DE10231050A1 - Information device on goods in a shopping center/department store/store-room helps a customer to locate desired goods and navigate through a store prior to purchase - Google Patents

Abstract

A location/navigation device finds goods (10). A data storage device has information on the goods, e.g. bottles (F). An identification device identifies the goods. A relaying device relays information to interested people regarding particular interests and/or, as required, supplementary information on identified goods. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a sales device for goods in a shopping center, department store, store-room, etc.; and (2) for a sales and information device to transmit data on goods sold to a goods administration point.

Description

The invention relates to an information device for information about Goods in a shopping mall, department store, large warehouse or the like. information systems are generally well known. They each serve a specific purpose and are therefore bound to a specific task.

Such a known information device is, for example, a timetable information system that uses travel connections informed.

Another category of information systems For example, concerns known book information systems that have ISBN numbers and / or inform authors and / or book titles.

There are also information facilities on Output of article numbers. You provide this e.g. because of a Barcodes ready for what they are limited to. The latter category also includes POS systems, whose task is to recognize articles, assign their price, a mostly cryptic short description of the Convey articles, sum up the final price and if necessary recalculate with one or more factors. You meet as Data provider only this task, or at best still deliver Data for an enterprise resource planning system.

Known solutions are therefore regularly on limited a narrow range of tasks, which is also reflected in that both the hardware and the control system used are specialized.

Any, if any, Multifunctionality known systems are limited for purposes or applications that are closely related. With a ticket machine it is probably possible to find out about timetables and purchase tickets from transportation companies, but it is not possible, record ISBN numbers on one of these machines, for example to be evaluated.

Based on this state of the art the object of the invention is to provide an information device multifunctionality propose using known electronic components can be produced with different functions, and they are accordingly the intended purposes and individual requirement profiles can be easily adjusted.

The proposed with the invention solution uses the use of known components for manufacturing of information facilities using suitable combinations of components, with possibly a navigation and / or location device to find the goods, with at least one data storage device, the Provides information about the goods with an identification facility to identify the goods, as well as with a switching device to convey the information and / or, if applicable, of specific interests Additional information to interested parties, these facilities or Furniture components preferably housed in a housing are. The inventive Information setup is independent of a special platform and for Different objects and different tasks can be used, whereby their multifunctionality can be enlarged if them as part of a sales facility for goods is integrated in a department store, where appropriate by a goods registration and confirmation facility of sales-relevant data of the goods purchased by a customer added and continues through a transmission facility this data to a collection agency.

For reception, input or processing of information and to convey prospect-specific The information device assigns information in or in connection with a housing an electronic calculator, a keyboard, a screen and a printer if necessary.

To identify the goods, a Requirement for retrieving the goods information, for example, is a scanner to disposal, for example, a barcode or an intelligent label the goods, their packaging or otherwise in a direct relationship with the goods, such as reading in a list and on it Assigns the appropriate information.

The information device is advantageous in a mobile case arranged, which is portable or can be carried on a shopping cart, whereby it can then be introduced to the goods sought. At a fixed installation, the use of which is also provided If, for example, at the place where the goods are issued, the goods will be on brought the facility to be identified.

Another advantage of the information device according to the invention, which is particularly advantageous in shopping centers and large department stores in the possibility for guidance of a prospective buyer to the location of the goods he is looking for an integrated navigation device.

The navigation device is advantageous a radio control device that can be operated from any location the customer in the department store on the shortest route to the one they are looking for Goods leads. there could for example a satellite-based, such as a so-called GPS device (Global Positioning System) are used. But also a ground-based one Setup is possible, if necessary in connection with a satellite-based navigation device.

In addition to the navigation solution just described, there are others with the Infor Mation device can cooperate if you, as seen before, equipped with the necessary components, which is technically very easy to do.

For example, the information facility be equipped with induction loops installed in the floor the for a necessary navigation exchange necessary information can.

Another possibility is that the Information facility itself with an intelligent label or one that serves the same purpose electronic circuit board connected when passing through Passage areas the current location of the information facility determined, and on this basis the data for further navigation of the Information facility available provides.

The location device can be by means of a special transmitter / receiver device equipped or added be targeted on site, for example in front of a shelf a targeted product can be accessed. For this purpose on or in a suitable assignment to the goods, for example, an intelligent one Label attached as a location aid, which when it is recorded triggers a signal there by the transmitter of the navigation device.

With the intelligent label, also “Smart Called label, it is usually a stick-on label that carries an electronic component. This has one own intelligence, own data storage and is usually freely programmable but usually about none own power supply.

That means that intelligent label same design due to individual programming different May contain information. An intelligent label can be created using appropriate techniques, typically Transceiver / transponder technology communicate with the environment for what it is briefly supplied with electrical energy from the outside by induction and is therefore able to access the information stored in it send wirelessly to the environment. This topic also belongs the technology "RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) ", for many years, for example, in the retail trade for theft protection is used. Since these components only serve the stated purpose serve, their programming is usually uniform.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the Invention, a prospect can send a message to the information facility enter, especially in relation to the purchase of a product, which then if necessary, cashless by means of an appropriate entry in an integrated transmission device can be paid to the debt collection agency.

Prospect's purchase information can advantageously through the information and sales facility transmitted to any place are, for example to a goods release point, a goods issue point or a position for is responsible for shipping the purchased goods.

The information facility as such or as an integral part of the sales facility according to the invention open not only for the customers a faster and more targeted processing of their purchases, but also brings for the purchasing center etc. as a seller has considerable advantages.

The information facility is suitable for staff to save, for example advice and information from interested parties preferably over the information is set up. Furthermore, the settlement of buying / selling, paying and handing over the goods simplified.

By using the information facility let yourself optimize the provision of goods in sales rooms because less Post a commodity for the prospect's purchase decision must be held up.

The fast navigation of the customers to goods ensures a better willingness to buy, and the optimization of processing of sales and delivery has an impact in terms of Cost reduction at the seller. With the help of the information facility, goods can be handled more quickly to achieve, while reducing inventory.

Faster checkout with minimal waiting times provide for greater customer satisfaction.

It is also a better customer loyalty through customer-specific characteristics expected of the information offer, whereby the customer behavior personalized can be recorded and evaluated.

There is also the possibility requests for information to statistically evaluate different customer types and for optimization of the sales processes.

Further objectives, features, advantages and possible uses of the invention result from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings ( 1 to 4 ). All of the described and / or illustrated features, alone or in any combination, form the subject matter of the invention, regardless of their combination in individual claims or their relationships.

1 shows the basic structure of a large department store, in which the information device according to the invention is typically used.

2 shows the schematic structure of an information device according to the invention.

3 shows a product with a code to identify and / or find the product.

4 shows the logical structure and assignment of the devices that belong to the information device according to the invention, as well as the assignment of their individual components and their Determination.

The centerpiece of the information facility IE about goods 10 in a mall, for example e is preferably in a single compact housing G housed data storage facility 30 , which contains information about the goods offered, which can be called up by an interested person, usually a potential customer. One with the data storage device 30 cooperating, in the housing G identification device also housed or connected to it 40 allows you to locate and select a specific product even with a wide range of goods 10 , Via an exchange 50 in the housing G all sales-relevant data for the selected goods can be viewed 10 retrieve, as well as other accompanying information that could be of interest to the potential customer. The information facility IE can be supplemented by a navigation device 21 and a location device 20 that are finding the goods 10 in the mall e serves.

In its simplest embodiment and without the location device 20 and / or navigation device 21 can the information facility IE in one housing G be housed, for example on a goods shelf R is attached. However, it can also be mobile so that it can be carried by a customer on his way through the shopping center. In the case G A data storage device is provided or connected to it 30 having electronic calculator 60 with goods information and for the identification of the selected goods 10 ,

The identifiers necessary for the identification of goods are in the event that a barcode 11 with a scanner 41 in the identification facility 40 read in, or in the case of using intelligent labels 12 recorded with a coordinated device (transceiver / transponder).

It is also in, on or in connection with the housing G a keyboard 61 connected, which allows the customer to issue commands to the computer 60 Enter, for example, to retrieve certain information about the goods, such as prices, quality, country of origin, etc. Entries and information can be made on a before in the housing G integrated screen 62 be followed. A printer 63 for printing out all desired information can also be accommodated in the housing.

Should the information device IE except about the goods 10 In any case, they must also inform themselves about their location in shopping center E using the navigation device 21 and usefully also with the location device 20 be combined. It is in the nature of things that in this case the information facility IE can be carried by the customer, that is either portable or can also be carried with the shopping cart. In both cases, the customer receives when entering the shopping center e the housing G handed out. Using the keyboard 61 the customer gives the searched goods 10 on. On the screen 62 the exact location of the goods appears 10 , for example at the sales level V3 on the shelf R1 , Is the navigation device 21 Part of the information facility IE , so the location S of the customer identified by this facility and on the screen 62 the exact route description appears, which is constantly updated in the course of the distance covered, until the customer is in front of the shelf sought R1 located. Such navigation devices are known. The GPS device may be mentioned as an example. To the goods specifically requested by the customer 10 off the shelf R1 uses the locator to find out 20 one in the case G integrated or connected transmitter 24 with an intelligent label on the goods or in close spatial connection 12 comes into contact and identifies the goods, for example by means of an acoustic signal.

