JPH11265270A - Data transmission device and order data management device using this device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] Before running out of printing paper, an operator of a wireless terminal is notified that the paper is almost out, and the printing paper is replaced at an optimal timing. A plurality of handy terminals for wirelessly transmitting order data, a plurality of kitchen printers arranged in a kitchen for printing out order data, and a station 3 for controlling data transmission and reception between the handy terminal and the kitchen printer. The station is provided with a printing paper remaining number counting means 11b for counting the number of remaining printing papers, and is also provided on the kitchen printer. The station is provided with identification data indicating a printing paper replacement instruction when the remaining number of printing papers becomes a predetermined value or less. Instruction identification data holding means 11c for holding
The wireless base unit 4 for wirelessly transmitting the identification data to the handy terminal is provided. When the handy terminal receives the identification data from the station, the handy terminal causes the display unit to display a print paper exchange instruction of the kitchen printer.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data transmission apparatus having a wireless terminal, a printing apparatus, a station for controlling transmission and reception of data therebetween, and an order data management apparatus using the apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in a restaurant such as a restaurant or a fast food restaurant, each service clerk has a wireless portable terminal called a handy terminal. On the other hand, a printing device called a kitchen printer is arranged in a kitchen to provide a service clerk. When the customer receives an order at the customer's table, he enters the order data using the wireless portable terminal, and after completing the order data entry and performs the transmission operation, the order data becomes the function of the repeater. The station transmits and wirelessly transmits the order data to the printing device. The printing device prints out the order data to inform the cooker of the kitchen. Then, when the cooking of the order is completed in the kitchen, the service clerk serves the order to the customer. Such a system is called an order data management system and is attracting attention as a system for efficiently performing business in restaurants.

In such a system, when the printing device runs out of paper, printing output becomes impossible, so that it is delayed to inform a cook of order data, an order is incorrectly received, cooking is forgotten, and the customer is inconvenienced. The problem occurs.

[0004] In view of the above, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 2-2793 discloses
No. 71 describes a state information holding means for storing and holding a normal / abnormal state of each kitchen printer in a repeater for controlling data transmission and reception between the portable terminal for order and the kitchen printer, and the holding means. State information transmitting means for wirelessly transmitting the stored state information of each kitchen printer to the wireless terminal for order receiving the instruction to open the station; and When the status information is received, the abnormal printer display control means for displaying the identification data indicating the abnormal status of the kitchen printer on the display unit is provided, so that each service clerk possessing the wireless terminal for receiving orders always checks the status of each kitchen printer. When order data for a kitchen printer that can be accurately grasped and print output is disabled due to paper exhaustion etc. occurs Each attendant is enabled to is accurately corresponding thereto.

[0005]

However, according to the method disclosed in this publication, the kitchen printer cannot take appropriate measures until the paper has run out of paper, so that the paper may run out during the busiest hours. The store clerk was busy working on customer service, and the cook was busy working on cooking. However, there is a problem that cooking and serving meals are delayed, which causes trouble for customers. In particular, in a system having only one kitchen printer, there is a problem that the work is actually stopped and the customer is inconvenienced. Further, if the paper runs out suddenly, it may cause mental upset to the employees, and there may be a frequent occurrence of business mistakes.

Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to notify the operator of the wireless terminal that the paper is almost out of paper before the printing paper in the printing apparatus is exhausted, thereby allowing the operator to appropriately determine the situation. Provided is a data transmission device capable of exchanging printing paper at an optimal timing.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to notify the service clerk having the wireless portable terminal that the paper is almost out of paper before the printing paper of the printing apparatus is exhausted, so that the customer can wait for the printing paper. The clerk provides an order data management device capable of appropriately determining the situation in the store and exchanging printing paper at an optimal timing.

