JP3325118B2 - Wireless POS system - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a wireless POS system having a POS terminal device for performing wireless data communication with another device, and more particularly to a wireless POS system used in a super packet or a department store. It relates to a POS system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A wireless POS system includes a plurality of POS systems.
A terminal device is arranged, and each POS terminal device wirelessly transmits data obtained by registering product sales for each customer to a higher-level device such as a host computer using a wireless device. Applies to centralized management systems.

If such a wireless POS system is used in an environment where a large number of people come and go randomly in a store, such as a super packet or a department store, the radio wave propagation environment may change suddenly. It is necessary to cope with the change and control so as not to hinder wireless transmission of data.

[0004] Conventionally, as radio transmission control for coping with changes in the radio wave propagation environment, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 6-1659.
No. 5 is known.

[0005] When the differential coefficient of a received signal is smaller than a reference value determined from radio wave propagation, the first transmission power control information is output, and when the derivative is larger than the reference value, the second transmission power control information is output. The transmission power control information output means is provided at the receiving station, and the transmission power changing means and the transmission level control means are provided at the transmitting station.

During communication in a state where the facing speed is relatively small and the differential coefficient of the received signal is equal to or less than the reference value, the transmission power changing means transmits the first transmission signal fed back from the transmission power control information output means. The transmission level is set to a relatively low level by the transmission level control means receiving the power control information, communication is performed from the transmitting station to the receiving station, and the differential coefficient of the received signal received by the receiving station is reduced. When it becomes larger than the reference value due to fading,
Second transmission power control information for increasing transmission power is output from the transmission power control information output means and fed back to the transmission level control means of the transmitting station, and the transmission level control means is responsive to the second transmission power control information. Is to change the setting level of the transmission power changing means so as to increase the transmission power level.

[0007]

This conventional apparatus detects that the electric field strength of the received radio wave is actually weakened at the receiving station during communication and feeds back to the transmitting station, and transmits the signal at the transmitting station. It is to increase power.

Such a method is effective in the case of digital multiplex radio communication such as telephones in which the speed at which the propagation environment of radio waves changes is relatively slow. However, as in the case of a wireless POS system, multipath is not used. In a supermarket or a department store where a large number of closed spaces exist and many people move in a free way, there is a problem that the control speed may not be enough in some cases.

[0009] In particular, when the number of people traveling around the store is large,
A change in the radio wave propagation environment occurs abruptly, and a control method using a feedback system such as a conventional device has a problem in that the speed of control is not in time and communication is interrupted.

For this reason, it is conceivable to set the transmission output of the wireless device in accordance with the worst radio wave propagation environment expected in advance.

However, in the POS system, for example, at night, the host computer collects data of the POS terminal device, or on a holiday, the host computer sends the POS terminal device to each POS terminal device in order to change the setting contents of each POS terminal device. In some cases, such as data transmission, data to be transmitted is generated regardless of whether there are many or few people. Also,
In supermarkets, department stores, etc., customers are in the store during business hours and there are many people, but after closing, only employees are
Furthermore, it is completely unmanned at night and on holidays in shops.

As described above, the number of people existing in the store changes greatly depending on the time, date, and the like, and the propagation environment of the radio wave also changes accordingly.

For this reason, when a method of setting the transmission output of a radio device in accordance with the worst radio wave propagation environment expected in advance is adopted, the radio wave propagation environment may be adversely affected at night or on a store holiday. Because of this, there is a disadvantage that the radio waves reach far enough that they do not want the radio waves to reach. For example, to use radio frequency effectively,
For example, when radio waves of the same frequency are used repeatedly in radio zones that are separated to some extent, if the radio waves reach more than necessary, there is a problem that communication in other radio zones is obstructed.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a wireless communication system for a wireless communication device, which counts the number of people who have performed a checkout process with a customer to grasp the degree of congestion in a store, thereby predicting a change in a radio wave propagation environment. By controlling the transmission power, the radio transmission power is increased when the radio wave propagation environment is degraded, and the radio transmission power is reduced when the radio wave propagation environment is good. A wireless POS system capable of wireless communication is provided.

[0015]

The invention corresponding to claim 1 is:
It has a POS terminal that registers merchandise sales for each customer and performs a settlement process based on the total amount registered.
In a wireless POS system in which the S terminal device performs data communication with another device via the wireless communication device, the POS terminal device counts the number of customers who have settled within a predetermined unit time, and counts the counted number of customers. Is transmitted to the wireless communication device, and the wireless transmission power of the wireless communication device is variably controlled in a direction to increase when the number of customers in a unit time is large.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a POS terminal for registering merchandise sales for each customer and performing a settlement process based on a total amount registered, and a first wireless communication device connected to the POS terminal. A second wireless communication device that performs wireless communication with the first wireless communication device, and a wireless data communication device that is connected to the second wireless communication device and communicates with the POS terminal device via the first and second wireless communication devices. It consists of a control device that performs communication,
The POS terminal device wirelessly transmits a payment end signal to the control device via the first and second wireless communication devices each time the payment process of one customer is completed, and the control device transmits the payment end signal from the POS terminal device. And counts the number of signals, creates control data corresponding to the number of settlement end signals within a predetermined unit time, and transmits the control data to the second wireless communication device. The second wireless communication device The wireless transmission power is variably controlled in the direction of increasing when the number of signals in a unit time is large, and the control data is wirelessly transmitted to the first wireless communication device in accordance with the control data from the first wireless communication device. The device variably controls the radio transmission power in a direction to increase the radio transmission power when the number of signals within a unit time is large, according to the control data received from the second radio communication device.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there are provided a plurality of POs which are arranged in different wireless zones, register merchandise sales for each customer, and perform a settlement process based on the total registered amount.
An S terminal device, a first wireless communication device connected to each of the POS terminal devices, a second wireless communication device for performing wireless communication with the first wireless communication device, and a second wireless communication device. And a control device for performing wireless data communication with each POS terminal device through the first and second wireless communication devices. Each time the POS terminal device completes the payment process for one customer, the POS terminal device outputs a payment end signal. Each of them is assigned a number designating the wireless zone to which it belongs, and is wirelessly transmitted to the control device via the first and second wireless communication devices. The control device receives the settlement end signal from each POS terminal device, The number of signals is counted for each wireless zone, control data corresponding to the number of settlement completion signals in a predetermined unit time is created for each wireless zone, and the control data is transmitted to the second wireless communication device. The communication device is The wireless transmission power is variably controlled in a direction to increase when the number of signals in a unit time is large, according to the control data corresponding to the wireless zone to which the mobile station belongs. The first wireless communication device wirelessly transmits to the communication device, and the first wireless communication device variably controls the wireless transmission power in a direction to increase the wireless transmission power when the number of signals within a unit time is large, according to the control data received from the second wireless communication device. Things.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first POS terminal device which registers merchandise sales for each customer and performs a settlement process based on a total amount registered, and a first POS terminal device connected to the first POS terminal device. A first wireless communication device, a second wireless communication device that performs wireless communication with the first wireless communication device, a communication cable connected to the second wireless communication device, and a customer connected to the communication cable. Second POS that registers merchandise sales and performs settlement processing based on the total amount of registration
A terminal device and a control device connected to a communication cable to perform data communication with the second wireless communication device and the second POS terminal device. Wirelessly transmits a settlement end signal to the second wireless communication device via the first wireless communication device, and the second wireless communication device transmits the received settlement end signal to the control device via the communication cable; The second POS terminal device transmits a payment end signal to the control device via a communication cable each time the payment process of one customer is completed, and the control device transmits the second wireless communication device and the second POS terminal device. Receiving the settlement end signal from the server, counting the number of signals, creating control data corresponding to the number of settlement end signals within a predetermined unit time, transmitting the control data to the second wireless communication device via a communication cable, Second wireless communication device The radio transmission power according to the received control data, together with the variably controlled in a direction to increase when the number of signals per unit time is large, the control data first
Wireless communication to the first wireless communication device, the first wireless communication device,
According to the received control data, the wireless transmission power is variably controlled to increase when the number of signals in a unit time is large.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there are provided a plurality of first services which are arranged in different wireless zones, register product sales for each customer, and perform a settlement process based on the total amount of registration.
POS terminal device, a first wireless communication device connected to each first POS terminal device, a second wireless communication device performing wireless communication with the first wireless communication device, and a second wireless communication device A communication cable connected to the communication device, a second POS terminal device connected to the communication cable and arranged in a certain wireless zone, for registering merchandise sales for each customer and performing a settlement process based on the total amount of registration; And a control device connected to a communication cable and performing data communication with the second wireless communication device and the second POS terminal device.
Each time the S terminal device completes the settlement process of one customer, the S terminal device sends a settlement end signal to the second wireless communication device via the first wireless communication device with a number designating the wireless zone to which the S terminal device belongs. The second wireless communication device transmits the settlement end signal received by the control device via the communication cable and the number designating the wireless zone, and the second POS terminal device ends the settlement process for one customer. Each time the payment is completed, the settlement end signal is transmitted to the control device via a communication cable with a number designating the wireless zone to which the device belongs, and the control device transmits the signal from the second wireless communication device and the second POS terminal device. Receiving the settlement end signal, counting the number of signals for each wireless zone, creating control data corresponding to the number of settlement end signals within a predetermined unit time for each wireless zone, and setting the second control data via a communication cable. Wireless communication The second wireless communication device transmits the signal to the device, and the second wireless communication device variably controls the wireless transmission power according to the control data corresponding to the wireless zone to which the second wireless communication device belongs to when the number of signals in a unit time is large. In addition, the control data is wirelessly transmitted to the first wireless communication device in the wireless zone to which the wireless communication device belongs, and the first wireless communication device changes the wireless transmission power in accordance with the received control data to the number of signals per unit time. When the number is large, the variable control is performed in the direction of increasing.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the wireless POS system according to the first to fifth aspects, the content of the control data is changed by one or more of month, day, day of the week, and time information.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the wireless POS system according to any one of the second to sixth aspects, the control device includes one of information on a date, a day of the week, a time at which the discount sale is performed, and positional information of a counter for the discount sale. Or a storage unit storing a plurality of units, and when creating the control data, the control is performed by one or more of the information of the date, day of the week, time, and the position information of the counter for selling the discount stored in the storage unit. It changes the contents of data.

