Electronic Price Tag Status Detection Using Reed Switch Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic price tags on shelves are prone to being manually moved, making it difficult for the server to confirm their status in real time, leading to issues with updating label data and displaying accurate product prices.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a reed switch sensor and processor in the electronic price tag to sense a magnetic field, generating output signals indicating whether the tag is normal or abnormal, allowing for real-time communication with the server and preventing unauthorized movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If electronic price tags are placed on shelves without magnetic field sensing, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of confirming tag status deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestatus confirmation reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A magnet is introduced as an intermediary element mounted on the shelf. The magnet itself does not need power or processing capability, but it enables the reed switch sensor to detect whether the price tag is properly positioned on the shelf, thus confirming tag status without adding complex active components to the tag.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical positioning detection systems with a simple magnetic field sensing mechanism. Instead of using motors, sensors, or complex mechanical interlocks to detect tag position, a passive magnet and reed switch combination is used, which significantly reduces device complexity while maintaining detection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If real-time status monitoring is implemented, then the productivity of price updates is improved, but the use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprice update efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous monitoring, the system uses periodic status checks triggered by magnetic field detection events. The reed switch sensor only activates and communicates status changes when the magnet's position changes (i.e., when a tag is placed or removed), rather than continuously transmitting data, thus reducing energy consumption while maintaining update productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically detects and reports status changes without requiring manual intervention or continuous power-intensive communication protocols. The magnetic field sensing mechanism passively detects tag presence and triggers automatic status updates, enabling the system to monitor and update prices efficiently without constant energy expenditure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If magnetic field sensing is added to detect tag position, then the measurement precision of tag status is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetag status detection precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The magnet serves as a passive intermediary that carries positional information through its magnetic field. Instead of embedding complex sensors directly in the price tag to measure position precisely, the magnet on the shelf creates a detectable field that indicates tag status, achieving precise detection with minimal added complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system detects tag status by monitoring changes in magnetic field parameters (presence or absence of the magnet's field) rather than using complex positional measurement systems. This parameter-based detection approach achieves precise status measurement while keeping the device simple, as it only requires detecting whether the magnetic field threshold is met.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Ensures accurate and timely updating of product information by confirming the electronic price tag's status, preventing incorrect price displays and enabling immediate alerts for any abnormalities.

Implementation Method 1

a reed switch sensor and a processor, wherein the reed switch sensor is configured to sense a magnetic field adjacent to the electronic price tag to generate an output signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field sensing: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS10909888B2Electronic price tag, electronic price tag system and method of updating electronic price tag

Publication Date: 2021.02.02 BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD

AI summary

An electronic price tag, an electronic price tag system, and a method of updating an electronic price tag. The electronic price tag includes a reed switch sensor and a processor. The reed switch sensor is configured to sense a magnetic field adjacent to the electronic price tag to generate an output signal. The processor is configured to: receive the output signal of the reed switch sensor, convert the output signal into information indicating whether the electronic price tag is normal, and send the information indicating whether the electronic price tag is normal.