Server equipment and communication system

Abstract

To reduce the effort required for software development and make it easier to control the change dispenser. [Solution] A server device comprising: a terminal port for network communication with a terminal device; a change dispenser port for serial communication with a change dispenser; a terminal information control unit that exchanges communication information with the terminal device without using change dispenser commands specific to the change dispenser; a conversion function that converts operation requests of the change dispenser into one or more change dispenser commands specific to the change dispenser; and a control function that transmits the change dispenser commands to the change dispenser via the change dispenser port to control the change dispenser.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a server device and a communication system for controlling a change machine.

Background Art

[0002] When making a payment for a product in cash, there is known a change machine that automatically calculates the amount of change and discharges the change when cash is inserted. Also, there is known a POS (Point Of Sale) system that collects information such as products, sales amounts, and sales locations when products are sold. The POS system is connected to a plurality of terminal devices (POS terminals) and is known for the technology of a POS server that transmits and receives data to and from each POS terminal (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When using a change machine in a POS system, the POS terminal that receives a user's operation input controls the change machine corresponding to the operation input. Since various terminals are used as POS terminals, when developing software for controlling the change machine, it must be made operable on various operating systems. However, since the commands for controlling the change machine differ depending on the change machine or the change machine has only a serial interface, developing software for each operating system or developing software for each change machine increases the laborious work.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of these points, and an object thereof is to reduce the labor of software development and enable easy control of the change machine. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In a first aspect of the present invention, a server device is provided that is connected to a change dispenser and a terminal device for operating the change dispenser, the server device comprising: a terminal port for network communication with the terminal device; a change dispenser port for serial communication with the change dispenser; a terminal information control unit that exchanges communication information with the terminal device via the terminal port without using change dispenser commands specific to the change dispenser; a conversion function that converts operation requests of the change dispenser received by the terminal information control unit into one or more change dispenser commands specific to the change dispenser; and a change dispenser control unit that transmits the change dispenser commands to the change dispenser via the change dispenser port to control the change dispenser.

[0007] The network communication is communication using http or https, and the terminal information control unit may convert the information based on the change machine command received by the change machine control unit from the change machine into communication data based on http or https, and transmit the converted communication data to the terminal device.

[0008] The terminal information control unit may receive an operation request from the terminal device that causes the operating state of the change dispenser to change from the first state to the second state.

[0009] The control function of the change dispenser control unit has a function to confirm the operating state of the change dispenser after it has been controlled, and the terminal information control unit may transmit the confirmed operating state of the change dispenser to the terminal device as a result of the operation request.

[0010] The terminal information control unit is configured to be connectable to a plurality of terminal devices, and may transmit the operating status of the change dispenser, transmitted in response to the operation request of one of the plurality of terminal devices, to the plurality of terminal devices.

[0011] The server device further includes a storage unit that stores a history of communication data communicated with the terminal device via the terminal port, and the terminal information control unit may, in response to a request for the history of communication data received from the terminal device, transmit the stored history of communication data to the requesting terminal device.

[0012] The server device further includes a storage unit that stores a history of the operating state of the change machine operated by the change machine control unit, and the terminal information control unit may, in response to a request for the history of the operating state of the change machine received from the terminal device, transmit the stored history of the operating state of the change machine to the requesting terminal device.

[0013] The server device further includes a storage unit that stores a history of communication data transmitted to the change dispenser via the change dispenser port, and the terminal information control unit may, in response to a request for the history of communication data received from the terminal device, transmit the stored history of communication data to the requesting terminal device.

[0014] The server device further comprises an external connection port for connecting to an external network, and an external information control unit that exchanges communication information with the outside of the server device via the external connection port. The external information control unit may update the functions of the change machine control unit by downloading an update program via the external connection port and executing the update program when it receives a command from the terminal device indicating that the terminal information control unit will update the change machine control unit.

[0015] A second aspect of the present invention provides a communication system comprising: a terminal device for receiving operation inputs related to the settlement of goods; a change dispenser for calculating and dispensing change in response to the settlement of goods received by the terminal device; and a server device of the first aspect that receives, via network communication, an operation request for changing the operating state of the change dispenser in response to an operation input received by the terminal device, and transmits one or more change dispenser commands to the change dispenser for controlling the change dispenser based on the operation request received from the terminal device.

