JP2010171691A - Infrared transmission device and infrared transmission system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an infrared transmission device capable of surely achieving communication even when used in such a manner that a distance to a receiver is frequently varied. <P>SOLUTION: In an electronic inventory tag system, remote control 160 being a remote operation apparatus for transmitting a signal for switching display screens of an electronic inventory tag alternately generates a first infrared signal in which light emission quantity is relatively large and a second infrared signal in which light emission quantity is relatively small in accordance with a transmission instruction of an infrared signal received by the depression of an operation button 163. When a distance from the remote control 160 to the electronic inventory tag, the display screen of which is desired to be switched is long, the first infrared signal is used to achieve communication, and when the distance is short, the second infrared signal is used to achieve communication. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an infrared transmission device (for example, an infrared remote control device) that transmits an infrared signal to a reception device, and an infrared transmission system including the infrared transmission device.

  A technique for remotely operating an electrical product or the like with an infrared remote control device is conventionally known. The infrared remote control device, for example, modulates a command coded by a pulse with a carrier frequency (PPM (Pulse Position Modulation) modulation) and sends it out from an infrared light emitting element (for example, an infrared LED (infrared light emitting diode)). On the side of the receiving device, an infrared signal from the infrared remote control device is received by the infrared light receiving element and the command is read.

  By the way, the communication distance of the infrared remote control device is proportional to the intensity of the infrared signal emitted from the infrared remote control device (that is, the light emission amount of the infrared light emitting device), and the light emission amount of the infrared light emitting device is the amount of current flowing through the infrared light emitting device. Proportional. The amount of current flowing through the infrared light emitting element can be defined from the resistance value of a resistor (current limiting resistor) connected in series with the infrared light emitting element. For example, when the resistance value of the current limiting resistor is reduced, the infrared light emitting element emits light strongly, and the communication distance of the infrared remote control device is increased. Conversely, when this resistance value is increased, the infrared light emitting element emits light weakly and the communication distance is shortened.

  In general, the resistance value of the current limiting resistor used in the infrared remote control device depends on the reception distance (distance between the infrared remote control device and the reception device) when the infrared remote control device is actually used. If the communication distance of the infrared remote control device is shorter than the reception distance (that is, the infrared remote control device is too far from the reception device), the amount of light emitted from the infrared light emitting element is too weak to communicate, and conversely, the communication distance is less than the reception distance. If it is too long (that is, if the infrared remote control device is too close to the receiving device), the amount of light emitted from the infrared light emitting element may be too strong to make communication impossible.

  However, in many cases, how far the infrared remote control device is used from the receiving device differs depending on the usage mode of the user. For example, even if an infrared remote control device used as a remote control for a television is considered, how far the remote control is operated from the television as a receiving device varies depending on the user.

  As a technique for responding to such inconveniences, for example, a technique has been proposed in which an infrared remote control device has a function of adjusting the communication distance so as to correspond to an actual user usage mode (Patent Literature). 1). Here, the output amount of the infrared signal transmitted from the infrared light emitting element is gradually increased, and the output amount at the time when it is received by the receiving device is determined as an appropriate output amount, and the value is stored and stored. The value is adopted as the set value for the output amount after the next time. As a result, the communication distance of the infrared remote control device is adjusted so as to conform to the actual user usage.

JP 2000-196526 A

  Although the technique of Patent Document 1 is effective in an infrared remote control device that is used in such a way that the distance to the receiving device does not change so frequently, it is used in such a way that the distance to the receiving device frequently changes. It was not very effective in the infrared remote control device. That is, when the distance to the receiving device frequently changes, the optimum output amount itself changes, so that it becomes meaningless to specify it every time an infrared signal is transmitted.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and is an infrared transmission capable of ensuring successful communication even when used in such a way that the distance to the receiving apparatus frequently fluctuates. An object is to provide an apparatus.

  The invention of claim 1 is an infrared transmission device that transmits an infrared signal to a reception device, wherein the infrared light emitting unit, the transmission instruction reception unit that receives a transmission instruction of the infrared signal, and the transmission instruction reception unit are When receiving a transmission instruction, the infrared light emitting means includes a first infrared signal and an infrared control means for generating a second infrared signal having a light emission amount different from that of the first infrared signal.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the infrared transmission device according to claim 1, wherein when the infrared control unit receives the transmission instruction, the infrared control unit receives the first infrared signal when the transmission instruction reception unit receives the transmission instruction. And the second infrared signal are alternately generated.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the infrared transmitting device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the infrared light emitting means includes an infrared light emitting element, a first resistor connected in series with the infrared light emitting element, and the A second resistor connected in series with the infrared light emitting element and having a resistance value larger than the resistance value of the first resistor, and the infrared control means includes the first resistor and the infrared light emitting element. The first infrared signal is generated by flowing an electric current, and the second infrared signal is generated by flowing an electric current through the second resistor and the infrared light emitting element.

  The invention according to claim 4 is the infrared transmitting device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the infrared light emitting means is a first infrared light emitting element and a first infrared light emitting element connected in series with the first infrared light emitting element. 1 resistor, a second infrared light emitting element, and a second resistor connected in series with the second infrared light emitting element and having a resistance value larger than the resistance value of the first resistor, The infrared control means generates a first infrared signal by causing a current to flow through the first resistor and the first infrared light emitting element, and causes a current to flow through the second resistor and the second infrared light emitting element. To generate the second infrared signal.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there are provided a plurality of electronic shelf labels that are arranged corresponding to the products and display information relating to the corresponding products, and an infrared transmission device that transmits an infrared signal to any of the plurality of electronic shelf labels. An infrared transmission system comprising: an infrared light emitting means; a transmission instruction receiving means for receiving a transmission instruction for the infrared signal; and the transmission instruction receiving means for receiving the transmission instruction. An infrared control means for causing the infrared light emitting means to generate a first infrared signal and a second infrared signal having a light emission amount different from that of the first infrared signal, and each of the plurality of electronic shelf labels includes a display unit. And a signal receiving unit that receives the infrared signal, and a display control unit that displays a predetermined screen on the display unit, wherein the display control unit includes the first infrared signal or When the serial second infrared signal is received by the signal receiving unit switches the screen displayed on the display unit.

  According to the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, when an infrared signal transmission instruction is received, two types of infrared signals having different light emission amounts are generated from the infrared light emitting means, so that the distance between the infrared transmitting device and the receiving device is long. Even if it is a case or a short case, communication can be made successful. Therefore, even if the infrared transmitter is used in such a way that the distance to the receiver frequently fluctuates, it is possible to ensure successful communication.

  In particular, according to the second aspect of the invention, when an infrared signal transmission instruction is received, two types of infrared signals having different light emission amounts are alternately generated from the infrared light emitting means. Even if the distance between the transmission device and the reception device varies, the communication can be reliably succeeded.

  In particular, according to the invention of claim 3, the first infrared signal is generated by passing a current through the first resistor and the infrared light emitting element having a relatively small resistance value, and the second resistor having a relatively large resistance value. A second infrared signal is generated by passing a current through the resistor and the infrared light emitting element. According to this configuration, it is possible to generate the first infrared signal and the second infrared signal having different light emission amounts with a simple configuration.

  In particular, according to the invention of claim 5, even if the distance of the infrared transmission device to the electronic shelf label varies depending on the case, the infrared signal from the infrared transmission device is surely received by the electronic shelf label, and the display of the electronic shelf label is displayed. The screen displayed on the screen can be switched reliably.

It is a figure which shows a mode that the electronic shelf label with which an electronic shelf label system is provided is arrange | positioned. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the goods management system containing an electronic shelf label system. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of an order processing terminal. It is a figure which shows the structure of an ESL server. It is a figure which shows the example of a goods file. It is a figure which shows the structure of an electronic shelf label. It is a figure which shows the structure of an electronic shelf label. It is a figure which shows the whole remote control structure. It is a figure which shows the circuit structure of a light emission part. It is a timing chart which shows the operation | movement at the time of a control part driving a light emission part. It is a figure which shows the circuit structure of the light emission part which concerns on a modification.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, a case where the infrared transmission device and the infrared transmission system according to the present invention are used in an “electronic shelf label system (ESL system)” will be described as an example.

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

  The “electronic shelf label system” is a system that has been put into practical use to solve such problems. In the electronic shelf label system, a portable “electronic shelf label” for displaying product information related to a product such as a selling price is arranged corresponding to each product. And the communication signal containing the information which shows the selling price based on a goods master is transmitted to each electronic shelf label from an information delivery apparatus, and the selling price is displayed on each electronic shelf label. Thus, the correct selling price that matches the selling price at the time of settlement is displayed on the electronic shelf label, and the correct selling price is transmitted to the customer.

<1. Electronic shelf label system>
<1-1. Overview of electronic shelf label system>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a state in which an electronic shelf label 5 included in the electronic shelf label system 1 is arranged on a product shelf 60 in a store. In the electronic shelf label system 1, a portable electronic shelf label 5 that displays product information related to the product 6 such as a selling price is arranged corresponding to each product 6. Then, a communication signal including information indicating the selling price based on the product master is transmitted from the information distribution device to each electronic shelf label 5, and the selling price is displayed on each electronic shelf label 5. Thus, the correct selling price that matches the selling price at the time of settlement is displayed on the electronic shelf label 5, and the correct selling price is transmitted to the customer.

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

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

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

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

<POS system>
The POS system 3 is a system that collects and analyzes information related to the sale of the product 6 at the time of sale. It has. The POS server 31 and the register 32 are connected by a dedicated communication cable.

