Information display system for displaying information such as pricing information on shelves containing retail merchandise
First Claim
1. An electronic labelling system comprising:
- a computer,a transceiver connected to said computer,electronic tags preferably fixed to shelves,said transceiver transmitting, by means of electromagnetic waves, communications frames to update said tags and signals to synchronize said tags,said frames holding the specific address of a tag and the data to be displayed by that tag,each of said tags comprising a receiver which is periodically activated to receive the communications frames,said tags comprising devices for synchronizing said receivers to a transmission from said transceiver,said synchronizing devices comprising means for receiving a synchronization signal from said transceiver and means for synchronizing operation of said receivers with said transceiver,said synchronizing devices comprising means for transferring the synchronization signal received by said synchronization signal receiving means to said means for synchronizing operation of said receivers to synchronize said receivers with a communications frame transmitted from said transceiver, andsaid means for synchronizing operation of said receivers comprising means for activating the receivers with information from a previously received synchronization signal received from said transceiver at the time when a present communications frame is being transmitted from the transceiver.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention is directed to an electronic labelling system such as for display pricing information on the edge of shelves in retail supermarkets which system comprises a computer (1), a transceiver (2) connected thereto, as well as electronic tags (4) preferably fixed to shelves, with the transceiver (2) transmitting, by means of electromagnetic waves (5), communications frames to update the tags (4), said frames holding the specific address (7) of a tag (4) as well as the data (8) to be displayed, said tags (4) including a receiver which is periodically activated to receive the communications frames. To reduce the power consumption of the tags (4), it is suggested that the tags (4) comprise devices for synchronizing the receivers, said devices activating the receivers at the same instant in time when a communications frame is being transmitted from the transceiver (2).
85 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An electronic labelling system comprising:
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a computer, a transceiver connected to said computer, electronic tags preferably fixed to shelves, said transceiver transmitting, by means of electromagnetic waves, communications frames to update said tags and signals to synchronize said tags, said frames holding the specific address of a tag and the data to be displayed by that tag, each of said tags comprising a receiver which is periodically activated to receive the communications frames, said tags comprising devices for synchronizing said receivers to a transmission from said transceiver, said synchronizing devices comprising means for receiving a synchronization signal from said transceiver and means for synchronizing operation of said receivers with said transceiver, said synchronizing devices comprising means for transferring the synchronization signal received by said synchronization signal receiving means to said means for synchronizing operation of said receivers to synchronize said receivers with a communications frame transmitted from said transceiver, and said means for synchronizing operation of said receivers comprising means for activating the receivers with information from a previously received synchronization signal received from said transceiver at the time when a present communications frame is being transmitted from the transceiver. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An information display system for displaying information on shelves containing merchandise, said system comprising:
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an information display arrangement; said information display arrangement comprising a plurality of information display devices; each of said plurality of information display devices being configured to be affixed to store shelves; said information display arrangement comprising a receiving arrangement to receive initial information and to update information displayed by said information display arrangement; said receiving arrangement comprising at least one receiving device to receive information from a source of information disposed a substantial distance from said information display arrangement; said receiving arrangement comprising a memory arrangement to store information to be displayed on said information display arrangement; each of said plurality of information display devices being configured to receive information stored in said memory arrangement; a transmitter to transmit information and signals to synchronize said receiving arrangement to be received by said at least one receiving device; said receiving arrangement comprising a synchronizing apparatus to synchronize said at least one receiving device to a transmission from said transmitter; said synchronizing apparatus comprising an activation device to activate said at least one receiving device at a determined time corresponding to a time when said transmitter is transmitting information; and said synchronizing apparatus comprising circuitry to change the determined time at which said activation device activates said at least one receiving device with information received from a previously received synchronization signal received from said transmitter. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. A method of operating an information display system for displaying information, such as, pricing information on shelves containing merchandise, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing an information display arrangement having display units for being affixed to store shelves; transmitting initial information and updated information from a transmitter; receiving initial information and updated information to be displayed by the information display arrangement with a receiving arrangement; said step of receiving initial information and updated information comprising the further step of receiving information with a receiving device from a source of information disposed a substantial distance from the information display arrangement; storing information to be displayed on the information display arrangement in a memory arrangement; receiving information stored in the memory arrangement with the display units; synchronizing the receiving device to a transmission from the transmitter; and said step of synchronizing the receiving device comprising the further steps of; activating the receiving device at a determined time when information is being transmitted from the transmitter with an activation device; receiving a synchronization signal from the transmitter; and changing the determined time at which the activation device activates the receiving device with information received from a previously received synchronization signal received from the transmitter. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification