JP7055446B2 - Programs for wireless display systems, mobile terminal devices and mobile terminal devices - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a wireless display system. The present invention also relates to a mobile terminal device used together with a wireless display system and a program for the mobile terminal device.

Conventionally, there is known a wireless display system in which a switch is provided on a wireless display and instructions from a worker or the like are notified from the wireless display to a higher-level server by operating the switch (for example, Patent Document 1). (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2010-2437672)). By providing the switch on the wireless display, the operator or the like who operates the wireless display can quickly notify the server of the instruction.

When a switch is provided on a wireless display as in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2010-243762), there is a problem that the device structure tends to be complicated and the cost of the wireless display increases. Further, as in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2010-243762), when a switch is provided on a wireless display, a space for arranging the switch is required, so that it is difficult to miniaturize the wireless display. Is.

One problem with Patent Document 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2010-243762) is to provide a wireless display system for notifying an instruction of a worker or the like from a wireless display to a higher-level server, and to provide a switch on the wireless display. The purpose is to provide a wireless display system capable of promptly notifying a server of instructions.

Further, in the wireless display system of Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2010-243762), consideration is not given to the multilingual support of the wireless display system, and there is room for improvement in this respect.

The wireless display system according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a server, a wireless display, and a mobile terminal. The server stores at least the article information and the link information as the information about the article set for each of the plurality of articles. Link information is information that identifies a place where predetermined information about an article is stored. The wireless display wirelessly communicates with the server. In the mobile terminal, the type of language to be used is set. The mobile terminal performs short-range wireless communication with the wireless display. The wireless display acquires the article information and the link information transmitted by the server, and displays the acquired article information. The mobile terminal performs short-range wireless communication with the wireless display, acquires link information from the wireless display, accesses the location specified by the link information, and is described in the language set as the type of language to be used. The predetermined information about the article is acquired and displayed from a place outside the mobile terminal specified by the link information.

The wireless display system according to the second aspect of the present invention includes a server and a wireless display. The server stores at least the article information and the link information as the information about the article set for each of the plurality of articles. Link information is information that identifies a place where predetermined information about an article is stored. The wireless display wirelessly communicates with the server. The wireless display performs short-range wireless communication with a mobile terminal in which the type of language to be used is set. The wireless display acquires the article information and the link information transmitted by the server, and displays the acquired article information. The wireless display performs short-range wireless communication with the mobile terminal and transmits link information to the mobile terminal. The link information, when operated by the mobile terminal, causes the mobile terminal to access the place specified by the link information, and the predetermined link information is described in the language set in the mobile terminal as the type of language to be used. Information that is acquired from a location outside the mobile terminal specified by the link information and displayed on the mobile terminal.

The wireless display system according to the third aspect of the present invention is the wireless display system according to the first aspect or the second aspect, and the mobile terminal uses short-range wireless communication to display a language for the wireless display. When transmitting the switching instruction, the wireless display does not switch the language of the displayed article information and displays it as it is, and the wireless display displays it to the mobile terminal using short-range wireless communication. What is the language of the article information? The article information whose display language is switched is transmitted, and the article information is displayed on the mobile terminal in the language after the display language is switched.

The wireless display system according to the fourth aspect of the present invention is the wireless display system according to any one of the first to third viewpoints, and the inside of the facility where the wireless display is installed is photographed and the photographed image is taken. Further equipped with a camera to send to the server. The server has a language estimation unit. The language estimation unit estimates the language to be displayed on the wireless display based on the image of the person taken by the camera. The server transmits the article information in the language estimated by the language estimation unit to the wireless display, and switches the display language of the wireless display.

The mobile terminal device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention is a mobile terminal device that can be used together with a wireless display system. The wireless display system includes a server and a wireless display. The server stores at least the article information and the link information as the information about the article set for each of the plurality of articles. Link information is information that identifies a place where predetermined information about an article is stored. The wireless display wirelessly communicates with the server, acquires the article information and the link information from the server, and displays the article information. The mobile terminal device includes a first communication unit for short-range wireless communication with a wireless display and a second communication unit for wireless communication. The mobile terminal device can set the type of language to be used. In the mobile terminal device, the first communication unit performs short-range wireless communication with the wireless display, acquires link information from the wireless display, and uses the second communication unit to access and use the location specified by the link information. Predetermined information about an article described in a language set as the type of language to be used is acquired and displayed from a location outside the mobile terminal device specified by the link information.

The program according to the sixth aspect of the present invention is a program used in a mobile terminal device that can be used together with a wireless display system. The wireless display system includes a server and a wireless display. The server stores at least the article information and the link information as the information about the article set for each of the plurality of articles. Link information is information that identifies a place where predetermined information about an article is stored. The wireless display wirelessly communicates with the server, acquires the article information and the link information from the server, and displays the article information. The mobile terminal device includes a first communication unit that performs short-range wireless communication with a wireless display, a second communication unit for wireless communication, and a control unit that controls the operation of the mobile terminal device. The mobile terminal device can set the type of language to be used. The program performs short-range wireless communication between the first communication unit and the wireless display to acquire link information from the wireless display, and uses the second communication unit to access the location specified by the link information and carry it. A process of acquiring predetermined information about an article described in a language set as the type of language used by the terminal device from a location outside the mobile terminal device specified by link information and displaying it on the mobile terminal device. , Is executed by the control unit.

The other wireless display system according to the first aspect communicates with the mobile terminal. The wireless display system includes a plurality of wireless indicators, a server, and a communication device. The plurality of wireless indicators are arranged corresponding to each of the plurality of articles. Each of the plurality of wireless indicators has a display unit for displaying article information regarding the corresponding article. The server stores article information about a plurality of articles. The communication device wirelessly transmits to each wireless display the article information about the article corresponding to the wireless display stored in the server. The wireless display has a first communication unit, a second communication unit, and a switching unit. The first communication unit performs short-range wireless communication with the mobile terminal and receives instruction information from the mobile terminal. The second communication unit performs wireless communication with the communication device and exchanges information with the server via the communication device. The switching unit switches the operating state of the second communication unit between the sleep state and the wake-up state. In the sleep state, the second communication unit cannot communicate with the communication device. In the wake-up state, the second communication unit can communicate with the communication device. When the first communication unit receives the instruction information, the switching unit switches the operating state of the second communication unit to the wake-up state, and the second communication unit transmits the instruction information received by the first communication unit via the communication device. Send to the server.

In this wireless display system, when the first communication unit of the wireless display that performs short-range wireless communication with the mobile terminal receives the instruction information transmitted by the mobile terminal, the received instruction information is transmitted from the wireless display to the server. Will be sent. With this configuration, it is possible to promptly notify the server of instructions from the operator or the like from the wireless display without providing a switch on the wireless display.

The wireless display system according to the other second aspect is the wireless display system according to the other first aspect, and the mobile terminal has an instruction selection function. The first communication unit receives the instruction information selected in the mobile terminal.

When a switch is provided on the wireless display to notify the server of instructions, it is desirable to arrange as many switches on the wireless display as the number of types of instructions in order to quickly notify the server of multiple types of instructions. .. However, as the number of switches arranged on the wireless display increases, it becomes more difficult to miniaturize the wireless display.

In this wireless display system, since the mobile terminal has an instruction selection function, the wireless display can quickly notify the server of a plurality of types of instructions such as a worker without increasing the size of the wireless display.

The wireless display system according to the other third aspect is the wireless display system according to the other first aspect or the other second aspect, and the instruction information is to switch the operating state of the second communication unit to the stopped state. Includes first instruction information to instruct. The switching unit is configured to further switch the operating state of the second communication unit to the stopped state based on the first instruction information received by the first communication unit. When the first communication unit receives the first instruction information, the second communication unit receives the first instruction information received by the first communication unit before the switching unit switches the operation state of the second communication unit to the stopped state. , Sends to the server via the communication device.

In this wireless display system, when an article corresponding to the wireless display no longer exists, the communication function between the wireless display and the server can be stopped without providing a switch on the wireless display. .. Further, since the first instruction information is transmitted from the wireless display to the server before the communication function is stopped, it is possible to know that the communication function of the wireless display has been stopped on the server side.

The other wireless display system according to the fourth aspect is the wireless display system according to the other third aspect, and when the server receives the first instruction information, the server receives the first instruction information and makes a second communication unit via the communication device. 1 Send the display image. The switching unit switches the operating state of the second communication unit to the stopped state after the second communication unit receives the first display image. When the second communication unit receives the first display image, the display unit displays the first display image.

In this wireless display system, after the second communication unit receives the first display image to be displayed on the display unit, the operating state of the second communication unit is switched to the stopped state. Therefore, when the communication function of the second communication unit is stopped, the first display image is displayed on the display unit, and the worker or the like indicates that the second communication unit of the wireless display is in the state where the communication function is stopped. Can be clearly informed.

The other wireless display system according to the fifth aspect is the wireless display system according to the other third aspect, and the first communication unit receives the first display image transmitted by the mobile terminal together with the first instruction information. When the first communication unit receives the first display image, the display unit displays the first display image.

In this wireless display system, the first communication unit receives from the mobile terminal the first display image to be displayed on the display unit together with the first instruction information instructing the operation state of the second communication unit to be switched to the stopped state. .. Therefore, when the communication function of the second communication unit is stopped, the first display image is displayed on the display unit, and the worker or the like indicates that the second communication unit of the wireless display is in the state where the communication function is stopped. Can be clearly informed.

The other wireless display system according to the sixth aspect is a wireless display system according to any one of the other fifth viewpoints from the other first viewpoint, and the instruction information is given to the first language of the display language of the display unit. The second instruction information for instructing the switching of is included. When the server receives the second instruction information from the second communication unit via the communication device, the server transmits the second display image using the first language to the second communication unit via the communication device. When the second communication unit receives the second display image, the display unit displays the second display image.

In this wireless display system, the wireless display can display information in a language desired by the carrier of the mobile terminal. Therefore, even when the wireless display is used in an environment where various languages can be used, the user of the mobile terminal can easily grasp the information displayed on the wireless display, which is highly convenient.

The wireless display system according to the other 7th viewpoint is a wireless display system according to any of the other 6th viewpoints from the other 1st viewpoint, and performs short-range wireless communication with the mobile terminal to set the mobile terminal. Further equipped with a communication tag to be changed.

Conventionally, changing the setting of a mobile terminal requires laborious work for the mobile terminal, such as directly rewriting the ROM data of the CPU.

In this wireless display system, the setting of the mobile terminal can be easily changed by short-range wireless communication between the mobile terminal and the communication tag.

The other wireless display system according to the eighth aspect is a wireless display system according to any one of the other seventh viewpoints from the other first viewpoint, and the first communication unit relates to the state of the wireless display on the mobile terminal. Send information.

In this wireless display system, information about the status of the wireless display (for example, the remaining battery level of the wireless display) is transmitted to the mobile terminal, so that an operator or the like can use the mobile terminal to display the status of the wireless display. It can be easily confirmed.

In the wireless display system according to another viewpoint, when the first communication unit of the wireless display that performs short-range wireless communication with the mobile terminal receives the instruction information transmitted by the mobile terminal, the received instruction information is wirelessly displayed. It is sent from the device to the server. With this configuration, it is possible to promptly notify the server of instructions from the operator or the like from the wireless display without providing a switch on the wireless display.

It is an overall schematic diagram of the wireless display system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which draws the arrangement example of the electronic shelf label which the wireless display system of FIG. 1 has. It is a figure which shows the appearance of the electronic shelf label which the wireless display system of FIG. 1 has. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state in which the electronic shelf label of the wireless display system of FIG. 1 displays an image of the characters “communication function OFF”. It is a block diagram which shows the schematic structure of the electronic shelf label which the wireless display system of FIG. 1 has. It is a block diagram which shows the schematic structure of the server which the wireless display system of FIG. 1 has. It is the schematic of the remote control which communicates with the wireless display system of FIG. It is a flowchart which showed the operation of the wireless display system when the electronic shelf label receives the record of the electronic shelf label and the update instruction of the display in the wireless display system of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the wireless display system when the electronic shelf label receives an instruction to switch the display of the electronic shelf label in the wireless display system of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the wireless display system when the electronic shelf label receives a communication function OFF instruction of the second communication unit in the wireless display system of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the wireless display system when the electronic shelf label receives a communication function ON instruction of the second communication unit in the wireless display system of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the wireless display system when the electronic shelf label receives an instruction to switch the display language of the electronic shelf label in the wireless display system of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the wireless display system when the electronic shelf label receives a communication function OFF instruction of the second communication unit in the wireless display system according to the modification B.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the wireless display system according to the present invention will be described. The following embodiments are specific examples of the present invention and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention. Various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the present invention.

(1) Overall Configuration In the present embodiment, the wireless display system 1 is used in a store such as a supermarket or a convenience store.

As shown in FIG. 1, the wireless display system 1 mainly communicates with a server 10, a plurality of electronic shelf labels 40, 40, ..., A plurality of access points 30, 30, ..., And terminal setting. It has a tag 75 and. The number of electronic shelf labels 40, access points 30, and terminal setting communication tags 75 included in the wireless display system 1 is not limited to the number shown in FIG.

The electronic shelf label 40 is an example of a wireless display. The electronic shelf label 40 is a portable device. The electronic shelf label 40 is arranged corresponding to each of the plurality of products P handled in the store where the wireless display system 1 is installed (see FIG. 2). The product P is an example of an article. Each electronic shelf label 40 has a display unit 41 that displays product information related to the corresponding product P (see FIG. 3). Product information is an example of goods information. The product information related to the product P includes, for example, the product name of the product P, the selling price of the product P, the selling unit price of the product P (selling price per weight), the bar code of the product P (identification information unique to the product P), and the like. Is included (see FIG. 3). However, the product information regarding the product P does not have to be limited to the information exemplified here, and may include other information in addition to or in place of a part or all of this information. good.

The electronic shelf label 40 is driven by a battery 45 (see FIG. 5). If the electronic shelf label 40 is in a state in which the second communication unit 42, which will be described later, communicates with the access point 30 at all times, the power consumption is large and the battery 45 needs to be replaced frequently. Therefore, as will be described later, the electronic shelf label 40 sets the operating state of the second communication unit 42 between a sleep state in which communication with the access point 30 is not possible and a wake-up state in which communication with the access point 30 is possible at predetermined time intervals. It is configured to switch. The electronic shelf label 40 repeats a cycle of putting the operating state of the second communication unit 42 into a sleep state for a relatively long time, switching to a wake-up state for a relatively short time, and then returning to the sleep state again. By operating the electronic shelf label 40 in this way, the consumption of the battery 45 is suppressed.

The server 10 is a general computer that manages information about a plurality of products P handled in a store. The server 10 is arranged, for example, in the backyard of the store where the wireless display system 1 is installed. Various information about the product P is stored in the server 10. The server 10 stores various information regarding the plurality of products P. Further, the server 10 stores information for associating the electronic shelf label 40 with the product P corresponding to the electronic shelf label 40. The server 10 exchanges information with and from the electronic shelf label 40 via an access point 30 connected by a network 2 (see FIG. 1) such as a LAN (Local Area Network). The information transmitted by the server 10 to the electronic shelf label 40 includes a storage and / or display change command for the electronic shelf label 40 and an image display command when the communication function is OFF. The storage and / or display change command and the image display command when the communication function is OFF will be described later. The information transmitted from the electronic shelf label 40 to the server 10 includes a response signal described later and instruction information described later.

The access point 30 is a communication device that performs radio wave wireless communication. The access point 30 uses radio waves to transmit information sent from the server 10 to each electronic shelf label 40. Further, the access point 30 receives information transmitted by radio waves from the electronic shelf label 40, and transmits the received information to the server 10.

The access points 30 are attached to the ceiling of a store at intervals, for example. The installation location and installation interval of the access point 30 are determined so that the electronic shelf label 40 installed in the store can communicate with any of the access points 30.

In order to inform the electronic shelf label 40 whether or not information is transmitted, the access point 30 transmits a signal called a beacon at predetermined time intervals in accordance with the timing when the operating state of the second communication unit 42 of the electronic shelf label 40 becomes the wake-up state. Send with. When transmitting information to the electronic shelf label 40, the access point 30 transmits the information following the beacon informing that the information is transmitted. Further, when the access point 30 does not transmit the information to the electronic shelf label 40, the access point 30 transmits a beacon informing that the information is not transmitted. When the electronic shelf label 40 receives the beacon notifying that the information is transmitted, the electronic shelf label 40 does not immediately return the operating state of the second communication unit 42 to the sleep state, but keeps it in the wake-up state for a predetermined period.

With such a configuration, the electronic shelf label 40 does not switch the operating state of the second communication unit 42 to the wake-up state for an unnecessarily long period of time, so that the consumption of the battery 45 is suppressed.

The wireless display system 1 is configured to be able to communicate with the remote controller 80 and the smartphone 180. The remote controller 80 and the smartphone 180 are examples of mobile terminals.

The remote controller 80 is a device carried by a worker or the like who works in a store.

The remote controller 80 has a CPU (not shown) and memories (not shown) such as RAM, ROM, and flash memory. The remote controller 80 has a communication unit (not shown) that performs short-range wireless communication (NFC: Near field communication) with a first communication unit 50 (RF tag (Radio Frequency Tag)) of the electronic shelf tag 40 described later. That is, the remote controller 80 is an RF tag reader / writer capable of short-range wireless communication with the first communication unit 50 (RF tag (Radio Frequency Tag)) of the electronic shelf tag 40.

The remote controller 80 uses short-range wireless communication to transmit instruction information to the electronic shelf label 40. The instruction information transmitted by the remote controller 80 to the electronic shelf label 40 includes a plurality of instructions. The instruction information transmitted by the remote controller 80 to the electronic shelf label 40 includes, for example, an instruction to update the storage and / or display of the electronic shelf label 40, an instruction to switch the display of the electronic shelf label 40, and a second electronic shelf label 40. The communication function OFF instruction of the communication unit 42 and the communication function ON instruction of the second communication unit 42 are included. The contents of each instruction will be described later.

The remote controller 80 has a plurality of (8 in this embodiment) buttons 81 as shown in FIG. 7. The instruction information transmitted to the electronic shelf label 40 is associated with any one of the buttons 81. After the operator or the like presses the button 81 corresponding to the instruction information to be transmitted, the remote controller 80 is brought closer to the electronic shelf label 40, so that the instruction information corresponding to the pressed button 81 is transferred from the remote controller 80 to the electronic shelf label 40. 1 It is transmitted to the communication unit 50. That is, the remote controller 80 has an instruction selection function (a function that can select instruction information to be transmitted to the electronic shelf label 40).

The terminal setting communication tag 75 is an RF tag (Radio Frequency Tag). The terminal setting communication tag 75 is arranged, for example, in the backyard of the store where the wireless display system 1 is installed. The terminal setting communication tag 75 is used to change the setting of the remote controller 80. Here, changing the setting of the remote controller 80 does not mean only resetting the setting of the remote controller 80, but also includes making the initial setting of the remote controller 80 which has not been set. In the setting of the remote controller 80, for example, the function assignment to each button 81 (for example, which button 81 is pressed to transmit which instruction information is transmitted from the remote controller 80) and the signal transmission time to the electronic shelf label 40 are set. Includes settings, authentication code settings, etc.

The terminal setting communication tag 75 mainly has an NFC chip (not shown) and a loop antenna for communication (not shown). The remote controller 80 is configured to be able to communicate with the communication tag 75 for terminal setting. Information (setting values, etc.) for setting the remote controller 80 is pre-written in the memory (not shown) of the NFC chip of the terminal setting communication tag 75 by a reader / writer of an RF tag (not shown).

The setting of the remote controller 80 is changed as follows, for example.

When the setting of the remote controller 80 is changed, an operation of switching the operation mode of the remote controller 80 to the setting mode (for example, an operation of pressing any button 81) is performed on the remote controller 80 by an operator or the like. After that, when the remote controller 80 is brought closer to the terminal setting communication tag 75 and short-range wireless communication is performed between the remote controller 80 and the terminal setting communication tag 75, the remote controller 80 is stored in the memory of the NFC chip of the terminal setting communication tag 75. The information (set value, etc.) that has been set is transmitted to the remote controller 80. The remote controller 80 writes the received information in a non-volatile memory (for example, EEPROM, flash memory, etc.). When the operation mode of the remote controller 80 is used in the normal mode (when the instruction information is transmitted from the remote controller 80 to the electronic shelf label 40), the remote controller 80 is stored according to the information (setting) stored in the non-volatile memory. 80 works.

The smartphone 180 is a device carried by a customer or the like who visits a store. The smartphone 180 is a mobile phone having a computer function. The smartphone 180 uses short-range wireless communication to transmit instruction information to the electronic shelf label 40. The instruction information transmitted by the smartphone 180 to the electronic shelf label 40 includes a plurality of instructions. The instruction information transmitted by the smartphone 180 to the electronic shelf label 40 includes, for example, an instruction to switch the display language of the electronic shelf label 40 and an instruction to switch the display of the electronic shelf label 40. The contents of each instruction will be described later.

The smartphone 180 has a CPU (not shown) and a memory (not shown) such as RAM and ROM. In the memory of the smartphone 180, application software is pre-downloaded, for example, via a communication line (not shown) in order to generate instruction information for the electronic shelf label 40, which will be described later. The smartphone 180 has a communication unit (not shown) that performs short-range wireless communication (NFC: Near field communication) with a first communication unit 50 (RF tag (Radio Frequency Tag)) of the electronic shelf tag 40 described later. In other words, the smartphone 180 is an RF tag reader / writer capable of short-range wireless communication with the first communication unit 50 (RF tag (Radio Frequency Tag)) of the electronic shelf tag 40. Further, the smartphone 180 has a touch panel type display as an input / output unit for information. The operation for switching ON / OFF of the short-range wireless communication function of the smartphone 180 and transmitting the instruction information to the electronic shelf label 40 is performed using the touch panel type display. For example, the user of the smartphone 180 performs an operation for transmitting certain instruction information using a touch panel display, and then brings the smartphone 180 closer to the electronic shelf label 40, so that the instruction information intended by the user of the smartphone 180 is used. Is transmitted from the smartphone 180 to the first communication unit 50 of the electronic shelf label 40. That is, the smartphone 180 has an instruction selection function (a function that can select instruction information to be transmitted to the electronic shelf label 40).

Further, the smartphone 180 is configured to be able to receive the information stored in the electronic shelf label 40. The information stored in the electronic shelf label 40 that the smartphone 180 can receive will be described later.

(2) Detailed Configuration The electronic shelf label 40 and the server 10 of the wireless display system 1 will be described in detail below.

(2-1) Electronic shelf label The electronic shelf label 40 is arranged corresponding to each of the plurality of products P handled in the store where the wireless display system 1 is installed (see FIG. 2). The electronic shelf label 40 displays product information related to the corresponding product P (see FIG. 3).

As shown in FIG. 5, the electronic shelf label 40 mainly has a display unit 41, a first communication unit 50, a second communication unit 42, a memory 60, a control unit 44, and a battery 45.

(2-1-1) Display unit The display unit 41 is a screen for displaying product information related to the product P corresponding to the electronic shelf label 40 having the display unit 41 (see FIG. 3). The display unit 41 displays product information related to the product P stored in the memory 60. For example, electronic paper is used for the display unit 41. That is, the display unit 41 is a dot matrix type non-volatile display unit composed of a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix. The display unit 41 can hold the displayed contents even if power is not supplied.

(2-1-2) First Communication Unit The first communication unit 50 is a passive RF tag that receives power from a remote controller 80 or a smartphone 180 by non-contact power transmission. The first communication unit 50 performs short-range wireless communication with the remote controller 80 and the smartphone 180.

The first communication unit 50 is configured to receive instruction information from the remote controller 80 and the smartphone 180. The first communication unit 50 receives the instruction information selected by the remote controller 80 and the smartphone 180. The contents of the instruction information will be described later.

Further, the first communication unit 50 is configured to transmit various information stored in the memory 60 to the smartphone 180.

As shown in FIG. 5, the first communication unit 50 mainly includes an antenna 51 and an NFC chip (Near Field Communication Chip) 52.

The antenna 51 is a loop antenna (coil antenna) used for transmitting and receiving signals using radio waves or magnetic fields. The communicable distance between the first communication unit 50 and the remote controller 80 and the smartphone 180 is about several cm to several tens of cm.

The NFC chip 52 is an integrated circuit that performs various controls of the first communication unit 50. The NFC chip 52 includes a memory 60 for storing information. The memory 60 will be described later.

When the NFC chip 52 receives instruction information from the remote controller 80 or the smartphone 180 via the antenna 51, the NFC chip 52 stores the received instruction information in the memory 60. Further, the NFC chip 52 outputs a signal to the control unit 44 informing that the instruction information has been received. The operation of the wireless display system 1 when the first communication unit 50 receives various instruction information will be described later.

Further, when the smartphone 180 and the first communication unit 50 perform short-range wireless communication in a state where the instruction information is not transmitted from the smartphone 180, the NFC chip 52 reads predetermined information regarding the product P from the memory 60. That is, when the smartphone 180 in a state where the short-range wireless communication function is turned on and the operation for transmitting the instruction information is not performed and the smartphone 180 is brought close to the electronic shelf label 40, the NFC chip 52 receives the NFC chip 52. Predetermined information about the product P is read from the memory 60. Then, the NFC chip 52 transmits predetermined information about the product P to the smartphone 180 via the antenna 51.

The predetermined information about the product P may be all or a part of the information about the product P stored in the memory 60. The content of the information about the product P stored in the memory 60 will be described later.

Here, by simply turning on the short-range wireless communication function of the smartphone 180 and bringing the smartphone 180 closer to the electronic shelf label 40, the first communication unit 50 transmits predetermined information about the product P to the smartphone 180. , Not limited to this. The smartphone 180 transmits a transmission request instruction (instruction information) of predetermined information regarding the product P to the first communication unit 50, and the NFC chip 52 determines the predetermined information regarding the product P to the smartphone 180 in response to the transmission request instruction. It may be configured to send information about.

(2-1-3) Second Communication Unit The second communication unit 42 performs wireless communication with the access point 30. The second communication unit 42 performs radio wave communication with the access point 30. The second communication unit 42 exchanges information with and from the server 10 via the access point 30.

For example, the second communication unit 42 receives a storage and / or display change command transmitted from the server 10 via the access point 30. The storage change command is a command for instructing the electronic shelf label 40 to change (including addition and deletion) of the storage contents of the memory 60. The display change command is a command for instructing the electronic shelf label 40 to change (including deleting) the display content of the display unit 41. The storage and / or display change command transmitted to the electronic shelf label 40 may include information (including numerical data and image data) regarding the product P. Further, the device ID (identification information unique to each electronic shelf label 40) of the electronic shelf label 40 to be executed is included in the storage and / or display change command transmitted to the electronic shelf label 40. It has been added.

Further, for example, the second communication unit 42 receives an image display command when the communication function is OFF, which is transmitted from the server 10 via the access point 30. The image display command when the communication function is OFF is a command instructing the display unit 41 to display the characters "communication function OFF" (see FIG. 4). The storage and / or display change command transmitted to the electronic shelf label 40 includes a first display image (image data of characters of "communication function OFF"). Here, the image display command when the communication function is OFF is a command instructing the display unit 41 to display the characters "communication function OFF", but the image displayed on the display unit 41 is the "communication function". It is not limited to the character "OFF". The image display command when the communication function is OFF is a command instructing the display unit 41 to display characters or symbols other than "communication function OFF" indicating that the communication function of the second communication unit 42 is OFF. There may be.

The second communication unit 42 transmits various signals to the access point 30.

The signal transmitted by the second communication unit 42 to the access point 30 includes a response signal (ACK). The response signal is a second communication unit 42 for notifying the server 10 that the electronic shelf label 40 has received the information transmitted to the electronic shelf label 40 (for example, a command for changing the storage and / or display). It is a signal transmitted from.

Further, when the first communication unit 50 receives the instruction information from the remote controller 80 or the smartphone 180, the second communication unit 42 transmits the received instruction information to the server 10 via the access point 30. Note that transmitting the received instruction information to the server 10 includes not only the case where the received instruction information is transmitted as it is, but also the case where the information (signal) corresponding to the received instruction information is transmitted.

(2-1-4) Memory The memory 60 is included in the NFC chip 52 of the first communication unit 50. The memory 60 is connected to the second communication unit 42 and the first communication unit 50. The fact that the second communication unit 42 and the memory 60 are connected means that the information received by the second communication unit 42 can be written to the memory 60, and the information read from the memory 60 is used as the second communication unit. It means that it can be transmitted from 42. Further, the fact that the first communication unit 50 and the memory 60 are connected means that the information received by the first communication unit 50 can be written to the memory 60, and the information read from the memory 60 is used as the first communication unit. It means that it is possible to transmit from 50.

The memory 60 stores information about the product P received by the second communication unit 42.

The information about the product P includes the product information about the product P displayed on the electronic shelf label 40 (the product name of the product P, the selling price of the product P, the selling unit price of the product P, the bar code of the product P, etc.). The product information regarding the product P is the information normally displayed on the display unit 41. The product information regarding the product P is stored in the memory 60 as image data, for example.

In addition, in the information about product P, when product P is a food, information on allergens contained, information on halal (whether or not it is permitted to eat under Islamic law), etc. May be included. Further, the various information regarding the product P may include an approximate price when the selling price of the product P (for example, the selling price of Japanese yen) is converted into another currency (for example, the US dollar). Further, when the tax rate differs depending on the product, the various information about the product P may include information on a product that is the same type as the product P but has a low tax rate depending on the classification of the reduced tax rate and is a bargain. Further, the various information regarding the product P may include discount information such as when the product P is purchased in bulk.

Further, the information about the product P may include a URL from which the information about the product P can be obtained.

When the predetermined information of the product P is transmitted from the first communication unit 50 to the smartphone 180, a part or all of the above-mentioned information of the product P stored in the memory 60 is transmitted to the smartphone 180. To.

If the information transmitted from the electronic shelf label 40 to the smartphone 180 is a URL for accessing the information related to the product P, the information is not required to perform a special operation on the smartphone 180. It is preferable that the information is displayed on the smartphone 180 in a language suitable for the user of the smartphone 180. Specifically, when the URL transmitted from the electronic shelf label 40 is accessed from the smartphone 180, the content (content using that language) corresponding to the language (set language) used in the smartphone 180 is automatically added. It is preferably configured to be displayed.

(2-1-5) Control unit The control unit 44 mainly has a CPU (not shown), a memory including a RAM, a ROM, and the like (not shown). The control unit 44 is electrically connected to the display unit 41, the second communication unit 42, the first communication unit 50, the memory 60, and the battery 45 (see FIG. 5).

