RU2822819C1 - Leather system for preparation and delivery of optimal batch of hides of homogeneous variety from multiple tanneries with arbitrary quality for next stage of processing - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: physics.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to the technical field of parametric optimization for the preparation of optimized combined batches which meet a set of criteria imposed by a purchase request from customers on a standardized requested batch of a processed raw product. Disclosed is a tanning system (DT) for providing a batch (LOkr) of hides (1ij) of homogeneous quality (Gkr) from several tanneries (Fi) intended for undergoing a conversion step (Se); (i) the size of which exceeds the number of hides having a grade (Gkr) of each tanning factory; and (ii) which minimizes or maximizes the statistical numerical limitation parameter (PN) of the global statistical technical characteristic of all hides in the batch. It includes (a) a computer network (RL), which connects an online platform (CL) with at least two tanneries and two digital scanners (19i); (b) means for filtering (25) by grade (G) of all available hides (1ij) in order to select a combined subset (SCkr) of corresponding fractions (FCi) of hides from tanneries having grade (Gkr); (c) batch optimization means (26) for (i) making samples of sets of combined corresponding subfractions (Sim) of corresponding fractions, (ii) for determining, for each sample, the achieved value of the numerical limitation parameter, and (iii) to compose an optimum batch by a selection that maximizes or minimizes the numerical limitation parameter.

EFFECT: invention makes it possible to automate both control and sorting, as well as transactions with products with reference to large volumes.

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Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of parametric optimization for producing optimized combination lots that meet a set of criteria imposed by a purchase request from buyers on a standardized requested lot of a processed raw material product.

[0002] On the one hand, the invention is applicable specifically to the case where the requested batches are supplied by a multi-location industrial ecosystem, including many remote supplier factories from the same processing industry, producing these products with random topological and/or geometric defects and quality.

[0003] On the other hand, the invention specifically relates to the field of the process industry, in which the use value and request criteria for a batch of processed raw materials requested by a buyer must take into account, in order to satisfy his needs, a set of request criteria containing at least three specification parameters , specific to the buyer and therefore different for each request: topological quality grade parameter, based on the topological quality norm; volume parameter indicating the amount of product; but also at least one additional selection parameter related, for example, to the overall geometry of the products in the requested lot, or to the distribution of supplying factories, or to an extensive variable (ie, summable, such as mass) of the products.

[0004] In addition, the invention specifically relates to industries in which the two variables formed by the volume parameter and the requested additional parameter are related and are not independent of each other. That is, the choice of the value of one of these two parameters affects the value of the other parameter; and at the same time, the degree of freedom for the variables formed by the parameters of the set of query criteria is less than their number.

[0005] The main area of industrial application of the invention is the leather industry.

Technological problem that needs to be solved

[0006] In the area of the process industry to which the invention relates, buyer request criteria for a product batch also typically have the following characteristics:

a. Lots requested by buyers are typically larger in size than each individual supplier's factory inventory to satisfy the 3 dimensions of the request criteria. As a result, these process industries require the consolidation of production supplies to provide buyers with combined batches of products from multiple supplier factories integrated into an industrial production and sales ecosystem.

b. The three request specification parameters (grade, volume, and additional) are distinct and vary widely for each buyer and for each request.

c. The needs and criteria of buyers in terms of optimizing the requested lot also vary widely. Some buyers want to optimize the volume parameter, while others want to optimize the additional parameter of their purchase request.

[0007] In the specific industrial context mentioned above, the purpose of the invention and the main technological problem to be solved by the invention is to provide a universal multi-site parametric optimization method for compiling a consolidated batch of processed raw materials offered to customers, allowing fast, economical, uniform and global:

a. Supply requested lots for a very large number of customers, corresponding to a wide range of their varieties, volumes and additional parameters; as well as optimization criteria by increasing productivity and ensuring the ability to trace the origin and quality of purchased batches of products; and

b. For a very large number of supplier factories, to respond on a large scale in a consolidated and homogeneous manner to customer demands, while increasing the speed of their inventory turnover, the productivity and cost efficiency of their transactions.

State of the art

[0008] It is known from the prior art that companies or factories that process the same type of industrial raw materials, such as hides and skins, offer semi-finished products having arbitrary topological quality and geometry for sale through an online trading platform. Speaking about the leather industry, in 2019 we can mention the following B2B web portals:

[0009] These prior art web portals are online trading platforms where industrial buyers purchase a batch of products from a specific supplier factory selected on the site. But, according to the prior art, the supplier factories and the platform do not technologically interact online with respect to the marketplace to automatically provide buyers with a combined lot having a uniform grade of quality, the lots are composed by combining multiple sub-lots of products originating from individual supplier factories.

[0010] It is known from the prior art to establish a topological quality standard for a type of raw material. For example:

a. Guidelines for Grading of Hides and Skins by Quality, issued by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, reference number US/RAF788/100;

b. Normative document "Leather - Grading of wet blue goat and sheep skins based on defects", issued by the International Standard, under reference number ISO 11457;

c. Regulatory document “Standards Governing the Sale of North American Cattle Hides”, adopted by the “US Hide, Skin and Leather Products Association” in August 2014.

[0011] In class C14B of the International Patent Classification (IPC), there are many patents describing optical devices for automatic control using a scanner of the quality of hides in a tannery industry, with the aim of ensuring in a particular factory the digitization of images and the processing of raw materials processed in that factory; this is performed to identify, localize and/or classify defects.

[0012] It is known in the prior art to locally perform in the same plant a process for controlling topological criteria in relation to a stream of processed raw materials and locally assigning quality grades to these products in accordance with these topological criteria. Thus, US Pat. No. 4,199,255 describes a device installed in a tannery for ranking hides by assigning them a standard grade according to their thickness distribution, measured automatically at certain locations.

[0013] It has long been known in the art that tanneries install control lines to measure certain physical or topological characteristics of hides, as well as to ensure the classification of hides according to their quality. Thus, patent EP 2835430 B1 describes a tannery control line containing means for moving hides to a series of manual control stations, where the operator visually assigns a quality code to each of the hides. This manual inspection method and its variants are currently the most common in the leather industry.

[0014] It is known to use two remote industrial units interacting with each other; a factory where products are scanned and a remote development center where product images are processed. Patent WO 2017083344 A1 describes such a device, with the development center also generating patterns for positioning and cutting parts within products and sending them to a factory equipped with cutting equipment. This system does not include any trading platform and does not integrate the production of batches of the same grade originating from multiple factories.

[0015] It is known to implement a computer process for managing inventory of combination items in order to respond to orders. Thus, patent GB 2265032 A describes an inventory management program. It includes a product database containing information about whether each product is intended to be sold as a single product or as combination products involving a combination of multiple products. If the items ordered are composite items, the processing engine checks the inventory master file to determine whether there are enough elemental items in stock to fill the order in terms of quantity. The processing device performs stock distribution and updating. This device does not apply to the production of batches of standardized raw materials combined from products of random quality coming from multiple factories.

[0016] It is known to carry out a process of optimizing the geographical origin of products in accordance with orders. Such a device is described in patent application US 20190180231 A1. This device does not apply to the production of batches of standardized products combined from products of random quality coming from multiple factories.

[0017] It is known to implement a trading platform that allows online transactions of products or services for a variety of customer requests. Such a device is described in patent application US 20180260764 A1 and relates to applications for railway transport maintenance. The platform's graphical interface is configured to present a variety of customer-selectable options and is configured to provide additional information to the customer to complete the online transaction. This device does not apply to the production of batches of standardized products combined from products of random quality coming from multiple factories.

Disclosure of the Invention

[0018] According to the invention, batches requested by customers are supplied by a multi-located industrial ecosystem, including many remote supply factories from the same processing industry, producing products with random topological and/or geometric defects and quality.

[0019] The described features solve the above-mentioned technical problem. In its basic form, the method according to the invention is of the type comprising the following steps:

a. In accordance with the standardization process, topological quality standards are established, a standardized grading scale is determined, distributed over several product grades, which is transmitted and applied uniformly to all factories in the system, as well as to all buyers.

b. According to the factory inventory management process implemented at each factory level, factory inventory parameters are established and dynamically recorded with reference to the factory ID, a changing set of product IDs offered for sale by the factory, depending on changes in the factory's available inventory.

c. A programmed digital sorting process dynamically determines the grade of each product offered for sale by each factory.

d According to the global inventory management process, a changing set of all grades for all products offered by all factories is dynamically recorded with reference to all inventory parameters.

e. Under the request management process, purchase requests from multiple buyers are accepted and dynamically registered for delivery of requested lots that must meet a set of request criteria, including in the form of an alphanumeric expression, at least one parameter for the requested homogeneous variety, one additional parameter and one volume parameter.

f. In accordance with the appropriate selection process, a suitable combined subset consisting of products corresponding to the requested grade is retrieved, formed by combining multiple corresponding fractions of products of the requested grade offered by various factories from their factory stocks, with reference to their product identifiers and the identifier of the supplying factories .

[0020] A significant and novel feature of the multi-location parametric optimization method according to the invention is furthermore that the purchase request from the buyer is followed:

a. In addition to the buyer, among all his request criteria, he receives an optimization selection criterion, including an optimization parameter by which the buyer indicates his choice: on the one hand, a numerical constraint parameter of the requested optimization, and on the other hand, a specified second optimization constant. These two optimization selection parameters are set by the buyer in a complementary and exclusive manner from either the additional parameter or the volume parameter of the purchase request.

b. Parametric constraint optimization is performed by digitally processing the selection of a combined bid optimized according to a set of query criteria, with the constraint that the numerical constraint parameter to be optimized is selected by the buyer. For this purpose, a plurality of suitable subfractions extracted from some suitable fractions of the combined subset optimally distributed among some plants are selected and combined.

[0021] To this end:

a. The optimization variable is a set of variables and possible n-tuples, each of which consists of a set of elements formed by the identifiers of the product variables extracted from the combined subset.

b. Two optimization constants are specified: the first optimization constant is equal to the requested grade, and the second constant is selected in accordance with the buyer's optimization parameter.

c. Such parametric optimization is carried out by maximizing or minimizing a numerical constraint parameter selected in accordance with the optimization parameter, by varying possible n-tuples of the optimization variable, and by determining for each n-tuple the achieved value of the numerical constraint parameter.

d. The dimension of n variable n-tuples is specified by dimensional conditional selection depending on the optimization selection parameter.

e. The buyer is offered the optimized combination lot by further presenting to him/her the achieved numerical optimum, which is the solution to the optimized numerical constraint parameter, that is, the minimum or maximum achieved by the numerical constraint parameter being optimized.

Brief description of drawings

[0022] Reading the following detailed description of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, other features and advantages of the present invention will appear in accordance with the exemplary embodiment. On the drawings:

• [Fig. 1] is a schematic view of the means used in the method, as well as the device in accordance with the invention in their general form.

• [Fig. 2] is a detailed diagram of the various stages of the optimization process in accordance with the invention in its general form.

• [Fig. 3] is a diagram of the implementation of the method and device in accordance with the invention, while the sorting is carried out at the factory level.

• [Fig. 4] is a diagram of the implementation of the method and device in accordance with the invention, while the sorting is carried out at the level of the online commerce platform.

• [Fig. 5] is a simplified diagram of the stages of the optimization process in accordance with the invention, as well as the exchange of files and data between the trading platform, factories and buyers.

• [Fig. 6] is a schematic screen view of a tannery inventory management operator interface interacting with the tannery system ecosystem of the invention.

• [Fig. 7] is a view of the hide during grading, showing the specific area of interest.

• [Fig. 8] is a diagram of the various stages of the tanning process and the various operations with hides in accordance with the prior art.

• [Fig. 9] is a diagram of the various stages of the tanning process and the process of handling hides in accordance with the method according to the invention.

Detailed description

[0023] For a better understanding of the problem to be solved by the invention, together with the accompanying drawings, the technical content and detailed description of the present invention are set forth below in accordance with the preferred embodiment in the leather industry, which does not limit the scope of its implementation. The leather industry has all the parameters of the technological field of the invention. Processing factories are supplied by tanneries. Semi-finished raw materials are hides or skins processed in several stages. Tanneries exchange these raw materials at each primary stage. Finished leather products are ultimately purchased and used by industrial integrators in the apparel, footwear, automotive, or furniture and finishing industries...The various components of the technology problem, as well as the solutions offered by the invention, as described below with reference to the leather industry, are repeated in similar ways across all industries , processing raw industrial products, objects of the invention, as described above.

[0024] With reference to the figures [Fig. 1] and [Fig. 2] one can see an industrial tanning device (DT) implementing the method according to the invention to optimize the composition of batches (LO, LOkr) of products from tanneries of uniform quality. Indeed, the implementation of the optimization method according to the invention is particularly effective within the ecosystem (E) of the processing industry (I) producing similar raw industrial products of arbitrary quality, having a flat sheet structure (SF). This is the case in the leather industry (I), where products are developed and supplied from disparate hide/skin production facilities (1, 1ij) of arbitrary quality, produced by many supplier tanneries (Fi), distant from each other and distributed over a large area. Tanneries (Fi) are connected by a computer network (RL) to a trading platform (CL) within the industrial ecosystem (E) of the leather industry (I). Thus, the online trading platform (CL) provides supply (OF) for sale to buyers (A, Ak, k) of combined production batches of hides/leathers (1, 1ij) tanneries (Fi) to satisfy purchase requests (RA) from buyers (A).

[0025] The Internet online trading platform (CL) contains a computer server of the platform (SP) and a database of inventory (BI) of the platform connected to the computer server of the platform (SP), containing, in particular, a list of characteristics of hides/skins (1ij) of tanneries factories available for sale on the platform (CL).

[0026] The platform (CL) contains computer standardization tools and software (11) types, including, in particular, an operator terminal (12) connected to a computer server platform (SP) for alphanumeric definition, development and storage computer server platform (SP) norms (NO) of topological quality of leather products (1) in the ecosystem (E). This norm (NO) defines a standardized grading scale (SCA) distributed over several grades (G) of leather products (1, 1ij). According to this norm (NO), the belonging of a product (1) to grade (G) is established by objective criteria of topological quality (CT), based on a standardized list of types of topological defects (LNT) of products (1) (hides and skins), which can be identified and measure numerically. These defects are defined and differentiated by rules relating to the shape and/or size of the defect and/or by a standardized list of product zones of interest (LNZ) (1) that are objective and numerically distinguishable. The trace zone (LNZ) on the product (1) is determined by geometric criteria related to the shape of the product (1), along which topological defects can be distributed.

[0027] The platform (CL) includes computer resources and software for posting a norm online (13) of the type that allows the definition of a standardized norm (NO) to be provided via the Internet (14) to buyers (A) and all tanneries (Fi). used throughout the entire ecosystem (E).

[0028] The platform (CL) is equipped with computerized request processing tools and software (15) configured to receive and record in the platform inventory (BI) database purchase requests (RA, RAkr) coming from multiple buyers (Ak), for the supply of requested lots (LRkr) of leather products (1) (hides and skins), as well as the criteria for their request (CR, CRkr) in relation to the requested lot (LRkr). These request criteria (CRkr) include, in the form of an alphanumeric expression, at least three specification parameters, including the uniform variety parameter (Gkr) requested for the lot according to the uniform norm (NO), an additional parameter (PCkr) to choose from, and volume parameter (PVkr).

[0029] The platform (CL) is provided with computer resources and software connected to a platform (SP) computer server for managing global inventories (16) of leather products (1) (hides and skins). They are of a type that allows the implementation of a global inventory management process (TGG) to dynamically collect and record a changing set of all grades (ΣGij) and all identifiers (ΣIij) of all products (1ij) offered on the platform (CL) by each tannery (Fi ), into the platform inventory (BI) database with reference to all parameters (ΣPSi) of tannery inventories (Fi).

[0030] The industrial ecosystem (E) also includes many remote tanneries (F1, ..., Fi). At least two tanneries (Fi) are spaced apart and spaced from the platform (CL).

[0031] As will be described later with reference to the figures [Fig. 8] and [Fig. 9], tanneries (Fi) provide transformation with random quality, as well as offers for sale on the platform (CL) of leather products (1ij), in particular hides and skins in one of the four main stages of transformation (Sa, ..., Sz) between raw hides coming from slaughterhouses and finished hides ready for use by industrial integrator buyers (A, Ak). A plurality of computer servers (S1, ..., Si) of the factories are connected to each of the independent tanneries (Fi). Each independent tannery (Fi) is associated with multiple factory inventory databases (Bi) located in the factory's computer server (Si). The factory inventory management computer tools and software (17i) linked to the factory computer server (Si) of each tannery (FT) are configured to dynamically set and record inventory parameters through the factory inventory management (TGFi) process. PS1, ..., PSi) of tanneries (Fi) in accordance with the change in their available warehouse stocks (STi) of factories. These inventory parameters (Psi) include the factory identifier (Ii) and the changing set of product identifiers (1ij) offered for sale by each tannery (Fi). Each tannery (Fi) is equipped with computer tools and software to obtain primary images (18i) of leather products (1ij), including many digital image scanners (19i) located in the production area of each tannery (Fi) in the ecosystem (E) . The computer tools and software for creating the primary images (18i) are connected to the computer server (Si) of the factory and are equipped with the means to perform an automatic digital optical acquisition (TODij) of the raw primary image file (FBij) by scanning each of the products (1ij) to be sorted at the tannery (Fi). The computerized primary image storage facilities as well as the software (20i) are configured to record the primary image files (FBij) of the products (1ij) of each tannery (Fi) in the ecosystem (E) into the factory inventory database memory (Bi), with reference on parameters of warehouse stocks (Psi).

[0032] A computer network (RL) for Internet-type digital communications or equivalent connects a platform computer server (SP) to a plurality of factory computer servers (S1, ..., Si) of each tannery supplier (Fi) and customers (A, Ak) to create a digital interactive tannery industrial ecosystem (E).

[0033] The ecosystem (E) is equipped with computerized primary image processing tools and software (21), including a computer form processing server (SF) of the ecosystem (E). These computerized raw image processing tools and software (21) are configured to perform automatic digital processing through shape recognition (TNFij) of the raw image files (FBij) of each product (1ij) to be sorted, retrieved from the inventory database (Bi) of each tannery factories (Fi). They provide identification in primary image files (FBij) of topological identifiers (ITij) of the type and/or position of topological defects of sorted products (1ij) with reference to the topological criteria of the norm (N0) of topological quality.

[0034] Computer means and software for storing secondary topological files (22) are configured to record topological identifiers (ITij) in the form of a vector file of a secondary image (FSij) of each sorted product (1ij) and store them in a topological database (BF) computer form processing server (SF) computer network for digital communication (RL) taking into account the offered product identifier (1ij) and the factory identifier (Ii).

[0035] The computerized grading tools and software (23) located on the computer grading server (SG) of the ecosystem (E) are configured to dynamically perform, through a programmed digital sorting process (TDGij), the determination of the topological quality grade (Gij) of the products (1ij) offered for sale on the platform (CL) of one of the factories (Fi), taking into account the norm (NO); this is done from a secondary image file (FSij) extracted from the topology database (BF). They also ensure that the grades (G, Gij) are stored in the grade database (BG) on the computer grading server (SG) with reference to the offered product identifier (1ij) and the factory identifier (Ii).

[0036] The tanning device (DT) includes computer hardware and inventory management software (24) configured to dynamically implement a global grade recording (TGG) process whereby a changing set of grades (ΣGij) of all offered products (Σ1ij ) is remembered with reference to the parameters of warehouse stocks (ΣPSi) of their corresponding factories (Fi) in the inventory database (BI) of the platform (CL).

[0037] The computerized means for filtering by grade (25) of available inventory is configured to perform a matching selection process (TSCkr) to select a combined subset (SCkr) of products (1ij) corresponding to the grade (Gr) requested in the purchase request ( RAkr) from the buyer (Ak), formed by a combination of a set of corresponding fractions (FC1, ..., FCi) of products (1ij) of grade (G), offered by various factories (Fi), taking into account their product identifiers (1ij) and factory identifiers (Fi) .

[0038] With combined reference to the figures [Fig. 1] and [Fig. 2] describes specific means of the optimization method and device in accordance with the invention, intended to solve in a general form the technological problem mentioned above.

[0039] The tanning device (DT) implementing the method according to the invention is equipped with computerized request processing means and software (15) for requests from the trading platform (CL), configured to receive from the buyer (A, Ak), in addition to and among a set of request criteria (CR, CRkr) related to its request (RA, RAkr), optimization parameter (PO, POkr). Thanks to this optimization parameter (PO), the buyer (Ak) indicates his choice to the platform (CL):

a. numerical constraint parameter (PN, PNkr) of the requested optimization, and,

b. the specified second optimization constant (CS2, CS2kr).

[0040] These two parameters are taken in a complementary and exclusive manner from either the additional parameter (PC, PCkr) or the volume parameter (PV, PVkr).

[0041] The server (SP) of the platform (CL) contains computerized batch optimization tools and software (26) configured to perform parametric optimization (OPCkr) when constrained by digital processing of the choice of the optimized proposed combined batch (LO, LOkr) in in accordance with a set of request criteria (CRkr) with a constraint in the form of a numerical constraint parameter to be optimized (PN). According to the method of the invention, this selection is made by combining a plurality of corresponding sub-fractions (Si1, ..., Sim) separated from some corresponding fractions (FCi) of a combined subset (SCkr), optimally distributed among certain tanneries (F1, ..., Fi).

[0042] Computerized batch optimization tools (26) are designed to perform their parametric optimization (OPCkr):

a. using variable optimization (VO, VO(x)), consisting of a set of possible and variable n-tuples (N(x)), each of which consists of a set of elements N(x)=(Iijxl, …, Iijxn)), formed from the product identifier variables (Iij) extracted from the combined subset (SCkr);

b. using two optimization constants, a first optimization constant (CS1) equal to grade (G) and another second constant (CS2) selected according to the optimization parameter (PO);

With. by maximizing or minimizing a numerical constraint parameter (PN) selected in accordance with an optimization parameter (PO), by varying the possible n-tuples (N(x)) of an optimization variable (VO), and by determining for each n-tuple the achieved value of the numerical parameter restrictions (PN); And

d. by setting, using dimensional conditional selection (CD, CDkr), the dimension of variable n-tuples (Nx) depending on the optimization selection parameter (PO).

[0043] The computerized request processing tools and software (15) of the platform (CL) are configured in such a way as to make an offer (OF, OFkr) to the buyer (A, Ak) via the Internet (14) regarding the proposed combined and resulting optimized parametric optimization (ORS) of the batch (LO, LOkr), by further presenting to it the achieved numerical optimum (OP, OPkr), which is the solution of the optimized numerical constraint parameter, that is, the minimum or maximum achieved by the numerical constraint parameter (PN) to be optimized.

[0044] When dimensional conditional selection (CD, CDkr) of dimension n variable n-tuples (N(x))) of the optimization variable (VO), depending on the optimization parameter (PO), proceed as follows:

a. Either the size (SR, SRkr) of the requested batch (LR) is dictated by the optimization selection parameter (PO), or the dimension of all n-tuples (N(x)) (the number of elements of n-tuples) is set constant and equal to this size (SR), and in this case, the proposed size (SO, SOkr) of the proposed lot (LO) will be the requested size (SR, SRkr);

b. Alternatively, the size (SR) of the requested lot size (LR) is not dictated by the optimization selection parameter (PO), in particular in the case where matching the numeric parameter (PN) leads to adaptation of the proposed lot size (SO), the dimension n of each n-tuple ( N(x)) is always variable, up to the choice of the number of products of the corresponding combined subset (SCkr), in which case the size of the proposed batch (SO, SOkr) will be the result of parametric optimization (OPS).

[0045] The optimization method in accordance with the invention is capable of implementing any topological norm expressed in numerical and parametric form so that it can be implemented as an algorithm using computerized sorting tools and software (23). Hereinafter, this document conceptually describes a preferred embodiment of the invention for the parametric digital determination of the norm (NO) of the topological quality of hides and skins, implemented on the platform (CL) of the tanning device (DT). The conceptual criteria for topological quality (CT) norm (NO) recommended by the invention are as follows:

a. Let (H) be the skin. Let (d) = d (T, S ^min , S ^max , A ^min , A ^max , Z, P, P') - a skin defect criterion that has non-zero significance in the rating of its quality, with the following necessary parameters to comply with it:

i. T - type of defect (for example, scar, hole, scratch, etc.).

ii. S ^min - minimum of the largest defect size.

iii. S ^max - maximum of the largest defect size.

iv. A ^min is the minimum surface area of the defect.

v. And ^max is the maximum surface area of the defect.

vi. Z is the zone in which the defect is located (for example, stomach, back, back, etc.).

vii. P is the position of the defect in the zone in which it is located.

viii. P' is the depth of the defect.

b. Let (c) = c (H, d) be the number of defects on the skin (H) that satisfy the defect criterion (d).

c. Let (g) = g (t ^min , t ^max , d ^min , c ^min , d ^max , c ^max , a ^min , d ^area ) - a global criterion for the topological quality of the skin (H), with the following necessary parameters to comply with it:

i. t ^min - minimum total area of the skin (N).

ii. t ^max - maximum total area of the skin (N).

iii. с ^min - the minimum number of skin defects (N) corresponding to the criterion d ^min .

iv. с ^max - the maximum number of skin defects (N) corresponding to the criterion d ^max .

v. a ^min is the minimum surface area that does not contain defects d ^area .

d. Let G (H, g) be an indicator of the distribution of defects of the global criterion of topological quality (g) on the skin (H); where G(H, g) = 1 if skin (H) corresponds to (g); and where G(H, g) = 0 if skin (H) does not match (g).

e. Let (s) = s (H, D, W, G', W') be a function of assessing the grade of hide (H) in accordance with the norm (NO) with the following parameters:

i. D = {d ¹ , …, d ⁿ |n∈N} - criteria that determine defects that have non-zero significance when ranking the skin.

ii. (W) = {w ¹ , ..., w ⁿ } - weight values or importance coefficients specified by the norm (NO), corresponding to criteria D, where (w ⁱ ) is the criterion for the significance of a defect that satisfies the default criterion (d ⁱ ).

iii. G' = {g ¹ , …, gn'|n'∈N} - global criteria that have non-zero significance when ranking the skin (N).

iv. W' = {w' ¹ , w' ⁿ '} - significance coefficients corresponding to global criteria (G').

