JPH08171587A - Article sales registration data processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide an article sales registration data processor which is capable of always utilizing all the local PLU files in their state that optimum article data is stored. CONSTITUTION: Because a download processing means executes a processing that the article data in an extraction center PLU file is simultaneously downloaded to each local PLU file (S25 to S27) when the download to the local PLU file in an equipment of the article data stored in the extraction center PLU file in a file control part is instructed by an instruction means (S21 to S24), the latest article data as it is made to be possessed in the local PLU file without inquiring of a file control part side as to each article data in the terminal only if the download from the extraction center PLU file which is shared for the inquiry from each terminal and extracts and stores the article data on the latest trend article is instructed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention is intended for large stores such as major supermarkets and major mass retailers that use many electronic cash registers as POS (point-of-sale information management) terminals for sales registration of sales products. The present invention relates to a suitable product sales registration data processing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in a large-sized store of this type, a transmission line is provided to a host machine such as a store processor or a POS server provided for each sales line such as a food department and a clothing department. A product sales registration data processing device is configured as a POS system by connecting a plurality of POS terminals via a LAN, an inline line, etc., and sales data such as sales amount and sales points obtained from each POS terminal is stored in a host machine. It is possible to manage centrally on the side.

In this case, in order to perform the sales registration work efficiently at each POS terminal, it is only necessary to input the product code of the sold product by the key operation of the keyboard or the bar code reading operation of the bar code scanner. It is necessary to have a function of performing a single item lookup for each product so that sales operations such as obtaining product data such as a unit price and calculating a sales amount can be performed. In order to realize this function, a PLU (price look-up) file that stores product data such as the unit price of each product corresponding to each product code is usually used.

For example, a PLU file that stores product data for all the products to be handled is used as a center PLU file by the PO.
When the product code of a sold product is input to an arbitrary POS terminal in preparation for the S server, the product code is used as a key to query the POS server via the line, and based on the product data sent from the center PLU file in the POS server. A PO configured to sell the product
There is an S system. However, in such a POS system, inquiries and product data are sent in parallel between one POS server (one center PLU file) and each POS terminal, so that the amount of data sent through the transmission line is reduced. There is a lot of burden on the transmission line itself and its line control system,
There is a disadvantage that. In addition, there is also a drawback that sales registration work cannot be executed at all POS terminals when a failure occurs in the transmission line.

Therefore, each POS terminal is provided with a PLU file in which the product data for all the products to be handled are stored, so that when the product code of a product to be sold is input, the product data is stored in its own PLU file at the POS terminal. There is also a self-processing POS system that can be read out and used to sell the product. POS like this
According to the system, even if a failure occurs in the transmission line, the sales registration work can be executed in each POS terminal without being affected by the failure. The PLU file provided in each such POS terminal is referred to as a "local PLU file" with respect to the center PLU file. It is considered essential for each POS terminal to have this kind of local PLU file in order to construct a POS system that can continue sales registration work even in the event of a transmission line failure.

However, when the product data for all products is stored in the local PLU file, the local PLU file is stored.
The file requires a storage capacity almost the same as that of the center PLU file. Therefore, such a local PLU
When files are provided in each POS terminal, a huge storage capacity is required for the entire system, and each POS terminal
The terminal becomes expensive and the system becomes wasteful. In addition, since the unit price of each product is generally changed frequently, the local PL of all POS terminals is changed every time the unit price is changed.
It is also necessary to change the unit price stored in the U file, which makes the unit price change work very complicated. At the same time, there is an adverse effect that an erroneous operation tends to occur frequently when changing the unit price.

[0007] Therefore, normally, each POS terminal is provided with a temporary storage memory as a local PLU file in which only a predetermined number of frequently used product data are updated and stored. While suppressing
Most of the product data inquiries and responses by product code are P
The POS system is configured so that it can be self-processed in the OS terminal and can cope with a failure of the transmission path with almost no trouble. That is, each POS terminal is provided with a local PLU file having a predetermined number of data areas, and when a product code is input, first, the local PLU file in its own POS terminal is searched to search for the corresponding product code. If so, the product data is read and the sales work is executed. If not searched, the POS server is inquired through the line to receive the product data searched from the center PLU file and execute the sales work. At this time, the product data sent from the center PLU file is set to P
It is also stored in the local PLU file in the OS terminal.
At the time of storage in the local PLU file, for example, by storing time data as well, if the product data is already stored, the search time of this time is updated and stored. P
When the LU file is full, update storage control is performed such that the product data stored at the oldest time is deleted and the latest product data is newly stored, and product data based on the latest inquiry is always stored. It is configured.

That is, when a product code is entered at the POS terminal along with product sales and single product registration is performed based on an inquiry to the POS server, response data (product data) from the POS server is sequentially stored in the local PLU file. The PL of the local PLU file can be stored.
U data is generated, and becomes the latest PLU data by the rotation update method based on time. Therefore, considering each POS terminal alone, the P
Among the products handled by the OS terminal, the product data of a product that is frequently searched for its own local PLU file, so-called hot-selling product or trend product, is stored in the local PLU file as the latest information.

In such a POS system, some products that sell well (selling products or trend products)
Of the total number of items sold are, for example, about 20% of the best-selling products are 6% of the total number of items sold.
It accounts for 0% or more, and it is reported that there is no problem even if the number of data areas of the local PLU file is set to about 20% of the total number of products.

By the way, in such a POS system, it takes a long processing time to search the center PLU file of the hard disk in the POS server and respond each time there is an inquiry from the POS terminal side to the POS server side through the line. Therefore, in the POS server,
The PLU file is configured as a dual structure of a center PLU file of a hard disk configuration and a PLU file set in a predetermined number of data areas in a RAM configuration of high processing speed, and the PLU file of the RAM configuration is called an extraction center PLU file. Some are made available. That is, the product data corresponding to the product code inquired from the POS terminal side is sequentially updated and stored in the extraction center PLU file from the center PLU file, and when the inquiry is made from the POS terminal side, the corresponding product code is extracted. When the file is searched, the extraction center PLU file can immediately respond. Also in this extraction center PLU file,
Similar to the case of the local PLU file in each POS terminal, it is configured to update and control the stored contents by, for example, the rotation updating method based on time.
The product data of products that are frequently inquired from multiple POS terminals, so-called hot selling products or trend products,
The latest information will be stored in the extraction center PLU file.

Therefore, in sales registration business, a PO
When the product code is input to the S terminal, the local PLU file in the own POS terminal, the extraction center PLU file in the POS server, the center PLU file in the POS server It will be. Then, when the corresponding product code is retrieved from the local PLU file, the sales operation is performed based on the product data corresponding to the product code. But,
When the corresponding product code is searched for in the extraction center PLU file without being searched for in the local PLU file, the product data is sent to the inquiry source POS terminal for sales. At this time, the fact that the product data has been searched in the extraction center PLU file is updated by time update. Further, when the corresponding product code is searched from the local PLU file and the extraction center PLU file but the corresponding product code is searched from the center PLU file, the product data is sent to the inquiry source POS terminal for sales operation. At the same time, the center PLU
Product data read from the file Extraction center PL
Store in U file.

As a result, the POS can be sent from any POS terminal.
Even if the server side is inquired, most of the entire system needs to be a response from the extraction center PLU file of RAM configuration, and higher speed processing is possible.

[0013]

However, even in the POS system provided with the improved local PLU file, there are still insufficient points in view of the entire system.

First, as described above, one of the purposes of providing each POS terminal with a local PLU file is
This is to enable the POS terminal to continue the sales business even in the case where an offline state occurs due to a line failure with the control subject side such as the S server. In order to realize this function, it is always assumed that the product data is stored to some extent in the local PLU file. That is, in the case where the line failure occurs while the local PLU file does not have enough data stored therein, and the line becomes offline, the POS terminal alone cannot substantially continue the sales business.

In this respect, in the above-mentioned POS system, the contents of accumulated data between the local PLU files are likely to be different, and the amount of accumulated data is sufficient for the local PLU file of a certain POS terminal. In the case of the local PLU file of the POS terminal, the amount of accumulated data becomes insufficient. In particular, when starting or restarting a POS terminal that has been suspended or suspended until now, or an POS terminal that has been added has been started or restarted depending on the congestion level of the cash register, compared to other POS terminals in operation, the local P
The amount of data stored in the LU file is extremely small. Even in such a case, in order to enhance the accumulated data of the local PLU file in the own POS terminal, the product is actually sold at the own POS terminal and an inquiry by the product code is made to the POS server side. You have to do it and you will not be able to deal with line failures. In this case, POS terminals that can be used independently and POS terminals that cannot be used are mixed, which is inconvenient for the system.