[0016] According to the present invention, the effort required for software development is reduced, and the change dispenser can be easily controlled. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] [Figure 1] The schematic configuration of the communication system S according to this embodiment is shown. [Figure 2] This shows an example configuration of the server device 20 according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] This embodiment shows an example of the state of the change dispenser 30 that the server device 20 controls and transitions between. [Figure 4] An example of the operation flow of the communication system S according to this embodiment is shown. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0018] <Outline configuration of communication system S> Figure 1 shows a schematic configuration of the communication system S according to this embodiment. The communication system S is a system that easily controls the change dispenser 30 using a server device 20. The communication system S comprises a terminal device 10, a server device 20, and a change dispenser 30.

[0019] The terminal device 10 receives an operation input related to the settlement of goods from the user U (Fig. 1(a)). The terminal device 10 has an input device such as a touch panel or a keyboard. Also, the terminal device 10 has a display unit that displays information such as the amount of goods purchased by the user U. The terminal device 10 accepts the settlement of the displayed amount of goods. Further, the terminal device 10 may receive a request to inquire about the state of the change machine 30.

[0020] The terminal device 10 transmits an operation request for controlling the operation of the change machine to the server device 20 corresponding to the received operation input (Fig. 1(b)). The terminal device 10 may transmit an instruction for operating the server device 20 to the server device 20. The terminal device 10 and the server device 20 are communicably connected via a network. The network is, for example, the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), or the like. The terminal device 10 is a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet, a wearable terminal, a portable PC, or the like. The terminal device 10 is, for example, a POS terminal connectable to a POS server.

[0021] The server device 20 is connected to the change machine 30 and the terminal device 10 for operating the change machine 30. The server device 20 receives, by network communication, an operation request for changing the operation state of the change machine 30 corresponding to the operation input received by the terminal device 10. The server device 20 transmits one or more change machine commands for controlling the change machine 30 to the change machine 30 based on the operation request received from the terminal device 10 (Fig. 1(c)).

[0022] Also, the server device 20 receives a change machine command indicating the operation state from the change machine 30 (Fig. 1(d)). The server device 20 transmits information indicating the operation state of the change machine 30 indicated by the change machine command to the terminal device 10 (Fig. 1(e)). Thereby, the terminal device 10 can display the result of the operation input received from the user U on the display unit or the like. Details of the server device 20 will be described later.

[0023] The change dispenser 30 accepts cash deposits in response to payment for goods received by the terminal device 10, calculates the change, and dispenses it. For example, when cash is inserted, the change dispenser 30 automatically calculates the amount inserted and the amount of change, and dispenses the change. The change dispenser 30 has a connection port for exchanging information with external devices, etc. The connection port is a port for serial communication. The connection port is an interface configured according to the RS-232C standard, for example.

[0024] If we consider the conventional approach where the terminal device 10 communicates directly with the change dispenser 30, the terminal device 10 must establish a serial connection with the change dispenser 30 to exchange change dispenser commands specific to the change dispenser 30. In other words, the terminal device 10 requires a port for serial communication. Furthermore, developers would need to install a device driver on the terminal device 10 to exchange change dispenser commands specific to the change dispenser 30 and then develop an application that uses this device driver.

[0025] Developing such applications is time-consuming because the process differs depending on the operating system. Furthermore, since each change dispenser 30 may have its own unique commands, it may be necessary to develop device drivers, applications, etc., for each change dispenser 30. Thus, conventional communication systems have limitations in both hardware and software development, making them time-consuming to develop.

[0026] In contrast, the communication system according to this embodiment includes a server device 20 between the terminal device 10 and the change dispenser 30, and the terminal device 10 and the server device 20 exchange information using network communication with http or https. The server device 20 and the change dispenser 30 exchange change dispenser commands via serial communication, and the server device 20 controls the change dispenser 30. As a result, the terminal device 10 does not need a communication port to connect to the change dispenser 30, and can handle the change dispenser 30 without using change dispenser commands specific to the change dispenser 30. Such a server device 20 will be described next.

