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

• US 20070138923A1
• Filed: 12/21/2005
• Published: 06/21/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: General Instrument Corporation (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: General Instrument Corporation (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Inventors: Sokola, Ray
• Application Number:
  US11/313,461
• Publication Number:
  US 20070138923A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 312/223.500
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 97/00 Furniture or accessories for furniture, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 1/126 the pushing device being urged by spring means
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 11/10 Arrangements of light sources

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 till 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 shelf system comprising:

a housing; and

a coil mounted to the housing.

2. The shelf system of claim 1 further comprising:

an oscillating power source coupled to the coil.

3. The shelf system of claim 1 wherein the oscillating power source is variable in frequency.

4. The shelf system of claim 1 wherein the housing further comprises a conductive shield.

5. The shelf system of claim 1 wherein the coil is wrapped inside the housing in a serpentine manner.

6. The shelf system of claim 1 wherein the coil is wrapped inside the housing in a spiral manner.

7. The shelf system of claim 1 wherein the coil is oriented along a front edge of the housing.

8. The shelf system of claim 7 further comprising:

a lip located along the front edge of the housing;

a ram that rests on a top surface of the housing; and

a spring coupled to the ram.

9. The shelf system of claim 7 further comprising:

a lip located along the front edge of the housing;

and wherein a top surface of the housing is curved.

10. The shelf system of claim 9 further comprising:

a weight moveably coupled to the top surface of the housing.

11. The shelf system of claim 1 wherein the housing and coil are substantially horizontal.

12. The shelf system of claim 1 wherein the housing and coil are substantially vertical.

13. A system for providing power comprising:

a shelf system comprising;

a first housing;

a first coil mounted to the first housing; and

an oscillating power source coupled to the first coil; and

a device comprising;

a second housing; and

a circuit wherein the circuit further comprises;

a display element coupled to the second housing; and

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

wherein power is supplied to the second coil via mutual inductance between the first coil and the second coil.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the oscillating power source is variable in frequency.

15. The system of claim 13 wherein the first housing comprises a shield.

16. The system of claim 13 further comprising a variable resistor coupled between the first coil and the oscillating power source.

17. The system of claim 13 wherein the first coil is mounted to the housing along a front edge of the housing.