Abstract: An electronic shelf label system includes a powered rail for holding electronic shelf labels. The front side of the rail includes a recess that is physically configured to receive a protrusion at the upper rear side of the shelf label. The shelf label further comprises a lower hook member for engaging with a lower edge of the rail. The rail may comprise two conductors for providing the labels with power and data for display on the label. Data and power may be provided via a controller and power module connected to the back of the rail.

Abstract: Various aspects relate to a method of detecting an inventory in a storage space. The method comprises acquiring an image comprising image data depicting at least part of the storage space and determining, for at least an area of the image, at least one product inventory area. Next, it is detected whether the image data comprised by the image area has a transition of intensity above a pre-determined threshold within a pre-determined distance. Based on the outcome of the detection, it is determined a product is present in the product inventory area if the transition of intensity within the pre-determined distance is detected. Using edge detection, no comparison of subsequently acquired images is required. If an edge is detected, a product is determined to be present on a particular location on the shelf. This determination may be executed based on one single image, rather than on two consecutively acquired images.

Abstract: A system including an Electronic Shelf Label (ESL) system configured to communicate with a plurality of ESLs each corresponding to a product offered for sale. The system includes a Near Field Communication (NFC) device configured to communicate with each of the plurality of ESLs within a predetermined distance from the ESL, a customer profile database configured to store a plurality of customer profiles, wherein each of the plurality of customer profiles are associated with a customer NFC device, and a product database configured to store a plurality of product profiles for each of a plurality of products configured within the ESL system. The ESL system retrieves a customer profile associated with the NFC device, and a product profile associated with the product corresponding to an ESL in communication with the NFC device.

Abstract: An electronic shelf display tag apparatus includes a programmable processor having a memory in communication with each of a display screen, and a wireless communication transceiver. The electronic shelf display tag apparatus further includes a power supply device configured to supply power to the processor, the display screen, the wireless communication transceiver, and an enclosure configured to encapsulate the processor, the display screen, the wireless communication transceiver, the audio playback device and the power supply device. The enclosure further including an electrical connector having at least one conductor in communication with the power supply device, at least one inclined stop configured to engage an interior edge of a channel of a shelf support track, and a support rib configured to engage an exterior edge of the channel of the shelf support track.

Abstract: A panel element is for use in a modular wall system with vertical support structures. The panel element includes a panel having a planar surface and side edges transverse to the planar surface, the planar surface can be hung up on at least one of the vertical support structures. An electrical connector is provided on the back of the panel, including a first connector pin and a connector second pin for forming electrical connections. The first and second connector pins fit within openings in a surface of one of the vertical support structure. The connector pins are movably coupled to the panel so as to allow movement of the first and second connector pins in at least one direction parallel to the planar surface between an extended position and a pulled-in position.

Abstract: In a decoding method, photoelectric conversion is performed on light reflected by a code image, a read signal indicating intensity of the reflected light is produced, and the produced read signal is differentiated to produce a derivative signal. The inflection points of intensity of the reflected light in the read signal are detected from the derivative signal and peak levels, each of which is an extreme value of the intensity of the reflected light, the peak level corresponding to a width between the detected inflection points, are detected. A difference between the detected peak levels is then obtained and threshold values for decoding the read signal are set from the obtained difference. This enables the read signal to be decoded even when the code image is spotted with a stain or its printing quality is inferior or even when the read signal is read in its defocus state.

Abstract: An electronic shelf label (ESL) is constructed to display a bar code, or the like, and inventory information, in addition to the typical product identification and price. A stock person carrying a handheld communicator with a bar code scanner can conveniently scan the ESL and then enter the number of items removed from or placed on the shelf. Assuming he is using a wireless communicator, the information is sent immediately to the ESL server via the ESL system, and the ESL display is then updated as well as the establishment's inventory database.

Abstract: An electronic circuit that needs to transmit or receive radio waves achieves that goal by using an antenna. This disclosure teaches an antenna that can be mounted on an edge of a circuit board. This disclosure teaches antenna shapes that, when mounted on an edge of a circuit board, can advantageously make contact with circuits on both sides of the board. Some antenna shapes have protruding portions with springiness that facilitates affixing the antenna to the board and facilitates reliable electrical contacts with the circuits. The disclosure also teaches methods for mounting an antenna on an edge of a circuit board.

Abstract: An electronic shelf label (ESL) is constructed to display a bar code, or the like, and inventory information, in addition to the typical product identification and price. A stock person carrying a handheld communicator with a bar code scanner can conveniently scan the ESL and then enter the number of items removed from or placed on the shelf. Assuming he is using a wireless communicator, the information is sent immediately to the ESL server via the ESL system, and the ESL display is then updated as well as the establishment's inventory database.

Abstract: Optical scanner with a light source (1) for producing a light beam (A), focusing optics (2), means for producing a predetermined first scanning pattern (SP1-SP4) of separate scanning lines, first reflecting means (9; 101-104, 201-204) arranged to receive said predetermined first scanning pattern and to reflect each of the scanning lines of said first scanning pattern in a predetermined direction, and second reflecting means (10; 20; 30; 106, 107, 206, 207) arranged about a scanning axis (T), to receive said scanning lines and reflect them towards said scanning axis from several different directions in order to produce a second scanning pattern of scanning lines on all sides of an object (Q), said scanning lines in said second scanning pattern being substantially parallel to said scanning axis (T).

Abstract: An optical scanner having at least a light source (1), an internal helical scanning line generator (1, 6, 7) for generating a scanning beam defined by a beam focus which in use follows a helical pattern, beam shape conversion means (9; 11; 12; 15, 15a; 16) for receiving the scanning beam from the internal helical scanning line generator and converting its direction in order to make the scanning beam propagating substantially along a virtual conic or cylindrical surface around a scanning axis (T), and deflection means (10; 14; 15b) for receiving the scanning beam from the beam shape conversion means (9; 11; 12; 15, 15a; 16) and deflecting it substantially to the scanning axis (T). Such an optical scanner is particularly suited for reading bar codes on an external cylindrical surface, e.g. on a bottle.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus to scan an object by means of a light beam (B), provided with a housing (40), a light source (1) for generating the light beam (B), at least one mirror (6) for receiving and reflecting the light beam (B), which mirror (6) is, in operation, driven by first driving means (20) through a shaft (21) for continuous rotation about an axis of rotation (x) and by second driving means (30) by means of a carriage (117, 118) arranged on the shaft (21) such that the carriage (117, 118) and the shaft (21) are slidable relative to one another in an axial direction along the axis of rotation (x) for pivoting the at least one mirror (6) relative to the axis of rotation (x) about a pivoting point (102), a holder (115, 415) contacting the carriage (117, 118) by means (116) allowing the shaft (21) and the carriage (117, 118) to rotate concurrently within the holder (115, 415) and such that the holder (115, 415) and the shaft (21) can be shifted relative to one another in the axial direction.

Abstract: An optical scanner for a bar code reader has a rotary driving motor which drives a carrier to rotate about a principal axis, the carrier carries mirror means which is pivoted about a scan axis at right angles to the carrier axis, and force applying means is arranged to apply a turning couple to the mirror to cause it to turn to provide the scan motion while the carrier rotates to change the scan orientation. The timing couple is provided either by being coupled to the drive from the rotary carrier or by means of an axially mounted electro-magnetic coil.

Abstract: Scanning apparatus to scan an object by means of a light beam, including at least one mirror (2), which, during operation, is driven by a drive to make a combined movement of a continuous rotation around an axis of rotation (63) and an oscillating movement relative to the axis of rotation (63), the drive including a rotation drive (7, 8) and an oscillating drive (11, 12), both drives being controlled in such a way that the continuous rotation and the oscillating movement of the mirror are controlled independently. Thus the oscillating drive oscillates only the mirror. The light beam is thus parallel to or coincident with the axis of rotation.

Abstract: Optical scanner having a laser source for generating a laser beam, a first deflector for deflecting the laser beam towards an array of reflectors, the first deflector and the array of reflectors being rotatable relative to each other about a first axis, drive means for providing a rotation, and at least one detector for detecting backscattered light, said first deflector and said array of reflectors being arranged to deflect said laser beam in a direction substantially parallel to the first axis.

Abstract: Scanning device for optically scanning symbol codes, such as bar codes, comprising a laser source for producing a scanning beam, a detector for detecting light backscattered by the scanned symbol codes, first and second rotatable deflection elements for both transmitting and deflecting the scanning beam so as to generate a scanning pattern, and drive devices for rotating the first and second deflection elements around a first and second axis of rotation, respectively, in which scanning device the scanning beam when impinging upon the first deflection element does not coincide with at least one of both axes of rotation.

Abstract: A symbol code reader comprises a two-dimensional array of photosensitive elements for converting light scattered by the symbol code into image signals representative of the symbol code, image storage means for storing image signals produced by the photosensitive elements, and selection means for selectively passing image signals from the photosensitive elements to the image storage means. Preferably, the selection means are arranged for passing the image signals from predetermined sets of photosensitive elements, the elements of each set constituting a pattern in the array.

Abstract: A focussing device for a bar code reader comprises a lens system and a drive therefor. The lens system comprises at least one lens or set of lenses moveable in the direction of its optical axis. The drive comprises at least one coil and a magnetic element, wherein at least one moveable lens or set of lenses is fixed to the magnetic element and the magnetic element is a magnetic ring slideably arranged in a holding element, and wherein said at least one coil is fixed relative to the holding element. The lens system may comprise at least two fixed lenses or sets of lenses, at least one moveable lens or set of lenses being arranged between two fixed lenses or sets of lenses. A gating device selectively passes signals output by a sensor that senses light scattered by a bar code passing through the focussing device.

Abstract: Focusing system for a bar code reader, comprising a lens system, wherein for varying the focal length the focusing system is provided with a reflector rotatable around a rotational axis, the reflector comprising at least one reflective surface normally intersecting the optical axis of the lens system, the point of intersection having a distance relative to the lens system which varies in response to the rotation of the reflector.

Abstract: Dual-focus optical scanner for scanning an object, provided with optical illuminating means for illumating the object to be scanned with a light point derived from a light source, which illuminating means have their own optics, and with optical imaging means for imaging the object onto a point sensor, which imaging means have their own optics. Said illuminating means and said imaging means are embodied in a coaxial relation with substantially coincident optical axes. The focal plane of the illuminating optics and the focal plane of the imaging optics in the object area are slightly spaced, the separation of said two spaced focal planes being such that the working range of the scanner is the sum of the depths of field of the illuminating and imaging optics, defined according to required spatial resolution. Said optical scanner can be used as a wandtype symbol code reader, such as a bar code reader, for reading the symbol code by relative manual scan movement.