Information processing system and intermediary device

Abstract

To enable operation with a terminal device to be continued in a period from occurrence of failure in a cloud until completion of synchronization after recovery of the failure.SOLUTION: An information processing system according to an embodiment includes requesting means, processing means, control means, first synchronization means, and second synchronization means. The requesting means requests information processing to a cloud. The processing means performs an information process similar to the cloud in an on-premises environment. The control means validates the requesting means when the cloud is normal, and validates the processing means when the cloud is under failure and in a synchronizing period after recovery of the failure. When the control means does not validate the processing means, the first synchronization means synchronizes a result of an information process performed by the cloud according to a request from the requesting means to a past processing result by the processing means. The second synchronization means synchronizes, in a synchronizing period, a result of an information process performed by the processing means when the cloud is under failure to a past processing result by the cloud.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD Embodiments of the present invention relate to an information processing system and an intermediary device. [Background technology]

[0002] A transaction processing system is known in which instructions for transaction processing from an operator are received at a terminal device at a store, and information processing according to the instructions is executed by a cloud. Such a transaction processing system may be configured so that information processing similar to that executed by a cloud can be executed on a store server or the like in an on-premises environment, so that transaction processing can continue even in the event of a cloud failure.

[0003] However, when the cloud fails, it is necessary to synchronize the results of the information processing performed on the store server with the results of past information processing on the cloud after the failure is restored.During this period, information processing for transaction processing on the cloud and store server must be stopped, which could result in the terminal device not being able to be operated during that period. Given these circumstances, it has been desirable to be able to continue operations on a terminal device during the period from when a cloud failure occurs until synchronization is completed after the failure is restored. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-149602 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide an information processing system and an intermediary device that enable operations to be continued on a terminal device during the period from when a cloud failure occurs until synchronization is completed after the failure is recovered. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The information processing system of the embodiment includes a request unit, a processing unit, a control unit, a first synchronization unit, and a second synchronization unit. The request unit requests information processing from the cloud. The processing unit performs information processing in the on-premise environment similar to that in the cloud. The control unit performs the same synchronization when the cloud is operating normally. This includes the synchronization period after recovery from a cloud failure. The request method is enabled and the cloud fails. Same as The processing means is enabled during a period. The first synchronization means, when the processing means is not enabled by the control means, synchronizes the result of information processing performed in the cloud in response to a request by the request means with a past processing result by the processing means. The second synchronization means, during a synchronization period, synchronizes the result of information processing performed in the processing means at the time of a cloud failure with a past processing result in the cloud. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a POS system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the POS terminal in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the store server in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the edge gateway in FIG. 1. [Figure 5] 5 is a flowchart of an intermediation process performed by the processor in FIG. 4; [Figure 6] 5 is a flowchart of an intermediation process performed by the processor in FIG. 4; [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is an example sequence diagram. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] An example of an embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a point-of-sale (POS) system including an on-premise system configured by applying an information processing system will be described as an example. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a POS system 100 according to this embodiment. The POS system 100 is configured to enable communication between an on-premise system 1 and a cloud 2 via a wide area network 3.

[0009] The on-premise system 1 is an information processing system installed in a defined on-premise environment, such as within a store. The cloud 2 provides information processing services as online services via a wide area network 3. The wide area network 3 may be a well-known communication network such as the Internet. The wide area network 3 corresponds to a first communication network.

[0010] The on-premise system 1 is configured so that a plurality of POS terminals 11, a store server 12, and an edge gateway 13 can communicate with each other via an on-premise network 14. The on-premise network 14 may be, for example, a local area network (LAN). The on-premise network 14 corresponds to a second communication network.

[0011] Each of the multiple POS terminals 11 is a terminal device that functions as a user interface for receiving operations related to transaction processing from a store clerk or a customer. The store server 12 is a processing device that processes information for transaction processing in response to operations on the POS terminals 11. The edge gateway 13 is an intermediary device that performs intermediary processing to enable transaction processing through cooperation between the POS terminals 11, the store server 12, and the cloud 2.

[0012] The cloud 2 includes a transaction system 21 , a database 22 , a data migration system 23 and a cloud storage 24 . The transaction system 21 performs information processing for transaction processing as transaction processing for transaction data sent from the POS terminal 11. The information processing performed by the transaction system 21 for transaction processing is similar to the information processing performed by the store server 12 for transactions. The database 22 is a database for accumulating and storing results of past transaction processing performed by the transaction system 21. The data migration system 23 performs information processing for reflecting the results of transaction processing performed by the store server 12 when a failure occurs in the cloud 2 in the results of transaction processing stored in the database 22. The cloud storage 24 is a storage system that provides online storage services.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the POS terminal 11. The POS terminal 11 includes a processor 111, a main memory 112, an auxiliary storage unit 113, a touch panel 114, a camera 115, an interface unit 116, a communication unit 117, and a transmission path 118. The hardware of the POS terminal 11 can be an off-the-shelf tablet computer device on which any application program can be installed and executed. However, the hardware of the POS terminal 11 can also be various other types of computer devices or an information processing device configured specifically as the POS terminal 11.

