JP5106559B2 - Information processing apparatus, information display system, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information display system, and a program for displaying information on a shelf label terminal and an advertisement terminal.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a system called an electronic shelf label system has been introduced in order to present product prices and the like to customers at store floors. In such an electronic shelf label system, each shelf label terminal (electronic price tag display terminal) installed in the sales floor communicates with the control device by wireless communication, so that the display content can be updated by the control device. Yes. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a basic configuration and control method of a system that displays price information on a plurality of shelf label terminals installed on a product shelf or the like in a store.

  The display terminal device of such a system is distributed in a store space, for example, and provides necessary information to shoppers and store staff. In addition to shelf label terminals, there are advertising terminals as terminals that are used in such store spaces and display information. The advertising terminal is, for example, a POP terminal whose screen size is larger than that of a shelf label terminal, an electronic poster or electronic flyer whose screen size is larger than that of a POP terminal.

  These various terminals are preferably controlled within a single system including shelf label terminals. However, when a single system controls terminals with different amounts of display data due to different screen sizes, There is a possibility that the problem described later may occur due to the reason described in (1).

  The shelf label terminal is used to display basic information such as price data and product names, so the screen is small and the amount of data to be transferred is small, but a number corresponding to almost all products in the store is installed. Therefore, it is necessary to transfer data to a large number of terminals in a timely (timely) manner. Display rewriting is also performed periodically or systematically.

  On the other hand, POP terminals, electronic flyers, and electronic posters are often used for sales promotion and information transmission of special sales items, so the installed quantity is relatively small, but a large amount of data for one display device. You need to make a transfer. And rewriting has the feature that it often occurs irregularly or according to the situation such as sales.

  For this reason, when constructing an information display system in which shelf label terminals and advertising terminals are mixed, if the data transfer to each terminal is not performed in an appropriate or efficient order, the system performance will be low. May end up. That is, in an information display system in which a shelf label terminal and an advertisement terminal are mixed, if it takes time to transfer data to an advertisement terminal having a relatively large display screen, the shelf label terminal is periodically and systematically rewritten. There is a risk that it will be temporarily disturbed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus, an information display system, and a program that can distribute data to a shelf label terminal and an advertisement terminal in a balanced manner.

In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the information processing apparatus of the present invention can perform data communication via a communication line between a shelf label terminal that displays the price of a product and an advertisement terminal that displays an advertisement. and Do communication control device, a first time slot and a data transmission means for repeatedly alternately sets a second time slot, wherein the shelf label terminal and the advertisement on the basis shelf label terminal and each of the advertisement terminal A terminal ID for identifying a terminal is set, and the data transmission means receives the display rewriting instruction information for the shelf label terminal of a specific terminal ID or the advertising terminal of a specific terminal ID, and The second time slot is used to cause the communication control device to transmit image data for display to the shelf label terminal of the specific terminal ID instructed by the instruction information using one time slot. Used to perform the transmission of the image data for display to the advertisement terminal of the specific terminal ID instructed by the instruction information to the communication control device.

The information processing apparatus of the present invention includes a communication control device capable of data communication via a communication line with a shelf label terminal that displays a price of a product and an advertisement terminal that displays an advertisement, and a data transmission unit . A terminal ID for identifying the shelf label terminal and the advertising terminal is set for each shelf label terminal and for each advertising terminal, and the data transmission means includes the shelf label terminal of the specific terminal ID or In response to the display rewriting instruction information for the advertising terminal, the first communication period is used when causing the communication control apparatus to transmit one frame including a first communication period and a second communication period. The communication control device is caused to transmit image data for display to the shelf label terminal of the specific terminal ID indicated by the instruction information, and the instruction information is transmitted using the second communication period. As directed Transmission of image data for display to the constant of the terminal ID of the advertisement terminal causes the communication control device.

Further, the information display system of the present invention is capable of data communication via a communication line between a shelf label terminal that displays the price of a product, an advertisement terminal that displays an advertisement, and the shelf label terminal and the advertisement terminal. the communication control device, and an information processing apparatus having, included in the information processing apparatus, a data transmitting unit that repeatedly sets a first time slot and the second time slot alternately wherein the shelf label each terminal And a terminal ID for identifying the shelf label terminal and the advertising terminal is set for each advertising terminal, and the data transmitting means is configured to use the shelf label terminal of a specific terminal ID or the advertisement of a specific terminal ID. In response to the display rewrite instruction information for the terminal, the transmission of the image data for display to the shelf label terminal of the specific terminal ID indicated by the instruction information is performed using the first time slot. To perform the signal control unit, using the second time slot, and causes the transmission of the image data for display to the advertisement terminal of the specific terminal ID instructed by the instruction information to the communication control device.

Further, the information display system of the present invention is capable of data communication via a communication line between a shelf label terminal that displays the price of a product, an advertisement terminal that displays an advertisement, and the shelf label terminal and the advertisement terminal. the communication control device, and an information processing apparatus having said provided with data transmission means that is part of the information processing apparatus, wherein the order identifying the shelf label terminal and the advertisement terminal to said each shelf label terminal and for each the advertisement terminal Terminal ID is set, and the data transmission means receives the display rewriting instruction information for the shelf label terminal or the advertising terminal of the specific terminal ID, and the first communication period and the second communication period, Image data for display on the shelf label terminal of the specific terminal ID instructed by the instruction information using the first communication period when the communication control apparatus performs transmission of one frame including Send Wherein to perform the communication control device, using the second communication period, causes the transmission of the image data for display to the advertisement terminal of the specific terminal ID instructed by the instruction information to the communication control device .

