KR100285575B1 - Method for displaying help instruction of electronic cash register - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: Provided is a method for displaying a help instruction of an electronic cash register to easily understand how to use a cash register and various functions based on a corresponding help instruction which is displayed on a monitor by outputting a help instruction from a help message file and a message managing table and displaying it. CONSTITUTION: A help key is checked whether or not to be inputted by a user(S10). A corresponding help instruction is displayed on a monitor(S12). In case a special function key is inputted in S12, an index number corresponding thereto is checked and the corresponding number is set on a help index(S14). A monitor counter is initialized into 0(S16) and a help message saved in a help message file is displayed based on a message indicating pointer saved in a help index table(S18). A key for the next screen is determined whether or not to be inputted(S20). Whole message screen numbers saved in a message managing table are considered whether or not to be more than a screen counter value(S22). A screen counter value increases by one (S24), thereafter a help message corresponding to the next screen is displayed(S26). A key for the previous screen is considered whether or not to be inputted(S30) and a screen counter value is checked whether or not to be 0 in case the key for the previous screen is inputted(S32). When the checked screen counter value is not 0, the screen counter value decreases by 1(S36) and a help message for the previous screen is displayed(S36). In case a clear key is inputted(S38), displaying of a help is completed(S40).

Description

How to Display Help in the Cash Register

The present invention relates to a method for displaying a help of a cash register, and more particularly, to display a help screen for a current operation mode and a function so that a user can easily understand contents and operation descriptions of various modes and functions of the cash register. It is about a method of displaying the help of the cash register that is enabled.

In general, a cash register refers to a device that processes various data associated with the sale of a product to inform the user so that the information can be managed smoothly. It ranges from point of sales system to comprehensively manage distribution economy such as inventory research. Hereinafter, in the present specification, the term ECR (Electronic Cash Register), which means an electronic cash register controlled by a microprocessor, is used as a broad concept including a low-end cash register to a POS terminal.

Such a conventional cash register includes various operation modes such as a registration mode, a program mode, a check mode, a settlement mode, and a stop mode to perform a cash register. When performing various functions in such an operation mode, various function keys are used. Receiving sequentially, the operation of the deposit and withdrawal, the issue of the inspection report or the settlement report and the input and confirmation of the terminal data are performed.

However, the use of such a cash register and a part timer that performs part-time work in a store using a cash register, such as use beginners who are not accustomed to operating various functions, and the like, operate methods and functions to be performed while using a cash register. If you do not know the contents of the service manual and the cash register should be checked by a skilled person who is skilled in the operation of the cash register was cumbersome and inconvenient.

In order to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to make it easy to check a specific operation mode and a specific function during use of a cash register by a simple key operation so as to facilitate the use of a later cash register. It is to provide a method of displaying the help of the cash register.

In order to achieve the above object, the method for displaying a help of the cash register according to the present invention includes determining whether a help key for outputting a specific function key or a help for a current operation mode is input from a user; Determining whether an input of a function key for receiving a selection of a specific function for displaying help from the user when the help key is input as a result of the determination of the help key input determination step; If the function key is input, the index number assigned to the input function key is checked. If the function key is not input, the index number assigned to the current operation mode is checked. step; And reading the help message for the corresponding function key or the current operation mode from the help message file by referring to the message indication pointer of the message management table indicated by the index number checked in the index number checking step, and outputting the help message on the display screen. Characterized in that it comprises a step.

The method may further include determining whether the next screen key for outputting the next screen is input after outputting the help message, and if the next screen key is input as a result of the determination of the next screen key input determination step. Determining whether the total number of help messages stored in the management table is greater than or equal to the screen counter value; and if the total number of message messages is greater than or equal to the screen counter value as a result of the determination of the counter value determination step, increase the value of the screen counter by 1, and then And reading out the help message from the help message file and outputting the help message on the display screen.

In addition, the method of the present invention after the output of the help message determines whether the previous screen key to be selected whether the output of the previous screen of the help screen is input, and the determination result of the previous screen key input determination step previous screen If it is determined that the key is input, determining whether the value of the screen counter is 0. If the value of the screen counter is not 0, the value of the screen counter is decreased by one. The method may further include reading the help message of the screen from the help message file and outputting the help message on the display screen.

