DESCRIPTION]
I
[ OOOl] I
The present invention relates to a control system including a
terminal that runs awebbrowser, andaninformationprocessingdevice
to which a device is connected and which can connect to the terminal, I
and relates to the information processing device. ~
[Background]
[0002]
Control systems (POS systems) that have an information
I
I
processing device (POS terminal) to which a barcode scanner is
connected as a device, and a terminal (POS controller) connected to ~
the information processing device, and execute processes by the I
cooperation of these devices are known from the literature (see, for I
example, PTL 1).
[Citation List] I
[Patent Literature] ~
I
[0003] I [PTL 11 JP-A-HO5-73769 I
[Summary of Invention]
[Technical Problem]
[0004]
In the control system disclosed in PTL 1, the terminal accesses
an application on a specific server and controls the information
processing device by a function of a web browser without an
application for controlling the information processing device being
installed on the terminal, and anticipates a control system that uses
a device connected to the information processing device. In such a
control system, each of plural terminals can use a device connected
to the information processing device through a function of a web
browser, but because each of the plural terminals can use a single
device, a state in which the device can be appropriately used by each
terminal is required.
The present invention is direction tothe foregoing problem, and
an object of the present invention is to enable each terminal to use
the device appropriatelyin a control system that includes aterminal
that runs awebbrowser and an information processing device to which
a device is connected, and is configured so that each of plural
terminals can use a single device.
[Solution to Problem]
[OOOS]
To achieve the foregoing object, the invention comprises a
terminal that runs a web browser; a device that outputs data input
to the web'browser, or to which data output from the web browser is
input; and an information processing device including a device
comrnunicationunit that communicates with the device data output from
the device or data input to the device, a terminal communication unit
that communicates with the terminal data output from the device or
data input to the device, and a device management unit that manages
the relationship betweemthe terminal and the device.
Because the terminal and device are related, and the device and
the terminal that is using the device are managed, by the device
management unit of the information processing device in the control
system in this configuration of the invention, events such as
information related to the device being mistakenly sent to a terminal
other than the terminal that is using the device being managed can
beprevented. More specifically, inacontrolsystemhavingaterminal
that runs awebbrowser and an information processing device to which
a device is connected configured so that each of plural terminals can
use a specific device, the device can be used appropriately by each
of the terminals.
[0006]
The invention is also characterized by the device management
unit of the information processing device storing data relating
information indicating the device and information indicating the
terminal that communicates data output from the device or data input
to the device.
In this configuration of the invention, the information
processing device can appropriately manage which terminal is using
a device by storing data relating informationidentifyingthe device
and information identifying the terminal that is communicating data
output from the device or data input to the device, that is, the
terminal that is using the device.
[0007]
The invention is further characterized by having a second
terminal that runs a web browser; and the device management unit of
theinformationprocessingdevicepreventingthe second terminal from
communicating data output from the device or data input to the device
when the terminal is communicatingdata output fromthe device or data
input to the device.
If one device is used simultaneously by plural terminals,
control-related errors, such as information that should be output to
one terminal being output to another terminal, can occur. However,
control-related errors caused by plural terminals simultaneously
using one device can be effectively suppressedbythis configuration
of the invention because when the terminal is communicating data
output from the device or data input to the device, the device
management unit of the information processing device in the control
system prevents communication between a second terminal and the
device, and maintains exclusive use of the device.by the terminal.
[0008]
Furthermore, the 'invention is the control system described in
claim 3 wherein the second terminal outputs a signal requesting use
of the device; and the device management unit of the information
processing device does not accept a request for use of the device by
the second terminal when the second terminal outputs the signal while
the terminal is communicating data output from the device or data
input to the device.
In this configuration of the invention, when the terminal is
communicating data output from the device or data input to the device
and there is a request to use the device from a second terminal other
than the terminal, the device management unit of the information
processing device in the control system does not accept the request
and can therefore reliably maintain a state in which the device is
used exclusively by the terminal.
[0009]
To achieve the foregoing object, the invention is further
characterizedbyhavingadevice communicationunit that communicates
with a device data output from the device or data input to the device;
a terminal communication unit that communicates with a terminal data
output from the device or data input to the device; and a device
management unit that manages the relationship between the terminal
and the device.
Because the terminal and device are related, and the device and
the terminal that is using the device are managed, by the device
management unit of the information processing device in the control
system in this configuration of the invention, events such as
information related to the device being mistakenly sent to a terminal
other than the terminal that is using the device being managed can
beprevented. More specifically, ina controlsystemhavingaterminal
that runs a web browser and an information processing device to which
a device is connected configured so that each of plural terminals can
use a specific device, the device can be used appropriately by each
of the terminals.
[OOlO]
Also in the invention, the,device management unit stores data
relating information indicating the device and information
indicatingtheterminalthatcornrnunicates data output fromthe device
$or data input to the device.
In this configuration of the invention, the information
processing device can appropriately manage which terminal is using
a device by storing data relating informationidentifyingthe device
and information identifying the terminal that is communicating data
output from the device or data input to the device, that is, the
terminal that is using the device.
