JPS5828612B2 - Education mode processing method of data collection system - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an educational mode processing method of a data collection system such as a POS system, particularly a POS (Point of 5)
ales: point of sale) system, each P
Relating to a PO8 education mode method that makes it possible to set an OS terminal to education mode and to process data without contradiction even if a POS terminal in production mode and a POS terminal in education mode operate simultaneously in the same system. It is something.

Systems that collect data, such as POS systems,
We installed POS terminals in place of cash registers in sales floors that come into direct contact with consumers, and connected these terminals directly to various computers to instantly process all sales operations associated with store activities while accurately monitoring customer demand trends. The number of companies that are introducing this system, including department stores, supermarkets, and even petroleum filling stations, is rapidly increasing.

Employee training regarding the operation of this POS terminal takes, for example, a dedicated training period of about one week, and is first conducted on a desk.
The next step is to practice operating an actual POS terminal.

In this POS terminal operation training, the data handled is fictitious data, and since it is during the educational training period, there are many mistakes in operation, etc., so the actual sales information is not being processed. The POS terminal of this POS system cannot be used as is for educational purposes.

Therefore, in the past, during educational training, it was necessary to separate the POS terminal from the terminal controller and use it offline, or to install a dedicated POS system for education separately from the actual POS system.

However, if the POS terminal is used offline for educational training, the content of the educational training will naturally be limited.

For example, credit authorization or qualification checking mechanisms are generally located on the terminal controller side, so training regarding credits cannot be performed at offline POS terminals.

In addition, installing a dedicated POS system for education and training is generally not something that is carried out all the time.
It is a waste of time other than the education and training period, and it is often difficult to install due to cost considerations.

The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks and to enable the use of POS terminals in sales floors during operation for operator training in an image similar to actual operation by switching the POS terminals to the training mode.

Therefore, the education mode processing method of the data collection system of the present invention is provided with a means for instructing whether or not to use the POS terminal in the education mode, and when the instruction means instructs the education mode, input from the corresponding POS terminal is provided. The collected data is not collected.

More specifically, for example, at least (1) a transaction data acquisition unit that acquires information regarding transactions, (11) a data collection processing unit that collects and processes the acquired data, and (iii)
(IV) A receipt slip issuing processing unit that issues receipts or slips related to transactions; (IV) A matching processing unit that processes information related to transactions; (■) The above-mentioned acquisition/slip processing unit
a plurality of POS terminals having a data aggregation processing unit that aggregates collected data; and a transaction data acquisition unit that is connected to an upper level of the plurality of POS terminals and that acquires transaction information transferred from at least ([) the above-mentioned POS terminals. and (11) a data collection processing unit that collects and processes the acquired data; (iiD) a report output processing unit that outputs the results of the collected data; and (V) a POS terminal management unit that manages the POS terminal. In a POS system having a terminal controller, each of the POS terminals is provided with an education mode instruction unit that indicates whether the mode is the actual operation mode or the education mode according to an instruction from the outside, and a data collection processing unit of the POS terminal is provided. Alternatively, an education mode determination unit is provided in the data collection processing unit or the data collection processing unit of the terminal controller, and in the case of education mode, the data collection processing unit or the data collection processing unit of the POS terminal or the data collection processing unit of the terminal controller is set. It is characterized by bypassing part of the processing section.

This will be explained below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, 1 is a POS terminal, 2 is a terminal controller, 3 is a connection line that connects the POS terminal and the terminal controller, 4 is an education mode instruction section indicating whether it is a production mode or an education mode, and 5 is related to transactions. A receipt slip issuing processing unit that issues a receipt or a slip, 6 a data storage unit, 7 an adjustment processing unit that processes transaction-related information, and 8 a transaction data acquisition unit that obtains transaction-related information; 9 is a data collection processing unit that collects and processes transaction data, 10 is a data aggregation processing unit, 11 is an education mode determination unit, 12 is a POS terminal management unit, and 13 is a transaction data acquisition unit that acquires transaction information transferred from the POS terminal. section, 14 is a data storage section, 1
5 represents a data collection processing section, and 16 represents a report output processing section.

Further, FIG. 2 shows an example of a message sent from the POS terminal to the terminal controller in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 above.

In the figure, 17 is a message, and 18 is, for example, the message type or sending source PO.
A control unit in which control information such as an S terminal number is stored, 1
9 represents a data section such as transaction data, and 20 represents an education mode display section.

In FIG. 1, if the education mode instruction unit 4 is in the off state and indicates the actual operation mode, the education mode determination unit 11 of the data collection processing unit 9 or data aggregation processing unit 10 in the POS terminal 1 Educational mode instruction section 4
, recognizes that it is in the actual operation mode, and performs control to perform processing operations that are exactly the same as business processing operations in conventional actual operations.

In addition, when transmitting a message such as transaction data from the POS terminal 1 to the terminal controller 2 via the connection line 3, for example, the education mode display section 20 provided in the control section 18 shown in FIG. 2 is turned off. Then, the message 17 is created to display the actual operation mode, and the education mode determination section 11 provided in the data collection processing section 15 of the terminal controller 2 refers to the education mode display section 20 of the message 17. , the data collection processing section performs control to perform actual data collection as in the conventional case.

