JP2008055150A - Information display system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information display system and an information display unit capable of quickly dealing with position abnormality of the display unit. <P>SOLUTION: An information display system includes a radio relay device 3 for transmitting article information of an article as a radio signal, a radio transmission device composed of a loop antenna 4 and an information display unit 2 detachably attached to a portion of an article display rack where the article is exhibited, for receiving article information transmitted from the radio transmission device 3 as the radio signal and displaying the article information. Particularly, the information display system is further equipped with a monitoring section including a metal detecting portion 55 and an alarm portion 56 for monitoring the movement of the information display unit 2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information display system for displaying product information of products displayed on a product display shelf of a store, for example.

  In stores that sell groceries and the like, labels that display price information for each product are attached to the product display shelves, but the sales price of the product is often changed by day or by time. When changing the sales price, it is necessary to always match the display price of the label of the display shelf displaying the corresponding product with the product price information of the cash register that registers and settles the product purchased by the customer. However, in the case of using a label, the display price of the label and the price of the corresponding product in the cash register must be individually changed, which is troublesome.

  For this reason, a display unit is arranged at each product display location of the product display shelf, a wireless relay device and a loop antenna are arranged corresponding to the product display shelf, and the price of the product whose price is changed from the host computer to the wireless relay device The information is transmitted by wire, and the wireless relay device adds ID information to the display unit and wirelessly transmits it from the loop antenna. The display unit receives this information. Import and change the display.

  In addition, the host computer transmits this price information to each cash register located at the checkout station at the same time, and when each cash register receives this price information, the price of the corresponding product is changed. Yes.

  If such an information display system is used, only the price change operation of the product is performed on the host computer, the display price of the corresponding product display unit in the product display shelf is changed in the product file in the cash register 6 The price information of the product to be changed can be changed at the same time, the display price can always be matched with the product price information in the product file, and the price change operation can be easily performed.

  This information display system employs a system in which the display unit is detachably mounted on a rail fixed to a product display shelf and slidably mounted, and is easily fixed with a screw or the like when positioning is performed. For this reason, since a slide and removal can be easily performed if a screw is removed, the problem that a position is changed illegally or it removes illegally will arise. However, even if the position is changed illegally, if the host computer sends price information to the corresponding display unit via the wireless relay device to change the price, a response signal is returned from the corresponding display unit. Was not judged to be abnormal, and there was a problem that the product was left with a different price displayed. In addition, if it is illegally removed, price information is transmitted from the host computer to the corresponding display unit via the wireless relay device for price change, and no response signal is returned from the corresponding display unit. It cannot be confirmed until it is detected, and there has been a problem that confirmation cannot be performed for a longer time if price information is not transmitted.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an information display system and an information display unit that can solve the problems of the prior art as described above and can quickly cope with a position abnormality of the display unit.

  According to the present invention, the wireless transmission device that transmits the product information of the product as a radio signal, and the product information transmitted as a radio signal from the wireless transmission device that is detachably attached to the site where the product is displayed is received. An information display system is provided that includes an information display unit that displays product information and a monitoring unit that monitors the movement of the information display unit.

  Furthermore, according to the present invention, an information display unit that is detachably attached to a part where the product is displayed, the display unit displaying the product information of the product, and the product transmitted as a radio signal from an external wireless transmission device An information display unit including a receiving unit that receives information and a control circuit that controls the display unit to display product information received by the receiving unit, the control circuit including a monitoring unit that monitors movement of the information display unit Is provided.

  In these information display system and information display unit, the monitoring unit monitors the movement of the information display unit. For this reason, even if the information display unit is moved due to mischief, it is possible to cope with the information display unit quickly returned to the installation position based on the monitoring result of the monitoring unit.

  Hereinafter, an information display system according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of this information display system. The information display system is used to display product information of various products displayed on, for example, a steel product display shelf 1 in a store. The product information is mainly a sales price, and in addition to the sales price, a product name or the like can be included. As shown in FIG. 1, the information display system includes a plurality of information display units 2 attached to the front rail of the product display shelf 1 corresponding to the types of products, and a wireless relay device that performs data communication with these information display units 2 wirelessly. 3 and a host computer 5 that accesses the information display unit 2 using the wireless relay device 3. The host computer 5 is installed, for example, in a backyard in a store, and is connected to the wireless relay device 3 by a communication cable CB1 in order to supply product information of a specific product to the wireless relay device 3. The wireless relay device 3 has a loop antenna 4 disposed adjacent to the commodity display shelf 1, for example, on the ceiling of the store, and a commodity supplied with ID information of the information display unit 2 disposed for a specific commodity from the host computer 5. The information is added to the information, and these are wirelessly transmitted from the loop antenna 4 to the entire information display unit 2. Each information display unit 2 receives the ID information and the product information and analyzes the ID information. If it is identified that the ID information is own, the information display unit 2 displays the sales price based on the product information obtained together with the ID information.

The host computer 5 is connected to the cash register 6 installed at the checkout station by the communication cable CB2, and when supplying the product information of the specific product to the wireless relay device 3, the product information of the specific product is also stored in the cash register 6. Supply. Each cash register 6 modifies the product file based on the product information from the host computer 5 so that the sales price of the specific product matches the sales price displayed on the information display unit 2 for this product.
As shown in FIG. 2, the wireless relay device 3 includes an input / output unit 7, a one-chip microcomputer 8, an oscillation unit 9, a modulation unit 10, a transmission amplifier 11, a loop antenna 4, a reception amplifier 12, and a demodulation unit 13. . The input / output unit 7 serves as an interface with the host computer 5. The microcomputer 8 generates an information signal composed of product information of a specific product supplied from the host computer 31 via the input / output unit 7, ID information of the information display unit 2 arranged for the specific product, and a synchronization signal. To do. The oscillation unit 9 generates a long wave carrier wave for transmission. The modulation unit 10 generates a radio signal obtained by modulating the carrier wave from the oscillation unit 9 with the information signal supplied from the microcomputer 8. The transmission amplifier 11 amplifies the radio signal generated by the modulation unit 10 and supplies it to the loop antenna 4. The loop antenna 4 propagates a radio signal to space so as to reach the information display unit 2, and receives a radio signal that has arrived from the information display unit 2 by propagating through this space. The reception amplifier 12 amplifies the radio signal from the loop antenna 4. The demodulator 13 synchronously detects the radio signal amplified by the receiving amplifier 12 and demodulates response data and ID information generated on the information display unit 2 side. The microcomputer 8 supplies the ID information and response data demodulated by the demodulator 13 to the host computer 5 via the input / output unit 7. In the present embodiment, the host computer 5 and the wireless relay device 3 constitute a wireless transmission device that transmits product information of a product as a wireless signal.

  As shown in FIG. 3, each information display unit 2 includes a coil antenna 41, a reception amplifier 42, a reception amplifier 42, a demodulation unit 43, an oscillation unit 44, a modulation unit 45, a transmission amplifier 46, a liquid crystal display panel 51, a display driver 52, A metal detection unit 55 and an alarm unit 56 are provided, and the metal portion of the front rail 1A adjacent to the display area of the corresponding product is installed at the installation position so as to be detachable to the metal portion by a fixing member such as a screw. The coil antenna 41 receives a radio signal that has propagated through the space and arrived from the radio relay device 8. The reception amplifier 42 amplifies the radio signal received by the coil antenna 41. The demodulator 43 demodulates the ID information and the product information by synchronously detecting the radio signal amplified by the reception amplifier 42. The one-chip microcomputer 50 includes a CPU (central processing unit) 47 that performs various data processing and control, a control program for the CPU 47, and a ROM (read-only memory) that stores fixed data such as ID information unique to the information display unit 2. 48) and a RAM (random access memory) 49 that temporarily stores input / output data of the CPU 47, and processes the ID information and product information demodulated by the demodulator 43. Specifically, the CPU 47 collates the ID information input from the demodulator 42 to the serial input port with the ID information stored in the ROM 48, and if it matches, the product information obtained together with the ID information is output from the serial output port. This is supplied to the display driver 50. The display driver 52 drives the liquid crystal display panel 51 based on the product information from the CPU 47. Thereby, the liquid crystal display panel 51 displays the selling price of the corresponding product. Further, the CPU 47 generates a response signal composed of response data to be transmitted to the wireless relay device 3, its own ID information, and a synchronization signal. The oscillation unit 44 generates a long wave carrier wave for transmission. The modulation unit 45 generates a radio signal obtained by modulating the carrier wave from the oscillation unit 17 with the response signal supplied from the one-chip microcomputer 50. The transmission amplifier 46 amplifies the radio signal generated by the modulation unit 45 and supplies it to the coil antenna 41. The coil antenna 41 propagates a radio signal to space so as to reach the radio relay device 8.

  The information display unit 2 further includes a metal detection unit 55 and an alarm unit 56 that constitute a monitoring unit that monitors the movement of the information display unit 2 together with the microcomputer 50. The metal detection unit 55 is connected to the input port of the CPU 47, and the alarm unit 56 is connected to the output port of the CPU 47. The metal detection unit 55 detects the presence or absence of the metal portion of the front rail 1A and notifies the CPU 47 of the detection result. The CPU 47 drives the alarm unit 56 when it is confirmed from the detection result that the information display unit 2 is detached from the installation position on the commodity display shelf 1. Thereby, the alarm unit 56 notifies the movement of the information display unit 2. Incidentally, the information display unit 2 includes a lithium battery 53 that generates a power supply voltage of the information display unit 2, and a power supply unit 54 that stabilizes the power supply voltage from the lithium battery 53 and supplies it to all components of the information display unit 2. The average life of the lithium battery 53 is 5 or 6 years with respect to the total power consumption of the information display unit 2.

  In this information display system, as shown in FIG. 4A, the wireless relay device 3 uses a synchronization signal used for demodulation on the receiving side, ID information for identifying a specific information display unit among a plurality of information display units 2, and An information signal composed of product information to be displayed is transmitted to the information display unit 2 in the form of a radio signal, and the information display unit 2 uses a synchronization signal and a response used for demodulation on the receiving side as shown in FIG. A response signal composed of ID information of the information display unit 2 to be transmitted and response data indicating an affirmative response or a negative response is transmitted to the wireless relay device 3 in the form of a wireless signal. Here, an affirmative response represents receipt confirmation of product information, and a negative response represents a receipt error of product information.

  The loop antenna 4 of the wireless relay device 3 and the coil antenna 41 of the information display unit 2 are coupled by long wave electromagnetic induction. In this case, modulation methods such as frequency modulation, phase modulation, and amplitude modulation are used for the above-described data communication. The radio relay device 3 transmits a radio signal to the information display unit 2 arranged in the reception area set to about 10 to 14 m from the loop antenna 4 in consideration of the reliability of data communication. The information display unit 2 cannot receive a radio signal from the radio relay device 3 outside this reception area.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the metal detection unit 55 converts the metal proximity sensor 55 a that detects metal within several millimeters and the output signal of the metal proximity sensor 55 a into a high-level or low-level binary voltage that can be input to the CPU 47. And a binarization circuit 55b. The metal proximity sensor 55a is accommodated in the insulating case of the information display unit 32 so as to be located at the lower left rear of the liquid crystal display panel 51 shown in FIG. The metal proximity sensor 55a detects the presence of a metal portion of the front rail 1A when the information display unit 2 is attached to the front rail 1A of the product display shelf 1, and the information display unit 2 is detected from the front rail 1A of the product display shelf 1. When removed, the absence of the metal part of the front rail 1A is detected. The metal proximity sensor 55a is a non-contact type sensor that monitors a capacitance that changes depending on the presence or absence of a metal that is in close proximity via an insulating case, for example. The CPU 47 drives the alarm unit 56 when the output signal of the metal detection unit 55 indicates that the information display unit 2 is in the detached state with respect to the metal part at the installation position.

  The operation of this information display system will be described below. For example, when changing the sales price of a specific product, the store manager operates the host computer 31 to make the new sales price reflected in the product information of the specific product registered in the product master file. Accordingly, the host computer 5 supplies the product information of the specific product to the electronic cash register 6 through the communication cable CB2, and supplies the product information of the specific product to the wireless relay device 3 through the communication cable CB1. . The cash register 6 modifies the product file based on the product information of the specific product supplied from the host computer 5. On the other hand, the wireless relay device 3 adds the ID information of the information display unit 2 arranged for the specific product to the product information and transmits it to all the information display units 2 as a radio signal.

  When the information display unit 2 receives the wireless signal, the ID information and the product information are demodulated from the wireless signal and processed by the CPU 47.

  FIG. 7 shows the operation of the CPU 47. This operation starts when the power is turned on. The CPU 47 performs reception response processing in the first step S1. This reception response process is performed as shown in FIG. In this reception response process, the CPU 47 checks in step S11 whether the ID information matches the ID information stored in the ROM 48. If this own ID information is not detected, the reception response process ends following step S11.

  If its own ID information is detected, it is determined that the product information is transmitted to the information display unit 2 itself. In this case, the CPU 47 checks whether there is a reception error for the product information obtained together with the ID information in step S12. If there is no reception error, the CPU 47 generates acknowledgment data in step S13 and supplies it to the modulator 45 for wireless transmission to the wireless relay device 3 together with the synchronization signal and its ID information. Thereafter, the CPU 47 converts the product information into a display format in step S14, and supplies it to the display driver 50 in step S15. Thereby, the display driver 52 drives the liquid crystal display panel 51 based on the product information from the CPU 47, and changes the display content of the liquid crystal display panel 51 to a new sales price. In this case, the reception response process ends following step S15.

  If the presence of a reception error is confirmed in step S12, the CPU 47 generates a negative response data in step S16 and wirelessly transmits it to the wireless relay device 3 together with the synchronization signal and its own ID information. To supply. In this case, the reception response process ends following step S16.

When the reception response process ends as described above, the operation shown in FIG. 7 is continued. That is, the CPU 47 initializes a software configuration timer T1 in step S2, and starts the timer T1 in step S3. Thereafter, the timer T1 independently measures the passage of time in parallel with other software processes until it is initialized again. After the timer T1 is started, the CPU 47 checks the output signal of the metal detector 55 in order to confirm whether the information display unit 2 is detached from the installation position on the product display shelf 1 in step S4. Specifically, this detached state is confirmed from the output signal obtained when the metal proximity sensor 55a cannot detect the metal portion of the front rail 1A of the commodity display shelf 1. If this metal is detected, step S1 is executed again because the information display unit 2 is in the attached state.
When it is confirmed in step S4 that the information display unit 2 is in the detached state, the CPU 47 checks the timer T1 in step S5 to determine whether the elapsed time is within a predetermined shelf removal allowable time. If the elapsed time is within the shelf removal allowable time, step S4 is executed again.

  When the elapsed time exceeds the shelf removal allowable time, the CPU 47 drives the alarm unit 56 in step S6, initializes the timer T3 in step S7, and starts the timer T3 in step S8. Thereafter, the CPU 47 checks the timer T3 in step S9 to determine whether the elapsed time is within a predetermined alarm duration. If the elapsed time is within the alarm continuation time, step S9 is executed again. If this elapsed time exceeds the alarm continuation time, the CPU 47 stops driving the alarm unit 56 in step S10 and executes step S1 again.

  In this information display system, in the reception response process shown in FIG. 8, if the CPU 47 cannot detect its own ID information in step S11, the reception response process is terminated without displaying the product information. For this reason, if the information display unit 2 is not detached from the installation position, steps S1 to S4 shown in FIG. 7 are always repeated regardless of the display state of the product information. Thus, the movement of the information display unit 2 is continuously monitored.

  In the information display system according to the first embodiment, when the information display unit 2 is removed from the product display shelf 1 or is slid due to mischief, the alarm unit 56 generates an alarm after the shelf removal allowable time has elapsed. A sound is announced to the surroundings. Therefore, it is possible to quickly cope with such an abnormal position of the information processing unit 2 by finding the information display unit 2 that generates an alarm sound and returning it to the installation position.

  Further, even if the information display unit 2 is detached from the installation position on the commodity display shelf 1, the alarm sound does not sound if the separation time is a predetermined shelf removal allowable time. Thus, even if the store clerk temporarily removes the information display unit 32 from the product display shelf 1 for adjustment or position change of the information display unit 2, there is no inconvenience that an alarm sounds. Note that the shelf removal allowable time is preferably within 10 seconds.

  The metal detection unit 55 uses a metal proximity sensor to detect that the information display unit 2 is detached from the installation position, but is not necessarily limited to this structure. Therefore, a sensor that detects, for example, mechanically, optically, electrically, or magnetically that the information display unit 2 is detached from the installation position can be used.

Hereinafter, an information display system according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 9 shows a circuit configuration of this information display system. This information display system is configured to monitor the movement of the information display unit 2 using a signal within a range incorporated in a radio signal transmitted from the radio relay device 3. In this information system, the microcomputer 50 and the alarm unit 56 constitute a monitoring unit that monitors the movement of the information display unit 2. For this reason, the metal detection unit 55 shown in FIG. 3 is deleted in the information display unit 2, and the ROM 48 is replaced with a ROM 48 </ b> A that stores a control program for the CPU 47 that has been changed with the use of the in-range signal. The information display system is configured by hardware similar to that of the information display system of the first embodiment except for such differences. For this reason, in FIG. 9, the description of the same parts denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment is omitted, and differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.
In the information display system illustrated in FIG. 9, the wireless relay device 3 transmits a wireless signal illustrated in FIG. 10A to the information display unit 2. In FIG. 10A, each of A, B, and C represents an information signal composed of the same synchronization signal, ID information, and product information as in the first embodiment, and S represents these data signals A, B, and C. Represents a signal within a range that is inserted into a mutual time slot at a constant period. Further, the information display unit 2 transmits a wireless signal shown in FIG. 10B to the wireless relay device 3. In FIG. 10B, D represents a response signal composed of the same synchronization signal, ID information and response data as in the first embodiment.

  The surrounding signal S is composed of a synchronization signal and attribute information as shown in FIG. Here, the attribute information is an identification code that can identify the wireless relay device 3 even when a plurality of wireless relay devices 3 are used. When the plurality of information display units 2 repeat reception of the in-range signal S including the attribute information specifying the wireless relay device 3 corresponding to the group of the information display units 2, the plurality of information display units 2 themselves receive the wireless signal from the corresponding wireless relay device 3. Recognize that it exists in the vicinity. Accordingly, when the in-range signal S including the attribute information for specifying the corresponding wireless relay device 3 cannot be received, it is recognized that the device itself has left the wireless signal reception range of the corresponding wireless relay device 3.

