JPH01196694A - Merchandise information transmitter and receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To rapidly execute an inventory enquiry, etc., by providing a receiving means to receive merchandise information, a displaying means and a transmitting means. CONSTITUTION:A data processor 1 transmits the merchandise information such as a merchandise name and the price to plural shelf indicators 2 and a receiving means 2-1 of the shelf indicator 2 receives it. In this case, when the shelf indicators 2 receive the merchandise information, the indicators judge based on the identification data such as a merchandise number added to it, and at the time of the merchandise sent to the self, the merchandise information (price, etc.,) is displayed at a displaying means 2-2. On the other hand, at the shelf indicator 2 side, the inventory enquiry data inputted in response to the operation of an inventory key and an order giving key on a keyboard and ordering command data are transmitted to the data processor 1 by a transmitting means 2-3. Thus, since the desire from a customer, the inventory inquiry due to the merchandise control of a store and an ordering instruction can be executed from a shelf position, the inventory enquiry, etc., can be rapidly executed.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Field of Application for Overtime Work] This invention provides information on product information between a data processing device such as an electronic cash register and a plurality of shelf display devices connected to this data processing device. The present invention relates to a product information transmitting and receiving device that transmits and receives product information.

[Prior art] This type of product information transmitting/receiving device is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-4
No. 5396 (title of invention: Price display system using electronic cash register) is known.

That is, a price display device that displays the price corresponding to the displayed product is arranged on a shelf where products are displayed, and price data is transmitted from an electronic cash register to the price display device. I am trying to display it in

[Problem to be solved by the invention] However, in such a price display system,
Price display devices were used solely to display prices.

By the way, there are many cases where it is necessary to know the inventory, etc. near the shelves due to requests from customers or for product management in the store, but in such cases, the host computer at the center side that manages inventory data, etc. It was necessary to go to the location where the cash register was installed and obtain inventory data. Therefore, it is necessary to maintain customers and suspend product management operations during this time.

An object of this invention is to make it possible to immediately perform inventory inquiries based on requests from customers or store product management from the shelf location.

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

A data processing device 1 (see the functional block diagram of FIG. 1, the same applies hereinafter) is connected to, for example, a host computer on the center side, through an electronic cash register (ECR) or the like. The data processing device 1 transmits product information using optical signals such as infrared rays, ultrasonic waves, etc. as a transmission medium between a plurality of column displays 2 arranged corresponding to each product on product display shelves and inventory shelves. Send and receive.

The column display device 2 has a configuration including a receiving means 2-1, a displaying means 2-26, and a transmitting means 2-3. The 0 display means 2-2 for receiving product information such as the like is a liquid crystal display panel or the like provided on the front of the column display 2, and displays the product information etc. received by the receiving means 2-1. Transmission means 2-
3 transmits inventory inquiry data and ordering command data to the data processing equipment engineer in response to the transmission command.゛In this case, a keyboard is provided on the column display 2, or the keyboard is detachably attached to the column display 2, and the inventory inquiry data and ordering instructions input in response to the operation of the inventory key or ordering key on the keyboard are displayed. Data is transmitted to the data processing device 1 using an optical signal (infrared rays) or the like.

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

Currently, in a system (shelf system) in which product information is sent and received between a data processing device 1 and a plurality of column displays 2 using optical signals as a transmission medium, the data processing device 1 is used to send and receive product information such as product names and prices. Product information is transmitted to a plurality of column displays 2. In this case, identification data such as a product number indicating the destination is added to the product information.

When product information is transmitted from the data processing device 1 in this manner, the receiving means 2-1 of the column display 2 receives it. In this case, when the column display device 2 receives product information,
Based on identification data such as the product number attached to it, it is determined whether or not the product information was sent to the user.As a result, if the product information was sent to the user, , the product information (price, etc.) is displayed on the display means 2-2.

On the other hand, on the column display z side, inventory inquiry data and ordering command data input in response to the operation of the inventory key or ordering key on the keyboard are transmitted to the data processing device 1 by the transmitting means 2-3.

Therefore, inventory inquiries and ordering instructions based on requests from a customer or store product management can be made from the shelf position, making it possible to quickly make inventory inquiries.

[Example] Hereinafter, one embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 7.

