IE61431B1

IE61431B1 - A data processing system

Info

Publication number: IE61431B1
Application number: IE472890A
Authority: IE
Inventors: John Desmond Hassett; John Eakins
Original assignee: Hubrian Systems & Research Lim
Priority date: 1990-12-31
Filing date: 1990-12-31
Publication date: 1994-11-02
Also published as: BE1003531A6; IE904728A1

Abstract

A description is given of a computer system for controlling inventories andprices (1, 10) which includes a main computer system (1) to communicate witha distribution computer system (10) which itself includes various sub-systemsincluding a warehouse sub-system (12) and a remote communication sub-system(13). The price and inventory data are sent from the main computer system (1)to a main processor (15) in the distribution computer system (10). The mainprocessor (15) also receives data concerning the warehouse system (12). Theremote communication sub-system (13) includes calling computers (35) to callthe computer systems in retail stores and send them price and inventory dataas well as to complete the order data. The order data are sent to a warehousesub-system micro-computer (25) via the main processor (15) to produceshipping lists automatically.

Description

The present invention relates to a data processing system suitable for stock and price control in a situation where there are a large number of retail stores receiving goods from distribution centres .

In general, in such a situation there is usually a central computer which carries out required processing operations including sales order, purchase order, stock control, price control functions and various other processing functions. Documents are printed and are forwarded to the retail stores to provide information regarding prices and stock availability.

A disadvantage of such a system is that there is generally relatively little communication between distribution centres, head offices, sub-offices and the retail stores. A further problem is that the information is not received in a timely manner. For example, information for ordering goods from a distribution centre may be received too late and so delays are caused. A further problem is that monitoring of prices and stock levels at retail stores is a time-consuming exercise and accordingly mistakes often occur.

It is an object of the invention to provide a data processing system which in an efficient and timely manner gathers and processes all relevant information for delivery to retail stores and distribution centres.

According to the invention there is provided a data processing system comprising :(a) a host computer system comprising :a disk storage device and a host processor incorporating a multi-processing operating system for control of the disk storage device to store data files; and a local area network connected to the host t® 5 processor and comprising microcomputers, terminals, a communications processor, and a modem device, said communications processor comprising monitoring circuits arranged to monitor file update operations of the host V processor at regular time intervals, to capture said file updates, to generate an update file of said updates, and to transmit said update file via the modem device, 10 (b) a distribution system comprising :- a common processor arranged to carry out data processing operations common to all parts of the data processing system and being connected to a multiplexing station and a modem; 15 a central connection processor connected to the common processor and to a plurality of sub-systems within the distribution system; 20 a warehouse sub-system comprising a multiplexer connected to the central connection processor via an operating system conversion circuit and, within the subsystem, connected toϊ- 25 η plurality of microcomputers and terminals; a plurality of printers, at least one of which is adapted to print labels, and at least one other adapted to print reports; and a radio controller connected to a radio transmitted and being arranged to transmit vehicle control radio signals; and [to 30 a remote communications sub-system comprising :- an operating system conversion circuit connected to the common processor; and at least one polling computer connected to a modem and to the operating system conversion circuit and comprisingsa database having a record relating to each of a plurality of remote communication data for system; systems and storing the associated remote a real time clock; means for automatically transmitting a polling signal via the modem to selected remote systems according to the time; means for recording a failed polling attempt; means for retrieving download data from the common processor, said data including the update file retrieved from the host system, and means for transmitting the download data to the remote systems after successful polling; means for receiving upload data from the remote systems and for temporarily storing said data until all selected remote systems have been polled; and means for merging said upload data in a merge data file and for transmitting said data file to a microcomputer in the warehouse sub-system, said microcomputer comprising means for automatic generation of warehouse picking lists; (c) a plurality of remote systems, each comprising a modem and a portable terminal which is arranged to direct reception of download data and to transmit upload data in communication with the polling computer, the modem of each remote system comprising a battery charging pin and means for directing charging of the portable terminal when connected, to the modem for remote communication; and (d) a back-up system connected by a high-speed infrared communications link and by a parallel cable to the common processor of the distribution system.

In one embodiment of the invention the polling computer comprises means for automatically re-transmitting a polling signal a pre-set time after a failed polling attempt according to the real time clock.

Preferably the modem of each remote system is arranged to delay responding to a signal from a source other than a polling computer for a pre-set time during a polling period.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which :Fig. 1 is a representation of a host computer system of the invention; Fig. 2 is a representation of a distribution computer system; and Figs. 3(a) and 3(b) are representations of retailer computer systems.

Referring to Fig. 1, there is illustrated a host computer system of the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 1. The system 1 comprises a host processor 2 connected by a modem 3 to a development computer, not shown. The host processor 2 is connected in a local area network 4 in which are connected microcomputers and terminals 5. The local area network 4 also includes a communications processor 6.

