SYSTEM FOR DISPLAYING PRICES BY MEANS OF A DISPLAY PANEL

Abstract

A system for displaying prices has a display panel in which a wirelessly controllable display apparatus having a display and a device for wireless acquisition of data is arranged. The display forms an image on the basis of received data, wherein a temperature sensor is also provided in the display panel and a receiving module is provided for receiving and processing data. The system has a control device which is formed on the display panel and which, on the basis of signals from the temperature sensor, can activate or deactivate the receiving module independently of received signals.

Claims

1-10. (canceled)

11. A system for displaying prices, comprising a display panel (1), in which a wirelessly actuatable display apparatus with a display (1) and a device for the wireless acquisition of data are arranged, in particular in relation to motor vehicles (2), wherein the display (8) builds an image based upon received data, wherein a temperature sensor (16) is provided in the display panel (1), and a reception module is provided for receiving and processing data, wherein, in an activated state, the display (8) builds the image or rebuilds the image at larger time intervals than correspond to the time interval relative to data transmission for an image buildup of the display (8), and further comprising a control device formed on the display panel (1), the control device being configured to activate or deactivate the reception module based upon received signals of the temperature sensor, independently of received signals, wherein a temperature monitoring of the system takes place only in the deactivated state, wherein the control device is configured to automatically generate a message on the display (8) and/or a radio message, wherein the message determines a readable appearance on the display (8) as long as the reception module is turned off, and wherein the appearance of the display (8) after the message has appeared cannot be changed until the reception module has been reactivated.

12. A system for displaying prices comprising a motor vehicle and a display panel (1) arranged in the motor vehicle, in which a wirelessly actuatable display apparatus with a display (8) and a device for the wireless acquisition of data are arranged, wherein the display (8) builds an image based upon received data, wherein the display panel (1) has a GPS module (8), wherein the system is designed to receive and evaluate GPS signals of the motor vehicle (2) in which the display panel (1) is located, so that a calibration can be performed on the GPS signals on a panel side and motor vehicle side, and such a calibration can be used to check whether the display panel still remains allocated to the correct motor vehicle.

13. A system for displaying prices comprising a display panel (1), in which a wirelessly actuatable display apparatus with a display (8) and a device for the wireless acquisition of data are arranged, in relation to motor vehicles (2), wherein the display (8) builds an image based upon received data, and the display panel has a GPS module (10), wherein an accelerator (14) is provided on the display panel (1), wherein GPS data can only be retrieved if a movement of the display panel, and hence of the display or the motor vehicle in which the display panel is located, was determined based upon the motion sensor, and wherein the display panel performs an unscheduled query with regard to any new data based upon a movement, so that a shaking motion triggers an updating command.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the updating command is in the form of a comparison of the data shown on the display with the data stored in a cloud, which can be allocated to the display panel.

15. The system according to claim 11, wherein the display panel (1) has a GPS module (8), wherein the system is designed to receive and evaluate GPS signals of the motor vehicle (2) in which the display panel (1) is located, so that a calibration can be performed on the GPS signals on a panel side and motor vehicle side, and such a calibration can be used to check whether the display panel still remains allocated to the correct motor vehicle.

16. The system according to claim 11, wherein the display panel has a GPS module (10), wherein an accelerator (14) is provided on the display panel (1), wherein GPS data can only be retrieved if a movement of the display panel, and hence of the display or a motor vehicle in which the display panel is located, was determined based upon the motion sensor, and wherein the display panel performs an unscheduled query with regard to any new data based upon a movement, so that a shaking motion triggers an updating command.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0070] The invention is explained below based upon the attached drawing, but the latter only shows exemplary embodiments. A part that is only explained in relation to one of the exemplary embodiments and not replaced by another part in another exemplary embodiment based upon the characteristic highlighted therein is thus also described for this additional exemplary embodiment as a part that can at any rate be present. The drawing shows:

[0071] FIG. 1 a perspective view of a display panel relating to a first embodiment;

[0072] FIG. 2 the display panel in a possible use position with the display panel arranged in a motor vehicle;

[0073] FIG. 3 the display panel in a view relating to another embodiment;

[0074] FIG. 4 another perspective view of a display panel in another embodiment;

[0075] FIG. 5 another embodiment showing the display panel in a perspective view.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0076] Illustrated and described initially with reference to FIG. 1, for example, is a display panel 1 that can have a rectangular horizontal projection, for example with an aspect ratio of about 1:1.5 to 1:3, and a longer edge length of 100 to 1,500 mm, further for example about 400 to 700 mm. For example, this display panel serves as a price marking panel for a motor vehicle 2.

[0077] For example, a display panel 1 of the kind in question is known from DE 10 2017 113 278 A1. The content of this patent application is hereby included in the disclosure of the present invention in its entirety, further for the purpose of also including features of this patent application in claims of the present invention.

[0078] As also depicted, the display panel 1 can have an insertion section 3 in the area of the downwardly facing narrow edge in the use state of the display panel 1. This insertion section can be used to pin lock the display panel 1 in a motor vehicle, for example via insertion into a vent slot or at any rate through insertion behind the windshield (see FIG. 2).

[0079] The insertion section 3 can here be designed as one piece and materially uniform with a visible outer layer 4 of the display panel 1, which preferably has a multilayer overall design.

[0080] The display panel 1 can essentially have a three-layer design, with two outer layers 4 that essentially comprise the horizontal projection, and a middle layer. A single-layer configuration is also possible.

[0081] The individual layers can be adhesively bonded with each other to form the display panel 1.

[0082] According to the illustration on FIG. 1, the display panel 1 can have a viewing window 5 that is clear cut in the outer layer 4. An information sheet 6 can be introduced behind the latter. This can be a printed paper or film sheet.

[0083] A passage opening 7 with an essentially rectangular horizontal projection can be provided, either situated adjacent to the viewing window 5, or also according to FIG. 5 solely determining the display panel 1. Given multiple layers, this passage opening 7 can penetrate through both outer layers as well as the middle layer.

[0084] A display 8 is preferably arranged and retained in the through opening 7 in the form an E-paper. The display 8 is part of a display apparatus. Depending on the selected thickness of the display panel 1 as a whole viewed perpendicularly to the surface extension, the display 8 or the display apparatus can be at least approximately completely accommodated in the panel 1, or given a comparatively smaller thickness preferably protrude over the rear surface of the outer layer.

[0085] The display 8 is designed for wireless actuation or for the wireless acquisition of data. The display 8 builds an image based upon the received data.

[0086] The passage opening 7 is preferably provided with a size that not only exposes the actual visual surface of the display, which can reproduce various information, through the opening to the front, toward the viewer, in the installed state, but rather also another area that belongs to the display in a broader sense, i.e., can be an area directly connected herewith. In particular, this connected area can then have the antenna with regard to the mobile radio module of the display, so that this area with the antenna is not covered toward the front by materials that impede radio accessibility. In the actual embodiment, a color film otherwise adjusted to the display panel can evoke the impression in a viewer that the passage opening is actually confined only to the area of the display suitable for the changing information. In particular, it is preferred that a viewer be unable to discern from outside that an antenna or similar technical part is located in the additional area of the display that is basically exposed to the outside.

[0087] The data for generating the image to be displayed are preferably stored and kept in a dedicated database of a wirelessly connected computing system 9. As also preferred, this case can involve a cloud-based database.

[0088] The display apparatus of the display 8 can be designed for bidirectional data exchange (see arrow a on FIG. 2).

[0089] Dynamic image data generation takes place in the preferably cloud-based computing system 9 based upon datasets. Accordingly, the image is completely generated before transmitted, and shown on the display 8.

[0090] The display apparatus of the display panel 1 preferably has a unique internet and/or mobile radio ID, and further in particular a unique physical address.

[0091] A common mobile communications standard can be used for wireless communication, for example NB-IoT or CaT-M1.

[0092] It is further possible to provide the display panel 1, in particular the display apparatus of the display 8, or a plug-in board allocated to the display apparatus, with one or several slots, wherein a mobile radio module or alternatively or additionally thereto a positioning module, for example in the form of a GPS module 10, can be plug-in mounted in these slots, for example.

[0093] The GPS coordinates of the display panel 1 can likewise be stored in the cloud or computing system 9. This provides the option of also retrieving these GPS coordinates, and possibly a coordinate progression over a preset period while using a terminal 11, for example a smartphone. This terminal 11 is also preferably in bidirectional contact to the computing system 9.

[0094] With regard to the wireless connection between the terminal 11 and the computing system 9, as well as between the computing system 9 and the display panel 1, a full duplex or even half duplex mode can be involved.

[0095] For example, the GPS function can further be used to also record a travel path of the motor vehicle 2 provided with the display panel 1, and store it in the computing system 9.

[0096] Furthermore, the system can be suitable for receiving signals, in particular GPS signals of another device, here in particular the motor vehicle 2. The GPS data received in the usual manner via a GPS satellite 12 in the onboard GPS module 13 can be transmitted to the receiver of the display panel 1. These data can be relayed to the computing system 9, and there possibly processed. Therefore, the computer software can be used to calibrate whether the display panel 1 provided with a specific ID is also located in the correct motor vehicle 2.

[0097] In a possible embodiment, the vehicle bus system can be used to identify the motor vehicle 2 and send a data/image query to the computing system 9. Vehicle-specific data can then be retrieved via the latter.

[0098] For this purpose, the display apparatus of the display 8 can have a corresponding interface, for example a radio interface.

[0099] In particular for economizing energy in the preferably accumulator-powered display apparatus, the display 8 builds an image or rebuilds an image at larger time intervals than correspond to the time interval relative to data transmission for an image buildup of the display 8. For example, an image can be regularly rebuilt every fifteen minutes, half hour or even hour.

[0100] In order to directly build or rebuild an image, the display apparatus of the display 8 can also be separately actuated, for example remotely using the computing system 9 or the terminal 11. As also the case for implementing additional functions or retrieving information, use can for this purpose also be made of an application stored on the computing system 9 (the cloud here), which can be operated via a common browser on the terminal 11.

[0101] In order to directly build an image, the terminal 11 can be used to direct a corresponding command to the display apparatus with the application via the computing system 9.

[0102] A pushbutton or the like can also be provided directly on the display panel 1 for triggering such a rebuild.

[0103] As schematically depicted on FIG. 3, the display panel 1 can further have an accelerometer 14. The latter can be used to acquire a possible movement of the display panel 1, for example the removal of the display panel 1 from the motor vehicle 2, and report it to the computing system 9 via the radio module.

[0104] However, the accelerometer 14 can further also be used to generate a command for directly implementing an image rebuild of the display 8. In a possible embodiment, the display panel 1 can for this purpose be shaken or moved back and forth (symbolized by arrow b on FIG. 3). This back and forth movement of the display panel 1 is acquired by the accelerometer 14, as a result of which a corresponding signal is generated.

[0105] According to the illustration on FIG. 3, the display panel 1 can also have a battery sensor 15 for monitoring the charge status of the display panel accumulator.

[0106] In addition, a temperature sensor 16 can further or alternatively be provided, which in particular acquires the temperature directly in the area of the display 8.

[0107] If a preset temperature range within which the display 8 functions properly is exceeded or fallen below, a signal can be generated to sign out of the display panel 1 or the radio module of the display panel 1. After this, the appearance of the display 8 is no longer updated due to the deactivation of the radio or reception module, even if an attempt is made to transmit a corresponding dataset via the computing system 9.

[0108] The provided control device can rather automatically generate a message on the display 8 and/or a radio message via the computing system 9 to the terminal(s) 11.

[0109] Only after a temperature in the permissible range has been acquired is the reception module or radio module reactivated, and the appearance of the display 8 adjusted as needed.

[0110] In another possible embodiment, the application used via the terminal 11 can have a search mode, with which the user of the terminal 11, after having set specific search criteria, for example a larger sales area, can find one or several motor vehicles 2 that match these search criteria.

[0111] To this end, use can be made on the one hand of the GPS module 10 of the display panel 1, so that the user with the terminal 11—in particular a mobile terminal 11 in the form of a smartphone or the like—is guided to the motor vehicle 2.

[0112] Alternatively or even additionally thereto, for example, the display panel 1 can also be provided with a lighting element 17, for example in the form of an LED. The lighting element 17 is activated via the computing system 9 as soon as the allocated motor vehicle 2 matches the search profile input via the app.

[0113] The cloud-based application advantageously eliminates the need to install software on the terminal 1. Rather, the user utilizes and possibly changes the data via a browser application (see FIG. 4).

[0114] The cloud-based application can optionally be provided with additional possible interactions, for example scanning a QR code.

[0115] In another embodiment, in particular the display apparatus of the display 8 is updatable with respect to the firmware, as are the accompanying radio module and possibly additional electric modules of the device. Preferably provided for this purpose are two memory modules 18 and 19, of which a first memory module 18 stores a currently used firmware, and a second memory module 19 contains the firmware used immediately before as a “backup”. Given a defective current firmware, the previously used firmware can be accessed.

[0116] As already explained further above, it can also be provided in particular that one memory module be responsible for the hardware/firmware, and the other for the communications software for wirelessly actuating the display panel or the display, e.g., via the NB-IoT standard.

[0117] As shown on FIG. 5, the display 8 can have a horizontal projection surface which, by comparison to the illustration on FIG. 1, also covers the area of the viewing window 5. The display 8 can further have a horizontal projection surface that overall can essentially correspond to more than half up to 90 or 95 percent of the free horizontal projection surface of the display panel 1.

[0118] The display 8 can further be divided into different areas 20, 21 and 22 with respect to the design and lettering. These areas can vary in design and lettering. A uniform lettering of all areas 20, 21 and 22 or even just a plurality of contiguous areas is also possible. Depending on the application, the boundaries between the areas can be visible by varying the design of the areas, or not visible given a (partially) shared design.

[0119] The areas 20, 21 and 22 can be actuated via different sources, wherein the actuation of an area 20, 21 and 22 can also take place independently of control by the system via the display apparatus. For example, a possibly preset area (for example, area 20 in the exemplary embodiment shown) can be actuated by a separately provided computing system 23, possibly a cloud-based computing system, via which only the area 20 can be graphically actuated. It is preferably not or only limitedly possible to influence the area 20 via the display apparatus and the system of the display panel 1 or via the computing system 9, at least given a corresponding access via an additional computing system 23.

[0120] While the area—here area 20—can indeed be designed and lettered via a separate computing system 23, this possibly takes place as a function of data kept in the computing system 9 for this display panel 1 or the allocated motor vehicle 2. For example, an advertisement or loan proposal from a bank can be displayed in the area 20 actuated via the computing system 23, either independently of or even dependent upon the allocated data in the computing system 9, which can at least partially be shown in area 21 and/or 22.

[0121] The varyingly actuatable areas 20 to 22—wherein two or more than just three areas can be provided, for example four, five or six up to ten or more—possibly also yield an optical division of the display 8.

[0122] In addition, various templates can be shown on the display 8, if necessary one allocated template per area 20 to 22.

[0123] The above statements serve to explain the inventions covered by the application as a whole, which each also independently advance the prior art at least by the following feature combinations, wherein two, several or all of these feature combinations can also be combined, specifically:

[0124] A system, characterized in that the system has a control device formed on the display panel 1, which can activate or deactivate the reception module based upon signals of the temperature sensor 16, independently of received signals.

[0125] A system, characterized in that the control device can be used to automatically generate a message on the display 8 and/or a radio message.

[0126] A system, characterized in that the message determines the readable appearance on the display 8, as long as the reception module is turned off.

[0127] A system, characterized in that the appearance of the display 8 after the message has appeared cannot be changed until the reception module has been reactivated.

[0128] A system, characterized in that the system is designed to receive and evaluate GPS signals of another device, in particular of the motor vehicle 2 in which the display panel 1 is located.

[0129] A system, characterized in that the display 8 can be divided into different areas 20, 21, 22, which can be actuated independently of each other in terms of design/labeling, wherein the actuation of one of the several areas 20, 21, 22 can take place independently of control by the system.

[0130] A system, characterized in that an accelerometer 14 is provided on the display panel 1.

[0131] A system, characterized in that the display panel 1 performs an unscheduled query with regard to any new data based upon a movement.

[0132] A system, characterized in that two or more memory modules 18, 19 are provided on the display panel 1, of which a first memory module 18 stores a currently used firmware, and a second memory module 19 the firmware used immediately before.

[0133] All disclosed features (whether taken separately or in combination with each other) are essential to the invention. The disclosure of the application hereby also incorporates the disclosure content of the accompanying/attached priority documents (copy of the prior application) in its entirety, also for the purpose of including features of these documents in claims of the present application. Even without the features of a referenced claim, the subclaims characterize standalone inventive further developments of prior art with their features, in particular so as to submit partial applications based upon these claims. The invention indicated in each claim can additionally have one or several of the features indicated in the above description, in particular those provided with reference numbers and/or indicated on the reference list. The invention also relates to design forms in which individual features specified in the above description are not realized, in particular if they are recognizably superfluous with regard to the respective intended use, or can be replaced by other technically equivalent means.

TABLE-US-00001 Reference List  1 Display panel a Arrow  2 Motor vehicle b Arrow  3 Insertion section  4 Outer layer  5 Viewing window  6 Information sheet  7 Passage opening  8 Display  9 Computing system 10 GPS module 11 Terminal 12 GPS satellite 13 GPS module 14 Accelerometer 15 Battery sensor 16 Temperature sensor 17 Lighting element 18 Memory module 19 Memory module 20 Area 21 Area 22 Area 23 Computing system