WO2005010785A1

WO2005010785A1 - Method for the generation and transmission of selection data by means of a goods identification unit a mobile selection unit and a data transmission network

Info

Publication number: WO2005010785A1
Application number: PCT/EP2004/050957
Authority: WO
Inventors: Björn Sawallisch
Original assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
Priority date: 2003-07-21
Filing date: 2004-05-28
Publication date: 2005-02-03
Also published as: TW200506683A; DE10333126A1

Abstract

A method is disclosed, by means of which at least one goods identification unit (60) is operated in a data transmission network, in particular, an electronic price label. Goods are rapidly and simply selected by means of a selection unit, comprising a collection of identifiers (S03) and by using the goods identification unit (60) and the data transmission network (10). In an alternative, selected goods are immediately prepared in a goods warehouse (26) by means of a goods identification unit (60) and a collector unit (136). The collection of goods is begun before the ordering of the last item is selected.

Description

METHOD FOR GENERATING AND TRANSMITTING SELECTION DATA WITH THE AID OF A TRADEMARK IDENTIFICATION UNIT, A MOBILE SELECTION UNIT AND A DATA TRANSMISSION NETWORK

The invention relates to a method for transmitting selection data, in which, according to a first aspect, a data transmission network is built up from a plurality of goods identification units. An example of such type label units are electronic price tags, see for example EP 0924641 A2. For example, the price of goods is stored electronically in the electronic price tags and is displayed on an LCD display unit. The name of the product concerned or a barcode for this product are, for example, printed on a plastic housing of the electronic price tag. The prices can be automatically compared with a central price list via a computer system.

It is an object of the invention to provide a method for transferring selection data, in which in particular the functionality of existing goods identification units is expanded or changed. In addition, the compilation of selection data should be made easier. In addition, a data transmission network, goods identification units, selection units, a goods delivery unit and a program are to be specified.

The object directed to the method is achieved by a method with the method 0 steps specified in claim 1. Further developments are specified in the subclaims.

In the first aspect, the invention is based on the fact that goods identification units which are connected via a data transmission network can be used simultaneously for the transmission of selection data. Such an approach offers many advantages over what is emerging so far Procedure for the transmission of selection data with the help of so-called RFID circuits (Radio Frequency Identification), which are attached directly to individual goods.

On the one hand, not every individual product has to be provided with an integrated circuit. On the other hand, the selection data can be compiled without first having to place goods in a shopping cart, which then implicitly contains the selected goods indicators.

Therefore, according to an alternative of the method according to the invention, the following method steps are carried out without being restricted by the specified sequence: setting up a data transmission network on which at least one trademark unit is operated, noting at least one trademark in the trademark unit, the trademark being a commodity or a commodity and a quantity of this goods, - note a collective mark in a selection unit, the collective mark denoting the selection unit, reading the collective mark and reading the goods mark at least once, - at least once preferably jointly transmitting the collective mark and the mark over the data transmission network.

Accordingly, in the method according to the invention in accordance with the first aspect, the data transmission network on which the label units are operated is also used for the transfer of label and collective label. As a result, the data transmission network is used not only to change the prices of the goods identification units, but also to select goods. In this way, a selection of goods is made possible without goods having to be moved. The Selection is therefore made in a very simple and very quick manner.

The joint transfer of collective and commodity labels ensures that the two data can be processed together, for example to calculate a total price or to compile a shopping cart.

The use of the data transmission network for the goods identification units to transmit the selection data is associated with many advantages, but is not essential in order to achieve the associated technical effects and other technical effects. Therefore, in a second aspect of the method according to the invention, the collective identifier and the trademark are transmitted via a data transmission network on which the trademark units are operated and not the selection units, or - the selection units and not the trademark units, or - both the trademark units and the selection units operate.

In the method according to the invention in accordance with the second aspect, the following method steps are also carried out: output of a first trademark and preferably the collective identifier on at least one output unit in a warehouse, preferably on an output unit assigned to the cluster identifier, or automatic provision of goods in a warehouse depending on the collective identifier and the first product identifier, - starting with the provision of the goods in the warehouse, before the collective identifier is transferred with another product identifier or before the collective identifier is transmitted with a last trademark before delivery of the goods, reading a second trademark after the transfer of the collective label and the first trademark, transmission of the collective label and the second trademark via the data transmission network, preferably together, so that an assignment is possible, for example in a message or in two immediately successive messages, output of the second trademark and preferably also the collective label on at least one output unit in the warehouse or automatic provision of at least one product in the warehouse depending on the collective label and the second trademark, joint delivery of the goods belonging to the collective identifier, and determining an amount to be paid for the collective identifier depending on the merchandise identifier transmitted together with this collective identifier.

The method according to the second aspect also provides a quick and simple transfer of the selection data for further processing. In particular, no goods have to be moved to select the goods.

