Registers – Systems controlled by data bearing records – Mechanized store
Reexamination Certificate
2000-11-16
2004-04-06
Frech, Karl D. (Department: 2876)
Registers
Systems controlled by data bearing records
Mechanized store
C705S020000, C705S022000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06715675
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to electronic shelf labels and to electronic shelf label systems generally.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are known in the prior art a variety of different types of electronic shelf labels and electronic shelf label systems. The following U.S. Patents and other publications are believed to represent the state of the art:
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,539,393; 5,553, 412; 5,572, 653; 5,753,900; 5,880,449; 5,933, 813; 5,975,416; 6,031, 585; 6,105 004.
JP 2000152857; DE 19840248; DE 19840251; EP 974918A2; AU 9923674; FR 2778775; FR 2772529; SE 9103048; RD 344094; GB 2249854.
WO 95/22798; WO 98/00819; WO 98/32115; WO 99/65288.
The disclosure in Section 3.7.4. of “Wireless Infrared Communications”, by John R. Barry, Kluwer Academic Publishers, 1994, pp. 75-77 is believed to be relevant to part of the subject matter of the present invention.
The present applicant/assignee is the proprietor of the following published patents and patent applications: U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,880,449; 5,933,813; 6,105,004.
U.S. patent application No. U.S. Ser. No. 09/147,422.
WO 98/00819; WO 96/32683;
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention seeks to provide improved electronic shelf labels and electronic shelf labels systems.
There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention an electronic shelf label including an LCD display, a housing including a protective at least partially transparent cover layer disposed over the LCD display and in spaced relationship thereto, and an at least partially transparent intermediate layer formed over the LCD go display and substantially filling a space between the LCD display and the protective at least partially transparent cover layer.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the at least partially transparent intermediate layer has an index of refraction which is selected so as to minimize reflection at interfaces between the at least partially transparent intermediate layer and both of the LCD display and the protective at least partially transparent cover layer.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the at least partially transparent intermediate layer is located with respect to the LCD display and to the protective at least partially transparent cover layer so as to substantially eliminate air gaps therebetween.
Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the electronic shelf label also includes at least one fuel cell powering the LCD display.
Preferably the fuel cell includes at least first and second printed circuit boards, each having electrical contacts formed thereon, the electrical contacts on the first and second printed circuit boards each being in at least partial registration with each other, the printed circuit boards each being formed with a plurality of apertures generally surrounded by the electrical contacts, a plurality of electrodes, each electrode being located in one of the apertures, and a membrane disposed between the first and second printed circuit boards, the membrane providing electrical insulation between the electrical contacts on the first and second printed circuit boards and permitting ionic transfer thereacross between the electrodes, and the electrodes located in apertures on the first printed circuit board being exposed to a fuel, and the electrodes located in apertures on the second printed circuit board being exposed to air.
Moreover in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the fuel cell powering the LCD display includes a fuel tank, filling generally the volume of the housing not occupied by the display and the communicator.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the index of refraction of the intermediate layer is identical to the index of refraction of at least one of the LCD display and the protective at least partially transparent cover layer.
Preferably the index of refraction varies from one surface of the intermediate layer to an opposite surface thereof.
There is also provided in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention an electronic shelf label system including a multiplicity of electronic shelf labels, each including an IR transmitter for transmitting information relating to the electronic shelf label, at least one receiver receiving IR transmissions from the multiplicity of electronic shelf labels, the at least one receiver including an IR sensor, a non-IR visible light sensor, and circuitry for employing an output of the non-IR visible light sensor for reducing interference in a signal band sensed by the IR sensor.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided an electronic shelf label system and wherein each of the multiplicity of electronic shelf labels includes an LCD display, a housing including a protective at least partially transparent cover layer disposed over the LCD display and in spaced relationship thereto, and an at least partially transparent intermediate layer formed over the LCD display and substantially filling a space between the LCD display and the protective at least partially transparent cover layer.
Preferably the at least partially transparent intermediate layer has an index of refraction which is selected so as to minimize reflection at interfaces between the at least partially transparent intermediate layer and both of the LCD display and the protective at least partially transparent cover layer.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the at least partially transparent intermediate layer is located with respect to the LCD display and to the protective at least partially transparent cover layer so as to substantially eliminate air gaps therebetween.
Moreover in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention each electronic shelf label also includes at least one fuel cell powering the LCD display.
Preferably the fuel cell includes at least first and second printed circuit boards, each having electrical contacts printed thereon, the electrical contacts on the first and second printed circuit boards being in at least partial registration with each other, the printed circuit boards each being formed with a plurality of apertures generally surrounded by the electrical contacts, a plurality of electrodes, each electrode being located in one of the apertures, and a membrane disposed between the first and second printed circuit boards, the membrane providing electrical insulation between the electrical contacts on the first and second printed circuit boards and permitting ionic transfer thereacross between the electrodes, and the electrodes being located in apertures on the first printed circuit board being exposed to a fuel, and the electrodes located in apertures on the second printed circuit board being exposed to air.
There is further provided in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention an electronic shelf label which includes a housing, an electrically driven display mounted in the housing, at least one electrically powered illuminator, at least one fuel cell powering the electrically driven display and the at least one electrically powered illuminator, and a data communicator providing display data to the electrically driven display from an external data source.
There is also provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment an electronic shelf label including a housing, an electrically driven display mounted in the housing, at least one fuel cell powering the electrically driven display, the at least one fuel cell including a fuel tank, filling generally the volume of the housing not occupied by the display and the communicator, and a data communicator providing display data to the electrically driven display from an external data source.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided an electronic shelf label which al
Darby & Darby
Eldat Communication Ltd.
Frech Karl D.
Koyama Kumiko C.
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