EP1006499A2 - Registrierkassensystem, Verfahren zu dessen Steuerung, und Informationsaufzeichnungsmedium - Google Patents

Registrierkassensystem, Verfahren zu dessen Steuerung, und Informationsaufzeichnungsmedium Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1006499A2
EP1006499A2 EP99123197A EP99123197A EP1006499A2 EP 1006499 A2 EP1006499 A2 EP 1006499A2 EP 99123197 A EP99123197 A EP 99123197A EP 99123197 A EP99123197 A EP 99123197A EP 1006499 A2 EP1006499 A2 EP 1006499A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
transaction data
data
printer
pos terminal
stored
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP99123197A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1006499A3 (de
Inventor
Yukihiro Mikami
Yoshihiro Matsubara
Chris Belk
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
PCMS Group PLC
Seiko Epson Corp
Original Assignee
PCMS Group PLC
Seiko Epson Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by PCMS Group PLC, Seiko Epson Corp filed Critical PCMS Group PLC
Publication of EP1006499A2 publication Critical patent/EP1006499A2/de
Publication of EP1006499A3 publication Critical patent/EP1006499A3/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07G—REGISTERING THE RECEIPT OF CASH, VALUABLES, OR TOKENS
    • G07G1/00—Cash registers
    • G07G1/12—Cash registers electronically operated
    • G07G1/14—Systems including one or more distant stations co-operating with a central processing unit

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a POS (Point of Sale) system, a method of controlling the POS system, and an information storage medium. More particularly, the present invention relates to a POS system including a printer provided with nonvolatile storage means, a POS terminal capable of being connected to the printer, and a store controller capable of being connected to the POS terminal wherein the POS terminal is realized by an NC (Network Computer) and wherein transaction data generated by the POS terminal and other data such as a total sales amount associated with the transaction data can be stored in the nonvolatile storage device provided in the printer and the transaction data and other data stored in the nonvolatile storage device can also be saved in the store controller, and also to a method of controlling such a POS system, and an information storage medium.
  • NC Network Computer
  • a POS system including POS terminals, a printer, and a store controller is widely used.
  • Information associated with an article such as the article code (a code uniquely identifying an article and distinguishing it from other articles), the number of units of articles, the amount of price reduction, and correction data is input to the POS terminal via a bar code scanner and/or a keyboard. From this information, transaction data and associated data such as total sales data are generated in the POS terminal, and these are transmitted to the store controller.
  • the store controller saves the received transaction data and associated data for use in the accounting calculation performed later.
  • the POS terminal generates a receipt print command on the basis of information about the article name, the price, the number of units of the article, and the amount of price reduction, and transmits the command to the printer.
  • the printer issues a receipt in accordance with the received print command.
  • the transaction data For each sale the transaction data includes the article code, the article name, the per unit price, the number of units of the article, the amount of price reduction, and the correction data associated with an article sold.
  • the transaction data also includes information about the sale's start and end times, the operator's name, and the POS terminal number.
  • the total sales data includes the total sales amount, the consumption tax, and the amount of price reduction.
  • the POS terminal for use in such a POS system be reasonably low in cost. It is also desirable that the program executed in the POS terminal can be easily managed so that for example the program can be easily updated.
  • NC Network Computer
  • the NC is a particular type of computer constructed in accordance with the standard established together with the standards of the JAVA language and the JAVA OS (Operating System).
  • the NC serving as a POS terminal downloads a program from a store controller serving as a server, and performs various processes described above by executing the program.
  • the POS system it is required that even when a failure or trouble occurs in some device or some part in the system, processes can be continued without being stopped. Furthermore, it is also required that any data including the transaction data be not lost by such a failure. For example, when trouble occurs in a communication line between the store controller and the POS terminal or in the store controller itself, if the POS terminal is still working, it is required that accounting processes associated with articles be continued without being stopped, and the transaction data be stored.
  • the NC is constructed with hardware according to a special standard.
  • a nonvolatile storage device flash EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) of the NC has a limitation in terms of its usage. This limitation makes it difficult to store the transaction data generated by the POS terminal in the nonvolatile storage device of the NC.
  • a POS system including a printer, a POS terminal capable of being connected to the printer, and a store controller capable of being connected to the POS terminal, a method of controlling these devices, and an information storage medium wherein the POS terminal is realized by an NC and wherein transaction data generated by the POS terminal and other associated data can be reliably stored in such a way that even when a failure or trouble occurs in some device or some part in the system, sales processing can be continued without being stopped and the transaction data can be temporarily stored in a nonvolatile storage device and read and transferred to the store controller when the failure or the problem is removed.
  • a POS system including a POS terminal, a printer connected to the POS terminal, and a store controller connected to the POS terminal, wherein: the POS terminal comprises data generation means for generating transaction data; first data transmission means for transmitting the transaction data generated to the printer; and second data transmission means for transmitting the transaction data to the store controller; the printer comprises first reception means for receiving the transaction data transmitted by the first data transmission means; and first nonvolatile storage means for storing the transaction data received via the first reception means; and the store controller comprises second reception means for receiving the transaction data transmitted by the second data transmission means; and second nonvolatile storage means for storing the transaction data received via the second reception means.
  • the printer further comprises third data transmission means for transmitting the transaction data stored in the first nonvolatile storage means of the printer to the POS terminal, the POS terminal further comprises third reception means for receiving the transaction data transmitted by the third data transmission means; and fourth data transmission means for transmitting the transaction data received via the third reception means to the store controller; and the store controller further comprises fourth reception means for receiving the transaction data transmitted by the fourth transmission means.
  • the data generation means of the POS terminal generates transaction data
  • the first data transmission means transmits the transaction data to the printer
  • the second data transmission means transmits the transaction data to the store controller.
  • the first reception means of the printer receives the transaction data
  • the first nonvolatile storage means stores the transmitted transaction data.
  • the second reception means of the store controller receives the transaction data transmitted by the second data transmission means, and the second nonvolatile storage means stores the transmitted transaction data.
  • a POS terminal is realized by an NC having no nonvolatile storage device for storing transaction data.
  • the first nonvolatile storage means provided in the printer is used for storing the transaction data which are additionally stored in the second nonvolatile storage means provided in the store controller. If a failure occurs in the communication link between the POS terminal and the store controller, the POS terminal can still be used and the transaction data stored in the first nonvolatile storage means. After the failure has been fixed, transaction data that have temporarily stored only in the first nonvolatile storage means can be read and stored in the second nonvolatile storage means.
  • the store controller further comprises third nonvolatile storage means for backing up the transaction data stored in the second nonvolatile storage means.
  • a POS system wherein the store controller further comprises storage notification means for transmitting notification data to the POS terminal to notify that a backup of the transaction data in the second nonvolatile storage means has bean made in the third nonvolatile storage means; the POS terminal further comprises notification data reception means for receiving the notification data transmitted from the storage notification means, the notification data notifying that the transaction data has been backed up in the third nonvolatile storage means; and command transmission means for transmitting a command to the printer to delete the transaction data stored in the first nonvolatile storage means when the notification data reception means receives notification data notifying that the transaction data has been backed up to the third nonvolatile storage means; and the printer further comprises command reception means for receiving the command transmitted by the POS terminal, the command requiring the printer to delete the transaction data stored in the first nonvolatile storage means; and delete means responsive to the delete command for deleting the transaction data stored in the first nonvolatile storage means.
  • the storage notification means of the store controller transmits notification data to the POS terminal to notify that a backup of the transaction data has been made in the third nonvolatile storage means
  • the notification data reception means of the POS terminal receives the notification data transmitted from the storage notification means and notifying that the transaction data has been backed up in the third nonvolatile storage means
  • the command transmission means transmits a command to the printer to delete the transaction data stored in the first nonvolatile storage means when the notification data reception means receives notification data notifying that the transaction data has been backed up in the third nonvolatile storage means
  • the command reception means of the printer receives the command transmitted by the POS terminal requiring the printer to delete the transaction data stored in the first nonvolatile storage means
  • the delete means in response to the delete command, deletes the transaction data stored in the first nonvolatile storage means.