Figure 2 shows ECRII, column indicator 1, which builds a shelf system.
2 is a block circuit diagram showing the basic configuration of an input device 13 used in this shelf system. Note that this shelf system transmits and receives optical signals (infrared rays) between the ECRII and the column display 12 as a transmission medium.

The ECRII is usually equipped with a CPUll-1, an input section 11-2, a display section 11-3, a PLU memory 11-4.
It has a printing section 11-5, and a CPU 11-1 executes sales data registration processing according to a pre-stored microprogram. That is, the sales data input from the input section 11-2 is sent to the display section 11-3 for display,
The sales total for each corresponding FLU in the FLU memory 11-4 is accumulated, and the sales data is further printed on the receipt and journal set in the printing section 11-5.

The PLU memory 11-4 has data writing and reading operations controlled under the control of the CPUll-1, and the FL
The product name, price, and sales total are stored in correspondence with the U number (FLU code). Here, F.L.
The FLU number, product name, and price in the U memory 11-4 are setting data input and set in advance from the input section 11-2, and the data set in this FLU memory 11-4 is sent to the transmitter 11-6. and transmitted to each column display 12.

In addition, the CPUll-1 receives inventory inquiry data and ordering command data transmitted from the column display unit 12 by optical signals (infrared rays) via the receiver 11-7, and also transmits them via the transmission unit 11-8. and sends it to a host computer (not shown) on the center side. The transmission unit 11-8 is connected to a host computer on the center side via a private line within the premises, and the transmission unit 11-8 receives response data sent from the host computer in response to inventory inquiries and ordering instructions. Then, CPUll-1 transmits it to the column display 12 via the transmitter 11-6.

The column display 12 is disposed on the product display shelf and displays the prices of the products displayed, and is configured as shown below. The column display device 12 has a CPU 12-1 as its core, and also includes a receiver 12-2, a transmitter 12-3, and a display section 12-4.
．． The configuration includes a memory 12-5. here,
The CPU 12-1 executes data transmission/reception processing, display processing, etc. according to a microprogram stored in advance. That is, when the CPU 12-1 receives the setting data transmitted from the ECRII using the receiver 12-2, the CPU 12-1 sends the setting data to the memory 12-5 for storage, and also sends it to the display section 12-4 for display. In addition, CPU12-1
sends the inventory inquiry data and ordering command data inputted from the input device 13 to the transmitter 12-3 and transmits them to the ECRII, and in response, transmits the inventory data and ordering data transmitted from the ECRII to the receiver 12. -2, and sends it to the display section 12-4 for display.

The input device 13 is detachably attached to the column display 12, and has a CPU 13-1, an input section 13-2, a display section 13-3, and a memory 13-4. In this case, the CPU 13-1 sends the data input from the input section 13-2 to the display section 13-3 for display, and causes the memory 13-4 to store and hold the data. In addition, memory 1
The contents of 3-4 are read out under the control of the CPU 12-1 while the column display 12 is connected.
Transferred to 2.

As shown in FIG. 3, the column indicators 12 configured in this manner are attached to positions corresponding to each product on the front surface of the product display shelf.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the column display 12 and the input device 13. The case body of the column display 12 has a horizontally long box shape as a whole, and a liquid crystal display panel 12-6 that constitutes a display section 12-4 is disposed on the front side of the case body, and a liquid crystal display panel 12-6 that constitutes a display section 12-4 is disposed on the front side. A receiver 12-2 and a transmitter 12-3 are provided. In addition, an input device 1 is attached to one end of the case body.
An insertion opening 12-7 into which the input device 3 is inserted is formed, and a connector section (not shown) electrically connected to the input device 13 is provided inside the insertion opening 12-7.

The input device 13 is a small, portable input device carried by a store clerk, and its case body has a horizontally long box shape as a whole, with a liquid crystal display panel 13-5 forming a display section 13-3 on the front side.
A keyboard 13-6 constituting the input section 13-2 is also provided. It should be noted that on this keyboard 13-6, a numeric keypad KA, an inventory key KB, an ordering key KC, etc. are provided. Further, a connector 13-7 is provided on the front surface of the case body, and one end thereof is electrically connected to the column display 12 when the connector 13-7 is inserted into the insertion port 12-7 of the column display 12.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7. Here, FIG. 5 shows the ECRII, FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the column display 12, and FIG. 7 shows the transmission format corresponding to various types of transmission data.

