JPH0778203A - POS terminal device and POS system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] To send operation data from a host computer to a POS terminal device, and to operate the POS terminal device from the host computer. In a POS terminal device, an input unit having at least a scanner for reading barcode data, a receiving unit for receiving operation data instructed by a host computer, and operation data input from the input unit and the receiving unit. It has a holding unit for setting the received operation data from the host computer, and a processing unit for executing various terminal processes based on the operation data set in the holding unit.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a POS terminal device used in a POS system in which a POS terminal device and a host computer are connected to each other, and in particular, a POS terminal capable of remote control operation by an instruction from the host computer. Using a device and a POS terminal device capable of remote control operation according to an instruction from the host computer,
The present invention relates to a POS system in which a purchaser himself operates a barcode reader to register a product.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a POS used in a POS system in which a POS terminal device and a host computer are connected.
In the terminal device, processing such as collection of sales data, maintenance for changing the price of goods, settlement for clearing sales total information, and power-off of the POS terminal device are performed according to an instruction from a host computer.

However, in order to perform maintenance and settlement processes, the POS terminal device is in an idle state in which it is not operated, and to perform power-off processing, the POS terminal device has been settled to a specific state. Had to be.

In particular, the PO is instructed by the host computer.
As an example of turning on the power of the S terminal device, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-33
There is known one such as 097. Further, as an example in which data of a POS terminal device is taken up and analyzed by an instruction from a host computer, and when there is a failure, the fact that there is a failure in the terminal device of the store is reported and the failure is removed is disclosed in JP-A-4-175899. Something like the gazette is known.

[0005]

In the conventional POS terminal device used in the POS system in which the POS terminal device and the host computer are connected to each other, the POS terminal device is in an idle state or a specific state. Only in the state, the contents such as maintenance, settlement and power off from the host computer could be executed.

Therefore, after the store is closed, the operator
If the S terminal device is left in the middle of operation, or if it is not in a specific state, maintenance, settlement, power-off processing from the host computer cannot be executed, and the administrator cannot There is a problem that it is necessary to go to a certain place and return the POS terminal device to an idle state or to set a specific state.

Further, even in a POS system (self-checkout system) in which the purchaser himself operates the bar code reader to register the product, when the purchaser cannot operate or the operation method is unknown. In order to deal with this, there is a problem that the administrator must be resident near the POS terminal device.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a POS terminal device used in a POS system in which a POS terminal device and a host computer are connected to each other. Operation data for operating the POS terminal device, for example, operation data similar to the operation performed by the POS terminal device, or data (command) in which such meaning is converted is transmitted from the host computer to the POS terminal device. , To provide a technology that enables a POS terminal device to be operated from a host computer.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a POS system (self-checkout system) in which a purchaser operates a bar code reader to register products when the purchaser cannot operate or cannot understand. ,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a technique that enables an operation instruction to a purchaser or correction of registration data by operating a POS terminal device from a host computer.

The above and other objects and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, the means (1) of the present invention is a POS terminal device used in a POS system in which a POS terminal device and a host computer are connected to each other. An input unit having at least a scanner for reading barcode data, a receiving unit for receiving operation data instructed by a host computer, operation data input from the input unit, and operation data from the host computer received by the receiving unit. And a processing unit that executes various terminal processes based on the operation data set in the holding unit.

Further, in the means (1), there is provided a transmitting unit for transmitting the operation data stored in the holding unit to the host computer, and the storing unit stores the operation data in response to a request from the host computer for transmission. The operation data is transmitted to the host computer.

In the means (1), the POS
It is characterized in that it has a forced processing unit for forcibly returning the state of the terminal device to the idle state, and forcibly returns it to the idle state by forced idle request data from the host computer.

Further, in the above-mentioned means, a display section for displaying and a warning section for issuing a warning are provided, and the display section displays the return / non-return to the idle state by the forced idle request data from the host computer. It is characterized in that a warning is issued and the operator waits for response data input from the input unit, which is returned or not returned.

