SE1650060A1

SE1650060A1 - Wireless display system

Info

Publication number: SE1650060A1
Application number: SE1650060A
Authority: SE
Inventors: Hashiguchi Nobuki; MORICHI Toru; Nagata Yoshinori; Kitagawa Hiroki; Murata Shuji
Original assignee: Ishida Seisakusho
Priority date: 2015-01-29
Filing date: 2016-01-20
Publication date: 2016-07-30
Also published as: JP6480200B2; JP2016143078A

Abstract

Technical Problem. To provide a wireless display system in which displayed content on wireless display modules can be changed as occasion may demand.Solution. An electronic shelf label system is equipped with a server, plural electronic shelf labels 40, and access points. The electronic shelf label system is configured to communicate with a handy terminal. The server is configured to store first product information relating to plural products. The electronic shelf labels are arranged corresponding to the plural products respectively. The access points are configured to transmit to each of the electronic shelf labels the first product information related to the products corresponding to that electronic shelf labels and stored in the server. Each of the electronic shelf labels has a display unit 41, a first communication unit 42, a second communication unit 50, and a memory 60. The display unit is configured to display information relating to the product corresponding to that electronic shelf label. The first communication unit is configured to receive the first product information from the access points. The second communication unit is configured to communicate with the handy terminal by near field communication. The memory is connected to the first communication unit and the second communication unit and is configured to store at least the first product information.

Description

DESCRIPTION WIRELESS DISPLAY SYSTEM TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a wireless display system, and more specifically a wireless display system equipped with a server storing article information, plural wireless display modules, and a transmission device transmitting the article information stored in the server to the wireless display modules.

BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, as shown in patent document 1 JP-A No. 2008-168057, a wireless 10 display system equipped with plural wireless display modules that are arranged corresponding to plural articles respectively and display information relating to their corresponding articles has been known. In the wireless display system disclosed in patent document 1 JP-A No. 2008-168057, the information relating to the articles is centrally managed in a server, and the information relating to the articles and stored in the server is transmitted to the wireless display modules via a transmission device.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem In a wireless display system such as the one disclosed in patent document 1 JP-A No. 2008-168057, renewal of the displayed content on the wireless display modules involves the steps of rewriting the information relating to the articles stored in the server and transmitting the rewritten information from the transmission device to the wireless display modules. For that reason, there is a problem that it is difficult to change the displayed content on the wireless display modules as occasion may demand.

It is a problem of the present invention to provide a wireless display system in which 25 displayed content on wireless display modules can be changed as occasion may demand. Solution to Problem A wireless display system pertaining to a first aspect of the present invention is provided with a server, plural wireless display modules, and a communication device. The wireless display system is configured to communicate with a portable terminal. The server is configured to store first article information relating to plural articles. The wireless display modules are arranged corresponding to the plural articles respectively. The communication device is configured to transmit to each of the wireless display modules the first article information related to the articles corresponding to that wireless display module and stored in the server. Each of the wireless display modules has a display unit, a first communication 1 unit, a second communication unit, and a storage unit. The display unit is configured to display information relating to the article corresponding to that wireless display module. The first communication unit is configured to receive the first article information from the communication device. The second communication unit is configured to communicate with 5 the portable terminal by near field communication. The storage unit is connected to the first communication unit and the second communication unit and configured to store at least the first article information.

In the wireless display system pertaining to the first aspect of the present invention, each of the wireless display modules has, in addition to the first communication unit 10 receiving information from the server, the second communication unit communicating with the portable terminal by near field communication, and the first communication unit and the second communication unit are connected to the shared storage unit. Due to this configuration, information can be written from the portable terminal to the storage unit and thereby displayed content on the wireless display module can be changed. As a result, 15 displayed content on the wireless display module can be changed, as occasion may demand, at the location where the wireless display module is installed.

Furthermore, here, the information stored in the storage unit can be directly read by the portable terminal via near field communication, and the information stored in the wireless display module can be acquired with good responsiveness.

A wireless display system pertaining to a second aspect of the present invention is the wireless display system pertaining to the first aspect, wherein the second communication unit is configured to receive information transmitted from the portable terminal as second article information relating to the article corresponding to the wireless display module having that second communication unit. The storage unit is configured to further store the second article 25 information received by the second communication unit. The display unit is configured to display at least the second article information stored in the storage unit as information relating to the article corresponding to the wireless display module having that display unit.

In the wireless display system pertaining to the second aspect of the present invention, as the second article information transmitted from the portable terminal is displayed on the 30 wireless display module, displayed content on the wireless display module can be changed, as occasion may demand, at the location where the wireless display module is installed.

A wireless display system pertaining to a third aspect of the present invention is the wireless display system pertaining to the second aspect, wherein the first communication unit is configured to transmit to the communication device at least some of the second article 2 information stored in the storage unit. The server is configured to store the information transmitted from the first communication unit to the communication device as information relating to the article linked to the wireless display module having that first communication unit.

In the wireless display system pertaining to the third aspect of the present invention, the second article information stored in the storage unit is transmitted to and stored in the server. That is to say, here, consistency between the local information stored in the wireless display module and the information stored in the server is achieved. The information therefore can be centrally managed in the server while enabling to change the displayed 10 content on the wireless display module as occasion may demand.

A wireless display system pertaining to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the wireless display system pertaining to the first aspect, wherein the articles are products for sale. The second communication unit is configured to receive, as third article information relating to the article corresponding to the wireless display module having that second communication unit, information for representing interest in the article which is transmitted from the portable terminal of a potential buyer of the article corresponding to the wireless display module having that second communication unit. The display unit is configured to at least displays information based on the third article information being stored in the storage unit as information relating to the article corresponding to the wireless display module having that display unit.

In the wireless display system pertaining to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in a case where the wireless display modules are arranged corresponding to products respectively, the wireless display modules can display in real time which products are drawing potential buyers' interest. Due to this configuration, the potential buyer can tell sellers which products draw his or her interest and learn which products draw other potential buyers' interest. Furthermore, the sellers can also easily learn the needs of the buyers.

A wireless display system pertaining to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the wireless display system pertaining to the fourth aspect, wherein the first communication unit is configured to transmit to the communication device the information based on the third article information being stored in the storage unit. The server is configured to store the information based on the third article information being transmitted from the first communication unit to the communication device as information relating to the article linked to the wireless display module having that first communication unit.

In the wireless display system pertaining to the fifth aspect of the present invention, 3 the information based on the third article information is transmitted to and stored in the server. That is to say, here, the server can centrally grasp which products draw potential buyers' interest. Based on the results, it is possible to stock the products.

A wireless display system pertaining to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the wireless display system pertaining to any of the first aspect to the fifth aspect, wherein the second communication unit is configured to transmit by near field communication to the portable terminal at least some of the information stored in the storage unit.

In the wireless display system pertaining to the sixth aspect of the present invention, as the information stored in the storage unit is transmitted by near field communication to the 10 portable terminal, the information can be acquired from the wireless display module with good responsiveness.

Advantageous Effects of Invention In the wireless display system pertaining to the present invention, each of the wireless display modules has, in addition to the first communication unit receiving information from 15 the server, the second communication unit that communicating with the portable terminal by near field communication, and the first communication unit and the second communication unit are connected to the shared storage unit. Due to this configuration, information can be written from the portable terminal to the storage unit and thereby displayed content on the wireless display module can be changed. As a result, displayed content on the wireless 20 display module can be changed, as occasion may demand, at the location where the wireless display module is installed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an overall schematic diagram of an electronic shelf label system pertaining to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a drawing depicting an example arrangement of electronic shelf labels included in the electronic shelf label system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a drawing showing the outer appearance of an electronic shelf label included in the electronic shelf label system of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 depicts a condition in which a display unit of the electronic shelf label displays image information transmitted from access points 30 and image information transmitted from a handy terminal.

