WO1991008539A1 - Systeme electronique d'information sur les prix - Google Patents

Systeme electronique d'information sur les prix Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1991008539A1
WO1991008539A1 PCT/SE1990/000790 SE9000790W WO9108539A1 WO 1991008539 A1 WO1991008539 A1 WO 1991008539A1 SE 9000790 W SE9000790 W SE 9000790W WO 9108539 A1 WO9108539 A1 WO 9108539A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
price information
unit
units
message
information
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/SE1990/000790
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Roland BRÄNNSTRÖM
Original Assignee
Braennstroem Roland
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
Application filed by Braennstroem Roland filed Critical Braennstroem Roland
Publication of WO1991008539A1 publication Critical patent/WO1991008539A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04B—TRANSMISSION
    • H04B5/00—Near-field transmission systems, e.g. inductive or capacitive transmission systems
    • H04B5/70—Near-field transmission systems, e.g. inductive or capacitive transmission systems specially adapted for specific purposes
    • H04B5/77—Near-field transmission systems, e.g. inductive or capacitive transmission systems specially adapted for specific purposes for interrogation
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K17/00—Methods or arrangements for effecting co-operative working between equipments covered by two or more of main groups G06K1/00 - G06K15/00, e.g. automatic card files incorporating conveying and reading operations
    • G06K17/0022—Methods or arrangements for effecting co-operative working between equipments covered by two or more of main groups G06K1/00 - G06K15/00, e.g. automatic card files incorporating conveying and reading operations arrangements or provisious for transferring data to distant stations, e.g. from a sensing device
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q30/00—Commerce
    • G06Q30/02—Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07G—REGISTERING THE RECEIPT OF CASH, VALUABLES, OR TOKENS
    • G07G1/00—Cash registers
    • G07G1/12—Cash registers electronically operated
    • G07G1/14—Systems including one or more distant stations co-operating with a central processing unit
    • G07G1/145—PLU-management

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an electronic price information system comprising a plurality of price information units for displaying changeable information in shops and stores, for instance.
  • SE-441 477 describes a computer controlled electronic price information system comprising a plurality of displays arranged on shelves for the purpose of presen ⁇ ting the desired information, for instance the price of an article, the article number or like information.
  • the information presented on the display unit is changed by the transmission of change information from a control unit to a display unit receiver, this transmission being effected over a wire-less connection, which may be a radio connection or an IR-connection.
  • a wire-less connection which may be a radio connection or an IR-connection.
  • communication is effected solely from the control unit to the receiver, i.e. monodirectional communication.
  • EP-0 200 473 teaches a computer controlled electronic price information system which includes a plurality of display units for presenting changeable information, and a main control unit. Two-directional communication between the main computer unit and the display unit is achieved with fixedly mounted conductors between shelves and computer unit. When a display unit is mounted on a storage shelf, the unit is connected to the fixedly mounted conductors. The various display units are distinguished one from the other, by allotting to each display unit a code which is unique to a particular unit.
  • US-4,500,880 teaches a computer controlled electronic price information system which includes a plurality of display units which are arranged in groups, via fixedly mounted conductors, and each of which is connected to a respective local computer, these local computers being connected to a central computer. Two-directional or duodirectional communication between the display units and the central computer is effected through the fixed ⁇ ly mounted conductors. A specific display unit is addressed with the EAN-code belonging to that item of goods whose price is to be displayed on the display unit.
  • the inventive price information system eliminates these drawbacks by having been constructed in accordance with the characterizing of Claim 1.
  • the duodirectional communication between price information units, which display changeable information, and the communication unit connected to a main computer unit is effected via wire-less inductive coupling. This enables reconstruc ⁇ tion of a store, shop or storage room with respect, for instance, to the positions of the shelves therein to be carried out without needing to change the whole of the price information system.
  • FIG. 1 is a simplified block schematic illustrating a price information system constructed in accordance with the invention.
  • Figure 2 is a simplified block schematic of a price information unit used in the inventive price informa ⁇ tion system.
  • the inventive price information system illustrated in Figure 1 is intended for use, for instance, in shops, stores or storage rooms and includes a main or central computer unit 10, which may have the form of a personal computer or the like.
  • the main computer unit 10 is connected to a communication unit 12, which is always connected to an inductively couple loop pair 14 in ⁇ stalled in the store, shop or storage room.
  • loop pair is meant two loops (a loop is an electric conductor having mutually the same starting and finish ⁇ ing point) , which are placed in a manner such that when current is supplied thereto, the direction of the magnetic field is changed to the greatest extent pos ⁇ sible when the use of one loop is switched to the other.
  • a number of price information units 18 Arranged in the shop or storage room is a number of price information units 18 which, for instance, are placed on the shelves carrying the goods or items to which the information concerns.
  • Each of the price information units 18 includes a display unit 28 (see Figure 2) which functions to display, for instance, price information and/or other information.
  • Communica ⁇ tion between the unit 12 and the price information units 18 is effected in a wire-less fashion, by induc ⁇ tive coupling.
  • the communication unit 12 drives a sinus current in a loop pair 14.
  • a magnetic field proportional to the current will then be genera ⁇ ted in space (Biot-Savarts law) .
  • fre- quency modulation By changing the fre ⁇ quency of the sinus form, two states, so-called fre- quency modulation, are obtained, therewith enabling binary code information to be transmitted.
  • the state "0" may be corresponded, e.g. by the frequency 48.96- 0.64 kHz, whereas the state "1" may, for instance, be corresponded by the frequency 40.96+0.64 kHz.
  • Each price information unit 18 includes a loop on which there occurs a voltage which is proportional to the magnetic field derivative (Faradays Induction law).
  • each price information unit includes two sampling filters which respond to the aforesaid fre- quencies. The information corresponded by the two states is reproduced in this way.
  • each slave unit 16 is equipped with two loop pairs.
  • all slave units 16 and the communication unit 12 transmit in parallel, i.e. currents of mutually the same magnitude and the same rotational direction are generated in all connected loop pairs 14 simultan ⁇ eously.
  • FIG 2 is a simplified schematic illustration of an embodiment of a price information unit used in the price information system illustrated in Figure 1.
  • Each price information unit includes a transmitting and receiving means 20, which in the illustrated embodiment consists of a loop.
  • a detecting means 22 which func ⁇ tions to detect whether or not the message received is intended for this particular price information unit.
  • the detection means 22 also functions to detect errors in the messages received.
  • the detecting means 22 of a specific price information unit detects that the message received is intended for this specific price information unit, the message is stored, if so requi ⁇ red, in a memory means 24 connected to the detecting means 22.
  • a response signal is sent to generating means 30 connected to the detecting means 22.
  • the message stored in the memory means is decoded in a decoder 26 connected to the memory means 24, whereafter the deco- ded message is reproduced on a display unit 28 con- nected to the decoder 26.
  • the system also includes a supply circuit 32, e.g. in the form of a battery, which is connected to the transmitting and receiving means 20 and to the display unit 28.
  • the detecting means 22 is also able to detect general messages intended for all price information units, such as messages for switch- ing-off and switching-on the display unit 28.
  • each price information unit includes means intended for detecting the communication start sequence, for monitoring the condition of the battery, and for visually displaying the battery sta ⁇ tus.
  • the required information is fed into the communication unit 12, through a keyboard or some other means belong ⁇ ing to the main computer unit 10.
  • the communication unit 12 converts this information to messages according to a prescribed order or sequence, which are then transmitted to the price information units 18 through the inductively coupled loop pair 14.
  • the communication unit 12 transmits these messages in a sequence such that all price information units 18 receive mutually the same messages in parallel.
  • Each price information unit 18 separates the message concerning, e.g.
  • price information for its particular price information unit 18 by virtue of the fact that the messages are trans ⁇ mitted in a predetermined call order, wherein the first message in a sequence is intended for a given, pre ⁇ determined price information unit 18, the second mes ⁇ sage in said sequence is intended for another predeter ⁇ mined price information unit 18, and so on. Because communication is effected in this manner, no identifi- cation codes are needed to distinguish between the various price information units 18.
  • the detecting unit 22 see Figure 2 has detected the message in ⁇ tended for a specific price information unit 18, a response signal is produced and sent to the com unica- tion unit 12, via the transmitting and receiving means 20 (in the form of a loop).
  • the communication unit 12 identifies the price information unit 18 from which a given response signal is sent through the mutual call order of the response signals and the time slots between consecutive response signals. If no error is detected, the price information unit 18 for which the first message in the sequence was intended trans ⁇ mits the first response signal, whereas the second price information unit 18 will transmit the next res ⁇ ponse signal, and so on.
  • the second price information unit 18 If, for instance, the second price information unit 18 is encumbered with an error or fault, this unit will send no response signal, and hence the time slot between the first and the second response signals will be twice as long, wherein the communication unit is able to pass on this information to the main computer unit 10, so that the user obtains information to this effect and is able to rectify matters.
  • the response signals obtained from the various price information units 18 may be mutually equal and of very short duration. This eliminates the need of particular identification codes for the various price information units 18. If, on the other hand, there is used a unique code for the store locality in the duodirectional communication, such that two price information systems of mutually the same kind installed in adjacent store localities will not influence one another. This would not be suitable, however.
  • the construction of the price information unit 18 can be adapted to customer requirements.
  • the majority of the electric functions of the price information unit 18 are integrated in one single circuit which comprises fewer components, and which can therefore be obtained at a low manufacturing price. Parts of the electric circuits of the price information unit 18 are only driven intermittently when communication with the units takes place, so as to save energy.
  • the price information unit 18 receives a so-called activating message, the unit switches to a state for continuous operation of these circuits.
  • the bit speed of the message may, for instance, be 1/128 of the carrier wave and the degree of modulation is 1/64 of said carrier wave.
  • other numerical devisors can be used with the characteristic of being multiples of two of the carrier wave.
  • the messages are transmitted sequentially to the price information units 18.
  • An example of a communication procedure is given below.
  • a sequency start message is preceded by an activat ⁇ ing message, so as to obtain continuous operation of the receiver.
  • information is transmitted to all of the price informa ⁇ tion units 18.
  • This information includes price informa ⁇ tion intended for that price information unit which stands in turn according to a predetermined order and an error check code configured so as to include the whole of the instant communication sequence.
  • An example of the configuration of a message is given below. A- loop and B-loop form a loop pair. 1. Activating message

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Strategic Management (AREA)
  • Finance (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Accounting & Taxation (AREA)
  • Development Economics (AREA)
  • Entrepreneurship & Innovation (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Game Theory and Decision Science (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Economics (AREA)
  • Marketing (AREA)
  • General Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Financial Or Insurance-Related Operations Such As Payment And Settlement (AREA)
  • Cash Registers Or Receiving Machines (AREA)
  • Control Of Indicators Other Than Cathode Ray Tubes (AREA)

Abstract

Système d'information sur les prix qui comprend une pluralité d'unités d'information sur les prix (18) destinées à visualiser des informations susceptibles de modifications dans une boutique ou un magasin, par exemple. Ledit système comporte une unité informatique principale (10) connectée à une unité de communication (12). L'information fournie à l'unité informatique (10) est transmise à l'unité de communication (12). L'unité de communication transmet ces informations par induction, c'est-à-dire par radiodiffusion, aux différentes unités d'information sur les prix (18) par l'intermédiaire d'une paire de boucles d'itération (14). Les informations sont transmises sous forme d'une séquence de messages, la position d'un message dans la séquence indiquant l'unité d'information sur les prix (18) à laquelle le message est destiné, selon une séquence de commande prédéterminée. Lorsqu'une unité d'information sur les prix (18) a reçu son message spécifique, elle transmet un signal de réponse à l'unité de communication (12). Si le rayon d'action de l'unité de communication (12) est trop limitée pour le magasin en question, un certain nombre d'unités auxiliaires (16) avec des paires de boucles d'itération connectées (14) peuvent être connectées à l'unité de communication (12).
PCT/SE1990/000790 1989-12-01 1990-11-29 Systeme electronique d'information sur les prix WO1991008539A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SE8904072-9 1989-12-01
SE8904072A SE466773B (sv) 1989-12-01 1989-12-01 Elektroniskt prisinformationssystem

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1991008539A1 true WO1991008539A1 (fr) 1991-06-13

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ID=20377671

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/SE1990/000790 WO1991008539A1 (fr) 1989-12-01 1990-11-29 Systeme electronique d'information sur les prix

Country Status (2)

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SE (1) SE466773B (fr)
WO (1) WO1991008539A1 (fr)

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0623873A1 (fr) * 1993-05-05 1994-11-09 Esselte Meto International GmbH Système d'affichage électronique de prix sur rayonnages
EP0715752A1 (fr) * 1993-09-03 1996-06-12 Kayser Ventures Ltd. Systeme d'affichage d'informations concernant un article au moyen d'etiquettes electroniques
US5539393A (en) * 1991-03-22 1996-07-23 Esel-Krabbe Systems A/S Information system
EP0787339A1 (fr) * 1994-09-21 1997-08-06 Display Edge Technology, Ltd. Systeme d'affichage informatif par article a etiquettes commandees electroniquement
AT402982B (de) * 1995-02-22 1997-10-27 Kronegger Peter Dipl Ing Dr Te Elektronisches anzeige- und eingabesystem mit induktiver energieversorgung der einzelnen anzeige- und eingabeeinheiten
FR2761511A1 (fr) * 1997-03-28 1998-10-02 Jean Jacques Almero Installation pour l'affichage electronique d'informations
WO1999039305A1 (fr) * 1998-01-30 1999-08-05 Esel-Krabbe Systems A/S Systeme d'affichage de prix et/ou d'autres informations
US6181299B1 (en) 1993-09-03 2001-01-30 Display Edge Technology, Ltd. Power and communication system for electronic display tags
GB2356108A (en) * 1999-11-03 2001-05-09 Motorola Israel Ltd Anti-theft shopping tag with display
US6249263B1 (en) 1993-09-03 2001-06-19 Display Edge Technology, Ltd. Article-information display system using electronically controlled tags
US6266052B1 (en) 1993-09-03 2001-07-24 Display Edge Technology, Ltd. Power and information distribution system for article display or storage areas and related method
EP1798864A1 (fr) * 2004-09-30 2007-06-20 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Appareil de communication d étiquette sans fil, étiquette sans fil, système de communication d étiquette sans fil et méthode de communication sans fil

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1988006773A1 (fr) * 1987-02-26 1988-09-07 Gabriel Ordonez Systeme d'affichage pour le commerce au detail
WO1990000775A1 (fr) * 1988-07-06 1990-01-25 Magnus Hellquist Agencement pour un dispositif de marquage

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1988006773A1 (fr) * 1987-02-26 1988-09-07 Gabriel Ordonez Systeme d'affichage pour le commerce au detail
WO1990000775A1 (fr) * 1988-07-06 1990-01-25 Magnus Hellquist Agencement pour un dispositif de marquage

Cited By (18)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5539393A (en) * 1991-03-22 1996-07-23 Esel-Krabbe Systems A/S Information system
US5548282A (en) * 1993-05-05 1996-08-20 Pricer Ab Electronic shelf edge price display system
EP0623873A1 (fr) * 1993-05-05 1994-11-09 Esselte Meto International GmbH Système d'affichage électronique de prix sur rayonnages
US6249263B1 (en) 1993-09-03 2001-06-19 Display Edge Technology, Ltd. Article-information display system using electronically controlled tags
EP0715752A1 (fr) * 1993-09-03 1996-06-12 Kayser Ventures Ltd. Systeme d'affichage d'informations concernant un article au moyen d'etiquettes electroniques
US5736967A (en) * 1993-09-03 1998-04-07 Kayser Ventures, Ltd. Article-information display system using electronically controlled tags
US6271807B1 (en) 1993-09-03 2001-08-07 Display Edge Technology, Ltd. Method of initializing, controlling and updating electronic display tags and related controller therefor
US6266052B1 (en) 1993-09-03 2001-07-24 Display Edge Technology, Ltd. Power and information distribution system for article display or storage areas and related method
US6181299B1 (en) 1993-09-03 2001-01-30 Display Edge Technology, Ltd. Power and communication system for electronic display tags
EP0787339A1 (fr) * 1994-09-21 1997-08-06 Display Edge Technology, Ltd. Systeme d'affichage informatif par article a etiquettes commandees electroniquement
EP0787339A4 (fr) * 1994-09-21 1999-01-07 Display Edge Technology Ltd Systeme d'affichage informatif par article a etiquettes commandees electroniquement
AT402982B (de) * 1995-02-22 1997-10-27 Kronegger Peter Dipl Ing Dr Te Elektronisches anzeige- und eingabesystem mit induktiver energieversorgung der einzelnen anzeige- und eingabeeinheiten
WO1998044652A1 (fr) * 1997-03-28 1998-10-08 Almero Jean Jacques Installation pour l'affichage electronique d'informations
FR2761511A1 (fr) * 1997-03-28 1998-10-02 Jean Jacques Almero Installation pour l'affichage electronique d'informations
WO1999039305A1 (fr) * 1998-01-30 1999-08-05 Esel-Krabbe Systems A/S Systeme d'affichage de prix et/ou d'autres informations
GB2356108A (en) * 1999-11-03 2001-05-09 Motorola Israel Ltd Anti-theft shopping tag with display
EP1798864A1 (fr) * 2004-09-30 2007-06-20 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Appareil de communication d étiquette sans fil, étiquette sans fil, système de communication d étiquette sans fil et méthode de communication sans fil
EP1798864A4 (fr) * 2004-09-30 2013-07-31 Brother Ind Ltd Appareil de communication d étiquette sans fil, étiquette sans fil, système de communication d étiquette sans fil et méthode de communication sans fil

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
SE8904072D0 (sv) 1989-12-01
SE8904072L (sv) 1991-06-02
SE466773B (sv) 1992-03-30

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