JP2010191582A - Server device, electronic shelf tag device, mobile terminal device and program - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to reduce the number of installed electronic shelf label devices.
A server device 10 transmits product information regarding products a1 and a2 and positional relationship information indicating a positional relationship between the electronic shelf label device 30A and the products a1 and a2 to the electronic shelf label device 30A. The electronic shelf label device 30A receives the product information and positional relationship information of the products a1 and a2 from the server device 10, and according to the received product information and positional relationship information, the product information and positional relationship information of the product a1 The product information and the positional relationship information of the product a2 are switched and displayed every display time.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a server device that manages an electronic shelf label device, an electronic shelf label device, a portable terminal device that performs display setting of the electronic shelf label device, and a program.

  Conventionally, in a store such as a supermarket, an electronic shelf label device that displays price information of a product displayed on a product shelf is known. One electronic shelf label device is installed in the vicinity of one type (one product code) of products and displays price information of the one type of products.

  An electronic shelf label device capable of displaying an upward or downward arrow, which displays price information of a product, and displays an arrow indicating the direction of the position of the product corresponding to the price information being displayed A shelf label device is considered (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). This arrow display allows the customer to easily recognize the position of the product corresponding to the displayed price information.

JP 2005-536664 A Special table 2003-517675 gazette

  However, conventional electronic shelf label devices that display arrows display price information and arrows for one product per unit. If there are many products, the number of electronic shelf label devices must be increased. I had to.

  An object of the present invention is to reduce the number of installed electronic shelf label devices.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the server device in the electronic shelf label system according to the first aspect of the present invention is a server device in an electronic shelf label system that displays product information related to a plurality of products on a single electronic shelf label device. The electronic shelf label identifier of the electronic shelf label device, the product information regarding a plurality of products displayed on the electronic shelf label device, and the positional relationship indicating the positional relationship between the electronic shelf label device and the plurality of products Storage means for associating and storing information, and transmission means for transmitting a plurality of product information and positional relationship information stored in the storage means to the electronic shelf label device identified by the electronic shelf label identifier And.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the server device according to the first aspect, the transmission unit switches the plurality of product information and positional relationship information transmitted to the electronic shelf label device at predetermined time intervals. Time information for display is transmitted.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the server device according to the second aspect, the product information includes product price information, and the price information of a plurality of products transmitted to the electronic shelf label device is compared. Comparing means, wherein the transmitting means displays time information for displaying the product information of the product that is regarded as cheap price information by the comparison for a long time, and the plurality of product information and positional relationship information in the electronic shelf label device. It is characterized by transmitting.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the server device according to the first aspect, the electronic shelf label identifier of the electronic shelf label device, and the product identifiers and positional relationship information of a plurality of products associated with the electronic shelf label identifier Receiving means from the mobile terminal device, the received electronic shelf label identifier and a plurality of positional relationship information, and product information corresponding to the received plurality of product identifiers in the storage means Storage control means for storing.

  An electronic shelf label device in an electronic shelf label system according to claim 5 is an electronic shelf label device in an electronic shelf label system that displays product information relating to a plurality of products on a single electronic shelf label device. Receiving means for receiving product information relating to a plurality of products, and positional relationship information indicating a positional relationship between the electronic shelf label device and the plurality of products from a server device that manages the electronic shelf label device; Display control means for switching the received product information and positional relationship information of a plurality of products to display on the display means.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic shelf label device of the fifth aspect, the receiving means displays time information for switching and displaying the plurality of product information and positional relationship information at predetermined time intervals. Received from the server device, and the display control means switches the received plurality of product information and positional relationship information for each display time of the received time information and causes the display means to display them. To do.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the electronic shelf label device according to the sixth aspect, the product information includes price information of the product, and the receiving unit displays the product information of the product of the cheap price information for a long time. For receiving the time information and the plurality of product information and positional relationship information from the server device.

  A portable terminal device in an electronic shelf label system according to an eighth aspect of the invention is a portable terminal device in an electronic shelf label system that displays product information relating to a plurality of products on a single electronic shelf label device, wherein the plurality of products Acquisition means for acquiring the product identifier and the electronic shelf label identifier of the electronic shelf label device that displays the product information of the plurality of products of the product identifier, and the positional relationship between the electronic shelf label device and the plurality of products The positional relationship information input means for inputting positional relationship information, the electronic shelf label identifier and the plurality of product identifiers acquired by the acquisition means, and the positional relationship information input by the positional relationship information input means Transmitting means for transmitting to a server device that manages the device.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the mobile terminal device according to the eighth aspect, the positional relationship information input means detects an operating direction shaken by a user and inputs the operating direction as positional relationship information. It is characterized by.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program stored in a server device in an electronic shelf label system that displays product information regarding a plurality of products on a single electronic shelf label device. Storage means for storing a tag identifier, product information regarding a plurality of products displayed on the electronic shelf label device, and positional relationship information indicating a positional relationship between the electronic shelf label device and the plurality of products in association with each other The electronic shelf label device identified by the electronic shelf label identifier functions as a transmission unit that transmits a plurality of product information and positional relationship information stored in the storage unit.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program that displays a computer mounted on an electronic shelf label device in an electronic shelf label system that displays product information related to a plurality of products on a single electronic shelf label device. Receiving means for receiving from the server device that manages the electronic shelf label device, and the positional relationship information indicating the positional relationship between the electronic shelf label device and the plurality of products. It is made to function as a display control means for switching the merchandise information and the positional relationship information to display on the display means.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, a program mounted on a portable terminal device in an electronic shelf label system that displays product information on a plurality of products on a single electronic shelf label device, , Acquisition means for acquiring electronic shelf label identifiers of an electronic shelf label device that displays product information of a plurality of products with the product identifier, positional relationship information indicating the positional relationship between the electronic shelf label device and the plurality of products is input Server device that manages the electronic shelf label device, the positional relationship information input means, the electronic shelf label identifier and the plurality of product identifiers acquired by the acquisition means, and the positional relationship information input by the positional relationship information input means It functions as a transmission means for transmitting to.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the merchandise information and positional relationship information of several goods can be displayed with a single electronic shelf label apparatus, and the installation number of electronic shelf label apparatuses can be reduced.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the electronic shelf label system of embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of a server apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of an electronic shelf label apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of a handy terminal. It is a figure which shows the structure of a goods shelf label allocation table. It is a figure which shows the structure of a merchandise information table. It is a figure which shows the structure of a display information table. It is a flowchart which shows the goods shelf label allocation information setting process performed with a handy terminal. It is a flowchart which shows the electronic shelf label apparatus setting process performed with a server apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the display control process performed with an electronic shelf label apparatus. It is a figure which shows the example of a display in an electronic shelf label apparatus. It is a figure which shows the structure which has arrange | positioned the electronic shelf label apparatus side by side continuously.

  Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention is not limited to the illustrated example.

  With reference to FIGS. 1-4, the apparatus structure of this Embodiment is demonstrated. In FIG. 1, the structure of the electronic shelf label system 1 of this Embodiment is shown.

  The overall configuration of the electronic shelf label system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The electronic shelf label system 1 is installed in a store such as a supermarket and is a system for switching and displaying price information of two different types of products and an arrow indicating the position of each product for each electronic shelf label device. It is. As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic shelf label system 1 includes a server device 10, an access point 20, electronic shelf label devices 30A and 30B, and a handy terminal 40 as a portable terminal device. The server device 10 and the access point 20 are connected via a communication network N.

  The number of electronic shelf label devices in the electronic shelf label system 1 is not limited to two, and may be one or three or more.

  The server device 10 can communicate with the electronic shelf label devices 30A and 30B via the communication network N and the access point 20, and manages the information display of the electronic shelf label devices 30A and 30B. The communication network N is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) or the like, and is a wired communication network, but may include a wireless communication network or the like.

  The access point 20 is a relay for communication between a wired connection device and a wireless connection device. The access point 20 relays communication between the server device 10 connected by wire via the communication network N and the electronic shelf label devices 30A, 30B or the handy terminal 40 connected by wireless communication.

  The electronic shelf label device 30 </ b> A is associated with two different types of products a <b> 1 and a <b> 2, and switches and displays price information of these two types of products. It is assumed that the products a1 and a2 are displayed on an upper stage and a lower stage with a predetermined shelf board interposed therebetween, respectively. The electronic shelf label device 30A is installed on a shelf board sandwiched between products a1 and a2.

  Further, the electronic shelf label device 30A displays an arrow indicating the direction of the position of the product corresponding to the price information being displayed among the products a1 and a2. The electronic shelf label device 30B displays price information and arrows of two types of products a3 and a4 different from the products a1 and a2 of the electronic shelf label device 30A. In addition, the products a1, a2, a3, and a4 are each given a barcode including identification information for identifying the product. Moreover, although goods a1, a2, a3, and a4 are demonstrated as goods of a different kind (brand name) by the same goods classification, it is not limited to this. In addition, each of the electronic shelf label devices 30A and 30B is provided with a barcode including identification information for identifying the electronic shelf label device.

  The handy terminal 40 is an electronic device used by a store clerk, and reads a barcode attached to a product or the like. In addition, the handy terminal 40 sets the association of the information related to the information displayed on the electronic shelf label devices 30A and 30B, the electronic shelf label device, and the arrow information.

  Next, the internal configuration of the server device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 shows a functional configuration of the server device 10.

  The server device 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 as a transmission unit, a comparison unit, a reception unit, and a storage control unit, an input unit 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a display unit 14, and a storage unit. Storage unit 15 and a communication unit 16 as a transmission unit and a reception unit, and each unit is connected via a bus 17.

  The CPU 11 controls each unit of the server device 10. The CPU 11 reads out a designated program from among the system programs and application programs stored in the storage unit 15, develops it in the RAM 13, and executes various processes in cooperation with the program expanded in the RAM 13.

  In accordance with the electronic shelf label device setting program, the CPU 11 receives the product shelf label allocation information 80 from the handy terminal 40, and the products of the two products corresponding to the shelf label IDs of the product shelf label allocation information 80 for all the electronic shelf label devices. The price corresponding to the ID is compared, the display time and blink information corresponding to the comparison result are set, and the price, arrow information, display time and blink information corresponding to the product ID are set to the electronic shelf label device of the shelf label ID. Send to.

  The input unit 12 includes a keyboard that accepts various key operation inputs, and outputs operation information corresponding to the key operation inputs to the CPU 11. The input unit 12 may be configured to include a pointing device such as a mouse and receive an operation input of position information.

  The RAM 13 is a volatile memory for temporarily storing information, and has a work area for storing various data and programs.

  The display unit 14 is configured by an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like, and performs various displays according to display information input from the CPU 11.

  The storage unit 15 is configured by an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or the like, and stores various data and various programs in a readable and writable manner. The storage unit 15 stores a product shelf label allocation table 50, a product information table 60, and an electronic shelf label device setting program. The merchandise shelf label allocation table 50 and the merchandise information table 60 will be described in detail later.

  The communication unit 16 is configured by a network card or the like, and communicates with a device (such as the access point 20) on the communication network N. With the communication unit 16, the server device 10 can communicate with the electronic shelf label device 30 </ b> A, the electronic shelf label device 30 </ b> B, or the handy terminal 40 via the communication network N and the access point 20.

  Next, an internal configuration of the electronic shelf label device 30A will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the internal configuration of the electronic shelf label device 30A will be described, but the internal configuration of the electronic shelf label device 30B is the same as the internal configuration of the electronic shelf label device 30A. FIG. 3 shows a functional configuration of the electronic shelf label device 30A.

  The electronic shelf label device 30A includes a CPU 31 as a receiving means and a display control means, an input unit 32, a RAM 33, a display unit 34 as a display means, a storage unit 35, a communication unit 36 as a receiving means, The unit 37 and the battery 38 are provided. The CPU 31, the input unit 32, the RAM 33, the display unit 34, the storage unit 35, the communication unit 36, and the time measuring unit 37 are connected via a bus 39.

  The CPU 31 controls each part of the electronic shelf label device 30A. The CPU 31 reads out a specified program from among the system programs and application programs stored in the storage unit 35, expands it in the RAM 33, and executes various processes in cooperation with the program expanded in the RAM 33.

  In accordance with the display control program, the CPU 31 receives the price, arrow information, display time, and blink information of the product corresponding to itself from the server device 10 and stores it in the storage unit 35 as the display information table 70. Depending on the information, the price information of the two products and the arrow of the arrow information are switched for each product and displayed on the display unit 34 for each display time.

  The input unit 32 includes a keypad that accepts various key operation inputs, and outputs operation information corresponding to the key operation inputs to the CPU 31. The input unit 32 may be a keypad of a touch panel configured integrally with the display unit 34. The RAM 33 is a memory similar to the RAM 13.

  The display unit 34 includes an LCD, an ELD (ElectroLuminescent Display), and the like, and performs various displays according to display information input from the CPU 31.

  The storage unit 35 is configured by a flash memory or the like, and stores various data and various programs so that they can be read and written. The storage unit 35 stores a display information table 70 and a display control program. The display information table 70 will be described later in detail.

  The communication unit 36 is a wireless communication unit, and includes a wireless communication antenna, a transmission signal modulation unit, a reception signal demodulation unit, and the like. The communication unit 36 performs wireless communication with the access point 20. With the communication unit 36, the electronic shelf label device 30 </ b> A can communicate with the server device 10 via the access point 20 and the communication network N.

  The timer unit 37 includes a timer circuit and outputs time information measured by the timer circuit. The battery 38 supplies power to each part of the electronic shelf label device 30A.

  Next, the internal configuration of the handy terminal 40 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 shows a functional configuration of the handy terminal 40.

  The handy terminal 40 includes a CPU 41 as a transmission unit, an input unit 42, a RAM 43, a display unit 44, a storage unit 45, a communication unit 46 as a transmission unit, and a scanner unit 47 as an acquisition unit. An acceleration sensor 48 as information input means and a battery 49 are provided. The CPU 41, the input unit 42, the RAM 43, the display unit 44, the storage unit 45, the communication unit 46, the scanner unit 47, and the acceleration sensor 48 are connected via a bus 49a.

  The CPU 41 controls each part of the handy terminal 40. The CPU 41 reads out a designated program from among the system programs and application programs stored in the storage unit 45, develops it in the RAM 43, and executes various processes in cooperation with the program expanded in the RAM 43.

  In accordance with the product shelf label assignment information setting program, the CPU 41 reads the barcode information attached to the product and the electronic shelf label information by the scanner unit 47, and acquires the product ID and shelf label ID corresponding to the barcode information. Then, the acceleration sensor 48 detects the movement direction of the user's handy terminal 40, acquires arrow information corresponding to the movement direction, and associates the product ID, the shelf label ID, and the arrow information to allocate the product shelf label. The information 80 is stored in the storage unit 45 and transmitted to the server device 10.

  The input unit 42 includes a keypad that receives operation inputs using various keys, and outputs operation information corresponding to the key operation input to the CPU 41. Various keys of the input unit 42 include a numeric key, a trigger key for scan execution, a product shelf label assignment key 421, a transmission key 422, and the like. The merchandise shelf label allocation key 421 is a key for receiving a trigger input for executing the acquisition of the merchandise shelf label allocation information 80. The transmission key 422 is a key for receiving a trigger input for transmitting and executing the acquired product shelf label allocation information 80 to the server device 10.

  The RAM 43 is a memory similar to the RAM 13. The display unit 44 includes an LCD, an ELD, and the like, and performs various displays according to display information input from the CPU 41.

  The storage unit 45 is configured by a flash memory or the like, and stores various data and various programs so that they can be read and written. The storage unit 45 stores product shelf label allocation information 80 and a product shelf label allocation information setting program.

  Similar to the communication unit 36, the communication unit 46 is a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication with the access point 20. With the communication unit 46, the handy terminal 40 can communicate with the server device 10 via the access point 20 and the communication network N.

  The scanner unit 47 includes a light emitting unit, a light receiving unit, a gain circuit, and a binarization circuit, and reads a one-dimensional barcode attached to the product and the electronic shelf label devices 30A and 30B. In the scanner unit 47, the light beam emitted from the light emitting unit is applied to the barcode, the reflected light is received by the light receiving unit and converted into an electric signal, the electric signal is amplified by the gain circuit, and is converted by the binarization circuit. The data is converted into binary data, and the binary data is output to the CPU 41. In the CPU 11, based on the binary data input from the scanner unit 47, barcode-scanned products or identification information (product ID, shelf label ID) of the electronic shelf label devices 30 </ b> A and 30 </ b> B is obtained. The product and the electronic shelf label devices 30A and 30B may be configured such that a two-dimensional code is attached and the scanner unit 47 reads the two-dimensional code.

  The acceleration sensor 48 is a triaxial acceleration sensor such as a semiconductor acceleration sensor. The acceleration sensor 48 detects the triaxial acceleration applied to its own sensor, and outputs it to the CPU 41 as a triaxial acceleration signal. In the CPU 41, information on the movement and posture of the handy terminal 40 is calculated based on the triaxial acceleration signal input from the acceleration sensor 48. In the present embodiment, for example, the CPU 41 swings (accelerates) the tip of the handy terminal 40 upward (accelerated) based on the triaxial acceleration signal detected by the acceleration sensor 48, The movement of shaking the tip down (by the store clerk) is detected. The operation direction of the operation of shaking the tip of the handy terminal 40 corresponds to the input in the upward direction. The operation direction of the operation of swinging the tip of the handy terminal 40 corresponds to the downward input.

  The battery 49 supplies power to each part of the handy terminal 40.

  Next, information stored in the server device 10, the electronic shelf label devices 30A and 30B, and the handy terminal 40 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the commodity shelf label allocation table 50. FIG. 6 shows the configuration of the product information table 60. FIG. 7 shows the configuration of the display information table 70.

  With reference to FIG. 5, the commodity shelf label allocation table 50 stored in the storage unit 15 of the server device 10 will be described. The commodity shelf label allocation table 50 is a table that stores information for causing the electronic shelf label devices 30A and 30B to display. The merchandise shelf label allocation table 50 includes items of a shelf label ID 51, a product ID 52, arrow information 53, a display time 54, and blinking information 55.

  The shelf label ID 51 is identification information of the electronic shelf label device. The shelf label IDs 51 of the electronic shelf label devices 30A and 30B are sequentially set to 001 and 002. The product ID 52 is product (type) identification information corresponding to the electronic shelf label device with the shelf label ID 51. The identification information of the products a1, a2, a3, a4 is 101, 102, 103, 104 in order.

  The arrow information 53 is information in the direction of an arrow indicating the position of the product with respect to the electronic shelf label device with the shelf label ID 51. The arrow information 53 is set to up or down. The display time 54 is information indicating one display duration time of the arrow and price information corresponding to the arrow information 53. As the value of the display time 54, for example, two types of a relatively short 1 second and a relatively long 2 seconds are set. The blinking information 55 is information indicating the presence or absence of blinking of the arrow and price information display corresponding to the arrow information 53. The blinking information 55 corresponds to no blinking when the value is 0 and to blinking when the value is 1.

  With reference to FIG. 6, the merchandise information table 60 memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 15 of the server apparatus 10 is demonstrated. The product information table 60 is a table that stores product price information (price) as product information related to products. The product information table 60 has items of product ID 61 and price 62.

  The product ID 61 is product identification information. The price 62 is price information corresponding to the product with the product ID 61.

  With reference to FIG. 7, the display information table 70 memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 35 of 30 A of electronic shelf label apparatuses is demonstrated. The display information table 70 is a table that stores information related to the display of the electronic shelf label device 30A. The display information table 70 includes items of price 71, arrow information 72, display time 73, blink information 74, and display status 75.

  The price 71 is price information corresponding to the product. The arrow information 72 is information in the direction above or below the arrow indicating the position of the product with the price 71. The display time 73 is information indicating the price information corresponding to the price 71 and the one-time display continuation time of the arrow. The blinking information 74 is information indicating the price information corresponding to the price 71 and the presence / absence of blinking of the arrow display. The display status 75 is information for indicating whether price information and an arrow are being displayed. In the display status 75, 1 is set in a row corresponding to information being displayed, and 0 is set in a row corresponding to information not being displayed.

  The product shelf label allocation information 80 stored in the storage unit 45 of the handy terminal 40 is an information table having items of shelf label ID, product ID, and arrow information among the information stored in the product shelf label allocation table 50. It is.

  Next, the operation of the electronic shelf label system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 shows a flow of merchandise shelf label allocation information setting processing executed at the handy terminal 40. FIG. 9 shows the flow of the electronic shelf label device setting process executed by the server device 10. FIG. 10 shows a flow of display control processing executed by the electronic shelf label device 30A. FIG. 11 shows a display example in the electronic shelf label device 30A.

  With reference to FIG. 8, the commodity shelf label allocation information setting process executed in the handy terminal 40 will be described. The product shelf label allocation information setting process acquires the shelf label ID, the product ID, and the arrow information to be set, stores them as product shelf label allocation information 80 in association with each other, and transmits them to the server device 10 It is.

  In the handy terminal 40, for example, when the execution instruction of the commodity shelf label allocation information setting process is input via the input unit 42, the commodity shelf label allocation information setting read out from the storage unit 45 and appropriately expanded in the RAM 43 is used. Product shelf label assignment information setting processing is executed in cooperation with the program and the CPU 41.