The method may further include determining whether a clear key is input for exiting the help screen after outputting the help message, and when it is determined that the clear key is input as a result of the clear key input determination step. The method may further include clearing the output help screen and ending the help display.

1 is a system block diagram of a cash register to which the present invention is applicable.

2 is a key configuration diagram of the key input unit shown in FIG.

3 is a diagram showing the configuration of a help index table and a help message file for implementing the present invention.

4 is a flowchart for explaining a method of displaying a help of a cash register according to the present invention.

* Explanation of symbols for main parts of the drawings

10: central processing unit 20: key input unit

23a: Help key 23b: Previous screen key

23c: Next screen key 23d: Clear key

30: real time clock part 40: RAM

50: ROM 60: Printer

70: display

Hereinafter will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings the configuration and effect of the help display method of the cash register according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

1 is a system block diagram showing a configuration of a cash register to which the present invention is applicable. As shown in FIG. 1, a key input unit 20 and a key input unit 20 for generating various key codes for mode designation and money registration are shown. It provides a real-time information to the central processing unit (CPU) 10 and the central processing unit (10) which specify the operation mode of the cash register according to the key code received during the key scan and perform various functions in the designated mode. A real time clock unit (RTC) 30, a RAM 40 for storing various data generated during a program or a transaction set by a user, a ROM for storing a system operation program and help messages for various modes and various functions. 50, a printer 60 for issuing documents for customer receipts and various processing results under the control of the central processing unit 10, various information related to transactions under the control of the central processing unit 10, and the current operation mode. And It is provided with a display unit 70 for displaying a help screen for the function key of the key input unit 20.

2 is a key configuration diagram of the key input unit 20 to which the help display method of the cash register according to the present invention can be applied. It will be changed or added.

The key input unit 20 includes a mode switch 21 used to designate a desired operation mode among a plurality of operation modes, and a numeric key group 27 used to input an amount of various items or a corresponding numeric code. And an item key group 25 used to designate a desired item, and a function key group 23 used to execute a desired function among various functions.

In addition, the function key group 23 includes a 'help' key 23a for receiving input of a help screen from a user, a 'next screen' key 3a for viewing the next screen of the currently displayed help screen, A 'previous screen' key 23b for viewing the previous screen and a 'clear' key 23d for terminating (or canceling) the display of the help screen; 23c and the 'previous screen' key 23b may be configured separately, but when the 'help' key 23a is input to a previously used key, it is configured to perform the next screen and the previous screen functions, thereby simplifying the entire key arrangement. It may be configured to.

In addition, the general operation modes of the ECR include a program mode, which is a mode used to change the program contents of various files and tables used in the ECR, and a registration mode that registers and processes various transaction information generated at the point of sale. There are modes, settlement mode and stop mode.

3 is an exemplary view showing the configuration of a help index table and a help message file for implementing the method for displaying a help of the cash register according to the present invention. As shown in Fig. 3, the various modes and functions of the cash register are each given a unique index number. In addition, the area of the help index table indicated by each index number indicates the name of the mode or function key to which the index number is assigned and the corresponding address of the help message file in which the help on the mode or function key indicated by the index number is stored. Information on the total number of screens of the help message stored in the corresponding area of the message indication pointer and the help message file is stored.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a help display method of a cash register according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the method for displaying the help of the cash register according to the present invention firstly uses the 'help' key 23a to display the description of the specific function key and the description of the current operation mode in step S10. Will be judged. As a result of the determination, when the user inputs the 'help' key 23a, the user may perform the following step S12 or less to display the corresponding help screen on the display 70 screen, and the 'help' key 23a is not input. In step S44 it performs a function for the input of the corresponding key.

Therefore, in step S12, after the user inputs the 'help' key 23a, it is determined whether there is an input of a specific function key in order to select a help for a specific function and the current operation mode. In this case, when the user inputs a function key, it is determined that the user wants to display the help for the input function key on the display screen, and checks the index number assigned to the function key input in step S14 to correspond to the help index. Set the number.

On the other hand, if the user does not input another function key within a predetermined time after the user inputs the 'help' key 23a, it is determined that the user wants to display the help for the current operation mode and proceeds to step S28 to determine the current operation mode. After determining, the index number assigned to the current operation mode is set in the help index.

In the next step S16, the screen counter is initialized to 0 to count the initial screen number of the help display screen, and in step S18, the message stored in the help index table indicated by the help index number set in the step S16 is indicated. The help message stored in the help message file is output on the screen of the display 70 with reference to the pointer.

In step S20, it is determined whether the user inputs the 'next screen' key 23c to display the next screen of the help message output on the display screen. In this case, if it is determined that the 'next screen' key 23c is not input, the process proceeds to step S30, and if it is determined that the 'next screen' key 23c is input, the process proceeds to step S22. In operation S22, as the 'next screen' key 23c is input, it is determined whether the total number of messages stored in the message management table is greater than or equal to the screen counter value in order to determine whether conversion to the next screen is possible. In this case, if the total number of messages is less than the screen counter value, it is determined that the next screen of the help to be output on the display screen no longer exists, and the process returns to step S20 to receive input of another function key. On the other hand, if the result of the determination of the step (S22) the total number of messages screen is greater than the screen counter value, proceed to step S24 to increase the value of the screen counter by 1 and then display the help message corresponding to the next screen in step S26 (70) Output to the screen.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the 'next screen' key 23c is not input from the user as a result of the determination in step S20, the process proceeds to step S30 and requests the output of the previous screen of the currently displayed help screen. It is determined whether the screen 'key 23b is input. In this case, when the 'previous screen' key 23b is input from the user, the process proceeds to step S32 to determine whether the value of the screen counter is 0. If the value of the screen counter is 0, the currently displayed help screen is initialized. Since it is a screen, steps S20 and below are repeated to receive input of another key. However, if the value of the screen counter is not 0, the process proceeds to step S34 to decrease the value of the screen counter by one and then outputs the help message of the previous screen on the display 70 screen in step S36.

If it is determined in step S30 that the previous screen key 23b is not input, the process proceeds to step S38 where a clear key for terminating or canceling the output of the help screen ( It is determined whether 23d) has been input. If the clear key 23d is not input, the process proceeds to step S42 to display a key input error. On the other hand, when the 'clear' key 23d is input, the process proceeds to step S40 to clear the help screen displayed on the display screen and then ends the help display.

The help display method of the cash register according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and may be modified in various ways within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention.

As described above, in the method for displaying the help of the cash register according to the present invention, when a user inputs a 'help' key to refer to a description of a specific function and a current operation mode, an index assigned to a function key and an operation mode is provided. If the user is not familiar with how to use a specific function key and the function of the current operation mode by reading the help from the help message file and the message management table by referring to the number and outputting it on the display screen. By referring to the corresponding help screen displayed on the display screen by a simple key input, the user can easily grasp the usage of the cash register and various functional descriptions, thereby providing an effect of improving user convenience.

Claims (4)

Determining whether a help key for outputting a specific function key or a help for a current operation mode is input from a user; Determining whether an input of a function key for receiving a selection of a specific function for displaying help from the user when the help key is input as a result of the determination of the help key input determination step; If the function key is input, the index number assigned to the input function key is checked. If the function key is not input, the index number assigned to the current operation mode is checked. step; And reading the help message for the corresponding function key or the current operation mode from the help message file by referring to the message indication pointer of the message management table indicated by the index number checked in the index number checking step, and outputting the help message on the display screen. Help display method of the cash register, characterized in that it comprises a step. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining whether a next screen key for outputting a next screen is input after outputting the help message; and managing a message when a next screen key is input as a result of the determination of the next screen key input determination step. Determining whether the total number of help messages stored in the table is greater than or equal to the screen counter value; and if the total number of message messages is greater than or equal to the screen counter value as a result of the determination of the counter value determination step, increase the value of the screen counter by 1 and then help the next screen. And reading out the message from the help message file and outputting the message on the display screen. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: determining whether a previous screen key for selecting whether to output the previous screen of the help screen is input after outputting the help message, and determining the previous screen key input. Is determined that the value of the screen counter is 0. If the value of the screen counter is not 0, the value of the screen counter is decreased by 1, and the previous screen is determined. And reading out the help message from the help message file and outputting the help message on the display screen. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining whether a clear key is input for terminating the help screen after outputting the help message, and outputting a current if the clear key is determined as a result of the clear key input determination step. And clearing the help screen to be terminated and ending the help display.

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