Information processing program and information processing device
The information processing program addresses delays in data creation by implementing a monitoring and notification system to ensure timely intervention, enhancing data management efficiency.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- TOSHIBA TEC KK
- Filing Date
- 2024-11-15
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-27
Smart Images
Figure 2026087336000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
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[0005]
[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to an information processing program and an information processing apparatus.
Background Art
[0002] Processing for creating data, such as aggregating data related to transactions for, for example, one business day processed by a POS system, is started in response to an execution instruction by a store clerk after closing, and is executed during a business suspension period of the store, such as at night. And in this case, the store clerk who gave the above execution instruction often leaves the store without waiting for the above processing to finish. For this reason, even if a delay occurs due to some circumstances in the processing being executed, no prompt action is taken by the store clerk who gave the execution instruction. Under such circumstances, even if the data creation process is executed when the store clerk or the like is absent, it has been desired to enable prompt action to be taken in case of a delay.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] [[ID=…]] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an information processing program and an information processing apparatus that enable prompt action to be taken in case of a delay even if the data creation process is executed when the store clerk or the like is absent.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0005] The information processing program of this embodiment causes the computer provided in the information processing device to function as a monitoring means, a detection means, and a notification means. The monitoring means monitors the progress of a creation process that creates multiple data for managing transactions processed at a store over a predetermined period. The detection means detects delays in the progress being monitored by the monitoring means. The notification means notifies a predetermined recipient of the delay when the detection means detects a delay. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0006] [Figure 1] A block diagram showing the schematic configuration of an information management system according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] A block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the store server. [Figure 3] A sequence diagram showing the interaction between the store server and the core server in response to the processor executing the store closing process. [Figure 4] A flowchart for the monitoring process. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0007] An example of an embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. This embodiment will describe an information management system for operating a chain of multiple stores. Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the information management system 1 according to this embodiment. The information management system 1 is configured to enable communication between multiple store systems 10 and multiple store servers 20 via a first communication network 2, and to enable communication between the multiple store servers 20, a core server 30, and a management server 40 via a second communication network 3.
[0008] Multiple store systems 10 are provided for each of the multiple stores. Multiple store servers 20 are provided for in the data center of the company operating the stores. The multiple store servers 20 may be all located in a single data center or distributed across multiple data centers. Furthermore, the store servers 20 may be installed in the stores themselves. The core server 30 is built on, for example, a cloud service. The management server 40 is provided for in the service center that performs maintenance services for the store system 10. However, this configuration is merely an example and can be modified as needed.
[0009] For the first communication network 2, for example, Wide Area Ethernet (registered trademark) may be used. For the second communication network 3, for example, VPN (Virtual Private Network) may be used. However, for both the first communication network 2 and the second communication network 3, various other communication networks may be used individually or in combination. A common communication network may be used for both the first communication network 2 and the second communication network 3.
[0010] The store system 10 is an information processing system installed in a single store that processes information related to transactions conducted at that store. The store system 10 may be similar to, for example, a system installed in a store for the construction of an existing POS (point-of-sale) system. In other words, the store system 10 may include a face-to-face POS terminal, a fully self-service POS terminal, a semi-self-service registration machine, a semi-self-service checkout machine, a multi-terminal, a charging machine, an automatic change dispenser, a journal server, a printer, a client computer, and a journal camera. Multiple store systems 10 may have different configurations. Furthermore, the number of store systems 10 included in the information management system 1 can be arbitrary, and there may be only one.
[0011] Multiple store servers 20 are provided in association with multiple store groups GR, each of which comprises multiple stores equipped with multiple store systems 10. Each store server 20 is an information processing device that performs information processing for each store system 10 belonging to the associated store group GR, in order to aggregate the results of transaction processing related to transactions conducted at the respective store. This information processing is often performed after the end of business hours for transactions conducted during a single business day at the store, and is therefore referred to as closing processing. The number of stores belonging to each store group GR can be arbitrary; for example, a store group GR may have only one store. The number of store groups GR included in the information management system 1 can be arbitrary; there may be only one. If the information management system 1 contains only one store group GR, then the information management system 1 may also contain only one store server 20.
[0012] The core server 30 is an information processing device that performs information processing for the management of all transactions processed by each of the multiple store systems 10. For such information processing, the core server 30 collects various data created by the store closing process performed by the store servers 20. The management server 40 is an information processing device that performs information processing to support maintenance services for the store system 10.
