FR2511529A1 - Microcomputer for display of product information in shop - uses microprocessor controlling keyboard access to coded product data bank for display of product data on VDU - Google Patents

Abstract

The display of information concerning goods for sale in a retail outlet is controlled by a microprocessor which directs requested data onto a visual display. The goods have a code number marked on them and the customer can enter this number at a keyboard to activate the display. A microprocessor controls access from multiple keyboards, the fetching of data from magnetic bulk storage into main working memory, and the delivery of data to a screen memory. A screen controller administers the VDU's and the single screen memory operating through a port controller which distributes data to each screen in coordination with the screen controller. The code consists of four figures and the display data can be transcribed to a printer.

Description

The subject of the present invention is a method for disseminating information for the use of the barge relating to objects or goods exhibited for sale and the system for applying the method.

The sale of so-called luxury objects and goods is hampered by the fear experienced by the barge to enter the place of sale or exhibition for only information.

To overcome this drawback, we have developed the habit of exhibiting luxury objects and goods in open places where the barge can move freely and choose the object freely or whoever is interested.

In many cases, the customer needs a minimum of information to compare, for example, two objects of identical appearance, but with different characteristics, or to learn about the payment methods.

To do this, it must call on the personnel employed at the point of sale or exhibition, which causes a relatively significant loss of time during busy periods.

In addition, as said earlier, the barge in some cases is apprehensive about calling the specialist.

It should also be noted that certain sales or exhibition places employ relatively large qualified staff to provide information to the barge.

Initially, the mission of these personnel is to pre-inform the barge and possibly in a second time to conclude the sale.

This translates into a relatively high operating, sales or exhibition cost.

The purpose of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks previously stated by implementing a method of disseminating information to facilitate the sale of so-called luxury items or goods by releasing the barge from its apprehension, to allow the choice of the object or property freely and to provide the barge with prior information without using the skills of a person skilled in the art, information which may relate to the technical characteristics or the methods of financing.

Another object of the present invention is to limit the personnel employed to allow the employment of highly qualified personnel whose mission is to inform the barge in a more in-depth manner, and to conclude the sale.

Information dissemination systems are known which consist of a central unit and several interrogation units each associated with a display unit.

Each display unit cooperates with the central unit via an interface consisting of a screen memory, a screen controller, a character generator and a shift register.

The main disadvantage of such a system is its relatively high cost.

In addition, such systems are difficult to use by a non-specialist.

Another object of the present invention is the implementation of a low cost information dissemination system compared to the systems of the prior art, and which can be used by a non-specialist.

To this end, the method according to the invention for disseminating information for the use of the barge relating to objects or goods displayed for sale is characterized in that each of the objects or goods is assigned a code readable by the barge, that this code corresponds to an information sheet stored on a magnetic medium in at least one computerized storage unit, by means of an information management unit and which is made available to the barge at least one interrogation unit maneuverable by said barge and a display unit corresponding to said interrogation unit so that the barge by writing the code of the object which interests him obtains knowledge of technical and other information concerning said object on the display unit.

According to another characteristic of the method which is the subject of the present invention, the information written on the display unit is transcribed using a printer on a support for the use of the barge.

Another object of the present invention is a system for disseminating information for the application of the method defined above, comprising an information management unit, one or more interrogation units, one or more display units and an information storage and distribution unit constituted by a microprocessor associated with a working memory, by one or more magnetic information storage media, a controller of the management unit and
by a display unit controller characterized in that the
said controller includes a single screen controller associated with several
sets each delivering a video signal, relating to information,
each assigned to a display unit0
Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear on reading the description of a preferred embodiment
with reference to the accompanying drawings in which - Figure 1 is a block diagram of the system according to the invention.

- Figure 2 is a block view of a display unit controller.

As shown schematically, in fig. t, the system according to the invention for the application of the process defined below is constituted by a unit 1 for storing and distributing information, by a unit 2 for managing information, by several units for interrogation 3 and by several display units 4.

The storage and distribution unit 1 consists of a processor 5 associated with a working memory 6 containing the system software and receiving during operation the information relating to the object.

This information is stored on one or more magnetic media 7 constituted by flexible disks more commonly known as floppy disks.

These supports cooperate with reading or recording means known per se.

Information relating to the objects or goods on display is introduced into unit 1 by means of management unit 2.

 This unit consists of a keyboard 8 and a screen 9 connected to the unit 1 by an interface 10, for example of the RS 2320 type.

For the introduction of information relating to an object, the person skilled in the art or seller displays on screen 9 a frame common to all the objects or goods and enters the information relating to said object or else in the areas of the frame provided for this purpose using the keyboard 8.

After validation, the information is stored on magnetic media 7.

A person skilled in the art assigns a particular code to each object or to each good, consisting for example of a series of numbers.

This code is then displayed in a display case with an object or a corresponding one.

As is understood by those skilled in the art, constitutes a computerized file of all the products or goods offered for sale, which can be modified by recalling the frame and information corresponding to such object and by correcting one or more areas of the frame or by canceling all the information relating to such object or else.

The different areas of the frame are captured using any known means, for example using those employing means for controlling the movement of a light spot on the screen 8 to position it near the chosen area. and to indicate to the system the zone to be entered.

The interrogation units 3, for example four in number, are distributed in the place of sale or exhibition of objects or goods and are intended for the use of the barge.

These units each consist of a numeric keyboard connected to the unit 1 by an interface as is known to do.

Using the numeric keypad, the barge enters the code of the object which interests him to display-on one of the display units the information relating to the said object.

To simplify the use of such a system, the code consists of a constant number of digits, for example four, and no validation message is struck by the customer. The system is designed so that it responds as soon as the typing of the fourth digit is completed.

The display units 4, for example four in number, are each integrated with an interrogation unit in the same assembly.

These units consist of a video screen on which the information is displayed along sixteen lines of sixty four characters each.

These display units are connected to the unit 1 by a multi-screen controller 11.

Before entering the object code on an interrogation unit, unit 1 writes a call message on the corresponding display unit to indicate to the barge that the said interrogation unit and the 'display unit.

The system allows several barges to interrogate unit 1 simultaneously to display or display different information on the display units.

For this purpose, the controller of display units il as shown schematically in FIG. 2 is mainly constituted by a screen memory 12, by a screen controller 13 and by several assemblies 14 each cooperating with a display unit 4 and each associated with the screen memory 12 and the controller 13.

As can be seen, this original arrangement brings a simplification compared to the systems of the prior art which provide as many screen memories 12, controller 13 and sets 15 as there are display units.

The screen memory 12 receives from the processor 5 via a processor port 15 information relating to the object or goods whose barge has hit the code on one of the interrogation units. The screen controller 13 constituted by a clock programmable by the processor 5 selects the set 14 associated with the display unit corresponding to the interrogation unit and ensures the transfer into this set of information stored in the memory 12.

As will be understood, the controller 13 receives from the processor 5 a message indicating the destination of the information stored in memory 12.

The screen controller with access to this memory 12 via a controller port 16.

The sets 14 are each constituted by a character generator 17 onto the memory of which the information relating to the object is transferred and by a shift register 18.

As is known, this information is stored in the system in the form of code, the character generator ensuring the decoding.

Each character generator is connected to the screen memory 12 by a bus 19 and by the port 161 and to the controller 13 by a bus 20.

The shift registers are controlled by a signal from the screen controller 13.

At the output of these registers, the video signals each assigned to the control of a display unit are taken.

The horizontal and vertical synchronization signals common to all the display units are generated by the screen controller 13 and are taken from lines 21 and 22 respectively. The controller 11 as described is also provided with a means for selecting addresses 23 associated on the one hand with the processor 5 and on the other hand with the screen controller 13 and with a means for controlling the memory ports 24.

 This means 24 is associated with the controller port 16 and the processor port 15.

Advantageously, each display unit is associated by all known means with a printer transcribing 11 information displayed on the display unit on a support for the use of the barge so that the latter keeps track of its interrogation.

The method as described makes it possible to facilitate the sale of so-called luxury goods and objects and the system for the application of the method allows several interrelations simultaneously without calling on the solutions of the prior art.

The present invention is not limited to the sale of luxury items and goods, but can be applied to all areas of commerce and services.

Claims (1)

 RI / Information dissemination process for the use of the relative barge  to objects or goods displayed for sale characterized in that each  any of the objects or goods is assigned a code readable by the barge  that this code corresponds to an information sheet stored on a medium  (7) in at least one computerized storage unit <i) using  at least one information management unit (2) and that is put  at the barge's disposal at least one interrogation unit (3)  maneuverable by said barge and at least one display unit  (4) corresponding to said interrogation unit (3) on which  the customer by entering the code of the object that interests him  obtain technical information concerning the said  object on the display unit (4). R2 / Information dissemination process according to R1 characterized in that  that the code consists of a series of four digits. R3 / Information dissemination method according to claim 1 characterized  in that the information written # on the display unit (4)  are transcribed using a printer on a medium for use  barge. R4 / Information dissemination system for barge use for  application of the process defined in claims 1 to 3 comprising  an information management unit (2), one or more units  interrogations (3) and one or more display units (4)  and an information storage and distribution unit (1)  constituted by a microprocessor (5) associated with a memory of  work (6), by one or more magnetic storage media (7)  information, by a controller of the management unit and by a  display unit controller (11) characterized in that  said controller (li) comprises in particular a single controller (15)  screens associated with several sets (14) each delivering a signal  video and each assigned to a display unit (4).  R5 / Information dissemination system according to claim 3,  characterized in that the screen controller (13) selects the  character generator fi7) corresponding to the display unit (  on which the information relating to the object must be displayed  controls the transfer of information contained in the memory  screens (12) on the memory of this character generator (17),  controls the shift register (18) associated with this generator  characters and outputs horizontal synchronization signals  and vertical o-. # ones to all display units. R6 / Information dissemination system according to RI and R4 characterizes  in that the interrogation unit (3) consists of a keyboard  digital.