CA2090324A1 - Cash desk management aid system for a retail outlet, and method of implementation - Google Patents

Abstract

2090324 9300641 PCTABS00161 The present invention relates to an installation for assistance in the management of human resources of a distribution center comprising: at least one sensor for counting the number of people entering the distribution center; means (40) for acquiring the number of people waiting in front of each cash register; a calculation unit (6) associated with a first storage means (17) of information relating to a mathematical model of the evolution of the queues, and a second storage means (12, 16) of the variables transmitted by the means for acquiring the installation, said calculation unit (6) delivering graphical, visual, sound or textual information as a function of the application of said model to the variables recorded in said memories (12, 16). Application: supermarket, hypermarket, performance hall, sports ground.

Description

WO 93/00641

2 0 9 ~ 3 2 ~ Pcr / FRg2 / 00s84 INSTALLATION FOR ASSISTANCE IN MANAGING
CAISS ~ S OF A DISTRIBUTION CENTER, AS WELL AS
PROCEDURE IMPLEMENTED FOR SAID INSTALLATION.

S The present invention relates to an installation for assistance in the human resources management of a center distribution, as well as the process used to said installation.
In the prior art, resource management numbers for optimizing the waiting time in front of payment boxes, or efficiency optimal business is done empirically, based for example on the evolution of turnover by compared to the same period of the previous year. Thereby, it is very difficult to plan for a longer period of a few minutes, the need for additional cashiers, or to plan the closing of certain cases, or effectively organize the work of sellers between unpacking and storage sites for goods, and points of sale in direct contact with customers.
This results in excessive lengthening of the lines waiting, and therefore customer dissatisfaction. In other cases, the cashiers or the excess sellers could be more usefully used for functions others, such as unpacking items for example.
The object of the present invention is a Installation for resource management assistance distribution center for a optlmlsation of the distribution of personnel between dlf'ferents workstations according to the different parameters influencing an efficiency indicator commercial.

SHEET l:) E REPLACED ~ ENT

WO 93/0 ~ 641 PCT / FR92 / 00584 209 ~ 32 ~

To this end, the installation according to the invention includes:
- at least one c2pteur for the countdown ~ ge at number of people entering the distribution center i S - the means for acquiring the ~ shadow of people waiting at each checkout;
- a calculation unit associated with a first mean. for memorizing parameters relating to a model evolution of the queues, and at a 10 second means of memorizing the variables, ~ transmitted by the means of station acquisition. The unit of ca'cul delivers graphic, visual, audio or .extuelle, function of the result of the app'ica.ion of the model to the variables stored at time To. The calculation unit 15 includes a clock delivering a signal for regenerating the variables recorded in the second storage means.
The period of this clock is fixed or adjustable by the user.
The commercial efficiency parameter corresponds 20 has the forecast evolution of the length of the lines waiting time, or at the conversion rate, i.e.
ratio between the number of people counted as entering the distribution center and the number of people actually making at least one purchase, and 25 therefore passing to a box.
These indicators are displayed on the one hand and / or edited in tabular and graphical form, and others share explolted by the computing unit to trigger actions when certain thresholds are exceeded. These actions 30 are for example signage on certain sites messages from certain people, or the initiation of an automatic or semi-procedure automatic call to individual staff, using Individual receivers, paging or any other 35 means known in the prior art.

FE ~) ILLE DE ~ EMPLAG ~ NT

'...

WO 93/00641 P ~ T / FR92 / 00584 2 ~ 032A ~

The counting sensors consist of detectors placed at. ~ from the store or at any point such that staircase, elevator, escalator, where knowledge of customer movement is important. Two types of sensors can be used. The first type of sensor only detects the number of people f_anchissant a line, whatever the direction of the passage of this line. The second type of captor- determines no only the number of people who crossed a threshold, but also the direction of crossing this threshold, so to provide an additional indication. According to the meaning of crossing, we will determine if the person counted in ~ re aar.s the store or in sor_. ~ n can thus a ~ or time determine the number of people entering and the number of people leaving.
Preferably, the means of acquiring the number of people waiting in front of each box are consisting of digital cameras connected to a shape recognition calculator delivering a signal depending on the number of people waiting in front of the cash register corresponding to each of the cameras.
The camera, advantageously a type camera CCD (charge transfer camera) delivers a signal numerical operated by a calculator determining by example the optical density to deduce an approximation of the number of people waiting.
According to a particular embodiment, the dlstributlon center also includes sales poinls retail each equipped with a station including a first own control means to be activated by a customer, a tlcket printer, a calculator incrementing a number of order imprinted on said ticket during an action by a customer on ledlt means of control. This position includes elsewhere a second control means incrementing the second serial number displayed on a display, when FEUI ~ IED '~ E ~ PLACEM ~ NT

WO 93/00641 P ~ / FR92 / 00584 2090324 i ---actuation by a vendor. cu point ven ~ e 2U de-a ~ :, d'u ~
second control means, as well as mo ~ ens of the sound with the central computing unit.
C; ~ none of the stations issues a signal corresponding to a variable taken into account for the ? revision of the waiters, according to the model whose parameters are cha-ged in the first ~ means of memorization.
Advantageously, the installation comprises?
1 ~ means of remote access to information. These remote transmission movens allow this ~ .tre to ~ l ~ survei'lance d'-n_luer s_- model parameters cha; gé d2ns ia orem è; em ~ mo -e.
According to a particular embodiment, the downcount sensor consists of a cell photoelectric and a light source generating a beam luminous in the direction of said photoelectric cell, along an axis crossing the entrance passage from the center of distribution. The down counting sensor has in or ~ re means for detecting source malfunction bright. By way of example, these detection means are constituted by a circui ~ generating an alert signal when the cell does not detect any light beam ~:
for a duration greater than a predetermined time. We thus detects failures of the light source, its power supply, or accidental plugging of the light bleam.
According to a preferred embodiment, the sensor further includes a second set consisting of a cell and a light source, as well as means for detect the direction of the customer's passage according to the order of interruption of successive light beams, emitted by each of the light sources.
We can thus detect if a client enters the store or leaves without going through the cash desks, and FIRE ~ LL ~ ~ EF ~ -PLACEMENT

209 ~ 32 ~
-refine the variables taken into account for the calculation of changes in the length of the queues.
The invention also relates to the method put implemented by this installation.
The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, relating to examples not l ~ .m_.2 .- '' s de -éal ~ sa.ions, e_ com? lé ~ ée par les essins e-.
ar.neY.eo` ~:
- Figure 1 shows a schematic view of the installation according to the invention;
- Figure 2 shows a schematic view of a metering station i - La 'igure 3 représer.te a schematic view of ~ evaluation of the length of the lines;
- Figure 4, ~ shows a schematic view an implementation device according to the invention;
- Figure 5, shows a block diagram simplified method according to the invention.
Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a exemplary embodiment of the installa, ion according to the invention.
It includes at least one counting station ~ 1), line length evaluation stations ~ 2) a (4), a set (5) of memory connected to a central unit (6) The counting station consists of a circuit comprising initialization means for the reset of the counting variable. Means of read the calendar (8) test the content of a file schedule (9) to determine if the installation should be activated or not. If the system time or system date correspond to a period of closure of the center of distribution, the metering station is deactivated so to exclude the transmission of outliers, such as that the absence of entry or exit during a period excessively long.
The counting point (1) also includes a lnterface ~ 10) for reading a file from con ~ 'iguratlon ~ 11) to determine the type of signals a transmit to 1 ~ central processing unit SHEET '~ Pl ~ .C'-5 ~ NT