Further, the program of the present invention includes a computer provided with a communication control device capable of data communication via a communication line with a shelf label terminal that displays the price of a product and an advertisement terminal that displays an advertisement . of a time slot and a program which functions as a data transmission means for repeatedly alternately sets a second time slot, identifying the shelf label terminal and the advertisement terminal to said each shelf label terminal and for each the advertisement terminal And the data transmitting means receives the display rewriting instruction information for the shelf label terminal of a specific terminal ID or the advertising terminal of a specific terminal ID, and receives the first time Using the slot, the communication control device is caused to transmit image data for display to the shelf label terminal of the specific terminal ID instructed by the instruction information, and the second type Using a slot, causing the transmission of the image data for display to the advertisement terminal of the specific terminal ID instructed by the instruction information to the communication control device.

The program of the present invention, capable of data communication the communication control device via the communication line with the advertising terminals that display the shelf label terminal and advertisement display the prices of goods, the provided computer, data transmission a program to function as a unit, the terminal ID for identifying the shelf label terminal and the advertisement terminal for each of the shelf label terminal and for each the advertisement terminal is set,
The data transmission means receives display rewriting instruction information for the shelf label terminal or the advertising terminal of a specific terminal ID, and transmits one frame including a first communication period and a second communication period. When making the communication control device perform, the image data for display to the shelf label terminal of the specific terminal ID instructed by the instruction information is transmitted to the communication control device using the first communication period. Then, using the second communication period, the communication control device is caused to transmit image data for display to the advertising terminal of the specific terminal ID indicated by the instruction information .

  According to the present invention, data distribution to a shelf label terminal and an advertisement terminal can be performed with good balance.

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an example of an information display system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a product information record in the product master DB. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a shelf label management record of the ESL server. FIG. 4 is a front view of the shelf label terminal. FIG. 5 is a front view of the POP terminal. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the main configuration of the shelf label terminal and the POP terminal. FIG. 7 is a module configuration diagram of the computer. FIG. 8 is a module configuration diagram of the wireless communication apparatus. FIG. 9 is a ladder chart for explaining the operation of the information display system. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining time slots. FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically showing a basic frame configuration used in communication between the repeater and the terminals (shelf label terminal and POP terminal). FIG. 12 is a ladder chart for explaining the operation of the information display system according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically showing a basic frame configuration used in communication between the repeater and the terminals (shelf label terminal and POP terminal).

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same component is contained in the following several embodiment. Therefore, in the following, common reference numerals are given to those similar components, and redundant description is omitted.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an overall configuration of an information display system 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the information display system 1 includes a product master DB (database) 10, a POS (Point Of Sales) server 20, an ESL (Electronic Shelf Label) server 30 as an information processing device, a handy The terminal 40, the access point 50, the repeater 60, the shelf label terminal 70, a POP (Point Of Purchase) terminal 80 as an advertising terminal, etc. The information display system 1 is installed in a store that sells products.

  The product master DB 10, the POS server 20, the ESL server 30, the access point 50, and the repeater 60 are connected via a wired network N1. The access point 50 and the handy terminal 40 are connected via the wireless network N2, and the repeater 60 and each terminal (the shelf label terminal 70 and the POP terminal 80) are connected via the wireless network N3. ing.

  The product master DB 10 is a database device that stores and manages information related to the names and prices of products handled by stores. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the product master DB 10 stores a product information record including data items such as a product code, a product name, a unit price, a product classification code, and a shelf label number. The product code is a unique code set in advance for each product in order to identify various product items sold in the store. The product name, unit price, product classification code, and shelf label number are information on the product specified by the product code of the same record. The product master DB 10 also stores advertisement information such as discount information.

  The POS server 20 is a computer that plays a central role in the POS system, and is connected to a POS terminal (not shown) via a communication line. Here, the POS terminal registers the sales data of the product purchased by the customer, and settles the payment according to various payment methods such as cash, credit card, prepaid card, electronic money, debit card and the like. is there. Further, when the POS server 20 receives an instruction to rewrite the display on the specific shelf label terminal 70 or the specific POP terminal 80 from an operator who operates the POS server 20 or a POS terminal, the POS server 20 displays the content of the instruction. The instruction data is transmitted to the ESL server 30.

  The ESL server 30 constitutes an information processing apparatus that manages an ESL system, which will be described later, together with the repeater 60, and controls the operations of the shelf label terminal 70 and the POP terminal 80 to display information on the shelf label terminal 70 and the POP terminal 80. .

  Specifically, when the ESL server 30 receives the instruction data from the POS server 20, the ESL server 30 executes a command for causing the shelf label terminal 70 and the POP terminal 80 specified by the instruction data to execute the operation specified by the instruction data. Data (hereinafter, command and data are simply referred to as command data) is transmitted to the shelf label terminal 70 and the POP terminal 80 via the repeater 60.

