JPH06164673A - Communication control equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To deal with the format change of a data message with a simple work without correcting a communication control program. CONSTITUTION:This device is provided with a format transform table to make conditions required for the transformation of the format into parameters and to store them corresponding to class codes respectively set to various data messages transmitted from POS terminals 3 and every time the transmitted data message is received from the POS terminal, the format transform table is retrieved with the class code of that data message as a retrieval key. Then, the relevant parameter is called and after the format of the data message is transformed to the format to be processed by a host computer 5, the data message is transmitted to the host computer 5.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication control device for converting a format of a data message transmitted from a transmitting station into a data message which can be processed by a receiving station and transmitting the data message to the receiving station.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, a POS (point-of-sale information management) system used in a supermarket or the like has a plurality of POS terminals for registering sales data of products, and product sales data registered by these POS terminals. It is constructed by connecting inline with a store processor for collecting and totalizing. Incidentally, each POS terminal is installed at the checkout place (cash register) of the store, and the store processor is installed in the office of the store.

Further, a host computer installed in a store headquarters or the like is connected to the store processor through a public line, a dedicated line, or the like so that the host computer can make a credit inquiry of a credit card. In this case, the store processor functions as a communication control device that controls data communication between each POS terminal and the host computer.

By the way, in most cases, the transmission data message from one POS terminal and the host computer cannot be processed by the other even if the transmission data message is directly transferred to the other due to differences in manufacturers. For this reason, the store processor has a communication control program incorporated therein so that once a transmission data message from one side is received, the format of the data message is converted so that it can be processed by the other and then transmitted to the other. .

[0005]

However, since the format conversion of the data message is conventionally performed based on the program, the format of the data message is changed with the upgrade of the POS terminal or the host computer. Then, the communication control program in the store processor must be modified each time, and it takes a lot of time and effort to modify the program, so that it is difficult to change the format.

Therefore, the present invention is to provide a communication control device capable of coping with a format change of a data message by a simple operation without modifying the communication control program.

[0007]

The present invention is provided on a line connecting a transmitting station and a receiving station. When a transmission data message is received from the transmitting station, the format of the data message is processed by the receiving station. In the communication control device that transmits to the receiving station after converting to a possible format, parameterize the requirements necessary for format conversion corresponding to the type code set in each data message transmitted from the transmitting station. A format conversion table to be stored is provided, and each time a transmission data message from the transmitting station is received, the format conversion table is searched using the type code of the data message as a search key, and the corresponding parameter is called to call that data message. The format is converted and then transmitted to the receiving station.

[0008]

According to the present invention having such a structure, when the format of the data message transmitted from the transmitting station to the receiving station is changed, the setting parameter of the format conversion table is appropriately modified. Since the parameter modification can be performed more easily and in a shorter time than the program modification, it becomes possible to easily deal with the format change of the data message.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a store processor in a POS system will be described.

FIG. 1 is an overall view of a POS system,
The store processor 1 connects a plurality of POS terminals 3 in a closed loop via the first communication line 2, and
The host computer 5 is connected via the communication line 4.

Store processor 1 and each POS terminal 3
Is provided in retail stores such as supermarkets,
The store processor 1 is installed in a store office, etc.
Each of the terminals 3 is installed at the accounting place. Then, the store processor 1 can collect the product sales data registered for sales at each POS terminal 3 through the first communication line 2 and aggregate the data to analyze the sales of the entire store.

The host computer 5 is used for credit reference of credit cards used in credit transactions and sales management of customers who have become members. The store processor 1 then functions as a communication control device that controls data communication between each POS terminal 3 and the host computer 5.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the store processor 1. This store processor 1
It has a CPU (central processing unit) 11 as a control unit main body,
The CPU 11 has a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12 and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13 as a main storage unit.

Fixed data such as a control program executed by the CPU 11 is stored in the ROM 12 in advance. The RAM 13 is formed with a memory area and the like for totaling product sales data collected from each POS terminal 3.

The store processor 1 also controls a hard disk controller 15 for controlling reading and writing of data from and to the hard disk device 14, and a POS communication interface 16 for controlling data communication with each POS terminal 3 through the first line 2. A host communication interface 17 for controlling data communication with the host computer 5 through the second line 4, and a key display interface 19 for exchanging data with a key display 18 used for dialogue with an operator. And so on.

Then, the CPU 11, the ROM 12,
The RAM 13, the hard disk controller 15, and the interfaces 16, 17, and 19 are connected to each other through a bus line 20 such as an address bus and a data bus to form a control circuit.

By the way, the store processor 1 of this embodiment
Considering the case where a data message is transmitted from the POS terminal 3 to the host computer 5, the transmitting station, that is, the POS
It is located on the line between the terminal 3 and the receiving station, that is, the host computer 5, and it is necessary to convert the format of the data message from the POS terminal 3 into a format that can be processed by the host computer 5 and then transmit it to the host computer 5. .

