System and method for providing inductive power to improve product marking and advertising

• US 7,923,938 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2005
• Issued: 04/12/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: General Instrument Corporation (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Inventors: Sokola, Ray L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Owens; Douglas W
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chen; Jianzi
• Application Number:
  US11/313,462
• Publication Number:
  US 20070165366A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,938 Days
• Field of Search: 315/209.R, 315/70, 315/72, 315/74, 315/212, 315/254, 315/276, 315/291, 315/352, 315/600, 315/614, 315/46, 315/87
• US Class Current: 315/209.00R
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/00 Illuminated signs; Luminous advertising G09F9/00, G09F11/00 take precedence; control of displays in general using static means to present variable information G09G
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 23/00 Advertising on or in specific articles, e.g. ashtrays, letter-boxes on or in vehicles G09F21/00

Abstract

A system and method are described in which power is inductively supplied to a product or a package containing a product. This power is received via a coil and used by a light source to further enhance the presentation of the product or packaging. The illuminated light draws more attention to the product or package and thereby increases the probability that a prospective buyer will buy the product. Power is supplied to the package via a coil mounted to a shelf system. The frequency of the power supplied to the shelf coil may be changed to change the frequency at which the light source in the product or package illuminates.

Claims

1. A device, comprising:

a housing; and

a circuit wherein the circuit further comprises;

a display element coupled to the housing;

a first coil coupled to the display element and the housing; and

a rectifier circuit coupled between the display element and the first coil;

wherein the circuit further comprises an amplitude switch coupled between the rectifier and the display element;

further comprising a second amplitude switch and a second display element, wherein the second amplitude switch is coupled between the rectifier and the second display element, the first amplitude switch turns off in response to receiving a voltage from the rectifier outside a first range of the voltage, the second amplitude switch turns off in response to receiving the voltage outside a second range of the voltage, and the first and second ranges are different from one another.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the circuit further comprises:

a frequency divider coupled between the display element and the first coil.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the circuit further comprises:

a second coil coupled to the housing; and

a rectifier circuit coupled between the second coil and the frequency divider.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the display element is an LED.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the display element is a screen.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein the circuit further comprises a processor coupled to the rectifier circuit.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the circuit includes a sub-circuit that provides power via a battery.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the circuit includes a sub-circuit that provides power via a connection to an outlet.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein the circuit further comprises a first filter coupled between the first coil and the display element.

10. The device of claim 9, further comprising a second filter, wherein the second filter is coupled between the first coil and the second display element, the first filter passes signals within the first range, the second filter passes signals within the second range, and the second filter blocks at least some frequency components within the first range.

11. The device of claim 9 wherein the circuit further comprises a switch coupled between the first filter and the display element.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the display element and the first coil are arranged within the housing.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the display element is arranged on the housing.