EP1913564B1 - Goods shelf, goods container and method for controlling the removal of goods - Google Patents

Abstract

Goods shelf, goods container has one source of light, mainly IR source of light and one sensor, mainly an IR sensitive sensor and evaluation electronic is attached or connected which converts the optical sensor into withdrawal signals. An independent claim is also included for the method for controlling the removal of goods.

Description

The invention relates to a goods shelf with the features of the preamble of claim 1.

A goods shelf is from the Scriptures DE 100 13 092 C2 known. The goods shelf described is filled or emptied by means of a loading and unloading device. In order to improve the overview of the stored bearing image, at least one digital camera is provided, which records the stored goods in the bearing carriers. The problem of uncontrolled withdrawals from this shelf does not arise here, only for better information, an optical image of the stored objects is additionally recorded and kept available in a computer system retrievable.

In Scripture WO 2005/088494 A1 a storage system is described with at least one receptacle for goods to be stored on a computing unit for deriving inventory data. A gravimetrically formed sensor matrix, which can be supplemented by an optical sensor element, serves to detect the goods. By capturing a large number of measured values, the entire storage system is implemented as a sensor network and mapped on the model side for the derivation of inventory data, so that both an identification of the type of stored goods and their quantity determination can take place. A disadvantage of this gravimetrically operating sensor matrix is that each point of the sensor matrix forms a load cell, which is known to be much more susceptible and expensive to manufacture. In practice, therefore, frequent disorders are expected.

The DE 197 14 799 A1 describes a device for storing units of goods, which also works by means of mechanical detectors, so that it has the same disadvantages as the system described above.

A goods shelf with the features of the preamble of claim 1 is also known from NL-A-7 609 229 known.

In contrast to the systems that work with mechanical sensors, the writing describes U.S. Patent 5,767,532 a file identification system in which on the shelves transparent optically working plates are arranged, which serve for emitting and receiving light. The disadvantage of this system, however, is that it is specifically geared to the form of files and does not allow the storage and collection of the variety of different retail products.

As is well-known, retailers suffer a great deal from shoplifting. In order to avoid theft, electronic security systems are in use, especially for more valuable goods. The disadvantage of these is that they complicate the handling or the theft only at the exit, in the case of RIFID, recognize from the shop.

There is therefore an urgent need for cost-effective security systems that allow convenient handling and also allow the monitoring of small-volume goods.

The object of the invention is to provide such a system

The object is achieved in a generic shelf in that a piece of goods or a product group at least one light source, preferably an IR light source, and at least one sensor, Preferably, an IR-sensitive sensor is assigned, and to which an evaluation is connected or connectable, which converts the signals of the optical sensor into sampling signals, wherein the evaluation of the amount of change in the detected light conditions from the optical sensor over a time interval from the beginning of a given time interval can be determined as a ratio value until the evaluation time, the ratio value with a reference value comparable and at over and / or falls below a threshold value for the ratio of the ratio value to the reference value of the transmitter an alarm signal can be output.

This solution has the advantage that at the same time several objects distributed over an area can be monitored, since their removal changes the lighting conditions.

In an embodiment of the invention it is provided that the bearing surface has at least partially transparent and / or translucent designed sections and / or elements, and the transparently designed sections and / or elements of the optical sensor assigned or connectable, the light conditions in one or more of the captured transparent sections.

In a further embodiment, it is provided that the storage area is designed to be completely transparent and / or translucent. The possibility opens up the architect to make the warehouse space in the retail trade particularly attractive.

To collect the light and to conduct it to the sensor, it is provided that light-guiding elements, in particular fibers or prisms, are present in the bearing surface.

Another embodiment provides that a plurality of light sources are provided whose radiation is modulated. This measure makes the system independent of the ambient light. If the light source is designed as a light-emitting diode, it is particularly durable and there are hardly any disturbances due to the failure of the artificial light source. An infrared radiating LED is not visible to the audience and thus does not disturb the visual appearance of the display. By modulating the radiation, the signal of the respective light source can be assigned with a suitable evaluation of the receiver signal. Since the light source is stationary, thus the signal can be related to specific articles or groups of goods.

In a further embodiment, it is provided that a signal generator is provided for distinguishing authorized and unauthorized removal signals. If, for example, the goods are removed by the sales staff, then upon actuation of a corresponding switch, this signal can be recognized as justified and an alarm can be suppressed.