WO 93/0064 ~ PCT / FR92 / 00584 r 20 ~ 032d ~

The interface (11) es, intended for the management of counting card. Ce.te in ~ erface transmits notammen. to one memory (12) the result of the count. Le ronc.io ~ n ~ eme detail of a counting system will be described later.
~ 'set of memories (~ j has a memory (13) con.enan, 'es parameters intrinsic to the installation and at: -eCsources h ~ maines available. These in ^ orma.ior.s are notably entered using a keyboard (14). These information is, for example, constituted by the number of available cashiers, the number of cashiers managed by the installation, the schedule of the cashier, the realization ~ ec ~ ive d. pl2r.ning, el ~ or ~ es z_ ~ -es information influencing the forecasting model.
The count data is also stored in a buffer memory (15) containing counting history.
The variable relating to the length of the islands from the queue length evaluation stations (2 ~ 4) is transmitted to a variable file ~ 16).
Finally, all of the memories (5) include a file (17) containing the parameters of the mathematical model evaluation at a time To ~ Tn of the length of the queues waiting time according to the variables measured by the installation. This settings file contains data which can be modified remotely, using a modem (modulator-demodulator) (18). The modem (18) allows an operator installed in a processing center and analysis of a ~ uster the different parameters of the modem, in data function influencing the laws of evolution of length of the Siles, which are not taken into account i ~ çon automatic by the system. The operator can also refine the dlf ~ erent parameters according to the anomalies or aberrations that he may have noticed.

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2 ~ 9 ~

The calculation unit (6) which are ~? Ar e ~: em? Le constituted by a microcomputer of known type, manages the memory assembly (5) and in particular manages the refresh of the variables according to a periodicity S predefined. The calculation unit normally determines the provisional length of allen ~ e queues, in Ionc.ion on the one hand, of the parameters defining the law of evolution, contents dar.s le -ichie- mem_ire (17 ~ e ~ des d _-e-en.es variables stored in memories (12) and (16).
The result of these calculations is eY ~ used for editing curves and graphs, either on a screen visualization (lg), either on a paper support- using a printer (20). Ce_ data sor.t also ~
stored in a buffer memory (lS) allowing later to retrace a history of the different variables and calculation results, and to proceed different statistical analyzes.
The results are edited or viewed under array formY. or graphics and allow determine different analytical states such as:
- daily, weekly, monthly or annual admissions;
- the average daily, weekly, monthly or annual admissions;
- the daily, weekly comparative report, monthly or annual entries;
- the daily, weekly commercial report, monthly and yearly;
- the daily transformation rate, weekly, monthly and yearly, i.e.
ratio between the number of people entering in the store and the number of people going to the cash desks, and therefore having proceeded to minus a purchase.

ILLE DE ~ cMPLACEI ~ / SLOW

WO 93/00641 PCT / FR92 / 0058 ~
209 ~ 324 These different results allow ~ to analyze ~
repercussions on commercial efficiency ~ e dif ~ erent elements such as the influence of the weather, the organization internal shelving, the number of trolleys placed available to customers, and to optimize the Fri from the store.
The computing unit also generates signals alert to ~ es ~ oyens de signa'isaticn (21). These means of signaling, for example, consist of horns sound or light suitable for signaling to one or more cashiers the opportunity to open a new cash register or con ~ rai_e of ~ ermer one or more boxes, depending des -és_lta-s er. ap? liquan, the lo ~ evolved. ~ on the va-iacles stored in memories (12) and ~ 16).
Figure 2 shows a schematic view of a counting station. Each counting station has a light source (30) constituted by an electric bulb the beam (31) of which is focused by a lens (32).
This lamp is powered by a lnterface during store opening periods, saved in the calendar file (9). A cell photovoltaic (33) is arranged on the axis of the beam light (31), facing the light source (30). The light source ~ 30) and the photovoltaic cell (33) are arranged so that each customer entering the store cuts the light beam ~ 31) when it comes in and / or leaves the store. The signal transmitted by the cell photovoltaic (33) is transmitted to a processing circuit of slgnal ~ 34). This circuit consists essentially of a bi-stable rocker, forming an anti-rebound circuit. A
second circuit ~ 35) supplies a relay ~ 36) and an output alarm ~ 37). This circuit ~ 35) generates an alarm signal when the signals from the shaping circuit ~ 34) have anomalies. Among these anomalies, we can mint a signal corresponding to a beam cut FEU5LLED ~? LACEMENT

WO 93 / 0064l PCT / FR92 / 00584 ~ - ~ 209032a ~

luminous (31) for an excessive duration. In general, a such signal corresponds to an anomaly at the source luminous, oar e ~: example a faulty amooule, c ~ - again accidental obturation of the light beam. ~: (31). The S signal delivered by the relay (36) or by any other moven equivalent, corresponds to a pa- cient impuision intercepting the light beam ~ (31).
~ ~ ve ~ tuellemen ,, le ~ oste de com? t ~ e co ...? c-te u ..
second set arranged at a short distance. In analyzing the direction of the phase shift between the signals delivered by each of the sets, it is thus oossib'e of determine the direction of cut of the light beams, and d ~ eermine- c- s? ersonne décor ~ D ~ ée enters the nagas n or comes out.
Figure 3 shows a schematic view of the line length assessment station. A camera CCD type ~ charge transfer camera) is arranged at the above each of the boxes, so that its field optics includes the area likely to be occupied by a waiting line. The presence of a client (41, 32, 43) in the queue results in a modification of the image observed by the digital camera (40). This modification of the image results in particular in a variation of the density of the image. This variation is implemented by a pattern recognition software for determining, approximately the number of people waiting in the waiting line. The result is certainly different when people are waiting with or without a cart. Nevertheless, the information remains usable insofar as a a person with a trolley will mobilize the body in question for a period substantially identical to that of two people without trolley.
It is understood that many others means of assessing the length of the queue can be considered by the skilled person, in SHEET Di- RFMPLAC ~ MENT

WO 93 / 0064l PCT / FR92 / 00584 209032a ~ ~

particular, we can consider the decomp ~ e ~ pa operators ~ auxiliaries entering at intervals readjust the number of people waiting in front of each cash register using a keyboard connected to the calculation unit (6).
Some distribution centers are equipped with point-of-sale points, marketing pa-resionau products or exceptional products.
In a particular example of an ins.a_'atic ~
according to the present invention, each point of ven ~ e to the garlic ~
comprises a first assembly (50) comprising a bolt pusher (51) actuated by the client wishing to perform a purchase or pay for the goods it 2 p-is. An action on 1G bou ~ on? Oussoi- (5 :) p-3vo ~ ue printing a ticket (53) bearing a number automatically incrementing after each action on the push button (51). This ticket (53) has a serial number telling the customer when he can access the checkout or point of sale. At the same time, the seller has a push button (54) which it activates after each operation, in order to cause the appearance on a display ~ 55) the following customer's order number. This display is managed by a circuit (56) causing in particular incrementing a counter each time the button is pressed pusher (54). The seller's means of ordering can also be formed by an infrared transmitter red or electromagnetic triggering from a distance incrementing the display system. Order numbers coming from the printer (50) on the one hand and from the other control circuit (56) of the display (55), are transmitted has an interface (57) delivering a signal on an output (58) connection to the calculation unit (6). These informations constitute an additional variant for the evaluation of the length of the queues and efficiency commercial. They are used by the computing unit for determining the conversion rate and for RETURN SHEET ~ PLACEi ~ cNT

WO 93/00641 2 0 9 0 3 2 ~ PCT / FR92 / 00584 calculation of the expected queue length auY. point of sale considered. Depending on the result of the calculation, sellers are called to the point of sale at detail for customer service, or on the contrary are S sent to other workstations, for example for destocking or for carrying out inventories.
When the transformation rate decreases, that is, the number of people leaving the store without having made any purchases, the calculation unit in the seller recall process on points sale. This means that the sales department is insufficient to lead to the decision to purchase a number prohibitive from customers. When the transformation rate reaches a threshold value, cn can consider that the number of sellers is sufficient or even excessive to satisfy customer requests and that it is better to move some sellers on other workstations.
Figure S shows a simplified block diagram of the process according to the invention. At regular intervals Tn ~ we read files containing different parameters taken into account by the model mathematical, and corresponding to the data acquired by the installation sensors. We then calculate the value of the indicator or indicators defined by the mathematical models whose parameters are memorized. The result of calculations is stored in the buffer memory, to be used later for editing and / or viewing histograms, tables and graphical representations of evolution as a function of date or time of the above-mentioned indicators and for the carrying out statistical processing. In addition, results are compared to benchmarks for trigger seller recall procedures on points of sale or their referral to other work and / or for the opening or closing of cash desks SHEET nE REPLACES ~ A'NT

