JP2002260107A - Pos system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To dispense with a POS(Point Of Sales) server without reducing the performance of a system. SOLUTION: A plurality of POS terminal units 1A to 1E are connected by a network 2 to constitute the POS system. Each POS terminal unit 1A to 1E is provided with a server function for providing service to the other POS terminal unit through the network 2, respectively, so that each POS terminal unit performs distributed processing of the processing of the server function.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a POS (Point Of
Sales: point-of-sale information system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional POS system is generally installed at each sales floor in a store or at a predetermined accounting place, and has a plurality of POS terminals having a function of registering sales information, purchase information, disposal information, etc. of a product. The product master file, the supplier master file, the customer master file, and the like, which are installed at the office in the store or at the head office remote from the store and are shared by each POS terminal, are registered at each POS terminal. A POS server having a function of providing real-time sales management information, order management information, and the like by updating sales information, inventory information, and the like based on product information is connected to a LAN (Local Area).
Network) or other communication lines.

In recent years, in POS systems of this type, POS terminals have been improved in performance and information obtained from the POS terminals has been diversified. Therefore, a high-performance POS server has been desired. For this reason, the size of the POS server itself has been increasing along with the improvement in the performance of the POS server, and this has sometimes hindered the installation location of the POS server.

[0004]

In a conventional POS system, the size of a POS server has become a problem as the performance of POS terminals and POS servers has increased, and a simple system that does not require a POS server is desired. Was rare. Therefore, it is conceivable that the POS server becomes unnecessary by providing one of the POS terminals with the server function. In such a case, the load on the POS terminal having the server function is significantly increased, and the performance of the system is increased. Was likely to decrease.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a simplified PO which eliminates the need for a POS server without deteriorating system performance.
It is intended to provide an S system.

[0006]

According to the present invention, a plurality of POs are provided.
The S terminals are connected via a network, each POS terminal is provided with a server function for providing a service to another POS terminal via the network, and the processing of the server function is performed in a distributed manner by each POS terminal. POS
This is a POS system that does not require a server.

In the POS system according to the present invention, the POS terminal instructed to execute one of the server functions is subdivided into the smallest unit capable of executing this process, and the process of the smallest unit is executed by each POS. The distributed processing is performed by assigning and executing the terminal.

The POS terminal instructed to execute one of the server functions examines the processor usage rate of each POS terminal including itself, and loads the POS terminals in descending order from the POS terminal having the lowest processor usage rate. By allocating and executing the processing of the minimum unit, distributed processing is performed.

Further, a POS terminal to which a process is allocated from a POS terminal instructed to execute one of the server functions.
The terminal sends an execution notification when the allocated process is started, and sends an end notification to the POS terminal to which execution of one of the server functions is instructed when the process is completed. On the other hand, when the POS terminal instructed to execute one process in the server function receives an end notification from any of the POS terminals, the POS terminal determines whether or not the minimum unit process without the execution notification remains. Again, including self
The processor usage rate of the OS terminal is examined, and the processing of the minimum unit remaining in the POS terminal having a low processor usage rate is allocated and executed.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, the POS of the present embodiment
As shown in FIG. 1, the system includes five POS terminals installed at each sales floor in a store or at a predetermined accounting place.
The terminals 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E are connected to each other via a LAN 2, and have a simple configuration without a dedicated POS server.

In such a configuration, each POS terminal 1A,
1B, 1C, 1D, and 1E are database 3
A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E are mounted. In each of the databases 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, a product master file, a supplier master file, a customer master file, and the like shared by the POS terminals 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E are stored, for example, of the POS terminal 1A. A product master file is formed in the database 3A, and a supplier master file is formed in the database 3B of the POS terminal 1B.
The customer master file is formed in the database 3C of the S terminal 1C in a distributed manner, for example.

