, the processing capacity of the system will decrease.

JP 2006-157147 A

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to enable smooth cooperation with an external device in a data processing apparatus having a function of shifting to a power saving mode.

  The data processing apparatus in one embodiment includes a main body unit and a communication unit. The main unit includes a first data processing unit that processes data, and has a function of shifting to a power saving mode in which the processing by the first data processing unit is restricted to reduce power consumption. The communication unit includes a transmission / reception unit that transmits / receives data to / from an external device, and a second data processing unit that processes data received by the transmission / reception unit from the external device. If the data is the first type of data when the transmission / reception means receives the data during the transition to, the data is processed by the second data processing means, and the data is the first type If the data is of a second type different from the above, the power saving mode of the main body is canceled and the data is processed by the first data processing means.

The figure which shows the structure of the ordering system in one Embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the structure of a broadcast frame. The figure which shows an example of the structure of a unicast frame. The figure which shows an example of the structure of an ARP request | requirement frame. The figure which shows an example of the structure of an ARP response frame. The block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the handy terminal in one Embodiment. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the handy terminal in power saving mode. The figure for demonstrating the transition of the operation mode of a main body apparatus and a radio | wireless communication apparatus. The figure for demonstrating the transition of the operation mode of a main body apparatus and a radio | wireless communication apparatus. The figure for demonstrating the transition of the operation mode of a main body apparatus and a radio | wireless communication apparatus.

An embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
In the present embodiment, an ordering system operating in a restaurant and a handy terminal used in the system are disclosed.

  FIG. 1 shows the configuration of an ordering system. The ordering system includes a handy terminal 1, a server 2, a kitchen printer 3, a POS (Point Of Sales) terminal 4, an access point 5, and a LAN (Local Area Network) cable 6. The ordering system may include a plurality of handy terminals 1.

  The LAN cable 6 connects the server 2, the POS terminal 4, and the access point 5 so that they can communicate with each other. The access point 5 communicates wirelessly with the handy terminal 1 and the kitchen printer 3 via, for example, radio waves. The access point 5 relays data transmission / reception among the handy terminal 1, the server 2, the kitchen printer 3, and the POS terminal 4.

  The handy terminal 1 is used for an operator to input information such as dishes and drinks ordered by customers. The operator of the handy terminal 1 may be a store clerk or a customer. The handy terminal 1 transmits order data representing the input information to the server 2 via the access point 5. The order data includes information such as a table number indicating the table on which the customer is seated, the name of the ordered food, and the number of orders.

  The server 2 stores the order data received from the handy terminal 1. Further, the server 2 transmits the order data to the kitchen printer 3 via the access point 5.

  The kitchen printer 3 outputs an order slip in which information included in the order data received from the server 2 is printed on paper. The cook in the kitchen refers to the order slip output by the kitchen printer 3 and cooks the food ordered by the customer or prepares the drink ordered by the customer.

  The POS terminal 4 executes processing related to accounting for the customer's food and beverage charges. In this process, the POS terminal 4 reads out the order data of customers to be accounted for from the server 2 and calculates the total price of food and drink included in the read order data. Furthermore, the POS terminal 4 executes a process for paying the calculated total price with cash or a credit card.

  Here, communication performed between devices included in the ordering system will be described. Each device included in the ordering system transmits and receives packets by the packet communication method. More specifically, the packet is transmitted and received in a state of being encapsulated in a frame including at least one packet.

  The types of frames can be roughly classified into broadcast frames and unicast frames. The broadcast frame is a frame transmitted with all devices included in the ordering system as destinations. The unicast frame is a frame transmitted with a specific device included in the ordering system as a destination.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 1, the IP address of the handy terminal 1 is “888.888.888.888”, the MAC address of the handy terminal 1 is “99: 99: 99: 99: 99: 99”, and the POS terminal The structure of the broadcast frame and the unicast frame is exemplified by the case where the IP address of 4 is “222.222.222.222” and the MAC address of the POS terminal 4 is “11: 11: 11: 11: 11: 11”. explain. These IP addresses and MAC addresses are both expressed in hexadecimal numbers.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of the structure of a broadcast frame. The broadcast frame includes a header, a destination MAC address, and a transmission source MAC address. The header represents the type of frame and the bit length of each piece of information following the header. The destination MAC address of the broadcast frame is “FF: FF: FF: FF: FF: FF” indicating that no destination is specified. The broadcast frame is a frame transmitted from the POS terminal 4. Therefore, the source MAC address is “11: 11: 11: 11: 11: 11”.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of the structure of a unicast frame. The unicast frame includes a header, a destination MAC address, a source MAC address, and the like. The header represents the type of frame and the bit length of each piece of information following the header. The unicast frame is a frame transmitted from the POS terminal 4 to the handy terminal 1. Therefore, the destination MAC address is “99: 99: 99: 99: 99: 99”, and the source MAC address is “11: 11: 11: 11: 11: 11”.

