JP2002324180A - Method for receipt of order and delivery of system, and method for ordering system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for receipt of an order and delivery of a system and a method for ordering the system which enable a user to realize a cost reduction for tests and shorten a development time by providing a dynamic pre-test on a computer prior to the ordering. SOLUTION: The method generates software components that include an outer shape for each hardware unit, a fixing method, interface specifications, dynamic simulation software, a source of supply, and a price (S301), and registers them in a distribution server C (S201). A system developer (a user) A selects desired software components (S101-S104), generates unit parameters (S105) and application programs (S105), executes a linkage test for them, and transmits (orders) a system configuration if no problem is found (S107-S109). A maker B configures a real machine system receiving the system configuration information transmitted, concurrently executes the linkage test, and delivers the system, which has no problem of the linkage test, to the user (S302-S305).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for receiving or ordering a system including a plurality of hardware units, and more particularly to creating an application program and confirming the appearance of the system before actually ordering the hardware units. The present invention relates to a system order delivery method and a system ordering method capable of confirming a mounting position of a hardware unit and confirming a system interlock.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when constructing a system in which a plurality of hardware units are combined, a system developer mainly has experience of past system construction, specifications of hardware units, purchase of hardware unit samples, and the like. Thus, after determining the hardware units necessary for the system, an application program is created, and finally, an interlock test of a system including a plurality of hardware units is performed.

Conventional hardware unit ordering / purchasing methods include an ordering / purchasing method of directly ordering at a store, a catalog or the like obtained at a store, a magazine, a show, or the like, and a hardware determined based on the obtained catalog. Ordering / purchasing method for purchasing a unit at a store
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 7 (2004), access the homepage of a hardware unit maker using a browser on the Internet, refer to the product introduction on the browser screen, determine the hardware unit to purchase, and place an order.
As disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 11-110451, an order is received from a consumer of a machine product using the Internet, and a customer of a machine product is selected from a plurality of predetermined suppliers of the machine product. There is an ordering / purchasing method of searching for a supplier of a machine product that can most appropriately answer a request and automatically ordering the computer of the supplier. Most of the products sold using these ordering / purchasing methods operate either as a single hardware unit or have well-known functions and performance.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The conventional ordering and
The purchase method is effective when the hardware unit is operated alone or the function and performance are generally well known, but when building a system that operates in conjunction with multiple hardware units. However, there is a problem that it is not possible to confirm the interlocking of a system constructed by combining a plurality of hardware units before ordering.

In other words, in order to verify the interlocking operation of the system before placing an order, it is necessary to fully understand the external shape, usage, and application program interface of the hardware unit. In order to do so, it is usually necessary to borrow or purchase the corresponding hardware unit, but borrowing of the hardware unit depends on the response of the manufacturer (if the manufacturer does not lend a hardware unit, Impossible), it is impractical to borrow all of the multiple types of hardware units needed to build the system. In addition, when the number of systems to be manufactured is small, it is difficult to purchase multiple types of sample units from a financial standpoint, and it is inevitable to select hardware units based only on the information described in the specifications. Become.

[0006] Under such circumstances, it is difficult to select an optimum hardware unit from a plurality of hardware units, and in reality, a hardware unit is selected by comparing information described in specifications, A hardware unit that has been used in the past must be selected, and the interlocking operation of the system could not be verified before ordering.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and to perform a preliminary operation test on a computer before placing an order.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a system order delivery method and a system ordering method capable of saving test costs and shortening the development period.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, in the system order delivery method of the present invention, first,
For each hardware unit, software components including its external shape, fixing method, interface specifications, software for simulating operation, information on purchasers, and information on sales prices are created and registered in a distribution server on the Internet.

Next, a software component corresponding to a hardware unit necessary for constructing a desired system selected by a user, unit parameters to be set in the software component, and an application program of the hardware unit are included. Order information (system configuration information) is received from a user, an actual machine system is constructed based on the received order information, an interlock test is performed, and an actual machine system free from the interlock test is delivered to the user.

[0010] As information on the selling price, URL
Is set, and by using information about the user transmitted from the user to the URL, the selling price can be changed for each user or for each inquiry.

The system ordering method according to the present invention is a software which simulates the external shape, fixing method, interface specification, and operation of each hardware unit registered in a distribution server on the Internet by a system contractor (a maker or the like). , Search for software parts including information about suppliers or information about sales prices, select and download software parts corresponding to hardware units necessary for building a desired system,
A desired unit parameter is set in the downloaded software component, an application program is created, and an interlock test is performed on a system virtually constructed on a computer screen using the application program, and a desired operation is confirmed. In such a case, an order is placed from a manufacturer via a distribution server on the Internet.

The ordering is performed by sending out ordering information including the selected software components, the set unit parameters, and the created application program.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (Summary of the Invention) In the present invention, first, a manufacturer (manufacturer) of a hardware unit is a software component which incorporates software for simulating the operation of an actual unit on a computer. Create a virtual unit and register it on the distribution server. The distribution server is constructed using a generally known network technology such as a web server.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of the “virtual unit”, and shows the outer shape information (C) of the hardware unit to be sold.
AD data, fixing method, etc.), electrical interface (power supply voltage, etc.), software interface (application interface (API), version number, etc.), virtual user interface (operations performed by humans), user setting parameters (IP address, etc.) ), Sales information (seller name, selling price, etc.), and expiration date.

The system developer accesses the distribution server to search whether or not a hardware unit satisfying the desired specification is registered by using his / her own computer (order server), and if the desired unit exists, ,
The virtual unit is downloaded from the distribution server, and the hardware unit mounting position, interface consistency, and the like are examined. The above processing is performed on all the hardware units constituting the system, and a desired virtual unit is downloaded.

When all the virtual units constituting the system are prepared, the parameters of each hardware unit are set, and an application program is created.
Confirm on a computer that the desired specifications are satisfied.
If it is determined that the hardware unit does not satisfy the specifications, the hardware unit is changed to another hardware unit having the same or similar interface, and the same processing is repeated.

The manufacturer (maker) constructs a real machine system based on the received information on the virtual unit group, installs parameter information and application programs on the real device, and sets all set values in the hardware unit. Then, when the connection is completed, an interlocking confirmation test is performed. If there is no problem, the actual system is shipped (delivered) to a customer (system developer).

(Embodiments) Next, embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. Although the following embodiment is an example of constructing a street terminal system, the present invention can be applied to any complex system constituted by a plurality of hardware units and operating in conjunction with each other, and is limited to the street terminal system. Not something.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a street terminal system, which is the purpose of construction of this embodiment. In the figure, 1
Denotes a server, 2 denotes a street terminal, 3 and 4 denote routers, and 5 denotes a network such as the Internet.

Hereinafter, a procedure for constructing the street terminal system in the present embodiment will be described in detail. First, a maker creates a virtual unit for each hardware unit to be sold.

The street terminal 2 usually includes a control device, a monitor with a touch panel, a card reader, a printer, and the like. Here, the virtual unit of the magnetic card reader will be described as an example, but the same applies to other hardware units. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the outer shape of the magnetic card reader. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 103 denotes a magnetic card reader, 301 denotes a card insertion slot, and 302 denotes a card collection box.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a virtual unit of the magnetic card reader. As shown in the figure, the “virtual unit” of the magnetic card reader includes, for example, the following information.

First, as the outer shape information, in addition to the three-dimensional data of the outer shape shown in FIG. 4 (dimensions: not shown in the figure), a weight (for example, 2 kg), a fixing method (for example, with a screw, etc.) It has information such as the position (for example, the position of the screw) (see FIG. 5A). In order to facilitate the assembling work, it is preferable that the fixing position is a screw position such as a CD-ROM or an HDD, or a general fixing position specified in JIS C6010, IEC297-1, or the like. Second, the electrical interface has data such as a power supply voltage (for example, 24 V), a current consumption (2 A), and a signal line type (for example, USB, RS232C, etc.) (see FIG. 5B).

Third, as a software interface, commands such as reading and writing of magnetic data, card inhalation, card ejection, and card recovery, and completion of card inhalation,
Events such as completion of card removal and occurrence of a failure are provided (see (c) in FIG. 5).

