WO2012108829A1

WO2012108829A1 - Storage system

Info

Publication number: WO2012108829A1
Application number: PCT/SE2012/050126
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jan FREDRIKSEN
Original assignee: Frepart Ab
Priority date: 2011-02-10
Filing date: 2012-02-09
Publication date: 2012-08-16
Also published as: SE1150103A1; DE212012000048U1

Abstract

A storage system (1) for storing products for automatic retrieval comprises a transparent storage interface (2) adapted to enable viewing of the products (4) in the storage system, and a dispensing device (6) for dispensing products from the storage system. A positioning device (9a, 9b) is adapted to determine the position of an interaction from a person, such that the person can select a product from the storage system (1) by interacting with an area of the transparent storage interface for selecting a displayed product to be dispensed. A single automated retrieving member (10) is adapted to retrieve at least two different products at different positions. The positioning device and the retrieving member are connected to a control unit (15) adapted to control the retrieving member in response to input from the positioning device, so that the retrieving member can retrieve one of the at least two different products from the storage system. The storage system allows the customer to view the actual products that can be purchased from the storage system at the same time as it provides protection against theft.

Description

STORAGE SYSTEM

TECHNIC ALEELD

[0001] The invention relates generally to a storage system and more particularly to a storage system for storing products of r automatic retrieval. The invention also relates to rmchines and registers comprising such a storage system

BACKGROUND

[0002] Shoplifting and more advanced theft have always been a problem in the retail industry and vendors have always tried to keep products that are valuable and/ or easy to steal either behind a counter, close to the cash registers or in areas where members of the staff are present

[0003] The recent development in the line of products offered by supermarkets has been towards more expensive products that in many instances are easy to steal, due to a small format Examples of such products are tobacco, shaving accessories, batteries and prescription-free drugs. The small and valuable products are very often important sources of income for a supermarket and since the shipping and handling costs of small valuable products are very small in combination with the products consuming very little floor-space, the products tend to be high-margin products.

[0004] The market currently offers storage systems that enable the storage of valuable products in safe locations distanced from the customers. The products are for example accessed through a system in the store providing a representation of the product either as a small plastic card or via an electronic interface. The customer is able to obtain the real product by, in the case with the electronic interface, the electronic interface providing the customer with a receipt that the customer uses at the protected storage area, or in the case with the plastic card, by the customer using the plastic card atthe protected storage area to obtain the purchased product [0005] A key element in selling products in a supermarket is displaying the product in an attractive and accessible way. The hurdle for the customer to purchase a product should be as low as possible since the accessibility of the products is an important factor with a substantial impact on the sales of the particular product Providing a way of ensuring that the customer has easy access to valuable products at the same time as the valuable products are provided with adequate protection against the ft would provide a great benefit

[0006] Restocking and making sure that the products are properly displayed are some of the most time consuming tasks in a supermarket The recent development in shelf systems used in supermarkets has been towards providing shelf systems that automatically optimize the display of products while providing as large storage space as possible, such that the shelves need restocking as seldom as possible.

SUMMARY

[0007] A storage system for storing products for automatic retrieval is provided. The storage system comprises a transparent storage interface adapted to allow viewing of the products (4) in the storage system, and a dispensing device (6) for dispensing products (4) from the storage system, wherein the storage system comprises a positioning device adapted to determine the position of an interaction from a person, such that the person can select a product from the storage system by interacting with an area of the transparent storage interface for selecting a displayed product to be dispensed. The storage system is characterized by a single automated retrieving member adapted to retrieve atleasttwo different pro ducts at different positions from the storage system, and a control unit wherein the positioning device and the single automated retrieving member are connected to the control unit and wherein the control unit is adapted to control the single automated retrieving member in response to input from the positioning device, so that the single automated retrieving member can retrieve one of the atleasttwo different products from the storage system The storage system allows the customer to view the actual products mat can be purchased from the storage system at the same time as it provides protection against theft

[0008] The use of a single automated retrieving member reduces the amount of moving parts in the system which decreases the number of parts which could be malfunctioning and thereby creates a more reliable and easier to maintain system

[0009] According to one embodiment the transparent storage interface is operable for allowing manual access to the stored products, which facilitates restocking.

[00010] According to one embodiment the control unit is furmer adapted to enable the selection of multiple products to be dispensed substantially faster than the dispensing of the products, such that multiple products can be selected without the customer having to wait for the dispensing.

[00011] According to one embodiment the control unit is furmer adapted to monitor the number of products currently in the storage system

[00012] The storage system is for example connected to a register system for use in a store in which case the register system could comprise a dispense area to which the storage system dispenses the pro duct such that the product can be accessed by the customer or a personnel member managing the register system The storage system could furmer be connected to a payment system for receiving payment corresponding to the selected product

[00013] The storage system is in another example connected to a vending machine, in which case the vending machine furmer comprises an automated payment system for receiving payments corresponding to the selected product

[00014] It should be appreciated that any embodiment or feature of an embodiment could be combined in any way if such combination is not clearly contradictory. BRIEF DESCEIPnON OF DRAWINGS

[00016] The embodiments are now described, by way of example, with reference to ti e accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a storage system in a top perspective view. Fig. 2 shows a storage system with tiie positioning devices in a top perspective view.

Fig. 3 shows tiie inside of a storage system in a top perspective view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[00017] The invention will now be described in more detail in respect of preferred embodiments and with reference to tiie accompanying drawings. All examples herein should be seen as par of tiie general description and tiierefore possible to combine in any way in general terms. Again, individual features of tiie various embodiments may be combined or exchanged unless such combination or exchange is clearly

contradictory to tiie overall function of tiie device.

[00018] A storage system for storing products for automatic retrieval is provided. The storage system has a transparent storage interface that allows tiie customer to view the actual products that can be purchased from tiie storage system at tiie same time as it provides protection against tiieft The storage system comprises positioning means able to determine tiie position of an interaction with tiie transparent storage system by tiie customer such that tiie customer pressing or pointing at tiie transparent storage inter- face can be linked to tiie dispensing of a particular product from tiie storage system, i.e. such that tiie customer can select a product to purchase by pressing or pointing at tiie transparent storage interface. The storage system allows tiie producers to display tiie products as they actually appear and facilitates tiie selection process for tiie customer, since tiie product does not need to be represented by a picture or model of tiie product Furthermore, tiie interaction does not need to be coded in accordance with a grid, which is the normal way selection is performed in a vending machine, which reduces the risk of errors.

[00019] The storage system could for example be a partof a cash register, in which case the products could be dispensed such that the person operating the register and/ or the customer can access the product In omer embodiments, the storage system could be a partof an automated vending machine, in which case automated means for payment can be connected to the storage system

[00020] Fig. 1 shows the storage system according to one embodiment The storage system 1 comprises a transparent storage interface 2 in the form of a window 2 adapted to enable viewing of the products 4 in the storage system 1. The products 4 are placed on shelves 3 which could be partof a shelf system mat enables automatic feeding of the products 4 in the storage system 1. An optical marker, such as a barcode or smartcode, could be placed atthe frontof the shelf 3 indicating what products 4 are placed on the shelf and enabling the system to automatically be updated when new products are added and/ or old products are removed and/ or products are relocated within the storage system 1.

[00021] The storage system 1 further comprises a positioning device adapted to determine the position of an interaction by a person with the transparent storage interface 2, such mat the person can select a product from the storage system 1 by interacting with an area of the transparent storage interface 2. The transparent storage interface displays a plurality of different pro ducts 4 behind the same transparent storage interface which creates the impression that the products 4 are displayed in the same way as products are displayed on normal shelves of a store. The storage system 1 further comprises a dispensing device 6 for dispensing products from the storage system to a dispensing area 7.

[00022] Fig. 2 discloses an embodiment in which me transparent storage interface 2 is operable for allowing manual access to the stored products 4. Manual access is in particular required for easy restocking of tiie shelves 3 of tiie storage system 1. The transparent storage interface 2 is operable by means of tiie storage interface being slidably fixated to rails 8 on tiie left and right side of tiie storage system 1,

respectively. The operation of tiie transparent storage interface 2 could be performed by means of a powered device, such as an electric motor, or by means of manual force in which case tiie transparent storage interface 2 can be manually slid. Since tiie transparent storage interface slides on tiie inside of tiie outer housing of tiie storage system 1, tiie products 4 can be accessed and tiie storage system 1 be restocked without the need for large floor space, i.e. tiie storage system provides good protection of tiie products 4 whilst having a compact format suitable for most locations. The operable transparent storage interface 2 could further comprise a lock such that a key is required for accessing tiie products 4 in tiie storage system 1.

[00023] The storage system 1 according to any one of Figs. 1 - 3, further comprises a positioning device comprising a first 9a and second 9b sensing element adapted to sense the presence of tiie person's hand in a first and second axis, respectively, and tiiereby determine tiie position of tiie interaction from the person. The sensing elements 9a, 9b could for example comprise IR sensing elements projecting a plurality of IRrays across tiie transparent storage interface 2 such that tiie position of a customer's hand in relation to tiie products 4 seen through tiie transparent storage interface 2 can be determined by the person's hand crossing tiie IRrays. An advantage with using IR sensing elements is that the transparent storage interface 2 could be a normal sheet of glass, or a transparent material providing extended protection, such as layers of glass sandwiched with for example polycarbonate materials such as Armormax, Makro- clear, Cyrolon, Iexan or Tuffak. Rx>viding a passive sheet of glass facilitates cleaning of the transparent storage interface since the glass is not damaged by water or detergents. la alternative embodiments, tiie IR sensing elements could be replaced by tiie transparent storage interface 2 being touch sensitive, having tiie same purpose of determining the position of the customer's hand in relation to the products in the storage system 1.

[00024] Fig. 3 shows the storage system 1 disclosed with reference to Figs. 1 and 2. In Fig. 3 a single automated retrieving member 10 adapted to retrieve the products 4 from the storage system 1 is shown. The single automated retrieving member 10 is movable along an X axis and a Y axis and is adapted to retrieve products 4 from all shelf-positions in the storage system. The single automated retrieving member 10 is slidably fixated to a first transversal beam 11 and fixedly fixated to a drive belt 13 propelled by a first motor 12a enabling the positioning of the retiieving member 10 along the X-axis. The first transversal beam 11 is in turn slidably fixated to a right and left second beams 14 and fixedly fixated to drive belts 13 propelled by interconnected electric motors 12b enabling the positioning of the retrieving member 10 along the Y- axis. Since the single automated retrieving member 10 is adapted to retrieve the products 4 from passive shelves 3, the shelves 3 do not need to have any moving parts. Shelves having no moving parts facilitate restocking and decrease the number of parts which could be malfunctioning and thereby create a more reliable and easier to maintain system.

[00025] According to one embodiment the retrieving member 10 is completely passive and by its shape enables the retrieving of products 4 from all storage positions on the shelves 3 such that the selected products 4 can be retrieved using only two electrical motors which significantly reduces complexify and thereby the cost of maintenance.

[00026] The storage system 1 further comprises a control unit 15 to which the single automated retrieving member 10 and the positioning device are connected. The control unit 15 is able to interact with the positioning device (9a; 9b of fig. 2) and the retrieving member 10, such thatthe control unit 15 can control the single automated retrieving member 10 in response to input from the positioning device 9a; 9b. [00027] According to one embodiment the control unit 15 could further be adapted to enable the selection of multiple products to be dispensed substantially faster than the dispensing of the products, i.e., the selections made by the customer interacting with the transparent storage interface is stored in the memory of the control unit 15. The control unit then sequentially requests the retrieving member 10 to retrieve and dispense the selected products via the dispensing device 6. B enabling the customer to make several product choices the customer does not have to wait for a product to be dispensed before selecting the next product The multiple choice scheme makes the shopping experience to a greater extends resemble the manual shopping of products.