[0008]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
Data input from the input unit is displayed on the display unit and stored in the storage unit, and in response to a transmission instruction, one or a plurality of wireless terminals wirelessly transmitting data in the storage unit, and data transmitted from the wireless terminal. In a data transmission device including one or more printing devices that print out and a station that controls transmission and reception of data between the wireless terminal and the printing device, one or both of the station and the printing device may include a printing device. A printing paper remaining number counting means for counting the number of remaining printing papers is provided, and when the number of remaining printing papers counted by the printing paper remaining number counting means becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value, a printing paper replacement instruction of the corresponding printing apparatus is provided in the station. Exchange instruction identification data holding means for holding the identification data indicated by the exchange instruction identification data holding means; And a wireless communication control means for transmitting provided, the wireless terminal, in the data transmission apparatus provided with display control means for displaying on the display unit a print sheet replacement instruction corresponding printing apparatus when receiving the identification data from the station.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, according to an order from a customer who eats and drinks, the order data input from the input unit is displayed on the display unit and stored in the storage unit, and the order data in the storage unit is wirelessly transmitted by a transmission instruction. A plurality of wireless portable terminals, one or a plurality of printing devices arranged in a kitchen for printing out order data transmitted from the wireless portable terminals, and data transmission / reception control between the wireless portable terminals and the printing device And an order data management device that manages the input order data, in both or one of the station and the printing device, provided with a printing paper remaining number counting means for counting the remaining printing paper number in the printing device, When the number of remaining printing papers counted by the remaining printing paper counting means becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value, the station indicates a corresponding printing paper exchange instruction of the printing apparatus. An exchange instruction identification data holding unit for holding another data; and a wireless communication control unit for wirelessly transmitting the identification data held in the exchange instruction identification data holding unit to the wireless portable terminal. And an order data management device provided with display control means for displaying, on a display unit, a print paper replacement instruction of a corresponding printing device when identification data is received from a station.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the order data management apparatus according to the second aspect, the wireless communication control means of the station determines that the number of remaining printing papers counted by the remaining number of printing papers counting means is less than a predetermined value. At the time, when the number of unprepared or unserved ordered items, or the current number of customers, or the current number of occupied tables becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value, the identification data held in the exchange instruction identification data holding means is transmitted to the wireless portable terminal. Radio transmission.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the order data input from the input unit is displayed on the display unit and stored in the storage unit according to the order from the customer who eats and drinks, and the order data in the storage unit is wirelessly transmitted by a transmission instruction. A plurality of wireless portable terminals, one or a plurality of printing devices arranged in a kitchen for printing out order data transmitted from the wireless portable terminals, and data transmission / reception control between the wireless portable terminals and the printing device And an order data management device that manages the input order data, in both or one of the station and the printing device, provided with a printing paper remaining number counting means for counting the remaining printing paper number in the printing device, When the number of remaining printing papers counted by the remaining printing paper counting means becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value, the station indicates a corresponding printing paper exchange instruction of the printing apparatus. Exchange instruction identification data holding means for holding the first identification data, print sheet exchange instruction information transmitting means for wirelessly transmitting the first identification data held in the exchange instruction identification data holding means to the wireless portable terminal; A first print paper exchanged information input means for inputting print paper exchanged information, and a second print paper exchanged information input means for inputting print paper exchanged information to the wireless portable terminal. When the exchange information of the printing paper is input from the second printing paper exchange information input means, the first identification information indicating that the printing paper has been exchanged is wirelessly transmitted to the station. An information transmitting means for displaying, on the display unit, a print paper exchange instruction of a corresponding printing device when the first identification data is received from the station, and displaying the second identification data from the station; Display control means for displaying the exchanged information of the printing paper on the display unit when the data is received, and the station further receives the input of the exchanged printing paper information from the first exchanged printing paper information input means. And exchanged identification data holding means for holding second identification data indicating that the printing paper has been replaced, and holding the second identification data when receiving the second identification data from the wireless portable terminal. When the exchanged identification data holding unit holds the second identification data based on the input of the printing paper exchanged information from the first printing paper exchanged information input unit, the second identification data is An order data management device provided with a second printing paper exchanged information transmitting means for wirelessly transmitting to a wireless portable terminal.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the order data management apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the printing paper exchange instruction information transmitting means of the station comprises a first identification data indicating a print paper exchange instruction to the wireless portable terminal. When the exchanged identification data holding unit does not hold the second identification data within a predetermined time after transmitting the first identification data, the first identification data is transmitted again. The transmission of the first identification data is repeated while sequentially reducing the predetermined time until the identification data is held.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) In this embodiment, an embodiment in which a data transmission device is applied to an order data management device will be described.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of an order data management apparatus. Reference numeral 1 denotes a handy terminal as a wireless portable terminal possessed by a service clerk, 2 denotes a kitchen printer as a printing device arranged in a kitchen, 3 Is a station that functions as a repeater for transmitting and receiving data between the handy terminal 1 and the kitchen printer 2. The station 3 controls a wireless master device 4 for controlling wireless communication with each of the handy terminals 1 and the wireless master device 4 and also controls transmission and reception of data to and from each of the kitchen printers 2 via a transmission line 5. It has become.

As shown in FIG. 2, the station 3 includes a station body 6, a control unit 11, two transmission controllers 12, 13, a keyboard 14 for inputting setting data and the like, and a keyboard for controlling the keyboard 14. A controller 15, for example, a display 16 comprising a CRT display, a display controller 17 for controlling the display 16, a clock circuit 18 for measuring the date and time, a clock controller 19 for controlling the clock circuit 18, etc. The wireless master device 4 includes a control unit 21, a transmission controller 22, a wireless circuit 23, and the like.

The control unit 11 of the station body 6 includes:
It comprises a CPU (Central Processing Unit) constituting the control body, a ROM (Read Only Memory) storing program data, etc., and a RAM (Random Access Memory) constituting various files and memories. Item name corresponding to the menu code attached to each menu item,
A menu file 11a in which data such as a unit price and a KP number as an identification code indicating a destination kitchen printer are preset, a remaining number of printing papers counting means 11b for counting the number of remaining printing papers, and a print paper replacement instruction of the kitchen printer 2. An exchange instruction identification data holding unit 11c for holding identification data is provided. The control unit 11 of the station body 6 controls the transmission controllers 12 and 13, the keyboard controller 15, the display controller 17, and the clock controller 19 via a bus line 20. The transmission controller 13 is connected to each of the kitchen printers 2 and controls data transmission and reception.

