KR19990053935A - How to Display Help in the Cash Register - Google Patents

Abstract

In the help display method 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 the current operation mode, the help message is referred to by referring to the index number assigned to the function key and the operation mode. Help can be read from the file and message management tables and displayed on the display screen.

Therefore, when the user does not fully understand the method of using a specific function key and the function of the current operation mode by the help display method of the cash register according to the present invention, the corresponding help screen outputted on the display screen by a simple key input. By referring to the usage of the cash register and various functional descriptions can be easily understood.

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 how to display the help of the cash register that can be.

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, may operate or perform functions to be performed while using the 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.

Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve such a problem, the object of the present invention is that when using the cash register, the specific operation mode and the description of the specific function is required by a simple key operation, it is easy to check the subsequent use of the cash register. It is intended to provide a method for displaying the help of the cash register that can facilitate the.

In order to achieve the above object, the method of displaying the help of the cash register according to the present invention includes (a) determining whether a 'help' key for outputting a help for a specific function key and a current operation mode is input from the user, (b If the 'help' key is input as a result of the determination of step (a), determining whether a function key for selecting a specific function for which a user wants to display help is input, and (c) the step (b) is determined. If the resultant function key is input, check the unique index number assigned to the input function key; if the function key is not input, check the index number assigned to the current operation mode, (d) the step ( Refer to the message indication pointer stored in the specific area of the message management table indicated by the index number checked in the And reading a help message for a key and an operation mode and outputting the help message on a display screen.

According to the present invention, (e) determining whether the 'next screen' key for outputting the next screen of the currently displayed help screen is input, and (f) determining the 'next screen' key as a result of the determination of the step (e). Determining whether the total number of help messages stored in the message management table is greater than or equal to the screen counter value; and (g) if the total number of message messages is greater than or equal to the screen counter value, the value of the screen counter is increased by one. And reading the help message of the next screen from the help message file and outputting the help message on the display screen.

In addition, the present invention (A) the step of determining whether the 'previous screen' key to select whether to output the previous screen of the currently displayed help screen is input, (i) the determination result of the step (a) 'previous screen If it is determined that the key is input, determining whether the value of the screen counter is 0; (d) If the value of the screen counter is not 0, the value of the screen counter is decreased by 1 if the value of the screen counter is not 0. And reading the help message of the previous screen from the help message file and outputting the help message on the display screen.

Finally, in the present invention, (K) determining whether the 'clear' key is input to end the help display screen, (C) if it is determined that the 'clear' key is input as a result of the determination of the step (K) The method may further include a step of clearing the help display screen output on the current display 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. 1;

3 is a view illustrating a configuration of a help index table and a help message file for implementing the present invention;

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

*** Explanation of symbols for main parts of drawing ***

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 the configuration of a cash register to which the present invention is applicable. As shown in FIG. 1, the ECR system to which the present invention is applicable can be keyed to the key input unit 20 and the key input unit 20 to generate various key codes for mode designation and money registration. A real time clock unit (RTC) 30 which designates an operation mode of the cash register and provides real time information to the central processing unit (CPU) 10 and the central processing unit 10 performing various functions in the designated mode. RAM 40 for storing various data generated during a program or transaction set by the user, a system operating program, and a ROM 50 for storing a help message for each function for implementing the present invention, and a central processing unit ( Under the control of 10), under the control of the printer 60 and the central processing unit 10, which issues documents for customer receipts and various processing results, various information related to the transaction and a help screen for the current operation mode or function are displayed. And a display unit (70).

On the other hand, Figure 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, in practice, the number and function (function) of the arrangement according to the height and ease of use of the model It will be changed or added. As shown in Fig. 2, the key configuration of the key input unit 20 to which the present invention can be applied is a mode switch 21 used to designate a desired operation mode among various operation modes of the ECR, and the amount or correspondence of various items. Numeric key group (27) used to input the numeric code, etc., item key group (25) used to specify the desired item, and function key group used to execute the desired function among various functions provided in the ECR. It can be divided into (23).

In addition, the function key group 23 described above includes a 'help' key 23a for receiving input of a help screen from a user, a 'next screen' key 23c for viewing the next screen of the currently displayed help screen; It may include 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. Meanwhile, the 'next screen' key 23c and the 'previous screen' key 23b may be configured separately, but when the 'help' key 23a is input to a previously used key, the next screen and the previous screen are performed. Can be configured to simplify the entire key array.

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 illustrating a configuration of a help index table and a help message file for implementing a method for displaying a help of a 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 help display method of the cash register according to the present invention firstly displays a 'help' key 23a in order to display a description of a specific function key and a description of a current operation mode in step S10. It is determined whether or not to enter. 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 to select a help for a specific function and a 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 'next screen' key 23c is input so that the user displays the next screen of the help message output on the display screen. At this time, 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 step 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 screen number of the message 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. Refer to the number to read the help from the help message file and the message management table so that it can be displayed on the display screen.

Therefore, when the user does not fully understand the method of using a specific function key and the function of the current operation mode by the help display method of the cash register according to the present invention, the corresponding help screen outputted on the display screen by a simple key input. By referring to the usage of the cash register and the various functional descriptions can be easily grasped to provide the effect of improving the user's convenience.

Claims (4)

(A) determining whether a 'help' key has been input from the user to output a help regarding a specific function key and the current operation mode, (B) when the 'help' key is input as a result of the determination of step (a), determining whether a function key is input to receive a specific function to display help from the user; (C) If the function key is input as a result of the determination in step (b), the unique 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. Checking, (D) a display screen by reading a help message for a corresponding function key and an operation mode from a help message file with reference to a message indication pointer stored in a specific area of a message management table indicated by the index number checked in step (c), respectively. And displaying the help of the cash register. The method of claim 1, further comprising: (e) determining whether a 'next screen' key for outputting a next screen of the currently displayed help screen is input; (F) determining that the total number of help messages stored in the message management table is greater than or equal to the screen counter value when the 'next screen' key is input as a result of the determination of step (e); (G) If the result of the determination in step (f) is greater than the screen counter value, increase the value of the screen counter by one, and then read the help message of the next screen from the help message file and output it on the display screen. Help display method of the cash register, characterized in that further comprises. The method of claim 1, further comprising: (a) determining whether a 'previous screen' key for selecting whether to output the previous screen of the currently displayed help screen is input; (I) if it is determined that the 'previous screen' key is input as a result of the step (h), determining whether the value of the screen counter is 0; (D) If the screen counter value is not 0 as a result of the determination in step (i), decrease the screen counter value by 1 and read the help message of the previous screen from the help message file and output the result on the display screen. Help display method of the cash register, characterized in that further comprises. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining whether (k) the 'clear' key is input to end the help display screen, (C) If it is determined that the 'clear' key is input as a result of the step (k), the method further comprises the step of clearing the help display screen currently displayed on the display screen and ending the help display. How to get help with the cash register.