JP2011048631A - Electronic shelf label system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique for enabling a store staff to simply and surely recognize to which communication area an electronic shelf label arranged in the store belongs. <P>SOLUTION: When an electronic shelf label 5 is unlinked from a commodity, an ESL (Electronic Shelf Label System) server transmits image data for an unlink screen F to the electronic shelf label 5. In the unlink screen F, a character string 51e indicating the unlinked state of the electronic shelf label 5 and the sub-cell number 51f of a sub-cell SC to which the electronic shelf label 5 belongs at present are described. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention provides a plurality of electronic shelf labels, each of which is arranged in association with any of a plurality of products, and displays product information related to the corresponding products on a display, and the product information is provided to the plurality of electronic shelf labels. And an electronic shelf label system (ESL system / Electronic Shelf Label System).

  The electronic shelf label system will be briefly described. Generally, in stores such as supermarkets and convenience stores, the selling prices of products in the store are managed centrally by a product master stored in a POS system or the like. On the other hand, the selling price is often transmitted to customers (consumers) using paper medium shelf labels placed at the positions of the products. When such a paper medium shelf label is adopted, the management of the shelf label must be relied upon manually, and thus human error such as a mistake in selling price tends to occur. For this reason, there is a possibility that an incorrect selling price different from the selling price at the time of settlement by the register of the POS system is transmitted to the customer.

  The electronic shelf label system is a system that has been put into practical use to solve such problems. The electronic shelf label system includes an “electronic shelf label” that is a kind of electronic display device, and an “information distribution device” that is a server that provides information to each of the electronic shelf labels. The information distribution device transmits a communication signal including information indicating a selling price based on the product master to each electronic shelf label (for example, infrared transmission). The electronic shelf label is arranged corresponding to each product in the sales area, and displays product information such as the selling price of the corresponding product on the display based on the communication signal received from the information distribution device. When the information stored in the product master is updated, for example, when the selling price of the product is changed, the information distribution device transmits a communication signal including information indicating the new selling price to each electronic shelf label, The shelf label updates the display on the display based on the received communication signal. As a result, the selling price displayed on the electronic shelf label is updated. In this way, when the electronic shelf label system is used, the correct selling price that always matches the selling price at the time of settlement is displayed on the electronic shelf label, and the correct selling price is transmitted to the customer. The configuration of the electronic shelf label system is disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example.

  Incidentally, the electronic shelf label is normally in a sleep state in order to reduce power consumption, and is configured to transition to a wake-up state when receiving a communication signal from the information distribution apparatus. However, when a communication signal is transmitted from the information distribution device, the electronic shelf label receives this signal regardless of whether it is addressed to its own device, transits to the wake-up state, and receives the received communication signal. If the address is addressed to the own device, the display update processing is continued. If the address is not addressed to the own device, no processing is performed and the device again shifts to the sleep state.

  In such a configuration, the electronic shelf label transitions to a wake-up state every time a communication signal is transmitted from the information distribution device. Therefore, if the frequency of transmission of the communication signal from the information distribution device increases, the battery is consumed. Become intense. In particular, in large-scale stores where the number of electronic shelf labels placed in the sales area is enormous, the frequency of transmission of communication signals from the information distribution device increases, so the battery life of each electronic shelf label is short. Tend to be.

  Therefore, particularly effective in large-scale stores, etc., the sales area is divided into a plurality of partial areas, a plurality of communication areas called “subcells” are defined, and information is transmitted to the electronic shelf label in units of this communication area. Configuration (distribution by area).

  When performing distribution by area, the information distribution apparatus transmits a communication signal only to a specific communication area. For example, when transmitting a communication signal to a certain electronic shelf label, the information distribution device transmits the communication signal only to the communication area to which the electronic shelf label belongs. In this case, the electronic shelf labels belonging to other communication areas do not receive the communication signal, and thus do not transition to the wake-up state. By adopting distribution by area in this way, it is possible to reduce the frequency with which each electronic shelf label receives a communication signal, and thus it is possible to suppress battery consumption.

  Even if the electronic shelf label is configured to always wake up without transitioning to the sleep state, if the frequency at which the electronic shelf label receives a communication signal decreases, the electronic shelf label Since the frequency with which the tag performs reception processing is reduced, there is a certain effect in reducing the power consumption of the electronic shelf label.

JP 2000-250497 A

  By the way, when performing distribution by area, it is necessary for the information distribution apparatus to know which communication area the electronic shelf label belongs to. For this reason, when the store staff registers the association between the electronic shelf label and the product in the information distribution apparatus, the store staff must also perform an operation of registering to which communication area the electronic shelf label belongs.

  The work of registering which communication area the electronic shelf label placed in the sales area belongs to is conventionally, for example, when the store staff registers the correspondence between the product and the electronic shelf label in the information distribution device. While looking at the layout card of the communication area (card indicating which communication area is specified at which position in the sales area), to which communication area the position where the target electronic shelf label is placed belongs And transmitting the information together with the identification information of the electronic shelf label to the information distribution apparatus. This work was very laborious, and the burden on store staff was great.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and it is intended to provide a technique that enables a store staff to easily and reliably grasp to which communication area an electronic shelf label placed in a store belongs. Objective.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of electronic shelf labels, each of which is arranged in association with any of a plurality of products arranged in a sales area, and displays product information related to the corresponding product on a display, and the sales area An electronic shelf label system comprising: a server that defines a plurality of communication areas, transmits the product information to the communication area in units of the communication area, and provides the product information to the electronic shelf label. The server includes communication area identification information transmitting means for transmitting communication area identification information, which is information that can identify a communication area to which the electronic shelf label belongs, to the electronic shelf label, When the tag receives the communication area identification information, the tag includes communication area identification information display control means for displaying the communication area identification information on a display.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the electronic shelf label system according to claim 1, wherein the electronic shelf label is configured to receive the communication area identification information when a predetermined time elapses after the communication area identification information is displayed on the display. Communication area identification information erasing means for erasing data from the display.

  Invention of Claim 3 is the electronic shelf label system of Claim 1 or 2, Comprising: When the said communication area identification information transmission means cancels | releases matching with the said electronic shelf label and goods, the said electronic shelf label system The communication area identification information is transmitted to the shelf label.

  Invention of Claim 4 is the electronic shelf label system of Claim 3, Comprising: The said communication area identification information transmission means selects one communication area in order from these communication areas, and selected communication area The communication area identification information of the communication area is repeatedly transmitted until the communication area identification information is properly received by the electronic shelf label to be transmitted.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the electronic shelf label system according to claim 4, wherein the server associates each of the plurality of electronic shelf labels with a communication area estimated to belong to the electronic shelf label. Storage means for storing an area table, wherein the communication area identification information transmitting means first selects a communication area associated with an electronic shelf label to be transmitted in the communication area table. Is selected as the communication area to transmit.

  According to the invention of claim 1, the server transmits to the electronic shelf label information that can specify the communication area to which the electronic shelf label belongs. On the other hand, when the information is received from the server, the electronic shelf label displays it on the display. Therefore, the store staff can easily and reliably grasp the communication area to which the electronic shelf label belongs by looking at the display of the electronic shelf label.

  According to the invention of claim 2, the communication area identification information displayed on the display of the electronic shelf label is erased when a predetermined time elapses. According to this configuration, if the communication area to which the electronic shelf label belongs is changed by moving the electronic shelf label, past communication area identification information is continuously displayed on the display, and erroneous information is transmitted to the store staff. Such a danger can be avoided.

  According to invention of Claim 3, a server transmits communication area identification information with respect to the said electronic shelf label, when canceling | releasing correlation with an electronic shelf label. That is, the communication area identification information of the communication area to which the electronic shelf label currently belongs is displayed on the display of the electronic shelf label whose association with the product is released. When associating an electronic shelf label that is no longer associated with a product with a new product, it is necessary to specify the communication area to which the electronic shelf label belongs. The communication area to which the electronic shelf label belongs can be easily specified by looking at the communication area identification information displayed on the display of the electronic shelf label.

  According to the invention of claim 4, the server repeatedly repeats the communication area identification information for each of the plurality of communication areas defined in the sales area until the communication area identification information is properly received by the electronic shelf label. Therefore, it is possible to reliably receive the communication area identification information regardless of where the electronic shelf label to be transmitted is moved in the sales area.

  According to the invention of claim 5, since the communication area identification information is first transmitted to the communication area to which the electronic shelf label is estimated to belong, the communication area identification information can be efficiently received by the electronic shelf label. .

It is a figure which shows a mode that the electronic shelf label with which an electronic shelf label system is provided is arrange | positioned. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the goods management system containing an electronic shelf label system. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of an information processing terminal. It is a figure which shows the structure of an ESL server. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a goods file, an apparatus ID file, and a link table. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the subcell prescribed | regulated to a sales area. It is a figure which shows the structure of an electronic shelf label. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure regarding the link / unlink process with which an ESL server is provided. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure regarding the link / unlink process with which an electronic shelf label is provided. It is a figure which shows the structural example of an unlink screen. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the unlink screen from which the subcell number was erase | eliminated. It is a figure which shows the flow of the link process in an ESL server. It is a figure which shows the flow of the unlink process in an ESL server. It is a figure which shows the flow of the process which transmits unlink notification data. It is a figure which shows the flow of the process which the electronic shelf label which received unlink notification data performs. It is a figure which shows typically a mode that the display of the display of the electronic shelf label which concerns on a 1st example is changed. It is a figure which shows typically a mode that the display of the electronic shelf label which concerns on a 2nd example is changed.

<1. Electronic shelf label system>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a state in which an electronic shelf label 5 included in the electronic shelf label system 1 is arranged on a product shelf 60 in a store. In the electronic shelf label system 1, a portable electronic shelf label 5 that displays product information related to the product 6 such as a selling price is arranged corresponding to each product 6. And the communication signal containing the information which shows the selling price based on a goods master is transmitted to each electronic shelf label 5 from an information delivery apparatus, and the selling price is displayed on each electronic shelf label 5. Thereby, the correct selling price that matches the selling price at the time of settlement is displayed on the electronic shelf label 5, and the correct selling price is transmitted to the customer.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the product shelf 60 is divided into a space called a face 61, and the same type of products 6 are collected and placed on each face 61. The electronic shelf label 5 is attached to the frame 62 of the product shelf 60 at a position corresponding to each face 61. That is, each electronic shelf label 5 is associated with one product 6 (more precisely, one product type), and a frame 62 in the vicinity of the corresponding product 6 (generally, the lower side of the product 6). Placed in. Each electronic shelf label 5 is provided with a display, on which the selling price of the corresponding product 6 is displayed. The customer (consumer) of the store recognizes the selling price of the product 6 by such display of the electronic shelf label 5.

  The electronic shelf label 5 is a portable device, and can be removed from the frame 62 and rearranged at another position so as to cope with the change in the arrangement of the product 6. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that a plurality of product shelves 60 as shown in FIG. 1 are arranged in the sales area 90 in the store.

<2. Product management system>
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a commodity management system 100 including the electronic shelf label system 1 applied to a store. As shown in FIG. 2, the merchandise management system 100 includes a store controller 2 and a POS system 3 along with the electronic shelf label system 1. The POS server 31 included in the POS system 3 and the ESL server 10 included in the electronic shelf label system 1 are connected to the store controller 2 via the LAN 21. Thereby, data communication is enabled among the store controller 2, the POS system 3, and the electronic shelf label system 1.

<2-1. Store Controller>
The store controller 2 is composed of a general computer, and functions as a device that comprehensively manages the merchandise management system 100. In addition, the store controller 2 is connected to an external network such as the Internet, and can communicate with a computer such as a server device disposed in a headquarter center that manages the store through the external network.

<2-2. POS system>
The POS system 3 is a system that collects and analyzes information related to the sale of the product 6 at the time of sale, and a plurality of registers 32 that perform settlement of the product 6 together with a POS server 31 that manages the POS system 3 in an integrated manner. Is provided. The POS server 31 and the register 32 are connected by a dedicated communication cable.

  The POS server 31 is composed of a general computer, and the hard disk stores a product master 301 indicating various information related to the product 6 such as selling price. In each of the plurality of registers 32, the product 6 is settled based on the selling price described in the product master 301.

  Information related to all products 6 in the store is centrally managed by the product master 301. The information described in the product master 301 includes a product code for identifying the product 6, a product name that is the name of the product 6, a normal price that is a normal selling price, a special selling price that is a selling price in a special sale, and a special sale. The period includes a special sales period, the number of sales, the number of stocks, the number of orders that are delivered in one order, and the like.

<2-3. Information processing terminal>
Connected to the LAN 21 is an access point (AP) 170 which is a radio wave relay for the wireless LAN. A portable information processing terminal 180 used for ordering the product 6 and a link operation / unlink operation described later can be connected to the LAN 21 through the access point 170. The store controller 2, the POS server, and the like. 31 and the ESL server 10 can be communicated.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a detailed configuration of the information processing terminal 180. As shown in FIG. 3, the information processing terminal 180 is a portable business terminal called “handy terminal”, and includes a display 181 that displays various information, a barcode reader 182 that reads barcodes, and store staff. And an operation unit 183 that accepts various operations. In addition, the information processing terminal 180 includes a communication unit 184 that performs wireless communication with the access point 170. With the function of the communication unit 184, the information processing terminal 180 can communicate with the store controller 2, the POS server 31, and the ESL server 10 through the access point 170. The information processing terminal 180 is provided with a control unit 185 that comprehensively manages its operation. The control unit 185 includes a CPU, a memory, and the like.

  For example, when placing an order for a product, the store staff transmits ordering instruction information for instructing ordering from the information processing terminal 180 to the store controller 2 via the wireless LAN. The ordering instruction information includes a product code for identifying the product 6 to be ordered, the number of orders for the product 6, and the like. The store controller 2 also functions as an ordering server that receives an ordering instruction from the information processing terminal 180. When the ordering instruction information from the information processing terminal 180 is received, the store controller 2 notifies the headquarter center of the ordering instruction information. The headquarter center places an order for the product 6 with respect to the server of the supplier of the ordering party based on the ordering instruction information from each store.

<2-4. Electronic shelf label system>
<2-4-1. Constitution>
When switching the display screen of the electronic shelf label 5, the electronic shelf label system 1 switches the plurality of electronic shelf labels 5, the information distribution device 40 that distributes the selling price of the product 6 to be displayed on the electronic shelf label 5, and the like. And a portable remote controller 160 to be used.

<Information distribution device>
The information distribution device 40 includes an ESL server 10 that is a server device that centrally manages the electronic shelf label system 1, a plurality of communication devices 4, and a signal repeater between the ESL server 10 and the plurality of communication devices 4. As a base station 41. The ESL server 10 and the plurality of communication devices 4 can perform data communication with each other through the base station 41. Each communication device 4 performs infrared communication with the electronic shelf label 5. The plurality of communication devices 4 are arranged at substantially constant distances on the ceiling or the like of the sales area 90 so that they can communicate with all the electronic shelf labels 5 arranged in the sales area 90.

