WO2003073260A1 - System for lighting an electronic label display - Google Patents

System for lighting an electronic label display Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2003073260A1
WO2003073260A1 PCT/SE2003/000332 SE0300332W WO03073260A1 WO 2003073260 A1 WO2003073260 A1 WO 2003073260A1 SE 0300332 W SE0300332 W SE 0300332W WO 03073260 A1 WO03073260 A1 WO 03073260A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
display
label
electronic label
behind
price
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/SE2003/000332
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Pär ROSANDER
Lars Andersson
Björn Nilsson
Original Assignee
Pricer Ab
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 Pricer Ab filed Critical Pricer Ab
Priority to US10/506,120 priority Critical patent/US20060164327A1/en
Priority to EP03708767A priority patent/EP1488312A1/en
Priority to AU2003212740A priority patent/AU2003212740A1/en
Priority to JP2003571887A priority patent/JP2005519313A/en
Publication of WO2003073260A1 publication Critical patent/WO2003073260A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06FELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00Input 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
    • G06F3/14Digital output to display device ; Cooperation and interconnection of the display device with other functional units
    • G06F3/147Digital output to display device ; Cooperation and interconnection of the display device with other functional units using display panels
    • GPHYSICS
    • G09EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09FDISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
    • G09F9/00Indicating arrangements for variable information in which the information is built-up on a support by selection or combination of individual elements
    • G09F9/30Indicating 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
    • G09F9/35Indicating 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
    • GPHYSICS
    • G02OPTICS
    • G02BOPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/0001Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
    • G02B6/0011Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being planar or of plate-like form
    • G02B6/0033Means for improving the coupling-out of light from the light guide
    • G02B6/0058Means for improving the coupling-out of light from the light guide varying in density, size, shape or depth along the light guide
    • G02B6/006Means for improving the coupling-out of light from the light guide varying in density, size, shape or depth along the light guide to produce indicia, symbols, texts or the like
    • GPHYSICS
    • G09EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09GARRANGEMENTS OR CIRCUITS FOR CONTROL OF INDICATING DEVICES USING STATIC MEANS TO PRESENT VARIABLE INFORMATION
    • G09G2330/00Aspects of power supply; Aspects of display protection and defect management
    • G09G2330/02Details of power systems and of start or stop of display operation
    • G09G2330/021Power management, e.g. power saving
    • GPHYSICS
    • G09EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09GARRANGEMENTS OR CIRCUITS FOR CONTROL OF INDICATING DEVICES USING STATIC MEANS TO PRESENT VARIABLE INFORMATION
    • G09G2380/00Specific applications
    • G09G2380/04Electronic labels
    • GPHYSICS
    • G09EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09GARRANGEMENTS OR CIRCUITS FOR CONTROL OF INDICATING DEVICES USING STATIC MEANS TO PRESENT VARIABLE INFORMATION
    • G09G3/00Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes
    • G09G3/20Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes for presentation of an assembly of a number of characters, e.g. a page, by composing the assembly by combination of individual elements arranged in a matrix no fixed position being assigned to or needed to be assigned to the individual characters or partial characters
    • G09G3/34Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes for presentation of an assembly of a number of characters, e.g. a page, by composing the assembly by combination of individual elements arranged in a matrix no fixed position being assigned to or needed to be assigned to the individual characters or partial characters by control of light from an independent source
    • G09G3/3406Control of illumination source

