JP5876331B2 - Printer device, printer control program, and order management system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a printer device, a printer control program, and an order management system.

  In order management system, in order to improve its reliability, a redundant system that introduces order system control functions for order processing such as order data reception, slip output, menu management, accounting management, etc. into multiple controller devices has been introduced. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). In the duplex system, a plurality of controller devices having the order system control function and functionally the same are divided into a main and a sub. In general, the main controller device mainly operates the order system control function. Each controller device has a slip output function (slip output device or printer) in addition to the order system control function.

JP 2009-157745 A

  However, in the above-described conventional technology, since the order system control function and the slip output function are incorporated in one device, inconsistency occurs in the order data, and if the order system control function is defective, the order processing is not performed. In addition to being unable to do so, there is a problem that slips cannot be output by the slip output function.

  The order system control function can be continuously operated by the sub controller device by switching to the sub controller device as a duplex system. However, when the slip output function is stopped, a slip must be output from another printer device with a controller or a slip output function (slip output device or printer) of the printer device. When there is only one slip output device in the order management system, there is a problem that the slip cannot be output even if the slip output function is not defective.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a printer device that can continue order processing and slip output processing with high reliability even when a malfunction occurs in the device. A printer control program and an order management system.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, one aspect of the present invention is a printer device that performs parallel processing of a controller function and a print function, and order data input from a handy terminal as a function unit that realizes the controller function. An order data reception processing unit, and a slip issue processing unit that issues slip data of a slip to be printed based on the order data received by the order data reception processing unit, and the print function A slip data reception processing unit that receives slip data issued from the slip issue processing unit or slip data issued from another printer device, and a slip received by the slip data reception processing unit A printer control processing unit for controlling the printer driving unit to print out a slip based on the data, Even when the troller function is stopped, the operation of the slip data reception processing unit and the printer control processing unit by the print function is continued, and the other printer device is replaced with the stopped controller function. In the printer apparatus, the controller function is executed.

  In one aspect of the invention, the slip data reception processing unit receives slip data issued from the slip issue processing unit when the controller function is operating, and the controller function is stopped. Is characterized in that it receives slip data issued from an external device.

  In one aspect of the invention described above, as a function unit that realizes the controller function, if the external printer device is in operation, it shifts itself to a standby state, and if the external printer device is in standby state, It is further characterized by further comprising a duplex monitoring processing unit that shifts to an operating state.

  1 aspect of said invention WHEREIN: The said printing function and the said controller function are further provided with the connection confirmation process part which confirms whether it mutually operate | moves normally by communicating at predetermined time intervals. Features.

  In one aspect of the above invention, the controller function is further provided by further including an external memory slot in which a memory card is inserted, and reading and executing a program stored in the memory card inserted in the external memory slot. It is characterized by starting.

  In one aspect of the invention described above, when the controller function is stopped, the print function sets a memory card invalid flag for valid / invalid of the memory card, and then restarts the apparatus to restart. If the memory card invalid flag is valid after activation, the controller function is not activated by not executing the program stored in the memory card.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, according to one aspect of the present invention, a computer of a printer device that performs parallel processing of a controller function and a print function is input at a handy terminal as a function unit that realizes the controller function. A slip for issuing slip data of a slip to be printed based on the order data received by the order data reception processing function as a function unit for realizing the order data reception processing function for receiving the order data and the controller function An issuance processing function; a slip data reception processing function for receiving slip data issued from the slip issuance processing function or slip data issued from another printer device as a function unit for realizing the print function; and the print Received by the slip data reception processing function as a function unit for realizing the function. Based on the slip data, the printer control processing function for controlling the printer driving unit to print out the slip, and even if the controller function is stopped, the slip data receiving processing function and the printer by the print function A printer control program for continuing an operation with a control processing function and causing the other printer device to execute the controller function instead of the stopped controller function.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, one aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of printer apparatuses that perform parallel processing of a controller function and a print function, and performs processing and data to be executed by the plurality of printer apparatuses. Of these, an order management system for duplicating between at least one main printer device and another sub-printer device, wherein each of the plurality of printer devices is a handy terminal as a functional unit for realizing the controller function. An order data reception processing unit for receiving input order data; and a slip issuing processing unit for issuing slip data of a slip to be printed based on the order data received by the order data reception processing unit. As a function unit for realizing the print function unit, the slip data issued from the slip issue processing unit or other prints A slip data reception processing unit that receives slip data issued from the printer device, and a printer control processing unit that controls the printer driving unit based on the slip data received by the slip data reception processing unit to print out the slip Even when the controller function is stopped, the operation of the slip data reception processing unit and the printer control processing unit by the print function is continued and replaced with the stopped controller function. The order management system is characterized in that the controller function is executed by the other printer device.