FIG. 4 is a drawing showing the outer appearance of the electronic shelf label included in the electronic shelf label system of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 depicts a condition in which the display unit of the electronic shelf label displays only the image information transmitted from the access points. 4 FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the electronic shelf label included in the electronic shelf label system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of a server included in the electronic shelf label system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is an overall schematic diagram of an electronic shelf label system pertaining to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a drawing showing the outer appearance of an electronic shelf label included in the electronic shelf label system of FIG. 7. The display unit of the electronic shelf label displays image information transmitted from the access points and the number of times of receiving information representing interest in a product transmitted from a smart phone.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the electronic shelf label included in the electronic shelf label system of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of a server included in the electronic shelf label system of FIG. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of a wireless display system pertaining to the present invention will be described below.

It should be noted that the following embodiments are merely exemplary and that the wireless display system pertaining to the present invention is not limited to the content 20 described below. Other embodiments can also be employed to the extent that they are consistent with the spirit of the invention.

First Embodiment An electronic shelf label system 1 pertaining to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below. (1) Overall Configuration The electronic shelf label system 1 is an example of the wireless display system pertaining to the present invention. The electronic shelf label system 1 is used in a store, such as a supermarket or a convenience store, for example.

As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic shelf label system 1 is mainly provided with a server 10, plural electronic shelf labels 40, and plural access points 30. The numbers of the electronic shelf labels 40 and the access points 30 included in the electronic shelf label system 1 are not limited to the numbers shown in FIG. 1.

The electronic shelf label system 1 is configured in such a way that it can communicate with a handy terminal 70. The handy terminal 70 is an example of a portable terminal.

The handy terminal 70 is a portable data collection terminal. The handy terminal 70 is used by a worker who works in the store (e.g., an employee who works in the store). The handy terminal 70 is configured in such a way that it can read identification information 5 being unique to each of the electronic shelf labels 40 and each of products P (an example of articles), specifically barcodes assigned to each of the electronic shelf labels 40 and each of the products P. The handy terminal 70 is used, for example, for linking work in which device IDs of the electronic shelf labels 40 and product IDs of the products P are linked. The linking work is work to store the device IDs of the electronic shelf labels 40 and the product IDs of the products P in the server 10 in association with each other, so that each of the electronic shelf labels 40 stores/displays information about the product P corresponding to that electronic shelf labels 40.

The handy terminal 70 has a near field communication (NFC) function. The handy terminal 70 is a radio frequency (RF) tag reader/writer that can communicate by near field 15 communication with second communication units 50 (RF tags) of the electronic shelf labels 40 described later.

The handy terminal 70 generates, in accordance with an operation performed by a worker, a command for making the electronic shelf label 40 change what is stored in and displayed on the electronic shelf label 40 in order to make the electronic shelf label 40 change stored information relating to the product P and displayed information relating to the product P. The handy terminal 70 then transmits the generated command to the second communication unit 50 of the electronic shelf label 40. It should be noted that, in the present embodiment, the changes to what is stored in/displayed on the electronic shelf label 40 include a wide variety of changes to the content of what is stored/displayed, such as update, addition, and deletion of what is stored/displayed. There are cases where the command that the handy terminal 70 transmits to the second communication unit 50 includes information relating to the product P corresponding to the electronic shelf label 40 having that second communication unit 50. Here, the information relating to the product P transmitted from the handy terminal 70 to the second communication unit 50 will be called second product 30 information. The second product information is an example of second article information. The second product information will be described later.

Furthermore, the handy terminal 70 generates, in accordance with an operation performed by a worker, a command for making the electronic shelf label 40 transmit the information being stored in the electronic shelf label 40 to the handy terminal 70. The handy 6 terminal 70 then transmits the generated command to the second communication unit 50 of the electronic shelf label 40.

The electronic shelf labels 40 are an example of wireless display modules. The electronic shelf labels 40 are portable devices. The electronic shelf labels 40 are display devices arranged corresponding to the plural products P handled in the store where the electronic shelf label system 1 is installed respectively (see FIG. 2). The electronic shelf label 40 displays information relating to its corresponding product P in the sales area of the store (see FIG. 3).

The server 10 is a general computer that centrally manages information about the plural products P handled in the store. The server 10 is placed in a back room of the store where the electronic shelf label system 1 is installed, for example. The functions of the server 10 include managing information relating to the products P which is to be stored in the electronic shelf labels 40. It should be noted that the information relating to the products P which is to be stored in the electronic shelf labels 40 includes information relating to the products P which is to be displayed on the electronic shelf labels 40. The server 10 stores the information relating to the products P and which is to be stored in the electronic shelf labels 40. In a case where, for example, the information relating to the products P stored in the server 10 has been updated, the server 10 generates a command for making the electronic shelf labels 40 change what is stored in the electronic shelf labels 40 or a command for 20 making the electronic shelf labels 40 change what is stored in and displayed on the electronic shelf labels 40 in order to make the electronic shelf labels 40 change the information relating to the products P stored in the electronic shelf labels 40 and additionally in order to make the electronic shelf labels 40 change the information relating to the products P displayed on the electronic shelf labels 40. The server 10 then transmits the command (via the access points 30 described later) to the electronic shelf labels 40. The command for making the electronic shelf labels 40 change what is stored in the electronic shelf labels 40 and the command for making the electronic shelf labels 40 change what is stored in and displayed on the electronic shelf labels 40 include the information relating to the products P which is to be stored in/displayed on the electronic shelf labels 40. Here, the information relating to the products P stored in the server 10 and transmitted to the electronic shelf labels 40 will be called first product information. The first product information is an example of first article information. The first product information will be described later.

When a command is transmitted from the server 10, the device ID (the identification information unique to each of the electronic shelf labels 40) of the electronic shelf label 40 in 7 which the command is to be executed is added to the command. The server 10 transmits signals to and receives signals from the electronic shelf labels 40 via the access points 30, to which the server 10 is connected by a network 2 (see FIG. 1) such as a local area network (LAN).

The access points 30 are communication devices that communicate by radio wave type wireless communication. The access points 30 transmit various types of signals to, and receive various types of signals from, the electronic shelf labels 40. Specifically, the access points 30 transmit to each of the electronic shelf labels 40 the commands that have been sent from the server 10 by radio wave. That is to say, the access points 30 are an example of communication devices that transmit to each of the electronic shelf labels 40 the first product information, stored in the server 10, which is related to the product corresponding to that electronic shelf label 40. It should be noted that the access points 30 transmit signals called beacons in predetermined intervals (e.g., 4-second intervals) to communicate to the electronic shelf labels 40 whether or not a command will be transmitted. When transmitting a command to the electronic shelf labels 40, the access points 30 transmit the command after transmitting a beacon informing the electronic shelf labels 40 that the command will be transmitted. Furthermore, the access points 30 receive signals that are sent by radio wave from the electronic shelf labels 40 and transmit those signals to the server 10. The signals transmitted from the electronic shelf labels 40 to the access points 30 include acknowledgement signals described later.

The access points 30 are attached at intervals apart from each other to the ceiling of the store, for example. The locations where the access points 30 are installed and the intervals at which the access points 30 are installed apart from each other are decided in such a way that the electronic shelf labels 40 installed in the store are able to communicate with any of the access points 30. (2) Detailed Configuration The electronic shelf labels 40 and the server 10 of the electronic shelf label system 1 will be described in detail below. (2-1) Electronic Shelf Labels The electronic shelf labels 40 are arranged in correspondence to the plural products P handled in the store where the electronic shelf label system 1 is installed. The electronic shelf labels 40 display information relating to their corresponding products P (see FIG. 2). The information relating to the products P being displayed on the electronic shelf labels 40 includes the product name, the sales price, the unit sales price (the sales price per weight), the 8 product barcode, and the characters "Price Reduced!" (see FIG. 3). However, the information relating to the products P does not need to be limited to the product name, the sales price, the unit sales price, the product barcode, and the characters "Price Reduced!", and may also include other pieces of information in addition to these pieces of information or instead of some or all of these pieces of information.

As shown in FIG. 5, each of the electronic shelf labels 40 mainly has a display unit 41, a first communication unit 42, a second communication unit 50, a memory 60, a control unit 44, and a battery 45. (2-1-1) Display Unit The display unit 41 is a screen displaying information relating to the product P corresponding to the electronic shelf label 40 having that display unit 41 (see FIG. 3). The display unit 41 displays the information relating to the product P being stored in the memory 60. For the display unit 41, for example, electronic paper is used. That is, the display unit 41 is a dot matrix nonvolatile display unit configured by plural pixels arrayed in a matrix. The display unit 41 can retain the displayed content even when power is not supplied to the display unit 41. It should be noted that the display unit 41 does not need to be configured by electronic paper and may be configured by a liquid crystal display, for example. (2-1-2) First Communication Unit The first communication unit 42 functions to wirelessly communicate with the access 20 points 30. Specifically, the first communication unit 42 communicates by radio wave wireless communication with the access points 30.

The first communication unit 42 receives the commands including the first product information from the access points 30 and inputs the received commands to the control unit 44. The first product information includes the product name, the unit sales price, the sales price, the barcode, the sales volume, and the inventory quantity of the product P. In relation to the product name, the unit sales price, the sales price, and the barcode of the product P, the access points 30 transmit the commands including image information G1 of these pieces of information (see FIG. 3). In relation to the sales volume and the inventory quantity of the product P, the access points 30 transmit the commands including numerical value information of these pieces of information.

The first communication unit 42 transmits various types of signals to the access points 30. The signals that the first communication unit 42 transmits to the access points 30 include an acknowledgement signal (ACK). The acknowledgement signal is a signal transmitted from the first communication unit 42 in order to inform the server 10 that the electronic shelf 9 label 40 has received the command that was transmitted to that electronic shelf label 40. Furthermore, the first communication unit 42 is configured to transmit the information being stored in the memory 60 to the access points 30 as needed. (2-1-3) Second Communication Unit The second communication unit 50 is a passive RF tag receiving power by contactless power transmission from the handy terminal 70. The second communication unit 50 communicates with the handy terminal 70 by near field communication.

As shown in FIG. 5, the second communication unit 50 mainly has an antenna 51 and a near field communication (NFC) chip 52.

The antenna 51 is a loop antenna (a coil antenna) used to transmit and receive signals using radio wave or a magnetic field. The distance at which the second communication unit 50 and the handy terminal 70 can communicate with each other is about several centimeters to several tens of centimeters.

The NFC chip 52 is an integrated circuit performing various types of control on the 15 second communication unit 50. The NFC chip 52 includes the memory 60 storing information. The memory 60 will be described later.

In a case where the antenna 51 has received a command instructing to change what is stored in the memory 60 and what is displayed on the display unit 41—and particularly to update or add to what is displayed on the display unit 41—the NFC chip 52 stores in the 20 memory 60 the second product information included in the command. The second product information is information relating to the product P corresponding to the electronic shelf label 40 having the second communication unit 50 that receives that second product information. Here, the second product information included in the command from the handy terminal 70 is the character information "Price Reduced!", in particular image information G2 of the 25 character information (see FIG. 3). The command, including the second product information, for instructing to change displayed content on the display unit 41 is transmitted from the handy terminal 70 to the electronic shelf label 40 when, for example, the seller particularly wants potential buyers (store visitors) to notice that the sales price of some products P have been reduced. It should be noted that the second product information does not need to be the 30 character information "Price Reduced!" and may be other information for promoting the sales of the product P, such as the character information "On Sale!" or "Just Made". In a case where the antenna 51 has received a command instructing to change what is stored in the memory 60 and what is displayed on the display unit 41—and particularly to delete the display of the second product information from the display unit 41—the NFC chip 52 changes what is stored in the memory 60 by deleting the second product information (here, the image information G2) from the memory 60. In a case where the second communication unit 50 has received a command instructing to change what is stored in the memory 60 and what is displayed on the display unit 41, the NFC chip 52 outputs to the control unit 44 a 5 signal informing the control unit 44 that the NFC chip 52 has received the command.

In a case where the antenna 51 has received a command requesting the electronic shelf label 40 to transmit information to the handy terminal 70, the NFC chip 52 reads from the memory 60 the information requested to be transmitted. The information requested to be transmitted to the handy terminal 70 is, for example, the sales volume and the inventory 10 quantity of the product P. The NFC chip 52 transmits by near field communication via the antenna 51 to the handy terminal 70 the information read from the memory 60. Due to this configuration, the handy terminal 70 can directly read the necessary information from the electronic shelf label 40 by near field communication without communicating with the server 10 through the network, and the worker carrying the handy terminal 70 can acquire the 15 necessary information with good responsiveness. (2-1-4) Memory The memory 60 is included in the NFC chip 52 of the second communication unit 50. The memory 60 is connected to the first communication unit 42 and the second communication unit 50. It should be noted that "the memory 60 is connected to the first communication unit 42" is meant satisfying at least one of the conditions that the information received by the first communication unit 42 can be written to the memory 60 or that the information read from the memory 60 can be transmitted from the first communication unit 42. Furthermore, "the memory 60 is connected to the second communication unit 50" is meant satisfying at least one of the conditions that the information received by the second 25 communication unit 50 can be written to the memory 60 or that the information read from the memory 60 can be transmitted from the second communication unit 50.

Here, the memory 60 stores the first product information (the product name, the unit sales price, the sales price, the barcode, the sales volume, and the inventory quantity and the like of the product P) received by the first communication unit 42. It should be noted that, in relation to the product name, the unit sales price, the sales price, and the barcode of the product P, the image information G1 (see FIG. 3) of these pieces of information is stored in the memory 60, and in relation to the sales volume and the inventory quantity of the product P, the numerical value information of these pieces of information is stored in the memory 60. Furthermore, the memory 60 stores the second product information (the characters "Price 11 Reduced!") received by the second communication unit 50. The second product information is stored in the memory 60 as the image information G2 (see FIG. 3). (2-1-5) Control Unit The control unit 44 is mainly configured by a CPU and a memory (not shown in the drawings) and the like. The control unit 44 is electrically connected to the display unit 41, the first communication unit 42, the second communication unit 50, the memory 60, and the battery 45 (see FIG. 5).

The memory of the control unit 44 stores a program to be executed by the CPU of the control unit 44 and the device ID that is the unique identifier of the electronic shelf label 40.

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

For example, when the first communication unit 42 receives a command from the access points 30 and the received command is input from the first communication unit 42 to the control unit 44, the control unit 44 determines whether or not it (the electronic shelf label 40 having that control unit 44) is the intended recipient of that command. Specifically, the control unit 44 compares the device ID attached to the command and the unique device ID stored in the memory of the control unit 44, and in a case where these match, the control unit 44 judges that it is the intended recipient of the command. In a case where the control unit 44 has judged that it is the intended recipient of the command, the control unit 44 stores in the memory 60 the first product information included in the command. Additionally, in a case where the command is a instruction to change what is displayed on the display unit 41 (the image including the product name, the sales price, the unit sales price, and the barcode of the product P), the control unit 44 controls the display unit 41 so that the display unit 41 displays the image information G1 including the product name, the sales price, the unit sales price, and the barcode of the product P which is newly stored in the memory 60. Furthermore, in a case where the control unit 44 has judged that it is the intended recipient of the command, the control unit 44 controls the first communication unit 42 so that the first communication unit 42 transmits an acknowledgement signal to the server 10.

Furthermore, for example, in a case where the second communication unit 50 has received a command instructing to change what is stored in the memory 60 and what is displayed on the display unit 41 and the NFC chip 52 has input to the control unit 44 a signal informing the control unit 44 about this, the control unit 44 controls the display unit 41 so that what is displayed on the display unit 41 is changed. Specifically, for example, if the 12 command instructs the display unit 41 to display the image information G2 of the second product information (the character information "Price Reduced!"), the control unit 44 controls the display unit 41 so that the image information G2 stored in the memory 60 will be additionally displayed as shown in FIG. 3 on the display unit 41 which does not currently 5 display the image information G2 as shown in FIG. 4. Furthermore, for example, if the command is an instruction to delete the display of the image information G2 from the display unit 41, the control unit 44 controls the display unit 41 so that the image information G2 will be deleted as shown in FIG. 4 from the display unit 41 in a state that the image information G2 is displayed as shown in FIG. 3. (2-1-6) Battery The battery 45 is configured to supply drive power to the display unit 41, the first communication unit 42, and the control unit 44 of the electronic shelf label 40. The second communication unit 50 is configured to receive power by contactless power transmission from the handy terminal 70 and does not receive power from the battery 45. The memory 60 15 is configured to receive power from the battery 45 when data is written to and read from the memory 60 by the first communication unit 42 and to receive power from the handy terminal 70 when data is written to and read from the memory 60 by the second communication unit 50. (2-2) Server The server 10 is a general computer that centrally manages information about the plural products P handled in the store. The server 10 transmits commands including the first product information to the electronic shelf labels 40 via the access points 30.

The server 10 mainly has 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). 25 (2-2-1) Server Communication Unit The server communication unit 11 is a communication interface for enabling the server 10 to communicate with the access points 30 and the handy terminals 70. Furthermore, the server 10 is configured in such a way that it can also communicate, via the server communication unit 11, for example, with a server and a store controller of a POS system installed in the store where the electronic shelf label system 1 is installed. Commands that have been sent from the server communication unit 11 to the access points 30 are transmitted from the access points 30 to the electronic shelf labels 40. (2-2-2) Server Display Unit The server display unit 12 is a liquid crystal display. The server display unit 12 can 13 display various types of information relating to the electronic shelf label system 1. (2-2-3) Server Input Unit The server input unit 13 includes a mouse and a keyboard. Various types of commands and various types of information with respect to the server 10 can be input via the server input unit 13. (2-2-4) Server Storage Unit The server storage unit 14 is configured by a ROM, a RAM, a hard disk, and the like. Various types of programs executed by the server control unit 15 described later are stored in the server storage unit 14. Furthermore, various types of information are stored in the server storage unit 14. The information stored in the server storage unit 14 includes a product master table 14a and an electronic shelf label master table 14b (see FIG. 5). (2-2-4-1) Product Master Table The product master table 14a contains information relating to the products P handled by the electronic shelf label system 1. The information relating to the products P includes, for example, product names, sales prices, unit sales prices, product barcodes, sales volumes, and inventory quantities. In the product master table 14a, the information relating to the products is stored according to the product IDs (barcode information) of the products P. The contents of the product master table 14a are updated when the server communication unit 11 receives information from an outside device (e.g., the PUS system not shown in the drawings) or when the server input unit 13 receives input of information. (2-2-4-2) Electronic Shelf Label Master Table The electronic shelf label master table 14b contains information that links the device IDs for identifying the electronic shelf labels 40 and the product IDs of the products P to each other. Because the device IDs and the product IDs are linked to each other and stored in the electronic shelf label master table 14b, the electronic shelf labels 40 and the products P corresponding to the electronic shelf labels 40 are linked to each other. In other words, because the device IDs and the product IDs are linked to each other and stored in the electronic shelf label master table 14b, the product information of the product P to be displayed on a given electronic shelf label 40 is identified. The device IDs and the product 30 IDs are linked to each other by the linking work performed by the worker using the handy terminal 70. (2-2-5) Server Control Unit The server control unit 15 controls each element of the server 10 by executing the programs stored in the server storage unit 14. Specifically, the server control unit 14 performs the following control.

For example, as described later, when the server communication unit 11 receives the device ID of an electronic shelf label and the product ID of a product P, transmitted by the handy terminal 70, which are to be linked to each other, the server control unit 15 links the device ID and the product ID to each other and stores them in the electronic shelf label master table 14b.

Furthermore, for example, when the electronic shelf label system 1 starts up or when it is necessary to change the content of what is stored in and/or the content of what is displayed on the electronic shelf labels 40, the server control unit 15 generates a command including the first product information and transmits the command via the access points 30 to the electronic shelf labels 40. By "when it is necessary to change what is displayed on the electronic shelf labels 40" is meant, for example, when the contents of the product master table 14a or the electronic shelf label master table 14b have been updated.

When the server control unit 15 transmits to an electronic shelf label 40 a command 15 instructing to change what is stored in the memory 60 and what is displayed on the display unit 41, the server control unit 15 performs the following processing.

First, the server control unit 15, in regard to a product P for which displayed content on the electronic shelf label 40 is to be changed, generates, by referencing the product master table 14a, image information (e.g., the image information G1 (see FIG. 3) including the product name, the sales price, the unit sales price, and the barcode of the product P) to be transmitted to the electronic shelf label 40. Furthermore, the server control unit 15 acquires, as a transmission destination identifier, the device ID of the electronic shelf label 40 linked to the product P for which displayed content on the electronic shelf label 40 is to be changed by referencing the electronic shelf label master table 14b.

Next, the server control unit 15 generates a command including the image information G1 , to which the acquired transmission destination identifier (the device ID of the electronic shelf label 40 to which the command is to be transmitted) is added. Moreover, the server control unit 15 transmits the generated command to the access points 30. The access points 30 which have received the command transmit the command by radio wave to the electronic shelf label 40.

When the server control unit 15 transmits to an electronic shelf label 40 a command instructing the electronic shelf label 40 to change only what is stored in the memory 60, the server control unit 15 performs the following processing.

First, the server control unit 15, in regard to a product P for which stored content on the electronic shelf label 40 is to be changed, reads the information that is to be changed (e.g., the inventory quantity of the product P) by referencing the product master table 14a. Furthermore, the server control unit 15 acquires, as a transmission destination identifier, the device ID of the electronic shelf label 40 linked to the product P for which displyaed content on the electronic shelf label 40 is to be changed by referencing the electronic shelf label master table 14b.

Next, the server control unit 15 generates a command including the numerical value information of, for example, the inventory quantity of the product P, to which the acquired transmission destination identifier (the device ID of the electronic shelf label 40 to which the command is to be transmitted) is added. Moreover, the server control unit 15 transmits the generated command to the access points 30. The access points 30 which have received the command transmit the command by radio wave to the electronic shelf label 40.

As mentioned above, when the electronic shelf label 40 receives the delivery data intended for it, the electronic shelf label 40 transmits an acknowledgement signal to the 15 access points 30. The access points 30 which have received the acknowledgement signal transmit the acknowledgement signal via the network 2 to the server communication unit 11 of the server 10. When the server communication unit 11 receives the acknowledgement signal after having transmitted the command, the server control unit 15 judges that it has successfully communicated with the electronic shelf label 40 and ends the processing for transmitting the product information to the electronic shelf label 40. On the other hand, in a case where, for some reason, the access points 30 do not receive the acknowledgement signal, the server control unit 15 retransmits the delivery data. (3) Characteristics (3-1) The electronic shelf label system 1 as an example of a wireless display system pertaining to the present embodiment is equipped with the server 10, the electronic shelf labels 40 as an example of plural wireless display modules, and the access points 30 as an example of communication devices. The electronic shelf label system 1 communicates with the handy terminal 70 as an example of a portable terminal. The server 10 stores the first 30 product information (an example of first article information) relating to the plural products P (an example of articles). The electronic shelf labels 40 are arranged corresponding to the plural products P respectively. The access points 30 transmit to each of the electronic shelf labels 40 the first product information, stored in the server 10, related to the products P corresponding to that electronic shelf labels 40. Each of the electronic shelf labels 40 has the 16 display unit 41, the first communication unit 42, the second communication unit 50, and the memory 60 as an example of a storage unit. The display unit 41 displays information relating to the product P corresponding to that electronic shelf label 40. The first communication unit 42 receives the first product information from the access points 30. The second 5 communication unit 50 communicates with the handy terminal 70 by near field communication. The memory 60 is connected to the first communication unit 42 and the second communication unit 50. The memory 60 stores at least the first product information. Here, each of the electronic shelf labels 40 has, in addition to the first communication unit 42 receiving information from the server 10, the second communication unit 50 10 communicating with the handy terminal 70 by near field communication, and the first communication unit 42 and the second communication unit 50 are connected to the shared memory 60. Due to this configuration, information can be written from the handy terminal 70 to the memory 60 and thereby displayed content on the electronic shelf label 40 can be changed. As a result, displayed content on the electronic shelf label 40 can be changed, as occasion may demand, at the location where the electronic shelf label 40 is installed.

Furthermore, here, the information stored in the memory 60 can be directly read by the handy terminal 70 via near field communication. For that reason, the handy terminal 70 can acquire the information with good responsiveness at the location where the electronic shelf label 40 is installed compared to a case where the handy terminal 70 acquires the information relating to the product P corresponding to the electronic shelf label 40 via the network. (3-2) In the electronic shelf label system 1 pertaining to the present embodiment, the second communication unit 50 receives information transmitted from the handy terminal 70 as the second product information (an example of second article information) relating to the product P corresponding to the electronic shelf label 40 having that second communication unit 50. The memory 60 stores the second product information received by the second communication unit 50. The display unit 41 displays the second product information stored in the memory 60 as information relating to the product P corresponding to the electronic shelf label having that display unit 41.

Here, as the second product information transmitted from the handy terminal 70 is displayed on the electronic shelf label 40, displayed content on the electronic shelf label 40 can be changed, as occasion may demand, at the location where the electronic shelf label 40 is installed. 17 (3-3) In the electronic shelf label system 1 pertaining to the present embodiment, the second communication unit 50 transmits by near field communication to the handy terminal 70 the information stored in the memory 60.

Here, as the information stored in the memory 60 is transmitted by near field communication to the handy terminal 70, the information can be acquired at the location where the electronic shelf label 40 is installed with better responsiveness compared to a case where the handy terminal 70 acquires the information relating to the product P corresponding to the electronic shelf label 40 via the network. 10 (4) Example Modifications Example modifications of the first embodiment will be described below. It should be noted that multiple example modifications may also be combined to the extent that they are consistent with each other. (4-1) Example Modification 1A In the electronic shelf label system 1 pertaining to the above embodiment, the electronic shelf labels 40 communicate with the access points 30 by radio wave, but the electronic shelf label system 1 is not limited to this. For example, the electronic shelf label system 1 may also be configured in such a way that the electronic shelf labels and the communication devices transmitting to the electronic shelf labels the first product 20 information stored in the server 10 communicate with each other using infrared. (4-2) Example Modification 1B In the electronic shelf label system 1 pertaining to the above embodiment, the second communication unit 50 receives from the handy terminal 70 a command to display on the display unit 41, or delete from the display unit 41, the image information G2 of the characters "Price Reduced!", but the electronic shelf label system 1 is not limited to this. For example, the second communication unit 50 may also receive from the handy terminal 70 a command (a command including the image information of the sales price) relating to an update of the sales price (an update of the image information of the sales price).

In a case where the electronic shelf label system 1 is configured in this way, there is a risk that the sales price stored in the server 10 and the sales price displayed on the electronic shelf label 40 become inconsistent. It is therefore preferred that processing to achieve consistency between these is performed.

For example, when a command relating to an update of the sales price is transmitted to the second communication unit 50, the barcode of the product P whose sales price is to be 18 updated may be scanned by the handy terminal 70, and the barcode of the product P and the updated sales price may be transmitted from the handy terminal 70 to the server 10 via a network not shown in the drawings. By updating the product master table 14a based on the received information in the server 10, a consistency between the sales price being stored in the server 10 and the sales price displayed on the electronic shelf label 40 can be achieved.

Furthermore, for example, when a command relating to an update of the sales price is transmitted to the second communication unit 50, the control unit 44 of the electronic shelf label 40 may control the first communication unit 42 so that the updated sales price stored in the memory 60 is transmitted to the access points 30 together with the device ID stored in the 10 memory 60. That is to say, the first communication unit 42 may be configured to transmit to the access points 30 the sales price, that serves as the second product information, stored in the memory 60. The server 10 may store in the product master table 14a the information transmitted from the first communication unit 42 to the access points 30 as information relating to the product P corresponding to the electronic shelf label 40 having the first communication unit 42 that transmitted that information. When the electronic shelf label system 1 is configured in this way, consistency between the sales price being stored in the server 10 and the sales price displayed on the electronic shelf display 40 can be achieved. By achieving consistency between the local information stored in the electronic shelf label 40 and the information stored in the server 10, the information can be centrally managed in the server 10 while enabling to change the displayed content on the electronic shelf label 40 as occasion may demand. (4-3) Example Modification 1C In the above embodiment, the handy terminal 70 serves as example of a portable terminal, but the portable terminal is not limited to this. For example, the portable terminal 25 communicating by near field communication with the second communication unit 50 may be a smart phone or a tablet computer separate from the handy terminal 70 used in the linking work. This kind of portable terminal may also be configured to exhibit the functions described in the above embodiment by executing application software for communicating with the second communication unit 50.

It should be noted that, in a case where the portable terminal is configured in this way, the portable terminal does not have to be configured in such a way that it can communicate with the server 10. Even if a portable terminal is not connected via a network to the server 10, the portable terminal can, using near field communication, acquire from the electronic shelf label 40 the various types of information being stored in the memory 60 with good 19 responsiveness. Furthermore, even if a portable terminal is not connected via a network to the server 10, the portable terminal can, using near field communication, change the information being stored in the memory 60 and further update the information displayed on the display unit 41 of the electronic shelf label 40. 5 (4-4) Example Modification 1D In the above embodiment, when the linking work has been performed by the handy terminal 70, a command including the first product information is transmitted from the server 10 via the access points 30 to the electronic shelf label 40, but the electronic shelf label system 1 is not limited to this.

For example, the electronic shelf label system 1 may also be configured in such a way that, when the linking work has been performed by the handy terminal 70, a command including the first product information is transmitted from the server 10 to the handy terminal 70 and a command including the first product information is transmitted by near field communication from the handy terminal 70 to the electronic shelf label 40.

Ordinarily, in a case where a command is transmitted from the server 10 via the access points 30 to an electronic shelf label 40, the command is also transmitted to the electronic shelf labels 40 that are not the intended recipient of that command. For that reason, the electronic shelf labels 40 that are not the intended recipient of the command also need to perform the processing of first receiving the command and then determining whether 20 or not they are the intended recipient of the command, and the power of their batteries 45 is needlessly consumed. In contrast to this, by using near field communication for the communication during the linking work, commands are not transmitted to the electronic shelf labels 40 that are not the intended target of the linking work, so unnecessary power consumption of the batteries 45 can be controlled. 25 (4-5) Example Modification lE In the above embodiment, when the linking work is performed with the handy terminal 70, the handy terminal 70 acquires the device ID of the electronic shelf label 40 by scanning the barcode assigned to the electronic shelf label 40, but the handy terminal 70 is not limited to this. For example, the handy terminal may be configured to acquire the device 30 ID of the electronic shelf label 40 by reading, by near field communication, the device ID stored in the memory 60. (4-6) Example Modification 1F In the above embodiment, an electronic shelf label system has been described as an example of the wireless display system pertaining to the present invention, but the wireless display system pertaining to the present invention is not limited to an electronic shelf label system installed in a store or the like.

For example, the wireless display system may also be utilized in a hospital. Specifically, in a hospital, there are cases where management is performed in which drugs (injectable drugs and orally administered drugs) are prepared and put into containers according to patient in a pharmacy or the like, and those containers are carried to hospital rooms and the like. In such cases, the wireless display system may be configured in such a way that wireless display modules (wireless display modules having the same device configuration as the electronic shelf labels 40 pertaining to the above embodiment) are attached to the plural containers (an example of articles) respectively, and each of the wireless display modules stores, in the memory connected to the first communication unit and the second communication unit, information (an example of first article information) relating to the containers and transmitted from the server. The information relating to the containers is, for example, the names of the patients who are to use the drugs (that should be) in those containers and a list of the names of the drugs (that should be) in those containers and the like.

In the wireless display system used in a hospital, for example, when a nurse or the like has checked to see that the drug displayed on a wireless display module and the drug in the container match, the nurse or the like uses a portable terminal able to communicate with the 20 second communication unit of the wireless display module to transmit a command for causing image information of the character information "Check Completed" (an example of second article information) to be displayed on the wireless display module attached to the container for which the check has been completed. The second communication unit of the wireless display module is configured to receive the command including the image 25 information of the character information "Check Completed" transmitted from the portable terminal, and the memory is configured to store the image information of the character information "Check Completed" received by the second communication unit. The display unit of the wireless display module is configured to display, as information relating to the container corresponding to the wireless display module having that display unit, the image 30 information of the character information "Check Completed" stored in the memory.

Furthermore, the wireless display system used in a hospital is configured in such a way that, for example, after the nurse or the like has finished carrying the drug in the container to a hospital room, a treatment room or the like, the nurse or the like uses a portable terminal able to communicate with a near field communication unit of the wireless display 21 module to instruct the wireless display module attached to the container the nurse has finished carrying to, for example, erase (change) the first article information (e.g., the patient name) displayed on the display unit, and the wireless display module that has received the instruction erases (changes) the first article information stored in the memory and erases (changes) the display of the first article information on the display unit. In this case, it is preferred that the wireless display system be configured in such a way that the wireless display module or the portable terminal informs the server the change of the displayed content on the wireless display module so that the server grasps that there has been a change to the displayed content on the wireless display module.

Furthermore, the wireless display system used in a hospital may be configured in such a way that, for example, information such as directions for using the drug in the container is also transmitted via the access points from the server to the wireless display module as the first article information relating to the container. Additionally, the second communication unit of the wireless display module may be configured in such a way that it can transmit, by 15 near field communication, the information—such as the directions for using the drug—stored in the memory to the portable terminal that is able to communicate with the second communication unit of the wireless display module and which the nurse or the like has. Furthermore, for example, the wireless display system may be utilized in a warehouse or the like. Specifically, in a case where objects-to-be-transported are put into transport containers according to their transport destination and are stored and managed in the warehouse, the wireless display system may be configured in such a way that wireless display modules (wireless display modules having the same device configuration as the electronic shelf labels 40 pertaining to the above embodiment) are attached to the plural transport containers (an example of articles) respectively, and each of the wireless display modules 25 stores, in the memory connected to the first communication unit and the second communication unit, information (an example of first article information) relating to the transport containers and transmitted from the server. The information relating to the transport containers is, for example, the transport destinations of the objects-to-be-transported in those transport containers and the names, numerical quantities, and so forth of the objects-to-be- transported in the transport containers.

In the wireless display system used in a warehouse, for example, when a worker or the like has finished inspecting the object-to-be-transported in a transport container, the worker or the like uses a portable terminal able to communicate with the second communication unit of the wireless display module to transmit a command for causing image 22 information of the character information "Inspection Completed" (an example of second article information) to be displayed on the wireless display module attached to the transport container for which the inspection has been completed. The second communication unit of the wireless display module is configured to receive the command including the image 5 information of the character information "Inspection Completed" transmitted from the portable terminal, and the memory is configured to store the image information of the character information "Inspection Completed" received by the second communication unit. The display unit of the wireless display module is configured to display, as information relating to the transport container corresponding to the wireless display module having that display unit, the image information of the character information "Inspection Completed" stored in the memory.

Furthermore, the wireless display system used in a warehouse may be configured in such a way that, as the first article information relating to the transport container, for example, information such as the characteristics of the object-to-be-transported in the container is also transmitted via the access points from the server to the wireless display module. Additionally, the second communication unit of the wireless display module may be configured in such a way that it can transmit, by near field communication, the characteristics of the object-to-be-transported stored in the memory to the portable terminal that is able to communicate with the second communication unit of the wireless display module, which the 20 worker or the like has.

Also in the wireless display systems utilized in a hospital and a warehouse described above, what is displayed on the wireless display module can be changed, as occasion may demand, at the location where the wireless display module is installed. Furthermore, in the wireless display systems described above, the information can be acquired with better 25 responsiveness at the location where the wireless display module is installed compared to a case where the information relating to the container/transport container corresponding to the wireless display module (e.g., information such as directions for using the drug in the container, information such as the characteristics of the object-to-be-transported in the container) is acquired via a network. 30 Second Embodiment An electronic shelf label system 101 pertaining to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

The electronic shelf label system 101 pertaining to the second embodiment is an example of the wireless display system pertaining to the present invention. The electronic 23 shelf label system 101 has many points in common with the electronic shelf label system 1 pertaining to the first embodiment, so mainly its points of difference will be described.

It should be noted that, in the second embodiment, elements assigned reference signs that are the same as those assigned to the elements pertaining to the first embodiment have 5 the same configurations/functions as those elements pertaining to the first embodiment. (1) Overall Configuration FIG. 7 is an overall schematic diagram of the electronic shelf label system 101 pertaining to the second embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 7, the electronic shelf label system 101 is mainly provided with a server 110, electronic shelf labels 140 as an example of plural wireless display modules, and plural access points 30. The server 110 and the electronic shelf labels 140 are partially different from the server 10 and the electronic shelf labels 40 pertaining to the first embodiment in the content of the stored information and the executed processing, but are same with the server 10 and the electronic shelf labels 40 pertaining to the first embodiment in device configurations. With regard to the server 110 and the electronic shelf labels 140, the differences from the server 10 and the electronic shelf labels 40 pertaining to the first embodiment will be described in the following detailed description. As regards the access points 30, they are the same as those of the first embodiment so description thereof will be omitted.

It should be noted that, in contrast to the first embodiment, the electronic shelf label system 101 is configured in such a way that it can communicate with a smart phone 170 carried by a store visitor (a potential buyer of products P that are an example of articles). The smart phone 170 is an example of a portable terminal. That is to say, the smart phone 170 has a near field communication function. The smart phone 170 is a RF tag reader/writer that can 25 communicate by near field communication with second communication units 150 (RF tags) of the electronic shelf labels 40.

Application software that enables the smart phone 170 to communicate with the second communication units 150 of the electronic shelf labels 140 is stored in the smart phone 170. The smart phone 170 is configured in such a way that it can transmit information 30 to and receive information from the electronic shelf labels 140 and transmit commands to the electronic shelf labels 140 as described below as a result of a CPU of the smart phone 170 executing the application software.

The smart phone 170 is configured in such a way that, for example, it can transmit to the electronic shelf labels 140 information representing interest in the products P. That is to 24 say, a potential buyer of a given product P can use the smart phone 170 to transmit to the second communication unit 150 information (hereinafter called third product information) representing interest in the product P corresponding to the electronic shelf label 140 having that second communication unit 150. The third product information is an example of third article information. The third product information is, for example, information expressing the fact that the potential buyer likes the product P (expressing a "like"). The third product information is, for example, transmitted to the second communication unit 150 when the potential buyer performs on the smart phone 170 an operation expressing the fact that the potential buyer has an interest in a given product P (e.g., pressing a "like" button on the screen of the smart phone 170) and brings the smart phone 170 closer to the electronic shelf label 40.

Furthermore, in accordance with the operation performed by the potential buyer of the product P. the smart phone 170 generates a command for causing the information relating to the product P and being stored in the electronic shelf label 140 to be transmitted to the smart 15 phone 170. The smart phone 170 then transmits the generated command to the second communication unit 150 of the electronic shelf label 140. Here, the information relating to the product P that the smart phone 170 requests the electronic shelf label 140 to transmit will be called fourth product information. The fourth product information includes, for example, allergy information about the product P, information relating to the place of 20 production/producer of the product P, information relating to days when the product P will be on sale, and information about recipes using the product P. For example, by selecting on the smart phone 170 an item about which the potential buyer wants to acquire information, the smart phone 170 generates a command requesting that the fourth product information be transmitted in regard to the selected item. Then, by bringing the smart phone 170 closer to 25 the electronic shelf label 140, the command is transmitted to the second communication unit 150 of that electronic shelf label 140. (2) Detailed Configuration Regarding the electronic shelf labels 140 and the server 110 of the electronic shelf label system 101, the differences between these and counterparts of the first embodiment will 30 be mainly described in detail below. (2-1) Electronic Shelf Labels The information relating to the products P and displayed on the electronic shelf labels 140 includes the product names, the sales prices, the unit sales prices, the product barcodes, and the number of "likes" (a count number representing the number of times that the third product information has been received) (see FIG. 8). The number of "likes" is an example of a display of information based on the third product information. It should be noted that, in contrast to the electronic shelf labels 40 of the first embodiment, the electronic shelf labels 140 do not display the characters "Price Reduced!".

Like in the first embodiment, each of the electronic shelf labels 140 mainly has the display unit 41, a first communication unit 142, the second communication unit 150, a memory 160, a control unit 144, and the battery 45 (see FIG. 9). The display unit 41 and the battery 45 are the same as those of the first embodiment. Here, the differences that the first communication unit 142, the second communication unit 150, the memory 160, and the control unit 144 have with respect to the first embodiment will mainly be described. (2- 1 - 1 ) First Communication Unit The first communication unit 142 is, in relation to its device configuration, the same as the first communication unit 42 of the first embodiment. The first communication unit 142 differs from the first communication unit 42 pertaining to the first embodiment in that the information relating to the product P and transmitted from the access points 30 to the first communication unit 142 (the information relating to the product P and received by the first communication unit 142) includes the fourth product information in addition to the first product information such as the product name, the unit sales price, the sales price, and the product barcode of the product P. It should be noted that the fourth product information is 20 information relating to the product P and transmitted to the smart phone 170 and, for example, includes allergy information about the product P, the place of production/producer of the product P, information relating to days when the product P will be on sale, and information about recipes using the product P. In regard to other points, the first communication unit 142 is the same as the first communication unit 42 of the first embodiment, so description will be omitted here. (2-1-2) Second Communication Unit The second communication unit 150 is a passive RF tag that receives power by contactless power transmission from the smart phone 170. The second communication unit 150 communicates by near field communication with the smart phone 170.

The second communication unit 150 is, in relation to its device configuration, the same as the second communication unit 50 of the first embodiment. The second communication unit 150 is the same as the second communication unit 50 of the first embodiment except that the information and commands transmitted from the portable terminal (here, the smart phone 170) to the second communication unit 150 are different. The 26 information/commands that the second communication unit 150 receives from the smart phone 170 and the actions of the NFC chip 52 when it receives the information/commands will mainly be described below.

In a case where the antenna 51 has received the third product information (an 5 expression of a "like") from the smart phone 170, the NFC chip 52 performs processing that increases by 1 the count number stored in the memory 60, which represents the number of times that a "like" has been received. In other words, the NFC chip 52 performs processing that updates the information based on the third product information and stored in the memory 60. In addition, the NFC chip 52 outputs to the control unit 44 a signal informing the control 10 unit 44 that the NFC chip 52 has received the third product information.

In a case where the antenna 51 has received a command requesting the electronic shelf label 140 to transmit information to the smart phone 170, the NFC chip 52 reads from the memory 160 the information requested to be transmitted. The information requested to be transmitted to the smart phone 170 is, for example, allergy information about the product 15 P, information relating to the place of production/producer of the product P, information relating to days when the product P will be on sale, and information about recipes using the product P. The NFC chip 52 transmits by near field communication via the antenna 51 to the smart phone 170 the information read from the memory 160. Because the second communication unit 150 is configured in this way, the smart phone 170 can directly read the 20 necessary information from the electronic shelf label 140 by near field communication without communicating with the server 110 through the network, and the store visitor carrying the smart phone 170 can acquire the necessary information with good responsiveness. (2-1-3) Memory The memory 160 is included in the NFC chip 52 of the second communication unit 150. The memory 160 is, like in the first embodiment, connected to the first communication unit 142 and the second communication unit 150. The information stored in the memory 160 differs from the information stored in the memory 60 of the first embodiment as follows.

The memory 160 stores the fourth product information, in addition to the information, 30 received by the first communication unit 142, described as the first product information in the first embodiment (e.g., the product name, the unit sales price, the sales price, and the product barcode of the product P). Furthermore, in contrast to the first embodiment, the memory 160 does not store the second product information. Rather, the memory 160 stores the information based on the third product information (the count number representing the 27 number of times that the third product information has been received by the second communication unit 150). The third product information is the information (an expression of a "like") representing an interest in the product P and transmitted to the second communication unit 150 from the smart phone 170 of the potential buyer of the product P corresponding to the electronic shelf label 140 having that second communication unit 150. (2-1-4) Control Unit The control unit 144 is, in regard to its device configuration, the same as the control unit 44 of the first embodiment. Furthermore, the actions of the control unit 144 performed when the first communication unit 142 receives commands from the access points 30 are the same as the actions of the control unit 44 of the first embodiment, so description thereof will be omitted.

When the control unit 144 receives from the second communication unit 150 the input of the signal informing the reception of the third product information, the control unit 144 controls the display unit 41 so as to change what is displayed on the display unit 41.

Specifically, the control unit 144 controls the display unit 41 in such a way that the most recent count number, representing the number of times that the third product information has been received and which is stored in the memory 160 as information based on the third product information, is displayed on the display unit 41 (see G3 in FIG. 8). (2-2) Server The server 110 is a general computer that centrally manages the information of the plural products P handled in the store. The configuration of the server 110 (see FIG. 10) is the same as the configuration of the server 10 pertaining to the first embodiment. The server 110 is the same as the server 10 of the first embodiment except that: the fourth product information is included in the information relating to the products P and stored as a product master table 114a in the server storage unit 14; and the fourth product information is transmitted as needed from the server communication unit 11 via the access points 30 to the electronic shelf labels 140. Other description relating to the server 110 will be omitted here. (3) Characteristics (3-1) The electronic shelf label system 101 as an example of a wireless display system pertaining to the present embodiment is equipped with the server 110, the electronic shelf labels 140 as an example of plural wireless display modules, and the access points 30 as an example of communication devices. The electronic shelf label system 101 communicates with the smart phone 170 as an example of a portable terminal. The server 110 stores the first 28 product information (an example of first article information) relating to the plural products P (an example of articles). The electronic shelf labels 140 are arranged corresponding to the plural products P. The access points 30 transmit to each of the electronic shelf labels 140 the first product information related to the products P corresponding to that electronic shelf label 140 and stored in the server 110. Each of the electronic shelf labels 140 has the display unit 41, the first communication unit 142, the second communication unit 150, and the memory 160 as an example of a storage unit. The display unit 41 displays the information relating to the product P corresponding to that electronic shelf label 140. The first communication unit 142 receives the first product information from the access points 30. The second 10 communication unit 150 communicates with the smart phone 170 by near field communication. The memory 160 is connected to the first communication unit 142 and the second communication unit 150. The memory 160 stores at least the first product information.

Here, each of the electronic shelf labels 140 has, in addition to the first 15 communication unit 142 receiving information from the server 110, the second communication unit 150 communicating with the smart phone 170 by near field communication, and the first communication unit 142 and the second communication unit 150 are connected to the shared memory 160. Due to this configuration, information can be written from the smart phone 170 to the memory 160 and thereby displayed content on the electronic shelf label 140 can be changed. As a result, displayed content on the electronic shelf label 140 can be changed, as occasion may demand, at the location where the electronic shelf label 140 is installed.

Furthermore, here, the information stored in the memory 160 can be directly read using the smart phone 170 by near field communication, and a potential buyer (store visitor) can acquire the information relating to the product P at the location where the electronic shelf label 140 is installed with good responsiveness. (3-2) In the electronic shelf label system 101 pertaining to the present embodiment, the products P are articles to be purchased by buyers. The second communication unit 1 30 receives, as the third product information relating to the product P corresponding to the electronic shelf label 140 having that second communication unit 150, information (an expression of a "like") for representing interest in the product P which is transmitted from the smart phone 170 of the potential buyer of the product P corresponding to the electronic shelf label 140 having that second communication unit 150. The display unit 41 displays 29 information based on the third product information and stored in the memory 160—more specifically, the count number of the third product information, as information relating to the product P corresponding to the electronic shelf label 140 having that display unit 41.

Here, the electronic shelf labels 140 can display in real time which products P are drawing potential buyers' interest. Due to this configuration, the potential buyers can tell sellers which products draw his or her interest and learn which products draw other potential buyers' interest. Furthermore, the sellers can also easily learn the needs of the buyers. (3-3) In the electronic shelf label system 101 pertaining to the present embodiment, the 10 second communication unit 150 transmits by near field communication to the smart phone 170 the information (in particular, here the fourth product information) stored in the memory 160.

Here, as the information stored in the memory 160 is transmitted by near field communication to the smart phone 170, the information can be acquired with better responsiveness at the location where the electronic shelf label 140 is installed compared to a case where the smart phone 170 acquires via a network the information relating to the product P corresponding to the electronic shelf label 140. (4) Example Modifications The contents of the first embodiment and the second embodiment may also be combined with each other to the extent that they are consistent with each other. For example, like in the case of the first embodiment, the electronic shelf label 140 may also be configured in such a way that the second product information (e.g., the characters "Price Reduced!") is also displayed on the display unit 41 as a result of near field communication being performed with the portable terminal (e.g., the handy terminal 70). 25 (4-1) Example Modification 2A In the electronic shelf label system 101 pertaining to the above embodiment, the electronic shelf labels 140 communicate with the access points 30 by radio wave, but the electronic shelf label system 101 is not limited to this. For example, the electronic shelf label system 101 may be configured in such a way that the electronic shelf labels and the communication devices transmitting to the electronic shelf labels the first product information and the fourth product information stored in the server 110 communicate with each other using infrared. (4-2) Example Modification 2B In a case where the second communication unit 150 has received the third product information, the control unit 144 may, in addition to updating so as to increase by 1 the count number stored in the memory 160 and representing the number of times that the third product information has been received, control the first communication unit 142 so as to transmit to the access points 30 the updated count number representing the number of times that the third 5 product information has been received. Additionally, the server 110 may store, in the product master table 114a of the server storage unit 14, the count number representing the number of times that the third product information has been received and being transmitted from the first communication unit 142 to the access points 30, as information relating to the product P linked to the electronic shelf label 140 having the first communication unit 142 that transmitted the count number. Because of this, the information based on the third product information (the count number representing the number of times that the third product information has been received) is transmitted to and stored in the server 110. That is to say, here, the server 110 can centrally grasp which products P draw potential buyers' interest. Stocking of the products P and so forth can be performed based on the results. 15 (4-3) Example Modification 2C In the above embodiment, the smart phone 170 is configured to directly acquire allergy information about the product P and so forth as the fourth product information from the electronic shelf label 140, but the electronic shelf label system 101 is not limited to this. For example, the electronic shelf label system 101 may be configured in such a way that, 20 instead of the fourth product information itself, an Internet URL at which the smart phone 170 can acquire the fourth product information is transmitted from the second communication unit 150 to the smart phone 170.

However, from the standpoint of responsiveness, it is preferred that the second communication unit 150 transmit directly utilizable information (information that the smart 25 phone 170 does not need to acquire through the Internet) by near field communication to the smart phone 170.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The wireless display system pertaining to the present invention is useful as a wireless display system in which displayed content on wireless display modules can be changed as 30 occasion may demand.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1, 101Electronic Shelf Label Systems (Wireless Display Systems) 10, 1Servers Access Points (Communication Devices) 31 40, 1Electronic Shelf Labels (Wireless Display Modules) 41Display Unit 42, 142First Communication Units 50, 1Second Communication Units 5 60, 160Memories (Storage Units) Products CITATION LIST Patent Literature Patent Document 1: JP-A No. 2008-168057

Claims

1. A wireless display system configured to communicate with a portable terminal, the wireless display system comprising: a server configured to store first article information relating to plural articles; plural wireless display modules arranged corresponding to the plural articles respectively; and a communication device configured to transmit to each of the wireless display modules the first article information related to the article corresponding to that wireless display module and stored in the server, wherein each of the wireless display modules has a display unit configured to display information relating to the article corresponding to that wireless display module, a first communication unit configured to receive the first article information from the communication device, a second communication unit configured to communicate with the portable terminal by near field communication; and a storage unit connected to the first communication unit and the second communication unit and configured to store at least the first article information.

2. The wireless display system according to claim 1, wherein the second communication unit is configured to receive information transmitted from the portable terminal as second article information relating to the article corresponding to the wireless display module having that second communication unit, the storage unit is configured to further store the second article information received by the second communication unit, and the display unit is configured to display at least the second article information stored in the storage unit as information relating to the article corresponding to the wireless display module having that display unit.

3. The wireless display system according to claim 2, wherein the first communication unit is configured to transmit to the communication device at least some of the second article information stored in the storage unit, and the server is configured to store the information transmitted from the first communication unit to the communication device as information relating to the article linked 33 to the wireless display module having that first communication unit.

4. The wireless display system according to claim 1, wherein the articles are products for sale, the second communication unit is configured to receive, as third article information relating to the article corresponding to the wireless display module having that second communication unit, information for representing interest in the article transmitted from the portable terminal of a potential buyer of the article corresponding to the wireless display module having that second communication unit, and the display unit is configured to at least display information based on the third article information being stored in the storage unit as information relating to the article corresponding to the wireless display module having that display unit.

5. The wireless display system according to claim 4, wherein the first communication unit is configured to transmit to the communication device the information based on the third article information being stored in the storage unit, and the server is configured to store the information based on the third article information being transmitted from the first communication unit to the communication device as information relating to the article linked to the wireless display module having that first 20 communication unit.

6. The wireless display system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second communication unit is configured to transmit by near field communication to the portable terminal at least some of the information stored in the storage unit. 34 I ACCESS -PONT , / SERVER0 ACCESS POINT , ELECTRONIC 1ELECTRONIC SHELF LABEL — SHELF LABEL. HANDY TERMINAL I ELECTRONIC SHELF, LABEL ACCESS POINT so. [ELECTRONICELE.QTRONIC SHELF LABEL SHELF LABEL ELECTRONIC:I SHELF. LABEL . FIG. I, Z 'D I ........ Oti • 3/ 02 Cl/ PRICE REDUCED! XXX CONFECTIONAM ES POTATO CHIPS. BARSEOLE FLAVOR 65g F I G. 3 4/ / XXX CONFECTIONARIES 'POTATO CH PS BAREIEQUE FLAVOR 86g 11111 490 13302757 1111'11111