WO2019024951A1

WO2019024951A1 - System and device for on-line monitoring of the receipt of goods for shelves

Info

Publication number: WO2019024951A1
Application number: PCT/CZ2018/050041
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert STEHLÍK; Michal SKRČENÝ
Original assignee: Senselytics SRO
Current assignee: Senselytics SRO
Priority date: 2017-07-31
Filing date: 2018-07-26
Publication date: 2019-02-07
Anticipated expiration: 2020-01-31
Also published as: DE212018000273U1; CZ31014U1

Abstract

System and Device for On-Line Monitoring of the Receipt of Goods for Shelves The system for the on-line monitoring that comprises at least one control unit connected to a computer network for the two-way transfer of data from the control unit to the server further comprising at least one device for the monitoring of the receipt of goods for a shelf that is arranged next to at least one support of the shelf or that is integrated in at least one support of the shelf. The device for the monitoring is connected to the control unit either on a wire or wireless basis to transfer signals from the monitoring of the shelf to the control unit. An operating software module for the processing of the monitoring signals is included in the data repository together with a database of the shelves subject to monitoring.

Description

System and Device for On-Line Monitoring of the Receipt of Goods for Shelves

Field of the Invention

The invention concerns a system and a device for the on-line monitoring of the receipt of goods for shelves, in particular rack shelves.

Background of the Invention

Currently, stores use racks with shelves designed to carry stored goods allowing a well- organized selection of the goods and their picking by a shop assistant or customer where necessary. Goods must be first put on the shelves, where they are subsequently offered for sale and then they are regularly monitored whether the offered goods are not missing on the shelves. Stock-taking is usually performed by a responsible employee who visually checks the quantity of stored goods and if there is a lack of the stored goods the responsible employee will remedy the matter.

In small shops offering a reasonable number of goods items such a visual check is sufficient. The disadvantages of the existing solution rest in the fact that if a high number of articles is stored on the rack shelves in large qualities, e.g. in hypermarkets, a visual check of the space utilization of rack shelves may be ineffective. Some retailers and producers also use partner networks, which means that their employees need to visit individual stores within the framework of stock-taking. Therefore, the operator must either assign a higher number of employees to such visual checks of goods in racks, or find a technical solution which automates the monitoring of goods on shelves in racks thus facilitating stock-taking.

The task of the invention is to create a system and a device for the on-line monitoring of the receipt of goods for shelves, in particular rack shelves, which would be structurally non-complicated, easily applicable to the existing as well as newly manufactured shelves and which would not limit the capacity of the shelves. Summary of the Invention

The set task has been fulfilled by the system and the device for the on-line monitoring of the receipt of goods for shelves, in particular rack shelves, based on the following invention.

The system for the on-line monitoring of the receipt of goods for shelves that is fitted with at least one server equipped with at least one data repository and that is connected to a computer network. The server has at least one software module deposited in the data repository and at least one database for the operation of the system.

The essence of the invention rests in the fact that the system comprises at least one control unit connected to the computer network for the two-way transfer of data from the control unit to the server further comprising at least one device for the monitoring of the receipt of goods for a shelf that is arranged next to at least one support of the shelf or that is integrated in at least one support of the shelf. The device for the monitoring is connected to the control unit either on a wire or wireless basis to transfer signals from the monitoring of the shelf to the control unit. At the same time an operating software module for the processing of the monitoring signals received by the server from the system control units is included in the data repository together with at least one database of the shelves subject to monitoring.

The system monitors every change in the receipt of goods for the shelf by making a record in the database of the shelves based on the analysed monitoring signals from the control units. The control units concentrate signals from the devices for the monitoring of individual shelves with the subsequent sending of integrated data files to the server. The control units are advantageous due to the simplification of the connection between the server and the place where the shelves are physically located. If every device for monitoring were connected directly to the server, the system would become an unrightly entanglement of cables.

In a preferred embodiment of the system according to the invention, the device for the monitoring of the receipt of goods for a shelf comprises means for reading the load applied to the shelf or optical means for reading the space utilization of the shelf. Preferably, such means for the monitoring of load or optical means do not require the installation of RF tags on the received goods which reduces the costs related to the system operation. In the database of shelves the shelf can be set an expected load applied to the shelf and the contribution of one item to the total load is easily calculated upon the ascertainment of the number of items on the shelf. The optical means read whether the item is present on the shelf or not and generate a signal upon a change of the condition. The optical means are particularly preferred for the detection of empty shelves.

