Electronic display device and manufacturing method therefor and shelf rail system

Abstract

Electronic display device, in particular electronic shelf display, having a flexible screen with a display area and an edge area located outside the display area, wherein the screen is curved such that the edge area is located behind the display area.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to electronic display devices, as well as manufacturing methods and shelf guide systems for electronic display devices. Background Technology

[0002] Electronic display devices are known for displaying product information and / or price information in the retail industry. These devices are typically mounted on shelf rails. The screen is positioned at its front.

[0003] The screen is characterized by having a substantially square or rectangular display area for displaying product and / or price information, which is surrounded by a border area. This border area typically consists of four sub-areas, each adjacent to one side of the display area. The screen is usually powered electronically (in terms of power technology and / or communication technology) at these particularly wide sub-areas of the border area. To give the electronic display device a symmetrical, i.e., aesthetically pleasing appearance, and for mechanical protection of the screen, the display area is enclosed on each side by a shield or frame, the width of which matches the size of the border area provided for power supply. To the observer's perception, this type of framing of the screen's display area results in a very bulky appearance, and the front side is poorly utilized for information display.

[0004] Therefore, the present invention proposes the task of providing an electronic display device and a manufacturing method and shelf guide system for manufacturing the electronic display device, thereby improving the appearance of the display device and increasing the proportion of its use for information reproduction. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This task is solved by the electronic display device according to claim 1. Therefore, the subject of this invention is an electronic display device, particularly an electronic shelf display device, having a flexible screen having a display area and an edge area located outside the display area, wherein the screen is bent such that the edge area is located behind the display area.

[0006] This task is further solved by the manufacturing method according to claim 14. Therefore, the present invention relates to a manufacturing method for an electronic display device having a flexible screen having a display area and an edge area located outside the display area, wherein the manufacturing method includes the step of: bending the screen such that the edge area is located behind the display area.

[0007] This task is further solved by the rack guide system according to claim 15. Therefore, the present invention relates to a rack guide system having at least one electronic display device according to the invention, and rack guides for mechanically fastening the electronic display device.

[0008] An electronic display device has an active area on its front side that can be used to reproduce visual information. This area remains visible to the observer on the front side of the electronic display device even when the screen is bent, and different content can be displayed on this area, which can be changed electronically. The active area is therefore those areas where image content is generated electronically based on image data and is visible. The visible portion of the display area is positioned or mounted on the front side of the display device primarily, but not necessarily, in a flat or eben (flat) orientation.

[0009] In the case of bending, a portion of the edge region can be weggebogened. The entire edge region can also be weggebogened. In addition to the entire edge region, a portion of the display area can also be weggebogened along with the edge region. This creates a negative area of ​​the display area, which, although still operable electronically for information reproduction, is no longer visible on the front of the display device and therefore cannot be used for information reproduction.

[0010] Whether a display area is considered active ultimately depends on whether that area is visible to the observer in the screen's installed state within the electronic display device and whether it can reproduce electronically variable content. The division into active and passive areas is independent of whether active or passive electronics are used, which can be applied to both areas and configured for manipulation.

[0011] In this context, "located behind the display area" means that the edge area of ​​the screen is positioned behind the display area, i.e., it no longer extends substantially flat from the display area at the relevant flanke of the screen, as is the case in known solutions. Depending on the implementation of the screen curvature, a portion of the edge area, the entire edge area, or even the entire edge area along with the portion of the display area adjacent to the edge area can be located behind the display area.

[0012] In the housing of the display device, the edge region is therefore located at least partially behind the display area within the electronic display device. Thus, the screen exists within the housing in an arrangement that bends at least once, and, if necessary, even folds. Here, the bending or folding arrangement is achieved such that, adjacent to the display area which extends smoothly on the front and remains visible to the observer of the display device, the edge region, if necessary, extends in a curved shape along with a portion of the display area, where one or more radii of curvature match the material to be bent, i.e., is compatible with the properties of one or more existing materials. The edge region can therefore be—partially or completely—positioned, in any case, below the plane of the display area visible to the observer, or extend from there to behind the portion of the display area that remains visible to the observer.

[0013] An advantage arises with the measure according to the invention: the edge region of the screen no longer preferentially extends from the display area alongside it. Therefore, compared to the case in known solutions, the shielding element or frame surrounding the screen there can be constructed to be significantly thinner. This thin construction of the frame at the side of the screen where the edge region curves backward can now also be extended to the other three edges of the screen, resulting in a thin frame surrounding the screen on all four sides. Alternatively, the frame can be omitted.

[0014] Compared to the known appearance of electronic display devices, the display area of ​​the screen now appears larger than any obstruction or frame. Furthermore, because the obstruction or frame can be made significantly thinner along the edges of the display area, it becomes visually less prominent in favor of the display area. In other words, the obstruction becomes less conspicuous. Consequently, the screen's display area now occupies a larger area of ​​the front of the electronic display device. Therefore, compared to the situation with known solutions, for a given display device size, the ratio of display area to obstruction or frame area will be larger.

[0015] Therefore, the area on the front of the electronic display device that is unusable for information display, i.e., inactive in terms of content, should be minimized; conversely, the area of ​​the front of the electronic display device that is available for display should be optimized or maximized.

[0016] The term "shielding or frame" should be understood as a mechanical structure that structurally defines and thus optically surrounds the display area on the front of an electronic device, i.e., separates the display area from the rest of the display device. A shield can be understood as a separate component that surrounds the display area along its edge regions on each side. If it is part of a housing, then a frame can be discussed; however, this may also be the case with shields. A frame also applies when it completely surrounds and thus optically defines the display area on the edge sides. Since the terms "shielding" and "frame" are synonymous, the term "frame" will be used more extensively below.

[0017] In a preferred construction, for example, the frame is abandoned along two parallel edges of the display device, and if necessary, even completely, i.e., around the display area on the peripheral sides. Thus, for the first time, it is possible to provide an electronic display device that integrates or has a frameless screen on both sides, and if necessary, even on each side. In this configuration, the display area or the respective visible sides of the display area can be surrounded, for example, by sidewalls extending laterally from the front of the display device to the back side. The curved areas of the screen can also be adjacent to the sidewalls when viewed from the front of the display device. Therefore, electronic display devices specifically for the retail industry achieve, for the first time, the "look and feel" of modern smartphones, with a trend towards an increasingly larger display area filling the front of the device.

