JP2011090646A - Information display system, management device, and terminal device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information display system capable of acquiring the position information of an electronic shelf label in a comparatively simple structure. <P>SOLUTION: An information display system includes an information display device for displaying information, a management device for managing the information display device, and a terminal device for performing the setting operation of the information display device. The terminal device includes a means for reading information capable of uniquely identifying the information display device, a means for receiving a light signal indicating a position where the information display device is set, a means for acquiring information indicating the position where the information display device is set from the received light signal, and a means for sending the information for uniquely identifying the information display device and the information indicating the position where the information display device is set to the management device. The management device includes a means for receiving the information for uniquely identifying the information display device and the information indicating the position where the information display device is set and a means for storing the received information for uniquely identifying the information display device in association with the information indicating the position where the information display device is set. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information display system, a management device, and a terminal device.

  Conventionally, in electronic shelf label systems, when reading product codes and device codes (for example, displayed as bar codes) with a handy terminal, ultrasonic waves, infrared rays, radio waves, etc. are output, and the positions of the electronic shelf labels are displayed on surrounding sensors. It is known to set the shelf address of a product by detecting it (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Also, the position is detected by calculation based on the output from the acceleration sensor built in the handy terminal, the shelf position of the product is set by collating with the position of the shelf position master, and the shelf label display device is turned on There is also known an electronic shelf label system that informs the user by doing so (see, for example, Patent Document 2). Also, there is a method in which the product display position is input in advance, and the product is scanned and input in the input order (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

JP 2004-258976 A JP 2009-091102 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 03-123992

  However, the electronic shelf label system described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that the system cost increases because a sensor for acquiring position information must be installed in advance. Further, the system described in Patent Document 2 has a problem that an error in the detected position occurs because the position is obtained by calculation. Furthermore, in the system described in Patent Document 3, products must be input in the order input in advance, and there is a problem that efficient input considering the situation at the site cannot be performed.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an information display system, a management device, and a terminal device that can acquire position information of an information display device with a relatively simple configuration. And

  The present invention provides an information display system including an information display device that displays information, a management device that manages the information display device, and a terminal device that performs a setting operation of the information display device, wherein the terminal device includes the information display device An information display device specifying information reading means for reading information capable of uniquely specifying the device, a light receiving means for receiving an optical signal indicating a position where the information display device is installed, and the light received by the light receiving means Information capable of uniquely specifying the information display device read by the information display device specifying information reading means and the position information acquisition means for obtaining information indicating the position where the information display device is installed from the optical signal And transmitting means for transmitting to the management apparatus information indicating the position where the information display device acquired by the position information acquisition means is installed, A receiving device that receives information that can uniquely identify the information display device transmitted by the transmitting unit, and information that indicates a position where the information display device is installed; The information display device management information storage means for storing the information that can uniquely identify the information display device and the information indicating the position where the information display device is installed in association with each other. Features.

  The present invention is characterized in that the information display device is an electronic shelf label terminal.

  The present invention provides a receiving means for receiving information that can uniquely identify an information display device transmitted from a terminal device, information indicating a position where the information display device is installed, and the received information The information display device management information storage means for storing information capable of uniquely specifying a display device and information indicating a position where the information display device is installed in association with each other To do.

  The present invention includes an information display device specifying information reading unit that reads information capable of uniquely specifying an information display device, a light receiving unit that receives an optical signal indicating a position where the information display device is installed, The position information acquisition means for obtaining information indicating the position where the information display device is installed from the optical signal received by the light receiving means, and the information display device read by the information display device specifying information reading means are uniquely specified. And transmitting means for transmitting information indicating the position where the information display device obtained by the position information obtaining means is installed to the management device.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain the position information of the electronic shelf label with a simple configuration.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the electronic shelf label terminal 1 shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a screen display of the electronic shelf label terminal 1 shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the ESL server 2 shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the table structure of the goods data storage part 25 shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the handy terminal 5 shown in FIG. It is the schematic which showed the external appearance of the shelf in which the electronic shelf label terminal 1 in this embodiment is installed. It is the schematic which shows the external appearance of the handy terminal 5 shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the positional relationship of the handy terminal 5 shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the positional relationship of the handy terminal 5 shown in FIG. FIG. 4 and FIG. 6 are flowcharts showing operations of the ESL server 2 and the handy terminal 5. It is the schematic which shows the structure of embodiment using the illumination in a shop. It is explanatory drawing which shows the principle of electric power acquisition.

