JP7044838B2 - Information processing equipment and programs - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to information processing devices and programs.

Conventionally, POS (Point Of Sales) terminals have been used in retail stores such as supermarkets. Since the POS terminal executes various processes related to one transaction, high reliability is required. The maintenance and management of the POS terminal is generally performed by a serviceman, and when a failure or the like occurs, the serviceman goes to the store to deal with it.

By the way, the POS terminal may recover from a failure by executing a simple measure such as restarting. In such a case, it is inefficient for the service person to go to the store and work. Therefore, there is a demand for a technique capable of efficiently maintaining and managing the equipment to be maintained.

An object to be solved by the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus and a program capable of efficiently performing maintenance and management of the apparatus to be maintained.

The information processing device of the embodiment is an information processing device that can be connected to a network constructed by a plurality of maintenance target terminals and a management server that manages the plurality of maintenance target terminals, and is a first communication means and processing. Provide means. The first communication means executes communication via the network. The processing means incorporates image information indicating the contents of measures for the maintenance target terminal in which the failure has occurred in the maintenance target terminal in which the failure has occurred, and is different from the first communication means in the second communication. Send to a display device with means .

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a maintenance system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the POS terminal. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the POS terminal. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the store server. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the maintenance server. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data structure of the device table. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data structure of the treatment table. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data structure of the failure tendency table. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data structure of the failure management table. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a characteristic functional configuration of each device of the maintenance system. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a data structure of state information. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the treatment screen. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of maintenance processing. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of preventive maintenance processing.

Hereinafter, the information processing apparatus and the program according to the embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The embodiment described below is an embodiment of the information processing apparatus and the program, and does not limit the configuration, specifications, and the like. This embodiment is an application example to a maintenance system introduced in a store such as a supermarket.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a maintenance system 1 according to an embodiment. The maintenance system 1 is a system for maintaining each device used in one or a plurality of stores. The maintenance system 1 includes a plurality of POS terminals 10, a store server 20, and a maintenance server 30. The maintenance server 30 and the store server 20 are connected to each other via a network 40 such as the Internet or a VPN (Virtual Private Network). The POS terminal 10 and the store server 20 are connected to each other via the in-store network 50. The in-store network 50 is a mesh-type network in which devices communicate with each other to form a communication path on the network. The in-store network 50 can transmit information to a target device by repeatedly relaying the information transmitted from one device to another device. As described above, the in-store network 50 is a failure-resistant network in which each device relays information, so that even if the device fails, an alternative communication path can be secured. The maintenance system 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a plurality of POS terminals 10, a store server 20, and a maintenance server 30, but the number of each device is not limited to this. Further, in the maintenance system 1 according to the present embodiment, the POS terminal 10 is the target device for maintenance, but the target device for maintenance may be a device other than the POS terminal 10.

The POS terminal 10 is a device to be maintained. The POS terminal 10 executes a registration process or the like for registering a product to be sold related to one transaction. Further, the POS terminal 10 has a self-diagnosis function. The self-diagnosis function is a function for diagnosing the state of the POS terminal 10 itself. The POS terminal 10 generates state information indicating the state of the POS terminal 10 itself as a result of executing the self-diagnosis. Then, the POS terminal 10 transmits the status information to the maintenance server 30.

The store server 20 is set in a store, for example. The store server 20 manages the POS terminal 10 installed in the store. The store server 20 relays communication between the POS terminal 10 and the maintenance server 30. For example, the store server 20 transmits the status information received from each of the POS terminals 10 to the maintenance server 30.

The maintenance server 30 is installed in, for example, a maintenance center where a service person who performs maintenance such as inspection and repair of each device to be maintained is stationed. The maintenance server 30 is an information processing device used for maintenance of the POS terminal 10. The maintenance server 30 analyzes the state information received from the POS terminal 10 and uses it for the maintenance of the POS terminal 10. For example, the maintenance server 30 maintains the POS terminal 10 by remotely operating the POS terminal 10. Alternatively, the maintenance server 30 outputs image information or the like indicating the maintenance method of the POS terminal 10.

Next, the POS terminal 10 will be described. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the POS terminal 10. The POS terminal 10 is placed on the drawer 11. Then, the POS terminal 10 controls the opening operation of the drawer 12 of the drawer 11. The POS terminal 10 includes a keyboard 13 on the upper right side of the upper surface. The keyboard 13 includes keys for inputting various operations.

The POS terminal 10 has a built-in display device 60 (see FIG. 3). The display device 60 includes a display unit 61 on the upper right side of the keyboard 13. The display unit 61 is, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD). The display unit 61 displays an image transmitted from the maintenance server 30. Although the display device 60 is built in the POS terminal 10, it displays various screens independently of the control of the POS terminal 10. That is, the display device 60 can display various screens even when a failure has occurred in the POS terminal 10.

The first display unit 15 is a liquid crystal display device (LCD) in which a touch panel is laminated on a display surface. The first display unit 15 displays various screens to, for example, a store clerk. The POS terminal 10 includes a second display unit 16 behind the upper surface. The second display unit 16 is a liquid crystal display device (LCD) in which a touch panel is laminated on a display surface. The second display unit 16 displays various screens for the customer, for example.

The POS terminal 10 includes a printer 17 on the left side of the upper surface. The printer 17 prints and issues receipts and journals for each transaction. The POS terminal 10 includes a card reader / writer 18 that reads or writes card information from a card passed through a card reading groove provided on the right side of the display device 60.

The POS terminal 10 includes a handheld scanner 19. The scanner 19 optically reads code information from a code symbol such as a bar code attached to a product brought by a customer.

Next, the hardware configuration of various devices included in the maintenance system 1 will be described.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the POS terminal 10. The POS terminal 10 includes a control unit 101, a storage unit 102, a communication interface 103, a scanner 19, a keyboard 13, a first display unit 15, a second display unit 16, a printer 17, and a card reader / writer 18. And prepare. The control unit 101, the storage unit 102, the communication interface 103, the scanner 19, the keyboard 13, the first display unit 15, the second display unit 16, the printer 17, and the card reader / writer 18 are system buses. They are connected to each other via 104.

The control unit 101 controls the overall operation of the POS terminal 10 and realizes various functions of the POS terminal 10. The control unit 101 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The CPU comprehensively controls the operation of the POS terminal 10. ROM is a storage medium for storing various programs and data. RAM is a storage medium for temporarily storing various programs and rewriting various data. Then, the CPU executes the program stored in the ROM, the storage unit 102, or the like with the RAM as a work area (work area).

The storage unit 102 is a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive). The storage unit 102 stores the control program 105. The control program 105 is a program for realizing the functions provided in the operating system and the POS terminal 10. The control program 105 includes a program for realizing the characteristic functions according to the present embodiment.

The communication interface 103 is an interface for connecting to the in-store network 50.

The display device 60 included in the POS terminal 10 includes a control unit 601, a storage unit 602, a communication interface 603, and a display unit 61. The control unit 601, the storage unit 602, the communication interface 603, and the display unit 61 are connected to each other via the system bus 604. As shown in FIG. 3, the display device 60 is not connected to the control unit 101 and is independent.

The control unit 601 controls the overall operation of the display device 60 and realizes various functions of the display device 60. The control unit 601 includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The CPU comprehensively controls the operation of the display device 60. ROM is a storage medium for storing various programs and data. RAM is a storage medium for temporarily storing various programs and rewriting various data. Then, the CPU executes the program stored in the ROM, the storage unit 602, or the like with the RAM as a work area (work area).

The storage unit 602 is a storage device such as an HDD or SSD. The storage unit 602 stores the control program 605. The control program 605 is a program for realizing the functions provided in the operating system and the display device 60. The control program 605 includes a program for realizing the characteristic functions according to the present embodiment.

The communication interface 603 is an interface for connecting to the in-store network 50.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the store server 20. The store server 20 includes a control unit 201, a storage unit 202, a communication interface 203, an operation unit 204, and a display unit 205. The control unit 201, the storage unit 202, the communication interface 203, the operation unit 204, and the display unit 205 are connected to each other via the system bus 206.

The control unit 201 controls the overall operation of the store server 20 and realizes various functions of the store server 20. The control unit 201 includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The CPU comprehensively controls the operation of the store server 20. ROM is a storage medium for storing various programs and data. RAM is a storage medium for temporarily storing various programs and rewriting various data. Then, the CPU executes the program stored in the ROM, the storage unit 202, or the like with the RAM as a work area (work area).

The storage unit 202 is a storage device such as an HDD or SSD. The storage unit 202 stores the control program 207. The control program 207 is a program for realizing the functions provided in the operating system and the store server 20. The control program 207 includes a program for realizing the characteristic functions according to the present embodiment.

The communication interface 203 is an interface for connecting to the network 40 or the in-store network 50.

The operation unit 204 is an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse. The operation unit 204 receives an operation for the store server 20.

