JPH1173357A - Merchandise sales data processor, its method and computer-readable storage medium storing merchandise sales data processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To quickly and accurately interpolate unstored merchandise information in each terminal while easing congestion in a data communication line. SOLUTION: A merchandise file 13F in each terminal 10 is formed so as to store merchandise information including an effective period and a 1st judging means (11, 12), a 2nd judging means (11, 12), an inquiry means (11, 12), and an additional storage control means (11, 12) are included in each terminal 10. Each terminal 10 is formed so as to inquire merchandise information to a master equipment (server) 20 through a data communication line 1 at the time of judging that commodity information corresponding to input data are not stored in its own merchandise file 13F or the effective period of the information has elapsed though the information is stored and additionally store the merchandise information including the effective period in the merchandise file 13F built in the terminal 10 itself at the time of receiving a response from the master equipment 20.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a merchandise sales data processing apparatus and method comprising a plurality of terminals having merchandise files connected to a higher-level machine for collectively managing the terminals via a data communication line, and a merchandise sales system. The present invention relates to a computer-readable storage medium storing a data processing program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In FIG. 4, terminals (for example, electronic cash registers) 10A to 10A on the side of each A line connected in a loop by a data communication line (for example, TDLC) 1A.
10N each have a product registration function, an accounting processing function, and the like. The same applies to the terminals 10A to 10N on the respective B lines connected in a loop by the data communication line 1B.

Each of the AB lines (1A, 1B) is connected to a server (file processor) via a switch box 40.
20A and 20B can be connected, and both 20A and 20B can be connected to a data communication line (for example, G
P-1B) 2, and one side is formed as a backup server on the other side so that backup processing can be performed.

Each server 20A, 20B is connected to a host computer (store processor) 30 via a data communication line (for example, LAN) 3. That is, the server 20 forms a higher-level device that collectively manages the terminals 10, and the host computer 30 forms a highest-level device that comprehensively manages each server 20.

[0005] Here, the merchandise registration function at each terminal 10 is as follows.
It is performed as follows. When the cashier inputs data (for example, a product code) using, for example, a scanner, the control unit searches for a product file (a local single product file) in the own device (10) and searches for product information (product name, product name) corresponding to the input data. Unit price) is calculated, and sales data is created in consideration of data input by a key as needed, and stored in a registration file (product registration). Thereafter, an accounting process is performed.

[0006] By the way, the product information to be stored in the product file in each terminal 10 as a lower device is basically downloaded from a higher device (server 20). However, the arrangement positions (stores) of the terminals 10 are not the same, and the products handled are different. Therefore, when there is a change or addition of a handled product, or when the terminal 10 is moved to another sales floor, product information (product name, unit price, etc.) corresponding to the input data.
May not yet be stored in the product file in the own device (10).

In such a case, the terminal 10 makes an inquiry to the higher-level device (20) via the data communication line (for example, TDLC) 1, and the higher-level device (20) searches for a master product file (single item main file) in its own device. The product information corresponding to the input data is obtained and responded to the terminal 10. The terminal 10 registers the product using the returned product information. Thereafter, for example, just before the store closes, a call is made to the host machine (20), and the product information is downloaded from the host machine (20). This download requires considerable effort and time.

[0008]

However, today, when there is a strong tendency for the sale date for customer service and the sale date of limited-quantity products to increase, the product information (product name, unit price, etc.) corresponding to the input data is not sufficient. Frequently, it is likely that the information is not stored in the product file in the own device (10). Therefore, in order to secure product registration based on accurate product information, communication between each terminal 10 and the host machine (20) increases. That is, the data communication line 1 becomes congested, and the waiting time of the customer becomes longer.

[0009] Even when the products related to the unstored product information are purchased successively, an inquiry to the higher-level device (20) must be made for each of the products (customers), thereby further increasing the line congestion. Not only will it invite you, but your business efficiency and customer service will suffer. Furthermore, the stricter the time limit management for strengthening hygiene and limiting sales days, etc., the more each terminal 10
-Opportunities for inquiries and responses between the host machines (20) are significantly increased and frequently repeated.