In a development of both methods according to the invention, the trademark is stored electronically in the trademark unit. The collective identifier is also stored electronically in the selection unit, so that simple electronic reading and simple change are possible. In the case of the further development, the collective identifier or the trademark or both the collective identifier and the trademark are transmitted to the data transmission network via a radio connection with a range of less than 20 m or with a range of less than 15 m, in particular with a radio connection in accordance with the Bluetooth standard. As a radio operator Binding is also considered optical connections in which electromagnetic radiation in the visible or in the infrared wavelength range is used. Due to the short range of the radio connection, there are numerous advantages: selection with the selection unit is made easier, since the selection unit can be used to "point" directly to the label unit, the radio power required is low, and - interference with individual radio connections during operation multiple selection units in one store are reduced. Alternatively, a WLAN interface is used (Wireless Local Area Network).

In a next development, the selection units are operated simultaneously as end devices in a telecommunications network, in particular in a mobile radio network. Numerous mobile telephones, for example, are already equipped with an interface according to the Bluetooth standard, so that nothing has to be changed in the structure of the devices so that they can be used in the method according to the invention. For example, the device number of the mobile radio device or a subscriber number, in particular a subscriber number, can be used as the collective identifier in the mobile radio network. No additional effort is required to assign the collective number. Alternatively, the selection units can basically be operated in a mobile radio network without modification. In this case, it is not possible to set up a call via the selection unit while the method according to the invention is being carried out. Nevertheless, the selection units are inexpensive because a mass product is used as the selection unit.

In a next development, the data transmission network is a local data transmission network, which preferably works in accordance with the Internet protocol. The Internet protocol was specified by the IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force). In one embodiment, the goods identification units or the selection unit or both the goods identification unit and the selection unit are connected or connectable to the data transmission network via a radio connection, in particular with a radio connection according to the Bluetooth standard or a WLA connection. In comparison to a line network, it is easier to move the label units, for example when converting or changing the product range. A suitable unit between the label units and the data transmission network or between the

Selection units and the data transmission network is, for example, the "Blue2net" LAN access point from Siemens AG.

In a next development, the trademark unit and the selection unit contain integrated circuit arrangements of identical construction, each of which contains a transmitter circuit and a receiver circuit and with the aid of which the collective label date is transmitted from the selection unit to the trademark unit or the trademark date from the trademark unit to the selection unit. If identical integrated circuits are used which only exchange data with integrated circuit arrangements of the same design, misuse of the method can be prevented in a simple manner. A suitable integrated component is, for example, the "SieMo S50037" Bluetooth module from Siemens AG.

In a next development, the connection to the data transmission network is also established with the aid of the integrated circuit arrangement in the goods identification unit or in the selection unit. The multiple use of the integrated circuit arrangement creates a simply constructed device.

In the case of a next training, at least one of the following procedural steps is also carried out for the method according to the first aspect: Output of at least the transferred goods label on at least one output unit in a warehouse or automatic provision of goods in a warehouse depending on the two labels, and - determining an amount to be paid for a collective label depending on the label transferred together with this collective label.

This procedure ensures that the selection of the goods labels is carried out separately from the provision of the goods. No further data entry is required to form a final price, since all the required data is already available when the selection is made.

In another development, the following procedural steps are also carried out for the method according to the first aspect: reading the collective identifier and reading a first product identifier, - transmitting the collective identifier and the first product identifier via the data transmission network, - starting with the provision of the goods in the warehouse before the Collective indicator is transmitted with a further trademark or at least before the collective indicator with a last trademark is transferred before the goods are delivered, reading a second trademark after the transfer of the first trademark, transferring the collective indicator and the second trademark via the data transmission network to Warehouse, and joint delivery of the goods belonging to the collective mark.

In other words, a goods label is immediately transferred to the warehouse together with the collective label so that the goods can be assembled there as early as possible lent is started. In this way, the time between the transfer of the collective label and the last goods label of an order and the delivery of the order can be reduced. In particular, further training does not wait for the order to be complete. Wrong orders can be avoided if the partial orders are confirmed with the help of the selection unit.

In the method according to the first aspect, according to a next development, the collective identifier is read with a goods identifier unit. The collective indicator and the indicator stored in the indicator unit are then transmitted via the data transmission network. In an alternative variant, the selection units can also be operated on the data transmission network on which the goods identification units are operated. The goods indicator is read with the selection unit. The collective identifier and the goods identifier are then transferred from the selection unit into the data network. In the first alternative, the

Build selection unit easier. In the second alternative, however, it is easier to set up the label unit.

In a next development according to both aspects, the goods identification unit contains a display on which the price of the goods and / or the goods type and / or the goods quantity are displayed. The display is controlled electronically in particular, so that changes are possible in a simple manner, in particular changes in the price. The use of a display offers a simple possibility in order to produce a goods reference for a user of the selection unit. However, the method according to the invention can also be carried out with a label unit without a display and also without a printed label of goods if the goods reference is produced in a different way, for example by that a sample of the goods or a picture of the goods is placed in the vicinity of the goods identification unit.

