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BACKGROUND
1. Technical Field
[0001] The disclosure relates to a data processing
5 apparatus that processes transaction information, a Point of
Sales DPOS~ system and a control method of the POS system.
2. Related Art
[0002] A POS system has been known which has a reading
apparatus (barcode scanner or barcode reader) reading a
10 barcode and the like so as to perform transaction relating to
a commodity sale (for example, refer to JP-A-5-073769). In the
system, a barcode attached on a commodity is optically read by
an apparatus connected to a POS terminal and processing is
performed based on the read data.
15 Also, regarding the above system, an example has been
known in which a plurality of the apparatuses reading the
barcode and the like is used and the data read by the
respective apparatuses is transmitted to a POS register and
the like to thus perform account processing (for example,
20 refer to JP-A-2011-038285). Particularly, in the system
disclosed in JP-A-2011-038285, a handy terminal reads a
barcode and wirelessly transmits the read data to any one of a
plurality of POS registers. In the system, each handy terminal
reads a communication address indicating a transmission
25 destination of the data and transmits the read data to a
2
designated POS register.
[0003] In the system of JP-A-2011-038285, the handy
terminal that reads the barcode should have a function of
selecting and performing communication with a transmission
5 destination of the data, in addition to the function of
reading the barcode. That is, when establishing a POS system
having a plurality of reading apparatuses reading the
information such as barcode, it is not possible to use the
simple reading apparatus such as disclosed in JP-A-5-073769.
10 Therefore, a plurality of apparatuses having a control
function is included in the POS system, so that a
configuration of the system is complicated and it is necessary
to manage functions and software settings of the respective
apparatuses. Also, it is not easy to implement a configuration
15 having a plurality of reading apparatuses.
SUMMARY
[0004] According to the disclosure, the data processing
apparatus to which the data reading device and the terminal
20 apparatus are connected transmits the identification
information to the terminal apparatus and can easily determine
the association of the device and the terminal apparatus,
based on the correspondence of the identification information
and the read data read by the device.
25 [0005] By associating the connection port to which the
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device is connected and the terminal apparatus, it is possible
to specify the device and to associate the same with the
terminal apparatus without providing the device with a special
function or configuration. By storing the association of the
5 connection port of the device and the terminal apparatus,
whenever the read data is input from the device.
[0006] Since the read data input from the device is
processed by the POS application program as the transaction
information of the terminal apparatus associated with the
10 device.
[0007] Since a result of the processing in which the
barcode information input from the device is processed as data
of a commodity to be sold with the terminal apparatus
associated with the corresponding device is transmitted to the
15 terminal apparatus.
[0008] That is, the data processing apparatus of the
disclosure has the first interface that is connected to the
device reading the data and outputting the read data and
! additional data, the second interface that is connected to the
20 terminal apparatus, the identification information
transmission unit that transmits the identification
information to the terminal apparatus and the control unit
that, when the read data and additional data output from the
device are input to . the first interface, compares the
25 information included in the input read data with the
4
identification information transmitted to the terminal
apparatus and determines the association of the device having
output the additional data and the terminal apparatus to which
the identification information is transmitted.
5 [0009] The data processing apparatus of the disclosure
include a storage unit that associates and stores therein the
additional data of the device and terminal information
identifying the terminal apparatus to which the identification
information is transmitted in accordance with the association
10 determined by the control unit.
[0010] Also, the data processing apparatus of the
disclosure includes the POS application execution unit that
executes the POS application program processing the
transaction information. The device reads and outputs the
15 transaction information, and when the transaction information
output from the device is input to the first interface, the
POS application execution unit may process the transaction
information as information corresponding to the terminal
apparatus in accordance with the association determined by the
: 20 control unit.
[0011] Also, in the data processing apparatus of the
disclosure, the device is a barcode scanner that reads a
barcode and outputs read data of the barcode, the transaction
information is barcode information relating to the commodity
25 sale read by the barcode scanner, and when the barcode
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information output from the barcode scanner is input, the POS
application execution unit may process the barcode information
as data of the barcode processed in the terminal apparatus in
accordance with the association determined by the control unit.
5 [0012] Also, in the data processing apparatus of the
disclosure, the POS application execution unit may transmit a
result of the processing in which the data of the barcode
processed in the terminal apparatus is processed to the
terminal apparatus.
10 [0013] According to the disclosure, in the POS system
where the data reading device and the terminal apparatus are
I connected to the data processing apparatus, the data
processing apparatus transmits the identification information
to the terminal apparatus. Based on the correspondence of the
15 identification information and the read data read by the
device, the data processing apparatus can easily determine the
association of the device and the terminal apparatus.
According to the disclosure, the data processing apparatus
transmits the identification information to the terminal
20 apparatus and can determine the association of the device and
the terminal apparatus more easily, based on the
I correspondence of the terminal information transmitted based
on the identification information and the read data read by
the device.
25 [0014] According to the disclosure, the read data that is
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obtained as the device reads the barcode is processed by the
POS application program as the transaction information of the
terminal apparatus associated with the device.
[0015] Also, in the POS system of the disclosure, the
5 device may add additional data to the read data and then
transmit the same, the data processing apparatus may include
an execution unit that executes a POS application processing
the transaction information, and when the read data and the
i additional data are received at the first interface, the
' 10 control unit of the data processing apparatus may compare the
information included in the read data and the identification
! information transmitted to the terminal apparatus to thus
determine the association of the device and the terminal
apparatus to which the identification information is
15 transmitted.
[0016] According to the disclosure, in the POS system, the
data processing apparatus transmits the identification
information to the terminal apparatus. The identification
information is received and displayed by the terminal
20 apparatus. Based on the identification information included in
the read data that is output as the device reads the displayed
| identification information.
J [0017] According to the disclosure, in the POS system, the
i
| identification information transmitted from the data
I 25 processing apparatus to the terminal apparatus is displayed
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and read by the device, and the read data and the additional
data are output from the device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
5 [0018] FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a control
system according to a first illustrative embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing functional
configurations of the control system.
FIG. 3 pictorially shows a configuration example of
10 paring data in the first illustrative embodiment.
•FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate paring processing and read
data distribution processing in the first illustrative
embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing operations of the control
15 system in the first illustrative embodiment.
FIG. 6 pictorially shows a configuration example of
paring data in a second illustrative embodiment.
FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate paring processing and read
data distribution processing in the second illustrative
20 embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing operations of the control
system in the second illustrative embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
25 [0019] Hereinafter, illustrative embodiments of the
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disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.
;u First Illustrative Embodiment
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a control
system 1 according to an illustrative embodiment to which the
5 disclosure is applied.
The control system 1 shown in FIG. 1 is an aspect of a
so-called POS system that is used for a retail store such as
shopping center and department store or for other various
stores. A main function of the control system 1 is to manage
10 selling, stock and sales situations and the like of
commodities in a store. Also, the control system has functions
,-i) of performing an account corresponding to a commodity bought
by a customer, issuing a receipt in correspondence to payment
made by the customer and the like on a register counter L
15 provided in the store.
[0020] The control system 1 is configured by connecting a
device management server 2 (data processing apparatus) and a
plurality of tablet terminals 4 (terminal apparatus) through a
network 3 in data-communication with each other. Each tablet
20 terminal 4 is a tablet-type (plate-shaped) computer and has a
display panel that displays an image and a touch panel 42 in
which a touch sensor detecting a touch operation is integrated.
The control system 1 executes account processing as the
POS system, based on data that is input as the tablet terminal
25 4 is operated, and transmits and displays a processing result
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to and on the tablet terminal 4. That is, each tablet terminal
4 functions as a POS terminal by an operation of an operator
and the device management server 2 executes the account
processing such as calculation of a total amount, so that the
5 control system 1 entirely implements functions of the POS
system.
[0021] The device management server 2 is connected with a
plurality of barcode scanners 10 (device). The barcode scanner
10 is an apparatus that optically reads a barcode and outputs
10 read data. The barcode that can be read by the barcode scanner
10 may be a JAN code, an EAN, a UPC, an ITF code, a CODE39, a
CODE128, an NW-7, a QR code (registered trademark) and the
like and can be appropriately selected in correspondence to
utilities of the control system 1. While a power supply is
15 on, the barcode scanner 10 executes a reading operation at a
predetermined period. When detecting the barcode, the barcode
scanner outputs the read data to the device management server
2. In the meantime, a configuration is shown in FIG. 1 where
the barcode scanners 10 having the same number as that of the
20 tablet terminals 4 are provided. However, the numbers of the
tablet terminals 4 and the barcode scanners 10 may be
different and the numbers of the barcode scanners 10 and the
tablet terminals 4 of the control system 1 are arbitrary.
