Real time, computer-driven retail pricing display system
AssigneeMotorola, Inc.
InventorsEarl R. Gomersall, Arthur F. Cipolla
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A computer driven, informational display system is disclosed which visually displays selected information in real time. The arrangement is particularly adapted for displaying pricing and other associated information in retail establishments which utilize the standard Universal Product Code for the items of merchandise for sale. The particular bar code forms a unique address for respective remote display modules at selected locations throughout the store. A source of computer-based information is applied to all of the remote display units in parallel. When a particular display module detects its unique address, the information to be displayed, which follows the addressed code, is processed and used to control the operation of an LCD display.
Claims12
A computer-driven informational display arrangement for displaying selected information in real time, said arrangement comprising in combination:
- a source of computer based information in the form of at least an address code in standard UPC format and information to be displayed;
- a plurality of low current drain display units at selected locations, each having externally programmable memory means settable to a particular address in the form of a UPC formatted address code, said display units being responsive to said programmed address code to process and selectively display said information following said address code;
- means for applying said source of the computer based information to said plurality of display units;
- means for supplying operating power to each of said plurality of display units;
- and
- means including optical scanning means for externally programming said memory of any of said plurality of display units with a stored address code while at its said selected location.
A computer-driven, retail pricing display system for displaying pricing and other information in real time, comprising in combination:
- a source of computer based information in the form of an address code in standard UPC format followd by pricing and other information to be displayed and parity check information;
- a plurality of low current drain display units at selected locations, each having externally programmable memory means settable to a particular address in the form of a UPC formatted address code, said display units being responsive to said programmed address code to selectively display the pricing and other information associated therewith;
- means for applying said source of computer based information to said plurality of display units;
- means for supplying operating power to each of said plurality of display units;
- and
- means including optical scanning means for externally programming said memory of any of said plurality of display units with a stored address code while at its said selected location.
A computer-driven informational display arrangement for displaying selected information in real time, said arrangement comprising in combination:
- a source of computer based information provided by an association computer in the form of at least an address code in standard UPC format and information to be displayed;
- a plurality of low current drain display units at selected locations, each having externally programmable memory means settable to a particular address in the form of a UPC formatted address code, said display units being responsive to said programmed address code to process and selectively display said information following said address code;
- means for applying said source of the computer based information to said plurality of display units;
- means for supplying operating power to each of said plurality of display units;
- means for selecting a number and transmitting the same back to the computer upon the completion of application of said computer based information to the particular display unit;
- and
- means including optical scanning means for externally programming said memory of any of said plurality of display units with a stored address code while at its said selected location.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.