Communication method, system, computer device, and storage medium for electronic price tag system

Abstract

To provide a communication method for an electronic price tag system that prevents the problem of mutual interference caused by simultaneous operation of a plurality of base stations, shortens the listening frame period of the electronic price tag, and reduces the power consumption of the electronic price tag.SOLUTION: A method includes determining a maximum number of base stations that can be accommodated in each synchronization subnet on the basis of a predetermined signal transmission period and a transmission time length of a synchronization frame by a server, constructing a plurality of base stations into at least one synchronization subnet on the basis of the maximum number of base stations that can be accommodated and a network topology structure between the base stations, configuring an offset amount of each base station in the corresponding synchronization subnet on the basis of the adjacent relationships of all base stations in each synchronization subnet, calculating a synchronization frame transmission time in the predetermined signal transmission period on the basis of the offset amount by each base station, calculating an idle time in the synchronization channel on the basis of the synchronization frame transmission time by each base station, and receiving the target synchronization frame transmitted from the upper base station during the idle time of the synchronization channel.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of communications, and more particularly to a communication method, system, computer device and storage medium for an electronic price label system. [Background technology]

[0002] Electronic price tags are electronic display devices that are placed on shelves and can replace traditional paper price tags. Each Electronic Shelf Label (ESL) is connected to a shopping mall's computer database via a wired or wireless network and displays the latest product prices on the screen of the ESL. The ESL system is a network system that includes multiple wireless base stations. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] The communication network of a conventional electronic price tag system is an asynchronous network, i.e., all wireless access points (base stations) are asynchronous with each other. The design of an asynchronous network is simple, the requirements for timing devices are low, and the requirements for circuit design are also low. However, since the channel resources of a communication method based on an asynchronous network are limited, when multiple base stations need to operate simultaneously, there is a problem of mutual interference, which reduces the communication stability of the electronic price tag system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] In response to the shortcomings of the prior art, the communication method, system, computer equipment and storage medium of the electronic price tag system provided by the present invention solve the problem of mutual interference that exists when multiple base stations operate simultaneously due to the communication method of the electronic price tag system in the prior art. The present invention establishes at least one synchronization subnet according to the network topology structure between base stations and the determined maximum number of base stations in each synchronization subnet, and allocates a synchronization frame time in a synchronization channel to each base station based on the offset amount in the corresponding synchronization subnet of each base station, so that the synchronization frames transmitted from all base stations form a time-concentrated and adjacent characteristic, and ensures that each base station has its own synchronization frame transmission time and data transmission time, which not only prevents the problem of mutual interference caused by multiple base stations operating simultaneously, but also shortens the listening frame period of the electronic price tag and reduces the power consumption of the electronic price tag.

[0005] According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a communication method for an electronic price tag system including a server, a plurality of base stations, and some electronic price tags, the method comprising: the server determines a maximum capacity of base stations in each synchronization subnet based on a predetermined signal transmission period and a transmission time length of a synchronization frame; the server configures the plurality of base stations into at least one synchronization subnet based on the maximum capacity of the base stations and a network topology structure between the base stations; the server configures an offset amount of each base station in the corresponding synchronization subnet based on an adjacent relationship of all base stations in each synchronization subnet, and causes each base station to calculate a synchronization frame transmission time in the predetermined signal transmission period based on the offset amount. the start time at which a base station with an offset amount of i in the same synchronization subnet transmits a synchronization frame is the end time at which a base station with an offset amount of i-1 transmits a synchronization frame, and the maximum offset amount in the same synchronization subnet is the actual number of base stations+M; each base station calculates an idle time in the synchronization channel based on the synchronization frame transmission time, receives a target synchronization frame transmitted from a higher base station in the idle time of the synchronization channel, and adjusts the transmission time of the local synchronization frame based on the time offset of the target synchronization frame, wherein the idle time in the synchronization channel of each base station and the data frame transmission time in the data channel overlap with each other.

[0006] In addition, after each base station calculates an idle time on the synchronization channel based on the synchronization frame transmission time, and receives the target synchronization frame transmitted from the upper base station during the idle time on the synchronization channel, the method further includes: an EPL in an out-of-synchronization state randomly transmitting a synchronization request on the synchronization channel and causing the base station which receives the synchronization request to transmit a synchronization response signal; a EPL in an out-of-synchronization state calculating a window period during which the EPL in the out-of-synchronization state can receive synchronization frames of all base stations on the synchronization channel based on the synchronization response signal; and an EPL in an out-of-synchronization state identifying a synchronous base station based on signal strength of all synchronization frames received during the window period, and entering a synchronization state based on the synchronization frame of the synchronous base station.

[0007] In addition, calculating a window period during which the EPL in the out-of-sync state can receive synchronization frames of all base stations on the synchronization channel based on the synchronization response signal includes: the EPL in the out-of-sync state calculating a window start time based on a time offset amount until the next transmission of a synchronization frame of a base station having an offset amount of n in the synchronization response signal; the EPL in the out-of-sync state calculating a window end time based on a maximum offset amount included in the synchronization response signal; and obtaining a window period during which the EPL in the out-of-sync state can receive synchronization frames of all base stations on the synchronization channel based on the window start time and the window end time.

[0008] TIFF2025026287000002.tif30170

[0009] TIFF2025026287000003.tif32170

[0010] TIFF2025026287000004.tif24170

[0011] TIFF2025026287000005.tif19170

[0012] Furthermore, after each base station calculates an idle time on the synchronization channel based on the synchronization frame transmission time, and receives a target synchronization frame transmitted from a higher-level base station during the idle time on the synchronization channel, the method further includes: an EPL in an out-of-sync state transmitting an out-of-sync heartbeat on the synchronization channel, causing at least one base station which receives the out-of-sync heartbeat to transmit the out-of-sync heartbeat and a signal strength value of the received out-of-sync heartbeat to a server; and controlling the server to cause a first target base station which receives a maximum signal strength value of the out-of-sync heartbeat to transmit an asynchronous broadcast on the asynchronous channel; calculating a window period during which the EPL in the out-of-sync state can receive synchronization frames of all base stations on the synchronization channel based on a transmission time offset amount of the synchronization frame in a most recent predetermined signal transmission period included in the asynchronous broadcast; and identifying a synchronous base station based on the signal strength of all synchronization frames received by the EPL in the out-of-sync state during the window period, and entering a synchronous state based on the synchronization frame of the synchronous base station.

[0013] The electronic price tag is in a sleep state at times other than the periods and window periods during which it receives a synchronization frame, transmits a synchronization request, receives a synchronization response signal, receives a data frame, and receives a synchronization broadcast that transmits an out-of-sync heartbeat.

[0014] The synchronization frame also includes a frame number of the synchronization frame, an offset amount of the base station, an indication bit indicating whether or not there is a data frame in the current specified signal transmission period, a channel for transmitting the data frame in the current specified signal transmission period, and a packet number within the synchronization frame.

[0015] The method further includes, when the base station is to transmit a data frame in a next predetermined signal transmission period, the base station or a server selecting one target channel from an idle data channel pool as a data channel for the base station to transmit the data frame, the base station assigning the target channel to a transmission synchronization frame of the next predetermined signal transmission period, thereby causing a plurality of electronic price tags synchronized with the base station to receive the data frame on the target channel, and the base station releasing the target channel to the idle data channel pool in response to a data frame transmission request.

[0016] In addition, after each base station calculates the idle time in the synchronization channel based on the synchronization frame transmission time, the method further includes: a base station in an out-of-synchronization state receiving a synchronization frame transmitted from another base station in the same store within a period other than a predetermined signal transmission period under the control of a server; the server identifying a target synchronization subnet to join based on the signal strength of all synchronization frames received by the base station in the out-of-synchronization state; the server assigning a target offset amount to the base station in the out-of-synchronization state based on an idle offset amount in the target synchronization subnet, and assigning a higher-level base station to the base station in the out-of-synchronization state based on a network topology structure in the target synchronization subnet; and the base station in the out-of-synchronization state joining the target synchronization subnet based on the synchronization frame transmitted from the higher-level base station and the target offset amount.

[0017] In addition, the server's assigning of a target offset amount to the base station in the out-of-synchronization state based on an idle offset amount in the target synchronization subnet includes the server determining whether a first idle offset amount exists between a minimum offset amount and a maximum offset amount in the target synchronization subnet, and if a first idle offset amount exists, the server assigning the first idle offset amount to the base station in the out-of-synchronization state.

[0018] The method further includes, when the first idle offset amount does not exist, determining whether the maximum offset amount is equal to a maximum capacity minus 1, and, if not equal to the maximum capacity minus 1, allocating a second idle offset amount after the maximum offset amount +1 to the base station in the out-of-synchronization state.

[0019] According to a second aspect, the present invention provides an electronic price tag system, the electronic price tag system including a server, a plurality of base stations, and some electronic price tags, the server being configured to determine a maximum capacity number of base stations in each synchronization subnetwork based on a predetermined signal transmission period and a transmission time length of a synchronization frame, the server being configured to build the plurality of base stations into at least one synchronization subnetwork based on the maximum capacity number of base stations and a network topology structure between the base stations, the server being configured to configure an offset amount of each base station in the corresponding synchronization subnetwork based on an adjacent relationship of all base stations in each synchronization subnetwork, and to calculate a synchronization frame transmission time in the predetermined signal transmission period based on the offset amount for each base station. wherein a start time of a base station with an offset amount of i in the same synchronization subnet transmitting a synchronization frame is an end time of a base station with an offset amount of i-1 transmitting a synchronization frame, and a maximum offset amount in the same synchronization subnet is the actual number of base stations+M, and each base station is configured to calculate an idle time in a synchronization channel based on the synchronization frame transmission time, receive a target synchronization frame transmitted from a higher base station during the idle time of the synchronization channel, and adjust a transmission time of a local synchronization frame based on a time offset of the target synchronization frame, wherein the idle time in the synchronization channel of each base station and the data frame transmission time in the data channel overlap with each other.

[0020] In this embodiment, the EPL wakes up in a listening frame period to receive a synchronization frame transmitted by a synchronous base station, and adjusts the local time according to the synchronization frame.

[0021] According to a third aspect, an embodiment of the present invention is a computer device including a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored in the memory and executable by the processor, and when the processor executes the computer program, the steps include: the server determines a maximum number of base stations in each synchronization subnet based on a predetermined signal transmission period and a transmission time length of a synchronization frame; the server configures the plurality of base stations into at least one synchronization subnet based on the maximum number of base stations and a network topology structure between base stations; and the server configures an offset amount of each base station in the corresponding synchronization subnet based on an adjacent relationship of all base stations in each synchronization subnet, and determines a synchronization frame transmission time in the predetermined signal transmission period based on the offset amount for each base station. the start time at which a base station with an offset amount of i in the same synchronization subnet transmits a synchronization frame is the end time at which a base station with an offset amount of i-1 transmits a synchronization frame, and the maximum offset amount in the same synchronization subnet is the actual number of base stations+M; and each base station calculates an idle time in the synchronization channel based on the synchronization frame transmission time, receives a target synchronization frame transmitted from a higher base station during the idle time of the synchronization channel, and adjusts the transmission time of a local synchronization frame based on the time offset of the target synchronization frame, so that the idle time in the synchronization channel of each base station and the data frame transmission time in the data channel overlap with each other.

[0022] According to a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, and when the computer program is executed by a processor, the computer program includes the steps of: determining a maximum number of base stations in each synchronization subnet based on a predetermined signal transmission period and a transmission time length of a synchronization frame by the server; constructing the plurality of base stations into at least one synchronization subnet based on the maximum number of base stations and a network topology structure between the base stations by the server; and arranging an offset amount of each base station in the corresponding synchronization subnet based on an adjacent relationship of all base stations in each synchronization subnet, and causing each base station to calculate a synchronization frame transmission time in the predetermined signal transmission period based on the offset amount. the start time at which a base station with an offset amount of i in the same synchronization subnet transmits a synchronization frame is the end time at which a base station with an offset amount of i-1 transmits a synchronization frame, and the maximum offset amount in the same synchronization subnet is the actual number of base stations+M; and each base station calculates an idle time in the synchronization channel based on the synchronization frame transmission time, receives a target synchronization frame transmitted from a higher base station during the idle time in the synchronization channel, and adjusts the transmission time of the local synchronization frame based on the time offset of the target synchronization frame, so that the idle time in the synchronization channel of each base station and the data frame transmission time in the data channel overlap with each other. Effect of the Invention

[0023] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0024] 1. The present invention establishes at least one synchronization subnet according to the network topology structure between base stations and the determined maximum capacity of base stations in each synchronization subnet, and allocates a synchronization frame time in a synchronization channel to each base station based on the offset amount of each base station in the corresponding synchronization subnet, makes each base station receive a synchronization frame from a higher-level base station during the idle time of the synchronization channel, and allocates a data transmission time in a data channel to each base station, and dynamically adjusts the local synchronization frame transmission time to each base station according to the synchronization frame transmitted from the higher-level base station, so that all base stations in the electronic price tag system maintain a synchronous state, and each base station has its own synchronization frame transmission time, synchronization frame reception time and data transmission time, and effectively prevents the problem of mutual interference caused by multiple base stations operating simultaneously.

[0025] 2. In the present invention, the start time of a base station with an offset amount i in the same synchronization subnet transmitting a synchronization frame is the end time of a base station with an offset amount i-1 transmitting a synchronization frame, i.e., there is as little space as possible between the offset amounts assigned to all base stations, and the synchronization frames transmitted from all base stations form a time-concentrated and adjacent characteristic, thereby shortening the listening frame period of the EPL, allowing the EPL to find an optimal synchronization base station in a short time and achieve synchronization with high speed and low power consumption, and furthermore, the EPL can switch to a new target base station quickly and with low power consumption even while moving.

[0026] 3. The base station in the present invention can flexibly select a new channel for transmission every time data is transmitted, and can avoid various interferences in the network through more flexible frequency hopping. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] 2 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method of an electronic price label system provided by an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an electronic price tag system provided by an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] 4 is a schematic timing diagram of a predetermined signal transmission period provided by an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] A schematic diagram of the timing relationship of synchronization frame transmission times of all base stations in the same synchronization subnet provided by an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] A schematic diagram of the timing relationship between the synchronization frame transmission times and data frame transmission times of all base stations in the same synchronization subnet provided by an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 2 is a schematic diagram of network access for an out-of-sync EPL provided by an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of network access for an EPL in another out-of-sync state provided by an embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application are described below clearly and completely with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application, and obviously, the described embodiments are not all the embodiments but only some of the embodiments of the present application. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without inventive work based on the embodiments of the present application belong to the scope of the present application.

[0029] According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a communication method for an electronic price label system, specifically including the following embodiments.

[0030] Example 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method of an EPL system provided by an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the method specifically includes the following steps:

[0031] In step S101, the server determines the maximum number of base stations that can be accommodated in each synchronous subnetwork based on a predetermined signal transmission period and a transmission time length of a synchronous frame.

[0032] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the EPL system includes a server, a plurality of base stations, and several EPLs, and the server sends control signals or service data signals to the EPLs via the base stations so as to cause the EPLs to perform corresponding operations or update corresponding display contents, and the EPL system in this embodiment communicates based on a synchronous network, and here, the "price tag" in FIG. 2 means the EPL.

[0033] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 3, for each base station, a predetermined signal transmission period T includes a synchronization frame transmission time t11 in the synchronization channel of the base station and an idle time t12 in the synchronization channel, where the idle time t12 in the synchronization channel is also the data frame transmission time t12 in the data channel of the base station, and the synchronization channel and the data channel are different, and in this embodiment, the synchronization frame transmission time t11 is the transmission time length of the synchronization frame, the idle time t12 is the idle time length, and the data frame transmission time t12 is the data frame transmission time length, where, within the synchronization frame transmission time t11 in the synchronization channel, the base station can repeatedly transmit one synchronization frame multiple times. However, the packet number of each synchronization frame therein is different. When the price tag receives a synchronization frame signal, it only needs to receive one synchronization frame data packet therein, and can calculate the start point of the time window in which the base station transmits the synchronization frame according to the packet number and synchronization packet length therein, thereby achieving precise synchronization.

[0034] By dividing the predetermined signal transmission period T by the transmission time length t11 of the synchronization frame, it is possible to calculate the maximum number of base stations that can be accommodated in one predetermined signal transmission period T by sequentially concatenating and transmitting synchronization frames, that is, the maximum number of base stations that can be accommodated in the same synchronization subnetwork is determined. Here, the synchronization network consisting of multiple base stations in this embodiment can include multiple synchronization subnetworks, and the maximum number of each synchronization subnetwork is determined based on the predetermined signal transmission period T and the transmission time length of the synchronization frame.

[0035] In step S102, the server configures the plurality of base stations into at least one synchronous subnetwork based on the maximum capacity of the base stations and a network topology structure between the base stations.

[0036] Furthermore, the server configures the plurality of base stations into one synchronous subnet or multiple synchronous subnets based on the network topology structure between the plurality of base stations, each synchronous subnet is an independent synchronous network, each synchronous subnet includes one master base station and several secondary base stations, a lower base station directly connected to the master base station is a secondary base station of the first layer, and a base station one layer below connected to a secondary base station of the jth layer is a secondary base station of the j+1th layer, j≧1, and the number of base stations in each synchronous subnet is equal to or less than the maximum capacity of the base station. How to construct one synchronous subnet or multiple synchronous subnets based on the network topology structure between the plurality of base stations belongs to the prior art and is not the gist of the solution claimed.

[0037] In step S103, the server configures an offset amount for each base station in the corresponding synchronization subnet based on the adjacent relationship of all base stations in each synchronization subnet, and causes each base station to calculate a synchronization frame transmission time in the specified signal transmission period based on the offset amount.

[0038] In an embodiment, the offset amount of a base station in a synchronous network is the order in which the base station transmits a synchronization frame in the synchronous network. For example, a base station with an offset amount of 0 is currently transmitting a synchronization frame first in a given signal transmission period, and the calculation formula for each base station to calculate the synchronization frame transmission time in the given signal transmission period based on the offset amount is: corresponding offset time position = base station offset amount * transmission time length of synchronization frame.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 4, when the offset amounts of the base stations are initially arranged, multiple base stations having adjacent positional relationships also have adjacent and continuous relationships in the arrangement of the offset amounts, and offset amounts from 0 to N are sequentially assigned to the base stations in each synchronous subnet so that there is no gap between the offset amounts assigned to all the base stations, so that the synchronization frames transmitted from all the base stations form a time-concentrated and adjacent characteristic, that is, the start time of transmitting a synchronization frame by a base station with an offset amount i in the same synchronous subnet is set to the end time of transmitting a synchronization frame by a base station with an offset amount i-1, in this way, it is ensured that each base station has time to transmit a synchronization frame, which not only prevents the problem of mutual interference caused by multiple base stations operating simultaneously, but also shortens the listening frame period of the electronic price tag and reduces the power consumption of the electronic price tag. Furthermore, the maximum offset amount in the same synchronization subnet is the actual number of base stations + M, where M can be any integer such as -1, 0, 1, and 2, that is, the maximum offset amount is as close as possible to the total number of actual base stations, and assuming that the total number of actual base stations is 10, the defined offset amount is 0 to 9 or 1 to 10, and the purpose of defining it in this way is to facilitate management of the offset amount of the base station. Even if an empty offset amount occurs between two offset amounts, it is only a small empty offset amount, and if there is a newly joining base station, this empty offset amount is preferentially assigned to the newly joining base station. The value of M is as small as possible, and is generally 2 or less, thus ensuring that the time when the base stations in the same subnet transmit synchronization frames is in the front part of one predetermined transmission period.

[0040] In step S104, each base station calculates an idle time in the synchronization channel based on the synchronization frame transmission time, receives a target synchronization frame transmitted from a higher-level base station during the idle time of the synchronization channel, and adjusts the transmission time of the local synchronization frame based on the time offset of the target synchronization frame.

[0041] In this embodiment, for each base station in the electronic price tag system, as shown in FIG. 5, within a given signal transmission period, the time length other than the synchronization frame transmission time is all idle time in the synchronization channel, and the idle time in the synchronization channel of each base station and the data frame transmission time in the data channel overlap with each other. Each base station receives a synchronization frame transmitted from a higher-level base station in the same synchronization subnet during the idle time, and dynamically adjusts the local synchronization frame transmission time based on the time offset in the synchronization frame, thereby allowing each base station in the synchronization network to maintain a synchronized state.

[0042] Furthermore, each EPL in the EPL system is limited by the capacity of the battery on the tag and must be in a sleep state for a long time in order to reduce power consumption and extend battery life, and can only automatically wake up periodically to receive a synchronization frame or a data frame from the base station; this periodic wake-up and reception cycle is called a listening frame cycle; when an EPL automatically wakes up and receives a synchronization frame transmitted from a base station with which it communicates, the EPL dynamically adjusts its local time based on the time offset in the synchronization frame, thereby allowing the EPL to maintain synchronization with the base station in the synchronization subnet.

[0043] In addition, within one synchronization frame time window, the base station may repeatedly transmit the synchronization frame data packet, and may repeatedly transmit it H times. The predetermined wake-up and reception time of the price tag is aligned with the I-th packet, which is smaller than H. If the price tag actually receives a packet with a number smaller than I, rather than the I-th packet, the price tag adjusts the next sleep time length, compensates for the time difference, and expects the next round reception to be aligned with the I-th packet. Of course, if the price tag synchronizes with the base station with offset amount i, but the synchronization frame that it actually wakes up and receives is the synchronization frame of the base station with i-1, the price tag sleeps for a while based on this result, and then receives the synchronization frame data packet again in line with the transmission time window of the base station with offset amount i. If the price tag actually receives the synchronization frame of the base station with i+1, the price tag sleeps for a certain period (predetermined period-synchronization frame length) based on this result, wakes up next time, and receives the next synchronization frame transmission signal of the base station with offset amount i.

[0044] Compared with the prior art, this embodiment has the following beneficial effects.

[0045] In the present invention, at least one synchronization subnet is constructed according to the network topology structure between base stations and the determined maximum number of base stations that can be accommodated in each synchronization subnet, and a synchronization frame time on the synchronization channel, an idle time for receiving a synchronization frame of a higher-level base station on the synchronization channel, and a data transmission time on the data channel are assigned to each base station based on the offset amount of each base station in the corresponding synchronization subnet, and the local synchronization frame transmission time is dynamically adjusted based on the synchronization frame transmitted from the higher-level base station, so that all base stations in the electronic price tag system maintain a synchronized state, and each base station has its own synchronization frame transmission time, synchronization frame reception time, and data transmission time, thereby effectively preventing the problem of mutual interference caused by multiple base stations operating simultaneously.

[0046] Furthermore, the start time at which a base station with an offset amount of i in the same synchronization subnet transmits a synchronization frame is the end time at which a base station with an offset amount of i-1 transmits a synchronization frame; that is, by making it possible to minimize gaps between the offset amounts assigned to all base stations and to make the synchronization frames transmitted from all base stations form a time-concentrated and adjacent characteristic, the listening frame period of the EPL can be shortened and the power consumption of the EPL can be reduced.

[0047] Example 2 As shown in FIG. 6, in this embodiment, after each base station calculates an idle time on the synchronization channel based on the synchronization frame transmission time, and receives a target synchronization frame transmitted from a higher-level base station during the idle time of the synchronization channel, the method further includes: an EPL in an out-of-synchronization state randomly transmits a synchronization request on the synchronization channel, and causes the base station which receives the synchronization request to transmit a synchronization response signal; the EPL in the out-of-synchronization state calculates a window period during which the EPL can receive synchronization frames of all base stations on the synchronization channel based on the synchronization response signal; the EPL in the out-of-synchronization state identifies a synchronous base station based on the signal strength of all synchronization frames received during the window period, and enters a synchronization state based on the synchronization frame of the synchronous base station, wherein the synchronous base station may be the base station with the strongest signal strength of the received synchronization frame, and if the base station with the strongest signal cannot be successfully registered, another base station may be reselected as the synchronous base station.

[0048] Furthermore, calculating a window period during which the EPL in the out-of-sync state can receive synchronization frames of all base stations on the synchronization channel based on the synchronization response signal includes: calculating a window start time based on a time offset amount until the next transmission of a synchronization frame by a base station having an offset amount of n in the synchronization response signal by the EPL in the out-of-sync state; calculating a window end time based on a maximum offset amount included in the synchronization response signal by the EPL in the out-of-sync state; and obtaining a window period during which the EPL in the out-of-sync state can receive synchronization frames of all base stations on the synchronization channel based on the window start time and the window end time.

[0049] In addition, in the actual application scenario of the EPL system, there may be a situation where one or more EPL tags move or newly access the network, or the EPL automatically wakes up too early or too late. In this embodiment, all of the above situations are collectively referred to as the EPL being out of synchronization. As shown in FIG. 6, each base station calculates the idle time in the synchronization channel based on the synchronization frame transmission time, and after receiving the target synchronization frame transmitted from the upper base station during the idle time of the synchronization channel, that is, after all the base stations enter the synchronization state and wake up from the sleep state, and the EPL is out of synchronization. The EPL obtains the synchronization response signal of the base station by randomly transmitting an uplink synchronization request on the synchronization channel, and obtains a window period during which the EPL can receive synchronization frames of all base stations on the synchronization channel based on the offset amount of the base station in the synchronization response signal and the maximum offset amount in the synchronization network. After the EPL wakes up during the window period, it receives synchronization frames transmitted from all base stations, and selects the base station with the maximum signal strength as the synchronized base station, and maintains synchronization with the synchronized base station by automatically waking up at the time when the synchronized base station transmits a synchronization frame.

[0050] TIFF2025026287000006.tif28170

[0051] TIFF2025026287000007.tif28170

[0052] TIFF2025026287000008.tif24170

[0053] TIFF2025026287000009.tif19170

[0054] It is further necessary to explain that the synchronization frame of the base station with the strongest signal is searched for during the window period, and this process may be finally determined only after several predetermined signal transmission periods, of which only one window reception is shown in Fig. 6. In this example, it can be seen that multiple base stations all transmit synchronization frames on the same synchronization channel, and the synchronization frames of the same subnet are all as close as possible, so that the price tag becomes a window and can have a clear window time length when searching for the synchronization frame with the strongest signal, and there is no need to change the reception frequency, so that the EPL in the out-of-sync state can complete access to the synchronous network with low power consumption. As can be seen, the EPL in this embodiment can find the optimal synchronous base station in a short time and achieve synchronization with high speed and low power consumption, and at the same time, the EPL can switch to a new target base station with high speed and low power consumption even when moving.

[0055] Example 3 As shown in FIG. 7, in this embodiment, each base station calculates an idle time on a synchronization channel based on the synchronization frame transmission time, and after receiving a target synchronization frame transmitted from a higher-level base station during the idle time on the synchronization channel, the method includes controlling an EPL in an out-of-sync state to transmit an out-of-sync heartbeat on the synchronization channel, and causing at least one base station that receives the out-of-sync heartbeat to transmit the out-of-sync heartbeat and a signal strength value of the received out-of-sync heartbeat to a server, and controlling the server to cause a first target base station that receives a maximum signal strength value of the out-of-sync heartbeat to transmit an asynchronous broadcast on an asynchronous channel. The method further includes: calculating a window period during which the electronic price tag in the out-of-synchronization state can receive synchronization frames of all base stations on the synchronization channel based on a transmission time offset amount of the synchronization frame in a most recent specified signal transmission period included in the asynchronous broadcast; and identifying a synchronized base station based on the signal strength of all synchronization frames received by the electronic price tag in the out-of-synchronization state during the window period, and entering a synchronized state based on the synchronization frame of the synchronized base station, wherein the synchronized base station may be a base station with the maximum signal strength of the received synchronization frame, and if the base station with the strongest signal cannot be successfully registered, another base station may be reselected as the synchronized base station.

[0056] In addition, after it is determined that all base stations have entered the synchronized state, when the wireless network control center receives the heartbeat transmitted by the product price tag, it can notify the base station to send a broadcast synchronization command on the channel on which the price tag receives asynchronously, and the product price tag asynchronously receives the synchronization command transmitted by the base station, which indicates the position of the base station's synchronization frame, thereby adjusting its own receiving signal time window to search for the synchronization frame, and then entering the synchronized state, which is different from embodiment 2.

[0057] In this embodiment, the base station can transmit signals in different ways on the two sub-boards, sub-board 0 maintains and transmits the transmission period of the synchronization signal, and receives signals such as heartbeats sent by the price tags and synchronization requests that may be sent by the price tags, and sub-board 1 or other sub-boards can transmit broadcast messages on channels received asynchronously by the price tags as necessary, so that the price tags can asynchronously receive signals indicating the time positions of the synchronization frames, thereby completing the synchronization process. When the base station receives the heartbeat of a price tag, it can send a broadcast, so that the broadcast signal can be received by all the price tags with the same asynchronous receiving channel within the coverage area of ​​the base station, thereby realizing the rapid synchronization process of the group.

[0058] In this embodiment, the EPL is in a sleep state at times other than the periods and window periods for receiving a synchronization frame, sending a synchronization request, receiving a synchronization response signal, receiving a data frame, sending an out-of-sync heartbeat, and receiving an asynchronous broadcast. As can be seen, the communication method of the EPL system provided by the present invention enables the EPL to wake up in a clear window period after becoming out-of-sync to access the synchronous network, thereby minimizing the power consumption of the EPL.

[0059] Example 4 In this embodiment, the synchronization frame includes a synchronization frame frame number, an offset amount of the base station, an indication bit indicating whether there is a data frame in the current specified signal transmission period, a channel for transmitting the data frame in the current specified signal transmission period, and a packet number within the synchronization frame.

[0060] In this embodiment, the method further includes: when the base station transmits a data frame in the next specified signal transmission period, the base station or server selects one target channel from an idle data channel pool as a data channel through which the base station transmits the data frame; assigning the target channel to a transmission synchronization frame of the next specified signal transmission period, thereby allowing a plurality of electronic price tags synchronized with the base station to receive the data frame on the target channel; and the base station releasing the target channel to the idle data channel pool in response to a data frame transmission request.

[0061] In addition, before each data frame transmission, there is an indication bit in the synchronization frame, and this indication bit includes an indication of whether there is a subsequent data frame and an indication of the channel that the subsequent data frame will use. Therefore, when service data is not transmitted, if the synchronization frame indicates that there is no subsequent data in this frame, the EPL will directly go into sleep mode after receiving this synchronization frame, and the power consumption of the EPL can be further reduced.

[0062] When service data is transmitted, the synchronization frame indicates that the frame has subsequent data and which channel the data is to be transmitted on, and after the product price tag receives the synchronization frame, it continues to receive the subsequent data on the indicated channel. Then, each base station can operate using a different channel each time it transmits data. When multiple base stations operate simultaneously, the channel allocation algorithm can be used to reasonably allocate and obtain a channel to operate each time, and the interference between multiple base stations can be avoided to the maximum extent, and the possibility of simultaneous operation is improved. Here, the base station determines whether to release the channel resource according to the data frame transmission request, and may use multiple predetermined signal transmission periods continuously, or release the channel resource after one period.

[0063] Example 5 In this embodiment, the method further includes: a base station in an out-of-synchronization state receiving a synchronization frame transmitted from another base station in the same store within a period other than a predetermined signal transmission period under the control of a server; the server identifying a target synchronization subnet to join based on the signal strength of all synchronization frames received by the base station in the out-of-synchronization state; the server assigning a target offset amount to the base station in the out-of-synchronization state based on an idle offset amount in the target synchronization subnet, and assigning a higher-level base station to the base station in the out-of-synchronization state based on a network topology structure in the target synchronization subnet; and the base station in the out-of-synchronization state joining the target synchronization subnet based on the synchronization frame transmitted from the higher-level base station and the target offset amount.

[0064] In this embodiment, the out-of-synchronization state of the base station may be a state in which the base station is moved or a new base station is added, and the base station in the out-of-synchronization state receives synchronization frames transmitted from other base stations in the same store for a time length exceeding a predetermined synchronization frame transmission period under the control of the server, and determines a target synchronization subnet to join based on the strength values ​​of all the received synchronization frames, where the target synchronization subnet is the subnet with the largest number of base stations, and the number of base stations is the number of base stations in the subnet whose strength values ​​exceed a predetermined threshold when the transmitted synchronization frames are received by the out-of-synchronization base station. Furthermore, the server determines whether a first idle offset amount exists between 0 and a maximum offset amount in the target synchronization subnet, and if a first idle offset amount exists, assigns the first idle offset amount to the out-of-synchronization base station. If there is no first idle offset amount, judge whether the maximum offset amount is equal to the maximum capacity-1, if it is not equal to the maximum capacity-1, allocate the second idle offset amount after the maximum offset amount +1 to the base station in the out-of-synchronization state, if it is equal to the maximum capacity-1, the synchronization subnet with the second largest number of base stations that have transmitted synchronization frames with strength values ​​exceeding a predetermined threshold is set as the next target synchronization subnet of the base station in the out-of-synchronization state, and allocate the offset amount to the base station in the out-of-synchronization state in the synchronization subnet according to the above method of finding the idle offset amount. Here, if the out-of-synchronization base station does not receive any other base station synchronization signal of the same store, it indicates that the store has only this one base station, in which case the server controls the base station to be the master base station and directly transmits a synchronization frame signal to make the base station enter a synchronization state, and if all base stations are in an out-of-synchronization state, the initial synchronization network can be established by referring to the technical solution disclosed in the patent CN110602660B, the synchronization network establishment method, device, equipment and storage medium by ESLS.

[0065] Furthermore, by assigning a higher-level base station and / or a lower-level base station to the base station in the out-of-synchronization state based on the network topology structure of the target synchronization subnet, adjusting the local local time based on the synchronization frame transmitted from the higher-level base station, and obtaining the transmission time of the local synchronization frame based on the target offset amount, the base station in the out-of-synchronization state completes access to the synchronization network and maintains the synchronization state with the higher-level base station.

[0066] According to a second aspect, the present invention provides an electronic price tag system, the electronic price tag system including: a server; a plurality of base stations; and a number of electronic price tags; The server determines a maximum number of base stations that can be accommodated in each synchronization subnetwork based on a predetermined signal transmission period and a transmission time length of a synchronization frame; The server configures the plurality of base stations into at least one synchronous subnet based on the maximum capacity of the base stations and a network topology structure between the base stations; The server arranges an offset amount of each base station in the corresponding synchronous subnet based on the neighbor relationship of all base stations in each synchronous subnet, and causes each base station to calculate a synchronization frame transmission time in the predetermined signal transmission period based on the offset amount, the start time of transmitting a synchronization frame by a base station with an offset amount i in the same synchronous subnet is the end time of transmitting a synchronization frame by a base station with an offset amount i-1, and the maximum offset amount in the same synchronous subnet is the actual number of base stations + M; Each base station calculates an idle time in the synchronization channel based on the synchronization frame transmission time, receives a target synchronization frame transmitted from a higher-level base station during the idle time of the synchronization channel, and adjusts the transmission time of a local synchronization frame based on a time offset of the target synchronization frame, so that the idle time in the synchronization channel of each base station and the data frame transmission time in the data channel overlap with each other.

[0067] In this embodiment, the EPL wakes up in a listening frame period to receive a synchronization frame transmitted by a synchronous base station, and adjusts the local time according to the synchronization frame.

[0068] According to a third aspect, an embodiment of the present invention is a computer device including a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored in the memory and executable by the processor, and when the processor executes the computer program, the steps include: the server determines a maximum number of base stations in each synchronization subnet based on a predetermined signal transmission period and a transmission time length of a synchronization frame; the server configures the plurality of base stations into at least one synchronization subnet based on the maximum number of base stations and a network topology structure between base stations; and the server configures an offset amount of each base station in the corresponding synchronization subnet based on an adjacent relationship of all base stations in each synchronization subnet, and determines a synchronization frame transmission time in the predetermined signal transmission period based on the offset amount for each base station. the start time at which a base station with an offset amount of i in the same synchronization subnet transmits a synchronization frame is the end time at which a base station with an offset amount of i-1 transmits a synchronization frame, and the maximum offset amount in the same synchronization subnet is the actual number of base stations+M; and each base station calculates an idle time in the synchronization channel based on the synchronization frame transmission time, receives a target synchronization frame transmitted from a higher base station during the idle time of the synchronization channel, and adjusts the transmission time of a local synchronization frame based on the time offset of the target synchronization frame, so that the idle time in the synchronization channel of each base station and the data frame transmission time in the data channel overlap with each other.

[0069] According to a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention is a readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, includes the steps of: the server determining a maximum number of base stations to be accommodated in each synchronization subnet based on a predetermined signal transmission period and a transmission time length of a synchronization frame; the server constructing the plurality of base stations into at least one synchronization subnet based on the maximum number of base stations to be accommodated and a network topology structure between base stations; and the server arranging an offset amount of each base station in the corresponding synchronization subnet based on an adjacent relationship of all base stations in each synchronization subnet, and causing each base station to calculate a synchronization frame transmission time in the predetermined signal transmission period based on the offset amount. The present invention provides a readable storage medium which realizes the steps of: a start time at which a base station with an offset amount of i in the same synchronization subnet transmits a synchronization frame is the end time at which a base station with an offset amount of i-1 transmits a synchronization frame, and a maximum offset amount in the same synchronization subnet is the actual number of base stations + M; and a step in which each base station calculates an idle time in the synchronization channel based on the synchronization frame transmission time, receives a target synchronization frame transmitted from a higher base station during the idle time of the synchronization channel, and adjusts the transmission time of a local synchronization frame based on the time offset of the target synchronization frame, so that the idle time in the synchronization channel of each base station and the data frame transmission time in the data channel overlap with each other.

[0070] It can be understood by those skilled in the art that the implementation of all or part of the flow of the method of the above embodiment can be completed by instructing the relevant hardware by a computer program, and the program can be stored in a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium, and when the program is executed, the flow of each of the above embodiment of the method can be included. Herein, any memory, storage, database, or other medium mentioned in each implementation provided by the present application can include a non-volatile memory and / or a volatile memory. The non-volatile memory can include a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable ROM (PROM), an electrically programmable ROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory can include a random access memory (RAM) or an external cache memory. Illustratively, RAM comes in a variety of forms, such as, but not limited to, Static RAM (SRAM), Dynamic RAM (DRAM), Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), Double Data Rate SDRAM (DDRSDRAM), Enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchronous Link DRAM (SLDRAM), Memory Bus (Rambus) Direct RAM (RDRAM), Direct Memory Bus Dynamic RAM (DRDRAM), and Memory Bus Dynamic RAM (RDRAM).

[0071] It should be noted that in this specification, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are merely used to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply that such an actual relationship or order exists between these entities or operations. And the terms "comprise", "comprises" or any other variations thereof are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article or device that includes a set of elements not only includes those elements, but also includes other elements not expressly listed or includes elements inherent in such process, method, article or device. In the absence of more limitations, an element limited by the phrase "comprises 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 tag system including a server, a plurality of base stations, and some electronic price tags, comprising: The server determines a maximum number of base stations that can be accommodated in each synchronization subnet based on a predetermined signal transmission period and a transmission time length of a synchronization frame; The server configures the plurality of base stations into at least one synchronous subnetwork based on the maximum capacity of the base stations and a network topology structure between the base stations; The server arranges an offset amount of each base station in the corresponding synchronous subnet based on the neighboring relationship of all base stations in each synchronous subnet, and causes each base station to calculate a synchronization frame transmission time in the predetermined signal transmission period based on the offset amount, wherein the start time of a base station with an offset amount i in the same synchronous subnet transmitting a synchronization frame is the end time of a base station with an offset amount i-1 transmitting a synchronization frame, and the maximum offset amount in the same synchronous subnet is the actual number of base stations + M; Each base station calculates an idle time in a synchronization channel based on the synchronization frame transmission time, receives a target synchronization frame transmitted from a higher-level base station during the idle time of the synchronization channel, and adjusts a transmission time of a local synchronization frame based on a time offset of the target synchronization frame, whereby the idle time in the synchronization channel and the data frame transmission time in the data channel of each base station overlap with each other. A communication method for an electronic price tag system comprising:

2. Each base station calculates an idle time in the synchronization channel based on the synchronization frame transmission time, and receives a target synchronization frame transmitted from a higher-level base station during the idle time of the synchronization channel. The electronic price tag in an out-of-synchronization state randomly transmits a synchronization request on a synchronization channel, and causes a base station that receives the synchronization request to transmit a synchronization response signal; calculating a window period during which the out-of-sync EPL can receive synchronization frames from all base stations on a synchronization channel based on the synchronization response signal; The electronic price tag in the out-of-sync state further includes identifying a synchronous base station based on signal strengths of all synchronous frames received during the window period, and entering a synchronous state based on the synchronous frames of the synchronous base station.

2. The communication method for an electronic price tag system according to claim 1.

3. Calculating a window period during which the out-of-sync EPL can receive synchronization frames of all base stations on a synchronization channel based on the synchronization response signal, calculating a window start time based on a time offset amount until the next transmission of a synchronization frame by the base station having an offset amount n in the synchronization response signal by the EPL in the out-of-synchronization state; calculating a window end time based on a maximum offset amount included in a synchronization response signal from the out-of-sync EPL; and obtaining a window period during which the EPL in the out-of-sync state can receive synchronization frames of all base stations on a synchronization channel based on the window start time and the window end time.

3. The communication method for an electronic price tag system according to claim 2.

4.

5.

6. Each base station calculates an idle time in the synchronization channel based on the synchronization frame transmission time, and receives a target synchronization frame transmitted from an upper base station during the idle time of the synchronization channel. an EPL tag in an out-of-sync state transmitting an out-of-sync heartbeat on a sync channel, and causing at least one base station receiving the out-of-sync heartbeat to transmit to a server the out-of-sync heartbeat and a signal strength value of the received out-of-sync heartbeat; The server controls a first target base station that receives the maximum signal strength value of the out-of-sync heartbeat to transmit an asynchronous broadcast on an asynchronous channel; calculating a window period during which the out-of-synchronization EPL can receive synchronization frames from all base stations on a synchronization channel based on a transmission time offset amount of a synchronization frame in a most recent predetermined signal transmission period included in the asynchronous broadcast; The electronic price tag in the out-of-sync state further includes identifying a synchronous base station based on signal strengths of all synchronous frames received during the window period, and entering a synchronous state based on the synchronous frames of the synchronous base station.

2. The communication method for an electronic price tag system according to claim 1.

7. The EPL is in a sleep state at times other than the periods and window periods for receiving a synchronization frame, transmitting a synchronization request, receiving a synchronization response signal, receiving a data frame, transmitting an out-of-sync heartbeat, and receiving an asynchronous broadcast.

7. The communication method for the electronic price tag system according to claim 1.

8. The synchronization frame includes a frame number of the synchronization frame, an offset amount of the base station, an indication bit indicating whether or not there is a data frame in the current predetermined signal transmission period, a channel for transmitting the data frame in the current predetermined signal transmission period, and a packet number within the synchronization frame.

7. The communication method for the electronic price tag system according to claim 1.

9. When a base station is to transmit a data frame in a next predetermined signal transmission period, the base station or a server selects one target channel from an idle data channel pool as a data channel on which the base station will transmit the data frame; the base station assigns the target channel to a transmission synchronization frame of a next predetermined signal transmission period, thereby causing a plurality of electronic price tags synchronized with the base station to receive a data frame on the target channel; and the base station releasing the target channel to the idle data channel pool in response to a data frame transmission request.

9. The communication method for an electronic price tag system according to claim 8.

10. After each base station calculates an idle time in a synchronization channel based on the synchronization frame transmission time, A base station in an out-of-synchronization state receives a synchronization frame transmitted from another base station in the same store within a period other than a predetermined signal transmission period under the control of a server; The server identifies a target synchronization subnet to join based on the signal strength of all synchronization frames received by the out-of-sync base station, the target synchronization subnet being a subnet having the largest number of base stations, and the number of base stations being the number of base stations in the subnet whose strength value exceeds a predetermined threshold when the transmitted synchronization frame is received by the out-of-sync base station; The server assigns a target offset amount to the base station in the out-of-synchronization state based on an idle offset amount in the target synchronization subnet, and assigns a superior base station to the base station in the out-of-synchronization state based on a network topology structure in the target synchronization subnet; The base station in the out-of-synchronization state joins the target synchronization subnet based on a synchronization frame transmitted from a superior base station and the target offset amount.

2. The communication method for an electronic price tag system according to claim 1.

11. The server assigns a target offset amount to the base station in the out-of-synchronization state based on an idle offset amount in the target synchronization subnet, determining whether a first idle offset is between a minimum offset and a maximum offset in the target synchronization subnet; and if a first idle offset amount exists, the server assigns the first idle offset amount to the out-of-sync base station. The communication method for an electronic price tag system according to claim 10.

12. if the first idle offset amount does not exist, determining whether the maximum offset amount is equal to a maximum capacity minus one; If the second idle offset is not equal to the maximum capacity minus 1, the second idle offset is added to the maximum offset by 1. The communication method for an electronic price tag system according to claim 11.

13. An electronic price tag system, comprising: The electronic price tag system includes a server, a plurality of base stations, and some electronic price tags; The server is configured to determine a maximum number of base stations that can be accommodated in each synchronization subnet based on a predetermined signal transmission period and a transmission time length of a synchronization frame; The server is configured to configure the plurality of base stations into at least one synchronization subnetwork based on a maximum capacity of the base stations and a network topology structure between the base stations; The server is configured to arrange an offset amount of each base station in the corresponding synchronization subnet based on an adjacent relationship of all base stations in each synchronization subnet, and to have each base station calculate a synchronization frame transmission time in the predetermined signal transmission period based on the offset amount, whereby a start time at which a base station with an offset amount i in the same synchronization subnet transmits a synchronization frame is an end time at which a base station with an offset amount i-1 transmits a synchronization frame, and a maximum offset amount in the same synchronization subnet is the actual number of base stations + M, Each base station is configured to calculate an idle time in a synchronization channel based on the synchronization frame transmission time, receive a target synchronization frame transmitted from a higher-level base station during the idle time of the synchronization channel, and adjust a transmission time of a local synchronization frame based on a time offset of the target synchronization frame, where the idle time in the synchronization channel of each base station and the data frame transmission time in the data channel overlap with each other. An electronic price tag system comprising:

14. The electronic price tag wakes up in a listening frame period to receive a synchronization frame transmitted by a synchronization base station, and adjusts a local time based on the synchronization frame.

14. The electronic price tag system according to claim 13.

15. A computing device including a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored in the memory and executable by the processor, When the processor executes the computer program, the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12 are performed.

1. A computer device comprising:

16. In a readable storage medium on which a computer program is stored, 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. A readable storage medium.

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