In-store showcase control system

Abstract

To provide an in-store showcase control system configured to automatically set a case address for each of a plurality of showcases installed in a store, without requiring an operator to randomly set serial numbers to the showcases in advance prior to shipping the showcases to the store.SOLUTION: In an in-store showcase control system 100, a control apparatus 20 is configured to transmit, to each of a plurality of showcases 10, an address setting command 31 to set a case address 30 for identifying each of the showcases 10, on the basis of random response delay time information 40 transmitted from each of the showcases 10 at timings based on response delay time of the response delay time information 40 generated randomly in each of the showcases 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an in-store showcase control system. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, an in-store showcase control system equipped with a plurality of showcases has been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The above-mentioned Patent Document 1 describes a refrigeration and cooling system (in-store showcase control system) that includes a plurality of showcases that are installed in a store and in which products are displayed, and a control panel (control device) for individually controlling each of the plurality of showcases. In the refrigeration and cooling system described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the control panel is configured to set a case address for identifying each of the plurality of showcases based on a serial number that is randomly set for each of the plurality of showcases by an operator prior to shipping the plurality of showcases to the store. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-306973 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the refrigeration and cooling system (in-store showcase control system) described in Patent Document 1, as described above, the control panel (control device) is configured to set a case address for identifying each of the multiple showcases based on a serial number that is randomly set for each of the multiple showcases by an operator prior to shipping the multiple showcases to the store, so although case addresses can be automatically set for the multiple showcases after the multiple showcases are installed in the store, an operator must randomly set serial numbers for each of the multiple showcases in advance prior to shipping the multiple showcases to the store.For this reason, there is a demand for an in-store showcase control system that can automatically set case addresses for each of the multiple showcases after installation in the store, without the need for an operator to randomly set serial numbers for each of the multiple showcases in advance prior to shipping the multiple showcases to the store.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and one object of the present invention is to provide an in-store showcase control system that can automatically set a case address for each of multiple showcases after the multiple showcases have been installed in the store, without requiring an operator to randomly set a serial number for each of the multiple showcases before shipping the showcases to the store. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, an in-store showcase control system according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a plurality of showcases installed in a store in which merchandise is displayed, and a control device that controls each of the plurality of showcases individually, and the control device is configured to transmit to each of the plurality of showcases a response delay time information generation command that randomly generates response delay time information regarding the response delay time in each of the plurality of showcases, and to transmit to each of the plurality of showcases an address setting command that sets a case address for identifying each of the plurality of showcases, based on the random response delay time information received when each of the plurality of showcases responds at a timing based on the response delay time of the response delay time information randomly generated in each of the plurality of showcases.

[0008] In an in-store showcase control system according to one aspect of the present invention, as described above, the control device is configured to transmit, to each of the plurality of showcases, a response delay time information generation command that randomly generates response delay time information related to the response delay time for each of the plurality of showcases, and to transmit, to each of the plurality of showcases, an address setting command that sets a case address for identifying each of the plurality of showcases based on the random response delay time information received when each of the plurality of showcases responds at a timing based on the response delay time of the response delay time information randomly generated by each of the plurality of showcases. As a result, each of the plurality of showcases can randomly generate response delay time information based on the response delay time information generation command transmitted from the control device, and can respond to the control device along with the response delay time information at a timing based on the response delay time of the randomly generated response delay time information. The control device can then transmit, to each of the plurality of showcases, an address setting command that sets a case address that is different for each of the plurality of showcases based on the random response delay time information received when each of the plurality of showcases responds. This allows a case address to be automatically set for each of the multiple showcases after the multiple showcases are installed in the store.As a result, it is possible to automatically set a case address for each of the multiple showcases after the multiple showcases are installed in the store, without requiring an operator to randomly set a serial number for each of the multiple showcases in advance before shipping the multiple showcases to the store.

[0009] In the in-store showcase control system according to the above aspect, the response delay time information generation command is preferably programmed in each of the plurality of showcases to randomly generate response delay time information using random numbers. With this configuration, each of the plurality of showcases can easily generate response delay time information randomly based on the response delay time information generation command transmitted from the control device and programmed to randomly generate response delay time information using random numbers.

