GB2367169A

GB2367169A - Monitoring movement of people and/or equipment in a shop.

Info

Publication number: GB2367169A
Application number: GB0019428A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stephen Kendick Hayes
Original assignee: CLM SERVICES Ltd
Current assignee: CLM SERVICES Ltd
Priority date: 2000-08-09
Filing date: 2000-08-09
Publication date: 2002-03-27
Also published as: GB0019428D0

Abstract

A system for monitoring movement of people and/or shopping trolleys or carts in a shop or other retail outlet, eg. to assess shopping trends. Unique radio frequency (RF) tags are attached to a trolley or shopping basket so that it can be identified as it moves around a supermarket allowing the manager to observe the movement and/or extent of usage of equipment and to assess which products and aisles are most popular and which shelves are not visited by a consumer. The system can also detect when a trolley leaves the shop without going through a till or payment point, activating a camera at the exit, or when a trolley leaves the car park, so that theft can be detected. In one embodiment, the information can be accessed remotely at the supermarket headquarters.

Description

A MONITORING SYSTEM The present invention relates to a monitoring system. In particular, the present invention relates to a monitoring system for use in monitoring the movement of at least one person and/or an object, for example, a goods carrying apparatus in a designated area. More particularly, the present invention relates to a monitoring apparatus for use in monitoring consumer movement in a retail outlet.

As will be appreciated by those in the retail industry, the monitoring of consumer purchasing habits has become a science. In this connection, much time is spent by retailers compiling information about consumer purchasing habits, that is, with a view to ensuring that the goods within a retail outlet are properly located with a view to enhancing sales and/or with a view to establishing the type of goods which are being bought so that the retail outlet is appropriately stocked in light of the type of consumer frequenting same.

In the past, studies of this type were fairly arduous tasks as the data obtained had to be manually compiled into user-friendly reports. Additionally, as such studies usually required consumer participation, for example, it was not uncommon for consumers to be questioned about their purchasing habits by representatives of the retail outlet, they could have a detrimental effect on the retailer's business, particularly since consumers, with their busy lifestyle, may have felt that such questioning was annoying. Furthermore, and since the compilation of such reports were generally carried out by specialists in the field, namely, market research companies, the compilation of such reports could prove costly to the retailer.

According to the present invention there is provided a monitoring system for use in monitoring consumer movement and/or movement of a goods carrying apparatus in a retail outlet, the monitoring system including: sensing means, which, in use, can sense or detect at least one person and/or at least one goods carrying apparatus; and processing means which is in communication with the sensing means and which can automatically compile and process the readings obtained from the sensing means into readily accessible information.

It is believed that a monitoring system in accordance with the present invention at least addresses the problems outlined above. In particular, it is believed that for the first time the monitoring system of the present invention provides a totally integrated monitoring system with no need for manual input.

Additionally, it is believed that the compilation of user-friendly reports based on the information collected by the monitoring apparatus is less time consuming. Furthermore, and as the consumer is monitored overtly, there is no longer the need to question the consumer as to his/her purchasing habits.

In a preferred embodiment, the sensing means, which, in use, can sense or detect at least one goods carrying apparatus, for example, a trolley or shopping basket, include a radio frequency (RF) aerial. In this preferred embodiment, the monitoring system would include at least one goods carrying apparatus, which is provided, or associated, with a radio frequency (RF) tag.

As will be appreciated, the RF aerial would be able to detect the goods carrying apparatus and its associated RF tag. Additionally, and as the RF tag would be unique and hence, uniquely identifiable by the RF aerial, this has the advantage in that a monitoring system in accordance with the present invention could be utilized to monitor the movement and/or extent of usage of a specific goods carrying apparatus. As a result thereof, a monitoring system in accordance with the present invention has the advantage in that the number of goods handling apparatus and type located at a store can be adapted accordingly to the consumer's needs, for example, it may transpire that the consumer most likely to frequent the retail outlet in question does not do a weekly shop and as such, the amount of large trolleys required at the outlet can be reduced accordingly and the amount of baskets or smaller trolleys available to consumers accordingly increased. As will be appreciated, this ensures that the retailer does not unnecessarily spend money on the leasing of goods carrying apparatus, which are not being adequately used.

Additionally, another advantage associated with a monitoring system including the above-preferred features is that as the extent of usage of a specific goods carrying apparatus can be monitored, same can enable proper maintenance checks to be carried out on a specific goods carrying apparatus after a certain amount of usage. This, it is believed, ensures that maintenance checks are more efficient and not unnecessarily carried out on goods carrying apparatus that have hardly been used. Furthermore, and as all repairs and maintenance items can be logged to the actual goods carrying apparatus in question, it is evident that if there ever is a health and safety issue associated with any specific goods carrying apparatus, then the maintenance record is readily obtainable from the processing means of the monitoring system of the present invention, as well as the exact number of times it has been used between each repair or service.