  Hereinafter, an electronic shelf label system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the embodiment, and is a block diagram showing a configuration of a store system including the electronic shelf label system of the embodiment. In the illustrated example, the store system includes an electronic shelf label system, a POS (Point of sales) server 6, and a POS register 7. The electronic shelf label system includes electronic shelf label terminals 1-1 to 1-3, an ESL (Electronic shelf label) server 2 (management device), an access point 3, and relay devices 4-1 to 4-1. 4-3 and the handy terminal 5 are provided. The ESL server 2 and the POS server 6 are installed in the backyard 100. The electronic shelf label terminal 1, the access point 3, the relay devices 4-1 to 4-3, and the POS register 7 are installed in the store 200.

  The ESL server 2, the access point 3, the relay devices 4-1 and 4-2, the POS server 6 and the POS register 7 are connected via a wired network and can perform data communication with each other. Further, the access point 3, the repeater 4-3, and the handy terminal 5 are connected by a wireless network such as a wireless LAN, and can perform data communication with each other. In addition, the electronic shelf label terminals 1-1 to 1-3 and the relay devices 4-1 to 4-3 are connected via a wireless network using a short-range wireless method (for example, IEEE 802.15.4). Data communication can be performed with each other. Thereby, the electronic shelf label terminals 1-1 to 1-3 and the ESL server 2 can perform data communication with each other. Further, the ESL server 2 and the handy terminal 5 can perform data communication with each other. Note that the electronic shelf label terminal 1 can be reduced in size and lengthened by using a short-range wireless system in a wireless network between the electronic shelf label terminals 1-1 to 1-3 and the relay devices 4-1 to 4-3. The service life can be extended, and the communication speed between the electronic shelf label terminals 1-1 to 1-3 and the relay devices 4-1 to 4-3 can be increased.

  The electronic shelf label terminal 1 displays the price and description of the product. The ESL server 2 manages the electronic shelf label terminal 1. The access point 3 and the relay devices 4-1 to 4-3 relay data communication. The handy terminal 5 receives information input to the ESL server 2 and transmits this information to the ESL server 2. The POS server 6 manages product information, sales information, and the like. The POS register 7 performs a checkout process for products purchased by the customer.

  Next, the configuration of the electronic shelf label terminal 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the electronic shelf label terminal 1 in the present embodiment. In the illustrated example, the electronic shelf label terminal 1 includes a control unit 11, a display unit 12, a storage unit 13, a wireless communication unit 14, and a battery 15.

  The control unit 11 controls each unit included in the electronic shelf label terminal 1. The display unit 12 is a liquid crystal display device or the like, and displays information such as the name of the product and the price of the product. The storage unit 13 temporarily stores data used by each unit of the electronic shelf label terminal 1 during processing. The wireless communication unit 14 transmits / receives data to / from the ESL server 2 via the relay devices 4-1 to 4-3. The battery 15 supplies power to each unit included in the electronic shelf label terminal 1. As shown in FIG. 3, a bar code 17 that can uniquely identify the electronic shelf label terminal 1 is attached to the surface of the electronic shelf label terminal 1. By reading this with a barcode reader, the individual electronic shelf label terminal 1 can be identified.

  The control unit 11 periodically operates as a state information acquisition unit and acquires the state information of the electronic shelf label terminal 1. In addition, the wireless communication unit 14 transmits the state information acquired by the control unit 11 to the ESL server 2. The state information is information indicating the state of the electronic shelf label terminal 1, for example, battery remaining amount information indicating the remaining amount of the battery included in the electronic shelf label terminal 1, or between the electronic shelf label terminal 1 and the ESL server 2. It includes communication status information indicating the communication status.