FIG. 2 shows each POS terminal 1A, 1B, 1C, 1
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of D and 1E.
The S terminals 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E have the same configuration. That is, a CPU (Central Processing) is used as a processor for decoding instructions, performing operations, controlling the operation of each unit, and the like.
Unit 11). Also, a program memory 12 storing various programs, a data memory 13 storing various data other than the programs, a clock unit 14 for clocking the current date and time, and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) device 15 for forming the database and the like HDD to control
A controller 16, a LAN controller 17 for controlling data communication performed via the LAN 2, a display controller 19 for controlling the driving of a display 18 for displaying product registration information, etc., product sales information, purchase information,
A keyboard interface 2 to which a keyboard 20 provided with various keys for inputting discard information and the like is connected.
1. A scanner interface 23 to which a scanner 22 for reading a bar code or the like attached to a product is connected, a printer interface 25 to which a printer 24 for performing receipt printing, slip printing, etc. is connected, and for storing cash and the like. And a drawer interface 27 to which the drawer 26 is connected. Then, the CPU 11, the program memory 12, the data memory 13, the clock unit 14, H
DD controller 16, LAN controller 17, display controller 18, and interfaces 21, 23, 23
25 and 27 are connected by bus lines 28 such as an address bus and a data bus.

Each of the POS terminals 1A, 1B, 1
C, 1D, and 1E are functions that the conventional POS server performs, that is, functions of the conventional POS terminal, that is, functions of registering sales information, purchase information, and discard information of a product, that is, functions of each POS terminal. In addition to managing shared product master files, supplier master files, customer master files, etc., real-time sales management by updating sales information, inventory information, etc. based on information on products registered at each POS terminal Each has a server function of providing service information such as information and order management information. Then, the POS terminal instructed to execute one process in the server function is subdivided into the minimum units capable of executing this process, and the process of the minimum unit is allocated to each POS terminal and executed, It is designed to perform distributed processing. Hereinafter, the distributed processing of the server function by a plurality of POS terminals as described above will be described.

Each POS terminal 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1
E stores an OS (Operating System) P, which is a basic program, in the program memory 12 as shown in FIG.
1 and a server task for causing the CPU 11 to execute various tasks as a POS server in order to realize distributed processing of server functions, in addition to the POS task execution program P2 for causing the CPU 11 to execute various tasks as a POS terminal. An execution program P3, a server operation support program P4 for supporting the execution of the server operation, and a server operation monitoring program P5 for monitoring the execution of the server operation
And have implemented.

Each of the POS terminals 1A, 1B, 1C, 1
D and 1E are POS terminals 1A, 1B and 1 on the system as shown in FIG. 4 in the data memory 13 as data memory areas required for distributed processing of the server function.
A usage rate table 31 for storing usage rates of the CPUs 11 of C, 1D, and 1E in association with terminal names for specifying the POS terminals 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, and 1E.
And the execution processing name assigned to the processing of the minimum unit when one of the server functions instructed to be executed is subdivided into the minimum unit, and the load (volume) of the processing stored in association with each other. The execution processing load table 32, the minimum name storing the terminal name of the POS terminal that executes the processing and the execution flag, the end flag, and the cancellation flag corresponding to the execution processing name assigned to the processing of each minimum unit A unit allocation list table T3 is formed.

Here, the execution flag is the P of the corresponding terminal name.
A flag which is turned on when the processing of the corresponding minimum unit is executed in the OS terminal, an end flag is a flag which is turned on when the processing of the corresponding minimum unit ends, and a cancellation flag is a flag which corresponds to the corresponding minimum unit. This flag is turned on when execution cancellation of the process is instructed.

Thus, each POS terminal 1A, 1B, 1
C, 1D, and 1E have the server business support program P4 resident after the system startup, and the CPU 11 executes the processing shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 5 and 6 according to the server business support program P4. I have.

That is, when the server business support program P4 is started, the CPU 11 waits for an instruction to execute any one of the server functions as ST1 in FIG. Then, when execution of any one of the server functions is instructed by, for example, a key input from the keyboard 20, as ST2, the minimum unit capable of executing the server task instructed to execute according to a preset definition. Subdivide into processing. In step ST3, a load (volume) required for the processing of each minimum unit is acquired for each processing of the minimum unit, and a predetermined execution processing name and its load value are set in the execution processing load table 32 for each processing of the minimum unit. I do.