  The ESL server 30 includes a storage device such as an HDD (not shown), and has a terminal ID for identifying each shelf label terminal 70 and a product code for identifying a product displayed on each shelf label terminal 70. The associated shelf label management record is stored (see FIG. 3). Here, FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a shelf label management record of the ESL server 30. Further, the storage device stores a terminal ID (for example, an IP address) of the POP terminal 80 and position information indicating the installation position of the POP terminal 80 in association with each other.

  The handy terminal 40 is a portable information processing device operated by a store clerk or the like, and reads the terminal ID of the shelf label terminal 70 and the product code of the product displayed on the shelf label terminal 70 to obtain an access point. By transmitting to the ESL server 30 via 50, it is used when both data are registered in association with the shelf label management record.

  The access point 50 is a wireless network device for connecting a device (ESL server 30) connected to the wired network N1 and the handy terminal 40, and performs protocol conversion between wireless LAN and wired LAN. The repeater 60 is a wireless network device for connecting a device (ESL server 30) connected to the wired network N1, the shelf label terminal 70, and the POP terminal 80, and performs protocol conversion between wireless LAN and wired LAN. Do.

  The shelf label terminal 70 and the POP terminal 80 will be described. 4 is a front view of the shelf label terminal 70, FIG. 5 is a front view of the POP terminal 80, and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a main configuration of the shelf label terminal 70 and the POP terminal 80.

  The shelf label terminal 70 is provided so as to be visible to the customer on the product display shelf in the store corresponding to each of the various products displayed. On the other hand, the POP terminal 80 is arranged in a place that is visible to the customer in a relatively conspicuous place in the store. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the shelf label terminal 70 and the POP terminal 80 each have an information display unit 91 on the front side of a casing C having a thin plate shape, and the basic configuration thereof is as follows. The same. The shelf label terminal 70 displays the product name, price, and the like of the corresponding product on the display unit 91. The POP terminal 80 displays, for example, an advertisement such as a discount product on the display unit 91. The main difference in configuration between the shelf label terminal 70 and the POP terminal 80 is their size, and the point that the POP terminal 80 is larger than the shelf label terminal 70. More specifically, the display unit 91 of the POP terminal 80 is larger than the display unit 91 of the shelf label terminal 70. As a result, the POP terminal 80 has a larger amount of image data for image display than the shelf label terminal 70. In addition, the shelf label terminal 70 includes a terminal ID presenting unit 92 that serves as an interface unit with the handy terminal 40.

  Each of the shelf label terminal 70 and the POP terminal 80 includes a battery 93 as a driving source, a communication unit 94 that performs data communication with the ESL server 30 via a relay 60, and a nonvolatile memory as shown in FIG. A storage unit 95, a timer unit 96 used for synchronization during communication control and time measurement, and a control unit 97 for controlling each unit are provided.

  The storage unit 95 stores a terminal ID assigned and set for each shelf label terminal 70 and POP terminal 80 in order to identify each shelf label terminal 70 and POP terminal 80. In addition, the storage unit 95 stores data such as product names, prices, discount prices, and the like related to display on the display unit 91 transmitted from the ESL server 30.

  By the way, the above-described product master DB 10, the POS server 20, and the ESL server 30 are general computers. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a module configuration of the computer. The computer that is the product master DB 10, the POS server 20, and the ESL server 30 rewrites various data such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101 that performs information processing, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102 that stores a BIOS, and the like. Random access memory (RAM) 103 that can be stored, a display unit 104 such as a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) or LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) that displays processing progress and results, etc., and an operator inputs commands and information to the CPU 101 Information is stored using an input unit 105, which is a pointing device such as a keyboard or a mouse, a storage unit 106 such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) that functions as various databases and stores various programs, and a storage medium M. CD to distribute information to outside or to obtain information from outside -Consists of a medium reading device 107 such as a ROM drive, a communication control device 108 for communicating information with other external devices via each communication line, etc. These units are connected by a bus 109. ing.

  In such a computer, when an operator turns on the power, the CPU 101 activates a program called a loader in the ROM 102, reads a program for managing the hardware and software of the computer called OS (Operating System) from the storage unit 106 into the RAM 103, This OS is started. Such an OS activates a program, reads information, and stores information in response to an operator's operation. As a representative OS, Windows (registered trademark) and the like are known. These operation programs running on the OS are called application programs. The application program is not limited to one that runs on a predetermined OS, and may be one that causes the OS to execute some of the various processes described below, or constitutes predetermined application software, an OS, or the like. It may be included as part of a group of program files.

  That is, the computer functions as the product master DB 10, the POS server 20, and the ESL server 30, depending on the application program stored in the storage unit 106.

  In general, application programs installed in the storage unit 106 of the computer are various optical disks such as CD-ROM and DVD, various magnetic disks such as various magneto-optical disks and flexible disks, and various systems such as a semiconductor memory. The operation program recorded in the storage medium M such as the medium is installed in the storage unit 106. Therefore, a portable storage medium M such as an optical information recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a magnetic medium such as an FD can also be a storage medium for storing an application program. Furthermore, the application program may be acquired from the outside via, for example, the communication control device 108 and installed in the storage unit 106.

  When an application program that runs on the OS is activated, the computer executes various arithmetic processes according to the application program, and controls each unit in an integrated manner.

  The access point 50 and the repeater 60 are general wireless communication devices. FIG. 8 is a module configuration diagram of the wireless communication apparatus. The wireless communication device that is the access point 50 and the repeater 60 stores the CPU 201 that performs information processing such as protocol conversion, the storage unit 202 such as an EEPROM that stores BIOS, various programs, setting information, and the like, and rewritable data. The RAM 203, a wired LAN interface 204 for communicating information with other devices on the wired LAN, a wireless LAN interface 205 for communicating information with other devices on the wireless LAN, etc. These units are connected to the bus 206.

  In such a wireless communication apparatus, when the operator turns on the power, the CPU 201 executes a program in the storage unit 202 and performs an operation according to the setting information, thereby realizing a function as the wireless communication apparatus. In other words, the wireless communication device functions as the access point 50 and the repeater 60 depending on the difference in the program and setting information stored in the storage unit 202.

  By the way, as shown in FIG. 1, the shelf label terminal 70 is connected to the ESL server 30 via the repeater 60. Here, the ESL server 30 and the shelf label terminal 70 constitute an electronic shelf label system (hereinafter referred to as an ESL system).

  Next, an outline of the operation of the information display system 1 will be described. The ESL server 30 that has received the instruction from the POS server 20 reads the related product information, price information, and advertisement information from the product master DB 10 and displays it if the instruction is a rewrite instruction for a specific shelf label terminal 70 or POP terminal 80, for example. Image data (hereinafter referred to as a display image) is generated. Then, the ESL server 30 divides the display image for transmission to the shelf label terminal 70 and the POP terminal 80 using a predetermined protocol, performs data packetization processing, and specifies the shelf designated via the repeater 60. It transmits to the bill terminal 70 and the POP terminal 80.

  When receiving the packet from the ESL server 30, the repeater 60 converts the packet into a predetermined wireless protocol, and then transfers the packet to the designated shelf label terminal 70 or POP terminal 80. When the shelf label terminal 70 and the POP terminal 80 receive a packet from the repeater 60, the shelf label terminal 70 and the POP terminal 80 synthesize a display image from the packet and display it on the display unit 91. The functions that can be instructed from the POS server 20 or the ESL server 30 to the shelf label terminal 70 and the POP terminal 80 are not only the display rewriting function described above, but also the survival confirmation of the shelf label terminal 70 and the POP terminal 80 and the remaining battery level. It is assumed that various settings are defined so that various functions such as confirmation and display refresh can be realized.

  The details of the overall operation of the information display system 1 will be described below with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 9 is a ladder chart for explaining the overall operation of the information display system 1.

  As described above, the information display system 1 includes the POS server 20, the ESL server 30, the repeater 60, the shelf label terminal 70, the POP terminal 80, and the like. In FIG. 9, an instruction issued from the POS server 20 to a specific shelf label terminal 70 and a specific POP terminal 80 is sequentially transferred to each device and reaches the shelf label terminal 70 and the POP terminal 80. The figure shows a form in which communication with the shelf label terminal 70 and the POP terminal 80 is started after the confirmation response with the POP terminal 80 is obtained. Note that the processing executed in each device is realized by the cooperation of the CPU included in each device and a predetermined program. However, for the convenience of explanation, the execution subject of the processing is set in each device. Expressed by name.

  First, instruction information for a specific shelf label terminal 70 or POP terminal 80 is transmitted from the POS server 20 to the ESL server 30 (step S11). When the ESL server 30 receives the instruction information from the POS server 20, the ESL server 30 generates command data according to the contents instructed by the information related to the shelf label terminal 70 in the instruction information. Since the ESL server 30 packetizes the data structure according to the protocol used by the repeater 60 and the shelf label terminal 70, the generated command data is divided, edited, or encrypted for confidential information. (Step S12).

  The subsequent communication between the ESL server 30 and the repeater 60 is started by a kick from the repeater 60 in the example of this process. When the repeater 60 makes an inquiry about provision of a terminal ID or a transfer instruction to the ESL server 30 (step S13), the ESL server 30 transmits packetized command data to the repeater 60 as a response to the inquiry (step S13). S14).

  Each repeater 60 makes an inquiry to the ESL server 30 using carrier sense such as a CSMA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access) method so that a communication collision (collision) with other repeaters 60 does not occur. Shall. Each packet (command data) transmitted in step S14 includes the terminal ID of the shelf label terminal 70 to be instructed.

  The repeater 60 communicates with the shelf label terminal 70 using a predetermined wireless protocol, which will be described later, and therefore converts the command data (packet and protocol) transmitted from the ESL server 30 into a predetermined data format. (Step S15). Subsequently, the repeater 60 broadcasts a synchronization signal for synchronizing with each shelf label terminal 70 and POP terminal 80 to each terminal (shelf label terminal 70 and POP terminal 80) (step S16), and then step S16. The command data generated in S15 is transmitted (step S17).

  Here, the synchronization signal is used for each terminal (shelf label terminal 70 and POP terminal 80) to participate in and maintain participation in the information display system 1 in synchronization with the repeater 60. In this process, it is assumed that the terminal ID of a specific terminal (shelf label terminal 70 or POP terminal 80) is described in the synchronization signal. As a result, it can be seen that the command data following the synchronization signal is for the specific shelf label terminal 70 or the POP terminal 80, and therefore communication is performed with the specific shelf label terminal 70 or the POP terminal 80. Established.

  In this way, the instruction target shelf label terminal 70 that has received the command data from the repeater 60 executes processing (for example, display rewriting) according to the instruction content in accordance with the command data (step S18). Then, the shelf label terminal 70 transmits ACK / NACK corresponding to the execution result to the repeater 60 (step S19). The ACK / NACK is sequentially transferred while receiving a predetermined protocol conversion, and is transmitted as a confirmation signal to the POS server 20 that issued the first instruction (steps S20 and S21).

  Next, when the ESL server 30 receives the instruction information from the POS server 20, the ESL server 30 generates command data in accordance with the contents instructed by the information related to the POP terminal 80 in the instruction information. Since the ESL server 30 packetizes the data structure according to the protocol used by the repeater 60 and the POP terminal 80, the generated command data is divided, edited, or encrypted for confidentiality. (Step S112).

  The subsequent communication between the ESL server 30 and the repeater 60 is started by a kick from the repeater 60 in the example of this process. When the repeater 60 makes an inquiry about the provision of a terminal ID or a transfer instruction to the ESL server 30 (step S113), the ESL server 30 transmits packetized command data to the repeater 60 as a response to the inquiry (step S113). S114).

  Here, it is assumed that each packet (command data) transmitted in step S114 includes the terminal ID of the POP terminal 80 to be instructed.

  Since the repeater 60 communicates with the POP terminal 80 using a predetermined wireless protocol to be described later, command data (packet and protocol) transmitted from the ESL server 30 is converted into a predetermined data format ( Step S115). Subsequently, the repeater 60 broadcasts a synchronization signal for synchronizing with each shelf label terminal 70 and POP terminal 80 to each terminal (shelf label terminal 70 and POP terminal 80) (step S116), and then step S116. The command data generated in S115 is transmitted (step S117).

  The POP terminal 80 that is the instruction target that has received the command data from the repeater 60 in this way performs processing (for example, display rewriting) according to the instruction content according to the command data (step S118). Then, the POP terminal 80 transmits ACK / NACK corresponding to the execution result to the repeater 60 (step S119). The ACK / NACK is sequentially transferred while receiving a predetermined protocol conversion, and is transmitted as a confirmation signal to the POS server 20 that issued the first instruction (steps S120 and S121).

  The above processing is repeatedly executed. Here, communication between the repeater 60 and the shelf label terminal 70 and communication between the repeater 60 and the POP terminal 80 are alternately performed using time slots. Specifically, the ESL server 30 manages time slots. Here, FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a time slot. As shown in FIG. 10, the ESL server 30 responds only to an inquiry from the repeater 60 regarding the shelf label terminal 70 and “time slot A” responds only to an inquiry from the repeater 60 regarding the POP terminal 80. “Slot B” is alternately and repeatedly set. Here, the repeater 60 makes an inquiry about the shelf label terminal 70 and the POP terminal 80 to the ESL server 30 at a predetermined interval, for example. When this inquiry is made at “time slot A”, the ESL server 30 transmits data related to the shelf label terminal 70 to the repeater 60. Thereby, the information regarding the shelf label terminal 70 transmitted by the ESL server 30 is transmitted to the shelf label terminal 70 via the relay device 60. On the other hand, when the inquiry of the repeater 60 is made at “time slot B”, the ESL server 30 transmits data related to the POP terminal 80 to the repeater 60. Thereby, the information regarding the POP terminal 80 transmitted by the ESL server 30 is transmitted to the shelf label terminal 70 via the repeater 60. In this manner, data transmission from the ESL server 30 to the shelf label terminal 70 and data communication from the ESL server 30 to the POP terminal 80 are alternately performed at regular time intervals. As described above, the CPU 101 of the ESL server 30 functions as a data transmission unit that alternately executes data transmission to the shelf label terminal 70 and data transmission to the POP terminal 80 using time slots.

  Next, the configuration of a basic frame as a frame used in the wireless protocol between the repeater 60 and the shelf label terminal 70 and the POP terminal 80 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically showing a basic frame configuration used in communication between the repeater 60 and the terminals (the shelf label terminal 70 and the POP terminal 80). In addition, the vertical arrow group shown in the lower part of the figure indicates which direction is mainly the communication direction in each slot (repeater 60 → terminal (shelf label terminal 70, POP terminal 80), or terminal (shelf label terminal). 70, POP terminal 80) → repeater 60). In addition, an arrow indicated by a broken line in the lower part of the figure represents the direction of passage of time when the basic frame is used.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the basic frame is roughly divided into two parts. That is, the synchronization period T10 for synchronizing between the repeater 60 and the shelf label terminal 70, and the data communication period T20 for transferring data between the repeater 60 and the shelf label terminal 70 or the POP terminal 80. Consists of.

  The synchronization period T10 further includes a synchronization signal period T11 necessary for physically synchronizing the clock between the repeater 60 and the terminals (the shelf label terminal 70 and the POP terminal 80), and the basic frame configuration of the terminal ( Notification to the shelf label terminal 70 and the POP terminal 80), and configuration information notification related to the transmission and reception of basic frame configuration information describing information such as how long a communication time slot has a communication time slot from the synchronization signal It consists of a period T12 and a transmission / reception timing notification period T13 related to the transmission / reception of transmission / reception timing information describing the timing related to transmission / reception and the communication target terminal address indicating the communication target address.

