Merchandising communication and inventorying system

Abstract

Provided herein are display systems and units, including those configured for dynamic communication, inventorying, and monitoring environmental conditions in a physical location, such as in retail settings. Also included herein are methods for dynamically displaying product information in a physical location, such as a retail setting.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 62 / 031,258, filed 31 Jul. 2014, and 62 / 190,580, filed 9 Jul. 2015, both of which are incorporated herein in their entireties.FIELD[0002]The disclosure relates to a systems and methods for conveying content to and displaying content on merchandising communication systems and systems and methods for monitoring various environments, particularly retail environments.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]There are a variety of retail options for displaying a variety of information in retail environments, including, pricing, labeling, promotions, etc. Traditionally, this information has been provided using print systems, including slide-in paper system, plastic label systems, adhesive label systems, etc. More recently, there has been increased interest in utilizing digital or electronic systems to display such information.[0004]The utilization of high definition display technology, including plasma di...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent text describes a new type of display that is cost-effective and suitable for retail applications. The display is low-profile, impact-resistant, and has continuous display capabilities. It has full color capabilities and excellent brightness and visibility parameters. The display can be used in dynamic merchandising and experiences, reducing labor and capital investment costs. The depth of the display strip is small enough to limit its protrusion into an aisle and to reduce risk of damage. The LED displays provided herein have superior legibility and viewability, with a maximum legality distance of about 5 feet or more. The brightness of the LED displays is about 500 NITS or more, with lower levels for energy savings. The display unit(s) comprise an array of viewable LED pixels and a coating to protect the LED components. The use of a first and a second LED display component facilitates cost-effective display replacement options.

Problems solved by technology

The utilization of high definition display technology, including plasma displays, LCD displays (including those backlit by light emitting diodes (LEDs)), etc., in such applications was considered, but such systems are expensive, limiting their scope of commercial adoption.

This approach may alleviate some of the cost-prohibitive nature of such devices, but leaves a great deal to be desired as the prices are no longer located adjacent the product, resulting in frustrated customers having to search for prices.

In addition, such systems utilize displays that are not only expensive to install, but to replace.

However, these large systems are even more difficult and expensive to transport and install, and do not provide optimal display surface areas.

However, such solutions are not one continuous strip.

Therefore, a retailer cannot manage and communicate with an entire shelf display or multiple shelf displays in a single action.

Instead, such digital and print displays, while possibly being adequate for displaying pricing information, product information, etc., they must be managed individually and do not have the ability to display complete aisle cross-branding, customer communication, display true or full-spectrum color, or full motion video and / or animation.

Typical TFT displays for such applications are limited to displays that are 480 pixels wide by 272 pixels high, limiting the viability of such solutions.

With graphics cards having a 2048 pixel wide by 1152 pixel high capability, such displays would need to be linked together with multiple displays and multiple graphics cards, requiring sophisticated and expensive synchronization software.

Further, such systems would be limited to a maximum of twelve displays, equivalent to a five-foot section of tethered displays, through a single display server.

In addition, such displays have relatively poor brightness—e.g., generally only up to about 25 NITS—and angle and distance legibility parameters—e.g., generally up to a maximum of about 2-3 feet at a 90 degree viewing angle and about 1-2 feet at a 25 degree viewing angle.

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