JP2008011972A - Electronic shelf label system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the power consumption in an electronic shelf label and promptly finish the transmission of display data to the electronic shelf label in the electronic shelf label system consisting of an electronic shelf label and a management device. <P>SOLUTION: The electronic shelf label is provided with a power supply means supplying a power to a receiving part, and an operation mode control means changing over between a regular mode and a power-saving mode having different power supply amounts to the receiving part respectively; and changes the electronic shelf label from the power-saving mode to the regular mode by the command transmitted from the management device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic shelf label system in which an electronic shelf label is arranged in the vicinity of a displayed product and the price of the product is displayed on the electronic shelf label.

  In retail stores such as supermarkets, electronic shelf labels that are installed in the vicinity of displayed merchandise and electronically display the price of the merchandise are used. The electronic shelf label is generally configured to be driven by a button battery having a small capacity, and it is necessary to suppress power consumption in order to extend the driving time. In addition, display data such as product price information is often changed and transmitted, for example, from a higher-level management device. It is desirable to keep the part ready for reception.

In an electronic shelf label system that allows wireless communication between the host (management device) and the electronic shelf label as a technology for receiving irregularly transmitted data while reducing power consumption, power is supplied from the battery of the electronic shelf label to the wireless receiver. A switch is provided in the middle of the supply path, and this switch is turned on at a predetermined time interval using a timer so that the battery power is intermittently supplied to the wireless receiver, and the power supply timing is set. A method of receiving data by synchronizing with the host side has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2002-57617 A

  However, in the above-described conventional technology, if the time for supplying power to the wireless receiving unit is shortened in order to improve the power saving effect, the time for which the electronic shelf label can communicate is shortened, and synchronization with the host can be accurately performed. It will disappear. There is also a problem that it takes a long time to complete data communication from the host to the electronic shelf label.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic shelf that consumes less power in the electronic shelf label and can complete the communication of display data to the electronic shelf label at an early stage. It is to provide a tag system.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the invention according to claim 1 is arranged in the vicinity of the displayed product, and the price data of the product received by the receiving unit is used as price information. Product data including an electronic shelf label to be displayed, a product code specifying the product for each shelf label number for identifying the electronic shelf label, and price data of the product is stored, and at least the price data is stored in each electronic shelf label In the electronic shelf label system including the management device that transmits the power, the electronic shelf label is configured such that the power supply means for supplying power to the receiving unit and the power supply to the receiving unit are continuously performed or alternately. A normal mode in which power supply period T1 and power cut-off period T2 are repeated to intermittently supply power at a predetermined power supply rate r = T1 / (T1 + T2), and a power supply rate smaller than the power supply rate And an operation mode control means for operating the power supply means by selectively switching between power saving modes in which power supply is essentially performed, and the management device changes the electronic shelf label from the power saving mode to the normal mode. An electronic shelf label system comprising mode change command transmission means for transmitting a command.

  In the electronic shelf label system according to the present invention, the electronic shelf label includes a normal mode in which the power supply time to the receiving unit is long or a constant power supply to the receiving unit, and a power saving mode in which the power supply time to the receiving unit is short. Two operation modes are provided, and the operation mode of the electronic shelf label is changed from the power saving mode to the normal mode by transmitting a predetermined command from the management device. Therefore, even when the electronic shelf label is operating in the power saving mode in which power is intermittently supplied to the receiving unit, it only takes some time to communicate a predetermined command from the management device at the beginning. When the electronic shelf label shifts to the normal mode by receiving this command, it is possible to immediately send the price data to be displayed from the management device to the electronic shelf label. In other words, it is possible to improve the power saving effect by using the power saving mode with low power consumption, and at the time when data update etc. is necessary, the target data can be transmitted from the management device at an early stage by changing to the normal mode. Can be received by electronic shelf labels.

  Moreover, the invention according to claim 2 is the electronic shelf label system according to claim 1, wherein the command is transmitted by a communication protocol including only one-way communication from the management device to the electronic shelf label. It is characterized by that.

  In this invention, the command for changing the operation mode of the electronic shelf label to the normal mode is transmitted in one direction from the management device to the electronic shelf label, thereby completing the communication. That is, the electronic shelf label does not need to send back a confirmation response indicating that the command has been correctly received. Therefore, the electronic shelf label does not require a transmission unit, and the electronic shelf label can be made inexpensive.

  Further, the invention according to claim 3 is the electronic shelf label system according to claim 2, wherein the electronic shelf label stops displaying the price information when receiving the command, and thereafter in the normal mode. When the price data is received, price information of the received price data is displayed.

  In this invention, when the electronic shelf label receives a command for changing the operation mode to the normal mode, the display of the price information is once stopped, and when the price data is received by entering the normal mode by the command, the received price data Price information is displayed. This eliminates the possibility of erroneous display such as displaying an incorrect product price even if an error occurs in the communication when the above command is transmitted using a communication protocol for one-way communication.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic shelf label system according to any one of the first to third aspects, the management device sends the command to the power cut-off period in the power saving mode. It is characterized in that the transmission is repeated for a time obtained by adding at least twice the frame length of the command.

  In the present invention, the period during which the management device repeatedly transmits the command for changing the operation mode of the electronic shelf label to the normal mode always includes the power supply period of the electronic shelf label. When the command is received, the normal mode can be entered. That is, the transmission period of the command is longer than the frame length of the command by at least twice as long as the power cut-off period, so that the beginning and end of the transmission period always overlap with the power supply period, and Any one of the overlap portions is longer than the frame length of the instruction. Therefore, the electronic shelf label can always receive the command.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the electronic shelf label system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the management device includes the price data to be stored in the electronic shelf label. When transmitting data, the command is transmitted prior to the transmission.

  In the present invention, prior to transmitting the data to be stored by the electronic shelf label, the management device transmits a command for changing the operation mode of the electronic shelf label to the normal mode. Data to be received can be reliably received in the normal mode. Further, until the command is transmitted, the electronic shelf label can stand by in the power saving mode, and power saving can be effectively performed.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the electronic shelf label system according to claim 5, wherein the management device includes the price data that each electronic shelf label should store for a plurality of the electronic shelf labels. When transmitting data, prior to the transmission, the instructions are transmitted in a format that each electronic shelf label can read simultaneously.

  In this invention, prior to transmitting data to be stored by each electronic shelf label to a plurality of electronic shelf labels, the management device transmits a command for changing the operation mode of the electronic shelf label to the normal mode. . That is, since the command only needs to be transmitted as a common command to a plurality of shelf labels (for example, all electronic shelf labels installed in the store), the number of times the command is transmitted can be reduced. As a result, each electronic shelf label can be quickly shifted to the normal mode, and the transmission of the data to be stored can be completed to a plurality of electronic shelf labels at an early stage.

  According to the present invention, in the electronic shelf label system, power consumption of the electronic shelf label can be reduced, and communication of display data to the electronic shelf label can be completed at an early stage.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the electronic shelf label system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The electronic shelf label system according to the present embodiment is connected to the electronic shelf label controller 100 (management device), the auxiliary device 200 connected to the electronic shelf label controller 100 by wire or wirelessly, and the electronic shelf label controller 100 or the auxiliary device 200. Transceivers 300a and 300b, and electronic shelf labels 400 that perform wireless data communication with the transceivers 300a and 300b.

