JPH07225721A - Power failure processor for data processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To simplify the circuit configuration and to reduce the manufacture cost by excluding a power failure detection circuit at each terminal equipment without complicating the wiring or increasing the cost. CONSTITUTION:In a system, which is composed of plural terminal equipments 1a and 1b provided with power failure processing functions and a host device 3 connecting these terminal equipments through a communication line 2, and which supplies power from an uninterruptible power supply unit 4, when a power failure signal S1 to be transmitted from the uninterruptible power supply unit 4 at the time of power failure detection is inputted, the host device 3 transmits a power failure reporting command to the respective terminal equipments 1a and 1b by using the communication line 2. When the power failure reporting command transmitted through the communication line 2 is received, the respective terminal equipments 1a and 1b execute power failure processing.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

The present invention relates to a POS in the distribution industry.
The present invention relates to a power failure processing device in a data processing system such as a (point-of-sale information management) system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, a POS system used in a supermarket or the like has a plurality of terminal devices, so-called POS terminals having a function of registering product sales data, and these POS terminals such as LAN (local area network). Consists of a so-called store controller, which is a host device that is connected by a communication line, collects product sales data and the like registered at each POS terminal using the communication line, and processes the product sales cumulative data and inventory data To be done.

In such a POS system, it is required in operation that the system can continue its operation from the state before the occurrence of the power failure even when the system operation stops due to the power failure.

Therefore, in the conventional POS terminal, in general, when a power failure occurs, the program counter, memory address register, instruction register,
Control data such as a memory data register is saved in a storage unit capable of holding data even when the power is turned off, for example, S-RAM (static random access memory) backed up by a Li (lithium) battery, and then a power failure occurs. When recovered, each saved control data was loaded into each part in the processor, and the power failure processing function was provided so that the operation could be continued from the state before the power failure occurred.

FIG. 10 shows the characteristic of the level reduction of the power supply voltage when a power failure occurs, and as the characteristic curve Q shows,
When a power failure occurs at time t1, the steady voltage V1 is maintained until then.
The power supply voltage that has been maintained gradually decreases and reaches the reset voltage V3 at time t3.

Therefore, the conventional POS terminal constantly monitors the power supply voltage, and when it detects that the power supply voltage has dropped to the power failure detection voltage V2 set between the steady voltage V1 and the reset voltage V3, the power failure signal, and conversely the power failure, is detected. When detecting that the detection voltage V2 has risen, an electric circuit for supplying a power failure cancellation signal to each processor, a so-called power failure detection circuit, is provided, and data save processing and data load processing are performed in response to the power failure signal and the power failure cancellation signal. A power failure processing program to be executed by the processor is installed to establish the power failure processing function.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the main part of the power failure processing program. That is, the processor performs a data save process when a power failure signal is interrupted and input during execution of a normal operation as shown in FIG. 9A, and a power failure flag that stores the fact that the data save process is performed. To
It is set in a storage unit capable of holding data even when the power is turned off.

The time required for the data saving process and the flag setting process is the time required for the power supply voltage to decrease from the power failure voltage V2 to the reset voltage V3 [t3-
t2] is sufficiently short. In other words, power failure voltage V2
Is set to a level at which the time required for the data save processing and the flag setting processing can be sufficiently secured.

When the data saving process and the flag setting process are completed, the processor waits for the power failure cancellation signal to be input. When the power failure cancellation signal is input, the power supply voltage is restored to the power failure voltage V2 and then to the reset voltage V3, and the power supply voltage is recovered. Therefore, the processor resets the power failure flag and performs the data load process. After that, normal work is resumed from the state before the power failure.

On the other hand, when the power supply voltage drops below the reset voltage V3 without inputting the power failure release signal,
The processor stops working.

After that, when the power supply voltage rises and exceeds the reset voltage V3, the processor starts up, and FIG.
First, it is determined whether or not the power failure flag is set as shown in FIG. And if it is set,
Since the data save process was performed before the power failure, the power failure flag is reset and the data load process is performed. The above process is not performed when the power failure flag is reset.

After that, the processor carries out initialization processing such as resetting of the program counter and clearing of the memory address register, instruction register and memory data register, and then starts normal operations.

[0013]

However, in the conventional terminal device having such a power failure processing function,
Since the power failure detection circuit by hardware had to be installed, there was a problem that the circuit configuration became complicated and the cost increased.

By the way, in a data processing system such as a POS system, an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is used as a power supply for a host device and each terminal device.
wersupply) may be used.

This uninterruptible power supply device normally supplies electric power to the load by a commercial AC power source and charges a built-in battery, and supplies electric power to the load by the battery when the commercial AC power source fails to operate. It is equipped with a function to continuously output a power failure signal while the AC power supply is out of power.

Therefore, the system is constructed so that the power failure signal sent from the uninterruptible power supply is input to each terminal device. On the other hand, the processor of each terminal device constructs a power failure processing program so as to perform data save processing when a power failure signal is input and thereafter perform data load processing when the power failure signal is interrupted. By doing so, the power failure detection circuit of each terminal device can be eliminated.

However, in this case, in addition to the communication line connecting the host device and each terminal device, a power cable connecting the uninterruptible power supply device to the host device and each terminal device,
A power failure signal cable for connecting the uninterruptible power supply device and each terminal device is required, wiring is complicated, and cost increase is unavoidable, which is impractical.

Further, even if a power failure signal is sent from the uninterruptible power supply due to a power failure of the commercial AC power supply, the power supply voltage actually supplied to the terminal device is lowered because the battery capacity of the uninterruptible power supply is low. This is when the backup is not possible due to a shortage.

For example, when using an uninterruptible power supply capable of backing up for about 2 hours in view of the power consumption of the system when the battery capacity is 100%, the system normally operates for about 2 hours after the occurrence of a power failure of the commercial AC power supply. It is operational.

Nevertheless, if the power failure processing is started in response to the power failure signal input from the uninterruptible power supply as described above, the ability of the uninterruptible power supply cannot be effectively utilized. There was also a problem.

Therefore, in consideration of the backup available time of the uninterruptible power supply, the power outage process is started after a predetermined time has elapsed from the input of the uninterruptible power supply signal of the uninterruptible power supply to improve the operating efficiency of the system. It is possible to raise it.

However, the backup available time of the uninterruptible power supply varies depending on the period of use of the battery. That is, since the battery deteriorates and its capacity decreases as the usage period becomes longer, the backup available time is also shortened.

FIG. 9 shows a battery capacity of 100 when new.
It is a characteristic view of the battery capacity and the backup possible time with respect to the period of use (year) of the uninterruptible power supply whose backup possible time is about 2 hours when%. As can be seen from the characteristic curve P in the figure, the power supply can be backed up for about 2 hours for almost one year from the time of new product, but the battery capacity will decrease after that, and if it is used for about three years, it will decrease to about 50% and backup is possible. It takes about 1 hour, and it is judged that the battery has reached the end of its life.

Therefore, it is necessary to set the elapsed time from the input of the power failure signal from the uninterruptible power supply to the start of the power failure processing within the backup possible time during the battery life of the uninterruptible power supply. Therefore, during most of the period except the battery life, the power failure process is started even though the backup is still possible, and the capability of the uninterruptible power supply cannot be utilized effectively.

By the way, the backup possible time of the uninterruptible power supply device extends as the power consumption of the system becomes smaller. Therefore, if a power failure occurs in the commercial AC power supply,
It is possible to extend the backup available time by quickly turning off the power of some of the terminal devices and switching to the degenerate operation.

However, in order to carry out the degenerate operation, the system administrator must promptly turn off the power switch of some terminal devices when a power failure occurs, which is troublesome and inefficient. In addition, it was easy to forget to turn off the power switch or mistakenly.

Therefore, the first object of the present invention is to eliminate the power failure detection circuit of each terminal device without complicating the wiring and increasing the cost associated therewith, simplifying the circuit configuration of the terminal device and manufacturing cost. It is an object of the present invention to provide a power outage processing device in a data processing system that can reduce the cost of the entire system, and thus reduce the cost of the entire system.

In addition to the first object, a second object of the present invention is to effectively utilize the capability of the uninterruptible power supply unit even if a power failure occurs in the commercial AC power supply, and to perform a power outage process in each terminal unit. It is an object of the present invention to provide a power failure processing device in a data processing system that can delay the maximum power consumption and improve the operating efficiency of the system.

Further, in addition to the first object, a third object of the present invention is to automatically and promptly switch to the degenerate operation when a power failure occurs in the commercial AC power source, which is a burden on the system administrator. It is an object of the present invention to provide a power failure processing device in a data processing system that can improve the operating efficiency of the system by prolonging the backup available time by the uninterruptible power supply without fail.

[0030]

In order to achieve the first object, the invention according to claim 1 of the present invention can hold data such as a register value in a processor in response to a power failure detection even when the power is turned off. A plurality of terminal devices each having a power failure processing function to save in a storage unit, and a host device that connects these terminal devices with a communication line and collects and processes the data registered in each terminal device using the communication line In the data processing system for supplying power from the uninterruptible power supply to the host device and each terminal device, the host device includes a power failure signal input means for inputting a power failure signal sent from the uninterruptible power supply when a power failure is detected. , And a power failure notification means for transmitting a power failure notification command to each terminal device using the communication line when a power failure signal is input by this input means, and each terminal device is connected via the communication line. A command receiving means for receiving a blackout notification command transmitted, in which a power failure processing means for executing a power failure processing and receives a power failure notification command by the receiving means.

The invention according to claim 2 of the present application is the second invention.
In order to achieve the purpose of the above, the host device has a life management table that presets and stores the backup available time for the usage period of the uninterruptible power supply, a usage period detection means for detecting the usage period of the uninterruptible power supply, and a power failure. When a power failure signal is input by the signal input means, backup possible time determining means for determining the backup possible time of the uninterruptible power supply by searching the life management table from the usage period of the uninterruptible power supply detected by the usage period detecting means, A power failure notification time adjusting means for delaying the start of transmission of the power failure notification command by the power failure notification means according to the backup available time determined by the determining means is provided.

Further, in order to achieve the third object, the invention according to claim 3 of the present application is such that when a power failure signal is input to the host device by the power failure signal input means, a preselected part of each terminal device is selected. Degeneration operation execution means for transmitting the degeneration operation command to turn off the terminal device of the power supply via the communication line, and transmission of the power failure notification command by the power failure notification means according to the backup available time of the uninterruptible power supply during the degenerate operation A power failure notification time adjusting means for delaying the start is provided, and each terminal device has a command receiving means for receiving a degenerate operation command transmitted via a communication line, and a power failure process when the command receiving means receives the degenerate operation command. And a power supply stopping means for stopping the power supply after executing.

[0033]

In the invention according to claim 1 of the present application, when a power failure occurs in the commercial AC power supply, power backup by the uninterruptible power supply is started, and a power failure signal is input from the uninterruptible power supply to the host device. . This allows
A power failure notification command is transmitted from the host device to each terminal device via a communication line. Each terminal device that has received this power failure notification command automatically performs power failure processing.

Therefore, it is not necessary to mount a power failure detection circuit by hardware on each terminal device. Further, the power failure signal cable from the uninterruptible power supply may be wired only to the host device, and the wiring is simple.

In the invention corresponding to claim 2 of the present application,
When a power failure occurs in the commercial AC power supply, power backup by the uninterruptible power supply is started, and when a power failure signal is input from this uninterruptible power supply to the host device, the host device detects it by the usage period detection means. The life management table is searched based on the usage period of the uninterruptible power supply to determine the backup available time of the uninterruptible power supply. Then, after the backupable time has almost passed, the power failure notification command is transmitted to each terminal device via the communication line.

Therefore, each terminal device receives the power failure notification command and starts the power failure process immediately before the power supply backup by the uninterruptible power supply becomes impossible, and the capacity of the uninterruptible power supply is fully utilized. System operating efficiency is improved.

Further, in the invention according to claim 3 of the present application, a power failure occurs in the commercial AC power supply, power backup is started by the uninterruptible power supply, and a power failure signal is input from the uninterruptible power supply to the host device. Then, some of the terminal devices selected in advance out of the terminal devices are automatically turned off and switched to the degenerate operation. afterwards,
When the backup available time of the uninterruptible power supply during the degenerate operation has almost passed, the power failure notification command is transmitted to each terminal device via the communication line.

Therefore, the terminal devices other than the terminal device whose power is cut off due to the degenerate operation start the power outage process in response to the power failure notification command by the uninterruptible power supply device whose backup-enabled time is extended due to the degenerate operation. Immediately before power backup becomes impossible, the operating efficiency of the system improves.

[0039]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a POS system will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In this POS system, as shown in FIG. 1, two terminal devices, so-called POS terminals 1a and 1b having a function of registering product sales data, and these POS terminals 1a and 1b are connected to a LAN (local area. Network) or other communication line 2, and collects product sales data registered at each POS terminal 1a, 1b using the communication line 2 and processes into product sales cumulative data or inventory data. It is composed of a host device, a so-called store controller 3.

The POS system uses the uninterruptible power supply 4 as a power source for the store controller 3 and the POS terminals 1a and 1b. The uninterruptible power supply 4, the store controller 3 and each POS terminal 1 are used.
Power cables 5 are connected to a and 1b, respectively.

The uninterruptible power supply 4 and the store controller 3 are connected by a signal cable 6, and the uninterruptible power supply 4 outputs a power failure signal S1 to the store controller 3.
Sends a backup stop signal S2 to the other party.

Incidentally, the power failure signal S1 is the commercial AC power supply 7
Is a signal continuously transmitted from the uninterruptible power supply 4 during the power failure period. Further, the backup stop signal S2 is supplied to the store controller 3 and each POS terminal 1a, 1b.
Is a signal that is temporarily sent from the store controller 3 after the power failure processing is completed, and the uninterruptible power supply device 4 receives the backup stop signal S2 and stops the power supply backup operation during a power failure of the commercial AC power supply 7. To do.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of each POS terminal 1a, 1b. POS terminal 1
Each of a and 1b has a built-in program counter, a memory address register, an instruction register, a memory data register and the like, and is a processor that controls each unit according to a preset program using these and executes an arithmetic process of input data. CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, ROM in which fixed data such as various program data is stored in advance
(Read-only memory) 12, D-RA for temporarily storing variable data such as input data and arithmetic processing data
M (Dynamic Random Access Memory) 1
3. The S-RAM 15 whose power is backed up by the Li battery 14 and the clock unit 16 for measuring the current date (year, month, day) and time (hour, minute, second) are mounted.

The POS terminals 1a and 1b are a LAN interface 17 for controlling transmission / reception of data between the store controller 3 and the other POS terminal through the communication line 2 according to a preset protocol, product sales registration. A keyboard circuit 19 for inputting key signals from a keyboard 18 provided with various keys for display, and a display control circuit for controlling a display 20 for electronically displaying the amount of sale-registered merchandise and the total amount of money of customers. Two
1. A printer control circuit 2 for controlling a printer 22 for printing data on receipt paper, journal paper, etc.
3. A drawer control circuit 25 for controlling opening / closing of the drawer 24 for accommodating cash or the like is mounted.

Then, the CPU 11, the ROM 12,
D-RAM 13, S-RAM 15, clock unit 16, LAN
The interface 17, the keyboard circuit 19, the display control circuit 21, the printer control circuit 23, and the drawer control circuit 25 are connected by a bus line 26 such as an address bus and a data bus.

The D-RAM 13 is provided with an area for registering product sales data such as the code of a registered product, the number of sales, and the sales amount.

The S-RAM 15 is responsive to a power failure detection, control data such as a program counter, a memory address register, an instruction register, and a memory data register in the CPU 11, and product sales data registered in the D-RAM 13. Areas for saving the like are formed.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the store controller 3. This store controller 3 also
CPU 31, ROM 32, D-RAM 33, and S-RAM whose power is backed up by a Li battery 34
35 and a clock unit 36 are mounted.

A LAN interface 37, a keyboard circuit 38, and a display control circuit 3 for controlling data transmission / reception between the POS terminals 1a and 1b through the communication line 2 according to a preset protocol.
It is equipped with 9.

A keyboard 40 in which character keys, numeric keys, function keys, etc. are arranged in the keyboard circuit 38.
A display device 41 such as a CRT display is connected to the display control circuit 39, and the keyboard 40 and the display device 41 constitute a workstation.

Further, the store controller 3 inputs the data read from the floppy disk by the floppy disk device (FDD) 42 and outputs the data to be written to the proppy disk 4.
3. An HDD interface 44 for inputting data read from the hard disk by the hard disk device 44 and outputting data to be written to the hard disk, an I / O port 45 for inputting the power failure signal S1 and outputting the backup stop signal, and the like. It is equipped with.

Then, the CPU 31, the ROM 32,
D-RAM 33, S-RAM 35, clock section 36, LAN
The interface 37, the keyboard circuit 38, the display control circuit 39, the FDD interface 43, the HDD interface 45, and the I / O port 46 are connected by a bus line 47 such as an address bus and a data bus.

The D-RAM 33 temporarily stores product sales data collected from the POS terminals 1a and 1b using the communication line 2, and is classified into, for example, products, departments, cashiers, and time zones. Areas and the like for forming a total are formed.

The S-RAM 35 is provided with an area for saving control data such as a program counter, a memory address register, an instruction register, a memory data register in the CPU 31 in response to a power failure detection.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the S-RAM 35 has a UPS replacement date area 51 and a life management table 5.
2, power failure processing time table 53, degenerate operation table 5
4, each of the operation limit time area 55 and the flag area 56 is formed.

The UPS replacement date area 51 is an area for storing the date (date) when the uninterruptible power supply 4 itself or the built-in battery is replaced with a new one.

The life management table 52 shows that the operating period of the uninterruptible power supply 4, that is, the uninterruptible power supply 4 itself or the built-in battery is replaced with a new one in each of the normal operation mode and the degenerate operation mode. This is an area for storing a backup available time for the number of days elapsed since.

The power outage processing time table 53 shows the time T1 required for the store controller 3 to perform a power outage and each PO.
This is an area in which the S terminals 1a and 1b store the time T2 required for power failure processing.

Incidentally, the power failure process of the store controller 3 includes a process of saving control data such as a program counter, a memory address register, an instruction register and a memory data register in the CPU 31 in the S-RAM 35, and a D-
The hard disk device 44 stores the totalized data in the RAM 33.
Including save processing. In addition, POS terminals 1a, 1
The power failure process of b is performed by the program counter in the CPU 11,
It includes a process of saving control data such as a memory address register, an instruction register, and a memory data register, and registration data in the D-RAM 14 in the S-RAM 15.

The aforesaid degenerate operation table 54 shows that the POS is different in each of the normal operation mode and the degenerate operation mode.
Data for identifying whether or not to operate the terminals 1a and 1b (operation permission = ON, operation non-permission = OFF)
Is an area for storing.

In the operation limit time area 55, the limit time A during which the store controller 3 can operate stably including power failure processing after the power backup by the uninterruptible power supply 4 is started, and the respective POS terminals 1a, 1 are also provided.
An area b stores a limit time B that allows stable operation including the power outage process.

In the flag area 56, the degeneration operation flag F which is set to "1" during execution of the degeneration operation mode, "1" when the power failure process is started by the store controller 3, and when the power failure process is completed SC power failure processing flag fa that is updated to "2" and TM power failure processing that is updated to "1" when power failure processing starts at each POS terminal 1a, 1b, and "2" when power failure processing ends This is an area for storing the flag fb.

Here, the date data of the UPS replacement date area 51, the number of use days data and each backup available time data of the life management table 52, each power failure processing time data T1 and T2 of the power failure processing time table 53, and the degenerate operation table. Each ON / OFF data of 54 is the keyboard 4
The input can be set appropriately by operating the 0 key.

Therefore, in the POS system of this embodiment, first, it is decided whether or not the degenerate operation is performed when the commercial AC power source 7 is out of power, and if so, which POS terminal is to be stopped. Then, the degenerate operation table 54 is created.

In the case of the data example of the degeneration operation table 54 shown in FIG. 4, both POS terminals 1a and 1b operate in the normal operation mode in which the commercial AC power supply 7 is not blacked out, and one POS terminal 1a and 1b operate in the degeneration operation mode. The operation of the terminal 1a is stopped. If the degenerate operation is not performed, the data in the degenerate operation mode area is set to "O".
It may be N ″.

Next, from the relationship between the specifications of the uninterruptible power supply 4 and the system power consumption in the normal operation mode and the degenerate operation mode, the characteristics of the backup-enabled time for each mode with respect to the usage period of the uninterruptible power supply 4 are described. The life management table 5 can be obtained based on the characteristic data.
Create 2.

In the case of the data example of the life management table 54 shown in FIG. 4, 120 minutes of backup can be performed in the normal operation mode and 365 minutes of backup in the degenerate operation mode from the start of use to 365 days (about one year). Is possible. Similarly, when the number of days elapsed from the start of use is 366 days to 548 days (about one year to one and a half years), it is possible to back up 114 minutes in the normal operation mode and 148 minutes in the degenerate operation mode, and from 549 days to 730 days. Up to 108 minutes in normal operation mode and 140 minutes in degenerate operation mode can be backed up until day (about one and a half to two years), and normal operation from 731 to 913 days (about two to two and a half years). It is possible to back up 96 minutes in the mode and 114 minutes in the degenerate operation mode, and 60 minutes in the normal operation mode after 914 days have passed.
In the degenerate operation mode, 96 minutes can be backed up. The battery life of the uninterruptible power supply 4 is about 3 years.

Next, since the SC power failure processing time T1 and the TM power failure processing time T2 can be known from the specifications of the store controller 3 and the specifications of the POS terminals 1a and 1b, respectively, the power failure processing is performed based on these time data T1 and T2. The time table 53 is created.

In the case of the data example of the power failure processing time table 53 shown in FIG. 4, the time required for the power failure processing by the store controller 3 is within 5 minutes, and the POS terminals 1a, 1b.
Takes less than 3 minutes to process the power outage.

Finally, the use start date of the uninterruptible power supply 4 in the POS system is set and input in the UPS exchange date area 51. In the case of the data example of the UPS exchange date area 51 shown in FIG. 4, May 1, 1993 is the use start date.

When all the above data setting work is completed, the system is started. The order of setting these data is not particularly limited to this embodiment.

In this way, when the system is activated, the uninterruptible power supply 4 normally supplies power to the store controller 3 and each of the POS terminals 1a and 1b by the commercial AC power supply 7, and charges the built-in battery. . As a result, registration work of product sales data is executed in each POS terminal 1a, 1b. Further, in the store processor 3, each POS terminal 1a, 1b
Collection of product sales data registered in and collection work are performed.

In this state, when a power failure occurs in the commercial AC power supply 7, the uninterruptible power supply 4 supplies power to the store controller 3 and each of the POS terminals 1a and 1b by a battery, and continuously outputs the power failure signal S1 during the power failure period. To the store controller 3. This power failure signal S1
Is input via the I / O port 46 and is supplied to the CPU 31 as an interrupt signal. Here, the I / O port 46 constitutes a power failure signal input means.

On the other hand, the CPU 3 which has received the power failure signal S1
1 is programmed to perform the processes shown in the flow charts of FIGS. First, as ST (step) 1, the area in the degenerate operation mode of the degenerate operation table 54 is searched, and the PO for which degeneration is designated, that is, operation stop is designated.
It is determined whether the S terminal exists.

If there is a POS terminal with data "OFF", the POS terminal is a POS terminal with degeneration specified, so the degeneration operation flag F in the flag area 56 is set to "1" and the degeneration specification is made. The degenerate operation command is transmitted to the POS terminal via the communication line 2 (degenerate operation executing means).

On the other hand, when there is no POS terminal with data "OFF", degeneration operation is not performed, so the degeneration operation flag F is reset to "0".

Next, in ST2, the date data set in the UPS replacement date area 51 is subtracted from the current date data read from the clock unit 36 to calculate the number of days of use of the uninterruptible power supply 4 (use period. Detection means).

Next, at ST3, the degenerate operation flag F is set.
Find out. When it is set to "1", the mode is the degenerate operation mode, so the degenerate operation mode area of the life management table 52 is searched to determine the backup available time X corresponding to the number of days of use of the uninterruptible power supply 4. To do.
On the other hand, when it is reset to “0”, it is the normal operation mode, so the normal operation mode area of the life management table 52 is searched and the backup available time corresponding to the number of days of use of the uninterruptible power supply 4 is searched. X is discriminated (backup possible time determining means).

Next, at ST4, the power failure processing time T1 of the store controller 3 set in the power failure processing time table 53 is subtracted from the backup available time X to calculate the operation limit time A of the store controller 3 and POS terminals 1a, 1 set in the power failure processing time table 53 from the backup available time X
POS terminal 1 after subtracting the power failure processing time T2 of b
The operation limit times B of a and 1b are calculated and stored.

Thereafter, the SC power failure processing flag fa and the TM power failure processing flag fb in the flag area 56 are reset to "0", and the one-minute timer built in the CPU 31 starts counting time.

In this state, as ST5, the power failure signal S
It is determined whether 1 is input. In ST6, it is determined whether or not the time counted by the 1-minute timer has exceeded the SC operation limit time A stored in the operation limit time area 55. Further, in ST7, it is determined whether or not the time measured by the 1-minute timer has exceeded the TM operation limit time B stored in the operation limit time area 55 (power failure notification time adjusting means).

When the power failure signal S1 is continuously input and the time counted by the 1-minute timer exceeds the SC operation limit time A in ST6, the SC power failure processing flag fa is checked in ST8. Here, if the SC power outage processing flag fa is "0", it means that the power outage processing has not been performed yet, so that the power outage processing of the store controller 3 is started and the SC power outage processing flag fa is updated to "1". ST
If the SC power failure process flag fa is other than "0" at 8, the above process is not performed.

After that, when the power failure processing is completed, the SC power failure processing flag fa is updated to "2".

On the other hand, when the power failure signal S1 is continuously input and the time counted by the 1-minute timer exceeds the TM operation limit time B in ST7, the TM power failure processing flag fb is checked in ST9. Here, when the TM power failure processing flag fb is “0”, it means that the power is not being processed for the POS terminal in operation, and therefore, a power failure detection command is transmitted to the POS terminal in operation via the communication line 2 ( Power failure notification means), TM power failure processing flag f
b is updated to "1". If the TM power outage process flag fb is other than "0" in ST9, the above process is not performed.

The power failure processing is performed at the POS terminal which has received the power failure detection command, and when it is completed, the power failure processing completion report command is returned through the communication line 2. Therefore, the power failure processing completion report command is received from the operating POS terminal. If so, the TM power failure processing flag fb
Is updated to "2".

In this way, if it is confirmed at ST10 that both the SC power failure processing flag fa and the TM power failure processing flag fb have been updated to "2", then at ST11 the uninterruptible power supply is operated via the I / O port 46. Then, the backup stop signal S2 is sent to 4 and this control is terminated.

As a result, the power supply from the uninterruptible power supply 4 is stopped, so that the store controller 3 and each P
The OS terminals 1a and 1b go down.

The SC power failure processing flags fa and T
If both of the M power failure processing flags fb are updated to "2" and the power failure signal S1 becomes low level "L" at ST5 and is interrupted, the power failure of the commercial AC power supply 7 is recovered. In ST12, the 1-minute timer is reset.

Next, in ST13, the SC power failure process flag fa is checked, and the power failure process of the store controller 3 is executed or completed except that it is reset to "0". Therefore, the power failure process causes the S-RAM 35 and the hard disk device to operate. A power failure recovery process of loading the data saved in 44 to the original location is executed.

Further, in ST14, the TM power failure processing flag fb is checked, and power failure processing is being executed or completed at the POS terminal in operation except that it is reset to "0". On the other hand, a power failure cancellation command is sent via the communication line 2. As a result, at the POS terminal in operation, a power failure recovery process of loading the data saved in the S-RAM 15 to the original location by the power failure process is executed.

As described above, the CPU caused by the interruption of the power failure signal S1
After ending the program processing of 31, the CPU 31 continues the operation from the state before the power failure.

On the other hand, C of each POS terminal 1a, 1b
As shown in FIG. 8, when the PU 11 receives a power failure detection command addressed to itself transmitted via the communication line 2 via the LAN interface 17 (command receiving means), it receives control data in the CPU 11 as power failure processing and D-
The registration data and the like in the RAM 14 are saved in the S-RAM 15 (power failure processing means).

When the data saving is completed,
A power failure process completion report command is transmitted to the store controller 3 via the communication line 2. In addition, the power failure flag provided in the flag area in the S-RAM 15 is set to store that the power failure process was performed.

Thereafter, the store controller 3 waits for a command addressed to itself to be input. Then, when a power failure cancellation command is input, the power failure flag is reset, and S-RA is performed by the power failure processing.
After loading each data saved in M15 to the original location, return to normal operation. As a result, the CPU1
1 continues the operation from the state before the occurrence of the power failure.

When the power supply voltage drops below the reset voltage V3 while waiting for a command, the power supply is automatically shut down.

In addition, C of each POS terminal 1a, 1b
As shown in FIG. 8, when the PU 11 receives the degenerate operation command addressed to itself, which is transmitted via the communication line 2 via the LAN interface 17 (command receiving means), control data in the CPU 11 as power failure processing and D-
Registration data and the like in the RAM 14 are saved in the S-RAM 15. When the data saving is completed, the power failure process completion report command is transmitted to the store controller 3 via the communication line 2. In addition, the power failure flag provided in the flag area in the S-RAM 15 is set to store that the power failure process was performed. After that, the power supply is stopped (power supply stop processing).

In this way, the CPU 11 of the POS terminal, which has stopped its power supply due to the reduction of the power supply voltage from the uninterruptible power supply 4 or the input of the degenerate operation command, resets the power supply voltage from the uninterruptible power supply 4 after that. When the voltage exceeds V3, the conventional example (see FIG. 11B)
As described above, first, it is determined whether or not the power failure flag is set. If it is set, the data save process was being performed before the power failure, so
Resets the power failure flag and performs data loading processing. The above process is not performed when the power failure flag is reset.

After that, the CPU 11 carries out initialization processing such as resetting the program counter, clearing the memory address register, the instruction register and the memory data register, and then starts the normal operation.

As described above, in this embodiment, a plurality of POS terminals 1a and 1b each having a power failure processing function are provided.
And a store controller 3 that connects these POS devices 1a and 1b through a communication line 2 and collects and processes the data registered in each POS device 1a and 1b using the communication line 2. 3 and each POS terminal that supplies power from the uninterruptible power supply 4
In the system, a power failure signal input means (I / O port 46) for inputting a power failure signal S1 sent from the uninterruptible power supply 4 when a power failure is detected to the store controller 3 and a power failure signal S1 input by this input means are communicated. A power failure notification means (CPU 31 and LAN interface 37) for transmitting a power failure notification command to each POS terminal 1a, 1b using the line 2 is provided, and each POS terminal 1a,
1b is a command receiving means (CPU 11 and LAN) for receiving a power failure notification command transmitted via the communication line 2.
The interface 17) and a power failure processing means (CPU 11) that executes power failure processing when the power receiving notification command is received by the receiving means.

Therefore, each POS terminal 1a, 1b
Starts a power failure process in response to a power failure notification command input from the store controller 3 via the communication line 2, so that it is not necessary to mount a hardware power failure detection circuit. As a result, the circuit configuration can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

Further, the signal cable 6 of the power failure signal S1 sent from the uninterruptible power supply 4 may be wired only to the store controller 3, and each POS terminal 1a,
Since it is not necessary to provide wiring for 1b, the wiring does not become complicated and the cost increase can be suppressed from this point as well.

