Display shelf modules with projectors for displaying product information and modular shelving systems comprising the same

Abstract

Modular shelving systems and display shelves for modular shelving systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, a modular shelving system includes a shelf support frame comprising a back plane portion and a base portion. At least one display shelf module is removably coupled to the back plane portion of the shelf support frame such that the display shelf module is vertically and horizontally positionable on the back plane portion of the shelf support frame. The display shelf module may include a top and bottom panels, and side panels that define an interior volume. A display panel may be affixed to a front of the display shelf module. A projector may be disposed in the interior volume of the display shelf module. The projector projects an optical signal onto a rear surface of the display panel such that image data is visible on a front surface of the display panel.

1 . A display shelf module comprising:
 a display panel positioned at a front of the display shelf module;   a projector disposed within the display shelf module;   a front mirror positioned proximate the front of the display shelf module;   a rear mirror positioned proximate a posterior end of the display shelf module, wherein:
 the projector is arranged to project an optical signal onto the front mirror; 
 the front mirror is arranged to redirect the optical signal from the projector onto the rear mirror; and 
 the rear mirror is arranged to redirect the optical signal from the front mirror onto a rear surface of the display panel such that image data is visible on a front surface of the display panel. 
   
     
     
         2 . The display shelf module of  claim 1 , further comprising an image divider positioned in a first optical path between the projector and the front mirror such that the optical signal from the projector is incident on the image divider, the image divider dividing the optical signal from the projector into a plurality of discrete optical signals and directing the plurality of discrete optical signals onto the front mirror. 
     
     
         3 . The display shelf module of  claim 2 , further comprising a condenser lens positioned in a second optical path between the projector and the image divider such that the optical signal projected from the projector passes through the condenser lens before reaching the image divider, the condenser lens concentrating the optical signal projected from the projector. 
     
     
         4 . The display shelf module of  claim 2 , further comprising a plurality of focusing lenses, wherein each of the plurality of focusing lenses is positioned in respective optical paths of the plurality of discrete optical signals such that each of the plurality of discrete optical signals passes through a corresponding focusing lens prior to reaching the front mirror, the plurality of focusing lenses focusing the plurality of discrete optical signals onto the front mirror. 
     
     
         5 . The display shelf module of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a mounting clip positioned at the posterior end of the display shelf module.   
     
     
         6 . The display shelf module of  claim 1 , wherein the display panel is affixed to the front of the display shelf module and extends in a width direction of the front of the display shelf module. 
     
     
         7 . The display shelf module of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a top panel;   a bottom panel;   a rear panel;   side panels; and   an interior volume defined by the top panel, the bottom panel, the rear panel and the side panels, wherein the projector is disposed in the interior volume of the display shelf module.   
     
     
         8 . The display shelf module of  claim 7 , wherein an optical path of the optical signal from the projector to the front mirror to the rear mirror to the rear surface of the display panel is contained within an interior volume of the display shelf module. 
     
     
         9 . The display shelf module of  claim 7 , further comprising a floating frame positioned within the interior volume of the display shelf module and affixed to the rear panel of the display shelf module, the floating frame comprising a base spaced apart from the top panel and the bottom panel, wherein the projector is positioned on the base of the floating frame such that the projector is spaced apart from the top panel and the bottom panel of the display shelf module. 
     
     
         10 . The display shelf module of  claim 9 , wherein the floating frame comprises a cantilevered support arm attached to the base. 
     
     
         11 . The display shelf module of  claim 7 , further comprising a floating stanchion position in the interior volume of the display shelf module such that the floating stanchion extends between the top panel and the bottom panel, the floating stanchion transmitting deflections of the top panel or the bottom panel to an opposing panel to prevent misalignment of the projector. 
     
     
         12 . The display shelf module of  claim 1 , further comprising a photo detector communicatively coupled to a control circuit of the projector and positioned such that at least a portion of the optical signal from the projector is incident on the photo detector, wherein the photo detector transmits an intensity signal indicative of an intensity of the optical signal to the control circuit. 
     
     
         13 . The display shelf module of  claim 12 , further comprising a warning indicator, wherein the warning indicator is activated when the intensity signal indicates that the intensity of the optical signal is below a threshold level. 
     
     
         14 . The display shelf module of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 an infrared back light arranged to illuminate the rear surface of the display panel; and   a detector and oriented to capture an image of the rear surface of the display panel.   
     
     
         15 . A modular shelving system comprising:
 a shelf support frame comprising a back plane portion and a base portion, wherein the back plane portion comprises a mounting aperture; and   a display shelf module comprising:
 a display panel positioned at a front of the display shelf module; 
 a projector disposed within the display shelf module; 
 a front mirror positioned proximate the front of the display shelf module; 
 a rear mirror positioned proximate a posterior end of the display shelf module; and 
 a mounting clip positioned at the posterior end of the display shelf module, wherein:
 the projector is arranged to project an optical signal onto the front mirror; 
 the front mirror is arranged to redirect the optical signal from the projector onto the rear mirror; 
 the rear mirror is arranged to redirect the optical signal from the front mirror onto a rear surface of the display panel such that image data is visible on a front surface of the display panel; and 
 the mounting clip of the display shelf module engages the mounting aperture of the back plane portion when the display shelf module is coupled to the back plane portion. 
 
   
     
     
         16 . The modular shelving system of  claim 15 , the display shelf module further comprising an image divider positioned in a first optical path between the projector and the front mirror such that the optical signal from the projector is incident on the image divider, the image divider dividing the optical signal from the projector into a plurality of discrete optical signals and directing the plurality of discrete optical signals onto the front mirror. 
     
     
         17 . The modular shelving system of  claim 16 , the display shelf module further comprising a condenser lens positioned in a second optical path between the projector and the image divider such that the optical signal projected from the projector passes through the condenser lens before reaching the image divider, the condenser lens concentrating the optical signal projected from the projector. 
     
     
         18 . The modular shelving system of  claim 16 , the display shelf module further comprising a plurality of focusing lenses, wherein each of the plurality of focusing lenses is positioned in respective optical paths of the plurality of discrete optical signals such that each of the plurality of discrete optical signals passes through a corresponding focusing lens prior to reaching the front mirror, the plurality of focusing lenses focusing the plurality of discrete optical signals onto the front mirror. 
     
     
         19 . The modular shelving system of  claim 15 , the display shelf module further comprising:
 a top panel;   a bottom panel;   a rear panel;   side panels; and   an interior volume defined by the top panel, the bottom panel, the rear panel and the side panels, wherein the projector is disposed in the interior volume of the display shelf module.   
     
     
         20 . The modular shelving system of  claim 19 , the display shelf module further comprising a floating frame positioned within the interior volume of the display shelf module and affixed to the rear panel of the display shelf module, the floating frame comprising a base spaced apart from the top panel and the bottom panel, wherein the projector is positioned on the base of the floating frame such that the projector is spaced apart from the top panel and the bottom panel of the display shelf module.