JP6623661B2 - Network system and communication control method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a network system and a communication control method.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a network system in which a client and a server are connected via a network is configured to include a plurality of servers, and a system that reduces the processing load on the server by distributing access from the client to the server is known. (For example, see Patent Document 1).

JP-A-2004-5669

Here, in a network system in which a client and a server are connected via a network, a communication request is transmitted from the client to the server, and the server responds to the response request. There are things that are done. In such a network system, when a response request is transmitted from a client to a server at a predetermined interval, a process corresponding to the configuration is performed to suppress an increase in the processing load on the server, and a process on the server is performed. There is a need to prevent delays and the like.
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to suppress an increase in the processing load of a server in a network system that transmits a response request from a client to a server at intervals.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a client connected to a processing device and 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. Is a network system connected via a network, wherein the server calculates a communication allowance indicating an interval at which the client transmits the response request, based on an element affecting a processing load of the server. Transmitting, to the client, communication allowance information indicating the calculated communication allowance, wherein the client transmits the response request at intervals corresponding to the intervals indicated by the communication allowance information received from the server. It is characterized by.
According to the configuration of the present invention, the client transmits the response request to the server at intervals indicated by the communication allowance calculated based on the factors affecting the processing load on the server, so that the client transmits the response request to the server. On the other hand, it is possible to prevent response requests from being made at high density in a short time, and it is possible to suppress an increase in the processing load on the server due to response requests being made at high density in a short time.

Further, according to the present invention, the client receives processing device state information relating to a state of the processing device from the connected processing device, and receives status data including the received processing device state information as the response request, The data is transmitted to the server at intervals corresponding to the intervals indicated by the communication allowance information.
According to the configuration of the present invention, the client sets the interval after suppressing the increase in the processing load on the server due to the transmission of the status data as the response request being performed at high density in a short time. The server can be notified of the status of the processing device periodically.

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

Further, according to the present invention, the factors that affect the processing load of the server include the processing capacity of the server, the data amount of the data received as the response request from the client, and the data received as the response request from the client. Characterized in that at least one of the times required for the processing is included.
According to the configuration of the present invention, it is possible to calculate a communication allowance having an appropriate value by reflecting specific factors that affect the processing load of the server.

Further, in the present invention, the server includes a communication allowance calculating unit that calculates the communication allowance indicating an interval at which the client transmits the response request based on an element that affects a processing load of the server. The client includes an interval updating unit that changes an interval at which the response request is transmitted based on an interval indicated by the communication allowance information.
According to the configuration of the present invention, the processing load on the server due to the fact that response requests are made in a short time and with high density by using the functions of the communication allowable amount calculation unit of the server and the interval update unit of the client is used. Can be suppressed from increasing.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a client connected to a processing device and transmitting a response request at a predetermined interval, and transmitting a response to the client in response to the response request received from the client. A communication control method in a network system in which a server and a server are connected via a network, wherein the server indicates an interval at which the client transmits the response request based on an element that affects a processing load of the server. Calculate the communication allowance, transmit the communication allowance information indicating the calculated communication allowance to the client, the client, at intervals corresponding to the interval indicated by the communication allowance information received from the server, the A response request is transmitted.
According to the configuration of the present invention, the client transmits the response request to the server at intervals indicated by the communication allowance calculated based on the factors affecting the processing load on the server, so that the client transmits the response request to the server. On the other hand, it is possible to prevent response requests from being made at high density in a short time, and it is possible to suppress an increase in the processing load on the server due to response requests being made at high density in a short time.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a network system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of each device included in the management system. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of each device included in the store system. The figure which shows the flow of the data between each apparatus of a network system. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of each device of the network system. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating information included in the processing device state information data D1. The figure which shows status data. The figure which shows the data structure of a status database. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the maintenance server. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a printing device identification information input screen. The figure which shows an information provision screen. 5 is a flowchart illustrating operations of the printing device and the POS terminal. The figure used for description of a modification.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a network system 1 according to the present embodiment. The network system 1 is a system used by a company that provides products such as supermarkets, convenience stores, department stores, and restaurants, services, and the like, and 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 including the Internet and other networks.

The management system 2 is a system provided at the head office of a company that uses the network system 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the management system 2 includes a head office local network HLN which is a local network. One or a plurality of head office terminals 5, a maintenance server 7 (server), and a communication device 12 are connected to the head office local network HLN.
The communication standard for communication performed via the head office local network HLN may be any communication standard, and the communication performed via the local network may be wire communication or wireless communication.

The head office terminal 5 is a computer used by employees of the company and other persons related to the company at the head office.
The maintenance server 7 is a server that communicates with an agent terminal 11 described later and manages a state of a printing device 9 (processing device) described later.
Details of the configuration, functions, and processing based on the functions of the maintenance server 7 will be described later.
The head office terminal 5 and the maintenance server 7 can communicate with each other via the head office local network HLN.

The communication device 12 is an interface device that connects a local network such as a head office local network HLN or a store local network TLN, which will be described later, to the global network GN. The communication device 12 has a function as a modem (or an optical network unit (ONU)), 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 and received between devices when communication is performed between a device connected to the local network and a device connected to the global network GN. Although the communication device 12 is represented by one block in FIG. 1, the communication device 12 may have a configuration including a plurality of devices according to functions.
The maintenance server 7 of the management system 2 uses the function of the communication device 12 to communicate with the agent terminal 11 via the local network HLN on the head office side, the global network GN, and the local network TLN on the store side described later.

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 that is a local network. One or more POS terminals 8 and a printing device 9 connected to the POS terminals 8, a POS server 10, an agent terminal 11 (client), and a communication device 12 are connected to the store-side local network TLN. . The POS terminal 8 is connected to a display DP that can be visually recognized by a cashier at a cashier counter, and displays information related to accounting and other information on the display DP.
The communication standard of the communication performed through the store-side local network TLN may be any communication standard, and the communication performed through the local network may be wire communication or wireless communication.

