JP7606738B2 - Wireless Display System - Google Patents

Description

Related to wireless display systems.

As shown in Patent Document 1 (Patent No. 5818973), there is a system in stores such as drugstores that uses a mobile terminal to read product-related information from electronic shelf tags.

In the system of Patent Document 1, no information is displayed on the electronic shelf label to inform the user that product-related information can be read from the electronic shelf label using a mobile device. This creates an issue in that it is difficult for store users to realize that product-related information can be read from the electronic shelf label using a mobile device.

The wireless display system of the first aspect includes a server and a plurality of wireless displays. The server stores at least the first information of the first information and the second information for each of the plurality of items. The wireless display is associated with a specific item of the plurality of items, and displays the first information corresponding to the associated specific item. The wireless display is also capable of providing attribute information of the second information corresponding to the associated specific item to the mobile terminal. When the server has stored the second information corresponding to the specific item, it transmits the attribute information to the wireless display associated with the specific item. When the wireless display receives the attribute information from the server, it displays a guide to the user of the mobile terminal to encourage the user to read the attribute information using the mobile terminal in order to access the second information from the mobile terminal.

In the wireless display system of the first aspect, when the wireless display receives attribute information from the server, the wireless display displays a guide to the user of the mobile terminal encouraging the user to read the attribute information of the second information using the mobile terminal, in order to allow the user to access the second information from the mobile terminal. As a result, in the wireless display system, the store customer (user) can realize that he or she can read information about the product (item) from the electronic shelf label (wireless display) using the mobile terminal.

The wireless display system of the second aspect is the wireless display system of the first aspect, in which a one-dimensional barcode, a two-dimensional barcode, or near-field wireless communication is used to read the attribute information.

The wireless display system of the second aspect having such a configuration can reduce the power consumption of the wireless display when attribute information is read.

The wireless display system of the third aspect is a wireless display system of either the first or second aspect, in which the guidance displays a one-dimensional barcode, a two-dimensional barcode, or a diagram indicating that short-range wireless communication is possible.

By configuring it in this way, the wireless display system of the third aspect allows store customers to realize that they can use their mobile terminal to read information about items from the wireless display device via short-range wireless communication, etc.

The wireless display system of the fourth aspect is a wireless display system of any one of the first aspect to the third aspect, in which the guidance indicates the presence of second information expressed in a specified language.

By configuring it in this way, the wireless display system of the fourth aspect can prevent a situation in which a store customer realizes that they can read information about an item from a wireless display device, but gives up because they do not understand the language.

The wireless display system of the fifth aspect is a wireless display system of any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect, in which the server has an input reception function for authenticating the second information, and transmits attribute information to the wireless display device only for the authenticated second information.

In the wireless display system of the fifth aspect, attribute information is transmitted to the wireless display device only for the second information that has been authenticated by an administrator or the like. As a result, the wireless display system can prevent an incident in which attribute information for inappropriate second information is transmitted to the wireless display device.

The wireless display system of the sixth aspect is a wireless display system of any one of the first aspect to the fifth aspect, in which the server analyzes a log of access to the second information from the mobile terminal.

By configuring in this way, the wireless display system of the sixth aspect can analyze the access log and use it for marketing, etc.

The wireless display system of the seventh aspect is a wireless display system of any one of the first aspect to the sixth aspect, in which the wireless display counts the number of times the attribute information is read using short-range wireless communication and transmits the count to the server. The server stores the number of times it is received from the wireless display.

By configuring in this way, the wireless display system of the seventh aspect can analyze the number of times it is read using short-range wireless communication, and use this information for marketing, etc.

With the wireless display system, store patrons will be able to see that they can use their mobile devices to read information about products from electronic shelf tags.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of a wireless display system. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of installation of electronic shelf labels. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display example of an electronic shelf label. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a management server. 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating example items in a product information table and an electronic shelf label table. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of product information. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a multilingual server. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of product description information. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of attribute information. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an electronic shelf label. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display example of a display of a mobile terminal. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a process performed in the wireless display system.

The following embodiments are merely examples and do not limit the content of the wireless display system according to the present invention. The following embodiments can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the invention.

(1) Overall Configuration The wireless display system 100 is used in a store 90 such as a drug store, a convenience store, or an electronics retailer, and provides information such as a product name 50b and a price 50c relating to a product P (item) to customers (users) of the store 90.

Figure 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a wireless display system 100. As shown in Figure 1, the wireless display system 100 mainly comprises a server 10 and a plurality of electronic shelf labels 20 (wireless displays).

The server 10 is composed of a management server 11 and a multilingual server 12.

The management server 11 mainly manages the first information regarding the product P. In this embodiment, the first information is product information 50, such as the product name 50b and price 50c, regarding the product P (see FIG. 5).

The multilingual server 12 mainly manages second information related to the product P. The second information is information such as a product description and product advertisement related to the product P expressed in a specific language. In this embodiment, the second information is product description information 70 related to the product P expressed in a specific language (see FIG. 7). The second information also has attribute information 71 (see FIG. 9). In this embodiment, the attribute information 71 is information such as the type of language in which the product description information 70 is expressed (language type 71b) and a URL for accessing the product description information 70 (product description URL 71c). A vendor such as a manufacturer creates the product description information 70 using a vendor terminal 40.

The electronic shelf label 20 is attached to a product shelf installed in a store 90 in association with the product P. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the installation of the electronic shelf label 20. The electronic shelf label 20 displays product information 50 and attribute information 71 of the product P displayed on the product shelf. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the display of the electronic shelf label 20. Customers of the store 90 can visually confirm the product information 50 and attribute information 71 of the product P displayed on the electronic shelf label 20. Customers of the store 90 can read the attribute information 71 of the product P from the electronic shelf label 20 using a mobile terminal 30 that they carry. The customer who reads the attribute information 71 of the product P can access the multilingual server 12 using the mobile terminal 30 based on the product description URL 71c of the attribute information 71, and can confirm the product description information 70 of the product P.

The management server 11 and the multiple electronic shelf labels 20 are communicatively connected by the network NW1 and the network NW2 via multiple access points AP. In this embodiment, the network NW1 is a wired LAN, and the network NW2 is a wireless LAN. Note that the number of electronic shelf labels 20 and the access points AP is not limited to the number depicted in FIG. 1.

The management server 11, the multilingual server 12, the mobile terminal 30, and the vendor terminal 40 are communicatively connected via the network NW3. In this embodiment, the network NW3 is the Internet. The networks NW1 and NW3 are connected via a gateway GW.

(2) Detailed Configuration (2-1) Management Server The management server 11 is a computer installed in a management room or the like of the store 90. Fig. 4 is a block configuration diagram of the management server 11. As shown in Fig. 4, the management server 11 mainly includes a management storage unit 111, a management input unit 112, a management display unit 113, a management communication unit 114, and a management control unit 115.

(2-1-1) Management Memory Unit The management memory unit 111 is a storage device such as a RAM, a ROM, and a HDD (hard disk drive). The management memory unit 111 stores programs executed by the management control unit 115, data necessary for executing the programs, and the OS (operating system) on which the management server 11 runs. General applications such as a web browser and a mailer are installed in the management memory unit 111. The management memory unit 111 also stores a product information table TB50 and an electronic shelf label table TB60.

The product information table TB50 stores product information 50 for each of multiple products P handled in the store 90. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing example items of the product information table TB50 and the electronic shelf label table TB60. As shown in FIG. 5, the product information 50 is composed of a product ID 50a, a product name 50b, a price 50c, a manufacturer 50d, ingredients 50e, allergens 50f, and an expiration date 50g related to the product P. In other words, the product information table TB50 stores the product name 50b, the price 50c, the manufacturer 50d, ingredients 50e, allergens 50f, and an expiration date 50g for each product ID 50a. The product ID 50a is a value that is uniquely assigned to each product P. Some items such as ingredients 50e and allergens 50f are stored when the product P is a food product. In this way, the product information 50 may be composed of different items depending on the category of the product P. Also, FIG. 5 is an example, and product information 50 may further include items other than those shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of product information 50 for product P when product P is "frozen croquette." The administrator of wireless display system 100, staff of store 90, etc. manage product information table TB50 using management input unit 112 and management display unit 113.

As shown in FIG. 5, the electronic shelf label table TB60 is composed of a shelf label ID 60a, a shelf ID 60b, and a shelf product ID 60c. In other words, the electronic shelf label table TB60 stores a shelf ID 60b and a shelf product ID 60c for each shelf label ID 60a. The shelf label ID 60a is a value that is uniquely assigned to each electronic shelf label 20. The shelf ID 60b is a value that is uniquely assigned to each product shelf installed in the store 90. The shelf product ID 60c is information for identifying the product P displayed on the product shelf to which the corresponding shelf ID 60b is assigned. The shelf product ID 60c stores an ID that is the same as the product ID 50a in the product information table TB50. The administrator of the wireless display system 100 and the staff of the store 90 manage the electronic shelf label table TB60 using the management input unit 112 and the management display unit 113.

(2-1-2) Management Input Unit The management input unit 112 is a keyboard and a mouse. Various commands and information for the management server 11 can be input using the management input unit 112.

(2-1-3) Management Display Unit The management display unit 113 is a display. Various types of information related to the wireless display system 100 can be displayed on the management display unit 113.

(2-1-4) Management Communication Unit The management communication unit 114 is a network interface device for performing communication via the network NW1.

(2-1-5) Management Control Unit The management control unit 115 is an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU. The management control unit 115 reads and executes programs stored in the management storage unit 111, and realizes various functions of the management server 11.

For example, the management control unit 115 transmits product information 50 of the associated product P to each electronic shelf label 20. Specifically, the management control unit 115 transmits product information 50 of the product P related to the corresponding shelf product ID 60c to the electronic shelf label 20 related to the shelf label ID 60a in the electronic shelf label table TB60. For the product information 50 of the product P related to the shelf product ID 60c, a record in which the value of the shelf product ID 60c and the value of the product ID 50a match is extracted from the product information table TB50.

Furthermore, when product description information 70 corresponding to a product P associated with an electronic shelf label 20 is stored in the multilingual server 12, the management control unit 115 further transmits attribute information 71 of the product P to the electronic shelf label 20. The attribute information 71 of the product P related to the shelf product ID 60c is obtained by obtaining attribute information 71 of the product description information 70 stored in the multilingual server 12, in which the value of the shelf product ID 60c matches the value of the multilingual product ID 71a. The multilingual server 12 will be described later. In this embodiment, the management control unit 115 converts the value of the language type 71b of the attribute information 71 (English, Chinese, etc.) into image data of a flag that symbolizes the language, and transmits the converted data to the electronic shelf label 20. For example, when the value of the language type 71b is English, image data of the flag of the United Kingdom is transmitted to the electronic shelf label 20.

(2-2) Multilingual Server The multilingual server 12 is a computer installed in a data center or the like. Fig. 7 is a block diagram of the multilingual server 12. As shown in Fig. 7, the multilingual server 12 mainly comprises a multilingual storage unit 121, a multilingual input unit 122, a multilingual display unit 123, a multilingual communication unit 124, and a multilingual control unit 125.

(2-2-1) Multilingual Storage Unit The multilingual storage unit 121 is a storage device such as a RAM, a ROM, or a HDD. The multilingual storage unit 121 stores programs executed by the multilingual control unit 125, data required for executing the programs, and the OS on which the multilingual server 12 runs. General applications such as a web browser and a mailer are installed in the multilingual storage unit 121. The multilingual storage unit 121 also stores product description information 70.

Product description information 70 is explanatory information about product P expressed in a specific language. Product description information 70 can exist for each product P and for each language. Product description information 70 is, for example, a group of files in HTML format. Language types include, for example, English, Chinese, Taiwanese, Korean, and Japanese. Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of product description information 70 expressed in English when product P is "frozen croquette." The vendor creates product description information 70 using vendor terminal 40. Figure 8 shows an example of product information 50 shown in Figure 6 expressed in English, but the content of product description information 70 is not limited to product information 50 and can be freely created by the vendor.

The product description information 70 has attribute information 71. One piece of attribute information 71 exists for each file of product description information 70. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of attribute information 71. As shown in FIG. 9, the attribute information 71 is composed of a multilingual product ID 71a, a language type 71b, and a product description URL 71c. The multilingual product ID 71a is information for identifying the product P described by the product description information 70. The multilingual product ID 71a stores an ID that is the same as the product ID 50a in the product information table TB50. The language type 71b is the type of language in which the product description information 70 is expressed. The product description URL 71c is the URL of the file of the product description information 70.

(2-2-2) Multilingual Input Unit The multilingual input unit 122 is a keyboard and a mouse. Various commands and information for the multilingual server 12 can be input using the multilingual input unit 122.

(2-2-3) Multilingual Display Unit The multilingual display unit 123 is a display. Various types of information related to the wireless display system 100 can be displayed on the multilingual display unit 123.