  According to the present invention, even when a malfunction occurs in the apparatus, the order process and the slip output process can be continued with high reliability.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the order management system by embodiment of this invention. In this embodiment, it is a conceptual diagram which shows the slip output setting information preserve | saved in a controller (main) apparatus and a controller (sub) apparatus. In this embodiment, it is a conceptual diagram which shows the menu master setting information for managing the menu and the corresponding slip. In this embodiment, it is a schematic diagram which shows an example of a guest slip. In this embodiment, it is a schematic diagram which shows an example of a drink slip. In this embodiment, it is a schematic diagram which shows an example of a cooking slip. It is a block diagram which shows an example which implement | achieves a controller (main, sub) apparatus in this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows an example which implement | achieves a controller (main, sub) apparatus in this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the controller apparatus provided with the slip output function by this embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the controller apparatus by this embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the controller apparatus by this embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the controller apparatus by this embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an order management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, in the order management system, a controller (main) device 10 and a controller (sub) device 20 are duplicated. The controller (main) device 10 and the controller (sub) device 20 print out the order system control units 11 and 21 that perform order processing such as order data reception, slip output, menu management, and accounting management, respectively. And slip output units 12 and 22 such as a printer. Usually, the controller (main) device 10 mainly operates the order system control unit. The controller (sub) device 20 has functions equivalent to those of the controller (main) device 10 so that the controller (main) device 10 can be replaced at any time, and normally holds data equivalent to the controller (main) device 10. Is in operation (standby state).
Note that which controller device is the main and the sub device is determined in advance.

  The controller (main) device 10 and the controller (sub) device 20 communicate with each other via the wired LAN 30 in order to perform double management of order data. Each of the controller (main) device 10 and the controller (sub) device 20 includes wireless transmission / reception units 13 and 23. The wireless transmission / reception unit indicates that a failure has occurred in the communication of the wired LAN 30 that communicates with each other. 13 and 23 can be detected by wireless communication. The controller (main) device 10 and the controller (sub) device 20 stop the duplexing process when a failure occurs in either device, and switch to the independent operation of the device in which no failure has occurred. .

  When the controller (sub) device 20 side becomes abnormal, the controller (main) device 10 side shifts to a single operation while continuing the processing. On the other hand, when the controller (main) device 10 side becomes abnormal, the controller (sub) device 20 side shifts from the standby state to the single special operation. The controller (main) device 10 or the controller (sub) device 20 in which the failure has occurred immediately stops processing so as not to adversely affect the single operation side. Further, the wireless transmission / reception units 13 and 23 of the controller (main) device 10 and the controller (sub) device 20 output a slip to the wireless printer 50 and a communication port for receiving order information input from the handy terminals 60 to 62. Become.

The POS register 40 is a device for calculating charges and taking in and out money. The POS register 40 communicates with the controller (main) device 10 and the controller (sub) device 20 via the wired LAN 30.
The wireless printer 50 is an independent device installed away from the controller (main) device 10 or the controller (sub) device 20, and is wirelessly communicated with the controller (main) device 10 or the controller (sub) device 20. The slip data is received and printed out. In one slip output setting example, the controller (main) device 10 prints out a guest slip (to be described later) delivered to the customer, and the wireless printer 50 prints out a cooking slip (to be described later) for a cook in the kitchen. When the controller (main) device 10 stops abnormally, it operates as a detour destination for printing out a guest slip (described later) to be delivered to the customer.

  The handy terminals 60, 61 and 62 are carried by employees such as waiters and waitresses, respectively, and order contents from customers are input. The handy terminals 60 to 62 transmit order data based on the input order contents to the controller (main) device 10 or the controller (sub) device 20 by wireless communication.

  The order data transmitted from the handy terminals 60 to 62 is received by the controller (main) device 10 or the controller (sub) device 20 and transferred to the controller (main) device 10 operating in a duplex manner. When the controller (main) device 10 is in a duplex operation state, the controller (sub) device 20 is in a standby state in which order data duplex management is performed.

