JP6293240B2 - Information terminal - Google Patents

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a portable information terminal.

  2. Description of the Related Art A merchandise sales data processing apparatus, such as a POS (Point Of Sales) terminal, is known which reads data of merchandise brought into a cashier counter by a shopper and processes the read data as merchandise sales data.

  This POS terminal is a stationary type installed at a cash register counter in a store.

  On the other hand, portable information terminals capable of inputting information by a finger touch operation on a display screen, for example, tablet information terminals, have become widespread and have a low price.

  When such an information terminal is used as a POS terminal, a situation in which data printing is required often occurs.

  When printing is necessary, a staff member goes to a management room or the like in the store and prints data by connecting an information terminal to a printer installed in the management room. When the printer in the management room is connected to the communication network, the attendant sends the print data of the information terminal to the printer via the communication network to perform printing.

  However, the work of connecting the information terminal to the printer one by one is a burden on the staff and the work efficiency is also reduced.

  In the case of printing via a communication network, the work of connecting the information terminal to the printer is not necessary, but on the other hand, it is necessary to set conditions such as selecting one printer from a plurality of printers. This is still a burden for the staff. If the printed data is important, the contents of the printed paper may be leaked to a third party while the attendant goes to the printer. A staff member may forget to print, and printed paper may be left on the printer.

JP 2012-252605 A

  It reduces the burden on the staff in charge of printing, improves work efficiency, and prevents the contents of printed paper from leaking to third parties.

An information terminal according to an embodiment includes a detection unit, a memory, a first control unit, a second control unit, a determination unit, a notification unit, and a third control unit. The detection means detects a state of being attached to a docking station having a printer and a state of being detached from the docking station. The memory stores print data to be printed by the printer. The first control means stores the print data in the memory when the detection means detects that the print means is detached from the docking station when printing of print data is designated . The second control means causes the printer to print the print data when the execution of print of the print data is designated and the detection means has not detected a state of being detached from the docking station. Determining means, when said detecting means detects that it has been attached to the docking station, determining whether or not the memory has stored the data for the print. If the determination unit determines that there is storage, the notification unit notifies that the print data exists. The third control unit causes the printer to print the print data stored in the memory when the print execution of the print data is designated after the notification by the notification unit.

The figure which shows the external appearance of the docking station and tablet terminal of one Embodiment. The figure which shows the state which removed the tablet terminal of one Embodiment from the docking station. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a POS system including an embodiment. FIG. The block diagram which shows the principal part of the docking station and tablet terminal of one Embodiment. The flowchart which shows the control which CPU of the tablet terminal of one Embodiment performs. The figure which shows the content of the data table for printing of one Embodiment. The figure which shows the guidance screen of the tablet terminal of one Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a merchandise sales data processing apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings. This embodiment exemplifies a merchandise sales data processing apparatus that uses a tablet information terminal to realize a function as a POS terminal.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a stationary docking station 1, which is installed at a register counter of a store. Reference numeral 10 denotes an information terminal that can be freely attached to and detached from the docking station 1, for example, a tablet information terminal (hereinafter abbreviated as a tablet terminal). A state where the tablet terminal 10 is attached to the docking station 1 is shown in FIG. 1, and a state where the tablet terminal 10 is detached from the docking station 1 is shown in FIG.

  That is, the docking station 1 has a box-shaped casing on which the tablet terminal 10 is mounted (placed), and includes a scanner reading window 2 on the front of the casing. Is provided with a paper issuing port 3. When the tablet terminal 10 is lifted and removed from the docking station 1, an inclined terminal mounting portion 4 appears at the top of the casing of the docking station 1 as shown in FIG. The connector 5 is exposed.

  The tablet terminal 10 has a rectangular housing that can be held with one hand, and includes a touch panel display unit 11 that can be touched with a finger on the top surface of the housing, and a back surface of the housing that will be described later. The docking connector 68 is provided. The electrical connection between the tablet terminal 10 and the docking station 1 is completed by fitting the docking connector 68 into the expansion connector 5 while the back side of the tablet terminal 10 is placed on the terminal mounting portion 4 of the docking station 1. To do. This connection can be easily released by lifting the tablet terminal 10 and pulling it away from the terminal mounting portion 4.

  One docking station 1 and one tablet terminal 10 constitute a merchandise sales data processing apparatus. An outline of a POS system using this merchandise sales data processing apparatus is shown in FIG.

  The POS system includes a plurality of product sales data processing devices and a store server 20 that centrally manages these product sales data processing devices. The docking station 1 and the store server 20 of each merchandise sales data processing apparatus are connected via a communication network 21 such as a LAN (Local Area Network) so as to be capable of two-way communication. Further, the tablet terminal 10 and the store server 20 of each merchandise sales data processing apparatus are connected so as to be capable of two-way communication by the communication network 21 and one or a plurality of wireless repeaters 22 connected to the communication network 21. . The tablet terminal 10 can realize a function as a POS terminal when the tablet terminal 10 is attached to the docking station 1 or detached from the docking station 1.

  As a store operation, a plurality of staff members possess one tablet terminal 10 at a time. When a cashier works for a cashier at a cashier counter, he / she attaches the tablet terminal 10 on hand to the docking station 1 on the cashier counter and follows the display on the touch panel display unit 11 of the tablet terminal 10 in the same manner as a normal POS terminal. Accounting.

The main parts of the docking station 1 and the tablet terminal 10 are shown in FIG.
In addition to the expansion connector 5, the docking station 1 includes a communication interface 41, an auxiliary storage device (storage means) 42, a power supply unit 43, a scanner 44, a printer (first printer) 45, and a label printer (second printer) 46. The I / O controllers 47 and 48 are mounted at least. The communication interface 41, auxiliary storage device 42, power supply unit 43, scanner 44, printer 45, label printer 46, and I / O controllers 47 and 48 are interconnected by a bus line 40 such as an address bus and a data bus.

  The communication interface 41 is connected to the communication network 21. The communication interface 41 controls transmission / reception of data performed between the tablet terminal 10 and the store server 20 via the communication network 21.

  The auxiliary storage device 42 corresponds to an auxiliary storage portion of the computer. The auxiliary storage device 42 is, for example, an EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or an SSD (solid state drive). The auxiliary storage device 42 stores data used when the CPU 61 of the tablet terminal 10 performs various processes and data generated by the processes of the CPU 61. The auxiliary storage device 42 may store an application program.

  The power supply unit 43 converts the voltage of the commercial AC power supply 30 into an operation voltage for the docking station 1 and outputs it, and also outputs a charging voltage for the tablet terminal 10. This charging voltage is supplied to the tablet terminal 10 via the expansion connector 5.

  The scanner 44 optically reads a bar code or the like put on the reading window 2. The scanner 44 may be of a type that reads a barcode or the like attached to a product from a product image captured by a camera.

  The printer 45 is loaded with receipt or journal roll paper, and performs, for example, thermal printing on the roll paper. The label printer 46 mounts a roll-shaped label sheet and performs, for example, thermal printing on the label sheet. The printed paper is discharged from the paper issuing port 3 and cut at a predetermined length.

  The I / O controller 47 controls a device such as a drawer 51 that is externally connected to the rear surface or side surface of the casing of the docking station 1. The I / O controller 48 controls a device such as a card reader / writer 52 that is externally connected to the back or side of the casing of the docking station 1. The card reader / writer 52 can read and write data with respect to the electronic money card.

  On the other hand, the tablet terminal 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 61, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 62, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 63, a touch panel controller 64, a wireless communication unit 65, a clock unit 66, a USB (Universal Serial Bus). A connector 67, a docking connector 68, a battery 69, and the like are mounted. The CPU 61, the ROM 62, the RAM 63, the touch panel controller 64, the wireless communication unit 65, the clock unit 66, the USB connector 67, and the docking connector 68 are connected by a bus line 70 such as an address bus or a data bus.

