An electronic price label (ESL) system with communication error correction
is described. In one aspect, the ESL system automatically locates an ESL
after the ESL fails to respond to a message. After a number of retries to
the ESL have gone unanswered, the host computer system causes all CBSs to
transmit an automatic find for the ESL which is not responding. This
automatic find is transmitted by all the CBSs on all timeslots.
Alternatively, the find can be transmitted by one CBS or a group of CBSs
in a predetermined pattern calculated to quickly find the ESL failing to
respond. If the ESL responds to the automatic find command, the host
computer system logs which CBS heard the response and which timeslot the
ESL responded on.