JPH0832954A - Information supply system and controller for terminal used in the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an information supply system capable of eliminating complexity due to a manual operation and supplying the latest information to a user with a timely interval by performing an automatic accumulation operation at arbitrary set time by a full-automatic operation without performing the manual operation by the user. CONSTITUTION:A commercial power source 4 is supplied/stopped to a CAP TAIN terminal machine 2 by setting a power source timer 3 on the market, etc. Such application of the power source is detected by the power source supply detecting part 63 of an automatic bar code start-up device 6 attached on the terminal machine 2. Data setting an address set by a delivery bar code selection switch part 66 in advance as a start address is taken out from a storage part 64 one by one, and it is converted into a bar code signal by a bar code in-terface part 62, and sent to the terminal machine 2. The terminal machine 2 is started up by the bar code signal, and calls an information center, etc., and performs delivery request of required information, the reception accumulation of screen information and scroll of a screen, etc., and supplies the latest information to the user.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is to connect to an information center through a communication line to automatically start terminals installed at various places,
By doing so, screen information, etc. can be automatically stored in the terminal from the information center provided, and the latest information registered in the information center can be provided in a timely manner without bothering users (individuals and companies). The present invention relates to an information providing system and a terminal control device used for the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As this type of information providing system, there is a captain system. In the terminal in the captain system, the information stored in the terminal is used to connect the desired information center with the public telephone network, receive and store the required screen information from the information center, disconnect the telephone line, and then store the screen. Information can be played back repeatedly. Such a function is called an automatic accumulation function. Hereinafter, based on FIG. 6 which is a configuration diagram of a conventional captain system,
The conventional automatic accumulation function will be described.

First, a conventional system configuration will be described. In FIG. 6, 1 is an information center, 2 is a terminal, 5 is a public telephone network, and 51 is a telephone line of a public telephone network connecting the information center 1 and the terminal 2. The information center 1 is provided with a host computer (HC) 11 having a storage device for accumulating screen information and connecting with the terminal device 2. The terminal 2 is a keyboard 2 for a user to operate the terminal 2.
1, a control unit 22 having a memory 221 for storing screen information and controlling each unit in an integrated manner, a display (CRT) 23 for displaying screen information, and reading a barcode on a barcode mount. It has a bar code input pen 25 for easily operating the terminal device 2 and a line control unit (NCU) which is a connection device with the host computer 11 although not shown in the drawing. The barcode input pen 25 described above uses the barcode connector 24 to control the control unit 2.
Connected to 2.

In the above-mentioned structure, when the user selects the automatic storage service from the keyboard 3 based on the information on the display 23, the control unit 22 of the terminal 2 calls the information center 1 through the NCU and the host via the telephone line 51. The computer 11 is connected. Therefore, when the user designates a screen to be updated, the host computer 11 of the information center 1 sends the screen information to the host computer 1
1 is read from the storage device and sent to the terminal device 2. The terminal 2 stores the received screen information in the memory 221 and updates the screen information, then disconnects the telephone line 51 and ends the automatic storage service.

Another mode of the automatic storage function is a timer storage service and a manual storage service. The timer storage service is a service in which the terminal 2 automatically performs the above-mentioned automatic storage service by a timer at fixed time intervals, and updates the screen information on a regular basis at the request of the terminal 2 side. The manual storage service manually connects and disconnects the telephone line 51 among the above automatic storage services to enable updating of a plurality of screens.

[0006]

By the way, in the above-mentioned conventional captain terminal, if the commercial power source is simply turned on,
No service can be provided without displaying the screen or only displaying the terminal operation mode screen (menu screen). From the keyboard, etc., "Power ON" + "B"
The operation is started only after inputting "shift in" + "9" or "B shift in" + "3".

That is, in the manual storage service, it is necessary to perform the key operation of the storage function (connection of the telephone line and update of the screen information) after the commercial power is turned on, and the screen information is received without the key operation on the terminal. I couldn't do that. Also,
Even in the conventional timer storage service, the information providing service can be received at a preset fixed time interval only after the commercial power is turned on and the above manual operation is performed. By the way, when a user uses a captain terminal, the terminal is powered on at a predetermined time (for example, a business start time of a store, a public institution, etc.), and a predetermined time (for example,
It is generally used to turn off the power at the end of business hours of stores and public institutions. Therefore, the conventional captain terminal requires manual operation by the user (supply / stop of commercial power supply, input with a keyboard, etc.) regardless of the model, which is problematic in use. It was

Further, the latest information of the captain information center is updated in the information center at regular intervals. Therefore, if the user neglects to manually operate the captain terminal, the latest information cannot be obtained regardless of the model. Furthermore, even if you use the timer storage service, you can update the screen information only at predetermined time intervals,
There is also a problem that the automatic storage service cannot be received at an arbitrary time.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to eliminate the troublesomeness caused by the manual operation of the user and to provide the latest information at any time. An object of the present invention is to provide an information providing system that can be provided and a terminal controller used for the information providing system.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, an information providing system of the present invention comprises an information center, a terminal connected to the information center by a communication line, and a terminal connected to the terminal. A control device for the machine, a power supply control unit for controlling the supply and stop of power to the terminal device and the control device for the terminal device, and the information center includes a connection device for the terminal device, The terminal includes a connection device for connecting to the information center, a recording device for accumulating predetermined information provided by the information center, and receiving means for receiving information center connection information from the terminal control device. The terminal control device includes a storage unit that stores the information center connection information, a detection unit that detects the power supplied by the power supply control unit, and a read unit that reads out predetermined information center connection information from the storage unit. Means and An interface unit for transmitting the information center connection information to the terminal device, and supplies power to the terminal device control device at a timing set in the power supply control unit. In the terminal device control device, the detection unit is provided. Detects the supply of the power source and activates the reading means to read the information center connection information, and sends the information center connection information to the terminal device through the interface unit, and the terminal device outputs the information center connection information based on the information center connection information. The connection device connects to the connection device of the information center, and predetermined provision information of the information center is stored in the recording device.

Further, the terminal control device used in the above information providing system is an additional device of the terminal connected to the information center through a communication line, and includes a storage section for storing the information center connection information, A detection unit that detects the power supplied to the terminal by the power supply control unit, a reading unit that reads out predetermined information center connection information from the storage unit, and an interface unit that sends the information center connection information to the terminal. A connection configuration is provided in which the detection unit detects the power supplied from the power supply control unit, activates the reading unit to read the information center connection information, and sends the information center connection information to the terminal via the interface unit. It is characterized by

Further, in the above information providing system,
The terminal device has a bar code connection port, and the interface unit of the terminal device control device is configured to convert the information center connection information into a bar code signal and send it to the terminal device through the bar code connection port. Also, in the terminal control device used in this information providing system, the information center connection information is serially stored in the storage section in order from the set start address, and the reading means stores the storage section in order from the start address. The serial signal of the information center connection information is read and the interface unit converts the serial signal into a bar code signal and sends it to the terminal, or the information center connection information set in the storage unit. Are stored in parallel format, and the reading means reads the storage unit to obtain a parallel signal of the information center connection information, The interface part may have a parallel / serial conversion means to convert the parallel signal into a serial signal and then convert it into a bar code signal and send it to the terminal, which is a modification of the existing system or device. It is suitable in that it is realized.

[0013]

In the information providing system of the present invention and the terminal controller used for the same, the power supply to the terminal is controlled by controlling the supply / stop of the power to the terminal at an arbitrary timing set in the power control unit. Eliminates manual operation of supply / stop. Further, the power supply of this power source is detected by the detection unit, and the information center connection information in the storage unit is read and sent to the terminal by using this as a trigger, thereby activating the automatic storage function of the terminal, thereby allowing the user's manual operation. It is possible to provide the latest information by calling the information center, requesting the transmission of necessary information, receiving and accumulating screen information from the information center, scrolling the screen, etc. at any of the above timings without any operation.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an information providing system showing an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a captain terminal bar code automatic starting device (hereinafter referred to as bar code automatic starting device) used in the information providing system of the embodiment. Is abbreviated). In FIG. 1, 1 is a captain information center, 2
Is a captain terminal, 3 is a commercial power supply timer, 4 is a commercial power supply, 5 is a public telephone network connecting the information center 1 and the terminal 2, 51 and 52 are telephone lines 6 thereof, which are the main parts of the present embodiment. It is a bar code automatic activation device.

The information center 1 has a storage device for accumulating screen information, is connected to the terminal 2, and provides a host computer (HC) which provides the screen information of the storage device to the terminal 2 in response to the request. 11 is provided.

The terminal 2 has a keyboard 21 for the user to operate, a control unit 22, a display 23 such as a CRT, and a bar code connector 24. Control unit 2
2 has a memory 221 for accumulating screen information received from the information center 1. The terminal 2 is activated by an operation input from the keyboard 3 or a bar code signal input from the bar code connector 24, and an NCU (not shown) is provided. To operate
The memory 22 is connected to the host computer 11 of the information center 1 and receives necessary screen information from the information center 1.
It is stored in 1 and displayed on the display 23. The commercial power supply 4 is supplied / stopped to the terminal 2 at an arbitrary set time of turning on / off of the power supply timer 3.

The bar code automatic starting device 6 includes a connector 61 for connecting to the terminal device 2, a bar code interface section 62, a power supply detecting section 63 which is a detecting section for supplying power, and a storage section (ROM section). ) 64, counter section 6
5, the sending bar code selection switch section 66. This device is connected from the connector 61 to the bar code connector 24 of the terminal 2 by a cable or the like. The power supply detection unit 63 detects that the connector 61 is supplied with power from the terminal 2 side by the detection circuit D, and outputs the detection output d to the counter unit 65. The storage unit 64 has a memory 641 including a ROM and the like, and stores bar code information which is information center connection information. Predetermined bar code information is read from the memory 641 by the reading means including the counter section 65 and the sending bar code selection switch section 66. Here, the sending bar code selection switch unit 66 determines the upper address based on the setting of the selection switch 661, the counter unit 65 is activated by the detection output d to perform the count-up operation, and gives the lower address by the count value. . The barcode interface unit 62 has a receiving circuit E, performs conversion so that the terminal 2 can recognize it, and sends the barcode signal output e to the terminal 2 via the connector 61.

The operation and action of the embodiment configured as described above will be described.

FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing the outline of the operation. In this embodiment, the commercial power supply 4 is supplied from the power supply timer 3 to the captain terminal 2, the power supply is detected, the captain terminal 2 is activated, the captain information center 1 is connected, and the screen information accumulation operation is performed. To do. This is the power source OF
This is done every time F → ON.

The operation of each section in this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. At an on-time (a business start time of a store, a public institution, etc.) set in advance by the power supply timer 3 such as a commercially available device, the commercial power supply 4 is supplied to the captain terminal 2. This allows the barcode connector 24
When the power is turned on, the power supply detection unit 6 is supplied via the connector 61.
The detection circuit D of No. 3 is operated and the power supply is detected. In the present embodiment, upon detection of this power supply, data (information center connection information) having a memory address set in advance by the selection switch 661 of the sending barcode selection switch unit 66 as a start address is counted by the counter unit 65. 651
By the operation of, the information is taken out from the memory 641 one by one, the information is converted into a so-called bar code signal, other necessary information is created and added in the interface section 62 and sent to the terminal device 2. The terminal 2 is activated by these signals, calls the information center 1, requests the sending of necessary information, receives and stores screen information, scrolls the screen, and provides the latest information to the user.

The above operation will be described in more detail as follows.

The detection output d of the power supply detection unit 63 activates the counter 651 of the counter unit 65 to start the count-up operation. Here, the upper address of the memory 641 in the storage unit 64 is determined in advance based on the setting of the switch 661 of the sending bar code selection switch unit 66, and the lower address from the count up by the counter 651 to the stop of the count at the final address. Given by the count value between. While the counter 651 is counting up, data is read from the memory 641 to restore the operation of the receiving circuit E of the barcode interface unit 62. Here, as will be described later, the data is stored in the memory 651 in a serial format from 01 to 00 in order from the start address, so that if the data is sequentially read from the start address, the serial number which is the source of the bar code signal is obtained. Get the signal.

The bar code interface unit 62 converts the operation output of the receiving circuit E of the data read from the storage unit 64 into a so-called bar code signal so that the terminal unit 2 can recognize it, and outputs the bar code signal to the terminal unit 2. Send e. The bar code signals sent to the terminal device 2 are a power key press signal and a storage function key press signal of the normal keyboard 21, and the display 23 of the terminal device 2 is turned on by the sent bar code signal and the control unit 22 starts the storage function operation. The storage function operation is performed by the host computer 11 of the information center 1 using the telephone line 51 of the public telephone network 5.
To call the connection to the information center, send out the information center connection information and request to send out the necessary information, and in response to this, store the screen information sent out from the information center 1 in the memory 221 and open the public telephone line 51. And finish. Usually, the screen information is few when it is small, and tens when it is large. After the accumulation is completed, the screen is automatically scrolled at regular intervals.

As described above, the user can obtain the required information fully automatically without any operation of the captain terminal 3.

Further, when the power-off (off) time set in the power-supply timer 3 (the business end time of the store, public institution, etc.) comes, the supply of the commercial power supply 4 is cut (stopped), and all the functions are turned off. Then, the terminal 2 and the bar code automatic activation device 6 are in a waiting state for the next power-on.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the storage operation is performed by supplying / stopping the commercial power supply 4 supplied to the terminal 2 using the power supply timer 3 which is commercially available. . Power timer 3 for power timer 3 multiple times
If N operation is set, any type of captain terminal can provide the timer storage service any number of times a day without any key operation. Of course, it is needless to say that the conventional timer storage service function of the terminal can be activated any number of times at any time.

FIG. 4 shows a memory map configuration of the memory 641 of the storage unit 64 in FIG. In this example, as described above, data is described in serial format with 8-bit data of 01 and 00, stored sequentially from the start address, and parallel / serial conversion is not performed from 1 bit of data read in parallel. I am getting serial data. Taking "B1" as a specific example, 01-01-00-0
Described in serial format as 1-01-00-00-00,
It is stored in order from the start address using 8 bytes, read out as parallel data, and if the read is taken only from the 0th bit, 1 is obtained without parallel / serial conversion.
It is possible to obtain the serial data of "B1" of -1-0-1-1-0-0-0.

FIG. 5 shows another memory map configuration example of the memory 641 of the storage unit 64. This example is stored using a general data description, and "B1" is stored as B1 in 1 byte of the start address, for example. Therefore, when the start address is read, "B1" is output as 8-bit parallel data. Therefore, in order to convert this into a serial signal by a clock shift operation or the like, the parallel / serial conversion circuit is used by the reception circuit of the barcode interface unit 62. Required before E.

Below, an example of the operation of the apparatus when the example of the memory map structure of FIG. 4 is used will be explained.

When, for example, V15 is used as the captain terminal 2, it is assumed that the automatic access registration and the abbreviated registration of the terminal 2 have been completed. It is assumed that “4” is set in advance in the sending bar code selection switch section 66.
When the ON time set in the power timer 3 comes, the captain terminal 2 receives the connector 6 via the bar code connector 24.
Send power to 1. In the power supply detection unit 63, the detection circuit D operates to rotate the count value of the counter 651. The counter 651 is 409 from 000 to FFF.
Rotate 6 times. Since the sending bar code selection switch unit 66 is preset to "4", the memory address is 4
Rotate from 000 to 4 FFF. That is, the sending barcode switch unit 66 determines the upper address.

The receiving circuit E of the bar code interface unit 62 operates at 01 and recovers at 00. "3C" data (01-01-0) stored in serial form in order from the address 4000-4FFF of the address map.
0-00-00-00-01-01) and "B9" data (01-01-00-01-01-01-00-00-0)
When the 0th bit of 1) is received, the serial data of "3C" (1-1-0-0-0-0-1-1) and the serial data of "B9" (1-1-0-1-). 1-0-0-1) is transmitted. The connector 61 sends the barcode signal converted from the serial data to the control unit 22 of the terminal 2 via the barcode connector 24.

Since "3C" is a signal of the "power" key of the keyboard 21 of the terminal 2, the CRT screen of the display 23 of the captain terminal 2 is turned on. Also, "B
Since "9" is the signal of the "9" key of the keyboard 21 of the terminal device 2, the key "9" of the keyboard 21 of the captain terminal device 2 is pressed once. The memory 221 operates in the same manner as when it is manually operated with 21 or the like, and then performs the storage screen display operation.

In the above-described embodiment, the bar code connection port of the captain terminal 2 is used to easily add the terminal control device. However, dedicated connection ports are provided for each other. Thus, the information center connection information may be transmitted from the terminal control device to the terminal without using the bar code signal.

[0035]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the information providing system of the present invention and the terminal control device used for the same, the power control unit such as a commercially available power timer determines the time when the user needs information. The automatic accumulation operation can be performed simply by setting to (business start time of stores, public institutions, etc.), eliminating the hassle of manual operation by the user and updating the latest information at any scheduled time. It can be provided to the user.

Further, although the present invention can be implemented without changing the existing information center, the existing bar code connection port of the terminal is used to convert the information center connection information into a bar code signal to the terminal. When a terminal control device that is capable of sending data is connected, there is an advantage that the above effects can be obtained without changing the existing system or device.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the entire information providing system used in the above embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing an operation outline of the above embodiment.

4A and 4B are diagrams showing a memory map configuration example of a storage unit in the above embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another memory map configuration example of a storage unit.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing a conventional information providing system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 ... Captain Information Center 11 ... Host Computer (HC) 2 ... Captain Terminal 21 ... Keyboard 22 ... Control Unit 221 ... Memory 23 ... Display 24 ... Bar Code Connector 3 ... Power Timer 4 ... Commercial Power 5 ... Public Telephone Network 51 ... Telephone line 6 ... Captain terminal bar code automatic activation device 61 ... Connector 62 ... Bar code interface unit 63 ... Power supply detection unit 64 ... Storage unit 641 ... Memory 65 ... Counter unit 651 ... Counter 66 ... Sending bar code selection switch unit 661 … Selection switch

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An information center, a terminal connected to the information center by a communication line, a terminal controller connected to the terminal, and a power supply for the terminal and the terminal controller. The information center is provided with a connection device with the terminal device, and the terminal device has a connection device with the information center and a predetermined device of the information center. A recording device for accumulating provided information; and a receiving means for receiving information center connection information from the terminal control device, wherein the terminal control device stores a storage unit for storing the information center connection information. A detection unit for detecting the power supplied by the power supply control unit, a reading unit for reading out predetermined information center connection information from the storage unit, and an interface unit for transmitting the information center connection information to the terminal. The power supply unit supplies power to the terminal control device at a timing set in the power supply control unit, and in the terminal device control unit, the detection unit detects the power supply and activates the reading unit. The information center connection information is read out and transmitted to the terminal device through the interface unit, and the terminal device connects to the connection device of the information center by the connection device based on the information center connection information. An information providing system, wherein predetermined information provided by a center is stored in the recording device. 2. An additional device for a terminal connected to an information center by a communication line, wherein a storage unit storing the information center connection information and a power supply supplied to the terminal by a power control unit are detected. A detection unit, a reading unit that reads out predetermined information center connection information from the storage unit, and an interface unit that sends the information center connection information to the terminal device, and detect the power supplied from the power supply control unit. Control for a terminal used in an information providing system, which has a connection configuration in which the information center connection information is detected by a section and is read out to read the information center connection information and is sent to the terminal through the interface section. apparatus. 3. The terminal device has a bar code connection port, and the interface unit of the terminal device control device converts the information center connection information into a bar code signal and sends it to the terminal device through the bar code connection port. The information providing system according to claim 1, wherein: 4. The information center connection information is serially stored in the storage section in order from the set start address,
The reading means sequentially reads the storage section from the start address to obtain a serial signal of the information center connection information, and the interface section converts the serial signal into a bar code signal and sends the bar code signal to the terminal. 2. The terminal control device described in 2. 5. The set information center connection information is stored in a parallel format in the storage unit, the reading unit reads the storage unit to obtain a parallel signal of the information center connection information, and the interface unit parallel / serial. 3. The terminal control device according to claim 2, further comprising conversion means for converting the parallel signal into a serial signal and then converting it into a bar code signal for transmission to the terminal.