  The transceiver 300a is connected to the electronic shelf label controller 100, and the transceiver 300b is connected to the electronic shelf label controller 100 via the auxiliary device 200. When the selling price data or the like is changed by the electronic shelf label controller 100, the changed selling price data is transmitted to each electronic shelf label through the transceiver 300a. At other times, a carrier signal having a constant frequency is periodically transmitted from each of the transceivers 300a and 300b to each electronic shelf label. Here, the carrier signal means a signal of only a carrier wave without data. Each electronic shelf label can receive a carrier signal transmitted from both transceivers 300a and 300b, and recognizes that it can communicate with the transceiver while receiving any carrier signal at each electronic shelf label. Each electronic shelf label displays the selling price data stored in the storage unit on the display unit. The auxiliary device 200 has a hardware configuration similar to that of the electronic shelf label controller 100, for example.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the electronic shelf label controller 100 according to the electronic shelf label system of the present embodiment. The electronic shelf label controller 100 of FIG. 2 stores a CPU 101, a ROM 102 in which an operation control program for the electronic shelf label controller 100 is stored, a RAM 103 that temporarily stores data, a product file, and the like. Communicates with other devices through the network L, the storage unit 104 attached in step 1, the operation unit 105 including a mouse and keyboard for data input and selection, the display unit 106 for displaying on the monitor screen, and the like. Communication unit 107 and the like.

  The electronic shelf label controller 100 holds a shelf label ID file, a product file, a performance file, and the like in the storage unit 104. FIG. 3 shows an example of the shelf label ID file stored in the storage unit 104. The shelf label ID file has columns of product code and shelf label ID, and stores the shelf label ID in association with each product code. Here, the product code is a number or a character string that uniquely identifies each product, and the shelf label ID is a unique identification number of, for example, 6 digits assigned to each electronic shelf label 400. The shelf label ID file indicates which electronic shelf label 400 is in charge of which products are displayed, and the display position of the products can be grasped by the shelf label ID file. .

  FIG. 4 shows an example of a product file stored in the storage unit 104 of the electronic shelf label controller 100. In the product file, product data including a product code, a product name, a selling price, an internal capacity, and the like is stored in association with each product (for each product code). FIG. 5 shows an example of a product record file stored in the storage unit 104. In the product record file, a product code, a sales amount, a sales point, and an inventory number are stored in association with each product. In the present embodiment, the product file and the shelf label ID file are configured as separate files, but may be configured as one common file.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic shelf label 400 according to the electronic shelf label system of the present embodiment. An electronic shelf label 400 shown in FIG. 6 includes a CPU 401, a ROM 402 storing a program for controlling the operation of the electronic shelf label 400, a RAM 403 for temporarily storing data, and data from the electronic shelf label controller 100 wirelessly. A receiving unit 404 for receiving, an LCD display unit 405 for displaying product price data, an LED lamp 406 that is turned on when the electronic shelf label 400 is out of order, a button battery 408 as a driving power source, a button The power supply switch 409 for turning on / off the power supply from the battery 408 to the receiving unit 404 and the power control unit 410 for controlling on / off of the power supply switch 409 are configured.

  The receiving unit 404 receives selling price data and a carrier signal transmitted from the transceivers 300a and 300b. The received selling price data is stored in the RAM 403 and displayed on the LCD display unit 405. If the selling price data to be displayed does not exist in the RAM 403 or if the receiving unit 404 fails to receive the selling price data, for example, the selling price is displayed in the portion where the selling price is to be displayed without displaying the selling price of the product. A minus sign such as “-” is displayed. Note that the electronic shelf label 400 according to the present embodiment is configured to have only a reception function and no transmission function block, thereby reducing costs.

  FIG. 7 is an external view showing an example of the external appearance of the surface of the electronic shelf label 400 (LCD display unit 405). In FIG. 7, the LCD display unit 405 includes a large display area 405a for displaying a 5-digit numerical value (for example, a bargain price at a special sale is displayed) and a small display area 405b for displaying a 5-digit numerical value ( For example, a normal price is displayed) and a small display area 405c for displaying a three-digit numerical value (for example, a number indicating a discount rate when a sale price is set is displayed). Further, an LED lamp 406 is provided on the surface of the electronic shelf label 400, and a product information label 405d, a shelf label ID 405e, a barcode 405f, and a product name 405g are displayed.

  In the example of FIG. 7, the electronic shelf label 400 displays the product “ABC biscuit”, indicating that the sale price is set to 100 yen with respect to the normal price of 200 yen, and the discount rate is 5 discounts. ing. FIG. 8 is a display example of the electronic shelf label 400 similar to that in FIG. 7 and shows a state in which minus display is performed.

  Next, the power supply timing from the button battery 408 to the receiving unit 404 in the electronic shelf label 400 will be described with reference to FIG. The electronic shelf label 400 can be operated in two operation modes of a normal mode and a power saving mode with respect to the power supply timing. These operation modes are realized by the power control unit 410 performing on / off control of the power supply switch 409.

  In FIG. 9, in the normal mode, power is always supplied to the receiving unit 404 (continuously), and the electronic shelf label 400 can receive data transmitted from the transceivers 300a and 300b at any time. ing.

  In the power saving mode, a power supply period in which power is supplied to the receiving unit 404 (the length of this period is T1) and a power cut-off period in which the power to the receiving unit 404 is cut off (the length of this period is The electronic shelf label 400 can intermittently receive the data transmitted from the transceivers 300a and 300b. That is, the electronic shelf label 400 can receive data only during the power supply period, and cannot receive data during the power interruption period.

More specifically, in the power saving mode, the length T2 of the power cut-off period is set to several times or more (for example, several hundred times) with respect to the length T1 of the power supply period. By doing so, power is not supplied to the receiving unit 404 in the power cut-off period that occupies most of one cycle of power supply / cut-off (= T1 + T2), so that power consumption is reduced and a high power saving effect is obtained. It is like that. Further, the length T1 of the power supply period (that is, the period during which data can be received) is at least twice the frame length of the WU command transmission text and general data transmission text described later (referred to as T _WU and T _data , respectively). When the length is set (that is, T1 ≧ 2 · T _WU , T1 ≧ 2 · T _data ) and the WU command transmission text is transmitted from the electronic shelf label controller 100, the WU command transmission is performed during the power cut-off period. The transmission time t is a time longer than the time obtained by adding twice the frame length of the text, and the text is continuously transmitted repeatedly (that is, t> T2 + 2 + T _WU ). By doing so, the period during which the WU command transmission text is repeatedly transmitted and the power supply period are always overlapped, and any one of the first or last of the texts repeatedly transmitted is always the power. It will be included in the supply period. Therefore, the electronic shelf label 400 can always receive the transmitted WU command transmission text during the power supply period in the power saving mode. Even when a plurality of electronic shelf labels 400 are used and there is a timing shift in one cycle of power supply / cutoff between the electronic shelf labels 400, the above-described temporal relationship is established for each electronic shelf label 400. Therefore, all the electronic shelf labels 400 can always receive the WU command transmission text.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a data structure of the WU command transmission text and the general data transmission text. The WU (wake-up) command transmission text is data transmitted when the electronic shelf label 400 in the power saving mode is changed to the normal mode, and has a predetermined start code (first start code S1) at the head thereof. Subsequently, two character data (WU command) of “W” and “U” are arranged. When receiving the first start code S1, the electronic shelf label 400 receives a WU command.

  In the general data transmission text, a predetermined start code (second start code S2) is placed at the top, and then the address data of the electronic shelf label 400 of the transmission destination is arranged. Subsequently, for example, the electronic shelf label 400 is displayed. General data including power data (selling price data, etc.) and data relating to other products (price, discount amount, number of inventory, sales record, etc.) is arranged. When receiving the second start code S2, the electronic shelf label 400 next receives general data having address data that matches its own address.

Next, the operation of the electronic shelf label system according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 11 to 13. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the electronic shelf label controller 100.

  In FIG. 11, the electronic shelf label controller 100 first determines whether there is data to be displayed on the electronic shelf label 400 (step S101). For example, when the selling price of the product file in the RAM 103 is changed by an input operation from the operation unit 105, the changed selling price data is data to be displayed on the electronic shelf label 400.

  When there is no data to be displayed on the electronic shelf label 400, the electronic shelf label controller 100 transmits processing to the electronic shelf label 400, processing according to an operation input by the operator, communication with a server in the store, and so on. Processing such as data creation processing is performed (step S102).