(2-2-4) Multilingual Communication Unit The multilingual communication unit 124 is a network interface device for performing communication via the network NW3.

(2-2-5) Multilingual Control Unit The multilingual control unit 125 is a processing unit such as a CPU. The multilingual control unit 125 reads and executes programs stored in the multilingual storage unit 121, and realizes various functions of the multilingual server 12.

For example, the multilingual control unit 125 accepts access from the vendor terminal 40 and causes the vendor to create product description information 70.

The multilingual control unit 125 also accepts access from the mobile terminal 30 and transmits product description information 70 to the mobile terminal 30.

The multilingual control unit 125 also transmits attribute information 71 to the management server 11 in response to a request from the management server 11.

(2-3) Electronic Shelf Label The electronic shelf label 20 is associated with a specific product P displayed on a product shelf among multiple products P handled in the store 90. Fig. 10 is a block configuration diagram of the electronic shelf label 20. As shown in Fig. 10, the electronic shelf label 20 mainly includes a memory unit 21, a first communication unit 22, a second communication unit 23, a display unit 24, a control unit 25, and a battery 26.

(2-3-1) Storage Unit The storage unit 21 is a storage device such as a RAM, a ROM, or a flash memory. The storage unit 21 stores programs executed by the control unit 25 and data required for executing the programs. The storage unit 21 also stores product information 50 and attribute information 71 received from the management server 11 via the second communication unit 23.

(2-3-2) First Communication Unit The first communication unit 22 is a passive type radio frequency tag (RF tag) that receives power from the mobile terminal 30 through contactless power transmission. The first communication unit 22 performs near field communication (NFC) with the mobile terminal 30. The first communication unit 22 is configured to transmit attribute information 71 stored in the storage unit 21 to the mobile terminal 30. In other words, the electronic shelf label 20 can provide the mobile terminal 30 with the attribute information 71 corresponding to the associated specific product P.

As shown in FIG. 10, the first communication unit 22 mainly has an antenna 23a and an NFC chip 23b. The antenna 23a is a loop antenna (coil antenna) used for transmitting and receiving signals using radio waves or magnetic fields. The communication distance between the first communication unit 22 and the mobile terminal 30 is approximately several centimeters to several tens of centimeters. The NFC chip 23b is an integrated circuit that performs various controls of the first communication unit 22. When the mobile terminal 30 is brought close to the electronic shelf label 20, the NFC chip 23b reads attribute information 71 related to the product P from the memory unit 21. Then, the NFC chip 23b transmits the attribute information 71 related to the product P to the mobile terminal 30 via the antenna 23a.

(2-3-3) Second Communication Unit The second communication unit 23 is a network interface device for communicating with the access point AP via the network NW2.

(2-3-4) Display Unit The display unit 24 is a screen for displaying product information 50 and attribute information 71 corresponding to a specific product P associated with the electronic shelf label 20. The display unit 24 may be, for example, electronic paper.

(2-3-5) Control Unit The control unit 25 is an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU. The control unit 25 reads and executes programs stored in the storage unit 21 to realize various functions of the electronic shelf label 20.

For example, the control unit 25 receives product information 50 and attribute information 71 from the management server 11 and stores them in the memory unit 21.

The control unit 25 also displays the product information 50 of the product P stored in the memory unit 21 on the display unit 24. In FIG. 3, the product information 50 "Frozen Croquettes, 1 pack, 298 yen" is displayed on the display unit 24. In this manner, at least a portion of the product information 50 is displayed on the display unit 24.

In addition, when the control unit 25 receives attribute information 71 of the product P from the management server 11, the control unit 25 displays on the display unit 24 a guide for the user of the store 90 to read the attribute information 71 using the mobile terminal 30 in order to access the product description information 70 from the mobile terminal 30. As the guide, the control unit 25 displays on the display unit 24 the presence of the product description information 70 expressed in a predetermined language. Specifically, the control unit 25 displays the attribute information 71 stored in the memory unit 21. In FIG. 3, the language type 71b of the attribute information 71 converted into image data of the flags of the United Kingdom, China, Taiwan, and South Korea is displayed from the left. In addition, the control unit 25 displays on the display unit 24 a diagram indicating that short-range wireless communication is possible as the guide. In FIG. 3, an NFC mark 29 is displayed.