Next, at step ST4, each POS including its own
The current processor usage rates of the terminals 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, that is, the CPU usage rates are checked. Specifically, the CPU utilization is checked by the processing of the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. First, in step ST21, the CPU utilization is checked and obtained, and the utilization value is set in the utilization area corresponding to the terminal name in the utilization table 31. Next, as ST22, a response request message of the CPU usage rate is transmitted to each POS terminal other than the own POS terminal via the LAN2. In step ST23, a timer in which a predetermined timeout time is set in advance is started.

Through the LAN controller 17, the CP
Each of the other POS terminals that have received the response request message of the U usage rate checks and acquires its own CPU usage rate, and creates a response message incorporating the usage rate value. Then, this usage rate value reply message is transmitted via the LAN 2 to the POS terminal that has transmitted the reply request message.

Then, the CPU 11 of the POS terminal that has transmitted the response request message of the CPU usage rate waits for another usage rate response message to be sent from another POS terminal in step ST24. Then, through the LAN controller 17, another P
When the usage rate response message sent from the OS terminal is received, the CPU usage value in the message is set in the usage rate area corresponding to the terminal name of the response message transmission source POS terminal in the usage rate table 31 as ST25. I do. And ST26
All Ps that have sent a reply request message of CPU usage rate
It is determined whether a usage rate response message has been received from the OS terminal or not.
Then, the process waits again for the usage rate reply message to be sent from another POS terminal. If the usage rate reply message is received from all the POS terminals before the timer times out, the CPU usage rate check ends.

If the timeout of the timer is detected in ST27, it is considered that the POS terminal to which the usage rate reply message is not sent cannot perform the distributed processing due to the fact that it has not been started up. POS to which the usage rate reply message in the usage rate table 31 is not sent
"Error" in the usage rate area corresponding to the terminal name of the terminal
Is set, and the investigation of the CPU usage rate ends.

After investigating the CPU utilization of each POS terminal, the CPU 11 completes the utilization table 3 as ST5 in FIG.
1, each of the POS terminals 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D,
1E based on the CPU usage rate and the load for each processing of each minimum unit stored in the execution processing load table 32.
CPU usage except for POS terminals whose U usage rate is "Error"
The processing of the minimum unit having the largest load is allocated in order from the POS terminal having the lower usage rate. At this time, every time one process is assigned to any POS terminal, the P
POS with the lowest CPU usage, including the CPU usage recalculated, recalculating the CPU usage of the OS terminal
The processing of the smallest unit having the next largest load is allocated to the terminal. In this way, when all the processes in the minimum unit are allotted to each POS terminal except the POS terminal whose CPU usage rate is “Error”, the execution process name of the minimum unit process allocated to each POS terminal is notified. . In ST6, the execution process name of each process subdivided into the minimum unit and the terminal name of the POS terminal that executes the process are written in the minimum unit allocation list table 33, and all execution flags, end flags, and cancellation flags are written. Turn off (OFF) to create a minimum unit allocation list.

Thereafter, the CPU 11 waits for a notification of execution of the minimum unit process from each POS terminal to which each process of the minimum unit has been allocated as ST7. The execution flag corresponding to the execution process name of the minimum unit process for which the execution notification of the minimum unit allocation list table 33 has been notified is turned on (ON).

