DE19730051A1 - Device and method for displaying prices and article designations on goods carriers - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a method and a device for indicating prices, designation of an article or similar types of information on supports for goods in departmental stores or warehouses. The device is characterised by a graphic display system comprising bistable image cells requiring energy supply only when the image content is modified. The display of the article designation together with its price and other types of information simplifies the installation of the device by establishing a reference between the number of the article to be labelled, the electronic label identification number and an identification number for the site of the article on its support, whereto are added the designation and the price of the article stored in a control unit by means of a mobile data acquiring apparatus, the whole forming a data set for the article. The display device placed on the goods support has an image zone consisting of parallel display channels connected to non-visible overflow channels. At least two contrasting fluids are delivered into the display channels by micro-pumps operating alternately, on the basis of the image content to be produced, the required image quality being ensured by a phase-locking circuit wherein are integrated the micro-pumps and the sensors.

Description

The invention relates to a device and a method for displaying Prices, article descriptions and similar information on product carriers in department stores and warehouses with the help of attached to the goods carriers Display devices in electronic labels with an external tax erzentrale are functionally connected in such a way that the control center is a Address electronic label and information about this elec tronic label can transfer.

Printed labels for labeling goods with prices and similar information mations are subject to change at irregular intervals. Of the Manual effort is considerable, and so have electronic price displays devices proposed and known to use the display devices those that display the price and similar information and that of a Control center can be changed.

Information transfer from a control center is necessary the respective electronic label and a power supply for the An Pointing device and a control unit in the electronic label. After this devices have first become known in which the information from a control center and the power supply via cable connections and conductive tracks are guided to the electronic label (GB 1544005, GB 2083673) is described in US Pat. No. 5,313,569 as electronic cal label proposed an independent functional unit, the display device, control unit and power supply contains and directly or indi  is directly connected to the control center. The information on item number The elements and the item price are changeable (see also EP 0228 377) Registers stored in the electronic label, the content of which by a Control unit in the electronic label forming microprocessor with those of the control center received information compared, if necessary changed and displayed. The address of the label is included determined by the article number stored in a register and can also be changed with it.

All of these devices require constant feeding in the operating state of energy to ensure the display, whether now in the form of a built battery, a solar cell or a wired power supply. This creates considerable disadvantages for these devices.

For example, it is for the operator of such price labeling Direction not acceptable, batteries during the life of the electronics exchange labels. The available area of the electronic eti chains limits the size of the solar cells. Wired power supply conditions limit flexibility considerably. The execution of the electronic Be labels as an independent functional unit with its own power supply therefore limits the practical implementation of the display device to one LCD type, whereby numerical values about article prices and quantities are displayed are, however, in the known versions on textual representations waived the required energy requirements of the display device must become. The result is a correspondingly high installation effort Price marking device, which takes great care of the operator nals presupposes. Finally, the electronic label with a logi address, which is derived from the article number, near the be relevant article. This arrangement must also for the Potential buyer of the item should be so clear that no confusion  is possible. This clear relationship of the label to the product in question is without further aids only for clearly structured product carriers, such as Example shelves possible. In order for the customer to have a clear relationship between article and electronic label for the whole variety of goods carrier, there are often additional paper stickers on the elec tronic label affixed to the name of the related item carry. This measure further increases the installation effort.

In DE-196 48 937, a display type is proposed which is used to obtain of the item information shown requires no additional energy. Go one assumes that the textual representation of the article name only sel changed, the overall energy balance is more favorable. After part is that the arrangement of pixel-related heating and field electrodes egg ne high density of conductor runs and a high number of connections the control unit caused. Add to that the dissipation of the heat the energy balance in turn deteriorates over the substrate. Also remains here open how the installation effort can be reduced if one of them foresees that no paper stickers are necessary on the electronic label are.

The object of the invention is an apparatus and a method for the electronic labeling of goods of the type mentioned at the beginning create numerical, alphanumeric or graphical article information mations, suitable for labeling goods, used by a Control center can be changed, flexible installation, overview Lich for the customer and avoids the disadvantages mentioned above.

The object is achieved in that the electronic Eti kett has a graphic display device, the special feature of which energetically bistable contrast-producing picture cells. In electronics  There is a receiving communication module available on the label ROM with permanently set unique label identification number and egg NEN address comparator for comparing the label identification number with contains the address signals of the external control center. If they match the image content is passed on to the graphic display device via a gate directs. A mobile data acquisition device with a reading head for barcodes To set up the device, an identifier arranged on the goods carrier tion number, an identification number arranged on the electronic label mer and the article number arranged on the article, which is appropriate in the form are executed by barcodes and transmits this information to the external control center. The graphic display device is called Fluidiksy stem carried out by in accordance with the image content at least two, fluids differing in contrast into a meandering channel be promoted, this meander from vertical, parallel Viewing channels and overflow channels connecting the viewing channels. It is egg ne change of the image content is required, the old image content is replaced by the displaced new image content and pushed into a separator, at its end the unmixed fluids are available to the respective micropumps stand. The fluidic system is now closed. The segregation of the Both fluids can be of different weights due to the action of heavy done by force. In another embodiment of the invention, a magnetically conductive fluid used and the segregation by acting nes magnetic field. The required precision of the dosage of the two fluids through the micropumps is achieved in that a measurement channel is provided, which the flow rate of the fluid through optically we sensors and, with the result, the delivery capacity of the micro pumps controls. The entire control of the pump power is preferred executed as a phase locked loop, with the control center in the the content of the image is inserted with constant changes in contrast, that for synchronizing the pump power with the transmission rate of the image  stop are provided. The entire fluidic system is in one basic body made of 100-oriented silicon wafers by anisotropic etching. In order to this results in v-shaped channels with precise, reproducible cross sections. The basic body with its channels is anodically bonded Glass or silicon top layer covered. The two micropumps have via rectangular pump chambers. The cover layer acts as a mem bran, which together with a glued-on silicon wafer forms a bimorph bil det. Using different dynamic flow resistances in the inlet and outlet to the pump chamber with sawtooth-shaped connection control of the piezo disks resulting in a volume flow of the fluid. Further sensors are in the processes from the pump chamber to the mixer provided to reflux fluid into each for image build in prevent active pump by countermeasures. The entire fluidics stem is filled through a special filling opening, which is conveniently in the mixer opens for the different fluid flows. Electronic Label, the control center and the mobile data acquisition device expediently connected by wireless transmission channels.

According to the invention, the task is further described using the above derten device and a method in which the using a mobi len data acquisition device read article number of the goods with the ID number of the electronics located in the immediate vicinity of the goods is linked as an article data combination, that of the control center trale is transmitted and there with the price and the article name is added. Derived from this centrally stored combination of article data the image content for the display devices on the electronic Eti but also chain information for cash registers or warehouse management in the sense of integrated goods management, which also includes the sales area includes, derived.  

In order to explain the essence of the invention, it is necessary to illustrate which Product data link created by chaining different data must be so that a goods management enclosing the sales area tion is possible.

The known price labeling devices assume that in the Control center an assignment of the article, characterized by an Arti kelnummer at an item price and that this chaining to the in transfer the electronic label attached to the item must become. Incidentally, this same chaining becomes too in showrooms together with the item name transferred to electronic data registers and is available as a so-called PLU (Price Look Up) table if during the sales process the item is identified and item price and Item name is displayed for the customer or expressed. One of the advantages of such integrated goods management systems is namely, that when a change is made centrally, e.g. B. the article prices the current price both on the order of the item electronic label as well as on the customer display of the cash register is displayed or charged identically. The disadvantages of the known price Marking devices are now that the automatic Ver chaining only affects the item price with the item number, other chaining gene must be produced manually and therefore complex. That affects ins in particular, ensuring transparency for the customer in the Fra ge, which electronic label now which nearby item assigned.

Assuming that the control center already has chained data set of article number, article description and article price appears, appears it is advisable to send the article description electronically to the to transmit and display electronic label. So that will  the required transparency for the customer in the assignment of the article to electronic label without the z. B. an additional paper sticker About to be manufactured.

At the same time, this also opens up a better way of furnishing the pricing device in such a way that the assignment Electronic label for the item in question at the location of the article is made. Here too the need arises assignment of the electronic label to the article to a certain extent as confirmation, the item name in plain text on the electronic label to represent in a chain. This ensures maximum flexibility, errors in the installation advertise corrected immediately, the arrangement of the items can also be in Regarding the optimal use of the available product carriers on site and Body can be optimized.

In the course of the further automation of the goods management especially It is also to be expected in the sales rooms that there will also be a catering area creation of the relatively expensive sales area. That means that potential storage areas for items on the product carriers are encrypted and must be described in a virtual sales room. So that grows the number of data to be concatenated by another data group, which the or describes the locations of the articles. It seems appropriate to the Arti keldatenverbund to expand data on the location of the goods in the sales room tern.

Here too, the acquisition and reference formation of the individual data group provides pen is a problem that is best dealt with locally, d. H. at the location of the goods by entering a code on the product carrier that is with the same mobile Data acquisition device can be detected, can be solved.  

These described organizational principles can only be with one type realize a display device in the electronic label, which in its technical execution is new. A combination of one is necessary at least alphanumeric, but better graphical display with a be particularly low energy consumption. Common display devices with egg LCD displays are low in energy requirements. The power consumption be carries 50 depending on the size of the ad. . . 100 µW. If you look at numeri (7 segments) characters for the representation of the item price and on some A few, firmly structured special characters are no less than 20 µW expected as a power requirement. The power consumption of the microprocessor in the control unit, which is constantly used to refresh the information shown is required, not taken into account.

A price change of an article is statistically not more than one times a day necessary. This is between two item price changes ne energy of at least 0.72 Ws is required. This energy requirement multiplied multiple times if alphanumeric characters in a pixel structure to be displayed with multiplex control. Because of this fact haltes it becomes clear that between improvement of the organizational structure ei ner price or goods labeling device and the availability of a for this purpose optimal display device be a close relationship stands.

An important solution element is to move a display device apply in the periods between expected changes in the shown information no energy supply to receive the displayed In formation needs, regardless of whether it is numeric, alphanume or graphic information. Independent of the image content Conserving gig from an external energy supply are visually out valuable contrast values of image cells as an energetically stable state  put. At least two different contrast values are considered energetically stable bile conditions necessary, the transition from one to the other was achieved through the targeted addition of energy. The need the supply of energy to move from one state to the other arises from the requirement that there is no drifting from one state over time takes place in the others, consequently the at least two must be energetic table stable states embody a low energy state pern.

Image cells of this type are widely known in the art, such as. B. a two leaf spring clamped on one side with a light deflecting mirror, which is by Einlei force moves to a second stable position or substances that when heating and applying an electric field, their optical Have properties changed between two states.

For a technical implementation of the principle, however, it should be noted that a targeted supply of energy to increase the energy state of one Image cell also requires means for targeted energy supply. In case of emergency agile high number of picture cells may result in a com complicated structure of the means for supplying energy. This is based on a case clearly. For the display of the article name on an electronic The labels inside a goods labeling device are in the Mini mum 16 alphanumeric characters required. The legible representation of this Characters in a so-called starburst configuration (14 surface elements per character) gives a total of 224 surface elements, to which the energy e.g. B. must be supplied via electrical conductors. There is also another Electrode structure e.g. B. for the introduction of an electric field for the Än change in the position of the optically active molecules. Even with a matrix Wiring the conductors and electrodes results in a costly, structure difficult to manufacture. It is cheaper if the energy increase  on all picture cells at the same time z. B. by heating the total The device acts and selectively only the direction of the change of state is directed. However, an increase in energy through heat appears proble matically, considering that an unwanted dissipation of heat un is avoidable and who already uses scarce energy resources the.

