JP6540444B2 - Network system and server - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a network system and a server.

  Conventionally, in a network system in which a client and a server are connected via a network, a system is known in which a server processing load is reduced by providing a plurality of servers and distributing access from the client to the server. (See, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2004-5669 A

Here, in a network system in which a client and a server are connected via a network, communication between these devices is performed in such a manner that the client transmits a response request to the server and the server responds to the response request. There is something to be done. In such a network system, when the client sends status data as a response request to the server at predetermined intervals, and the server can manage the status of the client based on the status data, the processing load on the server increases. There is a need to suppress communication between the client and the server in a manner corresponding to the state of the client.
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and in a network system that sends status data as a response request to a server at intervals from the client, suppresses an increase in the processing load on the server, and the client and the server Communication between the client and the client in the manner corresponding to the state of the client.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a client transmitting a response request at a predetermined interval and a server transmitting a response to the client in response to the response request received from the client are connected via a network A network system, wherein the client transmits status data indicating a status of the client at predetermined intervals to the server as the response request, and the server is configured to, based on the status data, transmit the status data to the server. A communication that indicates an interval at which the client transmits the status data based on an element that affects the processing load of the server by determining whether an error has occurred in the client and if no error has occurred Communication allowance amount information indicating the calculated communication allowance amount after calculating the allowance amount, As the response, when an error occurs, error interval information indicating an interval shorter than an interval at which the client does not generate the error transmits the status data as the response. Transmitting the status data as the response request at an interval indicated by the communication allowance information received from the server, or at an interval corresponding to an interval indicated by the error time interval information; It is characterized by transmitting.
According to the configuration of the present invention, the client transmits status data (response request) to the server at intervals indicated by the communication allowance calculated based on the factors affecting the processing load on the server. It is possible to prevent the client from making a high density response request to the server in a short time, and to suppress an increase in the processing load on the server due to the high density response in the short time. Also, since the client in error sends status data at a shorter interval than the client in error, the server changes the status of the client in error at a shorter interval. It is possible to monitor and communicate between the client and the server in a manner corresponding to the state of the client.

Also, in the present invention, the server transmits the error time interval information to the client together with the communication allowance information when the client has an error, and the client receives an error. The status data is transmitted at an interval corresponding to the interval indicated by the error interval information, and when the error is eliminated, the status data is transmitted at an interval corresponding to the interval indicated by the communication allowance information. Do.
According to the configuration of the present invention, the client can be prevented from transmitting status data at short intervals unnecessarily even though the error is eliminated at the client, and the processing load on the server can be more effectively increased. It can be suppressed.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the factors affecting the processing load of the server include the number of the client and other devices connected to the server.
According to the configuration of the present invention, it is possible to calculate the communication allowance of an appropriate value based on the characteristics of the network system in which a plurality of clients and other devices are connected to the server.

Further, according to the present invention, the factors affecting the processing load of the server include the processing capacity of the server, the amount of data of the status data received as the response request from the client, and the response request from the client. At least one of the time required to process the status data.
According to the configuration of the present invention, it is possible to calculate the communication allowance of an appropriate value reflecting the specific factor affecting the processing load of the server.

Further, according to the present invention, the client is a printing apparatus having a printing unit for printing on a recording medium, and the status data is data including information indicating a state of the printing unit.
According to the configuration of the present invention, in a network system in which a printing apparatus as a client and a server are connected via a network, an increase in processing load on the server is suppressed, and printing of the printing apparatus is performed between the printing apparatus and the server Communication can be performed in a mode corresponding to the state of the unit.

Further, to achieve the above object, the present invention is a server connectable to a client via a network, and receives status data indicating the status of the client as a response request from the client at predetermined intervals. And, based on the status data, it is determined whether or not an error has occurred in the client, and if no error has occurred, the client may determine whether an error has occurred, based on factors affecting the processing load of the server. A communication allowance indicating the interval for transmitting the status data is calculated, and communication allowance information indicating the calculated communication allowance is transmitted as the response to the client, and an error occurs, an error occurs. Indicates an interval shorter than the interval at which the client sends the status data The over time interval information, as the response, and transmits to the client.
According to the configuration of the present invention, the client transmits status data (response request) to the server at intervals indicated by the communication allowance calculated based on the factors affecting the processing load on the server. It is possible to prevent the client from making a high density response request to the server in a short time, and to suppress an increase in the processing load on the server due to the high density response in the short time. Also, since the client in error sends status data at a shorter interval than the client in error, the server changes the status of the client in error at a shorter interval. It is possible to monitor and communicate between the client and the server in a manner corresponding to the state of the client.

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of each device provided in the management system. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of each device provided in the store system. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the flow of data between devices of a network system. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of each device of the network system. The figure which shows the information contained in processing apparatus state information. The figure which shows status data. The figure which shows the data structure of a status database. The flowchart which shows the operation of the maintenance server. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a printing apparatus identification information input screen. A figure showing an information offer screen. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printing apparatus and POS server. Figure showing a user interface for accounting. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printing apparatus. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printing apparatus and POS server. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printing apparatus and POS server. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printing apparatus and POS server.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a network system 1 according to the present embodiment. The network system 1 is a system that provides products such as supermarkets, convenience stores, department stores, and restaurants, services, and the like, and is used by a company that operates a store where accounting is performed according to the provision.
As shown in FIG. 1, the network system 1 includes a management system 2 and a plurality of store systems 3. The management system 2 and each of the store systems 3 are communicably connected via a global network GN configured to include the Internet and other networks.

The management system 2 is a system provided at the head office of a company using the network system 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the management system 2 includes a head office side local network HLN which is a local network. One or more head office terminals 5, a maintenance server 7 (server), and the communication device 12 are connected to the head office side local network HLN.
Any communication standard of communication performed via the head office side local network HLN may be used, and communication performed via the local network may be wired communication or wireless communication.

The head office terminal 5 is a computer used by employees of companies and persons concerned with other companies at the head office.
The maintenance server 7 is a server that communicates with the printing device 9 described later and manages the state of the printing device 9.
Details of the configuration, function, and processing based on the function of the maintenance server 7 will be described later.
The head office terminal 5 and the maintenance server 7 can communicate via the head office side local network HLN.

The communication device 12 is an interface device that connects a global network GN to a local network such as the head office side local network HLN or a store side local network TLN described later. The communication device 12 has a function as a modem (or ONU (Optical Network Unit)), a router function, a NAT (Network Address Translation) function, a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server function, and the like. The communication device 12 transfers data transmitted / received between the devices in communication between the devices connected to the local network and the devices connected to the global network GN. Note that although the communication device 12 is represented by one block in FIG. 1, the communication device 12 may be configured to have a plurality of devices according to functions.
The maintenance server 7 of the management system 2 communicates with the printing device 9 via the head office side local network HLN, the global network GN, and a shop side local network TLN described later by using the function of the communication device 12.

The store system 3 is a system provided in a store.
As shown in FIG. 1, the store system 3 includes a store-side local network TLN which is a local network. One or more printing devices 9 (clients), the POS server 10, and the communication device 12 are connected to the store-side local network TLN.
Any communication standard of communication performed via the store-side local network TLN may be used, and communication performed via the local network may be wired communication or wireless communication.

The printing device 9 is a device having a printing function. The printing device 9 is provided at a checkout counter at which a customer performs accounting at a store. In addition, the printing device 9 has a function of transmitting information related to the state of the printing device 9 (processing device status information regarding the printing device printing unit 41 (printing unit)) to the maintenance server 7.
The POS server 10 is a server that communicates with the printing device 9 and controls the printing device 9. As will be described later, in the store system 3, the printing apparatus 9 communicates with the POS server 10 to execute the accounting process according to the accounting performed by the cashier, and issues a receipt based on the accounting process. The receipt issued by the printing device 9 is delivered to the customer by the cashier.
Details of the configuration, functions, and processing based on the functions of the printing device 9 and the POS server 10 will be described later.
In the store system 3, the printing device 9 and the POS server 10 can communicate via the store-side local network TLN.
In addition, the printing device 9 of the store system 3 communicates with the maintenance server 7 through the store-side local network TLN, the global network GN, and the head office-side local network HLN by using the function of the communication device 12.

In FIG. 1, the maintenance server 7 and the POS server 10 are each represented by one block, which means that these servers are each configured by a single server device. is not. For example, the maintenance server 7 and the POS server 10 may be configured to include a plurality of server devices.
In addition, between the maintenance server 7 and the printing apparatus 9, a technique related to encryption such as VPN (Virtual Private Network) or a technique related to a virtual leased line (which may be a physical leased line). Secure communication is performed.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the maintenance server 7 and the head office terminal 5 included in the management system 2.
As shown in FIG. 2, the maintenance server 7 includes a maintenance server control unit 20 (server control unit), a maintenance server storage unit 21, and a maintenance server communication unit 22.
The maintenance server control unit 20 includes a CPU (not shown), a ROM, a RAM, other peripheral circuits, and the like, and controls the maintenance server 7.
The maintenance server control unit 20 includes a status data reception unit 201, a response unit 202, an analysis unit 203, a communication allowance calculation unit 204, and an information provision unit 205. These functional blocks execute processing by cooperation of hardware and software, such as the CPU reading and executing a corresponding program (for example, a dedicated program operating on predetermined server software). The functions of these functional blocks and processing based on the functions will be described later.
The maintenance server storage unit 21 includes a hard disk (not shown) and a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM, and stores various data.
Under the control of the maintenance server control unit 20, the maintenance server communication unit 22 accesses the global network GN and communicates with devices (including the printing apparatus 9) connected to the network.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the head office terminal 5 includes a head office terminal control unit 30, a head office terminal storage unit 31, a head office terminal communication unit 32, and a head office terminal display unit 33. The head office terminal control unit 30 controls the head office terminal 5. The head office terminal storage unit 31 stores various data. The head office terminal communication unit 32 communicates under the control of the head office terminal control unit 30. The head office terminal display unit 33 includes a display panel such as a liquid crystal panel, and displays various information under the control of the head office terminal control unit 30.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the printing device 9 and the POS server 10 provided in the store system 3.

The printing device 9 is a line thermal printer that stores roll paper and prints an image by forming dots on the roll paper with a line thermal head.
As shown in FIG. 3, the printing device 9 includes a printing device control unit 40, a printing device printing unit 41 (printing unit), a printing device storage unit 42, a printing device communication unit 43, and a printing device device communication unit 44. And.

The printing apparatus control unit 40 includes a CPU (not shown), a ROM, a RAM, other peripheral circuits, and the like, and controls the printing apparatus 9.
The printing apparatus control unit 40 includes a log writing unit 401, a status data generation unit 402, an interval updating unit 403, and a print control unit 404. These functional blocks execute processing by cooperation of hardware and software, such as the CPU reading and executing a corresponding program (for example, firmware or client software corresponding to server software of the maintenance server 7). The functions of these functional blocks and processing based on the functions will be described later.
The printing device printing unit 41 includes a printing head 411 and a cutter 412 in addition to a transport mechanism (not shown) that transports the roll paper housed in the housing of the printing device 9. The print head 411 is a line-type thermal head in which a plurality of heating elements corresponding to the resolution are provided side by side in a direction intersecting the conveyance direction of the roll paper. Form a dot. The cutter 412 includes a fixed blade and a movable blade, and cuts the roll paper by moving the movable blade relative to the fixed blade so as to cross the fixed blade and the movable blade. The printing device printing unit 41 controls the printing device control unit 40 to print the image of the receipt on the roll paper by the printing head 411 while conveying the roll paper by the conveyance mechanism, and the cutter 412 prints the roll paper at a predetermined position Cut out and issue a receipt.

The printing device storage unit 42 includes a non-volatile memory and stores various data.
The printing device communication unit 43 accesses the local network under the control of the printing device control unit 40, and communicates with a device (POS server 10) connected to the local network.
The printing apparatus communication unit 43 accesses the global network GN under the control of the printing apparatus control unit 40, and communicates with devices (including the maintenance server 7) connected to the global network GN.

  The printing apparatus device communication unit 44 includes an interface board having a port conforming to the USB standard, a port conforming to a serial communication standard other than the USB, and other ports conforming to the communication standard. The printing apparatus device communication unit 44 communicates with the device connected to the port under the control of the printing apparatus control unit 40. The printing apparatus device communication unit 44 may be configured to have a wireless communication function and wirelessly communicate with the device.

  In the example of FIG. 3, the barcode scanner BS, the customer display CD, the cash drawer KS, and the touch panel TP are connected to the printing apparatus 9 as devices.

The barcode scanner BS reads a barcode attached to a product or a product package, and outputs data indicating the reading result to the printing apparatus device communication unit 44. The printing apparatus device communication unit 44 outputs the data input from the bar code scanner BS to the printing apparatus control unit 40.
The customer display CD is a display device such as a liquid crystal display, and displays various information under the control of the printing device control unit 40. The information displayed on the customer display CD is visible to the customer who is accounting at the checkout counter.
The cash drawer KS includes a tray for storing cash, a mechanism for locking and releasing the tray, a mechanism for pulling out the tray, and the like. The control of the printing apparatus control unit 40 releases the lock and pulls out the tray.
The touch panel TP includes a display panel such as a liquid crystal display panel or an organic EL panel, and a touch sensor which is provided to overlap the display panel and detects a touch operation of a user (including a cashier). The touch panel TP is provided at a position where a cashier person can visually recognize the touch panel at a position where the touch operation can be performed. The touch panel TP displays various information on the display panel under the control of the printing apparatus control unit 40. The printing apparatus control unit 40 can display the web page on the touch panel TP based on the HTML file acquired by the predetermined means. When the touch panel TP detects a touch operation by the user, the touch panel TP outputs a signal indicating the position at which the touch operation was performed to the printing apparatus control unit 40. The printing apparatus control unit 40 executes processing corresponding to the touch operation of the user based on the input from the touch panel TP.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the POS server 10 includes a POS server control unit 50, a POS server storage unit 51, and a POS server communication unit 52.

The POS server control unit 50 includes a CPU (not shown), a ROM, a RAM, other peripheral circuits, and the like, and controls the POS server 10.
The POS server control unit 50 includes an accounting-related process execution unit 501. In this functional block, the CPU executes processing by cooperation of hardware and software, such as reading and executing a corresponding program (for example, POS application). The function of this functional block and the process based on the function will be described later.
The POS server storage unit 51 includes a hard disk (not shown) and a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM, and stores various data.
The POS server storage unit 51 stores a product master 511. The product master 511 stores the product code of the product, the unit price of the product, and information on other products in association with each other for the products sold in the store.
The POS server storage unit 51 stores an accounting information management database 512. The accounting information management database 512 will be described later.

As described above, the network system 1 includes the maintenance server 7. Then, the maintenance server 7 manages the state of the printing device 9 provided in the store system 3. The maintenance server 7 also provides useful information for maintenance of the printing device 9 to a person in charge of maintenance of the printing device 9 of the store system 3 (hereinafter referred to as “maintenance person in charge”).
The operation of each device of the network system 1 when managing the state of the printing device 9 will be described below.

Here, the printing apparatus 9 and the maintenance server 7 basically communicate in the following manner in accordance with HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol). That is, the printing device 9 corresponds to a "client" in the client server system, and the maintenance server 7 corresponds to a "server" in the client server system. Then, the printing apparatus 9 transmits an HTTP request (response request) to the maintenance server 7. As described later, the printing apparatus 9 transmits an HTTP request to the maintenance server 7 at predetermined intervals. The maintenance server 7 transmits an HTTP response (response) to the printing device 9 in response to the reception of the HTTP request.
As described above, the printing apparatus 9 and the maintenance server 7 transmit and receive data between these apparatuses by transmitting a response request by the printing apparatus 9 and transmitting a response according to the response request by the maintenance server 7. Therefore, data can not be asynchronously transmitted from the maintenance server 7 to a specific printing device 9, and when data is transmitted from the maintenance server 7 to a specific printing device 9, the specific printing device 9 is Data transmission is performed in the form of a response to the response request from.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a functional block included in the printing apparatus control unit 40 of the printing apparatus 9 and a functional block included in the maintenance server control unit 20 of the maintenance server 7 together with accompanying data.
Hereinafter, when the maintenance server 7 manages the state of the printing apparatus 9 using FIG. 4, basics of data transmitted and received among the functional blocks of the printing apparatus 9, the printing apparatus 9, and the maintenance server 7 will be described. The flow will be described.
In the description using FIG. 4, the details of the process of the functional block, the details of the content of the data transmitted and received between the functional blocks, and the details of the information included in each data are omitted.

