JP4639804B2 - POS system, printing apparatus, and data relay processing method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a POS system, a printing apparatus, and a data relay processing method capable of providing a new added value without changing an application of a POS server and a POS terminal apparatus in a POS system.

  Conventionally, in a POS system (point-of-sale information management system) used in retail businesses such as supermarkets and convenience stores, receipt printing in which advertising information such as product advertisements and event notifications is added to the so-called product information regarding purchased products and their amounts. A POS system that generates data, transmits the data to a printing apparatus, and prints information on a receipt is widely used. Recently, not only advertising information but also information such as coupons and lottery tickets may be added, and receipts are effective advertising means for sales promotion.

  By the way, when adding a function for adding advertisement information to an existing POS system that does not have a function capable of adding advertisement information as described above, it is essential to drastically modify existing POS servers and POS terminal devices. Investment is required. Despite being an effective advertising tool, many retailers had to give up using it. Therefore, in order to construct a POS system having a function of adding advertisement information with a minimum investment, an adapter device is provided between the host terminal and the printing device, and the existing POS system is not significantly modified. An advertisement information has been proposed (see Patent Document 1). This patent document discloses an invention for connecting to a management server via an adapter device and providing advertisement information in the management server.

JP 2004-13708 A

  The adapter device described in the patent document is effective in that it realizes receipt printing of advertisement information with a small investment. However, the function of this adapter device is limited to that for adjusting print data between the management server and the printing device. In other words, print data in which advertisement information is added to print data from the host device is generated and the printing device tries to print, and the service that can be provided is limited to the function of adding advertisement information from the management server Is done. For this reason, the adapter device described in the patent document cannot add a complicated and diverse correspondence or a new function on the POS system side.

  On the other hand, as a recent trend, the provision of diversified services has been required at the point of sale. Such a service request is important in a differentiation strategy from competing stores. For example, by providing various services at the point of retail sale, such as calling card issuance services, payment of public utilities, and digital processing of checks, etc., it is possible to improve service differentiation and customer service quality. It becomes possible, and the early introduction of a system that realizes these processes will directly lead to business advantage.

  However, in order to provide such a variety of value-added services, it is necessary to drastically modify the POS server and the POS terminal application and to make a large investment. In particular, in a small retail store, it is difficult to frequently change applications in order to provide new services, and it has been difficult to provide value-added services in a timely manner.

The present invention has been made in view of such problems of the prior art, and can freely add new functions that require complicated and various intermediate operations without changing existing POS applications. An object of the present invention is to provide a POS system, a printing apparatus, and a data relay processing method.

A POS system according to an aspect of the present invention includes an input device that inputs checkout information including purchased product information, a display device that includes a display for a customer that displays checkout information and other display information, and checkout information and other printing. A POS terminal that prints data, obtains information from an input device, calculates a total purchase price, generates at least a part of display information and a part of print data, and a POS Connected to at least one additional function providing device that provides a new function to the terminal device, at least one of the input device, the display device, and the printing device, the POS terminal device, and the additional function providing device. A POS system including an input / output control device that relays transmission / reception of data between existing devices, and the input / output control device is pre-registered with a predetermined verification condition and connected. When the received data does not satisfy the verification condition, and the verification unit that verifies whether the received data satisfies the verification condition by comparing the received data from some or all of the devices with the registered verification conditions In addition, a first processing procedure as a normal processing and a second processing procedure as a special processing added to the normal processing when the received data satisfies the verification condition or replaced with the normal processing are determined for each verification condition. A processing procedure storage unit that stores data, a data storage unit that stores received data for each input port, and a processing procedure stored in the processing procedure storage unit according to the verification result of the verification unit. edit the received data are, and a data processing unit for outputting to the connected part or all of the device, the input-output control unit, at least a customer display unit, a customer input through which data can be input by the customer The device and the POS printing device are connected, and the additional function providing device is provided with a code number corresponding to transmission information from the input / output control device, update information updated based on the transmission information, and predetermined information based on the transmission information. An additional information issuing device that outputs issuance information that includes part or all of the extracted information extracted from the database, and the input / output control device has a detection unit that satisfies the verification conditions in the received data When the matching information is detected, the data processing unit transmits matching information as transmission information to the additional information issuing device according to the second processing procedure, and when the additional information issuing device receives the matching information, The input request is transmitted to the input / output control device, and when the input request is received, the input / output control device displays a message prompting the customer to input the password according to the second processing procedure. , The password entered from the customer input device is transmitted to the additional information issuing device, and the additional information issuing device transmits the additional information as issued information to the input / output control device when the received security code satisfies a predetermined condition. The input / output control device outputs the received additional information to the POS device as print data . According to this aspect, it is possible to connect not only the printing device but also the input device and the display device to the input / output control device. Further, when input or display specific to the additional function to be added is necessary, an input device and a display device can be connected to perform input and display necessary for intermediate operations.
Furthermore, received data can be stored in each input port, processed as necessary, and transmitted to a predetermined device. Further, after the reception data is transmitted to another device, it is possible to edit the response data from the device and the stored reception data.

  The POS system according to another aspect of the present invention is further characterized in that a second printing device or other device can be connected to the input / output control device in accordance with the function provided by the additional function providing device. According to this aspect, it is possible to provide a new additional function only by adding a device having a necessary function while using an existing POS system device as it is. When a single-function printing apparatus is used, the apparatus can be used effectively.

  The POS system according to another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the data processing unit can change the verification condition by executing the second processing procedure. According to this aspect, when predetermined data is received during the second processing procedure, a new verification condition is added as a predetermined port verification condition, or the predetermined verification condition is changed. I can leave. Thereby, according to the 2nd processing procedure, it becomes possible to perform efficiently the processing in the case of transmitting and receiving a plurality of times with a plurality of devices according to the order of processing. In addition, the verification load by the verification unit can be reduced.

  In the POS system according to another aspect of the present invention, the input / output control device connects a part or all of the received data according to the type of the received data from the additional function providing device based on the second processing procedure. It is characterized in that it can be selectively output to a connected device. According to this aspect, by including a special identification code (identification information) in the transmission data from the additional function providing device, the type of the reception data is specified in the input / output control device, and the transmission destination is determined according to the type. Can be selectively distributed.

  In a POS system according to another aspect of the present invention, an additional function providing device has a predetermined number based on a personal identification number corresponding to transmission information from the input / output control device, update information updated based on transmission information, and transmission information. It consists of an additional information issuing device that outputs issuance information, including some or all of the extracted information extracted from the database, and the input / output control device matches the validation information in the received data. In accordance with the second processing procedure, the matching information is transmitted as transmission information to the additional information issuing device, and the information received from the additional information issuing device is output as print data to the POS printing device or other printing device. It is characterized by doing. According to this aspect, in the checkout counter, a calling card issuance function can be added to the POS system to issue a calling card. The purchase card itself presented to the checkout counter by the customer does not have a calling card function unless the checkout process is performed. Therefore, even if the purchase card is stolen, no damage occurs, which is useful from the viewpoint of security.

  A POS system according to another aspect of the present invention is a POS system in which a POS printing device is connected to an input / output control device, and print data is output from the POS terminal device to the POS printing device via the input / output control device. The input / output control device transmits the matching information as transmission information to the additional information issuing device when detecting the matching information in the print data received from the POS terminal device. According to this aspect, when the input / output control device detects the purchase of the calling card, the calling card is issued.

  In a POS system according to another aspect of the present invention, a POS printing device and an input device are connected to an input / output control device, and data between the POS terminal device, the POS printing device, and the input device is input via the input / output control device. The input / output control device transmits matching information as transmission information to the additional information issuing device when detecting matching information in the received data received from the input device. It is characterized by. According to this aspect, for example, when the input / output control device detects the purchase of a calling card as purchased product information from the input device, the calling card is issued.

  In the POS system according to another aspect of the present invention, at least a display for customer and a customer input device capable of data input by a customer are connected to the input / output control device, and the additional information issuing device satisfies the verification condition. When the matched information is received, the input / output control device is requested to input a personal identification number, and when the inputted personal identification number satisfies a predetermined condition, a personal identification number processing unit for issuing additional information is provided. When receiving a password input request from the additional information issuing device, the device displays a message prompting the customer to input the password based on the second processing procedure and is input from the customer input device. The personal identification number is transmitted to the additional information issuing device. According to this aspect, for example, the code number desired by the customer can be used as the code number for calling the calling card. Since it is a unique password, it is convenient for the customer to use the call service.

  The POS system according to another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the issue information transmitted from the additional information issue device is printed by the POS printing device or the second printing device. According to this aspect, for example, information can be printed on the back side of the purchase card, and the purchase card can be used effectively. Also, it is possible not to print the personal identification number at the request of the customer.

  The POS system according to another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the issue information transmitted from the additional information issuing device is divided into a plurality of printing devices by the POS printing device or the second printing device. According to this aspect, for example, a telephone number can be printed on a purchase card, and a personal identification number can be printed on a receipt. When a customer enters his / her favorite password when purchasing a calling card, the password need not necessarily be printed on the calling card. Also, considering the case of loss, it is not preferable to print the personal identification number on the calling card. For this reason, it is safer to print only the personal identification number on the receipt. It is also possible to print the personal identification number on the calling card, on the receipt, or not, depending on the customer's selection.

  A printing apparatus according to the present invention includes the input / output control apparatus for the POS system according to any one of the above aspects.

The input / output control device of the present invention includes at least an input device for inputting checkout information including purchased product information, a display device including a display for customer that displays checkout information and other display information, checkout information, and other information. In an POS system, comprising: a printing device that prints print data; and a POS terminal device that obtains information from the input device, calculates a total purchase price, and generates and outputs display information and print data. Connected to at least one of a display device and a printing device, a POS terminal device, and at least one additional function providing device that provides a function not provided by the POS terminal device, and a predetermined verification condition is registered in advance and connected compared to verify condition registered to receive data from all devices that are the received data to verify whether they meet the verification condition test Parts and the first processing procedure as the normal processing if the received data does not satisfy the verification condition, the received data is added to the normal processing if the verification condition is satisfied or as a special process was changed to the normal processing A processing procedure storage unit that determines and stores the second processing procedure for each verification condition, a data storage unit that stores received data for each input port , and a processing procedure storage unit according to the verification result of the verification unit A data processing unit that edits the received data stored in the data storage unit according to the stored processing procedure and outputs the edited data to the connected device, and relays data transmission / reception between the connected devices It is characterized by.

The data relay method of the input / output control device of the present invention is connected to some or all of the input device, the POS terminal device, the display device, and the printing device, and the additional function providing device. a data relay method of the input and output control apparatus for relaying the output data, compared with the verification condition registered stores for each input port, receive data from the received data from each device (a) , receiving reception data and a step of verifying whether the verification condition is satisfied, when the (b) receive data does not satisfy a predetermined verification condition in accordance with a first processing procedure as normal processing, stored A step of transmitting data to the POS terminal device or the printing device; and (c) when the received data satisfies a predetermined verification condition, in addition to the processing according to the first processing procedure or the processing according to the first processing procedure. A step of transmitting the received data stored in accordance with the second processing procedure as the special processing to the additional function providing device; and (d) processing the data received from the additional function providing device in accordance with the second processing procedure. And (d-1) a step of outputting display information for requesting a predetermined input from the input device to the display device, and (d-2) an input device according to the display by the display device. Transmitting the input information input from the additional function providing device to (d-3) transmitting the print information received from the additional function providing device in response to step (d-2) to the printing device; In step (c), when the received data matches the information registered as the predetermined verification condition, the received data is transmitted to the additional function providing device according to the second processing procedure, and the step (d-1) ) Is the step (c) In accordance with the input request received from the responding additional function providing device, display information for prompting the input of the personal identification number from the input device is output to the display device. In the step (d-2), the personal identification number input from the input device is Print information transmitted to the additional function providing device, and the step (d-3) includes a part or all of the personal identification number, the update information, or the extracted information received from the additional function providing device responding to the step (d-2). Is transmitted to the printing apparatus .

  In the POS system of the present invention, an input / output control device capable of relaying data transmission / reception with a POS terminal device and an input device and a POS printing device are provided, and various devices can be freely connected to the input / output control device. By accessing each other via the input / output control device, it is possible to provide an additional function to the POS system without changing the application of the POS terminal device and the application of the POS server. This makes it possible to realize a new additional function at a low cost. In addition, a new service provided by the content provider through the network can be easily incorporated into the POS system of the company.

  Hereinafter, a POS system, an input / output control apparatus, and a POS printer (printing apparatus) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention includes a POS terminal device that performs a checkout process for purchased products, an input device that inputs purchased product data to the POS terminal device, and a POS printing device that prints print data from the POS terminal device on a receipt. A new function is easily added using an existing POS system (sales information management system). Therefore, all or part of the input device and the POS printing device (including the existing input device and printing device) are connected to the POS terminal device via the input / output control device according to the function to be added. The input / output control device relays data transmission between the connected POS terminal device and each device. When the input / output control device relays the received data, the input / output control device verifies whether there is data satisfying a predetermined verification condition in the received data. If it exists, the input / output control device transmits the received data to the additional function providing device to prompt provision of the additional function. This makes it possible to construct a POS system that provides a new value-added service without changing existing POS server applications and POS terminal device applications.

  Hereinafter, a POS system that is used in a store such as a supermarket or convenience store and issues a receipt based on input information related to product sales input by an operator will be described as an example.

(POS system according to an embodiment of the present invention)
FIG. 1 shows a POS system 10 and an input / output control device 12 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, an existing POS system is indicated by a broken line frame 60. In the existing POS system 60, an input device 32 indicated by a broken line, a display device 33, and a POS printing device 34 indicated by a solid line are connected to an input / output port of the POS terminal device 30. In the embodiment of the present invention, the input device 32, the display device 33, and the POS printing device 34 are connected to the POS terminal device 30 via the input / output control device 12.