  When the controller (main) device 10 or the controller (sub) device 20 receives the order data, the controller (main) device 10 or the controller (main) device 20 performs order processing or saves the order data. The slip data to be printed is transmitted to the slip output unit 22 of the (sub) apparatus 20 and the wireless printer 50, respectively.

  The types of slips printed by the controller (main) device 10, the controller (sub) device 20, and the wireless printer 50 are slip output setting information in the controller (main) device 10 and the controller (sub) device 20 depending on the respective installation positions. Defined in Next, the slip output setting information will be described.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing slip output setting information stored in the controller (main) device 10 and the controller (sub) device 20 in the present embodiment. In the slip output setting information 70, for each of the controller (main) device 10, the (sub) device 20, and the wireless printer 50 having the slip output units 12 and 22, the type of slip to be printed and the detour destination are set. ing.
In FIG. 2, a device is an identification number indicating a device having a slip output function. In the illustrated example, “001” indicates the controller (main) device 10, “002” indicates the controller (sub) device 20, and “103” indicates the wireless printer 50. The name is the name of the device. The output information is the type of slip to be printed. The voucher includes a guest voucher to be given to customers, a drink voucher to be given to employees who make drinks, and a cooking voucher to be given to kitchen chefs. The output symbol is a symbol assigned to each slip, and “1” is a guest slip, so that the slip output unit 12 of the controller (main) device 10 or the slip output unit 22 of the controller (sub) device 20 can easily read. “2” is defined as a drink slip and “3” is defined as a cooking slip.

  The detour destination indicates a device that substitutes the slip output when the device indicated in the device column has a malfunction or the like and does not operate. In the illustrated example, the controller (main) device 10 is set to print a guest slip, and the wireless printer 50 is set as a detour destination of the guest slip when an abnormality occurs. The controller (sub) device 20 is set to print a drink slip, and the controller (main) device 10 is set as a detour destination of the drink slip when an abnormality occurs. Similarly, the printing of the cooking slip is set in the wireless printer 50, and the controller (sub) device 20 is set as a detour destination of the cooking slip when an abnormality occurs.

  FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing menu master setting information 80 for managing menus and corresponding slips in the present embodiment. In the menu master setting information 80, the name of each menu number, the type of slip to be printed, and the like are set. In FIG. 3, the menu number is a number for uniquely identifying the product name on the menu. The menu name is the name of the article (article name). The slip output information is the type of slip that is output when the corresponding article is ordered. The output symbol is a symbol assigned to each slip.

  In the illustrated example, the menu name “hamburg”, slip output information “guest slip”, output symbol “1”, slip output information “cooking slip”, and output symbol “3” are set for the menu number “1”. Yes. That is, when a hamburger is ordered, the guest slip and the cooking slip are printed out. The menu number “2” is set with the menu name “Yakiniku”, slip output information “guest slip”, output symbol “1”, slip output information “cooking slip”, and output symbol “3”. That is, when yakiniku is ordered, the guest slip and the cooking slip are printed out. Similarly, menu number “121” is set with menu name “tea”, slip output information “guest slip”, output symbol “1”, slip output information “drink slip”, and output symbol “2”. That is, when tea is ordered, a guest slip and a drink slip are printed out.

  For example, when the order data of the handy terminals 60 to 62 is hamburger when an order is received from a certain customer, the order data processing of the controller device refers to “hamburger” in the menu master setting information 80 shown in FIG. Then, “hamburg” is added to each menu name portion of the guest slip and the cooking slip to be printed for the customer. Similarly, if there is “coffee” in the order data of the handy terminals 60 to 62, “coffee” in the menu master setting information 80 shown in FIG. 3 is referred to, and “coffee” is displayed in each menu name portion of the guest slip and drink slip. "Is added.

  In this way, when hamburger and coffee are ordered, slip data creation processing corresponding to the menu is performed in the controller (main) device 10 or the controller (sub) device 20, and based on the slip output setting information, The data is output to the slip output units 12 and 22 or the wireless printer 50.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the guest slip 90 printed from the slip output setting information controller of FIG. 2 (main) and the slip output unit 12 of the apparatus 10 in the present embodiment. In FIG. 4, a guest slip 90 is printed with the time when the order is received, the handy terminal (HT) number, the menu name that is the name of the ordered item, and the quantity received. The guest slip 90 is a slip printed out for the ordered customer. Accordingly, on the guest slip 90, the names of all the items ordered by the customer and their quantities are printed.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the drink slip 91 printed from the slip output unit 22 of the controller (sub) device 20 of the slip output setting information of FIG. 2 in the present embodiment. In FIG. 5, the drink slip 91 is printed with the time when the order is received, the handy terminal (HT) number, the menu name which is the name of the ordered item, and the quantity received. The drink slip 91 is a slip printed out for employees who make drinks. Accordingly, the drink slip 91 is printed with the product name and quantity classified as drinks.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the cooking slip 92 printed from the wireless printer 50 of the slip output setting information of FIG. 2 in the present embodiment. In FIG. 6, the cooking slip 92 is printed with the time when the order is received, the handy terminal (HT) number, the menu name which is the name of the ordered item, and the quantity received. The cooking slip 92 is a slip printed out for a cook in the kitchen. Accordingly, the cooking slip 92 is printed with the name of the item classified as a dish cooked in the kitchen and its quantity.

  In the above-described configuration, in the order management system according to the present embodiment, when a failure occurs in the controller (main) device 10, the controller (sub) device 20 side shifts to a single operation, so that the controller (sub) device 20 side operates independently. The order system control unit 11 of the controller (main) device 10 stops the processing so as not to cause a failure. In synchronization with this, the slip output unit 12 of the controller (main) device 10 also stops.

  When the slip output unit 12 of the controller (main) device 10 is stopped in the single operation of the controller (sub) device 20, the guest slip 90 (FIG. 4) created by the controller (sub) device 20 is transferred to the controller (main) device 10. No response when sent to. At this time, the controller (sub) device 20 refers to the slip output setting information 70 shown in FIG. 2 and transmits the slip data to the wireless printer 50 that is the detour destination of the guest slip 90. As a result, the guest slip 90 is also printed following the cooking slip 92 from the wireless printer 50 in the cooking area.

Next, a method for realizing the controller (main) device 10 and the controller (sub) device 20 according to the present embodiment will be described.
7 and 8 are block diagrams showing an example of realizing the controller (main) device 10 and the controller (sub) device 20 in the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, when integrating the order system control units 11 and 21 and the slip output units 12 and 22, an external memory slot 110 is prepared that allows the external memory to be attached to and detached from the printer 100 having a printing function. The external memory is a commercially available SD card (registered trademark), USB memory, hard disk, compact flash (registered trademark), or the like. Here, the external memory is referred to as a memory card 120.

  The memory card 120 stores an order system control program 121 for realizing the order system control units 11 and 21. As shown in FIG. 7, by mounting the memory card 120 in the external memory slot 110 of the printer 100, the controller (main) device 10 with print function and the controller (sub) device 20 are obtained as shown in FIG. The memory card 120 also stores order processing data 122 processed by the order system control units 11 and 21.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a controller device having a slip output function according to the present embodiment. The controller process (controller function) 200 has the functions of the order system control units 11 and 21. The print process (print function) 220 has the functions of the slip output units 12 and 22. The controller process 200 and the print process 220 are configured independently. The controller process 200 and the print process 220 operate on one basic program (OS: control function). That is, one CPU processes the controller process 200 and the print process in parallel. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the order system control program 121 is stored in the memory card 120. When the order system control program 121 is activated, the controller process 200 starts processing. The memory card 120 is accessed only from the controller process 200. Further, the printer driving unit 207 that drives the printer 100 can be accessed only from the print process 220.

  The controller process 200 includes an order data reception processing unit 201, an order processing unit 202, a slip issue processing unit 203, a connection confirmation processing unit 204, and a duplex monitoring processing unit 205. The order data reception processing unit 201 receives order data from the handy terminals 60 to 62. The order processing unit 202 performs order processing according to the order data, and updates the order processing data 122 in the memory card 120. The slip issuing processing unit 203 performs slip issuing processing according to the order processing data 122, and transmits the slip data to the print process 220, the controller (sub) device 20, the wireless printer 50, etc. according to the type of slip to be printed.

  In the case where the slip issue processing unit 203 outputs the slip data to the print process 220 in the controller (main) device 10 and the case where it outputs to the external printer (here, the controller (sub) device 20 and the wireless printer 50), It is transmitted from the same route only with different destinations.

