JP2016022003A - Electronic shelf label terminal, shelf label management device, and its program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To arbitrary change items of information and layouts displayed by each electronic shelf label terminal.SOLUTION: A shelf label management device assigns commercial products respectively to a plurality of electronic shelf label terminals under the management, and further divides a screen region of the electronic shelf label terminal into at least two or more sections for allocating the items of the commercial products displayed in the respective sections. When the items are determined to be displayed in all of the sections where the items are allocated, the device stores information on the commercial products, at least two or more sections that divide the screen region, and the information indicating the items allocated to each of the sections in association with the information distinguishing the electronic shelf label terminal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to an electronic shelf label terminal, a shelf label management apparatus, and a program thereof.

  2. Description of the Related Art An electronic shelf label terminal is known as a device that displays information related to articles displayed on a shelf in a store or a warehouse. The electronic shelf label terminal receives electronic format data distributed from a server called a shelf label management device, and displays information about the article on the screen according to the format.

  Normally, there is one type of electronic format data distributed from a server to a plurality of electronic shelf label terminals under its management. For this reason, the items and layout of information displayed on each electronic shelf label terminal do not change. If the items and layout of displayed information can be arbitrarily changed for each electronic shelf label terminal, the utility of the electronic shelf label terminal can be further improved.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-230566

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a shelf label management device capable of arbitrarily changing the items and layout of information displayed for each electronic shelf label terminal and an electronic shelf label terminal managed by the shelf label management device. It is what.

  In one embodiment, the shelf label management apparatus includes an allocation unit, an allocation unit, a determination unit, a storage unit, and a transmission unit. The assigning means assigns products to a plurality of electronic shelf label terminals under management. The assigning means divides the screen area of the electronic shelf label terminal to which the goods are assigned by the assigning means into at least two sections, and assigns the items of the products to be displayed in the respective sections. The determination unit determines whether or not the information related to the item of the product can be displayed in the section to which the item is assigned in the electronic shelf label terminal to which the product is assigned. The storage means, with respect to the electronic shelf label terminal to which the product has been assigned by the assigning means, on the condition that it has been determined that the determination means can be displayed in all of the sections where the item is assigned by the assignment means, In association with the information for identifying the electronic shelf label terminal, information on products assigned to the electronic shelf label terminal, at least two or more sections that divide the screen area of the electronic shelf label terminal, and assigned to each section Information representing the selected item is stored. The transmission means transmits the product information stored for each piece of information for identifying the electronic shelf label terminal and the information indicating the section and the item to the electronic shelf label terminal identified by the corresponding information. .

The block diagram which shows schematic structure of the electronic shelf label system which concerns on this embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows an electronic shelf label terminal. The schematic diagram which shows the structure of the data record preserve | saved at a goods database. The schematic diagram which shows the data record preserve | saved at a layout database. The schematic diagram which shows the data record preserve | saved at a shelf label database. The block diagram which shows the principal part structure of a server. The schematic diagram which shows the main memory areas formed in RAM of a server. The block diagram which shows the principal part structure of an electronic shelf label terminal. The schematic diagram which shows the main memory areas formed in RAM of an electronic shelf label terminal. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the information processing which CPU of a server performs according to a shelf label management program. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the information processing which CPU of an electronic shelf label terminal performs according to a display program. The figure which shows an example of the image displayed on the screen of an electronic shelf label terminal. The figure which shows an example of the image displayed on the display of a portable terminal when the screen of FIG. 12 is displayed on an electronic shelf label terminal. The figure which shows the other example of the image displayed on the screen of an electronic shelf label terminal. The figure which shows an example of the image displayed on the display of a portable terminal when the screen of FIG. 14 is displayed on an electronic shelf label terminal. The schematic diagram of the data record preserve | saved in a shelf label database in 2nd Embodiment. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the information processing which CPU of a server performs according to a shelf label management program in 2nd Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a shelf label management device capable of arbitrarily changing information items and layout displayed for each electronic shelf label terminal and an electronic shelf label terminal managed by the shelf label management device will be described with reference to the drawings. . In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of electronic shelf label terminals 12 attached to shelves or the like on which products are displayed, and a server 11 as a shelf label management device that manages each electronic shelf label terminal, It is about the electronic shelf label system 10 which consists of.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electronic shelf label system 10 according to the present embodiment. The electronic shelf label system 10 relays data communication between a server 11 as a shelf label management device, a plurality of electronic shelf label terminals 12 managed by the server 11, and the server 11 and each electronic shelf label terminal 12. And the repeater 13 to be operated. The repeater 13 connects the server 11 and the repeater 13 with a wired line. The relay machine 13 connects each electronic shelf label terminal 12 and the relay machine 13 by a wireless line. The server 11 and the relay device 13 may be connected by a wireless line, and each electronic shelf label terminal 12 and the relay device 13 may be connected by a wired line. Alternatively, the server 11 and the relay device 13 and the relay device 13 and each electronic shelf label terminal 12 may all be connected by a wired line, or may all be connected by a wireless line.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the electronic shelf label terminal 12 is an electronic device made of a plate-shaped member having a rectangular shape and having a screen 12 </ b> A disposed on the front surface thereof. The screen 12A is configured by a collection of a large number of pixels arranged in a matrix, and each pixel is individually specified by the (x, y) coordinates of the two-dimensional coordinate system of the x axis and the y axis. In this embodiment, the (x, y) coordinate of the lower left pixel P1 toward the screen 12A is (0, 0), the (x, y) coordinate of the lower right pixel P2 is (0, Xmax), and the upper left The (x, y) coordinates of the pixel P3 of (4) are (Ymax, 0), and the (x, y) coordinates of the upper right pixel P4 are (Ymax, Xmax).