In the memory of the control unit 44, a program for execution by the CPU of the control unit 44 and a device ID which is a unique identifier of the electronic shelf label 40 are stored.

The control unit 44 controls each configuration of the electronic shelf label 40 by executing a program stored in the memory of the control unit 44. Specifically, the control unit 44 performs the following control.

For example, when the second communication unit 42 receives the storage and / or display change command from the server 10, the control unit 44 sends the storage and / or display change command to itself (an electronic shelf label having the control unit 44). It is determined whether or not it is addressed to 40). Specifically, the control unit 44 compares the device ID attached to the storage and / or display change command with the unique device ID stored in the memory of the control unit 44, and when they match. , Judge that the memory and / or display change command is addressed to itself. When the control unit 44 determines that the storage and / or display change command is addressed to itself, the control unit 44 stores the information regarding the product P included in the storage and / or display change command in the memory 60. When the second communication unit 42 receives the display change command, the control unit 44 controls the display unit 41 so that the display of the display unit 41 is changed to the content corresponding to the display change command. Further, the control unit 44 controls the second communication unit 42 so that the second communication unit 42 transmits a response signal to the server 10 when it is determined that the storage and / or display change command is addressed to itself. ..

Further, for example, when the second communication unit 42 receives the image display command when the communication function is OFF from the server 10, the control unit 44 sends the image display command when the communication function is OFF to itself (an electronic shelf label having the control unit 44). It is determined whether or not it is addressed to 40). Specifically, the control unit 44 compares the device ID attached to the image display command when the communication function is OFF with the unique device ID stored in the memory of the control unit 44, and when they match, the control unit 44 compares. When the communication function is OFF, it is determined that the image display command is addressed to itself. When the control unit 44 determines that the image display command when the communication function is OFF is addressed to itself, the control unit 44 stores the first display image (image data of characters of "communication function OFF") included in the image display command when the communication function is OFF in the memory. Store in 60. The control unit 44 controls the display unit 41 so that the first display image is displayed. Further, the control unit 44 controls the second communication unit 42 so that the second communication unit 42 transmits a response signal to the server 10 when it is determined that the storage and / or display change command is addressed to itself. ..

Further, for example, when the first communication unit 50 receives the instruction information from the remote controller 80 or the smartphone 180, the control unit 44 makes a second communication so that the received instruction information is transmitted to the server 10 via the access point 30. The unit 42 is controlled. The instruction information received from the remote controller 80 by the first communication unit 50 includes an instruction to update the storage and / or display of the electronic shelf label 40, an instruction to switch the display of the electronic shelf label 40, and an instruction to turn off the communication function of the second communication unit 42. , And the communication function ON instruction of the second communication unit 42. Further, the instruction information received from the smartphone 180 by the first communication unit 50 includes an instruction for switching the display language of the electronic shelf label 40 and an instruction for switching the display of the electronic shelf label 40. The specific content of the instructions will be described later.

The control unit 44 has a switching unit 44a as a functional unit. The switching unit 44a switches the operating state of the second communication unit 42. Hereinafter, a specific description will be given.

The second communication unit 42 has three operating states: a sleep state, a wake-up state, and a stop state. Power is supplied from the battery 45 to the second communication unit 42 in the wake-up state, and the second communication unit 42 can communicate with the access point 30. Power is not supplied from the battery 45 to the second communication unit 42 in the sleep state and the stopped state, and the second communication unit 42 cannot communicate with the access point 30. The switching unit 44a switches a switching element (not shown) to control the supply of electricity from the battery 45 to the second communication unit, thereby changing the operating state of the second communication unit 42 to the sleep state, the wake-up state, and the stopped state. Switch between three states.

The following points are different between the sleep state and the stopped state. The operating state of the second communication unit 42 in the sleep state is automatically switched to the wake-up state by the switching unit 44a after a predetermined time has elapsed. On the other hand, the operating state of the second communication unit 42 in the stopped state remains in the stopped state until the communication function ON instruction of the second communication unit 42 is transmitted to the first communication unit 50.

The switching unit 44a switches the operating state of the second communication unit 42 between the sleep state and the wake-up state at predetermined time intervals during normal times (when the communication function of the second communication unit 42 is not turned off). .. The switching unit 44a switches the operating state of the second communication unit 42 from the sleep state to the wake-up state only once per minute, for example, for one second. The switching unit 44a normally repeats this. However, when the switching unit 44a receives a beacon informing that the information transmitted from the access point 30 is transmitted when the second communication unit 42 is in the wake-up state, the switching unit 44a receives the beacon. The switching unit 44a maintains, for example, the operating state of the second communication unit 42 in the wake-up state for 30 seconds.

Further, when the first communication unit 50 receives the communication function OFF instruction of the second communication unit 42, the switching unit 44a has a predetermined timing (the timing will be described later) based on the received communication function OFF instruction. 2 The operating state of the communication unit 42 is switched to the stopped state.

Further, when the first communication unit 50 receives the communication function ON instruction of the second communication unit 42 when the operation state of the second communication unit 42 is in the stopped state, the switching unit 44a is based on the received communication function ON instruction. Then, the operating state of the second communication unit 42 is switched to the sleep state or the wake-up state. After the operating state of the second communication unit 42 is switched to the sleep state or the wake-up state, the operating state of the second communication unit 42 is switched from the sleep state to the wake-up state in a predetermined cycle as described above.

(2-1-6) Battery The battery 45 is electrically connected to the display unit 41, the second communication unit 42, and the control unit 44 of the electronic shelf label 40. The battery 45 is configured to supply electric power to the display unit 41, the second communication unit 42, and the control unit 44 of the electronic shelf label 40. The first communication unit 50 is configured to receive power supply from the remote controller 80 or the smartphone 180 by non-contact power transmission, and power is not supplied from the battery 45. The memory 60 is transmitted by non-contact power from the battery 45 when data is read / written by the second communication unit 42, and from the remote controller 80 or the smartphone 180 when data is read / written by the first communication unit 50. Each is configured to receive power.

(2-2) Server The server 10 is a general computer that centrally manages information on a plurality of products P handled in a store. The server 10 exchanges information with and from the electronic shelf label 40 via the access point 30. The information transmitted from the server 10 to the electronic shelf label 40 includes a storage and / or display change command including information about the product P.

The server 10 mainly includes a server communication unit 11, a server display unit 12, a server input unit 13, a server storage unit 14, and a server control unit 15 (see FIG. 6).

(2-2-1) Server communication unit The server communication unit 11 is a communication interface for enabling communication between the server 10 and the access point 30. Further, the server 10 can communicate with, for example, a server (not shown) and a store controller (not shown) of the POS system installed in the store where the wireless display system 1 is installed via the server communication unit 11. It is configured.

The information sent from the server communication unit 11 to the access point 30 is transmitted to the electronic shelf label 40 via the access point 30. The information sent from the electronic shelf label 40 to the access point 30 is transmitted to the server communication unit 11 via the access point 30.

The information transmitted from the server communication unit 11 to the electronic shelf label 40 includes a storage and / or display change command and an image display command when the communication function is OFF. The information transmitted from the electronic shelf label 40 to the server communication unit 11 includes a response signal. Further, the information transmitted from the electronic shelf label 40 to the server communication unit 11 includes instruction information (instruction information transmitted from the remote controller 80 or the smartphone 180 to the electronic shelf label 40).

(2-2-2) Server display unit The server display unit 12 is a liquid crystal display. Various information about the wireless display system 1 can be displayed on the server display unit 12.

(2-2-3) Server input unit The server input unit 13 is a mouse and a keyboard. Various commands and various information for the server 10 can be input via the server input unit 13.

(2-2-4) Server storage unit The server storage unit 14 is composed of a ROM, a RAM, a hard disk, and the like. The server storage unit 14 stores various programs executed by the server control unit 15, which will be described later. Further, various information is stored in the server storage unit 14. The information stored in the server storage unit 14 includes the product master table 14a and the electronic shelf label master table 14b (see FIG. 5).

(2-2-4-1) Product master table The product master table 14a is a table of information related to the product P handled in a store or the like where the wireless display system 1 is installed.

The product master table 14a includes information about the product P stored in the memory 60 of the electronic shelf label 40. Further, the product master table 14a may include information about the product P other than the information stored in the memory 60 of the electronic shelf label 40. For example, the product master table 14a may include inventory information of the product P and sales information of the product P, which are not stored in the memory 60. Further, for example, the product master table 14a may include product information related to the product P other than the normally displayed language, which is not stored in the memory 60. The product information related to the product P other than the normally displayed language is, for example, the product related to the product P in English when the product information related to the product P normally displayed on the display unit 41 of the electronic shelf label 40 is Japanese information. Information, product information related to product P in Chinese, product information related to product P in Korean, product information related to product P in Spanish, and the like. The type of language is an example and is not limited to this.

The inventory information of the product P, the sales information of the product P, and the product information related to the product P other than the normally displayed language are not stored in the memory 60 in the present embodiment, but this is only one embodiment. However, in other forms, it may be stored in the memory 60.

Information about the product P is stored in the product master table 14a for each product ID (bar code information) of the product P. The contents of the product master table 14a are updated when the server communication unit 11 receives information from an external device (for example, a POS system (not shown)) or when the server input unit 13 accepts information input.

(2-2-4-2) Electronic shelf label master table The electronic shelf label master table 14b is a table of information that associates the device ID for identifying the electronic shelf label 40 with the product ID of the product P.

In the electronic shelf label master table 14b, the device ID and the product ID are stored in association with each other, so that the electronic shelf label 40 and the product P corresponding to the electronic shelf label 40 are linked. In other words, by storing the device ID and the product ID in association with each other in the electronic shelf label master table 14b, it is specified which product P should be displayed on the electronic shelf label 40. The device ID and the product ID are associated with each other by the worker performing a link work using a handy terminal (not shown).

In the link work, the worker reads the device ID (for example, a barcode) attached to the electronic shelf label 40 and the product ID (for example, a barcode) attached to the product P by using the handy terminal. conduct. The handy terminal transmits the read device ID and product ID to the server 10 via a communication line (not shown). Then, the device ID and the product ID are stored in association with each other in the electronic shelf label master table 14b of the server storage unit 14, so that the electronic shelf label 40 and the product P corresponding to the electronic shelf label 40 are linked. ..

(2-2-5) Server Control Unit The server control unit 15 controls each configuration of the server 10 by executing the program stored in the server storage unit 14. Specifically, the server control unit 15 performs the following control.

For example, when the server communication unit 11 receives the device ID of the electronic shelf label to be associated and the product ID of the product P transmitted by the handy terminal (not shown), the server control unit 15 receives the device ID and the product. It is stored in the electronic shelf label master table 14b in association with the ID.

Further, for example, the server control unit 15 generates a storage and / or display change command when the wireless display system 1 is started or when it is necessary to change the storage content and / or display content of the electronic shelf label 40. The server communication unit 11 is controlled to transmit to the electronic shelf label 40 via the access point 30. The time when it is necessary to change the stored contents and / or the displayed contents of the electronic shelf label 40 is, for example, when the contents of the product master table 14a and the electronic shelf label master table 14b are updated.

The server control unit 15 performs the following processing when transmitting the storage of the memory 60 and the display change command of the display unit 41 to the electronic shelf label 40.

First, the server control unit 15 refers to the product master table 14a and displays image data (information to be displayed by the display unit 41) to be transmitted to the electronic shelf label 40 for the product P whose display of the electronic shelf label 40 needs to be changed. Image data including) is generated. Further, the server control unit 15 refers to the electronic shelf label master table 14b and transmits the device ID of the electronic shelf label 40 linked to the product ID of the product P whose display needs to be changed. Obtained as a destination identifier.

Next, the server control unit 15 generates a storage and display change command including image data to be transmitted to the electronic shelf label 40 with the acquired destination identifier (device ID of the electronic shelf label 40 to be transmitted). .. Further, the server control unit 15 controls the server communication unit 11 to transmit the generated storage and display change command to the access point 30. Upon receiving the storage and display change command, the access point 30 transmits the storage and display change command to the electronic shelf label 40.

The server control unit 15 performs the following processing when transmitting only the storage change command of the memory 60 to the electronic shelf label 40.

First, the server control unit 15 refers to the product master table 14a and reads out the information to be transmitted to the electronic shelf label 40 (information to be stored in the memory 60) for the product P whose storage contents of the memory 60 need to be changed. .. Further, the server control unit 15 refers to the electronic shelf label master table 14b and transmits the device ID of the electronic shelf label 40 linked to the product P whose storage content of the electronic shelf label 40 needs to be changed. Get as an identifier.

Next, the server control unit 15 generates a storage change command including information to be transmitted to the electronic shelf label 40 with the acquired destination identifier (device ID of the electronic shelf label 40 to be transmitted). Further, the server control unit 15 controls the server communication unit 11 to transmit the generated storage change command to the access point 30. Upon receiving the memory change command, the access point 30 transmits the memory change command to the electronic shelf label 40.

As described above, when the electronic shelf label 40 receives the information addressed to itself from the server 10, it transmits a response signal to the server communication unit 11 of the server 10 via the access point 30. When the server communication unit 11 receives the response signal after transmitting the storage and / or display change command, the server control unit 15 determines that the communication with the electronic shelf label 40 is successful, and transmits information to the electronic shelf label 40. End the process. On the other hand, if the server communication unit 11 does not receive the response signal for some reason, the server control unit 15 retransmits the storage and / or display change command.

The operation of the server control unit 15 when the server communication unit 11 receives the instruction information will be described later.

(3) Operation of the wireless display system when the electronic shelf label receives instruction information The operation of the wireless display system 1 when the electronic shelf label 40 receives instruction information from the remote controller 80 or the smartphone 180 will be described below. ..

(3-1) When receiving an instruction to update the storage and / or display of the electronic shelf label Wireless display when the electronic shelf label 40 receives an instruction to update the storage and / or display of the electronic shelf label 40 from the remote controller 80. The operation of the system 1 will be described. The instruction to update the storage and / or display of the electronic shelf label 40 is an electronic shelf using the remote controller 80 when a worker or the like working in the store wants to quickly change the storage and / or display of the electronic shelf label 40. It is transmitted to the bill 40. Here, the operation of the wireless display system 1 when the electronic shelf label 40 receives the storage and display update instruction of the electronic shelf label 40 from the remote controller 80 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step S1, the operator or the like carrying the remote controller 80 presses the button 81 of the remote controller 80 corresponding to the memory and display update instruction by the operator or the like, and the remote controller 80 is brought closer to the electronic shelf label 40. As a result, short-range wireless communication is performed between the remote controller 80 and the first communication unit 50 of the electronic shelf label 40, and the first communication unit 50 receives the storage and display update instruction transmitted from the remote controller 80. .. The storage and display update instructions transmitted from the remote controller 80 are stored in the memory 60 of the electronic shelf label 40.

Next, in step S2, the switching unit 44a of the electronic shelf label 40 switches the operating state of the second communication unit 42 to the wake-up state. The switching unit 44a maintains the operating state of the second communication unit 42 in the wake-up state for a predetermined period (for example, 30 seconds). Further, instead of this, the switching unit 44a maintains the operating state of the second communication unit 42 in the wake-up state until the second communication unit 42 receives the storage and display change command in step S7 described later. May be good.

Next, in step S3, the control unit 44 of the electronic shelf label 40 causes the second communication unit 42 to transmit the storage and display update instructions stored in the memory 60 to the server 10 via the access point 30. It controls the second communication unit 42. The storage and display update instructions transmitted to the server 10 are accompanied by the device ID of the electronic shelf label 40 for transmitting the instruction information so that the transmission source can be identified.

Next, in step S4, the server communication unit 11 of the server 10 receives the storage and display update instructions.

Next, in step S5, the server control unit 15 of the server 10 generates a storage and display change command.

First, the server control unit 15 refers to the electronic shelf label master table 14b and identifies the product ID of the product P linked to the device ID of the electronic shelf label 40 received by the server communication unit 11 in step S4. .. Next, the server control unit 15 refers to the product master table 14a, and for the product P with the specified product ID, the image data to be transmitted to the electronic shelf label 40 (product information regarding the product P to be displayed by the display unit 41). Image data) is generated. Next, the server control unit 15 attaches the device ID of the electronic shelf label 40 received by the server communication unit 11 in step S4 as a destination identifier (device ID of the electronic shelf label 40 to be transmitted) to the electronic shelf label 40. Generates a storage and display change command that includes image data to be sent to.

Next, in step S6, the server control unit 15 of the server 10 causes the server communication unit 11 to transmit the storage and display change command generated by the server communication unit 11 to the electronic shelf label 40 via the access point 30. To control.

Next, in step S7, the second communication unit 42 of the electronic shelf label 40 receives the storage and display change command. When the control unit 44 determines that the received storage and display change command is addressed to itself, the control unit 44 makes the second communication unit 42 transmit a response signal to the server 10 via the access point 30. Operate the unit 42. Further, the storage of the memory 60 is updated based on the information (product information regarding the product P) included in the storage and display change command. The description of the processing when the received memory and display change command is not addressed to itself will be omitted here.

Next, in step S8, the control unit 44 updates the display of the display unit 41 based on the information included in the storage and display change command (image data of the product information of the product P stored in the memory 60). The display unit 41 is controlled so as to be.

Here, only the second communication unit 42 of the electronic shelf label 40, which needs to update the storage content of the memory 60 and / or the display content of the display unit 41, can be woken up at an arbitrary timing. Therefore, it is not necessary to wake up the second communication unit 42 for a long time for the electronic shelf label 40 other than the target of updating the storage content of the memory 60 and / or the display content of the display unit 41. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the consumption of the battery 45 of the electronic shelf label 40.

(3-2) When receiving an instruction to switch the display of the electronic shelf label 40 Regarding the operation of the wireless display system 1 when the electronic shelf label 40 receives the instruction to switch the display of the electronic shelf label 40 from the remote controller 80 or the smartphone 180. explain. The instruction to switch the display of the electronic shelf label 40 using the remote controller 80 is not for the worker working in the store to display the product information related to the normal product P (see FIG. 3), but for the work screen, for example, the product. It is used when it is desired to display the number of stocks and the number of sales of P on the display unit 41 of the electronic shelf label 40. In the instruction to switch the display of the electronic shelf label 40 using the smartphone 180, the user or the like in the smartphone 180 does not display the product information related to the normal product P (see FIG. 3), but the information of another product P (for example,). , Information on allergens, etc.) is used when it is desired to be displayed on the display unit 41 of the electronic shelf label 40.

The instruction for switching the display of the electronic shelf label 40 of the remote controller 80 and the instruction for switching the display of the electronic shelf label 40 of the smartphone 180 are the same except that the contents to be displayed on the electronic shelf label 40 are different. Here, the operation of the wireless display system 1 when receiving the display switching instruction of the electronic shelf label 40 from the remote controller 80 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step S11, the button 81 of the remote controller 80 corresponding to the display switching instruction is pressed by the operator or the like by the operator or the like carrying the remote controller 80, and the remote controller 80 is brought closer to the electronic shelf label 40. As a result, short-range wireless communication is performed between the remote controller 80 and the first communication unit 50 of the electronic shelf label 40, and the first communication unit 50 receives the display switching instruction transmitted from the remote controller 80. The display switching instruction transmitted from the remote controller 80 is stored in the memory 60 of the electronic shelf label 40.

Next, in step S12, the switching unit 44a of the electronic shelf label 40 switches the operating state of the second communication unit 42 to the wake-up state. The switching unit 44a maintains the operating state of the second communication unit 42 in the wake-up state for a predetermined period (for example, 30 seconds). Further, instead of this, the switching unit 44a may maintain the operating state of the second communication unit 42 in the wake-up state until the second communication unit receives the storage and display change command in step S17 described later. good.

Next, in step S13, the control unit 44 of the electronic shelf label 40 is second so that the second communication unit 42 transmits the display switching instruction stored in the memory 60 to the server 10 via the access point 30. Controls the communication unit 42. The display switching instruction transmitted to the server 10 is accompanied by the device ID of the electronic shelf label 40 for transmitting the instruction information so that the transmission source can be identified.

Next, in step S14, the server communication unit 11 of the server 10 receives the display switching instruction.

Next, in step S15, the server control unit 15 of the server 10 generates a storage and display change command.

First, the server control unit 15 refers to the electronic shelf label master table 14b and identifies the product ID of the product P linked to the device ID of the electronic shelf label 40 received by the server communication unit 11 in step S14. .. Next, the server control unit 15 refers to the product master table 14a, and for the product P of the specified product ID, the image data to be transmitted to the electronic shelf label 40 (information about the product P to be displayed by the display unit 41, For example, image data including the number of stocks and the number of sales of the product P) is generated. Next, the server control unit 15 attaches the device ID of the electronic shelf label 40 received by the server communication unit 11 in step S14 as a destination identifier (device ID of the electronic shelf label 40 to be transmitted) to the electronic shelf label 40. Generates a storage and display change command that includes image data to be sent to.

Since the processing in step S16 and step S17 is the same as the processing in step S6 and step S7 described above, the description thereof will be omitted.

Next, in step S18, the control unit 44 updates the display of the display unit 41 based on the information included in the display switching command (image data of information about the product P stored in the memory 60). , Controls the display unit 41.

Here, it is possible to wake up only the second communication unit 42 of the electronic shelf label 40, which requires display switching of the display unit 41, at an arbitrary timing. Therefore, it is not necessary to wake up the second communication unit 42 for a long time for the electronic shelf label 40 other than the display switching target of the display unit 41. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the consumption of the battery 45 of the electronic shelf label 40.

(3-3) When receiving the communication function OFF instruction of the second communication unit of the electronic shelf label The electronic shelf label 40 receives the communication function OFF instruction of the display of the second communication unit 42 of the electronic shelf label 40 from the remote controller 80. The operation of the wireless display system 1 will be described. The communication function OFF instruction of the display of the second communication unit 42 of the electronic shelf label 40 using the remote controller 80 is when the electronic shelf label 40 used in one store is moved to another store, or the electronic shelf label 40 is used. It is used when stored without being used in the backyard of a store. The communication function OFF instruction is an example of the first instruction information instructing the switching of the second communication unit 42 from the operating state to the stopped state. The operation of the wireless display system 1 when receiving the communication function OFF instruction of the second communication unit 42 from the remote controller 80 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step S21, the button 81 of the remote controller 80 corresponding to the communication function OFF instruction is pressed by the operator or the like by the operator or the like carrying the remote controller 80, and the remote controller 80 is brought closer to the electronic shelf label 40. As a result, short-range wireless communication is performed between the remote controller 80 and the first communication unit 50 of the electronic shelf label 40, and the first communication unit 50 receives the communication function OFF instruction transmitted from the remote controller 80. The communication function OFF instruction transmitted from the remote controller 80 is stored in the memory 60 of the electronic shelf label 40.

Next, in step S22, the switching unit 44a of the electronic shelf tag 40 switches the operating state of the second communication unit 42 to the wake-up state. The switching unit 44a maintains the operating state of the second communication unit 42 in the wake-up state for a predetermined period (for example, 30 seconds). Alternatively, the switching unit 44a may maintain the operating state of the second communication unit 42 in the wake-up state until the operating state of the second communication unit is switched to the stopped state in step S30, which will be described later. ..

Next, in step S23, the control unit 44 of the electronic shelf label 40 is second so that the second communication unit 42 transmits the communication function OFF instruction stored in the memory 60 to the server 10 via the access point 30. Controls the communication unit 42. The communication function OFF instruction transmitted to the server 10 is accompanied by the device ID of the electronic shelf label 40 for transmitting the instruction information so that the transmission source can be identified.

Next, in step S24, the server communication unit 11 of the server 10 receives the communication function OFF instruction.

Next, in step S25, the server control unit 15 of the server 10 stores information related to the device ID of the electronic shelf label 40 attached to the communication function OFF instruction received by the server communication unit 11 in step S24. It is erased from the electronic shelf label master table 14b of the unit 14. Further, in addition to this, the server control unit 15 of the server 10 is attached to the electronic shelf tag master table 14b of the server storage unit 14 with the communication function OFF instruction received by the server communication unit 11 in step S24. The device ID of the tag 40 may be stored as the device ID of the electronic shelf tag 40 for which the communication function is turned off.

Next, in step S26, the server control unit 15 of the server 10 generates an image display command when the communication function is OFF.

First, the server control unit 15 reads out the first display image (image data of the character "communication function OFF") stored in the server storage unit 14. Next, the server control unit 15 sets the device ID of the electronic shelf label 40 attached to the communication function OFF instruction received by the server communication unit 11 in step S24 as the destination identifier (device ID of the electronic shelf label 40 to be transmitted). Generates an image display command when the communication function is OFF, including the first display image attached as.

Next, in step S27, the server control unit 15 of the server 10 causes the server communication unit to transmit the image display command generated by the server communication unit 11 when the communication function is OFF to the electronic shelf label 40 via the access point 30. 11 is controlled.

Next, in step S28, the second communication unit 42 of the electronic shelf label 40 receives the image display command when the communication function is OFF. When the control unit 44 determines that the received image display command at the time of turning off the communication function is addressed to itself, the second communication unit 42 causes the second communication unit 42 to transmit a response signal to the server 10 via the access point 30. Operate the communication unit 42. Further, the storage of the memory 60 is updated based on the information (first display image) included in the image display command when the communication function is OFF. The description of the processing when the received image display command when the communication function is OFF is not addressed to itself will be omitted here.

Next, in step S29, the control unit 44 displays the information (first display image stored in the memory 60) included in the image display command when the communication function is OFF on the display unit 41 (see FIG. 4). ), Control the display unit 41. That is, when the second communication unit 42 receives the first display image (image data of the character "communication function OFF"), the display unit 41 displays the first display image.

Next, in step S30, the switching unit 44a of the electronic shelf label 40 switches the operating state of the second communication unit 42 to the stopped state.

Here, step S30 is executed after step S29, but the present invention is not limited to this. The order of steps S29 and S30 may be reversed, or steps S29 and S30 may be executed in parallel.

(3-4) When receiving the communication function ON instruction of the second communication unit of the electronic shelf label The electronic shelf label 40 receives the communication function ON instruction of the display of the second communication unit 42 of the electronic shelf label 40 from the remote controller 80. The operation of the wireless display system 1 will be described. The communication function ON instruction of the display of the second communication unit 42 of the electronic shelf label 40 using the remote controller 80 is, for example, a new electronic shelf label 40 that has been conveyed while the operation state of the second communication unit 42 is stopped. It is used when it is introduced in stores. The communication function ON instruction indicates switching from the stopped state of the operating state of the second communication unit 42 to the sleep state or the activated state. The operation of the wireless display system 1 when receiving the communication function ON instruction of the second communication unit 42 from the remote controller 80 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step S41, the button 81 of the remote controller 80 corresponding to the communication function ON instruction is pressed by the operator or the like who carries the remote controller 80, and the remote controller 80 is brought closer to the electronic shelf label 40. As a result, short-range wireless communication is performed between the remote controller 80 and the first communication unit 50 of the electronic shelf label 40, and the first communication unit 50 receives the communication function ON instruction transmitted from the remote controller 80.

Next, in step S42, the switching unit 44a of the electronic shelf label 40 switches the operating state of the second communication unit 42 to the wake-up state or the sleep state.

When receiving the communication function ON instruction of the second communication unit of the electronic shelf label, the wireless display system 1 may operate as follows instead of the flowchart of FIG.

In step S41, the communication function ON instruction transmitted from the remote controller 80 is stored in the memory 60 of the electronic shelf label 40. In step S42, the switching unit 44a of the electronic shelf label 40 switches the operating state of the second communication unit 42 to the wake-up state. After that, the control unit 44 of the electronic shelf label 40 controls the second communication unit 42 so that the second communication unit 42 transmits the communication function ON instruction stored in the memory 60 to the server 10 via the access point 30. do. The communication function ON instruction transmitted to the server 10 is accompanied by the device ID of the electronic shelf label 40 for transmitting the instruction information so that the transmission source can be identified. Next, the server communication unit 11 of the server 10 receives the communication function ON instruction. Next, the server control unit 15 of the server 10 sets the device ID of the electronic shelf label 40 attached to the communication function ON instruction received by the server communication unit 11 to the electronic shelf label 40 whose communication function is ON. It is stored in the electronic shelf label master table 14b as the device ID.

In either case, when the electronic shelf label 40 is used in association with the product P, the worker performs a link operation for linking the electronic shelf label 40 and the product P using a handy terminal (not shown). conduct. The description of the link work is omitted.

(3-5) When receiving an instruction to switch the display language of the electronic shelf label About the operation of the wireless display system 1 when the electronic shelf label 40 receives the instruction to switch the display language of the electronic shelf label 40 from the smartphone 180. explain. When switching back to the display language, this is an example of the second instruction information for instructing the switching of the display language of the display unit 41. The instruction to switch the display language of the electronic shelf label 40 using the smartphone 180 is used when the user of the smartphone 180 or the like desires that the language is displayed on the electronic shelf label 40 in the language that he or she normally uses. To. The operation of the wireless display system 1 when receiving the display language switching instruction of the electronic shelf label 40 from the smartphone 180 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step S51, the user of the smartphone 180 or the like performs an operation for transmitting a display language switching instruction to the smartphone 180, and the smartphone 180 is brought closer to the electronic shelf label 40. As a result, short-range wireless communication is performed between the smartphone 180 and the first communication unit 50 of the electronic shelf label 40, and the first communication unit 50 receives the display language switching instruction transmitted from the smartphone 180. The display language switching instruction includes information about the first language as information. The first language is, for example, a language normally used in the smartphone 180 or a language selected by the user of the smartphone 180. The display language switching instruction transmitted from the smartphone 180 is stored in the memory 60 of the electronic shelf label 40.

Next, in step S52, the switching unit 44a of the electronic shelf label 40 switches the operating state of the second communication unit 42 to the wake-up state. The switching unit 44a maintains the operating state of the second communication unit 42 in the wake-up state for a predetermined period (for example, 30 seconds). Further, instead of this, the switching unit 44a maintains the operating state of the second communication unit 42 in the wake-up state until the second communication unit receives the storage and display change command in step S57, which will be described later. May be good.

Next, in step S53, the control unit 44 of the electronic shelf label 40 causes the second communication unit 42 to transmit the display language switching instruction stored in the memory 60 to the server 10 via the access point 30. 2 Controls the communication unit 42. The display language switching instruction transmitted to the server 10 is accompanied by the device ID of the electronic shelf label 40 for transmitting the instruction information so that the transmission source can be identified.

Next, in step S54, the server communication unit 11 of the server 10 receives the display language switching instruction.

Next, in step S55, the server control unit 15 of the server 10 generates a storage and display change command.

First, the server control unit 15 refers to the electronic shelf label master table 14b and identifies the product ID of the product P linked to the device ID of the electronic shelf label 40 received by the server communication unit 11 in step S54. .. Next, the server control unit 15 refers to the product master table 14a, and refers to the product P of the specified product ID, based on the information regarding the first language included in the display language switching instruction, the electronic shelf label. A second display image (image data of product information about the product P using the first language) to be transmitted to 40 is generated. Next, the server control unit 15 attaches the device ID of the electronic shelf label 40 received by the server communication unit 11 in step S54 as a destination identifier (device ID of the electronic shelf label 40 to be transmitted) to the electronic shelf label 40. Generates a storage and display change command that includes image data to be sent to.

Next, in step S56, the server control unit 15 of the server 10 causes the server communication unit 11 to transmit the storage and display change command generated by the server communication unit 11 to the electronic shelf label 40 via the access point 30. To control.

Next, in step S57, the second communication unit 42 of the electronic shelf label 40 receives the storage and display change command. When the control unit 44 determines that the received storage and display change command is addressed to itself, the control unit 44 makes the second communication unit 42 transmit a response signal to the server 10 via the access point 30. Operate the unit 42. Further, the storage of the memory 60 is updated based on the information (second display image) included in the storage and display change command. The description of the processing when the received memory and display change command is not addressed to itself will be omitted here.

Next, in step S58, the control unit 44 is based on the information included in the storage and display change command (second display image stored in the memory 60 (image data of the product information of the product P in the first language)). The display unit 41 is controlled so that the display of the display unit 41 is updated. That is, when the second communication unit 42 receives the second display image (image data of the product information regarding the product P using the first language), the display unit 41 displays the second display image.

(4) Features (4-1)
The wireless display system 1 according to the present embodiment communicates with a remote controller 80 and a smartphone 180 as an example of a mobile terminal. The wireless display system includes a plurality of electronic shelf labels 40, a server 10, and an access point 30. The electronic shelf label 40 is an example of a wireless display. The access point 30 is an example of a communication device. The plurality of electronic shelf labels 40 are arranged corresponding to each of the plurality of products P. Each of the plurality of electronic shelf labels 40 has a display unit 41 that displays product information related to the corresponding product P. The server 10 stores product information related to a plurality of products P. The access point 30 wirelessly transmits to each electronic shelf label 40 the product information about the product P corresponding to the electronic shelf label 40 stored in the server 10. The electronic shelf label 40 has a first communication unit 50, a second communication unit 42, and a switching unit 44a. The first communication unit 50 performs short-range wireless communication with the remote controller 80 and the smartphone 180, and receives instruction information from the remote controller 80 and the smartphone 180. The second communication unit 42 performs wireless communication with the access point 30, and exchanges information with the server 10 via the access point 30. The switching unit 44a switches the operating state of the second communication unit 42 between the sleep state and the wake-up state. In the sleep state, the second communication unit 42 cannot communicate with the access point 30. In the wake-up state, the second communication unit 42 can communicate with the access point 30. When the first communication unit 50 receives the instruction information, the switching unit 44a switches the operating state of the second communication unit 42 to the wake-up state, and the second communication unit 42 receives the instruction information received by the first communication unit 50. It is transmitted to the server 10 via the access point 30.

Here, when the first communication unit 50 of the electronic shelf label 40 that performs short-range wireless communication between the remote controller 80 and the smartphone 180 receives the instruction information transmitted by the remote controller 80 and the smartphone 180, the received instruction information is electronic. It is transmitted from the shelf label 40 to the server 10. With this configuration, it is possible to quickly notify the server 10 of instructions from the electronic shelf label 40 to the server 10 without providing a switch on the electronic shelf label 40.

(4-2)
In the wireless display system 1 according to the present embodiment, the remote controller 80 and the smartphone 180 have an instruction selection function. The first communication unit 50 receives the instruction information selected by the remote controller 80 and the smartphone 180.

When a switch is provided on the electronic shelf label to notify the server of instructions, it is desirable to arrange as many switches on the electronic shelf label as the number of instruction types in order to promptly notify the server of multiple types of instructions. .. However, as the number of switches arranged on the electronic shelf label increases, it becomes more difficult to miniaturize the electronic shelf label.

Here, since the remote controller 80 and the smartphone 180 have an instruction selection function, the electronic shelf label 40 does not increase the size of the electronic shelf label 40, and the electronic shelf label 40 promptly notifies the server 10 of a plurality of types of instructions such as a worker. Can be done.

(4-3)
In the wireless display system 1 according to the present embodiment, the instruction information includes a communication function OFF instruction instructing the switching of the operating state of the second communication unit 42 to the stopped state. The communication function OFF instruction is an example of the first instruction information. The switching unit 44a is configured to further switch the operating state of the second communication unit 42 to the stopped state based on the communication function OFF instruction received by the first communication unit 50. When the first communication unit 50 receives the communication function OFF instruction, the first communication unit 50 receives the second communication unit 42 before the switching unit 44a switches the operating state of the second communication unit 42 to the stopped state. The communication function OFF instruction is transmitted to the server 10 via the access point 30.

Here, when the product P corresponding to the electronic shelf label 40 no longer exists, the communication function between the electronic shelf label 40 and the server 10 is stopped without providing a switch on the electronic shelf label 40. Can be done. Further, since the communication function OFF instruction is transmitted from the electronic shelf label 40 to the server 10 before the communication function is stopped, it can be grasped that the communication function of the electronic shelf label 40 has been stopped on the server 10 side.

(4-4)
In the wireless display system 1 according to the present embodiment, when the server 10 receives the communication function OFF instruction, the first display image (characters "communication function OFF") is displayed to the second communication unit 42 via the access point 30. Image data) is sent. The switching unit 44a switches the operating state of the second communication unit 42 to the stopped state after the second communication unit 42 receives the first display image. When the second communication unit 42 receives the first display image, the display unit 41 displays the first display image.

Here, after the second communication unit 42 receives the first display image to be displayed on the display unit 41, the operating state of the second communication unit 42 is switched to the stopped state. Therefore, when the communication function of the second communication unit 42 is stopped, the first display image is displayed on the display unit 41, and the second communication unit 42 of the electronic shelf label 40 is in a state where the communication function is stopped. Can be clearly notified to workers and the like.

(4-5)
In the wireless display system 1 according to the present embodiment, the instruction information includes a display language switching instruction instructing the display unit 41 to switch to the first language. The first language is, for example, a language normally used in the smartphone 180 or a language selected by the user of the smartphone 180. The display language switching instruction is an example of the second instruction information. When the server 10 receives a display language switching instruction from the second communication unit 42 via the access point 30, the server 10 uses the first language for the second communication unit 42 via the access point 30 (first display image). Image data of product information about product P using language) is transmitted. When the second communication unit 42 receives the second display image, the display unit 41 displays the second display image.

Here, the electronic shelf label 40 can display information in a language desired by the carrier of the smartphone 180. Therefore, even when the electronic shelf label 40 is used in an environment where various languages can be used, the user of the smartphone 180 can easily grasp the information displayed on the electronic shelf label 40, which is highly convenient.

(4-6)
The wireless display system 1 according to the present embodiment further includes a terminal setting communication tag 75 that performs short-range wireless communication with the remote controller 80 and changes the settings of the remote controller 80.

Conventionally, in order to change the setting of the remote controller 80, it is necessary to perform laborious work on the remote controller 80, such as directly rewriting the ROM data of the CPU.

Here, the setting of the remote controller 80 can be easily changed by short-range wireless communication between the remote controller 80 and the communication tag 75 for terminal setting.

(5) Modification Example A modification of the above embodiment will be described below. In addition, a plurality of modified examples may be combined within a range that does not contradict.

(5-1) Modification A
In the above embodiment, a system having an electronic shelf label as a wireless display is shown as an example of the wireless display system according to the present invention, but the wireless display system according to the present invention is an electronic shelf label system installed in a store or the like. Not limited.

For example, the wireless display system may be used in a hospital. Specifically, in a hospital, medicines (injection medicines and internal medicines) may be prepared for each patient at a dispensing place or the like, stored in a container, and the medicines may be transported to a hospital room or the like in the container. The wireless display system may have a wireless display (a wireless display having the same configuration as the electronic shelf label 40 according to the above embodiment) attached to each of a plurality of containers (examples of articles). ..

Further, for example, the wireless display system may be used in a warehouse or the like. Specifically, in a warehouse, when the object to be transported is put in a container for each destination and stored / managed in the warehouse, the wireless display system is attached to each of a plurality of containers (an example of an article). It may have a wireless display (a wireless display having the same configuration as the electronic shelf label 40 according to the above embodiment).

(5-2) Modification B
In the wireless display system 1 according to the above embodiment, the electronic shelf label 40 receives the first display image (image data of the characters "communication function OFF") from the server 10 after receiving the communication function OFF instruction from the remote controller 80. However, it is not limited to this.

For example, the wireless display system 1 may operate as shown in the flowchart of FIG. In the wireless display system according to the modification B, the remote controller 80 stores the first display image (image data of the character "communication function OFF").

In step S121, the button 81 of the remote controller 80 corresponding to the transmission of the communication function OFF instruction is pressed by the operator or the like carrying the remote controller 80, and the remote controller 80 is brought closer to the electronic shelf label 40. As a result, short-range wireless communication is performed between the remote controller 80 and the first communication unit 50 of the electronic shelf label 40, and the first communication unit 50 receives the communication function OFF instruction transmitted from the remote controller 80. Further, the first display image (image data of the character "communication function OFF") is also transmitted from the remote controller 80 together with the communication function OFF instruction, and the first communication unit 50 also receives the first display image. The communication function OFF instruction and the first display image transmitted from the remote controller 80 are stored in the memory 60 of the electronic shelf label 40.

Next, in step S122, the switching unit 44a of the electronic shelf label 40 switches the operating state of the second communication unit 42 to the wake-up state.

Next, in step S123, the control unit 44 of the electronic shelf label 40 is second so that the second communication unit 42 transmits the communication function OFF instruction stored in the memory 60 to the server 10 via the access point 30. Controls the communication unit 42. The device ID of the electronic shelf label 40 is attached to the communication function OFF instruction transmitted to the server 10 so that the transmission source can be identified.

Next, in step S124, the server communication unit 11 of the server 10 receives the communication function OFF instruction.

Next, in step S125, the server control unit 15 of the server 10 transfers information related to the device ID of the electronic shelf label 40 attached to the communication function OFF instruction received in step S124 to the electronic shelf of the server storage unit 14. Erase from the bill master table 14b. Further, in addition to this, the server control unit 15 of the server 10 has the device ID of the electronic shelf label 40 attached to the communication function OFF instruction received in step S124 on the electronic shelf label master table 14b of the server storage unit 14. May be stored as the device ID of the electronic shelf label 40 for which the communication function is turned off.

Next, in step S129, the control unit 44 displays the first display image (image data of the characters "communication function OFF") stored in the memory 60 and transmitted from the remote controller 80 on the display unit 41. (See FIG. 4), the display unit 41 is controlled. That is, when the first communication unit 50 receives the first display image (image data of the character "communication function OFF"), the display unit 41 displays the first display image.

Next, in step S130, the switching unit 44a of the electronic shelf label 40 switches the operating state of the second communication unit 42 to the stopped state.

Although it is described here that step S129 is executed after steps S122 to S125, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, steps S122 to S125 and step S129 are performed in parallel. May be executed.

Further, here, step S130 is executed after step S129, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the order of steps S129 and S130 may be reversed, or step S129 and step S130 are performed in parallel. May be executed.

By being configured as in the modification B, when the communication function of the second communication unit 42 is stopped, the first display image is displayed on the display unit 41, and the second communication unit 42 of the electronic shelf label 40 stops the communication function. It is possible to clearly inform the workers and the like that the state is in the state of being in the state.

(5-3) Modification C
In the wireless display system 1 according to the above embodiment, the operator or the like uses the remote controller 80, but the present invention is not limited to this. The worker or the like may use a general-purpose mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal in which application software for exerting the same function as the remote controller 80 is installed.

(5-4) Modification D
In the wireless display system 1 according to the above embodiment, only the smartphone 180 transmits a display language switching instruction, but the present invention is not limited to this. The display language switching instruction may also be transmitted from the remote controller 80.

(5-5) Modification E
In the wireless display system 1 according to the above embodiment, when the smartphone 180 transmits an instruction to switch the display language of the electronic shelf label 40, a second display image (a product using the first language) is displayed on the display unit 41 of the electronic shelf label 40. Image data of product information related to P) is displayed, but the present invention is not limited to this.

For example, in step S58 of the flowchart of FIG. 12, the control unit 44 brings the second display image stored in the memory 60 closer to the display unit 41 instead of controlling the display unit 41 so that the second display image is displayed on the display unit 41. The first communication unit 50 may be controlled so as to transmit to the smartphone 180 by range wireless communication.

(5-6) Modification F
In the wireless display system 1 according to the above embodiment, when the smartphone 180 transmits an instruction to switch the display of the electronic shelf label 40, the information displayed on the display unit 41 of the electronic shelf label 40 is the instructed information (for example, product P). Information on allergens contained in), but is not limited to this. For example, the control unit 44 may control the first communication unit 50 so that the information stored in the memory 60 is transmitted to the smartphone 180 by short-range wireless communication instead of switching the display of the display unit 41. Then, the instructed information may be configured to be displayed on the smartphone 180 instead of the electronic shelf label 40.

(5-7) Modification G
The remote controller 80 that communicates with the wireless display system 1 according to the above embodiment does not have a display unit, but may have a display unit.

Then, in the above embodiment, when the remote controller 80 transmits an instruction to switch the display of the electronic shelf label 40, the information displayed on the display unit 41 of the electronic shelf label 40 is the instructed information (for example, inventory information of the product P, etc.). ), But is not limited to this.

For example, in step S18 of the flowchart of FIG. 9, the control unit 44 first communicates so as to transmit the information stored in the memory 60 to the remote controller 80 by short-range wireless communication instead of switching the display of the display unit 41. The unit 50 may be controlled. Then, the instructed information may be configured to be displayed on the remote controller 80 instead of the electronic shelf label 40.

(5-8) Modification H
The remote controller 80 that communicates with the wireless display system 1 according to the above embodiment does not have a display unit, but may have a display unit.

Then, in the wireless display system 1, when the first communication unit 50 of the electronic shelf label 40 performs short-range wireless communication with the remote controller 80, the first communication unit 50 transfers information regarding the state of the electronic shelf label 40 to the remote controller 80. It may be configured to transmit. The information regarding the state of the electronic shelf label 40 is, for example, information regarding the remaining battery level of the battery 45. Then, the remote controller 80 may be configured to display information regarding the state of the electronic shelf label 40.

With the configuration as in the modified example G, the operator or the like can easily confirm the state of the electronic shelf label 40 by using the remote controller 80.

(5-9) Modification I
The remote controller 80 may be configured to have a function of changing the setting of the electronic shelf label 40. For example, a function for changing the setting of the electronic shelf label 40 is assigned to a part of the button 81 of the remote controller 80. When the button 81 is pressed by an operator or the like and the remote controller 80 is brought closer to the electronic shelf label 40, short-range wireless communication is performed between the remote controller 80 and the first communication unit 50 of the electronic shelf label 40, and the remote controller 80 is performed. The first communication unit 50 receives the setting change instruction transmitted from. The setting change instruction received by the first communication unit 50 is stored in the memory 60 and used as the setting of the electronic shelf label 40.

(5-10) Modification J
In the above embodiment, the display language of the electronic shelf label 40 is changed by transmitting a display language switching instruction from the smartphone 180 to the electronic shelf label 40. Instead, the wireless display system can be, for example, the following. It may be configured as follows.

The wireless display system includes an operation panel having a language selection key, which is placed near the display shelf of the product P in the store. The operation panel is configured to be able to communicate with the server by a communication line (not shown). Then, the visitor or the like selects a language by operating the language selection key on the operation panel, and the server controls the electronic shelf label so as to switch the display language of the electronic shelf label to the selected language. For example, the server transmits image data of product information in the selected language to the electronic shelf label according to the operation of the operation panel.

In another form, the wireless display system comprises a camera placed in the vicinity of the display shelf of the product P in the store. The camera is configured to be able to communicate with the server by a communication line (not shown). The server has a display language estimation unit that estimates an appropriate display language based on the image of the visitor captured by the camera. The server controls the electronic shelf label to switch the display language of the electronic shelf label based on the estimation result. For example, the server transmits image data of product information in a language estimated to be appropriate to the electronic shelf label based on the estimation result of the display language estimation unit.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is useful because it can be widely applied to a wireless display system for notifying a worker or the like of instructions from a wireless display to a higher-level server.

1 Wireless display system 10 Server 30 Access point (communication device)
40 Electronic shelf label (wireless display)
41 Display unit 42 Second communication unit 44a Switching unit 50 First communication unit 80 Remote control (mobile terminal)
75 Communication tag for terminal setting (communication tag)
90 Smartphone (mobile terminal)
P product

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2010-2437672

Claims (5)

As information about the article set for each of a plurality of articles, a server that stores at least article information and link information that specifies a place where predetermined information about the article is stored, and a server.
A wireless display that wirelessly communicates with the server,
A mobile terminal in which the type of language to be used is set, short-range wireless communication with the wireless display is performed, and information for switching the display language is transmitted to the wireless display is provided.
The wireless display transmits the switching instruction information to the server, acquires the article information in the language used and the link information transmitted from the server, and obtains the acquired article information. Display and
The mobile terminal performs the short-range wireless communication with the wireless display, acquires the link information from the wireless display, accesses the location specified by the link information, and uses the language used. The predetermined information regarding the article is acquired and displayed from the place outside the mobile terminal specified by the link information.
Wireless display system. As information about the article set for each of a plurality of articles, a server that stores at least article information and link information that specifies a place where predetermined information about the article is stored, and a server.
A wireless display that wirelessly communicates with the server, performs short-range wireless communication with a mobile terminal in which the type of language to be used is set, and receives display language switching instruction information transmitted by the mobile terminal.
Equipped with
The wireless display transmits the received switching instruction information to the server, acquires the article information in the language used, and the link information transmitted from the server, and acquires the article. Display the information in the language used above
The link information is transmitted from the wireless display to the mobile terminal by the short-range wireless communication when the mobile terminal approaches the wireless display, and the mobile terminal is specified by the link information. This is information to be accessed in the place and to have the mobile terminal acquire the predetermined information about the article and display it in the language used .
Wireless display system. Further equipped with a camera that photographs the inside of the facility where the wireless display is installed and transmits the captured image to the server.
The server has a language estimation unit that estimates the language to be displayed on the wireless display based on the image of a person taken by the camera.
The server transmits the article information in the language estimated by the language estimation unit to the wireless display, and switches the display language of the wireless display.
The wireless display system according to claim 1 or 2. As information about the article set for each of a plurality of articles, a server that stores at least article information and link information that specifies a place where predetermined information about the article is stored, and wireless communication with the server. A portable terminal device that can be used together with a wireless display system having a wireless display that acquires the article information and the link information from the server and displays the article information.
A first communication unit that performs short-range wireless communication with the wireless display,
The second communication unit for wireless communication and
Equipped with
The type of language used in the mobile terminal device can be set, and the mobile terminal device can be set.
In the mobile terminal device, the first communication unit performs short-range wireless communication with the wireless display, and transmits switching instruction information for switching the display language of the wireless display to the wireless display. ,
In the mobile terminal device, the first communication unit performs short-range wireless communication with the wireless display, acquires the link information from the wireless display, and is specified by the link information using the second communication unit. The predetermined information about the article described in the language set as the type of language used to access the place is from the place outside the portable terminal device specified by the link information. Get and display,
Mobile terminal device. As information about the article set for each of a plurality of articles, a server that stores at least article information and link information that specifies a place where predetermined information about the article is stored, and wireless communication with the server. A program used in a portable terminal device that can be used together with a wireless display system having a wireless display that acquires the article information and the link information from the server and displays the article information.
The mobile terminal device is
A first communication unit that performs short-range wireless communication with the wireless display,
The second communication unit for wireless communication and
A control unit that controls the operation of the mobile terminal device,
Equipped with
The mobile terminal device can set the type of language to be used, and can transmit display language switching instruction information for switching the display language of the wireless display to the wireless display. ,
The program
A process of causing the first communication unit and the wireless display to perform short-range wireless communication, transmitting the switching instruction information to the wireless display, and acquiring the link information from the wireless display.
The second communication unit is used to access the place specified by the link information, and the predetermined information regarding the article described in the language set as the type of language used by the mobile terminal device is used. A process of acquiring from the location outside the mobile terminal device and displaying it on the mobile terminal device, which is specified by the link information.
A program that causes the control unit to execute the above.

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