Identifying the location of devices on shelf rails

Abstract

A shelf rail system having a shelf rail and at least one shelf rail device secured to the shelf rail, the shelf rail system having at least one sensor provided or configured to automatically determine a position of the at least one shelf rail device secured to the shelf rail along a longitudinal extension of the shelf rail and / or to automatically determine an order of at least two shelf rail devices secured to the shelf rail along the longitudinal extension of the shelf rail.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to specifying the position of a device on a shelf rail.

Background Art

[0002] WO 2017 / 153481 discloses a shelf rail system having a shelf rail that enables an electronic display device to be installed in a grid pattern.

[0003] In the case of this known shelf rail system, for example, in a planogram (shelf layout plan), etc., in order to access the exact position of the display device by another electronic process, it is known that the position has to be manually specified, which is a drawback.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved shelf rail system in which the above drawbacks are avoided.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] This problem is solved by the shelf rail system according to claim 1.

[0007] Therefore, the subject of the present invention is a shelf rail system having one shelf rail and at least one shelf rail device fixed to the shelf rail. In this case, the shelf rail system has at least one sensor provided or configured to automatically determine the position of at least one shelf rail device fixed to the shelf rail along the longitudinal extension of the shelf rail, and / or to automatically determine the sequence of at least two shelf rail devices fixed to the shelf rail along the longitudinal extension of the shelf rail.

[0008] According to the means of the present invention, the position of a shelf rail device housed within a shelf rail, or the relative position of such device, is determined fully automatically and has the advantage of being accessible to further computer-based, i.e., electronic processing.

[0009] Other particularly preferred configurations and embodiments of the present invention are described in the dependent claims and below.

[0010] Preferably, the present invention finds its scope of application in a system of electronic shelf labels. In this case, the shelf rail is generally installed on the front edge of the shelf surface of a shelf or another object used to display products, and is used to fix a shelf rail device which is an electronic shelf label. The shelf rail device is used to display product information and / or price information and is in technical terms, often referred to as "Electronic Shelf Labels" (abbreviated as ESL) by its English spelling. In such a system, the information to be displayed is transmitted from a central control unit, such as a server or cloud application, to each ESL. In this case, an electronic communication network is used between the multiple ESLs and the central control unit. The communication network may be configured wirelessly, or cabling, or may exist in a hybrid configuration. In this case, for example, multiple ESL access points may be connected to the central control unit via a LAN (Local Area Network), and a group of multiple ESLs may each be assigned to one of these ESL access points. In this configuration, the multiple ESLs may respond wirelessly.

[0011] However, a device having other functions, such as detecting temperature, recording images and / or video, or capturing user interaction, may be used as the shelf rail device.

[0012] However, it may be proposed that each shelf rail be provided with a separate shelf rail device, namely a controlling shelf rail device, or a shelf rail device that configures a central interface for each shelf rail, also known as a shelf rail controller. In this case, the shelf rail controller may communicate with the central control device via cable or wirelessly, particularly via the communication network described above, and may also be responsible for controlling another shelf rail device installed on that shelf rail. In this case, such control may be performed wirelessly, but preferably via cable connection. Such a shelf rail controller is installed on the end side of the shelf rail, namely on the left or right edge of the shelf rail.

[0013] Multiple shelf rail devices are powered by batteries or rechargeable batteries, each individually installed for each shelf rail device. Wireless power supply may also be implemented, for example, by "Power-over-WiFi". Alternatively, a shelf rail controller may be used as a central power supply unit for shelf rail devices installed in front of the shelf rails. In this case, power is supplied to the shelf rail controller itself by a central battery, Power-over-WiFi, or via a cable connection.

[0014] According to the first embodiment, it has been demonstrated that it is particularly beneficial that the sensor is installed within the shelf rail device and is configured to identify one, preferably more than one, coded element of the shelf rail. That is, the coded element extends along the longitudinal portion of the shelf rail and can be identified by the shelf rail device, which can be installed substantially randomly along the shelf rail, using the sensor located at each position.

[0015] The coded elements can be structured in various ways, for example: - For example, as an optically identifiable location-specific coding element such as a QR code (in this case, the QR code is configured to be specific to the location along the shelf rail) or a location-specific barcode or color code, - For example, as a coding element that changes the shape or pattern of the shelf rail in a location-specific way, such as a shape that changes the surface of the shelf rail, such as a position-specific marking, or a plurality of recesses, gaps, or perforations that are arranged or formed in a location-specific way, - For example, a resistive strip extending along a longitudinal portion that enables the detection of a resistance value that changes in a position-specific manner depending on the contact position, or a position-specific structure that causes position-specific capacitance characteristics or electromagnetic induction characteristics of the shelf rail, such as a position-specific coating or material thickness, as a coded element that changes in a step-like or (almost) continuous manner along the shelf rail with respect to its electrical properties. It can be constructed in various ways.

[0016] In this case, each coded element can be installed or positioned on the shelf rail so that each coded element can be identified without problems by a sensor installed within the shelf rail device. In this case, the positioning region on the shelf rail can be a region positioned directly adjacent to one shelf rail device fitted within the shelf rail. This region may be, for example, the upper rail, lower rail, or central wall of the shelf rail that extends corresponding to the rear wall of the shelf rail device fitted within the shelf rail.

[0017] The shelf rail has an area that extends adjacent to the shelf rail device fitted within it. For example, such as a downward-facing vertical hole into which the shelf rail device is inserted for fixing the shelf rail device to the shelf rail, this area is generally not visible to or is extremely difficult to see by a customer behaving normally when the shelf rail is used in the usual manner. Therefore, since the coding element is installed in this area, it has the advantage of not being visible to customers or store staff. Furthermore, the coding element installed in this way is reliably protected from surrounding influences and potential damage in that area.

[0018] Depending on the coding element used each time, it has been demonstrated that it is particularly beneficial for the sensor to be configured to conform to the coding element to be identified, that is, specifically, for the sensor to identify one or more coding elements mechanically, electrically, in particular resistively, electromagnetically inductively, or capacitively, or optically.

[0019] The sensor configured for such optical identification may consist, for example, of a CCD sensor (where CCD stands for "Charged Couples Device") or a combination of a light-emitting diode and a phototransistor. Since the shelf rail device installed along the shelf rail covers the optically identifiable coded element at its location, i.e., blocks or obstructs the light incident on the coded element, it may be beneficial for the sensor or the shelf rail device to have an illumination element (e.g., one or more LEDs) provided, configured, or positioned to illuminate the optically identifiable coded element. When an optically identifiable coded element located on the rear surface of the shelf rail device is identified by a sensor provided on the shelf rail device, the illumination element illuminates the optically identifiable coded element from the rear surface of the shelf rail device. Preferably, the rear surface is configured to illuminate and identify the coded element from a location that does not directly contact the shelf rail. The illumination element may be installed on the rear surface of the shelf rail device. However, the lighting element may be installed on the side of the shelf rail device, so as to illuminate the shelf rail extending from this side to the rear of the shelf rail device. However, the sensor may be configured or installed to detect a portion of the shelf rail extending adjacent to the shelf rail device. However, in this case, the lighting element should not be omitted. However, it is also proposed that the lighting element may be oriented so as to illuminate the area of ​​the shelf rail detected by the sensor that extends adjacent to the shelf rail device.

[0020] A sensor configured for mechanical specification may, for example, have a mechanical element that can be offset for each shape of the coded element. In this case, the offset of this mechanical element is further specified and processed electronically within the sensor. For this purpose, a torsion bar or strain gauge, etc., may be used.

[0021] Sensors configured to identify electrically can be based on, for example, detecting the value of an electrical resistance or a change in the value of an electrical resistance, can be based on detecting electromagnetic induction or a change thereof in a coil or conductor loop, or may be based on detecting the capacitance of a capacitor or a change thereof. Ultimately, a voltage drop or current that changes due to an electromagnetic induction effect or a capacitance effect is detected.

[0022] However, according to a particular embodiment, it has proven particularly advantageous that a plurality of coding elements are formed along the longitudinal extent of the shelf rail, in particular by a plurality of recesses in at least one shelf rail wall. In this case, these recesses form the shape of the shelf rail that is uniquely patterned in a position along the longitudinal extent of the shelf rail. Particularly preferably, it has proven particularly advantageous that the configuration is in the central wall of the shelf rail. In this case, the configuration is arranged directly adjacent to one shelf rail device fitted within the shelf rail and is provided in contact or touching this shelf rail device in some cases. This ensures a safe and reliable identification of the coding elements by the sensors of this shelf rail device.

[0023] In this connection, it has further proven advantageous that the plurality of recesses are configured in a grid pattern. Thus, the advantage is obtained that a plurality of coding elements are always arranged at the same intervals along the longitudinal extent of the shelf rail.

[0024] Furthermore, it is particularly advantageous that the plurality of recesses used as a plurality of coding elements are also provided and configured to fix the shelf rail device to the shelf rail in a force-transmitting manner. That is, these recesses preferably function in a dual capacity. The function of the force-transmitting fixation is achieved by the arrangement and dimensions of these recesses that are adapted to the corresponding fixing means of the shelf rail device. As a result, this fixing means can interact with these recesses and the shelf rail device is held in the target position of the shelf rail.

[0025] The function as a coding element is achieved by these recesses due to the differences in the shape and / or dimensions of the plurality of recesses.

[0026] In order to enable unique identification of a plurality of coding elements, it is beneficially proposed that all the recesses are different from each other.

[0027] To ensure the simplest possible identification of the code transmitted by the coding element, it has been further demonstrated that it is particularly effective that only the shape of the plurality of coding elements is different, and each shape appears only once. Regarding the plurality of recesses described above, the difference can preferably be the height of each recess. In this case, it is assumed that the height is measured perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the shelf rail within the plane of the central wall of the shelf rail. Therefore, the advantage is obtained that the arrangement of these recesses remains unaffected in a grid-like manner. In this embodiment, for example, most of the shape of these recesses remains unaffected by coding, and thus the fixation of the force transmission formula is provided without being affected, and it can also be proposed that only a relatively small area of the recesses is coded by the different heights for each recess. This embodiment can be realized, for example, by slits of different lengths for each recess. The slits extend within the central wall of the shelf rail over the basic dimension of the height, and a scale or a probe can penetrate into the slits according to the respective lengths of the slits.

[0028] Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that it is particularly beneficial if one dimension characterizing the shape always differs by only one unit of dimension from the dimension of the shape of the next coded element. This scale can be defined by, for example, the order of millimeters, or by more than 0.1 mm. This means is roughly equivalent to converting known Gray codes from digital technology into shelf rail systems, particularly the patterned or mechanical shapes of said shelf rail systems. In particular, this means offers the advantage that positions along the shelf rails can be coded robustly without issue, and that identification (detection), including errors in each coded element, can be easily inspected (analyzed).

[0029] Unlike the above, where the shelf rail itself is used to encode the position, in another embodiment where the shelf rail is not used as a coding element, a sensor is installed within the shelf rail device and is used to determine (measure) the distance along the shelf rail from the shelf rail device to an adjacent object. Such an embodiment can be realized, for example, by each shelf rail device having a time-of-flight sensor. The transmit and receive characteristics of this time-of-flight sensor are directed substantially parallel to the longitudinal extension of the shelf rail and are used to measure the distance to an adjacent shelf rail device or another object adjacent to the shelf rail. For example, when a first shelf rail device is fitted into the shelf rail in the presence of a controller on the shelf rail, the absolute position of this first shelf rail device can be measured by the shelf rail controller. In this case, the shelf rail controller and the fitted shelf rail device can be used to check whether another shelf rail device is fitted between the already fitted shelf rail device and the shelf rail controller, or between the already fitted shelf rail device and the end of the shelf rail. This means, which repeatedly checks whether another shelf rail device is fitted between two shelf rail devices fitted in known positions, can be repeated for any number of shelf rail devices until the maximum allowable number of shelf rails is reached. However, this means is not applicable if one shelf rail device is fitted between two shelf rail devices. LuIt can also be used to confirm that an item has been removed, because such removal changes the distance between two shelf rail devices located in known positions, or the distance between the shelf rail controller and the nearest shelf rail device within the shelf rail, or the distance from a shelf rail device within the shelf rail to the end of that shelf rail.

[0030] In another embodiment, it may be proposed that each shelf rail device has at least one transmitter as a sensor for communication between shelf rail devices, and that each shelf rail device is configured to provide the results of communication and / or signal transmission between two adjacent shelf rail devices for the purpose of identifying the position and / or order. In this embodiment, for example, it may be proposed that each shelf rail device is configured to send and receive infrared signals in the plane of the shelf rail or parallel to the shelf rail. Thus, signal transmission or information transmission can be established from one shelf rail device to its adjacent shelf rail device. Thus, such information transmission can, for example, cover communication to directly confirm the ID (identity) of adjacent shelf rail devices. For this reason, each shelf rail device that receives the ID of the adjacent shelf rail device can record whether it received it on the left or the right side. In the case of shelf rail devices constituting a shelf rail controller, this reception can of course be performed from only one side. The adjacent relationships between these shelf rail devices, as confirmed in this way, may be provided from each of these shelf rail devices by, for example, a shelf rail controller or a central control unit for further processing, and transmitted to these shelf rail devices for further processing during communication with these shelf rail devices.

[0031] In another embodiment, it can be proposed that the sensor be configured to detect signals propagating along shelf rails, particularly mechanically emitted signals, and especially preferably acoustic signals.

[0032] Therefore, the propagation of electrical signals along shelf rails, such as bus systems or cables, can also be detected by a properly adapted bus system and used to measure the absolute or relative positions of multiple shelf rail devices along the shelf rail, based on propagation parameters such as the signal strength or attenuation of signals at each location along the shelf rail, or the timing of signal propagation, such as the time offset between transmission and return transmission or reception of return transmission or reception of reflected signals.

[0033] However, preferably, the propagating signal is a signal generated by mechanical stimuli propagating along and within the shelf rail. This signal may be generated, for example, by a vibration generator in the shelf rail device. This vibration generation is initiated or activated, for example, by another second shelf rail device installed spaced apart from the first shelf rail device, through electronic communication between the two devices. The vibration generator in the first shelf rail device induces vibrations in the shelf rail, which propagate along the shelf rail and within the material of the shelf rail, and the elapsed time from the start of vibration generation (or the communication-technical start of vibration generation) to the arrival of the vibrations at the second shelf rail device is measured by the second shelf rail device.

[0034] Particularly preferably, the vibration is an acoustic signal, i.e., a signal that may be audible. In this case, the audible characteristics can be made different so that the signal is audible to animals but not to humans, or so that it is audible to both animals and humans. If the signal is audible only to animals, it can be used not only to measure location but also to keep animals away from the store. However, if the signal is audible to humans as well, it can be used for signal communication, such as a fire alarm. The acoustic signal can be generated, for example, by a piezoelectric speaker or a general acoustic transducer. The piezoelectric speaker or general acoustic transducer is installed within each shelf rail device. That is, to ensure optimal signal transmission to the shelf rail, the piezoelectric speaker or general acoustic transducer is installed in a shelf rail device fitted within the shelf rail so that it is in contact with the shelf rail as much as possible.

[0035] Particularly preferably, the shelf rail controller described above is used as a shelf rail device that initiates or starts transmitting signals, and can communicate individually with, i.e., selectively control, multiple other shelf rail devices installed on the shelf rail. However, if a shelf rail controller is not provided, the individual shelf rail devices may initiate the transmission of signals that propagate within the shelf rail to calculate the relative positions of these shelf rail devices on the shelf rail.

[0036] Each shelf rail device configured to receive signals propagating within the shelf rails has a signal receiver. To ensure problem-free, and especially optimal, signal reception, the signal receiver is also conveniently installed or configured so as to contact the shelf rail. Preferably, such a signal receiver may consist of a piezoelectric MEMS microphone. MEMS stands for Microelectromechanical System. However, another signal receiver, for example, one based on a coil, may be used.

[0037] In a particular embodiment, it has been demonstrated that it is particularly beneficial for a shelf rail system to have a shelf rail control device, configured to power, in particular, at least one other shelf rail device fixed to the shelf rail, in particular an electronic shelf rail display device, or a shelf rail camera, or a device for detecting the temperature and / or humidity of the shelf rail, or a shelf rail input device, as one of a plurality of shelf rail devices. As described above, in order to allow the settings of the shelf rail devices on the shelf rail to be accessed by a central control device, the shelf rail can be usefully involved in the determination of the absolute and relative positions of other shelf rail devices installed on the shelf rail.

[0038] A highly efficient and beneficial configuration can be obtained by a shelf rail control device when the shelf rail has a cable system, particularly a cable system having exactly three conductors. In this case, the shelf rail control device is connected to the cable system, and at least one other shelf rail control device is in contact with the cable system. This cable-connected operation within the shelf rail allows for reliable identification of the position or sequence of multiple shelf rail devices. This identification can be performed without being affected by external radio signals that may occur near the shelf rail.

[0039] Finally, it should be noted that the above-mentioned electronic devices naturally have electronic components. These electronic devices may consist of discrete or integrated electronic components, or a combination of both. Microcomputers, microcontrollers, and application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) may be used in combination with analog or digital peripherals, depending on the circumstances. Many of the above-mentioned functions of the device are performed on the electronic device's processor and are configured by software, sometimes in cooperation with hardware components. Generally, devices configured for wireless communication have an antenna structure for transmitting and receiving wireless signals as a component of the transceiver module. Therefore, these electronic devices have an internal power supply. This internal power supply may consist, for example, of a replaceable or rechargeable battery. Furthermore, the device may be powered by an external power source or via a cable connection using "Power-over-LAN".

