Abstract: A system for communicating between a store computer and locations in the aisles of a retail facility. A hard wired grid connects the store computer to a plurality of transceivers located in zones throughout the facility and the transceivers establish a wireless link to the locations. One embodiment is a product information display system in which the locations are fixed information display terminals, such as price displaying shelf tags. Another embodiment is an item tracking system, in which the locations are movable shopping carts or baskets.

Abstract: An information display system is provided having a transmitter and a plurality of uniquely identified display terminals, each terminal having an IR receiver. Uniquely identified sets of messages are transmitted in by the IR transceiver for reception by the display terminals. Between each set of transmissions, the receiver is periodically activated. Once the presence of a transmission is sensed by the receiver, a timer forces the receiver to remain activated while it compares the uniquely identified received messages to the display terminals unique identification. The receiver stores the message that matches the identification of the display terminal and the timer forces the receiver to remain deactivated at least until the entire set of transmissions has been completed.