In addition, the hot selling products or trending products are
In many cases, each POS terminal handles the product data in the local PLU file in its own POS terminal. In this regard, POS from any POS terminal
If there is an inquiry from the server side, it is updated and stored in the extraction center PLU file as the latest trend information, and if there is an inquiry from another POS terminal to the POS server side,
This extraction center PLU file has a high probability of being capable of high-speed response processing. However, it is used only because the response speed to the inquiry is fast, and in order to import the product data regarding trend products into its own local PLU file, at least the PO from each POS terminal is used.
The actual inquiry must be made to the S server side.

In other words, the utilization status of inquiries and the like from the POS server side by each POS terminal is not reflected on the other POS terminals, and the merit of system construction is not fully utilized.

[0018]

The product sales registration data processing device of the present invention is applied to a product sales registration data processing device in which a plurality of terminals and a file control unit are connected. , An input device for inputting a product code of a sold product, and a local P of a predetermined number of data areas for rewritably storing product data such as a unit price corresponding to the product code
The file control unit includes an LU file, and the file control unit stores a center PLU file in which product data for all products to be handled are stored in association with product codes, and a predetermined number of data in which product data is rewritably stored in association with product codes. An area extraction center PLU file and data extraction means for extracting and storing the latest product data in response to an inquiry from the arbitrary terminal to the center PLU file with the product code are stored in the extraction center PLU file. When the product code is input from the input device of the terminal, the local PLU file in the terminal itself, the extraction center PLU
These files are searched in the order of priority of the file and the center PLU file, and when the corresponding product code is searched from the local PLU file, sales work is performed based on the product data corresponding to the product code, and the extraction center When the corresponding product code is retrieved from the PLU file, the product data is sent to the inquiry source terminal for sales, and when the corresponding product code is retrieved from the center PLU file, the product data is retrieved as described above. It is premised on a merchandise sales registration data processing device which is stored in the extraction center PLU file by the data extraction means and is sent to the inquiry source terminal device to perform sales business.

In such a commodity sales registration data processing device, according to the present invention, an instruction means for instructing to download the commodity data stored in the extraction center PLU file to the local PLU file in the terminal, A download processing unit is provided for simultaneously downloading the product data in the extraction center PLU file to each of the local PLU files when the download is instructed by the instructing unit.

[0020]

In the merchandise sales registration data processing apparatus of the present invention, the merchandise data stored in the extraction center PLU file in the control file is converted to the local PLU file in the terminal by instructing the download by the instructing means. On the other hand, the local PLU files are simultaneously downloaded by the download processing means, and these local PLU files have the same product data as the extraction center PLU file. Here, the extraction center PLU file stores the latest product data, that is, product data regarding hot-selling products or trend products, which is shared by inquiries from each terminal, and therefore, when downloading is instructed, The terminal can hold the latest product data as it is in the local PLU file without making an inquiry to the file controller side individually. Therefore, after that, when the product code is input, the probability that the local PLU file in the own terminal can be searched becomes high, and the processing form that the probability of making an inquiry to the file control unit side is reduced can be realized. That is, the latest product data extracted and stored in the extraction center PLU file can be utilized to the maximum extent in the system.

[0021]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the product sales registration data processing device of the present embodiment is
FIG. 2 shows an example of the overall configuration of the POS system applied to the POS system. The POS system according to the present embodiment includes a store processor 1, and n POS servers 3 are connected to the store processor 1 via a transmission line 2 having a LAN configuration, for example. The store processor 1 functions as a host machine, collects and analyzes sales data, responds to inquiries from each POS terminal described later,
Responsible for managing master files. The POS server 3 functions as a file control unit.
Responsible for inquiries from terminals and collecting sales data. Two sets of POS servers 3 are arranged for each sales line (for example, A is a food section and B is a clothing section), and sales data are mutually exchanged between two paired POS servers 3. Are connected by a parallel interface bus 4 by GP-IB for backing up. A plurality of POS terminals 6 are connected as terminals to each POS server 3 through an in-line line 5 which is TDLC. Each POS terminal 6 is used by a cashier to perform product registration processing in a product section.

A switch box 7 for controlling the in-line line 5 is connected to the two POS servers 3 forming a pair. When one POS server 3 fails, the switch box 7 automatically merges it with the in-line line 5 of the other POS server 3 to continue service to the POS terminal 6 connected to the failed POS server 3. It has a function to let.

