JP2011039907A - Electronic shelf tag system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique which can avoid the situation that the power of electronic shelf tags disposed in a store is wasted due to transmission of unnecessary communication signals from a server. <P>SOLUTION: An ESL server 10 stores, for each of a plurality of electronic shelf tags 5 provided in an electronic shelf tag system, a last communication time table where a server-side last communication time being the time when communication with the electronic shelf tag 5 was established last is stored, and the server-side last communication time of an electronic shelf tag is updated when communication with this electronic shelf tag 5 is established. When an electronic shelf tag 5 of which the time elapsed after the server-side last communication time exceeds a prescribed time occurs, correspondence between this electronic shelf tag 5 and a commodity 6 is released. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention includes a plurality of electronic shelf labels, each of which is arranged corresponding to a product and displaying product information relating to the corresponding product, and a server that transmits the product information to the plurality of electronic shelf labels. The present invention relates to an electronic shelf label system (ESL system / Electronic Shelf Label System).

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

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

JP 2000-250497 A

  By the way, when a product is exchanged regularly or irregularly at a store, the store staff does not receive a communication signal from the information distribution device for a part of the electronic shelf label placed in the sales area. The so-called “back yard” (a space for sales support provided on the back side of a sales area such as a warehouse, an inventory storage, a processing plant, an office, etc.) may be raised.

  The problem here is the situation where the information distribution device tries to send a communication signal to the electronic shelf label pulled up to the backyard. The information distribution apparatus is normally configured to repeatedly transmit the same communication signal until it can be confirmed that the target electronic shelf label has received the communication signal (recovery communication). Since the communication signal does not reach the electronic shelf label in the backyard, if the information distribution device tries to send the communication signal to such an electronic shelf label, recovery communication will continue to be performed endlessly. . That is, a useless communication signal without a receiver is continuously transmitted in the sales area.

  On the other hand, the electronic shelf label is normally in a sleep state in order to reduce power consumption, and is configured to transition to a wake-up state when receiving a communication signal from the information distribution apparatus. However, when a communication signal is transmitted from the information distribution device, the electronic shelf label receives this signal regardless of whether it is addressed to its own device, transits to the wake-up state, and receives the received communication signal. If the address is addressed to the own device, the display update processing is continued. If the address is not addressed to the own device, no processing is performed and the device again shifts to the sleep state. Due to such a configuration, when the above-mentioned communication signal without a receiver is transmitted into the sales area, all of the electronic shelf labels in the sales area are unnecessarily shifted to the wake-up state. It will be.

  When such a communication signal is repeatedly transmitted, all of the electronic shelf labels in the sales area consume significant power. When the battery life of the electronic shelf label in the sales area is consumed unexpectedly quickly, there are many cases in which such a useless communication signal is caused by the cause.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and can avoid a situation in which the power of electronic shelf labels placed in a sales area is wasted due to transmission of useless communication signals from a server. The purpose is to provide.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of electronic shelf labels, each of which is arranged in association with any of a plurality of products, and displays product information related to the corresponding product on a display, and the product information is displayed on the plurality of electronic shelves. An electronic shelf label system comprising: a server for transmitting to a tag, wherein the server detects on the server side that communication with each electronic shelf label has been last established for each of the plurality of electronic shelf labels. Server-side final communication time management means for managing the server-side final communication time, and the electronic shelf label when an elapsed time from the server-side final communication time exceeds the first set value. And an association canceling means for canceling the association between the product and the product.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the electronic shelf label system according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of electronic shelf labels is detected on the electronic shelf label side that communication with the server is finally established. Electronic shelf label side final communication time management means for managing the electronic shelf label side final communication time, which is a time, and display control means for displaying a notification screen on the display, wherein the display control means comprises the electronic shelf When the elapsed time from the tag-side last communication time exceeds the first set value, it is estimated that the association between the electronic shelf label and the product has been released in the server, and a notification to notify that effect A screen is displayed on the display.

  Invention of Claim 3 is the electronic shelf label system of Claim 2, Comprising: The alerting | reporting screen displayed when the elapsed time from the said electronic shelf label side last communication time exceeds the said 1st setting value. FIG. 5 is a screen that displays a message for informing that the association between the electronic shelf label and the product is estimated to be released in the server.

  Invention of Claim 4 is an electronic shelf label system in any one of Claim 1 to 3, Comprising: The elapsed time from the said server side last communication time is smaller than the said 1st setting value in the said server. A confirmation signal transmitting means for transmitting a confirmation signal for confirming whether or not communication is established with the electronic shelf label when an electronic shelf label exceeding the second set value is generated; When the ACK signal for the confirmation signal is obtained from the electronic shelf label, the final communication time management means updates the server side final communication time, assuming that communication with the electronic shelf label is established.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when an electronic shelf label that has elapsed since the last communication time on the server side exceeds the first set value, the server considers that the electronic shelf label has become incapable of communication, and Cancel the association between the tag and the product. When the association is cancelled, since the product information is not transmitted from the server to the electronic shelf label thereafter, it is avoided that the communication signal without the receiver is continuously transmitted to the sales area. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the power of the electronic shelf label placed in the sales area is wasted due to the useless transmission of the communication signal from the server.

  According to the invention of claim 2, when the elapsed time from the last communication time between the electronic shelf label and the server exceeds the first set value, the association between the electronic shelf label and the product is released on the server side, At the same time, the display on the electronic shelf label side is changed to a notification screen. According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a situation in which erroneous information is given to a customer by continuously displaying past product information on the electronic shelf label.

  According to the invention of claim 3, when the elapsed time from the last communication time between the electronic shelf label and the server exceeds the first set value, the display of the electronic shelf label is replaced with the past product information in the server. A message for notifying that the association between the child shelf label and the product is estimated to be released is displayed. According to this configuration, the store staff can be surely made aware of the fact that the electronic shelf label has been released from the association with the product.

  According to the invention of claim 4, when an electronic shelf label that has elapsed from the last communication time on the server side exceeds the second set value is generated, the server transmits a confirmation signal to establish communication with the electronic shelf label. Make sure no. According to this configuration, the server misidentifies an electronic shelf label that is actually communicable just because there was no opportunity to transmit product information as an electronic shelf label that has become unable to communicate, and the correspondence between the electronic shelf label and the product It is possible to avoid a situation where the attachment is released.

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 structural example of a goods file, an apparatus ID file, and a link table. It is a figure which shows the structure of an electronic shelf label. It is a block diagram which shows the structure regarding an automatic unlink function. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the last communication time table. It is a block diagram which shows the structure regarding an automatic display change function. It is a figure which shows the structural example of an unlink alerting | reporting screen. It is a figure which shows the flow of the last communication time table update process. It is a figure which shows the flow of a confirmation signal transmission process. It is a figure which shows the flow of an unlink process. It is a figure which shows the flow of the last communication time update process. It is a figure which shows the flow of an alerting | reporting screen display process. It is a figure for demonstrating the flow of the process performed in an electronic shelf label system. It is a figure for demonstrating the flow of the process performed in an electronic shelf label system. It is a figure for demonstrating the flow of the process performed in an electronic shelf label system.

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

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

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

<2. Product management system>
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a commodity management system 100 including the electronic shelf label system 1 applied to a store. As shown in FIG. 2, the merchandise management system 100 includes a store controller 2 and a POS system 3 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.

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

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

<2-3. 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.

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

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

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

  The hard disk 14 of the ESL server 10 stores an operation program in advance, and various functions as the ESL server 10 are realized by the CPU 11 performing arithmetic processing according to the operation program. The hard disk 14 of the ESL server 10 stores a product file 101, a device ID file 102, and a link table 103. The hard disk 14 also stores a final communication time table 104 as a configuration related to an automatic unlink function described later.

  The product file 101, the device ID file 102, and the link table 103 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the product file 101. FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the device ID file 102. FIG. 5C is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the link table 103. The configuration of the final communication time table 104 will be described later.

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

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

  The link table 103 is a table that associates the product 6 stored in the product file 101 with the device code stored in the device ID file 102 on a one-to-one basis. By the link table 103, the product 6 and the electronic shelf label 5 are associated with each other in a one-to-one relationship (linked).

  The ESL server 10 having the above configuration generates various data to be transmitted to each electronic shelf label 5 by the CPU 11, and generates a plurality of communication devices arranged on the ceiling of the sales area 90 through the interface 18 and the base station 41. 4 is output. Each communication device 4 outputs the input data in the form of an infrared signal to each electronic shelf label 5 with which it can communicate. As a result, the same data is input from the information distribution apparatus 40 to all of the plurality of electronic shelf labels 5 arranged in the sales area 90. For example, the selling price distribution includes “selling price distribution data” (one device code and one selling price display image data (image data to be displayed by the electronic shelf label 5 attached with the device code) described later). Data) is transmitted from the ESL server 10 to all of the plurality of electronic shelf labels 5 arranged in the sales area 90. The selling price distribution data is received by all the electronic shelf labels 5 in the sales area 90, but the display change processing of the display 51 is actually performed based on the received selling price distribution data. 5 (specifically, the electronic shelf label 5 having the device code included in the selling price distribution data). This will be described in detail later.

  In the case of a general configuration, the ESL server 10 transmits various data all at once to all the communication devices 4 arranged on the ceiling of the sales area 90. In this case, the data is transmitted to all of the plurality of electronic shelf labels 5 arranged in the sales area 90. However, when the sales area 90 of the store where the electronic display system 1 is introduced is relatively wide and the number of electronic shelf labels 5 arranged in the sales area 90 increases, in this configuration, each electronic shelf label 5 is an ESL server. Since the frequency of receiving data from 10 becomes very high, battery consumption of the electronic shelf label 5 becomes intense. Therefore, in such a case, the sales area 90 is divided into sections called “subcells”, and the ESL server 10 determines the data to be transmitted as a predetermined subcell (specifically, the device code included in the data). It is possible to transmit only to the communication device 4 arranged in the subcell in which the electronic shelf label 5 having the above is arranged (hereinafter, such a data distribution mode is referred to as “subcell distribution”). In the case of subcell distribution, the data transmitted from the ESL server 10 is received only by the plurality of electronic shelf labels 5 arranged in the subcell as the transmission destination, and received by the electronic shelf labels 5 arranged in other subcells. Not. Therefore, the frequency with which each electronic shelf label 5 receives data from the ESL server 10 is reduced, and battery consumption of the electronic shelf label 5 is suppressed. In addition, when adopting subcell distribution, it is necessary to store information for specifying which electronic shelf label 5 is arranged in which subcell in the ESL server 10.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  When the selling price distribution data is generated, the ESL server 10 transmits the generated selling price distribution data as an electrical signal to the plurality of communication devices 4 arranged on the ceiling in the sales area 90 through the base station 41. Each communication device 4 receives the selling price distribution data transmitted from the ESL server 10 and outputs it in the form of an infrared signal. The infrared signal output from each communication device 4 is received by each of the plurality of electronic shelf labels 5 arranged in the sales area 90. When the above-described subcell distribution is adopted, the ESL server 10 uses the generated selling price distribution data as one subcell (specifically, the subcell in which the electronic shelf label 5 related to the target product 6 is arranged). It transmits only to the communication apparatus 4 arrange | positioned in. In this case, only the electronic shelf label 5 disposed in the subcell among the plurality of electronic shelf labels 5 disposed in the sales area 90 receives the selling price distribution data.

  When the infrared signal output from the communication device 4 is received by the communication unit 54 of the electronic shelf label 5, the communication unit 54 converts the received infrared signal into an electrical signal and inputs it to the control unit 57. The control unit 57 acquires data (device code and sales price display image data) included in the sales price distribution data from the input electric signal.

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

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

  In addition, when the subcell delivery mentioned above is employ | adopted, when ESL server 10 does not receive the ACK signal from the electronic shelf label 5, until it receives the ACK signal from the electronic shelf label 5, it sequentially turns with respect to all the subcells. The recovery communication is performed by continuously transmitting the selling price distribution data to the user (roaming search). That is, if the ESL server 10 does not receive an ACK signal from any of the electronic shelf labels 5 arranged in the first subcell as a result of transmitting the selling price distribution data to the first subcell, this time, for example, The selling price distribution data is transmitted to the second subcell adjacent to the first subcell. As a result, when no ACK signal is received from any of the electronic shelf labels 5 arranged in the second subcell, the selling price distribution data is further transmitted to the third subcell adjacent to the second subcell. If the ACK signal cannot be received even if the selling price distribution data is transmitted to all the subcells defined in the sales area 90, the ESL server 10 once again sells the selling price distribution data in order from the first subcell. Send. By performing this roaming search in the recovery communication, for example, even when the electronic shelf label 5 has been moved to another subcell for rearrangement of the product 6, the electronic shelf label 5 is found and the selling price is determined. Distribution data can be transmitted, and the display of the electronic shelf label 5 can be reliably updated.

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

<3. Automatic unlink>
As described above, in the electronic shelf label system 1, the product 6 and the electronic shelf label 5 are linked in a one-to-one relationship by the link table 103, and the electronic shelf label 5 is a product associated with the own device. The selling price of 6 is displayed on the display 51. The ESL server 10 links the electronic shelf label 5 and the product 6 when there is an electronic shelf label 5 in which communication is not established for a predetermined time or more among the plurality of electronic shelf labels 5 provided in the electronic shelf label system 1. A function to automatically cancel (automatic unlink function) is provided. On the other hand, the electronic shelf label 5 has a function (automatic display change function) for changing the display 51 from a screen for displaying the selling price of the product 6 to a predetermined notification screen when communication with the ESL server 10 is not established for a predetermined time or longer. I have. However, the automatic display change function is a function accompanying the automatic unlink function of the ESL server 10.

<3-1. Functional configuration>
<3-1a. Configuration for automatic unlink function>
A configuration related to the automatic unlink function will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration related to the function. The ESL server 10 includes a final communication time management unit 71, a confirmation signal transmission processing unit 72, and an unlink processing unit 73 as a configuration related to the automatic unlink function. Each of these units may be realized by the CPU 11 performing arithmetic processing according to an operation program stored in advance in the hard disk 14 of the ESL server 10 or may be realized by dedicated hardware. Further, as described above, the ESL server 10 stores the final communication time table 104, the link table 103, and the like in the hard disk 14.

  The final communication time table 104 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the final communication time table 104. The final communication time table 104 indicates the time (hereinafter referred to as “the time when the ESL server 10 detects that communication with each electronic shelf label 5 was last established for each of the plurality of electronic shelf labels 5 included in the electronic shelf label system 1”. This is a table for storing “server side last communication time”. In the final communication time table 104, the device code of the electronic shelf label 5 and the server side final communication time of the electronic shelf label 5 are stored in association with each other.

  Refer to FIG. 7 again. The final communication time management unit 71 manages the server-side final communication time for each of the plurality of electronic shelf labels included in the electronic shelf label system 1. Specifically, when communication with one of the electronic shelf labels 5 is established, the final communication time management unit 71 associates the time at which the communication is established with the device code of the electronic shelf label 5 and finally Stored in the communication time table 104. However, the final communication time management unit 71 receives an ACK signal from the electronic shelf label 5 (specifically, various data transmitted from the ESL server 10 (the selling price distribution data described above, a confirmation signal described later, etc.)). When the received electronic shelf label 5 receives an ACK signal returned in response to reception of the data, it is considered that communication with the electronic shelf label 5 has been established. That is, when the ACK signal is received from the electronic shelf label 5, the final communication time management unit 71 uses the time when the ACK signal is received as the server side final communication time of the electronic shelf label 5. It stores in 104.

  The confirmation signal transmission processing unit 72 refers to the last communication time table 104, and the electronic shelf whose elapsed time from the server side last communication time exceeds a predetermined value (hereinafter referred to as “second set value T2”). When the bill 5 is generated, a confirmation signal is transmitted to the electronic shelf label 5. The confirmation signal is a signal for confirming whether or not communication is established with the electronic shelf label 5, and the content thereof may be any. For example, it can be a signal (for example, a Ping signal) including the device code of the electronic shelf label 5 to be transmitted and a simple command. The elapsed time is counted by the timer 721.

  The value of the second set value T2 can be arbitrarily set by the store staff. However, the value of the second set value T2 is set to a value smaller than a first set value T1 described later. Moreover, it is preferable to set a value larger than the average distribution interval of selling price distribution data. If the value is set to such a value, the confirmation signal is not transmitted when the selling price distribution data is distributed at a normal interval, so that it is possible to avoid unnecessary transmission of the confirmation signal. . In the case of the general product 6, since the selling price distribution data is often distributed at least once a day, a preferable value of the second set value T2 is, for example, about 48 hours.

  The unlink processing unit 73 refers to the last communication time table 104, and the electronic shelf label whose elapsed time from the server side last communication time exceeds a predetermined value (hereinafter referred to as “first set value T1”). When 5 occurs, the association between the electronic shelf label 5 and the product 6 is released (unlinked). Specifically, the association between the electronic shelf label 5 and the product 6 is canceled by deleting the correspondence relationship between the device code related to the electronic shelf label 5 and the product 6 from the link table 103. The elapsed time is counted by the timer 731.

  Note that the value of the first set value T1 can be arbitrarily set by the store staff. However, the value of the first setting value T1 is set to a value larger than the second setting value T2 described above. In addition, when the electronic shelf label 5 is temporarily raised to the backyard and returned to the store again (for example, due to product strategy reasons, the specific product 6 is temporarily placed in the backyard. When such a situation occurs when the electronic shelf label is raised, it is preferable to set the electronic shelf label 5 to a value larger than the average period during which the electronic shelf label 5 is raised to the backyard. If such a value is set, when the electronic shelf label 5 that could not establish communication because it was temporarily raised to the backyard for the above-mentioned reason is returned to the store again, the electronic shelf label 5 The shelf label 5 is not yet unlinked. Therefore, it is possible to continue using it without linking it again. For the reasons described above, the period during which the electronic shelf label 5 is pulled up to the backyard is often about several days. Therefore, a preferable value of the first set value T1 is, for example, about one week.

<3-1b. Configuration for automatic display change function>
A configuration related to the automatic display change function will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration related to the function. The electronic shelf label 5 includes a final communication time memory 81, a final communication time management unit 82, an image memory 83, and a display control unit 84 as a configuration related to the automatic display change function. These units are realized by the CPU of the control unit 57.

  The final communication time memory 81 stores a time (hereinafter referred to as “electronic shelf label side final communication time”) detected on the electronic shelf label 5 side when communication with the ESL server 10 was last established.

  The last communication time management unit 82 manages the last communication time on the electronic shelf label side. Specifically, when communication with the ESL server 10 is established, the final communication time management unit 82 stores the time when the communication is established in the final communication time memory 81 as the electronic shelf label side final communication time. However, the final communication time management unit 82 receives an ACK signal from the communication unit 54 (specifically, receives various data (such as the above-described selling price distribution data and confirmation signal) from the ESL server 10, When an ACK signal is returned to the ESL server 10 in response to reception of the data), it is considered that communication with the ESL server 10 has been established. That is, when the ACK signal is transmitted to the ESL server 10, the final communication time management unit 82 stores the time when the ACK signal is transmitted in the final communication time memory 81 as the electronic shelf label side final communication time.

  As described above, when the ESL server 10 receives the ACK signal from the electronic shelf label 5, the ESL server 10 uses the time when the ACK signal is received as the server side final communication time of the electronic shelf label 5. It stores in 104. Since the time required from the time when the ACK signal is transmitted from the electronic shelf label 5 to the time when it is received by the ESL server 10 is so short as to be negligible compared to the first set value T1 and the second set value T2, here, The time when the ACK signal is transmitted from the electronic shelf label 5 and the time when the signal is received by the ESL server 10 can be regarded as the same time. That is, the server-side final communication time for each electronic shelf label 5 stored in the final communication time table 104, and the electronic shelf label-side final communication time stored in the final communication time memory 81 of each electronic shelf label 5. Can be regarded as the same value.

  The image memory 83 stores various image data to be displayed on the display 51. Specifically, in addition to the selling price display image data received from the ESL server 10, image data for a notification screen for notifying store staff of various states of the electronic shelf label 5, occurrence of errors, and the like are stored. The notification screen may display messages explaining various states of the electronic shelf label 5, errors occurring in the electronic shelf label 5, and symbols and numbers indicating these. You may do. A blank screen may also be used. In this embodiment, in particular, an image for a screen (hereinafter referred to as an “unlink notification screen F”) for notifying that the electronic shelf label 5 is estimated to be unlinked by the automatic unlink function of the ESL server 10. Data is stored in the image memory 83. FIG. 10 shows a configuration example of the unlink notification screen F. As shown in FIG. 10, the unlink notification screen F can be configured by a screen on which a predetermined message (for example, a message “Unlinked by the automatic unlink function”) is displayed.

  The display control unit 84 performs various processes related to display on the display 51. Specifically, when new selling price display image data is stored in the image memory 83, the display control unit 84 displays the selling price display image data on the display 51. Thereby, the selling price displayed on the display 51 is updated. Further, when a predetermined situation occurs, the display control unit 84 selects the image data for the notification screen stored in the image memory 83 according to the situation and causes the display 51 to display it. As a result, a predetermined notification screen is displayed on the display 51. In particular, the display control unit 84 displays an unlink notification screen on the display 51 when the elapsed time from the last communication time on the electronic shelf label side stored in the last communication time memory 81 exceeds the first set value T1. . The elapsed time is counted by the timer 841.

<3-2. Process flow>
<3-2a. Flow of processing related to automatic unlink>
A flow of automatic unlink processing performed in the ESL server 10 will be described. In the ESL server 10, three processes (final communication time table update process, confirmation signal transmission process, and unlink process) described below are performed in parallel.

<Last communication time table update processing>
The final communication time table update process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the flow of the processing. When the data communication unit 17 receives an ACK signal from any of the plurality of electronic shelf labels 5 included in the electronic shelf label system 1 (YES in step S11), the final communication time management unit 71 updates the final communication time table 104. (Step S12). Specifically, the time when the ACK signal is received is stored in the final communication time table 104 as the server side final communication time of the electronic shelf label 5 that has transmitted the ACK signal. The last communication time management unit 71 keeps repeating this series of processing.

<Confirmation signal transmission processing>
The confirmation signal transmission process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the flow of the processing. The confirmation signal transmission processing unit 72 refers to the final communication time table 104 and monitors whether or not the electronic shelf label 5 has elapsed since the server-side final communication time exceeds the second set value T2. (Step S21). Here, when it is determined that an electronic shelf label 5 has elapsed since the last communication time on the server side exceeds the second set value T2, the confirmation signal transmission processing unit 72 establishes communication with the electronic shelf label 5. It is determined that the electronic shelf label needs to be confirmed (hereinafter referred to as “confirmation target electronic shelf label”), and a confirmation signal is transmitted to the electronic shelf label 5 (step S22). The confirmation signal transmission processing unit 72 keeps repeating this series of processing.

