Method for affiliating a label with an off-the-shelf item

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for affiliating a woven label with an off-the-shelf item or accessory in the fields of fashion, textiles and clothing; the label being attached to the item and containing a 2D code, such as a QR code, encoding an identifier within a database. According to the invention, the method consists in affiliating the label after it has been provided to the recipient of the label or to a designer.

Description

Description Title of the invention: Method for attaching a label to a ready-to-wear item technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of ready-to-wear clothing and accessories in the fields of fashion, textiles and clothing. Previous art

[0002] In the fashion and accessories sector, brands want to be able to communicate with their product consumers, i.e., their customers. Several solutions exist for this purpose.

[0003] It is possible to send emails to customers identified within a brand database, for example based on these customers' loyalty accounts with the brand.

[0004] It is also possible to send push notifications to customers who have installed an application distributed by the brand on their smartphone.

[0005] The drawback of these solutions is that the communications are driven by the brand, not requested by the customer. The customer may therefore resent such unsolicited communications.

[0006] Furthermore, these communications are generally disconnected from the items the customer actually owns. The communication is too general and does not properly target the customers who need to be informed.

[0007] Finally, these solutions are not compatible with the second-hand market, because while the brand may know the first customer, it doesn't know if and when they resold the item they initially purchased. The second customer, the new buyer, cannot be contacted by the brand. The brand therefore misses out on a portion of its target audience.

[0008] Furthermore, there are labels that display codes, such as barcodes or 2D codes like QR codes. Such codes can encode data such as text, in order to present information to the customer when they The code is scanned with a smartphone. These codes can encode a website address (URL, short for Uniform Resource Locator). These tags are attached to the item and can therefore follow it throughout its lifespan, allowing the brand to reach a second customer. The drawback of such tags is that the code cannot be changed once the tag is produced. The brand can therefore no longer easily modify the content of its message after the tag is manufactured.

[0009] Furthermore, there is a difficulty in matching a label with a code to its corresponding item. Indeed, a code is generally not meaningful, so reading it with the naked eye does not reveal the information it encodes. This is especially true for barcodes or 2D codes.

[0010] In this case, it can be complicated for a garment manufacturer with labels for different items to know which label should be sewn onto which item. Two labels might display the same brand logo, but each have a different 2D code, the first corresponding, for example, to a t-shirt and the second to a sweater. These two labels cannot be distinguished by sight. Therefore, there is a risk of attaching the wrong label to the wrong item.

[0011] Next, the prior affiliation of a label with a 2D code to a particular item requires, both for the label manufacturer, the brand that buys the labels, and the manufacturer that makes the items and attaches the labels to the items, rigorous monitoring of the stock of each label reference, based on their affiliation: labels that look similar but have a different code should not be interchanged.

[0012] Assigning each label individually to its corresponding item is tedious.

[0013] Furthermore, there is a risk of counterfeiting by the manufacturer: possessing raw materials approved by the brand and brand labels ("textile labels"), the manufacturer can produce surplus items without the brand's consent and sell them independently on secondary markets. This is the "grey market," as opposed to the "black market," because this These are genuine articles and not imitations, but marketed without the control or authorization of the brand.

[0014] Documents KR101075897B1, US20170132892A1, and US20190114584A1 describe data management processes, but they are not entirely satisfactory: - KR101075897B1 concerns the modification of data accessible on a website via a QR code. This document does not provide guidance on managing a brand database, which includes numerous entries corresponding to the various items offered by that brand. US20170132892A1 and US20190114584A1 relate to processes for linking an identifier on a label to an item during label manufacturing. These processes present the aforementioned risks of label application errors. Description of the invention

[0015] One of the aims of the invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0016] In particular, it may involve offering a brand a communication medium that is scalable, so that the content of the communication can be updated according to the evolution of the data to be provided.

[0017] It can also involve facilitating the association of woven labels displaying a code with a corresponding item.

