Electronic shelf label beacon
The ESL system with mobile device integration addresses the challenges of small screens and language barriers by using NFC and translation to assist visually impaired customers in accurately identifying and purchasing items.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- TOSHIBA TEC KK
- Filing Date
- 2025-10-15
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-16
Smart Images
Figure 2026097730000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Background Art
[0001]
[0001] Electronic shelf labels (ESLs) are used by retailers to display product prices on shelf boards that can be updated or changed under the control of a central computer server, typically at the front end of a retail shelf. An ESL typically includes a display, such as an electronic paper (e-paper) or a liquid crystal display (LCD), that uses e-paper to show the current product price to customers. E-paper (or electronic ink (e-ink)) is often used on ESLs because it provides a clear display, supports full graphic images (typically only black and white, but can include color), while only requiring power during updates and not requiring power to hold the image. A communication network from a central computer server enables the price display to be automatically updated each time the product price is changed, in contrast to static paper labels.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0002] [Figure 1]
[0002] A diagram showing an item location identification system using an ESL according to an embodiment herein. [Figure 2]
[0003] A diagram showing an item location identification system using an ESL according to an embodiment herein. [Figure 3]
[0004] A flowchart for identifying an item using an ESL according to an embodiment herein. [Figure 4]
[0005] A diagram showing attracting customer attention using an e-ink ESL according to an embodiment herein. [Figure 5]
[0006] A diagram showing displaying information on an ESL on a customer's mobile device according to an embodiment herein.
Modes for Carrying Out the Invention
[0003]
[0007] Embodiments in this specification describe the use of an ESL to help a customer find a particular product. For example, a customer can load a retailer's application onto their mobile device (e.g., a smartphone or tablet) and indicate to the application which items they wish to purchase. The retailer's application can then inform an ESL store controller, which in turn causes the ESL corresponding to that item to behave differently to attract the customer's attention. This could include activating lights (e.g., LEDs) on the ESL, flashing the lights, and changing a portion of the display from off (white) to on (black).
[0004]
[0008] Once the ESL is identified, the customer can move their mobile device near the ESL, which is capable of supporting Near Field Communication (NFC). The ESL can use the NFC connection with the mobile device to pass its display information to the mobile device, which then displays information on the mobile device (for example, the same information displayed on the ESL).
[0005] Advantages of the ESL Item Location System
[0009] One non-limiting advantage of the embodiments described herein is that using ESL to attract customer attention can help visually impaired customers, or customers who cannot read the language used on the ESL, identify the items they wish to purchase. Customers can use a retailer's application to indicate what items they wish to buy (the application may have a sufficiently large font (or color contrast) to be legible to visually impaired persons, use a speaker to audibly output the information displayed on the ESL, or use a language that the customer can read). These customers can then use visual indicators on the ESL to identify the items.
[0006]
[0010] In addition, after finding the item, the customer can use NFC, thereby displaying the information shown on the ESL on their mobile device. The mobile device has a much larger screen than the ESL, making it easier for visually impaired customers to view the information. The mobile device can also perform translation, allowing customers who cannot read the language to view the information displayed on the ESL in a language they can understand. Therefore, the embodiments described herein overcome the technical limitations of the ESL (e.g., having a small screen or displaying information in only one language) by utilizing the customer's mobile device.
[0007]
[0011] Figure 1 shows an item location system 100 using an ESL 115 according to an embodiment described herein. In this example, a customer can use a mobile device 120 (e.g., a smartphone or tablet) to locate a specific item on a shelf 110 in an aisle 105 of the store. The retailer can place the ESL 115 below (or above) the items on sale on the shelf 110. The ESL 115 can display information about the corresponding item, such as price, unit price, the name and brand of the item, whether the item is on sale, a barcode, and so on.
[0008]
[0012] In one embodiment, the mobile device 120 can be fitted with a store application that allows the customer to input a specific item they are looking for. The store application can then use the display 125 of the mobile device 120 to guide the user to the aisle 105 where the item is stored. For example, the store application can use the Global Positioning System (GPS) and Wi-Fi or Bluetooth® location technology to identify the customer's current location in the store (via the mobile device 120) and provide directions to guide the customer holding the mobile device 120 to the appropriate aisle 105.
[0009]
[0013] However, the directional indicators may not be fine enough to identify specific items, especially when shelf 110 may have multiple shelves. Furthermore, customers may have visual impairments or be unable to read the language displayed on the ESL. Therefore, customers may not be able to decipher the ESL 115 to determine whether they are purchasing the correct product (or evaluate the information displayed on the ESL to determine whether they wish to purchase a different product).
[0010]
[0014] In embodiments of this specification, the item locating system 100 can instruct an ESL (i.e., ESL 115A in Figure 1) corresponding to the item the customer is looking for to perform a visual action that attracts the customer's attention. This can include turning on a light (e.g., a colored light-emitting diode (LED)), flashing a light, and causing a portion of the display to switch between black and white. The ESL 115A can perform any function that visually distinguishes itself from neighboring ESLs, thereby attracting the customer's attention.
[0011]
[0015] This attention-grabbing behavior can be observed by someone who is visually impaired or speaks a different language, so that visually impaired or different-language customers can easily distinguish ESL 115A from other nearby ESLs 115B-D. As will be discussed in more detail below, once ESL 115A is identified, the customer can bring their mobile device 120 closer to ESL 115, thereby establishing wireless communication between ESL 115A and the mobile device 120. ESL 115A can transfer the information it is displaying to the mobile device 120, and therefore the mobile device 120 can display the same information on its display 125.
[0012]
[0016] For visually impaired customers, the information on the ESL 115A can be displayed on the display 125 with different color contrast or in a much larger font than would be possible on the ESL 115A. The customer could then read the information on the ESL 115A on their mobile device 120 and perform actions such as deciding whether they want to purchase the item, performing price comparisons (for example, between unbranded and well-known branded items), identifying the unit price, and seeing whether the item is on sale.
[0013]
[0017] If the customer cannot read the language used by the ESL 115A, the store application can translate the information received from the ESL 115A and then display the translated information on the display 125. In this way, the customer can ensure that they are purchasing the correct item, perform price comparisons, and see if the item is on sale. For example, the customer moves their mobile device 120 towards the ESL 115A to receive information from the ESL 115A, and then, when the translated information is displayed on the display 125, the customer can ensure that they are purchasing the correct item.
[0014]
[0018] Figure 2 shows an item location system 200 using an ESL according to an embodiment described herein. The system 200 includes a mobile device 120, a store controller 225, and an ESL 115. In one embodiment, the mobile device 120 is a customer's mobile device, such as a smartphone or tablet. However, in another embodiment, the mobile device 120 can be a device provided by a retailer to its customers when those customers enter the store. Thus, the embodiments described herein are not limited to any particular mobile device.
[0015]
[0019] The mobile device 120 includes a computer processor 205, which corresponds to any number of processing elements (e.g., any number of central processing units (CPUs)) having any number of processing cores. The memory 210 may include volatile memory (e.g., random access memory (RAM)), non-volatile memory, and combinations thereof. In this example, the memory 210 stores a retail application 215 (e.g., a retailer's software application), and a customer may use the retail application 215 to access services described herein, such as identifying a specific item (or list of items) using ESL 115. However, the retail application 215 may also perform other functions, such as scan-and-go item purchases, identifying items on sale, receiving and redeeming coupons, and logging into a customer loyalty program.
[0016]
[0020] The mobile device 120 also includes an NFC interface 220. NFC is a set of communication protocols that enable wireless communication between two electronic devices over a distance of approximately 4 cm. One-way or two-way NFC communication uses a frequency of 13.56 MHz in the unlicensed radio frequency ISM band, which is available worldwide.
[0017]
[0021] The embodiments described herein discuss the use of NFC for communication between the mobile device 120 and the ESL 115, but this is only one example of a suitable communication protocol. Other proximity-based communication protocols may be used, such as RFID or QR code (in which case the ESL 115 displays a QR code, which is read using the camera on the mobile device 120).
