WO2016111615A1

WO2016111615A1 - Coupling device, and mounting system

Info

Publication number: WO2016111615A1
Application number: PCT/NL2015/050888
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dick DE HAAS; Rudi GROENEVELD; Marcel WELLE
Original assignee: Opticon Sensors Europe B.V.
Priority date: 2015-01-09
Filing date: 2015-12-18
Publication date: 2016-07-14

Abstract

Coupling device, and mounting system Coupling device for coupling an electronic label arranged for mounting on an elongated mounting rail, comprising an electronic display on a front side thereof and the coupling device on a rear side thereof. The coupling device has a physical coupler for physically coupling the electronic label onto a mounting rail. The coupling device further comprises a latch provided with a plurality of electrical contacts for electrical contacting with electrical conductor lanes of the mounting rail, said lanes extending along the longitudinal direction of the mounting rail. Said latch further is provided with a first catch. Furthermore, the latch is adjustable between a locking position, in which said first catch lockingly engages the mounting rail and prevents movement of the electronic label along the mounting rail and in which the electrical contacts are electrical contacting the electrical conductor lanes of the mounting rail, and a free position in which the catch is disengaged from the mounting rail and in which the electrical contacts leave the electrical conductor lanes clear.

Description

COUPLING DEVICE, AND MOUNTING SYSTEM

The invention generally relates to electronic labels, a mounting system, and a coupling device for mounting one or more electronic labels onto a mounting rail.

Electronic labels, also known as electronic shelf or store labels (ESL), are generally known and are typically used in retail establishments, such as supermarkets, to replace conventional paper or plastic shelf labels. Usually, ESLs include an electronic display that is capable of presenting the type of information such as formerly appeared on conventional shelf labels. ESLs are typically mounted onto a mounting rail in a manner which allows them to be moved along said mounting rail.

A disadvantage of electronic labels known in the art is that they have electronic displays designed to operate on batteries with limited power, e.g. e-ink displays, and that they therefore are limited in brightness and/or in video capability.

A solution in the art is to use electronic displays with screens, such as e.g. LCD or TFT electronic display screens, which are arranged to provide increased brightness and/or enhanced video capability. Due to the relatively high power demand of such LCD or TFT screens, they are usually supplied with power from an external power source, for example via a mounting rail, such as by means of conductor lanes extending along said mounting rail.

However, the coupling, especially the electrical coupling, between the electronic label and the mounting rail cannot relatively well facilitate physical movement of the electronic label, e.g. in case of allocation of shelf space or in case of a changed article on the shelf. For example, the electronic label is not reliable when it is physically moved along the mounting rail. For example, it is known that current electronic labels having electrical contacts that engage conductors lanes disposed on a mounting rail for power supply are not reliable. In particular, when the electronic label is being moved along the mounting rail, sparks may occur at the electrical contacts and conductor lanes due to the sliding contact between these two. This may not only be harmful for the electronic label, but also the safety of staff members, e.g. supermarket staff, or shoppers can be jeopardized.

The invention aims at alleviating or solving one or more aforementioned disadvantages.

Thereto the invention provides for an electronic label for mounting on an elongated mounting rail, comprising an electronic display on a front side thereof and a coupling device on a rear side thereof, wherein the coupling device has a physical coupler for physically coupling the electronic label onto the mounting rail, and wherein the coupling device further comprises a latch provided with a plurality of electrical contacts for electrical contacting with electrical conductor lanes of the mounting rail extending along the longitudinal direction of said mounting rail, wherein the latch further is provided with a first catch, and wherein the latch is adjustable between a locking position, in which said first catch lockingly engages the mounting rail and prevents movement of the electronic label along the mounting rail and in which the electrical contacts are electrical contacting the electrical conductor lanes of the mounting rail, and a free position in which the catch is disengaged from the mounting rail and in which the electrical contacts leave the electrical conductor lanes clear.

By providing the coupler device with said physical coupler to physically couple the electronic label to a mounting rail, especially in a sliding manner, it may be achieved that the electronic label can be

physically moved relatively easy along the mounting rail such that the electronic label can be placed above and/or near a desired shelf or shelf part. By further providing the coupling device with the adjustable latch which can be brought from the locking position in which the electrical contacts are electrically contacting electrical conductor lanes of the mounting rail and in which the first catch prevents the label from sliding along said mounting rail, into a free position in which said first catch is disengaged and in which the electrical contacts are not contacting the conductor lanes, it can on the one hand be realized that the electronic label can be provided with electric power when it is locked against movement along the rail and it can on the other hand be realized that the electrical contact is broken when the electronic label is slid along the mounting rail. Hence, it can be counteracted that sparks may occur at the electrical contacts and conductor lanes when the electronic label is being moved along the mounting rail, thereby counteracting flickering of the display and/or countering damage to the electronic label, counteracting fire hazards , and counteracting injuries.

Hence, displays that may be embodied as conventional low cost powered displays with illumination and video capabihty can thus be used in a relatively safe, easy and convenient manner.