On the contrary, from the host computer 5 to the PO
Considering the case where a data message is transmitted to the S terminal 3, the format of the data message from the transmitting station, that is, the host computer 5 is converted into a format that can be processed by the receiving station, that is, the POS terminal 3, and then the data is transmitted to the POS terminal 3. Need to send.

Therefore, in the store processor 1 of the present embodiment, the hard disk device 14, especially the POS terminal 3 is used.
Various data transmitted from the host computer 5, and a POS / HOST format conversion table 21 for parameterizing and storing requirements necessary for format conversion corresponding to the type codes respectively set in various data messages transmitted from A HOST / POS format conversion table 22 is provided for parameterizing and storing the requirements necessary for format conversion corresponding to the type codes set in the messages.

The store processor 1, in particular, has a C
The program is set so that the PU 11 executes the communication control shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3 in response to the power-on.

That is, when the power is turned on, the CPU 11 reads the contents of the POS / HOST format conversion table 21 and the HOST / POS format conversion table 22 from the hard disk device 14, and reads the contents of the contents from R and R respectively.
Deploy to AM13.

In this state, the CPU 11 waits for data reception from the POS terminal 3 or the host computer 5. Then, when the data message is received via the POS communication interface 16, the POS terminal 3 has received the data message of the transmission source. Therefore, the POS / HOST on the RAM 13 is received.
After the format conversion table 21 is converted to a format that can be processed by the host computer 5, the host communication interface 17 is controlled and the data message after the format conversion is transmitted to the host computer 5 through the second line 4. .

When a data message is received via the host communication interface 17, the host computer 5 has received the data message of the transmission source, so H on the RAM 13
Referring to the OST / POS format conversion table 22, after converting to a format that can be processed by the POS terminal 3, the POS communication interface 16 is controlled and the data message after the format conversion is transmitted to the POS terminal 3 through the first line 2. To send.

In this embodiment having such a structure, the PO
An example of the format conversion of the data message from the S terminal 3 by the store processor 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 4, the data message 41 transmitted from the POS terminal 3 is a 2-byte type code [03,0].
5] at the beginning, a 2-byte POSID [00, 01] set for each POS terminal 3, and a 4-byte inquiry number [0
0,13,71,65], 2-byte department code [0
2, 30], 2-byte sales points [00,3+], 3-byte sales amount [04,50,0+], and 2-byte discount amount [00,0+] are sequentially added and configured. .

On the other hand, in the POS / HOST format conversion table 21, the record identification, start position, and
Each item length, item type, conversion length, conversion type, complement conversion, and zero transmission requirements are parameterized and set.

Incidentally, the data item [10] is the POSID.
[01] indicates the department code, [33] indicates the number of sales, [40] indicates the sales amount, and [44] indicates the discount amount.

The record identification is 1 depending on the data message.
Since there is a message of record = 128 bytes or more, a record number indicating which record the data of the corresponding data item exists is set as a parameter.

The start position is set as a parameter with the number of bytes indicating the position of the data of the corresponding data item from the beginning of the corresponding record, and the item length is
The number of bytes of that data is set as a parameter,
Furthermore, the item type is a parameter indicating whether or not the data has a signature in a pack format (P: no signature, S: signature).
Is set.

As the conversion length, the maximum number of bytes after the format conversion of the data of the corresponding data item is set as a parameter, and the conversion type is a parameter (F: fixed) indicating whether or not the data is fixed after the format conversion. ，
V: variable) is set.

In the complement conversion, a flag (0: not, 1: perform) for distinguishing whether or not the complement conversion is performed is set as a parameter, and for zero transmission, a flag for distinguishing whether or not the upper "0" is omitted. (0: not done, 1: done) is set as a parameter.

Therefore, the data message indicated by 41 in FIG. 4 is converted into the POS / HOST format conversion table 2 shown in FIG.
When the format is converted with each parameter of 1, 4 in the figure
It is converted into the data message shown in 2.

Now, as the system version is upgraded, in the data message 41 of the type code [03,05] shown in FIG. 4, the new item [discount amount] indicates the sales amount and the discount amount as shown in FIG. It was added during the period.

In such a case, conventionally, the communication control program in the store processor 1 had to be modified, but in the present embodiment, the area corresponding to the type code [03, 05] in the POS / HOST format conversion table 21. Then, the required parameter for the new item [discount amount] may be added.

That is, as shown in FIG. 5, POS / HO
In the ST format conversion table 21 ', record identification [1], start position [16], item length [2], item type [S], corresponding to the item code [43] of the new item [discount amount]. Conversion length [4], conversion type [V], complement conversion [0], and zero transmission [1] are added respectively.

As a result, the data message 41 'of the type code [03,05] transmitted from the POS terminal 3 is transmitted.
Is converted into a format 42 'in FIG. 5 by the store processor 1 and then transmitted to the host computer 5.

The data message transmitted from the host computer 5 to the POS terminal 3 is also format-converted in the same manner as described above by referring to the HOST / POS format conversion table 22.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the parameter of the format conversion table 21 or 22 may be modified when the format of the data message is changed.
The correction work is easier than the conventional communication control program, and the format change can be dealt with in a short time. As a result, the format can be changed relatively freely, so that it is possible to easily achieve the functional enhancement of the system accompanied by the format change.

In the POS system, the POS
The system of the product code of the product sales data message transmitted from the terminal 3 and the system of the product code managed by the host computer 5 may be different. In such a case, the data from the POS terminal 3 is stored in the store processor 1. It is necessary to convert the product code in the message into a code that can be processed by the host computer 5.

For example, it is assumed that the data message 61 shown in FIG. 6 is transmitted from the POS terminal 3. This data message 61 has a 2-byte type code [04,00] at the beginning and a 7-byte single item code [04,12,34,56,
78,90,12], 3-byte sales points [00,0
0,1+], 4-byte sales amount [00,01,00,
0+], 2-byte department code [00, 10], and 3-byte class code [00, 11, 00] are sequentially added and configured.

On the other hand, in the POS / HOST format conversion table 21, corresponding parameters are set for each required item in the data message corresponding to the type code [04,00] as indicated by 62 in the figure. Has been done.

Further, the hard disk device 14 has a product code information record indicated by 63 in FIG.
The product code table shown by 4 is also set, and is expanded in the RAM 13 in response to power-on.

Here, the product code information record 63 is
Each parameter of the number of bytes (17), length (2), and item type (P) from the beginning of the department code in the data message of the type code [04,00], and the number of bytes from the beginning of the class code (19 ), Length (3) and item type (P) parameters, and the number of bytes (3) from the beginning of the single item code, length (7) and item type (P) parameters. Also, the standard pattern (01), the position (fifth digit) and length (two digits) of the comparison data, the condition information (EQ = equal) between the comparison data and the setting data, the setting data (04), Pattern (02).

In the product code table 64, code system data for each of the above patterns is set in advance. "C" in the code system data is a class code, "J".
Indicates a single item code. Incidentally, the department code is “B”. The 2-digit numerical value represents the number of digits of each code.

Then, the CPU 1 of the store processor 1
When No. 1 receives the data message 61 of the type code [04,00] from the POS terminal 3 via the POS communication interface 16, first, it corresponds to the type code [04,00] of the POS / HOST format conversion table 21. The format of the number of sales points and the amount of sales is converted with reference to the parameter data 62.

For the product code of the item code [01], comparison data is extracted from the data message 61 based on the product code information record 63, and this comparison data is "0".
It is determined whether or not it is 4 "and the comparison data is" 04 ".
In the case of (in case of in-store marking), the data of the code system corresponding to the pattern [02] of the product code table 64 is referred to and converted, and the comparison data is other than "04" (in case of other than in-store marking). ) Is converted by referring to the data of the code system corresponding to the pattern [01] of the product code table 64.

In the case of FIG. 6, since the comparison data is "04", the product code is converted by referring to the data of the code system corresponding to the pattern [02]. That is, the third digit to the eighth digit of the single item code are set as the code [123456].

As a result, the data message 61 of the type code [04,00] transmitted from the POS terminal 3 is converted into the format of 65 in FIG. 6 by the store processor 1 and then transmitted to the host computer 5. .

The present invention is not limited to the store processor 1 in the POS system, but is provided on the line connecting the transmitting station and the receiving station, and when the transmission data message from the transmitting station is received, the data is transmitted. The present invention can be applied to all communication control devices that convert a message format into a format that can be processed by a receiving station and then transmit to the receiving station.

[0050]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, when the transmission data message from the transmitting station is provided on the line connecting the transmitting station and the receiving station, the format of the data message is changed. Even if the format of the data message to be sent / received is changed due to the version upgrade etc. in the case of converting to the format that can be processed by the receiving station and then transmitting to the receiving station, it is easy to just modify the parameters of the format conversion table. It is possible to provide a communication control device that can deal with various tasks.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall view of a POS system that is an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a main part of a store processor according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a communication control program executed by the CPU shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a format conversion operation of a data message before a format change in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of the format conversion operation of the data message after the format is changed in the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a format conversion action of another data message.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 ... Store processor, 2, 4 ... First and second lines, 3 ... POS terminal, 5 ... Host computer, 11 ... CPU, 12 ... ROM, 13 ... RAM, 14 ... Hard disk device, 16 ... POS communication interface, 17 ... host communication interface, 21 ... POS / HOST conversion table, 22 ... HOST / POS conversion table.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. When a transmission data message from a transmitting station is provided on a line connecting the transmitting station and the receiving station, the format of the data message is converted into a format that can be processed by the receiving station, In the communication control device for transmitting to the receiving station, a format conversion table is provided for parameterizing and storing the requirements necessary for format conversion corresponding to the type codes set in various data messages transmitted from the transmitting station. Each time a transmission data message from the transmitting station is received, the format conversion table is searched using the type code of the data message as a search key, and the corresponding parameter is called to convert the format of the data message. A communication control device transmitting to the receiving station.