JPH0765078A - Commodity sales data processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To simplify the confirming work of a host machine by reading in a switch state when a state read-out command is received from a terminal machine, and discriminating the designation of either a main machine or a sub machine, and transmitting a result to the terminal machine. CONSTITUTION:When the state read-out command is transmitted to the host machine from the terminal machine through a communication line, this read-out command is sent to the host machine of one side connected by a host machine switching circuit 3. Then, the CPU 11 of the host machine having received this read-out command through a communication interface reads in the signal of a DIP switch 17 being inputted to an I/O port 18, and discriminates whether the state of the DIP switch 17 is either the designation of a main side or the designation of a sub side. After that, it generates an answer massage including host machine state information to show the discriminated result, and transmits it to the terminal machine of a command source by controlling the communication interface 15. This answer message is received by the terminal machine, and the host machine state information in the message is printed on a form by a printer.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a centralized control of a plurality of terminal devices by a host device, and more particularly to a commodity sales data processing device in which a plurality of host devices are installed so as to be switchable.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The basic connection structure of a commodity sales data processing device of this type is shown in FIGS. That is, the product sales data processing device includes two host devices (for example, file processors) 1M and 1S and a plurality of terminal devices 2.
, 2S-n are connected to the M, 2S-a, ..., 2S-n by communication lines 4M, 4S, 5 via the upper device switching circuit 3. Further, one upper device 1M and the other upper device 1S are connected by a communication line 6.

Each terminal machine 2M, 2S-a, ..., 2S-n
Consists of an electronic cash register equipped with a CPU, ROM, RAM, keyboard, display, printer, drawer, etc., and performs predetermined processing for each mode such as "registration", "inspection", "payment", and "setting". Is configured to do.
Then, one terminal machine 2M is designated as a master machine, and the remaining terminal machines 2S-a, ..., 2S-n are designated as satellite machines.

The host devices 1M and 1S include a CPU, a ROM,
It is composed of a computer equipped with a RAM and the like, and is configured to perform a response work to an inquiry from each terminal machine 2M, 2S-a, ..., 2S-n, a data collection work, and the like. Then, specify one of the higher-level devices 1M as the main machine,
The other higher-level device 1S is a sub-device.

Here, the designation of the main machine and the sub machine is manually performed by setting the dip switch. That is, if the DIP switch is set to the main machine side, the higher-level device acts as the main machine, and if it is set to the sub machine side, it operates as the sub machine.

The upper device switching circuit 3 normally connects the communication line 4M and the communication line 5 as shown in FIG. 5 to connect the upper device 1M designated by the main device to each terminal device 2M, 2S-a,
..., 2S-n is connected, and when an abnormality of the upper device 1M is detected, the communication line 4S and the communication line 5 are connected to each other as shown in FIG. It is configured to automatically switch to the higher-level device 1S.

In the product sales data processing apparatus having such a configuration, when the upper device 1M designated by the main machine is normal, the product sales data registered for sales at each terminal is sent to the upper device 1M through the communication lines 5 and 4M. Counted in memory. The memory data of the higher-level device 1M is sent to the other higher-level device 1S through the communication line 6, and the memory data of both the higher-level devices 1M and 1S is always the same.

Therefore, for example, even if an abnormality occurs in the host device 1M designated by the main device and the host device 1S automatically designated by the sub device is switched to, the work can be smoothly continued in each terminal device.

By the way, each terminal machine 2M, 2S-a,
…, 2S-n is mainly used for product sales registration work, so it is installed in the store and operated by the cashier,
The host devices 1M and 1S and the host device switching circuit 3 are installed in a distant electric / mechanical room or the like in order to perform automatic work.
Moreover, the switching of the host device by the host device switching circuit 3 is instantaneously and naturally performed, and each terminal device 2M, 2S-
a, ..., 2S-n does not hinder the product sales registration work. Therefore, even if an abnormality occurs in the main machine 1M (sub machine 1S) and automatically switches to the sub machine 1S (main machine 1M), the cashier often does not notice this.

