JP5560819B2 - Connection system, connection system setting information management method and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a connection system comprising a main device and one or more sub-devices connected to the main device, a connection system setting information management method, and a program.

Conventionally, in this type of connection system, when a device is changed (replaced), it is necessary to reset setting information for a newly connected new device. For this reason, for example, in the case of a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC), an external storage device is connected to back up setting information of each device connected to the PC (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2009-129314 A

However, in the method of backing up the setting information in the external storage device as described above, it is necessary to perform backup periodically, which is troublesome. Also, since there is usually only one external storage device for backup, for example, when the main device is replaced and the external storage device fails, the setting information can be restored. There was also a problem that it could not be done.

In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a connection system, a connection system setting information management method, and a program that can easily and reliably restore setting information, for example, when a main device is replaced. The purpose is to provide.

The connection system of the present invention is a connection system including a POS terminal that functions as a main device and one or more POS peripheral devices that function as one or more sub-devices connected to the main device. When an arbitrary sub-device is replaced among the main device storage unit storing the setting information of the own device and the setting information of the one or more sub-devices and the one or more sub-devices, substitute for the arbitrary sub-device as to the new connected new sub-device, and a reception unit transmission for the main device transmits the setting information of any of the sub-device read from the main device storage section, each sub-device, at least, its own A sub device storage unit for storing device setting information and main device setting information; If the device is replaced for the new main device that is newly connected as a substitute for the main device, and a reception unit transmit a sub-device to transmit the setting information of the main device read from sub-device storage section, the The main device transceiver unit instructs the main device storage unit to send a group ID to one or more subdevices, and when the group ID returned from the one or more subdevices is not set. The stored setting information is transmitted to a subdevice whose group ID is not set .

The connection system setting information management method of the present invention is a connection system setting information comprising a POS terminal functioning as a main device, and a POS peripheral device functioning as one or more sub-devices connected to the main device. a management method, the main device, the setting information of the device configuration information and the one or more sub-device, a storage step for the main device to be stored in the main device storage section in the own device, each sub-device, A subdevice storage step for storing the setting information of the own device and the setting information of the main device in the subdevice storage unit in the own device, and when any subdevice of one or more subdevices is exchanged A new subdevice that is newly connected as a substitute for any subdevice Against chair, a transceiver steps for the main device sending configuration information for any sub-device read from the main device storage section, when the main device is exchanged, any one of the sub of one or more sub-device A sub-device transmission / reception step for transmitting the main device setting information read from the sub-device storage unit to a new main device newly connected as a substitute for the main device. Instructs the transmission of the group ID to one or more subdevices, and when the group ID returned from the one or more subdevices is not set, the setting information stored in the main device storage unit is An ID is transmitted to a sub-device that has not been set .

According to these configurations, the setting information of the main device is stored in each connected sub device, and the setting information of the sub device is stored in the main device. Even when the device is replaced, the system can be immediately restored by reading the original setting information from the other device and transmitting it to the newly connected new device. In addition, since all of the one or more sub-devices include a sub-device storage unit, when the main device is replaced, even if any one of the sub-devices fails, the setting information is restored without any trouble. be able to.

In this case, when a plurality of sub devices are connected to the main device, the sub device storage unit stores setting information of the plurality of sub devices including the self device and setting information of the main device. use transmission receiving unit, to the new main device, it is preferable to transmit the setting information of the setting information and the main devices of a plurality of sub-devices read from sub-device storage unit.

According to this configuration, since the setting information of all devices to which not only the main device but also the sub device is connected is stored, when the main device is replaced, the setting information of the main device is transmitted from the sub device. At the same time, the setting information of all the sub devices can be transmitted. This eliminates the need for the new main device to acquire setting information from all sub-devices, and allows the system to be recovered more quickly. Further, even when the main device and the sub device are exchanged at the same time, the setting information can be restored without any trouble.

In this case, the sub device storage unit stores the group ID of the connected system to which the device belongs.
The main device determines whether or not a group ID has already been set for the new subdevice when an arbitrary subdevice has been replaced. If the subdevice has already been set, the main device It is preferable to further include a main device connection permission unit that permits connection without rewriting device setting information.

According to this configuration, the main device uses the sub device while leaving the old setting information in the sub device in order to permit the connection even when the sub device with the group ID already set is connected. can do. As a result, when a malfunction occurs in the sub device and other sub devices are temporarily connected as an emergency response, it is possible to prevent inappropriate setting information from being set in the other sub devices.
A connection permission unit may be provided not on the main device side but on the sub device side.

