JP2528504B2 - Transaction processor - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial field of application] The present invention relates to a transaction processing apparatus for transmitting sales data of each customer such as a total price of goods sold to each customer to an online-connected center, and in particular, The present invention relates to a transaction processing device having a tanking memory for temporarily storing each sales data to be transmitted.

[Prior Art] For example, in a transaction processing device capable of paying for goods and various services with a credit card, sales data such as a total amount (card payment amount) of products sold to a corresponding customer and a card number are displayed on a telephone, for example. The data is transmitted to a card center composed of a host computer connected online by a line, and the sales data transmitted from each transaction processing device is aggregated at the card center.

Generally, each transaction processing device arranged in each such store and the card center are connected via the general public telephone line as described above. And since there is a certain limit on the number of telephone lines that can be input to the card center, if sales data is sent from a large number of transaction processing devices to the card center at the same time, the card center goes into a call state, A situation may occur in which sales data cannot be transmitted from each transaction processing device at the same timing.

Further, since each sales data is transmitted to the card center through the general public telephone line, if the sales data is transmitted every time the sales data for each customer is generated, there is a problem that the usage charge of the telephone line increases.

In order to eliminate such inconvenience, a transaction memory is provided with a tanking memory to store each sales data that could not be transmitted in the tanking memory when the card center is in a call or some communication line accident occurs. I try to remember it temporarily. Then, when a call loop is formed between the transaction processing device and the card center, each sales data stored in the tanking memory is transmitted to the card center.

Further, in order to save the line usage fee, the sales data is not transmitted every time the sales data is generated, but is temporarily stored in the tanking memory, and the number of sales data stored in the tanking memory is fixed. There is also an apparatus in which, when the allowable limit number is reached, the sales data stored in the tanking memory are collectively transmitted to the center.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, the transaction processing device having the above-described tanking memory still has the following problems.

That is, even when the sales data stored in the tanking memory reaches the allowable limit number, if the communication loop has not yet been formed due to, for example, an accident, the sales data cannot be stored in the tanking memory. If new sales data is generated in this state, this new sales data will not be transmitted to the card center at all. Therefore, until the communication line is restored, new transaction operation is prohibited by this transaction processing device.

Even if all sales data are collectively sent to the card center when the number of sales data stored in the tanking memory reaches the allowable limit, a call loop is formed with the card center at this time. Otherwise, the same problem as described above will occur.

As described above, in the conventional transaction processing apparatus, the sales registration operation itself is prohibited when the remaining storage capacity of the tanking memory is exhausted, so that there is a problem that the store side cannot perform sales operations.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and when the number of sales data stored in the tanking memory reaches an allowable limit value, all the sales data is output and the tanking memory is cleared. An object of the present invention is to provide a transaction processing device that can continue sales registration business normally and improve reliability even if the situation in which sales data cannot be transmitted continues.

Further, in addition to the above object, it is another object of the present invention to provide a transaction processing device capable of selecting whether the transmission timing of sales data is given priority to tanking or amount.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a plurality of transaction processing devices that transmit sales data about each customer to an online-connected center in response to the end of sales operation for each customer. The tanking memory having an area for storing the sales data of the customer, the sales data storage means for storing this sales data in the tanking memory when the sales data of the customer cannot be transmitted to the center at the end of the sales operation, and the sales data in the tanking memory. When a request to store sales data that exceeds the allowable limit is made to the tanking memory and the transmission starting means that tries to send this sales data to the center at a predetermined time interval when the tanking memory is stored, All sales data of the printer is printed out and recorded in the printing-completed tanking memory. It is provided with a tanking memory clearing means for erasing all the stored sales data.

