JPH1011380A - Terminal managing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce a processing load at the time of transmitting set data so as to execute a writing processing and to shorten a time required for the writing processing of set data by selecting a terminal, transmitting set data which is read from a set data file to the terminal through a communication line and executing the writing processing. SOLUTION: A POS managing file is retrieved, whole POS terminals where data of a pattern number are used as the set data of a parameter number are selected and the whole terminal ID numbers of the selected POS terminals are stored in a terminal ID number register 13b. Then, the terminal ID numbers stored in the terminal ID number register 13b are read from the leading one in order and converted into network addresses at every time so that line connection is requested to the POS terminal where the terminal ID number is assigned with a communication interface 15. Then, when the line is electrically connected, set data inside a DLL(down line loading) transmitting buffer 13a are transmitted and a DLL processing is executed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a terminal management device such as a store processor in a point-of-sale (POS) system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An outline of a general POS system used in a mass retailer such as a supermarket is shown in FIG. In the figure, 1A, 1B, 1C,... 1M are M POS terminals functioning as merchandise sales data registration terminals, 2M,
Is a store processor composed of a host computer or the like, and connects the store processor 2 to M POS terminals 1A to 1M via a communication line 3 such as a LAN (local area network) line to construct a POS system. doing.

Here, each of the POS terminals 1A to 1M
When data such as a code and a number of a product for sale is input via input devices such as a keyboard and a scanner, the product performs sales registration processing on the storage unit based on the input data. In addition to displaying the name, sales price, and the like of the product for which the product sales data has been sales-registered, the printer prints out the product on receipt paper and journal paper. Then, a receipt is issued in response to an operation input of a closing key that declares the end of product registration of one transaction.

[0004] The store processor 2 collects, collects, processes, and collects, through the communication line 3, the merchandise sales data registered in the storage units of the POS terminals 1A to 1M, and processes the sales and merchandise of the entire system. Manage inventory, etc.
The POS terminal has a setting data file 4 storing setting data for controlling the operation of each of the POS terminals 1A to 1M. For example, when a system start request command is input from outside, the setting data file 4 is set. Data is read out, and each POS terminal 1A is communicated through the communication line 3.
A so-called DLL (Down Line Loading) process of transmitting data to .about.1M and writing the data to an internal memory is performed.

Incidentally, the setting data is a transaction item name of a storage unit for registering and processing data of a key code table for setting a key arrangement of a keyboard, product sales data such as net sales, a discount amount, a total number of points, and a total number of customers. The data of the transaction name table, the data of the message table that sets the error message to be displayed on the display, the data of the system option table that sets options used inside the POS terminal, and the data of the credit table that sets data related to the credit card Data.

Meanwhile, in a large-scale mass retailer in which several tens to several hundreds of POS terminals operate, it is necessary to vary the functions of the POS terminal, such as the key arrangement of the keyboard and system options, depending on the environment of the sales floor. For that purpose, a plurality of patterns corresponding to each function are required even for the same type of setting data. Therefore, setting data of all necessary patterns is registered in the setting data file 4 of the store processor 2 in advance, and each of the POS terminals 1A to 1M is responded to a request for writing the setting data.
Then, the setting data of the pattern corresponding to the terminal is read from the setting data file 4 and subjected to DLL processing.

FIG. 8 shows a procedure for DLL processing of setting data in a conventional POS system of this kind. That is, when the parameter number X for identifying the type of the setting data is specified as the setting data write request command in ST (step) 1, the terminal number counter m is initialized to "1" in ST2.

Next, as ST3, a POS terminal (for example, 1A) whose terminal ID number is the value of the terminal number counter m (in this case, "1") is selected and identified by the parameter number X used in this POS terminal. The pattern Y of the setting data is determined. And ST
As 4, the data of the corresponding pattern Y is read from the setting data file 4 and stored in the DLL transmission buffer, out of several patterns of the setting data identified by the parameter number X.

Next, in ST5, a line connection is requested to the POS terminal (for example, 1A) having the ID number m, and if the line is connected, the setting data in the DLL transmission buffer is transmitted to perform the DLL processing. Thereafter, the terminal number counter m is counted up by "1" at ST6. Then, as ST7, the value of the counter m becomes P
If it is confirmed that the number M of the OS terminals 1A to 1M does not exceed M, the process returns to ST3, and a POS terminal (for example, 1B) having the terminal ID number of the terminal number counter m (in this case, "2") is selected. Then, the same processing as above is repeated. If it is confirmed in ST7 that the value of the counter m has exceeded the number M,
Since the setting data identified by the parameter number X in the OS terminals 1A to 1M has been subjected to the DLL processing for the pattern used in each terminal, this processing is terminated.

[0010]

As described above, a plurality of POS terminals 1A to 1A connected by the communication line 3 are provided.
1M, each of which stores several patterns of setting data for controlling the operation of the POS terminal.
In the store processor 2 having the terminal management function of reading the setting data of the pattern corresponding to the POS terminal from the setting data file 4 to the S terminals 1A to 1M, transmitting the setting data via the communication line 3, and performing the writing process, POS terminals 1A-1M
And the line are electrically connected, and the connected POS
The setting data to be used in the terminal is read from the setting data file 4 each time and temporarily stored in the DLL transmission buffer.
Since the data is transmitted to the OS terminal to perform the DLL processing, the setting data of the same pattern must be read from the setting data file 4 to the DLL transmission buffer many times, resulting in a large processing load.

[0011] Such a problem is not limited to the store processor 2 in the POS system, but a terminal management having a function of writing setting data stored in a plurality of terminals connected by a communication line and controlling the operation of the terminals. It can happen to the whole device.

Therefore, the present invention can reduce the processing load when transmitting and writing the setting data used by the terminals to a plurality of terminals connected by a communication line, and reduce the time required for the setting data writing process. An object of the present invention is to provide a terminal management device that can be designed.

[0013]

According to the present invention, there is provided a terminal management apparatus having a setting data file which is stored in a plurality of terminals connected by a communication line and stores several patterns of setting data for controlling the operation of the terminals. Each time one pattern of setting data is read from the setting data file in response to a request for writing the setting data, a terminal to which the setting data of the pattern is assigned is selected, and the selected terminal reads the setting data read from the setting data file. The data is transmitted via the communication line and written.

Further, a setting data file storing several patterns of setting data which are stored in a plurality of terminals connected by a communication line and control the operation of the terminals, respectively, and correspond to the identification data of each terminal. Terminal-specific pattern storage means for storing data relating to a pattern of setting data to be used; setting data reading means for reading setting data from a setting data file one pattern at a time when a request for writing setting data is issued; Each time one pattern is read, a terminal selecting means for selecting a terminal using the setting data of the pattern based on the data stored by the terminal-specific pattern storage means, and a setting data reading means for the terminal selected by the selecting means. Setting data to be sent by sending the read setting data via a communication line and then written And write means, after the writing process and the set data by the write means selecting the terminal based on the selection means, in which a read control means for reading the configuration data for the next pattern by setting the data reading means.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment in which a terminal management device of the present invention is applied to a store processor 2 of a POS system shown in FIG. 7 will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a store processor 2. A CPU (central processing unit) 11 constituting a control unit main body, and a ROM (read only memory) storing fixed data such as program data in advance. ) 12, DL
DLL transmission buffer 1 for storing setting data for L processing
3a and the POS of the other party that performs the DLL processing on the setting data
RAM for forming various memory areas such as a terminal number register 13b for storing the terminal number of the terminal
(Random access memory) 13, a clock unit 14 for measuring the current date and time, and a communication interface 15 for controlling data communication between the POS terminals 1A to 1M connected via the communication line 3. It is installed.

An HDD controller 18 for controlling an HDD (hard disk driver) 17 for writing and reading data to and from a hard disk 16, and an FDD (floppy disk driver) for writing and reading data to and from a floppy disk 19. 2) FDD controller 21 for controlling 20; keyboard interface 23 for taking in key signals generated by key operation input from keyboard 22; display interface 25 for sending display data to display 24; printer for sending print data to printer 26 The interface 27 and the like are mounted. Then, the CPU 11, ROM 12, RA
M13, clock unit 14, communication interface 15, HDD
The controllers 18 and 21 of the FDD and the interfaces 23, 25 and 27 of various input / output devices are connected by bus lines 28 such as an address bus and a data bus.