[0018] To this end, a method has been developed for managing data relating to an article of the type of ready-to-wear or accessory in the fields of fashion, textiles and clothing, the data being accessible by means of a label of the article, preferably a woven label, and presenting an identifier such as a 2D code or a QR code, and the label being affiliated to this article, i.e. that this QR code is attached to this article within the database, and that scanning the 2D code for example with a smartphone allows access and / or display of the data on a smartphone application, or on an internet browser; - the data being stored on a server, and being able to be modified by means of an online platform, running on the server.

[0019] The method according to the invention consists of: - assign each database identifier to at least one database category; - to simultaneously modify the data relating to several articles, by modifying a data relating to a category of these articles.

[0020] In this way, communication is requested by the customer when they scan the 2D code, and no longer pushed by the brand. The customer no longer feels intrusive.

[0021] Furthermore, the label, preferably woven, is durable and has a lifespan equivalent to that of the item. The code is therefore accessible to potential second-hand purchasers of the item, who can then benefit from the brand's communications, even without being registered with the brand through a loyalty program. The invention also facilitates compliance of the brand's communication methods with requirements related to the protection of customers' personal data, such as EU Regulation 2016 / 679 (General Data Protection Regulation, "GDPR"), as the brand can communicate with its customers without needing their personal data.

[0022] A printed label is less expensive but less durable than a woven label. A woven label is more complex and more expensive than a printed label, but its durability is significantly greater. A printed label can withstand at most a few dozen washes, whereas a woven label has a lifespan at least equal to that of the item.

[0023] Finally, since the data can be modified, it is possible to change the content of the brand's communication, independently of the production of the labels bearing the code. Communication to the customer can therefore evolve.

[0024] The identifier can be an alphanumeric sequence, or a code such as a barcode or a two-dimensional code ("2D code"). Preferably, it is a QR code: - encoding the identifier, so that scanning the QR code with a reader allows the label to be identified, or; - encoding a source URL including a corresponding alphanumeric sequence to the label identifier. In this case, the source URL allows the label to be identified and / or directs an internet browser to a web page corresponding to the scanned label.

[0025] In the remainder of this document, reference is generally made to the "code" on the label, without excluding modes where the label only carries an identifier.

[0026] "Affiliation" refers to the linking, within a database, of the label identifier to the item that receives the label. Even if the affiliation occurs after the label is provided, it can take place before or after the label is affixed to the item.

[0027] By "data relating to an article", we mean any type of informational content, textual, multimedia, or target URLs of a web page.

[0028] The term "online platform" refers to any utility running on the server, such as a web page with a graphical interface that allows users to select the item whose data needs to be modified and enter a new value. It can also refer to a utility without a graphical interface, such as a program that executes a computer query to modify certain data within the database.

[0029] The data is updated "simultaneously" as opposed to "Individually" means that the data modification is ordered for all the articles concerned at the same time. Normal program execution times or server query times are not taken into account, nor is the fact that the data is actually modified one after the other, since it is the database management that is being studied.

[0030] A category is a grouping of identifiers. This can be a collection in the ready-to-wear sector (“spring-summer 2022 collection”), a product family (“trousers”), a market segment (“ecological materials”), etc. An item belongs to one or more categories.

[0031] In a particular embodiment, the platform collects and records usage data for identifiers and / or usage data relating to the article. This data is then segregated and compiled in order to that the brand can do data analysis, for example of product usage, or product lifecycle.

[0032] Preferably, and to ensure traceability and the most accurate data analysis possible, the identifier is unique.

[0033] To facilitate bulk data modification, this is done by integrating a synchronization file for a computerized data exchange known as "EDI," which involves communicating digital documents in a standardized format and enabling automatic data transfer between two entities, from machine to machine. In practice, a first computer application sends an EDI file containing the data to a second computer application. The exchange can occur through the sending of standardized messages, or through a combination of a file upload to a directory, initiated by the first entity, and a directory scanning tool implemented by the second entity.