In another invention, once the sales data including the total amount for each customer input by the sales operation for each customer is temporarily stored in the tanking memory, the sales data stored in this tanking memory are collectively connected online. In the transaction processing device for transmitting to the center, the transmission tanking selecting means for selecting whether the transmission timing of each sales data stored in the tanking memory to the center is to be the tanking priority or the amount priority, and the transmission tanking selection means When the tanking priority is selected, the sales data and all sales data stored in the tanking memory are sent to the center when the sales data stored in the tanking memory reaches the allowable limit at the end of the sales operation. Data transmission means,
When the priority of the amount of money is selected by the transmission timing selection means, the total amount of sales data at the end of the sales operation is greater than or equal to the specified amount, and less than the specified amount, the sales data stored in the tanking memory becomes the allowable limit number. When the sales amount is reached, the sales data and all sales data stored in the tanking memory are sent to the center, and the sales data are sent to the center by the amount priority data transmission means and the tanking priority data transmission means. It is provided with an output means for outputting all the sales data of the tanking memory when it is not possible and a tanking memory clearing means for erasing all the sales data stored in the output tanking memory.

[Operation] In the transaction processing device configured as described above, when the allowable limit number of sales data is stored in the tanking memory due to some reason such as communication with the center or online failure, regardless of whether the transmission is possible or not. Instead, all sales data of the tanking memory is printed out and the tanking memory is cleared. Therefore, new sales registration work can be continued. In addition, each output sales data may be re-input at the time of online restoration. Alternatively, it may be sent to the center by mail.

In another invention, in addition to the operations of the invention described above, the transmission timing of each sales data stored in the tanking memory to the center can be selected to be tanking priority or amount priority. That is, in the case of tanking priority, all sales data is sent when the allowable limit number is stored in the tanking memory regardless of the amount of money. When the allowable limit number of sales data is stored, all the sales data are transmitted. Therefore, it is possible to select whether to prioritize the line usage fee or the credit check for high-value sales.

[Embodiment] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is an external view showing the transaction processing apparatus of the embodiment.
The transaction processing apparatus 1 of this embodiment is applied to, for example, a card terminal that can pay the price of purchased commodities with a credit card.

That is, the keyboard 2 is arranged on the front surface of the housing, and the card insertion slot 3, the display unit 4 and the transmitting lamp 5 indicating that the sales data is being transmitted to the card center on the upper portion.
Is provided. Further, a pin pad 6 for a customer to input a personal identification number and a printer 8 for printing sales data and the like on a recording sheet (receipt sheet) 7 are connected to the transaction processing apparatus 1 by a cable.

As shown in FIG. 3, the keyboard 2 includes a numerical key 9 for inputting numerical data, a confirmation key 10 for confirming the numerical data entered, a subtotal key 11a, and a sales total. Various function keys 11 such as the key 11b are provided.

Further, the keyboard 2 is provided with a work changeover switch 12 which is changed by an operator by a key. And
With this work changeover switch 12, [Sales] [Inspection]
Various tasks such as [payment] are selected and set.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the transaction processing device 1.

Bus line 16 to CPU 15 that executes various information processing
ROM17 for storing control programs, RAM18 for storing various variable data such as tanking memory, keyboard 2, communication control circuit 20 consisting of NCU / MODEM online connected to the card center 19 via a telephone line, a card A card reader 21 for reading card information recorded on a card inserted from the insertion slot 3, an interface 22 connected to the pin pad 6, an interface 23 connected to the printer 8 and the like are connected.

Further, the drive voltages V _D and V _C are supplied from the power source 24 to the electronic components.

As shown in FIG. 4, in the RAM 18, a sales totalization file 18a for totaling the total amount of each customer sold by the transaction processing device 1, a card issuing company code and a card number (member) read by the card reader 21. Card information memory 18b for storing card information including a number) and a personal identification number, total memory 18c for calculating the total amount of money for one customer, and display unit 4
A display buffer 18d for storing display data to be displayed on, a print buffer 18e for storing print data to be printed on the recording paper 7 by the printer 8 and the like are formed.

In addition, each card center 19
A tanking memory 18f having five areas 18g for storing each sales data to be transmitted to is formed. In addition,
As shown in the figure, each sales data to be transmitted to the card center 19 is composed of a card issuing company code read from the inserted card, a card number (membership number), a total amount paid by this card, a sales date, etc. There is.

Further, the RAM 18 is provided with a data number counter 18h for counting the sales data number N indicated by the number of areas 18g in the tanking memory 18f where the sales data is stored.

