JP2013196496A - Order data management system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To further easily set a communication parameter.SOLUTION: A controller 3 includes a controller transmission/reception unit which transmits a connection response message including a first communication parameter to the other device which has transmitted a connection request message. A printer 2 includes: a printer transmission/reception unit which communicates with the other device; a printer radio wave intensity acquisition unit which acquires the radio wave intensity of a radio wave to be transmitted from the other device; and a printer determination unit which, when receiving the connection response message from the controller 3, determines the other device with which the printer transmission/reception unit communicates on the basis of the first communication parameter included in the connection response message and the radio wave intensity acquired by the printer radio wave intensity acquisition unit, and which, when not receiving the connection response message from the controller 3, determines the other device with which the printer transmission/reception unit communicates on the basis of a second communication parameter and the radio wave intensity acquired by the printer radio wave intensity acquisition unit.

Description

  The present invention relates to an order data management system.

  Conventionally, order data management systems have been used to manage order data ordered by customers at restaurants, pubs, hotels, and the like. In this order data management system, when a waitress receives a food order from a customer, each menu received with the table number, the number of people, etc. is input to the handy terminal. The input order data is wirelessly transmitted from the handy terminal to the order control device of the order data management system, and cooking instruction data, accounting data, and the like are created based on the order data.

  Further, since the order data management system uses wireless communication, no wiring is required between the devices. Moreover, even if a store clerk carries and moves like a portable order input device, transfer of order data is possible (for example, refer patent document 1).

Japanese Patent No. 4515286

  However, wireless communication is susceptible to the influence of the wireless environment such as external noise, obstructions, and reflection of radio waves. Further, in order to secure a wide range (communication area) where wireless communication can be performed, it is necessary to try communication even in an environment where the radio wave intensity is low. However, if communication is performed in a store where the wireless environment varies and the radio wave intensity is low, the radio wave may be interrupted during communication, and communication may fail. In addition, the communication is retried after the communication has failed. However, if many retries occur, it takes time to transfer the data.

  Therefore, it is necessary to appropriately set optimal communication parameters for each terminal device. However, in general, an order data management system includes a plurality of terminal devices such as a printer and a controller device in addition to a plurality of handy terminals. Therefore, in order to obtain an optimal communication environment, it is necessary to operate individual terminal devices and set communication parameters at each terminal, which is troublesome.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an order data management system that can more easily set communication parameters for each device in the order data management system.

  The present invention is an order data management system having a controller device, a printer, and a handy terminal, wherein the controller device stores a controller storage unit for storing a first communication parameter and a connection transmitted from another device. A controller transmission / reception unit that receives a request message and transmits a connection response message including the first communication parameter to the other device that has transmitted the connection request message. A printer transmission / reception unit that communicates with the printer, a printer storage unit that stores second communication parameters, a printer radio wave intensity acquisition unit that acquires radio wave intensity of radio waves transmitted from the other device, and the connection from the controller device. If a response message is received, the first communication parameter included in the connection response message is received. When the printer transmission / reception unit determines the other device to communicate based on the meter and the radio wave intensity acquired by the printer radio wave intensity acquisition unit, and the connection response message has not been received from the controller device. A printer determination unit that determines the other device with which the printer transmission / reception unit communicates based on the second communication parameter and the radio wave intensity acquired by the printer radio wave intensity acquisition unit, and the handy terminal A handy terminal transmission / reception unit that communicates with other devices, a handy terminal storage unit that stores third communication parameters, and a handy terminal radio field strength acquisition unit that acquires the radio field strength of radio waves transmitted from the other devices When the connection response message is received from the controller device, the connection response message Determining the other device with which the handy terminal transmitting / receiving unit communicates based on the first communication parameter included in the printer and the radio wave intensity acquired by the printer radio wave intensity acquiring unit, and from the controller device to the connection If no response message has been received, the handy terminal transmitting / receiving unit determines the other device with which to communicate based on the third communication parameter and the radio field intensity acquired by the printer radio field intensity acquiring unit. An order data management system comprising a handy terminal determination unit.

  In the order data management system of the present invention, the printer transmission / reception unit receives data transmitted from the other device for a predetermined period, and the printer radio wave intensity acquisition unit receives the data received by the printer transmission / reception unit. The printer determination unit communicates when the radio field intensity of the data is equal to or higher than the value specified by the first communication parameter or the second communication parameter. The other device is determined as the other device that has transmitted the data, the handy terminal transmitting / receiving unit receives data transmitted from the other device for a predetermined period, and the handy terminal radio wave intensity acquiring unit is The handy terminal transmitting / receiving unit acquires the radio field intensity of the data received, and the handy terminal determining unit When the radio field intensity is equal to or higher than the value specified by the first communication parameter or the third communication parameter, the other device with which the handy terminal transmitting / receiving unit performs communication is used to transmit the other data transmitted from the data. It is characterized by determining with an apparatus.

  In the order data management system of the present invention, the handy terminal includes an input unit that receives an input of an order, and the printer determination unit periodically determines the other device with which the printer transmission / reception unit communicates. The handy terminal determining unit may determine the other device with which the handy terminal transmitting / receiving unit communicates after the input unit receives the input of the order.

  In the order data management system of the present invention, the controller storage unit stores the first communication parameter for the printer and the first communication parameter for the handy terminal as the first communication parameter. When the controller transmission / reception unit receives the connection request message from the printer, the controller transmission / reception unit transmits a connection response message including the first communication parameter for the printer to the printer, and the handy terminal transmits the connection response message. When a connection request message is received, a connection response message including the first communication parameter for the handy terminal is transmitted to the handy terminal.

  According to the present invention, the controller device receives the connection request message transmitted from the other device and the controller storage unit that stores the first communication parameter, and receives the connection request message from the other device. A controller transmission / reception unit that transmits a connection response message including one communication parameter. In addition, the printer includes a printer transmission / reception unit that communicates with another device, a printer storage unit that stores the second communication parameter, a printer radio wave intensity acquisition unit that acquires the radio wave intensity of a radio wave transmitted from the other device, When the connection response message is received from the controller device, the printer transmission / reception unit communicates based on the first communication parameter included in the connection response message and the radio wave intensity acquired by the printer radio wave intensity acquisition unit. When the device is determined and the connection response message is not received from the controller device, another device with which the printer transmission / reception unit communicates based on the second communication parameter and the radio wave intensity acquired by the printer radio wave intensity acquisition unit A printer determining unit for determining The handy terminal also includes a handy terminal transmitting / receiving unit that communicates with another device, a handy terminal storage unit that stores the third communication parameter, and a handy terminal radio wave that acquires the radio wave intensity of the radio wave transmitted from the other device. When a connection response message is received from the strength acquisition unit and the controller device, the handy terminal transmission / reception unit receives the first communication parameter included in the connection response message and the radio field strength acquired by the printer radio field strength acquisition unit. When another device that performs communication is determined and a connection response message is not received from the controller device, the handy terminal transmission / reception unit determines whether the handy terminal transmission / reception unit is based on the third communication parameter and the radio wave intensity acquired by the printer radio wave intensity acquisition unit. A handy terminal determining unit that determines other devices for communication

  With this configuration, the controller device can transmit the first communication parameter to the printer and the handy terminal using the connection response message. In addition, the printer and the handy terminal can determine another device that performs communication using the first communication parameter received from the controller device. Thereby, it is possible to set communication parameters more easily in each device.

It is the schematic which showed the structure of the order data management system in one Embodiment of this invention. It is the functional block diagram which showed the structure of the handy terminal in this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer in the present embodiment. It is the functional block diagram which showed the structure of the controller in this embodiment. It is the schematic which showed the data structure of the wireless strength determination data A in this embodiment. It is the schematic which showed the format of the connection request message transmitted with respect to a controller from the handy terminal in this embodiment. It is the schematic which showed the format of the connection response message transmitted with respect to a handy terminal from the controller in this embodiment. It is the schematic which showed the format of the connection request message transmitted to the controller from the printer in this embodiment. It is the schematic which showed the format of the connection response message transmitted with respect to a printer from the controller in this embodiment. It is the sequence diagram which showed the transmission procedure which transmits order data with respect to a controller from a handy terminal via the printer in this embodiment. It is the flowchart which showed the operation | movement procedure at the time of the handy terminal in this embodiment transmitting order data with respect to a controller. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating a data flow when a printer according to the present embodiment is connected to a controller via another printer immediately after activation to print a slip. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure when the printer according to the present embodiment is connected to a controller for communication immediately after startup. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure when the printer according to the present embodiment changes the connection destination during activation.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an order data management system in the present embodiment. In the illustrated example, the order data management system 100 includes handy terminals 1A, 1B, and 1C, printers 2A, 2B, and 2C, a controller 3 (corresponding to a controller device in claims), and a POS register 4. When a plurality of handy terminals such as the handy terminals 1A, 1B, and 1C are collectively referred to as a handy terminal 1. In addition, when a plurality of printers such as the printers 2A, 2B, and 2C are collectively referred to as a printer 2.

  The handy terminal 1 receives an input of an order and transmits order data based on the received order to the controller 3. The printer 2 prints a cooking instruction slip, an accounting slip, or the like under the control of the controller 3. The printer 2 also operates as a wireless relay device, and relays wireless communication between the handy terminal 1 and the controller 3 and wireless communication between the printer 2 and the controller 3. The controller 3 manages order data transmitted from the handy terminal 1. Further, the controller 3 causes the printer 2 to print a cooking instruction slip or an accounting slip based on the order data. The POS register 4 performs accounting processing based on order data managed by the controller 3.

  With this configuration, the handy terminal 1 transmits the order data that has been accepted to the controller 3 via the printer 2 or directly. Upon receiving the order data, the controller 3 performs order processing and order data storage, and transmits a slip output instruction to the printer 2.

  In the illustrated example, the printer 2A relays wireless communication between the handy terminals 1A and 1C and the controller 3 and wireless communication between the printers 2B and 2C and the controller 3. The printer 2B relays wireless communication between the handy terminal 1B and the printer 2A. That is, when the handy terminal 1A transmits the order data to the controller 3, the handy terminal 1A relays the printer 2A for transmission.

  Next, the configuration of the handy terminal 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the handy terminal 1 in the present embodiment. In the illustrated example, the handy terminal 1 includes a handy terminal input unit 11 (corresponding to an input unit in claims), a handy terminal control unit 12, a handy terminal transmitting / receiving unit 13, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 14, and a RAM. (Random Access Memory) 15 (corresponding to a handy terminal storage unit in claims) and a handy terminal display unit 16.

  The handy terminal input unit 11 includes a touch panel, a numeric keypad, and the like, and accepts an input such as an order. The handy terminal control unit 12 controls each unit included in the handy terminal 1. The handy terminal control unit 12 measures the received radio wave intensity based on the data received by the handy terminal transmitting / receiving unit 13 (corresponding to the handy terminal radio wave intensity acquiring unit in the claims). The handy terminal control unit 12 determines a connection destination (relay destination) device for wireless communication (corresponding to the handy terminal determination unit in the claims). A method for determining a wireless communication connection destination (relay destination) device will be described later.

  The handy terminal transmission / reception unit 13 transmits / receives data to / from other devices using wireless communication. The ROM 14 stores data used by each unit included in the handy terminal 1. The ROM 14 also stores wireless strength determination data B1. The wireless strength determination data B1 will be described later. The RAM 15 temporarily stores data used by each unit included in the handy terminal 1. The RAM 15 stores the wireless strength determination data A1, the neighborhood search response maximum value, and the neighborhood search response number. The wireless strength determination data A1, the neighborhood search response maximum value, and the neighborhood search response number will be described later. The handy terminal display unit 16 is a liquid crystal display, for example, and displays characters and figures.

  Next, the configuration of the printer 2 will be described. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the printer 2 in the present embodiment. In the illustrated example, the printer 2 includes an operation unit 21, a printer control unit 22, a printer transmission / reception unit 23, a ROM 24, a RAM 25 (corresponding to a printer storage unit in claims), and a printing unit 26.

  The operation unit 21 includes a numeric keypad and receives an instruction input from the user. The printer control unit 22 controls each unit included in the printer 2. The printer control unit 22 measures the received radio wave intensity based on the data received by the printer transmission / reception unit 23 (corresponding to the printer radio wave intensity acquisition unit in the claims). The printer control unit 22 determines a wireless communication connection destination (relay destination) device (corresponding to a printer determination unit in the claims). A method for determining a wireless communication connection destination (relay destination) device will be described later.

  The printer transmission / reception unit 23 transmits / receives data to / from other apparatuses using wireless communication. The ROM 24 stores data used by each unit included in the printer 2. The ROM 24 stores wireless strength determination data B2. The wireless strength determination data B2 will be described later. The RAM 25 temporarily stores data used by each unit included in the printer 2. The RAM 25 stores the wireless strength determination data A2, the neighborhood search response maximum value, and the neighborhood search response number. The wireless strength determination data A2, the neighborhood search response maximum value, and the neighborhood search response number will be described later. The printing unit 26 prints cooking instruction slips, accounting slips, and the like.

  Next, the configuration of the controller 3 will be described. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the controller 3 in the present embodiment. In the illustrated example, the controller 3 includes a controller control unit 31, a controller transmission / reception unit 32, a ROM 33, a RAM 34, and a nonvolatile memory 35 (corresponding to a controller storage unit in the claims).

  The controller control unit 31 controls each unit included in the controller 3. The controller transmission / reception unit 32 transmits / receives data to / from other devices using wireless communication. The ROM 33 stores data used by each unit included in the controller 3. The RAM 34 temporarily stores data used by each unit included in the controller 3. The nonvolatile memory 35 is rewritable and retains stored contents even when the power is turned off. The nonvolatile memory 35 stores wireless strength determination data A.

  Next, the wireless strength determination data A will be described. The wireless strength determination data A is a communication parameter that determines the communication characteristics of the handy terminal 1 and the printer 2. In this embodiment, the non-volatile memory 35 of the controller 3 stores the wireless strength determination data A. Since the nonvolatile memory 35 is a rewritable memory, the value of the wireless strength determination data A can be rewritten to an arbitrary value according to the installation environment of the order data management system 100 or the like.

  In addition, the controller 3 may store the wireless strength determination data A that is the same for the handy terminal 1 and the printer 2, but in this embodiment, the wireless strength determination data A differs between the handy terminal 1 and the printer 2. It shall be. For example, the controller 3 stores the wireless strength determination data A1 for the handy terminal 1 and transmits it to the handy terminal 1 as necessary. Further, the wireless strength determination data A2 is stored for the printer 2 and transmitted to the printer 2 as necessary.