  In the data communication period T20, a plurality of sub-synchronization signal periods (T211, T212,..., T21N) and divided data transmission / reception periods (T221, T222,..., T22N) in which command data is transmitted are alternately provided. (N is a natural number of 3 or more). In the data communication period T20, ACK / NACK transmission related to a response (ACK / NACK) from the terminal (shelf label terminal 70 or POP terminal 80) to the command data transmitted from the repeater 60 during the divided data transmission / reception period. A period T23 is provided.

  Here, the period obtained by combining the sub-synchronization signal period, the divided data transmission / reception period, and the ACK / NACK transmission period corresponds to a time slot defined by the basic frame configuration information. These time slots are used for transmission of command data to a terminal (shelf label terminal 70 or POP terminal 80). The repeater 60 divides the data if it cannot transmit all the data in a single time slot, and the repeater 60 has a plurality of transmission target terminals (shelf label terminal 70 or POP terminal 80). In this case, in order to avoid communication collision between terminals (shelf label terminal 70 or POP terminal 80), time slots are sequentially allocated to each terminal (shelf label terminal 70 or POP terminal 80) to perform transmission / reception.

  By using the basic frame described above, communication with the shelf label terminal 70 and communication with the POP terminal 80 can be made compatible. In the example of FIG. 11, the command data is transmitted from the ESL server 30 to the repeater 60 using the inquiry from the repeater 60 as a trigger. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the inquiry from the repeater 60 is not performed. The command data may be transmitted from the ESL server 30 to the repeater 60 every time. In the present embodiment, the ESL server 30 and the repeater 60 are separated from each other. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the ESL server 30 and the repeater 60 may be configured integrally.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the CPU 101 of the ESL server 30 as the data transmission means alternately executes data transmission to the shelf label terminal 70 and data transmission to the POP terminal 80 using time slots. To do. Therefore, data distribution to the shelf label terminal 70 and the POP terminal 80 can be performed with good balance. As a result, in the information display system 1 including the shelf label terminal 70 and the POP terminal 80 having a screen larger than the shelf label terminal 70, it takes time to transfer the data to the POP terminal 80, so that the shelf label terminal 70 can be occupied. It is possible to prevent the display performance of the shelf label terminal 70 from appearing to be hindered due to hindered data transfer.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The basic configuration of each part of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, the operation of the information display system 1 is different from that of the first embodiment.

  FIG. 12 is a ladder chart for explaining the operation of the information display system 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 12, in the present embodiment as well, in the same way as in the first embodiment, instruction information for a specific shelf label terminal 70 or POP terminal 80 is transmitted from the POS server 20 to the ESL server 30 (steps). S11). When the ESL server 30 receives the instruction information from the POS server 20, the ESL server 30 generates command data according to all contents instructed by the instruction information. Since the ESL server 30 packetizes the data structure according to the protocol used by the repeater 60, the shelf label terminal 70, and the POP terminal 80, the generated command data is divided, edited, or information concealed. Processing such as encryption is performed (step S12).

  The subsequent communication between the ESL server 30 and the repeater 60 is started by a kick from the repeater 60 in the example of this process. When the repeater 60 makes an inquiry about provision of a terminal ID or a transfer instruction to the ESL server 30 (step S13), the ESL server 30 transmits packetized command data to the repeater 60 as a response to the inquiry (step S13). S214). At this time, the ESL server 30 uses one frame including the first communication period and the second communication period as the command data frame. The ESL server 30 uses one of the first communication period and the second communication period for data transmission to the shelf label terminal 70, and the other of the first communication period and the second communication period to the advertising terminal 80. Used for data transmission. Hereinafter, an example in which the first communication period is used for data transmission to the shelf label terminal 70 and the second communication period is used for data communication to the advertising terminal 80 will be described, but the present invention is not limited to this. May be used for data transmission to the advertising terminal 80, and the second communication period may be used for data transmission to the shelf label terminal 70. The ESL server 30 divides the command data for the advertising terminal 80 having a relatively large data amount into a size that can be accommodated in the second communication period, and transmits the divided data. Then, the ESL server 30 transmits the frame a plurality of times until transmission of all the divided data to the advertising terminal 80 is completed. Here, the CPU 101 of the ESL server 30 transfers one of the first communication period and the second communication period in one frame including the first communication period and the second communication period to the shelf label terminal 70. Used for transmission, the other of the first communication period and the second communication period is used for data transmission to the advertising terminal 80, and functions as data transmission means for transmitting a frame a plurality of times.

  Here, it is assumed that each packet (command data) transmitted in step S214 of the present embodiment includes the terminal IDs of the shelf label terminal 70 and the POP terminal 80 to be instructed.

  The repeater 60 communicates with the shelf label terminal 70 using a predetermined wireless protocol, which will be described later, and therefore converts the command data (packet and protocol) transmitted from the ESL server 30 into a predetermined data format. (Step S15). Subsequently, the repeater 60 broadcasts a synchronization signal for synchronizing with each terminal (shelf label terminal 70 and POP terminal 80) to each terminal (shelf label terminal 70 and POP terminal 80) (step S16), the command data generated in step S15 is transmitted (step S17).