An object of the present invention is to provide a merchandise sales data processing apparatus and method capable of promptly and accurately complementing unstored merchandise information of each terminal while alleviating congestion of a data communication line. Further, a computer-readable storage medium storing a product sales data processing program is provided.

[0011]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a merchandise sales data processing apparatus in which a plurality of terminals having a merchandise file are connected via a data communication line to a higher-level device for collectively managing the terminals. In, the product file of each terminal is formed so as to be able to store product information including an expiration date for each product, and each terminal has determined that the product information corresponding to the input data is not stored in the product file. Or if it is stored but determined that the expiration date has expired, it is possible to inquire of the host machine through the data communication line for product information and receive a response corresponding to the inquiry from the host machine. The product sales data processing device is formed so that the product information including the expiration date can be additionally stored in the product file in the own device.

[0012] In this invention, when data for product registration is input, each terminal searches for a product file in its own device. If it is determined that the product information corresponding to the input data is within the expiration date, the product is registered using the product information. However, if it is determined that the product information is not stored in the product file, or if it is determined that the stored product information has expired, an inquiry is made to the host machine.

The higher-level device searches the master product file in the device itself, extracts product information corresponding to the input data, and responds to the terminal. The terminal registers the product using the product information returned from the higher-level device as in the case of the conventional example. In addition, the merchandise information including the responded expiration date is additionally stored in the merchandise file in the own device.

Therefore, since there is no need to store in the product file in the own device or the expiration date has passed, it is only necessary to inquire the product information to the host device only once, so that the congestion of the data communication line can be remarkably reduced, and Product information can be quickly and accurately supplemented to the in-machine product file. Moreover, after that, it is possible to quickly and accurately register the product using the latest product information. Thereby, business efficiency and customer service can be further improved.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a merchandise sales data processing apparatus comprising a plurality of terminals having a merchandise file connected to a higher-level device for collectively managing the terminals via a data communication line. A first file for determining whether or not a product file of a terminal stores product information including an expiration date for each product, and that each of the terminals stores product information corresponding to input data in the product file; Discriminating means, second discriminating means for judging whether or not the expiration date has passed when the first discriminating means judges that the merchandise information is stored, and merchandise information by the first discriminating means. When it is determined that the information is not stored and when it is determined that the expiration date has passed by the second determination unit, an inquiry about the product information is made to the higher-level device via the data communication line. And an additional storage control unit for additionally storing the product information including the expiration date when receiving a response corresponding to the inquiry from the host machine, in the product file in the own machine. is there.

In this invention, the first discriminating means determines that there is no storage of the merchandise information corresponding to the input data in the in-machine merchandise file, or the first discriminating means corresponds to the input data in the in-machine merchandise file. If it is determined that the merchandise information is stored and the expiration date included in the merchandise information is past the date and time by the second judging means, the inquiry means sends the data to the host machine via the data communication line. Inquire about the product information corresponding to the input data.

The host device searches the master product file in its own device, extracts product information corresponding to the input data and including the expiration date, and responds to the terminal. Upon receiving the response, the additional storage control means on the terminal side additionally stores the product information including the expiration date in the product file in the own device. Naturally, the terminal registers the product using the product information returned from the higher-level device, as in the case of the conventional example.

Therefore, the same operation and effect as those of the first embodiment can be obtained, and the handling is simple because only the data input operation similar to that of the conventional example is required.

Further, the invention of claim 3 is a method for processing merchandise sales data executed between a plurality of terminals having merchandise files connected via a data communication line and a higher-level device which collectively manages each terminal. If it is determined that the merchandise information is not stored in the merchandise file of each of the terminals or if it is determined that the merchandise information is stored but the expiration date has expired, the data communication line is used. This is a merchandise sales data processing method for additionally storing the merchandise information including the expiration date in a merchandise file in the own machine when an inquiry is made to the upper machine and a response corresponding to the inquiry is received from the upper machine.

According to this invention, when data is input at the time of product registration, the product file in the own machine is searched, and it is determined whether or not product information corresponding to the input data is stored. If it is determined that it is not stored, or if it is stored but its expiration date has passed, an inquiry is made to the host machine. When a response corresponding to the inquiry is received from the higher-level device, the relevant product information including the expiration date is additionally stored in the product file in the own device. Product registration is performed using this latest product information.

Therefore, since it is only necessary to inquire the product information once to the host machine, congestion of the data communication line can be greatly reduced, and the product information can be quickly and accurately supplemented to the product file in the own machine. . Moreover, after that, it is possible to quickly and accurately register the product using the latest product information. Thereby, business efficiency and customer service can be further improved.

Still further, according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a merchandise sales data process executed between a plurality of terminals having merchandise files connected via a data communication line and a higher-level device for collectively managing the terminals. A storage medium readable by a computer storing the program, wherein the product sales data processing program determines that the computer forming the terminal does not store the product information corresponding to the input data in the product file; Or, when it is determined that the expiration date has passed but is stored, the higher-level device is inquired of the product information via the data communication line, and when a response corresponding to the inquiry is received from the higher-level device, Stores a product sales data processing program that is supposed to additionally store the relevant product information including the expiration date in the product file in its own machine And a computer readable storage medium.

According to this invention, the computer forming the terminal which has read the product sales data processing program determines whether or not the product information corresponding to the input data is stored in the product file, but stores the stored product information. If it is determined that the product information has passed, the product information is inquired to the higher-level device via the data communication line, and when the response corresponding to the inquiry is received from the higher-level device, the product information including the expiration date is included in the product in the own device. Additional storage in the file.

Therefore, if the computer reads the merchandise sales data processing program stored in the storage medium, the computer can quickly and accurately supplement the unstored merchandise information of each terminal while reducing congestion of the data communication line. Therefore, it is possible to easily construct a merchandise sales data processing device capable of exerting an excellent operation and effect, and to surely implement the merchandise sales data processing method.

[0025]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) The present product sales data processing apparatus suitable for carrying out the present product sales data processing method has the same basic configuration as that of the conventional example (FIG. 4). As shown in FIG. 1, a product file 13F of each terminal 10 is formed so that product information including an expiration date for each product can be stored, and each terminal 10 has a first determination unit (11, 12).
And second determining means (11, 12), and inquiring means (1
1, 12) and additional storage control means (11, 12) are provided, and when each terminal 10 determines that the product information corresponding to the input data is not stored in the corresponding product file 13F or is stored. If it is determined that the expiration date has passed, it is possible to inquire of the host machine (server 20) for product information via the data communication line 1 and the host machine (2)
The product information including the expiration date when a response is received from 0) can be additionally stored in the product file 13F in the own device (10).

In FIG. 1, each terminal (electronic cash register) 10 includes a CPU 11, a ROM 12, a RAM 1
3. Clock circuit (TOD) 14, Keyboard (KB) 1
5, display (IND) 16, scanner (SCN) 17,
Printer (PNT) 18, drawer with automatic opening device (D
RW) 19 and data communication line (for example, TDLC)
It includes an interface (TDLC I / F) 1FA for one, and can execute a product registration function, an accounting function, and the like.

That is, data (for example, a product code) is obtained from a barcode printed on a product using the scanner 17.
Is read (YES in ST10 in FIG. 3), the control unit (CPU 11, ROM 12) causes the product file 13F to be read.
(ST11) to obtain product information (product name, unit price, etc.) corresponding to the input data (product code), and register the product in the sales file 13R (ST17).