(2-3-6) Battery The battery 26 is configured to supply power to the memory unit 21, the second communication unit 23, the display unit 24, and the control unit 25 of the electronic shelf label 20. The first communication unit 22 is configured to receive power from the mobile terminal 30 via non-contact power transmission, and therefore is not supplied with power from the battery 26. The battery 26 is, for example, a lithium battery.

(2-4) Mobile Terminal The mobile terminal 30 is a terminal carried by a customer of the store 90. In this embodiment, the mobile terminal 30 is a smartphone. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the mobile terminal 30 may be a tablet or the like.

The mobile terminal 30 has a CPU and storage devices such as RAM, ROM, and flash memory. The mobile terminal 30 also has a first communication unit that performs short-range wireless communication with the first communication unit 22 of the electronic shelf label 20. In other words, the mobile terminal 30 is an RF tag reader/writer that is capable of short-range wireless communication with the first communication unit 22 of the electronic shelf label 20. The mobile terminal 30 also has a touch panel display as an information input/output unit. The mobile terminal 30 also has a second communication unit for connecting to the network NW3. The mobile terminal 30 also has general applications installed, such as a web browser and a mailer.

The mobile terminal 30 can read attribute information 71 of the associated product P from the electronic shelf label 20 using short-range wireless communication. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the display of the mobile terminal 30 immediately after reading the attribute information 71. In FIG. 11, the URL of the product description information 70 is displayed for each image of a national flag. The image of the national flag is based on the language type 71b of the attribute information 71. The URL of the product description information 70 is based on the product description URL 71c of the attribute information 71. A user of the store 90 can access the product description information 70 expressed in the user's preferred language by touching the URL corresponding to the user's preferred language (national flag) using a web browser or the like.

(2-5) Trader Terminal The trader terminal 40 is a terminal used by a trader such as a manufacturer of the product P. In this embodiment, the trader terminal 40 is a general personal computer.

The vendor terminal 40 has a CPU and storage devices such as RAM, ROM, and HDD. The vendor terminal 40 also has a communication unit for connecting to the network NW3. The vendor terminal 40 also has a keyboard and mouse as information input units. The vendor terminal 40 also has a display as an information display unit. The vendor terminal 40 also has general applications such as a web browser and mailer installed.

The vendor accesses the multilingual server 12 using a web browser or the like from the vendor terminal 40 and creates product description information 70 for product P.

(3) Processing An example of processing performed in the wireless display system 100 will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 12. As a premise of this flow, it is assumed that each electronic shelf label 20 stores and displays product information 50 and attribute information 71 of the associated product P.

As shown in step S1, the electronic shelf label 20 determines whether or not to perform short-range wireless communication with the mobile terminal 30 of a user of the store 90. If short-range wireless communication is to be performed, the process proceeds to step S2. If short-range wireless communication is not to be performed, the process proceeds to step S3.

When the electronic shelf label 20 proceeds from step S1 to step S2, it transmits attribute information 71 to the mobile terminal 30 via short-range wireless communication, as shown in step S2.

When the management server 11 proceeds from step S1 to step S3, or when it completes step S2, it determines whether it is time to update the display of the electronic shelf label 20, as shown in step S3. The timing to update the display of the electronic shelf label 20 is, for example, when the current time becomes a predetermined time. The timing to update the display of the electronic shelf label 20 is, for example, when an administrator of the wireless display system 100 attempts to update the display of the electronic shelf label 20. If it is time to update the display of the electronic shelf label 20, it proceeds to step S4. If it is not time to update the display of the electronic shelf label 20, it returns to step S1, and the electronic shelf label 20 waits for an opportunity to perform short-range wireless communication with the mobile terminal 30 again.

When the management server 11 proceeds from step S3 to step S4, it collects product information 50 and attribute information 71 to be sent to each electronic shelf label 20, as shown in step S4.

When the management server 11 completes step S4, it transmits the collected product information 50 and attribute information 71 to each electronic shelf label 20, as shown in step S5.

After completing step S5, the electronic shelf label 20 displays the received product information 50 and attribute information 71 on the display unit 24, as shown in step S6.

After completing step S6, the electronic shelf label 20 returns to step S1 and waits for an opportunity to perform short-range wireless communication with the mobile terminal 30 again.

During this flow, the multilingual server 12 accepts access from the trader terminal 40 at any time and creates product description information 70. During this flow, the multilingual server 12 also accepts access from the mobile terminal 30 at any time and transmits product description information 70 to the mobile terminal 30. During this flow, the management server 11 also accepts input from the management input unit 112 by staff of the store 90 or the like at any time and updates the product information table TB50.

