JPS5827544B2 - Portable car repair estimate issuing machine - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a portable automobile repair estimate issuing machine.

Conventionally, systems that used general-purpose computers to issue repair estimates for automobiles had the inconvenience of not being able to immediately issue repair estimates at automobile repair sites due to their large size and weight. Ta.

For this reason, we have extracted only the functions related to the issuance of automobile repair estimates for the system using this general-purpose computer, and have also made the storage device, input device, printing device, and central processing unit smaller and lighter. As a device, the above automobile repair estimate issuing system can be carried around, weighs about 10 kg, and has dimensions of width 350 x depth 430 x height 125 (unit: mu).
), a portable automobile repair estimate issuing machine was first developed in advance.

Here, the system configuration regarding the preceding portable automobile repair estimate issuing machine will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

FIG. 1 shows the external appearance of the above-mentioned quotation issuing machine.

In FIG. 1, numeral 11 is a cassette magnetic tape device for controlling a cassette magnetic tape that stores and stores parts data of a vehicle as a parts data file, and 11a to 1
1n are cassette magnetic tapes each containing parts data related to a specific car model.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a printer as a printing device specially selected for its small size and light weight, and is used to issue a written estimate.

13 is a numeric display device for displaying input data, 14 is a keyboard for inputting data, and 15 is a small case with a handle for holding the whole together.

Note that the central processing unit and the storage device are not depicted in FIG. 1 because they are housed within the case.

FIG. 2 shows the system configuration of this portable automobile repair estimate issuing machine, and 16 is a central processing unit (CPU) using a microprocessor.

17 is a storage device that stores a control program for controlling this system and a processing program for processing data; in this embodiment, a read-only memory (ROM) 1;
It uses 6KB.

18 is a storage device for storing processing data, and in this embodiment, a random access memory (RAM) of 16 KB is used.

7 is an input data sheet, which includes name coded data 7a written by the estimator himself and a repair cost value 7b;
Vehicle type data 7c is input by the estimator himself from the keyboard 14.

The operation console functions necessary for a general-purpose computer are built into the keyboard 14 and ROM 16 at 817.

In FIG. 2, the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1 indicate the same or corresponding parts.

FIG. 3 shows the structure of the control program and data processing program built into the ROM 16KB17.

In FIG. 3, step 50 is an initial setting program for initially resetting the entire system and setting the initial state.

Step 51 is a corresponding processing flow extraction jump program that determines which program to select from subsequent steps 52 to 55.

Step 52 is a vehicle model data key manual processing program that processes the vehicle model data entered manually.
3 is a target part data extraction program that extracts the target part data from the parts data file according to the name coded data entered manually; step 54 is to edit the extracted data into a format for printing; Create print data for the printer operation process step 5.
This is a program to send to 8.

Step 55 is a program for terminating the process,
In this configuration, after completion, the processing in step 51 regarding the corresponding processing flow extraction jump program is performed again to prepare for issuing the next estimate.

Step 56 is a key processing program that controls the key power and processes the input data. Step 57 is a cassette deck operation processing program that controls the cassette magnetic tape device and processes the input data. Step 58
is a printer operation processing program that processes printer operations and prints data.

Next, the operation of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be explained with reference to FIG.

This portable automobile repair estimate issuing machine, which has the program structure shown in Figure 3, can narrow down its intended function to only the automobile repair estimate issuing function, so it can be used in systems using conventional general-purpose computers. The role of the operation console, which was necessary in the system, can be incorporated into the keyboard 14 and the program stored in the ROM 11. This eliminates the operation console, which has a great effect on making the entire system smaller and lighter, and at the same time prevents erroneous operation. It can be made very easy to use and has a function to prevent this.

The initial setting program in step 50 shown in FIG. 3 automatically starts up the system and initializes the input device, which conventional operators rely on their own experience and attentiveness to operate. be.

Initialization (Then, the vehicle model data 7c entered in the input data sheet 7 is processed by the vehicle model data key manual processing program in step 52 and the key processing program in step 56, and stored in the storage device 18f.

Next, in order to extract the corresponding target part from the cassette magnetic tape 11i selected in advance by the estimator as an index of the name coded data 7a entered in the input data sheet 7, the target part extraction program in step 53 and the target part extracting program in step 56 are executed. The key processing program in step 57 and the cassette deck operation processing program in step 57 are executed by the central processing unit 1.
6, and stores the extracted data in the storage device 18 every time target part data is extracted.

The above data stored in the storage device 18 is edited by the print data editing program in step 54 to be printed as extra-line print data on the estimate, and the printer operation processing program in step 58 is used to print the extra-line print data on the estimate 8. Printed as data.

To print all lines of quotation form 8, step 51 for extracting the corresponding processing flow, step 54 for print data editing program, step 58 for printer operation processing program, and the programs to be executed in sequence. The routine is executed as many times as there are lines in the quotation form 8.

Finally, when the end is determined in the end determination step 55, the cassette magnetic tape is rewound in the cassette deck operation processing step 57, and the corresponding processing flow in step 51 is extracted and the jump program is executed again to issue the next quotation. Be prepared.

In this way, this portable automobile repair estimate issuing machine makes it easy to operate and prevents operational errors.Furthermore, since it is portable, it is possible to issue automobile repair estimates without the need for an estimate. It can be issued immediately at the repair site.

However, this prior portable automobile repair estimate issuing machine is modeled after the conventional estimate issuing system using a general-purpose computer, and therefore can only issue an estimate once for input data.

In the case of a portable version, the immediateness of issuing quotations is high, so there is a high demand for easily revising and reissuing the contents of issued quotations, and the problem is that this preceding system does not satisfy this new requirement. There was a point.

This invention was developed to solve the above-mentioned problems with the previous portable automobile repair estimate issuing machine, and also to enable the operator to use it with peace of mind even if he or she is not familiar with using a calculator. It has a repeat print function that allows you to reissue quotations, a manual print function that allows you to change the contents of the quotation, and a test print function that makes sure that the printer prints correctly. The purpose is to satisfy the new requirements mentioned above by making it possible to test whether or not it is possible.

The repeat print function, manual print function, and test print function according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7.

Figure 4 shows a printer equipped with a repeat print switch for activating the repeat print function added according to the present invention, a manual print switch for activating the manual print function, and a test print switch for activating the test print function. The external appearance of a portable automobile repair estimate issuing machine is illustrated.

1 is the repeat print switch, 2 is the manual print switch, and 3 is the test print switch.

The test print switch 3 is provided with a recess in the case to prevent it from being accidentally touched.

In FIG. 4, the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1 indicate the same or corresponding parts.

FIG. 5 illustrates the system configuration shown in FIG. 4, and in FIG. 5, the same reference numerals as in FIG. 4, FIGS. 1 and 2 indicate the same or corresponding parts.

Reference numeral 10 designates the repeat print switch 1, manual print switch 2, and test print switch 3 added according to the embodiment of the present invention, and a judgment switch control circuit for reading their states, which is similar to the input/output device. Connected to the central processing unit.

FIG. 6 specifically illustrates the judgment switch control circuit, in which the repeat print switch 1, manual print switch 2, and test print switch 3 are each connected to completely identical circuits.

Numerals 6a to 6c are two-man power AND circuits to which the repeat print switch 1, manual print switch 2, and test print switch 3 are connected, and each switch is connected to one two-man power AND circuit 63 to 6C.

The other input signal of the two-manual AND circuit is the judgment switch read command signal line 10a, which goes to the "H" level of the IC in response to the judgment switch status read command used by the program added according to the present invention. .

The outputs of the three AND gates corresponding to each switch are connected to the data signal line group 10b and can notify the central processing unit of the switch status.

In FIG. 6, the same reference numerals as in FIG. 4 indicate the same or corresponding parts.

FIG. 7 shows a configuration in which a repeat print function, a manual print function, and a test print function according to an embodiment of the present invention are added to the control program and data processing program written in the ROM 16KB17.

In FIG. 7, the same reference numerals as in FIG. 3 indicate the same or corresponding parts.

Step 101 in FIG. 7 is a repeat print switch state determination program for determining the state of the repeat print switch, and step 105 and step 101 have the same content.

Step 106 is a print data header editing processing program that performs necessary processing before editing the first line of print data for issuing a quotation.

Step 100 is a manual print switch state determination program that determines the state of the manual print switch;
Step 103 is a manual key manual processing completion determination program that is specially added to manually print manual print data, and step 104 is a manual key manual processing program that is specially added to manually print manual print data. be.

Step 102 is a test print switch state determination program that determines the state of the test print switch, and step 107 is a fixed data line print processing program that is specially added to print test print data.

Here, the fixed data refers to a test pattern printed during test printing.

Now, referring to FIG. 7, the operations of the repeat print function, manual print function, and test print function according to the embodiment of the present invention will be explained.

When repeat print switch 1 is turned on during printing, the process branches to step 101, a repeat print switch judgment step, and proceeds to the next repeat print switch judgment step 105, where repeat print switch 1 is turned on.
Wait until it is turned back to OFF.

Next, by turning off the repeat print switch 1, the process moves to step 106 for the next flint data editing processing program, where print data processing is performed before printing the first line of the estimate, and printer operation processing is performed at step 58. Execute and print the estimate data below.

Repeat print switch 1 is turned on once and then turned off
It becomes effective only when

When the manual print switch 2 is turned on during printing, the manual print switch is determined in step 100, and then in step 103, it is determined that the manual key processing has ended.
Then, it is determined whether the manual print data has been manually printed.

If unprocessed, manual key control is performed in the next step 104, and processing is performed in a key processing step 56 so that the manually entered data is replaced with data that has already been automatically stored as print data. , go to the manual print switch determination step 100 again via the corresponding processing flow extraction jump step 51,
At this time, if the manual print switch continues to be in the ON state, a determination is made again at step 103 for determining whether manual key processing is completed.

In this case, the manual key processing has already been completed, so the process moves to step 54, where the stored print data is edited as print data as usual, and then in printer operation processing step 58, the process for one shipment of quotations is processed. Printed as data.

The manual print switch 2 prints the data input from the key every line until it is turned off.

After turning off, the normal estimate issuing operation will automatically occur, printing continuously up to the last line.

The state determination step 102 of the test print switch 3 is selected and executed by the corresponding process flow extraction jump step 51 many times before issuing the quotation.

When the test print switch 3 is ON, the fixed data as a test pattern stored in the ROM 17 is processed by the fixed data row print processing program in step 107, and then printed by the printer operation processing program in step 58.

The test print switch 3 continues to print test print data for any number of lines until it is turned off.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, the operations when the repeat print switch 1, manual print switch 2, and test print switch 3 are OFF are exactly the same as before the above switches 1 to 3 were added according to the present invention. This becomes clear by comparison.

Although the manual print function, repeat print function, and test print function have been described independently in the description of the embodiments of the present invention, the object of the present invention can also be achieved as a combined function.

In this case, it is preferable to give priority to the repeat print function over the manual print function and print the estimate from the beginning by turning the repeat print switch ON-OFF even during manual print.

Another possible method is to disable the test print function during printing and enable it by turning the repeat print switch ON-OFF.

In addition, the manual print function can also be used as a function to temporarily stop the printer by adding a function to pass the key input.

As explained above, according to this invention, once an estimate has been issued, it can be reissued any number of times, the contents can be changed while being reissued, the printing operation can be stopped, and the printing ribbon of the printer can be replaced. Since the printing operation can be tested later, if all of these functions are provided, it is possible to almost completely satisfy the user's requirements for a portable device.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is an external view of the preceding portable automobile repair estimate issuing machine, Fig. 2 is a configuration diagram of the preceding portable automobile repair estimate issuing machine, and Fig. 3 is a program configuration diagram of the system shown in Fig. 2. , FIG. 4 is an external view showing an embodiment of this invention, FIG. 5 is a system configuration diagram in an embodiment of this invention, FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram added in an embodiment of this invention, and FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a program configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a repeat print switch, 2 is a manual print switch, 3 is a test print switch,
7 is an input data sheet, 8 is an estimate, 10 is a judgment switch control circuit, 12 is a printer, 14 is a keyboard, 16
is the central processing unit. Note that the same reference numerals in the figures indicate the same or corresponding parts.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A storage device that stores data related to automobile parts in advance, an input device that inputs coded parts name data corresponding to the names of automobile parts and various identification coded data for identifying the model of the automobile, and a predetermined device. a central processing unit that processes data, and a printing device that issues an automobile repair estimate; In the portable automobile repair estimate issuing machine, which issues an estimate from the printing device according to the estimate data, the repeat print function processes the estimate so that it can be issued even if the estimate is fine. a repeat print switch that activates the repeat print switch, a manual print switch that activates a manual input function that replaces part of the estimate data with data newly input from the input device, and a manual print switch that activates the manual input function that replaces part of the estimate data with data newly input from the input device; A portable automobile repair estimate issuing machine characterized by comprising one, two, or all three of a test print switch that activates a test print function that causes a printing device to print.