  By the way, if the data communication unit 17 does not receive the ACK signal returned from the electronic shelf label 5 in response to the confirmation signal transmitted in step S22, the server side final communication time of the electronic shelf label 5 is not updated (FIG. 11). reference). Therefore, in this case, the electronic shelf label 5 is still detected as a confirmation target electronic shelf label in the process of step S21 related to the next repetitive process, and a confirmation signal is transmitted to the electronic shelf label 5 again in the process of step S22. Will be. In other words, the confirmation signal transmission processing unit 72 sends the ACK signal returned from the electronic shelf label 5 in response to the confirmation signal transmitted in step S22 until the data communication unit 17 receives the ACK signal. The confirmation signal is continuously transmitted repeatedly. When subcell distribution is adopted, the EESL server 10 repeatedly transmits the confirmation signal in order to all the subcells until receiving the ACK signal from the confirmation target electronic shelf label (roaming search).

  When the data communication unit 17 receives the ACK signal returned from the electronic shelf label 5 in response to the confirmation signal transmitted in step S22, the final communication time management unit 71 performs the server side final communication of the electronic shelf label 5. The time is updated (see FIG. 11). When the server-side final communication time is updated, the electronic shelf label 5 is no longer detected as the electronic shelf label to be confirmed in the process of step S21 related to the next repetitive process. Stopped.

<Unlink processing>
The unlink process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the flow of the processing. The unlink processing unit 73 refers to the final communication time table 104 and monitors whether or not the electronic shelf label 5 has elapsed since the first communication time on the server side exceeds the first set value T1 (see FIG. Step S31). Here, when it is determined that the electronic shelf label 5 has elapsed since the last communication time on the server side exceeds the first set value T1, the unlink processing unit 73 determines that the electronic shelf label 5 has become unable to communicate. Accordingly, the association between the electronic shelf label 5 and the product 6 is canceled (unlinked) (step S32). The unlink processing unit 73 keeps repeating this series of processing.

<3-2b. Flow of processing related to automatic display change>
The flow of the automatic display change process performed in the electronic shelf label 5 will be described. In the electronic shelf label 5, two processes (final communication time update process and notification screen display process) described below are performed in parallel.

<Last communication time update processing>
The last communication time update process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the flow of the processing. When the communication unit 54 transmits an ACK signal to the ESL server 10 (YES in step S41), the last communication time management unit 82 uses the time when the ACK signal is transmitted as the final communication time on the electronic shelf label side. Store in the memory 81 (step S42). The last communication time management unit 82 continues to repeat this series of processing.

<Notification screen display processing>
The notification screen display process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the flow of the processing. The display control unit 84 refers to the final communication time memory 81 and monitors whether the elapsed time from the electronic shelf label side final communication time has exceeded the first set value T1 (step S51). Here, if it is determined that the elapsed time from the last communication time on the electronic shelf label side has exceeded the first set value T1, the display control unit 84 estimates that the own device and the product 6 are unlinked in the ESL server 10. Then, the unlink notification screen F is displayed on the display 51 (step S52).

<3-3. Overall processing flow>
A flow of processing performed in the electronic shelf label system 1 will be described along a specific example with reference to FIGS.

<Normal case>
Refer to FIG. It is assumed that selling price distribution data is transmitted from the ESL server 10 to a certain electronic shelf label 5 (hereinafter referred to as “target electronic shelf label 5”) at a certain time (step S101). When the selling price distribution data is normally received by the target electronic shelf label 5, an ACK signal is returned from the target electronic shelf label 5 (step S102).

  When transmitting the ACK signal to the ESL server 10, the target electronic shelf label 5 stores the time at which the ACK signal is transmitted in the final communication time memory 81 as the final communication time on the electronic shelf label side (step S103a). On the other hand, when receiving the ACK signal from the target electronic shelf label 5, the ESL server 10 stores the time when the ACK signal is received in the final communication time table 104 as the server side final communication time of the target electronic shelf label 5 (step S103b).

  The transmission of selling price distribution data from the ESL server 10 is performed, for example, when the selling price of the product 6 associated with the target electronic shelf label 5 is changed, and the above-described series of processing is performed each time. become.

  By the way, depending on the type of the product 6, there is a case where the selling price is rarely changed. For the electronic shelf label 5 associated with such a product 6, the selling price distribution data is rarely performed, and the transmission interval of the selling price distribution data may become long. Now, after the last selling price distribution data is transmitted to the target electronic shelf label 5 and communication is established (that is, after the last communication time on the server side and the electronic shelf label side is updated), the next Consider a case where the second set value T2 has passed without the opportunity to transmit selling price distribution data.

  When the elapsed time from the server side final communication time of the target electronic shelf label 5 exceeds the second set value T2, the ESL server 10 transmits a confirmation signal to the target electronic shelf label 5 (step S104). When the confirmation signal is normally received by the target electronic shelf label 5, an ACK signal is returned from the target electronic shelf label 5 (step S105).

