Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
~ ~ CA 02207631 1997-06-12
ELECTRONIC P~ICE INFORMATION SYSTEM
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a sysl:em for displaying product and price data~ and more
particularly to a computerized electrol~ic price information system for displaying product and
5 price data using individually addressable electronic display labels in communication with a central
computer in which data representing the product and price information is stored.
Background of the Invention
Known computerized electronic price information systems typically use a central computer
10 having a data memory for storing product and price data of individual products in conjunction
with the address of the display label associated with that product. This central computer works in
connection with a plurality of display labels, each of which typically has at least an electronically
controllable display area, a transceiver for receiving and sending data transmissions using
electromagnetic signals, and solar cells as a power supply.
A tr~n.~mi.c.~ion unit transrnits and receives electromagnetic signals between the central
computer and the display labels. The tr~n.smi~sion urlit typically has a unit for transmitting the
product and price data from the central computer to the transceivers of the display labels and a
unit for receiving col~llalion signals and for logging the data tr~n.~mi.~sion. Typical
computerized price information systems also generally include at least one input unit for entering
20 product and price data in the central computer, and at least one price output unit, such as an
electronic cash register. An example of a computerized electronic price information system of this
type is disclosed, for example, in Gerrnan Patent Application DE 40 34 193 A1.
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Computerized electronic price information systems of this type are especially suited for
displaying price and product information in large supermarkets or warehouses, in which more than
10,000 di~le--~ articles may be offered. Such price information systems ensure that the prices
associated with the individual products on the sales racks are identical to the prices calculated at
5 the cash register. When the products are marked with paper labels, this is or~y possible at
considerable expense, and frequently the information available to the cashiers is not, or is no
longer, the same as the price information on the price label.
In the computer-controlled price information system described above, when a product
price is r.h~nge~, it is merely necessary to enter the corresponding information in the central
10 computer using the input unit, which transmits the il~.,laLion through the tr~n.cmi.ccion unit to'
the transceivers of the individual display labels, which then display the corrected price. At the
same time, the price output units, for example the cash registers, calculate the updated price so
that a~er the product-related data is entered (by a keypad or by a bar code reader for example) at
the cash register, the price displayed at the point where the goods are located is called up from the
15 central computer and calculated by the cashier. This avoids unpleasantness and irritation on the
part of customers when the price on the label turns out to be too low.
The term "central computer" in this context may include any suitable electronic data
processing unit, and is not limited exclusively to any individual computer unit. Thus the central
computer can be formed, for example, of a network consisting of several computers that can act
20 as a data processing unit to access the components of all the computers.
During the last ten years, several patent applications have been filed for various
developments related to computer-controlled price information systems, (~_, e.g., EP 0 604 382
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I ~ CA 02207631 1997-06-12
A2, DE 35 34 652 Al, and DE 37 31 852 Al). As mentioned above, an example of a
computerized electronic price information systems is disclosed, for exarnple, in German Patent
Application DE 40 34 193 Al. In addition to the generally provided components of a computer,
an input unit, a tr~n~mic.~ion unit, and display labels having transceivers for communication with
S the tr~n~mi~cion unit, as well as a price output unit (cash register), this application discloses a
price information system in which the display labels are provided with solar cells. The solar cells
convert ambient light, for example the light from illl~min~tion in the store, into electrical energy to
operate the display labels. As a result, no batteries are need to be replaced in the display labels or
recharged by connecting them to power lines, resulting in a considerable labor savings. With
10,000 di~elent display labels within a price inforrnation system, even with a battery lifetime of
more than one year, more than 25 batteries must be replaced on the average each day. The use of
solar cells allows this battery replacement to be completely avoided.
In electronic price information systems, as a rule, the price and product data are
tr~n.~mitted to the display labels while the supermarket or warehouse is closed. At this time,
individual logging inquiries test the display labels for their functionability. With 10,000 display
labels for 10,000 di~èlelll products, if a communication time of about 5 seconds per display label
is required, the total time required will be approximately 50,000 seconds, or almost 14 hours. In
particular, if complications occur or if the central computer is required for other applications
(bookkeeping, stoclct~kin~, etc.), temporary problems may occur in communicating with the
20 display labels. In addition, communication can be impeded by poor radio contact between the
tr~n.~mi.~sion unit and individual display labels located at a distance. Error-free signal tr~n.~mission
is ensured by concl-1ctin~ a complete radio log, but poor tr~n.~mi.ssion quality can considerably
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prolong tr~n.~mi~.cion times.
Accordingly, it would be nice to have a system for displaying product and price data by
means of mdividually addressable electronic display labels, in which the reliability of the
tr~n.~mis.cion of the data to the display labels is increased and the amount of time required for data
5 tran.~mi.s~ion is reduced.
SUMMARY OF 1~ INYENTION
According to one aspect of this invention, an electronic price information system includes
tr~n.cmic~ion units which serve to establish data communication with a subgroup of display labels
10 within a locally limited section. Each ofthe tr~n~mi~ion units transmits and receives
electromagnetic signals using di~lellL frequencies. Preferably, each ofthe tr~n.smic~ion units also
includes a local computer with a local data memory to thereby form an "intelligent" tran.cmi~.sion
unit.
When a plurality of intelligent tr~n.cmicsion units is provided, each of which has a local
15 computer with a local data memory, the computing time of the central computer required for
tr~n.cmitting the data to the display labels is considerably reduced. The tr~n.emi.~sion units are
connected directly to the central computer, as a rule through a computer network (LAN = Local
Area Network), so that data tr~n~miscion from the central computer to the tranemi.s~ion units can
be performed at a very high tran.cmi.~sion rate. The considerably slower radio data tr~n.cmi.~.sions to
20 the transceivers of the display labels as well as the logging of the data tr~n.cmi.~.~ions is thus
performed in parallel by the computers in the various tr~n.cmiscion units. During this time, the
computing power of the central computer can be utilized for other tasks, as required.
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In order for data tr~nemie.eion through the tr~nemi.e.eion units to occur in parallel, each
tran.qmi.e.sion unit transrnits signals on di~lellL frequencies that do not interfere with one another.
Each tr~n.emi.e.eion unit is deeigned to communicate with a subgroup of display labels within a
locally limited section, so that there are no excessively long distances between the transceivers of
5 the display labels and the associated tr~n.emi.e.eion units. By limiting the tr~n.emie.sion distance and
benefitting from the associated increase in reception quality, the time required for data
communication with all of the display labels is reduced as well.
Preferably, data communication with the display labels also takes place while the store is
open. In this case, the tr~n.emi.q.eion power of the tr~nqmiesion units should be reduced so that they
10 produce only weak electromagnetic fields and the customers who are in the store are subjected to
only a slight amount of radiation from these fields (electro-smog).
Bar code readers are especially suitable for entering product data into the central
computer because bar code readers pick up product information ple~ Led on the product
packages in the form of bar codes. Bar code readers can be used both when the product data and
15 price data are initially entered into the central computer and also for repeated output of product
and price data at the cash register.
In addition, a manual input device, comprising for example a portable keyboard with an
LCD screen, can be provided with which m~ml~lly-entered data can be tr~nsmitte~ through one of
the tr~nemi.eeion units to the central computer. A manual input device of this kind makes it
20 possible to transmit numerical data for taking inventory, for example, indicating the numbers of
products on the shelves.
In addition, at least one manual input device can be provided with which data can be
~ ~ CA 02207631 1997-06-12
tr~n.qmitted to the display labels on the spot, in other words directly at the shelves and tables.
Thus, an employee can enter price changes not only at the central computer but also on the sales
floor as well. These revised price data are then picl~ed up by the tr~n.qmiq.eion unit during data
communication between the tr~n.qmiqqion unit and the transceiver ofthe display label and then
5 tr~n.~mitte~ to the central computer.
In one advantageous embodiment of the display labels, solar cells are located behind the
display area, which mainly includes an LCD display that is lldns~al el.L to light. In this case, an
additional area for locating the LCD display can be ~limin~ted and the display label can be made
very compact. These display labels with a sandwich design have proven to be extremely handy and
10 advantageous, not only for use in price information systems.