The host processor 2 is a UNIX™-based microcomputer with a 200 Mbyte disk and a 4Mbyte memory. The host processor 2 has a single system consul connected locally and many user work-stations. The host processor 2 stores general data regarding stock and product details, price details and other data relating to group purchasing or sales. β The communications processor 6 is a 286-based microcomputer with a 40 Mbyte hard disk and 1.44 Mbyte floppy disk drive. The communications processor 2 comprises monitoring circuits which monitor file updates of the host processor 2 and captures them at regular intervals. The monitoring circuits include means for transmitting the file updates on a wide area network via modems 8.

Referring now to Fig. 2, there is illustrated a distribution computer system 10 which is linked with the host computer system 1. The distribution system 10 comprises a central connection processor 11 which interconnects several subsystems including a warehouse sub-system 12, and a remote communications sub-system 13. The connection processor 11 is connected to a host processor 15 which carries out functions common to all sub-systems. The other sub-systems include accounting, purchasing and sales order processing sub-systems .

The host processor 15 is a UNIX-based RISC processor with a 1500 Mbyte fixed disk and a 32 Mbyte memory. The host processor 15 is connected in a local area network 16 which includes many terminals and microcomputers connected via a terminal server 17. A multiplexing station 18 connects the host processor 15 and the local area network 16 generally to a wide area network via modems 18(a).

The host processor 15 is also connected to a nearby (within two kilometres) back-up distribution system computer system 19 which has a local area network 20 with a UNIX-based host computer 21, a terminal server 22 for connection with many terminals and microcomputers, and a multiplexing station 23 for connection in the wide area network. The communication link between the distribution host processor 15 and the back-up distribution system 19 is a high-speed line-of-sight infra-red data link. A cable is also used for back-up purposes.

In more detail, the warehouse sub-system 12 comprises an RS232 multiplexer 24 connected to two 386 microcomputers 25 and to several 286 terminals 26, only two of which are shown. The multiplexer 24 is also connected to an 8086-XT radio link controller 26 connected to a radio transmitter 27. The radio transmitter 27 is for transmission of control signals to fork-lift vehicles 28 having radio receiving equipment. The warehouse sub-system 12 also includes a label printer 29 and a printer 30 connected to terminals 26 for printing of labels and check-in sheets respectively. A printer 31 is connected to a microcomputer 25 for printing of picking lists for* the warehouse.

The remote communication sub-system 13 comprises a pair of polling computers 35 connected to modems 36 for communication with retail stores. The polling computers 35 are connected to the host processor 15 via the terminal server 17 and an operating system conversion circuit 37. A similar conversion circuit 37 is connected between the multiplexer 24 of the warehouse sub-system 12 and the connection processor 11. In this case, conversion is between the DOS and UNIX operating systems.

Referring now to Figs. 3(a) and 3(b), two retail computer systems are illustrated. In Fig. 3(a), the computer system comprises a hand-held terminal 40 for direct connection with a modem 41. In Fig. 3(b), the retail computer system comprises a microcomputer 42 which may be connected to a radio transmitter 43 for radio communication with a handheld terminal 44. There is also provided a socket for connection directly with a hand-held terminal 45 and a modem 46 is used for communication with the polling computers 35. The microcomputer 42 is also connected to scanning tills 47, scales 48 and a label printer 49.

In operation, the connection processor 11 of the distribution computer system 10 acts as a connected terminal to the warehouse sub-system 12 for transmission of purchase orders copied from the host processor 15 and also for reception of stock delivery data from the warehouse subsystem 12, which data is re-transmitted to the host processor 15. The connection processor 11 is also used for various other functions which involve communication between the various sub-systems. Some of the sub-systems reside only in the host processor 15, for example, accounting and sales order sub-systems.

The remote communications sub-system 13 is for remote communication with the retail stores. The speed of transmission is 1200 baud. Each polling computer 35 has a database, each record of which relates to a particular retail store. The record generally includes a telephone number, preset times within a week for communication with a retail store and various other data. Each polling computer 35 includes a real time clock which is monitored so that between the hours of 1 a.m. and 6 a.m. the polling computers 35 transmit polling signals via the modems 3δ to selected retail stores. The retail store addresses are retrieved from a list which is generated during each polling period. When a retail store is polled, the time of polling is recorded and if a connection is not made a further attempt is made twenty minutes later. The modems 41 and 45 at the retail stores are programmed so that if a call other than from the polling computers 35 is received during a polling period, the call is not answered for up to ten minutes. This ensures that the telephone line (there is generally only one) is also available for normal operation.