In embodiments, the latch can be adjusted between the locking position and the free position and vice versa by moving the latch in a first direction to unlock it and into a second, preferably opposite direction to lock it. For example, the latch can be adjusted from the locking position to the free position by moving it downwards, and between the free position and the locking position by moving the latch upwards. However, in alternative embodiments, the latch may be moved in different directions in order to unlock its first catch and to disconnect the electrical contacts from the conductor lanes, and in order to lock said catch subsequently. For example, said latch may movable upwards to unlock it and downwards to lock it, or said latch may be movable substantially in a horizontal direction, e.g. from front to rear and vice versa, or in a lateral manner.

It is noted that in the locking position, the first catch of the latch lockingly engages the mounting rail and prevents movement of the electronic label along the mounting rail and in which the electrical contacts are electrically contacting the electrical conductor lanes of the mounting rail. When the electronic label is to be moved along the mounting rail, the latch may be adjusted into the free position. Adjustment of the latch into the free position may for instance be achieved by pressing or pulling a handle, which may be biased into the locking position and/or which may be accessible by hand from the outside of the electronic label. It is noted that the latch may be brought relatively easy in its free position by pulling or pressing onto said handle, and that preferably no other additional tool, e.g. a key and/or keycard, is required. It is further noted that, in the locking position, the electronic label can be preferably be arranged such that it cannot be moved along the mounting rail and that accidental moving and/or sliding may be prevented.

In the free position, the first catch is disengaged from the mounting rail and the electrical contacts leave the electrical conductor lanes clear while the electronic label may still be physically coupled to the mounting rail by the coupler such that it remains attached onto the mounting rail. In this way, the electronic label can be moved relatively safely along the mounting rail, e.g. without the risk of falling off. In the free position, the electronic label may then be slit along the mounting rail and can then be placed at the desired position, e.g. above a shelf or shelf part having an article of which the electronic label presents information about said article, e.g. the price thereof. Subsequently, the latch may be brought into the locking position in order to lock the electronic label in position and in order to establish electric contact between the electric contacts of the latch and the conductor lanes of the mounting rail.

In embodiments, the first catch may be moved up or down to catch onto a complementary surface of the mounting rail for locking the electronic label in a certain position along the mounting rail. Alternatively, it is possible that the first catch moves sidewards, forwards or rearwards to catch onto a complementary surface of the mounting rail. It is noted that the first catch may be free of any hinges. Alternatively or additionally, the first catch may be formed together with the latch, i.e. as an integral part thereof, or it may be formed as a separate part.

The coupling device is provided with a coupler to physically couple the electronic label onto the mounting rail. The coupler may comprise a second catch that allows sliding movement of the electronic label only along the mounting rail, when the latch is in the free position. It is noted that the coupling device may comprise one or multiple couplers and/or one or multiple second catches.

The second catch may be adjustable between a catching position and a releasing position. In the catching position, the second catch may catch the mounting rail, e.g. by catching a bracket of the mounting rail, and may prevent the coupling device from decoupling from the mounting rail. In particular, the second catch may prevent decoupling from the mounting rail in a direction substantially opposite to a coupling and/or mounting direction in which latter direction said electronic label is attached to the mounting rail. In the releasing position, the second catch may leave the coupling device free to move away from the mounting rail, e.g. in a direction opposite to the coupling and/or mounting direction, in order to remove the electronic label from the mounting rail.

Preferably, the second catch may be biased towards the catching position. This way, it can be ensured that the second catch may be

automatically caught and secured to the mounting rail when the electronic label is mounted onto the mounting rail. No further action and/or tool may then be required to secure the electronic label on the mounting rail. To provide the bias, the second catch may be under spring action.

Additionally or alternatively, the second catch may include a stop surface for engaging an abutment surface of the mounting rail such that decoupling of the mounting may be prevented.

Preferably, the second catch may be shielded off, e.g. by a housing, to prevent free access, e.g. by hand, to engage the second catch to move it away from the catching position. For example, the second catch can be shielded off in such manner that only an entryway for a key, e.g. a card provided with a profile, is left in order to engage the second catch by said key to move it away from the catching position. This way, unauthorized or unintended unlocking may be prevented. The entry may e.g. be embodied as a slide key path. The electronic label can thus be arranged such that the latch can be unlocked relatively easily, e.g. without additionally tools, in order to slide said label along the mounting rail, but such that said electronic label cannot not be easily removed and/or stolen from the mounting rail, e.g. by arranging that the second catch is shielded off and can only be engaged by a respective too.

With respect to the latch of the coupling device it is noted that it may be biased towards the locking position in which the first catch of said latch lockingly engages the mounting rail. This way, it can be ensured that the first catch may be automatically caught and secured to the mounting rail when mounting the electronic label onto the mounting rail. No further action and/or tool may then be required to prevent movement of the electronic label along the mounting rail and/or to estabhsh an electric and/or electronic connection. To provide the bias, the latch and/or first catch may be under spring action.

The first catch, which is comprised by the latch, may be provided with at least one tooth for locking engagement with teeth of a series of teeth of the mounting rail. The series of teeth of the mounting rail may preferably extend in the longitudinal direction of the mounting rail.