The printing device 9 is a device having a printing function. The printing device 9 is provided at a cashier counter in a store where a customer checks a transaction.
The POS terminal 8 is a device that communicates with the printing device 9 and controls the printing device 9. As will be described later, in the store system 3, the POS terminal 8 acquires necessary information from the POS server 10 in accordance with the transaction performed at the cashier counter, executes the transaction, and executes the printing device based on the transaction. 9 is issued a receipt. The receipt issued by the printing device 9 is delivered to the customer by the cashier.
The agent terminal 11 is a device having a function of transmitting information on the state of the printing device 9 to the maintenance server 7.
The configuration, functions, and processing based on the functions of the POS terminal 8, the printing device 9, the POS server 10, and the agent terminal 11 will be described later in detail.
In the store system 3, the POS terminal 8, the printing device 9, the POS server 10, and the agent terminal 11 can communicate with each other via the store-side local network TLN.
The agent terminal 11 of the store system 3 uses the function of the communication device 12 to communicate with the maintenance server 7 via the store local network TLN, the global network GN, and the head office local network HLN.

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 include a plurality of server devices.
In addition, between the maintenance server 7 and the agent terminal 11, a technology related to encryption such as a VPN (Virtual Private Network) or a technology related to a virtual private line (or a physical private line). Performs secure communication.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the maintenance server 7 provided in the management system 2 and the head office terminal 5.
As shown in FIG. 2, the maintenance server 7 includes a maintenance server control unit 20, 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, and other peripheral circuits, and controls the maintenance server 7.
The maintenance server control unit 20 includes a status data receiving unit 201, a responding unit 202, an analyzing unit 203, a communication allowance calculating unit 204, and an information providing unit 205. These functional blocks execute processing in cooperation with hardware and software such that the CPU reads and executes a corresponding program (for example, a dedicated program that operates on predetermined server software). The functions of these functional blocks and the processing based on the functions will be described later.
The maintenance server storage unit 21 includes a hard disk (not shown) and a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM, and stores various data.
The maintenance server communication unit 22 accesses the global network GN under the control of the maintenance server control unit 20, and communicates with devices (including the agent terminal 11) connected to the network.

  As illustrated 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 illustrating a functional configuration of the POS terminal 8, the printing device 9, the POS server 10, and the agent terminal 11 included in the store system 3.

The POS terminal 8 is a host computer that controls the printing device 9. In particular, the POS terminal 8 executes an accounting process based on the accounting performed at the cashier counter, controls the POS terminal 8 based on the accounting process, and causes the POS terminal 8 to issue a receipt.
As shown in FIG. 3, a POS terminal control unit 70, a POS terminal storage unit 71, a POS terminal communication unit 72, and a POS terminal device communication unit 73 are provided.
The POS terminal control unit 70 includes a CPU (not shown), a ROM, a RAM, and other peripheral circuits, and controls the POS terminal 8.
The POS terminal storage unit 71 includes a nonvolatile memory and stores various data.
The POS terminal communication unit 72 communicates with an external device under the control of the POS terminal control unit 70.
The POS terminal device communication unit 73 includes an interface board having a port conforming to the USB standard, a port conforming to a serial communication standard other than USB, and a port conforming to other communication standards. The POS terminal device communication unit 73 communicates with a device connected to the port under the control of the POS terminal control unit 70. Note that the POS terminal device communication unit 73 may have a wireless communication function and perform wireless communication with the device.

  In the example of FIG. 3, a barcode scanner BS, a customer display CD, and a display DP are connected to the POS terminal 8 as devices.

The barcode scanner BS reads a barcode attached to a product, a package of the product, or the like, and outputs data indicating a read result to the POS terminal device communication unit 73. The POS terminal device communication unit 73 outputs the data input from the barcode scanner BS to the POS terminal control unit 70.
The customer display CD is a display device such as a liquid crystal display, and displays various information under the control of the POS terminal control unit 70. The information displayed on the customer display CD can be visually recognized by the customer who performs the transaction at the cashier counter.
The cash drawer KS includes a tray for storing cash, a mechanism for locking and unlocking the tray, a mechanism for pulling out the tray, and the like. Under the control of the POS terminal control unit 70, the cash drawer KS unlocks and pulls out the tray.
The display DP includes a display panel such as a liquid crystal display panel, and displays various information under the control of the POS terminal control unit 70.

The printing device 9 is a line thermal printer that accommodates roll paper and prints an image by forming dots on the roll paper using a line-type thermal head.
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the printing device 9 includes a printing device control unit 40, a printing device printing unit 41, a printing device storage unit 42, a printing device communication unit 43, and a printing device device communication unit 44. .

The printing device control unit 40 includes a CPU (not shown), a ROM, a RAM, and other peripheral circuits, and controls the printing device 9.
The printing device control unit 40 includes a log writing unit 401, a processing device status management unit 402, and a print control unit 403. These functional blocks execute processing in cooperation with hardware and software, such as the CPU reading and executing a corresponding program (for example, firmware). The functions of these functional blocks and the 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 roll paper accommodated 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 according to the resolution are arranged in a direction intersecting with the transport direction of the roll paper. Form dots. 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 to cross the fixed blade and the movable blade. The printing device printing unit 41 prints an image relating to a receipt on the roll paper by the print head 411 under the control of the printing device control unit 40 while transporting the roll paper by the transport mechanism. And issue a receipt.

The printing device storage unit 42 includes a nonvolatile 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 devices (including the POS terminal 8, the POS server 10, and the agent terminal 11) connected to the local network. .

  As shown in FIG. 3, the POS server 10 includes a product master 511 and a transaction information management database 512. The merchandise master 511 stores merchandise codes of merchandise, unit prices of merchandise, and information on other merchandise in association with merchandise sold in stores. The accounting information management database 512 will be described later.