  The configuration of the ESL server 10 as hardware is the same as that of a general computer. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the ESL server 10. The ESL server 10 includes a CPU 11 that performs various arithmetic processes, a ROM 12 that stores a boot program, a RAM 13 that serves as a work area for the arithmetic processes, a hard disk 14 that stores programs and various data files, a display 15 that performs various displays, and a keyboard. And an input unit 16 including a mouse, a data communication unit 17 having a data communication function via the LAN 21, and an interface 18 for communicating with the base station 41. Various data to be transmitted to the electronic shelf label 5 is transmitted to the communication device 4 through the interface 18 and the base station 41.

  The hard disk 14 of the ESL server 10 stores an operation program in advance, and various functions as the ESL server 10 are realized by the CPU 11 performing arithmetic processing according to the operation program. The hard disk 14 of the ESL server 10 stores a product file 101, a device ID file 102, and a link table 103.

  The product file 101, the device ID file 102, and the link table 103 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the product file 101. FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the device ID file 102. FIG. 5C is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the link table 103.

  The product file 101 is a data file indicating various types of information related to the product 6. The product file 101 has a table format, and each record 112 indicates information related to one product 6. Specifically, for each record 112, a product code, a product name, a normal price, a special sale price, a special sale period, the number of sales, the number of inventory, and the like are registered. These pieces of information are the same information as the product master 301 stored in the POS system 3 described above, and are registered based on the information in the product master 301 through communication between the ESL server 10 and the POS system 3. For this reason, the information in the product file 101 and the information in the product master 301 match.

  The device ID file 102 is a file for storing “device codes” of the plurality of electronic shelf labels 5 provided in the electronic shelf label system 1. However, the “device code” is a unique hardware ID registered in each of the electronic shelf labels 5.

  The link table 103 associates the product 6 stored in the product file 101 with the device code stored in the device ID file 102 on a one-to-one basis, and the device code stored in the device ID file 102 and a “subcell” described later. ”(Specifically, a sub-cell number that is an identification symbol given to a sub-cell) is a table that has a one-to-one correspondence. By the link table 103, the product 6 and the electronic shelf label 5 are associated with each other in a one-to-one relationship (linked). In addition, the subcell to which the electronic shelf label 5 belongs is specified. However, the subcell associated with the electronic shelf label 5 in the link table 103 correctly indicates the subcell to which the electronic shelf label 5 belongs at the time of registration, but the subcell to which the electronic shelf label 5 always belongs after registration is correct. It is not necessarily shown. For example, when the electronic shelf label 5 is moved in the sales area 90, the subcells actually belonging to the electronic shelf label 5 and the subcells associated with each other in the link table 103 are inconsistent unless the registration information is corrected. Become. That is, in the link table 103, only the subcell estimated to belong to the electronic shelf label 5 is specified.

  The ESL server 10 transmits data to each electronic shelf label 5 in communication area (subcell) units. This point will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of subcells defined in the sales area 90.

  In the sales area 90, a plurality of communication areas (subcells) SC are defined. Each subcell SC is an area serving as a unit of communication, and is assigned a unique identification number SC1, SC2,. In FIG. 6, six rectangular subcells SC are defined, but the shape of the subcell SC is not limited to a rectangle, and the total number of subcells SC is not limited to six. Further, subcells SC having different sizes and shapes may be defined.

  The ESL server 10 transmits various data (for example, “sale price distribution data” and “unlink notification data” described later) to the electronic shelf label 5 in units of subcells. When transmitting data to the electronic shelf label 5, the ESL server 10 first refers to the link table 103 and identifies the subcell SC that is estimated to belong to the electronic shelf label 5 to be transmitted. Then, data is transmitted to the subcell SC. Specifically, data is output to the communication device 4 arranged in the subcell SC selected as the transmission target among the plurality of communication devices 4 arranged on the ceiling of the sales area 90. Each communication device 4 that has received data input from the ESL server 10 outputs the input data in the form of an infrared signal to each electronic shelf label 5 with which it can communicate. As a result, the same data is input from the information distribution device 40 to all the electronic shelf labels 5 arranged in the subcell SC selected as the transmission target.

  When the electronic shelf label 5 to be transmitted is arranged in the subcell SC to which data is transmitted, the transmitted data is properly received by the electronic shelf label 5 to be transmitted. On the other hand, when it is not arranged in the subcell SC, the transmitted data is not properly received by the electronic shelf label 5 to be transmitted. In this case, the ESL server 10 transmits the data to another subcell SC this time. If the data is not properly received by the electronic shelf label 5 to be transmitted even if the data is transmitted to the other subcell SC, the data is further transmitted to another subcell SC. In this way, the ESL server 10 sequentially transmits the data to all the subcells SC until the transmitted data is properly received by the electronic shelf label 5 to be transmitted (roaming search). . According to this configuration, even when the electronic shelf label 5 to be transmitted is moved from the subcell SC registered in the link table 103 to another subcell SC, the data is surely stored in the electronic shelf label 5. It can be received.

<Electronic shelf label>
The configuration of the electronic shelf label 5 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of the electronic shelf label 5. On the front surface of the electronic shelf label 5, a display 51 for displaying product information and a communication unit 54 responsible for communication with the information distribution device 40 are arranged. A label printed with a character string indicating a device code of the device itself and a barcode is attached to the back surface of the electronic shelf label 5.

  The communication unit 54 receives the infrared light signal from the light emitting unit 52 that outputs an infrared signal, the infrared signal from the communication device 4 and the infrared signal from the remote controller 160, converts it into an electrical signal, and outputs it to the control unit 57 described later. Part 53. The light emitting unit 52 that functions as a transmitting unit that transmits data is configured by, for example, an LED, and the light receiving unit 53 that functions as a receiving unit that receives data is configured by, for example, a photodiode and an amplifier.

  The display 51 is a dot matrix non-volatile display unit, and is composed of electronic paper. Since the display 51 is a dot matrix type display unit, it can display not only numerical values indicating the selling price of the product 6 but also characters, symbols, figures, and the like. Further, since the display 51 is composed of electronic paper, driving power is required only for changing display contents (display updating), and driving power is not required for holding display contents.

  In addition, the display 51 according to the present embodiment can switch and display a plurality of display screens. For example, the display 51 includes a display screen (front screen) mainly displaying information used by customers who purchase the product such as the selling price of the product, and information (number of sales) used by the store clerk such as the number of products sold. The display screen (back screen) on which product information such as the number of orders, sale period, etc., the device code assigned to itself, etc.) is displayed can be switched.

  On the front screen, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, a product name 51b and a product code 51d (specifically, a product code 51d), which is information for identifying the product, together with the selling price 51a of the product associated with the device itself. Bar code indicating the code) is displayed. When only the selling price 51a is displayed on the display 51 without displaying the product specifying information, it is difficult to grasp which product the electronic shelf label 5 is associated with. Is displayed, the electronic shelf label 5 and the product are visually associated with each other. Moreover, the character string 51c which represents the product code of the product 6 with which the own apparatus was matched with a number, and the barcode 51d which shows the said product code may be displayed along with the direction where the said barcode 51d extends.

  Inside the electronic shelf label 5, there are provided a small battery 56 that supplies power to the electronic shelf label 5 and a control unit 57 that comprehensively controls the operation of the electronic shelf label 5. The control unit 57 includes a CPU, a memory, and the like. Various data (image data to be displayed on the display 51, device code of the device itself, etc.) are stored in this memory.

  The control unit 57 functions as a display control unit that controls display on the display 51. For example, when new selling price display image data is stored in the memory, the control unit 57 reads the selling price display image data and causes the display 51 to display it. As a result, the new selling price of the product 6 is displayed on the display 51. That is, the selling price of the product 6 is updated. For example, when the infrared signal from the remote controller 160 is received, the control unit 57 switches the display on the display 51 from the front screen to the back screen (or from the back screen to the front screen).

<Remote controller>
The remote controller 160 is a remote control device that transmits a signal for switching the display screen of the electronic shelf label 5. The remote controller 160 includes a light emitting unit that outputs an infrared signal, a control unit that controls the light emitting unit, and an operation button that receives an instruction to transmit the infrared signal (all not shown). When the operation button is pressed, the control unit controls the light emitting unit to output a predetermined infrared signal from the light emitting unit. On the electronic shelf label 5 side, when the infrared signal from the remote controller 160 is received, the control unit 57 switches the display on the display 51 as described above. That is, when an infrared signal from the remote controller 160 is input to the light receiving unit 53, the light receiving unit 53 converts the infrared signal into an electric signal and inputs it to the control unit 57. When this infrared signal is input while the front screen is displayed on the display 51, the control unit 57 changes the display on the display 51 from the front screen to the back screen. When this infrared signal is input while the back screen is displayed on the display 51, the control unit 57 changes the display on the display 51 from the back screen to the front screen.

<2-4-2. Basic operation of electronic shelf label system>
Next, the operation of the electronic shelf label system 1 until the selling price is displayed on the electronic shelf label 5 will be described with reference to FIG. In the electronic shelf label system 1, the selling price is distributed from the information distribution device 40 to the electronic shelf label 5 when the system is activated and when the selling price displayed on the electronic shelf label 5 is updated. Here, when the selling price is updated, the normal price of the product master 301 is changed, or when the selling price is changed from the normal price to the special selling price in executing the special sale. When the system is activated, the selling price is distributed for all the products 6 in the store. On the other hand, when the selling price is updated, the selling price is distributed only for the target product 6. Thereby, the selling price displayed on the electronic shelf label 5 and the selling price at the time of settlement by the register 32 are always matched. Below, the operation | movement which concerns on distribution of the selling price regarding the one goods 6 is demonstrated. In the following description, the product 6 for which the selling price is to be distributed is referred to as “target product 6”.

  First, the ESL server 10 of the information distribution device 40 displays image data (selling price display image) for displaying the device code of the electronic shelf label 5 corresponding to the target product 6 and the selling price of the product 6 linked to the electronic shelf label 5. Data) (this is referred to as “sales price distribution data”). Specifically, first, the device code linked to the target product 6 is acquired with reference to the link table 103. Further, referring to the record 112 related to the target product 6 in the product file 101, the selling price and the product name to be distributed among the normal price and the special sale price are acquired, and various kinds of the acquired selling price and product name are acquired. An image displaying information is generated and acquired as selling price display image data. Then, one piece of data including the acquired device code and the generated selling price display image data is generated and acquired as selling price distribution data. The selling price display image data included in the selling price distribution data is displayed on the display 51 of the electronic shelf label 5, whereby the selling price of the product corresponding to the electronic shelf label 5 is displayed (see FIG. 7).

  When the selling price distribution data is generated, the ESL server 10 then specifies a subcell (hereinafter referred to as “target subcell”) that transmits the generated selling price distribution data. Specifically, referring to the link table 103, the subcell associated with the target product 6 is specified, and this is set as the target subcell.

  When the target subcell is specified, the ESL server 10 transmits the generated selling price distribution data to the target subcell through the base station 41 as an electrical signal. Specifically, the data is transmitted to a plurality of communication devices 4 arranged on the ceiling in the target subcell. Each communication device 4 that has received the sale price distribution data outputs it in the form of an infrared signal. The infrared signal output from each communication device 4 is received by each of the plurality of electronic shelf labels 5 arranged in the target subcell.

  In the electronic shelf label 5 that has received the infrared signal output from the communication device 4, the received infrared signal is converted into an electrical signal and input to the control unit 57. The control unit 57 acquires data (device code and sales price display image data) included in the sales price distribution data from the input electric signal.

  Next, the control unit 57 determines whether or not the acquired device code matches the device code of the own device stored in advance in the memory of the control unit 57. If the acquired device code does not match that of its own device, the control unit 57 determines that the received selling price distribution data is information for another electronic shelf label 5 and ends the process. On the other hand, if the acquired device code matches that of the own device, the control unit 57 determines that the received selling price distribution data is information for the own device and indicates that the selling price distribution data has been received normally. The light emitting unit 52 is caused to output an infrared signal (ACK signal) including information. Then, the obtained selling price display image data is displayed on the display 51. As a result, a new selling price is displayed on the display 51 of the electronic shelf label 5. That is, the selling price display of the target product 6 is updated.

  The ACK signal transmitted from the electronic shelf label 5 is received by the communication device 4, and information included in the ACK signal is transmitted to the ESL server 10. When the ESL server 10 receives the ACK signal from the electronic shelf label 5, the ESL server 10 determines that the transmitted selling price distribution data has been normally received by the electronic shelf label 5, and ends the transmission processing of the selling price distribution data. On the other hand, if the ACK signal from the electronic shelf label 5 is not received, it is determined that the selling price distribution data has not been normally received by the electronic shelf label 5, and the selling price distribution is performed until the ACK signal from the electronic shelf label 5 is received. Continue to send data repeatedly (recovery communication). By performing the recovery communication, the display of the electronic shelf label 5 can be reliably updated, and the reliability of the system can be greatly improved.

  However, the ESL server 10 performs recovery communication by the roaming search described above. That is, the ESL server 10 transmits the selling price distribution data to the target subcell (for example, the first subcell SC1 (see FIG. 6)), and as a result, from any of the electronic shelf labels 5 arranged in the first subcell SC1. When the ACK signal is not received, the selling price distribution data is transmitted to another subcell (for example, the second subcell SC2 adjacent to the right side of the first subcell SC1). As a result, when no ACK signal is received from any of the electronic shelf labels 5 arranged in the second subcell SC2, for another subcell (for example, the third subcell SC3 adjacent to the right side of the second subcell SC). The selling price distribution data is transmitted. For example, when an ACK signal is received from one of the electronic shelf labels 5 arranged in the third subcell SC3, the ESL server 10 ends the recovery communication. In this case, the ESL server 10 corrects the information in the link table 103. That is, the subcell associated with the electronic shelf label 5 is modified from the first subcell SC1 to the third subcell SC3. If the ACK signal cannot be received even if the selling price distribution data is transmitted to all the subcells defined in the sales area 90, the ESL server 10 once again sells the selling price in order from the first subcell SC1. Send distribution data. By performing a roaming search in the recovery communication, even if the electronic shelf label 5 has been moved to another subcell, it is possible to locate the electronic shelf label 5 and receive the selling price distribution data. The display of the shelf label 5 can be reliably updated.

  With the above operation, the selling price is distributed from the information distribution device 40 to the electronic shelf label 5.

<3. Link processing and unlink processing>
As described above, in the electronic shelf label system 1, the product 6 and the electronic shelf label 5 are linked in a one-to-one relationship by the link table 103, and the electronic shelf label 5 is a product associated with the own device. The selling price of 6 is displayed on the display 51. The link between the product 6 and the electronic shelf label 5 is performed by a store staff performing a predetermined link operation, and each of the ESL server 10 and the electronic shelf label 5 performs a predetermined link process according to the operation. Similarly, the release of the link is performed by the store staff performing a predetermined unlink operation, and each of the ESL server 10 and the electronic shelf label 5 performs a predetermined unlink process according to the operation. The link / unlink process will be described below.

<3-1. Functional configuration>
<3-1-1. ESL Server>
A functional configuration related to the link / unlink processing included in the ESL server 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration related to the link / unlink processing provided in the ESL server 10.

  The ESL server 10 includes a functional unit (link processing unit 71) that performs link processing and a functional unit (unlink processing unit 71) that performs unlink processing. Each of these units may be realized by the CPU 11 performing arithmetic processing according to an operation program stored in advance in the hard disk 14 of the ESL server 10 or may be realized by dedicated hardware.

  The link processing unit 71 includes a link table update unit 711 and a selling price distribution data transmission processing unit 712.

  The link table update unit 711 updates the link table 103 in accordance with “link instruction information” to be described later.

  The selling price distribution data transmission processing unit 712 transmits selling price distribution data of the newly linked product 6 to the electronic shelf label 5 linked to the new product 6.

  The unlink processing unit 72 includes a link table update unit 721 and an unlink notification data transmission processing unit 722.

  The link table update unit 721 updates the link table 103 according to “unlink instruction information” to be described later.

  The unlink notification data transmission processing unit 722 generates “unlink notification data” and transmits it to the electronic shelf label 5 to be unlinked. However, the unlink notification data is information including image data for the unlink screen F (unlink image data). On the unlink screen F, as shown in FIG. 10, a character string (for example, “OFF” or a store logo) 51e indicating that the electronic shelf label 5 is unlinked, and the electronic shelf label 5 are displayed. The subcell number 51f of the subcell that currently belongs is described. As described above, the unlink image data is information including information that can identify the subcell to which the electronic shelf label 5 actually belongs. In other words, the unlink notification data transmission processing unit 722 transmits unlink notification data to the electronic shelf label 5, thereby allowing the electronic shelf label 5 to identify information (subcell identification) to which the electronic shelf label 5 currently belongs. Information).

<3-1-2. Electronic shelf label>
A functional configuration related to the link / unlink processing included in the electronic shelf label 5 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration related to the link / unlink processing provided in the electronic shelf label 5.

  The electronic shelf label 5 is realized by the CPU of the control unit 57 and includes a function unit (display control unit 81) that controls display on the display 51.

  The display control unit 81 includes a selling price screen display control unit 811, an unlink image display control unit 812, and a subcell number deletion processing unit 813.

  The selling price screen display control unit 811 displays selling price display image data included in the received selling price distribution data on the display 51 when the selling price distribution data addressed to the own device is received from the ESL server 10.

  When unlink notification data is received from the ESL server 10, the unlink image display control unit 812 causes the display 51 to display unlink image data included in the received unlink notification data. As a result, an unlink screen F as illustrated in FIG. 10 is displayed on the display 51. As described above, the unlink image data is information including information that can identify the subcell to which the electronic shelf label 5 currently belongs. On the unlink screen F, the subcell to which the electronic shelf label 5 currently belongs. The subcell number 51f is described. In other words, the unlink image display control unit 812 displays the unlined image data on the display 51, thereby causing the display 51 to display information that can identify the subcell to which the own device belongs (subcell identification information).

  The sub cell number erasure processing unit 813 counts the elapsed time after the unlink screen F is displayed on the display 51 by the timer 8131, and when the elapsed time exceeds a predetermined value, the unlink screen The subcell number 51f displayed in F is deleted from the display 51. In other words, the subcell number deletion processing unit 813 deletes the displayed subcell identification information from the display 51 when a predetermined time has elapsed since the subcell identification information was displayed on the display 51. Therefore, when the elapsed time after the unlink screen F is displayed on the display 51 exceeds a predetermined value, the unlink screen F is changed from the state shown in FIG. 10 to the state shown in FIG. become.

<3-2. Process flow>
<3-2-1. Link processing>
<3-2-1a. Linking work>
The flow of link processing will be described. When linking the product 6 and the electronic shelf label 5, the store staff transmits “link instruction information” including a command for instructing linking and information necessary for linking to the ESL server 10 (linking operation). . However, the information necessary for linking is information (for example, the product code of the target product 6) that can identify the product 6 to be linked (hereinafter referred to as “target product 6”), and is the target of linking. Information for identifying the electronic shelf label 5 (hereinafter referred to as “target electronic shelf label 5”) (for example, the device code of the target electronic shelf label 5), and the subcell (hereinafter referred to as “target subcell”) of the current electronic shelf label 5 ”) (For example, the subcell number of the target subcell).

  Specifically, the linking operation is performed according to the following procedure. First, the store staff comes to the product shelf where the target product 6 is displayed with the information processing terminal 180, reads the barcode of the target product 6 with the information processing terminal 180, and acquires the product code. Further, the barcode printed on the label affixed to the back surface of the target electronic shelf label 5 to be linked with the target product 6 is read by the information processing terminal 180 to obtain the device code of the target electronic shelf label 5.

  Furthermore, the store staff inputs information for specifying the target subcell to the information processing terminal 180. Since the target electronic shelf label 5 is in an unlinked state when the link operation is performed, an unlink screen F is displayed on the display 51 as described later (see FIG. 10). On the unlink screen F, a character string 51e indicating that the electronic shelf label 5 is unlinked and the subcell number 51f of the subcell to which the electronic shelf label 5 currently belongs (that is, the target subcell) are displayed. Yes. Therefore, the store staff sees the subcell number 51f displayed on the display 51 of the target electronic shelf label 5 and inputs it to the information processing terminal 180, thereby providing information for specifying the target subcell to the information processing terminal. 180 can be entered.

  However, the subcell number 51f displayed on the unlink screen F is deleted when a certain time has elapsed from the display (see FIG. 11). When the subcell number 51f has disappeared, the store staff may send “unlink instruction information” including the device code of the target electronic shelf label 5 to the ESL server 10 using the information processing terminal 180. When the unlink instruction information is sent to the ESL server 10, as will be described later, the subcell number 51f of the subcell to which the device currently belongs is displayed again on the display 51 of the target electronic shelf label 5. Therefore, the store staff can input the information for specifying the target subcell to the information processing terminal 180 by viewing the subcell number 51f displayed again and inputting it to the information processing terminal 180.

  Even if the subcell number 51f in the unlink screen F is not erased, if it is clear that the target electronic shelf label 5 has been moved from the unlinked position, the displayed subcell number 51f is displayed after the movement. The electronic shelf label 5 of FIG. Also in this case, the store staff may send “unlink instruction information” to the ESL server 10 using the information processing terminal 180. When the unlink instruction information is sent to the ESL server 10, the correct subcell is changed to the past subcell number (the subcell number of the subcell that belonged when the device was unlinked) on the display 51 of the target electronic shelf label 5. The number (the subcell number of the subcell to which the device currently belongs) is displayed.

  When the product code of the target product 6, the device code of the target electronic shelf label 5, and the subcell number of the target subcell are acquired, the store staff performs a predetermined input operation on the information processing terminal 180 to obtain information The processing terminal 180 is caused to generate link instruction information including each acquired information. Further, a predetermined input operation is performed on the information processing terminal 180, and the generated link instruction information is transmitted from the information processing terminal 180 to the ESL server 10. The above is the procedure of the linking operation.

<3-2-1b. ESL Server>
When the ESL server 10 receives the link instruction information transmitted from the information processing terminal 180, the ESL server 10 performs a predetermined link process according to the received link instruction information. The link process performed in the ESL server 10 will be specifically described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a flow of link processing in the ESL server 10.

  When the link instruction information is received (YES in step S11), the link table update unit 711 updates the link table 103 (step S12). Specifically, one record that associates the product code, device code, and subcell number included in the link instruction information is created and stored in the link table 103. Thereby, the correspondence between the target product 6 and the target electronic shelf label 5 is generated on the database. Further, the subcell to which the target electronic shelf label 5 belongs is specified in the link table 103.

  When the link table 103 is updated, the selling price distribution data transmission processing unit 712 then continues to the newly linked electronic shelf label 5 for the product 6 newly linked to the electronic shelf label 5. The selling price distribution data indicating the selling price is transmitted (step S13). Thus, the link process in the ESL server 10 is completed.

<3-2-1c. Electronic shelf label>
When the selling price distribution data transmitted from the ESL server 10 is received in the newly linked electronic shelf label 5, the electronic shelf label 5 receives an ACK signal indicating that the selling price distribution data has been properly received. A reply is sent to the server 10. Then, the selling price screen display control unit 811 displays the selling price display image data included in the received selling price distribution data on the display 51. As a result, the display price of the newly linked product 6 is displayed on the display 51 of the electronic shelf label 5 instead of the unlink screen F (see FIG. 7). The store staff who is performing the linking operation can check that the target electronic shelf label 5 has been properly linked by looking at this.

<3-2-2. Unlink processing>
<3-2-2a. Unlink work>
The flow of unlink processing will be described. When the link between the product 6 and the electronic shelf label 5 is released, the store staff transmits to the ESL server 10 “unlink instruction information” including a command for instructing unlink and information necessary for unlink (unencapsulation). Link work). However, the information necessary for unlinking refers to information (for example, the product code of the target product) that can identify the product 6 to be unlinked (hereinafter referred to as “target product 6”), or the information to be unlinked. Information (for example, a device code of the target electronic shelf label 5) for specifying the electronic shelf label 5 (hereinafter referred to as “target electronic shelf label 5”). At the time when the unlink operation is performed, the product code of the target product and the device code of the target electronic shelf label 5 are held in the link table 103 in association with each other. If one of them can be identified, the other can be identified. Therefore, the unlink instruction information may include any one of these pieces of information.

  Specifically, the unlink operation is performed according to the following procedure. First, the store staff comes to the product shelf where the target product 6 is displayed with the information processing terminal 180, reads the barcode of the target product 6 with the information processing terminal 180, and acquires the product code. Alternatively, the barcode printed on the label attached to the back surface of the target electronic shelf label 5 arranged in the vicinity of the target product 6 is read by the information processing terminal 180 to obtain the device code of the target electronic shelf label 5. To do.

  When the product code of the target product 6 or the device code of the target electronic shelf label 5 is acquired, the store staff performs a predetermined input operation on the information processing terminal 180 and is acquired by the information processing terminal 180. The unlink instruction information including the information is generated. Further, a predetermined input operation is performed on the information processing terminal 180, and the generated unlink instruction information is transmitted from the information processing terminal 180 to the ESL server 10. The above is the procedure of unlinking work.

<3-2-2b. ESL Server>
When the ESL server 10 receives the unlink instruction information transmitted from the information processing terminal 180, the ESL server 10 performs a predetermined unlink process according to the received unlink instruction information. The unlink process performed in the ESL server 10 will be specifically described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a flow of unlink processing in the ESL server 10.

  When the unlink instruction information is received (YES in step S21), the unlink notification data transmission processing unit 722 specifies the electronic shelf label 5 to be unlinked based on the received unlink instruction information, and Unlink notification data is transmitted to the electronic shelf label 5 (step S22). As described above, the unlink notification data includes image data for the unlink screen F (unlink image data). The flow of processing in which the unlink notification data transmission processing unit 722 transmits unlink notification data will be described in more detail later.

  When the unlink notification data is transmitted, the link table update unit 721 then updates the link table 103 (step S23). Specifically, the target product 6 (or target electronic shelf label 5) is identified based on the information included in the unlink instruction information, and the product 6 (or the electronic shelf label 5) is specified from the link table 103. Delete the record concerned. As a result, the correspondence between the target product 6 and the target electronic shelf label 5 is canceled on the database. Thus, the link process in the ESL server 10 is completed.

  When the unlink instruction information is received for the electronic shelf label 5 that has already been unlinked (that is, when the target electronic shelf label 5 has already been unlinked), the process of step S23 is not performed.

<3-2-2c. Sending unlink notification data>
The flow of processing (step S22 in FIG. 13) in which the unlink notification data transmission processing unit 722 transmits unlink notification data will be specifically described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the flow of the processing.

  The unlink notification data transmission processing unit 722 first specifies an electronic shelf label (target electronic shelf label) 5 to be unlinked based on the received unlink instruction information. Then, by referring to the link table 103, the subcell associated with the target electronic shelf label 5 is specified, and this is set as a subcell (starting subcell) to which unlink notification data is to be transmitted first (step S31).

  Subsequently, unlinked image data in which the subcell number of the starting subcell is displayed is generated (step S32).

  Subsequently, unlink notification data including the unlink image data generated in step S32 is generated and transmitted to the starting point sub-cell specified in step S31 (step S33).

  For example, when the subcell associated with the target electronic shelf label 5 in the link table 103 is the third subcell SC3 (see FIG. 6), the unlink notification data transmission processing unit 722 uses the third subcell SC3 as the starting subcell. (Step S31). Then, unlinked image data in which the character string “OFF” and the subcell number “SC3” are displayed is generated (step S32). And the unlink notification data containing the produced | generated unlink image data are produced | generated, and it transmits with respect to 3rd subcell SC3 which is an origin subcell (step S33).

  If the target electronic shelf label 5 exists in the starting subcell specified in step S31, the unlink notification data transmitted in step S33 is properly received by the target electronic shelf label 5. In this case, as will be described later, an ACK signal indicating that the unlink notification data has been properly received is returned from the target electronic shelf label 5. When the ACK signal for the unlink notification data transmitted in step S33 is received (YES in step S34), the unlink notification data transmission processing unit 722 ends the process.

  On the other hand, for example, when the target electronic shelf label 5 is moved from the starting subcell to another subcell, the unlink notification data transmitted in step S33 is not properly received by the target electronic shelf label 5. Therefore, the ACK signal from the target electronic shelf label 5 is not received on the ESL server 10 side. When the ACK signal for the unlink notification data transmitted in step S33 is not received (NO in step S34), the unlink notification data transmission processing unit 722 sequentially performs unlink notification for all subcells until the ACK signal is received. Send data (roaming search).

  Specifically, the unlink notification data transmission processing unit 722 first selects one subcell and sets it as a selected subcell (step S35).

  Subsequently, unlinked image data in which the subcell number of the selected subcell is displayed is generated (step S36).

  Subsequently, unlink notification data including the unlink image data generated in step S36 is generated and transmitted to the selected subcell (step S37).

  For example, when the subcell (selected subcell) selected in step S35 is the fourth subcell SC4 (see FIG. 6), the unlink notification data transmission processing unit 722 uses the character string “OFF” and the subcell number “SC4”. The unlinked image data in which is displayed is generated (step S36). And the unlink notification data containing the produced | generated unlink image data are produced | generated, and it transmits with respect to 4th subcell SC4 which is a selection subcell (step S37).

  The selection of the subcell may be performed in any manner. For example, all the subcells defined in the sales area 90 may be ranked according to the arrangement, and the subcell may be selected according to the ranking from the starting subcell as a starting point. For example, in FIG. 6, the first order subcell is the first subcell SC1, the second order subcell is the second subcell SC2, the third order subcell is the third subcell SC3, and so on. The subcells are ranked in order. In this case, if the starting subcell is the third subcell SC3, the next subcell to be selected is the fourth subcell SC4.

  When the target electronic shelf label 5 exists in the subcell selected in step S35, the unlink notification data transmitted in step S37 is properly received by the target electronic shelf label 5. In this case, an ACK signal indicating that the unlink notification data has been properly received is returned from the target electronic shelf label 5. When the ACK signal for the unlink notification data transmitted in step S37 is received (YES in step S38), the unlink notification data transmission processing unit 722 ends the process.

  On the other hand, when the target electronic shelf label 5 does not exist in the subcell selected in step S35, the unlink notification data transmitted in step S37 is not properly received by the target electronic shelf label 5. Therefore, the ACK signal from the target electronic shelf label 5 is not received on the ESL server 10 side. When the ACK signal for the unlink notification data transmitted in step S37 is not received (NO in step S38), the unlink notification data transmission processing unit 722 returns to step S35, selects the next subcell, and continues. A series of processing from step S36 to step S38 is performed.