  • the printer deletes the transaction data stored in the first nonvolatile memory means.
  • a POS system wherein a plurality of sales data such as a total sales amount are stored, read, or deleted separately from or together with the transaction data.
  • this fourth aspect of the invention it is possible to provide a POS system in which even when data other than the transaction data is used by the store controller for example to reduce the time required to perform the accounting process, such data can also be stored in the printer thereby holding it in a similar manner to the transaction data.
  • a POS terminal capable of being connected to a printer and a store controller, wherein the POS terminal comprises data generation means for generating transaction data; first data transmission means for transmitting the data generated by the transaction data generation means to the printer; and second data transmission means for transmitting the transaction data generated by the data generation means to the store controller.
  • a POS terminal further comprising third reception means for receiving the transaction data transmitted by the printer; and fourth data transmission means for transmitting the transaction data received via the third reception means to the store controller.
  • a POS terminal further comprising notification data reception means for receiving notification data transmitted from the store controller and notifying that the transaction data has been stored; and command transmission means for transmitting a command to delete the transaction data stored in the printer when the notification data reception means receives notification data notifying that the transaction data has been stored.
  • a POS terminal in which a plurality of sales data such as a total sales amount are processed separately from or together with the transaction data.
  • a printer capable of being connected to a POS terminal, wherein the printer comprises first reception means for receiving transaction data transmitted from the POS terminal; and first nonvolatile storage means for storing the transaction data received via the first reception means.
  • a printer further comprising third data transmission means for transmitting the transaction data stored in the first nonvolatile storage means to the POS terminal.
  • a printer further comprising command reception means for receiving a command transmitted by the POS terminal and requiring the printer to delete the transaction data stored in the first nonvolatile storage means; and delete means for deleting the transaction data stored in the first nonvolatile storage means.
  • the first nonvolatile storage means stores a plurality of sales data including a total sales amount separately from or together with said transaction data.
  • a method of controlling a POS terminal capable of being connected to a printer and also to a store controller, wherein the method comprises the steps of generating transaction data; transmitting the generated transaction data to the printer; and transmitting the generated transaction data to the store controller.
  • a fourteenth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of controlling a POS terminal, further comprising the steps of receiving the transaction data transmitted from the printer; and transmitting the received transaction data to the store controller.
  • a method of controlling a POS terminal further comprising the steps of receiving notification data transmitted from the store controller and notifying that the transaction data has been stored; and upon receipt of the notification data notifying that the transaction data has been stored, transmitting a command to the printer to request to delete the transaction data stored in the printer.
  • a method of controlling a POS terminal further comprising the steps of processing a plurality of sales data including a total sales amount.
  • a method of controlling a printer used in conjunction with a POS terminal capable of being connected to the printer comprising the steps of receiving transaction data transmitted by the POS terminal; and storing the received transaction data in a nonvolatile manner.
  • a method of controlling a printer further comprising the step of transmitting the stored transaction data to the POS terminal.
  • a method of controlling a printer further comprising the steps of receiving a command transmitted by the POS terminal and requiring the printer to delete the transaction data; and deleting the stored transaction data in response to the delete command.
  • a method of controlling a printer further comprising the step of processing a plurality of sales data including a total sales amount separately from or together with said transaction data.
  • an information storage medium on which a computer program is stored, the computer program implementing a method of controlling a POS terminal capable of being connected to a printer and also to a store controller, the control method comprising the steps of generating transaction data; transmitting the generated transaction data to the printer; and transmitting the generated transaction data to the store controller.
  • an information storage medium on which a computer program implementing the method of controlling the POS terminal is stored, the control method further comprising the steps of receiving the transaction data transmitted from the printer; and transmitting the received transaction data to the store controller.
  • an information storage medium on which a computer program implementing the method of controlling the POS terminal is stored, the control method further comprising the steps of: receiving notification data transmitted from the store controller and notifying that the transaction data has been stored; and upon receipt of the notification data notifying that the transaction data has been stored, transmitting a command to the printer to notify that the transaction data stored in the printer should be deleted.