  On the other hand, when there is data to be displayed on the electronic shelf label 400, the electronic shelf label controller 100 further determines whether or not the data should be transmitted to all the electronic shelf labels 400 (step). S103). Specifically, in the product file and the product result file, a predetermined flag is set for data such as price data and sales results stored in common in all the electronic shelf labels 400, and these flags are set. Check. For example, when a product file is newly created or the previous day's sales performance is transmitted to all the electronic shelf labels 400, the above flag is set, and therefore, the data is stored in all the electronic shelf labels 400. It will be judged that it should be transmitted to.

When it is determined that the transmission is to all the electronic shelf labels 400, the electronic shelf label controller 100 transmits the WU command transmission text to all the electronic shelf labels 400 via the transceivers 300a and 300b (step S104). Then, it is determined whether or not the WU command transmission text has been repeatedly transmitted for the transmission time t> T2 + 2 + T _WU (step S105). If not transmitted, the WU command transmission text is repeatedly transmitted for the transmission time t. To do.

  By transmitting the WU command transmission text, as described above, all the electronic shelf labels 400 operate in the normal mode. In this state, the electronic shelf label controller 100 creates a general data transmission text for each electronic shelf label 400 and transmits it to each electronic shelf label 400 (step S106).

In step S103, if the transmission is not to all the electronic shelf labels 400, the transmission is to one specific electronic shelf label 400. In this case, the electronic shelf label controller 100 transmits the general data transmission text to the electronic shelf label 400 (step S107).
Then, as in step S105, the transmission time t (> T2 + 2 · T _data ) is set to a time longer than the time obtained by adding twice the frame length of the general data transmission text to the power interruption period. (Step S108). If not transmitted, the general data transmission text is transmitted repeatedly during the transmission time t. As a result, the electronic shelf label 400 can reliably receive the general data transmission text within one cycle of power supply / cutoff in the power saving mode.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the electronic shelf label 400.
First, the electronic shelf label 400 determines whether or not the receiving unit 404 has received a WU command transmission text (step S201). Specifically, when the first start code S1 is received as described above, it is determined that the WU command transmission text is received.

If the WU command transmission text has not been received, the electronic shelf label 400 further determines whether or not a general data transmission text whose address data matches its own address has been received (step S202).
When the general data transmission text whose address data matches its own address is received, the electronic shelf label 400 extracts the general data in the text and updates the corresponding item of each file in the RAM 403 according to the extracted general data. At the same time, the updated content is displayed on the LCD display unit 405 (step S203). Here, when the normal price display is first performed on the LCD display unit 405, the first price display is updated by the price data included in the received general data. When the minus display not displaying the price is performed on the LCD display unit 405, the price is displayed based on the price data included in the received general data.

  Thereafter, the electronic shelf label 400 changes the operation mode to the power saving mode (step S204). For example, a flag indicating an operation mode is provided in a predetermined setting file, and this flag is set to a flag corresponding to the power saving mode. The power control unit 410 controls the power supply switch 409 according to the set flag to realize the power supply timing in the power saving mode shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, when the WU command transmission text is received in step S201, the electronic shelf label 400 changes the operation mode to the normal mode and continuously supplies power to the receiving unit 404 (step S205). After that, all price data on the LCD display unit 405 is displayed as a minus sign such as “---” to notify that the data is being updated (step S206).

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of timer interruption processing in the electronic shelf label 400. This timer interruption process is executed for the purpose of adjusting the power supply timing by the power control unit 410.
First, the electronic shelf label 400 checks a flag indicating the operation mode set in the setting file, and determines whether or not it is in the power saving mode (step S301).
In the power saving mode, a flag (referred to as a P flag) for determining the timing of supplying power to the receiving unit 404 is checked to determine whether or not the P flag = 1 (step S302). Here, P flag = 1 is defined as an instruction to supply power, and P flag = 0 is defined as an instruction to interrupt power.

  When the P flag = 1, the electronic shelf label 400 sets the power supply period T1 in the timer interrupt timer provided in the CPU 401 (step S303), whereby the power control unit 410 supplies power to the receiving unit 404 (step S304). ). Then, the electronic shelf label 400 sets the P flag to 0 (step S305) and ends the interrupt process.