If the POS terminal 1, which is used in actual operations such as inputting sales and issuing receipts, is to be used in educational mode from a certain point, the operator may, for example, press a specific function key provided on the POS terminal 1. By pressing or the like, the education mode instruction section 4 is turned on to indicate that the education mode is in effect.

Even in the education mode, the transaction data acquisition unit 8 performs the same processing as in actual operation, such as inputting sales.

The adjustment processing unit 7 also refers to the transaction data in the data storage unit 6 and performs the same processing as in the actual operation.

The same applies to the receipt slip issuing processing section 5, but if necessary, an education mode determination section may be provided to affix a stamp to the receipt or slip indicating that the output is for education and training when in the education mode.

In this way, when organizing receipts or slips, it is possible to avoid confusion with the actual ones.

The data collection processing section 9 uses the education mode determination section 11 to refer to the education mode instruction section 4, and if the POS terminal 1 is in the education mode, does not perform actual data collection processing.

Similarly, in the data aggregation processing section 10, data aggregation processing such as calculating the total sales is not performed in the education mode.

That is, in general, when in the education mode, reference to transaction data, etc. is allowed, but updating is not performed.

By doing this, even if you input fictitious data for education and training or make an incorrect input, the actual transaction data up to that point will be retained as is in the data storage unit 6, and later when a specific function・Even if the main operation mode is returned to by pressing a key, processing can be continued without any contradiction.

Also, regarding the message sent to the terminal controller 2 during the education mode, by setting the education mode display section 20 shown in FIG. 2 to indicate the education mode,
The display is displayed by the education mode determination unit 11 of the data collection processing unit 15.
can be referenced and the actual data collection can be suppressed.

In this way, since messages are sent even in the education mode, it becomes possible to check credit authorization and other training that would not be possible if the POS terminal was taken offline, for example.

FIG. 3 shows the configuration of another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a POS terminal management table used in the embodiment of FIG.

In the figure, 1 to 16 correspond to 1 to 16 in FIG. 1, respectively, and 21 represents a POS terminal management table.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 3 differs from the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in that the education mode instruction section 4 is not located on the POS terminal 1 side, but only on the terminal controller side.

Therefore, the POS terminal 1 itself performs processing and operations regardless of whether it is in the actual operation mode or the educational mode.

The education mode instruction section 4 of the terminal controller 2 is
For example, a POS terminal management table 2 managed by a commonly used POS terminal management unit 12
An entry for each POS terminal in 1 may be provided, for example, in the "mode display" column shown in FIG.

Generally, the POS terminal management table 21 is
This is a table in which information regarding the POS terminal is stored for each terminal, such as the POS terminal number, attributes such as the type handled by the POS terminal, and status display such as online/offline.

For example, when a message such as transaction data is sent to the data collection processing section 15, the education mode determination section 11 refers to the POS terminal management table 21, and if the POS terminal 1 that sent the message is in the education mode. If so, avoid collecting that data.

The setting/cancellation of this education mode may be performed, for example, by an operator command to the terminal controller 2 or by a batch job when offline.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, it is possible to provide education and training that is closer to the actual operation image than in the embodiment shown in FIG.

For example, on the POS terminal 1 side, in addition to the payment processing that normally takes place at the end of the day, inspections such as cross-checking of sales and cash balances are performed several times a day, and this type of training is also possible. .

As explained above, according to the present invention, a PO dedicated to education and training is provided.
Even if you do not have an S system, it is possible to provide on-site training that is similar to the actual operation image.

Additionally, even during business hours, POS terminals can be used for training during off-peak hours.

In particular, it is not limited to education and training, but it is also possible to make one part of the sales floor fully operational and perform operational tests in another part, and erroneous operations and malfunctions on the POS terminal side can be avoided on the terminal/controller side. will not cause any harm.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figure 1 shows the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 shows an example of a message used in the invention, Figure 3 shows the configuration of another embodiment of the invention, and Figure 4 shows a POS terminal used in the invention. An example of a management table is shown. In the figure, 1 is a POS terminal, 2 is a terminal controller, 3 is a connection line, 4 is an education mode instruction section, 5 is a receipt slip issuing processing section, 6 is a data storage section, 7 is an adjustment processing section, and 8 is a transaction a data acquisition unit; 9 a data collection processing unit; 10 a data aggregation processing unit; 11 an education mode determination unit;
12 is a POS terminal management section, 13 is a transaction data acquisition section, 14 is a data storage section, 15 is a data collection processing section, 1
6 is a report output processing unit, 17 is a message, 18 is a control unit,
19 is the data section, 20 is the education mode display section, 21 is the PO
Represents the S terminal management table.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A plurality of terminal devices each having a transaction data input section into which at least transaction information related to a transaction is input, and a data collection device connected to an upper level of the terminal device to collect and process transaction information of at least the terminal device. In a data collection system equipped with a processing unit, an education mode instruction unit is provided for each terminal device to indicate whether the actual operation mode or the education mode is selected, and a mode determination unit is provided in the data collection processing unit, and the education mode is specified by the data collection processing unit. An educational mode processing method for a data collection system, wherein the data collection processing unit does not perform collection processing on the input transaction information when the transaction information is inputted. 2. An education mode processing method for a data collection system according to claim 1, wherein the education mode instruction section is provided in each of the terminal devices. 3. Claim 1, wherein the education mode instruction section is provided in a terminal management section that manages a terminal device, and the mode determination section is provided in a data collection processing section.
Educational mode processing method of the data collection system described in Section.