The invention is further characterizedbythe device management
unit not accepting the request for use of the device by the second
terminal when a signal requesting use ofthe device output by a second
terminal that is different from the terminal is received while
communicating data output from the device or data input to the device
with the terminal.
In this configuration of the invention, when the terminal is
communicating data output from the device or data input to the device
and there is a request to use the device from a second terminal other
than the terminal, the device management unit of the information
processing device in the control system does not accept the request
and can therefore reliably maintain a state in which the device is
used exclusively by the terminal.
[0012]
The invention is further characterized by having a print unit
that prints print data output from the terminal.
In this configuration of the invention, the information
processing device has a printing capability, and a state in which the
device can be appropriately used by the terminal can be enabled when
the terminal and information processing device work together to
print.
[0013]
In a control system including a plurality of terminals on which
web browsers run and an information processing device to which a
device is connected, and each of the plural terminals can use one
- 7 . -
device, the invention enables appropriate use of the device by each
terminal.
[Brief Description of Drawings]
[0014]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a
control system according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration
of the control system.
FIG. 3 shows an example of a screen displayed on a terminal.
FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the operation of the control
system.
FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the operation of a printer.
FIG. 6 illustrates the content of a device relations
configuration file.
[Description of Embodiments]
[0015]
A preferred embodiment of the invention is described below with
reference to the accompanying figures.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the basic configuration
of a control system 1 according to this embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the functional configuration
of a first tablet terminal 101 (terminal), a second tablet terminal
102 (terminal), a printer 11 (information processing device), and a
POS (point of sales) server 17 in the control system 1.
The control system 1 is an example of a POS system that is
employedin shopping centers, department stores, convenience stores,
andothertypes of retail stores, restaurants, coffee shops, andother
types of stores. Functions of the control system 1 include functions
for managing product sales, product inventory, and sales trends in
astore; functions forprocessingtransactions forproductspurchased
by customers at checkout counters in a store; and a function for
producing receipts for purchase payments by customers.
In this example, there are plural checkout counters where
transactions are processed in a store where the control system 1 is
employed. At least one printer 11 is installed, and two (plural)
terminals, a first tablet terminal 101 and a second tablet terminal
102, can connect to the printer 11, at one checkout counter. More
specifically, in this example two checkout clerks can work at one
checkout counter, one checkout clerk using the first tablet terminal
101 and the other checkout clerk using the second tablet terminal 102
to perform transaction-related processes and appropriately produce
receipts with the printer 11, and use a device DV connected to the
printer 11. More specifically, the first tablet terminal 101 and
I
second tablet terminal 102 are in a relationship sharing the printer r
11 and a device DV connected to the printer 11.
The printer 11 and the first tablet terminal 101 and second
tablet terminal 102 are configured to communicate wirelessly using
the Ethernet (T) standard, and the first tablet terminal 101 and
second tablet terminal 102 and the POS server 17 are similarly
configured to communicate wirelessly using the Ethernet standard.
Note that the communication method is not limited to the foregoing,
I
and any method enabling sending and receiving data between devices
may be used.
[0016]
The printer 11 is a thermal printer, and produces receipts based 1
I
on data input from the first tablet terminal 101 or the second tablet
terminal 102.
As shown in FIG. 2, a barcode scanner 12 (device) that reads
barcodes fromproducts orproductpackaging, a cardreader13 (device)
that reads credit cards and loyalty cards, for example, a cash drawer
14 that holds paper currency, coins, checks and gift certificates, I
for example, and a customer display 15 (device) for displaying I
transaction-related information are connected tothe printer 11. The
card reader 13 may be a device that reads magnetic information from
magnetic stripe cards, or a device that reads and writes to IC cards.
The barcode scanner 12 connects to the printer 11 by a near-field
communication standard such as Bluetooth (T) . The card reader 13 and
the customer display 15 connect to the printer 11 through a wired
communication interface such as USB. The cash drawer 14 connects to
the printer 11 by a wired communication interface conforming to a
specific serial communication standard.
These devices DV are examples of devices that output data input
to awebbrowser (browser executionunit261a) that runs on aterminal
( f i r s t t a b l e t t e r m i n a l l O l ) , or towhichdata output fromawebbrowser
is input.
[0017]
The printer llincludes aprinter control unit 20, aprinter unit
21 (print unit), a wireless device communication unit 22, a wired
device communication unit 24, an interface 23 (interface), and a
printer storage unit 25.
The printer control unit 20 controls parts of the printer 11,
and includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, and other peripheral circuits. The
printer control unit 20 includes a printer unit control unit 20a that
controls the printer unit 21 (described below), a communication
control unit 20bthat runs aprogramrelatedto communication control
and controls communication between the first tablet terminal101 and
the second tablet terminal 102, and a device communication control
unit 20c that runs a program related to device DV control,
communicates with the devices DV, and controls the devices DV. The
device communication control unit 20c has a device management unit
20d, which is described further below. The program related to
controlling the communicationdescribedabove andthe programrelated
to control of the device DV are produced using a dedicated API
(application program interface) provided by the manufacturer of the
printer 11, for example.