[0027] <Example configuration of server device 20> Figure 2 shows an example configuration of the server device 20 according to this embodiment. The server device 20 includes a terminal port 21, a change dispenser port 22, an external connection port 23, a storage unit 24, and a control unit 25.

[0028] Terminal port 21 is a port for network communication with terminal device 10. Network communication uses HTTP or HTTPS. Terminal port 21 is an interface for connecting to the internet, LAN, etc. For example, by connecting terminal port 21 to a wireless router, the server device 20 can connect wirelessly to terminal device 10.

[0029] The change dispenser port 22 is a port for serial communication with the change dispenser 30. The change dispenser port 22 is an interface configured according to a serial communication standard such as RS-232C. This allows the server device 20 to be connected to the change dispenser 30 with an RS-232C cable.

[0030] The external connection port 23 is a port for connecting to an external network. The external connection port 23 is, for example, an interface for connecting to the internet, a LAN, etc. The external connection port 23 may be a LAN port shared with the terminal port 21. Furthermore, if the server device 20 has router functionality, the terminal port 21 and the external connection port 23 may be provided separately. Through the external connection port 23, the server device 20 can exchange information with external servers, databases, etc.

[0031] The storage unit 24 is a storage medium including ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The storage unit 24 may also include a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and / or an SSD (Solid State Drive). The storage unit 24 may store, for example, information such as an OS (Operating System) and programs that enable the CPU to function. Furthermore, the storage unit 24 may store various types of information, including a database that is referenced during program execution.

[0032] Furthermore, the storage unit 24 may store intermediate data, calculation results, thresholds, reference values, and parameters generated (or used) by the terminal device 10 and the server device 20 during their operation. The storage unit 24 may also supply the stored data to the requesting party in response to requests from each part of the terminal device 10 and the server device 20.

[0033] The storage unit 24 may store a history of communication with the outside of the server device 20. For example, the storage unit 24 stores a history of communication data communicated with the terminal device 10 via the terminal port 21. Alternatively, or in addition to this, the storage unit 24 may store a history of communication data communicated with the change machine 30 via the change machine port 22.

[0034] The memory unit 24 may store a history of the operating status of the change dispenser 30 operated by the change dispenser control unit 27, which will be described later. Multiple memory units 24 may be provided in the server device 20, for example, corresponding to the type of information to be stored.

[0035] The control unit 25 controls each part of the server device 20. The control unit 25 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 25 includes a terminal information control unit 26, a change machine control unit 27, and an external information control unit 28. In other words, the CPU functions as a control unit 25 having the terminal information control unit 26, the change machine control unit 27, and the external information control unit 28 by executing a program stored in the memory unit 24.

[0036] The terminal information control unit 26 communicates with the terminal device 10 via the terminal port 21 without using change machine commands specific to the change machine 30. The terminal information control unit 26 receives operation requests from the terminal device 10 to operate the change machine 30, for example, using http or https communication. The terminal information control unit 26 has a function to operate by executing a CGI (Common Gateway Interface) program, for example, and transmits operation requests to the change machine control unit 27 via CGI.

[0037] An operation request is, for example, an instruction to change the operating state of the change dispenser 30 from the first state to the second state. Alternatively, the operation request may be an instruction to set the change dispenser 30 to a predetermined operating state, or it may be an instruction to inquire about the operating state of the change dispenser 30. The operating states of the change dispenser 30 will be described later.

[0038] When the terminal information control unit 26 transmits information to the terminal device 10, it converts the information into communication data based on http or https, and then transmits the converted communication data to the terminal device 10 using http or https communication. For example, the terminal information control unit 26 transmits communication data to the terminal device 10 that shows the result of controlling the change dispenser 30 in response to an operation request.