  The electronic shelf label terminal 12 is attached to a store display shelf. The same type of products are collected and displayed on the product display shelf, and one electronic shelf label terminal 12 is arranged for one type of product.

  The server 11 manages each of the product database 21, the layout database 22, and the shelf label database 23. The product database 21 stores information on each product. The layout database 22 stores information related to the layout pattern of the screen 12A on the electronic shelf label terminal 12. The shelf label database 23 stores information regarding each electronic shelf label terminal 12. Each database 21, 22, 23 may be formed in a storage device built in the server 11, or may be formed in an external storage device connected to the server 11 via a network.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a data record 21D per product stored in the product database 21. As shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the data record 21D includes a product code, a product name, a price, a link code, a link name, an inventory quantity, an order date, a planned arrival date, a production date, an expiration date, a raw material name, an internal capacity, a storage method, and a manufacturer. For items such as names, the item name, the number of characters, attributes, and actual data are recorded.

  The product code is a unique code set for each product in order to identify each product individually. The product name is a unique name of a product specified by the corresponding product code (hereinafter referred to as the product). The price is a selling price per point of the product. The link code and the link name are the code and name of the product classification to which the product belongs.

  The stock quantity is the current stock quantity of the product. The order date is the latest date when the product is ordered. The scheduled arrival date is a scheduled date on which the product ordered on the order date is received. The production date is the production date of the product. The expiration date is the expiration date or expiration date of the product. If the product is other than food, the date of manufacture and date of expiration is not set (NULL). In addition, even in the case of an operation in which products with different production dates and deadlines are mixed and displayed on the shelf, the data on the production date and the deadline may not be set (NULL).

  The raw material names are all names of raw materials included in the product. The content is the amount of the product. The storage method is text data representing a method for storing the product. The manufacturer name is the location, name, etc. of the manufacturer that manufactured the product. The data of the raw material name, content, storage method, and manufacturer name are also set for products that can be set, such as food, and the product that cannot be set is not set (NULL).

  The number of characters is the number of characters / numbers represented by the corresponding actual data. For example, when the product code is a 13-digit JAN code, the number of characters of the item name “product code” is “13”. Similarly, when the order date is expressed by the year of the year, a two-digit month, and a two-digit date, the number of characters of the item name “order date” is “8”.

  The attribute is a value for classifying whether the item with the corresponding item name is a display target on the electronic shelf label terminal 12 or not. In this embodiment, attribute = “1” is a display target, and attribute = “0” is a non-display target. Incidentally, each item of the raw material name, content, storage method, and manufacturer name has a large number of characters and is not suitable for display on the electronic shelf label terminal 12. Therefore, in this embodiment, the attribute is set to “0”.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a data record 22D per layout pattern stored in the layout database 22. As shown in FIG. As shown in the drawing, the data record 22D records actual data for the layout code and the number of sections, and the section number, the top coordinates, the final coordinates, the character size, and the maximum number of characters corresponding to the number of sections.