[0022]

The number of customers who are settled by the POS terminal in a unit time is approximately proportional to the number of customers existing around the POS terminal. That is, as the number of customers increases, the number of customers who perform the settlement processing within the unit time by the POS terminal device also increases, and when the number of customers decreases, the number of customers who perform the settlement processing within the unit time of the POS terminal device also decreases. In other words, the number of customers for whom the POS terminal performs the settlement process within a unit time changes substantially in proportion to the congestion state.

The present invention uses such a phenomenon to grasp changes in the propagation environment of radio waves and control the radio transmission power of the radio communication device.

In the invention according to claim 1, the POS terminal device counts the number of customers who have performed the settlement process and transmits control data corresponding to the counted number to the wireless communication device. When the number of customers in a unit time is large based on the control data, the wireless communication device determines that the device is congested and increases the wireless transmission power. On the other hand, when the number of customers per unit time is small, the wireless transmission power is reduced.

In the invention according to claim 2, the control device receives the settlement end signal from the POS terminal device and counts the number of signals. For example, if a plurality of POS terminal devices are arranged, the number of signals is counted by receiving the settlement completion signals from all the POS terminal devices. When the number of payment completion signals per unit time is large, that is, when the number of customers per unit time is large, it is estimated that the traffic is congested, and control data for increasing the wireless transmission power of the wireless communication device is created. 2 to the wireless communication device. The second wireless communication device increases wireless transmission power according to control data from the control device and wirelessly transmits the control data to the first wireless communication device. Thereby, the first wireless communication device also increases the wireless transmission power according to the control data.

When the number of payment completion signals per unit time is small, the control device estimates that the traffic is not so congested, creates control data for reducing the radio transmission power of the radio communication device, and generates the second radio data. Transmit to communication device.
The second wireless communication device reduces wireless transmission power according to control data from the control device and wirelessly transmits the control data to the first wireless communication device. Thereby, the first wireless communication device also reduces the wireless transmission power according to the control data.

In the invention according to claim 3, the control device counts the number of settlement completion signals from each POS terminal device for each wireless zone. When the number of payment completion signals within a unit time in a certain wireless zone is large, control data for increasing the wireless transmission power of the wireless communication device is created and transmitted to the second wireless communication device in the corresponding wireless zone. The second wireless communication device increases wireless transmission power according to control data from the control device and wirelessly transmits the control data to the first wireless communication device in the corresponding wireless zone. Thereby, the first wireless communication device also increases the wireless transmission power according to the control data.

When the number of payment completion signals per unit time is small in a certain wireless zone, the control device creates control data for reducing the wireless transmission power of the wireless communication device and generates the control data for the second wireless zone of the corresponding wireless zone. Transmit to communication device. The second wireless communication device reduces the wireless transmission power according to the control data from the control device and wirelessly transmits the control data to the first wireless communication device in the corresponding wireless zone. Thereby, the first wireless communication device also reduces the wireless transmission power according to the control data.

As described above, the congestion state is estimated for each radio zone, and the radio transmission power of the radio communication device is controlled.

In the invention according to claim 4, the control device receives the settlement completion signal from the first and second POS terminal devices via the communication cable and counts the number of signals.
When the number of payment end signals within a unit time is large, control data for increasing the wireless transmission power of the wireless communication device is created and transmitted to the second wireless communication device. Second
Wireless communication device increases the radio transmission power according to the control data from the control device and transmits the control data to the first
Wirelessly to the wireless communication device. Thereby, the first wireless communication device also increases the wireless transmission power according to the control data.

When the number of settlement completion signals per unit time is small, the control device creates control data for reducing the wireless transmission power of the wireless communication device and transmits the control data to the second wireless communication device. The second wireless communication device reduces wireless transmission power according to control data from the control device and wirelessly transmits the control data to the first wireless communication device. Thereby, the first wireless communication device also reduces the wireless transmission power according to the control data.

As described above, the control device performs the first wireless communication.
The POS terminal receives the settlement completion signal from all the POS terminals including the second POS terminal that performs wired communication, counts the number of signals, estimates the congestion state, and estimates the wireless transmission power of the wireless communication device. Control.

In the invention corresponding to claim 5, the control device receives the settlement completion signal from the first and second POS terminal devices via the communication cable and counts the number of signals for each wireless zone. When the number of payment completion signals within a unit time in a certain wireless zone is large, control data for increasing the wireless transmission power of the wireless communication device is created and transmitted to the second wireless communication device in the corresponding wireless zone. The second wireless communication device increases wireless transmission power according to control data from the control device and wirelessly transmits the control data to the first wireless communication device in the corresponding wireless zone. Thereby, the first wireless communication device also increases the wireless transmission power according to the control data.

When the number of settlement completion signals per unit time in a certain wireless zone is small, the control device creates control data for reducing the wireless transmission power of the wireless communication device and generates the control data for the second wireless zone in the corresponding wireless zone. Transmit to communication device. The second wireless communication device reduces the wireless transmission power according to the control data from the control device and wirelessly transmits the control data to the first wireless communication device in the corresponding wireless zone. Thereby, the first wireless communication device also reduces the wireless transmission power according to the control data.

As described above, the control device performs the first wireless communication.
POS terminal devices also receive the settlement completion signals from all POS terminal devices in each wireless zone including the second POS terminal device that performs wired communication, count the number of signals for each wireless zone, and The congestion state is estimated to control the wireless transmission power of the wireless communication device.

In the invention corresponding to claim 6, claim 1 is provided.
In the wireless POS system according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the content of the control data is changed in consideration of one or more of the month, day, day of the week, and time information. That is, the content of the control data is month,
The correction is made according to one or more of the information of day, day of the week, and time.

In the invention corresponding to claim 7, claim 2
6. In the wireless POS system according to any one of Items 6 to 6, the control device is configured to take into account one or more of information on a date, a day of the week, a time at which discount sales are stored in the storage means, and location information of a counter for discount sales. Change the content of the data. That is, the contents of the created control data are corrected according to one or more of the information of the date, the day of the week, the time at which the discount sale is performed, and the position information of the counter for the discount sale.

[0038]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) This embodiment is an embodiment corresponding to claim 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the entire wireless POS system.
, T21 is a POS terminal device located in the wireless zone Z2, and T31 is a POS terminal device located in the wireless zone Z3.

Each of the POS terminal devices T11, T12, T13,
Each of T21 and T31 is arranged at a predetermined counter in the store, registers data such as the sales amount of the product purchased by the customer, and displays the total amount on the display. Then, when the customer pays based on the total amount, the total amount is entered as a key and a specific key (registration closing key) is operated to execute the settlement process.

In the registration process, the sales amount and quantity of each product purchased by the customer are accumulated in a memory, for example, for each product or department. In the settlement process, the total amount, total points, and the like are collected, for example, for each transaction (cash). Transaction, margin transaction, etc.), issue a receipt that prints the sales amount and quantity of each product and the total amount and total points, etc., and further sells each product, the number, total amount, and total points And the like as transaction data to a control device which will be described later, which is a host device.

Each of the POS terminal devices T11, T12, T13,
T21 and T31 are communication cables 111, 112,
The first wireless communication device S via 113, 121, 131
11, S12, S13, S21, and S31.

In the wireless zone Z1, a second wireless communication device M1 for performing wireless communication with the first wireless communication devices S11, S12, S13 is arranged, and in the wireless zone Z2, the first wireless communication device S21 is connected. A second wireless communication device M2 for performing wireless communication is arranged, and the first wireless communication device S is provided in a wireless zone Z3.
A second wireless communication device M3 that performs wireless communication with 31 is arranged.

In each of the wireless zones Z1, Z2, Z3, the frequency at which the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device wirelessly communicate is different.

Each of the second wireless communication devices M1, M2, M
3 is connected to the control device 100 via a communication cable 150 in the form of a bus, for example.

The control device 100 receives the transaction data including the sales amount, the number, the total amount, the total points, and the like of each product transmitted from each of the POS terminal devices T11, T12, T13, T21, and T31 and stores the transaction data in a file. Data is accumulated and the data is centrally managed.

The first wireless communication devices S11 to S13, S2
The first, S31 and second wireless communication devices M1 to M3 have, for example, the configuration shown in FIG.

That is, the radio wave received by the antenna 1 is input to the mixer 5 via the duplexer (DPX) 2, the RF (radio frequency) amplifier 3, and the band-pass filter 4.

The mixer 5 mixes the frequency signal from the local oscillator 6 and the received signal, and sends the mixed signal to a detector 9 and a carrier detector 10 via a band-pass filter 7 and an IF (intermediate frequency) amplifier 8. We supply each.

The detector 9 detects an input signal and converts the detected signal through a low-pass filter 11 to a binarizing circuit 12.
To supply. The binarization circuit 12 binarizes the input signal and outputs it as received data RXD via a wired I / F (interface) circuit 13.

The carrier detector 10 detects the carrier of the input signal, converts the detection signal into a digital signal via an A / D (analog / digital) converter 14, and supplies the digital signal to a control circuit 15. .

After the transmission data TXD input through the wired I / F circuit 13 is modulated by the modulator 16,
The signal is input to a mixer 18 via an IF amplifier 17.

The mixer 18 mixes the input transmission signal with the frequency signal from the local oscillator 19 and supplies the mixed signal to the duplexer (DPX) 2 via a band-pass filter 20 and a PW (power) amplifier 21. And
Wireless transmission is performed from the duplexer 2 via the antenna 1.

The control circuit 15 controls the set frequencies of the local oscillators 6 and 19 in accordance with an instruction of a control program written in the memory 15a.

The control circuit 15 controls the PW amplifier 21 so that the level of the radio transmission power can be varied. In this case, even if the variable level of the wireless transmission power varies the gain itself of the PW amplifier 21, a variable attenuator is provided in one or both of the input stage and the output stage of the amplifier 21. The attenuation of the variable attenuator may be varied by a control signal from the control circuit 15.

The wired I / F circuit 13 is connected to the first wireless communication devices S11 to S13, S21 and S31 in the communication cable 111,
The second wireless communication devices M1, M2, and M3 are connected to a communication cable 150.

Therefore, the control device 100 includes the communication cable 150, the second wireless communication devices M1, M2, M3, the first wireless communication devices S11 to S13, S21, S31 and the communication cables 111 to 113, 121, 131. Each POS via
It can communicate with the terminal devices T11 to T13, T21, T31.

Each of the POS terminal devices T11, T12, T13,
T21 and T31 are, for example, generally called cash registers, and are provided with a keyboard for inputting a product code and amount data, a display, a printer for issuing a receipt, and a drawer for storing cash and the like on the front of the housing. ing. As a circuit configuration, a CPU, a ROM,
A microcomputer including a RAM and the like and a clock circuit are provided.

Each of the POS terminal devices T11, T12, T13,
The CPUs at T21 and T31 perform the counting process of the number of customers after the settlement process shown in FIG.

First, the count value j of the total number of customers who have settled and the count value i of the number of customers who have reached the scheduled monitoring end time are cleared to zero.

In this state, the process waits for the start of the customer process, that is, the registration process of the product purchased by the customer, and when the customer process is started, the registration process of the product purchased by the customer is performed. When the product registration process for one customer is completed, a payment process based on the customer's payment is performed. In this settlement process, a receipt is issued.

When the settlement process is completed, the count value j is incremented by one. Also, the time obtained by adding the preset monitoring time tK to the current time tN measured by the clock circuit is stored in the RAM as the scheduled monitoring end time tEj.

In this state, it is checked whether or not the count value j exceeds the count value i. If j> i, then it is checked whether or not the scheduled monitoring end time tEj exceeds the current time tN. If tEj> tN, the count value i is incremented by one, and the value obtained by subtracting the count value i from the count value j is used as the control data m for the number of customers (processing person frequency) who have performed the settlement process within a unit time. To the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device.

If the count value j is not more than the count value i or the monitoring end scheduled time tEj does not exceed the current time tN, the process for obtaining the control data m is not performed and the process waits for the start of the next customer process. I do.

When the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device receive the control data m from the corresponding POS terminal device, the control circuit 15 determines the wireless transmission power of the PW amplifier 21 according to the control data m. Is variably controlled.

For example, assuming a case where the current time tN is 11:00, the monitoring time is 10 minutes, and the customer performs the settlement processing at exactly two minute intervals, the table becomes as shown in Table 1.

[0067]

[Table 1] In this case, at 11:00 of the current time, the number of customers who have performed the settlement process within the unit time, that is, the processing person frequency is 6. Therefore, the control circuit 15 changes the level of the wireless transmission power of the PW amplifier 21 according to the control data m from the corresponding POS terminal device with the processing frequency = 6 from the corresponding POS terminal device. Control.

It should be noted that, in this processing, since the time when m = 0 occurs when the system is started, the control data m
May not accurately reflect the processing staff frequency. Therefore, the control circuit 15 of the first wireless communication apparatus and the control circuit 15 of the second wireless communication apparatus do not directly use m as data for controlling the wireless transmission power level of the PW amplifier 21, but use the numerical value calculated based on m in the control circuit 15. That is, the transmission power control value P is converted into data.

For example, when the system is started, the transmission power control value P is fixed at a predetermined value until the monitoring time has elapsed, and thereafter the transmission power control value P based on m is obtained.

Further, for example, when the transmission power control value P becomes 0 when m = 0, a problem occurs. Therefore, a value which is always constant regardless of the value of m is used as the transmission power control value P. In addition, there is a method of setting the transmission power control value P.

In addition, the method of setting the transmission power control value P so that the radio transmission power increases in proportion to the power of m with respect to the increase in the number of processing persons, and the exponential function of the radio transmission power with the increase in the number of processing persons For example, there is a method of setting the transmission power control value P so that the transmission power control value P increases.

As described above, the first wireless communication devices S11 to S1
3, S21, S31 and the second wireless communication device M1 to M3, according to the control data m from the corresponding POS terminal devices T11 to T13, T21, T31, if the number of processing persons is large, the control circuit 15 The control circuit 15 performs control to decrease the wireless transmission power level of the PW amplifier 21 if the number of processing persons is small, so that the area around the place where the POS terminal device is arranged is controlled. When traffic is congested, the radio transmission power level increases to cope with the deterioration of the radio wave propagation environment, and when there are few people around the place where the POS terminal is located, the radio transmission power level decreases. To prevent radio waves from reaching other wireless zones.

Thus, data communication can always be performed at a good radio transmission power level. Further, since the number of customers who have settled within a unit time, that is, the number of processing persons, is obtained, and the wireless transmission power level is controlled based on the control data m indicating the number of processing persons, a change in the congestion state can be estimated. In addition, the wireless transmission power level can be controlled according to the change in the congestion state. Since the congestion state is related to the change in the radio wave propagation environment, the wireless transmission power level can be controlled in response to the change in the radio wave propagation environment.

As described above, the radio transmission power level of the radio communication device can be controlled in response to the change of the radio wave propagation environment. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of accidents such as interruption.

(Second Embodiment) This embodiment is an embodiment corresponding to claim 2. Although the hardware configuration of the entire system is the same as that of the first embodiment, each of the POS terminal devices T11 to T13, T21, T31 and the first wireless communication device S1
1, S12, S13, S21, S31, second wireless communication device M1
M3 and the software processing of the control device 100 are different from those of the first embodiment. The control device has a built-in clock circuit.

The CPUs of the POS terminal devices T11 to T13, T21, T31 perform the processing shown in FIG. That is, when the customer process is started, a registration process of a product purchased by the customer is performed. When the product registration process for one customer is completed, a payment process based on the customer's payment is performed.
In this settlement process, a receipt is issued.

When the settlement process is completed, a settlement end signal is transmitted to the corresponding first wireless communication devices S11 to S13, S21 and S31.

As described above, the CPU of each POS terminal device:
Each time the payment process with the customer is completed, a payment end signal is transmitted to the corresponding first wireless communication device.

The first wireless communication devices S11 to S13, S2
1, S31 are communication cables 111 to 113, 121, 1
31, corresponding POS terminal devices T11 to T13, T2
1. Receive a settlement end signal from T31.

The first wireless communication devices S11 to S13, S2
1, the control circuit 15 in S31 performs the processing shown in FIG.

That is, every time the payment end signal is received from the corresponding POS terminal device, the payment end signal having the same content is wirelessly transmitted to the second wireless communication devices M1 to M3.

When control data m is received from the corresponding second wireless communication device, P
The level of the wireless transmission power of the W amplifier 21 is variably controlled.

In this wireless transmission / reception, the wireless communication device M1 and S11 to S13 are in the wireless zone Z1, the wireless communication devices M2 and S21 are in the wireless zone Z2,
Since 3 and S31 are in the wireless zone Z3, communication is performed using radio waves of the same frequency in each wireless zone.

The second wireless communication devices M1 to M3 are connected to the first wireless communication devices S11 to S13 and S2 in the same wireless zone.
1. Receive the settlement end signal from S31.

The control circuit 15 of the second wireless communication devices M1 to M3 performs the processing shown in FIG.

That is, the first wireless communication devices S11 to S1
3. Each time the settlement end signal is received from S21, S31, the same settlement end signal is transmitted to the control device 100 via the communication cable 150.

When control data m is received from control device 100, PW amplifier 21 receives control data m in accordance with control data m.
Variably controls the level of the wireless transmission power of the first wireless communication device S within the same wireless zone.
Wireless transmission is performed to 11 to S13, S21 and S31.

The control device 100 performs the processing shown in FIG. That is, the count value j of the total number of customers who have settled and the count value i of the number of customers who have reached the scheduled monitoring end time are cleared to zero.

In this state, the second wireless communication device M1
When the settlement end signal is received from ~ M3, the count value j is incremented by one. Also, the time obtained by adding the preset monitoring time tK to the current time tN measured by the clock circuit is stored in the memory as the scheduled monitoring end time tEj.

In this state, it is checked whether or not the count value j has exceeded the count value i. If j> i, then it is checked whether or not the scheduled monitoring end time tEj has exceeded the current time tN. If tEj> tN, the count value i is incremented by one, and a value m obtained by subtracting the count value i from the count value j indicates the number of customers (processing person frequency) who have performed the settlement process within a unit time. The second wireless communication devices M1 to M3 are notified as data.

Unless the count value j is equal to or less than the count value i, or if the scheduled monitoring end time tEj does not exceed the current time tN, the processing for obtaining the control data m is not performed, and the next settlement end signal is received. stand by.

In the embodiment having such a configuration, each P
Each time the OS terminal devices T11 to T13, T21, T31 end the payment processing with the customer, they transmit a payment end signal to the corresponding first wireless communication device. Then, the first wireless communication devices S11 to S11
13, S21 and S31 correspond to the corresponding POS terminal devices T11 to T1.
3. Each time a payment end signal is received from T21, T31, the payment end signal is sent to the second wireless communication device M1 in the same wireless zone.
To M3 by radio.

Each time the second wireless communication device M1 to M3 receives a settlement end signal from the corresponding first wireless communication device S11 to S13, S21, S31, the settlement end signal is transmitted to the control device via the communication cable 150. Send to 100.

Control device 100 counts the number of payment end signals received within a unit time. Thus, the control device 1
00 denotes all POS terminal devices T11 to T13, T21, T31
And the control data m, which is the number of processed persons, is obtained from the number of customers who have performed the payment processing in all POS terminal units within a unit time, and the second wireless communication apparatus M1
To M3.

In the second wireless communication devices M1 to M3, upon receiving the control data m from the control device 100, the control circuit 15 variably controls the level of the wireless transmission power of the PW amplifier 21 according to the control data m. Also, the control data m is transmitted to the first wireless communication devices S11 to S13, S21,
Wireless transmission is performed in S31.

The first wireless communication devices S11 to S13, S21, S
At 31, the control data m from the second wireless communication devices M1 to M3
Is received by the control circuit 15 in accordance with the control data m.
The level of the wireless transmission power of the amplifier 21 is variably controlled.

