Patent Publication Number: US-11397914-B2

Title: Continuous display shelf edge label device

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/899,163, filed Feb. 19, 2018, which is a U.S. application Ser. No. 13/836,680, filed Mar. 15, 2013, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/194,649, filed Jul. 29, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,812,378, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/876,919, filed Sep. 7, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,938,396, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/772,010, filed Feb. 3, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,792,711. This application also claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/371,417, filed Aug. 6, 2010. This application also claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 13/836,680 which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/785,082, filed Mar. 5, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,818,148, entitled In-Store Item Alert Architecture. The contents of each of these applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Retail businesses often are tasked with rapid changes in customer product interests and in implemented internal changes to handle the same. As new products become increasingly popular among customers, retailers are tasked with changing shelf edge labels of products in order to attract customers to other products, market specific products, or to update product information, such as pricing, as quickly as possible. 
     Electronic shelf edge label devices allow retailers to manually swap out one device representing one single product for another device representing another single product or even changing a device to provide different information on a single product or to change from outputting data on one single product for data on another single product. However, further improvements and innovations in the area of convenience for a retailer are desired. 
     SUMMARY 
     A method and apparatus for providing information along a shelf edge of a retailer is described. On a display configured to be oriented along an edge of a shelf of a retailer, a first user interface including first information about a first product on the shelf is provided. At least one second user interface including at least one second information about at least one second product on the shelf is provided on the display. An individual is permitted to edit a parameter of the first user interface and/or the at least one second user interface. The parameter may include at least one of: a size of the user interface on the display, a shape of the user interface on the display, and a location of the user interface on the display. The first information and the at least one second information may be outputted concurrently to the display. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Some features herein are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an example block diagram of an apparatus for communicating and distributing content according to one or more illustrative aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIGS. 2A-2B  illustrates example block diagrams of systems for communicating and distributing content according to one or more illustrative aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an example block diagram of an apparatus for communicating and distributing content according to one or more illustrative aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIGS. 4A-4B  illustrate an example of a changing continuous display according to one or more illustrative aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIGS. 5A-5C  illustrate example continuous displays with locking mechanism according to one or more illustrative aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIGS. 5D-5F  illustrates an example of a changing continuous display with locking mechanism user interface according to one or more illustrative aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIGS. 6A-6B  illustrate an example of a changing size of a user interface according to one or more illustrative aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIGS. 7A-7B  illustrate an example of a changing shape of a user interface according to one or more illustrative aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIGS. 8A-8B  illustrate an example of a changing location of user interfaces according to one or more illustrative aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates an example method of distributing content according to one or more illustrative aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates another example method of distributing content according to one or more illustrative aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates an example block diagram of a system for communicating and distributing content according to one or more illustrative aspects of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an example block diagram of an apparatus for communicating and distributing content according to one or more illustrative aspects of the disclosure. Network  110  may include networks of one or more access points, Internet devices, telephone networks, cellular telephone networks, fiber optic networks, local wireless networks (e.g., WiMAX), satellite networks, and any other desired network. The network  110  may include and/or function as a cloud computing infrastructure comprising various processing and/or memory devices (e.g., servers, databases, application providers, etc.). 
     The various devices described herein, such as a continuous display shelf edge label device, a server, a scanner, a database, a computer, and the like may be computing devices, and  FIG. 1  illustrates general hardware elements that can be used to implement any of the various computing devices discussed herein. The computing device  100  may include one or more processors  101 , which may execute instructions of a computer program to perform any of the features described herein. Processor  101  may comprise a customized digital integrated circuit such as an ASIC. However, in some applications, commercially available processors may be employed. The instructions may be stored in any type of non-transitory computer-readable medium or memory, to configure the operation of the processor  101 . For example, instructions may be stored in a read-only memory (ROM)  102 , random access memory (RAM)  103 , hard drive  105 , removable media  104 , such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) drive, compact disk (CD) or digital versatile disk (DVD), floppy disk drive, or any other desired electronic storage medium. Instructions may also be stored in an attached (or internal) hard drive  105 . One or more of the memories  102 ,  103 ,  104 , and/or  105  may include a more advanced operation environment such as an operating system for advanced functionality and adaptability. 
     One or more memories  102 ,  103 ,  104 , and/or  105  may include a stored address location and display data location data. Address location may include an address that identifies the computing device  100 . The address may uniquely identify the computing device  100 . Display data location data may be used by processor  101  to format data to be displayed on display  111 . This may include text data, graphics, dynamic content, and combinations. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the display data location data in a memory may is in accordance with a mark-up language such as HTML, XML, or the like. Although shown in  FIG. 1  as being outside of computing device  100 , display  111  also may be integrated into a same physical housing and/or structure as computing device  100 . One or more components shown within computing device  100  similarly may be housed separately in another device and/or in another location from computing device  100 . 
     The computing device  100  may include one or more output devices, such as a display  111 , and may include one or more output device controllers  107 , such as a video processor. There may also be one or more user input devices (not shown), such as a remote control, keyboard, mouse, touch screen, microphone, etc. In another embodiment, input/output functions with a user may occur through display  111  where display  111  may be configured to allow for touch screen input in order to see additional output on the display  111 . As shown illustratively in the examples of  FIGS. 3-8B , display  111  may be configured to be oriented along an entire edge of a shelf of a retailer. This area of a shelf often includes paper labels that identify the product being sold above it and possibly additional information, such as price, cost/oz., and the like. Electronic shelf labels allow for a similar concept as a paper label, but with an individual computing device with a display screen for each product. Such electronic shelf label devices provide information regarding the single product being sold above it and possibly additional information, such as price, cost/oz., and the like and may include additional output such as video. However, display  111  of  FIG. 1  is configured to output at least two user interfaces that correlate to two different products that a retailer may be offering for sale. 
     Display  111 , in operation with device controller  107  and/or processor  101 , may be configured to receive swipes across its surface by an individual&#39;s finger. The swipes of a finger may be correlated to an operational table for an action to be taken with respect to outputted user interface data. Display  111 , in operation with device controller  107  and/or processor  101 , may be configured to translate one or more finger swipes across its surface as one or more particular actions to be taken as described herein. Illustrative examples may include interpreting a movement of two fingers on the surface being moved away from each other as an expansion instruction, e.g., an input by an individual to expand the size of something, such as text size of the user interface, border design size of the user interface, frame size of the user interface, and the like. Other examples include interpreting the creation of an “X” by two finger movements over top of a user interface as a deletion instruction, e.g., an input by an individual to delete a user interface. Still other examples include interpreting a press and hold and movement of a finger from one area of the display to another area of the display as a movement instruction, e.g., an input by an individual to move a user interface from a current location on the display to another location on the display. Yet other illustrative examples include interpreting a double tap on the display surface by two finger taps as an addition instruction, e.g., an input by an individual to add a user interface to that area of the display that was tapped. Still further illustrative examples include interpreting a movement of two fingers on the surface being toward each other as a reduction instruction, e.g., an input by an individual to reduce the size of something, such as text size of the user interface, border design size of the user interface, frame size of the user interface, and the like. The examples described herein are merely illustrative and any of a number of additional input movements/taps across the surface of display  111  may be included herein for any of a number of other types of instructional requests by an individual to change a parameter of a user interface on display  111 . 
     In other embodiments, display  111  may be configured to identify movements of a stylus or other pointing device against its surface in a similar manner as described herein with respect to an individual&#39;s fingers. A user and display  111  could interact with a stylus as the source of input by the user. As far as potential authorization of the individual, some manner of identification/authorization may be built into the stylus such that, if in contact with the display  111 , the stylus could act as the mechanism for authenticating the individual to make changes to one or more parameters of the continuous display shelf edge label device as described herein. In still further embodiments, display  111  may be configured to identify movements of an individual&#39;s finger against its surface for entry of user interface information directly. A user could handwrite pricing information and/or other information about a particular product with her finger on display  111 . Software may be included in a memory of the computing device to translate received finger swipes as corresponding to pricing information, product name information, and/or other product data information. In such examples, a worker can merely write in the current pricing for a product. 
     Similarly, display  111  may be configured to activate an electronic keyboard on screen and/or an electronic keypad. A digital alphanumeric user interface may be displayed on display  111  to allow an authorized individual to enter product information data and/or modify a user interface on display  111  in some other manner. For example, a worker could enter a pricing for a particular product by entering a number sequence on a displayed digital keypad. An entry of “$” character followed by “1”, “.”, “4”, “9” may be translated by software within a memory of a computing device associated with display  111  as entry of a pricing label of $1.49 for a user interface for a particular product. In other scenarios, a worker may use alphanumeric characters to type in text for display in a user interface of a product, such as “On Sale Now!” In still other scenarios, special digital input options may be made available to an authorized individual for quick entry. A favorites list may prompt a worker to choose from a list where one entry may be “On Sale Now,” a second entry may be “Sale Ends Tomorrow,” while another entry may be “Buy 1, Get 1 Free!” 
     In yet other embodiments, an authorized individual may access display  111  in order to access data for a user interface from a remote location. In the example of  FIG. 2A  where data about products may be maintained in database  223 , a worker could access display  111  about a particular user interface for a product. The worker could access the database through a visual file/folder system. Each component of a network system implementing the disclosure as described herein may be accessible through a continuous display shelf edge label device and may appear as some type of visual indicator on display  111 . A worker could search and find the applicable component for the requested data (such as find an icon corresponding to the database  223 ) and access that component (launch the icon) to obtain the desired data. Any of a number of additional entry mechanisms may be utilized and the examples described herein are merely illustrative. 