The information facility described IE serves to inform a potential customer about the exact location of a product in a shopping center or other large and large-scale goods sales and / or goods storage.

The information device IE can be a sales device VE be expanded or in a sales facility VE to get integrated. In this case the unit 30 ; 40 ; 50 in the housing G integrated and possibly supplemented by a location 20 and / or navigation device 21 and by further components, namely a goods registration and confirmation device 70 and a transmission device 80 of sales-related data. This gives the customer the option of using the keyboard 61 the purchases made in the electronic calculator 60 to book. You will see him on the screen 62 confirmed and after its release to a collection agency 90 transmitted. In the event that cashless payment is to be made, the unit can 30 . 40 . 50 in the housing G for example, be equipped with a known card reader for conventional credit cards. Will the goods 10 by the customer through a goods release point 100 brought, so this from the transmission device 80 delivered data of the purchases made and entered compared with the actually carried goods and released. The goods are recorded, for example, by a sending / receiving device at the goods release point 100 with the intelligent labels 12 cooperated on the goods.

If a customer has his goods 10 does not want to take it with him or only takes part of it in his shopping cart, the sales facility gives him VE the possibility of the sales-relevant data of his purchases instead of the goods release point 100 to a goods issue point 101 to be transmitted where its delivery is compiled and handed over after presentation of a payment receipt. The customer can have it even easier if the specified data is sent from him to a shipping point 102 be transmitted, which takes over the delivery to an address specified by him.

The functionality of the devices according to the invention and their components as well as their uses, applications and uses are explained in more detail using a typical shopping example.

In a department store e are different goods 10 at different sales levels V1 . V2 . V3 at various storage locations, for example on shelves R1 . R2 . R3 offered for sale.

A customer intends to go to the department store e for example wine in bottles F shopping. As soon as he enters the department store, he becomes the sales facility VE as a mobile unit in one housing G handed out. He can carry it with him, for example, it can be carried on a shopping cart. So this is a mobile information and sales facility.

The customer makes his purchase request using the keyboard 61 in the facility. This determines based on the current location S of the customer the most sensible way, which in 1 is marked with arrows to the red wine in bottle F or a corresponding wine in its storage location, for example a shelf R , Here the customer is looking for the red wine that interests him from the wide range of different wines F , For this purpose, a method with labeling of the wine bottles based on intelligent labels can be used. As soon as the customer comes close to the wine bottle they are looking for, the location device will 20 sent impulse from the intelligent label 12 on the searched wine bottle F receive specifically what triggers sensorially perceivable information, for example a beep, which tells him that he is in the immediate vicinity of the wine bottle he is looking for. In the event that further information is of interest, for example about the region of origin and the producer or which dishes this wine is suitable for, or if there are alternatives to this special wine, the customer can also call up this additional information. For example, the currently selected bottle of red wine F and / or their storage location on the shelf R provided with a label that shows the barcode 11 wearing. This is done using the scanner 41 imported and thus enables the clear assignment of the goods 10 as a "special red wine F "to its data / information. This data can, for example, from a database 30 originate that form part of the information facility IE is. After providing comprehensive information about, for example: the price per bottle, the container size, any quantity discounts or information about the inventory and the desired additional information, the customer makes his decision about the purchase.

For the purchase, he can choose between different processing options: the first is that he has a number of bottles of this red wine F with you and at a normal cash register (cash register sector 104 ) paid. The customer can also enter the number of bottles of this wine in the information facility IE over the keyboard 61 log in and cancel all or part of this booking if you wish. The information device enables the cashless payment of bindingly booked goods by means of a device in the housing G , for example a slot K for inserting a credit card to read its key data. The customer leaves the department store e is using the information facility IE checked whether the amount of bottles booked and paid for without cash F matches the number of carried. This control can be simplified if the bottles each have an intelligent label 12 are provided, which increases the number of wine bottles F when passing through a goods release point 100 , in the simplest case of a checkout sector 104 , can be checked very quickly and reliably.

