JPH10269459A - Merchandise sales register - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely print printing data even when hit/power failure occurs in the middle of printing. SOLUTION: An address showing the storage position of printing object data and a state flag showing whether or not print data prepared from printing object data are completely transmitted to a printer 2 are registered in a printing managing file provided in a RAM 12 with backup function at a main body 1 of POS terminal. When printing instruction information is registered in this printing managing file and that state flag shows the print data are not completely transmitted to the printer 2 yet in the case of turning on a power source on the main body 1 of POS terminal, the print data are prepared from the printing object data stored at this address again, and sent to the printer 2 again.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a merchandise sales registration device such as a POS (Point Of Sales) terminal used in various stores.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a main part of a POS system. In FIG. 10, 1 is a POS terminal, 2 is a printer, and 3 is a communication line. The printer 2 receives data from the POS terminal 1 via the communication line 3 and prints a receipt or a report. In such a POS system, if an instantaneous interruption or power failure occurs during printing by the printer 2, printing is stopped halfway, the print data sent from the POS terminal 1 to the printer 2 is lost, and printing of the data becomes unsuccessful. Will be possible.

Therefore, in the conventional POS system, as a countermeasure against instantaneous interruption and power failure, an uninterruptible power supply device is used, or a backup circuit is added to the RAM of the printer 2 so that print data can be transferred in response to instantaneous interruption and power interruption. I was trying to protect it.

[0004]

However, in the case of using an uninterruptible power supply, an expensive uninterruptible power supply is required, so that the cost is increased and a place for installing the uninterruptible power supply is required. There was a problem. Further, in the case where a backup circuit is added to the RAM of the printer 2,
In addition to the cost of adding a backup circuit,
Software for processing the print data protected during a momentary power failure or power failure after power recovery is needed on the printer 2 side, and there is a problem that the software for the printer 2 becomes enormous.

The present invention solves such a problem and eliminates the need for high cost and enormous software. Even if a power interruption such as an instantaneous interruption or a power failure occurs during printing of a punlitta, the power supply is restored after the power is restored. The purpose is to enable the print data to be output again.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a merchandise sales registration apparatus, comprising: a processing apparatus main body for performing merchandise sales registration processing; and a printer for performing printing in accordance with an instruction from the processing apparatus main body. The processing device body, storage means with a backup function for storing print target data, print data creation means for creating print data from the print target data, set in the storage means,
A print management file in which print instruction information including an address of the print target data and transmission progress information indicating a progress of transmission processing of print data created from the print target data to the printer is registered; and After completion of transmission to the printer, file information rewriting means for rewriting transmission progress information of the print management file, and file information deletion means for deleting the print instruction information from the print management file after printing of the print data is completed, When print instruction information is registered in the print management file at the time of turning on the power of the processing apparatus main body, and the transmission status information indicates that print data transmission to the printer is not completed yet, the printing is performed. For the data creation means, printing from the print target data at the address registered in the print management file Characterized in that comprises a retransmission instruction means for instructing a re-creation and retransmission of the print data over data. In this way, even if an instantaneous interruption or power failure occurs during printing of the printer, the print data can be re-output after power recovery, at low cost and without requiring a huge amount of software on the printer side. .

[0007] A commodity sales registration device according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises a processing device main body for performing product sales registration processing, and a printer for performing printing in accordance with an instruction from the processing device main body. Is provided with setting change notification means for notifying the processing device main body side whether or not has been changed from the initial setting value, the processing device main body, a storage means with a backup function for storing data to be printed,
A print data creation unit that creates print data from the print target data; and an address of the print target data set in the storage unit and a process of transmitting the print data created from the print target data to the printer. A print management file in which print instruction information including transmission progress information indicating the print management information is registered; setting value changing means for changing the printer set value when the power is turned on; File information rewriting means for rewriting file transmission progress information; file information deletion means for deleting the print instruction information from the print management file after printing of the print data is completed; A printer that calculates the required printing time from the sending of print data to the end of printing based on the printing speed of the printer. Time calculation means, and when the setting change notification means indicates that it has not been changed from the initial setting value when the required printing time has elapsed since sending the print data, to the print data creation means, Resending instruction means for instructing re-creation of print data from the print target data at the address registered in the print management file and resend of the print data. In this way, even if the power of the processing apparatus main body is alive and the printer is turned off during the printing of the pun-rita, the print data can be output again after the power is restored.

