WO2004011992A1

WO2004011992A1 - Goods identification system for the optical industry

Info

Publication number: WO2004011992A1
Application number: PCT/EP2003/008259
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dirk Reulecke; Günter Klein
Original assignee: Dirk Reulecke; Klein Guenter
Priority date: 2002-07-25
Filing date: 2003-07-25
Publication date: 2004-02-05
Also published as: DE10233965A1; DE10233965B4; AU2003255299A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an identification unit (200) for detachable attachment to a glasses frame (100). Said identification unit comprises a fixed value memory (240) for the storage of an identification number, a read/write memory (250) for the variable storage of one or more values, a receiver (230), connected to the read/write memory, a transmitter (220), connected to the read/write memory (250) and the fixed value memory (240) and a power source (262). The invention further relates to a system for documenting a pair of glasses provided with an identification unit (200). The system comprises a monitoring unit (340), one or several locating device(s) (320), connected to the monitoring unit (340) and the locating devices (320) comprise a receiver unit (332), for receiving the data from the identification unit (200).

Description

Product identification system for the optical industry

The invention relates to an identification unit for attachment to an eyeglass frame or for integration in an eyeglass frame, and to a system for detecting glasses provided with the identification unit.

The average optician in Germany has between 1,000 and 5,000 glasses. In larger stores in e.g. In metropolitan areas, shops can have considerably more glasses. Such stores often offer models in the lower price ranges as well as models in the higher price ranges. These are usually set up in showcases, nitrines or wall brackets where the customer can help himself to find the right fit. Because of the size of the eyeglass frames, it is relatively easy for a shoplifter to hide the eyeglass frames in his pocket. The inventory measures, which are prescribed once a year by the tax office, are currently mostly carried out using paper notes and delivery notes. The inventory can also be recorded at regular intervals to quantify the loss of business due to theft.

Currently, inventory measures in optician shops are usually carried out by hand. This means that each pair of glasses is taken in hand and the data is entered into a computer, which means a considerable amount of work. In addition, the removal of glasses from a shop window can destroy the overall picture of the shop window. It is possible to provide the glasses with a barcode. However, these barcodes can be damaged and therefore illegible.

Anti-theft devices for such glasses frames are known from z. B. USP Νr. 5437 172 (Lamy et al.). These work with a detection device at the entrances and exits of a department store to indicate theft. However, such devices do not offer individual identification of the respective glasses and can therefore only be used as part of a general anti-theft system. Another device for identifying or identifying glasses is known from German Offenlegungsschrift No. 19963474 (Jakubik). This known device comprises an identification carrier with an opening for inserting a temple piece or an element which can be fixed on a pair of glasses. In one embodiment, the label carrier is provided with an electromagnetically functioning signal transmitter which, for example, corresponds to special antennas at the entrances and exits of a department store in order to trigger an alarm when a person with the label carrier tries to leave the department store. The subject of this published specification is the special features of attaching the identification device to the glasses. Nothing else is described about the mode of operation of the signal transmitter or the transponder, in particular an individualization of the article is not possible.

Another system for detecting an object with the aid of a transponder is known from peT application No. WO 01/29761 from Schoeller Wavin Systems, Romont, Switzerland. This patent application describes a folding box that is equipped with a transponder. A plurality of read / write devices are connected to a central processing unit. The read / write devices receive data from a memory area of the transponder and write data to a memory area of the transponder. The central processing unit receives the data from the read / write devices and monitors them. In this patent application, the transponder has the task of monitoring the operating state of the folding box, in particular whether the folding box is open or closed.

A method for operating a product information system is known from German published application DE-A-199 50 554 (TÜV Management Süd). In this method, transponders are provided, each with its own energy source and storage devices, which are designed in the form of stickers or card-shaped labels.

During the manufacture of a product, the transponder is connected to the product in such a way that a separation of the respective transponder from the respective product would damage the functionality of the transponder. This damage can be both a

Limitation of functionality as well as mechanical destruction of the transponder or electronic destruction of the data stored in the transponder result. Furthermore, each product that is connected to a transponder is assigned a unique product identification number. In order to ensure the allocation and secure management of unique product identification numbers, a control organization is created with appropriate facilities.

Furthermore, an organization is created with facilities for testing and monitoring companies on the manufacturer or dealer side, which is to ensure the testing or monitoring of the corresponding manufacturer or dealer, with an examination of manufacturers or

Trader leads to a certification regarding conformity to ascertainable norms and standards.

Certified manufacturers or products can be assigned transponders, which are then connected to the corresponding products by the respective manufacturer. A transponder applied in this way can be read out and processed at any time from the storage device of the transponder in various phases of the life of the respective product.

This process has several disadvantages. Since the transponders are firmly attached to every product, they cannot be reused. The transponders are also relatively large and can only be attached to appropriately sized packaging. The necessary creation of a control organization for the allocation of unique product identification numbers is also disadvantageous, since it only works if all manufacturers and retailers are involved, which experience has shown is very difficult.

The invention has for its object to develop an identification unit for attachment to or for integration in a spectacle frame, which offers additional features in addition to theft protection.

The invention is also based on the object of developing a system for an eyeglass frame provided with an identification unit.

This task is accomplished with the help of an identification unit for attachable attachment to the

Eyeglass frame released. The identification unit has a read-only memory for storing an identification number, a read-write memory for changeably storing one or more further values, a receiver connected to the read-write memory, a transmitter connected to the read-write Memory as well as connected to the fixed value memory, and an energy source. The read-write memory and the read-only memory contain data that can be evaluated later. The data can also be changed. With the help of the identification unit, an inventory measure can be carried out quickly and reliably. The separable attachment of the identification unit allows the identification part to be reused, which is more cost-effective. in addition, no identification units are currently known that are small enough that they can remain permanently mounted on the spectacle frame without disturbing the spectacle wearer. Customers are also aware of concerns about fixed installation (cf. VDI-Nachrichten, July 18, 2003, p. 17, "I know exactly where you are and what you buy", Peter Kellerhof).

The identification unit preferably has an external energy source, which, for. B. is generated by an external electromagnetic field. The energy source could also be fed from solar energy. Due to the external power supply, the identification unit does not need a battery that has to be replaced again and again.

The object is further achieved with a system for detecting glasses provided with an identification unit. The system includes one

Monitoring unit, one or more locating device (s) connected to the monitoring unit, the locating devices comprising a receiver unit for receiving an identification number from the identification unit. The locating devices detect the glasses by receiving a signal with the identification number.

One of the locating devices is preferably a mobile device which is connected wirelessly to the monitoring unit or can be connected to the monitoring unit at a later point in time. In a preferred embodiment, the locating devices additionally have a transmitter unit for transmitting data to the identification unit. The data in the identification unit can thus be updated.

The system has a data memory which stores the identification number of the identification unit together with further data in data records. This data store or the database contains information about the glasses that are not stored on the identification unit. A detachable link between the identification number and the other data in the data records is provided. With the aid of this system, a regular comparison of the data in the data memory and the data in the fixed value memory on the identification unit is possible.

The system also has one or more workstations which, upon receipt of the

Access the identification number to the associated information in the data records and make it available for change. For example, the workstation can trigger a signal that the Linking the data with the identification number in the data records resolves. The workstation can also be equipped with a cash register function.

The monitoring unit also has one or more update units that receive glasses-related data and pass the glasses-related data on to the data memory. The glasses-related data can advantageously be updated via a network.

The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings. Show it:

Figure 1 glasses, which is equipped with an identification unit. 2 shows a label which serves as an identification unit for glasses; Fig. 3 is an overview of a store that has several locating devices. Fig. 4 shows the manufacture of the label

1 shows glasses 100 that are equipped with an embodiment of the identification unit. This identification unit is in the form of a label 120 which is attached to the nose piece 130 of the glasses 100. The label 120 could also be attached to one of the two side arms 140 of the glasses 100. The identification units can also be clips or loops that can only be opened with a special tool. In general, the identification units can take any form of carrier material that is adapted to the product. The identification units can also be adhesive labels or consist of a label on a cable or on a cord.

It can be seen from FIG. 2 that the label 120 is equipped with a transponder 200. The transponder 200 has a memory 210 which stores data on the label or on the transponder 200, a transmitter 220 and a receiver 230. The memory 210 has at least one read-only memory area 240. The memory 210 preferably also has an electrical erase and Programmable memory area 250. The electrical erasable and programmable memory area 250 is often referred to as EEPROM. Such a memory allows the data to be read in and out during operation. Transponders 200 of this type are commercially available. For example from manufacturers such as μm, Temic, ACG, Philips, Infineon or Texas Instruments.

The read-only memory area 240 contains an identification number (eg transponder identifier) for the transponder 200. This identification number is assigned once during the manufacture of the transponder 200 and cannot be changed later. It serves to identify the transponder 200. The electrical erasable and programmable memory area 250 contains, for example Data on the price of the glasses, article determination, article number, manufacturer number, etc. This data can be stored using the receiver 230, as described below.

The transponder 200 has an energy source 262, which is designed as a battery, accumulator or coil. A coil has the advantage that it can generate an electrical current from an external electrical field.

In a further embodiment, the label 120 is additionally equipped with a magnetic strip or a coil that works with a conventional anti-theft device.

Fig. 4 shows the label 120. The label 120 is made, for example, of plastic or paper and consists of a central part 405, two side parts 420 and 430, a lower part 410, an upper part 400. The upper part 400 is with the central part 405 connected via a loop part 450. The transponder 200 is inserted in the middle on the central part 405 and the side parts 410 and 420 and the lower part 430 are folded inwards on the fold lines 440. The upper part 400 is then folded down at the fold line 445 in order to hold the transponder 200. A loop is thereby formed by means of the loop part 450 through which the nose clip 130 or the side clip 140 can be pushed.

3 shows a shop 300 with a detection system 310, which comprises a plurality of locating devices 320, which are connected to a monitoring unit 340 via a network 330. The connection can be made via cable, radio, Ihfra red or other means. The monitoring unit 340 is usually a computer on which programs for accepting and evaluating data from the locating devices 320 run.

The locators 320 are distributed within the store. Some of the locating devices 320 can be formed as mobile locating devices 320. The mobile locating devices 320 can transmit recorded data directly or temporarily store these and then exchange them with the monitoring unit 340, e.g. B. via a docking station. Some of the locating devices 320 are advantageously applied to the entrances and exits of the shop 300.

The monitoring unit 340 is connected to a database 350. The database 350 contains information about the identification number of the glasses 100 and associated information in article data records 360. This associated information is, for example, information about the manufacturer and model of the glasses 100 or the price of the glasses 100. The associated information can be changed using an update unit 370 (e.g. price). The monitoring unit 340 additionally has a data input unit 355, which can change data in the database 350. This data input unit 355 is e.g. B. a keyboard or a scanner. It can also be equipped with a screen (not shown).

The identification numbers whose transponder has been connected to glasses are stored in the database 350. In addition to the identification number, the article data of the glasses 100 are also stored in an article data record.

In one embodiment, database 350 is connected to another server via a network 380 (e.g., the Internet, a virtual private network, or the telephone network) which stores the updated data e.g. B. from a glasses manufacturer, wholesaler or other distributor available.

The locating devices 320 each have a transmitter unit 321 and a receiver unit 322. The transmitter unit 321 sends an interrogation signal 370 to the transponder 200, which is received by the transponder receiver 230. The transponder transmitter 220 then sends back an information signal 380 with information about the glasses 100 from the memory 230. The information signa 1380 can e.g. B. the identification number (for a read-only transponder) and the other information. The information signal 370 is received by the receiving unit 322.

The locating device 320 or another device generates an electromagnetic field, which generates a current with the aid of the coil within the transponder 200, and thus supplies energy to the transponder receiver 230 or the transponder transmitter 220.

The interrogation signal 370 is e.g. B. radiated at a legally approved frequency of 100kHz-150kHz, 13.56MHz, 868 MHz / 915MHz, 2.45GHz, 5.8 and 24GHz. The transponders 200 with the frequencies listed above are also multi-identifiable, i.e. that several transponders 200 can be detected essentially simultaneously. The simultaneous detection is advantageous if a plurality of glasses 100 lie next to one another or are one above the other. The glasses 100 then do not need to be captured individually. At the same time, this means that several transponders 200 are detected at very short time intervals. The transponder 200 must also be anti-collision capable, i. H. there must be no confusion between the individual transponder data. The transponder 200 does not necessarily have to be multi-identifiable.