Next, the internal structure of each POS server 3 will be described with reference to FIG. First, a CPU 11 that controls the POS server 3 itself is provided.
A ROM 13, a RAM 14, and a clock circuit (TOD) 15 are connected to 1 via a bus 12, and a hard disk 16, a floppy disk 17, a CRT 18, a keyboard 19, a LAN 2, an inline line 5, a parallel interface bus 4 and a remote personal computer. 20 are connected via the interfaces 21 to 28 and the bus 12, respectively. As a result, the CPU 11 causes the keyboard 19
And various kinds of arithmetic processing based on input information from various lines such as LAN 2, inline line 5, parallel interface bus 4 and the like, ROM 13 storing fixed data such as programs and RAM 14 storing input information and calculation results. Are operated via the bus 12. The hard disk 16 is stored in the DLL (D
It functions as a setting data file such as PLU data for own line loading, an effect file for collecting sales data sent from the POS terminal 6, and the like. The floppy disk 17 is used, for example, to load program data and the like. The clock circuit 15 functions as a protocol monitoring timer for various lines.
Responsible for timekeeping of the current time such as time processing for log files. The remote personal computer 20 is for giving the POS server 3 a diagnostic utility function.

Next, the PLU-related configuration will be described.
First, each POS terminal 6 is provided with, for example, a keyboard or a bar code scanner for reading bar code information attached to a product as an input device for inputting a product code such as a PLU code of a sold product. (Neither is shown). In addition, in each POS terminal 6,
A local PLU file 31 for rewritably storing product data such as the product name, unit price, and status of the product corresponding to the product code is provided as a part of RAM (not shown). The data area of the local PLU file 31 is limited to a capacity capable of storing only a predetermined number of product data. For example, the data area corresponds to about 20% of the total number of products handled. This local PLU file 31 is empty in the initial state.

On the other hand, in the POS server 3, as shown in FIG. 4, a part of the hard disk 16 is the center PLU.
It is allocated as a file 16a, a part of the RAM 14 is allocated as an extraction center PLU file 14a, and these files 16a and 14a form a PLU file having a double structure. Here, the center PL
In the U file 16a, the store processor 1
For each product code such as PLU code corresponding to all the products to be handled, product data such as product name, unit price and status of the corresponding product is loaded and stored. Further, the extraction center PLU file 14a is limited to a capacity capable of storing only a predetermined number of product data, like the local PLU file 31, and is empty in the initial state. A time area is also assigned to each product code in the extraction center PLU file 14a. The storage capacity (the number of stored product data items) set for the extraction center PLU file 14a is set larger than the storage capacity of the local PLU file 31.

Therefore, this extraction center PLU file 1
Storage of product data for each product code in 4a is performed by the CPU 1
Under the control of No. 1, it is configured to be controlled by the data extraction means by the rotation extraction method based on time. Specifically, from any POS terminal 6 to PO
As a process shown in FIG. 5 executed by the CPU 31 when an inquiry is made to the S server 3 side using the product code as a key, the control by the data extracting means is executed.

That is, when an inquiry is made from the arbitrary POS terminal 6 to the POS server 3 side using the product code as a key, first, the extraction center PLU file 14a is searched (step S1, corresponding to FIG. 4). This extraction center PL
If the corresponding product code exists in the U file 14a (S2), the product data such as the product name and unit price is read from the data area corresponding to the product code from the extraction center PLU file 14a, and the inquiry is made via the inline line 5. The product data is sent to the original POS terminal 6 (S3, corresponding to that in FIG. 4). As a result, the inquiry source POS terminal 6
Then, the sales business can be executed as usual based on the sent product data. At this time, as described in the conventional example, this product data is also stored in the local PLU file 31 in the inquiry source POS terminal 6. When the product data transmission to the inquiry source POS terminal in step S3 is completed in the POS server 3, the current time is read from the clock circuit 15 and the current time is set in the time region of the corresponding product code in the extraction center PLU file 14a. It is updated and stored (S4).

On the other hand, if the corresponding product code is not detected in the extracted center PLU file 14a in the judgment of step S2, the process shifts to the search in the center PLU file 16a (S5, in FIG. 4). Equivalent). Since the center PLU file 16a stores the product data for all the products to be handled, the center PLU file 16a
Product data such as the product name and unit price corresponding to the product code is read from the file 16a, and the product data is sent to the inquiry source POS terminal 6 through the inline line 5 (S6, corresponding to FIG. 4). As a result, the inquiring POS terminal 6 can execute the sales operation as usual based on the sent product data.