[0014] The processor 111, the main memory 112, the auxiliary storage unit 113, the touch panel 114, the camera 115, and the communication unit 117 are capable of communicating with each other via a transmission path 118. The processor 111, the main memory 112, and the auxiliary storage unit 113 are connected by the transmission path 118 to form a computer for controlling the POS terminal 11.

[0015] The processor 111 corresponds to the central part of the computer. The processor 111 executes information processing based on an operating system and information processing programs such as application programs. The processor 111 is, for example, a CPU (central processing unit).

[0016] The main memory 112 corresponds to the main storage portion of the computer. The main memory 112 includes a nonvolatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 112 stores the information processing program in the nonvolatile memory area. The main memory 112 may store data required for the processor 111 to execute information processing in either the nonvolatile or volatile memory area. The main memory 112 uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data is rewritten by the processor 111 as appropriate. The nonvolatile memory area is, for example, a ROM (read only memory). The volatile memory area is, for example, a RAM (random access memory).

[0017] The auxiliary storage unit 113 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. The auxiliary storage unit 113 may be a storage unit using a well-known storage device such as an EEPROM (electric erasable programmable read-only memory), a hard disk drive (HDD), or a solid state drive (SSD). The auxiliary storage unit 113 stores data used by the processor 111 in performing various processes, or data created by the processes performed by the processor 111. The auxiliary storage unit 113 may also store the information processing program. In this embodiment, the auxiliary storage unit 113 stores a terminal program PRA. The terminal program PRA is an application program that describes the processing procedures for realizing the functions of the POS terminal 11.

[0018] The touch panel 114 functions as an input device and a display device for the user interface. The camera 115 includes an optical system and an image sensor, and generates image data representing an image within a field of view formed by the optical system using the image sensor.

[0019] The interface unit 116 connects peripheral devices such as a handheld scanner or a payment terminal, and enables communication between these peripheral devices and the processor 111. As the interface unit 116, for example, an existing interface device for wired communication using a USB (universal serial bus) or wireless communication using Bluetooth (registered trademark) or the like can be used.

[0020] The communication unit 117 performs processing for data communication via the on-premise network 14. As the communication unit 117, for example, a well-known communication device compatible with the standard of the on-premise network 14, such as the IEEE802.3 standard or the IEEE802.11 standard, can be used. The transmission path 118 includes an address bus, a data bus, and control signal lines, and transmits data and control signals exchanged between the connected components.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the store server 12. The store server 12 includes a processor 121, a main memory 122, an auxiliary storage unit 123, a communication unit 124, and a transmission path 125. The hardware of the store server 12 can be a ready-made server device on which any application program can be installed and executed.

[0022] The processor 121, main memory 122, auxiliary storage unit 123, and communication unit 124 are capable of communicating with each other via a transmission path 125. The processor 121, main memory 122, and auxiliary storage unit 123 are connected via the transmission path 125 to form a computer for controlling the store server 12. The processor 121 corresponds to the central part of the computer. The processor 121 executes information processing based on an operating system and information processing programs such as application programs. The processor 121 is, for example, a CPU.

[0023] The main memory 122 corresponds to the main storage portion of the computer. The main memory 122 includes a nonvolatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 122 stores the information processing program in the nonvolatile memory area. The main memory 122 may store data required for the processor 121 to execute information processing in either the nonvolatile or volatile memory area. The main memory 122 uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data is rewritten by the processor 121 as appropriate. The nonvolatile memory area is, for example, a ROM. The volatile memory area is, for example, a RAM.

[0024] The auxiliary memory unit 123 corresponds to the auxiliary memory portion of the computer. The auxiliary memory unit 123 may be a memory unit using a well-known memory device such as an EEPROM, HDD, or SSD. The auxiliary memory unit 123 stores data used by the processor 121 when performing various processes, or data created by the processes performed by the processor 121. The auxiliary memory unit 123 may also store the information processing program. In this embodiment, the auxiliary memory unit 123 stores the server program PRB. The server program PRB is an application program that describes the processing procedures for realizing the functions of the store server 12. A portion of the memory area of ​​the auxiliary memory unit 123 is used as a transaction database DBA. The transaction database DBA is a database for accumulating and storing the results of information processing for transaction processing executed by the processor 121 in accordance with the server program.

[0025] The communication unit 124 performs processing for data communication via the on-premise network 14. As the communication unit 124, for example, a well-known communication device compatible with the standard of the on-premise network 14, such as the IEEE 802.3 standard or the IEEE 802.11 standard, can be used. The transmission path 125 includes an address bus, a data bus, and control signal lines, and transmits data and control signals exchanged between the connected components.

[0026] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the edge gateway 13. The edge gateway 13 includes a processor 131 , a main memory 132 , an auxiliary storage unit 133 , communication units 134 and 135 , and a transmission path 136 .

[0027] The processor 131, the main memory 132, the auxiliary storage unit 133, and the communication unit 134 are capable of communicating with each other via a transmission path 136. The processor 131, the main memory 132, and the auxiliary storage unit 133 are connected by the transmission path 136 to form a computer for controlling the edge gateway 13. The processor 131 corresponds to the central part of the computer. The processor 131 executes information processing based on an operating system and information processing programs such as application programs. The processor 131 is, for example, a CPU.

[0028] The main memory 132 corresponds to the main storage portion of the computer. The main memory 132 includes a nonvolatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 132 stores the information processing program in the nonvolatile memory area. The main memory 132 may store data required for the processor 131 to execute information processing in either the nonvolatile or volatile memory area. The main memory 132 uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data is rewritten by the processor 131 as appropriate. The nonvolatile memory area is, for example, a ROM. The volatile memory area is, for example, a RAM.

[0029] The auxiliary storage unit 133 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. A storage unit using a well-known storage device such as an EEPROM, HDD, or SSD can be used as the auxiliary storage unit 133. The auxiliary storage unit 133 stores data used by the processor 131 when performing various processes, or data created by the processes in the processor 131. The auxiliary storage unit 133 may also store the information processing program. In this embodiment, the auxiliary storage unit 133 stores an intermediation program PRC. The intermediation program PRC is an application program that describes the processing procedures for realizing the functions of the edge gateway 13.

[0030] The communication unit 134 performs processing for data communication via the on-premise network 14. As the communication unit 134, for example, a well-known communication device compatible with the standard of the on-premise network 14, such as the IEEE 802.3 standard or the IEEE 802.11 standard, can be used.

[0031] The communication unit 135 performs processing for data communication via the wide area network 3. As the communication unit 135, for example, a well-known communication device compatible with the standards of the wide area network 3 such as the Internet can be used. The transmission path 136 includes an address bus, a data bus, and control signal lines, and transmits data and control signals exchanged between the connected components.

[0032] The terminal program PRA, server program PRB, and intermediary program PRC may be written to the POS terminal 11, the store server 12, and the edge gateway 13 before they are shipped from the factory, and may be stored in the auxiliary storage units 113, 123, and 133 at the time of transfer, or each program transferred separately from the hardware of the POS terminal 11, the store server 12, and the edge gateway 13 may be written to the auxiliary storage units 113, 123, and 133 by the processors 111, 121, and 131 in response to an operation by an arbitrary worker. When each program is transferred separately from the hardware, it may be recorded on a removable recording medium such as a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, an optical disk, or a semiconductor memory and transferred, or it may be transferred via communication via a network.

[0033] Next, we will explain the operation of the POS system 100 configured as above. Note that the content of the processes explained below is just an example, and it is possible to change the order of some of the processes, omit some of the processes, or add other processes as appropriate.

[0034] The operator of the POS terminal 11 performs predetermined operations, for example, using the touch panel 114 or a peripheral device connected to the interface unit 116, to specify various processes for transaction processing, such as starting a transaction, registering transaction details, changing registered transaction details, or settling a transaction. In response to these operations, the processor 111 generates transaction data for the transaction processing corresponding to the operation and sends it from the communication unit 117 to the on-premise network 14, addressed to the edge gateway 13. This processing by the processor 111 is performed based on the terminal program PRA. Thus, by the processor 111 executing information processing based on the terminal program PRA, the computer having the processor 111 as its central part functions as a generating means. Furthermore, the computer having the processor 111 as its central part and the communication unit 117 cooperate to realize the function of a first transmitting means. When this transaction data is transmitted to the edge gateway 13 by the on-premise network 14, it is received by the communication unit 134 in the edge gateway 13. In other words, the communication unit 134 functions as a first receiving means.

[0035] When a transaction process is to be executed in the POS system 100, the processor 131 in the edge gateway 13 executes information processing based on the intermediation program PRC (hereinafter referred to as intermediation processing). 5 and 6 are flowcharts of the intermediation process by the processor 131. Fig. 7 is a sequence diagram as an example.

[0036] 5, the processor 131 checks whether transaction data (abbreviated as "transaction data" in the figure) has arrived from the POS terminal 11. If the processor 131 cannot confirm the event, it determines "NO" and proceeds to ACT2. In ACT2, the processor 131 checks whether or not result data, which will be described later, has arrived from cloud 2. If the processor 131 cannot confirm the event, it determines NO and proceeds to ACT3. In ACT3, the processor 131 checks whether or not synchronization data, which will be described later, has arrived from the cloud 2. If the processor 131 cannot confirm the event, it determines NO and proceeds to ACT4. In ACT4, the processor 131 checks whether a failure has occurred in cloud 2. If the processor 131 cannot confirm the event, it determines NO and returns to ACT1. Thus, in ACT1 to ACT4, the processor 131 waits for the arrival of any of transaction data, result data, and synchronous data, or for a failure to occur.

[0037] For example, when transaction data transmitted from the POS terminal 11 is received by the communication unit 134 as in event EAA in FIG. 7, the processor 131 determines YES in ACT1 and proceeds to ACT5. In ACT5, the processor 131 transmits the transaction data received by the communication unit 134 to the cloud 2. For example, the processor 131 accesses the transaction system 21 via the wide area network 3 using a predetermined URL (uniform resource locator) for requesting transaction processing, and then transmits the transaction data from the communication unit 135 to the wide area network 3. The processor 131 then returns to the standby state of ACT1 to ACT4. Thus, when the cloud 2 is normal, the processor 131 requests the cloud 2 to process the transaction data transmitted from the POS terminal 11. In other words, when the processor 131 executes information processing based on the intermediation program PRC, the computer having the processor 131 as its central part functions as request means for requesting information processing from the cloud 2, and further as control means for enabling this request means when the cloud is normal.

[0038] When transaction data transmitted from the edge gateway 13 as described above is transmitted over the wide area network 3 as in the event EBA, the transaction system 21 receives the transaction data and performs transaction processing according to the transaction data. For example, when transaction data related to the start of a new transaction arrives, the transaction system 21 performs transaction processing such as determining a transaction code for identifying the transaction to be processed in the transaction according to predetermined rules and generating product list data associated with the transaction code. Furthermore, when transaction data related to product registration arrives, the transaction system 21 performs transaction processing such as updating the product list data associated with the transaction code represented in the transaction data to include the product code represented in the transaction data and the number of products identified by that product code. The transaction system 21 then sends result data, such as event EBB, to the edge gateway 13 over the wide area network 3 to notify the POS terminal 11, which transmitted the transaction data, of a user interface screen after the transaction processing. Furthermore, the transaction system 21 updates the database 22 to reflect the results of the transaction processing, such as event ECA. The transaction system 21 then sends synchronization data for synchronizing the updates to the database 22 with the transaction database DBA of the store server 12 to the edge gateway 13 over the wide area network 3, like an event EBC.

[0039] The result data and synchronization data transmitted by the wide area network 3 to the edge gateway 13 are sequentially received by the communication unit 135 . When the result data is received by the communication unit 135, the processor 131 determines YES in ACT2 and proceeds to ACT6.

[0040] In ACT6, the processor 131 sends the result data received by the communication unit 135 from the communication unit 134 to the on-premise network 14, addressed to the POS terminal 11 that is the notification destination, as in the event EAB. Then, the processor 131 then returns to the standby state of ACT1 to ACT4.

[0041] The result data transmitted to the POS terminal 11 via the on-premise network 14 is received by the communication unit 117. In response to this, the processor 111 performs processing according to the received result data, such as updating the user interface screen displayed on the touch panel 114.

[0042] When the synchronization data is received by the communication unit 135, the processor 131 determines YES in ACT3 and proceeds to ACT7. In ACT7, the processor 131 transmits the synchronization data received by the communication unit 135 from the communication unit 134 to the on-premise network 14, addressed to the store server 12, as in the event EDA. Then, the processor 131 then returns to the standby state of ACT1 to ACT4.

[0043] The synchronization data transmitted to the store server 12 via the on-premise network 14 is received by the communication unit 124. In response to the synchronization data, the processor 121 updates the transaction database DBA to synchronize the transaction database DBA with the updates to the database 22 made in the cloud 2 as described above.

[0044] At this time, no transaction processing is being performed on the store server 12, and the function of the processor 121 as a processing means is not enabled. The transaction database DBA accumulates and stores past processing results of transaction processing performed by the processor 121 as a processing means. The database 22 accumulates and stores past processing results of transaction processing performed in the cloud 2. Thus, by the processor 131 executing information processing based on the intermediary program PRC, the computer with the processor 131 as its central part functions as a first synchronization means that synchronizes the results of information processing performed in the cloud with the past processing results of the processing means.

[0045] Now, the processor 131 in the edge gateway 13 monitors the state of the cloud 2, and if it is determined that a failure has occurred, it determines YES in ACT4 and proceeds to ACT8 in FIG. In ACT8, the processor 131 checks whether transaction data has arrived from the POS terminal 11. If the processor 131 cannot confirm the event, it determines NO and proceeds to ACT9. In ACT9, the processor 131 checks whether or not result data has arrived from the store server 12. If the processor 131 cannot confirm the event, it determines NO and proceeds to ACT10. In ACT10, the processor 131 checks whether the failure in cloud 2 has been restored. If the processor 131 cannot confirm the event, it determines NO and returns to ACT8. Thus, in ACT8 to ACT10, the processor 131 waits for the transaction data or result data to arrive or for the failure to be restored.

[0046] When the communication unit 134 receives transaction data transmitted from the POS terminal 11 as in the event EAC, the processor 131 determines YES in ACT8 and proceeds to ACT11. As ACT11, the processor 131 transmits the transaction data received by the communication unit 134 to the store server 12 as an event EDB. For example, the processor 131 sends the transaction data from the communication unit 134 to the on-premise network 14, addressed to the store server 12. The processor 131 then returns to the standby state of ACT8 to ACT10. Thus, if a failure occurs in the cloud 2, the processor 131 requests the store server 12 to process the transaction data transmitted from the POS terminal 11. In other words, the processor 131 executes information processing based on the intermediation program PRC, and the computer with the processor 131 as its central part and the communication unit 134 cooperate to realize the function of a second transmission means.

[0047] When the transaction data transmitted from the edge gateway 13 via the on-premise network 14 is received by the store server 12 via the communication unit 124, as described above, the communication unit 124 functions as a second receiving means. The processor 121 then performs transaction processing according to the transaction data received by the communication unit 124, in the same manner as the transaction system 21. The processor 121 then generates result data, similar to the transaction system 21, for notifying the POS terminal 11 that transmitted the transaction data of a user interface screen after the transaction processing, and sends the result data to the on-premise network 14, addressed to the edge gateway 13, as an event EDC. The processor 121 also updates the transaction database DBA to reflect the results of the transaction processing. The operation of the store server 12 here is realized by the processor 121 executing information processing in accordance with the server program PRB. Thus, by the processor 121 executing information processing based on the server program PRB, the computer with the processor 121 as its central part functions as processing means for performing information processing similar to that of the cloud 2 in an on-premise environment. In addition, by having processor 131 execute information processing based on the intermediary program PRC, the computer with processor 131 as its central part functions as a control means that enables the function of processor 121 as a processing means in the event of a cloud failure.

[0048] The result data transmitted by the on-premise network 14 to the edge gateway 13 is received by the communication unit 134 . When the result data is received by the communication unit 134, the processor 131 determines YES in ACT9 and proceeds to ACT12.

[0049] In ACT12, the processor 131 sends the result data received by the communication unit 134, like the event EAD, from the communication unit 134 to the on-premise network 14, addressed to the POS terminal 11 that is the notification destination. Then, the processor 131 then returns to the standby state of ACT8 to ACT10. The result data transmitted to the POS terminal 11 via the on-premise network 14 is received by the communication unit 117. When the result data is received by the communication unit 117, the processor 111 performs processing in accordance with the result data in the same manner regardless of whether the result data is sent from the transaction system 21 or the store server 12.

[0050] Thus, even during a failure in the cloud 2, transaction processing can be continued, and the store where the on-premise system 1 is installed can continue operating normally. In many cases, it is expected that multiple transaction processing will be performed even during a failure in the cloud 2, and transaction processing by the store server 12 will be performed repeatedly.

[0051] Now, the processor 131 in the edge gateway 13 monitors the state of the cloud 2, and if it is confirmed that the failure has been restored, it determines YES in ACT10 and proceeds to ACT13. As ACT13, the processor 131 requests synchronization processing from the cloud 2, as in the event EEA. For example, the processor 131 accesses the data migration system 23 via the wide area network 3 using a URL predetermined for requesting synchronization processing, and then sends request data from the communication unit 135 to the wide area network 3 to request that the database 22 be synchronized with the transaction database DBA of the store server 12.

[0052] When the data migration system 23 receives the above-mentioned request, it determines the difference between the database 22 and the transaction database DBA, and requests the store server 12, using event EFA, for data contained in the transaction database DBA that is necessary to resolve the difference (hereinafter referred to as mismatched data). In response to this request, the data migration system 23 acquires the mismatched data sent from the store server 12 as shown in event EFB, and stores it in cloud storage 24 as shown in event EGA. When the mismatched data is stored in cloud storage 24, the transaction system 21 reads the mismatched data from cloud storage 24 as shown in event EHA. Then, based on the mismatched data, it updates the database 22 as shown in event ECB. After this, a sequence similar to the events EFA, EFB, EGA, EHA, and ECB described above is repeated as necessary, such as events EFC, EFD, EGB, EHB, and ECC.

[0053] Requesting synchronization processing in this way synchronizes the results of transaction processing performed by processor 121 functioning as a processing means at the time of a failure in cloud 2 with the results of past processing in cloud 2. In this way, processor 131 executes information processing based on the intermediary program PRC, and the computer with processor 131 as its central part functions as a second synchronization means.

[0054] The difference between the database 22 and the transaction database DBA occurs when transaction processing is performed on the store server 12 during a failure in the cloud 2. For this reason, the more transaction processing is performed on the store server 12 during the failure, the larger the difference between the database 22 and the transaction database DBA becomes, and due to the increase in the number of times that inconsistent data is exchanged and the database 22 is updated, it takes a certain amount of time to complete synchronization.

[0055] After the processor 131 in the edge gateway 13 requests synchronization processing in ACT13, the process proceeds to ACT14. In ACT14, the processor 131 waits for transaction data to arrive from the POS terminal 11. If the processor 131 cannot confirm the relevant event, it determines NO and proceeds to ACT15. In ACT15, the processor 131 checks whether or not result data has arrived from the store server 12. If the processor 131 cannot confirm the event, it determines NO and proceeds to ACT16. In ACT 16, the processor 131 checks whether the synchronization process has been completed. If the processor 131 cannot confirm the event, it determines NO and returns to ACT 14. Thus, in ACT14 to ACT16, the processor 131 waits for the transaction data or result data to arrive or for the synchronization process to be completed.

[0056] When the processor 131 is in a standby state from ACT14 to ACT16 and the communication unit 134 receives transaction data transmitted from the POS terminal 11 as in the event EAE, the processor 131 determines YES in ACT14 and proceeds to ACT17. In ACT17, the processor 131 transmits the transaction data received by the communication unit 134 to both the cloud 2 and the store server 12, as in events EBD and EDD. The processor 131 then returns to the standby state of ACT14 to ACT16. Thus, during the period in which the synchronization process is being performed, the processor 131 requests both the cloud 2 and the store server 12 to process the transaction data transmitted from the POS terminal 11. In other words, by having the processor 131 execute information processing based on the intermediation program PRC, the computer having the processor 131 as its core functions as control means that enables the function of the processor 131 as a processing means during the synchronization period after the cloud 2 is restored from the failure. Furthermore, since this synchronization period occurs during normal operation of the cloud 2, the computer having the processor 131 as its core functions as control means that enables the function of the processor 131 as a request means during normal operation of the cloud 2.

[0057] When the transaction system 21 receives the transaction data sent in the event EBD, it performs transaction processing according to the transaction data. The transaction system 21 then sends result data for the transaction processing to the edge gateway 13 as an event EBE. The transaction system 21 also updates the database 22 to reflect the result of the transaction processing as an event ECD. The transaction system 21 then sends synchronization data related to the update of the database 22 to the edge gateway 13 as an event EBF.

[0058] When the communication unit 124 of the store server 12 receives the transaction data sent in the event EDD, the processor 121 performs transaction processing according to the transaction data. The processor 121 then transmits the result data of the transaction processing to the edge gateway 13 as in the event EDE. The processor 121 also updates the transaction database DBA to reflect the result of the transaction processing.

[0059] In the edge gateway 13, the processor 131 is not waiting for the arrival of result data and synchronization data from the transaction system 21 while in the standby state of ACT14 to ACT16. Therefore, the processor 131 maintains the standby state of ACT14 to ACT16 even if the communication unit 135 receives the result data and synchronization data sent from the transaction system 21 in the events EBE and EBF. Then, if the communication unit 134 receives the result data sent from the store server 12 in the event EDE, the processor 131 determines YES in ACT15 and proceeds to ACT18.

[0060] In ACT18, the processor 131 sends the result data received by the communication unit 134, like the event EAF, from the communication unit 134 to the on-premise network 14, addressed to the POS terminal 11 that is the notification destination. Then, the processor 131 then returns to the standby state of ACT14 to ACT16. In this case as well, the processor 111 in the POS terminal 11 performs processing in accordance with the result data received by the communication unit 117 . As described above, transaction processing is performed individually in the cloud 2 and the store server 12, but since it is similar processing, with regard to updates to the database 22 such as the event ECD in response to the transaction processing and updates to the transaction database DBA, no new differences arise between the database 22 and the transaction database DBA, and the ongoing synchronization processing is not affected.

[0061] When the difference with the transaction database DBA in the database 22 has been resolved, the transaction system 21 sends notification data to the wide area network 3 to notify the edge gateway 13 of the completion, as in the event EBE. When this notification data is transmitted to the edge gateway 13 via the wide area network 3, it is received by the communication unit 135. In response to this, the processor 131 determines that synchronization has been completed and determines YES in ACT16, and returns to the standby state of ACT1 to ACT4 in Figure 4. In other words, the processor 131 returns to the operating state described above when the cloud 2 is normal.

[0062] Therefore, when transaction data is sent from the POS terminal 11 to the edge gateway 13 after this, as in the event EAG, the processor 131 is in a standby state for ACT1 to ACT4, and the POS system 100 then operates in a sequence similar to that of events EBA, EBB, EAB, ECA, EBC, and EDA, as in events EBH, EBI, EAH, ECE, EBJ, and EDF.

[0063] As described above, the POS system 100 basically performs transaction processing in the cloud 2. However, in the event of a failure in the cloud 2, the POS system 100 performs transaction processing in the store server 12, i.e., in an on-premises environment. Furthermore, upon recovery from the failure in the cloud 2, the POS system 100 performs synchronization processing to reflect the processing content of the store server 12 during the failure as the past processing results in the cloud 2. The POS system 100 performs transaction processing in the same way on both the cloud 2 and the store server 12 during the synchronization processing. As a result, the POS system 100 can perform transaction processing when the cloud 2 is normal, during a failure in the cloud 2, and even during synchronization processing after recovery from the failure. Furthermore, because transaction processing is performed on both the cloud 2 and the store server 12 during the synchronization processing, the results of the transaction processing do not need to be included in the synchronization processing, and therefore the synchronization processing can be completed in the minimum time possible without falling into a situation where the synchronization processing cannot be completed.

[0064] Furthermore, the POS system 100 selectively creates a state in which transaction processing is performed in the cloud 2, a state in which transaction processing is performed in the store server 12, or a state in which transaction processing is performed in both the cloud 2 and the store server 12, by switching the destination of transaction data sent from the POS terminal 11 to either the transaction system 21, the store server 12, or both, using the edge gateway 13. This allows each of the above states to be easily realized without requiring major changes to the operating states of the POS terminal 11, the store server 12, and the transaction system 21.

[0065] This embodiment can be modified in various ways as follows. The transaction data may be sent from the POS terminal 11 to the transaction system 21. In this case, for example, a computer having the processor 111 as its central part functions as the request means. At this time, the POS terminal 11 may monitor whether the cloud 2 is normal, and send the transaction data to the transaction system 21 when the cloud 2 is normal. In this case, for example, a computer having the processor 111 as its central part functions as the control means. Also, the store server 12 or the edge gateway 13 may monitor whether the cloud 2 is normal, and the store server 12 or the edge gateway 13 may control the POS terminal 11 to send the transaction data to the transaction system 21. In this case, for example, the processor 121 or the processor 131 functions as the control means.

[0066] When a transaction process should be performed at the store server 12, the POS terminal 11 may transmit transaction data to the store server 12. At this time, for example, the processor 111 may determine that the cloud 2 is in a failure state or a synchronization period and transmit the transaction data to the store server 12, or may transmit the transaction data to the store server 12 under the control of the edge gateway 13.

[0067] During a failure of the cloud 2 and during the synchronization period, transaction processing may be performed by the POS terminal 11 or the edge gateway 13 instead of by the store server 12. In this case, for example, a computer having the processor 111 or the processor 131 as its central part functions as processing means. At this time, the POS terminal 11 may monitor whether the cloud 2 is functioning normally and execute transaction processing during the failure and during the synchronization period. In this case, for example, a computer having the processor 111 as its central part functions as control means. Also, the store server 12 or the edge gateway 13 may monitor whether the cloud 2 is functioning normally and control the POS terminal 11 to execute transaction processing during the failure and during the synchronization period. In this case, for example, the processor 121 or the processor 131 functions as control means.

[0068] If transaction processing during a failure of cloud 2 and during the synchronization period is performed by the POS terminal 11 or the edge gateway 13, the transaction database DBA may be stored in the auxiliary storage unit 113 or the auxiliary storage unit 133. If the transaction database DBA is stored in the auxiliary storage unit 113, the processor 131 may send synchronization data to the POS terminal 11 in ACT7, and the processor 111 may update the transaction database DBA in the POS terminal 11. If the transaction database DBA is stored in the auxiliary storage unit 133, the processor 131 may update the transaction database DBA in ACT7.

[0069] The POS terminal 11 may always send transaction data addressed to the store server 12, and when the cloud 2 is normal, transfer the transaction data from the POS terminal 11 to the transaction system 21. In this case, a computer centered around the processor 121 functions as a request means and a control means.

[0070] The information processing is not limited to information processing for transaction processing, but may be any information processing. Furthermore, the information processing may be processing in any processing format other than transaction processing.

[0071] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims. The inventions described in the original claims of this application are set forth below. [Appendix 1] A request means for requesting information processing from the cloud; A processing means for performing information processing in an on-premise environment similar to that of the cloud; a control means for enabling the request means when the cloud is normal, and for enabling the processing means when a fault occurs in the cloud and during a synchronization period after recovery from the fault; a first synchronization means for synchronizing a result of information processing performed in the cloud in response to a request from the request means with a past processing result from the processing means when the processing means is not enabled by the control means; a second synchronization means for synchronizing a result of information processing performed by the processing means at the time of the failure of the cloud with a past processing result in the cloud during the synchronization period; An information processing system equipped with the above. [Supplementary Note 2] The control means causes the request means to transmit the data to be processed to the cloud when the cloud is normal, and provides the data to the processing means when the cloud has a fault and during a synchronization period after recovery from the fault. 10. The information processing system of claim 1. [Appendix 3] A generating means for generating data to be processed; 3. The information processing system according to claim 2, further comprising: [Supplementary Note 4] A terminal device, a processing device, and an intermediary device are capable of communicating with a cloud via a second communication network different from a first communication network, a generating means provided in the terminal device for generating data to be subjected to information processing; a first transmitting means provided in the terminal device for transmitting the data generated by the generating means to the intermediate device via the second communication network; a first receiving means provided in the intermediary device for receiving the data transmitted by the first transmitting means; a request means provided in the intermediary device for requesting information processing from the cloud; a second transmitting means provided in the intermediate device for transmitting the data received by the first receiving means to the processing device via the second communication network; a second receiving means provided in the processing device and configured to receive the data transmitted by the second transmitting means; a processing means provided in the processing device, which performs the same information processing as that of the cloud on the data received by the second receiving means; a control means provided in the intermediary device, for causing the request means to request the cloud to process information on data received by the first receiving means when the cloud is normal, and for causing the second transmitting means to transmit the data received by the first receiving means to be processed by the processing means when the cloud is faulty and during a synchronization period after recovery from the fault; a first synchronization means provided in the intermediary device, for synchronizing a result of information processing performed in the cloud in response to a request from the request means with a past processing result from the processing means when data is not transmitted by the second transmission means under the control of the control means; a second synchronization means provided in the intermediary device, for synchronizing a result of information processing performed by the processing means at the time of a failure in the cloud with a past processing result in the cloud during the synchronization period; An information processing system equipped with the above. [Supplementary Note 5] An intermediary device that is connected to a second communication network together with a terminal device and a processing device to form an information processing system, a first receiving means for receiving data transmitted by a first transmitting means provided in the terminal device; a requesting means for requesting information processing from a cloud via a first communication network different from the second communication network; a second transmitting means for transmitting the data received by the first receiving means to the processing device via the second communication network; a control means for causing the request means to request the cloud to perform information processing on the data received by the first receiving means when the cloud is normal, and for causing the second transmitting means to transmit the data received by the first receiving means to be processed by the processing device when the cloud is faulty and during a synchronization period after recovery from the fault; a first synchronization means for synchronizing a result of information processing performed in the cloud in response to a request from the request means with a past processing result in the processing device when data is not transmitted by the second transmission means under the control of the control means; a second synchronization means for synchronizing a result of information processing performed by the processing device at the time of the failure of the cloud with a past processing result in the cloud during the synchronization period; An intermediary device equipped with the above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 100...POS system, 1...on-premise system, 11...POS terminal, 12...store server, 13...edge gateway, 14...on-premise network, 2...cloud, 21...transaction system, 22...database, 23...data migration system, 24...cloud storage, 3...wide area network, 111,121,131...processor, 112,122,132...main memory, 113,123,133...auxiliary storage unit, 114...touch panel, 115...camera, 116...interface unit, 117,124,134,135...communication unit.

