Electronic Shelf Label Cluster Network for Reliable Mesh Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic shelf label systems suffer from low communication reliability and speed due to one-way broadcast communication, and they are difficult to introduce and manage, lacking expandability and requiring dedicated devices and infrastructure.
Innovation Solution
The electronic shelf label system employs a cluster-type network constructed from a plurality of electronic shelf label devices connected through pairing connections conforming to the BLE standard, allowing two-way communication and eliminating the need for dedicated gateways and servers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If broadcast communication via dedicated gateway and wireless communication repeater is used, then electronic shelf label devices can receive information from server, but communication reliability is low because devices cannot transmit confirmation signals back to server
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of electronic shelf label devices with relay functionality. Each electronic shelf label device can not only display product information but also act as a relay node to forward signals to other devices in the network, eliminating the need for separate dedicated gateways and repeaters while improving communication reliability through bidirectional communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where electronic shelf label devices can transmit confirmation signals back to the server and other devices. This bidirectional communication allows the server to verify successful message delivery and enables devices to report their status, significantly improving communication reliability compared to one-way broadcast communication.
2Reliability
If dedicated gateway and dedicated server are introduced, then electronic shelf label system can be established, but implementation cost increases and management becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes electronic shelf label devices multi-functional by enabling them to perform both their primary function of displaying product information and additional functions such as signal relaying, routing, and network management. This eliminates the need for dedicated gateways and servers, reducing implementation costs and simplifying system management while maintaining full system functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables electronic shelf label devices to self-organize into a mesh network topology where devices automatically establish connections and relay signals for each other. This self-organizing capability eliminates the need for complex dedicated infrastructure and manual configuration, making the system easier to implement and manage while maintaining reliable communication.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional electronic shelf label system is used, then shelf label function is provided, but expandability is limited and additional functions cannot be easily added
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic mesh network topology where electronic shelf label devices can dynamically change their roles and connections based on network conditions. Devices can dynamically become relay nodes or end devices as needed, allowing the system to adapt to different configurations and easily incorporate additional functions without requiring complex fixed architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs electronic shelf label devices with universal capabilities that can support multiple functions beyond basic shelf labeling. The devices can serve as display units, relay nodes, routing points, and potential sensor or actuator interfaces, providing high expandability while maintaining a relatively simple device architecture through standardized multi-functional components.
4Speed
If broadcast communication is used, then information can be transmitted from server to electronic shelf label devices, but communication speed is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication path into multiple direct peer-to-peer connections within the mesh network, replacing the single long broadcast path through dedicated gateway and repeaters. This segmentation into shorter hops enables parallel communication paths and reduces overall transmission time, improving communication speed while maintaining reliability through redundant paths.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic shelf label system 1 includes a cluster-type network CN constructed from a plurality of electronic shelf label devices and an application device communicatively connected to the cluster-type network CN. The cluster-type network CN includes a shelf label hierarchy constructed from a plurality of electronic shelf label devices which function as shelf labels for a plurality of products and a relay hierarchy constructed from a plurality of electronic shelf label devices each of which relays a signal transmitted from the application device to one of the plurality of electronic shelf label devices 4 of the shelf label hierarchy.