US5910653A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Shelf tag with ambient light detector
Assignee: Symbol Technologies LLC
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Filing: 1997-04-09
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Granted: 1999-06-08
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Expires: 2017-04-09
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to an electronic shelf display device which includes an optical device and an ambient light detector circuitry. The electronic shelf display device includes an independent power source, and a housing. The electronic shelf display device also includes a processor disposed in the housing, and a display device supported by the housing and coupled to the processor. The display device is capable of displaying information to a user. The optical device is coupled to the processor for at least receiving optical communications. The ambient light detector circuitry is also coupled to the processor. The processor is operative to regulate the power state of the electronic shelf display device based on ambient lighting conditions determined by the ambient light detector circuitry. By having the optical device include the ambient light detector, only one port is required for receiving light by the electronic shelf display device thus resulting in substantial space savings. The electronic shelf display device senses the current ambient lighting conditions and controls its power state based on the current ambient lighting conditions around it.
Inventors
- 👤 James A. Campo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 21:16
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/14; G06F3/147; G09; G09F; G09F3/00; G09F3/08; G09F3/18; G09F3/20; G09F3/208; G09G; G09G2320/00; G09G2320/06; G09G2320/0626; G09G2330/00; G09G2330/02; G09G2330/021; G09G2380/00; G09G2380/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
An electronic shelf display device including an independent power source, the electronic shelf display comprising: a housing; a processor disposed in the housing; a display device supported by the housing and coupled to the processor, the display device being capable of displaying information; an optical device coupled to the processor for at least receiving optical communications; and ambient light detector circuitry coupled to the processor, the ambient light detector circuitry being operative for regulating the power state of the electronic shelf display device based on ambient lighting conditions determined by the ambient light detector circuitry.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
An electronic shelf display device including an independent power source, the electronic shelf display comprising: a housing; a processor disposed in the housing; a display device supported by the housing and coupled to the processor, the display device being capable of displaying information; an optical device coupled to the processor for at least receiving optical communications; and ambient light detector circuitry coupled to the processor, the ambient light detector circuitry being operative for regulating the power state of the electronic shelf display device based on ambient lighting conditions determined by the ambient light detector circuitry.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
The electronic shelf display device of claim 1, wherein the ambient light detector circuitry is further operative to place the electronic shelf display device in a low power state upon determining a dark ambient lighting condition has occurred in order to conserve power provided by the independent power source.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
The electronic shelf display device of claim 1, wherein the ambient light detector circuitry is further operative to place the electronic shelf display device in a normal power state upon determining a light condition has occurred in order to allow for normal operating conditions of the electronic shelf display device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The electronic shelf display device of claim 1, wherein the optical communications are infrared communications.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The electronic shelf display device of claim 1, wherein the independent power source is at least one battery.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The electronic shelf display device of claim 5, wherein the processor places the electronic display device in a sleep mode based on ambient lighting conditions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The electronic shelf display device of claim 5, wherein the processor takes the electronic display device out of a sleep mode based on ambient lighting conditions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The electronic shelf display device of claim 5, wherein the processor periodically polls the ambient light detector circuitry to determine ambient lighting conditions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The electronic shelf display device of claim 1, wherein the display further displays graphical information.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The electronic shelf display device of claim 1, wherein the display further displays alphanumeric information.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The electronic shelf display device of claim 1 further including a radio device.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The electronic shelf display device of claim 11, wherein the radio device includes a radio receiver.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The electronic shelf display device of claim 11, wherein the radio device includes a radio transmitter.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The electronic shelf display device of claim 1, wherein the optical device includes an optical receiver.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The electronic shelf display device of claim 1, wherein the optical device includes an optical transmitter.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
The electronic shelf display device of claim 1 further including a memory device.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
157 words
A system for displaying information, the system comprising: a host computer, the host computer including: a processor for controlling the host computer; and; a memory device coupled to the processor for storing data; an optical apparatus coupled to the host computer wherein the host computer communicates with the electronic shelf display device; a plurality of electronic display devices, the electronic display devices including: an electronic shelf display device each including an independent power source including an independent power source, the electronic shelf display comprising: a housing; a processor disposed in the housing; a display device supported by the housing and coupled to the processor, the display device being capable of displaying information; an optical device coupled to the processor for at least receiving optical communications; and ambient light detector circuitry coupled to the processor, the ambient light detector circuitry being operative for regulating the power state of the electronic shelf display device based on ambient lighting conditions.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
157 words
A system for displaying information, the system comprising: a host computer, the host computer including: a processor for controlling the host computer; and; a memory device coupled to the processor for storing data; an optical apparatus coupled to the host computer wherein the host computer communicates with the electronic shelf display device; a plurality of electronic display devices, the electronic display devices including: an electronic shelf display device each including an independent power source including an independent power source, the electronic shelf display comprising: a housing; a processor disposed in the housing; a display device supported by the housing and coupled to the processor, the display device being capable of displaying information; an optical device coupled to the processor for at least receiving optical communications; and ambient light detector circuitry coupled to the processor, the ambient light detector circuitry being operative for regulating the power state of the electronic shelf display device based on ambient lighting conditions.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 17, further including a mobile terminal for optically communicating with at least one of the plurality of electronic display devices.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 17, wherein the host computer further includes a radio device for radio communications with a radio device of at least one of the plurality of electronic display devices.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 17, wherein the optical communications are infrared communications.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 17, wherein the isolated power source is at least one battery.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 17, wherein the processor of the electronic display device regulates the power state of the electronic display device based on ambient lighting conditions determined by the ambient light detector circuitry.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 22, wherein the processor of the electronic display device places the electronic display device in a sleep mode based on ambient lighting conditions.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 22, wherein the processor of the electronic display device takes the electronic display device out of a sleep mode based on ambient lighting conditions.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 22, wherein the processor of the electronic display device periodically polls the ambient light detector to determine ambient lighting conditions.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
52 words
A method for controlling the power state of an electronic display device, comprising the steps of: using an ambient light detector to determine ambient lighting conditions; and using a processor to regulate the power state of the electronic display device based upon the ambient lighting conditions determined by the ambient light detector.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
52 words
A method for controlling the power state of an electronic display device, comprising the steps of: using an ambient light detector to determine ambient lighting conditions; and using a processor to regulate the power state of the electronic display device based upon the ambient lighting conditions determined by the ambient light detector.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 26, wherein the processor places the electronic display device in a sleep mode based on ambient lighting conditions.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 26, wherein the processor takes the electronic display device out of a sleep mode based on ambient lighting conditions.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 26, wherein the processor periodically polls the ambient light detector to determine ambient lighting conditions.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-06-07 | 2002-12-07 | 2003-06-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-06-07 | 2006-12-07 | 2007-06-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-06-07 | 2010-12-07 | 2011-06-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |