JP2017073015A - Pos system and printer setting method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a POS system configured to prevent increase in network traffic, in establishing a communication again between a specific printer on a network and a host device.SOLUTION: A POS system 1 includes a POS server 2, a network 5, and a plurality of printers 4. The network 5 includes a first network 11 and a second network 12. The POS server 2 includes a first communication adapter 15 connected to the first network 11, and a second communication adapter 16 connected to the second network 12. The POS server 2 includes: a name notification instruction transmission unit 35 which broadcasts a name notification instruction to the network 5; and a printer name acquisition unit 36 which stores a printer name received via the first communication adapter 15 in association with the first communication adapter 15, and stores a printer name received via the second communication adapter 16 in association with the second communication adapter 16.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a POS system in which a host device and a plurality of printers are connected via a network, and a control method for the POS system.

  A network system in which a host device and an information device are connected via a network is described in Patent Document 1. In this document, the host device is connected to a network via a first communication adapter and a second communication adapter.

JP 2005-332085 A

  Some POS systems include a POS server, a plurality of POS terminals, and a plurality of printers connected via a network. In such a POS system, accounting information such as merchandise purchased by a customer is input to each POS terminal. The POS terminal transmits the input accounting information to the POS server via the network. The POS server performs settlement processing based on the accounting information from the POS terminal. Further, the POS server generates print data for issuing a receipt when the settlement process is completed. Then, the POS server transmits the generated print data to a printer installed at the same register counter as the POS terminal via the network, and issues a receipt from the printer. The POS server is equipped with a plurality of communication adapters, and is connected to the network via each communication adapter.

  Here, the address of each device on the network is dynamically assigned. Therefore, when the printer is turned off due to an erroneous operation, and then turned on again, the network address of the printer that is turned on again changes, and the POS server and the printer that is turned on again. May not be able to communicate with.

  In such a case, in order to issue a receipt from a printer whose POS server has become unable to communicate, search the network for a printer that has been turned on again, and re-establish communication with the printer. There must be. In other words, the POS server broadcasts a name notification command for notifying each printer of the printer name to the network, acquires the printer name of each printer, and confirms that the printer that has become unable to communicate is connected to the network. Must be confirmed. In addition, the POS server must perform communication settings between the POS server and the printer, for example, by acquiring an address on the network of the printer that has transmitted the printer name of the printer that has become unable to communicate.

  However, in order to connect the POS server to a single printer, a name notification command for notifying the printer name to the entire network is broadcast and the printer name is notified from each printer. There is a problem that the network bandwidth cannot be effectively used due to the increase.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a POS system capable of suppressing an increase in network traffic when reestablishing communication between a specific printer on a network and a host device.

  In order to solve the above problems, a POS system of the present invention includes a host device and a plurality of printers connected to the host device via a network including a first network and a second network, The host device includes a first communication adapter connected to the first network, a second communication adapter connected to the second network, a storage unit, the first communication adapter, and the second communication adapter. A name notification command transmission unit that broadcasts a name notification command for notifying the network of the printer name, and a printer name notified through the first communication adapter and first information for identifying the first communication adapter And the name of the printer notified through the second communication adapter. A printer name acquisition unit that associates and stores the second information that identifies the second communication adapter in the storage unit, and each printer connected to the network based on the printer name acquired by the printer name acquisition unit A communication establishment unit for establishing communication with the printer.

  According to the present invention, the host device stores and holds the printer name of the printer connected to the network in association with the information of the communication adapter. Therefore, the host device can grasp which printer connected to the network is connected to which of the first network and the second network constituting the network. Therefore, for example, when it is detected that a printer that cannot communicate after communication is established is connected to the network, the host device uses a communication adapter associated with the printer name of the printer to be detected. It is only necessary to broadcast the name notification command to only one of the first network and the second network via the network. Therefore, an increase in network traffic can be suppressed as compared with a case where a name notification command is broadcast to the entire network to detect that a printer is connected. Thereby, the network bandwidth can be effectively used.

  In the present invention, the host device is configured to check whether communication with a specific printer connected to the network has been established, and when communication with the specific printer has not been established, Refer to the storage unit, and if the printer name of the specific printer and the first information are associated with each other, broadcast the name notification command to the first network via the first communication adapter, When the second information is associated with the printer name of a specific printer, the name notification command is broadcast to the second network via the second communication adapter, and the response to the name notification command returns the name notification command. A printer search unit for detecting that a specific printer is connected to the network; When the serial connection of a particular printer is detected, characterized in that it comprises a communication re-establishment unit configured to re-establish communication with the specific printer based on the printer name of the specific printer. In this way, it is possible to detect that a specific printer is connected to the network while suppressing an increase in network traffic.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the first information is a MAC address of the first communication adapter, and the second information is a MAC address of the second communication adapter. If it does in this way, each communication adapter can be specified by the 1st information and the 2nd information.

  Next, the present invention includes a host device and a plurality of printers connected to the host device via a network including a first network and a second network, and the host device includes the first network. In the printer connection method of the POS system, comprising: a first communication adapter connected to the second network; and a second communication adapter connected to the second network. In the host device, the first communication adapter and the second communication adapter Broadcasts a name notification command for notifying the network of the printer name via the network, and stores and holds the printer name notified via the first communication adapter and the first information identifying the first communication adapter in association with each other And the name of the printer notified via the second communication adapter 2 communications adapter in association with the second information to identify and store data based on the obtained printer name, and establishes a communication with each printer connected to the network.

  According to the present invention, the host device stores and holds the printer name of the printer connected to the network in association with the information of the communication adapter. Therefore, the host device can grasp which printer connected to the network is connected to which of the first network and the second network constituting the network. Therefore, for example, when it is detected that a printer that cannot communicate after communication is established is connected to the network, the host device uses a communication adapter associated with the printer name of the printer to be detected. It is only necessary to broadcast the name notification command to only one of the first network and the second network via the network. Therefore, an increase in network traffic can be suppressed as compared with a case where a name notification command is broadcast to the entire network to detect that a printer is connected. Thereby, the network bandwidth can be effectively used.

  In the present invention, the host device checks whether or not communication with a specific printer connected to the network is established, and when communication with the specific printer is not established, the specific printer When the printer name and the first information are stored in association with each other, the name notification command is broadcast via the first communication adapter, and the printer name of the specific printer is added to the printer name. When the two pieces of information are stored in association with each other, the name notification command is broadcast via the second communication adapter, and the specific printer is connected to the network by replying to the name notification command. And confirm communication with the specific printer based on the acquired printer name. Characterized in that it. In this way, it is possible to detect that a specific printer is connected to the network while suppressing an increase in network traffic.

1 is a schematic system configuration diagram of a POS system. It is a block diagram of the control system of a POS system. It is a flowchart of the communication setting operation | movement of a POS server and a printer. 6 is a flowchart of a communication resetting operation between a POS server and a printer.

  Embodiments of a POS system to which the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(POS system)
FIG. 1 is a schematic system configuration diagram of a POS system. The POS system 1 is installed in a store and performs settlement processing for products purchased by customers. As shown in FIG. 1, the POS system 1 includes a POS server (host device) 2, a plurality of POS terminals 3, a plurality of printers 4, and a network 5 connecting them. A plurality of cashier counters are provided in the store, and one POS terminal 3 and one printer 4 are installed in each cashier counter as a set. The POS server 2 includes an apparatus main body 7, a display 8 connected to the apparatus main body 7, and an input device 9 such as a keyboard connected to the apparatus main body 7.

  The POS terminal 3 receives accounting information such as products purchased by the customer. The POS terminal 3 transmits the input accounting information to the POS server 2 via the network 5. The POS server 2 performs settlement processing based on the transaction information received from the POS terminal 3. Further, the POS server 2 generates print data for issuing a receipt when the settlement process is completed. Then, the POS server 2 transmits to the printer 4 installed at the same register counter as the POS terminal 3. As a result, the POS server 2 causes the printer 4 installed at the same register counter as the POS terminal 3 to issue a receipt.

