Optical Emitter Remote Control for Electronic Shelf Labels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing price label updating processes in retail stores are manual, time-consuming, and inefficient, especially for large stores with frequent price changes.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for remote controlling of electronic shelf labels (ESLs) using optical emitters to establish communication links with ESLs, allowing for automated and frequent updates of product information, including prices, across multiple retail stores.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual updating of price labels is used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity and time efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprice label updating efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical updating of price labels with an automated optical communication system. Emitters transmit product data optically to electronic shelf labels, eliminating the need for manual intervention and significantly improving updating efficiency while managing system complexity through standardized communication protocols

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic shelf labels autonomously receive and display product data through optical communication with emitters. The system enables self-updating of price information without requiring manual intervention, with labels automatically processing received data and updating their displays

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If frequent price changes are implemented, then adaptability improves, but loss of time and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprice change responsivenessVSAvoidtime for price updates

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The optical communication system enables continuous and frequent price updates without interruption. Emitters can transmit updated product data to electronic shelf labels in real-time, allowing the system to respond rapidly to price changes while minimizing time loss through automated transmission and display updates

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system prepares for frequent price changes by maintaining ready-to-transmit product data in the emitter system. When price changes are needed, the updated data can be immediately transmitted to the appropriate electronic shelf labels without manual preparation, enabling rapid adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If automated optical communication system is implemented, then productivity improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct information update efficiencyVSAvoidemitter and ESL system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the price label updating function into separate components: emitters that transmit product data optically and electronic shelf labels that receive and display the data. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, improving overall productivity while managing complexity through modular design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic shelf labels are designed to receive and process various types of product data through the optical communication system. The labels can display different information (prices, product details, promotions) using the same hardware platform, reducing overall system complexity through multi-functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables efficient, automated, and frequent updates of product information on ESLs, reducing manual labor and time, and allowing for dynamic pricing based on supply and customer purchases.

Implementation Method 1

positioning the first emitter to direct a signal to the coordinates of the first electronic shelf label

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical signal transmission: Light

Data Source

PatentUS12236396B2System and method for remote controlling of electronic shelf labels

Publication Date: 2025.02.25 WALMART APOLLO LLC

AI summary

Systems and methods for controlling electronic shelf labels are disclosed. Product data identifying at least one product and a price of the at least one product and layout data of a physical environment including locations of one or more shelves, a respective shelf location of the at least one product, and coordinates of a plurality of electronic shelf labels is received. Coordinates for a first electronic shelf label associated with the respective shelf location is determined. A first emitter of a plurality of emitters that is capable of communicating with the first electronic shelf label is determined and positioned to direct a signal to the coordinates of the first electronic shelf label to establish a link with only the first electronic shelf label. A portion of the product data is transmitted via the signal, which causes the first electronic shelf label to display the portion of the product data.