Further, in the above-mentioned means, there is provided a monitoring unit for monitoring the time of the response data input of the operator returning / not returning from the input unit, and when there is no response for a predetermined time,
Characterized by forcibly returning to the idle state.

In order to achieve the above object, the means (2) of the present invention is a POS system in which a POS terminal device and a host computer are connected to each other, and the POS terminal device is a scanner for reading at least bar code data. An input unit having the same, a receiving unit for receiving operation data instructed by a host computer, a holding unit for setting the operation data input from the input unit and the operation data from the host computer received by the receiving unit, The PO includes a processing unit that executes various terminal processes based on the operation data set in the holding unit, and a transmission unit that transmits the operation data stored in the holding unit to the host computer.
The S terminal device and the high-order computer are equipped with a call means, and when the buyer who is registering the product to be purchased with self-service cannot operate it or when he / she does not know it, a call means is provided to the administrator who is managing by the high-order computer. In response to the notification from the purchaser, the administrator sucks up the operation data of the POS terminal device to the host computer, checks the operation status, gives the purchaser an operation instruction using the communication means, or corrects the registration data. The operation data for performing the operation is transmitted from the host computer to the receiving unit of the POS terminal device, and the registration data is corrected.

[0017]

According to the above means, the operation data for operating the POS terminal device is transmitted from the host computer to the POS terminal device, and the POS terminal device is operated by the host computer so that the operator can operate the POS terminal after the store is closed.
If the terminal device is left in the middle of operation or is not in a specific state, P
Since the OS terminal device can be operated to put the POS terminal device in the idle state or a specific state, this allows the administrator to go to a place where the POS terminal device is located and set the POS terminal device in the idle state or , No need to be in a particular state.

In a POS system (self-checkout system) in which a purchaser himself operates a bar code reader to register products, operation data for operating a POS terminal device is transmitted from a host computer to the POS terminal device. Since the POS terminal device can be operated from the host computer, and the POS terminal device and the host computer are equipped with a telephone call means, when the purchaser cannot operate or cannot understand, the host computer can operate. The administrator who manages the call is contacted by using the call means, and the administrator who receives the contact sucks up the operation trace of the POS terminal device to the host computer and checks the input status, and gives the purchaser an operation instruction using the call means, or , The registration data can be modified, which prevents the buyer from operating Alternatively, in order to cope with when you no longer know, an administrator, it is not necessary to reside near the POS terminal.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a POS system in which a POS terminal device and a host computer according to an embodiment of the present invention are connected.

In FIG. 1, 1 is the headquarters, 2 is a high-level computer, 3 is a management terminal, 4 is an administrator, 5 is a store, 6,
7 and 8 are POS terminal devices.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a POS terminal device in a POS system which is an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 21 is a POS terminal apparatus main body having an input unit such as a keyboard, 22 is a processing unit including a CPU, a memory and the like in the POS terminal apparatus main body, and 23.
Is a printer, 24 is a scanner, 26 is a CRT, 27 is a drawer, and 38 is a communication means.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a processing device of a POS terminal device in a POS system which is an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 3, 31 is a receiving unit, 32 is a holding unit, 33 is an input unit, 34 is a processing unit, 341 is a transmitting unit for transmitting the operation data stored in the holding unit to a host computer, and 342 is clear. When the operation data for canceling or canceling cannot be returned to the idle state, the forced processing unit for forcibly returning to the idle state by the forced idle request data from the host computer, 343 is the transaction canceling unit for canceling the transaction in operation and returning it to the idle state, 344 is a settlement unit that clears the sales total information, 345 is a maintenance unit that changes the price of the product, 346 is a sales unit that registers and corrects the product, and the like.
Reference numeral 35 is a warning unit, 36 is a display unit, and 37 is a monitoring unit.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the processing procedure in the POS system which is an embodiment of the present invention.

The operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

First, the inventions described in claims 1 to 5 will be described.