The control unit 21 of the wireless master unit 4 stores various data such as a CPU (central processing unit) constituting a control main body, a ROM (read only memory) storing program data and the like, and transmission / reception data. It is composed of RAM (random access memory) that constitutes memory, etc.,
The transmission controller 22 and the wireless circuit 23 are controlled. The transmission controller 22 is connected to the transmission controller 12 of the station body 6 and controls data transmission and reception. The wireless circuit 23 wirelessly controls data transmission and reception with each of the handy terminals 1.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of a kitchen printer related information storage memory 11d formed in the RAM of the control unit 11. This memory 11d has a kitchen printer number assigned to each of the kitchen printers 2. Then, five types of status information “00” to “04”, a sheet change date, the number of prints, the number of print menus, and the next scheduled sheet change date are stored. In the status information, “00” indicates a normal status, “01” indicates an abnormal status due to out of paper, “02” indicates an abnormal status due to opening of the printer cover, and “03” indicates a hardware error such as a paper jam. "04" indicates an abnormal state due to no response such as power-off. That is,
The CPU of the control unit 11 has a function as a printer status monitoring unit, and the transmission controller 1 has a predetermined cycle.
The status information corresponding to the kitchen printer number of the corresponding kitchen printer is set to “00” if the status is normal, and the status of the corresponding kitchen printer is determined according to the content if the status is abnormal. The status information corresponding to the kitchen printer number of the printer is "01"
If there is no response even after a predetermined time has elapsed, it is determined that a response is added due to power off or the like, and the status information is set to "04".

When the CPU of the wireless master unit 4 receives the status information of the kitchen printer related information storage memory 11d from the station body 6 via the transmission controller 22, the CPU receives the status information instead of the data received in the previous monitoring process. State information holding means for storing data in a predetermined memory of the RAM is provided.

The date when the currently set printing paper is set is stored in the sheet change date, the number of times the order data is printed for each customer is stored in the number of prints, and the number of print menus is stored in the number of print menus. The total number of menus printed by the kitchen printer 2 is stored, and the next scheduled paper change date stores the scheduled date of replacing the next print paper with a new one.
The number of prints and the number of print menus are updated at any time each time order data is received. When the kitchen printer 2 issues a billing slip, the number of slips may be stored instead of the number of printings.

The number of times of printing is counted by the CPU according to a program stored in the ROM.
Is performed by incrementing the value of the predetermined area. Then, the clerk exchanges the printing paper, and the count value is cleared when there is an input indicating that the printing paper has been replaced. Also, a time obtained by adding a predetermined time to the printer paper setting time set last time by the CPU is stored as the next paper change scheduled date.

Station body 6 for performing such processing
The function of the control unit 11 is as follows.
b. That is, the printing paper remaining number counting means 11b is provided in the kitchen printer related information storage memory 11
The number of printing papers used in each kitchen printer 2 is counted based on the number of printings d, and the remaining number is calculated. When the remaining number becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value, a printing paper replacement instruction is output. Thereby, the CPU of the control unit 11 holds the first identification data indicating the printing paper replacement instruction in the replacement instruction identification data holding means 11c, and thereafter, transfers the held first identification data to the printing paper replacement instruction. The handy terminal 1 through the wireless master unit 4 by information transmission means
Wireless transmission.

If the kitchen printer 2 already has actual data from the setting of the printing paper to the replacement thereof, this data may be added as a predetermined time. Alternatively, the time from the increase in the number of times of printing until the number of times of printing reaches the predetermined number of times may be estimated and added as a predetermined time.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the kitchen printer 2. A CPU (central processing unit) 31 constituting a control unit body, and a ROM (read only memory) storing fixed data such as control program data. ) 32,
A RAM (random access memory) 33 provided with a memory for storing received data, a transmission controller 34 for controlling transmission and reception of data to and from the transmission controller 13 of the station body 6 via the transmission line 5, A print controller 36 for driving and controlling the unit 35 to print order data and the like on printing paper, an I / O port 38 for outputting a drive signal to an LED (light emitting diode) 37, a remaining printing paper counting means 39, and the like are provided. ing. The CPU 31, the ROM 32, the RAM 33, the transmission controller 34, the print controller 36, the I / O port 38, and the remaining printing paper counting means 39 are electrically connected to each other by a bus line 40.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the printing paper remaining number counting means 39 is provided with a paper holding mechanism of a mechanism for holding and rotating a roll-shaped printing paper 41 with a paper holding member 42 and a paper fixing member 43. The rotating slit plate 4 is provided on the rotating shaft of the member 42.
4 is provided, and rotation detecting means for detecting the rotation speed of the rotating slit plate 44 by detecting the passage of the slit of the rotating slit plate 44 rotated by the rotation of the paper holding member 42 with a photo interrupter 45. The rotation detecting means detects a rotation speed when the paper holding member 42 rotates and the printing paper 41 is scrolled, and measures the remaining amount of the printing paper 41 from the rotation speed. That is, the diameter of the printing paper 41 decreases as the printing paper 41 is used, and the rotation speed during scrolling increases.
Therefore, a rotation speed at which a replacement instruction for the printing paper 41 should be issued is set in advance, and when the rotation speed measured by the remaining printing paper counting means 39 reaches the predetermined rotation speed, the CPU 31 sets the rotation speed. Station body 6 C
The PU is notified that the printing paper 41 is almost out of paper.

When the CPU of the station body 6 is notified by the kitchen printer 2 that the printing paper 41 is almost out of paper, the remaining number of printing paper counted by the remaining printing paper counting means 39 becomes less than a predetermined value. Then, the first identification data indicating the exchange instruction of the printing paper is held in the exchange instruction identification data holding unit 11c, and the held first identification data is wirelessly transmitted by the printing paper exchange instruction information transmitting unit. Radio transmission is performed to the handy terminal 1 via the base unit 4.

