JP2010140316A - Information processing terminal and module updating method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a highly reliable image processing terminal capable of avoiding data loss during module update. <P>SOLUTION: A POS terminal 20 includes a control part 21 for executing a program. The control part 21 performs operation setting for executing a module update tool for performing update at a module unit and a specific application upon starting an OS. The control part 21 executes a setting change tool distributed from a server 10 through the function of the module update tool. The control part 21 performs module update processing by the module update tool according to the executed setting change tool, and executes the specific application after finishing the processing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a module update technique for an information processing terminal, for example, a POS (Point Of Sales) terminal installed in a store such as a convenience store or a shopping center, and in particular, a module update technique that involves restarting an OS (Operating system). About.

  Patent Document 1 describes a software update system as a related technique of module update that involves OS restart. This software update system includes a server and a terminal device connected to the server via a communication line. The terminal device includes storage means in which a main program and modules are stored.

A new version of the module is distributed from the server to the terminal device. In the terminal device, the module stored in the storage unit is stored in the backup unit, and then the module is updated to a new version of the module. After the update, the terminal device is restarted. If the update has not ended normally, the module stored in the backup unit is written back to the storage unit.
JP 2005-56319 A

  In a module update that involves restarting an OS, such as that described in Patent Document 1, generally, when an application is executed when the OS is restarted, the application is forcibly terminated. For this reason, data referred to by a running application may be lost due to forced termination.

  For example, in a POS terminal using “Windows” (registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation) as the OS, the POS application registered in the startup folder is automatically executed when the OS is started. When the module is updated and the OS is restarted while the POS application is being executed, the POS application being executed is forcibly terminated. As a result, data referred to by the POS application at the time of forced termination may be lost.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the problem of data loss at the time of module update and to provide a highly reliable information processing terminal, module update method, module update system, and program.

An information processing terminal according to the present invention includes an execution unit that executes a program. The execution unit executes a module update tool and a specific application that perform update in module units as the program when the OS is started. An information processing terminal for which operation settings are made,
A storage unit for storing a setting change tool distributed from an external server;
The execution unit executes the setting change tool stored in the storage unit through the function of the module update tool, performs module update processing by the module update tool according to the executed setting change tool, After the process is completed, the specific application is executed.

The module update method of the present invention includes an execution unit that executes a program, and the execution unit executes a module update tool and a specific application that perform update in module units as the program when the OS is started up. A module update method for an information processing terminal in which operation settings are made,
The execution unit receiving a setting change tool from an external server;
The setting change tool includes a step of changing the operation setting of the execution unit so that the module update process is executed by the module update tool and the specific application is executed after the process is completed.

The module update system of the present invention includes:
An information processing terminal that includes an execution unit that executes a program, and that is configured to perform an operation setting for executing a module update tool and a specific application that are updated in units of modules as the program when the OS is started When,
The information processing terminal has a server connected via a network,
The execution unit receives a setting change tool from the server, executes the received setting change tool through the function of the module update tool, and processes module update by the module update tool according to the executed setting change tool After the processing is completed, the specific application is executed.

The program of the present invention
An information processing terminal that includes an execution unit that executes a program, and that is configured to perform an operation setting for executing a module update tool and a specific application that are updated in units of modules as the program when the OS is started The program of
A process of executing a setting change tool distributed from an external server through the function of the module update tool;
According to the executed setting change tool, the module update process is performed by the module update tool, and after the process is completed, the computer that is the execution unit is caused to execute the process of executing the specific application.

  According to the present invention, since the specific application (POS application) is not executed while the module update process is being executed, the data referred to by the specific application (POS application) is lost by the restart after the module update. Never do. Therefore, a highly reliable information processing terminal (POS terminal) can be provided.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described 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.

  Referring to FIG. 1, the POS system includes a server 10 and a POS terminal 20 that is connected to the server 10 via a network 30 and is updated in units of modules. The server 10 and the POS terminal 20 can communicate with each other. The network 30 is a communication network such as a public line.

  The server 10 and the POS terminal 20 are computer systems that have communication functions and operate according to programs. The POS terminal 20 is installed in a store. Although only one POS terminal 20 is shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of POS terminals 20 are normally connected to the server 10.

  The server 10 includes a control unit 11, a display unit 12, an input unit 13, a communication unit 14, and a storage unit 15. The display unit 12 is a display device represented by a liquid crystal display. The input unit 13 is an input device such as a mouse or a keyboard. The communication unit 14 is a communication device such as a modem.

  The storage unit 15 stores various programs and data necessary for operating the server 10. The storage unit 15 includes a distribution folder 151 in which a setting change tool 152 necessary for updating the POS terminal 20 is stored.

  The setting change tool 152 is a program (for example, a set of script files or the like), and includes a startup setting change function unit 153 and a distribution setting change function unit 154. The startup setting change function unit 153 is a program for changing the startup setting of the POS terminal, and includes a change start program and a startup program. The distribution setting change function unit 154 sets the setting information of the POS terminal 20 managed by the OS, that is, the setting information (computer name, domain name, work group name, store code, lmhosts, etc.) that needs to be restarted in the POS terminal 20 ). The distribution setting change function unit 154 restarts the OS of the POS terminal 20 after changing the setting information.

  The control unit 11 implements various operations of the server 10 according to programs stored in the storage unit 15. The control unit 11 receives an input from the input unit 13 and controls the operation of each unit of the server 10. The administrator of the POS system can input and set necessary data through an input operation in the input unit 13. Thereby, the administrator of the POS system can create the setting change tool 152, for example. When the POS terminal 20 is activated, the control unit 11 reads the setting change tool 152 from the distribution folder 151 and distributes the read setting change tool 152 from the communication unit 14 to the POS terminal 20 (remote distribution). In this remote distribution, the control unit 11 determines the necessity for updating the module of the POS terminal 20, and distributes the setting change tool 152 only when necessary.

  The POS terminal 20 includes a control unit 21, a display unit 22, an input unit 23, a communication unit 24, a storage unit 25, and a registry 26. The display unit 22 is a display device represented by a liquid crystal display. The input unit 23 is an input device such as a mouse or a keyboard. The communication unit 24 is a communication device such as a modem.

  The storage unit 25 stores various programs and data necessary for operating the POS terminal 20. The storage unit 25 is automatically executed when the OS is started, a setting change tool storage unit 251 in which the setting change tool 152 distributed from the server 10 is stored, a setting information storage unit 252 in which setting information of the POS terminal 20 is stored. A startup folder 253 in which shortcuts of applications (programs) to be registered are registered, and an application / program storage unit 254 in which applications and programs are stored. The shortcut indicates link information to a file that can execute an application or program stored in the application / program storage unit 254. The registry 26 is a RUN registry in which a RUN key for executing the module update tool and the POS tool is registered.

  The control unit 21 that is a program execution unit realizes various operations of the POS terminal 20 in accordance with a program stored in the storage unit 25. The control unit 21 receives an input from the input unit 13 and controls the operation of each unit of the POS terminal 20. The control unit 21 executes a specific application (including a POS application) or a program through a shortcut registered in the startup folder 253 at the time of starting the OS, and also supports a tool corresponding to the RUN key registered in the registry 26 Run the program. The POS application is for performing product information management (sales management, inventory management, order management, etc.) and receipt issuance.

  In the POS terminal 20 constituting the POS system of the present embodiment, the POS application is executed and the module update tool and the POS tool registered in the registry 26 are executed when the OS is activated. The POS application acquires the setting change tool 152 from the server 10. Then, the module automatic update process by the setting change tool 152 is executed.

  FIG. 2 shows a flow of a series of processing from when the setting change tool 152 is set in the distribution folder 151 of the server 10 until the module update of the POS terminal 10 is performed. In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the flow of processing is described for each day with the day when the setting change tool 152 is set as the first day.

  First, the first day process will be described.

  In the server 10, the POS system administrator sets the change setting tool 152 in the distribution folder 151 (step S100).

  On the other hand, in the POS terminal 20, the OS is activated at the start of business (step S200). When the OS is started, the POS application is executed through the shortcut registered in the startup folder 253, and the module update tool and the POS tool are executed according to the RUN key registered in the registry 26 (step S201). Next, after the normal operation by the POS application, the module update tool, and the POS tool, the POS terminal 20 is in a steady state (step S202). Then, after the work ends, the POS terminal 20 is turned off (step S203).

  It is assumed that the change setting tool 152 is not set in the distribution folder 151 on the server 10 side when the OS is started in step S200. Therefore, the acquisition process of the change setting tool 152 by the POS application executed in step S201 is not performed.

  Next, the process on the second day will be described.

  In the POS terminal 20, the OS is activated at the start of business (step S204). When the OS is activated, the POS application is executed through the shortcut registered in the startup folder 253, and the module update tool and the POS tool are executed according to the RUN key registered in the registry 26 (step S205).

  In the server 10, the control unit 11 determines whether the module of the POS terminal 20 needs to be updated through the POS application of the POS terminal 20. In this determination, for example, the version information of the module to be updated by the change setting tool 152 set in the distribution folder 151 is compared with the version information of the module of the POS terminal 20. When the version information of the module of the POS terminal 20 is an old version, the control unit 11 distributes the change setting tool 152 set in the distribution folder 151 to the POS terminal 20 (step S101).

  In the POS terminal 20, the POS application executed in step S205 stores the change setting tool 152 distributed from the server 10 in the setting change tool storage unit 251 (step S206). Next, after the normal operation by the POS application, the module update tool, and the POS tool, the POS terminal 20 enters a steady state (step S207). Then, after the work ends, the POS terminal 20 is turned off (step S208).

  Next, the process on the third day will be described.

  In the POS terminal 20, the OS is activated at the start of business (step S209). When the OS is activated, the POS application is executed through the shortcut registered in the startup folder 253, and the module update tool and the POS tool are executed according to the RUN key registered in the registry 26 (step S210).

  Next, the module update tool executed in step S210 executes the change start program of the startup setting change function unit 153 included in the change setting tool 152 stored in the setting change tool storage unit 251. Then, the change start program changes the startup setting (step S211).

  Here, the startup setting change process performed by the change start program will be specifically described.

  In this setting change process, first, the shortcut to the POS application is deleted from the startup folder 253, and the RUN key of the module update tool is deleted from the registry 26. Next, a copy of the startup program of the startup setting change function unit 153 included in the change setting tool 152 stored in the setting change tool storage unit 251 is stored in the application / program storage unit 254 in step S206. Then, a shortcut to the startup program (copy) is registered in the startup folder 253. In FIG. 2, startup startup by this startup program (copy) is shown as “startup startup (2)”. The “startup startup (1)” executed when the OS is started on the first day to the third day is executed by a startup program installed in advance (this is different from the startup program (copy)). .

  After the above setting change processing, normal operation (steady state) is performed by the POS application and the POS tool (step S212). Then, after the work ends, the POS terminal 20 is turned off (step S213).

  Finally, the process on the fourth day will be described.

  In the POS terminal 20, the OS is activated at the start of business (step S214). When the OS is activated, a startup program (copy) is executed through a shortcut registered in the startup folder 253. The control unit 21 directly executes the execution file of the module update tool in accordance with the startup program (copy) (step S215).

  Next, the module update tool executes the distribution setting change function unit 154 of the change setting tool 152 stored in the change setting tool storage unit 251. Next, the distribution setting change function unit 154 changes information necessary for module update, that is, setting information (computer name, domain name, work group name, store code, lmhosts, etc.) of the POS terminal 20 managed by the OS. To do. Then, the distribution setting change function unit 154 returns the startup setting to the state before changing the startup setting by the change start program in step S211, and then restarts the OS (step S216).

  Here, a process for returning the startup setting to the state before the change will be briefly described. In this process, the shortcut to the startup program (copy) is deleted from the startup folder 253, and the shortcut to the POS application is registered in the startup folder 253. Then, the RUN key of the module update tool is registered in the registry 26. The shortcut to the POS application and the RUN key of the module update tool may be stored as a backup in the storage unit by the control unit when deleting.

  After the OS is restarted, the POS application is executed through the shortcut registered in the startup folder 253, and the module update tool and the POS tool are executed in accordance with the RUN key registered in the registry 26 (step S217). The module update tool checks the execution log of the setting change tool 152 and checks whether the module update processing by the setting change tool 152 has ended. If it is determined that the module update process has been completed, the module update tool deletes the setting change tool 152. At this point, since the module update process has been completed, the module update tool deletes the setting change tool 152.

  Next, after the normal operation by the POS application, the module update tool, and the POS tool, the POS terminal 20 is in a steady state (step S218). Then, after the work ends, the POS terminal 20 is turned off (step S219).

  According to the above processing, since the POS application is not executed while the module update processing is being executed, the data referred to by the POS application is lost by restart after the module update. Does not occur.

  FIG. 3 schematically shows the process execution steps by the POS application, the module update tool, and the POS tool before and after the application of the module update process shown in FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 3, in the automatic startup process at the time of OS startup before application, the process by the POS application is executed by startup startup, and the process by the module update tool “UPDATE” and the process by the POS tool are executed by startup of the RUN registry. Is done. In the process by the module update tool “UPDATE”, the setting change tool is restarted to reflect the change of the setting information. In this case, restart is performed during the execution of the POS application, and the POS application is forcibly terminated. As a result, data referred to by the POS application being executed may be lost.

  On the other hand, in the automatic startup process at the time of OS startup after application, the process by the module update tool “UPDATE” is executed by startup startup, and the process by the POS tool is executed by startup of the RUN registry. In the process by the module update tool “UPDATE”, the setting change tool is restarted to reflect the change of the setting information. Thereafter, a process by the POS application is executed. In this way, until the update process by the “UPDATE” process is completed, the synchronous execution for waiting for the execution of the POS application process by the startup activation is performed. According to this synchronous execution, no restart is performed during the execution of the POS application. Therefore, data referred to by the POS application is never lost. Note that the execution of the POS application process by startup startup after the update processing is asynchronous execution, and the POS application maintains the startup state even when the startup program ends.

  Further, according to the POS system of the present embodiment, in addition to the suppression of data loss due to forced termination, the following effects can be obtained.

  Since the distribution setting change function unit 154 restores the start-up setting contents changed by the start-up setting change function unit 153 to the original state and restarts the OS, between the POS terminals installed in each store It is possible to maintain the consistency of the startup system by startup. In addition, when the process which returns the setting content of a starup to the original state is not performed, the starting system by the startup between the POS terminals installed in each store differs before and after application.

  Further, since the module update is automatically performed, an input operation for updating the module by the user of the POS terminal is not necessary.

  Further, the required number of days for updating the module on the POS terminal side is 3 days (from the 2nd day to the 4th day in FIG. 2), but during this time, normal operation by the POS application or POS tool is possible. Therefore, it is not necessary to stop the operation of the POS terminal for the update.

  Further, in the existing POS system, in order to validate the information changed by the update, the POS application being activated is remotely restarted. This remote restart is generally performed manually using a remote GUI (Graphical User Interface) operation tool. Since there are many POS terminals, it is troublesome and much labor is required to perform manual operation using such a remote GUI operation tool for each POS terminal. According to the POS system of this embodiment, since the restart is automatically performed by the setting change tool, it is possible to reduce the burden on the administrator of the POS system.

  In addition, the process performed by the change start program can target not only the POS application but also other programs. In this case, the POS application can be described by replacing it with another program.

  Further, the distribution setting change function unit is not limited to one that executes processing related to the module update tool. The distribution setting change function unit may execute processing related to another tool.

(Other embodiments)
In the POS terminal, the RUN key of other POS utility software (program) is also registered in the RUN registry, so that not only the POS application but also other POS utility software is executed when the OS is activated. In this case, if the OS is restarted while the POS utility software is being executed, data referred to by the POS utility software being executed may be lost. The process by other POS utility software corresponds to the POS tool process shown in FIG.

  The POS system of the other embodiment basically has the same configuration as the POS system of the above-described embodiment. In the POS system of the other embodiment, the control unit 21 which is a program execution unit includes a CPU, and a running program out of programs (including a POS application and POS utility software) occupies the CPU. Monitor the percentage of time (CPU usage). When the CPU usage rate is less than the threshold, the control unit 21 determines that the POS terminal 20 is in a steady state (a process by each program is in a steady state). The threshold is a value that can determine whether each program (including a POS application, POS utility software, and the like) is running or in a steady state, for example, 5%.

  When the CPU usage rate is less than the threshold, the control unit 21 changes the start-up setting change function unit 153 included in the change setting tool 152 stored in the setting change tool storage unit 251 through the function of the module update tool. Run the program. The subsequent processing is the same as the processing in the above-described embodiment.

  According to the above processing, when each program (including a POS application and POS utility software) is in a steady state, the module update processing by the setting change tool 152 is performed. During the activation of the POS utility software, since the CPU usage rate exceeds the threshold value, the module update process by the setting change tool 152 is not performed. Therefore, the OS is not restarted during the activation of the POS utility software.

  In another embodiment, a shortcut to the POS utility software may be registered in a specific folder (startup folder 253 in FIG. 1). In this case, the RUN key of the POS utility software is deleted from the RUN registry.

  In the above case, the control unit 21 operates as follows according to the setting change tool 152. First, the shortcut to the POS application and POS utility software is deleted from the startup folder 253 and the RUN key of the module update tool is deleted from the registry 26. After that, when the OS is started, the execution file storing the module update tool program is directly executed, and the module update process is executed by the executed module update tool. After the module update process, the module update tool key is re-registered in the registry 26 and shortcuts to the POS application and POS utility software are re-registered in the startup folder 253, and then the OS is restarted.

  According to the above operation, in the example after application shown in FIG. 3, processing such as a process by the module update tool, a restart by the setting change tool 152, a process by the POS application, a process by the POS utility software in the startup activation Are executed in this order. Here, the POS application and the POS utility software are asynchronously executed.

  The POS system of each embodiment described above is an example of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the configuration described in each embodiment. The configuration and operation of the present invention are such that a specific application (POS application) is executed after execution of module update processing by the module update tool in accordance with a remotely distributed setting change tool, without departing from the spirit of the invention. It can be changed as appropriate.

  According to an aspect of the present invention, an execution unit that executes a program is provided, and the execution unit executes a module update tool that performs update in units of modules and a specific application as the program when the OS is started up. In the information processing terminal in which the operation setting is performed, the information processing terminal includes a storage unit that stores a setting change tool distributed from an external server, and the execution unit is stored in the storage unit through the function of the module update tool. A setting change tool is executed, module update processing by the module update tool is performed according to the executed setting change tool, and the specific application is executed after the processing is completed. Here, the specific application corresponds to a POS application. The execution unit and the storage unit correspond to the control unit 21 and the setting change tool storage unit 251 illustrated in FIG.

  The present invention can be applied not only to POS terminals but also to all information processing terminals in which program update processing involving OS restart is executed.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the POS system which is one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the module update process of the POS system shown in FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the state of the POS terminal before and after application of the module update process shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

10 server 11, 21 control unit 12, 22 display unit 13, 33 input unit 14, 24 communication unit 15, 25 storage unit 20 POS terminal 30 network 151 distribution folder 152 setting change tool 153 startup setting change function unit 154 distribution setting change Function unit 251 Setting change tool storage unit 252 Setting information storage unit 253 Startup folder 254 Application / program storage unit

Claims (7)

An information processing terminal that includes an execution unit that executes a program, and that is configured to perform an operation setting for executing a module update tool and a specific application that are updated in units of modules as the program when the OS is started Because
A storage unit for storing a setting change tool distributed from an external server;
The execution unit executes the setting change tool stored in the storage unit through the function of the module update tool, performs module update processing by the module update tool according to the executed setting change tool, An information processing terminal that executes the specific application after the process is completed. A specific folder in which shortcuts to the specific application are registered;
Having a registry in which a key for executing the module update tool is registered;
The execution unit executes the specific application through a shortcut registered in the specific folder and starts the module update tool according to a key registered in the registry when the OS is started.
When the setting change tool is executed by the function of the executed module update tool, the execution unit, according to the executed setting change tool,
The shortcut to the specific application is deleted from the specific folder and the key of the module update tool is deleted from the registry. Thereafter, when the OS is started, the execution of the program of the module update tool is stored. Directly execute the file, and execute the module update process by the executed module update tool,
The module update tool key is re-registered in the registry and a shortcut to the specific application is re-registered in the specific folder after the module update process, and then the OS is restarted. Information processing terminal described in 1. The program includes utility software different from the specific application,
The execution unit includes a CPU, and monitors a ratio of a time during which the executing program of the programs occupies the CPU. When the ratio of the time is less than a threshold, the setting change tool The information processing terminal according to claim 1, wherein: A specific folder in which shortcuts to the specific application and utility software are registered;
Having a registry in which a key for executing the module update tool is registered;
The execution unit executes the specific application and utility software through a shortcut registered in the specific folder and starts the module update tool according to a key registered in the registry when the OS is started.
When the setting change tool is executed by the function of the executed module update tool, the execution unit, according to the executed setting change tool,
The shortcut of the specific application and utility software is deleted from the specific folder and the key of the module update tool is deleted from the registry. After that, when the OS is started, the program of the module update tool is stored. The executed executable file is directly executed, and the module update process is executed by the executed module update tool.
After the module update process, the module update tool key is re-registered in the registry and shortcuts to the specific application and utility software are re-registered in the specific folder, and then the OS is restarted. The information processing terminal according to claim 3. An information processing terminal that includes an execution unit that executes a program, and that is configured to perform an operation setting for executing a module update tool and a specific application that are updated in units of modules as the program when the OS is started The module update method of
The execution unit receiving a setting change tool from an external server;
The setting change tool includes a step of changing an operation setting of the execution unit so that a module update process is executed by the module update tool and the specific application is executed after the process is completed. Module update method. An information processing terminal that includes an execution unit that executes a program, and that is configured to perform an operation setting for executing a module update tool and a specific application that are updated in units of modules as the program when the OS is started When,
The information processing terminal has a server connected via a network,
The execution unit receives a setting change tool from the server, executes the received setting change tool through the function of the module update tool, and processes module update by the module update tool according to the executed setting change tool And a module update system that executes the specific application after the processing is completed. An information processing terminal that includes an execution unit that executes a program, and that is configured to perform an operation setting for executing a module update tool and a specific application that are updated in units of modules as the program when the OS is started The program of
A process of executing a setting change tool distributed from an external server through the function of the module update tool;
A program for performing module update processing by the module update tool according to the executed setting change tool, and causing the computer as the execution unit to execute processing for executing the specific application after the processing is completed.

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