JPH01297789A - Price tag system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To freely provide information effective for a shop side or a customer side at any time without making an electronic price tag device into large scale by selectively displaying a large number of product information on the electronic price tag device. CONSTITUTION:An electronic equipment 2 at a center side designates a display command corresponding to a stock volume or an arrival date, etc., out of arbitrary display commands corresponding to a various kinds of product information by a designation means 2-1. Thereby, a transmission means 2-2 transmits a designated display command to the electronic price tag device 1, however, in this case, when the product information with respect to the stock volume or the arrival date, etc., is stored at the electronic equipment 2 side, the display commands of them are transmitted with the product information. In such a way, when the electronic price tag device 1 receives the display command from the electronic equipment 2 by the reception means 1-1 of the device, a discrimination means 1-2 discriminates the kind of the command. And a control means 1-3 displays selectively the discriminated kind of product information.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an electronic system that is arranged corresponding to each product arranged on a product display shelf, etc., and that displays product information of the product electro-optically. The present invention relates to a price tag system including a price tag device.

[Prior art 1] Conventionally, this type of price tag system has
No. 5396 (invention title: Price display system using two-electronic cash register) is known.

That is, this price display system places a price display device at the position of each product arranged on a product display shelf, and transmits price data from an electronic cash register to each price display device via a dedicated line within the premises. The price is displayed on the corresponding price display device.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in this type of device, predetermined types of data are only displayed permanently on the price display device, so it is difficult for the store and the customer to The disadvantage was that sufficient information could not be freely provided at any time.

An object of this invention is to enable effective sales promotion by making it possible to freely provide a wide variety of information to customers at any time without increasing the size of the electronic price tag device. It is designed to obtain efficiently.

[Means to solve the problem] The means of this invention are as follows.

The electronic price tag device l (see the functional block diagram in Fig. 1, the same applies hereinafter) is arranged corresponding to each product arranged on a product display shelf, inventory shelf, etc., and displays product information (product information) for the corresponding product. name, price, etc.) are displayed electro-optically.

The electronic device 2 is an office computer, a personal computer, an electronic register, or the like that switches and displays the display contents of the electronic price tag device 1 by transmitting and receiving data to and from the electronic price tag device 1.

The electronic device 2 includes a designation means 2-1 such as a keyboard for designating any command from display commands corresponding to various product information, and a display command designated by the designation means 2-1 in an electronic format. It has a configuration including a transmitting means 2-2 for transmitting data to the price tag device l.

Furthermore, each electronic price tag device l includes a receiving means 1-1 for receiving display commands transmitted from the electronic device 2, and a discriminating means 1-2 for discriminating the type of display command received by the receiving means 1-1. and a display control means 1-3 that switches and displays product information corresponding to the type of display command determined by the determination means 1-2.

[Work] The operation of the means of this invention is as follows.

Now, when the unit price of the product is displayed on the electronic price tag device 1, if the user wants to know the number of items in stock, expected arrival date, etc. by shelf position for product management purposes, for example, the center side or the like is notified of this.

As a result, in the electronic device 2 on the center side, the specifying means 1-1 specifies a display command corresponding to the inventory quantity, expected arrival date, etc. from among arbitrary display commands corresponding to various product information. Then, the transmitting means 2-2 transmits the specified display command to the electronic price tag device 1. In this case, if the electronic device 2 stores product information such as the number of items in stock and the expected arrival date, this product Send the display command along with the information.

As a result, when the electronic price tag device 1 receives a display command from the electronic device 2 through its receiving means 1-1, the determining means 1-2 determines its type. Then, display control means 1
-3 switches and displays the product information of the determined type.

Therefore, since a large number of product information can be switched and displayed on the electronic price tag device, useful information can be freely provided to the store or the customer at any time without increasing the size of the electronic price tag device.

[Example] An example will be described below with reference to FIGS. 2 to 10.

FIG. 2 shows the installation state of the electronic price tag device 11 that constructs the price tag system. The electronic price tag device 11 can be attached to and removed from the front of the shelf, corresponding to each product arranged on a product display shelf, inventory shelf, etc. is attached to. In addition, electronic price tag device i
' t is entirely formed in the shape of a horizontally long thin plate, and a display panel 12 is provided on the front surface.

The display panel 12 is constructed as shown in FIG. The display panel 12 is composed of a liquid crystal display device, and includes a matrix type display section 121-1 and a segment type display section 12-1.
2. It has a unit display section 12-3. The matrix type display section 12-1 has a 12-digit configuration and displays letters, numbers, etc. in a matrix. The segment type display section 12-2 has a 10-digit Japanese character segment configuration and numerically displays price, weight, and quantity. The unit display section 12-3 is a segment type display section 12.
LB (pound), QTY according to the display contents of the segment type display section 12-2.
(unit price), ¥ (yen), Kg (kilogram), piece (number of pieces)
, 02 (ounce) indicator lights up. In addition, between each digit of the segment type display section 12-2 is a colon indicator ",".
are arranged respectively, and below the predetermined colon display "," there are fixedly identified display contents of the segment type display section 12-2 such as "Profit", "In stock", "Suitable material", and "Inventory". ”
The characters are printed.

Note that connector terminals 12-4 are provided above and below the display panel 12.
are provided for each.

Next, the configuration of this price tag system will be explained with reference to FIG.

This price tag system is a local area network,
A plurality of electronic cash registers (ECR) 21 as OS terminals, an office computer 22 on the center side connected to the ECR 21 via a private line within the premises, and a wireless device connected to the office computer 22 by line. 23, a plurality of electronic price tag devices ii (128 x 128 = 16384 in this embodiment), and a plurality of electronic price tag devices ii (16 in this embodiment) connected to the electronic price tag device 11 by line. The configuration includes a cluster controller 24. Here, 1
28 x 128 electronic price tag devices 11 are group 12
It is classified into 8 groups, and the 128 groups corresponding to each classification are cluster 1, cluster 2...cluster 12.
8, one cluster controller 24 is provided for every eight clusters, so 16 cluster controllers are provided in the entire system. Each cluster controller 24 is connected by line to the electronic price tag device 11 for every eight clusters. Note that lines l, 2, . . . in the figure indicate line numbers. However, cluster controller 2
Reference numeral 4 denotes a transmitter/receiver that functions not only as a price tag controller but also as a relay between the radio device 23 and the electronic price tag device 11.

The office computer 22 has a product management file PF for the equipment shown in FIG. 5, and collects sales data by product registered by the ECR 21, and calculates product unit prices from the product management file PF in response to unit price inquiries from the ECR 21. It is read and transmitted to the ECR 21 of the inquiry destination. Further, the office computer 22 controls the display contents of the electronic price tag device 11. In this case, office computer 2
2 reads product information such as unit price and inventory quantity from the product management file PF as necessary, sends this product information and display commands to the radio 23, causes the radio 23 to transmit the information, and the cluster controller 24 that receives this The display contents of the electronic price tag device 11 are controlled under the control.

As shown in FIG.
U code, unit price, discount unit price, product name, display column code (price tag number), sales quantity, sales amount, shelf stock quantity, appropriate stock quantity, ordering cycle, supplier code, transfer destination machine code (product placement location (shelf code indicating the relocation destination), cost, expected arrival date, profit margin, and profit amount. Further, the product management file PF is provided with an X counter that counts the total number of connected electronic price tag devices 11.

The electronic price tag device 11 is constructed as follows. That is, the electronic price tag device 11 has a deep switch (DIP S) for setting a unique address (price tag number) for self-identification.
W) 13 and an interface circuit 14 for data transmission/reception connected to the cluster controller 24 by a line;
A CPU 15 that captures received data as display data into a display buffer BF and displays it on the display panel 12;
A controller 16 that controls the display state (lighting, blinking, etc.) of the display panel 12 under the control of the CPU 15, and an illumination lamp 17 that illuminates the back side of the display panel 12 under the control of the CPU 15.
The structure has the following.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained with reference to FIGS. 6 to 10.

