WO2004097697A1

WO2004097697A1 - Improvements in stock management

Info

Publication number: WO2004097697A1
Application number: PCT/GB2004/001823
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Rathbone
Original assignee: Imi Vision Limited
Priority date: 2003-05-02
Filing date: 2004-04-28
Publication date: 2004-11-11

Abstract

A system for electronic stock management comprises a plurality of storage means (1) for products, means for identifying the location of each storage means, sensing means for generating signals indicative of the quantity of product in or on each storage means (1), means (2) for (10) communicating the said signals to local electronic means (3) for, in turn, communicating the said signals, together with data representative of the product location and time (said signals and said data hereinafter collectively being referred to as 'raw data'), to a server (hereafter the 'Master Server') (5) which at least temporarily stores the raw data, the (15) Master Server containing software to enable the raw data to be processed and presented on request in a required format from a location (6) remote from the Master Server

Description

Improvements in Stock Management

This invention relates to electronic stock management, especially but not exclusively to means for monitoring in real time the stock of goods on, for example, a shelf, display stand or storage system.

With the development of the internet and its use as a tool in the ordering and controlling of stock it is becoming increasingly important to have up- to-date inventory information, for example in a shop, and in order to tie in to electronic ordering systems and the like it is advantageous for this information to be presented in real time in electronic format as opposed to traditional methods of replenishing stock which involve an employee visually counting the stock on a shelf and replenishing the stock with the required amount of product. Some stock management systems for monitoring stock are already in use, the majority of these utilising radio frequency identification (RFID) tags embedded in the products or packaging. Considerable work has been conducted in developing low cost RFID tags, and a number of companies are using RFID tags in inventory management and monitoring stock levels. Inherent problems with RFID tags are the add-on cost of the system required to monitor them and the additional cost per item of stock which, whilst it may be acceptable for low volume, high cost items, is not an economical solution for high volume, low cost products where the add-on cost is too high. In addition, where a large number of small components are being sold loose, for example screws or nails in a hardware store or sweets in a confectionery store, it is impracticable to monitor every single product and an approximation method has to be used.

Methods are known in the art for providing a system to monitor presence or absence of objects in for example a mailbox or container in a store and communicating the signal directly to a computer which then acts to create an alert. While this system is appropriate for a small local system it is not appropriate for a system to monitor stock levels at multiple sites across a large geographical network, for instance to manage stock control for a chain of outlets countrywide which would be advantageous as provision of stocks for a countrywide chain are often from a single supplier. It has been proposed that such small systems can be linked together through a standards internet protocol via a modem or wireless modem. In reality this is not a practical solution for a number of reasons. Firstly, each location nationwide would need 2-way communications with a central hub and to achieve 2-way communications via a modem it is often necessary to lower the security settings of the local firewall through which the communications pass and lowering this setting makes the system prone to viruses and hacking. In particular with a wide network it would make any central system prone to viruses entering at any one of the locations. Secondly, it becomes imperative that each location have an internet connection and while this is becoming more likely it is still not the case especially with smaller convenience stores.

The present invention seeks to mitigate the above-identified problems by providing a stock management system which can maintain a high security level and privacy of data and in which there is no need to attach anything to the actual goods themselves.

According to the present invention there is provided a system for electronic stock management comprising a plurality of storage means for products, means for identifying the location of each storage means, sensing means for generating signals indicative of the quantity of product in or on each storage means, means for communicating the said signals to local electronic means for, in turn, communicating the said signals, together with data representative of the product location and time (said signals and said data hereinafter collectively being referred to as "raw data"), to a server (hereinafter the "Master Server") which at least temporarily stores the raw data, the Master Server containing software to enable the raw data to be processed and presented on request in a required format from a location remote from the Master Server.

Preferably, the means for communicating the signals from the plurality of storage means to the local electronics means is a bus system which sends serial data.

Preferably, the means for communicating the raw data from the local electronic means to the Master Server comprises cellular telephone technology which transmits the raw data from each geographical location via a cellular technology provider. This means that all communications of data from multiple locations are raw data and the means of communication is not a standard internet protocol making it hard for the security of the system to be breached; as the data is transmitted as raw data then, without access to the software held on the Master Server, it is virtually impossible for a third party to interpret that data. The transmission of data in a bespoke manner also means that it is possible to receive data from many locations without danger of receiving any viruses which are within the computer systems of any of the locations .

In one preferred embodiment the Master Server is adapted to receive and save the raw data directly from the cellular technology provider.

In an alternative preferred embodiment the cellular technology provider may temporarily store the raw data, and the Master Server periodically polls the cellular telephone provider and downloads and saves the temporarily stored raw data, which is thereafter removed from the cellular technology provider's storage system. In a preferred embodiment a network is provided comprising a plurality of storage means and associated means of communicating raw data located at various locations and which all communicate data to a common Master Server, the Master Server operating as described herein. The plurality of storage means may all belong to a single customer and the data is available to all users of the Master Server. Alternatively, the plurality of storage means may belong to different customers, each customer's data being protected by a password on the Master Server such that one customer cannot access data belonging to another customer.

In a preferred arrangement a user of the system can, via a computer (e.g. a PC, laptop or palm pilot type device) , log onto the Master Server via a secure internet connection to access the information to which they have access.

Preferably, the Master Server contains software that allows for authorised administrators of the Master Server to create templates which can present processed data in a bespoke manner, for example as a planagram. Preferably these templates are password protected enabling different users to connect to the Master Server and view those templates, enter their authorisation passwords and view the data in the templates to which they have access. This secure system enables the same Master Server to handle the data from a number of customers, or even competitors, without endangering their privacy.

In an alternative arrangement the users may have access to certain fields of raw data and may arrange themselves which of those fields of data they wish to see and how they wish that data to be displayed, thus creating their own template. The raw data is then converted to information (e.g. the data is converted from its binary form for presentation in alpha- numerical form) and sorted such that it can be easily interpreted when presented in these user defined templates, the templates being continuously updated as fresh raw data is received by the Master Server.

Each storage means may comprise a single storage device but preferably comprises a plurality of individual storage devices removable from a position on a shelf or mount on which they are placed and each position having an aforesaid sensing means associated with it

Preferably the storage means is such that it displays the product.

In a preferred arrangement the storage means is an at least partly transparent gravity bin which holds a loose product which is dispensed from the bottom of the bin, dispensed product being replaced under the influence of gravity, and the sensing means is an array of optical sensors, preferably consisting of pairs of infra red (IR) transducers and receivers which are set at predetermined levels such that, as the product level diminishes in the bin, different signals are received from the IR sensors indicating how full the bin is. Alternatively, the sensing means may be any of a variety of sensors capable of giving a varying output dependant on the quantity of product in the bin. If the sensing means is a varying output device it may have associated electronics which divide the varying output into a number of discrete steps (e.g. a 0-lOv output may be divided into 0V, 1-5V and 5-10V) with each discrete step giving a different digital output corresponding to, for example, empty, less than half full, over half full.

In another preferred arrangement the sensor could use a simple light dependent resistor and use the ambient or additional light source to identify product levels. This method does not need any special hardware added to the storage means as the product can be detected via the sensor being placed near to the said storage means. In a preferred arrangement the gravity bin is of the well-known type in which dispense of the product is effected by the user manipulating a lever which dispenses a predetermined quantity of product from the bin. In an alternative preferred arrangement, the gravity bin is of another well- known type in which the user removes a quantity of product from an area at the bottom of the bin using a scoop, spoon or similar means, the removed product being replaced under the influence of gravity from the bin.

Preferably, in addition to the said sensing means, the shelf or mount on which the storage means sits is provided with a product-type sensing means for identifying each removable storage means when in place on the shelf or mount. For that purpose, in one preferred arrangement, the removable bin has a movable protrusion on one of the adjacent surfaces to the shelf or mount which is movable to rest in a number of positions, a particular position identifying the type of contents in the bin, and the shelving on which the bins sit is provided in a place corresponding to the protrusion with an ohmic resistive element, from which the protrusion creates a variable signal. Alternatively, the shelving may have an array of electronic switches, one of which is contacted when the removable bin is placed on the shelf, thereby providing an electronic signal indicative of the type of contents in the bin. The electronics of the system then identifies which product is in which position in the system and allocates the readings from the stock sensors to the appropriate product.

In a preferred arrangement the bus system used for communicating the signals from the plurality of removable storage means to the local electronics means is an addressable bus system (for example an I2C bus) with the electronic means identifying each address being attached to each removable bin thereby allowing the bins to be removed and replaced in an alternative location without causing errors in stock data.

Preferably each bin or removable storage means has a plurality of contact points on it which electrically connect with contact points on the shelf or support on which the storage means are placed.

Preferably each storage device has a unique identifier associated with it which is used to identify the product, the identifier being able of being programmed into, or set via switches within, the bin or storage means electronics.

Preferably each shelf position capable of receiving a storage container has associated with it a unique identifier which is used to identify the location of a storage means, said identifier capable of being programmed into, or set via switches within, the shelf electronics.

In a preferred arrangement, a program belonging to the service provider scans all the data to recognise patterns indicative of a system fault and notify the user or provide a service engineer when one is detected, the program may reside within the Master Server or alternatively may reside in an independent computer belonging to the service provider which is linked, for example through a standard internet protocol, to the Master Server.

The Master Server may use a unique protocol and checksum system that makes the data difficult for virus and external internet hacking. This system may use four major types of protection.

1) Data from the remote site is sent to an independent service provider via a secure wireless network in a coded compressed format using a compression algorithm built in the site transmitter firmware

2) The Data from the service provider can only be accessed via the Master Server having a fixed IP number to the service \provider. Hackers _.would have to clone this IP number and then understand the compression algorithms.

3) The Data is then expanded on the Master sever and is encrypted via a SSL (Secure Socket Layer) web page access upon receipt of the users password. Only three attempts of the password are allowed before the server refuses to release the data.

4) The Master Server does not allow any of the traditional web page downloads or "Cookies" to run on it and can only be accessed in a read only mode.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which corresponding numbers in different figures refer to similar parts, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a system in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an alternative system in accordance with the invention;

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of yet a further system in accordance with the invention;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a gravity bin for use in a system in accordance with the invention. Referring to Figure 1, a plurality of product storage means 1 is shown which send signals from sensing means (not shown) indicative of the quantity of product in the storage means 1, and including an identifier signal to identify to which product storage means the signal relates, via an I2C bus system 2 to local electronic means 3. The local electronic means 3 periodically transmits the received data, together with data representing the time, e.g. date and/or time of day, and location of the retail site, via a mobile telephone network 4 to the Master Server 5 which stores the raw data.

The local electronics can transmit data in one of several ways, for example:

1) Upon receipt of a Master Server page, (transmitted by request from the Master Server to the service provider link), the page must match the ESN (Electronic Serial Number) of the remote site's communications (e.g. cell) hardware and be matched with the MIN (Mobile Identification Number) for the billing and air time service. Only then will the page trigger the local electronics to transmit the current status of the shelves and containers being monitored. This method is called "polled" .

2) The local electronics transmit pages to the Master Server containing only data that has just changed within a given pre- period limit. This method is called "upon-change"

3) Within a programmed time limit i.e. Months, weeks, days, hours and minutes, data from the shelves will be transmitted to the Master Server. This method is called "timed"

4) One or more of the above may be selectively mixed and the local electronics will send data in that mix, e.g. polled and upon-change or polled and timed.

The hardware may be set to select the desired method. A user of the system can, via a computer (a PC, laptop or palm pilot type device) 6, log onto the Master Server 5 via a standard internet protocol 7 to access the information. The use of a standard internet protocol on the user side enables the system to interact with the hardware that customers will have available, for example in their offices, from which they would access the information without having to use dedicated equipment whereas using a bespoke system on the data side helps keep the security of the data until it is in the Master Server. Additionally it removes the necessity for any internet connection at the location of the storage means.

Referring to Figure 2, a network is shown in which a number of product storage means la, lb, lc are shown with their associated local electronics 3a, 3b, 3c containing mobile telephone technology (not shown) to transmit the data to the common Master Server 5. The storage means and associated local electronics belong to different customers. A number of computers 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d are connected to the Master Server via a standard internet protocol each belonging to a different customer. Each customer can enter a password, or alternatively may have an automated sign on, with the password (or equivalent) dictating to which of the data on the Master Server that particular client has access.

Referring to Figure 3, a plurality of product storage means 1 is shown which send signals from sensing means (not shown) indicative of the quantity of product in the storage means 1 , and including an identifier signal to identify to which product storage means the signal relates, via a bus system 2 to local electronic means 3. The local electronic means 3 periodically transmits the received data, together with data representing the time, e.g. date and/or time of day, and location of the retail site, via a mobile telephone network 4 to a mobile telephone service provider's server 8. The mobile telephone service provider 8 then temporarily stores the information. A Master Server 5 periodically polls the mobile telephone service provider's server 8 for the data which is then communicated to the Master Server 5 and removed from the mobile telephone service provider's server 8. A user of the system can, via a computer (a PC, laptop or palm pilot type device) 6, log onto the Master Server 5 via a standard internet protocol to access the information.

Referring to Figure 4, a gravity bin 9 is shown with associated infra red transmitters 10a, 10b and associated receivers 11a, l ib. The gravity bin 9 locates on a mount 12 to which the infra red (IR) transmitters 10a, 10b and receivers 11a, lib are attached such that they face one another through the transparent body 13 of the gravity bin. When the bin 9 is full of product the passage of the IR transmitted from transmitters 10a, 10b is blocked by the product in the bin such that no IR is received by, and therefore no signals are outputted from, either receiver 11a, lib, i.e. a zero signal indicates that the bin is full. When some product has been removed from the bin 9, IR from transmitter 10a will be received by receiver 11a resulting in a signal, but the passage of IR from transmitter 10b will remain blocked such that when a signal originates from 11a but not lib it indicates that the bin is not full, but is over half full. When the bin 9 is less that half full, transmitted IR is received by both receivers 11a, lib resulting in signals from both receivers 11a, lib indicating that the bin 9 is less than half full and needs restocking. These signals are sent to a local electronics means by a bus system (not shown). The gravity bin 9 is provided with a dispense means 14 manually operable by actuation of lever 15 causing product to be dispensed from the body 13 through the nozzle 16. The bin is provided with contact pins 17 and the mount is provided with corresponding connectors 18, which, when the bin is in place on the mount, are in electrical communication with pins 17. The connectors 18 on the mount 12 electrically connect the bin 9 to the mount 12 and associate the bin 9 with the transmitters 10a, 10b and receivers 11a. The bin 9 has some on-board electronics 19 which identify the bin to the bus system enabling bins to be removed and replaced in different positions without damaging the integrity of the system.

Claims

Claims:

1. A system for electronic stock management comprising a plurality of storage means for products, means for identifying the location of each storage means, sensing means for generating signals indicative of the quantity of product in or on each storage means, means for communicating the said signals to local electronic means for, in turn, communicating the said signals, together with data representative of the product location and time (said signals and said data hereinafter collectively being referred to as "raw data"), to a server (hereinafter the "Master Server") which at least temporarily stores the raw data, the Master Server containing software to enable the raw data to be processed and presented on request in a required format from a location remote from the Master Server.

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein the means for communicating the signals from the plurality of storage means to the local electronics means comprises a bus system which sends serial data.

3. A system according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the means for communicating the raw data from the local electronic means to the Master

Server comprises cellular telephone technology which transmits the raw data from each geographical location via a cellular technology provider.

4. A system according to claim 3 wherein the Master Server is adapted to receive and save the raw data directly from the cellular technology provider.

5. A system according to claim 3 wherein the cellular technology provider temporarily stores the raw data.

6. A system according to claim 5 wherein the Master Server periodically polls the cellular telephone provider and downloads and saves the temporarily stored raw data, which is thereafter removed from the cellular technology provider's storage system.

7. A system according to claims 1 to 6 wherein a network of said storage means and associated means of communicating raw data located at various locations is provided and which all communicate data to a common Master Server.

8. A system according to claims 1 to 7 wherein the Master Server contains software that allows for authorised administrators of the Master Server to create templates which can present processed data in a bespoke manner.

9. A system according to claim 8 wherein the data is presented as a planagram.

10. A system according to claim 8 or claim 9 wherein the templates are security protected enabling different users to connect to the Master

Server, enter their authorisation and view the data in the templates to which they have access.

11. A system according to claims 8 to 10 wherein users may have access to certain fields of raw data and may design their own templates to present the data as they wish, thus creating their own template.

12. A system according to claims 1 to 11 wherein each storage means comprises a plurality of individual storage devices removable from a position on a shelf or mount on which they are placed and each position having an aforesaid sensing means associated with it.

13. A system according to claims 1 to 12 wherein the storage means displays the product.

14. A system according to claims 1 to 13 wherein the storage means is an at least partly transparent gravity bin which holds a loose product which is dispensed from the bottom of the bin, the dispensed product being replaced under the influence of gravity.

15. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 14 wherein the sensing means is an array of optical sensors.

16. A system according to claim 15 wherein the array of optical sensors consists of pairs of infra red (IR) transducers and receivers which are set at predetermined levels such that, as the product level diminishes in the bin, different signals are received from the IR sensors indicating how full the bin is.

17. A system according to claims 1 to 14 wherein the sensing means is selected from sensors capable of giving a varying output dependant on the quantity of product in the storage means.

18. A system according to claim 17 wherein the sensing means is a varying output device which has associated electronics which divide the varying output into a number of discrete steps with each discrete step giving a different digital output.

19. A system according to claims 1 to 18 wherein the shelf or mount on which the storage means sits is provided with a product-type sensing means for identifying each removable storage means when in place on the shelf or mount.

20. A system according to claim 19 wherein the storage means has a movable protrusion which is selectively movable into one of a number of positions, a particular position identifying the type of contents in the bin, and wherein there is provided an ohmic resistive element operatively associated with the protrusion to create a variable output signal indicative of the product type.

21. A system according to claim 19 wherein the shelving has an array of electronic switches, one of which is contacted when the storage means is placed on the shelf, thereby providing an electronic signal indicative of the type of contents in the bin.

22. A system according to claim 2 or any claim appendant thereto wherein the bus system used for communicating the signals from the plurality of storage means to the local electronics means is an addressable bus system, the electronic means identifying each address being attached to each storage means thereby allowing the storage means to be removed and replaced in an alternative location without causing errors in stock data.

23. A system according to claim 22 wherein each storage means has a plurality of contact points on it which electrically connect with contact points on a shelf or other support on which the storage means is placed in order to establish the bus system.

24. A system according to any of the preceding claims wherein the Master Server scans all the data to recognise patterns indicative of a system fault and notify the user or a service engineer when one is detected.