  Here, the network 5 is installed in the first network 11 connected to the POS terminal 3 and the printer 4 installed in the cashier counter provided on the first floor of the store, and in the cashier counter provided on the second floor of the store. And a second network 12 to which the POS terminal 3 and the printer 4 are connected. The POS server 2 includes a first communication adapter 15 connected to the first network 11 and a second communication adapter 16 connected to the second network 12. In the network 5, IP addresses are dynamically assigned to the POS terminals 3 and the printers 4 connected to the network 5 by DHCP.

(Control system)
FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the control system of the POS system 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the control system of the POS terminal 3 is mainly configured by a terminal control unit 21 including a CPU and a RAM. A keyboard 22 is connected to the input side of the terminal control unit 21. A terminal communication unit 23 is connected to the terminal control unit 21. The terminal communication unit 23 includes a communication interface, and enables communication between the POS terminal 3 and the POS server 2. The terminal control unit 21 acquires information input from the keyboard 22 as accounting information, and transmits it to the POS server 2 via the terminal communication unit 23.

  The control system of the POS server 2 is mainly configured by a control unit 25 including a CPU and a RAM. A first communication adapter 15, a second communication adapter 16, and a storage unit 26 are connected to the control unit 25. The storage unit 26 is a rewritable nonvolatile memory.

  The control unit 25 includes a payment processing control unit 28 that controls payment processing, and a first communication setting control unit 29 that performs communication settings between the POS server 2 and each printer 4. In addition, the control unit 25 includes a second communication setting control unit 30 that performs communication settings between the POS server 2 and each POS terminal 3.

  The payment processing control unit 28 includes a payment processing unit 31 and a printer driver unit 32. The settlement processing unit 31 performs settlement processing based on the accounting information from the POS terminal 3. Further, the settlement processing unit 31 generates print data for printing a receipt based on the settlement information that is the processing result of the settlement process. Then, the settlement processing unit 31 supplies the print data to the printer driver unit 32.

  The printer driver unit 32 transmits the print data to the printer 4 installed at the same register counter as the POS terminal 3 via the network 5. That is, the printer driver unit 32 stores the correspondence table 33 in which the terminal name of the POS terminal 3 and the printer name of the printer 4 installed at the same register counter are associated with each other in the storage unit 26, and print data is supplied. Then, referring to the correspondence table 33, the printer 4 having the printer name associated with the terminal name of the POS terminal 3 that has transmitted the transaction information for which the settlement processing has been performed is selected. Then, the printer driver unit 32 refers to the address management table 43 based on the printer name, and transmits print data to the printer having the printer name. Details of the address management table 43 will be described later.

  The first communication setting control unit 29 includes a name notification command transmission unit 35, a printer name acquisition unit 36, a communication confirmation unit 37, a communication establishment unit 38, a printer detection unit 39, and a communication re-establishment unit 40.

  The name notification command transmission unit 35 broadcasts a name notification command for notifying the network 5 of the printer name via the first communication adapter 15 and the second communication adapter 16. More specifically, the name notification command transmission unit 35 broadcasts a name notification command using UDP (User Datagram Protocol).

  The printer name acquisition unit 36 waits for a printer name to be notified from each printer 4 on the network 5 as a reply to the name notification command. Then, the printer name acquisition unit 36 stores the printer name notified via the first communication adapter 15 and the first information for specifying the first communication adapter 15 in association with each other. In addition, the printer name acquisition unit 36 stores the printer name notified via the second communication adapter 16 and second information for specifying the second communication adapter 16 in association with each other. Here, the first information is the MAC address of the first communication adapter 15, and the second information is the MAC address of the second communication adapter 16. Therefore, the communication adapter can be specified by the first information and the second information.

  The communication establishment unit 38 establishes communication with each printer 4 connected to the network 5 based on the printer name acquired by the printer name acquisition unit 36. That is, when the printer name (host name) of each printer 4 connected to the network 5 is acquired, the communication establishment unit 38 can transmit an information acquisition command and a communication setting command to the printer name. . Therefore, the communication establishment unit 38 makes an inquiry to each printer 4 based on the acquired printer name, and acquires the IP address of each printer 4. Then, the communication establishment unit 38 transmits a communication setting command to the transmission destination specified by the printer name and the IP address, and performs communication setting between the POS server 2 and the printer 4. When the communication setting is completed, the communication establishment unit 38 stores the printer name, the IP address, and the communication adapter information (first information or second information) stored in the printer name acquisition unit 36 in association with the printer name. These are registered in the address management table 43 of the storage unit 26 in association with each other.

  The communication confirmation unit 37 confirms whether communication is established between the POS server 2 and a specific printer 4 connected to the network 5. In this example, the specific printer 4 is a destination printer 4 to which the payment processing control unit 28 transmits print data. The communication confirmation unit 37 transmits a communication confirmation command by unicast UDP based on the printer name of the specific printer 4 and confirms whether or not communication is established by returning the communication confirmation command.

  The printer detection unit 39 searches for the specific printer 4 on the network 5 when the communication of the specific printer 4 is not established. That is, when the communication of the specific printer 4 is not established, the printer detection unit 39 refers to the address management table 43 of the storage unit 26 and associates the printer name of the specific printer 4 with the first information. If so, a name notification command is broadcast to the first network 11 via the first communication adapter 15. Further, when the second information is associated with the printer name of the specific printer 4, the printer detection unit 39 broadcasts a name notification command to the second network 12 via the second communication adapter 16. The printer detection unit 39 detects that the specific printer 4 is connected to the network 5 by replying to the name notification command.

  When the printer detection unit 39 detects the connection of the specific printer 4, the communication re-establishment unit 40 re-establishes communication with the specific printer 4 based on the printer name of the specific printer 4. That is, the communication re-establishment unit 40 makes an inquiry to the specific printer 4 based on the printer name of the specific printer 4 and acquires an IP address. Then, the communication re-establishing unit 40 transmits a communication setting command to the transmission destination specified by the printer name and the IP address, and performs communication setting between the POS server 2 and the specific printer 4. When the communication setting is completed, the communication re-establishing unit 40 updates the address management table 43. That is, the communication re-establishing unit 40 associates the printer name, the IP address, and the information (first information or second information) of the communication adapter associated with the printer name, and associates them with the address management table 43. Register with.

  The second communication setting control unit 30 establishes communication between the POS server 2 and each POS terminal 3 device based on the terminal name of the POS terminal 3 device. That is, the second communication setting control unit 30 broadcasts a name notification command for notifying the network 5 of the terminal name via the first communication adapter 15 and the second communication adapter 16. Then, when the terminal name (host name) of each POS terminal 3 connected to the network 5 is acquired, the second communication setting control unit 30 transmits an information acquisition command to the terminal name, and each POS terminal 3 3 IP address is acquired. Further, the second communication setting control unit 30 transmits a communication setting command to the transmission destination specified by the terminal name and the IP address, and performs communication setting between the POS server 2 and the POS terminal 3.

  Next, the control system of the printer 4 is mainly configured by a printer control unit 45 including a CPU and a RAM. A printer communication unit 46 is connected to the input side of the printer control unit 45. A print head 47 and a transport motor 48 for transporting receipt paper are connected to the output side of the printer controller 45. The printer communication unit 46 includes a communication adapter, and enables communication between the printer 4 and the POS server 2. When the printer control unit 45 receives print data from the POS server 2 via the printer communication unit 46, the printer control unit 45 drives and controls the print head 47 and the conveyance motor 48 to print the print data, thereby issuing a receipt.

(Communication setting operation)
FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a communication setting operation for setting communication between the POS server 2 and each printer 4. When establishing communication between the POS server 2 and each printer 4, the POS server 2 first broadcasts a name notification command to the network 5 via the first communication adapter 15 and the second communication adapter 16 ( Step ST1).

  Here, when a reply to the name notification command is received from each printer 4 to the POS server 2, the POS server 2 transmits the printer name and first information notified via the first communication adapter 15 (the MAC of the first communication adapter 15). Address) is stored in association with each other, and the printer name notified through the second communication adapter 16 and the second information (MAC address of the second communication adapter 16) are stored in association with each other (step ST2).

  Then, the POS server 2 sets communication with each printer 4 connected to the network 5 based on the acquired printer name, and establishes communication. That is, the communication re-establishment unit 40 makes an inquiry to the specific printer 4 based on the printer name of the specific printer 4 and acquires an IP address. Then, the communication re-establishing unit 40 transmits a communication setting command to the transmission destination specified by the printer name and the IP address, and performs communication setting between the POS server 2 and the specific printer 4. When the communication setting is completed, the POS server 2 associates the information (first information or second information) of the communication adapter stored in association with the printer name, the IP address, and the printer name. Is registered in the address management table 43 (step ST3).

  The POS server 2 displays a list of printer names acquired via the network 5 on the display 8 when setting communication with each printer 4, and selects the name of the printer for which communication is to be established from the input device 9. For the selected printer 4, the printer name, IP address, and communication adapter information (first information or second information) stored in association with the printer name are registered in the address management table 43. You can also

  Here, the address of each device on the network 5 is dynamically assigned. Accordingly, when the power of the printer 4 is turned off due to an erroneous operation or the like and then turned on again, the IP address on the network 5 of the printer 4 that is turned on again changes, and the POS server 2 and Communication with the printer 4 whose power is turned on again may become impossible. For example, communication between the specific printer 4 that is the destination to which the print data is transmitted and the POS server 2 may become impossible.

  In such a case, the POS server 2 searches for this specific printer 4 on the network 5 and re-establishes communication with the specific printer 4. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the communication resetting operation between the POS server 2 and the specific printer 4.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when communication between the specific printer 4 and the POS server 2 is not established (step ST11), the POS server 2 determines whether the printer 4 is specifically connected to the network 5. Is detected. That is, the POS server 2 refers to the address management table 43 in the storage unit 26 and acquires information on the communication adapter associated with the printer name of the specific printer 4. If the first information is associated with the printer name, a name notification command is broadcast to the first network 11 via the first communication adapter 15. On the other hand, if the second information is associated with the printer name of the specific printer 4, a name notification command is broadcast via the second communication adapter 16 (step ST12).

  When the POS server 2 acquires the printer name of the specific printer 4 (detects the specific printer 4), the POS server 2 communicates with the specific printer 4 based on the printer name of the specific printer 4. Re-establish. That is, the communication re-establishment unit 40 makes an inquiry to the specific printer 4 based on the printer name of the specific printer 4 and acquires an IP address. Then, the communication re-establishing unit 40 transmits a communication setting command to the transmission destination specified by the printer name and the IP address, and performs communication setting between the POS server 2 and the specific printer 4. When the communication setting is completed, the communication re-establishment unit 40 updates the address management table 43 (step ST13).

  According to this example, when establishing communication between the POS server 2 and the printer 4 connected to the network 5, the printer name of the printer 4 and the information of the communication adapters 15 and 16 are stored in association with each other. The Therefore, when establishing communication with each printer 4, a name notification command may be broadcast to the first network 11 or the second network 12 via the communication adapters 15 and 16 associated with the printer name. Therefore, an increase in network traffic can be suppressed as compared with the case where the name notification command is broadcast to the entire network 5.