The invention also relates to the following devices, which are very closely related to the method according to the invention and their further developments, so that the technical effects mentioned above also apply to these devices: a data transmission network which contains both trademark identification units and selection units as terminal devices , Trademark identification units that can either receive selection indicators or that can send a trademark stored in them to a selection unit, - selection units that either transmit a collective date to trademark identification units or can receive the trademarks from trademark identification units and forward them together with a collective identifier stored in them, in particular selection units , which can also be operated as a mobile radio telephone without conversion or which are operated simultaneously as a mobile radio telephone, a goods delivery unit for a warehouse, especially in Ve Connection to an automatic warehouse management system, and programs with which the methods according to the invention are carried out.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 shows a data transmission network on which both electronic price tags and selection units for selecting goods are operated, FIG. 2 outputs on a selection unit when selecting a product, FIG. 3 method steps of a selection process in which a collective identification from a selection unit to a goods identification unit and mean from there are routed to a warehouse computer with a trademark,

FIG. 4 method steps of an alternative selection method, in which a goods label is passed from a goods label unit to a selection unit and from there together with a collective label to a warehouse computer, and

FIG. 5 procedural steps in the delivery of the goods selected with a selection unit.

FIG. 1 shows a data transmission network 10, for example a LAN (Local Area Network), which contains network access units 18 and 20 connected to a storage computer 16 via lines 12 and 14 or via radio transmission links. Further network access units 22 are indicated by dots. The

The number of network access units 18 to 22 depends on the size of a sales area. For example, in small shops with, for example, only 40 m ² , only one network access unit 18 is sufficient. In wholesale stores with several thousand square meters of retail space, more than ten or even more than one hundred network access units 18 to 22 are used.

The network access units 18 to 22 each contain a transmission or reception unit to the data transmission network 10 and a transmission or reception unit to a sales room 24. The sales room 24 is spatially separated from a storage room 26, see dashed line 28. For example, there is a wall between the sales room and the storage room or the storage room 26 is in a different building from the sales room 24. However, the storage room 26 is preferably not too wide away from the sales room 24. For example, the distance between the sales room and the storage room is less than one kilometer.

In the sales area 24 there are a large number of goods shelves 30, 32 or Wa indicated by dots in FIG Renregalen 34. In the exemplary embodiment, each shelf 30, 32 has three shelves 40, 42 and 44 or 50, 52 and 54. Each shelf contains one or more goods of the same type or different types of goods. In the exemplary embodiment, there is an electronic price tag 60 to 74 in each shelf compartment 40 to 54. The electronic price tags 60 to 74 can send data into the data transmission network 10 via Bluetooth interfaces 80 to 94 or receive data from the data transmission network 10.

In the exemplary embodiment, the shelf compartments 40 to 54 contain the following goods: the shelf compartment 40 contains a cola bottle 100, so that the price of a cola bottle is displayed on the price tag 60, and in addition, for example, a price of € 4.99 (euro) for ten cola bottles indicated, the shelf compartment 42 contains a water bottle 102 so that the price of a water bottle is shown on the price tag 62, the shelf compartment 44 contains a milk carton 104 so that the price of one liter of milk is displayed on the price tag 64, for example 0 , € 99, the shelf compartment 50 contains a sack 110 with dry dog food, so that the price of the dry food is shown on the price tag 70, the shelf compartment 52 contains a can 112 with dog food, so that the price of a tin of dog food on the price tag 72 is displayed, and - the shelf 54 contains a can 114 with cat food, so that the price of a can of cat food is displayed on the price tag 74.

The sales room 24 also contains one or more cash register computers 120 which are connected via a line 122 to the data transmission network 10 and in particular to the warehouse computer 16. In the sales room 24 there are also a large number of selection units 130 to 136, which are used by customers to select goods. The selection units 130 to 136 each contain transmission or reception units which operate in accordance with the Bluetooth standard. With the aid of these transmitting and receiving units, data transmission connections can be established between a selection unit 130 to 136 and a price tag 60 to 74, see for example data transmission connection 138 between the selection unit 136 and the price tag 60. The price tags 60 to 74 each contain two transmission / Receiver units that work according to the Bluetooth standard. One transmitting or receiving unit is used for data transmission to the side of the data transmission network 10. The other transmitting or receiving unit of a price tag 60 to 74, on the other hand, is used for data transmission from or to a selection unit 1 30 to 136. In another exemplary embodiment, the price tags contain 60 to 74 each have only one transmitting / receiving unit, in particular in accordance with the Bluetooth standard, which is used both for data transmission with the data transmission network 10 and for data transmission with selection units 130 to 136.

A price tag W01 to W06 is stored in price tags 60 to 74, for example as a dual number. The goods codes W01 to WO6 are specified via the data transmission network 10 and the Bluetooth interfaces 80 to 94 together with the prices for the goods in question. In the exemplary embodiment, the cola bottle 100 has the trademark W01. The milk carton 104 has the trademark W03. The prices are shown on the electronic price tags 60 to 74 on an electronic display unit, for example on an LCD (Liquid Cristal Display).

A collective identifier S01 to S03 is stored in the selection units 130 to 136, which distinguishes a selection unit 130 to 136 from other selection units that are used in the sales area 24. For example, the selection unit 136 has the collective identifier S03. If there is only one item or only a few items of a type of item in the sales area 24 that are not removed by the customers from the sales area, the customers must select the items with the aid of the selection units 130 to 136, for example during a tour 140 Processes during selection are explained in more detail below with the aid of FIGS. 2 to 4. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, on the other hand, as was customary hitherto, the goods shelves 30 to 34 are each filled with a large number of goods of one type of goods and are constantly topped up. In this case, before the tour 140 begins, the customers can choose whether to shop with selection units 130 to 136 or in a conventional manner. In a next exemplary embodiment with product shelves 30 to 32 to be refilled, the customer is able to decide for each product whether he selects it with the aid of a selection unit 130 to 136 or puts it in a shopping cart. Only the goods in the shopping cart are then paid for in the conventional way.

In addition to the storage computer 16, a storage warehouse 150 is also located in the storage room 26, in which a large number of goods of every type of goods are stored, see for example storage rack compartments 152 and 154 for cola and for milk. The storage room 26 contains, for example, a high-bay warehouse, in which goods are automatically requested from the storage computer 16, see arrow 156. Without manual intervention, the requested goods are then placed in shopping baskets 158, each of which is assigned to a customer or a collective identifier S01 to S03, see arrow 160. In another exemplary embodiment, the storage computer 16 outputs the requirements on a selection unit, in particular on a screen, ie a group identifier and a goods identifier. Alternatively, there is a separate display unit for each group identifier, so that only the goods identifier and not the group identifier must be output on the display unit. Warehouse workers then fill baskets 158 as required. If a customer reaches the cash register computer 120 during his tour 140, a payment process is initiated, for example, after the delivery of his selection unit 136, which is explained in more detail below with reference to FIG. 5. After payment, the goods compiled in the shopping cart 158 are output to the customer in the salesroom 24, see arrow 162.

FIG. 2 shows expenditure on the selection unit 136 when selecting the “Cola” product, including the electronic price tag 60. In the exemplary embodiment, the selection unit 136 is a mobile radio terminal that contains a Bluetooth interface. In the upper area, the selection unit 136 contains a display unit 180 on which a plurality of lines of text can be displayed, for example less than ten lines. The display unit 180 enables, for example, the display of single-color text or the display of colored text, possibly also symbols. A confirmation key 182 and a rejection key 184 are located below the display unit 180. In the lower area of the selection unit 136 there is a key field 186 which contains, for example, twelve keys, in particular ten keys for the numbers 0 to 9.

A customer selects the cola bottle 100 with the selection unit 136, for example by bringing up the selection unit

136 to the price tag 60, for example the following text is controlled by the price tag 60 on the selection unit

180 issued:

"Your selection: Cola

Confirm: Yes / No. "

If the customer decides to buy the "Cola" product, he presses the confirmation button 182, ie he answers the request with "Yes". The selection of the customer is reported by the selection unit 136 to the price tag 60, whereupon the Price tag 60 causes the following text to be displayed on the selection unit 180: "Please enter the number of bottles.".

The customer then presses on the keyboard 186 first the key with the number "1" and then the key with the number "0", so that he selects ten bottles of cola. The selected quantity is transmitted from the selection unit 136 to the price tag 60. Further processes when selecting a product are explained in more detail below with the aid of FIGS. 3 and 4.

In other exemplary embodiments, the menu navigation is shown more comfortably than in FIG. 2, for example, more details about the goods are displayed, about special offers, etc. In another exemplary embodiment, however, the menu navigation is easier than with the aid of FIG. 2. For example, the display of the selected goods is omitted and the customer selects one basic unit of the goods by pressing the confirmation button 182 once or by pressing the confirmation button 182 several times to select several basic units of the goods. A basic unit is, for example, a piece, a six-pack, a box, etc.

FIG. 3 shows process steps of a selection process in which the collection identifier S03 is transmitted from the selection unit 138 to a price label 64 or 60 each time a product is selected.

At a point in time t2, the customer points to the price tag 64 using the selection unit 136. The selection unit 136 then uses a group identifier message 200 to transmit the group identifier S03 to the price tag 64 and there it is stored or immediately forwarded. After receipt of the collective identifier message 200, a name message 202 is automatically generated in the price tag 64, in which the name of the goods assigned to the price tag 64 is specified, namely the name "milk". The name message 202 becomes egg transmitted at time t4 from the price tag 64 to the selection unit 168.

At a time t6, a text is output on the display unit 180 of the selection unit 136, which corresponds to the text explained above with reference to FIG. 2, left part. The text output on the selection unit 136 is either completely contained in the name message 202 or the text is supplemented by a program in the selection unit 136. At a time t8, the customer confirms by pressing the

Confirmation button 182 that he wants to buy milk. A confirmation message 204 is then transmitted from the selection unit 136 via the Bluetooth interface to the price tag 64 at the time t8. The confirmation message 204 is recorded in the price tag 64, whereupon a quantity selection request 206 is generated at a time t10 and is transmitted to the selection unit 136 via the Bluetooth interface. When processing the quantity selection request 206 in the selection unit 136, a text similar to that explained above with reference to FIG. 2, right part, is output. For example, the customer is asked to enter the number of milk cartons required. At a time tl2, the customer enters the number "2" on the keyboard 186 because he needs two milk cartons. At a time t14, the selection unit 136 generates a quantity message 208 in which it is indicated that two milk cartons are required. The quantity message 208 is transmitted from the selection unit 136 to the price tag 64 via the Bluetooth interface at the time t14.

At a time tl6, the quantity of goods with or without intermediate storage in the price tag 64 is transmitted to the warehouse computer 16 via the data transmission network 10, see request message 210. The request message 210 contains the following data: the group identifier S03, which is associated with the group identifier message 200 for the price tag 64 has been transferred - The goods identifier W03, which is stored in the price tag 64, and the number "2", which indicates the required amount of goods.