Then, when the power supply 24 of the transaction processing device 1 is turned on,
The CPU 15 is programmed so as to execute sales processing business according to the flowchart of FIG.

If the flow chart is started and the work changeover switch 12 of the keyboard 2 is set to [sales] work in S (step) 1, sales work is started and in S2, the data number counter 18
If the sales data number N of h is 0, the tanking memory 18f
Since the sales data is not stored in, the wait for the card to be inserted into the card insertion slot 3 in S3.

If the sales data number N of the data number counter 18h is not 0, the sales data number N is displayed on the display unit 4,
Notify the operator. If sales data is stored in the tanking memory 18f and it is not currently being transmitted, S4
Activates the communication control circuit 20.

When a card is inserted into the card insertion slot 3 in S3, the card information magnetically recorded on the card is read and stored in the card information memory 18b. After that, a personal identification number input by the customer is input from the pin pad 6, and when the personal identification number matches the personal identification number of the card information memory, the numeric keypad 9 is pressed.
Wait for the amount to be entered by operating the combination key of the confirmation key 10
When the amount is entered, the amount is added to the total memory 18c. Then, when the sales total key 11b is keyed in S5, the total processing of the sales amount for one customer is completed, and therefore the total amount of the total memory 18c is cumulatively registered in the sales totalization file 18a. Then, the sales data including the total amount and the issuing company code of the card information memory 18b, the card number, the sales date, etc. are printed out on the recording paper 7 by the printer 8 and issued as a receipt.

Then, it is determined whether or not communication is in progress again, and if communication is not in progress, the communication control circuit 20 is activated in S6. The number of sales data in the tanking memory 18f is N in S7 while communicating.
If the number has reached the allowable limit of 5, the communication reservation is set in the communication control circuit 20.

If the number N of sales data in the tanking memory 18f does not reach the allowable limit number 5 in S7 during communication, the sales data is stored in the empty area 18g of the tanking memory 18f in S8 and stored in the data number counter 18h. 1 is added to the count value N.

When the communication control circuit 20 is activated in S6, the communication lamp 5 is turned on, and if the telephone line is not in use, the display unit 4 displays [dial]. If the card center 19 is not in a call and a call loop is formed with the card center 19, the sales data of this time and all sales data stored in the tanking memory 18f are transferred to the card center 19 in S9.
Send to. When the transmission of all sales data is completed normally in S10, the communicating lamp 5 is turned off, and this flow chart is ended.

In addition, the telephone line is in use or the card center 19
If there is a call, the communication lamp 5 is turned off, and after waiting for 60 seconds, the communication control circuit 20 is activated again. And
If the call loop has not been formed with the card center 19 after starting three times, the process directly proceeds to S10. Then, in S11, if the sales data of this time is the sixth case (N = 5), the communication lamp 5 is turned off, and in S12, the sales data of this time and all five cases stored in the tanking memory 18f. The sales data of is printed out on the recording paper 7 by the printer 8.

Then, the printed sales data in the tanking memory 18f are cleared and the count value N of the data number counter 18h is cleared to 0.

In the transaction processing apparatus 1 configured as above, when the sales operation for one customer is completed, sales data including the total amount of money, card number, issuing company code, sales date, etc. for this customer is transferred to the communication control circuit 20 and the telephone line. Is transmitted to the card center 19 via.

If the sales data is not normally transmitted to the card center 19 due to communication of the card center 19 or a line failure, the sales data is stored in the tanking memory.
It is stored in the free space 18g of 18f. Then, the transaction processing apparatus 1 becomes ready for sales operation for a new customer. Note that once the sales data is stored in the tanking memory 18f, each time a sales operation is executed, the sales data is stored in 3 seconds at intervals of 60 seconds.
Attempts are made to send sales data to the card center 19.

When the sixth sales data exceeding the allowable limit of 5 occurs without forming a call loop with the card center 19, the sales data and the tanking memory 18f are automatically stored in the sales data and the tanking memory 18f without an operator's operation. All five stored sales data are printed out on the recording paper 7. Then, the tanking memory 18f is cleared. As a result, even if the call loop with the card center 19 is not formed, the transaction processing apparatus 1 can continuously perform the sales operation, and the sales data input acceptance function is not affected.

