JP3948862B2 - Product sales registration data processing device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a merchandise sales registration data processing apparatus such as a POS (Point Of Sales) terminal, an electronic cash register, and the like suitable for operation in a 24-hour shop.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Recent POS terminals are mainly open POS terminals that can use general-purpose application software so that an optimum system can be constructed for each store by selectively using various hardware.
However, in the case of an open POS terminal, if it is operated continuously for a long period of time, the processing capacity of the CPU (Central Processing Unit) will be significantly degraded due to fragmentation due to memory leaks, etc., resulting in system downtime. Could lead to
[0003]
Generally, in a store that is not open 24 hours a day, the POS terminal is turned off after the closing process every business day, and the POS terminal is turned on before the next business day. When turned on, the system is restarted, the memory is initialized, and fragmentation and the like are eliminated. For this reason, the POS terminal can operate stably.
However, 24/7 stores such as convenience stores operate POS terminals without resting 24 hours, so there is an opportunity to restart the system without turning the power off and on. There wasn't. For this reason, the processing capacity of the CPU may be lowered due to continuous operation for a long period of time, resulting in instability or system down.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, in a POS terminal that is operated in a 24-hour shop, there was no opportunity to restart the system, so that the processing capacity of the CPU was lowered and the operation could become unstable.
[0005]
Accordingly, the present invention is intended to provide a merchandise sales registration data processing apparatus that can be stably operated over a long period of time even when operated in a 24-hour shop.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the power is turned on, the memory is cleared, the cleared memory is divided into areas such as a program area, a setting data area, and a sales aggregation area, and the program is loaded into the divided areas. Execute the start-up process that sets the set value, etc., and after completing this start-up process, execute the product registration process, register the product sales data in the sales summary area, and execute the check-out process when payment is instructed In the product sales registration data processing device that clears the sales summary area after reading the product sales data registered in the sales summary area and outputting it to the settlement report, a closing operation to declare the end of the registration process for the product purchased by one customer A message that prompts execution of the settlement process when it is determined whether or not a preset settlement time has elapsed. Display the over-di screen, executes the settlement process and settlement process execution is instructed, after clearing the sales totalization area by this settlement process, it is obtained so as to perform the startup process.
By taking such means, it is possible to execute the start-up process in anticipation of the time when the customer has stopped, which is practical.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
In this embodiment, a case will be described in which the present invention is applied to an open POS terminal for a 24-hour store that can execute a checkout process at a preset time.
[0010]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of an open POS terminal according to the present embodiment, and 1 shows a control unit. The control unit 1 includes a CPU 11 constituting a control unit main body, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12 in which fixed data such as a boot program is stored in advance, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) in which data is written and read by the CPU 11. 13) HDD (Hard Disc Drive) device 14 for writing and reading data to and from the built-in hard disk, and FDD (Floppy Disk Drive) device for writing and reading data to and from a detachably mounted floppy disk 15. Clock unit 16 that measures date and time, communication board 17 that controls data communication with a host device (store controller) connected via a communication line, and a plurality of interface units that can connect various peripheral devices 18 a, 18 b, 18 c, 18 d, 18 e, 18 f, and each part is connected by the system bus 19. To those that you configured.
[0011]
A scanner device 2 such as a hand scanner or a fixed scanner is connected to the first interface unit 18a, and a POS dedicated keyboard in which a numeric keypad, a tightening key, an execution key, a cancel key, and the like are arranged on the second interface 18b. 3 is connected, a display 4 with an operator touch panel is connected to the third interface section 18c, a customer display 5 is connected to the fourth interface section 18d, and a thermal display is connected to the fifth interface section 18e. A printer 6 capable of receipt printing and journal printing is connected, and a drawer 7 is connected to the sixth interface unit 18f.
[0012]
Although not shown in the figure, the control unit 1 is equipped with an uninterruptible power supply that supplies power during a power failure of the commercial power source, which is the main power source. When the power failure occurs, the main power source is secured instead of the commercial power source for a predetermined time Thus, it is possible to perform a power failure backup process for transferring the data in the RAM 13 to the hard disk.
[0013]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the RAM 13. In this POS terminal, the RAM 13 includes a program area 13a for storing an operating system (OS) as a basic program and an application program (APL) as a business program, and the status of the POS terminal. A status area 13b for storing status data indicating the status, a setting data area 13c for storing setting data such as the settlement time hh: mm and the counter initial value X (> 0), and the responsible person, time zone, customer group, A work total area 13d for registering product sales data for each item such as department and transaction and totaling sales, and a work for forming a data area for storing variable data such as a restart counter N and various flags It is divided into an area 13e.
[0014]
As shown in FIG. 3, when the power is turned on, the POS terminal starts up the CPU 11 and executes start-up processing such as initialization of the RAM 13 as ST (step) 1. That is, after the RAM 13 is once cleared and the operation is checked, it is divided into a program area 13a, a status area 13b, a setting data area 13c, a sales totaling area 13d, and a work area 13e. The operating system and application program read from the hard disk or floppy disk are loaded into the program area 13a. In the setting data area 13c, the settlement time stored in the ROM 12 or the hard disk and the default value of the counter initial value are set. The start-up process includes other processes.
[0015]
When the start-up process is thus completed, the CPU 11 displays a selection screen for various operations such as a setting operation, a registration operation, an inspection operation, and a training operation on the display 4 with a touch panel for the operator. Then, it waits for any work to be selected as ST3. Here, when any task is selected by touch panel input or key input on the keyboard 3, processing of the selected task is executed.
[0016]
For example, when the set job is selected as ST4, the set job process specifically shown in FIG. 4 is executed. First, an item selection screen for various setting data is displayed on the display 4 with a touch panel. Then, it waits for any setting item to be selected.
[0017]
Here, when the setting item of the settlement time is selected by touch panel input or key input, the input of the settlement time is awaited, and if the numerical data hhmm corresponding to the settlement time is key-input, the numerical data hhmm. Is overwritten on the settlement time setting area in the setting data area 13c of the RAM 13, and the settlement time is updated.
[0018]
Similarly, when a counter initial value setting item is selected by touch panel input or key input, input of the counter initial value is waited, and numerical data X (> 0) corresponding to the counter initial value is key-input. Then, the numerical data X is overwritten on the counter initial value setting area in the setting data area 13c of the RAM 13, and the counter initial value is updated.
When the setting end is selected by touch panel input or key input, this setting work process is ended, and the process returns to the work selection screen display process of ST2 in FIG.
[0019]
On the other hand, when a registration job is selected as ST5, a registration job process specifically shown in FIG. 5 is executed. First, the counter initial value X stored in the setting data area 13c of the RAM 13 is set in the restart counter N of the work area 13e.
[0020]
Next, it waits for the product code of the sale product to be input by the scanning operation of the product code by the scanner device 2 or the key operation of the keyboard 3. When the product registration is performed, the product code is inquired to the host device via the communication board 17, and product data such as the product name and unit price of the product to which the product code is attached is received. If the multiplier is key-input before the product code is input, the multiplier is calculated. If the multiplier is not key-input, 1) is multiplied to calculate the sales amount. Then, the merchandise sales data of the number of sales points and the sales amount is subjected to sales registration processing for each corresponding item in the sales aggregation area 13d of the RAM 13. Further, the product code, the number of sales points, and the sales amount are temporarily stored in the work area 13e of the RAM 12 as transaction data. Further, the product name, unit price, number of sales points, sales price, etc. are displayed on the display 4 with touch panel for operators and the display 5 for customers.
Thereafter, the above process is repeated every time product registration is performed by inputting a product code.
[0021]
Further, when the sales registration of the product purchased by one customer is finished and the closing key for declaring the end of the registration is inputted, the accounting process is executed. In this accounting process, the total amount is calculated from transaction data of merchandise purchased by the one customer temporarily stored in the work area 13e. When cash payment data is input for this total amount, change is calculated and a receipt is issued. If payment data by credit card is input, a credit check is issued and a credit slip is issued upon approval.
[0022]
Thus, when the commercial transaction with one customer is completed, the CPU 11 determines whether or not a settlement flag is set in the work area 13e. If not set, the current time measured by the clock unit 16 is read and compared with the settlement time stored in the setting data area 13c. Here, if the current time has not passed the checkout time, it waits for the next product registration to start.
[0023]
On the other hand, when the current time has passed the checkout time, a message screen that prompts execution of the checkout operation is displayed on the display 4 with a touch panel for the operator. Here, when the execution of the settlement operation is instructed by touch panel input or key input, the settlement process is executed. That is, the data aggregated for each item in the sales aggregation area 13d is read and stored on the hard disk by the HDD device 14 as product sales data for the current business day, and the settlement report data is based on the data in the sales aggregation area 13d. Edit. The settlement report data is printed on receipt paper by the printer 6 and the settlement report is discharged. Thereafter, the sales aggregation area 13d is cleared.
[0024]
In this way, when the settlement process is completed, the settlement completed flag is set in the work area 13e. Further, the restart counter N is counted down by “1”. As a result, it is determined whether or not the restart counter N has become 0 or negative. Here, if the restart counter N is positive, it waits for the next product registration to start.
[0025]
On the other hand, when the restart counter N becomes 0 or negative, a message screen prompting the restart of the system is displayed on the display 4 with a touch panel. If execution of restart is instructed by touch panel input or key input, the process returns to ST1 in FIG. 3 and the above-described startup process is executed again.
[0026]
When a message screen prompting execution of the settlement operation is displayed on the display 4 with a touch panel, when cancellation is instructed by touch panel input or key input, and when a message screen prompting system restart is displayed If cancellation is instructed by touch panel input or key input, the next product registration is started without executing the settlement process and the startup process, respectively.
[0027]
When the open POS terminal of this embodiment configured as described above is operated in a convenience store that is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, when the power is turned on, the startup process is executed and the RAM 13 is initialized. Is done. Next, a job selection screen is displayed on the display 4 with a touch panel. Here, when the registered job is selected, the registered job process is started, and the counter initial value X (> 0) stored in the setting data area 13c of the RAM 13 is added to the restart counter N provided in the work area 13e of the RAM 13. Is set. Thereby, registration of the goods which a shopper purchases is attained. The sales data of each product registered during the current business day is subjected to sales registration processing by item such as by responsible person, by time zone, by customer group, by department, or by transaction in the sales aggregation area 13d of the RAM 13. The
[0028]
Thereafter, the registration of the product purchased by a shopper is terminated, and the current time measured by the clock unit 16 is stored in the setting data area 13c of the RAM 13 when the accounting process is executed by the closing key operation. When the settling time has elapsed, a message screen prompting execution of the checkout operation is displayed on the display 4 with a touch panel. Therefore, the cashier determines whether or not the settlement operation can be executed. Then, when it is determined that the shopper is disconnected and the settlement operation can be performed, the execution of the settlement operation is instructed by touch panel input or key input. Then, the settlement process as described above is executed, and the sales on the current business day are fixed.
[0029]
After completion of the settlement process, a settlement completed flag is set in the work area 13e. Also, the restart counter N is counted down by “1”. At this time, if the restart counter N takes a positive value, it is possible to continue selling and registering products for purchase by the next shopper. In this case, the current time measured by the clock unit 16 at the time of finishing the accounting process has passed the settlement time, but the settlement confirmation screen is displayed because the settlement flag is set. Therefore, it is possible to continue to register the products purchased by the next shopper. Then, when the date counted by the clock unit 16 is updated, that is, when the current time measured by the clock unit 16 is before the settlement time, the settlement completed flag is reset. When the time has passed the settlement time, a settlement confirmation screen is displayed after the accounting process for one shopper is completed.
[0030]
Accordingly, the settlement process is executed once a day after a predetermined settlement time, and sales on that business day are determined. Each time the checkout process is executed, the restart counter N is decremented by "1".
In this way, the restart counter N is decremented by “1” every time the settlement process for one business day is completed, and when the number of days corresponding to the counter initial value X elapses to “0”, the display 4 with the touch panel is displayed on the system. A message screen prompting you to restart is displayed. Here, the cashier determines whether or not the settlement operation can be executed. When it is determined that the shopper has stopped and the system can be restarted, the system restart is instructed by touch panel input or key input. Then, the startup process is executed and the RAM 13 is initialized. Thereafter, a job selection screen is displayed on the display 4 with the touch panel. When a registered job is selected, the registered job process is started, and the counter initial value X is set in the restart counter N.
[0031]
Therefore, according to the present embodiment, every time the checkout process executed once a day is executed the number of times that matches the counter initial value X, the restart counter N becomes “0”, and the message prompting the system restart A screen is displayed and the system can be restarted. As a result, it is possible to initialize the RAM 13 by periodically restarting the system, so that fragmentation due to memory leakage and the like can be avoided, and the processing capacity of the CPU 11 can be prevented from degrading and becoming unstable. it can. Thus, a system down due to a decrease in the processing capacity of the CPU 11 can be prevented in advance, so that even if the POS terminal is operated 24 hours a day, 24 hours a day, it can be stably operated over a long period of time.
[0032]
In the present embodiment, by selecting a setting job on the job selection screen, the counter initial value X can be changed to an arbitrary value similarly to the settlement time. Therefore, since the user can set the system restart interval to an efficient interval according to the system situation, the system can be operated more stably.
[0033]
In addition, since the operator can select whether or not to restart the system, the system can be restarted after the time when the customer stops, such as at midnight, which is practical.
[0034]
The present invention is not limited to the one embodiment.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the settlement time is set in the setting data area 13c of the RAM 13, and the settlement confirmation screen is displayed when the current time passes the settlement time. However, the settlement time is connected to the line. The payment confirmation screen may be displayed by managing the higher-level device and receiving a payment instruction command from the higher-level device. Alternatively, the checkout confirmation screen may be omitted, and the checkout process may be forcibly executed when the checkout time has elapsed.
[0035]
In addition, the present invention includes a system that restarts the system after each settlement process. In this case, the restart counter N can be omitted.
In addition to the above, it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention, such as application of the present invention to a single electronic cash register.
[0036]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the invention described in claim 1 of the present application, since the startup process can be executed in anticipation of the time when the customer has stopped, it is possible to avoid inconveniences such as waiting for the customer to restart the system. And a product sales registration data processing apparatus that can realize practically stable operation.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of an open POS terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a main part configuration diagram of a RAM according to the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a main part of a main processing routine of a CPU according to the embodiment.
4 is a flowchart that embodies the setting work process in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a flowchart that embodies the registration work process in FIG. 3;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Control part 2 ... Scanner apparatus 3 ... Keyboard 4 ... Display 5 with a touch panel ... Customer display 6 ... Printer 7 ... Drawer 11 ... CPU
13 ... RAM
16 ... clock part

Claims (1)

When the power is turned on, the memory is cleared, and the cleared memory is divided into program areas, setting data areas, sales summary areas, and other areas, and programs are loaded into the divided areas and setting values are set. After the start-up process is completed, the product registration process is executed to register the product sales data in the sales aggregation area. When the settlement is instructed, the settlement process is executed and registered in the sales aggregation area. In the merchandise sales registration data processing device that clears the sales aggregation area after reading out the merchandise sales data output to the settlement report,
Each time a closing operation for declaring the end of the registration process of a product purchased by one customer is performed, it is determined whether or not a preset settlement time has elapsed. If it is determined that the period has elapsed, the settlement process is executed. A product sales registration that displays a prompt message screen, executes the settlement process when the settlement process execution is instructed, clears the sales aggregation area by the settlement process, and then executes the start-up process Data processing device.

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