As shown in FIG. 4, the log writing unit 401 of the printing device 9 writes log information in the log file 421 at a predetermined timing.
The log file 421 is a file in which log information is described.
The log information is a log of a plurality of monitoring items.
The monitoring item is an item which is predetermined to be monitored and to be logged. In the present embodiment, there are at least monitoring items: printer errors, monitoring items: cumulative number of print head forming lines, and monitoring items: cutter usage cumulative number as monitoring items. The monitoring item described in the present embodiment is an example, and in addition to the illustrated monitoring item, or in place of at least a part of the illustrated monitoring item, another monitoring item may exist. For example, an item related to a device connected to the printing apparatus 9 or an item related to communication (such as data transfer rate) may be present as a monitoring item.

Monitored items: Information indicating that a printer error has occurred and information indicating that a printer error has been eliminated are recorded in a time series, along with information indicating the date and time, in the log file 421 as a printer error log Be done. The printer error is a state in which printing can not be normally performed, such as out of roll paper, jamming of roll paper, abnormal heat generation of the print head 411, and the like.
The log writing unit 401 monitors whether a printer error has occurred and whether a printer error has been eliminated (monitoring item: monitoring the status of a printer error), and based on the monitoring result, a log file Monitored item 421: Log printer error.

Monitored Item: As a log of the print head formation line cumulative number, information indicating the print head formation line cumulative number is recorded in the log file 421 in time series together with information indicating the date and time.
The cumulative number of print head formation lines is the cumulative number of lines formed by the print head 411. The printing apparatus printing unit 41 of the printing apparatus 9 according to the present embodiment alternately repeats formation of dots for one line by the printing head 411 and conveyance of roll paper for one line by the conveyance mechanism to print an image. Run. Further, as described above, the formation of a line means that the printing head 411 forms dots for one line.
The log writing unit 401 acquires the total number of print head lines at a predetermined interval (monitoring item: monitors the total number of print head forming lines), and the log file 421 displays a log of the total number of print head forming lines. Record.

Monitoring Item: As a log of the cutter usage cumulative number, information indicating the cutter usage cumulative number is recorded in the log file 421 in time series together with information indicating date and time.
The cumulative number of cutters used is the cumulative number of cut roll paper that the cutter 412 has made.
The log writing unit 401 acquires the cumulative cutter usage number at predetermined intervals (monitoring item: monitor the cumulative cutter usage number), and records a log of the monitoring item: cumulative cutter usage number in the log file 421.

As shown in FIG. 4, the status data generation unit 402 of the printing apparatus 9 refers to the transmission interval setting file 422, and generates status data D1 based on the log file 421 at intervals indicated by the file. The status data generation unit 402 transmits the generated status data D1 to the maintenance server 7 (arrow Y1). That is, the status data generation unit 402 executes the generation of the status data D1 and the transmission to the maintenance server 7 at the intervals indicated by the transmission interval setting file 422.
The transmission of the status data D1 by the status data generation unit 402 to the maintenance server 7 is performed as an HTTP request (response request) according to the HTTP.

The status data receiving unit 201 of the maintenance server 7 receives the status data D1. The status data reception unit 201 outputs the status data D1 to the response unit 202 (arrow Y2). Further, the status data receiving unit 201 outputs the received status data D1 to the analyzing unit 203 (arrow Y3).
The response unit 202 refers to the communication allowance file 212, includes communication allowance information (described later) indicating the communication allowance (described later), and in a predetermined case, includes response data D2 including error time interval information (described later). The generated response data D2 is sent to the printing apparatus 9 (arrow Y4). The transmission of the response data D2 by the response unit 202 to the printing apparatus 9 is performed as an HTTP response according to the HTTP.
The analysis unit 203 updates the status database 211 based on the status data D1 input from the status data reception unit 201.

On the other hand, the communication allowance calculation unit 204 appropriately updates the communication allowance file 212 by a method described later.
Further, the information providing unit 205 refers to the status database 211 according to the access from the head office terminal 5 by a method described later, and provides information useful for the maintenance of the printing apparatus 9.

  The interval updating unit 403 of the printing apparatus 9 receives the response data D2. The interval updating unit 403 updates the transmission interval setting file 422 based on the received response data D2.

  Thereafter, the status data generation unit 402 refers to the transmission interval setting file 422, generates status data D1 at an interval indicated by the file, and transmits the status data D1 to the maintenance server 7.

  As described above, in the cycle in which the printing device 9 transmits the status data D1 to the maintenance server 7 at intervals, and the maintenance server 7 transmits the response data D2 to the printing device 9, the printing device 9 and the maintenance server 7 Data transmission and reception are performed.

Next, operations of the printing device 9 and the maintenance server 7 when managing the state of the printing device 9 will be described in detail.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printing device 9 and the maintenance server 7.
5A shows the operation of the status data generation unit 402 of the printing device 9, FIG. 5B shows the operation of the interval updating unit 403 of the printing device 9, and FIG. 5C shows the status data reception unit of the maintenance server 7. 201 shows (201), (D) shows the response unit 202 of the maintenance server 7, and (E) shows the operation of the analysis unit 203 of the maintenance server 7.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the status data generation unit 402 of the printing apparatus 9 refers to the transmission interval setting file 422 and monitors whether the timing for generating the status data D1 has arrived (step SA1). ).
The transmission interval setting file 422 is a file in which status data D1 is generated and information indicating the transmission interval is described. In step SA1, the status data generation unit 402 refers to the transmission interval setting file 422, generates status data D1 last time, and transmits the status data D1 when the interval indicated by the transmission interval setting file 422 has elapsed. It is determined that the timing for generating has arrived.

  When the timing to generate the status data D1 has come (step SA1: YES), the status data generation unit 402 refers to the log file 421 and based on the log information described in the log file 421, the processing device status information The status data D1 is generated based on the generated and generated processing device state information (step SA2). Hereinafter, the process of step SA2 will be described in detail.

FIG. 6 is a view schematically showing information included in the processing device state information.
As shown in FIG. 6, the processing device status information includes printing device identification information. The printing apparatus identification information is identification information for uniquely identifying the printing apparatus 9. For example, the serial number of the printing apparatus 9 (number uniquely assigned to the printing apparatus 9 when the printing apparatus 9 is manufactured) is identified. It can be used as information.
Further, the processing device state information includes log related information for each monitoring item. That is, the processing device status information includes monitoring items: log related information of printer error, monitoring items: log related information of print head forming line cumulative number, and monitoring item: cutter related cumulative number of log using information.
The log related information includes monitoring item identification information which is identification information for identifying a corresponding monitoring item, and monitoring item log information which is log information of the corresponding monitoring item. That is, the monitor item: printer error log related information is a monitor item: monitor item identification information for identifying a printer error (hereinafter referred to as "printer error identification information") and monitor item: printer error monitor item log information ( Hereinafter, it is referred to as “printer error log information”. Monitor item: Log related information of print head formation line total number is monitor item: Monitor item identification information identifying print head formation line total number (hereinafter referred to as "print head formation line total number") and monitor item: The monitor item log information of the print head formation line cumulative number (hereinafter referred to as “print head formation line cumulative number log information”) is provided. Monitoring items: Log related information on the cumulative number of cutter usage, monitoring item: Monitoring item identification information identifying the cumulative number of cutter usage (hereinafter referred to as "cutting cutter cumulative number identification information"), and monitoring item: cumulative number of cutter usage And monitoring item log information (hereinafter referred to as “cutter usage cumulative number log information”).

  Further, the status data D1 is text data (for example, data in the XML (Extensible Markup Language) format) that can be described hierarchically by combining hierarchical keys and values (for example, data in the XML (Extensible Markup Language) format). It is data that can be transmitted as

FIG. 7 is a view schematically showing the content of the status data D1 in a mode suitable for explanation.
The status data D1 includes store identification information indicating a store provided with the printing device 9 that has generated the status data D1. Store identification information is identification information uniquely assigned to a store. In each of the printing devices 9, store identification information indicating a store where each printing device 9 is provided is registered in advance. In the status data D1 illustrated in FIG. 7, store identification information is described in the area A1.
The status data D1 includes printing device identification information indicating the printing device 9 that has generated the status data D1. In the status data D1 illustrated in FIG. 7, printing apparatus identification information is described in the area A2.