  The layout code is a unique code set for each pattern in order to individually identify a layout pattern determined by the number of corresponding sections and the start coordinates, end coordinates, and character size for the number of sections. The number of sections is the number of sections formed by dividing the screen 12A into a plurality of sections. The partition number is a number that is sequentially assigned to each partition in order from 1.

  The leading coordinates are the (x, y) coordinates of the upper left pixel toward the screen 12A of the section specified by the corresponding section number (hereinafter referred to as the section). The end coordinates are the (x, y) coordinates of the lower right pixel toward the screen 12A in the same section. Note that the start coordinates and the end coordinates are not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the (x, y) coordinate of the lower right pixel may be the start coordinate, and the (x, y) coordinate of the upper left pixel may be the end coordinate. Alternatively, the (x, y) coordinate of the upper right pixel may be the start coordinate, and the (x, y) coordinate of the lower left pixel may be the end coordinate. In short, it suffices if the area of the section can be specified.

  The character size is the size of characters displayed in the section. The maximum number of characters is the maximum number of characters that can be displayed in the section. The maximum number of characters is calculated from the area of the section and the size of characters displayed in the section (calculation means).

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a data record 23 </ b> D per shelf label stored in the shelf label database 23. As shown in the figure, the data record 23D records actual data for a shelf label ID, a product code, a layout code, and the number of sections, and a section number, a product item name, and item data for the number of sections.

  The shelf label ID is a unique code assigned to each electronic shelf label terminal 12 in order to identify each electronic shelf label terminal 12 individually. The product code is an identification code of a product whose information is displayed on an electronic shelf label terminal (hereinafter referred to as the electronic shelf label terminal) 12 specified by the corresponding shelf label ID. The layout code is an identification code of a layout pattern assigned to the electronic shelf label terminal 12. The number of sections is the number of sections of the layout pattern specified by the layout code.

  The section number, product item name, and item data are the item name of the product displayed in the section specified by the section number and the actual data of the item.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of the server 11. The server 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 111, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 112, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 113, an auxiliary storage device 114, a relay interface 115, a device interface 116, and a network interface 117. Are connected by a bus line 118 such as an address bus or a data bus.

  The CPU 111 corresponds to the central part of the computer. The CPU 111 controls each unit to implement various functions as the server 11 according to the operating system and application programs.

  The ROM 112 corresponds to a main storage portion of the computer. The ROM 112 stores the above operating system and application programs. The ROM 112 may store data necessary for the CPU 111 to execute processing for controlling each unit.

  The RAM 113 corresponds to the main storage portion of the computer. The RAM 113 stores data necessary for the CPU 111 to execute processing. The RAM 113 is also used as a work area where information is appropriately rewritten by the CPU 111.

  The auxiliary storage device 114 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. The auxiliary storage device 114 is, for example, an EEPROM (Electric Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), an HDD (Hard Disc Drive), or an SSD (Solid State Drive). The auxiliary storage device 114 stores data used when the CPU 111 performs various processes, and data generated by the process in the CPU 111. The auxiliary storage device 114 may store the above application program.

  The repeater interface 115 connects the repeater 13 via a wired or wireless communication line. The relay machine interface 115 controls data communication performed wirelessly with each electronic shelf label terminal 12 via the relay machine 13.

  The device interface 116 detachably connects the input device 31 and the display device 32 that are external devices of the server 11. The device interface 116 captures data input via the input device 31. As the input device 31, a keyboard, a mouse, or the like is used. The device interface 116 controls the screen display of the display device 32. As the display device 32, a liquid crystal display or the like is used.

  The network interface 117 controls data communication with other servers connected via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) (not shown). Other servers include, for example, a POS (Point Of Sales) system server that manages data related to merchandise sales, and an order system server that manages data related to ordering and delivery.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing main memory areas formed in the RAM 113. The server 11 forms a shelf label data area 41, a product data area 42 and a layout data area 43 in the RAM 113. The use of these data areas will be described later.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the electronic shelf label terminal 12. The electronic shelf label terminal 12 includes a CPU 121, a ROM 122, a RAM 123, an NFC unit 124, a display device 125, and a wireless device 126, which are connected by a bus line 127 such as an address bus and a data bus. The electronic shelf label terminal 12 is equipped with a battery 128 as a driving power source.

  The CPU 121 corresponds to the central part of the computer. The CPU 121 controls each unit to implement various functions as the electronic shelf label terminal 12 according to the operating system and application programs.

