Method for detecting or ascertaining a product stock

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for detecting or ascertaining a product stock, wherein a radio tag which is attached to a product or a good is detected using detection devices positioned at different locations. The radio tag is newly associated, as needed, with a device which is located at least temporarily in the vicinity of the radio tag and, thus in association with the device, can then be detected using the selected detection devices, or the association between the device and the radio tag in question is canceled as needed.

Description

[0001] title

[0002] Procedure for recording or determining an inventory of goods.

[0003] Description

[0004] Technical field

[0005] The invention relates to a method for recording or determining an inventory of goods.

[0006] background

[0007] Shelves, sales tables or other storage devices such as those found in retail stores and / or warehouses must be regularly restocked with goods. Goods are also regularly removed to assemble orders. For example, some supermarkets offer to assemble goods according to an order (e.g. online) so that they can then be picked up or delivered. When loading or unloading the storage device, an employee often uses a transport vehicle such as a shopping cart to transport the goods away from the storage device, for example to a collection point, or to the storage device. It is essential to maintain an overview of the inventory in the storage device, the transport vehicle and / or the collection point.Otherwise, this could lead, for example, to goods being missing from a supermarket's shelves, forcing potential customers to purchase them elsewhere, or to an order being incomplete. However, documenting the respective inventory is very time-consuming and error-prone.

[0008] The invention therefore has for its object to provide a method for detecting or determining a stock of goods, wherein the aforementioned problems are overcome.

[0009] Summary of the invention This object is achieved by a method for detecting or determining a stock of goods according to claim 1. The invention therefore relates to a method for detecting or determining a stock of goods, wherein a radio tag which is attached to a product or a good is detected with the aid of detection devices positioned at different locations, wherein the radio tag is newly associated with a device which is at least temporarily located in the vicinity of the radio tag on an ad hoc basis and can subsequently be detected associated with the device with the aid of the selected detection devices, or wherein the association between the device and the radio tag in question is dissolved on an ad hoc basis.

[0010] This allows the local proximity of the radio tags and thus of the associated goods and the device to be computerized and recorded. For example, it is possible to record and log which goods are with the device and which are not. This allows the inventory, e.g., the goods carried by an employee carrying the device, to be monitored autonomously or automatically. Because the association can be carried out autonomously or automatically, human errors, which otherwise frequently occur during documentation, for example, because the wrong goods are documented, are eliminated. Furthermore, the work process of loading or unloading goods does not have to be interrupted for documentation.

[0011] The measures according to the invention have the advantage that the inventory is recorded quickly and correctly.

[0012] Further, particularly advantageous embodiments and developments of the invention emerge from the dependent claims. The electronic detection of the radio tags, which are attached, for example, to a product or its packaging, such as in a large area, can be carried out in different ways.

[0013] For example, the radio tags can be implemented as radio frequency identification tags, or RFID tags for short. A mobile detection device, often referred to as a mobile reader, can be provided for detection. This device can be carried over to one of the RFID tags, brought into contact with the RFID tag, and then electronically scanned. Stationary detection devices (stationary RFID readers) can also be provided. These can be installed, for example, in the entrance or exit areas of stores, or at specific locations within the store, such as on shelves, to electronically scan RFID tags that are available or passed by. Scanning the RFID tag therefore always requires being in its vicinity.In addition, the aforementioned stationary RFID readers must be in operation permanently or with regular checks covering a large period of time, i.e. they must consume electrical power in order not to miss individual RFID tags moving past them.

[0014] Such radio tags can also be implemented based on other radio technologies or standards; for example, the radio tags can be designed as Bluetooth radio tags, or BT radio tags for short. However, since their transmission power is typically very limited due to their miniaturized design, a large number of Bluetooth-compliant stationary detection devices must often be installed to ensure comprehensive detection over a large area. These devices must also be operated in continuous, power-consuming mode to reliably detect the radio tags moving within their overall coverage area.

[0015] It has therefore proven advantageous that in the method for detecting or determining a stock of goods, wherein a radio tag attached to a product or a good is detected with the aid of detection devices positioned at different locations, for detecting the, in particular location-variable, radio tag with the aid of the detection devices positioned at different locations, the method comprises the following method steps:

[0016] - automatically selecting a number of detection devices that is smaller than the total number of detection devices for receiving a label radio signal emitted by the radio label and / or a product identifier derived from the label radio signal, wherein a first criterion for the automatic selection is that, with respect to a device position, in particular an automatically determined device position, of a device that is at least temporarily located in the vicinity of the radio label, at least one of the detection devices is favorably positioned compared to at least one other detection device for receiving the label radio signal (ES) and / or the product identifier.

[0017] The advantage of this preferential detection approach is that not all of the detection devices installed in a large area need to be involved in detecting the radio tag at the same time, but rather only a selection of the total number of installed detection devices that are characterized by their advantageous positioning for receiving the tag's radio signal. Detection devices that are positioned too far away, or those that are less suitable or unsuitable for receiving the tag's radio signal due to the existing topology or structure of the area, are not involved and can therefore be used for other activities, operated in a power-saving mode, or deactivated altogether. Over time, however, the selection may change because, for example,Due to the movement of the device, other detection devices meet the first criterion and are therefore classified as being in a favorable position. If this measure is used in an area that is very large compared to the transmission range of the radio tags, and if a large number of detection devices are installed throughout the area, it can always be assumed that a very high number of detection devices in a single device position do not meet the first criterion and are therefore not selected for detection of the radio tags. This results in massive energy savings across the entire detection device system because only a small proportion of the total detection devices are involved in detecting the radio tag, sometimes even just one of the detection devices.

[0018] This selection process for the detection devices forms the basis for energy-saving operation of the detection devices as a whole and also of each individual detection device, and thus makes a significant contribution to the energy-saving operation of a system to which the detection devices belong. Furthermore, the method can be used not only for stationary radio tags, as is the case, for example, when such radio tags are attached to products lying on a shelf or resting on a parked load transport vehicle. Rather, the method can also be used for location-variable radio tags, as is the case when a product to which the radio tag is attached is moved, for example, by a customer or a company employee. The same applies when a group of radio tags is moved together.In the case of the moving radio tag, a temporally changing selection of the detection devices involved / participating in the detection can be expected, depending on the changing device position.

[0019] The invention is primarily used in retail and will therefore be discussed in detail with reference to retail. However, the application of the invention is not limited to retail. Rather, it can also be used in industrial environments, such as in the manufacturing industry or the logistics sector. In all of these areas of application, there is a fundamental need for goods or products, regardless of whether they are packaged individually or in groups, to be transported from one location to the next. In the process, the products themselves or the packaging units in which they are packaged must be identified and / or the number of products or packaging units must be recorded.Since these product transports are not an end in themselves, but rather individual products or packaging units of these products must be deposited at specific locations along the movement path, and if necessary, products or their packaging units must also be taken over for further transport, there is also a need in this context to know precisely and consistently the number of products or their packaging units in transport at any given time. Against this background, it is also understandable that the area to be equipped with the detection devices often covers thousands, even tens of thousands of square meters, and good coverage for the accurate detection of the radio tags moving there also requires a relatively high total number of detection devices distributed throughout the area.In terms of the total number, it can therefore be assumed that there are thousands or tens of thousands of detection devices - depending on the respective application scenario and the radio technology challenges involved.

[0020] In retail stores, such as supermarkets, electronic display devices are used, for example, attached to shelves or their shelf rails, or directly to the products or their packaging. In such an application scenario, the electronic display devices are usually referred to as electronic shelf labels, or ESLs for short. They are primarily used to display product and / or price information. A mounting structure on which the ESLs and the product are located can be designed as a shelf or a shelf level. Attachment to a presentation table is also possible. Such ESLs can also be designed as a display sign for placement on a table. Such a display device can also be designed as a tag for attachment to clothing.The mounting structure can also be designed as a connecting link between the electronic display device and the product. Such a mounting structure can also be implemented, for example, as a tacking thread, a pin, or something similar. If larger packaging units of products are labeled using an ESL, the ESL can also be attached to the structure supporting the packaging units, such as a pallet, etc., or to the packaging that encloses the numerous products packaged therein. Such autonomously operated ESLs typically have a battery for their power supply.

[0021] However, the ESLs can also be attached to a special electronic shelf rail designed to control and support multiple ESLs. Such an electronic shelf rail uses an electronic shelf rail controller (often simply called a controller) that supplies the ESLs attached to the electronic shelf rail with data and / or power. For this purpose, the electronic shelf rail has lines that can be contacted by contacts on the ESL. These lines run along its length and are connected to the controller. In this configuration, these are not the autonomously operated ESLs described above, but rather contact-based, externally powered ESLs, as their power is supplied via the controller, which in turn is powered by a battery or other means—as discussed below.Mechanically, the electronic shelf rail is designed in such a way that it forms the front end of a shelf and is attached to the shelf either directly or via an adapter.

[0022] For the purpose of visualizing information, each display device has a screen, which is typically implemented as an electrophoretic screen to enable the most energy-efficient operation possible for battery-powered display devices that use a battery as an energy storage device. However, other types of screens, such as LCD screens, OLED screens, or similar, can also be used.

[0023] Electrical power can be supplied via radio signals, known in technical jargon as "Power over WiFi," with the energy transmitted in this way being stored in an electrical energy storage device, such as a rechargeable battery in the display device. The energy supply can also be based - if not entirely, then at least in a supporting capacity - on a photovoltaic panel, which supplies the energy storage device of the electronic display device with power.

[0024] However, the electronic display device can also be designed as a so-called video shelf rail, which essentially consists of a relatively long video screen designed for mounting on the front edge of a shelf and adapted to the typical height of a conventional shelf rail. This screen is controlled by a dedicated controller, allowing virtual ESLs to be displayed in addition to video content. Due to their power consumption, such video shelf rails are often powered by a wired power supply.

[0025] Since these electronic display devices are essentially installed across the entire retailer's sales area, particularly on shelves with multiple shelves, even on different levels one above the other, it has proven particularly advantageous to use an electronic device designed to display product and / or price information as the detection device, particularly an electronic display device for still image and / or video playback or a control device for controlling such an electronic display device, wherein the electronic device is designed to receive the label radio signal. This design essentially consists in having at least one radio receiver that is technically suitable or designed to receive the label radio signal. This can be implemented in such a way that a separate (if necessaryAn additional (additional) radio receiver is provided, or a radio receiver intended for other purposes, such as communication, which is usually a component of a transceiver, is also used. The radio receiver is connected to a control device (a controller) of the electronic device in order to further process the receipt of the label radio signal or its information content and / or to make it accessible to a higher-level system component or to provide it to it. However, the radio receiver can also be integrated into the control device of the electronic device, i.e., form a component thereof.

[0026] Apart from the embodiments discussed in connection with the electronic display device discussed, the electronic device designed to receive the tag radio signal can also be realized without a display functionality.

[0027] Given the involvement of electronic display devices, it has also proven particularly advantageous for the automatic selection of at least one detection device to involve shared use of a communication infrastructure provided by a retailer for the electronic display of product and / or price information. This measure avoids the otherwise necessary need for an additional communication infrastructure to transmit the aforementioned reception of the label radio signal and / or the information content transported thereby. The existing communication infrastructure is thus used as efficiently as possible in two respects: firstly, for communication concerning the product and / or price information, and secondly, for transmitting the data relating to the reception of the label radio signal.In addition, each of the electronic display devices can be specifically addressed - analogous to the addressing system used for transmitting data relating to product and / or price information - in order to inform the display device in question that it has been selected to receive the label's radio signal. This can be done, for example, using a first command (e.g., a start reception command) that is transmitted to the electronic display device and decoded there. In the display device, this causes its radio receiver intended for receiving the label's radio signal to be permanently ready to receive in order to be able to continuously receive the label's radio signal until a second command (e.g., a stop reception command) is received. This then leads to the radio receiver being deactivated, which reduces the power consumption at least by its proportion.

[0028] Optionally, after receiving the reception start command, the reception readiness of the radio receiver intended for receiving the label radio signal can follow an alternating cycle of temporary reception readiness followed by a temporary lack of reception readiness of the electronic display device, which is intended to reduce energy consumption, until the second command (e.g. a reception stop command) is received.

[0029] A radio-based system for operating display devices typically uses a multitude of access points as components of the communications infrastructure. These access points form a radio network for the communication supply of the display devices, for sending addressed data to the display devices or retrieving (addressed) data from the display devices. Typically, a group of display devices is assigned to an access point and can be addressed via this access point. The assignment works by selecting a suitable radio channel in the ISM radio band (ISM stands for "Industrial, Scientific and Medical") used by the respective access point and registering the respective display device with the access point responsible for it. The display device remembers the channel and the identity of the access point, and the access point remembers the identity of the display device.The registered display device can then subsequently establish wireless communication with the predefined access point. If the connection with the predefined access point is lost, the display device can search for another wirelessly available access point, scanning the available channels (or channels known to the display device or pre-programmed channels). Upon detection of an access point or its wireless signal (e.g., based on the SSID - SSID stands for "Service Set Identifier"), it can re-register with this access point.

[0030] Access points positioned close to one another, distributed throughout the premises of a retailer, warehouse, or production facility so that they can detect all the display devices located there, preferentially use radio channels in the ISM band that do not overlap, if possible, in order to avoid mutual interference.

[0031] For wireless communication between the display devices and their respective access points, a substantially standardized wireless communication protocol, such as ZigBee® or Bluetooth®, can be used. A proprietary wireless communication protocol, such as the one disclosed in WO 2015 / 124197 A1, can also be used.

[0032] The access points, in turn, are typically connected via cable to a central control device, namely a higher-level data processing device. The data processing device can, for example, be formed by a local server on which a software application (such as management software) is executed to manage and control the electronic display devices. A cloud-based data processing device can also be used for this purpose, which provides the aforementioned functionality for managing and controlling the display devices. With the aid of the access points, the data processing device supplies the individual display devices with the information assigned to them, which is visualized using the respective screen. If necessary, the data processing device can also query and respond to the operating status or other status data of the display devices, such as the battery charge status.The data processing device also has access to a digital map, which is either a planogram or realogram, or—in other words—a digital representation of the positions of the electronic display devices. Thus, the data processing device knows all the positions of the display devices in the area it manages. It is therefore able to select the preferred position based on the device's position, i.e., to determine the most advantageously positioned detection devices.

[0033] The device, which exists separately - i.e. detached - from the radio tag, is at least temporarily moved along with the radio tag, which is equivalent to the determination that it is at least temporarily in the vicinity or immediate vicinity of the radio tag.

[0034] It has proven particularly advantageous if at least one of the following devices is used in the process, namely:

[0035] - a personal digital assistant, or PDA for short. Such a PDA is used, for example, by retailer employees while moving through the premises to fulfill customer shopping orders, for which the term "store picking" is often used. Such a PDA can, for example, transmit a radio localization signal with its radio transmitter or a light-emitting diode or its screen, with which it can be automatically located within the premises.

[0036] - a smartphone. Such a smartphone is used, for example, by a retailer's customer while moving through the store to display a shopping list or navigate within the store. The smartphone can also emit at least one of the localization signals discussed in connection with the PDA (radio localization signal or light localization signal) in order to be localizable.

[0037] - a smart shopping cart. Such a smart shopping cart is used, for example, by a customer or a retailer's employee while moving through the store to transport products, display price and / or product information for a product using a shopping cart screen, display a shopping list using the screen, or visualize additional information, such as navigation or advertising information, using the screen. The shopping cart can also emit at least one of the localization signals discussed in connection with the PDA in order to be localizable.

[0038] - a load transport vehicle. Compared to the smart shopping cart, such a load transport vehicle is designed for transporting a larger quantity of products or goods and / or for transporting heavier products or goods, or generally heavier loads. This can be, for example, a forklift truck or a self-propelled transport sled or the like. This load transport vehicle is primarily moved by an employee during their work within the premises to bring products to the shelves, etc., and to restock shelves. The transport vehicle can also emit at least one of the localization signals discussed in connection with the PDA in order to be localizable.

[0039] - A radio beacon transmitter, specifically a Bluetooth Low Energy Radio Beacon. This represents the most simplified form of the device. Such a device can be miniaturized, battery-operated, easily transportable, and functionally reduced to transmitting only the localization radio signal.

[0040] Since retailers often already have an existing localization infrastructure in place, for example, to handle store-picking-related activities or to provide navigation support for customers or employees, a first variant for determining a position favorable for receiving the tag's radio signal has proven particularly advantageous for automatically determining the device's position by using a localization infrastructure that a retailer uses to locate a person moving within the store or the device moving with the person. Similar to the discussions regarding the detection device, this also offers the advantage of simply using an existing localization infrastructure, but with the particular advantage that, in fact, no adaptation of the technical components involved is necessary.Rather, the data processing device can directly access the determined device position and use it to select the appropriate detection device(s).

[0041] According to a first embodiment, the process of automatically determining the device's position can be radio-based. For this purpose, the localization radio signals are received by location receivers and evaluated according to the technology used. For example, a combination of at least three receivers with the aid of a generally known triangulation method can be used to narrow down or determine the device's position. This can be easily implemented, for example, in the case of WiFi or WLAN radio technology or Bluetooth technology, in particular with the help of Bluetooth Low Energy beacons. Preferably, however, each of the location receivers used is designed to independently determine the relative position of the device with respect to the receiver. The underlying design of the location receiver can comprise multiple receiving antennas.The tracking receiver's electronics process the individual reception of the localization radio signal by each of the antennas. The measured delay and / or phase differences between the individual antennas are evaluated along with the respective measured received signal strength to determine the distance to and direction toward the device. The measured received signal strength is typically specified using the "Received Signal Strength Indicator," which is standard in modern receiver electronics. An example of this is the localization or real-time tracking system from "Quuppa Oy," Keilaranta 1, 02150 Espoo, Finland, website: quuppa.com, abbreviated as QUUPPA.The real-time tracking system from "Quuppa Oy" comprises, on the one hand, a "locator" as a location receiver, for example, the "Q17" or "Q35" models, and, on the other hand, at least one so-called "tag" for emitting the localization radio signal, for example, the "QT-1," QT3-1," or "QT1 Module" models. Depending on the distance to be considered between the "locator" and the "tag," the combination of the "Q17" "locator" with one of the "QT-1," QT3-1," or "QT1 Module" "tags" or the "Q35" "locator" with one of the "QT-1," QT3-1," or "QT1 Module" "tags" can be used.

[0042] Furthermore, the process of automatically determining the device's position can be image-based. For this purpose, cameras can be installed at various locations within the area to capture the respective scene. Image capture is performed using the usual optoelectronic method. Both still images and video recordings can serve as the basis for further processing. The recordings are analyzed using image or video analysis software, which identifies the objects—pre-programmed or previously stored—that are generally known to the analyzing computer, or their characteristics and / or the light signals emitted by them. Once such a search is successful, the device position for the device in question is determined, taking various aspects into account.These aspects can relate to the known position of the camera in the area or room, its known orientation in the area or room, as well as its known optical imaging system. However, these aspects can also relate to additional objects contained in the image or video, which are known to the analyzing computer either as such or with regard to their characteristic properties, and which serve as a reference point for location in the area or room. Cameras mounted in or on shelves and / or surveillance cameras distributed throughout the area or room, etc., can be integrated as cameras for this purpose. With appropriate hardware and programming, the analyzing computer can be located in the camera itself and contribute significantly to determining the device's position.With knowledge of the aforementioned aspects that can be used to narrow down the device's position, this can even be done entirely within the camera, with the camera transmitting the device's position (possibly together with an identifier that identifies the device and is also recorded) to the data processing device. If the camera is designed only to capture and transmit images, the device's position is determined directly at the data processing device, taking the aforementioned aspects into account. A second variant for determining a position favorable for receiving the tag's radio signal can also be used differently. According to this second variant, the device's position is determined solely by the fact that a radio localization signal is transmitted by at least one of the detection devices.The localization radio signal has the characteristics of a radio beacon signal, which has data content that can be used to identify the transmitting detection device because the relationship between the detection device and the data content characterizing it is stored in the data processing device or is accessible to it. For this purpose, the detection device is equipped with a radio module (e.g., one designed to transmit a Bluetooth Low Energy Beacon signal). This localization radio signal is transmitted with such a transmission power that it can only be received in the surrounding area, namely within a reception range of a few meters to approximately twenty meters around the detection device. As soon as the localization radio signal is reliably received by the device, the device's position can only be within this reception range.The fact that the device receives such a radio localization signal is sufficient to determine that the device is within the reception range of the detection device identifiable by the data content. This is equivalent to fulfilling the first criterion for the detection device transmitting the radio localization signal in question. The device used for the purposes discussed here has a receiving module capable of at least receiving the radio localization signal.A transceiver (particularly a Bluetooth Low Energy transceiver) is preferably used for this purpose, which also allows the fact of receipt of the localization radio signal, along with the data content, to be transmitted wirelessly to the data processing device, where further processing, in particular the automatic selection of the detection device with the preferred position for receiving the label radio signal, is carried out. For the sake of completeness, it should also be mentioned here that multiple localization radio signals originating from different detection devices can also be received at one device position, so that multiple detection devices with preferred position can also be present.

[0043] It has also proven particularly advantageous if the method includes the transmission of a label radio signal specific to the radio tag during its movement, particularly by a group of radio tags during their collective movement. This allows each radio tag to be detected during its movement and thus also tracked along its trajectory. In particular, transmitting the label radio signal during a collective, group-wise movement of the radio tags ensures that none of the radio tags moves unnoticed. Thus, all radio tags moving as a group remain continuously detectable.

[0044] Furthermore, it has proven extremely expedient for the detection to include receiving the tag's radio signal by the at least one selected detection device and, based on the received tag's radio signal, identifying the radio tag and / or a product associated with the radio tag. This measure not only allows for the detection of the fact that a radio tag is present within the reception range of the at least one detection device, but also ensures that its identity is known and, consequently, the tag's movement path can be clearly detected. The same applies mutatis mutandis to the product to which the radio tag is attached.

[0045] It has proven particularly advantageous for the automatic selection to be performed by the data processing device, wherein the data processing device digitally stores the positions of the detection devices or has access to the digitally stored positions. As discussed in connection with the first variant, the data processing device also knows the device position. Based on this, the data processing device selects the at least one detection device that is favorably positioned by virtue of the distance of the respective detection device from the device being less than a threshold value.This means that the selection of at least one detection device can be made entirely software-based, provided the digital map of the area with the detection devices noted therein is available to the software and the device position in the area has been determined, at least to a limited extent—as previously discussed—and is therefore available to the software. The digital map will have at least two, but preferably also three dimensions. The two-dimensional map describes the area in a planar manner, whereas the three-dimensional map also indicates the height above the plane, as is the case with a planogram or realogram, in which the entirety of the ESLs or similar display devices is noted three-dimensionally.

[0046] According to the second variant, the automatic selection is also performed by the data processing device. However, according to this variant, the data processing device is informed of the at least one detection device to be selected with the aid of the device. This occurs by transmitting the data content of the localization radio signal received by the device, which was transmitted by the detection device and received by the device. As already mentioned, the transmitting detection device can be identified using the data content because the connection between the detection device and the data content characterizing it is stored in the data processing device or is accessible to it.Generally speaking, in this variant it is not even necessary for absolute positions, namely the absolute position of the device and / or the absolute position of the detection device, to be known to the data processing device, because the automatic selection is based solely on the device and the respective detection device being in such close proximity that the device can reliably receive the localization radio signal from the detection device. In other words, the limit value cited in connection with the first variant for the second variant arises naturally from the transmission power predetermined by the detection device for transmitting the localization radio signal and the associated radio signal propagation. The absolute device position therefore does not need to be determined explicitly.However, it is at least limited to the reception area around the detection device in question due to the fact that, in a preferred embodiment, the position of the detection device is known to the data processing device. Due to the topological properties of an area formed, for example, by a retailer's sales room, where the sales room is structured with all its aisles, display tables and shopping baskets, etc., it has proven particularly advantageous if a distance of ten meters or less, preferably in the range of eight to four meters, and particularly preferably less than four meters, is used as the limit value. This makes it excellently possible to select only a smaller group of detection devices in the vicinity of the device position, such as those implemented by the ESLs designed to receive the tag radio signal.

[0047] Optionally, the data processing device can also define the threshold value variably depending on the device's position. For example, if the device's position is determined within a spacious area in a store, i.e., outside of the otherwise typically narrow aisles, a higher threshold can be set for that space than is the case for the shelf aisles. This ensures that, even when someone is present in the spacious area, at least a single or a small group of detection devices is selected so that the radio tags located there can be reliably detected. In this case, the threshold can also be set to 10 meters.At the same time, this also ensures that, when radio tags are present within a shelf aisle, too many detection devices are not selected simultaneously, i.e., unnecessarily. This would lead to unnecessarily increased energy consumption in the group of selected detection devices, which would otherwise not improve the detection result. In this case, if many detection devices are present in a relatively narrow area of ​​the sales area, such as a narrow shelf aisle, the threshold can certainly be set to less than four meters. A direction-dependent progression of the threshold can also be set around the device position, which allows for very flexible modeling to account for the actual environmental conditions.

[0048] Since the data processing device knows the structure and / or topology of the area, it can specify the threshold value based on the location, enabling the selection of an optimal number of detection devices. This can be, for example, 1, 2, 3, or 4, or up to a maximum of 10 or 20 detection devices, so that the energy consumption for the detection process remains manageable and the selection is spatially limited to those detection devices that are presumably close to the radio tags to be detected.

[0049] It has proven particularly advantageous if, in the event that multiple detection devices satisfy the first criterion, only one of these detection devices satisfying the first criterion is sequentially selected to receive the tag radio signal for a predefined period of time. This ensures that the overall energy consumption of the group of selected detection devices is further optimized, i.e. minimized, because for each detection device active for receiving the tag radio signal, all others in the group are not ready to receive the tag radio signal and are therefore deactivated. For example, at the beginning of the group-wise selection, the time schedule that all detection devices in the group must follow can be specified by command - i.e. programmed - in order to avoid generating increased communication overhead, which would also require energy.On the other hand, switching between the detection devices, especially if they are designed as ESLs and are subject to an alternating cycle of activity and inactivity according to their basic communication behavior, can also be carried out by individual communication when the active state is present.

[0050] According to a further optional embodiment, it can also be provided that the data processing device has access to the charge level of a battery of the at least one detection device to be selected or selected, because this charge level was stored in advance or retrieved promptly, and the time period during which only one of these detection devices meeting the first criterion is selected to receive the tag radio signal is defined inversely proportional to the charge level of a battery of the respective detection device. This ensures a temporal involvement of the individual detection devices in the group of selected detection devices that is adapted to the individual charge level.

[0051] However, if the battery of those detection devices is to be protected which already have an unfavorable charge level from the outset, in the event that several detection devices satisfy the first criterion, a second criterion for the automatic selection can be applied that for the detection devices satisfying the first criterion, with knowledge of the charge level of a battery of these detection devices, those detection devices are selected for receiving the tag radio signal whose batteries exceed a charge level threshold, in particular only that detection device is selected for receiving the tag radio signal whose battery has the highest charge level.

[0052] Thus, a subgroup of the positionally favored detection devices can be formed depending on the state of charge, which extends the battery life of the other detection devices that already have a relatively low state of charge and would have to be selected based on the first criterion.

[0053] Regarding the power supply of the radio tag, it can be provided that the radio tag is equipped with its own battery and operates electrically self-powered to transmit the tag's radio signal. Thus, any radio tag equipped in this way can be operated as a self-powered radio tag even in an area where no external power supply is provided. As long as the battery has a sufficient charge level, the radio tag can transmit its radio signal. As soon as the battery is too low for operation, the battery of the respective radio tag must be recharged or replaced. An example in this context is a product from "Wil iot Ltd.", HaTochen 8, Ofek 10 Building, 3rd Floor, Caesarea 3079861, Israel, which is marketed under the name "Battery-Assisted IoT Pixels."

[0054] It has proven particularly advantageous if the radio tag is electrically powered by a power transmission radio signal in order to transmit the tag radio signal. This enables the use of such radio tags for the inventive method without the time limitation that would apply to battery-operated radio tags. Such externally powered radio tags can therefore be used without interruption in the discussed method and thus ensure that they are continuously available for detection. As an example, reference should also be made in this context to a product from "Wiliot Ltd.", HaTochen 8, Ofek 10 Building, 3rd Floor, Caesarea 3079861, Israel, which is marketed under the name "Battery-Free IoT Pixels."

[0055] For the purpose of external supply, it has proven particularly advantageous if the energy transmission radio signal for electrical supply is transmitted in a frequency range between 700 MHz and 1 GHz and / or in a frequency range above 2 GHz.

[0056] The use of the frequency range between 700 MHz and 1 GHz ensures that the energy transmission radio signal can propagate as far as possible and is thus effectively available for external supply over a large area.

[0057] However, if the use of the site's technology, typically referred to as 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz radio infrastructure, is to be further intensified, it has proven particularly advantageous for the energy transmission radio signal for electrical supply to be transmitted in a frequency range of an ISM frequency band above 1 GHz, particularly the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz ISM frequency band. This eliminates the need for additional radio infrastructure solely for energy transmission, and the existing radio communications infrastructure and the resulting radio signals are used as the energy transmission radio signal.

[0058] In this context, reference is made to the so-called ISM bands, where ISM stands for Industrial, Scientific, and Medical, and the use of these frequency bands for industrial, scientific and medical applications is license-free.

[0059] However, it can also be provided that a mixed configuration of a low-frequency energy transmission radio signal in the frequency range of 700 MHz and 1 GHz and a high-frequency energy transmission radio signal in the frequency range of the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz ISM frequency band is used, for example, to ensure the availability of at least one of the energy transmission radio signals in all areas of the site. This mixed configuration can be advantageous if the radio tag is designed to operate selectively in two frequency bands, i.e., to receive the energy transmission radio signal in these two frequency bands and use it for its own electrical supply. As an example, another product from "Wiliot Ltd.", HaTochen 8, Ofek 10 Building, 3rd Floor, Caesarea 3079861, Israel, is mentioned, which is marketed under the name "Dual Band IoT Pixel 117."

[0060] If several energy transmission transmitters positioned at different locations are used in a larger area to transmit the energy transmission radio signal, it has proven extremely advantageous to automatically select at least one, preferably exactly one, of the energy transmission transmitters that has the shortest distance to the device compared to at least one other energy transmission transmitter. This measure also makes an important contribution to energy-saving operation of the overall system because only the selected energy transmission transmitter(s) are ever activated to transmit the energy transmission radio signal. From the totality of the available energy transmission transmitters, a selection is therefore always made with regard to a single device position, which includes one or more energy transmission transmitters, but fewer than the total.

[0061] If selections must be made for multiple device positions, this may result in overlaps in the selection sets for the energy transmission devices. In this case, it can be provided that an energy transmission device selected twice or multiple times remains selected until it is no longer relevant for any of the device positions under consideration.

[0062] To implement this measure, the data processing unit also knows the positions of the energy transmission devices in the area and, using the device position, which is also available to it, can decide which of the energy transmission devices is most advantageous in terms of its position. In particular, the one closest to the device position, in the vicinity of which the radio tags to be detected are located, is selected.

[0063] The positions of the energy transmission devices can be stored in a separate data structure or integrated into the data structures used to store the planogram or realogram. In either case, the data processing device has access to them.

[0064] The selection made by the data processing device is subsequently communicated to the respective energy transmission device. This can be done via a wired connection, such as a local area network (LAN), or via "Power over LAN," so that the activation or deactivation of the respective energy transmission device, as well as its electrical power supply, can be done via a wired connection over one and the same line. The energy transmission devices can also be integrated into a wireless network. Their power supply can then be provided either by a battery or by a pure power supply. They can also be powered by radio signals, which is possible using the technology known as "Power over WiFi."

[0065] In summary, the method discussed ensures the most efficient and energy-saving operation of the system discussed because only those detection devices are activated to detect a tag radio signal that are actually favored for this purpose, and simultaneously, only those energy transmission transmitters are active for transmitting the energy transmission radio signal that can actually be used for the radio-based external power supply of the respective radio tags. A detection infrastructure is established that dynamically adapts to the movement of the radio tag, often efficiently utilizing an existing infrastructure. The position and movement of the radio tag are derived from the device position or are equated to this device position or the change in the device position to a good approximation.Localization is therefore based on knowledge of the device's location and can be extremely advantageous for detecting both individual and group-wise radio tags. The association of the device—and thus ultimately, at least indirectly, a position—with one or more of the radio tags can occur initially, i.e., before individual, or possibly group-wise, detection or tracking of movement is initiated. This is used, for example, when a transport sled or forklift, etc., is loaded with a large number of products that are to be subsequently tracked. The device can be integrated into the vehicle or be a PDA, smartphone, etc., belonging to the person operating the vehicle.

[0066] However, the device can also be associated with one or more of the radio tags on an ad hoc basis, i.e. while the device is moving through the area. This is used, for example, when a customer or employee picks up a product or object to which a radio tag is attached. The radio tag in question is then carried by the person, e.g. by hand, or placed in a transport vehicle such as a shopping cart, a transport sled, a forklift, etc. and moved along. The device can be the smart shopping cart, integrated into the transport sled, forklift, etc., or it can be the person's PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), smartphone, etc.

[0067] According to one aspect of the invention, it has proven advantageous that association data representing the association between the radio tag and the device, in particular comprising or consisting of data transmitted from the radio tag to the device as well as an identifier of the device, is transmitted from the device and / or from the detection device and / or from the radio tag, preferably from the device, to the data processing device. The association data is preferably stored in the data processing device. This allows central monitoring and / or management and / or control of the entire inventory. If several devices are moved through the area (e.g. store) to load or unload shelves, the data processing device knows about the inventory of the goods moved with the respective device and can take steps based on this knowledge.For example, if the last item of a product is removed from a shelf to fulfill an order, this is communicated to the data processing device, which can automatically send an instruction—e.g., instruction data that can be interpreted by the device—so that another employee can sneak in the product, for example, retrieve it from a warehouse and bring it to the shelf in the sales area. This also allows for timely reordering of goods if it is determined that a certain quantity of a product is underrun.

[0068] The association process can be carried out, for example, in such a way that the device automatically detects the respective radio tag (initial / on-demand) once by receiving the tag's radio signal, thus assuming the role of a mobile detection device for a single time. The device transmits the data received from the radio tag, along with its identifier, to the data processing device, where the relationship between the device and the respective radio tag is stored. This process is particularly suitable when no other technical device is present apart from the device itself, because the association process can be performed anywhere in the area, such as on any shelf where a customer removes a product to which the respective radio tag is attached.

[0069] However, if the association process is carried out at a defined location, such as in a loading zone or in the area of ​​a gate, a separate, permanently installed association device can be present there, which detects both the mobile device and the radio tags moving with the mobile device once and transmits the identifier of the mobile device together with the data received from the radio tags to the data processing device, where the relationship between the device and the relevant radio tag or tags is stored.

[0070] Ultimately, the relationship between the mobile device and the respective radio tag is stored in the data processing device, so that only the device's position needs to be determined during movement through the area, in order to then detect the associated radio tag using at least one adjacent stationary detection device. This allows the location of the radio tag and its trajectory to be recorded as long as it moves with the device. The inventory or its changes along the device's trajectory can be easily recorded.

[0071] According to one aspect of the invention, the event-related association or the event-related dissolution of the association is triggered manually on the detection device or the device, in particular by interaction with a user interface, preferably by means of a software application executed on the device. The employee carrying the device can therefore manually trigger the association or the dissolution of the association on their device (e.g. handheld / mobile phone / smart shopping cart / lorry) or the detection device (e.g. ESL). This allows the employee to specify the time of the association or the dissolution of the association. If, for example, several items are stored in one place, e.g. different spices on one shelf level, the employee can trigger the association or the dissolution of the association for each individual item (or item group).This measure allows for a fine breakdown of inventory, allowing for instantaneous detection of which items are associated with the device and which are not. Latency-free triggering is also possible, as this is done directly by the employee and does not require certain measurable events to occur, such as the removal of the device from the radio tag. This allows the inventory of goods carried with the device to be kept particularly up-to-date. If this is communicated to the data processing unit, for example, the instructions or instruction data—i.e., the orders for other employees and / or the employee's own orders—can be adjusted in real time.

[0072] As discussed below, the device can, for example, continuously document the radio tags and / or the products moved with the device.

[0073] An increase in the inventory of goods being moved with the device can be detected or identified by a radio tag, which is attached to a product, being newly associated with the device on an occasional basis. This association can then be detected using the selected detection devices. This occasional association can be triggered manually on the device, for example, by the person carrying the device interacting with the user interface of a dedicated software application running on the device.

[0074] According to one aspect of the invention, the event-based association or event-based dissolution of the association can be performed automatically. The event-based dissolution of the association can therefore be performed automatically and / or manually. Automatic triggering has the advantage of further avoiding human error. The susceptibility to errors in the association and thus the susceptibility to errors in goods recording and / or goods documentation is thus further reduced. If automatic and manual association or event-based dissolution of the association are used together, rapid and secure monitoring of the inventory is ensured. This allows the employee to manually document in real time that they have placed or picked up an item. However, if they forget to do so, this is recorded automatically.

[0075] According to one aspect, the association or dissolution of the association can be triggered by automatically detecting that the product and / or the radio tag is located in a product detection area, in particular in a basket, or by automatically detecting that the product and / or the radio tag is not located in the product detection area. The association or dissolution of the association can therefore be triggered, for example, by determining that the radio tag and / or the corresponding product is in a product detection area provided for this purpose, in particular a storage area, e.g., within the basket of the smart shopping cart, or is no longer in this area. For this purpose, the device and / or the transport vehicle can, for example, have an area detection device that is different from the detection devices.The area detection device is designed to detect or record the presence and / or absence of the radio tag and / or the goods in the product detection area. This can be done, for example, radio-based and / or optically, e.g., using a camera. This allows the goods carried to be monitored. Preferably, the association or dissolution of the association is triggered by detecting a movement of the radio tag relative to the device or a movement of the device relative to the radio tag. This allows the inventory of the goods carried by the device to be recorded across the movement path, so that each time an item is put down or picked up, the association is dissolved or established. The inventory of goods can thus be precisely determined along the path.Furthermore, local information can also be documented so that it can be automatically recorded where goods were picked up from or where they were delivered to.

[0076] For automatic, event-related association or dissolution, a transport vehicle such as a smart shopping cart, a load transport vehicle, or something similar can be used. For example, the transport vehicle can recognize (using image recognition or a motion sensor, etc.) that a product or item has been placed in its storage area, e.g., its basket. Triggered by this incident, it can scan the radio tags in its basket once to determine the newly added item and make them available for further tracking of the radio tags that are moved along with it. This system allows, for example, the precise tracking of goods that are transported by customers or staff in their shopping carts, without the need to access or record personal data.These measures also make it quite easy to check whether all goods moving with a device have actually been paid for as soon as they move towards the exit of the area (e.g. the exit of the supermarket).

[0077] Furthermore, the association or dissolution of the association can be triggered by determining that the radio tag associated with the device can be detected in accordance with the device's path of movement, or that the radio tag associated with the device can no longer be detected in accordance with the device's path of movement. For example, a reduction in the inventory of goods moved with the device can be determined if a radio tag associated with the device can suddenly no longer be detected in accordance with the device's path of movement because the goods in question, to which the radio tag is attached, have already been deposited at their destination or elsewhere and can therefore no longer be detected in a very short time due to the selection of detection devices changing according to the device's movement. If this situation is determined, the association between the device and the relevant radio tag can be dissolved.This means, for example, that the activity of restocking shelves by supermarket staff can be automatically tracked and verified to ensure that the goods marked with the respective radio tag have been placed in the correct place or at least in the correct area of ​​the premises.

[0078] The radio tags moving with the device as well as the reduction or increase in the number of radio tags moving with it can, however, also be detected with the help of the freely moving device itself. For this purpose, the transport device, such as the smart shopping cart, the transport sled or the forklift truck, etc., with which the device is moved either directly or indirectly via the person operating the transport device, has its own energy transmission and transmission device which serves to provide a, in particular permanent, radio-based energy supply to the radio tags on board the transport device. The energy supply already provided in the transport device is also used to electrically supply the energy transmission and transmission device. This energy supply already provided in the transport device is used, for example, to operate the electronics provided there or the electrified drive mechanism.As long as the radio tags are supplied with energy, they transmit their individual radio signals, with the help of which (i.e. via their data content) they can be uniquely identified.

[0079] As mentioned, it has generally proven advantageous for the device to continuously document the radio tags and / or products moved with the device. For example, a computerized list is kept indicating which products are being carried, for example, on the picker's transport vehicle or on the picker's arm. The "picker" is understood to be the person, in particular the store staff, who is physically responsible for transporting goods within the store. By manually and / or automatically associating or dissolving the association, the list is updated or recorded to show that a product is now being carried by the picker or is no longer being carried by the picker and has been deposited or refilled at the appropriate location.

[0080] The mobile device and / or the transport vehicle can, for example, be configured as an area detection device and / or have the area detection device, which continuously detects the radio label signals and thus always knows the number of radio labels being moved. This allows, for example, the data processing device to determine the number of products being moved with the device. This allows the device to always keep the number of products being moved with it, as well as their quantity, up to date, e.g., in a list.

[0081] As mentioned, the association data representing the association between the radio tag and the device, in particular comprising or consisting of data transmitted from the radio tag to the device as well as an identifier of the device, are transmitted from the device and / or from the detection device and / or from the radio tag, preferably from the device, to a data processing device. Maintaining the list can therefore also take place on the data processing device, where the list is managed for the device, i.e., kept up to date.

[0082] If the increase in the stock of goods moved with the device and the decrease in the stock of goods moved with the device are continuously and automatically recorded as discussed, the data processing device always maintains an overview of the stock of goods actually moving with the device, and ultimately with the person moving the device.

[0083] With this knowledge, the data processing device and / or the device can also create and ultimately optimize the route within the area for the data subject. Based on the association data representing the association between the radio tag and the device, the data processing device and / or the device can create and / or optimize a route in a computerized manner and generate route instruction data that instructs a person using the device and / or a vehicle logically connected to the device, in particular a smart shopping cart or a cargo transport vehicle, to follow the route. The route instruction data is processed for this purpose with the aid of the device.

[0084] This measure can benefit the staff responsible for restocking goods because a more efficient and time-saving route is offered fully electronically (e.g. using a device similar to a PDA). The same applies to staff (store pickers) who collect goods for customers who have placed their orders online, for example, and simply want to pick up their prepared purchases or have them delivered. This measure can also benefit customers in the store if the data processing device has access to their electronic shopping list. Based on the shopping list, the route can be optimized for the customer, and the scanning device can be used to check which goods the customer already has with them and which still need to be collected.

[0085] It is precisely the ability to track the radio tags along the device's trajectory in a temporal context, which can be done, for example, by the data processing device by logging the path and the time stamps, that opens up the possibility of anticipating the detection devices that are to be classified as advantageous in the future with regard to their position and of controlling them in a timely manner to receive the tag's radio signal in order to establish readiness to receive the tag's radio signal at the appropriate time or to ensure readiness to receive the tag's radio signal within the appropriate time window. For this purpose, the relevant time or time window can be pre-calculated by the data processing device based on the temporal progression of the device's previous trajectory and, for example,to transmit it via a receive start command to the detection devices to be activated in the future, whereby the selection is made by extrapolating the previous movement path and applying the first criterion. This measure can be particularly useful if no ad hoc communication protocol is available for communication with the detection devices. This can be the case in particular if an existing communication infrastructure of an ESL system is used in order to use the components designed to receive the tag radio signal (ESL, controller, etc.) as detection devices. In such an ESL system, due to the large number of components included and the communication protocol used, considerable delays often occur until the detection device to be selected can even be reached by communication technology.The spatially and temporally predictive automatic selection solves this inherent problem of such an ESL system and ensures timely availability at the most likely future location for reception of the tag radio signal.

[0086] It should also be mentioned that the tracking of radio tags that move with the device can also occur without associating the device with a radio tag. It should be noted in this regard that when the radio tags are detected using the detection device, those radio tags that are scheduled to be stationary at the respective location or in the vicinity of the respective detection device are of course also detected, because they are located there, for example, on a shelf in their designated place. However, since the data processing device is informed of this scheduled position by accessing the planogram or the realogram, it can mask out the radio tags that are scheduled to be detected at the respective location or in the vicinity of the location defined by the device position, so that ultimately only the radio tags that are actually moving with the device are tracked.

[0087] Furthermore, it should be noted that the method is not limited to the detection of at least one moving radio tag. Rather, the method can also be used to detect one or more stationary radio tags.

[0088] Furthermore, it should be noted that the measures according to the invention also preserve the capacity of the available radio channels, because only the position-favored detection devices and / or the position-favored energy transfer transmitter devices are activated and transmit. Finally, it should be mentioned in general terms that the electronic devices discussed (ESLs, access points, servers, etc.) or their stages or modules naturally have electronics. The electronics can be discrete or constructed using integrated electronics, or a combination of both. Microcomputers, microcontrollers, Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), possibly in combination with analog electronics or digital electronic peripheral components, can also be used. Many of the device functionalities mentioned are - if necessary -in interaction with hardware components – implemented with the help of software running on an electronics processor. Devices designed for radio communication typically have an antenna configuration, possibly also a matching network, etc., as part of a transceiver module for transmitting and receiving radio signals, and can be controlled with digital signals or emit digital signals. Apart from the ESLs, the electronic devices can also have an internal electrical power supply, which can be implemented, for example, with a replaceable or rechargeable battery. The devices can also be powered wired, either by an external power supply or via "Power over LAN."

[0089] These and other aspects of the invention are apparent from the figures discussed below.

[0090] Short character description

[0091] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying figures using exemplary embodiments, to which, however, the invention is not limited. In the various figures, identical components are provided with identical reference numerals. They show schematically:

[0092] Fig. 1 shows a system for implementing the method according to the invention; Fig. 2 shows an application scenario of the invention in retail;

[0093] Fig. 3 shows a detection device designed as a controller of an electronic shelf rail;

[0094] Fig. 4 shows an exemplary method sequence for detecting a radio tag using the detection device, illustrated with the aid of a flowchart. Description of the embodiments

[0095] Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a system 1 designed to implement the method according to the invention. System 1 includes a server 2 as a data processing device. Server 2 is coupled to a wired network implemented as a "local area network," or LAN 3 for short.

[0096] Access points 4 are connected to LAN 3. These access points are distributed throughout a supermarket's shopping area and serve to wirelessly connect electronic shelf rails RI to RIO to server 2. In this case, it is assumed that the left access point 4 serves the shelf rails RI to R5, whereas the right access point 4 serves the shelf rails R6 to RIO. The electronic shelf rails RI to R11, which are designed to wirelessly communicate with the access points 4, can accommodate electronic displays (not shown for reasons of clarity) known in technical jargon as "Electronic Shelf Labels," or ESLs for short. They serve to display product and / or price information relating to a product. They are usually attached to the front edge of the shelf using the electronic shelf rails RI to RIO, essentially corresponding to the position of the product presented on the shelf.These ESLs are supplied with both electrical and communication power via the electronic shelf rails RI to RIO. The shelves and the goods placed on them are also not shown in Figure 1 for the reasons stated above. However, the arrangement of the electronic shelf rails RI to RIO makes it clear that the shelves are arranged side by side along a movement path S.

[0097] Server 2 has access to the absolute positions of the electronic shelf rails RI to RIO in the shopping area, whereby in this case these positions are obtained from a digital planogram in which the respective absolute position of the electronic shelf rails RI to RIO is digitally stored.

[0098] The electronic shelf rails RI to RIO each have a controller CI to CIO (also referred to as a control device in the general description) provided on their sides. This controller is designed to communicate with the access points 4 and, on the one hand, controls the radio communication with one of the access points 4 and, on the other hand, communicates the instructions and / or display content received from the server 2 to the affected ESLs, which are attached to their shelf rails RI to RIO, via a wired connection. The mechanics and electronics, or their software-based functionality, are disclosed in the published patent applications PCT / EP2021 / 055914 and PCT / EP2021 / 055916, with the difference that the controller CI - CIO, referred to there as the "supply device," has a modification in the embodiment shown here.

[0099] This modification is discussed in Figure 3, where the controller CI provided on the electronic shelf rail RI is visualized in block diagram form as a representative of all other C2 to C9 and only the blocks relevant in the present context are visualized.

[0100] Figure 3 shows general electronics 5 of the controller CI, which is discussed in detail in patent application PCT / EP2021 / 055916, and an access point radio module 6, also disclosed therein, for radio communication with one of the access points 4. To perform control tasks related to communication with ESLs connected to the electronic shelf rail RI of the controller CI, or related to other radio-based receiving and transmitting tasks, the electronics 5 has a computer 5A (e.g., a microcontroller) on which software programmed for the tasks to be performed is executed. An interface 5B, implemented with electrically conductive contact elements, serves to contact lines of the electrical shelf rail RI that run along its longitudinal extent, in order to supply electrical power to ESLs that also contact these lines and to communicate with them via wired communication.Furthermore, the controller CI has a battery 5C for its electrical supply, whereby the battery 5C can also be designed separately from the controller CI, i.e. can only be connected to it.

[0101] According to the modification, the controller CI has a radio reception module 7 designed to receive a tag radio signal ES. It should also be mentioned at this point that the radio reception module 7 can be integrated into the access point radio module 6 or can be formed by the access point radio module 6, specifically by its receiver, which is indicated in Figure 3 by the dash-dotted block 6A. The radio reception module 7 can be activated by the server 2 using a receive start command RC via radio communication via the access points 4 with the controller CI when it is needed to receive the tag radio signal ES. Thus, each of the electronic shelf rails RI to RI0, or more precisely, each of their controllers CI to CIO, forms a detection device for receiving the tag radio signal ES emitted by a radio tag E1.

[0102] The label radio signal ES is emitted by the radio label E1 shown in Figure 1, which is attached to a product PI in order to identify the product PI with its label radio signal ES. The radio label E1 must be supplied with energy because it does not have a battery, but is designed to obtain the energy required for its operation from a received radio signal. For this purpose, the system 1 has supply transmitters 8 distributed throughout the shopping area, which are designed to emit an energy transmission radio signal EF in the frequency range of approximately 900 MHz. The radio label E1 is designed to use the energy transmission radio signal EF for "harvesting" its own electrical supply. It is therefore externally supplied via an energy transmission radio signal.

[0103] In the present case, it is assumed that the radio label El is formed by a "Battery-Free IoT Pixel" from Wiliot Ltd, as already mentioned in the general description.

[0104] Figure 1 also shows a mobile, battery-operated device 9, which here is formed by a portable radio fire transmitter that transmits an individual radio fire signal FS, preferably a Bluetooth Low Energy Beacon signal, for the purpose of identification and location. This radio fire signal FS is received and evaluated by location receivers 10 positioned throughout the shopping area, and the result of determining the location of the device 9 is transmitted to the server 2. For this purpose, the localization or real-time tracking system marketed by QUUPPA, for example, can be used. This system includes both the location receiver 10 and the device 9 as a radio fire transmitter, enabling highly precise location of the device 9 with just a single location receiver 10 receiving the radio fire signal FS.The server 2, or more precisely the software running on the server 2, which knows the position of the location receiver 10 in the shopping area, can thus convert the location of the device 9 determined in relation to the location receiver 10 into an absolute device position in the shopping area.

[0105] With regard to device 9, it is assumed that it is positioned near the radio tag E1. Together, the radio tag E1 and device 9 move along path S past the electronic shelf rails R1 to R10, as indicated in Figure 1.

[0106] The radio tag E1 is attached to a product or item of goods and is detected using detection devices CI - CIO positioned at different locations. When the goods and the associated radio tag are picked up in the vicinity of the device 9 for carrying the goods, the radio tag E1 and the device 9 are associated with each other. For this purpose, association data representing the association between the radio tag E1 and the device 9 was generated. The goods associated with the radio tag E1 are thus recorded and documented as inventory moved with the device 9. The association data can, for example, be transmitted together with the radio fire signal FS to the location receiver 10 and then transferred to the server 2. There, the association data and thus the inventory carried with the device 9 as well as the position of the device 9 or the radio tag E1 can be interpreted.Based on this, instruction data can be generated, for example, containing instructions for handling the goods. As long as the radio tag E1 and thus the associated goods are moved along with the device, the radio tag E1 and the device 9 are associated with each other, so that the position of the radio tag E1 can be used to determine the position of the device, and vice versa. At the same time, the association recognizes the goods as belonging to the device 9.

[0107] The radio tag El and the device 9 are both located together at different times in different locations, which is illustrated by a timeline t with a general time scale from -4 to +6 time units. At time t=0, both are therefore located exactly in front of the fifth electronic shelf rail R5 and immediately adjacent to the fourth shelf rail R4 and the sixth shelf rail R6. This location is defined as the device position GP at time t=0. Previously, for example, at time t=-3, they were located exactly opposite the second shelf rail R2, and in the future, for example, at time t=+3, they will be located exactly opposite the eighth shelf rail R8, etc., whereby in the present case it is assumed, for example, that they are moving at a constant speed. In real use, however, the speed can vary.

[0108] Building on the infrastructure discussed above, a preferred method for detecting the location-variable radio tag E1 using the detection devices CI - CIO positioned at different locations, which method is visualized in Figure 4 by a flow chart 11, will be discussed below. This method is essentially provided using the software processed on the server 2 and uses data obtained from the infrastructure.

[0109] The method 11 starts in a block 12. The products or goods are positioned in a product detection area. The product detection area can, for example, be the environment of an employee who carries the device 9 and carries the goods, for example, by hand or in a carrying device such as a basket. However, the product detection area can also be a storage area such as a basket of a smart shopping cart or the storage area of ​​a load transport vehicle. The goods are connected to the radio tag E1. The radio tag E1 is, depending on the event, newly associated with the device (9) that is at least temporarily located near the radio tag E1. The event can, as discussed in the general part of the description, occur automatically. Thus, if it is detected that the radio tag E1 is in the product detection area and / or that the radio tag E1 is moving with the device 9, the association can take place automatically.A semi-manual event can also trigger the association. For example, it may be necessary for the employee (e.g. on a user interface of device 9) to confirm that the automatically detected radio tag E1 should be associated with device 9. The association can also be triggered entirely manually. For example, the employee can scan the radio tag E1 with device 9, i.e., bring it into a defined minimum distance, in order to associate the radio tag E1 with device 9. During the association process, the association data is generated and stored computer-based in device 9, specifically in a memory unit of device 9. Typically, several items of goods and thus several radio tags E1-E4 are carried with device 9 (see Figure 2). Device 9 is therefore associated with the radio tags E1-E4 carried with it, so that the inventory of goods carried is documented.

[0110] In a block 13 in Figure 4, the location of the device 9 in the shopping area is determined, wherein the relative position of the device 9 determined with the aid of the location receiver 10 and related to the location receiver 10 was communicated to the server 2 and is converted there into the absolute device position GP in the shopping area with knowledge of the absolute position of the location receiver 10 in the shopping area.

[0111] In a block 14, with reference to the device position GP, ​​those controllers CI to CIO are searched for that meet a first criterion, namely that they are located within a proximity limit B, in this case, for example, less than five meters, from the device position, which is indicated accordingly in Figure 1. Since the software knows the absolute positions of the controllers CI to CIO in the shopping area, it calculates the distance between the device position GP and the position of the respective controller CI to CIO and selects the controllers C4 to C6, since only for these controllers C4 to C6 the first criterion is met.

[0112] In a block 15, the already mentioned reception start command RC is then sent to the controllers C4 to C6 in order to activate their radio reception module 7 to receive the label radio signal ES.

[0113] In a block 16, the tag radio signal received by the controllers C4 to C6 is communicated from the controllers C4 to C6 to the server 2 via one of the access points 4, where it is further processed by the software. This involves evaluating the information content of the tag radio signal ES in order to, on the one hand, identify the radio tag El and, on the other hand, identify the product PI logically linked to the radio tag El. This logical link is also accessible to the software, for example, by accessing its own database or by reference to another database, in order to subsequently determine the location of the product PI in the shopping area.

[0114] If only the current position of the radio tag is of interest, the procedure can end in block 17.

[0115] However, if the sequence of positions, i.e. the movement in the shopping area, is of interest, the process is continued in a loop 18 via blocks 13 to 16 until the software aborts the process.

[0116] If, during the movement, the discussed flowchart 11 is run through again at time t=1, then at this time controllers C5 to C7 are selected to receive the tag radio signal because now only they meet the first criterion, which is visualized by the shift of the near-range boundary B to the right. During the movement of device 9, the group of selected controllers C4 to C6, C5 to C7, C6 to C8, C7 to C9, and C8 to C10 gradually changes, which is indicated by the further gradual shift of the near-range boundary B to the right. The controllers that are no longer selected are instructed to deactivate their receiving module 7—after it has been active—using the stop receive command XC mentioned in the general description. This leads to an activated detection infrastructure that changes location within the shopping area according to the movement dynamics of device 9.In other words, or figuratively speaking, "the group of detection devices selected to detect the tag radio signal, which has a smaller number of members than the total number of detection devices, migrates with the device 9." This is therefore a "logical" "migration" - that is, a selection-related "migration" - and not a mechanical "migration."

[0117] The system of location-dependent detection devices activated according to the first criterion can also be applied to the selection of the power transmitters 8. For example, the software of the server 2 can keep the left power transmitter 8 activated while the right one is deactivated when the device 9 is adjacent to the controllers C1 to C5, and keep the left power transmitter 8 deactivated while the right power transmitter 8 is activated when the device 9 is adjacent to the controllers C6 to C10. This leads to a more efficient power supply to the radio tag E1 using the respective energy transmission radio signal EF.

[0118] Thus, the position of the group on device 9 and the associated radio tags E1-E4 is recorded. This process, i.e., the steps in blocks 13 to 16 and 13 to 17, are repeated continuously. If one of the goods and thus the corresponding radio tag E1 is placed on a shelf 19 (see Figure 2), it is no longer moved along with the remaining radio tags E2-E4, which is detected during the described process (blocks 13 to 16). This is, for example, a reason to dissolve the association between device 9 and the respective radio tag E1.

[0119] Conversely, the discussed method can of course also be used to pick up goods from the shelf 19 and move them along with the device 9. In this case, the association can occur automatically if it is determined that the radio tag El is being moved along with the device 9.

[0120] The invention is further visualized again with the help of Figure 2 based on a spatial view along the shelf 19. In the present case - particularly in contrast to Figure 1 - the entities 4, 8, and 10 are shown only once for reasons of clarity, although this does not prevent them from being present multiple times in a real implementation in a retailer's store. The shelf 19 has three levels 20, 22, and 21. Each level 20-21 is equipped with ten electronic shelf rails RI to RIO, whose controllers CI to CIO can be individually addressed for each level by the server 2 or its software.Thus, each level 20 - 21 has the configuration of electronic shelf rails RI to 10 with their controllers CI to CIO shown in Figure 1, whereby these infrastructure elements are provided with reference symbols throughout only on the lowest level, and on the two levels above, only three of these infrastructure elements are designated per level in order not to overload the figure. For the sake of simplicity, only one further group of infrastructure elements 4, 8, and 10 has been shown. Furthermore, Figure 2 shows a person 23 wearing device 9, implemented as a radio fire transmitter, on a belt 24 while moving along path S. They are pushing a load transport vehicle 25 loaded with products PI to P4. Products PI to P4 are marked with radio labels E1 to E4, and their differentiation is achieved by the characteristic data content of their label radio signal ES.The radio tags E1 to E4 are associated with device 9, as described in the context of Figure 4 and Figure 1. Thus, the goods or products P1 to P4 carried are known to device 9 and logged there. The radio fire signal FS also informs server 2 about which products P1 to P4 are carried by device 9. This is stored in the association data.

[0121] In the present case, according to the previous discussions, the device position of device 9 is determined within the near-field limit B (less than 5 meters) adjacent to the electronic shelf labels RI to R3 of the three floors 20 - 21. To make a more energy-efficient selection, the software compares the accessible charge levels of the batteries (not shown) of the electronic shelf rails RI to R3 located within the near-field limit B and selects, for example, only the controller CI of the lowest floor and the controller C3 of the top floor as the detection device for receiving the label radio signals ES.

[0122] This process, which now also takes into account the battery charge level of the respective electronic shelf rails RI to RIO, is repeated over time. For example, at a determined device position within the near range B of the electronic shelf rails R6 to R8, only a single detection device (e.g., the middle tier controller C6) is selected to receive the tag radio signal ES. Its battery has the highest charge level compared to the other selectable controllers C6 to C8 within the near range B. This enables the most energy-efficient use possible, especially in an environment with densely packed detection devices.

[0123] If autonomous ESLs are used as detection devices, their block diagram design differs from that of the controller CI in that the interface 5B is omitted and a screen is provided instead. In addition to the radio-based reception and transmission tasks, the computer 5A controls the screen to display the peris and / or product information received via radio.

[0124] A second embodiment of system 1 will be discussed below, focusing on the second variant according to the general description. In system 1, the positioning receivers 10 distributed and fixedly located throughout the business premises (= shopping area) as shown in Figures 1 and 2 can generally be omitted for the purposes of discussing the processes in system 1. However, this does not preclude the positioning receivers 10 from continuing to be used for other purposes. The same applies analogously to the supply transmitters 8 distributed and fixedly located throughout the business premises.

[0125] Furthermore, the following general conditions apply.

[0126] A mobile phone equipped with a Bluetooth Low Energy transceiver (the first "BTLE transceiver") is used as an example as a freely movable battery-operated device 9, so that the label radio signals ES can be received. The device 9 is assigned to the person 23, which is also known to the server 2 because this connection is stored in a data structure there or can be obtained from an external data source. The person 23 is the supermarket employee who is responsible for restocking the products P1 - P4. The products P1 - P4 are located on the load transport vehicle 25. The load transport vehicle 25 has an electric drive that is powered by a powerful drive battery.In the present case, the load transport vehicle 25 has the supply transmitter 8, which, as a component of the load transport vehicle 25, competes with the load transport vehicle 25 and is also electrically supplied with power via the traction battery. The transmission power of the supply transmitter 8 is set such that the radio tags E1 - E4 attached to the products P12 - P4 on the load transport vehicle 25 are reliably supplied with power via the energy transmission radio signal EF, but this energy transmission radio signal EF has the shortest possible range beyond the load transport vehicle. As long as the radio tags E1 - E4 are within the energy supply range of the energy transmission radio signal EF, they transmit their respective tag radio signal ES, which is received by the device 9 using the first BTLE transceiver. The device 9 therefore monitors permanently or at intervals (e.g.periodically) the presence of the radio tags E1-E4 on the load transport vehicle 25. To compensate for the resulting power consumption of the device 9, the device 9 can be connected to the electronic power supply of the load transport vehicle 25, thus drawing its electrical power from the traction battery. Inductive charging can also be provided for this purpose.

[0127] The device 9 generates the association data, i.e., a list of the identifiers of the radio tags E1-E4, hereinafter referred to as the list of tag identifiers, from the data content of the respective tag radio signal ES. This list is automatically adjusted or modified when one of the radio tags E1-E4 is removed from the load transport vehicle 25 or the load transport vehicle 25 is loaded with a product bearing a dedicated radio tag, as discussed in the context of Figure 4. By comparing with the server 2, which knows the connection between the identifier of the respective radio tag E1-E4 and the products P1 to P4 or can establish this connection using an external data source, the device 9 can always provide the person 23 with plain text information concerning the products and / or store a list of the (unique) product identifiers for those products currently located on the load transport vehicle 25.The inclusion of an external data source may also be necessary because the label identifiers are subject to encryption, particularly one that changes over time, the systematics of which are known only to the external data source.

[0128] The electronic shelf rails RI - RIO used, specifically their controller CI - CIO, are modified in the present case such that, in contrast to the modification according to Figure 3, they have a combined Bluetooth Low Energy receiver and transmitter module 7 (second "BTLE transceiver") instead of the receiver module 7 discussed there. This allows at least two different operating modes to be realized.

[0129] In a first operating mode, module 7 behaves as a Bluetooth Low Energy beacon and transmits a Bluetooth Low Energy beacon signal (hereinafter referred to as controller beacon signal) that can be received by the transceiver of device 9 as soon as device 9 is within the transmission range of module 7. In order to obtain good spatial resolution, the transmission range within which the controller beacon signal can be reliably received can be limited to a few meters by setting the transmission power, for example, less than 20 meters, less than 10 meters, or even less than 5 meters.

[0130] In a second operating mode, module 7 is in the receive state to receive different messages via Bluetooth Low Energy radio communication.

[0131] A first message may be a message from the device 9 containing the list of product identifiers that identify products that are to be restocked with respect to a specific shelf rail.

[0132] The second message can be a message from a radio tag El-E4 containing the specific tag identifier.

[0133] The meaning of these messages will be discussed below in the context of a discussion of the operation of System 1.

[0134] First, the person 23 activates a software application on their device 9 that has been programmed and installed for the purpose of re-finishing products. The server 2 electronically provides instruction data on the device 9 containing information regarding the products PI to P4 to be re-finished, and the person 23 loads the load-transport vehicle 25 with the products PI to P4. The radio tags E1 - E4 attached to the products PI - P4 are supplied with energy via radio, transmit their tag radio signals, and the device 9 detects the tag identifiers transmitted thereby, so that either the device 9 itself or after communication with the server 2 confirms the correct selection of the products P1 - P4, and a list of the products located on the load-transport vehicle 25 is generated. The radio tags E1 - E4 are thus associated with the device 9.

[0135] After the loading process is completed and as soon as the person and the load transport vehicle 25 start moving to restock the products PI - P4, this fact is communicated to the server 2 via radio (e.g., via WLAN or via IoT communication, such as according to the 5G or 6G mobile communications standard or higher) from the device 9, after which the server 2 activates the first operating mode of the module 7 for those controllers CI - CIO that are assigned to the products PI - P4 located on the load transport vehicle 25. In the present case, with reference to the shelf 19 according to Figure 2, it is assumed that the controller CI of the lower level 22 is assigned to the product PI and P2, the controller C7 of the middle level 21 is assigned to the product P3, and the controller CIO of the top level 20 is assigned to the product P4.

[0136] The device 9 now moves with the person 23 along the path S shown in Figure 2, close enough to the controller CI of the lowest floor 22 so that the controller beacon signal emitted from there can be received. As soon as this reception occurs, the device 9 instructs the relevant controller CI via communication with the server 2 to activate the second operating mode. The module 7 then goes into the receive state, which corresponds to the automatic selection of the relevant controller CI to receive a tag radio signal (ES) emitted by the radio tag (E1 - E4) and / or an identifier derived therefrom, namely a product identifier that can be derived from the tag identifier using the server 2 or an external data source available to the server.

[0137] Depending on how close the products Pl - P4 on the load transport vehicle 25 have been brought to the relevant controller CI, the first message or the second message can now be received by the controller 1.

