JP2012208766A - Remote maintenance program, remote maintenance method, and host device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a remote maintenance program and the like, the program being a program for adding a remote maintenance function for a printer to an existing system for performing output by the printer and capable of realizing addition of the function without changing an existing program.SOLUTION: A program for causing a computer that is operated by an OS in an OS kernel layer and outputs printed matter from a printer by an application in an application layer to execute processing for remote maintenance of the printer, causes the computer to execute: a step for acquiring print data output from the application in outputting the printed matter in the OS kernel layer, storing maintenance data related to the print data in the application layer, and outputting the print data to a communication port; and a step for receiving a request related to maintenance of the printer from a connected remote maintenance device in the application layer, and executing processing corresponding to the request using the maintenance data as necessary.

Description

  The present invention relates to a program for adding a remote maintenance function for a printer to an existing system that performs printer output, and in particular, can easily add the function without changing the program of the existing system. It relates to a remote maintenance program that can be performed.

  In retail sales businesses such as supermarkets, a POS system, which is a sales management system, has become widespread, and in this system, a plurality of terminal devices (registers) connected to a server via a network operate according to applications provided in the device. Execute the process. Also, normally, each terminal device is provided with a printer, and outputs a receipt or a coupon according to an instruction from the application. In addition, as a system having a configuration similar to the POS system with such output, there are a system used in a hospital, a system used in a transportation company, and the like.

  Even in such a system, it is necessary to expand functions in accordance with technical improvements and business improvement requests after introduction. One of the function extensions is to add a remote maintenance function for printers used in the system. This remote maintenance is effective in an environment where a large number of devices are arranged at a plurality of locations, such as a printer used in a POS system. However, print data and information on printing results are required for maintenance. Necessary, and generally needs to change the application of the existing system. However, such a system is generally used as a business center at all times, and is often complicatedly linked with other systems. Therefore, it is usually not easy to modify the application program.

  In relation to this problem, the following proposals have conventionally been made regarding the functions of the output processing system.

  The following Patent Document 1 describes a device that performs a modem function in a personal computer that can remove the microprocessor and memory required for a conventional modem without having to modify an existing application program. Has been.

  Further, in Patent Document 2 below, by accessing one communication port without changing the application, it is possible to cause a printer connected to another communication port to execute printing simultaneously. A device is described that enables it.

JP-A-8-69427 JP 2006-338443 A

  However, according to the contents described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, only the limited output system functions such as the modem function and the duplication printing function are realized, and the above-described remote maintenance of the printer cannot be realized. Further, since the above-mentioned Patent Document 2 is processing in the OS kernel layer, there is a problem that function construction (program development or the like) is generally not easy and functions are limited.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is a program for adding a remote maintenance function for a printer to an existing system that performs printer output, and can easily add the function without changing the program of the existing system. It is to provide a remote maintenance program that can be performed.

  To achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer that outputs a printed matter from a printer that is operated by an OS kernel layer operating system and is connected to a communication port by an application layer application. A remote maintenance program for executing processing for remote maintenance acquires print data output from the application to the communication port at the time of outputting the printed matter in the OS kernel layer before the communication port receives the print data. Storing the printer maintenance data related to the acquired print data in the application layer, outputting the acquired print data to the communication port, and transmitted from a remote maintenance device connected to the computer , Essential for maintenance of the printer Was received at the application layer, a process corresponding to the request, using the maintenance data described above stored as required to execute a step of performing, to the computer, is that.

  Furthermore, in the above invention, a preferable aspect thereof is that the maintenance data to be stored includes the print data, and the print data is transmitted to the remote maintenance device in response to a request from the remote maintenance device. The processing to include is included.

  Furthermore, in the above invention, according to one aspect, the maintenance data to be stored includes data on the cumulative output count of the printer, and the processing according to a request from the remote maintenance device includes the cumulative output count. The process of transmitting the data to the remote maintenance device is included.

  Further, in the above invention, a preferred aspect is characterized in that the processing in response to the request from the remote maintenance device includes processing for acquiring information on the status of the printer and transmitting the information to the remote maintenance device. To do.

  In the above invention, a preferred aspect is characterized in that the process in response to the request from the remote maintenance device includes a process of issuing a command to reset the printer to the printer.