In this case, reception unit transmission for the main device, when a new sub-device group ID is already determined whether it is set, is not set, setting any sub-devices with respect to the new sub-device It is preferable to transmit information.

According to this configuration, when a sub device having a group ID is connected, setting information is not transmitted. For example, when a sub device is replaced in a situation where a plurality of similar system configurations exist. Thus, it is possible to avoid problems such as setting information of other groups being erroneously set for the subdevice.
Note that group ID verification may be performed on the sub device side instead of the main device side.

The program of the present invention causes a computer to execute each step in the connection system setting information management method described above.

By using this program, it is possible to realize a setting information management method for a connection system that can easily and reliably restore setting information.

It is a control block diagram of the connection system concerning a 1st embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of the connection system concerning a 1st embodiment. It is holding information of each device according to the first embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the setting information transfer process of the connection system which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart following FIG. It is holding information of each device according to the second embodiment. It is holding information of each device according to the third embodiment.

[First embodiment]
Hereinafter, a connection system, a connection system setting information management method, and a program according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, as a connection system, a POS (Point Of S) used in a retail store such as a supermarket.
ales) A configuration in which a terminal is a main device and a POS peripheral device (receipt printer, barcode scanner, and customer display) is a sub device is illustrated.

FIG. 1 is a control block diagram showing the configuration of the connection system 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the connection system 1 functions as a POS terminal 2 that performs accounting processing based on product information input by an operator, a printer 3 that functions as a receipt printer, and a barcode scanner (handy scanner). It comprises a scanner 4 and a display 5 that functions as a customer display. The POS terminal 2 is connected to the printer 3, the scanner 4, and the display device 5 through different interfaces.

The POS terminal 2 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21 and a ROM (Read Only M).
emory) 22, RAM (Random Access Memory) 23, nonvolatile memory 24 and PO
An S terminal interface 25 is provided. The CPU 21 performs overall control of the POS terminal 2. The RAM 23 is used as a work area when the CPU 21 executes various processes. The ROM 22 stores a control program and control data for the CPU 21 to execute various processes. The control program includes a POS application 26 for performing accounting processing and a setting information management program 27 for managing setting information and group ID of each device. The POS terminal 2 incorporates a main device setting information management program 27 for functioning as a main device. Note that the connection system 1 executes setting information migration processing, which will be described later, based on the setting information management programs 27 and 37 incorporated in each device.

The non-volatile memory 24 is connected to all devices (POS terminal 2, connected to the connection system 1.
The setting information of the printer 3, the scanner 4, and the display 5) and group information for identifying the group (the connected system to which it belongs) are stored. Hereinafter, these setting information and group information are collectively referred to as “holding information”. The POS terminal interface 25 includes a plurality of interfaces 25a, 25b, and 25c (ports) connected to the printer 3, the scanner 4, and the display unit 5, respectively. These interfaces include
A USB interface, a serial interface, an Ethernet (registered trademark) interface, and the like are employed.

On the other hand, the printer 3 includes a CPU 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, a printer interface 34 (hereinafter referred to as a printer I / F), a nonvolatile memory 35, and a printing mechanism 36. Similar to the POS terminal 2, the ROM 32 stores a setting information management program 37. The setting information management program 37 is also stored in the ROMs 42 and 52 of the scanner and the display device. However, the printer 3, the scanner 4 and the display 5 have a sub device setting information management program 2 for functioning as a sub device.
7 is incorporated.

The printer interface 34 is a dedicated interface connected to the POS terminal 2. Further, the non-volatile memory 35 stores the retention information of all the devices connected to the connection system 1, similarly to the POS terminal 2. The printing mechanism 36 prints the print data output from the POS terminal 2 on the receipt paper by the paper transport mechanism and the print head.

The scanner 4 includes a CPU 41, a ROM 42, a RAM 43, a scanner interface 44 (hereinafter referred to as a scanner I / F), a nonvolatile memory 45, and an image reading unit 46. The scanner I / F 44 is a dedicated interface connected to the POS terminal 2. Further, the image reading unit 46 reads a product barcode attached or printed on the product.

The display 5 includes a CPU 51, a ROM 52, a RAM 53, and a display interface 54 (
Hereinafter, it is described as a display I / F), a nonvolatile memory 55, and a display screen 56. The display I / F 54 is a dedicated interface connected to the POS terminal 2. The display screen 56 displays display data indicating the product name and the product price output from the POS terminal 2.