  In this way, the instruction target shelf label terminal 70 that has received the command data from the repeater 60 executes processing (for example, display rewriting) according to the instruction content in accordance with the command data (step S18). Then, the shelf label terminal 70 transmits ACK / NACK corresponding to the execution result to the repeater 60 (step S19). The ACK / NACK is sequentially transferred while undergoing predetermined protocol conversion, and is transmitted as a confirmation signal to the POS server 20 that issued the first instruction (steps S220 and S221). The processes in steps S15 to S19 and S117 to S221 described above are performed each time the ESL server 30 transmits a frame.

  In addition, the POP terminal 80 to be instructed that has received the command data from the repeater 60 executes processing (for example, display rewriting) according to the instruction content according to the command data (step S118). Then, the POP terminal 80 transmits ACK / NACK corresponding to the execution result to the repeater 60 (step S119). The ACK / NACK is sequentially transferred while undergoing predetermined protocol conversion, and is transmitted as a confirmation signal to the POS server 20 that issued the first instruction (steps S220 and S221).

  Next, with reference to FIG. 13, the structure of the basic frame used in the wireless protocol between the repeater 60 and the shelf label terminal 70 and the POP terminal 80 will be described. Here, FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically showing a basic frame configuration used in communication between the repeater and the terminals (shelf label terminal and POP terminal). In addition, the vertical arrow group shown in the lower part of the figure indicates which direction is mainly the communication direction in each slot (repeater 60 → terminal (shelf label terminal 70, POP terminal 80), or terminal (shelf label terminal). 70, POP terminal 80) → repeater 60). In addition, an arrow indicated by a broken line in the lower part of the figure represents the direction of passage of time when the basic frame is used.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the basic frame is roughly divided into three parts. That is, a synchronization period T10 for synchronizing between the repeater 60 and the shelf label terminal 70, a data communication period T30 for transferring data between the repeater 60 and the shelf label terminal 70, and the repeater 60 And a data communication period T40 for exchanging data between the POP terminal 80 and the POP terminal 80. The length of the data communication period T30 and the length of the data communication period T40 may be the same. Since the synchronization period T10 is the same as that described in the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In the data communication period T30, a plurality of sub-synchronization signal periods (T311, T312,..., T31N) and divided data transmission / reception periods (T321, T322,..., T32N) in which command data is transmitted are alternately provided. (N is a natural number of 3 or more). Further, in the data communication period T30, an ACK / NACK transmission period T33 related to a response (ACK / NACK) from the shelf label terminal 70 with respect to the command data transmitted from the repeater 60 in the divided data transmission / reception period is provided. .

  In the data communication period T40, a plurality of sub-synchronization signal periods (T411, T412,..., T41N) and divided data transmission / reception periods (T421, T422,..., T42N) in which command data is transmitted are alternately provided. (N is a natural number of 3 or more). Further, in the data communication period T40, an ACK / NACK transmission period T43 related to a response (ACK / NACK) from the POP terminal 80 with respect to the command data transmitted from the repeater 60 in the divided data transmission / reception period is provided.

  With the basic frame having such a configuration, a data transmission period from the ESL server 30 to the shelf label terminal 70 via the repeater 60 and a data communication period from the ESL server 30 to the POP terminal 80 via the repeater 60 And are set.

  Here, the above basic frame is generated based on the above frame transmitted from the ESL server 30 to the repeater 60. In the present embodiment, the data communication period T30 corresponds to the first period, and the data communication period T30 corresponds to the second communication period.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the CPU 101 of the ESL server 30 serving as the data transmission unit performs the first communication period and the second communication in one frame including the first communication period and the second communication period. One of the communication periods is used for data transmission to the shelf label terminal 70, the other of the first communication period and the second communication period is used for data transmission to the advertising terminal 80, and the frame is transmitted a plurality of times. . Therefore, data distribution to the shelf label terminal 70 and the POP terminal 80 can be performed with good balance.

  Here, in the communication using the time slot described in the first embodiment, for example, a time slot must be prepared even when communication with the POP terminal 80 does not occur, and the communication efficiency of the entire system is improved. There is a possibility of falling. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the data communication period can be shortened depending on the presence / absence of the communication amount, so that efficient communication is possible.

  Further, in the present embodiment, by providing the data communication periods of the shelf label terminal 70 and the POP terminal 80 separately in the basic frame, when only the transfer to one terminal occurs, the other As a result, the communication period of the entire system is improved.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications, substitutions, additions, and the like are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the ESL server 30 is connected to the repeater 60 via the wired network N1. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is connected to the repeater 60 using the wireless LAN function of the access point 50. It is good. In this case, since a wired cable becomes unnecessary, the freedom degree of the installation position of the repeater 60 can be raised.

1 Information Display System 30 ESL Server 70 Shelf Label Terminal 80 POP Terminal 101 CPU

Japanese Patent No. 3560988

Claims (10)

A communication control device capable of data communication via a communication line between a shelf label terminal displaying a price of a product and an advertisement terminal displaying an advertisement;
Data transmission means for alternately and repeatedly setting the first time slot and the second time slot ;
Equipped with a,
A terminal ID for identifying the shelf label terminal and the advertising terminal is set for each shelf label terminal and for each advertising terminal,
The data transmitting means receives display rewriting instruction information for the shelf label terminal of a specific terminal ID or the advertising terminal of a specific terminal ID, and is instructed by the instruction information using the first time slot. In addition, the communication control device is caused to transmit image data for display to the shelf label terminal of the specific terminal ID, and the specific terminal ID instructed by the instruction information using the second time slot. Information processing apparatus for causing the communication control apparatus to transmit image data for display to the advertising terminal . A communication control device capable of data communication via a communication line between a shelf label terminal displaying a price of a product and an advertisement terminal displaying an advertisement;
Data transmission means ;
With
A terminal ID for identifying the shelf label terminal and the advertising terminal is set for each shelf label terminal and for each advertising terminal,
The data transmission means receives display rewriting instruction information for the shelf label terminal or the advertising terminal of a specific terminal ID, and transmits one frame including a first communication period and a second communication period. When making the communication control device perform, the image data for display to the shelf label terminal of the specific terminal ID instructed by the instruction information is transmitted to the communication control device using the first communication period. An information processing apparatus that causes the communication control apparatus to transmit display image data to the advertising terminal having the specific terminal ID indicated by the instruction information using the second communication period . The data transmission means divides image data for display with respect to the advertising terminal into a size that can be accommodated in the second communication period and transmits the divided data to the communication control unit, and transmission of all the divided data is performed. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the communication control apparatus transmits the frame a plurality of times until completion. A shelf label terminal that displays the price of the product,
An advertising device that displays ads,
An information processing apparatus having a communication control device capable of data communication via a communication line between the shelf label terminal and the advertising terminal;
Included in the information processing apparatus, a data transmitting unit that repeatedly sets a first time slot and the second time slot alternately,
Equipped with a,
A terminal ID for identifying the shelf label terminal and the advertising terminal is set for each shelf label terminal and for each advertising terminal,
The data transmitting means receives display rewriting instruction information for the shelf label terminal of a specific terminal ID or the advertising terminal of a specific terminal ID, and is instructed by the instruction information using the first time slot. In addition, the communication control device is caused to transmit image data for display to the shelf label terminal of the specific terminal ID, and the specific terminal ID instructed by the instruction information using the second time slot. Display system for causing the communication control device to transmit image data for display to the advertising terminal . A relay for transferring image data for display for the advertising terminal received from the communication control device to the advertising terminal;
If the repeater cannot transmit all the display image data to the advertising terminal in one second time slot, the repeater divides the display image data and sets a plurality of the second time slots. The information display system according to claim 4, wherein the information display system sequentially transmits the information. A shelf label terminal that displays the price of the product,
An advertising device that displays ads,
An information processing apparatus having a communication control device capable of data communication via a communication line between the shelf label terminal and the advertising terminal;
And data transmission means that is part of the information processing apparatus,
Equipped with a,
A terminal ID for identifying the shelf label terminal and the advertising terminal is set for each shelf label terminal and for each advertising terminal,
The data transmission means receives display rewriting instruction information for the shelf label terminal or the advertising terminal of a specific terminal ID, and transmits one frame including a first communication period and a second communication period. When making the communication control device perform, the image data for display to the shelf label terminal of the specific terminal ID instructed by the instruction information is transmitted to the communication control device using the first communication period. An information display system for causing the communication control device to transmit image data for display to the advertising terminal of the specific terminal ID indicated by the instruction information using the second communication period . The data transmission means divides image data for display with respect to the advertising terminal into a size that can be accommodated in the second communication period and transmits the divided data to the communication control unit, and transmission of all the divided data is performed. The information display system according to claim 6, wherein the communication control apparatus transmits the frame a plurality of times until the completion. A communication control device capable of data communication via a communication line between a shelf label terminal that displays the price of a product and an advertisement terminal that displays an advertisement is provided with a computer, a first time slot, and a second time slot . a program to function as a data transmission means for repeatedly setting the slot alternately,
A terminal ID for identifying the shelf label terminal and the advertising terminal is set for each shelf label terminal and for each advertising terminal,
The data transmitting means receives display rewriting instruction information for the shelf label terminal of a specific terminal ID or the advertising terminal of a specific terminal ID, and is instructed by the instruction information using the first time slot. In addition, the communication control device is caused to transmit image data for display to the shelf label terminal of the specific terminal ID, and the specific terminal ID instructed by the instruction information using the second time slot. A program for causing the communication control device to transmit image data for display to the advertising terminal . Data available communication control device via the communication line with the advertising terminals that display the shelf label terminal and advertisement display the prices of goods, the provided computer, a program to function as a data transmission means There,
A terminal ID for identifying the shelf label terminal and the advertising terminal is set for each shelf label terminal and for each advertising terminal,
The data transmission means receives display rewriting instruction information for the shelf label terminal or the advertising terminal of a specific terminal ID, and transmits one frame including a first communication period and a second communication period. When making the communication control device perform, the image data for display to the shelf label terminal of the specific terminal ID instructed by the instruction information is transmitted to the communication control device using the first communication period. A program that causes the communication control device to transmit image data for display to the advertising terminal of the specific terminal ID indicated by the instruction information using the second communication period . The data transmission means divides image data for display with respect to the advertising terminal into a size that can be accommodated in the second communication period and transmits the divided data to the communication control unit, and transmission of all the divided data is performed. The program according to claim 9, which causes the communication control apparatus to transmit the frame a plurality of times until completion.

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