Abstract: A product label includes a semiconductor chip and an antenna. The semiconductor chip stores information about a product. The antenna transmits the information about the product to a reading device. The antenna has a predetermined breaking point at which the antenna can be destroyed during the reading operation by energy introduced by the reading device so that the product label can be read only for a specific number of read cycles. A method of producing product labels and a method for a contactless, forgery-proof identification of products are also provided.

Abstract: A method of restoring display information to an electronic price label which stores temporarily removed display information and sends it to the electronic price label following a temporary period. The method includes the steps of determining whether a memory of the electronic price label contains primary display information during the temporary display period, and if the memory of the electronic price label does not contain the primary display information during the temporary display period, sending a message to the electronic price label containing the primary display information for display following the temporary display period.

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 radio frequency identification exciter (200) includes a plurality of antenna elements (122a-i) that are spaced to define active areas (130a-e). A matrix switch (202) flexibly connects the plurality of antenna elements to an exciter circuit (203). Independent switches (204a-i) are selectively switched such that an electric field is generated between at least two antenna elements whereby radio frequency identification tags (132) in the vicinity of the two antenna elements are capacitively powered to exchange data with the exciter. Antenna elements other than the at least two antenna elements may be selectively coupled to a signal from the exciter circuit that inhibits activation of radio frequency identification tags in the vicinity of those antenna elements. The matrix switch preferably comprises polymer-based circuits.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel dispenser capable of sensing the proximity or location of a customer relative to the fuel dispenser without requiring direct customer contact and controlling the display or aspects of the display accordingly to conserve energy, reduce heat generation or draw the customer's attention to the display once the customer is within a relative proximity to the fuel dispenser.

Abstract: Apparatus for improving the signal to noise ratio in wireless communication systems through message pooling including hardware, software and protocol contained within a packet data communication system which enables a wireless communication system, for example an electronic display system, to adapt communication techniques to meet customer based accuracy requirements independent of changes in the signal to noise ratio of the communication channel and methods of using the same. Communication having low signal to noise ratios are improved using intelligent retransmissions of the communication signals and statistical detection or demodulation. Such techniques are particularly useful when used in wireless communication in unbalanced systems, such as electronic display systems.

Abstract: For supplying customers of a self-service market with product-specific information a plurality of items of product-specific information including identification codes of the electronic shelf labels provided at the corresponding products are communicated by emitter means in the entrance area of the self-service market to the detector/emitter means of the shopping cart pushed by the customer and stored therein. On the shopping cart being pushed into the zone of the electronic shelf labels, whose identification code is assigned a stored product-specific information, this product-specific information from the emitter/detector unit of the corresponding electronic shelf labels is activated in the corresponding detector/emitter means of the shopping cart pushed into the zone of the electronic shelf labels and informed to the customer by means of its information means.

Abstract: An electronic shopping-cart handle with a hand bar and a display unit having an informational display screen for a product directory and periodic display of advertisements, the display unit having operating controls operable by a user's thumbs while maintaining a hand grip on the hand bar for displaying select user information on the display screen.

Abstract: An electronic shelf label (ESL) transmits a negative response to a radio relay station by means of weak radio waves if it failed to normally receive price information. On the other hand, the ESL transmits no response if it failed to normally receive both ID information and price information. The radio relay station transmits to a radio communication base station ID information of the ESL which transmitted no response and ID information of the ESL which transmitted the negative response. The radio communication base station transfers the received ID information to an electronic shelf label (ESL) server. The ESL server re-transmits via the radio communication base station information to the ESL which transmitted no response and the ESL which transmitted the negative response.

Abstract: An advertising and promotion system including an electronic shopping cart display screen that provides wireless in-store advertising and promotions. In embodiments of the present invention, the advertising and promotion system includes a display unit attached to a shopping cart, a plurality of store-wide transceiver units, an audible alert component on the display unit for signaling receipt of information from the transceiver unit, a host computer for operating the advertising and promotion system, and a battery charger for powering the display unit. The display unit includes a liquid crystal display (“LCD”) panel for displaying animated graphic advertisements and other visual messages automatically exhibited in the proximity of a transceiver unit by a desired product display. The display unit may be interactive (i.e., capable of responding to user information requests and directions) or passive (i.e.

Abstract: This invention is a contactless label chipcard including payment and identification information and a check-out system including a contactless reader for reading and updating payment information stored in that label chipcard. The contactless label chipcard is attached to a product, and the system further includes a device for reading and initiating updating of the payment status resident on the chipcard. The device includes the contactless reader for reading information stored in the contactless label chipcard, and a component for generating an invoice based on the information received from the contactless label chipcard. Further, the device includes a component for checking payment of the invoice and a component for initiating update of the payment status. Corresponding methods and computer program products are also provided.

Abstract: A server system for multi-level vending of any electronically transferable product through a communications network directly to a customer's computer. This server system (herein called a Sales Support Server) integrates the collection of a payment via the network and the automatic distribution of the product with the calculation of commissions using a multi-level marketing commission structure and the distribution of commissions and fees via the network. The preferred configuration includes a client application (herein called a Sales App) which runs as a plug-in to a network browser on the customer's computer and which provides a purchase request and registration data to a Sales Support Server and performs the installation of the product on the customer's computer. The Sales Support Server acquires the payment, transfers the product, calculates and pays the commissions, and adds the purchaser's registration information to the multi-level sales database for the product.

Abstract: An electronic shopping-cart handle with a hand bar and a display unit having an informational display screen for a product directory and periodic display of advertisements, the display unit having operating controls operable by a user's thumbs while maintaining a hand grip on the hand bar for displaying select user information on the display screen.

Abstract: A remote control device and method for electronic price label (EPL) systems which includes circuitry from EPLs. The remote control device includes a first EPL circuit, a second EPL circuit, and a control circuit coupled between the first and second EPL circuits for enabling transmission of alternating signals to the EPL computer by the first and second EPL circuits. The EPL computer executes a function in response to the alternating signals.

Abstract: A system and method of interfacing includes a mobile web information exchange device. Information about a user is recorded on a mobile web recording medium. Information terminals are provided at locations which receive the mobile web recording medium. Information is stored on the Internet or terminals relating to the specific location. The mobile web recording medium, such as any media storage device, is connected to the terminals. A control is provided, either on the storage media or in the terminals for the interaction of the mobile web recording medium with the terminals. Thus information is exchanged by supplying the information about the user to the terminal and by recording selective information data from the terminal and/or Internet to the mobile web recording medium. Such exchange may be effected by inputting commands with a mouse or keyboard or touch screen connected to the terminals. The media storage device is then removed from the terminal and used at as many terminals as desired.