At the same time as waiting for the notification of the execution of the minimum unit process, the CPU 11 waits for a notification of the completion of the execution of the minimum unit process from the POS terminal to which the notification of the execution of the minimum unit process has been issued in ST9. Then, when there is a notification of the end of the execution of the minimum unit process, in ST10, the end flag corresponding to the execution process name of the minimum unit process for which the notification of the execution end of the minimum unit allocation list table 33 has been made is turned on. Subsequently, in step ST11, by referring to the minimum unit allocation list table 33, it is determined whether or not there is a minimum unit process whose execution flag is OFF (OFF), that is, whether or not there remains a minimum unit process that has not been executed. I do. If the execution flag remains off (OFF) and there remains a minimum unit of processing that has not been executed yet, ST1
As 2, the cancellation of the execution request is notified to the POS terminal having the terminal name corresponding to the execution processing name of the minimum unit processing that has not been executed. In step ST13, the cancellation flag corresponding to the execution process name in the minimum unit allocation list table 33 is turned on. Further, as ST14, the load of the unexecuted minimum unit processing is acquired. Then, after once clearing the execution processing load table 32, the execution processing name of the minimum unit processing that has not been executed and its load are set.

Thereafter, returning to the process of ST4, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E of each POS terminal including its own.
Investigate the CPU usage rate at the moment. Each of the POS terminals 1A, 1B, 1 stored again in the usage rate table 31
Based on the CPU usage rates of C, 1D, and 1E and the load of the minimum unit processing not executed stored in the execution processing load table 32, the minimum unit not executed by the POS terminal having the lowest CPU usage rate is determined. Allocate processing. If there are a plurality of processes in the minimum unit that have not been executed, C
The processing of the minimum unit having a large load is allocated in ascending order of the PU usage rate. Then, the PO in which the processing of the minimum unit is allocated again
The S terminal is notified of the execution process name of the corresponding minimum unit process. Further, a minimum unit allocation list after the reallocation is created in the minimum unit allocation list table 33. After that, CP
U11 waits for the execution notification and the execution end notification of the minimum unit process.

In this manner, the CPU 11 determines whether or not there is a minimum unit process without an execution notification every time the execution completion notification of the minimum unit process is received. Terminals 1A, 1B, 1C, 1
The CPU usage rates of D and 1E are checked, and the remaining POS process having the lower CPU usage rate is allocated and executed.

On the other hand, when there is no minimum unit process with no execution notification, that is, the minimum unit allocation list table 33
If all of the execution flags are ON,
The CPU 11 refers to the minimum unit allocation list table 33 as ST15 and determines whether or not there is a minimum unit process whose end flag is OFF (OFF), that is, whether or not there is a minimum unit process that has not been completed yet. . If there is a process of the minimum unit that has not been completed, the process waits for the execution completion notification of the minimum unit process.

On the other hand, if it is confirmed in ST15 that all the end flags of the minimum unit allocation list table 33 are on (ON), the processing of the server business support program P4 this time is ended. Then, the process of the server business support program P4 is started again, and the process waits for execution of any one of the server functions.

Each POS terminal 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1
E also has a server business monitoring program P5 resident along with the server business support program P4.
The PU 11 executes the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7 according to the server operation monitoring program P5.

That is, when the server service monitoring program P5 is started, the CPU 11 waits for a server service execution request notification as ST31 in FIG. Here, an execution request notification is received together with the execution process name of the server business process subdivided into the minimum unit by the server business support program P4 in the own terminal, or the subprocess is similarly subdivided into the minimum unit via the LAN 2 from another POS terminal. When an execution request notification is received together with the execution processing name of the server processing executed, ST
As 32, the server task execution program P3 corresponding to the execution process name requested to be executed is acquired. If there is an execution request notification for a plurality of execution process names,
Server business execution program P3 corresponding to each execution process name
Respectively.

Next, in ST33, it is determined whether or not the obtained server business execution program P3 can be executed.
If the process cannot be executed because another process is being executed, the process waits until the process becomes executable.

If the server business execution program P3 has been executable, or has become executable, S
After outputting the process execution notification to the POS terminal that is the execution request notification source in T34, the server business execution program P3 is started in ST35. When there is an execution request notification for a plurality of execution process names, one of the server business execution programs P3 is selected and activated.