[0022] Also, the device management server 2 is connected
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I 25 with a printer 15, a card reader 16 and a cash drawer 17. The
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printer 15 is a dot impact printer that performs a printing
operation on a roll sheet, an inkjet printer, a thermal
printer that performs a printing operation on a heat-sensitive
roll sheet, or the like. The printer 15 prints a result of the
5 processing relating to the commodity sale, which is executed
by the device management server 2, on the roll sheet and
outputs a receipt, in response to control of the device
management server 2. The card reader 16 magnetically reads
information that is recorded in a magnetic card-type recording
10 medium such as credit card and membership card, and outputs
the read data to the device management server 2. The cash
drawer 17 holds therein cash and opens a cash holding part in
response to a control signal input from the device management
server 2.
j 15 [0023] The network 3 is a communication line connecting
j
the device management server 2 and the tablet terminal 4 in
communication with each other, and is configured by a wired
LAN based on an Ethernet (registered trademark) standard or
wireless LAN based on an IEEE802.il standard, for example. The
20 network 3 may be connected to a public switched telephone
network or IP line network or implemented as a part of the
wide area communication line.
[0024] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing functional
configurations of the device management server 2 and the
25 tablet terminal 4.
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The device management server 2 has, as an interface that
is connected to an external apparatus, a USB interface 23, a
serial interface 24 and a communication interface 25.
The USB interface 23 is a wired connection interface
5 based on a USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard. The USB
interface 23 is connected with the printer 15 and the card
reader 16. The printer 15 and the card reader 16 perform
serial data communication with the device management server 2,
based on the USB standard.
10 [0025] Also, the USB interface 23 is connected with a
cradle 28. The cradle 28 is connected to the USB interface 23
through a USB cable and performs serial data communication
with the device management server 2 based on the USB standard
and wireless communication with the barcode scanner 10. i
15 In this illustrative embodiment, the barcode scanner 10
performs wireless communication based on a Bluetooth |
(registered trademark) standard and wirelessly transmits the
read data, which is obtained by reading the barcode. Whenever
reading the barcode, the barcode scanner 10 transmits the read
20 data to a device that has been paired in advance, and is
paired with the cradle 28 in this illustrative embodiment. The
cradle 28 is paired with the plurality of barcode scanners 10
(four barcode scanners in FIG. 2) and outputs the data, which
is input from the respective barcode scanners 10, to the
25 device management server 2. That is, the cradle 28 functions i
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1 as a relay apparatus that connects the plurality of barcode
scanners 10 performing the Bluetooth communication to the
device management server 2 by cable.
[0026] The USB interface 23 (first interface) has a
5 plurality of USB ports. The printer 15, the card reader 16 and
the cradle 28 are respectively connected to the different USB
ports. The USB ports to which the respective apparatuses are
connected are managed by a USB driver execution unit 21f. When
the USB driver execution unit 21f transmits and receives data
10 to and from any one of the printer 15, the card reader 16 and
the cradle 28, it distinguishes the respective apparatuses by
the USB ports through which the data is input and output.
Furthermore, the device management server 2 has a
function of allotting USB ports, which are logically
15 (virtually) provided, to the respective barcode scanners 10
connected to the cradle 28. That is, the device management
server 2 has the logical USB ports (logical ports) in addition
to the physical. USB ports actually provided to the USB
interface 23. Then, the device management server 2 allots
20 different USB ports (logical ports) to the respective barcode
scanners 10 connected to the cradle 28. Thereby, the
respective barcode scanners 10 can be distinguished, based on
the connected USB ports.
[0027] Also, the serial interface 24 is connected with the
25 cash drawer 17. The serial interface 24 is an interface that
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performs serial data communication based on an RS-232C
standard, for example, and is connected to the cash drawer 17
through a serial cable. The serial interface 2 4 outputs a
control signal to the cash drawer 17 through the serial cable
5 under control of a server control unit 21. By the control
signal, a drawer of the cash drawer 17 is opened.
The communication interface 25 (second interface) is
connected to the network 3 and transmits and receives data and
the like, which are processed by the server control unit 21,
10 to and from the tablet terminals 4 through the network 3.
In the meantime, the device management server 2 may have
a local wireless communication interface such as Bluetooth,
Wireless USB, UWB, Zigbee and the like, in addition to the
above-described interfaces. In this case, the barcode scanner
15 10, the printer 15, the card reader 16 and the cash drawer 17
may be configured to perform wireless communication with the
device management server 2 or may be connected to the device
management server by cable.
[0028] In the meantime, the tablet terminal 4 has a
20 terminal control unit 30 that controls respective units of the
tablet terminal 4 and a touch panel 42. Also, the tablet
terminal 4 has a communication interface 43 that is connected
to the network 3 and transmits and receives a variety of data
to and from the device management server 2 through the network
25 3. Although all the tablet terminals 4 performing the
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processing together with the device management server 2 have
the respective functional blocks, the functional blocks are
shown for one tablet terminal 4 in FIG. 2.
The terminal control unit 40 detects an operation of an
5 operator on the touch panel 42 to thus execute a variety of
processing and displays an execution result and the like on
the touch panel 42. The terminal control unit 40 operates as a
POS terminal by a function of a browser execution unit 41, in
response to the operation on the touch panel 42.
10 The browser execution unit 41 executes a protocol such
as HTTP and requests a webpage for POS operation from the
device management server 2. When data of the webpage is
transmitted from the device management server 2 in response to
the request, the browser execution unit downloads and executes
15 the webpage. The browser execution unit 41 displays a screen
for a POS terminal on the touch panel 42, based on the webpage
data. Also, when a script operating a POS application program
is included in the webpage, the browser execution unit 41
executes the script. Thereby, the browser execution unit 41
20 transmits the data, which is input by the operation on the
touch panel 41, to the device management server 2 and displays
the data transmitted from the device management server 2 on
the touch panel 42.
[0029] The device management server 2 configures databases
25 by functions of the server control unit 21 and a server
15
storage unit 22. That is, the device management server 2
configures a database that stores therein information about
commodities, a database that manages the sales, a database
that manages the stock, and the like, and manages the overall
5 control system 1 by using the databases.
The server control unit 21 (control unit) controls the
respective units of the device management server 2 and has a
CPU, a ROM, a RAM and a variety of peripheral circuits. Also,
the server storage unit 22 has a magnetic recording medium or
10 non-volatile storage apparatus using a semiconductor memory
device and stores therein various data so that the data can be
re-written.
[0030] The server storage unit 22 (storage unit) stores
therein a variety of application programs 22a that are
15 executed by the server control unit 21 and paring data 22b.
The application programs 22a include various application
programs such as a web application program, a distribution
application program, a pairing application program and the
like that are executed by the server control unit 21.
20 [0031] Also, the pairing data 22b is information that
associates each of the barcode scanners 10 and each of the
tablet terminals 4. In this illustrative embodiment, each
barcode scanner 10 is allotted as an input device
corresponding to any one tablet terminal 4. Therefore, when a
25 barcode attached to the commodity is read by the barcode
! 16
scanner 10 connected to the device management server 2, a
commodity code of the read barcode is processed as input data
4>,> to the corresponding tablet terminal 4. That is, each barcode
scanner 10 functions as a barcode scanner for the tablet
5 terminal 4.
[0032] FIG. 3 pictorially shows a configuration example of
the paring data 22b.
In the example shown in FIG. 3, barcode scanner
information (device identification information) that is
1 10 information specifying the barcode scanner 10 and tablet
terminal information (terminal information) that is
i information specifying the tablet terminal 4 are stored with
•i'1 being associated. The barcode scanner information includes
data indicating the USB ports to which the respective barcode
15 scanners 10 are connected. Also, the tablet terminal
j information may include a port (TCP/IP port number) through
which the tablet terminal 4 accesses the device management
server 2 and an IP address of the tablet terminal 4. This
example is an example where the device management server 2 and
20 the tablet terminal 4 perform communication based on the
| TCP/IP, and the tablet terminal information may be any
information insomuch as it can specify each of the tablet
:ii terminals 4 connected in communication with the device
management server 2. Also, the barcode scanner information may
25 include data indicating a device name of the barcode scanner
! 17
10, a sequence connected to the device management server 2 and
the like, in addition to the data indicating the USB ports.
