JP2883790B2 - Terminal failure information notification device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method for connecting a plurality of terminals to a LAN.
(PO) by connecting each terminal to a public network such as ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) while connecting each other by a communication network such as a (local area network).
The present invention relates to a terminal failure information notification device used in a data communication system such as an S (point of sale information) system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in a recent large-scale chain store, a network is constructed by connecting a plurality of stores scattered in each region and a headquarter for managing the operation of each store by a public network such as an ISDN. The headquarters collects utility bill data and reserved merchandise data, etc., registered at merchandise sales data registration terminals provided at each store through the above-mentioned public network, and manages the data with a host device of the headquarters.
An OS system is used.

When one store has a plurality of terminals, a store controller for centrally managing the merchandise registration work at each terminal is installed in the store, and this controller and each terminal are connected to a LAN or the like. Connected to each other with a home communication network,
The store controller collects and totals sales data of products registered for sales at each terminal. The data collected by the store controller is collected and managed by the headquarters through a public network such as ISDN.

When a terminal used in such a POS system detects an error that cannot be repaired by an operator, such as a system error or a printer error, or a failure that cannot be automatically repaired, the headquarters or another service base is sent to the terminal. Automatically notify failure information through the above public network,
Generally, a failure information notification function for requesting the dispatch of maintenance staff is installed.

[0005] In this function, a communication path for notifying fault information includes not only a path in which a faulty terminal directly notifies using a public network connected to itself, but also another adjacent terminal in a home. A path in which the terminal is notified through the communication network and receives the notification indirectly using the public network, and a path in which the store controller notifies the store controller through the in-home communication network and receives the notification indirectly using the public network. There are three possible routes to be notified.

However, a program for realizing the failure information notifying function is set in advance in a read-only memory (ROM) in order to guarantee that the program operates normally without breaking even if a system error or the like occurs. There is a need to. For this reason, each terminal has to be set in advance by a program so as to notify the failure information through any one of the communication paths.

[0007]

As described above, in this type of conventional terminal, a communication path for notifying failure information to a service base or the like is set in advance in one way, and when changing the path, However, it was necessary to change the program, the cost burden was large, and it was difficult.

For this reason, for example, in a store that uses a terminal set to notify fault information via the store controller, a store controller suitable for the terminal must be used. When a store controller that does not have the function of notifying the failure is used, the failure information notification function of each terminal does not function. Similarly,
Even if you try to introduce a new terminal that is set to notify failure information via an adjacent terminal at one sales floor in a store, another sales floor terminal cannot process a failure information notification request from an adjacent terminal In such a case, there is still a problem that the failure information notification function does not work.

[0009] Further, for example, in the case of a terminal set to directly notify a failure using its own public network, failure notification cannot be performed if there is an abnormality in the communication control unit of the public network. Similarly,
In the case of a terminal set to notify a failure indirectly via an adjacent terminal or the like, there is a problem that failure notification cannot be performed if there is an abnormality in the communication control unit of the home communication network.

Accordingly, the present invention can arbitrarily designate a communication path for notifying failure information to the outside when a failure that cannot be automatically repaired occurs, can easily cope with various system forms, and can provide one communication path. In the event that the notification is not possible, it is possible to provide a failure notification using a different communication path, and to provide a failure information notification device for a terminal that can more reliably notify when a failure has occurred. .

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is capable of communicating with the outside through a plurality of communication paths. When a failure that cannot be automatically repaired is detected, failure information is notified to the outside using one of the communication paths. In the failure information notification device of the terminal to be
A path information storage unit that variably sets information that specifies an available communication path, a priority information storage unit that variably sets information that specifies the priority of an available communication path, A path determining means for determining an available communication path based on information stored in the path information storage unit at the time of detection, and a communication path determined to be usable by the path determining means based on information stored in the priority information storage unit Priority notification control means for selecting the highest priority communication path to notify the failure information to the outside, notification monitoring means for monitoring whether or not the notification of the failure information has been completed normally, When the completion is confirmed, the communication path of the next priority is selected from the communication paths determined to be usable by the path determination means based on the information stored in the priority information storage unit, and a failure information is notified to the outside. Those having an up notification control means.

[0012]

According to the present invention having such a configuration, when the occurrence of a failure is detected, a usable communication path is determined based on information stored in the path information storage unit. Then, among the communication paths determined to be usable, the highest priority communication path is selected based on the information stored in the priority information storage unit, and fault information is notified to the outside. At this time, it is monitored whether the notification of the failure information has been completed normally. When it is confirmed that the notification is not completed, the communication path having the next priority is selected from the communication paths determined to be usable based on the information stored in the priority information storage unit, and similar failure information is notified to the outside. You.

