KR20020032903A - Kiosk system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A kiosk system is provided to provide a user of specific requested information having central control function to diagnose itself of any problem. CONSTITUTION: The first stage is to examine the kiosk computer system by the abnormal function diagnosing module regularly. When the diagnosing process is over, using the modem, the status information of the kiosk computer system is to be sent to the kiosk remote management system server. With the status information, the system server diagnoses the kiosk computer system of any defect. If there is any defect, the information of the solution is to be taken to solve the problem and is to be sent to the kiosk remote management system. The solution is to be received and taken into action to solve the defect of the kiosk system.

Description

Kiosk system with self-diagnosis function {KIOSK SYSTEM}

The present invention relates to a kiosk system, and more particularly, to a kiosk system having a self-diagnosis function capable of intelligently and remotely coping with a situation in which a problem occurs in the operation of an overall kiosk system. .

In general, the kiosk system (KIOSK SYSTEM) is a system that provides a service for information related to homeshopping, education, guidance, etc. based on the customer / service provider model, the customer's central information through a terminal device such as a personal computer When requesting the provision of the information required by the service device, the central information service device provides the information requested by the customer through the transmission network so that the provided information is displayed on the set monitor of the customer's terminal device. To be recognized.

In a conventional kiosk system, a method for coping with operational problems is to watch a watchdog timer forcibly reset the computer system by considering that the computer system is abnormal if the kiosk system computer does not respond for a certain period of time. It is common to use a timer.

However, this method is not desirable for the operation of the system and the life of the kiosk system by performing a situational response to the symptoms of the kiosk system.

The use of the watchdog timer resets the system unconditionally even when an application loaded on the kiosk system's computer is temporarily delaying work by another request and cannot respond to the watchdog timer. Occurred.

In addition, if the computer of the kiosk system restarts during the process of inputting / outputting data with the hard disk driver (HDD), the HDD may be overwhelmed, which may adversely affect the life of the system. In addition, in order to restart the system, a considerable amount of time is consumed in loading a software operating system and an application program, thereby causing inconvenience to a user.

In addition, if the system is reset during printer printing, the system may be reset before the printed matter is printed, and the printed output may become obsolete.If the data files are reset while being transferred to another device that the user requires, A simple reset function, such as causing a lot of inconvenience and financial damage, caused many undesirable side effects in the operation of the kiosk system.

The present invention is to overcome the above-described conventional problems, the object of the present invention is to distinguish the symptoms and causes of the problems occurring in the computer system of the kiosk to apply the operation appropriate to the level of the problem from the outside of the computer system only The present invention provides a kiosk system having a self-diagnostic function.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a kiosk system having a self-diagnosis function of periodically checking the temperature in a case of a kiosk system and driving a fan by driving a fan when the temperature rises.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a self-diagnostic function that enables the management of a more complex and active kiosk system by interlocking with various driving units, lights, and voice outputs of the system using various sensors. To provide a kiosk system.

1 is an overall block diagram of a kiosk system having a self-diagnostic function according to the present invention.

2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware unit of a kiosk remote management system in accordance with the present invention.

3 is an illustration of an example of a communication port between a kiosk computer system and a kiosk remote management system of FIG.

Figure 4 is a block diagram showing a software module of the kiosk terminal device according to the present invention.

Figure 5 is a flow chart showing step by step an embodiment of a self-diagnosis and remote control method of a kiosk system having a self-diagnosis function according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

10: kiosk terminal 20: central management server

100: kiosk computer system 110: system operation module

120: message generating module 130: external communication module

200: kiosk remote management system 201: microprocessor

202: program ROM 203: RAM

204: flash memory 205: RS232C serial data communication port

206: watchdog timer 207: real time clock

208: external switch driver 209: A / D converter

210: digital I / O port 220: kiosk system message analysis module

230: kiosk system communication module 240: external sensor interface module

250: external operation unit drive module 260: history file management module

270: central server communication module 300: web server

400: Dedicated server for kiosk remote management system

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a kiosk system for providing specific information required by the user,

A kiosk computer system that provides various information data desired by a user through an image displayed on a monitor and controls an operation according to an abnormal symptom during operation by using an abnormal diagnosis module; Separate from the kiosk computer system to identify the degree of abnormality of the kiosk computer system and to inform the central management server of the current status by using a modem, and to proactively cope with the abnormal level and degree of the system according to the instructions of the central management server. A kiosk remote management system having a hardware unit mounted with a control module of the same; A kiosk terminal device having a kiosk computer system and a kiosk remote management system; It is connected to the kiosk computer system and the kiosk remote management system by independent communication lines to provide various information data required by the user through the kiosk computer system, and is a central management server that centrally manages and controls the kiosk remote management system. A kiosk system having a self-diagnosis function is provided.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is an overall block diagram of a kiosk system having a self-diagnostic function of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the present invention provides a variety of information data desired by a user through an image displayed on a monitor, and a kiosk computer system 100 for controlling an operation according to an abnormal symptom during operation using an abnormal diagnosis module. and; The degree of abnormality of the kiosk computer system 100 is determined and the current status is notified to the central management server 20 by using a modem, and actively according to the abnormal level and degree of the system according to the instructions of the central management server 20. A kiosk remote management system 200 having a hardware unit mounted with a control module separate from the kiosk computer system 100 so as to cope with it; A kiosk terminal device (10) containing the kiosk computer system (100) and the kiosk remote management system (200); The kiosk computer system 100 and the kiosk remote management system 200 are connected to each other by independent communication lines to provide various information data required by the user through the kiosk computer system 100, and the kiosk remote management system ( 200 is configured as a central management server 20 for centrally managing and controlling.

The central management server 20 includes a web server 300 for providing various information data required by users through the kiosk computer system 100; The kiosk remote management system is configured as a dedicated server 400 for instructing a system to reboot, reset, or restart an application program according to the level and degree of the kiosk computer system 100 determined by the kiosk remote management system 200. .

In addition, the kiosk remote management system 200 is installed in the form of a separate device inside the case (Case) of the kiosk terminal device 10, and uses a different power supply system than the kiosk computer system 100.

In addition, the kiosk remote management system 200 controls the output of the monitor screen output from the kiosk computer system 100, and controls the connection state of the reset terminal of the kiosk computer system 100, RS232C type serial Send and receive messages using the data communication port.

Also, the kiosk computer system 100 and the web server 300 exchange data using a LAN as a communication port, and the kiosk remote management system 200 and the kiosk remote management system server 400 use a modem as a communication port. Send and receive data using the public switched telephone network (PSTN).

2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware unit of the kiosk remote management system 200.

Referring to FIG. 2, the kiosk remote management system 200 includes a microprocessor 201 that is in charge of controlling all operations; A program ROM 202 that stores an executable program of a remote management system; RAM (203) which serves as a temporary storage space of the microprocessor 201; A flash memory 204 for storing data which should always be maintained regardless of whether power is supplied; One port is used as a communication channel to exchange data with the kiosk computer system 100, and the other port is connected with a modem to provide the central management server 20 with data on the current status of the kiosk system and surrounding conditions. An RS232C serial data communication port 205 for transmitting and receiving a control message transmitted from a remote central management server 20; A watchdog timer 206 for automatically restarting when an operation of the remote management system itself is abnormal or stopped; A real-time clock 207 for leaving accurate time records of the operation of the remote management system; An external switch driver 208 for controlling on / off control of a reset terminal of the kiosk computer system 100 and blinking of external lights; An analog-to-digital converter (209) for converting an analog signal input from a sensor for measuring the internal temperature of the kiosk system case into a digital signal to sense the temperature of the current compartment; It consists of a digital I / O port 210 that reads the state of a simple sensor, such as checking the door opening or closing of a kiosk system box, or takes charge of input / output of a small power digital signal such as blinking an LED. .

4 is a block diagram showing a software module of the kiosk terminal device 10 according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the error diagnosis module of the kiosk computer system 100 includes a system operation module 110 for controlling an operation using software such as system soft reset, restarting and stopping execution of an application program; A message generation module 120 for generating a contracted reserved word with the kiosk remote management system 200 according to a situation; It consists of an external communication module 130 that is responsible for physical communication with the kiosk remote management system 200 using the serial data port.

In addition, the control module mounted on the hardware unit of the kiosk remote management system 200 is a kiosk system message analysis module 220 for comprehensively analyzing the message sent by the kiosk computer system 100 to comprehensively analyze the status of the current kiosk system. )and; A kiosk system communication module 230 that is responsible for physical communication with the kiosk computer system 100; An external sensor interface module 240 for obtaining and analyzing information from an external sensor; An external operation unit driving module 250 for controlling the operation of a fan and controlling the blinking of a power source for driving a switch and a motor such as flashing of an external lamp; A history file management module 260 for recording and maintaining the state of the kiosk system over time; It consists of a central server communication module 270 in charge of data communication with the central management server (20).

Figure 5 is a flow chart showing step by step an embodiment of a self-diagnosis and remote control method of a kiosk system having a self-diagnosis function according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the self-diagnosis and remote control method performed in the kiosk system periodically checks the overall state of the kiosk computer system 100 by the abnormal diagnosis module of the kiosk computer system 100 (S100). )Wow; When the check is completed, transmitting the status information of the kiosk computer system 100 to the kiosk remote management system dedicated server 400 by using the modem line (S200); Determining whether the kiosk computer system 100 is abnormal based on the transmitted state information (S300); If there is an abnormality in the determination result, determining an appropriate action for resolving the abnormal symptom and transmitting the determined action to the kiosk remote management system 200 (S400); Receiving a command and a message for a specific operation transmitted from the dedicated kiosk remote management system server 400, and performs an appropriate action to resolve the abnormal symptoms (S500).

Referring to the kiosk system having a self-diagnostic function according to the present invention by the above configuration in detail as follows.

First, a kiosk system 1 having a self-diagnosis function includes a kiosk computer system 100, a kiosk remote management system 200, and a built-in program and a kiosk terminal 10 that are embedded in the kiosk terminal 10. Means the central management server 20 and the application program that performs a server role for management and control.

In this case, the kiosk computer system 100 of the kiosk terminal device 10 provides various information data desired by the user through the image displayed on the monitor, and controls the operation according to the abnormal symptom during the operation by using the abnormal diagnosis module.

In addition, the kiosk remote management system 200 grasps the abnormality degree of the kiosk computer system 100 and informs the central management server 20 of the current state by using a modem, and instructs the central management server 20 to instruct. Accordingly, the system has a hardware unit equipped with a control module separate from the kiosk computer system 100 so as to actively cope with the abnormal level and degree of the system.

The central management server 20 is connected to the kiosk computer system 100 and the kiosk remote management system 200 by independent communication lines to provide various information data requested by the user through the kiosk computer system 100. The kiosk remote management system 200 is centrally managed and controlled.

In this case, the kiosk computer system 100 uses a LAN as a communication port to support Internet access, and the kiosk remote management system 200 uses a public switched telephone network (PSTN) using a modem. The remote management server 20 is connected.

The central management server 20 includes a web server 300 for providing various information data requested by users through the kiosk computer system 100; A kiosk remote management system dedicated server 400 instructs to perform a system reboot, reset, or restart of an application program according to an abnormal level and degree of the kiosk computer system 100 identified by the kiosk remote management system 200. .

The kiosk remote management system 200 is installed in a separate device form inside the case of the kiosk terminal device 10, and supply power of a system different from the kiosk computer system, for example, a dedicated power supply line, a large capacity storage battery, and the like. Operate using

By using a separate communication port in this way, it is possible to increase the reliability of the system, reduce the maintenance cost, and to configure the hardware and software of the kiosk remote management system 200 since the TCP / IP protocol is not required to use the Internet. Can be configured relatively simply to reduce the production cost.

As shown in FIG. 2, the hardware unit of the kiosk remote management system 200 is composed of a separate central processing unit, an interface with various peripheral devices and sensors, and circuits for controlling various switches.

First, the microprocessor 201 is in charge of controlling all operations, and the program ROM 202 contains an execution program of a remote management system.

The RAM 203 serves as a temporary storage space of the microprocessor 201, and the flash memory 204 stores data to be maintained at all times regardless of whether power is supplied.

