Shelf rail with sensor device

Abstract

The invention relates to a sensor device, which is designed to be fixed on a goods shelf guide rail, and is characterized in that the sensor device is designed to be mounted on the side surface of the goods shelf guide rail.

Description

(19) State Intellectual Property Office (12) Invention Patent Application (10) Application Publication Number (43) Application Publication Date (21) Application Number 202380104077.0 (22) Application Date 2023.12.12 (85) PCT International Application Entering National Phase Date 2026.05.15 (86) PCT International Application Application Data PCT / EP2023 / 085450 2023.12.12 (87) PCT International Application Publication Data WO2025 / 124703 DE 2025.06.19 (71) Applicant: Försen Group LLC Address: Fernitz-Melach, Austria (72) Inventors: A. Rössl, P. Bottin (74) Patent Agency: China Patent Agency (Hong Kong) Limited 72001 Patent Attorneys: Liu Hanxi, Lu Jiang (51) Int.Cl. A47F 5 / 00(2006.01) G06Q 10 / 087(2006.01) G09F 3 / 20(2006.01) H01R 13 / 73(2006.01) A47F 10 / 02(2006.01) (54) Invention Title: Shelf Rail with Sensor Device (57) Abstract: A sensor device designed for fixing on a shelf rail, characterized in that the sensor device is designed for side mounting on the shelf rail. Claims: 2 pages Description: 10 pages Drawings: 5 pages CN 122270215 A 2026.06.23 CN 1 22 27 02 15 A 1. A sensor device (9), designed for fixing on a shelf rail (7), characterized in that the sensor device (9) is designed for side mounting on the shelf rail (7). 2. The sensor device (9) according to claim 1, wherein the sensor device (9) is designed to detect physical parameters. 3. The sensor device (9) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sensor device (9) is designed to detect the loading status of the shelf (38). 4. The sensor device (9) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor device (9) has a mechanical connection device designed to establish a connection with the shelf rail (7) in a holding and / or locking manner. 5. The sensor device (9) according to claim 4, wherein the mechanical connection device has an insertion element (23). 6. The sensor device (9) according to claim 5, wherein the mechanical connection device has a snap-fit ​​closure element (35) on the insertion element (23), the snap-fit ​​closure element being designed to engage with a snap-fit ​​closure opening (36) of the shelf rail (7).7. The sensor device (9) according to claim 6, wherein the snap-fit ​​closure element (35) is realized by a preferably elastically adjustable, particularly preferably bolt-shaped housing area of ​​the insertion element (23). 8. The sensor device (9) according to claim 5, wherein the insertion element (23) has a power supply connection end configured for connecting a power supply device (24). 9. The sensor device (9) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor device (9) has an electrical connection means designed to electrically connect the sensor device (9) to the electrical conductors (12, 13, 14) of the bus system (15) of the shelf rail (7). 10. The sensor device (9) according to claim 9, wherein the electrical connection device has a receiving channel (25A) designed to receive a plate-shaped wire carrier (11) located on the front and extending along the longitudinal extension line of the shelf rail (7), the wire carrier extending along the longitudinal extension line of the shelf rail (7) to carry the electrical conductors (12, 13, 14) of the bus system (15) of the shelf rail (7). 11. The sensor device (9) according to claim 10, wherein the receiving channel (25A) has contacts (31, 32, 33) located on the inner side for making electrical contact with the electrical conductors (12, 13, 14) of the bus system (15) of the shelf rail (7). 12. A shelf rail system (6) comprising a shelf rail (7), on which the sensor device (9) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 is laterally mounted. 13. The shelf guide system (6) according to claim 12, wherein the shelf guide (7) has an insertion channel (20) that is at least side-open, located at the rear and extending along the longitudinal extension of the shelf guide (7), and the sensor device (9) is inserted into the insertion channel (20). 14. The shelf guide system (6) according to any one of claims 13 to 14, wherein the shelf guide (7) has a bus system (15) with a wire carrier (11), wherein the wire carrier (11) is designed as a plate, located on the front and extending along the longitudinal extension of the shelf guide (7), and extends along the longitudinal extension of the shelf guide (7) to carry the electrical conductors (12, 13, 14) of the bus system (15), wherein the wire carrier (11) is received in a receiving channel (25A) of the sensor device (9) in its side end region.15. The shelf rail system (6) according to claim 14, wherein the electrical conductors (12, 13, 14) carried by the wire carrier (11) are in contact with the contacts (31, 32, 33) of the sensor device (9) inside the receiving channel (25A) of the sensor device (9). 16. The shelf rail system (6) according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the shelf rail (7) has an electronic supply device (8) designed to provide power and / or communication technology to the devices (2) mounted on the shelf rail (7), particularly the side-mounted sensor device (9), preferably via a bus system (15) of the shelf rail (7). 17. The shelf rail system (6) according to claim 16, wherein the shelf rail (7) carries the sensor device (9) at its first side end and the electronic supply device (8) at its second side end. Claims 2 / 2 Page 3 CN 122270215 A Shelf rail with sensor device Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sensor device and a shelf rail system having such a sensor device. Background Art

[0002] WO2022188955A1 discloses a shelf rail system with a shelf rail. Electronic devices, such as sensor devices and / or electronic display devices, can be fixed to the shelf rail along its front in a similar manner. Thus, the sensor device and the display device have essentially the same fixing method so that they can be pushed into the shelf rail from below and thus releasably anchored there. This provides a high degree of flexibility in terms of the assembly possibilities of the shelf rail. At the same time, equipping the shelf rail with one or more sensor devices comes at the cost of reducing the number of display devices that can be placed on the shelf rail.

[0003] Therefore, the objective of this invention is to solve this problem by providing an improved sensor device and an improved shelf rail system. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This objective is solved by the sensor device according to claim 1. Therefore, the subject of this invention is a sensor device designed for mounting on a shelf rail, characterized in that the sensor device is designed for lateral mounting on the shelf rail.

[0005] This objective is further solved by the shelf rail system according to claim 12. Therefore, this invention relates to a shelf rail system comprising a shelf rail on which a sensor device according to the invention is laterally mounted.

[0006] An advantage of the measures according to the invention is that the sensor device frees up reserved space on the front side of the shelf rail for other electronic devices, and the sensor device can be concealed in the side area of ​​the shelf rail that is usually covered by a side panel, wherein the other electronic devices, such as electronic display devices or cameras, are essentially electronic devices that must be fixed in a specific position along the front side of the shelf rail to provide the desired function or effect there. Therefore, the sensor device, side-fixed to the shelf rail, replaces the known non-electronic side panels on the shelf rail and provides its sensor function in that position.

[0007] Other particularly advantageous embodiments and extensions of the invention are derived from the dependent claims and the following description.

[0008] Preferably, the other electronic devices are designed as electronic display devices. The electronic display device preferably includes a screen for displaying product and / or price information, particularly an energy-efficient reflective screen, and especially preferably an electrophoretic screen. The electronic display device is preferably designed as an electronic shelf label, known by the English name "Elektronic Shelf Label," abbreviated as ESL.

[0009] The sensor device is primarily used to detect conditions or events in the environment surrounding the shelf rail on which the sensor device is fixed. Since the shelf rail is typically fixed to the front of the shelf compartment, the condition or event is related to the environment surrounding the shelf or shelf compartment. Based on the detected condition or event, the sensor device generates sensor data and provides the sensor data for further data processing or output. Regarding the conditions or events to be detected, the sensor device can be classified into the following categories.

[0010] According to a first aspect, the sensor device can be designed to detect physical parameters. These physical parameters may be present on or around the shelf, or may be present in or around the shelf compartment where the shelf rail with the sensor device is located, i.e., installed.

[0011] In the context of the first aspect, the sensor device can be designed to detect physical parameters such as temperature, the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the air, the presence or concentration of volatile (gaseous) pollutants in the air, air humidity, or the presence of liquid on the relevant shelf compartment. For this purpose, conventional sensors are used in the sensor device.

[0012] Furthermore, in the context of the first aspect, the sensor device can also be designed to detect the approach, presence, or departure of an object or person relative to a shelf or shelf compartment. For this purpose, the sensor device can have sensors based on ultrasound, radar signals, or lasers. The physical parameters described herein are, for example, signal strength or phase shift, the presence or change of a sensor signal reflected by an object, wherein this sensor signal is emitted by the sensor's transmitter.

[0013] In the context of the first aspect, sensors for receiving and / or transmitting electromagnetic signals conforming to RFID and / or NFC standards may also be used in the sensor device. Such RFID and / or NFC-based sensors are generally referred to in technical terms as “interrogators” or “readers” because they provide an electromagnetic field for transmitting signals and / or data from another (external) RFID or NFC device (e.g., a so-called RFID or NFC transponder or RFID or NFC tag) to the RFID or NFC reader. The physical parameters described here describe the presence of a signal received from another RFID or NFC-enabled device and may include its signal parameters (e.g., signal strength or RSSI, where RSSI stands for “Received Signal Strength Indicator”) and / or its data content (e.g., a unique device identifier or other user data relevant in this context). Therefore, the sudden appearance of a received signal and / or the detected increase in signal strength over time can be interpreted as a decrease in the distance between the other RFID or NFC-enabled device and the sensor device (closer to the sensor device). A decrease in signal strength over time can be interpreted as an increase in the distance between the other RFID or NFC-enabled device and the sensor device (farther from the sensor device). These two scenarios can be further interpreted as the presence of another RFID or NFC-enabled device. If the signal of the other RFID or NFC-enabled device was previously receivable but is no longer receivable, then it can be assumed that the other RFID or NFC-enabled device does not exist. For the technical meaning of the terms RFID and NFC, refer to some standards listed herein (not exhaustively): ISO 14443-A or ISO 14443-B, ISO 18092, ISO 21481, ECMA 340, 352, 356, 362, or ETSI TS 102 190.

[0014] Instead of RFID or NFC-based sensor designs, other technologies, such as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE; technical documentation is available from the Bluetooth SIG website: https: / / www.bluetooth.com / ), can be used to detect objects (designed to be BLE-enabled devices or carrying BLE-enabled devices) approaching the sensor device, the presence or absence of an object at the sensor device, or the object moving away from the sensor device.

[0015] The relevant object can be a person or an electronically inactive object that moves with a person (e.g., a shopping cart). In this case, the object itself is detected by a sensor. However, the relevant object can also be an electronically active device, such as a device that supports RFID and / or NFC, in the form of, for example, an RFID and / or NFC tag, or in the form of, for example, a smartphone or tablet that supports RFID or NFC.Similarly, the electronically active device can be configured for Bluetooth communication.

[0016] According to a second aspect, the sensor device can also be designed to detect the loading status of a shelf. The detection of the shelf loading status is achieved primarily by detecting an electronically processable loading (data) signal from another object within the shelf. The sensor device generates loading data based on the detected loading (data) signal and provides this data for further processing or output, wherein this data directly or indirectly indicates or can be deduced from the loading status. This loading (data) signal may be caused by various means, which will be discussed below. Specification 2 / 10 pages 5 CN 122270215 A

[0017] In order to detect the loading status of a shelf or associated shelf compartment (on which the shelf rails and sensor device are mounted), the top surface of the shelf compartment (i.e., the location where products are placed) can be covered, for example, with a sensor or contact film. These products are then placed on the contact film. The construction of the contact film provides a loading (data) signal in an electronically detectable form corresponding to its occupancy by products. For this purpose, the contact membrane can have a capacitive or resistive structure, or simply have only switching elements that change their respective electronically detectable states depending on whether a product is placed on it. The contact membrane is preferably wired electronically connected to a sensor device, allowing the sensor device to measure a loading (data) signal and determine the loading status by evaluating the electrical loading (data) signal measured from the contact membrane.