Further preferably, the sensing means, which, in use, can sense or detect at least one goods carrying apparatus are located at pre-selected designations or locations around the retail outlet, for example, in the aisles of the retail outlet. This had the advantage in that the movement of the goods carrying apparatus, and hence, consumer, can be specifically monitored and the data obtained thereby can be readily utilised to provide the retailer with an idea as to the movement of customers through the store and assess which products and associated aisles are more popular. In this connection, and if it is established that a particular aisle is not visited by the consumer, then the retailer can take positive action with a view to establishing the reason therefor, for example, it may be that the type of consumer using the retail outlet in question may not have a need for the products sold in that aisle. As will be appreciated, information of this type would enable the retailer to ensure that products sold within his store are of the type required by the average consumer frequenting the outlet.

Further preferably, the sensing means, which, in use, can sense or detect at least one goods carrying apparatus are located at the entrance or entrances to the store. This has the advantage in that the number of goods carrying apparatus and hence, consumers, entering the store can be monitored such that the retailer can ensure that there are sufficient number of staff on hand to deal with the amount of consumers, for example, if there is a sudden influx of consumers, the retailer can ensure that the appropriate amount of tills or payment points, sometimes referred to as checkouts, are manned to enable efficient processing of the consumers passing through the retail outlet. Additionally, and by being able to monitor the number of goods carrying apparatus and hence, consumers, entering the store, the monitoring system in accordance with the present invention can provide the retailer with information about weekly shopping trends thereby enabling the retailer to ensure that the retail outlet is appropriately staffed. For example, it may transpire that Monday evenings are not as busy as Friday evenings such that the retailer can ensure that the level of staffing on a Monday evening is less than that on a Friday evening.

Further preferably, the sensing means, which, in use, can sense or detect at least one goods carrying apparatus are also located at the tills or payment points within the retail outlet. This had the advantage in that the precise time the goods carrying apparatus and hence, consumer, entered the store and the time taken to complete shopping can be recorded. Additionally, if a goods carrying apparatus is logged as entering the retail outlet and does not reach a till within a pre-selected time, then the retailer can investigate the reason therefor. In this connection, if a goods carrying apparatus, which has for some unknown reason being abandoned, is filled with goods which require refrigeration, then the retailer can return the goods to the appropriate refrigeration cabinets. As will be appreciated, as such goods are expensive, if they weren't located in time, they would need to be thrown out, which constitutes a loss of profit.

Further preferably, the sensing means, which, in use, can sense or detect at least one goods carrying apparatus are also located at the exit point (s) of a retail outlet. This has the advantage in that if a goods carrying apparatus is detected as leaving the store without passing through a till or payment point, then the monitoring system in accordance with the present invention can be utilised to notify the retailer that a theft of goods may be in progress, thereby enabling the retailer's personnel, in particular, security personnel, to take the appropriate action. In this connection, the monitoring system in accordance with the present invention could be supplemented with a camera or cameras, preferably, digital camera, at the exit (s). This has the advantage in that if a theft was in progress then the monitoring system would automatically activate the camera to take a picture of the would be thief. Such a photo would be of great assistance, if legal action against the thief were to be pursued.

Further preferably, the sensing means, which, in use, can sense or detect at least one goods carrying apparatus are positioned at the exit points around the perimeter of the retail outlet, for example, at the exit points of the retail outlet's car park. This has the advantage in that a monitoring system in accordance with the present invention can notify the retailer of any unauthorised removal of the goods carrying apparatus from the retail site. As will be appreciated by retailers, the unauthorised removal of goods carrying apparatus, which are expensive, is problematic and has caused considerable concern within the retail industry. In this connection, it is preferable that the monitoring system further includes alarm means drawing the retailer's attention to unauthorised removal of the goods carrying apparatus. These may be in the form of an audible and/or visual alarm means. Additionally, it is preferable that the monitoring system in accordance with the present invention could be supplemented with a camera or cameras, preferably, digital camera, at the exit (s) to the retail outlet area. This has the advantage in that if theft of a goods carrying apparatus was in progress, then the monitoring system would automatically activate the camera to take a picture of the wouldbe thief. Such a photo would be of great assistance if legal action against such thief were pursued. Furthermore, and if the goods carrying apparatus is wheeled, then same may be provided with brake means, which are activated when an attempt is made to remove the goods carrying apparatus from the retail outlet area. In this connection, such brake means may be activated on receipt of a signal from either the sensing means or the processing means of the monitoring system.

