Abstract:
An electronic shelf label system which sends messages to electronic shelf labels based upon priority. The system includes an electronic shelf label, and a computer for assigning a priority to an unsent message to the electronic shelf label, for comparing the priority to other priorities of other messages which are unsent, and for sending the message if the priority is higher than the other priorities. The computer may also determine message priorities of types of messages.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to electronic shelf label (ESL) systems, and more specifically to a system and method of sending messages to ESLs based upon priority. 
     ESL systems typically include a plurality of ESLs for merchandise items in a transaction establishment. ESLs typically display the price of corresponding merchandise items on store shelves and are typically attached to a rail along the leading edge of the shelves. A transaction establishment may contain thousands of ESLs to display the prices of the merchandise items. The ESLs are coupled to a central server from where information about the ESLs is typically maintained in an ESL database or data file. Price information displayed by the ESLs is obtained from a price look-up (PLU) data file and stored within an ESL price change record. 
     ESL systems may use a spool file to queue messages for transmission. Messages typically contain updated information for display by the ESLs. Messages are sent sequentially as they appear in the spool file. A disadvantage to this approach is that important messages are not sent in a timely fashion. The situation is further aggravated if the spool file contains many more messages of relative unimportance than messages of high importance. Also, if additional types of messages besides those containing updated information are spooled as well, the more important update messages are delayed even more. 
     Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a system and method of sending messages to ESLs based upon priority. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a system and method of sending messages to electronic price labels (ESLs) based upon priority is provided. 
     The system includes an electronic shelf label, and a computer for assigning a priority to an unsent message to the electronic shelf label, for comparing the priority to other priorities of other messages which are unsent, and for sending the message if the priority is higher than the other priorities. The computer may also determine message priorities of types of messages. 
     The method includes the steps of assigning a priority to the message, comparing the priority to other priorities of other messages which are unsent, and sending the message if the priority is higher than the other priorities. 
     It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a system and method of sending messages to ESLs based upon priority. 
     It is another object of the present invention to assign priority information to messages to be sent to ESLs. 
     It is another object of the present invention to assign priority information to types of messages to be sent to ESLs. 
     It is another object of the present invention to track priority information in messages to be sent to ESLs. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Additional benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates from the subsequent description of the preferred embodiments and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an electronic price label system; 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram showing two tables used within a transaction establishment; 
         FIG. 3  is a flow diagram illustrating a first software operation; and 
         FIG. 4  is a flow diagram illustrating a second software operation. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , ESL system  10  primarily includes host computer system  12  and ESLs  14 . 
     ESLs  14  display price and other data, such as promotional data. 
     Host computer system  12  executes ESL software  20 , which is responsible for scheduling and transmitting messages containing commands and/or data, such as price and promotional data, to ESLs  14 . 
     ESL software  20  maintains ESL database  30 , which includes data table  32  and spool table  34 . In addition to other data, data table  32  contains ESL assignments, including ESL identification information and corresponding item identification information. 
     Spool table  34  contains messages to be sent to ESLs  14 . Spool table  34  may contain more than one record for any given ESL  14 . 
     An operator may add messages to spool table  34  in batch, or one at a time using input device  40 . ESL software  20  provides the operator with information or reports through display  38  or printer  36 . 
     Alternatively, separate data files may be used instead of tables  32  and  34  in database  30 . 
     To assist with execution of certain tasks performed by ESL software  20 , host computer system  12  includes a built-in time keeping device, commonly referred to as a system clock, which is synchronized with current time, in order to automatically execute the tasks at their scheduled times. One task managed by ESL computer system  12  is the transmission of messages to ESLs  14  at scheduled times. 
     ESL storage medium  26  stores ESL database  30 . ESL storage medium  26  is preferably a fixed disk drive. 
     ESL system  10  may be a wired or wireless system or a combination of both. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 2 , ESL data table  32  and ESL spool table  34  are shown in more detail. 
     In addition to other information, ESL data table  32  may include a line entry for each ESL  14  in ESL system  10 . Each line entry has an ESL identification entry (ESL ID), an item identification entry (ITEM ID), and may additionally include a current display data entry (ESL DATA). 
     Entry ESL ID identifies an ESL and may include a serial number. 
     Entry ITEM ID identifies a store item associated with the ESL. 
     Entry ESL DATA is a full image of all representable data currently being displayed by ESL  14 . 
     In addition to other information, ESL spool table  34  includes line entries for each message. Each line entry to record has a message entry (MESSAGE) and may also have a message type entry (TYPE) and/or a message priority entry (PRIORITY). 
     Entry MESSAGE includes information about a message to be sent. 
     Entry MESSAGE may include an ESL identification number. ESL spool table  34  may include multiple spool table entries for any given ESL  14 . Also, entry MESSAGE may identify a broadcast message to a group of ESLs  14 , which is not associated with a single ESL  14 . 
     Entry MESSAGE may identify display data to be sent. ESL software  20  obtains any display information to be sent as part of a message from another table in ESL database  30  or another file. 
     Entry TYPE identifies the type of message. For example, one type of message could be an “update” message which contains new information for display. Another example message could be a “bedcheck” message which queries ESLs  14  for status information. Types may be processed sequentially or in accordance with their own assigned priorities. 
     Entry PRIORITY identifies the priority of the message over other messages in ESL spool table  34 . Example priorities may be 1 through 10, with 1 being the highest priority. A default priority may be assigned and used when no priority entry is present. 
     During normal operation, ESL software  20  identifies all entries PRIORITY and sends messages with corresponding content in order of priority. ESL software  20  may also identify message types from entries TYPE and rank order messages within each type by priority. Message types may themselves be ordered in fixed priorities for transmission. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 3 , operation of ESL software  20  is illustrated in more detail beginning with START  50 . The method of  FIG. 3  focuses on priority. 
     In step  52 , ESL software  20  sets the priority to the highest priority. 
     In step  54 , ESL software  20  reads a record in ESL spool table  34 . 
     In step  56 , ESL software  20  determines whether entry PRIORITY is equal to the set priority. If so, operation proceeds to step  58 . Otherwise, operation proceeds to step  52 . 
     In step  58 , ESL software  20  reads entry MESSAGE and obtains associated new display data, if any. 
     In step  60 , ESL software  20  sends a message in accordance with information in entry MESSAGE. 
     In step  62 , ESL software  20  determines whether the record is the last record. If not, operation returns to step  54 . Otherwise, operation proceeds to step  64 . 
     In step  64 , ESL software  20  determines whether the priority is the lowest priority. If not, operation proceeds to step  66 . Otherwise, operation proceeds to step  68 . 
     In step  66 , ESL software  20  sets a next lower priority and operation returns to step  52 . 
     In step  68 , operation ends. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 4 , operation of ESL software  20  is illustrated in more detail beginning with START  70 . The method of  FIG. 4  focuses on priority and type. 
     In step  72 , ESL software  20  sets the type to the first type, whether it be by priority or some other determinant. 
     In step  74 , ESL software  20  sets the priority to the highest priority. 
     In step  76 , ESL software  20  reads a record in ESL spool table  34 . 
     In step  78 , ESL software  20  determines whether entry TYPE is equal to the set type. If so, operation proceeds to step  80 . Otherwise, operation proceeds to step  86 . 
     In step  80 , ESL software  20  determines whether entry PRIORITY is equal to the set priority. If so, operation proceeds to step  82 . Otherwise, operation proceeds to step  86 . 
     In step  82 , ESL software  20  reads entry MESSAGE and obtains associated new display data, if any. 
     In step  84 , ESL software  20  sends a message in accordance with information in entry MESSAGE. 
     In step  86 , ESL software  20  determines whether the record is the last record. If not, operation returns to step  76 . Otherwise, operation proceeds to step  88 . 
     In step  88 , ESL software  20  determines whether the set priority is the lowest priority. If not, operation proceeds to step  90 . Otherwise, operation proceeds to step  92 . 
     In step  90 , ESL software  20  sets a next lower priority and operation returns to step  76 . 
     In step  92 , ESL software  20  determines whether the type is the last type. If not, operation proceeds to step  94 . Otherwise, operation proceeds to step  96 . 
     In step  94 , ESL software  20  sets a next type and operation returns to step  74 . 
     In step  96 , operation ends. 
     Although the present invention has been described with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, variations and modifications of the present invention can be effected within the spirit and scope of the following claims.