  If the P flag = 0 in step S302, the electronic shelf label 400 sets the power cut-off period T2 in the timer (step S306), whereby the power control unit 410 cuts off the power to the receiving unit 404 (step S306). Step S307). Then, the electronic shelf label 400 sets the P flag to 1 (step S308) and ends the interrupt process.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, an electronic shelf label system according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Since the configuration of this electronic shelf label system is the same as that shown in FIGS. 1 to 10, the description thereof will be omitted, and the operation of the system will be described below.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of the electronic shelf label controller 100 in the second embodiment.

  In FIG. 14, the electronic shelf label controller 100 first determines whether there is data to be displayed on the electronic shelf label 400 (step S401). For example, when the selling price of the product file in the RAM 103 is changed by an input operation from the operation unit 105, the changed selling price data is data to be displayed on the electronic shelf label 400.

  When there is no data to be displayed on the electronic shelf label 400, the electronic shelf label controller 100 transmits processing to the electronic shelf label 400, processing according to an operation input by the operator, communication with a server in the store, and so on. Processing such as data creation processing is performed (step S402).

On the other hand, when there is data to be displayed on the electronic shelf label 400, the electronic shelf label controller 100 transmits the WU command transmission text to all the electronic shelf labels 400 via the transceivers 300a and 300b (step S403). Then, it is determined whether or not the WU command transmission text is repeatedly transmitted for the transmission time t> T2 + 2 + T _WU (step S404). If not transmitted, the WU command transmission text is repeatedly transmitted for the transmission time t. To do.

  By transmitting the WU command transmission text, as described above, all the electronic shelf labels 400 operate in the normal mode. In this state, the electronic shelf label controller 100 creates a general data transmission text for each electronic shelf label 400 and transmits it to each electronic shelf label 400 (step S405).

In the present embodiment, the general data transmission text is transmitted after the WU command transmission text is transmitted to all the electronic shelf labels 400 as described above. Therefore, even if all the electronic shelf labels 400 are always set to the power saving mode, the general data transmission text can be received after changing each electronic shelf label 400 to the normal mode by the WU command transmission text. Since the shelf label 400 first receives the WU command transmission text, the power supply period T1 in the power saving mode is set to at least twice the frame length of the WU command transmission text (T1 = 2 · T _WU ). It is sufficient to increase the power saving effect (compared with setting T1 ≧ 2 · T _data (provided that T _data >> T _WU ) in preparation for the case where general data transmission text is sent). Can do.

  When new data is transmitted to only a part of the plurality of electronic shelf labels 400, the electronic shelf label 400 is currently stored in the RAM 403 for the electronic shelf labels 400 that do not need to transmit new data. What is necessary is just to transmit the same data as what is carried out by step S405. By doing so, after the electronic shelf label 400 receives the WU command transmission text, the general data transmission text is not sent, so that it is possible to prevent the minus display as shown in FIG. 8 from being performed forever.

(Third embodiment)
Next, an electronic shelf label system according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The configuration of this electronic shelf label system is the same as that shown in FIGS. 1 to 10 (however, the data structure of the WU command transmission text in FIG. 10 is different as will be described later), and the description thereof will be omitted. Hereinafter, the operation of the system will be mainly described.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the operation of the electronic shelf label controller 100 in the third embodiment.

  In FIG. 15, the electronic shelf label controller 100 first determines whether there is data to be displayed on the electronic shelf label 400 (step S501). For example, when the selling price of the product file in the RAM 103 is changed by an input operation from the operation unit 105, the changed selling price data is data to be displayed on the electronic shelf label 400.

  When there is no data to be displayed on the electronic shelf label 400, the electronic shelf label controller 100 transmits processing to the electronic shelf label 400, processing according to an operation input by the operator, communication with a server in the store, and so on. Processing such as data creation processing is performed (step S502).

