JP2011081566A - Electronic apparatus and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic apparatus and a program capable of reducing an overhead of a processing time caused by a test at the start of hardware. <P>SOLUTION: A setting unit 401 sets a time longer than a time required for the execution of a plurality of tests to a watchdog timer 25 for a plurality of tests as a threshold for failure detection. The watchdog timer 25 is operated accompanied by the execution of the plurality of tests to perform time-counting, and resets hardware to restart it when a time-counted value reaches a threshold set by the setting unit 401. Since a stop unit 403 stops time-counting by the watchdog timer 25 when the plurality of tests are completed, the watchdog timer 25 is not required to be started and stopped at each test, so that the overhead of a processing time caused by a test executed at the start of hardware can be reduced. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device such as an electronic cash register or a POS terminal, and a program.

  Electronic devices such as an electronic cash register and a POS (Point Of Sales) terminal execute various predetermined tests when starting up, and enter normal operation after completion of these tests. However, when such a start-up test is abnormally stopped for some reason, the electronic device is locked without entering normal operation.

  Therefore, in Patent Document 1, a time longer than the time required for test execution is set for each test as a threshold for detecting an abnormality, and a time counted value that has been operated in accordance with test execution reaches the set threshold value. In addition, electronic devices including a watchdog timer that resets and restarts hardware have been proposed.

  However, in the above electronic device, a threshold for abnormality detection is set for each test, and the start and stop of the time count by the watchdog timer is repeated for each test. There are challenges.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device and a program that can reduce the overhead of processing time due to a test executed when the hardware is started up.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention is an electronic device that executes a predetermined test at the time of starting up hardware and enters normal operation after the completion of the test. For each test, setting means for setting a time longer than the time required for the execution of the plurality of tests as a threshold for detecting an abnormality, and time counting by operating in accordance with the execution of the plurality of tests, Counting means for resetting and restarting hardware when the threshold set by the setting means is reached; and stopping means for stopping time counting by the counting means when the plurality of tests are completed. It is characterized by having.

  In addition, the present invention executes a plurality of tests for each of the plurality of tests, by executing a predetermined test at the time of starting up the hardware and controlling an electronic device that enters normal operation after the completion of the test. Setting means for setting a time longer than the time required for the abnormality detection as a threshold for abnormality detection, and time counting is performed in accordance with execution of the plurality of tests, and the time counted value reaches the threshold set by the setting means In such a case, the counting means for resetting and restarting the hardware and the stopping means for stopping the time counting by the counting means when the plurality of tests are completed are functioned.

  The electronic device and the program according to the present invention have an effect that it is possible to reduce the processing time overhead due to the test executed when the hardware is activated.

FIG. 1 is an external view of a POS terminal. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a control circuit of the POS terminal. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a threshold table for the watchdog timer. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the POS terminal. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the watchdog timer. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing executed when the POS terminal is activated.

  Exemplary embodiments of an electronic device and a program according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present embodiment, an example in which the electronic device according to the present invention and the program are applied to a POS (Point Of Sales) terminal will be described. However, in an electronic device such as a personal computer that executes a test when starting hardware. If present, the present invention can be applied.

  FIG. 1 is an external view of a POS terminal. The POS terminal 1 is placed on a drawer 2 for storing cash or the like, and controls opening and closing of a drawer 2a of the drawer 2.

  The POS terminal 1 is placed on a drawer 2 for storing cash or the like, and controls opening and closing of a drawer 2a of the drawer 2.

  The main body of the POS terminal 1 is provided with a keyboard 3, a mode switch 4, a card reader 5, and an operator display (color liquid crystal display) 6 on the front side, and a customer display on the back side so as to face the customer. A (color liquid crystal display) 7 is provided. The main body of the POS terminal 1 is provided with an electronic journal 8 for storing a journal in an electronic medium, and a printer 9 for printing a receipt and a journal. Further, a code scanner 10 is derived from the POS terminal 1 as product information input means. The code scanner 10 has a function of reading a two-dimensional code or a barcode printed on a product label attached to a product.

  The keyboard 3 is a numeric key for entering a deposit amount, etc., 1 subtotal key for instructing the total output of products registered for sale as a transaction, and 1 declaring that the transaction will be settled in cash. A deposit / cash key for instructing tightening, a clear key for instructing clearing of numeric data, and the like are provided.

  The mode switch 4 is a switch for selecting various business modes such as “registration”, “inspection”, “settlement”, “setting”, and is operated with a dedicated key. By the way, “registration” means adding the price of the product based on the product information input by the product information input means, selling the sales data in the storage unit (product registration means), and ending the product sales registration Is a mode of business in which a payment for one transaction declared is issued and a receipt is issued (registration closing means). “Check” is a business mode in which sales data of each product registered in the storage unit is aggregated and output as a report. “Checkout” is a mode of business in which the sales data of the storage unit is cleared after the sales data of each product registered in the storage unit is aggregated and output as a report in the same manner as “check”. “Setting” is a task for setting data necessary for executing various tasks in the storage unit in advance.

  The card reader 5 reads data recorded on the card when a card used for non-cash payment is inserted and slid.

  The operator display 6 displays the product name and price of the product registered for sale by the product registration means, the total amount of one transaction, the deposit amount, the change amount, etc. by the registration closing means when the end of the product sales registration is declared.

  The customer display 7 has commercial information such as color photographs and color videos, for example, customer information such as “Islai Sase”, transaction details (product name, unit price, number), transaction results (total amount, deposit amount, change amount) Etc. are displayed.

  Next, the control circuit of the POS terminal 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a control circuit of the POS terminal.

  The POS terminal 1 is connected to a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 20 which is a main control unit via a bus line, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 21, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 22, a clock circuit 23, a communication interface 24, a watch. A dog timer (WDT) 25, an I / O (Input / Output) port 26, a keyboard controller 27, a card reader controller 28, display controllers 29 and 30, an electronic journal controller 31, a printer controller 32, and a scanner controller 33 are connected. ing.

  The ROM 21 (storage means) stores fixed data such as a basic input / output system (BIOS) executed by the CPU 20, an operating system (OS), and a driver executed on the OS, and for the watchdog timer 25. The threshold table is stored. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a threshold table for the watchdog timer. In this threshold value table, as shown in FIG. 3, a time longer than the time required for executing the plurality of tests is detected for the test numbers of the plurality of predetermined tests executed when the POS terminal 1 is started. Are stored in association with each other as a threshold (timeout time).

  In the present embodiment, the threshold value table includes test numbers: 1 and 2 for a plurality of tests executed immediately after the POS terminal 1 is turned on until the initial screen is displayed on the operator display 6. On the other hand, the threshold value: 3 seconds is associated. Further, in the threshold value table, the threshold value: 30 seconds is associated with the test numbers: 3-18 of a plurality of tests executed from when the initial screen is displayed on the operator display 6 until the start of OS startup. It has been. Further, in the threshold value table, a threshold value: 180 seconds is associated with test numbers: 19 to 150 of a plurality of tests executed after the OS startup is started until the OS startup is completed. ing.

  The RAM 22 functions as a storage unit for registering sales data of sales registered products, and stores a product table in which product information such as product codes and prices is associated with products, and further includes color photographs and color moving images. A number of commercial information and customer guide information such as “I welcome you” are stored. The product table, commercial information, and customer guide information are appropriately changed according to changes in product prices, seasonal changes, new product sales, etc., or types of products handled.

  The clock circuit 23 measures the current date and time. The communication interface 24 controls data communication with a host computer (not shown) connected through a communication line such as a LAN (Local Area Network).

  When the test is executed, the watchdog timer 25 (counting unit) sets a threshold value associated with the test number of a plurality of tests to be executed among the threshold values in the threshold value table, and the plurality of tests. When the time count reaches the set threshold value, the hardware (H / W) of the POS terminal 1 is reset and restarted. As a result, even after the cashier of the POS terminal 1 turns on the power of the POS terminal 1, even if the POS terminal 1 becomes abnormal and becomes locked, it will not be left in the locked state. Even if the cashier leaves the POS terminal 1, the POS terminal 1 can be used immediately when returning to the POS terminal 1. In the present embodiment, the count means is realized by the watchdog timer 25. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the count means may be realized by the CPU 20 following the program stored in the ROM 21. Is possible.

  An I / O (Input / Output) port 26 takes in a mode selection signal issued from the mode switch 4, outputs a drive signal to the drawer opening device 2b for automatically opening the drawer 2a of the drawer 2.

  The keyboard controller 27 takes in key signals according to the operation of the keyboard 3. The card reader controller 28 controls the card reader 5. The display controller 29 drives and controls the operator indicator 6. The display controller 30 controls driving of the customer surface display 7. The electronic journal controller 31 drives and controls the electronic journal 8. The printer controller 32 drives and controls the printer 9 to perform receipt printing and journal printing based on print data given from the CPU 20. The scanner controller 33 takes in the code signal read by the code scanner 10.

  Next, of the functions stored in the ROM 21 of the POS terminal 1 and the driver that is the program executed on the OS, the characteristic functions of the POS terminal 1 according to the present embodiment are explained. To do.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the POS terminal. As shown in FIG. 4, the POS terminal 1 implements a setting unit 401, an execution unit 402, a stop unit 403, and the like by following drivers that are executed on the BIOS and OS.

  The setting unit 401 is a function realized when the CPU 20 complies with the BIOS. When executing a test, the setting unit 401 watches a threshold associated with test numbers of a plurality of tests to be executed among the thresholds in the threshold table. This is set in the dock timer 25.

  The execution unit 402 executes a test. In the present embodiment, the execution unit 402 is a function realized by the CPU 20 following the BIOS from when the power of the POS terminal 1 is turned on until the start of the OS is started. This function is realized by the CPU 20 following the OS from the start until the OS is started up.

  The stop unit 403 is a function realized by the CPU 20 following the BIOS, and outputs a stop signal to the watchdog timer 25 when a plurality of tests are completed, thereby stopping the watchdog timer 25. . Note that after the startup of the OS is completed, the stop unit 403 is realized by the CPU 20 following the driver executed on the OS.

  Here, specific functions of the setting unit 401, the execution unit 402, and the stop unit 403 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the watchdog timer.

  First, immediately after the power of the POS terminal 1 is turned on, the setting unit 401 reads out the threshold (timeout time): 3 seconds associated with the test numbers: 1, 2 from the threshold table, and the read threshold: 3 seconds. Is set in the watchdog timer 25. When the threshold value is set to 3 seconds, the watchdog timer 25 performs the first operation (time count) from immediately after the POS terminal 1 is turned on until the initial screen is displayed on the operator display 6. To start. When the value counted during the first operation reaches the threshold value: 3 seconds, the watchdog timer 25 resets the hardware of the POS terminal 1 and restarts it. On the other hand, when the test number: 1 or 2 is completed before the value counted by the watchdog timer 25 reaches the threshold value: 3 seconds, the stop unit 403 stops the time count by the watchdog timer 25. At the same time, the set threshold value: 3 seconds is cleared.

  Here, the first operation of the watchdog timer 25 from the time the POS terminal 1 is turned on until the initial screen is displayed on the operator display 6 is This is because the user may reset the POS terminal 1 by himself if the locked state is entered without the initial screen being displayed. If an abnormality is detected immediately after the POS terminal 1 is turned on and before the initial screen is displayed on the operator display 6 as in this embodiment, the watchdog timer 25 is detected. By immediately resetting and restarting the hardware of the POS terminal 1, the initial screen can be displayed on the operator display 6 normally and quickly without waiting for the user to reset the POS terminal 1.