Further, the commodity sales registration apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that when resending print data to a printer in accordance with an instruction of the resend instruction means, a mark indicating retransmission is added to the print data. And This makes it possible to determine at a glance that re-output has been performed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a merchandise sales registration apparatus, wherein the processing apparatus main body and a printer are connected by a parallel communication line, and one of the parallel communication lines is used as the setting change notification means. Is used to notify whether the printer setting value has been changed from the initial setting value depending on the level of the voltage applied to the signal line. In this way, when the processing apparatus main body and the printer are connected by a parallel communication line, the state of the printer setting value can be easily notified simply by using one signal line.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a merchandise sales registration device, wherein the processing device main body and the printer are connected by a serial communication line, and the setting change notification means is provided between the processing device main body and the printer. Wherein information indicating the status of the printer set value is added to the response signal from the printer in the protocol exchanged in the above. With this configuration, when the processing apparatus main body and the printer are connected by a serial communication line, the status of the printer setting value can be easily notified using the printer response signal of the protocol.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a POS terminal main body and a printer connected thereto. POS
In the terminal body 1, the CPU 10 controls the POS terminal body 1.
Of various data processing. The ROM 11 is a CPU 1
0 program is stored. The RAM 12 stores various files described later, and provides a work area for the CPU 10. The display circuit unit 13 controls the display on a display (not shown), and the key input circuit unit 14 transmits the input contents of a keyboard (not shown) to the CPU 10. Further, the clock circuit unit 15 outputs the current time.

The printer I / O 16 controls communication with the printer 2. The serial I / O 17 controls communication between the host computer of the headquarters via a modem and an external communication line, and communication with another POS terminal body and the like via an in-store communication line. External media circuit 1
Reference numeral 8 controls communication with an external storage device such as a floppy disk drive or a RAM card. The drawer circuit unit 19 controls a cash drawer lock mechanism and the like, and the buzzer circuit unit 20 controls a buzzer.

On the other hand, in the printer 2, the CPU 21
Controls the entire printer 2. The ROM 22 has a CP
It stores a program for U21 and initial setting values of the printer. The RAM 23 stores various data necessary for controlling the printer 2 and provides a work area for the CPU 21. The display circuit section 24 controls the display of the printer 2, and the key input circuit section 25 controls the printer 2.
To the CPU 21. The communication I / O 26 controls communication with the POS terminal 1 via the communication line 3. The printer drive circuit 27 controls the printing mechanism of the printer 2.

Communication between the POS terminal main unit 1 and the printer 2 via the printer I / O 16, the communication line 3, and the communication I / O 26 is performed by a plurality of bits (for example, 8 bits).
There are a parallel method for transmitting data at the same time and a serial method for transmitting data one bit at a time.

In the POS terminal body 1, the RAM 12
As shown in (1), a sales file, a print management file, and a printer performance setting file are held, and these data are protected by a backup battery. Among these files, the sales file holds a group of data related to sales, such as a person-in-charge number, date and time,.

Each time the sales is registered in the sales file, the print management file is associated with the printer number of the printer that prints the receipt, and stores the address of the area where the data to be printed is stored. The type of the print form is written. In addition, a status flag, the number of printing lines, a counter, and a new flag, which will be described later, are also written.

Further, the printer type, printer address, and printing speed are set in the printer performance setting file for each printer number of all the printers connected to the POS terminal main body 1. The printer type is
They are distinguished by communication standards such as a parallel line, RS232C, RS422A, and the like. The printer address is R
Only required for S422A. As the printing speed, the printing time (seconds) per line of the printer or the number of printing lines per second is set.

On the other hand, in the printer 2, the ROM 22
The initial settings such as registration of logo data, line spacing, character spacing, and character type are stored in the RAM 23. At startup, the initial settings are written to the RAM 23, and then the apparatus waits until a print command is received from the POS terminal 1 side. Enter the state. And RAM
The set value written in 23 can be changed by a command from the POS terminal main body 1 side. If the set value is changed from the initial set value, the fact is notified to the POS terminal main body 1 side. Means are provided in the printer 2. When the communication between the POS terminal body 1 and the printer 2 is connected by a parallel communication line as in the present embodiment, one vacant signal line among a plurality of signal lines is used. Alternatively, by adding one signal line and changing the voltage applied to the signal line from the high level to the low level, it is notified that the set value has been changed from the initial set value. Also, the POS terminal main body 1 transmits the print instruction before sending it.
For example, at least one such as registration of logo data is set to a value different from the initial setting value.