  In order to transmit a unicast frame, the source device needs to know the MAC address of the destination device. Each device included in the ordering system periodically grasps the MAC address of another device by performing processing in accordance with ARP (Address Resolution Protocol).

  The process for grasping the MAC address of another device includes a step where any device broadcasts an ARP request frame and a step where another device returns an ARP response frame.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the structure of the ARP request frame. The ARP request frame includes a header, a source MAC address, a source IP address, a destination MAC address, and a destination IP address. The header represents the type of frame and the bit length of each piece of information following the header. The ARP request frame is a frame for requesting a response from the POS terminal 4 to the device having the IP address “888.888.888.888”, that is, the handy terminal 1 in the example of FIG. Therefore, the source MAC address is “11: 11: 11: 11: 11: 11”, the source IP address is “222.222.222.222”, and the destination IP address is “888.888.888.888”. The destination MAC address of the ARP request frame is “00: 00: 00: 00: 00: 00” indicating that the destination MAC address is unknown.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of the structure of an ARP response frame. The ARP response frame includes a header, a source MAC address, a source IP address, a destination MAC address, and a destination IP address. The header represents the type of frame and the bit length of each piece of information following the header. The ARP response frame is a frame in which the device to which the same IP address as the destination IP address of the ARP request frame shown in FIG. 4 is assigned, that is, the handy terminal 1 responds to the POS terminal 4. Therefore, the source MAC address is “99: 99: 99: 99: 99: 99”, the source IP address is “888.888.888.888”, and the destination MAC address is “11: 11: 11: 11: 11”. : 11 ”and the destination IP address is“ 222.222.222.222 ”. Even if each device included in the ordering system receives an ARP request frame, it does not return an ARP response frame if the destination IP address included in the frame is different from its own IP address.

  A detailed configuration of the handy terminal 1 will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the handy terminal 1. The handy terminal 1 includes a main body device 10 and a wireless communication device 20. The main unit 10 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 11, a read only memory (ROM) 12, a random access memory (RAM) 13, a display 14, an input interface 15, a battery 16, a DC-DC converter 17, and a bus line 18. including. The bus line 18 electrically connects the CPU 11, ROM 12, RAM 13, display 14, input interface 15, and wireless communication device 20.

  The CPU 11 corresponds to the central part of the computer. CPU11 controls each part in order to implement | achieve the various functions as the handy terminal 1 according to an operating system or an application program.

  The ROM 12 corresponds to a main storage part of the computer. The ROM 12 stores the above operating system and application programs. The ROM 12 may store data necessary for the CPU 11 to execute various processes.

  The RAM 13 corresponds to the main storage portion of the computer. The RAM 13 stores data necessary for the CPU 11 to execute various processes as necessary. The RAM 13 is also used as a work area when the CPU 11 performs various processes.

  The display 14 is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an OELD (Organic ElectroLuminescence Display). The display 14 displays a screen related to the order. This screen may include a GUI (Graphical User Interface) that can be operated by the input interface 15.

  The input interface 15 is, for example, a touch panel for detecting an operation on the GUI displayed on the display 14 or a keyboard on which various keys are arranged. The operator can input information on food and drinks ordered by the customer by operating the input interface 15.

  For example, when the handy terminal 1 is mounted on a cradle connected to a commercial AC power source, the battery 16 is charged with electric power supplied from the power source. The battery 16 supplies a DC voltage to the DC-DC converter 17. The DC-DC converter 17 transforms the DC voltage supplied from the battery 16 and supplies the DC voltage to devices such as the CPU 11, ROM 12, RAM 13, display 14, input interface 15, and wireless communication device 20.

  The wireless communication device 20 is a wireless chip that can communicate with the access point 5 via radio waves, for example. The wireless communication device 20 includes an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) 21, a transmission / reception circuit 22, and an antenna 23.

  When transmitting data to the access point 5, the transmission / reception circuit 22 outputs a signal obtained by modulating the data to the antenna 23. The antenna 23 transmits a radio wave corresponding to the signal input from the transmission / reception circuit 22. When the antenna 23 receives a radio wave from the access point 5, the antenna 23 outputs a signal corresponding to the radio wave to the transmission / reception circuit 22. The transmission / reception circuit 22 demodulates the signal input from the antenna 23 to generate reception data.

