Electronic Shelf Display with Dual Modules and Power Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic shelf displays face challenges in maintaining continuous product information visibility, especially during power outages, and lack scheduling capabilities for content updates, due to differences in control and communication mechanisms between LCD and ePaper modules.
Innovation Solution
An electronic shelf display apparatus comprising a display module, an ePaper module, a communication module, and a control module, with an auxiliary lighting module and power storage module to ensure continuous visibility and scheduling of content, including an arrow indicating the exit direction during power outages, using a shared controller for both LCD and ePaper modules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If an LCD module is used for electronic shelf display, then the image can be easily identified in dimly lit environments due to backlight, but the content vanishes when power is shut down and power consumption is higher
Solution Approach 1:
The display system is segmented into two independent display modules: an LCD module for high-visibility advertising content and an ePaper module for persistent price information. Each module can operate independently with its own power management, allowing the ePaper to maintain content without continuous power while the LCD provides enhanced visibility when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
A shared control module acts as an intermediary between the remote control system and both display modules. It receives control signals, determines which module(s) should display content based on power availability and content type, and coordinates the display operations, enabling flexible power management and content scheduling.
2Use of energy by moving object
If an ePaper module is used for electronic shelf display, then power consumption is lower and content persists without power, but the content cannot be scheduled and requires special control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The control module is designed with universal functionality to handle both LCD and ePaper display requirements. It incorporates scheduling capabilities for content updates and can adaptively control either display module based on power availability, content type, and operational requirements, eliminating the need for separate control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the control functions for LCD and ePaper modules into a single integrated control module. This unified controller manages both display types using the same remote control system, enabling scheduled content updates for ePaper while maintaining compatibility with LCD operations.
3Device complexity
If a shared control module is used for both LCD and ePaper modules, then control and communication mechanisms are simplified, but the control module must handle different control and communication protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The control module dynamically adapts its communication protocol based on the target display module type. When controlling LCD, it uses LCD-specific protocols; when controlling ePaper, it switches to ePaper-specific protocols. This dynamic protocol selection enables a single controller to manage both display types without requiring separate control systems.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an electronic shelf display apparatus. An electronic shelf display is provided. The electronic shelf display comprises a display module, an electronic paper (ePaper) module, a communication module, and a control module. The communication module receives a first signal indicating a first message to be displayed on the display module and receives a second signal indicating a second message to be displayed on the ePaper module. The control module is electrically connected to the communication module, the display module, and the ePaper module. The control module controls the display module and the ePaper module.