[0010] In the in-store showcase control system according to the above aspect, the control device is preferably configured to be able to set the number of pieces of response delay time information to be randomly generated in each of the multiple showcases. With this configuration, the number of pieces of response delay time information to be randomly generated in each of the multiple showcases can be appropriately adjusted (set) according to the size of the store (the number of multiple showcases). Here, if the response delay time information randomly generated in the showcases overlaps with each other, resulting in duplicate responses from the showcases, it is necessary to send a response delay time information generation command until the responses from the showcases no longer overlap. Therefore, if the number of pieces of response delay time information to be randomly generated in each of the multiple showcases is excessively smaller than the number of the multiple showcases, it is likely to take a long time from when the control device first sends a response delay time information generation command to each of the multiple showcases to when it finishes setting the case addresses for each of the multiple showcases. Furthermore, since the control device receives responses from each of the multiple showcases at a timing based on the response delay time of the response delay time information randomly generated in each of the multiple showcases, if the number of pieces of response delay time information randomly generated in each of the multiple showcases is excessively greater than the number of the multiple showcases, the time from when the control device first transmits a response delay time information generation command to each of the multiple showcases to when setting of the case addresses for each of the multiple showcases is likely to become long. Therefore, by appropriately adjusting (setting) the number of pieces of response delay time information randomly generated in each of the multiple showcases in accordance with the size of the store (the number of multiple showcases), it is possible to prevent the time from becoming long from when the control device first transmits a response delay time information generation command to each of the multiple showcases to when setting of the case addresses for each of the multiple showcases is completed.

[0011] In the in-store showcase control system according to the above aspect, the control device is preferably configured to, when overlap occurs among the response delay time information randomly generated by each of the plurality of showcases, resulting in overlapping responses from each of the plurality of showcases, transmit a response delay time information generation command to each of the plurality of showcases until there is no longer any overlap among the responses from each of the plurality of showcases. With this configuration, the response delay time information generation command is transmitted to each of the plurality of showcases until there is no longer any overlap among the responses from each of the plurality of showcases, and therefore it is possible to transmit an address setting command that sets a different case address to each of all showcases to which the response delay time information generation command has been transmitted. As a result, case addresses can be automatically and reliably set for all showcases to which the response delay time information generation command has been transmitted.

[0012] In the configuration in which the control device transmits a response delay time information generation command to each of the plurality of showcases until no overlapping occurs in the responses from each of the plurality of showcases, preferably, each of the plurality of showcases is configured to randomly generate response delay time information based on the response delay time information generation command transmitted from the control device only when a case address is not set, and when overlapping occurs in the responses from each of the plurality of showcases, the control device is configured to set a case address by transmitting an address setting command to each of the plurality of showcases that have responded without overlapping based on the random response delay time information, and after setting the case address for each of the plurality of showcases that have responded without overlapping, reduce the number of response delay time information to be randomly generated for each of the plurality of showcases in the response delay time information generation command by a predetermined number or percentage, and retransmit the response delay time information generation command to each of the plurality of showcases. With this configuration, the control device reduces the number of pieces of response delay time information randomly generated for each of the plurality of showcases in the response delay time information generation command by a predetermined number or percentage, and resends the response delay time information generation command to each of the plurality of showcases. Therefore, each time overlapping responses from each of the plurality of showcases occurs and the response delay time information generation command is resent to each of the plurality of showcases, the time from when the control device resends the response delay time information generation command to each of the plurality of showcases to when all responses from each of the plurality of showcases for which case addresses have not been set are completed can be shortened. As a result, it is possible to prevent the time from when the control device first sends the response delay time information generation command to each of the plurality of showcases to when the setting of case addresses for each of the plurality of showcases is completed from becoming long.

[0013] In the in-store showcase control system according to the above aspect, preferably, the plurality of showcases include a power-on response showcase set in which the showcases are turned on one by one when setting a case address for each of the plurality of showcases, and the control device is configured to transmit a presence confirmation command indicating presence confirmation to the plurality of showcases in the power-on response showcase set, and to transmit an address setting command to showcases in the power-on response showcase set that have responded to the presence confirmation command by turning on their powers. With this configuration, by turning on the powers of the plurality of showcases in the power-on response showcase set one by one, the control device receives a response to the presence confirmation command sent to the plurality of showcases in the power-on response showcase set from only one showcase in the power-on response showcase set that does not have a case address set, and therefore, it is possible to set different case addresses for each of the plurality of showcases in the power-on response showcase set. As a result, when the plurality of showcases includes a power-on response showcase set, it is possible to set a case address for each of the plurality of showcases in the power-on response showcase set.