[0039] The terminal information control unit 26 may transmit the history information stored in the storage unit 24 to the terminal device 10. For example, in response to a request from the terminal device 10 for the history of communication data between the terminal device 10 and the server device 20, the terminal information control unit 26 transmits the history of communication data stored in the storage unit 24 to the requesting terminal device 10. Similarly, in response to a request from the terminal device 10 for the history of communication data between the server device 20 and the change machine 30, the terminal information control unit 26 may transmit the history of communication data stored in the storage unit 24 to the requesting terminal device 10.

[0040] Furthermore, the terminal information control unit 26 may, in response to a request from the terminal device 10 for the operating status history of the change dispenser 30, transmit the operating status history of the change dispenser 30 stored in the storage unit 24 to the requesting terminal device 10. As a result, the terminal device 10 can easily check the communication history of the server device 20 and the operating status history of the change dispenser 30 controlled by the server device 20.

[0041] The change dispenser control unit 27 exchanges change dispenser commands specific to the change dispenser 30 with the change dispenser port 22. For example, based on an operation request for the change dispenser 30 received by the terminal information control unit 26, the change dispenser control unit 27 transmits a change dispenser command to the change dispenser 30 to control it. The change dispenser control unit 27 has a conversion function that converts the received operation request into one or more change dispenser commands, and a control function that transmits a change dispenser command to the change dispenser 30 via the change dispenser port 22 to control the change dispenser 30.

[0042] The conversion function of the change dispenser control unit 27 is implemented to correspond to the change dispenser 30. For example, when a new change dispenser 30 is introduced, or when converting to a new model different from the current change dispenser 30, a conversion function corresponding to the new change dispenser 30 is implemented in the change dispenser control unit 27. In this case, for example, the conversion function is implemented in the change dispenser control unit 27 by downloading and executing a program, data, etc. that operates as a conversion function from an external database, etc.

[0043] Furthermore, the control function of the change dispenser control unit 27 includes a function to check the operating status of the change dispenser 30 after it has been controlled. The control function of the change dispenser control unit 27 transmits a predetermined change dispenser command to the change dispenser 30 and grasps the operating status of the change dispenser 30 in accordance with the change dispenser command received from the change dispenser 30.

[0044] Furthermore, if the terminal information control unit 26 receives an operation request from the terminal device 10 to confirm the operating status of the change dispenser 30, it transmits the operating status of the change dispenser 30, as confirmed by the change dispenser control unit 27, to the terminal device 10 as the result of the operation request. When the terminal information control unit 26 transmits information based on the change dispenser command received by the change dispenser control unit 27 from the change dispenser 30 to the terminal device 10 in this manner, it converts the information based on the change dispenser command into communication data based on http or https, and transmits the converted communication data to the terminal device 10.

[0045] The external information control unit 28 exchanges communication information with the outside of the server device 20 via the external connection port 23. The external information control unit 28 may obtain update programs, update data, programs and data corresponding to the change dispenser 30 from an external database or the like. The external information control unit 28 may also send history data stored in the storage unit 24 to the requesting server or the like in response to a request from an external server or the like.

[0046] For example, when the external information control unit 28 receives a command from the terminal device 10 indicating that the terminal information control unit 26 should update the control unit 25 or the change machine control unit 27, it downloads the corresponding update program via the external connection port 23. The external information control unit 28 then updates the function of the control unit 25 or the change machine control unit 27 by executing the downloaded update program. This allows the server device 20 to easily update the function of the control unit 25.

[0047] <Example of the state of the change dispenser 30> Figure 3 shows an example of the states of the change dispenser 30 that the server device 20 controls and transitions through according to this embodiment. Figure 3 shows the transition of the operating states of the change dispenser 30 when the server device 20 causes the change dispenser 30 to perform deposit processing and change exchange processing. For example, the server device 20 sends a change dispenser command to the change dispenser 30 to check the operating state of the change dispenser 30. If the change dispenser 30 replies with a change dispenser command of "-1" indicating "stopped", the server device 20 understands that the change dispenser 30 is "stopped".

[0048] Furthermore, the server device 20 sends a change machine command to start the change machine 30, and then sends a change machine command to the change machine 30 to obtain its operating status. If the change machine 30 replies with a "0" in the change machine command, indicating that it is "standing," the server device 20 understands that the change machine 30 is running and "standing."

