JPH04218893A - Goods sale data processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To share a printer even with terminals for goods sale data registration unconnected to the printer via a transmission line by connecting the printer to at least one terminal among (n-1) terminals out of (n) (n>=2) terminals connected via the transmission line. CONSTITUTION:Eight terminals 1-1 to 1-8 for goods sale data registration are connected electrically with each other via the transmission line 8, and also, the printers 3-1 to 3-3 are connected to arbitrarily selected three terminals 1-3, 1-5, and 1-6. The terminal connected to the printer prints out print data by the printer connected to its own terminal when the issuance of a receipt, etc., is requested. The terminal unconnected to the printer transmits the print data to the terminal connected to the printer via the transmission line.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a product sales data processing apparatus used in stores such as fast food restaurants that use a plurality of product sales data registration terminals but rarely receive receipts.

0002

[Prior Art] Generally, at a fast food restaurant, a plurality of terminals called POS (point of sale) terminals for registering product sales data are installed at the counter, and several employees sit across the counter and process customer orders. It is now possible to receive it. Then, each clerk enters the product sales data ordered by the customer into a nearby product sales data registration terminal, and when one customer has finished entering all the products ordered, the terminal closes the registration. I do. As a result, the customer's registered total amount is displayed on the display section of the terminal, and the customer receives payment commensurate with the total amount.

By the way, some stores of this type do not issue receipts to customers in order to improve customer service and reduce costs. Therefore, as a terminal for registering product sales data for such stores, a simple terminal that is not connected to a printer for printing receipts has been developed.

0004

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] However, since some customers request receipts, it is difficult to use the above-mentioned simple terminals, and relatively expensive terminals with internal or external printers are generally used. The reality is that many terminals are being used, forcing unnecessary capital investment.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide n(n
≧2) (n-) of the product sales data registration terminals
1) Provide a product sales data processing device that can quickly respond to unexpected requests for issuing receipts by simply connecting a printer to at least one of the devices, and that can reduce equipment costs without reducing service quality. That is.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention registers product sales data input through an input operation in a storage unit, and displays the total registered data for one customer on a display unit in response to a registration closing operation. In a product sales data processing device in which n (n≧2) product sales data registration terminals are electrically connected to each other via a transmission path, one of the n product sales data registration terminals is A printer is connected to at least one of the (n-1) terminals, and the n product sales data registration terminals print a receipt for one customer obtained in response to the product sales data input operation and registration closing operation. a print buffer for storing data; a selection means for selecting whether or not to print a receipt; and a printer investigation means for investigating the terminal to which the printer is connected when execution of receipt printing is selected by the selection means. , a self-printing processing means that prints out the contents of the print buffer on the printer when the checking means confirms that the printer is connected to the own machine, and a checking means that confirms that the printer is connected to another machine. When it is confirmed that this is the case, the other device print processing means transmits the contents of the print buffer to the corresponding terminal device via the transmission path.

[0007] Each product sales data registration terminal has a printer diagnostic means for diagnosing whether or not the printer whose connection has been confirmed by the printer investigating means can be used normally, and a printer diagnostic means for diagnosing whether or not the printer whose connection has been confirmed by the printer investigating means can be used normally. In this case, there is a backup investigation means that checks whether there is a terminal connected to another printer, and when the terminal connected to another printer is confirmed by this investigation means, the contents of the print buffer are sent to the corresponding terminal via the transmission line. It is preferable to each have a backup processing means for transmitting the data.

[0008]

[Operation] According to the present invention having such a structure, each product sales data registration terminal device sequentially stores receipt print data based on the product sales data in the print buffer when the product sales data is input through an input operation. Further, when the registration closing operation is performed, receipt print data based on the registered total data is stored in the print buffer. When execution of receipt printing is selected by the selection means, the terminal connected to the printer prints out the contents of the print buffer using the printer. On the other hand, in a terminal to which the printer is not connected, the contents of the print buffer are transmitted to the terminal to which the printer is connected via the transmission path. In a terminal device connected to a printer, the content received via the transmission path is printed out by the printer.

In this case, it is diagnosed whether the printer can be used normally or not, and if it is not usable, the contents of the print buffer are similarly sent to the terminal device connected to another printer via the transmission line. I will do it.

0010

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG.
The product sales data registration terminals (hereinafter simply referred to as terminals in this embodiment) 1-1 to 1-8 are electrically connected to each other via the transmission path 2, and the terminals 1-1 ~1-
3 are set as the first group, and one of them (terminal 1-1 in this case) is the printer 3- for printing receipts.
1, set two other terminals 1-4 and 1-5 as the second group, and connect one of them (in this case, terminal 1-5) to the second group.
Connect printer 3-2 for printing receipts to 5), set the remaining three terminals 1-6 to 1-8 as the third group, and select one of them (terminal 1-6 in this case). A product sales data processing device in which a printer 3-3 for printing receipts is connected to a printer 3-3 will be described.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the terminals 1-1 to 1-8. In the figure, 11 is a CPU (central processing unit) that constitutes the main body of the control unit, and 12 is R in which program data etc. for the CPU 11 to control each part are stored.
OM (read only memory), 13 is the above CPU1
A RAM (random access memory) in which various memory areas used for arithmetic processing etc. of 1 are formed,
These are connected by a bus line 14 to form a microcomputer. Signals are input to this microcomputer from a clock circuit 15 that keeps track of date and time, and a mode switch 16 that switches between various business modes such as "registration,""inspection,""accounting," and "setting," as well as storing cash, etc. In addition to the I/O port 19 that outputs a drive signal to the drawer opening device 18 for opening the drawer 17, the number key K1, the department key K2, the close key K3, etc., it also serves as a means for selecting whether or not to print a receipt. A keyboard controller 21 receives key signals from a keyboard 20 on which printing keys K4 are arranged, a display controller 23 drives and controls a display 22 for displaying product sales amount, customer total amount, etc., and receipt printing. Printer 3-1~
A printer interface 24 to which terminals 3-3 are detachably connected, and an inline interface 25 for controlling data transmission and reception via the transmission line 2 are respectively connected to function as terminals 1-1 to 1-8. It is composed of

As shown in FIG. 3, the RAM 13 includes, for example, a product registration memory 31 for cumulatively registering product sales data by department, a total price memory 32 for storing the total price for one customer, and a product memory 32 for storing the total price for one customer. a print buffer 33 that stores receipt print data for one customer obtained in response to sales data input operations and registration closing operations; a flag memory 34 that stores a print flag F that is set (1) when receipt printing is possible; An output destination table 35 is formed in which identification numbers (ID No.) of terminals to which receipt print data is output are set and stored in accordance with priorities.

[0014]In the output destination table 35, the identification numbers of the terminals to which printers in the same group are connected are set in advance by a setting operation, corresponding to the first priority, and the identification numbers of the terminals connected to the printers in the same group are is set to the identification number of each terminal to which a printer of another group is connected.

[0015]The CPU 11 also operates a mode switch 1.
When the department key K2 of the keyboard 20 is input with the "registration" mode selected in step 6, the department of the product purchased by the customer has been input, so the department key process shown in FIG. 4 is executed. That is, as a display process, the numerical data entered by the numeric key K1 is recognized as the sales amount of the product and is displayed on the display 22. Further, as a registration process, the sales amount is cumulatively registered for each input department in the product registration memory 31, added to the contents of the total amount memory 32, and the value after addition is stored in the total amount memory 32 again. Further, product detail data including the input department, sales amount, etc. is sequentially stored in the print buffer 33 as receipt printing data based on the product sales data, and this process is completed.

[0016] In the case of the first product registration for one customer,
Prior to the display processing described above, the total amount memory 32 and print buffer 33 are cleared, and the print flag F in the flag memory 34 is reset (0).

[0017] The CPU 11 also has a mode switch 1.
When the closing key K3 of the keyboard 20 is operated with the "registration" mode selected in step 6, the closing key K3 of the keyboard 20 has been closed for registration for one customer, so the closing key process shown in FIG. 5 is executed. In other words, first confirm that the customer has completed the registration of the product to be purchased, and after confirmation, print flag F
Set (1). Next, the contents of the total amount memory 32 are displayed on the display 22 as the total amount for the customer. Further, the registered total data such as the total amount is stored in the print buffer 33 as receipt printing data,
This process ends.

Furthermore, when the print key K4 of the keyboard 20 is operated with the "registration" mode selected by the mode switch 16, the CPU 11 is instructed to print a receipt, so the CPU 11 prints the receipt as shown in FIG. Perform key processing. That is, first, the state of the print flag F is checked. If the flag F has been reset, the print key K4 was operated when receipt printing was not possible, so the key input is treated as an error and this process is terminated.

If the print flag F is set, the output destination table 35 is checked, and first the identification number of the terminal with the highest priority is read (printer checking means). and,
If the read identification number matches the identification number set for the own machine, one of the printers 3-1 to 3-3 is connected to the printer interface 24 of the own machine, so Execute the own printing process shown in . That is, the printers 3-1 to 3- are connected to the printer interface 24.
3 is securely connected and is not in a busy state, the contents of the print buffer 33 are printed out on receipt paper by the printer, and this process ends (own printing processing means ).

If the identification number read from the output destination table 35 does not match the identification number set for the own machine, the printer 3-1 is connected to the printer interface 24 of another machine.
Since any one of 3-3 to 3-3 is connected, the other machine printing process shown in FIG. 8 is executed. That is, a print request command is sent to the transmission line 2 via the inline interface 25. In this case, the identification number read from the output destination table 35 is used as the command destination address. If a normal response indicating permission to use the printer is received from the corresponding terminal in response, the contents of the print buffer 33 are sent to the corresponding terminal via the inline interface 25 and the transmission line 2, and this process is terminated ( other machine printing control means).

[0021] Note that when the printer is not connected normally or remains busy for a certain period of time during printing processing on its own machine, or when an abnormal response other than a busy response is received during printing processing on another machine, or when the printer When a busy response is received continuously for a certain period of time, the next priority identification number is read from the output destination table 35 (backup investigation means), and the printing process of the own machine or the other machine is executed in the same manner as above ( backup processing means). If all the terminals whose identification numbers are set in the output destination table 35 are unable to print, an error is determined.

On the other hand, the CPU 11 of the terminal that receives the print request command via the inline interface 25 executes the process shown in FIG. That is, if the printer is not connected to the printer interface 24 or if the printer is out of order, an abnormality response is returned and the process ends. If the printer is in operation and in a busy state, a busy response is returned and the process ends.

[0023] If the printer is normally connected and is not in a busy state, the printer can be used, so a normal response is returned. Then, the receipt print data received via the inline interface 25 is printed out on receipt paper by the printer, and this process is completed.

In this embodiment configured as described above, when one customer registers the department of the product purchased by inputting the department key K2 of each terminal 1-1 to 1-8, the registered product is registered. The detailed data of each item are sequentially stored in the print buffer 33. Further, when the registration is completed by inputting the closing key K3, the total registration data of the customer is stored in the print buffer 33.

In this state, when the print key K4 is inputted, the printers 3-1 and 3 are displayed on the printer interface 24.
-2, 3-3 are connected to terminals 1-3, 1-5,
At step 1-6, the contents of the print buffer 33 are printed out on receipt paper by the printers 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3, and a receipt is issued.

On the other hand, the terminal 1-1, 1 which is not connected to the printer
-2, 1-4, 1-7, 1-8 are terminals 1-3, 1-5, 1 to which printers 3-1, 3-2, 3-3 in the same group are connected, respectively. -6, the contents of the print buffer 33 are transmitted via the transmission line 2. As a result, the terminals 1-3, 1-5, and 1-6 receive the received content from the printers 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3, respectively.
will be printed out on receipt paper and a receipt will be issued.

[0027] For example, if a printer is not connected to the terminal 1-3, or even if it is connected but cannot print due to a malfunction, the terminal 1-3 and each terminal in the same group Receipt print data generated from terminals 1-1 and 1-2 is transmitted via transmission line 2 to terminals 1-5 and 1-6 connected to other printers according to a preset priority order.
will be sent and a receipt will be issued. The same applies to the terminal 1-5 or the terminal 1-6.

[0028] If the next customer registers the product without inputting the print key K4, the contents of the print buffer 33 will be cleared in response to the next customer's first product registration. Receipts will no longer be issued to customers.

Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to quickly respond to unexpected requests for issuing receipts without having to connect printers to all of the terminals 1-1 to 1-8 installed in the store. . As a result, it is possible to use a large number of relatively inexpensive terminals that are not connected to printers, and it is possible to reduce equipment costs. Furthermore, providing a backup function for the printer has the advantage of preventing confusion when the printer malfunctions.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, in the above embodiment, eight terminals are divided into three groups, and one terminal in each group is connected to a printer, but it is not necessary to divide the terminals into groups. Alternatively, backup may be possible within the group by connecting two or more printers in the same group.

Although the above embodiment shows the case where print data is printed on receipt paper, a printer that prints on slip paper is externally connected, and each terminal stores the print data for slips in the print buffer 33. , the printing process may be performed in the same manner as in this embodiment. It goes without saying that various other modifications, such as the number of terminals and the number of printers, can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0032]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, at least one of (n-1) of the n (n≧2) product sales data registration terminals installed in a store It is possible to provide a product sales data processing device that can quickly respond to unexpected requests for issuance of receipts by simply connecting a printer to the stand, and can reduce equipment costs without reducing serviceability.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a product sales data registration terminal in the same embodiment.

[Figure 3] RA on the product sales data registration terminal
The main memory configuration diagram of M.

[Figure 4] CP in the product sales data registration terminal
A flowchart showing department key processing of U.

[Figure 5] CP in the product sales data registration terminal
Flowchart showing the closing key process of U.

[Figure 6] CP in the product sales data registration terminal
Flowchart showing print key processing of U.

7 is a flowchart specifically showing the self-printing process of FIG. 6. FIG.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart specifically showing the other machine printing process in FIG. 6;

[Figure 9] CP in the product sales data registration terminal
10 is a flowchart showing print request reception processing of U.

[Explanation of symbols]

1-1 to 1-8...terminal for product sales data registration, 2...transmission line, 3-1 to 3-3...printer, 11...CPU, 20
...Keyboard, 22...Display device, 33...Print buffer, 3
5...Output destination table, K1...Number key, K2...Department key, K3...Close key, K4...Print key.

Claims (2)

[Claims] [Claim 1] Registering product sales data input through an input operation in a storage unit, and displaying total registered data for one customer on a display unit in response to a registration closing operation.
In a product sales data processing device in which (n≧2) product sales data registration terminals are electrically connected to each other via a transmission line, one of the n product sales data registration terminals is A printer is connected to at least one of the (n-1) terminals, and the n terminals for registering product sales data are used to print one customer's receipt obtained in response to the product sales data input operation and the registration closing operation. a print buffer for storing print data; a selection means for selecting whether or not to print a receipt; and a printer check for checking the terminal to which the printer is connected when the selection means selects to print the receipt. means, own printing processing means for printing out the contents of the print buffer on the printer when it is confirmed by the checking means that a printer is connected to the own machine; A product sales data processing device comprising: another device print processing means for transmitting the contents of the print buffer to the corresponding terminal via the transmission path when connection is confirmed. 2. The n product sales data registration terminals include printer diagnosis means for diagnosing whether or not the printer whose connection has been confirmed by the printer investigation means can be used normally; If it is determined that there is a terminal connected to another printer, there is a backup investigation means that investigates whether there is a terminal connected to another printer, and when the terminal connected to another printer is confirmed by this investigation means, the contents of the print buffer are transferred to the corresponding terminal. 2. The product sales data processing device according to claim 1, further comprising backup processing means for transmitting data via a transmission path.