The display unit 205 is, for example, a liquid crystal display device (LCD). The display unit 205 is not limited to the liquid crystal display device, and may be an organic EL display device or the like.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the maintenance server 30. The maintenance server 30 includes a control unit 301, a storage unit 302, a communication interface 303, an operation unit 304, and a display unit 305. The control unit 301, the storage unit 302, the communication interface 303, the operation unit 304, and the display unit 305 are connected to each other via the system bus 306.

The control unit 301 controls the overall operation of the maintenance server 30 and realizes various functions of the maintenance server 30. The control unit 301 includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The CPU comprehensively controls the operation of the maintenance server 30. ROM is a storage medium for storing various programs and data. RAM is a storage medium for temporarily storing various programs and rewriting various data. Then, the CPU executes the program stored in the ROM, the storage unit 302, or the like with the RAM as a work area (work area).

The storage unit 302 is a storage device such as an HDD or SSD. The storage unit 302 stores the control program 307, the device table 308, the treatment table 309, the failure tendency table 310, and the failure management table 311. The control program 307 is a program for realizing the functions provided in the operating system and the maintenance server 30. The control program 307 includes a program for realizing the characteristic functions according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data structure of the device table 308. The device table 308 stores the state of the device to be maintained. The device table 308 stores the device code, the component code, the usage state, and the environmental state in association with each other. The device code is identification information that can identify the device to be maintained. The part code is identification information that can identify the device to be maintained and the parts constituting the device to be maintained. Here, the parts are not limited to a part of the POS terminal 10, but include peripheral devices and the like connected to the POS terminal 10 by wire or wirelessly. The usage status is information indicating the usage status of the equipment to be maintained and the parts constituting the equipment to be maintained. The usage status is stored in association with the usage time and the number of usages. The usage time is information indicating the accumulation of the usage time. The number of times of use is information indicating the cumulative number of times of use. The environmental state is information indicating the usage environment of the device to be maintained and the parts constituting the device to be maintained. The environmental state is stored in association with the average temperature, the average humidity, the temperature, and the humidity. The average temperature is information indicating the average value of the temperature. The average humidity is information indicating the average value of the humidity of the installed environment. Temperature is information indicating temperature. Humidity is information indicating the humidity of the environment in which it is installed. The device table 308 may store not only the average value of temperature and humidity but also the median value and the like.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data structure of the treatment table 309. The action table 309 stores one or more action information indicating the action contents for the failure for each type of failure that is expected to occur in the device to be maintained. The treatment table 309 stores the failure code in association with the treatment information. The failure code is identification information that can identify the type of failure content. Here, the failure includes an error indicating that a problem has occurred, a warning indicating that an inappropriate state has occurred, and the like. More specifically, the faults include an error indicating that the HDD has failed and information cannot be read, an error indicating that the printer 17 has run out of paper, and the printer 17 has a low amount of paper remaining. It is a warning etc. to show that. The treatment information is information indicating the contents of the treatment for recovering from the failure. More specifically, the treatment information is remote operation information for remotely operating the device to be maintained. The maintenance server 30 transmits remote operation information to the device to be maintained, and recovers from the failure by performing remote operation. Alternatively, the treatment information is image information indicating the treatment content for recovering from the failure. That is, the maintenance server 30 displays the image information indicating the action content to be recovered from the failure, and manually executes the action content indicated by the image information to recover from the failure.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data structure of the failure tendency table 310. The failure tendency table 310 stores the state of the device at the time of the occurrence of the failure. The failure tendency table 310 stores the failure code, the usage state, and the environmental state in association with each other. The failure code is a failure code indicating the target failure. The usage status is information indicating the usage status at the time of failure of the equipment to be maintained or the parts constituting the equipment to be maintained. The usage status is stored in association with the usage time at the time of failure and the number of times of use at the time of failure. The usage time is information indicating the accumulation of usage time at the time of failure. The number of times of use is information indicating the cumulative number of times of use at the time of failure. The environmental state is information indicating the usage environment at the time of failure of the equipment to be maintained or the parts constituting the equipment to be maintained. The environmental state is stored in association with the average temperature, the average humidity, the failure temperature, and the failure humidity. The average temperature is information indicating the average value of the temperature. The average humidity is information indicating the average value of the humidity of the installed environment. The failure temperature is information indicating the temperature at the time of failure. The humidity at the time of failure is information indicating the humidity at the time of failure. The failure tendency table 310 may store not only the average value of temperature and humidity but also the median value and the like.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data structure of the failure management table 311. The failure management table 311 stores various information regarding failures that have occurred in the device to be maintained. The failure management table 311 stores the date and time, the device code, the component code, the failure code, the urgency, the log storage location, the failure content, the state, the cause, and the action in association with each other. The date and time is information indicating the date and time when the failure was detected, the date and time when the failure was recovered, and the like. The device code is a device code indicating a device in which an event such as a failure has occurred. The part code is a device code indicating a part in which an event has occurred in a device in which an event such as a failure has occurred. The failure code is a failure code indicating the failure that has occurred. The degree of urgency is information indicating the degree to which a disorder that has occurred should be treated urgently. The log storage location is information indicating the storage location of the log indicating the failure. The content of the failure is information indicating the content of the failure that has occurred. The status is information indicating the status of the device to be maintained. The cause is information indicating the cause of the failure of the device to be maintained. The treatment indicates the content of the treatment for the failure that has occurred.

Returning to FIG. 5, the communication interface 303 is an interface for connecting to the network 40.

The operation unit 304 is an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse. The operation unit 304 receives an operation for the maintenance server 30.

The display unit 305 is, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD). The display unit 305 is not limited to the liquid crystal display device, and may be an organic EL display device or the like.

Next, the characteristic functions of each device of the maintenance system 1 will be described. Here, FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a characteristic functional configuration of each device of the maintenance system 1.

The control unit 101 of the POS terminal 10 expands the control program 105 stored in the storage unit 102 into the RAM and operates according to the control program 105 to generate each functional unit shown in FIG. 10 in the RAM. Specifically, the control unit 101 of the POS terminal 10 includes a communication control unit 1001, a self-diagnosis unit 1002, a remote operation control unit 1003, a display control unit 1004, and a sales registration unit 1005 as functional units. ..

The communication control unit 1001 controls the communication interface 103 to communicate with the POS terminal 10 and the store server 20 connected via the in-store network 50.

The self-diagnosis unit 1002 controls a self-diagnosis function for diagnosing the state of the POS terminal 10 itself. Further, the self-diagnosis unit 1002 diagnoses the state of each component included in the POS terminal 10 in the self-diagnosis function. For example, the self-diagnosis unit 1002 determines whether or not all or part of the functions of the POS terminal 10 itself and the parts constituting the POS terminal 10 are disabled. Alternatively, the self-diagnosis unit 1002 measures the POS terminal 10 and the usage time, the number of times, and the like of the parts constituting the POS terminal 10. Alternatively, the self-diagnosis unit 1002 measures the state of the POS terminal 10 and the parts constituting the POS terminal 10, such as temperature and humidity. Explaining with specific examples, the self-diagnosis unit 1002 determines whether or not the POS terminal 10 and the programs of the parts constituting the POS terminal 10 are in a non-responsive state. Alternatively, the self-diagnosis unit 1002 diagnoses the remaining amount of paper in the printer 17, whether the scanner 19 can read the code symbol, and the like. Alternatively, the self-diagnosis unit 1002 measures the usage time and the number of times of use of the storage unit 102 such as an HDD or SSD. Alternatively, the self-diagnosis unit 1002 measures the temperature and humidity of the space in which the storage unit 102 such as an HDD or SSD is installed.

The self-diagnosis unit 1002 generates state information indicating the state of the POS terminal 10 itself as the execution result of the self-diagnosis function. Here, FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a data structure of state information. The state information is information indicating the state of the POS terminal 10 or the parts constituting the POS terminal 10. More specifically, the state information includes a device code, a component code, a failure information, a usage information, and an environmental information. The device code is identification information indicating the POS terminal 10 itself. The part code is identification information indicating a part constituting the POS terminal 10. When indicating the state of the entire POS terminal 10, a component code indicating the entire POS terminal 10 is set. The failure information is information indicating a failure occurring in the POS terminal 10. The failure information has a date and time, a failure code, a log, and an urgency. The date and time indicate the date and time when the failure occurred. The failure code is identification information that can identify the type of failure occurring in the POS terminal 10. The log is a log file output by the POS terminal 10 or the components constituting the POS terminal 10, and is a log showing the details of the failure. The urgency level is information indicating the degree to which the failure occurring in the POS terminal 10 should be dealt with urgently. The usage information is information indicating the usage state of the POS terminal 10 or the parts constituting the POS terminal 10. The usage information has a usage time and a usage frequency. The usage time is information indicating the usage time. The number of times of use is information indicating the number of times of use. The environmental information is information indicating the usage environment of the POS terminal 10 or the parts constituting the POS terminal 10. Environmental information has temperature and humidity. Temperature is information indicating temperature. Humidity is information indicating humidity.

