Electronic Shelf Label Glyph Segmentation for Bandwidth Bottlenecks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic shelf label systems face bandwidth bottlenecks and increased power consumption due to the large number of labels, especially with the introduction of high-resolution LCD screens, leading to inefficiencies in data transmission and potential customer misinformation.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the generation of individual glyphs for each character or symbol on a server, creation of a display script with reference and position data, and transmission of these glyphs to electronic labels, allowing for efficient data compression and reduced power consumption by leveraging asymmetrical communication topology.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional data transmission protocols are used to send product information to electronic shelf labels, then all labels can be updated, but the bandwidth required increases proportionally with the number of labels, creating a bottleneck
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments product information into individual glyph elements that can be independently transmitted and reused across multiple labels. Instead of sending complete product information strings to each label, the system breaks down text into discrete glyph components that are transmitted once and then referenced by multiple labels, dramatically reducing total data transmission volume while ensuring all labels receive complete information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a master copy of glyph data on the server that can be referenced by multiple electronic shelf labels. Instead of transmitting duplicate information to each label, the system transmits the glyph definition once and allows multiple labels to copy and use the same glyph references, reducing bandwidth requirements from linear to constant relative to the number of labels.
2Reliability
If more data is transmitted to each label to ensure complete product information, then information accuracy improves, but power consumption increases due to longer transmission times
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting product information into discrete glyph elements, the system transmits only essential reference data to each label rather than complete product information strings. This segmentation allows labels to receive minimal data quickly (reducing power consumption) while still obtaining complete information through efficient glyph rendering from the transmitted reference data.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary processing of product information into glyph references on the server side before transmission. By pre-processing and compressing information into compact glyph reference formats, the server prepares data in an optimized state that reduces transmission time and energy consumption at the label while maintaining complete information accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If high-resolution LCD screens are installed in electronic labels to improve display quality, then customer information visibility improves, but data transmission bandwidth requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments display content into individual glyph elements that are defined once at high resolution and then referenced by multiple labels regardless of their display capabilities. This segmentation allows high-resolution displays to render crisp, clear text while the underlying data transmission remains efficient, as the glyph definition is transmitted once and reused across all labels including high-resolution LCDs.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention concerns a method for displaying product information on at least one electronic label having a graphic display and a data reception unit, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: (a) generating, at a server connected to the label, an individual glyph corresponding to each different character or symbol of the product information; (b) generating at least a display script comprising reference and position data of said glyphs in the product information; (c) transmitting the display script to the label; (d) broadcasting the individual glyphs; (e) selecting and loading in the label individual glyphs corresponding to the reference data comprised in the display script; and (f) displaying the selected and loaded individual glyphs according to the position data comprised in the display script. The present invention also concerns a server, an electronic label and a server thereof.