JP2007193402A - Client/server system, control method therefor, client terminal, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a client/server system capable of using new master information in a client terminal, irrespective of the situation of a communication line. <P>SOLUTION: This client/server system (POS system) 10 has a database for storing the master information registered with a code number and information corresponding to the code number, while correlated each other, and is provided with a web server 13 connected to a POS terminal 11 for executing business processing using the master information, via the communication line 15. The web server 13 refers to a storage device of a master server 12 for storing the code number corresponding to a portion of the master information registered newly or registered correctedly, when receiving a transmission request of the portion of the master information from the POS terminal 11, and takes out the portion of the master information registered newly or registered after correction, corresponding to the code number stored in the storage device, from the master information, to be transmitted to the POS terminal 11 of transmitting the transmission request. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a client / server system, a control method thereof, a client terminal, and a program. More specifically, the present invention relates to a server having a database for storing master information and a server connected to the server via a communication line. The present invention relates to a client / server system including a client terminal that performs processing, a control method thereof, a client terminal, and a program.

  The POS (Point of Sales) system is a system that enables quick summation of sales information by recording the sales information in a database each time a product is sold, and has been adopted in supermarkets and chain stores. Yes. In the POS system, a register (POS terminal) and a master server storing product master information are connected via a communication line, and the POS terminal performs sales processing based on the master information. The POS terminal outputs a receipt and stores sales information in an internal database when processing the sales of the product. Sales information stored in the database is collected in a master server and aggregated to be used for inventory management and marketing.

  In recent POS systems, in order to reduce costs, a thin client type in which a POS terminal is simply configured and master information and software functions are concentrated on the master server side is mainly employed. In a thin client POS system, master information and software functions can be centrally managed on the master server side by concentrating master information and software functions on the master server side. The communication line is generally configured as the Internet, and the POS terminal acquires necessary master information from the master server by an HTTP request during sales processing.

  By the way, the POS terminal may not be able to establish communication with the master server at an early stage depending on the state of the communication line when making an HTTP request. If communication with the master server cannot be established at an early stage, the service may be lowered by making the customer wait unnecessarily.

On the other hand, Patent Document 1 proposes that at least a part of the master information is acquired from the master server at a predetermined timing such as when the POS terminal is started and stored in a local database inside the POS terminal. Yes.
JP 2004-265055 A

  According to the POS system described in Patent Literature 1, when communication with the master server cannot be established at an early stage, the POS terminal performs quick sales processing by switching the reference destination of the master information to the internal local database. Can be done.

  By the way, since the master information stored in the master server is registered or changed by manual input by the person in charge, input errors often occur. If the presence of an input error is found, the master information is immediately corrected even during the store's business hours in order to enable normal sales processing.

  However, in the POS system described in this document, even if the master information stored in the master server is corrected during business hours, the master information stored in the local database is not corrected until a predetermined timing is reached. Therefore, when communication with the master server cannot be established early, there is a problem that normal sales processing cannot be performed because new master information cannot be used.

  In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a client / server system, a control method therefor, a client terminal, and a program in which a client terminal can use new master information regardless of the state of a communication line.

In order to achieve the above object, a client / server system of the present invention has a database for storing master information for registering a code number and information corresponding to the code number in association with each other. In a client / server system including a server connected via a communication line to a client terminal that performs processing,
The server
When a transmission request for the master information portion is received from the client terminal, the storage device stores the code number corresponding to the newly registered or corrected master information portion and is stored in the storage device. The newly registered or modified master information portion corresponding to the code number is extracted from the master information and transmitted to the client terminal that transmitted the transmission request.

The client terminal of the present invention is connected via a communication line to a server that stores master information that is registered in association with a code number and information corresponding to the code number, and performs a business process using the master information In
A storage device for storing at least part of the master information necessary for the business process as local master information;
An information requesting means for specifying a code number and transmitting a transmission request for a portion of master information necessary for business processing to the server;
Determining means for determining whether information received from the server responding to the transmission request includes a part of the master information newly registered or corrected and registered in the master information;
When the determination unit determines that there is a part of the master information newly registered or corrected and registered in the master information, information for updating the local master information by the existing master information part Update means.

A method according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a server having a database that stores master information that is registered in association with a code number and information corresponding to the code number, and a client that performs business processing using the master information In a method of controlling a client / server system connected to a terminal via a communication line,
When the server receives a transmission request for the master information portion from the client terminal, referring to a storage device that stores a code number corresponding to the newly registered or corrected master information portion;
The client from which the server extracted the newly registered or modified master information portion corresponding to the code number stored in the storage device from the master information and transmitted the transmission request And transmitting to the terminal.

A program according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a server having a database that stores master information that is registered in association with a code number and information corresponding to the code number, and a client that performs business processing using the master information A program for a client / server system connected to a terminal via a communication line,
Receiving a master information portion transmission request from a client terminal, referring to a storage device that stores a code number corresponding to a newly registered or modified master information portion;
The newly registered or modified master information portion corresponding to the code number stored in the storage device is extracted from the master information and transmitted to the client terminal that transmitted the transmission request. And executing a step.

The method according to the second aspect of the present invention is connected to a server that stores master information that is registered by associating a code number with information corresponding to the code number via a communication line, and uses the master information A control method in a client terminal that performs processing,
The client terminal storing at least part of the master information necessary for the business process as local master information;
The client terminal specifies a code number and transmits a transmission request of a part of master information necessary for business processing to the server;
Determining whether or not the information received from the server responding to the transmission request includes a part of the master information newly registered or modified and registered in the master information; ,
When it is determined that there is a part of the master information newly registered or corrected and registered in the master information, the client terminal updates the local master information with the existing master information part. It is characterized by having.

The program according to the second aspect of the present invention is connected via a communication line to a server that stores master information registered in association with a code number and information corresponding to the code number. A program for a client terminal that performs processing, the client terminal
Storing at least part of the master information necessary for the business process as local master information;
Specifying a code number and transmitting a transmission request for a portion of master information necessary for business processing to the server;
Determining whether the information received from the server responding to the transmission request includes a part of the master information newly registered or corrected and registered in the master information;
When it is determined that there is a part of the master information newly registered or corrected and registered in the master information, the step of updating the local master information by the existing master information part is executed. It is characterized by.

  According to the client / server system, the method according to the first aspect, and the program according to the first aspect of the present invention, the server corresponds to a part of the master information that is newly registered or registered after being corrected. By referring to the storage device that stores the code number to be transmitted, when receiving the transmission request, it is possible to take out the part of the master information that has been newly registered or registered after being corrected and transmitted. Thus, the client terminal can successively receive the newly registered or modified registered master information part, and always keep the new master information, so that the new master information can be obtained regardless of the communication line status. Can be used.

  In the client / server system of the present invention, the client terminal may be a POS terminal. If the client / server system is configured as a POS system, the master information may be corrected and registered during the business hours of the store, but the corrected and registered master information part is received at an early timing. By doing so, the POS terminal can perform normal sales processing.

  In a preferred aspect of the client server system of the present invention, the client terminal has a storage device for storing local master information obtained by copying at least a part of the master information, and the newly registered or modified When the registered master information portion is received, the local master information stored in the storage device is updated with the received master information portion. Local master information can always be kept new.

  In the client / server system of the present invention, when the server specifies a code number from the client terminal and receives a transmission request for the part of the master information, the server is newly registered based on the specified code number. Alternatively, the part of the master information registered after being corrected may be retrieved from the storage device and transmitted to the client terminal.

  Alternatively, when the server specifies a code number from the client terminal and receives a transmission request for the part of the master information, the server stores the part of the master information corresponding to the specified code number. You may transmit to the said client terminal with the part of the master information newly registered or corrected and registered corresponding to the code number memorize | stored in the apparatus.

  According to the client terminal, the method according to the second aspect, and the program according to the second aspect of the present invention, the client terminal is newly registered or modified and registered in the information received from the server. By determining whether or not there is a master information part, it is possible to identify a newly registered or corrected master information part. Also, by updating the local master information with the master information portion, the local master information can be maintained in a new state.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a POS system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The POS system 10 includes a large number of POS terminals 11 configured as registers, a master server 12 that stores product master information, a web server 13 connected to the master server 12, and a master that accepts registration and change of master information. A registration terminal 14; The POS terminal 11, the web server 13, and the master registration terminal 14 are connected to each other via a communication line 15. The communication line 15 is configured as the Internet.

  The POS terminal 11, the master server 12, the web server 13, and the master registration terminal 14 are all configured as an information processing apparatus including a central processing unit and a storage device, and operate according to a predetermined program.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a database stored in the master server. The master server 12 includes a master information database (DB) 21 that stores master information, a sales information DB 22 that stores sales information, and a change history information DB 23 that stores change history information.

  The master information is information necessary for the sales process of the POS terminal 11 and includes PLU (Price Look Up) information. The PLU information is information in which a product code number is associated with a price and a product name, and is used for calculation of sales amount and notation on a receipt when processing sales of the product. The master information is centrally managed by a person in charge who manages the POS system 10.

  The sales information is information registered by the sales process at the POS terminal 11, and includes information in which the product code of the product that has been sold is associated with the quantity and amount of money.

  The change history information is information in which the master information is registered or changed and the code numbers thereof are arranged in time series, and is automatically recorded by the program function of the master server 12 or the like. The change history information also records the time when communication with the POS terminal 11 was performed. Instead of the master server 12, a file system such as a flat file may be used.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating functions of the web server 13. The web server 13 includes a change information generation unit 31 that generates change information and a communication unit 32 that communicates with the POS terminal 11. The change information is information in which the code number of the master information that has been registered or changed within a predetermined period is recorded.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing various functions of the POS terminal 11. The POS terminal 11 includes a local master information DB 41 that stores local master information that is a copy of the master information, and a sales information DB 42 that stores sales information. The POS terminal 11 also includes a sales processing unit 43 and a communication unit 44 configured as a program stored in the storage device of the POS terminal 11.

  The sales processing means 43 creates sales information when the product is sold, and stores the created sales information in the sales information DB 42. The sales processing means 43 also outputs a receipt using the printing device of the POS terminal 11 based on the generated sales information when selling the product. The communication unit 44 transmits the newly registered sales information part by communicating with the web server 13 and acquires the newly registered or changed master information part.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the sales processing means 43 in the sales management system of FIG. When selling a product, the bar code reader of the POS terminal 11 reads the code number of the product according to the operation of the salesperson. As a result, the sales processing means 43 acquires the code number of the product (step S11). Subsequently, the sales processing unit 43 transmits an HTTP request for requesting acquisition of master information of a product corresponding to the code number to the web server 13 (step S12). Further, it waits until the requested master information is received from the web server 13 within a predetermined time (step S13).

  If there is a response from the web server 13 within the designated time in step S13, the process proceeds to step S14 immediately after the response, and the corresponding master information is acquired. Subsequently, the process proceeds to step S16. In step S13, if no response is received within the designated time, the process proceeds to step S15, where the local master information DB 41 is referenced to search for and acquire the local master information of the product corresponding to the code number. Subsequently, the process proceeds to step S16.

  In step S16, sales processing is performed using the master information acquired in step S14 or the local master information acquired in step S15, and sales information is generated and a receipt is output (step S16). Furthermore, the created sales information is stored in the sales information DB 22 (step S17), and the process is terminated.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the communication unit 44 and the web server 13. The communication unit 44 monitors the operation of the sales processing unit 43, and when the sales process is completed (step S21), refers to the sales information DB 42 and extracts the part of the sales information newly registered in the current sales process. And it transmits toward the web server 13 (step S22). The web server 13 receives the newly registered sales information portion from the communication means 44 (step S23), and then stores it in the sales information DB 22 of the master server (step S24).

  Next, the web server 13 refers to the change history information 23 of the master server, and determines whether or not the master information has been registered or changed after the previous communication with the POS terminal 11 (step S25). If there is no registration or change in step S25, the process ends. If there is registration or change, the change information generating means 31 of the web server extracts the code number of the master information that has been registered or changed, and generates change information (step S26). Next, the web server 13 transmits the generated change information to the POS terminal 11 (step S27). The communication unit 44 receives the change information (step S28).

  Subsequently, based on the received change information, the communication unit 44 sequentially acquires the master information portions that have been registered and changed from the web server 13 for each code number. When acquiring the master information for each code number, as shown in FIG. 7, an HTTP request for the master information corresponding to the predetermined code number is transmitted (step S31), and the requested master information within a predetermined time period. Until it is received from the web server 13 (step S32).

  If there is a response from the web server 13 within the specified time in step S32, the process proceeds to step S33 immediately after the response, and the corresponding master information is acquired. Next, the local master information is updated by overwriting the corresponding local master information portion with the acquired master information (step S34). Subsequently, returning to step S31, the next code number is similarly performed from step S31. If there is no response within the specified time in step S32, steps S33 and S34 are omitted, and the next code number is similarly performed from step S31.

  After acquiring the master information of the last code number, as shown in FIG. 8, an HTTP request is transmitted for unacquired master information (step S35), and the requested master information is received from the web server 13 (step S36). ). Further, the local master information is updated by overwriting the corresponding local master information portion with the acquired master information (step S37). The process is completed by acquiring all the newly registered and changed master information portions.

  In steps S31 to S37, master information for a plurality of code numbers may be acquired in parallel. If the master information cannot be acquired by the next sales process in steps S35 to S37, the POS terminal 11 stores the code number of the corresponding master information, and the sales of the product with the code number are performed. If it occurs, it may be acquired from the web server 13 even if time is required.

  According to the POS system 10 of this embodiment, each time the POS terminal 11 transmits sales information, the master information that has been newly registered or changed from the web server 13 based on the change information received from the web server 13. Is obtained and the local master information is updated. Therefore, the local master information is always maintained in a new state, and this makes it possible to realize a POS system that can use the new master information regardless of the state of the communication line.

  When the POS terminal 11 obtains a part of the master information newly registered and changed for each code number based on the change information, the web server 13 can obtain the master information part corresponding to the specific code number. Even if there is a case where the communication with can not be established at an early stage, the portion of the master information corresponding to another code number can be acquired in advance. As a result, the time required to acquire the master information can be shortened, and the master information can be updated for each code number. Note that the time required for updating the master information in the POS system 10 of the embodiment is, for example, about several seconds although it depends on the amount of information to be communicated and the state of the communication line.

  Therefore, even when it is determined that there is an input error during the business hours, if the master information stored in the master server 12 is corrected, the local master information stored in the POS terminal 11 is also corrected immediately. As a result, the POS terminal 11 can perform normal sales processing regardless of the state of the communication line.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of master information for a POS system according to a first modification of the embodiment. As shown in the figure, the master information of this modification includes sales promotion message information, business contact information, and the like in addition to PLU information. The sales promotion message information is information including a sales promotion message, and is used for notation on a receipt and display on the sales promotion screen of the POS terminal 11. The business contact information is information for business related communication, and is displayed on a business screen of the POS terminal 11 or the like. The change history information stored in the change history information DB 23 of FIG. 2 is also recorded including the sales promotion message information and the change history of the business contact information.

  In this modification, when the presence / absence of the change of the master information in step S26 in FIG. 6 is confirmed, the presence / absence of the change of the sales promotion message information and the business contact information is also confirmed. If the sales promotion message information and the business contact information are changed in step S26, the change information including the information is generated when the change information is generated in step S27. In steps S31 to S34 in FIG. 7 or steps S35 to S37 in FIG. 8, the sales promotion message information and the business contact information are acquired in the same manner.

  According to the POS system of this modified example, the business contact information and the promotional message information are also immediately reflected in the POS terminal 11 side by being registered and changed in the master information. Can conduct timely sales promotion activities. For example, when it is found that a product has a defect, the business contact information to that effect is input to the master information, so that it can be immediately transmitted to the store side, and the product can be removed quickly. .

  By the way, in the POS system 10 of the above-described embodiment, if the sales process does not occur for a long time, the local master information may not be maintained in a sufficiently new state. Accordingly, the communication unit 44 may request the change information when the sales process does not occur within a predetermined time range after the change information is acquired. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the communication unit 44 of the POS terminal and the web server 13 in the POS system according to the second modification of the embodiment.

  In the POS system of the present modification, the communication unit 44 monitors the operation of the sales processing unit 43, and when a predetermined time has passed from when the sales process is performed until the next sales process occurs. (Step S41), request information for requesting transmission of change information is generated (Step S42). Subsequently, the communication unit 44 transmits the generated request information to the web server 13 (step S43).

  The web server 13 receives the request information from the communication means 44 of the POS terminal (step S44), and proceeds to step S25 in FIG. The predetermined time is, for example, in the range of 1 to 999 seconds, and can be arbitrarily set by the user. The web server 13 monitors the reception of sales information from the POS terminal 11, and when a predetermined time elapses after the sales information is received until the next sales information is received, FIG. It is good also as what progresses to step S25.

  In the embodiment, when the transmission / reception of information between the POS terminal 11 and the web server 13 is performed quickly in steps S12 to S14 in FIG. 5, the web server 12 has been newly registered or changed. The master information portion may be extracted, and the newly registered and changed master information portion may be transmitted together with the master information portion corresponding to the HTTP request. In this case, the POS terminal 11 further includes a determination unit that determines whether there is a part of the master information that has been newly registered or changed from the received master information, thereby efficiently updating the local master information. Can be done manually.

  Although the present invention has been described based on the preferred embodiment, the client / server system, the control method, the client terminal, and the program of the present invention are limited only to the configuration of the POS system described in the above embodiment. The present invention also includes a client / server system, a control method thereof, a client terminal, and a program in which various modifications and changes are made from the configuration of the above-described embodiment.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the POS system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the various functions of the master server of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the various functions of the web server of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the various functions of the POS terminal of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of a sales process means. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of a communication means and a web server. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure which acquires the part of master information. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure which acquires the part of master information. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of master information about the POS system which concerns on the 1st modification of embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of a communication means and a web server about the POS system which concerns on the 2nd modification of embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

10: POS system 11: POS terminal 12: master server 13: web server 14: master registration terminal 15: communication line 21: master information database 22: sales information database 23: change history information database 31: change information generating means 32: communication Means 41: Local master information database 42: Sales information database 43: Sales processing means 44: Communication means

Claims (10)

A database having a database that stores master information registered in association with a code number and information corresponding to the code number, and a server connected to a client terminal that performs business processing using the master information via a communication line In a client / server system,
The server
When a transmission request for the master information portion is received from the client terminal, the storage device stores the code number corresponding to the newly registered or corrected master information portion and is stored in the storage device. A portion of the newly registered or modified registered master information corresponding to the code number is extracted from the master information and transmitted to the client terminal that transmitted the transmission request. -Server system.   The client / server system according to claim 1, wherein the client terminal is a POS terminal.   The client terminal has a storage device for storing local master information obtained by duplicating at least a part of the master information, and receives the newly registered or modified master information portion, The client / server system according to claim 1, wherein the local master information stored in the storage device is updated by the master information portion.   When the server specifies a code number from the client terminal and receives a transmission request for the part of the master information, the newly registered or modified master is registered based on the specified code number. The client / server system according to claim 3, wherein a part of information is retrieved from the storage device and transmitted to the client terminal.   When the server specifies a code number from the client terminal and receives a transmission request for the master information portion, the server stores the master information portion corresponding to the specified code number in the storage device. The client / server system according to claim 3, which is transmitted to the client terminal together with the newly registered or modified registered master information portion corresponding to. In a client terminal that is connected via a communication line to a server that stores master information that is registered by associating a code number with information corresponding to the code number, and that performs business processing using the master information,
A storage device for storing at least part of the master information necessary for the business process as local master information;
An information requesting means for specifying a code number and transmitting a transmission request for a portion of master information necessary for business processing to the server;
Determining means for determining whether information received from the server responding to the transmission request includes a part of the master information newly registered or corrected and registered in the master information;
When the determination unit determines that there is a part of the master information newly registered or corrected and registered in the master information, information for updating the local master information by the existing master information part And a client terminal. A client in which a server having a database for storing master information registered in association with a code number and information corresponding to the code number and a client terminal that performs business processing using the master information are connected via a communication line In a method for controlling a server system,
When the server receives a transmission request for the master information portion from the client terminal, referring to a storage device that stores a code number corresponding to the newly registered or corrected master information portion;
The client from which the server extracted the newly registered or modified master information portion corresponding to the code number stored in the storage device from the master information and transmitted the transmission request Transmitting to the terminal. A client in which a server having a database for storing master information registered in association with a code number and information corresponding to the code number and a client terminal that performs business processing using the master information are connected via a communication line A program for a server system, wherein the server
Receiving a master information portion transmission request from a client terminal, referring to a storage device that stores a code number corresponding to a newly registered or modified master information portion;
The newly registered or modified master information portion corresponding to the code number stored in the storage device is extracted from the master information and transmitted to the client terminal that transmitted the transmission request. And a program for executing the steps. A control method in a client terminal that is connected via a communication line to a server that stores master information that is registered in association with a code number and information corresponding to the code number, and that performs business processing using the master information,
The client terminal storing at least part of the master information necessary for the business process as local master information;
The client terminal specifies a code number and transmits a transmission request of a part of master information necessary for business processing to the server;
Determining whether or not the information received from the server responding to the transmission request includes a part of the master information newly registered or modified and registered in the master information; ,
When it is determined that there is a part of the master information newly registered or corrected and registered in the master information, the client terminal updates the local master information with the existing master information part. A method characterized by comprising: A program for a client terminal that is connected via a communication line to a server that stores master information that is registered in association with a code number and information corresponding to the code number, and that performs business processing using the master information. To the client terminal,
Storing at least part of the master information necessary for the business process as local master information;
Specifying a code number and transmitting a transmission request for a portion of master information necessary for business processing to the server;
Determining whether the information received from the server responding to the transmission request includes a part of the master information newly registered or corrected and registered in the master information;
When it is determined that there is a part of the master information newly registered or corrected and registered in the master information, the step of updating the local master information by the existing master information part is executed. A program characterized by

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