In parallel with this processing, the empty data area of the extraction center PLU file 14a is searched (S7). If there is an empty data area in the judgment of step S8, the center PLU file 1
The product data read from 6a is stored (S
9). At the same time, the current time is read from the clock circuit 15 and the current time is also stored in the time area of the corresponding product code in the extraction center PLU file 14a (S4).

If no free data area is detected in the extraction center PLU file 14a in the determination of step S8, the time information stored in all the time areas of the extraction center PLU file 14a is the most. The old time information is searched (S10), and the product data stored in the data area corresponding to the oldest time information is searched this time for the center PLU file 16a.
The product data read from is overwritten and stored (S11). At the same time, the current time is read from the clock circuit 15 and the current time is also stored in the time area of the corresponding product code in the extraction center PLU file 14a (S).
4). Therefore, the overwritten product data becomes the latest product data in the extraction center PLU file 14a at the present time.

In this way, the rotation of the old and new product data is performed in the extraction center PLU file 14a based on the time of search / inquiry, and the extraction center PLU file 14a is rotated.
After the file 14a is full, the oldest product data will be sequentially deleted by the latest product data. Especially for trend products inquired from a plurality of POS terminals 6, the extraction center PLU file 14a
It will be the latest product data. Therefore, the extraction center PLU file 14a always stores product data regarding the latest trend product at that time.

When a product code is input to any POS terminal 6, the local PLU file 31 in the own POS terminal 6 is searched first, and the corresponding product code is selected from the local PLU file 31. If is searched, the product data is read and provided for sales. Therefore, no inquiry is made to the POS server 3 side. However, the local PLU in its own POS terminal 6
If the corresponding product code is not detected from the file 31, the inquiry to the POS server 3 side as described above is made and the corresponding product detected from the extraction center PLU file 14a or the center PLU file 16a. Execute the sales business by receiving the code product data. Further, when the product data is sent from the POS server 3 side, the local PLU in the own POS terminal 6 is received.
It is also stored in the file 31. As a result, when the same product code is input next time, the local PLU file 31 of the own POS terminal 6 can be searched.

In this way, the POS terminal 6 that has made many inquiries to the POS server 3 side has its local PLU.
The amount of data stored in the file 31 is large. Conversely, in the case of the POS terminal 6 that has been suspended or suspended, or a newly added POS terminal 6, there are few or no inquiries to the POS server 3 side, and there is no inquiry in the local PLU file 31. The amount of accumulated data is extremely small.

In order to deal with such a situation, in this embodiment, the extraction center PLU file 1 in the POS server 3 is used.
4a to the local PLU file 31 in the POS terminal 6
There is provided an instruction means for instructing the DLL of the product data to the device and a download processing means for DLL of the product data based on the instruction of the instruction means. This DLL processing in the POS server 3 will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the instructing means is means for specifically instructing how many pieces of merchandise data and how many POS terminals 6 are to be DLL-related with respect to the merchandise data stored in the extraction center PLU file 14a. In this embodiment, the POS server 3 itself, the store processor 1 and each P
It is prepared for each OS terminal 6. In the case of the POS server 3 itself, the remote personal computer 20 connected for the diagnostic utility functions as an instruction means, and the number of product data items in the plurality of product data items stored in the extraction center PLU file 14a. DL product data
Setting of the number of DLLs for L (S21), and DL
Setting the ID of the POS terminal 6 to be L (S2
By performing the operation 2), the DLL instruction is given.

Even when the DLL is activated by the store processor 1, the number of DLLs is set in the operation unit of the store processor 1 as in steps S21 and S22.
When the ID is set by a command, the POS server 3 receives the DLL command via the LAN 2 (S23), and activates as a DLL instruction. Even when the DLL is activated by the arbitrary POS terminal 6, the keyboard of the POS terminal 6 is subjected to the above steps S21 and S22.
When the number of DLLs and the setting of IDs similar to the above are set by a command, the POS server 3 side receives the DLL command via the inline line 5 (S2
4) Start as a DLL instruction.

