JPH06164669A - Communication adapter for data collecting terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable communication with a host computer by connecting plural data collecting terminals and automatically and successively switching / selecting them one by one. CONSTITUTION:This device is provided with connectors 41, 42... 4n for connecting plural data collecting terminals 11, 12... 1n to a communication adapter 3, communication wait signal detecting means 5 for circularly scanning communication wait signals ER1, ER2...ERn corresponding to those connectors, detecting any one of communication wait signals, stopping the scan signal at the time point of the detection and passing the detected communication wait signal, and terminal switching/selecting means 6 for selecting the data collecting terminal sending this detected communicaiton wait signal, and sending these data to a host computer 2.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data collection terminal to which a data collection terminal such as a handheld terminal is connected when the data stored in the data collection terminal is transferred to a host computer. Regarding communication adapter.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Handheld terminals (hereinafter referred to as H
HT). This HHT is used in an operation mode in which, for example, a number of sales representatives visit stores where one HHT is in charge and collect data that shows the sales status and inventory status of products and bring it back. It is often done.

The HHT for which the data collection is performed in this way
To transfer the data from the
It is common to perform data transfer by connecting to a communication adapter. For example, recently, an optical interface has been often used in consideration of the life of a connector for connecting an HHT. However, in the case of a connection method using this optical interface, a communication adapter for converting an optical signal into an electric signal is used. Will be needed.

By the way, conventionally, there is only one connector for connecting the HHT for data transfer regardless of the optical connection method or the electrical connection method.
In the case of a plurality of devices, the HHTs were sequentially connected to transfer data.

[0005]

However, in general, it is often necessary to transfer data to the host computer at the same time due to the system of business. That is,
In an operation mode in which each salesperson who returns around the store after collecting data transfers the contents of his or her HHT to the host computer, the data transfer time is almost the same. It is often during different hours.

However, when only one HHT can be connected, in order to transfer data from a plurality of HHTs in the same time zone, after the data transfer of the HHT during data transfer is completed, the HHT is removed from the connector. , Next H
It is necessary to wait one by one and transfer data one by one, such as connecting the HT to a connector and transferring data.

Therefore, if, for example, 10 sales personnel perform data transfer from their respective HHTs in the same time zone, assuming that it takes 20 minutes to transfer the data of one HHT, the data transfer of the last HHT will be performed. 200 until the end
It will take a minute. Therefore, the sales person or operator must be waiting during that
There was a big problem in terms of work efficiency.

According to the present invention, a plurality of data collecting terminals can be connected at one time, the data collecting terminals can be automatically switched and selected, and the data can be sequentially transferred to the host computer, thereby greatly improving the work efficiency. The purpose is to realize a communication adapter for a data collection terminal that can achieve the above.

[0009]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining the principle of the present invention. In the figure, 1 ₁ , 1 ₂ ,
... 1 _n is a data collecting terminal, 2 is a host computer, 3 is a data collecting terminal when transferring the data stored in the data collecting terminals 1 ₁ , 1 ₂ , ... 1 _n to the host computer 2 side. Communication terminals 4 ₁ , 4 ₂ , ... 4 _{n to which the} terminals 1 ₁ , 1 ₂ , ... 1 _n are connected are data collection terminal connectors provided on the communication adapter 3.

The data collection terminals 1 ₁ , 1 ₂ , ... 1
_n is connected to the host computer 2 through the RS232C interface, and the connectors 4 ₁ , 4
Data collection terminals 1 ₁ , 1 ₂ , ... 1 at ₂ , ... 4 _{n
When n} is connected, a plurality of data collection terminals 1 ₁ , 1 ₂ , ... 1 _n are sequentially and automatically selected one by one and communicate with the host computer 2 by the function of the present invention, which will be described in detail later. It will be possible.

By the way, when the RS232C interface is used to communicate with the host computer 2 as described above, when the terminal is connected to the RS232C, the terminal side is ready to transmit and the communication standby signal (Eq
uip Ready signal (hereinafter referred to as ER signal) is RS232C
Is output as a part of the signal, and the host computer 2 responds to this ER signal by DR (Data Receive Ready).
Data transfer is performed by outputting the signal.

The present invention focuses on this point. The communication adapter 3 is provided with a communication standby signal detecting means 5 and a terminal switching selecting means 6, and data is collected in the connectors 4 ₁ , 4 ₂ , ... 4 _n. terminal ₁ 1, 1 _2, when · · · 1 _n are connected, each connector 4 _1, 4 _2, RS corresponding to · · · 4 _n
ER ₁ , ER ₂ , etc ... appearing on the communication path of 232C.
The ER _n signal is transmitted to the ER ₁ by the communication standby signal detecting means 5.
To ER ₂ ... and scan in order to detect. Then, for example, if the ER ₁ signal is first detected, the scanning operation is interrupted at that time and the detected ER ₁ signal is given to the terminal switching selection means 6. The terminal switching selection means 6 selects the data collection terminal 1 ₁ by the ER ₁ signal while the scanning operation is suspended, and transfers the data from the data collection terminal 1 ₁ to the host computer 2.

