RU2575420C2 - Method of controlling control system and control system itself - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: physics, control.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to device control means. The method includes sending a request from an application to a printer to instantiate a device control object for controlling a device with assigned identification information specified by the application; instantiating the device control object on the printer and based on the request from the application to instantiate the device control object; establishing device control on the printer through the device control object; establishing device control by the application through the printer on a terminal based on the identification information.

EFFECT: establishing device control by an application through a printer on a terminal.

16 cl, 13 dwg

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a control method for a control system including a control device to which a device is connected, as well as a terminal communicating with said control device.

BACKGROUND

The prior art control system (POS system), which has a POS terminal and a POS controller connected to the specified POS terminal, and performs operations, including recording images, together with the POS terminal and POS controller. See, for example, JP-A-H05-73769. Typically connected devices such as a barcode scanner and card reader are connected to the POS terminal in control systems of this type.

The control system disclosed in JP-A-H05-73769 involves the use of control devices connected to a POS terminal that functions as a control device through an application that executes a browser program of a POS controller that acts as a terminal device. Such an implementation requires appropriate control of the connected device through an application that acts as a browser.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A control method of a control system comprising a terminal configured to run an application in a browser, a device configured to send and receive data, and a controller connected to said device according to the present invention comprises:

transmitting a device control request from an application to a controller;

execution by the controller of the apparatus control unit on the controller after the controller receives said request;

the application executing the device control installation on the terminal after the controller performs the device control installation.

In the description of the invention, when the device is installed by the control device, a state is established in which the process can be initiated by the said device based on a request from the terminal.

In the description of the invention, the installation by the controller of the device control also includes setting a state in which it is possible to send and receive data between said device and the terminal.

In the description of the invention, the device control installation by the control device also includes instantiating a control object configured for processing by the control device of data exchange with said device.

According to another aspect, the installation of device control by the application through the control device consists in instantiating at the terminal an interface object configured to communicate with the control object.

According to another aspect, said apparatus is a printer configured for printing; The application sends a request to manage the printer. the controller performs a printer control installation based on the received printer control request; and after the controller performs the printer management installation, the application performs the printer management installation through the controller.

You can get a more complete picture of the invention and evaluate its other objectives and advantages by referring to the following description and claims, which should be considered together with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a POS system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of devices in a POS system;

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of a browser program execution unit and a device control unit;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the instantiation of control and interface devices;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the removal of control and interface objects;

FIG. 6 is an example of a user interface;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a process performed after reading a barcode by a barcode scanner;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of printing performed by a printer unit;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of a tablet and a control device;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of a tablet and a control device.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Next, with reference to the accompanying drawings, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is described.

In FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a POS (point of sale) system 1 (control system) according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a tablet device 10 (terminal), a control device (controller) 11, and a POS server 17 in the POS system 1.

POS system 1 is a system used, for example, in retail at a shopping center, department store or convenience store, at catering establishments such as a restaurant, cafe or bar, as well as at other types of enterprises. The functions of POS system 1 include, for example, organizing and managing product sales, product counting, studying sales trends, processing sales transactions at L cash registers in the store according to products purchased by consumers, printing receipts based on payments received from customers, and providing buyers with information related to relevant transactions.

Cash registers L, where sales transaction processing is performed, are located in the store where the POS system is used. Each control terminal L has one control device 11 and a tablet device 10, which provides wireless data exchange with the control device 11.

The tablet device 10 is a tablet computer, and in particular in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6 and described below, the tablet device 10 is a computer having a touch panel 30 that covers virtually the entire front surface, providing the ability to enter commands and data by touching the touch panel.

The tablet device 10 is a terminal used by the personnel of the cash register terminal responsible for transactions at the cash terminal L, and as described below, the device 10 provides a user interface for the personnel of the cash terminal when processing the transaction at the cash terminal L.

The control device 11 functions as a controller device. As shown in FIG. 2, devices such as a barcode scanner 12 (device) for reading barcodes on products or product packaging, a cash drawer for cash, checks or other payment instruments, as well as a display 14 (device) for displaying data to the buyer, are connected to the control device 11, related to the transaction.

As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 11 includes a control unit 20, a printer unit 21 (printer, printer unit, device), a memory unit 22, and a communication module 23.

The control unit 20 controls part of the control devices 11 and includes a central processing unit (CPU), random access memory (RAM) and other peripheral circuits. The control unit 20 also has a controller device 20a, but this function block is described below.

The printer unit 21 (processing unit) includes a feed mechanism for feeding a paper receipt tape, a printing mechanism that prints text and images on a paper receipt tape using a thermal head, and a mechanism for cutting the paper receipt tape at a specific location after printing on a paper receipt tape Image related to check.

The memory unit 22 includes an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) or other non-volatile memory, where data is stored in non-volatile mode with the possibility of overwriting them.

The communication module 23 includes a module and circuits, for example, a network card complying with a competitive communication standard, for providing wireless communication with the tablet device 10, and also carries out wireless communication in accordance with a specific communication standard with the tablet device 10, under the control of the control unit 20.

The tablet device 10 includes a terminal memory unit 25, a terminal control unit 26, a communication module 27, an input detection unit 29 and a touch panel 30. The terminal control unit 26 includes a display control unit 28.

The terminal memory unit 25 is an EEPROM memory or other non-volatile memory providing non-volatile data storage with the possibility of overwriting them.

The touch panel 30 includes a display panel 30a located on the front of the tablet device 10, and an integrated tactile sensor 30b located on top of the display panel 30a. The display panel 30a is a display device, such as a liquid crystal diode panel (LCD), an organic liquid crystal diode panel (OLED), or an electronic paper-based display, which are driven by the display control unit 28. The tactile sensor 30b is an electrostatic sensor or a pressure sensor mounted on the display panel 30a, which detects finger touches of the user or touch with a pen and outputs a signal indicating the place where the touch was detected to the input detection unit 29. This touch panel 30 is a display unit displaying a browser.

The display control unit 28 displays a screen containing text or images on the display panel 30a by driving the display panel 30a based on the display data inputted from the browser program execution unit 26a described below.

The input detecting unit 29 detects tactile operations on the touch panel 30 based on signals provided by the tactile sensor 30b. When a tactile operation is detected, the input detecting unit 29 creates coordinate data containing coordinates connecting the place of touch with the display location on the display panel 30a and outputs the coordinate data to the terminal control unit 26.

The communication module 27 includes a module and circuits, such as a network card corresponding to a particular communication protocol, for providing wireless communication with the control device 11 and the POS server 17 and performs wireless communication based on a specific protocol with the control device 11 and the POS server 17 terminal control unit 26.

The terminal control unit 26 controls the units of the tablet device 10 and includes CPU, ROM, RAM, and other peripheral circuits. The terminal control unit 26 also includes a browser program execution unit 26a that implements the browser function by executing the browser program.

The browser program execution unit 26a downloads a Web page (eg, an HTML file) recorded in a scripting language or markup language such as HTML from the POS server 17 using a Web browser function. The downloaded web page data is stored, for example, in RAM memory (not shown). The browser program execution unit 26a reads the data of the loaded Web page, creates display data for displaying this Web page, and outputs them to the display control unit 29. Based on the inputted display data, the display control unit 28 displays an image of the web page related to the display data on the display panel 30a.