In FIG. 1, the administrator 4 waits for the settlement processing to be completed after the host computer 2 closes the store, and then performs maintenance processing for changing the price of bargain products for the POS terminal devices 6, 7 and 8 on the next day. I am about to carry it out. However, since the settlement processing end notification is not received from the POS terminal device 6, the administrator 4 sends the PO from the host computer 2 to the PO.
Although the settlement operation data is transmitted to the S terminal device 6, the settlement process is not executed.

Therefore, in order to know the status of the POS terminal device 6, the administrator 4 sends to the POS terminal device 6 a request to take up operation data from the host computer 2.

In the POS terminal device 6, the data from the host computer 2 is received by the receiving unit 31 and set in the holding unit 32 (step 401). Next, the processing unit 34 determines that the set data is a request for downloading operation data (step 403), and the transmission unit 341 holds the holding unit 32.
A process of transmitting the operation data stored in the host computer 2 to the host computer 2 is executed (step 404).

The reason why the settlement process is not executed is PO
It is assumed that the S terminal device 6 is in the middle of operation.

The operation in progress means that the operator accidentally touches the keyboard of the POS terminal device to enter the operation in progress, or that the operation is in progress due to interruption work occurring during the operation. It is possible that you forget it.

When the administrator 4 checks the operation data transmitted to the higher-level computer 2 and determines that the POS terminal device 6 is in the mid-operation state, the administrator 4 returns the mid-operation state to the idle state. Therefore, the transaction data of the transaction is transmitted from the host computer 2 to the POS terminal device 6.

In the POS terminal device 6, the receiving unit 31 receives the data from the host computer 2 and sets it in the holding unit 32 (step 401). Next, the processing unit 34 determines that the set data is the operation data of the transaction cancellation (step 403), and the transaction cancellation unit 343 executes the processing of canceling the transaction being operated and returning it to the idle state (step S403). 406), and notifies the host computer 2 that the process of returning to the idle state is completed.

Next, the administrator 4 sends the operation data for settlement from the host computer 2 to the POS terminal device 6.

In the POS terminal device 6, the receiving unit 31 receives the data from the host computer and sets it in the holding unit 32 (step 401). Next, in the processing unit 34, it is determined that the set data is the adjustment operation data (Step 403), the adjustment unit 344 executes the adjustment process (Step 407), and the settlement process is executed in the host computer 2. Send that it has finished.

Next, the administrator 4 receives the POS terminal device 6,
Since the settlement process of 7 and 8 is completed, the high-level computer 2
Send maintenance data from.

In the POS terminal devices 6, 7, and 8, the receiving unit 31 receives the data from the host computer, and the holding unit 3 receives the data.
Set to 2 (step 401). Next, the processing unit 34
Then, it is judged that the set data is maintenance data (step 403), the maintenance unit 345 executes the maintenance process (step 408), and the completion of the maintenance process is transmitted to the host computer 2.

Also, when testing the POS terminal devices 6, 7, and 8, the functions can be confirmed by transmitting operation data from the host computer to the POS terminal devices 6, 7, and 8.

As described above, in this embodiment, even if the operator leaves the POS terminal device in the middle of operation, the operation data for operating the POS terminal device is transferred from the host computer to the POS terminal device. Send, operate the POS terminal from the host computer, and
The terminal device can be placed in an idle state or a specific state, and the administrator 4 does not need to go to a place where the POS terminal device is located and put the POS terminal device in the idle state or a specific state.

In the present embodiment, the operation data stored in the holding unit of the POS terminal device can be downloaded to the host computer, the operation status can be checked, and the state of the POS terminal device can be grasped.

Further, in the present embodiment, also in the test of the POS terminal device, the tester conventionally went to the POS terminal device and manually confirmed the function, whereas the host computer sends the operation data. Since the function can be confirmed, the test man-hour can be significantly reduced.

