IE930597A1 - An integrated electronic parts warehousing and distribution¹system - Google Patents
An integrated electronic parts warehousing and distribution¹systemInfo
- Publication number
- IE930597A1 IE930597A1 IE930597A IE930597A IE930597A1 IE 930597 A1 IE930597 A1 IE 930597A1 IE 930597 A IE930597 A IE 930597A IE 930597 A IE930597 A IE 930597A IE 930597 A1 IE930597 A1 IE 930597A1
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- IE
- Ireland
- Prior art keywords
- file
- master file
- remote system
- writing
- updating
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Abstract
An integrated electronic parts warehousing and distribution system (1) includes a host system (2) which carries out the technical steps of generating a compacted file which contains all of the necessary updated data from a very large amount of data stored on up to 8 GB capacity storage devices (3, 4, 5). The host system (2) effectively takes over control of a remote system (10, 20, 30) for automatic updating of a master file stored at each remote system. The remote system automatically transmits back screen images during the updating process so that the host system may monitor progress of the updating. Updating of the master file involves writing a real time indicator (51), writing original data to an audit trail file (52), carrying out validation operations (53) and writing the master file to a mirror master file (54) for use as a back up. These technical steps ensure that a comprehensive update takes place as effectively as possible.
Description
An integrated electronic parts warehousing and distribution system (1) includes a host system (2) which carries out the technical steps of generating a compacted file which contains ail of the necessary updated data from a very large amount of data stored on up to 8 GB capacity storage devices (3, 4, 5). The host system (2) effectively takes over control of a remote system (10, 20, 30) for automatic updating of a master file stored at each remote system. The remote system automatically transmits back screen images during the updating process so that the host system may monitor progress of the updating. Updating of the master file involves writing a real time indicator (51), writing original data to an audit trail file (52), carrying out validation operations (53) and writing the master file to a mirror master file (54) for use as a back up. These technical steps ensure that a comprehensive update cakes place as effectively as possible.
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An Integrated Electronic Parts Warehousing and Distribution System
The invention relates to an integrated electronic parts warehousing and distribution system whereby there is a host warehousing system and a number of remote buyer or vendor systems which may be electronically connected to it.
Presently available integrated electronic parts warehousing and distribution systems such as that described in PCT Patent Specification No WO90/11572 (Epstein) operate on the principle of data being stored in a host data bank and the host controller carrying out the necessary processing and data dissemination functions. These functions are carried out upon access by the remote system to the host system and the necessary processing and data dissemination functions being carried out under instructions from the remote system. Such a system and method has various advantages such as the fact that there is central control and consistency in the data throughout the integrated system. However, one disadvantage is that all of the processing must be carried out by the host system and thus, a very powerful processing capacity is generally required in the host system and this is expensive. A further disadvantage is that every time the remote system must carry out an electronic transaction relating to the parts in the warehouse, it must access the host system and a delay in the response time is generally caused by the communication session being established.
The invention is directed towards providing an improved integrated electronic parts warehousing and distribution system and method which requires rather less processing capacity and provides for a fast response in the remote system. _________________—-i
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According to the invention, there is provided an integrated electronic parts warehousing and distribution system comprising:a host processor connected to storage devices having a 5 total capacity of in the range 4 GB to each GB;
a communications device directly connected to the host processor and being programmed to generate remote system emulation signals;
a modulation/demodulation circuit connected to the 10 communications device of the host system;
a plurality of remote systems, each comprising:a modulation/demodulation circuit;
a plurality of microcomputers, one of which is directly connected to the modulation/demodulation circuit, the microcomputers being interconnected via a local area network cable, wherein the host system stores programs on the storage devices which direct operation of the host processor to carry out the following technical steps :20 generation of a compacted file containing updated data retrieved from the storage devices;
conversion of the compacted file to a flat international standard format and transmission to the communications device, and the communications device is constructed to re-generate indexes of the converted compacted file and to communicate via the modulation/demodulation circuit with a remote system, and the host processor comprises means for directing transmission of an instruction program to each of the remote systems, and each remote system has a pre-stored master file corresponding to the compacted file stored on the host system, wherein the instruction program contains instructions for directing the microcomputer of each remote system to carry out the steps of :determining access status of all devices of the remote system to a database of the remote system;
generating a disconnect message for users at devices accessing the database;
determining when all accesses have been discontinues;
when accesses are discontinued, locking the master file which is pre-stored on the remote system;
updating the master file by over-writing data from the converted and compacted file which has been transmitted to the remote system; and automatically feeding back screen images via the modulation/demodulation circuits to the host system.
In one embodiment, a microcomputer of each remote system comprises a means for operating under instructions of the instruction program to carry out the following technical steps during updating of the master file:writing of a real time indicator fo the master f ile;
writing original data which is to be over-written to an audit trail file on a storage device of the remote system;
carrying out validation operations on the updated master file; and writing a copy of the master file to a mirror master file.
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 diagrammatic view showing an integrated electronic parts warehousing and distribution system of the invention; and
Fig. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating the manner in which the system operates.