The printer unit 21 includes control circuit that controls
printing-related operation, a conveyancemechanism that conveys roll
paper, a print mechanism that prints text and images on roll paper
with a thermal head, and a cutter mechanism that cuts the roll paper,
and produces receipts by printing images related to the receipt on
the roll paper and then cutting the roll paper as controlled by the
printer unit control unit 20a. The cash drawer 14 is connected to the
printer 11 to communicate according to a specific serial
communication protocol. The printer unit 21 appropriately controls
the cash drawer 14 to open the drawer disposed to the cash drawer 14,
for example, as controlled by the printer unit control unit 20a.
[0018]
The wireless device communication unit 22 communicates
wirelesslywiththebarcode scanner12 usingnear-fieldcommunication
conforming to the Bluetooth (T) standard, and includes a relation
manager, a relation controller, a high frequency circuit, and an
antenna. The device communication control unit 20c, which is one
function block of the printer control unit 20, controls the wireless
device communication unit 22 and communicates with the barcode
scanner 12 by near-field communication using the Bluetooth standard
by reading and running a Bluetooth Driver Stack to control Bluetooth
hardware.
The wired device communication unit 24 has a network interface
card, for example, connected to a physical port and communicates with
the card reader 13 and the customer display 15 according to a specific
communication protocol such as USB. The device communication control
unit 20c, which is one function block of the printer control unit 20,
controls the wired device communication unit 24, and exchanges data
and signals with the card reader 13 and customer display 15. In this
embodiment of the invention, the device communication control unit
20c, the wired device communication unit 24, and the wireless device
communication unit 22 work together and function as a device
communication unit that exchanges data output from a device or data
i n p u t t o a d e v i c e with the device.
T h e i n t e r f a c e 23 sends a n d r e c e i v e s d a t a according t o a n E t h e r n e t
standard f o r w i r e l e s s communication with the f i r s t t a b l e t terminal
1 0 1 a s c o n t r o l l e d .by the communication c o n t r o l u n i t 20b. In t h i s
embodiment of t h e invention, the i n t e r f a c e 23 and the communication
c o n t r o l u n i t 2 0 b w o r k t o g e t h e r t o f u n c t i o n a s aterminalcomrnunication
u n i t t h a t exchanges data output f r o m a d e v i c e or data input t o a d e v i c e
with a t e r m i n a l .
The p r i n t e r s t o r a g e u n i t 25 includes n o n v o l a t i l e memory such as
EEPROM, a n d n o n v o l a t i l e l y s t o r e s d a t a r e w r i t a b l y . Adevice r e l a t i o n s
c o n f i g u r a t i o n f i l e 25a as described f u r t h e r below is s t o r e d i n t h e
p r i n t e r storage u n i t 25.
[0019]
The f i r s t t a b l e t terminal 101 includes a terminal c o n t r o l u n i t
261, a t e r m i n a l i n t e r f a c e 271, a d i s p l a y c o n t r o l u n i t 281, an input
d e t e c t i o n u n i t 291, and a touch panel 101a.
The touch panel 101a includes a d i s p l a y panel 101c disposed t o
t h e f r o n t of t h e f i r s t t a b l e t terminal 101, and a touch sensor 101b
i n t e g r a l l y disposed on t h e s u r f a c e of the d i s p l a y panel 101c. The
d i s p l a y panel 101c may be an LCD panel, an OLED panel, e-paper, o r
o t h e r type of d i s p l a y , and is driven by the d i s p l a y c o n t r o l u n i t 281.
The touch sensor 101b is a c a p a c i t i v e or p r e s s u r e - s e n s i t i v e sensor,
d e t e c t s touch operations by the u s e r ' s f i n g e r , s t y l u s , o r s i m i l a r
device, and outputs a s i g n a l i n d i c a t i n g t h e p o s i t i o n where the
o p e r a t i o n was d e t e c t e d t o the input d e t e c t i o n u n i t 291.
The d i s p l a y c o n t r o l u n i t 2 8 1 d r i v e s t h e d i s p l a y p a n e l 1 0 1 c b a s e d
on d i s p l a y d a t a i n p u t from the f i r s t browser execution u n i t 261a
described below, and displays a window containing t e x t o r images on
t h e d i s p l a y panel 101c.
The input d e t e c t i o n u n i t 291 d e t e c t s touch operations on t h e
t o u c h p a n e l 1 0 1 a based on the s i g n a l s output by t h e touch sensor 101b.
When an operation is detected, t h e input d e t e c t i o n u n i t 291 generates
coordinate data expressing the position ofthe detected operation in
coordinates corresponding to the display position on the display
panel 101c, and outputs to the first browser execution unit 261a.
[0020]
The terminal control unit 261 controls the parts of the first
tablet terminal 101, and includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, and other
peripheralcircuits. T h e t e r m i n a l c o n t r o l u n i t 2 6 1 i n c l u d e s abrowser
execution unit 261a that renders web browser functions by running a
browser program. The browser execution unit 261a functions as a web
browser by running the browser program.
The browser execution unit 261a downloads a web page written in
HTML or other markup language or scripting language from the POS
server 17 using a function of a web browser. The downloaded web page
data is stored in RAM not shown, for example. The browser execution
unit 261a reads the downloaded web page data, generates display data
for displaying the web page, and outputs to the display control unit
281 by functions of the web browser. The browser execution unit 261a
independently or in conjunction with the application execution unit
30aofthe POS server17 executesprocessesbyfunctions ofthe scripts
embedded in the web page.
When a touch operation on the tbuch sensor lOlb is detected by
the input detection unit 291, the browser execution unit 261a
determines the input content based on the coordinate data input by
the input detection unit 291 according to the touch operation, and
the display image data output to the display control unit 281. Based
on the identified input content, the browser execution unit 261a
executes an appro'priate process bya script function, andoutputs data
indicating the identified input content to the POS server 17. The
application execution unit 30a executes processes based on the input
data. The browser execution unit 261a receives data resulting from
the application execution unit 30a running an application program
fromthe POS server17, generates displaydata reflectingthe received
data, and outputs to the display control unit 281.
The terminal interface 271 communicates with the printer 11 and
the POS server 17 according to a specific wireless communication
standard as controlled by the terminal control unit 261.
[0021]
Like the first tablet terminal 101, the second tablet terminal
102 includes a terminal control unit 262, a terminal interface 272,
a display control unit 282, an input detection unit 292, and a touch
panel 102a. The configuration of the second tablet te'rminal 102 is
identical to that of the first tablet terminal 101, and further
detailed description thereof is omitted.
Below, the first tablet terminal 101 and second tablet terminal
102 are generically referred to appropriately as terminals.
[0022]
The POS server 17 includes a server storage unit 31 that stores
a database storing product-related information, a database for
managing sales, and a database for managing inventory, and uses these
databases to manage the control system 1.
The POS server 17 also has a server control unit 30, a server
storage unit 31, and a server interface 32.
The server control unit 30 controls parts of the POS server 17,
and includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, and other peripheral circuits. The
server storage unit 31 includes a nonvolatile storage device such as
a hard disk or EEPROM or other nonvolatile memory, and stores data
rewritably. The server interface 32 communicates according to a
wireless Ethernet standard with the first tablet terminal 101 and
second tablet terminal 102 as controlled by the server control unit
30.
An application 35 is storedinthe server storage unit31sothat
the application 35 can be loaded. The application execution unit 30a
of the server control unit 3 0 . ia~ function block that runs an
application 35 that generates a web page.
The application execution unit 30a generates, or reads from the
server storage unit 31, the data for the web page requested by the
f i r s t t a b l e t t e r m i n a l 1 0 1 o r t h e s e c o n d t a b l e t t e r m i n a l 1 0 2 , and sends
the data to the terminal that sent the request. When transaction
process data is sent from the first tablet terminal 101 or the second
tablet terminal 102, the application execution unit 30a receives the
data through the server interface 32.
[0023]
The basic operation when devices of the control system 1
cooperate to execute atransaction-relatedprocess is describednext.
For convenience of description, the first tablet terminal 101 is the
device that runs the transaction-related process below.
The first tablet terminal 101 first executes the following
processes before running the transaction-related process.
Specifically, the checkout clerk or other worker first starts
the browser of the first tablet terminal 101, and commands displaying
the user interface U1 on the touch panel 101a. Based on this command,
the browser execution unit 261a of the terminal control unit 261
accesses a specific address on the POS server 17, acquires a drawing
file such as an HTML file, and displays the user interface U1 based
on thedrawing file. Embeddedinthis drawing file is aprogramwritten
in a specific scripting language with the functions for executing the
transaction-related process (described below) in conjunction with
the application execution unit 30a of the POS server 17.
[0024]
FIG. 3 shows an example of the user interface U1 presented on
the touch panel 101a.
A list display area 39 where the names of the products purchased
by the customer, the prices of the products, and the quantities of
the products are presented in a list is displayed at the top left of
the dedicated user interface U1 in FIG. 3. To the right of this list
display area 39is displayedan amount input field 40, whichis a field
where the total amount of the products purchased by the customer, the
amount of money received from the customer, and the amount of change
due to the customer are displayed.
Below the list display area 39 is a barcode information input
field 41, which is an input field where the information (referred to
below as barcode information) expressed by the barcode that is read
by the barcode scanner 12 is input and displayed. The barcode
information is basically identification information uniquely
assigned to each type of product.
Below thebarcode information input field 41is a customer number
input field 42, which is an input field where the customer number
acquired by reading a loyalty card with the card reader 13 is input
and displayed when a card is read.
Avirtual keypad 43 is displayed on the right side of the barcode
information input field 41 and the customer number input field 42.
Information can be input through the virtual keypad 43 to the various
fields presented in the user interface U1, and the virtual keypad 43
includes all keys required to input information.
A n a d d r e s s i n p u t f i e l d 4 4 w h e r e t h e accessedaddressis displayed
is presented at the top of the user interface U1.
[0025]
The basic operation of the devices in the control system 1
configured as described above when cooperatively executing the
transaction-related process is describedbelowwith reference to the
flow chart in FIG. 4 using the operation when a customer purchases
one product as an example. In FIG. 4, (A) shows the operation of the
printer 11, (B) shows the operation of the first tablet terminal 101,
and (C) shows the operation of the POS server 17.
At the checkout counter, the checkout clerk first scans the
barcode on the one product using the barcode scanner 12 (step SX1).
The device communication controlunit20c ofthe printer control
unit 20 acquires data showing the result of reading by the barcode
scanner 12 through the wireless device communication unit 22 (step
SA1). Based on the data showing the read result, the device
communication control unit 20c also generates data indicating the
barcode information, and outputs the data indicating the barcode
information to the communication control unit 20b (step SA2). The
communication control unit 20b sends the data indicating the barcode
information to the browser execution unit 261a of the first tablet
terminal 101 according to a specific protocol (step SA3).
[0026]
When the data indicating the barcode information is input, the
browser execution unit 261a of the terminal control unit 261 of the
first tablet terminal 101 inputs the barcode information to the
barcode information input field 41 by a function of the program
(referred to below as a "script") embedded in the HTML file related
to the dedicated user interface U1 (step SB1) . Next, by a function
of the script, the browser execution unit 261a communicates with the
application execution unit 30a of the POS server 17, and requests the
product name and price of the product indicated by the barcode
information (step SB2). The application execution unit 30a that
receivedthe requestappropriatelyaccesses the appropriate database
by a function ofthe application 35, acquires the requiredinformation,
and outputs the acquired information to the browser execution unit
261a of the first tablet terminal 101 (step SC1).
[0027]
The browser execution unit 261a of the first tablet terminal 101
displays the name of the product the customer purchased, the price
of the product, and the quantity of the product in the list display
area 39, and displays the total amount of the product the customer
purchased in the specific field of the amount input field 40, by a
function of the script (step SB3).
Next, when an operation finalizing the purchase transaction is
executed by the checkout clerk through the virtual keypad 43, payment
is received from the customer and change is made, and the browser
execution u n i t 261a communicates appropr.iately with the a p p l i c a t i o n
execution u n i t 30a using a f u n c t i o n of the s c r i p t , and d i s p l a y s the
a p p r o p r i a t e information i n the a p p r o p r i a t e a r e a s of the amount input
f i e l d 40 accordingly ( s t e p SB4) .
Next, by a f u n c t i o n of t h e s c r i p t , the browser execution u n i t
261a generates an XML document ( p r i n t d a t a ) containing information
r e l a t e d t o the r e c e i p t t o be produced by t h e p r i n t e r u n i t 21 ( s t e p
SB5). Included i n the XML document is the information required t o
produce a r e c e i p t , such as infosmation about t h e t e x t and images t o
be p r i n t e d on the r e c e i p t , i n an XML-compliant format.
Next, the browser execution u n i t 261a sends the generated XML
,
document t o the communication c o n t r o l u n i t 20b of the p r i n t e r 11
according t o a s p e c i f i c p r o t o c o l ( s t e p SB6).
WhentheXMLdocumentis s e n t by thebrowser e x e c ~ t i o n u n i t 2 6 1 a ~
the communication c o n t r o l u n i t 20b of the p r i n t e r 11 receives t h e XML
document ( s t e p SA4) and outputs t o the p r i n t e r u n i t c o n t r o l u n i t 20a
( s t e p SA5).
The p r i n t e r u n i t control u n i t 20a generates and outputs t o the
p r i n t e r unit21controlcommands t h a t are c o n t r o l commands conforming
t o t h e command language of the p r i n t e r u n i t 21 based on the input XML
document and cause the p r i n t e r u n i t 21 t o execute the processes
r e l a t e d t o producing a r e c e i p t ( s t e p SA6) . The c o n t r o l c i r c u i t of the
p r i n t e r u n i t 21 then c o n t r o l s t h e r e l a t e d mechanisms and produces a
r e c e i p t based on t h e control commands ( s t e p SA7).
[0028]
The control system 1 according t o t h i s embodiment is configured
so t h a t two terminals ( f i r s t t a b l e t terminal 101 and second t a b l e t
terminal 102) t h a t run web browsers can connect t o one p r i n t e r 11.
Each terminal can u s e a device DV connected t o the p r i n t e r 11. For
example, e a c h t e r m i n a l c a n a c q u i r e d a t a b a s e d o n t h e r e s u l t of reading
w i t h a b a r c o d e scanner12, and can output s p e c i f i c data t o a n d p r e s e n t
a specific display on a customer display 15.
