WO2012095825A2 - Managing system, in particular for goods labels in place of storage or exposition of goods and method of controlling of such system - Google Patents

Managing system, in particular for goods labels in place of storage or exposition of goods and method of controlling of such system Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2012095825A2
WO2012095825A2 PCT/IB2012/050185 IB2012050185W WO2012095825A2 WO 2012095825 A2 WO2012095825 A2 WO 2012095825A2 IB 2012050185 W IB2012050185 W IB 2012050185W WO 2012095825 A2 WO2012095825 A2 WO 2012095825A2
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
module
als
sls
label
labels
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PCT/IB2012/050185
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French (fr)
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WO2012095825A3 (en
Inventor
Eugeniusz PAJĄCZEK
Tomasz PAJĄCZEK
Andrzej ZDROJEWSKI
Original Assignee
Hemi Pajączek Spółka Jawna
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Application filed by Hemi Pajączek Spółka Jawna filed Critical Hemi Pajączek Spółka Jawna
Publication of WO2012095825A2 publication Critical patent/WO2012095825A2/en
Publication of WO2012095825A3 publication Critical patent/WO2012095825A3/en

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q30/00—Commerce
    • G06Q30/06—Buying, selling or leasing transactions
    • G06Q30/0601—Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q10/00—Administration; Management
    • G06Q10/08—Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q30/00—Commerce
    • G06Q30/06—Buying, selling or leasing transactions

Definitions

  • the subject of the invention is a management system in particular for product labels at a storage or display location of goods and a method of controlling the system also called ALS - Automatic Labelling System.
  • Labelling is an important element of a sales system in shops, beginning with small local shops, supermarkets and also for hypermarkets.
  • the most important pieces of information for a consumer are the name of the product, price, producer and expiry date.
  • the generally applied system for providing consumers with information encompasses, for example, labelling each product with an individual label containing the above mentioned information and an individual barcode to unambiguously identify the product in the system as well as labelling the shelf on which the product is displayed.
  • the system also comprises barcode scanners which enable consumers to identify a product and compare the price on the label with the price registered in the sales system which is the actual price of the product at the till.
  • a shop owner is responsible for unambiguous and error-free labelling of the products in his/her shop.
  • a producer packaging usually contains other required information about the product.
  • the Polish patent description no 178969 discloses a labelling machine for industrial remote mass-labelling of packages of different sizes and shapes comprising a drive unit for driving the machine and unfolding a roll of labels and which incorporates an extraction and blowing system for labels and has blowing nozzles.
  • the Polish patent description no 195517 discloses a label dispenser which incorporates a body supporting a label carrier holding a label continuum in the form of a roll comprising a mounting sheet of temporarily stacked printed labels, wherein the body has a sliding support element with a rotationally mounted mandrel and a rotationally mounted turn pin connected by means of a reduction gear unit with a motor on the body characterised in that between the system to detect clearance of the mounting sheet and the motor there is a control system.
  • Another Polish patent description no 199502 discloses a printing device for printing labels removably affixed to a carrier strip, in particular for goods labels comprising at least two label feed devices which incorporate a wiper head and at least one printer with at least one printing head for printing the label, wherein at least two label feed devices and at least one printer in the working mode are affixed permanently.
  • the wiper heads of at least two label feed devices correspond with one shared conveyor device which conveys a label peeled off at a wiper head to at least one printer.
  • Polish patent description no no 203214 discloses a flexible electronic label which has at least one built-in microchip.
  • the Polish patent description no 207114 discloses a labelling machine especially for labelling food packaging, characterised in that it comprises a measurement and control system which determines a time limit for each product to be labelled, which time is used for printing the subsequently applied label with taking into account the work time of the working unit (units) and the printer is controlled depending on the time available for printing, wherein the label is printed within this time at the matching printing speed which is as low as possible.
  • the machine comprises at least one working unit having at least one sensor which detects the incoming object for labelling.
  • the European patent description no EP 1409350 discloses a label printer, characterised in that it comprises a strip assembly and a print head for printing labels.
  • the aim of the present invention is to devise a new shelf label management system which incorporates automation of the shelf labelling.
  • the currently applied systems use preprinted labels, which is time-consuming and significantly error-prone and each price change entails locating the right shelf or position which are often very similar.
  • Electronic labels are free from such drawbacks, however, they are costly, require regular battery replacement and are often vandalised. These are insurmountable obstacles for large and middle-sized shops whose stock is tens of thousands of products.
  • the system according to the invention is characterised in that the (shop) database is connected and data is mutually exchanged with the ALS computer system which has at least one Electronic Shelf Label (ESL), at least one ALS Label Rail with preferably at least one movably mounted SLS - Shelf Label Shuttle for automatic attaching and/or printing of labels, preferably on shelves and/or goods, wherein the ALS Label Rails are mounted on the shelves of shop racks.
  • ESL Electronic Shelf Label
  • ALS Label Rail with preferably at least one movably mounted SLS - Shelf Label Shuttle for automatic attaching and/or printing of labels, preferably on shelves and/or goods, wherein the ALS Label Rails are mounted on the shelves of shop racks.
  • the ALS computer system comprises an application, a graphic editor, a server and an internal database.
  • the Electronic Shelf Label may comprise an additional tag in the form of an RFID - Radio-Frequency Identification or a microchip.
  • the ALS Label Rail is mounted on a shelf and has a lift for moving horizontally, vertically and diagonally on the rail along the shelves of the Shelf Label Shuttle (SLS).
  • SLS Shelf Label Shuttle
  • the Shelf Label Shuttle comprises interconnected and cooperating function modules which means a power supply module connected to the main module which in turn is connected to a verification module and the verification module is connected to a positioning module which features a safety module at the output, wherein the function modules and preferably the main module is movably mounted on a running gear preferably mounted on a shop shelf, wherein the main module comprises interconnected and cooperating sub-modules which means control electronics connected to the motion sub- module, the user interface sub-module, the erase sub-module and the printing sub-module.
  • the Shelf Label Shuttle (SLS) for the indirect mode of the system operation additionally comprises a label container ALS preferably mounted behind the power supply module and in the place of the erase module and tne printing module there is the erase module connected to the control electronics.
  • SLS Shelf Label Shuttle
  • the main module for the intermediate version of the system comprises interconnected and cooperating sub-modules which are the control electronics connected to the motion sub-module, the user interface sub-module and the data exchange sub-module.
  • the system also incorporates an operator console in the form of a mobile terminal used for the semi-automatic mode and for the Shelf Label Shuttle (SLS) in the version with printing.
  • SLS Shelf Label Shuttle
  • the method of controlling the ALS management system consists in selecting a work mode and the computer system ALS communicates with a (shop) database from which it downloads information about products and the location thereof, about changes of the product labels and to which it sends useful information, preferably such as: the status of the executed task, information about a damaged or missing label, a failure of the Shelf Label Shuttle (SLS) and after that the ALS computer system communicates with SLS devices in the shop by means of interfaces and sends the information about new tasks to carry out including attaching and /or printing a new label, preferably on selected shelves and/or goods in the shop as well as stock control by reading the tag on the label and/or reading a chip incorporated into a product/goods preferably an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag, wherein the ALS computer system sends, transmits and receives data from Electronic Shelf Labels (ESL) and the Shelf Label Shuttle (ESL) by issuing and monitoring the execution of commands.
  • ESL Electronic Shelf Labels
  • ESL Electronic Shelf Label Shuttle
  • the ALS Label Rail is a rail mounted on and/or in the vicinity of a shop shelf, a rack, a platform or a display area of goods and may optionally comprise a lift enabling vertical and optionally horizontal movement on a guide/rail/ strip along shelves/racks/platforms.
  • the ALS Label Rail (ALR) enables movement of the Shelf Label Shuttle (SLS).
  • the system according to the invention can operate in several modes - automatic mode, automatic hybrid mode, semi-automatic mode, semi-automatic hybrid mode, manual mode depending on the size and type of a shop.
  • each product has its own shelf label (ASL) and its own location on the shelf/rail (ALR) with a permanently mounted thereon single SLS module.
  • the system can automatically print, attach, replace and monitor all labels in the shop.
  • ESL Electronic Shelf Labels
  • the manual mode is applied in shops with no shelves with dedicated SLS and all labels are edited and controlled by SLS which is manually attached to the label rail (ALR).
  • the advantage of the system according to the invention is fully controlled by the system automatic/ semi-automatic or manual printing and attaching or changing new labels on a shelf/shelves, racks, platforms whose location may be downloaded from the shop database, Automatic Labelling System (ALS) or locally determined by interaction with the personnel, saved and sent to the ALS and the shop database.
  • ALS Automatic Labelling System
  • system according to the invention enables remote planning the operation of label changing and monitoring the progress thereof, depending on the selected mode - manual, semi-automatic or fully automatic management of the label changing operation.
  • the system according to the invention is a compromise between cost and effectiveness. It ensures automatic, semi-automatic or manual identification of the sought position, printing a new label, changing or overwriting thereof and transmitting to the system the status of the task. The system enables verification of all labels within the system.
  • the device is capable of providing colorful labels with arbitrary graphical marketing elements such as: 'promotion', 'discount', festive symbols (a Christmas tree, Santa Claus, an Easter egg), seasonal colours i.e. green-spring, gold-autumn.
  • SLS Shelf Label Shuttle
  • the invention may be applied depending on the selected option in middle-sized and large shops as well as small 'corner' shops.
  • the cost of such a solution is significantly lower than the cost of the automatic system based on electronically controlled screens ESL, which may lead to a conclusion that it will be a commonly applied system.
  • the market for the system according to the invention will be worldwide due to the flexibility and unique features thereof.
  • fig. 1 is the structure of the Automatic Labelling System (ALS)
  • fig.2 shows the structure of the Shelf Label Shuttle (SLS) for direct printing
  • fig.3 shows the structure of the Shelf Label Shuttle (SLS) for indirect printing
  • fig. 4 shows the schematic structure of the operator console
  • fig. 5 shows version 1 of attachment of SLS to a shop shelf
  • fig. 6 shows version 2 of attachment of SLS to a shop shelf
  • fig. 7 shows version 3 of attachment of SLS to a shop shelf
  • fig.8 shows a version of attachment SLS to a shop shelf where a diagonal movement from one shelf to another is applied instead of a lift.
  • the management system is characterised by that the database 1 is connected to and bi-directionally exchanges data with the computer system of Automatic Labelling System (ALS) 2, to which at least one Electronic Shelf Label (ESL) 3 is attached, at least one ALS Label Rail 4, onto which, at least one Shelf Label Shuttle (SLS) 5 is mounted, preferably in a movable manner, for automatic attaching and/or printing labels preferably on shelves and/or goods, wherein ALS Label Rails 4 are attached to shop shelves 14.
  • ALS Automatic Labelling System
  • ESLS Shelf Label Shuttle
  • Controlling the ALS consists in that, depending on the selected mode, the ALS 2 communicates (wirelessly or by wire) with a shop database 1 and downloads data concerning products and their position in the shop and downloads data concerning changes in product labels and sends to the shop database 1 useful data, preferably such as: status of the executed task, notification about a aamagea or missing label, a failure of the Shelf Label Shuttle (SLS) 5, wherein the computer system ALS 2_ communicates with SLS devices in the shop and sends them information about new tasks to perform, including attaching and/or printing new labels, preferably on selected shelves and/or goods in the shop as well as stock control by means of scanning tags on the labels and/or scanning microchips attached to products/goods, preferably an RFID tag.
  • SLS Shelf Label Shuttle
  • the SLS has a direct ( on-line ) interface with the system and the ability to move along the shelf 8 with the use of ALR rails 4 in order to locate the selected position and subsequently print or edit information within the system.
  • Printing takes place directly on a carrier attached to ALR.
  • the Shelf Label Shuttle (SLS) 5 allows to erase a part or the whole of the printed information.
  • the information may relate to a product (a conventional product label) and also other information for the personnel or a consumer.
  • ALS Automatic Labelling System
  • ALS 2 Automatic Labelling System 2 connects bi-directionally (by wire) with the shop database 1 and exchanges data in SQL standard by TCP/IP protocol,
  • ALS Automatic Labelling System
  • SLS Shelf Label Shuttles
  • ALS Automatic Labelling System
  • ESL Electronic Shelf Labels
  • the Shelf Label Shuttle (SLS) 5 in the direct version comprises a rechargeable battery as a power supply module 16, a barcode scanner as a verification module 18 for checking the position and correctness of information on a label, an optical sensor as a positioning module 19, and a proximity sensor is applied as a safety module.
  • the main module 17 comprises interconnected and mutually communicating sub-modules:
  • an inkjet printer is used as a label printing sub-module 20
  • a module which deletes the previous information from a label with the use of an erase tape is used as an erase sub- module 21
  • an LCD display is used as a user interface sub-module 22
  • processors and microchips are applies as control electronics 24, a stepper motor is used as a motion sub- module 23 .
  • Each rack 8 has a dedicated Shelf LaDei snuuie ⁇ L ⁇ ; a.
  • SLS Shelf Label Shuttle
  • the Shelf Label Shuttle (SLS) 5 uses a lift to move between levels/ ALR rails 4.
  • the lift is permanently mounted on a rack 8 and cannot move horizontally.
  • the rack 8 is divided vertically into two parts - left and right.
  • the left part and the right part differ in terms of heights on which shelves/ALR rails 4_are mounted on each level. All levels of shelves for a given part are mounted at the same height.
  • the Shelf Label Shuttle (SLS) 5 uses a lift to move between the levels/ALR rails 4 in the left and the right part.
  • the lift is permanently mounted on the rack 8 in the place between the left part and the right part and cannot move horizontally.
  • the rack 8_ may be arbitrarily divided and the heights of shelves on each level may be arbitrary.
  • the Shelf Label Shuttle (SLS) 5 is permanently attached to the lift. The lift can move between shelves/ALR rails 4 , both horizontally and vertically.
  • the Shelf Label Shuttle (SLS) 5 waits at the docking station until it receives a command.
  • the docking station features sockets for connecting with the Automatic Labeling System (ASL) 2 and for charging the SLS battery.
  • ASL Automatic Labeling System
  • SLS 5 Upon reception of command to edit labels SLS 5 immediately starts printing new labels in a sequence determined by the ASL 2 resulting from optimum movement of the SLS 5. Editing is performed by affixing a new label on an old label.
  • the SLS 5 determines the position of the labels to be edited, checks whether the positions are correct and attaches the printed labels with the use of ALR rails 4, guides and lifts.
  • the SLS 5 Upon reception of a command from the ALS computer system 2 to monitor the presence of labels, the SLS 5 moves along the defined shelves/ALR rails 4 and scans the subsequent labels by recording their position and unique number which enables reading their content in the system. After reading the labels the SLS 5 returns to the docking station where it sends the data to the ASL 2_for analysis. In case of discrepancies (missing labels, wrong position, wrong content) the ASL 2 sends to the SLS 5 a command to edit said labels in order to achieve conformity.
  • the SLS 5 downloads the parameters of a position of the sought item from the ASL 2 and moves towards that position. Once it has been determined, the SLS shows on the display/ user interface module 18 the completion of the task. The personnel confirm the completion of the task by pressing the button on the user interface module 18 of the SLS 5 and the SLS 5 moves back to the docking station.
  • the SLS 5 Upon reception from the ASL 2 a command to determine the position of label on the rack, the SLS 5 moves to the front of the rack/ ALR 4 onto which the label should be affixed and waits for the personnel. It switches into the manual mode. In said mode the personnel use the display and the keypad/user interface module 18 of the SLS 5 to define the shelf/ALR rail 4 towards which the SLS 5 should move. After the shelf/ALR rail 4 has been determined, it is possible to manually move the SLS 5 to the selected position, after the position has been confirmed by the personnel, the SLS 5 scans the barcode, prints and affixes the label to the determined place. The action may be repeated until the task is completed and then the personnel send the SLS 5 to the docking station, from where data is send to the ALS 2 and from the ALS 2 and then the parameters of the edited or added labels are sent to the shop database 1.
  • the SLS 5 Upon reception from the ALS 2 a command to support the stock control, the SLS 5 downloads a list of stock items to control with the optimum route, moves towards the first label from the inventory list, signals being in the stand-by modes and waits for the personnel. The personnel counts the stock items by scanning with a portable scanner connected to the SLS 5 and upon completion of the task it confirms the ready mode via the user interface module 18, the SLS 5 moves towards the next position until stock control is complete. After returning to the docking station the SLS 5 transfers the list of counted items to the ALS 2 which in turn transfers it to the shop database 1.
  • the SLS 5 has access to the Internet and/or the shop database 1 and thus the device does not need to return to the docking station, and the communication with the shop database 1 takes place in real time via the ALS 2 .
  • Elements of the ALS (features and structure) are: 1. Shelf Label Shuttle ( SLS) 5
  • the Shelf Label Shuttle (SLS) 5 comprises interconnected and cooperating and communicating /exchanging data function modules:
  • a power supply module 16 rechargeable battery, battery, direct current power supply, alternating current power supply, power supply from the Label Rail (ARL) or induction power supply
  • a verification module 18 (a barcode scanner, an RFID sensor, an infrared scanner, a camera with the feature of picture processing and identification, a chip, a magnetic strip and a diode counting bars in a barcode in motion or a laser interferential measurement),
  • a safety module 26 proximity sensors, contact and touch sensors, optical sensors, capacity sensors, capacitive sensors, overload sensors and other types of sensors
  • a positioning module 19 an optical sensor, an induction sensor, an infrared sensor, an ultraviolet sensor and encoders.
  • the whole structure is connected with a running gear 15 moving on the rail (ALR) 4.
  • All modules are connected with the main module 17 by means of a busbar by wire or wirelessly (current/voltage inputs/outputs or via interfaces).
  • the structure of the main module 17 depends on the version of the SLS.
  • the Shelf Label Shuttle (SLS) depending on the selected version and technical capacity may occur in two versions:
  • the SLS 5 features an direct ( on-line ) interface with the ALS 2 and the ability to move on a rack with the use of a system of the rails (ALR) 4 in order to find the defined position and printing or editing data defined in the system.
  • ASL labels 12 occurs directly on a carrier mounted on the ALR 4.
  • the method enables erasing a part or the whole label.
  • the data may concern the product (a conventional printed label), but also other information for the personnel or a consumer.
  • the main module 17 in the direct version comprises: • a printing sub-module 20 laser printer, a thermal printer, a thermal transfer printer, a needle printer, a laser head for printing on photosensitive materials and other types of printers) for printing the required label,
  • a motion sub-module 23 an induction motor including an inverter and/or without an inverter, a stepper motor, a linear motor, a piezoelectric motor, and a servo drive with a DC, BLDC, AC motor) for moving the device along and between shelves on the ALR profile 4,
  • control electronics 24 ensuring work in the on-line and off-line mode with a connection enabling communication with the ALS 2
  • a user interface sub-module 22 a LED display, an LCD display, including contact and/or contactless displays, a plasma display including a contact and/or contactless display, diodes and lights
  • a portable operator device a palmtop , a mobile phone, a tablet etc.
  • the Shelf Label Shuttle (SLS) in the direct printing version enables :
  • FIG.3 An indirect (Fig.3) version in which labels are printed onto special ASL labels 12 and mounted on the ALS label rail (ALR) 4.
  • the SLS 5 optionally features a direct or indirect (via the operator terminal) interface with the system and the ability to move along a rack/shelf with the use of ALR rails 4 in order to locate a defined position and affix or exchange a label ASL 12 prepared by a printer located at the operator station and loaded into a container 25 of the SLS 5.