  Next, the configuration of the ESL server 2 will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the ESL server 2 in the present embodiment. In the illustrated example, the ESL server 2 includes a management device control unit 21, a data management unit 23, a management device communication unit 24, and a product data storage unit 25.

  The management device control unit 21 controls each unit included in the ESL server 2. The data management unit 23 reads and writes product data to and from the product data storage unit 25 in which product data to be displayed on the electronic shelf label terminal 1 is stored. The management device communication unit 24 transmits / receives data to / from the electronic shelf label terminal 1 via the relay units 4-1 to 4-3.

  Here, the table structure of the product data storage unit 25 shown in FIG. 4 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a table structure of the product data storage unit 25 shown in FIG. In the example shown in the figure, the management information has a tabular data structure, and includes “item code”, “product name”, “product description”, “price”, “device code”, and “size”. ”,“ Color ”,“ Battery level ”,“ Communication state ”,“ Shelf number ”,“ Stage number ”, and“ Column position ”. The management information stores information of each data item in association with each row.

  The “item code” is an identifier that uniquely identifies the type of product. “Product name” is the name of the product. “Product description” is a text explaining the product. “Price” is the price of a product. In addition, “item name”, “product description”, and “price” are associated with “item code”. If “item code” is uniquely identified, “product name”, “product description” "And" price "are uniquely identified. Also, attribute 1 of “item code” is “product name”, attribute 2 is “product description”, and attribute 3 is “price”.

  The “device code” is an identifier that uniquely identifies the electronic shelf label terminal 1 included in the electronic shelf label system. “Size” is information indicating the size of the electronic shelf label terminal 1. Specifically, the size “S” indicates that the electronic shelf label terminal 1 is small. The size “M” indicates that the size of the electronic shelf label terminal 1 is medium. The size “L” indicates that the electronic shelf label terminal 1 is large.

  “Color” is information indicating colors that can be displayed by the display unit 12 included in the electronic shelf label terminal 1. Specifically, the color “color” indicates that the display unit 12 included in the electronic shelf label terminal 1 can perform color display. The color “monochrome” indicates that the display unit 12 included in the electronic shelf label terminal 1 can perform monochrome display.

  The “remaining battery level” is information indicating the remaining battery level of the electronic shelf label terminal 1. Specifically, the “battery remaining amount” is indicated by a numerical value from “0” to “10”, and the “battery remaining amount” decreases from “10” to “0” as the remaining amount decreases. The remaining battery level “10” indicates the remaining battery level, and the remaining battery level “0” indicates that the remaining battery level is not present. Further, when the remaining battery level becomes “5” or less, the electronic shelf label terminal 1 cannot perform communication or display rewriting. In addition, whenever the management apparatus control part 21 receives the battery remaining amount information transmitted from the electronic shelf label terminal 1, the management apparatus storage part 23 stores the management information stored in the management apparatus storage unit 23 based on the transmitted battery remaining amount information. Update “Battery level”.

  “Communication state” is information indicating a communication state between the electronic shelf label terminal 1 and the ESL server 2. Specifically, the “communication state” is indicated by a bit error rate from “0%” to “100%”. The communication state “0%” indicates that there is no error in the communication between the electronic shelf label terminal 1 and the ESL server 2, and the communication state is good. Indicates that it cannot be done. For example, the communication state “90%” indicates a state where there are many communication errors between the electronic shelf label terminal 1 and the ESL server 2 and data communication cannot be performed. The management device control unit 21 receives “communication state” of the management information stored in the data management unit 23 based on the transmitted communication state information every time the communication state information transmitted from the electronic shelf label terminal 1 is received. ”Is updated.

  Note that the communication status is not a bit error rate, but a packet error rate, RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) indicating radio field strength, and LQI (Link Quality Indication, link quality notification) indicating link status. May be.

  The “device code” is associated with “size”, “color”, “remaining battery power”, and “communication state”. When the “device code” is uniquely identified, “Color”, “battery level”, and “communication state” are uniquely identified. Also, attribute 1 of “device code” is “size”, attribute 2 is “color”, attribute 3 is “remaining battery power”, and attribute 4 is “communication state”.

  The “shelf number” is an identifier that uniquely identifies the shelf on which the electronic shelf label terminal 1 is installed. The “stage number” is information for specifying the position (upper and lower positions) of the shelf. The column number indicates the position counted in order from the top with the uppermost column of the shelf as “1”. Specifically, the column number “1” indicates the position of the uppermost column on the shelf. The column number “2” indicates the position of the second column from the top of the shelf. The column number “3” indicates the position of the third column from the top of the shelf.

  “Row position” is information for specifying the position (left and right positions) of the shelf row. The column position indicates a position counted in order from the left, with the leftmost column of the shelf being “1”. Specifically, the column position “1” indicates the position of the leftmost column of the shelf. The column position “2” indicates the position of the second column from the left of the shelf. The column position “3” indicates the position of the third column from the left of the shelf.

  The “shelf number”, “column number”, and “column position” are stored in association with each other, and the position where the electronic shelf label terminal 1 is installed can be specified with these three pieces of information. . Also, attribute 1 of “shelf number” is “column number” and attribute 2 is “column position”.

  Next, the contents indicated by each line of the management information will be described. For example, in the example shown in the row 501, the product name of the product type specified by the item code “114” is “walnut”, the product description is “confectionery”, and the price is “620”. ing.

  The device code for specifying the electronic shelf label terminal 1 displaying the information of the item code “114” is “1004”, and the size of the electronic shelf label terminal 1 uniquely specified by the device code “1004” is “S”. ”, The color is“ color ”, the remaining battery level is“ 8 ”, and the communication state is“ 0.80% ”.

  The electronic shelf label terminal 1 uniquely specified by the device code “1004” is installed in the second row from the top of the shelf uniquely specified by the shelf number “101” and in the first column from the left. It is shown that. The contents indicated by other lines are as illustrated.

  Next, the configuration of the handy terminal 5 will be described. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the handy terminal 5 in the present embodiment. In the illustrated example, the handy terminal 5 includes a control unit 50, a barcode reader 51, a light receiving unit 52, a photoelectric conversion unit 53, a decoding unit 54, a light receiving unit 55, a photoelectric conversion unit 56, a decoding unit 57, a position specifying unit 58, A transmission unit 59, an operation unit 60, and a display unit 61 are provided.

  The control unit 50 controls each unit included in the handy terminal 5. The barcode reader 51 reads the barcode 17 attached to the electronic shelf label terminal 1. The light receiving parts 52 and 55 receive the encoded light emitted from the illumination attached to the shelf. The photoelectric conversion units 53 and 56 convert the encoded optical signals received by the light receiving units 52 and 55 into electric signals and output them. The decoding units 54 and 57 decode the encoded electrical signals output from the photoelectric conversion units 53 and 56, respectively, and obtain information indicating the position of the shelf. The position specifying unit 58 specifies the position of the electronic shelf label terminal 1 based on the position information output from each of the decoding units 54 and 57. The transmission unit 59 transmits the barcode information (code of the electronic shelf label terminal 1) read by the barcode reader 51 and the shelf position information specified by the position specifying unit 58 to the ESL server 2. The operation unit 60 includes keys and switches for the user to operate the handy terminal 5. The display unit 61 displays information on the screen.

  Note that the position specifying unit 58 illustrated in FIG. 6 may be provided in the ESL server 2. In this case, the barcode information read by the barcode reader 51 from the handy terminal 5 to the ESL server 2 (code of the electronic shelf label terminal 1) and the position information output from each of the decoding units 54 and 57 are provided. The ESL server 2 that has transmitted and received this position information may specify the position of the electronic shelf label terminal 1. That is, the processing performed by the position specifying unit 58 is provided in either the handy terminal 5 or the ESL server 2, and the position of the electronic shelf label terminal 1 is determined based on the position information output from each of the decrypting units 54 and 57. What is necessary is just to specify.

  Next, a shelf on which the electronic shelf label terminal 1 is installed will be described. FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing an appearance of a shelf on which the electronic shelf label terminal 1 according to the present embodiment is installed. In the example illustrated, the shelf 10 includes shelf plates 101 to 103 that display products in order from the top. On the shelf board 101, electronic shelf label terminals 1-1 to 1-3 are installed in order from the left side. Further, on the shelf board 102, electronic shelf label terminals 1-4 to 1-6 are installed in order from the left side. In addition, electronic shelf label terminals 1-7 to 1-9 are installed on the shelf board 103 in order from the left side. The shelf 10 includes an illumination device that uses a plurality of LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) as light sources to illuminate a product. Among the plurality of LEDs, LEDs 91 to 96 that emit encoded optical signals for specifying the position of the product shelf are provided.

  The LEDs 91 to 93 are provided above the shelf 10 in order to indicate the horizontal positions (row positions) of the shelf boards 101 to 103. LED94-96 is provided in the side (left side) of the shelf 10 in order to show the position (stage number) of the shelf boards 101-103. The six LEDs 91 to 96 emit an encoded optical signal based on a control signal output from the illumination control unit 9. The encoded optical signals emitted by the six LEDs 91 to 96 are identification information (stage number or column position) for identifying which of the six LEDs 91 to 96 is an optical signal emitted from the six LEDs 91 to 96, and the store. The optical signal includes the installation position information (shelf number) of the shelf 10 in FIG. For example, the stage number of the shelf 10 (identification number given to each of the shelf boards 101, 102, and 103) can be specified by decoding the encoded signals emitted from the LEDs 94 to 96. In addition, by decoding the encoded signals emitted from the LEDs 91 to 93, the row positions of the shelf 10 (identification numbers given to the row positions 104, 105, and 106, respectively) can be specified.

  In FIG. 7, only the LEDs 91 to 96 that emit encoded optical signals are illustrated, and the LEDs that illuminate the product are not illustrated. In addition, since the light of the optical signals emitted from the six LEDs 91 to 96 is also used as illumination light, the encoding is performed so as not to cause flickering in human vision.

  Next, the external appearance of the handy terminal 5 will be described with reference to FIG. The handy terminal 5 is provided with a light receiving portion 52 so that it can receive an optical signal from above when the barcode reader 51 is directed to the barcode attached to the electronic shelf label terminal 1. In addition, a light receiving unit 55 is provided so that an optical signal from the side (left side) can be received when the barcode reader 51 is directed to the barcode attached to the electronic shelf label terminal 1.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 9, FIG. 10, the positional relationship of the electronic shelf label terminal 1, the handy terminal 5, LED91,94 is demonstrated. FIG. 9 is a schematic view seen from the side of the shelf 10. As shown in FIG. 9, when the barcode reader 51 of the handy terminal 5 is brought to a position where the barcode attached to the electronic shelf label terminal 1-1 can be read, the light is emitted from the LED 91 to the light receiving unit 52. The arrangement is such that an optical signal can be received. Similarly, when the barcode reader 51 of the handy terminal 5 is brought to a position where the barcode attached to the electronic shelf label terminal 1-4 can be read, an optical signal emitted from the LED 91 to the light receiving unit 52. The light signal emitted from the LED 91 can be received by the light receiving unit 52 even when it is brought in front of the electronic shelf label terminal 1-7. When the handy terminal 5 is brought in front of the electronic shelf label terminal 1-2, the light signal emitted from the LED 92 can be received by the light receiving unit 52. Thereby, in the handy terminal 5, the horizontal position of the handy terminal 5 can be obtained by decoding the optical signal received by the light receiving unit 52.

  FIG. 10 is a schematic view of the shelf 10 as viewed from the front. As shown in FIG. 10, when the barcode reader 51 of the handy terminal 5 is brought to a position where the barcode attached to the electronic shelf label terminal 1-1 can be read, the LED 91 is connected to the light receiving unit 52. The optical signal emitted can be received, and at the same time, the light receiving unit 55 can receive the optical signal emitted from the LED 94. Thereby, since the position of the handy terminal 5 in the horizontal direction can be obtained and the position of the shelf board can also be obtained, the position on the shelf 10 where the electronic shelf label terminal 1 is attached can be specified.