Since LEDs are less expensive than the sensors, it is advantageous if the number of sensors is less than the number of light sources. This is achieved by the assignment of the goods to the light sources and to the sensors, rather than vice versa. By modulating the light sources, each individual light source of an LED matrix can be identified. The reversal of this principle is possible if, for example, the sensors are arranged in a matrix and only one light source is used.

If each piece of a product group is assigned its own light source, an automatic stock management can also take place and the signal can be used as the input of a merchandise information system.

The product is arranged in the beam path between the light source and the sensor, wherein preferably a plurality of light sources are formed as an LED matrix.

An advantageous embodiment of the transmitter provides that a brighter light value determined by the optical sensor is evaluated as a removal of goods by a circuit.

In this case, the degree of change in the light conditions detected by the optical sensor is advantageously determined by the evaluation electronics over a time interval from the beginning of a given time interval to the evaluation time as the ratio value. The ratio value is compared with a reference value and when exceeding and / or falling below a threshold value for the ratio of the ratio value to the reference value of the evaluation electronics, an alarm signal can be output.

It is particularly advantageous if the amount of change in the light conditions detected by the at least one optical sensor is to be assigned to the evaluation electronics by filtering at least one modulated light source. As a result, an assignment for removal of the goods is then possible.

Under certain conditions, it may be advantageous if the at least one light source and the at least one sensor are functionally interchanged with each other. It is thus almost a kinematic reversal of the inventive principle for the detection of goods removal.

The signal-to-noise ratio when receiving other light sources can be improved if, in addition, a sensor value for the ambient light conditions can be taken into account by the evaluation electronics.

• eine beleuchtung des Warenregals mittels mindestens einer Lichtquelle
• eine erste Erfassung der Lichtverhältnisse auf der Oberfläche der Lagerfläche mittels eines optischen Sensors,
• eine zweite Erfassung der Lichtverhältnisse auf der Oberfläche der Lagerfläche mittels eines optischen Sensors,
• eines Vergleiches des ermittelten Wertes aus der ersten Erfassung mit dem Wert aus der zweiten Fassung, und
• eine Auswertung des Vergleiches als eine Warenentnahme, wenn die zweite Erfassung beim Vergleich hellere Lichtverhältnisse als bei der ersten Erfassung vorgibt.

The object is also achieved by a method for controlling the removal of goods from a shelf, characterized by:

• an illumination of the goods shelf by means of at least one light source
• a first detection of the light conditions on the surface of the bearing surface by means of an optical sensor,
• a second detection of the light conditions on the surface of the bearing surface by means of an optical sensor,
• a comparison of the determined value from the first detection with the value from the second version, and
• an evaluation of the comparison as a removal of goods when the second entry in the Comparing brighter lighting conditions than the first detection pretends.

In an embodiment of the method, it is provided that, in the context of a comparison, the respective environmental conditions are taken into account by means of a sensor value in comparison.

Misinterpretations of the measurement result are avoided if an integration of the light source radiation takes place before a comparison. In this way, age-related processes can no longer exert any influence on the measurement result.

If the light sources emit modulated light and the comparison is based on modulation or light, an assignment to the item of goods can also take place, so that stock-keeping management becomes possible.

This can happen, in particular, in that a plurality of light sources clocked sequentially emit light and the comparison synchronously clocked sequentially takes place light source related.

For example, reordering can be automatically generated by a merchandise management system if a reconciliation of the withdrawal signals with this inventory management system.

Decentralized goods shelves in different branches of the retail trade can be monitored centrally if the removal signals are forwarded via a radio link, in particular via a mobile radio network.

For this purpose, it is advantageous if a conversion of the removal signals takes place in an electronic mail. The information content of the electronic mail can be read out and with advantage by an automatic e-mail retrieval of the removal signals are transferred to a database and then evaluated.

The invention will be described by way of example in a preferred embodiment with reference to a drawing, wherein further advantageous details are shown in the figures of the drawing.

Functionally identical parts are provided with the same reference numerals.

Figur 1:

zeigt schematisch den Aufbau eines ersten Systems zur optischen Kontrolle der Entnahme von Waren aus Verkaufsdisplays

Figur 2:

zeigt eine Erläuterung des Auswerteverfahrens

Figur 3:

zeigt schematisch den Aufbau eines zweiten Systems und

Figur 4:

zeigt schematisch ein Blockschaltbild zur Signalverarbeitung.

The figures of the drawing show in detail:

FIG. 1:

shows schematically the construction of a first system for optical control of the removal of goods from sales displays

FIG. 2:

shows an explanation of the evaluation

FIG. 3:

schematically shows the structure of a second system and

FIG. 4:

schematically shows a block diagram for signal processing.

This in FIG. 1 shown system consisting of a goods display 10 and an evaluation 8, allows the detection of the removal of non-commercial quantities of a product. 3

The removal of objects causes the output 11 of an optical matrix, z. Example of Plexiglas, a change in light intensity.

The falling on a thermoforming insert, injection molded part, or similar plane 12 light 13 is optically merged at a point 14. From this point, the light is guided via optical waveguide 15 to an electronic module 8. This evaluates the change in the amount of light. A small change is about commercial quantities of the product. A large change in light intensity is theft.

In order to rule out incorrect evaluations by changing ambient light conditions, the ambient light 16, as in FIG. 2 explained, be measured. This information is used in a time frame for the measurement as a reference value 18 of the light intensity. This reference value 18 changes only slowly with the intensity of the ambient light. On removal, however, the output 11 changes much faster. This information is used to separate the events, such as weather-related changes of goods withdrawals.

The temporal consideration of the measured value of the optical matrix must take place twice the maximum removal speed.

By measuring the ambient light, the level of the thermoforming insert is not important for the result.

After evaluation, an electronic signal can provide various alarm information 17 ( FIG. 1 ), z. B. siren, flare, SMS etc.

As an option, the image of the sales counter, display via radio to a monitor, z. B. at the cashier.

Another optical system for securing products in sales displays, shelves and shop counters, etc. is by FIG. 3 explained.

An infrared LED matrix 1, of any size, is controlled via an electronic 5, 6 point 4 point. The matrix is under a product carrier placed. The emitted and modulated IR light is emitted from below through the product carrier.

One or more IR receiver diodes 2, with preamplifier, are spatially arranged so that the radiated IR light 7 can be received and evaluated.

The evaluation shows the removal of the products as a function of time.

How the circuit works:

The IR LED matrix is activated via a counter.

The clock of the counter 19 ( FIG. 4 ), the receiving electronics 8 is supplied at the same time.

If a receive signal is applied to the IR receiver diode 2 when the IR LEDs are switched on, the signal of the IR preamplifier is supplied to an analog memory module, an RC combination A.

The signal will charge the capacitor for the time of the high signal on the IR preamp output.

If all the IR LEDs of the matrix are switched through in succession, a further counting step is executed via the counter. This switches the output of the IR preamplifier to a second RC combination B.

After a renewed passage of the LEDs, the RC element A and the RC element B is applied to the inputs of a window comparator. This evaluates the change in the product quantity for the period of the last two meter runs.

If the change is outside the measurement window, an overflow has taken place. If the measurement window is electrically downwards, there are objects in the measurement path between the IR matrix and the receiver diodes. In this case, the value of the penultimate measurement is obtained via electronics. After a time interruption of the count runs, the counter and the evaluation is restarted. The output signal is now returned to the window comparator. The measuring loop is now active again.

For reasons of cost, the described system is equipped with either an analogue or digital evaluation.

The digital version also recognizes the location of the matrix that is not covered by a product. This has the consequence that the system can not only be used for the detection of levels, but can be connected via a correspondingly adapted interface to a merchandise management system.

This tracking system allows coordination with the POS system and warehousing.

The circuit described above is based on FIG. 4 explained. The transmitter 8 essentially includes a block 19 for clock generation, synchronization and selection of the LED matrix via a 6-bit coding. This block 19 thus synchronizes the clock and the selection of the blocks 5, 6 for driving the rows and columns of the LED matrix, the modulation of the LED, driving at 36 kHz, at a switching frequency of 500 Hz lines and columns 6 then controls the infrared LED matrix 1 with adjustable pulse / pause ratio. To this block also more IR-LED fields 30 can be connected. The light radiated from panel 1 passes to the IR receiver block 2 with a signal conditioning including a 36 kHz input filter and clock recognition for synchronization of the measurement window with 500 Hz. This block 2 is also synchronized over the clock of the block 19. The signal of the block 2 then passes into the counter, which is also synchronized by the block 19, and the buffer block 20, which is evaluated by the block 21 to a count and transmits this to a GSM module 22. The data is transmitted via a short message service (SMS) 31 and a GSM provider 23, which converts the data into an e-mail. The data can be retrieved from mailboxes 24 via a corresponding software 25, which selects the data from the mail accordingly and transfers it to a database 26. A backup 27 of the raw data serves the security of the entire system. From this database, the desired report files 28 are generated and sent by e-mail 29 to information recipients.

In this way, a goods shelf and a method for controlling removal of goods from this goods shelf is created, which is particularly reliable and inexpensive to secure even smaller parts in visually appealing form is capable.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Infrared LED matrix, light source

2

IR receiver diode, sensor

3

product

4

Point

5

Control, column

6

Control, line

7

IR light

8th

Evaluation electronics, electrical assembly

9

alarm gear

10

A display unit

11

Exit entrance

12

Thermoforming insert, injection molded part or similar plane

13

light

14

Point

15

Light Surfer

16

ambient light

17

alarm information

18

reference value

19

clock

20

Counter and buffer block

21

evaluation block

22

GSM module

23

GSM provider

24

P.O. Box

25

software

26

Database

27

Backup of the raw data

28

Report file

29

e-mail

30

LED field

31

SMS

Claims (21)

1. Goods shelf, in particular a presentation display, comprising a bearing face for storing goods and a device for detecting the removal of goods from the goods shelf, at least one light source, preferably an IR light source, and at least one optical sensor, preferably an IR-sensitive sensor, being associated with an item of the goods or with a group of goods, and an evaluation electronics unit which converts the signals from the optical sensor into removal signals being attached or attachable to said sensor, characterised in that the degree of change in the light conditions detected by the optical sensor over a time interval from the beginning of a given time interval to the time of evaluation is determined as a ratio value, the ratio value being compared with a reference value in order to evaluate lighter light conditions as representing the removal of goods and an alarm signal being emitted by the evaluation electronics unit when a threshold value for the ratio of the ratio value to the reference value is exceeded and/or undershot.
2. Goods shelf according to claim 1, characterised in that the bearing face has, at least in regions, portions and/or members configured to be transparent and/or translucent, and the optical sensor is associated with or attachable to the transparent portions and/or members and detects the light conditions in one or more of the transparent portions.
3. Goods shelf according to claim 2, characterised in that the entire surface of the bearing face is configured to be transparent and/or translucent.
4. Goods shelf according to either claim 2 or claim 3, characterised in that light-conductive members, in particular fibres or prisms, are present in the bearing face.
5. Goods shelf according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, characterised in that a plurality of light sources, the radiation of which is modulated, are provided.
6. Goods shelf according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that a signal generator is provided to differentiate between authorised and unauthorised removal signals.
7. Goods shelf according to either claim 5 or claim 6, characterised in that the number of sensors is configured to be lower than the number of light sources.
8. Goods shelf according to claim 5, 6 or 7, characterised in that each item of a group of goods has its own light source associated with it, and the good is in particular arranged in the path of radiation between the light source and the sensor, a plurality of light sources preferably being formed as an LED matrix.
9. Goods shelf according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the evaluation electronics unit evaluates lighter light conditions determined by a circuit of optical sensors as a removal of goods.
10. Goods shelf according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the degree of change in the light conditions detected by the at least one optical sensor is to be associated by filtering at least one modulated light source.
11. Goods shelf according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the at least one light source and the at least one sensor are functionally interchanged.
12. Goods shelf according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a sensor value for the environmental light conditions is also taken into account by the evaluation electronics unit.
13. Method of controlling the removal of goods from a goods shelf comprising a bearing face, characterised by:

    A. illumination of the goods shelf by at least one light source,

    B. a first detection of the light conditions on the surface of the bearing face by at least one optical sensor,

    C. a second detection of the light conditions on the surface of the bearing face by at least one optical sensor,

    D. comparison of the value determined from the first detection process with the value from the second detection process, and

    E. evaluation of the comparison as the removal of a good if the second detection process is determined during the comparison process to have detected lighter light conditions than those detected during the first detection process.
14. Method according to claim 13, characterised in that the respective environmental light conditions are taken into account in the comparison process by means of a sensor value.
15. Method according to either claim 13 or claim 14, characterised in that the light source radiation is integrated before a comparison process.
16. Method according to claim 15, characterised in that the light sources emit the light in a modulated manner and the comparison process is carried out in a modulation-related or light source-related manner.
17. Method according to claims 15 to 16, characterised in that a plurality of light sources emit light in a clocked sequential manner and the comparison process is carried out in a synchronous clocked sequential and light source-related manner.
18. Method according to one or more of claims 15 to 17, characterised in that the removal signals are coordinated with a goods management system.
19. Method according to one or more of claims 15 to 18, characterised in that the removal signals are relayed via a communications connection, in particular a mobile communications network.
20. Method according to one or more of claims 15 to 19, characterised in that the removal signals are converted into an email.
21. Method according to one or more of claims 15 to 21, characterised in that the removal signals are transferred automatically into a database.

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