Data in the electrically erasable and programmable memory 250 can also be used of the locators 320 are changed. This is done with the help of a signal from the

Locating device 320 is transmitted to transponder receiver 230. That from that

The transponder receiver 230 received signal contains data that are then stored in the electrically erasable and programmable memory 250.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the labels 120 or other carriers are equipped with a display 150. The display 150 may e.g. B. an indicator light, e.g. B. an LCD or LED display and displays information about the glasses 100 on which the label 120 is applied. The display 150 may e.g. B. specify the price of glasses 100. The price on the display 150 is stored in the electrically erasable and programmable memory 250 and is read out of the electrically erasable and programmable memory 250 for display. A

The price can be changed at any time by sending a change signal from the database

350 can be stored via the monitoring unit 340 to the locating device 320 and thus in the electrically erasable and programmable memory 250.

The monitoring unit 340 can monitor the sale of the glasses 100 in that a locating device 320 is in a work station 357 or in its vicinity. With the aid of this locating device 320, the workstation 357 can query the current price of the glasses 100 from the database 350 and invoice the customer.

The label 120 is removed from the glasses 100 at the workstation 357. The work station

357 sends a message to the monitoring unit 340 that the glasses 100 are sold and the connection between the corresponding entry and the identification number is broken in the item data record 360. The separation of the entry in the article data record 260 ensures that no alarm signal is triggered when the shop 300 is exited, since the identification number is no longer connected to an article data record 360 as a result of the separation. If glasses 100 with label 120 are brought out of the shop 300 without the identification number being separated from the item data record 360, then the transponder 200 is detected by the locating devices 120 at the inputs and outputs and an alarm signal may be triggered.

With the aid of the locating devices 120 and the monitoring unit 340, a venture measure can be carried out essentially automatically. One or more interrogation signals 370 are emitted by the locating devices 120. All the transponders 200 then report to the shop 300. The information in the article data records 360 is then read from the database 350 and an inventory report is created. The owner of the shop 300 can thus quickly and reliably record the inventory. The monitoring unit 340 can be integrated in an inventory management system or warehouse management system. The ERP system or warehouse management system fulfills the function of database 350.

Claims

Expectations

1. Identification unit (200) for separable attachment to an eyeglass frame (100)

a fixed value memory (240) for storing an identification number,

- a read-write memory (250) for changeable storage of one or more further values, - a receiver (230) which is connected to the read-memory memory,

- A transmitter (220) which is connected to the read-write memory (250) and to the read-only memory (240), and

- An energy source (262) comprises.

2. Identification unit (200) according to claim 1, wherein the read-write memory (250) contains glasses-specific information (260).

3. Identification unit (200) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fixed value memory (250) stores an identification number.

4. Identification unit (200) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the identification unit (200) has a display (150) which is connected to the read-write memory (250).

5. Identification unit (200) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the energy source (262) is generated externally.

6. spectacle frame (100) with an identification unit (200) according to one of claims 1 to 5.

7. System for the detection of glasses provided with an identification unit (200) separably, the identification unit (200) containing data, which comprises: - a monitoring unit (340); - One or more locating device (s) (320), which are connected to the monitoring unit (340), and wherein the locating devices (320)

- comprise a receiver unit (322) for receiving the data from the identification unit (200).

The system of claim 7, wherein the location device (320) is connected to the monitoring unit (340) via a wireless connection.

9. The system of claim 7 or 8, wherein the location device (320) is a mobile device.

10. System according to one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the one or more locating devices (320) additionally comprise a transmitter unit (321) for transmitting identification unit (200).

11. System according to one of claims 7 to 10, which has a data memory (350) which stores the identification number of the identification unit (200) with further data in data records (260).

12. The system of claim 11, wherein there is a releasable link between the identification number and the further data in the data records (260).

13. The system of claim 11 or 120, which has a workstation (357) which, after receiving the identification number, accesses the associated information in the data records (260).

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the workstation (357) triggers a signal that breaks the link between the identification number and the associated information in the data records (360).

15. System according to one of claims 13 or 14, wherein the Arbeitssta ion (357) performs a checkout function.

16. locating devices (320) for use in a system according to one of claims 7 to 15.

17. Monitoring unit (340) for monitoring glasses (100), comprising:

- A data memory (350) which contains associated data about the glasses (100)

- One or more update units (370) which receive glasses-related data via the glasses (200) and pass on the glasses-related data to the data memory (350).

The monitoring unit (340) according to claim 17, wherein the update unit (370) is connected to a workstation (357).

19. Monitoring unit (340) according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the

Update unit (370) fetches glasses-related data from a further server via a network (380).