Further, the coupling device may be detachable from the electronic label. The coupling device may be fastened onto the electronic label with means known in the art, e.g. screws. This way, the coupling device may be mounted onto different sizes of electronic labels, e.g. having 7, 8, 9, 10, 12 or 15 inch screens, while the size of the mounting rail and/or the coupling device can be standardized. Further, one or more of the plurality of the electrical contacts and electrical conductor lanes may be arranged to provide power for the electronic display and/or to provide video image data for the electronic display. The total number of electrical contacts and/or the total number of corresponding contact lanes can be at least 2, preferably 3 or 4, so that a redundant contact configuration may be provided. Also, a plural number of electrical contacts per contact lane may be provided on the electronic store label.

Electrical power may be provided at a higher end of the range for extra low voltage. This way, the voltage supplied can still be safe for consumers in a store, while the mounting rail can transmit enough power for a plurality of electronic store labels mounted onto said rail. The voltage supplied can for instance be between 24 and 50 V. It may preferably be less than 50V, and preferably more than 40V. In particular, the voltage can be about 48V.

As mentioned above, a number of the plurality of the electrical contacts and electrical conductor lanes may be arranged to provide video image data for the electronic display. This way, the attractiveness of the electronic store label may be enhanced by video on the display. A hard wired connection may be used to stream larger amounts of data to the display without need for relatively costly high bandwidth wireless components such as WIFI in each electronic store label. In embodiments, selected electronic store labels may nevertheless include WIFI components, e.g. to

communicate with a standard WLAN in the store, preferably one or more, especially all, of the other electronic store labels may then include low cost data transceivers with limited bandwidth, e.g. ZigBee transceivers, to receive information from a selected store label including WIFI components. Hence, price and stock information can be communicated wire less in a relatively cheap manner. Due to the powered mounting rails, the display may include an illumination source, e.g. for providing back or side lighting, without the risk of risking rapid depletion of a battery. The display may e.g. be embodied as a LED or TFT type screen.

The invention also relates to a coupling device for an electronic label, preferably an electronic label as described above, wherein the coupling device comprises a physical coupler for physically coupling the electronic label onto a mounting rail, and a latch provided with a plurality of electrical contacts for electrical contacting with electrical conductor lanes of the mounting rail extending along the longitudinal direction of said mounting rail. The latch is provided with a first catch which is adjustable between a locking position, in which said first catch lockingly engages the mounting rail and prevents movement of the electronic label along the mounting rail and in which the electrical contacts are electrical contacting the electrical conductor lanes of the mounting rail, and a free position in which the catch is disengaged from the mounting rail and in which the electrical contacts leave the electrical conductor lanes clear.

The invention further relates to a mounting system for mounting at least one electronic label, preferably at least one electronic label as described above, said mounting system comprising a longitudinally extending mounting rail having a profile for cooperation with the coupling device of the electronic label, the profile being provided with electrical conductor lanes extending in longitudinal direction of the rail, said profile further being provided with a series of teeth positioned along the

longitudinal direction of the rail.

The mounting system may include at least one electronic label, preferably being mounted onto its mounting rail.

Further, the teeth of the mounting rail may be arranged for cooperation with the at least one tooth of the coupling device of the electronic label. The invention will be further elucidated on the basis of an exemplary embodiment which is represented in a drawing. In the drawing:

Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an electronic label mounted onto a mounting rail;

Fig. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of the rear side of the electronic label of Fig. 1 in unmounted condition;

Fig. 3 shows a schematic partial cutaway view of the rear side of the coupling device of the electronic label of Fig. 1, wherein the latch is in a locking position;

Fig. 4 shows a schematic partial cutaway view of the rear side of the coupling device of the electronic label of Fig. 1, wherein the latch is in a free position;

Figs. 5A-5C show schematic cross sectional views of steps during coupling of the electronic label of Fig. 1 onto the mounting rail;

Figs. 6A-6C show schematic cross sectional views of step during decoupling of the electronic label of Fig. 1 from the mounting rail;

Fig. 7 shows a schematic partial cutaway inside view of the rear side of the coupling device of the electronic label of Fig. 3, wherein the latch is in the locking position;

Fig. 8 shows a further schematic partial cutaway inside view of the rear side of the coupling device of the electronic label of Fig. 4, wherein the latch is in the free position;

Fig. 9 shows the rear side of the electronic label of Fig. 1 in mounted condition with the mounting rail;

Fig 10 A (in de tekening staat Fig 10) shows a side view of the electronic label with the coupling device on the mounting rail in locked position;

Fig 10 B shows a side view of the electronic label with the coupling device on the mounting rail in free position; Fig 10 C shows a side view of the electronic label with the coupling device on the mounting rail in locked position again;

Figure 11 shows a front view of the coupling device on the mounting rail in free position;

Figure 12 A shows a front view of the electronic label pulled down in free position;

Figure 12 B shows a front view of the electronic label in free position slid to a further position on the mounting rail;

Figure 12 C shows a front view of the electronic label in locked position;

Fig. 13 A shows a side view of the electronic label with the coupling device in catching position on the mounting rail;

Fig. 13 B shows a side view of the electronic label with the coupling device in releasing position on the mounting rail by using the opening device;

Fig. 13 C shows a side view of the electronic label with the coupling device released from the mounting rail;

Figure 14 shows a front view of the coupling device on the mounting rail in catching position;

Figure 15 A shows a front view of the electronic label in catching position on the mounting rail; and

Figure 15 B shows a front view of the electronic label released from the mounting rail.