In a preferred embodiment of the system according to the invention the shelf is fitted with two devices for the monitoring of the shelf space utilization that are fixed to the shelf support or under the shelf support or on the side of the shelf support. Shelves are usually supported by two supports that carry load applied to the shelves. Preferably, each support is equipped with a monitoring device to attain accurate data concerning the receipt of goods for the shelf. With the already existing shelves such a monitoring device can be fixed in a manner not obstructing the goods stored on the shelf or the shop assistant's activity, while with the new structures of shelves the device can be integrated in the supports of the shelves as early as during the manufacture of the shelves and racks.

In a preferred embodiment of the system according to the invention the data repository includes a visualization software module for the graphic representation of the result of the processing of data from the database of shelves under monitoring. The visualization software module preferably performs for example the graphic visualization of the reports on the sale of goods in time that is intended for managers responsible for the receipt of goods for racks or that is connected with operational analytical tools integrated directly into the process of the receipt of goods for racks and issuing orders for new goods, etc. The advantage rests in the fact that the graphic representation of the monitoring results is much better organized and much more intuitive for the system user than for example numerical outputs provided by tables. In a preferred embodiment of the system according to the invention, a configuration and diagnostic software module for setting the system and the system activity monitoring is included in the data repository. This is preferred due to the fact that the configuration and diagnostic software module can allow the configuration and diagnostics of the entire system, listing of individual items on individual rack shelves racks, determination of the weight of items, firmware updates, system calibration, operational analytical tools configuration, e.g. including a definition where the responsible employee is sent e-mail or sms with the instruction to replenish items, etc.

In a preferred embodiment of the system according to the invention, an export software module for the synchronization of data and data export from the system is included in the data repository. Preferably, the export software module is intended for the collection of data from the database of monitored shelves, for data export to external databases and for data synchronization allowing data to be received by external databases. Among the advantages of the integration of the export software module is the fact that the system allows an easy user definition of data that the customer wishes to retain, synchronization of data with the customer's internal database systems, etc.

In a preferred embodiment of the system according to the invention the system includes at least one identification device for the identification of the employee handling the stored items that is connected to the control unit either on a wire or wireless basis to transmit signals bearing information on the employee's identification to the control unit. The identification of the employee is used for the monitoring of the quality of their work, in particular for the check of the correct receipt of items for rack shelves.

An integral part of the invention of the system is a device for the monitoring of the receipt of goods for a shelf that comprises at least one electronic sensor for the generation of signals bearing information on the course of monitoring.

The essence of the invention rests in the fact that the sensor consists of an electronic reader of weight and/or electronic optical reader. The reading of weight is a very easy and also a reliable solution. Optical readers are preferred for the items of goods where it is complicated to require constant weight, for example fruit and vegetables, and they are also a more cost- effective alternative to an easy detection of empty racks where there are less strict requirements for accuracy.

In a preferred embodiment of the device for monitoring according to the invention, the device for the monitoring of the receipt of goods for a shelf consists of two electronic readers of weight, along with two means of contact for the transfer of load applied to the shelf to the electronic weight reader and at last one means of installation for the protection of the components of the device and for fixing the device to the support of the shelf or for the integration of the device into the support of the shelf. Preferably, a means of contact transmitting load to the electronic weight reader is fitted under each corner of the shelf. The means of installation fulfils both protective and installation function for fixing the device to the supports of the existing shelves or for integration into the supports of newly manufactured shelves.

In a preferred embodiment of the system according to the invention, the means of installation consists of a block with protruding means of contact where the means of contact comprise a contact head put on a body led through the means of installation to the electronic weight reader. The advantage rests in the fact that the block can be fixed well and has a shape that fits the concept of the structure of the existing shelves and racks. The contact head is suitable for the contact with the shelf and its structure, which is more robust compared to the rest of the means of contact, provides sufficient operating resistance.

Among the advantages of the system and device for the on-line monitoring of the receipt of goods for shelves is reliability, simplicity of the structure allowing cheap manufacture, quick service and long-time failure free operation. The invention can be used for both the existing and newly manufactured rack shelves. Explanation of Drawings

The present invention will be explained in detail by means of the following figures where:

Fig. 1 shows the front view of the rack shelf fitted with the device according to the invention, Fig. 2 shows the side view of the rack shelf fitted with the device according to the invention, Fig 3 shows a detail of the means of contact,

Fig 4 shows a schematic arrangement of the system according to the invention. An Example of the Invention Embodiment

It shall be understood that the specific cases of the invention embodiments described and depicted below are provided for illustration only and do not limit the invention to the examples provided here. Those skilled in the art will find or, based on routine experiment, will be able to provide a greater or lesser number of equivalents to the specific embodiments of the invention which are described here. Also such equivalents will be included in the scope of the following patent claims.

Fig. 1 shows a rack shelf 1 to whose both supports 6 a device 5 for the monitoring of the receipt of goods for the shelf 1 fitted with electronic weight readers is fixed. The device 5 is installed on the bottom part of the support 6, where the supports 6 include means of contact 7 going through them that are terminated by a half-round contact head. For details, see Fig. 3. The device 5 is installed using a block- shaped means of installation 8 that encapsulates the sensitive components of the device 5. The shelf 1 rests on the contact heads while exerting pressure on them due to the force of gravity. The means of contact 7 transmit the pressure to the electronic weight readers that produce monitoring signals. The means of contact 7 also fulfil the protective function preventing the weight readers from overloading.

Fig. 2 shows a side view of the shelf 1 with the device 5 where it can be seen that the device 5 has at its disposal two weight readers arranged in a manner allowing the two means of contact 7 to be positioned in the area under the corners of the shelf 1. The means of installation 8 consisting of the blocks are fitted with holes for the stems of the screws 9 by which they are fixed to the support 6. The means of installation 8 with the orientation of the means of contact 7 can be adapted to fixing from the bottom side or the top side or even from the side of the support 6. Depending on the orientation of fixing the means of contact 7 exert either pressure or tension to the electronic weight reader.

In an example of the embodiment that is not shown in the figure, the device 5 is fitted with an optical reader of the receipt of goods for the shelf 1. The optical reader comprises for example a light barrier. The position of the device 5 allows the use of the light barrier in the following manner: with an increasing load applied to the shelf 1 during the receipt of goods the light barrier will close and with a gradual picking of the goods the light barrier will open. Alternatively, the light barrier is closed by individual items of goods whose picking will cause the light barrier opening.

The device 5 can be fixed to the existing supports 6 of the shelves 1 in racks, or it is possible to integrate the device 5 into the supports 6 of the shelves 1 of the racks for example by inserting the device 5 into the cavity of the hollow section forming the support 6.

Fig. 4 shows a scheme of the system for the on-line monitoring of the receipt of goods for shelves. The system comprises a server 2 that is connected to a computer network, e.g. the Internet. The server 2 is equipped with a data repository 3 that includes an operating software module SW for the processing of monitoring signals. The SW software module identifies the shelf 1 to which the signal belongs and a change in condition depending on the signal is assigned to the item in the DB database of shelves 1. When detecting a change exceeding set limits, the server 2 can send an information message, such as an e-mail to the mobile phone of the responsible employee, via the Internet network to a remote user device. The server 2 is comprised of a computer.

In addition, the system comprises a control unit 4 that includes electronic A/D converters, a multiplexer control processor, a GSM or RF or Wi-Fi module for the on-line transfer of monitoring data from the device 5 to the server 2. The control unit 4 is connected to the devices of a group of the shelves 1. For example, one control unit 4 for a whole row of the rack shelves 1.

An integral part of the system is also an identification device 9 that serves for the identification of the employee responsible for the receipt of items for the shelves 1. The identification device 9 is for example an employee card reader, a reader of RF chips, finger prints, etc. The identification device 9 is connected to the control unit 4, that sends monitoring information to the server 2 where the sent information includes data on the employee performing the receipt of goods for the shelves 1.

In addition, the system is equipped with a visualization software module, which means that the results of the processing of data from the database of the monitored shelves 1 can be displayed in the form of graphs, such as colour graphs, colour schemes, etc. for the easier orientation of the employees responsible for the receipt of goods for the shelves 1.

In addition, the system is equipped with a configuration and diagnostic software module that allows new shelves 1 and stored items to be entered into the system, including a record in the database of monitored shelves 1. It also serves for the diagnostics of the system operation and for the monitoring of the control units 4 and devices 5.

In addition, the system is fitted with an export software module that includes tools for the selection and sorting of data from the database of the monitored shelves 1 pro export, and also converters for the conversion of data retained in the database of the monitored shelves 1 into formats suitable for external databases and systems.

If, for example, the shelf 1 received 30 items of goods weighing 100 g prior to the beginning of the working day and later, at the end of the working day, the detected load applied to the shelf 1 corresponding to the weight of 1,500 g is detected, the system will analyse that it is necessary to receive for the shelf 1 15 items of the goods. The system is able to generate for example the time behaviour of goods picking from the shelf 1, or where applicable it can send an e-mail containing a notice if the load applied to the shelf 1 decreases under a set limit, for example 5 pieces of goods creating load of 500 g, to ensure the timely replenishment of the goods.

If the goods have different weights, such as vegetables, the receipt of goods for the shelf 1 is monitored by optical readers in the device 5. If, for example, the shelf 1 contains six pieces of vegetables with different weights, the device 5 with the optical reader creates on the shelf 1 six light barriers that are interrupted by the goods. When the goods are picked, light or other type of radiation, such as ultrasound, infra-red radiation, etc., will pass the light barrier, which will cause its closing and the system will create a record in the database of shelves.

It is possible to combine the device 5 with the weight readers and optical readers within the framework of one shelf 1.

Industrial Applicability

The system and device for on-line monitoring of the receipt of goods for shelves, in particular rack shelves, designed according to this invention can be applied in the area of retail, in particular shopping centres and partner retail networks, for example, for sale at filling stations.

Overview of the Positions

1 a shelf

2 a sever

3 a data repository

4 a control unit

5 a device for the monitoring of the receipt of goods for a shelf

6 a shelf support

7 a means of contact

8 a means of installation

9 an identification device

Claims

1. The system for the on-line monitoring of the receipt of goods for shelves (1) comprising at least one server (2) fitted with at least one data repository (3) connected to a computer network that includes in its data repository (3) at least one software module and at least one database, characterized in that it comprises at least one control unit (4) connected to the computer network for the two-way transfer of data from the control unit (4) to the server (2), and that also comprises at least one device (5) for the monitoring of the receipt of goods for the shelf (1) arranged next to at least one support (6) of the shelf (1) or integrated in at least one support (6) of the shelf (1), that is connected to the control unit (4) on a wire or wireless basis for the transmission of signals monitoring the shelf (1) to the control unit (4), where the data repository (3) includes an operating software module for the processing of monitoring signals received by the server (2) from the control units (4) of the system, and at least one database of the monitored shelves (1).

2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the device (5) for the monitoring of the received goods for the shelf (1) includes means for reading load applied to the shelf (1) or optical means for reading the space utilization of the shelf (1).

3. The system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the shelf (1) is fitted with two devices (5) for the monitoring of the receipt of goods for the shelf (1) that are fixed above the supports (6) of the shelf (1) or under the supports (6) of the shelf (1), or on the side of the supports (6) of the shelf (1).

4. The system according to any of claims 1 through 3, characterized in that the data repository (3) includes a visualization software module for the graphic representation of the result of the processing of data from the database of monitored shelves (1).

5. The system according to any of claims 1 through 4, characterized in that the data repository (3) includes a configuration and diagnostic software module for the setting of the system and for the monitoring of the system activity.

6. The system according to any of claims 1 through 5, characterized in that the data repository (3) includes an export software module for the synchronization of data and data export from the system to an external database.

7. The system according to any of claims 1 through 6, characterized in that it includes at least one identification device (9) for the identification of the employee handling the stored items that is connected to the control unit (4) either on a wire or wireless basis to transmit signals bearing information on the employee's identification to the control unit (4).

8. The device (5) for the monitoring of the receipt of goods for the shelf (1) in the system according to any of claims 1 through 3, comprised of at least one electronic sensor for the generation of monitoring signals, characterized in that the sensor comprises an electronic weight reader and/or an electronic optical reader.

9. The device according to claim 8 characterized in that the device (5) for the monitoring of the receipt of goods for the shelf (1) consists of two electronic readers of weight, along with two means of contact (7) for the transfer of load applied to the shelf (1) to the electronic weight reader, and further comprises at last one means of installation (8) for the protection of the components of the device (5) and for fixing the device (5) to the support (6) of the shelf (1) or for the integration of the device (5) into the support (6) of the shelf (1).

10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that the means of installation (8) comprises a block with protruding means of contact (7), where the means of contact (7) are fitted with a contact head.