Electronic display apparatus having an attachment mechanism

Abstract

The invention relates to an electronic device, in particular an electronic display apparatus, • - the electronic device being designed to be attached to a shelf rail and having an attachment mechanism for this purpose, and • - the electronic device comprising an electronic system (21) for providing at least one function, • - characterised in that the electronic device is designed to detect an actuation of the attachment mechanism and, as a consequence of the detected actuation, to trigger a function of the electronic system.

Description

[0001] title

[0002] Electronic display device with a fastening mechanism

[0003] Description

[0004] Technical field

[0005] The invention relates to an electronic display device with a fastening mechanism.

[0006] background

[0007] Electronic devices, such as electronic display devices, are used today in sales areas, for example in retail stores, to display product and / or price information. WO2022188955A1, for example, discloses an electronic display unit having a fastening mechanism comprising fastening hooks and a button mechanically connected thereto. The fastening hooks are designed to hook into openings in a shelf rail. To mount the electronic display device, it is guided to the intended position in the shelf rail and the fastening hooks hook into the openings in the shelf rail. To disassemble, the button is operated (pressed), whereupon the fastening hooks fold into the electronic display device, thus releasing their holding effect with the shelf rail, and the electronic display device can be removed from the shelf rail.

[0008] The electronic display device is electrically connected to a power supply via spring contacts that contact the conductor tracks of the shelf rail. The power supply provides power to the electronic display device and is connected to it via the conductor tracks. The electronic display device is controlled by the power supply. The power supply receives data from a server, which is transmitted to the power supply via an access point, e.g., wirelessly. In the opposite direction, data can be transmitted from the electronic display device to the server.

[0009] WO2022188955A1 thus discloses an electronic display device that can be easily installed in large quantities and can then be easily operated or controlled by software using the server.

[0010] However, it has been shown that the exclusive control via the server is not optimal in all situations of daily operation, because it does not allow all situations that arise in daily operation to be handled as simply and intuitively as possible.

[0011] The invention therefore has for its object to provide an improved electronic device and an improved system for operating such an electronic device.

[0012] Summary of the invention

[0013] This object is achieved by an electronic device according to claim 1. The subject matter of the invention is therefore an electronic device, in particular an electronic display device, wherein the electronic device is designed for attachment to a shelf rail and has a fastening mechanism for this purpose, and wherein the electronic device has electronics for providing at least one function, characterized in that the electronic device is designed to detect an actuation of the fastening mechanism and to trigger a function of the electronics as a result of the detected actuation.

[0014] This object is further achieved by a system according to claim 8. The invention therefore relates to a system for operating an electronic device which has a plurality of the electronic devices according to the invention.

[0015] The measures according to the invention have the advantage of improving the electronic, and in particular information technology, functionality and operability of the electronic display device, thus expanding the functional spectrum of the electronic device or system. This is because the function can be triggered by actuating the fastening mechanism, which is already provided. This means that the function is triggered directly on site and does not require external control of the electronic device. In contrast to the known operating scenario, it is no longer necessary to operate an individual display device through the aforementioned information processing chain, i.e., from a server via a communications infrastructure to the electronic display device.Rather, the invention offers a solution to a long-held need, namely to provide local operability of the electronic device and, if applicable, the system, without requiring fundamental changes to the mechanical structure of the electronic device. Manual actuation of the fastening mechanism by a person entails a mechanical change in the position of at least one element of the fastening mechanism, which is easily detected electronically and will be discussed below.

[0016] Further, particularly advantageous embodiments and developments of the invention emerge from the dependent claims and the following description.

[0017] The aforementioned measures thus provide an input option for the electronic device, because the function can be triggered by manually operating the fastening mechanism. The fastening mechanism thus provides not only mechanical but also electronic or information technology operability. The fastening mechanism thus also functions as an input element for the device's electronics.

[0018] Viewed differently, the fastening mechanism can be understood as a component of an electronic input device, wherein the electronic input device is designed to receive a manual user interaction and to trigger a function of the electronics. The input device therefore also has, in addition to the fastening mechanism, at least a part of the electronics, wherein the actuation can be detected and the function can be triggered using the part of the electronics. The electronic device can be designed as a sensor device or detection device and, in this design, can have a sensor or detection device, for example a temperature sensor, a distance sensor, a motion sensor, a radar sensor and / or a camera, in order to detect at least one physical environmental parameter or an environmental situation.

[0019] The electronic device is preferably designed as an electronic display unit. The electronic display unit preferably has a screen, in particular an energy-saving reflective screen, for displaying product and / or price information. The electronic display unit is preferably designed as an electronic shelf label, known by the English term "Electronic Shelf Label," or ESL for short.

[0020] The electronic display device can also incorporate the aforementioned sensors or detection devices. The electronic device can therefore be designed as a combination or multi-purpose device.

[0021] The fastening mechanism preferably has at least one coupling element for mechanical coupling to the shelf rail. The coupling element can be, for example, a bolt, a hook-and-loop fastener or a hook-and-loop connection, a magnet, or the like. Preferably, at least one coupling element is a hook or a lug, wherein the hook or lug is designed in particular to hook into openings provided for this purpose in the shelf rail. The hooks preferably have a width of at least one millimeter, in particular between three millimeters and 20 millimeters.

[0022] The fastening mechanism can have an actuating device designed to trigger a coupling process and / or a decoupling process with the shelf rail. The actuating device is thus designed or provided to place the coupling element into a coupling state in which the electronic device, if correctly positioned relative to the shelf rail, is mechanically coupled to the shelf rail. Furthermore, the actuating device is designed or provided to place the coupling element into a decoupling state in which the electronic device is decoupled from the shelf rail, i.e., released.

[0023] The triggering of the function is preferably accompanied by the movement of the coupling element. Therefore, the function is preferably triggered when the coupling element transitions from the coupled state to the uncoupled state and / or vice versa.

[0024] Preferably, the fastening mechanism is designed such that the coupling element couples automatically, in particular by overcoming a spring force, for example by means of a snap hook or a spring latch. Furthermore, the fastening element is designed such that the fastening mechanism is released by actuating the actuating device.

[0025] The actuating device can comprise a magnet or a magnetic and / or magnetizable material, in particular ferromagnetic materials, and can be designed to be moved by an external magnetic field (i.e., coming from outside the electronic device) or an internal magnetic field (i.e., coming from within the electronic device) such that the fastening mechanism is placed into the coupling state or, in particular, into the decoupling state. Preferably, however, the coupling state is also assumed automatically, in particular by means of a spring force. The external magnetic field is provided by an external magnet, which thus acts like a key that releases the electronic device from the shelf rail.For the provision of an internal magnetic field, an electromagnet can be provided, for example, which can be controlled by means of the electronics or can be contacted via contacts with an external energy source in order to put the coupling element into one of the two states (coupled or decoupled).

[0026] The actuating device may further comprise an electric motor to move the coupling element into the desired state. Gears, threaded spindles, cables, etc. may also be provided for this purpose.

[0027] The fastening mechanism particularly preferably comprises a knob or button for manual actuation. The knob or button is understood here as a structure that can be moved, preferably displaced, in particular shifted or pivoted, by a user's finger. This movement mechanically moves the coupling element. With a sufficiently large movement, for example, when the knob or button is pushed far enough into the electronic device or pulled out of the device, the coupling element is moved from the coupled state to the uncoupled state (or vice versa).

[0028] The button or key thus allows the detection of user interaction because pressing the button or key activates the fastening mechanism, which is then electronically detected by the electronics and thus triggers the function of the electronics.

[0029] The knob or button can be directly connected to the coupling element, i.e., form a single unit with it, so that the coupling element moves directly with the knob. The fastening mechanism can therefore be designed such that the coupling element is actuated directly with the knob or button. However, the fastening mechanism can also be designed such that the coupling element indirectly actuates the coupling element, in particular via a mechanical forming element or gear. For this purpose, the fastening mechanism can, for example, comprise gear and / or friction gears, coupling gears, rockers, cables and / or belts or similar devices in order to transmit the mechanical actuation from the knob or button to the coupling element.

[0030] The button or key is preferably located on one side of the electronic device and can be moved towards an opposite side of the electronic device when activated. On the opposite side, the electronic device is preferably designed to be mechanically supported against the shelf rail. This means that the button can be operated without having to hold the electronic device in order to prevent the electronic device from falling out of the shelf rail. This allows inputs to be made or the functions of the electronics to be triggered ergonomically. However, if you actually want to remove the electronic device, you can simply grab the electronic device after or when pressing the button and push or pull it away from the shelf rail.

[0031] The detection of the actuation of the fastening mechanism can occur at various locations, preferably inside the electronic device. However, detection can generally occur at and / or near the coupling element, at and / or near the button or pushbutton, or at and / or near the actuating device and / or in between, for example, at and / or near the forming element or gear.

[0032] Detection can be achieved by a distance sensor or a light barrier, the status of which is detected by the electronics, whereby it is determined that a part of the fastening mechanism takes up or reaches a certain position or changes its position.

[0033] Detection can also be achieved via a piezo element. The electronic device is designed to actuate the piezo element when the fastening mechanism is activated, i.e., to apply a mechanical force to the piezo element, changing its electronically detectable property and allowing it to be detected electronically.

[0034] Detection can also be carried out by means of a contact that opens or closes as a result of the actuation, the open or closed state of which or the associated change in state is recorded electronically.

[0035] The electronic device is preferably designed such that, upon actuation, the fastening mechanism undergoes a positional change detectable by the electronics, in particular a stepped bearing change, and the electronics are designed to detect the positional change. In particular, upon the positional change, a contact located inside the electronic device is actuated, in particular closed. For example, the potential of an interrupt terminal of a microcontroller or microprocessor of the electronics can be pulled toward the reference potential, thereby executing an interrupt software routine. The closing of the contact is thus detected via one of its interrupt terminals, leading to the execution of an interrupt software routine.The detection of a gradual change in position allows for the gradual control of a function to be executed or the differentiation between different functions, allowing for the differentiation between the functions to be executed. This allows for selective, manual input of different commands.

[0036] For example, the electronic device can be configured such that when the button or key is pressed slightly, a specific function of the electronics is triggered without completely releasing the fastening mechanism, in particular the coupling element of the fastening mechanism. Furthermore, the electronic device can be configured such that when the button or key is pressed further, in particular to the point where the fastening mechanism or coupling element is completely released from the shelf rail or the electronic device is released, a further function is triggered.

[0037] It has proven advantageous that the function to be triggered is at least one of the following internal device functions, namely:

[0038] - executing the interrupt routine,

[0039] - Change of screen content,

[0040] - Recording an environmental parameter (such as temperature, humidity, optical image of the environment, radar image of the environment)

[0041] - Locating the position of the electronic device,

[0042] - emitting a light signal, in particular using an LED of the electronic device,

[0043] - Emitting an acoustic signal,

[0044] - manual selection of display information,

[0045] - Creating a data record, in particular a refill record, wherein the refill record indicates that a product corresponding to the electronic device has been refilled (or is to be refilled).

[0046] "Executing the interrupt routine" can, for example, involve a gentle shutdown of the electronics of the electronic device so that, for example, currently running processes and protocols are saved. The electronic device typically performs less computationally intensive processes, which, however, only take place at certain times to save energy. Thus, the short time between operating the fastening mechanism, in particular the knob or button, and mechanically removing the electronic device from the shelf rail can be used to save the last data. This prevents data loss and allows the electronics to be reactivated at a later time in a data-frozen state, so that the frozen data processing can then be seamlessly resumed if necessary.

