# US 2017/0285449 A1 · Display shelf modules with projectors for displaying product information and modular shelving systems comprising the same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0285449 A1 - Document ID: US20170285449A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/626,854 - Filed: 2017-06-19 - Published: 2017-10-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-01-06 - Assignees: Sunrise R&D Holdings, LLC - Applicants: Sunrise R&D Holdings, LLC - Inventors: Brett Bracewell Bonner; Titus Arthur Jones; Thomas Gonsiorowski; Torsten Volker Platz - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170285449A1 ## CPC - G03B 21/10: Projectors with built-in or built-on screen - A47F 11/06: Means for bringing about special optical effects - G06F 3/01: Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer (G06F3/16 takes precedence) - G06F 16/51: Indexing; Data structures therefor; Storage structures - G09F 15/00: Boards, hoardings, pillars, or like structures for notices, placards, posters, or the like - G09F 19/18: involving the use of optical projection means, e.g. projection of images on clouds (projection apparatus per se G03B) - H04N 13/204: using stereoscopic image cameras (stereoscopic photography G03B35/00) - A47F 5/103: {Display shelving racks with the uprights aligned in only one plane} - G03B: APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR (optical parts of such apparatus G02B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D) - A47F: SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - G09F: DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) 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. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) 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. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) 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. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The display shelf module of claim 1, further comprising: a mounting clip positioned at the posterior end of the display shelf module. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) 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. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) 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. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) 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. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) 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. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The display shelf module of claim 9, wherein the floating frame comprises a cantilevered support arm attached to the base. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) 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. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) 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. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) 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. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) 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. ### Claim 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. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) 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. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) 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. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) 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. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) 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. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) 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.