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

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

<Order processing terminal>
Connected to the LAN 21 is an access point (AP) 170 which is a radio wave relay for the wireless LAN. A portable order processing terminal 180 used when ordering the product 6 can be connected to the LAN 21 through the access point 170 and can communicate with the store controller 2, the POS server 31, and the ESL server 10. It is. When a predetermined operation is executed by the store staff, the order processing terminal 180 outputs order instruction information for instructing the order of the product 6 to the store controller 2 using the wireless LAN. The ordering instruction information includes, for example, a product code for identifying the product 6 to be ordered, the number of orders for the product 6, and the like. The store controller 2 also functions as an ordering server that receives an ordering instruction from the ordering processing terminal 180, and notifies the headquarter center of the input ordering instruction information. The headquarter center places an order for the product 6 with respect to the server of the supplier of the ordering party based on the ordering instruction information from each store.

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

<1-3. Electronic shelf label system>
When switching the display screen of the electronic shelf label 5, the electronic shelf label system 1 switches the plurality of electronic shelf labels 5, the information distribution device 40 that distributes the selling price of the product 6 to be displayed on the electronic shelf label 5, and the like. And a portable remote controller 160 to be used.

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

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

  The hard disk 14 of the ESL server 10 stores an operation program in advance, and various functions as the ESL server 10 are realized by the CPU 11 performing arithmetic processing according to the operation program. The hard disk 14 of the ESL server 10 stores a product file 101 that is a data file indicating various information related to the product 6.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the product file 101. As shown in FIG. 5, the product file 101 has a table format, and each record 102 indicates information related to one product 6. Specifically, for each record 102, a product code, a product name, a normal price, a special sale price, a special sale period, the number of sales, the number of inventory, and the like are registered. These pieces of information are the same information as the product master 301 stored in the POS system 3 described above, and are registered based on the information in the product master 301 through communication between the ESL server 10 and the POS system 3. For this reason, the information in the product file 101 and the information in the product master 301 match.

  Further, in each record 102 of the product file 101, one “device code”, which is a hardware ID unique to each of the plurality of electronic shelf labels 5 included in the electronic shelf label system 1, is registered. Thereby, the product 6 and the electronic shelf label 5 are associated with each other in a one-to-one relationship (linked). By using this device code, the selling price of a certain product 6 is transmitted to the electronic shelf label 5 corresponding to the product 6.

  The ESL server 10 having the above configuration generates transmission data to be transmitted to each electronic shelf label 5 by the CPU 11 and outputs the transmission data to each communication device 4 through the interface 18 and the base station 41. Each communication device 4 outputs a communication signal including the input transmission data to each electronic shelf label 5 with which it can communicate. As a result, the same transmission data is input from the information distribution device 40 to each electronic shelf label 5 arranged in the sales space 90. The transmission data transmitted from the ESL server 10 includes product information such as a normal price and a sale price in the product file 101, a device code, and the like.

<Electronic shelf label>
Next, the configuration of the electronic shelf label 5 will be described in detail. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of the electronic shelf label 5. As shown in FIG. 6, on the front surface of the electronic shelf label 5, a display 51 that displays product information and a communication unit 54 that is responsible for communication with the information distribution device 40 are arranged. A label printed with a character string indicating a device code of the device itself and a barcode is attached to the back surface of the electronic shelf label 5.

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

  The display 51 is a non-volatile display unit of a dot matrix system, and is composed of, for example, electronic paper. In a non-volatile display unit such as electronic paper, display contents can be held without applying driving power. Since the display 51 is a dot matrix type display unit, it can display not only numerical values indicating the selling price of the product 6 but also characters, symbols, figures, and the like. In addition, the display 51 according to the present embodiment can switch and display a plurality of display screens. For example, the display 51 has a display screen (hereinafter referred to as “table screen SC1”) on which information used by a customer who purchases a product, such as the selling price of the product, and a salesclerk of the store such as the number of products sold A display screen (hereinafter referred to as “back screen SC2”) on which information to be used is displayed can be switched and displayed.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the front screen SC1 includes a product name 51b and a product code 51d (specifically, information that can identify the product, together with the selling price 51a of the product associated with the device itself). A bar code indicating a product code) is displayed. When only the selling price 51a is displayed on the display 51 without displaying the product specifying information, it is difficult to grasp which product the electronic shelf label 5 is associated with. Is displayed, the electronic shelf label 5 and the product are visually associated with each other. Moreover, the character string 51c which represents the product code of the product 6 with which the own apparatus was matched with a number, and the barcode 51d which shows the said product code may be displayed along with the direction where the said barcode 51d extends.

  On the back screen SC2, product information such as the number of sales, the number of orders, the sale period, and the device code assigned to itself are displayed. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the previous day sales number 55 a that is the previous day sales number, the previous month sales number 55 b that is the sales number of the product in the previous month, the stock number 55 c of the product, and the like are displayed. These pieces of information are displayed on all the electronic shelf labels 5 and notified to the electronic shelf labels 5 from the information distribution side device 40 every time the information is updated. There may be a plurality of types of back screen SC2. For example, a screen in which a character string representing the device code of the device itself in numbers and a bar code representing the device code are displayed side by side may be displayed as the second back screen.