In addition, in this flow, the wireless display system 100 uniformly updates the display of all electronic shelf labels 20. However, the wireless display system 100 may update only the display of a specific electronic shelf label 20.

(4) Features (4-1)
In conventional wireless display systems, the electronic shelf labels do not display information indicating that product information can be read from the electronic shelf labels using a mobile device. This makes it difficult for store customers to notice that product information can be read from the electronic shelf labels using a mobile device. Another problem is that while a method of attaching a label providing information to the electronic shelf labels is conceivable, this requires the user to attach and remove the label depending on whether or not the product information is available, which is very time-consuming.

In the wireless display system 100 of this embodiment, when the electronic shelf label 20 receives attribute information 71 from the management server 11, a guide is displayed to users of the store 90 encouraging them to read the attribute information 71 of the product description information 70 using the mobile terminal 30, in order to allow the users to access the product description information 70 from the mobile terminal 30. As a result, users of the store 90 can realize that they can read information about the product P from the electronic shelf label 20 using the mobile terminal 30. In addition, even if a label providing guidance is not affixed to the electronic shelf label 20, users of the store 90 can realize that they can read information about the product P from the electronic shelf label 20 using the mobile terminal 30.

(4-2)
The wireless display system 100 of the present embodiment uses short-range wireless communication to read the attribute information 71 by the mobile terminal 30. As a result, the wireless display system 100 can reduce power consumption of the electronic shelf label 20 when the attribute information 71 is read.

(4-3)
The wireless display system 100 of this embodiment displays a diagram indicating that short-range wireless communication is possible on the display unit 24 of the electronic shelf label 20 as a guide to encourage the action of reading the attribute information 71. As a result, the customers of the store 90 can realize that they can use their mobile terminals 30 to read information about the product P from the electronic shelf label 20 via short-range wireless communication.

(4-4)
The wireless display system 100 of this embodiment displays the presence of product description information 70 expressed in a predetermined language on the display unit 24 of the electronic shelf label 20 as a guide to encourage the action of reading the attribute information 71. As a result, the wireless display system 100 can prevent a situation in which a customer of the store 90 realizes that information about the product P can be read from the electronic shelf label 20, but gives up on reading because the language is unknown.

(5) Modifications (5-1) Modification 1A
In the present embodiment, the wireless display system 100 displays a diagram indicating that short-range wireless communication is possible on the display unit 24 of the electronic shelf label 20 as guidance to encourage the action of reading the attribute information 71. Moreover, the wireless display system 100 uses short-range wireless communication to read the attribute information 71.

However, the wireless display system 100 may display a one-dimensional or two-dimensional barcode on the display unit 24 of the electronic shelf label 20 as guidance to encourage the act of reading the attribute information 71. The wireless display system 100 may also use a one-dimensional or two-dimensional barcode to read the attribute information 71. As a result, users of the store 90 can use their mobile terminal 30 to realize that information about the product P can be read from the electronic shelf label 20 by the one-dimensional or two-dimensional barcode. The wireless display system 100 can also reduce the power consumption of the electronic shelf label 20 when the attribute information 71 is read.

In this case, for example, the management control unit 115 converts the information on the language type 71b and the product description URL 71c related to the product P into an image of a one-dimensional or two-dimensional barcode, and transmits the image data to the electronic shelf label 20.

(5-2) Modification 1B
In this embodiment, the wireless display system 100 displays images of national flags on the display unit 24 of the electronic shelf label 20. However, the wireless display system 100 may display images of characters (such as "details" or "miniature") in various languages.

In this case, for example, the management control unit 115 converts the characters written in the language of language type 71b into an image and transmits it to the electronic shelf label 20.

(5-3) Modification 1C
In this embodiment, the product description information 70 is freely created by the vendor. The wireless display system 100 transmits the attribute information 71 to the management server 11, and further to the electronic shelf label 20. However, the wireless display system 100 may transmit to the electronic shelf label 20 the attribute information 71 only for product description information 70 that has been authenticated by an administrator or the like of the wireless display system 100. As a result, the wireless display system 100 can prevent an event in which the attribute information 71 for inappropriate product description information 70 is transmitted to the electronic shelf label 20.