The agent terminal 11 includes an agent terminal control unit 60, an agent terminal storage unit 61, and an agent terminal communication unit 62.
The agent terminal control unit 60 includes a CPU (not shown), a ROM, a RAM, and other peripheral circuits, and controls the agent terminal 11.
The agent terminal control unit 60 includes a status data generation unit 601 and an interval update unit 602. These functional blocks execute processing in cooperation with hardware and software such that the CPU reads and executes a corresponding program (for example, client software corresponding to server software of the maintenance server 7). The functions of these functional blocks and the processing based on the functions will be described later.
The agent terminal storage unit 61 includes a nonvolatile memory and stores various data.
The agent terminal communication unit 62 accesses the store-side local network TLN under the control of the agent terminal control unit 60, and includes devices (POS terminal 8, printing device 9, and POS server 10) connected to the local network. ) To communicate with. Further, the agent terminal communication unit 62 controls the communication device 12 under the control of the agent terminal control unit 60, and the maintenance server 7 via the store side local network TLN, the global network GN, and the head office local network HLN. Communicate with

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. Further, the maintenance server 7 provides useful information for maintenance of the printing apparatus 9 to a person in charge of maintenance of the printing apparatus 9 of the store system 3 (hereinafter, referred to as “maintenance technician”).
Hereinafter, the operation of each device of the network system 1 when managing the state of the printing device 9 will be described.

Here, the agent terminal 11 and the maintenance server 7 basically communicate in the following manner according to HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol). That is, the agent terminal 11 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 agent terminal 11 transmits an HTTP request (response request) to the maintenance server 7. As will be described later, the agent terminal 11 transmits an HTTP request to the maintenance server 7 at predetermined intervals. The maintenance server 7 transmits an HTTP response (response) to the agent terminal 11 in response to receiving the HTTP request.
As described above, the agent terminal 11 and the maintenance server 7 transmit and receive data between these devices by transmitting a response request from the agent terminal 11 and transmitting a response in response to the response request from the maintenance server 7. Therefore, data cannot be asynchronously transmitted from the maintenance server 7 to the specific agent terminal 11. When data is transmitted from the maintenance server 7 to the specific agent terminal 11, Data is transmitted in the form of a response to a response request from.

FIG. 4 shows a functional block included in the printing device control unit 40 of the printing device 9, a functional block included in the agent terminal control unit 60 of the agent terminal 11, and a functional block included in the maintenance server control unit 20 of the maintenance server 7. It is a figure shown with data to perform.
Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 4, when the maintenance server 7 manages the state of the printing apparatus 9, the basics of data transmitted and received between the printing apparatus 9, the agent terminal 11, and each functional block of the maintenance server 7 are described. The flow will be described.
In the description with reference to FIG. 4, the details of the processing of the functional blocks, the details of the contents of data transmitted and received between the functional blocks, and the details of 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 to 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 for which the status is monitored and a log is set in advance. In this embodiment, at least monitoring items include a monitoring item: printer error, a monitoring item: cumulative number of print head forming lines, and a monitoring item: cumulative number of cutter usage. Note that the monitoring items described in the present embodiment are examples, and other monitoring items may be present in addition to the exemplified monitoring items or in place of at least a part of the exemplified monitoring items. For example, items related to devices connected to the printing apparatus 9 and items related to communication (data transfer speed and the like) may be present as monitoring items.

Monitoring item: As a printer error log, information indicating that a printer error has occurred and information indicating that the generated printer error has been resolved are recorded in the log file 421 in chronological order together with information indicating the date and time. Is done. The printer error refers to a state in which printing cannot be performed normally, such as running 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 the printer error has been resolved (monitoring item: monitor the status of the printer error), and based on the monitoring result, a log file A log of a monitoring item: printer error is recorded at 421.

Monitoring item: As a log of the print head formation line total number, information indicating the print head formation line total number is recorded in the log file 421 in chronological order together with the information indicating the date and time.
The print head formed line cumulative number is the cumulative number of lines formed by the print head 411. The printing device printing unit 41 of the printing device 9 according to the present embodiment prints an image by alternately repeating formation of one line of dots by the print head 411 and conveyance of one line of roll paper by the conveyance mechanism. Execute Further, as described above, forming a line means forming one line of dots by the print head 411.
The log writing unit 401 acquires the total number of print head lines at predetermined intervals (monitoring item: monitors the total number of print head forming lines), and stores a log of the monitoring item: total number of print head forming lines in the log file 421. Record.

Monitoring item: As a log of the cumulative number of cutter usage, information indicating the cumulative usage of the cutter is recorded in the log file 421 in chronological order together with the information indicating the date and time.
The cumulative use of the cutter is the cumulative number of roll paper cuts performed by the cutter 412.
The log writing unit 401 acquires the cumulative number of cutter usage at a predetermined interval (monitoring item: monitoring the cumulative number of cutter usage), and records a log of the monitoring item: cumulative usage of cutter in the log file 421.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the processing device status management unit 402 of the printing device 9 generates the processing device status information data D1 based on the log information written in the log file 421 at a predetermined timing. The processing device state management unit 402 transmits the generated processing device state information data D1 to the agent terminal 11 (arrow Y1).

The status data generating unit 601 of the agent terminal 11 receives the processing device state information data D1 from the printing device 9 connected to the local store network TLN to which the agent terminal 11 is connected. The status data generation unit 601 refers to the transmission interval setting file 611 and generates status data D2 at the intervals indicated by the file based on the received processing device state information data D1. The status data generation unit 601 transmits the generated status data D2 to the maintenance server 7 (arrow Y2). That is, the status data generation unit 601 generates the status data D2 and transmits the status data D2 to the maintenance server 7 at intervals indicated by the transmission interval setting file 611.
The transmission of the status data D2 to the maintenance server 7 by the status data generation unit 601 is performed as an HTTP request according to HTTP.

The status data receiving unit 201 of the maintenance server 7 receives the status data D2. The status data receiving unit 201 outputs the status data D2 to the response unit 202 (arrow Y3). Further, the status data receiving unit 201 outputs the received status data D2 to the analyzing unit 203 (arrow Y4).
The response unit 202 refers to the communication allowance file 212, generates communication allowance information data D3 including communication allowance information indicating the communication allowance, and transmits the generated communication allowance information data D3 to the agent terminal 11. (Arrow Y5). The transmission of the communication allowable amount information data D3 to the agent terminal 11 by the response unit 202 is performed as an HTTP response according to HTTP.
The analysis unit 203 updates the status database 211 based on the status data D2 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.
In addition, the information providing unit 205 refers to the status database 211 in response to access from the head office terminal 5 and provides useful information for maintaining the printing apparatus 9 in a manner described later.

  The interval updating unit 602 of the agent terminal 11 receives the communication allowance information data D3. The interval updating unit 602 updates the transmission interval setting file 611 based on the communication allowance information included in the received communication allowance information data D3.

  After that, the status data generation unit 601 refers to the transmission interval setting file 611, generates the status data D2 at the interval indicated by the file, and transmits the status data D2 to the maintenance server 7.

  As described above, in the cycle in which the agent terminal 11 transmits the status data D2 to the maintenance server 7 at intervals, and the maintenance server 7 transmits the communication allowable amount information data D3 to the agent terminal 11, the agent terminal 11 communicates with the maintenance terminal 7. Data transmission / reception with the server 7 is performed.

Next, operations of the printing device 9, the agent terminal 11, and the maintenance server 7 when managing the state of the printing device 9 will be described in detail.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating operations of the printing device 9, the agent terminal 11, and the maintenance server 7.
5A illustrates the operation of the processing device state management unit 402 of the printing apparatus 9, FIG. 5B illustrates the operation of the status data generation unit 601 of the agent terminal 11, and FIG. 7D shows the operation of the maintenance server 7, FIG. 7E shows the response unit 202 of the maintenance server 7, and FIG. 7F shows the operation of the analysis unit 203 of the maintenance server 7. Is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the processing device status management unit 402 of the printing device 9 generates the processing device status information data D1, and monitors whether or not a condition for transmitting is satisfied (step SA1). The condition for generating and transmitting the processing device state information data D1 may be, for example, that a predetermined timing has arrived, or that, for example, the state of the monitoring item has reached a predetermined state. . That the state of the monitoring item has reached a predetermined state means that, for example, in the case of a monitoring item: printer error, a printer error has occurred or the printer error has been resolved.

When the condition for generating and transmitting the processing device status information data D1 is satisfied, the processing device status management unit 402 refers to the log file 421 and, among the log information described in the log file 421, the processing device status information data D1. The log information necessary to generate D1 is obtained (step SA2). In the present embodiment, the log information necessary to generate the processing device state information data D1 includes the above-described monitoring item: printer error, monitoring item: cumulative number of print head forming lines, and monitoring item: cumulative number of cutter usage. Includes the latest logs.
Next, the processing device state management unit 402 generates processing device state information data D1 based on the log information acquired in step SA2 (step SA3).

FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating information included in the processing device state information data D1.
As shown in FIG. 6, the processing device status information data D1 includes printing device identification information. The printing device identification information is identification information for uniquely identifying the printing device 9. For example, a serial number of the printing device 9 (a number uniquely assigned to the printing device 9 when the printing device 9 is manufactured) is used as the printing device identification information. Can be used as information.
Further, the processing device status information data D1 includes log-related information for each monitoring item. That is, the processing device status information data D1 includes a monitoring item: log-related information of a printer error, a monitoring item: log-related information of a cumulative number of print head forming lines, and a monitoring item: log-related information of a cumulative number of cutter usage.
The log-related information includes monitoring item identification information that is identification information for identifying a corresponding monitoring item, and monitoring item log information that is log information of the corresponding monitoring item. That is, the monitoring item: printer error log related information includes the monitoring item: monitoring item identification information for identifying a printer error (hereinafter, referred to as “printer error identification information”) and the monitoring item: printer error monitoring item log information ( Hereinafter, “printer error log information” is included. Monitoring item: log-related information of the cumulative number of print head formed lines includes monitoring item: monitored item identification information for identifying the cumulative number of print head formed lines (hereinafter, referred to as “print head formed line cumulative identification information”) and monitoring. Item: monitoring item log information of the cumulative number of print head formed lines (hereinafter, referred to as “print head formed line cumulative log information”). Monitoring item: Cutter usage log related information includes monitoring item: monitoring item identification information for identifying the total number of cutter usage (hereinafter, referred to as “cutter usage total identification information”), and monitoring item: total number of cutter usage. (Hereinafter referred to as “cutter usage cumulative log information”).

  After generating the processing device status information data D1 in step SA3, the processing device status management unit 402 controls the printing device communication unit 43 to transmit the generated processing device status information data D1 (step SA4), and the processing procedure Is returned to step SA1.

As shown in FIG. 5B, the status data generation unit 601 of the agent terminal 11 controls the agent terminal communication unit 62 to receive the processing device state information data D1 (step SB1).
Next, the status data generation unit 601 stores the received processing device state information data D1 in a predetermined storage area of the agent terminal storage unit 61 (Step SB2).
In step SB2, the status data generation unit 601 determines that the predetermined storage area includes the printing device identification information that is “different” from the value of the printing device identification information included in the processing device status information data D1 received in step SB1. If the processing device state information data D1 is stored, the processing device state information data D1 received in step SB1 is stored without deleting the other processing device state information data D1. On the other hand, in step SB2, the status data generation unit 601 stores, in a predetermined storage area, the printing apparatus identification information having a value “same” as the value of the printing apparatus identification information included in the processing apparatus state information data D1 received in step SB1. In the case where the other processing device state information data D1 in which is stored is stored, the other processing device state information data D1 is deleted, and the processing device state information data D1 received in step SB1 is stored.
As a result, the processing device status information data D1 received from each of the printing devices 9 most recently is stored in the predetermined storage area for each of the printing devices 9.

In parallel with the reception and storage of the processing device state information data D1, the status data generation unit 601 refers to the transmission interval setting file 611 and monitors whether the timing to generate the status data D2 has come (step SB3). ).
The transmission interval setting file 611 is a file in which information indicating an interval for generating and transmitting the status data D2 is described. In step SB3, the status data generation unit 601 refers to the transmission interval setting file 611, generates and transmits the status data D2 last time, and transmits the status data D2 when the interval indicated by the transmission interval setting file 611 has elapsed. It is determined that the generation timing has come.

When the timing to generate the status data D2 has come (step SB3: YES), the status data generation unit 601 generates the status data D2 based on the processing device state information data D1 stored in a predetermined storage area ( Step SB4).
The status data D2 is text data (for example, data in XML (Extensible Markup Language) format) in which information can be described in a hierarchical manner by a combination of hierarchical keys and values, and is transmitted to the maintenance server 7 as a request. Possible data.

FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing the contents of the status data D2 in a mode suitable for explanation.
The status data D2 includes store identification information indicating a store where the agent terminal 11 that generated the status data D2 is provided. Store identification information is identification information uniquely assigned to a store. Store identification information indicating the store where each agent terminal 11 is provided is registered in advance in each of the agent terminals 11. In the status data D2 illustrated in FIG. 7, store identification information is described in the area A1.
The status data D2 includes agent terminal identification information indicating the agent terminal 11 that generated the status data D2. The agent terminal identification information is identification information uniquely assigned to the agent terminal 11. Agent terminal identification information indicating each agent terminal 11 is registered in advance in each of the agent terminals 11. In the status data D2 exemplified in FIG. 7, the agent terminal identification information is described in the area A2.

The status data D2 describes status information. The status information is printed for each of the printing devices 9 connected to the store-side local network TLN to which the agent terminal 11 is connected and which has transmitted the processing device status information data D1 to the agent terminal 11. This is information including device status information (described later).
In the status data D2 illustrated in FIG. 7, status information is described in an area A3, and printing apparatus status information is described in an area A31.
The printing device status information includes printing device identification information of the corresponding printing device 9. In the status data D2 illustrated in FIG. 7, printing device identification information is described in an area A311.
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 D2 illustrated in FIG. 7, a monitoring item: monitoring item identification information on a printer error (printer error identification information) and monitoring item log information (printer error log information) are described in an area A312. Also, in a region A313, monitoring items: monitoring item identification information (print head formation line identification information) regarding the total number of print head formation lines, and monitoring item log information (print head formation line total count log information) are described. . Further, in the area A314, monitoring items: monitoring item identification information (cumulative cutter usage identification information) and monitoring item log information (cumulative cutter usage log information) regarding the cumulative usage of cutters are described.

  As described above, the status data D2 includes the shop identification information and the agent terminal identification information, and the monitoring items for each of the printing devices 9 that transmitted the processing device state information data D1 to the agent terminal 11 Of the monitoring item identification information and the monitoring item log information.

As shown in FIG. 5B, after generating the status data D2 in step SB4, the status data generating unit 601 controls the agent terminal communication unit 62 to transmit the generated status data D2 to the maintenance server 7. (Step SB5). The process of step SB5 corresponds to “the process of transmitting a response request from the client to the server”.
In step SB5, the status data generation unit 601 transmits an HTTP request in which the status data D2 is described in the request body to the maintenance server 7 according to the HTTP. Information necessary for transmitting the status data D2 as a response request to the maintenance server 7, such as the URL of the maintenance server 7 transmitting the status data D2 and the protocol to be used, is registered in advance.

  After transmitting the status data D2, the status data generation unit 601 deletes the processing device state information data D1 stored in the predetermined storage area (Step SB6), and returns the processing procedure to Step SB1.

As shown in FIG. 5D, the status data receiving unit 201 of the maintenance server 7 controls the maintenance server communication unit 22 to receive the status data D2 (Step SD1).
Next, the status data receiving unit 201 outputs the received status data D2 to the response unit 202 (step SD2), and outputs it to the analysis unit 203 (step SD3).

As shown in FIG. 5E, the response unit 202 acquires the status data D2 output by the status data receiving unit 201 (step SE1).
Next, the response unit 202 refers to the communication allowance file 212 (step SE2). The communication allowance file 212 is a file in which communication allowance information indicating the communication allowance, which is an interval at which the agent terminal 11 transmits the status data D2, is described by the method described later by the communication allowance calculation unit 204.
Next, the response unit 202 generates communication allowance information data D3 indicating the communication allowance information based on the communication allowance information described in the communication allowance file 212 (step SE3).
Next, the response unit 202 controls the maintenance server communication unit 22 to transmit the generated communication allowable amount information data D3 to the agent terminal 11 as a response (step SE4). For example, the response unit 202 transmits an HTTP response in which the communication allowance information data D3 is described in the response body to the agent terminal 11 according to the HTTP.
The process in step SE3 corresponds to “the process in which the server transmits a response to the client in response to the response request received from the client”.

As shown in (C) of FIG. 5, the interval update unit 602 of the agent terminal 11 controls the agent terminal communication unit 62 to receive the allowable communication amount information data D3 (step SC1).
Next, the interval updating unit 602 determines, based on the communication allowance information included in the communication allowance information data D3, the interval indicated by the transmission interval setting file 611 by the communication allowance information included in the communication allowance information data D3. The file is updated so as to become the interval (communication allowance) (step SC2).
By the processing in step SC2, the status data generation unit 601 thereafter generates and transmits the status data D2 at the interval indicated by the updated transmission interval setting file 611.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5F, the analysis unit 203 acquires the status data D2 output by the status data reception unit 201 (step SF1).
Next, the analysis unit 203 updates the status database 211 based on the acquired status data D2 (step SF2). Hereinafter, the process of step SF2 will be described in detail.

FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically showing the data structure of the status database 211.
As shown in FIG. 8, one record of the status database 211 includes at least printing apparatus identification information, printer error information, print head error information, and cutter error information.
The printer error presence / absence information is information indicating whether or not a printer error has occurred. A value indicating that a printer error has occurred (expressed as “present” in FIG. 8), or a fact that the printer error has not occurred. 8 (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 a print head error has occurred (expressed as “present” in FIG. 8), or has not occurred. (In FIG. 8, expressed as “absent”). The print head error is a state in which the cumulative number of print head forming lines by the print head 411 exceeds a predetermined threshold which is a reference for determining the life of the print head 411.
The cutter error presence / absence information is information indicating whether or not a cutter error has occurred, and a value indicating that a cutter error has occurred (expressed as “present” in FIG. 8) or a fact that no cutter error has occurred. 8 (represented as “absent” in FIG. 8). A cutter error is a state in which the cumulative number of cutters used by the cutter 412 exceeds a predetermined threshold value that is a reference for determining the life of the cutter 412.

In step SF2, the analysis unit 203 acquires each of the printing device status information included in the status data D2. As described above, the printing device status information includes the printing device identification information and a combination of the monitoring item identification information of each monitoring item and the monitoring item log information.
Next, the analysis unit 203 determines one piece of printing device status information as a processing target, and, based on the matching of the printing device identification information, among the records in the status database 211, the corresponding record (printing of the printing device status information to be processed). A record having printing device identification information having the same value as the value of the device identification information is specified. 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 specified record based on the printing device status information to be processed.
Specifically, the analysis unit 203 determines whether or not a printer error has occurred based on printer error log information (monitoring item log information) included in the printing device status information. The value of the printer error presence / absence information is updated to a value indicating that a printer error has occurred, and if not, the value of the printer error presence / absence information is changed to a value indicating that no printer error has occurred. Further, the analysis unit 203 determines whether or not the cumulative number of print head formed lines exceeds a predetermined threshold based on the print head formed line cumulative 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.If not, the value of the print head error presence / absence information is updated to a value indicating that a print head error has occurred. Update to a value indicating no The analyzing unit 203 determines whether the cumulative cutter usage count exceeds a predetermined threshold based on the cumulative cutter usage log information (monitoring item log information) included in the printing apparatus status information. Updates the value of the cutter error presence information to a value that indicates that a cutter error has occurred, and if not, updates the value of the cutter error presence information to a value that indicates that no cutter error has occurred I do.

In step SF2, the analysis unit 203 sets each of the printing device status information included in the status data D2 as a processing target, and updates a corresponding record in the status database 211 based on the printing device status information set as the processing target.
By the processing of step SF2, each record of the status database 211 becomes a record having information updated based on the latest printing apparatus status information received most recently.

Next, a process when the communication allowance calculation unit 204 updates the communication allowance file 212 will be described.
Here, as described above, a plurality of agent terminals 11 are connected to the maintenance server 7, but the number of agent terminals 11 connected to the maintenance server 7 is large depending on the scale of the network system 1 (for example, (More than 1000 units). If the transmission of the response request (status data D2) from the agent terminal 11 is performed at high density in a short time, the processing load on the maintenance server 7 increases, and there is a possibility that the processing on the maintenance server 7 is delayed. is there.
Based on the above, the communication allowance calculation unit 204 calculates the appropriate amount of communication allowance by performing the following processing, and suppresses transmission of a response request by each agent terminal 11 at high density in a short time. Then, an increase in the processing load on the maintenance server 7 is suppressed.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the communication allowance calculation unit 204 when updating the communication allowance file 212.
The communication allowance calculator 204 executes the process of the flowchart in FIG. 9 at predetermined intervals.
As shown in FIG. 9, the communication allowable amount calculation unit 204 acquires the number of agent terminals 11 connected to the maintenance server 7 (step SG1). Here, the communication allowable amount calculation unit 204 manages the number of communication paths (in this example, an HTTP session over a TCP connection) established with the agent terminal 11, and based on the number of communication paths, The number of agent terminals 11 connected to the maintenance server 7 is obtained. Hereinafter, the number of agent terminals 11 connected to the maintenance server 7 is referred to as “the number of connected terminals”.

Next, the allowable communication amount calculation unit 204 calculates the number of times that processing can be performed (step SG2).
When the usage rate of the CPU of the maintenance server 7 and other control entities (hereinafter, simply referred to as “CPU”) is the maximum value, the maintenance server 7 can perform the processing per unit time per second. This is the number of status data D2 that can be processed.
The maximum value of the CPU usage rate is set to a value at which the maintenance server 7 can execute the processing of the status data D2 and other accompanying processing without delay, and the CPU usage rate exceeds the maximum value. Therefore, there is a possibility that the processing of the maintenance server 7 is delayed. Therefore, in processing the status data D2, it is required that the CPU usage rate does not exceed the maximum value, and as will become clear later, the communication allowance realizes that the CPU usage rate does not exceed the maximum value. It should be an appropriate value.
In step SG2, the communication allowance calculator 204 acquires the data amount of the status data D2. The communication allowance calculation unit 204 has a function of calculating an average value of the data amount of the status data D2 received during a predetermined period from the current time, and calculates the average value calculated by the function to the data amount of the status data D2. Get as The data amount of the status data D2 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 D2 based on the acquired data amount of the status data D2. The processing of the status data D2 refers to the processing by the above-described response unit 202, the processing by the analysis unit 203, and other processing executed based on the status data D2. The data amount of the status data D2 has a positive correlation with the time required for processing the status data D2, and a table indicating the correspondence between the data amount and the time is registered in the maintenance server 7 in advance. . The method of calculating the time required for processing the status data D2 is not limited to the illustrated method, but may be any method.
Next, the communication allowance calculation unit 204 calculates the number of status data D2 that can be processed by the maintenance server 7 per unit time (the number of times that can be processed) based on the calculated time required for processing the status data D2.

After calculating the number of connected devices in step SG1 and calculating the number of processable times in step SG2, the allowable communication amount calculation unit 204 calculates the allowable communication amount by the following equation S1 (step SG3). "Formula S1: Permissible communication amount = Number of connected devices / Number of processable times".
When the plurality of agent terminals 11 connected to the maintenance server 7 transmit the status data D2 at intervals indicated by the communication allowance calculated as described above, the maintenance server 7 sets the CPU usage rate to the maximum value. Without exceeding, it is possible to process the plurality of received status data D2.
Although the illustrated method of calculating the communication allowance is simplified for convenience of explanation, it goes without saying that various margins may be reflected in the calculation of the communication allowance.
Further, the method of calculating the communication allowance is not limited to the illustrated method. That is, from the viewpoint of suppressing an increase in the processing load of the maintenance server 7, any method is available as long as the allowable communication amount is calculated based on factors that affect the processing load of the maintenance server 7. Is also good. In addition, regarding the factors that affect the processing load of the maintenance server 7, “number of agent terminals 11 connected to the maintenance server 7”, “processing capability of the maintenance server 7”, “status data D 2 (response request from the agent terminal 11) And the time required for processing the status data D2), but the elements are not limited to the illustrated ones.