A display that optimally fulfills the object of the invention device is implemented in a consistent implementation of the above Considerations in it seen increasing the energy level by initiating a kinetic To effect energy on all ad volume elements that the ad rel wear vanten surface elements. The amount of this kinetic energy can stay small if these image cells are made with minimal volume or mass are permitted and only slight friction losses occur during their movement hen. An advantageous embodiment consists of these volume elements as To design part of a liquid column, which is in a closed Ka Move the channel arrangement.

The idea underlying the invention is described in the following Be writing based on an embodiment that nä in the drawings is illustrated here.

Show it:

Fig. 1 is a front view of a known electronic label;

Fig. 2 shows the mode of operation of producing an article data network in the known electronic price marking devices;

Fig. 3 is a front view of the electronic Eti chains according to the invention;

Figure 4 shows the mode of operation of the production of an expanded article data combination in the device according to the invention for labeling goods.

Fig. 5 is a simple block diagram of the transmission channel between the control center and electronic label;

Fig. 6 shows the structure of the tenwortes transferred to the electronic label;

Fig. 7 shows the construction of the structure Fluidikanordnung;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged view of the structure of the display area of the display device;

Fig. 9 is a diagram of the control circuit in the signal converter;

Fig. 10 shows the course of the communication signal;

FIG. 11a is a cross-section of the overflow channel in accordance with FIG. 8;

Fig. 11b is a cross-sectional view of the channel shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 12a is a cross-sectional view of the micropump according to Fig. 7;

Fig. 12b is a plan view of a pumping chamber;

13a is a schematic diagram of the mixer with active pump P1.

Figure 13b is a schematic diagram of the mixer with active pump P2.

FIG. 14a view the constructive design of the electronic label in plan;

Fig. 14b the structural design of the electronic label in the section AA.

Known electronic labels 1 , as shown in Fig. 1, contain a nu merische display device 8 , on which the item price 23 is displayed with the help of several 7-segment characters 88 . The layout of the display device 8 can vary according to the actual conditions of use. For example, different numbers of digits and separate nu meric display areas for volume prices are known. The use of special flags 52 for the display by masking the display device 8 of fixed information is known and supports the organization of the electronic price labeling device. The Stromversor supply of the electronic label 1 takes place in the example by a solar cell 17th

As shown in FIG. 2, the electronic label 1 is fastened to the goods carrier 4 in the vicinity of the goods 42 to be marked. In general, the goods 42 are provided with a label 43 which usually contains at least one article number imprint 45 for unambiguous identification of the goods 42 and, in modern goods management systems, a barcode 46 "article".

In order to change the price marking 88 when the article price 23 changes in connection with the goods management, the electronic label 1 located on the goods carrier 4 in the vicinity of the goods 42 is to be addressed. For this purpose, each electronic label 1 receives an address in connection with a setup process, which is stored in the register 82 . This address is logically identical to the article number 24 , so that the control center 20 can provide a clear information transmission via the transmitting antenna 29 to the receiving sensor 18 . In the electronic label 1 , the received information is fed via a reception amplifier 86 to comparison registers 83 and 85 . A microprocessor 81 performs the comparison between the contents of the comparison registers 83 and 85 and, if the respective electronic label 1 is correctly addressed, carries out a change in the price label 88 if the item price information 23 in the register 85 differs from the item price information in the register 84 . The article price 23 assigned to article number 24 in goods management 21 is logically mapped in register 84 in the form of an illustration A2.

The effort involved in the installation becomes clear. A reference R2 must be established between the neutral label 1 and the product 42 . It follows in such a way that the control center 20 transfers the relevant article number 24 of the goods 42 to the register 82 for the article number. Logically there is a mapping Al of the article number 23 from the goods management 21 into the register 82 of the electronic label 1 . Then the electronic label 1 must be attached to the goods carrier 4 in the vicinity of the goods 42 , identified by the same article number 45 or the barcode 46 . For the customer, who would like to advertise such an excellent product 42 and thereby orientate himself on the price marking 88 on the electronic label 1 , a clear relationship R1 is to be established which avoids misunderstandings. With the large number of goods 42 on offer and the large number of possible goods carriers 4 , the reference R1 cannot always be clearly established by a geometric relationship. Unique to the relationship ness produce R1, typically a name plate 7 is to be arranged on the electronic label 1 that is produced by a special printer 6, and warp on a reserved space on the electronic Eti is attached. 1 The content of the name plate 7 is derived from the article name 23 stored in the goods management 21 . This process of printing and attaching the name tag 7 represents a further illustration A3 of a virtual image 27 of the real conditions on the goods carrier 4 with its priced goods 42 in the goods management 21 .

A fundamental change in the logic of an electronic pricing device is achieved by a type of electronic label 1 , as shown in Fig. 3. In contrast to the embodiment in Fig. 1, a display device 2 is used, which is universal with regard to the image content 5 to be displayed for the goods labeling, that is, both nu merische, alphanumeric and graphic information. The critical reference R1 according to FIG. 2 can thus be replaced by an automated relationship in that not only the article price 23 but also the article name 22 is mapped onto the display device 2 of the electronic label 1 from the goods management 21 . In this manner, a clear relationship arises for the buyer of the goods 42 between the goods 42 with the goods label 43 and the electronic label 1 . The setup process of the electronic labels 1 assumes that the references R1 and R4 to be produced (see FIG. 4) for assigning the goods 42 to a specific electronic label 1 in the real sales room on the goods carrier 4 is carried out. There is the best overview of the real space conditions on the goods carrier 4 and the optimal arrangement of the goods 42 for the person who is in charge of the installation, even under sales-promoting and aesthetic aspects. For this purpose, a mobile data acquisition device 30 is provided that establishes a reference between the distinctive ID number label 25 and the product 42 in question. This reference is stored in the registers 34 and 35 and mapped in the goods management 21 . In principle, there is the possibility of expanding this reference by a further reference by adding the ID number 26 of the goods carrier 4 . The ID number of the goods carrier 26 is read from the goods carrier ID plate 41 using the mobile data acquisition device 30 , stored in the register 36 and together with the article number 24 from the register 34 and the ID number label 25 from the register 35 transmitted to the goods management 21 via the transmitter module 37 and the transmitter antenna 38 located on the mobile data acquisition device 30 .

It is useful if the ID number 26 on the product carrier 4 from a product carrier ID label 41 as a barcode, similar to the article barcode 46 , is read by the mobile data acquisition device 30 with the aid of the decoder barcode 32 and the reading head for barcode 39 to avoid different detection principles. In the same way, the ID number label 25 can thus be read by applying a label ID label 10 to the electronic label 1 , on which the ID number label 25 is stored in the form of a bar code. The ID number label 25 is also stored in an ID number ROM 11 . Both numbers on the label ID plate 10 and in the ID number ROM 11 are stamped unmistakably and cannot be changed in the course of the manufacturing process of the electronic label 1 .

Through the illustration A4 of the reference between article number 24 of the goods 42 on the goods carrier 4 with the ID no. Merchandise carrier 26 and the ID number label 25 in the goods management 21 is carried out via the article number 24, a further reference formation with the article name 22 and the article price 23 , so that a total of an article data combination 27 with five linked non-cash benefits is created, which is a virtual one Representation of the situation in the sales room. The figure A5 in the display device 2 of the electronic label 1 is only for the information of the customer with regard to article designation 22 , article price 23 and possibly other facts that are displayed via special flags 52 .

In contrast to the device described in FIGS. 1 and 2 with the comparison of register contents 82 , 83 , 84 , 85 carried out there, no information processing takes place in the electronic labels 1 according to FIGS. 3 and 4.

As shown in FIG. 5, after receiving the communication signal s _a (t) emitted by the control center 20 via the antenna 29 , a preamplification 14 and a demodulation 15 take place with the aid of the sensor 18 . The image content 5 is transmitted directly as a modulation Φ _a (t) of a signal carrier. A gate 13 is then opened when the address signals contained in the transmission signal of the control center 20 are identical to the ID number label 25 , stored in the ID number ROM 11 of the relevant electronic label 1 . A signal converter 16 directly converts the communication signal s _a (t) or the image content function Φ _a (t) of the control center 20 into the flow quantity functions Φ ₁ (t) and Φ ₂ (t), as used for the display of the image content 5 on the On display device 2 is needed. The modulation corresponds to the character of a pulse length modulation.

The addressing of the electronic label 1 is carried out by an address information that is inserted at the beginning of the data stream between the control center 20 and the electronic label 1 . This results in a data record structure, as shown in FIG. 6. After an address preamble 100 received for synchronization of the demodulator 15 , the label address 101 is arranged secured with a CRC control character 102 . This is followed by the transmission of the synchronization preamble 103 for the channel structure of the display device 2 and then the actual image content function Φ _a (t) 104 . The transmission is ended with a switch-off signal 105 .

The display device 2 only requires energy for the period of the conversion of the image content function Φ _a (t) into the flow quantity function Φ ₁ (t) and Φ ₂ (t), ie for the period of the transmission of the image content 5 .

The need for an energy supply in the event that no new image content 5 is transmitted is reduced to the energy requirement of the communication module 19th

An embodiment of a display device 2 of the type described above is described schematically in FIG. 7. Two micropumps 77 and 78 for two different types of fluids 56 and 57 with different colors. B. white and black in a meandering channel arrangement 50th The fluids 56 and 57 are alternately brought together at the mixer 70 and then enter the meander 50 via the inlet opening 49 . The meander 50 forms a grid-shaped image field 3 , ie the image content 5 to be displayed is formed by length modulation of the one fluid 56 with respect to the other fluid 57 . Contrast changes occur in the direction of the contrast of the fluid 56 to 57 or from 57 to 56 between the two fluids 56 and 57 . When changing the image content, the modulated fluid types are pushed through the outlet 54 of the channel arrangement into a separator 55 , in which both types of fluid are fed separately to the respective micropump 77 or 78 . The device is energetically stable in that it is a closed channel arrangement in which when the micro pumps 77 and 78 are switched off , pressure equalization takes place and further movement of the fluids 56 and 57 is not possible.

The use of a length modulation for generating the image content 5 can also be applied to the modulation of the communication signal s _a (t) from the control center 20 to the electronic label 1 , so that, as shown in FIG. 5, a very simple structure for controlling the Display device 2 is formed, which consists essentially of a communication module 19 , a signal converter 16 and image field 3 . Character generators are implemented in the stationary control center 20 , the flexibility of the image content 5 of the display device 2 is essentially limited by the achievable resolution of the channel density of the meander 50 and the steepness of the contrast changes and their offset between fluid 56 and fluid 57 .

In order to achieve a suitable quality of the representation of the image content 5 of the display device 2 , it is important that the contrast changes 56 to 57 or 57 to 56 are pushed into the meander 50 with a sufficiently precise position.

In FIG. 8 is a detailed illustration of the meander 50 is shown under the particular aspect of the required accuracy of the individual channels 51 and 53 of the meander 50. In the exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 11a, 11b and 12a, a "100" oriented silicon wafer is used as the base body 65 for the meander 50 , in which the channel structures 51 , 53 are introduced by anisotropic etching and which is covered by a glass cover layer 66 becomes. The advantage is that channels 51 and 53 can be manufactured with very high accuracy using this manufacturing method. In the exemplary embodiment, the width b _{s of} the viewing channels 51 is 0.4 mm. Due to the position of the crystal planes exposed by anisotropic etching, the surface area of the channel cross section of the viewing channels 51 is A _p = 0.057 mm ² . The distance a _{s of} the channels 51 from center to center, on the other hand, is 0.5 mm, so that in this exemplary embodiment the resolution in the x direction is 2 lines / mm. The resolution in the y direction, however, results from the accuracy of the metering of the two different colored fluids 56 and 57 . The resulting lengths of the fluids 56 and 57 in the meander 50 are described by the image content function Φ _a (t), which is thus also an expression of the image content 5 . In the exemplary embodiment described, metering accuracies of neighboring viewing channels 51 of δ <0.02 mm are realized. The picture cells 75 formed by impulse length control, from which the picture content Φ _a (t) builds up, are 0.4.0.5 mm ^{2 in} size with a strictly grid-like arrangement of the cells, these dimensions resulting from the width b _{s of} the viewing channels 51 and the length l _{p can be} determined by the control software in the control unit 20 . For a better image quality, it is therefore also conceivable not to control the length l _{p of} the image cell 75 in multiples of the grid of the distance a _s , but rather ana log with variable and freely selectable length l _p . The accuracy δ <0.02 mm is achieved by a precisely controlled metering device as part of the signal converter 16 . For this purpose, the Flußge speed of the fluid 55 , 56 in the meander 50 is precisely controlled to get a clear relationship between the frequency of the communication signal s _a (t) and the length l _{p of} the image cells 75 . The determination of the Ge speed of the fluid 55 , 56 is carried out by determining the transit time t _k in egg nem measuring channel 48 from the sensor 73 to the sensor 74 for a certain contrast change 62 or 63 which is between the two fluid types 55 , 56 . The measuring channel 48 can be identical to the first viewing channel 51 of the meander 50 . The sensors 73 , 74 are preferably optical sensors which can register the change in contrast 62 , 63 between the two fluid types 56 and 57 on account of their spectral sensitivity. The sensors 73 and 74 are applied to the glass cover layer 66 and detect the contrast changes 94 , 95 . The corresponding sensor 74 is expediently arranged directly after the first viewing channel 51 , the sensor 73 directly before the most viewing channel 51 .

It is also appropriate that the cross section of the overflow channel 53 is smaller than the cross section of the viewing channel 51 . An error δ _{p of} the image cells 75 in adjacent viewing channels 51 in the overflow channels 53 is more strongly resolved when measuring the synchronization contrast changes 94 and 95 for the sensor 74 , the control deviation thus becoming smaller overall.

If these overflow channels 53 z. B. executed mm with a width of 0.05 and going from a resolution of the optical sensors 73 and 74 of 0.125 mm, it follows per view channel 51, a measurement error of δ <0.005 mm, which accordingly in view of a total of 160 channels 51 In extreme cases, the 80 mm length of the display area can add up to 0.8 mm offset. This value is acceptable.

The transit times t _k determined by the sensor 74 intervene in a phase control circuit which is shown in FIG. 9. At first a coarse synchronizers tion of the performance of the micro-pump 77 and to reach to the communication signal s _(t) 78, the communication signal s _(t) eight alternating synchronization contrast change 94 and 95 comprises, in a time interval, which upon reaching the target speed of the fluid 56 , 57 correspond to the throughput time t _k between the sensors 73 and 74 .

But since the speed of the fluid 56 and 57 , which by the Förderlei performance of the micropumps 77 and 78 at the beginning of the renewal process of the image content with a high probability does not match the target speed, there is a phase difference ϕ _a (t) of the determined at the sensor 74 Synchronization contrast change 94 or 95 with respect to the corresponding edge of the communication signal s _a (t). In the simplest case, this difference is obtained in a phase comparator 90 by multiplying the signal s _a (t) by the signal determined by the sensor 74 . The phase difference signal ϕ _a (t) is amplified, filtered with a low-pass filter 92 and influences the amplitude of the pump control pulses p _i (t). The amplitude of the pump control pulses p _i1 (t) or p _i2 (t) in turn influences the flux gen Φ ₁ (t) or Φ ₂ (t) in such a way that the next phase synchronization 94 or 95 the phase difference signal ϕ _a (t), which is determined from the difference of the edges of the communication signal s _a (t) with the signal s ₇₄ (t) registered by the sensor 74 , has become smaller. In the manner of a phase-locked loop, the phase position between the communication signal s _a (t) and the sensor signal s ₇₄ (t) snaps into place.

Since the pump power not only one, but both micropumps 77 and 78 must be adjusted to the required flow rates Φ ₁ (t) and Φ ₂ (t), the direction of the synchronization contrast change 94 or 95 is also evaluated and the amplitude of the Micropump 77 or 78 affected.

Depending on the time constant of the low pass 92 , the process after several z. B. 8 synchronization contrast changes 94 and 95 completed. This syn chronization contrast changes 94 and 95 are pushed after complete change of the image content of the display device in the separator 55 , so that these contrast changes used for the initial synchronization of the pumping power of the micropumps 77 and 78 are not visible.

After completion of the startup synchronization process, the actual transfer of the image content function funktion _a (t) from the control center 20 takes place . Further contrast changes 62 and 63 carrying the image content 5 are thus generated by alternately controlling the micropumps 77 and 78 .

In order to achieve the signal s _(t) sufficiently accurate Synchro tion of the pumping power for the entire duration, further in the communication signal s _(t) synchronization contrast changes are tung inserted 94 or 95 certain Rich, whose purpose is solely therein to ensure the function of the phase-locked loop shown in FIG. 9. Together with the synchronization contrast change 94 and 95 during the synchronization process, they form a very specific, constant fundamental frequency in the communication signal s _a (t), to which the phase-locked loop during the entire duration of the change in the image content or the image content function Φ _a (t ) is locked. These synchronization contrast changes 94 and 95, which are only required for the synchronization, are located in the overflow channels 53 ( FIG. 7) after the process of changing the image content 5 , which are covered with an image field cover 76 and are therefore not visible. In order to provide a corresponding control range, the volume of the overflow channels 53 corresponds exactly to two image cells 75 . If one assumes that the image cells 75 of a viewing channel 51 are filled in 1 second in the exemplary embodiment, the permissible drift of the pumping power is 1% / sec, a value that can be realistically realized.

Since the direction of the contrast changes 94 and 95 is derived from the synchronization frequency f _s = 1 / T _s , further so-called connection contrast changes 96 , 97 must be inserted as required, depending on the color or fluid 56 or 57 of the last one image cell 75 in the viewing channel 51 and the next picture cell 75 joins in subsequent viewing channel 51st These connection contrast changes 96 , 97 are, if they are required, when the image content 5 has been changed in the overflow channels 53 and are thus covered.

An overview of the signal profiles s _a (t) and Φ _a (t) is shown in FIG. 10.

The mode of operation of the two micropumps 77 and 78 is explained in more detail in FIGS. 12a and b. Expediently, the micropumps 77 , 78 as well as the viewing channels 51 and the overflow channels 53 are introduced into an 100-oriented silicon as a common base body 65 by anisotropic etching. The inlet channels 68 and the outlet channel 69 have different dynamic flow resistances with approximately the same overall chemical cross section. The pump chamber 67 , into which the inlet channels 68 open and from which the outlet channel 69 leads , has an approximately square area. Together with the glass cover layer 66 , a chamber 67 is formed , on which a piezo disk 64 acts. The piezo disk 64 is firmly connected on one side to the glass cover layer 66 , so that when the pump control pulses p _i (t) are applied to the electrodes of the piezo disk 64 in the manner of a bimorph, a curvature of the piezo disk 64 takes place together with the glass cover layer 66 . As a result, a pressure pulse is generated in the pump chamber 67 . When using sawtooth-shaped pump control pulses p _i (t) for the piezo disk 64 , the pressure pulse in the pumping chamber 67 is also approximately sawtooth-shaped. Due to the different geometry of the inlet channels 68 and the outlet channel 59 , a transition of the laminar flow of the fluid 56 , 57 into a turbulent flow is achieved at different times, so that a resultant volume flow of the fluid over the entire sawtooth-shaped pump control pulse p _i (t) 56 , 57 takes place in a preferred direction. Via the amplitude (the frequency would also be possible) of the pump control pulse p _i (t), the delivery performance of the fluids 56 , 57 is regulated.

The micropumps 77 , 78 used in the exemplary embodiment generate a volume output Φ ₁ (t) and Φ ₂ (t) of 150 pl per control pulse, and 150 μl are delivered in one second. It follows from these values that a pump surge causes a height offset of an image cell 75 in the viewing channel 51 of 0.01 mm. Thus, the resolution achievable by pump pulses is to be assessed as sufficiently large, considering that approximately 5 pump pulses are necessary to control an offset of 0.05 mm between image cells 75 of adjacent viewing channels 51 . Another view relates to the time to change the image content 5 of the entire display device 2 . With the micro pump 77 , 78 with the same assumed power, 1.92 min is necessary for this, a time which is sufficient for the intended application.

In the manner of the micropump 77 , 78 described here is justified that the lack of statically acting valves, the micropump 77 , 78 at low flow resistances of the fluid 56 , 57 only a small resistance bil det. An exact function of the alternating dosing of both fluids 56 , 57 requires that the fluid flow through which the micropump 78 is absolutely blocked when z. B. to promote the micropump 77 . The use of static valves is prohibited because of the errors to be observed. As an alternative function for static valves, two additional control loops are introduced, which are formed from the sensor 71 together with the micropump 77 , as well as the sensor 72 and the micropump 78 . Supports namely the micropump 77 , the fluid 56 as shown in FIG. 13 a, not only presses in the direction of the meander 50 , but also in the direction of the micropump 78 . In order to avoid that a large metering error occurs or even the fluid 56 gets into the micro pump 78 , as soon as a change in contrast 62 is registered by the sensor 72 , the micropump 78 is activated until the change in contrast 63 is measured at the sensor 72 . This results in a control oscillation at the location of the sensor 72 , which is triggered by the readjustment of the micropump 78 . The control oscillation can be kept small in a known manner by an optimal dimensioning of the control circuit, consisting of micropump 78 , sensor 72 and signal amplifier, so that this control circuit operates to a certain extent like a precise static valve in the considered accuracy range. The reversal of the function in the event that the micropump 78 is instructed to meter the fluid 57 for the meander 50 is shown in FIG. 13b. When switching one micropump 77 , 78 to the other, a small systematic error arises, which corresponds to the channel volume of the mixer area 70 . The error can be kept sufficiently small or compensated for by small cross sections of the channels or by inserting a further sensor 73 .

After completing the insertion of the two-tone fluid 56 , 57 in the Mäan of 50 , the energy supply can be switched off for any length of time. The fluidic system is in an energetically stable state with constant pressure conditions at all points of the device.

If a new picture content 5 is desired, the old picture content is shifted out in the manner of a shift register by the new information. To close the circuit, it is necessary to separate the two fluids 56 , 57 from one another and to supply them to separate storage containers. In the game Ausführungsbei a so-called separator 55 is used. The separation of the two fluids 56 and 57 takes place by utilizing a different physical property, z. B. the surface tension or the magnetic egg properties. In the present example, the different weights of the two fluids 56 , 57 are used . If the weights of both fluids 56 differ from those of 57 by approx. 10%, a separation of both fluids takes place in a sufficiently short time, provided that the influence of the surface tension can be kept small by the geometrical dimensioning of the separator 55 . The inlet 54 is then conveniently located in the middle of the height of the separator 55 , the drains 59 at the highest point, the drain 58 at the lowest point, provided that the fluid 57 is lighter than the fluid 56 . Artificial gravity is generated when a fluid e.g. B. 56 is equipped with magnetic properties. The separator 55 is basically of the same design, only an external magnetic field of a permanent magnet acts on the lower part.

Regardless of the separation process, the process of separation at the fluids 56 , 57 can be supported by two liquids which mix little from nature, e.g. B. oil and water.

The supply of fluids 56 , 57 in the separator is at least twice the volume in the meander 50 and in the micropumps 77 and 78 , since it must be assumed that the image content 5 can only contain one color state. The meander 50 , the micropumps 77 and 78 and all connecting channels are filled with the fluid 56 via the filling opening 61 . The filling volume corresponds to approximately 50% of the total filling quantity of both fluids. Then fluid 57 is added until fluid exits at the overflow 60 . The presence of air pockets in the micropumps 77 and 78 as well as in the meander 50 and in the connecting channels is to be avoided because the function of the micropumps 77 , 78 is greatly impaired. It is expedient to initiate the filling of fluids at the branch point, the mixer 50 , in order to support spreading in all channel branches. After the filling process, the overflow 60 and the filling opening 61 are closed airtight.

In the embodiment of the display device described above, an independent functional unit is now created, which can display the information to be displayed over a long period of time, independently of the activation by a microprocessor and a power supply. The micropumps 77 , 78 are only activated in the event of a change in the image content 5 .

Fig. 14 shows the structural design of the electronic label 1. The base body 65 is received in a carrier part 9 together with the glass cover layer 66 and the sensors 71 to 74 attached thereon, piezo disks 64 and the solar cell 17 . In the carrier part 9 there is the separator 55 , which has four connection points for fluids 54 , 58 , 59 , 61 with the base body 65 . All four connection points are sealed by elastic O-ring 79 . The carrier part 9 simultaneously receives the electronic plate 80 , which contains all the necessary electronic components for the construction of the communication module 19 and signal converter 16 and an energy storage for buffering the energy supplied by the solar cell 17 .

The invention has been described above using selected features and been shown. Of course, the invention is not limited to this illustration limited, but can all features alone or in any Combination, regardless of their summary in the claims chen, are used.  

Reference list

1

Electronic label

2nd

Display device

3rd

Image field

4th

Goods carrier

5

Image content (location function)

6

Printer name tag

7

Name tag

8th

Display device, num.

9

Carrier part

10th

Label ID sign

11

ID number ROM label

12th

Address comparator

13

gate

14

Preamplifier

15

Demodulator

16

Signal converter

17th

Solar cell

18th

sensor

19th

Communication module

20th

Control center

21

Goods management

22

Item name

23

Item price

24th

item number

25th

ID number label

26

ID no. Goods carrier

27

Article data combination

28

Receiver data acquisition

29

Control center transmitter antenna

30th

Mobile data acquisition device

31

Control processor

32

Decoder barcode

33

Display data acquisition

34

Item number tab

35

Register ID number label

36

Register ID number goods carrier

37

Transmitter module

38

Transmitting antenna data acquisition

39

Barcode reading head

40

41

Product ID tag

42

Would

43

Goods label

44

Item labeling

45

Item number imprint

46

Barcode article

47

48

Measuring channel

49

Inlet opening meander

50

meander

51

Viewing channel

52

Special flags

53

Overflow channel

54

Infeed in separator

55

separator

56

Fluid type

56

57

Fluid type

57

58

Spout separator fluid

56

59

Spout separator fluid

57

60

Overflow

61

Filling opening

62

Color change of type

56

on type

57

63

Color change of type

57

on type

56

64

Piezo disk

65

Basic body

66

Glass top layer

67

Pumping chamber

68

Inlet channel

69

Drain channel

70

mixer

71

Sensor S1

72

Sensor S2

73

S3 sensor

74

S4 sensor

75

Image cell

76

Image field coverage

77

Micropump P1

78

Micropump P2

79

O-ring

80

Electronics board

81

microprocessor

82

Register for article number

83

Comparison register article number

84

Item price register

85

Comparison register item price

86

Reception amplifier

87

88

Price labeling

89

90

Phase comparator

91

Sensor amplifier S3, S4

92

Low pass

93

Pump control

94

Synchronization contrast change from Type

56

on type

57

95

Synchronization contrast change from Type

57

on type

56

96

Connection contrast change Typ

56

on Type

57

97

Connection contrast change Typ

57

on Type

56

98

99

100

Address preamble

101

Address label

102

CRC control mark

103

Synchronization preamble display

104

Image content function

105

Shutdown signal

106

107

108

109

110

Communication signal s _a

(t)

111

Image content function Φ _a

(t)

112

Phase difference signal ϕ _a

(t)

113

Pump control pulses p _i

(t)

114

Sensor signal S ₇₄

(t)

115

Flow quantity function Φ ₁

(t) and Φ ₂

(t)

Claims (19)

1. Device for displaying prices, article names and Chen Chen Chen information on product carriers in department stores and warehouses with the help of attached to the product carriers display devices in electronic labels, which is functionally connected to an external control center in such a way that the control center is a single electronic Addressing the label and transferring information about this electronic label can be characterized in that

• - The electronic label ( 1 ) has a graphic display device ( 2 ) with energetically bistable contrast-generating image cells ( 75 )
• - In the electronic label ( 1 ) there is a receiving communication module ( 19 ) which contains a ROM ( 11 ) with a permanently set unique label identification number ( 25 ) and via an address comparator ( 12 ) for comparing the label identification number ( 25 ) with the address signals ( 100 ) of the external control center ( 20 ) and a gate ( 13 ) for releasing the image content ( 111 ) carrying modulation of the signal carrier to the graphic display device ( 2 )
• - A mobile data acquisition device ( 30 ) with a reading head for barcode ( 39 ) for reading the product identification number ( 26 ), the label identification number ( 25 ) and the article number ( 24 ) for setting up is available and that with the control center ( 20 ) communicates.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the graphic display device ( 2 ) consists of a fluidic system with a meander ( 50 ) and at least two fluids ( 56 , 57 ) differing in contrast, where in the meander ( 50 ) viewing channels ( 51 ), which parallel to a grid occupy an image field ( 3 ) and which are connected to each other by covered overflow channels ( 53 ), and that at least two micropumps ( 77 ) and ( 78 ) each have one of the fluids ( 56 ) or ( 57 ) alternately in the meander ( 50 ) via a mixer ( 70 ) and in accordance with the image content function Φ _a (t). 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 and 2, characterized in that the meander ( 50 ) with its viewing channels ( 51 ) and overflow channels ( 53 ) an inlet channel ( 49 ) which is in communication with the mixer ( 70 ), and an outlet ( 54 ) into a separator ( 55 ) in which the fluids ( 56 , 57 ) are separated due to different physical properties and the separator ( 55 ) has at least two outlet openings ( 58 ; 59 ) for the separated fluids ( 56 ; 57 ) and that each has an outlet opening ( 58 ; 59 ) with one of the micropumps ( 77 ) or ( 78 ) via inlet channels ( 68 ) and that the micropumps ( 77 ; 78 ) via additional outlet channels ( 69 ) with the mixer ( 70 ) are connected, so that a closed nes fluidic system is present. 4. Apparatus according to claim 1 to 3, characterized in that the fluids ( 56 ) or ( 57 ) have different weights and that on the separator ( 55 ) has an outlet ( 58 ) for the fluid ( 56 ) and an outlet ( 59 ) for the fluid ( 57 ) are attached at different heights. 5. Apparatus according to claim 1 to 3, characterized in that one of the two fluids ( 56 ; 57 ) has magnetic properties and that the separator ( 55 ) is surrounded by a magnetic field separating the fluids ( 56 ; 57 ). 6. The device according to claim 1 to 3, characterized in that the Mi kropumpen one or more measuring channels ( 48 ) are downstream, the sensors with Sen ( 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 ) for detecting changes in contrast in the fluid flow in connection. 7. Apparatus according to claim 1 to 3 and 6, characterized in that the measuring channel ( 48 ) which is based on the direction of the fluid flow first view channel 51 of the meander ( 50 ) and the sensors ( 73 , 74 ) with which he Most view channel ( 51 ) connected overflow channels ( 53 ) are arranged. 8. Apparatus according to claim 1 to 3 and 6, 7, characterized in that the overflow channels ( 53 ) between the viewing channels ( 51 ) have a smaller cross section than the cross sections of the viewing channels ( 51 ). 9. The device according to claim 1 to 8, characterized in that in the image content function Φ _a (t), which is transmitted from the control center ( 20 ) to the electronic label ( 1 ) as modulation of a signal carrier s _a (t), synchronization Contrast changes ( 94 , 95 ) are inserted into the fluid stream at constant time intervals, which are provided for controlling the delivery rate of the micropumps ( 77 , 78 ). 10. The device according to claim 1 to 9, characterized in that the sensors ( 73 , 74 ) at the beginning and end of the measuring channel ( 48 ) are arranged which register the synchronization contrast changes ( 94 , 95 ) inserted in the fluid stream and which with a Input of a phase comparator ( 90 ) are connected and the other input of the phase comparator ( 90 ) is connected to the communication module ( 19 ), the output of the phase comparator being connected to a pump control ( 93 ) and having a phase locked loop for synchronization between the communication signal from the control center ( 20 ) s _a (t) and the Förderlei performance of the micropumps ( 77 , 78 ) forms. 11. The device according to claim 1 to 10, characterized in that the viewing channels ( 51 ), the overflow channels ( 53 ), the inlet channels ( 68 ) and the From channels ( 69 ) between the micropumps ( 77 ) and ( 78 ) with the mixer ( 70 ) are designed as V-shaped or trapezoidal channels and that the mini pumps ( 77 ) and ( 78 ) have rectangular pumping chambers ( 67 ) into which V-shaped or trapezoidal channels enter and that the base body ( 65 ) is a 100- Oriented silicon wafer is in which the channels are introduced by anisotropic etching, and the base body ( 65 ) is covered by a cover layer ( 66 ) made of glass or silicon and that on the cover layer ( 66 ) piezo disks ( 64 ) as a drive for the pumping chambers ( 67 ) are arranged. 12. The apparatus of claim 1 to 11, characterized in that the inlet channel ( 68 ) before entering the pumping chamber ( 67 ) is divided into several sub-channels, the total cross section of which is approximately equal to the cross section of the outlet channel ( 69 ), so that there are different dynamic Set flow resistances and the pump control pulses p _i (t) for the control of the piezo disk ( 64 ) on the pump chamber ( 67 ) have a steep rising flank and a less steep descending flank. 13. The apparatus according to claim 1 to 12, characterized in that the drain channels ( 69 ) between the micropumps ( 77 , 78 ) and the mixer ( 70 ) are in connection with sensors ( 71 , 72 ) which are capable of contrast change ( 62 , 63 ) and a counter-control of the micropumps ( 77 , 78 ) is present, which prevents the micropump ( 77 ) or ( 78 ) fluid ( 56 ) active for building up the image content 5 in the meander ( 50 ) ) or ( 57 ) in the inactive micropump ( 78 ) or ( 77 ). 14. Device according to claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the filling of the fluid system takes place through a special filling opening ( 61 ), an overflow ( 60 ) is present and that the fluid system is airtight after filling. 15. The device according to claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the filling opening ( 61 ) with the mixer ( 70 ) is in communication in order to exert a uniform filling pressure on all channel branches of the fluidic system. 16. The apparatus according to claim 1 to 3, characterized in that the connection between the electronic label ( 1 ) and control center ( 20 ) wire is loose. 17. The apparatus according to claim 1 to 3, characterized in that the connection between the mobile data acquisition device ( 30 ) and control center ( 20 ) is wireless. 18. A method for managing goods in department stores and warehouses and management of addresses of electronic labels with display devices which are attached to goods carriers and which are connected to a control center in connection using the above device, characterized in that with the aid of a mobile data acquisition device ( 30 ) read in succession and stored in registers ( 34 ), ( 35 ) and ( 36 )

• - An article number ( 24 ), which is arranged on the goods ( 42 ) on a goods identification plate ( 43 )
• - Goods carrier identification numbers ( 26 ) which are arranged at least one goods carrier identification plate ( 41 ) on the goods carrier
• - A label identification number ( 25 ), which is arranged on the electronic label ( 1 ) on a label identification plate ( 10 ) and that the reference
• - Article number ( 24 )
• - Product identification number ( 26 )
• - Label identification number ( 25 )

is chained in the mobile data acquisition device ( 30 ) as an article data network ( 27 ) and that this article data network ( 27 ) is transmitted to the control center ( 20 ) and that this article data network ( 27 ) in the control center ( 20 ) continues with the article name ( 22 ) and the article price ( 23 ) is added. 19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that the goods carrier identification number ( 26 ), the label identification number ( 25 ) and the article number ( 24 ) equally have the form of an optically readable bar code by the same receiving device ( 28 ) the mo bile data acquisition device ( 30 ) can be read.