Communication method for electronic shelf label system, system, computer device and storage medium

Abstract

The present application provides a communication method for an electronic shelf label system, a system, a computer device and a storage medium. The method comprises: according to a neighboring relationship of all base stations in each synchronization subnet, a server configures an offset of each base station in the corresponding synchronization subnet, such that each base station calculates a synchronization frame transmission time in a predetermined signal transmission period according to the offset; and each base station calculates an idle time in a synchronization channel according to the synchronization frame transmission time, such that each base station receives a target synchronization frame transmitted by a superior base station during the idle time of the synchronization channel. In the present application, synchronization frames transmitted by all the base stations form temporally centralized and adjacent features.

Description

Communication method, system, computer equipment and storage medium of electronic price tag system

[0001] Related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to the Chinese invention patent application with application number 202311006499.2 filed on August 10, 2023, and cites the entire contents disclosed in the above patent application as part of this application. Technical Field

[0003] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method, system, computer device, and storage medium for an electronic price tag system. Background Art

[0004] An electronic shelf label (ESL) is an electronic display device placed on shelves that replaces traditional paper price tags. Each ESL is connected to the store's computer database via a wired or wireless network, and displays the latest product prices on its screen. An ESL system is a network consisting of multiple wireless base stations and ESLs.

[0005] The existing communication network for electronic price tag systems is asynchronous, meaning all wireless access points (base stations) are not synchronized. While asynchronous networks are simple to design and require less timers and circuit design, they suffer from limited channel resources. When multiple base stations need to operate concurrently, they can interfere with each other, reducing the stability of the electronic price tag system.

[0006] Summary of the Invention

[0007] In response to the deficiencies in the prior art, the communication method, system, computer equipment and storage medium of the electronic price tag system provided by the present application solve the problem of mutual interference in the communication method of the electronic price tag system in the prior art when multiple base stations are running concurrently. The present application constructs at least one synchronization subnet through the network topology between base stations and the maximum number of base stations in each synchronization subnet determined; based on the offset of each base station in the corresponding synchronization subnet, a synchronization frame time is allocated to each base station in the synchronization channel. In this way, the synchronization frames sent by each base station are concentrated and adjacent in time, which ensures that each base station has its own synchronization frame sending time and data sending time, prevents the problem of mutual interference among multiple base stations in parallel, and can also shorten the listening frame period of the electronic price tag and reduce the power consumption of the electronic price tag.

[0008] In the first aspect, the present application provides a communication method for an electronic price tag system, wherein the electronic price tag system includes a server, multiple base stations and several electronic price tags, and the method includes: the server determines the maximum number of base stations in each synchronization subnet according to a predetermined signal transmission period and a synchronization frame transmission duration; the server constructs the multiple base stations into at least one synchronization subnet according to the maximum number of base stations and the network topology between the base stations; the server configures the offset of each base station in the corresponding synchronization subnet according to the adjacent relationship of all base stations in each synchronization subnet, so that each base station calculates the offset in the predetermined synchronization subnet according to the offset. The synchronization frame sending time in the signal sending cycle; wherein, in the same synchronization subnet, the start time of sending the synchronization frame by the base station with an offset of i is the end time of sending the synchronization frame by the base station with an offset of i-1, and the maximum offset in the same synchronization subnet is the actual number of base stations + M; each base station calculates the idle time in the synchronization channel according to the synchronization frame sending time, so that each base station receives the target synchronization frame sent by the upper base station during the idle time of the synchronization channel, and adjusts the sending time of the local synchronization frame according to the time offset of the target synchronization frame; wherein, the idle time of the synchronization channel and the data frame sending time of each base station on the data channel overlap with each other.

[0009] Optionally, after each base station calculates the idle time on the synchronization channel based on the synchronization frame sending time, so that each base station receives the target synchronization frame sent by the upper base station during the idle time of the synchronization channel, the method also includes: the electronic price tag in the out-of-sync state randomly sends a synchronization request on the synchronization channel, so that the base station that receives the synchronization request sends a synchronization response signal; the electronic price tag in the out-of-sync state calculates the window time period in which all base station synchronization frames can be received on the synchronization channel based on the synchronization response signal; the electronic price tag in the out-of-sync state obtains the synchronization base station based on the signal strength of all synchronization frames received in the window time period, and enters the synchronization state according to the synchronization frame of the synchronization base station.

[0010] Optionally, the electronic price tag in the out-of-sync state calculates the window time period in which all base station synchronization frames can be received on the synchronization channel based on the synchronization response signal, including: the electronic price tag in the out-of-sync state calculates the time offset from the base station with an offset of n in the synchronization response signal to the next transmission of a synchronization frame; the electronic price tag in the out-of-sync state calculates the window end time based on the maximum offset included in the synchronization response signal; the electronic price tag in the out-of-sync state obtains the window time period in which all base station synchronization frames can be received on the synchronization channel based on the window start time and the window reception time.

[0011] Optionally, the electronic price tag in the out-of-sync state calculates the window opening start time according to the time offset from the base station with an offset of n to the next transmission of the synchronization frame in the synchronization response signal, and the calculation formula is: k0 =(T x +offset)-n*t

[0012] Among them, T k0 is the window opening start time, n is the offset in the synchronous response signal, T x represents the time when the electronic price tag in the out-of-sync state receives the synchronization response signal, and offset represents the time offset in the synchronization response signal, (T x +offset) is the start time of sending the synchronization frame by the base station with an offset of n, and t is the duration of sending the synchronization frame.

[0013] Optionally, the electronic price tag in the out-of-sync state calculates the window opening end time according to the maximum offset included in the synchronization response signal using the following formula: k1 =(T x +offset)+(Nn)*t

[0014] Among them, T k1 is the windowing end time, and N represents the maximum offset in the synchronization subnet where the base station with an offset of n is located.

[0015] Optionally, after each base station calculates the idle time on the synchronization channel based on the synchronization frame sending time, so that each base station receives the target synchronization frame sent by the upper base station during the idle time of the synchronization channel, the method also includes: the electronic price tag in the out-of-sync state sends an out-of-sync heartbeat on the synchronization channel, so that at least one base station that receives the out-of-sync heartbeat sends the out-of-sync heartbeat and the signal strength value of the received out-of-sync heartbeat to the server; the server controls the first target base station that receives the maximum signal strength value of the out-of-sync heartbeat to send an asynchronous broadcast on the asynchronous channel; the electronic price tag in the out-of-sync state calculates the window time period in which all base station synchronization frames can be received on the synchronization channel based on the sending time offset of the synchronization frame in the most recent predetermined signal sending cycle included in the asynchronous broadcast; the electronic price tag in the out-of-sync state obtains the synchronization base station based on the signal strength of all synchronization frames received in the window time period, and enters the synchronization state according to the synchronization frame of the synchronization base station.

[0016] Optionally, the electronic price tag is in a dormant state when receiving a synchronization frame, sending a synchronization request, receiving a synchronization response signal, receiving a data frame, sending an out-of-sync heartbeat, receiving an asynchronous broadcast, and other times other than a windowing period.

[0017] Optionally, the synchronization frame includes the synchronization frame number, the offset of the base station, an indication bit of whether there is a data frame in the current scheduled signal sending period, a channel for sending data frames in the current scheduled signal sending period, and a packet sequence number within the synchronization frame.

[0018] Optionally, the method also includes: when the base station has a data frame to send in the next scheduled signal sending cycle, the base station or server selects a target channel from the idle data channel pool as the data channel for the base station to send the data frame; the target channel is configured in the sending synchronization frame of the next scheduled signal sending cycle, so that multiple electronic price tags synchronized with the base station receive data frames on the target channel; the base station releases the target channel to the idle data channel pool according to the data frame sending requirements.

[0019] Optionally, after each base station calculates the idle time in the synchronization channel based on the synchronization frame sending time, the method also includes: the base station in the out-of-sync state receives the synchronization frames sent by other base stations in the same store within a time period exceeding the predetermined signal sending cycle according to the control of the server; the server obtains the target synchronization subnet to be joined based on the signal strength of all synchronization frames received by the base station in the out-of-sync state; the server allocates a target offset to the base station in the out-of-sync state based on the idle offset in the target synchronization subnet, and allocates an upper-level base station to the base station in the out-of-sync state based on the network topology in the target synchronization subnet; the base station in the out-of-sync state joins the target synchronization subnet based on the synchronization frame sent by the upper-level base station and the target offset.

[0020] Optionally, the server allocates a target offset to the base station in the out-of-sync state based on the idle offset in the target synchronization subnet, including: the server determines whether there is a first idle offset between the minimum offset and the maximum offset in the target synchronization subnet; when there is a first idle offset, allocating the first idle offset to the base station in the out-of-sync state.

[0021] Optionally, the method further includes: when the first idle offset does not exist, determining whether the maximum offset is equal to the maximum accommodation number - 1; when it is not equal to the maximum accommodation number - 1, allocating the second idle offset after the maximum offset + 1 to the base station in the out-of-sync state.

[0022] In the second aspect, the present application provides an electronic price tag system, which includes a server, multiple base stations and several electronic price tags; the server is used to determine the maximum number of base stations in each synchronization subnet according to a predetermined signal transmission period and a synchronization frame transmission duration; the server is used to construct the multiple base stations into at least one synchronization subnet according to the maximum number of base stations and the network topology between the base stations; the server is used to configure the offset of each base station in the corresponding synchronization subnet according to the adjacent relationship of all base stations in each synchronization subnet, so that each base station calculates the offset of the predetermined signal transmission period according to the offset. The synchronization frame sending time in the cycle; wherein, in the same synchronization subnet, the start time of sending the synchronization frame by the base station with an offset of i is the end time of sending the synchronization frame by the base station with an offset of i-1, and the maximum offset in the same synchronization subnet is the actual number of base stations + M; each base station is used to calculate the idle time in the synchronization channel according to the synchronization frame sending time, so that each base station receives the target synchronization frame sent by the upper base station during the idle time of the synchronization channel, and adjusts the sending time of the local synchronization frame according to the time offset of the target synchronization frame; wherein, the idle time of the synchronization channel and the data frame sending time of each base station on the data channel overlap with each other.

[0023] In this embodiment, the electronic price tag is configured to wake up in a listening frame period to receive a synchronization frame sent by a synchronization base station, and adjust the local time according to the synchronization frame.

[0024] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer device, comprising a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored in the memory and executable on the processor, wherein the processor implements the following steps when executing the computer program: the server determines the maximum number of base stations in each synchronization subnet based on a predetermined signal transmission period and a synchronization frame transmission duration; the server constructs the multiple base stations into at least one synchronization subnet based on the maximum number of base stations and the network topology between the base stations; the server configures the offset of each base station in the corresponding synchronization subnet based on the adjacent relationship of all base stations in each synchronization subnet, so that each base station is configured according to the offset. The synchronization frame sending time in the predetermined signal sending cycle is calculated; wherein, in the same synchronization subnet, the start time of sending the synchronization frame by the base station with an offset of i is the end time of sending the synchronization frame by the base station with an offset of i-1, and the maximum offset in the same synchronization subnet is the actual number of base stations + M; each base station calculates the idle time in the synchronization channel according to the synchronization frame sending time, so that each base station receives the target synchronization frame sent by the upper base station during the idle time of the synchronization channel, and adjusts the sending time of the local synchronization frame according to the time offset of the target synchronization frame; wherein, the idle time of the synchronization channel and the data frame sending time of each base station on the data channel overlap with each other.

[0025] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, and when the computer program is executed by a processor, the following steps are implemented: the server determines the maximum number of base stations in each synchronization subnet according to a predetermined signal sending period and a synchronization frame sending duration; the server constructs the multiple base stations into at least one synchronization subnet according to the maximum number of base stations and the network topology between the base stations; the server configures the offset of each base station in the corresponding synchronization subnet according to the adjacent relationship of all base stations in each synchronization subnet, so that each base station calculates the offset in the predetermined signal according to the offset The sending time of the synchronization frame in the sending cycle; wherein, in the same synchronization subnet, the starting time of sending the synchronization frame by the base station with an offset of i is the ending time of sending the synchronization frame by the base station with an offset of i-1, and the maximum offset in the same synchronization subnet is the actual number of base stations + M; each base station calculates the idle time in the synchronization channel according to the sending time of the synchronization frame, so that each base station receives the target synchronization frame sent by the upper base station during the idle time of the synchronization channel, and adjusts the sending time of the local synchronization frame according to the time offset of the target synchronization frame; wherein, the idle time of the synchronization channel and the data frame sending time of each base station on the data channel overlap with each other.

[0026] Compared with the existing technology, this application has the following beneficial effects:

[0027] 1. This application constructs at least one synchronization subnet through the network topology between base stations and the maximum number of base stations in each synchronization subnet determined; based on the offset of each base station in the synchronization subnet corresponding to the base station, each base station is allocated a synchronization frame time in the synchronization channel, a synchronization frame receiving time from the upper base station during the idle time of the synchronization channel, and a data transmission time in the data channel; and the local synchronization frame transmission time is dynamically adjusted according to the synchronization frame sent by the upper base station. In this way, all base stations in the electronic price tag system remain in a synchronized state, and each base station has its own synchronization frame transmission time, synchronization frame reception time, and data transmission time, which can effectively prevent the problem of mutual interference among multiple base stations in parallel.

[0028] 2. This application sets the start time of the synchronization frame sent by the base station with an offset of i in the same synchronization subnet to the end time of the synchronization frame sent by the base station with an offset of i-1, that is, there is as little gap as possible between the offsets allocated to all base stations. In this way, the synchronization frames sent by all base stations form a concentrated and adjacent feature in time, which can shorten the listening frame period of the electronic price tag. The electronic price tag can find the best synchronization base station in a shorter time and achieve fast and low-power synchronization. Furthermore, the electronic price tag can also switch to a new target base station quickly and with low power consumption during the movement.

[0029] 3. The base station in this application can flexibly select a new channel to send data each time, thereby more flexibly hopping frequencies to avoid various interferences in the network. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] FIG1 is a flow chart showing a communication method of an electronic price tag system according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0031] FIG2 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of an electronic price label system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0032] FIG3 is a timing diagram of a predetermined signal sending period provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0033] FIG4 is a schematic diagram showing the timing relationship of synchronization frame transmission times of all base stations in the same synchronization subnet provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0034] FIG5 is a schematic diagram showing the timing relationship between the synchronization frame transmission time and the data frame transmission time of all base stations in the same synchronization subnet provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0035] FIG6 is a schematic diagram showing an electronic price tag accessing a network in an out-of-sync state provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0036] FIG7 is a schematic diagram showing another electronic price tag in an out-of-sync state accessing the network provided by an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] To make the purpose, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application more clear, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of this application. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of this application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0038] In a first aspect, the present application provides a communication method for an electronic price tag system, specifically including the following embodiments:

[0039] Example 1

[0040] FIG1 is a flow chart of a communication method of an electronic price tag system provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG1 , the method specifically includes the following steps:

[0041] Step S101: The server determines the maximum number of base stations that can be accommodated in each synchronization subnet according to a predetermined signal transmission cycle and synchronization frame transmission duration.

[0042] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, the electronic price tag system includes a server, multiple base stations, and several electronic price tags. The server sends control signals or service data signals to the electronic price tags via the base stations, causing the electronic price tags to perform corresponding operations or update corresponding display content. The electronic price tag system in this embodiment communicates based on a synchronous network. In this embodiment, the "price tag" in Figure 2 refers to the electronic price tag.

[0043] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, for each base station, the predetermined signal transmission period T includes the base station's synchronization frame transmission time t11 on the synchronization channel and the idle time t12 on the synchronization channel. The idle time t12 on the synchronization channel is also the base station's data frame transmission time t12 on the data channel; the synchronization channel and the data channel are different. It should be noted that in this embodiment, the synchronization frame transmission time t11 is also the synchronization frame transmission duration, the idle time t12 is also the idle duration, and the data frame transmission time t12 is also the data frame transmission duration. Within the synchronization frame transmission time t11 on the synchronization channel, the base station can repeatedly transmit a synchronization frame. However, the packet sequence number of each synchronization frame in a synchronization frame transmitted multiple times is different. When receiving the synchronization frame signal, the price tag only needs to receive one synchronization frame data packet. Based on the packet sequence number and synchronization packet length in the synchronization frame data packet, it can calculate the starting point of the base station's synchronization frame transmission time window, thereby achieving precise synchronization.

[0044] By dividing the predetermined signal transmission period T by the synchronization frame transmission duration t11, the maximum number of base stations that can transmit synchronization frames in a sequential, end-to-end fashion within the predetermined signal transmission period T can be calculated. This, in turn, determines the maximum number of base stations that can be accommodated within the same synchronization subnet. In this embodiment, the synchronization network comprised of multiple base stations may include multiple synchronization subnets, and the maximum number of base stations accommodated in each synchronization subnet is determined based on the predetermined signal transmission period and the synchronization frame transmission duration.

[0045] Step S102: The server constructs multiple base stations into at least one synchronization subnet according to the maximum number of base stations accommodated and the network topology between the base stations.

[0046] It should be noted that the server organizes multiple base stations into one or more synchronization subnets based on the network topology between the multiple base stations. Each synchronization subnet is an independent synchronization network, and each synchronization subnet includes a primary base station and several secondary base stations. The lower-level base station directly connected to the primary base station is referred to as the first-level secondary base station. Similarly, the next-level base station connected to the j-th level secondary base station is referred to as the j+1-th level secondary base station, where j ≥ 1. In this embodiment, the number of base stations in each synchronization subnet is less than or equal to the maximum number of base stations that can be accommodated. As for how to establish a synchronization subnet or multiple synchronization subnets based on the network topology between the multiple base stations, this application does not elaborate on this.

[0047] In step S103, the server configures the offset of each base station in the corresponding synchronization subnet according to the neighbor relationship of all base stations in each synchronization subnet, so that each base station calculates the synchronization frame transmission time in the predetermined signal transmission cycle according to the offset.

[0048] In an embodiment, the offset of a base station in a synchronization subnet is the order in which the base station sends synchronization frames in the synchronization subnet. For example, a base station with an offset of 0 is the first base station to send a synchronization frame in the current scheduled signal sending cycle. Each base station calculates the synchronization frame sending time in the scheduled signal sending cycle based on the offset. The calculation formula for the synchronization frame sending time is: corresponding offset time position = base station offset * synchronization frame sending duration.

[0049] As shown in Figure 4, when base station offsets are initially configured, multiple base stations that are adjacent in location also have adjacent and continuous offsets. Offsets are assigned sequentially from 0 to N to base stations in each synchronization subnet, ensuring that there are no gaps between the offsets assigned to all base stations. This ensures that the synchronization frames transmitted by all base stations are temporally aligned and adjacent. This means that the start time of a synchronization frame transmitted by a base station with offset i in the same synchronization subnet is the same as the end time of a synchronization frame transmitted by a base station with offset i-1. This ensures that each base station has sufficient time to transmit synchronization frames, preventing interference from multiple base stations operating in parallel. It also shortens the listening frame period of the electronic price tag, reducing its power consumption. Furthermore, the maximum offset within the same synchronization subnet is the actual number of base stations + M, where M can be any integer, such as -1, 0, 1, or 2. This means that the maximum offset is as close as possible to the actual number of base stations. For example, if the actual number of base stations is 10, the offsets are defined as 0 to 9, or 1 to 10. This definition facilitates the management of base station offsets. This shows that even if there is a gap between the two offsets, it is only a small gap. If a new base station joins, the gapped offset will be preferentially allocated to the new base station. The value of M should be kept as small as possible, generally less than or equal to 2. This ensures that base stations in the same subnet transmit synchronization frames at the beginning of a scheduled transmission cycle.

[0050] In step S104, each base station calculates the idle time of the synchronization channel according to the synchronization frame sending time, so that each base station receives the target synchronization frame sent by the upper base station during the idle time of the synchronization channel, and adjusts the sending time of the local synchronization frame according to the time offset of the target synchronization frame.

[0051] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, for each base station in the electronic price tag system, within a predetermined signal transmission cycle, the time period other than the synchronization frame transmission time is the idle time on the synchronization channel, and the idle time of each base station on the synchronization channel and the data frame transmission time on the data channel overlap. During the idle time, each base station receives the synchronization frame sent by the upper-level base station in the same synchronization subnet and dynamically adjusts the local synchronization frame transmission time based on the time offset in the synchronization frame, thereby maintaining the synchronization of each base station in the synchronization network.

[0052] Furthermore, each electronic price tag in the electronic price tag system is limited by its battery capacity. To reduce power consumption and extend battery life, it must remain in a sleep state for extended periods, waking up automatically only periodically to receive synchronization frames or data frames from the base station. This period of periodic waking up and receiving is called a listening frame period. When the electronic price tag automatically wakes up and receives a synchronization frame from the base station it is communicating with, it dynamically adjusts the local time of the electronic price tag based on the time offset in the synchronization frame, thereby maintaining synchronization between the electronic price tag and the base station in the synchronization subnet.

[0053] It should be noted that within a synchronization frame time window, the base station repeatedly sends synchronization frame data packets, and may repeat them H times. The price tag is scheduled to align the receiving time point with the Ith packet, where I is less than H. If the price tag actually receives not the Ith packet, but may be less than I, then the price tag will adjust the length of the next sleep time to make up for the time difference, and expect to align with the Ith packet in the next round of reception. Of course, if the price tag is synchronized to the base station with offset i, but the synchronization frame it actually receives is the synchronization frame of the base station with offset i-1, the price tag will sleep for a short time based on this result, and then align to the sending time window of the base station with offset i to receive the synchronization frame data packet again. If the price tag actually receives the synchronization frame of the base station with offset i+1, the price tag will sleep for a time of (predetermined period - synchronization frame length) based on this result, and wake up next time to receive the next synchronization frame transmission signal of the base station with offset i.

[0054] Compared with the prior art, this embodiment has the following beneficial effects:

[0055] The present application constructs at least one synchronization subnet through the network topology between base stations and the maximum number of base stations in each synchronization subnet; based on the offset of each base station in the corresponding synchronization subnet, each base station is allocated a synchronization frame time in the synchronization channel, a synchronization frame receiving time of the upper base station during the idle time of the synchronization channel, and a data transmission time in the data channel; and the local synchronization frame transmission time is dynamically adjusted according to the synchronization frame sent by the upper base station. In this way, all base stations in the electronic price tag system are kept in a synchronized state, and each base station has its own synchronization frame transmission time, synchronization frame reception time, and data transmission time, which can effectively prevent the problem of mutual interference among multiple base stations in parallel.

[0056] Furthermore, within the same synchronization subnet, the start time of a synchronization frame transmitted by a base station with offset i coincides with the end time of a synchronization frame transmitted by a base station with offset i-1. This ensures that there are minimal gaps between the offsets assigned to all base stations. This ensures that the synchronization frames transmitted by all base stations are clustered and contiguous in time, shortening the ESL's listening period and reducing its power consumption.

[0057] Example 2

[0058] As shown in Figure 6, in this embodiment, after each base station calculates the idle time on the synchronization channel based on the synchronization frame sending time, so that each base station receives the target synchronization frame sent by the upper-level base station during the idle time of the synchronization channel, the method also includes: the electronic price tag in the out-of-sync state randomly sends a synchronization request on the synchronization channel, so that the base station that receives the synchronization request sends a synchronization response signal; the electronic price tag in the out-of-sync state calculates the window time period in which all base station synchronization frames can be received on the synchronization channel based on the synchronization response signal; the electronic price tag in the out-of-sync state obtains the synchronization base station based on the signal strength of all synchronization frames received in the window time period, and enters the synchronization state according to the synchronization frame of the synchronization base station; and the synchronization base station can be the base station with the largest synchronization frame signal strength. When the base station with the strongest signal cannot be successfully registered, other base stations can also be selected as the synchronization base station.

[0059] Furthermore, the electronic price tag in the out-of-sync state calculates the window time period in which all base station synchronization frames can be received on the synchronization channel based on the synchronization response signal. For example, it may include: the electronic price tag in the out-of-sync state calculates the window start time based on the time offset from the base station with an offset of n in the synchronization response signal to the next transmission of the synchronization frame; the electronic price tag in the out-of-sync state calculates the window end time based on the maximum offset included in the synchronization response signal; the electronic price tag in the out-of-sync state obtains the window time period in which all base station synchronization frames can be received on the synchronization channel based on the window start time and the window end time.

[0060] It should be noted that in the actual application scenario of the electronic price tag system, one or more electronic price tags may move or be newly connected to the network, or the electronic price tag may automatically wake up too early or too late. In this embodiment, the above situations are collectively referred to as the electronic price tag being in an out-of-sync state. As shown in Figure 6, each base station calculates the idle time on the synchronization channel based on the synchronization frame transmission time, so that each base station receives the target synchronization frame sent by the upper base station during the idle time of the synchronization channel, that is, after all base stations enter the synchronization state, the electronic price tag that wakes up from the dormant state and is in an out-of-sync state obtains the synchronization response signal of the base station by randomly sending an uplink synchronization request on the synchronization channel. Based on the offset of the base station in the synchronization response signal and the maximum offset in the synchronization network, the electronic price tag obtains the window time period in which the synchronization frames of all base stations can be received on the synchronization channel. After waking up in the window time period, the electronic price tag receives the synchronization frames sent by all base stations, and uses the base station with the largest signal strength as the synchronization base station. It automatically wakes up at the time when the synchronization base station sends the synchronization frame, thereby maintaining synchronization with the synchronization base station.

[0061] In this embodiment, the electronic price tag in the out-of-sync state calculates the window start time according to the time offset from the base station to the next synchronization frame sent by the base station with an offset of n in the synchronization response signal. The calculation formula for calculating the window start time is: k0 =(T x +offset)-n*t

[0062] Among them, T k0 is the window opening start time, n is the offset in the synchronous response signal, T x Indicates the moment when the electronic price tag in the out-of-sync state receives the synchronization response signal, offset indicates the time offset in the synchronization response signal, (T x +offset) is the start time of sending the synchronization frame by the base station with an offset of n, and t is the duration of sending the synchronization frame.

[0063] In this embodiment, the electronic price tag in the out-of-sync state calculates the window opening end time according to the maximum offset included in the synchronization response signal. The calculation formula for calculating the window opening end time is: k1 =(T x +offset)+(Nn)*t

[0064] Among them, T k1 is the windowing end time, N represents the maximum offset in the synchronization subnet where the base station with an offset of n is located, and n and N are positive integers greater than or equal to 0.

[0065] It should be further explained that the process of searching for the synchronization frame of the strongest base station signal during the window time period may take several predetermined signal transmission cycles to be finally determined. Figure 6 only shows one of the window receptions. In this example, it can be seen that since multiple base stations are sending synchronization frames on the same synchronization channel, and the synchronization frames of the same subnet are as adjacent as possible, there can be a clear window time length when the price tag searches for the strongest synchronization frame signal through the window, and there is no need to change the receiving frequency, so the electronic price tag in the out-of-sync state can complete the synchronization network access with very low power consumption. It can be seen that the electronic price tag in this embodiment can find the best synchronization base station in a shorter time and achieve fast and low-power synchronization; at the same time, the electronic price tag can also switch to the new target base station quickly and with low power consumption during the movement.

[0066] Example 3

[0067] As shown in FIG7 , in this embodiment, after each base station calculates an idle time on the synchronization channel based on the synchronization frame transmission time, and each base station receives a target synchronization frame transmitted by the upper-level base station during the idle time on the synchronization channel, the method further includes: an electronic price tag in an out-of-sync state transmits an out-of-sync heartbeat on the synchronization channel, causing at least one base station that receives the out-of-sync heartbeat to transmit the out-of-sync heartbeat and the signal strength value of the received out-of-sync heartbeat to a server; the server controls the first target base station that receives the largest out-of-sync heartbeat signal strength value to transmit an asynchronous broadcast on an asynchronous channel; the electronic price tag in an out-of-sync state calculates a windowing period in which synchronization frames from all base stations can be received on the synchronization channel based on the offset of the synchronization frame transmission time in the most recent predetermined signal transmission cycle included in the asynchronous broadcast; the electronic price tag in an out-of-sync state obtains a synchronization base station based on the signal strength of all synchronization frames received during the windowing period, and enters a synchronization state based on the synchronization frame of the synchronization base station; the synchronization base station may be the base station with the strongest synchronization frame signal strength. If the base station with the strongest signal strength fails to register successfully, another base station may be selected as the synchronization base station.

[0068] It should be noted that this embodiment is different from the second embodiment in that, after determining that all base stations have entered the synchronization state, the wireless network control center receives the heartbeat sent by the product price tag and can notify the base station to send a broadcast synchronization instruction on the channel where the price tag is asynchronously received. The product price tag receives the synchronization instruction sent by the base station asynchronously, which indicates the synchronization frame position of the base station, and thus adjusts its own receiving signal time window to search for the synchronization frame and then enters the synchronization state.

[0069] The base station in this embodiment can transmit signals differently on the two sub-boards. Sub-board 0 maintains the periodic transmission of synchronization signals and receives heartbeats from price tags, as well as signals such as synchronization requests that the price tags may send. Sub-board 1 or other sub-boards can, as needed, send broadcast messages on the price tag's asynchronous reception channel, allowing the price tag to asynchronously receive signals indicating the time position of the synchronization frame, thereby completing the synchronization process. Since the base station can send a broadcast signal after receiving a price tag's heartbeat, this broadcast signal can be received by all price tags with the same asynchronous reception channel within the base station's coverage area, thereby achieving a rapid group synchronization process.

[0070] In this embodiment, the electronic price tag is in a dormant state when receiving synchronization frames, sending synchronization requests, receiving synchronization response signals, receiving data frames, sending out-of-sync heartbeats, receiving asynchronous broadcasts, and outside the windowed time period. This shows that the communication method of the electronic price tag system provided by this application enables the electronic price tag to wake up and synchronize with the network during a clear windowed time period after being out of sync, thereby reducing the power consumption of the electronic price tag.

[0071] Example 4

[0072] In this embodiment, the synchronization frame includes the synchronization frame number, the base station offset, an indication bit of whether there is a data frame in the current scheduled signal sending cycle, the channel for sending the data frame in the current scheduled signal sending cycle, and the packet sequence number within the synchronization frame.

[0073] In this embodiment, the method also includes: when the base station has a data frame to send in the next scheduled signal sending cycle, the base station or the server selects a target channel from the idle data channel pool as the data channel for the base station to send the data frame; the target channel is configured in the sending synchronization frame of the next scheduled signal sending cycle, so that multiple electronic price tags synchronized with the base station receive data frames on the target channel; and the base station releases the target channel to the idle data channel pool according to the data frame sending requirements.

[0074] It should be noted that before each data frame is sent, there will be an indicator bit in the synchronization frame, including whether there will be subsequent data frames and the channel used by the subsequent data frames. Therefore, when there is no business data to be sent, the synchronization frame indicates that there is no subsequent data in this frame. After receiving this synchronization frame, the electronic price tag will directly enter sleep mode, which can further reduce the power consumption of the electronic price tag.

[0075] If there is business data to be sent, the synchronization frame indicates that there will be subsequent data in this frame and which channel will be used to send the data. After receiving this synchronization frame, the product price tag will continue to receive the subsequent data according to the indicated channel. Therefore, each base station can use a different channel to work each time it sends data. When multiple base stations work in parallel, for example, a channel allocation algorithm can also be used to reasonably allocate the channels for each operation, thereby minimizing interference between multiple base stations and improving parallelism. In this embodiment, the base station determines whether to release the channel resources based on the data frame transmission requirements. For example, the channel resources can be released after using multiple predetermined signal transmission cycles in succession or after one cycle.

[0076] Example 5

[0077] In this embodiment, the method also includes: the base station in the out-of-sync state receives synchronization frames sent by other base stations in the same store within a time period exceeding a predetermined signal sending cycle according to the control of the server; the server obtains the target synchronization subnet to be joined based on the signal strength of all synchronization frames received by the base station in the out-of-sync state; the server allocates a target offset to the base station in the out-of-sync state based on the idle offset in the target synchronization subnet, and allocates an upper-level base station to the base station in the out-of-sync state based on the network topology in the target synchronization subnet; and the base station in the out-of-sync state joins the target synchronization subnet according to the synchronization frames and target offset sent by the upper-level base station.

[0078] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the out-of-sync state of the base station may be the state of the base station after the base station moves or a new base station is added. The base station in the out-of-sync state, under the control of the server, receives the synchronization frames sent by other base stations in the same store for a period of time exceeding the predetermined synchronization frame sending period. The target synchronization subnet to be connected is determined based on the strength values ​​of all synchronization frames received. The number of base stations whose strength values ​​of the synchronization frames sent by the base stations in the target synchronization subnet exceed the preset threshold value is the largest. Furthermore, the server determines whether there is a first idle offset between 0 and the maximum offset in the target synchronization subnet. When a first idle offset exists, the first idle offset is allocated to the base station in the out-of-sync state. When the first idle offset does not exist, a determination is made as to whether the maximum offset is equal to the maximum capacity minus 1. If it is not equal to the maximum capacity minus 1, a second idle offset, the maximum offset plus 1, is allocated to the base station in the out-of-sync state. If it is equal to the maximum capacity minus 1, the synchronization subnet with the second most base station data whose synchronization frame strength exceeds a preset threshold is selected as the next target synchronization subnet in the out-of-sync state. The offset is then allocated to the out-of-sync base station in this synchronization subnet according to the above-described method for finding idle offsets. In this embodiment, if the out-of-sync base station does not receive synchronization signals from any other base stations in the same store, indicating that the store has only one base station, the server controls the base station to become the master base station, directly sending synchronization frame signals and entering a synchronized state. Furthermore, if all base stations are out-of-sync, an initial synchronization network can be established based on the actual situation.

[0079] Furthermore, according to the network topology of the target synchronization subnet, an upper base station and / or a lower base station is allocated to the base station in the out-of-sync state, so that the local time is adjusted according to the synchronization frame sent by the upper base station, and the sending time of the local synchronization frame is obtained according to the target offset, so that the base station in the out-of-sync state completes the synchronization network access and maintains a synchronized state with the upper base station.

[0080] In a second aspect, the present application provides an electronic price tag system, which includes a server, multiple base stations, and a number of electronic price tags;

[0081] The server is used to determine the maximum number of base stations accommodated in each synchronization subnet according to the predetermined signal transmission cycle and synchronization frame transmission duration;

[0082] The server is used to construct multiple base stations into at least one synchronization subnet according to the maximum number of base stations and the network topology between the base stations;

[0083] The server is configured to configure an offset for each base station in the corresponding synchronization subnet based on the neighbor relationship of all base stations in each synchronization subnet, so that each base station calculates a synchronization frame transmission time in a predetermined signal transmission period based on the offset; wherein, in the same synchronization subnet, the start time of transmitting a synchronization frame by a base station with an offset of i is the end time of transmitting a synchronization frame by a base station with an offset of i-1, and the maximum offset in the same synchronization subnet is the actual number of base stations + M; and

[0084] Each base station is used to calculate the idle time on the synchronization channel based on the synchronization frame sending time, so that each base station receives the target synchronization frame sent by the upper base station during the idle time of the synchronization channel, and adjusts the sending time of the local synchronization frame according to the time offset of the target synchronization frame; wherein, the idle time of the synchronization channel of each base station and the data frame sending time on the data channel overlap with each other.

[0085] In this embodiment, the electronic price tag is configured to wake up in a listening frame period to receive a synchronization frame sent by a synchronization base station, and adjust the local time according to the synchronization frame.

[0086] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer device, comprising a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored in the memory and executable on the processor. When the processor executes the computer program, the following steps are implemented: the server determines the maximum number of base stations in each synchronization subnet based on a predetermined signal transmission period and a synchronization frame transmission duration; the server constructs multiple base stations into at least one synchronization subnet based on the maximum number of base stations and the network topology between the base stations; the server configures the offset of each base station in the corresponding synchronization subnet based on the adjacent relationship of all base stations in each synchronization subnet, so that each base station calculates the synchronization frame transmission time in the predetermined signal transmission period based on the offset; wherein, in the same synchronization subnet, the start time of sending the synchronization frame by the base station with an offset of i is the end time of sending the synchronization frame by the base station with an offset of i-1, and the maximum offset in the same synchronization subnet is the actual number of base stations + M; each base station calculates the idle time in the synchronization channel based on the synchronization frame transmission time, so that each base station receives the target synchronization frame sent by the upper base station during the idle time of the synchronization channel, and adjusts the transmission time of the local synchronization frame according to the time offset of the target synchronization frame; wherein, the idle time of the synchronization channel and the data frame transmission time of each base station on the data channel overlap with each other.

[0087] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, which implements the following steps when executed by a processor: the server determines the maximum number of base stations in each synchronization subnet based on a predetermined signal sending period and a synchronization frame sending duration; the server constructs multiple base stations into at least one synchronization subnet based on the maximum number of base stations and the network topology between the base stations; the server configures the offset of each base station in the corresponding synchronization subnet based on the adjacent relationship of all base stations in each synchronization subnet, so that each base station calculates the synchronization frame sending time in the predetermined signal sending period based on the offset; wherein, in the same synchronization subnet, the start time of sending the synchronization frame by the base station with an offset of i is the end time of sending the synchronization frame by the base station with an offset of i-1, and the maximum offset in the same synchronization subnet is the actual number of base stations + M; each base station calculates the idle time in the synchronization channel based on the synchronization frame sending time, so that each base station receives the target synchronization frame sent by the upper base station during the idle time of the synchronization channel, and adjusts the sending time of the local synchronization frame according to the time offset of the target synchronization frame; wherein, the idle time of the synchronization channel and the data frame sending time of each base station on the data channel overlap with each other.

[0088] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that all or part of the processes in the above-mentioned embodiment methods can be implemented by instructing the relevant hardware through a computer program. The above program can be stored in a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium. When the program is executed, it can include the processes of the embodiments of the above-mentioned methods. Among them, any reference to memory, storage, database or other media used in the embodiments provided in this application can include non-volatile and / or volatile memory. Non-volatile memory can include read-only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM) or flash memory. Volatile memory can include random access memory (RAM) or external cache memory. By way of illustration and not limitation, RAM is available in various forms, such as static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDRSDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), synchronous link (Synchlink) DRAM (SLDRAM), memory bus (Rambus) direct RAM (RDRAM), direct memory bus dynamic RAM (DRDRAM), and memory bus dynamic RAM (RDRAM).

[0089] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply any actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Moreover, the terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article, or device that includes a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also other elements not explicitly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or device. In the absence of further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising a ..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or device that includes the element.

Claims

1. A communication method for an electronic price label system, characterized in that: The electronic price tag system includes a server, multiple base stations and a number of electronic price tags, and the method includes: The server determines the maximum number of base stations in each synchronization subnet according to a predetermined signal transmission cycle and a synchronization frame transmission duration; The server constructs the plurality of base stations into at least one synchronization subnet according to the maximum number of base stations accommodated and the network topology between the base stations; The server configures the offset of each base station in the corresponding synchronization subnet according to the neighbor relationship of all base stations in each synchronization subnet, so that each base station calculates the synchronization frame sending time in the predetermined signal sending cycle according to the offset; wherein, in the same synchronization subnet, the start time of sending the synchronization frame of the base station with an offset of i is the end time of sending the synchronization frame of the base station with an offset of i-1, and the maximum offset in the same synchronization subnet is the actual number of base stations + M; and Each base station calculates the idle time of the synchronization channel according to the synchronization frame sending time, so that each base station receives the target synchronization frame sent by the upper base station during the idle time of the synchronization channel, and adjusts the sending time of the local synchronization frame according to the time offset of the target synchronization frame; wherein the idle time of the synchronization channel and the data frame sending time of each base station on the data channel overlap with each other.

2. The communication method of the electronic price tag system according to claim 1, characterized in that: After each base station calculates the idle time of the synchronization channel according to the synchronization frame transmission time, so that each base station receives the target synchronization frame transmitted by the upper-level base station during the idle time of the synchronization channel, the method further includes: The electronic price tag in the out-of-sync state randomly sends a synchronization request on the synchronization channel, so that the base station receiving the synchronization request sends a synchronization response signal; The electronic price tag in the out-of-sync state calculates the window time period in which all base station synchronization frames can be received on the synchronization channel according to the synchronization response signal; and The electronic price tag in the out-of-sync state acquires the synchronization base station according to the signal strength of all synchronization frames received in the window time period, and enters the synchronization state according to the synchronization frame of the synchronization base station.

3. The communication method of the electronic price tag system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The electronic price tag in the out-of-sync state calculates the window time period in which all base station synchronization frames can be received on the synchronization channel according to the synchronization response signal, including: The electronic price tag in the out-of-sync state calculates the window opening start time according to the time offset of the base station with an offset of n in the synchronization response signal from the next transmission of the synchronization frame; The electronic price tag in the out-of-step state calculates the window opening result according to the maximum offset included in the synchronization response signal. End time; and The electronic price tag in the out-of-sync state obtains a window time period in which all base station synchronization frames can be received on the synchronization channel according to the window start time and the window end time.

4. The communication method of the electronic price tag system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The electronic price tag in the out-of-sync state calculates the window opening start time according to the time offset of the base station with an offset of n in the synchronization response signal from the next transmission of the synchronization frame, and the calculation formula is: k0 =(T x +offset)-n*t Among them, T k0 is the window opening start time, n is the offset in the synchronous response signal, T x represents the time when the electronic price tag in the out-of-sync state receives the synchronization response signal, and offset represents the time offset in the synchronization response signal, (T x +offset) is the start time when the base station with offset n sends the synchronization frame, and t is the duration of sending the synchronization frame.

5. The communication method of the electronic price label system as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that: The electronic price tag in the out-of-step state calculates the window opening end time according to the maximum offset included in the synchronization response signal. The calculation formula is: k1 =(T x +offset)+(Nn)*t Among them, T k1 is the window opening end time, N is the maximum offset in the synchronization subnet where the base station with offset n is located, n is the offset in the synchronization response signal, T c It indicates the moment when the electronic price tag in the out-of-sync state receives the synchronization response signal, offset indicates the time offset in the synchronization response signal, and t is the duration of the synchronization frame transmission.

6. The communication method of the electronic price tag system according to claim 1, characterized in that: After each base station calculates the idle time of the synchronization channel according to the synchronization frame transmission time, so that each base station receives the target synchronization frame transmitted by the upper-level base station during the idle time of the synchronization channel, the method further includes: The electronic price tag in the out-of-sync state sends an out-of-sync heartbeat on the synchronization channel, so that at least one base station that receives the out-of-sync heartbeat sends the out-of-sync heartbeat and the signal strength value of the out-of-sync heartbeat to the server; The server controls the first target base station that receives the maximum signal strength value of the out-of-sync heartbeat to send an asynchronous broadcast on an asynchronous channel; The electronic price tag in the out-of-sync state calculates the window time period in which all base station synchronization frames can be received on the synchronization channel according to the transmission time offset of the synchronization frame in the most recent predetermined signal transmission cycle included in the asynchronous broadcast; and The electronic price tag in the out-of-sync state acquires the synchronization base station according to the signal strength of all synchronization frames received in the window time period, and enters the synchronization state according to the synchronization frame of the synchronization base station.

7. The communication method of the electronic price tag system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The electronic price tag is in a dormant state when receiving a synchronization frame, sending a synchronization request, receiving a synchronization response signal, receiving a data frame, sending an out-of-sync heartbeat, receiving an asynchronous broadcast, and outside the window time period.

8. The communication method of the electronic price tag system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The synchronization frame includes the synchronization frame number, the offset of the base station, an indication bit of whether there is a data frame in the current scheduled signal transmission cycle, a channel for transmitting data frames in the current scheduled signal transmission cycle, and a packet sequence number in the synchronization frame.

9. The communication method of the electronic price tag system according to claim 8, characterized in that: The method further comprises: When the base station has a data frame to send in the next scheduled signal sending cycle, the base station or the server selects a target channel from the idle data channel pool as a data channel for the base station to send the data frame; configuring the target channel in a transmission synchronization frame of a next predetermined signal transmission cycle, so that a plurality of electronic price tags synchronized with the base station receive data frames according to the target channel; and The base station releases the target channel to the idle data channel pool according to a data frame sending demand.

10. The communication method of the electronic price label system according to claim 1, characterized in that: After each base station calculates the idle time of the synchronization channel according to the synchronization frame sending time, the method further includes: The base station in the out-of-sync state receives synchronization frames sent by other base stations in the same store within a time period exceeding the predetermined signal sending cycle according to the control of the server; The server obtains the target synchronization subnet to be connected according to the signal strength of all synchronization frames received by the base station in the out-of-sync state; wherein the number of base stations whose strength values ​​of the synchronization frames sent by the base stations in the target synchronization subnet received by the base stations in the out-of-sync state exceed the preset threshold is the largest; The server allocates a target offset to the base station in the out-of-sync state based on the idle offset in the target synchronization subnet, and allocates a superior base station to the base station in the out-of-sync state based on the network topology in the target synchronization subnet; The base station in the out-of-sync state joins the target synchronization subnet according to the synchronization frame sent by the upper-level base station and the target offset.

11. The communication method of the electronic price label system according to claim 10, characterized in that: The server allocates a target offset to the base station in the out-of-sync state based on the idle offset in the target synchronization subnet, including: The server determines whether there is a first idle offset between the minimum offset and the maximum offset in the target synchronization subnet; and When there is a first idle offset, the first idle offset is allocated to the base station in the out-of-sync state.

12. The communication method of the electronic price label system according to claim 11, characterized in that: The method further comprises: When the first idle offset does not exist, determining whether the maximum offset is equal to the maximum capacity number - 1; and When it is not equal to the maximum accommodating number-1, a second idle offset after the maximum offset+1 is allocated to the base station in the out-of-sync state.

13. An electronic price label system, characterized in that: The electronic price tag system includes a server, multiple base stations and a number of electronic price tags; The server is used to determine the maximum number of base stations in each synchronization subnet according to the predetermined signal transmission cycle and synchronization frame transmission duration; The server is used to construct the multiple base stations into at least one synchronization subnet according to the maximum number of base stations accommodated and the network topology between the base stations; The server is used to configure the offset of each base station in the corresponding synchronization subnet according to the neighbor relationship of all base stations in each synchronization subnet, so that each base station calculates the synchronization frame sending time in the predetermined signal sending cycle according to the offset; wherein, in the same synchronization subnet, the start time of sending the synchronization frame of the base station with an offset of i is the end time of sending the synchronization frame of the base station with an offset of i-1, and the maximum offset in the same synchronization subnet is the actual number of base stations + M; and Each base station is used to calculate the idle time on the synchronization channel according to the synchronization frame sending time, so that each base station receives the target synchronization frame sent by the upper base station during the idle time of the synchronization channel, and adjusts the sending time of the local synchronization frame according to the time offset of the target synchronization frame; wherein the idle time of the synchronization channel and the data frame sending time of each base station on the data channel overlap with each other.

14. The electronic price label system according to claim 13, characterized in that: The electronic price tag is used to wake up in a listening frame period to receive a synchronization frame sent by a synchronization base station, and adjust the local time according to the synchronization frame.

15. A computer device comprising a memory, a processor and a computer program stored in the memory and executable on the processor, characterized in that: When the processor executes the computer program, the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12 are implemented.

16. A readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, characterized in that: When the computer program is executed by a processor, the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12 are implemented.

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