[0034] The EDI file includes a list of database row identifiers to be modified, the fields affected by the modification, and the new values.

[0035] For the modification to be triggered, for example, by label production, the EDI file is issued by the label manufacturer's enterprise resource planning (ERP) software. In this case, the modifications made by the label manufacturer are intended for the brand, and these modifications can serve as a production monitoring indicator.

[0036] In addition or as an alternative, so that the implementation of the modification does not require the brand to use an additional computer tool, the EDI file is issued by a business management software package of the brand, i.e. the acquirer of the labels.

[0037] In addition, or as an alternative, the modification is triggered by the affiliation of category tags to their corresponding items. This allows, for example, updating data intended for the brand, such as logistics data or production tracking data, depending on how the affiliation is organized. In this case, the modification is carried out by a computer program implemented to perform the affiliation. It is preferably performed when the labels are affiliated in batches.

[0038] In order to manage the end of life of articles, and subsequently to purge the database of superfluous data, the assignment of the identifier to a category called "end of life" prevents the modification of content data.

[0039] Identifiers are preferably generated by a cryptographic algorithm using a timestamp, that is, the time elapsed between a specific event and the moment the identifier was generated. This guarantees their uniqueness without requiring verification against an existing database of identifiers.

[0040] To make identifiers easier to read and to prevent dyslexia, the algorithm provides pseudo-random alphanumeric sequences, intended to form part of the identifier. By "pseudo-random," we mean an alphanumeric sequence that appears to be a random sequence: - labels belonging to the same production batch do not have a sequence that is incremented from one label to another (for example, the sequence does not go from "0001" to "0002" then "0003", but from "L8OY" to "2R8L" then "W82W"); - the alphanumeric sequence is nevertheless provided in a way determined by the algorithm, and is therefore not random.

[0041] In one particular embodiment, the article data includes a target URL. In this case, the brand can, for example, generate a new web page each time it wants to modify its communication. Modifying the data primarily involves replacing the URL of the old communication page with the URL of the new communication page.

[0042] In another mode, the article data contains a source URL. To easily categorize them, several source URLs share a common root, that is, a portion of the path and / or domain name that is common. This also facilitates the transfer of data management, as the transfer then involves the domain name defined by the common root.

[0043] To facilitate and accelerate the selection of multiple labels whose data needs to be modified, the selection is made by entering an identifier of grouping of a predefined grouping category. In practice, the grouping category corresponds to the packaging of a label handling unit, all affiliated with the same type of item.

[0044] Preferably, the grouping identifier is entered by scanning a 2D grouping code. This eliminates the risk of typos. This 2D grouping code can be included on a label packing list, for example, when the labels are delivered to the manufacturer.

[0045] To avoid any risk of exchange between several 2D grouping codes, the grouping identifier is entered by scanning a 2D grouping code present on a package of a label handling unit.

[0046] A method has also been developed for associating a label, preferably woven, with an article of the type of ready-to-wear and accessories in the fields of fashion, textiles and clothing; the label being attached to the article and presenting an identifier such as a 2D code or a QR code encoding the identifier within a database.

[0047] According to the invention, the label is affiliated after its supply to the purchaser of the label or to a manufacturer.

[0048] Affiliation refers to the linking, within a database, between a label identifier and a database key, allowing the identification of an item within the item database. The key could be, for example: - a code commonly used in the field in question, such as the stock management unit of an item, its universal product code or its European product code (respectively "SKU", "UPC" and "EAN"), - a website address (“URL”).

[0049] Depending on the desired resolution for data administration: - The label identifier is unique. In this case, all manufactured labels can be interchanged by the manufacturer, but the responsibility for verifying the uniqueness of each label produced lies with the label manufacturer. - The label identifier is not unique. In this case, label manufacturing is facilitated, but the manufacturer must be careful not to interchange labels from different series (and bearing different identifiers). - The key designates an item model (for example, a bag model). This solution is preferred for large retailers, who do not require the ability, after a customer has purchased the item, to differentiate it from another item of the same model. - The key designates a unique item (and not all items of the same bag model, for example). This solution is preferred for traceability or anti-counterfeiting applications, because it allows, after a customer has purchased the item, for it to be differentiated from another item of the same model.