The individual data fields of the request message 210 are processed in the storage computer 16. It is checked whether an order list 212 has already been created for the collective indicator S03. If this is not the case, an order list 212 is generated. In another exemplary embodiment, there are static order lists 212 to 218 for each collective identifier SOI to S03, so that a check is not necessary. The goods identifier W03 and the goods quantity "2" are noted in the order list 212 for the collective identifier S03. In addition, these two data are output from the warehouse computer 16 to the warehouse as a request message.

The storage computer 16 also contains a price list 220 with entries 222 to 226 in which the associated price for each goods identifier W01 to WO6 is stored in accordance with the price on the price label 60 to 74. The storage computer 16 determines a price of € 1.98 for the two milk cartons when processing the request message 210 and notes this price in the order list 212 for the collective identifier S03, so that the order list 212 becomes an order list 212a. The goods code W03 and the goods quantity "2" are immediately transmitted to the warehouse, i.e. in particular before a time t20 at which the customer using the selection unit 136 selects a further item.

At time t20, the customer points to the price tag 60 with the selection unit 136, so that the data transmission connection 138 is set up, for example after a previous exchange of security signs between the selection unit 136 and the price tag 60. The grouping sign S03 in is transmitted via the data transmission connection 138 a collective indicator message 230 transmitted from the selection unit 136 to the price tag 60. Then the price tag is generated 60 at a time t22 a name message 232 in which the name "Cola" is noted. At a time t23, the text explained with reference to FIG. 2, left part, is displayed on the selection unit 136. The customer presses the confirmation key 182. The selection unit 136 then transmits a confirmation message 234 to the price tag 60 at a time t24. When the confirmation message 234 is processed, the price tag 60 generates a quantity selection request 236, which is sent to the selection unit 136 at a time t26. At a point in time t27, the customer enters the number "10" via the keypad 186. At a time t28, the quantity "10" is transmitted in a quantity message 238 from the selection unit 136 to the price label 60.

The price tag 60 processes the quantity message 238 and generates a request message 240 at a time t30, which is sent to the warehouse computer 16 via the data transmission network. The request message 240 contains: the collective identifier S03 of the selection unit 136, the merchandise identifier W01 for the cola product, and an identifier for the selected quantity, namely the number "10".

The storage computer 16 immediately processes the request message 240 in the same way as the request message 210. The price of € 4.99 is determined as the price for the ten cola bottles from the price list 220. The order list 212a is expanded to an order list 212b by adding a line which contains: the goods identifier W01, the number "10" for the number of bottles ordered, and the price of € 4.99.

Further selection processes 250, 252 with the selection unit 136 or in the meantime also selection processes from other customers with other selection units 130 to 134 are indicated by dots in FIG. 3. In another exemplary embodiment, the prices are transmitted from the price tags 64, 60 to the warehouse computer 16 in the request message 210 or 240, so that deviations between the information on a price tag 64, 60 and the price that is later charged to the customer are excluded , In a further exemplary embodiment, the customer also has the option, using the selection units 130 to 136, of canceling the order of a product, again pointing to the relevant price tag and guiding the customer, for example, via a menu.

FIG. 4 shows method steps of an alternative selection method, in which selection units 130a to 136a exchange data with a data transmission network 10a and in particular with network access units 18a to 22a, without price tags 60a to 74a being included. Otherwise, the selection units 130a to 136a, the data transmission network 10a, the network access units 18a to 22a and the price tags 60a to 74a, such as the selection units 130 to 136, the data transmission network 10, the network access units 18 to 22 and the price tags 60 to 74, respectively, are constructed , Instead of the storage computer 16, a storage computer 16a is used in the data transmission network 10a, which has the same functions as the storage computer 16.

In one exemplary embodiment, the price tags 60a to 74a can still be programmed via the data transmission network 10a. In a next exemplary embodiment, the price tags can be programmed via a data transmission network other than the data transmission network 10a. In a further exemplary embodiment, however, the price tags 60 to 74 cannot be programmed via a data transmission network.

At a time t50, a customer points with the selection unit 136a to the price tag 64a, whereupon a request message 300 is transmitted from the selection unit 136a to the price tag 64a, for example via a Bluetooth interface. In another exemplary embodiment, no initial message is generated, but the price tag sends its goods indicator periodically. On the basis of the request message 300, a name message 302 is generated in the price tag 64a at a time t52 and transmitted to the selection unit 136a. The name message 302 contains the name of the goods priced out by the price tag 64a, ie the "milk" goods. In addition, the name message 302 contains the goods identifier W03, ie the goods identifier for a milk carton. In another exemplary embodiment, the goods identifier WO3 is transmitted in a separate message from the price tag 64a to the selection unit 136a. After receiving the name message 302 in the selection unit 136a, a text is displayed at a time t54 in the selection unit 136a which is identical to the text explained above with reference to FIG. 2, left part, except for the description of the goods. At a time t56, the customer confirms that he wants to buy milk by pressing a confirmation button 182a corresponding to the confirmation button 182 on the selection unit 136a. At a subsequent point in time t56, he enters the number of milk cartons required, wherein he is supported, for example, by a text which corresponds to the text explained above with reference to FIG. 2, right part.