  Inside the electronic shelf label 5, there are provided a small battery 56 that supplies power to the electronic shelf label 5 and a control unit 57 that comprehensively controls the operation of the electronic shelf label 5. The control unit 57 includes a CPU, a memory, and the like. In this memory, various information such as the selling price and product name to be displayed on the display 51, and the device code of the device itself are stored. Information such as the selling price included in the infrared signal output from the communication device 4 is received by the communication unit 54 and then input to the control unit 57. The control unit 57 temporarily stores the input information in a memory. Then, the control unit 57 controls the display 51 to display various information in the memory on the display 51. Thus, the control unit 57 functions as a display control unit that controls display on the display 51.

  Further, the control unit 57 switches the display on the display 51 according to the infrared signal output from the remote controller 160. As will be described later, the remote controller 160 has an operation button 163 and can transmit an infrared signal in accordance with an external operation on the operation button 163. When the operation button 163 of the remote controller 160 is pressed and an infrared signal from the remote controller 160 is input to the light receiving unit 53, the light receiving unit 53 converts the infrared signal into an electric signal and inputs it to the control unit 57. Then, the control unit 57 changes the display on the display 51, for example, from the front screen SC1 to the back screen SC2. In this state, when the operation button 163 of the remote controller 160 is pressed again and an infrared signal from the remote controller 160 is input to the light receiving unit 53, the light receiving unit 53 converts the infrared signal into an electrical signal and inputs it to the control unit 57. In response to this, the control unit 57 changes the display on the display 51 from the back screen SC2 to the front screen SC1.

<Remote controller>
The remote controller 160 is a remote control device that transmits a signal for switching the display screen of the electronic shelf label 5. The configuration of the remote controller 160 will be described in detail later.

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

  First, in the ESL server 10 of the information distribution device 40, the record 102 related to the target product 6 in the product file 101 is referred to, and the selling price and the device code to be distributed among the normal price and the special sale price are acquired. The device code acquired here is the device code of the electronic shelf label 5 corresponding to the target product 6, and the acquired selling price is the selling price that the electronic shelf label 5 should display. These selling price and device code are transmitted to each communication device 4 through the base station 41 as electrical signals. And the communication apparatus 4 outputs the infrared signal containing the information of a sales price and an apparatus code.

  The infrared signal output from the communication device 4 is received by the communication unit 54 of the electronic shelf label 5 and converted into an electrical signal. The control unit 57 acquires the selling price and the device code from the electrical signal obtained by the communication unit 54.

  Next, the control unit 57 determines whether or not the obtained device code matches the device code of the own device stored in advance in the memory of the control unit 57. When the acquired device code does not match that of its own device, the control unit 57 determines that the received infrared signal is a signal for another electronic shelf label 5 and ends the process. On the other hand, when the acquired device code matches that of the own device, the control unit 57 determines that the received infrared signal is a signal for the own device, and displays the obtained selling price on the display 51, The selling price displayed on the display 51 is updated.

  The selling price is distributed from the information distribution device 40 to the electronic shelf label 5 by the operation as described above.

  When the display unit 51 updates the display 51, the control unit 57 causes the light emitting unit 52 to output an infrared signal including information indicating that the selling price has been normally received. The infrared signal is received by the communication device 4, and information included in the infrared signal is transmitted to the ESL server 10. If the ESL server 10 does not receive the infrared signal from the electronic shelf label 5, it determines that the distributed selling price has not been received normally by the electronic shelf label 5 and receives the infrared signal from the electronic shelf label 5. Process to distribute the selling price repeatedly. Thereby, the display of the electronic shelf label 5 can be reliably updated, and the reliability of the system can be greatly improved.

<1-5. How to order products>
In the product management system 100 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to place an order for the product 6 corresponding to the electronic shelf label 5 using the information displayed on the electronic shelf label 5. Below, the order method of the goods 6 is demonstrated. In the following description, the product 6 to be ordered is referred to as “ordered product 6”.

  When the number of merchandise 6 in the merchandise shelf 60 decreases, the store staff sets the merchandise 6 as the order target merchandise 6. Then, the store staff inputs the product code of the order target product 6 to the order processing terminal 180. For example, the store staff reads the barcode 51d displayed on the electronic shelf label 5 corresponding to the order target product 6 with the barcode reader 182 of the order processing terminal 180. As a result, in the order processing terminal 180, the product code indicated by the barcode 51 d read by the barcode reader 182 is input to the control unit 185. The store staff operates the operation unit 183 to input the number indicated by the character string 51 c displayed on the electronic shelf label 5 to the order processing terminal 180, thereby obtaining the product code of the order target product 6. May be entered. Further, the store staff switches the display of the electronic shelf label 5 associated with the order target product from the front screen SC1 to the back screen SC2 using the remote controller 160, and whether or not to place an order from the back screen SC2. It is possible to acquire various types of information that can be used as a reference in determining whether or not to determine the number of orders.

  Next, when the store staff performs a predetermined operation on the operation unit 183, the order quantity of the order target product 6 is input to the control unit 185. The control unit 185 generates ordering instruction information for instructing to order the product (ordering target product) 6 specified by the input product code by the input order quantity. This ordering instruction information includes the product code of the ordering target product 6 and the number of orders.

  Subsequently, when the store staff performs a predetermined operation on the operation unit 183, the communication unit 184 transmits a wireless signal including the order instruction information generated by the control unit 185 to the access point 170. The radio signal transmitted from the order processing terminal 180 is received by the access point 170, and the order instruction information included in the radio signal is input to the store controller 2 through the LAN 21.

  The store controller 2 as an ordering server notifies the headquarter center of the input ordering instruction information in order to instruct the headquarter center to place an order. Based on the notified ordering instruction information, the headquarter center places an order for the ordering target product 6 with respect to the server of the ordering supplier.

<1-6. Switching display screen of electronic shelf label 5>
As described above, in the electronic shelf label system 1, the store staff can switch the display screen of the electronic shelf label 5 using the remote controller 160.

  Here, a configuration example of the remote controller 160 will be specifically described. First, the overall configuration of the remote controller 160 will be described with reference to FIG. The remote controller 160 includes a light emitting unit 161 that outputs an infrared signal, a control unit 162 that controls the light emitting unit 161, and an operation button 163 that receives an instruction to transmit the infrared signal. When the operation button 163 is pressed, the control unit 162 controls the light emitting unit 161 to output a predetermined infrared signal from the light emitting unit 161.

  Next, the configuration of the light emitting unit 161 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of the light emitting unit 161. The light emitting unit 161 mainly includes one infrared light emitting element 71, two switch elements (first switch element 72a and second switch element 72b), and two resistors (first resistor 73a and second switch element 72b). 2 resistors 73b).

  The infrared light emitting element 71 is composed of, for example, an infrared LED. The anode side of the infrared light emitting element 71 is connected to the LED power terminal LPW of the control unit 162. The controller 162 generates the LED power supply voltage VL based on the power supply 70 supplied to the controller 162, and outputs it from the LED power supply terminal LPW.

  The cathode side of the infrared light emitting element 71 is connected to one main electrode of the first switch element 72a through the first resistor 73a, and one of the second switch elements 72b through the second resistor 73b. Connected to the main electrode. These switch elements 72a and 72b are composed of, for example, FETs (Field Effect Transistors).

  However, the first resistor 73a and the second resistor 73b are resistors having different resistance values. Here, for example, it is assumed that the resistance value R1 of the first resistor 73a is smaller than the resistance value R2 of the second resistor 73b (R1 <R2).

  The specific value of the resistance value R1 is a value generally assumed as the maximum value of the reception distance when the remote controller 160 is used (that is, the distance between the remote controller 160 and the electronic shelf label 5 whose display should be switched). In the following, it is defined as “maximum reception distance”. That is, the value of the resistance value R1 is an infrared signal (first infrared ray) generated from the infrared light emitting element 71 when a current having a magnitude defined by the resistance value R1 of the first resistor 73a flows through the infrared light emitting element 71. Signal) is set to a value that enables communication with the electronic shelf label 5 located at a position separated by the maximum receiving distance. In this embodiment, the maximum reception distance is, for example, about 180 cm.

  On the other hand, a specific value of the resistance value R2 is defined from a value generally assumed as the minimum value of the reception distance when the remote controller 160 is used (hereinafter referred to as “minimum reception distance”). That is, the value of the resistance value R2 is an infrared signal (second infrared ray) generated from the infrared light emitting element 71 when a current having a magnitude defined by the resistance value R2 of the second resistor 73b flows through the infrared light emitting element 71. Signal) is set to a value that enables communication with the electronic shelf label 5 at a position separated by the minimum receiving distance. In this embodiment, the minimum reception distance is about 10 cm, for example.

  The other main electrode of each of the first switch element 72a and the second switch element 72b and the ground terminal GND of the control unit 162 are connected to the ground potential. The control electrodes of the first switch element 72a and the second switch element 72b are connected to the first output terminal OUT1 and the second output terminal OUT2 of the control unit 162, respectively.

  The switch operation of the first switch element 72a and the second switch element 72b is independently controlled ON and OFF by the controller 162. When an ON signal is input from the first output terminal OUT1 to the control electrode of the first switch element 72a, the first switch element 72a becomes conductive, and the control electrode of the first switch element 72a becomes the first output terminal. When an OFF signal is input from OUT1, the first switch element 72a is cut off. The same applies to the second switch element 72b. When an ON signal is input from the second output terminal OUT2 to the control electrode of the second switch element 72b, the second switch element 72b becomes conductive, and the second switch element 72b When an OFF signal is input from the second output terminal OUT2 to the control electrode of the switch element 72b, the second switch element 72b enters a cutoff state. Thus, ON / OFF of the drive current of the infrared light emitting element 71 is controlled by the switching operation of the first switch element 72a and the second switch element 72b.

  Next, an operation when the control unit 162 drives the light emitting unit 161 will be described with reference to a timing chart of FIG. FIG. 10 shows an output pulse for the first switch element 72a in the first stage and an output pulse for the second switch element 72b in the second stage. In addition, the current flowing in the infrared light emitting element 71 is schematically shown in the third stage, and the light emission amount of the infrared light emitting element 71 is schematically shown in the fourth stage. Further, in the fifth row, a range in which the remote controller 160 can communicate is schematically shown.

  Although shown in a simplified manner in FIG. 10, in practice, several millisecond command signals are repeatedly output in the output pulses for the switch elements 72a and 72b. The current flowing through the infrared light emitting element 71 and the light emission amount of the infrared light emitting element 71 also correspond to this command signal.

  When the operation button 163 is pressed and an instruction to transmit an infrared signal is given, the control unit 162 causes the first switch element 72a and the second switch element as shown in the first and second stages of FIG. An ON control signal is alternately transmitted to 72b. However, the frequency of switching the ON control signal between the first switch element 72a and the second switch element 72b is about several times (for example, 1 to 10 times) per second.

  Then, the first switch element 72a and the second switch element 72b are alternately turned on. While the first switch element 72a is in the conductive state, a current having a magnitude defined by the resistance value of the first resistor 73a flows through the infrared light emitting element 71, and the second switch element 72b is in the conductive state. During this time, a current having a magnitude defined by the resistance value of the second resistor 73b flows. Now, since the resistance value R1 of the first resistor 73a is smaller than the resistance value R2 of the second resistor 73b, the first switch element 72a becomes conductive as shown in the third stage of FIG. A relatively large current flows through the infrared light emitting element 71 while the second switch element 72b is in a conducting state, while a relatively small current flows through the infrared light emitting element 71.

  Since the amount of light emitted from the infrared light emitting element 71 is proportional to the amount of current flowing through the infrared light emitting element 71, as a result, as shown in the fourth row of FIG. The (first infrared signal) and the infrared signal (second infrared signal) with a relatively small amount of light emission are generated alternately.

  The communication distance of the remote controller 160 is proportional to the intensity of the infrared signal emitted from the remote controller 160 (that is, the light emission amount of the infrared light emitting element). Therefore, as shown in the fifth row of FIG. 10, the area where communication is successful by the first infrared signal (communication area d1) is located relatively far from the remote controller 160, and the area where communication is successful by the second infrared signal. (Communication area d2) is located relatively close to remote controller 160. The entire area d3 including the communication area d1 for the first infrared signal and the communication area d2 for the second infrared signal is an area in which the remote controller 160 can communicate. That is, the remote controller 160 can successfully communicate with a receiving device located relatively close to the remote control 160, and can also successfully communicate with a receiving device located relatively far away.

<2. effect>
In the electronic shelf label system 1 according to the above-described embodiment, the remote controller 160, which is a remote operation device that transmits a signal for switching the display screen of the electronic shelf label 5, emits light in response to an instruction to transmit an infrared signal. Are generated (a first infrared signal having a relatively large amount of emitted light and a second infrared signal having a relatively small amount of emitted light). Since the communication distance of the infrared remote control device is proportional to the intensity of the infrared signal emitted from the infrared remote control device (that is, the light emission amount of the infrared light emitting element), according to this configuration, the electronic shelf label 5 (that is, the receiving device) Whether the remote control 160 is long or short with respect to the electronic shelf label 5) whose display screen is to be switched, the communication is surely successful, and the display screen of the electronic shelf label 5 can be switched reliably. it can.

  In particular, in the electronic shelf label system 1, since an unspecified number of store staff use the remote controller 160, the reception distance varies depending on each person's bag. Innumerable electronic shelf labels 5 arranged at various positions can be reception devices, and therefore the reception distance varies depending on which position of the electronic shelf label 5 is the reception device. Therefore, the remote control 160 used in the electronic shelf label system 1 is particularly effective in the present invention, which can ensure successful communication regardless of whether the reception distance is long or short.

  In the above embodiment, the light emitting unit 161 of the remote controller 160 generates a first infrared signal by causing a current to flow through the first resistor 73a and the infrared light emitting element 71 having a relatively small resistance value. A second infrared signal is generated by passing a current through the second resistor 73b and the infrared light emitting element 71 having a relatively large resistance value. According to this configuration, it is possible to generate the first infrared signal and the second infrared signal having different light emission amounts with a simple configuration.

<3. Modification>
<3-1. First Modification>
The remote controller 160 according to the above embodiment has a configuration in which the first switch element 72a and the second switch element 72b are connected to the same infrared light emitting element 71. However, the two switch elements have different infrared rays. The structure connected to a light emitting element may be sufficient.

  A light emitting unit (hereinafter referred to as “light emitting unit 164”) and a control unit (hereinafter referred to as “control unit 165”) according to this modification will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of the light emitting unit 164. In the following, only the parts different from the above-described embodiment will be described, and the same components will be omitted from the description and denoted by the same reference numerals.

  The light emitting unit 164 mainly includes two infrared light emitting elements (first infrared light emitting element 81a and second infrared light emitting element 81b) and two switch elements (first switch element 82a and second switch element). 82b) and two resistors (first resistor 83a and second resistor 83b).

  Each of the first infrared light emitting element 81a and the second infrared light emitting element 81b is configured by, for example, an infrared LED. The anode side of each of the first infrared light emitting element 81a and the second infrared light emitting element 81b is connected to the LED power terminal LPW of the control unit 165. The control unit 165 generates the LED power supply voltage VL based on the power supply 70 supplied thereto, and outputs it from the LED power supply terminal LPW.

  The cathode side of the first infrared light emitting element 81a is connected to one main electrode of the first switch element 82a via the first resistor 83a. The cathode side of the second infrared light emitting element 81b is connected to one main electrode of the second switch element 82b through the second resistor 83b. However, the first resistor 83a and the second resistor 83b are resistors having different resistance values.

  The other main electrode of each of the first switch element 82a and the second switch element 82b and the ground terminal GND of the control unit 165 are connected to the ground potential. The control electrodes of the first switch element 82a and the second switch element 82b are connected to the first output terminal OUT1 and the second output terminal OUT2 of the control unit 165, respectively.

  The switch operation of the first switch element 82a and the second switch element 82b is ON / OFF controlled independently by the control unit 165, similarly to the switch elements 72a and 72b described above. When an ON signal is input from the first output terminal OUT1 to the control electrode of the first switch element 82a, the first switch element 82a becomes conductive, and the control electrode of the first switch element 82a becomes the first output terminal. When an OFF signal is input from OUT1, the first switch element 82a is cut off. Thus, the ON / OFF of the drive current of the first infrared light emitting element 81a is controlled by the switching operation of the first switch element 82a. The same applies to the second switch element 82b. When an ON signal is input from the second output terminal OUT2 to the control electrode of the second switch element 82b, the second switch element 82b becomes conductive, and the second switch element 82b When an OFF signal is input from the second output terminal OUT2 to the control electrode of the switch element 82b, the second switch element 82b is cut off. Thus, the ON / OFF of the drive current of the second infrared light emitting element 81b is controlled by the switching operation of the second switch element 82b.

  The operation when the control unit 165 drives the light emitting unit 164 is the same as the operation when the control unit 162 drives the light emitting unit 161 (see FIG. 10). That is, when the operation button 163 is pressed and an instruction to transmit an infrared signal is given, the control unit 165 alternately transmits an ON control signal to the first switch element 82a and the second switch element 82b.

  Then, the first switch element 82a and the second switch element 82b are alternately turned on. While the first switch element 82a is in a conductive state, a current having a magnitude defined by the resistance value of the first resistor 83a flows through the first infrared light emitting element 81a. On the other hand, while the second switch element 82b is in a conductive state, a current having a magnitude defined by the resistance value of the second resistor 83b flows through the second infrared light emitting element 81b. Assuming that the resistance value of the first resistor 83a is smaller than the resistance value of the second resistor 83b, the first infrared light emitting element 81a is comparatively relatively long while the first switch element 82a is in the conductive state. While a large current flows and the second switch element 82b is in a conductive state, a relatively small current flows through the second infrared light emitting element 81b.

  The amount of light emitted by the first infrared light emitting element 81a and the second infrared light emitting element 81b is proportional to the amount of current flowing through each of the infrared light emitting elements 81a and 81b. Therefore, as a result, from the light emitting unit 164, a first infrared signal with a relatively large amount of light emission (an infrared signal generated from the first infrared light emitting element 81a) and a second infrared signal with a relatively small amount of light emission. (Infrared signals generated from the second infrared light emitting element 81b) are alternately generated.

<3-2. Second Modification>
In the above embodiment, when the operation button 163 is pressed and an instruction to transmit an infrared signal is given, the control unit 162 alternately turns ON the control signal to the first switch element 72a and the second switch element 72b. Thus, the first infrared signal and the second infrared signal are alternately generated from the light emitting unit 161, but the type of infrared signal generated each time the operation button 163 is pressed. It is good also as a structure which switches.