  First, it is determined whether or not the product shelf label assignment key 421 of the input unit 42 has been pressed (step S11).

  When the product shelf label assignment key 421 is pressed down (step S11; YES), the reading direction of the scanner unit 47 is sequentially directed to the barcodes of the two products to be read by the user (store clerk), and the input unit 42 respectively. The trigger key for executing the scan is pressed. Then, the barcode of the product to be read is scanned by the scanner unit 47, two product IDs corresponding to the read barcode information are acquired, and the product ID is stored in the storage unit 45 (step S12). . Specifically, the acquired product ID is stored as the product ID of the product shelf label assignment information 80.

  Then, the reading direction of the scanner unit 47 is directed to the barcode of the electronic shelf label device associated with the product read in step S12 by the user (store clerk). Then, the barcode of the electronic shelf label device to be read is scanned by the scanner unit 47, the shelf label ID corresponding to the read barcode information is acquired, and the shelf label ID is stored in the storage unit 45 ( Step S13). Specifically, the acquired shelf label ID is stored as the product ID of the product shelf label allocation information 80.

  Then, the user shakes the tip of the handy terminal 40 in the direction of the input arrow. At this time, acceleration information is acquired by the acceleration sensor 48, and it is determined from the acceleration information whether the direction of the arrow is up or down (step S14). Then, the direction of the arrow determined in step S14 is stored in the storage unit 45 (step S15), and the process proceeds to step S11. Specifically, the determined arrow direction is stored as the arrow information data of the commodity shelf label allocation information 80. In steps S12 to S15, the product ID, the shelf label ID, and the arrow information are stored in association with each other (in the same row of the product shelf label allocation information 80).

  When the merchandise shelf label assignment key 421 is not pressed down (step S11; NO), it is determined whether or not the transmission key 422 of the input unit 42 is pressed down (step S16). It is assumed that the transmission key 422 is pressed after the processing corresponding to the pressing of the product shelf label assignment key 421 (steps S12 to S15) is performed.

  When the transmission key 422 is pressed (step S16; YES), the product ID, shelf label ID, and arrow information of the product shelf label allocation information 80 stored in the storage unit 45 are the communication unit 46, the access point 20, and The data is transmitted to the server device 10 via the communication network N (step S17), and the process proceeds to step S11.

  If the transmission key 422 has not been pressed down (step S16; NO), whether or not the product shelf label allocation information setting process is to be terminated by inputting an end instruction for the product shelf label allocation information setting process to the input unit 42. A determination is made (step S18). When the product shelf label allocation information setting process is not terminated (step S18; NO), the process proceeds to step S11. When the merchandise shelf label allocation information setting process is terminated (step S18; YES), the merchandise shelf label allocation information setting process is terminated.

  Next, an electronic shelf label device setting process executed by the server device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. The electronic shelf label device setting process is a process for setting display contents in the electronic shelf label device.

  In the server device 10, for example, when an execution instruction for an electronic shelf label device setting process is input via the input unit 12, an electronic shelf label device setting program read from the storage unit 15 and appropriately expanded in the RAM 13 The electronic shelf label device setting process is executed in cooperation with the CPU 11.

  First, in response to step S17 of the product shelf label allocation information setting process, the product ID, shelf label ID, and arrow information of the product shelf label allocation information 80 are obtained via the access point 20, the communication network N, and the communication unit 16. It is determined whether or not it has been received from the handy terminal 40 (step S21). When the merchandise shelf label allocation information 80 has not been received (step S21; NO), the process proceeds to step S21.

  When the commodity shelf label allocation information 80 is received (step S21; YES), the received commodity shelf label allocation information 80 is stored in the commodity shelf label allocation table 50 of the storage unit 15 (step S22). Specifically, the shelf label ID, the product ID, and the arrow information of the product shelf label allocation information 80 are stored as the shelf label ID 51, the product ID 52, and the arrow information 53 of the product shelf label allocation table 50.

  And it is discriminate | determined whether reception of the merchandise shelf label allocation information 80 for all the electronic shelf label apparatuses was complete | finished (step S23). When the reception of the merchandise shelf label allocation information 80 for all the electronic shelf label devices has not been completed (step S23; NO), the process proceeds to step S21.

  When the reception of the product shelf label allocation information 80 for all the electronic shelf label devices is completed (step S23; YES), one unselected shelf label ID is selected from the shelf label IDs 51 of the product shelf label allocation table 50. (Step S24). And the product information table 60 memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 15 is referred, and the price 62 corresponding to the product ID 61 of the shelf label ID currently selected by step S24 is read (step S25). It is assumed that the value of two product IDs 61 (price 62) is associated with one value of shelf label ID in the product information table 60.

  Then, the two prices read in step S25 are compared (step S26). Then, “2 (seconds)” is set in the display time 54 (in the product shelf label allocation table 50) corresponding to the low-priced product ID compared in step S26, and the display time corresponding to the high-priced product ID. “1 (second)” is set in 54 (step S27).

  And it is discriminate | determined whether the difference of two prices compared by step S26 is 100 yen or more (step S28). When the difference between the two prices compared in step S26 is 100 yen or more (step S28; YES), the blinking information (in the product shelf label allocation table 50) corresponding to the low price product ID compared in step S26. “1” is set in 55, and “0” is set in the blinking information 55 corresponding to the high-priced product ID (step S29).

  If the difference between the two prices compared in step S26 is less than 100 yen (step S28; NO), it corresponds to both the low and high price product IDs compared in step S26 (product shelf label allocation table). "0" is set in the blink information 55 (50) (step S30).

  Then, the arrow information 53, the display time 54, and the blinking information 55 on the same line as the shelf label ID 51 of the shelf label ID selected in step S24 are read from the commodity shelf label allocation table 50 stored in the storage unit 15. The read arrow information 53, display time 54 and blinking information 55, and the price read in step S25 are the selected shelf labels via the communication unit 16, the communication network N, and the access point 20. It is transmitted to the electronic shelf label device of ID (step S31).

  Then, it is determined whether or not the information transmission in step S31 for all electronic shelf label devices has been completed (whether all shelf label IDs have been selected in step S24) (step S32). If the information transmission in step S31 for all the electronic shelf label devices has not been completed (step S32; NO), the process proceeds to step S24. When the information transmission of step S31 for all the electronic shelf label devices is completed (step S32; YES), the electronic shelf label device setting process is completed.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 10, a display control process executed by the electronic shelf label device 30A will be described. The display control process is a process of switching and displaying price information and arrow information of two products. Note that the display control process executed by the electronic shelf label device 30B is the same as the display control process executed by the electronic shelf label device 30A.

  In the electronic shelf label device 30A, for example, when the power key is turned on, display control processing is executed in cooperation with the CPU 31 and the display control program read from the storage unit 35 and appropriately expanded in the RAM 33. Is done.

  First, in response to step S31 of the electronic shelf label device setting process, the server device has the arrow information, display time, blinking information, and price corresponding to its own device via the communication network N, the access point 20, and the communication unit 36. 10 is judged whether or not it has been received (step S41). When the arrow information, the display time, the blinking information, and the price are received from the server device 10 (step S41; YES), the arrow information, the display time, the blinking information, and the price received at step S41 are displayed on the storage unit 35. The information is stored in the information table 70 (step S42), and the process proceeds to step S41. Specifically, the arrow information, display time, blinking information, and price received in step S41 are stored as arrow information 72, display time 73, blinking information 74, and price 71.

  When the arrow information, the display time, the blink information, and the price are not received from the server device 10 (step S41; NO), the storage unit 35 includes the price 71, the arrow information 72, the display time 73, and the blink information 74. It is determined whether the information table 70 is stored and display processing is performed (step S43). When the display process is not performed (step S43; NO), the process proceeds to step S41.

  When display processing is performed (step S43; YES), the display status 75 of the display information table 70 stored in the storage unit 35 is referred to, and the price 71 and the arrow information 72 of one row in which the display status 75 is “0”. Then, the display time 73 and the blink information 74 are read (step S44).

  Then, “1 (displaying)” is set in the display status 75 of the line read out in step S44, and “0 (not displaying)” is set in the display status 75 of the other lines not read out in step S44. Is set (step S45). Then, based on the time information output from the time measuring unit 37, the time is started to be counted (step S46). Then, it is determined whether or not the blinking information read in step S44 is “1” (step S47).

  When the flashing information is “1” (step S47; YES), the price information corresponding to the price 71 read in step S44 and the arrow in the direction corresponding to the arrow information 72 are flashingly displayed on the display unit 34. (Step S48).

  When the blinking information is not “1” (step S47; NO), the price information corresponding to the price 71 read in step S44 and the arrow in the direction corresponding to the arrow information 72 are normally displayed on the display unit 34. (Step S49).

  Then, in response to step S31 of the electronic shelf label device setting process, the arrow information, the display time, the flashing information, and the price corresponding to the own device are obtained via the communication network N, the access point 20, and the communication unit 36. Then, it is determined whether or not it has been received from the server device 10 (step S50). When the arrow information, display time, blinking information, and price are received from the server device 10 (step S50; YES), the process proceeds to step S42.

  If the arrow information, the display time, the blinking information, and the price are not received from the server device 10 (step S50; NO), whether or not the display time 73 read out in step S44 has passed is the counting time. Is discriminated (step S51). When the display time 73 has not elapsed (step S51; NO), the process proceeds to step S50. When the display time 73 has elapsed (step S51; YES), the process proceeds to step S44.

  With reference to FIG. 11, a display example of price information and arrows in the electronic shelf label device 30A will be described. As shown in FIG. 11, the product a1 (product ID is “101”) is arranged in the upper part of the electronic shelf label device 30A, the product a2 is arranged in the lower part, and the product information table 60 of FIG. 6 is preset. Assume that the product shelf label assignment table 50 of FIG. 5 is set by executing the product shelf label assignment information setting process and the electronic shelf label device setting process.

  The display information table 70 of FIG. 8 is set by P for execution of steps S41 and S42 of the display control process executed by the electronic shelf label device 30A. And by execution of steps S44 to S47 and S49 to S51, the price information b1 of the product a1, 198 yen, the upward arrow c1 indicating the position of the product a1, and information such as the product name of the product a1 are Displayed for 2 seconds.

  Then, by executing the next steps S44 to S47 and S49 to S51, the price information b2 of the product a2, 270 yen, the downward arrow c2 indicating the position of the product a2, the information such as the product name of the product a2, and the like Is displayed for 1 second. And it transfers to the information display of goods a1. Thus, in the electronic shelf label device 30A, the information on the product a1 and the information on the display product a2 are switched and displayed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the server device 10 stores the product shelf label allocation table 50 and the product information table 60 in the storage unit 15, and the product a <b> 1 from the product shelf label allocation table 50 and the product information table 60. , A2 price information (price) and arrow information indicating the positional relationship of the products a1, a2 with respect to the electronic shelf label device 30A are read and transmitted to the electronic shelf label device 30A. The electronic shelf label device 30A receives the price information and arrow information of the products a1 and a2 from the server device 10, and according to the received price information and arrow information, the price information of the product a1 and the arrow corresponding to the arrow information The price information of the product a2 and the arrow corresponding to the arrow information are switched for each display time and displayed on the display unit 34. The electronic shelf label device 30B is the same as the electronic shelf label device 30A.

  For this reason, the price information and arrows of a plurality of different products a1 and a2 can be switched and displayed by one electronic shelf label device 30A, and the number of installed electronic shelf label information can be reduced.

  Further, the server device 10 compares the prices (price information) of the products a1 and a2, sets the display time of the cheap product a1 to relatively long 2 (seconds), and sets the display time of the high price product a2 to relatively long. The display time is transmitted to the electronic shelf label device 30A together with the price information of the products a1 and a2 and the arrow information of the products a1 and a2 for the electronic shelf label device 30A. The electronic shelf label device 30A displays the price information of the product a1, the arrow corresponding to the arrow information, the price information of the product a2, and the arrow information according to the price information, the arrow information, and the display time received from the server device 10. Corresponding arrows are switched on a display time basis and displayed on the display unit 34. For this reason, it is possible to display the price information and the arrow of the cheap product for a long time, and the sales effect of the cheap product can be enhanced.

  Moreover, the server apparatus 10 transmits the blink information corresponding to the product together with the price information of the product and the arrow information of the product corresponding to the electronic shelf label device to the electronic shelf label device. The electronic shelf label device determines whether or not the difference between the prices (price information) of the two products is 100 yen or more. If the difference is 100 yen or more, the price information received from the server device 10 and the arrow In accordance with the information and the blinking time, the price information of the cheaper product and the arrow corresponding to the arrow information are switched for each display time and blinked on the display unit 34. For this reason, the price information and arrow of the cheaper product with a large price difference can be displayed in a blinking manner, and the sales effect of the cheaper product can be enhanced.

  Further, the handy terminal 40 scans the barcode of the electronic shelf label device and the barcode of the product corresponding to the electronic shelf label device to obtain the shelf label ID and the product ID. The motion direction to be shaken is detected, arrow information corresponding to the motion direction is acquired, and the acquired information is associated with each other and transmitted to the server device 10 as product shelf label allocation information 80. The server device 10 stores and stores the product shelf label allocation information 80 received from the handy terminal 40 in the product shelf label allocation table 50. For this reason, the arrow information corresponding to each product can be easily set by a simple operation of the user.

  Note that the description in the above embodiment is an example of the server device, the electronic shelf label device, the handy terminal, and the program according to the present invention, and is not limited thereto.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the electronic shelf label device uses the price information and the arrow of the product with the lower price among the two products corresponding to one electronic shelf label device, and the price information of the product with the higher price. Although the display is longer than the arrow, the display is not limited to this. The electronic shelf label device may be configured to change the price information and the display time of the arrow according to the difference between two products corresponding to one electronic shelf label device. Furthermore, the electronic shelf label device displays the price information and arrow of the product with the higher price among the two products corresponding to one electronic shelf label device longer than the price information and arrow of the product with the lower price. It is good also as a structure to perform.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the handy terminal 40 is configured to acquire and set the arrow information corresponding to the motion direction in response to the detection of the motion direction of the user's handy terminal 40 being shaken by the acceleration sensor 48. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The handy terminal 40 may be configured to acquire and set arrow information corresponding to a direction input by pressing a key in the input unit 42.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the electronic shelf label apparatus was the structure which displays an arrow and price information by switching an arrow direction into two directions up and down according to arrangement | positioning of two different goods, it is limited to this. It is not something. For example, the electronic shelf label device may set the arrow direction to two directions such as left and right according to the arrangement of two different products. In addition, according to the arrangement of three or more different products, the arrow direction may be three or more different directions, and the price information and the arrows of the three or more products may be sequentially switched and displayed.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the electronic shelf label apparatus was set as the structure which displays price information as goods information regarding goods, it is not limited to this. The electronic shelf label device may be configured to display other information related to the product such as the product name of the product, product content information, and advertisement information as the product information.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the electronic shelf label device is configured to display the arrow of the arrow information as the positional relationship information indicating the positional relationship between the electronic shelf label device and the commodity, but is not limited thereto. . The electronic shelf label device may be configured to display the positional relationship information by other expressions such as characters other than arrows, marks, and the like.

  In the above embodiment, the electronic shelf label device is configured to display product information (price information) and positional relationship information (arrows of arrow information) of two different (types) of products. Is not to be done. The electronic shelf label device may be configured to display product information and positional relationship information of a plurality of products of the same type.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 12, a plurality of electronic shelf label devices may be arranged side by side in succession. FIG. 12 shows a configuration in which the electronic shelf label devices 30A and 30B are continuously arranged in the horizontal direction. Moreover, it is good also as a structure which comprises the one electronic shelf label apparatus which integrally formed the several display part, and switches and displays the arrow, price information, etc. about several goods in each display part.

In the above description, an example in which the storage units 15, 35, and 45 are used as computer-readable media for the program according to the present invention is disclosed, but the present invention is not limited to this example.
As another computer-readable medium, a portable recording medium such as a CD-ROM can be applied.
In addition, as a medium for providing program data according to the present invention via a communication line,
A carrier wave is also applied to the present invention.

  Moreover, it is needless to say that the detailed configuration and detailed operation of each component of the electronic shelf label system 1 in the above embodiment can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.

1 Electronic shelf label system 10 Server device 11 CPU
12 Input unit 13 RAM
14 Display unit 15 Storage unit 16 Communication unit 17 Bus 20 Access point 30A, 30B Electronic shelf label device 31 CPU
32 Input unit 33 RAM
34 Display unit 35 Storage unit 36 Communication unit 37 Timekeeping unit 38 Battery 39 Bus 40 Handy terminal 41 CPU
42 Input unit 43 RAM
44 Display unit 45 Storage unit 46 Communication unit 47 Scanner unit 48 Acceleration sensor 49 Battery 49a Bus a1, a2, a3, a4

Claims (12)

A server device in an electronic shelf label system that displays product information on a plurality of products on a single electronic shelf label device,
An electronic shelf label identifier of the electronic shelf label device, product information on a plurality of products displayed on the electronic shelf label device, positional relationship information indicating a positional relationship between the electronic shelf label device and the plurality of products, Storage means for associating and storing
Transmitting means for transmitting a plurality of product information and positional relationship information stored in the storage means to the electronic shelf label device identified by the electronic shelf label identifier;
The server apparatus in the electronic shelf label system characterized by the above-mentioned. The transmission means includes
2. The server apparatus according to claim 1, wherein time information for switching and displaying the plurality of transmitted product information and positional relationship information at predetermined time intervals is transmitted to the electronic shelf label apparatus. The product information includes product price information,
Comparing means for comparing price information of a plurality of products to be transmitted to the electronic shelf label device,
The transmission means includes
3. The time information for displaying the product information of the product that is the cheap price information by the comparison for a long time, and the plurality of product information and positional relationship information are transmitted to the electronic shelf label device. The server device described in 1. Receiving means for receiving from the mobile terminal device the electronic shelf label identifier of the electronic shelf label device, and the product identifiers and positional relationship information of a plurality of products associated with the electronic shelf label identifier;
Storage control means for storing in the storage means the received electronic shelf label identifier and a plurality of positional relationship information and product information corresponding to the received plurality of product identifiers. The server device according to claim 1. An electronic shelf label device in an electronic shelf label system that displays product information on a plurality of products on a single electronic shelf label device,
Display means;
Receiving means for receiving product information related to a plurality of products, and the positional relationship information indicating the positional relationship between the electronic shelf label device and the plurality of products from a server device that manages the electronic shelf label device;
An electronic shelf label device in an electronic shelf label system, comprising: display control means for switching the received product information and positional relationship information of the plurality of products to be displayed on the display means. The receiving means includes
Receiving time information for switching and displaying the plurality of product information and positional relationship information at predetermined time intervals from the server device;
The display control means includes
6. The electronic shelf label device according to claim 5, wherein the received plurality of product information and positional relationship information are switched and displayed on the display means for each display time of the received time information. The product information includes product price information,
The receiving means includes
The electronic shelf label device according to claim 6, wherein time information for displaying product information of a product with cheap price information for a long time, and the plurality of product information and positional relationship information are received from the server device. . A portable terminal device in an electronic shelf label system that displays product information on a plurality of products on a single electronic shelf label device,
Obtaining means for obtaining a product identifier of a plurality of products and an electronic shelf label identifier of an electronic shelf label device that displays product information of the plurality of products of the product identifier;
Positional relationship information input means for inputting positional relationship information indicating the positional relationship between the electronic shelf label device and the plurality of products;
A transmission unit that transmits the electronic shelf label identifier and the plurality of product identifiers acquired by the acquisition unit and the positional relationship information input by the positional relationship information input unit to a server device that manages the electronic shelf label device; A portable terminal device in an electronic shelf label system.   9. The portable terminal device according to claim 8, wherein the positional relationship information input unit detects an operation direction shaken by a user and inputs the operation direction as positional relationship information. A computer mounted on a server device in an electronic shelf label system that displays product information on a plurality of products on a single electronic shelf label device,
An electronic shelf label identifier of the electronic shelf label device, product information on a plurality of products displayed on the electronic shelf label device, positional relationship information indicating a positional relationship between the electronic shelf label device and the plurality of products, Storage means for associating and storing
Transmitting means for transmitting a plurality of product information and positional relationship information stored in the storage means to the electronic shelf label device identified by the electronic shelf label identifier;
Program to function as. A computer mounted on an electronic shelf label device in an electronic shelf label system that displays product information on a plurality of products on a single electronic shelf label device,
Display means,
Receiving means for receiving product information relating to a plurality of products, and the positional relationship information indicating the positional relationship between the electronic shelf label device and the plurality of products from a server device that manages the electronic shelf label device;
Display control means for switching the received product information and positional relationship information of the plurality of products to be displayed on the display means;
Program to function as. A computer mounted on a portable terminal device in an electronic shelf label system that displays product information on a plurality of products on a single electronic shelf label device,
Acquisition means for acquiring a product identifier of a plurality of products and an electronic shelf label identifier of an electronic shelf label device that displays product information of the plurality of products of the product identifier;
Positional relationship information input means for inputting positional relationship information indicating the positional relationship between the electronic shelf label device and the plurality of products;
A transmission unit that transmits the electronic shelf label identifier and the plurality of product identifiers acquired by the acquisition unit and the positional relationship information input by the positional relationship information input unit to a server device that manages the electronic shelf label device;
Program to function as.

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