However, there is no guarantee that no abnormality will occur in the sub unit 1S (main unit 1M) after automatic switching, and when an abnormality occurs in the sub unit 1S (main unit 1M).
If the M (sub machine 1S) is not repaired, the function of the product sales data processing device will be completely stopped.

Therefore, conventionally, a store manager or the like regularly goes to a place where the higher-level equipment 1M, 1S and the higher-level equipment switching circuit 3 are installed, and the terminal machines 2M, 2S-a,
The main device 1M or the sub device 1S is connected to the 2S-n via the communication line and is operating, and it is determined from the state of the dip switch. And the last time was the main machine 1
If it is M (sub machine 1S) and this time is sub machine 1S (main machine 1M), an abnormality has occurred in main machine 1M (sub machine 1S) and switching has been performed, so request repair to the service base. Thus, I was trying to eliminate the delay of repair as much as possible.

[0012]

However, conventionally, whether the host device 2M, 2S-a, ..., 2S-n connected to each of the terminal devices 2M, 2S-a, ..., 2S-n by a communication line is the main device 1M or the sub device 1S. In order to regularly check such information, the store manager or the like had to go directly to the place where the higher-level equipment 1M, 1S and the higher-level equipment switching circuit 3 were installed, which was troublesome and burdensome. Was there. For this reason, the main machine 1M and the sub machine 1S may fail due to neglecting the confirmation work, and the function of the product sales data processing device may stop.

Therefore, according to the present invention, whether the host device connected to each terminal machine via a communication line and operating is the main machine or the sub machine is dispatched to a place where the host device and the host device switching circuit are installed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a merchandise sales data processing device that can be confirmed by a simple operation of a terminal device without the need and can simplify the confirmation work.

[0014]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, a plurality of terminal devices are connected via a host device switching circuit to one of a host device specified as a main device and a host device specified as a sub device. And the upper device switching circuit is connected to each terminal, and when an abnormality occurs in one of the upper devices connected to each terminal, the upper device connected to each terminal is automatically switched to the other upper device. In the product sales data processing device, the switch for distinguishing between main unit designation and sub unit designation is provided in each host device, and the state of the switch is read when the state read command is received from the terminal unit through the communication line. A determination means for determining whether the main unit is designated or the sub unit is designated, and a response message including the upper device status information indicating the determination result by the determination unit is transmitted through the communication line. And a response transmitting means for transmitting the status read command to the host device through the communication line, and a response message when the response message is received through the communication line. State information output means for outputting the upper device state information in the message is provided.

[0015]

According to the present invention having such a configuration, when a status read command is transmitted to a host device through a communication line from a terminal equipped with command transmitting means and status information output means, the host which receives this command receives the command. The device reads the state of the switch to determine whether the main device is designated or the sub device is designated, and a response message including higher device status information indicating the determination result is transmitted to the terminal device through the communication line. As a result, the terminal device outputs the upper device status information in the response message.

Therefore, the operator of the terminal machine can easily determine from the output content of the higher-level device status information whether the higher-level device currently connected through the communication line is the main device or the sub-device.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a commodity sales data processing device having a basic connection configuration shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main parts of each of the host devices 1M and 1S.
1 to the ROM 13 and the RAM 1 via the bus line 12.
4, and a communication interface 15 for controlling data transmission between the terminal units 2M, 2S-a, ..., 2S-n performed through the communication lines 4M (4S) and 5, and the other upper-level device performed through the communication line 6. And a communication interface 16 for controlling data transmission with the I / O port 18 to which a signal from a dip switch 17 capable of manually switching between a main side and a sub side is input. ing.

FIG. 2 shows the terminal machines 2M, 2S-a, ...
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of 2S-n, in which a CPU 21 constituting a control unit main body is connected to a RO via a bus line 22.
The M23 and the RAM 24 are connected to the communication interface 25 that controls data transmission with the host device 1M (1S) performed through the communication lines 5 and 4M (4S). In addition, a keyboard circuit 27 to which key signals are input from a keyboard 26 provided with various keys for inputting product information and the like, and a display 28 for displaying the price and total price of products registered for sale. Display control circuit 29 for driving and controlling the display of characters corresponding to display data, and printer 29 for printing data on receipt paper and journal paper
A signal from a mode switch 32 for switching each mode such as a printer drive circuit 31 for sending print data to a printer for printing operation, “registration”, “inspection”, “accounting”, “setting”, and the like, and An I / O port 34 for outputting an opening command signal to a drawer 33 for accommodating cash or the like is connected to the CPU 21 via the bus line 22.

Thus, the CPU 21 of the terminal machine 2M set as the master machine is programmed so as to execute the status read-out work of the higher-order device shown in the flowchart of FIG. C of equipment 1M, 1S
The PU 11 is programmed so as to receive the above-mentioned status read job and execute the message reception job shown in the flowchart of FIG.

That is, the CPU 21 of the terminal machine 2M
Is a specific status read work execution key (may be a single key or a combination of a plurality of keys) provided on the keyboard 26.
3 is started, the program processing of FIG. 3A is started, and when it is confirmed that the “inspection” work is selected by the mode switch 32 as ST (step) 1,
As ST2, a predetermined upper device status read command is created, and then the communication interface 25 is controlled to send the read command to the upper device (command transmitting means).

This read command is sent to the upper device switching circuit 3
Is sent to one of the upper devices (the main device 1M in the case of FIG. 5 and the sub device 1S in the case of FIG. 6) connected by.
Then, this read command is sent to the communication interface 15
CPU 11 of higher-level device 1M (1S) received via
Starts the program processing of FIG. That is, when it is confirmed in ST3 that the received command is the higher device status read command, the signal of the DIP switch 17 input to the I / O port 18 is read in ST4, and the state of the DIP switch 17 is designated to the main side or the sub side. It is determined whether the side is designated (determination means).

After that, if a response message including the upper device status information indicating the result of this determination is created in ST5,
The communication interface 15 is controlled to transmit the response message to the terminal device 2M that is the command source (response means).

Then, since this response message is received by the terminal machine 2M, the CPU 2 of the terminal machine 2M
In step ST6, when the response message is received via the communication interface 25 in step ST6, the upper device status information in the response message is printed on the journal paper by the printer 32 in step ST7 (status information output means).

Next, the function and effect of the present embodiment constructed as described above will be described.

First, the merchandise sales data processing apparatus according to the present invention sets the dip switch 17 of one upper device 1M to the main side at the time of setup and designates it as the main device, and dips the other upper device 1S. The switch 17 is set to the sub side and designated as the sub machine. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the higher-level device switching circuit 3 connects the main unit 1M and the respective terminal units 2M, 2S-a, ..., 2S-n to the communication lines 4M, 5.
Connect with.

When the system is started up in this state, the main machine 1M is provided for responding to inquiries from the terminal machines 2M, 2S-a, ..., 2S-n and for collecting data. In addition, the communication line 6 from the main unit 1M to the sub unit 1S
The data of the RAM 14 is given through the, and the RAM contents of the main machine 1M and the sub machine 1S always match.

Now, when an abnormality occurs in the main machine 1M and the upper device switching circuit 3 detects the abnormality,
The host device switching circuit 3 instantaneously and naturally switches the connection state, and as shown in FIG.
, 2S-n are connected to the M, 2S-a, ..., 2S-n through communication lines 4S, 5.

Thereafter, the sub-device 1S is connected to each terminal device 2M,
It is used for responding to inquiries from 2S-a, ..., 2S-n and data collection.

By the way, in a store in which such a product sales data processing device is introduced, the store manager operates by being connected to each of the terminal units 2M, 2S-a, ..., 2S-n by a communication line for the reason described above. It is necessary to regularly check whether the higher-level device is the main device 1M or the sub device 1S.

Therefore, the store manager periodically operates the master machine 2M installed in the store to check the state of the host device. That is, the store manager operates the status read job execution key in the "inspection" mode.

Then, the master machine 2M sends a status read command to one of the upper devices connected to the line, and the upper device receiving this command determines from the state of the DIP switch 17 whether the main designation or the sub designation is made. To be done. Then, a response message including the higher-level device status information indicating the determination result is returned to the master machine 2M. As a result, in the master machine 2M, the upper device status information is journal-printed by the printer 30.

When the main machine 1M is connected as shown in FIG. 5, the information [MAIN] indicating that the main machine is designated is journal-printed as shown in FIG. 4A, and shown in FIG. When the sub machine 1S is connected as described above, the information [SUB] indicating that the sub machine is designated is printed in the journal as shown in FIG. 4B.

Therefore, the store manager can determine whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the host device and automatic switching has been performed by simply confirming the contents of the journal print in each confirmation operation. That is, the store manager can confirm whether or not there is an abnormality in the host device while staying in the store, so that the burden of confirmation work can be greatly reduced.

In the above embodiment, the DIP switch 1
The case where the present invention is applied to a higher-level device that switches between the main unit designation and the sub unit designation by the setting of 7 has been described.
Even if a soft switch that switches between the main unit designation and the sub unit designation by setting or resetting the specific flag formed in 4 is used, the main unit is changed from the state of this specific flag to the state read command. It is applicable by configuring so as to determine whether it is designated or designated as a sub device.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the upper device status information is output by journal printing, but it is also possible to output the higher device status information by printing it on a receipt or displaying it on the display 28.

Further, the terminal device designated as the satellite device may be provided with the function of transmitting the status read command and the function of outputting the status information. Of course, various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0038]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, it is possible to switch the host device and the host device whether the host device connected to each terminal by a communication line and operating is a main device or a sub device. It is possible to provide a merchandise sales data processing device that can be confirmed by a simple operation of a terminal machine without going to a place where a circuit is installed, and the confirmation work can be simplified.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a host device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

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

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing program processing according to the present invention of the terminal CPU and the host CPU in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a print example of host device status information printed in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a line connection configuration at the time of connection of a main product side of a basic product sales data processing device.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a line connection configuration when a sub-device side connection of a basic product sales data processing device is performed.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1M ... High-order equipment (main machine) 1S ... High-order equipment (sub machine) 2M ... Terminal machine (master machine) 2S-a to 2S-n ... Terminal machine (satellite machine) 3 ... High-order equipment switching circuit 4M, 4S, 5, 6 ... communication line 11,21 ... CPU 15,16,25 ... communication interface 17 ... dip switch 26 ... keyboard 28 ... display 30 ... printer 32 ... mode switch

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A higher-order device is connected to a plurality of terminal machines via a higher-order device switching circuit, and either one of a higher-order device specified as a main unit and a higher-order device specified as a sub-device is connected by a communication line. A product sales data processing device in which a circuit is formed so that when an abnormality occurs in one upper device connected to each terminal machine, the upper device connected to each terminal machine is automatically switched to the other upper device. In the above, each upper device is provided with a switch for distinguishing between main unit designation and sub unit designation, and when a status read command is received from the terminal unit through the communication line, the state of the switch is read and the main unit designation or sub unit designation is made. A response message including a discriminating means for discriminating whether the machine is designated and a host device status information indicating the discrimination result by the discriminating means is transmitted through the communication line. A response means for transmitting to the terminal machine is provided, and at least one of the terminal machines has a command transmission means for transmitting the status read command to the host device through the communication line, and the response message through the communication line. A product sales data processing device comprising: a status information output means for outputting the upper device status information in the response message when received.