The integrated electronic parts warehousing and distribution system is indicated by the reference numeral 1 in Fig. 1. The system 1 comprises a host system 2 having a processor 2a. The processor 2a is that of an IBM AS400 ® minicomputer, and it is connected to three fixed disk storage devices 3, 4 and 5 having a total capacity of 5 GB. The processor 2a is also connected to a communications device 6 which in this embodiment is a
486DX ® IBM 95 ® system having a fixed disk capacity of 320 MB and a random access memory capacity of 16 MB. The communications device 6 includes communication circuits which are connected to a 9600 Hayes compatible modem 7 having full duplex capabilities.
The integrated system 1 further comprises a number of remote systems, three of which are shown and indicated by the numerals 10, 20 and 30. The remote system 10 comprises a modem 11 of similar configuration to the modem 7 and a number of microcomputers, two of which are shown and indicated by the numerals 12 and 13. The microcomputers 12 and 13 are connected in a local area network 14. The remote system 20 is similar in configuration to the remote system 10 and comprises a modem 21 which is similar to the modem 7 and a pair of microcomputers 22 and 23 connected in a local area network 24. Finally, the remote system 30 comprises a modem 31 which is also similar to the modem 7 and this is connected to a microcomputer 32. The microcomputer 32 is connected to other microcomputers, two of which are shown and indicated by the numerals 33 and 34 in a local area network 35.
The system 1 is programmed and is constructed with various circuits including communication circuits that carry out parts/warehousing transaction processing in a manner which provides a fast response time for buyers or vendors at the remote systems 10, 20 or 30. It also carries this processing out with a minimum of processing capacity of the host system 1. This allows a computer such as an IBM AS400 ® to carry out a very large volume of transaction processing with a large amount of data stored in storage devices having a capacity of 5 GB. It is very important for industries such as the motor car industry where there is a very large number of parts because of the very large number of makes and models of motor cars.
Although there is a very large amount of data stored in the storage devices 3, 4 and 5, the processor 2a is constructed to generate a compacted file in step 41 of Fig. 2 which is only 75 KB in size and has a file header of 250 bytes in size. This compacted file stores all of the essential data relating to warehousing of parts such as price changes, stock number changes and any other relevant updated data. In step 42, the processor 2a converts this file ro ASCII flat format and writes it to a section of one cf the storage devices 3, 4 or 5. Subsequently, the processor 2a re-generates indexes for the file and converts the manner in which the records are stored to a structure which is compatible with that of the remote systems 10, 20 and 30. This structure is in a dynamic sequential fiat file format without a pre-set file header.
In step 44, the processor 6 communicates with the modem 7 for establishment cf a communication session via a wide area telecommunications network with one of the modems 11, 21 or 31, depending on the remote system with which communications are to take place. An important aspect of the invention is that in step 5, the processor 2a directs transmission of an instruction program to the relevant remote system 10, 20 or 30. The instruction program contains instructions to direct the technical steps necessary to effectively allow the host system 1 to take over control of a remote system in a manner which does not cause data corruption or technical problems at the remote system. In step 46, the host processor 2a directs transmission of the data file.
Once the data file and the instruction program have been transmitted to the relevant remote system, steps 47 to 55 are then carried out under control of the instruction program. This program is received by the relevant modem 11, 21 and 31 and is written to the random access memory of one of the microcomputers, say, the microcomputer 12. In step 47, the microcomputer 12 under control of the instruction program determines the access status of a database, not shown, in the remote system 10. All devices which are connected to the database then receive a warning message displayed on the screen indicating that the user should disconnect from the database. This is indicated by the step 48 and in the decision step 48a, the microcomputer determines if all devices have been disconnected and if not the error message is repeated. This continues in a closed loop cycle until all of the links have been d_sconnected, upon which in step 49 the microcomputer 12 accesses the database and locks a prestored master file in the database.
In step 50, the microcomputer 12 reads the compacted file in its random access memory circuit and carries out the necessary comparison operations with the master file which has been locked and transmits the necessary updated instructions to the master file. These updated instructions may include price updates, stock level updates, item number updates or any other relevant updates which are required by the remote system. An important aspect of these steps is that in step 51 a real time indicator is written into the master file to indicate when this update has taken place and also, in step 52, the microcomputer 12 writes the old data which is to be overwritten to an audit trail file also in the storage device of the remote system 10. Following this, in step 53 the microcomputer 12 carries out the necessary validation operations. The validation operations include a double comparison file integrity check to ensure correct file structure, and a referential integrity test on data, and status flags. The latter test involves reference to all related data and status codes of the database.
Another important technical step carried out by the microcomputer 12 is that it writes the updated master file to a second mirror master file. Subsequently, in step 55 it transmits the updated master file via the modem 11 back to the host processor 2a via the modem 7.
If a breakdown occurs in communications, access may be made to the second, mirror copy of the master file without disrupting operations of the remote system 10.
Another important aspect of the invention is the fact that while the instruction program takes over control of the relevant remote system, feedback is automatically transmitted via the modems 11 and 7 to the host processor 2a of screen images. This allows remote monitoring at the host system 1 of what is occurring at the remote system. This step is indicated by the numeral 56 and arises out of various steps including steps 47, 50, 51 and 52.
It will be appreciated that the invention provides for distributed parts warehouse electronic processing to take place in a manner which is extremely simple and yet very effective. An important aspect of the invention is the fact that the host system effectively takes over control of the remote system, and while this may inconvenience users at the time, it greatly helps in providing a faster response time at the remote system and in ensuring that data is consistent throughout the whole integrated system. The steps of writing to an audit file, of writing a real time indicator, of validating the data and of writing to a second, mirror file all help to ensure that the update takes place in an effective manner with only a very small chance of data corruption occurring.
The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described, but may be varied in construction and detail. For example, it is not essential that every remote system include communication circuits as some may communicate indirectly by way of disks if the communication frequency does not warrant the expense of communication circuits .
Claims (6)
1. An integrated electronic parts warehousing and distribution system comprising:a host processor connected to storage devices having a 5 total capacity of in the range 4 GB to each GB; a communications device directly connected to the host processor and being programmed to generate remote system emulation signals; a modulation/demodulation circuit connected to the 10 communications device of the host system; a plurality of remote systems, each comprising:a modulation/demodulation circuit; a plurality of microcomputers, one of which is directly connected to the modulation/demodulation 15 circuit, the microcomputers being interconnected via a local area network cable, wherein the host system stores programs on the storage devices which direct operation of the host processor to carry out the following technical steps :20 generation of a compacted file containing updated data retrieved from the storage devices; conversion of the compacted file to a flat international standard format and transmission to the communications device, and the communications device is constructed to re-generate indexes of the converted compacted file and to communicate via the modulation/demodulation circuit with a remote system, and the host processor comprises means for directing transmission of an instruction program to each of the remote systems , and each remote system has a pre-stored master file corresponding to the compacted file stored on the host system, wherein the instruction program contains instructions for directing the microcomputer of each remote system to carry out the steps of:determining access status of all devices of the remote system to a database of the remote system; generating a disconnect message for users at devices accessing the database; determining when all accesses have been discontinues; when accesses are discontinued, locking the master file which is pre-stored on the remote system; updating the master file by over-writing data from the converted and compacted file which has been transmitted to the remote system; and automatically feeding back screen images via the modulation/demodulation circuits to the host system. . A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a microcomputer of each remote system comprises a means for operating under instructions of the instruction program to carry out the following technical steps during updating of the master file:writing of a real time indicator to the master file; writing original data which is to be over-written to an audit trail file on a storage device of the remote system; carrying out validation operations on the updated master file; and writing a copy of the master file to a mirror master file.
2. 3. A system substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings . CRUICKSHPNK & CO., ABSTRACT An Integrated Electronic Parts Warehousing and Distribution System (Fig. 2)
3. 5 An integrated electronic parts warehousing and distribution system (1) includes a host system (2) which carries out the technical steps of generating a compacted file which contains all of the necessary updated data from a very large amount of data stored on up to 8 GB capacity
4. 10 storage devices (3, 4, 5). The host system (2} effectively takes over control of a remote system (10, 20, 30) for automatic updating of a master file stored at each remote system. The remote system automatically transmits back screen images during the updating process so that the
5. 15 host system may monitor progress of the updating. Updating of the master file involves writing a real time indicator (51), writing original data to an audit trail file (52), carrying out validation operations (53) and writing the master file to a mirror master file (54) for
6. 20 use as a back up. These technical steps ensure that a comprehensive update takes place as effectively as possible.
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| IE930597A IE930597A1 (en) | 1993-08-09 | 1993-08-09 | An integrated electronic parts warehousing and distribution¹system |
| IES940511 IES61672B2 (en) | 1993-08-09 | 1993-08-09 | An integrated electronic parts warehousing and distribution system |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| IE930597A IE930597A1 (en) | 1993-08-09 | 1993-08-09 | An integrated electronic parts warehousing and distribution¹system |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| IE930597A1 true IE930597A1 (en) | 1995-02-22 |
Family
ID=11040045
Family Applications (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| IES940511 IES61672B2 (en) | 1993-08-09 | 1993-08-09 | An integrated electronic parts warehousing and distribution system |
| IE930597A IE930597A1 (en) | 1993-08-09 | 1993-08-09 | An integrated electronic parts warehousing and distribution¹system |
Family Applications Before (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| IES940511 IES61672B2 (en) | 1993-08-09 | 1993-08-09 | An integrated electronic parts warehousing and distribution system |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| IE (2) | IES61672B2 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN106954098A (en) * | 2017-03-22 | 2017-07-14 | 深圳市九洲电器有限公司 | A kind of set top box upgrading data selecting method and system |
-
1993
- 1993-08-09 IE IES940511 patent/IES61672B2/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1993-08-09 IE IE930597A patent/IE930597A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN106954098A (en) * | 2017-03-22 | 2017-07-14 | 深圳市九洲电器有限公司 | A kind of set top box upgrading data selecting method and system |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| IES61672B2 (en) | 1994-11-16 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FA9A | Application withdrawn section 33(1) |