  • an information storage medium on which a computer program implementing the method of controlling the POS terminal is stored, the control method further comprising the steps of: processing a plurality of sales data including a total sales amount separately from or together with the transaction data.
  • an information storage medium on which a computer program is stored, the computer program implementing a method of controlling a printer capable of being connected to a POS terminal, the control method comprising the steps of: receiving transaction data transmitted by the POS terminal; and storing the received transaction data.
  • an information storage medium on which a computer program implementing the method of controlling the printer is stored, the control method further comprising the step of transmitting the stored transaction data to the POS terminal.
  • an information storage medium on which a computer program implementing the method of controlling the printer is stored, the control method further comprising the steps of receiving a command transmitted by the POS terminal and requiring the printer to delete the transaction data; and deleting the stored transaction data in response to the delete command.
  • an information storage medium on which a computer program implementing the method of controlling the printer is stored, the control method further comprising the step of processing a plurality of sales data including a total sales amount separately from or together with said transaction data.
  • any of the twenty-first to twenty-eighth aspects of the invention it is possible to easily distribute or sell an information storage medium on which a program is stored as a software product independently of hardware such as the POS terminal and the printer.
  • the POS system, the POS terminal, the printer, and the method of controlling the system or the devices according to the invention can be implemented by executing the program stored on the information storage medium on the POS terminal or the printer.
  • Fig. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating the main parts of an embodiment of a POS system according to the invention.
  • the POS system includes a POS terminal 101, a printer 111, and a store controller 121.
  • the POS terminal 101 is connected to the printer 111 and also to the store controller 121 so that communication is possible between these devices.
  • the connection between the POS terminal 101 and the printer 111 may be realized, for example, via a serial communication line, and the connection between the POS terminal 101 and the store controller 121 may be realized, for example, via an Ethernet communication line.
  • Information associated with an article such as the article code, the number of units of the article, the amount of price reduction, and correction data is input to the POS terminal 101 via a bar code reader 102 and/or a keyboard 103.
  • Interfaces 104 and 105 serve as transmitting and receiving devices for transmitting and receiving data, notifications, and commands between the POS terminal 101 and the store controller 121 or the printer 111.
  • a CPU 106 loads a program from a flash EEPROM 107 into a RAM (Random Access Memory) 109 and executes the program thereby generating transaction data from information input via the bar code reader 102 and/or the keyboard 103 and transmitting the generated transaction data to the printer 111 and the store controller 121.
  • the CPU 106 also generates a receipt print command and sends it to the printer 111.
  • a plurality of sales data including a total sales amount are generated as required and processed in a manner similar to that of the transaction data.
  • the program stored in the store controller 121 is transferred to the POS terminal 101 and stored in the EEPROM 107. That is, the EEPROM 107 serves as an information storage medium for storing the program executed by the CPU 106.
  • the bar code reader 102, the keyboard 103, the interface 104, the interface 105, the CPU 106, the EEPROM 107, and the RAM 109 are connected to each other via a bus 108.
  • the CPU 106 forms transaction data generation means.
  • the interface 104 forms second and fourth data transmission means and also notification data reception means.
  • the interface 105 forms first data transmission means, second data reception means, and command transmission means.
  • the printer 111 communicates with the POS terminal via an interface 112. If the printer 111 receives a receipt print command via the interface 112, a print processing device 114 including a print head, a platen, and a paper feeding device prints a receipt. If the printer 111 receives transaction data via the interface 112, the received transaction data is stored in a flash EEPROM 113. On the other hand, if a delete command is received from the POS terminal 101, the transaction data stored in the EEPROM 113 is deleted. The processes described above are performed under the control of a CPU 115. The interface 112, the EEPROM 113, the print processing device 114, and the CPU 115 are connected to each other via a bus 116.
  • the bus 116 is also connected to a ROM (Read Only Memory) serving as an information storage medium for storing a program executed by the CPU 115.
  • ROM Read Only Memory
  • the flash EEPROM 113 stores a plurality of sales data including a total sales amount.
