Continuous display shelf edge label device

• US 9,898,712 B2
• Filed: 03/15/2013
• Issued: 02/20/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/2004
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: RTC Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: RTC Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Johnson, Bradley Thomas, Swafford, Jr., John Wesley, Lembke, Michael Alvin, Ernest, Joseph Christian
• Primary Examiner(s): Glass, Russell S
• Application Number:
  US13/836,680
• Publication Number:
  US 20130226742A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,803 Days
• Field of Search: 705 271
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 1/126 the pushing device being urged by spring means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/147 using display panels
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2340/0464 Positioning
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2340/14 Solving problems related to the presentation of information to be displayed
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2354/00 Aspects of interface with display user
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2380/04 Electronic labels
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/14 Display of multiple viewports

Abstract

A method and apparatus for providing information along a shelf edge of a retailer is described. On a display configured to be oriented along an edge of a shelf of a retailer, a first user interface including first information about a first product on the shelf is provided. At least one second user interface including at least one second information about at least one second product on the shelf is provided on the display. An individual is permitted to edit a parameter of the first user interface and/or the at least one second user interface. The parameter may include at least one of: a size of the user interface on the display, a shape of the user interface on the display, and a location of the user interface on the display. The first information and the at least one second information may be outputted concurrently to the display.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

providing on a shelf of a retailer a shelf edge label display configured to be removably mounted along an edge of the shelf wherein the display is a single continuous display,

providing, on the display a first user interface, the first user interface including first information about a first product on the shelf;

providing, on the display, at least one second user interface, the at least one second user interface including at least one second information about at least one second product on the shelf;

permitting, through touch on the display, an individual to edit a parameter of at least one of;

the first user interface and the at least one second user interface, the parameter including at least one of;

a size on the display, a shape on the display, and a location on the display;

providing a locking mechanism configure to operate in at least two modes, a first mode permitting the individual to edit the parameter and a second mode preventing a second individual from editing the parameter;

outputting, to the display, the first information about the first product on the shelf and the at least one second information about the at least one second product on the shelf concurrently; and

providing a wireless communication interface configured to receive data representative of the first information about the first product or the at least one second information of the at least one second product on the shelf from a wireless network of the retailer.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the display is a touchscreen display, and wherein the permitting, through the display, the individual to edit the parameter of at least one of:

the first user interface and the at least one second user interface includes allowing the individual to edit the parameter by touching the touchscreen display.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing of the locking mechanism is through the display, the method further comprising:

providing a third user interface, the third user interface including the locking mechanism; and

permitting the individual to change a mode of the locking mechanism through the third user interface.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the received instruction to change modes is based upon an identification of the individual as an individual authorized to edit the parameter.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving, through a communication interface, data representative of the first information about the first product on the shelf.

6. An apparatus comprising:

at least one processor;

a digital touchscreen display wherein the display is a single continuous display, configured to be removably mounted along an entire edge of a shelf of a retailer, the touchscreen display configured to;

provide a first user interface, the first user interface including first information about a first product on the shelf,

provide at least one second user interface, the at least one second user interface including at least one second information about at least one second product on the shelf,

permit, by touch to the touchscreen display, an individual to edit a parameter of at least one of;

the first user interface and the at least one second user interface, the parameter including at least one of;

a size on the display, a shape on the display, and a location on the display, and

provide a locking mechanism configured to operate in at least two modes, a first mode permitting the individual to edit the parameter and a second mode preventing a second individual from editing the parameter;

at least one memory storing computer executable instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to output, to the display, the first information about the first product on the shelf and the at least one second information about the at least one second product on the shelf concurrently; and

a wireless communication interface configured to receive data representative of the first information about the first product or the at least one second information of the at least one second product on the shelf from a wireless network of the retailer.

7. One or more non-transitory computer-readable media having instructions stored thereon associated with a digital touchscreen display, wherein the display is a single continuous display and configured to be removably mounted along an entire edge of a shelf of a retailer, that, when executed, cause at least one computing device to:

provide a first user interface, the first user interface including first information about a first product on the shelf,

provide at least one second user interface, the at least one second user interface including at least one second information about at least one second product on the shelf,

permit, by touch to the touchscreen display, an individual to edit a parameter of at least one of;

the first user interface and the at least one second user interface, the parameter including at least one of;

a size on the display, a shape on the display, and a location on the display, and

provide a locking mechanism configured to operate in at least two modes, a first mode permitting the individual to edit the parameter and a second mode preventing a second individual from editing the parameter;

output, to the display, the first information about the first product on the shelf and the at least one second information about the at least one second product on the shelf concurrently; and

receive data representative of the first information about the first product or the at least one second information of the at least one second product on the shelf from a wireless network of the retailer.