Therefore, information for designating a communication route that can be notified of a failure is set in the route information storage unit according to the form of the system. By setting in the storage unit, a failure notification to the outside when a failure occurs is performed with a high probability.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a trouble information notification device for a terminal for registering merchandise sales data in a POS system will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a POS system according to this embodiment. This system includes a plurality of merchandise sales data registration terminals (hereinafter, referred to as POS terminals) 1a and 1 installed at each sales floor of one store A, respectively.
b and the store controller 2 installed in the store management office or the like are connected in a closed loop by a LAN 3 which is an in-home communication network, and the POS terminals 1a and 1b and the
(Home data line termination device) 5 and subscriber data line 6
Is connected to an ISDN network 7 which is a public network.

In the ISDN 7, maintenance and management of the POS terminal 1 are performed.
In addition to the workstation 8 installed at the service base B for performing inspections and the like, a host device at the store headquarters and a dedicated telephone such as a police station or a fire department are connected to each other.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the POS terminal 1 (1a, 1b). This POS terminal 1 is provided with a keyboard 11 provided with various keys used for registration of merchandise sales data and the like on the front side of the upper surface of the housing, and a display screen 12a for the operator and a display for the customer on the rear side. Screen 12b
Are provided before and after.

The POS terminal 1 has a built-in printer 13 for printing receipts and journals. Then, the receipt paper printed by the printer 13 is issued from the receipt issuing port 13a, and the journal paper is wound inside. Also, a recording paper monitoring window 1 for confirming the presence or absence of receipt paper and journal paper.
3b is formed on the upper surface of the housing of the POS terminal 1.

Further, the POS terminal 1 has a bar code scanner 14 for optically reading a bar code, a drawer 15 for storing cash and the like, and a digital telephone capable of making a call using the ISDN network 7. 16 and the like.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control circuit configuration of the POS terminal 1. The POS terminal 1 has a CPU (central processing unit) 21 as a main control unit.
Also, a read only memory (ROM) 22 in which fixed data such as program data is preset, and a readable / writable memory used as a storage unit for registering merchandise sales data. (Random access memory) 23 to be mounted.

The POS terminal 1 has a clock circuit 24 for measuring the date and time, a keyboard controller 25 for receiving a key signal from the keyboard 11, and a display for transferring display data to the display 12 to control a screen display. A controller 26, a printer controller 27 for transferring print data to the printer 13 to control receipt printing and journal printing, a scanner controller 28 for receiving bar code data from the bar code scanner 14, and a drawer for opening the drawer 15 An I / O port 29 for sending a drive signal to the opening device 15a, a LAN controller 30 for controlling communication with the other POS terminal 1 and the store controller 2 performed using the LAN 3, and using the ISDN network 7. ISDN interface for controlling external communication It is equipped with Esu 31 and the like.

The CPU 21, ROM 22, RAM 2
3, clock circuit 24, each controller 25 to 28, 30,
The I / O port 29 and the ISDN interface 31 are electrically connected by a bus line 32.

When the POS terminal 1 detects an error that cannot be repaired by the operator or a failure that cannot be automatically repaired, such as a system error or a printer error, the POS terminal 1 automatically sends the fault information to the service base B via the ISDN network 7. And a failure information notifying device for requesting the dispatch of maintenance personnel.

This fault information notifying apparatus includes a route selection pattern table 41 and a priority order pattern table 42 shown in FIG. 4, a route information and priority information setting area 50 shown in FIG. 5, a fault notification business program shown in FIG. Composed of

In FIG. 1, for example, when notifying fault information from the POS terminal 1a to the workstation 8 at the service base B, the following communication routes [1] to [3] are conceivable.

[1] The POS terminal 1a notifies the store controller 2 via the LAN 3 of the occurrence of a fault, and the store controller notifies the workstation 8 using the ISDN network 7 of fault information. (Via SC) [2] If the POS terminal 1a is
The OS terminal 1b is notified of the occurrence of the failure, and the POS terminal 1b
The failure information is notified to the workstation 8 using the SDN network 7. (Via adjacent POS) [3] The POS terminal 1a notifies the workstation 8 of the failure information using the ISDN network 7 by itself. (IS
Therefore, in the form of the system, each communication path can be used (valid), so that any of the three communication paths can be used to perform the fault notification.
The route selection pattern table 41 is one in which the combination patterns (8 patterns) that are not possible (invalid) are set in advance corresponding to the route selection codes “0” to “7”.

Also, it is possible to arbitrarily specify which of the available communication paths is used for performing the fault notification, and in the case where the notification is not possible, which of the following routes is used for performing the fault notification. The priority pattern table 42 pre-sets a combination pattern (six patterns) of the priority of each communication path in correspondence with the priority codes "1" to "6".

The tables 41 and 42 are fixedly set in the ROM 22 in advance.

Then, the selection and priority of the communication path in the POS terminal 1a can be arbitrarily variably set.
The setting area 50 is formed in the RAM 23. The setting area 50 is an area of 8 bits (= 1 byte) as shown in FIG. 5, and the 4 bits from the 0th bit to the 3rd bit are set as the priority codes “1” to “6”. Four bits from the 4th bit to the 7th bit are set as path selection codes “0” to “7”. Here, the setting area 50 constitutes a route information storage unit and a priority information storage unit.

The fault notification service program shown in FIG. 6 is set in the ROM 22 in advance, and is executed by the CPU 21. That is, when detecting the occurrence of a failure that cannot be automatically repaired or inputting a failure notification request from an adjacent POS terminal via the LAN 3, the CPU 21 starts execution of the failure notification business program.

First, when the occurrence of a failure that cannot be automatically repaired is detected in ST1, 4-bit data from the fourth bit to the seventh bit in the setting area 50 is extracted in ST2, recognized as a route selection code, and route selection is performed. The pattern table 41 is searched to determine whether there is an available communication path based on information corresponding to the path selection code (path determining means).

Here, when all three routes cannot be used, that is, when the route selection code 0 (0000H) is set, there is no means for notifying the workstation 8 of the service base B of the failure information. After recording the corresponding fault information in the predetermined area of the RAM 23 in ST3, the process ends.

When only one route is available, that is, route selection code 1 (0001H), route selection code 2
If any one of (0010H) and the route selection code 4 (0100H) is set, the corresponding fault information is notified to the workstation 8 using the one route in ST4.

At this time, it is monitored in step ST5 whether the failure information has been notified normally. Then, when the notification is normally performed, the process ends. If the notification has not been performed normally, there is no other means for notifying, so the corresponding failure information is recorded in a predetermined area of the RAM 23 as described above, and then this processing is terminated.

When two or more communication paths are available, that is, the path selection code 3 (0011H), the path selection code 5 (0101H), and the path selection code 6 (011)
0H) and the route selection code 7 (0111H) are set, ST4 extracts 4-bit data from the 0th bit to the 3rd bit of the setting area 50, and sets a priority code and The priority is recognized, the priority order pattern table 42 is searched, and the priority order of usable communication paths is determined from the information corresponding to the priority order code.
Then, in ST7, the highest priority communication path is selected and the corresponding fault information is notified to the workstation 8 (highest priority notification control means).

At this time, it is monitored whether or not the notification of the fault information is normally performed in ST8 (notification monitoring means). Then, when the notification is normally performed, the process ends.

On the other hand, if the notification is not performed normally, it is determined in ST9 whether or not the communication path of the next priority is set. If it has been set, the corresponding fault information is notified to the workstation 8 using the communication path in ST10 (backup notification control means).

Thereafter, the process returns to ST8 to monitor whether or not the failure information has been notified normally (notification monitoring means). Then, when the notification is normally performed, the process ends.

If no next priority communication path is set in ST9, there is no other means for notifying.
After the corresponding failure information is recorded in the predetermined area of the RAM 23, the process ends.

On the other hand, when a fault notification request is input from the adjacent POS terminal through the LAN 3 in ST11, the ISDN network 7
P adjacent to the workstation 8 at the service base B
The occurrence of a failure in the OS terminal is notified. At this time, ISDN
If a failure notification cannot be made due to a communication failure of the network 7 or the like, the corresponding failure information is recorded in a predetermined area of the RAM 23, and this processing ends. If a failure notification is obtained, no information is recorded.

Note that the determination processing in ST5 and ST7 is to repeat retry several times when a failure notification cannot be made, and to determine that notification is impossible when the notification is still not possible.

In the present embodiment configured as above, for example, the POS terminal 1a can use two routes of [via ISDN] and [via adjacent POS] as communication routes for failure notification. When the priority is given to the one, the pattern of the route selection code “6” may be selected and the pattern of the priority order code “6” may be selected.
In the setting area 50, 8-bit data of [01100110] may be set.

In this case, when the occurrence of a failure which cannot be automatically repaired is detected at the POS terminal 1a, the failure information is first notified directly to the workstation 8 of the service base B by the ISDN network 7 via the ISDN interface 31. .

However, for example, if the failure content is a failure of the ISDN interface 31 and the failure notification by the ISDN network 7 cannot be made, a notification request of the failure information to the adjacent POS terminal 1 b via the LAN 3 via the LAN controller 30. Is sent. PO that received this notification request
In the S terminal 1b, the ISDN network 7 notifies the workstation 8 of the failure information via the ISDN interface 31.

Here, failures that cannot be automatically repaired include system errors, automatic repair errors after parity check has occurred,
Printer 13 malfunction, LAN controller 30 malfunction,
There are a failure of the ISDN interface 31, an unsuccessful program download, a program checksum error, and the like.

Further, the contents of the trouble information include a store telephone number,
These are parameters such as a store number and a terminal model ID, and are set in the RAM 23 or the like in advance together with the ISDN telephone number of the service base B and the like.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the notification route of the fault information and the priority thereof can be arbitrarily set when a fault occurs in the POS terminal, so that the following operational effects can be obtained.

That is, when the store controller 2
In a system that does not have a function of notifying the workstation 8 of the failure information of the S terminals 1a and 1b via the ISDN network 7, the failure information notification routes when a failure occurs in each of the POS terminals 1a and 1b are [via adjacent POS] and [ ISDN], but then store controller 2
When the notification function of the failure information is added due to the version upgrade or the like, the failure notification via the store controller 2 can be performed only by correcting the data in the setting area 50. In this case, since the failure notification business program shown in FIG. 6 is not changed, the setting can be changed easily and in a short time.

Also, since a plurality of communication paths can be made effective, the fault notification is normally sent directly through the ISDN network 7. However, if the notification cannot be made directly due to the failure of the ISDN interface 31, the store controller is connected via the LAN 3. Notification can be made from two or adjacent POS terminals. Therefore, it is possible to notify the service base B of the occurrence of the failure of the POS terminal with a very high probability.

In the above embodiment, the ROM 22 is provided with the route selection pattern table 41 and the priority order pattern table 42, and the RAM 23 is provided with a setting area comprising an 8-bit area as a route information storage unit and a priority information storage unit. Although the route selection code and the priority order code corresponding to the setting area are set and input, the area for setting and inputting the priority order for each communication route in the RAM 23 without providing the tables 41 and 42 is set in the route information storage unit and the priority order. A communication path in which priority data is not set in this area may be disabled, and a communication path in which priority data is set may be used to transmit data in accordance with the priority.

The present invention is not only applied to terminals in a POS system, but can be applied to any terminal that constructs a data communication system capable of communicating with the outside via a plurality of communication paths.

[0052]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, a route information storage unit for variably setting information for designating usable communication routes and information for designating priority of available communication routes are provided. A priority information storage unit that variably stores the information, and determines a usable communication path based on information stored in the path information storage unit when a failure is detected; The communication path with the highest priority is selected based on the information stored in the information storage unit, and fault information is notified to the outside. Then, it monitors whether or not the notification of the failure information has been completed normally. If the notification is not completed, the communication path determined to be usable by the path determination unit based on the information stored in the priority information storage unit is determined. The communication route of the next priority is selected to notify failure information to the outside.

Therefore, it is possible to arbitrarily designate a communication path for notifying fault information to the outside when a fault that cannot be automatically repaired occurs, and it is possible to easily cope with various system forms, and to make it impossible to notify with one communication path. In such a case, a failure notification can be made using another communication path, and a failure information notification device for a terminal that can more reliably notify when a failure has occurred can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall view of a POS system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the POS terminal in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the POS terminal in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a route selection pattern table and a priority order pattern table formed in a ROM of a POS terminal in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a setting area formed in a RAM of the POS terminal in the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the configuration of a fault notification service program executed by the CPU of the POS terminal in the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 1a, 1b POS terminal 2 Store controller 3 LAN 7 ISDN 8 Work station 41 Route selection pattern table 42 Priority pattern table 50 Setting area

Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-5-128394 (JP, A) JP-A-4-137008 (JP, A) JP-A-1-177676 (JP, A) JP-A-5-266026 (JP) JP-A-1-175342 (JP, A) JP-A-2-239354 (JP, A) JP-A-2-283145 (JP, A) JP-A-3-270429 (JP, A) JP-A-4-51627 (JP, A) JP-A-4-177548 (JP, A) JP-A-5-37647 (JP, A)

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] A failure information notification device of a terminal that can communicate with the outside via a plurality of communication paths and, when detecting a failure that cannot be automatically repaired, notifies failure information to the outside using one of the communication paths. A path information storage unit that variably sets information that specifies an available communication path; a priority information storage unit that variably sets information that specifies a priority order of the available communication paths; A path determining unit that determines an available communication path based on information stored in the path information storage unit when a failure is detected; and the priority information storage unit among communication paths determined to be usable by the path determination unit. Priority notification control means for selecting the highest priority communication path based on the stored information and notifying the failure information to the outside, and notification monitoring means for monitoring whether the notification of the failure information has been normally performed When the monitoring unit confirms that the notification of the failure information has not been performed normally, the next one of the communication routes determined to be usable by the route determining unit based on the information stored in the priority information storage unit. A failure notification notification device for a terminal, comprising: backup notification control means for selecting a communication path of a priority order and notifying failure information to the outside.