[0047] Changing the screen content can involve converting the current screen content to a blank or deleted screen. The screen can also be turned off completely. Preferably, the device-internal function involves changing the screen content to display user information. For example, the screen content can be changed to display "Deactivated" so that when the electronic device is disassembled, it is immediately clear that the electronic device has been removed and the electronic device with incorrect product and / or price information is not accidentally reassembled on a different product. The screen is preferably designed as an electronic paper screen, or e-paper screen for short.This means that the displayed information remains visible even when there is no longer any power supply available, in particular when the electronic device has been disconnected from a wired power supply.

[0048] However, "changing the screen content" can also involve changing the presented content without dismantling the electronic device. For example, an employee can use the fastening mechanism, in particular the button, to make a specific or predefined input, such as four short presses followed by a longer press, to change the color scheme of the screen, for example, to switch from black text on a white background to white text on a black background, and / or to display additional text and / or images such as the word "promotion" or "discount" or to activate a color highlight that indicates promotions or discounts. The arrangement of the displayed information can also be changed, so that, for example, the name of a product is displayed smaller and the price larger, or vice versa.The electronic device is preferably designed to trigger an "action mode" as a function in which the displayed information and / or the display of the information is changed.

[0049] The "detection of an environmental parameter" can be, for example, a temperature, which can be determined using an electronic thermometer, for example; a humidity, in particular an air humidity, which can be determined using an electronic humidity sensor, in particular a hygrometer; an optical image of the environment, which can be captured using an electronic camera, for example; a radar image of the environment, which can be captured using a radar sensor, for example. For this purpose, the electronic device preferably has the corresponding sensor or the corresponding detection device and / or is connected to it as an external device by means of communication technology, radio technology, or in particular by cable. The detected environmental parameters are preferably stored in status data.This allows the environmental situation to be documented, which can contribute to optimizing the sales area because, for example, problems with product cooling (e.g. because doors to the products or electronic devices are opened frequently) can be identified. The electronic device can also be designed to trigger the current environmental parameters and / or the most recently recorded and temporarily stored environmental parameters to be displayed on the screen, particularly as a result of a specific input, for example two long presses of the operating mechanism, in particular the button, followed by two short presses. This allows an employee to check on site, for example, whether the relevant parameters are within a desired range or whether adjustments are necessary, for example whether the temperature and / or humidity need to be changed to increase the shelf life of the products on display.For this purpose, an electronic device may include the sensor / detection device and the screen or be connected to them. An electronic device may also include the screen and be communicatively connected to another electronic device on the shelf rail that includes the sensor or detection device, as discussed below.

[0050] Various methods can be used for "locating the position of the electronic device." The electronic device is preferably designed to locate the position of the respective electronic device or another electronic device in the system in a reference system, in particular relative to the sales area and / or the shelf and / or the shelf level. Reference is made, for example, to WO2023110100A1 and WO2022189314A1. For example, the shelf rail can have a code that is detectable by the electronic device. This code can be mechanically contactable and detectable by the fastening mechanism, for example, formed as openings of different sizes. For this purpose, the fastening mechanism is preferably designed to detect where the corresponding shelf rail or the code of the shelf rail is contacted.This can then be used to interpret the code that informs the electronic device about the current position along the shelf rail.

[0051] The electronic device can also have a communication stage for wireless, in particular radio-based communication, which is designed and provided for locating the position of the electronic device. Preferably, the electronic device is designed to communicate with another electronic device, preferably another electronic device along the shelf rail, in particular with a supply device, and to determine the position relative to the corresponding electronic device during the communication. This can be done by measuring the runtime. Furthermore, the system can be designed to transmit already known position data of the other electronic device during the communication, so that the position of the first electronic device relative to the second and / or further electronic devices can be set in relation to the known positions.Therefore, it is preferable to convert from one reference system to a larger reference system in order to create position data that describes the position of the electronic device as comprehensively as possible. The location of the electronic device is therefore preferably triggered in response to the actuation of the fastening mechanism. This has the advantage that the position data is always kept up-to-date, because this position data is automatically updated whenever the electronic device is mounted or dismounted.

[0052] For the purpose of emitting the light signal, the electronic device has lighting. As mentioned, this preferably comprises a light-emitting diode, or LED for short. The lighting can be a screen light or lighting separate from the screen. By means of a particularly predefined input, for example a long press followed by three short presses of the fastening mechanism, in particular the button, the lighting can be switched on or the electronic device is instructed to emit the light signal. In this way, the attention of potential customers can be directed to specific electronic devices or corresponding products. An employee can therefore select the electronic devices that should emit the light signal simply by operating the fastening mechanism on site.This has the advantage that the employee can immediately see how the lighting actually works and whether it is achieving the desired effect—i.e., capturing attention. This eliminates the need to externally instruct the electronic device and then assess how the settings appear in the actual sales area. These measures allow a signal to be set on-site and provide an easy-to-use system, which optimizes workflows and reduces workload. This also allows other employees arriving later to be signaled to specific shelf zones so they can perform tasks there or perform checks, such as checking product expiration dates.

[0053] To emit an acoustic signal, the electronic device has a sound transducer, in particular a loudspeaker. This measure is also associated with applications and effects as discussed in connection with the emission of the light signal. Preferably, the electronic device is designed to start an acoustic signal emission mode upon actuation of the fastening mechanism, in particular upon a specific input, in which an acoustic signal is emitted under certain further conditions, if appropriate. The further condition can be a temporal condition. For example, an advertising song or an acoustic advertising message can be played at intervals of a few minutes. Particularly preferably, the condition is the detection of a parameter by a sensor or a detection device.For example, if it is detected that someone is standing in front of the electronic device for some time and is supposedly or presumably examining a product, a specific acoustic signal can be generated. This allows the employee to create an acoustic landscape on-site, similar to or in addition to a light signal. For example, to promote a new tropical fruit juice, the electronic devices distributed around the corresponding shelf space can play bird sounds at a timed interval, giving a potential customer the impression they are in a tropical rainforest. As the potential customer approaches the corresponding product and the corresponding electronic device, an additional advertising soundtrack can be played.Because the employee has to adjust the electronic devices on site, he can also check on-site whether the desired effect is achieved because he can immediately perceive the acoustic effects on site.

[0054] For manually selecting display information, the system, preferably the electronic device, has a data memory in which a list of elements can be stored. The electronic device is designed to select an element from the list as a function of the electronics. Thus, by actuating the fastening mechanism, in particular the button, the list can be scrolled through or "flipped through" and an element from the list can be selected because no further actuation occurs within a certain time window. Thus, for example, a list of product and / or price information corresponding to the products provided on a shelf level can be stored in the data memory. An employee can thus simply scroll through the list and, at the correct location along the shelf level or shelf rail, select the correct data set corresponding to the product presented there.This data was preferably transmitted to the device via a supply device on the shelf level and is therefore available there for selection.

[0055] According to a preferred embodiment, a refill record or a restocking record is created by actuating the fastening mechanism, in particular the button, in particular by a specific actuation sequence, for example, three quick actuations followed by a longer actuation. The refill record or restocking record indicates that a product corresponding to the electronic device has been refilled (or is to be refilled). This allows an employee who has refilled the shelf to simply acknowledge this activity on site. The employee therefore does not have to search for the corresponding electronic device using mobile input devices or similar and make the corresponding entries, but can conveniently acknowledge this activity directly on the device at the restocking location. This measure thus facilitates the restocking of the shelf and thus the operation of the sales area.The electronic device can then transmit the received input via its communication infrastructure to a merchandise management server, where this process is recorded as completed.

[0056] It should be noted that the inputs can be discrete, in particular in such a way that the fastening mechanism, in particular the button, is either activated or not. For this purpose, the fastening mechanism can, for example, actuate a switch or a push-button that has two states. However, the input can also be continuous, quasi-continuous, or stepped. For this purpose, the fastening mechanism can, for example, be connected to a switch that generates a signal via a potentiometer, a thyristor controller, or a triac controller that corresponds to the extent to which the fastening mechanism is activated, with the triggered function depending on this signal. For example, the intensity of the light signal or the acoustic signal can be adjusted by pressing the button further or less far.This also allows, for example, manual selection of display information to scroll through the list by pressing the knob with varying degrees of force or depth. In particular, with a potentiometer, the variable-position sliding contact can be actuated or moved by the actuating mechanism.

[0057] According to a preferred embodiment, the electronics of the electronic device have a communication stage which is designed to communicate with an external device, wherein the triggered function of the electronics has a communication with the external device via the communication stage.

[0058] The electronics function preferentially triggers communication with the external device. This allows, among other things, a signal to be sent precisely when the electronic device is assembled or, more specifically, disassembled, so that this can be automatically documented by a device management system. This allows, for example, the creation and updating of a schedule of the electronic devices present in a sales area.

[0059] The function of the electronics of the electronic device triggered by actuation subsequently triggers the function of the electronics of another device.

[0060] The communication stage can be configured for wireless communication, particularly radio-based communication. The electronics function thus triggers wireless communication. However, if the device is mounted on a wired shelf rail, actuation triggers wired communication with, for example, a power supply for the shelf rail.

[0061] With regard to the communication mentioned, it has proven advantageous that the function to be triggered is a transmission of identification data which serve to identify the electronic device and / or of status data which represent at least the detected actuation of the fastening mechanism.

[0062] The identification data can, for example, include a code or name that identifies the electronic device. For example, the identification data can be a MAC address (short for Media Access Control Address). The identification data can also include data that represents a product assigned to the electronic device. Furthermore, the identification data can include a group data record that represents the group of electronic devices the electronic device belongs to. The identification data can also include the following data and / or summarize it in group data records: the type of device and / or the intended location of the device and / or a time variable, such as the date of manufacture or the time of installation of the device.

[0063] The status data can include trigger data that informs that the function has been triggered. The status data can also include data relating to the detected status when the function is triggered and / or before and / or after, in particular up to one hour, preferably up to one minute, particularly preferably up to three seconds, before and / or after. For example, if the electronic device has a camera, a photo or video can be transmitted as part of the status data. The status data can also include location data that represents the current location of the electronic device in a reference system, in particular the location in a sales room, preferably the location on a shelf. This location data can be assigned and / or determined via location tracking. The status data can also include sensor data such as a detected temperature. The status data can also include the refill data record.

[0064] These measures make it possible to transmit information about the event, as well as useful additional information, to the central device management system at the moment of assembly and / or disassembly, i.e. at the time the operating mechanism is activated, and thus to keep a detailed and up-to-date representation of the sales area, for example in a pianogram.

[0065] It has proven advantageous for the system for operating the electronic device to have an access point provided for communication between a server and the electronic devices.

[0066] The access point is a component of the radio-based communications infrastructure and / or the central device management system. The access point can be designed to communicate directly with the electronic device or communicate with one or more electronic devices on a shelf rail via the supply unit mounted on that shelf rail.

[0067] The server controls the electronic devices, processes their data (in particular the identification data and status data, ...) and / or provides data for the electronic devices, e.g. image content for the display of product and / or price information.

[0068] The electronic device can be designed for autonomous power supply. For this purpose, the electronic device can have an energy storage device, such as a battery. In this case, the shelf rail can be a simple shelf rail that holds the electronic device or provides a counterpart for the fastening mechanism, in particular for the coupling element, so that the coupling element can mechanically contact, in particular grip, the counterpart, for example, designed as an opening.

[0069] However, it has proven particularly advantageous that the shelf rail is further designed for the wiring connection of the electronic device to a supply device, in particular a shelf rail supply device.

[0070] In the system, it has proven advantageous that at least one electronic device, in particular designed as an electronic display unit, preferably designed as an electronic shelf label, and a shelf rail supply device are attached to the electronic shelf rail.

[0071] According to one aspect of the invention, the electronic device is designed to be attached to the electronic shelf rail and to be supplied with electrical power and / or with communications via a wired connection. This measure allows components of the electronic devices that would otherwise be provided for, for example, the local electrical power supply or radio communication, etc., to be relocated to the supply unit, thereby reducing the number of components in the system. The overall system is thus simpler and thus more cost-effective and resource-efficient to implement.

[0072] The system is preferably designed as a function of

[0073] Electronics of the electronic device to trigger a function of the supply device. Thus, the aforementioned functions can be triggered by the supply device as a reaction to the actuation of the fastening mechanism, in particular the knob or button, of the electronic device mounted on the shelf rail of the supply device. Particularly preferably, the supply device establishes communication with the communication infrastructure and / or the central device management system, in particular with the access point, as a function. Via this communication, the identification data and / or status data of the device and / or the supply device, particularly preferably also position data (as part of the status data) which determines the position of the electronic device in a reference system, in particular relative to the sales room and / or the shelf and / or the shelf level, are preferably transmitted.This means that these can be automatically recorded and kept up to date in the digital representation of the sales room, for example in a pianogram.

[0074] The wired data transmission via the shelf rail thus allows interaction of the electronic device with the supply device and / or the electronic device with another electronic device on the shelf rail, i.e. inter-device communication on the electronic shelf rail, in particular as a result of the actuation of the fastening mechanism.

[0075] The shelf rail preferably has conductor tracks for transmitting electrical power and / or information. The conductor tracks can be designed as optical fibers, for example. The conductor tracks are preferably electrically conductive and not insulated. The conductor tracks are attached to a conductor carrier that mechanically supports the conductor tracks. When the shelf rail system is installed, the conductor tracks are contacted by an electronic coupling device of the supply device.

[0076] The conductor tracks preferably form the electronic coupling counterstructure, particularly at their end sections, or have the coupling counterstructure. The electronic coupling device preferably has spring elements for contacting the electronic coupling counterstructure, particularly for directly contacting the conductor tracks.

[0077] The shelf rail preferably has a central web that separates the front side, on which at least one electronic device, in particular an electronic display device, can be positioned, from the rear side of the shelf rail. The central web can also be interpreted as a reference wall on which the electronic devices can be positioned. The central web preferably delimits the area in which electronic devices are carried towards the rear, i.e. towards the shelf. The central web is preferably also designed to mechanically support the electronic devices. Particularly preferably, the central web is designed to form a positive connection, in particular by hooking, with the electronic devices. The central web is preferably designed to provide a coupling counterstructure for the coupling element of the fastening mechanism of the electronic device.For this purpose, the coupling counterstructure preferably has openings, in particular openings arranged in a grid or lined up one after the other.

[0078] The central web can be the conductor carrier. The central web is preferably formed separately from the conductor carrier and positioned at a distance from it. Particularly preferably, the conductor carrier has the conductor tracks oriented toward the central web. The conductor tracks preferably run on the side of the conductor carrier oriented toward the central web and / or in the conductor carrier, in particular parallel to the central web along the longitudinal extent of the shelf rail, and can thus be contacted without hindrance essentially along the entire length of the shelf rail.

[0079] The shelf rail is designed for attachment to a shelf and is particularly intended to be attached to the front of a shelf or to form the front end of the shelf. The shelf rail can also be designed or used to be attached or positioned on other structures, such as a sales counter.

[0080] When attached to the shelf rail, the electronic devices contact the conductor tracks and are thus electrically supplied with the power provided by the supply device and / or can communicate data with the supply device.

[0081] The supply device is preferably designed as a shelf rail control unit, or in English referred to as a "rail controller." The supply device preferably has a communication stage for communicating, preferably wirelessly, particularly preferably radio-based, with an external unit, for example an access point. The communication stage can, for example, receive device data for the devices or transmit data from the devices to the external unit. For example, display data, in particular product and / or price information, can be received for display on an electronic display device, and sensor or detection data can be transmitted from a sensor device. The supply device preferably further has a control stage for controlling and addressing, in particular individually or in groups, the electronic devices mounted on the shelf rail.The control stage is preferably designed to control the electronic device or the group of electronic devices on the basis of the device data.

[0082] The power supply unit can be supplied with power wirelessly, for example, via radio. It can also be supplied with power via a wired connection, for example, via a power supply unit. To ensure the simplest possible installation, it has proven advantageous for the electronic shelf rail system to include an energy storage unit. This can, for example, be integrated into the power supply unit.

[0083] However, it has proven particularly advantageous for the electronic shelf rail system to have an energy storage device for storing electrical energy and providing electrical power, wherein the energy storage device is coupled to the supply device, in particular by means of a snap connection. The energy storage device is thus preferably designed separately from the supply device and can be coupled to it. The supply device can therefore be installed on the shelf rail together with the energy storage device and can preferably also be removed from the shelf rail together. This enables simple and quick installation and maintenance of all parts. Maintenance, for example replacing the energy storage device, is also possible from the side of the shelf rail.

[0084] The energy storage device can preferably be positioned at the rear of the shelf rail.

[0085] By providing the power supply via the shelf rail, the electronic device can do without an internal energy storage device, meaning the electronic devices can be designed without an energy storage device or battery-free. The electronic devices can also make use of a smaller energy storage device integrated into them, i.e. a short-term energy storage device that is designed and intended to provide energy to trigger an electronic function for only a short time, in particular for a maximum of one hour, preferably for a maximum of one minute, particularly preferably for a maximum of 30 seconds, after contact with the mains-based power supply has been broken. A battery and / or a capacitor (in particular a so-called super capacitor), for example, can be used as an energy storage device.In combination with the measures mentioned above, this allows a function to be triggered even if the electronic device has been dismantled or the electronic coupling of the electronic device with the shelf rail (or another power supply) has been disconnected.