The reason why the settlement process is not executed is PO
It is assumed that there is a cover open error of the printer of the S terminal device 6.

It should be noted that the POS terminal device has a function of causing a printer cover open error because it is dangerous for the operator to pinch his / her hand when the printer cover of the POS terminal device is open. As for the cover open error of the printer of the POS terminal device 6, even if the operation data for releasing the error is transmitted from the host computer 2, it is not possible to get out of the printer cover open error state.

The administrator 4 checks the operation data transmitted from the POS terminal device 6 to the host computer 2 and confirms the POS
When it is determined that the printer cover open error of the terminal device 6 occurs, the administrator 4 sends the forced idle request data from the host computer 2 to the POS terminal device 6 in order to get out of the printer cover open error state.

In the POS terminal device 6, the receiving unit 31 receives the data from the host computer 2 and sets it in the holding unit 32 (step 401). Next, in the processing unit 34, the set data is the forced idle request data,
At the same time, it is determined that the forced idle request data does not wait for input of response data for returning / not returning to the idle state from the operator (step 403, step 405), and the process for forcibly returning to the idle state is performed by the forced processing unit 342. Execute (step 416).

After that, according to the procedure and method described above, the settlement and maintenance process is executed.

As described above, in this embodiment, even when the cover open error of the printer of the POS terminal device occurs, the POS terminal device is operated from the host computer,
The POS terminal device can be placed in the idle state, and the administrator 4 does not have to go to a place where the POS terminal device is located and put the POS terminal device in the idle state.

When the operator of the POS terminal device 6 is expected to be near in the state where the settlement processing of the POS terminal device 6 has not been completed, the administrator 4 sends the operation data from the host computer 2 to the operator. Send the forced idle request data that waits for response data input to return / do not return to the idle state.

In the POS terminal device 6, the receiving unit 31 receives the data from the host computer 2 and sets it in the holding unit 32 (step 401). Next, in the processing unit 34, the set data is the forced idle request data,
At the same time, it is determined that the forced idle request data is waiting for the response data input from the operator to return / not return to the idle state (step 403, step 405), and the display 36 displays the return / not return to the idle state. (Step 410), a warning is issued from the warning unit 35 (step 411). When the operator notices the warning and inputs the response data for returning to the idle state from the keyboard (step 413), the processing unit 34 forces the operation data from the keyboard to be returned to the idle state (step 415), so that the operation is forced. The processing unit 342 executes processing for forcibly returning to the idle state (step 416). Even if the operator notices the warning and finds it difficult to return to the idle state, he / she inputs the response data not to return to the idle state from the keyboard (step 413), and the processing unit 34 causes the operation data from the keyboard to be input. Is data which is not returned to the idle state (step 415), the fact is returned to the host computer 2.

When the operator is not near, the monitoring unit 37 for time monitoring performs timer monitoring (step 412), and when the time-out occurs (step 414), the compulsory processing unit 342 executes. A process for forcibly returning to the idle state is executed (step 416), and a response indicating that there is no response is sent to the host computer 2.

If a time-out occurs during the above processing (step 414), the fact that the time-out has occurred is reported from the POS terminal device 6 to the host computer 2.
The host computer 2 sends to the POS terminal device 6 the forced idle request data which does not wait for the response data input of returning / not returning to the idle state from the operator, and the compulsory processing unit 342 forces the idle state. The returning process may be executed (step 416).

As described above, in this embodiment, when the operator of the POS terminal device is expected to be near, the administrator 4 inputs the response data input from the host computer to the operator to return / not return to the idle state. Waiting forced idle request data can be sent and an alert can be issued to alert the operator.

Further, it is possible to forcibly return to the idle state by performing timer monitoring in the monitoring section and when a time-out occurs.

As a result, the administrator 4 does not have to go to the place where the POS terminal is located and put the POS terminal in the idle state.

Next, the invention described in claim 6 will be described.