  The print process 220 includes a slip data reception processing unit 221, a slip format creation processing unit 222, a printer control unit 223, and a connection confirmation processing unit 224. The slip data reception processing unit 221 receives slip data from the controller process 200 and other controller devices. Here, the other controller device is the controller (sub) device 20 when the device is the main, and the controller (main) device 10 when the device is the sub.

  The slip format creation processing unit 222 creates a slip format according to the received slip data. The printer control unit 223 prints a slip by the printer driving unit 207 through printer control processing. The slip data reception processing unit 221 of the print process 220 is not limited to the controller process 200, and can receive slip data from other controller devices. When the controller process 200 is stopped, other The slip data is received from the controller device.

  The controller process 200 and the print process 220 include connection confirmation processing units 204 and 224, respectively. The connection confirmation processing unit 204 of the controller process 200 confirms the connection with the print process 220, the controller (sub) device 20, and the wireless printer 50 regardless of the inside or outside. Similarly, the connection confirmation processing unit 224 of the print process 220 confirms the connection with the controller process 200 and other controller devices regardless of the inside or outside. As a result, it is possible to confirm the mutual communication route and confirm that each process is operating normally.

  10 to 12 are flowcharts for explaining the operation of the controller (main) device 10 according to the present embodiment. Since the controller (sub) device 20 operates in the same manner, the operation of the controller (main) device 10 will be described below.

When the controller (main) device 10 is powered on, the controller (main) device 10 first sets a memory card invalid flag = 0 (valid) by a power-on reset (step S1). The memory card invalid flag is a flag for setting the memory card 120 to be valid or invalid, and means that “0” is valid and “1” is invalid.
Next, the OS (Operating System) of the controller (main) device 10 starts the print process 220 (step S3). If the process is restarted (step S2), the process proceeds to step S3, and the OS of the controller (main) device 10 starts the print process 220 (step S3).

Next, the print process 220 determines whether or not the memory card 120 is attached (step S4). If the memory card 120 is not loaded (NO in step S4), the controller process 200 is invalidated (step S6).
Next, the printer function is diagnosed (step S7), and it is determined whether or not the printer function is normal (step S8). If the printer function is not normal (NO in step S8), the function of the print process 220 is stopped and the process is terminated (step S9). In this case, it may be notified that there is an abnormality in the printer function.

  On the other hand, if the memory card 120 is loaded (YES in step S4), it is determined whether the memory card invalid flag is valid “0” or invalid “1” (step S5). Here, when the memory card invalid flag is invalid “1” (“= 1 (invalid)” in step S5), as described above, in step S6, the controller process 200 is invalidated, and in step S7, The printer function is diagnosed. If the printer function is not normal (NO in step S8), the function of the print process 220 is stopped and the process is terminated (step S9).

  On the other hand, when the memory card 120 is loaded (YES in step S4) and the memory card invalid flag is valid “0” (“= 0” in step S5), the ordering system control program 121 stores the memory card 120. Is stored (step S10). If the order system control program 121 is not stored in the memory card 120 (no step S10), the memory card invalid flag = 1 (invalid) is set (step S14), and the restart is executed (step S14). S15). In this case, the memory card invalid flag = 1 (invalid), that is, the memory card 120 is invalidated and restarted to operate as a printer with the controller process 200 stopped.

  On the other hand, when the order system control program 121 is stored in the memory card 120 (the presence of step S10), the order system control program 121 is activated (step S11). Thereby, the controller process 200 is activated (step S40), and the controller process 200 notifies the printer process 220 that it has been activated (step S41).

  The printer process 220 receives the activation notification from the controller process 200 to confirm the activation of the controller process 200 (step S12), and determines whether or not the controller process 200 has been activated normally (step S13). . If the controller process 200 does not start normally (NO in step S13), the memory card invalid flag = 1 (invalid) is set in step S14 described above, and restart is executed in step S15. In this case, the memory card invalid flag = 1 (invalid), that is, the memory card 120 is invalidated and restarted to operate as a printer with the controller process 200 stopped.

  On the other hand, when the controller process 200 has started normally (YES in step S13 (normal)), the controller process 200 is validated (step S16). Then, it returns to step S7 of FIG. 12, and progresses to step S8.