[0050] In this way, the labels are linked at the latest possible time, which simplifies inventory management. Labels can be manufactured in large quantities and stored without needing to differentiate between batches based on each label's identifier. In particular, this reduces label inventory because they are universal until they are linked. Differentiation only occurs after delivery to the brand or manufacturer, and each label is then associated with a specific item.

[0051] Post-delivery affiliation also simplifies label application for garment manufacturers, who can attach labels to garments without needing to differentiate between them. The use of a non-meaningful identifier (such as a QR code) is no longer penalized for manufacturers, as the risk of confusion between already affiliated labels is eliminated.

[0052] In all cases, it is easier for the brand to administer its database, as errors in label stock management and label application errors are eliminated.

[0053] To speed up the affiliation process, several labels are affiliated simultaneously.

[0054] To facilitate the entry of labels to be affiliated, they are selected by entering a predefined grouping identifier.

[0055] With this same goal in mind, the grouping identifier is entered by scanning a grouping QR code.

[0056] To limit the risk of error between several grouping identifiers, scanning a grouping QR code present on a grouping package of labels allows the grouping identifier to be entered.

[0057] To ensure that only labels whose code readability was not degraded during the garment's manufacture or during label application are associated with the product, the label is associated with the product after it has been applied. This association can then be used as production tracking data.

[0058] To limit the risk of counterfeiting, the label is attached to the item when it is sold in stores. Therefore, only items placed on the market in a controlled manner by the brand bear an attached, and thus functional, label.

[0059] To facilitate data entry during the registration process, it is carried out using an application running on a smartphone. This involves identifying the item model to be registered within the application and capturing a 2D code representing the identifier, which is found on an item matching the selected identification. The order in which these two actions are performed is irrelevant.

[0060] To further this goal, and to expedite the affiliation process, multiple items are affiliated using a smartphone application. This involves identifying the item model to be affiliated within the application, then successively capturing 2D codes that encode the identifier and are found on items matching the identified model. In practice, the type of item to be affiliated (for example, a specific handbag model) is selected, and then the tags of all the bags of that model that need to be affiliated are scanned sequentially.

[0061] In another method, affiliation is achieved through the integration of a synchronization file for a computer data exchange known as "EDI". In this way, affiliation is automatic and requires no further action from the manufacturer, brand, or subcontractor.

[0062] In the first scenario, the synchronization file is generated by an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system belonging to the purchaser of the woven labels, i.e., the brand. This scenario is suitable when the server hosting the database is hosted by someone other than the brand, such as the label manufacturer. This also allows the brand to control label affiliation, thus limiting the gray market, as only labels that the brand has chosen to affiliate are functional.

[0063] In a second case, the synchronization file is issued by an enterprise resource planning (ERP) software package from the manufacturer of the woven labels. This case is suitable when the The server on which the database is stored is hosted by someone other than the label manufacturer, for example, the brand itself. This also allows for greater flexibility in managing label production and storage, as only functional labels, excluding production defects, are associated with the database.

[0064] The invention also relates to an installation comprising a server including a database and running a computer program and / or an online platform, configured to implement a process according to the aforementioned characteristics. Brief description of the drawings

[0065] [Fig.1] is a diagram illustrating the material and immaterial exchanges between a brand, a label manufacturer, a subcontractor, and a brand customer.

[0066] [Fig.2] illustrates a ready-to-wear item with a label including a 2D code.

[0067] [Fig.3] illustrates a graphical interface of a smartphone application presenting data relating to a ready-to-wear item such as a t-shirt.

