Electronic shelf label and operation control method thereof

Abstract

An electronic shelf label according to one embodiment comprises: a display which displays an image including product information; a first communication module which communicates with a shared gateway; a second communication module which communicates with a user terminal; and a processor which receives an image from an ESL management server by means of the shared gateway on the basis of the first communication module, and controls the received image to be displayed on the display, wherein the processor transmits identification information to the user terminal on the basis of the second communication module if the user terminal is tagged.

Description

Electronic price tag and method for controlling its operation

[0001] The embodiments relate to an electronic price tag and a method for controlling the operation thereof, and more particularly, to an electronic price tag and a method for controlling the operation thereof that can easily perform assignment and unassignment of product information to the electronic price tag.

[0002] This refers to an electronic paper (e-paper) terminal that displays real-time information, such as price and country of origin, for each product via a wireless network on store shelves. Also known as Electronic Shelf Label (ESL). Utilizing ESL offers the advantage of displaying desired information at any time, eliminating the need for frequent replacement of paper price tags. The market has recently been growing, centered around various retail outlets such as hypermarkets, supermarkets, health and beauty (H&B), and fashion stores.

[0003] The electronic shelf label system consists of a gateway, which handles wired and wireless communication, and tag devices that display product information. Using Internet of Things (IoT) technology, product information is transmitted from the ESL central management server to the gateway, which then wirelessly transmits it to multiple ESL tags. The tags display text, barcodes, and images.

[0004] Electronic paper (EPD) used in electronic shelf labels (ESLs) is a technology that can replace traditional displays and paper, such as liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and light-emitting diodes (LEDs). It consumes less power and allows stored information to be viewed even when the power is off. Using ESLs, inventory status, price changes, and discount periods can be automatically and simultaneously reflected across all stores, improving store management efficiency. Stores can also reduce costs associated with printing price tags.

[0005] Traditionally, electronic shelf labels (ESLs) have been operated by managers equipped with management terminals who walk around the store scanning QR codes or labels attached to ESLs placed on shelves displaying products. The scanned information is then transmitted to the management server, thereby assigning or unassigning products to the corresponding ESLs. However, if the ESL's barcode label is damaged or not facing forward, it can be difficult for the manager to assign or unassign products.

[0006] Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide an electronic shelf label and an operation control method thereof that can easily allocate or de-allocate products to an ESL using multiple communication modules of the ESL, thereby providing convenience in ESL operation and reducing unnecessary power consumption of the ESL.

[0007] In addition, by utilizing multiple communication modules of ESL, product allocation and de-allocation can be performed, and product de-allocation can be performed directly on the user terminal without going through the ESL management server and shared gateway.

[0008] The problems to be solved through the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the problems described above, and problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the technical field to which the embodiments belong from this specification and the attached drawings.

[0009] In order to solve the above technical problem, an electronic price tag according to one embodiment includes a display for displaying an image including product information; a first communication module for communicating with a shared gateway; a second communication module for communicating with a user terminal; and a processor for receiving the image from an ESL management server through the shared gateway based on the first communication module and controlling the display of the received image, wherein the processor transmits identification information to the user terminal based on the second communication module when the user terminal is tagged.

[0010] In addition, when the ESL management server receives the product information and identification information assigned to the product information from the user terminal, it can transmit an image including the product information to an electronic price tag corresponding to the received identification information.

[0011] The processor, when receiving a first interrupt according to the first mode from the user terminal, can control the processor to transmit the identification information to the user terminal, enter a product information allocation mode, and display an image including product information received from the ESL management server on the display.

[0012] The processor may, when receiving a second interrupt according to the second mode from the user terminal, transmit the identification information to the user terminal, then enter a product information allocation release mode and control the display to display the initial screen.

[0013] The first communication module may be a BLE module, and the second communication module may be a short-range communication module including an NFC module or an RFID module.

[0014] In another embodiment of a method for controlling the operation of an electronic price tag to achieve the above-described other technical task, the electronic price tag can receive an image including product information from an ESL management server through a first communication module and communicate with a user terminal through a second communication module.

[0015] The method for controlling the operation of the electronic price tag may include: a step of receiving product information from a user at the user terminal; a step of transmitting identification information to the user terminal based on a second communication module when the user terminal is tagged at the electronic price tag; a step of transmitting the input product information and the received identification information at the user terminal to the ESL management server; and a step of transmitting an image including the product information to the electronic price tag corresponding to the received identification information through the first communication module when the ESL management server receives the product information and the identification information assigned to the product information from the user terminal.

[0016] In the above electronic price tag, when a first interrupt according to the first mode is received from the user terminal, the identification information is transmitted to the user terminal, and then a product information allocation mode is entered, and an image including product information received from the ESL management server can be controlled to be displayed on the display.

[0017] In the above electronic price tag, when a second interrupt according to the second mode is received from the user terminal, the identification information is transmitted to the user terminal, and then the product information allocation release mode is entered, and the initial screen is controlled to be displayed on the display.

[0018] In the above user terminal, allocation mode or de-allocation mode is selected, and the product information can be entered in each mode.

[0019] In order to achieve the above-mentioned further technical task, a recording medium is provided which records a program for executing an operation control method of an electronic price tag according to another embodiment on a computer.

[0020] Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide an electronic shelf label and an operation control method thereof that can easily allocate or de-allocate goods to an ESL, thereby providing convenience in ESL operation and reducing unnecessary power consumption of the ESL.

[0021] The effects of the embodiments are not limited to the effects described above, and effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments belong from this specification and the attached drawings.

[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an electronic price tag according to one embodiment.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an entire system for controlling the operation of an electronic price tag according to one embodiment.

[0024] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the user terminal illustrated in Figure 2.

[0025] FIG. 4 is a signal flow diagram for explaining an operation control method of another electronic price tag in another embodiment.

[0026] FIG. 5 is a signal flow diagram for explaining an operation control method of an electronic price tag according to another embodiment.

[0027] Figures 6 and 7 are exemplary diagrams for explaining the allocation mode and de-allocation mode of a user terminal according to another embodiment.

[0028] The terms used in the examples have been selected from widely used, current terms, taking into account the functions of the present invention. However, these terms may vary depending on the intentions of those skilled in the art, precedents, the emergence of new technologies, etc. Furthermore, in certain cases, terms may be arbitrarily selected by the applicant, in which case their meanings will be described in detail in the relevant description of the invention. Therefore, the terms used in the present invention should be defined based on their meaning and the overall content of the present invention, rather than simply their names.

[0029] When a part of the specification is said to "include" a component, this does not exclude other components, but rather implies the inclusion of other components, unless otherwise specifically stated. Furthermore, terms such as "-unit" and "-module" used in the specification mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation, which may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0030] As used herein, when an expression such as "at least one" precedes an array of elements, it modifies the entire array of elements, not just each individual element. For example, the expression "at least one of a, b, and c" should be interpreted to include a, b, c, or a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c.

[0031] Below, with reference to the attached drawings, embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail so that those skilled in the art can easily implement them. The present disclosure may be implemented in a form that can be implemented in the various embodiments of the aerosol generating devices described above, or may be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0032] In the embodiment, an "electronic shelf label" is a device that displays specific information, such as a product name, price, and barcode, on a plastic tag, also known as an Electric Shelf Label (ESL). A gateway-related software can be installed where an electronic shelf label is needed, and the content to be displayed on the electronic shelf label can be set and applied. Here, the gateway acts as a public communication network with computers when multiple electronic shelf labels are interconnected with a network. For example, it acts as an intermediary between an electronic shelf label, a store POS machine, and a product information management server, and through this intermediary, product information or product information is exchanged on the display of the electronic shelf label, such as electronic paper or an electronic panel, to display product information to consumers. Here, electronic paper (e-paper) is a display device that has a texture similar to regular paper, does not strain the eyes even when viewed for a long time, and allows free writing and erasing on the screen. It consumes little electronic power, and the electronic ink (e-ink), the core of the e-paper, has a memory effect, so it remains intact even when the power is cut off.