The hard disk 16 has a setting data management file 30 shown in FIG. 2, a setting data file 40 shown in FIG. 3, a POS management file 50 shown in FIG.
And various data files such as the result file 60 shown in FIG.

The setting data management file 30 stores each P
This file stores the name of the setting data and the number of patterns corresponding to the parameter number for identifying the type of various setting data for controlling the operation of the OS terminals 1A to 1M. By the way, in this embodiment, it is assumed that the setting data corresponding to the parameter number [01] is data of a key code table for setting a key arrangement of a keyboard, and the number of patterns is [2]. Also, the parameter number [0
As the setting data corresponding to [2], data of a transaction name table for setting transaction item names in a storage unit for registering and processing merchandise sales data such as net sales, discount amounts, total points, and total number of customers, and the number of patterns is [ 3]. Further, the error message to be displayed on the display as the setting data corresponding to the parameter number [03] is set as data of a message table for setting, and the number of patterns is set to [3]. Also, PO data is set as the setting data corresponding to the parameter number [04].
It is assumed that the data is system option table data for setting options used inside the S terminal, and the number of patterns is [4]. Also, assume that the setting data corresponding to the parameter number [05] is data of a credit table for setting data relating to a credit card, and the number of patterns is [2].

The setting data file 40 stores each POS
It is a file storing raw data of various setting data for controlling the operation of the terminals 1A to 1M together with corresponding parameter numbers and pattern numbers.

The POS management file 50 stores each POS
Terminal I which is identification data of terminals 1A to 1M
A file in which pattern numbers of setting data to be used in the POS terminal are stored for each setting data item together with a terminal address name which is converted into a network address of the POS terminal in correspondence with the D number. Construct storage means.

In this embodiment, the data of pattern 1 is set as the setting data item [key code] for the POS terminal 1A having the terminal ID number [0001], and the pattern is set as the setting data item [transaction name]. 1 data is set. For the POS terminal 1B having the terminal ID number [0002], the data of pattern 1 is set as the setting data item [key code], and the data of pattern 2 is set as the setting data item [transaction name]. In addition, the terminal ID number [000
3], the data of pattern 2 is set as the setting data item [key code], and the data of pattern 3 is set as the setting data item [transaction name]. In addition, the terminal ID number [zzzz] P
For the OS terminal 1M, the data of pattern 2 is set as the setting data item [key code], and the data of pattern 1 is set as the setting data item [transaction name].

The result file 60 stores, for each of the POS terminals 1A to 1M, data indicating the result of DLL processing of various setting data for the POS terminal ("success", "failure", "not executed", etc.). File.

The store processor 2 has a program so that the CPU 11 DLL-processes various setting data to the POS terminals 1A to 1M according to the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. That is, ST
For example, when the parameter number X for identifying the type of the setting data is designated as the setting data write request command by the operation input of the keyboard 22 as ST11, the setting data management table 30 is searched and the pattern number N of the parameter number X is searched as ST12. And the number of patterns N
It is stored in the register memory inside the PU. ST13
To initialize the counter n inside the CPU to "1".

Next, in ST14, the setting data file 40 is searched, and the parameter number X and the pattern number n
Is read out and stored in the DLL transmission buffer 13a (setting data reading means). Also, as ST15, the POS management file 50 is searched, and the POS using the pattern number as the setting data of the parameter number X is used.
All terminals are selected, and the terminal ID numbers of the selected POS terminals are all stored in the terminal ID number register 13b (terminal selecting means).

Next, as ST15, the terminal ID
The terminal ID numbers stored in the number register 13b are sequentially read from the top, and each time, the terminal address name corresponding to the terminal ID number is obtained from the POS management file 50, converted to a network address, and converted to a network address via the communication interface 15. Request a line connection to the POS terminal to which the terminal ID number is assigned. Then, when the line is electrically connected, the setting data in the DLL transmission buffer 13a is transmitted to perform the DLL processing. Thereafter, as ST17, the DLL processing result (“success” or “failure”) is recorded in the area of the parameter number X corresponding to the corresponding terminal ID number in the result file 60. The processing of ST17 and ST18 is repeated each time the terminal ID number is read from the terminal ID number register 13b (setting data writing means).

Thus, the terminal ID is set as ST18.
For the POS terminals of all terminal ID numbers stored in the number register 13b, the DLL transmission buffer 13
If the DLL processing of the setting data in a is performed, ST1
As 9, the counter n is counted up by "1". If the counter n does not exceed the pattern number N in ST20, the processing of ST14 to ST19 is repeated. That is, the above processing is executed for another pattern of the setting data of the parameter number X (read control means).

When it is confirmed in ST20 that the counter n has exceeded the number N of patterns, each of the POS terminals 1A to 1M stores, as the setting data identified by the parameter number X, the data of the pattern used in that terminal. Since the DLL processing has been performed, this processing ends.

In the POS system having such a configuration, the data of the key code table for setting the key arrangement of the keyboard in each of the POS terminals 1A to 1M is now DL.
It is assumed that the store processor 2 is set to the DLL processing mode and the parameter number [01] is designated to perform the L processing.
Then, the number of patterns N = 2 of the setting data of the parameter number [01] is determined by the CP in the store processor 2.
It is stored in a register memory inside U.

Next, first, the setting data of the parameter number [01], that is, the data of the pattern number [1] of the data of the key code table is stored in the setting data file 40.
Is read and stored in the DLL transmission buffer 13a.
Further, POS terminals 1A, 1B, 1D,... To which the data of the pattern number [1] is allocated as the setting data of the parameter number [01] are selected, and the terminal ID numbers [0001],
[0002], [0004],... Are stored in the terminal ID number register 13b.

Next, the terminal ID number [0001]
When the line is electrically connected to the POS terminal 1A, the POS terminal 1A
The setting data in the DLL transmission buffer 13a, that is, the data of the pattern number [1] in the data of the key code table is transmitted and written. The DLL processing result is stored in the result file 60 as the parameter number [0] of the terminal ID number [0001].
1].

Subsequently, the terminal ID number [0002]
Is connected to the POS terminal 1B, and when the line is electrically connected, the POS terminal 1B
The setting data in the DLL transmission buffer 13a, that is, the data of the pattern number [1] in the data of the key code table is transmitted and written. The DLL processing result is stored in the result file 60 as the parameter number [0] of the terminal ID number [0002].
1].

Subsequently, the terminal ID number [0004]
When the line connection process with the POS terminal 1D is performed and the line is electrically connected, the POS terminal 1D
The setting data in the DLL transmission buffer 13a, that is, the data of the pattern number [1] in the data of the key code table is transmitted and written. The DLL processing result is stored in the result file 60 as the parameter number [0] of the terminal ID number [0004].
1].

Thus, the terminal ID number register 1
3b, the terminal ID numbers are stored in all the POS terminals 1A, 1B, 1D,..., The setting data in the DLL transmission buffer 13a, that is, the data of the pattern number [1] in the data of the key code table. DL
After the L processing, the data of the pattern number [2] of the setting data of the parameter number [01] is read from the setting data file 40, and the DLL transmission buffer 13a
Is stored in Further, the POS terminals 1C, 1E,..., 1M to which the data of the pattern number [2] is assigned as the setting data of the parameter number [01] are selected, and the terminal ID numbers [0003], [0003] of the selected POS terminals are selected. [0005],..., [Zzzz] are stored in the terminal ID number register 13b.

Next, the terminal ID number [0003]
Is connected to the POS terminal 1C, and when the line is electrically connected, the POS terminal 1C
The setting data in the DLL transmission buffer 13a, that is, the data of the pattern number [2] in the data of the key code table is transmitted and written. The DLL processing result is stored in the result file 60 as the parameter number [0] of the terminal ID number [0003].
1].

Subsequently, the terminal ID number [0005]
When the line is electrically connected to the POS terminal 1E, the POS terminal 1E
The setting data in the DLL transmission buffer 13a, that is, the data of the pattern number [2] in the data of the key code table is transmitted and written. Then, this DLL processing result is stored in the result file 60 as the parameter number [0] of the terminal ID number [0005].
1].