  Next, when the test of test numbers: 1 and 2 is completed, the setting unit 401 reads out the threshold (timeout time): 30 seconds associated with the test number: 3-18 from the threshold table, and the read threshold : Set 30 seconds in the watchdog timer 25. When the threshold value is set to 30 seconds, the watchdog timer 25 performs the second operation (time count) from when the initial screen is displayed on the operator display 6 until the start of the OS startup. To start. When the value counted by the watchdog timer 25 reaches the threshold value: 30 seconds during the second operation, the watchdog timer 25 resets the hardware of the POS terminal 1 and restarts. . On the other hand, when the test number: 3-18 is completed before the value counted by the watchdog timer 25 reaches the threshold value: 30 seconds, the stop unit 403 stops the time count by the watchdog timer 25. At the same time, the set threshold value: 30 seconds is cleared.

  Here, the operation from when the initial screen is displayed on the operator display 6 until the start of the OS startup is the second operation of the watchdog timer 25. If an abnormality occurs before the initial screen is displayed after the power of the POS terminal 1 is turned on, the locked state continues for at least 33 seconds. This is because the POS terminal 1 is reset.

  Next, when the test of test number: 3-18 is completed, the setting unit 401 reads out the threshold value (timeout time): 180 seconds associated with the test number: 19-150 from the threshold value table, and reads the read threshold value. : 180 seconds is set in the watchdog timer 25. When the threshold value of 180 seconds is set, the watchdog timer 25 starts the third operation (time count) from the start of the OS startup to the time after the OS startup. When the value counted by the watchdog timer 25 reaches the threshold value: 180 seconds during the third operation, the watchdog timer 25 resets the hardware of the POS terminal 1 and restarts. . On the other hand, when the test number: 19-150 is completed before the value counted by the watchdog timer 25 reaches the threshold value: 180 seconds, the stop unit 403 stops the time count by the watchdog timer 25. At the same time, the set threshold value: 180 seconds is cleared.

  Here, the operation from the start of the OS startup to the time after the OS startup is set as the third operation of the watchdog timer 25. The test performed during the OS startup is likely to cause problems. If the first and third operations of the watchdog timer 25 before the start of the start-up of the first and second operations are made one operation, when a problem occurs, the time that the lock state continues becomes longer and the OS This is because it becomes difficult to identify whether a problem has occurred in the test before starting the startup of the OS, or whether a problem has occurred after starting the startup of the OS.

  In this embodiment, as described above, the operation of the watchdog timer 25 is divided into three. However, if the operation of the watchdog timer 25 is divided for each of a plurality of tests, It is not limited.

  Next, the flow of processing executed when the POS terminal 1 is started will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing executed when the POS terminal is activated.

  First, the power of the POS terminal 1 is turned ON, the hardware is reset by the watchdog timer 25, the test numbers 1 and 2 are completed, the test number 3-18 is completed, or the test number 19-150 is Upon completion, the setting unit 401 determines whether there is an unexecuted test among the tests with test numbers 1 and 2, the test with test numbers 3-18, and the test with test numbers 19-150 (step S601). . In the present embodiment, the setting unit 401 registers the test numbers that have already been executed in the RAM 22, and there are tests that are not executed depending on whether or not all the test numbers included in the threshold value table are registered in the RAM 22. It shall be judged whether or not. When the hardware is reset by the watchdog timer 25, the setting unit 401 clears all the test numbers registered in the RAM 22.

  If all the test numbers included in the threshold value table are registered in the RAM 22 and it is determined that there is no test not executed (step S601: No), the test is completed. On the other hand, when the setting unit 401 determines that all the test numbers included in the threshold table are not registered in the RAM 22 and there are a plurality of tests that have not been executed (step S601: Yes), the setting unit 401 stores the test numbers in the RAM 22 from the threshold table. A threshold value associated with an unregistered test number (test numbers of a plurality of tests not executed) is read, and the read threshold value is set in the watchdog timer 25 (step S602). When a threshold is set in the watchdog timer 25, the execution unit 402 starts executing a plurality of tests (step S603), and the watchdog timer 25 starts an operation (time count) (step S604). ).

  While the test is being executed, the stopping unit 403 monitors whether or not the test has been completed (step S605). When the test is completed before the value counted by the watchdog timer 25 reaches the set threshold value (step S605: Yes), the stop unit 403 stops the operation of the watchdog timer 25. At the same time, the set threshold value is cleared (step S606).

  Furthermore, while the test is being executed (step S605: No), the watchdog timer 25 determines whether or not the time-counted value has reached a set threshold value (whether or not the time is up) ( Step S607). If it is determined that the time is not up (step S607: No), the watchdog timer 25 continues the time count (step S604). On the other hand, when it is determined that the time counted value has reached the threshold value (step S607: Yes), the watchdog timer 25 resets the hardware (step S608).

  Various programs executed in the POS terminal 1 of the present embodiment are provided by being incorporated in the ROM 21 in advance, but the present invention is not limited to this.

  Various programs executed in the POS terminal 1 of the present embodiment are files in an installable or executable format, such as CD-ROM, flexible disk (FD), CD-R, DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), and the like. It may be configured to be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium.

  Furthermore, various programs executed in the POS terminal 1 of the present embodiment may be provided by being stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and downloaded via the network. Further, various programs executed in the POS terminal 1 of the present embodiment may be configured to be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  As described above, according to the POS terminal 1 according to the present embodiment, the setting unit 401 sets, for each of a plurality of tests, the watchdog timer 25 using a time longer than the time required for executing the plurality of tests as an abnormality detection threshold. When the watchdog timer 25 operates in accordance with the execution of a plurality of tests and counts the time, and the time counted value reaches the threshold set by the setting unit 401, the hardware is reset. Since the restarting unit 403 stops the time count by the watchdog timer 25 when a plurality of tests are completed, it is not necessary to start and stop the watchdog timer 25 for each test. It is possible to reduce processing time overhead due to a test executed when the hardware is started.

1 POS terminal 20 CPU
21 ROM21
25 Watchdog timer 401 Setting unit 403 Stopping unit

JP 2008-140072 A

Claims (6)

An electronic device that executes a predetermined test when starting up the hardware and enters normal operation after the completion of the test,
For each of the plurality of tests, setting means for setting a time longer than the time required for execution of the plurality of tests as a threshold for abnormality detection;
Counting means that resets and restarts the hardware when the time count reaches the threshold value set by the setting means, and operates in accordance with the execution of the plurality of tests.
Stop means for stopping time counting by the counting means when the plurality of tests are completed;
An electronic device characterized by comprising:   The setting means includes the plurality of tests executed immediately after the electronic device is turned on until the initial screen is displayed on the display, from when the initial screen is displayed to when the OS starts up. The threshold value is set for each of the plurality of tests to be executed and for each of the plurality of tests to be executed from when the OS startup is started to when the OS startup is completed. The electronic device as described in. Storage means for storing a threshold table in which the threshold value is associated with a test number of the plurality of tests, which is a time longer than a time required for execution of the plurality of tests;
The setting means reads out the threshold value associated with the test number of the plurality of tests to be executed from the threshold value table stored in the storage means, and sets the read threshold value. Item 3. The electronic device according to Item 1 or 2.   4. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the counting unit is a watchdog timer. A computer that executes a predetermined test at the time of starting up the hardware and controls an electronic device that enters normal operation after the completion of the test;
For each of the plurality of tests, setting means for setting a time longer than the time required for execution of the plurality of tests as a threshold for abnormality detection;
Counting means that resets and restarts the hardware when the time count reaches the threshold value set by the setting means, and operates in accordance with the execution of the plurality of tests.
Stop means for stopping time counting by the counting means when the plurality of tests are completed;
Program to function as.   The setting means includes the plurality of tests executed immediately after the electronic device is turned on until the initial screen is displayed on the display, from when the initial screen is displayed to when the OS starts up. 6. The threshold value is set for each of the plurality of tests to be executed and for each of the plurality of tests to be executed after the OS startup is started until the OS startup is completed. The program described in.

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