JP5138644B2 - Merchandise sales data processing apparatus, control program and control method thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a merchandise sales data processing apparatus whose system is activated by firmware control, a control program thereof, and a control method thereof.

  In general, firmware having a large number of codes such as a PC (Personal Computer) BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) is a means for notifying the progress of initialization processing at the time of startup and a hardware failure to the outside. It has. For example, in the case of a PC, it is common to output information on the progress status to a debug port on an internal bus (PCI bus). The information output to the debug port can be visually recognized by connecting a special expansion board to the expansion slot of the motherboard.

  PC-based embedded devices such as merchandise sales data processing equipment also have a debug port on the internal bus, and when a failure occurs, the information output from the debug port is displayed on the monitor to investigate the cause of the error or failure Has been adopted. (For example, see Patent Document 1)

  In the case of the merchandise sales data processing apparatus, unlike the PC, the arrangement position of the board and the design of the case are different from those of the PC. In many cases, the expansion board cannot be connected simply by opening the case. In such a case, the merchandise sales data processing apparatus must be disassembled to attach a visual expansion board to the expansion slot of the motherboard. Further, in a small merchandise sales data processing apparatus, the motherboard is also downsized, and there is a case where a connector for connecting an expansion board is not prepared.

  Under such circumstances, it is difficult for the merchandise sales data processing apparatus to check the progress status and error information of the initialization process notified from the firmware.

  The present invention has been made based on the above situation, and its purpose is to facilitate the progress of firmware processing in the product sales data processing apparatus without preparing an expansion board or opening the housing. And checking error information.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is firmware storage means for storing firmware for starting a system , and each process executed by the firmware between power-on and system startup in the system startup processing by the firmware. Correspondingly , progress information storage means for storing progress information, which is a numerical value starting from power-on and starting from system startup, a general-purpose interface for controlling data communication with a connected external device, and the startup At the time of execution of processing, specifying means for specifying the progress information stored in the progress information storage means in association with the process being executed, and output control means for outputting the progress information specified by the specifying means to the general-purpose interface And a merchandise sales data processing apparatus.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control program for a merchandise sales data processing apparatus having a general-purpose interface for controlling data communication with a connected external device. And progress information that is a numerical value starting from power-on and starting from system as an end-point in association with each process executed from power-on to system start-up in the start-up process from progress information storage means for storing a function that identifies the progress information stored in association with the processes running at the time of execution of the activation process, a function of outputting the identified advances Hakado information to the general-purpose interface It is a control program for realizing.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is firmware storage means that stores firmware for starting the system , and each process executed by the firmware between power-on and system startup in the system startup processing by the firmware. Correspondingly, a progress information storage means for storing progress information, which is a numerical value starting from power-on and starting from system startup, and a general-purpose interface for controlling data communication with connected external devices are provided. A method for controlling a merchandise sales data processing apparatus, the step of executing the firmware to start a system startup process, and the progress information storage means associated with a process being executed at the time of execution of the system startup process the general purpose in identifying the stored progress information, the identified advances Hakado information A control method characterized by comprising the step of outputting the over face.

  According to the present invention in which such measures are taken, it is possible to easily check the progress status and error information of the firmware processing in the product sales data processing apparatus without preparing an expansion board or opening the housing.

The block diagram of the merchandise sales data processing apparatus in 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the data structure of the code table in the embodiment. The figure which shows the example of a display of the line monitor in the same embodiment. The flowchart of the process which CPU performs in the notification process in the embodiment. The flowchart of the process which CPU performs in the notification process in 2nd Embodiment.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the merchandise sales data processing apparatus. In this apparatus, a mother board 1 is mounted inside a casing. On the motherboard 1, a CPU 10, a chip set 11, a BIOS-ROM 12, a display interface (I / F) 13, an input interface (I / F) 14, a debug port 15, and a general-purpose interface (I / F) 16) is implemented. The chip set 11, the CPU 10, the BIOS-ROM 12, the debug port 15, the general-purpose interface 16, the display interface 13, and the input interface 14 are connected via a bus line such as an address bus or a data bus. A display device 2 is connected to the display interface 13, an input device 3 is connected to the input interface 14, and a line monitor 4 is connected to the general-purpose interface 16 through a communication cable 20.

  The display device 2 is a display such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), and displays various information based on a video signal supplied via the display interface 13.

  The input device 3 is configured by a keyboard, a mouse, a trackball, and the like provided with numeric keys and character keys, and outputs an input signal corresponding to a user operation to the input interface 14.

  The CPU 10 functions as a main control unit of the product sales data processing apparatus. The chip set 11 includes a north bridge used for connecting the CPU 10 and the bus line, and a south bridge having functions such as various controllers.

  The BIOS-ROM 12 functions as firmware storage means in the present embodiment, and stores a BIOS program 120 that is firmware, a POST (Power-On Self Test) 121, a progress code table 122, and a setting area 123. . The POST 121 is a program for initializing each hardware executed when the power is turned on.

  The progress code table 122 stores a progress code in association with each process of the system startup process under the control of the BIOS program 120. The process refers to a processing unit executed from power-on to OS startup, and is a concept including a failure detected by the POST 121 when each hardware is initialized. The progress code is identification information of each process. An example of the data structure of the progress code table 122 is shown in FIG. Here, as an example, the progress code “00” for the process “power on”, the progress code “4F” for the process “CPU initialization”, the progress code “CF” for the process “display”, and the process “ A progress code “FF” is assigned to “OS startup”. The progress code is expressed in hexadecimal notation starting from power-on and starting from OS. Further, other processes executed under the control of the BIOS program 120 are included between the processes shown in FIG. 2, that is, between power-on, CPU initialization, screen display, and OS startup. It is omitted for simplicity of explanation.

  The setting area 123 is a storage area for holding a setting as to whether or not to output a progress code for each process executed under the control of the BIOS program 120 to the general-purpose interface 16, and functions as a setting storage unit in the present embodiment. To do. For example, “1” is stored when the progress code is output to the general-purpose interface 16, and “0” is stored when the progress code is not output. The setting in the setting area 123 can be changed by a predetermined setting process via the input device 3 under the control of the BIOS program 120 or the OS. Therefore, the user can use the merchandise sales data processing apparatus by appropriately changing to a desired setting.

  The debug port 15 is a port compliant with, for example, the JTAG (Joint Test Action Group) standard, and is used for input / output and control of test data in a boundary scanning test or the like.

  The general-purpose interface 16 is, for example, a serial interface such as USB or RS-232C, or a parallel interface such as Centronics or SCSI, and a connection terminal is provided on the housing surface of the commodity sales data processing apparatus. An external device having a terminal corresponding to the standard of the general-purpose interface 16 can be connected to the connection terminal. Since the connection terminal is exposed on the casing surface, it is not necessary to open the casing when connecting an external device. On the other hand, in order to visually recognize the information output from the debug port 15, it is necessary to open the housing and attach a visual expansion board to the expansion slot of the motherboard.

  The line monitor 4 displays data output from the general-purpose interface 16, and has a 7-segment display area for two characters. Each display area includes seven issue areas configured using a plurality of LEDs. By selectively causing the LEDs constituting these seven light emitting areas to emit light, numbers or alphabets can be expressed. FIG. 3 shows an example in which the progress code for each process shown in FIG. Progress code “00” is displayed in process “power on”, progress code “4F” is displayed in process “CPU initialization”, progress code “CF” is displayed in process “screen display”, and process “OS activation” is displayed. “Is the progress code“ FF ”.

  Note that the CPU 10 in the present embodiment realizes the following functions by processing based on software.

(1) When the setting for outputting the progress code to the general-purpose interface 16 is stored in the setting area 123, the progress code is output to the general-purpose interface 16, and the progress code is not output to the general-purpose interface 16 in the setting area 123. An output control function that does not output the progress code to the general-purpose interface 16 when the setting is stored.

Next, the effect | action by the above structures is demonstrated.
When the merchandise sales data processing apparatus is powered on, the BIOS program 120 is executed and the system activation process is started. In this process, first, the POST 121 is read and the general-purpose interface 16 is initialized. When the general-purpose interface 16 is initialized without abnormality, data transmission / reception between the chip set 11 and the line monitor 47 becomes possible.

  After the general-purpose interface 16 is initialized, notification processing for each process is started in parallel with the system activation processing. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of processing executed by the CPU 10 in the notification processing.

  In this process, first, the CPU 10 identifies a process that is currently being executed (step S101). The process specified here corresponds to the process stored in the progress code table 122 and is identified by the code being executed by the BIOS program 120 or the POST 121.

  Subsequently, the CPU 10 identifies a progress code associated with the identified process from the progress code table 122 (step S102). Then, the CPU 10 refers to the setting area 123 and determines whether or not it is a setting for outputting the specified progress code to the general-purpose interface 16 (step S103). If “0” is set in the setting area 123, it is determined that the progress code specified in the process of step S102 is not set to be output to the general-purpose interface 16 (No in step S103). Only the progress code is output (step S104).

  On the other hand, when “1” is set in the setting area 123, it is determined that the progress code is set to be output to the general-purpose interface 16 (Yes in step S103), and the CPU 10 specifies the process in the process in step S102. The progress code is output to the general-purpose interface 16 (step S105). At this time, the progress code may be output to the debug port 15 or may not be output. The progress code output from the general-purpose interface 16 is output to the line monitor 4 via the communication cable 20. The line monitor 4 that has received the progress code output displays the progress code in two-digit hexadecimal as described above.

  After the output of the progress code specified in the process of step S102 is completed, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the system activation process by the BIOS program 120 is completed (step S106). If the system startup process has not yet been completed (No in step S106), the processes in steps S101 to S106 are repeated again.

  On the other hand, if the system activation process by the BIOS program 120 has already been completed (Yes in step S106), the notification process is terminated. Thereafter, a business application or the like is executed under the control of the OS.

  As described above, the merchandise sales data processing apparatus according to the present embodiment outputs a progress code corresponding to the process being executed from the general-purpose interface 16 when the system is started by the BIOS program 120. Accordingly, the progress of processing by the firmware can be easily performed without visually recognizing the information output from the debug port 15 by opening the housing and connecting the line monitor 4 to the expansion slot arranged on the motherboard 1. And the type of error that occurred.

  Whether or not to output the progress code to the general-purpose interface 16 can be changed using the setting area 123. Accordingly, it is possible to cope with the case where the output of the progress code is unnecessary, such as when an external device not for displaying the progress code is connected to the general-purpose interface 16.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
Some external devices connected to the general-purpose interface 16 do not support progress code output. Even if the progress code is output to such a device, it is meaningless and there is a possibility that the external device may cause a malfunction. Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is automatically determined whether or not the external device connected to the general-purpose interface 16 is a device for which a progress code is to be output, and the progress code is output only when it is an output target. The same reference numerals are assigned to the same parts as those in the first embodiment, such as the hardware configuration of the merchandise sales data processing apparatus, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In the setting area 123 according to the present embodiment, identification information of one or a plurality of external devices for which progress codes are to be output is stored. This information is, for example, a product ID uniquely assigned to each external device, a vendor ID that is information for specifying a manufacturer, a device ID that is information for specifying a type of device, and the like.

  Note that the CPU 10 in the present embodiment realizes the following functions based on software.

(2) A detection function for detecting identification information of an external device connected to the general-purpose interface 16.

(3) As a result of collating the identification information detected by the detection function with the information stored in the setting area 123, if the external device connected to the general-purpose interface 16 is the output target of the progress code, the progress code is An output control function that outputs to the interface 16 and does not output the progress code to the general-purpose interface 16 when it is not an output target.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart of processing executed by the CPU 10 in the notification processing according to this embodiment. First, the CPU 10 communicates with an external device connected to the general-purpose interface 16 and detects product information of the external device. This product information includes a product ID, a device ID, a vendor ID, and the like stored in a nonvolatile memory included in the external device. The detected product information is stored in a working storage area generated in a RAM (Random Access Memory) (not shown) or the like.

  Next, the CPU 10 identifies a process that is currently being executed as in the above embodiment (step S202), and identifies a progress code corresponding to the identified process from the progress code table 122 (step S203).

  Thereafter, the product information of the external device detected in the process of step S201 is collated with the information stored in the setting area 123, and whether or not the external device connected to the general-purpose interface 16 is a progress code output target. Is determined (step S204). In this process, for example, when any or all of the product ID, the vendor ID, and the device ID match, it is determined that the external device is a progress code output target. Therefore, if it is desired to output the progress code only to a specific type of external device such as a line monitor or a PC, the device IDs of these external devices may be stored in the setting area 123, or the same type of external device may be used. If it is desired to output the progress code only to a specific device, it may be stored in the setting area 123 including the product ID. In addition, by adjusting identification information stored in the setting area 123, information detected from an external device, a comparison method thereof, and the like, it is possible to realize a method for determining a device to which various progress codes are to be output.

  When it is determined that the external device connected to the general-purpose interface 16 is a progress code output target (No in step S204), the progress code specified in the process of step S203 is output to the debug port 15 (step S205). ).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the external device connected to the general-purpose interface 16 is not a progress code output target (Yes in step S204), the progress code specified in the process of step S203 is output to the general-purpose interface 16 (step S204). S207). At this time, the external device connected to the general-purpose interface 16 displays or stores the output progress code.

  After outputting the progress code, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the startup process by the BIOS program 120 is completed (step S206). At this time, if the activation process is not completed (No in step S206), the processes in steps S202 to S206 are executed again. If completed (Yes in step S206), the notification process is terminated. .

  As described above, the merchandise sales data processing apparatus according to the present embodiment collates the product information detected from the external device connected to the general-purpose interface 16 with the identification information stored in the setting area 123, and determines the progress code. The progress code is output to the general-purpose interface 16 only when the device is the output target. In this way, a progress code is not output to an external device that is not intended by the user, and it is possible to prevent wasteful operation or malfunction of the external device.

  Of course, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to each said embodiment as it is, In an implementation stage, in the range which does not deviate from the summary, each component can be changed suitably and can be embodied.

  For example, although the case where the line monitor 4 is connected to the general-purpose interface 16 has been described in the first embodiment, it goes without saying that other types of external devices may be connected to the general-purpose interface 16.

  When a storage device such as a USB memory is connected as an external device, the progress code output from the general-purpose interface 16 is not displayed but stored in the memory. When a speaker is connected as an external device, a sound corresponding to the progress code may be output. In addition, when a PC is connected as an external device, the progress code is displayed on the display included in the PC, the progress code is stored in a storage unit such as a hard disk drive, and the progress code is output from the speaker included in the PC. You only need to install software that realizes the above.

  In addition, when the progress code is set to be output as in the first embodiment, the process of outputting the progress code to the general-purpose interface 16 and the external device connected to the general-purpose interface 16 pose the progress code output. In this case, a process of outputting a progress code may be combined. In this case, the setting area 123 stores whether or not to output the progress code to the general-purpose interface 16 and the identification information of the external device that should output the progress code. In the notification process by the BIOS program 120, the setting area 123 is referred to, the progress code is set to be output to the general-purpose interface 16, and the product information of the external device connected to the general-purpose interface 16 is stored in the setting area 123. As a result of collating with the identification information, the progress code is output to the general-purpose interface 16 when it is determined that the progress code should be output.

In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the respective embodiments. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in each embodiment. Furthermore, the constituent elements over different embodiments may be combined.
The invention described in the scope of claims at the beginning of the filing of the present application is appended below.
[1] Firmware storage means storing firmware for system startup, a general-purpose interface for controlling data communication with a connected external device, and progress information indicating the progress of system startup processing by the firmware is output to the general-purpose interface A product sales data processing apparatus comprising:
[2] The product sales data processing apparatus according to [1], wherein the progress information is information for specifying a process of initialization processing of each device by the firmware.
[3] It further comprises setting storage means for storing whether to output the identification code to the general-purpose interface, and the output control means outputs the progress information to the general-purpose interface in the setting storage means. The merchandise sales data processing apparatus according to [1], wherein when the setting is stored, the progress information is output to the general-purpose interface.
[4] Specific information storage means for storing information for specifying an external device for which the progress information is to be output, and detection means for detecting identification information of the external device connected to the general-purpose interface, When the external device connected to the general-purpose interface is the output target of the progress information as a result of collating the identification information detected by the detection unit with the information stored in the specific information storage unit The product sales data processing apparatus according to [1], wherein the progress information is output to the general-purpose interface.
[5] A control program for a merchandise sales data processing apparatus having a general-purpose interface for controlling data communication with a connected external device, wherein the product sales data processing apparatus has a function of executing system startup processing; A control program for realizing a function for specifying a progress status in a system startup process and a function for outputting progress information indicating the specified progress status to the general-purpose interface.
[6] A method for controlling a merchandise sales data processing apparatus comprising firmware storage means for storing firmware for system startup and a general-purpose interface for controlling data communication with a connected external device, wherein the firmware is executed And a step of specifying a progress status in the system startup processing, and a step of outputting progress information indicating the specified progress status to the general-purpose interface. Control method.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Mother board, 2 ... Display device, 3 ... Input device, 4 ... Line monitor, 10 ... CPU, 12 ... BIOS-ROM, 11 ... Chipset, 13 ... Display interface, 14 ... Input interface, 15 ... Debug port, 16 ... General-purpose interface, 20 ... Communication cable, 47 ... Line monitor, 120 ... BIOS program, 121 ... POST, 122 ... Progress code table, 123 ... Setting area

JP-A-5-325039

Claims (5)

Firmware storage means storing firmware for system startup;
In the system start-up process by the firmware, a progress that is a numerical value starting from power-on and starting from system-end in association with each process executed by the firmware from power-on to system start-up Progress information storage means for storing information;
A general-purpose interface that controls data communication with connected external devices;
A specifying means for specifying progress information stored in the progress information storage means in association with a process being executed at the time of execution of the startup process;
Output control means for outputting the progress information specified by the specifying means to the general-purpose interface;
A product sales data processing device comprising: Setting storage means for storing a setting as to whether or not to output the progress information to the general-purpose interface;
The output control means outputs the progress information to the general-purpose interface when a setting for outputting the progress information to the general-purpose interface is stored in the setting storage means. Product sales data processing equipment. Specific information storage means for storing information for specifying an external device to which the progress information is to be output;
Detecting means for detecting identification information of an external device connected to the general-purpose interface;
When the output control means collates the identification information detected by the detection means with the information stored in the specific information storage means, the external device connected to the general-purpose interface is the output target of the progress information The product sales data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the progress information is output to the general-purpose interface. A product sales data processing apparatus control program having a general-purpose interface for controlling data communication with a connected external device,
In the product sales data processing device,
A function to execute system startup processing;
A progress information storage that stores progress information that is a numerical value starting from power-on and starting from the system in association with each process executed from power-on to system boot in the boot process Means for identifying progress information stored in association with a process being executed at the time of execution of the startup process ;
A function of outputting the identified advances Hakado information to the general-purpose interface,
Control program to realize. Firmware storage means for storing firmware for system startup, and in the system startup processing by the firmware, starting from power-on in association with each process executed by the firmware between power-on and system startup And a method for controlling a merchandise sales data processing device comprising progress information storage means for storing progress information, which is a numerical value starting from the start of the system, and a general-purpose interface for controlling data communication with a connected external device. There,
Executing the firmware to start a system boot process;
Identifying the progress information stored in the progress information storage means in association with the process being executed at the time of executing the system startup process ;
And outputting the identified advances Hakado information to the general-purpose interface,
A control method comprising:

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