Thus, the terminal ID number register 1
For all POS terminals 1C, 1E,..., 1M whose terminal ID numbers are stored in 3b, the setting data in the DLL transmission buffer 13a, that is, the data of the pattern number [2] in the data of the key code table is transmitted. DL
When the L processing is performed, the processing ends.

As described above, according to the POS system of the present embodiment, the store processor 2 reads the setting data of one pattern from the setting data file 4 every time a write request of the setting data is issued, Selects the POS terminal to which is assigned, and selects the selected PO
The setting data read from the setting data file 4 is transmitted to the S terminal via the communication line 3 for writing processing.

Therefore, the number of times of writing one pattern of setting data from the setting data file 40 to the DLL transmission buffer 13a is equal to the number of patterns of the setting data, so that the processing load can be reduced. As a result, there is an effect that the time required for the setting data writing process can be reduced.

In the above embodiment, the terminal is selected one by one and the DLL processing of the setting data is performed. However, the present invention is also applied to a communication type system that can perform the DLL processing on a plurality of terminals in parallel. can do. In this case, a plurality of DLL processing tasks are activated at the same time, and each DLL processing task DLL-processes the contents of the corresponding DLL transmission buffer to each terminal. At this time, since the data to be DLL-processed is the same pattern of setting data, the contents of each DLL transmission buffer are common. That is, since one pattern of setting data read from the setting data file may be sequentially copied to each DLL transmission buffer, the number of times of writing one pattern of setting data from the setting data file to the DLL transmission buffer is also the same as the setting data. And the same effect as the present invention can be obtained.

The present invention is not limited to the store processor 2 in the POS system, but has a function of writing setting data stored in a plurality of terminals connected by a communication line and controlling the operation of the terminals. The present invention can be applied to terminal management devices in general.

The type of the setting data is not limited to the one used in the above-described embodiment, and may be, for example, an application program. In addition, it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0042]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention,
A terminal management apparatus that can reduce the processing load when transmitting and writing setting data used by the terminal to a plurality of terminals connected by a communication line and shortening the time required for the setting data writing processing. Can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a store processor of a POS system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a setting data management file stored and held by the store processor.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a setting data file stored and held by the store processor.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a POS management file stored and held by the store processor.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a result file stored and held by the store processor.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing setting data DLL processing executed by the CPU of the store processor.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a POS system according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing setting data DLL processing executed by a CPU of a conventional store processor.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1A-1M POS terminal (terminal) 2 ... Store processor (terminal management device) 3 ... Communication line 11 ... CPU 13a ... DLL transmission buffer 15 ... Communication interface 4,40 ... Setting data file 30 ... Setting data management file 50 ... POS Management file 60: Result file

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A terminal management apparatus having a setting data file in which a plurality of patterns of setting data which are stored in a plurality of terminals connected by a communication line and control operation of the terminals are stored, in response to a setting data write request. Each time one pattern of setting data is read from the setting data file, a terminal to which the setting data of the pattern is assigned is selected, and the setting data read from the setting data file is sent to the selected terminal via the communication line. A terminal management device characterized by transmitting and writing. 2. A terminal management apparatus having a setting data file in which several patterns of setting data which are respectively set in a plurality of terminals connected by a communication line and which control the operation of the terminals are stored, and correspond to identification data of each terminal. A terminal-specific pattern storage means for storing data relating to a pattern of setting data to be used in each of the terminals, a setting data reading means for reading setting data from the setting data file one pattern at a time when there is a write request for setting data; Every time one pattern of the setting data is read by the reading means, a terminal selecting means for selecting a terminal using the setting data of the pattern based on the data stored by the terminal-specific pattern storing means, and a terminal selecting means for selecting the terminal by the selecting means. The terminal transmits the setting data read by the setting data reading means to the communication line. Setting data writing means for transmitting and writing the setting data, and writing the setting data by the writing means to the terminal selected by the selection means, and then reading the setting data of the next pattern by the setting data reading means. A terminal management device comprising: a read control unit.