Electronic shelf label system with contactless shelf label energy supply and / or data supply

Abstract

The invention relates to a shelf rail for an electronic shelf label system, wherein the shelf rail has a first fastening structure for fastening at least one electronic shelf label, in particular an electronic shelf label indicator, which can be supplied with energy in a contactless manner, wherein the first fastening structure has a wall extending between a head region and a foot region of the shelf rail with a wall front side and a wall rear side, the wall with its wall front side being used to define a shelf label plane for positioning the at least one shelf label along the wall, and wherein the shelf rail has at least one second fastening structure, in particular tubular or channel-shaped, at the wall rear side for fastening at least one conductor loop in the conductor loop plane, wherein the conductor loop plane is oriented parallel to the shelf label plane and extends at a first defined distance from the shelf label plane, and wherein the shelf rail has a third fastening structure for fastening a conductive structure, in particular of planar design, at a second defined distance from the conductor loop plane.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an electronic shelf label system, wherein the electronic shelf label system is provided with energy supply to the electronic shelf label via a shelf track. Background Art

[0002] An electronic shelf label system with energy supply via a shelf rail is known, for example, from the international patent application WO 2017 / 153481 A1, which is used to indicate information by means of an electronic shelf label indicator, hereinafter referred to as an ESL system, where ESL stands for "Electronic Shelf Label". In this known ESL system, the shelf rail on which the ESL is installed is equipped with an electrical conductor circuit, which is connected to a power supply device for supplying power to the ESL. The ESL has a resilient contact on its rear side, with which the conductor circuit contacts in order to electrically connect the ESL to the power supply device.

[0003] However, the known energy supply is relatively expensive, since a plurality of, in particular, separate mechanical components need to be provided in each ESL and in each rack rail. These mechanical components are subject to natural wear. In addition, the mechanical components may become contaminated or even damaged in the case of improper handling. This may lead to malfunctions during operation. The mechanical components are also accompanied by significant additional costs in production, as well as in maintenance, which is necessary to avoid the problems mentioned during operation. In addition, in the known systems there is the limitation that the ESL cannot be freely positioned or moved along the rack rail. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present invention has been addressed to the task of providing an improved ESL system in which the aforementioned problems are overcome.

[0005] This object is achieved by a shelf rail for an electronic shelf label system, wherein the shelf rail has a first fastening structure for fastening at least one electronic shelf label, in particular an electronic shelf label indicator, which can be supplied with energy in a contactless manner, wherein the first fastening structure has a wall extending between a head region and a foot region of the shelf rail with a wall front side and a wall rear side, the wall with its wall front side being used to define a shelf label plane, the shelf label plane being used to position the at least one shelf label along the wall, and wherein the shelf rail has at least one second fastening structure, in particular tubular or channel-shaped, at the wall rear side for fastening at least one conductor loop in the conductor loop plane, wherein the conductor loop plane is oriented parallel to the shelf label plane and extends at a first defined distance from the shelf label plane, and wherein the shelf rail has a third fastening structure for fastening a conductive structure, in particular flat, at a second defined distance from the conductor loop plane.

[0006] The object is also achieved by an electronic shelf label system, comprising at least one shelf rail according to the invention and at least one electronic shelf label, the electronic shelf label being fastened to the shelf label plane by means of a first fastening structure, the electronic shelf label system having a first electronic circuit connected to a coupling coil for its contactless energy supply, the electronic shelf label system having at least one conductor loop fastened in the conductor loop plane by means of a second fastening structure, and the electronic shelf label system having a supply device inserted into the shelf rail and electrically conductively connected to the at least one conductor loop via its conductor loop connections, wherein the supply device has a second electronic circuit for generating an alternating field for the purpose of establishing an inductive coupling between the conductor loop of the shelf label and the coupling coil, and the electronic shelf label system having a conductive structure fastened by means of a third fastening structure, wherein the second electronic circuit is electronically adapted to environmental conditions specified by the conductive structure.

[0007] The measures according to the invention provide the advantage that the energy supply of the shelf tags is completely free of mechanical contact and the problems associated therewith. The system can therefore be manufactured more cost-effectively and can be operated virtually maintenance-free due to the avoidance of particularly repair-prone mechanical components.

[0008] The shelf rail according to the invention is an essential element here, since it ensures the accuracy of the positioning of the shelf tag with respect to the conductor loop, which is necessary for the contactless power supply of the shelf tag, in which the shelf rail determines the shelf tag plane and the conductor loop plane and the orientation of the planes relative to each other on the one hand and accurately predetermines the first distance existing therebetween on the other hand. These parameters (parameter ranges) have been identified by the applicant as being important in order to ensure the contactless power supply of the shelf tag and subsequently also to carry out contactless communication with the shelf tag supplied with power in a contactless manner.

[0009] Furthermore, the applicant has determined that the surroundings of the shelf rail have a non-negligible influence on the quality of the contactless energy supply and also on the quality of the contactless communication. This influence can be summarized under the term "metal load", which occurs during the use of shelf tags, for example due to metal boxes or other metal objects located on the shelf bottom, at the front edge of which the shelf rail is fastened. However, the shelf itself also contributes to the metal load, which can vary from shelf to shelf in the business premises.

[0010] It should be noted here that for contactless energy supply, an antenna configuration is used on the upper side of the second electronic circuit of the supply device, which antenna configuration has at least a conductor loop and an adaptation network connected to the conductor loop, wherein the conductor loop together with the adaptation network forms an antenna oscillation circuit of the supply device. In the case of connection with the adaptation network, the second electronic circuit also has another electronic component, which is necessary for realizing contactless energy transmission. This other component can be of analog and / or digital nature. For example, the other component can have an EMV filter (EMV here means "electromagnetic compatibility") and an RFID or NFC reader IC in an implementation based on an RFID or NFC reader. Here, a magnetic alternating field is used for inductive coupling with a shelf tag.

[0011] The inductive coupling of the conductor loop of the supply device with the coupling coil of the shelf tag results in a change in the quality of the oscillating loop, wherein this quality has an influence primarily on the energy transmission range and the bandwidth of the data transmission. If environmental influences, such as the metal load in question, are negligible, then an adaptation network of the second electronic circuit of the supply device coordinated with the influence of the first electronic circuit of the shelf tag can achieve essentially ideal conditions, so that energy transmission and data transmission can be carried out without problems.

[0012] Since, however, in reality, in the spatiality of a supermarket, unforeseeable and also locally different metal loads may often occur, which are not only static but also subject to temporal dynamics (metal objects are added or removed from the shelves or the shelf layout itself changes), this may lead to permanent disturbances in the energy supply of individual shelf tags or entire groups of shelf tags, and thus also to temporary disturbances in the data transmission or even a complete interruption of the data transmission with the relevant shelf tags. Individual coordination of the oscillating circuit to the respective situation during the continuous operation of the shelf tag system will lead to significant additional expenditure in the second electronic circuit, as well as in the planning and practical implementation. From a technical point of view, the proximity of the metal surface and the ground plane to the conductor loop leads to loading and detuning of the load antenna configuration. When the antenna configuration is coupled to the metal surface, eddy currents are induced in the metal and the metal acts like a short circuit in the magnetic field.

[0013] However, the rack rail according to the invention also provides a solution to the problem of unforeseeable metal loads, since the rack rail has a third fastening structure, by means of which the conductive structure - as a planned and therefore foreseeable metal load - can be fastened essentially to the rear side of the rack rail or the rack rail can be fastened to the conductive structure, when the conductive structure is previously fastened, for example, to the rack.

[0014] In the simplest case, the conductive structure can be a metal plate, which can be constructed flat, but it can be realized in particular as a supporting rail made of metal commonly used in the electronics industry. It is particularly advantageous to use a top-hat rail, which is a supporting rail with a hat-like profile. The edge of the top-hat rail that is bent or extended like a brim - the edge produces a hat-like profile - is particularly suitable for mechanical connection to the shelf rail. Printed circuit boards with a large area of ​​metal coating that ideally covers the entire printed circuit board are also feasible. Similarly, plastic plates with metal coatings or plates made of composite materials can be used. In the simplest case, aluminum films can be used as metal coatings, but other metals are also feasible. In addition, the conductive structure does not have to be constructed in an all-round manner. It is also possible to set a strip-shaped, grid-shaped or mesh-shaped structural structure, which can then be constructed or integrated in the coating or the entire supporting structure of the conductive structure.

[0015] Unlike unforeseeable metallic loads, which must be taken into account, for example, in the spatial conditions of a supermarket, the conductive structure now results in a predetermined, i.e. defined, load of the oscillating circuit, which is essentially the same for all installed shelf rails and to which the adaptation network can now be easily adapted in order to ensure reliable operation via the energy supply and subsequently also data transmission. The necessary adaptation of the oscillating circuit can be implemented in the circuit design or already at the factory, so that no subsequent interventions and changes in the adaptation are necessary.

[0016] By means of the conductive structure which is held at a defined second distance from the conductor loop plane, damping for the oscillating loop is thus intentionally taken up, however with the advantage that the shelf rail is essentially shielded from its surroundings and its contactless operation can be carried out independently of or essentially decoupled from the background of metallic loads which are present, for example, in supermarkets.

[0017] A detailed description of the material of the conductive part of the conductive structure or of the conductive properties in general is not necessary either, since it is sufficient in principle that the conductive structure has such a conductive capacity that its influence on the oscillating circuit is dominant compared to other metallic loads in the surroundings of the rack rail and that the oscillating circuit can therefore be adapted to the dominant damping or load. This results in a defined space that is limited by the surroundings and its now negligibly small variable damping (caused by, for example, the metal product) due to the constant defined damping (caused by the conductive structure). The background caused by other metallic loads can therefore be ignored.

[0018] In summary, the measures according to the invention ensure that contactless shelf tags can be operated on shelf rails. For this purpose, the prescribed geometric framework conditions, such as those in terms of transmission technology, are achieved, wherein only in such a combination is reliable operation guaranteed.

[0019] In addition, other particularly advantageous designs and improvements of the present invention are obtained from the dependent claims and the description below. Here, the features of a claim type can be further improved according to the features of other claim types, so that the effects and advantages proposed in conjunction with the claim type also exist for other claim types.

[0020] The wall can then be configured, for example, in a full-body configuration. However, the wall can also be configured perforated, such as, for example, perforated in strips or in a net, or have round holes or wall openings and the like shaped in another way, in order, for example, to save wall material.

[0021] According to another aspect of the fastening of the conductive structure, the third fastening structure can be designed such that the conductive structure can be accommodated at a height that covers at least the entire conductor loop, in particular at a height that corresponds approximately to the height of the wall measured between the head region and the foot region of the shelf rail. This allows for substantially full-scale shielding of all transmission-related components, such as, for example, the conductor loop itself and also components formed on the shelf label that is fastened to the shelf rail.

[0022] It is also advantageous if the third fastening structure has two partial structures between which the conductive structure can be accommodated, wherein the first partial structure extends along the head region of the shelf rail and the second partial structure extends along the foot region of the shelf rail. This allows the use of conductive structures that substantially cover a large part of the rear side of the shelf rail and allows a friction-locking connection between the conductive structures at their upper and lower edges, i.e. at their outer edges, to the shelf labels.

[0023] Another aspect relates to methods and means for connecting a shelf tag to a shelf rail, wherein the third fastening structure can be designed along the length of the shelf rail in such a way that the conductive structure can be pushed laterally into the shelf rail or the conductive structure can snap into the third fastening structure at its outer edge. In the second case, either the conductive structure itself or the shelf rail must be plastically deformable to a corresponding extent in order to enable snapping.

[0024] It has proven to be particularly advantageous if the third fastening structure is designed to accommodate a plate-shaped conductive structure, in particular one having a flanged edge. The conductive structure can be the aforementioned support rail or top-hat rail, wherein the third fastening structure must of course have a corresponding design for (permanent) non-positive interaction with the flanged edge of the top-hat rail.

[0025] In order to achieve large-area shielding of unknown metal loads behind the rack rail, it has proven to be advantageous if the third fastening structure is designed to accommodate the conductive structure along the entire conductor loop, particularly preferably along the entire rack rail. In particular, a conductive structure that substantially covers a large part of the height of the rear side of the rack rail and also covers a large part of the length of the rack rail where the conductor loop runs, provides optimal shielding against unknown metal loads. If a top-hat rail is used as the conductive structure, it can be advantageous from a shielding perspective if the edge of the flange of the top-hat rail is oriented toward the conductor loop, in particular including the orientation of the conductor loop toward the head region and the foot region, which further improves the shielding.

[0026] Electronic shelf labels for shelf rails can provide various functionalities or fulfill functions. The shelf labels can be configured or correspondingly designed, for example, for detecting environmental parameters, such as for temperature detection or moisture detection, or as input elements for receiving user input interactions (such as fingerprint capture or keystrokes), or as indicator media for displaying information to users, i.e., as shelf label indicators. In each case, the shelf labels are designed in such a way that they can be installed on the actual shelf rails and supplied with energy there in the method and manner described in detail below.

[0027] The shelf tag can have a proprietary interface for energy transmission, which can be used only for this purpose. Preferably, however, the shelf tag has a standardized energy transmission interface, which can be constructed, for example, according to the RFID standard (RFID stands for radio frequency identification, and applicable standards are, for example, ISO / IEC 18000, etc.). However, it is particularly preferred that the shelf tag has an NFC interface for its contactless energy supply. This results in the following advantage: the NFC interface is not only used for local energy transmission at the shelf or at the shelf rail, but can also be used directly there for bidirectional contactless communication. Therefore, problems caused by other radio systems in the store, especially in radio communication, are avoided, because these other radio systems are usually located far away from the shelf where the shelf tag is installed, and therefore have little or no influence on the local energy transmission, such as communication between communication partners directly at the shelf rail that are also closely positioned to each other. NFC here stands for near field communication, and applicable standards are, for example, ISO / IEC 13157, -16353, -22536, -28361, etc.

[0028] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first electronic circuit together with its coupling coil realizes a first NFC interface of the shelf tag, and the second electronic circuit together with the conductor loop connected thereto realizes a second NFC interface of the supply device. In this case, the supply device has the functionality of an NFC reader, i.e., a reader, and the shelf tag has the functionality of a transponder with NFC functionality.

[0029] When configured as a shelf label indicator, the shelf label can have an energy-saving indicator unit, such as an LCD indicator, for example. However, in particular, the technology used is based on electronic ink technology or electronic paper technology. Such an indicator unit has a reflective display screen, which is also called an electronic paper display, abbreviated EPD in the jargon and is also called "e-paper" or "e-ink" in English by means of the abbreviation "E-Papier" for "electronic paper (elektronischem Papier)". These concepts basically represent the principle of an electrophoretic indicator, in which, for example, positively charged white particles and negatively charged black particles are contained in a transparent viscous polymer. By applying a voltage to the electrodes for a short time, between which a medium composed of particles and polymers is arranged, either the black particles are placed in front of the white particles or vice versa in the viewing direction. This arrangement is then maintained for a relatively long time (for example, several weeks) without additional energy supply. If the indicator is segmented accordingly, it is possible to realize, for example, letters, numbers or images with relatively high resolution to indicate the mentioned information. However, such reflective display screens can also be realized with the aid of other technologies, which are known, for example, under the term "electrowetting" or "MEMS". The display screen can, for example, be designed, as mentioned, for black and white display, for grayscale display, for black and white red or for black and white yellow display. Future developments should also be included, which can realize full-color or multi-color display. Such display screens are quite generally reflective, i.e. passive, non-self-luminous display screens, in which the information display - relatively static - is based on the following situation: light generated by an external (artificial or natural) light source is irradiated onto the display screen and reflected from there to the observer.

[0030] The indicating unit is supplied with energy on the one hand and data on the other hand by means of the first NFC interface, which data can represent commands for controlling the indicating unit or picture content. The data mentioned during the energy supply via the NFC interface can also be transmitted via the NFC interface, which data are processed by the indicating unit in such a way that the picture content of its display is changed. After the change of the picture content is completed, the indicating unit can also output corresponding status information via the NFC interface, which status information represents the successful change of the picture content. After the change of the picture content is completed and, if necessary, also after the output of the status information, the energy supply via the NFC interface can be terminated, after which the picture content of the display remains unchanged until the next desired change.

[0031] The use of the mentioned technology allows in particular the realization of shelf labels, in particular the construction as shelf label indicators, without the need for a separate energy supply device, such as, for example, batteries or accumulators, both of which are relatively expensive. Conventional shelf labels also have to be constructed for the purpose of repairing or updating the batteries or accumulators in such a way that the energy storage device can be replaced. If necessary, only one capacitor or several capacitors are used in the shelf label for short-term, temporary smoothing or stabilization of the internal supply voltage. The shelf label is thus constructed in such a way that its electronic components, in particular its electronic control device, for communication or for updating the display content or for receiving user interactions or for detecting environmental parameters are always activated only when they are supplied with the help of an external electronic supply device. The housing can be completely and permanently encapsulated, because it is no longer necessary to replace the energy storage device, so that it can only be opened for recycling purposes (for example, using special tools).

[0032] Thus, a shelf label can be realized which is reduced to a few, absolutely necessary electronic components and is therefore also extremely advantageous. Such an extremely simplified shelf label only needs to have basic functionality, such as, for example, standardized NFC communication with standardized energy supply during the NFC communication, which can be realized with the aid of commercially available NFC modules. The display of the energy-saving indicator unit is updated and the status report is not directly performed by the shelf label indicator in the communication with the access point - as is the case in known systems - but by an intermediate supply device, which itself is in contact with the access point via a suitable (and essentially freely selectable) communication method, which is discussed in detail below. The same applies in an analogous manner to the other mentioned possible functionalities of the shelf label.

[0033] The supply unit is designed to transmit energy for supplying a shelf tag, which is mounted on the shelf rail corresponding to the conductor loop, to the shelf tag in a contactless manner by means of the conductor loop. "Contactless" here means that this is achieved by means of an inductive coupling between two adjacently positioned conductor loops or coils. The shelf tag can then also have a conductor loop, which consists of a single loop or a plurality of turns, i.e. a coil (as mentioned, referred to as a coupling coil). In addition, "corresponding to" means that the shelf tag is positioned adjacent to the surface spanned by the conductor loop and is positioned there substantially within the area defined by the conductor loop. The conductor loop itself can be designed, for example, to be visible in the plane of the shelf rail or be concealed or covered by a protective material strip (here referred to as a wall).

[0034] In order to ensure a secure fastening of the shelf label to the shelf rail, it is advantageous if the first fastening structure of the shelf rail has, in addition to the wall, a first fastening groove formed at the head region and extending along the head region and a second fastening groove formed at the foot region and extending along the foot region, and the fastening grooves are designed in such a way that the shelf label can be inserted into the fastening grooves with its fastening elements in a locking manner and the rear wall of the shelf label can be positioned in an abutting manner on the shelf label plane. Preferably, the two fastening grooves extend parallel to each other. The shelf label can have a rail or a strip as a fastening element corresponding to the position of the fastening grooves on the housing of the shelf label or the spacing between them, which rail or strip can be inserted into the fastening groove or can snap into place there. The shelf label can thus be freely selectively positioned along the shelf rail and even moved if necessary.

[0035] The design or size and positioning of the fastening element is preferably selected such that, when a shelf label is inserted into the shelf rail, the rear side of the shelf label lies flat against the shelf label plane or is positioned only a few tenths of a millimeter away from the shelf label plane.

[0036] It is advantageous here if the shelf tag has a printed circuit board which essentially forms its rear side, on which the coupling coil is formed. This allows the coupling coil to be positioned as close as possible to the conductor loop at a defined distance from the conductor loop. This results in an optimized, defined and particularly reproducible geometric relationship which is conducive to reliable contactless operation.

[0037] In such a design of the shelf label, in order to protect the printed circuit board or the coupling coil positioned there, it is advantageous if at least one outwardly directed side of the printed circuit board is coated with lacquer or a thin adhesive label, preferably in a protective manner against electrostatic discharge.

[0038] If the shelf label is thus inserted into the shelf rail, the conductor loop or coupling coil installed in the shelf label is automatically located in a region that can be used for inductive coupling between two conductor loops or coils positioned next to each other. Preferably, in the case of a shelf label inserted into the shelf rail, the surfaces spanned by the two conductor loops or coils (on the one hand belonging to the shelf rail and on the other hand belonging to the shelf label) are oriented parallel to each other, since the shelf label plane and the conductor loop plane are also oriented parallel to each other and are positioned at a distance of less than one millimeter up to several millimeters. In order not to hinder the inductive coupling, the shelf rail itself is made of a suitable material, preferably plastic.

[0039] The circumference of the conductor loop of the shelf rail can extend, for example, along the entire length of the shelf rail and the entire height of the shelf rail. Preferably, however, the surface spanned by the conductor loop is slightly smaller than the surface of its front side that is determined by the physical dimensions of the shelf rail. Preferably, at least one conductor loop is integrated into the wall of the shelf rail by means of a second fastening structure in such a way that, in the case of an inserted shelf label, the conductor loop extends in correspondence with (adjacent to) the rear wall of the shelf label, in particular adjacent to the position of the coupling coil of the shelf label. To realize the conductor loop, a single winding conductor circuit or a conductor circuit that is wound multiple times in a coiled manner, i.e., a conductor circuit with a plurality of turns, can be provided. The conductor loop has a loop connection at each of its two ends. The two loop connections are provided for contacting with a supply device and are accordingly easily accessible for this purpose.

[0040] In the described configuration, the conductor loop can also be realized by means of a wire.

[0041] Preferably, the second fastening structure has two tubes, each with open ends, which extend adjacent to each other at a third spacing of, in particular, about 1 cm and in the longitudinal direction of the rack rail, and are designed in such a way that a conductor that implements a conductor loop can be inserted into the tubes, so that the conductor connects the two tubes at one end region of the rack rail and can easily reach the conductor loop connection of the conductor loop for its contact at the other end region of the rack rail. The two tubes can be designed in such a way that they clamp the conductor in a substantially form-fitting manner so that the conductor is held relatively precisely in its target position and can nevertheless be easily inserted or removed. In this design, the conductor loop can consist of at least three substantially rectilinear sections.

[0042] Preferably, the tube has a diameter of slightly less than 1 mm and the conductor diameter is adapted accordingly thereto, so that the conductor can be introduced into the tube without problems.

[0043] The shelf rail can be equipped with a single conductor loop. However, it can also be advantageous to construct a plurality of conductor loops along the longitudinal extension of the shelf rail, each conductor loop itself being coupled to a supply unit (as mentioned), and the supply unit being configured for selective energy transmission by means of each of the conductor loops. This can realize an optional energy supply for a single shelf label or a group of shelf labels. Depending on the implementation, for example, 2 or 3 or up to 15 or even significantly more conductor loops can be realized along the shelf rail. These conductor loops are positioned side by side along the longitudinal extension of the shelf rail, and their respective two loop connections are guided along the shelf rail toward the supply device and are connected there to the shelf rail in an electrically conductive manner. The longitudinal extension of the area shielded by the corresponding conductor loop at the shelf rail can be the same for all conductor loops. Thus, a plurality of closely adjacent areas can be specified along the shelf rail, the corresponding longitudinal extension of which is oriented at the longitudinal extension of the shelf label used at the shelf rail, wherein the longitudinal extension is usually several centimeters, such as, for example, 8-12 cm. This can realize a separate (selective) inductive coupling with each single shelf label at (almost) any position along the shelf rail. This is advantageous if the positioning of the shelf tags should be as flexible as possible and if an inductive coupling should nevertheless be possible with each shelf tag as individually as possible. However, it is also possible to provide a larger area in which a plurality of shelf tags can then be located, which can then be inductively coupled together with the associated conductor loops. This configuration can be used when the exact position of the respective shelf tags is not important. This situation arises, for example, if a plurality of identical products are placed on a shelf over a longer section or the entire length of the shelf and the same information about these products is always displayed by a plurality of shelf tag indicators placed at greater distances from one another along the longitudinal extension of the shelf rail. However, mixed configurations consisting of relatively short areas and relatively long areas can also exist along the shelf rail.

[0044] The conductor loops can all be used together, i.e. simultaneously, for the energy transmission of the supply device. However, this means a correspondingly complex design for the electronics of the supply device. Therefore, it has proven to be particularly advantageous if the supply unit is designed for multiplexing of the energy transmission through the conductor loops. In this case, only one single conductor loop is always used for the energy transmission, which conductor loop is selected electronically.

[0045] As already discussed in a similar manner in conjunction with the shelf tags, the supply device can be designed differently with regard to its interface suitable for energy transmission. Preferably, however, the supply unit is designed as a second NFC interface for contactless energy supply of the shelf tags, wherein at least one conductor loop is a component of the NFC interface intended for contactless energy transmission (such as also for contactless communication).

[0046] Quite generally, it should be established here that the conductor loop thus realizes an inductance which is used for inductive coupling with a corresponding inductance on the side of the shelf label.

[0047] In addition, at least one conductor loop can be integrated into the shelf rail or fastened thereto by means of a second fastening structure. Integration into the shelf rail is advantageous when the shelf rail is made of plastic, for example, and the conductor loop is already integrated there during, for example, injection molding, i.e., during the processing of the shelf rail. However, the conductor loop can also be fastened to the surface of the wall of the shelf rail, for example, by bonding. In particular, when a plurality of conductor loops arranged side by side are required and correspondingly a large number of pipes (Zuleitungen) should also be taken into account, it has been found to be advantageous to construct one or more conductor loops on a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board can then be integrated into the shelf rail or fastened thereto as its own component. The shelf rail can also be constructed in such a way that the printed circuit board can be replaced, so that in the planning of shelves with various conductor loop configurations, it is easy to respond to various required shapes, which conductor loop configurations can be realized, for example, on a single printed circuit board or on different printed circuit boards. The shelf rail itself can also have a conductor loop receptacle. The conductor loop receptacle can be designed in such a way that it is positioned, for example, at the front side of the shelf rail, i.e., at a position where the rear side of the shelf label, when fastened to the shelf rail, is positioned as close to the shelf rail as possible. However, the conductor loop receptacle can also extend, corresponding to the area of ​​the shelf rail where the shelf label can be mounted, at the rear side of the shelf rail, in particular at the rear side of the wall of the shelf rail, which can bring about better accessibility of the conductor loop for maintenance purposes or ensure unparalleled protection against damage. Ultimately, the conductor loop is also hidden there from the sight of the supermarket customers. Structurally, the conductor loop receptacle can be realized, for example, by a slot-shaped or channel-shaped deepening or, as mentioned, a tubular formation in the plastic material of the shelf rail, for example, into which the conductor loop is inserted. Thus, the shape of the conductor loop, as well as its exact position, can also be defined as accurately as possible without further measures, such as, for example, the above-mentioned printed circuit board and its positioning. The conductor loop positioned at the rear can also be electrically conductively connected to the electronics of the supply device at virtually any point, regardless of the position of the shelf label positioned at the front on the shelf rail. The deepening can also have snap-in means or fixing means, which fix the conductor loop in its target position. The deepening can also be designed in such a way that it can accommodate a plurality of turns of the conductor loop, wherein these turns can be arranged next to each other and / or one above the other in the deepening.

[0048] When planning or producing the conductor loop, there are no restrictions on the production process for the printed circuit board for integrating the conductor loop receptacle directly into the rack rail (i.e. into its material), and conductor loops can therefore also be realized with lengths that far exceed the lengths for the current printed circuit boards of approximately one meter. It is therefore also entirely possible to realize a conductor loop that extends along the entire rack rail, which can be several meters long.

[0049] It has proven to be particularly advantageous to use just one single electronics supply device per rack rail, which allows a focused energy supply to be achieved only for this rack rail.

[0050] In this context, it has also proven to be particularly advantageous to integrate the electronic supply device into the rack rail or to fasten it thereto. Thus, a rack rail with a personalized electronic energy supply can be realized. Here, the supply device can also be designed, for example, directly on the printed circuit board or connected thereto as a module or mechanically coupled to the rack rail as a module and electrically conductively connected to the conductor loop of the rack rail. As a result, the rack rail can be present as a whole including its supply device and can be put into operation again without problems at another location.

[0051] It has proven to be particularly advantageous if the shelf rail has a fourth fastening structure for fastening a supply device for contactless energy supply to at least one shelf tag using at least one conductor loop, wherein the fourth fastening structure is designed between the second and third fastening structures such that the supply device can be inserted at a (lateral, i.e. left or right) end region of the shelf rail between a wall of the shelf rail and a conductive structure that can be fastened by means of the third fastening structure, so that a conductor loop connection of the conductor loop available there can be brought into contact with the supply device. The conductor loop connection provided for contacting or an additional contact element provided, such as a surface, can be oriented at an angle, in particular 90°, to a portion of the conductor loop that runs in a straight line along the shelf rail. This can contribute to fixing the conductor loop in its target position, in particular to fixing the conductor loop connection in its target position.

[0052] In order to be able to achieve reliable contacting of the conductor loop connection within the shelf rail, i.e. in an environment protected by the shelf rail, it is advantageous if the electronic supply device has a contact element, in particular a resiliently supported contact pin, for establishing an electrically conductive connection to the conductor loop connection, and if the contact element is positioned such that it contacts the conductor loop connection when the conductor loop and the supply device are located in their target position in the shelf rail.

[0053] On the one hand, this allows for a simple assembly of the rack rail with the associated supply device, wherein the laterally positioned supply device can at the same time laterally close the rack rail with its housing and, if necessary, can be connected there to further electronic devices by means of cables, without requiring additional openings at the rack rail for the passage of cables. Positioning the supply device at the edge of the rack rail has also proven to be advantageous in cases where the supply device is to be contactable by radio technology. The supply device can then be positioned, for example, protruding from the rack rail by a few millimeters up to approximately one centimeter, so that the part protruding from the rack rail is no longer shielded by the conductive structure and can therefore be unhindered in terms of transmitting radio signals using the radio module integrated there.

[0054] The energy supply of the supply device can be realized in different ways. The supply device can then be realized, for example, by an Ethernet cable, which connects the supply device to other communication devices, wherein the supply voltage is also provided via the Ethernet cable. However, it is also possible to provide a separate supply station (for example a power grid device) for the energy supply of the electronic supply device. Particularly preferably for the entire shelf, in particular for the shelves in groups, the supply station preferably supplies the electronic supply devices in groups. This allows the modular construction of the supply infrastructure for a single shelf or for geographically or thematically classified groups of shelves, or allows the number of supply stations to be reduced only to the necessary minimum.

[0055] However, it is particularly preferred that the electronic supply device is designed to be able to supply energy in a radio-based manner, and the supply station itself is designed as a radio energy source for the electronic supply device, which is particularly directed and based on radio energy supply. With the help of the supply station, a contactless and targeted energy transmission to the supply device is thus achieved. This can realize a basically wireless supply infrastructure for shelf tags fastened to the shelf rails on the one hand and a basically wireless supply infrastructure for supply devices provided for supplying shelf tags on the other hand. In fact, the installer of the system saves wiring between the actual energy source and the corresponding shelf. This situation can realize a basically freely selectable positioning of the shelves in the store, as well as a freely selectable and simple positioning of the shelf rails at various shelves, as well as the replacement of the shelf rails between shelves. This type of energy transmission is also known under the concept of "power supply via WiFi" as the underlying technology. A radio energy source equipped with this technology can be installed, for example, on the ceiling of a business premises and selectively supply the supply device assigned there to the corresponding shelf rail and determined in the range of up to a maximum of 10 meters by means of a powerful, i.e. focused radio signal directed to the supply device.

[0056] Furthermore, the electronic supply device can also be designed for contactless communication with the shelf tag using a technology that also uses energy transmission to the shelf tag. Preferably, the already mentioned NFC technology is used here again. This allows the available electronic components to be used as optimally as possible within a relatively short distance both for contactless energy transmission and for contactless communication, as is the case with shelf tags that are fastened to the shelf rail.

[0057] In addition to the NFC interface provided for communicating with the shelf tags, the supply device also has another interface, which is intended for communicating with the access point. This other interface can be configured for radio communication. For radio communication with the access point, a time slot communication method can be used, in particular a proprietary time slot communication method as known from WO 2015 / 124197, pages 2 to 4, the specific disclosure of which is incorporated by reference ("incorporated by reference"). However, for radio communication, a communication protocol based on standards or specifications such as ZigBee, Bluetooth or WiFi can also be used. However, the second interface can also be configured for wired communication, so that communication can be achieved via an Ethernet cable. As mentioned, the required supply voltage can also be supplied via the Ethernet cable, which is known in professional circles under the concept of "Power over Ethernet", abbreviated to "PoE".

[0058] From a communication technology perspective, the supply device thus forms a kind of “gateway” for the entirety of the shelf labels mounted on the associated shelf rails.

[0059] The access point serves as a higher-level interface between the shelf tags of the IT infrastructure that controls the shelf tags, such as a server with corresponding software applications and the like. Typically, in radio-based systems, a group of shelf tags is radio-technically (logically) assigned to such an access point, so that communication with the group of shelf tags takes place exclusively via the access point. A plurality of such access points can be installed in a business location, such as a supermarket, wherein each access point is provided for communicating with the shelf tags logically assigned to the access point, which are located in a geographical (radio-technically realizable) area around the area.

[0060] In addition to this functionality, the access point can also have a supply station which is designed for a targeted, wireless-based energy supply of the electronic supply device.

[0061] In summary, the supply device realizes a combined energy supply device and communication supply device for the shelf tags fastened to the relevant shelf tracks for the relevant shelf tracks. The supply device is therefore configured or constructed for local contactless energy transmission and also local contactless communication with the shelf tags fastened to the shelf tracks. Such a supply device can also be called a shelf track control device or a shelf track controller, because it controls all activities of the shelf tags mounted on the relevant shelf tracks, which includes not only the display method, the communication method but also the corresponding energy supply. In this case, the conductive structure generates a reproducible environment for all shelf tracks with its damped properties, so that a uniform coordination of the (antenna-) resonant circuit of the supply device is sufficient to perform a contactless energy supply and thus also a contactless communication at various locations in the business premises and under various conditions existing there.

[0062] Furthermore, it has proven to be particularly advantageous if the electronic supply device is designed to receive and transmit a unique identification of the shelf tags participating in the communication for the purpose of determining the position of the relevant shelf tags.

[0063] If a plurality of shelf tags are arranged within a conductor loop of a shelf rail or a plurality of shelf tags are supplied with energy simultaneously via a single conductor loop, then precautions must be taken to ensure that the corresponding identification is received. For this purpose, the shelf tags can be programmed, for example, so that they output their identification at randomly selected times (once or more) within a time window in order to ensure individualized reception for the supply device. Likewise, in the case of this contactless transmission, anti-collision methods, for example known from RFID technology, can be used in order to ensure individualized reception for the supply device.

[0064] In this case, the unambiguous identification is preferably transmitted to a data processing device, such as, for example, a server at the trading location, which carries out the communication with the individual electronic shelf labels.

[0065] The server can also store a logical association between the products displayed on the respective shelves and the shelf label indicators located there, and thus ensure that the respective shelf label indicators display information pertaining to the associated products.

[0066] The server is also informed of the position or extension of the corresponding conductor loop at the shelf rail and is also informed by the supply device together with the identification mark which conductor loop is used for the identification mark of the associated shelf label. Thus, a three-dimensional digital map of the position of all shelf labels in the business premises can also be created. This applies not only to the shelf labels configured for indicating information but also to the other mentioned possible functionalities of the shelf labels in a similar manner.

[0067] Therefore, the present application also discloses a "smart" shelf rail, on which at least one electronic shelf label can be fastened, and the shelf rail has:

[0068] - constructing at least one conductor loop at the rack rail, and

[0069] A supply device is designed for contactless energy supply to at least one shelf tag, wherein a conductor loop is a component of the supply device and is used for contactless energy supply to the shelf tag, which is mounted on the shelf rail in accordance with the conductor loop.

[0070] Preferably, the supply device can be designed for energy supply by means of an NFC interface, as has already been discussed, wherein the conductor loop is a component of the NFC interface.

[0071] The electronics of the various devices of the system, as well as their interfaces etc., can be realized by means of various passive as well as active electronic components, either discretely or integrated. Preferably, microprocessors or microcontrollers with corresponding peripheral components are also used here, on which software is executed to provide the various functionalities. So-called ASICs (Application-Specific Integrated Circuits) can also be used.

[0072] These and further aspects of the invention are apparent from the accompanying drawings discussed hereinafter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0073] The present invention is explained again in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings according to an embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiment. Here, the same components are provided with the same reference numerals in different figures. It is shown in a schematic manner:

[0074] Figure 1 An electronic shelf label system according to the present invention is shown according to a first embodiment;

[0075] Figure 2 A block diagram of a shelf label indicator is shown;

[0076] Figure 3 A block diagram of a rack track with a supply device is shown;

[0077] Figure 4 A second embodiment of a shelf label system is shown;

[0078] Figure 5 A second embodiment of a rack rail is shown;

[0079] Figure 6 A perspective view of a rack track with a supply device is shown;

[0080] Figure 7 Shows that according to Figure 6 A cross section of the view along section AA;

[0081] Figure 8 Shows that according to Figure 6 A cross section of the view along section BB;

[0082] Fig. 9 A view of a rack rail with a supply device only partially inserted is shown;

[0083] Fig.10 The contact element with the supply device is shown Fig. 9 Similar view. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0084] exist Figure 1 , a shelf label system 1 is shown, which comprises a plurality of identically designed electronic shelf labels implemented as shelf label indicators 2, which are fastened to three "intelligent" shelf rails 3 according to the invention. Each shelf rail 3 has an electronic supply device 4, which is inserted laterally into the shelf rail. Likewise, a data processing device is shown, which is implemented by means of a server 5, which is connected in a wired manner to an access point 6, which has two antennas 7, for example. The supply device 4 shown is in radio contact with the access point 6 via a first radio signal F1. Thus, the image content of the shelf label indicator 2 can be changed by the server 5, and if necessary, the associated status information can also be queried from the shelf label indicator 2 and transmitted to the server 5. Each of the shelf rails 3 is mounted on a single shelf bottom 8 at the front edge of the shelf bottom. The three shelf bottoms 8 shown all belong to a shelf 9, which is only indicated very schematically. Different products can be stored on the shelf bottom 8, which products are not shown in the present case.

[0085] In order to supply power to the supply device 4, a separate power supply component 10 assigned to the shelf 9 is provided as a supply station, which converts the AC power supply voltage (e.g. 230 V) of the input side into a DC voltage suitable for the supply device 4 as a first supply voltage VCC1 (e.g. 12 V) compared to the first reference potential GND1. The first supply voltage VCC1 is supplied to the supply device 4 by means of a cable K via its supply terminals N1 and N2.

[0086] The supply devices 4 are schematically shown at the right edge of the rack rail 3, but this is not mandatory. The supply devices can also be located at other locations along the rack rail 3. In the present case, the supply devices 4 are integrated into the rack rail 3, i.e., are installed or inserted in a slot (not shown here, but see Figure 7 )middle.

[0087] also, Figure 1 In each case, an individual conductor loop L is shown which is integrated into the shelf rail 3 and is connected with its two loop connections C to a supply device 4 installed there. The shelf rail 3 carries a shelf label indicator 2 .

[0088] The shelf rail 3 is designed like the shelf label indicator 2 in such a way that the shelf label indicator 2 can be inserted into the shelf rail 3 from the front and locked thereto by a snap mechanism in such a way that the shelf label indicator can only be removed from the shelf rail 3 again with considerable power consumption. At the same time, the mentioned mechanism allows the shelf label indicator 2 to be moved along the shelf rail 3 with only a relatively low power consumption and can therefore be easily placed at any position. A snap mechanism of the type described is known, for example, from WO 2017 / 153481 A1. Figure 2 However, the mechanism can also be constructed in other ways, which will be discussed in detail below.

[0089] In the following, according to Figure 2 Discuss the block diagram of the shelf label indicator 2.

[0090] The block diagram shows a first NFC interface 11 with its coupling coil 12. When the coupling coil 12 is mounted correspondingly close (a few tenths of a millimeter to about 4 millimeters) to the conductor loop L, an inductive coupling can be established with the help of the coupling coil 12 to another NFC-enabled device, in the present case to the supply device 4, specifically to the conductor loop L formed there, which is the case in the case of a shelf label indicator 2 installed at one of the shelf rails 3. During the inductive coupling, a second supply voltage VCC2 (compared to the local second reference potential GND2) is generated by means of the NFC interface 11 for operating the entire shelf label indicator 2, which activates the electronics or first electronic circuit 11A of the shelf label indicator 2, so that a contactless, bidirectional communication of data D can also be performed via its first NFC interface 11. A component of the electronics 11A is also an NFC controller, which provides the entire NFC functionality, which is not shown in detail here, but is integrated into the first NFC interface 11.

[0091] The block diagram also shows an indication unit 13 connected to the first NFC interface 11, which is divided into an electronic paper display controller 14 and an electronic paper display screen 15 that can be controlled thereby. The received data is interpreted by means of the controller 14, and if necessary, the image content of the display screen 15 is changed accordingly, or the status information is output in the form of data D via the first NFC interface 11 to the supply device 4.

[0092] In the following, according to Figure 3 Discussion Figure 1 The block diagram of the shelf track 3, in particular the block diagram of the supply device 4 is also discussed.

[0093] As mentioned, the (first) supply voltage VCC1 required for operation is supplied via the supply terminals N1 and N2. Figure 1 ) but in the case of a direct supply of mains AC voltage, the supply device 4 can also have its own internal mains component 16, which in the present case is indicated by a line break.

[0094] In this case, the rack rail 3 supports the conductor loop L which is fastened directly thereto.

[0095] According to the position of the conductor loop L, Figure 1 The lowest shelf rail of the rack also shows concisely the shelf label indicators 2 located there, in the present case five blocks. Figure 1, also shows the electrical connection of the loop connection C to the supply device 4, in particular to an electronic supply unit, which is implemented as a (second) NFC interface 18 with a second electronic circuit 18A. The second NFC interface 18 also has its own NFC controller (not shown). In the case of inductive coupling with the first NFC interface 11 of the shelf label indicator 2, the second NFC interface 18 is designed for contactless transmission of electrical energy to the shelf label indicator 2 and for bidirectional data communication with the shelf label indicator 2 activated by the energy supply.

[0096] Furthermore, the supply device 4 has an access point communication interface 19 which is designed for radio-based communication with the access point. Figure 1 6. For this purpose, the access point communication interface 19 has electronics (not shown in detail) designed for this purpose and an antenna arrangement 19A which can also include a plurality of antennas. In order to also control internal processes such as the energy supply of the shelf label indicator 2 and the communication with the shelf label indicator 2 and the communication with the access point 6, the supply device 4 has a control unit 20. The control unit 20 is implemented by means of a microcontroller, which is connected to the second NFC interface 18 and the access point communication interface 19 via a bidirectional data bus.

[0097] exist Figure 4 Another embodiment of the system 1 is shown in FIG. Figure 1 The system 1 shown in FIG. 1 lacks the grid component 10. In the present case, the supply of electrical energy to the individual supply devices 4 is achieved by means of a supply transmitter 21 (also referred to as a radio energy source) as a supply station, which is designed to transmit electrical energy to a receiver (i.e. one of the supply devices 4) with a certain transmission power, such as, for example, 5 W, by means of a focused or directed (second) radio signal F2. Such a supply transmitter 21 also has a plurality of antennas 22 (six are shown here), by means of which the direction of the energy transmission (ultimately the propagation of the second radio signal F2) can be set relatively accurately, so that the second radio signal F2 transmitting the energy arrives precisely at the corresponding supply device 4. This energy transmission is known under the term "Power over WiFi".

[0098] In order to be able to utilize this type of energy transfer, Figure 5The supply device 4 used in the embodiment of has a supply receiver 23 suitable for receiving the second radio signal F2, which is equipped with its antenna configuration 24 (the antenna configuration can have multiple antennas) and electronic components (not shown in detail), which are designed to receive the second radio signal F2 and store the energy transmitted thereby in an internal electrical energy storage device 25 (rechargeable battery, storage battery) and thus generate a second supply voltage VCC2 compared to the second reference potential GND2.