Thus, the first wireless communication devices S11 to S13,
S21, S31 and the control circuit 15 of the second wireless communication devices M1 to M3 are controlled by the control device 100 to variably control the level of the wireless transmission power of the PW amplifier 21.

As described above, also in the second embodiment, the radio transmission power level of the radio communication device can be controlled in response to a change in the radio wave propagation environment. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of an accident such as the transmission being interrupted due to the deterioration of the environment.

In this embodiment, the control device 100 has been described in which the number of customers who have performed the settlement processing within a unit time is transmitted as control data m to the first and second wireless communication devices. The transmission power control value P when the control circuit 15 of the first and second wireless communication devices variably controls the level of the wireless transmission power of the PW amplifier 21 based on the control data m in the control device 100 is not limited. May be calculated, and the transmission power control value P may be transmitted instead of the control data m.

(Third Embodiment) This embodiment is an embodiment corresponding to claim 3. The hardware configuration of the entire system is the same as that of the first embodiment, and each of the POS terminal devices T11 to T13, T21, T31 and the first wireless communication device S
11, S12, S13, S21, S31, second wireless communication device M1
M3 and the software processing of the control device 100 are basically the same as those of the second embodiment, except that the first wireless communication devices S11 to S13 and the wireless zone Z of the wireless zone Z1 are different.
2 of the first wireless communication device S21 and the first of the wireless zone Z3.
Of the second wireless communication device M
When wirelessly transmitting a settlement end signal to 1 to M3, a number designating the wireless zone to which the device belongs, that is, a wireless zone number Z * is added and transmitted.

For this reason, the first wireless communication devices S11 to S1
3, S21 and S31 perform the processing shown in FIG.

That is, each time the payment end signal is received from the corresponding POS terminal device, the wireless zone number Z * is added to the payment end signal having the same content, and the second wireless communication device M1
Wireless transmission to M3.

When control data m is received from the corresponding second wireless communication device, P
The level of the wireless transmission power of the W amplifier 21 is variably controlled.

The second wireless communication devices M1 to M3 perform the same processing as in FIG. That is, each time a signal in which the wireless zone number Z * is added to the settlement end signal is received from the first wireless communication devices S11 to S13, S21, and S31, the same signal is transmitted to the control device 100 via the communication cable 150. I do.

When control data m is received from control device 100, PW amplifier 21 receives control data m in accordance with control data m.
Variably controls the level of the wireless transmission power of the first wireless communication device S within the same wireless zone.
Wireless transmission is performed to 11 to S13, S21 and S31.

The control device 100 performs the processing shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. That is, the count values jz1 and jz of the total number of customers who have settled for each wireless zone
The count values iz1, iz2, iz3 of 2, 2, jz3 and the number of customers who have reached the scheduled monitoring end time for each wireless zone are cleared to zero.

In this state, the second wireless communication device M1
When the settlement end signal and the wireless zone number Z * are received from .about.M3, if the wireless zone number Z * is a number designating the wireless zone Z1, the count value jz1 is incremented by one. Also, the time obtained by adding the preset monitoring time tK to the current time tN measured by the clock circuit is stored in the memory as the scheduled monitoring end time tEjz1. If the wireless zone number Z * is a number designating the wireless zone Z2, the count value jz2 is incremented by one. Also, the time obtained by adding the preset monitoring time tK to the current time tN measured by the clock circuit is stored in the memory as the scheduled monitoring end time tEjz2. If the wireless zone number Z * is a number designating the wireless zone Z3, the count value jz3 is incremented by one. Further, a time obtained by adding a preset monitoring time tK to the current time tN measured by the clock circuit is stored in the memory as a scheduled monitoring end time tEjz3.

In this state, the count value jz1 becomes equal to the count value i.
It is checked whether or not it exceeds z1, and if jz1> iz1, then it is checked whether or not the scheduled monitoring end time tEjz1 exceeds the current time tN. If tEjz1> tN, the count value iz1 is incremented by one, and the value mz1 obtained by subtracting the count value iz1 from the count value jz1 is the control data of the number of customers (processing person frequency) who performed the settlement process within a unit time. To the second wireless communication device M1 in the wireless zone Z1.

The count value jz1 is equal to or smaller than the count value iz1, or the monitoring end scheduled time tEjz1 is changed to the current time tEjz1.
If it does not exceed N, this process is passed.

Also, it is checked whether or not the count value jz2 exceeds the count value iz2. If jz2> iz2, then it is checked whether the scheduled monitoring end time tEjz2 has exceeded the current time tN. If tEjz2> tN, the count value iz2 is incremented by one, and the value mz2 obtained by subtracting the count value iz2 from the count value jz2 is the control data of the number of customers (processing person frequency) who performed the settlement process within a unit time. As the second wireless communication device M2 in the wireless zone Z2.
Notify.

The count value jz2 is equal to or smaller than the count value iz2, or the monitoring end time tEjz2 is set to the current time tz.
If it does not exceed N, this process is passed.

Further, the count value jz3 is changed to the count value iz3
Then, if jz3> iz3, then it is checked whether the scheduled end time of monitoring tEjz3 exceeds the current time tN. If tEjz3> tN, the count value iz3 is incremented by one, and a value mz3 obtained by subtracting the count value iz3 from the count value jz3 is the control data of the number of customers (processing person frequency) who performed the settlement process within a unit time. As the second wireless communication device M in the wireless zone Z3
Notify 3.

Note that the count value jz3 is equal to or smaller than the count value iz3, or the scheduled end time of monitoring tEjz3 is the current time tz.
If it does not exceed N, this process is passed.

In the embodiment having such a configuration, the control device 100 can grasp the number of customers who have settled within the unit time in the POS terminal device for each of the wireless zones Z1 to Z3. That is, for the wireless zone Z1, each of the POS terminal devices T11 to T13 obtains control data mz1, which is the number of customers who have settled within a unit time, and notifies the second wireless communication device M1. In addition, for the wireless zone Z2, the POS terminal device T21 obtains control data mz2, which is the number of customers who have performed the payment processing within a unit time, and notifies the second wireless communication device M2 of the control data mz2. Also, the POS terminal T for the wireless zone Z3.
31 obtains control data mz3, which is the number of customers who have settled within a unit time, and notifies the second wireless communication device M3 of the control data.

The second wireless communication device M1 receives control data mz1
Is received, the control circuit 1 according to the control data mz1
5 variably controls the level of the wireless transmission power of the PW amplifier 21 and transmits the control data mz1 to the same wireless zone Z1.
Wirelessly to the first wireless communication devices S11 to S13.

When the first wireless communication devices S11 to S13 receive the control data mz1, the control circuit 15 variably controls the level of the wireless transmission power of the PW amplifier 21 according to the control data mz1.

When the second wireless communication device M2 receives the control data mz2, the control circuit 15 variably controls the level of the wireless transmission power of the PW amplifier 21 in accordance with the control data mz2, and the control data mz2 To the first wireless communication device S21 in the same wireless zone Z2.

The first wireless communication device S21 transmits the control data m
When z2 is received, the control circuit 15 variably controls the level of the wireless transmission power of the PW amplifier 21 according to the control data mz2.

When the second wireless communication apparatus M3 receives the control data mz3, the control circuit 15 variably controls the level of the wireless transmission power of the PW amplifier 21 in accordance with the control data mz3, and the control data mz3. To the first wireless communication device S31 in the same wireless zone Z3.

The first wireless communication device S31 transmits the control data m
When z3 is received, the control circuit 15 variably controls the level of the wireless transmission power of the PW amplifier 21 according to the control data mz3.

Thus, the first wireless communication devices S11 to S13,
The control circuits 15 of S21, S31 and the second wireless communication devices M1 to M3 are controlled by the control device 100 to control each wireless zone Z1.
The level of the wireless transmission power of the PW amplifier 21 is variably controlled for every.