After that, the process waits for the end of the server business execution program P3 in ST36, and when the end is confirmed, outputs a process end notification to the POS terminal which is the execution request notification source in ST37. Next, in ST38, it is determined whether or not there is an execution request notification to another server business execution program P3. If there is an execution request notification, the process returns to ST33, and the server business execution program P3
Wait until is executable. If there is no execution request notification in ST38, the process of the server operation monitoring program P5 this time is ended. Then, the processing of the server business monitoring program P5 is started again, and the process waits for the notification of the execution request of the server business.

While waiting for the server business execution program P3 to become executable in ST33,
When the execution request cancellation of the server operation is notified as 39, the processing of the server operation monitoring program P5 is terminated at that time, and the server operation monitoring program P5 is again executed.
5 is started.

Next, the distributed processing of the server function will be described with reference to a specific example of a selling price change processing in a case where a product of a specific manufacturer (maker) is discounted as a bargain product. As shown in FIG. 8, the selling price change process is performed by accumulating and storing management information of each product including data items such as a maker code, a department code, a single product code, a product name, a normal price, a bargain price, and a bargain flag. This is a process of setting a bargain price, which is a discounted price, to bargain price data of a bargain target product in the bargain master file 81, and turning on a bargain flag. Then, as a definition for the selling price change process in this case, the department code is set to the minimum unit.

Now, the commodity master file 81 has a POS
It is stored in the database 3A of the terminal 1A, and the user operates the keyboard 18 of the POS terminal 1A to instruct execution of a selling price change process for uniformly reducing the product of the manufacturer of the manufacturer code "1000" by 10%. I do.

Then, the CPU 11 of the POS terminal 1A
Starts the processing of the server business support program P4 shown in FIGS. First, the selling price change process is subdivided into processes of the minimum unit that can be executed, the load required for the process of each minimum unit is calculated, and a predetermined load is stored in the execution process load table 32 for each process of the minimum unit. The execution processing name and its load value are set. More specifically, the merchandise with the maker code "1000" is classified according to the division code, which is the minimum unit, and the selling price change process is executed for each of them.
The number of types of department codes of the product of “0” is acquired as the number of blocks in the minimum unit processing, the number of single item codes belonging to the department code is acquired for each department code as a load, and the execution processing load table 32 is updated. .

Now, the department code of the product with the maker code "1000" is [1001], [1002], [100].
3], [1004] and [1005], and the number of unit codes belonging to the section code [1001] is 50,
If the number of single item codes belonging to [1002] is 20, [1002]
Assume that the number of single item codes belonging to [3] is 10, and the number of single item codes belonging to [1004] is 30. Also, the execution process name relating to the selling price change process of the product belonging to the department code [1001] is “Uri1”, and the department code [1002]
The execution process name related to the selling price change process of the product belonging to
ri2 ", the execution process name related to the selling price change process of the product belonging to the department code [1003] is" Uri3 ", the execution process name related to the selling price change process of the product belonging to the department code [1004] is" Uri4 ", and the department code [1005]. The execution process name related to the selling price change process of the product belonging to
5 ". Then, the execution processing load table 32 is updated as shown in FIG.

Next, the CPU 11 of the POS terminal 1A includes its own POS terminals 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E
Investigate the current CPU usage of
Update 1

Now, the CPU usage rate of the POS terminal 1A is 30
%, The CPU usage of the POS terminal 1B is 60%, the CPU usage of the POS terminal 1C is 10%, and the CP of the POS terminal 1D is
U usage rate is 30%, and POS terminal 1E
If there is no response to the usage rate reply request message, the usage rate table 32 is updated as shown in FIG. 9B.

Next, the CPU 11 of the POS terminal 1A compares the data of the usage rate table 31 shown in FIG.
Based on the data of the execution processing load table 32 shown in (b), execution of each processing subdivided into the minimum unit is performed by each PO.
Assign to S terminal. In this case, since the POS terminal 1E is not turned on, the other four POS terminals 1A, 1B, 1
The execution process names "Uri1", "Uri2", "Ur1"
The five minimum unit processes “i3”, “Uri4” and “Uri5” are allocated in descending order of load. Specifically, first,
The smallest unit process “Uri1” with the largest load is assigned to the POS terminal 1C with the smallest CPU usage rate. As a result, the CPU usage rate of the POS terminal 1C is reduced to the minimum unit process “U
Since the load of ri1 "is increased to 60% by adding the load of 50%, the CPUs of the POS terminals 1A and 1D having the lowest CPU utilization at the present time are next.
Since the usage rates are the same, the POS terminal 1A is selected in a predetermined order, and the minimum unit processing “Uri5” having the second largest load is assigned. Thereby, the POS terminal 1A
CPU usage rate is the minimum unit processing "Uri5" load 30
Then, the minimum unit process “Uri2” having the third largest load is allocated to the POS terminal 1D having the smallest CPU utilization at the present time. As a result, the CPU usage of the POS terminal 1D increases to 50% by adding the load of the minimum unit process “Uri2” of 20%, and the POS terminal 1D next has the lowest CPU usage at the present time.
The minimum unit processing “Uri with the fourth largest load on terminal 1D”
3 ". Thereby, the CPU of the POS terminal 1D
Since the usage rate rises to 60% by adding the load of the minimum unit process “Uri3” of 10%, the POS terminal having the lowest CPU usage rate at this time, except for the POS terminals 1A and P
C of OS terminal 1B, POS terminal 1C and POS terminal 1D
Since the PU usage rates are the same, the POS terminal 1B to which no processing is assigned yet is selected, and the minimum unit processing “Uri4” with the smallest load is assigned. Then, POS terminal 1A
For the minimum unit process indicated by the execution process name “Uri5”, and for the POS terminal 1B, the execution request for the minimum unit process indicated by the execution process name “Uri4”.
An execution request of the minimum unit process indicated by the execution process name “Uri1” is issued to the POS terminal 1C, and an execution request of the minimum unit process indicated by the execution process names “Uri2” and “Uri3” is issued to the POS terminal 1D. Notify each. Further, a minimum unit allocation list having the contents shown in FIG. 10 is created in the minimum unit allocation list table 33.

On the other hand, when the POS terminals 1A, 1B,
The CPUs 1C and 1D respectively start the processing of the server operation monitoring program P5 shown in FIG. And
When the processing of the server business becomes executable, the processing of the server business identified by the notified execution processing name is executed. That is, the POS terminal 1A sets the special sale price in the product information corresponding to the department code [1005] among the product information of the maker code "1000" stored in the product master file 81, and turns on the special sale flag (execution) The process name “Uri5”) is executed, and the POS terminal 1B executes the department code [1004] in the product information of the maker code “1000” stored in the product master file 81.
The POS terminal 1C executes a process of setting a bargain price and turning on a bargain flag (execution process name "Uri4") in the product information corresponding to the product information corresponding to the manufacturer code "1000" stored in the product master file 81. The POS terminal 1D stores the special sale price in the product information corresponding to the department code [1001] in the information and turns on the special sale flag (execution process name “Uri1”). Code [1002] in the product information of manufacturer code "1000"
Of setting the special sale price in the product information corresponding to the item and turning on the special sale flag (execution process name "Uri2")
And a process of setting the special sale price in the product information corresponding to the section code [1003] and turning on the special sale flag (execution process name “Uri3”).

Now, the POS terminal 1A executes the execution process name "Uri
5, the POS terminal 1C is executing the process with the execution process name "Uri1", and the POS terminal 1D
Is executing the process with the execution process name "Uri2" and has not yet executed the process with the execution process name "Uri3".
It is assumed that the POS terminal 1B has finished executing the process of the execution process name “Uri4”, and has been notified of the execution end to the POS terminal 1A. Then, the minimum unit allocation list created in the minimum unit allocation list table 33 of the POS terminal 1A is updated to the state shown in FIG.

Thus, the CPU 11 of the POS terminal 1A
Since there is no execution notification regarding the minimum unit process of the execution process name “Uri3”, after notifying the POS terminal 1D that has notified the execution request of the minimum unit process of the execution process name “Uri3”, The execution processing load table 32 is updated as shown in FIG. Again, each P
The CPU usage rate of the OS terminals 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E is investigated. As a result, the CPU usage rate of the POS terminal 1A is 50%, and the CPU usage rate of the POS terminal 1B is 30%.
%, The CPU usage rate of the POS terminal 1C is 50%, the CPU usage rate of the POS terminal 1D is 60%, and P
Assuming that the OS terminal 1E still does not respond to the response request message of the CPU usage rate, the usage rate table 31 is updated as shown in FIG.

As a result, the minimum unit process of the execution process name “Uri3” that has not been executed is allocated to the POS terminal 1B having the lowest CPU usage, and the execution request is notified. A unit allocation list is created in the minimum unit allocation list table 33. As a result, the POS terminal 1B sets the special sale price in the product information corresponding to the department code [1003] among the product information of the maker code "1000" stored in the product master file 81, and turns on the special sale flag ( Execution name “Uri3”) is executed.

As described above, in the POS system of the present embodiment, each POS terminal 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E has a server function, and the processing of this server function is performed by each of the POS terminals 1A, 1B, 1C. , 1D, and 1E perform distributed processing, so that a POS server can be eliminated. As a result, the trouble of constructing the system in consideration of the installation location of the POS server is eliminated, so that the POS system can be easily introduced even in a store having a small area other than the sales floor.

Further, in the present embodiment, the POS terminal instructed to execute one of the server functions is subdivided into the minimum units capable of executing the processing, and the processing of the minimum unit is performed by each POS terminal. To be executed. Therefore, since the load required for the processing of the server function is small, it is possible to prevent the normal function of the POS terminal from registering sales information, purchase information, disposal information, and the like of the POS terminal as much as possible.

Further, in the present embodiment, the POS terminal instructed to execute one of the server functions checks the processor usage rate of each POS terminal including itself,
Since the processing of the smallest unit having the largest load is allocated and executed in order from the POS terminal with the lowest processor usage rate, the load of each POS terminal can be smoothed and each POS terminal can be used effectively.

In the present embodiment, a POS terminal to which a process is assigned from the POS terminal to which execution of one of the server functions is instructed is executed when the assigned process is started. Is configured to send an end notification to the POS terminal to which execution of one process in the server function is instructed when the process is completed.
When the POS terminal instructed to execute one of the processes receives an end notification from any of the POS terminals, the POS terminal determines whether or not the minimum unit of the process without the execution notification remains. The processor usage rate of each POS terminal is checked, and the processing of the minimum unit remaining in the POS terminal having a low processor usage rate is allocated and executed. Therefore, there is an effect that the processing of the server function can be efficiently performed in a short time by effectively utilizing the vacant POS terminal.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the selling price change process is performed in a distributed manner is specifically shown. However, the present invention can be applied to other server operations other than the selling price change process.

It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to a system having five POS terminals. Further, each POS terminal 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1
Instead of E having a database, any one of the POS terminals may have a database. Also, a server computer dedicated to database management is connected to the LAN 2, and each POS terminal 1A, 1B,
The database may be excluded from 1C, 1D, and 1E.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, when the end of one process subdivided into the minimum unit is notified, if the minimum unit process which has not been executed remains, the remaining minimum unit process is again executed. The unit processing is allocated to each POS terminal. However, when the minimum unit processing that has not been executed when all the minimum unit processing allocated to one POS terminal is completed, the allocation is performed again. It may be. Specifically, the processing procedure of the server business support program P4 is changed to the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. In addition,
Blocks having the same processing or the same determination as the processing or determination block shown in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

