WO2009021014A1 - Systèmes de gestion d'étagère avec module de prévention de perte - Google Patents

Systèmes de gestion d'étagère avec module de prévention de perte Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2009021014A1
WO2009021014A1 PCT/US2008/072301 US2008072301W WO2009021014A1 WO 2009021014 A1 WO2009021014 A1 WO 2009021014A1 US 2008072301 W US2008072301 W US 2008072301W WO 2009021014 A1 WO2009021014 A1 WO 2009021014A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
management system
shelf management
track
rail
pusher
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2008/072301
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Richard Jay
Gregory Lyon
John Bowers
Original Assignee
Display Technologies
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Display Technologies filed Critical Display Technologies
Publication of WO2009021014A1 publication Critical patent/WO2009021014A1/fr

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F9/00—Details other than those peculiar to special kinds or types of apparatus
    • G07F9/02—Devices for alarm or indication, e.g. when empty; Advertising arrangements in coin-freed apparatus

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to shelf management systems and, more particularly, to shelf management systems including a forward-feeding product dispenser with a loss prevention module.
  • Shelving is widely employed for the presentation and shopping of a range of products or merchandise. For a number of merchandising considerations, it is desirable to move shelf stock forward as merchandise is removed, so that the shelves consistently appear to be fully stocked.
  • a forward-feeding product dispenser may include a product track extending generally transverse to the length of the shelf and a spring-urged pusher slidably attached to the product track and urged toward an end of the product track that is close to the front of the shelf.
  • the merchandise displayed in product dispensers is vulnerable to theft.
  • Retailers commonly use security technologies such as anti-shoplifting, digital video and point-of-sale systems to control retail losses from shoplifting and employee theft. Sweep theft occurs when a thief "sweeps" a shelf, taking large quantities of merchandise at once. To combat theft, some retailers opt to limit the number of items on display. This tactic is termed defensive merchandising. Although defensive merchandising may reduce loss from theft, it also may limit sales if customers need to request assistance to make a purchase.
  • a shelf management system includes an elongated rail, securable to a shelf, the rail including a front portion, and a forward-feeding product dispenser slidably receivable in the front portion of the rail, the product dispenser includes at least one track defining a product path, said track receivable in the front portion of the rail, at least one pusher, said pusher operationally slidable on a
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rail of a shelf management system, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the rail illustrated in FIG. 1 taken along the line 2-2, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a shelf management system, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 4 is a top view of a portion of the shelf management system illustrated in FIG. 3, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 5A is a perspective front view of a pusher of the shelf management system illustrated in FIG. 3, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a shelf management system configured to dispense stacked products, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the shelf management system illustrated in FIG. 3, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the pusher and rocker illustrated in FIG. 6, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 8 is a perspective rear view of a pusher of a shelf management system, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a portion of a shelf management system illustrating a track conductor of a track and a rail conductor of a rail, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a portion of a shelf management system illustrating a printed circuit board (PCB) of a loss prevention module and rail conductors of a rail, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • PCB printed circuit board
  • FIG. 11 is a partially exploded perspective view of a loss prevention module of a shelf management system, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a shelf management system, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the shelf management system shown in FIG. 12, illustrating the rail assembly in an opened position, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the shelf management system shown in FIG. 12, illustrating the rail assembly in a closed position, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a portion of a shelf management system illustrating a rail assembly and track, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a portion of a shelf management system illustrating a lockable arm of a track, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a portion of a shelf management system illustrating a lockable arm and torsion springs of a track, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 18 is a view of a portion of a shelf management system showing a track and logo tag, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a shelf management system illustrating multiple tracks, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 20 is a table showing relationships between state transition descriptors, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 21 is a state diagram of an alarm state machine using the state transition descriptors of FIG. 20, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 22 illustrates a method for determining a vertical offset, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • shelf generally refers to a display shelf, rack, or other merchandise support surface.
  • shop and the phrase “shopping of product” (or “shopping”, for short) generally refer to the removal of a product from a product dispenser.
  • a shelf management system includes a rail, securable to a shelf, and a product dispenser including at least one track and at least one pusher.
  • a portion of a product dispenser is positioned outwardly from the front edge of a shelf, for example, to aid shopping and improve space utilization.
  • a product dispenser includes at least one window disposed at the front end of at least one track, wherein the window acts as a stop to the forward feed movement of product.
  • a shelf management system includes a rail, securable to a shelf, and a product dispenser including at least one track and at least one pusher.
  • a portion of a product dispenser is positioned outwardly from the front edge of a shelf, for example, to aid shopping and improve space utilization.
  • a product dispenser includes at least one window disposed at the front end of at least one track, wherein the window acts as a stop to the forward feed movement of product.
  • a shelf management system includes a rail, securable to a shelf, and a product dispenser including at least one track and at
  • Atty. Docket No.: 1507-107 6 system includes a rail assembly and one or more windows disposed at the front end of a track, wherein at least one window is moveable to lock and unlock the rail assembly.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 A rail for slidably mounting a product dispenser to a shelf according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.
  • the rail 100 includes a channel portion 120 configured to receive a product dispenser (shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) and a flange 140 disposed outwardly of one edge of the channel portion 120.
  • the flange 140 is provided with a number of fastener holes 143 through which fasteners (e.g., pins, bolts or screws) may be inserted for securing the rail 100 to a shelf (not shown).
  • fastener holes 143 are illustrated as oblong openings or slots disposed substantially linearly in FIG.
  • the channel portion 120 may be configured in a variety of shapes.
  • the channel portion 120 illustrated in FIG. 2 includes a bottom portion 122, two upwardly extending opposing side walls 124 and 125 and two top walls 126 and 127 extending inwardly from upper ends of the side walls 124 and 125, respectively, which define a substantially inverted T-shaped channel "T".
  • the top wall 126 may include an elongated recess portion 128 for supporting rail conductors (shown in FIGS. 9 and 10). The rail conductors will be described later in this disclosure.
  • the recess portion 128 illustrated in FIG. 2 is configured as a substantially rectangular-shaped recess, it is to be understood that the recess portion 128 may include any suitable shape, size and number of recesses.
  • FIGS. 3 and 4 A shelf management system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4.
  • the shelf management system 300 includes a rail 100 and a forward- feeding product dispenser 320, which is slidably receivable in the channel portion 120 of the rail 100.
  • the product dispenser 320 may be configured so that only one product "P" is removable at a time.
  • a portion of the product dispenser 320 may be positioned outwardly from the front edge of a shelf (not shown).
  • three tracks 322A, 322B and 322C serve as guides for two pushers 327A and 327B and product P 1 defining two product paths.
  • the tracks 322A, 322B and 322C may be of any suitable length.
  • product dispensers according to various exemplary embodiments may include any number of tracks and pushers.
  • each track includes a base portion and a divider. It is contemplated herein if desired, that the base portion may be provided with a number of holes useful for attaching the track to a shelf.
  • track 322A illustrated in FIG. 3 includes a longitudinally extending base portion 324A and a divider 325A upwardly extending from the base portion 324A.
  • the tracks 322A and 322B include pusher rails 450A and 450B, respectively (shown in FIG. 4).
  • the pushers 327A and 327B are adapted to be operationally slidable on the pusher rails 450A and 450B 1 respectively.
  • the pushers 327A and 327B may be spring actuated to continuously supply product P to the front end of the product dispenser 320.
  • the pushers 327A and 327B may be rearwardly retractable to allow for restocking of the product dispenser 320.
  • a product dispenser includes at least one window that is disposed at the front end of at least one track and against which product P is forced.
  • the tracks illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 include the windows 329.
  • the windows 329 may be substantially transparent to enhance the visibility of product P.
  • the windows 329 are positioned substantially co-linearly, adjacent to the front end of the dividers.
  • the windows 329 may include a recess for receiving a front portion of the dividers. The open space between the windows 329 allows for access to and shopping of product P.
  • the tracks 322A, 322B and 322C and windows 329 can be injection molded and assembled to each other using, for example, clips and recesses.
  • the tracks 322A, 322B and 322C and windows 329 may be injection molded in a transparent polymer such as acrylic or polycarbonate to enhance the visibility of product P.
  • the shelf management system 300 may be adapted such that the windows 329 are positioned substantially flush with the front edge of a shelf.
  • the tracks 322A, 322B and 322C may include a base portion having a downwardly extending protrusion adapted to engage a rail.
  • track 322A illustrated in FIG. 3 includes a substantially inverted T-shaped protrusion 326A.
  • the protrusion 326A may be slidably positioned into the substantially inverted T-shaped channel "T" of the channel portion 120 of the rail 100.
  • each of the product paths as defined by the respective tracks 322A, 322B and 322C may include different products.
  • the tracks 322A, 322B and 322C may be positioned to suit a specific product,
  • Atty. Docket No.: 1507-107 which may allow a retailer to optimize the visual impact of the products on display.
  • the pusher 327A includes a pusher plate 530 and two side rails 560A.
  • the two side rails 560A may be adapted to engage the two pusher rails 450A of the track 324A illustrated in FIG. 3.
  • the pusher plate 530 includes a substantially planar pushing surface. This pushing surface may include an area for making contact with a product. It will be appreciated that the pusher plate 530 may be configured in a variety of shapes.
  • FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a shelf management system configured to dispense stacked products. Referring to FIG. 5B, the product dispenser 520 includes an upper tier of products Pi and P 3 and a lower tier of products P 2 and P 4 .
  • the pusher plate 532 is similar to the pusher plate 530 illustrated in FIG. 5A, except that the pusher plate 532 includes a protrusion 534 disposed on an upper portion and arranged to face toward the front of the product dispenser when the pusher 527 is engaged in the track.
  • the protrusion 534 is adapted to stagger or offset the upper tier of products Pi and P 3 forward relative to the lower tier of products P 2 and P4.
  • the protrusion 534 may be adapted to correspond to approximately one-half of the depth of the dispensed product, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 5B. It will be appreciated that the protrusion 534 may be configured in a variety of shapes and sizes. In the exemplary arrangement illustrated in FIG. 5B, when the top product Pi is shopped, the pusher 527 will move forward approximately one- half the depth of the dispensed product, which may trigger an alarm or other event. After the top product Pi has been shopped, when the bottom product
  • FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the shelf management system illustrated in FIG. 3, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • the pusher 327A includes a pusher chamber 610 and a rocker 614 mounted on a hanger 613 provided within the pusher chamber 610.
  • the rocker 614 may be adapted to swing freely on the hanger 613.
  • the rocker 614 is adapted such that the center of gravity of the rocker 614 causes it to rest on the front vertical face of the pusher chamber 610.
  • the rocker 614 may include lower shoes 615 adapted to make contact with at least one circuit element in response to acceleration of the pusher 327A toward the front end of the product dispenser.
  • the front end of the product dispenser extends forwardly beyond the front edge of a shelf.
  • the rocker is capable of making contact with at least one circuit element only when the forward movement of the pusher exceeds a predetermined minimum distance.
  • the predetermined minimum distance may be the distance sufficient to supply the required acceleration to swing the lower shoes 615 into contact with at least one circuit element.
  • a biasing is provided to the pusher 327A 1 for example, by a clock spring 630, to provide a relatively constant force towards the windows 329.
  • a clock spring 630 is illustrated in FIG. 6, it is to be understood that any suitable biasing mechanism can be used, such as a coil spring or resilient
  • the pusher 327A can be injection molded, for example.
  • the rocker 614 slips into the pusher chamber 610 to hang on the hanger 613. When the pusher 327A is installed on the track, the rocker 614 may not be removable.
  • a pusher 327A includes at least one light-emitting diode (LED) (not shown) and at least one receiver (not shown) positioned along a track 1222 for tracking movement of the pusher 327A.
  • LED light-emitting diode
  • FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the pusher
  • FIG. 7 the clock spring 630 of FIG. 6 has been removed in the interests of simplicity and clarity.
  • a track conductor 715 is mounted beneath each of the two pusher rails 450A.
  • the track conductors 715 serve to provide a
  • the track conductors 715 may be plated with a number of electrically conductive materials such as nickel, thereby to produce reliable electrical contacts.
  • the vertical 5 offset for the track conductor 2230 is determined using the equation
  • FIG. 8 is a perspective rear view of a pusher of a shelf management system, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • the pusher 800 includes a pusher plate 830, chamber walls 810, a roller 820, a spring 840, and a rocker 870.
  • the roller 820 may have a diameter that approximates the inside diameter of the spring 840.
  • the roller 820 may include a rotating axle 860 adapted to be mounted between grooves 850 formed into the chamber walls 810.
  • the rocker 870 is adapted to hang on the axle 860.
  • the rocker 870 is provided with holes to allow the rocker 870 to swing freely on the axle 860.
  • the location of the holes on the rocker 870 may be biased towards the proximal end of the rocker 870, so as to impart a forward biased moment.
  • the rocker 870 swings rearwards by inertia and contacts track conductors (not shown in FIG. 8).
  • the rocker 870 can be formed by stamping or cold rolling or cast, and hole punched.
  • the pusher 800 and roller 820 can be injection molded of polymer materials of low relative friction.
  • the spring 840 may be extruded or cold drawn or rolled from steel or aluminum, then cut to length and de-burred.
  • the track conductors and the rocker 870 may be nickel plated for electrical contact purposes.
  • FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a portion of a shelf management system illustrating a track conductor of a track and a rail conductor of a rail, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • the proximal end of the track conductor 910A is formed to produce a spring of sufficient normal pressure to serve as an electrical connection.
  • the rail 940 can be produced by polymer extrusion, and the rail conductors 920A and 920B can be attached during the extrusion.
  • the rail conductors 920A and 920B may be plated with a number of electrically conductive materials such as nickel, thereby to produce reliable electrical contacts.
  • the track conductors can be pre-fabricated, for example, in wire form or stamped sheet, and assembled by insertion into recesses in the track.
  • a shelf management system includes a loss prevention module including a printed circuit board (PCB) coupled to a track.
  • PCB printed circuit board
  • FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a portion of a shelf management system illustrating a printed circuit board (PCB) of a loss prevention module and rail conductors of a rail, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • the PCB 1015 is coupled to the track 1040, and the PCB contacts 1010A and 1010B of the PCB 1015 are electrically connected to the rail conductors 920A and 920B, respectively.
  • An electrical signal may be transmitted via the PCB contacts 1010A and 1010B to the PCB 1015.
  • the PCB contacts 1010A and 1010B may be plated with a number of electrically conductive materials such as nickel, thereby to produce reliable electrical contacts.
  • FIG. 11 is a partially exploded perspective view of a loss prevention module of a shelf management system, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • the loss prevention module 1100 includes a PCB 1015, a pair of PCB contacts 1010A
  • the control circuit 1120 detects the drop in voltage across the contacts 1010A and 1010B resultant from motion on any one of the pushers.
  • a number of responses can be affected. For example, the response may be to emit a sound created by the piezoelectric enunciator 1130.
  • the response may be programmed for the frequency of shopping.
  • the control circuit 1120 detects the drop in voltage across the contacts 1010A and 1010B resultant from motion on one of the pushers and a first tone is emitted, and if a second shop occurs within a programmed time interval, then a second tone is emitted, and if a third shop occurs within a programmed time interval, an even more urgent tone is emitted, and so on.
  • the second tone may be a more urgent tone than the first tone (e.g., a shaper tone)
  • the third tone may be an even more urgent tone than the second tone (e.g., a shaper tone and higher volume), etc.
  • control circuit 1120 may reset to the first tone sequence.
  • other responses include the production of light, for instance from an LED, generation of a wireless signal, generation of a signal to an inventory control system, generation of a signal to a store security system, or other suitable response.
  • the power supply 100 consists of two AAA batteries. It will be appreciated that any suitable power supply may be utilized.
  • the power supply 100 may be designed within
  • Atty. Docket No.: 1507-107 15 a power consumption budget to last for a specified time period, such as for example, three years.
  • the battery cover 1140 may be removed to access and replace the batteries, as appropriate.
  • a low battery indicator may be provided that includes a battery charge sensor for sensing a state of charge in the battery.
  • the low battery indicator may be coupled to one or more sound generators capable of generating an audible sound.
  • the loss prevention module may be capable of shutting down the one or more sound generators in response to a malfunction of the loss prevention module, whereby battery life may be conserved.
  • the loss prevention module 1100 may include a memory device (not shown) for storing data.
  • the memory device may be used to store information such as the quantity that was dispensed, time/date stamps, alarms, etc.
  • the loss prevention module 1100 may include one or more USB (universal serial bus) ports for connecting a USB device such as an external USB hard disk.
  • a pusher is accelerated by a biasing force towards a front end of a product dispenser when a product is removed therefrom, whereby in reaction to acceleration of the pusher, an electrically conductive rocker disposed within the body of the pusher swings rearward relative to the pusher and so impinges on track conductors mounted beneath pusher rails supporting the pusher, thereby closing a circuit, which is detected on at least one printed circuit board (PCB) of a loss prevention module via conductors of rail securing the product dispenser, and said loss prevention module implements a programmable response.
  • the programmable response may be to emit audible
  • a variety of sounds may be emitted in increasing intensity based on the frequency of product removal, which may make the act of removing products more conspicuous, thereby adding deterrence against theft.
  • the one track configured with the PCB(s) of the loss prevention module may be referred to as a master-type track.
  • Other types of tracks include alarmed-type tracks and non-alarmed-type tracks.
  • a product dispenser of the presently disclosed shelf management systems can be built using master-, non-alarmed-, and alarmed-type tracks.
  • An alarmed-type track includes at least one electrically conductive path between the track conductors mounted beneath its pusher rails and the PCB of the master-type track.
  • the master-type track alarms each alarmed-type track of the product dispenser.
  • a non-alarmed- type track is adapted to operate in the non-alarmed state.
  • non- alarmed-type tracks may be configured without track conductors.
  • non-alarmed-type tracks including track conductors may be adapted to operate in the non-alarmed state.
  • a non- alarmed-type track including track conductors may be configured to include a pusher without a rocker. It is to be understood that the presently disclosed shelf management systems can include any suitable combination of master-, alarmed- and/or non-alarmed-type tracks.
  • a shelf management system 1200 includes a rail assembly 1230, which includes a front rail portion 1240 and a rear rail portion 1250, and a forward-feeding product dispenser 1220 that is receivable in the rear rail portion 1250.
  • the product dispenser 1220 includes a track 1222 that serves as a guide for a pusher 1227, which is actuated by a constant force spring to continuously apply force towards the proximal end of the track 1222, and a divider 1225.
  • the track 1222 may be of any suitable length.
  • the product dispenser 1220 may be configured so that only one product can be removed at a time.
  • the rail assembly 1230 may positioned at the proximal edge of a shelf
  • the rear rail portion 1250 is provided with a number of apertures through which fasteners (not shown) affix the rear rail portion 1250 to the shelf 1215.
  • the rail assembly 1230 is adapted to be adjustable between an opened and closed position.
  • the rear rail portion 1250 may be configured to accept the front rail portion 1240 in either the open or closed position.
  • the front rail portion 1240 may be slidable between two positions within the rear rail portion 1250. In one position, the rail assembly 1230 clamps the track 1222 in place.
  • the track 1224 is provided with a front window 1229, which serves as an end stop, i.e., a stop to the forward feed movement of product.
  • the front rail portion 1240 may be operable by way of flexing the window 1229 forwards and backwards.
  • the front rail portion 1240 may be lockable by way of a locking arm flexibly operable within a track.
  • the window 1229 may be provided with finger reliefs near the bottom to aid in the opening and closing of the rail assembly 1230.
  • FIGS. 13 and 14 are cross-sectional views of a portion of the shelf management system shown in FIG. 12, illustrating the rail assembly in an opened and closed position, respectively.
  • the rear rail portion 1250 includes two elongated detents 1370A and 1370B running the length of the rear rail portion 1250 and disposed on the underside of the overhang.
  • the front rail portion 1240 includes a protrusion 1380 adapted to fit into the detents 1370A or 1370B.
  • the track 1224 may be re-positioned or removed entirely from the rail assembly 1230.
  • a bead (not shown) of resiliently flexible soft material such as rubber, e.g., thermoset rubber, may be provided along a face of the front rail portion 1240 to impinge on the depending tabs of the track. The bead may add compliance and friction to inhibit lateral movement of the track when the rail assembly 1230 is in the closed position.
  • an elongated recess 1360 is provided in a face of the front rail portion 1240 to allow attachment of the bead.
  • the front rail portion 1240 may be fabricated from a polymer or a composite material.
  • the front rail portion 1240 may be extruded, with the bead and the rail conductors co-extruded.
  • the rear rail portion 1250 may be injection molded.
  • the track 1222 may be injection molded, for example, in a transparent polymer such as acrylic or polycarbonate to enhance the visibility of product.
  • the horizontal and vertical portions of the track 1222 may be injection molded separately, then affixed such as by ultrasonic welding.
  • FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a portion of a shelf management system illustrating a rail assembly and track, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • the front rail portion 1240 is actuated between the opened and closed position by manipulation of the window 1229.
  • a vertical aperture 1530 located behind the window 1229 allows flexure of the window 1229.
  • the window 1229 includes depending protrusions that engage the front and back of the front rail portion.
  • the window 1229 further includes a snap tab 1510 to engage the front rail portion 1240 regardless of opened or closed position.
  • the window 1229 is provided with finger reliefs (shown in FIGS. 12, 15, 18 and 19) towards the bottom of the window 1229 to allow the user to position fingers near the bottom of the window 1229 where the opening and closing force is effective.
  • FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a portion of a shelf management system illustrating a lockable arm of a track, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 16, the locking arm
  • the track 1622 is provided within the body of the track 1622.
  • the track 1622 may be injection molded in a transparent polymer such as acrylic or polycarbonate to enhance the visibility of product.
  • a transparent polymer such as acrylic or polycarbonate
  • the locking arm 1660 has two positions: locked and unlocked. In the locked position, the proximal end of the locking arm 1660 is depressed to engage a tab 1670 within a recess 1645 in the front rail portion 1640. In this position, the front
  • Atty. Docket No.: 1507-107 20 rail portion 1640 cannot be displaced frontward, and the track 1622 cannot be further manipulated or removed.
  • the locking arm 1660 can be unlocked by applying a downward force its distal end. For example, a force applied at the distal end creates a moment about the torsion springs sufficient to pull the engagement tab 1670 out of the recess 1645 of the front rail portion 1640.
  • FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a portion of a shelf management system illustrating a lockable arm and torsion springs of a track, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • the track 1770 includes a lockable arm 1760 and torsion springs 1780A and 1780B.
  • FIG. 18 is a view of a portion of a shelf management system showing a track and logo tag, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • a track 1870 is provided with a vertical aperture in the proximal end to receive a logo tag 1810.
  • the logo tag 1810 may be provided with product information or the like.
  • the logo tag 1810 may be inserted into a recess of the track 1870 and locked in place via a detent.
  • FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a shelf management system illustrating multiple tracks, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • the tracks 1905 and 1925 are adapted for use to terminate the respective ends of a product dispenser.
  • the track 1920 of FIG. 19 is similar to the track 1222 illustrated in FIG. 12.
  • the track 1915 is a similar to the track 1920, except that the track 1915 does not include a divider.
  • a shelf management system includes a loss prevention module that senses one or more circuit closures, indicative of product dispensing, and responds
  • Atty. Docket No.: 1507-107 21 programmatically with audible alarms.
  • the programmatic operations of the loss prevention module may be based upon an alarm state machine.
  • An example of an alarm state machine will be described hereinbelow with reference to FIGS. 20 and 21.
  • Circuit closures may be effected through switch mechanisms in the pushers and/or tracks of a shelf management system, according to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Circuit closures may be communicated to a loss prevention module through electrical conductors that are coupled to one or more tracks and rails of a shelf management system, according to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. No wiring may be needed, which may reduce manufacturing costs and improve system flexibility and reliability.
  • a shelf management system may be configured to include one or more tracks and/or pushers not having a switch mechanism, thereby providing an option to selectively alarm or monitor different product paths of a product dispenser.
  • FIG. 21 is a state diagram of an alarm state machine, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • the machine states are represented by circles containing state descriptors, and the arrowed lines between the circles indicate events that cause a transition from one state to another.
  • the state transitions will be described hereinbelow with reference to the named variables "alarmjevel”, “alarm_blank_period”, “alarm_timeout_period” and “alarm_sequence_pointer”.
  • the variable alarmjevel is an integer.
  • the variables alarm_blank_period, alarm_timeout_period and alarm_sequence_pointer are arrays of values, which are indexed by the
  • the table shown in FIG. 20 provides exemplary values for the variables alarmjevel, alarm_blank_period, alarm_timeout_period and alarm_sequence_pointer.
  • the exemplary values for the variables alarm_blank_period and alarm_timeout_period are in units of milliseconds.
  • the entries in the table 2000 for alarm_sequence_pointer provide the locations for the tone sequences that may be used to implement the audible alarms.
  • the alarmjevel values 0 through 4 were chosen for convenience; it will be appreciated that various suitable numbers can be chosen for the alarmjevel values. It is to be understood that the entries in the table 2000 can be programmed differently for different shelf management systems, for example, to protect different types of merchandise or for different customers.
  • the alarm state machine 2100 is initially in the NO ALARM state in which the alarmjevel is equal to 0.
  • a switch closure from one of the contacts of the shelf management system creates an alarm event that, in turn, causes the alarm state to enter the START ALARM state and changes the alarmjevel from 0 to 1.
  • a tone sequence comprising the alarm for the current alarmjevel is initiated. This tone sequence is emitted through a suitable audio annunciator and completes independently of the operation of the alarm state machine 2100 unless the START ALARM state is entered again prior to completion of the tone sequence.
  • the alarm state machine 2100 Upon initiation of the alarm tone sequence, the alarm state machine 2100 enters the ALARM BLANK state. While in the ALARM BLANK state, the
  • Atty. Docket No.: 1507-107 23 alarm state engine is blind to new alarm events. This is to provide for switch bounce, normal movement of the switches in the shelf management system as a result of merchandise movement, etc.
  • a blanking timer is initiated upon entry to the ALARM BLANK state. The period of the blanking timer is equal to the value of alarm_blank_period for the current alarmjevel.
  • the alarm state engine Upon timeout of the blanking timer, the alarm state engine enters the ALARM TIMEOUT state. In the ALARM TIMEOUT state, the alarm state engine is again responsive to alarm events.
  • a timeout timer is initiated. The period of the timeout timer is determined according to the alarmjevel as shown in the table 2000. If a new alarm event occurs prior to the timeout timer finishing, then the alarm state machine 2100 enters the INC ALARM LEVEL state, following which the alarmjevel is incremented, and the alarm state machine 2100 enters the START ALARM state. If the timeout timer finishes, then alarm state machine 2100 enters the DEC ALARM LEVEL state, following which the alarmjevel is decremented.
  • alarm events are initiated by a switch closure only. This is done, for example, to prevent behaviors associated with increasing the alarmjevel in a switch failure situation where the switch remains closed indefinitely. Thus, a single switch closure, regardless of the alarmjevel when it occurs, will ultimately result in the timing out at each alarmjevel until the alarmjevel equals 0, at
  • Atty. Docket No.: 1507-107 24 which point the electronics module enters a low power mode of operation in the NO ALARM state to conserve battery life.
  • a state machine and named variables in connection with state transitions of the state machine may allow the behavior of the alarm system of a shelf management system, according to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, to be changed in a way that is responsive to the recent history of item removals or alarm events.
  • customer feedback may be provided to signal the presence of the alarm system such as with a short acknowledgement tone. This provides a first level of defense against shoplifting.
  • the degree of feedback may be raised so as to indicate that the system is detecting an apparent shoplifting activity.
  • the amount of increase in the degree of feedback and the periods associated with it can be designed such that the maximum amount of shoplifting prevention is effected while minimizing the amount of customer inconvenience or discouragement associated with normal purchasing activities.
  • An alarm state machine may have multiple inputs corresponding, for example, to multiple product dispensers for which different tables may be individually assigned so as to have different behaviors for different inputs. These can be used for providing different levels of item protection for items of different costs.
  • the audio annunciator may be of any type suitable for emitting the tone sequences at a suitable sound level.
  • the tone sequences may be any suitable audio signal such as a prerecorded voice or the like.
  • a shelf management system may include a battery charge level sensor and may annunciate when the battery needs to be replaced, for example, using the same annunciator that is used for alarms or a separate annunciator.
  • the battery is chosen to have a lifetime that is equal to or exceeds the operating life of the electronic shelf management system.
  • Secondary annunciators may be use in various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. These include visible or invisible light generators, radio signal generators and the like. The functions of these secondary annunciators may include further customer feedback, communications from the shelf management system to another device, or any other function. Examples of other functions include recording the behavior of shoplifters or customers, or recording the inventory state of a track of a shelf management system. Shelf management systems according to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may be provided for stand-alone operation and/or as part of a larger system.

Abstract

L'invention concerne un système de gestion d'étagère comprenant un rail allongé, pouvant être fixé à une étagère, le rail comprenant une portion avant, et un distributeur de produit à alimentation vers l'avant pouvant être reçu de manière coulissante dans la portion avant du rail, le distributeur de produit comprenant au moins une piste définissant un chemin de produit, ladite piste pouvant être reçue dans la portion avant du rail, au moins un pousseur, ledit pousseur étant apte à glisser de manière opérationnelle sur une piste correspondante parmi les pistes et adapté pour pousser un produit vers l'avant vers un bord avant d'une étagère, et un module de prévention de perte, le module de prévention de perte comprenant un premier circuit pour générer un signal en se basant sur la détection d'un mouvement vers l'avant d'un pousseur en réponse à l'enlèvement d'un produit du distributeur de produit.
PCT/US2008/072301 2007-08-07 2008-08-06 Systèmes de gestion d'étagère avec module de prévention de perte WO2009021014A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US96378307P 2007-08-07 2007-08-07
US60/963,783 2007-08-07
US3454108P 2008-03-07 2008-03-07
US61/034,541 2008-03-07

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US8428774B2 (en) 2009-06-04 2013-04-23 Checkpoint Systems, Inc. Apparatus and method for single unit access display
US8941495B2 (en) 2011-06-10 2015-01-27 Checkpoint Systems, Inc. Wireless shelf pusher activity detection system and associated methods
US10368657B2 (en) 2014-09-26 2019-08-06 Eva Lilja Channel glide assemblies
CN110176100A (zh) * 2019-05-31 2019-08-27 思创医惠科技股份有限公司 具有盗抢报警功能的智能售货系统及其使用方法
CN110232773A (zh) * 2019-05-31 2019-09-13 思创医惠科技股份有限公司 具有缺货提醒功能的智能售货系统及其使用方法

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US3194934A (en) * 1963-12-12 1965-07-13 Gen Electric Segmented contact assembly having pivotal and sidewise-rotatable contact segments
US4483459A (en) * 1981-07-24 1984-11-20 Mars Limited Dispensing machine
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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8428774B2 (en) 2009-06-04 2013-04-23 Checkpoint Systems, Inc. Apparatus and method for single unit access display
US9141585B2 (en) 2009-06-04 2015-09-22 Checkpoint Systems, Inc. Apparatus and method for single unit access display
US8941495B2 (en) 2011-06-10 2015-01-27 Checkpoint Systems, Inc. Wireless shelf pusher activity detection system and associated methods
US10368657B2 (en) 2014-09-26 2019-08-06 Eva Lilja Channel glide assemblies
US10455953B2 (en) 2014-09-26 2019-10-29 Monster Energy Company Channel glide assemblies
US10806275B2 (en) 2014-09-26 2020-10-20 Eva Lilja Channel glide assemblies
US11439252B2 (en) 2014-09-26 2022-09-13 Eva Lilja Channel glide assemblies
CN110176100A (zh) * 2019-05-31 2019-08-27 思创医惠科技股份有限公司 具有盗抢报警功能的智能售货系统及其使用方法
CN110232773A (zh) * 2019-05-31 2019-09-13 思创医惠科技股份有限公司 具有缺货提醒功能的智能售货系统及其使用方法

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