At a time t60, the selection unit 136a generates a request message 310 which is transmitted to the warehouse computer 16a via the data transmission network 10a. The request message 310 contains: the collective identifier S03 for the selection unit 136a, the merchandise identifier W03 for a milk carton, and the required number "2".

The selection request 310 is immediately processed by the storage computer 16a in the same way as the selection request 210. In particular, an order list 312a is updated for the collective identifier S03. At a point in time t70, which is after the update of the order list 312a and the forwarding of at least the collective identifier S03, the last supplemented goods identifier W03 and the associated quantity, ie at least part of the data of this order list 312a, to the warehouse, the customer shows , which uses the selection unit 136a, with the selection unit 136a on the price tag 60a. After the establishment of a data transmission connection 138a corresponding to the data transmission connection 138, the selection unit 136a generates a request message 320 which is transmitted to the price tag 60a via the data transmission connection 138a. When the request message 320 is processed in the price tag 60a, a name message 322 is generated at a time t72, which contains the name “Cola” and the goods identifier W01, which is stored in the price tag 60a. After receiving the name message 322 in the selection unit 136a, a menu is displayed in the selection unit 136a at a time t74, as was explained above with reference to FIG. 2, left part. At a time t76, the customer confirms that he wants to buy cola bottles by pressing the confirmation button 182a.

At a subsequent time t76, the selection unit 136a generates a prompt on the display unit 180a, by which the user is prompted to enter the required amount of cola bottles. At a time t78, the customer enters the number "10" via a keyboard 186a.

In another exemplary embodiment, in the name message 322 or in a separate message from the price tag 60a, an indication of the quantity of goods or quantities of goods available for selection is also transmitted to the selection unit 136a. This information is then taken into account when setting up the menu for specifying the quantity of goods.

At a point in time t80, the selection unit 136a generates a request message 330, which contains the following information: the collective identifier S03 for the selection unit 136a, the trademark W01 for the product "cola bottle" and the number "10" for the required amount of cola bottles.

The request message 330 is transmitted from the selection unit 136a, for example via a Bluetooth interface, to the network access unit 18a and from there to the data transmission network and to the storage computer 16a. The warehouse computer 16a processes the request message 330 in the same way as the warehouse computer 16 processes the request message 240. The order list 312a for the collective identifier S03 is expanded, see order list 312b. The collective mark S03, goods mark W01 and the number "10" are immediately passed on to the warehouse, where the goods are also immediately made available.

Further selection processes 340 and 342 are indicated by dots in FIG. 4. The further selection processes 340, 342 take place with the selection unit 136a with the participation of further price tags 60a to 74a or with the participation of other selection units 130a to 134a.

In another exemplary embodiment, in addition to the processes explained with reference to FIG. 4, the prices are also transmitted from the price tags 64a, 60a via the selection units 136a to the storage computer 16a. The other modifications, which have been explained above with reference to FIG. 3, are also possible in the method according to FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 shows procedural steps in the payment and in the delivery of the goods selected with the selection unit 136 or 136a for the respective selection unit since the last payment process. At a time t 100, the customer delivers the selection unit 136 to an operator of the cash register computer 120 at the end of the tour 140. Via a Bluetooth interface between the selection unit 136 and the cash register computer 120 or also via a manual input, the collection identifier of the selection unit 136, ie the collection, is obtained Indicator S03 entered in the cash register computer 120, in particular with the aid of a collective identifier message 350. At a subsequent time tl02, the cash register computer 120 generates a delivery message 352 when the program is executed, which contains the collective identifier S03 of the selection unit 136. The delivery notification 352 is transmitted to the warehouse computer 16 via the data transmission network 10. The storage computer 16 causes the shopping cart 158, which is filled with the goods belonging to the collective identifier S03, to reach the cash register computer 120. Alternatively, the provision of the shopping cart 158 at an output of the storage space 26 is possible. In addition, at a time tl04, the warehouse computer 16 sends the current order list 212b for the collective identifier S03 via the data transmission network to the till computer 120, for example in an order list message 354. After receiving the order list message 354 and adding the prices, for example in the till computer 120, the customer receives the Total price communicated. At a time tl06, the customer pays and the shopping cart 158 is handed over to him.

In another exemplary embodiment, selection units 130 to 136 are used which belong to the customer, in particular mobile radio telephones. In this case, the mobile radio telephone can also be used for paying with an electronic payment process, for example between the mobile radio telephone and the cash register computer 120. The method explained with reference to FIG. 4 also pays in the same way as explained with reference to FIG. 5.

In summary, the customer can use a Bluetooth or WLAN-compatible (WiFi Local Area Network) mobile phone instead of a shopping cart 158. He then points to electronic price tags in the store using a mobile phone or another suitable selection unit. With the help of a chip in the mobile phone and preferably a similar chip in the electronic price tag and confirmation of the item and quantity by pressing a button on the mobile The data is sent to a warehouse on the phone, giving customers the impression that they have a virtual shopping cart. In the warehouse or in a sales room, the customer can then pick up the goods at a counter or the goods are brought to his car.

So far, the following steps have to be carried out when shopping in the stationary retail and wholesale business, in particular in the food retail trade: 1. Loosen the shopping cart with the euro coin,

2. Drive and load shopping carts through the store,

3. Unload items from the shopping cart onto the cash register belt,

4. Put the items from the cash register conveyor back into the shopping cart, 5. Drive the shopping cart to the car and load the car, and 6. Return the shopping cart with the removal of the euro coin.

By using the explained methods, steps 2 to 4 are not necessary for the customer. Steps 3 to 4 are also not necessary for the seller of the goods.

By using the method according to the invention, the shop area can be reduced for the same range of goods. This also applies to the area required for the warehouse, since the goods can be stacked more closely in a warehouse than in a sales room 24.

The mobile phone or another selection device as a replacement for the shopping trolley and the customer-specific individual picking in the store area of the store enable customers to make mobile and pleasant purchases without long queues and without strenuous driving, loading and unloading of the shopping trolleys. Another advantage is that theft of goods can be reduced. The selection units can also be used as electronic customer cards.

Claims

claims

1. Method for transferring selection data (212), in which the following method steps are carried out without being restricted by the specified sequence:

Setting up a data transmission network (10) on which at least one trademark unit (60 to 74) is operated, note at least one trademark (WO1) in the trademark unit (60), the trademark (WO1) being a commodity (100) or a commodity (100 ) and a quantity of this product (100)

Note a collective identifier (S03) in a selection unit (136), the collective identifier (S03) denoting the selection unit (136), reading the collective identifier (S03) and reading the goods identifier (WOl) at least once, and transmitting (210) the at least once Group identifier (S03) and the goods identifier (WOl) via the data transmission network (10).

2. A method for generating and forwarding selection data (212), in which the following method steps are carried out without being restricted by the specified sequence: Note at least one goods identifier (WO1 to W06) in several goods identifier units (60 to 74), one goods identifier (W01 to W06) denotes a commodity (100 to 114) or a commodity (100 to 114) and a quantity of this commodity (100 to 114), note of a collective identifier (S03) in at least one selection unit (136), the collective identifier (S03) denotes the selection unit (136),

Reading the collective identifier (S03) and reading a first product identifier (W03), transmitting (210) the collective identifier (S03) and the first product identifier (W03) via a data transmission network (10), Output of the first goods identifier (W03) on at least one output unit in a warehouse (26) or automatic provision of at least one goods in a warehouse (26) depending on the group identifier (S03) and the first goods identifier (W03),

Begin with the provision of the goods in the warehouse (26) before the collective indicator (S03) is transmitted (240) with another identifier (WOl) or before the collective indicator (SO3) is transmitted with a last identifier before delivery (162) of the goods becomes,

Reading a second trademark (WOl) after the transfer (210) of the first trademark (W03), transferring the collective label (S03) and the second trademark (WO1) via the data transmission network (10), outputting the second trademark (WOl) to at least one Output unit in the warehouse (26) or automatic provision of at least one goods in the warehouse (26) depending on the collective identifier (S03) and the second identifier (WOl), joint delivery (162) of the goods belonging to the collective identifier (S03),

Determining (tl66) an amount to be paid for the collective identifier (S03) depending on the goods identifier (W03, WO1) transmitted together with this collective identifier (S03).

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the goods identifier (WOl) is stored electronically in the goods identifier unit (60), that the collective identifier (S03) is electronically stored in the selection unit (136), and that the collective identifier (S03 ) and / or the goods identifier (WOI) is transmitted to the data transmission network (10) via a radio link (80) to (94), in particular via a WLAN radio link or via a short-range radio link with less than twenty meters or with less than fifteen meters range, especially a short-range radio connection according to the Bluetooth standard.

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the selection units (130 to 136) are operated simultaneously as terminals in a mobile radio network or that the selection units (130 to 136) contain units that operate in a mobile radio network without conversion of the selection units (130 to 136).

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the data transmission network is a local data transmission network, in particular a data transmission network with wireless transmission links, which preferably works according to the Internet protocol, and that preferably the goods identification unit (60 to 74) and / or the selection units (130 to 136) exchange data with the data transmission network via a radio connection (80 to 94), in particular via a radio connection in accordance with the Bluetooth standard or in accordance with a WLAN method.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the goods identification unit (60) and the selection unit (136) contain integrated circuit arrangements of identical construction, each of which contains a transmitter circuit arrangement and a receiver circuit arrangement and with the aid of which the collective identification (S03) of the selection unit (136) to the product identification unit (60) or the product identification date (WO1) is transmitted from the product identification unit (60) to the selection unit (136).

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that with the help of the integrated circuit arrangement in the product identification unit (60) or in the off dialing unit (136) is also connected to the data transmission network (10).

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, insofar as referred to claim 1, characterized by at least one of the following steps: output of the goods identifier transmitted via the data transmission network (10) and preferably also of the collective identifier on at least one output unit in a warehouse (26) or automatically Provision of goods in a warehouse (26) depending on the group code (S03) and the code (WOl),

Determining an amount to be paid for a collective identifier (S03) depending on the goods identifier (WO1, W03) transmitted together with this collective identifier (S03).