That is, when the POS terminal, which has received the notification of the execution of the minimum unit process as ST9, receives a notification of the completion of the execution of the minimum unit process, the process proceeds to ST10, where the notification of the completion of the execution of the minimum unit allocation list table 33 has been received. After turning on the end flag corresponding to the execution process name,
P received the notification of the end of execution of the minimum unit process as ST41
The minimum unit allocation list table 33 is referred to the OS terminal to check whether another minimum unit process is allocated. Here, if the terminal name of the POS terminal is set corresponding to the execution processing name of another minimum unit processing and the execution flag of the minimum unit processing is off (OFF), the POS terminal It is determined that all of the minimum unit processes assigned to have not been completed, and the execution of the minimum unit process and the execution completion notification are again waited for. In contrast, the P
If the terminal name of the OS terminal is not set corresponding to the execution processing name of the other minimum unit processing, or if the execution flag is set but the execution flag is on (ON), the process proceeds to ST11 and the minimum unit With reference to the allocation list table 33, it is determined whether or not there is a minimum unit process whose execution flag is OFF (OFF), that is, whether or not there is a minimum unit process that has not been executed yet.

As described above, the server business support program P4
By changing the processing procedure, if the minimum unit processing that has not been executed when all the minimum unit processing allocated to one POS terminal is completed, the allocation is performed again. it can.

[0056]

As described in detail above, claims 1 to 4 of the present application.
According to the inventions described above, it is possible to provide a simplified POS system that does not require a POS server without deteriorating the performance of the system.

According to the second aspect of the present invention,
This has the effect of minimizing the possibility of impairing the normal functions of the POS terminal, such as the registration of product sales information, purchase information, and disposal information.

According to the third aspect of the present invention,
In addition to the effect of the second aspect of the invention, the load on each POS terminal can be smoothed, and each POS terminal can be used effectively.

According to the invention described in claim 4 of the present application,
In addition to the effect of the third aspect of the present invention, the vacant P
There is also an effect that the processing of the server function can be efficiently performed in a short time by effectively utilizing the OS terminal.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a POS system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary block diagram showing a main part configuration of the POS terminal according to the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an exemplary view showing a main part of a program structure stored in a program memory by a POS terminal in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary view showing a data structure of a main table formed in a data memory by the POS terminal in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary flowchart showing the main processing procedure of a server business support program installed in the POS terminal of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary flowchart showing the procedure of a CPU usage rate investigation process of a server business support program installed in the POS terminal of the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary flowchart showing the main processing procedure of a server operation monitoring program installed in the POS terminal according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a product master file formed on a POS terminal database in the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of data of an execution processing load table and a usage rate table in the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of data of a minimum unit allocation list table in the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a view showing an example of update data of a minimum unit allocation list table in the embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a view showing an example of update data of an execution processing load table and a usage rate table in the embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of re-update data of a minimum unit allocation list table in the embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a main processing procedure of a server business support program according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E POS terminal 2 LAN 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E Database 31 Usage rate table 32 Processing load table 33 Minimum unit allocation list table

Claims (4)

[Claims] A plurality of POS terminals connected to each other via a network, and each POS terminal is provided with a server function for providing service information to another POS terminal via the network; To each PO
A POS system wherein the S terminal performs distributed processing. 2. A POS system according to claim 1, wherein the execution of one of the server functions is instructed.
The S terminal subdivides it into the minimum units that can execute this processing,
A POS system wherein the processing of the minimum unit is allocated to each POS terminal and executed. 3. A POS system according to claim 2, wherein execution of one of the server functions is instructed.
A POS system characterized in that the S terminal investigates the processor usage rate of each POS terminal including itself, and allocates and executes the processing of the smallest unit having a large load in order from the POS terminal having the lowest processor usage rate. 4. The POS system according to claim 3, wherein execution of one of the server functions is instructed.
The POS terminal to which the process has been allocated from the S terminal issues an execution notification when starting the allocated process and an end notification when finishing the allocated process, and instructs execution of one of the server functions. The POS terminal that has been sent to the POS terminal that has received the termination notification from one of the POS terminals determines whether or not the minimum unit of processing without an execution notification remains. If there are any remaining POs, including yourself again
A POS system characterized by investigating a processor usage rate of an S terminal and allocating and executing a process of a minimum unit remaining in a POS terminal having a low processor usage rate.