  The printer 2 stores the received wireless strength determination data A2 in the RAM 25. The handy terminal 1 stores the received wireless strength determination data A1 in the RAM 15. Therefore, if the wireless strength determination data A can be easily transmitted from the controller 3 to the handy terminal 1 or the printer 2, the communication parameters can be set more easily.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a data structure of the wireless strength determination data A in the present embodiment. The wireless strength determination data A includes “device information” indicating the target device, and “radio wave strength (dBm)” indicating the lower limit received radio wave strength at which the target device can communicate without disconnecting the wireless connection. And at least a data item of “radio wave intensity offset value (dBm)” indicating a difference from the received radio wave intensity, and stores data of each data item in association with each row.

  In the illustrated example, the target device stored in the data item “device information” is “handy terminal XX”, which indicates all handy terminals in the order data management system. The value stored in the data item “radio wave intensity (dBm)” is “I1”, and the value stored in the data item “radio wave intensity offset value (dBm)” is “O1”. These data are defined as wireless strength determination data A1 (corresponding to the first communication parameter for the handy terminal in the claims).

  The target device “printer XX” indicates all printers in the order data management system, the value stored in the data item “radio wave intensity (dBm)” is “I2”, and the data item “radio wave intensity offset value ( The value stored in “dBm)” is “O2”. These data are referred to as wireless intensity determination data A2 (corresponding to the first communication parameter for the printer in the claims).

  Next, the wireless strength determination data B will be described. In the present embodiment, the ROM 14 of the handy terminal 1 and the ROM 24 of the printer 2 store the wireless strength determination data B in advance. This is data used when the apparatus has not acquired the wireless strength determination data A from the controller 3, and a general value is set as the wireless strength determination data. The handy terminal 1 and the printer 2 may store the same wireless strength determination data B in advance, or may store different wireless strength determination data B in advance. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the handy terminal 1 and the printer 2 store different wireless strength determination data B1 and B2. The data structure of the wireless strength determination data B is the same as the data structure of the wireless strength determination data A.

  Next, the format of a connection request message transmitted from the handy terminal 1 to the controller 3 will be described. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a format of a connection request message transmitted from the handy terminal 1 to the controller 3 in the present embodiment. In the illustrated example, the connection request message transmitted from the handy terminal 1 to the controller 3 has data items of a transmission source, a transmission destination, a route, and a command.

  The transmission source stores the device name of the transmission source of the connection request message. The transmission destination stores the device name of the transmission destination of the connection request message. Via is the name of the device that relays the transmission of the connection request message. The command stores a connection command “ConnectReq”. In the illustrated example, the transmission source is “handy terminal 1A”, the transmission destination is “controller 3”, the route is “printer 2A”, and the command is “ConnectReq”. This indicates that the transmission source of the connection request message is “handy terminal 1A”. Further, it is indicated that the transmission destination of the connection request message is “controller 3”. Further, the connection request message indicates that the message passes through “printer 2A”. Further, it is indicated that the command of the connection request message is “ConnectReq”.

  Next, the format of a connection response message transmitted from the controller 3 to the handy terminal 1 will be described. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a format of a connection response message transmitted from the controller 3 to the handy terminal 1 in the present embodiment. In the illustrated example, the connection response message transmitted from the controller 3 to the handy terminal 1 includes data items of a transmission source, a transmission destination, a route, a command, and incidental data.

  The transmission source stores the device name of the transmission source of the connection response message. The transmission destination stores the device name of the transmission destination of the connection response message. Via is the name of the device that relays the transmission of the connection response message. The command stores a connection command “ConnectRes”. The accompanying data stores “wireless strength determination data A”. In the illustrated example, the transmission source is “controller 3”, the transmission destination is “handy terminal 1A”, the route is “printer 2A”, the command is “ConnectRes”, and the incidental data is “wireless strength determination”. Data A1 ". This indicates that the transmission source of the connection response message is “controller 3”. Further, it is indicated that the transmission destination of the connection response message is “handy terminal 1A”. Further, the connection response message indicates that the message passes through “printer 2A”. Further, it is indicated that the command of the connection response message is “ConnectRes”. Further, it is indicated that the incidental data of the connection response message is “wireless strength determination data A1”. As a result, the controller 3 can transmit “wireless strength determination data A1” to the handy terminal 1 using the connection response message.

  Next, the format of a connection request message transmitted from the printer 2 to the controller 3 will be described. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a format of a connection request message transmitted from the printer 2 to the controller 3 in the present embodiment. In the illustrated example, the connection request message transmitted from the printer 2 to the controller 3 includes data items of a transmission source, a transmission destination, a route, and a command.

  The transmission source stores the device name of the transmission source of the connection request message. The transmission destination stores the device name of the transmission destination of the connection request message. Via is the name of the device that relays the transmission of the connection request message. The command stores a connection command “ConnectReq”. In the illustrated example, the transmission source is “printer 2B”, the transmission destination is “controller 3”, the route is “printer 2A”, and the command is “ConnectReq”. This indicates that the transmission source of the connection request message is “printer 2B”. Further, it is indicated that the transmission destination of the connection request message is “controller 3”. Further, the connection request message indicates that the message passes through “printer 2A”. Further, it is indicated that the command of the connection request message is “ConnectReq”.

  Next, the format of a connection response message transmitted from the controller 3 to the printer 2 will be described. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a format of a connection response message transmitted from the controller 3 to the printer 2 in the present embodiment. In the illustrated example, the connection response message transmitted from the controller 3 to the printer 2 includes data items of a transmission source, a transmission destination, a route, a command, and incidental data.

  The transmission source stores the device name of the transmission source of the connection response message. The transmission destination stores the device name of the transmission destination of the connection response message. Via is the name of the device that relays the transmission of the connection response message. The command stores a connection command “ConnectRes”. The accompanying data stores “wireless strength determination data A”. In the illustrated example, the transmission source is “controller 3”, the transmission destination is “printer 2B”, the route is “printer 2A”, the command is “ConnectRes”, and the incidental data is “wireless strength determination data”. A2 ". This indicates that the transmission source of the connection response message is “controller 3”. Further, it is indicated that the transmission destination of the connection response message is “printer 2B”. Further, the connection response message indicates that the message passes through “printer 2A”. Further, it is indicated that the command of the connection response message is “ConnectRes”. Further, it is indicated that the incidental data of the connection response message is “wireless strength determination data A2”. As a result, the controller 3 can transmit “wireless strength determination data A2” to the printer 2 using the connection response message.

  Next, the flow of data when the handy terminal 1 receives the order input and transmits the order data to the controller 3 will be described. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing a transmission procedure for transmitting order data from the handy terminal 1A to the controller 3 via the printer 2A in the present embodiment. The illustrated example shows an example in which a route with good conditions is determined (steps S101 to S104), and then the order data is transmitted on the route (steps S105 to S108).

(Step S101) The handy terminal input unit 11 of the handy terminal 1A receives an input of an order.
(Step S <b> 102) The handy terminal control unit 12 of the handy terminal 1 </ b> A generates a neighborhood search request message and inputs it to the handy terminal transmitting / receiving unit 13 in order to determine a route with a good communication environment. The handy terminal transmission / reception unit 13 transmits a neighbor search request message by broadcasting, and the neighbor search request message reaches the printer 2A and the controller 3 in the communication area.
The printer transmission / reception unit 23 of the printer 2A and the controller transmission / reception unit 32 of the controller 3 each receive a neighborhood search request message.

  (Step S <b> 103) The printer control unit 22 of the printer 2 </ b> A generates a neighbor search response message corresponding to the neighbor search request message received in the process of step S <b> 102 and inputs it to the printer transmission / reception unit 23. The printer transmission / reception unit 23 transmits neighborhood search response data to the handy terminal 1A. Similarly, the controller control unit 31 of the controller 3 generates a neighborhood search response message corresponding to the neighborhood search request message received in the process of step S <b> 102 and inputs it to the controller transmission / reception unit 32. The controller transmission / reception unit 32 transmits neighborhood search response data to the handy terminal 1A.

  (Step S104) When the handy terminal transmitting / receiving unit 13 receives the proximity search response data, the handy terminal control unit 12 of the handy terminal 1 measures the received radio wave intensity at the time of reception. Then, an optimal relay device is specified using the received radio wave intensity and the radio intensity determination data. For example, when the RAM 15 stores the wireless strength determination data A1 acquired last time, the handy terminal control unit 12 of the handy terminal 1A and the neighbor search response message received in the process of step S103 and the wireless strength determination data A Based on the above, the optimum relay device is identified. Further, when the RAM 15 does not store the wireless strength determination data A, the handy terminal control unit 12 of the handy terminal 1 </ b> A and the proximity search response message received in the process of step S <b> 103 and the wireless stored in advance in the ROM 14. An optimal relay device is specified based on the strength determination data B1. The method for specifying the optimum relay device will be described later. In the illustrated example, the handy terminal control unit 12 specifies the printer 2A as the optimum relay device.

(Step S105) The handy terminal control unit 12 of the handy terminal 1A generates a connection request message. The handy terminal transmission / reception unit 13 transmits a connection request message to the controller 3 via the printer 2A, which is the optimum relay device identified in the process of step S104.
The printer transmission / reception unit 23 of the printer 2A receives the connection request message. The connection request message includes the transmission destination “controller 3”. Therefore, the printer control unit 22 of the printer 2 </ b> A inputs the received connection request message to the printer transmission / reception unit 23. The printer transmission / reception unit 23 transmits a connection request message to the controller 3.
The controller transmission / reception unit 32 of the controller 3 receives the connection request message.

(Step S106) The controller control unit 31 of the controller 3 recognizes that the transmission source included in the connection request message is the handy terminal 1 with respect to the connection request message received in the process of Step S105, and the “wireless strength determination data A” device A connection response message is generated using “radio strength determination data A1” corresponding to the handy terminal XX as auxiliary data, and is input to the controller transmission / reception unit 32. The controller transmission / reception unit 32 relays the printer 2A and transmits a connection response message to the handy terminal 1A. As a matter of course, the controller 3 also stores that the printer 2A is relayed as a transmission path to the handy terminal 1A upon receipt of the connection request message from the handy terminal 1A.
The printer transmission / reception unit 23 of the printer 2A receives the connection response message. The connection response message includes the transmission destination “handy terminal 1A”. Therefore, the printer control unit 22 of the printer 2 </ b> A inputs the received connection response message to the printer transmission / reception unit 23. The printer transmission / reception unit 23 transmits a connection response message to the handy terminal 1A.
The handy terminal transmitting / receiving unit 13 of the handy terminal 1A receives the connection response message. As a result, when the handy terminal 1A transmits order data to the controller 3 based on the connection response message, the handy terminal 1A recognizes that the route to be transmitted via the printer 2A is the best route. Can do. Further, since the connection response message includes the wireless strength determination data A1, the handy terminal control unit 12 of the handy terminal 1A stores the wireless strength determination data A1 in the RAM 15.

(Step S <b> 107) The handy terminal control unit 12 of the handy terminal 1 </ b> A generates order data based on the order data received in step S <b> 101 and inputs the order data to the handy terminal transmission / reception unit 13. The handy terminal transmission / reception unit 13 transmits the order data to the controller 3 using the route specified in the process of step S106.
The printer transmission / reception unit 23 of the printer 2A receives the order data. The order data includes the transmission destination “controller 3”. Therefore, the printer control unit 22 of the printer 2 </ b> A inputs the received order data to the printer transmission / reception unit 23. The printer transmission / reception unit 23 transmits order data to the controller 3.
The controller transmission / reception unit 32 of the controller 3 receives the order data. In addition, the controller control unit 31 of the controller 3 stores the received order data in the RAM 34.

(Step S <b> 108) The controller control unit 31 of the controller 3 generates an order data response message corresponding to the order data and inputs it to the controller transmission / reception unit 32. The controller transmission / reception unit 32 relays the printer 2A and transmits an order data response message to the handy terminal 1A.
The printer transmission / reception unit 23 of the printer 2A receives the order data response message. The order data response message includes the destination “handy terminal 1A”. Therefore, the printer control unit 22 of the printer 2 </ b> A inputs the received order data response message to the printer transmission / reception unit 23. The printer transmission / reception unit 23 transmits an order data response message to the handy terminal 1A.
The handy terminal transmitting / receiving unit 13 of the handy terminal 1A receives the order data response message.

  By the processing procedure described above, the handy terminal 1A can transmit order data to the controller 3 using an optimal relay device. Further, the controller 3 can transmit “wireless strength determination data A1”, which is a communication parameter, to the handy terminal 1A using the connection response message.

  Next, an operation when the handy terminal 1 transmits order data to the controller 3 will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure when the handy terminal 1 in the present embodiment transmits order data to the controller 3. The specific procedure for specifying the optimum relay apparatus will also be described here.

(Step S201) The handy terminal control unit 12 of the handy terminal 1 causes the handy terminal transmitting / receiving unit 13 to transmit a neighbor search request message. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S202.
(Step S <b> 202) The handy terminal control unit 12 deletes the “neighbor search response maximum value” stored in the RAM 15. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S203. The neighborhood search response maximum value is the actual radio field strength of the response message having the highest received radio field strength among the neighbor search response messages received as a response to the previously transmitted neighborhood search request message. .
(Step S203) The handy terminal control unit 12 deletes the number of neighborhood search responses stored in the RAM 15. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S204. The number of neighborhood search responses is the number of neighborhood search response messages received as a response to the neighborhood search request transmitted last time.

  (Step S204) The handy terminal control unit 12 determines whether or not the RAM 15 stores “wireless strength determination data A1”. If the handy terminal control unit 12 determines that “wireless strength determination data A1” is stored, the process proceeds to step S205. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S206.

(Step S205) The handy terminal control unit 12 determines that “wireless strength determination data A1” stored in the RAM 15 is used as a communication parameter. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S207.
(Step S206) The handy terminal control unit 12 determines to use “wireless strength determination data B1” stored in the ROM 14 as a communication parameter. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S207.

(Step S207) The handy terminal control unit 12 determines whether or not a predetermined reception waiting time has elapsed with respect to reception of the neighborhood search response message. If the handy terminal control unit 12 determines that the predetermined reception waiting time has not elapsed, the process proceeds to step S208. If the handy terminal control unit 12 determines that the predetermined reception waiting time has elapsed, the process of step S210. Proceed to
(Step S208) The handy terminal control unit 12 determines whether or not a neighbor search response message has been received. If the handy terminal control unit 12 determines that the neighbor search response message has not been received, the process returns to step S207. If the handy terminal control unit 12 determines that the neighbor search response message has been received, the process proceeds to step S209.

(Step S209) Since the handy terminal control unit 12 has received the neighborhood search response message, the handy terminal control unit 12 increments the number of neighborhood search responses by 1, and proceeds to the processing of step S212.
(Step S210) Since the reception waiting time has elapsed, the handy terminal control unit 12 determines whether or not the number of neighborhood search responses is “0 (zero)”. When the handy terminal control unit 12 determines that the number of neighbor search responses is “0 (zero)”, the neighbor search response message is not received from any device in response to the current neighbor search request message, so In order to make a search request, the process returns to step S201. On the other hand, if the handy terminal control unit 12 determines that the number of neighborhood search responses is not “0 (zero)”, the process proceeds to step S211.

  (Step S211) The handy terminal control unit 12 specifies a device that has transmitted a neighbor search request message having the highest reception strength, and selects the specified device as a connection destination (relay destination). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S215.

  (Step S212) The handy terminal control unit 12 determines that the reception strength of the neighbor search request message received by the handy terminal transmitting / receiving unit 13 is “radio wave” of the wireless strength determination data determined to be used as a communication parameter in the process of step S205 or step S206. It is determined whether or not it is “strength (dBm)” or more. If the handy terminal control unit 12 determines that the reception strength of the neighbor search request message received by the handy terminal transmission / reception unit 13 is equal to or higher than the “radio wave strength (dBm)” of the wireless strength determination data, the process proceeds to step S214. In other cases, the process proceeds to step S213.

(Step S213) The handy terminal control unit 12 determines the reception strength of the neighborhood search request message having the highest reception strength, and stores it in the RAM 15 as the neighborhood search response maximum value. Thereafter, the process returns to step S207.
(Step S214) The handy terminal control unit 12 selects, as a connection destination (relay destination), a device that has transmitted the neighbor search request message received by the handy terminal transmission / reception unit 13. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S215.

(Step S215) The handy terminal transmission / reception unit 13 transmits a connection request message to the connection destination (relay destination) selected by the handy terminal control unit 12 in the process of step S211 or step S214. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S216.
(Step S216) The handy terminal control unit 12 determines whether or not the handy terminal transmitting / receiving unit 13 has received a connection response message. If the handy terminal control unit 12 determines that a connection response message has been received, the process proceeds to step S217. Otherwise, the process returns to step S201. That is, the processing is restarted from the neighborhood search request again.

(Step S217) The handy terminal control unit 12 causes the RAM 15 to store the wireless strength determination data A1 included in the connection response message. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S218.
(Step S <b> 218) The handy terminal control unit 12 generates order data based on the received order data, and inputs the order data to the handy terminal transmitting / receiving unit 13. The handy terminal transmission / reception unit 13 transmits the order data to the connection destination (relay destination) selected by the handy terminal control unit 12 in the process of step S211 or step S214. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S219.

  (Step S219) The handy terminal control unit 12 determines whether or not the handy terminal transmitting / receiving unit 13 has received the order data response message. If the handy terminal control unit 12 determines that an order data response message has been received, the process ends, otherwise the process returns to step S201.

  The handy terminal 1 can store the wireless strength determination data A1 (communication parameter) included in the connection response message received from the controller 3 in the RAM 15 by the processing procedure described above. Further, when the handy terminal 1 receives the wireless strength determination data A1 from the controller 3, the handy terminal 1 transmits the order data to the controller 3 next time based on the received wireless strength determination data A1. A route with good conditions can be identified. Thereby, the wireless strength determination data A1, which is a communication parameter, can be set in the handy terminal 1 more easily. Note that even when the handy terminal 1 has not received the wireless strength determination data A1 from the controller 3, the handy terminal 1 can identify the route with the best condition based on the wireless strength determination data B1 stored in advance.

Next, the flow of data when the printer 2 communicates with the controller 3 immediately after startup and prints a slip will be described. FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of data when the printer 2B according to the present embodiment is connected to the controller 3 via the printer 2A immediately after activation to print a slip.
In the illustrated example, the flow of data when the connection destination of the printer 2B is changed based on the reception strength of a periodic packet (details will be described later) periodically transmitted from the printer 2A and the controller 3 is also shown. (Steps S309 to S317).

(Step S <b> 301) The printer control unit 22 of the printer 2 </ b> B generates a neighborhood search request message and inputs it to the printer transmission / reception unit 23 in order to determine a route with a good communication environment. The printer transmission / reception unit 23 transmits a neighbor search request message by broadcasting, and the neighbor search request message reaches the printer 2A and the controller 3 in the communication area.
The printer transmission / reception unit 23 of the printer 2A and the controller transmission / reception unit 32 of the controller 3 each receive a neighborhood search request message.

  (Step S <b> 302) The printer control unit 22 of the printer 2 </ b> A generates a neighborhood search response message corresponding to the neighborhood search request message received in the process of step S <b> 301 and inputs it to the printer transmission / reception unit 23. The printer transmission / reception unit 23 transmits neighborhood search response data to the printer 2B. Similarly, the controller control unit 31 of the controller 3 generates a neighborhood search response message corresponding to the neighborhood search request message received in the process of step S <b> 301 and inputs it to the controller transmission / reception unit 32. The controller transmission / reception unit 32 transmits neighborhood search response data to the printer 2B.

  (Step S303) When the printer transmission / reception unit 23 receives the neighborhood search response data, the printer control unit 22 of the printer 2B measures the received radio wave intensity at the time of reception. Then, an optimal relay device is specified using the received radio wave intensity and the radio intensity determination data. For example, when the RAM 25 stores the wireless strength determination data A2 acquired last time, the printer control unit 22 of the printer 2B includes the neighborhood search response message received in the process of step S302 and the wireless strength determination data A2. Based on this, the optimum relay device is identified. In addition, when the RAM 25 does not store the wireless strength determination data A2, the printer control unit 22 of the printer 2B determines the proximity search response message received in step S302 and the wireless strength determination data stored in the ROM 24. Based on B, the optimum relay device is specified. The method for specifying the optimum relay device will be described later. In the illustrated example, the printer control unit 22 identifies the printer 2A as the optimum relay device.

(Step S304) The printer control unit 22 of the printer 2B generates a connection request message. The printer transmission / reception unit 23 transmits a connection request message to the controller 3 via the printer 2A, which is the optimum relay device identified in the process of step S303.
The printer transmission / reception unit 23 of the printer 2A receives the connection request message. The connection request message includes the transmission destination “controller 3”. Therefore, the printer control unit 22 of the printer 2 </ b> A inputs the received connection request message to the printer transmission / reception unit 23. The printer transmission / reception unit 23 transmits a connection request message to the controller 3.
The controller transmission / reception unit 32 of the controller 3 receives the connection request message.

(Step S305) The controller control unit 31 of the controller 3 recognizes that the transmission source included in the corresponding connection request message is the printer 2B with respect to the connection request message received in the process of Step S304, and the "wireless strength determination data A" A connection response message is generated using the “radio intensity determination data A2” corresponding to the printer XX as device information as incidental data, and is input to the controller transmission / reception unit 32. The controller transmission / reception unit 32 relays the printer 2A and transmits a connection response message to the printer 2B. As a matter of course, the controller 3 also stores that the printer 2A is relayed as a transmission path to the printer 2B upon receipt of the connection request message from the printer 2B.
The printer transmission / reception unit 23 of the printer 2A receives the connection response message. The connection response message includes the transmission destination “printer 2B”. Therefore, the printer control unit 22 of the printer 2 </ b> A inputs the received connection response message to the printer transmission / reception unit 23. The printer transmission / reception unit 23 transmits a connection response message to the printer 2B.
The printer transmission / reception unit 23 of the printer 2B receives the connection response message. As a result, when the printer 2B communicates with the controller 3 based on the connection response message, the printer 2B can recognize that the route for communicating via the printer 2A is the best condition route. In addition, since the connection response message includes the wireless strength determination data A2, the printer control unit 22 of the printer 2B stores the wireless strength determination data A2 in the RAM 25.

(Step S <b> 306) When the controller 2 of the controller 3 outputs a slip to the printer 2 </ b> B, it generates slip data and inputs the slip data to the controller transmission / reception unit 32.
(Step S307) The controller transmission / reception unit 32 of the controller 3 transmits the slip data to the printer 2B using the path specified in the process of step S305.
The printer transmission / reception unit 23 of the printer 2A receives the slip data. The slip data includes the transmission destination “printer 2B”. Therefore, the printer control unit 22 of the printer 2A inputs the received slip data to the printer transmission / reception unit 23. The printer transmission / reception unit 23 transmits the slip data to the printer 2B.
The printer transmission / reception unit 23 of the printer 2B receives the slip data. The printer control unit 22 of the printer 2B causes the printing unit 26 to print a slip based on the received slip data. The printing unit 26 prints a slip.

(Step S308) The printer control unit 22 of the printer 2B generates a slip data response message corresponding to the slip data and inputs the generated slip data response message to the printer transmission / reception unit 23. The printer transmission / reception unit 23 relays the printer 2 </ b> A and transmits a slip data response message to the controller 3.
The printer transmission / reception unit 23 of the printer 2A receives the slip data response message. The slip data response message includes the transmission destination “controller 3”. Therefore, the printer control unit 22 of the printer 2 </ b> A inputs the received slip data response message to the printer transmission / reception unit 23. The printer transmission / reception unit 23 transmits a slip data response message to the controller 3.
The controller transmission / reception unit 32 of the controller 3 receives the slip data response message.

  The printer 2B can make a communication connection with the controller 3 by using the optimum relay device by the processing procedure described above. Further, the controller 3 can transmit slip data to the printer 2B by using an optimal relay device and print the slip. Further, the controller 3 can transmit “wireless strength determination data A2”, which is a communication parameter, to the printer 2B using the connection response message.

By the way, each device included in the order data management system broadcasts a periodic packet periodically at a predetermined timing. The device that has received the periodic packet measures the received radio wave intensity and stores it in association with the transmission source device.
(Step S309) The controller transmission / reception unit 32 of the controller 3 and the printer transmission / reception unit 23 of the printer 2A transmit periodic packets to the printer 2B. The printer transmission / reception unit 23 of the printer 2B receives the transmitted regular packet.
(Step S310) When the RAM 25 stores the wireless strength determination data A2, the printer control unit 22 of the printer 2B is optimal based on the periodic packet received in the processing of Step S309 and the wireless strength determination data A2. The correct relay device is identified. If the RAM 25 does not store the wireless strength determination data A2, the printer control unit 22 of the printer 2B receives the periodic packet received in the process of step S309 and the wireless strength determination data B2 stored in the ROM 24. Based on the above, the optimum relay device is identified. In the illustrated example, the printer control unit 22 identifies the printer 2A as the optimum relay device. Therefore, the printer 2B does not change the connection destination.

  Steps S311 to S312 are the same as the processes of steps S309 to S310. However, in the illustrated example, in the process of step S312, the printer control unit 22 identifies the controller 3 as the optimum relay device due to the received radio wave intensity at the time of receiving the regular packet. Therefore, the printer 2B changes the connection destination to the controller 3. Details of the change of the connection destination will be described later.

(Step S313) The printer control unit 22 of the printer 2B generates a connection request message. The printer transmission / reception unit 23 directly transmits a connection request message to the controller 3 that is the optimum relay device identified in the process of step S312.
The controller transmission / reception unit 32 of the controller 3 receives the connection request message.

(Step S314) The controller control unit 31 of the controller 3 generates a connection response message corresponding to the connection request message received in the process of step S313 and inputs the connection response message to the controller transmission / reception unit 32. The controller transmission / reception unit 32 directly transmits a connection response message to the printer 2B.
The printer transmission / reception unit 23 of the printer 2B receives the connection response message. Accordingly, when communicating with the controller 3 based on the regular packet, the printer 2B can recognize that the route for directly communicating with the controller 3 is the best condition. As a matter of course, the controller 3 also receives a connection request message from the printer 2B, and stores a path for direct communication with the printer 2B as a transmission path to the printer 2B.

(Step S315) When the controller 2 of the controller 3 outputs a slip to the printer 2B, it generates slip data and inputs it to the controller transmission / reception unit 32.
(Step S316) The controller transmission / reception unit 32 of the controller 3 directly transmits the slip data to the printer 2B using the path specified in the process of step S314.
The printer transmission / reception unit 23 of the printer 2B receives the slip data. The printer control unit 22 of the printer 2B causes the printing unit 26 to print a slip based on the received slip data. The printing unit 26 prints a slip.

(Step S317) The printer control unit 22 of the printer 2B generates a slip data response message corresponding to the slip data and inputs the generated slip data response message to the printer transmission / reception unit 23. The printer transmission / reception unit 23 directly transmits a slip data response message to the controller 3.
The controller transmission / reception unit 32 of the controller 3 receives the slip data response message.

  The printer 2B can make a direct communication connection with the controller 3 by the processing procedure described above. Further, the controller 3 can directly send the slip data to the printer 2B to print the slip.

  Next, an operation when the printer 2 establishes communication connection with the controller 3 immediately after startup will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure when the printer 2 according to the present embodiment is connected to the controller 3 immediately after startup.

(Step S401) The printer control unit 22 of the printer 2 causes the printer transmission / reception unit 23 to transmit a neighborhood search request message. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S402.
(Step S <b> 402) The printer control unit 22 deletes the “neighbor search response maximum value” stored in the RAM 25. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S403. The neighborhood search response maximum value is the actual radio field strength of the response message having the highest received radio field strength among the neighbor search response messages received as a response to the previously transmitted neighborhood search request message. .
(Step S403) The printer control unit 22 deletes the number of neighborhood search responses stored in the RAM 25. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S404. The number of neighborhood search responses is the number of neighborhood search response messages received as a response to the neighborhood search request transmitted last time.

  (Step S404) The printer control unit 22 determines whether or not the RAM 25 stores "wireless intensity determination data A2". If the printer control unit 22 determines that “wireless intensity determination data A2” is stored, the process proceeds to step S405. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S406.

(Step S <b> 405) The printer control unit 22 determines to use “wireless intensity determination data A <b> 2” stored in the RAM 25 as a communication parameter. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S407.
(Step S <b> 406) The printer control unit 22 determines to use “wireless intensity determination data B <b> 2” stored in the ROM 24 as a communication parameter. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S407.

(Step S407) The printer control unit 22 determines whether or not a predetermined reception waiting time has elapsed with respect to the reception of the neighborhood search request message. If the printer control unit 22 determines that the predetermined reception waiting time has not elapsed, the process proceeds to step S408. If the printer control unit 22 determines that the predetermined reception waiting time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S410. move on.
(Step S408) The printer control unit 22 determines whether a neighborhood search response message has been received. If the printer control unit 22 determines that the neighborhood search response message has not been received, the process returns to step S407. If the printer control unit 22 determines that the neighborhood search response message has been received, the process proceeds to step S409.