  The ROM 122 corresponds to the main storage portion of the computer. The ROM 122 stores the above operating system and application programs. The ROM 122 may store data necessary for the CPU 121 to execute processing for controlling each unit. The ROM 122 stores a shelf label ID that is a unique identification code assigned to the electronic shelf label terminal 12. The ROM 122 may be a flash ROM capable of electrically rewriting data.

  The RAM 123 corresponds to a main storage part of the computer. The RAM 123 stores data necessary for the CPU 121 to execute processing. The RAM 123 is also used as a work area where information is appropriately rewritten by the CPU 121.

  The NFC unit 124 performs data communication according to the NFC standard with an NFC compatible device in the vicinity of the electronic shelf label terminal 12. The wireless device 126 performs wireless data communication with the repeater 13 using a predetermined wireless frequency.

  The display device 125 displays characters, numbers, and the like on the screen 12A. As the display device 125, a color LCD (liquid crystal display), a segment display, electronic paper, or the like can be used.

  FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing main memory areas formed in the RAM 123. The electronic shelf label terminal 12 forms a product data area 51, a layout data area 52, a display data area 53 and a non-display data area 54 in the RAM 123. The use of these data areas will be described later.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an information processing procedure executed by the CPU 111 of the server 11 in accordance with the shelf label management program. The shelf label management program is an application program for editing the shelf label data distributed from the server 11 to each electronic shelf label terminal 12. The shelf label management program is stored in the ROM 112 or the auxiliary storage device 114, for example. Note that the contents of the process illustrated in FIG. 10 and described below are merely examples, and various processes capable of obtaining similar results can be used as appropriate.

  When the start of the shelf label data setting operation is instructed by the operation input of the input device 31, the shelf label management program is activated. When the shelf label management program is activated, the CPU 111 receives input of a shelf label ID, a product code, and a layout code (Act1 to Act3).

  The person in charge of the shelf label data setting operation operates the input device 31 to identify the shelf label ID for identifying the electronic shelf label terminal 12 to be edited for the shelf label data and the product for identifying the product to be assigned to the electronic shelf label terminal 12. The code and the layout code for specifying the layout pattern of the screen 12A on the electronic shelf label terminal 12 are input. In addition, the procedure of Act1-Act3 is not limited to the said form, Front and back can be replaced.

  When the shelf label code is input in Act1, the CPU 111 accesses the shelf label database 23 and reads the data record 23D in which the shelf label ID is set. Then, the CPU 111 stores this data record 23D in the shelf label data area 41. When the product code is input in Act 2, the CPU 111 accesses the product database 21 and reads the data record 21D in which the product code is set. Then, the CPU 111 stores this data record 21D in the product data area 42. Further, the CPU 111 overwrites the product code of the data record 21D with the actual data associated with the item “product code” of the data record 23D stored in the shelf label data area 41 (allocation means). When the layout code is input in Act 3, the CPU 111 accesses the layout database 22 and reads the data record 22D in which the layout code is set. The CPU 111 stores the data record 22D in the layout data area 43. The CPU 111 overwrites the layout code of the data record 22D with the actual data associated with the item “layout code” of the data record 23D stored in the shelf label data area 41.

  When the processing of Act1 to Act3 is performed, the CPU 111 acquires the partition number N from the data record 22D of the layout data area 43. Then, the CPU 111 overwrites the section number N with the actual data associated with the item “number of sections” of the data record 23D stored in the shelf label data area 41 (Act4). The CPU 111 initializes the counter n to “0” (Act 5). The counter n is formed in the RAM 113, for example. Note that the processing procedure of Act4 and Act5 is not limited to this. The counter n may be initialized to “0” first, and then the number N of partitions may be acquired.

  When the processing of Act4 and Act5 is finished, the CPU 111 counts up the counter n by “1”. Then, the CPU 111 confirms whether or not the counter n has exceeded the number of partitions N (Act 7). If the counter n does not exceed the number of partitions N (NO in Act 7), the CPU 111 determines the items (first coordinate, final coordinate, character size) associated with the partition number n (n is the value of the counter n) from the data record 22D. , Maximum number of characters) is detected (Act8).

  If the maximum number of characters is detected, the CPU 111 accepts input of a product item name (Act 9). The person in charge operates the input device 31 and inputs the item name of the product data to be displayed on the section of the screen 12A specified by the section number n. For example, among the item names set in the data record 21D, an attribute “1”, that is, a list of item names set to be displayable on the electronic shelf label terminal 12 is displayed on the display device 32. The person in charge may select and input a desired item name from the list.

  When the item name is input, the CPU 111 detects the number of characters set corresponding to the item name from the data record 21D. Then, the CPU 111 checks whether or not the number of characters is equal to or less than the maximum number of characters (Act 10: determination unit). When the number of characters exceeds the maximum number of characters, the actual data of the input item cannot be displayed in the section specified by the section number n. In this case (NO in Act 10), the CPU 111 accepts input of another product item name (Act 9).

  When the number of characters is equal to or less than the maximum number of characters, the actual data of the input item can be displayed in the section specified by the section number n. In this case (YES in Act 10), the CPU 111 acquires actual data of the item name from the data record 21D. Then, the CPU 111 sends the actual data together with the item name received in Act 9 to the items “product item name” and “item data” associated with the partition number n of the data record 23D stored in the shelf label data area 41. Are overwritten on the actual data associated with each other (Act11).

  If the item name and the actual data are overwritten on the data record 23D, the CPU 111 returns to the process of Act6. That is, the CPU 111 increments the counter n by “1”. If the counter n does not exceed the number of partitions N (NO in Act 7), the CPU 111 detects data of the maximum number of characters associated with the partition number n from the data record 22D (Act 8). Next, if a product item name is input (Act 9), the CPU 111 checks whether the number of characters set corresponding to the item name is equal to or less than the maximum number of characters (Act 10). When the number of characters exceeds the maximum number of characters (NO in Act 10), CPU 111 accepts input of another product item name (Act 9).

  When the number of characters is less than the maximum number of characters (YES in Act 10), the CPU 111 associates the item name and the actual data of the item name with the division number n of the data record 23D stored in the shelf label data area 41. The actual data associated with “product item name” and “item data” is overwritten (Act 11: allocation means).

  The CPU 111 repeats the processes of Act7 to Act11 every time the counter n is incremented by “1”. If the counter n exceeds the number of sections N (YES in Act 7), the CPU 111 changes the screen 12A of the electronic shelf label terminal 12 based on each data of the data record 23D stored in the shelf label data area 41. Edit the image that represents it. Then, the CPU 111 displays this image on the display device 32 (Act 12). The person in charge checks the image and confirms whether or not the content is correct. If the image is correct, the person in charge operates the input device 31 to input that the data record 23D is registered in the shelf label database 23.

  After displaying the image, the CPU 111 receives an input as to whether or not to register the data record 23D in the shelf label database 23 (Act 13). When an input indicating that registration is not to be received is received (NO in Act 13), the CPU 111 ends the process of the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  If an input for registration is accepted (YES in Act 13), the CPU 111 registers the data record 23D in the shelf label data area 41 in the shelf label database 23 (Act 14). That is, among the data records stored in the shelf label database 23, the data record whose shelf label ID matches the output data record 23D is rewritten to the output data record 23D (storage means). Thus, the CPU 111 ends the process of the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  When the server 11 finishes the process according to the shelf label management program, it reads each data record 23D stored in the shelf label database 23 at a predetermined timing. Then, the server 11 distributes each data record 23D to each electronic shelf label terminal 12 via the relay device 13 (transmission means).

  When the CPU 121 of each electronic shelf label terminal 12 receives data distributed from the server 11 via the wireless device 126, it detects the data record 23D in which its own shelf label ID is set from the received data. Then, the CPU 121 stores this data record 23D in the reception buffer of the RAM 123 and starts a display program.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the information processing procedure executed by the CPU 121 of the electronic shelf label terminal 12 in accordance with the display program. The display program is an application program that supports each electronic shelf label terminal 12 to display the screen 12A on the display device 125. The display program is stored in the ROM 122, for example. Note that the contents of the process shown in FIG. 11 and described below are merely examples, and various processes capable of obtaining similar results can be used as appropriate.

  When the display program is activated, the CPU 121 confirms whether or not the data record 23D has been received (Act 21). When the data record 23D is stored in the reception buffer, the CPU 121 determines that the data record 23D has been received. In this case (YES in Act 21), the CPU 121 detects a layout code from this data record 23D (Act 22). Then, the CPU 121 generates a layout data request command including this layout code and wirelessly transmits it to the server 11 via the wireless device 126.

