JPS5856143B2 - Terminal device test program startup method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a method for starting a test program for a terminal device, particularly for a terminal device having a built-in stored program processing device, in which power is turned on while operating a predetermined function key. The condition is such that the stored program processing device enters a test mode to perform a functional test of the terminal device, and is prevented from entering the test mode due to an undesired key operation by an operator. This relates to a method for starting a test program for a terminal device.

Recently, so-called microprocessors have been incorporated into various control devices, and have also come to be incorporated into terminal devices such as POS terminals.

Such terminal devices often have a built-in test program for tracing the cause of a failure when a failure occurs or for debugging purposes.

The present invention is not limited to the case where a test program is built-in, but includes the case where a test is performed after loading a test program. The use of special keys for launching test programs that are not used under processing mode is useful, for example, in the Credit Authorization Terminal (CAT).
) is not preferable in the case of a relatively small terminal device.

For this purpose, the above-mentioned test mode is entered using keys operated by the operator under the normal processing mode, but it is possible to enter the test mode undesirably when executing the normal processing mode. You need to avoid it as much as possible.

Further, although the conditions for entering the test mode are generally set by a program, it is not preferable to prepare a special program for setting the conditions.

Moreover, it is desirable to avoid setting the conditions described above so that they can only be applied to a special type of terminal device.

Based on the above-mentioned premise, the present invention provides a simple and versatile program for setting conditions, while taking care not to enter the test mode undesirably when attempting to execute the normal processing mode. The purpose of this invention is to provide a method for starting a test program for a terminal device.

Therefore, the test program starting method of the terminal device of the present invention includes at least a numeric keypad and a plurality of types of function keys that are operated by an operator in a normal processing mode, and also includes a stored program processing device. In a terminal device that executes processing in response to input data input by the key operation when the power is turned on, the stored program processing device is configured to execute a test program for testing functions within the terminal device; , the above-mentioned stored program processing on the condition that at least one predetermined of the above-mentioned function keys is operated within a predetermined time after the terminal device is powered on. The present invention is characterized in that the device enters a test mode in which the test program is executed.

This will be explained below with reference to the drawings.

The figure shows the configuration of an embodiment of a terminal device according to the present invention, in which reference numeral 1 is a control unit that includes a stored program processing device, and 2 is a read-only memory (hereinafter referred to as RO).
3 is read/write memory (hereinafter referred to as RAM).
), 4 is a microprocessor, 5 is a keyboard, 6 is a numeric keypad, CL is a clear key, * is a mode switching key (note that this key is not related to the test mode setting referred to in the present invention). ), P is a paper feed key, and SD is a send key, which in normal processing mode sends data entered using the numeric keys, for example, to an external device.
The slash "/" is a print starting key, which instructs the printer to output data inputted using the numeric keypad or data resulting from processing in the normal processing mode.

Further, 6 is a display section, 1 is a magnetic card reader, 8 is a four-wire modem for transmitting and receiving data with an external device (not shown), and 10 is a power source.

Under the normal processing mode, the fibroprocessor 4 executes processing while accessing the user program U-P on the ROM 2 while the power is on, and stores data from the RAM 3 as necessary. Read data or write data to RAM3.

Then, data is inputted using the keyboard 5, displayed on the display section 6, read the magnetic card presented by the customer using the magnetic card reader 7, and exchanged with an external device (not shown) using the modem 8. Data is sent and received, and the necessary data is printed out by the printer 9.

In the terminal device as described above, a test program TP, for example, is prepared on the ROM 2 for troubleshooting and debugging.

When a failure occurs, the microprocessor 4 is switched to the test mode and performs a functional test while accessing the test program TP.

In order to set such a test mode, in the present invention, the test mode is entered by, for example, pressing down the transmission key SD while turning on the power.

The conditions for setting the test mode can be included in the power processing program startup method prepared on the ROM2, and in the embodiment, the test mode is entered under the following conditions as shown in the flowchart shown. has been done.

That is, (1) the transmission key SD is operated within, for example, 500 m5 immediately after the power is turned on.

In other words, one of the conditions for entering the test mode is satisfied only when the power is turned on while pressing the transmission key SD, and the above condition is not satisfied when the transmission key SD is pressed after the power is turned on. It will be done like this.

(2) When the process in (1) above is satisfied, the terminal device issues an alarm for a predetermined period of time to alert the operator.

In other words, the operator can test and
You will be asked to reconfirm that you want to enter the mode.

(3) In response to the above alarm, the operator clears the
Do not operate key C.

In other words, if it is not necessary to enter the test mode, an instruction is given to either operate the clear key C in response to the alarm or temporarily turn off the power.

By not operating the clear key C despite the instruction, confirmation is requested from the operator.

(4) The operator should not turn off the power in response to the above alarm.

(5) If necessary, for example, press the slash key “/
” can be made conditional on the operation.

In other words, the operator is made to consciously give the intention to enter the test mode.

In addition, at this timing, press the above slash key "/
” to enter test mode.
This means clearing the undesired data stored in the RAMB at that point, and further setting the polling number and device number necessary for the test mode in the RAMB.

However, pressing the slash key "/" may be added as one of the conditions as an indication of the intention to enter the test mode as described above.

When each of the above conditions (1) to 5) is satisfied, the microprocessor 4 enters the test mode as shown in the illustrated flowchart, and thereafter performs a functional test while accessing the test program T-P on the ROM 2. It will be done like this.

Note that to cancel the test mode, it is sufficient to turn off the power once and then turn it on again.

As described above, according to the present invention, the test mode is entered on the condition that the power is turned on while pressing at least a function key such as the send key SD.

Therefore, there is almost no possibility that the test mode will be entered undesirably by an operator who is not authorized to run the test program and execute the test mode.

Furthermore, since the test mode is entered based on the key operation at the time of power-on, the conditions for entering the test mode have high general rigidity regardless of the type of terminal device.

Furthermore, the above conditions can be incorporated into the power supply processing program, and no special program is required.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The figure shows the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a control unit, 2 is a read-only memory, 3 is a read-write memory, 4 is a microprocessor, 5 is a keyboard, and 6 is a numeric keypad, CL. *, P, SD, r/J, etc. represent function keys.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. Provided with at least a numeric keypad and a plurality of types of function keys operated by an operator in a normal processing mode, and also provided with a stored program processing device, and inputted by the above-mentioned key operations when the power is turned on. In a terminal device that executes processing in response to input data,
The stored program processing device is configured to execute a test program for testing the functions within the terminal device, and the stored program processing device is configured to execute the test program for testing the functions within the terminal device, and the stored program processing device executes the test program for testing the functions within the terminal device, and the stored program processing device executes the test program for testing the functions within the terminal device, and A terminal device characterized in that the stored program processing device enters a test mode in which the test program is executed on the condition that at least one predetermined function key is operated. test program startup method. 2. The above predetermined time is such that when the at least one function key is operated after the power is turned on, the time until the operation of the function key is detected exceeds the above predetermined time. 2. A method for starting a test program for a terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the value is selected to be a certain value. 3. The at least one function key is a function key that is not operated immediately after power is turned on under the normal processing mode. Terminal device test program startup method described in section. 4 When the above conditions for entering test mode are satisfied,
A test program starting method for a terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the method is configured to issue an alarm. 5. The condition for entering the test mode is canceled by operating a predetermined key among the function keys when the condition is satisfied, and the terminal device enters the normal processing mode. Testing and testing of the terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 4
Program startup method.