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an electronic label according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • Such an electronic price label is described in for example EP 0228377.
  • an electronic price updating system like this, price labels are attached to for example the shelves i the store or nearby a product bin.
  • the price labels comprise components for wireless communication with a price data base. Each time there is a price change for a product this is communicated out to the price label for this product and the price shown on the display in the price label is changed.
  • Normally LCDs are used as displays. Such LCDs have a reflective backside and thus reflects mcoming light and provides a visible display.
  • An object of the invention is to provide a label with improved visibility.
  • the label comprises at least one descriptive part adapted to be attached to the label, said descriptive part comprising static information about the product, said information being provided outside the area of the display.
  • a label is achieved that is easy to adapt for different purposes and different products and which also comprises static information that is enlightened from the backside and thus has a good visibility.
  • the label is adapted to be lit up from behind by an external light source.
  • an electronic label is achieved that is lit up from behind and where the light source is separated from the price label. This is preferred since no extra power is required in the label itself for the enlightening.
  • Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of the electronic label according to the invention.
  • Fig. 2 shows a side view of the embodiment in fig. 1.
  • Fig. 3 shows a second embodiment of the electronic label according to the invention.
  • Figs. 4a-c show electronic labels according to the invention arranged on a shelf edge rail. .
  • an electronic label which comprises a display module which is lit up from behind.
  • the display module comprises a display, which could be an LCD or equal, a controller, a memory, power supply, preferably a battery power supply and a communication interface, preferably a wireless communication interface.
  • the display module is adapted to communicate wirelessly with a central product information updating system as described above in the background of the invention.
  • the display is provided with a transparent or semitransparent backside for allowing it to be ht up from behind.
  • it could be a transflective LCD.
  • the other components of the display module are arranged on a printed circuit board which should be located inside the price label but not covering the display since this would prevent the lightening up of the display from behind.
  • a flexible circuit board could be used. This would be suitable since the flexible circuit board would not need much space. It could be coiled up and be placed on one side of the display.
  • the electronic label is a label showing different information of a product. Often, but not always, the price of the product is included in this information. Therefore the label is called a price label hereafter in this description. However, other information than price could also be shown on the label and be updated from the updating system.
  • the price label is adapted to be lit up from behind by suiTounding light normally present in the store, mam lighting.
  • the price label is adapted to be positioned in front of a light source, which could be for example fluorescent tubes, electro luminescent film or light emitting diodes.
  • the price label has a diffuser layer behind the display which is adapted to let through a certain amount of light.
  • the diffuser can for instance be an opal glass sheet or an opal plastic sheet.
  • the diffuser can also be built up by several layers of plastic, paper or glass material.
  • a transparent backside plate could also be used but a disadvantage is that the light source itself could be seen through the price label if a transparent backside plate is used.
  • a diffuser that is semitransparent would thus be preferred.
  • An alternative solution would be to have a tiansmittive clear backside of the electronic price label and to have the diffuser layer in connection with the illumination system.
  • a transparent sheet with descriptions and/or drawings or photos can be attached to the price label.
  • this sheet can be attached in front of the display but only having information on the parts not covering the display.
  • the price label area must in this embodiment be larger then the display area, see figs. Since the sheet is transparent it can cover the display without affecting the legibility of the price information much but it is off course also possible to cut out the part of the transparent sheet that otherwise would cover the display. In this case it would also be possible to use an ordinary white paper instead of the transparent sheet for the descriptive part of the price label.
  • the descriptive part could suitably be printed by an ordinary jet printer or laser printer.
  • a diffuser should be attached to the backside of the whole price label, comprising both the display and the descriptive sheet.
  • the whole price label is adapted to be lit up from behind as described above.
  • both the display and the descriptive part will be lit up and have a good contiast and attractive appearance. It would also be possible to lighten up only the display.
  • the price label In a store, the price label is located for example in a fruit and vegetable area.
  • the price label displays price on the LCD and item information and possibly also a picture on the descriptive part.
  • the price on the LCD is updated through a wireless interface, that is connected to a processor according to well known techniques for electronic price labeling systems.
  • the LCD could also display other item information such as land of origin.
  • the descriptive part which could be printed on a transparent A4 size sheet if that is a suitable size, can easily be changed. It is simply attached in front of a casing of the price label which comprises the display module and the diffuser.
  • the price label is adaptive to different desires.
  • the information on the descriptive part can easily be changed according to different conditions.
  • a diffuser On the backside of the price label in figure 1 is a diffuser attached as described above.
  • This diffuser covers the whole backside and is adapted to reflect some of the light and transmit some of the light.
  • the price label can be lit up from behind.
  • the price label is adapted to be placed in the fruit and vegetable area. Normally, the lightening is good there and therefore the normal background illumination will be enough for providing a price label with good visibility and attractive appearance.
  • Another possibility is to place the price label in front of a light source. For example many price labels in a row can be placed in front of a fluorescent tube.
  • a light source can be provided on the backside of the price label.
  • a whole row of light sources e.g. fluorescent tubes or the like are placed along a shelf and then the price labels are simply attached in front of these light sources.
  • Fig. 2 shows a sideview of the first embodiment of the invention.
  • the same parts are given the same reference numerals as in fig. 1.
  • the transparent sheet 5, also called descriptive part is placed in front of the display module 3 and the diffuser 7.
  • a front cover 6 is also shown.
  • This front cover 6 is adapted to cover the display module 3 and the rest of the area of the price label in order to provide a plane surface for the descriptive part 5 to be attached to.
  • the front cover 6 could be of a transparent material, preferably plexi-glass or glass. Otherwise the front cover 6 could be of a not transparent material, like aluminum, with a hole for the display area. Additional holes must be provided in the cover 6 in order to illuminate the descriptive part 5 or parts of the descriptive part 5.
  • the casing 1 is more of a frame for keeping the parts together.
  • the casing 1 is shown in cross section.
  • a light source 9 is shown to illuminate the price label from behind.
  • Fig. 3 shows a second embodiment of the invention. Here it is shown that more than one display module can be positioned in the same casing. Three display modules 11, 13, 15 are shown. Furthermore the descriptive parts 17, 19, 21 can be printed on one and the same sheet or separate sheets depending on how big the casing is.
  • FIG. 4a an electronic price label arranged on a shelf edge is shown.
  • Three shelf planes 23 are shown.
  • the front side of each shelf plane comprises a shelf edge rail 25.
  • a light source 27 is according to the invention built into or mounted onto the shelf rail.
  • An electronic price label 29 according to the invention is mounted to the rail 25 in front of the light source 27.
  • the light source 27 could be for example electro luminescent film or light emitting diodes.
  • Fig. 4c shows a further embodiment of an electronic price label 29 according to the invention attached to a shelf edge rail 34.
  • a light source 35 is mounted inside the shelf edge behind the shelf edge rail 34.
  • the shelf edge rail 34 should be in a transmittive, clear color such that the backside of the price label 29 is illuminated.
  • the light source 35 could for example be a fluorescent light tube.
  • the invention relates also to a product comprising an electronic price label part as described above.
  • the product comprises further a background illumination part, which has fastening means for the price label part.
  • the price label part can easily be removed from the background illumination part and be replaced by another price label part.
  • the price label part has to be moved when a product is moved.
  • the illumination part can be left and another price label part can be attached thereto.
  • the price label part has preferably its own power supply, i.e. not the same power supply as the background illumination part. The reason for this is that it is important to keep the power consumption low in the price label part as described above. Another reason is to make it easier to move the price label to another position.
  • a descriptive part as described above is preferably attached to the price label part. However it can also be attached to the background illumination part.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Crystallography & Structural Chemistry (AREA)
  • Illuminated Signs And Luminous Advertising (AREA)
  • Display Racks (AREA)
  • Devices For Indicating Variable Information By Combining Individual Elements (AREA)

Abstract

An electronic label, which is wirelessly connected to a product information updating system, said label comprising at least one display adapted to display product information. The display has a transparent or semitransparent backside and is adapted to be lit up from behind by either an external light source, surrounding main lightning or a built-in light source.

Description

SYSTEM FOR LIGHTING AN ELECTRONIC LABEL DISPLAY
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electronic label according to the preamble of claim 1.
It also relates to a product comprising such an electronic label.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Such an electronic price label is described in for example EP 0228377. an electronic price updating system like this, price labels are attached to for example the shelves i the store or nearby a product bin. The price labels comprise components for wireless communication with a price data base. Each time there is a price change for a product this is communicated out to the price label for this product and the price shown on the display in the price label is changed. Normally LCDs are used as displays. Such LCDs have a reflective backside and thus reflects mcoming light and provides a visible display.
A problem with this type of price label is that the visibility sometimes is poor in the display.
SUMMARY
An object of the invention is to provide a label with improved visibility.
This object is achieved in a label according to the preamble of claim 1, having the characterizing features of claim 1.
It is also achieved by a product according to claim 10. Hereby an electronic label is achieved having a display which can be lit up from behind. This gives a display with good visibility.
Suitably the label comprises at least one descriptive part adapted to be attached to the label, said descriptive part comprising static information about the product, said information being provided outside the area of the display. Hereby a label is achieved that is easy to adapt for different purposes and different products and which also comprises static information that is enlightened from the backside and thus has a good visibility.
Preferably the label is adapted to be lit up from behind by an external light source. Hereby an electronic label is achieved that is lit up from behind and where the light source is separated from the price label. This is preferred since no extra power is required in the label itself for the enlightening.
Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are set out in the dependent claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of the electronic label according to the invention.
Fig. 2 shows a side view of the embodiment in fig. 1.
Fig. 3 shows a second embodiment of the electronic label according to the invention.
Figs. 4a-c show electronic labels according to the invention arranged on a shelf edge rail. .
3
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
According to the invention an electronic label is provided which comprises a display module which is lit up from behind. The display module comprises a display, which could be an LCD or equal, a controller, a memory, power supply, preferably a battery power supply and a communication interface, preferably a wireless communication interface. The display module is adapted to communicate wirelessly with a central product information updating system as described above in the background of the invention. According to the invention the display is provided with a transparent or semitransparent backside for allowing it to be ht up from behind. Suitably it could be a transflective LCD. The other components of the display module are arranged on a printed circuit board which should be located inside the price label but not covering the display since this would prevent the lightening up of the display from behind. Instead of an ordinary printed circuit board a flexible circuit board could be used. This would be suitable since the flexible circuit board would not need much space. It could be coiled up and be placed on one side of the display.
The electronic label is a label showing different information of a product. Often, but not always, the price of the product is included in this information. Therefore the label is called a price label hereafter in this description. However, other information than price could also be shown on the label and be updated from the updating system.
In one embodiment of the invention the price label is adapted to be lit up from behind by suiTounding light normally present in the store, mam lighting. In another embodiment the price label is adapted to be positioned in front of a light source, which could be for example fluorescent tubes, electro luminescent film or light emitting diodes.
It would be preferred to keep the light source separated from the price label since the light source would require much more power than the price label. Furthermore it is preferred to have a wireless price label system since it is then easier to move the price .
4 label together with the merchandises. It is also preferred to not have to change batteries often. If the light source is built into the price label the power consumption would rise much and batteries have to be changed more often or more powerful and bulky batteries are needed.
Suitably the price label has a diffuser layer behind the display which is adapted to let through a certain amount of light. The diffuser can for instance be an opal glass sheet or an opal plastic sheet. The diffuser can also be built up by several layers of plastic, paper or glass material. A transparent backside plate could also be used but a disadvantage is that the light source itself could be seen through the price label if a transparent backside plate is used. A diffuser that is semitransparent would thus be preferred. An alternative solution would be to have a tiansmittive clear backside of the electronic price label and to have the diffuser layer in connection with the illumination system.
In one preferred embodiment of the invention a transparent sheet with descriptions and/or drawings or photos can be attached to the price label. Suitably this sheet can be attached in front of the display but only having information on the parts not covering the display. Thus the price label area must in this embodiment be larger then the display area, see figs. Since the sheet is transparent it can cover the display without affecting the legibility of the price information much but it is off course also possible to cut out the part of the transparent sheet that otherwise would cover the display. In this case it would also be possible to use an ordinary white paper instead of the transparent sheet for the descriptive part of the price label. The descriptive part could suitably be printed by an ordinary jet printer or laser printer. According to the invention a diffuser should be attached to the backside of the whole price label, comprising both the display and the descriptive sheet. Furthermore the whole price label is adapted to be lit up from behind as described above. Thus both the display and the descriptive part will be lit up and have a good contiast and attractive appearance. It would also be possible to lighten up only the display. In a store, the price label is located for example in a fruit and vegetable area. The price label displays price on the LCD and item information and possibly also a picture on the descriptive part. The price on the LCD is updated through a wireless interface, that is connected to a processor according to well known techniques for electronic price labeling systems. The LCD could also display other item information such as land of origin.
The descriptive part, which could be printed on a transparent A4 size sheet if that is a suitable size, can easily be changed. It is simply attached in front of a casing of the price label which comprises the display module and the diffuser. Hereby the price label is adaptive to different desires. The information on the descriptive part can easily be changed according to different conditions.
In Fig. 1 a first embodiment of the invention is shown. A casing 1 holds a display module 3 as described above, which in this embodiment comprises an LCD display without a reflective backlayer. In front of the LCD and covering the most of the casing is a transparent sheet 5. On this transparent sheet 5 some information is given. In this example a picture of a banana and the word bananas have been printed on the transparent sheet. Furthermore information about the land of origin and class 1 is given. The descriptive part could suitably be printed in color and include photos or pictures. In this embodiment the price label is adapted to be placed in the fruit and vegetable area and therefore the price label can has a size of for example A4. Then it is convenient to print the descriptive part in an ordinary printer using transparent A4 sheets. Of course the size can be varied. Different price label sizes are preferred in different areas of the store. For example the labels should be much smaller if they should be placed on the shelf edges. In this embodiment the transparent sheet 5, also called the descriptive part 5 covers the LCD 3.
On the backside of the price label in figure 1 is a diffuser attached as described above. This diffuser covers the whole backside and is adapted to reflect some of the light and transmit some of the light. Hereby the price label can be lit up from behind. In this example embodiment the price label is adapted to be placed in the fruit and vegetable area. Normally, the lightening is good there and therefore the normal background illumination will be enough for providing a price label with good visibility and attractive appearance. Another possibility is to place the price label in front of a light source. For example many price labels in a row can be placed in front of a fluorescent tube.
If the price label should be placed on the shelf edges in a store or some other place where the surrounding light maybe not is good enough a light source can be provided on the backside of the price label. Preferably a whole row of light sources, e.g. fluorescent tubes or the like are placed along a shelf and then the price labels are simply attached in front of these light sources.
Fig. 2 shows a sideview of the first embodiment of the invention. The same parts are given the same reference numerals as in fig. 1. Here it is clearly shown that the transparent sheet 5, also called descriptive part, is placed in front of the display module 3 and the diffuser 7. A front cover 6 is also shown. This front cover 6 is adapted to cover the display module 3 and the rest of the area of the price label in order to provide a plane surface for the descriptive part 5 to be attached to. The front cover 6 could be of a transparent material, preferably plexi-glass or glass. Otherwise the front cover 6 could be of a not transparent material, like aluminum, with a hole for the display area. Additional holes must be provided in the cover 6 in order to illuminate the descriptive part 5 or parts of the descriptive part 5.
The casing 1 is more of a frame for keeping the parts together. In this figure the casing 1 is shown in cross section. Furthermore a light source 9 is shown to illuminate the price label from behind.
In another embodiment the descriptive part 5 is instead inserted between the display module 3 and the diffuser 7. Fig. 3 shows a second embodiment of the invention. Here it is shown that more than one display module can be positioned in the same casing. Three display modules 11, 13, 15 are shown. Furthermore the descriptive parts 17, 19, 21 can be printed on one and the same sheet or separate sheets depending on how big the casing is.
In Fig. 4a an electronic price label arranged on a shelf edge is shown. Three shelf planes 23 are shown. The front side of each shelf plane comprises a shelf edge rail 25. A light source 27 is according to the invention built into or mounted onto the shelf rail. An electronic price label 29 according to the invention is mounted to the rail 25 in front of the light source 27. The light source 27 could be for example electro luminescent film or light emitting diodes.
Fig. 4b shows another variant of an electronic price label according to the invention that is arranged on a shelf edge rail. In this embodiment surrounding main lighting is used for the illumination instead of a built in light source. A shelf edge rail 31 is shown which is designed to act as a light guide. The light guide consists of transparent plastic material that preferably is smooth on all sides except the side closest to the label that can be diffused to direct the light gathered from the suiToundings to that side. The profile should preferably be shaped as thicker in the sides were the light shall be received and thinner the further away from these sides to create a uniform illumination behind the price label. On the backside of the rail is a reflector 33 provided. This could be aluminum foil or paper. Surrounding light is reflected and guided such that it illuminates the price label 29 attached to the rail 31.
Fig. 4c shows a further embodiment of an electronic price label 29 according to the invention attached to a shelf edge rail 34. In this embodiment a light source 35 is mounted inside the shelf edge behind the shelf edge rail 34. The shelf edge rail 34 should be in a transmittive, clear color such that the backside of the price label 29 is illuminated. The light source 35 could for example be a fluorescent light tube. The invention relates also to a product comprising an electronic price label part as described above. The product comprises further a background illumination part, which has fastening means for the price label part. Thus the price label part can easily be removed from the background illumination part and be replaced by another price label part. Hereby only the price label part has to be moved when a product is moved. The illumination part can be left and another price label part can be attached thereto. The price label part has preferably its own power supply, i.e. not the same power supply as the background illumination part. The reason for this is that it is important to keep the power consumption low in the price label part as described above. Another reason is to make it easier to move the price label to another position.
A descriptive part as described above is preferably attached to the price label part. However it can also be attached to the background illumination part.

Claims

1. An electronic label, which is wirelessly connected to a product information updating system, said label comprising at least one display (3; 11, 13,15) adapted to display product information, characterised in that the display (3; 11,13,15) has a transparent or semitransparent backside and is adapted to be lit up from behind.
2. An electronic label according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises at least one descriptive part (5; 17, 19,21) adapted to be attached to the label, said descriptive part (5; 17,19,21) comprising static information about the product, said information being provided outside the area of the display (3).
3. An electronic label according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that it is adapted to be lit up from behind by an external light source.
4. An electronic label according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it is adapted to be lit up from behind by surrounding main lighting.
5. An electronic label according to any one of the claims 1-3, characterised in that it is adapted to be lit up from behind by a light source mounted behind the label.
6. An electronic label according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that it is adapted to be lit up from behind by a built in light source.
7. An electronic label according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises more than one display (11,13,15) and is adapted to show information of more than one product.
8. An electronic label according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the label comprises a diffuser (7) mounted on the backside.
9. An electronic label according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said display (3) is of tiansflective type, being adapted to both reflect and transmit light.
10. A product comprising an electronic label part according to any one of the claims 1- 3 and 5-9, further comprising a background illumination part, wherein the electronic label part has its own power supply.
11. A product according to claim 10, wherein the electronic label part easily can be released from the background illumination part and be replaced by another electronic label part.
PCT/SE2003/000332 2002-02-28 2003-02-28 System for lighting an electronic label display WO2003073260A1 (en)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10/506,120 US20060164327A1 (en) 2002-02-28 2003-02-28 System for lighting an electronic label display
EP03708767A EP1488312A1 (en) 2002-02-28 2003-02-28 System for lighting an electronic label display
AU2003212740A AU2003212740A1 (en) 2002-02-28 2003-02-28 System for lighting an electronic label display
JP2003571887A JP2005519313A (en) 2002-02-28 2003-02-28 System for illuminating an electronic label display

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US35998702P 2002-02-28 2002-02-28
US60/359,987 2002-02-28

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2003073260A1 true WO2003073260A1 (en) 2003-09-04

Family

ID=27766172

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/SE2003/000332 WO2003073260A1 (en) 2002-02-28 2003-02-28 System for lighting an electronic label display

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US20060164327A1 (en)
EP (1) EP1488312A1 (en)
JP (1) JP2005519313A (en)
CN (1) CN1280706C (en)
AU (1) AU2003212740A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2003073260A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7520429B2 (en) * 2004-03-31 2009-04-21 United Parcel Service Of America, Inc. Systems and methods for an electronic programmable merchandise tag
CN101095182B (en) * 2004-04-13 2010-05-05 美国联合包裹服务公司 Electronic shipping label with updateable visual display
TW200641784A (en) * 2005-05-27 2006-12-01 Phison Electronics Corp Electronic product with data display
US20090314835A1 (en) * 2008-06-23 2009-12-24 United Parcel Services Of America, Inc. System for shipping an item using an electronic envelope
US20090319078A1 (en) * 2008-06-23 2009-12-24 United Parcel Services Of America, Inc. Method for shipping an item using an electronic envelope
JP4950165B2 (en) * 2008-11-06 2012-06-13 東芝テック株式会社 Electronic shelf label device
US20160048907A1 (en) * 2014-08-18 2016-02-18 Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd. Electronic shelf label display apparatus and system, and operating method thereof
CN107818742A (en) * 2017-10-19 2018-03-20 东莞市名展展示柜有限公司 Self-luminous label and display systems

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1986002477A1 (en) * 1984-10-15 1986-04-24 Unigrafic Ag Device for marking edges of shelves
US5121232A (en) * 1989-10-18 1992-06-09 Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Displaying device having two separate light receiving portions for receiving the external light and the light emitted by a light source
US5832643A (en) * 1996-10-28 1998-11-10 Wagner Zip-Change, Inc. Full view changeable display sign
US5930926A (en) * 1997-06-04 1999-08-03 International Patterns Incorporated Display sign system
US5977998A (en) * 1992-12-22 1999-11-02 Electronic Retailing Systems International, Inc. Technique for communicating with electronic labels in an electronic price display system

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5172314A (en) * 1991-05-03 1992-12-15 Electronic Retailing Systems International Apparatus for communicating price changes including printer and display devices

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1986002477A1 (en) * 1984-10-15 1986-04-24 Unigrafic Ag Device for marking edges of shelves
US5121232A (en) * 1989-10-18 1992-06-09 Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Displaying device having two separate light receiving portions for receiving the external light and the light emitted by a light source
US5977998A (en) * 1992-12-22 1999-11-02 Electronic Retailing Systems International, Inc. Technique for communicating with electronic labels in an electronic price display system
US5832643A (en) * 1996-10-28 1998-11-10 Wagner Zip-Change, Inc. Full view changeable display sign
US5930926A (en) * 1997-06-04 1999-08-03 International Patterns Incorporated Display sign system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2003212740A1 (en) 2003-09-09
CN1280706C (en) 2006-10-18
US20060164327A1 (en) 2006-07-27
CN1639678A (en) 2005-07-13
JP2005519313A (en) 2005-06-30
EP1488312A1 (en) 2004-12-22

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US20020159246A1 (en) Illuminated display system
US20070124970A1 (en) Transversely-illuminated display
CN101779148B (en) Illuminated graphical and information display
KR20050123100A (en) Electronic label
US20060164327A1 (en) System for lighting an electronic label display
US7257914B2 (en) Display system
EP1225555B1 (en) Backlit label with enhanced "off" state appearance
US7270437B1 (en) Illumination device for a guest check presenter
JP3126054U (en) Display device
US9208704B2 (en) Hybrid self illuminated and actively back lit signage for printed graphics
US10872543B2 (en) Display device
GB2316216A (en) Illuminated displays
US20060018126A1 (en) Edge-lit lighted panel for bulletin boards
CA2287629A1 (en) Back and edge-illuminated sign
KR101111250B1 (en) Advertising apparatus
US8371734B2 (en) Front lit alterable display
US7128432B1 (en) Backlighted display assembly for an LCD
CA2355416A1 (en) Shelf mounted lighted display device
JP6666712B2 (en) Sensor device, sensor unit, article selection device, article selection unit, and vending machine
KR200312959Y1 (en) Light diffusion film and advertising signboard
KR200249928Y1 (en) Multi display type signboard
KR200283015Y1 (en) Outdoor advertising display device
KR20030082293A (en) Advertisementing apparatus
EP3754630A2 (en) Optical element and shelf lamp with the optical element
GB2362019A (en) An illuminated display panel.

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY BZ CA CH CN CO CR CU CZ DE DK DM DZ EC EE ES FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX MZ NO NZ OM PH PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SK SL TJ TM TN TR TT TZ UA UG US UZ VC VN YU ZA ZM ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW MZ SD SL SZ TZ UG ZM ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LU MC NL PT SE SI SK TR BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GQ GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
DFPE Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101)
WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 20038047136

Country of ref document: CN

Ref document number: 2003571887

Country of ref document: JP

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 2003708767

Country of ref document: EP

WWP Wipo information: published in national office

Ref document number: 2003708767

Country of ref document: EP

ENP Entry into the national phase

Ref document number: 2006164327

Country of ref document: US

Kind code of ref document: A1

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 10506120

Country of ref document: US

WWP Wipo information: published in national office

Ref document number: 10506120

Country of ref document: US