[0138] If the products PI to P4 with the radio tags El - E4 attached to them have been brought close enough to the relevant controller CI, the latter can receive the radio tag signals ES from the radio tags El - E4 directly, i.e. receive the second message, as well as the first message. With the help of the first message, the product identifiers of the two products PI and P2 are made available to the relevant controller CI. Depending on the application, this can be interpreted to mean that individual products are re-stacked with regard to type and / or quantity. In this case, the transmission of two product identifiers can mean that two different product types are re-stacked with one piece each, or that two pieces of one product type are re-stacked.The CI controller therefore always maintains a direct overview of the number of products actually restocked and can communicate this information to Server 2, where the inventory on the shelf and in the warehouse is monitored. By receiving the two messages communicated by the CI controller from Server 2, Server 2 can determine that both the two products PI and P2 or their containers, to which the radio tags E1 and E2 are attached, as well as the person 25 who is to carry out the restocking process, are / were in the immediate vicinity of the relevant shelf position where the products PI and P2 are to be placed. From this, it is automatically concluded that the restocking process for the two products PI and P2 has been completed. Server 2 then instructs the relevant CI controller to enter its energy-saving mode, in which module 7 is deactivated in order to save energy.

[0139] However, if the products PI to P4 are so far away from the relevant controller CI that it cannot directly receive the tag radio signals ES, only the first message is received by the relevant controller CI. This is also communicated by the relevant controller CI to server 2. In this case, server 2 can at least determine that the person 23 responsible for the re-stuffing was near the relevant shelf location for which the products PI and P2 are intended. From this knowledge, it is also automatically concluded that the re-stuffing process for the two products PI and P2 is at least very likely completed. As a result, for example, the association of the radio tags E1 and E2 of the two products PI and P2 can be automatically dissolved. Alternatively, this can only be triggered by the moving away of the remaining radio tags E2 and E3, as discussed below.Subsequently, the server 2 instructs the relevant controller CI to enter its energy-saving mode, in which the module 7 is deactivated in order to save energy.

[0140] For the two scenarios discussed in the two preceding paragraphs, it can be concluded at server 2 that the re-sealing process for the two products PI and P2 was successfully completed if, subsequently, the radio tags E1 and E2 assigned to the products PI and P2 are detected as missing on the load transport vehicle 25 by device 9 because their tag radio signals ES are no longer received by device 9 as the load transport vehicle 25 continues to move along path S. The association of the radio tags E2 and E3 with device 9 is thus dissolved and no longer exists. In other words, the products PI and P2 are no longer attributed to the inventory carried by device 9. Rather, server 2 now knows that the products PI and P2 have been positioned at the corresponding position on shelf 19 and are therefore to be attributed to the inventory on shelf 19.The position along the shelf 19 is also known by detecting the position.

[0141] Subsequently, the described process is repeated for the two remaining products P3 and P4 in an analogous manner, but at other locations along path S.

[0142] The invention therefore allows the post-finishing process for products to be fully electronically tracked in a way that is as energy-efficient and radio-channel-friendly as possible.

[0143] Finally, it should be noted once again that the figures described in detail above are merely exemplary embodiments that can be modified in a variety of ways by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. For the sake of completeness, it should also be noted that the use of the indefinite articles "a" or "an" does not exclude the possibility that the relevant features may be present multiple times.

Claims

Claims 1. Method for recording or determining a stock of goods, whereby - a radio tag (El - E4) attached to a product or a good is detected by means of detection devices (CI - CIO) positioned at different locations, whereby - the radio label (El - E4) is newly associated with a device (9) located at least temporarily in the vicinity of the radio label (El - E4) on an ad hoc basis and is subsequently detectable in association with the device using the selected detection devices (CI - CIO), or wherein the association between the device (9) and the relevant radio label (El - E4) is dissolved on an ad hoc basis.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the event-related association or the event-related dissolution of the association is triggered manually at the detection device or the device, in particular by means of interaction with a user interface, preferably by means of a software application executed on the device.

3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the event-related association or the event-related dissolution of the association is carried out automatically.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the association or the dissolution of the association is triggered by detecting a movement of the radio tag relative to the device or a movement of the device relative to the radio tag.

5. The method according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the association or the dissolution of the association is carried out by automatically detecting that the product and / or the radio tag is in a product detection area, in particular in a basket, or by automatic detection that the product and / or the radio tag is not in the product detection range.

6. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the association or the dissolution of the association is triggered by determining that the radio tag associated with the device can be detected corresponding to the movement path of the device or that the radio tag associated with the device can no longer be detected corresponding to the movement path of the device.

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device continuously documents the radio tags and / or the products moved with the device.

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein association data representing the association between the radio tag and the device, in particular comprising or consisting of data transmitted from the radio tag to the device and an identifier of the device, are transmitted from the device and / or from the detection device and / or from the radio tag, preferably from the device, to a data processing device.

9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the data processing device according to claim 8 and / or the device creates and / or optimizes a route in a computerized manner on the basis of association data representing the association between the radio tag and the device and generates route instruction data which serve to instruct a person using the device and / or a vehicle logically connected to the device, in particular a smart shopping cart or a load transport vehicle, to follow the route.

10. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein for detecting the, in particular location-variable, radio label (El - E4) with the aid of the positioned at different locations Detection devices (Cl - CIO) the procedure following Process steps: - an automatic selection of a number of detection devices (CI -CIO) that is smaller than the total number of detection devices (CI - CIO) for receiving a label radio signal (ES) emitted by the radio label (El - E4) and / or a product identifier derived from the label radio signal (ES), wherein a first criterion for the automatic selection is used that, with respect to a, in particular automatically determined, device position of a device (9) located at least temporarily in the vicinity of the radio label (El - E4), at least one of the detection devices (CI - CIO) is favorably positioned relative to at least one other detection device (CI - CIO) for receiving the label radio signal (ES) and / or the product identifier.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the method comprises transmitting a tag radio signal (ES) individual to the radio tag (El - E4) by the radio tag (El - E4) during its movement, in particular by a group of the radio tags (El - E4) during their joint movement.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein the automatic determination of a device position is radio-based.

13. The method according to claim 10, wherein the automatic determination of the device position is image-based.

14. The method according to claim 10, wherein the device position is determined solely by the fact of receiving a localization radio signal transmitted by at least one of the detection devices.

15. The method according to any one of the preceding claims 10 to 14, wherein the detecting comprises: - receiving the tag radio signal (ES) by the at least one selected detection device (CI - CIO), and - identifying the radio tag (El - E4) and / or a product associated with the radio tag (El - E4) based on the received tag radio signal (ES).

16. Method according to one of the preceding claims 10 to 15, wherein the automatic selection is carried out by a data processing device (2), wherein - the data processing device (2) digitally stores the positions of the detection devices (CI - CIO) or has access to the digitally stored positions and knows the device position, and wherein - the data processing device (2) selects the at least one detection device (CI - CIO) which is favorably positioned in that a distance of the respective detection device (CI - CIO) from the device (9) is smaller than a limit value, or wherein the automatic selection is carried out by a data processing device (2) which is informed by means of the device (9) about the at least one detection device (CI - CIO) to be selected.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the limit value is a distance of ten meters or less, preferably in the range of four to eight meters, particularly preferably less than four meters.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein the data processing device (2) defines the limit value variably depending on the device position.

19. Method according to one of the preceding claims 10 to 18, wherein in the case that several detection devices (CI - CIO) satisfy the first criterion, only one of these detection devices (CI - CIO) satisfying the first criterion is selected sequentially for a predefined period of time to receive the tag radio signal (ES).

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the time period is defined inversely proportional to a state of charge of a battery (5C) of the respective detection device (CI - CIO).

21. Method according to one of the preceding claims 10 to 20, wherein, in the event that a plurality of detection devices (CI - CIO) satisfy the first criterion, a second criterion for the automatic selection is applied such that, for the detection devices (CI - CIO) satisfying the first criterion, those detection devices (CI - CIO) are selected for receiving the tag radio signal (ES) with knowledge of the charge state of a battery (5C) of these detection devices (CI - CIO) whose batteries (5C) exceed a charge state threshold, in particular only that detection device (CI - CIO) is selected for receiving the tag radio signal (ES) with the battery (5C) having the highest charge state.

22. The method according to claim 1, wherein the radio tag (E1 - E4) is electrically self-powered to transmit the tag radio signal (ES).

23. The method according to claim 1, wherein the radio tag (El - E4) is electrically supplied by an energy transmission radio signal in order to transmit the tag radio signal (ES).

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein the energy transmission radio signal (EF) for electrical supply is transmitted in a frequency range between 700 MHz and 1 GHz and / or in a frequency range of an ISM frequency band above 1 GHz, in particular the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz ISM frequency band.

25. Method according to one of claims 22 to 24, wherein for transmitting the energy transmission radio signal (EF) several energy transmission transmitting devices (10) positioned at different locations are used and at least one, preferably exactly one of the energy transmission transmitting devices (10) is automatically selected which has the smallest distance to the device (9) compared to at least one other energy transmission transmitting device (10).

26. Method according to one of the preceding claims 10 to 25, wherein at least one of the following group of devices is used as the device (9) in the method, namely: - a personal digital assistant, also known as a “Personal Digital Assistant”, or PDA for short; - a smartphone; - a smart shopping cart; - a cargo transport vehicle; - a radio beacon transmitter, in particular a Bluetooth Low Energy Radio Beacon.

27. Method according to one of the preceding claims 10 to 26, wherein an electronic device provided for displaying product and / or price information is used as the detection device (CI - CIO), in particular an electronic display device for still image and / or video playback or a control device for controlling such an electronic display device, wherein the electronic device is designed to receive the label radio signal (ES).

28. Method according to one of the preceding claims 10 to 27, wherein the automatic selection of the at least one detection device (CI - CIO) comprises a shared use of a communication infrastructure (2, 3, 4) provided by a retailer for the electronic display of product and / or price information.

29. Method according to one of the preceding claims 10 to 28, wherein for the automatic determination of the device position a localization infrastructure (2, 3, 8) which is available at a retailer for Localization of a person (23) moving in the business premises or of the device (9) moved with the person (23) is used.

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