When the input detecting unit 29 detects a touch operation of the tactile sensor 30b, the browser program execution unit 26a determines the input content based on the coordinate data input from the input detecting unit 29 in accordance with the touch operation and the display data output to the display control unit 28. Based on the identified input content, the browser program execution unit 26a performs the corresponding processing using, for example, a script function when necessary.

POS server 17 includes a server memory unit 31 that stores a database with information related to products, a database for sales management and a database for inventory management, while POS server 17 controls POS system 1 using these databases.

The POS server 17 includes a server control unit 37, a server memory unit 31, and a communication module 38.

The server control unit 37 controls the individual parts of the POS server 17 and includes CPU, ROM, RAM, and other peripheral circuits. The server-side memory unit 31 includes a hard disk drive, an EEPROM memory, or other non-volatile memory providing non-volatile data storage with the possibility of overwriting them.

The communication module 38 includes a module and circuits, such as a network card corresponding to a particular communication standard, for wireless communication with the tablet device 10 and performs wireless communication in accordance with the specialized communication protocol of the tablet device 10 under the control of the server control unit 17.

POS application 35 is installed on the POS server 17.

The browser program execution unit 26a of the tablet device 10 performs various operations using the POS function of the application 35 on the POS server 17.

For example, the browser program execution unit 26a confirms the operation request for the POS server 17 accordingly, initiates the execution by the POS server 17 of the requested processing using the POS function of the application 35, obtains the result of said processing and performs the corresponding processing. In particular, the browser program execution unit 26a outputs, for example, a read result made by the barcode scanner 12 to the POS server 17, searches for the product using the POS function of the application 35, obtains the search result, and then controls the process of displaying product information on the display 14 by issuing a command to the control device 11. The browser program execution unit 26a also requests the calculation of the total transaction amount, calculates the total amount using the POS function of the application 35, and after receiving the calculation result controls the control device 11 to create a check on which information containing the total amount is printed.

Note that the phrase “application that runs in the browser” is a POS application 35 or another application installed by the browser program execution unit 26a on another device that may be in communication, and conceptually includes applications with functions that can be used by the unit 26a the execution of the browser program. The application in this example can be an application running on another device with which communication is possible, or an application that is downloaded from another device and runs on a tablet device 10. The phrase “application that runs in a browser” also includes scripts built-in to a Web page (HTML file) that is read by the browser program execution unit 26a, as well as programs and other software with functions that can be used by the browser program execution unit 26a.

In FIG. 3 is a functional diagram of a browser program execution unit 26 a of the tablet device 10 (a function block corresponding to the terminal control unit) and a controller 20 a of the control device 11.

Note that for convenience of description, blocks schematically representing programs, program objects and functions implemented by programs, as well as blocks representing real physical devices, are shown in FIG. 3 at the same level.

We also note that in this embodiment the term “object” is an element of object-oriented programming and, in particular, means a software object defined by data and a set of methods. However, the term “object” as used here is not limited to an element of object-oriented programming and can be any software object that can implement some function.

As shown in FIG. 3, the AP application is executed by the browser program execution unit 26a of the tablet device 10. As described above, the AP application conceptually includes an application that, like the POS application 35, can run on another device or can be downloaded from another device, a script, embodied in an HTML file that is read by the browser program execution unit 26a, as well as a program or software with functions that can be used by the browser program execution unit 26a.

At least one of the following can act in block 26a of the browser program execution: cash drawer interface object 40 (interface object), barcode scanner interface object 41 (interface object), display interface object 42 (interface object) and printer interface object 43 (interface object), centralized management object 44, and browser-side WebSocket interface 45. At least one of the following objects can act in the device controller 20a: the WebSocket interface 50 on the device side, the relay object 51, the cash drawer control object 53 (control object), the barcode scanner control object 54 (control object), the display control object 55 ( control object) and a printer control object 56 (control object).

Turning first to FIG. 4, on the basis of which the creation process and functions of these objects and program interfaces are described. In FIG. 4 graphically illustrates the process of creating objects by the browser program execution unit 26a and the device controller 20a. In particular, the flowchart of FIG. 4 describes a process for creating objects using, as examples, a barcode scanner interface object 41 as an example of an interface object and a barcode scanner control object 54 as an example of a control object.

Note that the phrase “the AP application is running” used below in a sense means that when describing the process mainly based on the operation of the AP application, the CPU is the CPU (terminal control unit 26, browser program execution unit 26a) that reads and executes the AP application , uses the AP application function to perform the process. Similarly, the phrase “an object executes” in a sense means that when describing a process mainly based on an operation of an object, the CPU (corresponding control unit) uses the function of this object to execute the process.

First, the AP application performs the process of instantiating the central management entity (step SA1). The process of instantiating the central control object is the process of creating the central control object 44. As described in more detail below, the central control object 44 is an object containing methods related to controlling the POS system 1, including methods related to establishing a communication path and the process of terminating the transfer, as well as methods related to the instantiation and removal of control objects and interface objects.

The process of instantiating the central control object in step SA1 is performed, for example, by the manufacturer of the control device 11 using the specialized API (application programming interface) and the AP application using the API function.

When the central control object 44 is instantiated by the process in step SA1, the AP confirms the open link request (communication request) to establish a communication connection in step SA2. A request for an open communication line (communication request) is a request to establish a logical communication line K1 (WebSocket) (a communication connection corresponding to the communication protocol for bidirectional communication) between the tablet device 10 and the control device 11 and initiates the establishment of a communication line by the devices that allows receiving and Receive data based on the WebSocket standard. The request for an open line of communication (communication request) is confirmed by the AP, which implements a specific method embodied in the Central control object 44.

In response to the open link request in step SA2, the central control object 44 and the relay object 51 open a connection based on the WebSocket standard and establish a communication line K1 between the interface 45 of the WebSocket standard on the browser side and the interface 50 of the standard WebSocket on the device side (step SA3) . Note that the browser-side interface 45 of the WebSocket standard and the device-side interface 50 of the WebSocket standard are function blocks related to the software interface for sending and receiving data using the WebSocket standard. The relay object 51 is an object executed by the device controller 20a, and includes a method associated with the process of establishing a communication link K1, and methods related to other processes described below.

The browser-side interface of the WebSocket standard and the central control object 44 function as a receiving unit receiving data to which identification information from the output of the control device is added. The device side WebSocket interface 50 and the relay object 51 function as a second communication unit for communicating with a terminal on which the browser is operating, a second communication unit that receives communication requests and device control requests from the terminal, or a second communication unit , which is connected to the terminal on which this browser operates, and receives requests from this terminal.

When the communication line K1 is established, the communication line ID (identification information of the communication line, identification information related to the communication connection), which contains information identifying the communication line K1, is added to the communication line K1 using the function of the central control object 44 or the relay object 51. The assigned communication line ID is stored in the tablet device 10 in the special memory area of the terminal memory unit 25 in a form that allows access to it from the AP application, and is also stored in the control device 11 in the special memory area of the memory unit 22 in the form that allows access to it from the side of the relay object 51.

By establishing a communication line K1, the tablet device 10 (terminal) and the control device 11 can communicate with each other.

Then, the AP application confirms the request to instantiate the control object of the barcode scanner (device control request) (step SA4). The request to instantiate the control object of the barcode scanner is the process of requesting the instantiation by the controller 20a of the device of the control object 54 of the barcode scanner. Note that, since the instantiation of the control object of the device establishes a state that allows controlling the corresponding device (sets device control), as described in more detail below, the process in step SA4 is a request processing control process.

Identification information (hereinafter “Device ID”) is assigned to each device connected to the control device 11, in accordance with the type of device. In the following example, the identifier “scanner” is assigned as the device ID for the barcode scanner 12.

To instantiate the control object 54 of the barcode scanner, the AP application sets the device ID for the barcode scanner 12 to be controlled, as will be understood below, the relay object 51 instantiates the corresponding control object according to the device to be controlled using the specified device ID as a key.

Control objects are further described below.

A control object is an object containing methods related to controlling a device, the control object controlling a specific device using the function of the corresponding handler. For example, a cash drawer control object contains a method for executing a process related to cash drawer management 13, and this object controls cash drawer 13 using the function of cash drawer handler 61.

A handler is a function or a standard program that performs processing related to the corresponding device when it is requested. For example, when a barcode scanner 12 reads a barcode, the barcode scanner handler 60 receives the entered barcode reading result, performs an interrupt operation, and provides the reading result (eg, a string of numbers) to the control object 54 of the barcode scanner. Other processors (cash drawer processor 41, display processor 62, and printer processor 63) function in a similar manner.

The device interface 71 and the processors act as a communication unit that communicates with the device, or as a first communication unit that communicates with the device.

As described above, device control by the control device 11 is established by instantiating the control object.

In accordance with the request to instantiate the control object of the barcode scanner from the AP application, the central control object 44 sends a request to instantiate the control object of the barcode scanner to the relay object 51 via the communication line K1 (step SA5).

In accordance with this request, the relay object 512 instantiates a control object (the control object of the barcode scanner 54 in this example) corresponding to the specified device ID (“scanner” device ID for the barcode scanner 12 in this example) using, for example, a “new” operator ( step SA6). In other words, the device controller 20a instantiates the control object, and the instantiated control object is executed on the device controller 20a.

In step SA6, the relay object 51 controls the instantiated control object 54 of the barcode scanner using the link ID assigned in step SA3. This also applies to instantiation of other control objects. Since the control object is associated with a particular communication line ID by the relay object 51, the relay object 51 can know which AP application is managing each control object.

This is described in more detail below using, as an example, a configuration in which two tablets (first tablet and second tablet) are connected to one control device 11. In this example, each tablet establishes a WebSocket communication line with control device 11 and an ID is assigned to each communication unit communication lines. Then, the first tablet instantiates the control object 54 of the barcode scanner so that the AP application running on the first tablet takes control of the barcode scanner 12. In this example, the relay object 51 communicates and controls the control object 54 of the barcode scanner using the ID of the communication line to the first tablet.

Then, the second tablet instantiates the control object 53 so that the AP application running on the second tablet takes control of the cash drawer 13. In this example, the relay object 51 communicates and controls the cash drawer control 52 using the line ID of the second tablet.

As a result, the relay object outputs the data output by the control object 54 of the barcode scanner to the first pattern based on the reading made by the barcode scanner 12 through the communication line with the corresponding communication line ID, which is the communication line going to the first template. Similarly, when the AP application running on the second tablet controls the cash drawer 13 and there is communication via a communication line with the second tablet, the transmitted data is output accordingly to the cash drawer control 53 in accordance with the communication line ID.

As a result of the relay object 51 controlling the control objects using the corresponding communication line ID, the control objects will not be transmitted through the faulty communication line even when a plurality of tablets are connected and a plurality of communication lines are established.

Upon completion of the instantiation of the control object 54 of the barcode scanner, the relay object 51 informs via the communication line K1 to the central control object 14 that the instantiation of the object is completed (step SA7), and the central control object 44 sends the indicated report to the AP application (step SA8).

Note that during the process of instantiating the control object of the barcode scanner in step SA4, a callback is announced, during which the processing result related to the instantiation of the control object is received, and a message is sent to the AP application about the successful instantiation of the control object 54 of the barcode scanner by performing the callback function .

Then, the central control object 44 instantiates an interface object 41 of the barcode scanner corresponding to the control object 54 of the barcode scanner that was instantiated (step SA9). The following describes the interface objects.

The interface object acts as an interface that initiates the use by the AP application of the methods embodied in the control object related to the corresponding device when the AP application is used to control the device. In particular, if, when managing one device, the AP application provides information to the interface object corresponding to this one device, the interface object communicates with the control object corresponding to this one device, performs the method embodied in the control object, and can control this one device.

By instantiating this interface object, the AP application can control the device using the methods of the control object through the interface object. In particular, the establishment of device control using the AP application through the control device 11 is performed by instantiating an interface object in combination with instantiating a control object.

Thus, the instantiation of the control object 54 of the barcode scanner and the interface object 41 of the barcode scanner is completed, as described above. Control objects and interface objects for other devices are instantiated by using similar steps.

As described above, this embodiment of the invention instantiates the corresponding interface object during instantiation when the instantiation of the control object in the control device 11 is completed. Thus, the control object and the interface object are always instantiated in pairs for any one device, and a state is set for each device that allows manage the device from the AP application side.

A pair consisting of an interface object and a control object is also instantiated for each device connected to the control device 11 in this embodiment. As a result, by using the functions of the interface object corresponding to one device, while controlling any one device, the AP application can reliably manage this one device and can exchange data with it.

The development (programming) of the AP application is also simplified, since a program associated with an interface related to device management is necessary only to take into account the relationship with the interface object of each device. For example, standard AP application programs related to cash drawer management 13 are needed only to account for input and output of information (data) by cash drawer interface object 40, which greatly simplifies the development process.

Next, with reference to FIG. 5 describes the process of deleting an instantiated control object and an interface object and closing an established communication line. In the example shown in the flowchart (Fig. 5), the removal of the control object and the interface object for the barcode scanner 12 is described.

First, the AP application confirms the deletion request (request to cancel control of the device) for the control object 54 of the barcode scanner (step SB1). The AP application also sets the barcode scanner ID 12. The request to delete the control object is executed by the AP application that implements the method embodied in the central control object 44. In accordance with the request to delete the control object 54 of the barcode scanner received from the AP application, the central control object 44 sends a request to delete the control object 54 of the barcode scanner to the relay object 51 via the communication line K1 (step SB2).

In accordance with this deletion request, the relay object 51 deletes the control object (the barcode scanner control 54 in this example) corresponding to the specified device ID (scanner ID for the barcode scanner 12 in this example) using, for example, the delete operator (step SB3). Due to the removal of this control object, the control of the barcode scanner 12 from the control device 11 side is canceled.

Thus, in this embodiment, the specific control object can be deleted by the AP application confirming the request to control the control object by deleting the control object for a specific device, deactivate the control of a specific device by the AP application running on one tablet, which allows the AP application to function on another tablet, take control of the specified specific device. As a result, when a particular device is no longer in use, the AP application can be freed from controlling that device by removing the control object for a specific device, and therefore unnecessary use of the device can be prevented.