Next, the functional configuration of the connection system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The POS terminal 2
The main functional configuration includes a main device storage unit 61, a main device connection permission unit 62, and a main device transmission / reception unit 63.

The main device storage unit 61 stores the holding information of the POS terminal 2 itself and the holding information of all the sub devices transmitted from each sub device. Main device connection permission section 6
2 is a case where the subdevice is exchanged, and the subdevice has already been changed to the group I.
If it has D, the connection is permitted without updating (not rewriting) the setting information of the new sub-device.

The main device transmission / reception unit 63 manages the holding information of the POS terminal 2 and the holding information of the sub devices, and transmits and receives information between the POS terminal 2 and all the sub devices. For example, the main device transmitting / receiving unit 63 stores the information in the POS terminal 2 when the sub-device is exchanged and the group ID of the newly connected new sub-device indicates unset. Stored information (setting information) is transmitted to the new sub-device. In addition, the setting information migration process will be described later. The main device connection permission unit 62 and the main device transmission / reception unit 63 operate according to the main device setting information management program 27.

Each sub-device has a sub-device storage unit 64 and a sub-device transmission / reception unit 65 as main functional configurations in common. Here, the printer 3 will be described as an example.

The sub device storage unit 64 stores the information held by the printer 3 itself, the information held by the POS terminal 2 transmitted from the POS terminal 2, and the sub devices (here, the scanner 4 and the display 5) other than the printer itself. Store retained information.

The sub-device transmission / reception unit 65 includes information held by itself (in this case, the printer 3) and P
Manages all stored information sent from the OS terminal, and itself (in this case, printer 3)
And the POS terminal 2 transmit and receive information. The sub-device transmission / reception unit 65 operates according to the sub-device setting information management program 37. The other subdevices have similar functions.

Next, information held in each device will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. E1 shows a list of stored information stored in each device. As shown in FIG. E1, each device stores holding information including setting information and group information in each device. As group information, each device stores the group ID of the group to which the device (own device) belongs.
On the other hand, the content of the setting information differs between the main device and the sub device. For example, the POS terminal 2 functioning as the main device has a computer name, IP
Address, MAC address, OS type, I / O setting information of each connected device, etc. are stored. The I / O setting information is information indicating which device is connected to which interface. In addition, the printer 3, the scanner 4, and the display device 5 functioning as sub devices store an I / O type, a transfer speed / control code, and the like as setting information. The I / O type is information indicating which interface the POS terminal (main device) is connected to. The transfer rate / control code is information related to communication with the POS terminal. As described above, the setting information is slightly different between the main device and the sub device, but both include information on the connection form and communication.
FIG. E2 shows target device information relating to which device setting information is stored in each device. As shown in FIG. E2, each device has a connection system 1
The setting information of all devices including itself is stored. In other words, all devices
Sharing information of all devices is shared. For example, the POS terminal 2 stores its own holding information and holding information of four devices including the holding information of the printer 3, the scanner 4, and the display device 5.

As described above, each device in the connection system 1 shares the retention information of all the devices in the system, so that the backup data is retained by the number of devices, and as a result, the loss of the setting information can be prevented. In addition, even if any device in the connection system 1 needs to be replaced, each device shares the retained information, so that even if a new device is replaced, setup can be performed immediately.

Here, with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 4 and 5, the setting information migration processing when any device in the connection system 1 is replaced will be described. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the priority order in which the main device accesses the sub devices connected in the connection system 1 is determined.

First, after the power is turned on, the main device determines whether or not it has retained information (S01). Here, if the main device has retained information (S01: Yes)
), The process proceeds to FIG. 5 (A). If the main device does not have holding information (S01: No), the sub device is instructed to transmit the main device held by the sub device and the holding information of all the sub devices (S02). ). The sub device that has received the holding information transmission command determines whether or not the holding information of the main device and the sub device is held in its own device (S03). Here, when holding information of the main device and the sub device (S03: Yes), the holding information is transmitted to the main device (S04), and when holding information is not held (S03: No) ), That effect is notified to the main device (S05).

When the main device receives the holding information from the sub device (S06: Yes), the main device sets the setting information in its own device (S07), and proceeds to the processing of FIG. 5 (A). Further, when the holding information cannot be received from the sub device (when it is notified that the sub device does not have holding information) (S06: No), the second sub device (the access priority of the main device is The processing subsequent to S02 is performed again for the second highest subdevice) (S08).

