Abstract: A self-diagnosing electronic price label. The label communicates with a central processor in order to receive price information for display and to report the status of the label to the central processor. The label periodically runs a self-test program to verify proper operation of its components. If a component fails the self-test, the failure is reported to a central processor, and the central processor reports the failure for investigation. During normal operation, the label issues a signal to the central processor indicating normal operation. In the event of a failure, the label ceases to send the signal indicating normal operation. When the signal is not received as expected, the central processor reports the failure to receive the signal for investigation. This allows the central processor to be alerted to failures which disable communication between the label and the central processor.

Abstract: Techniques for displaying promotional information by providing an electronic sign (ES) which displays promotional information, display slogans, bundled pricing, bulk pricing, and other types of information. The ES can be used by retailers to increase sales, provide an alternate technique for advertising and reduce costs. According to one aspect, an EPL computer reads an EPL/ES data file to determine if an entry is associated with an EPL or an ES. The EPL computer then reads a promotional message from a promotional data file. An index in the EPL/ES data file may be used to determine the correct promotional message. The EPL computer transmits a message to the ES which includes a command for the ES to display the promotional message. The ES then displays the promotional message, providing valuable information to customers who are in the process of making purchasing decisions. In one aspect, an ES displays promotional information associated with an offer and is not associated with any particular single item.

Abstract: A self-diagnosing electronic price label. The label communicates with a central processor in order to receive price information for display and to report the status of the label to the central processor. The label periodically runs a self-test program to verify proper operation of its components. If a component fails the self-test, the failure is reported to a central processor, and the central processor reports the failure for investigation. During normal operation, the label issues a signal to the central processor indicating normal operation. In the event of a failure, the label ceases to send the signal indicating normal operation. When the signal is not received as expected, the central processor reports the failure to receive the signal for investigation. This allows the central processor to be alerted to failures which disable communication between the label and the central processor.

Abstract: A self-diagnosing electronic price label. The label communicates with a central processor in order to receive price information for display and to report the status of the label to the central processor. The label periodically runs a self-test program to verify proper operation of its components. If a component fails the self-test, the failure is reported to a central processor, and the central processor reports the failure for investigation. During normal operation, the label issues a signal to the central processor indicating normal operation. In the event of a failure, the label ceases to send the signal indicating normal operation. When the signal is not received as expected, the central processor reports the failure to receive the signal for investigation. This allows the central processor to be alerted to failures which disable communication between the label and the central processor.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for handling alternate information on electronic price labels. The system uses a price look-up file reader to determine the presence or absence of alternate data in a price look-up file. If alternate data are present for a merchandise item, the price look-up file reader generates an alternate message to be displayed by the electronic price label, in lieu of the item's unit price. The system includes a computer which maintains a first data file containing item identifiers for items associated with electronic price labels, and which determines the presence or absence, in such first data file, of alternate data, to be displayed by an electronic price label in lieu of an item's unit price. If alternate data are present, the system transmits messages to the electronic price labels containing the alternate messages and a command to display the alternate messages in lieu of unit price information.

Abstract: A system for displaying price information for a random weight item which detects the random weight item and instructs an electronic price label to only display unit price information for the random weight item. The system includes a computer system coupled to the electronic price label, including a terminal and a storage medium coupled to the terminal. The storage medium contains an electronic price label data file, which contains identification information for an item. The computer terminal reads the electronic price label data file to obtain the identification information for the item, determines from the identification information whether the item is the random weight item, and, if the item is the random weight item, sends a message to the electronic price label instructing the electronic price label to display only unit price information.

Abstract: Techniques for displaying promotional information by providing an electronic sign (ES) which displays promotional information, display slogans, bundled pricing, bulk pricing, and other types of information. The ES can be used by retailers to increase sales, provide an alternate technique for advertising and reduce costs. According to one aspect, an EPL computer reads an EPL/ES data file to determine if an entry is associated with an EPL or an ES. The EPL computer then reads a promotional message from a promotional data file. An index in the EPL/ES data file may be used to determine the correct promotional message. The EPL computer transmits a message to the ES which includes a command for the ES to display the promotional message. The ES then displays the promotional message, providing valuable information to customers who are in the process of making purchasing decisions. In one aspect, an ES displays promotional information associated with an offer and is not associated with any particular single item.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling an electronic price label (EPL) through infra-red signals instead of push-button signals. The system includes a computer which transmits wireless radio frequency messages containing functions codes and instructions, and a portable terminal which emits infra-red signals containing at least one of the function codes. The EPL receives the radio frequency messages, stores the function codes and corresponding instructions in a memory within the EPL, receives the infra-red signals from the portable terminal, determines the instructions associated with the function codes received from the portable terminal, and executes the determined instructions.

Abstract: A self-diagnosing electronic price label. The label communicates with a central processor in order to receive price information for display and to report the status of the label to the central processor. The label periodically runs a self-test program to verify proper operation of its components. If a component fails the self-test, the failure is reported to a central processor, and the central processor reports the failure for investigation. During normal operation, the label issues a signal to the central processor indicating normal operation. In the event of a failure, the label ceases to send the signal indicating normal operation. When the signal is not received as expected, the central processor reports the failure to receive the signal for investigation. This allows the central processor to be alerted to failures which disable communication between the label and the central processor.

Abstract: An electronic price label (EPL) system which is capable of simultaneously displaying price information in a plurality of different currencies. The system includes an EPL and a computer. The EPL includes a display having first and second portions, and a control circuit which causes the display to simultaneously display price information in a plurality of different currencies. The computer sends messages to the EPL instructing the EPL to display primary currency price information in the first portion of the display and secondary currency price information in the second portion of the display.