Upon completion of the removal of the control object 54 of the barcode scanner, the relay object 51 informs the central control object 44 via the communication line K1 that the removal of the object has been completed (step SB4), and then the central control object 44 sends this message to the AP application (step SB5).

Note that a callback receiving the result of processing related to the deletion of the control object is announced in step SB1, and the successful completion of the deletion of the control object 54 of the barcode scanner is reported to the AP application by performing the callback function.

Then, the central control object 44 deletes the barcode interface object 41 corresponding to the control object 54 of the barcode scanner that has been deleted (step SB6).

Next, the AP application issues a request to terminate the transmission on the communication line K1 to the control device 11 (request to cancel the communication) (step SB7). This request is executed by an AP application that implements a specialized method of the central control object 44.

In accordance with the request confirmed in step SB7, the central control object 44 and the relay object 51 block the transmission on the communication line K1 established between the interface 45 of the WebSocket standard on the browser side and the interface 50 of the standard WebSocket on the device side in accordance with the WebSocket standard (step SB8 ),

Thus, the instantiated control object and the interface object can be deleted, and the established communication line can be disconnected, as described above.

In this way, the instantiated control object can be deleted at the required point in time upon request from the AP application. In particular, when there is no need to support device management, the AP application can quickly remove the control object instantiated for that single device and stop managing that device. Thus, it is possible to effectively prevent the management of objects remaining instantiated when this is no longer necessary, and to prevent a situation where the AP application of another tablet is unable to control the device for a long time.

The following describes a specific example of transaction processing.

Before performing transaction processing, the tablet device 10 first performs the following operations.

In particular, the operator of the cash register terminal or the employee responsible for other tasks launches the browser of the tablet device 10 and displays the user interface UI on the touch panel 30 (Fig. 6A). Then, the browser program execution unit 26a in the terminal control unit 26 contacts the POS server 17 at a special address, receives Web page data, for example, an HTML file, and displays the UI on the touch panel 30 based on the received data.

In FIG. 6A shows an example user interface UI displayed on the touch panel 30.

As shown in FIG. 6A, a list area 65 is displayed in the UI user interface in the upper left pane, showing product names purchased by a customer, product prices, and product volumes. To the right of the list area 65 is the transaction amount display area 66, which displays the total cost of products purchased by the buyer, the amount of money received from the buyer for this transaction, and the money owed to the buyer.

Below the list area 65 is a barcode information input field 67 where information provided by a barcode read by a barcode scanner 12 is entered and displayed (hereinafter, “barcode information”). Barcode information is basically identification information that is uniquely assigned to each type of product. To the right of the barcode information input field 67 is a virtual keyboard 68. Through this virtual keyboard 68, information can be entered into each of the input fields of the user interface UI, where the virtual keyboard 68 has keys for entering information.

At the top of the UI user interface, there is an address field 69 where the access address is displayed.

Next, the processing process is first described, while the information expressed by the read barcode (hereinafter referred to as "barcode information") is displayed in the barcode information input field of the user interface UI while the scanner 12 has read the barcode.

In FIG. 7 is a flowchart describing this process.

First, in order to allow the AP application to obtain a barcode reading result, the AP application registers a callback name for the barcode scanner interface object 41 (step SC1). The callback name is an identification name assigned to each event (such as reading a barcode by a scanner 12). When data associated with the callback name is entered into the interface object, a specific callback function is performed, and the specified data is entered into the AP application. In this example, the callback name “barcode reader by barcode scanner 12” is “ondata”.

In the L terminal, the operator uses a barcode scanner 12 to read a barcode from a product purchased by a customer (step SX1).

Next, the result of reading the barcode is input to the barcode scanner handler 60 (step SC2). Then, the barcode scanner processor 60 performs the interruption process and outputs the barcode information, the reading result, to the control object 54 of the barcode scanner (step SC3).

Then, the control object 54 of the barcode scanner outputs data including at least the ID of the barcode scanner 12 (scanner in this example), the callback name (ondata in this example) and the barcode information (data) in a specific format to the relay object 51 (step SC4).

The relay object 51 creates a data ID (identification information) and adds the data ID in a predetermined format to the barcode information contained in the input data (step SC5). The data ID is identification information uniquely assigned to identify data entering the AP application (barcode information in this example). In this embodiment, the data ID is a number, and the relay object 51 creates and assigns the data ID in such a way that its value is greater the later the data is output to the central control object 44. For example, if the data ID is created and assigned to the entered information barcode and output to the central control object is 1, then the data ID generated and assigned to the next entered barcode information and output to the central control object 44 will be 2 (or any other value, different CB 2 and greater than 1). The following describes how the assigned data ID is used.

Next, the relay object 51 stores the barcode information (data) of the assigned data ID in a special memory area in the memory unit 22 (step SC6). As a result, data related to the device of the same data ID output to the AP application (information related to the device) is accumulated in the memory unit 22.

Then, the relay object 51 outputs data including at least the ID of the barcode scanner 12 (scanner in this example), the callback name (ondata in this example), and the barcode information (data) with the data ID in a specific format to the central control object 44 (step SC7). The relay object 51 outputs the indicated data via the communication line K1, identified by the ID of the communication line, which is assigned to the control object 54 of the barcode scanner.

Next, the central control object 44 outputs the data to a specific interface object (in this example, the interface object 41 of the barcode scanner) related to the device ID contained in the input data (step SC8).

Based on the callback name (ondata in this example), the barcode scanner interface object 41 performs the function of a specific callback and outputs the barcode information along with the data ID to the AP application (step SC9).

The AP application performs the display process based on the entered barcode information and displays the barcode information in the barcode information input field 67 (step SC10). As a result, as shown in FIG. 6B, barcode information is displayed in the barcode information field 67.

Then, the AP application extracts the data ID from the entered barcode information together with the assigned data ID and stores the data ID in a specific memory area in the terminal memory 25 (step SC11). This step SC11 causes the data ID entered in the AP application to be retrieved from the data output from the device (in this example, barcode information) and accumulated in memory. The following describes a method of using the data ID stored in the terminal memory unit 25.

The following describes the process steps by which the AP application controls the printer unit 21 to create a check.

In FIG. 8 is a flowchart describing steps in this processing process.

First, the AP application creates the image to be printed on the receipt using the built-in function, and then, based on the created image, forms an XML document (data) containing information related to the check generated by the printer unit 21 (step SD1).

The XML document contains information for creating the check, such as text and images printed on the check, in a specific format corresponding to the XML format, and, as described below, the printer control unit 80 can convert the XML document to a control command in accordance with the block command language 21 printers.

Next, the AP application outputs data including at least the ID of the printer unit 21, information defining functions to be performed by the printer control 56, and the generated XML document to the printer interface object 43 (step SD2). In this example, the function performed by the printer control 56 is a function for executing a process that outputs an XML document via the printer / display interface 81 to the printer control unit 80.

Then, the printer interface object 43 sends a request to the printer control 56 to output data input from the AP application to the central control 44 (step SB3). The central control object 44 outputs the data via the communication line K1 to the relay object 44 (step SD4), and the relay object 51 outputs the data to the printer control object 56 (step SD5).

The printer control object 56 outputs the XML file contained in the input data via the printer / display interface 81 to the printer control unit 80 by performing the function specified in the input data (step SD6). At this time, the printer control 56 outputs the XML file to the printer control unit 80 after formatting or processing the data to enable the printer control unit 80 to process the specified data.

The printer control unit 80 is a functional unit implemented by the function of the so-called printer driver, and the unit 80, on the basis of the inputted XML file, creates control commands corresponding to the command language of the printer unit 21 and outputs them to the printer unit 21 through the printer processor 63 (step SD7). Then, the printer unit 21 drives the necessary mechanisms to create a check based on the entered control commands (step SD8).

Note that the display of data on the display 14 is carried out by a sequence of steps similar to the steps described in FIG. 8.

In particular, the AP application outputs the display data to the display control object 55 through the interface display object 42. The display control object 55 outputs the display data to the display control unit 82 via the printer / display interface 81. The display control unit 82 converts the entered display data into control commands corresponding to the display command language 14, and, using the function of the display handler 62, displays them on the display 14. Then, the display 14 presents the display data based on the control commands.

As described above, it is desirable to provide control of the AP application and the exchange of data between the AP application and the device for each device by the exchange between the interface object and the control object corresponding to the target device.

In particular, the tablet device 10 and the control device 11 in this embodiment communicate according to the WebSocket standard. That is, any device can send data to another device without having to send a request for data transfer from a browser on the tablet device 10 to a control device 11 that functions as a server. In other words, the interface object and the corresponding control object can carry out bidirectional communication. As a result, as described, using the flowchart of FIG. 7, triggered by an event on the device side, data can be evenly output from the device through the control object and the interface object to the AP application. In addition, as described using the flowchart of FIG. 8, run on the side of the AP application, the AP application can control the device through the interface object and the control object.

In addition, as described above, the management of a particular device can be organized by instantiating a control object for that device. In particular, the instantiation of the control object establishes a state that allows data entry between the device and the corresponding control object, thereby allowing the AP application to control the corresponding device to perform the processing process and allowing the corresponding device to output data to the AP application. As described in more detail below, the control object can initiate the execution of a specific process by the device by outputting data issued by the AP application to this device (or the control unit of this device), and can issue a control command to the device in accordance with the request from the AP application to initiate execution device specific processing process.

In particular, as described above, one of the functions (one of the methods) of the control object 54 of the barcode scanner is a function (method), according to which, after reading the barcode by the corresponding barcode scanner 12, the result of reading the barcode by means of the interrupt process and outputting the result of reading through barcode scanner interface object 41 to the AP application. In particular, the control object 54 of the barcode scanner can send the result of reading the barcode to the tablet device 10 when the corresponding barcode scanner 12 reads the given barcode. Organization of device control in this case means establishing a state in which the result of reading the corresponding barcode scanner 12 can be sent to the tablet device 10. These functions are triggered by instantiating the control object 54 of the barcode scanner.

As described above, the printer control 56 outputs the XML document generated by the AP to the printer control unit 80 after formatting and converting the data to allow processing by the printer control unit 80. Based on the specified data output in a convenient form for processing, the printer control unit 80 creates and issues a control command and creates a check (prints a check) using the printer unit 21.

The printer control 56 also receives data provided by the printer unit 21 (for example, data identifying a state (for example, “no paper” or “error”) of the printer unit 21) through the printer control unit 80. Then, the printer control object 56 outputs the received data through the printer interface object 43 to the AP application. Thus, organizing device management means here creating a state in which data can be output from the tablet device 10 (AP application) to the corresponding printer unit 21, and a state in which the printer unit can operate under the control of the tablet device 10 (AP application) to execute printing and other processing processes. It also means establishing a state in which it is possible to send data at appropriate times from the corresponding printer unit 21 to the tablet device 10 (AP application). These functions can be provided by instantiating the printer control 56.

Device control can also be implemented by a display control object 55, similar to a printer control object 56. In particular, the instantiation of the display control 55 sets a state in which it is possible to output data from the tablet device 10 (AP application) to the corresponding display, and the corresponding information can be displayed on this display by the tablet device 10 (AP application). The instantiation of the display control object 55 also sets a state in which the display 14 can send data according to the corresponding timing diagram to the tablet device 10 (AP application).

Based on a request from the AP application, the cash drawer control object 53 also creates and outputs to the cash drawer 13 a control command corresponding to the process to be executed, and initiates the execution by the cash drawer 13 of the money receiving process, the process of issuing money, another process. The creation and output of this control command is performed by an AP application that implements a specific method. In other words, the tablet device 10 (AP application) can initiate the execution of the desired process by the cash drawer 13 by defining a method embedded in the cash drawer control object 53 through the cash drawer interface object 40.

After the calculation performed by cash drawer 13, the cash drawer 13 receives or issues cash out, the cash drawer control object 53 receives the result of this process using the interrupt process and outputs the result through the cash drawer interface object 40 to the AP application.

In particular, organizing device management in this example means establishing a state in which data can be output from tablet device 10 (AP application) to cash drawer 13, and tablet device 10 (AP application) can control cash drawer 13 to receive money and other processes. It also means establishing a state in which the corresponding cash drawer 13 can send data to the tablet device 10 (AP application) at an appropriate point in time. These functions are provided by instantiating the control object 53 of the cash drawer.

The tablet device 10 and the control device 11 are connected for wireless communication using a specific standard, such as Ethernet (R), but the connection may be temporarily disconnected (interrupted) due to radio interference or for another reason. Even in the case of communication via a wired connection, communication may be temporarily interrupted due to disconnection of the communication cable, poor contact, or for another reason.

In these cases, the tablet device 10 and the control device 11 perform processing based on the existence of the control object, as described below.

In FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the operation of the tablet device 10 and the control device 11 when communication is interrupted.

In FIG. 9A shows the steps of an AP application running on a tablet device 10, and FIG. 9B shows the operation of the relay object 51 operating on the control device 11.

The process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B, it is assumed that a communication line K1 between the tablet device 10 and the control device 11 is already installed and that control objects for the cash drawer 13, the barcode scanner 12, the display 14, and the printer unit 21 are installed by the control device 11.

As shown in FIG. 9A, the AP application continuously monitors if the connection is interrupted (step SE1). Note that the browser-side interface 45 of the WebSocket standard continuously monitors whether the connection was interrupted by means of the WebSocket standard, and when the connection is disconnected, the browser-side interface 45 of the WebSocket standard reports this to the AP application.

When the connection is disconnected (step SE1 - YES), the AP application tries to reconnect using the function of the central control object 44, and determines whether this attempt was successful (step SE2). Attempts to reconnect continue for a predetermined period of time.

As shown in FIG. 9B, the relay entity 51 also continuously monitors whether the connection is interrupted (step SF1). Note that the interface 50 of the WebSocket standard on the device side continuously monitors whether the connection was interrupted by means of the standard WebSocket, and when the connection is disconnected, the interface 50 of the WebSocket standard on the device side informs the AP application about this.

When the connection is disconnected (step SF1 - YES), the relay object 51 starts the countdown from the moment the connection was interrupted (step SF2). As will be clear from the following description, the relay entity 51 is configured to nullify the control entity corresponding to the link ID associated with the interrupted link when the time elapsed since the interruption exceeds the value of T1. The time value T1 is set as a reference value to determine whether the interruption was a deliberate interruption or an unexpected failure.

After starting the elapsed time, the relay object 51 monitors the moment when the elapsed time reaches the value T1 (step SF4) and continues to check if the connection was successful until the value T1 is reached (step SF3).

If the elapsed time reaches T1 and the connection is unsuccessful (step SF4 - YES), then we can assume that the interruption is a deliberate disconnection, and not a sudden failure. Then, the relay object 51 deletes the control objects corresponding to the communication line identifier (ID) associated with the interrupted connection (in this example, the control objects of the cash drawer 13, the barcode scanner 12, the display 14, and the printer unit 21) (step SF5). As described above, deleting a control object frees the corresponding device from the AP application running on another tablet and allows another AP application to instantiate a new control object and control the corresponding device.

If the connection between the control device 11 and the tablet device 10 (which may be the same terminal as before the interruption of the connection, or another terminal) is re-established after the removal of the control object, the device controller 20a instantiates and activates the control object based on a request from the tablet device 10 according to the process described in connection with FIG. 4. As a result, control of the device can be quickly restored even if the reconnection was unsuccessful for a given time after the connection was interrupted, and the corresponding control object was deleted in this connection.

Thus, in this embodiment, it is determined that the interruption was intentional if the counted elapsed time reaches the value T1 upon unsuccessful attempts to reconnect, and the control object is deleted (release of the control object). As a result, an unnecessary increase in the running time of another AP application is prevented when it cannot control the device.

Referring again to FIG. 9A, where upon successful reconnection as a result of the attempts in step SE2 (step SE2 — YES), the AP sends the ID of the communication link K1 associated with the connection that was interrupted to the relay entity 51 (step SE3). As described, in step SA3 of FIG. 4, the communication line identifier is assigned together with the establishment of the communication line K1 and is stored in a specific memory area in the terminal memory unit 25 in a format that allows it to be accessed by the AP application.

Turning to FIG. 9B, where, since in decision step SF3, the result is YES when the communication is successfully re-established, and the application AP in step SE3 sends the ID of the communication line K1 associated with the aborted connection, the relay object 51 receives the communication line ID (step SF6).

After obtaining the link ID, the relay entity 51 determines whether a control entity exists corresponding to the received link ID (step SF7). If the control object does not exist (the result of step SF7 is NO), then the relay object 51 completes the processing.

However, if a control object corresponding to the received communication line ID already exists (the result of step SF7 is YES), then the relay object 51 cancels the cancellation of the specified control objects after the time T1 and maintains the control objects in an instantiated state instead of deleting them (controls the instantiation of control objects) (step SF8). When the communication line is reestablished within the time interval T1 after the communication has been interrupted, according to this embodiment of the invention, it is determined that the probability of the interruption of the connection due to an unintentional sudden failure is high and supports the control object related to the communication line ID K1, through which the connection was interrupted. As a result, the AP application can quickly and efficiently manage a device without instantiating a new control object to manage that device. In addition, when one AP application controls the device, it is not possible to control this device from another AP application (the corresponding control object will not be deleted), and device management will not be taken over by this other AP application in the event of a sudden communication failure.

After canceling the deletion of the control object (control of instantiation of the control object) in step SF8, the AP application and the relay object 51 act together to resend the data (step SE4, step SF9).

In FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the operation of an AP application and a relay entity 51 in a data retransmission process, where in FIG. 10A shows the processing performed by the AP application, and FIG. 10B shows a processing process performed by the relay entity 51.

Turning to FIG. 10A, where, among the data identifiers stored in the terminal memory 25, the application AP outputs the data IDs received by the most recent to the relay entity 51 (step SG1). As described with reference to step SC11 (FIG. 7), data IDs are assigned to device data (device information) entered in the AP application, and when this data is entered, the AP application retrieves the data ID from the barcode information with the entered ID data and stores the data ID in a specific memory area of the terminal memory unit 25.

When the data ID is entered from the AP application, the relay object 51 compares the data identifiers with the data ID accumulated in the memory unit 22 with the data ID entered from the AP application and identifies (determines) whether this data is data that should have been output to the AP application, but were not introduced to the AP application due to a sudden communication failure (step SH1). In particular, the data identifiers are created based on the rule that the value of the data ID should be the greater the later the data is output to the AP application. On this basis, the relay entity 51 has information that data having the same ID as the data ID received from the AP application has been successfully output. On the other hand, data with an ID whose value exceeds the value of the received ID is data that was not entered into the AP application due to a sudden communication failure, and this data is identified as data that was not entered into the AP application. In particular, in step SH1, the relay object 51 identifies a data ID that was not normally entered into the tablet device 10 by searching among the data identifiers assigned to the data sent to the tablet device 10, a data ID that is not stored in the tablet device 10.

Next, the relay object 51 outputs data that has not been entered (information related to the device) to the AP application (step SH2). The AP application receives the indicated data and accordingly processes the data issued by the relay entity 51 (step SG2).

By performing the indicated data retransmission process, all data that must be output to the AP application can be output to the AP application without loss even when there has been a brief interruption of communication.

As described above, the POS system 1 (control system) according to this embodiment of the invention includes a device (such as a barcode scanner 12) and a control device 11 having a communication unit communicating with the device due to the joint operation of the device interface 71 and the processor, and a device controller 20a that instantiates a control object to control the device. The POS system 1 also includes a tablet device 10 (terminal with a touch panel 30 (display unit)) that displays the browser, and a terminal control unit 26 (browser program execution unit 26a) that instantiates an interface object that exchanges information related to device, with a control object, and processes information related to the device using the AP application, which runs in the browser.

Thus, the AP application running in the browser of the tablet device 10 can receive and process information related to the device using a control object and an interface object, allowing the AP application running in the browser of the tablet device 10 to control the device.

In this embodiment, a plurality of devices are connected to the control device 11. When a first device (such as a barcode scanner 12) is connected and then a second device (such as a cash drawer 13), the controller 20a of the control device 11 instantiates a second control object (such as a cash drawer control object 53) that controls the second device . In addition, the terminal control unit 26 (browser program execution unit 26a) of the tablet device 10 instantiates a second interface object (such as a cash drawer interface object 40) that exchanges information related to the second device with the second control object.

Thus, the corresponding control object and the interface object are instantiated for the second device connected to the control device 11. In particular, the corresponding control object and the interface object are instantiated for each device connected to the control device 11, and using the functions of these objects, the AP application, running the browser of the tablet device 10, can control each of the devices.

Between the tablet device 10 and the control device 11, a communication line K1 is established based on the WebSocket standard, which is the standard for bi-directional communication, and the control object and the corresponding interface object communicate in both directions via the communication line K1.

Since in this embodiment of the invention, the control object and the corresponding interface object can carry out bi-directional communication via the communication line K1, data can be output from the interface object to the control object triggered by the event on the side of the tablet device 10 and data can be output from the control object to the interface object triggered by an event on the control device side.

In this embodiment of the invention, the interface object corresponding to the control object is instantiated after completion of the instantiation of the control object.

This configuration means that the corresponding interface object is reliably instantiated when the control object is instantiated.

In this embodiment, the printer unit 21 (print unit) is connected to the control device 11, and the device controller 20a instantiates the printer control object 56, which controls the printer unit 21.

In such a configuration, the AP application running in the browser of the tablet device 10 can receive and process information related to the printer unit 21 as a target device using the functions of the control object and the interface object, and the AP application running in the browser of the tablet device 10 can execute print.

In addition, when the AP application running in the browser of the tablet device 10 sends a request to the control device 11 to instantiate a control object for the connected device (requests device control), the control device 11 that receives a request to instantiate a control object for the device (requesting control), establishes control of said device by instantiating a control object. After the control device 11 installs the control of the said device by instantiating the control object, the tablet device establishes device control using the AP application through the control device 11 by instantiating the interface object corresponding to the control object.

Thus, the device will be controlled by the AP application through the control device 11 in accordance with the request from the AP application, and it is possible to control the device from the side of the AP application running in the browser of the tablet device 10.

In this embodiment, the control device 11, in addition, establishes control of the device by instantiating a control object that controls this device.

Thus, device control can be established by instantiating a control object.

In this embodiment, the tablet device 10 also establishes device control from the AP application side through the control device 11 by instantiating an interface object having a function of exchanging data with the control object.

This configuration makes it possible to establish device control by the AP application through the control device 11 by instantiating a control object and instantiating an interface object that can communicate with the control object.

The POS system 1 (control system) according to this embodiment of the invention includes a tablet device 10 with a touch panel 30 (display unit) that displays the browser, and a terminal control unit 26 (browser program execution unit 26a) that confirms the communication request (request for opening a communication line) to open a connection for communication, and a device control request requesting the instantiation of a control object (requests device control). The POS system 1 also has a control device 11, which includes a communication unit that communicates with the device, and a device controller 20a, which establishes communication with the tablet device 10 based on a communication request sent from the tablet device 10, and establishes device control by instantiation a control object based on a device control request after establishing communication with the tablet device 10.

With this configuration, communication is first established and then device control is established in accordance with the communication request from the tablet device 10 and the device control request, which makes it possible to control the device from the side of the tablet device 10 using the browser function.

The terminal control unit 26 (browser program execution unit 26a) of the tablet device 10 issues a device control cancellation request requesting the cancellation of the control object (device control cancellation request), and the control device controller 20a 11 cancels the control object and cancels the device control based on the cancellation request device management.

Thus, it is possible to remove control of the device and, using the request to cancel control of the device coming from the tablet device 10, it is possible to prevent the situation when the device is unnecessarily under the control of a specific terminal.

In this embodiment, the AP application of the tablet device 10 issues a request (disconnect request) to disconnect the communication line K1 to the control device 11, and the controller 20a of the control device 11 terminates the communication connection based on the request to cancel the connection.

Thus, the established connection for communication can be accordingly canceled upon request to cancel the connection from the tablet device 10.

In this embodiment, the tablet device 10 (AP application) also issues a communication request requesting a connection for communication, and issues a device control request requesting the instantiation of a control object for the printer unit 21 as a control device (print unit control request). The controller 20a of the control device 11 establishes a connection for communication with the tablet device 10 based on the communication request and, based on the device control request, instantiates the printer control object 56 and establishes control of the printer unit 21 after communication with the tablet device 10 is established.

Thus, communication is established, after which the control of the printer unit 21 as the target device is established in accordance with the communication request and the device control request from the tablet device 10, and the tablet device 10, using the browser function, can print using the printer unit 21. According to the present invention, the control device 11 has a first communication unit that communicates with the device due to the joint operation of the device and processor interface 71, a device controller 20a on which a control object that controls the device is implemented, and a second communication unit that communicates with the tablet device 10 due to the collaboration of the WebSocket interface 50 on the device side and the relay object 51, and when the connection is interrupted a tablet device 10, the controller 20a deletes the device managing object timeout T1.

Thus, the control object is not deleted immediately when the connection is interrupted, but instead deleted after the time interval T1. As a result, during a short-term inadvertent interruption of communication, the control object is not immediately deleted and device management by the control object, which has not yet been deleted, can quickly resume after a temporary communication interruption is restored. In addition, since the control object is deleted at the end of the wait time T1, it exists for a long period of time, and therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent a situation when the control object is not deleted and the authority to control the device is not issued for a long time.

In addition, when communication is again established between the control device 11 and the tablet device 10 (the same terminal that was before the connection was interrupted, or another terminal), after the communication between the tablet device 10 and the control device 11 is interrupted, the connection is repeated during time T1 is not installed and the control object is removed, the device controller 20a instantiates a new control object and starts it based on a request from the tablet device 10 in accordance with the process described in FIG. four.

As a result, it is possible to quickly enable device control even if the connection is not re-established within a specified time interval after the connection is interrupted and the control object is subsequently deleted.

In addition, when the connection with the tablet device 10 in this embodiment is carried out within the time interval T1, the deletion of the stored control object is canceled (the instantiation of the control object is controlled).

Since the deletion of the control object is canceled when the reconnection is successful within the time interval T1 after the interruption of communication, it is possible to prevent the removal of the control object in the event of a temporary interruption, for example, when the connection is re-established during the interval T1 after disconnection.

In this embodiment, when a connection is established between the tablet device 10 and the control device 11, each device remembers the identification information (communication line ID) corresponding to the connection, and when reconnecting after interruption, these devices are reconnected based on the identification information stored by each of them .

As a result, the identification information (communication line ID) stored by each of the devices can be used, if necessary, to reconnect to restore the connection corresponding to the interrupted one.

In this embodiment, the control device 11 instantiates a control object for each device in the connection for controlling the device. The control device 11 (relay object 51) also stores identification information (communication line ID) related to the control object and deletes the control object if the connection with the tablet device 10 has not been re-established within the time interval T1 after disconnecting from the tablet device 10 . When the connection is restored after it is interrupted, the control device 11 determines whether the control object with the same identification information that was stored in tablet device 10, and if such a control object is detected, the control device 11 cancels the removal of the control object after a predetermined time.

Thus, the deletion of the control object that was used before the connection was interrupted in the event of a temporary interruption and subsequent successful restoration of the connection within the time interval T1 after the interruption is prevented, and the control object can be used after the connection is restored without instantiating a new control object.

The POS system 1 (control system) according to this embodiment of the invention has: a control device with a first communication unit that communicates with the device and receives data issued by the specified device due to the joint operation of the device interface 71 and the processor, the device controller 20a, which adds identification information ( Data ID) to data (such as barcode information) received by the first communication unit; a memory unit 22, which stores data together with the data ID, and a second communication unit that provides data together with the data ID due to the joint operation of the WebSocket interface 50 on the device side and the relay object 51. The POS system 1 also has a tablet device 10 with a receiving unit , which receives data together with the data ID issued by the control device 11, due to the joint operation of the WebSocket interface 45 on the browser side and the central control object 44, the terminal memory block 25, which passes identification information assigned to the data received by the receiving unit, and the terminal control unit 26, which runs the data processing application.

Thus, identification information (data ID) is added to the data provided by the control device 11 to the tablet device 10, the control device 11 stores the output data, and the tablet device 10 stores the identification information associated with the input data. As a result, when the connection is interrupted, data that was not entered into the tablet device 10 due to the interrupted connection can be identified using identification information (data ID) as a search key, and this identified data can be displayed again.

When reconnecting after disconnecting the connection between the tablet device 10 and the control device 11, the tablet device 10 in this embodiment sends the stored identification information (data ID) to the control device 11, and the control device 11 identifies and sends data that has been input to the tablet device 10, based on a comparison of the identification information (data ID) received from the tablet device 10 with the identifiers of the stored data.

When reconnecting after interruption, data that has not been entered into the tablet device 10 can be appropriately identified using identification information (data ID).

In this embodiment of the invention, the control device 11 also adds a regular data ID to the data based on the input data from the device and outputs it to the tablet device 10, and also stores the data that was output along with the data ID. After restoring the interrupted connection between the tablet device 10 and the control device 11, the tablet device 10 sends the identification information (data ID) related to the data received by the latest to the control device 11. The control device 11 compares the identification information (data ID) received from the tablet device 10, with data identifiers in the data stored with the data ID, and based on the regularity of the identification information (data ID) identifies and sends the data, that have been entered to the tablet device 10. In this case, the tablet device 10 sends identification information (data ID) for all data entered over a predetermined time, for example, to the control device 11. Thus, the control device 11 can identify data that were not entered into the tablet device 10, in a simple way, using the regularity of identification information (data ID), instead of performing a processing process, for example, identifying the control device 11 of data not entered to the tablet device 10, by comparing the obtained identification information (data ID) with the identifiers of the data stored with the data ID.

The invention has been described above with reference to a preferred embodiment, but the invention is not limited to this option and can be modified and adapted in many ways without going beyond the scope of the attached claims.

For example, in the above embodiment, the description used POS system 1 in a store with a cash register terminal L as an example, but the POS system is not limited to the indicated use and can be used in catering establishments, for example cafes and restaurants. The control device 11 and the POS server 17 have been described above as separate devices; but the functions performed by the POS server 17 can be transferred to the control device 11. In addition, the control device 11 in the above description is a thermal printer, but any desired recording method can be used in the invention.

The function blocks shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, if required, can be implemented through the joint operation of hardware and software, and they do not require special hardware configuration. These devices can also operate under the control of a program stored on external media.

The control method of the control system according to the invention comprises operating in a browser of a terminal requesting to control the device connected to the control device from the application side; the device control request establishes device control from the control device side and sets device control from the application side through the control device using the terminal after the control device has established control of said device.

According to this aspect of the invention, then, the device is controlled by the control device and the device is controlled by the application via the control device and the device can be controlled by the application running in the terminal browser.

In the present invention, the establishment of device control by the control device sets a state in which the processing of the device by the device can be initiated based on a request from the terminal.

In the present invention, establishing control of said device from the side of the control device also includes establishing a state in which it is possible to send and receive data between said device and terminal.

In the invention, the establishment of device control by the control device also includes instantiating by the control device a control object configured to process data exchange with said device under control of the control device.

As described above, the invention can appropriately establish device control by instantiating a control entity.

According to another aspect of the invention, the establishment of device control by the terminal application through the control device instantiates on the terminal an interface object configured to communicate with the control object.

According to this aspect of the invention, it is possible to appropriately establish device control from the application side through the control device by instantiating a control object and instantiating an interface object that can communicate with the control object.

According to another aspect of the invention, said device is a printer configured to print; the application is configured to run in a browser of the terminal requesting a control device for controlling the printer; the control device is configured to establish printer control based on the received printer control request; and after establishing the printer control by the control device, the terminal establishes application control of the printer through the control device.

According to this aspect of the invention, controlling a printer taken as an example of a device is based on a request from an application, and controlling the printer from the application through the control device is set sequentially, while the application that is running in the terminal browser can print when necessary.

Other objectives and achievements, together with a more complete understanding of the invention will become apparent when referring to the corresponding description and claims along with the accompanying drawings.

Claims (16)

1. The control method of a control system including a terminal configured to run an application in a Web browser to display a Web page recorded in a scripting language or markup language, a device configured to send and receive data and assigned identification information, and a printer, connected to said device, the method comprising:
sending a request from the application to the printer for instantiating a device control object for device control with the assigned identification information specified by the application;
instantiating a device control object on a printer based on a request from an application to instantiate a device control object;
the implementation of the establishment of device control on the printer through the control object of the device;
performing a device control establishment by means of an application through a printer on a terminal based on the identification information. 2. The control method of the control system according to claim 1, in which
establishing device control by means of a printer is to establish a state in which a process can be initiated by said device based on a request from a terminal. 3. The control method of the control system according to claim 1, wherein establishing control of the device by means of a printer consists in establishing a state in which it is possible to send and receive data between said device and the terminal through the printer. 4. The control method of the control system according to claim 1, in which
the control object of the device is configured to process data exchange with said device using a controller. 5. The control method of the control system according to claim 4, in which
instantiation at the terminal of an interface object configured to communicate with a device control object is performed after the device control object is instantiated on a printer. 6. The control method of the control system according to claim 1, in which
said device is a scanner that reads;
a request to instantiate a control object of a device is a request to instantiate a control object of a scanner to control a scanner; and
the printer performs the scanner control establishment based on the request received. 7. The control method of the control system according to claim 6, in which
Scanner management consists of sending data read by the scanner to the application through a printer. 8. A control system comprising:
a device configured to send or receive data and assigned identification information;
terminal including
a Web browser program execution unit, configured to execute a Web browser program, where an application configured to output a request to instantiate a device control object and instruct the device to act,
and a communication module configured to transmit a request from the application to instantiate a device control object; and
printer including
an interface configured to connect to said device, and
a control unit configured to instantiate a device control object on a printer based on a request from an application to instantiate a device control object to control a device with the assigned identification information specified by the application and to perform a device control establishment. 9. The control system of claim 8, wherein
after the control unit completes the establishment of device control, the application performs the device control establishment through the printer. 10. The control system of claim 8, wherein
the device includes a processing unit; and
establishing device control by means of a printer consists in establishing a state in which a processing unit may initiate a process based on a control object of the device. 11. The control system of claim 8, wherein
establishing device control by means of a printer is to establish a state in which data can be sent and received between the device and the terminal through the printer. 12. The control system of claim 8, wherein
the control object of the device is configured to process communication with the device. 13. The control system of claim 9, wherein
a web browser program execution unit is configured to instantiate an interface object configured to communicate with a device control object. 14. The control system of claim 8, wherein
said device is a scanner configured to read;
a request to instantiate a control object of a device is a request to instantiate a control object of a scanner to control a scanner; and
the printer performs the scanner control establishment based on the request received. 15. The management system of claim 14, wherein
after the printer performs the scanner control establishment, the application performs the scanner control establishment through the printer. 16. The control system of claim 15, wherein
scanner control is a control configured to send data read by the scanner to an application through a printer.

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