METHOD OF SENDING MESSAGES TO ELECTRONIC PRICE LABELS PRIOR TO THEIR IDENTIFICATION WITH PRICE LOOK-UP ITEMS

摘要

A method of sending messages to electronic price labels (EPLs) prior to their identification with price lookup (PLU) items which causes non-assigned EPLs to execute commands. In a first embodiment, non-assigned EPLs are provided with a common reserved EPL identification number. A broadcast message addressed to the reserved EPL identification number of the non-assigned EPLs and containing a command is transmitted as a broadcast message. Non-assigned EPLs accept the message and execute the command. In a second embodiment, non-assigned EPLS are provided with their own unique EPL identification numbers. A message addressed to the unique EPL identification number of the non-assigned EPL and containing a command is transmitted. Only the non-assigned EPL accepts the message and executes the command.