EP4044089A1

EP4044089A1 - Unmanned point of sale for furniture articles

Info

Publication number: EP4044089A1
Application number: EP21185692.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Lukasz JERCZYNSKI
Original assignee: Gabi Bis Spolka Z Organiczona Odpowiedzialnoscia Spolka Komadytowa
Current assignee: Gabi Bis Spolka Z Organiczona Odpowiedzialnoscia Spolka Komadytowa
Priority date: 2021-02-16
Filing date: 2021-07-14
Publication date: 2022-08-17
Also published as: PL437000A1

Abstract

An object of the invention is a unmanned point of sale, comprising a storage rack with supports and shelves, an automated storage device and a computer. The unmanned point of sale is characterised in that it comprises a housing (2) with an integrated loading and collection lock (3), and inside the housing (2), there are at least one storage rack (4), an automated storage device (5) and a computer (6); and a control panel (7) and a payment terminal (8) are mounted on the outer surface of the housing (2).

Description

The subject of the invention is an unmanned point of sale for furniture articles. The disclosed solution is particularly applicable to the sale and distribution of articles the size of which exceeds the size of commonly used parcel machines.
Furniture articles are most often sold to the end user through the retail trade. There is a complex distribution channel between the manufacturer and the end-user, typically also participated by wholesalers and retailers. Regardless of the method of retail sale - either brick-and-mortar or online - in the case of furniture, there are sometimes additionally courier companies involved in delivering the product to a location designated by the customer. Such complex distribution channels require a large group of people to operate at multiple locations, which contributes to a significant increase in the price of the final product and to an extended order lead time.
In addition, the dependence of the consumer on store opening hours and reaching often remote locations for retail purchases, or the need to accept the order in person within a wide time window significantly affect the customer's shopping experience.
Parcel machines respond to the customer's needs for flexible pick-up times and pick-up locations. They also simplify the distribution process for courier companies supporting online stores, which contributes to lower delivery costs. There are numerous unmanned parcel delivery solutions - parcel machines.
Patent solution EP3671665A1 presents a parcel machine that is adapted to communicate via communication networks with the electronic locker system and the system for communication using a radio transmitter.
Patent solution WO2017163018A2 , EP3306577A1 disclosing how to operate electronic lockers.
Unfortunately, in the case of distribution of furniture, due to the size of the parcels, it is not possible to use them in distribution channels. Moreover, these solutions are only serving the distribution process, and they are not adapted for storing and selling products.
Patent solution EP3522086A1 discloses a storage device intended for parcels with an adaptive automatic storage space, without shutters adapted for individual product handover or a product handover system. The internal structure consists of a series of bars of the same length, regularly spaced, perpendicular to the back wall and selectively sliding to identify temporary compartments that are precisely adjusted to the size of the parcel stored in the parcel machine.
The storage rack solution presented in patent WO0168486A is known from the state of the art. It is designed to store larger parcels automatically, record inventory on a computer, and generate a raster system to evaluate empty storage space.
The objective of the invention is to develop the structure of an unmanned point of sale adapted to furniture items, together with a distribution and sales system enabling the simplification of the distribution channel to the manufacturer and unmanned points of sale. The simplification of the distribution channel and its proposed form would be beneficial for the final price of the product and the convenience of purchasing at any time.
According to the invention, the unmanned point of sale comprising a storage rack with supports and shelves, an automated storage device and a computer. The unmanned point of sale characterised in that it comprises a housing with an integrated loading and collection lock, and inside the housing, there are at least one storage rack, an automated storage device and a computer; and a control panel and a payment terminal are mounted on the outer surface of the housing.
In a preferred aspect of the invention implementation, the loading and collection lock comprises a weight sensor, a temperature sensor, a parcel height sensor set, an external partition located on the external wall of the housing and an internal partition on the side of the automated storage device and two side walls, the upper wall and the bottom wall. Thanks to this design, it ensures the safety of the storage part of the device by separating it with the compartments. The weight sensor protects the machine components from overload by measuring the weight and from intrusion by detecting movement through changes in the load. The temperature sensor detects dangerous temperature anomalies for the device, such as a fire.
Preferably, the temperature sensor is an infrared camera and is mounted in the upper wall. With a thermal imaging camera, you can generate an thermal image from which the device computer can detect living creature in the lock area and protect the device from intrusion.
Preferably, the parcel height sensor set comprises mounted on the side walls, stacked optical sensors at distances corresponding to the spacing of the supports of the storage rack. In this way, the device can determine the height of the parcel in order to select the appropriate supports to ensure optimum use of the space of the device.
Preferably, the external partition and the internal partition are roller shutter doors. The roller shutter doors have favourable operating parameters, especially in terms of space taken.
Preferably, the weight sensor is mounted in the bottom wall.
In a preferred aspect of the invention implementation, the computer is connected to the wide area network and is connected by means of electronic communication to the control panel, the payment terminal, the loading and collection lock and the automated storage device and is equipped with means of short-range wireless communication. By communicating all device assemblies with a single computer, the unmanned point of sale can be effectively managed in terms of optimising storage space use, offering the inventory stocked on the control panel, supervising the sale and release of the relevant product. The wide area network (WAN) connection enables the external server to be connected and to share inventory information, enable an option to reserve a product or storage space for a new order. Short-range wireless means of communication allow communication with the computer via mobile devices equipped with such means and applications dedicated to such communication.
The control panel comprises a service communication socket. An external computer can be connected via this socket using means of electronic communication for the purposes of service and delivery support.
Preferably, the storage rack comprises at least two supports and at least one shelf which is placed on supports, where the height between the supports is fixed. The more supports the storage rack has, the better it is possible to optimize the use of space by bringing the shelf spacing closer to the real height of the parcels.
Preferably, the storage rack is placed over the loading and collection lock, and the automated storage device extends over the full height of the storage rack and the loading and collection lock on the side of the internal partition. In this variant, the design of the unmanned point of sale is as compact as possible.
Preferably, the second storage rack extends over the full height of the automated storage device, on its side opposite to the loading and collection lock and the first storage rack. This is the most extensive storage system in the case of an automated storage device the platform of which moves in two directions.
Preferably, the automated storage device comprises a movable platform in at least two directions corresponding to the height and depth of the storage rack. This solution allows the creation of a simple storage device capable of supporting this design of the unmanned point of sale. The addition of another movement direction allows additional storage racks to be created in the form of a corridor in which the automated storage device would move.
In a preferred variant, the housing is placed on a support plate and connected to it. This ensures that the volume is closed with device components, thus increasing its resistance to external weather conditions.
Preferably, the support plate is made of concrete and forms a self-supporting foundation of the device.
The subject of the invention is illustrated by an example, which does not limit its scope. The device according to the invention is shown in drawings:

fig. 1 - shows the unmanned point of sale with the front wall of the device removed
fig. 2 - shows the loading and collection lock
fig. 3 - shows an internal communication diagram for the computer of the unmanned point of sale
fig. 4 - shows an external communication diagram for the computer of the unmanned point of sale
fig. 5 - shows the unmanned point of sale with the support plate

As shown in Fig. 1, the unmanned point of sale 1 comprises a housing 2 with an integrated loading and collection lock 3. Inside the housing 2, there are two storage racks 4, an automated storage device 5 and a computer 6. The control panel 7 and the payment terminal 8 are mounted on the external surface of the housing 2. The loading and collection lock 3 is equipped with a weight sensor 9, a temperature sensor 10, a parcel height sensor set 11, an external partition 12 located on the external wall of the housing and an internal partition 13 on the side of the automated storage device 5 and two side walls 14, the upper wall 15 and the bottom wall 16. The temperature sensor 10 is an infrared camera and is mounted in the upper wall 15. The parcel height sensor set 11 consists of stacked optical sensors mounted on the side walls 14, at distances corresponding to the spacing of the supports 17 of the storage rack 4. The external partition 12 and the internal partition 13 are roller shutter doors. The storage rack 4 comprises many supports 17 and several shelves 18, which are placed on supports 17, where the height between the supports 17 is fixed. The storage rack 4a is above the loading and collection lock 3, and the automated storage device 5 extends over the full height of the storage rack 4 and the loading and collection lock 3 on the internal partition side 13. The second storage rack 4b extends over the full height of the automated storage device 5, on its side opposite to the loading and collection lock 3 and the first storage rack 4a. The automated storage device 5 comprises a movable platform 19 in at least two directions corresponding to the height and depth of the storage rack 4.
As shown in Fig. 2, the loading and collection lock 3 is equipped with a weight sensor 9, a temperature sensor 10, a parcel height sensor set 11, an external partition 12 located on the external wall of the housing and an internal partition 13 on the side of the automated storage device 5 and two side walls 14, the upper wall 15 and the bottom wall 16. The temperature sensor 10 is an infrared camera and is mounted in the upper wall 15. The parcel height sensor set 11 consists of stacked optical sensors mounted on the side walls 14, at distances corresponding to the spacing of the supports 17 of the storage rack 4. The external partition 12 and the internal partition 13 are roller shutter doors. The weight sensor 9 is mounted in the bottom wall 16.
As shown in Fig. 3, the computer 6 is connected to the wide area network and is connected by means of electronic communication to the control panel 7, the payment terminal 8, the loading and collection lock 3 and the automated storage device 5 and is equipped with means of short-range wireless communication.
As shown in Fig. 4, computer 6 is connected to the wide area network (WAN) and has means of short-range wireless communication.
The housing 2 is placed on a support plate 20 and is connected to it as shown in fig. 5. The support plate 20 is made of concrete and forms a self-supporting foundation of the device.