Here, since the printing paper remaining number counting means is provided in both the station main body 6 and the kitchen printer 2, the station main body 6 is provided with a printing means for counting one or both of the printing paper remaining number counting means. When the number of remaining papers becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value, the replacement instruction identification data holding unit 11c stores first identification data indicating a print paper replacement instruction, and the held first identification data is transmitted to the wireless master device 4. Wireless transmission to the handy terminal 1 is performed.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the handy terminal 1. A CPU (central processing unit) constituting a control unit body, and a ROM (read only memory) storing fixed data such as control program data. , A random access memory (RAM) provided with a memory for storing transmission / reception data, etc.
A control unit 51 constituted by an access memory, etc., a wireless circuit 52 for controlling the wireless transmission and reception of data with the wireless master unit 4 of the station 3, an instruction to input and transmit order data, and an instruction to exchange printing paper. Keyboard 53 as an input unit for performing operations such as, a keyboard controller 54 for controlling the keyboard 53, and an LC for displaying data.
A display 55 such as D, a display controller 56 for controlling the display 55, a buzzer 57, and an I / O port 58 for outputting a drive signal to the buzzer 57 are provided. And
The control unit 51, the wireless circuit 52, the keyboard controller 54, the display controller 56, and the I / O port 58 are electrically connected to each other by a bus line 59.

When the control unit 51 receives the first identification data indicating the paper exchange instruction of the kitchen printer 2 from the station 3, the control unit 51 displays the identification data on the display unit 55 through the display controller 56. Control means 51a is provided.

In the RAM of the control unit 51, in addition to the memory for storing transmission / reception data, as shown in FIG. 7, a menu table 61, a registration buffer 62, a printer status information management table 63, and writing and writing to the registration buffer 62 are performed. A pointer P area 64 for indicating a reading position, an area 65 for counting the number m of registered order data, and the like are provided.

In the menu table 61, a kitchen printer number (hereinafter, referred to as an identification code) indicating the kitchen printer 2 which outputs the order data of the menu item corresponding to the menu code assigned to each menu item.
Called KP number. ) Is set. The registration buffer 62 stores order data for one customer input by a key input operation. The order data includes a menu code, the number of orders, a KP number, and a table number. The printer status information management table 63 stores status information of each kitchen printer 2 transmitted from the station 3 together with a corresponding KP number, and an abnormal status set to “1” when the kitchen printer 2 is in an abnormal status. A flag F1 and an exchange flag F2 which is set to "1" when recommending the exchange of the printing paper of the kitchen printer 2 are stored.

Next, the exchange of data and signals between the handy terminal 1, the station 3 and the kitchen printer 2 in a system using one kitchen printer 2 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
8 is a flowchart showing processing by the CPU of the handy terminal 1, FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing processing by the CPU of the station body 6, and FIG.
3 is a flowchart showing a process by No. 1.

First, when a key signal for inputting order data is input from the keyboard 53, the handy terminal 1 proceeds to S1 in FIG. 8 to select a menu code, the number, a KP number corresponding to the menu code, and a table. Area 64 in the registration buffer 62
Is stored in the area designated by the pointer P, and the pointer P of the area 64 and the registered number m of the area 65 are incremented. Then, all order data from the customer is registered in the registration buffer 62, and when a transmission key is input on the keyboard 53, the wireless circuit 52 drives all the order data stored in the registration buffer 62 in S2. Station 3
Wirelessly to the wireless base unit 4.

The station 3 receives the order data from the handy terminal 1 in S11 of FIG. 9, and when all the order data have been correctly received, in S12,
The ACK is transmitted by radio, and when the ACK is not correctly received, the NAK is transmitted by radio in S12. When receiving the NAK from the station 3 in S3 of FIG. 8, the handy terminal 1 wirelessly transmits the order data in the registration buffer 62 to the wireless base unit 4 of the station 3 again in S2.

Station 3 is a handy terminal 1
After correctly receiving all the order data from and transmitting ACK to the handy terminal 1, subsequently, in S13,
The received order data is transmitted to the kitchen printer 2 to instruct printing. The kitchen printer 2 is shown in FIG.
When the order data is received from the station 3 in S31, the printing of the received order data is started in S32. When the printing is correctly completed, an ACK is transmitted to the station 3 in S33, and when the printing is not correctly completed, a NAK is transmitted to the station 3 in S33.

When the station 3 receives the NAK from the kitchen printer 2 in S14 of FIG.
, A print error process is performed, and this process is terminated to enter the first reception standby state. If an ACK is received from the kitchen printer 2 in S14, the number of prints and the number of print menus in the kitchen printer related information storage memory 11d formed in the RAM of the control unit 11 are updated in S16. , S17, it is determined whether or not the number of times of printing exceeds a predetermined number.

If the number of printings does not exceed the predetermined number, this process is terminated and the first reception standby state is set. If the number of times of printing exceeds the predetermined number, S18
Then, the printing paper replacement flag of the kitchen printer provided in the RAM of the control unit 11 is changed to the printing paper replacement state,
At 19, the display 16 indicates that the kitchen printer 2 has entered the printing paper exchange state. Then, in S20, the first identification data indicating the print paper exchange instruction is wirelessly transmitted to the handy terminal 1. At this time, the kitchen printer related information storage memory 11d formed in the RAM together with the first identification data instructing the exchange of the printing paper.
May be wirelessly transmitted.