  The wirelessly transmitted layout data request command is received by the server 11 via the repeater 13. The CPU 111 of the server 11 that has received the layout data request command accesses the layout database 22 and reads the data record 22D in which the layout code in the command is set. Then, the CPU 111 transmits this data record 22D to the electronic shelf label terminal 12 that is the command transmission source. The data record 22D is wirelessly transmitted via the repeater 13 and received by the electronic shelf label terminal 12.

  The CPU 121 that has transmitted the layout data request command stores the data record 22D received via the wireless device 126 in the layout data area 52 (Act 23).

  The CPU 121 creates a display layout of the screen 12A based on the data record 22D stored in the layout data area 52. In other words, the CPU 121 specifies the number of partitions corresponding to the number N of partitions from the start coordinates and end coordinates set for each partition number, and sets data representing line segments that divide each partition in the display data area (Act 24).

  The CPU 121 detects a product code from the data record 23D (Act 25). Then, the CPU 121 generates a product data request command including this product code and wirelessly transmits it to the server 11 via the wireless device 126.

  The product data request command transmitted wirelessly is received by the server 11 via the relay device 13. The CPU 111 of the server 11 that has received the product data request command accesses the product database 21 and reads the data record 21D in which the product code in the command is set. Then, the CPU 111 transmits this data record 21D to the electronic shelf label terminal 12 that is the command transmission source. The data record 21D is wirelessly transmitted via the relay device 13 and received by the electronic shelf label terminal 12.

The CPU 121 that has transmitted the product data request command stores the data record 21D received via the wireless device 126 in the product data area 51 (Act 26).
Note that the order of the processes of Act22 to Act24 and the processes of Act25 to Act26 may be reversed. That is, the processing of Act25 to Act26 may be executed first, and the processing of Act22 to Act24 may be executed later.

  The CPU 121 detects product item names and item data in ascending order of section numbers from the data record 23D stored in the reception buffer. Then, the product item name and the item data are expanded in the area of the same section number divided into the number N of sections and partitioned by line segments. At this time, the product item name has a default character size, and the item data has a character size corresponding to the section number of the data record 22D (Act27: expansion means).

  If the process of Act 27 is executed for all the partition numbers of the data record 23D, the CPU 121 starts from the data record 21D in the product data area 51 to all items other than the product item names included in the data record 23D in the reception buffer. The item name and its actual data are detected. Then, the CPU 121 stores the detected item name and actual data in the non-display data area 54 (Act 28: non-display storage means). When the storage is completed, the CPU 121 clears the reception buffer.

  The CPU 121 displays the data in the display data area 53 on the display device 125 (Act 29: control means). Note that the process of Act 28 and the process of Act 29 may be interchanged.

  The CPU 121 returns to the process of Act21. At this time, since the reception buffer is cleared, the CPU 121 determines that no data is received. In this case (NO in Act 21), the CPU 121 confirms whether or not wireless communication (hereinafter referred to as NFC communication) based on the NFC standard has been started by the NFC unit 124 (Act 30). If NFC communication has not started (NO in Act 30), the CPU 121 returns to the processing of Act 21. Therefore, the CPU 121 waits for NFC communication to start.

  For example, when the user brings a portable terminal (such as a smartphone or tablet PC) with an NFC function close to the NFC unit 124, NFC communication is started. When the NFC communication is started, the CPU 121 transmits the data in the non-display data area 54 to the portable terminal by the NFC communication (Act 31: non-display transmission unit).

  The mobile terminal that has received the data in the non-display data area 54 can display the data in the non-display data area 54 on the display by starting a predetermined application program.

  The CPU 121 that has transmitted the data in the non-display data area 54 returns to Act 21. Therefore, the CPU 121 transmits the data in the non-display data area 54 by this NFC communication every time the NFC communication by the NFC unit 124 is started. Further, when a new data record 23D is stored in the reception buffer, the processes of Act22 to Act29 are executed each time.

  FIG. 12 is an example of an image displayed on the screen 12 </ b> A of the electronic shelf label terminal 12. In this example, the screen 12A is divided into three sections A1, A2, and A3 as shown in the figure, and a product code is assigned to the section A1, a product name is assigned to the section A2, and a price is assigned to the section A3. is there.

  When a predetermined application program is started after NFC communication is performed by bringing a mobile terminal with an NFC function close to the electronic shelf label terminal 12, an electronic device is displayed on the display of the mobile terminal as shown in FIG. Information that is not displayed on the screen 12A regarding the product displayed on the screen 12A of the shelf label terminal 12 is displayed.