RS232C serial data communication port 205 is one of the two serial data communication port is connected to the kiosk computer system 100 is used as a communication channel for sending and receiving data, the other port is connected to the modem to manage the central management server (20) Transmits data on the current kiosk system status and surrounding conditions, and receives a control message transmitted from the remote central management server 20.

The watchdog timer 206 is a constant counter that automatically generates an interrupt signal or executes a local reset if the counter and time data are not updated for a certain time. The kiosk remote management system 200 ) It can be restarted automatically when there is a problem with its operation or it stops for some reason.

The real-time clock 207 is a kind of digital clock that maintains the actual current time, leaving an accurate time record of the operation of the kiosk remote management system 200.

The external switch driver 208 is a circuit block used in the case where it is necessary to control the on / off state of the high voltage power or to be electrically isolated, and to reset the kiosk computer system 100. (Reset) It controls On / Off control of terminal and flicker of external light.

The analog-to-digital converter 209 converts the output of various sensors that output analog signals into digital data. At this time, the analog signal received from the sensor for measuring the internal temperature of the kiosk system case that affects the operation of the kiosk computer system 100 is converted into a digital signal to detect the temperature in the current case (Case) Play a role.

Digital I / O port 210 is a communication port that handles digital signal input and output.It reads the status of simple sensors such as checking whether the door of a kiosk system box is opened or closed, or the LED blinks. It is responsible for the input and output of small power digital signals.

Accordingly, the kiosk remote management system 200 is connected to the kiosk computer system 100 to control the output of the monitor screen output from the kiosk computer system as shown in FIG. 3, and controls the connection state of the reset terminal of the computer system. It uses RS232C serial data communication port to send and receive messages to and from computer system.

At this time, the control module mounted on the hardware unit of the kiosk remote management system 200 is as shown in FIG.

The software module of the kiosk terminal device 10 is composed of an error diagnosis module of the kiosk computer system 100 and a control module in the form of firmware (Firm Ware) mounted in a hardware unit of the kiosk remote management system 200.

Referring to FIG. 4, the system message analysis module 220 of the kiosk remote management system 200 comprehensively analyzes the message sent by the kiosk computer system 100 to comprehensively analyze the state of the current kiosk system.

The kiosk system communication module 230 is responsible for physical communication with the kiosk computer system 100, and the external sensor interface module 240 obtains and analyzes information from an external sensor, and inputs analog information. Includes the ability to interface a synchronous serial data communication bus or an IIC-compliant bus to control digital-to-digital converters and send and receive digital signals.

The external operation unit driving module 250 controls the operation of the fan and the blinking of the power source for driving the switch and the motor, such as the flashing of the external lighting, and the history file management module 260 is the kiosk system It records and maintains the status by time, and is responsible for functions such as status and actions of the kiosk computer system 100, action time, and communication with the server.

In addition, the central server communication module 260 is responsible for data communication between the kiosk remote management system 200 and the dedicated kiosk remote management system server 400 installed at a remote place, and reserved word processing between the server and the remote management system (command execution). ) It is in charge of status reporting and control by external modem.

On the other hand, in the abnormal diagnosis module of the kiosk computer system 100, the system operation module 110 controls the operation by using software such as system soft reset, restart and stop of application program, and the message generation module 120 ) Generates the reserved reserved word with the kiosk remote management system 200 according to the situation, and the external communication module 130 is responsible for physical communication with the kiosk remote management system 200 using the serial data port. .

An embodiment of a self-diagnosis and remote control method of a kiosk system having a self-diagnosis function according to the present invention will be described below.

Referring to FIG. 5, the self-diagnosis and remote control method performed in the kiosk system 1 may include, first, an abnormality diagnosis module of the kiosk computer system 100 and other applications and programs of the kiosk computer system 100. The system periodically checks for abnormalities in the operation of the operating system and notifies the kiosk remote management system 200 (S100).

Meanwhile, the abnormality diagnosis module of the kiosk computer system 100 may receive a control code transmitted from the kiosk remote management system 200 and perform a control operation.

Next, when the inspection of the kiosk computer system 100 is completed, the control module of the kiosk remote management system 200 receives the status information of the kiosk computer system 100 by using a telephone line through a modem. (S200).

Subsequently, the kiosk remote management system dedicated server 400 determines whether there is an error in the kiosk computer system 100 through the status information of the kiosk computer system 100 transmitted from the kiosk remote management system via the telephone line (S300). .