[0086] Finally, it should be mentioned that the electronic function triggered by the actuation of the fastening mechanism can also include recording the charge level or the operating cycles of the energy storage device coupled to the power supply. For example, the current status of the shelf rail's power supply or the operating cycles of the energy storage device that have been completed can be queried ad hoc on each offending electronic device on the shelf rail supporting the device. If there is a screen on the device, the information can be displayed using the device's screen or transmitted via Bluetooth technology or Near Field Communication (NFC abbreviated in technical jargon) technology via the shelf rail's power supply to a mobile device belonging to the store's staff, or the information can be communicated from the power supply to the store's central server.

[0087] In summary, the aforementioned measures provide the input options that would otherwise be possible with a separate input device, without requiring the complex and space-consuming structural measures that would be associated with such a separate input device. Instead, the fastening mechanism required for mechanical attachment is used to provide the input option.

[0088] The input can be made at the coupling element. For example, the coupling element can be designed as a hook for hooking into the opening of the shelf rail. The shelf rail and the electronic device can be configured so that the hook can be moved by an employee's finger through the opening to the electronic device and out of the coupled state. Such input directly at the coupling element has the advantage that extremely few components are required. For example, the hook can be designed as a snap-in hook. Behind the hook inside the electronic device, for example, a button or switch can be provided that is actuated by the hook being pressed in. Furthermore, this measure has the advantage that detection occurs directly upon coupling or uncoupling, i.e. at the exact moment in time.This means that functions can be triggered specifically in a temporal context, i.e. exactly when the coupling or uncoupling occurs. Furthermore, the input can also be used without the electronic device being coupled or uncoupled. To do so, it is simply held in its position during input. By electronically monitoring the contact between the conductor tracks, it is easy to determine whether an actuation is accompanied by a uncoupling process and, as a result, a severance of the electrical connection to the conductor tracks, or whether an actuation has occurred without a uncoupling process. In the present context, however, the coupling element can also be actuated using the button provided for manual actuation and a mechanical connection provided between the button and the coupling element, which leads to the same result. The input can also be made via the actuating device, in particular via the button or key.For example, a button or switch assigned to the electronics can be located directly behind the button or key intended for manual operation. This switch is actuated when the button or key is pressed manually. The actuating device can be designed in such a way that the electronic function is triggered before the electronic device is coupled to the shelf rail or decoupled from the shelf rail. For example, the button or switch intended for electronic detection can already be actuated when the button or key is actuated to a certain depth, while the coupling element only detaches from the shelf rail after further actuation of the button or key, i.e. a greater actuation depth. This allows input orThe electronic function can be triggered before the electronic device can be mechanically uncoupled from the shelf rail. The user can therefore decide whether or not the electronic device should be uncoupled from the shelf rail, either during or after an electronic function has already been triggered.

[0089] However, the electronics' function can be triggered not only by detecting the actuating device, in particular the knob or button, or by detecting the coupling element, but also by detecting the fastening mechanism between the actuating device and the coupling element. Thus, many options are available for implementing the detection. The means for detecting the actuation of the fastening mechanism can thus be easily accommodated in the preferred positions inside the electronic device.

[0090] Of course, in all the variants mentioned, the detection does not have to be carried out using a button or switch as explained in the examples, but can also be realized using the other measures mentioned, for example using a distance sensor, piezo element, etc.

[0091] Finally, it should be generally mentioned that the electronic devices discussed (such as ESLs, smartphones, tablet computers, video shelf rails, etc.) naturally contain electronics. The electronics can be discrete or integrated electronics, or a combination of both. Microcomputers, microcontrollers, Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), possibly in combination with analog or digital electronic peripheral components, can also be used. Many of the device functionalities mentioned are implemented - possibly in conjunction with hardware components - with the help of software that runs on an electronics processor. Devices designed for radio communication usually have an antenna configuration for transmitting and receiving radio signals as part of a transceiver module.The electronic devices can also have an internal electrical power supply, which can be implemented, for example, with a replaceable or rechargeable battery. The devices can also be powered wired, either via an external power supply or via "Power over LAN."

[0092] These and other aspects of the invention are apparent from the figures discussed below.

[0093] Short character description

[0094] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying figures using exemplary embodiments, to which, however, the invention is not limited. In the various figures, identical components are provided with identical reference numerals. They show schematically:

[0095] Fig. 1 shows a system for operating an electronic device;

[0096] Fig. 2 shows a shelf rail and a power supply of the system; Fig. 3 shows the shelf rail and an associated electronic device; Fig. 4 shows the shelf rail connected to the electronic device;

[0097] Fig. 5 shows the electronic device with a section of the shelf rail; Fig. 6 shows details of the interior of the device shown in Figure 5;

[0098] Fig. 7 shows an example of electronic detection of an actuation of a button of the device intended to move an actuating mechanism.

[0099] Description of the Embodiments Figure 1 shows a system 1 for operating an electronic device 2. The system 1 has two electronic devices 2 that are mounted on an electronic shelf rail 3 of the system 1 by means of a fastening mechanism 6 (see Figure 3 etc.). The electronic devices 2 are designed as electronic display devices, specifically as electronic shelf labels, known under the English name Electronic Shelf Label, or ESL for short, and each have a screen 15 for displaying product and / or price information. The electronic shelf rail 3 is coupled to a supply device 4. The shelf rail 3 has three conductor tracks 5 (not visible here, but see Figures 2, 3 and 4) that are electrically conductively contacted with spring contacts 7 of an electronic coupling device 8 of the electronic device 2 (see also Figures 3 and 4).Furthermore, the conductor tracks 5 are contacted with spring contacts 9 of the power supply device 4, enabling a wired power supply and communication between the power supply device 4 and the electronic devices 2 via the conductor tracks 5 (see also Figure 2). The power supply device 4 has a communication stage for radio-based communication with an access point 10. The system 1 has the access point 10 and a server 11 connected to it.

[0100] Figure 2 shows the supply device 4 and the shelf rail 3, sectioned at the end of the shelf rail 3 in the direction normal to the longitudinal extent of the shelf rail 3. The shelf rail 3 has a cable carrier 12, which is made of an insulating material and mechanically supports the uninsulated cable tracks 5. Furthermore, the shelf rail 3 has a central web 13, which separates the front from the back of the shelf rail 3. The electronic devices 2 are positioned at the front. A rechargeable battery, which can be coupled to the supply device 4, can be positioned at the back. Figure 2 also shows part of an electronics unit 14 of the supply device 4, wherein the electronics unit 14 has the communication stage.

[0101] Figure 3 shows the shelf rail 3 in section normal to its longitudinal extent at the position of the electronic device 2, with the electronic device 2 shown in the disassembled state. The central web 13 has openings 16 arranged in a grid (see Figure 5). The fastening mechanism 6 of the electronic device 2 has two hook-shaped or nose-shaped coupling elements 17 (only one coupling element 17 is visible here in the cross-section; see in particular Figure 5), which can be retracted towards the interior of the electronic device 2 and extended away from the interior of the electronic device 2. The fastening mechanism 6 has a spring mechanism inside the electronic device 2 that presses the coupling elements 17 outwards. The fastening mechanism 6 has an actuating device 19 having a button 18, which in this case is designed with two arms.The button 18 is mechanically connected to the coupling elements 17 such that when the button 18 is actuated, i.e., pressed into the electronic device 2, the coupling elements 17 are moved against the spring force towards the interior of the electronic device 2. Furthermore, the button 18 can be mechanically connected to a lever, arm, or extension inside the electronic device 2 (not visible), or can have the lever, arm, or extension which, when the button 18 is actuated, actuates a switch or button 22 mounted on a circuit board 20 of an electronic unit 21 of the electronic device 2. The switch or button 22 is provided to trigger a function of the electronics of the electronic device 2 as a result of its actuation, i.e., its activation or deactivation. For this purpose, the electronic unit detects, for example,A microprocessor detects the switch state, and as soon as the switch state indicates that button 18 has been actuated, a software routine is executed that provides the function when executed. Pressing button 18 simultaneously mechanically actuates the coupling elements, and a function of the electronics of the electronic device is triggered via switch or pushbutton 22. Button 18 can thus be activated for mechanical decoupling or disassembly, for triggering an electronic function, or for a combined application, i.e., for triggering a function during disassembly (or assembly).

[0102] Figure 4 shows the electronic device in its assembled state. When the electronic device 2 is brought together with the shelf rail 4, the coupling element 17 is pressed into the openings 16 of the shelf rail 3 by the spring mechanism, where these hold the electronic device 2 in the desired position with a positive fit. The button 18 is located on a side of the electronic device 2 that is opposite the side of the electronic device 2 where the cable carrier 12 is received by the electronic device 2 and where the electronic device 2 is supported on the shelf rail 3. Thus, even when the button 18 is operated, the electronic device 2 remains stably positioned in the shelf rail 3 until it is grasped and pulled downwards or diagonally forwards out of the shelf rail 3.Thus, inputs for the electronics of the electronic device 2 can be carried out ergonomically and without complicated gripping with the help of the button 18, without the electronic device 2 leaving the shelf rail 3 or without other input means having to be provided.

[0103] Figure 5 shows the rear side of the electronic device 2 viewed from a direction obliquely below the device 2, wherein the fastening mechanism 6 and the reference wall 13 of the shelf rail 3 are shown in section, so that only a part of the openings 16 and the surrounding reference wall 13 are visible, without the rest of the reference wall 13 covering the electronic device 2.

[0104] Figure 6 shows device 2 with its rear panel cut free and detached from the section of shelf rail 3 shown in Figure 5. Here, inside device 2, the circuit board 20 of the electronics 21 of device 2 can be seen, as well as the position of the switch or button 22 under the left arm of the actuating device 19. When button 18 is actuated, the two arms of the actuating device 19 move upward, actuating button 22 and closing the electrical contact of button 22, which is detected by the electronics 21. When button 18 is released, the electrical contact of button 22 opens again because the actuating device 19 is moved back to its unconfirmed position by means of a spring 30.

[0105] Figure 7 illustrates the principle of electronic detection of the actuation of button 18. Of the fastening mechanism 6, only the actuating device 19 with its button 18 is shown. The printed circuit board 20 of the electronics 21 is visible. The push button 22 is configured to switch between two states, namely conductive and non-conductive. It is placed in the conductive state by mechanical actuation and assumes the non-conductive state in the absence of mechanical actuation. The push button 22 is positioned on the printed circuit board 20 such that its movable push button element 23 is pressed against the fixed push button element 24 by the actuating device 19 when it moves upwards in the plane of the drawing, thus closing the electrical contact.This results in the potential of a circuit point 25, which was previously held at the supply potential VCC via a resistor 26, being set to the reference potential GND. This change is registered by a microcontroller 27 because its interrupt input 28 is connected to circuit point 25. The thus detected actuation of button 18 triggers the execution of a software routine in the microcontroller 27, which provides the function to be triggered.

[0106] Arrow 29 indicates the direction of actuation and, consequently, the direction of displacement of the actuating device 19, which, upon actuation, causes the button 22 to assume its conductive state. When the actuation is removed, the spring 30 (see Figure 6) pushes the actuating device 19 back to its original position, so that the button 22 returns to its non-conductive state.

[0107] The actuating device 19 may have an extension 31 for operating the button 22. Such an extension 31 may also be provided on the knob 18 or on the coupling element 17 provided for operating the button 22.

[0108] The measures mentioned above thus provide an employee with a system 1 that enables simple installation and operation of electronic devices 2. Examples of use cases are discussed below in a non-exhaustive manner.

[0109] If the employee wishes to install a (further) electronic device 2, the electronic device simply needs to be placed as shown in Figure 3 and pushed towards the electronic shelf rail 3 into the position shown in Figure 4. The fastening mechanism 6 autonomously provides the mechanical coupling to the reference wall 13, and via the conductor tracks 5, the supply device 4 is automatically informed by means of an identification data record that a new electronic device 4 has been installed. The supply device 4 transmits the identification data record wirelessly to the access point 10, from where it is transmitted to the server 11 and included in a pangram. The server 11 also receives a data record from the employee's mobile user device that lists which products have been added to the respective shelf or which products are intended for the respective shelf.The server 11 transmits this list via the access point 10 and the supply device 4 to the newly added electronic device 4. If the list contains exactly one product, this product or the corresponding product and / or price information is displayed by the electronic device 2. If the list contains multiple products, the most recently added product is displayed. By pressing the button 18, the employee can trigger a function of the electronic device that selects the next element (product) in the list so that the product and / or product information for this product is displayed. The employee can thus browse through the products in the list until the correct product is displayed, at whose position the device 4 is located on the shelf rail 3.By holding down button 18, for example, for more than two seconds, the employee can confirm their selection, exiting selection mode and simply briefly touching button 18 no longer changing the displayed content. Furthermore, a selection data record indicating which product has been assigned to electronic device 4 is transmitted via supply device 4 and access point 10 to server 11, where it is included in the pianogram. The employee can thus easily make the necessary settings on-site to install electronic device 2 and assign it to the correct product.

[0110] If the employee now wishes to uninstall or dismantle one of the electronic devices, they simply need to operate the button 18 with one finger and, for example, grasp the electronic device 2 with two other fingers and move it from the position shown in Figure 4 to the position shown in Figure 3, i.e. pull it downwards away from the shelf rail 3. By pressing the button 18, the identification data set of the electronic device 2 is transmitted via the conductor tracks 5 to the supply device 4. The supply device 4 thus learns that either an input has been made or that the electronic device 2 is being dismantled. If no further signal or input is received within a certain time, for example within 5 seconds.If no further data set is received, the supply device 4 sends a query via the conductor tracks 5 to check whether the device 2 identified using the identification data set is still contacting the conductor tracks. If this query remains unanswered, the supply device 4 detects that the electronic device 2 has been removed and transmits the identification data set to the server 11 via the access point 10. The server 11 then documents in the pianogram that the corresponding electronic device 2 has been removed.

[0111] In addition, the button 18 enables the input of further instructions to the system 1. For example, an employee can activate an action mode by means of a defined input in the form of an actuation sequence, for example four short actuations of the button 18 followed by a longer input, in which the product advertised or represented by the electronic device 2 is again highlighted separately, for example by displaying the word "Aktion" next to the product and / or price information and / or by changing the color.

[0112] A restocking data record can also be generated by the electronics of the electronic device 2 by means of a defined sequence of actuations of the button 18, for example, three quick actuations followed by a longer actuation. This restocking data record indicates that a product corresponding to the respective device has been restocked, i.e., is again available on the shelf in full quantity. The restocking data record can also contain the number of refilled products, which can also be entered by actuating the button. The restocking data record is transmitted from the electronic device 4 via the supply device 4 and the access point 10 to the server 11, where it is included in the pianogram.

[0113] Furthermore, the electronic device 2 can have a light-emitting device, such as a light-emitting diode, in particular a screen light, which can be controlled by the electronics 21 of the electronic device 2. The light output can be switched on by a defined actuation of the button 18, for example by a long actuation followed by three short actuations. Furthermore, the electronics 21 can be designed to control the intensity of the light output. Thus, after activating the light output - e.g. with the palm of the hand for a time window of a few seconds - the employee can adjust the intensity of the light output by pressing the button 18 with varying forces, which is detected by the electronics 21. The selected intensity is fixed by releasing the button 18. It can also be provided that the electronics 21 changes the intensity of the light output step by step for each actuation of the button 18.

[0114] Finally, it should be noted once again that the figures described in detail above are merely exemplary embodiments that can be modified in a variety of ways by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. For the sake of completeness, it should also be noted that the use of the indefinite articles "a" or "an" does not exclude the possibility that the relevant features may be present multiple times.

Claims

Claims 1. Electronic device (2), in particular electronic display device, - wherein the electronic device (2) is designed for attachment to a shelf rail (3) and has a fastening mechanism (6) for this purpose, and - wherein the electronic device (2) has electronics (21) for providing at least one function, - characterized in that the electronic device (2) is designed to detect an actuation of the fastening mechanism (6) and to trigger a function of the electronics (21) as a result of the detected actuation.

2. Electronic device (2) according to claim 1, wherein the fastening mechanism (6) has a button (18) for manual operation.

3. Electronic device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening mechanism (6) undergoes a positional change detectable by the electronics, in particular a stepped bearing change, upon its actuation, and the electronics (21) are designed to detect the positional change.

4. Electronic device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the function to be triggered is at least one of the following internal device functions, namely: - executing the interrupt routine, - Change of screen content, - Recording an environmental parameter, in particular temperature, humidity, an optical image of the environment or a radar image of the environment, - Locating the position of the electronic device (2), - emitting a light signal, in particular by means of an LED of the electronic device (2), - Emitting an acoustic signal, - manual selection of display information - Creating a data record, in particular a refill data record, wherein the refill data record indicates that a product corresponding to the electronic device (2) has been refilled.

5. Electronic device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronics (21) has a communication stage which is designed to communicate with an external device, and wherein the triggered function of the electronics (21) comprises communication with the external device via the communication stage.

6. Electronic device (2) according to claim 5, wherein the function to be triggered is a transmission of identification data which serve to identify the electronic device (2) and / or of status data which represent at least the detected actuation of the fastening mechanism (6).

7. Electronic device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, which is designed to be supplied with electrical power via a wired connection when attached to an electronic shelf rail (3) and / or to be supplied with communications technology via a wired connection.

8. System for operating an electronic device (2) comprising a plurality of the electronic devices (2) according to claims 1 - 7.

9. System according to claim 8, comprising an access point (10) provided for communication between a server (11) and the electronic devices (2).

10. System according to claim 8 to 9, wherein at least one electronic device (2), in particular designed as an electronic display unit, preferably designed as an electronic shelf label, and a shelf rail supply device (4) are fastened to an electronic shelf rail (3).

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