Data communication for refrigerated merchandisers
First Claim
1. A merchandiser communication system comprising:
- a first plurality of merchandisers arranged in a first row and a second plurality of merchandisers arranged in a second row such that an area between the first plurality of merchandisers and the second plurality of merchandisers defines an aisle, each of the first plurality of merchandisers and the second plurality of merchandisers includinga case defining a product display area,a light assembly coupled to the case to illuminate the product display area,a light sensor coupled to the case to detect light pulses and to generate a signal indicative of the light pulses, the light sensor positioned in visual proximity with one or more of the adjacent merchandisers located across the aisle from the associated merchandiser, anda microcontroller in electrical communication with the light assembly and the light sensor of the corresponding merchandiser to operate the light assembly to encode the signal in light pulses of the light assembly, the encoded light pulses not detectable by a human eye; and
a visible light-based communication network in communication with the first plurality of merchandisers and the second plurality of merchandisers, the communication network at least partially defined by the light assembly, the light sensor, and the microcontroller of each merchandiser of the first and second pluralities of merchandisers, the communication network operable to communicate the encoded light pulses among the first and second pluralities of merchandisers via the light assemblies and the light sensors.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A merchandiser communication system including a first plurality of merchandisers arranged in a first row and a second plurality of merchandisers arranged in a second row. Each of the merchandisers includes a light assembly coupled to a case to illuminate a product display area, a light sensor coupled to the case to detect light pulses, and a microcontroller. The light sensor is in visual proximity with one or more of the adjacent merchandisers located across the aisle. The microcontroller is in electrical communication with the light assembly and the light sensor to operate the light assembly to encode the signal in light pulses of the light assembly that are not detectable by a human eye. The communication system also includes a visible light-based communication network in communication with the merchandisers and is operable to communicate the encoded light pulses among the merchandisers via the light assemblies and the light sensors.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A merchandiser communication system comprising:
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a first plurality of merchandisers arranged in a first row and a second plurality of merchandisers arranged in a second row such that an area between the first plurality of merchandisers and the second plurality of merchandisers defines an aisle, each of the first plurality of merchandisers and the second plurality of merchandisers including a case defining a product display area, a light assembly coupled to the case to illuminate the product display area, a light sensor coupled to the case to detect light pulses and to generate a signal indicative of the light pulses, the light sensor positioned in visual proximity with one or more of the adjacent merchandisers located across the aisle from the associated merchandiser, and a microcontroller in electrical communication with the light assembly and the light sensor of the corresponding merchandiser to operate the light assembly to encode the signal in light pulses of the light assembly, the encoded light pulses not detectable by a human eye; and a visible light-based communication network in communication with the first plurality of merchandisers and the second plurality of merchandisers, the communication network at least partially defined by the light assembly, the light sensor, and the microcontroller of each merchandiser of the first and second pluralities of merchandisers, the communication network operable to communicate the encoded light pulses among the first and second pluralities of merchandisers via the light assemblies and the light sensors. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of communicating data among a plurality of merchandisers in a retail setting, the method comprising:
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providing a first plurality of merchandisers arranged in a first row and a second plurality of merchandisers arranged second row such that an area between the first and second rows defines an aisle, each of the merchandisers defining a product display area and including a light assembly partially defining a light-based communication network; detecting light pulses emitted from one or more merchandisers of the first and second pluralities of merchandisers; generating a signal indicative of the light pulses; operating the light assembly to encode the signal in light pulses of the light assembly of a first merchandiser of the first and second pluralities of merchandisers; and communicating the encoded signal among the first and second pluralities of merchandisers via the light-based communication network. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A merchandiser comprising:
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a case defining a product display area; a light assembly coupled to the case; a light sensor coupled to the case and configured to detect light pulses and to generate a signal indicative of the light pulses, the light sensor oriented to be in visual proximity with one or more adjacent merchandisers when arranged in an aisle of a store; a microcontroller in electrical communication with the light assembly and the light sensor, the microcontroller programmed to operate the light assembly to encode the signal in light pulses of the light assembly, the encoded light pulses not detectable by a human eye; and wherein the light assembly, the light sensor, and the microcontroller at least partially define a visible light-based communication network adapted to be in communication with the one or more adjacent merchandisers when the merchandiser is arranged in the aisle of the store. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification