JP2007201719A - Simultaneous data distribution system and simultaneous data distribution method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a common data distribution system optimum to even an environment wherein a reception node cannot be specified by eliminating problems in the conventional simultaneous broadcast communication system. <P>SOLUTION: Each of terminals calculates a response delay time unique to each own terminal on the opportunity of reception of the data distribution start notice. When one terminal intercepts a data distribution request in response to the data distribution start notice from the other terminals, the terminal stops the transmission of its own data distribution request, and when the one terminal does not intercept the data distribution request transmitted from the other terminals until before the response delay time elapses, the one terminal transmits its own response. Further, when the one terminal receives data distribution on the basis of its own response, the one terminal receives distributed data as a representative terminal, and when the one terminal receives no distributed addressed to the one own terminal or intercepts a response with respect to the data distribution start notice from the other terminals, the one terminal intercepts data distribution as an intercept terminal. When the data distribution to the representative terminal gets stacked up, the intercept terminal transmits the data distribution request and shifts to the representative terminal. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a simultaneous data distribution system that distributes the same data to a plurality of terminals simultaneously.

  Conventionally, wireless order data management systems have been used in restaurants, pubs, and restaurants. An example of a wireless order data management system will be described briefly. When a customer service representative receives a food order from a customer, each menu that has received the order is input to a portable order input terminal together with a table number and the like. The input order information is transmitted from the order input terminal by wireless transmission means. The transmitted order information is received by a wireless router or the like installed at each corner in the store, and transferred to a data management apparatus that performs various data processing, centralized management, and the like.

  Here, the data management device stores information such as order information, a time when the order information is received, and a number for identifying a customer service representative, in a storage device. Then, a voucher for cooking instructions is printed out from a restaurant printer installed in the kitchen, and a cooking instruction is sent to the person in charge of cooking. An accounting slip is printed out from the restaurant printer and handed over to the customer by the customer service representative. The person in charge of cooking starts cooking according to the cooking instruction slip, and notifies the customer service representative when cooking is completed. Thereby, the customer service representative carries the cooking to the customer who has received the order and distributes it.

By the way, the types and prices of menus provided by restaurants are changed regularly and irregularly. When a menu change occurs, an operation for distributing new menu information to the order input terminal is performed. Similarly, distribution work is also performed when updating a program operated on the order input terminal. New menus and programs are data common to a plurality of order input terminals, and such common data distribution includes the following two methods as typical methods.
(1) Method of individually distributing wirelessly from the data management device to all order input terminals via a wireless router (2) Wireless distribution from the data management device to one order input terminal via the wireless router, After that, a method of copying using another communication means between the order entry terminals.
As another communication means here, an infrared communication system, an electromagnetic inductive coupling communication system, etc. are put into practical use.

However, regardless of which method is used, communication time is required for each order input terminal, distribution efficiency is poor, and ordering operations at restaurants are temporarily interrupted. Therefore, a technique of a broadcast communication system has been disclosed for improving the efficiency of wireless communication (see Non-Patent Document 1). In order to improve the efficiency of the simultaneous broadcast communication system, a method has been proposed in which a representative receiving station is first provided and the other slave stations intercept the broadcast information received by the representative receiving station. According to this method, the communication control device (corresponding to the above wireless router) is used as a master station, one order input terminal is used as a representative receiving station, and the other order input terminals intercept the radio distribution. It is possible to perform simultaneous wireless distribution of common data such as menus or programs.
Setsuo Tsuruta and 1 other, “Proposal and Evaluation of Simple Reliable Broadcast Protocol for High-Efficiency Transmission of Large Volumes of Data”, IPSJ Transactions, Apr. 1986, Vol.7 No.4, p.462-470

  However, the method described in Non-Patent Document 1 is configured to acquire reception confirmation for transmitted data from all receiving nodes, and the transmitting node recognizes the existence of all receiving nodes. This is the protocol that presupposes that. In addition, common data distribution such as menus and programs to order entry terminals at restaurants may be implemented when ordering at restaurants, and some order entry terminals do not provide order services. There is a case where distribution is performed to the remaining order input terminals while continuing. It is also assumed that the order input terminal is arranged outside the wireless service area or the order input terminal is turned off. Therefore, it is difficult for the communication control device (corresponding to the wireless router) or the data management device that is the sending node to completely grasp the state of the order input terminal that is the receiving node. There is a problem that simultaneous wireless data distribution is not suitable.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems in the conventional simultaneous broadcast communication system and to be an optimal simultaneous data distribution system even in an environment where a receiving node cannot be specified. And providing a simultaneous data distribution method.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a simultaneous data distribution system that distributes data to a plurality of terminals at the same time, wherein the data distribution device performs data distribution start notification means, Data delivery means for delivering data to a terminal that has responded earliest to the data delivery start notification among the plurality of terminals, wherein the data delivery means delivers the data delivery to the terminal that has responded earliest When the data is delayed, it receives a data distribution request from another terminal and distributes the data to the other terminal. The terminal receives a response delay time unique to the terminal upon receipt of the data distribution start notification. A response delay time calculating means for calculating; a response intercepting means for intercepting a data distribution request for a data distribution start notification transmitted from another terminal toward the data distribution device; A delay time counting means for counting the elapsed time of the calculated response delay time from the reception time of the data distribution start notification; and when a data distribution request transmitted from the other terminal is intercepted before the response delay time elapses. Stops transmitting the data distribution request from the own terminal, and transmits the response from the own terminal when the data distribution request transmitted from the other terminal is not intercepted by the lapse of the response delay time. When data distribution is distributed from the data distribution device to the terminal based on a response to the data distribution start notification from the data distribution request means and the terminal, the terminal distributes the distributed data as the representative terminal. The data distribution is not delivered from the data distribution device to the terminal based on the response to the data distribution start notification from the terminal. A data receiving means for intercepting data delivery to another terminal that has become a representative terminal as an intercepting terminal when a response to the data delivery start notification from the other terminal is intercepted, When the data receiving means is intercepting data distribution to another terminal that has become the representative terminal as an intercepting terminal, it detects whether or not the data distribution to the representative terminal is delayed, and the data distribution is 2. The simultaneous data distribution system according to claim 1, wherein in the case of a delay, the data distribution request is transmitted by counting an elapse of a delay time unique to the terminal itself.

  In the simultaneous data distribution system described above, the data distribution unit of the data distribution apparatus divides the data to be distributed and sequentially distributes the divided data. The data reception unit of the terminal When the terminal is a representative terminal, an acknowledgment is sent to the data distribution device for each normal reception of the divided data, and the data receiving means of the terminal temporarily transmits the divided data when the terminal is an intercepting terminal. The data is held in a storage unit, and after the acknowledgment of the divided data is intercepted, whether the divided data is missing is determined. If there is no missing data, the divided data is captured as normal reception.

  Further, the present invention provides the above-described simultaneous data distribution system, wherein the terminal serving as an intercepting terminal stores the identification number of the divided data determined to be defective by the defect presence / absence determination as unreceived data information And an identification number of the divided data that becomes the unreceived data, and after the division that becomes the unreceived data when receiving the data distribution start notification retransmitted from the data distribution device. Data redistribution request means for transmitting a data redistribution request after the delay time based on the data identification number has elapsed, and the data distribution start notifying means of the data distribution apparatus transmits the data distribution start notification a plurality of times. Repeatedly, the data distribution means of the data distribution apparatus retransmits the data to the requesting terminal of the data redistribution request received earliest And wherein the door.

  According to the present invention, in the simultaneous data distribution system described above, the data redistribution request holds the smallest identification number among the identification numbers of the divided data to be unreceived data. The means redistributes each divided data having an identification number equal to or less than an identification number held in the data redistribution request.

  The present invention is also a simultaneous data distribution method in a simultaneous data distribution system that distributes data to a plurality of terminals all at once, wherein the data distribution start notification means of the data distribution apparatus performs data distribution start notification, and the terminal The response delay time calculating means calculates a response delay time unique to the terminal upon receipt of the data delivery start notification, and the response intercepting means of the terminal is transmitted from another terminal to the data delivery device. Intercepting the data distribution request for the data distribution start notification, the terminal delay time counting means counts the elapsed response delay time calculated from the reception time of the data distribution start notification, and the terminal data distribution request means If the data delivery request transmitted from the other terminal is intercepted before the response delay time elapses, the data delivery request from the own terminal is received. If the data distribution request transmitted from the other terminal is not intercepted by the lapse of the response delay time, the response is transmitted from the own terminal, and the data distribution means of the data distribution apparatus The data delivery is performed to the terminal that responded the earliest to the data delivery start notification among the plurality of terminals, and the data receiving means of the terminal is based on the response to the data delivery start notice from its own terminal. When data delivery is delivered from the data delivery device to the own terminal, the own terminal receives the delivered data as a representative terminal, and the data delivery is based on a response to the data delivery start notification from the own terminal. Interception if data distribution is not delivered to the terminal from the device or if a response to the data distribution start notification from the other terminal is intercepted Intercept data distribution to the other terminal that became the representative terminal as the end, if the data reception means of the terminal is intercepting data distribution to the other terminal that became the representative terminal as the intercept terminal, It is detected whether data delivery to the representative terminal is delayed, and when the data delivery is delayed, the data delivery request is transmitted by counting the elapse of the delay time specific to the terminal itself, and the data of the data delivery device The distribution means receives the data distribution request from another terminal when the data distribution to the terminal that responded earliest is delayed, and performs the data distribution to the other terminal Is the method.

  In the simultaneous data distribution method described above, the data distribution unit of the data distribution apparatus divides the data to be distributed and sequentially distributes the divided data, and the data reception unit of the terminal When the terminal is a representative terminal, an acknowledgment is sent to the data distribution apparatus for each normal reception of the divided data, and the data receiving means of the terminal transmits the divided data when the terminal is an intercepting terminal. It is held in the temporary storage unit, and after the acknowledgment for the divided data is intercepted, it is determined whether the divided data is missing, and if there is no missing, the divided data is fetched as reception normal. .