Next, the operation of the present invention will be described using a flowchart. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a main task of the POS terminal main body. When the power of the POS terminal body 1 is turned on, the processing of FIG.

Step 1: First, as initial processing, initialization of each IC and generation of various tasks to be described later are performed. Step 2: An activation mail A for activating the printer task is transmitted to the printer task for exchanging data with the printer 2. Step 3: Wait for the job start instruction mail D from the printer task, and then wait for key input after receiving it.

The sales registration process shown in FIG.
It is started by pressing the total key on the S terminal keyboard. Step 1: Summarize the sales registered before that, calculate and display change, etc., and register the sales data in the sales file. Step 2: A file in which data to be printed is registered, that is, the address of the corresponding location in the sales file, the number of the printer to be printed, and the type of form to be printed are transmitted and registered in the print management file. Step 3: Send a print instruction mail B to a printer task described later.

The report output process shown in FIG. 3C is started by instructing a report output from the POS terminal keyboard. Step 1: The file in which the data to be printed is registered, that is, the address of the area where the data serving as the source of the report is stored,
The number of the printer to be printed and the type of form to be printed are transmitted and registered in the print management file. Step 2: Send a print instruction mail B to a printer task described later.

On the other hand, the printer task performs the following processing upon receiving the activation mail A from the main task.
4 and 5 are flowcharts of the printer task. Step 1: Wait for the activation mail A to be sent from the main task. Step 2: When the startup mail A is received, the printer performance setting file is searched to determine whether or not the printer status check performed in the next step 3 has been completed for all printers registered in the printer performance setting file. .

Step 3 If it is determined in step 2 that the processing has not been completed for all the printers, it is checked whether or not the signal line for notifying the status of the set values of the printers is at a high level. Step 4: It is determined from the result whether or not the set value of the printer is the initial set value. Step 5: If the default value is set, at least 1
Setting data whose two settings are different from the initial setting values
Send to

Step 6: When the printer status check is completed for all printers in Step 2, a print management file is searched. Step 7: It is determined whether or not there is a printer designated for printing, that is, whether or not the printer is registered in the print management file. Step 8: If printing is specified, it is determined what the status flag is.

Step 9: If the status flag is 0 (= data processing is being performed) or 1 (= data processing is completed), an instantaneous state occurs during the data processing or after the data processing is completed and before data transmission, before starting this task. An outage has occurred. Therefore, print data is created based on the print target data and the form type stored at the designated address of the print management file, and the number of print lines is written in the print line number field of the print management file. Step 10: Next, the time required to print the print data is calculated based on the number of print lines and the print speed set in the printer performance setting file. Write. Then, the status flag of the print management file is set to 1 to indicate that the data processing has been completed.

Step 11: If the status flag is 2 (= transmitting) in step 8, it means that an instantaneous power failure has occurred while data is being transmitted to the printer 2 before the start of this task. Thus, as in step 9, print data is created, and the number of print lines is written in the print line number column of the print management file. Step 12: As in step 10, the time required to print the print data is calculated and written in the count column of the print management file. Then, the status flag of the print management file is set to 1. Step 13: A mark indicating retransmission, for example, a mark is added to the created print data, and a new flag is set to 1 indicating retransmission.

Step 14... If the status flag is 3 (= transmission completed) in step 8, it means that a momentary power failure has occurred before the task is started and after data is transmitted to the printer 2. Then, after displaying the print target data on a display (not shown) of the POS terminal main body 1, the printer 2
Is checked to see if the data displayed on the display is printed. Step 15: Wait for a key input of the confirmation result. Step 16: It is determined whether or not the print target data has been printed, and if not, the process proceeds to step 11. Step 17: If printing has been completed, the designated portion of the print management file is cleared.

Step 18: The created print data is transmitted to the printer 2. Then, the status flag of the print management file is set to 2 which means that transmission is in progress. Step 19: The value of the counter of the print management file (= the required print time of the print data) and the printer number are transmitted to the timer task. Step 20: The status flag of the print management file is set to 3 which means the end of transmission.

Step 21... In step 7, when there is no printer designated for printing, that is, when there is no printer data registered in the print management file, an operation start mail D is transmitted to the main task. Step 22: Wait until the print instruction mail B is sent from the main task.

Step 23: When the print instruction mail B is received from the main task, the printer number in the mail is searched and confirmed in the print management file. Step 24: It is determined whether or not the data of the printer number is in the print management file, that is, whether or not the printer is in use. Step 25: If the apparatus is in use, the apparatus waits for a predetermined time and returns to step 23.

Step 26: If the printer is not in use in step 24, it is checked whether the signal line for notifying the status of the set value of the printer is at a high level. Step 27: It is determined from the result whether or not the set value of the printer is the initial set value. Step 28: If the initial setting value has been reached, the setting data whose at least one setting is different from the initial setting value is transmitted to the printer 2.

Step 29: Print data is created based on the print target data and the form type stored at the designated address of the print management file, and the number of print lines is written in the print line number field of the print management file. Step 30: Next, the time required to print the print data is calculated based on the number of print lines and the print speed set in the printer performance setting file. Write. Then, the status flag of the print management file is set to 1 to indicate that the data processing has been completed.

Step 31: The new flag is checked to determine whether or not the printing is new. Step 32: If the retransmission is not new, a retransmission mark is added to the print data. Step 33: The print data E is transmitted to the printer 2, and the status flag of the print management file is set to 2 indicating the end of data processing. Step 34: The value of the counter of the print management file (= the time required for printing the print data) and the printer number are transmitted to the timer task. Step 35: The status flag of the print management file is set to 3 indicating the end of transmission, and the process returns to the status of waiting for a print instruction in step 22.

In this way, even if a momentary power failure occurs in the POS terminal before or after the print data is transmitted to the printer, the print data can be printed out. However, when only the power of the printer is turned off for paper exchange or the like when the print data is transmitted to the printer, the output of the print data becomes impossible. As a countermeasure, the following timer task is prepared.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the timer task. Step 1: Wait for transmission of the value of the counter of the print management file and the printer number from the printer task. Step 2: Wait for the required printing time indicated by the counter value. Step 3: Check whether the signal line for notifying the status of the set value of the printer is at a high level. Step 4: It is determined from the result whether or not the set value of the printer is the initial set value.

Step 5: If the initial set value has been reached,
Since the printer has not been powered down,
Assuming that printing has been performed normally, the designated portion of the print management file is cleared, and the process returns to the notification waiting state. Step 6: If the initial set value has not been reached in step 4, it is considered that the power supply has been interrupted in the printer, and
To start over from the creation of print data, a new flag in the print management file is set to 1 indicating retransmission, a status flag is set to 0 indicating data is not processed, and then a print instruction mail B is sent to the printer task. .

Next, processing in the printer 2 will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the internal processing of the printer. This process is started at the same time when the power of the printer is turned on. Step 1: First, as initial processing, the printer 2
Initial setting of each of the ICs is performed, and an initial setting value is read from the ROM 22 and written on the RAM 23. Step 2: Check whether there is any abnormality inside the printer 2. Step 3: As a result, it is determined whether or not it is normal. Step 4: If it is not normal, the abnormality display LED is turned on, and the signal line for notifying the abnormality is set to the high level.

Step 5: If the result is normal in Step 3, the signal line for notifying the status of the set value of the printer is set to a high level to indicate that there is no change. Step 6: Wait for reception from the printer task. Step 7: Upon receipt, it is determined whether or not it is print data E. Step 8: If the data is print data E, the printing is performed.

Step 9... If the instruction is not print data but an instruction to change the set value in step 7, the set value written in the RAM 23 is rewritten to the received set value. Step 10: It is determined whether or not the value matches the initial setting value held in the ROM 22. Step 11: If they match, the signal line is set to high level. Step 12: If there is no match and even one of the setting data is different, the signal line is set to low level.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a printer output example.
FIG. 7A shows an example of a receipt which has been output normally, and FIG. 7B shows an example of a receipt which has been re-output. .

In the above embodiment, the case where the POS terminal body 1 and the printer 2 are connected by a parallel communication line has been described. In such a case, a single signal line is used to notify that the setting value of the printer has been changed from the initial setting value, and the notification is made by a high / low voltage applied to the signal line.

On the other hand, when a connection is made via a serial communication line, a flag indicating whether the printer setting value has been changed from the initial setting value is added to the response signal from the printer 2 by the protocol. Notice. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, a flag indicating the status of the set value of the printer is added to the end of the response signal from the printer 2 to the POS terminal 1 by a protocol. In that case, not only the flag indicating the status of the printer setting value,
Information indicating the contents of the set value at that time can also be added.

[0044]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, it has the following effects. In the merchandise sales registration device according to the first aspect, the print instruction information is registered in the print management file, and the transmission progress information such as the status flag in the above embodiment is put in the print management file. Even if a momentary power failure or power outage occurs,
After the power is restored, the print data can be re-created based on the print instruction information. As a result, the print data can be re-output at low cost and without requiring a huge amount of software on the printer side.

Further, the commodity sales registration device according to the second aspect changes the printer setting value from the initial setting value when the power is turned on, and determines whether the printer setting value has been changed by the printer setting change notification means. Can be confirmed from the processing apparatus main body side, based on whether the printer setting value is the initial setting value or the changed setting value, whether or not the printer has been powered off.
As a result, even if the power of the processing apparatus main body is alive and the printer is turned off during printing of the punlitta, the print data can be output again after the power is restored.

Further, in the merchandise sales registration apparatus according to the third aspect, when the print data is retransmitted to the printer, a mark indicating retransmission is added to the print data. It becomes obvious.

Further, the commodity sales registration device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the processing device main body and the printer are connected by a parallel communication line, can easily set the printer setting value by using only one signal line. The status can be notified.

Further, the commodity sales registration apparatus according to the present invention, when the processing apparatus main body and the printer are connected by a serial communication line, easily uses the printer response signal of the protocol to easily set the printer setting value. The status can be notified.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a POS terminal main body and a printer connected thereto.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the contents of various files used in the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a main task of the POS terminal main body.

FIG. 4 is a first half of a flowchart of a printer task.

FIG. 5 is the second half of the flowchart of the printer task.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a timer task.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a printer output example.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a printer internal process.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a protocol of serial I / O.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a main part of a POS system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 POS terminal body 2 Printer 3-9 Communication line

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A processing apparatus main body for performing product sales registration processing, and a printer for performing printing in accordance with an instruction from the processing apparatus main body, wherein the processing apparatus main body includes a storage unit with a backup function for storing data to be printed. A print data creation unit for creating print data from the print target data; and an address of the print target data set in the storage unit and a process of transmitting the print data created from the print target data to the printer. A print management file in which print instruction information including transmission progress information indicating
File information rewriting means for rewriting transmission progress information of the print management file after transmission of the print data to the printer, and a file for deleting the print instruction information from the print management file after printing of the print data is completed Information deletion means, indicating that print instruction information is registered in the print management file when the power of the processing apparatus main body is turned on, and that the transmission status information is before the end of print data transmission to the printer. Resending instruction means for instructing the print data creation means to recreate print data from the print target data at the address registered in the print management file and to resend the print data. A product sales registration device characterized by the following. 2. A processing apparatus main body for performing a merchandise sales registration process, and a printer for performing printing in accordance with an instruction from the processing apparatus main body, wherein the printer determines whether a printer setting value has been changed from an initial setting value. A setting change notifying means for notifying the processing device main body side; the processing device main body includes a storage device with a backup function for storing print target data; and a print data generation device for generating print data from the print target data. Means, and print instruction information set in the storage means, the print instruction information including an address of the print target data and transmission progress information indicating a progress of transmission processing of the print data created from the print target data to the printer is registered. A print management file, setting value changing means for changing the printer setting value at power-on, and completion of transmitting the print data to the printer. After completion, file information rewriting means for rewriting transmission progress information of the print management file; file information deletion means for deleting the print instruction information from the print management file after printing of the print data is completed; A printing time calculating means for calculating a printing time required from sending print data to printing completion based on the number of lines of data and the printing speed of the printer, and the printing time has elapsed since sending the print data. At the time, when the setting change notifying means indicates that it has not been changed from the initial setting value, the print data creating means transmits the print data from the print target data at the address registered in the print management file to the print data creating means. A merchandise sales registration device comprising retransmission instruction means for instructing re-creation and retransmission of the print data. 3. A print data re-send to a printer according to an instruction from said re-send instruction means, wherein a mark indicating re-send is added to the print data.
Or the product sales registration device according to 2. 4. The processing device main body and a printer are connected by a parallel communication line, and one signal line of the parallel communication line is used as the setting change notification means.
4. The merchandise sales registration apparatus according to claim 2, wherein whether the printer setting value has been changed from the initial setting value is notified based on the level of the voltage applied thereto. 5. A processing device main body and a printer are connected by a serial communication line, and the setting change notifying means is included in a response signal from the printer in a protocol exchanged between the processing device main body and the printer. 4. The merchandise sales registration apparatus according to claim 2, wherein information indicating a state of the set value is added.