Patent Description:
Such shelves areas can be part e.g. of a warehouse, or of a sales area. Articles are placed in the shelves areas, and labels can also be placed in the shelves areas for displaying information associated with the articles.

The imaging devices may be used in particular for visualizing the layout of electronic labels and articles in the shelves. In such use, one or more images of an area of the shelves, where the electronic labels and the articles are located, are acquired by the imaging device. This area is referred to as a "viewing area" of the imaging device, and it is associated to the imaging device (it is typically positioned in front of the imaging device). After being acquired the images are sent to processing means, to be analyzed and exploited for various purposes.

More precisely, the invention is directed to an imaging device adapted to be mounted on a row of a shelf, and to a shelf system comprising such imaging device. Imaging devices adapted to be mounted on a row of a shelf will herein be referred to as "shelf imaging devices", and the invention therefore is directed to a shelf imaging device, and to a shelf system comprising such shelf imaging device.

Shelves of a salespoint are generally organized in gondolas or shelf rows. Each gondola comprises several rows, and each row comprises several shelf labels situated in the vicinity of articles which are placed on the rows. Each shelf label is typically associated with one type of article (the type of article may be referred as a "SKU"), and the shelf label displays information about this type of article. The shelf labels are disposed along the front edge of the shelves and thus display information related to articles offered for sale, such as price, price per weight, name of the article, etc..

In order to allow easy and fast article information updates and to decrease operational costs, the use of electronic shelf labels (referred to below as "ESLs") in shelves is widely known. The article information displayed on the screen of one ESL is remotely controlled through radiofrequency signals, be it low frequency, high frequency or ultra-high frequency.

As stated above, shelf imaging devices can be used to acquire one or more images of a viewing area.

The shelf imaging device is typically a camera, or another type of device able to acquire images of the viewing area.

A shelf imaging device from the prior art can be found in <CIT>. A system for magnetically removing shelf tags can be found in <CIT>.

<FIG> represents the shelf <NUM>, of a gondola intended to be arranged in a sales area. The shelf <NUM> comprises a shelf support <NUM>. The shelf support <NUM> is, for example, a rail and comprises a receiving section <NUM> adapted to house the ESLs <NUM> and the shelf imaging devices <NUM>. Thus, the ESLs <NUM> and the shelf imaging device <NUM> are placed onto the same shelf support <NUM> (here: the shelf support is a rail).

The shelf support <NUM> is installed on one of the edges of the shelf <NUM>. The shelf imaging device <NUM> is mounted on the shelf support <NUM>, and locked in a fixed position on the receiving section <NUM>, with a locking mechanism. Such mechanism typically is, or includes, an engaging member such as a pin, for engaging a holding part of the receiving section <NUM>.

The holding part of the receiving section <NUM> can be, any holding part able to receive the engaging member for maintaining it in a locked, fixed position. The holding part of the receiving section can be for example, discrete holes that can cooperate with a pin from the shelf imaging device <NUM> serving as an engaging member, for locking the shelf imaging device in the receiving section <NUM> of the shelf support <NUM>. <FIG> represents the shelf imaging device <NUM> with the engaging member <NUM>. This engaging member <NUM> is movable between a retracted position and an extended position.

In the retracted position, the engaging member <NUM> is at least partly fitted inside the casing and imaging device <NUM> is in a free position, detachable from the receiving section <NUM>.

In the extended position the engaging member <NUM> is in a locking position. In the configuration of <FIG> the engaging member <NUM> is fitted into a corresponding part of the receiving section <NUM>, so as to lock the shelf imaging device into the receiving section.

The same receiving section <NUM> also serves to receive ESLs <NUM>, thus mounted on the same shelf <NUM> (and the same receiving section <NUM>) as the shelf imaging device <NUM>. These ESLs <NUM> can be mounted on the receiving section <NUM> near, or even adjacent to, the shelf imaging device <NUM>. It can be desired to change the location of the shelf imaging device <NUM> (e.g. for placing it in front of another viewing area, or for repairing it or for otherwise ensuring its maintenance). Therefore, the locking mechanism should allow unlocking the shelf imaging device from the shelf support <NUM> for detaching the shelf imaging device <NUM> from the shelf <NUM>, and relocking the shelf imaging device <NUM> on the same shelf <NUM>, or onto another shelf <NUM>. Thus, the locking means of the shelf imaging device should allow a removable locking of the shelf imaging device on the shelf support (more precisely: in the receiving section <NUM> of the shelf support).

