Methods and apparatus for an electronic price label system
First Claim
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.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. An electronic price label (EPL) comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An electronic price label (EPL) system comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of communicating with an electronic price label (EPL) located on an aisle of a retail establishment comprising the steps of:
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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.
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Specification