WO2005050429A1

WO2005050429A1 - Electronic label system

Info

Publication number: WO2005050429A1
Application number: PCT/SE2004/001651
Authority: WO
Inventors: Claes-Göran NILSSON
Original assignee: Nilörngruppen Ab
Priority date: 2003-11-18
Filing date: 2004-11-15
Publication date: 2005-06-02
Also published as: SE526751C2; SE0303055D0; SE0303055L

Abstract

The invention relates to an electronic label system (1), which comprises a number of labels that are already produced or are intended for production bearing information about the garment for which the respective label is intended. The system makes it possible to handle labels and garments for a simple and effective solution and comprises electronic communication between a customer (4), a manufacturer (5) of the garments in question and a label supplier (6). After receiving information for the labels, the label supplier (6) prepares and delivers these to the manufacturer of the garments in question. In so doing, an electronic document containing information in respect of the quantity, size, colour, etc., of the garments and a unique code for each garment is so arranged as to be created by the customer (4), the manufacturer (5) and the label supplier (6) jointly. The aforementioned electronic document is so arranged as to reach the customer (4) before, or at least simultaneously with the delivery of the garments form the manufacturer (5) thereof.

Description

Electronic Label System

5 The present invention relates to an electronic label system, which comprises a number of labels that are already produced or are intended for production bearing information about the garment for which the respective label is intended. Previously disclosed in US-A1-2002/0017990 and US-A1-

10 3003/0171843 is an electronic label system consisting of a garment supplier, customer and distribution system. However, both patents only relate to transport from a wholesaler to a retailer. This means that extra work is created by the need to apply labels, which also require to be programmed with

15 information relating to quantity and price, etc., by the wholesaler, and the only advantage offered is that the box does not need to be opened on arrival at the retailer thanks to the inclusion of an electronic packing slip. The principal object of he present invention is, in the

20 first instance, to solve the problem of coordinating the production of labels for garments and of the garments in question, and of providing the labels with unique information about the garment for which the label is intended in conjunction with the preparation of the labels.

25. The aforementioned object is achieved by means of an electronic label system in accordance with the present invention, which is characterized essentially in that the system comprises electronic communication between a customer, a manufacturer of the garments in question and a label supplier,

30 in that the label supplier, after receiving information for the labels, prepares and delivers these to the manufacturer of the garments in question, in that in conjunction with this an electronic document containing information in respect of the quantity, size, colour, etc., of the garments and a unique code

35 for each garment is so arranged as to be created by the customer, the manufacturer and the label supplier jointly, and in that the aforementioned electronic document is so arranged as to reach the customer before, or at least simultaneously with the delivery of the garments from the manufacturer thereof. The present invention comprises an electronic system which manages to achieve something that is not possible with previously disclosed technology. A unique electronic code is already allocated to each garment/product at the time of production, whereby the meaning of the code is only indicated in the software, that is to say no programming of the label is required, which offers unique advantages throughout the entire distribution chain and in the shop by the integration of the system in accordance with the present invention with the customer's own system. Either by direct connection to the customer's computer system, or by the creation of a file by the customer, information intended for labels for the garments can be transmitted to the label supplier by automatic means. The label supplier sends both labels and computer information / a data file to the manufacturer. The label supplier has produced software, in which the supplier is required to open the file. In the aforementioned previously disclosed inventions, the garments are provided after manufacture with labels which contain information about the type of garment, size, colour, etc. In the present invention, the only information assigned to the garment is a unique code for that garment which is allocated to the garment during manufacture. This unique code means that all the information relating to the garment is located in external software, rather than being programmed on the label as in the previously disclosed product. These labels are always of a similar nature for garments which belong to a certain type of garment having the same size and colour. No two codes are the same in the present invention. This difference .- the fact that every garment has a unique code - offers a different solution to the objective problem, which involves making the label systems for garments more efficient, than the problem intended in accordance with the previously disclosed invention, and solves a large number of problems and brings enormous advantages in shops with regard to stocktaking times and price changes. With the present system, these procedures take only a fraction of the time that they currently take and that they would take with the respective previously disclosed systems. The invention is described below as a preferred illustrative embodiment, in conjunction with which reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 illustrates the construction and function of the system schematically; Fig. 2 shows a garment provided with a label in accordance with the invention; and Fig. 3 shows an example of an order and its transport. An electronic label system 1, which comprises a number of labels 2 that are already produced or are intended for production bearing information about the garment 3 to which the respective label 2 is intended to be applied, comprises means which permit data communication between the customer 4 ordering the garments 3 in question, the manufacturer 5 of the garments 3 in question, and the label supplier 6. The aforementioned system 1 in accordance with the invention also requires the label supplier 6, after receiving information 7 for the production of the labels 2, to prepare and deliver these to the manufacturer 5 of the garments 3 in question. In so doing, an electronic document 7-10, which contains information in respect of the quantity, size, colour, etc., of the garments and a unique code for each garment 3, is so arranged as to be created by the customer 4, the manufacturer 5 and the label supplier 6 jointly. The aforementioned electronic document 9 is so arranged as to reach the customer 4 before, or at least simultaneously with the delivery of the garments 3 from the manufacturer of the garments to the customer 4. The label supplier 6 is organized in such a way as to receive information for the production of the desired labels 2 for the garments 3 in question from the customer 4 by the direct connection of a computer system or by the creation of an information file at the customer's 4 premises, whereby information for the desired labels for the garments -3 is so arranged as to be capable of transmission by automatic means to the label supplier 6. The label supplier 6 is also organized in such a way, together with the produced labels 2, as to supply computer information / a data file to the garment manufacturer 5. The latter is organized in such a way as to be capable of opening the file in question in a piece of software created by the label supplier 6. In conjunction with production of the garments, the garment manufacturer 5 scans every garment produced individually so that the unique code for the respective garment is read and registered in the intended software before delivery of the finished garment 3 to the customer 4. The garment manufacturer 5 sends data information to the label supplier 6 with registration of the uniquely created code for each garment indicated for the onward supply to the customer 4 of the computer information in question from the label supplier 6. The customer 4 is thereby organized in such a way as to be capable of scanning products supplied by the manufacturer 5 from the outside of packs of finished garments 3 in order, by so doing, to be capable of reading packed products 3 without having to open boxes and similar packaging. The unique data code for each garment is so arranged as to be capable of being sensed for registration. In this case, the aforementioned unique data code is so arranged as to be capable of being registered as an aid in conjunction with a monitoring and alarm system and/or for making price changes centrally. The nature, function and effect of the invention may be summarized as follows: A purchase order is created by the customer, which is then sent to the manufacturer of garments with a distribution of sizes. Once manufacturing has taken place, the garments are delivered to the customer. Information for labels for the garments can be transmitted to the label supplier by automatic means, either by direct connection to the customer's computer system or by the creation of a file by the customer. The label supplier sends labels to the manufacturer both as computer information / a data file. The label supplier has produced a piece of software, in which the manufacturer of the garments is required to open the file. The manufacturer 5 produces the garments 3 as usual. Once the garments 3 have been produced, the manufacturer 5 confirms production by scanning each garment 3. In conjunction with scanning, the unique code of each garment is read into the software. In this way, every garment 3 has its own unique code, which will never be repeated. The garments are delivered to the customer 4. Computer information / a data file (electronic delivery note) , in which the unique code of each garment is included, is sent to the label supplier 6 at the same time. Information about all the supplied garments 3 is then forwarded by the label supplier 6 to the customer 4. All deliveries from the factory are scanned, and information about the content of the delivery is sent to the consignee, i.e. to the customer 4. The result is as follows: Before the garments 3 arrive from the manufacturer, the customer receives an electronic document which contains the unique code for every garment. Once the delivery arrives, the boxes are scanned without being opened, the customer is then able to read directly what is present in the carton, and inward delivery is effected in a second by automatic means. Because information about the delivery was already been sent, it is possible to verify the arrival of all deliveries. It is not possible to manipulate the information under way because the package and the information travel by different routes. It is also possible to verify that all the manufactured garments are supplied from the factory by reconciling the deliveries with production. The fact that every garment, at the time of production, is given a unique, readable electronic code brings enormous advantages. The meaning of the code is only indicated in the software, that is to say no programming of the label is necessary, which offers unique advantages throughout the entire distribution^' chain and in the shop by the integration of the system in accordance with the present invention with the customer's system. Stocktaking times and price changes take only a fraction of the time taken today. The potential for time savings in the shop are enormous. The invention is naturally not restricted to the embodiment described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Modifications are possible, in particular with regard to the nature of the various parts, or by the use of equivalent technology, but without departing from the area of protection afforded to the invention, as defined in the Patent Claims.

Claims

P a t e n t C l a i m s

1. Electronic label system (1), which comprises a number of labels (2) that are already produced or are intended for production bearing information about the garment (3) for which the respective label (2) is intended, characterized in that the system (1) comprises electronic communication between a customer (4), a manufacturer (5) of the garments in question and a label supplier (6), in that the label supplier (6) after receiving information (7) for the labels (2) , prepares and delivers these to the manufacturer (5) of the garments (3) in question, in that in so doing an electronic document (7-10) containing information in respect of the quantity, size, colour, etc., of the garments and a unique code for each garment is so arranged as to be created by the customer (4), the manufacturer (5) and the label supplier (6) jointly, and in that the aforementioned electronic document (9) is so arranged as to reach the customer (4) before, or at least simultaneously with the delivery of the garments (3) from the manufacturer thereof.

2. Electronic label system in accordance with Patent Claim

1, characterized in that the label supplier (6) is organized in such a way as to receive information for labels for the garments (3) in question from the customer (4) by direct connection via a computer system or by the creation of an information file at the customer's (4) premises, whereby information for the desired labels (2) for the garments (3) is so arranged as to be capable of transmission to the label supplier (6) by automatic means.

3. Electronic label system in accordance with Patent Claim

2, characterized in that the label supplier (6) is organized in such a way as to supply computer information / a data file to the garment manufacturer (5) together with the produced labels (2) , and in that the latter is organized in such a way as to be capable of opening the file in a piece of software created by the label supplier (6) .

4. Electronic label system in accordance with Patent Claim 3, characterized in that the garment manufacturer (5) scans every garment (3) produced individually so that the unique code for the respective garment is read into the intended software before delivery to the customer (4).

5. Electronic label system in accordance with Patent Claim 4, characterized in that the garment manufacturer (5) sends data information to the label supplier (6) with the uniquely created code for each garment for the onward supply of the computer information to the customer (4).

6. Electronic label system in accordance with Patent Claim 5, characterized in that the customer (4) is organized in such a way as to be capable of scanning products (3) supplied by the manufacturer (5) in order, by so doing, to be capable of reading packed products (3) without having to open boxes and similar packaging.

7. Electronic label system in accordance with one or other of the foregoing Patent Claims, characterized in that the unique data code for each garment is so arranged as to be capable of being sensed for registration.

8. Electronic label system in accordance with Patent Claim 7, characterized in that the aforementioned unique data code is so arranged as to be capable of being registered as an aid in conjunction with stocktaking.

9. Electronic label system in accordance with Patent Claim

7. characterized in that the aforementioned unique data code is so arranged as to be capable of being registered as an aid in conjunction with a monitoring and alarm system.

10. Electronic label system in accordance with Patent Claim 7, characterized in that the aforementioned unique data code is so arranged as to be capable of being registered for making price changes centrally.