To allow such removable locking, it is already known to use a shelf imaging device <NUM> having locking means, which can be actuated (for locking or unlocking the shelf imaging device on a row), through an actuator (i.e. actuating means) of the shelf imaging device <NUM>. Such actuator actuates the locking means, to position the locking means either in a locking position where the shelf imaging device <NUM> can be locked on the receiving section <NUM>, or in a free position where the shelf imaging device is free to be displaced relative to the shelf <NUM>, and to be detached from the shelf <NUM>.

In many known shelf imaging devices <NUM>, the actuator is physically accessible to the user, and protrudes from the casing of the imaging device <NUM> so that the user can manually activate the actuator (e.g. by pushing or pulling it with his/her hand or finger, or with a hand tool). Such protruding actuator can be e.g. a pin protruding from the casing of the imaging device. This is the case in <FIG> wherein the engaging member <NUM> acts as an actuator, and can be directly activated (pushed or pulled) by the hand of a user.

A drawback associated with such known shelf imaging devices <NUM> is that the user has to physically access the actuator and, when the imaging device is positioned adjacent to an ESL <NUM>, the user may have to displace the adjacent ESL <NUM> before being able to physically access the actuator of the shelf imaging devices, and to trigger actuation of the locking means.

Another drawback associated with such known shelf imaging devices is that the protruding actuator is a mechanical element can be damaged or broken, because of a rough manipulation or because of shocks with external elements.

It is also to be noted that shelf imaging devices, which are being mounted on the same shelf support <NUM> as ESLs <NUM>, are significantly thicker than ESLs <NUM>. This is because the internal elements of the shelf imaging devices include a battery, connectors, and other elements. Thus, as illustrated on <FIG>, since the back faces of shelf imaging devices <NUM> and ESLs <NUM> are aligned against shelf support <NUM> when shelf imaging devices and ESLs <NUM> are mounted on the same shelf <NUM>, the front faces of shelf imaging devices <NUM> extend further in the front than the front faces of the ESLs <NUM>. The thickness of shelf imaging devices <NUM> is typically more than <NUM>,<NUM>, while the thickness of an ESL <NUM> is approximately <NUM>.

It is also known to provide an ESL <NUM> with a specific locking mechanism that can be activated using a magnetic extraction tool. This mechanism and extraction tool are, for example, described in the French patent reference <CIT>. However, because of the thickness of the shelf imaging device <NUM>, the implementation of the locking mechanism described in the French patent reference <CIT> in the shelf imaging devices <NUM> would need a magnetic extraction tool generating a residual magnetism of more than <NUM> Tesla. This amount of residual magnetism could generate drawbacks, such as disruptions on the shelf imaging devices <NUM> or undesired activation of medical devices, such as pacemakers, worn by the user.

The invention aims at solving the drawbacks mentioned above, taking also into account that the shelf imaging device is mounted on the same shelf <NUM> as ESLs <NUM>, and taking also into account the significant thickness (i.e. more than <NUM>) of shelf imaging devices <NUM>, compared to the lesser thickness of ESLs <NUM>.

An object of the invention is a shelf imaging device for a shelf support, wherein the shelf support is installed on a shelf edge and comprises a receiving section configured to receive electronic shelf labels on the shelf support, the receiving section comprising two facing wings extending in a longitudinal direction, one of the two wings has in its medial region a longitudinal groove, the groove has a plurality of holes.

In the present patent application, "near the front side" means that the distance between the front end of the actuator and the front side is between <NUM> and <NUM>, advantageously <NUM>.

In the present patent application, "near the lateral side" means that the distance between the front end of the actuator and the lateral side is between <NUM> and <NUM>, advantageously <NUM>.

Because the front end is near the front side of the shelf imaging device, it allows the use of a magnetic extraction tool having a magnet with a residual magnetism of less than <NUM>,<NUM> Tesla and advantageously comprised between <NUM>,<NUM> Tesla and <NUM>,<NUM> Tesla.