  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 to the calculated communication allowance, thereby obtaining the communication allowance file. 212 is updated (step SG4).

Next, when providing useful information for maintenance of the printing apparatus 9 to a maintenance person (meaning a person in charge of maintaining the printing apparatus 9 of the store system 3 as described above). The operation of the maintenance server 7 will be described.
In the following description, it is assumed that the maintenance staff 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 device 9 starts a browser of the head office terminal 5 and accesses a predetermined URL of the predetermined maintenance server 7.
The information providing unit 205 of the maintenance server 7 generates an HTTP file for displaying the printing device identification information input screen G101 (FIG. 10) in response to access to the predetermined URL, and transmits the generated 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 function of the browser, controls the head office terminal display unit 33 based on the received HTTP file, and displays the printing device identification information input screen G101 on the display panel. Display.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a printing device identification information input screen G101.
As shown in FIG. 10, the printing device identification information input screen G101 includes an input field R101 in which printing device identification information can be input. The maintenance staff inputs the printing apparatus identification information of the printing apparatus 9 for which information is desired to be obtained in the input field R101, and operates the OK button B101 to fix the input. Upon confirmation 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 device identification information. Next, the information providing unit 205 specifies a corresponding record in 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 value of the received printing device identification information. Next, the information providing unit 205 generates an HTTP file for displaying the information providing screen G111 (FIG. 11) based on the specified record, and transmits the generated 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 function of the browser, controls the head office terminal display unit 33 based on the received HTTP file, and displays the information providing screen G111 on the display panel.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the information providing screen G111.
As shown in FIG. 11, the information providing screen G111 has an area A111 and an area A112.
In the area A111, basic information on the printing device 9 of the printing device identification information input by the maintenance person is displayed. 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 on the printing device 9, and the name of the store where the printing device 9 is provided. The information indicates the address of the store, the information indicating the telephone number of the store, and the information indicating the lane number of the cashier counter provided with the printing device 9. Basic information on the printing device 9 is not limited to the exemplified information.
Here, the maintenance server storage unit 21 of the maintenance server 7 stores, for each printing device, a database that stores printing device identification information and basic information on the printing device in association with each other. The information providing unit 205 acquires basic information on the printing device based on the database.
By referring to the information displayed in the area A111 of the information provision screen G111, the maintenance person can obtain basic information on the printing apparatus 9, and can perform operations such as telephone calls to the store as necessary. It can be performed.

As shown in FIG. 11, information indicating whether a printer error has occurred, information indicating whether a print head error has occurred, and information indicating whether a cutter error has occurred are displayed in an area A112.
By referring to the information displayed in the area A112, the maintenance technician can recognize whether or not each of the printer error, the print head error, and the cutter error has occurred, and responds based on the recognition. Work can be done. The corresponding operation is, for example, when an error has occurred, 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 POS terminal 8 and the printing device 9 when the transaction is performed at the cashier counter of the store will be described.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the POS terminal 8 and the printing device 9 when the transaction is performed. FIG. 12A shows the operation of the POS terminal 8, and FIG. Show.

As shown in FIG. 12A, the POS terminal control unit 70 of the POS terminal 8 executes an accounting process according to the customer's account (step SH1).
In the accounting process, the cashier reads the barcode attached to the product purchased by the customer with the barcode scanner BS. The POS terminal control unit 70 acquires the product code of the product based on the reading result of the barcode scanner BS, and appropriately refers to the product master 511 of the POS server 10 to perform the accounting process for the unit price of the product. Get information about a product. The POS terminal control unit 70 displays information on the product on the customer display CD or the display DP based on the information on the obtained product. In addition, the POS terminal control unit 70 determines the accounting by calculating the total amount or the change based on the acquired information on the product, and displays information indicating the calculation result on the customer display CD or the display DP. And controls the cash drawer KS. After the settlement of the transaction, the POS terminal control unit 70 transmits information relating to the transaction to the POS server 10. The POS terminal 10 receives the information on the transaction and registers it in the transaction information management database 512.

After executing the accounting process in step SH1, the POS terminal control unit 70 prints information related to accounting (information on products, information on total amount, information on change, etc.) on the printing device 9 based on the accounting process. A control command for issuing a receipt is generated (step SH2). A POS application and a printer driver are installed in the POS terminal 8, and the POS terminal control unit 70 generates a control command using the functions of these programs.
Next, the POS terminal control unit 70 controls the POS terminal communication unit 72 to transmit the generated control command to the printing device 9 (Step SH3).

As shown in FIG. 12B, the printing control unit 403 of the printing device control unit 40 of the printing device 9 controls the printing device communication unit 43 to receive a control command (step SI1).
Next, the print control unit 403 controls the printing device printing unit 41 based on the received control command and issues a receipt (step SI2). The issued receipt is delivered to the customer by the cashier.

As described above, the network system 1 according to the present embodiment includes the agent terminal 11 (client), which is connected to the printing device 9 (processing device) and transmits a response request (status data D2) at predetermined intervals, This is a system in which a maintenance server 7 (server) that transmits a response to the agent terminal 11 in response to a response request received from the terminal 11 is connected via a network. Then, the maintenance server 7 calculates a communication allowance indicating an interval at which the agent terminal 11 transmits a response request based on an element that affects communication with the agent terminal 11, and calculates the calculated communication allowance. The communication allowance information shown is transmitted to the agent terminal 11. The agent terminal 11 transmits a response request at intervals corresponding to the intervals indicated by the communication allowance information received from the maintenance server 7 (server).
According to this configuration, the agent terminal 11 transmits the response request to the maintenance server 7 at intervals indicated by the communication allowance calculated based on the factors that affect the processing load on the server. 11 can prevent the response request (status data D2) from being made to the maintenance server 7 at high density in a short time, and processing of the maintenance server 7 due to the response request being made at high density in a short time. It is possible to suppress an increase in load and a delay in processing in the maintenance server 7.