It is noted that the figures are merely schematic representations of a preferred embodiment of the invention, which is given here by way of non-limiting exemplary embodiment. In the description, the same or similar parts and elements have the same or similar reference signs.

Fig. 1 shows a series of electronic labels 1 mounted on an elongated mounting rail 2. Each electronic label 1 is provided with an electronic display 3 on a front side 4 of the electronic label 1 for displaying characters and/or graphics.

In some embodiments, the electronic label 1 can include a transceiver for receiving and transmitting wireless communications, such as via WiFi, Bluetooth, ZigBee and/or other protocols. Each label 1 can include a low cost narrow bandwidth transceiver to communicate with a wireless store network communicating price data in addition to a hardwired video data connection, and optionally one or more of the labels 1, e.g. each label 1, may include WiFi broad bandwidth wireless transceiver to communicate with a standard wireless LAN in the store.

In some embodiments, the or each electronic label 1 can include a temperature measurement device, can be capable of monitoring signal strength of a received (wireless) signal, and/or can be capable of monitoring its backlighting. In such embodiments, the electronic label 1 may be capable of reporting its temperature, received signal strength, and/or status of backlighting to a central label control system.

As shown in Fig. 1, the "height" of the electronic labels 1 can exceed the height of the rail 2. This can remove any limitations on the maximum height of a label 1.

In Fig.2 is shown that at the rear side 5 of the electronic label 1, the electronic label 1 includes a coupling device 6 for coupling to the mounting rail 2. The coupling device 6 is in this example fastened onto the rear side 5 of the electronic label 1 by means of screws (not shown). The coupling device 6 is embodied as a detachable unit such that the coupling device 6 may be mounted on different electronic labels provided with different sizes. However, in alternative embodiments, the coupling device may be an integrated part of a housing part of the electronic label 1.

It is noted that one or more of the screws, or other suitable fasteners, can be located such that they are screened off by the rail 2 in use of the label 1. Hence, it can be counteracted that the label can be stolen relatively easily by disconnecting the electronic label 1 from the coupling device 6.

The coupling device 6 has a physical coupler 8 for physically coupling the electronic label 1 onto the mounting rail 2. In this example, the electronic label 1 includes two couplers 8 arranged along the rear side of the electronic label 1. The mounting rail 2 may have an opening 9, e.g. a slot 9 providing access to a channel 14 in the mounting rail 2, extending along the mounting rail 2, preferably at a bottom side 10 of said rail 2, in which opening 9 at least a part of the coupling device 6, in particular, at least a part of the coupler 8 may be inserted in order to mount the label 1 onto the mounting rail 2, e.g. by mounting said at least part inside said channel 14.

Further, as for instance can be seen in Fig. 2, the coupling device 6 further comprises a latch 11 provided with a frame 16 and a plurality of electrical contacts 12 for electrical contacting with electrical conductor lanes 13 of the mounting rail 2. The frame 16 and the first catch 15 may be formed together as an integrated part. However, the first catch 15 may alternatively be formed by a separate part attached, preferably fixedly attached, to the frame 16. The lanes 13, which in this example are embodied as wire lanes, may be extending along the longitudinal direction of the mounting rail 2. The at least two lanes 13 are disposed in the channel 14 in the mounting rail 2. The wire lanes 13 contain electrical conductors that are capable of conducting power, and preferably data, along the mounting rail 2, as intended for the electronic label 1.

In Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, showing the rear side of the coupling device 6, it is visible that the latch 11 is provided with a first catch 15 and is operable between a locking position and a free position. The latch 11 is arranged to be adjusted up and down to switch between the locking position and the free position. In Fig. 3 is shown that in the locking position, the first catch 15 lockingly engages the mounting rail 2 and thereby prevents movement of the electronic label 1 along the mounting rail 2. Further, in the locking position, the electrical contacts 12 are electrical contacting the electrical conductor lanes 13 of the mounting rail 2 such that the electronic label 1 may be provided with power and/or data. In Fig. 4 is shown that, in the free position, the first catch 15 is disengaged from the mounting rail 2 such that the electronic label 1 is able to be moved along the mounting rail 2. In the free position, the electrical contacts 12 leave the electrical conductor lanes 13 clear.