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized by the following steps:

Reading the collective mark (S03) and reading a first goods mark (W03),

Transferring (210) the collective identifier (S03) and the first product identifier (W03) via the data transmission network (10), outputting the first product identifier (W03) to at least one output unit in a warehouse (26) or automatically providing at least one product in one Warehouse (26) depending on the group code (S03) and the first code (W03),

Begin with the provision of the goods in the warehouse (26) before the collective code (S03) with another code (W02) is transferred (240) or before the collective code (S03) with a last code before delivery (162) Goods are transferred, reading a second trademark (WOl) after the transfer of the first trademark (WO3), transferring the collective label (S03) and the second trademark (WOl) via the data transmission network (10), Output of the second goods identifier (WOl) on at least one output unit in the warehouse (26) or automatic provision of at least one goods in the warehouse (26) depending on the collective identifier (S03) and the second goods identifier (WOl), joint delivery (162) of the goods belonging to the collective indicator (S03),

Determining (tl66) an amount to be paid for the group identifier (S03) depending on the goods identifier (W03, WOI) transmitted together with this group identifier (S03).

10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, insofar as referred to claim 1, characterized in that the collective identifier (S03) is read with a goods identification unit (60) and that both identifiers (S03, W03) are read by the goods identification unit (60) are sent out into the data transmission network (10), or in that the selection units (130a to 136a) can also be operated on the data transmission network (10), that the goods identifier (WOI) is read (302a) with the selection unit (136a), and that the two identifiers (S03, W03) are transmitted from the selection unit (136a) into the data transmission network (10).

11. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the goods identification unit (60) contains an electronically controllable display unit on which the price of the goods and / or the goods type and / or the goods quantity are displayed.

12. Data transmission network (10), in particular data transmission network, in the operation of which a method according to one of the preceding claims is carried out, With several goods identification units (60 to 74) that can be operated or operated on the data transmission network (10), in each of which at least one goods identification (WO1 to WO6) is stored, the goods identification (WOI to WO6) being a product (100) or a product and denotes a quantity of these goods (100), characterized by a plurality of selection units (130 to 136) which can be operated or operated on the data transmission network (10), in each of which a collective identifier (S01 to S03) is noted, which identifies a selection unit (130 to 136) referred to, and by data transmission units contained in the selection units (130 to 136) and in the goods identification units (60 to 74), via which a goods identification (WOI) from a goods identification unit (60 to 74) to a selection unit (130 to 136) or the collective identification (S03) is transmitted from a selection unit (130 to 136) to a goods identification unit (60 to 74).

13. Trade mark unit (60), in particular for carrying out a method according to one of claims 1 to 11, with an electronic storage unit for storing a trade mark data (WO1), with a receiving unit for receiving a collective mark (S03) from a selection unit (136) , and with a transmission unit for transmitting the two identifiers (S03, WO1) into a data transmission network (10).

14. Product identification unit (64a), in particular for carrying out a method according to one of claims 1 to 11, with an electronic storage unit for storing a

Trade mark date (WOl), with a sending unit for sending the trade mark date

(WOl) to a selection unit (136a), with which at least one product is selected during a purchase process, which by the

Trademark date (WOl) is designated.

15. Product label unit according to claim 13 or 14, characterized by a receiving unit for receiving the label number (WOl) from a data transmission network (10), and / or by an electronically controllable display unit on which the price of the goods and / or the type of goods and / or the quantity of goods are displayed.

16. Selection unit (136), in particular for carrying out the method according to one of claims 1 to 11, with an electronic storage unit for storing a collective identifier (S03), and with a transmission unit for transmitting the collective identifier (S03) to a goods identifier unit (60 ), in which a trademark number (WOl) is stored.

17. Selection unit (136a), in particular for carrying out the method according to one of claims 1 to 11, with an electronic storage unit for storing a collective identification (S03), with a receiving unit for receiving a product identification data (W03) from a product identification unit (64a), and with a transmission unit for the joint transmission of the group identifier (S03) and the goods identifier (W03) to a data transmission network (10).

18. Selection unit according to claim 16 or 17, characterized by a control unit which outputs on a selection unit (180) messages which prompt for the confirmation of a product (100) or a product (100) and a quantity of this product (100).

19. Selection unit according to one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that the selection unit is contained in a mobile radio telephone.

20. Goods delivery unit, with several goods identification units (60) to (74), in each of which at least one goods identification (WO1) to (W06) is stored, with a control unit (16) connected to a data transmission network (10) or to a telecommunications network. , wherein the control unit (16) arranges the compilation of goods in a warehouse (26) depending on the incoming goods identifier (WO1) to (W06) and group identifier (S01) to (S03) before all the goods identifier (WO1, W03) for one Group identifier (S03) goods to be compiled have been transmitted via the data transmission network (10) or via the telecommunications network.

21. Goods delivery unit according to claim 20, g e k e n n - characterized by an automatic warehouse management

System that automatically supplies goods depending on the goods and collective labels.

22. Program with commands that can be executed by at least one processor, characterized in that when the program is executed by the processor, the method steps related to the selection unit (136) and / or the method steps related to the goods identification unit (60) and / or the procedural steps relating to the warehouse (26) and / or the procedural steps relating to the payment of the amount to be paid are carried out according to a method according to one of claims 1 to 11.