  Further, an additional function providing device for adding an additional function to the existing POS system 60 is connected. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, a plurality of additional function providing servers 50-1 and 50-2 (hereinafter referred to as “additional function providing server 50”) connected to an external network 61 such as the Internet as the additional function providing device. Show. The additional function providing server 50 is connected to the input / output control device 12 via the communication device 35. Further, other POS systems 10-1 and 10-2 are connected to the same network as the additional function providing device. Also in the POS systems 10-1 and 10-2, some or all of the input device, the display device, and the POS printing device are connected to the POS terminal device via the input / output control device.

(Basic operation of POS system)
In order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, first, the operation of the existing POS system 60 (portion surrounded by a broken line) will be briefly described. A POS system installed in a checkout counter in a store usually has an input device such as a barcode reader or a keyboard, and a display device such as an operator display (operation display) or a customer display (customer display). Is provided. The barcode attached to the product (a product code or the like is recorded) is read by the barcode reader, and necessary information such as the number of purchases is input by the keyboard. The input information is displayed on a display device such as an operator display or a customer display. In FIG. 1, all input devices connected to the POS terminal device such as a barcode reader and a keyboard are simply shown as input devices 32. Data such as the product code read by the input device 32 and the number of purchases input from the keyboard is directly sent to the POS terminal device.

  The POS terminal device 30 normally transmits data to a POS server 40 connected via a network. The POS server 40 searches for information related to the product such as the product name and price from the product code of the purchased product, and transmits the product information to the POS terminal device 30. The POS terminal device 30 displays settlement information such as the product name, quantity, and price of the product on a display device such as an operation display or a customer display. When the settlement information for all purchased products is input, the total amount of the purchased products is calculated and displayed and transmitted to the POS server 40. The POS server 40 updates inventory information, sales information, and the like based on the settlement process of the POS terminal device 30.

  Furthermore, the POS terminal device 30 records the product name, payment information, etc. in the electronic journal based on the information from the POS server 40 and outputs the print data to the POS printing device 34. The POS printer 34 generates receipt print data from the print data and prints it on the receipt.

(About connection mode)
In the present invention, a part or all of the input device 32, the display device 33, and the POS printing device 34 are connected to the POS terminal device 30 via the input / output control device 12 with respect to the connection form of the existing POS system 60. . First, the connection form of each part of the POS system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following, in order to facilitate understanding of the features of the present invention, an embodiment in which all of the input device 32, the display device 33, and the POS printing device 34 are connected to the POS terminal device 30 via the input / output control device 12 (shown in FIG. 1). The POS system 11) will be described. Arbitrary combinations are possible, such as connecting only the input device 32, only the POS printing device 34, or connecting only the input device and the POS printing device to the POS terminal device 30 via the input / output control device 12.

  In addition to the input device 32, a customer input device for a customer to input a personal identification number and the like, a card reader for reading magnetic data from a credit card, an image reading device, and the like are newly connected in addition to the input device 32. It is also possible to connect a POS printing apparatus incorporating an image reading apparatus (refer to the description of FIG. 10 for details).

  Thus, in the POS system according to the present invention, it is possible to freely connect the POS terminal device and each device constituting the POS system via the input / output control device 12 except for the POS server. The input / output control device 12 includes a plurality of communication ports for connecting the devices. The communication port includes an input boat, an output port, and an input / output port, and can be further freely added as necessary.

  Furthermore, the POS system of the present invention may be configured such that at least one of a POS printing device, an input device, and a display device is connected to a plurality of input / output control devices. In this case, the input / output control device transmits / receives data between the other input / output control device, the additional function providing device, or the POS terminal device and the connected POS printing device, input device, or display device. Among the plurality of input / output control devices, all or part of the information transmitted from the first input / output control device or the additional function providing device is part of the second input / output control device or other input / output control device. Alternatively, everything is transmitted to the receiver. Of the received data received by these input / output control devices, information that satisfies the verification conditions of a predetermined input / output control device is stored in the input / output control device, and printing or display processing is performed based on the information. be able to.

(Input device connection form)
An input device 32 such as a barcode reader, a barcode scanner, a keyboard, and an image reading device is connected to the input port 21 c of the input / output control device 12. When the input / output control device receives input information (mainly purchased product information) from the input device 32, the input / output control device outputs the information from the output port 21b. The output port 21 b is connected to the input port 21 a of the POS terminal device 30. The input port 21a of the POS terminal device 30 is the same as the input port to which the input device 32 is connected in the existing POS system. Therefore, it is possible to handle the input information from the input device 32 in the same way as the existing POS system without changing the application of the POS terminal device.

  The input device 32 includes any input device connected to an existing POS terminal device such as an operator's keyboard, bar code scanner, and image reading device. In the existing POS terminal device 30, when the input device is connected to a different port for each type, the output port from the input / output control device 12 is connected to the corresponding port of the POS terminal device 30.

(Connection type of display device)
In FIG. 1, the display device 33 is also connected to the POS terminal device 30 via the input / output control device 12. The display device 33 is connected to the output port 22 c of the input / output control device 12. The display device 33 includes a customer display and an operator display. When the POS terminal device 30 is a built-in operator display type, only the customer display is connected via the input / output control device 12. The display information of the display device 33 can display print information from the additional function providing server in addition to the adjustment information output from the output port 22a of the POS terminal device to the input port 22b of the input / output control device 12. (This point will be described later).

(Printer connection form)
The POS printing device 34 is also connected via the input / output control device 12. The output port 23 a of the POS terminal device 30 is connected to the input port 23 b of the input / output control device 12, and the POS printing device 34 is connected to the output port 23 c of the input / output control device 12. The print data received by the input / output control device 12 from the POS terminal device 30 is output to the POS printing device 34 via the output port 23c. It is also possible to output the print information received from the additional function providing server 50 to the POS printer 34. In addition, in the existing POS printing device 34, when the printing function is insufficient, the second printing device 36 can be added. For example, when printing on a special slip (slip) that cannot be printed by the existing POS printing apparatus 34 or on a special print recording medium, a second printing apparatus 36 suitable for such printing is connected. Is preferred.

(Connection mode of additional function providing server)
The additional function providing server 50 is connected to the input / output port 25a. The communication device 35 preferably has a security function such as VPN. Although FIG. 1 shows a configuration in which the VPN router is connected via the communication device 35 and the Internet or other external network 61, a configuration in which the connection is made through an in-house LAN is also possible.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the number of additional function providing servers 50 connected to the input / output control device 12 is not limited to one, and a configuration in which a plurality of additional function providing servers that provide different additional functions is connected is also possible. Is possible. In particular, it is conceivable that the number of services that provide various service contents will increase in the future. In such a case, by using the input / output control apparatus according to the present invention, various resources can be used by using external resources without changing the core part (POS server, POS application) of the company's own POS system. It becomes easy to introduce a system that provides value-added services in a timely manner. The additional function providing device is configured by a server corresponding to the additional function, for example, a card issuing server is used for issuing a calling card to be described later. Such individual servers are referred to as additional information issuing devices.