In Figs. 5A-5C the mounting steps of mounting the electronic label 1 onto the mounting rail 2 are shown. The coupler 8 comprises a second catch 17 for the physically coupling the electronic label 1 onto the mounting rail 2 in such manner that said second catch 17 allows sliding movement of the electronic label 1 only along the mounting rail 2, when the latch 11 is in the free position. The second catch 17 is operable between a catching position and a releasing position. In the catching position, the second catch 17 catches a complementary surface 18 or a so-called abutments surface 18 of the mounting rail 2. In the catching position, as shown in Fig. 5B, the second catch 17 prevents the coupling device 6 from decoupling from the mounting rail 2. In Fig. 9, a schematic rear side perspective view of the electronic label 1 in mounted condition is shown as well as.

In Figs. 6A-6C, the unmounting steps of decoupling the electronic label 1 from the mounting rail 2 are shown. It is shown that the second catch 17 in the releasing position leaves the coupling device 6 free to move away from the mounting rail 2.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in the drawing, the second catch 17 is biased towards the catching position by means of a spring 19, as can be seen in Fig. 5 A. In Fig. 5 A is shown that the second catch 17 in unmounted condition is in the catching position. When the electronic label 1 is brought towards its mounted condition, as can be see in Fig. 5B, the second catch 17 will temporarily be moved away from the catching position, e.g. towards the releasing position, due to contact of the second catch 17 with the mounting rail 2, e.g. a lip 20 of said mounting rail 2. For example, said second catch 17 and/or the rail 2, e.g. its lip 20, can be provided with one or more run-on surfaces for inducing that the second catch 17 is moved aside. Once the second catch 17 passes the lip 20, it 17 may immediately actuated to the catching position due to the spring 19. The second catch 17 can then automatically catch the mounting rail 2, e.g. by catching an abutment surface 18 thereof. No further action and/or tool may then be required to secure the electronic label 1 on the mounting rail 2.

To prevent that the second catch 17 moves from the catching position to the releasing position when the electronic label 1 has been mounted onto the mounting rail 2, the second catch 17 can include a stop surface 21 for engaging the abutment surface 18 of the mounting rail 2 such that unintentional decoupling of the label 1 from the mounting 2 can be prevented.

The second catch 17 is in this example shielded off to prevent free access to engage the catch 17 to move it away from the catching position, leaving only an entryway 22 for a key 23 to engage the second catch 17 to move it away from the catching position. The key 23 can thus be used to decouple the electronic label 1 from the mounting rail 2. The key 23 may be required, because upon final coupling the electronic label 1 to the mounting rail 2, the electronic label 1 can lock thereto.

In Fig. 6 is shown that the key 23 or slide key 23 may be inserted into an opening 24, e.g. slide key entryway, at the bottom of the coupling device 6. The key 23 may for instance have one, two or more teeth. Via the opening 24, the second catch 17 can be accessed by means of the one or more teeth of the slide key 23. The aim of this is to engage the second catch 17 to move it away from the catching position, so as to decouple the electronic label 1 from the mounting rail 2. In Fig. 7 and Fig. 8, the rear side 5 of the coupling device 6 of Fig. 3 and 4 is shown with a partial cutaway to show the inside of the coupling device 6. The latch 11 is biased towards the locking position in which the first catch 15 of said latch lockingly engages the mounting rail 2. In the locking position, as shown in Fig. 7, the electronic label 1 is prevented to move along the mounting rail 2. The first catch 15 is in this example under spring action by a spring 25. To disengage the first catch 15 or said otherwise, to adjust the latch 11 between the locking position and the free position, the user may push on a handle 26 provided at the rear side of the coupling device 6. The handle 26, preferably a pivotable handle, which may have a hinge point 35, can be provided with an arm 27, which arm 27 during the pushing action moves along a run-on surface 28 of the latch 11 such that the latch may be moved downwards as can be seen in Fig. 8, and such that the latch 11 can then thus be adjusted to the free position. While the latch 11 is in the free position, there is no electrical connection between the electronic label 1 and the mounting rail 2, since the electrical contacts 12 provided on the frame 16 of the latch 11 are moved away together with the catch 15 provided on said frame 16 the latch 11. Bringing the latch 11 back into the locking position establishes electric contact between the electronic label 1 and the mounting rail 2 since the electrical contacts 12 are moved back into contact with the conductor lanes 13. Besides, bringing the latch 11 back into the locking position also makes the first catch 15, e.g. one or more teeth 30 thereof, lockingly engage the mounting rail, e.g. by engaging one or more teeth 31 of the mounting rail 2.

The handle 26 may be biased towards the locking position of the latch 11. The bias can be provided by a spring 29. It is noted that once the user releases the handle 26, the first catch 15 can thus catch the mounting rail 2 and electrical contact between electronic label 1 and the mounting rail 2 can be established. The first catch 15, which is provided at the latch 11, can be provided with at least one tooth 30 for lockingly engagement with one or more teeth of a series of teeth 31 of the mounting rail 2. The series of teeth 31 of the mounting rail 2 is in Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 embodied as a strip. The at least one tooth 30 of the first catch 15 may be tapered and may be self aligning with complementary formed teeth of the series of teeth 31 of the mounting rail 2. The series of teeth 31 of the mounting rail 2 may be extending along the mounting rail in length direction of said 2.

In the shown example, at least a number of the plurality of the electrical contacts 12 provided at the latch 11 and the electrical conductor lanes 13 of the mounting rail 2 are arranged to provide power to the electronic display 3 and/or to provide video image data to the electronic display 3. For example, two of the electrical contacts 12 and electrical conductor lanes 13 can be arranged to provide power for the electronic display 3. Electrical power can for instance be provided at 48 V or at another voltage at the higher end of the range for extra low voltage.

It is noted that the electronic label 1 can have a power adapter to convert the 48 V or other voltage at the higher end of the range for extra low voltage into an operating voltage in the lower end of the range for extra low voltage, e.g. an operating voltage of 24V. For example, two other electrical contacts 12 and corresponding electrical conductor lanes 13 can be arranged to provide video image data for the electronic display 3. This way, the attractiveness of the electronic label 1 may be enhanced by video on the display 3. The electronic store label 1 can also includes a transceiver, e.g. a ZigBee transceiver, to communicate information, such as price and stock information, with a specialized wireless electronic store label network.

The electrical power and wired data can for example be provided to the mounting rail 2 via wires extending from a power box, e.g. mounted to the ceiling of the store. The power box may include a power adapter and a data hub. Additionally or alternatively, the display 1 may be formed as a constantly powered display with an illumination source, such as for example a blacklit TFT screen.

Although the coupling device 6 of the shown example of the electronic label 1 is completely extending behind the rear side of the housing of the label 1, the coupling device 6 may in alternative embodiments extend at least partly beyond an edge of the housing of the housing of the

electronic label 1. As a result, the main part of the electronic label 1, e.g. the electronic display thereof, may during use be spaced apart from the mounting rail to some extent, and can for instance be suspended at a position below the mounting rail. For example thereto, the coupling device may comprise a first part which is attached to and/or integrated with a rear side of the housing of the electronic label 1 and a second part which is at least partly located beyond an edge, e.g. an upper edge, of the housing of the electronic label 1. Said second part may then be provided with the one or more physical couplers 8 and with the latch 11, such that said second part can be mounted onto the mounting rail. Although said first and second part of the coupling device 6 may both be formed as parts of a single relatively rigid coupling device body, said first and second part of the coupling device may in alternative embodiments be formed as two spaced apart parts that are interconnected by means of one or more intermediate parts, which can comprise and/or which can be formed by one or more cables, bars, rods and/or tubes or the like. It is apparent to the skilled person that electrical power and/or wired data may then be lead for instance through said intermediate parts and/or for instance through wires, cords or the like with which the intermediate part can be provided.

Referring to Figs. 5, 6, and 9, the mounting system 2, 1 comprises a longitudinally extending mounting rail 2 having a profile 32 for

cooperation with the coupling device 6 of the electronic label 1. The profile 32 may be a longitudinally extending extrusion profile having a constant cross section. Further, the profile may be a U-shaped profile at least partly enclosing a channel 14 accessible via an opening 9, e.g. a slot 9, located for instance at a bottom side 10 of the profile 32. The U-shaped profile 32 of the mounting rail 2 comprise a front and a rear wall, e.g. formed as two straight strips 33, spaced apart, for instance by means of top wall, e.g. formed by a third strip 34, which top wall may be substantially perpendicular to said front and rear wall 33.

The electrical conductor lanes 13 extending in longitudinal direction of the rail 2 are here provided on the lower side of the top wall 34. However, in other embodiments at least a number of the conductor lanes 13 can be provided somewhere else, e.g. at the front and/or at the rear wall. Additionally or alternatively, said profile 32 may further be provided with the series of teeth 31 positioned along the longitudinal direction of the rail 2. The teeth 31 of the mounting rail 2 are arranged for cooperation with the at least one tooth 30 of the coupling device 6 of the electronic label 1.

Figure 10 discloses another coupling device 1 as another

embodiment. Figure 10 A shows a coupling device 6 with an electronic label 1 comprising an electronic display 3 connected to it. The coupling device 6 is provided in a mounting rail 2. The mounting rail 2 comprises electrical conductor lanes 13. The coupling device 1 comprises a first body part 36 as a first coupling member and a second body part 37 as a second coupling member. The first body part 36 comprises at the top a latch 11. In the latch 11, electrical contacts 12 are provided. In a locked position, depicted by Figure 10 A, the electrical contacts are engaged with the electrical conductor lanes 13. In the locked position, teeth 30 as a first catch comprised by the latch 11 are engaged with a series of teeth 31 provided in the mounting rail 2.

The second body part 37 is slidably provided in the first body part 36. The sliding movement thus enabled is substantially perpendicular to the mounting rail 2. Between the first body part 36 and the second body part 37, a spring 25 is provided. The spring 25 is arranged to bias the first body part 36 and the second body part 37 in the locking position as depicted by Figure 10 A. In the second body part 37, a second catch 17 is provided. The second catch 17 is in this embodiment pivotaly suspended in the second body part

37 via a hinge point 35. The second catch 17 catches a complementary surface 18 or a so-called abutments surface 18 of the mounting rail 2. The second catch 17 locks the coupling device 1 in a catching position in which the coupling device 1 is prevented from being removed from the mounting rail 2. The second catch 17 is biased in the catching position by means of a spring 19.

