JP2012048496A - Pos terminal device, remote management device and pos system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a POS terminal device that can easily manage the installation situation of the peripheral device to the POS terminal device.SOLUTION: A POS terminal device 200 includes a main unit 210 for performing the process related to sales information management by utilizing the peripheral devices 19, 20... connected thereto, acquisition means 11 for acquiring identification information on the peripheral devices 19, 20..., stored in the peripheral devices 19, 20... connected to the main unit 210, storage means 30, and control means 29 for controlling the storage means 30 to store management information including the identification information acquired by the acquisition means 11.

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a POS terminal device, a remote management device, and a POS system.

  Peripheral devices such as a payment terminal device are attached to the POS terminal device.

JP 2000-194751 A

  In general, a single point-of-sale (POS) terminal device is used by one user. Under such circumstances, it has been difficult to manage which peripheral devices are attached to a large number of POS terminal devices.

  Under such circumstances, it has been desired to easily manage the mounting state of peripheral devices to the POS terminal device.

  The POS terminal device according to the embodiment includes a main unit that performs processing related to management of sales information using a connected peripheral device, and identification information of the peripheral device stored in the peripheral device connected to the main unit Acquisition means for acquiring information, storage means, and control means for controlling the storage means so as to store management information including the identification information acquired by the acquisition means.

1 is a block diagram of a POS system according to an embodiment. The block diagram of the structural example of the server apparatus in FIG. The block diagram of the structural example of the POS terminal device in FIG. The flowchart of the controller for management in FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart regarding BIOS processing of the CPU in FIG. 3. FIG. The flowchart of CPU in FIG.

  Hereinafter, an example of the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a POS system according to this embodiment.

  This POS system is configured by connecting a server device 100 functioning as a remote management device and a plurality of POS terminal devices 200 to a communication network 300, respectively.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a configuration example of the server apparatus 100.

  The server apparatus 100 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 1, a read-only memory (ROM) 2, a random-access memory (RAM) 3, an auxiliary storage unit 4, a keyboard 5, a display 6, a communication unit 7, and a chip set 8. including. The CPU 1, ROM 2, RAM 3, auxiliary storage unit 4, keyboard 5, display 6 and communication unit 7 are each connected to a chip set 8.

  The CPU 1 controls the operations of the ROM 2, RAM 3, auxiliary storage unit 4, keyboard 5, display device 6 and communication unit 7 via the chipset 8 and realizes processing for centrally managing a plurality of POS terminal devices 200. . The CPU 1 executes the above-described control based on the operating system, middleware, and application program stored in the ROM 2 and RAM 3. Some of the above operating system, middleware, and application programs may be stored in the auxiliary storage unit 4.

  The ROM 2 stores the above operating system. The ROM 2 may store the above middleware and application programs. The ROM 2 may store data that the CPU 1 refers to when performing various processes.

  The RAM 3 stores data to be referred to when the CPU 1 performs various processes. Further, the RAM 3 is used as a so-called work area in which data temporarily used when the CPU 1 performs various processes is stored. The RAM 3 may store the above middleware and application programs.

  The auxiliary storage unit 4 is, for example, a hard disk drive or an SSD (solid state drive), and stores data used when the CPU 1 performs various processes and data generated by the processes in the CPU 1. The auxiliary storage unit 14 may store the above middleware and application programs.

  The keyboard 5 inputs various instructions to the CPU 1 by the user.

  The display 6 displays an interface image for user operation and an image for notifying the user of various information under the control of the CPU 1.

  The communication unit 7 communicates with the POS terminal device 200 via the communication network 300. As the communication unit 7, for example, a unit compliant with a communication standard such as Ethernet (registered trademark) can be used.

  The chip set 8 mediates information exchange between the CPU 1, ROM 2, RAM 3, auxiliary storage unit 4, keyboard 5, display 6 and communication unit 7. The chip set 8 controls operations of the ROM 2, RAM 3, auxiliary storage unit 4, keyboard 5, display 6 and communication unit 7 under the control of the CPU 1.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a configuration example of the POS terminal device 200.

  The POS terminal device 200 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 11, a read-only memory (ROM) 12, a random-access memory (RAM) 13, an auxiliary storage unit 14, a clock unit 15, a mode switch 16, a drawer opening unit 17, Input / output port (I / O) 18, scanner 19, keyboard 20, operator display 21, customer display 22, card reader 23, printer 24, communication unit 25, chipset 26, power supply 27, power supply circuit 28 A management controller 29, a memory 30 and a communication unit 31. Among these units, the CPU 11, ROM 12, RAM 13, auxiliary storage unit 14, clock unit 15, input / output port 18, communication unit 25, chipset 26 and power supply circuit 28 are mounted on the motherboard 210. The management controller 29, the memory 30, and the communication unit 31 constitute a board management unit 220. The drawer opening unit 17, scanner 19, keyboard 20, operator display 21, customer display 22, card reader 23, and printer 24 are detachable from the chipset 26 and are not included in the POS terminal device 200. In some cases, one of a plurality of models or a plurality of models of the same model may be selectively mounted. Thus, the drawer opening unit 17, the scanner 19, the keyboard 20, the operator display 21, the customer display 22, the card reader 23, and the printer 24 are peripheral devices connected to the motherboard as the main unit.

  The CPU 11 controls each unit to realize various operations as the POS terminal device 200 based on the operating system, middleware, and application program stored in the ROM 12 and the RAM 13.

  The ROM 12 stores the above operating system. The ROM 12 may store the above middleware and application programs. The ROM 12 may store data that is referred to when the CPU 11 performs various processes.

  The RAM 13 stores data to be referred to when the CPU 11 performs various processes. Further, the RAM 13 is used as a so-called work area for storing data temporarily used when the CPU 11 performs various processes. The RAM 13 may store the above middleware and application programs.

  The auxiliary storage unit 14 is, for example, a hard disk drive or a solid state drive (SSD), and stores data used when the CPU 11 performs various processes and data generated by the processes in the CPU 11. The auxiliary storage unit 4 may store the above middleware and application programs.

  The mode switch 16 detects the direction of the keyhole that can be rotated by a specific key, and outputs the detection result as a mode signal. A business mode is assigned to each direction of the keyhole, and the mode signal is a signal indicating which of these operation modes is selected. The business mode includes each mode such as registration, inspection, and checkout. Incidentally, in the registration mode, when a PLU code is input by the scanner 19 or the keyboard 20, data processing related to sales or provision of a product identified by the PLU code is performed. In the inspection mode, sales summary data obtained from the merchandise sales data generated by the processing in the registration mode is output as a report. In the checkout mode, the sales summary data is cleared after outputting the sales summary data in the same manner as in the inspection mode.

  The drawer opening unit 17 automatically opens the drawer.

  The input / output port 18 converts the mode signal output from the mode switch 16 into mode data and then writes it into the RAM 13 via the chip set 26 or instructs the CPU 1 to open the drawer via the chip set 26. In response, a drive signal for driving the drawer opening unit 17 is output to the drawer opening unit 17.

  The scanner 19 optically reads a barcode printed on a product. The scanner 19 may include either a fixed type or a handy type, or both. As the scanner 19, a laser scanner or an image scanner can be used.

  The keyboard 20 includes a large number of keys such as a numeric input key, a product designation key (PLU key), and a function key, and a switch that detects pressing of the large number of keys. In response to the key being pressed, the keyboard 20 outputs a command corresponding to the key.

  The operator display 21 is an LCD (liquid crystal display), for example, and can display an arbitrary image under the control of the CPU 11. The operator display 21 is used to display an image representing various information to be presented to the operator.

  The customer display 22 is an LCD or a fluorescent display device, for example, and can display an arbitrary image under the control of the CPU 11. The customer surface display 22 is used to display an image representing various information to be presented to the customer.

  The card reader 23 reads card information recorded on the payment card. The payment card is a card for making payment without using cash, and may include a credit card, a debit card, a prepaid card, and the like.

  The printer 24 is, for example, a thermal printer or a dot impact printer, and prints a receipt.

  The communication unit 25 performs communication processing for information transmission between the CPU 11 and the server apparatus 100 via the communication network 300. As the communication unit 25, for example, a communication unit conforming to a communication standard such as Ethernet (registered trademark) can be used.

  The chip set 26 includes a CPU 11, a ROM 12, a RAM 13, an auxiliary storage unit 14, a clock unit 15, an input / output port 18, a scanner 19, a keyboard 20, an operator display 21, a customer display 22, a card reader 23, a printer 24, Each communication unit 25 is connected. The chip set 26 mediates exchange of information between these connected units. The chip set 26 controls the operation of each unit connected under the control of the CPU 11.

  The power supply device 27 is a so-called uninterruptible power supply device, and stores electric power when electric power is supplied from an external power supply such as a commercial power supply. The power supply device 27 outputs the power when the power is supplied from the external power supply, and outputs the stored power as described above when the power is not supplied from the external power supply. The power supply device 27 may output the power supplied from the external power supply as it is, or may output the reduced power.

  The power supply circuit 28 generates power suitable for operating each unit in the POS terminal device 200 from the power output from the power supply device 27, and outputs this as normal system power and backup (BU) system power. For example, when the off mode is selected by the mode switch 16, the power supply circuit 28 does not output normal system power but outputs backup system power. The power supply circuit 28 outputs both normal system power and backup system power when a mode other than the off mode is selected. The normal system power and the backup system power may each include a plurality of systems having different voltages.

  The backup system power is supplied to a part of the POS terminal device 200 that needs to operate even when the off mode is selected. Particularly in the POS terminal device 200, the backup power is supplied to each unit included in the board management unit 220. The normal system power is supplied to a portion where the operation should be stopped in the state where the off mode is selected among the respective units in the POS terminal device 200.

  The management controller 29 performs management processing, which will be described later, and generates asset information and operation information, which will be described later. The management controller 29 can be realized, for example, by executing a program in which a microcomputer describes a procedure of management processing.

  The memory 30 stores asset information and operation information. As the memory 30, it is desirable to use a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory.

  The communication unit 31 performs communication processing for information transmission between the management controller 29 and the server apparatus 100 via the communication network 300. As the communication unit 31, for example, a unit compliant with a communication standard such as Ethernet (registered trademark) can be used.

  Next, the operation of the POS system configured as described above will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the management controller 29. The management controller 29 receives the backup system power and always executes the processing shown in FIG. 4 regardless of the operating state of the motherboard 210.

  In step Sa1, the management controller 29 confirms whether or not the motherboard 210 is operating. If the motherboard 210 is in operation, the management controller 29 proceeds from step Sa1 to step Sa2.

  In step Sa2, the management controller 29 confirms whether or not an access from the server device 100 has occurred. If access from the server device 100 has not occurred, the management controller 29 proceeds from step Sa2 to step Sa3.

  In step Sa3, the management controller 29 confirms whether or not the device information is notified from the CPU 11. If the device information has not been notified, the management controller 29 proceeds from step Sa3 to step Sa4.

  In step Sa4, the management controller 29 confirms whether or not an event that triggers acquisition of the operation information element (hereinafter simply referred to as an event) has occurred. If the corresponding event has not occurred, the management controller 29 returns from step Sa4 to step Sa1.

  Thus, when the motherboard 210 is in operation, the management controller 29 waits for an access from the server device 100, notification of device information, or an event.

  Incidentally, the CPU 11 is supplied with normal system power. Thus, the CPU 11 is activated in response to the normal system power supply being turned on. After that, the CPU 11 starts BIOS (basic input / output system) processing.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart regarding the BIOS processing of the CPU 11.

  In step Sb1, the CPU 11 searches for peripheral devices that are connected to the motherboard 210 and have not been detected in the current BIOS process.

  In step Sb2, the CPU 11 confirms whether or not the corresponding peripheral device has been detected. If the corresponding peripheral device is detected, the CPU 11 proceeds from step Sb2 to step Sb3.

  In step Sb3, the CPU 11 acquires device information related to the peripheral device from the detected peripheral device. This device information includes at least identification information for identifying each peripheral device and is stored in the peripheral device. Such identification information typically includes a combination of a model number and a serial number. However, the form of identification information may be arbitrary. In addition, the device information may include arbitrary information other than the identification information.

  In step Sb4, the CPU 11 notifies the management controller 29 of the device information.

  After that, the CPU 11 returns to step Sb1 and repeats the processing after step Sb1. Thereby, the processing of step Sb3 and step Sb4 is performed for all peripheral devices connected to the motherboard 210. That is, device information related to all peripheral devices is collected, and the device information is sequentially notified to the management controller 29.

  If the corresponding peripheral device cannot be detected by the search in step Sb1, the CPU 11 proceeds from step Sb2 to another known process in the BIOS process. Note that other well-known processes in the BIOS process may be executed before the processes in steps Sb1 to Sb4.

  If the device information is notified from the CPU 11 to the management controller 29 as described above, the management controller 29 proceeds from step Sa3 to step Sa5 in FIG.

  In step Sa5, the management controller 29 extracts asset information elements from the device information notified as described above. The asset information element is information that can be an element of asset information, and is useful information for managing peripheral devices. The asset information element includes at least identification information. The asset information element may include arbitrary information other than the identification information.

  In step Sa6, the management controller 29 updates the asset information stored in the memory 30 to include the asset information element extracted as described above. If the asset information is not stored in the memory 30, asset information including the asset information element extracted as described above is newly generated and stored in the memory 30.

  Thereafter, the management controller 29 returns to step Sa1. Therefore, if the device information is sequentially notified from the CPU 11, the management controller 29 repeatedly executes step Sa5 and step Sa6, and includes the asset information elements included in the device information in the asset information.

  If an event occurs when the management controller 29 is in the standby state of steps Sa1 to Sa4, the process proceeds from step Sa4 to step Sa7. The events may be arbitrarily matched, such as arrival of a predetermined timing such as every predetermined time interval or a predetermined time, or the occurrence of some error. Further, the number of events is not limited to one, and the management controller 29 may advance from step Sa4 to step Sa7 in response to the occurrence of any of a plurality of events.

  In step Sa7, the management controller 29 acquires an operation information element. The operation information element is information that can be one element of the operation information, and is useful information for managing the operation state of the POS terminal device 200. The operation information element is, for example, the temperature of the CPU 11, the rotation speed of a housing fan (not shown), or the voltage of normal system power. For example, the management controller 29 accesses a hardware monitor (not shown) provided on the motherboard 210 to acquire the operation information element. The operation information element to be acquired may be changed according to the event that has occurred.

  In step Sa8, the management controller 29 updates the operation information stored in the memory 30 to include the operation information element acquired as described above. If no operation information is stored in the memory 30, new operation information including the operation information element extracted as described above is generated and stored in the memory 30. Thereafter, the management controller 29 returns to step Sa1.

  In the server device 100, the CPU 1 starts the process shown in FIG. 6 in response to a request from the operator or at a predetermined timing.

  In step Sc1, the CPU 1 sets all POS terminal devices 200 as unanswered terminals.

  In step Sc2, the CPU 1 selects one of the unanswered terminals as the target terminal.

  In step Sc3, the CPU 1 accesses the management controller 29 of the target terminal.

  In step Sc4, the CPU 1 confirms whether or not the above access is successful. If the access is successful, the CPU 1 proceeds from step Sc4 to step Sc5.

  In step Sc5, the CPU 1 requests the management controller 29 of the target terminal to transmit asset information and operation information.

  The management controller 29 proceeds from step Sa2 to step Sa10 if it receives an access from the server device 100 in the standby state of steps Sa1 to Sa4.

  On the other hand, when the mother board 210 is not operating, the management controller 29 proceeds from step Sa1 to step Sa9. In step Sa9, the management controller 29 confirms whether or not an access from the server apparatus 100 has occurred. If access from the server apparatus 100 has not occurred, the management controller 29 returns from step Sa9 to step Sa1. Thus, when the motherboard 210 is not operating, the management controller 29 waits for an access from the server device 100 to occur. If the management controller 29 receives an access from the server device 100 in such a standby state, the management controller 29 proceeds from step Sa9 to step Sa10.

  In step Sa10, the management controller 29 controls the communication unit 31 to transmit the asset information and the operation information stored in the memory 30 to the server apparatus 100 in response to the request from the CPU 1 as described above. Thereafter, the management controller 29 returns to step Sa1.

  When the asset information and operation information transmitted from the target terminal in this way reach the server apparatus 100 via the communication network, the communication unit 7 receives these asset information and operation information.

  In step Sc6, the CPU 1 stores the asset information and operation information received by the communication unit 7 in the auxiliary storage unit 4 in association with the POS terminal device 200 serving as the target terminal.

  In step Sc7, the CPU 1 excludes the POS terminal device 200 that is the currently selected terminal from the unanswered terminals.

  In step Sc8, the CPU 1 confirms whether or not there is no unresponsive terminal.

  When the access at Step Sc3 fails or when there is still an unresponsive terminal, the CPU 1 returns from Step Sc4 or Step Sc8 to Step Sc2. Then, the CPU 1 collects asset information and operation information from all the POS terminal devices 200 by repeating the processes after step Sc2 in the same manner as described above.

  When the asset information and the operation information have been collected from all the POS terminal devices 200, there is no non-response terminal, so the CPU 1 completes the process shown in FIG. 6 after confirming that in step Sc8. To do.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, the POS terminal device 200 stores the asset information in the memory 30 that can determine what peripheral device is connected to the motherboard 210. Therefore, by referring to this asset information, asset management relating to peripheral devices can be easily performed.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, since the asset information of each of the plurality of POS terminal devices 200 is collected by the server device 100, the asset information collected by the server device 100 for asset management of peripheral devices in the entire POS system. This can be done intensively by referring to.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the POS terminal device 200 stores operation information capable of determining an operation state in the memory 30. Therefore, the operation state of the POS terminal device 200 can be easily managed by referring to this operation information.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, since the server device 100 collects the operation information of each of the plurality of POS terminal devices 200, the server device 100 collects management of the operation states of the plurality of POS terminal devices 200. The operation information can be intensively referred to by referring to the operation information.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the board management unit 220 operates with backup power. For this reason, even when the motherboard 210 is not operating, the server apparatus 100 can collect asset information and operation information. That is, for example, information can be efficiently collected without starting up the motherboard 210 at night when the original function of the POS terminal device 200 does not need to be activated.

  This embodiment can be variously modified as follows.

  The acquisition of the device information by the CPU 11 and the notification of the device information to the management controller 29 may be performed by OS processing immediately after the OS (operation system) is started. Further, during execution of the OS process, the CPU 11 may acquire device information related to the peripheral device and notify the management controller 29 of the device information in response to the newly connected peripheral device. .

  When the peripheral device is removed, the CPU 11 notifies the management controller 29 to that effect, and in response to this notification, the management controller 29 updates the asset information so as to exclude the asset information element related to the corresponding peripheral device. May be.

  In the embodiment, the server device 100 collects information from the POS terminal device 200 for all POS terminal devices 200. However, for example, the server device 100 collects information from only some POS terminal devices 200 designated by the operator. You may do it.

  In the embodiment, the server device 100 collects both asset information and operation information at the same time. However, for example, only one piece of information specified by the operator may be collected.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

  1, 11 ... CPU, 2,12 ... ROM, 3,13 ... RAM, 4,14 ... auxiliary storage unit, 5,20 ... keyboard, 6 ... display unit, 7, 25,31 ... communication unit, 8, 26 ... Chipset, 15 ... Clock unit, 16 ... Mode switch, 17 ... Drawer opening unit, 18 ... I / O port, 19 ... Scanner, 21 ... Display for operator, 22 ... Customer display, 23 ... Card reader, 24 ... Printer, 27 ... power supply device, 28 ... power supply circuit, 29 ... management controller, 30 ... memory, 31 ... communication unit, 100 ... server device, 200 ... POS terminal device, 210 ... motherboard, 220 ... board management unit, 300 ... Communication network.

Claims (6)

A main unit that performs processing related to the management of sales information using connected peripherals;
Obtaining means for obtaining identification information of the peripheral device stored in the peripheral device connected to the main unit;
Storage means;
A POS terminal device comprising control means for controlling the storage means so as to store management information including the identification information read by the acquisition means.   The POS terminal device according to claim 1, further comprising a transmission unit that transmits the management information stored in the storage unit to a remote management device. Further comprising power supply means capable of turning on / off the supply of power for operating the main unit to the main unit;
3. The POS terminal device according to claim 2, wherein the transmission unit transmits the management information to the remote management device regardless of a supply state of the power by the power source unit.   The POS terminal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit includes state information related to an operation state of the main unit in the management information. Receiving means for receiving the management information transmitted from the transmitting means included in the POS terminal device according to claim 1;
Storage means;
Control means for controlling the storage means so as to store the management information transmitted from the POS terminal apparatus and received by the receiving means in association with each of the plurality of POS terminal apparatuses having the configuration according to claim 1 A remote management device. A main unit that performs processing related to the management of sales information using connected peripherals;
Obtaining means for obtaining identification information of the peripheral device stored in the peripheral device connected to the main unit;
First storage means;
A plurality of POS terminal devices each including a first control unit that controls the first storage unit so as to store management information including the identification information acquired by the acquisition unit;
Receiving means for receiving the management information transmitted from the transmitting means;
A second storage means;
Second control means for controlling the second storage means so as to store the management information transmitted from the POS terminal apparatus and received by the receiving means in association with each of the plurality of POS terminal apparatuses; A remote management device with a POS system.

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