JPH07152973A - Sales registration device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent a master machine and slave machines from having different data as data of a held commodity master. CONSTITUTION:A POS system device 500 is constituted by arranging POS slave machines 200A, 200B, 200C-200N having totalizing functions for storing sales information generated by totalizing the sales amouonts of money, additional information, etc., by necessary purposes, and the POS master machine 100 which gathers the sales information stored in those slave machines through a communication line 300, and totalizes and stores the information by the necessary purposes. Then a CPU 101 is equipped with a collation means which collates check digits of sales master information stored in the slave machines with the check digits of totalization of the main machine 100 when information is gathered from the main machine 100 and a check digit correcting means which supplies information, corrected on the master machine side as to discrepant items of the check digits by the collation, to the sales master functions of the slave machine sides and stores the corrected information.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a POS system device for managing the sales status of articles or game machines.

This type of POS system device has a sales memory function for temporarily storing the sales amount and associated information for each sale as sales information for each time, and the sales amount and associated information for each sale according to the required purpose. A POS device (in the present invention, a POS slave device) is a cash registration terminal device provided with a sales total storage function for totalizing and storing in a conservative manner.
As a sales totalizing function, the sales totalizing function is installed at a predetermined sales point, and the sales totaling information of one or more POS slaves is collected through a communication line, and is collectively processed according to a required purpose and stored in a conservative manner. A configuration in which the integrated totalizing control device provided or a POS device having this function (in the present invention, referred to as POS main machine) is arranged is shown in
It is disclosed in "New Edition Information Processing Handbook" published by Ohmsha Co., Ltd.

Further, the concrete constitution of the device used as the POS slave is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-2111798 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-1.
No. 04394 and the like.

The concrete structure of the POS system device 500 is, for example, as shown in FIG.
By controlling the slaves 200A, 200B, 200C to 200N in conjunction with each other by the communication line 300, the POS slaves 200A, 200B, 200C to 200N are configured to collectively collect and process each sales total information of the POS slaves 100A. ing.

POS main unit 100 and POS slave unit 200A
200B, 200C to 200N are control processing units (referred to as CPUs in the present invention) 101 mainly including a microcomputer, which stores required sales information in a storage unit in the CPU 101 and displays the required information. A display unit 102 for displaying information, a clock unit 103 for obtaining temporal information, and information for performing necessary control processing in a PO.
In order to communicate with each other through the communication line 300 between the S main unit and the POS slave unit, the communication unit and the like are controlled and processed.

In addition, the POS main unit 100 and the POS slave unit 20
The specific configuration of each device of 0A, 200B, 200C to 200N is as shown in FIG. 4, parts having the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 3 have the same functions as the parts having the same reference numerals explained in FIG.

In FIG. 4, the storage unit 10 of the CPU 101
Includes a processing memory 11 for storing a procedure for performing a control process, that is, a processing flow, and a work memory 1 for temporarily storing information data required in the process of the control process.
2 and a data memory 13 that stores information data such as sales summary information in a master file in a conservative manner. Generally, the processing memory 11 is a ROM, the working memory is a RAM, and the data memory is a memory. Reference numeral 13 denotes a RAM, and the RAM of the data memory 13 is backed up by a holding battery 107 described below so that the stored contents can be retained even when the power is cut off. It should be noted that the processing memory 11 and the data memory 13 may be constituted by an electrically erasable and writable ROM, that is, an EEPROM, as long as the processing memory 11 and the data memory 13 are allowed to have an expensive structure.

The display section 102 displays a character / graphic image such as required sales information and warning information by a cathode ray tube display or a liquid crystal display, and is provided with a warning sound function such as a buzzer if necessary. .

The clock unit 103 gives information such as date and time and day of the week to the CPU 101, and the current value of date and time is stored in the CPU.
It can be changed and set by the control processing of 101, for example, it is mainly composed of a commercially available clock circuit IC with a calendar, and is backed up by a holding battery 107 described later so that the timing operation can be continued even when the power is cut off. is doing.

The communication unit 104 can transmit the information exchanged between the POS machines as a signal according to a predetermined rule such that the information can be transmitted through the communication line 300, and can process the transmitted signal in the POS machine. The information is converted into information according to a predetermined rule and received, and is configured using, for example, a communication line connection circuit for a commercially available personal computer.

The operation unit 105 is an operation unit for inputting an amount value, a product code, a totaling command, etc. necessary for the sales process and the sales totalizing process for each sale, and is provided with numeric keys, various predetermined command keys, and the like. It consists of a keyboard.

The printing unit 106 is a printer unit for making receipts for each sale, making a list of sales total information, and the like, and is configured by using a commercially available journal printer, thermal recording printer, or the like.

The holding battery 107 is a battery for keeping a required portion in an operating state even when the power source is cut off. The holding battery 107 is constituted by a secondary battery such as a nickel-cadmium battery, and the power source is constantly supplied. The battery is configured to be charged during the specified period.

Sales totals are generally classified into daily totals for performing the above totaling processing for each day, monthly totals for performing the above totaling processing for each month, and annual totals for performing the above totaling processing for each year. In addition to the above processing, the semi-fixed data such as the total items of the sales total information stored in the data memory 13 and the unit sales price, that is, the total items of the master file of the sales total information and the semi-fixed data are stored for convenience of the total processing. Statistical data,
POS main unit 100 and POS slave units 200A, 200B, 2
00C to 200N are standardized, and for example, [merchandise master file] [department master file] [person master file] [related information master file] as shown in FIG. 5 is set.

On the other hand, due to the difference in sales form,
For specific targets, total items, sales unit prices, discount rates, etc. are calculated for each POS handset 200A, 200B, 200C-200.
The N side can also be set to be unique to each individual.

[0016]

In the POS system device 500 as described above, the POS main unit 100 and the POS slave units 200 to 200 such as the menu change, that is, the product master change, the department master change (menu classification, etc.), etc. The sales master information of must be unified. For this method,
Information is transmitted from the POS main unit 100 to the POS slave unit by communication, or information is transmitted using a medium such as an FD (floppy disk). However, in the case of communication, it may not be noticed even if a communication abnormality occurs, so FD
In the case of, there was a problem that human error occurred.

Further, each POS slave unit 200A / 200B /
Since the daily total processing on the 200C to 200N side is performed by each person in charge while looking at the sales interval at the end of the day,
Since this processing time and the time of collecting from the POS main engine 100 side do not necessarily correspond to each other, the sales total information by the daily total of the previous day is mixed, and therefore the POS main engine 100 side has to perform the total processing while sorting. There is an inconvenience.

Further, the clock unit 10 of the POS main unit 100 and each of the POS slave units 200A, 200B, 200C to 200N.
3 operates separately, and each has its own time-keeping error. Therefore, a time lag occurs over a long period of time, and the times that are subject to aggregation processing do not match. POS cordless handsets 200A, 200B, 200C to 20
Since the person in charge of 0N carries out correction processing for each individual, there is an inconvenience that it is inevitable that the totalization processing will be performed at times that do not match.

Therefore, there is a problem that it is desired to provide a POS system device free from such inconvenience.

[0020]

According to the present invention, there is provided a terminal having a totaling function for storing sales sales information obtained by totalizing sales amount and associated information for each sales as described above according to a desired purpose, and When collecting the sales and sales information stored in the terminal through a communication line, and collecting the sales and sales information from the main machine in a sales registration device provided with a main machine provided with a sales master function for processing and storing for each purpose. A check means for checking the check digit in the sales master information stored in the terminal with the check digit in the totaling of the main machine; and the main machine side to check the mismatched items among the check digits by the check. The check digit correction means is provided for giving the information corrected by the above to the sales master function on the terminal side and storing the corrected information. And formed,

When performing the collection from the main machine, a daily total end confirmation for confirming whether the totalization in the terminal has completed the daily total processing, and confirming whether the collection is normally performed Means, and when the daily total processing is not completed in the confirmation, the terminal itself gives an alarm indicating that the daily total processing is not completed, and the daily total incompletion warning means, and the confirmation is performed normally. Second, to provide means to collect when there is no
And the configuration of

[0022] A terminal provided with a totalizing function for storing sales sales information obtained by totalizing sales amount and incidental information for each sales purpose according to a required purpose, and the sales sales information stored in the terminal by a communication line. In a sales registration device provided with a main machine having a sales / sales function that accumulates and stores the collected information according to a desired purpose based on time, the terminal provided when collecting the information from the main machine The above-mentioned problems can be solved by a third configuration in which a time adjustment means is provided for adjusting the time of the clock unit for measuring the time based on the time information from the main engine.

[0023]

According to the first configuration, the check digit of the sales master information on the POS main machine side, that is, the check digit of the item or price in each master file of FIG. 5 and the check digit on the POS slave machine side are used. Since it is checked and corrected each time it is collected from the POS main engine side, P
For the convenience of sales on the OS slave side, the check digit is
Even if it has been changed to a unique one for the POS slave unit, the sales master information after collating and correcting the check digit can be collected in the POS main unit.
The sales check digit on the S-slave unit can prevent the difference in sales master information as much as possible.

According to the second configuration, when the daily total processing on the POS slave unit side has not been completed, the POS slave unit issues an alarm by preventing the sales master information from being collected on the POS main unit side. , It is possible to eliminate the information accident that collects the sales and sales information whose daily total processing has not been completed on the POS main machine side due to the sales convenience of the POS slave machine side or forgetting the work.
On the S-slave unit side, an alarm acts so that the daily total processing can be dealt with promptly. Further, it is configured so that the sales and sales information that could not be collected can be collected.

According to the third configuration, the time on the clock unit on the POS main unit side is corrected by the time information from the POS main unit side every time the sales total information is collected from the POS main unit side. The time difference between the time as the processing reference and the time on the POS slave side can be minimized, and the time accuracy of the sales total information can be always maintained.

[0026]

Embodiments Embodiments will be described below with reference to FIGS. The arrangement configuration of each part of the apparatus in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 is the same as the arrangement configuration in FIGS.
POS main unit 100 and each POS slave unit 200A / 200B /
The difference is that the processing flows stored in the respective processing memories 13 of 200C to 200N are configured as shown in FIG. 1 and mutual contact information is configured as shown in FIG.

In the processing flow of FIG. 1, the processing flow on the left column side is the flow in the POS main machine 100, and the processing flow on the right column side is each POS slave unit 200A / 200B / 2.
The processing flow in each of 00C to 200N,
Although the processing flow on the POS slave side should be arranged by the number of POS slaves, only one POS slave is shown for the sake of space.

The processing flow on the POS main machine side and the processing flow on the POS slave machine side are both configured as a subroutine to the main processing routine in the machine, and P
The processing flow on the OS main unit side is the operation unit 1 of the POS main unit 100.
Operate 05 to start the "collection process" information CP
By giving it to U101, the process shifts to the subroutine of FIG. 1, and the processing flow on the POS slave side shifts to the subroutine at an appropriate short time interval.

In the step of transitioning between the processing flow on the POS main machine side and the processing flow on the POS slave machine side, command information is sent from the POS main machine side and response information is sent from the POS slave machine side via the communication line 300. Is given through.

The specific structure of command information and response information is as follows:
For example, referring to FIG. 2 by taking [inspection command] and [inspection response] for this [inspection command] as an example, the following information convention, that is, protocol is used.

[Inspection command] is composed of a command mark part, a command item part, a time information part, and an inspection content part in this order. The command mark part gives a code indicating the command and the command P
No. of OS slave unit. The command item part is a code representing the start of inspection, the time information part is a code representing a digital value of the time, and the inspection item part is a code representing a predetermined item to be inspected. As for the contents of the inspection item part, specifically, as shown in [Details of point contents] in FIG. 2, items of sales total information, that is, predetermined items among the items in each master file in FIG. They are arranged in order.

[Inspection response] is so-called status information, which is composed of a response mark portion, a status notification portion, and an inspection content portion in this order. The response mark portion is a code indicating the response and the POS slave unit of its own. No. The status notification part is a code part that represents the case of “daily total incomplete” and the case of “collection incomplete”, and the collation content part is a code that represents “inspection content”. That is, it is a code indicating the comparison result of each information master (product master, department master, etc.).

As for the "state notification", it is set to "0" if the operation is possible, "1" if the daily total is not completed, and "2" if the collection is not completed. As for the “inspection content”, as described above, the information masters are used to inspect the product master, department master, related master, person in charge master, etc. (see FIG. 2), and if they match, “0”, If they do not match, “1” is set.

The processing flow of FIG. 1 will be described below. In the steps of the processing flow, the steps indicated by bold lines are the abbreviated description of the subroutine components that require a plurality of information exchanges between the POS main machine and the POS slave machine.
In addition, the step portion indicated by a double-lined frame is an abbreviated description of a component portion that requires a combination of a specific subroutine and a predetermined key operation of the operation unit 105.
The flow indicated by the chain line is an information transmission point by communication between the POS main unit and the POS slave unit, and the route indicated by the dotted line is a route that returns to the main processing routine by performing timely processing regardless of the processing flow. .

[Explanation of Processing Flow] ◆ In step SP1, a character display showing the time confirmation and a character showing the time of the clock portion 103 of the POS main machine are displayed on the display section 102 of the POS main machine, and the next step SP2 is executed. Transition.

◆ In step SP2, the operator compares the time of the standard clock provided at the location of the POS main machine with the time displayed on the display unit 102, and the difference to the extent that the time needs to be corrected, For example, if there is a difference of 10 seconds or more, the number keys of the operation unit 105 are operated to input the time of the standard clock, and then a predetermined key is operated to correct the time. If it is not necessary, only a predetermined key is operated to move to the next step SP3.

In step SP3, the [inspection command] shown in FIG.
Go to 4.

In step SP4, the command information is fetched and the process proceeds to the next step SP5.

In step SP5, it is determined whether or not the command item of the command information is "inspection command". If it is an "inspection command", the process proceeds to the next step SP6, and if not, the process proceeds to step SP16.

◆ In step SP6, the clock unit 10 of the self
The CPU 101 of its own corrects the current time of 3 to match the time data of the time information of [inspection command], and proceeds to the next step SP7.

In step SP7, it is determined whether or not the "daily total is not completed". If the "daily total is not completed", the process proceeds to step SP8. If the "daily total is not completed", the process proceeds to SP8.2. .

In step SP8, the display unit 10 of the self is displayed.
In addition to the display indicating "daily total is not completed" and a temporary alarm, the inspection content is converted to a signal of a code indicating the above "unverified" information. Then, in step SP8.
The process proceeds to step 1, and the state notification part is provided with a signal indicating the information of "daily total unfinished", for example, a signal with a flag code of "daily total unfinished", and the process proceeds to step SP10. here,
The display indicating “daily total not completed” is a display that can be clearly noticed, for example, a part of the display screen is displayed in parallel with the display during other operations such as sales at each time due to an inverted white character image. It is configured so that it can be displayed. Therefore, the above-mentioned display and audible alarm enable the operator on the POS slave side to know that the daily total processing has not been completed and the POS main machine has requested that the daily total processing be performed. Therefore, this display can be canceled by operating the predetermined key of the operation unit 105 to input that the user has understood or by performing the daily total processing.

◆ In step SP8.2, "collection is not completed"
It is determined whether or not it is “collection incomplete”, and the process proceeds to step SP8.3 in which a flag of “collection incomplete” is set. If not, the process proceeds to SP9.

◆ In step SP9, each predetermined item (check digit) in [inspection content] of [inspection command]
And the corresponding predetermined items of each master file of FIG. 5 in the sales master information of its own are sequentially collated, the non-matching items and the matching items are sorted and stored in the working memory 12, and all inspection items are stored. When the collation is completed, the information of the inspection content portion is organized by the code signal as described above based on the mismatched items and the matched items stored in the own work memory 12, and the process proceeds to the next step SP10.

In step SP10, the [inspection response] of FIG. 2 is given to the POS main engine side as response information based on the signal or flag from the preceding step.

In step SP11, the response information is fetched and the process proceeds to the next step SP12.

In step SP12, the status notification portion of the response information determines "daily total unfinished", and if it is "daily total unfinished", the process proceeds to the next step SP13, in which "daily total completed" In that case, the process proceeds to step SP13.1. Also, SP1
In 3.1, it is determined whether or not the collection is not completed, and if the collection is not completed, the collection process from the child device is performed by (Y) communication. After that, communication is performed, and the process proceeds to SP4 to receive a command. SP4, SP
Go through 5, SP16, SP21, and (N), so SP
Then, the procedure proceeds to 21.1, and it is determined whether or not it is a collection command. If (N), the process returns to the main processing routine, and if (Y), SP.
After performing the collecting processing in 21.2, the processing shifts to the main processing routine. If the collection is completed, the process proceeds to (N) SP14.

◆ In step SP13, the display unit 1 of the self is displayed.
02 is a response slave unit number. Indicates that the daily total has not been completed, for example, a display in which the character "NG" is added to the "responding slave unit No.", and the process proceeds to step SP25. here,
This display is configured so that it can be displayed on a part of the display screen in parallel with the display at the time of other processing operation, by a display that can be clearly noticed, for example, an inverted white character image. .

In step SP14, whether all the inspection item collations match or not, that is, whether or not the collation content portion in [inspection response] of FIG. 2 is information indicating that there is no inconsistency item. To determine. If there are no disagreements and they all agree, step SP23.
Otherwise, to step SP15.

In step SP15, the [specified read command] of FIG. 2 is given to the POS slave unit side. In the processing flow on the side of the POS slave unit, when this [designated read command] is received, step S4, step SP5 and step S are executed.
Move to P16.

In step SP16, it is determined whether or not the command item of the command information is "specified read". If it is "designated read", the process proceeds to step SP17, and if not, the process proceeds to step SP21.

In step SP17, the contents of the portion corresponding to the inconsistent item stored in the work memory 12 of its own, that is, the contents corresponding to the inconsistent item in each master file of FIG. Then, the process proceeds to step SP18.

In step SP18, step SP1
All the contents of each inconsistent item read in 7 are taken into the own work memory 12, and the process proceeds to the next step SP19.

In step SP19, step SP1
The content of each inconsistency that was captured and stored in 8, that is,
The content of the inconsistency item on the POS slave unit side and the content of the self-sales totalization information corresponding to this inconsistency item read from the data memory 13 of its own, that is, the content on the POS main unit side corresponding to the inconsistency item, The contents are displayed side by side on the left and right and displayed on the display unit 102 of the user, and the operator selects which of the displayed contents on the left and right is selected by inputting a predetermined key of the operation unit 105 of the operator. The contents selected by this operation are sorted into the contents selected on the POS slave unit side and the contents selected on the POS main unit side and stored in the work memory 12 on the POS main unit side, and then the process proceeds to the next step SP20. To do.

In step SP20, the write content portion of the [designated write command] in FIG. 2 is changed to P in step SP19.
The POS slave unit side is provided with command information in which the contents on the OS main unit side are selected and the contents stored in its own work memory 12 are arranged and organized. In the processing flow on the side of the POS slave, when this [designated write command] is present, it goes through step SP4, step SP5, step SP16, and step SP2.
Move to 1.

In step SP21, it is determined whether or not the command item of the command information is "designated write". If it is "designated writing", the process proceeds to step SP22, and if not, the process returns to the main processing routine.

In step SP22, the master file of the sales total information of its own is corrected and written according to the contents of the correction items of the master file in the write content portion of the [designated write command]. After storing in the data memory 13 as a master file, the process returns to the main processing routine.

In step SP23, step SP1
After writing the information content of the inconsistent items selected in 9 and stored in the work memory 12 on the POS main machine side and the entire content of the operation start state on the POS slave machine side to the data memory 13 on the POS main machine side, the next step Move to SP24.

◆ In step SP24, step SP2
POS cordless handset No. for which the processes up to 3 have been completed. Is stored in the work memory 12 of the POS main machine, and the process proceeds to the next step SP25. Here, the POS slave unit No. N indicating that the daily total is not completed in the past inspection process
o. When the POS cordless handset No. Process so as to cancel the display of "Incomplete daily".

In step SP25, all the POS slave units No. stored in the data memory 13 in advance are stored. Data and the POS slave unit No. stored in the working memory 12. Data of all POS slave units. On the other hand, it is determined whether or not the collection and writing in step SP23 is completed.
If it is completed, the process returns to the main processing routine, and if not, the process proceeds to the next step SP26.

◆ In step SP26, the POS slave unit No. That is, the POS slave unit No. designated in the preceding step SP3. No. Select and step SP
Return to 3.

[Modified Embodiment] The present invention includes the following modifications and implementations.

(1) The POS main unit 100 is provided with a function of receiving time broadcasting by a common standard radio wave or time notification by telephone, and a specific sound or a specific sound and sound in this time broadcasting or time notification is attached. Based on the voice sound,
By inputting time data, the time can be automatically adjusted to the standard time without the operator operating the operation unit.

(2) The display of "POS slave unit No. for which the total day has not been completed" on the POS main unit side is temporarily erased when the other operation is displayed, and the other operation is completed. At this time, the display is switched so as to be displayed again.

(3) The check digit of [inspection content] is configured to perform an inspection process in which only the item items used for sorting each master file are compared as a check digit. For example, when the main machine has all masters and a plurality of POS slaves having different product masters are provided, the check digit of the main machine corresponds to all the product masters, so that the present invention can be implemented. .

[0066]

According to the present invention, the check digit of the sales master information on the POS main unit side and the check digit of the slave unit side are collated / corrected each time they are collected from the main unit side. Even if it is changed to a unique one for the slave unit due to the sales circumstances of the main unit, it can be verified and corrected on the main unit side, so the main unit side always updates the contents of the slave unit sales master information to the latest updated state. I can figure it out.

When the daily total processing on the slave side is not completed,
Since the sales information on the main machine cannot be collected and the alarm is issued on the slave side, it is possible to prevent the sales information on the day from being added to the sales information on the previous day. The reminder that makes the total processing urgent can be done automatically. Also, if the sales and sales information of the previous day has not been collected, it can be automatically collected.

Furthermore, since the time information on the main machine side and the time information on the slave machine side are made to match each time the sales and sales information is collected from the main machine, the temporal accuracy of the sales and sales information can always be maintained. There are features such as.

[Brief description of drawings]

1 and 2 show an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 3 to 5 show a prior art. The contents of each drawing are as follows.

FIG. 1 is a main flowchart of a processing procedure.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of main communication information.

FIG. 3 is a block configuration diagram of the entire apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a block configuration diagram of a main part of the apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of main part stored information.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Storage Section 11 Processing Memory 12 Working Memory 13 Data Memory 100 POS Main Machine 101 Control Processing Section (CPU) 102 Display Section 103 Clock Section 104 Communication Section 105 Operating Section 106 Printing Section 107 Holding Battery 200A / 200B / 200C to 200N POS Handset 300 communication line 500 POS system device

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A terminal having a totalizing function for storing sales sales information obtained by totalizing sales amount and incidental information for each sales purpose according to a required purpose, and a communication line connecting the sales sales information stored in the terminal. A sales registration device in which a main machine provided with a sales master function that collects data according to a desired purpose and stores the collected data is stored in the terminal device when the collection is performed from the main machine. Collating means for collating the check digit in the sales master information with the check digit in the aggregation of the main machine, and the information obtained by correcting the mismatched item among the check digits on the main machine side by the collation on the terminal side. A sales registration device comprising check digit correction means for storing the corrected information given to the sales master function. 2. A terminal having an aggregating function for storing sales and sales information obtained by aggregating sales amount and incidental information for each sales purpose, and a communication line for the sales and sales information stored in the terminal. A sales registration device having a main machine provided with a sales master function that collects data according to a desired purpose and stores the collected data according to a purpose, and when the collection is performed from the main machine, the totalization in the terminal is A means for confirming whether the daily total processing is completed or not, and a means for confirming whether the collection is normally performed, and the terminal device when the daily total processing is not completed in the confirmation. A sales registration device comprising: a daily total incompletion alarm means for issuing an alarm indicating that the daily total processing is incomplete, and a means for collecting when the confirmation is not normally made. 3. A terminal equipped with an aggregating function for storing sales and sales information in which sales amount for each sale and accompanying information are aggregated according to a desired purpose, and the sales and sales information stored in the terminal is communicated. A sales registration device having a main machine provided with a sales / sales function for totaling and storing information collected by a line for a desired purpose based on time, the terminal being used when collecting the information from the main machine. A sales registration device comprising a time correction means for correcting the time of a clock unit provided in the machine for measuring the time based on the time information from the main machine.