[0049] For example, suppose the server device 20 receives an action request from the terminal device 10 indicating the payment of a predetermined billing amount. In this case, the server device 20 sequentially sends commands to the change machine 30, such as a change machine command to instruct the change machine 30 to process the payment of the billing amount (to authorize the payment), a change machine command to confirm the amount inserted into the change machine 30 (to determine that the payment has been confirmed), a change machine command to calculate the change, and a command to dispense the change, thereby executing the payment processing of the change machine 30.

[0050] Furthermore, it is desirable for the server device 20 to appropriately send change machine commands to acquire the operating status of the change machine 30 during the process of depositing change into the change machine 30, thereby understanding the operating status of the change machine 30. When the change machine 30 has completed the deposit process and returned to the "standby" operating state, the server device 20 sends a message to the terminal device 10 indicating that the change machine 30 has completed the deposit process and returned to the "standby" operating state. In this way, the server device 20 may sequentially execute multiple change machine commands to execute a single operation request. It is desirable that the correspondence between operation requests and multiple change machine commands be stored in advance in the storage unit 24.

[0051] As described above, the server device 20 according to this embodiment communicates with the terminal device 10 using http or https communication, receives operation requests from the terminal device 10, and transmits the results of controlling the change dispenser 30 in accordance with the received operation requests. As a result, the terminal device 10 can instruct the operation of the change dispenser 30 without using change dispenser commands specific to the change dispenser 30.

[0052] Here, since the application to run on the terminal device 10 can be developed using, for example, a Web API, application developers can easily develop applications without being restricted by the type of OS. Furthermore, since the server device 20 converts the operation request into the corresponding change machine command, application developers can easily develop applications without being restricted by the model of the change machine 30.

[0053] Furthermore, since the server device 20 controls the change dispenser 30 using multiple change dispenser commands based on a single operation request, the terminal device 10 does not need to make detailed operation requests to the change dispenser 30. In other words, the application developer may create a simple application that sends operation requests to the server device 20 that instruct the overall control of the change dispenser 30, such as deposit processing, withdrawal processing, and currency exchange processing. Thus, according to the communication system S of this embodiment, the change dispenser 30 can be easily controlled while reducing the effort required for software development.

[0054] <An example of the operation flow of communication system S> Figure 4 shows an example of the operation flow of the communication system S according to this embodiment. Figure 4 is an operation flow that shows a part of the operation of the communication system S. First, the terminal device 10 receives operation input from user U (S11). Operation input is such as payment for goods or change. Then, the terminal device 10 sends an operation request corresponding to the operation input to the server device 20 (S12).

[0055] Next, the server device 20 receives an operation request from the terminal device 10 and converts the received operation request into one or more change dispenser commands (S13). Then, the server device 20 sends the converted one or more change dispenser commands to the change dispenser 30 (S14). The change dispenser 30 performs the operation corresponding to the change dispenser command (S15). The change dispenser 30 sends a change command to the server device 20 indicating the operation state that has been transitioned as a result of the execution of the operation (S16). The communication system S may repeat the operations from S14 to S16 based on the operation request.

[0056] Next, the server device 20 converts the operating status indicated by the change command received from the change dispenser 30 into communication data based on http or https (S17). Then, the server device 20 transmits the converted communication data to the terminal device 10 (S18). As a result, the terminal device 10 can display the operating status of the change dispenser 30 indicated by the received communication data on its display unit, showing the user U the result of the user U's operation input.

[0057] In the communication system S shown in Figure 1, an example has been described in which the server device 20 communicates with one terminal device 10, but the system is not limited to this. The server device 20 may communicate with multiple terminal devices 10, and will control the change dispenser 30 in response to an operation request received from one of the multiple terminal devices 10. In addition, the server device 20 may return the operating status of the change dispenser 30 to the terminal device 10 that sent the operation request to check the operating status of the change dispenser 30.

[0058] In this case, for example, the terminal information control unit 26 is configured to be connectable to multiple terminal devices 10, and transmits the operating status of the change dispenser 30, which is transmitted in response to an operation request from one of the multiple terminal devices 10, to all multiple terminal devices 10. This allows even terminal devices 10 that are not currently controlling the change dispenser 30 to understand its current operating status. Furthermore, since the terminal devices 10 can determine whether or not the change dispenser 30 is under operation control, they can easily determine when the change dispenser 30 is not under operation control and quickly send an operation request to the server device 20 to request control of the change dispenser 30.

[0059] Although the present invention has been described above using embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of its gist. For example, all or part of the apparatus can be configured by functionally or physically distributing and integrating in any unit. Furthermore, new embodiments resulting from any combination of multiple embodiments are also included in the embodiments of the present invention. The effects of the new embodiments resulting from the combinations are combined with the effects of the original embodiments. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0060] 10 Terminal devices 20 Server Devices 21 Terminal Ports 22 Ports for change dispensers 23 External connection ports 24 Memory section 25 Control Unit 26 Terminal Information Control Unit 27 Change Machine Control Unit 28 External Information Control Unit 30 change machines

Claims

1. A server device connected to a change dispenser and a terminal device for operating the change dispenser, A terminal port for network communication with the aforementioned terminal device, A port for the change dispenser to communicate serially with the aforementioned change dispenser, A terminal information control unit that exchanges communication information with the terminal device via the terminal port without using change machine commands specific to the change machine, A change dispenser control unit having a conversion function that converts an operation request for the change dispenser received by the terminal information control unit into one or more change dispenser commands specific to the change dispenser, and a control function that transmits the change dispenser commands to the change dispenser via the change dispenser port to control the change dispenser, A server device equipped with the following features.

2. The aforementioned network communication is communication using HTTP or HTTPS. The terminal information control unit converts the information based on the change dispenser command received by the change dispenser control unit from the change dispenser into communication data based on HTTP or HTTPS, and transmits the converted communication data to the terminal device. The server device according to claim 1.

3. The terminal information control unit receives a command from the terminal device as an operation request to transition the operating state of the change dispenser from the first state to the second state. The server device according to claim 1.

4. The control function of the change dispenser control unit has a function to check the operating state of the change dispenser after it has been controlled. The terminal information control unit transmits the confirmed operating status of the change dispenser to the terminal device as a result of the operation request. The server device according to claim 1.

5. The terminal information control unit is configured to be connectable to a plurality of terminal devices, and transmits the operating status of the change dispenser, transmitted in response to the operation request of one of the plurality of terminal devices, to the plurality of terminal devices. The server device according to claim 1.

6. The system further includes a storage unit that stores a history of communication data transmitted to the terminal device via the terminal port, The terminal information control unit, in response to a request for the history of the communication data received from the terminal device, transmits the stored history of the communication data to the requesting terminal device. The server device according to claim 1.

7. The system further includes a storage unit that stores a history of the operating state of the change dispenser as operated by the change dispenser control unit, The terminal information control unit, in response to a request for the operating status history of the change dispenser received from the terminal device, transmits the stored operating status history of the change dispenser to the requesting terminal device. The server device according to claim 1.

8. The system further includes a storage unit that stores a history of communication data transmitted to the change dispenser via the change dispenser port, The terminal information control unit, in response to a request for the history of the communication data received from the terminal device, transmits the stored history of the communication data to the requesting terminal device. The server device according to claim 1.

9. An external connection port for connecting to an external network, An external information control unit that exchanges communication information with the outside of the server device via the external connection port, Furthermore, When the external information control unit receives a command from the terminal device indicating that the terminal information control unit will update the change dispenser control unit, it downloads the update program via the external connection port and executes the update program to update the functions of the change dispenser control unit. The server device according to claim 1.

10. The terminal device for receiving operational inputs related to payment for goods, The aforementioned change dispenser calculates and dispenses change in response to payment for goods received by the terminal device, A server device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, which receives via network communication an operation request that causes the operating state of the change dispenser to change in response to an operation input received by the terminal device, and transmits one or more change dispenser commands to the change dispenser for controlling the change dispenser based on the operation request received from the terminal device, A communication system equipped with these features.

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