[0018] To detect the loading status of a shelf or associated shelf compartment (on which the shelf rails and sensor device are mounted), the top surface of the shelf compartment (i.e., the location where the product is placed) can be equipped with a so-called "pusher." A pusher is a device that (automatically) allows products to be conveyed along the depth of the shelf compartment from the rear (i.e., the location where the rear wall of the shelf is typically located or another shelf boundary in the direction of shelf depth) to the front (i.e., where the shelf rails are mounted at the front edge of the shelf compartment). The pusher has an autonomous electronic distance detection system for detecting its distance from the rear wall of the shelf or the shelf boundary. For this purpose, the pusher has electronics designed to determine the distance based on ultrasonic, radar, or optical signals. The power supply to the thrusters can be wired, radio-based, or battery-powered, depending on the design. For example, if the dimensions of the product in the depth direction of the shelf compartment are taken into account, the number of products still on the shelf can be inferred directly or indirectly. Similarly, it can be determined that there are no products in the shelf compartment at all, because the detected distance either corresponds to the maximum travel distance of the thrusters or essentially indicates the depth of the shelf compartment. The thrusters generate loading (data) signals describing their respective statuses and transmit them via wired or radio-based means to sensor devices, which, depending on the thruster design applied, have wired or radio-based interfaces for receiving the loading (data) signals.The loading (data) signal can exist as a raw distance (data) signal, representing the distance between the pusher and the relevant structure of the shelf, or as a pre-processed (data) signal that has taken into account the depth of the relevant product.

[0019] To detect the loading status of the shelf or relevant shelf compartment (on which the shelf rails and sensor devices are mounted), an "interrogator" or "reader" mentioned in the first aspect of the previously designed sensor device, i.e., a sensor based on RFID and / or NFC signals, can also be applied. In this form of design, the product can be equipped with so-called RFID or NFC tags, which are attached to the product, for example, integrated into the product, such as affixed to the product or provided on a paper or plastic label, or may also be attached to the product packaging. The interrogator or reader integrated in the sensor device generates a loading (data) signal that describes the detected corresponding status and is provided in the sensor device for further processing or transmission. The sensor device can detect products placed on a shelf rack or detect the handling of products (in the sense of removing from or placing into a shelf rack) by means of loading (data) signals, and thereby determine the loading status of the relevant shelf rack or shelf, i.e., determine the products present there and / or their quantity.

[0020] In addition, the sensor device has a housing in which the corresponding sensor described above for detecting loading status is housed. In addition to the sensor, the housing may also house the sensor device electronics, which, for example, provide more advanced functions implemented in hardware and / or software. The sensor device electronics may also contain or be coupled to the electronics of the sensor. The more advanced functions may involve preprocessing of the sensor (data) signals or communication functions of the sensor device for communicating with external devices, etc.

[0021] Although physical parameter detection and loading status detection have been discussed above as separate design forms of the sensor device, it should be noted here that the sensor device can also be designed for combined detection of physical parameters and loading status.

[0022] Other aspects of the sensor device related to the sensor device housing will be discussed below, and the mounting of the sensor device on the shelf rails will be described in more detail. Instruction manual, page 3 / 10, CN 122270215 A

[0023] In general, it can be determined that the housing of the sensor device can be shaped to follow the outer contour of the shelf guide in the direction of viewing the front of the shelf guide, so as to be substantially optically seamlessly laterally connected to the shelf guide there. Furthermore, the housing can be shaped to completely prevent lateral access to the cross-sectional structure of the shelf guide, which provides protection. Similar to covering the sides of a known shelf guide in a known manner, the sensor device now assumes this protective role.

[0024] For mechanical coupling with the shelf rail, the sensor device has a mechanical connection device designed to establish a connection with the shelf rail in a holding and / or locking manner.

[0025] The shelf rail has an insertion slot that is at least side-open, located at the rear, and extends along the longitudinal extension line of the shelf rail, into which the sensor device is inserted. To establish this coupling, the mechanical connection device of the sensor device has an insertion element designed to be laterally inserted into the insertion slot of the shelf rail. The shape of the insertion element preferably conforms to the inner contour of the insertion slot so that it is received there in a form-fitting manner. In cross-section, the insertion element (fitting the insertion slot) can have, for example, a circular or curved shape (circular, elliptical, or bounded by other curved shapes). Angularly shaped cross-sections are also possible, such as polygonal, square, or particularly preferably rectangular cross-sections. The advantage of a rectangular cross-section is that the depth of the insertion element relative to its length or height can be relatively small, resulting in a slim profile that fits well into and is received by the slim structure of the shelf rail cross-section. This ensures that the back of the shelf rail can still be mounted flat against the supporting structure (e.g., a merchandise table or shelf unit), and the insertion element will not protrude from the shelf rail behind the supporting structure or require a distance from the supporting structure to be accommodated by the shelf rail.

[0026] As mentioned herein, the shelf rail may have a central web separating its back from its front. The insertion slot on the back may be peripherally closed, for example to prevent contact with the sensor device inserted therein. However, it has proven advantageous for the insertion slot to be open on the back for ease of installation or removal of the sensor device. Nevertheless, to ensure good and reliable retention of the insertion element, the insertion slot may have guide rail-like guide elements at its upper and lower ends that slightly surround the insertion element, wherein these guide rail-like guide elements preferably extend along the (preferably the entire) longitudinal extension line of the shelf rail.

[0027] The housing of the sensor device in the insertion element area is designed such that it can be inserted laterally into the insertion slot and held at its outer edge by the guide rail-like guide elements so as not to flip backward out of the shelf rail. Therefore, the housing portion surrounding the insertion element is adapted to the shape of the shelf rail insertion slot, preferably shaped to fit. The locking connection between the sensor device and the shelf rail can be established in various ways. For this purpose, a screw can be provided, for example, passing through the shelf rail from below and extending into the housing of the sensor device. The screw forms a releasable connection. Similarly, rivets can be provided in a similar manner, thus forming a substantially non-releasable connection. However, it has proven particularly advantageous for the mechanical connection device to have a snap-locking element on the insertion element, designed to engage with a snap-locking opening in the shelf rail.This snap-fit ​​closure element can, for example, engage with a structure forming the lower connection end of the shelf rail or a structure forming the upper end of the shelf rail. However, it has proven particularly advantageous for the shelf rail to have a snap-fit ​​closure opening in its central web. There, the snap-fit ​​closure element can be snapped into the shelf rail from the back. Particularly preferably, the central web of the shelf rail completely penetrates through the snap-fit ​​closure opening. This allows the snap-fit ​​closure element to be reached from the front of the shelf rail and can be easily pushed back out of the snap-fit ​​closure opening by a person's fingers, thereby releasing the locking connection with the shelf rail. To remove the sensor device from the shelf rail, simply pull the sensor device out of the shelf rail from the side. Furthermore, it should be mentioned here that the positions of the snap-fit ​​closure element and the snap-fit ​​closure opening are chosen such that when the sensor device is fully inserted into the shelf rail, the snap-fit ​​closure opening and the snap-fit ​​closure element are coincidentally positioned and engaged with each other. Therefore, the snap-fit ​​can only be performed when the sensor device is perfectly positioned in its target position in the shelf rail, i.e., when the sensor device housing portion connected to the insert element is close to the side end of the shelf rail.

[0028] It has proven particularly advantageous that the snap-fit ​​closure element is achieved by a preferred elastically adjustable, particularly preferred, bolt-shaped housing area of ​​the insert element (page 4 / 10 of the specification, CN 122270215 A). This housing area can, for example, be formed as a latch or strip and separated from the rest of the insert element's housing structure by a gap in the housing. The elastic mobility of the strip is here determined by the type of material (preferably plastic) and the thickness of the material of the strip or housing wall. A locking element is provided in the area for disengagement or for snap-fitting to establish connection, or at the end of the latch. The locking element can be implemented as a hook or pin, but is preferably bolt-shaped as described above. A circular bolt is particularly preferred, its height being approximately the wall thickness of the central web, so that it does not protrude from the front surface of the central web in the locked state, i.e., at most flush with that surface. This ensures that the device can be positioned on the shelf rail even in the snap-closed opening position, without interference from the snap-closed element. Therefore, this position on the shelf rail can still be used for device positioning. Simultaneously, the snap-closed element is covered by the device and / or prevents unauthorized operation. The shape of the snap-closed opening is adapted to the snap-closed element, particularly the outer shape of the latch, and is therefore preferably designed to be circular. The diameter of the circle is adapted to simple operation via fingertips, and is therefore preferably in the range of 5 mm to 1 cm.

[0029] For power supply to the sensor device, it can be designed to connect to a power supply integrated into the shelf rail. However, since sensors integrated into the sensor device typically must operate continuously to ensure continuous detection, this continuous operation is accompanied by significant power demands. Therefore, it has proven particularly advantageous for the sensor device to have its own independent power supply or to be connected to an independent power supply.For example, the sensor device may have an integrated power supply, such as a replaceable or rechargeable battery. However, it has proven particularly advantageous that the insert element has a power supply connection end configured for connecting a power supply device. In this regard, it has further proven particularly advantageous that the power supply connection end is designed as an extension of the insert element. Preferably, the extension extends substantially parallel to the back of the central web of the shelf guide along the receiving groove. The power supply connection end has electrical contacts and preferably also has a mechanical (particularly releasable) locking element so that a socket for a wired power supply device can be installed on one hand, or a battery module on the other. The electrical contacts allow current flow between the power supply device and the sensor device. The locking element ensures that the socket or battery module is reliably held in its target position until it is unlocked by manual intervention and can be removed.

[0030] Furthermore, it is worth mentioning that it is advantageous that the housing shape of the socket and battery module is designed to fit the shape of the receiving groove. Thus, the socket and battery module (similar to the insert element of the sensor device) can be fully accommodated in the receiving groove. This ensures that the shelf rails can be mounted on the shelves or shelf cells in the usual manner, and precisely, no additional structural measures are required because no part protrudes beyond the rear periphery of the shelf rails.

[0031] Functionally, the power connection acts as a plug for insertion into a socket or battery module.

[0032] According to one design, the shelf rails have a bus system with live conductors. To couple to the bus system, the sensor device has a connection device designed to electrically connect the electronics of the sensor device to the live conductors of the bus system of the shelf rails. In other words, the sensor device has a socket into which the live conductors are inserted as a plug once the sensor device is mounted sideways on the shelf rail. There are contact elements in the socket. With the sensor device mounted on the shelf rail, each contact element contacts one of the conductors of the bus system. The contact elements are connected to the electronics of the sensor device on their sides. Depending on the individual application or configuration of the sensor device, this measure allows the sensor device to be powered and / or supplied with data technology via the bus system.

[0033] According to a particular design, the shelf guide has a plate-shaped wire carrier located on the front and extending along the longitudinal extension line of the shelf guide, the wire carrier extending along the longitudinal extension line of the shelf guide to carry the electrical conductors of the bus system of the shelf guide. For coupling to this particular type of wire carrier, the connection device of the sensor device has a receiving slot designed to receive the plate-shaped wire carrier located on the front and extending along the longitudinal extension line of the shelf guide, the wire carrier extending along the longitudinal extension line of the shelf guide to carry the electrical conductors of the bus system of the shelf guide. Preferably, the receiving slot is aligned parallel to the insertion element.In the sensor device mounted to the rack rail, the insert element (page 5 / 10, CN 122270215 A) is located on the rear side relative to the central web and is therefore not visible, while the receiving slot is located on the front side relative to the central web and therefore at least one front slot wall is visible. Apart from these differences, the insert element and the receiving slot extend substantially parallel to each other. In terms of depth (of the rack rail), the receiving slot is positioned at a distance from the insert element so that sufficient space is left between them to accommodate the central web of the rack rail. Since the wire carrier preferably extends to the side edge of the rack rail, the receiving slot (viewed longitudinally in the rack rail) can be designed to be significantly shorter than the insert element, and the length of the insert element also contributes to mechanically stable (wobble-free) placement in the insert slot of the rack rail.

[0034] To achieve reliable and particularly interference-free electrical contact, the receiving slot has contacts located on the inner side for establishing electrical contact with the electrical conductors of the bus system. From the perspective of the shelf rail, the electrical conductor carried by the wire carrier contacts the sensor device's contacts inside the receiving slot of the sensor device. Preferably, the electrical conductor is positioned on the wire carrier on its side facing the back of the shelf rail, so that the conductor is invisibly positioned in a slot between the central web and the wire carrier. Thus, the conductive contacts of the receiving slot are located on the rear side of the slot wall facing inwards.

[0035] Particularly preferably, the shelf rail has an electronic supply device designed to provide power and / or communication technology to devices mounted on the shelf rail, particularly side-mounted sensor devices, preferably via the shelf rail's bus system. In particular, the communication technology connection between the sensor device and the electronic supply device ensures that sensor data provided by the sensor device can be smoothly output through the existing communication infrastructure in the store, which is utilized by means of the electronic supply device. Typically, the electronic supply device is not continuously active, but rather actively provides data communication via the bus system only at time intervals for energy saving. In this design, it can be specified that the sensor device stores sensor data during this period, and the electronic supply device then only invokes the sensor data when it is active.

[0036] The shelf rail has a first end (e.g., the left end) and a second end (e.g., the right end). By having the shelf rail carry the sensor device at its first side end and the electronic supply device at its second side end, optimal space utilization of the shelf rail is achieved. The remaining shelf rail space can be freely occupied by electronic devices, the accurate positioning of which is particularly important along the shelf rail. Finally, it should be generally mentioned that the electronic devices discussed (e.g., ESL, smartphones, tablets, video shelf rails, etc.) certainly have electronic components.The electronic devices may be constructed discretely or through integrated electronic devices, or a combination of both. Microcomputers, microcontrollers, and application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) may also be used, possibly in conjunction with analog or digital electronic peripherals. Many of the mentioned functions of these devices (possibly in conjunction with hardware components) are implemented by means of software, which runs on the processor of the electronic devices. Devices designed for wireless communication typically have an antenna configuration as part of a transceiver module for transmitting and receiving wireless signals. These electronic devices may also have an internal power supply, which may be implemented, for example, by a replaceable or rechargeable battery. These devices may also be powered by a wired connection, or by an external power source, or by Power over Ethernet (Power over LAN).

[0037] These and more aspects of the invention will be derived from the accompanying drawings discussed below. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0038] The invention will now be described in more detail again by way of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the invention is not limited thereto. In the different drawings, the same components are accompanied by the same reference numerals. In schematic form: Figure 1 shows a system according to the invention with a shelf rail system having a sensor device and a supply device; Figure 2 shows the electronic coupling of the supply device with the electrical conductors of the shelf rail system bus system; Figure 3 shows the back of the shelf rail system; Figure 4 shows three variations of the power supply for the sensor device from a first perspective; Figure 5 shows the three variations according to Figure 5 from a second perspective; and Figure 6 shows three application examples of the shelf rail system on a shelf. Detailed Description

[0039] Figure 1 shows a system 1 for operating electronic equipment, which in the case shown is formed by electronic shelf labels 2 and is referred to in English as "Electronic Shelf Label", hereinafter simply referred to as ESL 2. ESL 2 is designed to be powered by wired means and for wired communication.

[0040] Each ESL 2 has a screen 3 for displaying product and / or price information. In this example, this is an electrophoretic screen, which allows for extremely energy-efficient operation.

[0041] Product and / or price information is provided in system 1 by server 4, on which software runs to manage the allocation of products from ESL 2. Communication with ESL 2 is conducted via access point 5, which in this example is connected to server 4 via cable and wirelessly transmits display data (AD) representing product and / or price information to ESL 2. It should also be mentioned that, instead of (local) server 4, an (external) cloud-based software solution can also be provided for the same purpose.

[0042] System 1 further includes a shelf rail system 6 comprising a shelf rail 7 designed to carry or hold the ESL 2 on its front side. Details of the mechanical and electrical coupling of the ESL 2 to the shelf rail 7 are disclosed in WO 2022 / 188956 A1 in conjunction with Figures 3 to 5 and Figures 9 to 10 and the associated description, and are incorporated herein by reference.

[0043] The shelf rail system 6 further includes a supply device 8 designed to provide wired communication and wired power supply to the ESL 2 on the shelf rail 7. The supply device provides at least one reference potential GND, a power supply voltage VCC relative to the reference potential GND, and signal and / or data communication on the shelf rail 8 via a wired connection. The supply device 8 is designed to wirelessly communicate with access point 5 to receive display data AD and transmit it via a wired connection on the shelf rail 7 to the ESL 2 addressed by server 4 for displaying relevant product and / or price information. The supply device 6 is mounted on the right side of the shelf rail 7. It closes the shelf rail 7 from the side there.

[0044] The shelf rail system 6 further includes a sensor device 9, which, depending on the design, can perform different detection processes (see description in the general description) and generate sensor data SD as a result of the relevant detection processes. This sensor data is provided to the supply device 8 and output to the supply device 8 via a wired connection upon request. The supply device 8 communicates with the sensor device 9 via a wired connection in a manner similar to ESL 2. The sensor data SD (whether pre-processed raw data or raw data) is wirelessly transmitted by the supply device 8 to the server 4 via access point 5 for further processing. The sensor device 9 is mounted on the left side of the shelf rail 7. It closes the shelf rail 7 from the side there.

[0045] It should be mentioned that, instead of or supplementing ESL 2, other electronic devices, such as cameras (not shown), can also be mounted on the shelf rail 7.

[0046] Figure 2 shows the connection between the supply device 8 and the shelf rail 7, showing the right end of the shelf rail 7 and the supply device 8 therein, but not the supply device housing 17 and the supply device battery module 26 connected thereto (see Figure 3) visible in Figure 1, so only the electronics 10 of the supply device 8 are visible from the right side. In this view, as part of the shelf rail 7, the wire carrier 11 is visible, which extends along the entire longitudinal extension of the shelf rail 7 and is made of an insulating material (e.g., insulating plastic).The wire carrier 10 carries three electrical conductors 12, 13, and 14, which in this example are uninsulated copper conductors, arranged parallel to each other along the entire longitudinal extension of the shelf rail 7 and mounted on the side of the wire carrier 10 facing the back of the shelf rail 7. A supply device 8, together with the three electrical conductors 12 to 14, forms a bus system 15 of the shelf rail 7 for providing wired power and / or communication technology supply to devices 2 or 9 mounted on the shelf rail 7. The first conductor 12 is assigned a reference potential GND, the second conductor 13 is used for signal and / or data transmission, and the third conductor 14 is used to provide a power supply voltage VCC relative to the reference potential GND.

[0047] Electronic device 10 is constructed on a circuit board 10A and connected to the three conductors 12 to 14 by three resiliently deformable metal supports 16, which are also mechanically fixed to the circuit board 10A and electrically connected to the electronic device 10. Metal bracket 16 is located in housing groove 17A (see FIG. 1) of housing 17 of supply device, and wire carrier 10 is inserted therein in the right edge region of shelf rail 7.

[0048] Details of the mechanical and electronic coupling of supply device 8 and shelf rail 7 are disclosed in WO 2022 / 188956 A1 in conjunction with FIG. 6 to 8 and related description, and are incorporated herein by reference. Details of the electronic implementation of supply device 8 and its use in communicating with bus system 15 and ESL 2 connected to bus system 15 and power supply are disclosed in WO 2022 / 188956 A1 in conjunction with FIG. 11, 12A and 12B and related description, and are incorporated herein by reference. It should be emphasized here that signal and / or data interaction of supply device 8 is performed in a similar manner with sensor device 9, and therefore sensor device 9 is also designed accordingly in accordance with the said technical teachings.

[0049] A cross-sectional structure of shelf rail 7 is also shown in FIG. 2. Shelf rail 7 has a central web 18 that separates the front and back of shelf rail 7. On the head side, i.e., in the upward direction, the shelf guide 7 has a top wall 19 that slopes downward and forward, in which the wire carrier 11 is fixed. The sensor device 9 is visible on the left side of the closed shelf guide 7. The space defined by the central web 18 (specifically the front side of the central web 18), the top wall 19, the sensor device 9, and the supply device 8 is used to accommodate the ESL 2. This space opens downward so that the ESL 2 can be inserted from below and removed downward. This space also opens forward so that the ESL 2 can be seen.

[0050] The shelf guide 7 has an insertion slot 20 on the back of the central web 18, into which the sensor device 9 is inserted from the left side of the shelf guide 7 (see FIG. 1). Thus, the insertion slot 20 is defined forward by the central web 18, upward by the top wall 19, and downward by the bottom wall 21.On the back of the shelf rail 7, the top wall 19 and the bottom wall 21 terminate at guide rail-shaped guide elements 22, which are oriented relative to each other and extend parallel to and spaced apart from the central web 18 along the entire longitudinal extension of the shelf rail 7. When the sensor device 9 is inserted laterally, it is guided by the guide elements 22. In the inserted state, the guide elements 22 serve to securely hold the sensor device 9 within the shelf rail 7.

[0051] The view according to FIG2 shows the insertion element 23 of the sensor device 9, which is inserted into the insertion slot 20 and shaped to fit the shape of the insertion slot 20 for secure and stable retention there. Specifically, the housing of the insertion element 23 contacts the guide element 22 on the side facing inwards from the insertion slot 20 inside the insertion slot 20. It is evident that the sensor device battery module 24 is mechanically and electrically connected to the insertion element 23, and is configured to supply power to the sensor device 9. This sensor device battery module 24 is also designed to have a shape similar to the just described insertion element 23 for optimal fit within the insertion slot 20.

[0052] Furthermore, in the view of FIG2, a receiving channel 25A formed by the housing portion of the sensor device housing 25 is visible. The wire carrier 10 is received in the receiving slot at the left end region of the shelf rail 7 (also see FIG1) so as to contact the three electrical conductors 12 to 14 therein, thereby connecting the sensor device 9 to the bus system 15. In the receiving slot 25A, in this example, three contact elements 31, 32, 33 are provided (see FIG4), wherein each contact element is designed and positioned to make conductive contact with exactly one of the conductors 12, 13, or 14.

[0053] FIG3 shows the back of the shelf rail 7, where the insertion element 23 inserted into the insertion slot 20 can be clearly seen. Furthermore, the supply device battery module 26 mounted on the supply device 8 is also visible here. This supply device battery module is configured for power supply and is electrically connected to the electronics 10 of the supply device 8. The perforations 27 arranged in a grid pattern along the central web 18 are also clearly visible, which are used to lock the ESL 2 onto the shelf rail 7.

[0054] In Figure 4, the left end, or left-end region, of the shelf rail 7 is shown from a slightly tilted lower right frontal view. From this view, the three contact elements 31, 32, and 33 are clearly visible. Four sensor devices 9 are shown on the left side of the shelf rail 7 to discuss three connection schemes AK1, AK2, and AK3 for connecting the sensor devices 9 to the shelf rail 7. For clarity, all reference numerals are omitted in Figure 4.

[0055] According to the first connection scheme AK1, the power and communication technology connection of the sensor devices 9 is entirely via the bus system 15 of the shelf rail 7.Therefore, sensor device 9 is pushed into shelf rail 7 from the left, and three conductors 12, 13, and 14 are designated for current supply via supply device 8 and for communication with supply device 8.

[0056] According to the second connection scheme AK2, the communication technology connection of sensor device 9 is made via bus system 15 of shelf rail 7, while the power supply of sensor device 9 is made via cable 28, i.e., a separate cable connection to a (not shown) power supply device. This power supply device can be, for example, a USB power adapter, a separate (rechargeable) battery, or a power adapter. At the end away from the power supply device, cable 28 connects to socket 29, which is plugged into plug 30, and plug 30 is connected to insertion element 23, as shown in these two illustrations in conjunction with the second connection scheme AK2. Sensor device 9, thus connected to the power supply device, is pushed into shelf rail 7 from the left side together with socket 29.

[0057] According to the third connection scheme AK3, the communication technology connection of sensor device 9 is made via bus system 15 of shelf rail 7, while the power supply of sensor device 9 is made via sensor device battery module 24. This also applies to the plug 30 connected to the insertion element 23, to which the sensor device battery module 24 is directly connected. The sensor device 9, thus connected to the sensor device battery module 24, is pushed into the shelf rail 7 from the left side together with the sensor device battery module 24. It should also be mentioned here that the sensor device battery module 24 has an end bracket 30 for easy operation.

[0058] Referring to FIG4, it should also be mentioned that, in addition to the sensor device 9 pushed into the shelf rail 7 from the side, the shelf rail 7 can also be equipped with additional sensors 34, which are similar to ESL 2 fixed to the front of the shelf rail 7, if desired.

[0059] Furthermore, referring to FIG4, attention should be paid to the snap-closing element 35 of the sensor device 9, which is constructed on the insertion element 23. This snap-closing element 35 is used to engage the snap-closing opening 36 of the central web 18 at the shelf rail 7, so as to immovably but releasably secure the sensor device 9 to the shelf rail 7.

[0060] Referring to FIG. 4, it should also be mentioned that the socket 29 has a locking element 37 on its underside for locking with the (invisible) corresponding element of the plug 30.

[0061] The three connection schemes AK1 to AK3 shown in FIG. 4 are then visualized again in FIG. 5, but from another perspective, so that the left edge area of ​​the shelf rail 7 can be seen more clearly. Again, for clarity, all reference numerals are omitted here. Here, the wire carrier 11 that carries the three wires 12, 13 and 14 all the way to the left edge or left end of the shelf rail 7 can also be clearly seen.

[0062] Subsequently, various applications of the shelf rail system 6 are shown with the aid of FIG. 6. A segment of the shelf 38 is visible in FIG. 6.

[0063] The shelf 38 has an upper shelf compartment 39 on which seven so-called "pushers" 40 are mounted. The pushers 40 are designed to measure their distance relative to the rear wall 41 of the shelf and output this information wirelessly. Their respective distances from the rear wall 41 depend on the loading status of the shelf compartment 39, where the pushers 40 deliver their respective products to the front transparent end stops 42. In the illustrated case, there are no products in the shelf compartment 41, so all pushers are positioned at their maximum distance from the rear wall 41. If products are present, the distance between the relevant pusher 40 and the rear wall 41 decreases. When a product is removed, the relevant pusher 40 moves forward toward the shelf guide 7 to the extent of the product's depth. The sensor device 9 of the upper shelf compartment 39 has a radio-based communication module that is wirelessly coupled to the pusher 40, thereby enabling the sensor device 9 to determine the loading status of the upper shelf compartment 39 for each pusher 40. The respective loading status can then be transmitted via a wired connection to the supply device 8, and from there wirelessly via the access point 5 to the server 4.

[0064] The shelf 38 also has a middle shelf compartment 43 on which a contact or pressure-sensitive sensor membrane 44 (sometimes also called a contact membrane) is mounted. The sensor membrane 44 is positioned at the outer edge of the shelf compartment 43 and extends along the entire length of the shelf compartment 43. When products are removed from the shelf 43, these products (here, creams and ointments) are typically removed from the front. If the sensor film 44 is no longer loaded with the product at a certain point (product location), this can be detected by the sensor device 9 connected to the sensor film 44 and transmitted wiredly to the supply device 8 in the shelf rail 7, and from there wirelessly transmitted to the server 4 via the access point 5. As shown in FIG6, the sensor film 44 is connected to the sensor device 9 of the shelf rail system 6 installed in the middle shelf compartment 43 by means of a flat cable 45, wherein the flat cable 45 is introduced under the shelf compartment 43 on the side of the left bracket 46. For this purpose, plugs 30 can be used, the plug assignment of which is adapted accordingly, i.e., having the necessary number and configuration of plug contacts.

[0065] In this example, it is specified that the sensor film 44 is designed to allow two-dimensional position resolution, i.e., detection of the facing matrix of the object at the surface of the object, so that the presence or absence of the product can be determined not only in the depth direction of the shelf compartment 43, but also in the longitudinal direction of the shelf compartment 43. Alternatively, it can also be specified that the sensor film 44 only allows one-dimensional position resolution in the depth direction or the longitudinal direction of the shelf compartment 43.

[0066] The shelf 38 also has a lower shelf compartment 46 on which a sensor device 9 equipped with an RFID reader is installed.This RFID reader allows the detection of RFID tags (not shown) attached to products (here, shoes) or their labels, thereby determining the product inventory (loading status) of the lower shelf compartment 46 by detecting the RFID tags. The respective loading status is transmitted wired to the supply unit 8 in the form of data on the detected RFID tags or, simplified to data describing the number of detected RFID tags, and from there wirelessly to the server 4 via access point 5.

[0067] In summary, the measures discussed allow for the detection of the respective loading status in a manner specific to each shelf area, such as shelf compartments 39, 43, or 46, and for real-time identification of product shortages and cross-system communication, thereby enabling predictive planning of product replenishment, but can be fully automated at the latest when zero inventory is found in the relevant shelf compartment or the relevant product location within the relevant shelf compartment.

[0068] Finally, it should be mentioned that the second and third connection schemes AK2 and AK3 discussed in conjunction with sensor device 9 can also be applied to the supply unit 8.

[0069] To ensure that energy supply to the shelf rail system 6 mounted on the shelf 38 is as easy as possible, solar panels can be provided, for example, magnetically fixed to the top shelf of the shelf 38, and utilizing the light available in the store to power the electronic equipment on the shelf 38. Similarly, powerful battery modules with multiple connection points (e.g., USB connection points) can be provided, to which cables 28 can be connected to selectively power sensor devices 9 or supply devices 8, or both. USB power adapters that can be directly plugged into power outlets can also be applied. All these measures contribute to the optimal use of the grid power outlets that are typically scarce in commercial premises, or even eliminate the need for them altogether.

[0070] Finally, it should be noted again that the accompanying drawings described in detail above are merely embodiments, and those skilled in the art can make modifications in various ways without departing from the scope of the invention. For completeness, it should also be noted that the use of the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not preclude the existence of multiple related features. Instruction manual 10 / 10 pages 13 CN 122270215 A Figure 1 Figure 2 Instruction manual drawing 1 / 5 pages 14 CN 122270215 A Figure 3 Instruction manual drawing 2 / 5 pages 15 CN 122270215 A Figure 4 Instruction manual drawing 3 / 5 pages 16 CN 122270215 A Figure 5 Instruction manual drawing 4 / 5 pages 17 CN 122270215 A Figure 6 Instruction manual drawing 5 / 5 pages 18 CN 122270215 A.

Claims

1. A sensor device (9), - Designed for mounting on shelf rails (7), Its features are, The sensor device (9) is designed to be mounted on the side of the shelf rail (7).

2. The sensor device (9) according to claim 1, wherein the sensor device (9) is designed to detect physical parameters.

3. The sensor device (9) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sensor device (9) is designed to detect the loading status of the shelf (38).

4. The sensor device (9) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor device (9) has a mechanical connection means designed to establish a connection with the shelf rail (7) in a holding and / or locking manner.

5. The sensor device (9) according to claim 4, wherein the mechanical connection device has an insertion element (23).

6. The sensor device (9) according to claim 5, wherein the mechanical connection device has a snap-closing element (35) on the insertion element (23), the snap-closing element being designed to snap into a snap-closing opening (36) of the shelf guide (7).

7. The sensor device (9) according to claim 6, wherein the snap-locking element (35) is realized by a preferred elastically adjustable, particularly preferred bolt-shaped housing area of ​​the insertion element (23).

8. The sensor device (9) according to claim 5, wherein the insertion element (23) has a power supply connection terminal, the power supply connection terminal being configured for connecting to a power supply device (24).

9. The sensor device (9) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor device (9) has an electrical connection means designed to electrically connect the sensor device (9) to the electrical conductors (12, 13, 14) of the bus system (15) of the shelf rail (7).

10. The sensor device (9) according to claim 9, wherein the electrical connection device has a receiving channel (25A) designed to receive a plate-shaped wire carrier (11) located on the front and extending along the longitudinal extension line of the shelf rail (7), the wire carrier extending along the longitudinal extension line of the shelf rail (7) to carry the electrical conductors (12, 13, 14) of the bus system (15) of the shelf rail (7).

11. The sensor device (9) according to claim 10, wherein the receiving channel (25A) has contacts (31, 32, 33) located on the inside for making electrical contact with the electrical conductors (12, 13, 14) of the bus system (15) of the shelf rail (7).

12. A shelf rail system (6) comprising a shelf rail (7) on which a sensor device (9) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 is mounted laterally.

13. The shelf guide system (6) according to claim 12, wherein the shelf guide (7) has an insertion channel (20) that is at least side-open, located at the rear and extending along the longitudinal extension line of the shelf guide (7), and the sensor device (9) is inserted into the insertion channel (20).

14. The shelf rail system (6) according to any one of claims 13 to 14, wherein the shelf rail (7) has a bus system (15) with a wire carrier (11), wherein the wire carrier (11) is designed as a plate, located on the front and extending along the longitudinal extension of the shelf rail (7), and extends along the longitudinal extension of the shelf rail (7) to carry the electrical conductors (12, 13, 14) of the bus system (15), wherein the wire carrier (11) is received in the receiving channel (25A) of the sensor device (9) in its side end region.

15. The shelf guide system (6) according to claim 14, wherein the electrical conductors (12, 13, 14) carried by the wire carrier (11) are in contact with the contacts (31, 32, 33) of the sensor device (9) inside the receiving channel (25A) of the sensor device (9).

16. The rack rail system (6) according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the rack rail (7) has an electronic supply device (8) designed to provide power and / or communication technology to devices (2) mounted on the rack rail (7), particularly the side-mounted sensor devices (9), preferably via a bus system (15) of the rack rail (7).

17. The shelf guide system (6) according to claim 16, wherein the shelf guide (7) carries the sensor device (9) at its first side end and the electronic supply device (8) at its second side end.

Images