  • the data stored in the EEPROM 113 is transmitted to the POS terminal.
  • the POS terminal 101 transfers the data received from the printer to the store controller 121 as required.
  • normally data transferred to the printer 111 and stored in the flash EEPROM 113 are also transferred to the store controller and stored on hard disk 123.
  • the use of EEPROM 113 in the printer 111 for storing transaction data and sales data allows continued use of the POS terminal 101 even if for some reason data transfer to the store controller is temporarily impossible. In such case, the transaction data are stored only in EEPROM 113.
  • the POS terminal After the problem has been fixed and data can again be transmitted from the POS terminal to the store controller, the POS terminal reads the data that could not be sent to the store controller from EEPROM 113 and then sends them to the store controller so that they be stored on hard disk 123. In this way the data stored in the store controller are completed.
  • the interface 112 forms first reception means, third data transmission means, and command reception means.
  • the EEPROM 113 forms first nonvolatile storage means, and the CPU 115 forms delete means.
  • the store controller communicates with the POS terminal via an interface 122.
  • the store controller stores and holds transaction data received from the POS terminal on a hard disk 123 and, as a backup, on a magnetic tape 124 as will be explained in detail later.
  • the store controller transmits to the POS terminal an acknowledgment signal indicating that the transaction data is backed up and encourages it to make the printer 111 delete the transaction data stored therein.
  • the hard disk 123 and/or the magnetic tape 124 also stores the program to be executed by the POS terminal.
  • the operations described above are performed under the control of a CPU 125.
  • a RAM 126 is used as a storage area for temporarily storing data during an accounting calculation process.
  • the interface 122, the hard disk 123, the magnetic tape 124, the CPU 125, and the RAM 126 are connected to each other via a bus 127.
  • the interface 122 forms second and fourth reception means and backup notification means.
  • the hard disk 123 forms second nonvolatile storage means.
  • the magnetic tape 124 forms third nonvolatile storage means.
  • the hard disk 123 and/or the magnetic tape 124 may also be used as information storage means for storing the program to be executed by the CPU 125 of the store controller 121.
  • a flash EEPROM, a hard disk, and a magnetic tape are used as nonvolatile storage means in the printer 111 and the store controller 121, respectively.
  • other types of memories such as a magneto-optical disk and a floppy disk may additionally or alternatively be employed.
  • the sales data storage process is the one that is performed most frequently in the POS system according to the present invention.
  • the transaction data is stored at two or more locations.
  • the CPU 106 of the POS terminal 101 waits in step S201 until information such as the article code, the number of units of the article, the amount of price reduction or other correction data is input via the bar code reader 102 and/or the keyboard 103.
  • information such as the article code, the number of units of the article, the amount of price reduction or other correction data is input via the bar code reader 102 and/or the keyboard 103.
  • the name of the operator of the POS terminal 101 is input via the keyboard 103 or the bar code reader 102.
  • the name of the operator of the POS terminal 101 may be input via an ID card reader or by operating a special key provided on the POS terminal 101.
  • the information associated with an article may also be input by detecting a radio wave generated by a label attached to the article. In this case, a radio wave receiving device is used instead of the bar code reader 102.
  • the CPU 106 generates transaction data from the input information.
  • the transaction data includes the article code, the number of units of the article, the per-unit price of the article, correction data, price reduction data, the operators name, the store number, the start/end time, etc.
  • the transaction data includes all information which is input to the POS terminal 101 and which will be used by the store controller 121 to perform the accounting calculation.
  • the transaction data When the transaction data is generated, it is required to derive the price of the article from the input information such as the article code.
  • a price table such as a price look-up table (hereinafter PLU) is used.
  • the price table is a database representing the relationship between the article code and the price for each article offered by this store. This database is stored in the store controller 121, and transferred together with the program from the store controller 121 to the POS terminal 101. The transferred database is stored in the flash EEPROM 107.
  • the CPU 106 transmits the generated transaction data to both the store controller 121 and the printer 111 via the interfaces 105 and 104, respectively, (steps S203 and S204).
  • the received transaction data is stored in the nonvolatile storage means of the printer 111 (flash EEPROM 113 in the example) as well as that of the store controller 121 (hard disk 123 in the example).
  • a plurality of sales data including a total sales amount may be transmitted independently of or together with the transaction data.
  • the CPU 106 then generates a receipt print command to print a receipt which will be given to the customer (step S205) and transmits the receipt print command to the printer 111 via the interface 105. In response to the receipt print command, the printer 111 prints a receipt.
  • step S201 After completion of the transmission of the transaction data and the transmission of the receipt print command, the process returns to step S201 to be repeatedly performed.
  • step S203 and S204 are performed after step S202, and step S206 is performed after step S205.
  • the process performed to backup the transaction data according to the present invention is described below.
  • the process of backing up the transaction data is performed for example when a daily accounting calculation is performed after the store is closed. This process is necessary to ensure that the transaction data is always stored at two or more locations.
  • data such as total sales data in addition to the transaction data
  • such data is usually processed together with and/or in the same way as the transaction data, although the following description deals only with the process of storing the transaction data.
  • an end process is performed in the POS terminal 101.
  • the total sales amount for the whole day is calculated and a confirmation is made of whether the process has been completed for all transaction data.
  • end information indicating that the end process is completed is transmitted to the store controller via the interface 104.
  • the store controller 121 performs a store closing process (step S302).
  • a store closing process it is confirmed that the end process is completed in all POS terminals, for example, on the basis of the end information transmitted from each POS terminal. Furthermore, the total sales amount of the store for the whole day is calculated and a report is made or issued.
  • the store controller 121 After completion of the store closing process, the store controller 121 performs a backup process to backup the transaction data and associated data to the magnetic tape 124 (step S303).
  • the store controller 121 informs the POS terminal 101 via the interface 122 that the backup process is completed (step S304).
  • the CPU 106 of the POS terminal 101 On receipt of the backup completion signal, the CPU 106 of the POS terminal 101 transmits a command via the interface 105 to the printer 111 to require deletion of the transaction data stored in the flash EEPROM 113 (step S305), thus all of the data saving and backing up process is completed. In response to the above command, the CPU 115 of the printer 111 deletes the transaction data stored in the flash EEPROM 113.
  • the backup completion signal to the POS terminal in step S304 and the delete command from the POS terminal to the printer in step S305 may be transmitted in the store opening process the next day.
  • the CPU 115 of the printer 111 waits for a command to be transmitted from the POS terminal via the interface 112 (step S401). If the CPU 115 receives a command from the POS terminal, the CPU 115 interprets the command (step S402).
  • step S402 If the command is a receipt print command (step S402), the CPU 115 drives the print processing device 114 in accordance with the command so as to print a receipt (step S403). After that, the process returns to step S401.
  • step S402 In the case where it is determined in step S402 that the command is a transaction data storage command, that is, in the case where transaction data is received, the CPU 115 stores the transaction data in the flash EEPROM 113 (step S404). After that the process returns to step S401.
  • step S402 If it is determined in step S402 that the command is a transaction data read command, then the CPU 115 reads out the transaction data from the flash EEPROM 113 and transmits it to the POS terminal 101 via the interface 112 (step S405). After that the process returns to step S401.
  • step S402 If it is determined in step S402 that the command is a transaction data delete command, then the CPU 115 deletes the transaction data from the flash EEPROM 113. After that the process returns to step S401.
  • the command indicates that a plurality of sales data such as a total sales amount should be stored, read, or deleted
  • the data is stored, read, or deleted into or from the storage area of the memory in accordance with the ID number contained in the command and indicating the data to be processed.
  • the storage area of a flash EEPROM is divided into a plurality of blocks which is the minimum unit for an erasing operation. In other words, it is necessary to erase a whole block for erasing a part of the block.
  • erasing of information written in the EEPROM is effected on a block basis.
  • erasing of a block of information stored in the EEPROM takes a considerable time and further the number of erasing processes is limited to several tens of thousand to several hundreds of thousand times, unlike other types of non-volatile storage means such as hard disks.
  • Partial change/update of information stored in the flash EEPROM requires that the data of the block containing the information to be changed or updated is read into a volatile storage means such as a RAM, and the read information is changed or updated, followed by writing it back into the EEPROM. There is a risk that journal data or transaction data is lost, in the event that a failure or trouble occurs in the system during the final step of writing the changed or updated data back into the EEPROM. This problem is not negligible in view of the role and significance of the data.
  • the present invention adopts the following procedure for the purpose of administrating the storage of information in the EEPROM.
  • each file contains a plurality of bytes indicative of the information to be stored, the number of the bytes making up the information to be stored, the file name which identifies the file, the date on which the file was created or last amended, and so forth.
  • the storage area in the flash EEPROM is divided into two areas: namely, an FAT (File Allocation Table) area and a data area.
  • Information such as the file name, the number of bytes of the file, the date of creating the file and so forth are stored in the FAT area, while the information contained in the file is stored in the data area.
  • the FAT area also stores other kinds of information such as the address of any defective sector which may exist in the flash EEPROM.
  • the file name, the number of bytes and the date on which the file was made, as well as the information contained in the file are acquired from the instruction.
  • the file name, the number of bytes and the date on which the file was made are assembled into unit information which is added to the data stored in the FAT area, while the information itself contained in the file is added to the data stored in the data area.
  • the method of adding data to the FAT area and the data area may be such that the storage of the data in the FAT area is started from a lower-order address towards higher-order addresses of the flash EEPROM, whereas the storage in the data area is executed starting from a higher-order address towards a lower-order addresses.
  • Writing in this flash EEPROM is prohibited when the size of the border or vacancy between both areas has become smaller than a predetermined number of bytes.
  • journal data and transaction data is basically limited only to addition, and deletion of information is not included. Correction of wrong information may appear to require deletion of data. In case of journal data and transaction data, however, it is necessary that a record of such a correction is stored. Thus, all the journal data and the transaction data are recorded on a file basis, and all kinds of input information including corrections are recorded in order to show the history of the data.
  • the above-mentioned vacancy in the flash EEPROM falls down below a predetermined number of bytes even during business hours, it is advisable that the above-mentioned predetermined number of bytes is set to a comparatively large value, and a suitable warning is given to inform the operator that only a small area is left available for storage.
  • the operator can then conduct the backup operation while temporarily stopping routine operation of the cash register. Further it is effective that the operator performs the backup operation while the cashier lane is temporary stopped for supplying a paper roll for printing receipts to the printer.
  • the described procedure may be employed regardless of whether the flash EEPROM is installed in the POS terminal or in the printing device such as a printer.
  • the present invention provides a POS system in which an NC having no nonvolatile storage device for storing transaction data can be employed as a POS terminal.
  • the present invention provides a POS system capable of transferring transaction data from a printer to a store controller and storing it therein.
  • the present invention provides a POS system capable of deleting transaction data stored in the printer if it is confirmed that the transaction data stored in the nonvolatile storage such as a hard disk of the store controller has been transferred and stored in the backup storage device of the store controller.
  • the present invention provides a POS system capable of storing a plurality of sales data such as a total sales amount as well as the transaction data in the printer and of ensuring that they are always stored at two or more locations.
  • the present invention provides a POS terminal, a printer, and a store controller for use in the POS system described above and also provide a method of controlling these devices.
  • the present invention provides an information storage medium that can be easily distributed or sold and on which is stored a program as a software product which, when executed, performs the method of controlling the system or the devices according to the invention.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Cash Registers Or Receiving Machines (AREA)
  • Management, Administration, Business Operations System, And Electronic Commerce (AREA)
  • Financial Or Insurance-Related Operations Such As Payment And Settlement (AREA)
EP99123197A 1998-12-04 1999-11-24 Registrierkassensystem, Verfahren zu dessen Steuerung, und Informationsaufzeichnungsmedium Withdrawn EP1006499A3 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9826707 1998-12-04
GBGB9826707.3A GB9826707D0 (en) 1998-12-04 1998-12-04 Pos system method of controlling the same and information storage medium

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EP1006499A2 true EP1006499A2 (de) 2000-06-07
EP1006499A3 EP1006499A3 (de) 2001-06-27

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EP99123197A Withdrawn EP1006499A3 (de) 1998-12-04 1999-11-24 Registrierkassensystem, Verfahren zu dessen Steuerung, und Informationsaufzeichnungsmedium

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EP (1) EP1006499A3 (de)
JP (1) JP2000235674A (de)
CN (1) CN100338626C (de)
GB (1) GB9826707D0 (de)

Cited By (6)

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FR2831372A1 (fr) * 2001-10-23 2003-04-25 Ceitel Systeme, procede et dispositif de transfert de donnees
EP1577807A1 (de) * 2004-03-17 2005-09-21 Seiko Epson Corporation Netzwerksystem, beweglicher Dateneingabeanschluß, Programm und Steuermethode für Datenausgangsanschluß
EP1587039A3 (de) * 2004-04-08 2006-08-09 Seiko Epson Corporation Drucksystem, POS-System, Verbindungsgerät und Prüfverfahren für ein Drucksystem
EP2052868A1 (de) * 2007-10-22 2009-04-29 BIXOLON Germany GmbH Drucker zum Ausdrucken von Kaufbelegen
CN100492414C (zh) * 2004-04-08 2009-05-27 精工爱普生株式会社 打印系统、pos系统、连接装置及打印系统的控制方法和控制程序
CN103713863A (zh) * 2012-09-28 2014-04-09 精工爱普生株式会社 印刷控制装置、打印机及印刷控制装置的控制方法

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EP2593928A1 (de) * 2010-11-11 2013-05-22 Seiko Epson Corporation Finanzdrucker
CN102306434A (zh) * 2011-09-16 2012-01-04 上海智翔信息科技股份有限公司 一种移动pos机
CN104572352B (zh) * 2015-01-12 2018-02-23 福建升腾资讯有限公司 一种pos终端关键数据备份恢复方法
JP7449113B2 (ja) * 2020-02-25 2024-03-13 東芝テック株式会社 販売データ処理装置、及びプログラム

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Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2831372A1 (fr) * 2001-10-23 2003-04-25 Ceitel Systeme, procede et dispositif de transfert de donnees
WO2003036579A3 (fr) * 2001-10-23 2004-04-08 Ceitel Systeme, procede et dispositif de transfert de donnees
EP1577807A1 (de) * 2004-03-17 2005-09-21 Seiko Epson Corporation Netzwerksystem, beweglicher Dateneingabeanschluß, Programm und Steuermethode für Datenausgangsanschluß
US7617129B2 (en) 2004-03-17 2009-11-10 Seiko Epson Corporation Network system, portable data entry terminal, program, and data output terminal control method
EP1587039A3 (de) * 2004-04-08 2006-08-09 Seiko Epson Corporation Drucksystem, POS-System, Verbindungsgerät und Prüfverfahren für ein Drucksystem
CN100492414C (zh) * 2004-04-08 2009-05-27 精工爱普生株式会社 打印系统、pos系统、连接装置及打印系统的控制方法和控制程序
EP2052868A1 (de) * 2007-10-22 2009-04-29 BIXOLON Germany GmbH Drucker zum Ausdrucken von Kaufbelegen
CN103713863A (zh) * 2012-09-28 2014-04-09 精工爱普生株式会社 印刷控制装置、打印机及印刷控制装置的控制方法
EP2713265A3 (de) * 2012-09-28 2014-05-07 Seiko Epson Corporation Drucksteuerungsvorrichtung, Drucker, und Steuerungsverfahren für eine Drucksteuerungsvorrichtung

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9826707D0 (en) 1999-01-27
CN1264092A (zh) 2000-08-23
CN100338626C (zh) 2007-09-19
JP2000235674A (ja) 2000-08-29
HK1030069A1 (en) 2001-04-20
EP1006499A3 (de) 2001-06-27

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