(Step S409) Since the printer control unit 22 has received the neighborhood search response message, the printer control unit 22 increments the number of neighborhood search responses by 1, and proceeds to the processing of step S412.
(Step S410) Since the reception waiting time has elapsed, the printer control unit 22 determines whether or not the number of neighborhood search responses is “0 (zero)”. If the printer control unit 22 determines that the number of neighbor search responses is “0 (zero)”, the neighbor search response message is not received from any device in response to the current neighbor search request message, and the neighbor search is performed again. In order to make a request, the process returns to step S401. On the other hand, if the printer control unit 22 determines that the number of neighborhood search responses is not “0 (zero)”, the process proceeds to step S411.

  (Step S411) The printer control unit 22 identifies a device that has transmitted a neighbor search request message having the highest reception strength, and selects the identified device as a connection destination (relay destination). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S415.

  (Step S 412) The printer control unit 22 determines that the reception strength of the neighbor search request message received by the printer transmission / reception unit 23 is “radio field strength” of the wireless strength determination data determined to be used as a communication parameter in the process of step S 405 or step S 406. dBm) ”or more. If the printer control unit 22 determines that the reception strength of the neighbor search request message received by the printer transmission / reception unit 23 is equal to or higher than the “radio wave strength (dBm)” of the wireless strength determination data, the process proceeds to step S414. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S413.

(Step S413) The printer control unit 22 determines the reception strength of the neighborhood search request message having the highest reception strength, and stores it in the RAM 25 as the neighborhood search response maximum value. Thereafter, the process returns to step S407.
(Step S414) The printer control unit 22 selects, as a connection destination (relay destination), a device that has transmitted the neighborhood search request message received by the printer transmission / reception unit 23. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S415.

(Step S415) The printer transmission / reception unit 23 transmits a connection request message to the connection destination (relay destination) selected by the printer control unit 22 in the processing of step S411 or step S414. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S416.
(Step S416) The printer control unit 22 determines whether or not the printer transmission / reception unit 23 has received a connection response message. If the printer control unit 22 determines that a connection response message has been received, the process proceeds to step S417. Otherwise, the process returns to step S401. That is, the processing is restarted from the neighborhood search request again.
(Step S417) The printer control unit 22 causes the RAM 25 to store the wireless strength determination data A2 included in the connection response message. Thereafter, the process ends.

  By the processing procedure described above, the printer 2 can store the wireless strength determination data A2 included in the connection response message received from the controller 3 in the RAM 25. In addition, when the wireless strength determination data A2 is received from the controller 3, the printer 2 can specify the route with the best condition based on the received wireless strength determination data A2. Thereby, the wireless strength determination data A2 that is a communication parameter can be set in the printer 2 more easily. Even when the printer 2 has not received the wireless strength determination data A2 from the controller 3, the printer 2 can specify the route with the best condition based on the wireless strength determination data B2 stored in advance.

  Next, an operation when the printer 2 changes the connection destination during startup will be described. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure when the printer 2 in the present embodiment changes the connection destination during activation.

(Step S501) The printer transmission / reception unit 23 of the printer 2 receives a regular packet transmitted from another device for a certain period of time. In addition, the printer control unit 22 calculates the average received radio wave intensity of the regular packet for each transmission source of the regular packet received by the printer transmission / reception unit 23. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S502.
(Step S502) The printer control unit 22 determines whether a periodic packet has been received from the apparatus currently selected as the connection destination. If the printer control unit 22 determines that a periodic packet has been received from the device currently selected as the connection destination, the process proceeds to step S503. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S510.

  (Step S503) The printer control unit 22 determines whether or not the received radio wave intensity average value of the periodic packet transmitted from the apparatus currently selected as the connection destination is equal to or greater than the optimum determination value. If the printer control unit 22 determines that the received radio field intensity average value of the periodic packet transmitted from the apparatus currently selected as the connection destination is equal to or greater than the optimum determination value, the process returns to step S501, and otherwise Then, the process proceeds to step S504.

(Step S504) The printer control unit 22 determines whether a periodic packet has been received from a device different from the device currently selected as the connection destination. If the printer control unit 22 determines that a periodic packet has been received from a device different from the device currently selected as the connection destination, the process proceeds to step S505; otherwise, the process returns to step S501.
(Step S505) The printer control unit 22 determines a device having a maximum received radio wave intensity average value of the regular packet among devices different from the device currently selected as the connection destination. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S506.

  (Step S506) The printer control unit 22 transmits the received radio wave intensity average value of the periodic packet transmitted from the device determined in Step S505 from the device currently selected as the connection destination in Step S503. It is determined whether or not it is equal to or greater than the value obtained by adding the radio field strength offset value of the radio strength determination data A to the received radio field strength average value of the regular packet. The received radio wave intensity average value of the periodic packet transmitted from the device determined in the process of step S505 is wireless to the received radio wave intensity average value of the periodic packet transmitted from the apparatus currently selected as the connection destination in the process of step S503. If the printer control unit 22 determines that the value is equal to or greater than the value obtained by adding the radio field intensity offset value of the intensity determination data A, the process proceeds to step S507. Otherwise, the process returns to step S501.

(Step S507) The printer control unit 22 selects the device determined in step S505 as a connection destination (relay destination). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S508.
(Step S508) The printer transmission / reception unit 23 transmits a connection request message to the connection destination (relay destination) selected by the printer control unit 22 in the process of step S507. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S509.
(Step S509) The printer control unit 22 determines whether or not the printer transmission / reception unit 23 has received a connection response message. If the printer control unit 22 determines that a connection response message has been received, the process ends. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S510.
(Step S510) The printer control unit 22 executes processing (communication shown in FIG. 13) when communicating with the controller 3 immediately after startup. Thereafter, the process returns to step S501.

  According to the above-described processing procedure, the printer 2 has received the periodic packet transmitted from the connected device based on the wireless strength determination data A2 and the regular packet transmitted from another device. The connection destination can be changed to a device having a high periodic packet reception intensity. Further, in the above-described processing procedure, the printer 2 has an average received radio wave intensity value of a periodic packet transmitted from a device that is not connected to not less than the optimum determination value but not less than a value obtained by adding an offset value to the optimum decision value. In this case, the connection destination is changed to a device having a high regular packet reception strength. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the connection destination of the printer 2 from being frequently changed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the controller 3 uses the connection response message to the handy terminal 1 and the printer 2 to communicate communication parameters “wireless strength determination data A1” and “wireless strength determination data A2”. Can be sent. The handy terminal 1 and the printer 2 can store the wireless strength determination data A1 and the wireless strength determination data A2 included in the connection response message received from the controller 3 in the RAM 15 and RAM 25, respectively. Thus, by setting the wireless strength determination data in the controller 3, it is not necessary to manually set the communication parameters of the handy terminal 1 and the printer 2 for each device, and can be set more easily.