[0018]
[0022] The ESL 115 includes a display 230, a Wi-Fi interface 235, an NFC interface 240, and a light 245. The display 230 can be an e-ink display, which is more power-efficient than other types of display screens. When the ESL 115 operates on battery power, the display 230 can be an e-ink display. However, in other embodiments, the display 230 can be other types of displays, such as LEDs or LCDs, and can be coupled to a power supply rather than being battery-powered. In other embodiments, the display 230 can be a touchscreen, thereby allowing the user to interact with the touchscreen, such as by selecting virtual buttons.
[0019]
[0023] The Wi-Fi interface 235 may include a transmitter / receiver (transceiver) for sending and receiving Wi-Fi data. For example, the Wi-Fi interface 235 may connect to a Wi-Fi network in a store. The Wi-Fi interface 235 may be used by a store employer to remotely change what is displayed on the display 230 using the store controller 225. For example, product prices may be updated when the corresponding product goes on sale.
[0020]
[0024] The NFC interface 240 allows the ESL 115 to use NFC to communicate with store employee devices as well as customer user devices (e.g., mobile device 120). Store employees can use the NFC interface 240 to refresh the display 230, or customer user devices can use the NFC interface 240 to receive information currently displayed on the ESL 115, as will be discussed in more detail later.
[0021]
[0025] The light 245 can be any light (e.g., an LED) that can be activated. In one embodiment, the light 245 is used to attract a customer's attention. For example, if a customer indicates to the store controller 225 that they want to purchase an item corresponding to the ESL 115, the store controller 225 can blink the light 245 or make it brighter in some other way. However, in other embodiments, a portion of the display 230 can blink to attract a customer's attention, which will be discussed in FIG. 4.
[0022]
[0026] FIG. 2 is only an example of an ESL 115 and its features. For example, other ESL embodiments may not include all of the features shown. One ESL may include a Wi-Fi interface 235 but not the light 245. Another ESL may include an NFC interface 240 but not the Wi-Fi interface 235 or the light 245.
[0023]
[0027] The store controller 225 can be a software application running on a computing system (e.g., a server). The store controller 225 can also be a dedicated hardware device.
[0024]
[0028] In one embodiment, the store controller 225 updates the ESL 115. The system 200 can include a communication network (e.g., a Wi-Fi network), and that communication network enables the store controller 225 to change the information displayed on the ESL 115 (e.g., update price information when there is a sale, change information when a different item is associated with that ESL, etc.).
[0025]
[0029] The store controller 225 can also communicate with the retail application 215. For example, the retail application 215 can receive an input from the customer indicating which item the customer wants to purchase. The store controller 225 can then identify the ESL 115 corresponding to that item and cause the ESL 115 to perform visual actions (such as blinking the light 245) to distinguish the ESL 115 from neighboring ESLs and to attract the customer's attention.
[0026]
[0030] Figure 3 is a flowchart of a method 300 for identifying items using an ESL according to an embodiment herein. In block 305, a retail application (e.g., the retail application 215 in FIG. 2) identifies an item that a customer wants to purchase. For example, the customer can type the name of the product in a search function in the application. Alternatively, the retail application can display a weekly advertisement on a mobile device, and in that weekly advertisement, the customer can select (e.g., by touching) the displayed item that the customer wants to purchase.
[0027]
[0031] In another embodiment, the customer can use the retail application to build a shopping list or import a shopping list from another application (e.g., a shared memo among family members).
[0028]
[0032] In block 310, the retail application guides the customer to the location of the item in the store. For example, FIG. 1 shows a mobile device 120 providing an in-store direction indication (e.g., a walking direction indication) to a specific aisle that houses the identified item. The direction indication can be a directional arrow as shown, but can also be a walking path or some other guiding technique.
[0029]
[0033] In one embodiment, if the customer's location is unknown, the retail application can provide the customer with an aisle number (or grid number). The customer can then use signage in the store to find the aisle containing the items they wish to purchase.
[0030]
[0034] In block 315, the retail application instructs the ESL for that item to perform a visual action to attract the customer's attention. To do this, in one embodiment, the retail application informs the store controller (for example, store controller 225 in Figure 2) of the item the customer wants to purchase. The store controller can then identify the ESL in the store corresponding to that item and send a command to that ESL to perform a visual action to attract the customer's attention. A nearby ESL cannot perform this action, thereby making that ESL stand out and, consequently, easily identifiable by the customer.
[0031]
[0035] Visual actions can include brightening a light on the ESL (for example, light 245 in Figure 2), making that light blink, and changing the color of the display.
[0032]
[0036] Figure 4 illustrates how to attract customer attention using the e-ink ESL 400 according to an embodiment described herein. The ESL 400 includes an e-ink display 405. A store controller can instruct the ESL 400 to switch between two different display states to attract the attention of customers looking for the corresponding item.
[0033]
[0037] In the first state, a rectangle 410 is displayed, which includes a black border surrounding white pixels. In the second state, a rectangle 415 is displayed, which includes a solid black rectangle consisting of black pixels having the same dimensions as rectangle 410 (represented by spots / shading in Figure 4). The rest of the display 405 may be the same in both states.
[0034]
[0038] ESL 400 can switch between two states (for example, approximately every 0.5 seconds), thereby causing the rectangles 410 and 415 to have a flashing effect on display 405. That is, the portion of display 405 containing the rectangles 410 and 415 appears to flash, while the other displayed information remains unchanged. This makes ESL 400 stand out compared to other neighboring ESLs that do not have a changing display. Thus, Figure 4 shows an example of a visual action that can be performed in block 315 of method 300.
[0035]
[0039] As shown in Figure 4, flashing the display 405 may be preferable for ESLs that do not have a light or are powered by a battery, because this can use less power than brightening a light.
[0036]
[0040] Returning to method 300, in block 320, the mobile device establishes communication with the ESL. For example, after the customer identifies the ESL performing a visual action, the customer can move the mobile device to establish short-range communication between the mobile device and the ESL. In one embodiment, this communication is provided using an NFC interface on the mobile device and the ESL. In another embodiment, this communication is provided using RFID. In yet another embodiment, this communication may include the mobile device capturing an image of a QR code displayed on the ESL.
[0037]
[0041] In block 325, the mobile device receives display information from the ESL. For example, the ESL can transfer data to the mobile device using an NFC connection, in which case the data includes information currently displayed on the ESL (e.g., item name, item price, unit price, etc.). In another embodiment, this data can be transferred to the mobile device using RFID.
[0038]
[0042] In yet another embodiment, the display information can be encoded into a QR code, which, when decoded by a mobile device, contains the information currently displayed on the ESL. For example, when a store controller updates the ESL, the store controller can also update the QR code, and therefore these codes encode the current information displayed on the ESL.
[0039]
[0043] In block 330, the mobile device outputs information received from the ESL. For example, the mobile device can display a copy of what is displayed on the ESL, but only as a larger version (because the mobile device's display may be much larger than the ESL's display). This can allow a visually impaired person to see the same information displayed on the ESL on their larger mobile device. In another embodiment, the mobile device uses a speaker to output the information displayed on the ESL audibly.
[0040]
[0044] In another embodiment, a mobile device can display different versions of the information displayed on the ESL. For example, a retail application can perform translation of the information and display the translated information on its screen. In this example, the mobile device displays the same information as displayed on the ESL, but in a different language. For example, a retail application can support several languages, so that the customer can choose the language they are most comfortable using. The customer can use that language when identifying the items they wish to purchase using the retail application in block 305. Furthermore, the retail application can guide the customer to the location of the items in block 310, again using the customer's preferred language (for example, by outputting directions in the customer's preferred language).
[0041]
[0045] In another embodiment, the mobile device can display less information than what is displayed on the ESL. For example, the ESL can display a barcode, which is not displayed on the mobile device. This saves space on the display, allowing more important information (e.g., item name and price) to be displayed larger, which may be useful for people with visual impairments.
[0042]
[0046] In another embodiment, a mobile device may be able to display more information than what is displayed in the ESL. For example, a retail application may query a store controller to receive more information about an item that may not be available in the ESL, such as the item's expiration date and whether related items (e.g., a store-branded version of that item) are on sale.
[0043]
[0047] One advantage of using NFC, RFID, or QR codes to retrieve information from an ESL and display it on a mobile device is that it ensures the customer has found the correct item. For example, a mobile device can query a store controller to retrieve information displayed on the ESL, rather than retrieving it directly from the ESL. However, customers may view the wrong ESL and, consequently, purchase the wrong item, especially because items can look similar (for example, different types of ibuprofen, or a gallon of 1% milk and a gallon of 2% milk). By establishing communication between the mobile device and the ESL, the customer can view the displayed information on their mobile device (which may include the item's name and brand) and ensure they have found the correct ESL.
[0044]
[0048] Figure 5 illustrates the display of information on the ESL 115 on a customer's mobile device 120 according to an embodiment described herein. Figure 5 shows the ESL 115 having a display 230 that displays information about an item, such as the price of the item, the fact that the item is on sale, the name of the item, the weight of the item, a barcode, and so on.
[0045]
[0049] Figure 5 illustrates the transmission of displayed information 505 (e.g., item name, price, sales status, weight, etc.) from the ESL 115 to the mobile device 120. The displayed information 505 can be transmitted wirelessly using any of the technologies discussed in blocks 320 and 325 of Method 300, such as NFC, RFID, and QR codes.
[0046]
[0050] The mobile device 120 receives the displayed information 505 and then displays the same information displayed on the ESL 115. In other words, in this embodiment, the image displayed on the display 125 is the same as the one displayed on the display 230, except that the image may be larger (assuming the image is displayed full screen on the display 125). In other words, the display 125 can display a copy of what is displayed on the ESL 115.
[0047]
[0051] The information displayed by mobile device 120 and ESL 115 may be the same, but due to the use of different display technologies in mobile device 120 and ESL 115, the size, color, contrast, etc., may differ.
[0048]
[0052] Furthermore, as discussed above, in other embodiments, the information displayed by the mobile device 120 and the ESL 115 may differ. For example, the mobile device 120 may display a subset of the information displayed on the ESL 115. For instance, barcodes may be removed. Alternatively, the mobile device 120 may display other information not displayed on the ESL 115, such as the price of the related items.
[0049]
[0053] The descriptions of various embodiments are presented for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be exhaustive or limitful to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the embodiments described. The terminology used herein has been selected to best describe the principles, practical applications, or technological improvements over existing technologies, or to enable those skilled in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.
[0050]
[0054] The above references have been made to the embodiments presented in this disclosure. However, the scope of this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described. Rather, any combination of the features and elements discussed above is considered to implement and practice the conceivable embodiments, whether or not they relate to the various embodiments. Furthermore, while the embodiments disclosed herein may achieve advantages over other possible solutions or the prior art, whether or not advantages are achieved by a given embodiment does not limit the scope of this disclosure. Therefore, the aspects, features, embodiments, and advantages discussed herein are illustrative and shall not be considered elements or limitations of the appended claims unless expressly mentioned in the claims. Similarly, references to “this disclosure” shall not be construed as a generalization of any inventive subject matter disclosed herein and shall not be considered elements or limitations of the appended claims unless expressly mentioned in the claims.
[0051]
[0055] The embodiments described may take the form of entirely hardware embodiments, entirely software embodiments (including firmware, resident software, microcode, etc.), or embodiments that combine software and hardware embodiments, which may be referred to herein in general terms as “circuits,” “modules,” or “systems.”
[0052]
[0056] One or more of the embodiments described may be a system, method, and / or a computer program product. The computer program product may include (one or more) computer-readable storage media having computer-readable program instructions for causing a processor to execute an aspect of the embodiment.
[0053]
[0057] Computer-readable storage media can be tangible devices capable of holding and storing instructions for use by instruction-executing devices. Computer-readable storage media can be, but are not limited to, electronic storage devices, magnetic storage devices, optical storage devices, electromagnetic storage devices, semiconductor storage devices, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. A non-exhaustive list of examples of computer-readable storage media includes portable computer diskettes, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), static random access memory (SRAM), portable compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital multipurpose disks (DVDs), memory sticks, floppy disks, mechanically encoded devices such as punched cards or raised structures in grooves on which instructions are recorded, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. Computer-readable storage media, when used herein, should not be construed as transient signals themselves, such as radio waves or other freely propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagating through waveguides or other transmission media (e.g., light pulses passing through optical fiber cables), or electrical signals transmitted through wires.
[0054]
[0058] The computer-readable program instructions described herein can be downloaded from computer-readable storage media to each computing / processing device, or to an external computer or external storage device via a network, such as the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network, and / or a wireless network. The network may include copper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers, and / or edge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in each computing / processing device receives computer-readable program instructions from the network and transfers those computer-readable program instructions for storage on computer-readable storage media within each computing / processing device.
[0055]
[0059] The computer-readable program instructions for performing the operations of the embodiments described may be assembler instructions, instruction set architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine-dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state setting data, or source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including object-oriented programming languages such as Smalltalk and C++, as well as traditional procedural programming languages such as the "C" programming language or similar languages. The computer-readable program instructions may be executed entirely on the user's computer, partially on the user's computer, as a standalone software package, partially on the user's computer and partially on a remote computer, or entirely on a remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, via the Internet using an Internet service provider). In some embodiments, for example, an electronic circuit including a programmable logic circuit, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or a programmable logic array (PLA) can execute computer-readable program instructions by personalizing the electronic circuit using state information of the computer-readable program instructions in order to perform an aspect of the embodiment described.
[0056]
[0060] The aspects of the embodiments described herein are described with reference to flowcharts and / or block diagrams of the methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to the embodiments. It will be understood that each block in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams, as well as the combinations of blocks in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer-readable program instructions.
[0057]
[0061] These computer-readable program instructions can be provided to the processor of a general-purpose computer, a dedicated computer, or other programmable data processing device to generate a machine, thereby generating means for performing functions / actions specified in one or more blocks of a flowchart and / or block diagram when those instructions are executed via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing device. These computer-readable program instructions can also be stored on a computer-readable storage medium on which the instructions are stored, capable of instructing a computer, programmable data processing device, and / or other device to function in the described manner, such that the computer-readable storage medium on which the instructions are stored has a product containing instructions that perform the modes of functions / actions specified in one or more blocks of a flowchart and / or block diagram.
[0058]
[0062] Computer-readable program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing device, or other device to create a computer-executed process, in which a series of operational steps are performed on that computer, other programmable device, or other device, thereby enabling those instructions executed on that computer, other programmable device, or other device to perform functions / actions specified in one or more blocks of a flowchart and / or block diagram.
[0059]
[0063] The flowcharts and block diagrams in the figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible embodiments of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments. In this regard, each block in a flowchart or block diagram can correspond to a module, segment, or part of an instruction, comprising one or more executable instructions for performing a specified logical function. In some alternative embodiments, the functions shown in the blocks can occur in a different order than that shown in the figure. For example, two blocks shown consecutively may actually be executed substantially simultaneously, or they may be executed in reverse order depending on the functionality they contain. It will also be recognized that each block in a block diagram and / or flowchart, as well as combinations of blocks in a block diagram and / or flowchart, can be implemented by a dedicated hardware-based system that performs a specified function or action, or a combination of dedicated hardware and computer instructions.
[0060]
[0064] Embodiments can be delivered to end users through cloud computing infrastructure. Cloud computing generally refers to the delivery of scalable computing resources as a service over a network. More formally, cloud computing can be defined as a computing capability that provides abstraction between computing resources and their underlying technological architecture (e.g., servers, storage, networks) to enable convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or interaction with a service provider. Thus, cloud computing enables users to access virtual computing resources in the “cloud” (e.g., storage, data, applications, and even fully virtualized computing systems) regardless of the underlying physical systems (or the location of those systems) used to deliver the computing resources.
[0061]
[0065] Typically, cloud computing resources are provided to users on a pay-as-you-go basis, where users are charged for the computing resources actually used (e.g., the amount of storage space consumed by the user, or the number of virtualization systems instantiated by the user). Users can access any of the resources residing in the cloud at any time, from anywhere via the internet. In the context of the embodiments described, users can access applications (e.g., store applications) or associated data available in the cloud. For example, a store controller can run on a computing system in the cloud to communicate with customers' mobile devices and the ESL in the store. In such a case, the store controller can store the information displayed on the ESL in a storage location in the cloud. Doing so allows users to access this information from any computing system connected to a network connected to the cloud (e.g., the internet).
[0062]
[0066] While the above covers one or more embodiments, further embodiments can be devised without departing from the basic scope of those embodiments, and the scope of those embodiments is determined by the following claims.
Claims
1. Identifying designated items in the store, To instruct the electronic shelf label (ESL) corresponding to the item to perform a visual action, To establish communication between the mobile device and the ESL, Receiving display information from the aforementioned ESL, Outputting the aforementioned display information onto the mobile device A method that includes [a certain feature].
2. Establishing communication between the mobile device and the ESL is To guide a customer possessing the aforementioned mobile device to the aforementioned item, the mobile device will output directional instructions on the mobile device. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:
3. Establishing communication between the mobile device and the ESL is Establishing Near Field Communication (NFC) using the respective NFC interfaces in the mobile device and the ESL. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:
4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the display information is transmitted from the ESL to the mobile device using NFC.
5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the display information comprises information currently displayed on the ESL with respect to the item.
6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the mobile device displays the same information as that displayed on the ESL with respect to the item, but in a larger size than when the information is displayed on the ESL.
7. The display information received from the ESL is translated into a different language, and the display information is displayed on the mobile device in the different language. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:
8. The aforementioned visual action is, To brighten the lights on the ESL, or To produce a flashing effect, a portion of the electronic ink (e-ink) display of the ESL is changed from white pixels to black pixels. The method according to claim 1, comprising at least one of the following.
9. The method according to claim 1, wherein outputting the display information on the mobile device is further audible output of the display information using a speaker on the mobile device.
10. One or more memory units, One or more processors that are communicably coupled to the one or more memory and A mobile device comprising, wherein one or more processors Identifying designated items in the store, To instruct the electronic shelf label (ESL) corresponding to the item to perform a visual action, To establish communication between the mobile device and the ESL, Receiving display information from the aforementioned ESL, Outputting the aforementioned display information onto the mobile device A mobile device that performs actions that include the following features.
11. Establishing communication between the mobile device and the ESL is To guide a customer possessing the aforementioned mobile device to the aforementioned item, the mobile device will output directional instructions on the mobile device. The mobile device according to claim 10, further comprising:
12. Establishing communication between the mobile device and the ESL is Establishing Near Field Communication (NFC) using the respective NFC interfaces in the mobile device and the ESL. The mobile device according to claim 10, further comprising:
13. The mobile device according to claim 12, wherein the display information is transmitted from the ESL to the mobile device using NFC.
14. The mobile device according to claim 10, wherein the display information comprises information currently displayed on the ESL with respect to the item.
15. The mobile device according to claim 14, wherein the mobile device displays the same information as that displayed on the ESL with respect to the item, but in a larger size than when the information is displayed on the ESL.
16. The aforementioned operation, The display information received from the ESL is translated into a different language, and the display information is displayed on the mobile device in the different language. The mobile device according to claim 10, further comprising:
17. The mobile device according to claim 10, wherein outputting the display information on the mobile device is audible output of the display information using a speaker on the mobile device.
18. A first wireless interface that receives commands to perform visual actions to attract the attention of customers looking for ESL-compatible items, A second wireless interface establishes communication with a mobile device that outputs display information to the customer, and transmits the currently displayed information via ESL to the mobile device. ESL (English as a Second Language) is equipped with this.
19. Establishing communication with the aforementioned mobile device is The system further comprises establishing near-field communication (NFC) using the respective NFC interfaces in the mobile device and the ESL, wherein the information is transmitted from the ESL to the mobile device using NFC. The ESL according to claim 18.
20. The aforementioned display information includes information currently displayed on the ESL with respect to the item, The mobile device displays the same information as that displayed on the ESL with respect to the item, but in a larger size than when the information is displayed on the ESL. The ESL according to claim 19.