  When the target electronic shelf label 5 transmits an ACK signal to the ESL server 10, the target electronic shelf label 5 stores the time at which the ACK signal is transmitted in the final communication time memory 81 as the electronic shelf label side final communication time (step S106a). On the other hand, when receiving the ACK signal from the target electronic shelf label 5, the ESL server 10 stores the time when the ACK signal is received in the final communication time table 104 as the server side final communication time of the target electronic shelf label 5 (step S106b).

  After the last confirmation signal is transmitted to the target electronic shelf label 5 and communication is established (that is, after the last communication time on the server side and the electronic shelf label side is updated), the next selling price distribution data When the second set value T2 has passed without any transmission opportunity, the ESL server 10 transmits a confirmation signal to the target electronic shelf label 5 again. That is, the transmission of the confirmation signal from the ESL server 10 is performed when the second set value T2 has elapsed since the last establishment of communication by transmission of selling price distribution data or establishment of communication by the confirmation signal.

<When the target electronic shelf label is absent>
By the way, in a store, a measure for temporarily raising a specific product 6 from the sales area 90 to the backyard may be taken for reasons of sales strategy. In this case, the electronic shelf label 5 is lifted to the backyard together with the product 6. Now, a case where the target electronic shelf label 5 is temporarily raised to the backyard will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18.

  As described above, for the target electronic shelf label 5, when the second set value T2 elapses from the time when the establishment of communication by the transmission of selling price distribution data or the establishment of communication by the confirmation signal has been made last, a confirmation signal is sent from the ESL server 10. It is transmitted (step S204). However, since the data from the ESL server 10 does not reach the backyard, the target electronic shelf label 5 cannot receive the confirmation signal transmitted from the ESL server 10. Therefore, no ACK signal is returned from the target electronic shelf label 5.

  Unless the ACK signal returned from the target electronic shelf label 5 in response to the confirmation signal transmitted in step S204 is received by the data communication unit 17, the server side final communication time of the target electronic shelf label 5 is not updated. Therefore, the confirmation signal transmission processing unit 72 repeatedly transmits the confirmation signal to the target electronic shelf label 5 until receiving the ACK signal from the target electronic shelf label 5.

  Here, when the target electronic shelf label 5 is returned from the backyard to the sales area 90 before the elapsed time from the server side final communication time exceeds the first set value T1 (FIG. 17), The target electronic shelf label 5 receives the confirmation signal and returns an ACK signal in response thereto (step S205).

  When transmitting the ACK signal to the ESL server 10, the target electronic shelf label 5 stores the time when the ACK signal is transmitted in the final communication time memory 81 as the final communication time on the electronic shelf label side (step S206a). On the other hand, when receiving the ACK signal from the target electronic shelf label 5, the ESL server 10 stores the time when the ACK signal is received in the final communication time table 104 as the server side final communication time of the target electronic shelf label 5 (step S206b). When the server side final communication time of the target electronic shelf label 5 is updated, the repeated transmission of the confirmation signal to the target electronic shelf label 5 is stopped.

  On the other hand, if the target electronic shelf label 5 is not returned from the backyard to the store before the elapsed time from the server side final communication time exceeds the first set value T1 (FIG. 18), the elapsed time from the server side final communication time. When the time exceeds the first set value T1, the repeated transmission of the confirmation signal to the target electronic shelf label 5 is stopped, and the ESL server 10 cancels the association between the target electronic shelf label 5 and the product 6 ( Step S207b). Therefore, thereafter, data transmission to the target electronic shelf label 5 is not performed. On the other hand, when the elapsed time from the last communication time on the electronic shelf label side exceeds the first set value T1, the unlink notification screen F is displayed on the display 51 in the electronic shelf label 5 (step S207a). Therefore, instead of the selling price of the product 6, a message notifying that the electronic shelf label 5 has been unlinked by the automatic unlink function of the ESL server 10 is displayed on the display 51 (see FIG. 10). .

<4. effect>
According to the above embodiment, when an electronic shelf label 5 has elapsed since the last communication time on the server side that exceeds the first set value, the ESL server 10 considers that the electronic shelf label 5 has become incapable of communication. The association between the electronic shelf label 5 and the product 6 is released (unlinked). If the link is unlinked, data transmission from the ESL server 10 to the electronic shelf label 5 will not be performed thereafter, so that it is avoided that a communication signal without a receiver is continuously transmitted to the sales area 90. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the power of other electronic shelf labels 5 arranged in the sales area 90 is wasted due to transmission of useless communication signals from the ESL server 10.

  Further, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the distribution timing of other selling price distribution data is delayed due to the transmission of useless selling price distribution data without a receiver, and as a result, the update timing of the selling price display on the electronic shelf label 5 is delayed. be able to.

  In addition, the normal unlink process deletes the correspondence between the device code of the electronic shelf label 5 and the product 6 from the link table 103 and performs unlink communication for notifying the electronic shelf label 5 that the unlink has been performed. However, in the above embodiment, the correspondence between the device code related to the electronic shelf label 5 and the product 6 is only deleted from the link table 103, and unlink communication is not performed. . The electronic shelf label 5 whose elapsed time from the server side final communication time has exceeded the first set value T1 is likely to be in a state where communication is not possible, and unlink communication for such an electronic shelf label 5 is Eventually, there is a high possibility of data transmission without a receiver. However, since unlink communication is not performed in the above embodiment, data transmission without a receiver can be avoided.

  Moreover, since the electronic shelf label 5 automatically unlinked can be linked with another product 6 as it is, it can contribute to the work efficiency of the store staff.

  Further, according to the above-described embodiment, when the ESL server 10 unlinks the electronic shelf label 5 and the product 6, at the same time, the display on the display 51 of the electronic shelf label 5 displays the selling price. To the unlink notification screen. According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a situation in which erroneous information is given to the customer by continuously displaying the past selling price on the electronic shelf label.

  In particular, if the ESL server 10 is configured to display a message notifying that the child shelf label 5 and the product 6 have been unlinked on the unlink notification screen, the electronic shelf label 5 will be connected to the product 6 and the unlink. The store staff can be surely made aware of the fact that they are linked.

  Further, according to the above-described embodiment, when an electronic shelf label 5 has elapsed since the last communication time on the server side exceeds the second set value T2, the ESL server 10 sends a confirmation signal to the electronic shelf label 5 To check whether communication with the electronic shelf label 5 is established. According to this configuration, the electronic shelf label 5 that is actually communicable simply because there is no opportunity for transmission of selling price distribution data from the ESL server 10 is misidentified as an electronic shelf label that has become incommunicable and unlinked. It is possible to avoid such a situation.

<5. Modification>
In the above embodiment, the ESL server 10 is configured to include the final communication time table 104 that stores the server-side final communication times of the plurality of electronic shelf labels 5 included in the electronic shelf label system 1. Instead of the communication time table 104, a table may be provided that stores the elapsed time from the server-side final communication time of each of the plurality of electronic shelf labels 5. The electronic shelf label 5 is configured to store the last communication time on the electronic shelf label side in the memory, but may be configured to store the elapsed time from the last communication time on the electronic shelf label side instead.

1 Electronic shelf label system 5 Electronic shelf label 10 ESL server 71 Final communication time management unit 72 Confirmation signal transmission processing unit 73 Unlink processing unit 81 Final communication time memory 82 Final communication time management unit 83 Image memory 84 Display control unit 104 Final communication Time table

Claims (4)

A plurality of electronic shelf labels that are arranged in association with any of a plurality of products, and display product information on the corresponding products on a display; and a server that transmits the product information to the plurality of electronic shelf labels; An electronic shelf label system comprising:
The server is
For each of the plurality of electronic shelf labels, server-side final communication time management means for managing the server-side final communication time, which is the time detected on the server side that communication with each electronic shelf label was last established,
Association cancellation means for releasing the association between the electronic shelf label and the product when an electronic shelf label has elapsed since the last communication time on the server side exceeds a first set value;
An electronic shelf label system comprising: The electronic shelf label system according to claim 1,
Each of the plurality of electronic shelf labels is
An electronic shelf label side final communication time management means for managing an electronic shelf label side final communication time which is a time detected on the electronic shelf label side when communication with the server is finally established;
Display control means for displaying a notification screen on the display;
With
The display control means is
When the elapsed time from the last communication time on the electronic shelf label side exceeds the first set value, the server estimates that the association between the electronic shelf label and the product has been released, and notifies that fact. An electronic shelf label system characterized in that a notification screen for displaying is displayed on the display. The electronic shelf label system according to claim 2,
A notification screen displayed when the elapsed time from the electronic shelf label side last communication time exceeds the first set value,
An electronic shelf label system, characterized in that the screen displays a message notifying that the association between the electronic shelf label and the product is estimated to have been released in the server. The electronic shelf label system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The server is
Whether or not communication is established with the electronic shelf label when an elapsed time from the server-side final communication time exceeds a second set value that is smaller than the first set value. Confirmation signal transmitting means for transmitting a confirmation signal for confirming
With
The server side final communication time management means,
An electronic shelf label system that updates the server-side last communication time when communication with the electronic shelf label is established when an ACK signal for the confirmation signal is obtained from the electronic shelf label.

Images