Communication systems, management devices, and specific terminals

Abstract

This technology provides ways to improve the convenience of users who use terminals in designated locations. [Solution] The communication system comprises a plurality of terminals used in a predetermined location having a plurality of areas, and a management device capable of communicating with each of the plurality of terminals. The management device comprises a collection unit that collects area identification information for identifying the area where the terminal is currently located, and the communication status of the area where the terminal is currently located, from each of the plurality of terminals; a first identification unit that uses the area identification information and communication status collected from each of the plurality of terminals to identify a first area with good communication status from among the plurality of areas; and a transmission unit that transmits area information indicating the first area to a specific terminal among the plurality of terminals. The specific terminal includes a notification unit that notifies the first area indicated by the area information when it receives area information from the management device.

Description

Technical Field

[0005]

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a communication system including a plurality of terminals and a management device, a terminal itself, and a management device itself.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an electric field intensity map updating device that collects the status of the electric field intensity of an access point from each of a plurality of terminals and updates an electric field intensity map.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] There are areas with good communication conditions and areas with poor communication conditions within a predetermined location (for example, a store). A user who uses a terminal in an area with poor communication conditions may feel annoyed to continue using the terminal in that area. In this specification, a technology for improving the convenience of a user who uses a terminal at a predetermined location is provided.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The communication system disclosed herein comprises a plurality of terminals used in a predetermined location having a plurality of areas, and a management device capable of communicating with each of the plurality of terminals, wherein each of the plurality of terminals is configured to measure the communication status of the area in which the terminal is currently located within the predetermined location, and the management device comprises a collection unit that collects area identification information for identifying the area in which the terminal is currently located and the communication status of the area in which the terminal is currently located from each of the plurality of terminals, a first identification unit that uses the area identification information and the communication status collected from each of the plurality of terminals to identify a first area with good communication status from among the plurality of areas, and a transmission unit that transmits area information indicating the first area to a specific terminal among the plurality of terminals, wherein the specific terminal includes a notification unit that notifies the first area indicated by the area information when it receives the area information from the management device.

[0006] According to the above configuration, a user of a specific terminal can identify a first area with good communication conditions among multiple areas in a given location. The user can then move from their current area to the first area and continue working on their specific terminal. This improves the convenience for users using terminals in a given location.

[0007] The transmitting unit may transmit the area information to the specific terminal in response to a request from that specific terminal.

[0008] According to the above configuration, a specific terminal can request an area with good communication conditions at any time.

[0009] The management device may further include a second identification unit that uses the area identification information and communication status collected from each of the plurality of terminals to identify a specific terminal from among the plurality of terminals that is currently located in an area with worse communication conditions than the first area.

[0010] With the above configuration, a specific terminal currently located in an area with poor communication conditions can be notified of an area with good communication conditions.

[0011] The first identification unit may identify the first area that is closer to the second area from among two or more areas with better communication conditions than the second area where the specific terminal is currently located, and the transmission unit may transmit the area information to the specific terminal currently located in the second area.

[0012] According to the above configuration, a user of a specific device can find out about nearby areas with good network connectivity.

[0013] Each of the aforementioned plurality of areas is equipped with a beacon device, the beacon device is configured to transmit a beacon signal containing identification information that identifies the area where the beacon device is installed, and each of the plurality of terminals is configured to receive the beacon signal from the beacon device, the area identification information being the identification information included in the beacon signal, and the management device may further include a first determination unit that, when it receives the area identification information and the communication status from the terminal, determines the communication status of the area identified by the identification information included in the area identification information based on the communication status received from the terminal along with the area identification information.

[0014] With the above configuration, the communication status of each area can be determined using beacon devices.

[0015] Each of the aforementioned plurality of terminals is configured to read product information from products located within the predetermined location, the area identification information is the product information, and the management device may further include a third identification unit that, upon receiving the area identification information and the communication status from the terminal, identifies a location area from among the plurality of areas in which the product indicated by the product information included in the area identification information is located, and a second determination unit that determines the communication status of the location area based on the communication status received from the terminal along with the area identification information that identifies the location area.

[0016] According to the above configuration, the communication status of each area can be determined by using product information read from products placed within a predetermined location.

[0017] This specification discloses a management device capable of communicating with each of a plurality of terminals used in a predetermined location having a plurality of areas. Each of the plurality of terminals is configured to measure the communication status of the area in which the terminal is currently located within the predetermined location, and the management device includes a collection unit that collects area identification information for identifying the area in which the terminal is currently located, and the communication status of the area in which the terminal is currently located, from each of the plurality of terminals. The system includes a first identification unit that identifies a first area with good communication conditions from among the multiple areas using the area identification information and communication status collected from each of the multiple terminals, and a transmission unit that transmits area information indicating the first area to a specific terminal among the multiple terminals.

[0018] Even with the above configuration, a user of a specific device can identify the first area with the best communication status among multiple areas in a given location.

[0019] This specification discloses a specific terminal used in a predetermined location having a plurality of areas. The specific terminal includes a state transmission unit that transmits, to a management device capable of communicating with the specific terminal, area identification information for identifying an area where the specific terminal is currently located and a communication state of the area where the specific terminal is currently located among the plurality of areas. The management device uses the area identification information and the communication state collected from each of the plurality of terminals including the specific terminal to identify a first area with a good communication state from among the plurality of areas. The state transmission unit, a reception unit that receives area information indicating the first area from the management device, and a notification unit that notifies the first area indicated by the area information when receiving the area information from the management device. <> <>

[0020] <> With the above configuration, the user of the specific terminal can know a first area with a good communication state among the plurality of areas in a predetermined location. <>

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] <> <> [Figure 1] It is a diagram showing the configuration of a communication system according to the first and second embodiments. <> <> [Figure 2] It is a block diagram of a reading terminal. <> <> [Figure 3] It is a block diagram of a server. <> <> [Figure 4] It is a sequence diagram of the processes executed by the communication system according to the first embodiment. <> <> [Figure 5] It is a sequence diagram of the processes executed by the communication system according to the second embodiment. <> <> [Figure 6] It is a diagram showing the configuration of a communication system according to the third embodiment. <> <> [Figure 7] It is a sequence diagram of the processes executed by the communication system according to the third embodiment. <> <>

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] <> (First Embodiment)<> (Configuration of Communication System 2; FIG. 1) Communication system 2 comprises a server 10, multiple reading terminals 100, multiple beacon devices 200, and an access point 300. The multiple reading terminals 100 are used in store 4. Store 4 has four areas, each named "A1" to "A4". For example, area "A1" is the meat section, area "A2" is the vegetable section, and area "A3" is the daily necessities section. Note that the number of areas is not limited to four; two or more are acceptable.

[0023] The reading terminal 100 is a portable terminal that reads information from information codes such as barcodes and 2D codes. Employees use the reading terminal 100 to read information from products sold in store 4 and perform tasks in store 4, such as inventory management. In a modified version, the reading terminal 100 may also read information from images using image recognition such as character recognition, or from storage media such as RFID tags. Each of the four reading terminals 100 is assigned a device ID (for example, "D01").

[0024] The beacon device 200 is a device that periodically transmits beacon signals according to a predetermined communication method. The predetermined communication method is, for example, Bluetooth® or Wi-Fi®. The beacon device 200 is installed in each of the four areas "A1" to "A4". Each of the four beacon devices 200 is assigned a beacon ID (for example, "B01"). The beacon ID identifies the beacon device 200.

[0025] Access point 300 forms a wireless Local Area Network (LAN) within store 4. Access point 300 is connected to the internet. Server 10 is connected to the wireless LAN formed by access point 300. Server 10 is, for example, a terminal device such as a desktop PC. In a modified example, server 10 may be located on the internet.

[0026] (Configuration of reading terminal 100; Figure 2) The reading terminal 100 includes a first communication interface 110, a second communication interface 112, a display unit 114, an operation unit 116, a reading unit 118, and a control unit 130. Hereafter, "interface" will be referred to as "I / F".

[0027] The first communication interface 110 is an interface for performing communication via a wireless LAN. The first communication interface 110 is connected to the wireless LAN formed by the access point 300. The second communication interface 112 is an interface capable of receiving beacon signals from the beacon device 200.

[0028] The display unit 114 displays various information. The display unit 114 is, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The display unit 114 may also be a touchscreen. The operation unit 116 receives various instructions. The operation unit 116 is, for example, a mechanical button, a touchscreen, a keyboard, etc.

[0029] The reading unit 118 includes an image sensor for capturing information codes, character strings, etc. In a modified version, the reading unit 118 may also include a laser source that scans a laser to irradiate the information code, and an element that receives the reflected laser light. Furthermore, if the reading terminal 100 is capable of reading information from the storage medium, the reading unit 118 may also include an antenna for performing communication with the storage medium.

[0030] The control unit 130 controls the various parts 110, 112, 114, 116, and 118 of the reading terminal 100. The control unit 130 includes a CPU 132 and a memory 134. The CPU 132 performs various processes according to the program 140 stored in the memory 134.

[0031] (Server 10 configuration; Figure 3) The server 10 comprises a communication interface 12 and a control unit 30. The communication interface 12 is connected to the wireless LAN formed by the access point 300. The control unit 30 controls the various parts 12 of the server 10. The CPU 32 performs various processes according to the program 40 stored in the memory 34.

[0032] Memory 34 stores the area table 42. For each of the four areas "A1" to "A4" of store 4, the area table 42 stores the area name (e.g., "A1") and the beacon ID (e.g., "B01") that identifies the beacon device 200 installed in that area. The area table 42 allows the beacon ID to identify the area where the beacon device 200 is installed.

[0033] (Processing performed by communication system 2; Figure 4) Figure 4 shows an example of the processing performed by communication system 2. In this case, each beacon device 200 is installed in each area as shown in Figure 1. Specifically, a beacon device 200 with beacon ID "B01" (hereinafter referred to as beacon device "B01") is installed in area A1. Beacon devices "B02" to "B04" are installed in the remaining areas A2 to A4, respectively.

[0034] Furthermore, in the initial state of this case, each reading terminal 100 is located in a different area, as shown in Figure 1. Specifically, the reading terminal 100 with device ID "D01" (hereinafter referred to as reading terminal "D01") is located in area A1. The remaining reading terminals "D02" to "D04" are located in areas A2 to A4, respectively.

[0035] The reading terminal "D01" measures the communication status of the first communication interface 110 at T10. Here, the communication status includes the signal strength (e.g., RSSI) of the wireless LAN to which the first communication interface 110 is connected, the communication error rate, the frequency of communication disconnections, the duration of communication disconnections, etc.

[0036] The reading terminal "D01" is currently located in area A1, and a beacon device "B01" is installed in area A1. In T12, the reading terminal "D01" receives a beacon signal from the beacon device "B01" via the second communication I / F112. The beacon signal includes the beacon ID "B01".

[0037] In T14, the reading terminal "D01" transmits status information indicating the results of T10 and T12 to the server 10 via the first communication I / F 110 and access point 300. The status information includes a status value SV1 indicating the communication status measured in T10 and a beacon ID "B01" received in T12.

[0038] The other reading terminals "D02" to "D04," like reading terminal "D01," measure the communication status and receive beacon signals from the beacon device 200. Then, in T14B to T14D, each reading terminal "D02" to "D04" transmits status information to the server 10.

[0039] Server 10 receives status information from each of the reading terminals "D01" to "D04" in T14A to T14D. Server 10 executes processes T16 and T20 each time it receives status information from the reading terminal 100. Processes T16 and T20 are processes that update the communication status table 44 in Server 10. The communication status table 44 shows the current communication status of each area of ​​Store 4. For each of the four areas "A1" to "A4", the communication status table 44 stores the area name of the area and the current value indicating the current communication status of that area.

[0040] In T16, the server 10 identifies the area name corresponding to the beacon ID included in the status information received from the reading terminal 100 from the area table 42. In T20, the server 10 stores the status value included in the status information received from the reading terminal 100 as the current value (e.g., CV1), associated with the identified area name (e.g., "A1"). That is, the current value is the latest status value. In a modified example, the current value may be the average of the latest status value and past status values, or the median, maximum, or minimum value among the latest and past status values. In yet another modified example, the current value may be the average, median, maximum, or minimum value of two or more status values ​​received from two or more reading terminals 100 located in one area.

[0041] Processes T10 to T20 are executed repeatedly at regular intervals, updating the communication status table 44. In this case, the communication status in area "A3" is worse than in other areas. Therefore, users using the reading terminal "D03" in area "A3" may experience inconvenience.

[0042] The user inputs an instruction to the operation unit 116 of the reading terminal "D03" at T30 to request an area with good communication conditions. In response to the instruction from the user at T30, the reading terminal "D03" sends a request signal to the server 10 at T32 via the first communication I / F 110, in accordance with the instruction from T30.

[0043] When server 10 receives a request signal from the reading terminal "D03" at T32, it compares the current values ​​in the communication status table 44 at T34. In this case, the communication status in area A1 is the best, and the communication status deteriorates in the order of area A2, area A4, and area A3. That is, server 10 determines the relationship CV1>CV2>CV4>CV3 for the current values ​​CV1 in area A1, CV2 in area A2, CV3 in area A3, and CV4 in area A4.

[0044] In T36, server 10 uses the comparison results from T34 to determine the area with the best communication status from among the four areas "A1" to "A4" as the recommended area. In this case, area A1 has the best communication status, so server 10 determines area A1 as the recommended area. In the modified version, there may be two or more recommended areas, not just one. The two recommended areas may be, for example, the area with the best communication status and the area with the next best communication status.

[0045] In T38, server 10 sends a response to the request signal in T32 to reading terminal "D03". This response includes the area name "A1" of the recommended area determined in T36.

[0046] When the reading terminal "D03" receives a response from the server 10 at T38, T40 displays the area name "A1" from the response received at T38 on the display unit 14. The user of the reading terminal "D03" can then know that the communication status of the displayed area "A1" is good. In particular, the user of the reading terminal "D03" can find out which area "A1" has good communication status by inputting instructions at T30. The user of the reading terminal "D03" can find out which area has good communication status at any time. The user can move from the current area "A3" to the area "A1" with good communication status and proceed with their work using the reading terminal "D03". This improves the convenience for users using the reading terminal 100 at store 4. In the modified example, the reading terminal "D03" may output an audio message indicating the area name "A1" from the response received at T38.

[0047] Wireless communication is affected by changes in the environment inside store 4 (e.g., changes in layout) and changes in the environment outside store 4 (e.g., an increase in the number of users using smartphones outside store 4). Due to these environmental changes, the communication status in each area inside store 4 may change. It is difficult to control the environment inside and outside store 4 so that the communication status does not change. According to the configuration of this embodiment, it is possible to measure the changing communication status in each area and notify the user of the area with good communication status. Even if the communication status changes in each area, the user can move to an area with good communication status and continue working using the reading terminal 100.

[0048] (Modified version of the first embodiment) In this modified example, at T40, the reading terminal "D03" displays three areas "A1", "A2", and "A4" that have better communication conditions than the current area "A3". Specifically, at T32, the reading terminal "D03" sends a request signal to the server 10 that includes the beacon ID "B03" of the beacon device "B03" installed in area A3, where the reading terminal "D03" is currently located. At T36, the server 10 identifies areas "A1", "A2", and "A4" from among the four areas "A1" to "A4" that have better communication conditions than area "A3", which corresponds to the beacon ID "B03" in the request signal. At T38, the server 10 sends a response to the reading terminal "D03" that includes the identified area names "A1", "A2", and "A4". The reading terminal "D03" displays the area names "A1", "A2", and "A4" from the response on the display unit 14. The user can find out which areas have better communication conditions than their current location. The response may also include information indicating a comparison of communication conditions for the specified area names "A1", "A2", and "A4", i.e., CV1 > CV2 > CV4. The reading terminal "D03" may then display a message indicating the order of communication conditions for each area (for example, "A1 > A2 > A4") based on this information. The user can then see this message and select their destination area from among areas "A1", "A2", and "A4".

[0049] (Correspondence) Store 4 and areas "A1" to "A4" are examples of "designated locations" and "multiple areas," respectively. Server 10 and reading terminals "D01" to "D04" are examples of "management devices" and "multiple terminals," respectively. Beacon device 200 is an example of a "beacon device." Beacon ID is an example of "area identification information" and "identification information." The request signal T32 in Figure 4 is an example of a "request." Area "A1" in the example in Figure 4 is an example of a "first area." Reading terminal "D03" in the example in Figure 4 is an example of a "specific terminal."

[0050] T14A to T14D in Figure 4 are examples of processes implemented by the "Collection Unit" and the "Status Transmission Unit". T36 and T40 are examples of processes implemented by the "First Identification Unit" and the "Notification Unit", respectively. T38 is an example of a process implemented by the "Transmission Unit" and the "Reception Unit". The process at T20 is an example of a process implemented by the "First Determination Unit".

[0051] (Second example) (Processing performed by communication system 2; Figure 5) This embodiment is the same as the first embodiment, except that the processing performed by the communication system 2 is different. Figure 5 shows an example of the processing, and the initial state in Figure 5 is the same as the example in Figure 4. In this embodiment as well, the server 10 collects status information from each of the reading terminals "D01" to "D04" at T14. In this embodiment, the status information includes the status value and beacon ID, as well as the device ID.

[0052] In T116 and T120, the server 10 updates the communication status table 46 using the status information received from each of the reading terminals "D01" to "D04". The communication status table 46 in this embodiment is the same as the communication status table 44 in the first embodiment, except that a device ID has been added. In this embodiment as well, the server 10 updates the communication status table 46 each time it receives status information from the reading terminal 100.

[0053] For example, if the reading terminal "D01" is currently located in area "A1", the status information of the reading terminal "D01" includes the status value SV1, the beacon ID "B01", and the device ID "D01". When the server 10 receives the status information from the reading terminal "D01", at T116, it identifies the area name "A1" corresponding to the beacon ID "B01" in the status information from the area table 42. At T120, the server 10 stores the status value SV1 included in the status information received from the reading terminal "D01" as the current value CV1 in the communication status table 46, associating it with the identified area name "A1". Furthermore, the server 10 stores the device ID "D01" included in the status information received from the reading terminal "D01" in the communication status table 46, associating it with the identified area name "A1". If device ID "D01" is stored in the communication status table 46 in association with another area name, server 10 deletes device ID "D01" that is stored in association with another area name. In other words, in the communication status table 46, device ID "D01" is associated with one of the four area names, and the fact that device ID "D01" is stored in association with area name "A1" means that the reading terminal "D01" is currently located in area "A1".

[0054] In this embodiment, the server 10 automatically executes the processing from T134 onwards without receiving a request signal from each reading terminal 100. For example, the server 10 may execute the processing from T134 onwards if there is a current value below a predetermined threshold in the communication status table 46. This is because the presence of a current value below a predetermined threshold means that there is a reading terminal 100 with a poor communication status in the store 4.

[0055] T134 is the same as T34 in Figure 4. In T136, the server 10 uses the comparison results of T134 to determine the recommended area for each reading terminal 100. For example, in the example shown in the communication status table 46 in Figure 5, each of the reading terminals "D01" to "D04" is currently located in areas "A1" to "A4". For example, from the results of T134, the server 10 determines area "A1" as the recommended area for reading terminal "D03". Specifically, from the results of T134, the server 10 selects areas "A1", "A2", and "A4" that have better communication status than area "A3", where reading terminal "D03" is currently located. Of the selected areas "A1", "A2", and "A4", the server 10 selects areas "A1" and "A4" that are closer to area "A3". The server 10 then determines that area "A1," which has the best communication status among the selected areas "A1" and "A4," is the recommended area for the reading terminal "D03." The server 10 also determines recommended areas for reading terminals "D02" and "D04" in the same way as for reading terminal "D03." For example, for reading terminal "D04," the recommended area is not "A1," which has the best communication status, but rather "A2," which is close to area "A4," where reading terminal "D04" is currently located. With this configuration, the user of reading terminal "D04" can find a nearby area with good communication status. Also, if the distant area "A1" were determined as the recommended area, the user of reading terminal "D04" might find it troublesome to move to area "A1." By determining the nearby area "A2" as the recommended area, it is possible to encourage user movement and contribute to smoother work. Note that since reader terminal "D01" is currently located in area "A1," which has the best communication status, a recommended area is not determined for reader terminal "D01." Processing by T136 identifies reader terminals "D02" to "D04" that are currently located in areas with worse communication status than area "A1," and a recommended area is determined for each of reader terminals "D02" to "D04."

[0056] In T138B to T138D, server 10 notifies each reading terminal 100 of the recommended area determined in T136. This allows reading terminals currently located in areas with poor communication conditions to be informed of areas with good communication conditions.

[0057] For example, in T138B, server 10 notifies reading terminal "D02" of the area name "A1" which indicates the recommended area for reading terminal "D02". As a result, in T140B, reading terminal "D02" displays the area name "A1". The user of reading terminal "D02" can see the displayed area name "A1" and move from the current area "A2" to area "A1" with better communication conditions, allowing them to proceed with their work smoothly. In addition, T138C and 140C display the recommended area name "A1" on reading terminal "D03", and T138D and 140D display the recommended area name "A2" on reading terminal "D04". Users of reading terminals "D03" and "D04" can also move from their current area to an area with better communication conditions. T136 in Figure 5 is an example of the processing realized by the "second identification unit". Areas "A2" and "A4" in Figure 5 are examples of the "first area" and the "second area," respectively.

[0058] (Third embodiment) (Configuration of communication system 3; Figure 6) Unlike the communication system 2 of the first embodiment shown in Figure 1, the communication system 3 of this embodiment does not include a beacon device 200. The communication system 3 comprises a server 10, four reading terminals "D01" to "D04", and an access point 300. The server 10 stores a product list table 50. The product list table 50 stores a product list (e.g., "GL1") of the products 400 placed in each of the four areas "A1" to "A4". Specifically, the product list is a list of product information recorded in the information code displayed on the product. Product information is information that can identify the product, such as an identification number. The information code is a barcode, a two-dimensional code, etc. In a modified example, the product information may be stored in a storage medium such as an RFID tag attached to the product 400.

[0059] (Processing performed by communication system 3; Figure 6) Figure 6 shows an example of the processing performed by communication system 3. In the initial state of this case, similar to the case in Figure 4, each of the reading terminals "D01" to "D04" is located in area "A1" to "A4".

[0060] The reading terminal "D01" reads product information "G01" from product 400 located in area "A1" at T200, according to the user's instructions. Here, the task of reading product information is part of the task of managing the inventory of product 400 located in store 4, for example. T210 is the same as T10 in Figure 4. T214A is the same as T14A in Figure 4, except that the status information includes product information "G01" read by T200 instead of the beacon ID. The other reading terminals "D02" to "D04" also read product information from product 400 in the area where each reading terminal is currently located, similar to the reading terminal "D01", and send status information including product information to the server 10 at T214B to T214C.

[0061] In this embodiment, the server 10 executes processes T216 and T220 each time it receives status information from the reading terminal 100. The communication status table 46 in this embodiment is the same as in the second embodiment, and processes T216 and T220 are processes that update the communication status table 46.

[0062] In T216, the server 10 identifies a product list from the product list table 50 that includes product information contained in the status information received from the reading terminal 100. Then, the server 10 identifies the area name corresponding to the identified product list from the product list table 50. T220 is the same as T120 in Figure 5, except that the area name identified in T216 is used.

[0063] In this case as well, the same process as in T134~T140D in Figure 5 is performed, and the recommended area is displayed on each of the reading terminals "D02" to "D04".

[0064] According to the configuration of this embodiment, the communication status of each area can be determined by using product information read from the products 400 placed in the store 4. In this embodiment, there is no need to install a beacon device 200, and furthermore, the communication status of each area can be collected using the routine task of reading product information.

[0065] (Correspondence) Product information "G01" is an example of "product information". T220 in Figure 7 is an example of the processing implemented by the "second decision unit".

[0066] The above describes specific examples of the technology disclosed herein, but these are merely illustrative and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes to the specific examples described above. For example, the following modifications may be adopted.

[0067] (Modification 1) The "management device" is not limited to the server 10, but may be, for example, one of the multiple reading terminals 100 used in store 4.

[0068] (Modification 2) "Area identification information" is not limited to beacon IDs and product information, but may also be location information measured by sensors installed in the reading terminal, for example. Location information may be, for example, latitude and longitude values ​​obtained by GPS.

[0069] (Modification 3) The “designated location” is not limited to store 4, but may also be another indoor location such as a warehouse, or an outdoor location where an outdoor event is held.

[0070] (Modification 4) The term "terminal" is not limited to the reading terminal 100, but may also refer to portable terminal devices such as smartphones, tablet devices, or laptop PCs.

[0071] (Modification 5) The "communication state" is not limited to the state of the wireless LAN formed by the access point 300, but may also refer to the state of mobile communication such as 4G.

[0072] The technical elements described herein or in the drawings demonstrate technical usefulness individually or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. Furthermore, the technologies illustrated herein or in the drawings achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving even one of these objectives constitutes technical usefulness in itself. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 2: Communication Systems 3: Communication Systems 4: Stores 10: Server 12: Communication I / F 14:Display section 30: Control Unit 32:CPU 34: Memory 40: Program 42: Area Table 44, 46: Communication status table 50: Product List Table 100: Reading terminal 110: First Communication Interface 112: Second Communication Interface 114: Display section 116:Operation unit 118: Reading section 130: Control Unit 132:CPU 134: Memory 140: Program 200: Beacon device 300: Access Point 400: Product A1~A4: Area SV1~SV4: Status values CV1~CV4: Current values B01~B04: Beacon ID D01~D04: Device ID G01~G04: Product Information GL1~GL4: Product List

Claims

1. Multiple terminals used in a designated location having multiple areas, A management device capable of communicating with each of the aforementioned multiple terminals, Equipped with, Each of the aforementioned plurality of terminals is configured to measure the communication status of the area in which the terminal is currently located among the predetermined locations. The aforementioned control device is A collection unit collects area identification information for identifying the area where the terminal is currently located, and the communication status of the area where the terminal is currently located, from each of the aforementioned multiple terminals. A first identification unit that uses the area identification information and communication status collected from each of the multiple terminals to identify a first area with good communication status from among the multiple areas, A transmission unit that transmits area information indicating the first area to a specific terminal among the plurality of terminals, Equipped with, A communication system comprising a notification unit that, when the specific terminal receives the area information from the management device, notifies the first area indicated by the area information.

2. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting unit transmits the area information to the specific terminal in response to a request from the specific terminal.

3. The aforementioned control device further, The communication system according to claim 1, further comprising a second identification unit that uses the area identification information and communication status collected from each of the plurality of terminals to identify a specific terminal from among the plurality of terminals that is currently located in an area with worse communication conditions than the first area.

4. The first identification unit identifies the first area that is closer to the second area from among two or more areas with better communication conditions than the second area where the specific terminal is currently located. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting unit transmits the area information to the specific terminal currently located in the second area.

5. Each of the aforementioned multiple areas is equipped with a beacon device. The beacon device is configured to transmit a beacon signal that includes identification information for the area where the beacon device is installed. Each of the aforementioned plurality of terminals is configured to receive the beacon signal from the beacon device, The area identification information is identification information included in the beacon signal, The aforementioned control device further, The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a first determination unit that, when receiving the area identification information and the communication status from the terminal, determines the communication status of the area identified by the identification information included in the area identification information based on the communication status received from the terminal along with the area identification information.

6. Each of the aforementioned multiple terminals is configured to read product information from products placed within the predetermined location. The area-specific information is the product information, The aforementioned control device further, A third identification unit, which receives the area identification information and the communication status from the terminal, identifies the location area where the product indicated by the product information included in the area identification information is located, from among the multiple areas, A second determination unit determines the communication status of the deployment area based on the communication status received from the terminal along with the area identification information that identifies the deployment area, A communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising:

7. A management device capable of communicating with each of multiple terminals used in a predetermined location having multiple areas, Each of the aforementioned plurality of terminals is configured to measure the communication status of the area in which the terminal is currently located among the predetermined locations. The aforementioned control device is A collection unit collects area identification information for identifying the area where the terminal is currently located, and the communication status of the area where the terminal is currently located, from each of the aforementioned multiple terminals. A first identification unit that uses the area identification information and communication status collected from each of the multiple terminals to identify a first area with good communication status from among the multiple areas, A transmission unit that transmits area information indicating the first area to a specific terminal among the plurality of terminals, A control device equipped with the following features.

8. A specific terminal used in a predetermined location having multiple areas, A status transmission unit transmits area identification information for identifying the area where the specific terminal is currently located among the plurality of areas, and the communication status of the area where the specific terminal is currently located, to a management device that can communicate with the specific terminal, wherein the management device uses the area identification information and communication status collected from each of the plurality of terminals, including the specific terminal, to identify a first area with good communication status from among the plurality of areas, the status transmission unit, A receiving unit that receives area information indicating the first area from the management device, A notification unit that, when receiving the area information from the management device, notifies the first area indicated by the area information, A specific device equipped with the following features.

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