[0033] Turning to Fig. 2, the server control unit 21
functions as a web application execution unit 21a, a
5 distribution application execution unit 21b, a pairing
application execution unit 21c, a communication control unit
21d, a serial driver execution unit 21e and a USB driver
execution unit 21f. The server control unit 21 executes
predetermined programs, so that functions of the respective
10 units are implemented.
| The web application execution unit 21a reads and
executes a web application program that is stored as the
application program 22a in the server storage unit 22, and
executes a variety of processing as the POS system, as
15 described below. Here, the web application execution unit 21a
functions as a POS application execution unit.
[0034] Specifically, the web application execution unit
21a generates data of a webpage, which includes a script
executing a web application, and transmits the same to the
20 tablet terminal 4 through the communication interface 25 by
| the function of the communication control unit 21d that will
be described later. When the webpage is executed by the tablet
terminal 4 and the tablet terminal 4 requests execution of a
web application program, the web application execution unit
25 21a executes processing relating to the commodity sale in
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response to the request. For example, the web application
execution unit 21a reads out data, which indicates a commodity
name and a unit price, from the commodity database (not shown)
stored in the server storage unit 22, based on the commodity
5 code transmitted by the tablet terminal 4, and transmits the
same to the tablet terminal 4. Also, when the tablet terminal
4 transmits data including a commodity code and a quantity of
the commodity to be sold, the web application execution unit
21a calculates a total amount, based on the data, and
10 transmits data of the total amount to the tablet terminal 4.
Also, when the tablet terminal 4 transmits data of a received
amount of money, the web application execution unit 21a
calculates an amount of change money. Then, the web
application execution unit 21a transmits data of the amount of
15 change money to the tablet terminal 4 and enables the printer
15 to print a receipt including the name and quantity of the
sold commodity, the total amount, the amount of change money,
the store name and the like. Also, the web application
execution unit 21a registers the name and quantity of the sold
20 commodity, the total amount and the like with the sale
| managing database.
The web application execution unit 21a executes the
above processing for each of the tablet terminals 4 connected
through the network 3. The web application execution unit 21a
25 can distinguish the respective tablet terminals 4 and
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individually executes the processing relating to the commodity
sale, which is being executed based on the data transmitted
and received to and from the tablet terminals 4, for each of
the tablet terminals 4.
5 [0035] Also, when the data is input from the barcode
scanner 10 while the web application execution unit 21a
transmits and receives the data to and from the tablet
terminal 4, the web application execution unit 21a processes
the input data. Specifically, when the barcode scanner 10
10 reads the barcode attached on a package of the commodity and
the read data is thus input through the USB interface 23, the
| web application execution unit 21a identifies the input
barcode. When the web application execution unit 21a
identifies that the input barcode is the commodity code, the
15 web application execution unit 21a transmits the commodity
code to the tablet terminal 4 together with the commodity name
and the unit price, which are read out from the commodity
database (not shown) based on the commodity code.
During the execution of the webpage transmitted by the
20 device management server 2, a browser execution unit 41 of the
tablet terminal 4 displays the commodity code, the commodity
name, the unit price and the like transmitted from the device
management server 2 on the touch panel 42. When . a sales
quantity is input by the operation on the touch panel 42, the
25 browser execution unit 41 transmits the input sales quantity
20
to the device management server 2 together with the commodity
code or commodity name. When the data of the total amount is
transmitted from the device management server 2, the browser
execution unit 41 displays the total amount on the touch panel
5 42, based on the data. Also, when a received amount of money
from a customer is input by the operation on the touch panel
42, the browser execution unit 41 transmits data of the input
received amount of money to the device management server 2.
After that, the browser execution unit 41 displays the amount
10 of change money, based on the data transmitted from the device
management server 2.
In the meantime, the data of the commodity name, the
commodity code, the total amount, the amount of change money
and the like, which is transmitted to the tablet terminal 4 by
15 the web application execution unit 21a, may be transmitted
with a data format for embedding, which is displayed with
being embedded in the webpage being displayed by the browser
execution unit 41. Also, the data may be transmitted as data
of a webpage for screen display including the data.
20 [0036] The pairing application execution unit 21c
(identification information transmission unit) executes a
paring application program that is stored as the application
program 22a in the server storage unit 22, and performs
pairing processing. In the pairing processing, the pairing
25 application execution unit 21c determines an association of
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the barcode scanner 10 connected through the cradle 28 and the
tablet terminal 4. Also, the pairing application execution
unit 21c generates and stores pairing data 22b in the server
storage unit 22 in accordance with the determined association.
5 The distribution application execution unit 21b executes
a distribution application program that is stored as the
application program 22a in the server storage unit 22. The
distribution application execution unit 21b performs read data
distribution processing of specifying and distributing the
10 tablet terminal 4 corresponding to the data input from the
barcode scanner 10 through the USB interface 23, as regards
the corresponding data.
[0037] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate the operations of the
| control system 1, in which FIG. 4A shows the paring processing
15 and FIG. 4B shows the read data distribution processing.
In the pairing processing, the pairing application
execution unit 21c selects any one tablet terminal 4 and
allots identification information to the selected tablet
terminal 4. The identification information is information that
20 is generated based on a random number or port number (for
example, TCP/IP port number) through which the tablet terminal
4 accesses the device management server 2. The identification
information may identify at least the tablet terminals 4 that
can be connected to the device management server 2 at the same
25 time. However, the identification information becomes
22
different information whenever the pairing application
execution unit 21c issues the identification information. Also,
the same identification information is never issued for the
plurality of tablet terminals 4.
. 5 The pairing application execution unit 21c allots the
identification information to each of the tablet terminals 4
and transmits data Dl relating to the respective
identification information to the tablet terminals 4. FIG. 4A
shows an example where the identification information A221' of
10 three digits is transmitted as the data Dl. In the meantime,
\ the data Dl may be the identification information, barcode
data expressing each of the identification information as a
barcode or data of a barcode font. Here, the pairing
application execution unit 21c may transmit the data Dl to all
15 the tablet terminals 4 or allot an identification number to a
part of the tablet terminals 4 and transmit the data Dl.
[0038] When the tablet terminal 4 receives the data Dl, it
displays a barcode 45 of the received data Dl on the touch
panel 42. The barcode 45 is a barcode having a format that can
20 be read by the barcode scanner 10.
Here, the operator reads the barcode 45 by the barcode
scanner 10 associated with the tablet terminal 4 that is
displaying the barcode 45. Then, the barcode scanner 10
outputs the read data obtained by reading the barcode 45 to
25 the device management server 2. In the example of FIG. 4A, the
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read data is input to the device management server 2, as data
D2 of the barcode scanner 10.
[0039] When the data D2 is input from the barcode scanner
10, the pairing application execution unit 21c specifies a USB
5 port to which the data D2 is input. Also, the pairing
application execution unit 21c compares the data D2 with the
data Dl and determines whether they coincide with each other.
When the pairing application execution unit 21c transmits the
data Dl to the plurality of tablet terminals 4 at the same
10 time, the pairing application execution unit 21c can compare
the plurality of the data Dl with the data D2 to thus specify
which data Dl the data D2 corresponds to. The pairing
application execution unit 21c associates the tablet terminal
information of the tablet terminal 4 of a transmission
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15 destination to which the data Dl is transmitted and the USB
port to which the data D2 is input and registers the same with
the pairing data 22b.
[0040] Also, in the read data distribution processing, the
distribution application execution unit 21b acquires the read
20 data, which is input from the plurality of barcode scanners 10
connected to the cradle 28, and specifies the USB port to
| which the read data is input.
| In an example of FIG. 4B, the barcode scanner 10 reads a
barcode 51 printed or adhered on a commodity 5, and the read
25 data is output to the device management server 2, as data D3.
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The distribution application execution unit 21b compares a USB
port to which the data D3 is input with the barcode scanner
information stored in the pairing data 22b. Here, when there
is the matched barcode scanner information, the distribution
5 application execution unit 21b acquires the matched barcode
scanner information, i.e., the tablet terminal information
that is stored in the paring data 22b in association with the
USB port. The distribution application execution unit 21b
outputs the read data included in the data D3 to the web
10 application execution unit 21a together with the tablet
terminal information acquired from the server storage unit 22.
Thereby, when any one of the barcode scanners 10 reads the
commodity barcode 51, the data of the read commodity barcode
51 is input to the web application execution unit 21a, as the
15 input data of the corresponding tablet terminal 4.