In addition, when the handy terminal 1 and the printer 2 receive the wireless strength determination data A1 and A2 from the controller 3, respectively, based on the received wireless strength determination data A1 and A2, the handy terminal 1 and the printer 2 A good route can be identified.
For example, with respect to the handy terminal 1, the place where the order input is received is usually a passenger seat. Therefore, there is a possibility that an order is input at various places in the store, and the optimal wireless transmission path may change frequently. Therefore, the order data can be reliably transmitted to the controller 2 by specifying the route with the best condition based on the wireless strength determination data A1 at the order input timing.
In addition, for example, with regard to the printer 2, the arrangement location is basically fixed, but the optimal communication path may change depending on the store situation at that time. Therefore, by specifying the route with the best condition periodically based on the wireless strength determination data A, it is possible to accurately respond to the slip data from the controller 3 that cannot be predicted when it will be transmitted. can do.
Even if the handy terminal 1 and the printer 2 have not received the wireless strength determination data A from the controller 3, the handy terminal 1 and the printer 2 identify the route with the best condition based on the wireless strength determination data B stored in advance. Can do.
Therefore, for example, even when the controller 3 does not set the wireless strength determination data A1 and A2 or when the controller 3 does not transmit the data for some reason, the handy terminal 1 and the printer 2 can communicate via a route with good conditions. it can.

  Note that all or some of the functions of the units included in the handy terminal 1, the printer 2, and the controller 3 in the embodiment described above are recorded on a computer-readable recording medium as a program for realizing these functions. The program recorded on the recording medium may be read into a computer system and executed. Here, the “computer system” includes an OS and hardware such as peripheral devices.

  The “computer-readable recording medium” refers to a portable medium such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, and a CD-ROM, and a storage unit such as a hard disk built in the computer system. Further, the “computer-readable recording medium” dynamically holds a program for a short time, like a communication line when transmitting a program via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. It is also possible to include those that hold a program for a certain time, such as a volatile memory inside a computer system serving as a server or client in that case. The program may be a program for realizing a part of the functions described above, and may be a program capable of realizing the functions described above in combination with a program already recorded in a computer system.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, “handy terminal XX” and “printer XX” are provided as the wireless strength determination data A for each type of device, but this is not limitative. For example, the wireless strength determination data A may be provided for each apparatus such as “handy terminal 1A”, “handy terminal 1B”, “printer 2A”, and “printer 2B”. In particular, since the printer 2 has different radio wave conditions depending on the installation location, it is effective to set the radio wave intensity of the wireless intensity determination data according to the installation position. In addition, by replacing the data item “device information” in the wireless strength determination data A with “device name and wireless communication conditions”, “radio wave strength” and “radio wave strength offset value” are individually set according to the wireless communication frequency. You may be able to do it.

  In the above-described embodiment, the controller 3 collectively stores conditions (wireless strength determination data A) for setting the route with the best condition for the handy terminal 1 and the printer 2 in the order data management system 100. To do. Therefore, it is possible to easily set the optimum wireless strength determination data A for the devices in the order data management system 100 only by correcting the wireless strength determination data in the controller 3. Further, for example, in the order data management system 100, the wireless strength determination data can be distributed from the controller 3 to each device and stored in the same manner as a menu change performed in a normal operation.

  In addition, for example, it can be predicted that the wireless environment in the store will change due to the operating time zone of the store, the degree of congestion, the operating status of the cooking utensils, and the like. Therefore, in the controller 3, taking into consideration such a situation, the wireless strength determination data A is changed as necessary, and is set in the handy terminal 1 and the printer 2 to take into account the operating state of the store. The optimal communication path can be specified.

  In the above-described embodiment, the order data management system 100 includes the handy terminal 1, the printer 2, the controller 3, and the register 4. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and may include other devices. Good. Also, in other apparatuses, similarly to the handy terminal 1 and the printer 2, the connection destination may be determined using the technique of the present invention. For example, when the other device is a stationary device, the connection destination may be determined in the same manner as the printer 2. If the other device is a portable device equipped with a battery, the connection destination may be determined in the same manner as the handy terminal 1, and the connection destination may be determined when the power is turned on. Good.

  1, 1A, 1B, 1C ... handy terminal, 2, 2A, 2B, 2C ... printer, 3 ... controller, 4 ... register, 11 ... handy terminal input unit, 12 ... Handy terminal control unit, 13 ... handy terminal transmission / reception unit, 14, 24, 33 ... ROM, 15, 25, 34 ... RAM, 16 ... handy terminal display unit, 21 ... operation unit, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 22 ... Printer control part, 23 ... Printer transmission / reception part, 26 ... Printing part, 31 ... Controller control part, 32 ... Controller transmission / reception part, 35 ... Non-volatile memory, 100 ... Order data management system

Claims (4)

An order data management system having a controller device, a printer, and a handy terminal,
The controller device includes:
A controller storage unit for storing the first communication parameter;
A controller transmission / reception unit that receives a connection request message transmitted from another device and transmits a connection response message including the first communication parameter to the other device that has transmitted the connection request message;
With
The printer is
A printer transceiver for communicating with other devices;
A printer storage unit for storing a second communication parameter;
A printer radio field strength acquisition unit that acquires a radio field strength of a radio wave transmitted from the other device;
When the connection response message is received from the controller device, the printer transmission / reception unit is configured based on the first communication parameter included in the connection response message and the radio wave intensity acquired by the printer radio wave intensity acquisition unit. When the other device that performs communication is determined and the connection response message is not received from the controller device, based on the second communication parameter and the radio wave intensity acquired by the printer radio wave intensity acquisition unit A printer determining unit that determines the other device with which the printer transmitting / receiving unit communicates;
With
The handy terminal is
A handy terminal transceiver that communicates with other devices;
A handy terminal storage unit for storing the third communication parameter;
A handy terminal radio wave intensity acquisition unit for acquiring radio wave intensity of radio waves transmitted from the other device;
When the connection response message is received from the controller device, the handy terminal transmission / reception unit based on the first communication parameter included in the connection response message and the radio wave intensity acquired by the printer radio wave intensity acquisition unit Determines the other device that performs communication, and if the connection response message is not received from the controller device, the third communication parameter and the radio wave intensity acquired by the printer radio wave intensity acquisition unit A handy terminal determining unit for determining the other device with which the handy terminal transmitting / receiving unit communicates, and
An order data management system comprising: The printer transmission / reception unit receives data transmitted from the other device for a predetermined period;
The printer radio wave intensity acquisition unit acquires the radio wave intensity of the data received by the printer transmission / reception unit,
The printer determination unit, when the radio wave intensity of the data is equal to or greater than a value specified by the first communication parameter or the second communication parameter, the printer transmission / reception unit performs communication with the other device Decide with the other device that sent the data,
The handy terminal transmission / reception unit receives data transmitted from the other device for a predetermined period,
The handy terminal radio wave intensity acquisition unit acquires the radio wave intensity of the data received by the handy terminal transceiver unit;
The handy terminal determining unit, when the radio field intensity of the data is equal to or greater than a value specified by the first communication parameter or the third communication parameter, the handy terminal transmitting / receiving unit communicates with the other device. The order data management system according to claim 1, wherein the order data is determined as the other device that has transmitted the data. The handy terminal includes an input unit for receiving an input of an order,
The printer determination unit periodically determines the other device with which the printer transmission / reception unit communicates,
The said handy terminal determination part determines the said other apparatus with which the said handy terminal transmission / reception part communicates, after the said input part receives the input of the said order. The Claim 1 or Claim 2 characterized by the above-mentioned. Order data management system. The controller storage unit stores, as the first communication parameter, the first communication parameter for the printer and the first communication parameter for the handy terminal;
When the controller transmission / reception unit receives the connection request message from the printer, the controller transmission / reception unit transmits a connection response message including the first communication parameter for the printer to the printer, and receives the connection request from the handy terminal. The connection response message including the first communication parameter for the handy terminal is transmitted to the handy terminal when the message is received. Order data management system described.

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