If the determination result is abnormal, the kiosk remote management system dedicated server 400 determines the appropriate action to resolve the abnormal symptoms, and the action determined through the telephone line to the central management server communication module 270 of the kiosk remote management system 200 Transfer to (S400).

At this time, depending on the symptoms, determine the appropriate measures to resolve the abnormal symptoms such as hard reset, soft reset, rebooting and restarting the application program.

Then, the kiosk remote management system 200 receives a command and a message for a specific operation from the dedicated kiosk remote management system server 400, and performs an appropriate action to resolve the abnormal symptoms (S500).

At this time, the actions of the kiosk remote management system 200 according to the abnormal signs of the kiosk computer system 100 is shown in Table 1.

Abnormal symptoms Action situation Power failure Notify Central Administration Server No operating system System forced reset / notified to central management server Kiosk Application No Response Reboot the system and restart the application / notify the Central Management Server Notification of operating system computer system Notify system reboot / management server Change of state of externally installed switches Blinking of external installation warning light / notified to central management server Rise above room temperature Fan operation control / notified to central management server as needed Print error (including paper status) Notify Central Administration Server Condition of external illumination Blinking of external lighting control / notified to central management server

Meanwhile, as an additional function, if the temperature increases by periodically checking the temperature in the case of the kiosk system 1 through a temperature sensor, the dedicated server 400 for the kiosk remote management system of the central management server 20 as shown in Table 1 below. ) And the fan is driven by a forced ventilation in accordance with the determined action from the central management server 20.

In addition, by using various sensors, it manages a more complex and active kiosk system by interlocking with various driving units, lights, and voice outputs inside and outside the system.

What has been described above is only one embodiment for implementing a kiosk system having a self-diagnostic function according to the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, as claimed in the following claims. Without departing from the gist of the present invention, anyone of ordinary skill in the art will have the technical spirit of the present invention to the extent that various modifications can be made.

As described above, the kiosk system having a self-diagnosis function according to the present invention distinguishes the symptoms and causes of problems occurring in the kiosk computer system 100 and applies the operation appropriate to the level of the problem from the outside of the computer system. Solve problems only by actively resolving problems such as forced reset, rebooting, or application restart whenever the application of the kiosk system does not work or the operating system does not operate normally for some reason. This has a possible effect.

In addition, by using a separate communication line of independent type, it is possible to increase the reliability of the system, reduce the maintenance cost, and to relatively reduce the hardware and software configuration of the kiosk remote management system because there is no need of the TCP / IP protocol for using the Internet. Simple configuration reduces production costs.

In addition, as an additional function, the temperature inside the case of the kiosk system can be periodically checked and the fan can be forcedly ventilated when the temperature rises, and various drives, lights, etc., inside and outside the system using various sensors can be used. In addition, the management of more complex and active kiosk systems in conjunction with functions such as voice output, etc., is desirable in operating the system and extending the life of the kiosk system.

Claims (10)