  The additional function providing server 50 stores the information received from the input / output control device in the database 55 (see FIG. 4). In response to a request from the operator via the input / output control device, the additional function providing server 50 searches, transfers, backs up, counts, deletes, compresses, compresses and decompresses, encrypts, does not encrypt the database 55. Processing such as encryption, printing, and display is performed.

(I / O control device)
Next, a basic configuration of the input / output control device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. The input / output control device 12 according to the present invention includes a transmission / reception control unit 13 that controls communication with each device connected to a plurality of communication ports, a data storage unit 14 that temporarily stores received data from each communication port, A verification unit 15 for analyzing the received data, a processing procedure for processing the received data according to a predetermined verification condition, and a processing procedure storage unit 18 for storing data necessary for the processing; And a data processing unit 16 that generates communication information such as a transmission destination of transmission data.

  The data storage unit 14 stores received data for each input port. The stored reception data is used when the data processing unit 16 edits transmission data. The data stored in the data storage unit 14 is not limited to the received data. The input / output control device 12 combines some or all of the received data with some or all of the information specifying the input / output control device 12, the information specifying the operator, and the information specifying the date and time. The data can be stored in the data storage unit 14 in a compressed or non-compressed state. Then, periodically or when the additional function providing server 50 requests these information, or when the remaining storage capacity of the data storage unit 14 reaches a predetermined capacity, or the received data is subjected to predetermined verification. When the condition is satisfied, the information stored in the data storage unit 14 is transmitted to the additional function providing server 50. During this transmission, the information is automatically encrypted or unencrypted.

  A predetermined verification condition is registered in the verification unit 15 in advance. For example, when a calling card issuance service is provided as an additional function, a product code of a calling card or a part or all of a name (for example, “calling”) is registered as a verification condition and compared with received data. The data processing unit 16 edits the received data according to the processing procedure stored in the processing procedure storage unit 18 according to the comparison result. Furthermore, the data processing unit 16 also generates communication information regarding the transmission destination in accordance with the data in the processing procedure storage unit 18 in order to correctly transmit the transmission data. As a result, the transmission / reception control unit 13 can transmit the transmission data to the target apparatus by appropriately mediating the reception data.

  The processing procedure storage unit 18 stores a processing procedure of received data relayed by the input / output control device 12 and data necessary for the processing corresponding to each received data and additional function. As a result, the input / output control device 12 can relay the received data to all connected devices.

  The input / output control device 12 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the input / output control apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. The numbers attached to the communication ports in the figure are simply input ports or input / output ports for receiving data (hereinafter referred to as “input ports” or “output ports unless otherwise specified as input / output ports”). This number is given for the sake of convenience.

  The data storage unit 14 stores reception data from the input ports 1 to 4. The received data of the input port 1 is input information such as purchased products input from the input device 32. The reception data of the input port 2 is display information to be displayed on the display device 33 output from the POS terminal device 30. The received data at the input port 4 is print data input from the POS terminal device 30 and various received data from the additional function providing server 50. From the additional function providing server 50, for example, display information for guiding an operation method such as input of a personal identification number, print information accompanying provision of the additional function, special information to the POS terminal device 30 accompanying provision of the additional function, and the like. Is output to the input / output control device 12. These pieces of information are provided with codes or symbols that can identify the information, and are verified by the verification unit 15 of the input / output control device 12. The processing procedure storage unit 18 stores a processing procedure when such information is received as a processing routine. The stored contents of the processing procedure storage unit 18 are preferably configured to be added or updated from the additional function providing server 50 and the input device 32 in response to a predetermined detected verification condition.

  The verification unit 15 confirms whether the received data meets a predetermined verification condition. A predetermined verification condition registered in the verification condition storage unit 15-1 is compared with the received data, and it is determined whether or not the received data is to be processed by a special processing routine stored in the processing procedure storage unit 18. That is, when the received data does not match the predetermined verification condition, the normal process (first process) is performed. When the received data matches, a special process is performed in addition to the normal process or instead of the normal process. Processing (second processing) is performed.

  Hereinafter, a case where a function for issuing a calling card that provides a call service according to a purchase price is added as an additional function providing device will be described. In this case, the product code of the calling card is registered as a predetermined verification condition. The processing procedure storage unit 18 stores a calling card processing routine 18-3. The calling card processing routine 18-3 is provided with subroutines for various processes 19-1 to 19-3. These subroutines 19-1 to 19-3 are examples.

  When the received data received from the input device 32 does not include the registered product code (verification condition), the received data from the input port 1 is directly passed through the communication port 21b (output port) as a normal process. To the input port 21a of the POS terminal device 30 (first process).

  When the product code of the calling card is detected in the received data, the second process is performed in addition to the first process. In the second process, the calling card purchase information (match information) is transmitted from the input / output control device 12 to the additional function providing server 50. At the same time, in order to appropriately process the predetermined data transmitted from the additional function providing server 50 in the second processing procedure, a part of the predetermined verification condition registered in the input / output control device is used. It is also possible to rewrite (a predetermined identification code is temporarily added as a verification condition). The additional function providing server 50 performs registration processing for issuing a calling card, and displays display information for displaying on the display device 33 for customer a display prompting the input of a personal identification number when the calling card is used. It is transmitted to the input / output control device 12 together with the code.

  When the verification unit 15 of the input / output control device 12 detects a predetermined identification code in the received data from the additional function providing server 50, the processing procedure designated by the processing procedure storage unit 18 (calling card processing routine 18-3) Accordingly, the received data is transmitted to the display device 33 via the communication port 22c. When the customer inputs the password from the input device, the received data from the input device is detected by the verification unit 15 of the input / output control device 12. The received data is transmitted to the additional function providing server 50 in accordance with a predetermined processing procedure (second processing procedure).

  The additional function providing server 50 stores the calling card issuance in the database 55, and transmits a personal identification number and telephone number information for providing a call service to the input / output control device 12 together with a predetermined identification code. When the verification unit 15 of the input / output control device 12 detects a predetermined identification code, it transmits the received data to the POS printer 34 or the second printer 36 according to a predetermined processing procedure. 2 is provided, the input / output control apparatus 12 edits the received data into a predetermined print format to generate print data, and the printing apparatus It is good also as a structure which transmits to.

  The input / output control device 12 can be configured by hardware such as a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a transmission / reception control circuit, and a control program. In FIG. 2, various control processing procedures are shown as software. However, from the viewpoint of high-speed processing, these processing procedures can be configured by hardware (logic circuit) such as an ASIC. It is also possible to integrate these logic circuits on one chip.

  Note that the communication interfaces for the input device 32, the display device 33, and the printing devices 34 and 36 include serial data transfer such as RS-232 standard, parallel data transfer such as Centronics standard, and Ethernet (registered trademark) 10Base-T. A network connection or a device compatible with a data transfer standard such as USB can be employed. The communication interface with the POS terminal device 30 is the same.

  In addition, when the drive voltage level between the internal TTL (Transistor Transistor Logic) of the input / output control device 12 and the inside of the POS terminal device 30, the POS printing device 34, or the like is different, a driver circuit that performs level conversion on each communication interface It is preferable to provide.

  Also, a plurality of input / output control devices may be connected to the additional function providing device, and at least one input / output control device may be configured not to be connected to the POS terminal device.

(POS terminal device and POS server)
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the basic configuration of the POS terminal device and the POS server. The POS terminal device 30 includes a terminal control unit 38 including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and a control program, an input / output control unit 37 that transmits / receives data to / from the input / output control device 12, and a communication interface 39 that performs data communication with the POS server 40. And. The POS terminal device 30 is connected to the input device 32, the display device 33, and the POS printing device 34 via the input / output control device 12 connected to the input / output ports 21a to 23a.

  The terminal control unit 38 receives the input information of the purchased product from the input device 32. The product control unit 38-1 receives the product information such as the price from the POS server 40 based on the input information such as the product code. Based on the combination part 38-2, the input information and the product data from the POS server 40, the settlement processing unit 38-3 for performing the settlement process of the purchased product, the input information and the settlement information of the purchased product are generated as display information and displayed. A display processing unit 38-4 that outputs to the apparatus, a print processing unit 38-5 that similarly outputs print data, and a cancellation processing unit 38-6 that cancels and corrects the adjustment information of a purchased product or the like that is input in error. .

  The POS server 40 has a memory such as a ROM 42 and a RAM 43 in addition to a control device (CPU 41), and processes information stored in the buffer 43-6 in the RAM 43 in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM 42. Do. The RAM 43 includes a product code block 43-1, a product name block 43-2, a price block 43-3, and an inventory block 43-4. Based on the product information transmitted from the POS terminal device 30, the CPU 41 extracts product code, product name, and money amount information, and uses product data for printing on a receipt and display on the display device 33 of the POS terminal device 30. Generate.

  The POS terminal device 30 inputs information from the input device 32 connected to the input / output control device 12, that is, information related to products (product information) or information related to customers (customer) by inputting a keyboard or reading a barcode with a barcode reader. Information) and the like are acquired via the input / output control device 12. Further, by providing a card reader as the input device 32, it is also possible to read a customer's credit card or membership card and acquire information relating to membership such as credit settlement or membership number. Further, the merchandise information generated based on the merchandise data transmitted from the POS server 40 is transmitted as display information to the display device 33 (customer display) via the input / output control device 12, thereby allowing the customer to purchase the merchandise. Present the amount of money. Similarly, print data is transmitted to the POS printer 34 via the input / output controller 12, and receipt printing is executed.

  Information relating to credit settlement extracted from the print data transmitted from the POS terminal device 30 to the input / output control device 12, credit card information read from the card reader as the input device 32, information specifying the POS terminal device, and operator Data combining the information to be identified is transmitted to the additional function providing device via the input / output control device. The additional function providing device performs a credit card authentication procedure based on the data. As a result of authentication, when the credit card is usable, the additional function providing device transmits the credit card settlement information as print information to the printing device 34 or 36 via the input / output control device, and obtains the customer's signature. Let them print. Thereby, a credit card payment function can be provided. In addition, by connecting the ECR device to the input / output control device instead of the POS terminal device, the settlement process, which requires separate and troublesome receipt issuance and credit card settlement processing as in the conventional POS system, It becomes possible to carry out without useless work.

(Example of providing additional functions)
Next, an example of adding a calling card issuing function to an existing POS system will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 4 to 6.

  An example of the purchase card 70 is shown in FIG. A purchase card 70 on which characters such as a calling card and a barcode (product code, etc.) are printed is displayed in the store. Purchase cards are prepared in various types such as 1000 yen, 3000 yen, 5000 yen, etc., and the contents of the printed barcode are different depending on the amount of money. The customer purchases a purchase card 70 of a desired amount.

  As described above, the input information (purchased product data) from the input device 32 is transmitted to the input / output control device 12, and is transmitted from the input / output control device 12 to the POS terminal device 30, whereby the settlement process is performed. On the other hand, the input / output control device 12 transmits the input information to the POS terminal device 30 while verifying the received data from the input device 32. Since normal products do not meet the predetermined verification conditions, the input information is transmitted to the POS terminal device 30 as it is, and the same settlement process as that of the existing POS system is performed.

  When the calling card is purchased, the barcode (product code) of the purchase card 70 is read by the barcode reader (input device 32). The read product code is transmitted from the input device 32 to the input / output control device 12. In the input / output control device 12, the product code of the purchase card 70 is registered as a verification condition, and the verification unit 15 verifies whether the product code matches a predetermined verification condition. The product code of the purchase card 70 is transmitted to the POS terminal device 30 and at the same time to a card issuing server (card issuing device) 50-1, which is one of the additional function providing servers 50.

  Upon receiving the calling card product code, the card issuing server 50-1 executes a predetermined card issuing process. FIG. 4 shows a functional block diagram according to one embodiment of the card issuing server 50-1. The card issuing server 50-1 includes a communication control unit 51, an authentication unit 52, an issue management unit 53, and a registration unit 54. When the card issuing server 50-1 receives the product code of the purchase card 70 from the input / output control device 12, the authentication unit 52 first authenticates whether the request is a valid issue request (whether or not there is an issue authority). When the issuing authority is authenticated, the issuing management unit 53 performs a calling card issuing procedure.

  In the issuance process, first, the code verification unit 53-1 verifies the received product code to determine which amount of purchase card 70 has been purchased. Next, display information for guiding the customer to input the desired password is transmitted to the input / output control device 12 by the password processing unit 53-2. The input / output control device 12 transmits the received display information to the customer display device 33. When the customer inputs a password from the input device 32 as a customer input device, the input password is transmitted to the card issuing server 50-1 via the input / output control device 12. Upon receiving the personal identification number, the card issuing server 50-1 accepts the issuing of a calling card and registers the personal identification number and the service content to be provided in the database 55 via the registration unit 54. At the same time, based on the type of calling card purchased, amount, call time information, POS system installation location information, etc., the telephone number and password for receiving the call service are printed as print information to the input / output control device 12. Send.

  Note that at least one of the POS printing device or the input device is connected to the input / output control device, and data is transmitted / received between the POS terminal device and the POS printing device or the input device via the input / output control device. In this case, when the card issuing server 50-1 detects the purchase information and the address information of the purchase card in the input information from the input device or the print information, the telephone number corresponding to the address information is extracted from the database 55. It is also possible to extract the code for the calling card according to the purchase information of the purchase card to the input / output control device, and to print part or all of the information on the calling card.

  In addition, at least one of a POS printing device or an input device is connected to the input / output control device, and data is transmitted / received between the POS terminal device and the POS printing device or the input device via the input / output control device. When the card issuing device detects the call time request information for acquiring the remaining call time of the calling card in the input information from the input device or the print information and the identification information of the calling card, the card issuing device responds to the identification information. The remaining call time of the calling card can be calculated, the remaining call time can be transmitted as the issue information to the input / output control device, and printed on the calling card or displayed on the display device.

  FIG. 5 shows a functional block diagram of a POS printer 34 that is generally used. The input / output control device 12 transmits the print information received from the card issuing server 50-1 to the POS printing device 34 as shown in FIG. The POS printing apparatus 34 includes a receipt printing unit 34-3 and a slip printing unit 34-4. The slip printing unit 34-4 can print on a relatively thick card. When the operator sets the purchase card 70 on the slip printing unit 34-4, the telephone number and the password transmitted to the control unit 34-2 via the interface 34-1 are printed on the back surface 71 of the purchase card 70.

  FIG. 6B shows an example in which an electric field number and a password are printed on the back side of the purchase card 70. FIG. 6C illustrates an example of receipt printing. It is an example of a print when goods A, B, C, and a calling card are purchased. As shown in this receipt, it is also possible to print on the receipt without printing the personal identification number on the back surface 71 of the purchase card 70. Alternatively, the personal identification number may not be printed, but instead, the personal identification number may be confirmed by requesting the personal identification number twice when the calling card is used. Unauthorized use can be prevented by not printing the personal identification number on the calling card. It is also possible to print a telephone number and a personal identification number on a receipt and issue the receipt as a calling card. In this case, the purchase card 70 can be collected after the checkout process at the checkout counter and reused at the store.

  Further, when a telephone number or the like is printed on a card such as the purchase card 70 (including a card other than the purchase card) and a calling card is issued, if the POS printer 34 does not have a slip printing function, the slip It is possible to perform printing by additionally connecting a printing device 36 having a printing function.

  In the above-described example, the example in which the password is input by the customer has been described. However, the password can be automatically assigned and printed by the card issuing server. In this mode, since the customer is not required to input a password, the card can be issued quickly.

  When a customer desires to provide a communication service, the customer calls a designated telephone number, and inputs a personal identification number in response to a request from the telephone number. At that time, an inquiry is made from the call control device to the database 55 via the card call server 57 as shown in FIG. Therefore, the remaining call time and password are confirmed, and a call service is provided.

(Other embodiments)
FIG. 7 shows a POS system and a POS printing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the POS system of FIG. 7, the POS printing device 34 includes an input / output control board 78 and a printing unit 73. The input / output control board 78 is connected to the printing unit 73 via the connector 77 and is built in the POS printer 34. The input / output control board 78 may be configured to be detachable. The input / output control board 78 has the same configuration as that of the input / output control device 12 shown in FIG. 2 except for the connection form with the POS printing device 34. The print data transmitted from the input / output control board 78 to the print control unit 74 is distributed to the receipt print 75 or the slip print 76 by the print control unit 74 according to a predetermined print format, and is printed. It is also possible to connect another printing device 36 to the POS printing device 34 of FIG.

  FIG. 10 shows a POS system and a POS printing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the POS system of FIG. 10, the POS printer 34 includes an input / output control board 78-1 and a print / image processing unit 73-1. The input / output control board 78-1 is connected to the print / image processing unit 73-1 through the connector 77 and is built in the POS printer 34. The input / output control board 78-1 may be configured to be detachable. The input / output control board 78-1 has the same configuration as that of the input / output control device 12 shown in FIG. 2 except for the connection form with the POS printing device 34. It is also possible to connect another printing device 36 to the POS printing device 34 of FIG.

  In the case of the POS printing device 34 in which the image reading device 100 is incorporated, the print data received by the input / output control board 78-1 from the POS terminal device 30 is transmitted to the printing / image control unit 74-1, and printing / image control is performed. The section 74-1 distributes the prints to the receipt print 75 or the slip print 76 according to a predetermined print format, and printing is performed. Similarly, the POS printer 34 prints the print information received from the additional function providing server 50. As a result, it is possible to cause the POS printing apparatus 34 to execute printing accompanying the provision of the additional function from the additional function providing server 50. Further, the image information read by the image reading device 100 can be output to the POS terminal device 30 or the additional function providing server 50 via the input / output control board 78-1. The image information is, for example, a read image of a credit card, a check, or a driver's license. These image information, account number information printed on the check, information specifying the date, information specifying the input / output control board as the input / output control device, information specifying the POS terminal device, information specifying the operator, amount The information can be stored in the data storage unit 14 of the input / output control board 78-1 by combining a part or all of the information.

  A configuration in which the image reading device is connected to the input device 32 is also possible. According to this configuration, the read image information is output to the POS terminal device 30 or the additional function providing server 50 via the input / output control board 78-1 as in the case of the POS printing device 34 in which the image reading device is incorporated. It is possible.

  FIG. 11 shows a print example of the receipt 72-1 related to the processing of journal data and tax data. Of the print data transmitted from the POS terminal device 30 to the input / output control device, information necessary for journal recording (journal data) is journal information 110, and other printed information such as logo images of other stores is provided. unnecessary. The information (tax data) necessary for collecting the tax is the tax information 111 in which the total amount and the tax amount are described. Thus, the information printed on the receipt 72-1 is selected according to the purpose of use.

  The input / output control board 78-1 is a combination of a part or all of the received data, information specifying the input / output control device board 78-1, information specifying the operator, and information specifying the date and time. The information is stored in the data storage unit 14 in a compressed or uncompressed state. Then, periodically or when the additional function providing server 50 requests these information, or when the remaining storage capacity of the data storage unit 14 reaches a predetermined capacity, or the received data is subjected to predetermined verification. When the condition is satisfied, the information stored in the data storage unit 14 is transmitted to the additional function providing server 50. During this transmission, the information is automatically encrypted or unencrypted. The additional function providing server 50 stores the received information in the database 55. In response to a request from the operator via the input / output control device, the additional function providing server 50 searches, transfers, backs up, counts, deletes, compresses, compresses and decompresses, encrypts, does not encrypt the database 55. Processing such as encryption, printing, and display is performed. As a result, print data can be converted into an electronic journal or information on taxes can be acquired without adding any function for storing journal data to the POS terminal device. By providing this additional function, printing paper can be saved and work efficiency can be improved.

(Checkout process and calling card issuance procedure)
The processing procedure of the POS system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the input / output control device 12 and the additional function providing server (card issuing server) 50-1, and FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the POS terminal device 30 and the POS server 40. is there.

  When purchase merchandise information is input from the input device 32 at the time of payment, the input information is transmitted to the input / output control device 12. When the input / output control device 12 receives the purchased product information from the input device 32 (S101), the verification unit verifies whether the received data satisfies a predetermined verification condition (S102). Depending on whether or not the received data satisfies a predetermined verification condition, the transmission data is edited based on the first processing procedure or the second processing procedure (S103), and the transmission destination (output destination) is determined ( In step S104, transmission data is transmitted to a predetermined device determined by the processing procedure (S105). In this case, the case where the received data is transmitted as it is without being processed is also included in the concept of “editing” of the input / output control device 12.

  When the received data from the input device 32 does not satisfy the predetermined verification condition, the received data is transmitted to the POS terminal device 30 as it is based on the first processing procedure. When the product code accompanying the purchase of the calling card is received from the input device 32, it is detected by the verification process of the received data (S102). In this case, the received data is transmitted to the POS terminal device 30 according to the first processing procedure, and at the same time, through the predetermined processing (S103, S104, S105) according to the second processing procedure, to the card issuing server 50-1. Also, the received data is transmitted (S105). When the card issuance server 50-1 receives the calling card purchase information (S201), the issuance authority is authenticated (S202), and a password input request is output (S203).