The price il~lnl~lion system can be provided with a variety of display labels whose signal
tr~nqmic.qion frequencies each correspond to the signal tr~n.smiq.qion frequency of a given
tr~n.qmi.s.sion unit. Alternatively, unii~orm display labels with adjustable signal tr~n.qmis.qion
frequencies can be provided, with the frequency of the associated tr~n.qmi.q.qion unit being set for
15 each display label.
In order to ensure that the display labels remain functional even if they are not exposed to
light, each display label should be provided with a rechargeable energy storage device in which the
electrical energy produced by the solar cells is stored. The energy storage device should be as
stable over time as possible, in other words it should have a long lifetime. An especially suitable
20 energy storage device is a c~pacitor with a very high capacitance, like those sold for example
under the name "Gold Caps," with c~pacit~nces of up to one farad.
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BRrEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The pl ef~ed embodiments of the present invention will now be described more
specifically with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 shows a s~hem~tic side view of one embodiment of the system according to the
invention;
Figure 2 is a schematic circuit diagram of the embodiment of the system shown in Fig. 1;
and
Figure 3 is a top view of a salesroom in which the system in which the embodiment of the
invention shown in Fig. 1 is used.
DESCRIPIION OF l~ Pl~EFERRED EMl~ODIMENTS
As shown in Figure 1, racks 1 for products are each provided with three shelves 2 stacked
one above the other, however the number of shelves in each rack may vary upon the particular
application and on the desires of the store owner. Display labels 3 for displaying the individual
product data and product prices are fastened to the fronts of shelves 2.
Above the ceiling 4 of the salesroom, a plurality of tr~n.smis.~ion units 5 are shown, each of
which includes a computer with a database and a transceiver for data communicatlon. An ant~nn~
6 is connected to each of the transceivers of tr~n~mi.~.sion unit 5, the antçnn~ being covered by a
shell-shaped covering 7.
The tr~n.cmi.~.~ion units 5 shown in Figure 1 are connected via coaxial cable 8 with central
computer 9 of the price i~ lion system. However, any other known tr~n.~mi.c.sion cables or
data links for LANs (Local Area Networks) are also suitable for data tr~n.cmi~sion between the
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computers of tr~n.~mi.c.sion units 5. ~oreover, a cash register 10 is connected with the central
computer 9 by the coaxial cable 8.
A plurality of display labels 3 are located within the tr~n.cmi~.sion patterns of antennas 6 of
tr~n.~mi.~.cion units 5, indicated by the dashed lines. Each display label 3 has an individual address
S so that data tr~n.~mi.s.cion from the central computer 9 via tr~n.smi.~.cion units 5 can be conducted
individually with each display label 3. However, it is also possible, for example by entering a
group address, to address all of display labels 3 in a tr~n.cmi.~.cion unit 5 or all of display labels 3
associated with the electronic price information system if necessary.
The individual components of the electronic price illro~ ion system shown in Figure 1
can be seen in the diagram in Figure 2. The central computer 9 is connected by a computer
networlc (LAN) 8 with a plurality of tr~n.cmi.~.~ion units 5, each of which likewise include a
computer, as well as with a plurality of cash registers 10, only one of which is shown.
Communication between the central computer 9 and display labels 3 of the price information
system takes place via radio signals tran~mitted by ~n~nn~.c 6.
Display labels 3 each comprise a transceiver (not shown) for communication with
individual tr~n.~mi~.~ion units 5. Additional components of these display labels 3 include an
electronically controllable display area 11, preferably an LCD display, as well as a plurality of
solar cells 12 to supply power to the display labels.
The illustrated price information system functions as follows:
(1) data groups are entered into a database in central computer 9, which contains at least
the following information: product data; price data; address of display label; address of associated
tran~mi.~sion unit.
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(2) The data is tr~n.cmitted to the computers of tran.cmi~.sion units 5, and each tr~n~mi.~.~ion
unit 5 transmits the appropriate price and product data to display labels 3 with the corresponding
addresses. The display labels 3 send back confirmation signals to the tr~n.cmi.csion units, for
example, using an asynchronous protocol. Both the original tr~n.cmi~ion to the display labels 3
5 and the confirmation signals are logged by the computer of tr~n.~mi~.~ion units 5.
(3) Each tr~n.cmi.q.~ion unit 5 transmits to the central computer 9 a complete log of data
tr~n~mi.s.~ions which have taken place to and from its associated display labels 3. This log may
include possible error messages or a lack of confirmation signals due to a failure of a display label
3.
From the local area associated with the tr~n.~mi~.cion unit that has reported a m~lfilnction
of a display label 3, the apploxil.,ate location of the defective display label 3 within the salesroom
can be determined. On the basis of the address of display label 3, its position can be determined
exactly so that the defective display label 3 can be rapidly replaced in the event of a m~lfimction.
Figure 3 is an overhead view of a sample salesroom in which the price information system
15 according to an embodiment of the invention is used. The dot-dashed lines indicate the di~el ellL
local sections, each of which is associated with a tr~n~mi.~.sion unit 5. It is clear that the
tr~n.cmi.~.sion patterns of the ~nt~nn~.~ of tr~n.~mi.csion units 5 expand in oval fashion. For this
purpose, ant~nn~ 6 are selected to have a corresponding radiation characteristic. Several
antennas 6 may be provided on a tr~n.cmi~sion unit 5 for signal tr~n.cmi~sion to display labels 3.
20 Alternatively, the.local sections can be further subdivided by using additional tr~n.~mi.ssion units 5,
to guarantee reliable and rapid communication with all parts of the salesroom.
In addition to the normal display labels 3 shown in Figure 1, whose display area 11
' CA 02207631 1997-06-12
measures approximately 50-200 cm2, it is possible to use considerably larger labels, for example,
for special applications such as special offers at sales tables 13. These special-offer display labels
(not shown) can also be provided with visually striking displays, illllmin~te~l displays for example,
and possibly can have picture areas for advertising graphics. Such display labels can use a
supplemental external power supply provided, for example, with a power cable. Information other
than price and product data can also be displayed on the display areas of the display labels. Thus,
in the display system according to the invention, display labels for desired data and information,
advertising slogans, information on store opening times, etc. can be integrated for example.
Additionally, acoustic advertising information from the central computer of the display
system can also be used to control suitable loudspeaker systems. In this manner, the reproduction
of information in any form is controlled by the central computer of the display system by using
suitable reproduction systems, provided the information can be stored in electronic form.
It is understood that various other modifications will be appare~ to and can be readily
made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention.
Accordingly, it is not intentle~l that the scope of the claims appended hereto be limited to the
description as set forth herein, but rather that the claims be construed as encompassing all the
features of patentable novelty that reside in the present invention, including all features that would
be treated as equivalents thereof by those skilled in the art which this invention pertains.
This application claims priority from German Application N~o. 195 38 115.7 and PCT
application PCT/EP96.04469, the content of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
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WO 97/14107 PCT/EP96/04469
Speci~ication:
ELECTRONIC PRIC~ I~IFORMATION SYSTEM
The invention relates to a system for displaying product and price data by
means of individually addressable eiectronic display labels,
with
- a c2ntral computer, comprising a data memory for storing the
product and price data of individual produc~s in conjunction
with the address of the display label associated with that
product,
- at least one input unit for entering product and price data in
the c~ntral computer,
- a plurality of display labeis comprising at least an
electronically controllable display area, a transceiver for data
transmission by means of electromagne~ic signals, and sol~r
c211s for a power supply,
- a transmission unit that transmits and receives
electromagnetic signals, said unit transmitting the product
and pric~ data from the central computer to the transceivers of
the display labels and recsiving con~irmation signals ~or
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iogging the data transmission, said signals being transmitted
by the transceiver to the display labels, and
- at least one price output unit, especially an eles~ronic cash
register.
Systems of this kind, also called pricP information systems, are especi~lly
suited for displaying price and product information in a large supermarket
or warehouse, in which more than 10,ûO0 different articies are frequently
offered. Such price information systems ensure that the pric~s associated
with the individual produc~s on the sales racks are identical to the prices
calculated at the cash register. When the products are marked with paper
labels, this is only possible at considerable expense, and frequently the
in~ormation availahlQ to the cashiers is not, or is no longer, the same as the
pric2 information on the price label.
In the computer-controlled price information system described above,
when a product price is changed, it is merely necessary to enter the
corresponding i..ror.nalion in the central computer using the input unit,
which transmits the ir-for~ldlion through the transmission unit to the
transceivers of the individual display labels, which then display the
corrected price. At the same time, the price output units, at the cash
register for example, calcs~late the indicated price so that after the product-
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' CA 02207631 1997-06-12
related data is ente~ed ~by a keypad or by a barcode reader for example~ in
the cash register, the price displayed at the point where the goods are
located is called up from the central computer and calculated by the
cashier. This avoids unpleasantness and irritation on the part of customers
when the price on the label turns out to be too low.
The term "contral compute~' includes any suitable electronic data
processing unit, and not exclusively an individual computer uni~ Thus the
central computer can be composed for example of a network consisting of
several computers that can act as a data procPssing unit to access the
components of all the computers.
During the last ten ye~rs, patent applications have been fiied for a number
of developments related to computer-controlled price information systems
(EP 0 604 382 A2, DE 35 34 6~2 At, and DE 37 31 852 A1, for exampie~. A
price information system that includes all of the features of the system
described above is disciosed in DE 40 34193 A1. In addition to the
~enerally provided components of a computer, an input unit, a
transmission unit, and display labels with a transceiver for communication
with the t~ansmission unit, as well as a pricP output unit (cash register),
this application discloses a price informa$ion system in which the display
labels are provided with solar cells. The solar cells convert ambient light,
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' CA 02207631 1997-06-12
for example the light from the illumination in the store, into electrical
energy that operates the display labels. As a result, no batteries need to be
replaced in the display labels or recharged by connecting them to the
power line, resulting in a c~nsiderable labor savings. With 10,000 di~Ferent
dlsplay labels within a price information system, even with a battery
lifetime of more than one year, more than 25 batteries must be replaced on
the average each day. The use of solar cells allows this battery replacsment
to be completely avoided.
In the price information system, as a rule the pricP and product data are
transmitted to the display labels while the supermarket or warehouse is
closed. At this time, individual logging inquiries test the display labels for
their functional ability. With 10,000 display labels for 10,000 different
products, a communication tlme of about ~ seconds per dispiay label is
required when the store is open for ten hours. In partic1Jlar, if
compiications occur or i~ the central computer is re~uired for other
applications (book3ceeping, stocktaking, etc.), temporary problems may
occur in communicating with the display labels. In addition,
communication can be impeded by poor radio contact between the
transmission unit and individual display labels located at a distance. ~rror-
free signal transmission is ensured by conducting a complete radio log,
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' CA 02207631 1997-06-12
but po~r transmission quality can considerably prolong transmission
times.
The goal of the invention is to provide a system for displaying product and
price data by means of individually addressable electronic display labels,
in which the reliability of the transmission of the data to the display labels
is increased and the duration of these data transmissions is reducsd.
This goal is achieved ac~ording to the invent;on by virtue of the ~act that
the prics information system comprises ~urther additional transmission
units which
- serve to establish data communication with a subgroup of display
labels within a locally limited section,
- transmit and recsive eiectromagnetic signals whose frequencies are
di~erent from the fre~uencies of the signals assigned to the other
transmission units,
- have a local computer with a local data memoly.
When a plurality of "intelligent" transmission units is provided, each of
which has a local computer with a local data memory, the computing time
of the cPntral computer required for transmitting the data to the display
labels is considerably reduced. The transmission units are connected
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direc~ly to the central computer, as a rule through a c~mputer ne~work
~LAN = Local Area Network), so that data transmission from the cPntral
computer to the transmission units can be performed at a very high
transmission rate. The considerably slower radio data transmissions to the
transcPivers of the display labels as well as the logging of the data
transmissions is performed by the computers in the various transmission
units. During this time, the computing power of the central computer can
be utilized for other tasks as re~uired.
In order ~or data transmission through the transmission units to occur in
parallel, eactl transmission unit transmits signals on di~ferent ~requencies
that do not inte~ere with one another. Each transmission unit is designed
to communicate with a subgroup o~ display labels within a locally limited
section, so that there are no excessively long distances between the
transceivers of the display labels and the associated transmission units. By
limiting the transmission dis~ance and benefiting from the associated
increase in reception quality, the time re~uired for data communication
with all of the display labels is reducPd as well.
Pre~erably, data communication with the display labels also takes plac2
while the store is open. In this case, the transmission power o~ the
transmission units s~ould be reduc~d so that they producP only weak
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eiectromagnetic fields and the customefs who are in the store are
subjected to only a s3ight amount of radiation from these fields (electro-
smog3.
Barcode feaders are especially suitable for entering product data into the
csntral computer, said reade~s picking up the product information printed
on the product pac~ages in the form of barco~es Barcode readers can be
used both when the product data are initially entered to!Jall.er with the
product price into the central computef and also for repeated input of
product data at the cash register.
~n addition, a manual input device, comprising for example a portable
3ceyboard with an LCD screen, can be provided with which manually-
entered data can be transmitted throu~h one of the transmission units to
the central computer. A manual input device of this kind makes it possible
to transmit numerical data for taking inventory, for example, indicating the
numbers of products on the shelves.
In addition, at least one manual input device can be provided with which
data can be transmitted to the display labels on the spot, in othef words
direc~ly at the shelves and tables. Thus, an employee can enter price
changes not only at the central computer but on the sales floor as well.
' CA 02207631 1997-06-12
These revised price data are then pic~ed up by the transmission unit
during data communication be~ween the transmission unit and the
transc~iver of the display label and then transmitted to the central
computer.
In one advantageous embodiment of the display labeis, solar c~lls are
IQcated ~ehind the display area, which consists of an LCD display that is
transparent to light for the most part In this case, an additional area for
locating the LCI~ display can be eliminated and the display label can be
made very compac~ These display labels with a sandwich design have
proven to be extremely handy and advantageous, not only for use in pricP
information systems.
The prics information system can be provided with a variety of display
labels whose signal transmission fre~uencies each correspond to the
signa1 transmission fre~uency of a given transmission unit.
Alternatively, uniform display labels with adjustable signai transmission
fre~uencies can be provided, with the fr2quency o~ the associated
transmission unit being set for each display label.
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' CA 02207631 1997-06-12
In order to ensure ~hat the display labels remain functional even i~ they are
not exposed to light, each display label should be provided with a
rechargeable energy storage device in which the electrical ener~y
produced by the solar c~lls Is stored. The energy storage device should be
as stable over time as possibie, in other words it should have a long
li~etime. An especially suitable energy storage device is a capacitor with a
ve~y high capacitance, like those sold for example under the name "G~ld
Caps," with capacitances up to one farad.
Further advantages and ~eatwres of the invention will follow from the
description of the drawin~ helow.
The drawings show the following:
Figure 1 shows a schematic side view of the system according to the
invention;
Figure 2 is a schematic circuit diagram of the system; and
Figure 3 is a top view o~ a salesroom in which t~ae system acc~rding to the
invention is used.
Racks 1 for products are shown s~hematically in Figure 1, each rack
having three shelves 2 staciced one above the other. Display labels 3 for
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displaying the individual produc~ data and product prices are fastened to
the fronts of shelves 2.
Ab~ve the ceiling 4 of the salesroom, a plurality of transmission units 5 is
shown, each consisting of a computer with a dat~as~ and a transceiver
for data communication. An antenna 6 is connected to each of the
transceivers of transmission unit ~, said antenna being covered by a shell-
shaped c~vering 7.
The transmission units 5 shown in Figure 1 are connected by a co~Y;~I
cable 8 with central computer 9 of the pric2 information system. Ho~ever,
any other known transmission cables or data links for LANs (Local Area
Ne~wor~s) are also suitable for data transmission be~ween the compute~s
of transmission units ~. Moreover, a cash register 10 is connected with
central computer 9 by co~YiAI cable 8.
A plurality of display labels 3 is located within the transmission patterns of
antennas 6 of transmission units 5, indicated by the dashed lines,. E~ch
display label 3 has an individual address, so that data transmission from
central computer 9 via transmission units 5 can be conduc~ed individually
with each display label 3. However, it is also p~ssible, for example by
entering a group address, to address all of display labels 3 in a
' CA 02207631 1997-06-12
transmission unit ~ or all of display labels 3 associated with the price
information sys~em if nec~ssary.
~he individual cs~mponents of the price information system shown in
Figure 1 can be seen in the diagram in Figure 2. Central computer 9 ;s
connec~ed by a computer network (LAN) with a plurality of transmission
units 5, which likewise include a computer, as well as a plurality of cash
registers 10, of which only one is shown. Communication ~e ~reen c2ntral
computer 9 and display labels 3 of the prfc~ information system bkes plac2
via radio signals transmitted by antenna 6. Display labels 3 each comprfse
a transceiver, not shown, for communication with individual transmission
units ~.
Additional components o~ these display labels include an electronically
c~ntrollable display area 11, pre~erably an LCI:) display, as well as a
plurality of solar c~ls 12 for the power supply to the display labels
The pric~3 information system shown ~unctions as follows:
- data groups are entered into a database in cPntral computer 1, and
contain the following information:
- produc~ data
- pric~ data
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' CA 02207631 1997-06-12
- address of display label
- address o~ associated transmission uni~
- The data are transmitted to the compute~s of transmission unit 5 in
question. Each transmission unit ~ transmits the price and product
data to display labels 3 with the corresponding address, with said
display labels 3 sendin~ back c~nfirmation signals for logging the
data t~ansmission, using an asynchronous protocol for example;
- each transmission unit ~ transmits a complete log of data
transmissions to display labels 3 ~ssoci~ted with it, including possible
error messages or a lac~c of confirmation signals due to a failure of a
display label 3, back to central computer 9.
From the local area associated with the transmission unit that has reported
a malfunction of a display label 3, the approximate location of the defective
display label 3 within the salesroom can be dete~nined. On the basis of the
address of display label 3, its position can be determined exactly so that
defective display label 3 can be rapidly replac2d in the event of a
malfunction.
Figure 3 is an overhead view of a sample salesroom in which the pric~
information system according to the invention is used. The dot-dashed
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' ~ CA 02207631 1997-06-12
lines indicate the diKerent lacal sections, each of which is associated with
a transmission unit ~. It is clear that the transmission patterns of ti?e
an~ennas of transmission units 5 expand in an oval fashion. For this
purpose, antennas 6 are used that have a corresponding radiation
characteristic. Several antennas 6 may be provided on a transmission unit
~ for signal transmission to display labels 3. Alternatively, the local
sections can be further subdivided by using additional transmission units
~, so that reiiable and rapid communication with a11 parts of the salesroom
is guaranteed.
In addition to the normal display labels 3 shown in Figure 1, whose display
area 11 measures approximately ~O-~û cm2, for special applications such
as special offe~s at sales tables 13, considerably larger display labels can
be used. These special-offer display labels (not shown) can also be
provided with visually striking displays, illuminated displays for example,
and possibly can have picture areas for advertisins ~raphics. Such display
labels can use an external power supply provided with a power cable.
Information other than pricP and product data can also be displayed on the
display areas of the dis~lay labels. Thus, in the display system according
to the invention, display labels for desired data and information,
advertising slogans, information on store opening times, etc. can be
integrated for example. In another stage of expansion, acoustic advertising
r CA 02207631 1997-06-12
information from the centra} computer of the display system can also be
controlled by suitable loudspeakef systems. Basically, the reproduc~ion of
information in any form is controlled by the cPntral computer of the display
system according to the invention by means of suitable repr~duction
systems, provided the information can be stored in elec~ronic form.
Reference numeral list:
sales rack
shelf
3 display label
4 ceiling
5 transmission unit
6 antenna
7 covering
8 coaxial cable
9 central computer
10 cash re~3ister
11 display area
12 solar c~ll
13 sales table
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