Transaction processing apparatus having external memory apparatuses connected thereto

Abstract

 A plurality of external memory apparatuses (12a, 12b, 14) are connected to a plurality of ECRS (10a∼10c), thereby constituting an in-line system. Data to be registered is entered to the ECR (10a) to which the external memory apparatuses (12a, 12b, 14) are not directly connected and then, a processing mode is designated by command keys (8, 9) of a keyboard (2) in the ECR (10). A processing file is determined in response to the processing mode, so that the external memory apparatuses (12a, 12b, 14) having the processing file is searched. The data to be registered are transmitted to the searched external memory apparatus, so that the data to be registered are processed by the corresponding processing file.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a transaction processing apparatus such as an electronic cash register (referred to as ECR hereinafter) and more particularly, to transaction processing apparatuses having external memory apparatuses connected thereto, constituting an in-line system.

Description of the Prior Art

[0002] In a conventional in-line system of a transaction processing apparatus, external memory apparatuses such as an EMF (External Memory File), an FDK (Floppy-Disk) and a CMT (Cassette Magnetic Tape) are directly connected to, a plurality of ECRs for example, by a cable other than a cable for in-line transmission.

[0003] Files for processing data to be registered entered from the ECRs are stored in the external memory apparatuses. When a processing is performed, a specific file corresponding to the processing is used.

[0004] Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a structure of a general ECR.

[0005] Referring to Fig. 1, a keyboard 2, a printer 3, a display 4, an RAM 5 and an ROM 6 are connected to a CPU 1.

[0006] The keyboard 2 comprises a ten-key for entering a code number, a price of a commodity, and the like, a command key for providing various commands, and the like, as shown in Fig. 2. The printer 3 is used for issuing a receipt and various reports. The display 4 is used for displaying a guidance message for operation and data entered from the keyboard 2. The RAM 5 is used for storing temporarily various data to be registered entered from the keyboard 2. The ROM 6 is used for storing an operation program, various fixed data and the like of the CPU 1.

[0007] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a key arrangement of the keyboard shown in Fig. 1, where the ten-key, the command key and the like are arranged.

[0008] Referring to Fig. 2, a ten-key 7 is used for entering a code number, an amount and the like of a commodity by a numeric key, a department selecting key and the like which are arranged therein, a command key 8 is entered when various processing are commanded and a mode selecting switch 9 is used for selecting processing modes.

[0009] Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, description is made on processing of data to be registered in, using, for example, a PLU (Price Look Up) file in an external memory apparatus.

[0010] When the amount of a commodity purchased by a customer is entered to the ECR in general, the price of the commodity is not directly entered but a commodity code is entered. More specifically, when a PLU key in the ten-key 7 is entered and then, the commodity code is entered by the numeric key, the PLU file stored in the external memory apparatus is searched in response to entered data, and price data corresponding to the commodity code is read out and transmitted to the ECR. The transmitted price data and the like are stored in the RAM 5 so that entry processing is performed.

[0011] According to the above described ECR in the conventional in-line system, the external memory apparatus can be employed only through the ECR connected directly to the apparatus. Thus, since the number of cables which can be connected to the ECR is limited and the number of cables is increased, the ECR is liable to be affected by noise between the cables.

[0012] On the other hand, when it is desired that a plurality of external memory apparatuses are provided in the in-line system, parts of a file employed for one processing of data to be registered cannot be stored separately in the external memory apparatuses, respectively, so that an external memory apparatus having large capacity is required depending on processing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] A primary object of the present invention is to provide a transaction processing apparatus which can employ a processing file stored in an external memory apparatus even if the transaction processing apparatus is not directly connected to the external memory apparatus.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a transaction processing system in which parts of a while employed for one processing of data to be registered can be stored separately in a plurality of external memory apparatuses, respectively, and processed therein.

[0015] In order to attain the above described objects, a transaction processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises entering means for entering data to be registered, file determining means responsive to the entered data for determining a processing file corresponding to processing of the entered data, designating means responsive to a determination output of the file determining means for designating the external memory apparatus having the processing file, and data processing means for processing the entered data by the processing file of the external memory apparatus designated by the designating means.

[0016] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a transaction processing system comprises a plurality of external memory apparatuses each having at least one file for data processing and transaction processing apparatuses connected to the external memory apparatuses, the transaction processing apparatus comprising entering means for entering data to be registered, file determining means responsive to the entered data for determining a processing file corresponding to processing of the entered data, designating means responsive to a determination output of the file determining means for designating the external memory apparatus having the processing file, and a data processing means for processing the entered data by the processing file of the external memory apparatus designated by the designating means.

[0017] According to the transaction processing apparatus having the above described structure, since a processing file is determined in response to entered data to be registered, an external memory apparatus having the processing file in designated and the data to be registered is processed, the data can be processed using the processing file in the external memory apparatus even if the transaction processing apparatus is not directly connected to the external memory apparatus.

[0018] In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, parts of the processing file employed for one processing of data to be registered can be stored separately in the external memory apparatuses, respectively, one external memory apparatus does not necessarily require large capacity.

[0019] These objects and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] 

Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a structure of a general ECR showing components around a CPU;

Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a key arrangement of a keyboard shown in Fig. 1, where a ten-key, a command key and the like are arranged;

Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a structure of an in-line system according to the present invention, showing a state in which ECRs and external memory apparatuses are connected;

Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a table of device-to-be-connected for defining devices connected to the in-line system according to the present invention;

Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an access device table for defining devices comprising processing files according to the present invention;

Fig. 6 is a schematic flow chart of processing of data to be registered according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0021] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a structure of an in-line system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Referring to Fig. 3, three ECRs, 7, 8 and 14, two FDK 9 and 10 and an EMF 12 are connected to each other by a cable 16 for in-line transmission, continuous device numbers being attached every device.

[0023] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a table 16 of device-to-be-connected for defining devices connected to the in-line system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Referring to Fig. 4, a series of device numbers shown in Fig. 1 are set in a left column of the table and the device codes are filled in a right column thereof. Thus, the same kind of EMFs would be defined as specific devices if one of specific numbers of 51 to 59 is given to each of the EMFs depending on contained processing files. Meanwhile, the table 16 of device-to-be-connected is stored in RAMs 5 in each ECR.

[0025] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an access device table 18 for defining devices containing, respectively, processing files according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Referring to Fig. 5, the names of processing files are filled in a left column of the table and device codes of devices containing processing files are filled in a right column thereof. Meanwhile, the access device table 18 is also stored in the RAM 5 in each ECR.

[0027] Fig. 6 is a schematic flow chart of processing of data to be registered according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Referring now to Figs. 1 to 6, description is made on processing operation of data to be registered, employing a PLU file according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is assumed that data to be registered, i. e., a commodity code is entered from any of the ECRs. The mode selecting switch 9 of the keyboard 2 in the ECR is set to a predetermined PLU processing mode and a "PLU" key in the ten-key 7 is entered, and then, the data to be registered, i.e., the commodity code is entered by the registering key in the ten-key 7 (in the step S1). Since the mode selecting switch 9 has been already set and the "PLU" key has been entered, the processing mode and the processing file are determined in response to data stored in the ROM 6 or the RAM 5 in the ECR (in the step S2). In this case, the access device table is checked to search an external memory apparatus having the PLU file, that is, a device code (in the step S3). More specifically, the processing file is checked with the content of the device code shown in Fig. 4. When the device code is "00" showing that no connection is made (in the step S4) and the device code is not "00" but an undefined code in the step S5), it is determined that there is an error (in the step S9), so that the processing is completed in the step S10). On the other hand, when the device code corresponding to the processing file (a PLU file herein) is defined, a corresponding device number, that is, a device having the processing file (PLU file) is searched in response to the device code by the table shown in Fig. 4 (in the step S6). When there exists no device code corresponding to the device number (in the step S7), it is that there is an error (in the step S9), so that the processing is completed (in the step S10). However, when there exists a corresponding device code, a command (PLU processing) entered by the command key for processing and the data to be registered (the commodity code) are transmitted to the device corresponding to the device number (in the step S8), so that processing is completed (in the step S9). After the transmitted data to be registered (the commodity code) is processed by the device, the processed data (price data or the like) is returned to the ECR or outputted to the exterior.

[0029] The foregoing is an example of processing of data to be registered using a PLU file. However, if sales data entered at each of the ECRs is captured, the same processing is performed. In this case, the mode selecting switch 9 is set for capturing processing so that a processing mode is determined and then, processing is started by entering the command key 8 and the like. Consequently, a device code corresponding to a capture file is searched, in the same manner, using the access device table. An external memory apparatus containing the capture file is determined in response to the searched device code using the table of device-to-be-connected and the sales data entered at each of the ECRs is transmitted to the external memory apparatus through the connecting cable 16, so that capturing processing is completed.

[0030] Although in the above described embodiment, external memory apparatuses do not include an ECR, the present invention can be also applied to an ECR having an extended memory contained therein as one of the external memory apparatuses.

[0031] Furthermore, although in the above described embodiment, the numbers and the contents of devices and processing files are specified, it is not necessary to specify the numbers and the contents.

[0032] Additionally, although in the above described embodiment, the transaction processing apparatus is described as an ECR, another transaction processing apparatus may be used, in which case the same effect can be obtained.

[0033] Although the present invention has been described and illustrate in detail, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation, the spirit and scope of the present invention being limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A transaction processing apparatus having a plurality of external memory apparatuses connected thereto, each having at least one file for data processing constituting an in-line system, comprising:
      entering means (2) for entering data to be registered,
      file determining means (1, 2, 5) responsive to said entered data for determining a processing file corresponding to processing of said entered data,
      designating means (5, 16, 18) responsive to a determination output of said file determining means for designating the external memory apparatus having said processing file, and
      data processing means (1, 5, 6) for processing said entered data by said processing file of the external memory apparatus designated by said designating means.

2. A transaction processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said file determining means comprises
      mode designating means (8, 9) responsive to said entered data to be registered for designating a processing mode, and
      processing file determining means (1, 5) responsive to said designated processing mode for determining a processing file.

3. A transaction processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said processing file determining means comprises file information storing means (5, 18) for storing processing mode identifying information and processing file identifying information corresponding to said processing mode identifying information, said processing file determining means being responsive to a designation output of said mode designating means for extracting said corresponding processing file identifying information stored in said file information storing means.

4. A transaction processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said designating means comprises apparatus information storing means (5, 16) for storing the processing file identifying information and external memory apparatus identifying information for identifying external memory apparatus having a processing file corresponding to said processing file identifying information, said designating means being responsive to the processing file identifying information obtained by said processing file determining means for extracting said corresponding external memory apparatus identifying information stored in said apparatus information storing means.

5. A transaction processing system constituting an in-line system, comprising:
      a plurality of external memory apparatuses (12a, 12b, 14) each having at least one file for data processing,
      transaction processing apparatuses (10a, 10b, 10c) connected to said external memory apparatuses,
      each of said transaction processing apparatuses comprising
      entering means (2) for entering data to be registered,
      file determining means (1, 2, 5) responsive to said entered data for determining a processing file corresponding to processing of said entered data,
      designating means (5, 16, 18) responsive to a determination output of said file determining means for designating the external memory apparatus having said processing file, and
      data processing means (1, 5, 6) for processing said entered data by said processing file of the external memory apparatus designated by said designating means.

6. A transaction processing system according to claim 5, wherein said file determining means comprises
      mode designating means (8, 9) responsive to said entered data to be registered for designating a processing mode, and
      processing file determining means (1, 5) responsive to said designated processing mode for determining a processing file.

7. A transaction processing system according to claim 6, wherein said processing file determining means comprises file information storing means (5, 18) for storing processing mode identifying information and processing file identifying information corresponding to said processing mode identifying information, said processing file determining means being responsive to a designation output of said mode designating means for extracting said corresponding processing file identifying information stored in said file information storing means.

8. A transaction processing system according to claim 7, wherein said designating means comprises apparatus information storing means (5, 16) for storing processing file identifying information and external memory apparatus identifying information for identifying the external memory apparatus having a processing file corresponding to said processing file identifying information, said designating means being responsive to the processing file identifying information obtained by said processing file determining means for extracting said external memory apparatus identifying information stored in said apparatus information storing means.

9. A transaction processing system according to claim 8, wherein parts of a processing file corresponding to one of said processing mode identifying information are stored separately in at least two of said external memory apparatuses, respectively.

Drawing