It is assumed that this software interface can be actually called from an application program (AP). For example, when a command of “card inhalation” is issued from the application program (AP), the virtual unit is in a state of waiting for card inhalation, and when an event of “card inhalation” occurs from a virtual user interface described later, “card inhalation completed”
Event is generated. When an event such as a card inhalation occurs, the three-dimensional image moves according to the event.

Fourth, as a virtual user interface (virtual user interface) for describing an operation performed by a user of a street terminal on a computer, events such as card suction, card removal, and collection card removal are provided. (See (d) of FIG. 5). For example, when a card ejection command is issued from the software interface and then a card removal event is generated from the virtual user interface, a "card ejection completed" event is generated from the software interface.

Fifth, parameters required for defining the operation at the time of resetting and the operation at the time of card ejection are set as user setting parameters (see (e) in FIG. 5). When the hardware unit is a router, user setting parameters include an IP address of the router, routing information, a telephone number, and the like.

Sixth, the sales information has the name of the seller (for example, XX factory) and sales price information (see (f) in FIG. 5). As shown in the figure, as the sales price information, instead of directly setting the sales price itself, a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is set, and the URL is used whenever it is necessary to know the sales price information. May be sent to a designated server for an inquiry. Alternatively, user information may be separately transmitted to change the sales price for each user (for example, a discount price is set for a large customer who is a good customer).

Seventh, the expiration date (for example, 2005
By setting (eg, August 21), it is possible to prevent the registered virtual unit from being used for an infinite period (see (g) in FIG. 5). The expiration date may be set with a URL in the same manner as the sales price information, and may be changed for each user. By creating a virtual unit having such information and registering it in the distribution server, the manufacturer can advertise the product to be incorporated into a system constructed by the user.

Next, a system order delivery method and a system ordering method according to the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a flowchart for explaining a system order delivery method and a system ordering method according to the present invention.

As described above, first, the manufacturer (manufacturer) of the hardware unit determines the "virtual unit" as shown in FIG. 5, which is a software component incorporating software for simulating the actual operation of each hardware unit to be sold in advance. Is created on the computer (S30).
1) Register it in the distribution server C (S201). FIG.
Indicates a virtual unit in the case of a magnetic card reader, but a similar virtual unit is created and registered for other hardware units.

The system developer A accesses the distribution server C and searches whether a hardware unit of a virtual unit satisfying a desired specification is registered (S10).
1). If the hardware units of the virtual units satisfying the desired specifications are registered, they are downloaded from the distribution server C (S102), and the external shape, the mounting position, the fixing method, and the interface of the hardware units are matched on the screen of the computer. Comparing and examining properties (S
103).

As a result of the comparison and examination, if the hardware unit is as specified (S103: Y), a desired hardware unit is determined (S103). If the hardware unit does not meet the specifications (S103: N), S1
Returning to 01, another hardware unit having the same or similar interface is searched, and the same processing is repeated. Until the selection of all the hardware units constituting the system is completed, the above-described steps S101 to S10
Step 3 is repeated (S104).

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a screen image of a computer when the arrangement of each hardware unit of the street terminal is considered, and FIG. 7 is a system configuration diagram inside the street terminal. 6 and 7, 10 is a street terminal,
101 is a control device, 102 is a monitor with a touch panel,
103 is a magnetic card reader, 104 is a printer, 105
Indicates a LAN board, and 200 indicates a router.

Next, when all the virtual units constituting the system are selected, if the selected virtual unit has a user setting parameter, this parameter is set (S105). For example, in the case of the magnetic card reader shown in FIG. 5, unit parameters necessary for a reset operation or card ejection (in the case of a router, user setting parameters such as an IP address, routing information, and a telephone number).
Is set as a virtual unit (see (e) in FIG. 5).

Next, the system developer A creates an application program (AP) (S106), and checks on the computer whether the application program satisfies desired specifications with the selected hardware unit and user-set parameters. (S107). At this point, if it is determined that the hardware unit does not satisfy the specifications (S1
08: N), returning to S101, searching for another hardware unit having the same or similar interface, and repeating the same processing.

