JPS6126709B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention responds to lookup requests from a controller by changing items in a table that converts a product code (hereinafter referred to as a product number) from a transaction terminal into product data such as product name and unit price depending on the frequency of use. This relates to a data conversion method in a distribution system that increases speed on average.

Conventionally, transaction terminal systems in department stores, stores, etc., for example, consist of a plurality of transaction terminals (POS) for conducting transactions with customers and inputting data, and a controller for centrally controlling these terminals. As shown in FIG. 1, the configuration is such that a plurality of POSs _{4 1} to 4 _o are connected to a controller (CPU) 1 through a communication line 3 in a series. When a barcode attached to a product is read by a fixed scanner during a transaction at each POS, usually only the product number is entered, so the corresponding unit price can be obtained by lookup, that is, by querying the controller from the POS and receiving a response. . In the method of constantly inquiring the file 2 of the controller 1, the response time inevitably increases due to transmission time and file access time. Therefore, the average response time can be considerably shortened by providing tables ₅₁ to _5o on the POS side that store frequently looked up product numbers and product names/unit prices for each POS.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a lookup table for product numbers and unit prices in POS tables ₅₁ to _5o . The same applies to the product name lookup.

However, problems still remain with the above method. That is, the POS side table usually cannot have a large capacity, and it is actually difficult to prepare a different table for each POS in advance. Therefore, if the product number handled differs depending on the POS, there will be a POS in which the product number is not found in the table within the POS and the probability of searching up to controller 1 is high.

The purpose of the present invention is to
The objective is to provide a data conversion method for distribution systems that can shorten the average response time even at POS.

In order to achieve the above object, the data conversion method in the distribution system of the present invention includes a terminal device equipped with a table for converting a product code into product data, and a controller, and the terminal device converts the product code into product data using the table. In the distribution system, the table is configured to be rewritable, and the product code that is not converted by the table is converted by the controller and output to the terminal device. , further comprising means for writing a product data pair into the table, and each time the controller converts a product code, the terminal device writes the converted product code and product data pair into the table for updating. It is something.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a table within the POS, which is the main part of the present invention.

This table is stored in a rewritable nonvolatile memory, and includes a primary table 6 and a secondary table 7, as shown in the figure. The main table 6 is the same as in Figure 2.
A table of product numbers and unit prices common to POS is prepared, and usage flag 8 is added to this table. The sub-table 7 is an area for storing looked-up items. In such a configuration, in the initial state,
As mentioned above, the table contents are the same for all POSs, all usage flags are cleared, and the sub-table is left empty.

In the case of a lookup, the main table 6 on the POS side is searched, and if it is found, the use flag 8 is set. If not, it is looked up in the controller 1 and the product number and unit price are registered in the sub-table 7.

The contents of the secondary table are registered as replacements for items in the primary table whose use flag 8 is not set, and the contents are deleted in the secondary table by background processing, that is, processing when the POS is not doing its main business.

All use flags are cleared every time a transaction is performed a certain number of times (N). The optimal value of N in this case should be determined by the table size and lookup frequency.

In the above, more precise control can be achieved by counting the use flags using a counter and replacing them with the item with the lowest count.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, the terminal device includes a keyboard 11,
Search circuit 12, +1 addition circuit 13, transmission/reception control section 15, print control section 20, printer 21, table 9 consisting of main table 14 and sub table 17, write circuit 16, exchange circuit 18, and timer 1
It comprises a writing means 10 having 9.

In the terminal device, the product part number from the keyboard 11 is entered into the search circuit 12, and first the product number is entered into the main table 14.
If a matching product number is found, the printer 21 is operated via the print control unit 20 to print it on a slip, etc., and a matching signal is sent to the search circuit 12 to operate the +1 addition circuit 13 to print the main table 1.
Write the use flag "1" to the matching product number of 4.

If there is no matching product number in the main table 14,
The search circuit 12 performs a lookup on the file 2 of the controller (CPU) 1 through the transmission/reception control section 15, and sends the unit price corresponding to the product number directly through the transmission/reception control section 15 to the print control section 20 and printer 21 for printing. Write circuit 1
6, the product number and unit price are registered in the sub-table 17. The contents of this sub-table 17 are replaced with the item in the main table 14 by searching for an item with a flag of "0" in the main table 14 by the replacement circuit 18 controlled by the timer 19 through the background processing described above. In this way, the POS table common to each POS can be sequentially replaced with frequently used product numbers and unit prices.

In the embodiment, the product number was input from the keyboard, but it goes without saying that the same applies if the product number is input as a barcode from a fixed scanner as described above.

As explained above, according to the present invention, the lookup response speed of the controller is increased on average by changing the items in the table of product names and unit prices of unused transactions depending on the frequency of use. be. As a result, even if the distribution of product numbers to be looked up is different for each transaction terminal, the product numbers to be looked up will be replaced based on the track record as the lookup progresses, and as a result, the average lookup response time will be effectively shortened. be able to.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram of the trading terminal system, Figure 2 is
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an example of the contents of a POS table, FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the POS table of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 11 is a keyboard, 12 is a search circuit,
13 is a +1 addition circuit, 14 is a main table, 15 is a transmission/reception control section, 16 is a write circuit, 17 is a sub table, 18 is an exchange circuit, 19 is a timer, 20 is a print control section, and 21 is a printer.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A terminal device 4 having a table 9 for converting a product code into product data, and a controller 1, the terminal device converting the product code into product data using the table 9 and outputting it. In addition, in a distribution system in which product codes that are not converted by the table 9 are converted by the controller 1 and output by the terminal device 4, the table 9 is configured to be rewritable, and the product codes converted by the controller 1,
Means 10 for writing product data pairs into the table 9
A data conversion method in a distribution system, wherein the terminal device 4 writes and updates the converted product code and product data pair in the table 9 every time the product code is converted by the controller 1. 2. The table 9 is divided into the main table 14 and the sub table 17, and if the main table 14 and the sub table 17 are not searched, the controller 1
Data distribution system according to claim 1, characterized in that items obtained in response to a lookup are written in the sub table 17, and then replaced with less frequently used items in the main table. Conversion method.