FIG. 6 shows an example of key operations when the display contents of the electronic price tag device 11 are arbitrarily changed from the office computer 22. Here, FIG. 6(A) is an example of a key operation when transmitting display data together with a display command, specifically an example of an operation when changing the display contents as the product shelf position is moved. In this case, first enter the display command number "04" that defines the shelf position change display, which will be described later. , the price tag number, character (product name), unit price, price tag number, character, unit price, etc. of the electronic price tag device 11 to be changed, and finally, the transmission key is operated. Further, FIG. 6(B) shows an example of key operation when the display data does not need to be transmitted, and specifically, when returning to the normal sales display. In this case, first input the display command "07" that defines returning to the normal sales display, which will be described later, then sequentially input the price tag number of the electronic price tag device 11 to return to the normal display, and finally operate the transmission key. .

Here, various display commands and corresponding display contents of the electronic price tag device 11 are defined as shown in FIG. For example, the display command "00" defines a sales stop and stop display command (blank display command). Display command "01" defines a normal sales display command (product name, unit price static display command). Display command "02" defines unit price change and special sale display command (product name static display, unit price flashing display command). Display command “0”
3 defines the product change preparation display command (product name flashing display, unit price static display command). Display command "04" defines a product change and shelf position change command (product name, unit price flashing display command). Furthermore, display commands "05" and "06" are used as a lighting-on command when the electronic price tag device 11 is used on a stock shelf with poor lighting environment, such as in a warehouse.
06'' defines a lighting off command.

In addition, when inputting display commands such as "02", "03", "04", etc., data such as unit price is input as shown in Fig. 6 (A), but display commands [O0], "Ol", etc.
, "05", "06", and "07", data such as unit price is not entered as shown in FIG. 6(B).

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation when the display contents of the m-puppy price tag device 11 are arbitrarily changed in the office computer 22.

First, when a key operation is performed in the key human power waiting state (step AI), the process proceeds to step A2, and it is determined whether or not the transmission mode is for transmitting a display command etc. to the electronic price tag device 11 based on whether or not a display command is input. Chie Sifu.

If it is not the transmission mode, normal key manual processing (step A3) is executed in response to the key operation, but if it is the transmission mode, preprocessing for transmission (clearing the transmission buffer, etc.) is performed. (Step A4).

Then, in the next step A5, transmission is specified, that is, as shown in FIG.
Check whether the transmission keys shown in A) and (B) are operated. If the transmission data is currently being input, the process returns to step AI, but if the transmission data is input and the transmission key is operated at the end, the process returns to step AI according to the type of display command input. A transmission format having a data structure as shown in FIG. 1 is created and transmitted to the cluster controller 24 via the wireless device 23.

FIG. 9(A) shows the data structure from the office computer 22 to the cluster controller 24, including the start code and address (cluster number 10 line number + price tag number).
, display commands, product name data, unit price data, unit data (kilograms, ounces, etc.), and end codes as necessary.

If the display command is r05J, that is, a lighting-on command (YES at step A6), a transmission format including the designated address and the display command "05" is created and transmitted (step A9). In this case, the transmission format does not include data such as product names and unit prices. Further, if the display command is "06", that is, a lighting off command (YES in step A7), a transmission format including the display command "06" together with the specified address is created and transmitted (step A10). In addition, when transmitting the above-mentioned display command indicating lighting on or lighting off, all price tags may be addressed as shown in FIG. 7, rather than individually designated as designated addresses.

If it is another display command, the type of display command is checked in step A8, and the process jumps to the process of creating a transmission format with a corresponding data structure and transmitting it (
Steps Al1-A27). In other words, the display command is “0
0'', ``01'', ``02'', ``03'', and ``04'', the process proceeds to the corresponding steps AI1 to A15, where a transmission format corresponding to the display command is created and transmitted.
In this case, display data is transmitted together with display commands as necessary. For example, if the display command is "00" (blank display command due to sales discontinuation or suspension), no display data is transmitted, but the display command is r04J (
In the case of product name/unit price flashing display commands due to product changes or shelf position changes, data such as the product name and unit price to be changed is transmitted. Also, if the display command is r07J (various flashing stop command to return to normal sales display), display data is not transmitted (step A16).
.

Furthermore, if the display command is "08", in other words, in order to check for incorrect setting of the machine number (price tag number) preset in each electronic price tag device 11, each electronic price tag device 11 is polled according to the polling method. When checking for incorrect settings by sequentially specifying addresses and sequentially displaying the price tag numbers set in the electronic price tag device 11 of the specified addresses,
Steps AI7 to A23 are executed. That is, an increment process (step A17) is performed to add "1" to the value of the X counter in the product management file PF, and the value is used to designate polling of the electronic price tag device 11, and a response is received from the electronic price tag device 11. If there is (Step A18), the machine number (price tag number) that is the specified address is read out and displayed together with the X counter value (Step A19).
. Here, the price tag number transmitted from the electronic price tag device 11 is compared with the X counter value to see if they match (step A20). As a result, if a match is detected, the step is repeated again on the condition that the X counter value does not reach the n register value (the total number of products, in other words, the total number of connected electronic price tag devices 11) (step A21). Returning to A17, the X counter value is incremented, but if a discrepancy is detected in step A20, an abnormal setting of the machine number set in the electronic price tag device ll is notified, and the machine number is printed (step A23). ). and,
The process returns to step A17 and is repeated until the X counter value matches the n register value. As a result, when all price tag numbers have been checked for erroneous settings, the n register is cleared (step A22).

In addition, the display command “09” is an inventory display command (product name,
In addition, the display command rAJ defines the profit rate and profit amount display command (static display of product name, profit rate, profit amount, profit colon flashing display command). In addition, the display command rBJ defines an appropriate inventory display command (product name/appropriate inventory static display, ubiquitous colon flushing display command), and the display command "C" defines an expected arrival date display command (product name/adequate inventory static display command). display, incoming colon flushing display specification). Therefore, such display commands "09", "A", rBJ,
When rcJ and rDJ are input, the process proceeds to corresponding steps A24 to A27, where a transmission format of a data structure including display data is created and transmitted.

The transmission format created in this way is
3 to the cluster controller 24,
The cluster controller 24 decodes the received content and checks whether the data is addressed to itself based on the address in the transmitted data. In this case, the address is composed of the cluster number, line number, and price tag number as described above, so the address is determined based on whether an address that matches the cluster number preset in the cluster controller 24 is transmitted. Perform a check. The designated cluster controller 24 thereby creates a transmission format with a data structure as shown in FIG. 9(B), and transmits it to each electronic price tag device 11 of the cluster corresponding to the designated line number. The transmission format in this case is shown in Figure 9 (A
), only the address content is different from the transmission format with the structure shown in ), which is address - price tag number.

The electronic price tag device 11 that receives the data transmitted from the cluster controller 24 executes operations according to the flowchart of FIG. 1O.

That is, when data is received from the cluster controller 24 in the reception waiting state (Step 2 B1), it is determined whether the receiving address matches the price tag number preset in the deep switch 13 (Step B2) or if they do not match. Even if there is, the received data is set and input into the display buffer BF (step B3) on the condition that the address is "00" which specifies all price tags (step B7). Then, the display command in the received data is decoded, and as a result, if the display command is "05", the illumination lamp 17 is turned on (Step B8), and if it is "06", the illumination lamp 17 is turned on.
is turned off (step B9).

If another display command is received, the type of the command is checked and the display process corresponding to the command is performed (step B6).

That is, if the display command is "00", all contents of the display buffer BF are cleared (step BIO) and displayed (step B11).

Therefore, the electronic price tag device 11 displays a blank display, which allows customers etc. to know that sales have been discontinued or suspended. Also, the display command is “0
1, the contents of the display buffer BF are statically displayed (step B L l ). As a result, the product name and unit price are displayed statically, allowing customers to know that regular sales are being carried out. Furthermore, if the display command is "02", the process proceeds to step B12, where the unit price is flashed and the product name is statically displayed to notify that the unit price has been changed or that it is on sale. Further, if the display command is "03", step B13
Then, the product name is flashed and the unit price is displayed statically to notify that the product is ready for change. If the display command is "04", the process advances to step B14, where the product name and unit price are both displayed in flashing mode to notify of product changes and shelf position changes.

On the other hand, if the display command in the received data is "07", the display command is changed to "Ol" and the currently occurring flashing display is canceled (step B15).
. Then, the contents of the display buffer BF are statically displayed (step B11). As a result, the normal sales display is restored.

Further, when the display command is "08", the machine number preset on the deep switch 13 is displayed (step B16). Then, the machine number is transmitted to the cluster controller 24 (step B17).

With this, the machine number is cluster controller 2.
4 to the office computer 22 via the radio 23.

Furthermore, if the display command is "09", step B1
Proceeding to step 8, the product name and stock quantity are statically displayed and the stock colon flashing is displayed to notify the stock quantity. If the display command is rAJ, the process proceeds to step B19, where static display of the product name, profit rate, profit amount, and profit colon flashing display are performed to notify the profit rate and profit amount. If the display command is rBJ, the process proceeds to step B20, where a static display of the product name and appropriate inventory quantity and an appropriate colon flashing display are performed to notify the appropriate inventory quantity. Also, if the display command is "C",
Proceeding to step B21, the product name and expected arrival date are statically displayed and the arrival colon flashing is displayed to notify the expected arrival date.

In this way, by receiving the display command from the office computer 22, the electronic price tag device 11 performs the type of display according to the command, so it is possible to display a display different from that of other electronic price tag devices 11. , information that is useful for customers or store staff can be obtained at shelf locations. In this case, preparation for product changes, product changes, unit price changes, etc. are clearly displayed using flashing displays, so even temporary employees who are inexperienced in shelf management can place products in appropriate shelf positions according to instructions from headquarters. can do.

In the above embodiment, the product management file PF is provided in the office computer 22, but it may be provided in each of the electronic price tag devices 11. In this way, the amount of data transmitted from the office computer 22 to the electronic price tag device 11 is reduced, and the data can be efficiently transmitted (1). Further, in the above embodiment, flashing was used to distinguish the price tag from other price tags, but the identification may be indicated by a colon or the like or by letters.

Further, in the above embodiment, the office computer 22 is used as the electronic device on the center side that sends and receives data to and from the electronic price tag device, but a personal computer, an EC
R, a barcode reader, etc. may be used.

[Effects of the Invention] This invention allows an electronic price tag device to switch and display a large number of product information, so it is possible to freely display information that is useful to stores or customers at any time without increasing the size of the electronic price tag device. can be provided to This allows effective sales promotion and efficient product management.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a functional block diagram of the present invention, Figs. 2 to 10 show embodiments, Fig. 2 shows the electronic price tag device 11 installed on a shelf, and Fig. 3 shows the electronic price tag device 11 installed on a shelf. Price tag device 11
4 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the price tag system, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of the product management file PF provided in the office computer 22 configuring the price tag system. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of key operation when inputting data to be transmitted from the office computer 22 to the electronic price tag device 11, and FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation when transmitting data from the office computer 22 to the electronic price tag device 11, and FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the structure of the transmitted data. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing operations performed in response to data transmitted from the office computer 22 to the electronic price tag device 11. 11...Electronic price tag device, 12...Display panel, 14...Interface circuit, 1
5...CPU, 16...Controller, 22...Office computer, 23...
...Radio device, 24...Cluster controller.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A plurality of electronic price tag devices arranged corresponding to each product arranged on a product display shelf etc. and displaying product information of the corresponding product electro-optically, and each of the electronic price tag devices. In a price tag system that includes an electronic device that transmits and receives data to and from a price tag device, the electronic device has a designation means for designating an arbitrary display command from among display commands corresponding to various product information, and the designation device. a transmitting means for transmitting a display command specified by the electronic price tag device to the electronic price tag device, and each of the electronic price tag devices has a receiving device for receiving the display command transmitted from the electronic device; A price tag system comprising a discriminating means for discriminating the type of display command received by the discriminating means, and a display control means for switching and displaying product information corresponding to the type of display command discriminated by the discriminating means.