The buyer himself operates the bar code reader,
The POS terminal device 6 is used as a POS system (self-checkout system) for registering products, and the manager 4 monitors the checkout status of the purchaser by the host computer 2. The POS terminal device 6 and the host computer 2 have a calling means 38, and the purchaser and the administrator 4 who have registered the planned purchase product by self-service have the calling means 3
You can talk through 8.

A purchaser who has self-serviced registration of a product to be purchased intends to register 22 of the same product.
You don't know the situation, and you already have a lot of products registered, and you don't want to register again from the beginning.

Therefore, the self-service registered purchaser requests the manager 4 to check the registration status by using the calling means 38.

Upon contact from the purchaser, the manager 4
In order to know the status of the OS terminal device 6, the host computer 2
Sends a request to download operation data from.

In the POS terminal device 6, the data from the host computer 2 is received by the receiving unit 31 and set in the holding unit 32 (step 401). Next, the processing unit 34 determines that the set data is a request for downloading operation data (step 403), and the transmitting unit 341 holds the holding unit 3
A process of transmitting the operation data stored in No. 2 to the host computer 2 is executed (step 404).

When the administrator 4 checks the operation data of the POS terminal device 6 transmitted to the host computer 2, and when it is found that 20 pieces of the same product have been registered in total, the contents thereof are Contact the purchaser using the call means 38. The buyer who receives the notification can additionally register the two unregistered products and complete the registration.

Further, when the administrator 4 checks the operation data of the POS terminal device 6 transmitted to the host computer 2, when it is found that 24 pieces of the same product have been registered in total, Contact the buyer with the contents. Since the purchaser need only register 22 products, the purchaser should be notified to the administrator 4 by using the calling means 38 that the administrator 4 should be deleted. contact.

The manager 4 transmits the operation data for correcting the registration data from the host computer 2 to the POS terminal device 6 by the contact from the purchaser.

In the POS terminal device 6, the receiving unit 31 receives the data from the host computer 2 and sets it in the holding unit 32 (step 401). Next, the processing unit 34 determines that the set data is the operation data for correcting the registered data (step 403), and the sales unit executes the processing for correcting the registered data (step 409).

The call means may be composed of voice response or digital data transmission and a display.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the purchaser himself operates the bar code reader to register the product.
In the OS system (self-checkout system), when the purchaser cannot operate or cannot understand, the operation data for operating the POS terminal device is transmitted from the host computer to the receiving unit of the POS terminal device, and the host computer receives the operation data. By operating the POS terminal device, it is possible to correct the operation instruction to the purchaser or the registration data. As a result, in order to respond when the buyer cannot operate or cannot understand,
It is not necessary for the administrator to be resident near the POS terminal device.

The POS from the host computer 2
As operation data for remotely operating the terminal device, P
The same operation data as when operating the OS terminal device,
Alternatively, data (command) obtained by converting such meaning is used.

Although the present invention has been specifically described based on the embodiments, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and can be variously modified without changing the gist thereof.

[0071]

As described above, according to the present invention,
After the store is closed, the operator sends the operation data for operating the POS terminal device from the host computer to the POS terminal device if the POS terminal device is left in the middle of operation or is not in a specific state. Then, by operating the POS terminal device from the host computer, the POS terminal device can be returned to the idle state or brought into a specific state. As a result, the administrator does not have to go to a place where the POS terminal device is located and return the POS terminal device to the idle state or to bring it into a specific state.

Further, according to the present invention, also in the test of the POS terminal device, the tester conventionally went to a place where the POS terminal device was located and manually confirmed the function, whereas the operation data from the host computer was confirmed. Can be sent and the function can be confirmed, so the number of test steps can be significantly reduced.

Further, according to the present invention, even in the POS system (self-checkout system) in which the purchaser himself / herself operates the bar code reader to register the product, when the purchaser cannot operate or becomes uncertain, P
By transmitting the operation data for operating the OS terminal device from the host computer to the POS terminal device and operating the POS terminal device from the host computer, it is possible to modify the operation instruction to the purchaser or the registration data. .
This eliminates the need for the administrator to be resident near the POS terminal device in order to deal with the case where the purchaser cannot operate or cannot understand, and the administrator is resident for each POS terminal device. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the cost for doing so, and it is not necessary to go to the POS terminal device to operate it, and the trouble caused by it can be eliminated.

[0074]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a POS system in which a POS terminal device and a host computer according to an embodiment of the present invention are connected.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a POS terminal device in a POS system which is an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a processing device of a POS terminal device in a POS system which is an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the POS system which is an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Headquarters (centralized control room), 2 ... Host computer, 3 ...
Management terminal, 4 ... Manager, 5 ... Store, 6, 7, 8 ... PO
S terminal device, 21 ... POS terminal device main body, 22 ... Processing device, 23 ... Printer, 24 ... Scanner, 26 ... CR
T, 27 ... Drawer, 31 ... Receiving unit, 32 ... Holding unit, 33
Input unit, 34 ... Processing unit, 341 ... Sending unit, 342 ... Forced processing unit, 343 ... Transaction canceling unit, 344 ... Settlement unit, 34
5 ... Maintenance department, 346 ... Sales department, 35 ... Warning department,
36 ... Display unit, 37 ... Monitoring unit, 38 ... Communication means.

Front page continued (72) Inventor Ken Saito 1 Horiyamashita, Hadano-shi, Kanagawa Hitachi Computer Engineering Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yukio Akimoto 810 Shimoimaizumi, Ebina-shi, Kanagawa Hitachi Ltd. office system Within the business unit

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A POS terminal device for use in a POS system in which a POS terminal device and a host computer are connected to each other, and an input section having at least a scanner for reading bar code data and operation data instructed by the host computer. A receiving unit for receiving, a holding unit for setting operation data input from the input unit and operation data received by the receiving unit from a host computer, and various terminal processes based on the operation data set in the holding unit. A POS terminal device having a processing unit that executes the POS terminal device. 2. The POS terminal device according to claim 1, further comprising a transmission unit for transmitting the operation data stored in the holding unit to a higher-level computer, and the holding unit responding to a transmission request from the higher-level computer. A POS characterized by transmitting stored operation data to a host computer
Terminal device 3. The POS terminal device according to claim 1, further comprising a compulsory processing unit for forcibly returning the state of the POS terminal device to an idle state, and compulsorily idled by a forced idle request data from a host computer. Terminal device characterized by returning to 4. The POS terminal device according to claim 3, further comprising a display unit for displaying and a warning unit for issuing a warning, and a display unit for returning / not returning to an idle state by forced idle request data from a host computer. Is displayed, a warning is issued from the warning unit, and the operator waits for the operator to input response data indicating whether or not the operator returns from the input unit. 5. The POS terminal device according to claim 4, further comprising a monitoring unit that monitors a response data input time of an operator's return / non-return from an input unit, and when there is no response for a predetermined time, POS terminal device characterized by forcibly returning to idle state 6. In a POS system in which a POS terminal device and a host computer are connected to each other, the POS terminal device receives at least an input section having a scanner for reading barcode data and operation data instructed by the host computer. A receiving unit, a holding unit for setting the operation data input from the input unit and the operation data received by the receiving unit from the host computer, and various terminal processes are executed based on the operation data set in the holding unit. It has a processing unit and a transmission unit for transmitting the operation data stored in the holding unit to a host computer, and further has a POS.
The terminal device and the host computer are equipped with a call means, and the caller is used for the administrator who manages the host computer when the purchaser who is registering the product to be purchased cannot operate it or when he / she does not understand it. Upon contact with the purchaser, the administrator sucks up the operation data of the POS terminal device to the host computer, checks the operation status, gives the purchaser an operation instruction using the communication means, or corrects the registration data. Is transmitted from the host computer to the receiving unit of the POS terminal device, and the registration data is corrected.
OS system.