The most sensible settlement is that the customer bought the red wine F with the help of the information facility IE books and pays cashless, without taking it from the place where it was presented, to a goods issue point 101 to be received by the facility IE the sales-related data have been transmitted, or he uses the information facility to arrange for his red wine F from a shipping point 102 is delivered to its destination.

It is obvious that the described process from searching for the goods to the purchase decision can be repeated several times. The navigation device 21 can of course also to find the exit of the shopping center e and its other locations are used.

When leaving the department store, the customer enters the sales facility VE in housing G back, unless he had already acquired it.

The purchase of goods using the device according to the invention is the link between the currently customary type of shopping and virtual shopping using online techniques. The advantage compared to online shopping is that the customer can use the information facility to call up information and additional information about goods, but he can perceive the goods in real (and not only virtually) and can sense them before making a purchase decision. The advantages associated with this can be seen, for example, in the Buying a perfume, the scent of which cannot be assessed during virtual shopping. Another example is the purchase of tools whose ergonomics and solidity can only be assessed by the customer through real, direct and physical contact.

The information device IE does not necessarily have to be implemented as a mobile solution. In a simpler embodiment, it can be a stationary information device, the prospective customer possibly having the goods without a location and / or navigation device ( 20 . 21 ) locates, transports them to the nearest stationary information device IE and then uses the identification device there 40 / scanner 41 identifies, whereupon he provides information about the goods 10 gets mediated and can get additional information.

e

shopping mall

V1-V3

sales levels

R R1-R3

shelves

F

bottle

S

Location of a customer

G

Housing with facilities

K

Admission- and reading device

IE

information means

VE

selling equipments

10

Were)

11

barcode (Barcode)

12

intelligent label

20

locating device

21

navigation device

22

Channel the navigation device

23

Recipient of the navigation device

24

Send- and receiving device of the locating device in

or in connection with housing G

25

reception and sending device on goods (intelligent label)

30

Data storage device / Database

40

identifying means

41

scanner

50

switch

60

electronic computer

61

keyboard

62

screen

63

printer

70

Warenerfassungs- and confirmation device

80

communication means

90

collection device

91

Cashless collection device

100

Were Clearinghouse

101

Were issuing office

102

Goods shipping point

103

Goods Administrator

104

funds sector

Claims (11)

Information device for goods in a shopping center, department store, warehouse or the like, characterized by possibly a location and / or navigation device ( 20 . 21 ) to find the goods ( 10 ), at least one data storage device ( 30 ) with information about the goods ( 10 ), as well as an identification device ( 40 ) to identify the goods ( 10 ) and an intermediary agency ( 50 ) of customer-specific information and / or, if applicable, additional information on the identified goods ( 10 ) to interested parties, preferably in a housing ( G ). Information device according to claim 1, characterized in that it has an electronic computer (for receiving, entering or processing information and conveying information specific to interested parties ( 60 ) with connected keyboard ( 61 ), Screen ( 62 ) and if necessary printer ( 63 ) having. Information device according to claim 1 and 2, characterized in that the identification device ( 40 ) a receiving device, such as a scanner ( 41 ) with a barcode ( 11 ) or an intelligent label ( 12 ) on the goods ( 10 ) or cooperates in connection with the goods. Information device according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the housing ( G ) mobile, for example portable or portable. Information device according to claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it as a mobile information device with the location and / or navigation device ( 20 . 21 ) can be integrated. Information device according to claim 5, characterized in that the location and / or navigation device ( 20 . 21 ) a transmitter / receiver radio device ( 22 . 23 ), for example a GPS device. Information device according to claim 4, characterized in that the locating device ( 20 ) by means of its own transmitting / receiving device ( 24 ) in or in connection with the facility ( 30 . 40 . 50 ) in the housing (G) with, for example, intelligent labels ( 12 ) on or in connection with the goods ( 10 ) cooperates. Sales facility for goods in a shopping center, department store, warehouse or the like, characterized by the information facility ( IE ) according to claims 1 to 7 and / or optionally by a goods registration and confirmation supply device ( 70 ) of sales-related data on purchased goods ( 10 ) and a transmission facility ( 80 ) for the data to a collection agency ( 90 ). Sales facility according to claim 8, characterized in that the collection facility ( 90 ) a cashless collection facility ( 91 ) is. Sales device according to claim 8 or claims 8 and 9, further characterized by optionally the transmission device ( 80 ) for the sales-relevant data to a goods release office ( 100 ) with a goods issue point ( 101 ) or a shipping point ( 102 ) cooperates. Sales and information device according to claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the data of sold goods ( 10 ) to a goods administration center ( 103 ) are transmitted.