  On the other hand, when there is data to be displayed on the electronic shelf label 400, the electronic shelf label controller 100 further determines whether or not the data should be transmitted to all the electronic shelf labels 400 (step). S503). Specifically, in the product file and the product result file, a predetermined flag is set for data such as price data and sales results stored in common in all the electronic shelf labels 400, and these flags are set. Check. For example, when a product file is newly created or the previous day's sales performance is transmitted to all the electronic shelf labels 400, the above flag is set, and therefore, the data is stored in all the electronic shelf labels 400. It will be judged that it should be transmitted to.

When it is determined that the transmission is to all the electronic shelf labels 400, the electronic shelf label controller 100 transmits the WU command transmission text to all the electronic shelf labels 400 via the transceivers 300a and 300b (step S504). Then, it is determined whether or not the WU command transmission text has been repeatedly transmitted for transmission time t> T2 + 2 + T _WU (step S505). If not transmitted, the WU command transmission text is repeatedly transmitted for the transmission time t. To do.

  By transmitting the WU command transmission text, as described above, all the electronic shelf labels 400 operate in the normal mode. In this state, the electronic shelf label controller 100 creates a general data transmission text for each electronic shelf label 400 and transmits it to each electronic shelf label 400 (step S506). The processing so far is the same as that in the first embodiment.

  If the transmission is not to all the electronic shelf labels 400 in step S503, the transmission is to one specific electronic shelf label 400. In this case, the electronic shelf label controller 100 transmits the WU command transmission text to the electronic shelf label 400 according to the same procedure as in steps S504 and S505 described above (steps S507 and S508). As a result, the specific electronic shelf label 400 shifts to the normal mode. Thereafter, the electronic shelf label controller 100 transmits the general data transmission text to the electronic shelf label 400 (step S509).

  Here, the data structure of FIG. 16 is used as the WU command transmission text transmitted in step S507. That is, the WU command transmission text of this embodiment has a predetermined start code (second start code S2) that is the same as the general data transmission text at the top, and then the address data of the electronic shelf label 400 that is the transmission destination. Subsequently, two character data “WU” and “U” are arranged. Since the address data of the electronic shelf label 400 of the transmission destination is defined in this way, the WU command transmission text is transmitted to the electronic shelf label 400 of the address.

  The operation of the electronic shelf label 400 in this embodiment is basically executed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. However, in step S201, if the start code of the received WU command transmission text is the first start code S1, the process proceeds to step S205 as it is. If the start code is the second start code S2, the address data following the second start code S2 is self-addressed. The process proceeds to step S205 only when the address matches the address.

In the present embodiment, as in the second embodiment, the WU command transmission text is always transmitted before the general data transmission text is transmitted. For this reason, the power supply period T1 in the power saving mode should be set to at least twice the frame length of the WU command transmission text (T1 = 2 · T _WU ). It is possible to obtain a power saving effect higher than that of the first embodiment that needs to be set to T1 ≧ 2 · T _data (where T _data >> T _WU ) (however, the WU command transmission of this embodiment) Since the text includes the address data as described above, the power supply period T1 becomes longer as compared with the second embodiment).

  Further, when the general data transmission text is transmitted only to the specific electronic shelf label 400, the process can be completed earlier than any of the first and second embodiments. Further, the minus sign is not displayed on the electronic shelf label 400 that does not need to transmit new data as in the second embodiment.

As described above, the embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to the above, and various design changes and the like can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is possible to
For example, although the normal mode has been described as a mode in which power is continuously supplied to the receiving unit 404 as shown in FIG. 9, the normal mode is intermittent so as to have a power supply period longer than the power supply period of the power saving mode. It is also possible to perform power supply.

  In the power saving mode, if a carrier signal or a predetermined periodic signal is not received for a period significantly longer than one cycle of power supply / cutoff, it is assumed that a communication abnormality has occurred and, for example, a negative display is displayed. It may be. By doing so, particularly in the one-way communication in which the transmission function is omitted from the electronic shelf label 400, the communication state can be confirmed, which is convenient.

