GR20150200142U - Icc-intelligent cooler control - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an intelligent cooler control (ICC) system aiming at the collection and management of telematic data emitted from refrigerators; it interacts with the clients/consumers and proceeds, via a software platform, to the analysis of the refrigerator’s functionality data , the sales, the reserve, and the visits as well as to the statistical analysis of the sales of products and demographic data, for each refrigerator.

Description

SYSTEM OF REMOTE MEASUREMENT, MANAGEMENT, CONTROL AND

COOLER COMMUNICATION - ICC (Intelligent Cooler Control)

The ICC (Intelligent Cooler Control) system is aimed at markets where remote collection and management of telematics data from refrigerators, display and advertising as well as interactivity with the customer / consumer is required. It can be installed and used at points of sale such as in refrigerators, freezers, shelves inside and outside stores with the aim of remote monitoring and management of the refrigerators as well as interactive communication and display of products, services or advertising.

The main advantages of this invention are that by using a device, the user has the ability to control the operation of the refrigerator remotely through the software platform, manage the content of advertising and messages to the consumer and collect operating data to export statistical conclusions about the functionality and performance of the specific refrigerator.

It consists of two subsystems:

1. The device that is placed in the refrigerator and the software that is installed on the device and manages all the functions as well as the communication with the data collection platform

2. The data collection and remote device management platform

1.  Device and Software

The ICC device (diagram 1) consists of a central control unit with the following minimum technical characteristics:

• 8” - 10.4” touch screen

• Quad Core 1.2 MHz processor

• RAM memory 2MB

• 32 GB SSD memory

· Urine USB

• 2 x 5 Mpixel cameras

• Motion sensor

• Light sensor

• Bluetooth

· Proximity sensor

• Wi-Fi

• LTE/3G modem

• GPS receiver

The device has a Windows 8 or Android operating system and is, together with the corresponding software, the control center of the management, surveillance and communication system with the consumer. It is powered by a 220 VAC / 5 VDC 3A power supply. It is installed on the refrigerator door at eye level and fixed with screws to the refrigerator door frame.

Peripheral devices and/or sensors that make up the functionality of the device and the entire system are connected to the device via the USB or Bluetooth or Wi-Fi port.

In normal operation the device can display videos with or without sound, messages or photos. By using the proximity sensor (distance) the appliance is able to recognize if someone is close to the refrigerator door and can automatically initiate various functions such as showing the customer a menu of options and messages that the consumer can access through the screen touch.

The functions performed by the device through the built-in or externally connected sensors in cooperation with the software are described below for installation in a refrigerator.

The interface with the platform is made through the built-in LTE/3G modem through the mobile data transfer networks. In case the LTE/3G coverage is not sufficient, the device will automatically connect via GPRS. If required, the device can also be connected via the store's local wireless Wi-Fi network. Through this permanent interface, online and continuous two-way communication with the platform for data transfer is possible. The two-way communication with the data management and analysis platform is in an encrypted form using the appropriate algorithms.

The device through the LTE / 3G connection has the ability, apart from the transfer of telematics data to the platform, to receive video files, system files and change operating parameters.

The device through the LTE / 3G connection works as a Wi-Fi Hotspot offering internet access to consumers who are near the refrigerator. Access to the internet can be done by entering the barcode or QR code of the product that the consumer bought from the refrigerator, via voucher or other ways. The Hotspot home page as well as the browsing mode, content and protection against unwanted access to pages can be configured from the central platform and modified at any time. The consumer can also download the special application on his mobile phone that will allow him to connect to all the refrigerators equipped with this system as well as to see their location and in which store they are located. From the platform's side, it is possible to collect information about consumer visits based on their connection to the Hotspot, hours of visit, stores, frequency, demographic data so that Loyalty schemes and other marketing actions can be implemented.

Through the camera located on the front of the device, it is possible to take photos or videos at predetermined time intervals or in combination with other sensors such as opening a door through the motion sensor, changing the camera pattern or activating the proximity sensor. These images are recorded in the device's local memory and transmitted to the platform at regular intervals for processing. The aim of this recording is to extract statistical data regarding the traffic to the specific refrigerator / point of sale, time of visit, peak hours, gender and age of the visitor, etc. The same camera also measures the movement of people in front of the refrigerator so that it is possible to analyze data on how many people visit the store and how many of them the refrigerator for possible purchase.

The camera on the back of the device has a 180-degree wide-angle lens and records the inside of the refrigerator in photos or videos, giving a clear picture of the contents of the refrigerator and its filling percentage. These images or videos are recorded at predetermined time intervals or in combination with other sensors such as opening a door through the motion sensor, changing the camera pattern or lighting level. These images are recorded in the device's local memory and transmitted to the platform at regular intervals for processing. The aim of this recording is to extract statistical data regarding the use of the refrigerator, whether it contains the products it should have or otherwise through image processing with product or color recognition algorithms and a clear indication of how full the refrigerator is with products through recognition of white color percentage in the image, although every now and then it is fed. The same camera also detects whether the lights in the fridge are on or off so it can analyze data and draw conclusions about its use in the store or if there is a lighting fault.

The device using the built-in motion sensor can detect the opening / closing of the KOL refrigerator door and transfer this information to the platform in order to extract statistics on the use of the refrigerator and report an error if the door is left open.

Using the Bluetooth connection the device can communicate and collect data with wireless Bluetooth temperature sensors inside and outside the refrigerator. It records and transfers this information to the platform with the aim of extracting statistical data regarding the correct operation of the refrigerator, proper cooling of the products and the creation of notifications in case of damage. By analyzing the external and internal temperature it is possible to draw safe conclusions about the correct operation of the compressor and the cooling system.

With Bluetooth in I Beacon mode with a unique serial number, it is possible to detect and identify the refrigerator in the store by sales inspectors, technicians and consumers via smartphones and tablets. Also, the device provides the possibility to report these visits to the platform and to certify the date, time and point of sale that took place.

The device provides the ability, through detection of its power supply, to inform the platform of any power outage so that the corresponding notifications can be sent. The device will continue to operate on the built-in battery.

Via the USB port it is possible to interface the device via RS 485, MODBUS or another communication protocol with the controller of the refrigerator. In this way, the device can record all the operating parameters of the refrigerator and the error codes. The parameters are sent to the platform to enable remote management and control of the refrigerator. From the platform, the user has the possibility to program the refrigerator controller through the device and change the operating parameters or remove any errors remotely.

Through the connection to the mobile network and the platform, the device provides the ability to determine the geographical position by triangulating the neighboring mobile antennas from which it receives a signal with a special processing algorithm. The accuracy of the location depends on the density of mobile phone antennas in the area where the device is located. This function is possible indoors and outdoors.

In addition, through the built-in GPS receiver, it is possible to precisely determine the location of the refrigerator in which the device is placed outdoors. Combined with the motion sensor, it is possible to track and find the refrigerator if it moves to another location. From the platform, the user has the ability to display and monitor the appliances / refrigerators and receive notifications of any movements.

2. Data communication, management and analysis software platform

The software platform (Figure 2) consists of several individual software components that perform different functions as discussed below.

2.1 Communication and device management (Device Management)

It is the software that manages the communication with the devices through the mobile network, collects all telemetry and operation data of the devices and, after decryption and control, stores them in the database for further processing. It works on a permanent basis and is one of the basic parts of the platform. It is also used to check the good operation of the entire system and to remotely configure the refrigerator controller device and operating parameters.

The data from the sensors or the refrigerator controller, if it is connected, are transferred through the software to the corresponding tables of the database where, with specific procedures, they are analyzed in order to generate alerts if there are limit violations or error codes.

The data is presented to the users of the application through a graphical Web interface with dashboards and reports accessible from a computer or tablet or mobile phone as well as the notifications.

2.2 Content management and display on the device screen (Content Management)

Software that manages the content that will be displayed on each device by scheduling time and number of views, day, messages to the consumer, etc. Through the platform the user can remotely download videos, photos and messages to the device and change the viewer on one, more or all devices

2.3 Wi-Fi Hotspot Management (Wi-Fi Management)

Software that manages internet access at the points where the devices / refrigerators are installed, provides access codes, the Hotspot home page and authenticates barcodes, QR codes and access vouchers. The user has the possibility from the platform to modify the initial login page, to run marketing campaigns and to vary the access method. At the access points, users can use various login applications such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. as well as share, like, tweet photos and texts. From this application it is possible to extract point-by-point traffic data, demographic data based on access data and other data useful for marketing

2.4 Analysis and processing of images / videos from the cameras (Image recognition & analysis)

The images transferred from the device's two cameras to the software platform can be analyzed with this software to extract statistics. The images transferred from inside the refrigerator with special algorithms of color analysis or product identification provide information about the products sold by this refrigerator, their position on the shelf, the supply of the refrigerator with products and more. The images transferred from the front camera with special analysis and facial recognition algorithms provide information about consumer demographics such as leaf, age, time of visit, point of sale and more.

2.5 Data Analysis and Visualization (Data Analytics - Business Intelligence)

With the help of Data Analytics and Business Analytics tools, it is possible to extract aggregated results with a combination of parameters, measurements, images so that an in-depth analysis at the refrigerator or point of sale level is possible, e.g. visits per refrigerator per age frequency of visits per gender, per age, product purchases, etc.

2.6 Communication with Third Party Systems

The platform provides the ability to communicate through special interfaces (interfaces, web service, api) with third-party software for further processing of data or statistical analyzes or updating other programs.

Claims (1)

The ICC (Intelligent Cooler Control) invention consists of 2 subsystems The device that is placed in the refrigerator and the software that is installed on the device and manages all the functions as well as the communication with the data collection platform. The platform for data collection and remote device management. The device communicates with the software platform via the GPRS / 3G / LTE mobile network or local wireless network. This invention provides the possibility for the user of the system remotely through the software platform to control the operation of the refrigerator, to manage the content of advertising display and messages / news to the consumer and to collect operation data in order to draw statistical conclusions about the functionality and performance of the particular refrigerator.