JPH0229488Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to an ordering terminal device that is connected to an external control device via a transmission line and performs ordering and receiving operations for products with respect to the external control device.

[Prior Art] For example, in an ordering terminal device used in a store or a supermarket to place an order for a product from a wholesaler or receive an order from a customer, the product code, quantity, and delivery date of the ordered product can be entered from a keyboard. Key-input order data such as date for each product. The order data for each product entered from the keyboard is temporarily stored in a transmission buffer formed in the internal storage section. In response to a key input operation of the send key on the keyboard, the order data is sent to the wholesaler's center system.

Some of these ordering terminal devices are equipped with a large number of item keys and an array of product input keyboards in order to eliminate the hassle of inputting product codes for each product by operating numeric keys during ordering operations. There is one in which individual products are assigned to each item key. With such a device, when one item key is entered, the product code or product name assigned to this item key is uniquely determined.
It is sent to the center system together with the quantity data input using the above-mentioned number keys.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, the following problems also occur in the ordering terminal device using the product input keyboard in which a large number of item keys are arranged as described above. That is, in such an ordering terminal device, a product data memory is formed that stores the relationship between a key address that specifies each item key and a product code or product name that specifies the product assigned to this item key. There is. When one item key is inputted, product data such as a product code and product name corresponding to the corresponding key address are read out from the product data memory.

However, the setting operation for setting the product code and product name in the product data memory is extremely troublesome because it requires the code and input of the product code and product name using the number keys on the keyboard. In particular, if the product code or product name is formed of English letters or kana characters, it is necessary to convert them into numerical codes and input them using the numeric keys, which requires a great deal of time and effort for setting operations. Furthermore, the probability of occurrence of incorrect settings increases.

Furthermore, another problem is that the setting format of product data in the conventional product data memory is a predetermined format.
There were only types. Therefore, the types of product data displayed on the display unit when the item key is input are also only predetermined data types. Furthermore, the type of combination of product data sent to the external center system is also fixed to one type. Therefore, when transmitting order data to a center system with a different standard, it is necessary to change the entire business program.

As described above, the conventional device in which the setting format of product data is fixed to one type has a problem that is extremely difficult for the user to handle.

The present invention was developed in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to directly input alphabetic characters and kana codes using the multi-item input key, improve the efficiency of product data setting work, and improve the efficiency of product data setting. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ordering terminal device which can select and set data setting formats and further improve operability.

[Means for Solving the Problems] As shown in FIG. A product data memory 3 for storing product data for specifying products, a keyboard 4 on which numeric keys and various function keys used for ordering and receiving of products are arranged, and a display section 5 are provided. The order data consisting of the product data in the product data memory 3 specified by the item key 1 and the quantity data keyed in from the keyboard 4 is displayed on the display section 5, and the data transmission section 6 transmits it to the outside via the transmission line 7. In the order receiving/placement terminal device that sends data to the control device 8, the English character code and the Japanese character code corresponding to each item key 1 of the multi-item input key 2 are input when the English character code and Japanese character code input are specified. An English-kana code memory 10 for storing character codes is provided, and a product data setting means 11 uses the English-kana code memory 10 to set the character code in the product data memory 3 in response to key input operations of each item key 1. Each product data to be displayed is set using data of at least one of a product code and a product name, and furthermore, the setting format of the product data in the product data memory 3 is selected and set by the setting format selection means 12. It is something.

[Function] With an ordering terminal device configured in this way, if you operate the English kana key and then input each item key of the multi-item input key, the English character code or kana character code corresponding to this item key will be displayed. is read from the English-kana code memory. Therefore,
When setting product data such as a product code or product name in the product data memory, the alphabetic or kana characters that make up the product code or product name can be set directly by key operation of each item key of the multi-item input key without code conversion. When input, the English character code or kana character code specified by the item key is set in the product data memory. Further, the setting format such as selecting the type of product data in this product data memory can be easily selected and set.

