Shelf label base station

Abstract

A shelf label base station. The shelf label base station comprises a housing (13) and a shelf label communication module (11), wherein the shelf label communication module (11) is configured to communicate with an electronic shelf label, and the shelf label communication module (11) comprises a first radio frequency module, the first radio frequency module being arranged inside the housing (13). The shelf label base station further comprises an NFC module (12), the NFC module (12) being arranged inside the housing (13).

Description

Price tag base station

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the China Patent Office on January 30, 2024, with application number 202420232273.8, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the technical field of electronic price tags, for example, to a price tag base station. Background Art

[0003] Electronic shelf tags (ESLs) are crucial in modern supermarkets. When deploying ESLs in a supermarket, a shelf base station is also required. The shelf base station communicates with the ESLs.

[0004] However, the existing price tag base stations have a single function, which limits their application scenarios.

[0005] Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present application provides a price tag base station to diversify the functions of the price tag base station and expand the application scenarios of the price tag base station.

[0007] An embodiment of the present application provides a price tag base station, the price tag base station comprising a housing and a price tag communication module, the price tag communication module being configured to communicate with an electronic price tag; the price tag communication module comprising a first radio frequency module, the first radio frequency module being disposed within the housing;

[0008] The price tag base station further includes an NFC module, and the NFC module is disposed inside the housing.

[0009] Optionally, the price tag base station further includes a positioning module, and the positioning module is arranged inside the housing;

[0010] The NFC module includes an NFC coil, and along a direction perpendicular to the top shell of the housing, an orthographic projection of the NFC coil is staggered with an orthographic projection of the positioning module.

[0011] Optionally, the positioning module includes a third antenna, and the third antenna is a positioning antenna array.

[0012] Optionally, the price tag base station further includes a standard communication module, the standard communication module includes a second radio frequency module, and the second radio frequency module is arranged inside the shell.

[0013] Optionally, the price tag communication module further includes at least one first antenna, and the standard communication module further includes at least one second antenna; the first antenna and the second antenna are alternately distributed on the side wall of the shell.

[0014] Optionally, the standard communication module includes at least one of a WIFI module, a Bluetooth module, a Zigbee module, a Narrow Band Internet of Things (NB-IOT) module, a 2G module, a 3G module, a 4G module and a 5G module.

[0015] Optionally, the working mode of the price tag communication module includes time division multiplexing, frequency division multiplexing or code division multiplexing; the working mode of the standard communication module includes time division multiplexing, frequency division multiplexing or code division multiplexing.

[0016] Optionally, the price tag base station further includes a mainboard, which is disposed inside the housing; the first radio frequency module and the NFC module are integrated on the mainboard.

[0017] Optionally, the price tag base station further includes a positioning module, and the positioning module is arranged inside the housing;

[0018] The positioning module is arranged between the mainboard and the top shell of the housing.

[0019] Optionally, the shell is a non-metallic shell. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The following is a brief introduction to the drawings required for the description of the embodiments. The drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without any creative work.

[0021] FIG1 is a schematic structural diagram of a price tag base station provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0022] FIG2 is a schematic structural diagram of another price tag base station provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0023] FIG3 is a top view of a price tag base station provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0024] FIG4 is a side view of a price tag base station provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] The following will describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of this application. Obviously, the embodiments described are only part of the embodiments of this application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts should fall within the scope of protection of this application.

[0026] It should be noted that the terms "first", "second", etc. in the specification and claims of the present application and the above-mentioned drawings are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequential order. It should be understood that the data used in this way can be interchangeable where appropriate, so that the embodiments of the present application described herein can be implemented in a sequence other than those illustrated or described herein. In addition, the terms "including" and "having" and any of their variations are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions, for example, a process, method, system, product or device comprising a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units clearly listed, but may include other steps or units that are not clearly listed or inherent to these processes, methods, products or devices.

[0027] Figure 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a price tag base station provided in an embodiment of the present application. Referring to Figure 1, the price tag base station includes a housing 13 and a price tag communication module 11, which is configured to communicate with an electronic price tag; the price tag communication module 11 includes a first radio frequency module (not shown), which is disposed inside the housing 13; the price tag base station also includes a near field communication (NFC) module 12, which is disposed inside the housing 13.

[0028] The price tag base station is configured to communicate with electronic price tags. Each price tag base station can communicate with all electronic price tags within the radiation range of its corresponding antenna. For example, the price tag base station can obtain information about the electronic price tag, such as the price, from the electronic price tag. The price tag base station can also send instructions to the electronic price tag. Of course, the price tag base station can also communicate with background devices, which exchange information with the electronic price tag through the price tag base station. The price tag base station exchanges information with the electronic price tag through the price tag communication module 11. In related art, the price tag base station only includes the price tag communication module 11 and has relatively simple functions. In this embodiment, the price tag base station also integrates an NFC module 12. The NFC module 12 is used for near-field communication. For example, the NFC module 12 can be used to identify relevant information about the price tag base station through a handheld device, or the handheld device can use the NFC module 12 to control whether the price tag base station is powered on or not, or to control the opening of the price tag base station housing for maintenance. The NFC module 12 is disposed within a housing 13, which protects the NFC module 12 from physical impact and corrosion. The price tag base station of this embodiment integrates the NFC module 12, giving the price tag base station more functions. Users can control the price tag base station in a more diverse manner based on the NFC module 12, enabling the price tag base station to achieve diverse functions and expand the application scenarios of the price tag base station.

[0029] The technical solution of this embodiment utilizes a price tag base station comprising a housing and a price tag communication module, which is configured to communicate with the electronic price tag. The price tag communication module includes a first radio frequency module, which is disposed within the housing. The price tag base station also includes an NFC module, which is disposed within the housing. By integrating the NFC module, the price tag base station has more functions. Users can use the NFC module to control the price tag base station in a more diverse manner, thus diversifying its functions and expanding its application scenarios.

[0030] Optionally, the first RF module may include a wireless transceiver unit, a power amplifier unit, a low-noise amplifier unit, a control unit, a storage unit, an analog-to-digital / digital-to-analog conversion unit, a baseband data processing unit, a power supply unit, and a clock unit. The operating principles of the multiple units and the interconnections between them are well known to those skilled in the art and will not be described in detail here. In addition, the price tag communication module also includes at least one first antenna, and the first RF unit is electrically connected to the first antenna.

[0031] Optionally, the price tag base station may include at least one price tag communication module 11, with different price tag communication modules 11 responsible for different information interactions with the electronic price tag. For example, one price tag communication module 11 is responsible for monitoring whether the electronic price tag is in normal condition, one price tag communication module 11 is responsible for controlling the electronic price tag refresh template, and one price tag communication module 11 is responsible for monitoring the external environment to confirm whether the current channel is interfered with. Of course, the above-mentioned different communication services can also be handled by the same price tag communication module 11. Each price tag communication module 11 includes at least one first antenna. When the price tag communication module 11 includes at least two first antennas, a power splitter or a radio frequency switch can be added between the first radio frequency module and the first antenna to achieve one-to-many requirements. It should be noted that the operating frequency band of the price tag communication module 11 is not limited and can be the industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) band, or the sub1G band, etc. The operating bandwidth of the first antenna can be set according to the actual application scenario, and this embodiment does not limit this. In addition, the shape, material, position, radiation direction and color of the first antenna are not limited. Of course, in some embodiments, if there are requirements for the radiation direction of the first antenna, for example, it is set to identify electronic price tags or other products in a circular area with an equal radius below the projection of the price tag base station, or point to one or several directions, etc., then the first antenna can be set to a specific shape, and its shape design method is well known to those skilled in the art.

[0032] Optionally, the first antenna may be in the form of a printed circuit board (PCB), a flexible printed circuit (FPC), a steel sheet, or a winding wire.

[0033] Optionally, the first antenna and the first radio frequency module may be connected via a coaxial line, a microstrip line, or a coplanar waveguide.

[0034] Optionally, one or more of a capacitor, an inductor, a resistor, a balun, and a filter may be connected between the first RF module and the first antenna to achieve impedance matching.

[0035] Optionally, the price tag communication module can also improve the RF transceiver performance by setting a power amplifier and a low noise amplifier.

[0036] Optionally, there may be multiple NFC modules 12 in the price tag base station. The NFC module 12 may be a reader NFC (Reader NFC) or a tag NFC (Tag NFC). Each NFC module 12 includes an NFC coil. In addition to the NFC coil, the Reader NFC also includes a matching circuit, an electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) filter circuit, a front-end analog transceiver unit, a back-end digital control and information processing unit, a storage unit, and a power supply unit. The functions of the multiple units and the connection relationships between them are well known to those skilled in the art and will not be repeated here. In addition to the NFC coil, the Tag NFC also includes a matching unit, a detection unit, a front-end analog transceiver unit, a data processing control unit, a storage unit, an encryption unit, and a power supply. The functions of the multiple units and the connection relationships between them are well known to those skilled in the art and will not be repeated here. The NFC module 12 supports international standards such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and proprietary standards such as the NFC Forum.

[0037] Optionally, the NFC coil can be in the form of PCB, FPC, aluminum etching, or copper wire winding, etc. In addition, ferrite can be added to further improve the performance of the NFC coil.

[0038] Optionally, the NFC module further includes a matching capacitor, which is configured to adjust the resonance point of the NFC coil to approximately 13.56 MHz (eg, within a 10% error). The NFC coil may have three or four turns.

[0039] Optionally, Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another price tag base station provided in an embodiment of the present application, Figure 3 is a top view of a price tag base station provided in an embodiment of the present application, and Figure 4 is a side view of a price tag base station provided in an embodiment of the present application. Refer to Figures 2 to 4. The price tag base station also includes a positioning module 15, which is disposed inside the housing 13; the NFC module 12 includes an NFC coil 121, and along the direction X perpendicular to the top shell of the housing 13 (i.e., the thickness direction of the price tag base station), the orthographic projection of the NFC coil 121 is staggered from the orthographic projection of the positioning module 15.

[0040] Optionally, the positioning module 15 is configured to obtain the location information of the electronic price tag, and the location information can also be sent by the price tag base station to the background or mobile device. By setting the positioning module 15, the functions of the price tag base station are more diversified, and the application scenarios are further expanded. The positioning module 15 includes a third antenna 151 and a third RF module. The third RF module includes, for example, an RF switch, an RF transceiver unit, an analog-to-digital / digital-to-analog conversion unit, a baseband processing control unit, a power supply, a clock unit, and a sensor. The functions and connection relationships of the multiple units are well known to those skilled in the art and will not be repeated here. The third antenna 151 is a positioning antenna array, which can be a 2.4G antenna array, an ultra-wideband (Ultra Wide Band, UWB) array, or an antenna array of other frequency bands. The antenna array can be an integrated structure or an independent structure. The shape of the antenna array can be set to match the shape of the price tag base station. Optionally, the positioning algorithm of the positioning module 15 includes an angle-of-arrival (AOA) algorithm, a time difference of arrival (TDOA) algorithm, a time of arrival (TOA) algorithm, or a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) algorithm. AOA is optional, and the antenna array is an AOA antenna array.

[0041] In the above embodiment, the third RF module and third antenna of the positioning module 15 are integrated on a single PCB. The antenna units in the antenna array are evenly distributed, and the spacing between adjacent antenna units is less than half a wavelength. Grounding is used as a barrier to improve isolation between the antenna units. The transmission line impedance between the third RF unit and the third antenna is set to 50 ohms, and the transmission line lengths are equal and as short as possible. The antenna array is configured with an RF switch to open a channel in a time-sharing manner, allowing the selected antenna unit to conduct electricity with the third RF module. In the above embodiment, the radiation direction of the third antenna is toward the top shell of the housing 13. In other words, when in use, the electronic price tag is generally located on the side of the top shell away from the third antenna. A grounding structure is provided opposite the radiation direction of the third antenna. This grounding structure, for example, a copper layer, has a shielding effect. Therefore, the orthographic projection of the NFC coil is staggered with the orthographic projection of the positioning module to prevent the positioning module from shielding the NFC coil.

[0042] Optionally, the positioning module is arranged close to the top shell, and the shell 13 is a non-metallic shell. This arrangement makes it possible for there to be no metal shielding between the positioning module 15 and the electronic price tag, thereby reducing the situation of multipath interference.

[0043] Optionally, with continued reference to FIG. 2 to FIG. 4 , the price tag base station further includes a standard communication module 14 , which includes a second radio frequency module, and the second radio frequency module is disposed inside the housing 13 .

[0044] The standard communication module 14 is configured to communicate with a mobile device, such as a mobile phone. Based on instructions from the mobile device, the standard communication module 14 can transmit electronic price tag information acquired by the price tag communication module to the mobile device; or, based on instructions from the mobile device, send instructions to the electronic price tag via the price tag communication module. The standard communication module 14 includes a second RF module and at least one second antenna 141, which is connected to the second antenna 141. The second RF module may include a matching circuit, an RF receiving unit, an analog-to-digital / digital-to-analog conversion unit, a digital processing and control unit, a power supply, and a crystal oscillator. The functions and operating principles of these various units are well known to those skilled in the art and will not be described in detail here. This embodiment integrates the standard communication module 14 into the price tag base station, further diversifying the functionality of the price tag base station and expanding its application scenarios. The form of the second antenna 141 is not limited. For example, if the standard module 14 includes a Wi-Fi module, a single second antenna 141 can cover all Wi-Fi operating frequency bands, or a combination of several second antennas 141 can cover all Wi-Fi operating frequency bands. In addition, multiple input multiple output (MIMO) technology may also be used. The operating frequency band and radiation direction of the second antenna 141 may be set according to the application scenario of the price tag base station.

[0045] Optionally, the standard communication module 14 may include at least one of a WIFI module, a Bluetooth module, a Zigbee module, a NB-IOT module, a 2G module, a 3G module, a 4G module and a 5G module.

[0046] Optionally, the second antenna 141 may be in the form of a PCB, an FPC, a steel sheet, or a winding wire.

[0047] Optionally, the second antenna 141 and the second radio frequency module may be connected via a coaxial line, a microstrip line, or a coplanar waveguide.

[0048] Optionally, one or more of a capacitor, an inductor, a resistor, a balun and a filter may be connected between the second RF module and the second antenna 141 to achieve impedance matching.

[0049] Optionally, the standard communication module can also improve the RF transceiver performance by setting a power amplifier and a low noise amplifier.

[0050] Optionally, when one second RF module is connected to a plurality of second antennas 141 , a combiner or a RF switch may be provided between the second RF module and the second antenna 141 .

[0051] Optionally, with continued reference to FIG. 2 to FIG. 4 , the first antenna 111 of the price tag communication module 11 and the second antenna 141 of the standard communication module 14 are alternately distributed on the side wall of the housing 13 .

[0052] There are many antennas integrated in the price tag base station, and multiple antennas may interfere with each other. In this embodiment, the first antenna 111 and the second antenna 141 are arranged alternately, and the distance between different first antennas 111 is relatively far, and the isolation is relatively high when working; and the interval between different second antennas 141 is also relatively far, and the isolation is also relatively high when working. Therefore, the setting of this embodiment can make the isolation between the antennas relatively high, and the interference during operation is relatively weak. In addition, the first antenna 111 and the second antenna 141 are closer to the side wall of the shell 13, that is, closer to the outside of the price tag base station, which means that the distance to the electronic price tag is closer, which can better communicate with the electronic price tag. The first antenna 111 and the second antenna 141 are fixed to the shell 13. The first antenna 111 can be inside or outside the shell 13; in addition, the second antenna 141 can be inside or outside the shell 13.

[0053] In addition, based on the above embodiment, the first antenna 111 and the second antenna 141 may be evenly distributed on the side wall of the housing 13 .

[0054] Optionally, the working mode of the price tag communication module includes time division multiplexing, frequency division multiplexing or code division multiplexing; the working mode of the standard communication module includes time division multiplexing, frequency division multiplexing or code division multiplexing.

[0055] To avoid mutual interference, multiple antennas in the price tag base station can be multiplexed by time division multiplexing, frequency division multiplexing, or code division multiplexing. Of course, in some implementations, different antennas can also be controlled to operate in different polarization modes to avoid interference.

[0056] Optionally, referring to FIG. 4 , the price tag base station further includes a mainboard 20 , which is disposed inside the housing 13 ; the first radio frequency module and the NFC module are integrated on the mainboard 20 .

[0057] The mainboard 20 can be a PCB. The NFC module is fully integrated on the mainboard. The positioning module 15 is independent of the mainboard 20. For the standard communication module and the price tag communication module, the respective RF modules are integrated on the mainboard 20, while the antennas are external to the mainboard 20. The provision of the mainboard 20 improves the integration of the price tag base station, reduces its size, and lowers its cost.

[0058] Based on the above embodiment, the positioning module 15 can optionally be disposed between the mainboard 20 and the top shell of the housing. In other words, the mainboard 12 is located on the side of the positioning module 15 away from the top shell of the housing. The mainboard 12 does not affect the signal transmission and reception of the positioning antenna array in the positioning module 15, thereby ensuring the stability of the positioning module 15.

[0059] It should be understood that the various forms of the processes shown above can be used to reorder, add, or delete steps. For example, the multiple steps described in this application can be performed in parallel, sequentially, or in a different order, as long as the desired results of the technical solution of this application can be achieved. This is not limited herein.

Claims

1. A price tag base station, comprising a housing and a price tag communication module, wherein the price tag communication module is configured to communicate with an electronic price tag; the price tag communication module includes a first radio frequency module, which is disposed within the housing; The price tag base station further includes a near field communication (NFC) module, which is disposed inside the housing.

2. The price tag base station according to claim 1, further comprising a positioning module, wherein the positioning module is disposed inside the housing; The NFC module includes an NFC coil, and along a direction perpendicular to the top shell of the housing, an orthographic projection of the NFC coil is staggered with an orthographic projection of the positioning module.

3. The price tag base station according to claim 2, wherein: The positioning module includes a third antenna, which is a positioning antenna array.

4. The price tag base station according to claim 1, further comprising a standard communication module, wherein the standard communication module comprises a second radio frequency module, and the second radio frequency module is disposed inside the housing.

5. The price tag base station according to claim 4, wherein: The price tag communication module further includes at least one first antenna, and the standard communication module further includes at least one second antenna; the first antenna and the second antenna are alternately distributed on the side wall of the housing.

6. The price tag base station according to claim 4, wherein: The standard communication module also includes at least one of a WIFI module, a Bluetooth module, a Zigbee module, a narrowband Internet of Things NB-IOT module, a 2G module, a 3G module, a 4G module and a 5G module.

7. The price tag base station according to claim 4, wherein: The working mode of the price tag communication module includes time division multiplexing, frequency division multiplexing or code division multiplexing; the working mode of the standard communication module includes time division multiplexing, frequency division multiplexing or code division multiplexing.

8. The price tag base station according to claim 1, further comprising a mainboard, wherein the mainboard is disposed inside the housing; and the first RF module and the NFC module are integrated on the mainboard.

9. The price tag base station according to claim 8, further comprising a positioning module, wherein the positioning module is disposed inside the housing; The positioning module is arranged between the mainboard and the top shell of the housing.

10. The price tag base station according to claim 1, wherein: The shell is a non-metal shell.

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