Claims

1. a request means for requesting information processing from the cloud; A processing means for performing information processing in an on-premise environment similar to that of the cloud; a control means for enabling the request means when the cloud is normal, including a synchronization period after recovery from a failure of the cloud, and for enabling the processing means when the cloud is faulty and during the synchronization period; a first synchronization means for synchronizing a result of information processing performed in the cloud in response to a request from the request means with a past processing result of the processing means when the processing means is not enabled by the control means; a second synchronization means for synchronizing a result of information processing performed by the processing means at the time of the failure of the cloud with a past processing result in the cloud during the synchronization period; An information processing system equipped with the above.

2. The control means causes the request means to transmit the data to be processed to the cloud when the cloud is normal, including during the synchronization period, and provides the data to the processing means when the cloud has a failure and during the synchronization period. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

3. generation means for generating data to be subjected to information processing; The information processing system according to claim 2 , further comprising:

4. a terminal device, a processing device, and an intermediary device that are capable of communicating via a second communication network different from a first communication network for communicating with a cloud; a generating means provided in the terminal device for generating data to be subjected to information processing; a first transmitting means provided in the terminal device for transmitting the data generated by the generating means to the intermediary device via the second communication network; a first receiving means provided in the intermediary device for receiving the data transmitted by the first transmitting means; a request means provided in the intermediary device for requesting information processing from the cloud; a second transmitting means provided in the intermediate device for transmitting the data received by the first receiving means to the processing device via the second communication network; a second receiving means provided in the processing device and configured to receive the data transmitted by the second transmitting means; a processing means provided in the processing device, which performs information processing similar to that of the cloud on the data received by the second receiving means; a control means provided in the intermediary device, for causing the request means to request the cloud to perform information processing on the data received by the first receiving means when the cloud is operating normally, including during a synchronization period after recovery from a failure of the cloud, and for causing the second transmitting means to transmit the data received by the first receiving means to be processed by the processing means when the cloud is malfunctioning and during the synchronization period; a first synchronization means provided in the intermediary device, for synchronizing a result of information processing performed in the cloud in response to a request from the request means with a past processing result from the processing means when data is not transmitted by the second transmission means under the control of the control means; a second synchronization means provided in the intermediary device for synchronizing a result of information processing performed by the processing means at the time of the failure of the cloud with a past processing result in the cloud during the synchronization period; An information processing system equipped with the above.

5. an intermediary device that is connected to a second communication network together with a terminal device and a processing device to form an information processing system, a first receiving means for receiving data transmitted by a first transmitting means provided in the terminal device; a requesting means for requesting information processing from a cloud via a first communication network different from the second communication network; a second transmitting means for transmitting the data received by the first receiving means to the processing device via the second communication network; a control means for causing the request means to request the cloud to perform information processing on the data received by the first receiving means when the cloud is operating normally, including during a synchronization period after recovery from a failure of the cloud, and for causing the second transmitting means to transmit the data received by the first receiving means to be processed by the processing device when the cloud is malfunctioning and during the synchronization period; a first synchronization means for synchronizing a result of information processing performed in the cloud in response to a request from the request means with a past processing result in the processing device when data is not transmitted by the second transmission means under the control of the control means; a second synchronization means for synchronizing a result of information processing performed by the processing device at the time of the failure of the cloud with a result of past processing in the cloud during the synchronization period; An intermediary device equipped with the above.

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