Inventory control using electronic shelf label systems

摘要

An electronic shelf label (ESL) is constructed to display a bar code, or the like, and inventory information, in addition to the typical product identification and price. A stock person carrying a handheld communicator with a bar code scanner can conveniently scan the ESL and then enter the number of items removed from or placed on the shelf. Assuming he is using a wireless communicator, the information is sent immediately to the ESL server via the ESL system, and the ESL display is then updated as well as the establishment's inventory database.

主权项

1. A system comprising:
a server; a first base station among a plurality of base stations in the system; and an electronic shelf label (ESL) on a shelf of a retail space that is dedicated to a product, wherein the ESL comprises:
(i) a first portion displaying a machine-readable optical code containing information identifying the product, and(ii) a second portion identifying the quantity of the product on the shelf; wherein the ESL is configured to wirelesslv communicate with the server via the first base station only; wherein the server is configured to update the quantity displayed by the second portion of the ESL after receiving a communication originating from a vicinity of the shelf; and wherein the communication is in response to a stock man inputting the number of cases that were removed from a stockroom.