20 ~ 32 ~ i`

payment. These “procedures” may be of the sem-- type automatic, and in this case consist of `` call aes personnel concerned? ar operators e .. fonc. ~ o ~ de messages or information appearing on a screen of display connected to the computing unit. These procedures ? euve- .. also ~ be of the ~ omatic type. In that case, the computing unit triggers signaling means sound, visual or? ar a'fi ^ hage de lex ~ e -.s.ailés sur les different workstations. These means of signaling can also ~ re ~ constituted by recepteu-s portable.
_a? resente invention é ~ é described in what ? ~~ c ~ ede à ~ i_-e d exem? ie non limita_if. -1 esr bie.n in, endu that the skilled person will be able to achieve many variants, without for au ~ ant depart from the scope of these.

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Claims (10)

14 1 - Installation for management assistance human resources of a distribution center, characterized in that it comprises:
- at least one sensor for counting down number of people entering the distribution center;
- means (40) for acquiring the number people waiting in front of each box;
- a calculation unit (6) associated with a first means this storage (17) of information relating to a mathematical model of the evolution of queues, and a second means of memorizing (12, 16) the variables transmitted by the means of acquisition of the installation, said calculation unit (6) delivering information graphic, visual, sound or text, function of the application of said model to the variables recorded in said memories (12, 16). 2 - Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that the means of acquiring the number of people waiting in front of each cash register, are made up by digital cameras connected to a computer shape recognition delivering a signal representative of the number of people waiting in front of the cash register corresponding of each of said cameras (40). 3 - Installation according to any one of Claims 1 to 2, characterized in that it comprises in addition to a post equipping a retail outlet, comprising a first control means (51), suitable for being operated by a client, a ticket printer (52) (53) bearing a serial number incremented during an action by a client on said first control means (51), a second control means (54) incrementing a second number displayed on a display (55) according to actuation by a seller of the retail outlet, and means of connection with the central computing unit (6). 4 - Installation according to any one of previous claims, characterized in that it further comprises means (18) for communication with a remote monitoring center. - Installation according to any one of previous claims, characterized in that the downcount sensor consists of a cell photoelectric (33) and by a light source (30) generating a light beam towards said cell photoelectric, along an axis crossing the inlet passage of the distribution center, the countdown sensor comprising means for detecting the malfunction of the light source (30). 6 - Installation according to any one of previous claims, characterized in that said sensor has a circuit (35) generating a circuit alert when the cell does not detect any beam luminous for a duration greater than a time predetermined. 7 - Installation according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that said sensor comprises a second assembly consisting of a cell and a light source (30), as well as means for detecting the direction of passage of the customer according to the order of interruption of light beams (31) emitted by each of the sources bright. 8 - Resource management assistance process distribution center, characterized in that we proceed at a time T0 to count the number of number of people entering a distribution center people waiting in front of each box, and in this that we memorize the parameters of an evolution model a commercial efficiency indicator for the distribution considered, then in what we calculate the forecast evolution of said indicator at a time T0 +
Tn as a function of the variables measured at time T0, characterized in that a procedure is initiated automatic or semi-automatic when one or more of several predetermined indicator thresholds forecast thus calculated. 9 - Resource management assistance process human according to the preceding claim, characterized in what an optical or audible signal is triggered when the calculated forecast indicator exceeds a threshold value predetermined. 10 - Resource management assistance process human according to claims 8 or 9, characterized in that we edit or visualize in addition tables or curves representing the evolution over time of ratio between the number of people detected by counting sensors in the incoming direction, and the number of people counted at the cash desks.