  In response to the password input request, display information for prompting the input of the password is transmitted to the input / output control device 12. The input / output control device 12 confirms the received data (S101, S102), and after performing predetermined processing, outputs information prompting the input request to the display device 33 as display information (S103 to S105). When the input / output control device 12 receives the password from the input device 32 (S101), predetermined processing is similarly performed (S102 to S103), and the edited transmission data is transmitted to the card issuing server 50-1 ( S104, S105). When the card issuing server receives the password, it registers that the calling card has been purchased as customer information together with the password (S204). Next, print information such as a telephone number and a password for service provision is transmitted to the input / output control device 12 (S205).

  When receiving the print information from the card issuing server 50-1 (S101), the input / output control device 12 verifies the information (S102). If it is verified that the print information is from the card issuing server (S102), predetermined editing is performed as necessary (S103), and the print data is output to the printing device 34 or 36 (S104, S105). When the personal identification number is printed on the receipt, the personal identification number is stored in the print data editing step, and is edited so as to be printed at a predetermined position when the print information is received (S103). As a result, it is possible to print the printing information relating to the calling card on a predetermined card or a receipt. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the customer's desire is confirmed as to where the personal identification number is printed or not, and the printing target is determined.

  The processing procedure of the POS terminal device 30 and the POS server 40 will be described with reference to FIG. When the POS terminal device 30 receives the purchased product information transmitted from the input / output control device 12 (S301), it makes an inquiry about the product information to the POS server 40 (S301). The POS server 40 receives the inquiry (S401), generates product information, and transmits the information to the POS terminal device 30 (S402).

  When the POS terminal device 30 acquires product information such as product name and price from the POS server 40 (S302), it generates various data to be displayed or printed as display information and receipt print data, and transmits them to the input / output control device 12. (S303, S304). Further, when the input of all purchased products is finished, the settlement confirmation information is transmitted from the input device 32. Upon receipt of the settlement confirmation information (S305: YES), the POS terminal device 30 calculates the total amount, consumption tax, etc., outputs these settlement information as display information and print data, and simultaneously settles the settlement to the POS server 40. Information is transmitted (S306). The POS server 40 updates product inventory data and sales data based on the received settlement confirmation information (S403).

  Returning to FIG. 8, when receiving the display information or the print data from the POS terminal device 30, the input / output control device 12 outputs the data to the display device 33 or the POS printer 34 according to a normal processing procedure. Thereby, according to the operation of the operator, the display device 33 sequentially displays the input information such as the product name and price of the purchased product input from the input device 32 on the display device, and finally displays the settlement information. Further, the POS printing device 34 prints the print data from the input / output control device 12 on a receipt. The printing by the POS printing apparatus may be printed on a receipt every time product data of a purchased product is input, or may be printed collectively on a receipt after the final total amount is determined. These print timings are adjusted by adjusting the transmission timing of print data from the POS terminal device 30 to the input / output control device 12, adjusting the transmission timing of the input / output control device 12 to the POS printing device 34, and adjusting the printing timing by the POS printing device 34. It can also be achieved by such as.

(Other examples of providing additional functions)
Examples of functions that can be added by the input / output control apparatus of the present invention are given below.

  (Example 1) By connecting the input / output control device and the manufacturer's maintenance server, the attached parts such as ink ribbon and ink are monitored, and remote maintenance and software upgrade functions are added. Is possible.

  Also, maintenance information such as ink usage, ink remaining amount, printing amount, auto cut count, paper feed amount, power on / off count, etc. is read from the printing device by the input / output control device and provided regularly or additional functions By transmitting the maintenance information to the additional function providing device in response to a request from the device, it is possible to perform maintenance remotely. In addition, when the inventory of ink cartridges in the store is insufficient, the manufacturer can automatically send out the ink cartridges and charge according to the amount of ink used. In addition, troubles due to running out of ink can be prevented.

  (Example 2) By connecting a POS system to an automatic fee collection server via an input / output control device, it is possible to add a function of automatically collecting a usage fee for software used in the POS system.

  (Example 3) A credit card payment function can be added by connecting a CAT (Credit Authorization Terminal), which is an authentication terminal for credit card payment, to the input / output control device.

  (Example 4) It becomes possible to provide a high value-added service using a member card or the like.

  (Example 5) It is possible to add a check settlement function, a settlement function using digital data of a check image, and further improvement of reliability. In the conventional system, the account number information printed on the check is read, and based on the account number information, the presence of the account number, presence / absence of unauthorized use, balance amount, presence / absence of blacklisting, etc. After confirming all the information, the software of the POS terminal device needs to determine whether or not the account number is acceptable. By using the input / output control device of the present invention, the read account number information is transmitted to the additional function providing device via the input / output control device, and the additional function providing device detects the presence of the account number and unauthorized use. After confirming some or all of the information, such as presence / absence, balance amount, presence / absence of blacklisting, etc., determine whether to accept the account number, and send the determination result to the I / O controller to determine whether payment is possible. Can be determined. Thereby, it is not necessary to introduce a new application for realizing the check settlement function, and the check can be settled easily.

  Also, by reading the image of the check at the same time as reading the account number information printed on the check, and saving the image information, evidence that the account information of the check was misread or that the check was used illegally May be used as At that time, in the conventional system, the software of the POS terminal device receives the image information of the check from the printing device incorporating the image reading device or from an independent image reading device and stores it in the POS terminal device, or checks the check. It was necessary to transmit and save image information to the server for settlement. By using the input / output control device of the present invention, the image information is stored without changing the software of the POS terminal device, and the image information is transmitted to a predetermined server. Evidence can be left and reliability is improved.

  (Example 6) The change up to a predetermined amount (fractional amount) is stored as a digital change in a predetermined management server. If a fractional amount is generated at the time of settlement, the fractional amount is settled by the balance of the management server and the customer. It is also possible to add a function that allows the customer to eliminate the delivery of fine coins and the like by adjusting the amount of payment. As a result, the store can speed up the checkout process, and the customer does not have to carry a large number of coins.

  (Example 7) When payment is made at the settlement counter or when an order is made and an order slip is issued, the print data is transmitted to the printing device via the input / output control device. Extracts information relating to the product from the print data and transmits it to the second input / output control device. The second input / output control device can automatically send instructions to the kitchen or warehouse by sending print data as a cooking instruction or a delivery instruction to the connected printing device. It becomes.

  (Example 8) The print information sent from the additional function providing device and the print information sent from the input / output control device include customer identification information and person-in-charge identification in addition to the settlement information printed on the normal receipt. Some or all of the information, the print serial number, and the input / output control device identification information are added, and the information is transmitted to a plurality of input / output control devices connected in the POS system. A plurality of input / output control devices store the information, and print information is sent by an instruction for specifying information to be printed at the same time as a print instruction sent from an input device connected to the input / output control device or an additional function providing device. Is selected and the print data is transmitted to the printing apparatus. As a result, the operator can perform printing with the nearest printing device or input / output control device. Furthermore, it is possible to take measures when a trouble occurs in the connected apparatus and shorten the work time required for printing.