  The CPU 61 corresponds to the central part of the computer. The CPU 61 controls each unit to implement various functions as a POS terminal according to an operating system and application programs.

  The ROM 62 corresponds to a main storage portion of the computer. The ROM 62 stores the operating system and application programs. The ROM 62 may store data necessary for the CPU 61 to execute various processes.

  The RAM 63 corresponds to the main storage portion of the computer. The RAM 63 stores data necessary for the CPU 61 to execute various processes as necessary. The RAM 63 is also used as a work area when the CPU 61 performs various processes.

  The touch panel display unit 11 is configured by arranging a touch sensor 21t as an input unit on the display part of the display 21d. The touch panel controller 64 to which the touch panel display unit 11 is connected controls the screen display of the display 21d and monitors the signal of the touch sensor 21t. The touch panel controller 64 detects input data from the position coordinate information on the touch operation and the screen information on the display 21d at the time of the touch operation.

  The wireless communication unit 65 transmits and receives data to and from the wireless repeater 22 using wireless communication. The clock unit 66 measures the current date and time.

  The USB connector 67 is a connector for detachably connecting various USB devices having a communication method compliant with the USB standard. The drawer 51 or the card reader / writer 52 can be connected to the USB connector 67.

  The docking connector 68 is for connecting the tablet terminal 10 to the docking station 1 and is disposed on the back surface of the casing of the tablet terminal 10.

  The battery 69 outputs a voltage for operating the tablet terminal 10, and is supplied from the docking station 1 through the expansion connector 5 and the docking connector 68 when the tablet terminal 10 is attached to the docking station 1. Is charged by the charging voltage.

The CPU 61 has the following means (1) to (7) as main functions based on the control program in the ROM 62.
(1) Input means for accepting touch operation of a finger or the like on the display screen of the touch panel display unit 11 and reading data of the scanner 44 in the docking station 1 as input of data relating to sale of goods.

  (2) Processing means for processing the input data received by the input means as merchandise sales data.

  (3) Detection means for detecting attachment to the docking station 1 and separation from the docking station 1. Specifically, this detection means sends a confirmation signal through the docking connector 68, and when this confirmation signal returns to the docking connector 68, it determines that the device is attached, and the confirmation signal is sent to the docking connector 68. If it does not return to, it is determined that it has left.

  (4) When printing is designated by a touch operation on the touch panel display unit 11 during execution of the processing by the processing means, if the detection result of the detection means is attached, the print data in the RAM 63 (processed) Data) is printed by either the printer 45 or the label printer 46, and when the detection result of the detection means is not attached, the print data in the RAM 63 is sequentially stored in the print data table in the RAM 63. 1 control means.

  (5) Determination means for determining whether or not print data is stored in the print data table in the RAM 63 at the time when the detection means detects the attachment (attachment time).

  (6) When the determination result of the determination means is stored, the fact that there is print data is notified by displaying on the touch panel display unit 11, and as a response to this notification, by touch operation on the touch panel display unit 11 Informing means for informing again by the display on the touch panel display 11 that print data is present after the processing by the processing means is completed when there is no designation for print execution.

  (7) When print execution is designated by touch operation on the touch panel type display unit 11 in response to the notification from the notification means, the print data stored in the print data table in the RAM 63 is stored in the printer 45 and the label. Second control means for sequentially printing with one of the printers 46. Specifically, the second control means sequentially selects one of the printer 45 and the label printer 46 according to the contents of each print data in the print data table, and the selected printer uses the selected printer. Each print data in the print data table is printed in order.

Next, the control executed by the CPU 61 of the tablet terminal 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
The CPU 61 monitors the designation of work on the initial screen of the touch panel display unit 11 (Act 1). When a task is designated by a touch operation on the initial screen (YES in Act 1), the CPU 61 starts an application program corresponding to the designated task (Act 2), and executes processing based on the application program (Act 3). .

  If there is a print designation during this processing (YES in Act 4), the CPU 61 sets the print data (processing in the RAM 63) on the condition that the tablet terminal 10 is attached to the docking station 1 (YES in Act 5). Data) is printed by either the printer 45 or the label printer 46 (Act 6).

  In this case, the CPU 61 selects the label printer 46 if the contents of the print data in the RAM 63 correspond to the label issuing operation. With the printing by the label printer 46, a label on which a product name, a two-dimensional code for product identification, and the like are written is issued.

  If the contents of the print data in the RAM 63 correspond to, for example, accounting work, inventory management work, order reception work, sales registration work, return registration work, coupon issuance work, etc. other than the label issuance work, the CPU 61 may 45 is selected. A receipt is issued by the printing of the printer 45 if it is an accounting operation. If it is an inventory management business, an inventory list is issued. In the case of order reception work, an order reception form (also referred to as an order form) is issued. If it is a sales registration business, a journal is issued. If it is a return registration business, a return list table is issued. If a coupon issuance operation is performed when a coupon is issued by a shopper or when a coupon is distributed to a shopper who has already been paid, a coupon for a service such as a discount or special treatment is issued. Note that after the printing is completed, the CPU 61 erases the printing data in the RAM 63.

  On the other hand, when the print designation is made (YES in Act 4), if the tablet terminal 10 is not attached to the docking station 1 (No in Act 5), the CPU 61 displays the print data (processed data) in the RAM 63. The data is stored in the print data table in the RAM 63 (Act 7).

  As shown in FIG. 6, the print data table includes items such as terminal, print code, date and time, business name, and data. In the terminal item, a terminal code of the tablet terminal 10 that has executed the process, for example, “X1”, “X2”. In the item of print code, a print code for identifying print data is placed in the order of storage. Date / time data of processing is entered in the date / time item. In the business name item, a business name indicating what business the print data belongs to is entered. In the data item, one or a plurality of print data D1, D2,.

  When the end key on the display screen of the touch panel display unit 11 is touched (end operation) (YES in Act 8), the CPU 61 ends the process (Act 9).

  With this termination process, the CPU 61 confirms the print flag f (Act 10). If the print flag f is not “1” (NO in Act 10), the process returns to Act 1 to monitor the designation of the job.

  On the other hand, a staff member who has performed an arbitrary task using the handheld tablet terminal 10 while walking around in the store attaches the handheld tablet terminal 10 to the docking station 1 when returning to the cashier counter. At this mounting time (NO in Act 1 and YES in Act 11), the CPU 61 determines whether or not print data is stored in the print data table in the RAM 63 (Act 12).

  When the print data is stored (YES in Act 12), the CPU 61 indicates that the print data exists, as shown in FIG. 7, for example, “There is data that needs to be printed”. Information is displayed from the display of the guide character 101 "Do you want to print" (Act 13). This guide screen includes a display of an “OK” key 102 for response and a “later” key 103 in addition to the guide characters 101.

  When the “OK” key 102 on this guidance screen is touched (YES in Act 14), the CPU 61 determines in the print data table in the RAM 63 that the touch operation has been designated as print execution. Each stored print data is printed in order by the printer 45 or the label printer 46 (Act 15).

  Upon completion of this printing, the CPU 61 returns to Act 1 and monitors the designation of work.

  By the way, when displaying the guidance screen in Act 13, there is a case where it is desired to suspend printing when busy with customer service. In this case, the clerk touches the “later” key 103 on the guidance screen. If the “later” key 103 is touched (NO in Act 14), the CPU 61 sets the print flag f to “1” based on the determination that the touch operation is pending printing (Act 16). ).

  The CPU 61 checks the print flag f along with the end process of Act 9 for the process executed in Act 3 (Act 10). When the print flag f is “1” (YES in Act 10), the CPU 61 indicates that print data exists on the condition that the tablet terminal 10 is attached to the docking station 1 (YES in Act 17). The information is again notified by the display of the guide screen 7 (Act 18).

  When the “OK” key 102 on the guidance screen is touched as a response to this notification (YES in Act 19), the CPU 61 determines that the touch operation is a print execution designation, and prints in the RAM 63. Each print data stored in the print data table is printed in order by the printer 45 or the label printer 46 (Act 20). Along with this printing, the CPU 61 sets the print flag to “0” (Act 21). After the printing is completed, the CPU 61 deletes each print data in the print data table.

  As described above, when the tablet terminal 10 is not mounted on the docking station 1, the print data is stored in the tablet terminal 10 in order, and then stored when the tablet terminal 10 is mounted on the docking station 1. Since each print data that has been printed is sequentially printed at the docking station 1, it is not necessary to connect the tablet terminal 10 to a printer such as a management room each time print data is generated, and the burden on the staff can be reduced. Work efficiency is also improved.

  If the print data is stored when the tablet terminal 10 is attached to the docking station 1, the fact that the print data exists is notified by the display of the guidance screen in FIG. Can be informed accurately. A staff member who knows that printing is necessary can start printing each print data by simply touching the “OK” key 102 on the guidance screen if he / she wants to print immediately. If it is desired to print at a later time, the clerk can hold the printing of each print data by touching the “103” key 103 later.

  As for the existence of each print data after the hold, the guidance screen of FIG. 7 is displayed and re-notified every time one process is completed, so it is possible to accurately notify the staff that the print data remains. it can.

  Since the printing of each print data is completed at the docking station 1 to which the tablet terminal 10 is attached, the staff can quickly collect the printed paper on the spot. There is no worry that the printed paper will be left forever. Therefore, it is possible to prevent problems such as leakage of the contents of printed paper to a third party.

  When the docking station 1 is installed at a plurality of locations in the store, the printing can be completed at each of the installation locations and at a place where an attendant can easily work. In this respect as well, work efficiency is improved.

  In the above embodiment, the case where one docking station 1 has two printers has been described as an example. However, the type and number of printers can be appropriately selected according to the type of business. .

  The merchandise sales data processing apparatus is generally transferred in a state where a program such as a control program is stored in the ROM. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a control program or the like assigned separately from the computer apparatus may be written in a writable storage device included in the computer apparatus in accordance with an operation of a user or the like. The transfer of the control program or the like can be performed by recording on a removable recording medium or by communication via a communication network. The recording medium may be in any form as long as it can store a program such as a CD-ROM or a memory card and can be read by the apparatus. Further, the function obtained by installing or downloading the program may be realized in cooperation with an OS (operating system) in the apparatus.

  In addition, although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Docking station, 2 ... Reading window, 3 ... Paper issuing port, 4 ... Terminal mounting part, 5 ... Extension connector, 10 ... Tablet terminal (information terminal), 11 ... Touch panel type display part, 61 ... CPU, 63 ... RAM, 68 : Docking connector.

Claims (5)

Detecting means for detecting a state of being attached to a docking station having a printer and a state of being detached from the docking station;
A memory for storing print data to be printed by the printer;
A first control unit that stores the print data in the memory when the detection unit detects that the print unit is detached from the docking station when printing of the print data is designated ;
A second control unit that causes the printer to print the print data if the detection unit has not detected a state of being detached from the docking station when printing of the print data is designated;
A determination unit that determines whether the memory stores the print data when the detection unit detects that the docking station is mounted;
When the determination unit determines that there is storage, a notification unit that notifies that the print data exists;
A third control unit that causes the printer to print the print data stored in the memory when printing of the print data is designated after the notification by the notification unit;
An information terminal comprising: A print execution holding means for setting a print flag when an operation for holding the print is performed after notifying that the print data exists;
The information terminal according to claim 1, further comprising: When the end key is operated, flag confirming means for confirming the print flag,
The information terminal according to claim 2, further comprising: Second informing means for informing that the print data exists on the condition that the flag is attached to the docking station when the flag confirmation means confirms that the print flag is set ;
The information terminal according to claim 3, further comprising: A fourth control unit that causes the printer to print the print data stored in the memory and resets the print flag when print execution is designated after the notification by the second notification unit;
The information terminal according to claim 4, further comprising: