METHOD AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRONIC SHELF LABELS

The present invention relates to a system and a method in a system that makes it possible for a service provider to provide product related information services to a mobile terminal in a store. The system comprises reading means in the mobile terminal configured to read a unique tag identity from an identity tag in an electronic shelf label, wherein the unique tag identity is different from a product id. Transmitting means in the mobile terminal is configured to transmit the unique tag identity from the mobile terminal to a tag identity server. Finding means in the tag identity server is configured to find in the tag identity server a meta data associated with the unique tag identity. In the tag identity server transmitting means is configured to transmit the meta data from the tag identity server to the mobile terminal. Displaying means in the mobile terminal configured to display the product related information services using the meta data.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, for purposes of explanation and not limitation, specific details are set forth, such as particular sequences of steps, signalling protocols and device configurations in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be carried out in other embodiments that depart from these specific details.

Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate that functions and means explained herein below may be implemented using software functioning in conjunction with a programmed microprocessor or general purpose computer, and/or using an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). It will also be appreciated that while the current invention is primarily described in the form of methods and arrangements, the invention may also be embodied in a computer program product as well as a system comprising a computer processor and a memory coupled to the processor, wherein the memory is encoded with one or more programs that may perform the functions disclosed herein.

FIG. 1shows a system100according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The system100comprises a mobile terminal110, an electronic shelf label120and a tag identity server130. The mobile terminal110may be of any type having reading means111configured to read a unique tag identity from an identity tag121in the electronic shelf label120. The unique tag identity is different from a product id. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention the identity tag is a NFC-tag. The reading means111in the mobile terminal110may be of many different types e.g. an OCR-reader, but the reading means111is preferably configured for being able to read NFC-tags. The system100comprises at least one electronic shelf label120. The electronic shelf label120may display price and other information about a product associated with the electronic shelf label120. Furthermore the mobile terminal110comprises transmitting means112configured to transmit the unique tag identity from the mobile terminal110to a tag identity server130. The tag identity server130is controlled by the service provider. In the tag identity server130there is finding means131configured to find in the tag identity server130a meta data associated with the unique tag identity. The meta data may be an electronic shelf label identity, a product identity, a URL or any combination thereof. In another exemplary embodiment the meta data may be a loyalty card, price or any other data related to the product. In the tag identity server130there is also transmitting means132configured to transmit the metadata from the tag identity server130to the mobile terminal110. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention the tag identity server130is operated in a secure mode by the service provider. This mode provides an increased security against the information being accessed by an unauthorized party. Further, in another exemplary embodiment of the present invention the tag identity server130is located at a site different from the store. This mode provides yet an increased security against the information being accessed by a unauthorized party. Using the metadata received from the transmitting means132a displaying means113, in the mobile terminal110, is configured to display the product related information services. In an exemplary embodiment where the metadata is a URL the displaying means113may transmit the URL to a server (not shown) storing the product related information. The server then uses the URL to find the product related information and transmits the product related information to the mobile terminal110. The server may be operated and/or controlled by the store or by a manufacturer of the product or another provider. In yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the metadata is the product identity or the electronic shelf label identity. In this exemplary embodiment the displaying means113may transmit the product identity or the electronic shelf label identity to a server (not shown) storing the product related information. The server then uses the product identity or the electronic shelf label identity to find the product related information and transmits the product related information to the mobile terminal110. The server may be operated and/or controlled by the store or by a manufacturer of the product.

Referring toFIG. 2there is illustrated a signalling diagram of a method to provide product related information services in accordance with previously described embodiments of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 2, the method comprises a first step200of reading using the mobile terminal110a unique tag identity from the identity tag121in the electronic shelf label120, wherein the unique tag identity is different from a product id. In the next step210is the unique tag identity transmitted from the mobile terminal110to a tag identity server130. Thereafter is the meta data associated with the unique tag identity found in step220(not shown) in the tag identity server130. Next is the meta data transmitted in step230from the tag identity server130to the mobile terminal110. The mobile terminal110then displays the product related information services using the meta data in step240.

FIG. 3shows another exemplary embodiment of the system100according to the present invention. In the embodiment can the unique tag identity in the identity tag121in the ESL120be updated with other information. In an ESL-server320in the store there is transmitting means330that transmits the information to the ESL120. The ESL120further comprises updating means122configured to update the unique tag identity in the identity tag121, with the information received from said ESL-server320. In another exemplary embodiment of the system100a correct key has to be provided by the ESL-server320in order for the updating means122to update the unique tag identity with the information received from the ESL-server320. The information can for instance be a URL or another unique tag identity or any combination thereof.

The present invention can be used with ESL-systems using Infrared communication, Radio communication or any other means of transmitting data from the ESL-system to the ESLs.

While the present invention has been described with respect to particular embodiments (including certain device arrangements and certain orders of steps within various methods), those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described and illustrated herein. Therefore, it is to be understood that this disclosure is only illustrative. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention be limited only by the scope of the claims appended hereto.