EP0837439A2 - Etiquette électronique de prix comprenant une lampe de signalisation publicitaire - Google Patents

Etiquette électronique de prix comprenant une lampe de signalisation publicitaire Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0837439A2
EP0837439A2 EP97307960A EP97307960A EP0837439A2 EP 0837439 A2 EP0837439 A2 EP 0837439A2 EP 97307960 A EP97307960 A EP 97307960A EP 97307960 A EP97307960 A EP 97307960A EP 0837439 A2 EP0837439 A2 EP 0837439A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
epl
electronic price
price label
lighting means
led
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP97307960A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0837439A3 (fr
Inventor
John Coker Goodwin, Iii
Edwin Francis Madigan, Jr.
Jeffry Scott Rollins
Michael David Gravelle
Cynthia Kay Lowe
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
NCR International Inc
Original Assignee
NCR International Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US08/730,728 external-priority patent/US5753900A/en
Application filed by NCR International Inc filed Critical NCR International Inc
Publication of EP0837439A2 publication Critical patent/EP0837439A2/fr
Publication of EP0837439A3 publication Critical patent/EP0837439A3/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
    • G09F9/00—Indicating arrangements for variable information in which the information is built-up on a support by selection or combination of individual elements
    • G09F9/30—Indicating arrangements for variable information in which the information is built-up on a support by selection or combination of individual elements in which the desired character or characters are formed by combining individual elements
    • G09F9/35—Indicating arrangements for variable information in which the information is built-up on a support by selection or combination of individual elements in which the desired character or characters are formed by combining individual elements being liquid crystals
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
    • G09F3/00—Labels, tag tickets, or similar identification or indication means; Seals; Postage or like stamps
    • G09F3/08—Fastening or securing by means not forming part of the material of the label itself
    • G09F3/18—Casings, frames or enclosures for labels
    • G09F3/20—Casings, frames or enclosures for labels for adjustable, removable, or interchangeable labels
    • G09F3/208—Electronic labels, Labels integrating electronic displays
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
    • G09F9/00—Indicating arrangements for variable information in which the information is built-up on a support by selection or combination of individual elements
    • G09F9/30—Indicating arrangements for variable information in which the information is built-up on a support by selection or combination of individual elements in which the desired character or characters are formed by combining individual elements
    • G09F9/33—Indicating arrangements for variable information in which the information is built-up on a support by selection or combination of individual elements in which the desired character or characters are formed by combining individual elements being semiconductor devices, e.g. diodes
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
    • G09F13/00—Illuminated signs; Luminous advertising
    • G09F13/20—Illuminated signs; Luminous advertising with luminescent surfaces or parts
    • G09F13/22—Illuminated signs; Luminous advertising with luminescent surfaces or parts electroluminescent
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
    • G09F13/00—Illuminated signs; Luminous advertising
    • G09F13/20—Illuminated signs; Luminous advertising with luminescent surfaces or parts
    • G09F13/22—Illuminated signs; Luminous advertising with luminescent surfaces or parts electroluminescent
    • G09F2013/222—Illuminated signs; Luminous advertising with luminescent surfaces or parts electroluminescent with LEDs

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to electronic price label (EPL) systems, and in particular to an electronic price label having a promotional indicator light.
  • EPL electronic price label
  • EPL systems typically include a plurality of EPLs, each associated with a particular product on display in large retail establishments such as supermarkets or department stores.
  • the EPLs are typically attached to a rail along the leading edge of a shelf on which items of the associated product are stored and display the price of the product item by means of a semi-transparent liquid crystal display (LCD).
  • LCD liquid crystal display
  • thousands of individual EPLs may be used in order to display the prices of all products which are available for purchase within the store.
  • Each EPL within a retail establishment is typically coupled to a central EPL computer in which information relating to the EPL is stored in memory in an EPL data file.
  • Price information displayed by the EPL is stored in memory in a price look-up (PLU) file.
  • PLU price look-up
  • EPLs In order to keep the cost of EPLs to a minimum, only minimal information such as the item price and price per unit is typically displayed on an EPL.
  • Other product information e.g. item descriptions, bar code labels, package size, product codes, customer information, etc.
  • paper overlays may also be used when product items are subject to a special promotion, such as where certain products may be offered at a lower retail price than usual or where special offers or prizes may be associated with the purchase of the product.
  • the individual product items which are subject to the promotion are marked with special tags or labels, or sometimes large banners or notices are installed on or adjacent the shelves on which the product is stored, so as to convey the information regarding the product to a customer.
  • an electronic price label comprising
  • the application of power to the lighting means is controlled in response to lighting means control commands from a remote computer .
  • the application of power to the lighting means may be controlled in response to manual movement of a push-button switch located on the EPL housing.
  • the electronic price label (EPL) system 10 shown therein comprises an electronic price label computer 12 which is associated with a memory unit 34 and which communicates with a plurality of electronic price labels 14 (EPLs), only one of which represented in Figure 1.
  • Communication between the EPL computer 12 and the individual EPLs 14 may be by remote communication such as radio or infrared communication, by cable or by a combination of both.
  • Each EPL 14 includes a control circuit 16, a power source 18, a memory unit 20, a display unit 22, a transceiver 24 and a light emitting diode (LED) unit 28.
  • the control circuit 16 controls the internal operation of the EPL 14 including the application of power by the power source 18 to the LED unit 28 and the display of information by the display unit 22.
  • the power source 18 supplies power to the LED unit 28 and preferably comprises one or more batteries.
  • the memory unit 20 stores product information, price change information and other data necessary for the operation of the EPL 14.
  • the display unit 22 is preferably a liquid crystal display (LCD) and displays the price of the product item with which the EPL 14 is associated.
  • the transceiver 24 receives price change and other commands from and transmits response commands to the EPL computer 12.
  • the LED unit 28 comprises a plurality LEDs or other suitable illumination devices which may be of the same or different colours. For example, different coloured LEDs may be used to indicate different types of product promotions such as temporary price reduction or a special offer where two products may be purchased for the price of one.
  • the EPL computer 12 records, schedules and transmits all commands including price change commands and diagnostic commands to the EPL 14, and analyses status commands from the EPL 14.
  • the memory unit 34 associated with the EPL computer 12 includes an EPL basic data file 36 which contains records for all the EPLs of the retail system 10 in which general product information, identification data, product price verifier data for the product with which the EPL is associated and LED status data for the EPL 14 is stored.
  • the control software 30 of the EPL computer 12 includes LED control software 32 which transmits an LED control message to turn on/off the LEDs of the LED unit 28 based upon the LED status data for EPL 14 stored the EPL data file 36 of the memory unit 34.
  • the LED unit 28 includes four LEDs 29, one LED located at each of the four corners of the front surface of the housing of EPL 14.
  • the LED unit 28 includes two elongate LED arrays 29, one located at each side of front surface of the EPL 14. Clear plastic covers protect the LEDs 29 which are also visible from the sides of the EPL 14.
  • a LED status indicator (i.e., on or off) is stored within the record of EPL 14 in EPL data file 26. If the status indicator indicates that the LEDs 29 of the LED unit 28 of EPL 14 should be ON, EPL computer 12 transmits a message addressed to EPL 14 containing a command to turn on the LEDs 29.
  • the transceiver 24 of EPL 14 receives the message from the EPL computer 12 and transmits an acknowledgment signal to the EPL computer 12.
  • the control circuit 16 controls the power source 18 to supply power to the LED unit 28 causing the LEDs 29 to be switched on. When switched on, the LEDs 29 are luminous enough to allow the EPL 14 to be distinguishable from other surrounding EPLs and so attracts the attention of the customer to the items with which the EPL 14 is associated.
  • EPL computer 12 transmits a message addressed to EPL 14 containing a command to turn off the LEDs 29.
  • the transceiver 24 of EPL 14 receives the message from the EPL a computer 12 and transmits an acknowledgment signal to the EPL computer 12.
  • the control circuit 16 controls the power source 18 so as to discontinue the application of power to the LED unit 28 causing the LEDs 29 to be switched off.
  • FIGs 4 and 5 show an alternative embodiment of the EPL 14 in which the LED unit 28 of the EPL 14 may operate in a manual mode where the LED push-button 30 is manually activated by store personnel, or in an "automatic " mode where the LED unit 28 is controlled automatically by the EPL computer 12.
  • the LED unit 28 includes a LED control circuit 42 which controls the application of power to the LED 29 of the LED unit 28 and a LED push button switch 44 which includes the LED 29 internally.
  • the LED push-button switch 44 is located on the front surface of the housing of the EPL 14 so that the LED 29 of the EPL 14 can be manually activated and deactivated by store personnel.
  • LED 29 is luminous enough to allow the EPL 14 to be distinguishable from other surrounding EPLs and attracts the attention of the customer to the items with which the EPL 14 is associated.
  • Power supply 18 includes a first battery, which is typically a non-replaceable battery 40, and a second battery, which is a replaceable battery 38.
  • Non-replaceable battery 40 is the primary power supply for the EPL 14 and replaceable battery 38 is the primary power supply for the LED unit 28.
  • the LED control circuit 42 controls the application of power to the LED unit 28 while the control circuit 16 controls the application of power to the various components of the EPL 14 and.
  • the non-replaceable battery 40 may act as a backup power supply for the LED unit 28 while the replaceable battery 38 may act as a backup power supply for the other components of the EPL 14.
  • the power supply may include solar cells or a combination of batteries and solar cells.
  • the control circuit 16 receives LED control messages via the transceiver 24 from the EPL computer 12 and transmits control instructions within the messages to the LED control circuit 42.
  • the LED control circuit 42 may operate so that power is supplied continuously by the power source 18 to the LED 29 or is supplied as a pulse signal so that the LED 29 appears to flash.
  • the EPL data file 36 also stores LED operating information (manual/auto - off, on, continuous/pulse power application) to allow EPL computer 12 to control the operation of the LED unit 28 of the EPL 14.
  • the LED control circuit 42 disables the LED push button switch 44.
  • a LED push button switch 44 incorporating an LED allows store personnel to easily activate the LED 29 of the EPL 14 associated with a product which is subject to a promotion so as to attract the attention of customers to the promotion. Similarly when the product promotion ends, the LED 29 of the EPL 14 associated with the product may be switched off by store personnel. It should be understood that other types of lighted witches and light/switch combinations may be used instead of the LED push button switch 44, but the LED push-button switch 44 is particularly suitable because it requires very little area on the front surface of the housing of the EPL 14 in comparison to that which might otherwise be used by an overlay.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Crystallography & Structural Chemistry (AREA)
  • Illuminated Signs And Luminous Advertising (AREA)
EP97307960A 1996-10-15 1997-10-08 Etiquette électronique de prix comprenant une lampe de signalisation publicitaire Withdrawn EP0837439A3 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US730728 1991-07-16
US08/730,728 US5753900A (en) 1996-10-15 1996-10-15 Electronic price label having a switched light
US73542296A 1996-10-22 1996-10-22
US735422 1996-10-22

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0837439A2 true EP0837439A2 (fr) 1998-04-22
EP0837439A3 EP0837439A3 (fr) 1998-09-30

Family

ID=27112099

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP97307960A Withdrawn EP0837439A3 (fr) 1996-10-15 1997-10-08 Etiquette électronique de prix comprenant une lampe de signalisation publicitaire

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0837439A3 (fr)
JP (1) JPH10214028A (fr)
AU (1) AU4097597A (fr)
NZ (1) NZ328952A (fr)

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2347296A (en) * 1999-02-24 2000-08-30 Martin Stuart Christie Display systems
EP1318558A2 (fr) * 2001-11-13 2003-06-11 Eldat Communications Ltd. Génerateurs d'hydrogène pour piles à combustible
US6715675B1 (en) 2000-11-16 2004-04-06 Eldat Communication Ltd. Electronic shelf label systems and methods
FR2848400A1 (fr) * 2002-12-17 2004-06-18 Guy Rebiere L'etagere intelligente
US6770186B2 (en) 2001-11-13 2004-08-03 Eldat Communication Ltd. Rechargeable hydrogen-fueled motor vehicle
US6876975B1 (en) * 2000-08-30 2005-04-05 Ncr Corporation System and method for handling alternate information on electronic price labels
EP1934887A1 (fr) * 2005-09-16 2008-06-25 Altera Corporation Conception d'un affichage et de mécanismes auxiliaires de promotion publicitaire pour des étiquettes électroniques
DE202009005961U1 (de) 2009-04-23 2010-09-23 Ledon Lighting Jennersdorf Gmbh LED-Beleuchtung für gekühlte Verkaufsmöbel
CN104332118A (zh) * 2014-11-02 2015-02-04 李云峰 一种自助餐厅就餐状态提示器
EP2924678A1 (fr) * 2014-03-28 2015-09-30 Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd. Étiquette d'informations électroniques et système de gestion d'étiquettes d'informations électronique comprenant celle-ci
EP3010007A1 (fr) * 2014-10-14 2016-04-20 Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd. Accessoire pour étiquette d'information électronique
EP3101613B1 (fr) 2015-06-03 2019-07-24 Bernd Müller Étiquette de prix autonome électronique
US10586473B2 (en) 2004-12-20 2020-03-10 Altierre Corporation Display designs and auxiliary promotional mechanisms for electronic labels

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP4592847B2 (ja) * 1999-10-05 2010-12-08 大日本印刷株式会社 電子棚札
JP2002328667A (ja) * 2001-05-01 2002-11-15 Olympus Optical Co Ltd 映像表示システム

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0284247A2 (fr) * 1987-03-23 1988-09-28 Esl, Inc Module d'affichage électronique d'informations et connecteur
EP0299355A2 (fr) * 1987-07-15 1989-01-18 Zellweger Telecommunications AG Système d'affichage de prix pour espaces de vente et/ou vitrine
US4924363A (en) * 1989-02-15 1990-05-08 Dapopp Products Ltd. Attention-attracting device for use beneath a display shelf
WO1992009061A1 (fr) * 1990-11-16 1992-05-29 Clares-Regisbrook Systems Limited Systeme d'etiquetage electronique
DE9406370U1 (de) * 1994-04-16 1994-06-09 Mannesmann Kienzle Gmbh, 78052 Villingen-Schwenningen Anordnung zur Beleuchtung der Steuertasten eines Taxameters
EP0604382A2 (fr) * 1992-12-22 1994-06-29 Electronic Retailing Systems International, Inc. Technique pour communiquer avec des étiquettes électroniques dans un système électronique d'affichage de prix

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0284247A2 (fr) * 1987-03-23 1988-09-28 Esl, Inc Module d'affichage électronique d'informations et connecteur
EP0299355A2 (fr) * 1987-07-15 1989-01-18 Zellweger Telecommunications AG Système d'affichage de prix pour espaces de vente et/ou vitrine
US4924363A (en) * 1989-02-15 1990-05-08 Dapopp Products Ltd. Attention-attracting device for use beneath a display shelf
WO1992009061A1 (fr) * 1990-11-16 1992-05-29 Clares-Regisbrook Systems Limited Systeme d'etiquetage electronique
EP0604382A2 (fr) * 1992-12-22 1994-06-29 Electronic Retailing Systems International, Inc. Technique pour communiquer avec des étiquettes électroniques dans un système électronique d'affichage de prix
DE9406370U1 (de) * 1994-04-16 1994-06-09 Mannesmann Kienzle Gmbh, 78052 Villingen-Schwenningen Anordnung zur Beleuchtung der Steuertasten eines Taxameters

Cited By (20)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2347296A (en) * 1999-02-24 2000-08-30 Martin Stuart Christie Display systems
US6876975B1 (en) * 2000-08-30 2005-04-05 Ncr Corporation System and method for handling alternate information on electronic price labels
US6715675B1 (en) 2000-11-16 2004-04-06 Eldat Communication Ltd. Electronic shelf label systems and methods
US7040536B2 (en) 2000-11-16 2006-05-09 Eldat Communication Ltd. Electronic shelf label systems and methods
EP2196983A1 (fr) * 2000-11-16 2010-06-16 Eldat Communications Ltd. Systèmes et méthodes relatifs aux étiquettes électroniques
US8071242B2 (en) 2001-11-13 2011-12-06 Eldat Communication Ltd. Hydrogen generators for fuel cells
EP1318558A2 (fr) * 2001-11-13 2003-06-11 Eldat Communications Ltd. Génerateurs d'hydrogène pour piles à combustible
EP1318558A3 (fr) * 2001-11-13 2003-06-18 Eldat Communications Ltd. Génerateurs d'hydrogène pour piles à combustible
US6770186B2 (en) 2001-11-13 2004-08-03 Eldat Communication Ltd. Rechargeable hydrogen-fueled motor vehicle
US7074509B2 (en) 2001-11-13 2006-07-11 Eldat Communication Ltd. Hydrogen generators for fuel cells
FR2848400A1 (fr) * 2002-12-17 2004-06-18 Guy Rebiere L'etagere intelligente
US10586473B2 (en) 2004-12-20 2020-03-10 Altierre Corporation Display designs and auxiliary promotional mechanisms for electronic labels
EP1934887A4 (fr) * 2005-09-16 2009-08-19 Altierre Corp Conception d'un affichage et de mecanismes auxiliaires de promotion publicitaire pour des etiquettes electroniques
EP1934887A1 (fr) * 2005-09-16 2008-06-25 Altera Corporation Conception d'un affichage et de mécanismes auxiliaires de promotion publicitaire pour des étiquettes électroniques
WO2010122154A1 (fr) 2009-04-23 2010-10-28 Ledon Lighting Jennersdorf Gmbh Éclairage par del pour meubles de vente réfrigérés
DE202009005961U1 (de) 2009-04-23 2010-09-23 Ledon Lighting Jennersdorf Gmbh LED-Beleuchtung für gekühlte Verkaufsmöbel
EP2924678A1 (fr) * 2014-03-28 2015-09-30 Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd. Étiquette d'informations électroniques et système de gestion d'étiquettes d'informations électronique comprenant celle-ci
EP3010007A1 (fr) * 2014-10-14 2016-04-20 Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd. Accessoire pour étiquette d'information électronique
CN104332118A (zh) * 2014-11-02 2015-02-04 李云峰 一种自助餐厅就餐状态提示器
EP3101613B1 (fr) 2015-06-03 2019-07-24 Bernd Müller Étiquette de prix autonome électronique

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0837439A3 (fr) 1998-09-30
AU4097597A (en) 1998-04-23
NZ328952A (en) 1998-11-25
JPH10214028A (ja) 1998-08-11

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