Electronic Shelf Label Synchronization to Prevent Base Station Interference

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing electronic shelf label system experiences communication instability due to mutual interference among multiple base stations working in parallel, primarily due to limited channel resources and asynchronous network design.

Innovation Solution

The system constructs synchronization sub-networks based on network topological structures and determines offsets for each base station, ensuring synchronized frame transmission times and data transmission times, allowing base stations to dynamically adjust local times to prevent interference and reduce power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple base stations work in parallel in an asynchronous network, then the system coverage and service capacity are improved, but mutual interference occurs due to limited channel resources, reducing communication stability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem coverage and service capacityVSAvoidcommunication stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the network into multiple synchronization sub-networks, each with its own synchronization source. Base stations are divided into different sub-networks to avoid mutual interference while maintaining parallel operation. This allows multiple base stations to work simultaneously without causing channel conflicts, thus improving both coverage and communication stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the synchronization parameter by introducing synchronized frame transmission with specific timing relationships. Base stations transmit synchronization frames at calculated time points based on their offsets, transforming the asynchronous operation into a controlled synchronous pattern that prevents interference while maintaining high productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If base stations transmit synchronization frames simultaneously, then the synchronization speed is improved, but channel resources are limited causing mutual interference and reducing communication reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesynchronization speedVSAvoidcommunication stability

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by calculating and determining offsets for each base station before synchronization frame transmission. The offset calculation is performed in advance based on the base station's position and network configuration, allowing base stations to transmit at predetermined time points that avoid conflicts, thus maintaining both speed and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic action through synchronized frame transmission where base stations transmit synchronization frames at regular intervals according to their calculated offsets. This periodic transmission pattern ensures that synchronization is maintained at appropriate speeds while preventing channel conflicts through time-division multiplexing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Measurement precision

If electronic shelf labels frequently wake up to receive synchronization frames, then synchronization accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesynchronization accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by enabling electronic shelf labels to autonomously determine whether to wake up for receiving synchronization frames based on their current synchronization state and the timing of upcoming frames. Labels that are already synchronized can skip wake-up cycles, reducing power consumption while maintaining synchronization accuracy through periodic validation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements partial action by having electronic shelf labels wake up only when necessary to receive synchronization frames, rather than waking up at every scheduled time point. Labels can remain in sleep mode between synchronization events, performing partial synchronization actions only when needed, thus reducing power consumption while maintaining adequate synchronization accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4718921A2Communication method of electronic shelf label system, system, computer device and storage medium

Publication Date: 2026.04.01 HANSHOW TECH CO LTD

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AI summary

The present disclosure provides a communication method of an electronic shelf label system, a system, and a computer device. The method includes: repeatedly sending, by each of the plurality of base stations, a synchronization frame, wherein the synchronization frame comprises packet sequence number, and each of the synchronization frames includes a different packet sequence number; receiving, by the electronic shelf label, the synchronization frame at a receiving time point scheduled to wake up; determining whether the packet sequence number of the synchronization frame is the same as a packet sequence number corresponding to the receiving time point; and adjusting, if both are the same, by the electronic shelf label, duration of the next sleep to compensate for the time difference, so as to receive in the next reception a synchronization frame comprising a packet sequence number corresponding to the receiving time point.