In this case, for example, the multilingual server 12 is configured to have an input reception function for authenticating the product description information 70. The multilingual server 12 transmits attribute information 71 to the electronic shelf label 20 only for the authenticated product description information 70. Specifically, for example, the multilingual server 12 provides an item "authenticated/unauthenticated" in the attribute information 71. At the stage when the vendor creates the product description information 70, "unauthenticated" is stored in the item "authenticated/unauthenticated". When the vendor finishes creating the product description information 70, the multilingual server 12 notifies the management server 11 by email or the like that the vendor has created the product description information 70 and the URL stored in the product description URL 71c of the attribute information 71. The administrator of the wireless display system 100 who receives the email at the management server 11 accesses the received URL using a web browser or the like and checks the product description information 70. If the product description information 70 is appropriate, the administrator of the wireless display system 100 changes the "authenticated/unauthenticated" of the attribute information 71 to "authenticated" (input reception function). When updating the display on the electronic shelf label 20, the multilingual server 12 transmits to the management server 11 only the attribute information 71 whose "authenticated/unauthenticated" field value is "authenticated."

The timing when the administrator of the wireless display system 100 authenticates the product description information 70 may be the timing when the administrator of the wireless display system 100 attempts to update the display on the electronic shelf label 20.

(5-4) Modification 1D
The multilingual server 12 may be configured to analyze a log of accesses to the product description information 70 from the mobile terminal 30. As a result, the wireless display system 100 can analyze the access log and use it for marketing and the like.

In this case, for example, the multilingual control unit 125 of the multilingual server 12 tally and analyze the number of times the product description information 70 is accessed for each product P and for each language.

(5-5) Modification 1E
The electronic shelf label 20 may count the number of times the attribute information 71 is read using short-range wireless communication and transmit the count to the management server 11. The management server 11 stores the number of times it has been received from the electronic shelf label 20. As a result, the wireless display system 100 can analyze the number of times the attribute information 71 has been read using short-range wireless communication and use the analyzed count for marketing, etc.

In this case, for example, the NFC chip 23b of the electronic shelf label 20 counts the number of times the attribute information 71 is read using short-range wireless communication and stores the number in the memory unit 21. The control unit 25 of the electronic shelf label 20 transmits the number of times to the management server 11 at a predetermined timing.

(5-6) Modification 1F
In this embodiment, the multilingual control unit 125 accepts access from the vendor terminal 40 and causes the vendor to create product description information 70. However, the multilingual control unit 125 may not only create product description information 70, but also edit or delete existing product description information 70.

(5-7) Modification 1G
In this embodiment, the wireless display system 100 is used in one store 90. However, the wireless display system 100 may be used in a plurality of stores.

In this case, for example, the product information table TB50 and the electronic shelf label table TB60 are stored on separate servers, and these servers are installed in a cloud such as a data center. The product information table TB50 manages the product information 50 of all stores. The electronic shelf label table TB60 manages the electronic shelf labels 20 of all stores.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Server 11 Management server 12 Multilingual server 20 Electronic shelf label 30 Mobile terminal 50 Product information 70 Product description information 71 Attribute information 100 Wireless display system P Product

Patent No. 5818973

Claims (5)

A server that stores at least the first information of the first information and the second information for each of a plurality of items;
a plurality of wireless display devices each associated with a specific item among the plurality of items, each display device being capable of displaying the first information corresponding to the associated specific item and providing attribute information of the second information corresponding to the associated specific item to a mobile terminal;
Equipped with
the server transmits the attribute information to the wireless display associated with the specific item when the second information corresponding to the specific item is stored;
when the wireless display device receives the attribute information from the server, the wireless display device displays a guide for encouraging a user of the portable terminal to read the attribute information by the portable terminal in order to allow the user to access the second information from the portable terminal;
the wireless display device is capable of short-distance wireless communication with the nearby mobile terminal;
The guidance is a figure or a character indicating that short-range wireless communication with the mobile terminal is possible.
Wireless display system. The guidance indicates the presence of the second information expressed in a predetermined language.
The wireless display system of claim 1 . the server has an input reception function for authenticating the second information, and transmits the attribute information to the wireless display device only for the authenticated second information;
3. The wireless display system according to claim 1 or 2 . The server analyzes a log of access to the second information from the mobile terminal.
4. The wireless display system according to claim 1. the wireless display device counts the number of times the attribute information is read using short-range wireless communication and transmits the counted number of times to the server;
The server stores the number of times received from the wireless display device.
5. The wireless display system according to claim 1.

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