WO1999014715A1

WO1999014715A1 - System for dispensing goods in a departmental store

Info

Publication number: WO1999014715A1
Application number: PCT/FR1998/001943
Authority: WO
Inventors: François GALLERI
Original assignee: Editec
Priority date: 1997-09-12
Filing date: 1998-09-11
Publication date: 1999-03-25
Also published as: EP1016050A1; ATE214503T1; EP1016050B1; FR2768317A1; DE69804232T2; FR2768317B1; DE69804232D1; ES2172193T3

Abstract

The invention concerns a system for dispensing goods comprising: before the pay-desk, in the customer zone, a control desk (1) for the customer to choose the types and number of goods, the control desk (1) delivering a receipt (2) to the customer; at the pay-desk, when the customer presents the receipt (2) to a pay-desk (4) reading device (3), an interface module (5), for transmitting data representing the customer's choice to a dispenser (6) of goods; after the pay-desk, a dispenser (6) for delivering goods corresponding to the data representing the customer's choice borne by the receipt (2).

Description

Object distribution system for big box stores.

The invention relates to a system for distributing objects, for a large surface store. Objects such as instant tickets, essentially scraping a marked surface, are currently distributed in big box stores in two different ways: either by means of automatic distributors placed in the catchment area, or by means of manual distributors placed under the responsibility of the cashiers. In the first case, the distributor is not integrated into the store's sales circuit. In the second case, in addition to the risk of fraud, the additional operations charged to the cashier entail a reduction in the output flow at the cash register.

An object of the invention is to provide a system for distributing objects which is integrated into the store's sales circuit, which does not cause a reduction in the output flow rate and which does not present any risk of fraud.

The subject of the present invention is a system for distributing objects, for large surface stores, intended to allow the customers of the store to make a choice between several types of objects and to fix the number of desired objects of each type, then to pay them at the cash desk, and to withdraw them, characterized in that it comprises:

- before the checkout, in the catchment area, a control desk for the establishment by the customer of his choice of types and number of objects, the control desk delivering to the customer a receipt bearing information representative of said choice and intended to be read by a reading device associated with a case;

- at the checkout, an interface module capable, when the customer presents the receipt to the reading device of a checkout, to transmit information representative of the customer's choice to an object distributor; - after the checkout, a distributor likely to deliver objects corresponding to the information representative of the customer's choice carried by the receipt. According to other characteristics:

- the interface module is connected directly to the cash register;

- the interface module is connected in parallel to the cash register reading device; - the distributor is dedicated to the cash register;

- the distributor is part of a network of distributors;

- the network of distributors is placed under the control of a server;

- the server is connected to at least one receipt reader;

- the distributor delivers the objects after reading the receipt by the reader and checking by the server.

Other characteristics appear from the following description made with reference to the appended drawings which represent:

- Figure 1: a diagram of a first embodiment of an object distribution system, for large-scale stores, according to the invention; - Figure 2: a diagram of a second embodiment of a system for distributing objects, for big box stores, according to the invention;

- Figure 3: a diagram of a control console of the object distribution system according to the invention;

- Figure 4: a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a control desk according to Figure 3;

- Figure 5: a diagram of an interface module of the object distribution system according to the invention;

- Figure 6: a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the interface module of Figure 5; - Figure 7: a diagram of a receipt reader of the object distribution system according to the invention;

- Figure 8: a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the receipt reader of Figure 7.

In Figure 1, an object distribution system, according to a first embodiment of the invention, essentially consists of a console control 1, capable of delivering, according to the customer's choice, a receipt 2 intended to be read by a reading device 3 associated with a case 4, an interface module 5 and a distributor 6 capable of delivering one or more objects 7. In Figure 2, the same references designate the same elements as in Figure 1. In the second embodiment of the invention, the interface module 5 is not connected directly to the body 4 as in Figure 1, but it is connected in parallel on the reading device 3. Furthermore, between the interface module 5 and the distributor 6 is provided a server 8 because there are provided, in a network, several boxes 4 and several distributors 6. Finally the server 8 is linked to at least one reader 9 of the receipt 2.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the operation of the object distribution system for big box stores can be analyzed as follows.

First of all, the control desk 1 placed inside the store, in the catchment area, allows the customer to choose one or more objects corresponding to one or more types of objects. Once this choice has been made, the control desk 1 issues a receipt 2 carrying the information representative of the customer's choice and a serial number, for example. This information is in alphanumeric characters directly readable or in coded form, for example according to a bar code readable by the reading devices 3 of the boxes 4 of the store. The receipt 2 can be constituted by a paper support or any other support usable by the store, such as memory card, magnetic card, or optical disc, for example. The receipt is kept by the customer who will present it at the cash desk at the same time as his other purchases.

In the embodiment of Figure 1, the interface module 5 is directly connected to the cash register 4. Each time the cash register 4 registers an article code corresponding to an object, the interface module 5 transmits to the distributor 6 a distribution order of an object 7.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2, the interface module 5 is connected in parallel to the reading device 3. It is the interface module 5 which will detect the item codes corresponding to objects and transmit them to the server 8 connected on the one hand to all of the interface modules 5 and to all of the distributors 6 of the network. Once the receipt 2 has been read by the reading device 3, it is returned to the customer as one of his other purchases. The customer, after paying for his purchases at the checkout, will go to the vending machines 6 of the network and will present his receipt to a reader 9, which reads the receipt 2 and transmits the corresponding information to the server 8 which orders the distribution by the distributor 6 of the corresponding objects and records an acknowledgment to avoid a new distribution of objects on presentation of the same receipt 2.

It appears from the description of Figures 1 and 2 that the interface module 5 can be connected either to the body 4, or to the reading device 3 of said body 4. In the same way, the interface module 5 can be connected either to a single distributor 6, dedicated to a box 4, ie to a network of distributors 6 itself connected to several boxes 4 and placed under the control of a server 8.

Figure 3 shows the simplified diagram of a control desk 1, the essential functional elements of which are: an acquisition module 10, a display module 11, a printing module 12, an interface module 13, a module 14, a security module 15 and a power module 16. These elements are found in Figure 4.

The acquisition module 10 and the display module 11 can be grouped into a single sub-assembly making it possible to inform the client on the procedure to be followed, thanks to the display module, and to grasp the choice of the client, thanks to the acquisition module.

The acquisition module 10 essentially comprises a keyboard 17 via which the customer makes his choice of product. Instead of the keyboard, it can include a touch screen or use an optical pencil, for example.

The display module 11 essentially comprises a screen controller 18 and a screen 19. The screen can be a liquid crystal screen, a video screen, a plasma screen for example, or be replaced by a voice synthesizer. The printing module 12 essentially comprises a printer controller 20, a printer 21 and a device 22 for cutting paper when the receipt 2 issued by the control desk 1 is in the form of paper. As the receipt 2 can be in the form of a magnetic stripe card or a microprocessor card, the printer 20 can be constituted by a magnetic stripe reader-recorder, memory card, microprocessor card, digital optical disc, Writable CD-Rom, for example. The printing module allows you to write on the receipt 2 the information representative of the customer's choice, such as the type and number of objects he wants to buy, as well as a serial number and an article code for the needs for further processing at the checkout and, possibly, at the object distributor.

The interface module 13 essentially comprises one or more serial links 23. It allows communication between the control console 1 and the outside, in particular with a view to programming the console or configuring it.

The processing module 14 essentially comprises a microprocessor 24 with a data memory 25 and a program memory 26, as well as a clock, for example. The function of this module is to format the information from the acquisition module 10 in order to transmit it to the printing module 12.

The security module 15 essentially consists of a microprocessor 27 having a memory of saved data, whose read and write access is only possible under its control. This microprocessor can be the same as that used in the processing module. The security module 15 manages the security procedures associated with the management of the article code, of the serial number of the receipt 2, of the keys which allow the recording of information on the receipt 2 when the latter is secure (microprocessor card or with magnetic stripe), and procedures for configuring the control console 1. The power supply module 16 supplies the various modules that make up the control console 1, either from the mains or from batteries.

As an example of a practical embodiment, the acquisition module 10 comprises a keyboard 17 with three keys: a key for incrementing, with a step of 1, the number of objects desired; a key to reset the number of objects chosen to 0; and a validation button for the choice made, which triggers the printing of the receipt 2. The display module 11 includes a liquid crystal screen, which is used to guide the customer in the use of the control desk, and also for scroll through advertising messages. Finally, the receipt consists of a paper support on which are printed: the name of the store, the type of object, the number of objects, the corresponding price, a serial number and a bar code containing some of this information. needed for checkout. FIG. 5 represents the simplified diagram of an interface module 5, the essential functional elements of which are: an interface module 37 with the reading device 3 of the cash register 4, an interface module 28 with the network of distributors 6, an interface module series 29, a processing module 30, a security module 31 and a power supply module 32. These elements 5 are found in FIG. 6.

The interface module 37 with the cash register reading device essentially consists of a scanner interface 33. It can also be composed of a radio-frequency reader, for example. It is not activated in the configuration of Figure 1, where the interface module 5 is connected o directly to the cash register 4.

The interface module 28 is activated when the distributors 6 are on a network. It provides the link with the server 8.

The serial interface module 29 manages the serial links of module 5, in the configuration of Figure 1: a serial link for connection to the cash register 5 4, another for direct connection to a distributor 6. This module 29 is also used to download the program of the processing module 30.

The processing module 30 essentially comprises a microprocessor 34, a data memory 35 and a program memory 36. 0 It also generally includes a clock.

It handles the processing of data from the interface module 37 with the cash register reading device, and from the serial interface module 29. The result processing is transmitted either to the interface module 28 with the network, or to the serial interface module 29.

The security module 31 includes in particular a microprocessor 38 having a memory of saved data whose read and write access is only possible under its control. This microprocessor can be the same as that used in the processing module 30.

The security module 31 manages the security procedures associated with the dialogue with the server 8 (authentication, data encryption), and the configuration procedures for downloading the software from the processing module 30.

The supply module 32 supplies the various elements of the interface module 5.

FIG. 7 represents the simplified diagram of a reader 9, the essential functional elements of which are: an acquisition module 39, an interface module 40 with the server 8 of the network of distributors 6, a serial interface module 41, a module for processing 42, a security module 43, and a power supply module 44. These elements are found in Figure 8.

The acquisition module 39 makes it possible to read the receipt 2. It essentially comprises a bar code reader 45 and the corresponding interface 46. The bar code reader 45 can be of the laser or CCD type, for example. When the receipt 2 consists of a support other than paper, the reader 45 can be a magnetic stripe reader, a microprocessor card reader, a digital optical disc reader or a CD-ROM reader, for example.

The interface module 40 provides the link with the server 8.

The serial interface module 41 allows dialogue with the outside and in particular the configuration of the reader or its reprogramming.

The processing module 42 which manages the operation of the reader essentially consists of a microprocessor 47 with a data memory 48 and a program memory 49. It can also include a clock. The security module 43 essentially consists of a microprocessor 50 having a memory of saved data whose read and write access is only possible under its control. This microprocessor can be the same as that used in the processing module 42.

The security module 43 manages the security procedures associated with the dialogue with the data server 8 (authentication, data encryption), the keys which allow the reading of the information on the receipt 2 when it is secure (magnetic stripe card or microprocessor), and reader configuration procedures.

The power supply module 44 supplies the various elements of the reader 9.

The general operation of the object distribution system for large stores is analyzed as follows with reference to Figures 1 and 2.

In the case of Figure 1, the customer makes his choice at the control desk 1 which issues him a receipt 2. The customer presents his receipt 2 to the reading device 3 of the cash register 4 at the same time as his other purchases, and the body transmits to the distributor 6, through the interface module 5 which formats them, the information necessary for the delivery of the objects. Once the payment has been made, the customer can collect his items.

In the case of Figure 2, the customer makes his choice at the control desk 1, which gives him a receipt 2. The customer presents his receipt 2 to the reading device 3 of the box 4 with his other purchases. The interface module 5 is connected in parallel to the reading device 3. n analyzes the data which comes from the reading device 3 of the box 4, and selects the information relating to the objects. From this information, it builds the corresponding order which it sends to the server 8 of the network of distributors 6. All the data relating to the receipts is memorized and processed by the server 8 which makes the link between the interface modules 5 and distributors 6. The customer, after payment at the cash register 4, receives the receipt 2 which he will present to a reader 9. The reader 9 extracts the useful data, and transmits them to the server 8 to be stored and processed. The server 8 checks that the receipt has been saved, that is to say that its serial number has been transmitted to it by an interface module 5. The server 8 also checks that the receipt 2 has not been canceled before payment, and that it has not already been presented to a reader 9. Then, it analyzes the content of the receipt 2 and sends the distributor 6 the order to deliver the number and type of objects desired. After having delivered the objects, the distributor 6 sends an acknowledgment to the server 8 so that the server memorizes that the receipt is no longer valid.

The server 8 centralizes all the information relating to the receipts 2. It saves the data coming from the interface modules 5, it processes the requests of the readers 9 and it controls the distributors 6.

It consists of a microcomputer equipped with a processing unit, magnetic and / or optical backup means, and display means, and it operates with dedicated processing software.

The object distribution system solves the problems specific to big box stores. Indeed, the control desk 1, where the customer makes his choice, is placed in the catchment area. The interface module 5 is connected to a cash register 4 or to its reading device, and the receipt 2 is read as a purchase from the customer. The distributor 6 of objects is placed after the boxes and the time that the customer spends there to collect his objects does not affect the flow of the boxes. In addition, the customer's choice is made before the checkouts, payment is made at the checkout, and the withdrawal of objects is done after the checkouts, which avoids the risk of fraud.

Finally, a safeguard measure is provided at the cash desk where the customer can cancel his purchase, which the interface module 5 transmits to the server 8. The object distribution system according to the invention is applicable to all objects of a certain value presented in a reduced volume, and for which security measures must be taken. It applies in particular to instant play tickets, prepaid phone or parking cards, or jewelry items, for example, without this list being exhaustive.

Claims

1. Object distribution system, for large surface stores, intended to allow the customers of the store to make a choice between several types

5 of objects and to fix the number of desired objects of each type, then to pay them at the cash desk and to withdraw them, characterized in that it comprises:

- before the checkout, in the catchment area, a control desk (1) for the establishment by the customer of his choice of types and number of objects, the control desk (1) delivering to the customer a receipt ( 2) o carrying information representative of said choice and intended to be read by a reading device (3) associated with a box (4);

- at the cash register, an interface module (5) capable, when the customer presents the receipt (2) to the reading device (3) of a cash register (4), to transmit the information representative of the customer's choice to a distributor ( 6) 5 objects;

- after the checkout, a distributor (6) capable of delivering items corresponding to information representative of the customer's choice carried by the receipt (2).

2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the 0 interface module (5) is connected directly to the body (4).

3. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the interface module (5) is connected in parallel on the reading device (3) of the body (4).

4. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the distributor (6) 5 is dedicated to said box (4).

5. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the distributor (6) is part of a network of distributors.

6. System according to claim 5, characterized in that the network of distributors (6) is placed under the control of a server (8). 0

7. System according to claim 6, characterized in that the server (8) is connected to at least one reader (9) receipt (2).

8. System according to claim 7, characterized in that the distributor (6) delivers the objects after reading the receipt (2) by the reader (9) and control by the server (8).