  The MPU 21 includes a memory 21a. The MPU 21 executes information processing according to a computer program stored in the memory 21a. In addition to the computer program, the memory 21a stores a MAC address assigned to the wireless communication device 20 in the manufacturing stage and an IP address dynamically assigned to the handy terminal 1 in the ordering system. When this IP address is assigned to the handy terminal 1, for example, the operating system of the handy terminal 1 notifies the MPU 21. The MPU 21 writes the notified IP address in the memory 21a.

  The main body device 10 and the wireless communication device 20 are connected via a connection line 30. The connection line 30 includes a line for exchanging data between the main body device 10 and the wireless communication device 20 and a line for supplying a direct current voltage from the DC-DC converter 17 to the wireless communication device 20.

  The handy terminal 1 in the present embodiment has a function of switching the operation mode between the normal mode and the power saving mode. The normal mode is a mode in which the handy terminal 1 is operated with a normal capability without restricting functions. The power saving mode is a mode in which the handy terminal 1 is operated with lower power consumption than when operating in the normal mode. In the power saving mode, the handy terminal 1 operates, for example, all or part of the devices included in the handy terminal 1 with a lower capacity than when operating in the normal mode, or stops supplying power to all or part of these devices. This reduces power consumption. The specific specification of the power saving mode may be designed in accordance with ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface) which is a standard related to power control of a computer, for example.

  When the handy terminal 1 is operating in the normal mode, the handy terminal 1 shifts to the power saving mode when a predetermined condition is satisfied. The predetermined condition is, for example, that the input interface 15 has not been operated for a predetermined time or more, that communication via the wireless communication device 20 has not been performed for a predetermined time or a predetermined operation has been performed on the input interface 15. Etc.

  In this embodiment, the handy terminal 1 restricts at least information processing by the CPU 11 when the handy terminal 1 shifts to the power saving mode. This restriction is performed, for example, by stopping the operation of the application program or operating system. Furthermore, the handy terminal 1 operates devices such as the display 14, the input interface 15, and the wireless communication apparatus 20 with low power consumption.

An operation of the wireless communication device 20 will be described.
If the transmission / reception circuit 22 receives data when the handy terminal 1 is in the power saving mode, the wireless communication device 20 processes the data by the MPU 21 if the data is the first type of data. If the data is a second type of data different from the first type, the wireless communication device 20 cancels the power saving mode of the main body device 10 and causes the CPU 11 to process the data. For example, the first type of data can be defined as data that can be processed by the MPU 21, and the second type of data can be defined as data that cannot be processed by the MPU 21 and can be processed by the CPU 11.

  Particularly in the present embodiment, the first type of data is an ARP request frame, and the second type of data is a unicast frame destined for the handy terminal 1.

  Under the power saving mode, the MPU 21 operates according to the flowchart of FIG. 7 by executing the computer program stored in the memory 21a.

  In the flowchart, the MPU 21 first counts a predetermined waiting time (Act 1). During this waiting time count, the wireless communication device 20 does not transmit or receive data. When the waiting time has been counted, the MPU 21 controls the transmission / reception circuit 22 to execute data reception processing (Act 2). The MPU 21 determines whether the transmission / reception circuit 22 has received the frame (Act 3).

  If it is determined that no frame has been received (No in Act 3), the MPU 21 determines whether the main device 10 has been instructed to cancel the power saving mode (Act 4). For example, the main body device 10 instructs the wireless communication device 20 to cancel the power saving mode when a predetermined operation is performed on the input interface 15. When it is determined that cancellation of the power saving mode is not instructed (No in Act4), the MPU 21 returns the operation to Act1.

  As described above, the wireless communication device 20 repeats the waiting time counting and the execution of the reception process in the power saving mode. Since the transmission / reception circuit 22 is not driven when counting the waiting time, power consumption is reduced.

  When it is determined that the frame is received in Act 3 (Yes in Act 3), the MPU 21 determines whether the frame is an ARP request frame addressed to the handy terminal 1 (Act 5).

  The MPU 21 indicates that the header of the frame is an ARP request frame, and if the destination IP address of the frame matches the IP address of the handy terminal 1 stored in the memory 21a, the frame is addressed to the handy terminal 1. It is determined that the frame is an ARP request frame (Yes in Act 5). In this case, the MPU 21 temporarily cancels the power saving mode, shifts to the normal mode, and executes the ARP response process (Act 6). In the ARP response process, the MPU 21 generates an ARP response frame. The transmission source MAC address and transmission source IP address of the ARP response frame are the MAC address of the wireless communication device 20 and the IP address of the handy terminal 1 stored in the memory 21a. The destination MAC address and destination IP address of the ARP response frame are the source MAC address and source IP address included in the ARP request frame. The MPU 21 controls the transmission / reception circuit 22 to transmit the generated ARP response frame. After transmitting the ARP response frame, the MPU 21 shifts the wireless communication device 20 to the power saving mode again. After Act6, the operation of the MPU 21 moves to Act4.

  When it is determined in Act 5 that the frame is not an ARP request frame (No in Act 5), the MPU 21 determines whether the frame received in Act 2 is a unicast frame addressed to the handy terminal 1 (Act 7). When the destination MAC address of the frame matches the MAC address of the wireless communication device 20 stored in the memory 21a, the MPU 21 determines that the frame is a unicast frame addressed to the handy terminal 1 (Yes in Act 7). In this case, the MPU 21 cancels the power saving mode of the main device 10 and causes the CPU 11 to process the frame (Act 8). For example, the MPU 21 transmits the frame to the CPU 11 of the main body device 10. The CPU 11 cancels the power saving mode in response to receiving the frame from the wireless communication device 20, and returns to the normal mode. Furthermore, the CPU 11 executes processing corresponding to the frame.

  If it is determined in Act 7 that the frame is not a unicast frame addressed to the handy terminal 1 (No in Act 7), the MPU 21 shifts the operation to Act 4 without performing the process related to the frame. In this case, the frame is a broadcast frame excluding the ARP request frame or a unicast frame destined for another device.

  After Act 8 or when it is determined that the power saving mode is instructed in Act 4 (Yes in Act 4), the MPU 21 ends the operation shown in the flowchart. Thereby, the power saving mode of the wireless communication device 20 is canceled, and the operation of the wireless communication device 20 shifts to the normal mode. In the normal mode, the wireless communication device 20 always performs reception processing. Furthermore, when the wireless communication device 20 receives transmission data from the main device 10, the wireless communication device 20 transmits the transmission data to the access point 5.

The operation of this embodiment will be described.
8, 9, and 10 are diagrams for explaining transition of operation modes of the main body device 10 and the wireless communication device 20. 8 to 10, the hatched elements are elements operating in the normal mode, and the elements not hatched are elements operating in the power saving mode.

  FIGS. 8 to 10 show the hardware (H / W) such as the display 14, a driver that drives the hardware, an operating system (OS) that controls the driver, and the OS of the main body device 10. An application (APL) that uses the function is shown. The driver, operating system, and application are realized by the CPU 11 executing a computer program stored in the ROM 12 or the like. 8 to 10 show the hardware (H / W) such as the transmission / reception circuit 22 and the firmware (F / W) for driving the hardware with respect to the wireless communication apparatus 20. This firmware is realized by the MPU 21 executing a computer program stored in the memory 21a.

  FIG. 8 shows a state in which both the main device 10 and the wireless communication device 20 have shifted to the power saving mode. In this state, the wireless communication device 20 repeatedly executes Act1 to Act4. The wireless communication device 20 executes Act6 in response to receiving the ARP request frame. At this time, the wireless communication device 20 temporarily shifts to the normal mode as shown in FIG. 9 and transmits an ARP response frame for the ARP request frame. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 8, the wireless communication device 20 again shifts to the power saving mode. In the state shown in FIG. 8, the wireless communication device 20 executes Act8 in response to receiving the unicast frame. At this time, the wireless communication device 20 and the main device 10 shift to the normal mode as shown in FIG.

  In the ordering system according to the present embodiment, even when the handy terminal 1 is in the power saving mode, another device releases the power saving mode by transmitting a unicast frame destined for the handy terminal 1. be able to.

  For example, there is WOL (Wake On LAN) as a general means for canceling the power saving mode of other devices between devices connected by a wireless LAN standard compliant with IEEE802.11. In order to use WOL, each device in the system needs to include hardware, firmware, an operating system, an application, and the like for transmitting and receiving a special packet called Magic Packet. On the other hand, with the configuration of the present embodiment, the device on the side that transmits data to the handy terminal 1 can transmit data as usual without being aware of whether the handy terminal 1 is in the power saving mode. That's fine. That is, the device does not need to have a special configuration. Even in the handy terminal 1, the main body device 10 may have a simple mechanism of canceling the power saving mode in response to the input of the unicast frame from the wireless communication device 20, and has a complicated configuration such as WOL. do not need.

  Usually, the ARP request frame is transmitted at a high frequency, for example, every 10 minutes in the system. If the handy terminal 1 does not respond to the ARP request frame, other devices may not be able to grasp the MAC address of the handy terminal 1. In this case, other devices cannot transmit a unicast frame to the handy terminal 1. In this regard, in the present embodiment, the wireless communication device 20 responds to the ARP request frame even in the power saving mode. Moreover, it is not necessary to cancel the power saving mode of the main device 10 when responding to the ARP request frame. Therefore, the power consumption can be suppressed by placing the main device 10 in the power saving mode as much as possible.

  In addition to the above description, various suitable actions can be obtained from the configuration disclosed in the present embodiment.

(Modification)
Some variations are given.
In the present embodiment, the power saving mode of the handy terminal 1 has been described. However, other devices included in the ordering system may include the configuration related to the power saving mode that the handy terminal 1 includes.

  In the present embodiment, an ordering system is illustrated. However, the configuration related to the power saving mode provided in the handy terminal 1 can also be applied to data processing devices included in other systems. An example of such a data processing apparatus is a POS terminal included in a POS system that operates in a retail store or the like. In this case, the communication form between the data processing apparatus and other devices is not limited to wireless, but may be wired.

  In the present embodiment, when the wireless communication device 20 receives a unicast frame, the wireless communication device 20 transmits the frame to the main device 10 to cancel the power saving mode of the main device 10. However, the mechanism by which the wireless communication device 20 cancels the power saving mode of the main device 10 is not limited to this. For example, a line for transmitting an interrupt signal is provided in the connection line 30, and when the wireless communication device 20 receives a unicast frame, the interrupt signal is transmitted through this line, and in response to receiving this signal. A mechanism in which the CPU 11 cancels the power saving mode may be employed.

  In the present embodiment, the first type data is an ARP request frame, and the second type data is a unicast frame. However, the first and second types of data are not limited to these. For example, if the wireless communication device 20 has a higher data processing capability, the first type of data may be extended to data that requires more complicated calculations. A part of the broadcast frame may be handled as the second type of data.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Handy terminal, 5 ... Access point, 10 ... Main body apparatus, 11 ... CPU, 12 ... ROM, 13 ... RAM, 14 ... Display, 15 ... Input interface, 16 ... Battery, 17 ... DC-DC converter, 20 ... Wireless Communication device, 21 ... MPU, 21a ... memory, 22 ... transceiver circuit, 23 ... antenna, 30 ... connection line.

Claims (6)

A main body unit including a first data processing unit for processing data, and having a function of shifting to a power saving mode for limiting power consumption by limiting processing by the first data processing unit;
A transmission / reception unit that transmits / receives data to / from an external device; and a second data processing unit that processes data received from the external device by the transmission / reception unit, wherein the main unit shifts to the power saving mode. When the data is received by the transmitting / receiving means, the data is processed by the second data processing means if the data is the first type of data, and the data is different from the first type. If it is two types of data, the communication unit that cancels the power saving mode of the main body and causes the first data processing means to process the data;
A data processing apparatus comprising: The first type of data is data for inquiring about a MAC address, and includes an IP address of an inquiry destination,
When the transmission / reception unit receives the first type of data including the IP address of the data processing apparatus as an inquiry destination IP address, the second data processing unit sets the MAC address of the communication unit to the transmission / reception unit. Transmitting to the external device;
The data processing apparatus according to claim 1. The communication unit does not execute processing related to the data except when the data is the first type data when the transmission / reception unit receives data transmitted from the external device to a plurality of destinations.
The data processing apparatus according to claim 2. The second type of data is data including a MAC address of the communication unit as a destination.
The data processing device according to claim 1, wherein the data processing device is a data processing device. The main body has a function of canceling the power saving mode in response to data being input from the outside in a state of shifting to the power saving mode,
The communication unit cancels the power saving mode of the main unit by outputting the data to the main unit when the transmission / reception unit receives the second type of data.
The data processing device according to claim 1, wherein the data processing device is a data processing device. A data transmission / reception unit including a data processing unit for processing data, and transmitting / receiving data between an external device and a main unit having a function of shifting to a power saving mode for limiting power consumption by limiting processing by the data processing unit In a data processing apparatus including a communication unit including: a processor included in the communication unit;
A function of processing the data if the data is a first type data when the transmission / reception means receives data when the main body is in the power saving mode;
If the transmission / reception means receives data while the main body is in the power saving mode, if the data is a second type of data different from the first type, the power saving of the main body A function of releasing the mode and causing the data processing means to process the data;
A program to realize

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