  Furthermore, in the above-mentioned invention, one aspect is characterized in that the processing in response to the request from the remote maintenance device includes processing for issuing an instruction to execute cleaning to the printer.

  Furthermore, in the above-mentioned invention, one aspect is characterized in that the processing in response to the request from the remote maintenance device includes processing for issuing an instruction to update the printer software to the printer.

  Furthermore, in the above-mentioned invention, one aspect is characterized in that the processing in response to the request from the remote maintenance device includes processing for issuing an instruction to change the setting contents of the printer to the printer.

In order to achieve the above object, another aspect of the present invention relates to a printer in a computer that is operated by an operating system of an OS kernel layer and outputs printed matter from a printer connected to a communication port by an application layer application. In the remote maintenance method, the computer acquires print data output from the application to the communication port when the printed matter is output before the communication port receives the print data in the OS kernel layer. Storing maintenance data of the printer related to the acquired print data in a layer, outputting the acquired print data to the communication port, and the computer transmitted from a remote maintenance device connected to the computer The printer Receiving a request relating to maintenance by the application layer, a process corresponding to the request, using the maintenance data described above stored if necessary, and a step of performing, a, is that.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a host device that operates by an operating system of an OS kernel layer and outputs a printed matter from a printer connected to a communication port by an application layer application. Before the communication port receives the print data output from the application to the communication port when outputting the printed matter, the print data is acquired by the OS kernel layer, and the application layer acquires the print data of the printer related to the acquired print data. Stores maintenance data, outputs the acquired print data to the communication port, receives a request for maintenance of the printer transmitted from a connected remote maintenance device at the application layer, and responds to the request Using the stored maintenance data as necessary To run, is that.

  Further objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the embodiments of the invention described below.

It is a schematic block diagram which concerns on the embodiment of the POS terminal device to which this invention is applied. It is the flowchart which illustrated the processing procedure at the time of print output. It is the flowchart which illustrated the processing procedure at the time of remote maintenance.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, such an embodiment does not limit the technical scope of the present invention. In the drawings, the same or similar elements are denoted by the same reference numerals or reference symbols.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram according to an embodiment of a POS terminal device to which the present invention is applied. A POS terminal apparatus 2 shown in FIG. 1 is an apparatus to which the present invention is applied. In the apparatus, when print data output from the POS application 201 is printed out, the print data is transmitted to the virtual port 203 of the OS kernel layer 230. The remote maintenance processing unit 204 of the application layer 220 accumulates data necessary for remote maintenance of the printer 3 and then outputs the print data to the communication port 206. Further, when a request is received from the maintenance server 6 (remote maintenance device) connected via the network, the stored information is used as necessary, and maintenance processing corresponding to the received request is executed. The POS terminal device 2 is intended to easily add a printer remote maintenance function to an existing POS system by executing such processing without changing an existing application program.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the present embodiment assumes a POS system used in a supermarket or the like, and a plurality of POS terminal devices connected to the store server 1 via the LAN 4 in one store. 2 is installed. The store server 1 is connected to a maintenance server 6 outside the store via the Internet 5. Although not shown, a POS server that manages a POS system of a plurality of stores may be connected to the store server of each store via the Internet 5.

  The maintenance server 6 is a computer system for performing remote maintenance of the printer 3 connected to each POS terminal device 2, and is installed in a support center or the like. The maintenance server 6 transmits a request signal for maintaining each printer 3 to each POS terminal device 2 as appropriate, automatically or by user operation, and receives a response signal.

  The store server 1 is a computer system for managing each POS terminal device 2 in the store, and relays communication between the maintenance server 6 for remote maintenance of the printer 3 and each POS terminal device 2.

  Next, the POS terminal device 2 is a device that is installed before the remote maintenance function is added according to the present invention, and is installed at a checkout in the store. The POS terminal device 2 is connected to the printer 3, and the printer 3 outputs a receipt or a coupon according to the print data output from the POS terminal device 2. Therefore, the POS terminal device 2 is positioned as the host device of the printer 3.