  Further, in the simultaneous data distribution method described above, the unreceived data storage unit of the terminal serving as an intercepting terminal uses the identification number of the divided data determined to be missing by the missing presence determination as information of unreceived data. When the data redistribution request means of the terminal that stores and becomes the intercepting terminal stores the identification number of the divided data that becomes the unreceived data, the data distribution start notification that is retransmitted from the data distribution device The data distribution start notification means of the data distribution device transmits the data distribution a plurality of times after a delay time based on an identification number of the divided data that becomes the unreceived data has elapsed. The transmission of the start notification is repeated, and the data distribution means of the data distribution device transmits data to the requesting terminal of the data redistribution request received earliest Characterized by retransmission.

  According to the present invention, in the simultaneous data distribution method described above, the data redistribution request includes the youngest identification number among the identification numbers of the divided data to be unreceived data. The means redistributes each divided data having an identification number equal to or less than an identification number held in the data redistribution request.

  According to the present invention, the distribution data is transmitted only to the representative terminal, and the intercepting terminal intercepts the distribution data addressed to the representative terminal, and captures it as being normally received when the intercepted data is free from defects. It is out. Therefore, a data distribution apparatus that transmits distribution data only needs to transmit distribution data to one representative terminal, so that the processing load can be reduced. Further, since there is no data transmission / reception with any interception terminal other than the representative terminal, it is not necessary to detect information about the interception terminal, thereby reducing the processing load.

  According to the present invention, since the terminal that first transmitted the data distribution request according to the delay time may be used as the representative terminal, there is no need to set the representative terminal in the data distribution apparatus in advance. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the labor of the user who sets a specific representative terminal in advance, and it is possible to prevent the set representative terminal from being unable to perform data distribution due to power-off or inability to communicate. In other words, one of the terminals that can automatically communicate is the representative terminal even if the user does not know the state of the plurality of terminals (ie, whether the power is off or in a communicable range). Since the data distribution is started, the user's labor can be reduced.

  Further, according to the present invention, since the intercepting terminal automatically captures the unreceived data by the second and subsequent data distribution, it is possible to prevent the data not received at the order input terminal.

  Hereinafter, a simultaneous data distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a simultaneous data distribution system according to the embodiment. In the present embodiment, an example is shown in which a simultaneous data distribution system is applied to order data management in a restaurant. From this figure, in the simultaneous data distribution system, it is installed on the wall or ceiling of the store, the data control device 1 that holds the order information and manages the system, the plurality of order input terminals 2 that are always carried by the customer service representative. A plurality of wireless control devices 3 and a plurality of restaurant printers 4 installed in a kitchen or the like are connected by a communication network. The data control device 1 and the wireless control device 3 are connected to a connector 5 and a transmission cable 6. Are connected by a connector 7.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the order input terminal and the data control device.
As shown in this figure, the data control device 1 and the order input terminal 2 transmit and receive distribution data via the wireless control device 3. The data control device 1 includes a communication processing unit 11 that transmits / receives information to / from the order input terminal 2 via the wireless control device 3, a control unit 12 that controls each processing unit in the data control device 1, and the order input terminal 2. Order data processing unit 13 for processing order data received from the data, data distribution processing unit 14 for processing data distribution to the order input terminal 2, and a database 15 for storing order data, an update program as distribution data, update menu data, etc. It has.

  The order input terminal 2 also includes a wireless communication processing unit 21 that performs wireless communication processing with the wireless control device 3, a control unit 22 that controls each processing unit of the order input terminal 2, and information that notifies the start of distribution data distribution. Based on the reception, a delay time calculation unit 23 that calculates a transmission delay time of a data distribution request as a response, a count unit 24 that counts the elapsed delay time, and a data distribution request unit 25 that makes a data distribution request after the delay time has elapsed. A data reception processing unit 26 for receiving distribution data, and a storage unit 27 for storing each processing program of the order input terminal 2 and storing the distribution data.

FIG. 3 is an image diagram of the order input terminal.
As shown in this figure, the order input terminal 2 is provided with a distribution data standby state setting key in addition to the display unit and input keys. In this embodiment, the distribution data standby state setting keys are a program update button 201 and a menu update button 202. When the distribution data standby state setting key such as the program update button 201 or the menu update button 202 is pressed on the order input terminal 2, the order input terminal 2 enters a standby state for distribution data. When receiving the data distribution start notification transmitted from the data control device 1 in the standby state, the order input terminal 2 transmits a data distribution request by the following processing and performs data reception processing. The transition of the distribution data to the standby state may be automatically performed when the reception of the data distribution start notification is constantly monitored and the notification is received.

FIG. 4 is a first diagram showing a flow of distribution data standby state transition processing in the order input terminal.
First, for example, when the order input terminal 2 is restarted by a user instruction and performs hardware initialization processing (step S41), the validity of the program on the RAM is confirmed (step S42). The process proceeds to the process using (Step S44). If the program is not valid, the state transits to the distribution data standby state, and transitions to the reception mode of the program that is the distribution data (step S43). The program on the RAM is, for example, a combination of the program main body and check data. Here check data in, for example addition result data obtained by adding one byte of program body, or addition result data obtained by adding one word the program body, or a data CRC calculation results of the main program. In the above-described process of checking the validity of the program on the RAM in step S42, the operation result of the program body and the check data are compared to check whether the program body is garbled. Alternatively, the process for confirming the validity of the program on the RAM may be confirmation such as validity / invalidity of the expiration date of the program on the RAM or validity / invalidity of the menu.

FIG. 5 is a second diagram showing the flow of the distribution data standby state transition process in the order input terminal.
When the process of step S44 described above is completed, the order input terminal 2 next accepts pressing of a distribution data standby state setting key such as the program update button 201 and the menu update button 202. Then, it is determined whether or not the distribution data standby state setting key has been pressed (step S501). If it has been pressed, it is determined whether or not the program update button 201 has been pressed (step S502). If the program update button 201 is pressed, the program shifts to a program distribution data standby state (program reception mode) (step S503). Further, the order input terminal 2 determines whether or not the menu update button 202 is pressed (step S504). If the menu update button 202 is pressed, the process shifts to a menu data distribution data standby state (menu reception mode) (step S505).

Next, the processing flow of the simultaneous data distribution system will be described.
FIG. 6 is a first diagram showing a processing flow in the order input terminal.
First, it is assumed that the data distribution processing unit 14 of the data control apparatus 1 accepts a menu data distribution instruction from the user. Then, the data distribution processing unit 14 transmits a data distribution start notification, and the data distribution start notification is wirelessly transmitted to the order input terminal 2 via the wireless control device 3. At this time, each order input terminal 2 existing within a range where wireless communication with the wireless control device 3 can be performed receives the data distribution start notification (step S601). The data distribution request unit 25 of the order input terminal 2 instructs the delay time calculation unit 23 to calculate a delay time indicating an interval from the reception of the data distribution start notification to the transmission of the data distribution request. Then, the delay time calculation unit 23 calculates the delay time (step S602). Then, the counting unit 24 performs a delay time counting process from the reception of the data distribution start notification (step S603). Details of the delay time calculation process will be described later.

  The data reception processing unit 26 of the order input terminal 2 determines whether or not the delay time has been counted (step S604), and transmits a data distribution request when the count is completed (step S605). If the data reception processing unit 26 has intercepted the radio signal and the delay time has not been counted, the data reception processing unit 26 determines whether or not a data distribution request has been transmitted from another order input terminal 2 (step S <b> 1). S606). If the data distribution request transmitted from the other order input terminal 2 is intercepted before the count ends, the data distribution request unit 25 is notified of the transmission stop of the data distribution request (step S607). In other words, since the delay time is different for each order input terminal 2, when a data distribution request is transmitted from another order input terminal 2 or when the own terminal has the shortest delay time, Before the data distribution request is transmitted from the terminal 2, the delay time of the terminal itself may end and the data distribution request unit 25 may transmit the data distribution request.

  Here, in the data distribution request, at least the message identifier that is the same as the message identifier stored in the data distribution start notification, the identification number of the order input terminal 2 that is the transmission source, and the identification number of unreceived packet data are the smallest An identification number is stored. Although details of the identification number of unreceived packet data will be described later, since there is no received packet data in the data distribution request for the first data distribution start notification, the smallest identification number of unreceived packet data The identification number is 0. Then, the data reception processing unit 26 of the order input terminal 2 determines whether or not the distribution data addressed to itself is received from the data control device 1 via the wireless control device 3 as a response to the data distribution request transmitted from the time terminal. If it is determined (step S608) and distribution data is received, the process proceeds to processing of the representative terminal (step S609). Further, the data reception processing unit 26 stops the transmission of the data distribution request or when the data distribution request unit 25 intercepts the distribution data addressed to another order input terminal even though the data distribution request unit 25 transmits the data distribution request. Shifts to processing of an intercept terminal (step S610).

FIG. 7 is a first diagram showing a processing flow of the simultaneous data distribution system.
When the data control device 1 receives the first data distribution request via the wireless control device 3 (step S701), the data control device 1 reads the terminal ID stored in the first received data distribution request, and the order input terminal of the terminal ID 2 is identified as the representative terminal. Then, the data distribution processing unit 14 of the data control device 1 reads the distribution data from the database 15 and divides the distribution data to generate a plurality of divided data. The distribution data is menu data. The data distribution processing unit 14 then identifies the message identifier stored in the data distribution request, one of each divided data, error detection redundant data, and packet data identification for detecting which divided data. The packet data storing at least the number is generated as the distribution data division number, and the packet data is transmitted to the order input terminal 2 identified as the representative terminal (step S702).

  The data distribution processing unit 14 stores each packet data for the second and subsequent data distribution. When receiving the packet data (step S703), the data reception processing unit 26 of the order input terminal 2 serving as a representative terminal that sequentially receives a plurality of packet data via the wireless control device 3 confirms the normal reception of the packet data. A response is transmitted to the data control apparatus 1 (step S704). Then, the data control device 1 repeatedly transmits each packet data generated for the number of divisions of the distribution data, and the order input terminal 2 serving as the representative terminal performs a process of transmitting an acknowledgment to the data control device 1 every time the packet data is received. repeat. The data reception processing unit 26 of the order input terminal 2 serving as the representative terminal reconstructs the distribution data (menu data) by reading and combining the divided data from each of the plurality of packet data, and storing it in the storage unit 27 in advance. It is updated by replacing the menu data that has been used.

On the other hand, the data reception processing unit 26 of the order input terminal 2 serving as an intercept terminal intercepts transmission / reception of packet data between the order input terminal 2 serving as a representative terminal and the radio network controller 3. When receiving the packet data, the data reception processing unit 26 reads the packet data and temporarily stores it in the memory (step S705). Next, when the data reception processing unit 26 intercepts that the acknowledgment for the read packet data is transmitted from the order input terminal 2 serving as the representative terminal to the data control device 1 (step S706), the data reception processing unit 26 temporarily reads the data. Read redundant data for error detection stored in packet data. Note redundant data for this error detection, for example, packet data body addition result data obtained by adding one byte at a time, or addition result data obtained by adding one word the program body, or a data CRC calculation results of the main program. The data reception processing unit 26 calculates whether the packet data body is valid by calculating the data string of the packet data body and comparing it with the error detection redundant data. If the validity is confirmed, the temporarily read packet data is taken into the storage unit 27 (step S707). If the validity cannot be confirmed, the packet data is discarded. This makes it possible to detect garbled packet data and garbled data due to interference.

  Further, the data reception processing unit 26 of the order input terminal 2 serving as an intercept terminal stores unreceived packet data. Unreceived packet data is packet data discarded due to data loss or packet data that could not be received due to a problem in wireless communication with the wireless control device 3. In this process, for example, if the packet data is discarded due to loss, the identification number of the packet data stored in the packet data is read and temporarily stored. If it is unreceived packet data, the identification number of the packet data stored in the received packet data is read, and the missing identification number is detected among the consecutive identification numbers. The detected identification number is temporarily stored. When the data reception processing unit 26 of the order input terminal 2 determines that all the packet data has been received, the standby state of the distribution data is canceled. With the above processing, the first data distribution processing is completed. When there is unreceived packet data, the data reception processing unit 26 of the order input terminal 2 stands by until receiving the second data distribution start notification.

Next, the delay time calculation process in the order input terminal will be described.
k: Proportional constant i: Identification number specific to the order input terminal pe (i): Minimum identification number held by the order input terminal (i) among the identification numbers of packet data stored in unreceived packet data delay (I): Delay coefficient set uniquely for the order input terminal (i) (for example, delay (i) = i × 5 msec)
Then, the calculation formula of the delay time T (i) is
T (i) = k × pe (i) + delay (i) (1)
It is calculated by the formula of Note that k> MAX (delay (i)).
In other words, according to the equation (1), since the distribution data is not transmitted before the first data distribution, there is no unreceived packet data in all the order input terminals 2. Therefore, pe (i) = 0. As a result, the delay time T (i) = delay (i), the delay time of the order input terminal 2 with the smallest terminal number is the shortest, and the timing of transmitting the data distribution request to the data control device 1 is also accelerated. The probability of becoming a representative terminal is high.

  The data control device 1 performs the data distribution start notification and repeats the data distribution until the data distribution request is not transmitted from the order input terminal 2 in response to the predetermined number of times or the transmission of the data distribution start notification. The data distribution processing unit 14 of the data control apparatus 1 completes a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) after completion of the first data distribution processing (completion of data distribution processing to the order input terminal 2 serving as a representative terminal). Or 30 seconds), a data distribution start notification is transmitted again to the order input terminal 2 via the wireless control device 3. The order input terminal 2 that has received the second and subsequent data distribution start notifications calculates the delay time using the above-described delay time calculation formula.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an outline of delay time calculation processing of the order input terminal that has received the second and subsequent data distribution start notifications.
In the calculation process of the delay time of the order input terminal that has received the second and subsequent data delivery start notifications, the minimum number that the order input terminal (i) holds among the identification numbers of the packet data stored in the unreceived packet data A value other than 0 is input to the identification number pe (i) of <Pe (i) = 0 if the first packet is missed>. The minimum identification number pe (i) is specified by reading the minimum identification number of the packet data identification numbers stored in the storage unit 27 in the first data distribution reception. As shown in the figure, the order input terminal (A) and the order input terminal (B) store identification numbers of unreceived packet data, and among the identification numbers of unreceived packet data in the order input terminal (A) The minimum identification number is n, and the minimum identification number among the identification numbers of unreceived packet data at the order entry terminal (B) is m. Note that n <m.

Here, since pe (A) = n and pe (B) = m, from the calculation formula (1) of the delay time,
T (A) = kn + delay (A)
T (B) = km + delay (B)
Two expressions are obtained.
Since k> MAX (delay (i)) is defined, n <m, delay (A) <k, delay (B) <k.
| Delay (B) -delay (A) | <k
Is derived. Therefore,
T (B) -T (A) = {k (mn) + (delay (B) -delay (A))> 0
Thus, T (B)> T (A) is obtained. That is, of the packet data identification numbers, the delay time of the order input terminal 2 in which the packet data having a smaller identification number has not been received becomes shorter, and the data distribution request is transmitted quickly. As a result, the order input terminal 2 that has not received the packet data having the smaller identification number among the identification numbers of the packet data becomes the representative terminal.

  The order input terminal 2 transmits a data distribution request to the data control apparatus 1 in the same manner as when receiving the first data distribution start notification. Data distribution request sent from other order input terminal 2 before sending data distribution request from own terminal when delivery data is returned to other order input terminal 2 even though data delivery request is sent If intercepted, the transmission of the data distribution request from the own terminal is stopped and the processing of the intercepting terminal is performed. The data distribution request stores the minimum identification number among the identification numbers of unreceived packet data.

  When receiving the data distribution request, the data distribution processing unit 14 of the data control device 1 reads the identification number of the unreceived packet data stored in the data distribution request. Then, each packet data with a number equal to or less than the identification number is transmitted to the order input terminal 2 (representative terminal) that is the request source of the received data distribution request.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining packet data distributed in the second and subsequent data distribution.
As shown in this figure, the identification number of the smallest packet number among the unreceived packet data in the order input terminal (A) serving as the representative terminal is n, and the unreceived packet in the order input terminal (B) serving as the intercepting terminal. When the identification number of the smallest packet number among the data is m, the data distribution processing unit 14 of the data control device 1 first receives the data distribution request from the order input terminal (A) serving as the representative terminal, Each packet data of the number below the identification number n of the unreceived packet data stored in the data distribution request is transmitted. Note that n <m. As a result, the number of packet data transmitted after the second time may be smaller than that during the first data distribution, and the communication load can be reduced. Further, since the packet data of the lower number is transmitted with reference to the packet data of the smallest identification number, adjustment can be made so that untransmitted packet data is not generated among unreceived packet data.

  The order input terminal 2 serving as the representative terminal sequentially receives the packet data, detects unreceived packet data from the packet data from the identification number of the packet data, and takes it into the storage unit 27. When the data reception for all the packet data becomes normal and is taken in, the distribution data (menu data) is updated. Further, the order input terminal 2 that performs the processing of the intercepting terminal intercepts transmission / reception between the wireless control device 3 and the order input terminal 2 serving as the representative terminal, as in the first data distribution, and receives each unreceived packet. Capture data. Similarly to the first data distribution, the order input terminal 2 stores the identification number when there is unreceived packet data. The data control device 1 performs data distribution start notification and repeats data distribution until a data distribution request is not transmitted from the order input terminal 2 in response to transmission of the data distribution start notification a predetermined number of times.

In the above-described embodiment, the data distribution processing unit 14 of the data control apparatus 1 performs the data distribution start notification process and the packet data transmission process. The function of the distribution processing unit 14 may be provided to perform data distribution start notification processing and packet data transmission processing. In this case, when a distribution data distribution instruction instructed to the data control apparatus 1 is input, the target distribution data and distribution instruction are transmitted to the wireless control apparatus 3. And the radio | wireless control apparatus 3 memorize | stores distribution data, and distributes distribution data similarly to the process mentioned above.
Further, although the above-described processing shows processing when the distribution data is menu data, the distribution data is the same even if it is other program data.
In addition to the above-described embodiment, any system other than a system used in a restaurant (for example, a product inventory confirmation system for inventory confirmation) may be used when predetermined data is transmitted to terminals simultaneously. Etc.).

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, according to the said process, delivery data is transmitted only to the order input terminal used as a representative terminal, and the order input terminal used as an intercepting terminal transmits delivery data addressed to the representative terminal. Eavesdropping and capturing the data as if it was successfully received when the intercepted data was not missing. Therefore, the data control device that transmits the distribution data only needs to transmit the distribution data to one representative terminal, so that the processing load can be reduced. Further, since there is no data transmission / reception with any interception terminal other than the representative terminal, it is not necessary to detect information about the interception terminal, thereby reducing the processing load. Further, since the order input terminal that first transmitted the data distribution request according to the delay time may be used as the representative terminal, there is no need to determine the representative terminal in advance. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the labor of the user who sets a specific representative terminal in advance, and it is possible to prevent the set representative terminal from being unable to perform data distribution due to power-off or inability to communicate. In other words, one of the order entry terminals that can automatically communicate without the user having to know the status of multiple order entry terminals (such as whether the power is off or in a communicable range). Since the terminal serves as a representative terminal and data distribution is started, the user's labor can be reduced. In addition, in the order input terminal that performs processing of the intercept terminal, the unreceived data is automatically taken in by the second and subsequent data distributions, so that it is possible to prevent the data not received at the order input terminal.

FIG. 10 is a second diagram showing a processing flow of the simultaneous data distribution system.
Next, processing when an order input terminal serving as a representative terminal cannot receive data during data distribution will be described with reference to FIG.
Step S704 When a negative response is transmitted instead of the positive response output from the order input terminal 2 (a negative response is transmitted due to data loss or the like), or when there is no transmission of an acknowledgment, the data control device 1 When data distribution with the order input terminal 2 via the wireless control device 3 times out (eg when the order input terminal 2 serving as the representative terminal moves out of the wireless communication range of the wireless control device 3) Each order input terminal 2 serving as a terminal transmits a data distribution request to the data control device 1. The details of this process are as follows. First, when the data reception processing unit 26 of the order input terminal 2 serving as an intercepting terminal intercepts packet data (step S801), the order input terminal 2 serving as a representative terminal for receiving the packet data receives the data. Counts the time to intercept an acknowledgment transmission.

If it is determined that this count has timed out, or if it is determined that a negative response has been intercepted instead of an affirmative response (step S802), redundant data for error detection is read from the packet data. The redundant data for error detection is data obtained by adding packet data body data one byte at a time, data obtained by adding program body data one word at a time, or program body data CRC calculation result. The data reception processing unit 26 calculates whether the packet data body is valid by calculating the data string of the packet data body and comparing it with the error detection redundant data. If the validity is confirmed, the packet data is taken into the storage unit 27 (step S803). If the validity cannot be confirmed, the packet data is discarded. This makes it possible to detect garbled packet data and garbled data due to interference. Then, it instructs the data distribution request unit 25 to start processing the data distribution request. Then, the data distribution request counts the delay time set uniquely for the terminal itself (for example, if the identification number unique to the order entry terminal is i, delay (i) = i × 500 msec) (step S804), then A data distribution request is transmitted (step S805). The data distribution processing unit 14 of the data control device 1 specifies the order input terminal 2 of the intercept terminal that has newly transmitted the data distribution request as a new representative terminal, and transmits the remaining packet data to the representative terminal (step S806). ). Then, the order input terminal 2 that has transmitted the data distribution request transitions from the intercept terminal to the representative terminal to receive the packet data (step S807), and then performs the same processing as described above. Further, the order input terminal 2 serving as an intercepting terminal that transmits a data distribution request cancels the transmission when a data distribution request is transmitted from another order input terminal 2 in the same manner as the above-described processing. When the distribution data is transmitted to another order input terminal 2 even though the data distribution request is transmitted, it operates again as an intercept terminal.

  With the above processing, even when the order input terminal 2 serving as the representative terminal is out of the wireless communication area of the wireless control device 3, the order input terminal 2 that is surely located within the wireless communication area is used as the new representative terminal without any delay. Distribution can be performed. This also ensures data distribution to the order input terminal 2 which is another interception terminal located within the communication range.

  The data control, radio control apparatus, and order input terminal described above have a computer system inside. The process described above is stored in a computer-readable recording medium in the form of a program, and the above process is performed by the computer reading and executing this program. Here, the computer-readable recording medium means a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a semiconductor memory, or the like. Alternatively, the computer program may be distributed to the computer via a communication line, and the computer that has received the distribution may execute the program.

  The program may be for realizing a part of the functions described above. Furthermore, what can implement | achieve the function mentioned above in combination with the program already recorded on the computer system, and what is called a difference file (difference program) may be sufficient.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a simultaneous data delivery system. It is a functional block diagram of an order input terminal and a data control device. It is an image figure of an order input terminal. It is a 1st figure which shows the flow of the delivery data standby state transfer process in an order input terminal. It is a 2nd figure which shows the flow of the delivery data standby state transfer process in an order input terminal. It is a 1st figure which shows the processing flow in an order input terminal. It is a 1st figure which shows the processing flow of a simultaneous data delivery system. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the calculation process of the delay time of the order input terminal which received the data delivery start notification after the 2nd time. It is a figure explaining the packet data delivered in the data delivery after the 2nd time. It is a 2nd figure which shows the processing flow of a simultaneous data delivery system.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Data control apparatus 2 ... Order input terminal 3 ... Wireless control apparatus 11 ... Communication processing part 12 ... Control part 13 ... Order data processing part 14 ... Data distribution processing part DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 ... Database 21 ... Wireless communication processing part 22 ... Control part 23 ... Delay time calculation part 24 ... Count part 25 ... Data distribution request part 26 ... Data reception processing part 27 ... Storage unit

Claims (8)

A simultaneous data distribution system that distributes data to a plurality of terminals simultaneously,
Data distribution device
Data distribution start notification means for performing data distribution start notification;
Data distribution means for distributing data to a terminal that responded earliest to the data distribution start notification among the plurality of terminals, the data distribution means to the data distribution to the terminal that responded earliest When the data is delayed, it receives a data distribution request from another terminal, performs the data distribution to the other terminal,
The terminal
A response delay time calculating means for calculating a response delay time unique to the terminal upon receipt of the data delivery start notification;
A response intercepting means for intercepting a data delivery request for a data delivery start notification transmitted from another terminal toward the data delivery device;
A delay time counting means for counting the elapsed response delay time calculated from the reception time of the data delivery start notification;
If a data distribution request transmitted from the other terminal is intercepted before the response delay time elapses, the transmission of the data distribution request from the own terminal is stopped, and the other data transmission by the response delay time elapses. If the data distribution request transmitted from the terminal is not intercepted, the data distribution request means for transmitting the response from the own terminal,
When data distribution is distributed from the data distribution device to the own terminal based on a response to the data distribution start notification from the own terminal, the own terminal receives the distributed data as a representative terminal, If the data distribution is not distributed from the data distribution device to the terminal based on the response to the data distribution start notification, or if a response to the data distribution start notification from the other terminal is intercepted, Data receiving means for intercepting data distribution to other terminals that have become representative terminals,
The data distribution request means detects whether or not the data distribution to the representative terminal is delayed when the data receiving means is intercepting data distribution to the other terminal that has become the representative terminal as an intercepting terminal. 2. The simultaneous data distribution system according to claim 1, wherein when the data distribution is delayed, the data distribution request is transmitted by counting the elapse of a delay time unique to the terminal itself. The data distribution means of the data distribution apparatus divides the data to be distributed and sequentially distributes the divided data,
The data reception means of the terminal transmits an acknowledgment to the data distribution device for each normal reception of each divided data when the terminal is the representative terminal,
The data receiving means of the terminal holds the divided data in a temporary storage unit when the own terminal is an intercepting terminal, and whether or not the divided data is missing after intercepting the acknowledgment for the divided data The simultaneous data distribution system according to claim 1, wherein determination is made, and if there is no deficiency, the divided data is captured as normal reception. The terminal to be an intercept terminal is
Unreceived data storage means for storing the identification number of the divided data determined to be missing by the missing presence determination as information of unreceived data;
In the case of storing the identification number of the divided data that becomes the unreceived data, the identification of the divided data that becomes the unreceived data when receiving the data distribution start notification retransmitted from the data distribution device A data redistribution request means for transmitting a data redistribution request after the delay time based on the number has elapsed,
The data distribution start notification means of the data distribution device repeats transmission of the data distribution start notification a plurality of times,
The simultaneous data distribution system according to claim 2, wherein the data distribution unit of the data distribution apparatus retransmits data to a request source terminal of the data redistribution request received earliest. In the data redistribution request, the identification number that is the youngest among the identification numbers of the divided data to be unreceived data is held,
The data distribution means of the data distribution device comprises:
The simultaneous data distribution system according to claim 3, wherein each divided data having an identification number equal to or less than an identification number held in the data redistribution request is redistributed. A simultaneous data distribution method in a simultaneous data distribution system for simultaneously distributing data to a plurality of terminals,
The data distribution start notification means of the data distribution device performs data distribution start notification,
The response delay time calculation means of the terminal calculates a response delay time specific to the terminal upon receiving the data delivery start notification,
The response intercepting means of the terminal intercepts a data delivery request for a data delivery start notification transmitted from the other terminal toward the data delivery device,
The terminal delay time counting means counts the elapsed response delay time calculated from the reception time of the data delivery start notification,
If the data distribution request means of the terminal intercepts a data distribution request transmitted from the other terminal before the response delay time elapses, the data distribution request means stops the transmission of the data distribution request from the own terminal, and the response If the data delivery request sent from the other terminal is not intercepted by the lapse of the delay time, send the response from the own terminal,
The data distribution means of the data distribution apparatus performs data distribution to a terminal that responded earliest to the data distribution start notification among the plurality of terminals,
The data receiving means of the terminal is distributed as the representative terminal when the data distribution is distributed from the data distribution device to the terminal based on the response to the data distribution start notification from the terminal. When data is received and data distribution is not distributed from the data distribution device to the own terminal based on a response to the data distribution start notification from the own terminal or a response to the data distribution start notification from the other terminal When intercepted, intercept data distribution to other terminals that became representative terminals as intercepting terminals,
When the data receiving means of the terminal is intercepting data distribution to another terminal that has become the representative terminal as an intercepting terminal, it detects whether or not the data distribution to the representative terminal is delayed, and the data distribution When the data is delayed, the data delivery request is transmitted by counting the elapse of the delay time specific to the terminal,
The data distribution means of the data distribution device accepts a data distribution request from another terminal and distributes the data to the other terminal when the data distribution to the terminal that responded earliest is delayed. A featured simultaneous data delivery method. The data distribution means of the data distribution device divides the data to be distributed and sequentially distributes each of the divided data,
The data reception means of the terminal transmits an acknowledgment to the data distribution device for each normal reception of each divided data when the terminal is the representative terminal,
The data receiving means of the terminal holds the divided data in a temporary storage unit when the own terminal is an intercepting terminal, and whether or not the divided data is missing after intercepting the acknowledgment for the divided data 6. The simultaneous data distribution method according to claim 5, wherein determination is made, and if there is no deficiency, the divided data is captured as normal reception. The unreceived data storage means of the terminal serving as an intercepting terminal stores the identification number of the divided data determined to be missing by the missing presence determination as information of unreceived data,
The data redistribution request means of the terminal serving as the intercept terminal receives the data distribution start notification retransmitted from the data distribution device when storing the identification number of the divided data serving as the unreceived data. In response, a data redistribution request is transmitted after a delay time based on the identification number of the divided data that becomes the unreceived data,
The data distribution start notification means of the data distribution device repeats transmission of the data distribution start notification a plurality of times,
The simultaneous data distribution method according to claim 6, wherein the data distribution unit of the data distribution apparatus retransmits the data to the terminal that requested the data redistribution request received earliest. In the data redistribution request, the identification number that is the youngest among the identification numbers of the divided data to be unreceived data is held,
8. The simultaneous data distribution method according to claim 7, wherein the data distribution means of the data distribution apparatus redistributes each divided data having an identification number equal to or less than an identification number held in the data redistribution request. .

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