Methods and apparatus for an electronic price label system

• US 6,715,676 B1
• Filed: 11/28/2000
• Issued: 04/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/28/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: NCR Voyix Corporation
• Original Assignee: NCR Corporation
• Inventors: Janning, John L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Michael G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lee, Seung H
• Application Number:
  US09/723,651
• Time in Patent Office: 1,225 Days
• Field of Search: 235/375, 235/383, 235/378, 235/385
• US Class Current: 235/383
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/0022 arrangements or provisious for transferring data to distant stations, e.g. from a sensing device "transfer between computer elements G06F13/00 "; data-transmission H04L
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions

Abstract

Systems and methods for an electronic price label (EPL) system are described. A first embodiment includes a host computer system which originates a message which is relayed to an array of infrared (IR) light emitting diodes (LEDs) which is mounted in the ceiling of a retail establishment. The IR array transmits the message to an EPL which is preferably attached to a store shelf. In one aspect, the EPL does not include a transmitter and does not respond to the message. In another aspect, the EPL includes a radio frequency transmitter and transmits an acknowledgement to the message. A second embodiment includes a host computer system which originates a message which is relayed to a mobile programming unit. The mobile programming unit moves down an aisle which contains a plurality of EPLs and transmits the message to these EPLs using an infrared or ultrasonic transmitter. A third embodiment includes an EPL which is powered solely by a capacitor which is charged by a solar cell.

Claims

1. An electronic price label (EPL) comprising:

a display for displaying price information of an item associated with the EPL;

an infrared receiver for receiving data signals from an infrared transmitter;

circuitry for causing the display to display the received price;

a radio frequency (RF) transmitter for transmitting a response signal;

infrared reflective material to reflect infrared signals throughout a retail establishment.

2. The electronic price label system of claim 1 wherein the EPL includes an infrared reflective material.

3. The electronic price label system of claim 1 wherein the EPL includes a capacitor which supplies all of the power for the EPL.

4. The electronic price label system of claim 3 wherein the EPL includes a solar cell by which the capacitor is charged.

5. The electronic price label system of claim 4 wherein the EPL includes a second solar cell for receiving the IR signals.

6. An electronic price label (EPL) system comprising:

a host computer system for creating a message;

a mobile programming unit for receiving the message and retransmitting the message by infrared transmission; and

an EPL for receiving the message, wherein the EPL includes infrared reflective material for reflecting infrared signals from the mobile programming unit throughout a retail establishment;

wherein the mobile programming unit addresses the EPL using address data derived in part with a code for an aisle along which the mobile programming unit is moved.

7. The electronic price label system of claim 6 wherein the EPL is mounted on a store shelf on the aisle and the mobile programming unit is moved down the aisle while transmitting the message.

8. The electronic price label system of claim 7 wherein the message includes a command to change a displayed price by the EPL.

9. The electronic price label system of claim 8 wherein the EPL updates the displayed price as the mobile programming unit moves past the EPL.

10. A method of communicating with an electronic price label (EPL) located on an aisle of a retail establishment comprising the steps of:

transmitting a message from a host computer system over a radio frequency (RF) communication link;

receiving the message by a mobile programming unit;

moving the mobile programming unit along the aisle;

transmitting the message to the EPL over an infrared communication link, wherein the mobile programming unit addresses the EPL using address data derived in part with a code for the aisle along which the mobile programming unit is moved;

receiving the message from the mobile programming unit by the EPL; and

reflecting infrared signals from the mobile programming unit throughout the retail establishment by infrared reflective material on the EPL.