  FIG. 14 is another example of an image displayed on the screen 12 </ b> A of the electronic shelf label terminal 12. In this example, in the layout pattern in which the screen 12A is divided into four sections B1, B2, B3, and B4 as shown in the figure, a product name is assigned to the section B1, a price is assigned to the section B2, and a manufacturing date is assigned to the section B3. This is an example in which an expiration date is assigned to the section B4.

  When a predetermined application program is started after NFC communication is performed by bringing a mobile terminal with an NFC function close to the electronic shelf label terminal 12, an electronic device is displayed on the display of the mobile terminal as shown in FIG. Information that is not displayed on the screen 12A regarding the product displayed on the screen 12A of the shelf label terminal 12 is displayed.

  As described above, in the electronic shelf label system according to the present embodiment, items of product data to be displayed on each screen 12A of the plurality of electronic shelf label terminals 12 managed by the server 11 can be arbitrarily set. Moreover, the number of sections for dividing the screen and the layout of each section can be arbitrarily set. Therefore, to realize a highly flexible shelf label display, such as changing the display items for each electronic shelf label terminal 12 according to the features, characteristics, etc. of the product, or changing the layout so that specific items stand out. Can do.

  Moreover, about the merchandise information which is not displayed on the electronic shelf label terminal 12, it can be displayed on the display of the terminal by using a portable terminal with an NFC function. Accordingly, information other than the information displayed on the electronic shelf label terminal 12, for example, information related to products that cannot be displayed on the electronic shelf label terminal 12, such as raw material names and storage methods, can be easily confirmed.

[Second Embodiment]
In the processing procedure shown in FIG. 10 of the first embodiment, when it is determined in Act 10 that the number of characters exceeds the maximum number of characters, in the first embodiment, an input of another product item name is accepted. However, the maximum number of characters can be increased by reducing the character size. Accordingly, a second embodiment in which the character size can be changed when it is determined that the number of characters exceeds the maximum number of characters will be described next with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part which is common in 1st Embodiment, and the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of a data record 23 </ b> D stored in the shelf label database 23. As shown in FIG. 16, the data record 23D includes a shelf label ID, a product code, a layout code, and the number of sections, a section number, a start coordinate, a final coordinate, a character size, a maximum number of characters, a product item name, and the number of sections. For item data, actual data is recorded.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an information processing procedure executed by the CPU 111 of the server 11 in accordance with the shelf label management program. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the processing when the Act3 layout code is input and the processing after “NO” is determined in Act10.

  That is, when a layout code is input in Act 3, the CPU 111 accesses the layout database 22 and reads a data record 22D in which the layout code is set. The CPU 111 stores the data record 22D in the layout data area 43. The CPU 111 overwrites the layout code of the data record 22D with the actual data associated with the item “layout code” of the data record 23D stored in the shelf label data area 41. Further, the CPU 111 also associates the items “section NO”, “first coordinate”, “final coordinate”, “character size”, and “maximum number of characters” of the data record 22D with the same item “layout code” of the data record 23D. Overwrite the actual data.

  If it is determined as “NO” in Act 10, that is, if the number of characters in the actual data of the item displayed in the section specified by the section number n on the screen 12A does not fall within the size of the section, the CPU 111 determines the character size. A message for inquiring whether or not to change is displayed on the display device 32 (Act 41).

  The person in charge decides whether to change the character size or display another item in the section specified by the section number n, and operates the input device 31 to input. When it is input that another item is to be displayed (NO in Act 41), CPU 111 accepts input of another product item name (Act 9).

  When it is input that the character size is to be changed (YES in Act 41), the CPU 111 receives an input of the character size (Act 42). At this time, the CPU 111 obtains a selectable character size from the area of the section specified by the section number n and the number of characters of the actual data of the item to be displayed in the section, and displays it on the display device 32. The person in charge selects a desired character size.

  When the character size is selected, the CPU 111 calculates the maximum number of characters that can be displayed in the section from the area of the section specified by the section number n and the selected character size (Act43: calculation means). Then, the CPU 111 converts the actual data of the items “character size” and “maximum number of characters” associated with the partition number n of the data record 23D, the character size input in the process of Act42, and the maximum number of characters calculated in the process of Act43. (Size changing means).

  Thereafter, the CPU 111 returns to the processing of Act10. In this case, since the number of characters is equal to or less than the maximum number of characters, the CPU 111 sets the item “product item name” and the “item” associated with the actual data together with the item number received in the process of Act 9 and the partition number n of the data record 23D. The actual data associated with “data” is overwritten (Act 11).

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, an item that has a large number of characters of actual data and cannot be displayed in the section can be displayed in the section by reducing the size of the display character.

  The server 11 is generally transferred in a state where a program such as a shelf label management program is stored in the ROM 112. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a shelf label management program or the like assigned separately from the computer apparatus may be written in a writable storage device included in the computer apparatus in response to an operation by a user or the like. The transfer of the shelf label management program or the like can be performed by recording on a removable recording medium or by communication via a network. The recording medium may be in any form as long as it can store a program such as a CD-ROM or a memory card and can be read by the apparatus. Further, the function obtained by installing or downloading the program may be realized in cooperation with an OS (operating system) in the apparatus.

  In addition, although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Electronic shelf label system, 11 ... Server (shelf part management apparatus), 12 ... Electronic shelf label terminal, 13 ... Relay machine, 21 ... Merchandise database, 22 ... Layout database, 23 ... Shelf label database.

Claims (6)

Assigning means for assigning products to each of a plurality of electronic shelf label terminals under management;
An allocation unit that divides the screen area of the electronic shelf label terminal to which the product is allocated by the allocation unit into at least two sections, and allocates the item of the product to be displayed in each section;
Determining means for determining whether or not information about the item of the product can be displayed in the section to which the item of the electronic shelf label terminal to which the product is assigned is assigned;
With respect to the electronic shelf label terminal to which the product is assigned by the assigning means, the electronic shelf label is determined on the condition that the judgment means can display all the sections to which the items are assigned by the assigning means. In association with the information for identifying the terminal, information on the product assigned to the electronic shelf label terminal, at least two sections that divide the screen area of the electronic shelf label terminal, and items assigned to the sections Storage means for storing information to represent;
Transmitting means for transmitting the product information stored for each piece of information for identifying the electronic shelf label terminal, information indicating the section and item, to the electronic shelf label terminal identified by the corresponding information;
A shelf label management device comprising: An arithmetic means for calculating the maximum number of characters that can be displayed in the section from the area and character size of the section;
Further comprising
The determination means determines that display is possible when the number of characters of information related to the item assigned to the section is equal to or less than the maximum number of characters
The shelf label management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: A size changing means for accepting a change in the character size of the item when the number of characters exceeds the maximum number of characters;
The shelf label management device according to claim 2, further comprising: Receiving means for receiving information addressed to itself transmitted from the shelf label management device according to any one of claims 1 to 3;
A display device having a screen area;
Expanding means for dividing the screen area into at least two or more sections based on the information received by the receiving means, and expanding the product information related to the items respectively assigned to the sections;
Control means for controlling the display of the screen area according to the contents developed by the expanding means;
An electronic shelf label terminal comprising: A wireless device capable of wireless communication with a portable terminal according to a predetermined wireless communication standard;
Non-display storage means for storing information other than the items assigned to the section of the product information received by the receiving means as non-display information;
A non-transmission means for transmitting non-display information stored in the non-display storage means to the mobile terminal when a line is established with the mobile terminal via the wireless device;
The electronic shelf label terminal according to claim 4, further comprising: Computer
Assigning means for assigning products to each of a plurality of electronic shelf label terminals under management,
An allocation unit that divides the screen area of the electronic shelf label terminal to which the product is allocated by the allocation unit into at least two or more sections and allocates items of the products to be displayed in the respective sections;
A determination unit that determines whether or not information related to the item of the product can be displayed in the section to which the item of the electronic shelf label terminal to which the product is assigned is assigned,
With respect to the electronic shelf label terminal to which the product is assigned by the assigning means, the electronic shelf label is determined on the condition that the judgment means can display all the sections to which the items are assigned by the assigning means. In association with the information for identifying the terminal, information on the product assigned to the electronic shelf label terminal, at least two sections that divide the screen area of the electronic shelf label terminal, and items assigned to the sections Storage means for storing information to be stored in the storage unit, and
Transmitting means for transmitting the information on the product stored for each piece of information identifying the electronic shelf label terminal and information indicating the section and the item to the electronic shelf label terminal identified by the corresponding information;
Shelf label management program to function as.

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