[0099] During operation, the supply device 4 can query or monitor the charge state of the energy storage device 25, for example, by means of its control unit 20. As soon as the charge state drops below a certain level, the control unit 20 can request (re)charging by means of a first radio signal F1. This request is received by the access point 6 and can be transmitted directly to the supply transmitter 21 or, if a server 5 is involved, to the supply transmitter 21, depending on the implementation. Since the exact geographical position (three-dimensional coordinate system) and its unambiguous identification of each of the supply devices 4 are known in the system 1 (for example, the server 5), the supply transmitter 21 can send a second radio signal F2 in a precisely directed manner toward the position of the respective supply device 4 requesting charging. The second radio signal F2 is received there and the transmitted energy is used by means of the second radio signal for charging the internal energy storage device 25 there.

[0100] The shelf rail 3 described here is therefore designed for contactless communication with the shelf label indicators 2 mounted thereon and their radio-associated access points 6 and for contactless energy supply in the sense of energy storage for its own operation, i.e. also for energy supply to the corresponding shelf label indicators 2, while the shelf label indicators 2 in question are in a communication state and / or in an updating state of their display 15 or their electronics are generally activated.

[0101] It should also be mentioned at this point that the provisioning transmitter 21 can also be installed in the access point 6 .

[0102] Figure 6 A shelf rail 3 is shown with a shelf label indicator 2 fastened thereto and a supply device 4 inserted laterally into the shelf rail 3. The shelf rail 3 has, by way of example, a length of approximately 3 meters, a height of approximately 4.5 cm and a thickness of 1.2 cm.

[0103] Figure 7 The cross section of the rack rail 3 is shown. Figure 6The section AA indicated in FIG. 1 extends transversely (normal to the front side of the rack rail 3 ) through the rack rail 3 . Figure 6 , the front part of the shelf bottom 8 is also visible, to which the shelf rail 3 is fastened by means of a top-hat rail 26 made of metal. The top-hat rail 26 forms a conductive structure for generating a specified damping ratio for contactless energy transmission from the supply device 4 to the shelf label indicator 2, as well as for contactless communication between the supply device 4 and the shelf label indicator 2. The top-hat rail 26 can be connected to the shelf bottom 8 by gluing, riveting, clamping, plugging or screwing, etc., but this is not discussed in more detail in the figure.

[0104] The shelf rail 3 has a first fastening structure for fastening the shelf label indicator 2. The first fastening structure has a wall 29 extending between a head region 27 and a foot region 28 of the shelf rail 3. Similar to the head region and foot region 27, 28, the wall 29 also extends along the entire shelf rail 3 and forms a shelf label plane at its wall front side oriented toward the shelf label indicator 2, against which the shelf label indicator 2 rests substantially flush with its rear wall. The first fastening structure has, in addition to the wall, a first fastening groove 30 formed at the head region 27 and extending along the head region 27 and a second fastening groove 31 formed at the foot region 28 and extending along the foot region 28. The fastening grooves 30 and 31 are designed such that the shelf label 2 with its fastening elements 32 and 33 can be inserted into the fastening grooves in a locking manner, so that the rear wall of the shelf label 2 is positioned in a resting manner at the shelf label plane. The fastening elements 32 and 33 are positioned and configured and the housing of the shelf tag 2 is dimensioned or shaped accordingly.

[0105] Furthermore, the shelf rail 3 has a second fastening structure for fastening the conductor loop L. The second fastening structure also has a wall 29, wherein two tubes 34 are formed at the rear side of the wall. The two tubes 34 extend approximately along the entire length of the shelf rail 2, pointing parallel to each other and positioned at a defined distance of approximately 1 cm from each other. The two center axes of the tubes define a conductor loop plane, which extends parallel to the shelf label plane at a defined first spacing of approximately 2.5 millimeters. In this case, the wall 29 has a thickness of approximately 2 millimeters and the tubes 34 are at least partially offset into the wall 29, which allows a small spacing between the conductor loop plane and the shelf label plane without unnecessarily impairing the load-bearing capacity of the wall 29.

[0106] Furthermore, the rack rail 3 has a third fastening structure for fastening the top-hat rail 26. The third fastening structure has two parts, which are formed on the one hand on the head side in a suspension device 35 for suspending the rack rail 3 and on the other hand on the foot side in a snap-in lip 36 for snapping in.

[0107] Furthermore, the third fastening structure has a first spacing element 37 positioned near the head region 27 and a second spacing element 38 positioned near the foot region 28. The two spacing elements 37 and 38 serve to fix and maintain the second predetermined spacing of the top-hat rail 26 from the conductor loop plane, wherein here too a substantially parallel orientation of the planar structure of the top-hat rail 26 relative to the conductor loop plane is achieved. The two spacing elements 37 and 38 are oriented substantially at a 90° angle away from the wall rear side and extend from the wall 29 toward the top-hat rail 26, where they touch the top-hat rail 26 and ensure the target position. In the present case, the top-hat rail 26 is positioned at a second spacing of approximately 7 mm from the conductor loop plane. The top-hat rail 26 itself has a thickness of approximately 1 mm. The top-hat rail has a height of approximately 2.5 cm, and subsequently extends thereto on the head side and on the foot side, respectively, with an edge approximately 5 mm long, crimped in a hat-like manner with an amplitude of approximately 3 mm, with which the interaction with the plastic body of the rack rail 3 is achieved. The length of the top-hat rail 26 corresponds approximately to the length of the rack rail 3 .

[0108] In addition, Figure 7 The outer extent of the coupling coil 12 formed on the rear wall of the shelf label indicator 2 is drawn in by the dimension 39. It is clearly visible here that the coupling coil lies flat on the shelf label plane and is arranged there corresponding to the spatial extent of the conductor loop L measured in the direction of the height of the shelf rail 2 and even overlaps.

[0109] Furthermore, the rack rail 3 has a fourth fastening structure for fastening the supply device so that the supply device can be inserted and fixed at an end region (left or right end) of the rack rail 3 between the wall 29 of the rack rail 3 and the top-hat rail 26 fastened by means of the third fastening structure, so that the conductor loop connection C of the conductor loop L available there is in contact with the supply device 4. For this purpose, the fourth fastening structure has a first insertion channel 40, which is formed on the wall behind the first spacing element 37 and is open toward the foot region 28, and a second insertion channel 41, which is formed on the wall behind the snap lip 36 and is open toward the head region 27. The supply device 4 can be inserted into these two insertion channels 40 and 41 with its mounting rail 42, which is inserted at the bottom of the wall. Figure 8Furthermore, the fourth fastening structure has circular openings 43 positioned at the head-side end of the wall 29 and at the foot-side end of the wall 29, from the side of the rack rail 3, for fastening screws 44 for screwing the supply device 4 to the rack rail 3 (see, for example, Figure 6 But see also Fig. 9 and Fig.10 ) can be screwed into the circular opening.

[0110] Figure 8 The rack rail 3 is shown in Figure 6 The section BB indicated in FIG. 1 is oriented transversely (normally to the front side of the rack rail 3 ) through the rack rail 3 and extends to the right of the section AA at the location of the rack rail 3 at which the contact element 45 of the supply device 4 is formed. For the purpose of improved clarity, Figure 7 A number of reference numerals which are not directly related to the fastening of the supply device 4 are omitted.

[0111] Furthermore, in the present case, two contact surfaces 46 are provided, wherein each of the contact surfaces 46 is soldered to one of the loop connections C. When the supply device 4 is completely inserted into the rack rail 3, i.e. when it is positioned in the target position, the contact surface 46 contacts the contact element 45 designed as a spring contact, so that a connection is established with the conductor loop L and the conductor loop can be used as a component of the second NFC interface 18. However, in contrast to this embodiment, the contact surface 46 can be omitted when the contact elements 45 are positioned closer to each other, and the wires forming the conductor loop L can be directly contacted at their end regions provided as conductor loop connections C.

[0112] It should also be mentioned that at the other end of the rack rail, more precisely at the other end of the tube 34 , the wire of the conductor loop L extends in one piece from one tube 34 to the other tube.

[0113] Finally, we should also discuss Fig. 9 and Fig.10 ,in, Fig. 9 The illustration shows the supply device 4 only slightly pulled out of the rack rail 3 and Fig.10 The slightly modified illustration also shows the contact element 45. Here too, a large number of reference numerals have been omitted in order to make the illustration less cluttered.

[0114] Finally, it is also pointed out again that the drawings described in detail above only relate to the following embodiments, which can be modified in various ways by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. For the sake of completeness, it is also pointed out that the use of the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude that the relevant feature may also be present multiple times.

Claims

1. A shelf track (3) for an electronic shelf label system (1), -in, The shelf rail (3) has a first fastening structure for fastening at least one electronic shelf tag (2) that can be supplied with energy in a contactless manner, wherein the first fastening structure has a wall (29) extending between a head region (27) and a foot region (28) of the shelf rail (3) with a wall front side and a wall rear side, the wall with its wall front side being used to define a shelf tag plane, the shelf tag plane being used to position at least one shelf tag (2) along the wall (29), and - wherein the shelf rail (3) has at least one second fastening structure at the wall rear side, the second fastening structure being used to fasten at least one conductor loop (L) in a conductor loop plane, wherein the conductor loop plane is oriented parallel to the shelf label plane and extends at a predetermined first distance from the shelf label plane, and - wherein the rack rail (3) has a third fastening structure for fastening a conductive structure (26) at a specified second distance from the conductor loop plane, wherein the conductive structure (26) is designed in such a way that the rack rail (3) is shielded from its surroundings and its contactless operation can be carried out decoupled from the background of the metal load.

2. The rack rail (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The third fastening structure is designed in such a way that a conductive structure (26) having a height that covers at least the entire conductor loop (L) can be accommodated.

3. The rack rail (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The third fastening structure has two substructures between which the conductive structure (26) can be accommodated, wherein a first substructure extends along a head region (27) of the storage rail (3) and a second substructure extends along a foot region (28) of the storage rail (3).

4. The rack rail (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The third fastening structure is constructed along the length of the rack rail (3) such that: - the conductive structure (26) can be pushed laterally into the rack rail (3), or The conductive structure (26) can snap into the third fastening structure at its outer edge.

5. The rack rail (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The third fastening structure is designed to accommodate a plate-shaped conductive structure (26).

6. The rack rail (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The third fastening structure is configured to accommodate the conductive structure (26) along the entire conductor loop (L).

7. The rack rail (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The first fastening structure has, in addition to the wall (29), a first fastening groove (30) formed at the head region (27) and extending along the head region (27) and a second fastening groove (31) formed at the foot region (28) and extending along the foot region (28), and the fastening grooves (30, 31) are designed in such a way that the shelf tag (3) can be inserted into the fastening grooves with its fastening elements in a locking manner and the rear wall of the shelf tag (3) can be positioned in an abutting manner on the shelf tag plane.

8. The rack rail (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The second fastening structure has two tubes (34) which are adjacent to each other at a third distance and extend in the longitudinal direction of the rack rail (3), each with an open end, the tubes being designed in such a way that a wire for realizing the conductor loop (L) can be inserted into the tubes, so that the wire connects the two tubes (34) at one end region of the rack rail (3) and can easily reach a conductor loop connection (C) of the conductor loop (L) for contacting it at the other end region of the rack rail (3).

9. The shelf rail (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a fourth fastening structure for fastening a supply device (4) for contactlessly supplying energy to at least one shelf tag (2) using the at least one conductor loop (L), wherein: The fourth fastening structure is designed between the second and third fastening structures in such a way that the supply device (4) can be pushed at the end region of the rack rail (3) between a wall (29) of the rack rail (3) and a conductive structure (26) that can be fastened by means of the third fastening structure, so that the conductor loop connection (C) of the conductor loop (L) available there can be contacted with the supply device (4).

10. The rack rail (3) according to claim 1, wherein: The shelf label (2) is configured as an electronic shelf label indicator.

11. The rack rail (3) according to claim 1, wherein: The second fastening structure is tubular or channel-shaped.

12. The rack rail (3) according to claim 1, wherein: The conductive structure (26) is designed to be flat.

13. The rack rail (3) according to claim 2, wherein: The third fastening structure is designed in such a way that a conductive structure (26) having a height which approximately corresponds to the height of the wall (29) measured between a head region (27) and a foot region (28) of the rack rail (3) can be accommodated.

14. The rack rail (3) according to claim 5, wherein: The third fastening structure is configured to receive a conductive structure (26) having a curled edge.

15. The rack rail (3) according to claim 6, wherein: The third fastening structure is configured to accommodate the conductive structure (26) along the entire rack rail (3).

16. An electronic shelf label system (1), comprising at least one shelf rail (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, and comprising: - at least one electronic shelf label (2), the electronic shelf label being fastened to the shelf label plane by means of a first fastening structure, and the electronic shelf label having a first electronic circuit (11A), the first electronic circuit being connected to a coupling coil (12) for contactless energy supply to the electronic shelf label, and the electronic shelf label system having: - at least one conductor loop (L), which is fastened in the conductor loop plane by means of a second fastening structure, and the electronic shelf label system has: - a supply device (4) inserted into the rack rail (3), which is electrically conductively connected to the at least one conductor loop (L) mentioned via its conductor loop connection (C), wherein: The supply device (4) has a second electronic circuit (18A) for generating an alternating field for the purpose of establishing an inductive coupling between the conductor loop (L) and the coupling coil (12) of the shelf label (3), and the electronic shelf label system has: - a conductive structure (26) fastened by means of said third fastening structure, The second electronic circuit (18A) electronically cooperates with environmental conditions defined by the conductive structure (26).

17. The system (1) according to claim 16, wherein: The first electronic circuit (11A) together with its coupling coil (12) implements a first NFC interface (11) of the shelf tag (2), and the second electronic circuit (18A) together with the conductor loop (L) connected thereto implements a second NFC interface (18) of the supply device.

18. System (1) according to claim 16 or 17, wherein: The supply device (4) has a contact element for establishing an electrically conductive connection with the conductor loop connection (C), and the contact element is positioned in such a way that the contact element contacts the conductor loop connection (C) when the conductor loop (L) and the supply device (4) are in their target position in the rack rail (3).

19. The system (1) according to claim 16 or 17, wherein: The shelf tag (2) has a printed circuit board forming its rear side, on which the coupling coil (12) is formed.

20. The system (1) according to claim 19, wherein: At least one outwardly oriented side of the printed circuit board is coated with lacquer or a thin adhesive label.

21. The system (1) according to claim 18, wherein: The contact element is designed as a spring-mounted contact pin.

22. The system (1) according to claim 20, wherein: At least one outwardly oriented side of the printed circuit board is coated with a lacquer or a thin adhesive label in such a way that it is protected against electrostatic discharges.

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