  • the main module 17 in the indirect version comprises :
  • control electronics which ensures work in both direct and indirect mode with a connection enabling communication with the ALS 2
  • a user interface sub-module 22 a LED display, an LCD display, including contact and/or contactless displays, a plasma display including a contact and/or contactless display, diodes and lights
  • a portable operator device a palmtop , a mobile phone, a tablet etc.
  • the Shelf Label Shuttle (SLS) 5 comprises a label container 25 (new and used).
  • the SLS 5 in the indirect printing version enables :
  • the Shelf Label Shuttle (SLS) 5 in both versions may be attached to each shelf/rack (the ability to operate multi-level racks) in middle-size and large shops or moved/transported by the personnel by means of an operator station and attached by personnel on a selected shelf/rack in semi-automatic or manual mode. If the SLS 5 is attached manually, said device always verifies the correctness of the shelf/ rack onto which it was attached.
  • the device is in a series of types which enables the selection of an optimum size of the label depending on the shop characteristics.
  • SLS Shelf Label Shuttle
  • the mounting rail for mounting labels is one of the main elements of the system.
  • the basic features thereof are:
  • the identifier should be read by the standard device of the SLS 5_module,
  • Operator console 10 mobile operator terminal
  • the operator console (Fig. 4) is a kind of a mobile operator terminal.
  • a device which - in connection with the system - will:
  • the ASL shelf label 12 is the main element of the system. It is characterised by a unique number which allows to identify it in the ALS system 2.
  • the Shelf Label Shuttle (SLS) 5 it is available in two versions: • the Shelf Label Shuttle (SLS) 5 in the direct printing version comprises a print sub- module 20 and an erase sub-module 21 by means of which it prints/erases the ASL label 12 directly on a carrier permanently mounted on the Label rail ALR 4.
  • the basic features of the carrier are:
  • the software for the whole system according to the network topology shown in Fig.l may be divided into the following elements: application software of the ALS 2, application software of the operator console 10, software for operating electronics (BIOS) for the SLS 5, software for implementation of the algorithm for controlling movement and replacement of labels for the SLS 5.
  • the prepared and sorted data sent to the SLS 5 are implemented according to step algorithms (Fig. 9, 10).

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Abstract

A management system in particular for product labels at a storage or display location of goods using a database and management software, labels and shelves with goods characterised in that the (shop) database 1 is connected and bi-directionally exchanges data with a computer system ALS 2, to which at least one Electronic Shelf Label (ESL) 3 is attached, at least one ALS Label Rail 4, onto which preferably at least one Shelf Label Shuttle (SLS) for automatic attaching and/or printing labels preferably on shelves and/or goods is movably mounted, wherein the ALS rails 4 are mounted onto shelves 14 of shop racks 8. The method of controlling the ALS system consists in that a work mode is selected and the ALS 2 communicates with the (shop) database 1, from which it downloads information about products, the position thereof, changes in product labels and to which useful information is sent, preferably such as: the status of the executed task, information about a damaged or missing label, a failure of the SLS 5, and then the ALS 2 communicates via interfaces 13 with the SLS devices 5 distributed in the shop and sends them information about new tasks to perform including attaching and/or printing new labels preferably on selected shelves and/or goods in the shop as well as stock control by reading a tag on the label and/or reading a incorporated microchip in a product/goods preferably an RFID tag Radio-Frequency IDentification, wherein the ALS 2 communicates, sends and receives data from elements of the ESL 3 and the SLS devices 5 by issuing and monitoring the issued commands.

Description

MANAGING SYSTEM, IN PARTICULAR FOR GOODS LABELS IN PLACE OF STORAGE OR EXPOSITION OF GOODS AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING OF SUCH SYSTEM
The subject of the invention is a management system in particular for product labels at a storage or display location of goods and a method of controlling the system also called ALS - Automatic Labelling System.
Labelling is an important element of a sales system in shops, beginning with small local shops, supermarkets and also for hypermarkets. The laws whose aim is to protect consumers speak about the obligation to provide consumers with clear and reliable information about products displayed for sale and those which are in the shop. The most important pieces of information for a consumer are the name of the product, price, producer and expiry date. The generally applied system for providing consumers with information encompasses, for example, labelling each product with an individual label containing the above mentioned information and an individual barcode to unambiguously identify the product in the system as well as labelling the shelf on which the product is displayed. The system also comprises barcode scanners which enable consumers to identify a product and compare the price on the label with the price registered in the sales system which is the actual price of the product at the till.
A shop owner is responsible for unambiguous and error-free labelling of the products in his/her shop.
It is common for owners of especially large trade organizations to change prices frequently as part of their marketing strategy and shop advertising. Prices are changed for a limited period of time and thus laws concerning providing consumers with reliable information about the price may be infringed.
Labelling individual packaging with a price labeller, which prints and sticks a price label onto a producer packaging, is common. A producer packaging usually contains other required information about the product.
However, when shelves are labelled, product labels are printed at the back of a shop and then the shop staff place them in special label carriers mounted on a shelf or adhere them directly to an element of a shelf. Moreover, electronic labels are also applied in the form of display screens showing the inTormation aoout a product sent electronically from the sales management system.
The Polish patent description no 178969 discloses a labelling machine for industrial remote mass-labelling of packages of different sizes and shapes comprising a drive unit for driving the machine and unfolding a roll of labels and which incorporates an extraction and blowing system for labels and has blowing nozzles.
The Polish patent description no 195517 discloses a label dispenser which incorporates a body supporting a label carrier holding a label continuum in the form of a roll comprising a mounting sheet of temporarily stacked printed labels, wherein the body has a sliding support element with a rotationally mounted mandrel and a rotationally mounted turn pin connected by means of a reduction gear unit with a motor on the body characterised in that between the system to detect clearance of the mounting sheet and the motor there is a control system.
Another Polish patent description no 199502 discloses a printing device for printing labels removably affixed to a carrier strip, in particular for goods labels comprising at least two label feed devices which incorporate a wiper head and at least one printer with at least one printing head for printing the label, wherein at least two label feed devices and at least one printer in the working mode are affixed permanently. The wiper heads of at least two label feed devices correspond with one shared conveyor device which conveys a label peeled off at a wiper head to at least one printer.
Furthermore, the Polish patent description no no 203214 discloses a flexible electronic label which has at least one built-in microchip.
The Polish patent description no 207114 discloses a labelling machine especially for labelling food packaging, characterised in that it comprises a measurement and control system which determines a time limit for each product to be labelled, which time is used for printing the subsequently applied label with taking into account the work time of the working unit (units) and the printer is controlled depending on the time available for printing, wherein the label is printed within this time at the matching printing speed which is as low as possible. Moreover, the machine comprises at least one working unit having at least one sensor which detects the incoming object for labelling. The European patent description no EP 1409350 discloses a label printer, characterised in that it comprises a strip assembly and a print head for printing labels.
The aim of the present invention is to devise a new shelf label management system which incorporates automation of the shelf labelling. The currently applied systems use preprinted labels, which is time-consuming and significantly error-prone and each price change entails locating the right shelf or position which are often very similar. Electronic labels are free from such drawbacks, however, they are costly, require regular battery replacement and are often vandalised. These are insurmountable obstacles for large and middle-sized shops whose stock is tens of thousands of products.
The system according to the invention is characterised in that the (shop) database is connected and data is mutually exchanged with the ALS computer system which has at least one Electronic Shelf Label (ESL), at least one ALS Label Rail with preferably at least one movably mounted SLS - Shelf Label Shuttle for automatic attaching and/or printing of labels, preferably on shelves and/or goods, wherein the ALS Label Rails are mounted on the shelves of shop racks.
The ALS computer system comprises an application, a graphic editor, a server and an internal database.
The Electronic Shelf Label (ESL) may comprise an additional tag in the form of an RFID - Radio-Frequency Identification or a microchip.
The ALS Label Rail is mounted on a shelf and has a lift for moving horizontally, vertically and diagonally on the rail along the shelves of the Shelf Label Shuttle (SLS).
The Shelf Label Shuttle (SLS) comprises interconnected and cooperating function modules which means a power supply module connected to the main module which in turn is connected to a verification module and the verification module is connected to a positioning module which features a safety module at the output, wherein the function modules and preferably the main module is movably mounted on a running gear preferably mounted on a shop shelf, wherein the main module comprises interconnected and cooperating sub-modules which means control electronics connected to the motion sub- module, the user interface sub-module, the erase sub-module and the printing sub-module.
The Shelf Label Shuttle (SLS) for the indirect mode of the system operation additionally comprises a label container ALS preferably mounted behind the power supply module and in the place of the erase module and tne printing module there is the erase module connected to the control electronics.
The main module for the intermediate version of the system comprises interconnected and cooperating sub-modules which are the control electronics connected to the motion sub-module, the user interface sub-module and the data exchange sub-module.
The system also incorporates an operator console in the form of a mobile terminal used for the semi-automatic mode and for the Shelf Label Shuttle (SLS) in the version with printing.
The method of controlling the ALS management system consists in selecting a work mode and the computer system ALS communicates with a (shop) database from which it downloads information about products and the location thereof, about changes of the product labels and to which it sends useful information, preferably such as: the status of the executed task, information about a damaged or missing label, a failure of the Shelf Label Shuttle (SLS) and after that the ALS computer system communicates with SLS devices in the shop by means of interfaces and sends the information about new tasks to carry out including attaching and /or printing a new label, preferably on selected shelves and/or goods in the shop as well as stock control by reading the tag on the label and/or reading a chip incorporated into a product/goods preferably an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag, wherein the ALS computer system sends, transmits and receives data from Electronic Shelf Labels (ESL) and the Shelf Label Shuttle (ESL) by issuing and monitoring the execution of commands.
The ALS Label Rail is a rail mounted on and/or in the vicinity of a shop shelf, a rack, a platform or a display area of goods and may optionally comprise a lift enabling vertical and optionally horizontal movement on a guide/rail/ strip along shelves/racks/platforms. The ALS Label Rail (ALR) enables movement of the Shelf Label Shuttle (SLS).
The system according to the invention can operate in several modes - automatic mode, automatic hybrid mode, semi-automatic mode, semi-automatic hybrid mode, manual mode depending on the size and type of a shop.
In the automatic mode each product has its own shelf label (ASL) and its own location on the shelf/rail (ALR) with a permanently mounted thereon single SLS module. The system can automatically print, attach, replace and monitor all labels in the shop. In the automatic hybrid mode some products due to technical/economic reasons are beyond reach of the SLS module and for such products ESL (Electronic Shelf Labels) are applied, wherein the ESL are connected to the system by means of an interface and/or 'manually' printed and affixed ASL labels.
In the semi-automatic mode all shelves are within the reach of the SLS, however, due to economic reasons resulting from the shop layout it is ineffective to equip each shelf with a dedicated SLS and in such cases personnel attach the module to consecutive shelves/racks/ALR rails based on the commands of the SLS graphical interface.
In the semi-automatic hybrid mode as in the semi-automatic mode there is a group of goods which need to be 'distinguished' by a separate ESL or a manually printed label due to marketing reasons or the shop layout.
The manual mode is applied in shops with no shelves with dedicated SLS and all labels are edited and controlled by SLS which is manually attached to the label rail (ALR).
The advantage of the system according to the invention is fully controlled by the system automatic/ semi-automatic or manual printing and attaching or changing new labels on a shelf/shelves, racks, platforms whose location may be downloaded from the shop database, Automatic Labelling System (ALS) or locally determined by interaction with the personnel, saved and sent to the ALS and the shop database.
Furthermore, the system according to the invention enables remote planning the operation of label changing and monitoring the progress thereof, depending on the selected mode - manual, semi-automatic or fully automatic management of the label changing operation.
The system according to the invention is a compromise between cost and effectiveness. It ensures automatic, semi-automatic or manual identification of the sought position, printing a new label, changing or overwriting thereof and transmitting to the system the status of the task. The system enables verification of all labels within the system.
Another important advantage is also the aesthetic quality of the labels printed/provided by the system according to the invention via the SLS which is the same or significantly better than the quality currently obtained. What is more, the device is capable of providing colourful labels with arbitrary graphical marketing elements such as: 'promotion', 'discount', festive symbols (a Christmas tree, Santa Claus, an Easter egg), seasonal colours i.e. green-spring, gold-autumn.
An interesting feature of the system according to the invention is the ability of the Shelf Label Shuttle (SLS) to carry out automatic stock control which is performed by direct scanning of microchips attached to the goods on the shelves, in particular RFID tags.
The invention may be applied depending on the selected option in middle-sized and large shops as well as small 'corner' shops. The cost of such a solution is significantly lower than the cost of the automatic system based on electronically controlled screens ESL, which may lead to a conclusion that it will be a commonly applied system. The market for the system according to the invention will be worldwide due to the flexibility and unique features thereof.
The subject of the invention is shown in drawings, where fig. 1 is the structure of the Automatic Labelling System (ALS), fig.2 shows the structure of the Shelf Label Shuttle (SLS) for direct printing, fig.3 shows the structure of the Shelf Label Shuttle (SLS) for indirect printing, fig. 4 shows the schematic structure of the operator console, fig. 5 shows version 1 of attachment of SLS to a shop shelf, fig. 6 shows version 2 of attachment of SLS to a shop shelf, fig. 7 shows version 3 of attachment of SLS to a shop shelf, and fig.8 shows a version of attachment SLS to a shop shelf where a diagonal movement from one shelf to another is applied instead of a lift.
The management system according to the invention is characterised by that the database 1 is connected to and bi-directionally exchanges data with the computer system of Automatic Labelling System (ALS) 2, to which at least one Electronic Shelf Label (ESL) 3 is attached, at least one ALS Label Rail 4, onto which, at least one Shelf Label Shuttle (SLS) 5 is mounted, preferably in a movable manner, for automatic attaching and/or printing labels preferably on shelves and/or goods, wherein ALS Label Rails 4 are attached to shop shelves 14.
Controlling the ALS consists in that, depending on the selected mode, the ALS 2 communicates (wirelessly or by wire) with a shop database 1 and downloads data concerning products and their position in the shop and downloads data concerning changes in product labels and sends to the shop database 1 useful data, preferably such as: status of the executed task, notification about a aamagea or missing label, a failure of the Shelf Label Shuttle (SLS) 5, wherein the computer system ALS 2_ communicates with SLS devices in the shop and sends them information about new tasks to perform, including attaching and/or printing new labels, preferably on selected shelves and/or goods in the shop as well as stock control by means of scanning tags on the labels and/or scanning microchips attached to products/goods, preferably an RFID tag.
In one version the SLS has a direct ( on-line ) interface with the system and the ability to move along the shelf 8 with the use of ALR rails 4 in order to locate the selected position and subsequently print or edit information within the system. Printing takes place directly on a carrier attached to ALR. The Shelf Label Shuttle (SLS) 5 allows to erase a part or the whole of the printed information. The information may relate to a product (a conventional product label) and also other information for the personnel or a consumer.
The optimum implementation of the Automatic Labelling System (ALS) 2 (Fig. 1):
• Automatic Labelling System (ALS) 2 connects bi-directionally (by wire) with the shop database 1 and exchanges data in SQL standard by TCP/IP protocol,
• Automatic Labelling System (ALS) 2 connects bi-directionally (wirelessly) with Shelf Label Shuttles (SLS) 5 by TCP/IP protocol,
• Automatic Labelling System (ALS) 2 connects single-directionally (wirelessly) with Electronic Shelf Labels (ESL) 3 by TCP/IP protocol.
An optimum implementation of the Shelf Label Shuttle (SLS) 5 (Fig.2):
The Shelf Label Shuttle (SLS) 5 in the direct version comprises a rechargeable battery as a power supply module 16, a barcode scanner as a verification module 18 for checking the position and correctness of information on a label, an optical sensor as a positioning module 19, and a proximity sensor is applied as a safety module. The main module 17 comprises interconnected and mutually communicating sub-modules:
an inkjet printer is used as a label printing sub-module 20 , a module which deletes the previous information from a label with the use of an erase tape is used as an erase sub- module 21, an LCD display is used as a user interface sub-module 22 , processors and microchips are applies as control electronics 24, a stepper motor is used as a motion sub- module 23 . Each rack 8 has a dedicated Shelf LaDei snuuie ^L^; a.
The movement of the Shelf Label Shuttle (SLS) SLS 5 and movement between shelves 8 at different levels depends on the construction of the shelf 8.
In version 1 (Fig. 5) all shelves/ ALR rails 4 on a given level are at the same height. The Shelf Label Shuttle (SLS) 5 uses a lift to move between levels/ ALR rails 4. The lift is permanently mounted on a rack 8 and cannot move horizontally.
In version 2 (Fig. 6) the rack 8 is divided vertically into two parts - left and right. The left part and the right part differ in terms of heights on which shelves/ALR rails 4_are mounted on each level. All levels of shelves for a given part are mounted at the same height. The Shelf Label Shuttle (SLS) 5 uses a lift to move between the levels/ALR rails 4 in the left and the right part. The lift is permanently mounted on the rack 8 in the place between the left part and the right part and cannot move horizontally.
In version 3 (Fig. 7) the rack 8_ may be arbitrarily divided and the heights of shelves on each level may be arbitrary. The Shelf Label Shuttle (SLS) 5 is permanently attached to the lift. The lift can move between shelves/ALR rails 4 , both horizontally and vertically.
The Shelf Label Shuttle (SLS) 5 waits at the docking station until it receives a command. The docking station features sockets for connecting with the Automatic Labeling System (ASL) 2 and for charging the SLS battery. Upon reception of command to edit labels SLS 5 immediately starts printing new labels in a sequence determined by the ASL 2 resulting from optimum movement of the SLS 5. Editing is performed by affixing a new label on an old label. The SLS 5 determines the position of the labels to be edited, checks whether the positions are correct and attaches the printed labels with the use of ALR rails 4, guides and lifts.
Upon reception of a command from the ALS computer system 2 to monitor the presence of labels, the SLS 5 moves along the defined shelves/ALR rails 4 and scans the subsequent labels by recording their position and unique number which enables reading their content in the system. After reading the labels the SLS 5 returns to the docking station where it sends the data to the ASL 2_for analysis. In case of discrepancies (missing labels, wrong position, wrong content) the ASL 2 sends to the SLS 5 a command to edit said labels in order to achieve conformity. Upon reception of a command from the ASL system 2 to determine the position of a label, the SLS 5 downloads the parameters of a position of the sought item from the ASL 2 and moves towards that position. Once it has been determined, the SLS shows on the display/ user interface module 18 the completion of the task. The personnel confirm the completion of the task by pressing the button on the user interface module 18 of the SLS 5 and the SLS 5 moves back to the docking station.
Upon reception from the ASL 2 a command to determine the position of label on the rack, the SLS 5 moves to the front of the rack/ ALR 4 onto which the label should be affixed and waits for the personnel. It switches into the manual mode. In said mode the personnel use the display and the keypad/user interface module 18 of the SLS 5 to define the shelf/ALR rail 4 towards which the SLS 5 should move. After the shelf/ALR rail 4 has been determined, it is possible to manually move the SLS 5 to the selected position, after the position has been confirmed by the personnel, the SLS 5 scans the barcode, prints and affixes the label to the determined place. The action may be repeated until the task is completed and then the personnel send the SLS 5 to the docking station, from where data is send to the ALS 2 and from the ALS 2 and then the parameters of the edited or added labels are sent to the shop database 1.
Upon reception from the ALS 2 a command to support the stock control, the SLS 5 downloads a list of stock items to control with the optimum route, moves towards the first label from the inventory list, signals being in the stand-by modes and waits for the personnel. The personnel counts the stock items by scanning with a portable scanner connected to the SLS 5 and upon completion of the task it confirms the ready mode via the user interface module 18, the SLS 5 moves towards the next position until stock control is complete. After returning to the docking station the SLS 5 transfers the list of counted items to the ALS 2 which in turn transfers it to the shop database 1. In the on-line option the SLS 5 has access to the Internet and/or the shop database 1 and thus the device does not need to return to the docking station, and the communication with the shop database 1 takes place in real time via the ALS 2 . Elements of the ALS (features and structure) : 1. Shelf Label Shuttle ( SLS) 5
The Shelf Label Shuttle (SLS) 5 comprises interconnected and cooperating and communicating /exchanging data function modules:
• a power supply module 16 ( rechargeable battery, battery, direct current power supply, alternating current power supply, power supply from the Label Rail (ARL) or induction power supply),
• the main module 17,
© a verification module 18 (a barcode scanner, an RFID sensor, an infrared scanner, a camera with the feature of picture processing and identification, a chip, a magnetic strip and a diode counting bars in a barcode in motion or a laser interferential measurement),
• a safety module 26 (proximity sensors, contact and touch sensors, optical sensors, capacity sensors, capacitive sensors, overload sensors and other types of sensors),
• a positioning module 19 (an optical sensor, an induction sensor, an infrared sensor, an ultraviolet sensor and encoders).
The whole structure is connected with a running gear 15 moving on the rail (ALR) 4. All modules are connected with the main module 17 by means of a busbar by wire or wirelessly (current/voltage inputs/outputs or via interfaces). The structure of the main module 17 depends on the version of the SLS. The Shelf Label Shuttle (SLS) depending on the selected version and technical capacity may occur in two versions:
A direct version (Fig.2) :
In this version the SLS 5 features an direct ( on-line ) interface with the ALS 2 and the ability to move on a rack with the use of a system of the rails (ALR) 4 in order to find the defined position and printing or editing data defined in the system. Printing of the ASL labels 12 occurs directly on a carrier mounted on the ALR 4. The method enables erasing a part or the whole label. The data may concern the product (a conventional printed label), but also other information for the personnel or a consumer.
The main module 17 in the direct version comprises: • a printing sub-module 20 laser printer, a thermal printer, a thermal transfer printer, a needle printer, a laser head for printing on photosensitive materials and other types of printers) for printing the required label,
© an erase sub-module 21 for erasing/deleting a part or the whole of the printed content (an erase tape, a cleaning roll and a cleaning dabber ) depending on the applied technology it may be integrated or separated from the SLS 5,
• a motion sub-module 23 (an induction motor including an inverter and/or without an inverter, a stepper motor, a linear motor, a piezoelectric motor, and a servo drive with a DC, BLDC, AC motor) for moving the device along and between shelves on the ALR profile 4,
• control electronics 24, ensuring work in the on-line and off-line mode with a connection enabling communication with the ALS 2,
• a user interface sub-module 22 (a LED display, an LCD display, including contact and/or contactless displays, a plasma display including a contact and/or contactless display, diodes and lights) for communication with an operator (optional communication with an operator via a portable operator device (a palmtop , a mobile phone, a tablet etc.),
The Shelf Label Shuttle (SLS) in the direct printing version enables :
• downloading the data concerning changes in labelling on the defined shelf/rack from the system ,
• moving along the shelf with position control/ moving across shelves,
• a change in the record on the ALR 4^
• communication with the system,
• monitoring the battery status,
• communication with an operator.
An indirect (Fig.3) version in which labels are printed onto special ASL labels 12 and mounted on the ALS label rail (ALR) 4. In this version the SLS 5 optionally features a direct or indirect (via the operator terminal) interface with the system and the ability to move along a rack/shelf with the use of ALR rails 4 in order to locate a defined position and affix or exchange a label ASL 12 prepared by a printer located at the operator station and loaded into a container 25 of the SLS 5.
The main module 17 in the indirect version comprises :
• a data exchange sub-module 27 - a manipulator for exchanging the ASL labels 12 (new and used) • a motion sub-module 23 (an induction motor including an inverter and/or without an inverter, a stepper motor, a linear motor, a piezoelectric motor, and a servo drive with a DC, BLDC, AC motor) for moving the device along and between shelves on the ALR profile 4,
• control electronics which ensures work in both direct and indirect mode with a connection enabling communication with the ALS 2,
• a user interface sub-module 22 (a LED display, an LCD display, including contact and/or contactless displays, a plasma display including a contact and/or contactless display, diodes and lights) for communication with an operator (optional communication with an operator via a portable operator device (a palmtop , a mobile phone, a tablet etc.),
Additionally, in the direct version the Shelf Label Shuttle (SLS) 5 comprises a label container 25 (new and used). The SLS 5 in the indirect printing version enables :
• loading the container with labels (ASL) 12 prepared by the operator station, removing used labels (ASL) 12 from the container,
• downloading from the system data concerning location of the labels (ASL) 12 to be affixed, moved or replaced,
• moving along a shelf/rack with position control,
• attaching, moving and replacing labels (ASL) 12
• communication with the system,
• monitoring battery status,
• communication with an operator.
The Shelf Label Shuttle (SLS) 5 in both versions may be attached to each shelf/rack (the ability to operate multi-level racks) in middle-size and large shops or moved/transported by the personnel by means of an operator station and attached by personnel on a selected shelf/rack in semi-automatic or manual mode. If the SLS 5 is attached manually, said device always verifies the correctness of the shelf/ rack onto which it was attached.
The device is in a series of types which enables the selection of an optimum size of the label depending on the shop characteristics.
Other features of the Shelf Label Shuttle (SLS) 5 are:
• monitoring the presence of labels,
• determining the position of goods on a rack,
• assisting in the process of label position defining on a rack,
• supporting stock control. 2. The ALR 4 -ALS Label Rail
The mounting rail for mounting labels is one of the main elements of the system. The basic features thereof are:
• the possibility to mount and dismount said rail to/from a shelf/rack in an uncomplicated yet durable manner,
• the possibility to mount said rail on shelves of different lengths,
• optional possibility to move between shelves with the use of a lift or a guide,
• an identifier/tag enabling to unambiguously identify the shelf. The identifier should be read by the standard device of the SLS 5_module,
• the possibility to precisely (+/- 1 cm) position the SLS 5 module with the correction of the position,
• the structure should not block the SLS 5 in case of minor mechanical damage/ the correction of the position should enable correct work in the case of damage of part of position tags,
• should incorporate a series of types of sizes to allow for selection of label size,
• depending on the option:
o for direct printing it allows simple mounting of a print medium,
o for indirect printing the construction thereof allows for uncomplicated mounting and dismounting of the ASL label 12 with simultaneous providing for dismounting without the need for a specialist manipulator.
3. Operator console 10 (mobile operator terminal)
The operator console (Fig. 4) is a kind of a mobile operator terminal. For the semi-automatic mode and for the SLS 5 in the option with indirect printing it is necessary to have a device which - in connection with the system - will:
• send data from the shop database and configure the SLS 5_accordingly for new takes,
• print the ASL labels 12, sort them and place in the container located in the SLS 5,
• constitute a clear interface for the operator via a touch operator panel.
4. ASL Shelf Label 12
The ASL shelf label 12 is the main element of the system. It is characterised by a unique number which allows to identify it in the ALS system 2. Depending on the version of the Shelf Label Shuttle (SLS) 5 it is available in two versions: • the Shelf Label Shuttle (SLS) 5 in the direct printing version comprises a print sub- module 20 and an erase sub-module 21 by means of which it prints/erases the ASL label 12 directly on a carrier permanently mounted on the Label rail ALR 4.
• in the version with the indirect printing the label ASL 12 is first printed on a special carrier. Printing takes place in the operator console 10. Then carriers are sorted and placed in label containers 25 within the SLS 5. The SLS 5 in this version is only used for affixing the pre-printed carriers in the correct positions on the ALR 4 with the use of the exchange sub-module 27.
The basic features of the carrier are:
• durable construction allowing for multiple usage for a wide array of products on the shelf,
• the possibility to easily mount/dismount on/from the ALR rail 4 by means of a manipulator mounted on the SLS 5,
• the possibility to easily and repeatedly print/erase data on each carrier.
5. Software
The software for the whole system according to the network topology shown in Fig.l may be divided into the following elements: application software of the ALS 2, application software of the operator console 10, software for operating electronics (BIOS) for the SLS 5, software for implementation of the algorithm for controlling movement and replacement of labels for the SLS 5. The prepared and sorted data sent to the SLS 5 are implemented according to step algorithms (Fig. 9, 10).
List of references:
1. Database (of a shop)
2. Computer system of Automatic Labelling System -
3. Electronic Shelf Label - ESL
4. ALS Label Rail - ALR
5. Shelf Label Shuttle - SLS
6. Application
7. Graphical editor
8. Server
9. Racks (in a shop)
10. Operator console
11. Internal database
12. ASL Label
13. Interfaces
14. Shelves
15. Running gear
16. Power supply module
17. Main module
18. Verification module
19. Positioning module
20. Print sub-module
21. Erase sub-module
22. User interface sub-module
23. Motion sub-module
24. Control electronics
25. Label container
26. Safety module
27. Exchange sub-module
ALS - Automatic Labelling System - The name of the described system
SLS - Shelf Label Shuttle
ALR - ALS Label Rail
ASL - ALS Shelf Label
ESL - Electronic Shelf Label

Claims

Claims
1. A management system in particular for product labels at a storage or display location of goods which uses a database and management software, labels, and shelves with goods characterised in that the (shop) database 1 is connected and bi-directionally exchanges data with a computer system ALS 2, to which at least one Electronic Shelf Label ESL 3_is connected , at least one ALS Label Rail 4 , onto which at least one Shelf Label Shuttle SLS 5 is mounted, preferably in a movable manner, for automatic attaching and/or printing labels, preferably on shelves and/or goods, wherein the ALS rails 4 are mounted on shelves 14 of racks 8.
2. The system according to claim 1, characterised in that the computer system ALS 2 comprises an application 6, a graphical editor 7, a server 8 and an internal database 10.
3. The system according to claim 1, characterised in that the Electronic Shelf Label ESL may additionally comprise a marker in the form of an electronic RFID tag or a microchip.
4. The system according to claim 1, characterised in that the ALS Label Rail 4 is a rail mounted onto the shop shelf 8 and features a lift to move horizontally, vertically and diagonally on a rail along the shelves of the Shelf Label Shuttle SLS 5.
5. The system according to claim 1, characterised in that the Shelf Label Shuttle SLS 5 comprises interconnected and cooperating function modules which are constituted by a power supply module 16 connected to the main module 17 connected to a verification module 18 and the verification module 18 which is connected to a positioning module 19, which has a safety module 26 at the output, wherein the function modules, preferably the main module 17 is movably mounted on a running gear 15 preferably mounted on a shop shelf 14, wherein the main module 17 comprises interconnected and cooperating sub-modules which are constituted by control electronics 24 connected to a motion sub-module 23, to a user interface sub- module 22, to an erase sub-module 21 and to a print sub-module 20.
6. The system according to claim 5, characterised in that the Shelf Label Shuttle (SLS) for the indirect mode of the system operation additionally comprises a container for ALS labels 21 preferably mounted behind the power supply module 16 and in the place of the erase sub-module 21 and the print sub-module 20 has an erase sub- module 27 connected to the control electronics 24.
7. The system according to claim 5, characterised in that the main module 2 , for the indirect mode of the device, comprises interconnected and cooperating sub-modules constituted by control electronics 12 connected with the motion sub-module 11, with the user interface sub-module 10 and with the exchange sub-module 13.
8. The system according to claim 1, characterised in that it additionally comprises an operator console 9 which is a mobile terminal applied for the semi-automatic mode and for the SLS 5 in the version with printing.
9. The method of controlling the ALS management system characterised in that the work mode is selected and the ALS computer system 2 communicates with the (shop) database 1 from which it downloads information about products and the position thereof, about changes in product labels and to which useful information is sent, preferably such as: status of the executed task, information about a damaged or missing label, a failure of the SLS 5,and then the ALS computer system 2 communicates via interfaces 13 with the SLS devices 5 distributed in a shop and sends to said devices information about new tasks to perform including attaching and/or printing new labels, preferably on selected shelves and/or goods in the shop and stock control carried out by reading a tag on the label and/or reading a microchip incorporated into a product/goods, preferably an RFID - Radio-Frequency Identification tag, wherein the ALS computer system 2 communicates, sends and receives data from elements of Electronic Labels ESL 3 and from the SLS devices 5 by issuing and monitoring the issued commands.
PCT/IB2012/050185 2011-01-14 2012-01-14 Managing system, in particular for goods labels in place of storage or exposition of goods and method of controlling of such system WO2012095825A2 (en)

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