[0018] As determined by the measures according to the invention, given the dimensions of the diagonal of the front side of the display device, an additional advantage arises: the area available for display is larger than that in known electronic display devices, because a frame can indeed result in a narrower one, or at least a partially or even completely frameless construction can be used. Therefore, the usable front side of the electronic display device can be more optimally, particularly substantially or even entirely, used for information reproduction. This significantly contributes to better visual perception of information visualized by means of the display area, because larger fonts, larger characters, or even larger symbols can be used while keeping the information content unchanged. To achieve better visual perception, it is not even necessary to increase the pixel resolution.

[0019] On the other hand, this invention, for the first time, allows for a reduction in the external dimensions of the front surface, and ultimately also the diagonal of the front surface of the electronic display device, given a specific display area diagonal, because the frame does indeed result in a slimmer profile, or is partially or even completely eliminated, compared to known solutions. This leads to a reduction in material usage, at least for the housing of the electronic display device, as the housing can now be made smaller than in known electronic display devices capable of housing a screen with a given display area diagonal. Due to the smaller, i.e., more compact structural shape of the housing, thinner wall thicknesses can also be used for the housing, because the force distribution applied due to external stresses during the operation of the electronic display device also changes due to the altered structural shape. The material reduction effect has positive economic benefits as well as positive ecological benefits, as there is indeed no doubt that less material is required.

[0020] Further, particularly advantageous designs and modifications of the invention are derived from the dependent claims and the following description.

[0021] To obtain a flexible screen, rigid or brittle materials (such as glass, metal, or ceramic) are abandoned, at least in the areas where bending is to occur. For example, the display area can thus be covered only where bending does not occur with a glass layer. Since the edge areas adjacent to the display area will inevitably bend out of the plane of the display area visible from the front of the display device, it has proven advantageous that the edge areas be constructed to be flexible, at least where they are curved. If a portion of the display area is also to be subjected to bending or curvature, that portion must also be constructed to be flexible. However, it is particularly advantageous, however, that the screen as a whole, or at least largely, is constructed of an elastic material so that no damage occurs during bending. The mechanical structure of the screen, i.e., the structure that gives the screen its mechanical integrity, is preferably implemented using elastic plastic. Since the screen itself is typically constructed to be relatively thin, a relatively small radius of curvature can be achieved during bending, ranging from 0.5 mm to 3 mm. This allows for a relatively slender structural shape of the display device, making the situation of "installing a curved screen" inconspicuous.

[0022] Such electronic display devices can be constructed or used very generally for different tasks. Therefore, electronic display devices can be constructed, for example, as handheld or portable devices, such as e-books known as E-Book readers, mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), tablets, or personal computers, especially laptops, or computer screens. In all these constructions, these features arise along with the advantages discussed above.

[0023] Electronic display devices are preferably configured as electronic tags, particularly electronic shelf labels or electronic shelf display devices, and are used in the retail industry on shelves, product display stands, shopping carts, etc. Such electronic shelf labels are known by their English name "Electronic Shelf Label" (ESL). Such ESLs can be configured for radio- or wire-based communication to acquire data, by means of which information, typically product information and / or price information, can be visually perceived and displayed to personnel via a screen.

[0024] If the measure according to the invention is used with an ESL having a given display area diagonally, another advantage is that more ESLs can be mounted along the shelf rails on which multiple such ESLs are mounted, compared to what would be the case with conventional ESLs. By reducing the frame width and, if necessary, completely omitting the frames at the left and right ends of the ESLs, less space is undoubtedly required for each ESL at the shelf rail. Therefore, more ESLs can be placed side-by-side per unit length along the shelf rail compared to what would be the case without the measure according to the invention. Thus, the entire product display area along the shelf rail is optimized because, with a greater number of possible ESLs per unit length, more products can also be displayed along the shelf rail accordingly.

[0025] Furthermore, in the retail industry, it is also important to display price and / or product information in a way that is optimally perceived by the customer. To consider this aspect, the pre-defined frontal diagonal size can be maintained under standard ESL (Electronic Storage System) conditions, and a screen with a display area that fully utilizes the existing diagonal size as much as possible, particularly in a frameless configuration. Compared to known solutions, the resulting display area can be fully utilized to represent larger symbols, characters, or letters, or simply to display more information content.

[0026] However, optimization can also move within the intersection of measures used to optimize the entire product display area along the shelf guides and measures used to optimize the perceptibility of the information to be reproduced. Therefore, scaling can be adjusted between the two extremes of optimization.

[0027] Therefore, in terms of application, a preferred aspect of the present invention relates to a shelf guide system having at least one electronic display device according to the present invention and a shelf guide for mechanically fastening the electronic display device.

[0028] The display area and edge area are preferably constructed as surfaces.

[0029] The screen of an electronic display device may have multiple curves. Preferably, a portion of the display area, preferably at least 50% of the area of ​​the display area, and particularly preferably at least 70%, is constructed to be flat or mounted to be flat or level.

[0030] Very generally, the screen can be curved at different angles, for example, 20° to 120°, preferably 45° to 120°, and particularly preferably 90° ± 10°. In this case, especially with a curvature of about 90° or greater, the lateral area next to the display area is thus freed up from the edge area, and the visible proportion of the display area of ​​the screen from the front is optimized. The edge area of ​​the screen is moved rearward, that is, spatially behind the display area. While this improves the viewing angle of the display device from the front, a significant structural depth appears with this variation.

[0031] In order to obtain an electronic display device that is as flat as possible, i.e., relatively thin, it has proven advantageous to bend the screen so that the edge areas are bent or oriented toward the back of the display area.

[0032] Therefore, the screen is preferably curved at about 180° + / - 10°, in which case a curvature of 120° to 225°, and especially 160° to 200°, can also be advantageous.

[0033] The edge region of the screen is therefore preferably curved or folded backward, i.e. towards the back side of the display area. Here, the edge region is preferably located flat along the back side of the display area behind the back side of the display area, and if necessary, even adjacent to the back side of the display area.

[0034] To achieve the desired curved configuration of the screen, multiple bends can be configured, or the screen can be folded multiple times. The curvature can also vary along the bend. Multiple independent bends can also be configured, for example, alternating curves in different directions, to allow the screen to be mounted into the display device housing in an optimized manner, particularly in a space-saving way.

[0035] Therefore, electronic display devices can be optimized not only in terms of maximizing the front surface designated for displaying information, but also in terms of structural depth—that is, by making it as flat as possible—and thus achieving an aesthetically pleasing design. This also results in lower material requirements for the housing.

[0036] In the case of a screen, different screen technologies can be applied. Therefore, the screen can be an LCD screen or an OLED screen.

[0037] However, the screen is preferably constructed as an electronic paper screen. Electronic paper is also known by the abbreviation "E-paper" or by the English names "e-paper," "E-Paper," or "ePaper." The screen is preferably an electrophoretic screen. Information displayed in this way, especially text, is particularly well perceived by the human eye because the text appears as if it were printed on paper and is therefore particularly easy to read. The reproduced information, once programmed, remains visible for the period of interest essentially without consuming electrical power.

[0038] The use of such a screen, combined with the optimized and full utilization of the available display area (the diagonal of the front of the electronic display device), mutually supports each other in the following way: While the boundary conditions, namely, in particular the edge dimensions of the electronic display device (the diagonal of the front of the display device), remain constant, more area is provided for displaying information, enabling the application of larger fonts, and thus the resolution increases proportionally with the additional area. This is because, beyond the minimum size predetermined by pixel resolution, the displayed information becomes perceptibly much better.

[0039] Currently, in the context of electronic screens, a large number of products feature flexible screens, making the use of this screen technology particularly advantageous, as screens that can be bent with radii of curvature less than 1 cm, for example, from 1 mm to 5 mm, are known. Therefore, the use of electronic paper screens allows for the provision of display devices that not only optimally utilize the front surface with the display area (the active area of ​​the display area), but also require very little installation space in terms of depth, as the screen can be flipped over even with limited installation space.

[0040] Screens, particularly electronic paper screens, typically have at least one electrode connection element at their edge regions for connecting at least two electrodes from different layers of the screen. These electrode connection elements are usually formed from silver paste. Such a construction using silver paste is known, for example, from CN114265256A. The electrode connection element may have additional components besides silver paste, or alternatively, components known in English as "electrically conductive adhesive."

[0041] The function of conductive silver paste is to electrically connect the upper transparent electrode (front-elektrode) to the electrodes on the lower electrode substrate, thereby generating the electric field necessary for particle movement in the electrophoretic screen. The silver paste is typically in block form, often referred to individually as dot-like "silberdots," and is located in pairs in the edge region adjacent to the display area. The electrode connection elements are therefore usually components that collectively define the dimensions of the edge region.

[0042] Therefore, according to one aspect of the invention, it has proven advantageous that, in the case of an electronic display device, the screen has electrode connecting elements, which in particular have a conductive coating, especially silver paste, preferably composed of silver paste, wherein the electrode connecting elements connect at least two electrodes of different layers of the screen, and wherein the electrode connecting elements are positioned in an edge region of the screen, which is located behind the display area by bending the screen. Thus, the edge region, which is a non-active part of the screen for information reproduction, is removed from the plane of the display area and placed behind the display area of ​​the screen by the electrode connecting elements, which are collectively defined as such. The function of the electrode connecting elements remains unchanged in this case, thereby ensuring optimal representation of the displayed content.

[0043] Furthermore, it has been proven advantageous that the edge region located behind the display area has a connection area for connecting the component carrier.

[0044] The component carrier is constructed to support electronic components, such as storage function blocks and / or voltage regulators, configured for the operation of the electronic display device. This design allows for the space-saving positioning of components configured for the operation of the electronic display device, while simultaneously providing connection points that reduce mechanical load and thus reduce the risk of damage to the connected component carrier. Because known solutions require bending the component carrier or connecting elements to allow the electronic components to be placed behind the screen, the bent screen allows for an optimized construction and placement of the component carrier—particularly behind the display area of ​​the screen.

[0045] The connection area at the edge forms a mechanical and electronic interface for connecting the component carrier at the screen.

[0046] The advantage of the measure "having a connection area at the edge behind the display area" is that it can reduce the material requirements and weight of the electronic display device, because the connection area is therefore placed inside the electronic display device, i.e., inside the typical housing, and thus long wiring of the component carrier can be abandoned. Instead, shorter wiring can be used, such as very short flat striplines (Flachbandleitung, known as Flat Flexible Cable, or FFC for short), or the component carrier can even be directly, especially without cables, connected at the connection area.

[0047] Therefore, preferably, the edge region located behind the display area is coupled to the component carrier. The component carrier can be connected at the connection area of ​​the edge region, i.e., within the edge region or at the outer edge of the edge region, or directly implemented at the edge region (on top) of the screen. Thus, a particularly material-saving and compact screen module consisting of the screen and the component carrier can be achieved. Therefore, this measure enables the provision of lighter electronic display devices. Even though this involves only relatively small material and weight savings per unit, it has a significant impact on overall resource savings due to the large number of electronic display devices, especially those constructed as electronic shelf display devices, which are required to equip retail locations or even entire supermarket chains, where these electronic display devices typically have to overcome long transportation routes.

[0048] The component carrier can be a rigid component carrier, particularly a rigid printed circuit board. However, preferably, the component carrier is constructed as a flexible component carrier, preferably a flexible printed circuit board, particularly an FPC connector. "FPC" stands for "Flexible Printed Circuit." This FPC connector is used to connect the screen to other mechanical and / or electrical or electronic components of the electronic display device. However, unlike flat cables, the FPC connector is not only configured to passively transfer current, data, or signals, but also to carry active or passive electrical components, such as storage function blocks for storing display-related data and / or voltage regulators for supplying voltage to the screen. This allows the component carrier, along with the carried components, to be positioned in a space-saving and particularly flexible manner to suit the corresponding mounting conditions, and thus allows for a more compact structural type of electronic display device, particularly in terms of its structural depth. The flexibility of the component carrier also allows for curved connection areas leading to other electronic or mechanical components in the electronic display device, such as those facing the screen.

[0049] According to another aspect of the invention, the component carrier has at least one component, which is positioned directly behind the screen. Thus, the screen, component carrier, and component form a compact unit for providing visual content over a large area.

[0050] Combined with a flexible component carrier, the bending can be distributed to the screen and the component carrier, so that the two components are subjected to only slight mechanical loads, and thus improve the durability and resistance of the entire electronic display device, since the curved elements are not subjected to extremely high deformation.

[0051] According to another aspect, the electronic display device has a light-emitting unit, which is particularly constructed as a light-emitting diode, and preferably as a component of the component carrier. This makes it possible to set up visually perceptible marketing measures, thereby further optimizing the customer experience, as attention can thus be directed to a specific electronic display device or the selection of a specific electronic display device.

[0052] The light-emitting unit is preferably positioned for illuminating the screen, particularly for backlighting the screen. Therefore, the screen and the displayed content are highlighted by the light emitted by the light-emitting unit. This measure allows for the illumination of a specific portion or the entire display area, i.e., highlighting specific content by means of the light emitted by the light-emitting unit. This measure thus provides new possibilities for displaying information and results in electronic display devices with optimized information delivery.

[0053] The light-emitting units can provide surround illumination and / or backlight illumination for the display area of ​​the screen, particularly the active area. For surround illumination, the light-emitting units are positioned laterally and / or in front of the screen, particularly within a frame or in the housing portion that frames the screen. For backlight illumination, the electronic display device can have a light conductor to redirect light for backlighting. For backlighting, the light-emitting units are preferably positioned behind the screen, particularly within the electronic display device, preferably on the back side of the screen, especially preferably directly on the back side of the screen, and are configured, positioned, or oriented to emit light that illuminates the display area of ​​the screen. Accordingly, the screen, particularly the display area, is correspondingly configured to be transmissive or semi-transmissive. This allows for targeted highlighting of specific areas of the screen. Multiple light-emitting units can also be provided so that different areas of the screen can be backlit and thus highlighted.

[0054] The light-emitting unit is preferably implemented as a component or assembly of components carried by an FPC connector. With this configuration, the lighting device or backlighting device of the electronic display device, especially the screen, can be easily integrated into the display device and thus manufactured at low cost.

[0055] At the same time, thanks to the flexible screen or flexible edge area and, if necessary, flexible circuit carrier, the light-emitting unit can be positioned in the desired location without problems and without further huge costs—such as directly adjacent to the back side of the screen.

[0056] The component carrier can be connected to another component carrier, particularly a "printed circuit board" (PCB), on which additional electronic or mechanical components implement the various functions of the display device. Therefore, a radio module can also be implemented there. The radio module is configured to communicate with external devices in a radio-based manner.

[0057] However, it has proven advantageous that the electronic display device is constructed without a radio module. This eliminates the need for a complex radio module that requires ample space, and provides an electronic display device that can be manufactured simply and at low cost.

[0058] The component carrier of an electronic display device can carry a voltage supply component (Spannungsversorgungbereitstellungs-Bauteil) for providing voltage supply. For example, this voltage supply component can be constructed as a battery or a voltage regulator.

[0059] However, it has proven particularly advantageous in the case of electronic display devices with component carriers connected to contact devices, wherein the contact devices are configured for conductive contact with shelf rails. Thus, the contact devices can form a voltage supply component.

[0060] It has proven particularly advantageous that the shelf rails of the shelf rail system have printed conductors that can be electrically contacted by electronic display devices. Preferably, the shelf rail has a line carrier that mechanically carries the printed conductors and enables them to make electrical contact. Preferably, the line carrier extends along the entire shelf rail, and the printed conductors also extend parallel to each other along the longitudinal extension of the shelf rail. Therefore, the display device can be optionally positioned along the longitudinal extension. This configuration is considered for the use of display devices without radio modules.

[0061] Furthermore, it has proven advantageous that the shelf rail system has a supply device for supplying electronic display devices, particularly via printed wires from the shelf rails, in terms of power technology and communication technology.

[0062] In this configuration, the electronic display device uses its contact device to contact printed wires on the shelf guide rails that are connected to the supply unit. The supply unit provides electrical power and / or, particularly bidirectional communication to the electronic display device via the printed wires.

[0063] The supply device preferably has a communication module for communicating with external units, particularly with an access point. Therefore, electronic display devices without a radio module can also communicate indirectly with the access point via radio through the supply device, which is connected to the supply device via printed wires on a shelf rail. Thus, the electronic display device can be manufactured with fewer components and therefore with low complexity, while simultaneously displaying current information in an optically striking manner.

[0064] According to another aspect, the electronic display device has a mechanical coupling device for mechanically coupling the electronic display device, particularly to the aforementioned electronic shelf rails. The coupling device allows for easy installation at the shelf rails and problem-free removal from the shelf rails.

[0065] Because this invention decisively and simplifies the enclosure of the screen on each side, or completely eliminates the enclosure, a large number of electronic display devices can be placed along the shelf rails, allowing for the close side-by-side installation of a series of screens with narrow frames or, to some extent, frameless electronic display devices. Therefore, the available display area can be maximized along the entire length of the shelf rail—as discussed at the beginning. Compared to what would be the case with the conventional frame width of the display devices, by using a simplified frame around the screen or completely eliminating the frame in the case of frameless display devices, more products can be marketed along the shelf rails by means of display devices (as discussed at the beginning).

[0066] Mechanical coupling devices, contact devices, rack rails, and supply devices can be constructed in different ways in coordination with each other. For this purpose, reference should be made to patent applications WO2022188955 A1 and WO2022188956 A1, which disclose preferred construction methods for mechanical coupling devices, contact devices, and rack rails.

[0067] The contact device therefore preferably has a spring contact, or contact element or contact strip, which extends from the housing of the electronic display device to contact the printed wires of the shelf guide and provide a conductive connection for power supply and communication of connecting cables.

[0068] The rack rails and supply devices are mechanically, particularly form-fittingly, preferably by means of a snap-fit ​​connection, constructed to be coupled together.

[0069] The rack rail has printed conductors configured as conductive leads for transmitting electrical power and / or information. The printed conductors are secured to a mechanically supported circuit carrier. In the installed state of the rack rail system, the printed conductors are contacted by an electronic coupling device from the supply unit.

[0070] The printed conductors preferably have an electronic coupling correspondence structure (Kopplungs-Gegenstruktur), particularly at their end sections, or have a coupling correspondence structure. The supply device preferably has a spring element for contacting the electronic coupling correspondence structure, particularly for direct contact with the printed conductors.

[0071] The shelf rail preferably has a central strip that separates the front and back sides of the shelf rail, where at least one electronic display device can be positioned. An energy storage device is preferably positioned on the back side of the shelf rail. The central strip can also be interpreted as a reference wall where the electronic display device can be positioned. The central strip preferably faces rearward, i.e., toward the area defined by the shelf where the electronic display device is mounted. The central strip is also preferably configured to mechanically support the electronic display device. Particularly preferably, the central strip is configured to enter into a fitting connection with the electronic display device, particularly by means of a hook, preferably by means of a mechanical coupling device of the electronic display device. For this purpose, the coupling structure preferably has openings, particularly in a grid arrangement or sequential arrangement, which can be gripped by the mechanical coupling device.

[0072] The central connector may be a line carrier. Preferably, the central connector is constructed separately from the line carrier and positioned at a distance from the line carrier. Particularly preferably, the line carrier has printed conductors oriented toward the central connector. The line conductors preferably extend on and / or within the line carrier, particularly parallel to the central connector, along the longitudinal direction of the shelf guide on the side of the line carrier oriented toward the central connector, and thus can be contacted unobstructed substantially along the entire length of the shelf guide.

[0073] Shelf rails are constructed for mounting on shelves, and are particularly designed for mounting on the front side of the bottom of the shelf or forming the front end of the bottom of the shelf. Shelf rails can also be installed or used for mounting on other structures, such as countertops.

[0074] When an electronic display device is mounted on a shelf rail, it contacts printed circuit boards and is thus electrically powered by a supply device, and / or can transmit data to the supply device. This data may relate to the content to be displayed. For example, product information and / or price information may be transmitted to the electronic display device. The data may also relate to light-emitting elements and, for example, instruct the electronic display device to emit a constant or time- or location-variable light signal.

[0075] Electronic display devices may also include detection and / or sensor modules, particularly as components that serve as preferably flexible component carriers. These detection and / or sensor modules may include, for example, temperature or humidity sensors to detect environmental conditions. They may also include cameras to detect the environment and to create a digital image of it and / or to interpret the environment directly, for example, by means of image recognition. Data from the detection and / or sensor modules is preferably transmitted to a supply device via printed wires. The data from the detection and / or sensor modules, i.e., detection and / or sensor data, along with internal data from the electronic display device, such as data from a counter that detects the operating hours of the electronic display device, can be aggregated into device data, which is then transmitted from the electronic display device to the supply device.

[0076] In addition to electronic display devices, other equipment, such as detection and / or sensor devices, can also be mounted on the shelf rails.

[0077] The supply device is preferably configured as a rack rail control unit, or in English, a "Rail-Controller". The supply device preferably has a communication level for communicating wirelessly, and more particularly, radio-based, with external units, such as access points. Using the communication level, data for electronic display devices can be received, or transmitted from the device to the external unit. Thus, for example, display data for display on the electronic display devices, particularly product information and / or price information, can be received, and sensor or detection data can be emitted from the electronic display devices. The supply device also preferably has a control level for controlling and addressing electronic equipment mounted on the rack rails, particularly electronic display devices, particularly independently or in groups. The control level is preferably configured to control electronic equipment or groups of electronic equipment based on device data. Therefore, components of the electronic display devices can be moved toward the supply device, thereby significantly reducing the complexity of the electronic display devices and the cost and material requirements for manufacturing them.

[0078] As mentioned, the electronic display device preferably has a housing. During the manufacture of the electronic display device, the screen can be bent before it is positioned within the housing. Therefore, the component or component carrier can also be installed and positioned before the unit is inserted into the housing.

[0079] However, the screen can also be bent during insertion into the housing. Therefore, a curved shape can be imposed on the screen during insertion. Alternatively, the screen can be inserted into a housing section and then bent before the housing is closed by another housing section. Bending the screen during housing insertion reduces the necessary work steps and simultaneously ensures that the bend matches the shape of the housing.

[0080] The bending can occur outside the display area of ​​the screen, such that only the edge areas are bent. The edge areas can be bent partially or completely behind the display area. Alternatively, a portion of the display area can be bent along with the edge areas behind the unbent portion of the display area, for example. This ensures that the display area extends to the edge of the display device, since the interfering edge areas disappear completely behind the display area, while the bending is achieved, for example, entirely with a portion of the display area. Thus, large, information-display-negative screen areas—areas unusable for information reproduction—are bent from the front of the display device visible to the observer behind the display area, leaving the largest possible area of ​​the display area actively usable for information reproduction within the observer's viewing area at the front of the display device.

[0081] In this case, the housing can cover the curved area of ​​the screen. Preferably, the housing covers at least the edge area of ​​the screen. Furthermore, the housing can cover a portion or the entire curved area of ​​the display area of ​​the screen. Therefore, a flat screen with a relatively narrow frame formed by the housing can be provided. This results in an improved performance of the display device, where the proportion of the frame on the front is minimized.

[0082] However, the housing can also at least partially, and preferably completely, leave the curved area of ​​the display area unobstructed. Therefore, an electronic display device is provided in which the electronic display device can be implemented to a certain extent without a frame, at least on the left and / or right sides of the display area. Furthermore, rounded edges provide better perception from the side. Thus, content displayed via the curved edges can be perceived even from a very flat viewing angle.

[0083] To achieve a completely frameless implementation, in addition to bending away from the right and left edges of the screen, the top and bottom edges of the screen must also be bent behind the display area.

[0084] In summary, this invention offers not only structural advantages but also benefits in marketing and customer experience within sales areas. It allows for the efficient and effective delivery of information from electronic display units, enabling advertising content to be perceived and customers to quickly locate the products they are looking for. This invention also supports the trend towards larger screens and allows for the reduction or complete elimination of frames or obstructions, enabling content to be displayed in a way that is more easily detectable by the observer. It also optimizes space requirements in terms of the placement of display devices. Especially in high-traffic sales areas, such as city centers, sales space is extremely valuable, requiring many products to be displayed closely side-by-side, which is disadvantageous when using traditional display devices with large, space-consuming frames or obstructions.

[0085] Finally, it should be generally mentioned that the electronic devices discussed (electronic display devices, supply devices, access points, etc.) naturally possess electronic components. These electronic components can be discrete, integrated, or a combination of both. They can be combined with analog or digital peripheral electronic functional blocks, and microcomputers, microcontrollers, or application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) can also be used. Many of the mentioned functionalities of the device—which, when necessary, work in conjunction with hardware components—are implemented by means of software executing on the processor of the electronic device. Devices constructed for radio communication typically have antenna configurations for transmitting and receiving radio signals as part of a transceiver module. Devices constructed for cable-connected communication have conductive connecting elements through which communication signals are transmitted. Electronic devices may also have internal power supplies, which can be implemented, for example, using replaceable or rechargeable batteries. The device can also be powered via a cable connection, either through an external power source or also via "Power over LAN".

[0086] These and other aspects of the invention are illustrated by the figures discussed below. Attached Figure Description

[0087] The invention will now be described in more detail again with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments; however, the invention is not limited to the described embodiments. Here, in different figures, the same components are equipped with the same reference numerals. In an illustrative manner: Figure 1 The front of the screen of an electronic display device is shown, the screen having a display area and an edge area adjacent to the display area; Figure 2The front of the screen is shown, and the screen has an edge region that is curved to the rear of the display area; Figure 3 Showing a side view of the curved screen; Figure 4 The front of a conventional electronic display device is shown, the device having a screen that is not bent within a housing; Figure 5 The front of an electronic display device according to the present invention is shown, the electronic display device having a bent screen in a housing; Figure 6 Showing according to Figure 5 A side view of an electronic display device; Figure 7 The illustration shows a shelving guide system, which includes shelving guides and a conventional electronic display device with a screen that is not bent. Figure 8 A shelving guide system is shown, which includes shelving guides and an electronic display device with a screen that is bent according to the present invention. Figure 9 Showing according to Figure 8 A rack rail system, wherein the rack rail system has communication infrastructure; Figure 10 Showing according to Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of a shelf guide rail, wherein the shelf guide rail has a display device mounted on the shelf guide rail; Figure 11 Another embodiment of the electronic display device according to the present invention is shown, the electronic display device having a bent screen in a housing; Figure 12 Showing according to Figure 11 A cross-sectional view of an electronic display device. Detailed Implementation

[0088] Figure 1 A flexible screen 2 is shown. The screen 2 has a display area 3 and an edge area 4 located on the right edge side outside the display area 3.

[0089] If screen 2 is installed in a conventional manner into a conventional electronic display device (such as this in...) Figure 4As shown in the diagram, for aesthetic reasons and to mechanically protect the edge area 4, the screen 2 is surrounded by a frame on the periphery. This frame matches the large width of the edge area 4, thus giving the conventional display device a bulky and cumbersome appearance. Besides the aesthetic drawbacks, in normal use, the edge area further necessitates that, given a pre-defined space allocation on the front of the display device, a screen must always be selected that occupies only a small fraction of the available space to actively display the screen content.

[0090] However, since the screen 2 is flexible, other installations are possible, which will be discussed below in conjunction with the display device 1 according to the present invention.

[0091] Screen 2 is an electrophoretic screen that utilizes well-known Electronic-Paper technology. Therefore, screen 2 is a so-called electronic paper (E-Papier) screen. Its edge region 4 has two electrode connection elements 7, typical for this type, which are configured as silver paste electrode connection elements 7. The electrode connection elements 7 connect two electrodes of different layers of screen 2 respectively, enabling content to be displayed on the screen. Flexible screens, especially in the context of electronic paper technology, are known to those skilled in the art. Screen 2 has a right screen edge 33.

[0092] Edge region 4 also has a connecting region 9, on which component carrier 8 is attached. For clarity, only a segment of component carrier 8 is shown (however, see...). Figure 3 (There, the component carrier is shown along its entire length). The connecting area 9 is positioned adjacent to the right screen edge 33.

[0093] Functionally, focusing on information reproduction, screen 2 is divided into active areas 5, i.e., display areas 3 that are actively used for information display and can be electronically controlled, and passive areas 6, i.e., areas not suitable for or not set for information display that can be electronically influenced; these passive areas coincide with edge areas 4. Active areas 5 are therefore the surface areas of screen 2 on which variable screen content visible to a human observer can be displayed. Active areas 5 are therefore the display area of ​​screen 2. In contrast, passive areas 6 form those areas that do not actively display screen content. Figure 1 In the middle, display area 3 occupies the entire active area 5 of screen 2. Passive area 6 occupies the remainder of screen 2 and includes electrode connection element 7 and connection area 9.

[0094] Extending along the width of screen 2, the first portion of the negative area 6 thus extends over a first width P1, which extends from the beginning (left edge) of screen 2 to the left edge of display area 3. The second width A1 of the active area 5 extends over the entire width of display area 3. The second portion P2 of the negative area 6 extends from the end (right edge) of display area 3 to the right end (right screen edge 33) of screen 2 and has a third width P2.

[0095] In order to optimize the display area set for information reproduction on the front of the display device 1, the flexible screen 2 is now bent so that the edge region 4 is located behind the display region 3. Figure 2 and 3 As shown in the image.

[0096] Figure 2 Screen 2 is shown, in which, in a top view, the right portion of edge region 4 is flipped backward, i.e., into the drawing plane. The first width P1 of negative region 6 remains unchanged in this case, although it should be noted that the left side of screen 2 can also be bent backward. The portion of edge region 4 with electrode connecting element 7 and connecting region 9 is bent backward away from the drawing plane in any case. In addition, a portion of display region 3 is bent backward.

[0097] exist Figure 2 In this context, the fourth width A1* of the active area 5 of screen 2 is therefore slightly smaller in absolute scale than the original second width A1 of the active area 5. The fifth width P2* of the passive area 6 of the screen (on the right in this view) is here limited by the radius of curvature of the curvature of screen 2, and is therefore significantly smaller than the third width P2 of the passive area 6 in the uncurved state of screen 2. It should be noted that the curved portion of the display area can also be actively utilized, combined with... Figure 11 This will be discussed.

[0098] Therefore, the relative proportion of the active width, i.e., A1* / (P1+A1*+P2*), relative to the original active width, i.e., A1 / (P1+A1+P2), is significantly increased and thus optimized. In this case, the active area is proportional to the active width because the height remains unchanged in this embodiment. Therefore, the area of ​​the front of screen 2 actively used for displaying screen content increases relative to the total area of ​​the front.

[0099] Figure 3 It is shown in a way that it is rotated 90° according to Figure 2 Screen 2, in which Figure 2 The line of sight in the drawing plane points from bottom to top.

[0100] The component carrier 8 is constructed as a "Flexible Printed Circuit," or FPC for short. Component carrier 8 carries a control level 12 for controlling the screen 2 and other components. Furthermore, component carrier 8 carries a storage level 13 for storing data processed and / or provided by the control level 12. Additionally, component carrier 8 carries a light source constructed as a light-emitting diode 10, or LED for short, which is configured to backlight the screen 2, i.e., transmit light from the rear, thus highlighting all image content or the corresponding reproducible information sub-areas. Component carrier 8 also carries a connection terminal 11 for contacting the device 14, providing conductive contact for the electronic shelf guide rail 24.

[0101] This view also shows the widths P1, A1*, and P2* of the areas that are of decisive significance in the figure, as well as the widths A1 and P2 of the original flat screen 2 that have now been flipped over.

[0102] Figure 4 A classic electronic display device 1 with an unbent screen 2 is shown.

[0103] Figure 5 An electronic display device 1 according to the present invention is shown, the electronic display device having according to Figure 2 and 3 The illustrated curved screen 2 has a housing 15 in which the screen 2 is housed. The housing 15 has a first housing portion 16 that forms a frame for the front of the electronic display device 1 and covers or shields the negative area 4 of the screen 2. The first housing portion 16 thus forms a shielding element for covering the negative area 4. A screen protective layer 22 is provided in the first housing portion 16, which protects the screen 2 from contamination and damage.

[0104] Electronic display device 1 therefore has Figure 2 and 3 The curved screen 2 has an active area 5 visible through the screen protector 22, while the passive area 6 is covered by the housing portion 16 and is therefore invisible. The fourth width A1* of the active area thus extends along the entire opening of the housing portion 16 or the screen protector 22. The first width P1 and the fifth width P2* of the passive area correspond to the corresponding dimensions of the first housing portion 16 to the maximum extent possible.

[0105] Figure 4 The electronic display device 1 shown has a screen 2, the screen having an active area 3, the active area corresponding in size to Figure 5The active area 3 of the electronic display device 1 is used to represent both electronic display devices 1 comparablely. Therefore, the displayed text, such as product information and / or price information relating to products advertised using the electronic display device 1, can be perceived equally well from a specific distance in both variations. However, in Figure 5 The total width of the front of the electronic display device 1 shown is significantly smaller than that of the front of the device. Figure 4 Therefore, in the case of two electronic display devices, it is possible to display the same screen content of the same size (anziehbar) because both have the same active area 3, where, however, according to Figure 4 Compared to electronic display devices 1, significantly less space is required for positioning. Figure 5 1. Electronic display device.

[0106] It should be noted that in known embodiments, an additional housing region 32 (shown in dashed lines) is often provided to create a symmetrical appearance, thereby further increasing the width of the conventional electronic display device 1. Compared to such conventional display devices, the spatial gain achieved by the display device according to the present invention is even greater.

[0107] Figure 6 A side view showing the cut-out housing 15 is provided. Figure 5 Electronic display device 1, wherein Figure 5 The line of sight in the drawing plane points from bottom to top. The fourth width A1* of active area 5 is therefore (as in...). Figure 5 As shown in the diagram, it extends along the window formed by the first housing portion 16 and the screen protection layer 22.

[0108] The display device 1 has a contact device 14 configured as a spring contact, which is connected to the connection end 11.

[0109] The display device 1 has a second housing portion 17, which substantially forms a back housing cover and is connected to the first housing portion 16. The second housing portion 17 has a step 18, and a contact device 14 extends from the step toward a gap, at which the contact device extends from the electronic display device 1 to contact the shelf rail 24.

[0110] Furthermore, the electronic display device 1 has a coupling device 19. The coupling device 19 has a hook 20 for hooking into an opening 28 of a shelf rail 24, the coupling device being able to be used by means of... Figure 10 The button 29, which can be seen in the view, is used for operation. The button 29 is connected to the hook 20 via a connecting mechanism 21 (which is cut out in this view).

[0111] Figure 7The shelf rail system 23 is shown, which has shelf rails 24, and the shelf rail system has three... Figure 4 A conventional electronic display device 1, namely, one with an unbent screen 2.

[0112] Figure 8 The shelf guide system 23 is shown, the shelf guide system having a connection with... Figure 7 The same shelf rail 24 shown, but the shelf rail has four according to Figure 5 The electronic display device 1 according to the invention has a screen 2 that is curved such that the edge region 4 is located behind the display region 3. Therefore, the curved screen 2 allows for the placement of more electronic display devices 1 within a given space. This effect is further enhanced with longer shelf rails 24, enabling significantly more electronic display devices 1 to be installed in a business premises with multiple shelf rails 23, typically several meters long, compared to the situation without the curved screen. Thus, for each unit of shelf rail length, a denser information delivery can be achieved with a higher number of display devices, allowing for the placement of more products along the shelf rails compared to the situation with conventional display devices.