[0040] These and other aspects of the present invention are shown in the drawings below.

[0041] The present invention will be described in more detail below based on embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, these embodiments are not intended to limit the present invention. In this case, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals in different drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0042] [Figure 1] This is a view from diagonally above of the shelf rail system of the present invention, which has three shelf rail devices fixed to the shelf rail. [Figure 2] This is a view from diagonally below of a shelf rail system having multiple visible recesses as mechanical coding elements. [Figure 3] This is a side view of the shelf rail device, fully fitted into the shelf rail, as seen along the shelf rail. [Figure 4] This shows the mechanical interaction between the multiple recesses and the shelf rail device. [Figure 5]This shows a shelf rail system having a configuration for determining the sequence of two shelf rail devices fixed along the front of the shelf rail. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0043] Figure 1 shows a shelf rail system 100 comprising a shelf rail 1 having three shelf rail devices, namely one shelf rail controller (hereinafter abbreviated as controller 40) installed on the side edge and two shelf labels (hereinafter abbreviated as electronic display devices 20) installed on the front. The electronic display devices 20 are arranged along the longitudinal extension of the shelf rail 1 and are used to display product information and / or price information, and for this purpose have a display 24 on the front of the electronic display device 20. In this case, the respective product information and / or price information is transmitted to the controller 40 by wireless communication 71, and then transmitted from the server 60 connected by cable to the access point 70 to the electronic display device 20.

[0044] The display device 20 has electronic devices for the display device (not shown in detail). The controller 40 has electronic devices for the controller (not shown in detail). In the display in Figure 1, at least a portion of the cable carrier 5 supporting three cable paths 6 (not visible here - see Figure 3) is also visible. These cable paths 6 electrically connect the electronic devices for the controller and the electronic devices for the display devices for communication between the controller 40 and each display device 20, and supply power to each display device 20.

[0045] Figure 2 shows the shelf rail system 100 from the rear. In this figure, the display device 20 is not visible, and the server 60, access point 70, and wireless communication 71 are not shown. However, in this figure, a series of approximately rectangular, continuous recesses 13 arranged in a grid along the extended portion of the shelf rail 1 are clearly visible. These recesses 13 are used to mechanically fix the display device 20 and are also used to locate the position of each display device 20 along the extended portion of the shelf rail 1.

[0046] In Figures 1 and 2, the upper surface O and lower surface U are also depicted relative to the shelf rail system 100, so that we can refer to the upper and lower parts using "upper" or "lower" below.

[0047] The heights H (see Figure 4) of the multiple recesses 13 are formed to be slightly different. In this case, the height H increases by approximately 0.1 mm for each subsequent recess 13, starting from the first recess 13 located on the side edge of the shelf rail 1. In this case, all the upper edges of the multiple recesses 13 facing the upper surface O are aligned in a straight line or on the same plane. Therefore, these different heights of the multiple recesses 13 extend toward the lower surface U. Naturally, these slight differences in height are not clearly distinguishable, but they can be detected by the sensor 99 of the display device 20. This is explained in more detail below.

[0048] Figure 3 shows the interaction between the display device 20 and the shelf rail 1. In this case, the shelf rail 1 is shown in a side cross-sectional view together with the display device, and the display device 20 is fully fitted into the shelf rail 1.

[0049] The shelf rail 1 has a first boundary wall 2 (reference wall 2) which is shown vertically in the figure.

[0050] The upper end of the first boundary wall 2 or the reference wall 2 continues to the second boundary wall 3. In this embodiment, the second boundary wall 3 and the reference wall 2 are manufactured integrally from, for example, steel or aluminum.

[0051] To accommodate the display device 20, a dwelling area 4, limited by both sides of these walls 2 and 3, exists between the reference wall 2 and the second boundary wall 3.

[0052] On the display device 20 side, that is, within the spatial area of ​​the containment area 4, an acute angle 8 of approximately 53° is formed between the reference wall 2 and the second boundary wall 3.

[0053] The second boundary wall 3 has a housing shaft 7 into which a cable carrier 5, formed as a cable carrier plate, is fitted. The cable carrier 5 is pressed into the shape of the housing shaft 7 on the side inserted into the housing shaft 7, i.e., it is formed in a substantially T-shape. In order to insert the cable carrier 5 into the housing shaft 7 or to remove the cable carrier 5 from the housing shaft 7, the cable carrier 5 is movable within the housing shaft 7 perpendicular to the projection plane of Figure 1, or movable toward this projection plane.

[0054] Each of the multiple cable paths 6 supported by the cable carrier 5 is made from a single-core copper wire 6 and is constructed without an insulating layer. More than 50% of the cross-section of the wire 6, for example, two-thirds of the radial dimension, is embedded within the cable carrier 5. In this case, the wire 6 closest to the second boundary wall 3 is the power supply cable, the central cable path 6 is the signal supply cable, and the cable path 6 furthest from the second boundary wall 3 is the reference potential cable. These wires 6 are arranged on the side of the cable carrier 5 facing the reference wall 2 and constitute multiple cables of the bus system on the shelf rail 1.

[0055] The cable carrier 5 and the reference wall 2 each have a first dimension (longitudinal extension portion) indicating a longitudinal dimension extending from or toward the projection plane. In this embodiment, the cable carrier 5 and the reference wall 2 are the same length, for example, about 1.5 m. However, different lengths may be provided for the shelf rail 1.

[0056] The cable carrier 5 has a second dimension (height) that indicates the vertical dimension of the cable carrier 5. Correspondingly, the reference wall 2 has a third dimension (height) that indicates the vertical dimension of the reference wall 2 in Figure 1. In this embodiment, the second dimension of the cable carrier 5 is approximately 40% of the third dimension of the reference wall 2. In this embodiment, the second dimension is, for example, approximately 3 cm. In this embodiment, the cable carrier 5 is manufactured from insulating polypropylene by injection molding. In this case, the wire 6 is already embedded during the manufacturing process of the cable carrier 5.

[0057] The second boundary wall 3 has an edge region 12 formed in a nose-like or hook-like shape on its end side. This edge region 12 abuts against the upper part of the display device 20 when the display device 20 is fitted into it.

[0058] In Figure 1, the display device 20 is positioned such that it can be fitted into the shelf rail 1 by moving linearly from bottom to top in the direction of the second boundary wall 3, parallel to the reference wall 2.

[0059] The display device 20 comprises a housing 21 having a rear wall 22. In this case, the rear wall 22 is the part of the housing 21 that is closest to and adjacent to the reference wall 2 when fitted within the shelf rail 1. A front wall 23 having a display 24 is located on the side opposite to the rear wall 22. The upper end of the front wall 23 has a stepped portion formed to accommodate the shelf rail 1 edge region 12. The housing 21 is formed by the front wall 23 and the rear wall 22 via a side wall 25. This side wall 25, which extends along the upper edge of the display device 20, has a cable carrier groove 26. Multiple vertical inner walls of this cable carrier groove 26 extend substantially parallel to the rear wall 22. The cable carrier groove 26 is provided for accommodating a cable carrier 5 and is formed to fit the dimensions of the cable carrier 5.

[0060] The housing 21 has a plurality of housing openings in the rear wall surface within the cable carrier groove 26. Multiple contacts protrude from the housing 21 into the cable carrier groove 26 through these housing openings. These contacts are composed of a group of multiple metal contact tapes 27. Each contact tape 27 has a first end that is soldered to the electronic device of the display device. Furthermore, one contact tape 27 has a second end that is configured or formed to contact one of the multiple wires 6. This second end is convex as a contact area.

[0061] In Figure 4, fragments of the shelf rail 1 and the display devices 20 can be seen from their rear sides. Each display device 20 has one fixing mechanism. From the outside of the display device 20, only two fixing hooks 33 and one push button coupled to these fixing hooks 33 are visible from this fixing mechanism. The rear wall 22 has a plurality of fixing housing openings. These fixing hooks 33 protrude through these fixing housing openings. When the push button 34 is not operated, a spring provided inside the housing presses these fixing hooks 33 against the lower ends of a plurality of recesses 13. This causes the display device 20 to be pressed or compressed upward toward the shelf rail 1. In this case, these fixing hooks 33 can be moved downward according to the height of each of the recesses.

[0062] In this case, the range of movement of these fixed hooks 33 is detected by the sensor 99. The sensor 99 converts the mechanical movement of these fixed hooks 33 into an electrical signal. This electrical signal is received by the electronic device of the display device and digitally transmitted from the electronic device to the controller 40 of the shelf rail 1 via the cable path 6. The electronic device of the controller then identifies or decodes the absolute position of each display device based on the individual height of each dimension at each position along the shelf rail and the signal value of the sensor that can be predicted from that height (or the range of values ​​that can be predicted from that signal value). The shelf rail controller 40 wirelessly transmits the absolute position along the shelf rail 1 thus identified to the server. This absolute position based on the information of the shelf rail 1 is recorded in the server. This absolute position is uniquely obtained by recognizing the shelf rail controller 40 during the communication, because this link between the shelf rail 1 and the shelf rail controller 40 is pre-configured.

[0063] In this case, the sensor 99 can detect the movement of both fixing hooks 33 or exclusively of just one fixing hook 33.

[0064] Furthermore, Figure 5 describes an embodiment of a shelf rail system 100 for determining the order of multiple display devices 20 fixed to the front of the shelf rail 1. In this embodiment, each display device 20 has a left transmitter LT and a right transmitter RT as sensors 99. That is, this embodiment is configured to enable one-way communication between the display devices 20 installed on the front of the shelf rail 1. If such one-way communication is not necessary, for example, the left transmitter LT may be configured exclusively as a receiver, and the right transmitter RT may be configured exclusively as a transmitter. The controller 40 of the shelf rail also has a transmitter T as a sensor 99, on which a similar technical concept applies. That is, if this transmitter T is used only for reception, this transmitter T may be configured exclusively as a receiver. Each shelf rail device 20 and 40 is characterized by unique codes ID1, ID2, and ID3 stored in the respective electronic devices of the shelf rail devices 20 and 40. Transmitters LT, RT, and T are configured for infrared light-based communication.

[0065] To determine the order of the multiple display devices 20 fixed to the front of the shelf rail 1, the controller 40 of the shelf rail puts these display devices 20 into an order-determining mode. In this mode, each of these display devices 20 transmits its unique code ID1 and ID2 to the adjacent shelf rail device, i.e., the right display device 20 or the controller 40 of that shelf rail, via its right transmitter RT. If the code is received by a shelf rail device located on the left via the left transmitter TL, the received code ID1 is also output via the right transmitter RT of the right display device 20 and recognized as the code ID1 received on the left, similar to the case of the right display device 20.

[0066] Generally, in this type of communication, the number of codes communicated from one display device 20 to the other increases. In this case, the codes are one or more codes received on the left side, output together with the unique code.

[0067] In this example, the shelf rail controller 40 ultimately receives both code ID1 and ID2, which contain information about the order of the multiple display devices 20. From this information, the order of these display devices 20 located on the front of the shelf rail 1 can be directly obtained. The shelf rail controller 40 communicates this result to the server 60 during wireless communication 71, along with a code ID3 unique to this shelf rail controller 40. This order for the shelf rail 1 is stored in the server 60.

[0068] Finally, I would like to reiterate that the figures already described in detail are merely embodiments that can be modified in various ways by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. For completeness, I would also like to point out that the use of the indefinite article "one" does not preclude the existence of multiple such features. Although this application relates to the invention described in the claims, it may also encompass the following configurations as other embodiments. 1. -One shelf rail (1), - A shelf rail system (100) having at least one shelf rail device (20, 40) fixed to the shelf rail (1), - The shelf rail system (100) has at least one sensor (99) provided or configured to automatically determine the position of at least one shelf rail device (20) fixed to the shelf rail (1) along the longitudinal extension of the shelf rail (1), and / or the sequence of at least two shelf rail devices (20) fixed to the shelf rail (1) along the longitudinal extension of the shelf rail (1). 2. The shelf rail system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the sensor (99) is installed within the shelf rail device (20) and is configured to detect one coding element, preferably multiple coding elements, of the shelf rail (1). 3. The shelf rail system (100) according to item 2, wherein the sensor (99) is configured to detect one or more coded elements mechanically, electrically, particularly resistively, electromagnetically inductively, or capacitively, or optically. 4. The shelf rail system (100) according to 2 or 3 above, wherein the plurality of coding elements are configured along the longitudinal portion of the shelf rail (1) by a plurality of recesses (13) in the shelf rail (1), particularly in at least one shelf rail wall (2). 5. The plurality of recesses (13) are arranged in a grid pattern in the shelf rail system (100) described in item 4 above. 6. The plurality of recesses are provided and configured for force-transferring the shelf rail device (20) to the shelf rail (1) in the shelf rail system (100) according to 4 or 5 above. 7. The shelf rail system (100) according to any one of the above 4 to 6, wherein the shape and / or dimensions of the plurality of recesses (13) differ. 8. All recesses (13) are different from each other in the shelf rail system (100) described in 7 above. 9. A shelf rail system (100) according to any one of the above 2 to 8, wherein the shapes of the multiple coded elements differ, particularly only in shape, and each shape appears only once. 10. The shelf rail system (100) described in 9 above, wherein one dimension (H) characterizing the aforementioned shape always differs by one unit of dimension from the dimension (H) of the shape of the next coded element. 11. The sensor (99) is installed within the shelf rail device (20) and is used to determine the distance along the shelf rail (1) from the shelf rail device (20, 40) to an adjacent object in the shelf rail system (100) according to claim 1. 12. A shelf rail system (100) according to 1 or 11, wherein each shelf rail device (20, 40) has at least one transmitter (TL, TR) as a sensor (99) for communication between shelf rail devices, and each shelf rail device (20, 40) is configured to provide the results of communication and / or signal transmission between two adjacent shelf rail devices (20, 40) for the purpose of identifying the position and / or the order. 13. The shelf rail system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the sensor (99) is configured to detect a signal propagating along the shelf rail (1), in particular a mechanically emitted signal, and especially preferably an acoustic signal. 14. The shelf rail system (100) is the shelf rail system (100) according to any one of the above 1 to 13, having at least one other shelf rail device (20) fixed to the shelf rail (1) as one of the plurality of shelf rail devices, a shelf rail control device (40) configured in particular to supply power to control, in particular an electronic shelf rail display device or a shelf rail camera or a device for detecting the temperature and / or humidity of the shelf rail or an input device for the shelf rail. 15. The shelf rail (1) comprises a cable system, in particular a cable system having exactly three conductors (6), The shelf rail control device (40) is connected to the cable system, and at least one other shelf rail device (20) is in contact with the cable system, in the shelf rail system (100) described in 14 above.