Figure 10 B shows the coupling device 6 in a free position, in which the coupling device 6 can be slidably moved along a longitudinal direction of the mounting rail 2. The electronic label 1 is moved down together with the first body part 36 to which the electronic label 1 is connected. The position of the second body part 37, with the second catch 17, remains substantially the same as in the locking position (Figure 10 A) by virtue of the second catch 17 catching the complementary surface 18 of the mounting rail. As the electrical contacts 12 are provided in the latch 11 that is moved down in the free position, the electrical contacts 12 do not touch the electrical conductor lanes 13. The teeth 30 provided on the latch 11 are disengaged from the teeth provided in the mounting rail 2. This allows the coupling device 6 to be slidably moved along the mounting rail. This will be further elucidated in the description below.

If the electronic label 1 has been slid to a desired position on the mounting rail 2, the electronic label 1 may be released. This allows the first body part 36 to slide back up again in the second body part 37 by virtue of the spring 25. This is shown by Figure 10 C.

Figure 11 shows the front of the coupling device 6, with the electronic label 1 removed. In Figure 11, the coupling device 6 is in the free position, as shown by Figure 10 B as well. The second catch 17 is provided in twofold, for stable support of the coupling device 6 and the second body part in particular by the complementary surface 18 or a so-called abutments surface 18 of the mounting rail 2. In an optional embodiment in which the second catch 17 is provided in twofold, the two second catches may be interconnected. The teeth 30 are also provided in twofold as first catch on the latch 11 for providing a stable blocking force to prevent sliding movement of the coupling device 6 and the electronic label in the locking position. Alternatively, the latch 11 comprises one or more than two teeth 30 as first catch. The teeth 30 are arranged to engage with the series of teeth 31 provided in the mounting rail 2.

Figure 12 A, Figure 12 B and Figure 12 C show a front view of the electronic label 1 mounted on the mounting rail 2. Figure 12 A shows the electronic label 1 in a position as shown by Figure 10 B and Figure 11. A user pulls down the electronic label 1 connected to the first body part 36. This results in disengagement of the teeth 30 (Figure 11) with the series of teeth 31 provided in the mounting rail 2. This disengagement, in turn, enables a sliding movement of the electronic label 1, as depicted by Figure 12 B. Figure 12 C shows release of the electronic label 1. This release allows the electronic label 1 to move up, with the first body part. The upward movement of the electronic label 1 is enabled by the spring 25.

Figure 13 A shows the electronic label 1, the coupling device 6 and the mounting rail 2 in the same position as depicted by Figure 10 A. In addition, Figure 13 A shows an opening device 45 that may be used as a key for moving the second catch 17 to a position where is does not extend from the second housing part 37 anymore. In that retracted position, the coupling device 6 may be released from the mounting rail 2.

Figure 13 B shows the electronic label, the coupling device 6 and the mounting rail 2 with the opening device 45 engaging with a releasing module 40. The releasing module 40 is slidably mounted relative to the second body part 37 and optionally relative to the first body part 36 as well. The releasing module 40 is moved up by means of the opening device 45. With that, the releasing module 40 engages with a support contact 41 of a release actuator 38. The support contact 41 supports, at the top, a spring 39. By virtue of this engagement, the release actuator 38 moves upward relative to the second body part 37. While moving up, the release actuator 38 engages with the second catch 17. In particular the diagonal upper part of the release actuator 38 engages with a lower diagonal part of the second catch 17. Due to the latter engagement, the second catch, usually pushed outward from the connecting device 6 by means of the spring 19, is retracted into the connecting device 6. This is in this embodiment also by virtue of the hinge point 35 from which the second catch 17 is suspended.

With the second catch 17 retracted inside the coupling device 6, the second catch 17 does not support the coupling device anymore on the abutments surface 18 of the mounting rail 2. This means the coupling device 6 may be released from the mounting rail 2. This is depicted in Figure 13 C.

Figure 14 shows the front of the coupling device 6, with the electronic label 1 removed. The releasing module 40 engages with the support contact 41 of the release actuator 38. This results in the release actuator 38 moving up relative to the second housing part 37 and in this embodiment also relative to the first housing part 36. It is noted the release actuator 38 is as depicted by Figure 14 in a lower position. When the release actuator 38 is moved up, it pushed the second catch 17 inside.

Figure 15 A and Figure 15 B show a front view of the electronic label 1 mounted on the mounting rail 2. Figure 15 A shows the electronic label a on the mounting rail 2 with the second catch 17 in the catching position. In this position, the electronic label 1 cannot be removed from the mounting rail 2, as discussed above.

Figure 15 B shows the electronic label 1 with the second catch 17 in the releasing position, as depicted by Figure 13 C. The opening device 45 is applied to the bottom of the electronic label 1 as depicted by Figure 13 C as well. In this position, the opening device 45 arranges for retracting of the catch 7 inside the coupling device, in this embodiment through various further components of the coupling device 6 as discussed above. This allows the electronic label 1 and in particular the coupling device 6 it is connected to to be released from the mounting rail 2.

