Method and apparatus for locating electronic shelf labels
First Claim
1. An electronic shelf label, comprising:
- a memory for storing one or more of a plurality of available messages to be displayed or actions to be taken by the label, one of the available actions including providing a locator signal response indicator upon detection of a locator signal addressed to the label; and
a processor for directing the actions to be taken by the label, the processor being operative to select providing of the locator signal response indicator as a current action to be taken upon detecting that the locator signal has been received where the locator signal response indicator includes displaying a locator message.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and techniques for locating designated electronic shelf labels. A locator device transmits commands to a designated label, causing a label to take on distinctive characteristics, for example showing a characteristic display. Alternatively or in addition, the locator device detects transmissions from labels within range and provides an indication, such as an audible tone or a serial number display, when an identified label is within range. A user may enter a serial number of one or more labels using a keypad, or may upload one or more serial numbers to the locator device. The user then moves with the locator device around a location where labels are in use. Depending on the design of the device, the device broadcasts commands to labels to cause the labels to take on identifiable characteristics, detects serial numbers of labels based on transmissions from labels within range, or both.
10 Citations
21 Claims
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1. An electronic shelf label, comprising:
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a memory for storing one or more of a plurality of available messages to be displayed or actions to be taken by the label, one of the available actions including providing a locator signal response indicator upon detection of a locator signal addressed to the label; and a processor for directing the actions to be taken by the label, the processor being operative to select providing of the locator signal response indicator as a current action to be taken upon detecting that the locator signal has been received where the locator signal response indicator includes displaying a locator message. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A handheld locator for locating electronic shelf labels, the locator comprising:
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memory for storing one or more identifiers for electronic shelf labels to be located; a processor for directing transmission of a locator signal addressed to a label and directing the label to provide a locator signal response where the locator signal response includes displaying on the label distinctive characteristics; and a communication interface for transmitting the locator signal to a label. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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17. A method of locating electronic shelf labels, comprising:
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programming one or more labels with a locator signal response to be provided when a locator signal has been received wherein the programming includes programming the labels with a message to be displayed upon receipt a locator signal; and broadcasting a wireless locator signal addressed to a label to be identified.
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Specification