Further, the self-diagnosis unit 1002 executes self-diagnosis and generates state information on condition that the treatment for the failure is executed. That is, the self-diagnosis unit 1002 generates state information indicating whether or not the failure has been recovered by the treatment.

The remote operation control unit 1003 executes processing according to the remote operation information on condition that the remote operation information for remotely operating the POS terminal 10 itself is received. For example, the process corresponding to the remote operation information is a process of restarting the POS terminal 10 itself. Alternatively, the process according to the remote operation information is a process of shifting the POS terminal 10 itself to the initial state. Alternatively, the process according to the remote operation information is a process of changing the setting of the POS terminal 10 itself.

The display control unit 1004 controls the first display unit 15 and the second display unit 16 to display various screens.

The sales registration unit 1005 controls sales data processing. The sales data processing is a process of registering a product or the like to be sold and a process of calculating the total price of the product or the like.

The control unit 601 of the display device 60 included in the POS terminal 10 expands the control program 605 stored in the storage unit 602 into the RAM and operates according to the control program 605 to generate each functional unit shown in FIG. 10 in the RAM. do. Specifically, the control unit 601 of the display device 60 includes a communication control unit 6001 and a display control unit 6002 as functional units.

The communication control unit 6001 controls the communication interface 603 to communicate with the POS terminal 10 and the store server 20 connected via the in-store network 50.

The display control unit 6002 controls the display unit 61 to display various screens. For example, the display control unit 6002 displays the treatment screen. Here, FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the treatment screen 6100. The treatment screen 6100 is a screen showing a method of recovering from a failure. The operator of the POS terminal 10 recovers from the failure by confirming and executing the contents shown on the treatment screen 6100. The treatment screen 6100 shown in FIG. 12 shows the treatment contents according to the failure that occurred in the printer 17. The treatment screen 6100 shown in FIG. 12 indicates the treatment content in characters, but the treatment screen 6100 is not limited to this. For example, the treatment screen 6100 shown in FIG. 12 may include a figure, a still image, a moving image, or the like. Further, the display device 60 may indicate the treatment content by voice.

The control unit 201 of the store server 20 expands the control program 207 stored in the storage unit 202 into the RAM and operates according to the control program 207 to generate each functional unit shown in FIG. 10 in the RAM. Specifically, the control unit 201 of the store server 20 includes a communication control unit 2001 as a functional unit.

The communication control unit 2001 controls the communication interface 203 to communicate with the POS terminal 10 or the like connected via the in-store network 50. Alternatively, the communication control unit 2001 controls the communication interface 203 to communicate with the maintenance server 30 or the like connected via the network 40.

The control unit 301 of the maintenance server 30 expands the control program 307 stored in the storage unit 302 into the RAM and operates according to the control program 307 to generate each functional unit shown in FIG. 10 in the RAM. Specifically, the control unit 301 of the maintenance server 30 includes a communication control unit 3001, a maintenance control unit 3002, a preventive maintenance control unit 3003, and a display control unit 3004 as functional units.

The communication control unit 3001 controls the communication interface 303 to communicate with the store server 20 and the like connected via the network 40.

The maintenance control unit 3002, on condition that the communication control unit 3001 which is an input means receives the state information, uses the usage information included in the received state information and the environment information as the component of the target device code in the device table 308. Remember by associating with the code. More specifically, the maintenance control unit 3002 stores the usage information and the environment information included in the state information in the device table 308 as the usage state and the environment state. Further, the maintenance control unit 3002 calculates the average temperature and the average humidity and stores them in the device table 308.

Further, the maintenance control unit 3002 determines whether or not the state information includes failure information indicating that a failure has occurred in the state information received by the communication control unit 3001. That is, the maintenance control unit 3002, which is a determination means, determines whether or not a failure has occurred in the POS terminal 10 based on the state information received by the communication control unit 3001. The maintenance control unit 3002 stores the failure that has occurred in the failure tendency table 310 and the failure management table 311 on condition that the failure information indicating that the failure has occurred is included. More specifically, the maintenance control unit 3002, which is the second storage control means, stores the state of the POS terminal 10 in which the failure has occurred in the failure tendency table 310. That is, the maintenance control unit 3002 stores the usage state and the environmental state in the failure tendency table 310 in association with the failure code of the failure that has occurred. Further, the maintenance control unit 3002 stores the date and time, the device code, the component code, the failure code, and the urgency included in the status information in the failure management table 311. Further, the maintenance control unit 3002 determines the storage location of the log included in the status information, the content of the failure indicated by the failure code, the fact that a failure is occurring as a state, and the failure stored in the log. The cause is stored in the failure management table 311.