     In additional embodiments, display  111  may be configured to include gesture-based interface capabilities as one manner to allow an authorized individual to edit/manipulate the user interfaces on the display  111 . Display  111  may include appropriate hardware and/or software components to interpret gestures of an individual, whether a finger, a hand, and/or some other portion, via mathematical algorithms. These gestures may include one or more of the finger to surface examples described herein. In some of these embodiments, one or more cameras may be associated with and/or included with display  111  for capture of imaging and recognition of gestures. Although the majority of examples herein are for an individual interfacing with a display with her finger, it should be understood that such examples may be implemented similarly by way of gesture based technologies as described herein. 
     The computing device  100  may also include one or more network interfaces, such as input/output circuits  109  (such as a network interface circuit, a scanner interface circuit, and the like) to communicate with an external network  110 . The input/output circuits  109  may be a wired interface, wireless interface, or a combination of the two. The input/output circuits  109  allows for communication between two computing devices, such as a continuous display shelf edge label devices and a scanner, e.g.,  200  and  221  in  FIG. 2  described herein, a continuous display shelf edge label devices and a remote user terminal, e.g.,  200  and  227  in  FIG. 2  described herein, and/or a continuous display shelf edge label devices and a database, e.g.,  200  and  223  in  FIG. 2  described herein. 
     Computing device  100  also may include a power source  113 . Power source  113  allows for the computing device to operate the processor  101  and various other components. Power source  113  may include a dedicated battery source or external power source, such as an AC source connection. In other embodiments, power source  113  may be configured to operate by harvesting energy for operation from ambient light in a store where the computing device is located. Light energy may be captured by a variety of means for conversion, such as by photo sensors, solar photovoltaic panels, and photo diodes. Because the computing device  100  may operate without an external source connection, movement of the computing device from one physical location to another physical location can be accomplished without the need to reconnect to another external source. Further, because the computing device  100  may operate without an internal battery, the computing device does not need to be checked to ensure operation nor need to have a technician replace the internal battery. 
       FIGS. 2A-2B  illustrate example block diagrams of systems for communicating and distributing content according to one or more illustrative aspects of the disclosure. In the example of  FIG. 2A , a plurality of computing devices, are shown operatively connected to a network  210 . Network  210  may include network  110 . Connected to network  210  are shown three continuous display shelf edge label devices  200 A- 200 C. Continuous display shelf edge label devices  200 A- 200 C may be computing device  100  and/or may include one or more of the components described therein. The three continuous display shelf edge label devices  200 A- 200 C may be along an aisle of a retailer&#39;s store. The three continuous display shelf edge label devices  200 A- 200 C may be positioned above each other as illustratively depicted in  FIG. 2B . 
     Continuous display shelf edge label device  200 A is shown as being in communication with a scanner  221 . Although illustratively shown as a wireless communication, the transmission path between continuous display shelf edge label device  200 A and scanner  221  may be a wired communication path, through network  210 , and/or in some other manner. Scanner  221  may interact with continuous display shelf edge label device  200 A through a communication interface, such as input/output circuits  109 . Continuous display shelf edge label device  200 A may be configured to receive data representative of information about a product on a shelf where the continuous display shelf edge label device  200 A is located. An authorized individual, such as a worker for the retailer, may desire to update pricing data currently being displayed about a product on the shelf. By interfacing with the scanner  221 , the price data for a particular product may be received electronically by the continuous display shelf edge label device  200 A. Illustrative manners for transmission of such data include coding data for wireless transmission and forwarding the data wirelessly to the continuous display shelf edge label device  200 A. In one example, an individual may type in a price at scanner  221  and data representative of the price may be sent wirelessly to the continuous display shelf edge label device  200 A. The continuous display shelf edge label device  200 A may then update a user interface for a product corresponding to the price data as described herein. 
     Continuous display shelf edge label devices  200 B and  200 C are shown as being in communication with each other. Although illustratively shown as a wireless communication, the transmission path between continuous display shelf edge label devices  200 B and  200 C may be a wired communication path, through network  210 , and/or in some other manner. Continuous display shelf edge label device  200 B may interact with continuous display shelf edge label device  200 C through a communication interface, such as input/output circuits  109 . Continuous display shelf edge label device  200 B may be configured to receive data representative of information about a product on a shelf where the continuous display shelf edge label device  200 B is located. An authorized individual, such as a worker for the retailer, may desire to update pricing data currently being displayed about a product on the shelf. By interfacing with the continuous display shelf edge label device  200 C, the price data for a particular product may be received electronically by the continuous display shelf edge label device  200 B. Such an interface may be the worker swiping her finger across the display surface of the continuous display shelf edge label device  200 C to initiate a movement instruction to have a user interface from continuous display shelf edge label device  200 C be transferred to continuous display shelf edge label device  200 B. In one example, the worker may press and hold a user interface on continuous display shelf edge label device  200 C and move her finger up quickly in a flicking motion. Such a motion may be interpreted by the system to transfer the flicked user interface to the next shelf edge up. As such, because continuous display shelf edge label device  200 B is on the next shelf edge above continuous display shelf edge label device  200 C, the flicked user interface can be added to the continuous display shelf edge label device  200 B. Illustrative manners for transmission of such data include coding data for wired transmission and forwarding the data to the continuous display shelf edge label device  200 B. 
