JPH0754535B2 - POS terminal - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial application] The present invention relates to a POS terminal connected online to a host system via a transmission line, and in particular, is registered for sale by a control program supplied from the host system when the power is turned on. Regarding POS terminals that perform business.

[Prior Art] For example, in a POS (point-of-sale information management) system adopted in a chain store, a plurality of POS terminals composed of electronic cash registers installed in each sales floor are set in each store office. In-line connection to the file control unit (FC) and online connection to the host system such as the host computer installed in the headquarters via public telephone line or dedicated telephone line. Data is exchanged with the file control unit each time one sales product is registered. With the host system, for example, one-day sales data is transmitted after the work is completed, and various setting data is received from the host system. If you do so, you can exchange data by online transmission.

Some POS terminals incorporated in such a POS system receive a control program from the host system when the power is turned on, for example, before starting work, and the control program is stored in, for example, a D-RAM (always storing and holding operation). There is a storage device which stores data in a volatile memory such as a necessary writable / readable storage element) and executes a sales registration operation using a control program stored in the volatile memory.

Even in such a POS terminal, it is necessary to transmit sales data to the host system in response to a request from the host system at night after the power is cut off. Therefore, the structure is generally shown in FIG. That is,
An automatic power supply device (APS) 2 is connected to the POS terminal 1, and an online control circuit 3 including, for example, MODEM / NCU is provided in the POS terminal 1, and the online control circuit 3 and the host system 4 are connected by a telephone line. To go online with. When the power switch 5 is cut off, the automatic power supply device 2
The (+ 12V) drive voltage (+ 12V) is continuously supplied to the online control circuit 3. And the host system 4
When the call signal CI is input from the POS terminal 1, the automatic power supply device 2 supplies 100 VAC power to the POS terminal 1 to activate the POS terminal 1. Then, the response signal to the input call signal CI is returned to the host system 4.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, the automatic power supply device 2 is used as described above.
The POS terminal also had the following problems. That is, since the automatic power supply device 2 is required, there is a problem that the POS terminal as a whole becomes large and the manufacturing cost increases.

Further, once the power is cut off, the control program stored in the volatile memory disappears. Therefore, even if AC100V is supplied from the automatic power supply device 2 in response to the call signal CI input from the host system 4, Start the power-up program (IPL) stored in the ROM and press P
It is necessary to shift the microcomputer of the OS terminal 1 to the operating state. It takes a long time after the AC100V is supplied until the power-up program (IPL) is started and data can be transmitted to the host system 4. Therefore, in the host system 4, the call signal CI
The waiting time from the transmission of the message to the input of the response signal becomes long. Therefore, the waiting time may exceed the limit time, and in this case, the host system performs error processing. As a result, data transmission between the POS terminal 1 and the host system 4 may not be smoothly performed.

The present invention provides a call signal from the host system that is closed even after the power switch is cut off and is provided with a soft switch that is opened by a cutoff command from the host system even if the power switch is cut off. An object of the present invention is to provide a POS terminal which can respond immediately and can smoothly perform data transmission with a host system.

[Means for Solving Problems] The present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, is connected online to a host system A via a transmission line B, includes a display and a key input unit, and is connected to a commercial power supply C. The control program is received from the host system at the time when the drive voltage is started to be supplied from the power supply circuit D and stored in the volatile memory, and the sales registration operation is executed using the control program stored in the volatile memory. In the POS terminal, an online control circuit F for performing data transmission with the host system and a soft switch H connected in parallel with a power switch G inserted in a commercial power supply path are provided. And
Whether the soft switch closing means I closes the soft switch in response to the opening operation of the power switch, and after the soft switch closing, the designation means K waits for data transmission with the host system. Alternatively, the user can specify whether to end without waiting, and when the waiting is designated by the designating means, the sales registration business prohibiting means J turns off the screen of the display and invalidates the key input in the key input section to perform the sales registration business. Prohibition, soft switch opening means L
When the waiting means is specified by the specifying means, the soft switch is opened in response to the power-off command input from the host system via the online control circuit, and when the ending means is specified by the specifying means without waiting, the soft switch is opened. It opens the switch.

[Operation] In the case of the POS terminal configured as described above, for example, when the power switch is opened at the end of the day's work, the soft switch is closed, and the data is transmitted to the host system by the designating means. Specify whether to wait or not to end.

At this time, when the standby is designated by the designating means, the drive voltage is continuously supplied from the power supply circuit and the data can be freely transmitted, but the display screen is turned off.
The key input in the key input section is disabled to disable the sales registration business. Then, the soft switch is opened in response to the power cutoff command from the host system, and the drive voltage supplied from the power supply circuit is cut off.

When the end is designated without waiting, the soft switch is opened immediately and the drive voltage supplied from the power supply circuit is cut off.

[Embodiment] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the POS terminal of the embodiment. In the figure, 10 is a CPU (central processing unit) that incorporates an arithmetic circuit and performs various arithmetic processing. This CPU 10 includes a ROM 14 that stores various fixed data via an address bus 11, a data bus 12, and a control line 13. , C-RA that stores sales data such as the sales amount of each product keyed from the keyboard
The M15 and the D-RAM 16 as a volatile memory for storing the control program used in the sales registration work transmitted from the host system are operated. Further, an auxiliary storage control circuit 18 for controlling an auxiliary storage device 17 such as a floppy disk drive device (FDD), a control key for inputting a command signal from a control key 19 for selectively setting the operating state and work of this POS terminal Input circuit 20, a keyboard input circuit 22 for inputting key signals from a keyboard 21 in which various sales registration keys are arranged, and a display signal is sent to a display unit 23 that electronically displays the sales amount and total amount of sales products. Display control circuit 24, printer control circuit 26 of dot printer 25 that prints the product name, sales price, and total price of sales products on receipts and journals, file control with product files that store product data such as unit price of each sales product Inline control circuit 28 connected inline to the unit 27 via a transmission line, and as a transmission line to a host system 29 composed of a host computer. Online control circuit 31 comprising a line connected MODEM / NCU via the telephone line 30 is connected to the CPU10 respectively the data bus 12, via a control line 13.

Further, a power supply control circuit 32 is connected to the data bus 12 and the control line 13. This power control circuit 32 is a plug
This is a circuit that supplies a commercial power supply of AC 100 V input via 33 to a power supply circuit 34 that supplies a DC drive voltage V _D to each of the electronic components.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the power supply control circuit 32.
As shown in the figure, a power switch 35 is inserted in the power supply line between the plug 33 and the power circuit 34, and a relay 36 is connected between both terminals of this power switch 35 as a contact formed by a semiconductor element. Therefore, the drive voltage V _D is applied to the control terminal of the relay 36 via the soft switch 37. The control terminal of the soft switch 37 is connected to one signal line of the data bus 12. When an H-level signal is input to the control terminal of the soft switch 37,
This soft switch 37 is closed and the drive voltage V _D
Applied to 36, relay 36 closes. That is, even if the power switch 35 is open, the power circuit 34
AC100V power is supplied to. On the contrary, when an L level power cutoff command signal is applied to the control terminal of the soft switch 37, the soft switch 37 is opened and the relay 36 is also opened.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the details of the control key 19. The control key 19 is provided adjacent to the keyboard 21 and includes a job setting key 19a and a control key 19b. Each key 19a, 19b is configured to be operated by a dedicated key. As shown in the figure, in addition to [Registration], which indicates a normal sales registration business, a business mode such as [Inspection], [Settlement], [Setting], [Manager], [Lock], etc. can be set to the business designation key 19a. It should be noted that it is possible to remove the key in the task designation key 19a with the task mode set to [Register] or [Lock]. Further, when the key is set to the [lock] position, the keyboard 21 cannot be operated.

The control key 19b is a key for driving the power switch 35, and indicates whether the power switch 35 is opened or closed [ON] [OF
The [Manager] position can be selected in addition to the [F] position. Then, it is possible to remove the key in the state where it is set to the [ON] position and the [OFF] position.

In such a circuit configuration, insert the dedicated key into the control key 19b of the control key 19 [O
[N] position, the power switch 35 is closed, the drive power V _D is supplied from the power circuit 34 to each electronic component,
The microcomputer starts up and a predetermined initial program is executed. After that, insert the dedicated key into the job specification key 19a and set it to [Settings] job mode, then
Wait for control program input from 29 to online control circuit 31. When the control program is input, the control program is stored in the D-RAM 16.

When the setting process of the control program ends, the job specification key
Set 19a to [Register] operation mode and start normal sales registration operation.

Next, when the control key 19b of the control key 19 is turned to the [OFF] position in order to turn off the power when, for example, the work of the day is completed, the CPU 10 of the microcomputer 5
Programmatically configured to execute the flowchart of the figure. That is, when the control key 19b is turned to the [OFF] position, the soft switch 37 of the power supply control circuit 32 is closed via the data bus 12. Even if the power supply switch 35 of the power supply control circuit 32 is opened at the same time, the drive voltage V _D output from the power supply circuit 34 gradually decreases. Therefore, the soft switch 37 is closed and the relay 36 is closed. Sufficient time can be secured. When the relay 36 is closed, the power supply circuit 34 is supplied with commercial power of AC 100 V through the relay 36 instead of the power switch 35. As a result, the microcomputer maintains normal operation.

Next, at P1, the setting state of the work designation key 19a of the control key 19 is checked. If the job designation key 19a is in the [lock] position, it is determined that a call signal may be input from the host system 29 after the job is completed. Then, acceptance of key input operations of various registration keys arranged on the keyboard 21 is prohibited, and various displays on the display unit 23 are turned off. That is, the sales registration business is prohibited. And the host system
Data transmission to and from the host system 29 is permitted, and the host system 29 waits for a call signal to be input.

Then, when a series of data transmission processing such as sales data is completed with the host system 29 and a power-off command is input from the host system 29 via the online control circuit 31 at P2, the data buzz 12 at P3. The soft switch 37 of the power supply control circuit 32 is opened via. Then relay 36
Is opened, the AC100V power supply to the power supply circuit 34 is cut off. As a result, the voltage value of the drive voltage V _D output from the power supply circuit 34 also gradually decreases, and this microcomputer completely stops operating. That is, the operation of the POS terminal as a whole stops.

If the task designation key 19a is removed at the [Registration] position instead of the [Lock] position at P1, it is determined that the call signal is not input from the host system 29 and immediately
Go to P3 and open the soft switch 37. Then, the operation of the whole POS terminal stops completely.

In the POS terminal configured as above, when the work is completed, the work designation key 19a of the control key 19 is [Lock].
If you remove the key in the position set and turn the control key 19b to the [OFF] position to open the power switch 35 and remove the key, the microcomputer of this POS terminal keeps operating state. ing. And the host system
Waiting for call signal from 29. Therefore, when a calling signal is input from the host system 29 to the online control circuit 31, it is possible to immediately respond to the calling signal. As a result, the host system does not determine a data transmission error with respect to the corresponding POS terminal, so that data transmission thereafter can be smoothly performed.

In addition, if you remove the key with the job specification key 19a in the [Lock] position, the key input operation from the keyboard 21 will not be accepted even if the microcomputer is operating, so the POS terminal monitors it. Even if the staff is absent, the POS terminal is not operated by a third party.

Further, when the data transmission with the host system 29 is completed, the entire power supply is cut off by the power supply cutoff command from the host system 29, so that the operator does not need to be there.
In addition, power consumption can be suppressed to a necessary minimum. In addition, if you remove the key with the job designation key 19a in the [Register] position, the entire power supply will be cut off immediately, and if the call signal is not input from the host system 29, unnecessary power consumption will occur. Can be prevented.

Furthermore, since the soft switch 37 having the relay 36 can be constructed inexpensively and in a small size and light weight, the POS terminal as a whole can be made smaller and lighter than a conventional device requiring an automatic power supply device.
And it can be constructed at a low price.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, the soft switch is provided which is closed even after the power switch is cut off and which is opened by a cutoff command from the host system. Therefore, even after the power switch is cut off, the call signal from the host system can be immediately responded to, and data transmission with the host system can be smoothly performed. Also,
The entire device can be made small and inexpensive.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of the present invention, and FIGS. 2 to 5 are diagrams showing a POS terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a block diagram showing the whole, FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing a power supply control circuit, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a control key, FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the operation, and FIG.
It is a schematic diagram showing a POS terminal. 10 …… CPU, 12 …… Data bus, 16 …… D-RAM, 19 ……
Control key, 19a ... Job designation key, 19b ... Control key, 21 ... Keyboard, 29 ... Host system, 30 ...
… Telephone line, 31… Online control circuit, 32… Power control circuit, 33… Plug, 34… Power circuit, 35… Power switch, 36… Relay, 37… Soft switch.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A control program connected to a host system online via a transmission line, comprising a display unit and a key input unit, and starting a supply of a drive voltage from a power supply circuit connected to a commercial power supply, from the host system. POS terminal that receives and stores in the volatile memory and executes the sales registration business using the control program stored in the volatile memory, online control for data transmission with the host system. A circuit, a soft switch connected in parallel to a power switch inserted in the supply path of the commercial power source, and a soft switch closing means for closing the soft switch in response to an opening operation of the power switch,
Designating means for designating whether to wait for data transmission with the host system or to end without waiting after the soft switch is closed by the soft switch closing means, and this designation When the standby is designated by the means, the screen of the display is turned off, and the sales registration business is prohibited by invalidating the key input in the key input unit, and the standby is performed by the designating means. When specified, the soft switch is opened in response to a power-off command input from the host system through the online control circuit, and when the specifying means specifies end without waiting, the soft switch is opened. A POS terminal equipped with a soft switch opening means.