As a result of the test of the system interlocking operation on the computer in S107, if it is confirmed that the hardware unit satisfies the specifications (S108:
Y), order the system using those hardware units (press the order button on the browser). The system order is a combination of a set of virtual units (virtual unit group) assembled on the computer by the system developer A and the application program created by the system developer A, that is, the system configuration information is transmitted to the distribution server C. This is performed by transmitting (S109).

Upon receiving an order for the system from the system developer A, the distribution server C notifies the maker B (manufacturer) that the order has been received (S202).

The coordinating maker B (manufacturer) manufactures a hardware unit or places an order with another company to obtain a hardware unit (S302). When all necessary hardware units are available, the maker B (manufacturer) assembles the system based on the received information, and converts the parameter information received at the time of ordering and the application program created by the system developer A into the unit. Install (S303).

All the set values are set in the hardware unit, and when the connection is completed, an actual device interlock test (interlock confirmation test) is performed (S304). Here, if there is no problem in the result of the actual device interlocking test, the system of the actual device is delivered to the customer (system developer A) (S305). After the system developer A inspects the delivered system,
Provide for practical use (S110).

In the above embodiment, the creation of a virtual unit (S301), the production of the unit (S302), the assembly of the system (S303), the interlock test with the real machine (S304),
Although the system delivery (S305) is performed by the same manufacturer, the creation of the virtual unit (S301) is performed by the sales consignment company, and the unit is manufactured (S302), the system is assembled (S303), and the actual device interlocking test (S304) is performed. Needless to say, the system delivery (S305) may be performed by the manufacturer itself.

According to the above embodiment, the system developer
Before ordering a hardware unit, download all software components corresponding to the hardware unit that meets the required specifications from the distribution server, examine the mounting position on a computer, and check the operation of the hardware unit alone Thus, the hardware configuration can be quickly determined, and the development of an application program can be started even without a hardware unit serving as a sample, thereby enabling a short-term system development.

[0043]

According to the present invention, an operation test cannot be carried out unless a hardware unit has been obtained by purchase or the like, but a pre-operation test can be performed on a computer before ordering. It is possible to realize such cost saving and shortening the development period.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart for explaining a system order delivery method and a system ordering method according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an example of information included in a virtual unit.

FIG. 3 is an example of a system configuration of a street terminal.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a three-dimensional image (outer shape) of a magnetic card reader.

FIG. 5 is a specific example of a virtual unit of the magnetic card reader.

FIG. 6 is a screen image of a street terminal under consideration of a hardware unit arrangement.

FIG. 7 is an example of a system configuration inside a street terminal.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: server, 2: street terminal, 3, 4: router, 5: network, 10: street terminal, 101: control device, 10
2: Monitor with touch panel, 103: Magnetic card reader, 104: Printer, 105: LAN board, 20
0: router, 301: card slot, 302: card collection box, A: system developer (user), B: manufacturer,
C: Distribution server.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. For each hardware unit, create software components including its outer shape, fixing method, interface specification, software for simulating operation, information on a supplier, and information on a selling price, and register it on a distribution server on the Internet. And a software component corresponding to a hardware unit necessary for building a desired system selected by a user, unit parameters to be set in the software component, and order information including an application program of the hardware unit. Receiving a request from a user, constructing an actual machine system based on the received ordering information and performing an interlock test, and delivering the actual machine system for which the interlock test has been completed to the user. 2. A URL as the information on the selling price.
2. The system order delivery method according to claim 1, wherein the sales price can be changed for each user or each inquiry using information about the user transmitted from the user to the URL. 3. Software including information on the external shape, fixing method, interface specification, software for simulating operation, information on a supplier, or information on a selling price for each hardware unit registered in a distribution server on the Internet. A step of selecting and downloading a software component corresponding to a hardware unit necessary for constructing a desired system by searching for a component; a step of setting a desired unit parameter in the downloaded software component; A step of creating; a step of performing an interlock test on a system virtually constructed on a computer screen using the software component in which the desired unit parameters are set; and a desired operation is confirmed in the interlock test. System ordering method characterized by a step of ordering the manufacturer via the distribution server on the Internet if. 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the ordering step is performed by sending out ordering information including the selected software component, the set unit parameters, and the created application program. The system ordering method described.