A kiosk system that provides specific information requested by a user, The kiosk computer system 100 which provides various information data desired by the user through the image displayed on the monitor and controls the operation according to the abnormal symptom during operation by using the abnormal diagnosis module, To determine the degree of abnormality of the kiosk computer system 100 to notify the central management server 20 of the current state by using a modem, and according to the instructions of the central management server 20 to the abnormal level and degree of the system. And a kiosk remote management system 200 having a hardware unit equipped with a control module separate from the kiosk computer system 100 so as to actively cope with it, A kiosk terminal device 10 having the kiosk computer system 100 and a kiosk remote management system 200; The kiosk computer system 100 and the kiosk remote management system 200 are connected to each other by independent communication lines to provide various information data required by the user through the kiosk computer system 100, and the kiosk remote management system Kiosk system having a self-diagnostic function, characterized in that consisting of a central management server 20 to centrally manage and control (200). The method of claim 1, wherein the central management server 20, Web server 300 for providing a variety of information data required by the user through the kiosk computer system 100, The kiosk remote management system is configured as a dedicated server 400 for instructing the system to reboot, reset, or restart an application program according to the level and degree of the kiosk computer system 100 determined by the kiosk remote management system 200. Kiosk system having a self-diagnostic function, characterized in that. According to claim 1, The kiosk remote management system 200, A kiosk system having a self-diagnostic function, which is installed in a separate device form inside a case of the kiosk terminal device 10 and uses a supply power of a system different from that of the kiosk computer system 100. . According to claim 1, The kiosk remote management system 200, Controls the output of the monitor screen output from the kiosk computer system 100, controls the connection state of the reset terminal of the kiosk computer system 100, and sends a message using a serial data communication port of the RS232C method Kiosk system having a self-diagnostic function, characterized in that receiving. According to claim 1, wherein the hardware unit of the kiosk remote management system 200, A microprocessor 201 responsible for controlling all operations, A program ROM 202 that stores an execution program of the remote management system; RAM (203) to serve as a temporary storage space of the microprocessor 201, A flash memory 204 for storing data to be kept at all times regardless of whether power is supplied or not; One port is used as a communication channel to exchange data with the kiosk computer system 100, and the other port is connected with a modem to the central management server 20 for the current status of the kiosk system and surrounding conditions. An RS232C serial data communication port 205 for transmitting data and receiving a control message transmitted from a remote central management server 20, A watchdog timer 206 which automatically restarts when there is an error in the operation of the remote management system or stops, A real-time clock 207 for keeping accurate time records of the operation of the remote management system; An external switch driver 208 for controlling on / off control of a reset terminal of the kiosk computer system 100 and blinking of external lights; An analog-to-digital converter (209) for converting an analog signal received from a sensor measuring the internal temperature of the kiosk system case into a digital signal to sense the temperature of the current compartment; Digital I / O Port (210 I / O Port), which reads the status of a simple sensor such as checking whether the door of a Kiosk system case is opened or closed, or inputs / outputs of low-power digital signals such as blinking LEDs. Kiosk system having a self-diagnostic function, characterized in that consisting of. The method according to claim 1 or 2, The kiosk computer system 100 and the web server 300 is a kiosk system having a self-diagnostic function, characterized in that using a LAN as a communication port. The method according to claim 1 or 2, The kiosk remote management system (200) and the kiosk remote management system dedicated server 400 is a kiosk system having a self-diagnostic function, characterized in that using a public switched telephone network (PSTN) using a modem as a communication port. According to claim 1, The fault diagnosis module of the kiosk computer system 100, A system operation module 110 for controlling an operation using software such as system soft reset, restarting and stopping execution of an application program, Message generation module 120 for generating a contracted reserved word with the kiosk remote management system 200 according to the situation, Kiosk system having a self-diagnostic function, characterized in that consisting of an external communication module 130 for physical communication with the kiosk remote management system 200 using the communication port. According to claim 1 or 5, The control module mounted on the hardware unit of the kiosk remote management system 200, The kiosk system message analysis module 220 for comprehensively analyzing the message sent by the kiosk computer system 100 to analyze the state of the current kiosk system, and Kiosk system communication module 230 for physical communication with the kiosk computer system 100, An external sensor interface module 240 for obtaining and analyzing information from an external sensor; External operation unit driving module 250 for controlling the operation of the fan (Fan) and the flashing of the power for driving the switch and the motor, such as flashing of the external lights, and the like; A history file management module 260 for recording and maintaining the state of the kiosk system over time; Kiosk system having a self-diagnostic function, characterized in that consisting of a central server communication module (270) in charge of data communication with the central management server (20). In the self-diagnosis and remote control method performed in the kiosk system, Periodically checking the overall state of the kiosk computer system 100 by the fault diagnosis module of the kiosk computer system 100 (S100); When the check is completed, transmitting the status information of the kiosk computer system 100 to the kiosk remote management system dedicated server 400 by using a modem line (S200), Determining whether the kiosk computer system 100 is abnormal based on the transmitted state information (S300); If there is an abnormality as a result of the determination, determining an appropriate action to solve the abnormal symptoms, and transmitting the determined action to the kiosk remote management system 200 (S400), Receiving a command and a message for a specific operation from the dedicated kiosk remote management system server 400, and performing the appropriate measures to solve the abnormal symptoms (S500) characterized in that Kiosk service method provided.