Electronic Shelf Label Wakeup Communication With AP Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in large supermarkets is to improve communication efficiency between electronic shelf labels and processors while maintaining low power consumption.
Innovation Solution
An electronic shelf label communication system and method that involves electronic shelf labels periodically sending heartbeat data packages to wireless access points, allowing the processor to determine optimal access points based on signal strength, and using group wakeup messages with countdown durations to efficiently transmit update data packages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If electronic shelf labels continuously communicate with processors, then communication efficiency is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic shelf label enters sleep mode periodically and wakes up at predetermined intervals to send heartbeat data packages and receive update data packages. This periodic communication pattern reduces power consumption compared to continuous communication while maintaining system responsiveness and communication efficiency.
2Reliability
If multiple wireless access points are used to improve communication coverage, then communication reliability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a selection mechanism where the processor receives signal strength data from multiple wireless access points and automatically selects the optimal access point based on feedback about signal quality. This feedback-driven approach improves communication reliability without requiring manual configuration or complex manual intervention, as the system self-optimizes based on real-time conditions.
3Loss of information
If electronic shelf labels wake up frequently to check for updates, then data freshness is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The processor sends update data packages in advance during periods when power consumption is less critical, and the electronic shelf label wakes up at predetermined intervals to receive these pre-prepared updates. This preliminary action approach ensures data freshness without requiring the label to remain continuously powered, as updates are prepared and transmitted during appropriate time windows.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic shelf label communication system and method. The system includes a processor, a plurality of wireless access points and an electronic shelf label. The electronic shelf label is configured to actively send a heartbeat data package to the plurality of wireless access points after periodically waking up. Each of the plurality of wireless access points is configured to: receive the heartbeat data package of the electronic shelf label, obtain signal strength data when the heartbeat data package of the electronic shelf label is received, and send the signal strength data to the processor. The processor is configured to: receive the signal strength data corresponding to the heartbeat data package sent by the plurality of wireless access points, and determine an optimal wireless access point corresponding to the electronic shelf label according to the signal strength data.