Dynamic electronic communication device

Abstract

An dynamic electronic communication device. The tag according to embodiments of the invention is designed or set to discount, promote, incentivize, or apply information at certain states or within a certain timeframe at initial deployment, the tags themselves being capable of handling the logic. The tag generally includes a circuit, such as a silicon chip, that controls a flexible printed display, which displays the information when applied. The tag is optionally encapsulated in a plastic or glass case. The tag is made of a suitably small size such that the tag can easily be placed on individual items, and can be secured to other objects via an adhesive backing, sewn in, pinned on, and the like.

Claims

1. A dynamic electronic communication label for generating and displaying time sensitive information regarding an article to a viewer, the label comprising: a display adapted to display the time sensitive information; a power source; a control means for controlling at least one of generation of the time sensitive information and the display; a locking means for locking the device in its current state; and attachment means for attaching the label to the article.

2. The label of claim 1, wherein the attachment means comprises an adhesive, a clip, a pin, screw, a magnet, and combinations thereof.

3. A thin, flexible dynamic electronic communication device for generating and displaying dynamic information regarding an article to a viewer, the device comprising: a display adapted to display the dynamic information; a control module adapted to execute an algorithm to determine when a desired state is met, such that the when the desired state is met, dynamic information is displayed to the viewer via the display for a period of time determined by the algorithm; and a power source adapted to power at least one of the control module and the display.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the device comprises a stand-alone device and can generate and display information without use of communication with an external control means.

5. The device of claim 3, wherein the control module is an integrated circuit (IC) selected from the group including a silicon-based IC, a compound semiconductor-based IC, an organic materials-based IC, a flexible IC, a printed IC, or combinations thereof.

6. The device of claim 3, wherein the display is selected from the group including an electrochromic display, an electrophoretic display, and electrowetting display, a thermochromic display, an LCD, a flexible LCD, an LED based display, an OLED based display, and combinations thereof.

7. The device of claim 3, wherein the power source is selected from the group including a battery, a photovoltaic cell, a capacitor, a fuel cell, an energy harvesting means, and combinations thereof.

8. The device of claim 3, wherein the device further comprises a communication module adapted to at least one of receive and send information to a central hub.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a flowchart of the general operation of a self-contained tag, according to one embodiment of the invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is a flowchart of one particular implementation of the operation described in FIG. 1, according to one embodiment of the invention.

(3) FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the general operation of a self-contained tag utilizing random number generation, according to one embodiment of the invention.

(4) FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the general operation of a tag utilizing a central hub, according to one embodiment of the invention.

(5) FIGS. 5A and 5B are self-contained tags according to embodiments of the present invention.

(6) FIG. 6 depicts a dynamic electronic communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(7) While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(8) The dynamic electronic communication device of the present invention provides a means for tagging and subsequently target or feature, such as by discounting or promoting, individual items in a retail setting. The invention can be more readily understood by reference to its application in FIGS. 1-6 and the following description. While the invention is not necessarily limited to such an application, the invention will be better appreciated using a discussion of exemplary embodiments in specific contexts.

(9) As described above, the dynamic electronic communication device, hereinafter referred to as the device, can generally comprise a circuit (IC) that can be printed or otherwise integrated or assembled onto a substrate, and a display device operated by the integrated circuit, thereby forming a tag, label, or sticker-type format. The substrate can comprise a flexible substrate such as plastic film or paper, or a rigid substrate such as glass or firm plastics.

(10) The device is flexible and thin with a thickness of between 20 microns and 3000 microns; more particularly with a thickness of between 20 microns and 500 microns, and alternatively with a thickness of between 50 microns and 150 microns. In one embodiment the device can have an appearance and/or feel similar to a conventional paper tag.

(11) FIG. 6 depicts a dynamic communication and indicating device 600 according to an embodiment of the invention. Some of the disclosed components represent options or alternate system choices to achieve a substantially similar effect. Within the overall envelope of device 600, there is a display 602, a control system 604, such as an integrated circuit or processor (CPU) for executing algorithms, and optionally for controlling display 602, a power source 606, a communication system or module 608 (optional), and a means 610 to initialize, reset, power up, and/or lock device 600 in its current state, display 602, or the processor 604, such as buttons, tabs, switches, or other actuators, assembled on one or both sides of a substrate 601.

(12) Display 602 can comprise a printed display, liquid crystal display (LCD), flexible LCD, light emitting diode (LED), organic light emitting diode (OLED), electronic paper display, or any of a variety of suitable display or otherwise indicating devices.

(13) Control system 604, such as an integrated circuit or discrete circuits, provides the logic to target or feature the item at certain states, within a certain timeframe, or randomly, and/or controls a flexible printed display which displays the time sensitive information, such as, but not limited to, the discount when the discounted state is achieved, and/or the status of the discount, i.e. what discount is currently being offered in a stage discounting environment, or the progress of when the discount will be offered. As discussed above, the device and logic is not limited to the discounting of items, but can also be used for promoting, and/or identifying any of a number of incentives or other information for the labeled item. Such information can include, for example, displaying price, bonus or loyalty points, time remaining for the incentive, stock level, and the like, or combinations thereof. Any reference to discounting throughout is for exemplary purposes only and one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that other incentives or state or item-level information can be contemplated.

(14) Power source 606 powers the circuit or control system 604, and can comprise a battery, a photovoltaic cell, a capacitor, a fuel cell, or other suitable power source and combinations of these power sources. The battery can comprise a coin cell battery, printed battery, or any of a variety of batteries known to one skilled in the art.

(15) Communication system 608 can comprise a wireless communication system or protocol such as, for example, local area networks (LANs) and connecting devices including WiFi (per IEEE 802.11 standard), ultra-wideband (UWB) and the like, wireless personal area networks (WPANs) technology and connecting devices including Bluetooth transceivers (per IEEE 802.15), any other radio frequency devices such as systems associated with radio frequency identification (RFID), low-power digital radios based on an IEEE 802 standard for wireless (Wi-Fi) networks such as a ZigBee-based device, an infra-red communication system, or any combination thereof.

(16) The tag or label can optionally be encapsulated by any of a variety of material including a plastic wrapping, a plastic or glass casing, or any of a variety of encapsulation materials and combinations thereof.

(17) The devices or tags according to embodiments of the invention can be made by a variety of techniques. This general schematic representation depicted in FIG. 6 compliments the device embodiment description above and is included to allow the following discussion of possible approaches to manufacturing.

(18) There are at least two distinct approaches that can be employed with respect to the functional capabilities of the device. In one embodiment, the data processing and control of the tag, along with the communications function can be carried out by means of digital electronic circuits designed to utilize discrete components or integrated circuits to provide these functions along with the time base against which they have to work. For example, control system 606 can be an integrated digital circuit containing also the means to track the passage of time.

(19) In another embodiment, certain functionalities can be achieved through the use of analog electronics. For example, the timing functions for the device can be achieved through an analog mechanism such as a slow electrochemical switch, a chemical switch, or some other device which shows variable electrical response with time. Likewise, the timer and indicator function can also be designed to arise from the function of a single device such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,821,794 to Pennaz et al., incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

(20) In yet another case, the functions required can be achieved by an approach which uses a combination of analog and digital elements. Digital elements can be used for certain circuit functions to meet performance requirements, such as in rapid data processing, or precise timing, which are not yet available with analog circuits, while analog circuitry can be used for those functions which can be achieved with simplicity using such an approach.

(21) In each of the embodiments, a source of electrical power 606 is required to drive the electronic systems. A simple power source can be in the form of a battery providing a DC power level of the appropriate voltage and capacity. Such a cell can be primary or secondary, the latter being able to be charge repeatedly to extend its useful life in the device. Alternate power sources can also be constructed from antenna systems and supporting circuitry to scavenge or harvest power from a radiation field. This can either be arranged to work on ambient radiation, or can be tuned to cause efficient power gathering from a directed beam such as that from an RFID reader. Even thermal scavenging can be used by way of a thermopile circuit.

(22) In an alternative embodiment of the invention, an exception to an electrical power source is a tag operated purely on a chemically, or mechanically motivated timer system such as can be found in the form of time and temperature indicators as sold by, for example, TimeStrips, LLC.

(23) To meet the attributes of being thin and flexible, and to conform to the commonly held notion of a label or sticker, the components of the device described in the embodiments can be assembled on thin, flexible substrate including plastics, such as polyesters, polyimides, phenolics, or other suitable plastics, thin fiberglass, metal foils such as stainless steel or aluminum, paper, woven and non-woven webs, and other foils may also be used a substrates for the tag or subsystems thereon. The substrate can have circuitry on one or both sides or may be made with multiple conductive layers as is common now in the electronics industry. The assembly of the components can be achieved by assembly techniques commonly in use in the electronics industry to attach individual elements to a common substrate upon which conductive traces have been constructed to provide means of electrical connection between and among the individual circuit components. The electrical attachment of the components and other circuit elements to the conductive traces is conventionally achieved by use of solder. This means of construction can also be applied to a circuit for the device based on a rigid substrate. The components to be thus attached can range from a single passive circuit element, such as a resistor, to a subsystem of some complexity, such as a display 602 or communications module 608. Batteries or other power sources can also be attached in similar or related ways.

(24) An alternate construction comprises a thin substrate on which the circuit traces have been formed by additive techniques such as printing, coating, spraying, vapor deposition, or combinations thereof which again can be on either a thin rigid or flexible substrate. These circuits also can be single- or double-sided or can be constructed as multilayer circuits by repeated steps of additive processes, such as printing, in a manner similar to that of a conventionally made multilayer PC board. In the case of many printed conductive traces, materials other than solder (or other eutectic systems) must generally be used to make the electrical connections between the components and the circuitry. Alternate forms include one- or two-part epoxies, filled with conductive material, such as, for example, electrically conductive adhesive XCE3104XL available from Emerson & Cuming of Billerica, Mass.

(25) To form the traces by additive processes, printing can be carried out in a number of forms including screen-printing, flexo-printing, gravure, ink-jet, or aerosol printing using inks formulated to provide an electrically conductive path when printed and dried or cured. Examples can be found in the catalog Polymer Thick Film Selector Guide by DuPont Microcircuit Materials.

(26) Subsystems themselves can be formed either from the assembly of discrete components or ICs, or they too can be formed by an additive, or largely additive process such as printing. In either case these can be formed either as individual elements in a standalone format ready to be attached to the tag assembly, or they too can be integrated, either partly or entirely onto the tag assembly.

(27) Printing methodologies or techniques utilized for additive printing of circuits or circuit components in such embodiments can include, for example, any form of gravure, waterless offset, direct image waterless offset, dry offset, lithographic, intaglio, embossing, engraving, screen, rotary screen, silkscreen, letterpress, flexography, and other related printing techniques or combinations thereof. Digital printing such as ink jetting techniques can also be used. In each case, the several layers of the device may be deposited either by multiple applications of the printing technique at a single station, or by multiple application a series of stations in a multi-station system. Likewise, the use of different techniques, for example, screen printing and ink jet printing, can be achieved with multiple different stations arranged in line. As with printed product, the requirements for registration, ink weight deposition, precision of geometry (dimension and tolerance), speed, and drying/curing requirements will drive the choice of equipment or printing technique, or the combination thereof.

(28) In embodiments in which the use of Silicon (Si) electronics can be avoided, fully printed devices can be constructed and integrated onto a single substrate using the printing techniques identified above.

(29) Other examples of circuit or circuit component fabrication utilizing deposition, patterning, and/or printing techniques can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 7,977,173 entitled Silicon Thin Film Transistors, Systems, and Methods of Making Same, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,913,382 entitled Patterned Printing Plates and Processes for Printing Electrical Elements, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

(30) In each of the embodiments described, any combination of these manufacturing approaches can be used and combined and this discussion is not intended to limit or restrict the methods or combinations of methods used.

(31) A dynamic electronic communication device according to embodiments of the invention can be utilized to display or otherwise indicate dynamic time sensitive information, such as, but not limited to, the discounting, promoting, identifying, or incentivizing of individual items in a retail setting, in a wide variety of ways. The flexibility of a programmable algorithm either contained on the tag, or centrally in a retail location, offers an almost infinite variety of use models, some non-limiting examples of which are described below and which are left to the user's discretion. The examples are referring to discounting of items; however, as discussed above, not only does the logic allow for discounting of items, but also refers to promoting, and/or identifying any of a number of incentives for the labeled item, such as, for example, displaying price, bonus or loyalty points, time remaining for the incentive, stock level, and the like, or combinations thereof.

(32) Referring to FIG. 1, and according to one example of use of the device of the invention, operation of a dynamic electronic communication device 10, such as a discount price tag, is depicted. For exemplary purposes only, tag 10 comprises a discount price tag; however other information such as customer rewards, as described above, can be displayed using similar logic. Starting point 12 illustrates the instant in time when the tag is deployed on a particular retail item. The tag may be affixed, attached, or secured in any number of ways including by adhesive backing, mechanical attachment such as screws, clips, pins, magnets, or any other means. Next, the tag's circuit performs the required logic to determine when the price should be discounted. The basic decision point 14 asks whether a predetermined desired state has been met.

(33) Defining the decision point 14 generally illustrates the infinite flexibility of the tag's operation. The decision point 14 could utilize the time, day, week, month, an independent counter, random number generation, or any of myriad other possibilities. Should the logic determining whether the desired state has been met answer in the affirmative, the tag then displays the desired price discount and/or that the desired discount is to be applied 16. Subsequently, the operation of embodiment 10 ends 18. However, should the logic determining whether the desired state has been met answer in the negative, the dynamic tag recursively returns to decision point 14. Optionally, as the dynamic tag recursively returns to decision point 14, the display can be updated at 19 to reflect the status or timing of when the discount is to be applied, thereby creating a sense of urgency in the customer.

(34) By operating in this manner, the tag can patiently wait for the retailer's desired state to arise before discounting the item. When the operation ends and/or the display is incrementally updated, the desired price discount or discount status can be either displayed on the tag itself, and can be in the form of a message or code, such as an alphanumeric code, bar code, color code, sound indicator, or any other form of message or code as desired that can be interpreted or applied by the store customer at the time of customer checkout.

(35) In one particular embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIG. 5A, dynamic tag 100 generally comprises a display 102 having one or more incremental indicators 104, and an IC operating a count-down timer (not shown). In the illustrated embodiment, incremental indicators 104 are visual indicators in the form of a series of bars that each turn color upon activation. Each time the dynamic tag recursively returns to a decision point because a predetermined desired state has not been met, the next inactivated incremental indicator 104 in series is activated until all but one incremental indicator 104 has been activated. Once the desired state has been met, the final incremental indicator 104 is activated, indicating to the customer that the discount as indicated on the tag will be applied at the register.

(36) While example 10 illustrates a simple case of determining one desired state 14 and subsequently displaying one price discount 16, the operation of example 10 can be scaled such that the number of different states and different price discounts is only limited by the retailer's imagination. That is, multiple implementations of example 10 may be performed inside each tag.

(37) Referring to FIG. 2, example 20 depicts one particular implementation of the operation described in FIG. 1 by example 10. Starting point 22 illustrates the instant in time when the tag is deployed on a particular retail item. Next, an internal counter is set 24. The operation then proceeds to its recursive state of checking for the counter to reach zero 26 and subsequently decrementing 27 the counter if the counter has not yet reached zero. Recursively decrementing a counter in this way builds in delay within the tag until a desired state (and time in the retail store) has been met. Optionally, as the dynamic tag returns to its recursive state of checking for the counter to reach zero 26, the display can be updated at 25 to reflect the status or timing of when the discount is to be applied, thereby creating a sense of urgency in the customer.

(38) Once the counter has reached the zero desired value, as checked by state 26, the discounted price and/or an indication that the discount is now applied is displayed 28. The operation then ends 29. As described above, when the operation ends and/or the display is incrementally updated, the desired price discount or discount status can be either displayed on the tag itself, and can be in the form of a message or code, such as an alphanumeric code, bar code, color code, sound indicator, or any other form of message or code as desired that can be interpreted or applied by the store customer at the time of customer checkout.

(39) Again, referring to FIG. 5A, each counter decrement can correspond with the activation of one increment indicator 104 in series. When the counter reaches zero, and the final increment indicator 104 is activated, indicating that the discount is to be applied.

(40) In an alternative embodiment of the invention, referring to FIG. 5B, tag 200 comprises a display 202 having one or more discount amount indicators 204, and an IC within operating a count-down timer (not shown). In the illustrated embodiment each counter decrement can correspond with a different discount amount indicator 204 in series. As the counter is decremented in step 27, the next inactivated discount amount indicator 204 in series is activated, showing an increased discount to be applied. When the counter reaches zero, the final discount amount indicator 204 is activated indicating that the entire desired discount is to be applied to the item at the register. The discount levels can be in increasing or decreasing increments in series as described above, or can be randomly applied, as discussed below.

(41) Referring to FIG. 3 and example 30, the dynamic discount price tag of the present invention can also be implemented such that the discounted price and/or the timing of the discount is random. Similar to the previous examples, the operation begins at starting point 32 when the tag is deployed on a particular retail item. The tag then internally generates a random number 34. Generating a random number can be done in any number of ways, including by use of a hash table, the IC's internal clock, by pseudorandom number generator algorithm, or any other method. The random number is correlated to a price discount level selected from a predetermined set of price discount levels, and that discount is displayed 36 on the tag. The discount can be indicated on the tag in the form of a message or code, such as an alphanumeric code, bar code, color code, sound indicator, or any other form of message or code as desired. Because it would be desirable to hold the newly-generated discount constant for some period of time, a delay 37 can be incorporated in the operation. This delay 37 can itself be random.

(42) The operation then proceeds to decision point 38 where the tag decides, based on some factor (a counter, the time, the duration it has been in operation, etc.) whether discounting is complete. If it is, the operation ends at 39. If not, operation restarts at step 34 and steps 34 through 38 are recursively executed until discounting is complete.

(43) This operation can be used in a tag such as tag 200 illustrated in FIG. 5B, as opposed to incrementally discounting the item in series. In the case of random generation of a discount amount, a number from a predetermined set of numbers corresponds to each indicator 504. When the number is randomly generated, corresponding indicator 504 is activated, indicating a certain predetermined discount to be applied. For example, an item can be randomly discounted at 40% on a first day when a first number corresponding to 40% is randomly generated, and then randomly discounted at 20% the second day when a second number corresponding to 20% is randomly generated.

(44) In an alternative example, the random number generator can be programmed to randomly generate a number from 10-50 corresponding to the discount percentage. For example, on a first day, the random generator can generate 35 such that a 35% discount is applied, while on a second day, the random generator can generate 17 such that a 17% discount is applied.

(45) In another embodiment, and referring to FIG. 4, a central hub is utilized such that after deployment, the retailer can push discount information to individual tags. In example 40, starting point 42 signifies the point at which the tag has been deployed to an individual retail item and the hub has been configured to communicate with the individual tags. As mentioned, this can be done in any number of ways, including by use of a radio or antenna with radio frequency identification (RFID) and accompanying sending device, infrared communication, Wi-Fi communication, hardwired communication, or any other suitable means. The operation proceeds generally by determining at decision point 44, whether a desired state has been met. Decision point 44 can be implemented in any number of ways, like by use of a counter in FIG. 2, by random number generation in FIG. 3, or by any other appropriate means. If the desired state has been met, the calculated discount information is pushed to an individual tag 46 where it is displayed. The operation subsequently ends at 48. However, if desired state 44 has not been met, the recursive loop sends the operation back to checking for the desired state 44, and can optionally push such status to the tag such that the display is updated 49 as described in other examples. When the operation ends, the desired price discount can be either displayed on the tag itself, and can be in the form of a message or code, such as an alphanumeric code, bar code, color code, sound indicator, or any other form of message or code as desired that can be interpreted or applied by the store customer at the time of customer checkout.

(46) Example 40 illustrates an instance of operation by the hub and remote tags. Example 40 can be implemented for every tag deployed. Further, decision point 44 can differ for every implementation such that pricing differs across items of different SKUs and can even differ across individual items of the same SKU, thus creating a random effect to the discounts.

(47) The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential attributes thereof; therefore, the illustrated embodiments should be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.