[0113] Figure 9 The power and communication supplies of the rack rail system 23 are discussed, and the power supply from the rack rail system 23 is shown. Figure 8 The shelving guide system 23 has four electronic display devices 1, electronic shelving guides 24, and a supply device 25. The supply device 25 is connected to the shelving guides 24 via printed wires 30 (the printed wires are on...). Figure 10 (As can be clearly seen in the image) is connected to the electronic display device 1. The supply device 25 has a radio module (not shown) for radio-based communication with the server 27 via the access point 26. Therefore, the electronic display device 1 can be implemented without a radio module, while communication between the electronic display device 1 and the server 27 can be achieved via the radio module of the supply device 25.

[0114] Figure 10A shelf rail 24 is shown, which is cut in the normal direction relative to the longitudinal extension of the electronic display device 1, adjacent to its position. The electronic display device 1 is mechanically coupled to the shelf rail 24 via hooks 20 that engage with openings 28 of the shelf rail 24. The contact device 14 of the electronic display device 1 thus contacts the printed conductors 30 of the shelf rail 24, positioned on the line carrier 31. Data and power are supplied to the electronic display device 1, i.e., the screen 2, and components 10, 12, and 13 via the printed conductors 30 and by means of the contact device 14 connected to the connection end 11. This also enables data communication to the supply device 25 and further to the server 27.

[0115] Figure 11 and 12 Another embodiment of the electronic display device 1 is shown. (Compared to...) Figure 5 and 6 The embodiment shown differs; the electronic display device 1 has a screen 2 that is also curved on its left side. The right side is similar. Figure 5 and 6 The embodiment is bent. The screen 2 is therefore bent on both sides, i.e., its left and right sides, so that the edge region 4 is located below the display region 3 in any case, and even behind the display region 3 if necessary. The edge region 4 on the side where the line carrier 8 is connected and has the electrode connection element 7 is bent toward the back of the display region 3 as in the previous embodiment, while the edge region 4 on the opposite side is bent only to a certain extent, i.e., basically bent backward by 90°.

[0116] Furthermore, the curved end section of display area 3 is not covered by the housing and is visible. Only the screen protective layer 22, which corresponds to the curvature of screen 2, and the transparent adhesive layer cover the display area 3 of screen 2.

[0117] The edge region 4 of screen 2 is covered by housing 15. Specifically, in this embodiment, the left and right edge regions 4A and 4B are located in and covered by the second housing portion 17. The upper and lower edge regions are covered by the first housing portion 16, which in this embodiment is composed of two shielding strips 34 at most.

[0118] With this embodiment and the measures used herein, advantages emerge: the front of the display device 1 is further and better utilized with a more visible screen area, because the active area 5 thus extends substantially across the entire width of the electronic display device 1. Furthermore, the screen 2 can therefore also be well perceived from the sides, and even when viewed at a very flat angle, the information represented at the edges can be perceived at least.

[0119] With this implementation, for example, a "promotion" can be present from top to bottom at the edge of display area 3, making it visible even to an observer several meters away in a store aisle, looking at the electronic display device 1 at a flat angle. In the case of a multi-color screen, the display area visible from the side can also display color to convey information. Therefore, the backlighting of the screen can be perceived well in advance while walking along the sales aisle, allowing attention to be selectively directed to a particular electronic display device 1 even from a distance—long before potential customers or employees can recognize the full content displayed on screen 2.

[0120] Finally, it should be reiterated that the figures described in the foregoing detailed description are merely embodiments, and those skilled in the art can modify the embodiments in various ways without departing from the scope of the invention. For completeness, it should also be noted that the use of the indefinite articles "an" or "a kind" does not preclude the possibility that the features involved may exist multiple times.

Claims

1. An electronic display device (1), particularly an electronic shelf display device, which has - Flexible screen (2), the flexible screen having a display area (3) and an edge area (4) located outside the display area (3). -The screen (2) is bent such that the edge region (4) is located behind the display region (3).

2. The electronic display device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the screen (2) is bent such that the edge region (4) bends toward the back side of the display region (3).

3. The electronic display device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the screen (2) is configured as an electronic paper screen (2).

4. The electronic display device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the screen (2) has an electrode connection element (7), the electrode connection element having, in particular, a conductive paint, especially a silver paste, preferably composed of silver paste, wherein - The electrode connection element (7) connects at least two electrodes of different layers of the screen (2), and wherein - The electrode connection element (7) is located in the edge region (4) of the screen (2) behind the display area (3).

5. The electronic display device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the edge region (4) located behind the display area (3) has a connection region (9) for connecting the component carrier (8).

6. The electronic display device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the edge region (4) located behind the display area (3) is coupled to the component carrier (8).

7. The electronic display device (1) according to claim 6, wherein the component carrier (8) is configured as a flexible printed circuit board, particularly as an FPC connector.

8. The electronic display device (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 7, wherein the component carrier (8) has at least one component (10, 11, 12, 13), the component being positioned directly behind the screen (2).

9. An electronic display device according to any one of the preceding claims, particularly according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the electronic display device has a light-emitting unit (10), the light-emitting unit being configured in particular as a light-emitting diode, preferably configured as a component of a component carrier (8).

10. The electronic display device (1) according to claim 9, wherein the light-emitting unit (10) is positioned for illuminating the screen (2), particularly for backlighting the screen (2).

11. The electronic display device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic display device is configured to be without a radio module.

12. The electronic display device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims has a component carrier, wherein the component carrier is connected to a contact device (14), wherein the contact device (14) is configured for conductive contact with an electronic shelf rail (24).

13. The electronic display device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic display device has a mechanical coupling device (19) for mechanically coupling the electronic display device (1), particularly to a shelf rail (24).

14. A method for manufacturing an electronic display device (1), The electronic display device (1) has a flexible screen (2) having a display area (3) and an edge area (4) located outside the display area (3). The manufacturing method described herein includes the following steps: - The screen (2) is bent such that the edge region (4) is located behind the display region (3).

15. A rack guide system (23), having - At least one electronic display device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, and - Shelf rails (24) for mechanically fastening the electronic display device (1).

16. The shelf rail system (23) according to claim 15, wherein the shelf rail has printed wires (30) that are electrically contactable by the electronic display device (1).

17. The shelf rail system (23) according to any one of claims 15 to 16, having a supply device (25) for supplying the electronic display device (1) in power technology and / or communication technology, particularly via printed wires (30) of the shelf rail (24).

Images