Smart shelf power and data transmission system
A powerline data transmission system for smart shelves provides AC power and network data propagated over a single cable. In disclosed embodiments, a starter unit encodes an ethernet signal onto an alternating current power source with a driver unit decoding the ethernet signal from the power source to provide separate power and data at a location such as a shelving unit bay. The separated power and data signals are provided to a technology box which communicates power and data to sensors positioned on the shelves of the unit. A support structure for the smart shelf system provided mounting of the driver unit and technology box along the top of the shelving unit or in a lower tray of the unit.
1. A powerline data transmission system for a smart shelf system, comprising:
a starter unit configured to:
connect to an alternating current power source,
connect to an Ethernet data signal,
encode the data signal on the alternating current power source to provide a combined power and data signal, and
propagate the combined power and data signal via a multiconductor cable;
a plurality of driver units connected in series with the starter unit, wherein each driver unit is operable to:
receive the propagated combined power and data signal from the starter unit or from an upstream driver unit,
propagate the combined power and data signal via a multiconductor cable to a downstream driver unit,
decode the data signal from the combined power and data signal, and
provide a separated power supply and separated data signal to a technology box for use with a smart shelf system; and
a multiconductor track in electrical communication with the technology box, the track configured to distribute power and data communications signals to a plurality of shelves of the smart shelf system.
2. The powerline data transmission system of claim 1 , wherein the starter unit comprises line and ground filtering circuitry configured to prevent propagation of the combined power and data signal back to the alternating current source.
3. The powerline data transmission system of claim 2 , wherein the filtering circuitry comprises inductors, capacitors, and combinations thereof.
4. The powerline data transmission system of claim 1 , wherein each driver unit is further operable to provide direct current voltage to a lighting track for powering lighting features of a shelf system.
5. A smart shelf system, comprising:
a support structure configured to support a plurality of shelves, wherein each shelf is configured to receive one or more sensors;
a starter unit configured to:
connect to an alternating current power source,
connect to an Ethernet data signal,
encode the data signal on the alternating current power source to provide a combined power and data signal, and
propagate the combined power and data signal via a multiconductor cable;
a plurality of driver units connected in series with the starter unit, wherein each driver unit is operable to receive the combined power and data signal from the starter unit or from an upstream driver unit, propagate the combinee power and data signal via a multiconductor cable to a downstream driver unit, and to decode the combined signal into separate power supply and data signals; and
a multiconductor track comprising a plurality of conductors in communication with each driver unit and operable to distribute the separate power supply and data signals to the plurality of shelves.
6. The smart shelf system of claim 5 , further comprising a lighting track operable to distribute direct current along the shelf system for powering lighting features.
7. The smart shelf system of claim 5 , wherein the support structure includes a trough configured to receive and conceal each driver unit.
8. The smart shelf system of claim 5 , wherein the support structure includes a mounting cavity for receiving each driver unit and a panel configured to cover the mounting cavity and conceal each driver unit.
9. The smart shelf system of claim 5 , wherein the support structure includes a lower tray configured to receive each driver unit and a technology box.
10. A smart shelf system, comprising:
a support structure configured to support a plurality of shelves;
a starter unit configured to connect to an alternating current power source and an Ethernet data signal and provide a combined power and data signal; signal;
a plurality of driver units connected in series with the starter unit, where each driver unit is operable to receive the combined power and data signal and to decode the combined signal into separate power supply and data signals; and
a multiconductor track comprising a plurality of conductors in communication with each driver unit and operable to distribute the separate power supply and data signals to the plurality of shelves.
11. The smart shelf system of claim 10 , further comprising a technology box configured to communicate with sensors associated with one or more of the plurality of shelves.
12. The smart shelf system of claim 10 , further comprising a lighting track operable to distribute direct current along the shelf system for powering lighting features.
13. The smart shelf system of claim 10 , wherein the support structure includes a trough configured to receive and conceal each driver unit.
14. The smart shelf system of claim 10 , wherein the support structure includes a mounting cavity for receiving each driver unit and a panel configured to cover the mounting cavity and conceal each driver unit.
15. The smart shelf system of claim 10 , wherein the support structure includes a lower tray configured to receive each driver unit and a technology box.