[0046] In accordance with the preferred implementation of the programmed digital sorting process (TDGij), the hide grade (H) evaluation function(s) is set as follows:

[Math Expression 1]

[0047] According to a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the grading scale (SCA) of the norm (NO) is set as follows:

a. The grade (g) of the skin (H, 1ij) is determined by the ranking function g:

i. (g) = g (H, D, W, G', W', T') = 1 if s (H, D, W, G', W') < t ¹

ii. (g) = g (H, D, W, G', W', T') = m if s (H, D, W, G', W') < t ^m .

iii. (g) = g (H, D, W, G', W', T') = m+1 if the above conditions are not met.

b. T' = {t ¹ , …, t ^m |m∈N} constitutes the sorting scale (SCA) of norm (NO), where t ⁱ is the upper limit of assessment to obtain a grade rating (G) equal to i.

[0048] By way of example, the invention recommends three implementation examples of its preferred parametric norm (NO) and method for determining the grade (G) of a hide (H), as defined below.

[0049] The first example of the implementation of the parametric norm (NO) for sorting hides recommended by the invention relates to the case of “hides with holes”. To determine the ranking function g, the defect criteria and their weight are specified as follows: D = {d ¹ }; where d ¹ = (hole, 2 mm, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0) et W = {1}; G'=0;W' = 0; et T' = {1}.

Criterion d1 defines a hole with a minimum length of 2 mm. The corresponding weight or significance factor is 1. Therefore, the value of the rating function s is increased by 1 for each defect of type d ¹ present on H. The unique rating threshold is 1. Therefore, any skin without hole d ¹ receives a rating of 1; and any skin containing a hole of d ¹ (or more) receives a rating of 2.

[0050] The second example of the implementation of the parametric norm (NO) for sorting hides recommended by the invention relates to the case of “hides with open defects”. Skins (H) containing no more than one open defect (i.e. more than 5 mm deep) are graded (G=1). Skins (H) containing from 2 to 5 open defects are graded (G=2). Skins (H) containing 6 or more open defects are graded (G=3). To determine the ranking function G, the criteria for defects and their weight are specified as follows: D = {d ¹ }, where d ¹ = (0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, located more than 5 cm from the edges of the skin, more 5 mm); W = {1}; G' = 0; W' = 0; et T' = {2, 6}.

[0051] The third example of the implementation of a parametric norm (NO) for sorting hides (N), recommended by the invention, refers to the preferred form of implementation of the norm (NO). This allows for the algorithmic implementation of computerized grading tools and software (23) using a programmed digital grading process (TDGij) in accordance with the Standards Governing the Sale of North American Cattle Hides by the Hide, Skin and Leather Products Association of the United States "in August 2014. This ranking standard includes 4 grades, from grade 1 (best quality) to grade 4 (untanned). To determine and implement, using a computer process, the ranking function G according to the invention, the defect criteria and their weight are specified as follows:

a. D = D = {d ¹ , ..., d ¹⁴ }.

b. d ¹ = (hole, 0.6 inches, 0, 0, 0, located more than 4 inches from the edges of the hide, 0).

c. d ² = (cut, 0.6 inches, 0, 0, located in the area above the hock line, 0, 0).

d. d ³ = (cut, 1 inch, 6 inches, 0, 0, located in the area below the hock line, 0, 0).

e. d ⁴ = (deep cut, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0).

f. d ⁵ = (notch, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0).

g. g ¹ = (0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, half the surface area of the skin, (d ¹ , d ² , d ³ , d ⁴ , d ⁵ )).

h. d ⁶ = (hole, 0.6 inches, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0).

i. d ⁷ = (cut, 0.6 inches, 0, 0, Z ¹ , 0, 0).

j. d ⁸ = (deep cut, 0, 0, 0, 0, Z ¹ , 0, 0).

k. d ⁹ = (notch, 0, 0, 0, 0, Z ¹ , 0, 0).

l. g ² = (0, 0, (d ⁶ , d ⁷ , d ⁸ , d ⁹ ), 1, (d ⁶ , d ⁷ , d ⁸ , d ⁹ ), 4, 0, 0).

m. d ¹⁰ = (default structure, 0, 0, 1 ft ² , 0, 0, 0, 0)

n. d ¹¹ = (build-up, 0, 0, 1 ft ² , 0, 0, 0, 0).

O. d ¹² = (unhealed scab, 0, 0, 1 ft ² , 0, 0, 0, 0).

p. d ¹³ = (hole, 6 inches, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0).

q. d ¹⁴ = (cut, 6 inches, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0).

r. g ³ = (0, 0, (d ⁶ , d ⁷ , d ⁸ , d ⁹ ), 5, 0, 0, 0, 0).

s. W = {0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 5, 50, 50, 50, 50}.

t. G' = {g ¹ , g ² , g ³ }.

u. W' = {1, 5, 50}.

v. T' = {1, 10, 100}.

[0052] With reference to the figure [Fig. 7] shows a skin (H) on which the zone of interest (Z ¹ ) is shown. This zone (Z ¹ ) is located on both sides of the spine (37). It is located between the lower axillae (38) and the upper axillae (39). According to the global criterion g ¹ for skin (H) grade 1, zone (Z ¹ ) should not contain any defects of the type d ¹ , d ² , d ³ , d ⁴ , d ⁵ . According to the g ² criterion for skin grade 2, zone (Z ¹ ) can contain from 1 to 4 defects of type d ⁶ , d ⁷ , d ⁸ , d ⁹ or d ¹⁰ , d ¹¹ , d ¹² , d ¹³ , d ¹⁴ . According to criterion g ³ for skin (H) grade 3, zone (Z ¹ ) can contain up to 5 defects of type d ⁶ , d ⁷ , d ⁸ , d ⁹ . Otherwise, the hide (H) is assigned grade 4 (untanned).

[0053] The method in accordance with the invention is applied in a uniform manner across multiple integrated tanneries (Fi) in accordance with a wide range of request criteria (CRkr) from buyers (Ak), including a large variability of the requested uniform grade parameter (G, Gkr), an additional parameter (PC, PCkr), volume parameter (PV, PVkr) and optimization parameter (PO, POkr).

[0054] According to an embodiment of adapting the optimization method according to the invention to the first type of request criteria (CRkr), purchase requests (RA) originating from a plurality of buyers (A) are received and processed for the supply of requested lots (LR) of products (1), further imposing their set of request criteria (CR) for the transformation stage parameter (PS, PSkr) of the products (1ij) to be delivered in the proposed lot (LO). A combined subset (SCkr) of products (1ij) corresponding to both the requested grade (Gkr) and the requested transformation step parameter (PSkr) is retrieved through a corresponding selection process (TSCkr). Parametric optimization is carried out while constraining (OPCkr) the selection of the optimal proposed batch (LOkr) extracted from the combined subset (SCkr).

[0055] According to an embodiment of adapting the optimization method according to the invention to the second type of request criteria (CRkr), in his purchase request (RA), the buyer (A) specifies an additional parameter (PC) of the geometric lot selection (LO) as an alphanumeric parameter, associated with the general shape of the products (1ij). The selected additional parameter (PC) may relate in particular to a measurable geometric feature associated with the surface area of the product (1), such as maximum surface area, minimum surface area, maximum weight, compliance of the shape of its periphery with a shape standard, etc. The buyer (A) specifies an optimization parameter (PO), by which he specifies the numerical constraint parameter to be optimized (PN) as this additional geometric selection criterion (PC). In this case, parametric optimization under constraint (OPC) is performed by digitally processing the selection of the optimized combined proposed lot (LO) with the constraint of maximizing or minimizing an additional geometric selection criterion (PC).

[0056] According to an option for adapting the method according to the invention to the third type of request criteria (CRkr), the composition of product batches (1ij) is optimized with the restriction in terms of minimizing the number of products (1ij), which allows placing a minimum number of cuts (VP) for parts (J) , which must be manufactured from the requested lot (LR). In his purchase request (RA), the buyer (A) specifies an additional criterion (PC) to select the positioning of the requested lot (LR), consisting of the quantity (SR, SRkr) of products (1ij) of the requested lot (LR), taking into account positioning and performance cutting (CP, CPkr) parts (J) to be cut in products (1ij) of the requested lot (LR), further assuming that within the proposed lot (LO) the specified minimum number of cuts (VP, VPkr) parts (J) can be made according to the size and geometry of predetermined parts (J). Parts (J) may be located in one or more predefined areas of interest (Z, Z ¹ ) of the product and/or include a maximum number of defects of specified types. The buyer (A) sets the volume parameter (PV) equal to the size of the requested lot (SR, SRkr). The buyer (A) sets the optimization selection parameter (PO) (whereby he selects the numerical constraint parameter to be optimized (PN)) as equal to the volume parameter (PV), which itself is equal to the size of the requested lot (SR, SRkr) . Thus, the buyer (A) sets an additional positioning selection criterion (PC) as a second optimization constant (CS2) in addition to the first constant (CS1) for grade (G). In this case, parametric optimization under constraint (OPC) is performed by digitally processing the selection of an optimized combined proposal lot (LO) by minimizing the volume parameter (PN=PV) and therefore the size of the proposal lot (SO), while satisfying the additional criterion (PC), which imposes restrictions in terms of positioning and cutting performance (CP, CPkr).

[0057] According to a variant of adapting the optimization method in accordance with the invention to the fourth type of request criteria (CRkr), optimization of the composition of product batches (1ij) is carried out under the constraint of minimizing the number of supplying factories. In his purchase request (RA), the buyer (A) sets an additional criterion (PC) for selecting the requested lot (LR), as consisting of the number of supplier factories (VF, VFkr) supplying products (1ij) of the proposed lot (LO). The buyer (A) sets the volume parameter (PV) equal to the requested lot size (SR). The buyer (A) sets the optimization selection parameter (PO) (whereby it selects the numerical constraint parameter to be optimized (PN)) as equal to the additional parameter (PC), which itself is equal to the number of supplying factories (VF). Thus, the buyer (A) sets the volume parameter (PV) and therefore the requested lot size (SR) as a second optimization constant (CS2) in addition to the first constant (CS1) for grade (G). In this case, parametric optimization under constraint (OPC) is performed by digitally processing the selection of the optimized combined offered lot (LO) by minimizing the additional parameter (PN=PC=VF) and, therefore, by minimizing the number of supplying factories (VF), subject to the constraint in terms of the volume parameter (PN=PV) and therefore the requested lot size (SR).

[0058] According to an option for adapting the optimization method in accordance with the invention to the fifth type of request criteria (CRkr), optimization of the composition of product batches (1ij) is carried out under the additional constraint of minimizing transport costs. In his purchase request (RA), the buyer (A) sets an additional criterion (PC) for selecting the requested lot (LR), as consisting of the sum of the distances (VD, VDkr) (and/or components of transport costs) between the delivery location (LL, LLkr), selected by the buyer (A), and the addresses of various factories (Fi) supplying products (1ij) of the proposed batch (LO). The buyer (A) sets the volume parameter (PV) equal to the requested lot size (SR). The buyer (A) sets the optimization selection parameter (PO) (whereby he selects the numerical constraint parameter to be optimized (PN)) as equal to the additional parameter (PC), which itself is equal to the sum of the transportation distances (VD). Thus, the buyer (A) sets the volume parameter (PV) and therefore the requested lot size (SR) as a second optimization constant (CS2) in addition to the first constant (CS1) for grade (G). In this case, parametric optimization under constraint (OPC) is performed by digitally processing the selection of an optimized combined proposed batch (LO) by minimizing an additional parameter (PN=PC=VD), i.e. the sum of transport distances (VD) of the lot (LO), taking into account the limitation in terms of the volume parameter (PV=SR) of the proposed lot (LO).

[0059] According to an embodiment of adapting the optimization method in accordance with the invention to the sixth type of request criteria (CRkr), optimization of the composition of product batches (1ij) is carried out under the additional constraint of maximizing preferred supplier factories. The buyer is offered the opportunity to indicate in alphanumeric form in his purchase request (RA) the requested lot (LR) a list of preferences (LP, LPkr) in relation to the supplying factories (Fi). In his purchase request (RA), the buyer (A) sets an additional criterion (PC) for selecting the requested lot (LR), as consisting of the proportion of origin (OR, ORkr) of the products (1ij) of the proposed lot (LO) originating from factories suppliers (Fi) included in the preferred list (LP). The buyer (A) sets the volume parameter (PV) equal to the requested lot size (SR). The buyer (A) sets the optimization selection parameter (PO) (whereby it selects the numerical constraint parameter to be optimized (PN)) as equal to the optional parameter (PC), which itself is equal to the origin share (OR). Thus, the buyer (A) sets the volume parameter (PV) equal to the requested lot size (SR) as a second optimization constant (CS2) in addition to the first constant (CS1) for grade (G). In this case, parametric optimization under constraint (OPC) is performed by digitally processing the selection of the optimized combined proposed batch (LO) by minimizing the additional parameter (PN=PC), i.e. the proportion of origin (OR) of the products (1ij) of the proposed lot (LO) originating from the supplying factories (Fi) included in the preferred list (LP).

[0060] According to an embodiment of adapting the optimization method according to the invention to the seventh type of request criteria (CRkr), optimization of the composition of product batches (1ij) is carried out under the additional constraint of matching the surface area of the product. In his purchase request (RA), the buyer (A) sets an additional criterion (PC) for the selection of the requested lot (LR), as consisting of the variation of the surface area of the products (SFV, SFVkr) in relation to the average surface area (SFM, SFMkr) requested in relation to the products (1ij) of the requested lot (LR). The buyer (A) sets the volume parameter (PV) equal to the requested lot size (SR). The buyer (A) sets the optimization selection parameter (PO) (according to which he selects the numerical constraint parameter to be optimized (PN)) as equal to the additional parameter (PC), which itself is equal to the surface area variation of the products (SFV, SFVkr ). Thus, the buyer (A) sets the volume parameter (PV) equal to the requested lot size (SR) as a second optimization constant (CS2) in addition to the first constant (CS1) for grade (G). In this case, parametric optimization under constraint (OPC) is performed by digitally processing the selection of an optimized combined proposed lot (LO) by minimizing an additional parameter (PN=PC) of the variation in the surface area of the products (SFV, SFVkr) in relation to the requested average surface area (SFM, SFMkr ) products (1ij) of the proposed batch (LO).

[0061] According to a variant of adapting the optimization method in accordance with the invention to the eighth type of request criteria (CRkr), optimization of the composition of product batches (1ij) is carried out under an additional constraint in terms of product thickness. In his purchase request (RA), the buyer (A) establishes an additional criterion (PC) for the selection of the requested lot (LR), as consisting of the variation in the thickness of the products (EPV, EPVkr) in relation to the average thickness (EPM, EPMkr) requested in relation to products (1ij) of the requested batch (LR). The buyer (A) sets the volume parameter (PV) equal to the requested lot size (SR). The buyer (A) sets the optimization selection parameter (PO) (according to which he selects the numerical constraint parameter to be optimized (PN)) as equal to the additional parameter (PC), which itself is equal to the thickness variation of the products (EPV, EPVkr) . Thus, the buyer (A) sets the volume parameter (PV) equal to the requested lot size (SR) as a second optimization constant (CS2) in addition to the first constant (CS1) for grade (G). In this case, parametric optimization under constraint (OPC) is performed by digitally processing the selection of an optimized combined proposed lot (LO) by minimizing an additional parameter (PN=PC) of the product thickness variation (EPV, EPVkr) in relation to the requested average thickness (EPMkr) of the products (1ij) of the proposed lot (LO).

[0062] In the general form of the method according to the invention, shown in the figure [Fig. 1]:

a. At the computer server (Si) level of the factory of each factory (Fi) that offers sorted products (1ij) through the platform (CL): i) automatic digital optical acquisition (TODij) is carried out dynamically in the factory (Fi) by scanning the raw primary image file ( FBij) of each of the products (1ij) to be sorted, and, ii) primary image files (FBij) are written to the memory of the factory inventory database (Bi); taking into account the parameters of warehouse stocks (Psi).

b. Anywhere in the computer network for digital communication (RL) of the ecosystem (E), in the computer form processing server (SF) of the network (RL) of the ecosystem (E): i) carry out automatic digital processing by shape recognition (TNFij) of primary image files (FBij) ) each product (1ij) to be sorted, retrieved from each inventory database (Bi), and the identification in the primary image file (FBij) of the topological identifiers (ITij) of the type and/or position of topological defects of the products (1ij) to be sorted, with taking into account the topological criteria of the norm (N0) of topological quality; and ii) these topological identifiers (ITij) are recorded as a vector secondary image file (FSij) of each product (1ij) to be sorted, which is stored in the topological database (BF) of the computer form processing server (SF) of the computer network for digital communications ( RL), taking into account the offered product identifier (1ij) and the factory identifier (Ii).

c. Anywhere in the digital communication (RL) computer network of the ecosystem (E): i) a programmed digital sorting process (TDGij) is dynamically carried out to determine the topological quality grade (Gij) of the products (1ij) offered for sale on the platform (CL ) factories (Fi), on one of the computer sorting servers (SG) of the ecosystem (E), taking into account the norm (N0), based on the secondary image file (FSij) extracted from the topological database (BF); and ii) the topological quality grade (Gij) of all products (1ij) is stored in a grade database (BG) on a computer grade server (SG), taking into account the offered product identifier (1ij) and the factory identifier (Ii).

d. At any point in the computer network (RL) for the digital communication of the ecosystem (E), a global inventory management process (TGG) is dynamically carried out, through which a changing set of varieties (ΣGij) of all offered products (Σ1ij) is stored taking into account the inventory parameters (ΣPSi) of the corresponding them factories (Fi) into the platform's inventory (BI) database (CL).

[0063] With reference to the figure [Fig. 3] shows the first preferred embodiment of the sorting process at the tannery level (Fi). It can be seen that in an industrial tannery (DT) device, at least some tannery (Fi) devices (DT) contain computer sorting means and software in the factory (23i). These tools are of the type capable of performing at the computer server (Si) level of a digital processing factory by recognizing the shape (TNFij) of the primary image files (FBij) of each product (1ij) to be sorted, retrieved from the factory inventory database (Bi ). They provide dynamic generation of vector files of secondary images (FSij) of products (1ij). They provide a factory-level (Fi) implementation of a programmed digital grading process (TDGij) to dynamically determine the grade (Gij) for each new product (1ij) offered by the tannery (Fi). They store (22i) in the tannery inventory (Bi) database (Fi) secondary image files (FSij) and quality grade (Gij) linked to the offered product identifier (1ij) and factory identifier (Ii). They carry out dynamic and periodic transmission (24i) in digital form using a computer network for digital communication (RL) of grades (Gij) of products to be sorted, offered for sale by the tannery (Fi), related to the inventory database (Bi), from tannery to computer resources and software (24) for inventory management platform (CL). They dynamically record the changing set of all grades (ΣGij) for all products (Σ1ij) offered by the tannery (Fi) into the platform's inventory (BI) database (CL).

[0064] With reference to the figure [Fig. 4] shows the second preferred option for implementing the sorting process at the platform level (CL). As was the case previously with reference to the figure [Fig. 3], each tannery (Fi) carries out, at the level of its computer server (Si) of the factory, digital processing by shape recognition (TNFij) of primary image files (FBij) for each product (1ij) to be sorted, extracted from the factory inventory database ( Bi); and provides dynamic generation of vector files of secondary images (FSij) of products (1ij). However, it can also be noted that in the tanning device (DT), the platform (CL) contains computer sorting means and software (23p). They are means designed to implement a programmed digital sorting process (TDGij) to dynamically determine the grade (Gij) for each product (1ij) offered by each factory (Fi). They ensure that the platform's inventory (BI) database stores all secondary image files (ΣFSi) and all quality grades (ΣGij) of all products (Σ1ij) offered by a tannery (Fi), linked to all their factory identifiers (ΣIi ) and product identifiers (ΣIij).

[0065] With reference to the figures [Fig. 1] and [Fig. 6] you can see an embodiment of the method with dynamic updating of the tannery inventory according to the present invention. In the figure [Fig. 6] one can see the screen of the tannery inventory management operator (27) (Fi) in interaction with the tannery device (DT) ecosystem. Through the screen (27), the tannery operator (Fi) periodically and dynamically visualizes and/or writes to the factory inventory database (Bi) a list of factory stocks (LGi), including information (Ii) regarding products (1ij) that have received a topological quality grade (Gij), as well as regarding products sold and/or recently sorted. Each tannery (Fi) periodically and dynamically identifies and updates in its factory inventory list (LGi) sublists of sorted products that the factory (Fi) either wishes to put up for sale (VYij) on the platform (CL) or does not wish to put up for sale (VNij), or otherwise wishes to withdraw from sale (VRij) immediately or in the future. Thus, it can be seen that the products (1ij) of the tannery intended for sale on the platform (CL) are displayed in shaded colors on the screen (27). Inventory products not intended for sale on the platform (CL) are displayed unshaded. Sold products are crossed out.

[0066] Additionally, in accordance with the embodiment of the invention described in the figure [Fig. 3], interactive synchronization of offers and sales of the platform (CL) and tanneries (Fi) of the tannery device (DT) is carried out. According to this embodiment, periodic interaction (28) is carried out in a dynamic manner, and through the computer network for digital communication (RL) of the ecosystem (E), the platform inventory database (BI) is synchronized with the inventory databases (Bi) of each tannery (Fi) in order to to make the information in them homogeneous. The platform inventory list (LG), including all available (VYij) products (Σ1ij) listed for sale on the platform (CL), interacts with the factory inventory lists (LG1, ..., LGi) dynamically and periodically updated in the platform inventory database (BI) with reference to product identifiers (Σ1ij) and factory identifiers (ΣIi) of tanneries (Fi). Sales list (VPij) of products (1ij, 1ij) compiled for proposed lots (LO) purchased by buyers (A) on the platform (CL), list of new products (VYij) listed for sale by tanneries (Fi) on the platform (CL ), as well as the list of products (VRij) possibly withdrawn from sale on the platform (CL) by tanneries (Fi) are also updated.

[0067] With reference to the figures [Fig. 3] and [Fig. 6] you can see an embodiment of the method with determining the conditions of sale by tanneries (Fi) according to the present invention. In the figure [Fig. 6] it can be seen that through the screen (27) the operator of each tannery (Fi) has the opportunity to show, using a computer network for digital communication (RL), the ecosystem (E) and interactively set on the platform (CL) the conditions of sale by the factory (CVij) of the products offered sorted products (1ij, 1ij). Such conditions in relation to the tannery (Fi) include the proposed selling price (KOij) of the products (1ij) and the duration of sale (Dij) on the platform (CL), defining the cut-off date by which the tannery (Fi) undertakes to sell through the platform (CL ) and deliver the product (1ij) to the buyer (A) of the platform (CL). With reference to the figure [Fig. 3] it can be seen that the tannery (Fi) periodically dynamically transmits (29) its terms of sale (CVij) to the platform (CL). At the platform computer server (SP) level, the conditions for sales offers (CVij) offered by the factory are dynamically recorded and updated in the platform inventory (BI) database, linked to the product identifier (1ij) and factory identifier (Ii).

[0068] With reference to the figure [Fig. 3] you can see an embodiment of the method with the determination of the approximate price of products by the trading platform (CL). At the platform level (CL), a range of proposed reference prices (GP (G, t)) of different grades (G) of product (1), changing over time (t), is proposed dynamically and periodically. The server (SP) of the platform (CL) transmits (30) the range of proposed indicative prices (GP (G, t)) to each tannery (Fi) through a computer network for digital communication (RL).

[0069] With reference to the figure [Fig. 3] you can see the first option for determining the approximate price by the platform (CL) linked to a dynamic indicator. The server (SP) of the platform (CL) sets a dynamic indicator of the estimated price (KI(t)) on the global market in the industry (I) for product (1), changing over time (t) depending on the state of the market; as well as a numerical rating scale (KE) of different grades (G) for products (1ij) depending on the dynamic indicator of the reference price (KI(t)). The server (SP) of the platform (CL) dynamically and periodically calculates and records over time the range of proposed guide prices (GP(G,t)), updated with the price value of products (1) grade (G), in a manner that correlates with the numerical rating scale (KE) and temporary changes in the dynamic indicator of the estimated price (KI(t)).

[0070] With reference to the figure [Fig. 3] you can see the second option for determining the estimated price by the platform using a chronological link. The platform's computer server (SP) calculates a range of proposed indicative prices (GP(G,t)) updated over time (t) in a manner that correlates with the price history (KHij(G,t)) of sales (KOij) applied to the transactions in relation to the product (1ij) of various tanneries (Fi) carried out on the platform (CL), as well as their grade (G), as recorded in the transaction history (TH) database of the platform (CL).

[0071] According to a preferred arrangement of the invention, at the computer server level of the platform (SP), a change in the range of suggested indicative prices (GP(G,t)) is provided to tanneries (Fi) and/or buyers (A) using a computer network for digital communications (RL ).

[0072] With reference to the figure [Fig. 5] one can see a simplified diagram of the steps of the optimization process according to the invention, as well as the exchange of files and data between the trading platform (CL), tanneries (Fi) and buyers (Ak) of the tannery device (DT). On the left side of the figure [Fig. 5] various parameters of the purchase request (CR, CRkr) and processing stages (TRAkr) by the platform (CL), as well as links of alphanumeric files associated with the parameters (G, PC, PV, PO), can be seen on the operator’s screen, designed to manage purchase requests (31) associated with the server (SP) of the platform (CL). In the central part of the figure [Fig. 5] the various steps of the optimization method according to the invention can be seen; and in particular the selection (TNO) of the norm (NO), the various optimization processes (TGFi, TDGij, TRAkr, TSCkr, OPCkr), as well as the corresponding file exchanges are indicated by arrows. Each of these processes has been described with reference to the figures [Fig. 1] - [Fig. 4]. As a result, the process provides an offer (OF, OFkr) put forward to the buyer (A, Akr), including the proposed lot (LO, LOkr), its size (SO, SOkr), as well as the optimum it achieves (OP, OPkr).

[0073] With reference to the figure [Fig. 5] it can be seen that the trading platform (CL) of the tanning device (DT) provides the buyer (Ak) with a certificate of quality (CQ) for the offered lot (LO, LOkr). Preferably, it includes certification of the quality grade (G) of the proposed lot (LO) according to the norm (NO) and/or an indication of the date of production of the products (1ij) of the lot by different tanneries (Fi), and/or an indication of the origin of the products (1ij), e.g. location and/or identification of factories (Fi) supplying subfractions (Si1, …, Sim) of products (1ij) of the proposed batch (LO).

[0074] A preferred embodiment of transferring documents from the platform (CL) to the buyer (Ak) is described with reference to the figure [Fig. 4]. According to this option, the server (SP) of the platform (CL) stores the transaction history (HTkr) carried out on the trading platform (CL) with each buyer (Ak) for each offered lot (LOkr) corresponding to the purchase request (RAkr) in a secure database transaction history (VH) data connected to the network (RL) of the ecosystem (E). This transaction history (HTkr) includes the following transaction parameters (PTkrij): buyer ID (Alk), offered lot transaction information (LOkr) and in particular request information (RAkr), transaction date (DAkr), product composition (ΣIijkr ) of the lot offered (LOkr), the origin identifier of the tanneries (Ii) supplying each product (1ij) of the lot, and possibly the selling price (KOkr) and quality certificate (CQkr) of the offered lot (LOkr) purchased.

[0075] With reference to the figure [Fig. 4] it can be seen that the platform (CL) preferably sets together with the buyer (Ak) the buyer's password (WAk), previously stored by the platform (CL) thanks to its buyer ID (Alk). The platform (CL) allows the buyer (Ak) to receive advice and/or download in a secure and selective manner thanks to his buyer ID (Alk) and his buyer password (WAk), and through the Internet (14) connected to the platform (CL ), the buyer extracts (EAkr) the purchase transactions of the buyer (Ak) from the transaction history (HTkr) recorded in the database of his transaction history (BH) for the offered lot (LOkr). The platform (CL) filters the buyer's (Ak) access to the transaction history database (HT) through his buyer ID (Alk) as well as his buyer password (WAk).

[0076] With reference to the figure [Fig. 4] it can be seen that the platform (CL) preferably sets for each tannery (Fi) in the ecosystem (E) the factory password (WFi) previously stored by the platform (CL) thanks to the factory ID (Ii). The platform (CL) allows each tannery (Fi) to be consulted and/or downloaded in a secure and selective manner thanks to its factory ID (Ii) and its factory password (WFi), and through the digital communication (RL) computer network of the platform (CL) the factory retrieves (EFrij) from the transaction history (HTkr) stored in the transaction history database (BH), the purchase transaction of the offered lots (LOkr) consisting of products (Σ1ijkr) with factory identifier (Ii) originating from the tannery . The platform (CL) selectively filters each tannery's (Fi) access to the transaction history (TH) database for the products (1ij) supplied by the tannery (Fi) using its factory ID (B) as well as its buyer password (WFi ).

[0077] Preferably, the platform (CL) allows the purchaser (Ak) of an offered lot (LOkr) consisting of products (Σ1ijkr) to be consulted electronically and/or downloaded in a secure and selective manner via the Internet (14) and via a computer network (RL) trading platform (CL) primary image files FBijkr and/or secondary image files FSijkr of one of the products (Σ1ijkr) of the offered batch (LOkr) that he purchased. In addition, the platform (CL) preferably provides the buyer (Ak) and/or allows him/her to download secondary image files (FSijkr) of the products (1ijkr) of the offered lot (LOkr) that he/she has purchased, including digital positioning and cutting pattern (PJijkr) of parts (J), optimized in accordance with the additional positioning parameter (PPkr) set by the buyer and specified in his request (RAkr).

[0078] With reference to the figure [Fig. 8] one can see the various standard stages of the tanning process (Sa, Sb, Sc, Sd), as well as the various transaction stages (Ta, Tb, Tc, Td) for the hides. The average duration of this entire treatment is approximately four weeks.

[0079] The first stage (Sa) "skin" occurs when leaving the slaughterhouse (40). Skins (1Sa) are extremely fragile. They are 75% water by weight and degrade within a few hours. In order to stop the proliferation of microbes and bacteria that cause such degradation, they are dehydrated by salting, drying or freezing. After this, the skin (1Sa) goes into the so-called state ("Skin").

[0080] The second step (Sb), known as “tanner operations” or “first tanning,” occurs at the multiple tannery level (F1). During "tanning operations" the hides (1Sb) are desalted. They are then successively soaked to remove dirt and impurities; liming, including chemical removal of wool; washing; stripping, by which the roots of the remaining wool are removed; softening in order to make them flexible and soft; acid treatment to remove remaining water; and finally trimming to remove corners. The hides (1Sb) are then subjected to a first tanning process to transform them into strong and flexible leather thanks to tannins. The tannins used are tannins of either vegetable or organic origin for so-called "White White" (WW) leather products; or mineral tannins such as chromium salts for so-called "White Blue" (WB) leathers; due to color differences. Then the following is carried out: removal of water; thickness adjustment and drying. After this, the skin (1Sb) is in the so-called ("WB/WW") state.

[0081] The third stage (Sc), called "second tanning", consists of dyeing the hides (1Sc); lubricating the resulting skin; extracting the remaining water; vacuum drying; and smoothing the structure. After this, the skin (1Sc) is in the so-called state (“Crust”).

[0082] The fourth step (Sd), called "finishing" the leather, is to emboss the hides (1Sd) by engraving them between rollers; ironing; running in; pressing; dressing; cutting to ensure final thickness; as well as “air treatment” in a drum to soften them. After this, the skin (1Sd) is in the so-called ("Finished") state.

[0083] Hides (1Sa, 1Sb, Sc, 1Sd) at the end of various tanning stages (Sa, Sb, Sc, Sd) contain random topological defects related to their respective back side, randomly distributed throughout the hide (1):

a. natural defects caused by parasites on animals, such as carbuncles, scars, trichophytosis, tumors, mites, lice, subcutaneous gadflies, etc.;

b. defects of mechanical origin on animals, such as burns, bruises, scratches, wounds, marks due to barbed wire, etc.;

c. behavioral defects such as dirt, manure, urine stains, abrasions, lumps, etc.;

d. cutting defects such as cuts, spangles, holes, gouging marks, etc.;

e. defects caused by canning and storage, such as rotting, mold, red spots, salt marks, etc.

[0084] Each of the tanning stages (Sa, Sb, Sc, Sd) requires different industrial equipment. As a result, at the end of the first three stages of tanning (Sa, Sb, Sc), different types of tanneries (F1, F2, F3, ..., Fi) receive and/or act as buyers (Ak) in transactions (Ta, Tb, Tc ) in relation to other selling tanneries (Fi) in relation to hides (1Sa, 1Sb, 1Sc) At the final stage (Td), the finished leathers (1Sd) are ultimately purchased and used by industrial integrators (Ak, Alk) in the clothing, footwear, automotive or furniture and finishing industries. The industrial integrator (Alk) then proceeds to the step of cutting (Se) the finished leathers (1Sd) into parts (J), then to the step of assembling (Sf) the various parts (J) from the leather to produce finished industrial products (41), such as car seats, shoes, leather goods, etc.

[0085] At the end of these three stages of conversion by tanning in tanneries (Sb, Sc, Sd), and before the cutting stage (Se) by an industrial integrator (Alk), four checks take place for the same hide (CVb, CVc, CVd, CVe) topological quality of skins (1Sa, 1Sb, 1Sc), usually visual. The prior art does not disclose any technological means to ensure that all tannery hides (F1, F2, F3, ..., Fi) are automatically sorted in a uniform manner according to a uniform rate (NO) that would meet the needs of different buyers (Ak), tanneries (Fi) and industrial integrators (Alk) in terms of grade parameter (G) requests (TRA) transactions (Ta, Tb, Tc) for hides (1Sa, 1Sb, 1Sc). Each player in the sector - tannery, industrial integrator - has its own norm (NO).

[0086] In addition, the state of the art does not have technological means that allow tanneries (F1, F2, F3, ...) to respond in a uniform manner to multiple volume parameters (PV), additional parameter (PC) and request optimization needs (TRA) for transactions (Ta, Tb, Tc) from buyers (Ak), tanneries and industrial integrators regarding leathers (1Sa, 1Sb, 1Sc).

[0087] Thus, each buyer (Ak) must, at each stage of the transaction (Ta, Tb, Tc, Td), manually compare products from various potential supply tanneries (Fi), the parameters of which are heterogeneous, using Excel files (42a, 42b , 42c, 42d) and email exchanges (43a, 43b, 43c, 43d) and purchase batches from various tanneries. This is very costly and undermines the liquidity, productivity and development of the leather industry, as well as the rationality of pricing.

[0088] With reference to the figure [Fig. 9] one can see the various standard stages of the tanning process (Sa, Sb, Sc, Sd), as well as the various transaction stages (Ta, Tb, Tc, Td) for hides in the ecosystem (E) of the tanning device (DT), organized according to invention around an online trading platform (CL). Each tannery (F1, ..., Fi) is equipped with computer tools and software for creating primary images (18b, 18c, 18d). Thanks to the means according to the invention described above with reference to the figures [Fig. 1] - [Fig. 5], a changing set of grades (ΣGij) of all offered products (Σ1ij) at each stage of tanning conversion (Sb, SC, Sd) by all tanneries (F1, F2, F3, ...), taking into account the parameters of warehouse stocks (ΣPSi) of their factories (Fi), is dynamically stored and updated in the inventory database (BT) of the inventory server (BI) of the platform (CL), according to a single uniform norm (NO) available to all tanneries and all buyers in the ecosystem (E). At the end of each transformation stage related to tanneries (Sb, Sc, Sd), buyers (Ak), tanneries or industrial integrators transmit their purchase requests (RAir) and their set to the platform (CL) via the Internet (14). request criteria (CRir), including their grade parameter (G), their volume parameter (PV), their additional parameter (PC), and their optimization parameter (PO).

[0089] Thanks to the standardized implementation of the parametric optimization process (OPCkr) according to the invention, the platform (CL) provides each buyer (Ak) and for each purchase request (RAkr) with an offer (OFkr) that takes into account all its specific request criteria (CRir), by allocating the supply of the proposed lot (LOkr) among different tanneries (Fi) in an optimized manner according to a set of request criteria (CRir) and by providing a certificate of quality of the lot (CQkr). In accordance with this organization of the method according to the invention, the transactions (Tb, Tc, Td) at each conversion stage (Sb, Sc, cd) are carried out online in an automatic digital mode, without requiring the buyer (Ak) to perform tedious work in comparison between different tanneries - suppliers (Fi) using an Excel file or email and without the participation of tanneries k-suppliers (Fi) during the transaction. This results in a significant increase in productivity. Transactions (Tb, Tc, Td) are carried out in an optimal manner, taking into account the buyer's request criteria (CRir), with optimal price conditions for the supplier tanneries (Fi) and for the buyers (Ak).

Industrial Application and Advantages of the Invention

[0090] The invention has industrial applications in all process industries for the processing of raw materials having random topological and/or geometric defects and quality.

[0091] The primary industrial application of the invention is multi-location parametric optimization to produce optimized combined tannery product offerings that meet a set of buyer request criteria in a tannery device including a trading platform and a plurality of interconnected tanneries.

[0092] The invention improves the efficiency of supplying factories and buyers, reduces factory inventories, increases liquidity and rationality of transaction prices. This reduces production costs by eliminating the need for visual inspection. This allows buyers to track the online history of products and suppliers. This reduces the level of defects in raw materials and quality defects in the finished products into which they are integrated. This allows industrial integrators to implement a quality and history assurance process by issuing a quality certificate for each combined lot offered, as well as by providing online production and quality control data. The invention makes it possible to automate both inspection and sorting, as well as product transactions for large volumes.

Claims (55)

An industrial tanning system (DT), configured to be assigned to a batch (LOkr) of tannery hides (1ij) that constitute it, and also configured to: a) creation of a leather batch (LOkr), i) made up of a combination of leather tanneries (1ij) system (E) of tanneries (F1, F2, Fi), ii) which undergoes a later stage of transformation (Se) by cutting the hides into parts (J) for the purpose of subsequent assembly (Sf) of parts for the production of finished industrial products (41), represented by car seats, shoes, leather goods; b) selecting that lot and its skins in accordance with the three performance specifications jointly defined in the request (RAkr) specifying in alphanumeric form the request criteria (CRkr) represented by: i) lot size (SR), defining the number of hides in the lot, represented by the volume parameter (PVkr), ii) the required characteristic of the topological quality of all hides, characterized by their uniform grade parameter (Gkr), and iii) general technical characteristics (SFV, EPV) of all hides combined in the lot, which: • determined by a statistical numerical limit parameter (PN) of all hides in a lot, represented by the surface area variation (SFV) or thickness variation (EPV) of all hides in the lot; c) the compilation and delivery of this lot (LOkr) of the grade (Gkr), intended for the subsequent transformation stage (Se), through a specific physical selection of hides that ensures the technical effect of simultaneously complying with the following two restrictions: i) the batch size (SR) exceeds the number of hides (1ij) grade (Gkr) of each individual tannery (Fi); and, ii) the achieved value of the lot selection constraint parameter (PN) is either the minimum or maximum with respect to the possible combinations of sublots (Sim) of the grade (Gkr) of hides from all tanneries (1ij); wherein the system (DT) is of a type consisting of a combination between: e) computer network (RL) for digital communications; f) platform (CL) online on the Internet, i) connected to a computer network (RL) for digital communications, ii) equipped with computerized query processing means (15), including machine-readable programming tools, configured when said query processing means (15) are in operation: • receive and digitally process an alphanumeric request (RAkr) for the supply of a batch, and g) set of tanneries (F1, …, Fi), i) one of which, called at least one tannery (F1), is connected to a computer network (RL) for digital communication, ii) each of which provides tanning stages (Sa, Sb, Sc, Sd) of processing with a random quality of leather hides (1ij) between the raw hides coming from the slaughterhouse and the hides in the finished leather state, which are subsequently supplied as a raw product for each batches for the conversion step (Se) by subsequent cutting, iii) wherein said at least one tannery (F1, Fi) is equipped with computerized means for creating primary images (18i) of leather hides (1ij), which include • an image digitization scanner (19i) located in the tannery production area (Fi), and • machine readable programming tools configured to perform automatic digital optical acquisition (TODij) of the raw primary image file (FBij) by scanning each of the hides (1ij) to be sorted in the tannery (Fi) when the primary image acquisition means (18i) are located at work; and h) computerized primary image storage means (20i), which includes computer-readable programming means configured to, when said computerized primary image storage means (20i) is in operation: i) writing the primary image files (FBij) of the hides (1ij) of the tannery (Fi) into the memory of the factory inventory database (Bi); i) computerized raw image processing means (21) connected by a computer network (RL) for digital communication with said at least one tannery (F1, Fi), ii) which include computer-readable programming tools configured to, when said computerized primary image processing means (21) are in operation, perform: • automatic digital processing using shape recognition (TNFij) of primary image files (FBij) of each skin (1ij) to be sorted, • identification in the primary image file (FBij) of topological identifiers (ITij) of the type and/or position of topological defects of the skins (1ij) to be sorted, in the form of a vector file of the secondary image (FSij) of each skin (1ij) to be sorted, j) computer form processing server (SF), i) connected to a computer network (RL) for digital communication, ii) including a topological database (BF) in which secondary image files (FSij) are stored; k) computerized sorting facilities (23), i) connected to a computer network (RL) for digital communication, ii) located on a computer sorting server (SG), iii) which include computer-readable programming means capable of being dynamically executed when said computerized sorting means (23) is in operation, • a programmed digital grading process (TDGij) to dynamically determine the topological quality class (Gij) for the skins being evaluated (1ij) from their secondary image file (FSij), and • storing grades (Gij) in the grade database (BG) of the computer sorting server (SG), wherein the tanning system (DT) is distinguished in that it additionally l) its computer network (RL) connects the online platform (CL) i) with at least two tanneries (F1, F2, Fi) connected to each other, remote from each other and remote from the platform (CL), ii) with at least two image digitization scanners (19i), each of which is located in the production area of each of the at least two tanneries (F1, F2); in this case the leather system (DT) also: m) includes computerized primary image storage means (20i) configured to record primary image files (Fbij) of hides (1ij) of each of said at least two tanneries (F1, F2, Fi) in an inventory database memory factories (Bi); n) includes computerized filtering facilities (25) by grade (G) of all hides (1ij) available from at least two tanneries (F1, F2, Fi), in accordance with the relevant selection process (TSCkr), related to type, which includes machine-readable programming tools designed to i) selecting a combined subset (SCkr) when said computerized filtering means (25) are operating, • composed of hides (1ij) from at least two tanneries (F1, F2, Fi), all of which correspond to the requested grade (Gkr) of the lot specified in the request (RAkr), and • composed of a combination of at least two corresponding fractions (FC1, ..., FCi), each of which consists of hides of grade (Gkr) from one of the specified at least two different tanneries (1ij), o) includes computerized batch optimization tools (26), which include machine-readable software tools for performing parametric optimization under constraint (OPCkr) by digitally processing a sample of a combined batch (LOkr) of hides (1ij) originating from said at least two tanneries (F1, F2, Fi), according to the restriction parameter (PN) defined in the request (RAkr), and which for this purpose have a type configured: i) sequentially carry out samples, each of which consists of a set of size (SR), each of which is parameterized by a variable numerical n-tuple (N(x)), defining and combining in a variable way a set of corresponding subfractions (Si1, Sim), each of which is extracted from at least two corresponding fractions (FCi) of a combined subset (SCkr) of hides from said at least two tanneries (F1, F2, Fi), consisting of computerized filtration means (25) and combined with each other with a friend, ii) determine for each generated numerical n-tuple (N(x)) and for each combined sample of the corresponding subfractions (Si1, ..., Sim) of the specified at least two tanneries (F1, F2, Fi), the achieved value of the numerical parameter limits (PN) of a specified statistical characteristic of all skins in the sample taken together, and iii) carry out the compilation of a batch (LOkr) optimized by a specific physical selection of combined relevant subfractions (Si1, ..., Sim) of hides from at least two specified tanneries (F1, F2, Fi), which maximizes or minimizes among all samples a numerical parameter constraints (PN) defined for this entire multi-tanner batch when said computerized batch optimization tools (26) are in operation.