TRIGGERING BEACONS THAT ARE USED IN POINT-OF-PURCHASE DISPLAYS AND OTHER IN-STORE DISPLAYS
A system uses beacons with point-of-purchase displays and other in-store displays to direct customers to certain products of interest to the customer. The system determines which beacons should receive electrical power based on sensors within the displays.
1 . A display system for use with a mobile device, the system comprising:
a first support structure to support one or more products including a first product;
a first computing system associated with the support structure;
a first sensor associated with the structure and in communication with the first computing system, the first sensor sensing at least one of the proximity or movement of the first product;
a first beacon emitting a signal identifying the first beacon; and
wherein the first sensor upon sensing the proximity or movement of the first product, sends a signal to the first computing system; and the first computing system determines to provide electrical power to the first beacon.
2 . The display system of claim 1 , wherein the determination whether to provide electrical power to the first beacon is based on the sensing of movement of the first product.
3 . The display system of claim 1 , wherein the determination whether to provide electrical power to the first beacon is based on the sensing of a lack of proximity of the first product.
4 . The display system of claim 1 , wherein providing electrical power to the first beacon comprising supplying the electrical power to the first beacon from a power source external to the first beacon.
5 . The display system of claim 1 , wherein providing electrical power to the first beacon comprising switching on a power source internal to the first beacon.
6 . The display system of claim 1 , wherein the determination to provide electrical power to the first beacon includes a determination of how long to provide the electrical power.
7 . The display system of claim 1 , wherein the first sensor is one of an optical sensor, magnetic sensor, capacitive sensor, vibration sensor, pressure sensor, and strain gauge.
8 . The display system of claim 1 , further comprising a mobile device, wherein the mobile device detects the signal from the first beacon and communicates with a software platform on the Internet to receive information about the first product.
9 . The display system of claim 1 , further comprising a second sensor and a second beacon, wherein the one or more products comprise a second product associated with the second sensor and the second beacon, wherein the second sensor upon sensing the proximity or movement of the second product, sends a signal to the first computing system; and the first computing system determines to provide electrical power to the second beacon.
10 . The display system of claim 9 , further comprising a mobile device, wherein the mobile device detects the signal from the second beacon and communicates with a software platform on the Internet to receive information about the second product.
11 . The display system of claim 1 , wherein the first support structure comprises at least one shelf.
12 . The display system of claim 1 , wherein the first beacon is a radio device transmitting a unique identifier.
13 . The display system of claim 1 , further comprising a sensor to detect the mobile device.
14 . The display system of claim 13 , wherein upon detection of the mobile device, the computing system determines to provide electrical power to the beacon.
15 . The display system of claim 1 , wherein the first support structure is a retail-ready display.
16 . The display system of claim 1 , wherein the first support structure is a point-of-purchase display.