WO2007085211A1

WO2007085211A1 - Communication system for sales areas

Info

Publication number: WO2007085211A1
Application number: PCT/DE2006/000123
Authority: WO
Inventors: Oliver Vosshenrich; Andreas Bellgardt
Original assignee: Pos Tuning Udo Vosshenrich Gmbh & Co.Kg
Priority date: 2006-01-27
Filing date: 2006-01-27
Publication date: 2007-08-02
Also published as: DE112006003819A5; EP1977376A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a communication system for controlling a data transfer between a goods-related unit arranged in a sales area and an electronic computation unit, with the goods-related unit (1, 1') being connected to the central computation unit (2, 2', 2'') and/or to at least one further goods-related unit (1, 1') via a bus system (3).

Description

COMMUNICATION SYSTEM FOR SALES ROOMS

The invention relates to a communication system for controlling a data transfer between a merchandise-related unit arranged in a sales room and an electronic arithmetic unit.

The invention further relates to a goods-related unit for a communication system and to a method for communication between a goods-related unit arranged in the area of a shelf and a central processing unit.

From EP 1 541 064 A1 an electronic goods presentation device is known, which is provided for determining the inventories in a sales shelf. The goods presentation device comprises, on the one hand, a sensor unit, by means of which the position of a goods slide can be detected. The goods slide shifts the goods into a front position by means of a permanent feed force, so that the current position of the goods slide bers on the number of goods removed by the customer can be deduced. Furthermore, the goods presentation device has an electronic computing unit with a memory for processing the sensor data provided by the sensor unit. The evaluation data created by the arithmetic unit are then transmitted wirelessly via an input / output module to a central arithmetic unit, so that an authorized person always has an overview of the current state of goods in the sales racks.

The fact that the data exchange between the electronic goods presentation device and the central processing unit is done directly via the air interface, the cost of providing the communication path is relatively high.

The object of the present invention is to specify a communication system for controlling a data transfer between a goods-related unit located in a sales room and a central processing unit and a goods-related unit and a method for communication between the goods-related unit and the central processing unit such that the outlay for the goods transfer Data communication is reduced.

To achieve this object, the invention in connection with the preamble of claim 1, characterized in that the goods-related unit with the central processing unit and / or at least one further goods-related unit is connected via a bus system.

Advantageously, the bus system according to the invention allows a

Simplification of data communication between a goods-related unit located in a salesroom and a central processing unit. Advantageously, data from different systems can be exchanged, so that in particular the use of different types of goods-related units can be used. Goods-related units are understood to be electrical appliances used for the provision or promotion of goods in a point-of-sale store. For example, the goods-related unit can be designed as a goods presentation device, so that a permanent inventory can be made. As a result, the current inventory of a variety of goods is always possible, which are provided at different outlets for sale. Alternatively, the goods-related unit can also be embodied as a sensor or actuator that provides data for evaluation or sales promotion in relation to the goods as a function of the customer behavior in the sales room. For example, the residence time of the customer on a shelf can be determined by means of a field strength sensor. The goods-related unit can also be used to release product-related fragrances as a customer approaches the goods area. Alternatively, the merchandise-related unit may also include a camera system which is directed to a merchandised shelf and may be used for theft prevention, since a person may unintentionally steal a plurality of merchandise items.

The bus system according to the invention ensures universal communication from and to different types of goods-related units as well as logging and evaluation of data in a simple manner.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bus system has a supply module which has a supply common bus line is associated with a plurality of input / output modules (I / O modules) of goods presentation devices. On the one hand, voltage supply signals and, on the other hand, data signals are transmitted via the bus line, so that the communication effort, in particular of goods presentation devices positioned at a common location or sales stand, is reduced.

According to a development of the invention, the bus line is formed only from two wires, so that the installation effort for the bus system is largely reduced.

According to a development of the invention, the supply module has a transmitting / receiving module, so that communication with goods presentation devices is also made possible via an air interface. Thus, the data communication of goods presentation devices in a single sales room can be made possible in a simple manner only by means of a single supply module.

According to a development of the invention, the bus line is arranged integrated in an adapter rail, which serves for fixing a display housing of Warenpräsentationsvor- device. In this way, the bus line can be arranged to save space. Preferably, the arranged at a different height level adapter rails of a sales shelf via a two-wire connection are coupled together, so that for the entire shelf only a single supply module must be provided.

According to a development of the invention, the supply module is wirelessly connected to a network master, who logs the goods movements and periodically logs them over a data network, such as the Internet. net, to a central server. Via the data network, branch data, article data, assortment data or supplier data can also be made available to the network master or the bus master in the reverse data flow direction.

To achieve the object, a goods-related unit for a communication system in conjunction with the preamble of claim 12, characterized in that the goods-related unit comprises a frame support with a recess, in which a fitted with electrical components board is used detent.

The particular advantage of the goods-related unit according to the invention is that a standardized frame carrier can be provided, in the recess depending on the application differently shaped boards are latching used. Advantageously, this allows a simple electrical connection between the goods-related unit on the one hand and the bus system on the other hand.

According to a development of the invention, the board is inserted in such a recess of the frame support, that in each case protrudes from a base side of formed together with the frame support two parallel tracks a spring contact for contacting with the bus line. Preferably, the frame carrier is designed such that the goods-related unit can be mounted latching on the adapter rail. The spring contacts are resilient and allow a sliding movement of the goods-related unit along the adapter rail to a desired location.

According to a development of the invention, the spring contacts are clamped on a narrow side of the board. inserted, wherein an electrical connection is made to a conductor track of the board. This results in a simple installation, since a soldering of the spring contacts is not required.

According to a development of the invention, the board is inserted in such a way in the recess of the frame carrier, that the spring contact in a vertex area of the same engages behind a projecting edge of the frame carrier. Advantageously, this creates a clip connection between the board and the frame carrier. The spring contact thus has a double function. It serves, on the one hand, for electrical contacting and, on the other hand, for the mechanical connection of the printed circuit board to the frame carrier of the goods-related unit.

To solve the problem, the invention in conjunction with the preamble of claim 16 is characterized in that the data of several goods-related units are queried sequentially via a bus system of a arranged in the retail shelf bus master or that the data transfer between the goods-related unit and the bus master event-controlled in that the data received from the goods-related unit are buffered in a memory of the bus master, that in the bus master the buffered data are grouped into data packets, that the data packets are transmitted via a W-LAN connection to a central processing unit arranged in the point of sale be transferred and that the data packets are processed in the central processing unit of the point of sale and / or evaluated and / or transmitted to another central processing unit via a data network on. The particular advantage of the method according to the invention is that an adaptation of differently configured goods-related units to uniform communication parameters takes place, which enables a data transfer to a central processing unit. Advantageously, the communication can be made possible by a plurality of goods-related units with a central processing unit, whereby the provision of a bus system reduces the installation effort and increases the variability in the fields of application.

Further advantages of the invention will become apparent from the further subclaims.

An embodiment of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings.

Show it:

1 shows a vertical section through a sales shelf,

FIG. 2 shows an enlarged cross section A of a front region of a shelf,

3 shows a cross section through an adapter rail, in which a bus line is integrated,

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of a communication system according to the invention,

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a merchandise display device;

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a goods-related unit from below, Figure 7 is a side view of the goods-related unit in an upright position thereof in the direction A of Figure 6 and

8 shows a cross section through the goods-related unit along the section line VIII-VIII in Figure 6.

A communication system for controlling a data transfer between a goods-related unit 1 'and a central processing unit 2 consists of a bus system 3, by means of which input / output modules 4 (I / O modules 10.1, 10.2, 10.1, 11.1. 11 n, 20.1, 20.2, 20 n) are coupled to a network master 2 'arranged in the area of the sales room.

The merchandise-related unit 1 'may be embodied as an electronic merchandise display device 1, as shown in greater detail in FIG. Alternatively, the goods-related unit 1 'can also be designed as a sensor, actuator, as a camera system or as a lighting system. These goods-related units 1 ^Λ then have normalized input / output modules 30, as shown in more detail in Figures 6 to 8.

As can be seen from FIG. 5, the goods presentation device 1 comprises, on the one hand, a sensor unit 5 by means of which the position of a goods slide 6 can be recognized, which is mounted longitudinally displaceably on a guide slide profile of a shelf 7 of a shelf 9. The goods slide 6 presses with a feed force in the direction of a front edge 8 of the shelf 7, so that when removing a between the goods slide 6 and the front edge 8 of the shelf 7 angeord- - S -

The product pusher 6 is automatically moved forward to form a feed force which compresses the stack of goods, so that the current number of goods remaining in the corresponding shelf 9 is recognized as a function of the feed path.

The sensor data determined by means of the sensor unit 5 are made available to an electronic computing unit 10, which is arranged on the front edge 8 of the retail shelf compartment 9 in a housing 14. In the electronic processing unit 10, the sensor data is processed. For this purpose, the electronic processing unit 10 has a corresponding software program and a memory. Connected to the electronic processing unit 10 is a display 11 for the visual representation of goods-specific data, such as the price or the like. Furthermore, the electronic processing unit 10 is connected to an I / O module 10.1 for coupling the Warenpräsentationsvorrich- device 1 with a supply module (bus master 12) of the bus system 3, which is preferably associated with a sales shelf 13 and arranged on a front edge 8 of a shelf 9 shelves accessible ,

The electronic processing unit 10, the display 11, the memory and the I / O module 10. 1 are preferably accommodated in the common housing 14.

As can be seen better from FIG. 4, the bus system 3 has a plurality of bus subsystems 3 ', 3 ", which each have a single bus master 12, 12', each having one or more bus lines 15, 15 ', 16 with the

I / O modules 10.1 10.2, 10. n, 11.1. 11.2, 11. n, or the

I / O module 20.1, 20.2, 20.n the goods-related unit 1 is coupled. The bus master 12, 12 'is designed in such a way that he makes all requests to the I / O module designed as a slave module and he answers all the responses from the I / O modules 10.1 10.2, 10.n, 11.1. 11.2, 11.n, or the I / O module 20.1, 20.2, 20. n receives. An I / O module must never transmit without being prompted by bus master 12, 12 '. As soon as the bus master 12, 12 'has made a request, he polls the I / O module for answer, that is he constantly sends special short messages with the question code for "answer done?".

As can be seen from FIG. 1, the bus lines 15, 15 'each extend in a horizontal direction along the front edge 8 of the shelf part 9, 9', 9 '', 9 '' '. The bus lines 15, 15 ', 16 are integrated in an adapter rail 17, which is T-shaped in cross-section and which is positively or adhesively or positively connected to the front edge 8 of the shelf 9, 9', S '', 9 ' '' is attached. Preferably, the adapter rail 17 is connected to the front edge 8 of the retail shelf compartment 9, 9 ', 9' ', 9' '' by means of a latching connection. Here, a protruding part of the adapter rail 17 is inserted into a U-shaped bead of the front edge 8.

Alternatively, a bottom of the adapter rail 7 is provided with a double-sided adhesive tape, so that the adapter rail 17 can be applied in a simple manner to the front edge 8 of the shelf 7. The adapter rail 17 has two longitudinal grooves 19, in each of which an electrically conductive material (copper) formed wire 20, 20 'is introduced. These two wires 20, 20 'form the bus line 15, 15', 16, wherein they serve for the transmission of the power supply signals and the data transmission signal. In order that goods-related units 1 of store shelves 9, 9 ', 9'',9''' of a store shelf 13 arranged at different height levels can access the same bus master 12, 12 ', one end of the adapter bar 17 of the store shelf shelf 9 is connected to one end of the shelf shelf underneath adapter rail 17 of the sales shelf compartment 9 'coupled together via a two-wire connection 23. Since the bus master 12, 12 'supplies the goods-related units 1 via the bus lines 15, 15', 16 with an electrical voltage and controls the data transfer, it also serves as a supply module.

The bus master 12 can be connected directly to the bus line 15 via a wire connection 23, as shown in FIG. Alternatively, the bus master 12 can also be wirelessly connected to the bus line 15 'via a transmitting / receiving module 21, to which further I / O modules 20.1, 20.2, 20N are applied.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the bus masters 12, 12 'may be of the same design, with each bus master 12, 12' spatially separated I / O modules 10.1, 10.2, 10, 11.1. 11.2, 11. n, or I / O modules 20.1, 20.2, 20. n of goods-related units 1 are assigned. For example, each store shelf 13 is assigned a bus master 12, 12 '.

According to an alternative embodiment, the bus masters 12, 12 'can also be of different bus type, for example of a different serial bus type, so that the communication of different bus types with the network master 2' is ensured.

The network master 2 'serves to receive inventories or to send article information and system data. He can log employee logins, goods movements with time, date and employee. To evaluate the data, the network master 2 'is connected via a data network (Internet) 22 to a central server 2 "in which further evaluations can be made. The communication thus takes place between the I / O modules 10.1 10.2, 10. n, 11.1. 11.2, 11. n, 20.1, 20.2, 20 n of the goods-related units 1 on the one hand and the network master 2 'or the central server 2''as the central computing units 2 on the other hand. The bus master 12, 12 'is used for voltage supply and control of the data transfer within a bus subsystem 3', 3 '' and for communication between the network master 2, 2 'and the bus system 3', 3 ''.

According to an alternative embodiment, the bus system 3 may also be designed so that the input / output modules 10.1 10.2, 10. n, 11.1. 11.2, 11. n, 20.1, 20.2, 20 n of the goods presentation devices 1 of a bus subsystem 3 ', 3' 'can independently communicate with one another. The supply module 12, 12 'then does not serve as a bus master.

Alternatively, only a single, uniform bus system 3 'or 3 "may be provided. Thus, while the bus system 3 ', 3' 'of a certain type is present, the I / O modules 10.1 10.2, 10. N, 11.1. 11.2, 11. n, 20.1, 20.2, 20. n, 30 different types be formed.

FIGS. 6 to 8 show an I / O module 30 of a goods-related unit 1 'or a merchandising device 1, which can be connected to the adapter rail 17 shown in FIG. 3 by latching. In the exemplary embodiments described in more detail below, the goods-related unit is provided, on the one hand, by a frame carrier 31 made of a plastic material and one of a plurality of components. number of electrical components 32 having board 33 formed. The goods-related unit 1 'is substantially formed by the I / O module 30, the frame carrier 31 may have a retaining wall 34 on an upper side. For example, the I / O module 30 may be electrically connected to a display 11, as shown in more detail in FIG.

For mounting the I / O module 30, the board 32 equipped with the components 32 is provided on opposite narrow sides 35, 35 'thereof with one spring contact 36, 36' each. The spring contact 36, 36 'has resilient mounting tabs 37 which are attachable under clamped contact with flat sides 38 of the board 33. The spring contact 36, 36 'is made of an electrically conductive material. The mounting tabs 37 are applied to printed circuit boards, not shown, of the board 33 and thus allow the electrical contact with bus lines 15, 15 'of the adapter rail 17th

In a further step, the board 33, which is now provided with the spring contacts 36, 36 ', is inserted in a recess of the frame carrier 31 with a latching connection, so that two parallel guide tracks 39, 39' are formed. These guide tracks 39, 39 'form a depression with respect to a lower side 40 of the frame carrier 31. The spring contacts 36, 36' protrude from a base side 41 of the guide tracks 39, 39 'in such a way that after the I / O module 30 has been clipped on the adapter rail 17 is an electrical contact between the I / O module 30 and the bus lines (bus wires 20, 20 ') is given.

The insertion of the board 33 into the recess of the frame carrier 31 is effected by engaging behind a projecting edge 42 of the frame carrier 31 through a vertex area .

- 14 -

43 of the spring contacts 36, 36 ', so that a clamping fixation of the board 33 is given in the frame carrier 31. The latching connection of the board 33 with the frame carrier 31 is conveyed in that a corner region 44 of the board 33 is latched to a wall of the frame carrier 31.

The method of communication between an I / O module 10.1, 10.2, 10. n, 11.1. 11.2, 11. n, 20.1, 20.2, 20. n, 30 of a goods-related unit 1, 1 'and a central processing unit are as follows: The data determined in the goods-related unit 1, 1' are sequentially from the bus master 12, 12 'interrogated via the bus system 3, stored in a memory of the bus master 12, 12' and grouped so that they are provided in the form of data packets for transmission to the central processing unit, namely the network master 2 'available. The bus master 12, 12 'serves as a kind of bridge for transmitting the data of the goods-related units 1, 1' to the network master 2 '. The bus master 12, 12 'collects the data and prepares it in a form processed for a central processing unit 2'.

By sequentially polling the data by means of the bus master 12, 12 ', a simple bus protocol can be used.

For real-time provision of the data, the data transfer between the goods-related unit 1 'and the bus master 12, 12' can also be event-controlled. As soon as the goods-related unit 1 'determines a measured value, it can thus be transmitted immediately to the bus master. The data transfer can therefore be event-controlled, depending on a detected signal of a respective I / O device. Module 10.1 10.2, 10. n, 11.1. 11.2, 11. n, 20.1, 20.2, 20.n, 30 (sensors, actuators).

The data processed in the bus master 12, 12 'are transmitted as data packets via a wireless LAN module integrated in the bus master 12, 12' to the network master 2 'arranged in the point of sale. In the network master 2 ', the data packets are processed and optionally evaluated and optionally further transmitted to a further central processing unit, namely to a web server, via a data network.

The data packets are designed as TCP packets that have a header and a data record. The transmission of the data between the bus master 12, 12 'and the network master 2' is done by means of a point-to-point connection, whereby both the bus master and the network master are authorized to initiate a connection setup. The data transfer takes place by generating an address (IP address) and a port number. The wireless radio link between the bus master 12, 12 'and the network master 2', for example, according to the W-LAN standard IEEE802.il.

Claims

Claims:

A communication system for controlling a data transfer between a merchandise-related unit arranged in a sales room and an electronic arithmetic unit, characterized in that the merchandise-related unit (1, 1 ') with the central processing unit (2, 2', 2 '') and / or is connected to at least one further goods-related unit (1, 1 ') via a bus system (3).

2. Communication system according to claim 1, characterized in that the goods-related unit (1 ') as an electronic goods display device (1) is formed, which comprises a sensor unit for detecting the position of the goods in a shelf by means of a feed force acted upon a product shifter electronic computing unit for connecting the sensor data provided by the sensor unit and an input / output module for data exchange with the central processing unit, wherein the input / output module (10.1, 10.2, 10, 11.1, 11.2, 11.n , 20.1, 20.2, 20. n, 30) of the goods presentation device (1) via the bus system (3) with the central computing unit (2, 2 ', 2' ') and / or the input / output module 10.1, 10.2, 10. n, 11.1. 11.2, 11. n,

20.1, 20.2, 20. n, 30) of at least one further goods presentation device (1) is connected.

3. System according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the bus system (3) has at least one supply module (12, 12 ') which is connected to a plurality of I / O modules (10.1, 10.2, 10. n, 11.1, 11.2, 11. n, 20.1,

20.2, 20.n) of the goods presentation devices (1) connecting bus line (15, 15 ', 16) is connected and having means such that via the bus line

(15, 15 ', 16) at the same time a power supply signal for the I / O modules (10.1, 10.2, 10.n, 11.1,

11.2, 11. n, 20.1, 20.2, 20. n) and data signals can be transmitted.

4. System according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the supply module (12, 12 ') directly via a wire connection (23) to the bus line (15, 16) and / or by means of a transmitting / receiving module (21 ) is coupled to the bus line (15 ') via the air interface.

5. System according to one of claims 1 to 4, character- ized in that the bus line (15, 15 ', 16) two

Wires (20, 20 ') comprises for the transmission of voltage supply signals and for data transfer.

6. System according to one of claims 1 to 5, character- ized in that the bus line (15, 15 ', 16) is arranged integrated in an adapter rail (17) on which a housing (14) of the goods display device (1) fixed is.

7. System according to claim 6, characterized in that the adapter rail (17) in cross-section T-shaped and form-fitting or glued or force-locking or latching with a front edge (8) of the sales shelf (13) is connected.

8. System according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that arranged at a different height level adapter rails (17) of a sales shelf (13) via a wire connection (23) are coupled together.

9. System according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the supply module (12, 12 ') directly to the central processing unit (2') and / or via a data network (22) with the central processing unit (2, 2 ') is connected, such that the data transfer between the central processing unit (2', 2 '') and an I / O module (10.1, 10.2, 10th, 11th, 11th, 11th, 20th, 20th, 20th, 2nd , 20. n, 30) of the Warenpräsentati- onsvorrichtungen (1) is given.

10. System according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the supply module as a bus master

(12, 12 ') is formed, which via a bus line (15, 15') with I / O modules (10.1, 10.2, 10 n, 11.1, 11.2, 11.n, 20.1, 20.2, 20. n, 30) of different types is connected.

11. System according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the I / O modules (10.1, 10.2, 10.

11.1, 11.2, 11.n, 20.1, 20.2, 20. n, 30) are designed as slave modules and the supply module (12, 12 ') as a bus master module, such that the data communication only between the I / O Modules (10.1, 10.2, 10.n, 11.1, 11.2, 11. n, 20.1, 20.2, 20.n, 30) on the one hand and the supply module (12, 12 ') and / or the central processing unit (2', 2 ' ') on the other hand, or that the communication between the bus master (12, 12') and the I / O modules modules (10.1, 10.2, 10 n, 11.1, 11.2, 11 n, 20.1, 20.2, 20. n, 30) is event controlled.

The goods-related unit for a communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, which is connected to bus lines (15, 15 ') of a shelf-mounted one Adapter rail (17) is contacted, characterized in that the goods-related unit (1 ') comprises a frame support (31) having a recess into which a with electrical components (32) populated board (33) is inserted latching.

13. Goods-related unit according to claim 12, characterized in that the board (33) is mounted in such a way in the recess of the frame carrier (31), that two parallel guide tracks (39, 39 ') are formed, from the base side (41) each one Spring contact (36, 36 ') protrudes to make contact with the bus line (15, 15').

14. Goods-related unit according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the spring contact (36, 36 ') is clamped on a narrow side of the board (33).

15. Goods-related unit according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the spring contact (36, 36 ') with a vertex portion (43) thereof a projecting edge (42) of the frame support (31) engages behind, such that the board ( 33) is at least partially fixed in a clamping manner in the recess of the frame carrier (31).

16. A method for communication between a goods-related unit arranged in the area of a sales shelf and a central processing unit, characterized in that the data of several goods-related units

(1 ') are queried sequentially via a bus system (3) by a bus master (12, 12') arranged in the area of the shelf, or that the data Transfer between the goods-related unit (I ') and the bus master (12, 12') is event-controlled, that the data received from the goods-related unit (1 ') are temporarily stored in a memory of the bus master (12, 12') in the bus master (12, 12 ') the cached data are grouped into data packets, that the data packets are transmitted via a W-LAN connection to a central processing unit (2') arranged in the point of sale, and that the data packets in the central processing unit ( 2 ') of the sales outlet are processed and / or evaluated and / or transmitted to a further central computer unit (2'') via a data network.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that the data packets between the bus master (12, 12 ') and the central processing unit (2') after establishing point-to-point connection while generating an address and a port number thereof are sent.