When the DLL instruction is issued by any of these three modes, the download processing means is controlled by the CPU 11 within the POS server 3 under the control of the step S2.
The DLL processing of 5 to S27 is executed. First, the latest product data, such as the product data stored in the extraction center PLU file 14a, is read (S25), and stored in the local PLU file 31 of the ID-specified POS terminal 6 (one or more may be used). DLLs all at once (S2
6). Next, returning to step S25, the latest newest product data is read from the extraction center PLU file 14a, and similarly, the local PLU file 31 of the POS terminal 6 designated by the ID is simultaneously DLL-loaded. The DLL processing in steps S25 and S26 is repeated for the number of DLLs instructed by the DLL (S27), and only the number of DLLs is transmitted to each local PLU file 31 in order from the latest DLL.

As a result, the extraction center P is included in the local PLU file 31 in the POS terminal 6 instructed by the DLL.
The product data equivalent to the product data in the LU file 14a is held. In this case, the extraction center PLU file 14a is shared by the POS terminals 6 as described above and stores the latest product data, that is, product data regarding trend products, so that the PO instructed to DLL is executed.
Even the S terminal 6 can retain the product data regarding the trend product in the local PLU file 31 as it is without making an inquiry to the POS server 3 side. Therefore, after the DLL processing is performed, if the product code is input at the POS terminal 6, the local PLU
The probability of completing the search in the file 31 is high, and the probability of making an inquiry to the POS server 3 side is low.

As a result, for example, the same POS is periodically issued.
DLL all POS terminals 6 connected to the server 3
If the DLL processing is performed by designating as the destination, regardless of the frequency of inquiries from the individual POS terminals 6 to the POS server 3, the POS terminals 6 are all local PLUs.
The file 31 can hold product data relating to the same trend product all at once, and each POS terminal 6 can execute sales operations without being affected by a failure of the inline line 5. This is because even if the unit price is changed, in the unit price change processing work by the store processor 1,
After changing the unit price data in the product data in the center PLU file 16a and the extraction center PLU file 14a in the POS server 3, the above DLL processing is performed for all POSs.
If the terminal 6 is designated, it can be dealt with properly and promptly.
Further, when restarting the restarted POS terminals 6 that have been stopped or suspended, or in the case of newly added POS terminals 6, only these POS terminals 6 are designated as DLL destination POS terminals and DLL processing is performed. If possible, these PO
The S terminal 6 can also be used in the state where the product data regarding trend products is held in the local PLU file 31 from the beginning. That is, the extraction center PLU file 14a
By adding the function to DLL the product data of the above in the local PLU file 31 of the POS terminal 6,
Considering the OS system as a whole, P by each POS terminal 6
The inquiry usage status of the OS server 3 can be reflected in other POS terminals 6, and the extraction center PLU file 1
The latest product data extracted and stored in 4a can be utilized to the maximum in the system.

In the POS server 3 of this embodiment, a part of the hard disk 16 is allocated as the terminal PLU save file 16b, and the product data stored in the local PLU file 31 of any POS terminal 6 is stored in the POS server 3. There is also provided save processing means for storing in the terminal PLU save file 16b and load processing means for loading the product data stored in the terminal PLU save file 16b into the local PLU file 31 of an arbitrary POS terminal 6. . The processing by the save processing means is executed as the processing shown in FIG. 6 executed by the CPU 1, and the processing by the load processing means is C
It is executed as the processing shown in FIG. 7 which is executed by PU1.

First, the save process will be described with reference to FIG. On the remote personal computer 20, specify the ID of the POS terminal 6 that is the save source (S31), and then
A file name for saving to the terminal PLU save file 16b is set (S32). When such designation or setting is performed, all the product data in the local PLU file 31 in the POS terminal 6 having the designated ID is read (S33), and these product data are written in the terminal PLU save file 16b. (S34). By such processing, all the product data stored in the local PLU file 31 in a certain POS terminal 6 is saved in the terminal PLU save file 16b.

Next, the loading process will be described with reference to FIG. On the remote personal computer 20, the file name to be loaded is designated (S41), and then the ID of the POS terminal 6 to be loaded is designated (S42).
When such a designation is made, the data of the designated file name is read from the terminal PLU save file 16b (S43), and the data is stored in the local PLU file 31 in the POS terminal 6 of the designated ID. Is loaded (S44). By such processing, the terminal PLU
The product data saved in the save file 16b is the local PLU file 31 in a certain POS terminal 6.
Loaded in.