When a connection is made by a polling computer 35, data is downloaded to the retail store computer system. This data has been retrieved from the host processor 15, which in turn receives much of the information from the host computer system 1 via the wide area network. The data which is downloaded includes maximum and minimum suggested retail selling prices for goods, wholesale prices, details of new goods, price changes, out of stock items, stocks due to increase or decrease in price, and promotion information. This data is received by the respective modem 41 or 4S and is stored in either the hand-held terminal 40 or the microcomputer 42 which is connected to the modem during the polling period. In turn, after the data has been downloaded from the polling computers 35, the hand-held terminal 40 or the microcomputer 42 of the retail store computer system uploads data relating to orders for goods from the distribution centre. When the polling computers 35 receive the order data, it is temporarily stored on disk until all of the retail store computer systems have been polled for the polling period. Then, all of the order data is merged to create an order data file, which file is transmitted via the conversion circuit 37, the terminal server 17, the host processor 15, the connection processor 11, the conversion circuit 37 and the multiplexer 24 to the warehouse microcomputer 25. The warehouse microcomputer 25 includes control circuits which direct generation of picking lists for the following day based on the orders received and the picking lists are printed at the line printer 31. All of these functions are carried out automatically without any human intervention and thus, picking lists are automatically generated with a minimum time delay and during periods when communication lines are not busy and are least expensive. Order data stored in the host processor 15 before the polling period may be merged with that received from the polling computers 35 before re-transmission to the warehouse sub-system.

The data which is downloaded to the retail store computer systems is used in different ways. For verification of actual prices being charged in a retail store, a retailer uses either a hand-held terminal 45 or 44, both of which incorporate a bar-code scanner to scan prices of goods on shelves. This data is subsequently downloaded to the microcomputer 42 which carries out comparison operations between the actual prices and master prices received from the polling computers 35 - The microcomputer 42 then generates a price report which shows variations which require correction. It will be appreciated that this allows a price audit to be carried out relatively quickly and efficiently at a retail store. Further, the microcomputer 42 monitors data generated in the scanning tills 47 and at regular intervals compiles the sales data to generate a management or sales report.

The modem 41 of the retail store computer system shown in Fig. 3(a) includes a pin of its RS232 port which is connected to a power supply so that when the hand-held terminal 40 is connected to the modem 41 the batteries are charged. It will thus be appreciated that batteries of the hand-held terminal are automatically charged provided the connection to the modem is made during the set polling period. of information for centres and also to Because the host It will thus be appreciated that the invention provides for timely and efficient communication retrieval of goods from distribution assist in control of retail stores processors of the host computer system 1, the distribution computer system 10 and the back-up computer system 19 are all connected to a wide area network, it is envisaged that any of these systems may act as a host system in which group purchasing and sales date is recorded and distributed.

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

Claims

1. A data processing system comprising:(a) a host computer system comprising:a disk storage device and a host processor incorporating a multi-processing operating system for control of the disk storage device to store data files; and a local area network connected and comprising microcomputers, process© communications communications arranged to monitor file processor at regular time updates, transmit processor, processor to the host terminals, a device, said circuits the host said file and a modem comprising monitoring update operations of intervals, to capture to generate an update file of said updates, and to said update file via the modem device, (b) a distribution system comprising a common processor arranged to carry out data processing operations common to all parts of the data processing system and being connected to a multiplexing station and a modem; a central connection processor connected to the common processor and to a plurality of sub-systems within the distribution system; a warehouse sub-system comprising a multiplexer connected to the central connection processor via an operating system conversion circuit and, within the subsystem, connected to a plurality of microcomputers and terminals; a plurality of printers, at least one of which is adapted to print labels, and at least one other adapted to print reports; and a radio controller connected to a radio transmitter and being arranged to transmit vehicle control radio signals; and a remote communications sub-system comprising:an operating system conversion circuit connected to the common processor; and at least one polling computer connected to a modem and to the operating system conversion circuit and comprising:a database having a record relating to each of a plurality of remote communication data for system; systems and storing the associated remote a real time clock; means for automatically signal via the modem to according to the time; transmitting a polling selected remote systems means for recording a failed polling attempt; means for retrieving download data from the common processor, said data including the update file retrieved from the host system, and means for transmitting the download data to the remote systems after successful polling; means for receiving upload data from the remote systems and for temporarily storing said data until all selected remote systems have been oolled; and means for merging said upload data in a merge date file and for transmitting said data fils to a microcomputer in the warehouse sub-system, said microcomputer comprising means for automatic generation of warehouse picking lists; (c) a plurality of remote systems, each comprising a modem and a portable terminal which is arranged to direct reception of download data and to transmit upload data in communication with the polling computer, the modem of each remote system comprising a battery charging pin and means for directing charging of the portable terminal when connected to the modem for remote communication; and (d) a back-up system connected by a high-speed infrared communications link and by a parallel cable to the common processor of the distribution system. Λ. ·Λ

2. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the polling computer comprises means for automatically re-transmitting a polling signal a pre-set time after a failed polling attempt according to the real time clock.

3. A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the modem of each remote system is arranged to delay responding to a signal from a source other than a polling computer for a pre-set time during a polling period.

4. » A system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.