[0014] In the in-store showcase control system according to the above aspect, preferably, the plurality of showcases include a series showcase set in which the plurality of showcases are connected in series to one another, and the control device is configured to transmit an address setting command to a showcase of the plurality of showcases in the series showcase set that is connected closest to the control device, and the showcase of the series showcase set that receives the address setting command is configured to change the case address of the received address setting command by a predetermined number and transmit the address setting command to the showcase connected on the opposite side to the side that received the address setting command. With this configuration, an address setting command can be transmitted to each of the plurality of showcases in the series showcase set, setting different case addresses for each of the plurality of showcases, thereby automatically setting case addresses for each of the plurality of showcases in the series showcase set. As a result, even when the plurality of showcases include a series showcase set in which multiple showcases are connected in series to one another, case addresses can be automatically set for each of the plurality of showcases after the plurality of showcases are installed in the store, without the need for an operator to randomly set serial numbers for each of the plurality of showcases before shipping the plurality of showcases to the store. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present invention, as described above, it is possible to provide an in-store showcase control system that can automatically set a case address for each of a plurality of showcases after the showcases have been installed in the store, without having to perform the work of randomly setting serial numbers for each of the showcases in advance prior to shipping the showcases to the store. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating an in-store showcase control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing control of a plurality of showcases by a control device in the in-store showcase control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing a method for setting case addresses for a plurality of showcases in a first parallel showcase set in the in-store showcase control system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing a continuation of FIG. 3. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing a method for setting case addresses for a plurality of showcases in a second parallel showcase set in the in-store showcase control system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing a method for setting case addresses for a plurality of showcases in a series showcase set in the in-store showcase control system according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0018] The configuration of an in-store showcase control system 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0019] (Overall configuration of in-store showcase control system) As shown in FIG. 1, the in-store showcase control system 100 includes a plurality of showcases 10 and a control device 20.

[0020] The plurality of showcases 10 are installed in a store (for example, a supermarket, a convenience store, a drug store, etc.). Each of the plurality of showcases 10 includes a product display section (not shown) where products are displayed, an evaporator (not shown) that cools the product display section, and a control section (not shown) that controls the cooling of the product display section by the evaporator.

[0021] Each of the multiple showcases 10 is connected to the control device 20 via a serial communication line. The multiple showcases 10 include a first parallel showcase set 10A in which multiple showcases 10 are connected in parallel with each other, a second parallel showcase set 10B in which multiple showcases 10 are connected in parallel with each other, and a series showcase set 10C in which multiple showcases 10 (showcases 10a to 10j) are connected in series with each other. The second parallel showcase set 10B is an example of a "power-on responsive showcase set" in the claims.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 2, the control device 20 is configured to individually control each of the multiple showcases 10. Specifically, a case address 30 for identifying each of the multiple showcases 10 is set in each of the multiple showcases 10. The control device 20 then transmits a command for controlling the showcase 10, including the case address 30, to the multiple showcases 10. Of the multiple showcases 10, only the showcase 10 for which the case address 30 included in the command transmitted from the control device 20 is set responds to the command transmitted from the control device 20. Note that when the multiple showcases 10 are shipped to a store, no case address 30 is set in each of the multiple showcases 10.

[0023] (Setting case addresses for multiple showcases in the first parallel showcase set) 3, the control device 20 is configured to transmit a response delay time information generation command 41 to each of the plurality of showcases 10 (showcases 11 to 20 in FIG. 3) in the first parallel showcase set 10A, which randomly generates response delay time information 40 relating to the response delay time in each of the plurality of showcases 10 in the first parallel showcase set 10A. The control device 20 is also configured to transmit an address setting command 31 to each of the plurality of showcases 10 in the first parallel showcase set 10A, which sets a case address 30 for identifying each of the plurality of showcases 10, based on the random response delay time information 40 returned from each of the plurality of showcases 10 in the first parallel showcase set 10A at a timing based on the response delay time of the response delay time information 40 received when randomly generated in each of the plurality of showcases 10 in the first parallel showcase set 10A. In Figure 3, as an example, the first parallel showcase set 10A includes ten showcases 10, and the response delay time information 40 is initially set to generate one of ten values ​​W1 to W10.

[0024] Specifically, before starting the process for setting the case addresses 30 for the plurality of showcases 10 (showcases 11-20 in FIG. 3) in the first parallel showcase set 10A, first, the power of all of the plurality of showcases 10 in the first parallel showcase set 10A is manually turned on by an operator. Note that the process for setting the case addresses 30 for the plurality of showcases 10 in the first parallel showcase set 10A is carried out in a state where the power of all of the plurality of showcases 10 in the second parallel showcase set 10B and all of the plurality of showcases 10 in the serial showcase set 10C is not turned on.

[0025] The control device 20 then transmits a response delay time information generation command 41 to each of the plurality of showcases 10 (showcases 11 to 20 in FIG. 3) in the first parallel showcase set 10A, which randomly generates response delay time information 40 relating to the response delay time in each of the plurality of showcases 10 in the first parallel showcase set 10A. The response delay time information generation command 41 is programmed to randomly generate the response delay time information 40 in each of the plurality of showcases 10 using random numbers. Each of the plurality of showcases 10 then randomly generates the response delay time information 40 based on the received response delay time information generation command 41. The control device 20 is configured to be able to arbitrarily change the number of response delay time information 40 to be randomly generated in each of the plurality of showcases 10. In other words, the number of response delay time information 40 to be randomly generated in each of the plurality of showcases 10 may be equal to or different from the number of showcases in the first parallel showcase set 10A.

[0026] Each of the multiple showcases 10 (showcases 11 to 20 in FIG. 3) in the first parallel showcase set 10A responds at a timing (different from each other) based on the response delay time of the randomly generated response delay time information 40. The interval between adjacent response delay times (the interval between the response delay time of response delay time information 40 of Wn (n is an integer) and the response delay time of response delay time information 40 of Wn+1) is set to be at least several times longer than the time required for transmission and reception between the control device 20 and each of the multiple showcases 10. Note that FIG. 3 shows, as an example, an example in which the response delay time information 40 is set so that the response delay time becomes longer in the order of W1 to W10.

[0027] Then, based on the response accompanied by the response delay time information 40 at a timing based on the response delay time of the response delay time information 40 randomly generated in each of the plurality of showcases 10 (showcases 11-20 in FIG. 3) in the first parallel showcase set 10A, the control device 20 transmits an address setting command 31 including the response delay time information 40 responded from each of the plurality of showcases 10 in the first parallel showcase set 10A and an unused case address 30 at different timings and with different case addresses 30. Then, a showcase 10 among the plurality of showcases 10 in the first parallel showcase set 10A that responded at a timing based on the response delay time of the response delay time information 40 responds to the address setting command 31 including the response delay time information 40 generated in its own showcase 10, and sets the case address 30 included in the address setting command 31 as its own case address 30.

[0028] 3 and 4, when overlapping occurs among the response delay time information 40 randomly generated in each of the plurality of showcases 10 (showcases 11-20 in FIG. 3) in the first parallel showcase set 10A, causing overlapping in the responses from each of the plurality of showcases 10 in the first parallel showcase set 10A, the control device 20 is configured to transmit a response delay time information generation command 41 to each of the plurality of showcases 10 in the first parallel showcase set 10A until there is no longer overlapping in the responses from each of the plurality of showcases 10 in the first parallel showcase set 10A. As an example, FIG. 3 shows an example in which the response delay time information (W2) generated in each of two of the plurality of showcases 10 in the first parallel showcase set 10A (showcases 12 and 20 in FIG. 3) overlaps.

[0029] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, when there is overlap in the responses from each of the multiple showcases 10 (showcases 11 to 20 in FIG. 3) in the first parallel showcase set 10A, the control device 20 sets the case address 30 by sending an address setting command 31 based on random response delay time information 40 to each of the multiple showcases 10 (showcases other than showcases 12 and 20 in FIG. 3) in the first parallel showcase set 10A that have responded without overlap. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the control device 20 is configured to set a case address 30 for each of the multiple showcases 10 in the first parallel showcase set 10A that have responded without overlapping (showcases other than showcases 12 and 20 in FIG. 4), and then reduce the number of pieces of response delay time information 40 to be randomly generated for each of the multiple showcases 10 in the response delay time information generation command 41 by a predetermined number or percentage, and retransmit the response delay time information generation command 41 to each of the multiple showcases 10 in the first parallel showcase set 10A. The number or percentage by which the response delay time information 40 to be randomly generated for each of the multiple showcases 10 is reduced can be set arbitrarily. Note that each of the multiple showcases 10 in the first parallel showcase set 10A is configured to randomly generate response delay time information 40 based on the response delay time information generation command 41 transmitted from the control device 20 only when a case address 30 has not been set.

[0030] (Setting case addresses for multiple showcases in the second parallel showcase set) As shown in Fig. 5, in the second parallel showcase set 10B, the power of the showcases 10 is turned on one by one when setting a case address 30 for each of the plurality of showcases 10 (showcases 21 to 30 in Fig. 5). The control device 20 is configured to transmit a presence check command 51 indicating presence check to the plurality of showcases 10 in the second parallel showcase set 10B, and to transmit an address setting command 31 to the showcases 10 that have responded to the presence check command 51 by turning on the power of a showcase 10 in the second parallel showcase set 10B. Note that Fig. 5 shows, as an example, an example in which the second parallel showcase set 10B includes ten showcases 10.

[0031] Specifically, when the process for setting case addresses 30 for the plurality of showcases 10 in the second parallel showcase set 10B (showcases 21 to 30 in FIG. 5) is started, the control device 20 transmits presence check commands 51 to the plurality of showcases 10 in the second parallel showcase set 10B at predetermined intervals. At the time when the process for setting case addresses 30 for the plurality of showcases 10 in the second parallel showcase set 10B is started, the power of all the showcases 10 in the second parallel showcase set 10B is not turned on, so there are no showcases 10 in the second parallel showcase set 10B that respond to the presence check command 51. Note that the process for setting case addresses 30 for the plurality of showcases 10 in the second parallel showcase set 10B is performed in a state where the power of all the showcases 10 in the first parallel showcase set 10A and all the showcases 10 in the serial showcase set 10C are not turned on.

[0032] Then, when an operator manually turns on the power of one showcase 10 (showcase 21 in FIG. 5) among the multiple showcases 10 (showcases 21 to 30 in FIG. 5) in the second parallel showcase set 10B, the showcase 10 whose power has been turned on (showcase 21 in FIG. 5) responds to an existence check command 51. Based on the response to the existence check command 51, the control device 20 transmits an address setting command 31 including a case address 30 that includes an unused case address 30 (address: 1021) to the multiple showcases 10 in the second parallel showcase set 10B. The showcase 10 whose power has been turned on among the multiple showcases 10 in the second parallel showcase set 10B responds to the address setting command 31 and sets the case address 30 (address: 1021) included in the received address setting command 31 as its own case address 30.

[0033] Then, when an operator manually turns on the power (showcase 22 in FIG. 5) of one showcase 10 other than the showcase 10 (showcase 21 in FIG. 5) for which a case address 30 has already been set among the multiple showcases 10 (showcases 21 to 30 in FIG. 5) in the second parallel showcase set 10B, the powered-on showcase 10 (showcase 22 in FIG. 5) responds to an existence check command 51. Based on the response to the existence check command 51, the control device 20 transmits an address setting command 31 including an unused case address 30 (address: 1022) to the multiple showcases 10 in the second parallel showcase set 10B. The powered-on showcase 10 (showcase 22 in FIG. 5) among the multiple showcases 10 in the second parallel showcase set 10B responds to the address setting command 31 and sets the case address 30 (address: 1022) included in the received address setting command 31 as its own case address 30. It should be noted that the showcase 10 for which the case address 30 has already been set does not respond to the existence check command 51 and the address setting command 31.

[0034] Then, by performing the same process on the remaining showcases 10 (showcases 23 to 20 in Figure 5) in the second parallel showcase set 10B, case addresses 30 are set for the remaining showcases 10 (showcases 21 to 30 in Figure 5) in the second parallel showcase set 10B.

[0035] (Setting case addresses for multiple showcases in a serial showcase set) As shown in FIG. 6, the control device 20 is configured to transmit an address setting command 31 to the showcase 10a (showcase 31 in FIG. 6) connected closest to the control device 20 among the multiple showcases 10 (showcases 10a to 10j) (showcases 31 to 40 in FIG. 6) of the serial showcase set 10C. Furthermore, the showcase 10 of the serial showcase set 10C that receives the address setting command 31 is configured to change the case address 30 of the received address setting command 31 by a predetermined number and transmit the address setting command 31 to the showcase 10 connected on the opposite side to the side that received the address setting command 31. Note that FIG. 6 shows, as an example, an example in which the serial showcase set 10C includes ten showcases 10.

[0036] Specifically, before starting the process for setting the case addresses 30 for the plurality of showcases 10 (showcases 10a to 10j) (showcases 31 to 40 in FIG. 6) in the serial showcase set 10C, an operator first manually turns on the power to all of the plurality of showcases 10 in the serial showcase set 10C. Note that the process for setting the case addresses 30 for the plurality of showcases 10 in the serial showcase set 10C is carried out in a state in which the power to all of the plurality of showcases 10 in the first parallel showcase set 10A and the power to all of the plurality of showcases 10 in the second parallel showcase set 10B are not turned on.

[0037] Then, the control device 20 transmits an address setting command 31 including an unused case address 30 (address: 1031) to the showcase 10a (showcase 31 in FIG. 6) connected closest to the control device 20 among the multiple showcases 10 (showcases 10a to 10j) (showcases 31 to 40 in FIG. 6) of the serial showcase set 10C. The showcase 10a (showcase 31 in FIG. 6) that has received the address setting command 31 responds to the address setting command 31, sets the case address 30 (address: 1031) included in the received address setting command 31 as its own case address 30, and further transmits an address setting command 31 including a case address 30 (address: 1032) obtained by incrementing (by 1) the case address 30 (address: 1031) of the received address setting command 31 to the showcase 10b (showcase 32 in FIG. 6) that is connected on the opposite side from the side that received the address setting command 31. As an example, an example has been shown in which the case address 30 of the address setting command 31 is incremented (increased by 1), but the amount by which the case address 30 of the address setting command 31 is increased does not have to be 1, and the case address 30 of the address setting command 31 may also be decreased.

[0038] Then, showcase 10b (showcase 32 in Figure 6) that receives the address setting command 31 including the incremented case address 30 (address: 1032) responds to the address setting command 31 and sets the case address 30 (address: 1032) included in the received address setting command 31 as its own case address 30, and further sends an address setting command 31 to showcase 10c (showcase 33 in Figure 6) connected on the opposite side from the side that received the address setting command 31, including a case address 30 (address: 1033) that is incremented (increased by 1) from the case address 30 (address: 1032) of the received address setting command 31.

[0039] Then, by performing the same process on the remaining showcases 10 (showcases 10c to 10j) (showcases 33 to 40 in Figure 6) of the serial showcase set 10C, case addresses 30 are set for the remaining showcases 10 (showcases 10a to 10j) (showcases 31 to 40 in Figure 6) of the serial showcase set 10C.

[0040] (Effects of this embodiment) In this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0041] In this embodiment, as described above, the control device 20 is configured to transmit, to each of the plurality of showcases 10, a response delay time information generation command 41 for randomly generating response delay time information 40 relating to the response delay time in each of the plurality of showcases 10. The control device 20 is also configured to transmit, to each of the plurality of showcases 10, an address setting command 31 for setting a case address 30 for identifying each of the plurality of showcases 10, based on the random response delay time information 40 returned from each of the plurality of showcases 10 at a timing based on the response delay time of the response delay time information 40 received when randomly generated in each of the plurality of showcases 10. As a result, each of the plurality of showcases 10 can randomly generate the response delay time information 40 based on the response delay time information generation command 41 transmitted from the control device 20, and can respond to the control device 20 along with the response delay time information 40 at a timing based on the response delay time of the randomly generated response delay time information 40. The control device 20 can then transmit to each of the plurality of showcases 10, based on the random response delay time information 40 received when a response is received from each of the plurality of showcases 10, an address setting command 31 for setting a different case address 30 for each of the plurality of showcases 10. This makes it possible to automatically set the case address 30 for each of the plurality of showcases 10 after the plurality of showcases 10 are installed in a store. As a result, it is possible to automatically set the case address 30 for each of the plurality of showcases 10 after the plurality of showcases 10 are installed in a store, without requiring an operator to randomly set a serial number for each of the plurality of showcases 10 in advance before the plurality of showcases 10 are shipped to the store.

[0042] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the response delay time information generation command 41 is programmed to randomly generate the response delay time information 40 using random numbers in each of the plurality of showcases 10. This allows each of the plurality of showcases 10 to easily generate the response delay time information 40 randomly based on the response delay time information generation command 41 transmitted from the control device 20 and programmed to randomly generate the response delay time information 40 using random numbers.

[0043] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the control device 20 is configured to be able to arbitrarily change the number of pieces of response delay time information 40 to be randomly generated in each of the plurality of showcases 10. This allows the number of pieces of response delay time information 40 to be randomly generated in each of the plurality of showcases 10 to be appropriately adjusted (set) according to the size of the store (the number of the plurality of showcases 10). Here, if the response delay time information 40 randomly generated in the showcases 10 overlaps with each other, resulting in overlapping responses from the showcases 10, it is necessary to send a response delay time information generation command 41 until the responses from the showcases 10 no longer overlap. Therefore, if the number of pieces of response delay time information 40 to be randomly generated in each of the plurality of showcases 10 is excessively smaller than the number of the plurality of showcases 10, it is likely to take a long time from when the control device 20 first sends the response delay time information generation command 41 to each of the plurality of showcases 10 until it finishes setting the case addresses 30 for each of the plurality of showcases 10. Furthermore, since the control device 20 receives responses from each of the plurality of showcases 10 at timing based on the response delay time of the response delay time information 40 randomly generated in each of the plurality of showcases 10, if the number of pieces of response delay time information 40 randomly generated in each of the plurality of showcases 10 is excessively greater than the number of the plurality of showcases 10, it is likely to take a long time from when the control device 20 first transmits the response delay time information generation command 41 to each of the plurality of showcases 10 until the setting of the case address 30 for each of the plurality of showcases 10 is completed. Therefore, by appropriately adjusting (setting) the number of pieces of response delay time information 40 randomly generated in each of the plurality of showcases 10 in accordance with the size of the store (the number of the plurality of showcases 10), it is possible to prevent the time from being long from when the control device 20 first transmits the response delay time information generation command 41 to each of the plurality of showcases 10 until the setting of the case address 30 for each of the plurality of showcases 10 is completed.

[0044] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, when overlapping occurs among the response delay time information 40 randomly generated in each of the plurality of showcases 10, resulting in overlapping responses from each of the plurality of showcases 10, the control device 20 is configured to transmit a response delay time information generation command 41 to each of the plurality of showcases 10 until there is no overlapping among the responses from each of the plurality of showcases 10. As a result, the response delay time information generation command 41 is transmitted to each of the plurality of showcases 10 until there is no overlapping among the responses from each of the plurality of showcases 10, and therefore it is possible to transmit an address setting command 31 that sets a different case address 30 for each of the plurality of showcases 10 to all showcases 10 to which the response delay time information generation command 41 has been transmitted. As a result, it is possible to automatically and reliably set the case address 30 for all showcases 10 to which the response delay time information generation command 41 has been transmitted.

[0045] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, each of the plurality of showcases 10 is configured to randomly generate response delay time information 40 based on the response delay time information generation command 41 transmitted from the control device 20 only when the case address 30 has not been set. Then, when there is a duplication in the responses from each of the plurality of showcases 10, the control device 20 sets the case address 30 by transmitting an address setting command 31 to each of the plurality of showcases 10 that have responded without duplication, based on the random response delay time information 40, and after setting the case address 30 for each of the plurality of showcases 10 that have responded without duplication, the control device 20 is configured to reduce the number of pieces of response delay time information 40 to be randomly generated for each of the plurality of showcases 10 in the response delay time information generation command 41 by a predetermined number or percentage, and then transmit the response delay time information generation command 41 again to each of the plurality of showcases 10. As a result, the control device 20 reduces the number of pieces of response delay time information 40 randomly generated for each of the plurality of showcases 10 in the response delay time information generation command 41 by a predetermined number or percentage and retransmits the response delay time information generation command 41 to each of the plurality of showcases 10, so that each time overlapping responses from each of the plurality of showcases 10 occur and the response delay time information generation command 41 is retransmitted to each of the plurality of showcases 10, the time from when the control device 20 retransmits the response delay time information generation command 41 to each of the plurality of showcases 10 until all responses from each of the plurality of showcases 10 for which a case address 30 has not been set can be shortened. As a result, it is possible to prevent the time from when the control device 20 first transmits the response delay time information generation command 41 to each of the plurality of showcases 10 until the setting of the case address 30 for each of the plurality of showcases 10 is completed from becoming long.

[0046] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the plurality of showcases 10 includes a second parallel showcase set 10B (power-on response showcase set) in which the showcases 10 are powered on one by one when setting a case address 30 for each of the plurality of showcases 10. The control device 20 is configured to transmit a presence confirmation command 51 indicating presence confirmation to the plurality of showcases 10 in the second parallel showcase set 10B, and to transmit an address setting command 31 to the showcases 10 in the second parallel showcase set 10B that have responded to the presence confirmation command 51 by turning on the power of the showcase 10. As a result, by turning on the power of each of the multiple showcases 10 in the second parallel showcase set 10B one by one, the control device 20 receives a response to the existence check command 51 sent to the multiple showcases 10 in the second parallel showcase set 10B from only one showcase 10 in the second parallel showcase set 10B for which a case address 30 has not been set, and can therefore send an address setting command 31 to each of the multiple showcases 10 in the second parallel showcase set 10B, setting a different case address 30 for each of the multiple showcases 10 in the second parallel showcase set 10B. As a result, when the multiple showcases 10 include the second parallel showcase set 10B, it is possible to set a case address 30 for each of the multiple showcases 10 in the second parallel showcase set 10B.

[0047] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the multiple showcases 10 include a serial showcase set 10C in which multiple showcases 10 are connected in series with each other. The control device 20 is configured to transmit an address setting command 31 to the showcase 10 connected closest to the control device 20 among the multiple showcases 10 in the serial showcase set 10C. Furthermore, the showcase 10 in the serial showcase set 10C that receives the address setting command 31 is configured to change the case address 30 in the received address setting command 31 by a predetermined number and transmit the address setting command 31 to the showcase 10 connected on the opposite side from the side that received the address setting command 31. In this way, it is possible to transmit an address setting command 31 to each of the multiple showcases 10 in the serial showcase set 10C, which sets a different case address 30 for each of the multiple showcases 10, and therefore it is possible to automatically set the case address 30 for each of the multiple showcases 10 in the serial showcase set 10C. As a result, even when the multiple showcases 10 include a series showcase set 10C in which multiple showcases 10 are connected in series with each other, the case address 30 can be automatically set for each of the multiple showcases 10 after the multiple showcases 10 are installed in the store, without an operator having to randomly set serial numbers for each of the multiple showcases 10 in advance before shipping the multiple showcases 10 to the store.

[0048] [Variations] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims rather than the description of the above embodiments, and further includes all modifications (variations) within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0049] For example, in the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the control device 20 is configured to be able to arbitrarily change the number of pieces of response delay time information 40 that are randomly generated in each of the multiple showcases 10, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the control device does not have to be configured to be able to arbitrarily change the number of pieces of response delay time information that are randomly generated in each of the multiple showcases.

[0050] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the control device 20 is configured to transmit a response delay time information generation command 41 to each of the multiple showcases 10 until there is no longer any overlap in the responses from the multiple showcases 10 when the response delay time information 40 randomly generated by each of the multiple showcases 10 overlaps. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the control device may be configured not to retransmit the response delay time information generation command to each of the multiple showcases when there is overlap in the responses from each of the multiple showcases. In this case, the case address can be manually set for each of the multiple showcases that have responded with overlaps.

[0051] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the control device 20 is configured to set a case address 30 for each of the multiple showcases 10 that have responded without overlapping, and then reduce the number of pieces of response delay time information 40 randomly generated for each of the multiple showcases 10 in the response delay time information generation command 41 by a predetermined number or percentage, and retransmit the response delay time information generation command 41 to each of the multiple showcases 10, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the control device may be configured to set a case address for each of the multiple showcases that have responded without overlapping, and then retransmit the response delay time information generation command to each of the multiple showcases without changing the number of pieces of response delay time information randomly generated for each of the multiple showcases in the response delay time information generation command.

[0052] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the plurality of showcases 10 includes a second parallel showcase set 10B (power-on response showcase set) in which the showcases 10 are powered on one by one when setting a case address 30 for each of the plurality of showcases 10, and the control device 20 transmits a presence confirmation command 51 indicating presence confirmation to the plurality of showcases 10 in the second parallel showcase set 10B, and transmits an address setting command 31 to the showcases 10 that have responded to the presence confirmation command 51 by turning on the power of a showcase 10 in the second parallel showcase set 10B, but the present invention is not limited to this. Furthermore, in the present invention, the plurality of showcases do not have to include a power-on response showcase set in which the showcases are powered on one by one when setting a case address for each of the plurality of showcases.

[0053] In the above embodiment, the multiple showcases 10 include a serial showcase set 10C in which multiple showcases 10 are connected in series with each other, and the control device 20 is configured to transmit an address setting command 31 to the showcase 10 of the multiple showcases 10 in the serial showcase set 10C that is connected closest to the control device 20. A showcase 10 in the serial showcase set 10C that receives the address setting command 31 changes the case address 30 in the received address setting command 31 by a predetermined number and transmits the address setting command 31 to the showcase 10 connected on the opposite side from the side that received the address setting command 31. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the multiple showcases may include a serial showcase set in which multiple showcases are connected in series with each other, and the case addresses may be manually set for each of the multiple showcases in the serial showcase set. Furthermore, the multiple showcases do not necessarily have to include a serial showcase set in which multiple showcases are connected in series with each other. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 10. Showcase 10B 2nd parallel showcase set (power ON response showcase set) 10C Series Display Case Set 20 Control device 30 Case Address 31 Address setting command 40 Response delay time information 41 Round-trip time information generation command 51 Existence check command 100 In-store showcase control system

Claims

1. Multiple showcases are installed in the store to display products, a control device that individually controls each of the plurality of showcases, The control device is configured to transmit to each of the plurality of showcases a response delay time information generation command for randomly generating response delay time information regarding a response delay time in each of the plurality of showcases, and to transmit to each of the plurality of showcases an address setting command for setting a case address for identifying each of the plurality of showcases, based on the random response delay time information received when a response is received from each of the plurality of showcases at a timing based on the response delay time of the response delay time information randomly generated in each of the plurality of showcases.

2. 2. The in-store showcase control system according to claim 1, wherein the response delay time information generation command is programmed to randomly generate the response delay time information in each of the plurality of showcases using a random number.

3. 2. The in-store showcase control system according to claim 1, wherein the control device is configured to be able to arbitrarily change the number of pieces of response delay time information randomly generated in each of the plurality of showcases.

4. 2. The in-store showcase control system according to claim 1, wherein when there is an overlap between the response delay time information randomly generated in each of the plurality of showcases, resulting in an overlap in the responses from each of the plurality of showcases, the control device is configured to transmit the response delay time information generation command to each of the plurality of showcases until there is no overlap in the responses from each of the plurality of showcases.

5. Each of the plurality of showcases is configured to randomly generate the response delay time information based on the response delay time information generation command transmitted from the control device only when the case address is not set, 5. The in-store showcase control system according to claim 4, wherein the control device is configured to, when overlapping responses from each of the plurality of showcases occur, set the case address by transmitting the address setting command to each of the plurality of showcases that have responded without overlapping, based on the random response delay time information, and after setting the case address for each of the plurality of showcases that have responded without overlapping, reduce the number of pieces of response delay time information randomly generated for each of the plurality of showcases in the response delay time information generation command by a predetermined number or percentage, and retransmit the response delay time information generation command to each of the plurality of showcases.

6. the plurality of showcases include a power-on response showcase set in which the power of the showcases is turned on one by one when the case address is set for each of the plurality of showcases, The in-store showcase control system of claim 1, wherein the control device is configured to send a presence confirmation command indicating presence confirmation to the plurality of showcases of the power-on response showcase set, and to send the address setting command to the showcases of the power-on response showcase set that have responded to the presence confirmation command by turning on the power of the showcase.

7. The plurality of showcases include a series showcase set connected in series with each other, the control device is configured to transmit the address setting command to the showcase connected closest to the control device among the plurality of showcases in the serial showcase set, The in-store showcase control system according to claim 1, wherein the showcase of the serial showcase set that receives the address setting command is configured to change the case address of the received address setting command by a predetermined number and transmit the address setting command to the showcase connected on the opposite side to the side that received the address setting command.

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