Ink screen based price tag display system
By using an e-ink screen-based price display system and leveraging the Internet of Things and radio frequency communication to achieve automated price updates, the system solves the problems of high replacement costs for vending machine price tags and low consumer purchasing desire, thus achieving low-cost, high-efficiency price management and improved consumer experience.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- GUANGZHOU TRAVEL GRP CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2026-01-16
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-02
AI Technical Summary
Replacing price tags on existing vending machines is costly and affects sales. Traditional electronic screen displays discourage consumers from buying, and operating costs are high and efficiency is low.
A price display system based on e-ink screens is adopted, which enables remote synchronous updates through the Internet of Things and radio frequency communication. Combined with electronic price tags and base station boxes, the system utilizes the low power consumption characteristics of e-ink screens to display prices dynamically.
It enables automated and paperless updates of price tags, reduces labor costs, improves operational efficiency, enhances the consumer shopping experience, and provides a basis for refined marketing decisions.
Smart Images
Figure CN122135631A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the field of price tag display technology, and in particular to a price tag display system based on an e-ink screen. Background Technology
[0002] Currently, price tags on vending machines in shopping malls, subway stations, parks, and other locations are mainly paper price tags. Paper price tags are simple to produce and have a low cost. However, the products in vending machines may change, leading to price changes. In this case, the price tags need to be replaced. Since vending machines are unmanned, the staff in shopping malls and subway stations are not responsible for maintenance. Therefore, the manufacturers must arrange for their own staff to replace them. Because the profit of vending machines is limited, this manual handling method is too costly.
[0003] Some vending machines have removed paper price tags and instead use a large electronic screen to display the prices of the products. This saves on the cost of manually changing price tags, but it severely impacts sales. Consumers often just glance at the price as they pass by, and if they can't see the price tag below the product, they may choose not to buy it. Although the price is displayed on the electronic screen, very few consumers are actually willing to look at the price on the screen, which seriously affects sales.
[0004] The applicant currently owns an increasing number of hotel vending machines, all of which are handled manually and displayed on electronic screens. This results in high operating costs and low efficiency in product production, distribution, and management. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a price tag display system that can save on high labor costs without diminishing consumers' desire to shop. Summary of the Invention
[0005] The technical solution of this invention is to solve the technical problems pointed out in the prior art. This invention provides a price tag display system based on an e-ink screen.
[0006] A price tag display system based on an e-ink screen includes a display cabinet, electronic price tags, a base station box, and a server. The electronic price tags are e-ink screens. Each electronic price tag contains a battery and is used to communicate with the base station box of the server. Each compartment in the display cabinet has an electronic price tag. The base station box is installed on the display cabinet. The base station box communicates with the server via the Internet of Things (IoT), receives product update messages from the server, and sends radio frequency signals carrying product data information to the electronic price tags. After receiving the messages, the electronic price tags refresh the content on the e-ink screen.
[0007] The server transmits the price and other information that needs to be updated to the base station box via Ethernet. The base station box then sends radio frequency signals carrying product data to the corresponding electronic shelf labels. Each electronic shelf label has a wireless data transceiver with an identification code. The wireless data transceiver can convert the received radio frequency signals back into valid digital signals and display them. If the server modifies the price, the modified price is transmitted to the electronic shelf label after data transmission, and the electronic shelf label on the shelf will then be updated with the new content.
[0008] This invention relates to a price tag display system based on an e-ink screen: 1. Enables remote, partial, or simultaneous modification of price tags; 2. Saves labor and costs, and improves container operation efficiency. Attached Figure Description
[0009] Figure 1 This is a graph showing the relationship between color values in a grayscale image; Figure 2 It is a color difference algorithm; Figure 3 This is the effect after processing the original image with red and black and white. Detailed Implementation
[0010] The technical solution of the present invention will be described in detail below in order to better understand the technical solution of the present invention.
[0011] A price tag display system based on an e-ink screen includes a display cabinet, a stand inside the cabinet, electronic price tags, a base station box, and a server. The electronic price tags are used to display information such as product price, name, weight, and origin. The electronic price tags use a low-power e-ink screen that can display information for a long time. Each electronic price tag corresponds one-to-one with a stand inside the display cabinet. Each electronic price tag contains a battery that powers it. Since the electronic price tags consume very little power, using a battery is suitable. Generally, a suitable battery is selected based on a standard that it can last for more than 5 years.