  As described above, the processes in steps S35 to S38 are repeatedly performed until the ACK signal is received. That is, unlink notification data continues to be transmitted sequentially to all subcells until an ACK signal is received (roaming search).

  When unlink instruction information is received for an electronic shelf label 5 that has already been unlinked (that is, when the target electronic shelf label 5 has already been unlinked), the link table 103 relates to the electronic shelf label 5. Since no record exists, the origin subcell cannot be specified. In this case, the processes in steps S31 to S34 are skipped, and a series of processes is started from step S35.

<3-2-2d. Electronic shelf label>
When receiving the unlink notification data transmitted from the ESL server 10, the electronic shelf label 5 to be unlinked performs the following processing. The flow of processing executed by the electronic shelf label 5 that has received the unlink notification data will be specifically described with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the flow of the processing.

  When the unlink notification data is received (YES in step S41), the electronic shelf label 5 returns an ACK signal indicating that the unlink notification data is properly received to the ESL server 10 (step S42).

  Subsequently, the unlink image display control unit 812 displays the unlink screen F on the display 51 (step S43). Specifically, the unlink image data included in the unlink notification data received in step S41 is displayed on the display 51. As a result, the unlink screen F is displayed on the display 51 of the target electronic shelf label 5. The store staff performing the unlink operation can confirm that the target electronic shelf label 5 has been properly unlinked by looking at this. In general, the link work is often performed subsequent to the unlink work, but the store staff can perform the link work using the subcell number 51f displayed on the unlink screen F. This point is as described above.

  When the unlink screen F is displayed, the sub cell number erasure processing unit 813 starts counting by the timer 8131, and whether the elapsed time since the unlink screen F is displayed exceeds a predetermined value set in advance. It is determined whether or not (step S44). If it is determined that the elapsed time since the unlink screen F is displayed exceeds a predetermined value (YES in step S44), the sub cell number deletion processing unit 813 displays the sub cell number 51f displayed on the unlink screen F. Is deleted (step S45).

  It is assumed that the store staff can arbitrarily set the predetermined value (that is, the set time until the subcell number 51f is deleted). However, this value is an average time (for example, from when unlinked to linked) when a series of operations are performed in which the electronic shelf label 5 is linked on the spot where it is unlinked. It is preferable to set to about 5 to 10 minutes. If the time is set to be shorter than this, the store staff cannot know the subcell number of the subcell to which the electronic shelf label 5 belongs from the display of the unlink screen F in the link work performed following the unlink work. End up. If a value longer than this is set, there is a possibility that the unlinked electronic shelf label 5 is moved to another subcell, that is, the subcell number displayed on the unlink screen F is There is a high possibility that the subcell number of the subcell that actually belongs is lost.

<4. Specific processing flow>
A flow of a series of processing when the link / unlink processing is performed in the store will be described with reference to a specific example.

<4-1. First Specific Example>
A first specific example will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 16 is a diagram schematically illustrating how the display 51 of the electronic shelf label 5 according to the first specific example is changed in display.

  The change of the link between the electronic shelf label 5 and the product 6 is often performed when the displayed product is replaced (shelf replacement). In this case, the store staff unlinks the electronic shelf label 5 associated with the product 6 to be lifted, and relinks it with the newly displayed product 6. Therefore, in this case, the unlink work and the link work are continuously performed at the same position.

  For example, it is assumed that the store staff continuously performs the unlink work and the link work at the position P1 in FIG.

  When the store staff performs the above-described unlink operation, an unlink screen F is displayed on the display 51 of the electronic shelf label 5 instead of the selling price screen. Now, since the unlinked electronic shelf label 5 is arranged in the third subcell SC3, the subcell number “SC3” of the subcell is displayed on the unlink screen F. Therefore, the store staff can perform the above-described linking operation using the display. When the store staff performs the above-described link operation, a display screen of a new product 6 is displayed on the display 51 of the electronic shelf label 5 instead of the unlink screen F.

<4-2. Second Specific Example>
A second specific example will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 17 is a diagram schematically illustrating how the display 51 of the electronic shelf label 5 according to the second specific example is changed in display.

  In some cases, the unlink operation and the link operation are not continuously performed. For example, when a display product is replaced, the product 6 and the electronic shelf label 5 are pulled up together to the backyard, etc., and at another occasion, only the electronic shelf label 5 is returned from the backyard to the sales area 90 and newly added. This is a case of associating with a new product 6. When the unlink operation and the link operation are not performed successively, the electronic shelf label 5 is highly likely to be linked at a position different from the unlinked position.

  For example, the store staff performs an unlink operation at the position P1 in FIG. 6 and once lifts the unlinked electronic shelf label 5 to the backyard or the like, then returns it to the sales area 90 again. Assume that the product 6 displayed in P2 is linked (that is, the link operation is performed at the position P2).

  When the store staff performs the above-described unlink operation, an unlink screen F is displayed on the display 51 of the electronic shelf label 5 instead of the selling price screen. Now, since the electronic shelf label 5 is in the third subcell SC3 when unlinked, the subcell number “SC3” of the subcell is displayed on the unlink screen F. However, this display is erased when a predetermined time elapses.

  Therefore, when the store staff performs the linking operation for the unlinked electronic shelf label 5 at the position P2, there is a high possibility that the sub cell number 51f is not displayed on the display 51. In this case, when the store staff again transmits the unlink instruction information to the ESL server 10 at the position P2, the unlink screen F with the subcell number 51f is displayed on the display 51 of the electronic shelf label 5. Now, since the electronic shelf label 5 is located in the fourth subcell SC4 when the second unlink instruction information is transmitted, the sublink number “SC4” of the subcell is displayed on the unlink screen F. . Therefore, the store staff can perform the above-described linking operation using the display. When the store staff performs the above-described link operation, a display screen of a new product 6 is displayed on the display 51 of the electronic shelf label 5 instead of the unlink screen F.

<5. effect>
According to the above embodiment, the unlink notification data transmission processing unit 722 of the ESL server 10 transmits the subcell identification information to the electronic shelf label 5. (However, the unlink notification data transmission processing unit 722 transmits the subcell identification information in the form of unlink notification data.) On the other hand, the unlink image display control unit 812 of the electronic shelf label 5 that has received the information Information is displayed on the display 51. (However, the unlink image display control unit 812 displays the subcell identification information on the display 51 by displaying the unlink screen F in which the subcell number 51f is described on the display 51.) By looking at the unlink screen F displayed on the display 51 of the electronic shelf label 5, it is possible to easily and reliably grasp which subcell the electronic shelf label 5 belongs to.

  In addition, as described above, the electronic shelf label 5 has portability, and the subcell to which the electronic shelf label 5 belongs may change when moved. In consideration of this, in the above embodiment, the sub cell number erasure processing unit 813 erases the sub cell identification information displayed on the display 51 when a predetermined display time has elapsed. (However, the subcell number deletion processing unit 813 deletes the subcell identification information by deleting the subcell number 51f from the unlink screen F.) According to this configuration, the subcell to which the electronic shelf label 5 belongs is moved. In the event that has changed, past subcell identification information continues to be displayed on the display 51, thereby avoiding the danger of erroneous information being transmitted to store staff.

  In addition, according to the above embodiment, even if the subcell identification information is erased, the store staff uses the information processing terminal 180 to display unlink instruction information including the device code of the electronic shelf label 5. By transmitting to the ESL server 10, the subcell number of the subcell to which the device currently belongs can be displayed again on the display 51 of the electronic shelf label 5.

  For example, when a plurality of electronic shelf labels 5 that have been raised to the backyard are arranged in the sales area 90, it is highly likely that the sub-cell identification information of these electronic shelf labels 5 has been erased. In this case, the store staff carries a plurality of electronic shelf labels 5 to the sales area 90, and the unlink instruction information including the device code of any of the electronic shelf labels 5 is sent to the ESL server 10 at the arrangement position. Just send it. Then, the subcell number of the subcell to which the device currently belongs is displayed again on the display 51 of the electronic shelf label 5. If another electronic shelf label 5 is also arranged in the vicinity of the electronic shelf label 5, if the subcell number is not displayed for each of the other electronic shelf labels 5, the linking operation is performed using the same subcell number. Good.

  Further, according to the above embodiment, the unlink notification data transmission processing unit 722 of the ESL server 10 identifies the subcell with respect to the electronic shelf label 5 when the electronic shelf label 5 and the product 6 are unlinked. Send information. Therefore, when the product 6 is unlinked, the subcell identification information of the subcell to which the electronic shelf label 5 currently belongs is displayed on the display 51 of the electronic shelf label 5. When the unlinked electronic shelf label 5 is linked to the new product 6, it is necessary to specify the subcell to which the electronic shelf label 5 belongs. According to this configuration, the store staff can By looking at the subcell identification information displayed on the display 51, the subcell to which the electronic shelf label belongs can be easily specified. That is, it is possible to smoothly perform the linking operation performed subsequent to the unlinking operation when the displayed product is replaced.

  Further, according to the above embodiment, the unlink notification data transmission processing unit 722 operates until the sub-cell identification information (specifically, the unlink notification data) is properly received in the electronic shelf label 5 until the sales area 90 The sub-cell identification information is continuously transmitted to each of the plurality of sub-cells defined in the above (roaming search). Therefore, it is possible to reliably receive the subcell identification information wherever the electronic shelf label 5 is moved in the sales area 90.

  However, the unlink notification data transmission processing unit 722 transmits the subcell identification information of the subcell to each subcell, and the electronic shelf label 5 receives the subcell identification information only when belonging to the subcell. That is, the unlink notification data transmission processing unit 722 transmits, for example, to the “third subcell SC3”, subcell identification information (unlink image data describing the subcell number “S3”) related to the third subcell SC3. However, the electronic shelf label 5 receives the subcell identification information related to the third subcell SC3 only when it belongs to the “third subcell SC3”, and when it does not belong to the “third subcell SC3”, the information Not receive. That is, the fact that the electronic shelf label 5 has correctly received the subcell identification information related to the third subcell SC3 is a proof that the electronic shelf label 5 actually belongs to the third subcell SC3. Thus, according to the above embodiment, the correct subcell identification information is always displayed on the display 51 regardless of where the electronic shelf label 5 is moved in the sales area 90.

  Further, according to the above-described embodiment, the unlink notification data transmission processing unit 722 includes the subcell associated with the electronic shelf label 5 in the link table 103 (that is, the electronic shelf label 5 belongs) at the time of roaming search. First, the subcell identification information is transmitted to the subcell). Therefore, the electronic shelf label 5 can be made to receive subcell identification information efficiently.

<6. Modification>
In the above embodiment, the ESL server 10 transmits the unlink notification data including the unlink image data that is the image data for the unlink screen F to the electronic shelf label 5, and the electronic shelf label 5 is the ESL server. 10 is configured to display the unlink screen F on the display 51 of the electronic shelf label 5 by causing the display 51 to display unlink image data included in the unlink notification data received from the ESL server 10. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the unlink screen F is displayed on the display 51 of the electronic shelf label 5 without transmitting the image data to the tag 5 (that is, without including the image data in the unlink notification data).

  Specifically, for example, the ESL server 10 is configured to transmit the unlink notification data including the subcell number of the subcell to which the electronic shelf label 5 to be transmitted currently belongs (here, the unlink image data is transmitted). It is not necessary to include it in the unlink notification data, that is, here, the ESL server 10 transmits the subcell identification information in the form of the subcell number instead of the form of the unlink image data.)

  On the other hand, in the electronic shelf label 5, image data in which a character string 51e indicating that the electronic shelf label 5 is unlinked is stored in advance in the memory. When the unlink notification data is received, the subcell number included in the received unlink notification data is written in a predetermined position of the image data stored in the memory, and the character string 51e and the subcell to which the device 5 currently belongs The unlinked image data in which the subcell number 51f is described is created, and the created unlinked image data is displayed on the display 51.

  That is, the unlink image data in which the subcell number is described is not transmitted from the ESL server 10, but the electronic shelf label 5 stores the fixed image stored in the memory and the information acquired from the ESL server 10 (here, the subcell Number) to generate unlink image data in which the subcell number of the subcell to which the device belongs is displayed.

  If the ESL server 10 is configured to transmit the subcell identification information not in the form of unlink image data but in the form of a subcell number as in this modification, it is not necessary to include image data in the unlink notification data. The communication data size can be greatly reduced.

  Further, in the above embodiment, when the sub cell identification information (specifically, the sub cell number 51 f displayed on the unlink screen F) displayed on the display 51 is deleted, the store staff The configuration in which the subcell identification information is displayed again on the display 51 by sending the unlink instruction information to the ESL server 10 has been described. A command for redisplaying the subcell identification information is provided separately from the unlink instruction information. You may prescribe.

  In the above embodiment, the sub-cell number 51f is displayed on the unlink screen F as information for specifying the sub-cell. For example, the information is displayed in the form of a barcode. But you can. In this case, the store staff may read the barcode with the information processing terminal 180 and acquire information for specifying the subcell to which the electronic shelf label 5 belongs.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electronic shelf label system 5 Electronic shelf label 10 ESL server 71 Link process part 72 Unlink process part 711 Link table update part 712 Sell price distribution data transmission process 721 Link table update part 722 Unlink notification data transmission process 81 Display control part 811 Sell price Screen display control unit 812 Unlink image display control unit 813 Sub cell number deletion processing unit

Claims (5)

A plurality of electronic shelf labels, each of which is arranged in association with any of a plurality of products arranged in the sales area, and displays product information related to the corresponding product on a display, and a plurality of communications by dividing the sales area An electronic shelf label system comprising: a server that defines an area, transmits the product information to the communication area in units of the communication area, and provides the product information to the electronic shelf label;
The server is
Communication area identification information transmitting means for transmitting communication area identification information, which is information that can identify the communication area to which the electronic shelf label belongs, to the electronic shelf label;
With
The electronic shelf label
A communication area identification information display control means for displaying the communication area identification information on a display when the communication area identification information is received;
An electronic shelf label system comprising: The electronic shelf label system according to claim 1,
The electronic shelf label
A communication area identification information erasure unit for erasing the communication area identification information from the display when a predetermined time has elapsed since the communication area identification information was displayed on the display;
An electronic shelf label system comprising: The electronic shelf label system according to claim 1 or 2,
The communication area identification information transmitting means is
An electronic shelf label system that transmits the communication area identification information to the electronic shelf label when the association between the electronic shelf label and the product is canceled. The electronic shelf label system according to claim 3,
The communication area identification information transmitting means is
An electronic device in which one communication area is selected in order from the plurality of communication areas, and repetitive transmission is performed to transmit the communication area identification information of the communication area to the selected communication area. An electronic shelf label system that continues until it is properly received at the shelf label. The electronic shelf label system according to claim 4,
The server is
Storage means for storing a communication area table that associates each of the plurality of electronic shelf labels with a communication area estimated to belong to the electronic shelf label;
With
The communication area identification information transmitting means selects a communication area associated with an electronic shelf label to be transmitted in the communication area table as a communication area for transmitting the communication area identification information first. Electronic shelf label system.

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