  On the other hand, in the controller process 200, after the activation notification, the order processing data 122 stored in the memory card 120 is confirmed (step S42), and it is determined whether or not the order processing data 122 is normal (step S42). S43). If the order process data 122 is not normal due to some trouble (No in step S43), the controller process 200 is stopped and the process is terminated (step S44). In this case, you may make it alert | report that there exists abnormality in the order process data 122. FIG.

  On the other hand, when the order processing data 122 stored in the memory card 120 is normal (YES in step S43), the duplex monitoring processing unit 205 confirms the duplex state by wireless communication (step S45). Then, it is determined whether to operate or wait according to the duplex state (step S46). If the main controller device is operating, the sub controller device is set in a standby state, and if the main controller device is stopped due to an abnormality, the sub controller device is set in an operating state.

  If the controller device is main, the controller device is in an operating state, and if the controller device is a sub device, the controller device is in operation or standby depending on the operation status of the main controller device. Then, when waiting in accordance with the duplex state (waiting in step S46), the controller process 200 is put into a waiting state (step S47). On the other hand, when operating according to the duplex state, the process proceeds to step S48 and subsequent steps in FIG.

  On the other hand, in the process of the print process 200, if it is determined in step S8 in FIG. 10 that the printer function is normal (YES in step S8), whether the controller process 200 of the own apparatus is valid. It is determined whether or not (step S17 in FIG. 12). If the controller process 200 of the own device is invalid (NO in step S17 (invalid)), connection to the external controller device is executed (step S18). As described above, if the controller device is main, the external controller device means sub, and if the controller device is sub, the external controller device means main. The connection is to establish communication by performing a handshake between a request and an ACK.

  Then, it is determined whether or not the connection with the external controller device has been successful (step S19). If the connection has failed (NO in step S19), the process returns to step S18 to connect to the external controller. Try again. Then, when the connection with the external controller device is successful (YES in step S19 (success)), the process proceeds to waiting for receipt of slip data from the external controller device (step S20). As described above, when the controller process 200 of the own device is invalid, the process shifts to waiting for receipt of slip data from the external controller device.

  Next, it is determined whether or not slip data is received from the external controller device (step S21). When the slip data is received (YES in step S21), a slip format is created, the slip is printed by controlling the printer (step S22), the process returns to step S20, and again, waiting for slip data reception. Become. On the other hand, when slip data is not received (NO in step S21), it is determined whether it is a connection confirmation timing (step S23). If it is not the connection confirmation timing (NO in step S23), the process returns to step S20 and waits for receipt of slip data.

  On the other hand, when it is the connection confirmation timing (YES in step S23), the connection confirmation processing unit 224 confirms the connection with the external controller device, for example, at intervals of 1 minute during the connection with the external controller device (step S24). That is, the connection confirmation is transmitted to the external controller device. Next, it is determined from the connection confirmation result whether or not the connection is OK (step S25). If there is a response from the external controller device, it is regarded as connection OK (YES in step S25), the process returns to step S20, and again waits for receipt of slip data. On the other hand, if there is no response from the external controller device, it is regarded as connection NG (NO in step S25) and the process returns to step S17.

  On the other hand, if the controller process 200 of the own device is valid (YES (valid) in step S17), connection to the controller process 200 of the own device is executed (step S26). The connection is to establish communication by performing a handshake between a request and an ACK. Then, it is determined whether or not the connection with the controller process 200 of the own device is successful (step S27). When the connection with the controller process 200 is successful (YES in step S27 (success)), the steps described above are performed. The process proceeds to S20, and shifts to waiting for receipt of slip data from the controller process 200 of the own apparatus. As described above, when the controller process 200 of the own device is valid, the process shifts to waiting for receipt of slip data from the controller process 200 of the own device. Thereafter, steps S20 to S25 described above are executed.

  On the other hand, when the connection with the controller process 200 of the own apparatus is not successful (NO in step S27), it is determined whether or not the controller process 200 is in a standby state (step S28). If the controller process 200 is in a standby state (YES in step S28), the process returns to step S18 to attempt connection to an external controller device, and if the controller process 200 of the own device is in a standby state. Then, the process proceeds to waiting for receipt of slip data from the external controller device after step S20.

  On the other hand, when the controller process 200 is not in the standby state (NO in step S28), the memory card invalid flag = 1 (invalid) is set (step S29), and the restart is executed (step S30). As described above, when the connection to the controller process 200 is not successful and is not in the standby state even though the controller process 200 is valid, it is recognized that some trouble has occurred and the restart is executed. To do. In this case, the memory card invalid flag = 1 (invalid), that is, the memory card 120 is invalidated and restarted to operate as a printer with the controller process 200 stopped.

  On the other hand, in the controller process 200, when operating according to the duplex state (operation of step S46 in FIG. 11), the order process is activated (step S48 in FIG. 12), and whether or not it has been normally activated. A determination is made (step S49). If the order process does not start normally (NO in step S49), the function of the controller process 200 is stopped (step S50).

  On the other hand, when the order process is started normally (YES in step S49), the order data reception wait state is entered (step S51). That is, the order data reception processing unit 201 determines whether or not order data has been received from the handy terminals 60 to 62 (step S52). When the order data is received (YES in step S52), the handy terminal 60 The slip issue processing unit 203 receives the order data from .about.62 and executes the slip issue processing for transmitting the slip data of various slips shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 to the print process 220 (step S53). Thereafter, the process returns to step S51 and again enters the order data reception waiting state.

  On the other hand, when order data is not received (NO in step S52), it is determined whether or not a connection confirmation from the print process 220 has been received (step S54). When the connection confirmation is received from the print process 220 (YES in step S54), the controller process 200 returns a response to the received connection confirmation to the print process 220 in the connection confirmation processing unit 204 (step S55). . Thereafter, the process returns to step S51 and again enters the order data reception waiting state. On the other hand, when the order data is not received and the connection confirmation is not received (NO in step S54), the process proceeds to step S50, and the function of the controller process 200 is stopped.

The operation of the controller (main) device 10 described above will be collectively described below.
In the controller (main) apparatus 10, the print process 220 stored in the internal memory (not shown) is activated after the power is turned on (step S3). The print process 220 first confirms whether or not the memory card 120 is inserted in the external memory slot 110 (step S4). If the order system control program 121 is stored therein, the controller process 200 is started (step S4). S11). Confirmation that the controller process 200 has been started normally is performed in each connection confirmation process.
The print process 220 diagnoses the printer function (step S7), and if there is no abnormality, connects to the controller process 200 (step S26).
On the other hand, the controller process 200 diagnoses the order processing data 122 stored in the memory card 120 (step S42), and if normal, starts the order processing. When the order process is started, a connection request is received from the printer process 220 and the wireless printer 500, and the connected printer is used as a slip output device (step S48).

  In the case where the print process 220 cannot confirm that the controller process 200 has started normally in the connection confirmation process even though the controller process 200 has been started after the confirmation of the ordering system control program 121 of the memory card 120 (step S13). ) Invalidates the memory card 120 as the external memory and restarts itself (step S15). In this case, by invalidating and restarting the memory card 120, the controller process 200 operates as a printer in a stopped state.

The print process 220 then connects to the controller process 200, but if the connection to the controller process 200 fails (step S27), the memory card 120, which is an external memory, is similarly invalidated and the print process 220 is deleted. It restarts (step S30). In this case, by invalidating and restarting the memory card 120, the controller process 200 operates as a printer in a stopped state.
Further, when the print process 220 determines that the print function is abnormal in the diagnosis of the print function (step S8), the print process 220 stops the function of itself and does not connect to the controller process 200. As a result, the print process 220 stops (step S9), and the controller process 200 does not use the printer process 220 as a slip output device.

As described above, the print process 220 operates as a printer if the memory card 120 is not detected or the memory card invalid flag is 1. When the memory card 120 is detected and the memory card invalid flag is 0, and an abnormality occurs in the controller process 200, the memory card 120 is invalidated and restarted, whereby the controller process 200 is Operates as a printer when stopped.
In addition, even when the print process 220 recognizes that an abnormality has occurred in the controller process 200 of the controller (main) device 10 by the connection confirmation process or the like during the operation, the operation as the print process 220 continues.
Conversely, the controller process 200 can operate even if the print process 220 stops abnormally.
As described above, since the print process 220 and the controller process 200 can operate independently, even if an abnormality occurs in one of the processes, the operation can be continued without stopping the other process.

  According to the above-described embodiment, even when the order system control function and the slip output function are incorporated in one controller device 10 and either the order system control unit 11 or the slip output unit 12 fails and stops, Since the function without failure is operated, and the controller is operated with another controller device in which the function in which the problem has occurred is duplicated, the order process and the slip output process can be continued with high reliability.

10 controller (main) device 11, 21 order system control unit 12, 22 slip output unit 13, 23 wireless transmission / reception unit 20 controller (sub) device 30 wired LAN
40 POS register 50 wireless printer 60-62 handy terminal 70 slip output setting information 80 menu master setting information 90 guest slip 91 drink slip 92 cooking slip 100 printer 110 external memory slot 120 memory card 121 order control program 122 order processing data 200 controller process 201 Order Data Reception Processing Unit 202 Order Processing Unit 203 Voucher Issuance Processing Unit 204 Connected Hospital Processing Unit 205 Duplex Monitoring Processing Unit 220 Print Process 221 Voucher Data Reception Processing Unit 222 Voucher Format Creation Processing Unit 223 Printer Control Processing Unit 224 Connection Confirmation Processing Part

Claims (8)

A printer device that performs parallel processing of a controller function and a print function,
As a functional unit for realizing the controller function,
An order data reception processing unit for receiving the order data input at the handy terminal;
Based on the order data received by the order data reception processing unit, a slip issuing processing unit for issuing slip data of a slip to be printed out,
As a functional unit for realizing the print function,
A slip data reception processing unit that receives the slip data issued from the slip issue processing unit or the slip data issued from another printer device;
A printer control processing unit that controls the printer driving unit to print out a slip based on the slip data received by the slip data reception processing unit;
Even if the controller function is stopped, the operation of the slip data reception processing unit and the printer control processing unit by the print function is continued, and the other printer is replaced with the stopped controller function. A printer apparatus, wherein the controller function is executed by the apparatus. The slip data reception processing unit
When the controller function is operating, it receives slip data issued from the slip issuing processor, and when the controller function is stopped, it receives slip data issued from an external device. The printer device according to claim 1, wherein: As a functional unit for realizing the controller function,
If the external printer device is in operation, it further includes a duplication monitoring processing unit that shifts itself to a standby state, and if the external printer device is in standby state, it further includes a duplex monitoring processing unit. Item 3. The printer device according to Item 1 or 2. The connection function processing unit for confirming whether the print function and the controller function communicate with each other at predetermined time intervals as to whether or not they are operating normally. The printer device according to any one of the above. An external memory slot to which a memory card is inserted;
Activating the controller function by reading and executing a program stored in the memory card mounted in the external memory slot;
The printer device according to claim 1, wherein the printer device is a printer. The print function is
If the controller function is stopped, set the memory card invalid flag to enable / disable the memory card, then restart the device,
The printer apparatus according to claim 5, wherein after the restart, when the memory card invalid flag is valid, the controller function is not activated by not executing a program stored in the memory card. An order data reception processing function for receiving order data input at a handy terminal as a functional unit for realizing the controller function, a computer of a printer device that performs parallel processing of a controller function and a print function;
A slip issuing processing function for issuing slip data of a slip to be printed based on the order data received by the order data receiving processing function as a function unit that realizes the controller function;
A slip data reception processing function for receiving slip data issued from the slip issue processing function or slip data issued from another printer device as a function unit that realizes the print function;
A printer control processing function for controlling the printer driving unit to print out a slip based on the slip data received by the slip data reception processing function, as a function unit for realizing the print function;
Even when the controller function is stopped, the print function continues the operations of the slip data reception processing function and the printer control processing function, and the other printer is replaced with the stopped controller function. A printer control program for causing a device to function as a control function for executing the controller function. It consists of a plurality of printer devices that process the controller function and the print function in parallel, and the processing and data to be executed are transferred between at least one main printer device and another sub-printer device among the plurality of printer devices. The order management system is duplicated with
Each of the plurality of printer devices includes:
As a functional unit for realizing the controller function,
An order data reception processing unit for receiving the order data input at the handy terminal;
Based on the order data received by the order data reception processing unit, a slip issuing processing unit for issuing slip data of a slip to be printed out,
As a functional unit for realizing the printing functions,
A slip data reception processing unit that receives the slip data issued from the slip issue processing unit or the slip data issued from another printer device;
A printer control processing unit that controls the printer driving unit to print out a slip based on the slip data received by the slip data reception processing unit;
Even if the controller function is stopped, the operation of the slip data reception processing unit and the printer control processing unit by the print function is continued, and the other printer is replaced with the stopped controller function. An order management system, wherein the controller function is executed by an apparatus.

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