     Aspects of the interaction between a worker located near a shelf with a scanner  221  may be similarly implemented between a worker located remote from such a shelf. User terminal device  227  is shown operatively connected to continuous display shelf edge label devices  200 A- 200 C through network  210  and a main hub  225 . Main hub  225  may be some type of central processing server configured to accommodate transmission of communications between various backend components of a retailer&#39;s network, such as user terminals  227  and a database  223  and from a backend to a storefront end, such as to continuous display shelf edge label devices  200 A- 200 C through network  210 . Main hub  225 , user terminal  227 , and/or database  223  may include one or more components of the computing device  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     A worker at user terminal  227  may update pricing data, and/or other data, about a particular product on a particular shelf by accessing the continuous display shelf edge label device associated with that product. User terminal  227  may access database  223  for current product information for potential display and/or scheduled display. Instructions may be sent from user terminal  227  on such product information to the appropriate continuous display shelf edge label device. In another example, continuous display shelf edge label devices  200 A- 200 C may access database  223  to obtain current product information data for respective user interfaces on the continuous display shelf edge label devices. In one such example, database  223  may be periodically updating with pricing changes, such as by a worker through user terminal  227 . Continuous display shelf edge label devices  200 A- 200 C may periodically poll the database  223  to obtain current product information data and change user interfaces being displayed as needed. In still other embodiments, database  223 , main hub  225 , and/or user terminal  227  periodically may push current product information data to continuous display shelf edge label devices  200 A- 200 C, either globally or specifically. The continuous display shelf edge label devices  200 A- 200 C may receive such data and change user interfaces being displayed as needed. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an example block diagram of an apparatus for communicating and distributing content according to one or more illustrative aspects of the disclosure.  FIG. 3  illustrates a continuous display shelf edge label device  300 , such as continuous display shelf edge label devices  200 A- 200 C. In this example, continuous display shelf edge label device  300  includes a single display area  301  oriented along an entire edge of a shelf  350 . Continuous display shelf edge label device  300  also is shown to include a locking mechanism  303  that allows an individual to change modes of operation of the continuous display shelf edge label device  300  as described herein. In one mode, an authorized individual may edit one or more user interfaces  311 ,  313 , and  315  while in a second mode, the user interfaces  311 ,  313 , and  315  may not be edited. 
     The single continuous display  301  is shown to include three separate user interfaces that provide information regarding three separate products being offered for sale on the shelf  350 . In this example, shelf  350  holds a first product  321 , a second product  323 , and a third product  325 . Single continuous display  301  includes three digital user interfaces, one for each respective product being offered for sale. User interface  311  provides information about first product  321  directly above the user interface  311 . Similarly, user interfaces  313  and  315  provide information about second product  323  and third product  325 , respectively, that are above the respective user interfaces  313 ,  315 . Any of a number of types of information about a product may be displayed on the single continuous display  301 , including graphics, text, animations, video, and/or combinations. 
       FIGS. 4A-4B  illustrate an example of a changing continuous display according to one or more illustrative aspects of the disclosure. The transition from  FIG. 4A  to  FIG. 4B  illustrates one potential before and after operation of changing the user interfaces of a single continuous display. In  FIG. 4A , a continuous display shelf edge label device  400  is shown for a shelf  350 . Continuous shelf label device  400  may be one of continuous display shelf edge label devices  200 A- 200 C and  300 . Continuous display shelf edge label device  400  includes a single display area  401  oriented along an entire edge of shelf  350 . The single continuous display  401  is shown to include three separate user interfaces that provide information regarding three separate products being offered for sale on the shelf  350 . 
     For this illustrative example, a digital divider line  441  creates three separate visual frames for the three separate user interfaces  411 A,  413 A, and  415 . Digital divider line is not a physical line that separates two displays, rather it is a digital line that creates the appearance of separation of the single continuous display  401  into multiple display areas. In this example, shelf  350  holds a first product  421 , a second product  423 , and a third product  425 . Single continuous display  401  includes three digital user interfaces, one for each respective product being offered for sale. User interface  411 A provides information about first product  421  directly above the user interface  411 . User interface  413 A provides information about second product  423  directly above user interface  413 A, and user interface  415  provides information about third product  425  directly above user interface  415 . 
     Transitioning to  FIG. 4B , a worker may want to change the product layout for shelf  350  and in this example has removed the third product  425  from shelf  350  and created a larger area on shelf  350  for first product  421  to reside. Accordingly, the worker, as described herein, has changed the user interfaces for the single continuous display  401  in response. In this example, because the location of the user interfaces have been changed, user interface  411 B is now shown to have moved toward the right side of the continuous display  401  since the first product  421  has been moved to the right side of shelf  350 . Similarly, user interface  413 B is shown to have been moved toward the left side of the continuous display  401  since the second product  423  has been moved to the left side of shelf  350 . Because third product  425  is no longer being offered for sale on shelf  350 , the user interface  415  for third product  425  has been deleted from continuous display  401 . In this example of  FIG. 4B , because there are only two user interfaces  411 B and  413 B shown on continuous display  401 , only one digital divider line  441  is shown to frame out the two separate user interfaces  411 B and  413 B. 
