Electronic Price Label Localization Using Passive RFID Queries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic price label systems face inefficiencies in locating and communicating with price labels due to energy consumption and time-consuming searches, especially when labels are out of range or in wireless environments, and there are challenges with existing RFID systems in retail environments.
Innovation Solution
A bidirectional radio-frequency electronic price label system with integrated RFID capabilities for rapid localization and communication, utilizing an RFID identifier and dual-antenna structure to minimize energy consumption and improve communication efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If electronic price labels use battery-powered transmitter-receivers for wireless communication, then wireless operation and flexibility are enabled, but energy consumption increases and battery operating time is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the active radio transmitter with a passive RFID system that uses electromagnetic induction. The RFID antenna in the electronic price label is energized by the electromagnetic field from the base station antenna, eliminating the need for a battery-powered transmitter in the label. This substitution of active electronic transmission with passive electromagnetic coupling resolves the energy consumption problem while maintaining wireless operation capability.
2Use of energy by moving object
If electronic price labels wake from power-saving mode at predefined intervals to receive messages, then energy consumption is minimized, but message delivery is delayed and search time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates an RFID identifier in the electronic price label that enables continuous passive identification and location tracking by the base station. This preliminary action of always being identifiable via RFID allows the base station to know when and where to communicate with the label, eliminating the need for the label to wake up periodically to be found. The label remains in power-saving mode while its RFID tag continuously responds to base station queries.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from RFID identification to trigger communication only when needed. The base station continuously or periodically queries the RFID identifier in the label, and when the label is detected and located, the base station can immediately send price update messages. This feedback mechanism ensures timely message delivery while allowing the label to remain in low-power state between communications.
3Device complexity
If RFID antenna and display antenna are integrated in the same electronic price label, then device complexity is reduced, but antenna performance deteriorates due to interference from display components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the antenna system into two separate physical components: an RFID antenna (which can be a passive tag antenna) and a display antenna (for the electronic display). By segmenting the antenna functions, the patent avoids the interference and performance degradation that would result from integrating both functions in a single antenna structure. Each antenna can be optimized for its specific function without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the RFID antenna function from the display assembly, allowing the RFID antenna to be implemented as a separate passive tag or as an independently optimized component. This extraction removes the RFID antenna from the interfering electromagnetic environment of the display components (such as LCD backlights, LED drivers, or other active electronics), thereby maintaining reliable RFID communication performance while keeping the overall device structure integrated.
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
Rapid and efficient localization of electronic price labels, reducing energy consumption and minimizing disruptions to other system transmissions, while maintaining reliable communication and updating capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
an RFID antenna, connected to a communication module, which antenna comprises two parts, of which a first antenna part is arranged on the circuit board of the electronic price label, and a second antenna part, which is connected to the first antenna part, is arranged in connection with the envelope part of the electronic price label, separate from the circuit board
Data Source
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AI summary
Electronic price label system, electronic price label and method for transferring data to an electronic price label with an electronic price label system that comprises base stations of the electronic price label system, and which electronic price label (103) comprises a display (102) and communication means. In the solution of the invention a query is sent to a certain electronic price label with means for locating the position of electronic price labels and/or of products, for determining the location of the electronic price label, a response is received from the electronic price label with the means for locating the position of electronic price labels and/or of products and the location of the electronic price label is determined on the basis of the response, and a request and/or command is sent with the base station of the electronic price label system, said base station operating in the range of the determined location, to the electronic price label.