GB2259163A - Transaction processing - Google Patents

Abstract

A host processor (2) generates a transfer file after comparing transaction requests from a request data file with stock data retrieved from a disk memory and sets a flag which is detected by a communications controller (8). This allows immediate transmission of the transfer file to a remote network (14) for updating of records. The communications controller (8) receives data from the network (14) after transmission of the transfer file to utilise the communication link which has been established. For processing of local enquiries, an enquiry controller (5) retrieves data from transaction records and inserts this into documents which may be generated. The apparatus described is for the processing of transactions relating to distribution of goods to retailers and the processing of mail order requests. <IMAGE>

Description

"A transaction processing apparatus" The invention relates to a transaction processing apparatus and more particularly to an apparatus for the processing of transactions relating to distribution of goods to retailers and to the processing of mail order requests.

Where goods are stored at either one location or at a group of locations relatively close to each other and distribution of those goods is local, there is generally little difficulty in maintaining records of stbck and dealing with enquiries.

However, where requests for stock are received at locations which are spaced very far apart geographically, maintaining updated records and providing a fast and accurate customer service is particularly difficult. One approach to this problem is to use a transaction processing apparatus at each location, each apparatus having all of the stored records and being connected by a leased line in a wide area network. This is, however, considerably expensive as it involves, in effect, duplicating transaction processing operations at many different locations, thus multiplying the costs for such processing. Further, communications would be extremely expensive because communication links must be established and maintained on almost a continuous basis.

A further problem with the presently available transaction processing apparatus is that to respond to a query received by letter or for which a letter should be dispatched it is necessary to recover data from the transaction record in a database and to generate a letter, usually using a word processor. This is a time-consuming exercise, and even more importantly often results in a delayed response to a customer which may often result in loss of business.

The invention is directed towards providing a transaction processing apparatus which is inexpensive, and which carries out processing of transaction data at widely spaced geographical locations without the necessity to duplicate processors and storage devices. A further object is to provide an apparatus which allows for a quick and accurate response to an enquiry received so that service to customers may be competitive.

According to the invention, there is provided a t#ransaction processing apparatus comprising: a host processor connected to a plurality of terminals and printers and to a fixed disk drive having a capacity of at least two Gigabytes and storing a stock database, a transaction record database, and word processor programs; the host processor comprising means for monitoring input ports for reception of transaction request data from a terminal and for generating a request data file, and further comprising means for subsequently retrieving stock data from the fixed disk drive and for comparing the stock data with request data to generate a transfer file in a batch processing operation; a batch monitoring circuit connected to the host processor and comprising means for monitoring host processor comparing operations and automatically setting a flag when the transfer file has been generated; an enquiry controller connected to the host processor and comprising means for reading a record from the transaction record database, means for retrieving data for insertion in correspond#nce, means for automatically generating a document representation for insertion of text under control of a word processor program, and means for subsequently transmitting the document to the fixed disk drive; and a microcomputer network having a plurality of microcomputers, printers and a file server connected to a bi-directional network bus, the network also including a dedicated communications processor connected to the host processor and to a modem for remote communication, the communications processor having means for continuously polling the host processor for presence of the batch monitoring circuit flag, means for transmitting the generated transfer file to the network file server when the flag is detected, and a means for transmitting the transfer file to a remote apparatus via a modem and subsequently receiving new enquiry data from the remote apparatus via the modem when the communications link is established.

Preferably, the enquiry controller comprises means for generating a correspondence database in the fixed disk drives, said database including stored documents and stored crossreferences for the stock database.

In one embodiment, the host processor is connected to a real time clock and comprises means for automatically initiating the batch processing operation outside of normal working hours.

Detailed Description of Invention The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a representation of a transaction processing apparatus of the invention.

Referring to the drawing, there is illustrated a transaction processing apparatus of the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1. The apparatus 1 comprises a host processor 2 which operates at a processor speed of 32 MHz and has a fixed disk access time of 18 ms. The host processor 2 is connected to a bank of fixed disk drives 3 having a total capacity of 2 Gigabytes. A set of both laser and dot matrix printers 4 is connected directly to the host processor 2. For communication of data to users, the host processor 2 is connected to an enquiry controller 5, which in turn is connected to terminals, not shown. Some of the terminals which are over 400 metres from the host processor 2 are connected via a line driver 6. The host processor 2 is also connected directly to a batch monitoring circuit 7, which is in turn connected to a communications controller 8.The communications controller 8 is connected to a modem 9 and is also connected to a bi-directional bus 10 to which microcomputers 11 are connected to form a network. At a remote location, such as a trans-Atlantic location, the apparatus 1 comprises a remote modem 12 connected to a communications controller 13 which is connected in a network 14.

The fixed disk drives 3 store a stock database which contains updated records for all goods which are in stock at one or more warehousing locations. A transaction record database is also stored which includes records of all people or companies who have been involved in stock transactions and details of these transactions. Finally, the fixed disk drives 3 store word processor programs. The host processor 2 is programmed to monitor the input ports which are connected to the terminals via the enquiry controller 5. Whenever a transaction request is received, the data relating to this request is stored in an order or request data file. During working hours at the location of the host processor 2, the request data file is gradually built up. Some of the request data originates at the remote location and is transmitted via the remote modem 12. By monitoring of a real time clock, the host processor 2 outside of working hours retrieves stock data from the fixed disk drives 3 and compares this with the data in the request data file. These comparing operations generate responses to the requests as to whether or not items of stock are available. These responses are transmitted to a transfer file.

While these batch processing operations are being carried out outside of working hours, the batch monitoring circuit 7 monitors the comparing operations to determine when the transfer file has been generated. The batch monitoring circuit 7 then automatically sets a flag which may be detected by the communications controller 8. The communications controller 8 includes a polling circuit which continuously polls the host processor 2 and the batch monitoring circuit 7 for both requests for transmission of data and for the flag which is set by the batch monitoring circuit 7. When the flag is detected, the communications controller 8 retrieves the transfer file and directs storage of it in a microcomputer 11, which may be a file server for the network.The communications controller 8 also includes an automatic dial circuit which automatically dials via the modem 9 to establish a communications link with the modem 12 when the transfer file has been loaded into the microcomputer 11. When a communications link is established, the communications controller 8 transmits the transfer file via the modems 9 and 12 to the communications controller 13 for use by the network 14. The transfer file is used to update files at the network 14 so that users of the network 14 see an updated filz of stock data on the resumption of work the following morning.

Further, while the communications link has been established, the communications controller 8 transmits a signal to the communications controller 13 for transmission of new request data which has been held in a file by the communications controller 13. The data is then transmitted in compressed form.

In addition to creation of a request data file during working hours, the host processor also handles enquiries which are either received by post or by telephone. These enquiries are handled via the enquiry controller 5. When enquiry data is received at a terminal, the enquiry controller 5 retrieves the relevant transaction record and reads data which will be required for insertion into correspondence. The data which is read from the record is used to generate a blank document which is displayed at a terminal screen. The enquiry controller 5 subsequently retrieves word processor programs to enable the user to insert text into the blank document together with the data which has been read from the transaction record.When a document has been generated in this way the enquiry controller 5 transmits the document to a correspondence database, in which each record includes a cross reference to the transaction record database. Accordingly, it is not necessary to hold paper files of correspondence and further, a document may be automatically generated with the exact data from the transaction record. Further , because the correspondence database includes cross references to the transaction record database, correspondence may be viewed almost instantaneously on retrieval of relevant records.

It will be appreciated that because of the manner in which the host processor 2 generates the request data file, processes the file and because of the manner in which the batch monitoring circuit 7 facilitates transmission of a transfer file to the communications controller 8, efficient use of communications line is used and further, batch processing operations may be carried out when there is available processing power. The manner in which data is transmitted to the remote location network 14 allows overnight updating of the databases and facilitates in providing a competitive service at the remote location. By use of a communications controller which continuously polls the host processor 2 and the batch monitoring circuit 7, all relevant data which may be required at the remote location is automatically received by the communications controller 8 and re-transmitted.

It will be appreciated that portions of the apparatus may be controlled in software or hardware, or alternatively a mixture of the two.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described but may be varied in construction and detail.

Claims (4)

1. A transaction processing apparatus comprising: a host processor connected to a plurality of terminals and printers and to a fixed disk drive having a capacity of at least two Gigabytes and storing a stock database, a transaction record database, and word processor programs; the host processor comprising means for monitoring input ports for reception of transaction request data from a terminal and for generating a request data file, and further comprising means for subsequently retrieving stock data from the fixed disk drive and for comparing the stock data with request data to generate a transfer file in a batch processing operation; a batch monitoring circuit connected to the host processor and comprising means for monitoring host processor comparing operations and automatically setting a flag when the transfer file has been generated;; an enquiry controller connected to the host processor and comprising means for reading a record from the transaction record database, means for retrieving data for insertion in correspondence, means for automatically generating a document representation for insertion of text under control of a word processor program, and means for subsequently transmitting the document to the fixed disk drive; and a microcomputer network having a plurality of microcomputers, printers and a file server connected to a bi-directional network bus, the network also including a dedicated communications processor connected to the host processor and to a modem for remote communication, the communications processor having means for continuously polling the host processor for presence of the batch monitoring circuit flag, means for transmitting the generated transfer file to the network file server when the flag is detected, and a means for transmitting the transfer file to a remote apparatus via a modem and subsequently receiving new enquiry data from the remote apparatus via the modem when the communications link is established.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the enquiry controller comprises means for generating a correspondence database in the fixed disk drives, said database including stored documents and stored cross references for the stock database.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein the host processor is connected to a real time clock and comprises means for automatically initiating the batch processing operation outside of normal working hours.

4. A transaction processing apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.