Further, in the present embodiment, the life management table 52 in which the backup available time for the period of use of the uninterruptible power supply 4 is preset and stored in the store controller 3
And a period-of-use detecting means (CPU 31, clock unit 36, UPS replacement date area 51) for detecting the period of use of the uninterruptible power supply 4, and a period-of-use detecting means for detecting the period of use of the power failure signal S1. The available backup time determining means (CPU 31) that searches the life management table 52 from the used period of the uninterruptible power supply 4 and determines the available backup time X of the uninterruptible power supply 4.
And a power failure notification time adjusting means (CPU) that delays the start of transmission of the power failure notification command by the power failure notification means according to the backup available time X determined by the determination means.
31, an operation limit time area 55, a 1-minute timer).

As a result, the store controller 3 causes the POS terminals 1a, 1
Although the power failure notification command is transmitted to b, the transmission start time of this command is delayed when the battery capacity is sufficiently large and the backup available time X is long because the uninterruptible power supply 4 is used for a short period of time. Since the period is short, the battery capacity is small, and the backup time is short when the available backup time X is short.

For example, in the data example of the life management table 52 shown in FIG. 4, in the normal operation mode, when the uninterruptible power supply 4 is used for 365 days or less, the backup available time X is 120 minutes, and 913 days. If it exceeds, it will be shortened to 60 minutes. Here, POS terminals 1a, 1b
In the former case, a power failure notification command is transmitted to each POS terminal 1a, 1b after 117 minutes have elapsed from the occurrence of a power failure in the commercial AC power source 7, and the latter In this case, the power failure notification command is transmitted after 57 minutes have elapsed from the power failure.

The timing of the power failure process in the store controller 3 is also delayed according to the backup available time X. Assuming that the time T2 required for power outage processing in the store controller 3 is 5 minutes, in the former case, the power outage processing of the store controller 3 is started after 115 minutes have passed since the power outage occurred, and in the latter case, 55 minutes after the power outage occurred. The power outage process is started after the lapse of time.

Therefore, in any case, since the store controller 3 and the respective POS terminals 1a and 1b perform normal business until just before the backup by the uninterruptible power supply 4 becomes impossible, the capability of the uninterruptible power supply 4 is effective. Can be utilized for improving the operating efficiency of the POS system.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the power failure signal S1 is input to the store controller 3 by the power failure signal input means, a part of the POS terminals 1a and 1b selected in advance is turned off. Degeneration operation execution means (CPU 31, degeneration operation table 54) for transmitting a degeneration operation command via the communication line 2 and a power failure notification by the power failure notification means according to the backup available time X of the uninterruptible power supply 4 during the degenerate operation. Power failure notification time adjustment means for delaying the start of command transmission and (CP
U31, operation limit time area 55, 1-minute timer), and command receiving means (CPU 11 and LAN interface 17) for receiving the degenerate operation command transmitted via the communication line 2 to each POS terminal 1a, 1b.
And a power supply stopping means (CPU 11) for stopping the power supply after executing the power failure process when the degenerate operation command is received by the receiving means.

As a result, the POS terminal designated for degeneration is automatically brought down due to the occurrence of a power failure of the commercial AC power supply 7, so that the power consumption of the system is reduced and the backupable time X by the uninterruptible power supply 4 is the normal operation mode. Is stretched compared to when. Then, the power outage process in the store controller 3 and the POS terminal not designated for degeneration is executed with a delay by the extended amount.

For example, in the data example of the life management table 52 and the degenerate operation table 54 shown in FIG. 4, when a power failure occurs, the POS terminal 1a immediately goes down after executing the power failure process. As a result, the system operates only with the Stoff controller 3 and the other POS terminal 1b.

In this case, the backup available time X of the uninterruptible power supply 4 is 156 minutes when the usage period is 365 days or less, and the power failure process of the store controller 3 is gradually performed when 151 minutes have passed after the occurrence of the power failure. Done, POS
The power failure process of the terminal 1b is gradually performed 153 minutes after the power failure occurs.

Therefore, when a power failure occurs in the commercial AC power supply 7, it is possible to automatically and promptly switch to the degenerate operation, so that the backupable time X by the uninterruptible power supply 4 can be set without burdening the system administrator. Can be extended. Then, since the power failure process is performed after the backupable time is effectively used, the operating efficiency of the system can be further improved.

The use period detecting means according to the invention according to claim 2 detects from the date data of the UPS exchange date area and the date data clocked by the clock section 36 in the above embodiment. A counter that counts up by +1 each time the date measured by 36 passes one day, and resets the counter when the uninterruptible power supply 4 itself or the battery is replaced with a new one, and the uninterruptible power supply 4 The usage period of may be detected.

Further, the power failure notification time adjusting means according to the invention corresponding to claim 2 is the life management table 5 in the above embodiment.
Although it was delayed by the time obtained by subtracting the TM power failure processing time T2 from the backup available time X for the usage period of the uninterruptible power supply 4 detected from 2, the TM power failure processing time T2 was previously set.
By setting the subtraction time as the backup available time in the life management table 52, the process of subtracting the TM power failure processing time T2 from the backup available time X can be omitted. In the above embodiment, the SC processing time T1
Is longer than the TM processing time T2, the power failure processing time table 53 can be omitted by setting a time obtained by subtracting the SC power failure processing time T1 from the backup possible time X.

Further, the degenerate operation executing means according to the invention corresponding to claim 3 is the store controller 3 in the above embodiment.
The degenerate operation table 54 is provided in the table, the POS terminal designated to be degenerate is discriminated on the side of the store controller, and the degenerate operation command is transmitted only to the POS terminal designated to be degenerate. Data indicating whether or not the degeneration is designated is set in advance, and the CPU 31 of the store controller 3 sets the power failure signal S
Immediately after entering 1, all POS terminals 1a, 1
Send the degenerate operation command to b. On the other hand, the CPU 11 of the POS terminal that has received this command determines whether or not it has been designated as degenerate, and if it has been designated as degenerate, it performs power outage processing and then goes down. Even with this configuration, the degenerate operation is automatically performed when a power failure occurs, and the backup available time of the uninterruptible power supply 4 can be extended.

In addition to the above, in the above-described embodiment, when the power outage process is completed at each POS terminal 1a, 1b, the power outage process completion report command is sent to the store controller 3. After transmitting the power failure notification command to the power failure notification time T2 sufficiently, and when the power failure processing of its own is completed, a backup stop signal S2 is sent to the uninterruptible power supply 4. Accordingly, it is possible to omit the transmission processing of the power failure processing completion report command.

[0117]

As described above in detail, according to the invention according to claim 1 of the present application, it is possible to eliminate the power failure detection circuit of each terminal device without causing the wiring to be complicated and resulting in an increase in cost. The circuit configuration of the device can be simplified and the manufacturing cost can be reduced, and the cost of the entire system can be reduced.

Further, according to the invention corresponding to claim 2 of the present application, in addition to the effect of the invention corresponding to claim 1, the capacity of the uninterruptible power supply is effectively utilized even if a power failure occurs in the commercial AC power supply. The power outage process in each terminal device can be delayed to the maximum extent, and the operation efficiency of the system can be improved.

Further, according to the invention corresponding to claim 3 of the present application,
In addition to the effect of the invention corresponding to claim 1, when a power failure occurs in the commercial AC power supply, the operation can be automatically and promptly switched to the degenerate operation, and the uninterruptible power supply is provided without burdening the system administrator. By extending the backup time, it is possible to improve the operating efficiency of the system.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a POS system that is an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a main part of a POS terminal in the same embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a main part of a store controller in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an S- of the store controller in the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a main memory area formed in a RAM area.

FIG. 5 is a CP of the store controller in the same embodiment.
The flowchart which shows a part of power failure signal interruption process which U performs.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another part of the power failure signal interrupt processing.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing still another part of the power failure signal interrupt processing.

FIG. 8 is a CPU of the POS terminal in the same embodiment.
5 is a flowchart showing a power failure notification command reception process executed by the computer.

FIG. 9 is a characteristic diagram of the battery capacity and the backup available time with respect to the usage period of the uninterruptible power supply.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the characteristic of the level reduction of the power supply voltage when a power failure occurs.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a main part of a power failure processing program installed in a conventional POS terminal.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1a, 1b ... POS terminal (terminal device) 2 ... Communication line 3 ... Store controller (host device) 4 ... Uninterruptible power supply 11, 31 ... CPU 52 ... Life management table 54 ... Degenerate operation table

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Internal reference number FI technical display location G06F 17/60

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of terminal devices each having a power failure processing function for saving register values and the like in a processor in a storage unit capable of holding data even when power is cut off in response to power failure detection, and communication between these terminal devices. A data processing for connecting to a line and a host device for collecting and processing data registered by each terminal device using the communication line, and supplying power from the uninterruptible power supply to the host device and each terminal device. In the system, the host device, a power failure signal input means for inputting a power failure signal sent from the uninterruptible power supply device when a power failure is detected,
And a power failure notification means for transmitting a power failure notification command to each of the terminal devices by using the communication line when the power failure signal is input by the input means, and each of the terminal devices is transmitted through the communication line. A power failure processing device in a data processing system, comprising: a command receiving means for receiving the power failure notification command; and a power failure processing means for executing the power failure processing when the receiving means receives the power failure notification command. 2. The host device includes a life management table that presets and stores a backup available time for a period of use of the uninterruptible power supply, a period-of-use detection unit that detects a period of use of the uninterruptible power supply, and Backup for determining the backup available time of the uninterruptible power supply by searching the life management table from the usage period of the uninterruptible power supply detected by the usage period detection means when the power failure signal is input by the power failure signal input means It is provided with a possible time determining means and a power failure notification time adjusting means for delaying the start of transmission of the power failure notification command by the power failure notification means according to the backup possible time determined by the determining means. A power failure processing device in the data processing system according to 1. 3. The host device, when the power failure signal is input by the power failure signal input means, issues a degenerate operation command for powering off a part of preselected terminal devices among the terminal devices by the communication. Degenerate operation executing means for transmitting via the line, and a power failure notification time adjusting means for delaying the transmission start of the power failure notification command by the power failure notification means according to the backup available time of the uninterruptible power supply during the degenerate operation. Each of the terminal devices includes a command receiving unit that receives the degenerate operation command transmitted through the communication line, and a power supply after executing the power failure process when the command receiving unit receives the degenerate operation command. 2. A power failure processing device in a data processing system according to claim 1, further comprising a power supply stopping means for stopping the power supply.