Method of initializing, controlling and updating electronic display tags and related controller therefor

A method of initializing each of a multiplicity of electronic display tags that are electromagnetically coupled to a conducting loop carrying information signals generated by a controller circuit, the method comprising the steps of:

• operating each electronic display tag in a start-up mode or a run mode, said start-up mode being activated the first time power is supplied to the electronic display tag and said run mode being activated after the tag is initialized with an address;
• providing the controller circuit with product information data including a plurality of display tag addresses and associated display data, each address and the associated display data representing information for one electronic display tag;
• applying a first address and the associated display data contained in the controller circuit to the conductor for transmission to the electronic display tags;
• receiving the first address and associated display data at all the display tags which are in the start-up mode, and displaying the display data at all such tags for visual inspection;
• manually triggering the electronic display tag which is to display the data associated with the first address, and then activating the run mode of the triggered electronic display tag;
• applying the next address and the associated display data contained in the control circuit to the conductor for transmission to the electronic display tags;
• receiving the next address and associated display data at all the display tags which are still in the start-up mode, and displaying the display data at all such tags for visual inspection;
• manually triggering the electronic display tag which is to display the data associated with the next address and then activating the run mode of the triggered electronic display tag;
• and
• repeating the applying and triggering steps until all desired electronic display tags have been programmed with addresses and display data.