       FIGS. 5A-5C  illustrate example continuous displays with locking mechanism according to one or more illustrative aspects of the disclosure. As described herein, a locking mechanism may be included on a continuous display shelf edge label device in order to prevent an unauthorized individual from changing one or more parameters, such as displayed information, of a user interface displayed on the continuous display shelf edge label device. Any of a number of preventive manners may be included herein and the following are but some illustrative examples. In  FIG. 5A , a manual device input  503 A, such as for a physical key, may be included in a continuous display shelf edge label device  500 A. By inserting a proper key, an authorized individual may change the mode of operation of the continuous display shelf edge label device from a display mode to a change mode. 
     A display mode may be a mode of operation where the continuous display shelf edge label device displays one or more interfaces on a single continuous display and may even allow a user, such as a customer, to access the single continuous display for additional information. Such an access may be by touch. However, in a display mode, such a customer cannot change a parameter of a user interface being displayed, such as the size of the user interface, the shape of the user interface, or the location of the user interface on the single continuous display. The customer can view and interact as allowed without having the ability to change parameters of the display area for the user interface. A change mode may be a mode of operation where the continuous display shelf edge label device displays one or more interfaces on a single continuous display and allows an authorized user, such as a worker, to change one or more parameters of the single continuous display. Such an access may be by touch as described herein. In a change mode, the worker can change a parameter of a user interface being displayed, such as the size of the user interface, the shape of the user interface, or the location of the user interface on the single continuous display. As such, a worker easily can modify any aspect of a user interface corresponding to a product at the point of sale. 
       FIGS. 5B and 5C  illustrate two other types of locking mechanisms. In  FIG. 5B , a biometric scanner  503 B, such as to scan prints of a finger, may be included in a continuous display shelf edge label device  500 B. By pressing a finger against the biometric scanner  503 B, an authorized individual may change the mode of operation of the continuous display shelf edge label device from a display mode to a change mode. In  FIG. 5C , a near field communication (NFC) reader  503 C, such as to scan NFC enabled access cards of workers, may be included in a continuous display shelf edge label device  500 C. By pressing an NFC enabled access card against the NFC reader  503 C, an authorized individual may change the mode of operation of the continuous display shelf edge label device from a display mode to a change mode. 
       FIGS. 5D-5F  illustrates an example of a changing continuous display with locking mechanism user interface according to one or more illustrative aspects of the disclosure. In the example of  FIGS. 5D-5F , a locking mechanism is built into the continuous display shelf edge label device  500 D. In this example, a worker will enter a code to change the mode of operation of the continuous display shelf edge label device  500 D. As shown in  FIG. 5D , a single continuous display  501 D includes two user interfaces  511  and  513  for respective products. Also shown in  FIG. 5D  is a lock icon  503 D. Accessing lock icon  503 D allows an authorized individual to change modes of operation of continuous display shelf edge label device  500 D. By tapping on lock icon  503 D, the worker may be shown what is seen in  FIG. 5E . In  FIG. 5E , a new user interface  503 E appears that prompts an individual for entry of a code to authorize the changing of the modes of operation. By inserting a proper code in  FIG. 5E , an authorized individual may change the mode of operation of the continuous display shelf edge label device  500 D from a display mode to a change mode. 
     If the individual does not enter a proper code, the continuous display shelf edge label device  500 D may transition back to the appearance shown in  FIG. 5D . However, if the individual does enter a proper code, the continuous display shelf edge label device  500 D may change modes of operation to a change mode allowing the individual to change one or more parameters of one or more user interfaces for products. Following any changes, the individual does not enter a proper code, the continuous display shelf edge label device  500 D may transition back to a display mode as shown in  FIG. 5F . As shown, the individual has changed the location of user interface  511  and user interface  513  with respect to each other on the single continuous display  501 D. Locking icon  503 D is shown as well. 
       FIGS. 6A-6B  illustrate an example of a changing size of a user interface according to one or more illustrative aspects of the disclosure. In this illustrative example, an authorized individual has accessed a change of mode request in the continuous display shelf edge label device  600 . In this example, continuous display shelf edge label device  600  includes a single continuous display  601  oriented along an entire edge of a shelf.  FIG. 6A  may illustrate two user interfaces  611  and  613 A prior to a change of a parameter of the user interface  613 A. In this example, the shape of the border of each user interface  611  and  613 A are different as well has the size of the text within the border. Through one or more of the operations described herein,  FIG. 6B  illustrates what the continuous display shelf edge label device  600  may resemble after a change operation to change the size of the user interface  613 A. As shown in  FIG. 6B , user interface  613 B has the text within it reduced in size. Transitioning from  FIG. 6A  to  FIG. 6B , an authorized individual has changed a parameter, the large size of text, of user interface  613 A to the parameter, the smaller size of text, of user interface  613 B. 
       FIGS. 7A-7B  illustrate an example of a changing shape of a user interface according to one or more illustrative aspects of the disclosure. In this illustrative example, an authorized individual has accessed a change of mode request in the continuous display shelf edge label device  700 . In this example, continuous display shelf edge label device  700  includes a single continuous display  701  oriented along an entire edge of a shelf.  FIG. 7A  may illustrate two user interfaces  711  and  713 A prior to a change of a parameter of the user interface  713 A. In this example, the shape of the border of each user interface  711  and  713 A are different as well has the size of the text within the border. Through one or more of the operations described herein,  FIG. 7B  illustrates what the continuous display shelf edge label device  700  may resemble after a change operation to change the shape of the border of user interface  713 A. As shown in  FIG. 7B , user interface  713 B has the shape of the border of the user interface different in appearance. Transitioning from  FIG. 7A  to  FIG. 7B , an authorized individual has changed a parameter, the rectangular shape, of the border of user interface  713 A to the parameter, the rounded edge cornered rectangle with pointed ends shape, of the border of user interface  713 B. 
       FIGS. 8A-8B  illustrate an example of a changing location of user interfaces according to one or more illustrative aspects of the disclosure. In this illustrative example, an authorized individual has accessed a change of mode request in the continuous display shelf edge label device  800 . In this example, continuous display shelf edge label device  800  includes a single continuous display  801  oriented along an entire edge of a shelf.  FIG. 8A  may illustrate two user interfaces  811 A and  813 A prior to a change of a parameter of the user interfaces  811 A and  813 A. In this example, the position of each user interface  811 A and  813 A within the single continuous display  801  are changed. Through one or more of the operations described herein,  FIG. 8B  illustrates what the continuous display shelf edge label device  800  may resemble after a change operation to change the position of the two user interfaces  811 A and  813 A. As shown in  FIG. 8B , user interface  813 B has changed positional orientation with respect to user interface  811 B within the single continuous display  801 . Transitioning from  FIG. 8A  to  FIG. 8B , an authorized individual has changed two parameters, the positions of each of the user interfaces  811 A and  813 A to the two parameters, the positions of each of the user interfaces  811 B and  813 B. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates an example method of distributing content according to one or more illustrative aspects of the disclosure. In one example, one or more of the steps of  FIG. 9  may be implemented by computing device  100  in  FIG. 1  and/or a device shown in  FIGS. 2A-8B . The process starts and at step  901  a continuous display shelf edge label device outputs, via a single continuous display, two or more user interfaces, each user interface corresponding to a product being offered for sale. Such an example is shown in  FIG. 3 . Proceeding to step  903  a determination is made as to whether a change of mode of the continuous display shelf edge label device has been authorized. Such an example may be a worker inserting placing her finger at biometric scanner  503 B in  FIG. 5B  and having the system realize that she is authorized to change the mode of operation of the continuous display shelf edge label device. 
     If the change of mode of operation is not authorized in step  903 , the process moves to step  905  where there is no instruction to change the mode of operation and the process returns to step  901  to output, via the single continuous display, two or more user interfaces, each user interface corresponding to a product being offered for sale. If the change of mode of operation is authorized in step  903 , the process moves to step  907  where an additional determination is made. In step  907  a determination is made as to whether a change of parameter input has been received. An illustrative example of a change of parameter is shown with respect to  FIGS. 6A and 6B ,  FIGS. 7A and 7B , and/or  FIGS. 8A and 8B . If there is not change of parameter input received, the process moves to step  909 . If a change of parameter input is received in step  907 , the process move to step  911  where the change of parameter, such as increasing the size of text of a user interface, is implemented on the requested user interface. The process then proceeds to step  913 . 
     Returning to step  909 , a further determination is made as to whether an input has been received to remove and/or add a user interface for a product. Such an illustrative example is shown with the removal of user interface  415  from  FIG. 4A  to  FIG. 4B . If no input has been received in step  909 , the process may return to step  905  and further may exit from a change mode of operation to a display mode of operation before returning to step  901 . If an input is received in step  909 , the process moves to step  915  where the user interface that the input applies to is either added or removed based upon the input. The process then proceeds to step  913 . 
     In step  913  a determination is made as to whether additional changes in the change mode of operation are requested. If there are additional changes requested, the process may return to step  907 . If additional changes are not requested, the process proceeds to step  917 . In step  917 , operation of the continuous display shelf edge label device from a change mode of operation to a display mode of operation occurs before returning to step  901  to output, via the single continuous display, two or more user interfaces, each user interface corresponding to a product being offered for sale and in accordance with any changes that may have been implemented. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates another example method of distributing content according to one or more illustrative aspects of the disclosure. In one example, one or more of the steps of  FIG. 10  may be implemented by computing device  100  in  FIG. 1  and/or a device shown in  FIGS. 2A-8B . The process starts and at step  1001  two continuous display shelf edge label devices each outputs, via a single continuous display, two or more user interfaces, each user interface corresponding to a product being offered for sale. Such an example is shown in  FIG. 2B . Proceeding to step  1003 , a determination is made as to whether data is being received by one of the continuous display shelf edge label devices. If not, the process may return to step  1001 . If data is being received in step  1003 , the process moves to step  1005 . 
     In step  1005  the continuous display shelf edge label device confirms the authorization of the data. For example, the system may confirm that the data being received is for the continuous display shelf edge label device. If the data is a global transmission from a database, such as database  223  in  FIG. 2A , the continuous display shelf edge label device may determine that the data being received in step  1003  is not intended for the continuous display shelf edge label device. Upon confirming he authorization of the data in step  1005 , the process moves to step  1007  where the origin of the data may be determined. For example, the continuous display shelf edge label device may determine that the data is being received locally from a wireless communication received from a scanner, such as scanner  221  in  FIG. 2A . In another example, the continuous display shelf edge label device may determine that the data is being received remotely from a wired communication received from a user terminal, such as user terminal  227  through main hub  225  and network  210  in  FIG. 2A . 
     Moving to step  1009 , a determination may be made as to whether a change to one or more user interfaces currently being outputted, via a single continuous display, by the continuous display shelf edge label device is needed. For example, if the data received in step  1003  and confirmed as applying to the continuous display shelf edge label device in step  1005  may include a change in price of a product associated with a user interface being outputted. If no change is needed in step  1009 , the process may return to step  1001 . If a change to one or more user interfaces currently being outputted, via the single continuous display, by the continuous display shelf edge label device is needed in step  1009 , the process moves to step  1011  where the one or more changes to one or more user interfaces currently being outputted, via the single continuous display, by the continuous display shelf edge label device is implemented. Thereafter, the process may return to step  1001  where the two continuous display shelf edge label devices each outputs, via a single continuous display, two or more user interfaces, each user interface corresponding to a product being offered for sale, where each user interface of the continuous display shelf edge label device that received data in step  1003  outputs one or more user interfaces in accordance with any changes that may have been implemented in step  1011 . 
       FIG. 11  illustrates an example block diagram of a system for communicating and distributing content according to one or more illustrative aspects of the disclosure. In one example, one or more of the components of  FIG. 11  may be implemented by computing device  100  in  FIG. 1  and/or one or more of devices shown in  FIGS. 2A-10 . In this example, a system  1100  of multiple continuous display shelf edge label devices are shown in operation together. In this example, there are four continuous display shelf edge label devices. Each continuous display shelf edge label device includes a single display area  1101 A- 1101 D oriented along an entire edge of a shelf  1150 A- 1150 D. Further in this example, shelves  1150 A-D each hold a first product  1121 A- 1121 D, a second product  1123 A-D, and a third product  1125 A-D, respectively. Single continuous displays  1101 A-D each includes three digital user interfaces, one for each respective product being offered for sale. User interfaces  1111 A-D provide information about first product  1121 A-D directly above the user interface  1111 A-D, respectively. Similarly, user interfaces  1113 A-D and  1115 A-D provide information about second product  1123 A-D and third product  1125 A-D, respectively, that are above the respective user interfaces  1113 A-D,  1115 A-D. 
     In accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the various continuous display shelf edge label devices could operate in unison for providing additional information to a customer. By having the continuous display shelf edge label devices arranged in side by side ( 1101 A and  1101 B or  1101 C and  1101 D) orientation and stacked on top of each other like shelves ( 1101 A and  1101 C or  1101 B and  1101 D), an array of continuous display shelf edge label devices may be configured. In the illustrative example of  FIG. 11 , there are four continuous display shelf edge label devices arranged as an array of 2×2, two rows and two columns of continuous display shelf edge label devices. Any of a number of additional arrangements may be made, including, but not limited to 4×1, 3×4, 3×3, and 4×4 configurations. 
     By configuring various continuous display shelf edge label devices to operate together, a retailer may utilize the displays to attract customers in any of a number of desired manners. Such configurations may be utilized to promote a single product, a single type of product, a single brand name, and the like. Animations and/or graphics may be implemented that span across multiple continuous display shelf edge label devices. Different outputs on the displays of the continuous display shelf edge label devices may be implemented based upon detecting the presence of a customer at an aisle, near a particular continuous display shelf edge label device, and/or at some other location in a retailer store. As described herein, different display modes may be implemented depending on the desired result and/or effect. 
     In one such example, every 10-15 seconds the display on one or more continuous display shelf edge label devices may change what is outputted in some way. In still other examples, one or more continuous display shelf edge label devices may remain constant in a displayed output acting as a very vibrant billboard. Whether the displayed output is moving or serving as a more constant billboard, continuous display shelf edge label devices could operate together. 
     In one embodiment, a customer may see and be attracted to such changing displayed output or stationary displayed output from further away. The changing displayed output or stationary displayed output may be a first display mode of operation. In response, she may approach a shelf. As she approaches the shelf, one or more continuous display shelf edge label devices may sense her presence, such as by a proximity sensor, and may switch to another mode of display. In such an example, specific advertising for a product may appear, such as for a product associated with the continuous display shelf edge label devices. Such advertising may be a notice of the product being on sale. Once the customer is in front of a particular continuous display shelf edge label device for a given period of time, such as 3-5 seconds, the continuous display shelf edge label device may switch to yet another mode of display where SKU specific pricing and packaging information may appear under each product. 
     In still other illustrative embodiments, a continuous display shelf edge label device may operate with a pusher assembly that is included with a shelf on which the continuous display shelf edge label device is oriented. The pusher assembly may include a pusher configured to place pressure behind a stack of products and push the stack forward towards the front of the shelf when a product is removed from the stack. Such a pusher assembly may include one or more components to determine a position of the pusher with respect to some portion of the assembly. For example, the stack of products may be able to fit 10 products. Integrated in the pusher assembly may be a floor that includes a tracker component at each of the 10 positions that the pusher may be configured to operate with the product. As the pusher reaches a tracker component, data regarding the position of the pusher may be known and such data may be transmitted to the continuous display shelf edge label device. 
     Similarly, other data may be determined and transferred as needed as well. For example, a movement of the pusher with respect to the shelf and/or the pusher assembly may be determined. Such a determination may be based upon a position and may include a timer component for use in determining the movement. In addition, in still other examples, a rate of change in a product level of a product associated with the continuous display shelf edge label device may be determined. In such an example, a shelf originally stocked with 50 items of a product is determined to only have 15 items of the product remaining after a period of time, such as an hour, a notice may be sent to a worker of the retailer to restock the product on the shelf. Similarly, such data may be sent to a continuous display shelf edge label device for changing a user interface associated with the product. For the same example, having received the data regarding only 15 items of a product remaining, the user interface of the continuous display shelf edge label device may be configured to change information. In some examples, a flashing/blinking display output of “Final 15 Left In Stock!” may be displayed, or a display output may automatically lower the price on the user interface by 10%, or a display may flash/blink upon determining the presence of a worker in the area of the continuous display shelf edge label device. The continuous display shelf edge label device may sense the presence of a worker, such as by sensing a NFC enabled access card of the worker being within a sensing range of a sensor associated with and/or included within the continuous display shelf edge label device. 
     Other data may be communicated to and/or determined by a continuous display shelf edge label device from a pusher and/or a pusher assembly. For example, a continuous display shelf edge label device may be programmed with data about a product that it is associated with and/or may access such data from a local or remote source, such as database  223  in  FIG. 2A . In one example, the product may have an expiration data. For example, the product may be milk and the particular products on the shelf for sale may all have a same expiration date. A threshold may be established to track the number of milk items remaining against the expiration date in order to move the milk items off of the shelf, whether to customers or for newer milk items with later expiration dates. In one scenario, the system may lower the price of the milk as the time until the expiration date is met lowers to a threshold. If the expiration date is a week away, the continuous display shelf edge label device may output a price for the milk of $2. When the expiration date is 4 days away, the price may be reduced by 10% or dropped in price by $0.25. Should some milk remain when the expiration date is 2 days away, the price may be reduced by 50% or dropped in price by $1. In still other scenarios, as the expiration date approaches a threshold, notice may be provided in some manner to a worker for the retailer. The worker may receive a text or email, a notice on a handheld scanner, and/or in some other manner that the milk needs to be replaced or may soon need to be replaced. 
     Other illustrative information about a product may be communicated to and/or determined by a continuous display shelf edge label device from a pusher and/or a pusher assembly as well. Such examples include determining the amount of product remaining for another product and changing a user interface of the continuous display shelf edge label device in response. For example, a continuous display shelf edge label device may determine or receive data from another continuous display shelf edge label device about a competitive product and/or related product (such as toothpastes to toothbrushes). Utilizing such data, the continuous display shelf edge label device may change a user interface for a product associated with it, such as the price of the product, accordingly. In this manner, algorithms may be established for handling when and under what circumstances a price change may occur automatically at the continuous display shelf edge label device. The continuous display shelf edge label device may access a remote source for authorization to do so and/or make the determination itself that the user interface for a product should be changed. Accordingly, a price reduction may occur for a product if it is determined that a competitor&#39;s product is moving off a shelf in a much quicker manner than the product is moving. 
     The various features described above are merely non-limiting examples, and can be rearranged, combined, subdivided, omitted, and/or altered in any desired manner. For example, features of the computing device described herein (which may be one the devices illustrated in  FIG. 1 ) can be subdivided among multiple processors and computing devices. The true scope of this patent should only be defined by the claims that follow.