PROCESS FOR LOCATING ELECTRONIC SHELF LABELS ON A SALES SURFACE AND SYSTEM FOR LOCATING ELECTRONIC SHELF LABELS ON A SALES SURFACE

Abstract

The invention relates to a process for locating electronic gondola labels (1) distributed on a sales surface, each equipped with its own label identifier, a plurality of radio frequency beacons (4) configured to emit radio signals (s1), in which: - a portable terminal (3) receives (s2) radio signals emitted by several radio frequency beacons (4) and determines data from the signals; - at a moment of acquisition, the portable terminal (3) acquires the identifier of an electronic gondola label (1) from said electronic gondola label (1);- the portable terminal (3) transmits to a central computer server (6) the label identifier and the data from the signals received at the time of acquisition, - the central computer server (6) determines association data between the electronic gondola label (1) identified by the label identifier and a position determined from the data from the radio signals received at the time of acquisition.;

Description

"PROCESS FOR LOCATING ELECTRONIC SHELF LABELS ON A SALES SURFACE AND SYSTEM FOR LOCATING ELECTRONIC SHELF LABELS ON A SALES SURFACE" GENERAL TECHNICAL DOMAIN AND CONTEXT OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the management of electronic gondola labels distributed along a track of a sales surface gondola. More precisely, it concerns the determination of the distribution of these electronic gondola labels, each of said electronic gondola labels being equipped with an identifier specific to said electronic gondola label.

[0002] In a retail space, such as a supermarket, electronic shelf labels are arranged along rails, the rails themselves being arranged along the outer edges of the shelf units. The electronic shelf labels are thus visible to consumers in the retail space, and communicate to them information relating to items located in the immediate vicinity of these electronic shelf labels. Typically, the items are located above or immediately below the electronic shelf label associated with them.

[0003] The layout of a sales surface is typically described by a planogram. A planogram is a set of data associating items on a sales surface with locations on that sales surface. The planogram establishes which items should be at a certain height, on which shelves, and in how many linear meters. Preferably, a planogram takes the form of a visual representation of the layout of a shelf or gondola on a sales surface. It generally corresponds to a linear shelf viewed from the front, but it can also be visualized in 3D on computer media.

[0004] Ideally, the organization of the sales area and the planogram should reflect each other. However, the planograms currently used are theoretical views of what the sales area should be. In fact, they are typically defined generically, for a plurality of stores of similar size, for which the same layout and the same provisioning are planned. In Petition 870230064040, dated 07 / 21 / 2023, page 13 / 70 2 / 19 Next, the arrangement of a given sales area is carried out based on the theoretical planogram that corresponds to the size of the sales area.

[0005] In practice, the reality of the organization of the sales surface deviates significantly from this theoretical planogram. In fact, it is common for 10 to 15% of the items present on the sales surface to not be included in the planogram, for example because these items are specific to the sales surface and were not integrated into the planogram designed for a set of sales surfaces. On the other hand, the arrangement of items on the sales surface may vary over time, due to the shifting of items and the adaptations made by the sales surface operators, for example for seasonal items such as those offered only at Christmas or back to school.

[0006] It follows that the planogram is never in accordance with reality, and that the location of an electronic shelf label or an item that uses this planogram suffers the consequences of the planogram's inability to reflect reality. But the inaccuracy of the planogram presents other drawbacks, notably at the level of inventory management and other commercial aspects, since the planogram is, for example, used to estimate the quantities of items on shelves, based on the theoretical extent of their presence, which, if erroneous, can lead to unanticipated stockouts.

[0007] In the context of managing sales space, it is therefore very important to be able to determine the distribution of electronic gondola labels along the aisle, and especially to ensure that the distribution of electronic gondola labels corresponds to that of the spaces allocated to the respective items associated with said electronic gondola labels. PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention aims to make it possible to determine the distribution of electronic gondola labels in a sales area.

[0009] For this purpose, a process is proposed for locating electronic gondola labels on a sales surface, said sales surface having a plurality of electronic gondola labels distributed on said surface. Petition 870230064040, dated 07 / 21 / 2023, page 14 / 70 3 / 19 sales surface, each of said electronic gondola labels being associated with an item, each of said electronic gondola labels being equipped with its own label identifier, said sales surface comprising a plurality of radio frequency beacons configured to emit radio signals, said process comprising the steps according to which, - A portable terminal equipped with a radio frequency location module receives radio signals emitted by various radio frequency beacons and determines data from the radio signals using said radio frequency location module; - at the moment of acquisition, the portable terminal acquires the identifier of an electronic gondola tag from said electronic gondola tag; The portable terminal transmits the tag identifier and data from the signals received at the time of acquisition to a central computer server. - The central computer server determines association data between the electronic gondola tag identified by the tag identifier and a position of said electronic gondola tag determined from data originating from radio signals received at the time of acquisition.

[0010] By providing for the determination of information that allows precise location at the time of acquisition, the process allows for the effective determination of the location of an electronic gondola tag in a simple and economical way. In particular, the fact that it is the portable terminal that simultaneously receives radio signals and acquires the tag identifier allows for greater accuracy in locating the electronic gondola tag that corresponds to the identifier compared to a process in which the portable terminal would send the radio signals and the radio frequency beacons would receive them.

[0011] The process according to the invention is advantageously but Petition 870230064040, dated 07 / 21 / 2023, page 15 / 70 4 / 19 optionally supplemented by the following features, taken alone or in any of the technically possible combinations thereof: - The portable terminal also acquires an identifier for an item associated with the electronic shelf label and transmits said item identifier to the central computer server at the same time as the label identifier and the data from the radio signals received at the time of acquisition, and the central computer server determines association data between the electronic shelf label, the position of the electronic shelf label and the item associated with said electronic shelf label; - Each electronic shelf label is equipped with a radio frequency peripheral, and the portable terminal acquires the identifier of the electronic shelf label by establishing radio frequency communication with said electronic shelf label; - Each electronic gondola label is equipped with a visual representation element of the label identifier, and the portable terminal comprises an optical reader adapted to read said visual representation element and acquire the label identifier; - The radio frequency location module determines the location of the portable terminal from the radio signals emitted by the radio frequency beacons by measuring the propagation time of the respective signals from said radio frequency beacons, and the data from the radio frequency signals are position data; - Location data consists of position coordinates; - the data from the radio frequency signals are measurements of the moment of reception of said signals, and the location of the portable terminal is determined by the central computer server from said time measurements; - The sales area comprises a plurality of gondolas bearing electronic gondola labels, said gondolas defining Petition 870230064040, dated 07 / 21 / 2023, p. 16 / 70 5 / 19 lanes between them, and radio frequency beacons are arranged along the length of the sales area lanes; - For each of a plurality of alleys, a radio frequency beacon is placed on each side of the alley's length; Radio frequency beacons emit pulses in a frequency range higher than 500 MHz, according to the ultra-broadband technique.

[0012] The invention relates, on the other hand, to a process for locating electronic gondola labels on a sales surface, said sales surface having a plurality of electronic gondola labels distributed on said sales surface, each of said electronic gondola labels being associated with an item, each of said electronic gondola labels being equipped with its own label identifier, said sales surface comprising a plurality of luminaires configured to emit light signals, the expected arrangement of the electronic labels on the sales surface being described by a planogram configured to comprise association data between each of a plurality of label identifiers and an expected position within gondolas of the sales surface, said process comprising the steps according to which, - A portable terminal equipped with a positioning module receives light signals emitted by various luminaires and determines data from the light signals using said positioning module; - at the moment of acquisition, the portable terminal acquires the identifier of an electronic gondola tag from said electronic gondola tag; The portable terminal transmits the tag identifier and data from the received signals to a central computer server. Petition 870230064040, dated 07 / 21 / 2023, page 17 / 70 6 / 19 at the time of purchase, - The central computer server determines the association data in the planogram between the electronic gondola label identified by the label identifier and a position of said electronic gondola label determined from the data from the light signals received at the time of acquisition, the position thus determined being specific to said electronic gondola label.

[0013] The invention also relates to a system for locating electronic shelf labels on a sales surface, said sales surface having a plurality of electronic shelf labels distributed on said sales surface, each of said electronic shelf labels being associated with an item, each of said electronic shelf labels being equipped with its own label identifier, said system comprising: - a central computer server, - a plurality of radio frequency beacons for emitting radio signals, - a portable terminal equipped with a radio frequency location module configured to receive radio signals and determine data from the radio signals by means of said radio frequency location module, the portable terminal being further adapted to acquire, at the moment of acquisition, an identifier of an electronic gondola tag from said electronic gondola tag, and to transmit to the central computer server the tag identifier and the data from the signals received at the moment of acquisition, the central computer server being configured to determine association data between the electronic gondola tag identified by the tag identifier and a position of said electronic tag. Petition 870230064040, dated 07 / 21 / 2023, page 18 / 70 7 / 19 gondola determined from data obtained from radio signals received at the time of acquisition.

[0014] Preferably, the system is configured to perform a localization process in accordance with the invention.

[0015] The invention relates, on the other hand, to a system for locating electronic shelf labels on a sales surface, said sales surface having a plurality of electronic shelf labels distributed on said sales surface, each of said electronic shelf labels being associated with an item, each of said electronic shelf labels being equipped with its own label identifier, said system comprising: - a central computer server, comprising a planogram configured to understand data associating each of a plurality of label identifiers with an expected position within gondolas of the sales surface, - a plurality of luminaires configured to emit light signals, - a portable terminal equipped with a positioning module configured to receive light signals and determine data from the light signals by means of said positioning module, the portable terminal being further adapted to acquire, at the moment of acquisition, an identifier of an electronic gondola label from said electronic gondola label, and to transmit to the central computer server the label identifier and the data from the signals received at the moment of acquisition, the central computer server being configured to determine association data in the planogram between the electronic gondola label identified by the label identifier and a position of said electronic gondola label determined from the data from the Petition 870230064040, dated 07 / 21 / 2023, page 19 / 70 8 / 19 light signals received at the time of purchase, the position thus determined being specific to said electronic gondola label.

[0016] Preferably, this system is configured to perform a localization process in accordance with the invention. PRESENTATION OF THE FIGURES

[0017] Other features, objectives and advantages of the invention will be highlighted from the following description, which is purely illustrative and not limiting, and should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, among which: Figure 1 schematically shows a system for locating electronic gondola labels according to one possible embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows a detailed view of the portable terminal of an electronic gondola tag locator system according to one possible embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the steps in a process for locating electronic gondola labels according to one possible embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Figures 1 and 2 show an example of an electronic gondola label location system in a sales area. As indicated above, the sales area has a plurality of electronic gondola labels 1 distributed across said sales area, typically at the level of rails 21 that run along the shelves 22 of the gondolas 2. The electronic gondola labels 1 are thus visible to consumers in the sales area, and make accessible to the latter information relating to items 10 located in the immediate vicinity of these labels. Typically, the items 10 are located above or immediately below the electronic gondola label 1 associated with them. Each of the electronic gondola labels 1 is equipped with its own label identifier, typically a set of alphanumeric symbols.

[0019] Generally, an electronic gondola label 1 comprises a screen Petition 870230064040, dated 07 / 21 / 2023, page 20 / 70 9 / 19 display 12 for displaying information relating to an item 10 to which it is associated. Typically, this information includes the price of the item 10, and other information usually available on a sales surface, for example the price per kilogram for a food item.

[0020] Notably, the electronic gondola label 1 comprises a radio frequency communication module for receiving representative data of information relating to an article 10 originating from a central station, a memory for storing said data, and a microcontroller for controlling the display of information relating to article 10.

[0021] Preferably, the electronic gondola tag 1 also comprises a radio frequency peripheral for communicating with a portable terminal. The radio frequency peripheral of the electronic gondola tag 1 may, for example, comprise an antenna and an electronic chip of the NFC (Near Field Communication) or RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) type. An NFC type radio frequency peripheral operates at a frequency of 13.56 MHz as an RFID HF type radio frequency peripheral.

[0022] Typically, it is possible to read on each radio frequency peripheral a unique identifier (UID, acronym for “Unique Identifier Data”) which is the serial number of the radio frequency peripheral, and / or information that allows the identification of label 1. This information that allows the identification of the electronic gondola label 1 is definitively assigned to the electronic gondola label 1 at the time of manufacture of said electronic gondola label 1, thus constituting an identifier of the electronic gondola label 1. This identifier is definitively stored in the radio frequency peripheral.

[0023] Due to the one-to-one nature of the relationship between a radio frequency peripheral and an electronic gondola tag 1, and the uniqueness of the identifier for both the tag and the radio frequency peripheral, a radio frequency peripheral identifier can identify an electronic gondola tag, and vice versa, an electronic gondola tag identifier 1 can identify a Petition 870230064040, dated 07 / 21 / 2023, page 21 / 70 10 / 19 radio frequency peripheral, so a radio frequency peripheral identifier is also a tag identifier.

[0024] The label identifier sequence refers to both the serial number and any information that allows the identification of the electronic gondola label 1.

[0025] The system comprises a plurality of radio frequency beacons 4 configured to emit radio signals. These radio frequency beacons 4 are distributed across the sales area, preferably in locations that allow good reception of radio signals for most of the sales area. The radio frequency beacons 4 are preferably placed at a height greater than the height of most of the gondolas 2 in the sales area. The radio frequency beacons 4 can thus be placed, for example, on the ceiling of the sales area.

[0026] On the other hand, as a sales surface generally comprises a plurality of gondolas 2 bearing electronic gondola labels 1, which define aisles 5 between them, radio frequency beacons 4 can be arranged in the extension of aisles 5 of the sales surface. Thus, in the example illustrated by figure 1, the extension of each aisle 5, which passes between the two gondolas 2 that define that aisle 5, has been illustrated by a dashed line 50. The radio frequency beacons 4 have been positioned here against the wall, at ceiling level, and, as indicated by the fact that the dashed lines 50 pass through the radio frequency beacons 4, in the extension of the aisles 5.

[0027] Radio frequency beacons 4 emit pulses in a frequency range greater than 500 MHz according to the ultra-wideband technique, better known by the English name “Ultra wideband”, which is a radio modulation technique that is based on the transmission of very short duration pulses, with a frequency of less than a nanosecond. Thus, the bandwidth reaches very large values.

[0028] Such a system also comprises a central computer server 6. The central computer server 6 is generally located remotely, as it is not physically present at the point of sale. The central computer server 6 is a physical computer device comprising at least one processor, Petition 870230064040, dated 07 / 21 / 2023, page 22 / 70 11 / 19 communication interfaces, and memories in which databases are stored.

[0029] Among these databases are association data between electronic gondola 1 labels and respective positions of said electronic gondola 1 labels. This association data may, for example, take the form of a link between a label identifier of an electronic gondola 1 label and representative data of the position of said electronic gondola 1 label, for example, the coordinates of the latter.

[0030] The system also comprises a portable terminal 3, the portable terminal 3 is adapted to acquire an identifier of an electronic gondola label 1 from an electronic gondola label 1. Preferably, the portable terminal 3 can establish wireless communication, typically by radio frequency, with the electronic gondola label 1 to acquire the label identifier of said electronic gondola label 1. The portable terminal 3 can also establish infrared or visible light communication with the electronic gondola label 1. The portable terminal 3 can also acquire the identifier of an electronic gondola label by other means, for example by reading a visual representation of the label identifier displayed on the electronic gondola label 1 or shown by the electronic gondola label, such as a barcode 13.

[0031] The portable terminal 3 is equipped with a radio frequency location module, configured to exploit the radio signals emanating from the radio frequency beacons 4 so that the portable terminal 3 can determine data from the radio signals by means of said radio frequency location module. The radio frequency location module may notably have one or more antennas dedicated to receiving the radio signals emitted by the radio frequency beacons 4.

[0032] Each radio frequency beacon 4 emits a radio signal that allows it to be identified, which typically encodes an identifier. This identifier can, for example, be encoded in a pulse train, or correspond to a Petition 870230064040, dated 07 / 21 / 2023, p. 23 / 70 12 / 19 peculiarity of the radio signal. Radio signals carry time information, and notably information about their emission times by their respective radio frequency beacons 4. Preferably, this time information is found at the moment of emission of the radio signals. For example, when radio signals present pulses or pulse trains, a radio frequency beacon 4 emits a pulse or pulse train in a temporally isolated manner at a moment of emission. The time information in this case corresponds to the moment of pulse emission itself, or to the beginning or end of the pulse train. This time information could also take an explicit form and be encoded in the radio signals.More generally, radio signals are considered to comprise time information when these radio signals allow a time to be determined, or at least a time difference, when one or more radio frequency beacons 4 are used.

[0033] The emissions of these pulses or pulse trains by different radio frequency beacons 4 are synchronized, so that these radio frequency beacons 4 simultaneously emit a pulse or a pulse train that allows each radio frequency beacon 4 to be identified.

[0034] The central computer server 6 is configured to be able to communicate, typically via a wireless network 60, with the portable terminal 3, in order at least to receive data sent by said portable terminal 3. Communication between the portable terminal 3 and the central computer server 6 can be established by means of any communication network that is at least partially wireless, notably via a DECT, WIFI or 3G type wireless network. Thus, communication can be established by using the internet network to which the central computer server 6 is connected.

[0035] With reference to Figure 3, the process of locating electronic gondola labels on a sales surface comprises a first stage (S1) during which radio frequency beacons 4 emit radio signals onto the sales surface. These radio signals therefore propagate across the sales surface, and notably in the aisles 5 defined between the gondolas 2, where they are likely to be... Petition 870230064040, dated 07 / 21 / 2023, page 24 / 70 13 / 19 finding people carrying portable terminals 3. This first stage extends over a certain period of time, meaning that the radio frequency beacons 4 emit radio signals repeatedly, typically at intervals quite close together and even less than a second, for a period of time greater than a minute. The emission of signals can, for example, be commanded at the beginning of determining the distribution of a plurality of electronic gondola tags, and interrupted and continued (via a command from the radio frequency beacons 4).

[0036] A portable terminal 3 located on the sales surface then receives (step S2) radio signals emitted by several of said radio frequency beacons. Depending on the location of the portable terminal 3 on the sales surface, the radio signals emitted by a radio frequency beacon 4 take more or less time to reach the portable terminal 3. Thus, radio signals emitted simultaneously by different radio frequency beacons 4 are received by the portable terminal 3 at different reception times, even though they share the same emission time. However, the differences between the reception times of radio signals emitted at the same emission time by different radio frequency beacons 4 are small (at least twice as small) compared to the intervals between two emission times.Thus, radio signals received by the portable terminal during a restricted time interval can be considered as having been emitted at the same time as the transmission.

[0037] To acquire the location of an electronic gondola tag 1 (step S3), an operator 7 equipped with a handheld terminal 3 brings said handheld terminal 3 close to the electronic gondola tag 1, so as to be able to acquire the tag identifier of the electronic gondola tag 1. Typically, this acquisition is made through wireless communication whereby the electronic gondola tag 1 transmits its tag identifier to the handheld terminal.

[0038] For example, when the electronic gondola tag 1 is equipped with a radio frequency peripheral, the aim is to ensure that the radio frequency peripheral of the electronic gondola tag 1 is within range of electromagnetic waves emitted by the portable terminal 3. The radio frequency peripheral is Petition 870230064040, dated 07 / 21 / 2023, page 25 / 70 14 / 19 in this case activated by the energy of the electromagnetic waves emitted by the portable terminal 3 in order to establish radio frequency communication with the radio frequency peripheral of the electronic gondola tag 1. The radio frequency peripheral of the electronic gondola tag 1 then emits electromagnetic waves carrying data about the tag identifier to the portable terminal 3. The electronic gondola tag 1 thus transmits its tag identifier to the portable terminal 3, which therefore acquires it.

[0039] Other methods of acquiring tag identifiers can be used. For example, it is possible to envision wireless communication that does not use radio frequency waves, but rather light waves, visible or invisible, such as infrared waves. When the electronic gondola tag 1 is equipped with a visual representation element of the tag identifier, it is necessary that the latter be visible to an optical reader of the portable terminal 3, and the portable terminal 3 then reads this tag identifier.

[0040] The handheld terminal 3 can also acquire an article reference from an article 10 associated with the electronic shelf label 1. For example, the handheld terminal 3 can read a visual reference from the article 10, such as a barcode. The handheld terminal 3 can also read a radio frequency chip attached to the article 10 if the latter is equipped with one. The operator can also input this article reference into the handheld terminal 3 using information input devices present in the latter, such as a keyboard or a touchpad.

[0041] As explained above, it is also possible to foresee that the portable terminal 3 does not directly retrieve a label serial number from the electronic gondola label 1, as in the cases presented above, but rather that the portable terminal 3 retrieves, from the electronic gondola label 1, in the manner described above, label information that allows the identification of the electronic gondola label 1. This information that allows the identification of the electronic gondola label 1 is definitively assigned to the label at the time of manufacture of said label, thus constituting a label identifier. This information may, for example, consist of a prefix followed by a reference number of the Petition 870230064040, dated 07 / 21 / 2023, page 26 / 70 15 / 19 label that forms the label identifier, such as www.SESimagotag.com / 123456789, the suffix “www.SES.imagotag.com” allowing the information to be recognized as being capable of being communicated by the portable terminal 3 to a remote server determined by the suffix in order to retrieve a serial number of the electronic gondola label 1. In all cases, the moment in which the portable terminal 3 acquires, directly or indirectly, the label identifier from an electronic gondola label 1, constitutes for the portable terminal 3 a moment of acquisition.

[0042] Portable terminal 3 acquires the radio signals received at the time of acquisition, with the aid of the radio frequency location module, and determines (step S4) data from the radio signals by means of said radio frequency location module. Portable terminal 3 can determine data from the radio signals continuously for as long as the reception of the radio signals lasts. Only the data from the radio signals received at the time of acquisition are analyzed or transmitted.

[0043] Preferably, while portable terminal 3 repeatedly captures and receives radio signals from radio frequency beacons 4 over a period of time, portable terminal 3 does not process the received radio signals except for those received at the time of acquisition, which allows for considerable resource savings for portable terminal 3. The processing of this data from the radio signals allows portable terminal 3 to be located.

[0044] The portable terminal 3 transmits (step S5) to the central computer server 6 the label identifier and the data from the signals received at the time of acquisition. If the article reference of an article 10 associated with the electronic shelf label 1 was acquired by the portable terminal 3, the said article reference can also be transmitted to the central computer server 6 at the same time as the label identifier and the data from the radio signals received at the time of acquisition. The label identifier, the data from the signals received at the time of acquisition, and possibly the article reference, are therefore associated by their simultaneous transmission, or at least Petition 870230064040, dated 07 / 21 / 2023, p. 27 / 70 16 / 19 successive.

[0045] The central computer server 6 determines (step S6) association data between the electronic gondola tag 1 identified by the tag identifier and a position of said electronic gondola tag 1 determined from the data from the radio signals received at the time of acquisition.

[0046] The position of the electronic gondola tag 1 is determined from the position of the portable terminal 3 at the time of acquisition. Since the portable terminal 3 is close to the electronic gondola tag 1 at that time of acquisition, the position of the electronic gondola tag 1 is assimilated to the position of the portable terminal 3.

[0047] The radio frequency location module of the portable terminal 3 can itself process the radio signals emitted by the radio frequency beacons 4 in order to determine its position, and therefore that of the electronic gondola tag 1. The radio frequency location module can determine the position of the portable terminal 3 from the radio signals emitted by the radio frequency beacons 4 by measuring the propagation time of the respective signals from said radio frequency beacons 4. For example, the portable terminal 3 can assess the distance between the portable terminal 3 and each radio frequency beacon 4 by analyzing the timing information of the radio signals, combining this information with the reception times of the radio signals, since each radio signal identifies the radio frequency beacon that emitted it.Notably, with simultaneous radio signal transmissions from different beacons, the different reception times by the portable terminal 3 allow the distances relative to each radio frequency beacon to be determined. By exploring several radio frequency beacons 4, it is therefore possible to determine the location of the portable terminal 3, and therefore of the electronic gondola tag 1, by trilateration or triangulation, for example.

[0048] The data from the radio frequency signals may be measurements of the reception times of said signals, and the location of portable terminal 3 is in this case determined by the central computer server from said time measurements. In the same way as explained above for portable terminal 3, the server Petition 870230064040, dated 07 / 21 / 2023, page 28 / 70 17 / 19 central computer 6 can determine the position of the electronic gondola tag 1 from the data obtained from the radio signals received at the time of acquisition, comparing data from radio signals originating from different radio frequency beacons 4.

[0049] Other methods of determining the location of portable terminal 3 may be considered, as an alternative to detection by radio frequency beacons. Notably, portable terminal 3 may be equipped with a positioning module capable of receiving a visible light signal at a frequency between 400 and 800 THz.

[0050] In the latter case, radio frequency beacons can be replaced by luminaires with electroluminescent diodes or LED luminaires, arranged in known positions on the sales surface. A database with which the central server 6 can communicate contains location information for each of the LED luminaires on the sales surface. As with radio frequency beacons, the emission of light signals can, for example, be commanded at the beginning of the determination of the location of the plurality of electronic gondola labels, and interrupted afterwards. During step S2, the portable terminal 3 receives a light signal or a series of light signals (visible light communication code(s), or VLC for Visible Light Communication) emitted by one or more LED luminaire(s), the VLC codes allowing the luminaires to be uniquely referenced.The handheld terminal 3 positioning module is configured to recognize the unique VLC code for each LED luminaire, and to communicate with the central server 6 to retrieve the location data of the LED luminaires, in order to determine the location data of handheld terminal 3 in step S4.

[0051] The wireless communication methods between the portable terminal 3 and the electronic gondola tags 1, notably the S3 step of acquisition by the portable terminal 3 of a tag identifier 3 in proximity, are identical to the process in figure 3. On the other hand, the S5 step of communication between the portable terminal 3 and the central server 6 is also preserved.

[0052] The association data determined in step S6 for a label Petition 870230064040, dated 07 / 21 / 2023, page 29 / 70 18 / 19 electronic gondola 1 tags indicate that the electronic gondola 1 tag in question is in a precise position on the sales surface, which can, for example, be encoded by means of coordinates in a reference, or preferably, correspond to a predetermined place on the sales surface. In fact, electronic gondola 1 tags are not located anywhere on the sales surface, but rather precisely on the gondolas 2 (hence their name) or similar elements. It is therefore possible to have a set of defined places on the sales surface that can be designated as positions for electronic gondola 1 tags.

[0053] Consequently, their location on the sales surface can be specified by assigning them the nearest location. This could, for example, be the combination of a gondola reference 2, a shelf number 22, and a distance along the rail 21. A gondola reference 2 could also correspond to location information, and for example, consist of an aisle number 5 and an order in that aisle 5.

[0054] Whatever solution is chosen to manage knowledge of the position of an electronic gondola tag 1, the association data can take different forms that allow for its exploitation. In particular, it is possible to predict knowing the location of each item 10, thanks to the electronic gondola tag 1 associated with it.

[0055] If the item reference was not acquired by the portable terminal 3, the label identifier can be used to find in a dedicated database the item reference of the item associated with the electronic shelf label 1 identified by the label identifier. In this case, information is also obtained about the position of each item 10 on the sales surface.

[0056] The set of association data therefore forms a planogram, as indicated above. Thanks to this process, it is possible to establish a planogram, modify it, or update it. In particular, any displacement of an electronic gondola label 1 on the sales surface can be immediately reflected in the planogram, which allows the latter to be adapted accordingly. Petition 870230064040, dated 07 / 21 / 2023, page 30 / 70 19 / 19 real time. The invention thus makes it possible to create a planogram that accurately represents the sales surface.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A process for locating electronic shelf labels (1) in a sales area, wherein electronic shelf labels (1) are arranged in the sales area, each of said electronic shelf labels (1) being associated with an item and each of said electronic shelf labels (1) being equipped with its own electronic shelf label identifier, wherein radio frequency beacons (4) are arranged in the sales area, the radio frequency beacons (4) being configured to emit radio signals (S1) having pulses or pulse trains, the pulses or pulse trains being transmitted in a frequency band higher than 500 MHz according to an ultra-broadband technique, each pulse or pulse train carrying information about its emission time and encoding an identifier of the radio frequency beacon that transmitted it,wherein the radio frequency beacons are further synchronized in order to transmit pulses or pulse trains simultaneously, in which an expected arrangement of electronic shelf labels (1) in the sales area is described by a planogram which, for each of the electronic shelf labels, associates the specific electronic shelf label identifier with an expected position of the electronic shelf label within the shelves of the sales area, said process being characterized in that it comprises the following steps, - at a location of a portable terminal in the sales area: - acquiring (S3), by the portable terminal (3), from an electronic shelf label (1) the specific electronic shelf label identifier (1) for it; - measuring, by a radio frequency location module of the portable terminal,instants of reception at said location of the portable terminal in the sales area of ​​the pulses or pulse trains emitted by the radio frequency beacons at the same instant of emission; Petition 870250103860, of 13 / 11 / 2025, page 12 / 26 2 / 5 - based on the instants of reception measured at said location of the portable terminal in the sales area, determine representative data of the respective distances of the portable terminal to each radio frequency beacon at said location of the portable terminal (3) in the sales area; - based on representative data of the respective distances of the portable terminal to each radio frequency beacon at said location of the portable terminal (3) in the sales area, determine representative location data of said location of the portable terminal; - determine (S6), by a central computer server (6),the association data between the electronic shelf tag (1) identified by the electronic shelf tag identifier acquired at said location of the portable terminal in the sales area and a position of said electronic shelf tag (1) assimilated with said location data representative of said location of the portable terminal; - update or initialize the planogram in real time with the determined association data.

2. Process according to claim 1, characterized in that the portable terminal (3) also acquires an identifier of an item (10) associated with the electronic shelf label (1) and transmits said item identifier to the central computer server (6), and the central computer server (6) determines association data between the electronic shelf label (1), the position of the electronic shelf label (1) and the item associated with said electronic shelf label (1).

3. Process according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the position of the electronic shelf label (1) is determined, from among predefined places, as the place closest to the portable terminal (3).

4. Process according to claim 3, characterized in that the position of the electronic shelf label is defined as the combination of a shelf reference (2), a shelf number (22), and a distance Petition 870250103860, dated 11 / 13 / 2025, page 13 / 26 3 / 5 along a rail (21).

5. Process according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that each electronic shelf tag (1) is equipped with a radio frequency peripheral device and the portable terminal (3) acquires the identifier of the electronic shelf tag (1) from the electronic shelf tag (1) by establishing radio frequency communication with said electronic shelf tag (1).

6. Process according to claim 5, characterized in that the radio frequency peripheral device comprises an antenna and an NFC (Near Field Communication) type electronic chip.

7. Process according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that each electronic shelf tag (1) is provided with a visual representation element of the electronic shelf tag identifier, and the portable terminal (3) comprises an optical reader adapted to read said visual representation element and acquire the electronic shelf tag identifier.

8. A process according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the representative data of said location of the portable terminal are determined by the radio frequency location module and then transmitted to the server.

9. Process according to claim 8, characterized in that the location data representative of said location of the portable terminal in the sales area are position coordinates.

10. Process according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the measured reception time instants at said location of the portable terminal in the sales area are transmitted to the central computer server, and the location data representative of said location of the portable terminal in the sales area (3) is determined by the central computer server (6) from said measured reception time instants.

11. Process according to any of claims 1 to 10, Petition 870250103860, of 13 / 11 / 2025, page 14 / 26 4 / 5 characterized in that the sales area comprises a plurality of shelves (2) bearing electronic shelf labels (1), said shelves defining aisles (5) between them, and in which radio frequency beacons (4) are arranged in the extension of aisles (5) of the sales area.

12. Process according to the preceding claim, characterized in that for each of a plurality of alleys (5), a radio frequency beacon (4) is disposed on each side of the alley extension (5).

13. Electronic shelf label location system (1) in a sales area, wherein electronic shelf labels are arranged in the sales area, each of said electronic shelf labels (1) being associated with an item (10) and each of said electronic shelf labels being equipped with its own electronic shelf label identifier, said system being characterized in that it comprises: - a central computer server (6), which comprises a planogram that, for each of the electronic shelf labels, associates the electronic shelf label identifier with a position of the electronic shelf label within the shelves of the sales area, - radio frequency beacons configured to simultaneously emit radio signals having pulses or pulse trains, the pulses or pulse trains being transmitted in a frequency band greater than 500 MHz according to aultra-broadband technique, each pulse or pulse train carrying information about its emission time and encoding an identifier of the radio frequency beacon that transmitted it, the radio frequency beacons being further synchronized so as to transmit the pulses or pulse trains simultaneously, - a portable terminal (3) configured, at a location of the portable terminal in the sales area, to: - receive the pulses or pulse trains simultaneously emitted by the radio frequency beacons at the same time of emission; Petition 870250103860, of 11 / 13 / 2025, page 15 / 26 5 / 5 - acquire, from an electronic shelf tag, the specific electronic shelf tag identifier for it, wherein a radio frequency location module of the portable terminal is configured to measure the reception times at said location of the portable terminal in the sales area of ​​the pulses or pulse trains emitted by the beacons ofradio frequency at the same time instant of emission; wherein the radio frequency location module is further configured to determine representative data of the respective distances of the portable terminal to each radio frequency beacon at said location of the portable terminal (3) in the sales area at the time instants of reception measured at said location of the portable terminal in the sales area; wherein the central computer server (6) is configured to determine association data between the electronic shelf tag identifier acquired at said location of the portable terminal in the sales area and a position of said electronic shelf tag (1) assimilated with the representative location data of the location of the portable terminal in the sales area, determined from the representative data of the respective distances of the portable terminal to each radio frequency beacon at said location of the portable terminal (3) in the sales area; and whereinThe central computer server is also configured to update or initialize the planogram in real time with the determined association data.

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