As for the purpose of this disclosure, it is pointed out that technical features which have been described may be susceptible of functional generalization. It is further pointed out that - insofar as not explicitly mentioned- such technical features can be considered separately from the context of the given exemplary embodiment, and can further be considered separately from the technical features with which they cooperate in the context of the example.

It is pointed out that the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments represented here, and that many variants are possible and are considered to be within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

1. electronic label

2. mounting rail

3. electronic display

4. front side of the electronic label

5. rear side of the electronic label

6. coupling device

7. front surface of the mounting rail

8. coupler

9. opening of the mounting rail

10. bottom side of the mounting rail

11. latch

12. electrical contacts

13. electrical conductor lanes

14. channel

15. first catch

16. frame of the latch

17. second catch

18. abutment surface

19. spring

20. hp

21. stop surface

22. entryway

23. key

24. opening of the coupling device

25. spring

26. handle

27. arm

28. run-on surface 29. spring

30. teeth

31. series of teeth

32. profile

33. straight strip

34. second strip

35. hinge point

36. first body part

37. second body part

38. release actuator

39. spring

40. releasing module

41. support contact

45. opening device

Claims

1. Coupling device for coupling an electronic label comprising an electronic display on a front side thereof onto a mounting rail, arranged to be connected to the rear side of the electronic label, the coupling device comprising a physical coupler for physically coupling the electronic label onto a mounting rail, and a latch provided with a plurality of electrical contacts for electrical contacting with electrical conductor lanes of a mounting rail extending along a longitudinal direction of the mounting rail, wherein the latch is further provided with a first catch, and wherein the latch is adjustable between a locking position, in which said first catch lockingly engages the mounting rail and prevents movement of the electronic label along the mounting rail and in which the electrical contacts are electrical contacting the electrical conductor lanes of the mounting rail, and a free position in which the catch is disengaged from the mounting rail and in which the electrical contacts leave the electrical conductor lanes clear.

2. Coupling device according to claim 1, wherein the physical coupler is arranged for the physically coupling of the coupling device onto the mounting rail in such a manner that sliding movement of the coupling device only along the mounting rail is allowed, when the latch is in the free position.

3. Coupling device according to claim 2, wherein the physical coupler comprises a stop surface for engaging an abutment surface of the mounting rail allowing the sliding movement of the coupling device only along the mounting rail.

4. Coupling device according to any of the claims 1 to 3, wherein the physical coupler comprises a second catch for said physically coupling of the electronic label onto the mounting rail, wherein the second catch is adjustable between a catching position in which said second catch catches the mounting rail and prevents the coupling device from decoupling from the mounting rail, and a releasing position in which it leaves the coupling device free to move away from the mounting rail.

5. Coupling device according to claim 4, wherein the second catch is biased towards the catching position.

6. Coupling device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the second catch includes a stop surface for engaging an abutment surface of the mounting rail such that decoupling of the coupling device from the mounting rail can be prevented.

7. Coupling device according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the second catch is shielded off to prevent free access to engage the catch to move it away from the catching position, preferably shielded off in such a manner that only an entryway is left for a key to engage the second catch to move it away from the catching position.

8. Coupling device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the latch is biased towards the locking position in which the first catch of said latch lockingly engages the mounting rail.

9. Coupling device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first catch of the latch is provided with at least one tooth, for lockingly engagement with teeth of a series of teeth of the mounting rail.

10. wherein the coupling device is arranged to be detachably attached to the electronic label.

11. Coupling device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a number of the plurality of the electrical contacts for contacting corresponding electrical conductor lanes of a mounting rail is arranged to provide power for the electronic display and/or to provide video image data for the electronic display.

12. Coupling device according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a first coupling member comprising the latch and a second coupling member, the first coupling member being connected to the second coupling member such that the first coupling member and the second coupling member are arranged to move in a substantially linear direction relative to one another, which substantially linear direction is substantially perpendicular to the mounting rail when the coupling device is connected to the mounting rail.

13. Coupling device according to claim 12, wherein the second coupling member comprises the physical coupler.

14. Electronic label arranged for mounting onto an elongated mounting rail, comprising an electronic display on a front side thereof and a coupling device according to any of the preceding claims on a rear side thereof.

15. Electronic label according to claim 14, wherein the electronic display includes an illumination source.

16. Mounting system for mounting at least one electronic label in accordance to claim 14 or 15 or at least one coupling device according to any of the claims 1 to 13, comprising a longitudinally extending mounting rail having a profile for cooperation with the coupling device, the profile being provided with electrical conductor lanes extending in longitudinal direction of the rail, said profile further being provided with a series of teeth positioned along the longitudinal direction of the mounting rail.

17. Mounting system according to claim 16, including at least one electronic label according to claim 14 or 15 mounted thereto.

18. Mounting system according to claim 16 or 17, wherein teeth of the mounting rail are arranged for cooperation with the at least one tooth of the coupling device of the electronic label.