The status data D1 describes printing apparatus status information. In the status data D1 illustrated in FIG. 7, printing apparatus status information is described in the area A3.
The printing apparatus status information includes a combination of monitoring item identification information of each monitoring item and monitoring item log information. In the status data D1 illustrated in FIG. 7, a monitoring item: monitoring item identification information (printer error identification information) for a printer error and monitoring item log information (printer error log information) are described in the area A31. Further, in the area A32, monitoring item identification information (print head forming line identification information) on the cumulative number of print head forming lines and monitoring item log information (print head forming line cumulative number log information) are described. . Further, in the area A33, monitoring item identification information (cutter usage cumulative number identification information) on the cumulative number of cutter usages and monitoring item log information (cutter usage cumulative number log information) are described.

  As described above, the status data D1 includes store identification information, printing apparatus identification information, and a combination of monitoring item identification information of each monitoring item and monitoring item log information.

As shown in FIG. 5A, after the status data D1 is generated in step SA2, the status data generation unit 402 controls the printing apparatus communication unit 43 to transmit the generated status data D1 to the maintenance server 7 (Step SA3). The process of step SA3 corresponds to "the process of transmitting a response request from the printing apparatus 9 to the server".
In step SA3, the status data generation unit 402 transmits an HTTP request in which status data D1 is described in the request body to the maintenance server 7 in accordance with HTTP. Information necessary for transmitting the status data D1 to the maintenance server 7 as a response request, such as the URL of the maintenance server 7 transmitting the status data D1 and the protocol to be used, is registered in advance.

  After transmitting the status data D1, the status data generation unit 402 returns the processing procedure to step SA1.

As shown in FIG. 5C, the status data receiving unit 201 of the maintenance server 7 controls the maintenance server communication unit 22 to receive the status data D1 (step SC1).
Next, the status data reception unit 201 outputs the received status data D1 to the response unit 202 (step SC2), and outputs the received status data D1 to the analysis unit 203 (step SC3).

As shown in (D) of FIG. 5, the response unit 202 acquires the status data D1 output from the status data reception unit 201 (step SD1).
Next, the response unit 202 refers to the communication allowance file 212 (step SD2). The communication allowance file 212 is a file in which communication allowance information indicating a communication allowance, which is an interval at which the printing apparatus 9 transmits the status data D1, is described by a method described later by the communication allowance calculation unit 204.
Next, the response unit 202 generates response data D2 by the following method (step SD3).

The response data D2 is data including communication allowance information and, in a predetermined case, error time interval information.
In step SD3, the response unit 202 acquires the communication allowance information described in the communication allowance file 212, and includes the information in the response data D2.
In step SD3, the response unit 202 determines whether an error has occurred in the printing apparatus 9.
In the present embodiment, errors include print head errors and cutter errors in addition to the above-described printer errors.
The print head error is a state in which the total number of print head formation lines formed by the print head 411 exceeds a predetermined threshold which is a reference for determining the life of the print head 411. In step SD3, the response unit 202 compares the print head formation line total number with the predetermined threshold based on the print head formation line total number log information included in the status data D1, and prints based on the comparison result. It is determined whether a head error has occurred.
The cutter error is a state in which the cumulative number of cutters used by the cutter 412 exceeds a predetermined threshold which is a standard for determining the life of the cutter 412. In step SD3, the response unit 202 compares the cutter usage cumulative number with a predetermined threshold based on the cutter usage cumulative number log information included in the status data D1, and a cutter error occurs based on the comparison result. It is determined whether the
The error of the printing apparatus 9 (error of the client) is not limited to the illustrated one.

If none of the printer error, the print head error, and the cutter error has occurred, the response unit 202 does not include the error time interval information in the response data D2, and ends the process of step SD3.
On the other hand, when at least one of the printer error, the print head error, and the cutter error has an error, the response unit 202 generates error interval information.
The error interval information is information indicating an interval (hereinafter referred to as “error occurrence time interval”) at which the printing apparatus 9 in a state in which an error has occurred transmits status data D1, and the value of the error occurrence time interval is The value is set to a value shorter than the value of the interval (hereinafter referred to as “normal time interval”) at which the printing apparatus 9 in a state where no error has occurred transmits the status data D1. That is, as described later, the printing device 9 in a state where no error has occurred transmits the status data D1 at an interval (= normal time interval) indicated by the communication allowance information. The interval indicated by the capacity information is smaller than any possible value.
Thus, the reason why the error occurrence time interval is shorter than the normal time interval will be described later.
In the present embodiment, the corresponding error occurrence time interval is determined in advance according to the type of error that has occurred and the state of the error that has occurred, and when generating the error time interval information, the response unit 202 Information indicating the type of error that has occurred and an error occurrence time interval that is predetermined according to the status of the error that has occurred is generated.
After generating the error interval information, the response unit 202 includes the error interval information in the response data D2. As a result, the response data D2 includes communication allowance information and error time interval information.

After generating the response data D2 in step SD3, the response unit 202 controls the maintenance server communication unit 22 to transmit the generated response data D2 as a response to the printing apparatus 9 (step SD4). For example, the response unit 202 transmits an HTTP response in which the response data D2 is described in the response body to the printing apparatus 9 according to HTTP.
The process of step SD3 corresponds to "the process of the server sending a response to the client in response to the response request received from the client".

As shown in FIG. 5B, the interval updating unit 403 of the printing apparatus 9 controls the printing apparatus communication unit 43 to receive the response data D2 (step SB1).
Next, the interval updating unit 403 updates the transmission interval setting file 422 based on the response data D2 (step SB2).
More specifically, when the response data D2 includes communication allowance information and does not include error interval information (= when an error does not occur in the printing apparatus 9), the interval updating unit 403 The transmission interval setting file 422 is updated by the method. That is, based on the communication allowance information included in the response data D2, the interval update unit 403 indicates an interval (communication allowance) indicated by the communication allowance information included in the response data D2 as the interval indicated by the transmission interval setting file 422. Update the file so that
As a result, the printing apparatus 9 generates and transmits the status data D1 at intervals corresponding to the communication allowance calculated by the maintenance server 7.

On the other hand, when the response data D2 includes communication allowance information and error time interval information (= when an error occurs in the printing device 9), the interval updating unit 403 performs the following method. The transmission interval setting file 422 is updated. That is, based on the error interval information included in the response data D2, the interval update unit 403 indicates the interval indicated by the error interval information included in the response data D2 based on the error interval information included in the response data D2 (error occurrence interval Update the file to be).
As a result, the printing device 9 generates and transmits the status data D1 at an interval shorter than the interval at which the printing device 9 in which an error has not occurred transmits the status data D1.
This produces the following effects.
That is, when an error occurs in the printing device 9, the maintenance personnel must monitor the change in the status of the printing device 9 at as short intervals as possible, and perform the corresponding processing as necessary. Then, by setting the interval at which the printing device 9 in which no error has occurred transmits the status data D1 shorter than the interval at which the printing device 9 in which the error has occurred transmits the status data D1, as described later In the database 211, the record corresponding to the printing device 9 in which the error occurs is updated more frequently than the record corresponding to the printing device 9 in which the error does not occur. Changes in the state of the device 9 can be monitored at as short intervals as possible, and corresponding processing can be performed as needed.

The printing apparatus 9 in which the error has occurred executes the following processing regarding transmission of the status data D1.
That is, the interval updating unit 403 of the printing device 9 monitors whether or not all the errors occurring in the printing device 9 have been eliminated.
Then, when all the errors have been eliminated, the interval updating unit 403 determines that the interval indicated by the transmission interval setting file 422 is the communication permission based on the communication allowance information included in the response data D2 received from the maintenance server 7 most recently. The file is updated so as to be the interval (communication allowance) indicated by the capacity information.
As a result of such processing being performed, it is possible to prevent the printing device 9 from unnecessarily transmitting the status data D1 at an error occurrence time interval despite the elimination of the error in the printing device 9, which is more effective. The increase in the processing load of the maintenance server 7 can be suppressed.

On the other hand, as shown in (E) of FIG. 5, the analysis unit 203 acquires the status data D1 output from the status data reception unit 201 (step SE1).
Next, the analysis unit 203 updates the status database 211 based on the acquired status data D1 (step SE2). Hereinafter, the process of step SE2 will be described in detail.

FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically showing the data structure of the status database 211. As shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 8, one record of the status database 211 includes at least printing device identification information, printer error presence / absence information, print head error presence / absence information, and cutter error presence / absence information.
The printer error presence / absence information is information indicating whether or not a printer error has occurred, and is a value indicating that it has occurred (expressed as “present” in FIG. 8) or that it has not occurred. It has one of the values shown (represented as “absent” in FIG. 8).
The print head error presence / absence information is information indicating whether or not a print head error has occurred, and is a value indicating that it has occurred (expressed as “present” in FIG. 8) or has not occurred. It has one of the value (it expresses as "absent" in FIG. 8) which shows that.
The cutter error presence / absence information is information indicating whether or not a cutter error has occurred, and is a value indicating that it has occurred (expressed as “present” in FIG. 8) or that it has not occurred. It has one of the values shown (expressed as “absent” in FIG. 8).

In step SE2, the analysis unit 203 acquires printing apparatus status information included in the status data D1. As described above, the printing apparatus status information includes a combination of monitoring item identification information of each monitoring item and monitoring item log information.
Next, the analysis unit 203 determines that the corresponding record (a record having printing device identification information having the same value as the printing device identification information of the status data D1) among the records of the status database 211 by matching the printing device identification information Identify Next, the analysis unit 203 updates the printer error presence / absence information, the print head error presence / absence information, and the cutter error presence / absence information of the identified record based on the acquired printing apparatus status information.
Specifically, the analysis unit 203 determines whether a printer error has occurred based on printer error log information (monitoring item log information) included in the printing apparatus status information, and if it has occurred, The value of the printer error presence / absence information is updated to a value indicating that the error has occurred. If the error has not occurred, the value of the printer error presence / absence information is changed to a value indicating that the error does not occur. Further, the analysis unit 203 determines whether the cumulative number of print head formation lines exceeds a predetermined threshold based on print head formation line cumulative number log information (monitoring item log information) included in the printing apparatus status information. If it exceeds, the value of the print head error presence / absence information is updated to a value indicating that a print head error has occurred, and if not, the value of the print head error presence / absence information has occurred, a print head error has occurred. Update to a value indicating no. In addition, the analysis unit 203 determines whether the cutter usage cumulative number exceeds a predetermined threshold value based on the cutter usage cumulative number log information (monitoring item log information) included in the printing apparatus status information, and if it exceeds The value of cutter error presence / absence information is updated to a value indicating that a cutter error has occurred, and if not exceeded, the value of cutter error presence / absence information is updated to a value indicating that a cutter error has not occurred. Do.

Next, a process when the communication allowance calculation unit 204 updates the communication allowance file 212 will be described.
Here, as described above, the plurality of printing devices 9 are connected to the maintenance server 7, but the number of printing devices 9 connected to the maintenance server 7 is very large depending on the size of the network system 1 (for example, There is a possibility of becoming more than 1000 units). Then, if the response request (status data D1) is sent from the printing apparatus 9 in a short time and at high density, the processing load on the maintenance server 7 may increase, and processing delays in the maintenance server 7 may occur. is there.
Based on the above, the communication allowance calculation unit 204 performs the following processing to calculate the communication allowance of an appropriate value, and suppresses that the transmission of the response request by each printing device 9 is performed in a short time and at high density. To suppress an increase in processing load on the maintenance server 7.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the communication allowance calculation unit 204 when the communication allowance file 212 is updated.
The communication allowance calculation unit 204 executes the processing of the flowchart of FIG. 9 at predetermined intervals.
As shown in FIG. 9, the communication allowance calculation unit 204 acquires the number of printing apparatuses 9 connected to the maintenance server 7 (step SG1). Here, the communication allowance calculation unit 204 manages the number of communication paths established with the printing apparatus 9 (in this example, the HTTP session on the TCP connection), and based on the number of communication paths, The number of printing devices 9 connected to the maintenance server 7 is acquired. Hereinafter, the number of printing devices 9 connected to the maintenance server 7 will be expressed as “the number of connected devices”.

Next, the communication allowable amount calculation unit 204 calculates the number of possible processes (step SG2).
When the usage rate of the CPU of the maintenance server 7 and other control subjects (hereinafter simply referred to as “CPU”) is the maximum value, the maintenance server 7 performs the processable number of times per unit time, which is the unit time. It is the number of status data D1 that can be processed.
The maximum value of the CPU usage rate is set to a value that the maintenance server 7 can execute without delaying the processing of the status data D1 and other associated processing, and the CPU usage rate exceeds the maximum value. And, there may be a delay in the processing of the maintenance server 7. Therefore, in processing the status data D1, it is required that the CPU utilization does not exceed the maximum value, and as will become apparent later, the communication allowance realizes that the CPU utilization does not exceed the maximum value. It can be an appropriate value.
In step SG2, the communication allowance calculation unit 204 acquires the data amount of the status data D1. The communication allowance calculation unit 204 has a function of calculating the average value of the data amount of the status data D1 received in a predetermined period retroactively from the current time, and the average value calculated by the function is the data amount of the status data D1. Get as. The data amount of the status data D1 may be a fixed value determined based on a previous test or simulation. Next, the communication allowance calculation unit 204 calculates the time required for processing the status data D1 based on the acquired data amount of the status data D1. The process of the status data D1 is a process performed by the response unit 202 described above, a process performed by the analysis unit 203, and a process performed based on other status data D1. The amount of data of the status data D1 and the time required for processing the status data D1 have a positive correlation, and a table indicating the correspondence between the amount of data and the time is registered in advance in the maintenance server 7 . The method of calculating the time required to process the status data D1 is not limited to the illustrated method, and any method may be used.
Next, the communication allowance calculation unit 204 calculates the number of processable status data D1 (permissible process count) per unit time based on the calculated time required to process the status data D1.

After the number of connected devices is calculated in step SG1 and the processable number is calculated in step SG2, the communication allowance calculation unit 204 calculates the communication allowance according to the following formula S1 (step SG3). “Formula S1: Communication allowance = number of connected devices / number of processable times”
When the plurality of printing devices 9 connected to the maintenance server 7 transmit the status data D1 at intervals indicated by the communication allowance calculated as described above, the maintenance server 7 determines that the CPU usage rate is the maximum value. A plurality of received status data D1 can be processed without being exceeded.
In addition, although the calculation method of the illustrated communication allowance is simplified in consideration of the convenience of description, it goes without saying that various margins may be reflected in the calculation of the communication allowance. Further, although the number of connected devices is the number of printing devices 9 connected to the maintenance server 7, the number may be a number reflecting the devices connected to other maintenance servers 7 of the printing device 9.
Further, the method of calculating the communication allowance is not limited to the illustrated method. That is, from the viewpoint of suppressing the increase of the processing load of the maintenance server 7, if the communication allowance is calculated based on the factor affecting the processing load of the maintenance server 7, what method is used? It is also good. Further, with respect to factors affecting the processing load of the maintenance server 7, "the number of printing devices 9 connected to the maintenance server 7", "the processing capability of the maintenance server 7", "status data D1 (response request from printing device 9 Although the data amount of the data to be received) and the “time required to process the status data D1” are illustrated as an example, the elements are not limited to those illustrated.

  After calculating the communication allowance in step SG3, the communication allowance calculation unit 204 rewrites the value of the communication allowance information described in the communication allowance file 212 into the calculated communication allowance, thereby the communication allowance file. Update 212 (step SG4).

Next, when providing useful information for maintenance of the printing device 9 to a maintenance person (as described above, a person in charge of maintenance of the printing device 9 of the store system 3). The operation of the maintenance server 7 will be described.
In the following description, a person in charge of maintenance is a person who works at the head office and uses the head office terminal 5.
First, a maintenance person who wants to acquire information on a specific printing apparatus 9 launches a browser of the main office terminal 5 and accesses a predetermined URL of the maintenance server 7 determined in advance.
The information providing unit 205 of the maintenance server 7 generates an HTTP file for displaying the printing apparatus identification information input screen G101 (FIG. 10) in response to the access to the predetermined URL, and transmits it to the head office terminal 5.
The head office terminal control unit 30 of the head office terminal 5 receives the HTTP file by the function of the browser, controls the head office terminal display unit 33 based on the received HTTP file, and displays the printing apparatus identification information input screen G101 on the display panel. Display.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the printing apparatus identification information input screen G101.
As shown in FIG. 10, the printing apparatus identification information input screen G101 includes an input field R101 in which printing apparatus identification information can be input. The maintenance staff inputs the printing apparatus identification information of the printing apparatus 9 that desires to acquire information in the input field R101, and confirms the input by operating the confirmation button B101. In response to the determination of the input, the input printing apparatus identification information is transmitted to the maintenance server 7 by the function of the script implemented in the HTTP file.

The information providing unit 205 of the maintenance server 7 receives the printing apparatus identification information. Next, the information providing unit 205 identifies the corresponding record of the status database 211 based on the received printing apparatus identification information. The corresponding record is a record having printing device identification information having the same value as the received printing device identification information. Next, the information provision unit 205 generates an HTTP file for displaying the information provision screen G111 (FIG. 11) based on the identified record, and transmits the HTTP file to the head office terminal 5.
The head office terminal control unit 30 of the head office terminal 5 receives the HTTP file by the browser function, controls the head office terminal display unit 33 based on the received HTTP file, and causes the display panel to display the information providing screen G111.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the information provision screen G111.
As shown in FIG. 11, the information provision screen G111 has an area A111 and an area A112.
The area A 111 displays basic information on the printing apparatus 9 of the printing apparatus identification information input by the maintenance staff. In the example of FIG. 11, the basic information on the printing device 9 includes information indicating the model number of the printing device 9, information indicating the version of the firmware installed in the printing device 9, and the name of the store where the printing device 9 is provided. It is information indicating the information indicating the address of the store, information indicating the telephone number of the store, and information indicating the lane number of the checkout counter provided with the printing device 9. Basic information on the printing apparatus 9 is not limited to the illustrated information.
Here, the maintenance server storage unit 21 of the maintenance server 7 stores, for each printing apparatus, a database that stores printing apparatus identification information and basic information on the printing apparatus in association with each other. The information providing unit 205 acquires basic information on the printing apparatus based on the database.
The maintenance staff can acquire basic information on the printing apparatus 9 by referring to the information displayed in the area A111 of the information provision screen G111, and if necessary, work such as calling a store It can be performed.

As shown in FIG. 11, in the area A112, information indicating the presence or absence of a printer error, information indicating the presence or absence of a print head error, and information indicating the presence or absence of a cutter error are displayed.
By referring to the information displayed in the area A112, the maintenance staff can recognize whether each of the printer error, the print head error, and the cutter error has occurred, and respond based on the recognition. Work can be done. The corresponding operation is, for example, when an error occurs, notifying the store manager that the error has occurred and the operation to be performed in response to the error.

Next, the operation of the printing device 9 when the power of the printing device 9 installed in the store is turned on will be described.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printing apparatus 9 and the POS server 10 when the power is turned on. (A) of FIG. 12 shows the operation of the printing device 9, and (B) shows the operation of the POS server 10.

  The cashier person turns on the power of the printing apparatus 9 (step S1). In this example, the printing device 9 is in a state of being installed at the cash register, and the cashier person turns on the power of the printing device 9 when the store is opened, for example. In the present embodiment, the browser is automatically activated in response to the power of the printing apparatus 9 being turned on.

  As shown in FIG. 12A, the print control unit 404 of the printing apparatus 9 accesses a predetermined URL of the POS server 10 (step SH1). The URL of the POS server 10, the format of data to be transmitted and received by communication with the POS server 10, and other information necessary for communication with the POS server 10 are registered in the printing apparatus 9 in advance.

  As shown in FIG. 12B, in response to the access to the predetermined URL from the printing apparatus 9, the accounting related process execution unit 501 of the POS server 10 controls the POS server communication unit 52 to execute the predetermined process. The HTML file is sent to the printing device 9 (step SI1). The predetermined HTML file is an HTML file having a function of displaying at least an accounting user interface 70 described later.

As shown in FIG. 12A, the print control unit 404 of the printing apparatus 9 controls the printing apparatus communication unit 43 to receive and acquire a predetermined HTML file (step SH2).
Next, the print control unit 404 executes the acquired predetermined HTML file to display the accounting user interface 70 (FIG. 13) on the touch panel TP (step SH3).

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the accounting user interface 70 displayed on the touch panel TP.
In the accounting user interface 70 of FIG. 13, a list display area 71 is provided in the upper left portion, in which the product name of the product purchased by the customer, the unit price of the product, and the quantity of the product are displayed in a list. To the right of the list display area 71, an amount display area 72 is provided in which the total amount of goods purchased by the customer, the amount of money deposited from the customer at the time of accounting, and the amount of change to be delivered to the customer are displayed.
Below the list display area 71, a bar code information display area 73 is provided in which information of the bar code read by the bar code scanner BS (hereinafter referred to as "bar code information") is displayed. Bar code information is basically a product code assigned to a product.
A software ten key 74 is provided on the right side of the barcode information display area 73. The software numeric keypad 74 has a confirmation key 741 for confirming an account, and a subtotal key 742 for instructing a subtotal (calculation of the total amount of goods purchased by the customer).

Thereafter, at the checkout counter, the checkout clerk performs accounting using the accounting user interface 70.
As described above, when the power of the printing apparatus 9 is turned on, the accounting user interface 70 used in accounting (business) performed by the cashier counter is automatically displayed on the touch panel TP of the printing apparatus 9. For this reason, the cashier in charge does not need to perform operations such as input to the URL of the POS server 10 when the power of the printing apparatus 9 is turned on, and the cashier in charge has high efficiency and convenience.

  Next, the accounting process performed by the printing device 9 according to the accounting at the cash register will be described in detail.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printing apparatus 9 at the time of execution of the accounting process.
As shown in FIG. 14, in the accounting process, the print control unit 404 of the printing apparatus 9 executes a product information acquisition process (step SJ1).
In the product information acquisition process, the print control unit 404 communicates with the POS server 10 for each product purchased by the customer, and the product name of the product and the unit price of the product (hereinafter referred to as “product related information”). Executes processing based on the acquired and related product-related information. Hereinafter, the product information acquisition process will be described in detail.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printing apparatus 9 and the operation of the POS server 10 when the product information acquisition process is executed. (A) of FIG. 15 shows the operation of the printing apparatus 9, and (B) shows the operation of the POS server 10.

In the checkout counter, the cashier in charge reads the barcode attached to the product purchased by the customer or the package of the product by the barcode scanner BS (step S2). In response to the reading of the barcode, the barcode scanner BS prints data based on the reading result (hereinafter referred to as “reading result data”) through the port to which the barcode scanner BS is connected. The data is output to the device communication unit 44. The printing apparatus device communication unit 44 outputs the read result data to the printing apparatus control unit 40.
The reading result data is data including information indicating a product code of a product.

As shown in FIG. 15A, the print control unit 404 of the printing apparatus control unit 40 of the printing apparatus 9 acquires read result data based on the input from the printing apparatus device communication unit 44 (step SK1). .
Next, the print control unit 404 acquires a product code based on the read result data (step SK2).
Next, the print control unit 404 displays the product code acquired in step SK2 in the barcode information display area 73 of the accounting user interface 70 (step SK3).
Next, the print control unit 404 controls the printing apparatus communication unit 43 to query the product name of the product of the product code acquired in step SK2 and data for inquiring the unit price of the product (hereinafter referred to as “product information request data”). ) To the POS server 10 (step SK4).

As shown in FIG. 15B, the accounting-related process execution unit 501 of the POS server 10 controls the POS server communication unit 52 to receive product information request data (step SL1).
Next, the accounting-related process execution unit 501 acquires the product code based on the received product information request data, and refers to the product master 511 stored by the POS server storage unit 51, and the product name of the product of the acquired product code And the unit price of the product is obtained (step SL2).

  Next, the accounting-related process execution unit 501 controls the POS server communication unit 52 to transmit the product name of the product acquired in step SL2 and product information response data indicating the unit price of the product to the printing apparatus 9 (step SL3).

As shown in FIG. 15A, the print control unit 404 of the printing apparatus 9 controls the printing apparatus communication unit 43 to receive product information response data (step SK5).
Next, the print control unit 404 acquires the product name of the product and the unit price of the product based on the received product information response data, and the product is stored in the corresponding area of the list display area 71 of the accounting user interface 70. The combination of the product name, the unit price of the product, and the quantity of the product is displayed (step SK6).

