Method and device for transmission of data in an electronic shelf labeling system

• US 7,213,751 B2
• Filed: 10/31/2001
• Issued: 05/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pricer AB
• Original Assignee: Pricer AB
• Inventors: Backlund, Bjo, Tjerneld, Fredrik
• Primary Examiner(s): ST CYR, DANIEL
• Application Number:
  US10/415,464
• Publication Number:
  US 20040011868A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,015 Days
• Field of Search: 235/383, 235/385, 235/436, 235/462.01, 235/462.46, 235/472.02, 235/462.02
• US Class Current: 235/383
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/147 using display panels
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2380/04 Electronic labels
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 3/0682 by delay compensation, e.g. by compensation of propagation delay or variations thereof, by ranging

Abstract

A method for creating synchronized transmission of messages in a wireless electronic shelf labeling system comprising at least two transmitters, a plurality of receiving label-units and a central processing unit capable of issuing messages to be transmitted via said transmitters. Wherein a first step involves determining, for each transmitter, the signal delay between issuing of a message at the central processing unit and transmission of the message from the transmitter. Wherein a second step involves actively delaying, in response to said determined signal delay, transmission from the individual transmitters such that synchronized transmission from all transmitters is achieved. The present invention further relates to a wireless electronic shelf labeling system and a transmitter for such a system.

Claims

1. A method for creating synchronized transmission of messages in a wireless electronic shelf labeling system comprising at least two transmitters, a plurality of receiving label-units and a central processing unit capable of issuing messages to be transmitted via said transmitters, the method comprising determining, for each transmitter, the signal delay between issuing of a message at the central processing unit and transmission of the message from the transmitter;

actively delaying, in response to said determined signal delay, transmission from the individual transmitters such that synchronized transmission from all transmitters is achieved, wherein the step of determining the signal delay comprises setting the transmitters in a mirror-mode so that they automatically mirror all received pulses back to the central processing unit and measuring the time-difference between sending and receiving the same pulse.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the active delay of the transmission from the transmitters is performed by an active signal delay unit associated with each transmitter.

3. The method according to claim 2 wherein the step of determining the signal delay comprises setting the transmitters in a mirror-mode so that they automatically mirror all received pulses back to the central processing unit and measuring the time-difference between sending and receiving the same pulse.

4. The method according to any of the claims 1, 2, and 3 wherein the active delay for each transmitter is set to the difference between the delay to that particular transmitter and a predefined maximum delay value.

5. The method according to any of the claims 1, 2, and 3 wherein the active delay for each transmitter is set to the difference between the delay to that particular transmitter and the highest determined signal delay to any transmitter in the system.

6. A transmitter for a wireless electronic shelf labeling system, wherein the transmitter comprises an active signal delay unit that is arranged to delay transmission from said transmitter, and is adjustable in correspondence with an active signal delay parameter, wherein the transmitter is arranged to be set in a mirror-mode so that it automatically mirrors all received pulses back for measuring the time-difference between sending and receiving the same pulse.

7. The transmitter for a wireless electronic shelf labeling system according to claim 6 wherein the active signal delay unit comprises a shift-register.

8. A wireless electronic shelf labeling system comprising at least two transmitters, a plurality of receiving label-units and a central processing unit capable of issuing messages to be transmitted via said transmitters, wherein the system comprises one or more active signal delay units that are arranged to delay transmission from said transmitters, and adjustable in correspondence with an active signal delay parameter, wherein the at least two transmitters are arranged to be set in a mirror-mode so that they automatically mirror all received pulses back for measuring the time-difference between sending and receiving the same pulse.

9. The wireless electronic shelf labeling system according to claim 8, wherein each active signal delay unit is arranged in a transmitter and arranged to delay transmission from said transmitter.

10. The wireless electronic shelf labeling system according to claim 8, wherein the active signal delay units are arranged at the central processing unit and arranged to delay issuing of messages to their associated transmitters.

11. The wireless electronic shelf labeling system according to any of the claims 8 to 10, wherein the transmitters communicate with the central processing unit by means of distribution lines in the form of cables.

12. The wireless electronic shelf labeling system according to any of the claims 8 to 10, wherein the transmitters communicate with the central processing unit by means of wireless connections.

13. A method for creating synchronized transmission of messages in a wireless electronic shelf labeling system comprising at least two transmitters, a plurality of receiving label-units and a central processing unit capable of issuing messages to be transmitted via said transmitters, the method comprising determining, for each transmitter, the signal delay between issuing of a message at the central processing unit and transmission of the message from the transmitter;

actively delaying, in response to said determined signal delay, transmission from the individual transmitters such that synchronized transmission from the at least two transmitters is achieved.