Claims

1. - One shelf rail (1), - A shelf rail system (100) having at least one shelf rail device (20, 40) fixed to the shelf rail (1), - The shelf rail system (100) has at least one sensor (99) provided or configured to automatically determine the position of at least one shelf rail device (20) fixed to the shelf rail (1) along the longitudinal extension of the shelf rail (1), and / or to automatically determine the sequence of at least two shelf rail devices (20) fixed to the shelf rail (1) along the longitudinal extension of the shelf rail (1), The sensor (99) is installed within the shelf rail device (20) and is used to determine the distance along the shelf rail (1) from the shelf rail device (20, 40) to an adjacent object in the shelf rail system (100).

2. The shelf rail system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the sensor (99) is installed within the shelf rail device (20) and is configured to detect one or more coded elements of the shelf rail (1).

3. The shelf rail system (100) according to claim 2, wherein the sensor (99) is configured to detect one or more coded elements mechanically, electrically, resistively, electromagnetically, capacitively, or optically.

4. The shelf rail system (100) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the plurality of coding elements are configured along the longitudinal portion of the shelf rail (1) by a plurality of recesses (13) within the shelf rail (1) or within at least one shelf rail wall (2).

5. The shelf rail system (100) according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of recesses (13) are configured in a grid pattern.

6. The shelf rail system (100) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the plurality of recesses are provided and configured for force-transmitting the shelf rail device (20) to the shelf rail (1).

7. The shelf rail system (100) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the shape and / or dimensions of the plurality of recesses (13) are different.

8. The shelf rail system (100) according to claim 7, wherein all recesses (13) are different from each other.

9. The shelf rail system (100) according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the shapes of the plurality of coded elements are different, and each shape appears only once.

10. The shelf rail system (100) according to claim 9, wherein one dimension (H) characterizing the aforementioned shape always differs by one unit of dimension from the dimension (H) of the shape of the next coded element.

11. A shelf rail system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein each shelf rail device (20, 40) has at least one transmitter (TL, TR) as a sensor (99) for communication between shelf rail devices, and each shelf rail device (20, 40) is configured to provide the results of communication and / or signal transmission between two adjacent shelf rail devices (20, 40) for the purpose of identifying the position and / or the order.

12. The shelf rail system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the sensor (99) is configured to detect a signal propagating along the shelf rail (1), a mechanically emitted signal, or an acoustic signal.

13. The shelf rail system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the shelf rail system (100) has a shelf rail control device (40) configured to control or supply power to an electronic shelf rail display device, a shelf rail camera, a device for detecting the temperature and / or humidity of the shelf rail, or an input device for the shelf rail, as one of the plurality of shelf rail devices.

14. The shelf rail (1) is equipped with a cable system or a cable system having exactly three conductors (6), The shelf rail system (100) according to claim 13, wherein the shelf rail control device (40) is connected to the cable system, and at least one other shelf rail device (20) is in contact with the cable system.

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