[00028] According to one embodiment the control unit 15 is further adapted to monitor the number of products 4 currently in the storage system 1. The monitored information can be used for notifying the pro duct distributer of when restocking is necessary by the control unit 15 being connected to a central unit or wirelessly connected to a mobile network. The monitored information could furthermore provide statistics on the purchase frequency of particular products or particular positions on the shelves 3, such that the storage system 1 could be modified in response to information with regards to historical purchase patterns of customers.

[00029] According to one embodiment the storage system 1, according to any of the embodiments herein, is part of a register system for use in a store. The dispense area 7 of the storage system 1 could be a dispense area 7 in which the product can be accessed by the person purchasing the product and/ or a personnel member managing the register system.

[00030] According to one embodiment the storage system 1 comprises a shelf system that enables automatic feeding of the products 4 in the storage system 1. The automatic feeding is enabled by means of for example a spring loaded pushing member mounted in the rear of the storage system 1 or by means of gravity. An optical marker, such as a barcode or smartcode, could be placed atthe frontof the shelf 3 indicating tiie product and enabling tiie system to be automatically updated when new products are added and/ or old products are removed and/ or products are relocated within tiie storage system 1. An optical marker could furflier be placed on the feeding device 31 enabling tiie system to automatically detect when tiie storage system 1 runs outof a particular product 4.

[00031] According to one embodiment tiie storage system is adapted to be owned and managed by tiie distributer of tiie products 4 placed in tiie storage system 1. la embodiments where tiie distributer owns and manages tiie storage system 1, tiie storage system 1 could be configured such that only tiie distributer of tiie products 4 could manage tiie storage system 1.

[00032] It should be appreciated that in the detailed description above any embodiment or feature of an embodiment could be combined in any way if such combination is not clearly contradictory.

Claims

CIA S

1. A storage system for storing products for automatic retrieval, ti e storage system (1) comprising:

a transparent storage interface (2) adapted to allow viewing of ti e products (4) in tiie storage system (1), and

a dispensing device (6) for dispensing products (4) from tiie storage system (1), wherein

tiie storage system (1) comprises a positioning device (9a; 9b) adapted to determine tiie position of an interaction from a person, such tiiattiie person can select a product (4) from tiie storage system (1) by interacting with an area of tiie transparent storage interface (2) for selecting a displayed product(4) to be dispensed,

characterized by

a single automated retrieving member (10) adapted to retrieve at least two different pro ducts (4) at different positions from the storage system (1), and a control unit (15), wherein tiie positioning device (9a, 9b) and tiie single automated retrieving member (10) are connected to tiie control unit (15), and wherein tiie control unit (15) is adapted to control tiie single automated retrieving member (10) in response to input from tiie positioning device (9a; 9b), so tiiattiie single automated retrieving member (10) can retrieve one of tiie at least two different pro ducts (4) from tiie storage system (1).

2. The storage system according to of claim 1, wherein tiie positioning device comprises a first (9 a) and a second (9b) sensing element adapted to sense tiie presence of tiie person's hand in a first and second axis, respectively, and thereby determine tiie position of the interaction from tiie person.

3. The storage system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein tiie transparent storage interface (2) is operable for allowing manual access to tiie stored products (4).

4. The storage system according to any of claims 1-3, wherein the control unit (15) is further adapted to enable the selection of multiple products substantially faster than the storage system dispenses the products (4).

5. The storage system according to any of claims 14, wherein the control unit (15) is further adapted to monitor the number of products currently in the storage system (1).

6. A register system for use in a store comprising a storage system according to any of claims 1-5, wherein the register system further comprises a dispense area (7 ) in which the product can be accessed by at least one of: the customer and a personnel member managing the register system, and wherein the dispensing device (6) is adapted to dispense the selected product from the storage system (1) to the dispense area (7).

7. A register system according to claim 6, wherein the storage system (1) is

connected to a payment system for receiving payment corresponding to the selected pro duct (4).

8. A vending machine comprising the storage system according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the vending machine further comprises an automated payment system for receiving payments corresponding to the selected product (4).