  When the information display unit 2 receives the wireless signal from the wireless relay device 3, the ID information and the product information are demodulated from the wireless signal and processed by the CPU 47.

  FIG. 12 shows the operation of the CPU 47. This operation starts when the power is turned on. The CPU 47 performs reception response processing similar to that in FIG. 8 in the first step S21. When this reception response process is completed, the CPU 47 initializes a timer T2 having a software configuration in step S21, and starts this timer T2 in step S23. Thereafter, the timer T2 independently measures the passage of time in parallel with other software processes until it is initialized again. After the timer T2 is started, the CPU 47 checks the in-range signal S in step S24 to confirm whether the information display unit 2 is in a state where it has left the reception area of the radio signal transmitted from the wireless relay device 3. Specifically, this separation state is confirmed when the in-range signal S specifying the wireless relay device 3 corresponding to the information display unit 2 cannot be received. If the in-range signal S is detected, the information display unit 2 is in the attached state, so step S21 is executed again.

  If it is confirmed in step S24 that the in-range signal S cannot be detected and the information display unit 2 is in a disconnected state with respect to the reception range of the radio signal transmitted from the wireless relay device 3, the CPU 47 determines in step S5. The timer T2 is checked to determine whether the time has elapsed within a predetermined reception area leaving allowable time. If the elapsed time is within the reception area leaving allowable time, step S24 is executed again.

  When the elapsed time exceeds the reception area leaving allowable time, the CPU 47 drives the alarm unit 56 in step S26, initializes the timer T3 in step S27, and starts the timer T3 in step S28. Thereafter, the CPU 47 checks the timer T3 in step S29 to determine whether the elapsed time is within a predetermined alarm duration. If the elapsed time is within the alarm continuation time, step S29 is executed again. If the elapsed time exceeds the alarm continuation time, the CPU 47 stops driving the alarm unit 56 in step S30, and executes step S21 again.

  In this information display system, in the reception response process shown in FIG. 8 as in the first embodiment, if the CPU 47 cannot detect its own ID information in step S11, the reception response process is terminated without displaying product information. . For this reason, if the information display unit 2 has not left the radio signal reception area, steps S21 to S24 shown in FIG. 11 are always repeated regardless of the display state of the product information. Thus, the movement of the information display unit 2 is continuously monitored.

  In the information display system of the second embodiment, when the information display unit 2 is moved out of the reception range of the wireless signal from the wireless relay device 3 in the process of being removed from the product display shelf 1 and taken away by mischief, the reception range The alarm unit 56 emits an alarm sound to notify the surroundings after the allowance time for separation has elapsed. Therefore, it is possible to promptly cope with such an abnormal position of the information display unit 2 by finding the information display unit 2 that generates an alarm sound and returning it to the installation position.

  Even if the information display unit 2 is moved from the installation position, the alarm sound does not sound if the departure time from the reception area is a predetermined reception area departure allowable time. Thereby, even if the store clerk temporarily removes the information display unit 2 from the commodity display shelf 1 for adjustment or position change of the information display unit 2, there is no inconvenience that an alarm sounds. In addition, it is desirable that the reception area leaving allowable time is within 10 seconds.

  The information display system according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 13 shows the circuit configuration of this information display system. This information display system is configured by adding the second embodiment to the first embodiment. In this information display system, the microcomputer 50 constitutes a monitoring unit that monitors the movement of the information display unit 2 together with the metal detection unit 55 and the alarm unit 56. For this reason, the metal detection unit 55 shown in FIG. 3 is left in the information display unit 2, and the ROM 48 is replaced with a ROM 48B that stores a control program for the CPU 47 that has been changed with the use of the in-range signal. The information display system is configured by hardware similar to the information display systems of the first and second embodiments except for such differences. For this reason, in FIG. 13, the description of the same parts represented by the same reference numerals as those of the first and second embodiments is omitted, and differences from the first and second embodiments are mainly described.

  When the information display unit 2 receives the wireless signal from the wireless relay device 3, the ID information and the product information are demodulated from the wireless signal and processed by the CPU 47.

FIG. 14 shows the operation of the CPU 47. This operation starts when the power is turned on. The CPU 47 performs a reception response process similar to that in FIG. 8 in the first step S31. When this reception response processing is completed, the CPU 47 initializes a timer T1 having a software configuration in step S32, and starts this timer T1 in step S33. Thereafter, the timer T1 independently measures the passage of time in parallel with other software processes until it is initialized again. After the timer T1 is started, the CPU 47 checks the output signal of the metal detection unit 55 in order to confirm whether the information display unit 2 is detached from the installation position on the commodity display shelf 1 in step S34. Specifically, this detached state is confirmed from an output signal obtained when the metal proximity sensor 55a cannot detect the metal of the front rail 1A of the commodity display shelf 1. If this metal is detected, since the information display unit 2 is in the attached state, step S38 to be described later is executed.
When it is confirmed in step S34 that the information display unit 2 is in the detached state with respect to the initial position, the CPU 47 checks the timer T1 in step S35 to determine whether the elapsed time is within a predetermined shelf removal allowable time. If the elapsed time is within the shelf removal allowable time, step S34 is executed again.

  If the elapsed time exceeds the shelf removal allowable time, the CPU 47 sets the shelf removal flag “1” in the register R1 of the RAM 49 in step S36, and the contents of the registers R1 and R2 of the RAM 49 are both “1” in step S37. Check if there is. If these are both “1”, step 45 described later is executed.

  If one of the contents of the registers R1 and R2 is “0” in step S37, the CPU 47 performs a reception response process similar to FIG. 8 in step S38. When this reception response process is completed, the CPU 47 initializes a software configuration timer T2 in step S39, and starts this timer T2 in step S40. Thereafter, the timer T2 independently measures the passage of time in parallel with other software processes until it is initialized again. After the timer T2 is started, the CPU 47 checks the in-range signal S in step S41 in order to confirm whether the information display unit 2 is disconnected from the reception area of the radio signal transmitted from the radio relay device 3. Specifically, this separation state is recognized when the in-range signal S for specifying the wireless relay device 3 corresponding to the information display unit 2 cannot be received and the wireless signal from the corresponding wireless relay device 3 is separated from the reception range. Is done. If the in-range signal S is detected, the information display unit 2 is in the attached state, so that step S31 is executed again.

  When it is confirmed in step S41 that the in-range signal S cannot be detected and the information display unit 2 is in the disengaged state with respect to the reception area, the CPU 47 determines in step S42 that the elapsed time is within the predetermined reception area departure allowable time. The timer T2 is checked to see if If the elapsed time is within the reception area leaving allowable time, step S41 is executed again.

  If the elapsed time exceeds the reception area leaving allowable time, the CPU 47 sets the reception area leaving flag “1” in the register R2 of the RAM 49 in step S43, and the contents of the registers R1 and R2 in the RAM 49 are both “1” in step S44. Check if it is. If one of the contents of the registers R1 and R2 is “0” in step S44, the CPU 47 executes step S31 again.

  If the contents of the registers R1 and R2 are both “1” in step S37 or step S44, the CPU 47 drives the alarm unit 56 in step 45, initializes the timer T3 in step S46, and starts the timer T3 in step S47. . Thereafter, the CPU 47 checks the timer T3 in step S48 to determine whether the elapsed time is within a predetermined alarm duration. If the elapsed time is within the alarm continuation time, step S48 is executed again. If the elapsed time exceeds the alarm continuation time, the CPU 47 stops driving the alarm unit 56 in step S49, clears the contents of the registers R1 and R2 to “0” in step S50, and then repeats step S31 again. Execute.

  In this information display system, in the reception response process shown in FIG. 8 as in the first embodiment, if the CPU 47 cannot detect its own ID information in step S11, the reception response process is terminated without displaying product information. . For this reason, if the information display unit 2 is not separated from the installation position and the reception area of the radio signal, steps S31 to S34 and steps S38 to S41 shown in FIG. 14 are always repeated regardless of the display state of the product information. Thus, the movement of the information display unit 2 is continuously monitored.

  In the information display system of the third embodiment, when the information display unit 32 is removed from the merchandise display shelf 1, the metal detection unit 55 detects it, and this state continues even after the shelf removal allowable time has elapsed. If so, the CPU 47 sets "1" in the register R1. When this information display unit 32 is further taken out of the reception area of the wireless relay device 3, this state is detected from the reception status of the in-range signal S, and if this continues even after the reception area leaving allowable time has elapsed, the CPU 47 Sets “1” in the register R2. Thus, when both the contents of the registers R1 and R2 are “1”, the CPU 47 drives the alarm unit 56.

  Therefore, when the information display unit 2 is removed from the installation position on the product display shelf 1 due to mischief and moved out of the radio signal reception area, the alarm unit 56 emits an alarm sound after the above-described time has passed and Inform. Therefore, it is possible to promptly cope with such an abnormal position of the information display unit 2 by finding the information display unit 2 that generates an alarm sound and returning it to the installation position.

  Further, when a situation occurs in which the wireless relay device 3 fails and the wireless signal cannot be transmitted, the information display unit 2 cannot receive the in-range signal, so “1” is set in the register R2. However, since the information display unit 2 is installed on the commodity display shelf 1, the register R1 is maintained at "0". Therefore, in this case, an alarm sound does not sound. That is, the alarm unit 56 does not malfunction due to a failure of the wireless relay device 3 or the like.

  Even if the store clerk removes the display unit 2 from the commodity display shelf 1 to adjust the information display unit 2 and sets "1" in the register R1, the display unit 2 is removed from the wireless relay device 3. If it is not taken out of the radio signal reception area, the register R2 is maintained at "0". Therefore, in this case, the alarm sound does not sound. That is, even if the information display unit 2 is removed from the merchandise display shelf 1 for adjustment work, the alarm does not malfunction.

  The information display system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 15 shows a circuit configuration of this information display system. This information display system is configured to turn off the display of the liquid crystal display panel 51 by detecting that the information display unit 2 has left the installation position. In this information display system, the microcomputer 50 constitutes a monitoring unit that monitors the movement of the information display unit 2 together with the metal detection unit 55 and the release switch 57. Therefore, the alarm unit 56 shown in FIG. 3 is replaced with a release switch 57 in the information display unit 2, and the ROM 48 is replaced with a ROM 48C that stores a control program for the CPU 47 that has been changed in accordance with the use of the range signal. The information display system is configured by hardware similar to that of the information display system of the first embodiment except for such differences. For this reason, the description of the same parts represented by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment in FIG. 15 is omitted, and differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the release switch 57 is attached to the end of the printed circuit board 58 accommodated in the information display unit 2, and a needle-like member is inserted through a hole 59 formed in the back surface of the display unit 2. It can be operated with. The radio signal transmitted from the radio relay device 3 to the information display unit 2 is configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

  When the information display unit 2 receives the wireless signal from the wireless relay device 3, the ID information and the product information are demodulated from the wireless signal and processed by the CPU 47.

FIG. 17 shows the operation of the CPU 47. This operation starts when the power is turned on. The CPU 47 performs a reception response process similar to that in FIG. 8 in the first step S51. When the reception response process ends as described above, the CPU 47 initializes a timer T1 having a software configuration in step S52, and starts this timer T1 in step S53. Thereafter, the timer T1 independently measures the passage of time in parallel with other software processes until it is initialized again. After the timer T1 is started, the CPU 47 checks the output signal of the metal detection unit 55 in order to confirm whether the information display unit 2 is detached from the installation position on the commodity display shelf 1 in step S54. Specifically, this detached state is confirmed from an output signal obtained when the metal proximity sensor 55a cannot detect the metal of the front rail 1A of the commodity display shelf 1. If this metal is detected, since the information display unit 2 is in the attached state, step S51 is executed again.
When it is confirmed in step S54 that the information display unit 2 is in the detached state with respect to the installation position, the CPU 47 checks the timer T1 in step S55 to determine whether the elapsed time is within a predetermined shelf removal allowable time. If the elapsed time is within the shelf removal allowable time, step S54 is executed again.

  If the elapsed time exceeds the shelf removal allowable time, the CPU 47 supplies a control signal for turning off the display on the liquid crystal display panel 56 to the display driver 52 until the next display content is updated in step S56, and the display content is updated in step S57. Disable the display driver to disable it. Thereafter, the CPU 47 checks in step S59 whether the release switch 57 is turned on. If the release switch 57 is not on, step S58 is repeatedly executed.

  If it is detected in step S58 that the release switch 57 is turned on, the display driver 52 is enabled to release the prohibition of updating the display contents, and step S51 is executed again.

  In this information display system, in the reception response process shown in FIG. 8, if the CPU 47 cannot detect its own ID information in step S11, the reception response process is terminated without displaying the product information. For this reason, if the information display unit 2 has not left the installation position, steps S51 to S54 shown in FIG. 17 are always repeated regardless of the display state of the product information. Since the movement of the information display unit 2 is continuously monitored in this way, it is possible to prevent a recognition delay related to the position abnormality of the information display unit 2.

  In the information display system of the fourth embodiment, when the information display unit 2 is removed from the product display shelf 1 due to mischief or slid as a result of being tampered with, the liquid crystal display panel 51 of the liquid crystal display panel 51 is displayed after the shelf removal allowable time has elapsed. The display is turned off. Thereafter, updating of the price display is also prohibited. Therefore, it is possible to quickly cope with such an abnormal position of the information display unit 2. Further, it is possible to prevent troubles caused by a mismatch between the price of the purchased product registered in the electronic cash register 6 and the display price on the display shelf.

In addition, the prohibition of price display update can be easily canceled by turning on the release switch 57, and the display of the sales price can be changed again by the wireless signal from the wireless relay device 3 after the cancellation.
In addition, this invention is not limited to the Example mentioned above, A various deformation | transformation is possible in the range which does not deviate from the summary.

  In each embodiment, the wireless signal transmitted between the wireless relay device 3 and the information display unit 2 is a radio wave modulated by the long-wave band carrier, but the wireless relay device 3 and the information display unit 2 are, for example, infrared rays. You may deform | transform into the structure which uses transmission signals other than an electromagnetic wave. For example, the wireless relay device 3 and the information display unit 2 may have an infrared light emitting unit and a light receiving unit disposed so as to face each other, and data communication may be performed by modulating the infrared light. In this case, since the information display unit 2 is detached from the installation position can be detected by the presence or absence of infrared rays incident on the infrared light receiving portion, the metal detection portion 55 is not required.

  Further, a sensor unit such as a metal detection unit 55 that detects that the information display unit 2 has left the installation position, and a processing circuit for the output signal thereof may be arranged on the product display shelf 1 outside the information display unit 2. Good.

  Furthermore, although the metal detection part 55 detected the metal part of the front rail 1A of the merchandise display shelf 1, the metal foil tape stuck on merchandise display members other than the merchandise display shelf 1 can also be detected. In this case, the detached state is confirmed from the output signal of the metal detection unit 55 obtained when the information display unit 2 is detached from the metal foil tape at the installation position. That is, as long as the wireless signal transmitted from the wireless relay device 3 is within the reception range, the product can be displayed using a product housing member such as a wagon.

  In the information display units 2 of the first to third embodiments, the alarm unit 56 is used to sound an alarm, but other notification members may be used. The notification member such as the alarm unit 56 may be disposed on the commodity display shelf 1 outside the information display unit 2 in the same manner as the sensor unit described above. In this case, a single notification member may be provided in common for the plurality of information display units 2.

  In each embodiment, the case where the information display unit 2 displays the sales price as the product information has been described. However, the sales price may be displayed together with other product information such as the product name.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY This information display system can be used to quickly return to the installation position with respect to an abnormal position of the information display unit.

1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an information display system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure of the radio relay apparatus shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure of the information display unit shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the radio signal transmitted between the radio relay apparatus and information display unit shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure of the metal detection part shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows arrangement | positioning of the metal proximity sensor shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of CPU shown in FIG. It is a flowchart of the reception response process shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure of the information display system which concerns on 2nd Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the radio signal transmitted between the radio relay apparatus and information display unit shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the in-range signal integrated in the radio signal shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of CPU shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure of the information display system which concerns on 3rd Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of CPU shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure of the information display system which concerns on 4th Example of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating arrangement | positioning of the release switch shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of CPU shown in FIG.

Claims (6)

A wireless transmission device that transmits product information of a product as a radio signal, and a product that is removably attached to a part where the product is displayed and receives the product information transmitted as a radio signal from the wireless transmission device, and displays the product information An information display unit, and a monitoring unit that monitors movement of the information display unit,
The wireless transmission device is configured to periodically incorporate an in-range signal into the wireless signal, and the monitoring unit detects a movement of the information display unit, a detection unit that detects that the information display unit has left the installation position A notification unit, when the detection unit detects that the information display unit has left the installation position, and the information display unit cannot receive the in-range signal embedded in a wireless signal transmitted from a wireless transmission device; The information display system characterized by including the control part which drives a alerting | reporting part.   The control unit confirms that the departure from the installation position has continued beyond a predetermined first allowance time, and further that the departure from the reception area has continued beyond a predetermined second allowance time. The information display system according to claim 1, wherein the information display system is configured to check before driving the notification unit.   The said part used as the said installation position is comprised with a metal material, and the detection part of the said monitoring part is comprised with the metal detection means which checks the presence or absence of the said metal material in order to detect the detachment | leave from an installation position. 2. The information display system according to 2. An information display unit that is detachably attached to a part where a product is displayed, and a display unit that displays the product information of the product, and a receiving unit that receives product information transmitted as a radio signal from an external wireless transmission device And a control circuit that controls the display unit to display the product information received by the receiving unit, the control circuit includes a monitoring unit that monitors movement of the information display unit,
The wireless transmission device is configured to periodically incorporate an in-range signal into the wireless signal, and the monitoring unit detects a movement of the information display unit, a detection unit that detects that the information display unit has left the installation position A notification unit, when the detection unit detects that the information display unit has left the installation position, and the information display unit cannot receive the in-range signal embedded in a wireless signal transmitted from a wireless transmission device; An information display unit comprising a control unit for driving the notification unit.   The control unit confirms that the departure from the installation position has continued beyond a predetermined first leave allowable time, and further that the departure from the reception area has continued beyond a predetermined second leave allowable time. The information display unit according to claim 4, wherein the information display unit is configured to check before driving the notification unit.   5. The part as the installation position is made of a metal material, and the detection unit of the monitoring unit is made up of metal detection means for checking the presence or absence of the metal material in order to detect separation from the installation position. 5. The information display unit according to 5.

Images