JPH04324554A - Information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the occurrence of a malfunction caused by the erroneous operation of the operator of a handy terminal at the time of down-loading a program code. CONSTITUTION:A handy terminal 1 is connected to an optical interface box 5 through an optical interface means 3 in an information exchangeable state. When a power switch 12 is turned off, the box 5 sets a power switch 12 to a turned-on state by means of a control circuit 13. Thereafter, the program code of the application program, etc., of the terminal 1 is sent from an optical interface port 8 to another optical interface port 7. The terminal 1 stores the down-loaded program code in a RAM 17 and makes operations based on the stored content. The down-loading can be easily and surely performed by mounting the terminal 1 on the box 5 in a state where the switch 12 is not turned on.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus that collects information from a store, warehouse, or other site using a portable terminal device such as a handy terminal, and processes the collected information using a main processing device such as a host computer.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art In conventional information processing devices, such as point-of-sale systems (hereinafter abbreviated as "POS"), a host computer such as an office computer has a main processing unit that includes one or more handheld terminals. Devices are connected to perform information processing such as product inventory management. Handy terminals can operate independently and separate from a host computer, and collect information while being carried around to stores, warehouses, or event venues. The information collected by the handy terminal is sent from the handy terminal to the host computer via an interface provided for information exchange, and various processes are performed by the host computer.

[0003] The operation of the handy terminal is performed according to program codes stored in the memory built into the handy terminal. This program code can be updated from the host computer via the interface means. Since the operation of the handy terminal can be changed by the program code from the host computer, it is possible to perform flexible operations such as adjusting operations for information processing according to information processing needs. Furthermore, programs can be created using a host computer equipped with a development environment.

Conventional handy terminals have a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as "CPU") and a rewritable memory (random access memory; hereinafter referred to as "RAM").
It is abbreviated as. ), etc., and is equipped with a mode switch for switching the operating mode. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the handy terminal changed by the mode switch.

In step a1, the power switch is turned on with the mode switch set in advance to a desired operating mode. In step a2, it is determined whether the mode switch is set to "execution of application program". When the mode switch is to execute an application program, the process moves to step a3, and the application program, such as information collection, is executed according to the program code stored in the RAM. In step a4, it is determined whether the mode switch is set to "program load". When the mode switch is program load, the process moves to step a5, and the program code is transmitted from the host computer via the interface means and stored in the RAM, ie, downloaded. In step a6, it is determined whether the mode switch is set to "RAM initialization". When the mode switch is set to RAM initialization, the process moves to step a7, and initialization such as clearing the stored contents of the RAM is executed. When the mode switch is set to other processing, move to step a8,
The set processing is performed.

[0006] In order to download a program in a conventional handy terminal, it is necessary to set the mode switch to program load, connect it to an interface means for a host computer, and turn on the power switch. Downloading such a program is necessary not only when creating a new program for information processing, but also when upgrading a part of an application program that is already running. However, in the case of version upgrades, etc., it is necessary for service personnel, users, etc. to directly operate the mode switch. For this reason, forgetting a switching operation or performing an erroneous operation can be one of the causes of malfunctions in information processing.

For example, even if a handy terminal is upgraded to improve its malfunction, the malfunction cannot be resolved unless the updated program is downloaded to the handy terminal. Further, even if data such as a product code is changed, if the data before the change is sent from the handy terminal to the host computer, the host computer will operate based on incorrect information.

[0008]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] It is an object of the present invention to provide a main control system for a host computer, etc., without changing the mode switch of the handy terminal, when downloading an application program to a portable terminal device such as a handy terminal. An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing device that can download programs from the device.

[0009]

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention provides an information processing device in which the main processing device and the portable terminal device can process information individually and can exchange information with each other. The portable terminal device has an optical interface means for exchanging information, and the portable terminal device has a power switch that can also be turned on from the main processing unit, and a memory in which program codes for information processing are stored. The main processing unit includes a detection means for detecting a power switch ON state of the portable terminal device in a state where information can be exchanged via the optical interface means; When the power switch of the device is not turned on,
The information processing apparatus is characterized in that it includes a control means for controlling the portable terminal device to turn on the power switch, transfer the program code to the portable terminal device via the optical interface means, and store it in the memory.

0010

[Operation] According to the present invention, the information processing device has a main processing device and a portable terminal device that are capable of processing information individually,
And mutual information exchange is possible. For exchanging information, the main processing unit and the portable terminal have optical interface means. The portable terminal device includes a power switch and memory. The power switch can also be turned on from the main processing unit. Program codes for information processing are stored in the memory. The main processing unit includes detection means and control means. The detection means detects the on state of the power switch of the portable terminal device in a state where information can be exchanged via the optical interface means. The control means responds to the output from the detection means, turns on the power switch of the portable terminal device when the power switch is not turned on, and transfers the program code to the portable terminal device via the optical interface means; Control so that it is stored in memory.

Therefore, by enabling the portable terminal device to exchange information with the main processing device via the optical interface means without turning on the power switch of the portable terminal device, the program code from the main processing device can be exchanged with the main processing device. is stored in memory and the program is downloaded.

0012

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of an embodiment of the present invention. The handy terminal 1, which is a portable terminal device, and the main processing device 2 can exchange information with each other via the optical interface means 3. Main processing unit 2
is a host computer such as an office computer4
and an optical interface box 5. Between the host computer 4 and the optical interface box 5 is R.
They are connected by a transmission line 6 such as S-232C, and can mutually exchange information. The optical interface means 3 includes optical interface ports (hereinafter abbreviated as "optical I/F") 7 and 8 provided in the handy terminal 1 and the main processing device 2, respectively, and an optical path 9. Power for operation of the handy terminal 1 is provided by a power supply means 10. Power supply means 10 includes a rechargeable battery 11 and a power switch 12. The power switch 12 can not only be operated by the handy terminal 1 itself, but also can be turned on from a control circuit 13 provided in the optical interface box 5 via a control line 14.

The handy terminal 1 includes a CPU 15, which can operate independently of the main processing unit 2. C.P.
The operation of U15 is based on read-only memory (hereinafter referred to as "ROM").
It is abbreviated as. ) 16 and RAM 17, respectively. R
The OM 16 stores basic programs for information exchange via the optical interface means 3, initialization of the RAM 17, and the like. System programs and application programs downloaded from the host computer 4 via the optical interface means 3 are stored in the RAM 17 . The RAM 17 is also used as a work area when the CPU is operating. The operating mode of the handy terminal 1 can be changed by operating the mode switch 18. Handy terminal 1
An input device such as a key switch 19 is provided for inputting information to the computer. In order to display the input information, a display means such as a liquid crystal display element (hereinafter abbreviated as "LCD") 20 is provided. Each part in the handy terminal 1 is interconnected by a bus line 21.

[0014] Inside the optical interface box 5, a CP
U22, ROM23, RAM24, serial interface port (hereinafter abbreviated as "serial I/F")
25 are provided and connected by a bus line 26. The CPU 22 can also turn on the power switch 12 of the handy terminal 1 via the control circuit 13 . The optical interface box 5 is provided with a DC power supply 27, which supplies power for charging the battery 11 to the power supply of the optical interface box 5 in a state where information can be exchanged with the handy terminal 1 via the optical interface means 3. Terminal 28 and charging terminal 29 of handy terminal 1
Can be supplied via.

Information exchange between the handy terminal 1 and the optical interface box 5 via the optical interface means 3 is performed as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the state immediately before the handy terminal 1 is attached to the optical interface box 5. As shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a side view showing the state in which the handy terminal 1 is being installed in the optical interface box 5, showing the state immediately before (1) and the state after being installed (2). Referring to these figures, handy terminal 1 is mounted on the top surface of optical interface box 5, and power terminal 28 and charging terminal 29 are in contact with each other in the mounted state. Figure 3 (
2), the handy terminal 1 and the optical interface box 5 can exchange information via the optical path 9, and the power switch 12 of the handy terminal 1 can be turned on from the optical interface box 5 via the control line 14. Become.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the handy terminal 1 of the embodiment shown in FIG. In step b1, the power switch 12 is turned on and the power is turned on. In step b2, it is determined whether the mode switch has selected "application execution". When "Application Execution" is selected, the process moves to step b3, and it is determined whether the power has been automatically turned on. That is,
It is determined from the optical interface box 5 whether the power switch 12 is turned on. When the power is turned on by operating the power switch 12 on the handy terminal 1 instead of automatically turning on the power, the process moves to step b4 and the application program is executed. If it is determined in step b3 that the power is automatically turned on, or if it is determined in step b5 that the mode switch is selected to "load mode", step b6
The program will be downloaded. When the mode switch is selected to "RAM initialization",
The process moves from step b7 to step b8, and RAM initialization is executed. When the mode switch is selected for other processing, the process moves to step b9 and other processing is performed.

In this embodiment, the handy terminal 1 is attached to the optical interface box 5, and information is exchanged while the optical path 9 is short. Therefore, even if the optical output from the optical I/Fs 7 and 8 is small, it is not easily affected by external noise, so that power consumption, especially on the side of the handy terminal 1, can be reduced. Although the handy terminal 1 and the optical interface box 5 need to make electrical contact with the control line 14, the power supply terminal 28, and the charging terminal 29, a large amount of signal information cannot be exchanged through these connections. The connection is easy because no connection is made. Of course, the control line 14 may be connected wirelessly using light, electromagnetic induction, or the like.

Power switch 1 of handy terminal 1
Whether or not 2 is inserted is determined from the handy terminal 1 via the optical interface means 3. When the power switch 12 is turned on, the light from the optical I/F 7 is received by the optical I/F 8, and when the power switch 12 is not turned on, the light from the optical I/F 7 is received by the optical I/F 8. No light is received. The CPU 22 turns on the power switch 12 from the control circuit 13 when the optical I/F 8 does not receive light from the optical I/F 7 . Next, from optical I/F8 to optical I/F
7, send the program code of the application program and system program of the handy terminal 1. This program code is sent from the host computer 4 to the optical interface box 5 in advance, and is stored in the RAM.
Let it be stored on 24.

By supplying the application program for the handy terminal 1 from the host computer 4, even when a plurality of handy terminals 1 are used, there is no need to create an application program for each handy terminal 1, and the application program can be created only once. All you have to do is create a program. Also, Handy Terminal 1
In this case, there is no need to provide a configuration for creating a program, and the handy terminal 1 can be easily simplified and downsized. Since application programs and the like are created by the host computer 4 equipped with a program development environment, it is easy to create application programs.

Power switch 1 of handy terminal 1
2 is equipped with a power-down function in order to reduce power consumption when the handy terminal 1 is not in use and prevent the battery 11 from being exhausted. That is, when the handheld terminal 1 is not used for a predetermined period of time, for example, 10 minutes or more, the power is turned off. However, RAM
As for No. 17, the supply of power supply voltage is continued for backup. The handy terminal 1 has such a power-down function, and the battery 11 needs to be charged, so when it is not in use, such as at night, it can be attached to the optical interface box to be in a charged state and ready for the next operation. Be prepared. According to this embodiment, the application program can be downloaded as needed during this time. Such an operation is not a special operation but can be performed as a daily operation, so that the possibility of erroneous operation can be reduced.

As described above, according to this embodiment, when downloading an application program etc. to the handy terminal 1, the program code created on the host computer 4 can be downloaded without changing the mode switch 18 or the like of the handy terminal 1. It can be downloaded to Handy Terminal 1. As a result, even for information processing equipment that is already in operation, it is possible to update the version of application programs, etc. by simply installing the handy terminal 1 on the optical interface box 5, and troubles caused by incorrect operation of the mode switch 18, etc. can be avoided. It can be prevented.

[0022]

As described above, according to the present invention, the main processing can be performed by enabling the portable terminal device to exchange information with the main processing device via the optical interface means without turning on the power switch. Programs can be downloaded from the device. Thereby, there is no need to change the mode switch, etc., and even when the program code is updated, malfunctions caused by incorrect operation of the mode switch can be prevented.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the usage state of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing the usage state of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of a conventional information processing device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Handy terminal 2 Main processing unit 3. Optical interface means 4 Host computer 5 Optical interface box 7, 8 Optical interface port 11 Battery 12 Power switch 13 Control circuit 15, 22 CPU 16,23 ROM 17, 24 RAM 18 Mode switch

Claims (1)

[Claims] Claim 1. In an information processing device in which the main processing device and the portable terminal device can process information individually and can exchange information with each other, the main processing device and the portable terminal device The portable terminal device has an optical interface means for exchange, and includes a power switch that can also be turned on from the main processing unit, and a memory in which a program code for information processing is stored, and the main processing unit includes: a detection means for detecting whether the power switch of the portable terminal device is turned on in a state where information can be exchanged via the optical interface means; If not, turn on the power switch and
An information processing device comprising: control means for controlling the program code to be transferred to the portable terminal device via the optical interface means and stored in the memory.