It should be noted that each sales data printed out may be re-input at the time of online restoration. In addition, the card center 19
You can send it to.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a keyboard in a transaction processing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. Other external views, block diagram, and RAM configuration are almost the same as those of the previous embodiment.

The keyboard 2 of this embodiment has function keys 11
In addition to the subtotal key 11a and the sales total key 11b, a tanking priority key 11c and an amount priority key 11d for selecting the transmission timing of each sales data stored in the tanking memory 18f to the card center 19 are provided. . The keys 11c and 11d are not operated at the same time.

Then, the CPU 15 executes the transmission timing setting process according to the flowchart of FIG. When the flow chart is started and the tank priority key 11c is keyed in S14 with the work change switch 12 set to [check] work, the amount priority flag provided in the RAM 18 is cleared to 0 and S15 When the amount priority key 11d is keyed in, the amount priority flag is set to 1.

Then, the CPU 15 executes the sales processing business according to the flowchart of FIG.

The flow chart has started and is set to [Sales] work,
When the sales operation for one customer is completed in S16, as in the previous embodiment, the state of the amount priority flag is checked in S17. If cleared to 0, the transaction processing apparatus 1 determines that the transmission timing of the tanking priority is set. Then, if the sales data number N of the data number counter 18h has not reached the allowable limit number 5 in S18, the sales data generated this time is stored in the empty area 18g of the tanking memory 18f in S19. Then, 1 is added to the count value N of the data number counter 18h.

If the number N of sales data in the tanking memory 18f has reached 5 in S18, each sales data is collected in the card center 19
Therefore, the communication control circuit 20 is activated in S20. Then, when a call loop is formed with the card center 19, the sales data of this time and all the sales data stored in the tanking memory 18f are transmitted to the card center 19 in S21. When it is confirmed in S22 that all sales data have been sent normally, the tanking memory
Each sales data of 18f is cleared, and the count value N of the data number counter 18h is cleared to 0.

If a call loop is not formed with the card center 19 or sales data is not transmitted normally, S23
Check the sales data number N of the tanking memory 18f again. If the number N of sales data has reached 5, the current sales data and all the sales data stored in the tanking memory 18f are printed out on the recording paper 7 by the printer 8 in S24. After that, in S25, each sales data in the tanking memory 18f is cleared, and the count value N of the data number counter 18h is cleared to 0.

In S23, the number of sales data of the tanking memory 18f is N
If is less than 5, the current sales data is stored in the empty area 18g of the tanking memory 18f. Then, 1 is added to the count value N of the data number counter 18h.

Further, if the money amount priority flag is set to 1 in S17, the transaction processing apparatus 1 determines that the money amount priority transmission timing is set. Then, proceeding to the flow chart of FIG. 9, the total amount of money included in the sales data this time is less than the preset specified amount in S26, and the sales data number N of the tanking memory 18f is the allowable limit number in S27. If it has not reached 5, the current sales data is stored in the empty area 18g of the tanking memory 18f. Then, the count value N of the data number counter 18h is incremented by 1.

In addition, when the total amount of money has reached the specified amount and the sales data number N of the tanking memory 18f has reached the allowable limit number of 5, the current sales data and all the sales data stored in the tanking memory 18f are stored. Since it is necessary to send to the card center 19, proceed to S20 in FIG.
The communication control circuit 20 is activated.

Even with the transaction processing device configured as described above, new sales data is generated with the tanking memory 18f storing the sales limit of five pieces of sales data, and each sales data is transmitted to the card center. When it becomes impossible, the sales data of this time and all the sales data stored in the tanking memory 18f are printed out, and the tanking memory 18f is cleared.