The maintenance control unit 3002, which is an identification means, identifies the type of failure that has occurred in the POS terminal 10 based on the failure information, provided that the failure information indicating that the failure has occurred is included. That is, the maintenance control unit 3002 detects the failure code from the failure information. The maintenance control unit 3002, which is an extraction means, extracts the treatment information corresponding to the failure information included in the state information from the treatment table 309. The maintenance control unit 3002 may generate new treatment information when appropriate treatment information that can be recovered from the failure is not stored. In this case, the maintenance control unit 3002 generates treatment information according to the operation received by the operation unit 304. Then, the maintenance control unit 3002, which is the treatment means, executes the treatment for recovering the POS terminal 10 from the failure via the network 40 and the in-store network 50 by using the treatment information. At this time, the maintenance control unit 3002 stores the treatment indicated by the treatment information in the treatment table 309.

The maintenance control unit 3002 executes a procedure for recovering a failure occurring in the POS terminal 10 by using the procedure information in various modes. For example, the maintenance control unit 3002 causes the display control unit 3004 to display the treatment information. In this case, the serviceman of the service center informs the contents of the measures to be recovered from the failure indicated by the measures information displayed on the display unit 305 by telephone or the like.

Alternatively, the maintenance control unit 3002 causes the communication control unit 3001 to transmit the extracted treatment information to the POS terminal 10 where the failure has occurred. Here, the maintenance control unit 3002 changes the transmission destination according to the treatment information. The treatment information includes image information for displaying the treatment screen 6100 showing a method for recovering from the failure, and remote operation information instructing the operation content for recovering the device from the failure. The maintenance control unit 3002 causes the communication control unit 3001 to transmit the treatment information toward the POS terminal 10 of the device code included in the state information, provided that the treatment information is remote operation information. That is, the maintenance control unit 3002 executes a remote operation using the state information. On the other hand, the maintenance control unit 3002 transmits the treatment information to the communication control unit 3001 toward the display device 60 included in the POS terminal 10 of the device code included in the state information, provided that the treatment information is image information. Let me. The maintenance control unit 3002 may execute both the display output and the transmission output.

The maintenance control unit 3002, which is the first memory control means, uses the action content recovered from the failure as the action information on the condition that the communication control unit 3001 receives the status information indicating that the failure has been recovered, as the action table 309. To memorize. For example, the maintenance control unit 3002 extracts the action contents executed during the period from the occurrence of the failure to the execution of the self-diagnosis function for confirming that the failure has been recovered as the action contents recovered from the failure. Then, the maintenance control unit 3002 stores the treatment contents recovered from the extracted failure in the treatment table 309 as treatment information.

The preventive maintenance control unit 3003 executes preventive maintenance on the POS terminal 10 which is a device to be maintained. That is, the preventive maintenance control unit 3003 notifies the POS terminal 10 on the condition that it is determined that a failure may occur in the POS terminal 10 based on the state information. More specifically, the preventive maintenance control unit 3003 calculates the conditions under which a failure occurs by statistical analysis of each element stored in the failure tendency table 310. Then, the preventive maintenance control unit 3003 determines whether or not each element indicating the state of the POS terminal 10 indicated by the treatment information conforms to the condition in which a failure occurs. The preventive maintenance control unit 3003, which is a notification means, notifies each element of the treatment information on the condition that the condition in which a failure occurs is met. To give an example, the preventive maintenance control unit 3003, as a statistical analysis, has each of the usage time, the number of times of use, the average temperature, the average humidity, the failure temperature, the failure humidity, etc. stored in the failure tendency table 310. Calculate the average value and deviation value of the elements. Then, the preventive maintenance control unit 3003 may cause a failure on condition that each element such as the usage time, the number of times of use, the temperature, and the humidity of the treatment information conforms to the calculated average value or deviation value. Is notified.

The preventive maintenance control unit 3003 notifies by various modes. For example, the preventive maintenance control unit 3003 notifies the display control unit 3004 that a failure may occur. Alternatively, the preventive maintenance control unit 3003 notifies the communication control unit 3001 that a failure may occur by transmitting it to the POS terminal 10, the store server 20, the display device 60, and the like. The preventive maintenance control unit 3003 can prompt the replacement of the POS terminal 10 and parts that may cause a failure by notifying that the failure may occur.

The display control unit 3004 controls the display unit 305 to display various screens. For example, the display control unit 3004 displays the contents of the failure management table 311 and the like. Alternatively, the display control unit 3004 causes the preventive maintenance control unit 3003 to display a screen notifying that a failure may occur in response to a request.

Next, the maintenance process executed by the POS terminal 10 will be described. Here, FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the maintenance process executed by the maintenance system 1 of the present embodiment. The maintenance process is a process for maintaining the POS terminal 10 which is a device to be maintained.

First, the self-diagnosis unit 1002 of the POS terminal 10 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed (step S11). On condition that the predetermined time has not elapsed (step S11; No), the self-diagnosis unit 1002 of the POS terminal 10 waits for the execution of the self-diagnosis function.

On the other hand, on condition that the predetermined time has elapsed (step S11; Yes), the self-diagnosis unit 1002 of the POS terminal 10 executes the self-diagnosis function to generate state information indicating the state of the POS terminal 10 (step S12). ).

Next, the communication control unit 1001 of the POS terminal 10 transmits the state information to the store server 20 (step S13).

Next, the communication control unit 2001 of the store server 20 relays the state information (step S21). That is, the communication control unit 2001 transmits the received status information to the maintenance server 30.

Next, the communication control unit 3001 of the maintenance server 30 receives the state information transmitted by the store server 20 (step S31). Next, the maintenance control unit 3002 of the maintenance server 30 stores the usage information included in the state information and the environment information in the device table 308 (step S32).

Next, the maintenance control unit 3002 of the maintenance server 30 determines whether or not the received status information includes a failure code (step S33). The maintenance server 30 ends the maintenance process on condition that the status information does not include the failure code (step S33; No).

On the other hand, on condition that the status information includes the failure code (step S33; Yes), the maintenance control unit 3002 of the maintenance server 30 stores the information regarding the generated failure in the failure tendency table 310 and the failure management table 311. (Step S34). That is, the maintenance control unit 3002 stores the usage information included in the state information and the environment information in the failure tendency table 310. Further, the maintenance control unit 3002 sets the date and time included in the status information, the device code, the component code, the fault code, the urgency, the log storage location, the fault content, the status, and the cause in the fault management table. Store in 311.

Next, the maintenance control unit 3002 of the maintenance server 30 extracts the action information according to the failure code from the action table 309 (step S35).

Next, the maintenance control unit 3002 of the maintenance server 30 outputs the extracted treatment information (step S36). That is, the maintenance control unit 3002 outputs the treatment information by at least one output method of the transmission output and the display output.

Next, the communication control unit 2001 of the store server 20 relays the state information on condition that the treatment information is transmitted from the maintenance server 30 (step S22). That is, the communication control unit 2001 transmits the received state information to the POS terminal 10.

Next, the communication control unit 1001 of the POS terminal 10 receives the treatment information from the store server 20 (step S14).

Next, the POS terminal 10 executes the treatment information (step S15). More specifically, the remote operation control unit 1003 of the POS terminal 10 executes the remote operation on condition that the treatment information is the remote operation information instructing the remote operation of the POS terminal 10. Alternatively, the display control unit 6002 of the display device 60 included in the POS terminal 10 displays the image information on condition that the treatment information is the image information indicating the method of recovering from the failure.

Next, the self-diagnosis unit 1002 of the POS terminal 10 executes a self-diagnosis function to confirm whether or not the failure has been recovered by the treatment, and generates state information (step S16). Next, the communication control unit 1001 of the POS terminal 10 transmits the state information to the store server 20 (step S17).

Next, the communication control unit 2001 of the store server 20 relays the state information (step S23).

Next, the communication control unit 3001 of the maintenance server 30 receives the status information (step S37). Next, the maintenance control unit 3002 of the maintenance server 30 determines whether or not the received status information indicates that the POS terminal 10 has recovered from the failure (step S38). On condition that the POS terminal 10 has not been restored (step S38; No), the maintenance server 30 proceeds to step S35. Then, the maintenance control unit 3002 of the maintenance server 30 extracts the treatment information that has not yet been output from the treatment table 309 for the treatment information according to the failure code. Then, the maintenance control unit 3002 outputs the treatment information that has not been implemented yet.

On the other hand, on condition that the POS terminal 10 is restored (step S38; Yes), the maintenance control unit 3002 of the maintenance server 30 stores the restoration in the failure management table 311 (step S39).

As a result, the maintenance system 1 ends the maintenance process.

Next, the preventive maintenance process executed by the POS terminal 10 will be described. Here, FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of preventive maintenance processing executed by the maintenance system 1 of the present embodiment.

The process from step S41 to step S62 is the same as the process from step S11 to step S32 in FIG.

In step S63, the preventive maintenance control unit 3003 of the maintenance server 30 determines whether or not each element of the received treatment information conforms to the condition in which a failure occurs (step S63). The maintenance server 30 ends the preventive maintenance process on condition that the condition that the failure occurs is not met (step S63; No).

On the other hand, on condition that the condition that the failure occurs is satisfied (step S63; Yes), the preventive maintenance control unit 3003 of the maintenance server 30 notifies that the failure is likely to occur (step S64).

As a result, the maintenance system 1 ends the preventive maintenance process.

As described above, according to the maintenance system 1 according to the present embodiment, the maintenance server 30 receives the state information indicating the result of the self-diagnosis executed in the POS terminal 10. The maintenance server 30 extracts the action information corresponding to the failure occurring in the POS terminal 10 from the action table 309 on condition that it is determined that the failure has occurred in the POS terminal 10 based on the state information. Then, the maintenance server 30 outputs the extracted state information. When the processing information is transmitted as remote operation information, the maintenance server 30 recovers from the failure by remote operation. Alternatively, when the processing information is transmitted as image information, the maintenance server 30 displays the treatment content to be recovered from the failure on the display device 60 and causes an operator such as a clerk to execute the treatment content to recover from the failure. Let me. Therefore, the maintenance server 30 can efficiently perform maintenance and management of the device to be maintained.

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

Further, in the above embodiment, it has been explained that the display device 60 is independent of the control by the POS terminal 10. However, the display device 60 may display various screens such as the treatment screen 6100 in cooperation with the POS terminal 10. Alternatively, the display device 60 may display various screens such as the treatment screen 6100 under the control of the POS terminal 10.

Further, in the above embodiment, it has been described that the maintenance server 30 transmits image information for displaying the treatment screen 6100 and the like to the display device 60. However, the maintenance server 30 may transmit image information to a device other than the display device 60. For example, the maintenance server 30 may transmit image information for display on the store server 20. Alternatively, the maintenance server 30 may transmit image information to the POS terminal 10 in which the failure has occurred, provided that the treatment screen 6100 or the like can be displayed. Alternatively, the maintenance server 30 may transmit image information to a non-faulty device in a store having a failed POS terminal 10. Alternatively, the maintenance server 30 may transmit image information to a smartphone or the like owned by a store clerk or the like having a POS terminal 10 in which a failure has occurred.

The program executed by each device of the above-described embodiment or modification shall be provided by incorporating it into a storage medium (ROM or storage unit) provided in each device in advance, but the program is not limited to this. For example, a file in an installable format or an executable format should be recorded and provided on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk). It may be configured in. Further, the storage medium is not limited to a medium independent of a computer or an embedded system, but also includes a storage medium in which a program transmitted by a LAN, the Internet, or the like is downloaded and stored or temporarily stored.

Further, the program executed by each device of the above-described embodiment or modification may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by downloading via the network, or may be configured to be provided on the Internet. It may be configured to be provided or distributed via a network such as.

1 Maintenance system 10 POS terminal 20 Store server 30 Maintenance server 60 Display device 308 Equipment table 309 Action table 310 Failure tendency table 311 Failure management table 1001 Communication control unit 1002 Self-diagnosis unit 1003 Remote operation control unit 1004 Display control unit 1005 Sales registration unit 2001 Communication control unit 3001 Communication control unit 3002 Maintenance control unit 3003 Preventive maintenance control unit 3004 Display control unit 6001 Communication control unit 6002 Display control unit 6100 Action screen

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 7-296070

Claims (5)

An information processing device that can be connected to a network constructed by a plurality of maintenance target terminals and a management server that manages the plurality of maintenance target terminals.
A first communication means for executing communication via the network, and
A display device having a second communication means different from the first communication means, which is built in the maintenance target terminal in which the failure has occurred and shows the image information indicating the action contents for the maintenance target terminal in which the failure has occurred. And the treatment measures to send to
Information processing device equipped with. The treatment means transmits the image information to another maintenance target terminal in which a failure has not occurred.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. The treatment means transmits the image information to the management server.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. The treatment means transmits the image information to the mobile terminal owned by the clerk .
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. An information processing device that can be connected to a network constructed by multiple maintenance target terminals and a management server that manages the multiple maintenance target terminals.
A first communication means for executing communication via the network, and
The image information showing the action contents for the maintenance target terminal in which the failure has occurred is incorporated in the maintenance target terminal in which the failure has occurred, and is provided in a display device having a second communication means different from the first communication means. The processing means to send and
A program to function as.

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