(Other embodiments)
In the above example, the POS server 2 includes two communication adapters, but may include the above communication adapters. In this case, the printer name acquisition unit 36 may store the printer name notified via each communication adapter and information specifying the communication adapter in association with each other. Further, when searching for a specific printer 4 on the network 5, the printer detection unit 39 broadcasts a name notification command via a communication adapter specified by information associated with the printer name of the specific printer 4. Can be.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... POS system, 2 ... POS server (host device), 3 ... POS terminal, 4 ... Printer, 5 ... Network, 7 ... Device main body, 8 ... Display, 9 ... Input device, 11 ... First network, 12 ... First 2 network, 15 ... 1st communication adapter, 16 ... 2nd communication adapter, 21 ... terminal control part, 22 ... keyboard, 23 ... terminal communication part, 25 ... control part, 26 ... memory | storage part, 28 ... payment process control part, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 29 ... 1st communication setting control part, 30 ... 2nd communication setting control part, 31 ... Settlement processing part, 32 ... Printer driver part, 33 ... Correspondence table, 35 ... Name notification command transmission part, 36 ... Printer name acquisition part, 37 ... Communication confirmation unit, 38 ... Communication establishment unit, 39 ... Printer detection unit, 40 ... Communication re-establishment unit, 42 ... Non-volatile memory, 43 ... Address management table, 45 ... Centers controller, 46 ... printer communication unit, 47 ... print head, 48 ... transport motor.

Claims (5)

A host device;
A plurality of printers connected to the host device via a network including a first network and a second network;
The host device is
A first communication adapter connected to the first network;
A second communication adapter connected to the second network;
A storage unit;
A name notification command transmitter for broadcasting a name notification command for notifying the network of the printer name via the first communication adapter and the second communication adapter;
The printer name notified via the first communication adapter and the first information specifying the first communication adapter are stored in the storage unit in association with each other, and the printer notified via the second communication adapter A printer name acquisition unit that associates a name with second information for identifying the second communication adapter and stores the name in the storage unit;
A communication establishment unit that establishes communication with each printer connected to the network based on the printer name acquired by the printer name acquisition unit;
A POS system comprising: In claim 1,
The host device is
A communication confirmation unit for confirming whether communication with a specific printer connected to the network is established;
When the communication of the specific printer is not established, the storage unit is referred to, and when the printer name of the specific printer and the first information are associated with each other via the first communication adapter The name notification command is broadcast to the first network, and when the second information is associated with the printer name of the specific printer, the name is transmitted to the second network via the second communication adapter. A printer search unit that broadcasts a notification command and detects that the specific printer is connected to the network by a reply to the name notification command;
When the connection of the specific printer is detected, a communication re-establishment unit that re-establishes communication with the specific printer based on the printer name of the specific printer;
A POS system comprising: In claim 1 or 2,
The first information is a MAC address of the first communication adapter;
The POS system, wherein the second information is a MAC address of the second communication adapter. A host device, and a plurality of printers connected to the host device via a network including a first network and a second network, wherein the host device is connected to the first network. In a printer connection method of a POS system comprising an adapter and a second communication adapter connected to the second network,
In the host device,
Broadcasting a name notification command for notifying the network of the printer name via the first communication adapter and the second communication adapter;
The printer name notified via the first communication adapter and the first information specifying the first communication adapter are stored in association with each other, and the printer name notified via the second communication adapter and the first information The second information specifying the second communication adapter is stored in association with the second information,
A printer connection method for a POS system, wherein communication with each printer connected to the network is established based on an acquired printer name. In claim 4,
In the host device,
Check whether communication with a specific printer connected to the network is established,
When the communication of the specific printer is not established and the printer name of the specific printer and the first information are stored in association with each other, the communication is performed via the first communication adapter. Broadcast a name notification command, and when the second information is stored in association with the printer name of the specific printer, broadcast the name notification command via the second communication adapter,
Detecting that the specific printer is connected to the network by replying to the name notification command;
A printer connection method of a POS system, characterized in that communication with the specific printer is established based on the acquired printer name.