The web application execution unit 21a refers to a
commodity information database (not shown), based on the input
commodity barcode 51, and transmits data D4 including the
commodity information (commodity name, unit price and the
20 like) corresponding to the commodity barcode 51 to the tablet
terminal 4.
I Also, the web application execution unit 21a functions
j as a transmission control unit and may transmit the read data
itself, which is acquired from the data D3 by the distribution
i 25 application execution unit 21b, to the tablet terminal 4, as
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the data D4.
[0041] Turning to Fig. 2, the communication control unit
2Id controls the communication interface 25. The communication
control unit 21d receives the variety of the data transmitted
5 from the tablet terminal 4 and outputs the same to the web
application execution unit 21a. Also, the communication
control unit 21d transmits the data that is output by the web
application execution unit 21a to the tablet terminal 4.
The serial driver execution unit 21e functions as a
10 device driver that controls the cash drawer 17 connected
through the serial interface 24. The web application execution
unit 21a transmits the data of the amount of change money to
the tablet terminal 4 and outputs data instructing the cash
drawer 17 to be opened. The serial driver execution unit 21e
15 outputs a control signal to the cash drawer 17 in response to
the data.
Also, the USB driver execution unit 21f functions as a
device driver that controls a device connected through the USB
interface 23.
20 The USB driver execution unit 21f allots logical USB
! ports of the device management server 2 to the respective
barcode scanners 10 connected to the cradle 28. That is,
whenever the barcode scanner 10 is connected to the cradle 28,
the USB driver execution unit 21f allots a USB port (logical
25 port) to the connected barcode scanner 10. The USB port that
j 26
»
is allotted here is different from the USB port of the USB
interface 23 to which the cradle 28 is connected. The USB
driver execution unit 21f recognizes the respective barcode
scanners 10 by the connected USB ports. When any one barcode
5 scanner 10 outputs the read data to the cradle 28, the USB !
driver execution unit 21f recognizes the USB port to which the
read data is input. Then, the USB driver execution unit 21f
outputs the data indicating the recognized USB port and the
input read data to the web application execution unit 21a, the
10 distribution application execution unit 21b or pairing
application execution unit 21c. Also, the USB driver execution
unit 21f converts the data, which is output by the web
application execution unit 21a, the pairing application
execution unit 21c and the like, into packets based on the USB
15 protocol and outputs the packets to the printer 15, the card
reader 16 or the cradle 28.
[0042] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing operations of the
control system 1. In Fig. 5, (A) shows operations of the
tablet terminal 4, (B) shows operations of the device
20 management server 2 and (C) shows operations of the barcode
scanner 10.
First, the browser execution unit 41 of the tablet
terminal 4 starts an operation to thus activate the browser
and displays a browser start screen on the touch panel 42
25 (step Sll) . The browser execution unit 41 controls the
27
communication interface 42 to thus start data communication
-
with the device management server 2 (step S12). The web
\ application execution unit 21a of the device management server
2 starts the communication in response to a request from the
5 tablet terminal 4 (step S21) and specifies a connection port
of the tablet terminal 4 (step S22).
Here, the pairing application execution unit 21c starts
the pairing processing. The pairing application execution unit
21c generates identification information for the tablet
10 terminal 4 having started the communication (step S23) and
transmits data of the generated identification information to
the tablet terminal 4 (step S24) . The data of the
identification information that is transmitted by the pairing
application execution unit 21c is a character code of a
15 barcode font expressing the data of the identification
information and the identification information with a barcode
or image data of a barcode of the identification information.
The browser execution unit 41 displays the barcode on
the touch panel 42, based on the data of the identification
20 information transmitted from the device management server 2
(step, S13) .
[0043] When an operator confirms that the barcode is
displayed on the touch panel 42, the operator reads the
barcode displayed on the touch panel 42 by the barcode scanner
25 10 that is used in association with the tablet terminal 4.
\ 28
» I
When the barcode scanner 10 reads the barcode (step S41), the
barcode scanner 10 outputs the read data to the device
management server 2 through the cradle 28 (step S42).
[0044] The pairing application execution unit 21c
5 specifies the USB port to which the read data is input and
compares the read data input from the barcode scanner 10 with
the identification information generated in step S23 (step
S25). Here, when the identification information does not
coincide with contents of the read data (step S25: No), the
10 pairing application execution unit 21c outputs an error (step
S26) and ends this processing. In step S26, the error may be
notified to the tablet terminal 4. Also, the pairing
application execution unit 21c may destroy the acquired read
data and return to step S24 without outputting the error.
15 On the other hand, when the identification information
coincides with contents of the read data (step S25: Yes), the
pairing application execution unit 21c generates the barcode
i
scanner information from the USB port to which the read data
is input, generates the tablet terminal information of the
I 20 tablet terminal 4 of the transmission destination from which
the identification information has been transmitted in step
S23 and generates the pairing data 22b (step S27). After that,
the pairing application execution unit 21c notifies the tablet
terminal 4 that the pairing processing is completed (step S28).
25 When the browser execution unit 41 receives the notification
29
<
transmitted from the device management server 2, it stops
(erases) the display of the barcode on the touch panel 42
(step S14) . Thereby, the pairing processing is completed.
[0045] After that, when the barcode scanner 10 reads the
5 barcode of the commodity (step S43) and outputs the read data
thereof to the device management server 2 (step S44), the
distribution application execution unit 21b of the device
management server 2 specifies the USB port to which the read
data is input and refers to the pairing data 22b based on the
10 specified USB port to thus specify the tablet terminal 4
corresponding to the read data (step S29) . The distribution
application execution unit 21b transmits the commodity
information corresponding to the read data to the specified
tablet terminal 4 (step S30), outputs the commodity
15 information corresponding to the read data to the web
application execution unit 21a as the input data corresponding
to the specified terminal and processes the same by the POS
application (step S31).
Also, when the commodity information corresponding to
20 the read data of the barcode is transmitted from the device
management server 2, the tablet terminal 4 receives the data
I and processes the same (step S15).
i
! [0046] As described above, the control system 1 of the
' illustrative embodiment to which the disclosure is applied has
; 25 the device management server 2. The device management server 2
| '30
I
, i
has the USB interface 23 that is connected to the barcode
scanner 10 reading the data, the communication interface 25
that is connected to the tablet terminal 4, the identification
information transmission unit that transmits the
5 identification information to the tablet terminal 4 and the
server control unit 21 that, when the read data read by the
barcode scanner 10 is input to the first interface, determines
the association of the barcode scanner 10 and the tablet
terminal 4, based on the read data and the identification
10 information transmitted to the tablet terminal 4. Thereby, it
is possible to easily determine the association of the barcode
scanner 10 and the tablet terminal 4 by the device management
server 2. Also, it is not necessary to provide the barcode
scanner 10 with the function of identifying or selecting the
15 tablet terminals 4, so that it is possible to use the simple
barcode scanner 10 having fewer functions.
Also, when the configuration is adopted in which the
device management server 2 is connected to the plurality of
the tablet terminals 4 and the plurality of the barcode
20 scanners 10, it is possible to determine the association of
each tablet terminal 4 and barcode scanner 10, based on the
correspondences of the identification information transmitted
to the plurality of the tablet terminals 4 and the read data
read by the plurality of the barcode scanners 10. Thereby, it
\ 25 is possible to easily establish the system where the read data
|
31
* » 4 '
•
of the barcode scanners is processed in the tablet terminals 4.
[0047] Also, the USB interface 23 has a first connection
port and a second connection port. When the read data, which
is read by the barcode scanner 10 connected to the first
5 connection port, is input, the server control unit 21
determines the association of the first connection port to
which the read data is input and the tablet terminal 4. Hence,
it is possible to associate the connection port to which the
barcode scanner 10 is connected and the tablet terminal 4 each
10 other, thereby specifying the barcode scanner 10 to thus
associate the same with the tablet terminal 4 without
providing a special function or configuration to the barcode
scanner 10. Hence, like the control system 1 of this
illustrative embodiment, it is possible to easily implement a
15 system that reads barcodes of commodities to be sold by the
plurality of the barcode scanners 10 and performs the
processing relating to the commodity sale by the plurality of
the tablet terminals 4.
I [0048] Also, the device management server 2 has the server
20 storage unit 22 that stores therein the association of the
first connection port determined by the server control unit 21
and the tablet terminal 4, and stores the association of the
connection port of the barcode scanner 10 and the tablet
| terminal 4, so that whenever the read data is input from the
; 25 barcode scanner 10, the device management server 2 can easily
1
| 32
t ,
t \ I
I
specify the tablet terminal 4 corresponding to the barcode
scanner 10.
Also, when the transaction information read by the
barcode scanner 10 is input to the USB interface 23, the web
5 application execution unit 21a, which executes the POS
application program processing the transaction information
| read by the barcode scanner 10, executes the processing with
i
I associating the transaction information with the tablet
terminal 4 in accordance with the association determined in
10 the server control unit 21. Hence, it is possible to
effectively perform the account processing as the POS system
by using the data read with the barcode scanner 10.
[0049] Also, the web application execution unit 21a
j processes the barcode information, which is input from the
| 15 barcode scanner 10, as the data of the commodity that is sold
j with the tablet terminal 4 corresponding to the barcode
I scanner 10, and transmits a result of the processing to the
| tablet terminal 4. Hence, it is possible to execute the
| processing relating to the commodity sale in the tablet
j 20 terminal 4, based on the result of the processing.
[0050] Also, when the read data, which is obtained by
reading the barcode relating to the commodity sale, is input
from the barcode scanner 10, the server control unit 21 may
enable the web application execution unit 21a to process the
25 read data as the data of the barcode, which is processed as
33
sold in the tablet terminal 4, in accordance with the
association determined by the. pairing application execution
unit 21c. Also, it is possible to easily implement a system
that reads the barcodes of the commodities to be sold by the
5 plurality of the barcode scanners 10 and performs the
processing relating to the commodity sale by the plurality of
the tablet terminals 4.
[0051] Also, the web application execution unit 21a
transmits a result of the processing, in which the read data
10 input from the barcode scanner 10 is processed as the data of
the barcode processed as sold in the tablet terminal 4, to the
tablet terminal 4, and the tablet terminal 4 displays the
processing result on the touch panel 42 by the function of the
browser execution unit 41. Hence, it is possible to easily
15 implement a system that reads the barcodes of the commodities
to be sold by the plurality of the barcode scanners 10 and
performs the processing relating to the commodity sale by the
POS application of the device management server 2. Also,
whenever the read data is input from the barcode scanner 10,
20 the web application execution unit 21a transmits the read data
to the corresponding tablet terminal 4 in accordance with the
association determined by the pairing application execution
unit 21c. Therefore, it is possible to easily implement a
system that reads the barcodes of the commodities to be sold
25 by the plurality of the barcode scanners 10 and performs the
34
processing relating to the commodity sale by the plurality of
the tablet terminals 4.
[0052] Also, in the control system 1, the tablet terminal
4 downloads the webpage from the device management server 2
5 and the browser execution unit 41 displays an operation screen
and the like of the POS terminal, as the browser screen. Also,
the browser execution unit 41 executes the script of the
downloaded webpage to thus function as the POS system by using
the functions of the web application execution unit 21a. Thus,
10 it is not necessary to mount the so-called POS application in
the tablet terminal 4. By this configuration, it is possible
to maintain the identity of the application that is executed
by each tablet terminal 4. Also, when updating a version of
the application, for example, it is not necessary to perform
15 the version-up operation for each tablet terminal 4, so that
the maintenance is improved. Also, since it is not necessary
to mount a special function in the tablet terminal 4 and to
connect a special external device to the tablet terminal 4, it
is possible to use the tablet terminal 4 of a universal
20 product in which at least the browser is installed.
In the above configuration, since it is possible to
input the commodity code as the transaction information of the
tablet terminal 4 by using the barcode scanner 10 connected to
the device management server 2, it is possible to use the
25 tablet terminal 4 as the POS terminal without connecting the
35
i
!
4 '
barcode scanner 10 to the tablet terminal 4. Also, in this
illustrative embodiment, since a receipt is printed by the
printer 15 connected to the device management server 2, it is
in possible to issue a receipt without connecting the printer 5
5 to each tablet terminal 4. The same effects are also obtained
as regards the using the card reader 16 and cash drawer 17
connected to the device management server 2.
[0053] Second Illustrative Embodiment
In the below, the control system 1 according to a second
10 illustrative embodiment to which the disclosure is applied is
described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8. Meanwhile, in the
second illustrative embodiment, the same parts as those of the
first illustrative embodiment are denoted with the same
ii. reference numerals and the illustration and descriptions
15 thereof are omitted.
[0054] In the second illustrative embodiment, each of the
barcode scanners 10 has an inherent header (additional data)
embedded therein. The header is a code having a predetermined
length that is non-volatilely stored in the ROM (not shown) of
20 the barcode scanner 10. As described above, when the barcode
scanner 10 reads the data of the barcode and outputs the read
data to the cradle 28, it adds the embedded header to a head
of the read data and then outputs the same. That is, the
barcode scanners 10 add the headers, which are embedded in the
25 respective barcode scanners 10, to the read data and then
36
output the same. Also, the cradle 28 outputs the read data,
which is input from the barcode scanner 10, to the USB
interface 23 together with the header added by the barcode
scanner 10.
5 The device management server 2 can specify the barcode
scanner 10 having output the read data by the header added to
the read data of the barcode scanner 10, which is input
through the USB interface 23.
[0055] FIG. 6 pictorially shows a configuration example of
10 paring data 22b' in the second illustrative embodiment.
The server storage unit 22 (storage unit) stores therein
pairing data 22b' together with the various application
programs 22a that are executed by the server control unit 21.
The pairing data 22b' is stored in the server storage
15 unit 22 instead of the pairing data 22b of the first
illustrative embodiment. The pairing data 22b' is information
that associates the header of each barcode scanner 10
connected to the device management server 2 and the tablet
terminal 4. Each barcode scanner 10 is allotted as an input
20 device corresponding to any one tablet terminal 4. Hence, when
the barcode attached on a package of the commodity is read by
the barcode scanner 10 connected to the device management
server 2, the commodity code of the read barcode is processed
as the input data to the corresponding tablet terminal 4. That
25. is, each barcode scanner 10 functions as a barcode scanner for
37
1 ,
/ > J
'<" t '
• r r ••
the tablet terminal 4. The pairing data 22b' associates the
header, which is embedded in each barcode scanner 10, with the
tablet terminal 4 so as to associate the barcode scanner 10
and the tablet terminal 4.
5 [0056] In the example shown in FIG. 6, the barcode scanner
information as the inherent header, which is the information
specifying the barcode scanner 10, and the tablet terminal
information (terminal information) that is the information
specifying the tablet terminal 4 are stored with being
10 associated each other. In the barcode scanner information, the
inherent header of the barcode scanner 10 is stored, as
described above. Also, as the tablet terminal information, the
port (TCP/IP port number) through which the tablet terminal 4
accesses the device management server 2 and the IP address of
15 the tablet terminal 4 may be exemplified. This example is an
example where the device management server 2 and the tablet
terminal 4 perform communication, based on the TCP/IP.
Regarding the tablet terminal information, any information may
be used insomuch as it can specify each of the tablet
20 terminals 4 connected in communication with the device
management server 2.
[0057] Also, the server control unit 21 executes a
predetermined program to thus function as the web application
execution unit 21a, the distribution application execution
25 unit 21b, the pairing application execution unit 21c, the
38
communication control unit 21d, the serial driver execution
I
unit 21e and the USB driver execution unit 21f. The web
application execution unit 21a reads out and executes the web
application program, which is stored as the application
5 program 22a in the server storage unit 22, and executes a
variety of processing as the POS system, as described below.
Here, the web application execution unit 21a functions as the
POS application execution unit.
The functions and operations of the respective units are
10 the same as those of the first illustrative embodiment, except
for the distribution application execution unit 21b and the
pairing application execution unit 21c.
[0058] The pairing application execution unit 21c
(identification information transmission unit) executes the
15 pairing application program, which is stored as the
application program 22a in the server storage unit 22, thereby
performing the pairing processing. In the pairing processing,
the pairing application execution unit 21c determines the
association of the barcode scanners 10 connected through the
20 cradle 28 and the tablet terminals 4 and generates and stores
the pairing data 22b' in the server storage unit 22 in
accordance with the determined association.
The distribution application execution unit 21b executes
the distribution application program, which is stored as the
25 application program 22a in the server storage unit 22, and
39
> %
I I
performs the read data distribution processing of specifying
and distributing the tablet terminal 4 corresponding to the
data input from the barcode scanner 10 through the USB
interface 23, as regards the corresponding data.
5 [0059] FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate operations of the
control system 1 in the second illustrative embodiment, in
which FIG. 7A shows the pairing processing and FIG. 7B shows
the read data distribution processing.
In the pairing processing, the pairing application
10 execution unit 21c selects any one tablet terminal 4 and
allots identification information to the selected tablet
terminal 4. The identification information is information that
is generated based on a random number or port number (for
example, TCP/IP port number) through which the tablet terminal
15 4 accesses the device management server 2. The identification
information may identify at least the tablet terminals 4 that
can be connected to the device management server 2 at the same
time and may not be the inherent information of the tablet
terminal 4. That is, it is sufficient if the plurality of the
20 tablet terminals 4 is not provided with the same
identification information at the same time.
The pairing application execution unit 21c allots the
identification information to each of the tablet terminals 4
and transmits data Dl relating to the respective
25 identification information to the tablet terminals 4. FIG. 7A
40
shows an example where the identification information ,221' of
three digits is transmitted as the data Dl. In the meantime,
the data Dl may be the identification information, barcode
data expressing each of the identification information as a
5 barcode or data of a barcode font. Here, the pairing
application execution unit 21c may transmit the data Dl to all
the tablet terminals 4 or allot an identification number to
only a part of the tablet terminals 4 and transmit the data Dl.
[0060] When the tablet terminal 4 receives the data Dl, it
10 displays the barcode 45 of the received data Dl on the touch
panel 42. The barcode 45 is a barcode having a format that can
be read by the barcode scanner 10.
Here, the operator reads the barcode 45 by the barcode
scanner 10 associated with the tablet terminal 4 that is
15 displaying the barcode 45. Then, the barcode scanner 10
outputs data D2', which is obtained by adding the inherent
header to the read data obtained by reading the barcode 45, to
the device management server 2. In the example of FIG. 7A, the
data D2' including a header ^AA' of the barcode scanner 10 is
20 input to the device management server 2.
[0061] The pairing application execution unit 21c
separates the data D2', which is input from the barcode
scanner 10, into the header and the read data. For example,
the pairing application execution unit 21c extracts a part
25 matching the data Dl from the data D2', and can extract the
41
I 1
I '
remaining data as the header when there is the matching part.
When the pairing application execution unit 21c transmits the
data Dl to the plurality of the tablet terminals 4 at the same
time, the pairing application execution unit 21c can compare
5 the plurality of the data Dl with the data D2' to thus specify
which data Dl the data D2' corresponds to. The pairing
application execution unit 21c associates the tablet terminal
information of the tablet terminal 4 of a transmission
destination to which the data Dl is transmitted and the header
10 extracted from the data D2' and registers the same with the
pairing data 22b'.
[0062] Also, in the read data distribution processing, the
distribution application execution unit 21b acquires the read
data, which is input from the plurality of barcode scanners 10
15 connected to the cradle 28, and extracts the header added to
the read data.
In an example of FIG. 7B, the barcode scanner 10 reads
the barcode 51 printed or adhered on the commodity 5, and the
header XAA' is added to the read data, which is then output to
20 the device management server 2, as data D3'. The distribution
application execution unit 21b compares a head part of the
data D3' with the existing header stored in the pairing data
22b' . Here, when there is the matched header, the distribution
application execution unit 21b acquires the tablet terminal
25 information that is stored in the paring data 22b' in
42
* < 1
»
1 1
I '
association with the matched header. The distribution
application execution unit 21b removes the header from the
data D3' to thus acquire the read data and outputs the
acquired read data to the web application execution unit 21a
5 as the read data corresponding to the removed header. Thereby,
when any one of the barcode scanners 10 reads the commodity
barcode 51, the data of the read commodity barcode 51 is input
to the web application execution unit 21a, as the input data
of the corresponding tablet terminal 4.
10 The web application execution unit 21a refers to the
commodity information database (not shown), based on the input
commodity barcode 51, and transmits data D4 including the
commodity information (commodity name, unit price and the
like) corresponding to the commodity barcode 51 to the tablet
15 terminal 4.
Also, the web application execution unit 21a functions
as a . transmission control unit and may transmit the read data
itself, which is extracted from the data D3' by the
distribution application execution unit 21b, to the tablet
20 terminal 4, as the data D4. In this configuration, since the
distribution application execution unit 21b removes the header
from the data D4, the read data and the data indicating the
tablet terminal 4 corresponding to the read data are input to
the web application execution unit 21a and the header is not
25 input.. Therefore, the web application execution unit 21a
43
I
A t 1
t 1
doesn't have to execute the processing relating to the header.
[0063]
Also, the USB driver execution unit 21f acquires the
data, which is input from the respective devices through the
5 USB interface 23, and outputs the same to the web application
execution unit 21a, the distribution application execution
unit 21b, the pairing application execution unit 21c and the
like. Also, the USB driver execution unit 21f converts the
data, which is output from the web application execution unit
10 21a, the pairing application execution unit 21c and the like,
into packets based on the USB protocol and outputs the same to
the printer 15, the card reader 16 or the cradle 28.
[0064] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing operations of the
control system 1 in the second illustrative embodiment. In FIG.
15 8, (A) shows operations of the tablet terminal 4, (B) shows
operations of the device management server 2 and (C) shows
operations of the barcode scanner 10.
First, the browser execution unit 41 of the tablet
terminal 4 starts an operation to thus activate the browser
20 and displays a browser start screen on the touch panel 42
(step Sill) . The browser execution unit 41 controls the
communication interface 43 to thereby start data communication
with the device management server 2 (step S112) . The web
application execution unit 21a of the device management server
25 2 starts the communication in response to a request from the
44
1 *
j
tablet terminal 4 (step S121) and specifies a connection port
of the tablet terminal 4 (step S122) .
Here, the pairing application execution unit 21c starts
the pairing processing. The pairing application execution unit
5 21c generates identification information for the tablet
terminal 4 having started the communication (step S123) and
transmits data of the generated identification information to
the tablet terminal 4 (step S124) . The data of the
identification information that is transmitted by the pairing
10 application execution unit 21c is a character code of a
barcode font expressing the data of the identification
information and the identification information with a barcode
or image data of a barcode of the identification information.
The browser execution unit 41 displays the barcode on
15 the touch panel 42, based on the data of the identification
information transmitted from the device management server 2
(step S113).
[0065] When the operator confirms that the barcode is
displayed on the touch panel 42, the operator reads the
20 barcode displayed on the touch panel 42 by the barcode scanner
10 that is used in association with the tablet terminal 4.
When the barcode scanner 10 reads the barcode (step S141), the
barcode scanner 10 adds the inherent header to the read data
and outputs the same to the device management server 2 through
25 the cradle 28 (step S142).
45
» y
[0066] The pairing application execution unit 21c acquires
the identification information and inherent data from the data
input from the barcode scanner 10 and generates the pairing
data 22b' (step S125). After that, the pairing application
5 execution unit 21c notifies the tablet terminal 4 that the
pairing processing is completed (step S126). When the browser
execution unit 41 receives the notification transmitted from
the device management server 2, it stops (erases) the display
of the barcode on the touch panel 42 (step S114). Thereby, the
10 pairing processing is completed.
[0067] After that, when the barcode scanner 10 reads the
barcode of the commodity (step S143), adds the header to the
read data and outputs the same to the device management server
2 (step S144), the distribution application execution unit 21b
15 of the device management server 2 refers to the pairing data
22b', based on the header included in the data input from the
barcode scanner 10, and thus specifies the tablet terminal 4
corresponding to the read data (step S127). The distribution
application execution unit 21b transmits the commodity
20 information corresponding to the read data except for the
header to the specified tablet terminal 4 (step S128), outputs
the commodity information corresponding to the read data to
the web application execution unit 21a as the input data
corresponding to the specified terminal and processes the same
25 by the POS application (step S129).
46
I
Also, when the commodity information corresponding to
the read data of the barcode is transmitted from the device
management server 2, the tablet terminal 4 receives the data
and processes the same (step S115).
5 [0068] As described above, according to the control system
1 of the second illustrative embodiment to which the
disclosure is applied, the device management server 2 has the
communication interface 25 that is connected to the tablet
terminal 4, the USB interface 23 that is connected to the
10 barcode scanner 10 reading the data and outputting the read
data and the header, the pairing application execution unit
21c that transmits the identification information to the
tablet terminal 4 and the server control unit 21 that, when
the read data and header output from the barcode scanner 10 is
15 input to the USB interface 23, compares the information
included in the input read data and the identification
information transmitted to the tablet terminal 4 and thus
determines the association of the barcode scanner 10 having
j
I output the header and the tablet terminal 4 to which the
20 identification information is transmitted. Thereby, it is
possible to easily determine the association of the barcode
! scanner 10 and the tablet terminal 4, based on the association
i
i
! of the identification information transmitted to the tablet
terminal 4 and the read data read by the barcode scanner 10.
25 Also, it is not necessary to provide the barcode scanner 10
47
1
with the function of identifying or selecting the tablet
terminals 4, so that it is possible to use the simple barcode i
scanner 10 having fewer functions. Also, it is possible to
7- easily establish a system where the read data read by the
5 barcode scanners is processed in the tablet terminals 4.
[0069] Also, the device management server 2 stores, in the
server storage unit 22, the pairing data 22b' including the
inherent header of the barcode scanner 10 and the terminal
information identifying the tablet terminal 4 to which the
10 identification information is transmitted, in accordance with
the association determined in the server control unit 21.
Thereby, whenever the read data is input from the barcode
scanner 10, it is possible to easily specify the tablet
:,- terminal 4 corresponding to the barcode scanner 10. Also, the
15 device management server 2 can easily distinguish the read
data, which is input from the barcode scanner 10, and process
the same in association with the corresponding tablet terminal
[0070] In the meantime, the respective illustrative
20 embodiments just show aspects of the disclosure and can be
arbitrarily modified and applied within the scope of the
disclosure.
I For example, in the respective illustrative embodiments,
| , the case has been described in which the plurality of the
25. tablet terminals 4 functions as the POS terminals by using the
48
• • •
t • t
external devices such as the barcode scanners 10, the printer
15, the card reader 16 and cash drawer 17 connected to the
device management server 2. However, the disclosure is not
limited thereto. For example, the devices may be dispersed and
5 connected to a plurality of the device management servers 2
and the plurality of the tablet terminals 4 may be connected
to the plurality of device management servers 2 at any time.
Also, in the respective illustrative embodiments, the
case has been described in which the plurality of the barcode
10 scanners 10 has been exemplified as the device reading the
data. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. For I
example, the disclosure can be also applied to the card reader
16 or other devices such as MICR reader magnetically reading
MICR characters formed on a check and the like by printing and
15 the like.
Also, in the respective illustrative embodiments, the
case has been described in which when the tablet terminal 4
executes the function as the POS terminal, it accesses the
device management server 2 and downloads the webpage. However,
20 the tablet terminal 4 may store the webpage in advance and
read and execute the stored webpage in response to a user's
i
operation. Also, in the respective illustrative embodiments,
I the case has been described in which the control system 1 of
i
I
! the disclosure is applied to the POS system. However, the
I 25 disclosure is not limited to the POS system. Also, for example,
i
49
the functional blocks shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 can be
arbitrarily implemented by cooperation of hardware and
software and do not suggest a specific hardware configuration.
Also, the respective devices may be enabled to execute the
5 various operations including the operations of the flowcharts
of FIGS. 5 and 8 by executing programs stored in an externally
connected storage medium.
[0071] According to the disclosure, the data processing
apparatus to which the data reading device and the terminal
10 apparatus are connected transmits the identification
information to the terminal apparatus and can easily determine
the association of the device and the terminal apparatus,
based on the correspondence of the identification information
and the read data read by the device. Therefore, it is
15 possible to manage the association of the device and the
terminal apparatus by a method in which a special device
having a function of identifying or selecting the terminal
apparatus is not required. Also, for example, it is possible
to easily establish a system in which the data read by the
20 device is processed in the terminal apparatus.
[0072] By associating the connection port to which the
device is connected and the terminal apparatus, it is possible
i to specify the device and to associate the same with the
terminal apparatus without providing the device with a special
25 function or configuration. Thereby, for example, it is
50
possible to easily implement a system that reads barcodes of
commodities to be sold by a plurality of devices and performs
processing relating to the commodity sale by a plurality of
terminal apparatuses.
5 [0073] By storing the association of the connection port
of the device and the terminal apparatus, whenever the read
data is input from the device, the data processing apparatus
can easily specify the terminal apparatus corresponding to the
device.
10 [0074] Since the read data input from the device is
processed by the POS application program as the transaction
information of the terminal apparatus associated with the
device, it is possible to effectively perform account
processing as a POS system by using the data read by the
15 device.
[0075] It is possible to process the barcode information
input from the device by the POS application as data of a
commodity to be sold with the terminal apparatus associated
with the corresponding device.
20 [0076] Since a result of the processing in which the
barcode information input from the device is processed as data
of a commodity to be sold with the terminal apparatus
associated with the corresponding device is transmitted to the
terminal apparatus, it is possible to execute the processing
25 relating to the commodity sale in the terminal apparatus,
| 51
4
I ft
t I
based on the processing result.
[0077] That is, the data processing apparatus of the
disclosure has the first interface that is connected to the
device reading the data and outputting the read data and
5 additional data, the second interface that is connected to the
terminal apparatus, the identification information
transmission unit that transmits the identification
information to the terminal apparatus and the control unit
that, when the read data and additional data output from the
10 device are input to the first interface, compares the
information included in the input read data with the
identification information transmitted to the terminal
apparatus and determines the association of the device having
output the additional data and the terminal apparatus to which
15 the identification information is transmitted.
According to the data processing apparatus of the
disclosure, the data processing apparatus that is connected to
the device reading the data and outputting the read data and
the terminal apparatus transmits the identification
20 information to the terminal apparatus. Based on the
correspondence of the identification information and the read
data read by the device, the data processing apparatus can
easily determine the association of the device having output
the additional data and the terminal apparatus. Also, it is
25 not necessary to provide the device with a function of
| 52
•
identifying or selecting a plurality of terminal apparatuses,
so that it is possible to use a simple device having fewer
functions. Thereby, for example, it is possible to easily
establish a system in which data read by the plurality of
5 devices is processed in the plurality of terminal apparatuses.
[0078] The data processing apparatus of the disclosure may
include a storage unit that associates and stores therein the
additional data of the device and terminal information
identifying the terminal apparatus to which the identification
10 information is transmitted in accordance with the association
determined by the control unit.
Since the inherent additional data, which is output
together with the read data by the device, and the terminal
information identifying the terminal apparatus are associated
15 and stored, whenever the read data is input from the device,
the data processing apparatus can easily specify the terminal
apparatus corresponding to the device. Thereby, the data
processing apparatus can easily distinguish the read data
input- from the device and associate and process the same with
20 the corresponding the terminal apparatus.
[0079] Also, the data processing apparatus of the
disclosure includes the POS application execution unit that
executes the POS application program processing the
transaction information. The device reads and outputs the
25 transaction information, and when the transaction information
1 53
* 1 1 '
I
1 ft
output from the device is input to the first interface, the
POS application execution unit may process the transaction
information as information corresponding to the terminal
apparatus in accordance with the association determined by the
5 control unit.
Since the read data input from the device is processed
by the POS application as the transaction information of the
terminal apparatus corresponding to the device, it is possible
to effectively perform the account processing as a POS system
10 by using the device.
[0080] Also, in the data processing apparatus of the
disclosure, the device is a barcode scanner that reads a
barcode and outputs read data of the barcode, the transaction
information is barcode information relating to the commodity
15 sale . read by the barcode scanner, and when the barcode
information output from the barcode scanner is input, the POS
application execution unit may process the barcode information
as data of the barcode processed in the terminal apparatus in
accordance with the association determined by the control unit.
20 It is possible to process the read data of the barcode,
which is input from the device, by the POS application, as the
; data of the barcode of the commodity to be sold with the
I terminal apparatus corresponding to the device.
I
j [0081] Also, in the data processing apparatus of the
! 25 disclosure, the POS application execution unit may transmit a
54
< •• result of the processing in which the data of the barcode
processed in the terminal apparatus is processed to the
terminal apparatus.
Since the processing result of processing the read data
5 of the barcode input from the barcode is transmitted to the
terminal apparatus corresponding to the device, the terminal
apparatus can execute the processing relating to the commodity
sale. Thereby, it is possible to easily implement a system
that reads a barcode relating to sale by the device and
10 performs the processing relating to the commodity sale by the
POS application of the data processing apparatus.
[0082] According to the disclosure, in the POS system
where the data reading device and the terminal apparatus are
connected to the data processing apparatus, the data
15 processing apparatus transmits the identification information
to the terminal apparatus. Based on the correspondence of the
identification information and the read data read by the
device, the data processing apparatus can easily determine the
association of the device and the terminal apparatus. Hence,
20 it is possible to manage the association of the device and the
terminal apparatus by a method in which a special device
having a function of identifying or selecting the terminal
apparatus is not required. Also, it is possible to easily
! establish a system in which the data read by the device is
I 25 processed in the terminal apparatus.
i
I 55
i
i
i
[0083] According to the disclosure, the data processing
apparatus transmits the identification information to the
terminal apparatus and can determine the association of the
device and the terminal apparatus more easily, based on the
5 correspondence of the terminal information transmitted based
on the identification information and the read data read by
the device.
[0084] According to the disclosure, the read data that is
obtained as the device reads the barcode is processed by the
10 POS application program as the transaction information of the
terminal apparatus associated with the device. Thus, it is
possible to effectively perform the account processing as the
POS system by using the read data read by the device.
[0085] Also, in the POS system of the disclosure, the
15 device may add additional data to the read data and then
transmit the same, the data processing apparatus may include
an execution unit that executes a POS application processing
the transaction information, and when the read data and the
additional data are received at the first interface, the
20 control unit of the data processing apparatus may compare the
information included in the read data and the identification
information transmitted to the terminal apparatus to thus
determine the association of the device and the terminal
apparatus to which the identification information is
25 transmitted.
! 56
7.
According to the disclosure, the data processing
apparatus transmits the identification information to the
terminal apparatus and can easily determine the association of
the device having output the additional data and the terminal
5 apparatus, based on the correspondence of the identification
information and the read data read by the device. Also, it is
,: not necessary to provide the device with a function of
identifying or selecting a plurality of terminal apparatuses,
so that it is possible to use a simple device having fewer
10 functions. Thereby, for example, it is possible to easily
establish a system in which data obtained by the plurality of
devices is processed in the plurality of terminal apparatuses.
[0086] According to the disclosure, in the POS system, the
data processing apparatus transmits the identification
15 information to the terminal apparatus. The identification
information is received and displayed by the terminal
apparatus. Based on the identification information included in
the read data that is output as the device reads the displayed
identification information, it is possible to easily determine
20 the association of the terminal apparatus and the device by
the data processing apparatus. Therefore, it is possible to
manage the association of the device and the terminal i
apparatus by a method in which a special device having a
function of identifying or selecting the terminal apparatus is
25 not required. Also, it is possible to easily establish a
57 I
I
system in which the data read by the device is processed in
the terminal apparatus.
[0087] According to the disclosure, in the POS system, the
5 identification information transmitted from the data
processing apparatus to the terminal apparatus is displayed
and read by the device, and the read data and the additional
data are output from the device. Thereby, the data processing
apparatus can easily determine the association of the device
10 having output the additional data and the terminal apparatus,
based on the correspondence of the read data, the
identification information and the additional data. Also, it
is not necessary to provide the device with a function of
identifying or selecting a plurality of terminal apparatuses,
15 so that it is possible to use a simple device having fewer
functions. Thereby, for example, it is possible to easily
establish a system in which data read by the plurality of
devices is processed in the plurality of terminal apparatuses.
[0088] According to the disclosure, it is possible to
20 implement a system, which processes data read by a device, by
| a simple configuration.
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58
i I

, r
WE CLAIM:
"* 1. A data processing apparatus comprising:
a first interface to which a device which reads data is
connected;
5 a second interface to which a terminal apparatus is
connected;
an identification information transmission unit
configured to transmit identification information to the
terminal apparatus; and
10 a control unit configured to determine an association of
the device and the terminal apparatus based on a
correspondence of the read data and the identification
information transmitted to the terminal apparatus when the data
read by the device is input to the first interface.
!
15
2. The data processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the first interface includes a first connection port
and a second connection port,
the first device is connected to the first connection
20 port, and
wherein when the data read by the device is input to the
j - first connection port, the control unit is configured to
determine an association of the first connection port and the
terminal apparatus.
| 25
| 59
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t • *
3. The data processing apparatus according to claim 2
further comprising:
a storage unit configured to store therein the
association of the first connection port and the terminal
5 apparatus, which is determined by the control unit.
4. The data processing apparatus according to claim 1
further comprising:
a POS application execution unit configured to execute a
10 POS application program processing transaction information
read by the device,
wherein when the transaction information read by the
device is input to the first interface, the POS application
execution unit associates the transaction information with the
15 terminal apparatus and executes processing in accordance with
the association determined in the control unit.
5. The data processing apparatus according to claim 4,
wherein the transaction information read by the device is
20 barcode information relating to a commodity sale.
6. The data processing apparatus according to claim 5,
wherein the POS application execution unit is configured to
processes the barcode information and to transmit a result of
25 the processing of the barcode to the terminal apparatus.
60
7. The data processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the first interface is connected with the device that
reads the data and outputs the data and additional data, and
5 wherein when the data and additional data output from
the device are input to the first interface, the control unit
is configured to compare information included in the data
input to the first interface with the identification
information transmitted to the terminal apparatus and to
10 determine an association of the device having output the
additional data and the terminal apparatus to which the
identification information is transmitted.
8. A POS system comprising:
15 a device configured to read data and to transmit the
data;
a terminal apparatus configured to transmitterminal
information, and
a data processing apparatus that includes:
' 20 a first interface to which the device is connected
and is configured to receive the data transmitted by the
device;
an identification information transmission unit
configured to transmit identification information to the
25 terminal apparatus;
61
-
•;; a second interface to which the terminal apparatus
J is connected; and
i
i I a control unit configured to determine an
association of the device and the terminal apparatus
5 based on the data transmitted from the device and the
identification information transmitted to the terminal
apparatus.
9. The POS system according to claim 8, wherein the data
10 processing apparatus receives the terminal information based
on the identification information transmitted to the terminal
apparatus through the second interface, and
wherein when the first interface receives the data
transmitted by the device, the control unit is configured to
15 determine the association of the device and the terminal
apparatus based on a correspondence of the data and the
identification information transmitted to the terminal
apparatus.
20 10. The POS system according to claim 9, wherein the
device adds additional data to the data and transmits the data
and the additional data, and
wherein when the data and the additional data are
received at the first interface, the control unit of the data
25 processing apparatus is configured to compare information
62
1
I *
included in the data with the identification information
transmitted to the terminal apparatus and to determine the
association of the device and the terminal apparatus to which
the identification information is transmitted.
5
11. The POS system according to claim 10, wherein
the data processing apparatus includes a storage unit
configured to associate and store the additional data of the
device and terminal information identifying the terminal
10 apparatus to which the identification information is
transmitted in accordance with the association determined by
the control unit.
12. The POS system according to claim 8, wherein
15 the data processing apparatus includes an execution unit
that executes a POS application processing transaction
information,
the device is a barcode scanner that reads a barcode
relating to the transaction information, and
20 the POS application executes processing based on the
transaction information read by the device.
13. The POS system according to claim 12, wherein when
the transaction information transmitted by the device is
25 received at the first interface, the POS application execution
63
< •
\ '"1
I unit of the data processing apparatus is configured to process
the transaction information as information corresponding to
the terminal apparatus in accordance with the association
determined by the control unit.
5
14. The POS system according to claim 13, wherein when
the barcode information transmitted by the barcode scanner is
received at the first interface, the POS application execution
unit is configured to process the barcode information as data
10 of the barcode processed in the terminal apparatus in
accordance with the association determined by the control unit.
15. The POS system according to claim 14, wherein the
data processing apparatus transmits to the terminal apparatus
15 a result of the processing in which the POS application
execution unit processes the data of the barcode processed in
the terminal apparatus.
16. A control method of a POS system comprising:
20 transmitting identification information from a data
processing apparatus to a terminal apparatus;
receiving the transmitted identification information at
the terminal apparatus and displaying the same on the terminal
apparatus;
25 enabling a device to read the displayed identification
64
information;
acquiring read data including the identification
information which is read by the device, at the data
processing apparatus, and
5 determining an association of the terminal apparatus and
the device, based on the identification information included
in the acquired read data.
17. The control method of a POS system according to
10 claim 16, further comprising:
; adding additional data to the read data including the
! identification information read by the device and transmitting
the same;
acquiring the output read data and additional data at
, ,
15 the data processing apparatus, and j
determining the association of the terminal apparatus
i
and the device, based on the identification information and
additional data included in the acquired read data.