On the other hand, in the case of S01: Yes, as shown in FIG. 5, the main device issues a group ID transmission command to all the subdevices in the group or to the subdevice that has detected a new connection (S09). When the sub device receives the ID transmission command, it transmits the group ID of its own device to the main device (S10).

When receiving the group ID from the sub device, the main device determines whether or not the sub device has a group ID (S11). When the group ID of the sub device is not set (S11: Yes), the main device stored in the self device and the holding information of all the sub devices in the connection system 1 are transmitted to the sub device (S12). Sub-device connection permission is performed (S13). On the other hand, the sub device performs information setting based on the received holding information (S14). In the case of S11: No, the holding information is not transmitted to the sub device, but the connection is permitted (S13).

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the setting information of each device is shared and held in the POS terminal 2 that constructs the connection system 1 and all the sub devices connected to the POS terminal 2. Therefore, even when some abnormality or the like occurs in any of the devices and the necessity for replacement occurs, it is possible to easily and reliably restore the setting information of the newly connected device.

According to the first embodiment, the main device and the sub device store the group ID of the connection system 1 to which the self device belongs, and the main device instructs the sub device to transmit the group ID. In the situation where there are multiple similar system configurations, such as a large supermarket, in order to perform setting by obtaining setting information from other devices when the returned group ID is information indicating unset Even when a device is exchanged, it is possible to avoid problems such as accidentally setting other group setting information to another device.

In the first embodiment, each device is provided with an operation status confirmation means for confirming the presence or absence of its own abnormality, and each device has a function of holding the operation status together with setting information and notifying other devices. May be.
In this case, for example, when the normal main device (POS terminal 2 in the first embodiment) is exchanged, the stored information is read sequentially from the sub-device having the higher access priority with the main device. After confirming the operating status of all connected devices first, the priority order of the access priority of the main device is changed and the processing procedure shown in FIG. It is possible to use such a method that the process of accessing the device is omitted).
Furthermore, since the possibility of notifying the newly connected device of the low-reliability holding information possessed by the defective device is reduced, the reliability of the information shared by all the devices in the connection system 1 is consequently reduced. It leads to raising sex.

In the first embodiment, when the group ID of the sub device has already been set, the holding information is not transmitted. However, the rank of information is added to the setting information held by each device, and the rank is low. Information may be notified to a device having a group ID. In this case, when a device is brought in and connected from a connection system with a different group ID, the work efficiency is improved by adapting the setting information having a low rank such as the communication speed to the usage environment of the group to be used. Therefore, it is not necessary to inadvertently notify high-level information to another group of devices, so that it is possible to improve convenience while ensuring security.

In addition, in the case of having the sub device group ID in the first embodiment,
Displaying that fact (for example, the display device 5), and holding information (setting information) may be transferred when the user presses an execution button (for example, installed in the POS terminal 2).

In the first embodiment, the main device may change the priority order of the access priority of the main device and the type of setting information to be notified in accordance with the setting information of the I / O type held by each device. . Thus, for example, all the setting information is notified to the subdevice connected to the normal connection method (interface according to the setting information of the I / O type), but the connection method (I / O For sub-devices connected to an interface (different from the O type setting information), only the low-rank information is notified, and only basic settings such as communication speed are set.

In the first embodiment, the group ID of the sub device is set on the main device side.
However, the group ID may be verified on the sub device side. That is, the sub-device transmission / reception unit 65 starts from the newly connected new main device to the group I.
When D is acquired and the group ID is information indicating unset, the configuration information of the main device may be transmitted to the new main device. Further, the function of the main device connection permission unit 62 may be realized on the sub device side. That is, when the main device is replaced, it is determined whether or not a group ID has already been set for the new main device. If the group ID has already been set for the new main device, the setting of the new main device is not rewritten. A sub-device connection permission unit that permits connection in a state may be provided.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the first embodiment, the setting information and the group information are stored as the holding information. However, the present embodiment is different in that the storage of the group information is omitted. Only differences from the first embodiment will be described below.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating retained information according to the second embodiment. Thus, by omitting the storage of the group information, it is not necessary to confirm the group ID of the replaced device in the setting information migration process, and as a result, information processing can be performed more quickly. Therefore, the system configuration is effective in a situation where a plurality of similar system configurations do not exist.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above, all the devices store the setting information of all the devices. However, in this embodiment, the sub device does not store the setting information of other devices. Different.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating retained information according to the third embodiment. Thus, in the third embodiment, only the main device stores the setting information of all devices in the connection system 1, and the sub device stores only its own setting information. According to this configuration, the setting information cannot be transferred when the main device is replaced, but the sub-device setting information can be easily performed by the main device. Further, the capacity of the storage unit mounted on each sub-device can be made smaller.

Although three embodiments have been described above, each component of the connection system 1 shown in each embodiment can be provided as a program. In addition, the program is stored in various recording media (
CD-ROM, flash memory, etc.) can also be provided. That is,
A program for causing a computer to function as each component of the connection system 1 and a recording medium on which the program is recorded are also included in the scope of the right of the present invention.

In the above embodiment, the connection system 1 is applied to the POS terminal and its peripheral devices. However, the connection system 1 may be applied to another device system including a main device and one or more sub devices. Other modifications can be made as appropriate without departing from the scope of the present invention.

1: connection system, 2: POS terminal, 3: printer, 4: scanner, 5:
Indicator 61: main device storage unit 62: main device connection permission unit 6
3: Main device transmission / reception unit, 64: Sub device storage unit, 65: Sub device transmission / reception unit

Claims (6)

A connection system comprising a POS terminal that functions as a main device and a POS peripheral device that functions as one or more sub-devices connected to the main device.
The main device is
A main device storage unit that stores setting information of the own device and setting information of the one or more sub devices;
When an arbitrary sub-device is replaced among the one or more sub-devices, the arbitrary sub-device read from the main device storage unit for a newly connected new sub-device as a substitute for the arbitrary sub-device comprising a receiving unit transmission for the main device transmits the setting information of the sub-device, a
Each of the subdevices is
At least a sub-device storage unit that stores the setting information of the own device and the setting information of the main device;
If the main device is replaced, a new connected new to the main device, wherein the received transmission for sub-device to transmit the setting information of the main device read from sub-device storage section as a substitute for the main device comprises a part, the,
The main device transceiver is
Instructing transmission of a group ID to the one or more subdevices, and setting information stored in the main device storage unit when the group ID returned from the one or more subdevices is not set. A connection system , wherein the group ID is transmitted to a sub-device having no setting . When a plurality of sub devices are connected to the main device,
The sub device storage unit stores setting information of the plurality of sub devices including the self device and setting information of the main device,
The sub-device for feeding receiving unit, the relative new main device, and transmits the setting information of the setting information and the main device of the plurality of sub-devices read from sub-device storage section The connection system according to claim 1. The sub device storage unit further stores a group ID of the connection system to which the device belongs.
The main device is
When the arbitrary sub-device is replaced, it is determined whether or not the group ID has already been set for the new sub-device. If the group ID has already been set, the setting information of the new sub-device is not rewritten. The connection system according to claim 1, further comprising a connection permission unit for a main device that permits connection. Reception unit transmission for the main device, wherein the group ID to the new sub-device is already determined whether it is set, if not set, the optional sub-devices with respect to the new sub-device 4. The connection system according to claim 3, wherein the setting information is transmitted. A connection system setting information management method comprising a POS terminal functioning as a main device and a POS peripheral device functioning as one or more sub-devices connected to the main device.
A main device storage step in which the main device stores the setting information of the own device and the setting information of the one or more sub devices in a main device storage unit in the own device;
Each of the sub devices stores a sub device storage step of storing the setting information of the self device and the setting information of the main device in a sub device storage unit in the self device;
When an arbitrary sub-device is exchanged among the one or more sub-devices, the main device receives from the main device storage unit a new sub-device newly connected as a substitute for the arbitrary sub-device. A main device transmission / reception step for transmitting the read setting information of the arbitrary sub-device;
When the main device is replaced, any one of the one or more sub devices reads from the sub device storage unit for the newly connected main device as a substitute for the main device. And a sub-device transmission / reception step for transmitting the setting information of the main device ,
The transmission / reception step for the main device includes:
Instructing transmission of a group ID to the one or more subdevices, and setting information stored in the main device storage unit when the group ID returned from the one or more subdevices is not set, A setting information management method for a connection system, wherein the group ID is transmitted to a subdevice to which no group ID is set .   The program for making a computer perform each step in the setting information management method of the connection system of Claim 5.

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