Further, in the present embodiment, the agent terminal 11 receives the processing device status information data D1 (processing device status information) related to the status of the printing device 9 from the connected printing device 9, and converts the received processing device status information data D1. The status data D2 including the status data D2 is transmitted to the maintenance server 7 as a response request at intervals corresponding to the intervals indicated by the communication allowance information.
According to this configuration, the agent terminal 11 suppresses an increase in the processing load of the maintenance server 7 due to the transmission of the status data D2 being performed in a short period of time and at a high density. The status of the printing device 9 can be notified to the maintenance server 7 periodically.

Further, in the present embodiment, the communication allowance calculation unit 204 of the maintenance server 7 reflects the number of agent terminals 11 connected to the maintenance server 7 as a factor that affects the processing load of the maintenance server 7 and reflects the communication. Calculate the permissible amount.
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 agent terminals 11 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 data amount of the status data D2, and the time required for processing the status data D2. Calculate the capacity.
According to this configuration, it is possible to calculate an appropriate value of the communication allowance by reflecting specific factors that affect the processing load of the maintenance server 7.
In this embodiment, the communication capacity is calculated by reflecting the processing capacity of the maintenance server 7, the data amount of the status data D2, and the time required for processing the status data D2. If the communication allowance is calculated by reflecting these factors, it is possible to calculate a communication allowance having an appropriate value reflecting an element that affects the processing load of the maintenance server 7.

Further, in the present embodiment, the maintenance server 7 calculates the communication permission amount that indicates the interval at which the agent terminal 11 transmits the response request based on the factors that affect the communication with the agent terminal 11. A capacity calculation unit 204 is provided. Further, the agent terminal 11 includes an interval updating unit 602 that changes an interval for transmitting a response request based on the interval indicated by the communication allowance information.
According to this configuration, a response request is made in a short period of time and at a high density by using the functions of the communication allowance calculating unit 204 of the maintenance server 7 and the interval updating unit 602 of the agent terminal 11. It is possible to suppress an increase in the processing load on the maintenance server 7 and a delay in the processing on the maintenance server 7.

<Modification>
Next, a modified example will be described.
FIG. 13A is a diagram used for describing the first modification.
In the above-described embodiment, the configuration is such that the agent terminal 11 and the printing device 9 as the processing device are connected in a one-to-many relationship via the local area network.
However, the method of communication between the agent terminal 11 and the printing device 9 is not limited to the illustrated method. For example, as shown in FIG. 13A, the agent terminal 11 and the printing device 9 communicate with each other by a communication standard corresponding to USB, serial communication other than USB (for example, serial communication corresponding to RS232C), parallel communication (for example, , A one-to-one connection may be adopted according to a communication standard corresponding to IEEE 1284).
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the processing device to which the processing terminal status information relating to the status is transmitted from the agent terminal 11 to the maintenance server 7 is the printing device 9. However, the processing device is not limited to a device having a printing function like the printing device 9. For example, as shown in FIG. 9A, a scanner may be used, or a multifunction device having multiple functions such as a scanning function and a printing function may be used, or a personal computer may be used. That is, the processing device may be any device that can manage the state by the maintenance server 7 in the network system 1.

The above-described embodiment merely shows one embodiment of the present invention, and can be arbitrarily modified and applied within the scope of the present invention.
For example, when the above-described communication control method of the network system 1 is realized using a computer included in each device included in the network system 1 or an external device connected to each device, the present invention relates to the communication control method. The present invention can be configured in the form of a program to be executed by a computer to realize the above, a recording medium in which the program is recorded 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, a flexible disk, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), a Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disc, a magneto-optical disk, a flash memory, a card A portable or fixed recording medium such as a mold recording medium may be used. In addition, the recording medium is a non-volatile memory such as a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), or an HDD that is an internal storage device included in each device included in the network system 1 and an external device connected to each device. It may be a storage device.
Further, for example, in the above-described embodiment, the invention has been described by exemplifying a case where the store system 3 is applied to a store, but the facility to which the store system 3 is applied is not limited to a store.
Further, for example, any method may be used for the communication method of each device constituting the network system 1.
Further, for example, in the above-described embodiment, 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 suggest a specific hardware configuration.

  REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 network system 2 management system 3 store system 5 head office terminal 7 maintenance server (server) 9 printing device (processing device) 10 POS server 11 agent terminal (client) 12, a printing device; 204, an allowable communication amount calculating unit; 602, an interval updating unit.

Claims (4)

A network system in which a client connected to a processing device and 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. hand,
The server is
Based on factors that affect the processing load of the server, calculate a communication allowance indicating an interval at which the client transmits the response request, and transmit communication allowance information indicating the calculated communication allowance to the client. And
The processing device includes:
Generating processing device state information based on the log information written at a predetermined timing, transmitting the generated processing device state information to the client,
The client,
At intervals corresponding to the intervals indicated by said communication allowance information received from the server, a network system, characterized in that the status information of the processing device included in the processor state information generated as the response request, to transmit . Factors that affect the processing load of the server are the number of clients connected to the server , and the server can process per unit time when the usage rate of the control entity of the server is the maximum value. The network system according to claim 1 , wherein the number of data received as the response request is included. The server is
A communication allowance calculating unit that calculates the communication allowance indicating an interval at which the client transmits the response request, based on an element that affects a processing load of the server,
The client,
Network system according to claim 1 or 2 on the basis of the interval indicating the communication allowance information, characterized in that it comprises a spacing update unit for changing the interval for sending the response request. Communication in a network system in which a client connected to a processing device and transmitting a response request at predetermined intervals 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 control method,
The server is
Based on factors that affect the processing load of the server, calculate a communication allowance indicating an interval at which the client transmits the response request, and transmit communication allowance information indicating the calculated communication allowance to the client. And
The processing device includes:
Generating processing device state information based on the log information written at a predetermined timing, transmitting the generated processing device state information to the client,
The client,
At intervals corresponding to the intervals indicated by said communication allowance information received from the server, the process generates the status information of the device as the response request including the processor state information, characterized in that it Send communication Control method.

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