  Next, operations of the ESL server 2 and the handy terminal 5 shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the explanation will be made assuming that the store clerk operates with the handy terminal 5. First, the store clerk moves the barcode reader 51 of the handy terminal 5 close to the barcode of the product displayed on the shelf to which the electronic shelf label terminal 1-1 is attached, and performs an operation of reading the barcode from the operation unit 60. The barcode reader 51 reads the barcode of the product and outputs the read product code information to the control unit 50 (step S1). The control unit 50 holds the product code information inside and displays it on the held product code information display unit 61.

  Next, the store clerk brings the barcode reader 51 of the handy terminal 5 close to the barcode of the electronic shelf label terminal 1-1 and performs an operation of reading the barcode from the operation unit 60. The barcode reader 51 reads the barcode of the electronic shelf label terminal 1-1 and outputs the read electronic shelf label terminal code information to the control unit 50 (step S2). The control unit 50 holds the electronic shelf label terminal code information inside.

  On the other hand, the light receiving units 52 and 55 receive illumination light (light signals of the LEDs 91 to 96) (step S3). The photoelectric conversion units 53 and 56 convert the optical signals received by the light receiving units 52 and 55 into electric signals, and output the electric signals to the decoding units 54 and 57, respectively. The decoding units 54 and 57 decode the input electrical signals, respectively, to obtain shelf position information (step S4). In the decoding unit 54, position information in the horizontal direction is obtained. In the example shown in FIG. 7, position information indicating the number of the shelf position from the left is obtained. Further, in the decoding unit 57, position information indicating which of the shelf boards 101 to 103 is obtained. The decoding units 54 and 57 output the obtained position information to the position specifying unit 58.

  Next, the position specifying unit 58 outputs the two pieces of position information output from the decoding units 54 and 57 to the control unit 50 as shelf position information. In response to this, the control unit 50 transmits the product code information, the electronic shelf label terminal code information, and the shelf position information held therein to the ESL server 2 via the transmission unit 59 (step S5). ).

  The management device communication unit 24 receives these pieces of information (step S6) and outputs them to the data management unit 23. The data management unit 23 associates these pieces of information (product code information, electronic shelf label terminal code information, shelf position information) and stores them in the product data storage unit 25 (step S7).

  Next, the store clerk performs the same processing operation for the product whose information is to be registered in the product data storage unit 25, and repeats the process until it is finished (step S8). As a result, the product code storage unit 25 stores the product code information, the electronic shelf label terminal code information, and the shelf position information in association with each other.

  As described above, since the optical signal indicating the shelf position is received and the shelf position is specified in accordance with the timing of reading the barcode attached to the electronic shelf label terminal 1, the product code information can be obtained with a simple configuration. And the electronic shelf label terminal code information and the shelf position information can be associated with each other.

  Next, a modified example of a light source (LED) that emits an optical signal indicating position information will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a device that emits a light source (LED) that emits an optical signal indicating position information by supplying power from a fluorescent lamp used as lighting in a store. In the configuration shown in FIG. 12, electric power for turning on LEDs 901 to 903, which are light sources that emit optical signals indicating position information, is obtained from fluorescent lamps 904 to 906 provided on the ceiling. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the principle of acquiring power from a fluorescent lamp. As shown in FIG. 13, by attaching a magnetic material having a coil to a fluorescent lamp, electric power for lighting the LEDs 901 to 903 using the principle of electromagnetic induction from a magnetic field generated by an alternating current inside the fluorescent lamp is obtained. obtain. As a result, it is possible to obtain the power of the light source that emits the optical signal indicating the position information, and it is possible to install the light source that emits the optical signal indicating the position information without newly performing power line wiring work or the like. .

  Next, the processing operation of the handy terminal 5 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 12, description will be made assuming that there are three shelves 10 shown in FIG. In the shelf 10 shown in FIG. 7, the shelf position in the shelf 10 can be specified. However, when a plurality of shelves 10 are installed in the store, it is necessary to specify the individual of the shelf 10. In such a case, the position information of the shelf 10 in the store can be obtained by receiving and decoding the optical signal emitted from the light source attached to the ceiling. By doing so, the position information of the shelf on which the products are displayed is configured from the installation position information of the shelf 10, the position information of the shelf in the shelf 10, and the position information on the shelf. Thus, even when there are a large number of shelves 10 as in a large-scale retail store, the position of the merchandise display shelf can be uniquely specified. Therefore, in order to specify the position of the shelf 10 before reading the product code, the store clerk receives the optical signal emitted from the ceiling, specifies the position of the shelf 10, and then performs the processing operation shown in FIG. What should I do?

  For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the store clerk performs an operation of associating each product with shelf position information after performing an operation of receiving a light signal emitted from the LED 901 by the light receiving unit 52 in front of the shelf 10-1. (Processing operation shown in FIG. 11) Subsequently, an operation of moving to the front of the shelf 10-2 to receive an optical signal emitted from the LED 901 by the light receiving unit 52 is performed, and the same processing operation is performed. The same processing operation is performed by moving before -3.

  Thus, since the light source which emits the optical signal which shows the positional information on the shelf 10 is provided on the ceiling in the store, the optical signal is received by the handy terminal 5 and the position of the shelf 10 is specified. Even when there are a plurality of items, it is possible to easily relate the product to the shelf position.

  In FIG. 7, the LEDs 94 to 96 are omitted, and three LEDs corresponding to the LEDs 91 to 93 are provided on the back surface of the shelf plate 101, and three LEDs corresponding to the LEDs 91 to 93 are provided on the back surface of the shelf plate 102, Each of the nine LEDs provided on the shelf 10 shown in FIG. 7 may emit an encoded optical signal that can identify the shelf number, the column number, and the column position. In this way, the handy terminal 5 is not provided with the light receiving unit 55 for receiving the optical signal in the horizontal direction, and only receives the optical signals emitted from the nine LEDs by the light receiving unit 52, so that the shelf number and the column number are received. The column position can be specified.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 12, by providing LEDs 901 to 903 that are light sources that emit optical signals indicating position information provided on the ceiling, three LEDs are provided on each of the shelf boards 101 to 103. The encoded optical signal to be emitted may be only the identification information of the step position and the column position, and the encoded optical signal indicating the shelf number may be emitted from the LED provided on the ceiling. In this way, the handy terminal 5 receives the light signals emitted by the nine LEDs and the LEDs provided on the ceiling by the light receiving unit 52 without providing the light receiving unit 55 that receives the optical signal in the horizontal direction. It becomes possible to specify the shelf number, the column number, and the column position only by the above.

  In FIG. 12, when it is not necessary to specify the column number and the column position in the shelf 10, only the encoded optical signal indicating the shelf number emitted by the LEDs 901 to 903 provided on the ceiling is received by the light receiving unit 52. Only the shelf number may be specified. By doing in this way, since it is not necessary to provide the light receiving part 55 which receives the optical signal of a horizontal direction in the handy terminal 5, the structure of the handy terminal 5 can be simplified.

  In the above-described embodiment, the electronic shelf label terminal 1 attached to the shelf of a retail store such as a supermarket or a convenience store has been described. You may use as an information display device which displays information other than information, such as goods to be displayed. For example, in a warehouse, use it as a label or tag to electronically display the contents of a stored item on a shelf for storing the stored item, a box containing the stored item, or the stored item itself. Also good. Further, in the business of handling documents such as a bank, it may be arranged in a paper storage area and used as a display device for displaying a description of the paper and the remaining number of sheets. Further, in a factory or the like, a panel for displaying a work instruction to a worker or a shelf on which a part is placed may be used as a label or a tag for electronically displaying the classification of the part.

  As described above, illumination that emits an optical signal indicating shelf position information is provided, and an optical signal indicating shelf position information is received at the timing when the barcode of the electronic shelf label terminal 1 is read. Therefore, the product, the electronic shelf label terminal, and the shelf position can be easily associated with each other. As a result, it becomes possible to specify the location information on the handy terminal 5 without giving the electronic shelf label terminal a new function, which affects the size change of the electronic shelf label terminal, the battery life, and the cost. There is no.

  A program for realizing the functions of the ESL server 2, the electronic shelf label terminal 1 and the handy terminal 5 shown in FIG. 1 is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium is stored in a computer system. The information display process may be performed by reading and executing. Here, the “computer system” includes an OS and hardware such as peripheral devices. The “computer-readable recording medium” refers to a portable medium such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, and a CD-ROM, and a storage device such as a hard disk built in the computer system. Further, the “computer-readable recording medium” refers to a volatile memory (RAM) in a computer system that becomes a server or a client when a program is transmitted via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. In addition, those holding programs for a certain period of time are also included.

  The program may be transmitted from a computer system storing the program in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by a transmission wave in the transmission medium. Here, the “transmission medium” for transmitting the program refers to a medium having a function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) such as the Internet or a communication line (communication line) such as a telephone line. The program may be for realizing a part of the functions described above. Furthermore, what can implement | achieve the function mentioned above in combination with the program already recorded on the computer system, what is called a difference file (difference program) may be sufficient.

  The present invention can be applied to an application in which it is indispensable to perform the process of associating the position of the shelf on which the electronic shelf label terminal is mounted with the product displayed on the shelf.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1-1 to 1-3 ... Electronic shelf label terminal, 2 ... ESL server (management apparatus), 3 ... Access point, 4-1 to 4-3 ... Relay machine, 5. ..Handy terminal, 6 ... POS server, 7 ... POS register, 8 ... ID card, 10 ... shelf, 11 ... control unit, 12 ... display unit, 13 ... Storage unit, 14 ... wireless communication unit, 15 ... battery, 21 ... management device control unit, 23 ... data management unit, 24 ... management device communication unit, 25 ... product data storage 50, control unit, 51 bar code reader, 52, 55 light receiving unit, 53, 56 photoelectric conversion unit, 54, 57 decoding unit, 58 position Specific part, 59 ... transmission part, 60 ... operation part, 100 ... backyard, 101-103 ... shelf board, 200 ... Shop

Claims (4)

In an information display system including an information display device that performs information display, a management device that manages the information display device, and a terminal device that performs a setting operation of the information display device,
The terminal device
An information display device specifying information reading means for reading information capable of uniquely specifying the information display device;
A light receiving means for receiving an optical signal indicating a position where the information display device is installed;
Position information acquisition means for obtaining information indicating the position where the information display device is installed from the optical signal received by the light receiving means;
Information capable of uniquely specifying the information display device read by the information display device specifying information reading means, and information indicating the position where the information display device acquired by the position information acquisition means is installed. Transmission means for transmitting to the management device,
The management device
Receiving means for receiving information capable of uniquely identifying the information display device transmitted by the transmitting means, and information indicating a position where the information display device is installed;
An information display device management information storage means for storing the information that can uniquely identify the received information display device and the information indicating the position where the information display device is installed; An information display system characterized by   The information display system according to claim 1, wherein the information display device is an electronic shelf label terminal. Receiving means for receiving information capable of uniquely identifying the information display device transmitted from the terminal device, and information indicating a position where the information display device is installed;
An information display device management information storage means for storing the information that can uniquely identify the received information display device and the information indicating the position where the information display device is installed; Management device characterized by. An information display device specifying information reading means for reading information capable of uniquely specifying the information display device;
A light receiving means for receiving an optical signal indicating a position where the information display device is installed;
Position information acquisition means for obtaining information indicating the position where the information display device is installed from the optical signal received by the light receiving means;
Information capable of uniquely specifying the information display device read by the information display device specifying information reading means, and information indicating the position where the information display device acquired by the position information acquisition means is installed. A terminal device comprising: a transmission unit configured to transmit to the management device.

Images