[0012] The base station box is used to communicate with the server. Each compartment in the shelf has an electronic price tag. The base station box is installed on the shelf and communicates with the server via the Internet of Things. It receives product update messages from the server and sends radio frequency signals carrying product data information to the electronic price tags. After receiving the messages, the electronic price tags refresh the content on the e-ink screen. The electronic price tags have a dedicated stand that is fixed on the shelf for easy placement and reduces the possibility of merchants misplacing prices.
[0013] The server transmits the price and other information that needs to be updated to the base station box via Ethernet. The base station box then sends radio frequency signals carrying product data to the corresponding electronic price tags. Each electronic price tag has a wireless data transceiver with an identification code. The wireless data transceiver can convert the received radio frequency signals back into valid digital signals and display them. If a price change is required, the server will modify the product price, and after data transmission, the electronic price tags on the shelf will be refreshed with the new content.
[0014] The server can modify specific electronic price tag data, or it can modify the data of multiple or all electronic price tags at once.
[0015] Electronic shelf labels can display content in three colors: red, black, and white. They use a black-and-white e-ink screen and a red-and-white e-ink screen to display black and red content respectively. The content to be distributed is created using an application, with one image showing the black-and-white content and the other showing the red-and-white content. The system uses a Level algorithm to differentiate the colors of the images, making the color display more suitable for the e-ink screen. In the Level algorithm, all pixels in an image can be divided into several large color zones, and each pixel is assigned to the closest color zone. This method is suitable for displaying two or three colors. For example, if the color value of a pixel in a grayscale image is less than or equal to 127, then that pixel can be classified as black; otherwise, it is white.
[0016] like Figure 1 As shown: In a color image, green and blue pixels can be collectively referred to as blue-green, or, relative to red pixels, as non-red. In Figure 1 As can be seen, pixels with high R values and low G values are displayed as red (dark areas), while the others are distinguished as black and white using the method described earlier.
[0017] like Figure 2 As shown: The color definition algorithm above is based on difference calculation: the sum of squares of other color values (other colors besides the supported colors). When displayed on an e-ink screen, each pixel will be displayed as the color with the smallest difference from the original color.
[0018] like Figure 3 As shown: This is the effect after the original image has been processed into red, black, and white.
[0019] This invention relates to an e-ink screen-based price tag display system. By using e-ink screen electronic price tags, stores can analyze and adjust product prices in real time based on dynamic operating data. The price change process is automated and paperless, reducing labor costs, saving consumables, and is highly efficient and environmentally friendly. It provides convenience for chain stores to achieve standardized operations, integrated pricing, digital management, and centralized headquarters. The price change process is traceable, and combined with comprehensive analysis of the product's sales data, it provides an objective basis for refined product marketing decisions. With the emergence of new business models such as smart stores and unmanned retail, electronic price tags are indispensable, enhancing corporate image and improving the in-store shopping experience. It can realize remote partial or complete synchronous modification of price tags, saving labor and costs, and improving the efficiency of shelf operation.
[0020] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the patent. Any equivalent procedural modifications made based on the description and drawings of the present invention, or any direct or indirect applications in other related technical fields, are included within the scope of patent protection of the present invention.
Claims
1. A price tag display system based on an e-ink screen, characterized in that: The system includes a display container, shelves inside the container, electronic price tags, a base station box, and a server. The electronic price tags are e-ink screens. The base station box is used to communicate with the server. Each compartment inside the display container has an electronic price tag, and each electronic price tag corresponds one-to-one with a shelf inside the container. The base station box is installed on the display container and communicates with the server via the Internet of Things (IoT). The base station box receives product update messages from the server and sends radio frequency signals carrying product data information to the electronic price tags. After receiving the messages, the electronic price tags refresh their content.
2. The price display system based on an e-ink screen as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The electronic price tag contains a battery that powers the electronic price tag.
3. The price display system based on an e-ink screen as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The electronic price tag is fixed to a stand inside the container.