System for coupling package displays to remote power source

• US 20030233288A1
• Filed: 06/17/2002
• Published: 12/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Philip Morris USA Incorporated (Altria Group, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Philip Morris USA Incorporated (Altria Group, Inc.)
• Inventors: Sweeney, William R., Maher, Robert J., Totty, Kristen M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,356,952 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/28
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2203/12 Audible, olfactory or visual signalling means B65D51/248, B65D55/028, B65D79/02 and B65D81/24 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/167 by electrophoresis
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/05 using capacitive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/402 the two or more transmitting or the two or more receiving devices being integrated in the same unit, e.g. power mats with several coils or antennas with several sub-antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/90 involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment

Abstract

A merchandising system having a power distribution device associated with a package support system, and a package having a sensory output such as an image display capable of using power, data and/or signals provided from the power distribution device to produce a desired output when the package is associated with the package support system. Packaging materials of the package form the coupling medium for contactless coupling such as capacitive coupling of a controlled signal provided to the package support system to a display on the package.

Claims

1. A system for controlling an on-package electronic device, comprising:

a power distribution device positioned at least partially on a support for packages; and

a package having an electronic device, said electronic device being activated by said power source when said package is positioned on said support.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said

electronic device is coupled to said power distribution device through a contactless coupling.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein said contactless coupling comprises a capacitive coupling.

4. The system according to claim 2, wherein said package includes a coupling medium effective to promote contactless coupling of power from the power distribution device to the on-package electronic device.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein said coupling medium includes at least a portion of packaging materials defining said package.

6. A package comprising:

an image display that can be remotely controlled by a power and/or data source located external to said package;

one or more electrically conductive packaging materials connected to said image display, said one or more packaging materials acting as a coupling medium for contactless coupling to the power source.

7. The package according to claim 6, wherein:

said image display includes electric field sensitive materials.

8. The package according to claim 6, wherein:

said image display is controllable when said package is positioned in close proximity to the power and/or data source, and said display is fixed when said package is moved away from the power and/or data source.

9. A merchandising system, comprising:

a power and/or signal distribution device provided in conjunction with a package support system;

a package having a sensory output device capable of using power and/or signals provided from said power and/or signal distribution device to produce a desired output when said package is on said package support system.

10. The merchandising system according to claim 9, wherein:

said package includes at least one packaging material that is electrically connected to said sensory output device, said packaging material acting as a coupling medium for contactless coupling of said sensory output device with said power and/or signal distribution device when said package is on said package support system.

11. The merchandising system according to claim 10, wherein:

said packaging material forms at least part of a capacitor for capacitive coupling of said power and/or data source with said sensory output device.

12. The merchandising system according to claim 11, wherein:

said sensory output device includes one or more electric field sensitive materials.

13. The merchandising system according to claim 11, wherein:

said power and/or data source is controlled remotely from said package support system.

14. The merchandising system according to claim 13, wherein:

said desired output is varied by said sensory output device in conjunction with remotely-controlled variations in said power and/or data source when said package is placed on said package support means.

15. The merchandising system according to claim 14, wherein:

said desired output includes a visual output that remains fixed after said package is removed from said package support system.

16. The merchandising system according to claim 9, further including:

a second package having a sensory output device capable of using power and/or data provided from said power and/or data source to produce a desired output when said second package is placed on said package support system, said second package sensory output device producing a second desired output when said second package is placed adjacent said package.

17. The merchandising system according to claim 16, wherein:

said second desired output is produced for a predetermined period of time when said second package is placed adjacent said package and said package and said second package are removed from said package support system.

18. The merchandising system according to claim 9, wherein:

said package includes conductive and insulating portions forming a capacitor for capacitively coupling said sensory output device to said power and/or data source when said package is placed on said package support system.

19. The merchandising system according to claim 18, further including a controller for remotely varying said power and/or data source to change the output of said sensory output device.

20. The merchandising system according to claim 9, wherein:

said power and/or data source includes electrodes mounted on said package support system; and

said package includes one or more electric field sensitive materials.

21. The merchandising system according to claim 19, further including a controller for remotely varying said power and/or data source to change a visual output created on said package by said electric field sensitive materials.

22. The merchandising system according to claim 20, wherein:

said visual output remains fixed after said package is removed from said package support system.