Therefore, the magnetic extraction tool used to unlock the shelf imaging device will reduce the disruptions on the shelf imaging device and will reduce the risk of undesirable activations of medical devices, such as pacemakers, worn by the user.

Furthermore, because of its residual magnetism limited to only <NUM> Tesla, the same magnetic extraction tool used to unlock the ESL can also be used with the shelf imaging device of the invention.

The above-defined device can comprise the following advantageous and non-limiting features, taken alone or in any technically feasible combination:.

Another object of the invention is a shelf system comprising a shelf, preferably for a gondola of a sales area. The shelf comprises a shelf support configured to extend along an edge of the shelf, the shelf support comprising a receiving section configured to receive electronic labels on the shelf support and an imaging device, the back side of the imaging device being configured to be removably fitted in the receiving section of the shelf support.

Within the shelf system, the receiving section comprises two facing wings extending in a longitudinal direction, one of the two wings has in its medial region a longitudinal groove the groove has a plurality of holes and the engaging member is configured for engaging one of the holes.

Other characteristics, objectives and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following detailed description, which is solely illustrative and non-limiting, and is to be read in conjunction with the following annexed drawings which represent, in addition to <FIG> and <FIG> already commented above:.

As mentioned above, <FIG> represents the shelf <NUM>, of a gondola intended to be arranged in a sales area. The shelf <NUM> comprises a shelf support <NUM>. The shelf support <NUM> is for example a rail and comprises a receiving section <NUM> adapted to house the ESLs <NUM> and the shelf imaging devices <NUM>. The shelf support <NUM> is installed on one of the edges of the shelf <NUM>. In this example the shelf support <NUM> is a rail having a hollow section into which ESLs and the shelf imaging device can be engaged and locked.

In <FIG>, only two ESLs <NUM> are represented; however, according to its length along the shelf <NUM>, shelf support <NUM> can receive a different number of ESLs <NUM>. It is possible to have up to more than ten ESLs <NUM> per linear meter of shelf support <NUM>, and hence several thousand, or even tens of thousands of ESLs <NUM> in one sales area. ESLs <NUM> can be placed side by side in a continuous series, adjacent to each other, on the shelf support <NUM>.

Also, only one shelf imaging device <NUM> is shown in <FIG>. However, each shelf support <NUM> of the sales area can comprise more than one shelf imaging device <NUM>. The compactness of shelf imaging device <NUM> described hereinafter allows accommodating a plurality of shelf imaging devices <NUM>, for example, regularly spaced in the shelves <NUM> of the sales area for each viewing ESLs <NUM> that would be located in front of the shelf imaging device, typically on the other side of the aisle separating two gondolas.

Shelf support <NUM> is arranged on a shelf edge of the shelf <NUM>, in a gondola facing a navigation aisle. Preferably, shelf support <NUM> faces another gondola of the sales area, which comprises other shelves also provided with ESLs <NUM>.

As will be seen below, the shelf imaging device <NUM> is configured to be removably and reliably fitted in the receiving section <NUM> of the shelf support <NUM>.

<FIG> represents a cross-section of the receiving section <NUM> of the shelf support <NUM>. On this figure, the shelf support is shown as positioned on a shelf, i.e. placed so that its cross-section extends along a vertical direction (which is the direction from top to bottom of <FIG>). The receiving section <NUM> has a U-shaped profile with a flat back side <NUM>, an upper wing <NUM> and a lower wing <NUM>. The back side <NUM> comprises, on an upper end and lower end, close respectively to the upper wing <NUM> and the lower wing <NUM>, two notches, respectively <NUM> and <NUM>.

In its medial region, the lower wing <NUM> has on its internal profile (facing the upper wing) a longitudinal groove <NUM>. An end <NUM> of the lower wing <NUM> is rounded.

The upper wing <NUM> has on its internal profile (facing the lower wing) and in its medial region, a longitudinal groove <NUM> in which are provided, at regular intervals, holes <NUM>, for example, blind holes or through holes. These holes are, for example, spaced from each other by about <NUM>.

An end <NUM> of the upper wing <NUM> has an external rounded profile <NUM> and an internal chamfered profile <NUM>.

In its medial region, the receiving section <NUM> has, preferably has its internal surface <NUM>, a longitudinal trench <NUM>, usable, for example, to fix the receiving section <NUM> to the shelf <NUM>. This fixation can be realized, for example, via screws.

<FIG> represents a shelf imaging device <NUM> of the invention. The shelf imaging device <NUM> comprises a front side <NUM> and a back side <NUM>. The back side <NUM> is located at the opposite of the front side <NUM>.

The shelf imaging device <NUM> also has a right lateral side <NUM> and a left lateral side, not apparent in <FIG>.

The shelf imaging device <NUM> comprises a first part <NUM> extending from the front side <NUM> and in the direction of the back side <NUM>. This first part <NUM> has a rectangular parallelepiped form.

The shelf imaging device <NUM> comprises a second part <NUM>, which extends from the back side <NUM> and in the direction of the front side <NUM>. The function of this second part <NUM> is to removably attach the shelf imaging device <NUM> to the shelf support <NUM> more precisely to the receiving section <NUM>.

The second part <NUM> of the shelf imaging device <NUM> comprises a lower surface <NUM> with a longitudinal rib <NUM>. This rib <NUM> is adapted to be inserted in the groove <NUM> of the lower wing <NUM> of the receiving section <NUM>.

The shelf imaging device <NUM> comprises a processing unit, a battery and a memory (not shown) and further comprises an optical sensor <NUM> and a wired data port <NUM>. The processing unit, the battery, the memory, the optical sensor <NUM> and the wired data port <NUM> are typically mounted on a printed circuit board (not shown) of the shelf imaging device <NUM>.

The wired data port <NUM> is, for example, a USB port. This port allows the connection of the shelf imaging device <NUM> with another device, for example, a computer.

The optical sensor <NUM> is configured to acquire images of shelves facing the front side <NUM> of the shelf imaging device <NUM>. The optical sensor <NUM> can be a camera.

The shelf imaging device <NUM> has a height L1 and a width L2 close to a length and a width of usual ESLs (approximately <NUM>). However, a depth L3 of the shelf imaging device <NUM> is between <NUM> and <NUM>, preferably <NUM>. Therefore, the depth L3 of the shelf imaging device <NUM> is bigger than the one of the usual ESLs <NUM>.

Having the height L1 and width L2 of the shelf imaging device <NUM> close to the ones of the regular ESLs <NUM>, allows shelf imaging device <NUM> to be almost invisible to a customer of the sales area. Thus, shelf imaging device <NUM> does not detract from the aesthetical qualities of the shelves. The customer experience is not disturbed by the presence of the shelf imaging device <NUM>.

Furthermore, having the height L1 and width L2 of the shelf imaging device <NUM> close to the ones of the regular ESLs, also allows the top of the shelf imaging devices <NUM> to be at almost the same level as the top of the ESLs <NUM> and to not protrude above the top of the ESLs <NUM>. This avoids forming snap points for objects that are moved relative to and near the top of the ESLs <NUM> and the top of the shelf imaging devices <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the shelf imaging device <NUM> is shown in cross-section in the vertical plane perpendicular to the front side <NUM> or the back side <NUM>. This cross-section passes through a locking mechanism <NUM> represented in <FIG>.

This locking mechanism <NUM> allows the locking, and unlocking, of the shelf imaging device <NUM> to, and from, the receiving section <NUM>.

The locking mechanism <NUM> is generally flat, along a plane that is perpendicular to the front side <NUM>. This plane is also parallel to the right lateral side <NUM> and is near the right lateral side <NUM>. The expression "near the right lateral side" means that the distance between the plane and the right lateral side <NUM> is between <NUM> and <NUM>, advantageously <NUM>. The locking mechanism <NUM> is located in a recess <NUM> of the shelf imaging device <NUM>. This recess <NUM> extends over at least a portion of the height of the shelf imaging device <NUM>.

In another embodiment, the plane can be parallel to the left lateral side and can be near the left lateral side. The expression "near the left lateral side" means that the distance between the plane and the left lateral side is between <NUM> and <NUM>, advantageously <NUM>.

The locking mechanism <NUM> comprises an engaging member <NUM> for engaging one of the holes <NUM> of the receiving section <NUM>, to lock the shelf imaging device <NUM> into the gondola <NUM>. This engaging member <NUM> is, for example, a pin.

The engaging member <NUM> is preferably located between <NUM> and <NUM>, most preferably <NUM> from the front side <NUM> of the shelf imaging device <NUM>.

The locking mechanism <NUM> also comprises an actuator <NUM> configured to move the engaging member <NUM> between a locking position where the shelf imaging device <NUM> is locked into the receiving section <NUM> and a free position where the shelf imaging device <NUM> is free to be displaced relative to the shelf <NUM>.

The actuator <NUM> comprises a magnetic element that extends between a front end <NUM>-a, near the front side <NUM> of the shelf imaging device <NUM>, and a back end <NUM>-b bearing or linked to the engaging member <NUM>.

The front end <NUM>-a is the part of the actuator <NUM> the closest to the front side <NUM> of the shelf imaging device <NUM>.

The locking mechanism <NUM> comprises a guiding element <NUM> acting with a spring <NUM>, for example a spiral spring, to urge upwardly the locking mechanism <NUM> and more precisely the engaging member <NUM>, to project the engaging member <NUM> through an opening <NUM> of the shelf imaging device <NUM>, and to place the engaging member <NUM> within one of the holes <NUM> of the receiving section <NUM>.

As represented in <FIG> and <FIG>, the locking mechanism <NUM> comprises a rigid link <NUM> linking together the actuator <NUM>, the guiding element <NUM> and the engaging member <NUM>.

The actuator <NUM> and the guiding element <NUM> form two parallel branches of the locking mechanism <NUM>. The actuator <NUM> is located near the front side <NUM> of the shelf imaging device <NUM> and the guiding element <NUM> is located near the back side <NUM> of the shelf imaging device <NUM>.

The actuator <NUM> can be constituted of a flat element for example a magnetic metal plate. The actuator <NUM> can have a thickness L503-<NUM> comprised between <NUM> and <NUM> preferably <NUM>, a width L503-<NUM> comprised between <NUM> and <NUM> advantageously <NUM> and a length L503-<NUM> comprised between <NUM> and <NUM> advantageously <NUM>.

This magnetic metal is a standard magnetic metal for example steel or nickel alloy.

As represented in <FIG> and <FIG>, the actuator <NUM>, the guiding element <NUM>, the engaging member <NUM> and the link <NUM> can be located in the same plane.

In an embodiment, the actuator <NUM> have a rectangular shape. In another embodiment, the actuator <NUM> is hollow or has a C-shape or cutout. This C-shape or cutout allows the passage of connectors (for example USB) through the actuator <NUM>. This C-shape or cutout also allows an easier assembly. With this C-shape or cutout, the actuator <NUM> can be tilt in a position where the assembly is easier.

The front end <NUM>-a of the actuator <NUM> is located near the front side <NUM> of the shelf imaging device1.

Located near the front side <NUM> means in the present specification that the distance between the front end <NUM>-a of the actuator <NUM> and the front side <NUM> is between <NUM> and <NUM>, advantageously <NUM>.

The front end <NUM>-a of the actuator <NUM> can also be located near one of the lateral sides (near the right lateral side <NUM> in <FIG>) of the shelf imaging device <NUM>.

Located near the lateral side means that the distance between the lateral side and the front end <NUM>-a is between <NUM> and <NUM>, advantageously <NUM>.

The distance, comprised between <NUM> and <NUM>, separating the front end <NUM>-a of the actuator <NUM> and the front side <NUM> and/or lateral side <NUM> of the shelf imaging device <NUM>, allows the use of extraction tool having a magnet with a residual magnetism of less than <NUM>,<NUM> Tesla and advantageously comprised between <NUM> Tesla and <NUM> Tesla. More precisely, a residual magnetism of <NUM> Tesla applied in the vicinity, for example at less than <NUM>, of the front side <NUM> of the shelf imaging device <NUM> is enough to move the actuator <NUM> downside and retract the engaging member <NUM> in the shelf imaging device <NUM>.

Therefore, the extraction tool usable with the locking mechanism <NUM> of the invention will not generate drawbacks, such as disruptions on the shelf imaging devices <NUM> or undesired activation of medical devices, such as pacemakers, worn by the user.

Furthermore, the locking mechanism <NUM> of the invention can be used with the extraction tool used to unlock the ESL and described in the French patent reference <CIT>. In particular the locking mechanism <NUM> of the invention can be used with an extraction tool having a magnet with a residual magnetism of less than <NUM>,<NUM> Tesla and advantageously comprised between <NUM>,<NUM> Tesla and <NUM>,<NUM> Tesla.

In an embodiment, the engaging member <NUM> (for example the pin), the actuator <NUM> and the guiding element <NUM> form a single piece.

In an embodiment, the engaging member <NUM> (for example the pin), the actuator <NUM> and the guiding element <NUM> are realized as separated elements and attached together, by example by welding.

In an embodiment, the engaging member <NUM> (for example the pin), the guiding element <NUM> and the link <NUM> form a single piece that is attached with the actuator <NUM>, for example by welding.

To mount the shelf imaging device <NUM> in the receiving section <NUM>, the rib <NUM> is first inserted in the groove <NUM> of the receiving section <NUM>. The rib <NUM> serving as a pivotal axis, the upper portion of the shelf imaging device <NUM> is pressed toward the bottom of the receiving section <NUM>.

The engaging member <NUM> is applied to the inner chamfered profile <NUM> which presses it inwardly of the shelf imaging device <NUM> by compressing the spring <NUM>.

When the shelf imaging device <NUM> is near its normal operating position, the engaging member <NUM> penetrates, under the action of the spring <NUM>, the groove <NUM> of the upper wing <NUM> of the support <NUM>. The shelf imaging device <NUM> is thus in the operative position.

The shelf imaging device <NUM> is then moved along the shelf support <NUM>, by sliding, until the engaging member <NUM> penetrates, under the action of the spring <NUM>, one of the holes <NUM>. The shelf imaging device <NUM> is then in the locked position.

To remove the shelf imaging device <NUM>, the extraction tool will be used. This extraction tool is used by approaching the extraction tool to the shelf imaging device <NUM> by its front side <NUM>.

The extraction tool comprises a housing for example of plastic material and a magnetic circuit constituted a magnet and a ferromagnetic core.

Claim 1:
Shelf imaging device (<NUM>) for a shelf support (<NUM>), wherein the shelf support (<NUM>) is installed on a shelf edge and comprises a receiving section (<NUM>) configured to receive electronic shelf labels (<NUM>) on the shelf support (<NUM>), the receiving section (<NUM>) comprising two facing wings (<NUM>, <NUM>) extending in a longitudinal direction, one of the two wings (<NUM>, <NUM>) has in its medial region a longitudinal groove (<NUM>, <NUM>), the groove has a plurality of holes (<NUM>), the shelf imaging device (<NUM>) comprising:
• a back side (<NUM>) configured to be removably fitted in the receiving section (<NUM>),
• a front side (<NUM>) opposite to the back side (<NUM>),
• an optical sensor (<NUM>) configured to acquire an image of shelves facing the front side (<NUM>),
• an engaging member (<NUM>) for engaging the receiving section (<NUM>) so as to lock the shelf imaging device (<NUM>) into the shelf support (<NUM>), when the engaging member (<NUM>) protrudes from the shelf imaging device (<NUM>) and engages one of the holes, at or behind the back side (<NUM>) of the shelf imaging device (<NUM>),
characterized in that it further comprises:
• a guiding element (<NUM>) and a spring (<NUM>), the guiding element (<NUM>) and the spring (<NUM>) being configured together to urge upwardly the engaging member (<NUM>) to project through an opening (<NUM>) of the shelf imaging device (<NUM>),
• an actuator (<NUM>) configured to move the engaging member (<NUM>) between a locking position where the shelf imaging device (<NUM>) is locked into the shelf support (<NUM>) and a free position where the shelf imaging device (<NUM>) is free to be displaced relative to the shelf support (<NUM>), the actuator (<NUM>) comprising a magnetic element which extends between a front end (<NUM>-a) located near the front side (<NUM>) and/or near a lateral side of the shelf imaging device (<NUM>), and a back end (<NUM>-b) linked to the engaging member (<NUM>), and
• a link (<NUM>) linking together the guiding element (<NUM>), the engaging member (<NUM>) and the actuator (<NUM>).