In step S4 of FIG. 8, the handy terminal 1 issues a first printing paper exchange instruction from the station 3.
If the identification data is received correctly and the reception is successful, an ACK is wirelessly transmitted to the station 3 in S5,
If the reception has failed, the NAK is wirelessly transmitted to the station 3 in S5.

If the station 3 receives the NAK from the handy terminal 1 in S21 of FIG.
At 20, the first identification data indicating the print paper replacement instruction is wirelessly transmitted to the handy terminal 1 again. If an ACK is received from the handy terminal 1 in S21, this process ends and the first reception standby state is set.

The handy terminal 1 is connected to the station 3
When the first identification data indicating the print paper replacement instruction from the printer is correctly received, the kitchen printer status information is set in the printer status information management table 63 and the display 55 indicates print paper replacement at S6 in FIG. The display is performed, and the series of processing ends.

In the printing error process performed by the station 3 in S15, a printer error is displayed on the display 16 and identification data indicating that the printer is abnormal is transmitted to the handy terminal 1 by radio.
Instruction to cancel the printer error to the customer service clerk. Then, the service clerk receiving the notification performs the work of clearing the abnormality with respect to the kitchen printer 2, and when the printer malfunction is cleared, the kitchen printer 2 transmits identification data indicating that the malfunction has been cleared to the station 3. In step 3, the contents of the kitchen printer related information storage memory 11d formed in the RAM are updated, and the printer status management data is wirelessly transmitted to the handy terminal 1.

The handy terminal 1 is connected to the station 3
Updates the printer status information management table 63 according to the printer status management data received from the
5 is displayed to indicate that the printer has been reset. In addition, as the radio | wireless part comprised by the radio | wireless master unit 4 of the station 3 and the radio | wireless circuit 52 of the handy terminal 1, specific low power, PHS (personal handy phone system),
Alternatively, any radio of the low power data communication system may be used.

In this apparatus having such a configuration, the clerk in charge of customer service who has the handy terminal 1 issues a first print paper exchange instruction from the station 3 before the kitchen printer 2 runs out of print paper. Since it is notified by wireless transmission of the identification data that it is time to replace the printing paper, it is possible to appropriately judge the situation such as busyness of the store and replace the printing paper of the kitchen printer at the optimal timing. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the flow of business is stopped due to running out of printing paper of the kitchen printer 2 and the time from ordering to serving meals is prolonged, thereby inconveniencing the customer. In addition, since there is enough time before the printing paper runs out, the printing paper can be replaced only by the customer clerk instead of the cooking clerk. Can be prevented from decreasing.

Further, since it is notified that it is time to replace the printing paper before the printing paper runs out, there is ample time from when the printing paper is replaced to when the printing paper actually runs out. Therefore, in some cases, it is possible to replace the printing paper after the store closes or before the store opens, avoiding business hours, thereby further preventing a reduction in business efficiency. In addition, because it is notified in advance that the print paper is almost out, even if you forget to replace the paper and run out of print paper, there is little mental upset of the clerk, and I can deal with it quickly and calmly.

(Second Embodiment) This embodiment also describes a case where the data transmission apparatus is applied to an order data management apparatus, and the basic configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment. The feature of this embodiment resides in that a printing paper exchange instruction is notified while avoiding the busy hours of the store.

Keyboard 1 in station body 6
4 is provided with a key for inputting the number of clerks currently in charge of customer service. In the RAM of the control section 11 in the station body 6, a printing paper exchange instruction determination reference data table 11e shown in FIG. 11 is provided. The contents of the printing paper replacement instruction determination reference data table 11e are, for example, when the number of clerks in charge of customer service is two, the number of remaining orders that have not been processed, such as not created or not served, is 16 or less, or If the number of customers in the store is 8 or less, or the number of occupied tables is 4 or less, the clerk in charge of the service waits for the reference data to determine that there is room to replace the printing paper, that is,
It is a predetermined value.

Therefore, when the number of clerks in charge of customer service is currently 2, the number of customers is 10, the number of remaining orders exceeds 16, and the number of occupied tables exceeds 4, the value exceeds the predetermined value.
At this time, even if the remaining number of printing papers of the kitchen printer 2 becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value, the station main body 6 determines that there is no room for the clerk to perform the work of replacing the printing papers, and at this time, indicates a printing paper replacement instruction. The first identification data is not transmitted to the handy terminal 1. In this state, if one clerk goes to work and there are three clerks in charge of customer service as a whole, the printing paper replacement instruction determination reference data table 11e is assumed.
Therefore, it is determined that at least the number of customers is equal to or less than the predetermined value, and that there is room to perform the work of replacing the printing paper, and the first identification data indicating the printing paper replacement instruction is wirelessly transmitted to the handy terminal 1.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the processing by the CPU of the station body 6, and the processing from S41 to S49 is the same as the processing from S11 to S19 in the flowchart showing the processing by the CPU of the station body 6 in the first embodiment. It is. In S49, the display 16 displays the kitchen printer 2
Displays that the printing paper has been replaced, and then sets an initial value T1 for the time interval T in S50, and proceeds to S50.
At 51, the time measurement value t is cleared, and thereafter, at S52, measurement of the time t is started.