In a preferred embodiment, the sensing means includes at least one sensor, which, in use, can detect at least one person within the retail site.

Preferably, the sensor includes an infrared retroflective sensor.

Further preferably, the sensing means, which, in use, can sense or detect at least one person are located at pre-selected designations or locations around the retail outlet, for example, in the aisles of the retail outlet.

This had the advantage in that the movement of the consumer can be specifically monitored and the data obtained thereby can be readily utilised to provide the retailer with an idea as to the movement of customers through the store and assess which products and associated aisles are more popular. In this connection, and if it is established that a particular aisle is not visited by the consumer, then the retailer can take positive action with a view to establishing the reason therefor, for example, it may be that the type of consumer using the retail outlet in question may not have a need for the particular products sold in that aisle. As will be appreciated, information of this type would enable the retailer to ensure that products sold within his store are of the type required by the average consumer likely to frequent the outlet in question.

Further preferably, the sensing means, which, in use, can sense or detect at least one person are located at the entrance or entrances to the store or retail outlet. This has the advantage in that as the number of consumers entering the store can be monitored, the retailer can ensure that there are sufficient number of staff on hand to deal with the amount of consumers, for example, if there is a sudden influx of consumers, the retailer can ensure that the appropriate amount of tills or checkouts are manned to enable efficient processing of the consumers passing through the retail outlet.

Additionally, and by being able to monitor the number of consumers entering the store, the monitoring system in accordance with the present invention can provide the retailer with information about weekly shopping trends thereby enabling the retailer to ensure that the retail outlet is appropriately staffed.

For example, it may transpire that Monday evenings are not as busy as Friday evenings such that the retailer can ensure that the level of staffing on a Monday evening is less than that on a Friday evening.

Further preferably, the sensing means, which, in use, can sense or detect at least one person are long-range proximity sensors, which are located at the tills or payment points within the retail outlet. This has the advantage in that the length of queues can be continuously monitored, thereby enabling the retailer to ensure that the appropriate number of payment points or tills are manned. In this connection, the operating parameters for the number of people in a queue, which triggers the number of tills required, can be set automatically by using the speed at which the retail transactions are being carried out. Such information would be obtainable by an appropriate interface with the existing till software package.

Further preferably, the sensing means, which, in use, can sense or detect at least one person are also located at the exit or exits of a retail outlet.

This has the advantage in that the number of persons entering and leaving the retail outlet can be monitored, such that in the event that the store needs to be evacuated, the retailer can ensure that everyone has actually evacuated the store. As will be appreciated, a monitoring system in accordance with the present invention can be utilised to enhance the safety of a retail outlet.

In a preferred embodiment, the sensing means, which, in use, can sense or detect at least one person and/or at least one goods carrying apparatus are associated with, or are in communication with, an information supply system which, preferably includes visual display means, for example, a plasma screen. In use, and on detection of at least one person and/or at least one goods carrying apparatus, the information supply system could be actuated thereby imparting information to the consumer in the form of image and/or sound. Such information may relate to the services and/or goods available from the retailer, as well as to information about the goods and/or services of other traders in the vicinity of the retail outlet. Preferably, the visual display means of such information supply system could be located in the aisles of the retail outlet, for example, they could be suspended from the ceiling, or they could be located at the entrance of the retail outlet or at any suitable location which would be visible to the consumer.

In a preferred embodiment, the monitoring system and the information compiled thereby is accessible from a remote access point, for example, the administrative headquarters of the retail outlet. This has the advantage in that the appropriate personnel can readily access such information and act accordingly thereon.

A, non-limiting, embodiment of a monitoring system in accordance with the present invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a monitoring system in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a side elevation illustrating the location of a sensing means, which, in use, can detect at least one goods carrying apparatus of a monitoring system of the present invention; Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the data flow within an embodiment monitoring system of the present invention; Figure 4 is a plan view of a retail outlet illustrating the location of the sensing means of a monitoring system in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 5 is a plan view of a retail outlet area illustrating the location of the sensing means of a monitoring system in accordance with the present invention.

As illustrated, a monitoring system 10 in accordance with the present invention includes a plurality of infrared sensors 11, which, in use, can detect at least one person.

As illustrated, such sensors 11 can be located at the entrance and exit point (s) of the retail outlet, at the payment point (s), that is, checkout (s) and in the aisles.

The data obtained from the infrared sensors 11 is fed into a programmable logic controller (PLC) 12 of the processing means of the system 10, which in turn is connected to a personal computer 15 via an RS422 data link. As illustrated in Figure 3, the information or data or readings taken, can be incorporated into a database and/or spreadsheet program, which are user friendly and readily obtainable by the staff at the retail outlet at any point of time. Additionally, and preferably, the monitoring system 10 can be linked to the administrative centre of the retail outlet, for example, its head office, preferably by an ISDN connection or link, such that the readings obtained by the monitoring system can be readily accessed and evaluated by members of the retailer's organisation located at such administrative centre.

As illustrated, the sensors 13, which in use, can detect at least one goods carrying apparatus, for example, a trolley, basket etc. , include radio frequency identification aerials or sensors 13. Such sensors 13 are able to identify a specific goods carrying apparatus, which in the illustrated embodiment is a trolley 18, that is provided with an RF identification tag 17.

As illustrated in Figure 2, the sensors 13 may be located under the flooring of the retail outlet, for example, under a paving slab.

As illustrated, such sensors 13 can be located at the entrance and exit points of the retail outlet, at the payment points, that is, checkouts, in the aisles and at the exit points of the retail outlet area, for example, the exit points to the car park or retail outlet perimeter.

As illustrated, the data obtained by such sensors 13 are fed into an RF identification reader unit 14, which in turn is in communication with a computer via an RS 232 data link 16. As illustrated in Figure 3, the information or data or readings taken, can be incorporated into a database and/or spreadsheet program, which are user friendly and readily obtainable by the staff at the retail outlet at any point of time. In this connection, the information can be displayed on a real time VDU status display. Additionally, and preferably, the monitoring system 10 can be linked to the administrative centre of the retail outlet, for example, its head office, preferably by an ISDN connection or link, such that the readings obtained by the monitoring system can be readily accessed and evaluated by members of the retailer's organisation located at such administrative centre.

Although the present invention has been described by way of example to a monitoring system for use in monitoring the movement of persons and/or goods carrying apparatus in a retail outlet, it is to be understood that it can be utilised to monitor the movement of any person and/or any object within an area being monitored. Additionally, it is to be understood that within the context of the present application, retail outlet is to include the area of land on which the outlet is located and extends to the inside and outside of the retail outlet.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A monitoring system for use in monitoring movement of at least one person and/or one goods carrying apparatus in a retail outlet, the monitoring system including : sensing means, which, in use, can sense or detect at least one person and/or at least one goods carrying apparatus; and processing means which is in communication with the sensing means and which can automatically compile and process the readings obtained from the sensing means into readily accessible information.
2. A monitoring system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensing means, which, in use, can sense or detect at least one goods carrying apparatus is a radio frequency aerial which can uniquely identify a goods carrying apparatus provided, or associated, with a radio frequency tag.
3. A monitoring system as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the sensing means, which, in use, can sense or detect at least one goods carrying apparatus are located in at least one aisle of the retail outlet.
4. A monitoring system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensing means, which in use, can sense or detect at least one goods carrying apparatus are located at the entrance or entrances to the retail outlet.
5. A monitoring system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the sensing means, which, in use, can sense or detect at least one goods carrying apparatus are also located at the payment points or tills of the retail outlet.
6. A monitoring system as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein the sensing means, which, in use, can sense or detect at least one goods carrying apparatus are also located at the exit point (s) of the retail outlet.
7. A monitoring system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensing means, which, in use, can sense or detect at least one goods carrying apparatus are positioned at the exits points around the perimeter of the retail outlet area.
8. A monitoring system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the sensing means, which, in use, can sense or detect at least one goods carrying apparatus are positioned at the exit point or exit points of the retail outlet's car park.
9. A monitoring system as claimed in any one of claims 7 or 8, wherein the monitoring system further includes alarm means which are activated on unauthorised removal of a goods carrying apparatus from the retail outlet area.
10. A monitoring system as claimed in claim 7,8 or 9, wherein the monitoring system is in communication with a camera or cameras located at the exit points around the perimeter of the retail outlet which are actuated in the event of an unauthorised removal of a goods carrying apparatus from the retail outlet area.
11. A monitoring system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensing means, includes one sensor, which, in use, can detect a person within the retail site includes an infrared retroflective sensor.
12. A monitoring system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensing means, which in use, can sense or detect at least one person are located in the aisles of the retail outlet.
13. A monitoring system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensing means, which in use, can sense or detect at least one person are located at the entrance or entrances to the retail outlet.
14. A monitoring system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensing means, which, in use, can sense or detect at least one person include at least one long-range proximity sensor, which, is located at a payment point of the retail outlet.
15. A monitoring system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the monitoring system can interface with the software of existing tills.
16. A monitoring system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the sensing means, which, in use, can sense or detect at least one person are also located at the exit or exits of the retail outlet.
17. A monitoring system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the information obtained from the monitoring system is accessible from a remote access point.
18. A monitoring system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.