Wireless Power Enabled Electronic Shelf Label
Embodiments of the present disclosure describe systems, methods, and apparatuses for integrating a wireless power reception system and an electronic shelf label (ESL) device while reducing replication/duplication required. Among other benefits, integrating the various components results in higher power efficiency of device, reduced overall cost of device, reduced number of components (resulting in increased reliability), a thinner form factor (improved aesthetics), e.g., more similar to paper price tags, higher antenna efficiency when placed over the display, and no connectors (resulting in higher reliability).
1 . A wirelessly powered electronic shelf label apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
a multi-layer energy storage module configured to store energy for powering to the electronic shelf label apparatus;
an electronic display layer disposed on the energy storage module and configured to present display data;
an optically transparent low loss substrate layer disposed on the display layer;
an antenna layer disposed on the optically transparent low loss substrate layer, the antenna layer comprising one or more antennas configured to receive wireless radio frequency (RF) power signals and data communications in a wireless power delivery environment; and
an integrated circuit disposed on or within one or more of the layers, the integrated circuit including control circuitry configured to:
request wireless power from a wireless power transmission system;
convert the received RF power signals to DC power; and
store the DC power in the multi-layer energy storage module.
2 . The wirelessly powered electronic shelf label apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the one or more antennas are further configured to receive data communications and the control circuitry is further configured to:
process the data communications to determine the display data; and
direct the electronic display layer to present the display data.
3 . The wirelessly powered electronic shelf label apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control circuitry comprises a single integrated circuit.
4 . The wirelessly powered electronic shelf label apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the wirelessly powered electronic shelf label apparatus is between 0.50 millimeters and 1.5 millimeters thick.
5 . The wirelessly powered electronic shelf label apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
at least one printed circuit board (PCB);
wherein the integrated circuit is disposed directly on the PCB and the PCB is disposed on or within the one or more of the layers of the wireless powered electronic shelf label apparatus.
6 . The wirelessly powered electronic shelf label apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the antenna layer is formed, at least in part, using at least one optically transparent conductor.
7 . The wirelessly powered electronic shelf label apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the at least one optically transparent conductor comprises indium tin oxide (ITO).
8 . The wirelessly powered electronic shelf label apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the at least one optically transparent conductor comprises carbon nanotubes.
9 . The wirelessly powered electronic shelf label apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the at least one optically transparent conductor comprises indium tin oxide (ITO).
10 . The wirelessly powered electronic shelf label apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the at least one optically transparent conductor comprises a graphene layer.
11 . The wirelessly powered electronic shelf label apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the display layer comprises an electronic ink display.
12 . The wirelessly powered electronic shelf label apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the display layer comprises a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) or a Light Emitting Diode (LED) display.
13 . The wirelessly powered electronic shelf label apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the multi-layer energy storage module comprises a multi-layer capacitor.
14 . The wirelessly powered electronic shelf label apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the multi-layer capacitor is formed of multiple metal layers disposed on a posterior side of the electronic display layer.
15 . The wirelessly powered electronic shelf label apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the antenna layer is disposed on the optically transparent low loss substrate layer within a bezel of the electronic display layer.
16 . A wirelessly powered electronic shelf label apparatus configured to present communications in a wireless power delivery environment, the apparatus comprising:
an enclosure; and
situated within the enclosure:
an electronic display configured to present display data;
an energy storage module configured to store energy for powering to the electronic shelf label apparatus;
one or more antennas disposed on a front of the electronic display and configured to receive wireless radio frequency (RF) power signals and data communications including display data in a wireless power delivery environment;
control circuitry operatively coupled to the one or more antennas and configured to process the data signals to determine the display data, and direct the electronic display layer to present the display data; and
wireless power receiver circuitry operatively coupled to the one or more antennas and configured to convert the received RF power signals to DC power and store the DC power in the energy storage module.
17 . A wirelessly powered electronic shelf label apparatus of claim 16 , further comprising:
a switch operatively coupled to the one or more antennas and configured to switch connectivity between the control circuitry and the wireless power receiver circuitry.
18 . The wirelessly powered electronic shelf label apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the energy storage module comprises a capacitor formed of multiple metal layers disposed on a posterior side of the electronic display.
19 . The wirelessly powered electronic shelf label apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the display layer comprises an electronic ink display.
20 . A wirelessly powered electronic shelf label apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
an electronic ink display configured to present display data;
a multi-layer capacitor disposed on a posterior side of the electronic ink display, the multi-layer capacitor configured to store energy for powering to the electronic shelf label apparatus;
an optically transparent low loss substrate disposed on the electronic ink display;
one or more optically transparent antennas disposed on the optically transparent low loss substrate, the one or more antennas configured to receive wireless radio frequency (RF) power signals and data communications in a wireless power delivery environment; and
control circuitry disposed on or within the wirelessly powered electronic shelf label apparatus, the control circuitry configured to:
request wireless power from a wireless power transmission system;
convert the received RF power signals to DC power;
store the DC power in the multi-layer capacitor;
process the data communications to determine the display data; and
direct the electronic ink display to present the display data.