Subsequently, at S53, the set time interval T
Is compared with the predetermined value T2. If the time interval T is larger than the predetermined value T2, the printing paper of the kitchen printer 2 should be replaced, but it is determined that there is still enough time before the paper runs out, and in S54 Then, it is determined whether or not the current order status is within a predetermined value from the contents of the printing paper replacement instruction determination reference data table 11e.

When it is determined that the current order status is within the predetermined value and the clerk in charge of the customer can afford to perform the printing paper exchange work, in S55, the first instruction for instructing all the handy terminals 1 to exchange the printing paper is given. The identification data is transmitted wirelessly. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the clerk in charge of the customer from giving an instruction when the customer is busy, thereby improving the work efficiency of the clerk and increasing the possibility that the clerk immediately starts the replacement work after issuing the exchange instruction. As a result, it is possible to shorten the time until the printing paper is replaced.

If it is determined in S53 that the time interval T is equal to or less than the predetermined value T2, it is determined that there is not enough time before the printing paper runs out, and the process proceeds to S55 regardless of whether or not the clerk has room. Then, the first identification data indicating the print paper exchange instruction is wirelessly transmitted to all the handy terminals 1.

At S55, all handy terminals 1
When the first identification data indicating the print paper exchange instruction is wirelessly transmitted to the user, subsequently, in S56, the input of the print paper exchange has been made from the handy terminal 1 of the clerk who exchanged the print paper, or the keyboard of the station body 6 1
4 to check if there is an input indicating that the print paper has been replaced directly.
In step S57, the contents of the kitchen printer related information storage memory 11d in the RAM are updated, and the contents are updated.
In S58, the second identification data indicating that the printing paper has been replaced is wirelessly transmitted to all the handy terminals 1.

Upon receiving the second identification data indicating that the printing paper has been replaced from the station 3, the handy terminal 1 updates the contents of the printer status information management table 63 and indicates that the printing paper has been replaced by the display 55. To be displayed. Thus, it is possible to prevent a plurality of clerks from interrupting the customer service and replacing the printing paper of the kitchen printer 2 in a redundant manner.

In S53, the time interval T is set to a predetermined value T.
If the current order status exceeds the predetermined value from the contents of the printing paper replacement instruction determination reference data table 11e and the clerk in charge of the customer cannot afford to perform the printing paper replacement work in S54. If it is determined that the measured time t becomes equal to or longer than the set time interval T in S59 before transmitting the second identification data indicating that the printing paper has been exchanged to all the handy terminals 1, Is
In S61, it is determined whether or not the time interval T is larger than the minimum time interval value T3.

In S53, the time interval T is set to a predetermined value T.
2 and at S54 the current order status is determined to be within a predetermined value from the contents of the printing paper exchange instruction determination reference data table 11e, and at S55, printing paper is sent to all the handy terminals 1. Even if the second identification data indicating that the printing paper has been exchanged has been transmitted, the time t measured in S60 without the input that the printing paper has been exchanged is not input.
Is longer than the set time interval T, in S61, it is determined whether or not the time interval T is larger than the time interval minimum value T3.

If it is determined in S61 that the time interval T is larger than the minimum time interval value T3, the time interval set value T is decreased in S62. That is, the time interval T
Is reduced by a unit time to make T = T−1. Then, the routine returns to S51 to clear the time measurement value t, and the same processing is performed again. If it is determined in S61 that the time interval T is equal to or less than the time interval minimum value T3, the routine returns to S51 without decreasing the time interval T, and the time measurement value t
Is cleared, and the same processing is performed again.

In this process, the predetermined value T2 for judging whether there is some margin for running out of printing paper is set to a value smaller than the time interval initial value T1 and larger than the time interval minimum value T3. Therefore, if the time interval T is initially the initial value T1, but the state in which the exchange of the printing paper is not confirmed continues, the time interval T gradually decreases, and when it becomes T2, it is determined that there is no room to run out of paper, Even if there is no spare job, the station 3 wirelessly transmits the first identification data indicating the print paper exchange instruction to all the handy terminals 1.

Therefore, irrespective of whether or not the clerk has a spare job, the station 3 prints the print paper to all the handy terminals 1 while sequentially reducing the wireless transmission interval until there is an input indicating that the print paper has been replaced. The first identification data of the exchange instruction will continue to be transmitted. In this way, even if the clerk forgets to replace the printing paper and the replacement of the printing paper is delayed, the clerk can be repeatedly prompted to replace the printing paper, and in the worst case, the printing paper is exhausted and the business guesswork by the system stops. The situation can be prevented beforehand.

(Third Embodiment) This embodiment is similar to the third embodiment.
An example in which the data transmission device of the present invention is applied to a printer sharing system will be described. As shown in FIG. 13, a plurality of portable terminals 71 are provided, a shared printer 72 is provided, and the shared printer 72 is connected to a station body 74 of a station 73. The station 73 connects a wireless master device 75 to a station body 74, and controls the wireless master device 75 with the station body 74 to control each mobile terminal 71.
, And wirelessly controls the shared printer 72.

The station body 74 is provided with a table in which data to be printed is stored in advance. Mobile terminal 7
When the first user operates the keyboard of the portable terminal 71 to input data to be printed, the portable terminal 71
, The designated data of the print data is wirelessly transmitted to the wireless master device 75, and the station body 74 receives the designated data via the wireless master device 75. Then, the station main body 74 selects and reads out the corresponding print data from the table based on the designated data, and transmits the read print data to the shared printer 72. Thus, the shared printer 72 prints the corresponding print data.

More specifically, a service clerk having the portable terminal 71 listens to a customer's request during a negotiation and performs an input operation for designating relevant materials on the portable terminal 71. As a result, data specifying the material is wirelessly transmitted from the portable terminal 71 to the wireless master device 75. When the station body 74 receives the specified data, the station main body 74 reads out the print data of the material from the table and transmits it to the shared printer 72. The shared printer 72 prints out this. The receptionist can receive the printed material and hand it to the customer for further business negotiations.

In such a printer sharing system, when the printing paper of the shared printer 72 needs to be replaced, a printing paper replacement instruction to the portable terminal 71 or a print paper replacement input from the portable terminal 71 or the station body 74 is input. Applicable. Here, the case where the print data is stored in the station body has been described as an example, but the print data is directly created in the wireless terminal and transmitted to the shared printer via the wireless master device and the station body. May be.

(Fourth Embodiment) In this embodiment,
An example in which the data transmission device of the present invention is applied to a store system will be described. As shown in FIG. 14, there is a person in charge who checks the stock of the products on the product shelf 81 at the counter where the product shelves 81 are arranged, and each has a portable terminal 82. on the other hand,
A back yard 84 for manufacturing products has a station 87 including a station body 85 and a wireless master device 86 and a printer 87 connected to the station body 85 for printing a product manufacturing instruction and printing a bar code label of the product.
Has been arranged. In the back yard 84, there is a person in charge of manufacture who manufactures a product in accordance with a print instruction from the printer 87. The station main body 85 is provided with a file storing a product number, a price, bar code data, and the like for each product.

In this store system, a sales floor clerk checks the inventory of commodities displayed on the merchandise shelves 81, and carries a portable terminal 82 for commodities whose inventory is smaller than a predetermined value.
When the product name, the stock quantity, and the production quantity of the product are input, the data is wirelessly transmitted from the portable terminal 82 to the wireless master device 86 in the backyard 84. The data received by the wireless master device 86 is sent to the station body 85. The station body 85 transmits the product name and the number of products to the printer 72 based on the data, and also transmits data such as a price and a bar code to be printed on a label attached to the manufactured product.

The printer 72 first prints out a production instruction to the person in charge of production based on the data of the product name and the number of productions, and then performs printing on the label based on data such as price and bar code. Issue. In such a store system, in particular, when handling food or the like, the manufacturing staff often has dirty hands.
If the user has to wash his hands each time to replace the printing paper when the printing paper has run out, the production efficiency of the product will deteriorate.

For this reason, before the printing paper is exhausted, the station body 85 is connected to the portable terminal 8 held by the salesperson.
2, the sales person in charge knows from the display on the portable terminal 82 that the printer 87 has reached the time to replace the printing paper. Thereby, the salesperson goes to the backyard 84 at an appropriate timing to replace the printing paper of the printer 87 before the paper runs out. Thus, the printing paper of the printer can be replaced without lowering the production efficiency of the product by the person in charge of production. Further, the system does not stop because the printer runs out of paper.

In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the data transmission device of the present invention is applied to an order data management device, a printer sharing system, and a store system. It can be applied to the system.

[0068]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to notify the operator of the wireless terminal that the paper is almost out of paper before the printing paper in the printing apparatus runs out, so that the operator can adjust the situation appropriately. And the printing paper can be replaced at the optimal timing.

Further, according to the invention of claims 2 to 5, it is possible to notify the service clerk having the wireless portable terminal that the paper is almost out of paper before the printing paper of the printing apparatus runs out. Accordingly, the customer service clerk can appropriately judge the situation in the store and exchange the printing paper at the optimal timing, and can prevent the customer from inconvenience such as prolonged time from ordering to serving the meal. Further, since the printing paper can be replaced without having the cooking staff follow the replacement of the printing paper, the cooking work is not hindered.

Further, according to the third aspect of the present invention, when it is determined that the service clerk is busy, an instruction for replacing the printing paper is not issued, and when it is determined that there is room, the instruction for replacing the printing paper is issued. The replacement of printing paper can be performed without reducing the service efficiency of the service clerk, and the possibility of immediately working on the replacement of printing paper increases. Time can be reduced.

Further, according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to know that the printing paper has been exchanged even if a plurality of customer clerks are instructed to exchange the printing paper. In this case, it is possible to prevent the wasteful work of replacing the printing paper.

Further, according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, even if the customer service clerk does not notice the instruction to replace the printing paper, or receives or forgets the instruction, the printing paper replacement instruction is issued again. In addition, since the instruction is repeated while gradually shortening the cycle until it is confirmed that the printing paper has been exchanged, it is possible to reliably give the instruction to the customer service staff to replace the printing paper, and to avoid running out of printing paper as much as possible. Can be.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a station in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an RA of the station main body according to the embodiment;
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a kitchen printer related information storage memory formed in M.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the kitchen printer in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of a remaining printing paper counting unit of the kitchen printer according to the embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the handy terminal in the embodiment.

FIG. 7 shows the R of the handy terminal according to the embodiment.
The figure which shows the principal part memory configuration of AM.

FIG. 8 shows C of the handy terminal according to the embodiment.
5 is a flowchart showing a processing example by a PU.

FIG. 9 shows a CP of the station body according to the embodiment.
9 is a flowchart showing a processing example by U.

FIG. 10 is a view showing a C of the kitchen printer according to the embodiment.
5 is a flowchart showing a processing example by a PU.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a printing paper exchange instruction determination reference data table used in the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 shows C of the station main body in the embodiment.
5 is a flowchart showing a processing example by a PU.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Handy terminal (wireless portable terminal) 2 ... Kitchen printer (printing apparatus) 3 ... Station 4 ... Station main body 5 ... Wireless master 11b ... Remaining printing paper counting means 11c ... Exchange instruction identification data holding means 11d ... Kitchen printer Related information storage memory

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A wireless terminal that displays data input from an input unit on a display unit, stores the data in a storage unit, and wirelessly transmits data in the storage unit according to a transmission instruction, and the wireless terminal. A data transmission apparatus comprising: one or a plurality of printing devices for printing out data transmitted from a wireless terminal; and a station for controlling transmission and reception of data between the wireless terminal and the printing device. Both or one of the devices is provided with a printing paper remaining number counting means for counting the number of remaining printing papers in the printing device, and the station is provided with a printing paper remaining number counting means for counting the remaining printing paper number below a predetermined value. Exchange instruction identification data holding means for holding identification data indicating a print paper exchange instruction of a corresponding printing apparatus when the exchange instruction identification data is held; And wireless communication control means for wirelessly transmitting the identification data held in the wireless terminal to the wireless terminal. When receiving the identification data from the station, the wireless terminal issues a print sheet exchange instruction of the corresponding printing apparatus. A data transmission device, further comprising display control means for displaying the data on the display unit. 2. A plurality of wireless mobile phones for displaying order data input from an input unit in accordance with an order from a customer who eats and drinks on a display unit, storing the order data in a storage unit, and wirelessly transmitting the order data in the storage unit in response to a transmission instruction. A terminal, one or more printing devices arranged in a kitchen for printing out order data transmitted from the wireless portable terminal, and controlling transmission and reception of data between the wireless portable terminal and the printing device. And an order data management device for managing the input order data, comprising: a station; and / or both of the station and the printing device, a printing paper remaining number counting means for counting the remaining printing paper number in the printing device. When the number of remaining printing papers counted by the remaining printing paper counting means is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the station is provided with a corresponding printing device for printing. An exchange instruction identification data holding unit that holds identification data indicating an exchange instruction, and a wireless communication control unit that wirelessly transmits the identification data held in the exchange instruction identification data holding unit to the wireless portable terminal, An order data management device, characterized in that the wireless portable terminal is provided with display control means for displaying a print paper exchange instruction of a corresponding printing device on the display unit when identification data is received from the station. 3. The station's wireless communication control means, when the number of remaining printing papers counted by the number of remaining printing papers counting means is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the number of unprepared or unserved ordered items or the number of current customers. 3. The order data according to claim 2, wherein the identification data held in the exchange instruction identification data holding means is wirelessly transmitted to the wireless portable terminal when the current number of occupied tables becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value. Management device. 4. A plurality of wireless mobile phones that display order data input from an input unit in accordance with an order from a customer who eats and drinks on a display unit, store the order data in a storage unit, and wirelessly transmit the order data in the storage unit according to a transmission instruction. A terminal, one or more printing devices arranged in a kitchen for printing out order data transmitted from the wireless portable terminal, and controlling transmission and reception of data between the wireless portable terminal and the printing device. And an order data management device for managing the input order data, comprising: a station; and / or both of the station and the printing device, a printing paper remaining number counting means for counting the remaining printing paper number in the printing device. When the number of remaining printing papers counted by the remaining printing paper counting means is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the station is provided with a corresponding printing device for printing. Exchange instruction identification data holding means for holding first identification data indicating an exchange instruction, and printing paper for wirelessly transmitting the first identification data held in the exchange instruction identification data holding means to the wireless portable terminal. An exchange instruction information transmission unit; and a first print paper exchange information input unit for inputting exchange information of print paper, a second print for inputting exchange information of print paper to the wireless portable terminal. Paper replacement information input means;
When the exchange information of the printing paper is input from the printing paper exchange information input means of the second embodiment, the second information indicating the exchange of the printing paper is given.
A first printing paper exchanged information transmitting means for wirelessly transmitting the identification data of the above to the station, and when receiving the first identification data from the station, displaying a printing paper exchange instruction of the corresponding printing apparatus on the display section. And display control means for displaying, on the display unit, information on the exchange of the printing paper when the second identification data is received from the station. The station further comprises an input means for the first printing paper exchange information. When the printing paper exchange information is input from the wireless communication terminal, the second identification data indicating that the printing paper has been exchanged is held. Exchanged identification data holding means for holding the identification data, and the exchanged identification data holding means, A second printing paper exchanged information transmitting means for wirelessly transmitting the second identification data to the wireless portable terminal when holding the second identification data based on the input of the printing paper exchanged information; An order data management device, characterized in that: 5. The printing paper exchange instruction information transmitting means of the station, after transmitting the first identification data indicating the printing paper exchange instruction to the wireless portable terminal, within a predetermined time, the exchanged identification data holding means transmits the first identification data. If the identification data of the second identification data is not held, the first identification data is transmitted again. Thereafter, the predetermined time is sequentially reduced until the exchanged identification data holding means holds the second identification data. 5. The order data management device according to claim 4, wherein the transmission of the first identification data is repeated while repeating.