[0068] [Fig.4] illustrates a database including thumbnail IDs, categories, source URLs and target URLs.

[0069] [Fig.5] illustrates a database including thumbnail identifiers, categories, and data relating to ready-to-wear items such as lingerie items.

[0070] [Fig.6] illustrates a graphical interface of an online platform allowing modification of the data of articles in a category. Detailed description of the invention

[0071] With reference to figures 1 to 3, the invention relates to data management enabling a brand (10) to be linked with its customers (20), by means of labels (31) attached to the articles (11) that it sells.

[0072] Referring to Figure 2, these labels (31) contain a code, preferably a 2D code such as a QR code. The code is scanned by a customer (20), or flashed, for example using a smartphone (21).

[0073] With reference to Figure 3, the customer (20) then accesses data (51) relating to the item (11). The data (51) can be: - information relating to article (11) as such, such as the composition of article (11), its place of manufacture, maintenance advice; - information relating to the item (11) from the point of view of the brand (10), such as suggestions of other complementary items or items from the same collection, which may be of interest to the customer (20): it may be a shirt to match the trousers that the customer has just scanned (20).

[0074] Since the label (31) cannot be modified after its manufacture, the process according to the invention makes it easy to modify the data (51) after the manufacture of the label (31).

[0075] Since the label (31) is generally manufactured by a company other than the contract manufacturer (40), it is necessary to be able, within the database, to link each label (31) to its corresponding item (11). In order to manage the manufacturing of the labels (31) in a non-differentiated manner, this linking is performed after the label has been supplied by the label manufacturer (30). This applies: - that the labels are delivered to the brand (10) which will then pass them on to its manufacturers (40), or - that the labels (31) be delivered directly to a manufacturer (40).

[0076] Thus, all the labels (31) are similar when manufactured, in that they are interchangeable (except that they have different respective identifiers). It is only when a label (31) is associated with a particular item (11) that the label (31) is no longer interchangeable.

[0077] Delayed differentiation according to the invention allows for easy production management as well as inventory management.

[0078] To make affiliation faster, several labels (31) are affiliated simultaneously with their articles (11). Several methods are considered for this.

[0079] In a preferred embodiment, the affiliation is carried out by the manufacturer (40), prior to affixing the labels (31) to the articles (11), by means of a grouping label which is placed on a label grouping package (21). For this purpose, the manufacturer (30) has previously defined the grouping category as including the labels (21) which it has placed in the grouping package.

[0080] The grouping label contains a code encoding the identifier of a grouping category. Thus, entering or scanning this code allows a computer program to select all the labels (21) of this grouping category, using their identifiers.

[0081] The manufacturer (40) uses the computer program to indicate which type of item (11) they want to associate labels (21) with, and enters the grouping category identifier. The computer program then associates each label (21) in the category with that type of item.

[0082] In practice, the manufacturer (40) prepares the articles (11) for production by selecting all the necessary components, including the labels (31) delivered in their group packaging. They then perform the affiliation using the group label and begin manufacturing the articles (11).

[0083] This method is efficient because a large number of labels (31) are affiliated simultaneously, for example between 100 and 500 labels (31).

[0084] In other modes, affiliation is carried out after the labels (31) have been placed on the articles (11).

[0085] One method involves identifying the type of item to be affiliated using an application running on a smartphone. The manufacturer (40) then successively scans all the corresponding items (11). At each iteration, the scanned label (31) is affiliated with the selected item (11). The affiliation of all scanned labels (31) can also be performed simultaneously, after all scans have been completed, by being triggered by a graphical interface component within the application.

[0086] This first method can also be carried out by a brand employee (10). It is also possible to scan all the labels (31) of the articles (11) to be affiliated, and only then select the article type within the application. In this case, the affiliation of all labels (31) is done simultaneously.

[0087] A second method involves using an EDI method to link the labels (31) to the articles (11) on which they are to be attached, or on which they are already attached. In this case, the EDI file is preferably issued by the brand (10). Such an EDI exchange is symbolized by the exchange (14) in Figure 1. The brand (10) then indicates to the manufacturer (40) which labels (31) to use when manufacturing the articles (11), based on their identifiers.

[0088] This method provides more control to the brand (10), which knows in advance which label (31) will be attached to which item (11), and which prevents items (21) from being put on the market without its having authorized their affiliation.

[0089] By the subsequent modification of the data (51) by the manufacturer (40), this method can also serve as a logistical tool, or for production monitoring.

[0090] Alternatively, a third method consists of affiliating the labels (31) by EDI, during the manufacture of the labels (31), in which case it is the exchange (13) which is implemented.

[0091] In this case, the manufacturer (30) must produce the correct number of labels (31) according to the brand's (10) needs. The labels (31) are delivered to the subcontractor (40) already associated with an item (11), even before its manufacture: the subcontractor (40) must therefore be careful not to mix up labels (31), at the risk of not respecting the prior association.

[0092] A fourth method consists of individually associating the label (31) with its item (11), without using a grouping category. In this case, the application is run on a smartphone (21), the user identifies the item model, and enters the label identifier (31) or scans its code with the smartphone.

[0093] This method is more cumbersome because the affiliations are made individually. Nevertheless, this fourth method is advantageously implemented when selling the item (11) in a store authorized by the brand (10): thus, the risk of a grey market is completely eliminated.

[0094] The third and fourth methods allow the brand to have more control over label affiliation (31).

[0095] With reference to Figures 4 and 5, the data (51) are stored in a database on a server (50). This database includes identifiers of the labels (31), and the labels (31) are grouped into categories.

[0096] Each label (31) is assigned to at least one category. In the examples given, each label is assigned to two categories: - depending on its condition (condition "End" for "end of life", or condition "C" for "in circulation"); and - depending on its collection (“PE2022” for the “spring-summer 2022” collection or “AW2022” for the “autumn-winter 2022” collection).

[0097] These categories allow for the rapid selection of all items (11) that belong to a category, in order to make bulk changes to these items (11). For example, the items (11) in an obsolete collection can all be simultaneously changed from the "in circulation" state to the "end of life" state.

[0098] In this case, assigning the identifier to a category called "end of life" prevents the modification of other content data. This allows the brand (10) to manage which items (11) are still active on the market and which are not, and it allows the server administrator (50) to delete obsolete rows from the database when it detects that items (11) have been in the "end of life" category for longer than a given threshold.

[0099] Figure 4 illustrates a case where the data (51) are accessible via an internet browser. In this case, the tag codes (31) encode source URLs. To facilitate modification of the data (51), each source URL corresponds to a target URL, and updating the database consists of modifying the target URLs of the articles (11) in the relevant category.

[0100] In particular, lines 13 to 21 of the database include source URLs with a common root ("cli1-"), for example, to identify all of a client's source URLs. This makes transferring the client's source URLs easy, as simply transferring ownership of the domain name "https: / / cli1-sklbl.fr / " grants them ownership of all their source URLs.

[0101] Figure 5 illustrates a case where the data (51) are accessible via a dedicated application. In this case, the label codes (31) encode the article's (11) affiliation identifier. Modifying the data (51) consists of changing only the relevant field(s) within the database. For example, it is possible to change only the country of origin of an article if the brand (10) decides to change manufacturers (40), while the labels (31) have already been produced.

[0102] Categories can also be based on serial numbers, so that the same type of item (11) corresponds to several categories, each defined by a manufacturing batch of the item (11). In this case, an item (11) is linked to several categories: - the type of item in question (e.g., t-shirt) - the collection (e.g. SS2022); - the serial number.

[0103] For each item (11) of a given type and collection, it is therefore possible to inform the customer (20) of the country of origin, or of the particular manufacturer (40) who made the item (11).

[0104] If the data relating to several items (11) changes, for example if a new method for collecting end-of-life items (11) is proposed, it is possible to indicate this new method for all the items (11) concerned by selecting the appropriate categories. This could involve, for example, selecting all items made from 100% cotton fabrics.

[0105] Furthermore, if a legislator requires the brand (10) to communicate additional information, such as an assessment of the environmental impact of the manufacture of the article (11), then this field can be added to the data (51) without difficulty, the labels (31) already being manufactured, and the articles (11) possibly already being sold.

[0106] Referring to Figure 6, the selection of the category corresponding to all these articles (11) is carried out using an online platform. Data modification (51) may consist of changing the values ​​of certain fields, and / or adding additional fields to the database. In the example above, a new "end of life instructions" field will now be accessible for the relevant articles (11).

[0107] When the customer (20) scans the code on the label (31) of their item, they will have access to the new information, which states that a new collection method is now available.

[0108] The method and installation according to the invention therefore make it possible to administer the database of the server (50) in an evolving and dynamic manner, while the codes present on the labels (31) are fixed and can no longer be modified.

[0109] The ability to modify data (51) simultaneously for several items (11) allows for easy database administration. In practice, bulk modification of data (51) for several items (11) can be carried out in various ways.

[0110] First, data modification (51) can be carried out via EDI. For example, if the cotton / elastane ratio of a raw material is not constant, the manufacturer (40) can declare the composition used via EDI. This means that the manufacturer (40) will send standardized electronic messages that will be transmitted to the computers of the brand (10) (or its IT service manager), which will be able to automatically interpret and integrate the corresponding data into their respective information systems without paper or human intervention. This process eliminates the need for paper documents sent by mail or fax and manual data entry by operators.

[0111] The EDI file can be issued by the brand (10), for example when it wants to add new fields to the database: it then issues an EDI file to the server host (50).

[0112] The EDI file can be issued by the manufacturer of the woven labels.

[0113] The EDI file can be issued by the manufacturer (40), for example in the situation mentioned above, where the composition of the article (11) needs to be modified within the data (51).

[0114] In all cases, the EDI file is preferably issued by an enterprise resource planning (ERP) software package.

[0115] In addition or as an alternative, data modification (51) can be carried out using a computer program or a smartphone application, in a manner similar to the methods described above for making affiliations: - the selection of several labels (31) to modify can be done by entering an identifier of a grouping category of these labels (31); - preferably, this entry is carried out by scanning a code encoding this identifier, such as a 2D code or a QR code; - this code being advantageously placed on the grouping of the labels (31) to be selected, for example when they are delivered to the manufacturer (40).

[0116] All these methods are also applicable to the delivery of the articles (11) to the brand (10), after manufacturing by the manufacturer (40). In this case, it is the manufacturer (40) who must constitute the grouping category.

[0117] In order for the brand (10) to have information regarding the use and life cycle of its articles (11), and advantageously information relating to its customers (20), the platform collects and records usage data from scanned source URLs (or identifiers), and / or usage data relating to the article.

[0118] The platform can then offer statistics for market analysis or customer relationship management (CRM). These statistics may include geolocation, customer gender (20), age, etc.

[0119] The installation for implementing the process of the invention therefore comprises: - several labels (31) intended to be affiliated with articles (11); - at least one server (50) storing a database (51), which data (51) include an identifier for each label (31), and several fields corresponding to at least one identifier category, and at least one piece of data such as a target URL; - at least one computer running a computer program capable of presenting a customer (20) with information relating to item (11), before, during, or after the act of purchase. Preferably it is a smartphone running an application.

[0120] At least one supplier of a brand (10) is involved, and usually two suppliers are involved: a manufacturer (30) of the labels (31) and a subcontractor (40) who manufactures the articles (21) and attaches the labels (31) to them.

[0121] The server (50) runs an online platform, preferably with a graphical interface such as a website, so that the brand (10) can modify the data (51) of the label (31) of an item (11) whenever it wants via the update (15), and advantageously after the sale of the item (11) to a customer (20).

[0122] In cases where data modifications are made only via EDI, then the online platform is a computer program that does not necessarily require a graphical interface.

[0123] In all cases, the terms "smartphone application" and "Computer program" is to be interpreted in a broad sense. In particular, there may be different applications, intended to be used either by the brand (10), or by the customer (20), or by the manufacturer (30), or by the subcontractor (40).

[0124] In this way, the reading of the labels (31) is contextualized, and each application is programmed for uses adapted to each user (10, 20, 30, 40).

[0125] For example, when scanning a label (31): - the application of the mark (10) will be programmed to associate this label (31) with an article (11), or to modify the data (51) of the affiliated article (11); - the user application (20) will be programmed to display the data (51) of the item (11); - the manufacturer's application (30) will be programmed to check the correct readability of the label (31); - the manufacturer's application (40) will be programmed to individually associate the label (31) with an item, or to associate labels (31) in batches in the case of successive readings.

[0126] It can also be a single application, for which different user profiles are planned, depending on their usernames and passwords.

[0127] Furthermore, the method and installation can be configured differently from the examples given without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined by the claims.

[0128] In particular, data affiliation and modification can be carried out simultaneously, especially in the case of an EDI implementation. EDI can be implemented at different stages of the process, so that within the process, EDI files can be issued by the brand (10), then by the manufacturer (30), and then by the contract manufacturer (40).

[0129] In another embodiment, the modification is triggered by the affiliation of the labels (31) of a category to their corresponding articles (11). In this case, the brand (10) holds the data (51), and the affiliation is performed by the manufacturer (40). The affiliation serves as a triggering event to implement the modification, preferably via EDI.

[0130] Furthermore, the technical characteristics of the various embodiments and variants mentioned above can be combined, in whole or in part. This allows the process and installation to be adapted in terms of cost, functionality, and performance.

Claims

Claims [Claims 1] Method of affixing a label, preferably woven, to an article of the ready-to-wear type or accessory in the fields of fashion, textiles and clothing; - the label being attached to the article and presenting an identifier such as a 2D code or a QR code encoding the identifier within a database; characterized in that it consists of affiliating the label after its supply to the purchaser of the label or to a manufacturer. [Claims 2] Method according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a set of labels, and that it consists of simultaneously affiliating several labels selected from the set of labels. [Claims 3] A method according to claim 2, comprising selecting several labels from the set by entering a predefined grouping identifier. [Claims 4] Method according to claim 3, consisting of entering the grouping identifier by flashing a grouping QR code. [Claims 5] Method according to claim 4, consisting of entering the grouping identifier by flashing the grouping QR code placed on a grouping packaging of the labels. [Claims 6] Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the label is affiliated with the article after its placement on the article. [Claims 7] Method according to claim 6, characterized in that the affiliations of several articles are carried out by means of an application executed on a smartphone, by the identification of the article model to be affiliated within the application, then by the successive capture of 2D codes coding the identifier, carried by articles corresponding to the identification carried out. [Claims 8] Method according to one of claims 6, characterized in that the affiliation of an article is carried out by means of an application executed on a smartphone, by the identification of the article model to be affiliated within the application, and by the capture of a 2D code encoding the identifier, and carried by an article corresponding to the identification carried out. [Claims 9] Method according to claim 8, characterized in that the label is affiliated with the article when it is sold in store. [Claims 10] Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the affiliation is carried out by the integration of a file of a computer data exchange called “EDI file”. [Claims 11] Method according to claim 10, characterized in that the EDI file is issued by a business management software package of a purchaser of the labels. [Claims 12] Method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the EDI file is issued by a business management software package of the label manufacturer. [Claims 13] Installation comprising a server comprising a database and executing a computer program and / or an online platform, configured to implement a method according to one of the preceding claims. [Claims 14] Installation according to claim 13, characterized in that the 2D code of the label codes a URL address.

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