1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a POS system and an input / output control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a functional block diagram of the input / output control apparatus concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the basic composition of a POS terminal device and a POS server. It is a block diagram of one embodiment of card issuing server 50-1. 1 is a functional block diagram of a POS printing apparatus generally used in a POS system. (A) shows an example of a purchase card for purchasing a calling card of 1000 yen, (b) shows an example in which a telephone number and a personal identification number are printed on the back side of the purchase card 70, and (c) shows an example of receipt printing. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the POS system and POS printing apparatus concerning other embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of an input / output control apparatus and an additional function provision server (card issuing server). It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of a POS terminal device and a POS server. It is a block diagram which shows the POS system and POS printing apparatus concerning other embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the receipt printing concerning other embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 POS system of this invention 12 Input / output control apparatus 13 Transmission / reception control part 14 Data storage part 15 Verification part 16 Data processing part 18 Processing procedure storage part 30 POS terminal apparatus 35,56 Communication apparatus 40 POS server 50 Additional function provision server 60 Existing POS system 61 External network 70 Purchase card 71 Calling card printing example 72 Receipt printing example

Claims (8)

An input device for inputting checkout information including purchased product information;
A display device including a customer display for displaying checkout information and other display information;
A printing device for printing checkout information and other print data;
A POS terminal that obtains information from the input device, calculates a total purchase price, and generates and outputs at least a part of the display information and a part of the print data;
At least one additional function providing device for providing a new function to the POS terminal device;
Input / output connected to at least one of the input device, the display device, and the printing device, the POS terminal device, and the additional function providing device, and relaying transmission / reception of data between the connected devices A control device;
A POS system comprising:
The input / output control device includes:
Predetermined verification conditions are registered in advance, and the received data from the connected part or all of the devices are compared with the registered verification conditions to determine whether the received data satisfies the verification conditions. A verification unit to verify;
A first processing procedure as a normal process when the received data does not satisfy the verification condition, and a special process that is added to or replaced with the normal process when the received data satisfies the verification condition A processing procedure storage unit for storing the second processing procedure for each verification condition;
A data storage unit for storing the received data for each input port;
According to the verification result of the verification unit, the received data stored in the data storage unit is edited according to the processing procedure stored in the processing procedure storage unit, and output to some or all connected devices. A data processing unit to
Equipped with a,
At least the display for customer, a customer input device capable of data input by a customer, and a POS printing device are connected to the input / output control device,
The additional function providing device includes a password corresponding to transmission information from the input / output control device, update information updated based on the transmission information, and extracted information retrieved from a predetermined database based on the transmission information Is an additional information issuing device that outputs issuance information, including part or all of
When the detection unit detects matching information that satisfies the verification condition in the received data, the input / output control device causes the data processing unit to output the matching information as the transmission information according to the second processing procedure. Sent to the additional information issuing device,
When the additional information issuance device receives the match information, it transmits a password input request to the input / output control device,
When the input request is received, the input / output control device displays a message prompting the customer to input a password on the customer display according to the second processing procedure, and the password input from the customer input device. A number is transmitted to the additional information issuing device,
The additional information issuing device transmits additional information as the issued information to the input / output control device when the received personal identification number satisfies a predetermined condition,
The POS system, wherein the input / output control device outputs the received additional information as print data to the POS device. The additional information issuing device comprises a card issuing device that issues a calling card based on a purchase card,
The input / output control device transmits the calling card purchase information to the card issuing device according to the second processing procedure when detecting a product code of a calling card satisfying the verification condition in the received data. And
2. The POS system according to claim 1 , wherein the card issuing device issues information for printing a part of or all of the telephone number or password of the connection destination or the remaining call time based on the purchase information. . At least one of the POS printing device or the input device is connected to the input / output control device, and data is transmitted / received between the POS terminal device and the POS printing device or the input device via the input / output control device. When the card issuing device detects the purchase information and address information of the purchase card in the input information from the input device or in the print information, the card issuing device changes the address information from a predetermined database. The corresponding telephone number is extracted, the calling code for the calling card corresponding to the purchase information of the purchased card is transmitted to the input / output control device, and part or all of the information is printed on the calling card. The POS system according to claim 2 . The input / output control device combines a part or all of the received data and saves the data in the data storage unit, periodically or when there is a request from the additional function providing device, or the data storage The information stored in the data storage unit is encrypted or non-encrypted when the remaining amount of storage memory of the unit reaches a predetermined capacity, or when the received data satisfies a predetermined verification condition, POS system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, and transmits the additional function providing device. 2. The received data is maintenance information about a part or all of ink usage, ink remaining amount, printing amount, auto cut count, paper feed amount, power on / off count. 5. The POS system according to any one of 4 above. In a POS system in which the input / output control device is a first input / output control device, and the second input / output control device is connected to the first input / output control device,
All or a part of the information transmitted from the first input / output control device is one of the second or plural input / output control devices instead of the additional function providing device or in addition to the additional function providing device. Part or all is sent as the recipient,
Of the data received by the second or more input-output control unit, in any one of claims 1 4, characterized in that to store the verification condition is satisfied information of a predetermined input-output control unit The POS system described. A printing apparatus comprising the input / output control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6 . Data of an input / output control device connected to an input device, a POS terminal device, a display device, a printing device, a part or all of each device, and an additional function providing device, and relaying input / output data between the devices A relay processing method,
(A) storing received data from each device for each input port and comparing the received data with a registered verification condition to verify whether the received data satisfies the verification condition When,
(B) when the received data does not satisfy the predetermined verification condition, transmitting the stored received data to the POS terminal device or the printing device according to a first processing procedure as normal processing;
(C) When the received data satisfies the predetermined verification condition, a second processing procedure as a special processing that is added to the processing by the first processing procedure or replaced with the processing by the first processing procedure Transmitting the stored received data to the additional function providing device according to:
(D) processing the data received from the additional function providing device according to the second processing procedure;
Equipped with a,
Furthermore, the step (d)
(D-1) outputting display information for obtaining a predetermined input from the input device to the display device;
(D-2) transmitting the input information input from the input device according to the display by the display device to the additional function providing device;
(D-3) a step of transmitting the print information received from the additional function providing device responding to the step (d-2) to the printing device,
In the step (c), when the received data matches the information registered as the predetermined verification condition, the received data is transmitted to the additional function providing device according to the second processing procedure,
In the step (d-1), in accordance with the input request received from the additional function providing device responding to the step (c), the display information for prompting the input of a personal identification number from the input device is output to the display device,
The step (d-2) transmits the password entered from the input device to the additional function providing device,
In the step (d-3), print information including part or all of the personal identification number, update information, or extracted information received from the additional function providing device in response to the step (d-2) is sent to the printing device. data relay processing method comprising transmitting to it.

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