Thus, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, the existing POS terminal 6x in which the product data is sufficiently accumulated in the local PLU file 31x and the local PLU file 31x.
When there is a new POS terminal 6y in which the file 31y is empty, the product data of the local PLU file 31x can be copied to the local PLU file 31y by using the above save process and load process. . That is, as shown by in FIG. 4, the product data in the local PLU file 31x is temporarily saved in the terminal PLU save file 16b by the save process, and then by the load process, by,
The product data in the terminal PLU save file 16b may be loaded into the local PLU file 31y.
As a result, even a new POS terminal 6y can be activated with the local PLU file 31y having the same product data amount as the existing POS terminal 6x.
Especially in the case of POS terminals belonging to the same series, for example,
If the POS terminals 6 connected to the POS server 3 in the grocery department A have POS terminals 6 with sufficient product data already stored in the local PLU file 31, the POS terminals 6 are in the same grocery department A. By performing a copy process on the local PLU file 31 of a new POS terminal 6 that is added, it is possible to perform a quick sales process with no difference in the product code search process between the POS terminals 6 belonging to the same series.

In this embodiment, the storage capacity of the extraction center PLU file 14a is set to the local PLU file 31.
Since the DLL capacity is set to be larger than the storage capacity of the local PLU file 31, the DLL processing is configured to DLL only the number of DLLs according to the priority order, but the storage capacity of the extraction center PLU file 14a is exactly the same as the storage capacity of the local PLU file 31. Even if all the product data stored in the extraction center PLU file 14a is DLLd, the local PLU file 31 can be DLLd with the product data relating to the trend product.

Further, the present embodiment is an example of application to a POS system having the POS server 3, and the POS server 3 is used as the file control unit, but the POS server 3 is not provided.
The same applies to the case of the S system, and the store processor 1 may be configured as a file control unit, for example.

[0046]

As described above, according to the present invention, the instruction means for instructing the download of the product data stored in the extraction center PLU file to the local PLU file in the terminal, and the download by this instruction means. When the instruction is given, the download processing means for downloading the product data in the extraction center PLU file to each of the local PLU files at the same time is provided. Therefore, the latest product data shared by the inquiry from each terminal is provided. In other words, by simply instructing the download from the extraction center PLU file that stores the product data related to hot selling products or trend products, each terminal does not have to make an inquiry to the file control unit side but the latest product as it is. The data can be retained in a local PLU file, so When a product code is input to the terminal, the probability that it can be searched from the local PLU file in its own terminal will be high, and the processing form that the probability of inquiring to the file control side will be reduced, After all, it is possible to construct a POS system that can make the most of the latest product data extracted and stored in the extraction center PLU file.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing DLL processing control according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing an entire POS system.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a POS server.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram showing an extracted PLU-related configuration of a POS server.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing control of a data extraction unit.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing control of save processing means.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing control of the load processing means.

[Explanation of symbols]

 3 File Control Unit 6 Terminal 14a Extraction Center PLU File 16a Center PLU File 31 Local PLU File

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An input device for inputting a product code of a sold product, and a local PL having a predetermined number of data areas for rewritably storing product data such as a unit price corresponding to the product code.
A plurality of terminals each equipped with a U file, a center PLU file that stores product data for all products handled in association with product codes, and a predetermined number of product data that can be rewritably stored in association with product codes File control including an extraction center PLU file of the data area of the data center and data extraction means for extracting and storing the product data in response to the inquiry from the arbitrary terminal to the center PLU file by the product code in the extraction center PLU file. When the product code is input from the input device of any terminal, the local PLU file, the extraction center PLU file, and the center PLU file within these terminals are searched in the order of priority of these files. And the local PLU
When the corresponding product code is retrieved from the file, sales operations are performed based on the product data corresponding to the product code, and when the corresponding product code is retrieved from the extraction center PLU file, the product data is inquired from the terminal. When the corresponding product code is retrieved from the center PLU file, the product data is extracted and stored in the extraction center PLU file by the data extracting means and is sent to the inquiry source terminal device. In a product sales registration data processing device for performing sales business, an instructing device for instructing to download the product data stored in the extraction center PLU file to the local PLU file in the terminal, and the instructing device. If download is instructed by Commodity sales registration data processing apparatus characterized in that a, a download processing means for downloading the product data in the extracted center PLU file all at once to the local PLU file.