  In the case of this modification, when the operation button 163 is pressed once and an instruction to transmit an infrared signal is given, the control unit 162 transmits an ON control signal to the first switch element 72a, and the first infrared signal is transmitted. Is generated. When the operation button 163 is pressed again, the control unit 162 switches the switch element that transmits the ON control signal from the first switch element 72a to the second switch element 72b, and the second infrared signal. (See FIG. 9).

  Alternatively, a plurality of operation buttons 163 may be formed, and the type of the infrared signal generated may be switched according to the type of the operation button 163 that is pressed. For example, a first operation button for giving a transmission instruction for a first infrared signal and a second operation button for giving a transmission instruction for a second infrared signal are formed. When the first operation button is pressed and a transmission instruction for the first infrared signal is given, the control unit 162 transmits an ON control signal to the first switch element 72a, and the first infrared signal is transmitted. generate. On the other hand, when the second operation button is pressed, the control unit 162 transmits an ON control signal to the second switch element 72b to generate a second infrared signal (see FIG. 9).

<3-3. Other variations>
In the above embodiment, the first infrared signal and the second infrared signal are alternately generated from the light emitting unit 161 of the remote controller 160. However, the first infrared signal and the second infrared signal are Need not be generated alternately. For example, the first infrared signal and the second infrared signal may be generated simultaneously. Further, the generation time of one infrared signal may be longer than the generation time of the other infrared signal.

  In the above embodiment, the light emitting unit 161 of the remote controller 160 generates two types of infrared signals having different light emission amounts. However, three or more types of infrared signals having different light emission amounts are generated. May be.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the light emitting unit 161 is configured to include the infrared light emitting element 71 configured by one infrared LED as shown in FIG. It is good also as a structure provided with the infrared rays light emitting element group which consists of several infrared LED made.

  In the above embodiment, the infrared transmission device and the infrared transmission system according to the present invention have been described by way of example in the electronic shelf label system 1, but the infrared device and the infrared transmission system according to the present invention are The present invention can be applied to other various devices and systems (for example, an infrared transmitter that transmits an infrared signal to a television receiver). In particular, it is effective for an infrared transmitter that is used in such a way that the distance to the receiver changes frequently.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electronic shelf label system 5 Electronic shelf label 51 Display 57 Control part 71 Infrared light emitting element 72a 1st switch element 72b 2nd switch element 73a 1st resistance 73b 2nd resistance 100 Merchandise management system 160 Remote control 161 Light emission part 162 Control unit

Claims (5)

An infrared transmitter that transmits an infrared signal to a receiver,
Infrared light emitting means;
A transmission instruction receiving means for receiving a transmission instruction of the infrared signal;
When the transmission instruction accepting unit accepts the transmission instruction, the infrared control unit causes the infrared light emitting unit to generate a first infrared signal and a second infrared signal having a light emission amount different from the first infrared signal;
An infrared transmission device comprising: The infrared transmission device according to claim 1,
The infrared control means,
An infrared transmission device that causes the infrared light emitting unit to alternately generate the first infrared signal and the second infrared signal when the transmission instruction receiving unit receives the transmission instruction. The infrared transmission device according to claim 1 or 2,
The infrared light emitting means,
An infrared light emitting element;
A first resistor connected in series with the infrared light emitting element;
A second resistor connected in series with the infrared light emitting element and having a resistance value greater than the resistance value of the first resistor;
With
The infrared control means,
The first infrared signal is generated by passing a current through the first resistor and the infrared light emitting element, and the second infrared signal is generated by flowing a current through the second resistor and the infrared light emitting element. Infrared transmitter. The infrared transmission device according to claim 1 or 2,
The infrared light emitting means,
A first infrared light emitting element;
A first resistor connected in series with the first infrared light emitting element;
A second infrared light emitting element;
A second resistor connected in series with the second infrared light emitting element and having a resistance value greater than the resistance value of the first resistor;
With
The infrared control means,
The first infrared signal is generated by passing a current through the first resistor and the first infrared light emitting element, and the current is passed through the second resistor and the second infrared light emitting element. An infrared transmitter that generates two infrared signals. An infrared transmission system comprising: a plurality of electronic shelf labels that are arranged in correspondence with the products and display information about the corresponding products; and an infrared transmission device that transmits an infrared signal to any of the plurality of electronic shelf labels. Because
The infrared transmitter is
Infrared light emitting means;
A transmission instruction receiving means for receiving a transmission instruction of the infrared signal;
When the transmission instruction accepting unit accepts the transmission instruction, the infrared control unit causes the infrared light emitting unit to generate a first infrared signal and a second infrared signal having a light emission amount different from the first infrared signal;
With
Each of the plurality of electronic shelf labels is
A display unit;
A signal receiver for receiving the infrared signal;
A display control unit for displaying a predetermined screen on the display unit;
With
The display control unit
When the first infrared signal or the second infrared signal is received by the signal receiving unit, the infrared transmission system switches a screen to be displayed on the display unit.

Images