  Although not shown, the POS terminal device 2 includes an input device such as a keyboard or a barcode reader, generates information to be printed on a receipt or a coupon based on information acquired from these devices, and sends the information to the printer 3. Output. The POS terminal device 2 is configured by a computer and includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, an HDD, and the like (not shown). A program of the POS application 201 described later and a program for a remote maintenance function are stored in the HDD or the like, and each process is executed by the CPU operating according to these programs.

  The POS terminal device 2 has a functional configuration as shown in FIG. The POS application 201 is a part that performs processing for generating and outputting information to be printed on the receipts and coupons described above. The generated print data is data in a format that can be output to the printer 3 as it is, or data in a format that is passed to the printer 3 driver 202. The former is generated in the case of simple print data such as printing of text only.

  The printer 3 driver 202 is a printer driver for the printer 3, and the data output from the POS application 201 can be received and printed by the printer 3 using a command depending on the model (device) of the printer 3. Output as print data.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the POS application 201 and the printer 3 driver 202 are located in an application layer 220 on which a program executes each process based on an operating system (OS) of a computer. Both are constituted by a program stored in the HDD or the like for instructing each processing content and the CPU or the like for executing processing according to the program. Both are existing parts provided before the addition of the remote maintenance function according to the present invention.

  Next, the virtual port 203 is a part that receives print data output from the POS application 201 or the printer 3 driver 202 by the OS kernel layer 230 in which the operating system is located before the communication port 206 receives the print data. Then, the virtual port 203 delivers the acquired print data to the remote maintenance processing unit 204.

  Next, the remote maintenance processing unit 204 is a part that enables remote maintenance of the printer 3 by the maintenance server 6 described above. When print data is transferred from the virtual port 203, it is necessary for the remote maintenance. Information is stored in the data storage unit 205, and when a request for a predetermined process is received from the maintenance server 6, a process according to the instruction is executed.

  The processing performed by the virtual port 203 and the remote maintenance processing unit 204 is characterized by the POS terminal device 2, and the specific processing content will be described later. The virtual port 203 and the remote maintenance processing unit 204 are each configured by a program that instructs processing performed by each unit and the CPU that executes processing according to the program. Further, the programs related to these portions correspond to the remote maintenance program of the present invention.

  Next, the data storage unit 205 is a part that stores maintenance data used for remote maintenance of the printer 3, and is configured by the HDD or the like. The maintenance data includes the print data itself transferred from the virtual port 203, the cumulative output count from the printer 3, and the like.

  The remote maintenance processing unit 204 and the data storage unit 205 are provided in the application layer 220.

  Further, a portion indicated by a thick line in FIG. 1 is a portion added to an existing POS terminal device in order to add a remote maintenance function according to the present invention.

  Next, the POS terminal device 2 includes a communication port 206 in the physical layer 240 and is connected to the printer 3.

  The printer 3 is a printer provided in an existing POS terminal device, and is a device capable of bidirectional communication. The printer 3 is one of the target devices for remote maintenance by the maintenance server 6. 1 shows one communication port and one printer connected to the communication port, two or more communication ports and two or more printers connected thereto may be provided.

  The present POS terminal device 2 having the above-described configuration is characterized by processing related to remote maintenance of the printer 3, and the specific processing procedure will be described below. First, the process at the time of printing output from the printer 3 in which the maintenance data is stored will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of the process.

  First, as described above, print data is output directly from the POS application 201 or via the printer 202 driver 202 (step S1).

  Next, the output print data is received by the virtual port 203 before reaching the designated communication port 206 (step S2). Such processing is realized by first changing the (priority) setting of the registry so that the virtual port 203 receives data directed to any communication port 206, and such setting change is performed by starting the OS. Sometimes executed. Thereafter, the received print data is sent from the virtual port 203 to the remote maintenance processing unit 204 of the application layer 220 (step S2).

  Next, the remote maintenance processing unit 204 stores the sent print data in the data storage unit 205 as the above-described maintenance data. In this storage process, the received date and time information is added and stored so that the data can be used for maintenance of the printer 3. Further, the cumulative output count stored as maintenance data in the data storage unit 205 is counted up (step S3). The stored print data is deleted after a predetermined time has elapsed.

  Thereafter, the remote maintenance processing unit 204 transfers the print data to the communication port 206 (step S4).

  The transferred print data is output from the communication port 206 to the connected printer 3 (step S5), and printing by the print data is executed in the printer 3, and a printed matter such as a receipt is output (step S6).

  In the procedure as described above, processing at the time of print output in the POS terminal device 2 is executed, and maintenance data is accumulated.

  Next, processing during maintenance of the printer 3 by the maintenance server 6 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure during remote maintenance. FIG. 3 shows the processing of the remote maintenance processing unit 204. The remote maintenance processing unit 204 first waits for a processing request from the maintenance server 6 to be received (step S11). Various processing requests are transmitted from the maintenance server 6, and specific examples thereof will be described later.

  When the processing request is transmitted from the maintenance server 6 to the POS terminal device 2 via the Internet 5 and the store server 1, the remote maintenance processing unit 204 receives the processing request (Yes in step S11), and the request The contents are interpreted (step S12).

  Thereafter, the remote maintenance processing unit 204 executes the requested processing according to the interpreted request content (step S13). The processing includes a processing performed by the remote maintenance processing unit 204 itself and a processing executed by the printer 3. In the latter case, an instruction for the processing is transmitted to the printer 3 to execute the processing. Specific examples of processing contents will be described later.

  When the processing is executed, the remote maintenance processing unit 204 executes communication indicating that the requested processing is completed as a reply to the received request to the maintenance server 6 (step S14). The completion notification is executed together with the process when the execution of the process is a process of transmitting data to the maintenance server 6.

  As described above, the processing for one request issued from the maintenance server 6 is completed, and the same processing is repeatedly executed.

  Next, a specific example of a request issued from the maintenance server 6 and processing for the request will be described. First, since the maintenance server 6 needs to keep track of the status of the printer 3, it transmits a status acquisition command, a setting acquisition command, and an information acquisition command as the processing request at a predetermined cycle. The status acquisition command is a command for acquiring the status (normal / error) of the printer 3. In response to the command, the remote maintenance processing unit 204 acquires status information from the printer 3 and sends it back to the maintenance server 6. The above-described processing is executed.

  The setting acquisition command is a command for acquiring the contents (printing conditions, printing mode, etc.) set in the printer 3 at that time, and the information acquisition command is for acquiring maintenance information (maintenance counter value, etc.) of the printer 3. It is a command to do. Similarly to these commands, the remote maintenance processing unit 204 acquires the corresponding information from the printer 3 and sends it back to the maintenance server 6 to execute the above-described processing. When the maintenance information stored in the data storage unit 205 such as the cumulative output count described above is requested, the remote maintenance processing unit 204 acquires the information and returns it to the maintenance server 6.

  Note that the status acquisition command, the setting acquisition command, and the information acquisition command may be issued at the same timing or may be issued at different timings.

As another example, when the status of the printer 3 is an error, the maintenance server 6 makes a processing request for canceling the status after receiving information to that effect. For example, when the error state that has occurred is clear and the printer 3 can be returned to the normal state, the maintenance server 6 issues a reset command as the above processing request and passes through the remote maintenance processing unit 204. By executing the above process, the printer 3 is returned to a normal state.

  Further, when checking the contents of the error, for example, in order to check the print data immediately before the error state, the maintenance server 6 issues a request for transmission of the print data as the processing request, and the remote maintenance processing unit A process 204 is executed by returning the print data accumulated in the data storage unit 205.

  When it is necessary to make a test output from the printer 3, the maintenance server 6 makes a request for that processing, and the remote maintenance processing unit 204 instructs the printer 3 to perform a test output.

  As yet another example, the maintenance server 6 can issue a cleaning request as the processing request, and the remote maintenance processing unit 204 can instruct the printer 3 to perform cleaning. The cleaning request may be performed periodically, or may be performed according to the content obtained by acquiring the maintenance information.

  As another example, the maintenance server 6 can update the firmware (software) of the printer 3 by issuing a firmware rewrite command as the processing request. The maintenance server 6 can also issue a setting change command as the processing request to change the setting contents of the printer 3. This processing can be executed by a plurality of printers by issuing a request to a plurality of printers at once.

  As described above, by adding the virtual port 203, the remote maintenance processing unit 204, and the data storage unit 205 to the existing POS terminal device, printing can be performed without changing the existing POS application 201. A remote maintenance function for the printer 3 that requires data or the like can be added.

  Further, in the present POS terminal device 2, the main processing for remote maintenance is configured to be performed in the application layer of the computer, so that it is possible to easily develop a program for executing various processing.

  Also, since print data can be used for remote maintenance, various maintenance can be performed.

  Further, if the plurality of POS terminal devices have the same configuration, the above-described firmware update and setting change can be executed in a batch process, which is efficient.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, only one printer 3 is connected to the POS terminal device 2, but a configuration in which two or more printers are connected may be used. In such a case, the remote maintenance processing unit 204 identifies the output destination printer and the maintenance target printer at the time of print output and remote maintenance, and executes the same processing as described above for each printer.

  In the present embodiment, an example of a POS system is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to a POS system, but a predetermined application including output of printed matter from a printer, such as a system used in a hospital or a transportation company. The present invention can be applied to a provided system, and is particularly effective when it is difficult to modify an existing application program.

  The protection scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but covers the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof.

1 store server, 2 POS terminal device, 3 printer, 4 LAN, 5 internet, 6 maintenance server, 201 POS application, 202 printer 3 driver, 203 virtual port, 204 remote maintenance processing unit, 205 data storage unit, 206 communication Port, 220 application layer, 230
OS kernel layer, 240 physical layer

Claims (10)

A remote maintenance program that operates by an operating system of an OS kernel layer and causes a computer that outputs printed matter from a printer connected to a communication port by an application layer application to execute processing for remote maintenance of the printer,
The print data output from the application to the communication port when the printed matter is output is acquired by the OS kernel layer before the communication port receives, and the printer according to the acquired print data is acquired by the application layer. Storing maintenance data and outputting the acquired print data to the communication port;
A request for maintenance of the printer, transmitted from a remote maintenance device connected to the computer, is received by the application layer, and processing according to the request is performed using the stored maintenance data as necessary. A remote maintenance program that causes the computer to execute a process to be executed. In claim 1,
The maintenance data to be stored includes the print data,
The process according to the request from the remote maintenance apparatus includes a process of transmitting the print data to the remote maintenance apparatus. In claim 1 or 2,
The maintenance data to be stored includes data of the cumulative output count of the printer,
The process according to the request from the remote maintenance apparatus includes a process of transmitting the accumulated output count data to the remote maintenance apparatus. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 3,
The processing according to the request from the remote maintenance device includes processing for acquiring information on the status of the printer and transmitting the information to the remote maintenance device. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 4,
The process according to the request from the remote maintenance device includes a process of issuing an instruction to reset the printer to the printer. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 5,
The process according to the request from the remote maintenance device includes a process of issuing a command to execute cleaning to the printer. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 6.
The process according to the request from the remote maintenance device includes a process of issuing an instruction to update the printer software to the printer. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 7,
The process according to the request from the remote maintenance device includes a process of issuing an instruction to change the setting contents of the printer to the printer. A method for remote maintenance of a printer in a computer operated by an operating system of an OS kernel layer and outputting a printed matter from a printer connected to a communication port by an application layer application,
Before the communication port receives the print data output from the application to the communication port when the computer outputs the printed matter, the computer acquires the print data in the OS kernel layer, and the application layer acquires the acquired print data. Storing maintenance data of the printer according to claim, and outputting the acquired print data to the communication port;
The computer receives a request for maintenance of the printer, transmitted from a remote maintenance device connected to the computer, in the application layer, and performs processing corresponding to the request as necessary in the stored maintenance data. And performing the method using the method. A host device that operates according to an operating system of an OS kernel layer and outputs a printed matter from a printer connected to a communication port by an application layer application;
The print data output from the application to the communication port when the printed matter is output is acquired by the OS kernel layer before the communication port receives, and the printer according to the acquired print data is acquired by the application layer. Maintenance data, and output the acquired print data to the communication port,
A request for maintenance of the printer transmitted from a connected remote maintenance device is received by the application layer, and processing according to the request is executed using the stored maintenance data as necessary. A host device.

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