  Further, as in the so-called polling / selecting method, communication is performed in such a manner that the address of the electronic shelf label 400 is sequentially transmitted from the electronic shelf label controller 100 and the corresponding electronic shelf label 400 returns a predetermined signal such as ACK. In other words, the electronic shelf label 400 may operate in the normal mode (transition from the power saving mode) in a state where the line is occupied between the reception of the address and the reply of the ACK. That is, by considering the received address as the WU command transmission text, the change from the power saving mode to the normal mode can be realized.

  Further, the communication between the transceivers 300a and 300b and the electronic shelf label 400 may use any medium such as radio waves, infrared rays, light, and sound waves.

1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of an electronic shelf label system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the electronic shelf label controller concerning the electronic shelf label system of 1st Embodiment. It is an example of a shelf label ID file. It is an example of a product file. It is an example of a product performance file. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the electronic shelf label concerning the electronic shelf label system of 1st Embodiment. It is an external view which shows an example of the external appearance of the LCD display part with which the electronic shelf label was equipped. It is an external view which shows the other example of the external appearance of the LCD display part with which the electronic shelf label was equipped. It is a figure explaining the electric power supply timing to a receiving part. It is the figure which showed the data structure of WU command transmission text and general data transmission text. It is the flowchart which showed operation | movement of the electronic shelf label controller. It is the flowchart which showed the operation | movement of the electronic shelf label. It is the flowchart which showed the operation | movement of the timer interruption process in an electronic shelf label. It is the flowchart which showed operation | movement of the electronic shelf label controller in 2nd Embodiment. It is the flowchart which showed the operation | movement of the electronic shelf label controller in 3rd Embodiment. It is the figure which showed the data structure of the WU command transmission text in 3rd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Electronic shelf label controller 101 ... CPU 102 ... ROM 103 ... RAM 104 ... Memory | storage part 105 ... Operation part 106 ... Display part 107 ... Communication part 200 ... Auxiliary device 300 ... Transceiver 400 ... Electronic shelf label 401 ... CPU 402 ... ROM 403 ... RAM 404 ... receiving unit 405 ... LCD display unit 406 ... LED lamp 408 ... button battery 409 ... power supply switch 410 ... power control unit

Claims (6)

An electronic shelf label that is arranged in the vicinity of the displayed product and displays the price data of the product received by the receiving unit as price information;
A management device for storing product data including a product code specifying the product for each shelf label number for identifying the electronic shelf label and price data of the product, and transmitting at least the price data to each electronic shelf label; In electronic shelf label system including
The electronic shelf label includes power supply means for supplying power to the receiving unit;
The power supply to the receiving unit is continuously performed, or the power supply period T1 and the power cut-off period T2 are alternately repeated to intermittently supply power at a predetermined power supply rate r = T1 / (T1 + T2). An operation mode control means for operating the power supply means by selectively switching between a normal mode and a power saving mode in which power supply is intermittently performed at a power supply rate smaller than the power supply rate,
The said management apparatus is provided with the mode change command transmission means which transmits the command to change the said electronic shelf label from power saving mode to normal mode. The electronic shelf label system characterized by the above-mentioned. The electronic shelf label system according to claim 1, wherein the command is transmitted by a communication protocol including only one-way communication from the management device to the electronic shelf label. The electronic shelf label stops displaying the price information when receiving the command, and then displays the price information of the received price data when receiving the price data in the normal mode. The electronic shelf label system according to claim 2. The said management apparatus transmits the said instruction | command repeatedly for the time which added at least 2 times the frame length of this instruction | command in the power interruption | blocking period in the said power saving mode. Electronic shelf label system according to item. The said management apparatus transmits the said command prior to this transmission, when transmitting the data containing the said price data which the said electronic shelf label should memorize | store. Electronic shelf label system as described in the paragraph. In the case where the management device transmits data including the price data to be stored in each electronic shelf label to a plurality of the electronic shelf labels, the electronic shelf labels can be read simultaneously before the transmission. The electronic shelf label system according to claim 5, wherein the command is transmitted.

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