Electronic Retailing Systems International

Jeffrey T Sandgren

Bruce F Failing, Jr

Anthony P Fernandez

Robert J Venable

A system has a central store computer and a multiplicity of electronic shelf labels (ESLs). Each label has a means to detect the presence of an ESL-mounted shelf talker. The system automatically audits the store for the proper set of installed shelf talkers. The detection means is an optical port, a pressure sensor such as a button, or a capacitive sensor. The sensor will detect the presence of the shelf talker as well as the absence of the shelf talker. The talker may snap into a recessed optical port, the recessed port serving as a mounting mechanism as well, thus ensuring a more reliable indication that the shelf talker is installed. The sensor may be a capacitive sensor, detecting the presence of a metallized region on the shelf talker. An audit is performed by the connected host computer, which maintains a database of all products with ESLs, and specifically includes data as to which ESLs (products) are on which promotional event, the starting and end dates, and the actual (current) status of whether a shelf talker is installed.

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New Canaan, CT, United States of America

Jeffrey T Sandgren