When the closing operation (YES in ST18) is performed as one transaction end declaration, an accounting process (ST19) including the calculation of the total amount is executed. The total amount and the like are displayed on the display 16 and a receipt printed by the printer 18 is issued. The drawer 19 is automatically opened.
The above is the same as in the case of the conventional example.

Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the product file 13F stores the "expiration date" in addition to the "single item code", "money (unit price)" and "point (number)" for each product.
Can be stored.

The server 20 has a CPU as shown in FIG.
21, ROM 22, RAM 23, clock circuit (TOD) 2
4, keyboard (KB) 25 [interface (I /
F) 25F], display (VGA) 26 [interface (I / F) 26F], hard disk drive (HDD)
27 [interface (I / F) 27F], a floppy disk drive (FDD) 28 [interface (I / F) 28F], and an interface (RS2).
An upper-level device (20) that includes a personal computer (RerotePC) 29 for external control connected via a 32C I / F 29F and collectively manages the terminals 10 is formed.

Interface (TDLC I / F) 1
FB is for a data communication line 1 with each terminal (lower device) 10, and an interface (GP-IB I / F) 2F is for a data communication line 2 with another server 20 which forms a backup server with each other. (LAN
The I / F 3F is for the data communication line 3 with the host computer (top-level device) 30 shown in FIG.

The RAM 23 has a master product file 23
F and a master sales file 23R are provided, and the settings stored in the master product file 23F are the same as those of each product file 13F shown in FIG. 2 (product code, amount, point, expiration date). Control unit (CPU21, ROM2
In 2), the set storage product information of the master product file 23F can be downloaded to each terminal 10, and the sales data collected from each terminal 10 can be stored in the master sales file 23R.

Now, the first determination means on each terminal 10 side is:
ROM 12 storing the first discrimination control program and C
PU11 and data is input (ST1 in FIG. 3).
If the answer is "0", the product file 13F is searched (ST11) to determine whether or not the product information corresponding to the input data is stored (exists) (ST1).
2).

The second discriminating means includes a first discriminating means (1
When it is determined that the product information is stored by (1, 12) (YES in ST12), a unit that determines whether or not the expiration date included in the product information has passed.
ROM 12 storing the second discrimination control program and C
It is formed from the PU 11 and is executed in ST16 of FIG. Product information that has expired (product name, unit price, etc.)
Is invalid.

The inquiry means is a first determination means (CPU 1
1, the ROM 12) determines that the product information corresponding to the input data is not stored in the product file 13F in the own device (10) (NO in ST12) or the expiration date is determined by the second determination means (CPU 11, ROM 12). Means for inquiring of the host machine (20) for product information via the data communication line 1 when it is determined that the time has passed (NO in ST16);
12 and the CPU 11 and are executed in ST13 of FIG. This is performed by adding the input data (product code).

Upon receiving this inquiry, the merchandise information extraction control means (CPU 21, ROM 22) of the higher-level device (20)
The product information corresponding to the input data is extracted by searching the master product file 23F. The extracted product information includes an expiration date.

The response means (CPU21, ROM2
2) responds to the terminal 10 via the data communication line 1 with the extracted product information.

When the terminal 10 receives a response from the host machine (20) (YES in ST14), the additional storage control means (CP
U11, ROM 1 storing an additional storage control program
2) stores the product information including the expiration date in the product file 13F.
Is stored in association with the product code (ST15).

That is, if there is no storage in the product file 13F in the own device (10) or the expiration date has passed, it is only necessary to inquire the upper device (20) once for product information. 1 can be significantly alleviated, and the latest product information can be quickly and accurately supplemented to the in-machine product file 13F.

The control unit (CPU 11, ROM 12) registers the product using the supplemented (added / updated) latest product information (ST17). That is, since product registration can be performed quickly and accurately using the latest product information, business efficiency and customer service can be further improved.

The second determining means (CPU 11, RO
If it is determined by M12) that it is within the expiration date (YES in ST16), the product is registered using the product information (ST17).

As described above, the present invention is widely applicable to an increasing number of special sales dates for customer service, sales dates of limited-quantity products, and the like, even if products related to unstored product information are continuously purchased. As a result, customer waiting time can be shortened. In addition, the more strict the expiration date management is for strengthening hygiene and limiting the date of sale, the more effective the effective expiration date management can be.

(Second Embodiment) In this embodiment, the computer forming the host machine (server 20) reads the merchandise sales data processing program from a storage medium (floppy disk... FD), and The processing program is downloaded to each terminal 10 via the data communication line 1, and each terminal 10 and the host machine (20) construct the same product sales data processing apparatus (10, 20) as in the first embodiment. And the method is made executable.

That is, in the first embodiment, each terminal 1
The first discriminating means, the second discriminating means, the inquiry means and the additional storage control means on the 0 side are formed from the ROM 12 and the CPU 11 storing the commodity sales data processing program shown in FIG. The ROM 22 and the CPU shown in FIG.
21.

On the other hand, in the second embodiment,
For convenience, the merchandise sales data processing program (ST10 to ST19) for each terminal 10 shown in FIG. 3 from the storage medium (FD) using the FDD 28 of the host machine (20) shown in the merchandise sales data processing device (FIG. 1). ) And a product sales data processing program (not shown) of the higher-level device (20) are read and stored in the HDD 27, and a product sales data processing program (not shown) of the higher-level device (20) is developed in the RAM 23. A commodity sales data processing program (ST10-S
As for T19), what is downloaded from the host machine (20) side is developed in the RAM 13 in each machine (10) to be executable. Others are the same as in the first embodiment.

The program downloaded from the higher-level device (20) to each terminal 10 includes each terminal 1 described above.
0-side product sales data processing program (ST10 to ST
In addition to 19), a necessary program (for example, an installation program) for enabling each terminal 10 that has received this to execute it is also included.

Therefore, if the storage medium (FD) is read by the computer (20), the computer (20) and the plurality of computers (10) can be connected to the terminal 10 and the host computer in the same manner as in the first embodiment. It can be easily constructed as (server 20).

The HDD 27 and the ROM shown in FIG.
22 is detachable and stores the product sales data processing program shown in FIG.
Is also a storage medium. The storage medium is not limited to the above, and may be formed from a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, an MO, a magnetic tape, or the like.

The above-mentioned merchandise sales data processing program (FIG. 3) may be formed so as to be directly readable for each terminal 10.

[0050]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when each terminal determines that the product information corresponding to the input data is not stored in the product file storing the product information including the expiration date, the terminal stores the product information. Can query the host machine via the data communication line for product information when it is determined that the expiration date has passed, and can additionally store the product information in its own product file if it receives a response from the host machine Because it is a product sales data processing device, there is no storage in the product file in the machine itself or the expiration date has passed, so it is only necessary to inquire the product information once to the host machine, so the congestion of the data communication line is greatly reduced In addition to this, the product information can be quickly and accurately supplemented to the in-machine product file. In addition, since then, the product can be registered quickly and accurately using the latest product information, so that the operational efficiency and customer service can be further improved.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, each terminal has a first determining means, a second determining means, an inquiry means,
Additional storage control means is provided, and if the product information corresponding to the input data is not stored in the product file in the own device or the validity period has passed, the product information including the expiration date obtained from the upper device is stored in the product file in the own device. Since the merchandise sales data processing device is formed so as to be additionally storable, the same effect as that of the first aspect of the invention can be obtained, and it is only necessary to perform the same data input operation as in the conventional example. Easy to handle.

Further, according to the third aspect of the present invention, when it is determined that the product information is not stored in the corresponding product file of each terminal, or when it is determined that the stored product information has expired. This is a product sales data processing method in which the product information including the expiration date is additionally stored in the product file in its own device when a query is made to the higher-level device via the data communication line and a response is received from the higher-level device. Since it is only necessary to inquire the machine for product information, congestion of the data communication line can be significantly reduced, and the product information can be quickly and accurately supplemented to the product file in the machine itself. In addition, since then, since the latest product information can be used to quickly and accurately register the product, business efficiency and customer service can be further improved.

Further, according to the invention of claim 4, when it is determined that the merchandise information corresponding to the input data is not stored in the merchandise file of the terminal, or when it is stored, but the expiration date has passed. Product sales data processing that, when determined, causes a higher-level device to make an inquiry about product information via a data communication line and, when a response is received from the higher-level device, additionally stores the relevant product information including the expiration date in a product file in the own device. Since it is a computer-readable storage medium storing the program, if the computer reads the merchandise sales data processing program stored in the storage medium,
To easily construct the computer as a merchandise sales data processing device capable of quickly and accurately complementing unstored merchandise information of each terminal while reducing congestion of data communication lines. And the merchandise sales data processing method can be reliably implemented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first (second) embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a product file of each terminal.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of each terminal.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 to 3 data communication line 10 terminal (commodity sales data processing device) 11 CPU (first discriminating means, second discriminating means, inquiry means, additional storage control means) 12 ROM (first discriminating means, second discriminating means) Determination means, inquiry means, additional storage control means) 13 RAM 13F product file 13R sales file 20 server (upper machine: product sales data processing device) 21 CPU 22 ROM 23 RAM 23F master product file 23R master sales file 27 HDD 28 FDD FD Floppy disk (storage medium) 30 Host computer 40 Switch box

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A merchandise sales data processing apparatus in which a plurality of terminals having merchandise files are connected via a data communication line to a host machine which collectively manages the terminals, wherein the merchandise file of each terminal is Product information including the expiration date of each item is formed to be storable, and when each of the terminals determines that the product information corresponding to the input data is not stored in each of the product files, or the terminal stores the product information, If it is determined that the product information has passed, the product information can be inquired to the higher-level device via the data communication line, and if a response corresponding to the inquiry is received from the higher-level device, the product information including the expiration date is stored in the own device. A product sales data processing device formed so as to be able to be additionally stored in a product file. 2. A merchandise sales data processing apparatus in which a plurality of terminals having merchandise files are connected via a data communication line to a host machine that collectively manages each terminal, wherein the merchandise file of each terminal is First determining means configured to be able to store product information including an expiration date for each of the terminals, and determining whether or not each terminal stores product information corresponding to input data in the product file; A second discriminating means for judging whether or not the expiration date has passed when it is judged by the discriminating means that the merchandise information is stored, and a merchandise information not being stored by the first discriminating means. An inquiring means for inquiring of the higher-level device via the data communication line for product information when the determination is made and when the expiration date is determined to have passed by the second determining means; The product information including an expiration date when receiving a response corresponding to the inquiry from the host device is provided and an additional storage control means for additionally stored in the own machine product file, commodity sales data processing apparatus. 3. A merchandise sales data processing method executed between a plurality of terminals having merchandise files connected via a data communication line and a higher-level device that collectively manages the terminals, the method comprising: When it is determined that the product information is not stored in each of the product files, or when it is determined that the product information is stored but the expiration date has passed, the host device is inquired via the data communication line, A merchandise sales data processing method for additionally storing the merchandise information including the expiration date in a merchandise file in the own machine when a response corresponding to the inquiry is received from the machine. 4. A computer that stores a product sales data processing program executed between a plurality of terminals having product files connected via a data communication line and a higher-level device that collectively manages the terminals. If the product sales data processing program determines in the computer forming the terminal that the product information corresponding to the input data is not stored in the product file, or if it is stored, If it is determined that the time limit has expired, the higher-level device is inquired of the product information via the data communication line, and when a response corresponding to the inquiry is received from the higher-level device, the product information including the expiration date is transmitted to the higher-level device. Can be read by a computer that stores a product sales data processing program that is to be additionally stored in the product file in its own machine Storage medium.