Therefore, substantially the same effect as that of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

Further, the transaction processing apparatus of this embodiment is configured so that the transmission timing of each sales data stored in the tanking memory 18f to the card center 19 can be selected from tanking priority or amount priority. When the tanking priority is set, regardless of the size of the total amount of sales data (card payment amount) for a new customer, the tanking memory 18f stores the sales data of the allowable limit number 5 at that time. In this case, all sales data including the current sales data is transmitted. On the other hand, if the transmission timing with priority on the amount of money is set, if the total amount of newly generated sales data is greater than or equal to the specified amount and if the tanking memory 18f currently stores the allowable limit number of sales data. , All sales data including this sales data is transmitted. Therefore, comparing the two, the number of transmissions to the card center 19 is smaller in the case of the tanking priority.

As a result, the store manager can select whether to set the tanking priority and give priority to the line usage fee or the credit check of high-value sales, as required.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. Although the card terminal using a credit card has been described in the embodiment, it can be applied to a card terminal of a prepaid card in which a membership number and a personal identification number are stored.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the transaction processing apparatus of the present invention,
When the number of sales data stored in the tanking memory reaches the allowable limit number, all the sales data are output and the tanking memory is cleared. Therefore, even if sales data cannot be sent to the center, sales registration work can be continued normally for new customers without the operator having to do anything, greatly improving the reliability of the entire device. it can.

In addition, since it is possible to select whether to give priority to tanking or amount of money, if you want to give priority to the line usage fee,
It is possible to select whether to prioritize the credit survey of high-value sales.

[Brief description of drawings]

1 to 5 show a transaction processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration, FIG. 2 is an external view, and FIG. 3 is a keyboard key. An array diagram, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing each memory formed in the storage unit, FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the operation, and FIGS. 6 to 9 are transaction processing devices according to other embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 6 shows the key arrangement of the keyboard, FIGS. 7 to 9
The figure is a flowchart showing the operation. 1 ... Transaction processing device, 2 ... Keyboard, 3 ... Card insertion slot, 4 ... Display part, 6 ... Pin pad, 8 ... Printer, 9 ...
Numeric key, 11b ... Sales total key, 11c ... Tanking priority key, 11d ... Amount priority key, 15 ... CPU, 18 ... RAM, 18f ... Tanking memory, 18h ... Data counter, 20 ... Communication control circuit, 21 ... Card leader.

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A center to which sales data about each customer is connected online in response to the end of sales operation for each customer (1
In the transaction processing device that transmits to 9), a tanking memory (18f) having an area for storing a plurality of sales data, and the sales data when the sales data of the customer cannot be transmitted to the center at the end of the sales operation. Sales data storage means (S8) for storing in the tanking memory, and transmission starting means (S4, S6) for attempting to transmit the sales data to the center at predetermined time intervals when the sales data is stored in the tanking memory. When a storage data storage request exceeds the permissible limit in the tanking memory, output means (S12) for printing out all sales data in this tanking memory regardless of whether transmission is possible or not Tanking memory clearing means (S13) that erases all stored sales data
And a transaction processing device. 2. The sales data including the total amount of money input by the sales operation for each customer is temporarily stored in the tanking memory (18f), and then the sales data stored in this tanking memory are collectively connected online. In the transaction processing device for transmitting to the center (19), transmission timing selecting means (S14, S14, for selecting whether the transmission timing of each sales data stored in the tanking memory is transmitted to the center is tanking priority or amount priority). S15), and when the tanking priority is selected by the transmission timing selecting means, when the sales data stored in the tanking memory at the end of the sales operation reaches an allowable limit number, the sales data and the tanking memory are stored. Sending all the stored sales data to the center, sending priority data for tanking Means (S18 to S21) and when the transmission timing selection means selects the amount priority, the total amount of the sales data at the end of the sales operation is equal to or more than the specified amount, and is less than the specified amount. When the sales data stored in the tanking memory reaches the allowable limit number, an amount-priority data transmitting means (S26 to S21) for transmitting the sales data and all the sales data stored in the tanking memory to the center, When the sales data cannot be transmitted to the center by the amount priority data transmission means and the tanking priority data transmission means, output means (S24) for outputting all the sales data in the tanking memory, and the stored storage in the already output tanking memory. A transaction processing device equipped with a tanking memory clearing means (S25) for erasing all the sales data stored therein.