[0013] While this the data transfer from the data collection terminal 1 ₁ is completed, and starts scanning again to detect additional ER signal, interrupts the scanning operation, the same is interrupted scanning operation Then, the data collection terminal that outputs the ER signal is selected and data is transferred to the host computer 2.

[0014]

SUMMARY OF above, in the present invention, the communication adapter 3, a plurality of data collection terminals 1 _1, 1 _2, more can be connected to ... 1 _n at a time of the connector 4 _1, 4 _2, ... 4 have _n . Therefore, for example, first, the data collection terminal 1 ₁
Is connected to the connector 4 ₁ , then the data collecting terminal 1 ₂ is connected to the connector 4 ₂ , and then the data collecting terminal 1 ₃
Are connected to the connector 4 ₃ in this order, the communication paths corresponding to the connectors 4 ₁ , 4 ₂ , ... 4 _n are in the order of ER ₁ signal, ER ₂ signal, and so on. The ER signals are output one after another.

On the other hand, in the communication adapter 3, the communication standby signal detecting means 5 always detects the ER signal by ER ₁ , E.
In this case, the ER ₁ signal is first detected because scanning is performed with R ₂ , ... When the communication standby signal detecting means 5 detects the ER ₁ signal, the scanning operation for detecting the ER signal is interrupted at that time, and the ER signal is detected.
_One signal is sent to the terminal switching selection means 6. The terminal switching selection means 6 selects the data collection terminal 1 ₁ for which the ER ₁ signal is output. Accordingly, the data collection terminal 1 ₁ and can communicate with the host computer 2, the data collected in the data collection terminal 1 ₁ is transferred to the host computer 2.

[0016] The data collection terminal 1 ₁ of the data transfer is completed, communication standby signal detecting means 5 again starts scanning operation for ER signal detection, in this case, detects the ER ₂ signal. Thus, the same, interrupts the scanning operation for the ER signal detection, data collection terminal 1 ₂ and can communicate with the host computer 2, the data collection terminal 1 ₂ data is transferred to the host computer.

[0017] Then, when the data collection terminal 1 ₂ data transfer is completed, again perform ER signal detection, by selecting the data collection terminal reporting the ER signal at that time, and can communicate with the host computer 2 The above operation is repeated in sequence.

Therefore, a plurality of data collection terminals are
At that time, simply by connecting to an empty connector, when the data transfer of one data collection terminal is completed, the data transfer of the next data collection terminal will start and the data collection terminal will be switched automatically. That is, the data stored in each data collection terminal can be sequentially transferred to the host computer 2.

[0019]

EXAMPLES Examples of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram for explaining the same embodiment, and the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the data collection terminals 1 ₁ , 1 ₂ , ... 1 _n are HHTs, and the number of HHTs that can be connected at one time is three.

As described above, the communication adapter 3 uses each HH
When T1 ₁ to 1 ₃ is connected to the connector 4 _{1-4 3,}
A communication standby signal detecting means 5 for detecting a communication standby signal is output as part of the RS232C signal (ER ₁ signal to Er ₃ signal), the detection signal from the communication standby signal detecting means 5, HHT1 ₁ ~HHT1 ₃ And terminal switching selection means 6 for selecting any of the above.

The communication standby signal detecting means 5 comprises buffers 51 ₁ , 51 ₂ , 51 ₃ , a selector 52 and a counter 5.
3, an OR circuit 54. Buffer 5 above
The 1 _1, ER ₁ signal output when the connector 4 _1, for example HHT1 ₁ is connected is input, the buffer 51
The _2, is input ER ₂ output when the connector 4 _2, for example HHT1 ₂ is connected to the buffer 51 _3, ER ₃ signal outputted when the connector 4 _3, for example HHT1 ₃ is connected Is entered.

[0022] Each of these buffers 51 ₁ to 51 ₃ is a buffer control terminals are provided, one of the buffer by a signal from the selector 52 is selectively controlled, ER inputted to the selected controlled buffer It operates like passing a signal.

[0023] The selector 52 receives the count output A of the counter 53, the B, the buffer 51 ₁ to 51 ₃
To output a signal for cyclically scanning and controlling. That is, the counter 53 outputs “0, 1, 0, 1, ...” To its A output based on the clock signal (CLK).
A count output of "0, 0, 1, 1, 0, 0, ..." Is output to the B output, and the selector 52 is controlled by the combination of these outputs A and B. For example,
When the A output of the counter 53 is "0" and the B output is "0", the selector 52 outputs a signal for selectively controlling the # 1 buffer 51 _1, and the A output of the counter 53 is "1".
When the B output is "0", the selector 52 outputs a signal for controlling the selection of the # 2nd buffer 51 ₂ , and the counter 53
When the A output is 0 and the B output is 1, the selector 52 outputs a signal for controlling the selection of the # 3rd buffer 51 ₃ . In addition, these counters 5
3 and the detailed operation of the selector 52 will be described later.

By the way, each of the buffers 51 ₁ and 5
The respective outputs of 1 ₂ and 51 ₃ are given to the terminal switching means 6 and, via the OR circuit 54, the counter 53
It is designed to be applied to the enable terminal of.

The terminal switching selection means 6 is provided with terminal switching selection sections 61, 62, 63 corresponding to the respective HHTs (HHT1 _{1 to} HHT1 _{3 in} this case).
Each H that receives the ER ₁ signal, the ER ₂ signal, and the ER ₃ signal from the corresponding buffers 51 ₁ , 51 ₂ , and 51 ₃ and is sent via the signal path of RS232C, respectively.
The HT data is sent to the host computer 2 side. For example, the buffer 5 by the selector 52
If 1 ₁ and ER ₁ signal has been output when scanned, HHT connected to the connector 4 ₁ (in this case, HHT1 ₁₎ ER ₁ signal from the passes through the buffer 51 _1, HHT selector The ER ₁ signal is given to the counter 53 via the OR circuit 54. In this case, the ER ₁ signal is given to the counter 53 as a count stop signal, and the counting operation is stopped while the ER ₁ signal is being output. Therefore, the selector 52 scans the buffer 51 ₁ and performs ER
_The select operation is stopped from the time when the ₁ signal is detected until the counter 53 enters the next count operation, and the state of selecting the buffer 51 ₁ is maintained during that time.

As a result, while the ER ₁ signal is being output from the buffer 51 ₁ , the host computer 2 is set to H level.
Data from HT1 ₁ is adapted to be transferred via the RS232C.

Next, the above operation will be described with reference to the time chart of FIG.
Further explanation will be given with reference to. First, as an initial state
Which connector 4₁~ 4₃Also HHT is connected
I don't. Even in this state, the counter 53
Counts the clock signal (CLK) as shown in Fig. 3 (d).
The count output (A output) and output as shown in (e) of the figure.
And output the count output (B output) as shown in Fig.
There is. These A output and B output are given to the selector 52.
In the selector 52, the A output is "0" and the B output is "0".
Is # 1, the first buffer 51₁Against the same figure
Output a selection control signal (“L” level) like (g)
If the A output is "1" and the B output is "0", then # 2
Eye buffer 51₂On the other hand, the selection system as shown in FIG.
Control signal (“L” level) and A output
When it is "0" and the B output is "1", # 3 buffer
51₃On the other hand, the selection control signal as shown in FIG.
("L" level) is output. These operations are counters
It is performed while 53 is counting, and the selector 52
Buffer 51₁, Buffer 51₂, Buffer 51₃， Ba
Iffa 51 ₁, ... Circular scan motion
Do the work.

In this state, the HHT1 ₁ is now connected to the connector 4 ₁ , and then the HHT1 ₂ is connected to the connector 4 _2.
In addition, it is assumed that the HHT1 ₃ is connected to the connector 4 ₃ with a little delay, and thereby the ER ₁ , ER ₂ , and ER ₃ signals are respectively sent to the respective communication paths.
As shown in (c), it is assumed that the signals are output at the timing of T ₁ , T ₂ , and T ₃ .

Here, the selector 52 is the buffer 5
The scan operation is cyclically performed such as 1 ₁ , buffer 51 ₂ , ... Now, when the buffer 51 ₁ is scanned by the # 1 selection control signal ((g) in the figure) after the timing of T ₁ , the ER ₁ signal (“H” level) is output at this point, so the buffer 51 ₁ is output.
₁ The ER ₁ signal is outputted from. This buffer 5
The ER ₁ signal that has passed 1 ₁ is supplied to the counter 53 as a count stop signal via the OR circuit 54 and is also supplied to the HHT selection unit 61 as a selection signal for HHT _{1 1} .

On the other hand, the counter 53 stops its counting operation when it receives the ER ₁ signal (“H” level) that has passed through the buffer 51 ₁ ((e) in the figure,
(F)). As a result, the selector 52 causes the buffer 51 _{1 to}
The scan operation is interrupted while the state in which the selection control is performed is maintained (the # 1 selection control signal is at the low level) ((g) in the same figure).

Further, the HHT selection section 61 includes a buffer 51
₁Passed the ER₁Signal, HHT1₁Data of
Host computer 2 via RS232C communication path
Send to. This HHT1₁When the data transfer of ER ends
₁The signal turns off (“L” level), and this off signal
Is given to the counter 53 as a count enable signal,
Unta 53 is the falling edge of the next clock signal.
The counting operation similar to the above is started again.
Similarly, the recector 52 starts the scanning operation again.
In this case, the scan operation of₂Select control
It is restarted from doing. But here already this
ER at the time₂Signal (“H” level) is output
So this ER₂The counter 53 cows by the signal.
Operation is stopped, and the selector 52 shifts to the buffer 51.₂Choose
Holds the selective control state (# 2 selection signal is low level)
As it is ((h) in the figure), the scanning operation is interrupted. During this time
To ER₂The signal causes the HHT selector 62 to change to HHT1.₂of
Data is sent to the host computer 2 via RC232C.
send. This HHT1₂When the data transfer from
ER₂The signal turns off (“L” level) and this off signal
It is given to the counter 53 as an enable signal. this
This causes the counter 53 to rise the next clock signal.
The counter starts counting again after falling, and the selector 52 also skips.
Restart operation. At this point, the next ER signal
(In this case ER₃Signal) has not arrived, so select
Kuta 52 is buffer 51₃, Buffer 51₁,buffer
51 ₂Scan operation is performed in this order. And ER₃
Signal is T₃If it is output at the timing of
₃After the timing of, the selector 53 causes the # 3 selection control signal
Controlled by ER₃Signal is buffer 51₃Pass through
It This ER₃The signal is a count stop signal to the counter 53.
And the HHT selection unit 63
₃It is given as a selection signal of. As a result, HHT₃
Data of the host computer 2 via RS232C
Transferred to.

When the HHT ₃ data transfer is completed, the counting operation of the counter 53 is started again and the selectors 52 cause the buffers 51 ₁ , 51 ₂ , 51 ₃ ,.
.. and so on, by cyclically scanning each buffer,
If there is any ER signal at that time, the operation of stopping the counting operation of the counter 53, interrupting the scanning operation of the selector 52, and transferring the data from the HHT corresponding to the ER signal to the host computer 2 repeat. Therefore, by simply connecting the HHT _{1 to} HHT ₃ to the connectors 4 ₁ to 4 ₃ and putting them in a communication standby state, the HHT _{1 to} HHT ₃ are connected to each other at a predetermined timing in the order of connection.
Data from the HT can be automatically transferred to the host computer 2.

In the above embodiment, the HHT is used as the terminal.
However, the present invention is applicable to any terminal that transfers data to the host computer side via the RS232C interface.

[0034]

According to the present invention, it is possible to automatically switch and select the data collecting terminals and connect them to the host computer simply by connecting a plurality of data collecting terminals to vacant connectors. , By this, as in the past, remove the terminal after data transfer from the connector,
The troublesome operation of connecting the next terminal to the connector to transfer the data is unnecessary, and the efficiency of the work of transferring the data to the host computer can be greatly improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the principle of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a time chart explaining the operation of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ₁ , 1 ₂ , ... 1 _n Data collection terminal (HH
T) 2 host computer 3 communication adapter 4 ₁ , 4 ₂ , ... 4 _n connector 5 communication standby signal detection means 6 terminal switching selection means

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. When transferring data stored in a data collection terminal to a host computer via an interface, in a communication adapter to which the data collection terminal is connected, a plurality of data collection terminals (1 ₁ , 1 ₂ ... ..) Multiple connectors (4 ₁ , 4 ₂ ...)
,) And a communication standby signal (ER ₁ , ER ₂ ...) Appearing on the communication path corresponding to the connector when the data collection terminal is connected to this connector (4 ₁ , 4 ₂ ...) An operation of cyclically scanning and detecting is performed, any one communication standby signal is detected at a predetermined timing, and the cyclic scanning operation is interrupted at the time of detection, and the detected communication standby signal is passed. The data of the communication standby signal detecting means (5) and the data collecting terminal which has issued the communication standby signal upon receiving any one of the communication standby signals detected by the communication standby signal detecting means (5) is sent to the host computer. A communication adapter for a data collection terminal, comprising: a terminal switching selection means (6) for sending to (2). 2. The buffer (51 ₁ , 51 ₂₎ having a gate function for controlling the communication standby signal detecting means (5) to pass or block the communication standby signals (ER ₁ , ER ₂ ...). ...), and a counter (53) that outputs a predetermined count output according to a clock signal and stops the counting operation while the communication standby signal that has passed through any one of the above buffers is on. ), The buffer (51 ₁ , 51 ₂ ...) Is cyclically scanned, and the communication standby signal is output from the buffer in which the communication standby signal exists at the time of scanning. ,
The selector (52) for holding the scan state at that time by stopping the counting operation of the counter (53) while the communication standby signal is on, and the selector (52) is provided. Communication adapter for data collection terminal.