[Example] An example of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is an external view showing the ordering terminal device of the embodiment. A multi-item input key 22 for inputting items, a keyboard 23 for inputting quantities, etc., and a liquid crystal display for displaying input order data and next key operation guidance are on the upper surface of a case 21 formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. A display section 24 made up of elements is provided. Further, above the case 21, there are provided a paper feed mechanism for supplying recording paper 25 to a printer built in the case 21, and a paper discharge port 26 for discharging the recording paper on which order data has been printed. Also, a two-way acoustic coupler 27 for connecting to a telephone handset (not shown).
is connected. Further, a power switch 28 is attached to the front of the case 21.

As shown in FIG. 3, the keyboard 23 has number keys 29 from 0 to 9 for inputting numerical data such as the quantity of ordered products, as well as keys 29 for inputting numerical data, for example, for inputting one numerical data. a set key 30 to indicate that the input operation of order data for all products has been completed, an end key 31 to indicate that the input operation of order data for all products has been completed, and a transmission key 3 to instruct to transmit the order data to the wholesaler's host system as an external control device.
2. Various function keys are arranged, such as a reset key 33, which is used to cancel all ordering data resulting from a key input operation during a key input operation.

Furthermore, this keyboard 23 is provided with three normal business keys 34 and a setting business key 35, ie, [business department 1] to [business 3], for selecting and setting various businesses to be executed with this ordering terminal device. ing.
For example, task 1 indicates an ordering task, task 2 indicates a cumulative sales task, task 3 indicates a sales cancellation task, and the setting task key 35 is used to preset various setting data in the storage unit before executing tasks 1 to 3. Indicates the setting tasks to be done.

The multi-item input key 22 includes, for example, 9×9=81 item keys 36, and each of these item keys 3
6 is covered with a flexible key sheet 37 as shown in FIG. The product name and English or Japanese characters are written in duplicate at each position on this key sheet 37 that is in contact with each item key 36. One item key in the lower right corner is an English kana key 38, and the key sheet 37 that comes into contact with the English kana key 38 is written as [English kana]. When inputting a product item using the item key 36, input only the item key 36 without inputting the English/kana key 38. This indicates that the alphabetic characters or kana characters written on the sheet 37 are to be input.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the ordering terminal device. In the figure, 41 is a CPU (central processing unit) that executes various data processing on data input from the keyboard 23 and multi-item input keys 22.
I/O port 43 to which various input/output devices were connected through which various business programs were stored.
A ROM 44, a RAM 45 for storing various variable data such as a product data memory and an English/kana code memory are connected. Note that a driving voltage is supplied from a power source 46 to this CPU 41 and each component.

The I/O port 43 is connected to a display section 24, a keyboard 23, a multi-item input key 22, a printer 47 for printing out order data on a recording paper 25, and the acoustic coupler 27 via a filter 48 and an amplifier 49. A MODEM (modulation demodulator) 50 is connected. The acoustic coupler 27 is connected to a handset 53 of a telephone 52 which is connected via a telephone line 51 to a central system of a wholesaler serving as an external control device (not shown), as required. However, the MODEM50, filter 4
8, amplifier 49 and acoustic coupler 27 constitute a data transmission unit for transmitting order data to the host system.

The ROM 44 stores each business program for executing each business designated by each business key 34 and setting business key 35.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, the RAM 45 stores, for each key address that specifies each item key 36 constituting the multi-item input key 22, the product code of the product assigned to this item key 36 and the product code of the product assigned to this item key 36. Product data memory 54 for storing product data such as product name, multi-item input key 22, and keyboard 23
A transmission buffer 55 temporarily stores order data consisting of product data and quantity data input from the center system in order to send it to the center system, a printing buffer 56 temporarily stores the order data in order to print it on the recording paper 25, and the above-mentioned multi-item data. For each key address of each item key 36 of the input key 22, an English/kana code memory 57 is formed which stores an English character code or a kana character code indicated by the item key 36.

The CPU 41 is programmed to execute the process of setting each product data in the product data memory 54 according to the flowchart shown in FIG. That is, when the setting job key 35 for specifying a setting job is pressed and the flowchart is started, a predetermined registration keyword is input using the numeric key 29, the pressing operation of the set key 30 is executed, and P1 When the combination key operation of the numeric key 29 and the set key 30 at [3] indicating the start of the product data setting operation is executed, the display section 24 displays "setting format input". Then, when the numeric key 29 and set key 30 of [0] are inputted at P2, it is determined that the setting process for the product data memory 54 is started in the setting format [0], and as shown in FIG. Execute the configuration process. Then, “item key set” is displayed on the display unit 24. That is, in this setting format [0], the key address itself is considered to be the product code, and the product code and product name are not separately set. Therefore, in this case, only the key address is stored in the product data memory 54.

At P3 in FIG. 7, the numeric key 29 of [1]
When the set key 30 is pressed, the setting process of setting format [1] shown in FIG. 9 is executed. That is, when the process is started, operation guidance for the "item key" is displayed on the display section 24 at P4. And P
When one item key 36 is keyed in at step 5,
The display section 24 displays the operation guide for "English Kana Key". When the English kana key 38 is entered, "Product name"
Display input operation guide. When the item keys 36 of English and Japanese characters indicating the product name written on the key sheet 37 are input in sequence, the input product name is displayed on the display section 24. When the set key 30 is input, it is determined that the product name has been input correctly, and the product name is entered in the product name area corresponding to the key address of the item key 36 input in P5 in the product data memory 54. Stores the product name. That's one item key 36
The process of setting product data for is completed. If the end key 31 is not pressed at P6, the process returns to P4 and starts the process of setting product data for the next item key 36. End key 3 at P6
When 1 is keyed in, the product data setting process for all item keys 36 is completed. That is, in this setting format [1], only the product name is set for each key address.

When the numeric key 29 and set key 30 of [2] are inputted at P7 in FIG. 7, the setting process of the setting format [2] of FIG. 10 is executed. That is, P
At step 8, input guidance for "item key" is displayed on the display unit 24, and when one item key 36 is keyed in,
Display the input guide for "product code". and,
When numerical data of a product code is input using the number keys 29 of the keyboard 23, the input product code is displayed on the display section 24. Subsequently, when the set key 30 is pressed, the inputted product code is stored in the product code area of the corresponding key address in the product data memory 54. Then, when the end key 31 is pressed in the same manner as described above, the setting process of the setting format 2 is ended. That is, in this setting format 2, only the product code is set for each key address in the product data memory 54.

When the numeric key 29 and the set key 30 of [3] are input at P9 in FIG. 7, the setting process of setting format 3 shown in FIG. 11 is executed. That is, P10
Input guidance for the "item key" is displayed on the display section 24. Then, when one item key 36 is input at P11 and a product code is input using the number key 29 at P12, the input product code is stored in the product data memory 54. Furthermore, after the English/kana key 38 is keyed in on P13, the product name is entered on each item key 36 in P14 using the same operation as described above.
When input by the combination key operation, the input product name is stored in the product name area of the same key address in the product data memory 54. This completes the process of setting the product code and product name for one item key 36, that is, one product. And P15
When the end key 31 is pressed at , the product data setting process for all item keys 36 is completed. That is, in this setting format 3, two pieces of product data, a product code and a product name, are set for the key address.

In this way, the product data memory 54 of the RAM 45
With the product data specifying the product set in one of the four setting formats from 0 to 3 mentioned above, the CPU 41
is configured to carry out normal ordering operations according to the flowchart shown in FIG. That is, when the business key 34 for business 1 is keyed in after the operation guidance for the "business key" is displayed, the ordering business is started. First, operation guidance for [delivery date] is displayed on the display unit 24. Then, number key 29 and set key 3
When the data of the delivery item is input at 0, it is temporarily stored in the corresponding areas of the transmission buffer 55 and print buffer 56.

Next, the operation guide for "product" is similarly displayed on the display section 24. When the item key 36 on which the name of the ordered product is written on the key sheet 37 is entered at P16, the product data corresponding to this item key 36 is read from the product data memory and stored in the transmission buffer 55 and print buffer 56. Ru. Next P17
When a quantity is input using the numeric key 29, this quantity is also stored in the transmission buffer 55 and print buffer 56 in the same way. When the end key 31 is pressed in step P18, it is determined that the input process for all order data has been completed, and the display section 24 displays an operation guide for the "send key". After the acoustic coupler 27 is connected to the handset 53 of the telephone 52 and the line is connected to the center system by dialing, when the transmission key 32 is pressed, the order stored in the transmission buffer 55 is transferred. Send data to setter system. Then, the order data of the print buffer 56 is transferred to the recording paper 25.
Print out. Thereafter, the contents of the transmission buffer 55 and print buffer 56 are cleared, and one ordering operation is completed.

With the ordering terminal device configured in this way, the setting format of product data for the product data memory 54 formed in the ROM 45 can be set by the user to one of the four setting formats, depending on the optimum conditions. It is possible to select the setting format.

Furthermore, by using the multi-item input key 22, it is possible to input each character that constitutes the product name as is using the item key 36 without converting it into a code.

In this way, it is possible to provide an ordering terminal device that is extremely easy to use for users. Furthermore, since the manufacturer only needs to incorporate a unified business program without having to create a business program for each user, the manufacturing cost per unit can be reduced.

Note that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Even if a single-sided acoustic coupler 58 is used as shown in FIG. 13, it is possible to sufficiently obtain the above-mentioned effects.

[Effects of the invention] As explained above, according to the invention, alphabetic characters and kana codes can be directly input using the multi-item input key. Therefore, it is possible to improve the efficiency of product data setting work. Furthermore, since we allow you to select and set the setting format of product data,
Operability can be further improved, it is easier for users to handle, and it is also possible for manufacturers to mass produce, reducing overall manufacturing costs.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an ordering terminal device of the present invention, FIGS. 2 to 12 are diagrams showing an ordering terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an overall external appearance. Figure 3 is a diagram of the key arrangement of the keyboard, Figure 4 is a diagram showing the key sheet, Figure 5 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration, Figure 6 is a diagram showing each memory formed in the RAM, 7 to 12 are flowcharts showing the operation, and FIG. 13 is an external view showing an ordering terminal device according to another embodiment of the present invention. 22...Multi-item input key, 23...Keyboard, 24...Display section, 25...Recording paper, 27,5
8...Acoustic coupler, 29...Number key, 30...
Set key, 31...End key, 32...Send key, 34...Business key, 35...Setting business key,
36...Item key, 37...Key sheet, 38...
...English Kanaky, 41...CPU, 43...I/O
Port, 44...ROM, 45...RAM, 47
...Printer, 51...Telephone line, 54...Product data memory, 57...English/kana code memory.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] A multi-item input key consisting of a plurality of item keys each corresponding to an individual product, a product data memory that stores product data that specifies the product corresponding to each item key, a numeric key, and a product ordering process. a keyboard in which various function keys to be used are arranged; a display unit that displays order data consisting of product data in the product data memory specified by keyed item keys and quantity data keyed in from the keyboard; and a data transmission unit that transmits the order data to an external control device via a transmission line, an English kana key for specifying input of an English character code and a kana character code, and an English kana key for specifying input of an English character code and a kana character code. At the time of key input, each item of the multi-item input key is stored using an English-kana code memory that stores an English character code and a kana character code corresponding to each item key of the multi-item input key, and the English-kana code memory. a product data setting means for setting each of the product data to be set in the product data memory using data of at least one of a product code and a product name in response to a key input operation of a key; An ordering terminal device comprising a setting format selection means for selecting and setting a setting format of product data.