Electronic shelf system with mobile device interactivity and printed plastic display

Abstract

The technology described herein includes an automated, customer-based retail display system with mobile device interactivity and a printed plastic display. In some embodiments, a system is described including an electronic shelf display strip that extends along the front edge of existing store shelves. The electronic shelf display strip can be printed on a plastic backplane and designed to fit in standard store shelf pricing areas. The printed electronic display on plastic is low cost and protected from damage as opposed to glass based screens used in prior art electronic shelf labels.

I/We claim: 
     
         1 . An electronic shelf display strip apparatus comprising:
 an elongated printed plastic backplane;   an digital image interface disposed on the printed plastic backplane,
 wherein the digital image interface is configured to receive data images from a category controller in communication with multiple electronic shelf display strip apparatuses; and 
   a display printed on a plastic flexible backplane.   
     
     
         2 . The electronic shelf display strip apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the dimensions are less than four inches in height more that twelve inches in length. 
     
     
         3 . The electronic shelf display strip apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the display is flexible for retrofitting onto existing store shelf pricing areas. 
     
     
         4 . A category controller apparatus comprising:
 a processor; and   a memory unit having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the processor, cause the category controller to:
 process images received from a host server to identify a first image for display on an output display of the category controller and a first set of images for display on multiple adjacent electronic shelf display strips; 
 display the first image on the output display of the category controller; 
 drive the multiple adjacent electronic shelf display strips to display the first set of images; 
 detect a proximate trackable device wirelessly and responsively establish a connection with the trackable device; 
 identify a customer associated with the trackable device and access preferences associated with the customer; and 
 process images received from the host server to identify a second image for display on the output display of the category controller and a second set of images for display on multiple adjacent electronic shelf display strips. 
   
     
     
         5 . The category controller of  claim 4 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the category controller to:
 display the second image on the output display of the category controller.   
     
     
         6 . The category controller of  claim 4  wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the category controller to:
 drive the multiple adjacent electronic shelf display strips to display the second set of images. 
 
     
     
         7 . A system comprising:
 a host computer configured to—
 receive product data distributions, and 
 process the product data to generate various images for displaying the product data to customers; and 
   multiple electronic shelf display strips, wherein—
 each electronic shelf display strip includes an elongated flexible electronic display configured to fit into existing store shelf areas and extend along shelf space for displaying multiple different products, and 
 each electronic shelf display strip receives product data and product position data from the host server, the product data corresponding to information related to multiple different products available on one or more shelves associated with one of the electronic shelf display strips, and the product position data corresponding to locations of the multiple different products on the one or more shelves associated with one of the electronic shelf display strips, and 
 the electronic shelf display strips are configured to display the product data such that the product data aligns with the multiple different products on the one or more shelves according to the product placement data.