Claims

A unmanned point of sale, comprising a storage rack with supports and shelves, an automated storage device and a computer, characterised in that the unmanned point of sale (1) has a housing (2) with an integrated loading and collection lock (3), and inside the housing (2), there are at least one storage rack (4), an automated storage device (5) and a computer (6); and a control panel (7) and a payment terminal (8) are mounted on the outer surface of the housing (2).
The unmanned point of sale according to claim 1 characterised in that the loading and collection lock (3) comprises a weight sensor (9), a temperature sensor (10), a parcel height sensor set (11), an external partition (12) located on the external wall of the housing and an internal partition (13) on the side of the automated storage device (5) and two side walls (14), the upper wall (15) and the bottom wall (16).
The unmanned point of sale according to claim 2 characterised in that the temperature sensor (10) is a thermal imaging camera and is mounted in the upper wall (15).
The unmanned point of sale according to claims 2 and/or 3 characterised in that the parcel height sensor set (11) comprises stacked optical sensors mounted on the side walls (14), at distances corresponding to the spacing of the supports (17) of the storage rack (4).
The unmanned point of sale according to one/any of the claims from 1 to 4 characterised in that that the external partition (12) and the internal partition (13) are roller shutter doors.
The unmanned point of sale according to one/any of the claims from 1 to 5 characterised in that the weight sensor (9) is mounted in the bottom wall (16).
The unmanned point of sale according to one/any of the claims from 1 to 6 characterised in that the computer (6) is connected to the Wide Area Network and is connected by means of electronic communication to the control panel (7), the payment terminal (8), the loading and collection lock (3) and the automated storage device (5) and is equipped with means of short-range wireless communication.
The unmanned point of sale according to one/any of the claims from 1 to 7 characterised in that the control panel (7) comprises a service communication socket.
The unmanned point of sale according to one/any of the claims from 1 to 8 characterised in that the storage rack (4) comprises at least two supports (17) and at least one shelf (18), which is placed on the supports (17), where the height between the supports (17) is fixed.
The unmanned point of sale according to one/any of the claims from 1 to 9 characterised in that the storage rack (4) is above the loading and collection lock (3), and the automated storage device (5) extends over the full height of the storage rack (4) and the loading and collection lock (3) on the internal partition (13) side.
The unmanned point of sale according to one/any of the claims from 1 to 10 characterised in that the second storage rack (4b) extends over the full height of the automated storage device (5), on its side opposite to the loading and collection lock (3) and the first storage rack (4a).
The unmanned point of sale according to one/any of the claims from 1 to 11 characterised in that the automated storage device (5) comprises a platform (19) movable in at least two directions corresponding to the height and depth of the storage rack (4).
The unmanned point of sale according to one/any of the claims from 1 to 12 characterised in that the housing (2) is placed on a support plate (20) and connected to it.
The unmanned point of sale according to claim 13 characterised in that the support plate (20) is made of concrete and forms a self-supporting foundation of the device.