[0033] In the embodiment, the "user terminal" may be implemented as a computer or portable terminal that can access a server or other terminal via a network. Here, the computer may include, for example, a notebook, desktop, laptop, VR HMD (e.g., HTC VIVE, Oculus Rift, GearVR, DayDream, PSVR, etc.) equipped with a web browser. Here, the VR HMD includes all of the stand-alone models (e.g., Deepon, PICO, etc.) that are implemented independently for PC (e.g., HTC VIVE, Oculus Rift, FOVE, Deepon, etc.), mobile (e.g., GearVR, DayDream, Storm Magic, Google Cardboard, etc.), and console (PSVR). A portable terminal is, for example, a wireless communication device that ensures portability and mobility, and may include not only a smart phone, a tablet PC, and a wearable device, but also various devices equipped with communication modules such as Bluetooth (BLE, Bluetooth Low Energy), NFC, RFID, ultrasonic, infrared, WiFi, and LiFi. In addition, a "network" refers to a connection structure that enables information exchange between each node, such as terminals and servers, and includes a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), the Internet (WWW: World Wide Web), wired and wireless data communication networks, telephone networks, and wired and wireless television communication networks.Examples of wireless data communication networks include, but are not limited to, 3G, 4G, 5G, 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project), LTE (Long Term Evolution), WIMAX (World Interoperability for Microwave Access), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, infrared, ultrasonic, visible light communication (VLC), and LiFi.

[0034] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an electronic price indicator according to one embodiment.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 1, an electronic price tag (10) according to one embodiment may be placed or attached to a product display shelf in a distribution space to display product information (hereinafter, referred to as "product information"). For example, the electronic price tag (10) may receive product information from a server (not shown) and visually display the product information received from the server, thereby providing product information to a user. Depending on the embodiment, the electronic price tag (10) may also be referred to as an electronic shelf label (ESL) or an electronic information label (EIL).

[0036] According to one embodiment, the electronic price indicator (10) may include a housing (100) and a display (110).

[0037] The housing (100) can form the overall appearance of the electronic price indicator (10), and components of the electronic price indicator (10) can be arranged in the internal space of the housing (100). For example, a printed circuit board (not shown) including a processor for controlling the operation of the electronic price indicator (10), a communication module (not shown) for wireless communication with a server, and / or a battery (not shown) can be arranged in the internal space of the housing (100), but is not limited thereto.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the housing (100) may be formed in an overall rectangular parallelepiped shape as illustrated in FIG. 1, but the shape of the housing (100) is not limited to the illustrated embodiment. In another embodiment, the housing (100) may be formed in a polygonal columnar shape in addition to the rectangular parallelepiped shape.

[0039] The display (110) is arranged so that at least one area is exposed to the outer surface of the outer surface of the housing (100), and can output visual information. For example, the display (110) can output product information or product information received from a server, but is not limited thereto. In the present disclosure, product information can include at least one of price information, manufacturer, country of origin, discount information, or identification information (e.g., barcode or QR code), and the expressions can be used with the same meaning below.

[0040] The display (110) can output product information through power supplied from a battery housed in the internal space of the housing (100).

[0041] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an entire system for controlling the operation of an electronic price tag according to one embodiment.

[0042] Referring to FIG. 2, the entire system includes an electronic price tag (10), an ESL management server (1000), and a user terminal (2000). Although not shown in FIG. 2, the system includes a shared gateway (not shown) that connects the electronic price tag (10) and the ESL management server (1000) via a Bluetooth network. Descriptions overlapping with those of the electronic price tag (10) described with reference to FIG. 1 will be omitted, and only the different configurations will be described.

[0043] The first communication module (130) communicates with the ESL management server (1000) through a shared gateway (not shown). The electronic shelf label (10) receives an image including product information from the ESL management server (1000) and displays the received image on the display (110). Here, the first communication module (130) may be a Bluetooth communication module. The Bluetooth operation method can be broadly divided into the following two modes. The Advertise Mode is a device that unilaterally sends a signal to all surrounding devices after power is supplied, and is a beacon-like device unrelated to communication, and operates only on the Advertising channel, i.e., channels 37, 38, and 39 in the 2.4 GHz frequency band. The Connection Mode is an operation method that requires a connection process between devices after transmitting the Advertising packet. Once the devices are connected, the Advertiser and the Observer operate in a frequency hopping manner in a one-to-one operation.

[0044] The second communication module (140) communicates with the user terminal (2000). The second communication module (140) detects that the user terminal (2000) is tagged. When the processor (120) detects that the user terminal (2000) is tagged, it transmits identification information to the user terminal (2000) through the second communication module (140). Here, the second communication module (140) may be a short-range communication module. For example, the second communication module (140) may be an NFC communication module or an RFID communication module, but is not limited thereto. The NFC module (130) is a wireless communication module that allows two electronic devices to communicate at a frequency of 13.56 MHz at a distance of 10 cm. Here, the NFC module may be an NFC tag or an NFC chip. The NFC module may be activated by the approach or touch of a user terminal (2000) that has approached at a short distance. Here, the identification information includes the unique number or tag ID information of the electronic price tag (10) itself. In addition, as information of the electronic price tag (10), information including a MAC address, tag type, and unique connection key may be transmitted.

[0045] The storage unit (150) stores necessary information such as operating information, product information, and identification information of the electronic price tag (10). The storage unit (150) may include at least one type of storage medium among a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (e.g., SD or XD memory, etc.), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a SRAM (Static Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read-Only Memory), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), a PROM (Programmable Read-Only Memory), a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, and an optical disk.

[0046] When the ESL management server (1000) receives product information and identification information assigned to the product information from a user terminal (2000) that has received identification information of an electronic price tag (10), it transmits an image including the product information to the electronic price tag (10) corresponding to the identification information.

[0047] In an embodiment, the processor (120) receives an image including newly allocated product information from the ESL management server (1000) through the first communication module (130), and controls the display (110) to display the received image.

[0048] In an embodiment, when the processor (120) receives a tag from the user terminal (2000) through the second communication module (140), it transmits its own identification information to the user terminal (2000). Here, the tag of the user terminal (2000) can be implemented in two modes. For example, it can include a case where it is tagged together with product information input after the product allocation mode is executed in the user terminal (2000), and a case where it is tagged together with product information input after the product allocation release mode is executed. Each mode can be implemented in the product management application, but is not limited thereto.

[0049] In an embodiment, when the processor (120) receives a first interrupt according to the first mode from the user terminal (2000), the processor (120) transmits identification information to the user terminal (2000), then enters a product information allocation mode, and controls the display (110) to display an image including product information received from the ESL management server (1000).

[0050] In an embodiment, when the processor (120) receives a second interrupt according to the second mode from the user terminal (2000), it can control the processor (120) to transmit identification information to the user terminal (2000), enter a product information allocation release mode, and display an initial screen on the display (110).

[0051] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a user terminal (2000) illustrated in FIG. 2. In an embodiment, the user terminal (2000) is equipped with a program or application capable of managing products and electronic price tags (10) in a store. Here, the user terminal (2000) may be a dedicated terminal for store management or a general user terminal such as a smartphone. In an embodiment, product information can be automatically assigned or de-assigned in the user terminal (2000). In an embodiment, the user terminal (2000) can receive identification information of the electronic price tag (10) by the tag of the electronic price tag (10) and transmit it to the ESL management server (1000). The user terminal (2000) and the ESL management server (1000) may be a mobile communication network or a WIFI communication network, but are not limited thereto, and various networks can be used.

[0052] Referring to FIG. 3, the user terminal (2000) may include a control unit (300), a communication unit (310), and an output unit (340). However, not all of the illustrated components are essential components. The user terminal may be implemented with more components than the illustrated components, or may be implemented with fewer components. For example, the user terminal according to one embodiment may further include a user input unit (340), a sensing unit (350), an A / V input unit (360), and a memory (370) in addition to the control unit (300), the communication unit (310), and the output unit (330). In the embodiment, the user terminal (2000) may transmit or receive information necessary for the electronic price display (10) through short-range communication with the electronic price display (10), or wired or wireless communication with a store management server (not illustrated).

[0053] The control unit (300) typically controls the overall operation of the user terminal. For example, the control unit (300) can control the communication unit (310), the output unit (330), the user input unit (340), the sensing unit (350), the A / V input unit (360), and the memory (370) by executing programs stored in the memory (370).

[0054] The communication unit (310) may include one or more components that enable communication between the user terminal (2000) and the ESL management server (1000). For example, the communication unit (310) may include a short-range communication unit (311), a mobile communication unit (312), and a broadcast receiving unit (313).

[0055] In the embodiment, the short-range communication unit (311) includes an NFC module and a Bluetooth module so as to be able to communicate with the NFC module and the Bluetooth module of the electronic price tag (10). Here, the short-range wireless communication unit (311) may further include, in addition to the Bluetooth communication unit, the BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) communication unit, and the near field communication unit, a WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication unit, a Zigbee communication unit, an infrared (IrDA, infrared Data Association) communication unit, a WFD (Wi-Fi Direct) communication unit, an UWB (ultra wideband) communication unit, an ANT+ communication unit, etc., but is not limited thereto. The mobile communication unit (312) transmits and receives a wireless signal with at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network. Here, the wireless signal may include various types of data according to transmission and reception of a voice call signal, a video call call signal, or text / multimedia message. The broadcast receiver (313) receives broadcast signals and / or broadcast-related information from an external source via a broadcast channel. The broadcast channel may include a satellite channel or a terrestrial channel. Depending on the implementation example, the user terminal may not include the broadcast receiver (313).

[0056] The output unit (330) is for outputting an audio signal, a video signal, or a vibration signal, and may include a display unit (331), an audio output unit (332), and a vibration motor (333). The display unit (331) may include, but is not limited to, a key pad, a dome switch, a touch pad (contact electrostatic capacitance type, pressure resistive film type, infrared detection type, surface ultrasonic conduction type, integral tension measurement type, piezo effect type, etc.), a jog wheel, a jog switch, etc.

[0057] Meanwhile, the display unit (331) may be configured as a touch screen with a touchpad having a layered structure. The display unit (731) may include at least one of a liquid crystal display, a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display, an organic light-emitting diode, a flexible display, a 3D display, and an electrophoretic display. In addition, depending on the implementation form of the user terminal, the user terminal may include two or more display units (331).

[0058] The audio output unit (332) outputs audio data received from the communication unit (310) or stored in the memory (370). In addition, the audio output unit (331) outputs audio signals related to functions performed in the user terminal (e.g., call signal reception sound, message reception sound, notification sound). The audio output unit (332) may include a speaker, a buzzer, etc.

[0059] The vibration motor (333) can output a vibration signal. For example, the vibration motor (333) can output a vibration signal corresponding to the output of audio data or video data (e.g., a call signal reception sound, a message reception sound, etc.). In addition, the vibration motor (733) can also output a vibration signal when a touch is input to the touch screen.

[0060] The user input unit (340) refers to a means for a user to input data for controlling the user terminal (2000). For example, the user input unit (340) may include, but is not limited to, a key pad, a dome switch, a touch pad (contact electrostatic capacitance type, pressure resistive film type, infrared detection type, surface ultrasonic conduction type, integral tension measurement type, piezo effect type, etc.), a jog wheel, a jog switch, etc.

[0061] The sensing unit (350) can detect the status of the user terminal (2000) or the status around the user terminal and transmit the detected information to the control unit (300).

[0062] Meanwhile, the sensing unit (350) may include at least one of a magnetic sensor (351), an acceleration sensor (352), a temperature / humidity sensor (353), an infrared sensor (354), a gyroscope sensor (355), a position sensor (e.g., GPS) (356), a pressure sensor (357), a proximity sensor (358), and an RGB sensor (illuminance sensor) (359), but is not limited thereto. Since the function of each sensor can be intuitively inferred from its name by those skilled in the art, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0063] The A / V (Audio / Video) input unit (360) is for inputting audio signals or video signals, and may include a camera (361) and a microphone (362), etc. The camera (361) can obtain image frames such as still images or moving images through an image sensor in a video call mode or a shooting mode. An image captured through the image sensor can be processed through a control unit (300) or a separate image processing unit (not shown).

[0064] The image frame processed by the camera (361) can be stored in the memory (370) or transmitted externally through the communication unit (310). Two or more cameras (361) may be provided depending on the configuration of the user terminal.

[0065] The microphone (362) receives an external acoustic signal and processes it into electrical voice data. For example, the microphone (362) can receive an acoustic signal from an external device or a speaker. The microphone (362) can utilize various noise removal algorithms to remove noise generated in the process of receiving an external acoustic signal.

[0066] The memory (370) can store a program for processing and controlling the control unit (300), and can also store input / output data.

[0067] The memory (370) may include at least one type of storage medium among a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (e.g., SD or XD memory, etc.), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a SRAM (Static Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read-Only Memory), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), a PROM (Programmable Read-Only Memory), a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, and an optical disk. In addition, the user terminal (2000) may operate a web storage or cloud server that performs the storage function of the memory (370) on the Internet.

[0068] Programs stored in the memory (370) can be classified into multiple modules according to their functions, for example, a UI module (371), a touch screen module (372), a notification module (373), etc.

[0069] The UI module (371) can provide specialized UIs, GUIs, etc. that are linked to the user terminal for each application. The touch screen module (372) can detect touch gestures on the user's touch screen and transmit information about the touch gestures to the control unit (300). The touch screen module (372) according to one embodiment of the present invention can recognize and analyze touch codes. The touch screen module (372) can also be configured as separate hardware including a controller.

[0070] To detect touch or proximity touch on a touchscreen, various sensors may be installed inside or near the touchscreen. One example of a sensor for detecting touch on a touchscreen is a tactile sensor. A tactile sensor is a sensor that detects the contact of a specific object at or beyond the level of human touch. A tactile sensor can detect various information, such as the roughness of the contact surface, the hardness of the contact object, and the temperature of the contact point.

[0071] Additionally, there is a proximity sensor as an example of a sensor for detecting touch on a touchscreen.

[0072] A proximity sensor is a sensor that detects the presence or absence of an object approaching a predetermined detection surface or an object existing nearby without mechanical contact by using the force of an electromagnetic field or infrared rays. Examples of proximity sensors include a transmission-type photoelectric sensor, a direct reflection-type photoelectric sensor, a mirror reflection-type photoelectric sensor, a high-frequency oscillation-type proximity sensor, a capacitive proximity sensor, a magnetic proximity sensor, and an infrared proximity sensor. User touch gestures may include tap, touch and hold, double tap, drag, pan, flick, drag and drop, and swipe.

[0073] The notification module (373) can generate a signal to notify the occurrence of an event in the user terminal. Examples of events occurring in the user terminal include reception of a call signal, reception of a message, input of a key signal, and schedule notification. In addition, as an example of an event occurring in the user terminal, a signal can be generated to notify the receipt of a user input based on a haptic signal generated based on a user input received in the display unit (331).

[0074] The notification module (373) may output a notification signal in the form of a video signal through the display unit (331), may output a notification signal in the form of an audio signal through the sound output unit (332), or may output a notification signal in the form of a vibration signal through the vibration motor (333).

[0075] FIG. 4 is a signal flow diagram for explaining an operation control method of another electronic price tag in another embodiment.

[0076] Referring to FIG. 4, product information is input in a user terminal (2000). Here, a specific program or application may be executed in the user terminal (2000) to input product information to be assigned to the corresponding tag. Referring to FIG. 6a, an automatic assignment mode is executed in the user terminal (2000), and the user inputs product information. Then, a message to tag the corresponding ESL may be output. When tagged to the electronic shelf label (10), the electronic shelf label (10) transmits its own identification information to the user terminal (2000). Referring to FIG. 6b, the identification information received from the electronic shelf label (10), "TagID 11", is displayed, and when the user confirms, the user terminal (2000) transmits the identification information received from the electronic shelf label (10) and the input product information together to the ESL management server (1000).

[0077] The ESL management server (1000) assigns product information received from a user terminal (2000) to an electronic price tag corresponding to the identification information.

[0078] When the ESL management server (1000) assigns product information to an electronic price tag (10), it transmits an image including the product information to the electronic price tag (10).

[0079] The electronic price tag (10) displays an image transmitted from the ESL management server (1000).

[0080] According to an embodiment, a method for controlling the operation of an electronic price tag can be used to assign product information to an electronic price tag, so that even if the identification code of the ESL is damaged or not located at the front, the administrator can confirm the identification information using only the tag of the user terminal and transmit it to the ESL management server.

[0081] FIG. 5 is a signal flow diagram for explaining an operation control method of another electronic price tag according to another embodiment.

[0082] Referring to FIG. 5, the product de-allocation mode is executed on the user terminal (2000), and product information is entered. Referring to FIG. 7a, the de-allocation mode is executed on the user terminal (2000), and the user enters product information. Then, a message prompting the user to tag the corresponding ESL may be output.

[0083] When tagged to the electronic price tag (10), the electronic price tag (10) transmits its own identification information to the user terminal (2000). Referring to FIG. 7b, the identification information received from the electronic price tag (10), "TagID 111", is displayed, and when the user confirms it, the user terminal (2000) transmits the identification information received from the electronic price tag (10) and the entered product information together to the ESL management server (1000). After transmitting its own identification information, the electronic price tag (10) displays an initial screen or a standby screen on the display.

[0084] The ESL management server (1000) performs product information de-allocation to an electronic price tag corresponding to the identification information.

[0085] According to an embodiment, when de-allocating product information from an electronic price tag, an administrator can transmit de-allocation information to an ESL management server using only a tag of a user terminal, even if the identification code of the ESL is damaged or not located at the front.

[0086] The method for controlling the operation of an electronic price tag according to one embodiment may also be implemented in the form of a recording medium including computer-executable instructions, such as program modules executed by a computer. Computer-readable media may be any available media that can be accessed by a computer, and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. Furthermore, computer-readable media may include both computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media includes both volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information, such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Communication media typically includes computer-readable instructions, data structures, other data in a modulated data signal, such as program modules, or other transmission mechanisms, and includes any information delivery media.

[0087] The description of the above-described embodiments is merely illustrative, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent other embodiments are possible from the description. Therefore, the true scope of protection of the invention should be defined by the appended claims, and all differences that fall within the scope equivalent to the contents described in the claims should be construed as being included within the scope of protection defined by the claims.

[0088] The present invention provides an electronic shelf label (ESL) and an operation control method thereof that can easily allocate or de-allocate products to an ESL by utilizing identification information and product-related information from the ESL acquired by a user terminal, thereby providing convenience in ESL operation and reducing unnecessary power consumption of the ESL, thereby having industrial applicability.

Claims

1. A display that displays a video containing product information; A first communication module communicating with a shared gateway; a second communication module for communicating with a user terminal; and A processor for receiving the image from the ESL management server through the shared gateway based on the first communication module and controlling the display of the received image; An electronic price tag, wherein the processor transmits identification information to the user terminal based on the second communication module when the user terminal is tagged.

2. In paragraph 1, An electronic price tag, wherein when the ESL management server receives the product information and identification information assigned to the product information from the user terminal, the electronic price tag transmits an image including the product information to an electronic price tag corresponding to the received identification information.

3. In paragraph 2, The above processor, When the first interrupt according to the first mode is received from the user terminal, the identification information is transmitted to the user terminal, and then the product information allocation mode is entered. An electronic price tag that controls an image including product information received from the ESL management server to be displayed on the display.

4. In paragraph 2, The above processor, When a second interrupt according to the second mode is received from the user terminal, the identification information is transmitted to the user terminal, and then the product information allocation release mode is entered. An electronic price tag that controls the display of the initial screen on the display.

5. In paragraph 1, The above first communication module is a BLE module, The second communication module is an electronic price tag that is a short-range communication module including an NFC module or an RFID module.

6. A method for controlling the operation of an electronic price tag that receives an image including product information from an ESL management server through a first communication module and communicates with a user terminal through a second communication module, A step of receiving product information from a user at the user terminal; In the above electronic price tag, when the user terminal is tagged, a step of transmitting identification information to the user terminal based on the second communication module; In the above user terminal, a step of transmitting the input product information and the received identification information to the ESL management server; and A method for controlling the operation of an electronic price tag, comprising: a step of transmitting an image including the product information to an electronic price tag corresponding to the received identification information through the first communication module when the ESL management server receives the product information and the identification information assigned to the product information from the user terminal; 7. In paragraph 6, In the above electronic price tag, When the first interrupt according to the first mode is received from the user terminal, the identification information is transmitted to the user terminal, and then the product information allocation mode is entered. A method for controlling the operation of an electronic price tag, which controls the display to display an image including product information received from the ESL management server.

8. In paragraph 6, In the above electronic price tag, When a second interrupt according to the second mode is received from the user terminal, the identification information is transmitted to the user terminal, and then the product information allocation release mode is entered. A method for controlling the operation of an electronic price tag, which controls the display of the initial screen on the display.

9. In paragraph 6, A method for controlling the operation of an electronic price tag, wherein an allocation mode or a de-allocation mode is selected in the user terminal and the product information is input in each mode.

10. A recording medium recording a program for executing a method for controlling the operation of an electronic price tag according to any one of Articles 6 to 9 on a computer.

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