[0013] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the store server 20. The store server 20 includes a processor 21, a main memory unit 22, a sub-memory unit 23, communication units 24 and 25, and a transmission line 26, etc. By connecting the processor 21, the main storage unit 22, and the sub-storage unit 23 via a transmission line 26, a computer is configured to perform various information processing tasks that should be executed in the store server 20. The processor 21 corresponds to the central part of the computer described above. The processor 21 performs various information processing operations according to information processing programs such as the operating system and application programs.
[0014] The main memory unit 22 corresponds to the main memory portion of the computer described above. The main memory unit 22 includes a read-only memory area and a rewritable memory area. The main memory unit 22 stores a portion of the information processing program described above in the read-only memory area. The main memory unit 22 may also store data necessary for the processor 21 to perform processing to control each part in the read-only memory area or the rewritable memory area. The main memory unit 22 uses the rewritable memory area as a work area for the processor 21.
[0015] The sub-storage unit 23 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer described above. The sub-storage unit 23 can utilize various storage devices, such as EEPROM (electric erasable programmable read-only memory), HDD (hard disk drive), SSD (solid state drive), or other well-known storage devices. The sub-storage unit 23 stores data used by the processor 21 for various processing tasks and data created by the processing performed by the processor 21. The sub-storage unit 23 may also store the information processing programs described above. In this embodiment, the sub-storage unit 23 stores the closing processing program PRA and the monitoring processing program PRB, which are each information processing programs. A portion of the storage area of the sub-storage unit 23 is used as an area for storing the status table TAA.
[0016] The communication unit 24 performs communication processing for data communication via the first communication network 2. The communication unit 24 can use existing communication devices that conform to the communication method of the first communication network 2. The communication unit 25 performs communication processing for data communication via the second communication network 3. The communication unit 25 can use existing communication devices that conform to the communication method of the second communication network 3. The transmission path 26 includes an address bus, a data bus, control signal lines, etc., and transmits data and control signals exchanged between the connected components.
[0017] Next, the operation of the information management system 1 configured as described above will be explained. Note that the content of the processes described below is an example, and it is possible to appropriately change the order of some processes, omit some processes, or add other processes. For example, in the following description, in order to explain the characteristic operations of the present embodiment in an easy-to-understand manner, the explanation of some processes is omitted. For example, when some error occurs, there may be processes for dealing with the error, but the description of such processes is omitted.
[0018] In the store system 10, during the business hours of the store where the store system 10 is installed, every time a transaction with a customer occurs, transaction processing related to the transaction is performed. The transaction processing includes, for example, a registration process for registering the products sold in the store as transaction products for the transaction, and an accounting process for calculating and settling the prices of all the transaction products registered by the registration process. When the store system 10 finishes the accounting process for one transaction, it creates transaction data representing the content and accounting results of the said transaction.
[0019] When the business hours of the store end, the store clerk instructs the execution of the closing process by a predetermined operation on the terminal device included in the store system 10. Then the store system 10 requests the execution of the closing process from a predetermined store server 20. And the processor 21 of the store server 20 that receives this request starts the closing process for the target store system 10 according to the closing process program PRA. However, the execution of the closing process is not limited to the end of the business hours of the store, and it can be executed at any timing as long as the execution is instructed.
[0020] Figure 3 is a sequence diagram showing the interaction between the store server 20 and the backbone server 30 in response to the processor 21 executing the closing process. As ACT201, processor 21 initializes the status table TAA. The status table TAA stores the status of each of the various data sent to the core server 30 during the closing process. At this point, processor 21 sets each status in the status table TAA to "not executed".
[0021] As ACT202, processor 21 creates user data. User data is data related to factors that affect sales. User data may include, for example, the date, weather code, store holiday flag, temperature, and comments. Processor 21 uses transaction data generated in the target store system 10 for transactions during a predetermined period (in this embodiment, one business day) to create this user data and subsequent data. Processor 21 may acquire transaction data sent from the store system 10 as it is generated, acquire transaction data sent periodically in batches from the store system 10, or acquire all transaction data generated during one business day from the store system 10 during this closing process. Processor 21 stores the acquired transaction data, for example, in sub-storage unit 23. As ACT203, processor 21 sends the user data created above to core server 30. Upon receiving the user data, core server 30 saves this user data as ACT301.
[0022] As ACT204, processor 21 updates the status table TAA to set the status of user data to "normal". While a detailed explanation is omitted, the status of the status table TAA may be "emergency stop," "abnormal," or "skipping" depending on the processing status of the data in question.
[0023] As ACT205, processor 21 creates specific single-item time-slot data. This specific single-item time-slot data is sales data for the final time slot of a specific single item. As ACT206, processor 21 sends the created specific single-item time zone data to the core server 30. Upon receiving the specific single-item time zone data, core server 30 saves this user data as ACT302.
[0024] As ACT207, processor 21 updates the status table TAA to set the status of the specific individual time period data to "normal". After this, the processor 21, although not shown in the diagram, sequentially performs jobs such as creating various data and sending that data to the core server 30. The data created and sent here may include, for example, the following types of data.
[0025] Departmental Inspection Time Slot Data: Sales data for the final time slot of each department. Transaction verification data by register: Sales data for the final time period, broken down by transaction code for each register. Clothing Transaction Data: Transaction data for clothing sales. Specified Transaction Data (Member Transaction Data): Transaction data for member sales Settlement data by register and transaction: Daily settlement data for each transaction code at each register. Departmental settlement data: Daily settlement data for each department. Price-based individual item settlement data: Daily settlement data for individual items, categorized by price. Non-merchandising department settlement data: Daily settlement data for each non-merchandising department. Note that the closing process may include other jobs besides those for creating and transmitting data.
[0026] As ACT208, processor 21 creates a credit transaction. The credit transaction is transaction data for sales using credit payment. As ACT209, processor 21 sends the created credit transaction to core server 30. Upon receiving the credit transaction, core server 30 saves it as ACT302. As ACT210, processor 21 updates the status table TAA to set the status of the credit transaction to "normal".
[0027] Now, once processor 21 has started the closing process as described above, it will simultaneously start monitoring processing according to the monitoring processing program PRB. Figure 4 is a flowchart of the monitoring process. As ACT211, processor 21 starts measuring the elapsed time since the start of the closing process.
[0028] As ACT212, processor 21 checks whether the status regarding the progress of the closing process has been updated. If processor 21 cannot confirm the relevant event as described later, it determines NO and proceeds to ACT213. As ACT213, processor 21 checks if the time limit has elapsed. If processor 21 cannot confirm the relevant event as described later, it determines NO and returns to ACT212. Thus, processor 21 waits for the status to be updated or for the time limit to expire, as ACT212 and ACT213.
[0029] If processor 21 has updated the status table TAA due to the aforementioned closing process, it determines YES in ACT212 and proceeds to ACT214. As ACT214, processor 21 checks the status table TAA to see if the status of credit transactions is "not executed". If the update to the status table TAA is not an update to the status of credit transactions, and the status of credit transactions remains "not executed", it determines YES and returns to the waiting state of ACT212 and ACT213. Thus, processor 21 monitors the progress of the closing process by determining whether the creation and transmission of credit transactions, which are the last jobs executed in the closing process, have been completed. In other words, by having processor 21 execute information processing based on the monitoring processing program PRB, the computer with processor 21 as its central component functions as a monitoring means. Then, if processor 21 determines YES in ACT212 in response to the closing process and the update of the status regarding credit transactions, it determines NO in ACT214 and terminates the monitoring process.
[0030] If the elapsed time measured by the timer started in ACT211 reaches a predetermined limit without the processor 21 updating the status of the credit transaction, it determines YES in ACT213 and proceeds to ACT215. As ACT215, processor 21 notifies management server 40 that a delay has occurred in the closing process, and identifies which store system 10 the delay occurred in. Processor 21 then terminates the monitoring process.
[0031] In other words, processor 21 detects a delay in the closing process if, after the time limit has elapsed since the closing process began, the completion of the job related to credit transactions, which is the job of interest, cannot be confirmed. Thus, by having processor 21 perform information processing based on the monitoring processing program PRB, the computer with processor 21 as its central component functions as a detection means. Processor 21 then notifies the management server 40, which is designated as a notification destination, of this detected delay, and by having processor 21 perform information processing based on the monitoring processing program PRB, the computer with processor 21 as its central component functions as a notification means. Upon receiving the above notification, the management server 40 executes a predetermined notification process to prompt the maintenance person responsible for maintaining the relevant store system 10 to take action.
[0032] As described above, the information management system 1, with the processor 21 on the store server 20, creates multiple data sets during the closing process to manage transactions processed at the store within a single business day. The processor 21 also checks the progress of the creation of these multiple data sets based on whether the credit transaction has been completed. If the credit transaction has not been completed even after the elapsed time since the start of the closing process exceeds the time limit, it notifies the management server 40 of a delay in the closing process. Thus, even if the closing process is performed when no staff are present, it is possible to quickly take action in the event of a delay in this closing process.
[0033] Furthermore, on the store server 20, the processor 21 detects a delay if the last job executed during the closing process does not complete within the time limit. Therefore, any delay that occurs in any job executed during the closing process can be detected as a delay in the closing process.
[0034] This embodiment can be modified in various ways as follows: Closing procedures and monitoring procedures may be performed by separate information processing devices. In this case, the monitoring procedures for each of the multiple information processing devices that perform closing procedures may be performed by a single information processing device.
[0035] The destination for data transmission during the closing process may be any information processing device other than the core server 30.
[0036] In the closing process, in addition to the jobs described in the above embodiment, a job may also be executed to create data and send this data to an information processing device separate from the core server 30.
[0037] In closing procedures, in addition to the job that creates and transmits data, another job may be executed, such as a job that creates data and stores it in the built-in storage device. In monitoring procedures, for jobs that do not involve transmission, another event, such as the completion of data creation, may be considered the completion of the job.
[0038] In monitoring processes, a job that is not the last to complete can be designated as a "job of interest," and if this job of interest does not complete within the time limit, it can be detected as a delay. For example, if a job that frequently experiences delays is designated as a job of interest, delays in that job can be detected quickly.
[0039] In monitoring processes, multiple jobs can be designated as "jobs of interest," and a delay can be detected if any of these jobs fail to complete within the time limit. In this case, different time limits can be set for each job of interest, taking into account the execution order of the jobs and the time required for each job to be executed.
[0040] It is acceptable to allow users to change which of multiple jobs is designated as the job of interest, according to their own specifications.
[0041] The notification of detected delays may be sent to any information processing device other than the management server 40. For example, it may be sent to a mobile communication terminal owned by the store's maintenance staff or store manager.
[0042] Notification to the recipient is not limited to communication via the second communication network 3, but may also be done by any other method, such as displaying an image indicating the occurrence of a delay on a display device or printing it on a printing device.
[0043] The store server 20 may be set up to correspond to each of the multiple store systems 10, and may perform closing and monitoring processes only for the corresponding store system 10.
[0044] Each function realized by the processor 21 through information processing can also be partially or entirely realized by hardware that performs non-program-based information processing, such as logic circuits. Furthermore, each of the above functions can also be realized by combining the above-mentioned hardware, such as logic circuits, with software control.
[0045] While several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be carried out in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0046] 1... Information management system, 2... First communication network, 3... Second communication network, 10... Store system, 20... Store server, 21... Processor, 22... Main memory unit, 23... Sub memory unit, 24, 25... Communication unit, 26... Transmission line, 30... Core server, 40... Management server.
Claims
1. The computer installed in the information processing device, A monitoring means for monitoring the progress of a creation process that creates multiple data sets for managing transactions processed at a store over a predetermined period, A detection means for detecting delays in progress being monitored by the aforementioned monitoring means, In response to the detection of a delay by the aforementioned detection means, a notification means notifies a predetermined recipient of the delay, An information processing program that enables a function to work.
2. The creation process involves creating the data for each of the multiple data sets and then executing a job to send the created data to a predetermined destination. The monitoring means monitors the progress of the creation process by checking the completion status of the jobs. The information processing program according to claim 1.
3. The detection means is configured to detect a delay if, after a predetermined time limit has elapsed since the start of the creation process, the completion of a predetermined job of interest among the jobs has not been confirmed by the monitoring means. The information processing program according to claim 2.
4. The detection means determines that the job to be executed last within the creation process among the jobs is the job of interest. The information processing program according to claim 3.
5. A monitoring means for monitoring the progress of a creation process that creates multiple data sets for managing transactions processed at a store over a predetermined period, A detection means for detecting delays in progress being monitored by the aforementioned monitoring means, In response to the detection of a delay by the aforementioned detection means, a notification means notifies a predetermined recipient of the delay, An information processing device equipped with the following.