In the product information acquisition process of step SJ1 in the flowchart of FIG. 14, the cashier reads the barcode by the barcode scanner BS for each of the products purchased by the customer, and the printing apparatus is read according to the barcode read. 9 and the POS server 10 execute the process shown in the flowchart of FIG.
When the barcodes of all the products are read and the processing of each device according to the reading is completed, the product information acquisition process of step SJ1 of FIG. 14 is completed.
When reading of the barcodes of all the products and processing of each device according to the reading are completed, the list display area 71 lists the combination of the product name, the unit price, and the quantity of the products purchased by the customer. It becomes a state.

  As shown in FIG. 14, after execution of the product information acquisition process of step SJ1, the print control unit 404 executes an accounting amount acquisition process (step SJ2). In the accounting amount acquisition process of step SJ2, the print control unit 404 acquires the total amount of goods purchased by the customer, and acquires the amount of change to be delivered to the customer according to the customer's payment. The accounting amount acquisition process will be described in detail below.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printing apparatus 9 at the time of execution of the accounting amount acquisition processing and the operation of the corresponding POS server 10. (A) of FIG. 16 shows the operation of the printing apparatus 9, and (B) shows the operation of the POS server 10.

When reading of the barcodes of all the products is completed, the cashier staff operates the subtotal key 742 of the software ten key 74 (step S3).
As shown in FIG. 16A, when it is detected that the subtotal key 742 is operated, the print control unit 404 of the printing apparatus 9 generates subtotal calculation request data which requests subtotal calculation, and the printing apparatus communication The unit 43 is controlled to transmit to the POS server 10 (step SM1).

As shown in FIG. 16B, the accounting-related process execution unit 501 of the POS server 10 controls the POS server communication unit 52 to receive subtotal calculation request data (step SN1).
Next, the accounting-related process execution unit 501 calculates a subtotal based on the received subtotal calculation request data (step SN2). The accounting-related process execution unit 501 manages the product code of the product purchased by the customer based on the product information response request data received from the printing device 9 and other accompanying data. In step SN2, the accounting-related process execution unit 501 refers to the product master 511 as appropriate based on the managed product code, and calculates a subtotal (total amount of products purchased by the customer). The method of calculating the subtotal is not limited to the method described above, and any method may be used.

  Next, the accounting-related process execution unit 501 transmits subtotal response data indicating the calculated subtotal to the printing device 9 (step SN3).

As shown in FIG. 16A, the print control unit 404 of the printing apparatus 9 controls the printing apparatus communication unit 43 to receive the subtotal response data (step SM2).
Next, based on the received subtotal response data, the print control unit 404 displays a subtotal (total amount of goods purchased by the customer) in the corresponding area of the amount display area 72 (step SM3).

When the subtotal is displayed in the amount display area 72, the customer hands over the money to the cashier. The cashier receives money from the customer, inputs the received money amount to the software numeric keypad 74, and operates the confirmation key 741 (step S4). Upon detecting that the confirmation key 741 has been operated, the print control unit 404 displays the amount of money received from the customer in the corresponding area of the amount display area 72.
Further, when it is detected that the confirmation key 741 has been operated, the print control unit 404 transmits change calculation request data for requesting calculation of the amount of change to the POS server 10 (step SM4).

As shown in FIG. 16B, the accounting-related processing execution unit 501 of the POS server 10 controls the POS server communication unit 52 to receive change calculation request data (step SN4).
Next, the accounting-related process execution unit 501 calculates the amount of change (step SN5).
Next, the accounting-related process execution unit 501 transmits change response data indicating the calculated amount of change to the printing device 9 (step SN6).

As shown in FIG. 16A, the print control unit 404 of the printing apparatus 9 controls the printing apparatus communication unit 43 to receive change response data (step SM5).
Next, the print control unit 404 displays the amount of change in the corresponding area of the amount display area 72 based on the received change response data (step SM6).
Based on the amount of change displayed in the amount display area 72, the cashier person delivers the change to the customer.

  As described above, in the accounting amount acquisition process in step SJ2, the print control unit 404 acquires the total amount of goods purchased by the customer, and acquires the amount of change to be delivered to the customer according to the customer's payment.

  As shown in FIG. 14, after execution of the accounting amount acquisition processing, the print control unit 404 executes receipt issuance processing (step SJ3). In the receipt issuing process of step SJ3, the print control unit 404 communicates with the POS server 10, and issues a receipt on which information on the product purchased by the customer, information indicating the total price of the product purchased by the customer, etc. is printed. . The receipt issuing process will be described in detail below.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printing apparatus 9 and the operation of the POS server 10 when the receipt issuing process is performed. FIG. 17A shows the operation of the printing apparatus 9, and FIG. 17B shows the operation of the POS server 10.

As shown in FIG. 17A, when the accounting amount acquisition process ends, the print control unit 404 of the printing apparatus 9 acquires accounting information (step SO1).
The accounting information is information indicating a combination of identification information (hereinafter referred to as "accounting identification information") uniquely assigned to each account and a product code, a product name, a unit price, and a quantity of products purchased by the customer ((1) Hereinafter, referred to as “purchased product information.”, Total purchase price (subtotal), money amount of money received from the customer, and information indicating money amount of change delivered to the customer (hereinafter referred to as “accounting money information”). And information indicating the time when the accounting was performed (hereinafter referred to as “accounting time information”) and the store identification information of the store where the accounting has been performed.
During accounting, the print control unit 404 stores information included in the purchased product information and information included in the accounting amount information in a predetermined storage area. In step SO1, the print control unit 404 acquires purchased item information and accounting amount information based on the information stored in the predetermined storage area.
Further, the time when the accounting indicated by the accounting time information is performed is the time when the determination key 741 is operated. The time when the accounting indicated by the accounting time information is performed is not limited to the time when the confirmation key 741 is operated, but is a time derived from accounting, such as the time when the bar code of the first product is read at the time of accounting. Good.
The print control unit 404 also has a function of generating accounting identification information in accordance with the accounting, and generates accounting identification information based on the function. The value of the accounting identification information is a unique value for each accounting performed at each store.

  After acquiring the accounting information, the print control unit 404 controls the printing apparatus communication unit 43 to transmit accounting information data indicating the acquired accounting information to the POS server 10 (step SO2).

As shown in FIG. 17B, the accounting-related process execution unit 501 of the POS server 10 controls the POS server communication unit 52 to receive accounting information data (step SP1).
Next, based on the accounting information indicated by the received accounting information data, the accounting-related process execution unit 501 generates recording data that instructs issuance of a receipt of a predetermined layout (step SP2).
The recorded data are in accordance with a predetermined layout, so-called top logo, bottom logo, accounting identification information, time when accounting was performed, product name of the product purchased by the customer, unit price, quantity, total purchase price, money received from the customer It is control data for instructing issuance of a receipt in which the amount of money, the amount of money of change sent to the customer, and the like are recorded. Recording data is an XML document in which information is described according to the XML format.

  Next, the accounting-related process execution unit 501 controls the POS server communication unit 52 to transmit the generated record data to the printing device 9 (step SP3).

Further, after receiving the accounting information data in step SP1, the accounting related process execution unit 501 accesses the accounting information management database 512 stored in the POS server storage unit 51 (step SP4).
One record of the accounting information management database 512 stores accounting identification information, purchased product information, accounting amount information, accounting time information, and store identification information in association with each other.
Next, based on the accounting information data received in step SP1, the accounting information management database 512 associates accounting identification information, purchased product information, accounting amount information, accounting time information, and store identification information with one another. Record of (step SP5).
Thus, the POS server 10 cumulatively stores accounting information according to the accounting. This enables management of sales per store and sales per item in the store.

As shown in FIG. 17A, the print control unit 404 of the printing apparatus 9 controls the printing apparatus communication unit 43 to receive print data (step SO3).
Next, the print control unit 404 generates a recording command of the command system corresponding to the printing apparatus printing unit 41 based on the recording data of the XML document (step SO4).
Next, the print control unit 404 controls the printing apparatus printing unit 41 based on the generated recording command to issue a receipt (step SO5).
The receipt issued at step SO5 is delivered to the customer by the cashier.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the printing apparatus 9 performs accounting processing using the function of the POS server 10 and issues a receipt according to the accounting. Also, the POS server 10 accumulates accounting information based on accounting processing.