As a result, the condition described below occurs.
Specifically, ofthe first tablet terminal101 and second tablet
terminal 102, the first tablet terminal 101 executes the
transaction-related process shown in the flow chart in FIG. 4 in this
example. In this event, when data representing the barcode
information is sent from the communication control unit 20b of the
printer 11 in step SA3 in FIG. 4, the data must be sent to the first
tablet terminal 101 and not sent to the second tablet terminal 102.
This is because the data representing the barcode information is not
data that the second tablet terminal 102 should receive, and if the
data is sent to the second tablet terminal 102, some kind of wrong
process may be executed by the second tablet terminal 102 and the
requiredprocessmaynotbe executedbythe firsttabletterminal101.
Therefore, because plural terminals caneachuse one device, the ,
device can be used appropriately by each terminal as a result of the
printer 11 according to this embodiment executing the following
process.
FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of the printer
In the following description, the first tablet terminal 101
(second tablet terminal 102) using a device DV connected to the
printer 11 means that a terminal communicates data output from a
device or data input to a device (receives data based on an output
value of the device DV, or causes a device DV to execute a specific
process), including, for example, the first tablet terminal 101 '
(second tablet terminal 102) receiving data based on the result of
reading by the barcode scanner 12, receiving data based on the result
of reading by the card reader 13, or outputting data to the customer
display 15 for a specific display.
A device name, which is a unique value, is individually assigned
to the customer display 15, card reader 13, barcode scanner 12, and
cash drawer 14, which are devices DV connected to the printer 11. The
assigned device name is used as identification information
identifying the particular device DV in software processes of the
control system 1. The browser execution units of the first tablet
terminal 101 and second tablet terminal 102 are configured to report
the name of the device DV to use to the printer 11 and request use
of the device DV by a function of a script in order to use a' device
DV connected to the printer 11. For example, when the first tablet
terminal 101 runs the transaction-related process shown in the flow
chart in FIG. 4, the browser execution unit 261a of the first tablet
terminal 101 generates and sends data containing information
including the device name assigned to the barcode scanner 12 and a
request to use the barcode scanner 12 written in a specific format
to the printer 11 in order to use the barcode scanner 12.
[0030]
Referring to FIG. 5, the d e v i c e m a n a g e m e n t u n i t 2 0 d o f t h e device
communication control unit 20c of the printer 11 checks whether or
not a signal requesting use of a device DV is input from the browser
execution unit 261a of the first tablet terminal 101 or the browser
execution unit 262a of the second tablet terminal 102 (step SD1). As
described above, the device name assigned to the requested device DV
is specified when requesting use of a device DV.
Note that the data the browser execution unit 261a, 262a outputs
to the printer 11 is output through the communication control unit
20b to the device management unit 20d of the device communication
control unit 20c, and based on the input data, the device management
unit 20d makes the decision in step SD1 or step SD7 described below.
If a signal requesting use of a device DV is input from the
browser execution unit of any terminal (step SD1 returns YES), the
device management unit 20d references the device relations
configuration file 25a stored in the printer storage unit 25 (step
[0031]
FIG. 6 schematically shows an example of part of the content of
the device relations configuration file 25a in a format useful for
description.
Note that in the following description, "scanner" is assigned
as the device name to the barcode scanner 12, "reader" is assigned
as the device name to the card reader 13, "display" is assigned as
the device name to the customer display 15, and "cash" is assigned
as the device name to the cash drawer 14.
As shown in FIG. 6, the device relations configuration file 25a
relationally stores the device name (information identifying the
device), information identifying where the device DV is connected
(meaning the connection port or the communication link in this
embodiment of the invention), and information identifying the
terminal using the device DV, for. each device DV connected to the
printer 11.
In this example, the device relations configuration file 25ahas
the data structure of a relational database, and one record includes
a device name field F1 where the device name is stored, a connection
fieldF2 whereinformationindicatingwherethedevice DVis connected
is stored, and a used-by terminal field F3 where information
identifying the terminal that is using the device DV is stored.
As described further below, when either one of the first tablet
terminal 101 and the second tablet terminal 102 is using one device
DV, this embodiment ofthe invention is configuredtomaintain a state
in which that one device DV is used exclusively by that one terminal
and that one device DVcannotbe usedbyanotherterminal. Information
identifying the terminal that is using the related device DV, or
informationindicatingthatthe device DVis not being used, is stored
in the used-by terminal field F3. For example, when the related device
DV is used exclusively by the first tablet terminal 101, information
identifying the first tablet terminal 101 is stored in the used-by
terminal field F3 of that device DV, and when the related device DV
is not being used by any terminal, information indicating the same
(shown as NOT USED in the example in FIG. 6) is stored in the used-by
terminal field F3.
The device relations configuration file 25a is therefore data
relating information identifying a device and information
identifying the terminal that communicates the data output from the
device or the data input to the device.
[0032]
Returning to FIG. 5, the device management unit 20d references
the device relations configuration file 25a (step SD2), and
1 determines whether or not the device DV requested for use in step SD1
I
is already being used exclusively by a terminal other than the
terminal that requested use (step SD3).
For example, assume that a request to use the barcode scanner
12 is received from the first tablet terminal 101 in step SD1. In this
event, the devicemanagementunit20dreferencesthe used-by terminal
field F3 in the corresponding record of the device relations
I
I
configuration file 25a. If information identifying the second tablet
terminal 102 is stored in this field, the device management unit 20d
determines that the barcode scanner 12 is being used by a terminal
other than the terminal that requested use. However, if information
indicating that the device is not in use is stored in the field, the
device management unit 20d determines that the barcode scanner 12 is
not being used by a terminal other than the terminal that requested
use.
If the result of the decision in step SD3 is that the device DV
requested for use in step SD1 is not being used by a terminal other
than the terminal that requesteduse (step SD4 returns NO), the device
management unit 20d writes information identifying the terminal that
requested use of the device DV in step SD1 to the used-by terminal
field F3 of the corresponding record in the device relations
configuration file 25a (step SD5). For example, if the request came
fromthe firsttabletterminal101, informationidentifyingthe first
tablet terminal 101 is written to the related used-by terminal field
Next, the device management unit 20d maintains a state in which
the device DV is used exclusively by the terminal that requested use
of that device DV in step SD1 (step SD6). Exclusive use of the device
DV by this terminal is achieved by prohibiting use of the device by
another terminal when a request to use the device DV is received from
another terminal as described below.
Next, the devicemanagementunit20d checks if there is a request
to cancel exclusive use from the terminal using the device DV (step
SD7). When using one device and then stopping use of that one device,
the browser execution unit 261a of the first tablet terminal 101 and
the browser execution unit 262a of the second tablet terminal 102 in
this embodiment ofthe invention are configuredto report cancelling
exclusive use of the one device to the printer 11 by a function of
a dedicated script.
When there is a request to cancel exclusive use, the device
management unit 20dwrites information indicatingthat the device DV
is not used in the used-by terminal field F3 of the corresponding
recordin the device relations configuration file 25a (step SD8), and
then goes to step SD1. Exclusive use of a device DV by a terminal is
thereby cancelled.
[0033]
However, if in step SD4 it is determined that the device DV
requested for use in step SD1 is being used by a terminal other than
the terminal that requested use (step SD4 returns YES), the device
management unit 20d reports to the terminal that requested use that
the device DV requested for use is being used according to a specific
protocol (step SD9), and prohibits use of the device DV by that
terminal (step SD10). More specifically, the request for use of the
device by the terminal that requested use is not accepted. By thus
not accepting a request for use when one terminal is using one device
DV, in other words, when one terminal is communicating data output
from one device DV or data input to the device, the printer 11 does
not enable another terminal to communicatedata output fromthedevice
or data input to the device.
Next, the device management unit 20d checks whether or not
exclusive use by a terminal other than the terminal that requested
use was cancelled (step SD11). More specifically, the device
management unit 20d references the device relations configuration
file 25a as needed, and determines exclusive use was cancelled by a
terminalotherthantheterminalthatrequesteduseiftheinformation
stored in the used-by terminal field F3 of the record related to the
device DV for which use was requested in step SD1 is information
indicating the device is not being used.
If exclusive use was cancelled by a terminal other than the
terminal that requested use of the device DV (step SDll returns YES),
the device management unit 20d reports the same to the browser
execution unit of the terminal that requested use (step SD12), and
then goes to step SD1. This report enables the browser execution unit
of the terminal that requested use to know that exclusive use of the
device Dvbyanotherterminalwas cancelled, andbasedon knowing this
can request use of the de'vice DV again and be able to use the device
DV .
[0034]
As described above, the control'system 1 according to this
embodiment has a plurality of terminals (first tablet terminal 101
and second tablet terminal 102) on which a web browser runs; and a
I printer 11 (information processing device) that can communicate with I
the plural terminals and to which plural devices DV (barcode scanner
12, card reader 13, cash drawer 14, and customer display 15) are
connected. Both the first tablet terminal 101 and second tablet
terminal102 are also configuredtobe able touse devices DVconnected
to the printer 11 by a function of the web browser. The printkr 11
also has a device management unit 20d that manages which terminal is
using each device DV.
Thus configuked, because the devices DV and the terminals using
the devices DV are managed by the device management unit 20d of the
printer 11 in the control system 1, situations such as information
related to a device DV being managed, such as the resu$t of reading
by a barcode scanner 12, being mistakenly sent to a terminal other
than the terminal that is using the device DV can be prevented. More
specifically, in a control system 1 having a plurality of terminals
that run a web browser and a printer 11 to which a device DV is
connected, each of the plural terminals can use one device DV while
appropriate use of the device DV by each terminal can be enabled.
[0035]
In this embodiment of the invention, the device management unit
20d can manage which terminal is using a device DV by storing (saving)
a device name (information identifying a device) relationally to
information identifying the terminal controlling the device in a
device relations configuration file 25a.
With this configuration, which terminal is using a device DV can
be appropriately managed using the device relations configuration
file 25a.
[0036]
Furthermore, while managing which one of plural connectable
terminals is controlling a device DV, the device management unit 20d
can maintain a state in which the device DV is exclusively controlled
by the one terminal. In other words, when one terminal is
communicating data output from a device or the data input to a device,
the device management unit 20d prevents another terminal from
communicating with that device.
Because the device management unit 20d of the printer 11 in the
control system 1 in this configuration maintains a state in which the
device DV is used exclusively by the one terminal when managing which
one terminal of plural terminals is using a device DV, the device
management unit 20d can effectively suppress control-related errors
resulting from plural terminals using one device DV.
[ 0 037 1
Furthermore, when managing which one terminal of plural
terminals is controlling a device DV and there is a request to control
the device DV from another terminal other than the one terminal, the
device management unit 20d in this embodiment of the invention can
maintain a state of exclusive use of the device DV by the one terminal
by prohibiting control of the device DV by another terminal.
This configuration enables reliablymaintaining a state inwhich
the device is used exclusively by the one terminal.
[0038]
The invention is described above with reference to a preferred
embodiment thereof, but the invention is not limited thereto and can
I
1
1 be modified and adapted in many ways without departing from the scope
of the accompanying claims.
For example, the foregoing embodiment describes an example in
which one printer 11 is shared at a checkout counter, but how the
control system 1 is used is not limited to this example, and the
control system 1 can also be used in a cafe or other type of restaurant
where eachofthe service staffhas their own terminal, shareaprinter
11, and appropriately execute printing processes as required.
Further alternatively, the printer 11 and the POS server 17 are
separate devices above, but the function of the POS server 17 may be
rendered in the printer 11.
Yet further, the printer 11 is a thermal printer above, but any
recording method may be used. 1
I Yet further, the functionblocks shown in FIG. 2 canbe desirably
embodied by the cooperation of hardware and software, ana ao noiz
suggest a specific hardware configuration. Furthermore, the devices
may execute the operations by running a program stored on an
externally connected storage medium.
[Industrial Applicability]
As described above, the invention is useful in a POS terminal
I to which a barcode scanner or other device is connected, and to a POS
I
I
I system that uses a POS terminal, and can be used in a POS system or I
other information processing device, and an information processing
system.
[Reference Signs List]
[0039]
1 control system
11 printer (information processing device) ~ 12 barcode scanner (device) I i
13 card reader (device) I
14 cash L- drawer (device) 15--cu s-tomer-d is pl ay--(-device-)
20 printer control unit
20a printer unit control unit
20b communication control unit (terminal communication unit)
20c device communication control unit (device communication unit)
20d device management unit
21 printer unit
I 22 wireless device communication unit (device communication unit)
23 interface (terminal communication unit)
24 wired device communication unit (device communication unit)
25 printer storage unit I
25a device relations configuration file
101 first tablet terminal 101 (terminal)
102 second tablet terminal (terminal)
1 261a browser execution unit I
- 27 -
262a browser execution unit

We claim:
[Claim 1]
A control system comprising:
a terminal that runs a web browser;
a device that outputs data input to the web browser, or to which
data output from the web browser is input; and
an information processing device including a device
communicationunit that communicates with the device data output from
the device or data input to the device, a terminal communication unit
that communicates with the terminal data output from the device or
data input to the device, and a device management unit that manages
the relationship between the terminal and the device.
[Claim 2]
The control system described in claim 1, wherein
the device management unit ofthe information processing device
stores data relating information indicating the device and
information indicating the terminal that communicates data output
from the device or data input to the device.
[Claim 3]
The control system described in claim 1, further comprising:
a second terminal that runs a web browser;
the device management unit ofthe information processing device
preventing the second terminal from communicating data output from
the device or data input to the device when the terminal is
communicating data output fromthe device or data input tothe device.
[Claim 4]
The control system described in claim 3, wherein
the second terminal outputs a signal requesting use of the
device; and
the device management unit of the information processing device
does not accept a request for use of the device from the second
terminal when the second terminal outputs the signal while the
terminal is communicating data output from the device or data input
to the device.
[Claim 5]
An information processing device comprising:
a device communicationunit that communicates with a device data
output from the device or data input to the device;
a terminal communication unit that communicates with a terminal
data output from the device or data input to the device; and
a device management unit that manages the relationship between
the terminal and the device.
[Claim 6]
The information processing device describedin claim 5, wherein
the device management unit stores data relating information
indicating the device and information indicating the terminal that
communicates data output from the device or data input to the device.
[Claim 7]
The information processing device described in claim 5, wherein
when a signal requesting use of the device output by a second
terminal that is different from the terminal is received while
communicating data output from the device or data input to the device
with the terminal, the device management unit does not accept the
request for use of the device by the second terminal.
[Claim 8]
The information processing device described in claim 5, further
comprising:
a print unit that prints print data output from the terminal.