WO1998052143A1 - Procede et systeme d'etiquetage electronique avec fonctions de verification et de localisation - Google Patents

Procede et systeme d'etiquetage electronique avec fonctions de verification et de localisation Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1998052143A1
WO1998052143A1 PCT/US1997/007935 US9707935W WO9852143A1 WO 1998052143 A1 WO1998052143 A1 WO 1998052143A1 US 9707935 W US9707935 W US 9707935W WO 9852143 A1 WO9852143 A1 WO 9852143A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
screen
pixels
signals
array
series
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1997/007935
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
James P. Romano
Original Assignee
Syracuse Research Corp.
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 Syracuse Research Corp. filed Critical Syracuse Research Corp.
Priority to PCT/US1997/007935 priority Critical patent/WO1998052143A1/fr
Priority to AU33678/97A priority patent/AU3367897A/en
Publication of WO1998052143A1 publication Critical patent/WO1998052143A1/fr

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/14—Digital output to display device ; Cooperation and interconnection of the display device with other functional units
    • G06F3/147—Digital output to display device ; Cooperation and interconnection of the display device with other functional units using display panels

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to electronic labeling methods and systems. More particularly, the invention relates to novel and improved methods of displaying on a screen a visual image containing text and/or machine readable indicia relating to the nature and pricing of items offered for sale. The invention also relates to methods and systems for verifying that a visual display on an electronic shelf tag actually corresponds to a desired display, and for verifying the in-store locations of products to which electronic shelf tag modules are assigned.
  • shelf labels Increases in the amount and complexity of information carried by shelf labels, coupled with requirements for accuracy, integration with automated inventory control and check-out systems, as well as other factors, have led to an interest in forms of electronic labeling.
  • segmented liquid crystal displays have been incorporated in shelf labels, usually as a selectively changeable form of price indication. In general, however, it may be said that
  • SUBSTITUTE SHEFl (RULE 26) currently available electronic shelf labels must be supplemented by printed matter, particularly where the label includes a bar code, or the like.
  • shelf label which carries a graphic image of all desired information, including both conventional text and machine readable indicia.
  • shelf label is intended to denote any form of signage or display of graphic images which, in the usual case, contains information relating to the nature, quantity, price, location, and/or other features of one or more products being offered for sale.
  • the shelf label in any case, includes a screen made up of an array of discrete pixels each having an addressable location in the array. The pixels are individually actuable to be rendered visible against a contrasting background.
  • a preferred form of screen is of the type described as a fast, multistable, liquid crystal display (herinafter FMLCD) having pixels arranged in columns and rows with a resolution of, for example, 26 pixels per centimeter. Details of FMLCDs may be found, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 5,453,863.
  • each shelf label includes means for receiving wirelessly transmitted, encoded signals, microprocessor means for decoding and storing the signals, and means for actuating the pixels whose addresses correspond to the signals.
  • each shelf tag it is also sometimes useful to provide a unique identifying means for each shelf tag, as well as for each in-store location where products may be located.
  • an identifying number or the like, may be assigned to each shelf label. This number is stored in the memory of the label's microprocessor, and may also be visibly printed at a suitable position on the label. The label ID is thus available for direct viewing and/or transmission as a signal to the control location.
  • the layout of the store or other defined area may be represented in a three-dimensional grid pattern with a unique number, or other identifier assigned to each increment of space.
  • Indicia representing the identifier preferably in machine-readable form, is permanently positioned at the location to which it corresponds.
  • the indicia may be printed on a paper or plastic tag which is adhesively affixed to a shelf or other structure at the identified location.
  • the position- identifying tag may be scanned in conjunction with the scanning of a shelf label to identify or verify the presence of a particular label at a specific location. Scanning the bar code of a product displayed at this location further provides verification of proper label and product association.
  • Figure 2a is a block diagram representing the circuit system of the present invention.
  • Figure 3b is a bottom plan view of the display panel showing a location identification symbol
  • Figure 3c is a collection of various graphic displays
  • Figure 4a is a top plan view showing a retail store divided into a 2-dimensional grid
  • Figure 5 is a representational diagram of a store layout.
  • Display module 18 includes a control, printed circuit board (PCB) denoted generally 20, having an input 22 which receives data from a receiver 24 (e.g., a radio frequency, infra red or modulated fluorescent light receiver) to which it is electrically connected via a serial connector 26, and an output 28 from which data is sent, via a serial connector 29, to a fast multistable liquid crystal display (FMLCD) 30.
  • PCB printed circuit board
  • a 9 volt transistor battery 34 provides enough power to both PCB 20 and receiver 24 to effectively operate display module 18.
  • the voltage sent from battery 34 to those portions of PCB 20 runs through a voltage regulator 36 which decreases the voltage accordingly.
  • PCB 20 includes a high voltage (HV) circuit 38 which acts as a DC to DC converter and augments the 9 volts received from battery 34 via run 39 up to around 37 volts which is about the amount needed to operate FMLCD 30.
  • HV high voltage
  • a solar cell 37 may be electrically connected to battery 34.
  • the 37 volts of electricity produced by HV circuit 38 is sent through a transistor (switch) 40 before reaching FMLCD 30, via run 42, in order to ensure that FMLCD does not receive a constant supply of voltage.
  • the 5 volts output from voltage regulator 36 is sent to receiver 24, as well as to a microprocessor 43, via run 44.
  • Microprocessor 43 includes various logic elements 46, a data bus (4 bit) 48, and a RC circuit 50 which acts as an internal oscillating clock to run processor 20.
  • the 5 volts further supports operation of a counter 52, which is electrically connected to microprocessor 43 and a memory array (e.g., a 4096 x 4 RAM chip) 54.
  • Microprocessor 43 sends incrementing pulses to which counter 52 responds by sending incremental addresses of the corresponding memory locations in RAM 54. These addresses are used to both write to, and read from RAM 54.
  • counter 52 and RAM 54 could be omitted from PCB 20.
  • microprocessor 43 could send the data directly to FMLCD 30 as it is received. If the data initially received by microprocessor 43 comes in at a slow enough rate, 9600 BAUD for example, the processor could effectively send the data to FMLCD 30 and be ready to receive the next data stream without causing the data to bottleneck while in transport.
  • a user of system 10 would first access the memory of computer 12 and call up any one of a plurality of graphics files stored therein for display on the computer's CRT 60.
  • the accuracy of the image can be visually inspected. If the image meets the user's approval, it can then be downloaded from the computer, pixel for pixel, through transmitter 14 and ultimately to the screen 62 of FMLCD 30.
  • the actual data being transmitted from computer 12 is a serial stream of "l"s and "0"s representing an actuated or deactivated state, respectively, of individual pixel addresses. This electronic process of the pixel for pixel transmission results in FMLCD 30 displaying an identical reproduction of the image that appears in the accessed graphics file.
  • the next byte of data microprocessor 43 receives is an identification code (explained in more detail hereinafter) for a particular FMLCD 30, thereby alerting microprocessor 43 to which particular FMLCD (in the network of potential FMLCDs) to ultimately send the data. Consequently, a single display system 10 is capable of addressing any number of individual FMLCDs.
  • receiver 24 then sends data relating to a particular image which is intended to be displayed on FMLCD 30.
  • Microprocessor 43 first activates write enable 56 and then takes the image data, the data being a series of "l"s and “0"s or “high”s and “low”s corresponding to the actuation or lack of actuation, respectively, of particular pixel locations, and sends the data to the registers of RAM 54 corresponding to the individual pixel locations.
  • the various registers in RAM 54 in which each bit of image data is stored are determined by the incrementing of counter 52, and the microprocessor's response thereto.
  • Counter 52 permits 12 bits of data to be delivered in parallel to RAM 54 with each pulse of chip enable 57, and with counter 52 organizing and steering the data to RAM 54 from the least significant bit to the most significant bit.
  • microprocessor 43 deactivates write enable 56 (i.e., actuates a read enable) to start at the beginning of RAM 54 and download the data, pixel (address) for pixel (address) , to FMLCD 30.
  • the driver circuitry 66 electrically connected to screen 62 of FMLCD 30 receives the data from RAM 54 and actuates/deactivates the individual pixels on screen 62 accordingly.
  • microprocessor 43 sends a signal to turn off high voltage circuit 38, thereby cutting off the power supply to FMLCD 30, and then waits for the next data transmission. Once the next data transmission is received, the above described process repeats and the new image is transferred onto FMLCD 30 in a raster-like fashion.
  • FMLCD complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor
  • any commercially available FMLCD or other type of binary pixel display (including mechanically actuated pixel displays)
  • FMLCDs are manufactured by Advance Display Systems, Inc. of Amarillo, Texas or Kent Display Systems of Kent, Ohio, and disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,453,863.
  • the present invention can support full color or gray-scale displays.
  • the drivers which actuate the pixels on the FMLCD may be of any conventional STN type driver, such as model no. HD66106F manufactured by Hitachi Corp.
  • display 10 can be used in a retail store environment (e.g. , a grocery store) as a tag for identifying certain product information.
  • a retail store environment e.g. , a grocery store
  • product information consisting of a UPC bar code 68, a store name 70, product name 72, and price information 74 all displayed on screen 62 of FMLCD 30.
  • product information is common to tags found on the front of grocery store shelves in proximity to the products they are describing.
  • the bar code 68 created on screen 62 is essentially identical to the actual bar code formed on the products' label, and, due to the high resolution of the screen's pixel array, is of such a high quality that it may be electronically scanned by a conventional, hand-held scanner 76 (see Figure 1) , with the scanner transmitting the bar code data back to a central computer.
  • Scanner 76 may be of any commercially available type of scanning/transmitting device such as model no. 65 3070 manufactured by Symbol Express.
  • each display (tag) 10 has a unique identification number programmed within its microprocessor 43.
  • This unique identification number may, if desired, be a permanent part of the screen's display, such as the number 78 appearing on screen 62 in Figure 3. It is important to note that the identification number programmed into microprocessor 43 must be identical to the number 78 displayed on the screen 62 (i.e., if the number displayed is "78", the number stored in memory must also be "78") .
  • each store 80 in which displays 10 are used may be conceptually divided into a three dimensional, orthogonal grid, consisting of the floor being divided in two dimensions, X and Y, and the height of the store being divided in predetermined intervals, Z. Therefore, it is possible to determine the precise location (coordinates) of each display 10 within the store. By positioning each display 10 at predetermined coordinates, those coordinates become the display's location identification and a sticker 82 having the coordinates written thereon could be affixed to the bottom surface of each FMLCD (tag) 30.
  • each FMLCD 30 has associated therewith, product information including plain text 72, 74 and machine readable code 68 portions, a tag identification number 78, and a store location number in machine readable 84 and plain text 86 form. Therefore, each product can be associated with a particular FMLCD 30 as determined by the FMLCD 's identification number 78. Accordingly, a product, such as CHEX-MIX® (see Figure 3s) , can be associated with a particular FMLCD 30, such as tag number 78. If CHEX- MIX®, for instance, is located in more than one location in the store, then that product may be associated with several FMLCDs, each of which contains a unique ID number.
  • product information including plain text 72, 74 and machine readable code 68 portions, a tag identification number 78, and a store location number in machine readable 84 and plain text 86 form. Therefore, each product can be associated with a particular FMLCD 30 as determined by the FMLCD 's identification number 78. Accordingly,
  • Figure 5 shows a diagrammatic view of a grocery store 80 having a wall 82 with several shelves 84 mounted thereon.
  • Several different types of products 86, 88, 90, 92, 94, 96, 98, 100, 102 are positioned on shelves 84 in proximity to a respective FMLCD 30 each of which displays machine readable (e.g., UPC bar code) and plain text information about the respective products.
  • the FMLCD 30 positioned in proximity to that product has a known identification number. Therefore, an operator of computer 12 located in the store's control room 106 can load the graphics file associated with the particular product 86 onto the computer, and transmit the image from the computer to FMLCD 30 via wireless transmitter 14. As previously explained, transmitter 14 will first send an authentication sequence to FMLCD 30 followed by an identification code which will determine the particular FMLCD that will receive the image data.
  • the employee of store 80 who places the products 86 on shelf 84 can scan the machine readable portions (regarding product information and FMLCD location) of FMLCD 30 via hand-held scanner 76 (e.g., an infra red scanning/transmitting device) (see Figure 1) .
  • Scanner 76 can then transmit the bar code information back to a receiver 104 (e.g., an IR or RF receiver) electrically connected to computer 12.
  • a receiver 104 e.g., an IR or RF receiver
  • the product verification process can be done in any number of ways, with one way being that after scanner 76 transmits the machine readable product information to computer 12, the computer stores the transmitted data in memory.
  • a computer program stored in computer 12 then runs through a bit by bit comparison of the product information originally stored in its memory with the product information transmitted from FMLCD 30. If the comparison yields substantial identity between the two sets of product information, then the accuracy has been verified.
  • mapping With respect to the mapping, or FMLCD location, function, once all the products have been positioned at predetermined locations on shelves 84, computer 12 will have a virtual map of where each product is located. If one or more particular products are located in several locations throughout the store, computer 12 will know, by virtue of the transmissions from scanner 76, each of the locations. Therefore, a consumer Kiosk 106, for instance, could be created which informs consumers of the locations for each product carried in the store.

Abstract

L'invention concerne une étiquette de rayon adressable à distance, pourvue de codes textuels lisibles par machine. Le système comprend notamment un afficheur (10), un ordinateur (12), un dispositif (14) de transmission sans fil et un port (16) série.
PCT/US1997/007935 1997-05-13 1997-05-13 Procede et systeme d'etiquetage electronique avec fonctions de verification et de localisation WO1998052143A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US1997/007935 WO1998052143A1 (fr) 1997-05-13 1997-05-13 Procede et systeme d'etiquetage electronique avec fonctions de verification et de localisation
AU33678/97A AU3367897A (en) 1997-05-13 1997-05-13 Method and system of electronic labeling with verification and locating capabilities

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US1997/007935 WO1998052143A1 (fr) 1997-05-13 1997-05-13 Procede et systeme d'etiquetage electronique avec fonctions de verification et de localisation

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WO1998052143A1 true WO1998052143A1 (fr) 1998-11-19

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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7427014B2 (en) * 2005-02-09 2008-09-23 Seiko Epson Corporation Shelf tag, shelf tag manufacturing system, method and program for manufacturing shelf tag and storage medium
RU2563594C2 (ru) * 2013-05-29 2015-09-20 Федеральное государственное бюджетное учреждение "Государственный научный центр Российской Федерации - Федеральный медицинский биофизический центр имени А.И. Бурназяна" Сигнально-информирующая акустометрическая система

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5361871A (en) * 1991-08-20 1994-11-08 Digicomp Research Corporation Product information system for shoppers
US5448046A (en) * 1987-12-28 1995-09-05 Symbol Technologies, Inc. Arrangement for and method of expediting commercial product transactions at a point-of-sale site
US5457307A (en) * 1992-04-27 1995-10-10 Dumont; Charles Portable self-service bar code marker and reader for purchase monitoring

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5448046A (en) * 1987-12-28 1995-09-05 Symbol Technologies, Inc. Arrangement for and method of expediting commercial product transactions at a point-of-sale site
US5361871A (en) * 1991-08-20 1994-11-08 Digicomp Research Corporation Product information system for shoppers
US5457307A (en) * 1992-04-27 1995-10-10 Dumont; Charles Portable self-service bar code marker and reader for purchase monitoring

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7427014B2 (en) * 2005-02-09 2008-09-23 Seiko Epson Corporation Shelf tag, shelf tag manufacturing system, method and program for manufacturing shelf tag and storage medium
RU2563594C2 (ru) * 2013-05-29 2015-09-20 Федеральное государственное бюджетное учреждение "Государственный научный центр Российской Федерации - Федеральный медицинский биофизический центр имени А.И. Бурназяна" Сигнально-информирующая акустометрическая система

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Publication number Publication date
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