As described above, the network system 1 according to the present embodiment is connected to the printing apparatus 9 (client) that transmits the response request at predetermined intervals, and the printing apparatus 9 via the network, and received from the printing apparatus 9 And a maintenance server (server) that transmits a response to the printing device in response to the response request. Then, the printing device 9 transmits status data D1 indicating the status of the printing device 9 as a response request to the maintenance server 7 at predetermined intervals, and the maintenance server 7 prints the printing device 9 based on the status data D1. Determines whether or not an error has occurred, and if no error has occurred, indicates an interval at which the printing device 9 transmits the status data D1 based on the factor affecting the processing load of the maintenance server 7 The communication allowance is calculated, and communication allowance information indicating the calculated communication allowance is transmitted as a response to the printing apparatus 9. If an error occurs, the printing apparatus 9 in which no error occurs is a status The error interval information indicating an interval shorter than the interval for transmitting the data D1 is transmitted as a response to the printing device 9, and the printing device 9 Spacing illustrated by communication allowance information received from the server 7, or, at intervals corresponding to the interval indicated by the error time interval information, it transmits the status data D1.
According to this configuration, the printing device 9 transmits a response request to the maintenance server 7 at intervals indicated by the communication allowance calculated based on the factors affecting the processing load on the server. It is possible to prevent the response request (status data D1) from being made in a short time at high density from 9 to the maintenance server 7, and the processing of the maintenance server 7 due to the fact that a response request is made in high time in a high density It is possible to suppress an increase in load and occurrence of processing delay in the maintenance server 7. Furthermore, since the printing device 9 in which an error has occurred transmits status data D1 at shorter intervals than the printing device 9 in which an error has not occurred, the printing device 9 in which an error has occurred due to the maintenance server 7. You can monitor changes in the state of the subject at short intervals. That is, communication can be performed between the printing device 9 and the maintenance server 7 in a mode corresponding to the state of the printing device 9.

Further, in the present embodiment, when an error occurs in the printing device 9, the maintenance server 7 transmits the error time interval information to the printing device 9 together with the communication allowance information, and the printing device 9 generates an error. In the meantime, the status data D1 is transmitted at an interval corresponding to the interval indicated by the error interval information, and when the error is eliminated, the status data D1 is transmitted at an interval corresponding to the interval indicated by the communication allowance information.
According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the printing device 9 from unnecessarily transmitting the status data D1 at short intervals despite the fact that the error is eliminated in the printing device 9, and the maintenance server 7 can be more effectively An increase in processing load can be suppressed.

Further, in the present embodiment, the communication allowance calculation unit 204 of the maintenance server 7 performs communication by reflecting the number of printing devices 9 connected to the maintenance server 7 as an element affecting the processing load of the maintenance server 7. Calculate the allowance.
According to this configuration, it is possible to calculate the communication allowance of an appropriate value based on the characteristics of the network system 1 in which the plurality of printing devices 9 are connected to the maintenance server 7.

Further, in the present embodiment, the communication allowance calculation unit 204 of the maintenance server 7 reflects the processing capacity of the maintenance server 7, the amount of data of the status data D1, and the time required for processing the status data D1. Calculate the capacity.
According to this configuration, it is possible to calculate the communication allowance of an appropriate value reflecting the specific factor that affects the processing load of the maintenance server 7.
In this embodiment, the communication capacity is calculated reflecting the processing capacity of the maintenance server 7, the data amount of the status data D1, and the time required for processing the status data D1. If the communication allowance is calculated by reflecting the above, it is possible to calculate the communication allowance of an appropriate value reflecting the factor affecting the processing load of the maintenance server 7.

The embodiment described above merely shows one aspect of the present invention, and any modification and application can be made within the scope of the present invention.
For example, although the printing device 9 functions as a “client” to the maintenance server 7 in the embodiment described above, a device functioning as a “client” is not limited to a device having a printing function like the printing device 9.
Further, for example, in the above-described embodiment, the printing apparatus 9 functioning as the client transmits the status data D1 including the information indicating the state of the printing apparatus 9, but may have the following configuration. That is, the apparatus functioning as a client (not necessarily having a print function) may be configured to transmit, to the maintenance server 7, status data D1 including information indicating the state of the apparatus connected to the client.
Further, for example, when the communication control method of the network system 1 described above is realized by using a computer included in each device included in the network system 1 or an external device connected to each device, the present invention controls the communication control. The present invention can also be configured in the form of a program executed by a computer to realize the method, a recording medium recording the program in a computer-readable manner, or a transmission medium for transmitting the program. As the recording medium, a magnetic or optical recording medium or a semiconductor memory device can be used. Specifically, flexible disks, HDDs (Hard Disk Drives), CD-ROMs (Compact Disk Read Only Memories), DVDs (Digital Versatile Disks), Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disc, magneto-optical disks, flash memories, cards, etc. Examples include portable or fixed recording media such as mold recording media. In addition, the recording medium is nonvolatile such as random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), or HDD which is an internal storage device provided in each device included in the network system 1 or an external device connected to each device. It may be a storage device.
Further, for example, in the above-described embodiment, the invention is described by exemplifying the case where the shop system 3 is applied to a shop, but the facility to which the shop system 3 is applied is not limited to the shop.
Also, for example, any method may be used as the communication method of each device configuring the network system 1.
Further, for example, in the embodiment described above, the recording method of the printing apparatus 9 is a thermal method, but any recording method may be used.
Further, for example, each functional block in the above-described embodiment can be arbitrarily realized by hardware and software, and does not imply a specific hardware configuration.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Network system, 2 ... Management system, 3 ... Store system, 5 ... Head office terminal, 7 ... Maintenance server (server), 9 ... Printing apparatus (client), 10 ... POS server, 12 ... Communication apparatus.

Claims (4)

A client transmitting an HTTP request which is a response request at a predetermined interval, and a server which transmits an HTTP response which is a response to the client in response to the response request received from the client are connected via a network and communicate according to HTTP Network system, and
The client is a printing apparatus having a printing unit for printing on a recording medium,
At predetermined intervals, status data indicating the status of the printing unit is sent to the server as the response request,
The server is
Based on the status data, determine whether an error has occurred in the client,
When the error does not occur, the communication allowance indicating the interval at which the client transmits the status data is calculated based on the factor affecting the processing load of the server, and the calculated communication allowance is calculated. Transmitting, as the response, communication allowance information indicating the information to the client;
When the error occurs, error interval information indicating an interval shorter than an interval at which the client where the error has not occurred transmits the status data is transmitted as the response to the client.
The client is
The status data is transmitted as the response request at an interval indicated by the communication allowance information received from the server, or at an interval corresponding to an interval indicated by the error interval information.
The server is
If the error occurs in the client, the error interval information is sent to the client together with the communication allowance information;
The client is
While the error is occurring, the status data is transmitted at an interval corresponding to the interval indicated by the error interval information, and when the error is eliminated, the interval is indicated at an interval corresponding to the interval indicated by the communication allowance information. A network system characterized by transmitting status data. Network system according to claim 1 factor that affects the processing load of the server, characterized in that it comprises a number of which is connected to the server the client, other devices. The factors affecting the processing load of the server include the processing capacity of the server, the amount of data of the status data received as the response request from the client, and the processing of the status data received as the response request from the client The network system according to claim 1 or 2 , further comprising at least one of the time required to A server that is connectable to a client, which is a printing apparatus having a printing unit for printing on a recording medium, via a network and communicates according to HTTP,
From the client, status data indicating the status of the printing unit is received at predetermined intervals as an HTTP request as a response request,
Based on the status data, determine whether an error has occurred in the client,
When the error does not occur, the communication allowance indicating the interval at which the client transmits the status data is calculated based on the factor affecting the processing load of the server, and the calculated communication allowance is calculated. communication allowable amount information indicating, as an HTTP response is response, and sends to the client,
When the error occurs, error interval information indicating an interval shorter than an interval at which the client where the error has not occurred transmits the status data is transmitted as the response to the client .
The server is
When the error has occurred in the client, the error interval information, and when the error is eliminated, the communication allowance information indicating an interval for causing the client to transmit the status data is transmitted to the client. A server that is characterized by

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