As described above, also in the third embodiment, the radio transmission power level of the radio communication device can be controlled in response to a change in the radio wave propagation environment. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of an accident such as the transmission being interrupted due to the deterioration of the environment.

Since each of the wireless zones Z1 to Z3 has one second wireless communication device, each of the second wireless communication devices M1 to M3 has control data mz1,
It is also possible to obtain mz2 and mz3. That is, the second
Wireless communication device M1 only needs to count the number of settlement completion signals from the first wireless communication devices S11 to S13 to obtain control data mz1, and the second wireless communication device M2 receives the control data mz1 from the first wireless communication device S21. The control data mz2 may be obtained by counting the number of payment end signals.
The control data mz3 may be obtained by counting the number of settlement end signals from the wireless communication device S31. In this way, P
It is not necessary to add the wireless zone number Z * in the OS terminal device.

(Fourth Embodiment) This embodiment is an embodiment corresponding to claim 4. As shown in FIG. 11, the control device 100 is connected to the communication cable 2 in a loop network.
00, the second wireless communication devices M1 to M3 are connected to the communication cable 200, and the second POS terminal devices T4 and T5 are directly connected.

It is assumed that the second POS terminal devices T4 and T5 do not exist in any of the wireless zones Z1 to Z3. Further, the communication cable 200 may be of a bus type.

The first POS terminal devices T11 to T13, T21,
The configurations of T31, the first wireless communication devices S11 to S13, S21, S31, the second wireless communication devices M1 to M3, and the control device 100 are the same as those of the second embodiment.

That is, the first POS terminal devices T11 to T11
13, T21 and T31 perform the processing shown in FIG. 4, the first wireless communication devices S11 to S13, S21 and S31 perform the processing shown in FIG. 5, and the second wireless communication devices M1 to M3 perform the processing shown in FIG. 6 and the control device 100 performs the processing shown in FIG.

Also, the second POS terminal devices T4, T
5 performs the processing shown in FIG. That is, when the customer process is started, a registration process of a product purchased by the customer is performed. When the product registration process for one customer is completed, a payment process based on the customer's payment is performed. In this settlement process, a receipt is issued.

When the settlement process is completed, a settlement end signal is directly transmitted to the control device 100 via the communication cable 200.

In this embodiment, the control device 100 controls all the POS terminal devices T11 to T13, T21, T31, T4, T5.
And the control data m, which is the number of processed persons, is obtained from the number of customers who have performed the payment processing in all POS terminal units within a unit time, and the second wireless communication apparatus M1
To M3.

In the second wireless communication devices M1 to M3, when the control data m is received from the control device 100, the control circuit 15 variably controls the level of the wireless transmission power of the PW amplifier 21 according to the control data m. Also, the control data m is transmitted to the first wireless communication devices S11 to S13, S21,
Wireless transmission is performed in S31.

First wireless communication devices S11 to S13, S21, S
At 31, the control data m from the second wireless communication devices M1 to M3
Is received by the control circuit 15 in accordance with the control data m.
The level of the wireless transmission power of the amplifier 21 is variably controlled.

Thus, the first wireless communication devices S11 to S13,
S21, S31 and the control circuit 15 of the second wireless communication devices M1 to M3 are controlled by the control device 100 to variably control the level of the wireless transmission power of the PW amplifier 21.

As described above, also in the fourth embodiment, since the radio transmission power level of the radio communication device can be controlled in response to the change in the radio wave propagation environment, the first POS terminal devices T11 to T11 can be controlled.
In T13, T21, and T31, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of an accident such as the transmission being interrupted due to the deterioration of the radio wave propagation environment during the transmission of the transaction data and the like.

(Fifth Embodiment) This embodiment is a modification of the fourth embodiment, and includes first POS terminal devices T11 to T13 and T2.
1, T31, first wireless communication devices S11 to S13, S21, S3
1, second wireless communication devices M1 to M3 and control device 100
Is similar to that of the third embodiment.

That is, the first POS terminal devices T11 to T11
13, T21, and T31 perform the processing shown in FIG. 4, the first wireless communication devices S11 to S13, S21, and S31 perform the processing shown in FIG. 8, and the second wireless communication devices M1 to M3 perform the processing shown in FIG. 6 is performed, and the control device 100 executes the processes shown in FIGS.
0 is performed. Also, the second P
The OS terminal devices T4 and T5 perform the processing shown in FIG.

In this embodiment, the control device 100 can grasp the number of customers who have settled within the unit time in the first POS terminal device for each of the wireless zones Z1 to Z3. That is, for the wireless zone Z1, each POS terminal device T11 to
T13 obtains control data mz1, which is the number of customers who have settled within a unit time, and notifies the second wireless communication device M1 of the control data mz1.
Also, for the wireless zone Z2, the control data m indicating the number of customers for whom the POS terminal T21 has settled within a unit time.
The second wireless communication device M2 is notified of z2. Also,
For the wireless zone Z3, the POS terminal device T31 obtains control data mz3, which is the number of customers for which payment processing has been performed within a unit time, and notifies the second wireless communication device M3 of the control data.

In this case, since the second POS terminal devices T4 and T5 are outside the wireless zones Z1 to Z3, the settlement completion signal from the second POS terminal devices T4 and T5 contains the control data for each wireless zone. It is excluded from the calculation of mz1, mz2, and mz3.

The second wireless communication device M1 receives control data mz1
Is received, the control circuit 1 according to the control data mz1
5 variably controls the level of the wireless transmission power of the PW amplifier 21 and transmits the control data mz1 to the same wireless zone Z1.
Wirelessly to the first wireless communication devices S11 to S13. Accordingly, the control circuit 15 also variably controls the level of the wireless transmission power of the PW amplifier 21 according to the control data mz1 in the first wireless communication devices S11 to S13.

When the second wireless communication apparatus M2 receives the control data mz2, the control circuit 15 variably controls the level of the wireless transmission power of the PW amplifier 21 in accordance with the control data mz2, and the control data mz2 To the first wireless communication device S21 in the same wireless zone Z2. Thereby, the control circuit 15 also variably controls the level of the wireless transmission power of the PW amplifier 21 according to the control data mz2 in the first wireless communication device S21.

When the second wireless communication apparatus M3 receives the control data mz3, the control circuit 15 variably controls the level of the wireless transmission power of the PW amplifier 21 according to the control data mz3, and the control data mz3. To the first wireless communication device S31 in the same wireless zone Z3. Thereby, the control circuit 15 also variably controls the level of the wireless transmission power of the PW amplifier 21 according to the control data mz3 in the first wireless communication device S31.

As described above, also in this embodiment, the radio transmission power level of the radio communication device can be controlled in response to the change in the radio wave propagation environment. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of an accident in which transmission is interrupted due to the deterioration of the communication.

(Sixth Embodiment) This embodiment is an embodiment corresponding to claim 5. This causes the second POS terminal devices T4 and T5 to exist in the wireless zone Z1, as shown in FIG. Then, the second POS terminal devices T4, T5
Performs the processing shown in FIG.

That is, when the customer process is started, a registration process for a product purchased by the customer is performed. When the product registration process for one customer is completed, a payment process based on the customer's payment is performed. In this settlement process, a receipt is issued.

When the settlement process is completed, a signal obtained by adding the wireless zone number Z * to the settlement end signal is directly transmitted to the control device 100 via the communication cable 200.

The other structure is the same as that of the fifth embodiment.

In this embodiment, the control device 100 can grasp the number of customers who have settled within the unit time in the POS terminal device for each of the wireless zones Z1 to Z3. That is, for the wireless zone Z1, the first POS terminal devices T11 to T11
13 and the second POS terminal devices T4 and T5 determine the control data mz1 which is the number of customers who have settled within a unit time, and notify the second wireless communication device M1. Also, the wireless zone Z
For the second wireless communication device M2, the first POS terminal device T21 obtains control data mz2, which is the number of customers who have settled within a unit time, and notifies the second wireless communication device M2. Also, the wireless zone Z
With respect to No. 3, the first POS terminal device T31 obtains control data mz3, which is the number of customers who have settled within a unit time, and notifies the second wireless communication device M3 of the control data.

The second wireless communication device M1 receives control data mz1
Is received, the control circuit 1 according to the control data mz1
5 variably controls the level of the wireless transmission power of the PW amplifier 21 and transmits the control data mz1 to the same wireless zone Z1.
Wirelessly to the first wireless communication devices S11 to S13. Accordingly, the control circuit 15 also variably controls the level of the wireless transmission power of the PW amplifier 21 according to the control data mz1 in the first wireless communication devices S11 to S13.

When the second wireless communication apparatus M2 receives the control data mz2, the control circuit 15 variably controls the level of the wireless transmission power of the PW amplifier 21 in accordance with the control data mz2, and the control data mz2 To the first wireless communication device S21 in the same wireless zone Z2. Thereby, the control circuit 15 also variably controls the level of the wireless transmission power of the PW amplifier 21 according to the control data mz2 in the first wireless communication device S21.

When the second wireless communication device M3 receives the control data mz3, the control circuit 15 variably controls the level of the wireless transmission power of the PW amplifier 21 in accordance with the control data mz3, and the control data mz3. To the first wireless communication device S31 in the same wireless zone Z3. Thereby, the control circuit 15 also variably controls the level of the wireless transmission power of the PW amplifier 21 according to the control data mz3 in the first wireless communication device S31.

In the case where the second POS terminal devices T4 and T5 which do not perform wireless transmission in the wireless zone Z1 as described above, it is necessary to grasp the surrounding congestion situation. The settlement end signals from the devices T4 and T5 are also counted in the same manner as the settlement end signals from the first POS terminal devices T11 to T13, and control data mz1, which is the number of customers who have settled within a unit time, is obtained. And this control data m
z1 is used for controlling the level of the wireless transmission power of the wireless communication device in the wireless zone Z1.

Therefore, also in this embodiment, the radio transmission power level of the radio communication device can be controlled in response to the change in the radio wave propagation environment. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of an accident such as transmission being interrupted due to deterioration.

(Seventh Embodiment) This embodiment is an embodiment corresponding to claim 6. This embodiment can be applied to all of the above-described first to sixth embodiments.

That is, the first and second wireless communication devices S11
The control circuit 15 of S13, S21, S31, and M1 to M3 performs weighting in consideration of the month, day, day of the week, and time of operation of the system to obtain the transmission power control value P from the control data m. .

For example, it is assumed that the transmission power control value P is P = α + β × m ^2, where α and β are set to a relationship represented by a constant equation determined by circuit characteristics. On the other hand, when the actual transmission power control value P0 is determined by performing weighting based on time, for example, the relationship between P and P0 is as shown in Table 2.

[0156]

[Table 2] According to Table 2, the customers are most crowded around 17:00 in the evening, so the weight is set to the highest. That is,
The radio transmission power level can be increased by taking the lead in a time zone in which the number of humans is the largest and therefore the radio wave propagation environment is degraded.

In general, a change in the number of customers in a store appears in a form preceding a change in the number of customers who perform a settlement process in the POS terminal device. This is because the customer who visits the store stays in the store to select a product to be purchased from the products displayed in the store, finishes selecting the product to be purchased after an appropriate time has passed, and ends the POS. This is because the settlement process is performed toward the installation location of the terminal device.

Therefore, if the control is performed using the number of customers obtained by the POS terminal device as it is, the control according to the change in the degree of congestion in the store can be performed, but the change in the degree of congestion in the actual store can be controlled in time. There is a delay.

From the above, as shown in Table 2, if the weighting of the control data m for controlling the radio transmission power level is performed based on the past customer attraction information of the store, the change in the number of customers in the store and the settlement process Can be absorbed, and the wireless transmission power level can always be controlled in accordance with the actual congestion of the store.

In this embodiment, the time zone of the day is simply set and weighting is performed for each time zone.
Weighting may be performed for each time zone in which day and day of the week are added.

(Eighth Embodiment) This embodiment is an embodiment corresponding to claim 7. This embodiment can be applied to all of the above-described first to seventh embodiments.

The system configuration of this embodiment is the same as that of FIG.
When the control device 100 creates the control data m, a date, a day of the week, and time information for executing the discount sale stored in the memory are provided. The content of the control data is varied according to the position information of the counter where the discount sale is performed.

For example, as in the case of the seventh embodiment described above, 1
Considering, for example, that special day-to-day sales are performed every Thursday for the day-time weighted ones, it is further assumed that this discount sales is performed in the wireless zone Z1. It is assumed that it is known from past customer management data that the number of customers who visit the store on Thursday when discount sales are performed will increase.

Therefore, the weights in Table 2 described above are further weighted by the day of the week and weighted by the wireless zone. Table 3 shows an example of such weighting.

[0165]

[Table 3] In Table 3, since Thursday is the execution date of the discount sale, the weight of Thursday is set larger in all the wireless zones Z1 to Z3 than in other than Thursday. In addition, since it is known that the degree of congestion is greater in the wireless zone Z1 where discount sales are performed on Thursday than in the other wireless zones Z2 and Z3, the wireless zone Z1 is more weighted than the other wireless zones Z2 and Z3. Set larger.

In this way, the level of the radio transmission power can be controlled in accordance with the degree of congestion of the store in consideration of discount sales, and therefore, the radio transmission power can be controlled more finely in response to changes in the radio wave propagation environment. Can be.

It is needless to say that the number of wireless zones and the number of POS terminal devices are not limited to the above embodiments.

The connection method of the communication cable for connecting the control device to the second wireless communication device or the second POS terminal device is not limited to the bus type or the loop network type. Connection method.

[0169]

As described above, according to the present invention, the number of people who have settled with a customer in a POS terminal device is counted to grasp the degree of congestion in the store, thereby predicting a change in the radio wave propagation environment, and The radio transmission power of the communication device is controlled, and the radio transmission power is increased when the radio wave propagation environment is degraded. It is possible to provide a wireless POS system capable of performing appropriate wireless communication.

Further, according to the present invention, in the control device for managing the POS terminal device, the number of persons who have performed the payment processing with the customer by the POS terminal device is counted to grasp the degree of congestion in the store, and thereby the radio wave propagation environment Control the wireless transmission power of the wireless communication device by estimating the change in the radio transmission power, and increase the radio transmission power when the radio wave propagation environment deteriorates, and decrease the radio transmission power when the radio wave propagation environment is favorable Wireless PO that can always perform good wireless communication according to the radio wave propagation environment
S system can be provided.

Further, according to the present invention, in the control device for managing the POS terminal device, the number of persons who have performed the payment processing with the customer by the POS terminal device is counted for each wireless zone, and the degree of congestion in the wireless zone is grasped. As a result, the radio transmission power of the wireless communication device is controlled by predicting a change in the radio wave propagation environment for each radio zone, and if the radio wave propagation environment deteriorates, the radio transmission power is increased, and In a good case, the wireless transmission power can be reduced to provide a wireless POS system that can always perform good wireless communication according to the radio wave propagation environment.

Further, according to the present invention, when predicting a change in the radio wave propagation environment and controlling the wireless transmission power of the wireless communication apparatus, the control can be performed in consideration of the information of month, day, day of the week, and time. A wireless POS system capable of more accurately predicting a change in the radio wave propagation environment and performing better wireless communication can be provided.

Further, according to the present invention, when controlling the wireless transmission power of the wireless communication device by predicting a change in the radio wave propagation environment, information on the date, day of the week, and time at which the discount sale is to be performed, and the counter at which the discount sale is performed. Can be controlled in consideration of the position information, and a wireless POS system capable of more accurately predicting a change in the radio wave propagation environment and performing better wireless communication can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a wireless POS system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the wireless communication apparatus of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the main part processing of the POS terminal device of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing main part processing of a POS terminal device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary flowchart showing essential part processing of the first wireless communication apparatus of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary flowchart showing essential part processing of the second wireless communication apparatus of the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing main part processing of the control device of the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing main part processing of a first wireless communication apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing main part processing of the control device of the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing main part processing of the control device of the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is an overall configuration diagram of a wireless POS system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing main part processing of the second POS terminal device of the embodiment.

FIG. 13 is an overall configuration diagram of a wireless POS system according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is an exemplary flowchart showing essential part processing of the second POS terminal device of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 T11 to T13, T21, T31 POS terminal device S11 to S13, S21, S31 first wireless communication device M1 to M3 second wireless communication device 100 control device 150 communication cable

Continuation of the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06F 17/60 318 G07G 1/14 H04L 12/28

Claims (7)

(57) [Claims] 1. A POS terminal for registering merchandise sales for each customer and performing a settlement process based on the total amount of registration, the POS terminal communicating data with other devices via a wireless communication device. In the wireless POS system to be performed, the POS terminal device counts the number of customers who have settled within a predetermined unit time, transmits control data corresponding to the counted number to the wireless communication device,
A wireless POS system, wherein the wireless transmission power of the wireless communication device is variably controlled in a direction to increase when the number of customers in a unit time is large. 2. A POS terminal device for registering merchandise sales for each customer and performing a settlement process based on the total amount registered, a first wireless communication device connected to the POS terminal device, and a first wireless communication device. A second wireless communication device for performing wireless communication with the communication device, and a control for connecting to the second wireless communication device and performing wireless data communication with the POS terminal device via the first and second wireless communication devices The POS terminal device wirelessly transmits a payment end signal to the control device via the first and second wireless communication devices each time the payment process of one customer is completed. Receiving the settlement end signal from the POS terminal device, counting the number of signals, creating control data corresponding to the number of settlement end signals within a predetermined unit time, transmitting the control data to the second wireless communication device, The second radio The communication device variably controls the radio transmission power in a direction to increase when the number of signals in a unit time is large according to the control data from the control device, and wirelessly transmits the control data to the first radio communication device. Transmitting, the first wireless communication device variably controls the wireless transmission power in a direction to increase when the number of signals within a unit time is large, in accordance with control data received from the second wireless communication device. Characterized wireless POS system. 3. It is located in each different wireless zone,
A plurality of POS terminal devices for registering merchandise sales for each customer and performing a settlement process based on the total amount registered, a first wireless communication device connected to each of the POS terminal devices, and a first wireless communication device; A second wireless communication device that performs wireless communication with the device, and a control that connects to the second wireless communication device and performs wireless data communication with each of the POS terminal devices via the first and second wireless communication devices. Each of the POS terminal devices assigns a settlement end signal to the first and second wireless communication devices by assigning a number designating the wireless zone to which the customer belongs to each time the settlement process of one customer is completed. Wirelessly transmitted to the control device via the control device, the control device receives the settlement end signal from each of the POS terminal devices, counts the number of signals for each wireless zone,
Control data corresponding to the number of payment end signals within a predetermined unit time is created for each wireless zone and transmitted to the second wireless communication device, wherein the second wireless communication device The wireless transmission power is variably controlled in a direction to increase when the number of signals in a unit time is large, according to the control data corresponding to the wireless zone to which the mobile station belongs. The first wireless communication device wirelessly transmits to the communication device, the first wireless communication device changes the wireless transmission power according to control data received from the second wireless communication device in a direction to increase when the number of signals in a unit time is large. A wireless POS system characterized by controlling. 4. A first POS terminal device for registering merchandise sales for each customer and performing a settlement process based on the total registered amount, and a first wireless communication device connected to the first POS terminal device. A second wireless communication device that performs wireless communication with the first wireless communication device, a communication cable connected to the second wireless communication device, and a product sales registration for each customer connected to the communication cable. A second POS terminal that performs a settlement process based on the total amount of registration and a control device that is connected to the communication cable and performs data communication with the second wireless communication device and the second POS terminal device. The first POS terminal device wirelessly transmits a payment end signal to the second wireless communication device via the first wireless communication device each time the payment process for one customer is completed; Wireless communication device The second POS terminal transmits a payment end signal to the control device via the communication cable every time the payment process for one customer is completed. The control device transmits the second wireless communication device and a second P
Receiving the settlement end signal from the OS terminal device, counting the number of signals, creating control data corresponding to the number of settlement end signals within a predetermined unit time, and forming the second wireless communication via the communication cable. The second wireless communication device variably controls the wireless transmission power in accordance with the received control data to increase the wireless transmission power when the number of signals in a unit time is large, and transmits the control data to the second wireless communication device. Wireless transmission to one wireless communication device, wherein the first wireless communication device variably controls the wireless transmission power in a direction to increase the wireless transmission power according to the received control data when the number of signals in a unit time is large. Wireless P
OS system. 5. It is arranged in each different wireless zone,
A plurality of first POS terminal devices for registering merchandise sales for each customer and performing a settlement process based on the total amount registered;
A first wireless communication device connected to each of the first POS terminal devices; and a second wireless communication device for performing wireless communication with the first wireless communication device.
Wireless communication device, a communication cable connected to the second wireless communication device, a communication cable connected to the communication cable, and arranged in a certain wireless zone. A second POS terminal that performs a settlement process; and a control device that is connected to the communication cable and performs data communication with the second wireless communication device and the second POS terminal. Each time the customer finishes the payment process of one customer, the device assigns a number indicating the wireless zone to which the customer belongs to and assigns the number to the second wireless communication device via the first wireless communication device. The second POS terminal device transmits the settlement end signal received by the control device via the communication cable and a number designating a wireless zone, and the second POS terminal device. Each time the customer's payment process is completed, a payment end signal is transmitted to the control device via the communication cable with a number designating the wireless zone to which the customer belongs, and the control device Wireless communication device and second P
Receiving the settlement end signal from the OS terminal device, counting the number of signals for each wireless zone, creating control data corresponding to the number of settlement end signals in a predetermined unit time for each wireless zone, and performing the communication. The second wireless communication device transmits the wireless transmission power within a unit time according to control data from the control device corresponding to the wireless zone to which the second wireless communication device belongs. When the number of signals is large, the control data is variably controlled in a direction of increasing, and this control data is wirelessly transmitted to a first wireless communication device in a wireless zone to which the wireless communication device belongs, and the first wireless communication device Radio P is variably controlled in such a manner as to increase the radio transmission power when the number of signals per unit time is large.
OS system. 6. The wireless POS system according to claim 1, wherein the content of the control data is changed by one or more of month, day, day of the week, and time information. 7. The control device includes a storage unit that stores one or more of information on a date, a day of the week, a time at which discount sales are performed, and position information of a counter at which discount sales are performed, and when creating control data, 7. The contents of the control data are varied according to one or more of information of a date, a day of the week, a time and a location information of a counter where the discount sale is performed, stored in the storage unit. Wireless POS system.