First, when setting the price, etc. for the FLU memory 11-4 on the ECRII side, a mode changeover switch (not shown) provided in the input section 11-2 is set to the setting mode. Then, this is detected in step A1. In this setting mode, input section 11-2
PLυ data (F
Enter the LU number, product name, price). Then, the input FLU data is written to the FLU memory 11-4 (step A2).
After completing the settings for 1-4, proceed to step A3, and proceed to step A3.
The presence or absence of a setting command instructing that the data set in the LU memory 11-4 should be transmitted to the column display 12 is checked. This setting command is input by operating a specific key (not shown) provided in the input section 11-2. If no setting command is input now, the process returns to step At, but the setting command When is input, the process proceeds to step A4, where the data set in the FLU memory 11-4 is transmitted by an optical signal from the transmitter 11-6, and then the process returns to step A1. Therefore, the contents of the FLU memory 11-4 may be sent all at once to the column display 12 after all five PLU data to be set are written to the FLU memory 11-4. The data may be transmitted while being written, and in either case, all data set in the FLU memory 11-4 is transmitted to the column display 12.

In this case, the setting data sent from the ECRII to the column display 12 has a data structure as shown in FIG. 7, including a setting command, a FLU number (FLU number before change),
Changed FLU number (FLU number after change, product name,
It consists of price data.

When such setting data is transmitted from the ECRII to the column display 12, the column display 12 performs the following operations. That is, the column display 12 is ECRI as shown in FIG.
Upon receiving the data transmitted from I (step B
l), the FLU number (before change) included in the transmission data is compared with the FLU data preset in the memory 12-5, and whether they match or not (Step B2). If a discrepancy between the two is detected, the process returns to step Bl and the received data is canceled, but if the received data is transmitted to the If it is transmission data, detect the type of transmission data (step B3);
That is, it is checked whether a setting command is included in the transmitted data, but if a setting command is included, that is, if the transmitted data is setting data,
Proceeding to step B4, the received setting data (change FLU
number, product name 1 price) to the memory 11-5 and rewrite its contents, as well as "product name" in the setting data,
After extracting the "price" and displaying it on the display section 12-4, the process returns to step B1.

If you change the FLU data on the ECRII side like this,
The change data is set in the memory 12-5 of the column display 12, and its display contents are changed.

Next, the operation of the column display 12 when there is a request from a customer or an inventory inquiry or ordering instruction from the store's product management will be explained.

First, when inquiring about the number of items in stock, a store clerk operates the inventory key KB on the input device 13. Then, the input 4113 sets an inventory command in the memory 13-4 according to the operation of the inventory key KB. And input a13
is connected to the column display 12 of the shelf where the product for which the inventory inquiry has been made is displayed. That is, when the input device 13 is inserted into the insertion slot 12-7 of the column display 12, the input device 13 is inserted into the column display 12.
are electrically connected, the seed display 12 detects the connection state of the input device 13 when no data is received as shown in FIG. 6 (Step BIO), and as a result, the input device 13 is connected. If so, read the data from the memory 13-4 of the input device 13 (step B11), check whether it is an inventory command (step B12),
Now, since the inventory command is read out, step B13
, the CPU 12-1 creates inventory inquiry data,
It is transmitted from the transmitter 12-3 to the ECRII. This inventory inquiry data is composed of an inventory command read from the input device 13 and a FLU number read from the memory 12-5, as shown in FIG. When creating inventory inquiry data in this way, the FLU number is memory 12.
Since the FLU number is stored in advance in FLU number -5, inventory inquiry data can be created using it, so there is no need to input the FLU number from the input device 13, and as a result, input errors can be prevented.

Therefore, the inventory inquiry data is sent from the species display device 12 to the ECR.
Once transmitted to ECRII, ECRII operates as follows.

That is, in a mode other than the setting mode, for example, the registration mode, the ECRII performs corresponding processing (step A1).
3) is executed, but in this case, when the transmission data from the seed display 12 is received (step A5), it is checked whether the received data includes an inventory command (
Step A6), since the inventory command is now included, the received inventory inquiry data is sent to the transmission section 11-8 and an inventory inquiry is made to the host computer (step A7).
), as a result, when receiving the inventory data sent from the host computer, this inventory data is sent to the transmitter 11-
6 to the seed display 12 (step A8), the inventory data in this case is as shown in FIG.
It consists of FLU number and inventory quantity. When the inquiring species indicator 12 receives such inventory data (
Steps B1, B2, B5), and the "inventory quantity" in the received data is displayed (step B6).

On the other hand, when issuing an order instruction, the user operates the numeric keypad KA of the input device 13 to enter the number to be ordered, and then operates the order key KC. Then, the order quantity is set in the memory 13-4 of the input device 13 together with the order command. Thereafter, the input device 13 is connected to the type display 12 of the shelf on which the ordered product is displayed. Then, the seed display 12 reads data from the memory 13-4 of the input device 13 in the same manner as described above, and creates ordering instruction data on the condition that the data includes an ordering command (step B14).
Transmit from transmitter 12-3 to ECRII (Step B
15) As shown in FIG. 7, this ordering instruction data is composed of an ordering command, a FLU number, and an order quantity. Note that if the data read from the memory 13-4 does not include an inventory command or an ordering command, other processing is performed (step B16).

Therefore, the ECRII receives the data transmitted from the seed display 12 (step A5), and if the received data includes an ordering command (step A9),
In other words, if the ordering instruction data is properly received, the ordering process is performed (step Al0), that is, the ordering instruction data is transmitted from the transmission section 11-8 to the host computer,
This receives and receives order data sent from the host computer. Then, send the order data f&1
1-6 and sends it to the seed display 12 (step A1
1) In this case, the ordering data consists of an ordering command, a FLU number, and an ordering response (message data indicating whether or not the order has been placed), as shown in FIG. Note that if the received data does not include an inventory command or an ordering command, other processing is performed (step A).
12).

When the inquiry source seed display 12 receives such order data (steps B1, B2, B7), it displays the "order response" in the received data (step B8). or ordering command is not included, other processing is performed (step B9).
).

1 (1) In the above embodiment, the column display 12 and the inputs 41!13 are electrically connected using connectors, but by converting the transferred data into optical signals, optical You may also perform a connection.

In this case, the infrared transmitter/receiver provided in the column display 12 may also be used to connect to the input device.

(2) In the above embodiment, the column display device 12 and the input device 13 are configured separately, but the column display device is provided with an inventory key, an ordering key, etc., and these keys can be used to make inventory inquiries and place orders. Instructions may also be given.

(3) In the above embodiment, an infrared optical signal was used as the transmission medium between the ECRII and the column display 12, but ultrasonic waves, wired signals, etc. may also be used, and a repeater may be installed on the ceiling of one store. You may also do so.

(4) In the above embodiment, the column display device 12 is arranged on the product display shelf, but it may be arranged on the inventory shelf or the like.

[Effects of the Invention] According to the present invention, inventory inquiries and ordering instructions based on requests from customers or store product management can be made from the shelf position, so inventory inquiries can be made quickly.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a functional block diagram of the present invention, Figs. 2 to 7 show embodiments, and Fig. 2 shows an ECRI system for constructing a shelf system.
I. A block circuit diagram showing the basic configuration of the input device 13 used in this shelf system in addition to the column display device 12, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the installation state of the column display device 12, and FIG. External perspective view of display unit 12 and input @ 13, Figure 5 is ECRII
Flowchart showing the operation of FIG. 6 is the column display fi1
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of step 2, and FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the transmission format of various transmission data. 11...ECR, 12...Column indicator,
12-1...CPU, 12-2...Receiver, 12-3...Transmitter, 12-4...
...Display section, 12-5...Memory, 12-6.
...Liquid crystal display panel, 12-7...Insertion slot, 13...Input device. Patent Applicant: Casio Computer Co., Ltd. L3 Transfer a no collection) Take 1 helmet Figure 7

Claims (1)

[Claims] In a product information transmitting and receiving device that transmits and receives product information between a data processing device and a plurality of shelf display devices, the shelf display device transmits and receives product information such as prices transmitted from the data processing device. Receiving means for receiving product information; Display means for displaying the product information received by the receiving means; Transmitting means for transmitting inventory inquiry data and ordering command data input in response to a transmission command to the data processing device. A product information transmitting/receiving device comprising: