Separator for a shelf support, including a light emitter

Abstract

The invention relates to a separator (10) adapted to be fixed to a spoke support (100) so as to delimit a column of the spoke support (100), the separator (10) comprising a light emitter (20) integrated within the separator (10) and configured to emit light, the light emitted by said light emitter (20) forming a signal corresponding to a flashing sequence that is specific to said light emitter (20) and enabling the identification of the separator (10) in which the light emitter (20) is integrated. FIG. 3

Description

Title of the invention: Separator for a beam support, comprising a light emitter

[0001] The present invention relates to a separator for managing the stock of a shelf support, and a method for identifying the separator. The shelf support is intended to receive goods and to be installed in a point of sale. General technical field and prior art

[0002] Merchandise is generally displayed in retail outlets. The merchandise consists of items of various kinds, for example, food products or other products, which can be purchased by a consumer in the retail outlet. The retail outlet comprises several aisles. Shelves, such as gondolas, are generally located on at least one side of an aisle, so that a consumer walking down the aisle can easily see the merchandise displayed on the shelves.

[0003] As illustrated in [Fig.l], a shelf 1 generally comprises several shelf supports 100 which are vertically spaced from each other. The articles 200 to be displayed are placed on the shelf supports 100. The articles 200 of a given nature can be placed on the shelf supports 100 one behind the other so as to form a line of articles 200. A shelf support 100 comprises several adjacent lines of articles 200, each line corresponding to a given nature of article 200.

[0004] Adjacent columns of a shelf support may be delimited by dividers. The dividers extend generally the entire length of the column, in order to physically separate adjacent columns and to facilitate the stabilization and positioning of articles within each column. Thus, articles may be positioned within each column accurately and reliably, and in an orderly manner. Multiple lines of articles may be received abreast within a column formed between two adjacent dividers.

[0005] Shelf labels are typically positioned on a front panel of the shelf support located below or adjacent to the columns delimited by the divider, so as to be directly visible to a consumer walking down an aisle in which the shelf is positioned. The shelf labels display information relating to the items positioned in the nearby row(s), such as a price, price by weight, item name, etc.

[0006] Inventory management is a particularly important issue for points of sale. A stock shortage results in financial losses, because the out-of-stock item stock is not purchased by the customer. Stock shortages must be anticipated so that rapid replenishment can be accomplished if necessary.

[0007] Electronic shelf labels (hereinafter referred to as "ESL") are a type of shelf label that is commonly used to facilitate inventory management, particularly to regularly update a database of the stocks of items placed on the shelf racks of the point of sale, thereby reducing the risk of stockouts.

[0008] An ESL includes a display that allows for automatic updates to the item information displayed on the display, such as price updates. An ESL also typically includes a light emitter configured to emit light in a flashing sequence that is specific to the ESL, upon receipt of a flashing command.

[0009] The point of sale comprises one or more base stations. The base station(s) of the point of sale communicate with the ESLs of the point of sale by far-field radio communication, for example via a low-power radio communication module of the base station. The base station(s) may thus occasionally transmit update commands to the ESLs so as to automatically update the information of the ESLs. The base station(s) may also occasionally transmit flashing commands to all the ESLs, so as to trigger the performance of their specific flashing sequences by the light emitters of all the ESLs of the point of sale.

[0010] Cameras may be installed in the point of sale in order to film the shelves and the ESLs positioned on the shelves. More specifically, a camera may be placed facing a shelf, on the other side of the aisle from the shelf, so as to film the shelf. The camera can thus detect a nearly empty or empty space on a shelf support of the shelf, which corresponds to a stock-out area. The camera also acquires the flashing sequences made by the light emitters of the ESLs positioned on the filmed shelf.

[0011] The nature of the out-of-stock item can thus be determined by identifying the ESL which is closest to the detected out-of-stock area, the identification being carried out on the basis of the acquired flashing sequence which is specific to said ESL. An alert can then be generated, indicating to replenish the stock of the determined item.

[0012] However, this system for managing stockouts only works when ESLs are implemented. However, ESLs are not implemented in all points of sale, regions or countries, or even in all areas of a given point of sale. ESLs may, for example, be implemented only in areas of the store displaying products for which inventory management is most critical. When ESLs are not present, it is necessary to provide another means of anticipating stock shortages.

[0013] In addition, ESLs require dedicated infrastructure and specific installation to be implemented.

[0014] Furthermore, the positioning of the ESLs relative to the items to which they refer is not standardized and may vary from one item to another. The ESL may be placed on the shelf support under the corresponding item, but may also be offset to the right or left of the item. Thus, when the camera detects a stock shortage, errors may be made in identifying the ESL corresponding to the out-of-stock item, resulting in incorrect identification of the out-of-stock item. This leads to inefficiency in stock management.

[0015] Finally, it is important that the camera that acquires images of a shelf is not moved, and that it is positioned precisely facing said shelf. Otherwise, the camera may not accurately detect an empty or nearly empty space on the shelf support, and / or may not correctly identify ESLs. Accurate and reliable positioning and fixing of the camera is difficult to achieve. The camera can be fixed to a ceiling or a wall of the point of sale, but the camera may then not accurately acquire images of certain shelf supports, especially the highest shelf supports. The camera can be fixed to a shelf, but the camera then takes up space on the shelf and is visible to the consumer at the point of sale. General presentation of the invention

[0016] An object of the invention is to provide a separator which reduces the costs of stock management of a shelf support.

[0017] Another object of the invention is to provide a system for managing the stock of a shelf support which does not require the presence of ESL.

[0018] According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a separator adapted to be fixed on a shelf support so as to delimit a column of the shelf support, the separator comprising a light emitter integrated in the separator and configured to emit light, the light emitted by said light emitter forming a signal corresponding to a flashing sequence which is specific to said light emitter and allows the identification of the separator in which the light emitter is integrated.

[0019] Some preferred but non-limiting features of the separator described above are the following, taken individually or in combination: - the separator comprises a dividing wall adapted to delimit two adjacent columns of the shelf support, the dividing wall comprising two panels opposite sides, the divider further comprising a front panel adapted to connect the two opposite side panels of the partition wall; - the separator comprises a plate adapted to be stacked on the shelf support so as to delimit the column of the shelf support; - the light emitter is integrated into the front panel of the separator; - the light emitter is an LED; - the light emitter is configured to emit visible light; - the light emitter is configured to emit green light; - the light emitter is configured to emit infrared light; - the separator further comprises a battery adapted to supply power to the light emitter; - the separator further comprises a communication module adapted to trigger the flashing sequence of a light emitter according to an order coming from a base station; - the communication module can be adapted to communicate with the base station by far-field radio communication; - the communication module can be adapted to communicate with another separator by near-field radio communication; - the separator further comprises a person sensor adapted to detect an object or a person obstructing the light emitter of the separator, the communication module being adapted to trigger a flashing sequence of the light emitter according to an output of the person sensor; - the separator further comprises a camera integrated into the separator, said separator being a surveillance separator; - the camera includes a motorized lens allowing to change a direction of view of the camera; - the surveillance separator may be adapted to be mounted on a shelf support which is located opposite the separator comprising the light emitter whose flashing sequence is to be acquired by the camera relative to an aisle of the point of sale; - the separator further includes an LCD screen integrated into the separator; - the separator forms a single-piece housing suitable for integrating separator components; - the separator comprises a front housing adapted to integrate components of the separator, and a window adapted to be mounted on the front housing, the front housing and the window together delimiting two adjacent columns of the shelf support.

[0020] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a set of separators comprising a plurality of separators, a separator according to the first aspect, each separator of the set of separators comprising a light emitter having a unique specific flashing sequence different from the flashing sequences of the light emitters of the other separators of the set of separators, such that for each separator of the set of separators, the flashing sequence of the light emitter of said separator allows the identification of said separator.

[0021] According to a third aspect, the invention relates to a system comprising a separator according to the first aspect and an identification unit, the identification unit being adapted to receive a flashing sequence emitted by the light emitter of the separator, the identification unit being further adapted to identify the separator corresponding to the acquired flashing sequence.

[0022] Said identification may be carried out on the basis of a correspondence table comprising a plurality of flashing sequences, each flashing sequence being associated with a respective separator in said correspondence table.

[0023] According to a fourth aspect, the invention relates to a beam system comprising a beam support, a separator according to the first aspect, the separator being fixed to the beam support, and a camera configured to visually acquire the flashing sequence performed by the light emitter of the separator.

[0024] The camera may be integrated into a surveillance splitter according to the first aspect, the surveillance splitter being adapted to be attached to a beam support such that the light emitter of the splitter is visible to the camera of the surveillance splitter.

[0025] The beam system may further comprise an identification unit adapted to receive a flashing sequence acquired by the camera, the identification unit being further adapted to identify the separator corresponding to the acquired flashing sequence.

[0026] Said identification may be carried out on the basis of a correspondence table comprising a plurality of flashing sequences, each flashing sequence being associated with a respective separator in said correspondence table.

[0027] According to a fifth aspect, the invention aims at a method for identifying a separator adapted to be carried out by a ray system according to the fourth aspect, comprising the following steps: IF: trigger a flashing sequence of the light transmitter integrated in the separator by the communication module; S2: perform the flashing sequence by the light transmitter; S3: Visually acquire the flashing sequence by the camera.

[0028] The method may further comprise the following steps: S4: receive, by the identification unit, the flashing sequence acquired by the camera; and S5: identifying, by the identification unit, the separator corresponding to the acquired flashing sequence. Said identification can be carried out on the basis of a correspondence table comprising a plurality of flashing sequences, in which each flashing sequence is associated with a respective separator in said correspondence table.

[0029] The method may further comprise a step consisting of detecting, by a person sensor, an object or a person obstructing the light emitter of the separator, the communication module being adapted to trigger the flashing sequence of the light emitter in step S1 according to an output of the person sensor. Presentation of figures

[0030] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the following description, which is purely illustrative and non-limiting and must be considered in relation to the appended figures in which:

[0031] - [Fig.l], previously commented on, is a perspective view of a ray according to prior art;

[0032] - [Fig.2] is a perspective view of a spoke support comprising a separator according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0033] - [Fig.3] is a perspective view of a separator according to one embodiment of the invention, the separator being fixed on a shelf support;

[0034] - [Fig.4] is an enlarged perspective view of a separator according to a method of realization of the invention;

[0035] - [Fig.5] is an exploded perspective view of a separator according to another mode of carrying out the invention;

[0036] - [Fig.6] is an assembled perspective view of the separator of [Fig.5];

[0037] - [Fig.7] is a block diagram of a separator identification method according to one embodiment of the invention. Description of detailed embodiments

[0038] A separator 10 adapted to be fixed on a shelf support 100 so as to delimit a column of the shelf support 100 is illustrated by way of non-limiting example in Figures 3, 5 and 6.

[0039] The separator 10 comprises a light emitter integrated in the separator 10 and configured to emit light, the light emitted by said light emitter 20 forming a signal corresponding to a flashing sequence which is specific to said light emitter 20 and allowing the identification of the separator 10 in which the light emitter 20 is integrated.

[0040] The positioning of such a separator 10 is precise and reliable. A separator 10 delimits a column of the shelf support 100, that is to say, it delimits an area of ​​the shelf support 100 where articles 200 are to be displayed.

[0041] Since the separator 10 is attached to the shelf support 100, a position of the separator 10 relative to said shelf support 100 is known. A position of the separator 10 in the point of sale may also be known. A nature and a position of the articles 200 displayed in a column delimited by the separator 10 relative to said separator 10 are also known, said articles 200 being associated with the separator 10. Thus, the separator 10 defines the nature(s) and the position(s) of the articles 200 located in the column delimited by the separator 10. Since the separator 10 can be identified based on the flashing sequence of the light emitter 20, the nature(s) and the position(s) of the corresponding articles 200 displayed in the column delimited by the separator 10 can also be correctly identified.The nature of an item 200 may correspond to a type of item 200 and / or a brand of item 200, for example a specific cream, cereals, vegetables, etc.

[0042] Furthermore, the separator 10 can be easily installed on the shelf support 100, like a conventional separator 10, and does not require any dedicated infrastructure to be operational. More particularly, the separators 10 do not require the presence of ESLs to be operational. The dimensions of the separator 10 correspond substantially to the dimensions of a conventional separator 10, which allows space saving.

[0043] The light emitted by the light emitter 20 of the separator 10 forms a signal corresponding to a flashing sequence. In other words, the light emitter 20 is adapted to emit flashes by emitting several light pulses, thus realizing a flashing sequence. The multiple light pulses have different durations and are spaced from each other by variable time intervals. The durations and time intervals between the signal formed by the sequence of light pulses are specific to the light emitter 20, that is to say, they characterize the light emitter 20. Thus, the flashing sequence of the light emitter 20 is distinctive of the light emitter 20 and allows the identification of the separator 10 in which the light emitter 20 is integrated.

[0044] The execution of a sequence of flashing of light pulses by the light emitter 20 can be triggered by a flashing command transmitted to the light emitter 20.

[0045] A spoke support 100, as illustrated by way of non-limiting example in [Fig. 2], may be a substantially planar spoke support 100 extending in a plane of spoke support. The spoke support plane is defined by a lateral direction and a longitudinal direction, the longitudinal direction being perpendicular to the lateral direction. A vertical direction corresponds to a direction perpendicular to a spoke support plane. A length corresponds to a dimension along the longitudinal direction. A width corresponds to a dimension along the lateral direction. A height corresponds to a dimension along the vertical direction.

[0046] A point of sale may include a plurality of aisles forming passages for consumers of the point of sale. A shelf 1 may be located in an aisle of the point of sale. The shelf 1 may include a shelf support 100, or a plurality of shelf supports 100 that are vertically spaced apart from each other. A shelf support 100 is adapted to receive shelf labels, which may be ESLs. The point of sale may include a base station including a far-field communication module.

[0047] The articles 200 to be displayed are placed on the shelf supports 100. The articles 200 of a given nature can be placed on the shelf support 100 one behind the other in the longitudinal direction so as to form a row of articles 200. A shelf support 100 comprises several adjacent rows of articles 200, each row of articles 200 corresponding to a given nature of article 200 which can be the same as or different from the natures of articles 200 of an adjacent row of articles 200.

[0048] More specifically, the shelves 1 may be located on each side of an aisle, the shelves 1 being opposite each other with respect to the aisle, such that the shelves 1 face each other and are located on either side of a consumer walking in the aisle. The consumer walking in the aisle can thus select the articles 200 displayed on the shelves 1, on either side of the consumer.

[0049] One or more separators 10 are fixed to the shelf support 100 so as to delimit the columns of the shelf support 100. A column width, i.e. a column dimension in the lateral direction, may correspond substantially to a dimension of the article 200 to be placed in the column. Thus, the position of the article 200 in the column is known with even greater precision. Alternatively, the column width may be greater than a dimension of the article 200 to be placed in the column, so that the column delimited by the separator 10 is adapted to receive several lines of articles 200, a line of articles 200 being formed by a succession of articles 200 placed one behind the other in the longitudinal direction. One or more lines of articles 200 of one or more types may thus be arranged abreast in a given column delimited by the separator 10.The nature of the 200 items set out in the 200 item line(s). located in the given column delimited by the separator 10 is known, and their position relative to the separator 10 is known.

[0050] According to a first example, the separator 10 fixed on the shelf support 100 comprises a plate adapted to be stacked on the shelf support so as to delimit the column of the shelf support 100.

[0051] The separator plate 10 may be a rectangular plate adapted to extend mainly in the longitudinal and lateral direction, i.e. in a plane substantially parallel to the spoke support plane. One dimension of the separator plate 10 in the lateral direction corresponds to the column width. Two adjacent separator plates 10 may be arranged side by side and in contact with each other so as to delimit two adjacent columns of the spoke support 100.

[0052] The separator plate 10 may have a height in the vertical direction that is sufficient to integrate components of the separator plate 10, the separator plate 10 forming a substantially rectangular block. The separator plate 10 thus forms a stable housing, for cool and normal environments, the housing being further adapted to integrate components of the separator plate 10.

[0053] The separator plate 10 is stacked on the shelf support 100. The separator plate 10 may be adapted to extend over the entire length of the shelf support 100. The articles 200 of a given column delimited by the separator plate 10 are exposed on the separator plate 10 in one or more lines of articles 200 arranged abreast on the separator plate 10. Two adjacent lines of articles 200 exposed on the separator plate 10 may contain articles 200 of the same nature or of a different nature. The articles 200 exposed on the separator plate 10 correspond to the articles 200 associated with the separator plate 10. The nature and / or the position of the articles 200 associated with the separator plate 10 relative to the separator plate 10 is thus known.

[0054] The components integrated in the separator plate 10 comprise a light emitter 20. The components integrated in the separator plate 10 may further comprise one or more of the following components: a camera 30, a person sensor 50, an identification unit, a communication module, and / or a battery 40.

[0055] According to a particular example, a separator plate 10 may expose articles 200 of one or more different natures. The articles 200 of a given nature are exposed on the separator plate 10 in one or more adjacent lines of articles 200 arranged abreast. The components integrated in the separator plate 10 may comprise several light emitters 20 regularly spaced from each other along the width of the separator plate 10. One or more adjacent light emitters 20 is or are associated with a given nature of articles 200, for example such that a total distance between the light emitters 20 associated with a given nature of articles 200 corresponds to a width of said one or more adjacent lines of articles 200 of the given nature. The nature and / or position of the articles 200 associated with said one or more adjacent light emitters 20 of the separator plate 10 relative to the separator plate 10 is known. For example, if the separator plate 10 has a width of 50 cm incorporating 10 light emitters 20 spaced every 5 cm of the separator plate 10, and if the articles 200 of a given nature are intended to be displayed on several lines of articles 200 having a total width of 20 cm, then the 4 adjacent light emitters 20 located below the articles to be displayed of said given nature can be associated with the articles 200 of said given nature.

[0056] The light emitter 20, the camera 30, the person sensor 50, the identification unit, the communication module, and / or the battery 40, may be integrated into a front panel 13 of the separator plate 10. The front panel 13 of the separator plate 10 extends substantially in the lateral and vertical direction so as to define the height of the rectangular block of the separator plate 10, and is visible to a person or an imaging device facing the beam 1 where the separator plate 10 is installed. Therefore, the light emitter 20 integrated into the front panel 13 is visible to a camera 30 facing the beam 1.

[0057] According to a second example illustrated by way of example in Figures 3, 5 and 6, the separator 10 fixed on the shelf support 100 is adapted to extend mainly in the longitudinal direction and in the vertical direction of the shelf support 100, substantially perpendicular to the shelf support plane. The separator 10 may be adapted to extend over the entire length of the shelf support 100. The separator 10 has a height which is sufficient to delimit the two adjacent columns of the shelf support 100. Thus, the articles 200 located in the column on one side of the separator 10 cannot move to the adjacent column on the other side of the separator 10 without intentional manual manipulation by a user. The separator 10 laterally delimits the two adjacent columns, the two columns being located on each side of the separator 10.

[0058] The articles 200 of a given column are placed between two adjacent separators 10. Two adjacent separators 10 fixed on the same shelf support 100 are spaced in the lateral direction of the shelf support 100 by a distance corresponding to the column width.

[0059] The articles 200 associated with the separator 10 correspond to the articles 200 located in a column adjacent to the separator 10, for example in the column located to the right of the separator 10, or in a column located to the left of the separator 10. The nature and / or position of the articles 200 associated with the separator 10 relative to the separator 10 is thus known.

[0060] The separator 10 according to the second example may comprise a separating wall adapted to delimit two adjacent columns of the shelf support 100, the separating wall comprising two opposite side panels 11, 12. The side panels 11, 12 of the separator 10 may extend substantially in the longitudinal and vertical direction. Each side panel 11, 12 of the separator 10 faces each adjacent column delimited by the separator 10.

[0061] A distance between the two opposite side panels 11, 12 of the separator 10 corresponds to a width of the separator 10. The width of the separator 10 may vary in the longitudinal direction. The width of the separator 10 may be sufficient for the separator 10 to integrate components of the separator 10 between the two opposite side panels 11, 12 of the separator 10.

[0062] The components integrated in the separator 10 comprise a light emitter 20. The components integrated in the separator 10 may further comprise one or more of the following components: a camera 30, a person sensor 50, an identification unit, a communication module, an LCD screen 60, and / or a battery 40.

[0063] The separator 10 may further comprise a front panel 13 adapted to connect the two opposite side panels 11, 12 of the partition wall. The light emitter 20 may be integrated into the front panel 13 of the separator 10. The front panel 13 may extend substantially in the lateral and vertical direction, from one side panel 11, 12, to the other side panel 11, 12.

[0064] The front panel 13 of the separator 10 is visible to a person or an imaging device facing the beam 1 where the separator 10 is installed, regardless of the degree of filling of the column. Therefore, since the light emitter 20 is integrated in the front panel 13, between the two opposite side panels of the separator 10, the light emitter 20 is visible to a camera 30 facing the beam 1.

[0065] The separator 10 may further comprise a rear panel located opposite the side panel 11, 12 and adapted to connect the two opposite side panels 11, 12 of the separation wall.

[0066] The architecture of the separator 10 comprising the opposing side panels 11, 12 connected by the front panel 13, forms a stable housing, for cool and normal environments, the housing being further adapted to integrate components of the separator 10.

[0067] In a first embodiment of the second example, illustrated as a non-limiting example in [Fig. 3], the separator 10 forms a single-piece housing. two opposite side walls of the separator 10 can be formed by two opposite plexiglass windows. The width of the separator 10, i.e. the distance between the two side panels 11, 12, increases next to the front panel 13 of the separator 10, so as to allow the integration of different components of the separator 10 next to the front panel 13.

[0068] In a second embodiment of the second example, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in Figures 5 and 6, the separator 10 comprises a front housing 15 adapted to integrate components of the separator 10, and a window 14 adapted to be mounted on the front housing 15, the front housing 15 and the window 14 together delimiting the two adjacent columns. The design of the separator 10 is thus modular, which allows the window 14 or the front housing 15 to be easily removed, for example if a component integrated in the front housing 15 needs to be replaced. The window 14 may be a plexiglass window. The window 14 may be partially inserted into slots provided in the front housing 15 in order to be fixed on the front housing 15. The dimensions of the window 14 may be adapted according to a size of shelf support 100.Such a separator 10 comprising a front housing 15 and a window 14 removably attached to each other can thus easily adapt to different sizes of shelf support 10.

[0069] The separator 10 according to the first example or the second example may further comprise a fixing element 16 adapted to securely fix the separator 10 to the spoke support 100, as illustrated by way of example in Figures 5 and 6.

[0070] The light emitter 20 may be an LED.

[0071] The light emitter 20 may be configured to emit visible light, for example green light. In other words, the light emitter 20 is configured to emit light whose wavelength is included in the visible spectrum, that is to say light whose wavelength is substantially between 400 nm and 750 nm, more precisely, it may be configured to emit light whose wavelength is substantially between 480 nm and 570 nm.

[0072] Alternatively or additionally, the light emitter 20 may be configured to emit infrared light. In other words, the light emitter 20 is configured to emit light whose wavelength is included in an infrared spectrum, i.e. whose wavelength is substantially between 750 nm and 1 mm. Thus, the light emitted by the light emitter 20 is not visible to the human eye, i.e. it is not visible to consumers at the point of sale, and therefore does not risk annoying or disturbing the user.

[0073] The light emitter 20 may be configured to emit light in a flashing sequence. The flashing sequence is specific to the separator 10, so as to enable identification of the separator 10. The sequence of flashing of the light emitters 20 can be configured so that in a given point of sale, or in a given area of ​​the point of sale, each separator 10 has a light emitter 20 which emits a unique specific flashing sequence, all the flashing sequences emitted by the separators 10 of the point of sale or of the given area of ​​the point of sale, being different. Thus, the separator 10 of a point of sale or of a given area of ​​the point of sale, can be identified easily and reliably on the basis of the flashing sequence of its light emitter 20.

[0074] The light emitter 20 may include a wake-up mode and a sleep mode. In the sleep mode, the light emitter 20 does not emit any light. In the wake-up mode, the light emitter 20 emits light in the form of the flashing sequence. The light emitter 20 may be configured to wake up at predetermined time intervals, or to be woken up on demand by a communication module.

[0075] The separator 10 may comprise a communication module adapted to trigger the flashing sequence of a light emitter 20 according to an order coming from a base station of the point of sale. The light emitter 20 may be integrated in said separator 10 and / or in another separator 10.

[0076] The communication module may be integrated into the separator 10, more particularly in the vicinity of the front panel 13 of the separator 10, for example in the front housing of a separator 10 according to the second embodiment of the second example. Alternatively, the communication module may be integrated into a camera 30. Alternatively, the communication module may be integrated into the base station of the point of sale.

[0077] The communication module may comprise a near-field and / or far-field radio communication module.

[0078] More specifically, the communication module may be adapted to communicate with the light emitter 20 of the separator 10 by near-field radio communication, which has low power consumption. A transmission range of the near-field radio communication module may be between 1 meter and 10 meters, for example may be of the order of 5 meters, or of the order of 7 meters. Alternatively, the communication module may be adapted to communicate with the light emitter 20 of the separator 10 by far-field radio communication, which makes it possible to control the light emitters 20 over significant distances.

[0079] The communication module may be adapted to communicate with the base station by far-field radio communication, which allows the communication module to be controlled over significant distances, for example a control centralized control of all communication modules in the point of sale by the point of sale base station. Thus, the base station can simultaneously send commands to all light emitters 20 in the point of sale to instantly carry out their flashing sequences. Therefore, an overview of the stocks of all departments 1 in the point of sale can be generated at once.

[0080] The separator 10 may further comprise a battery 40 adapted to supply power to the light emitter 20. The battery 40 may be a removable battery, or alternatively may be directly integrated inside the separator 10 housing, for example between the two opposite side walls of the separator 10 according to the second example.

[0081] The battery 40 may further be adapted to supply power to the camera 30, the LCD screen 60, the identification unit, the communication module, and / or the person sensor 50.

[0082] The battery 40 may be integrated into a battery pack removably attached to the separator 10, for example removably mounted on a side panel 11, 12 of the partition wall of the separator 10 according to the second example, in the vicinity of the rear panel of the separator 10.

[0083] The battery pack 40 can be of different sizes, depending on the power to be provided by the battery 40 and the desired autonomy of the battery 40. Thus, the battery 40 can provide a flexible amount of power, adapted to the needs of the separator 10.

[0084] For example, if the separator 10 comprises a light emitter 20 and a camera 30, the battery 40 may be larger than when the separator 10 only comprises a light emitter 20 but no camera 30, so as to provide sufficient power for all components of the separator 10, in particular for the light emitter 20 and the camera 30.

[0085] The separator 10 may comprise a person sensor 50 adapted to detect an object or a person obstructing the light emitter 20 of the separator 10.

[0086] The person sensor 50 may be integrated into the front panel 13 of the splitter 10, next to the light emitter 20. More specifically, the person sensor 50 may be integrated into the front housing of the splitter 10. Therefore, the object or person obstructing a view of the person sensor 50 also obstructs a view of the light emitter 20.

[0087] The person sensor 50 is adapted to detect an object or person blocking a view of the light emitter 20 of the divider 10, for example an object or person facing the person sensor 50 adjacent to the person sensor 50. This may occur when a consumer is viewing items 200 of the shelf support to which the divider 10 is attached.

[0088] The person sensor 50 may comprise one or a combination of any of the following sensors: a motion sensor adapted to detect movement within the sensor's field of view, a camera adapted to acquire images of the sensor's field of view, an environmental sensor adapted to detect an amount of light in the vicinity of the sensor, and / or a depth sensor adapted to enrich the information from a camera with depth data.

[0089] The person sensor 50 may be adapted to continuously detect a person in the field of view of the person sensor 50, or to alternate between a sleep mode in which the person sensor 50 is asleep, and an awakening mode in which the person sensor 50 detects a person in the field of view of the person sensor 50.

[0090] The communication module may be adapted to trigger a flashing sequence of the light emitter 20 according to an output of the person sensor 50, in addition to the command from the base station. More specifically, the communication module may be adapted to trigger a flashing sequence only if the person sensor 50 detects no object or person obstructing a view of the light emitter 20. Triggering of the flashing sequence is thus delayed until a camera 30 can acquire an unobstructed view of the flashing sequence.

[0091] The person sensor 50 makes it possible to improve the efficiency and reduce the energy consumption of the inventory management system. Indeed, if the person sensor 50 detects a person or an object likely to obstruct a view of the light emitter 20, that is to say likely to hinder the acquisition of a flashing sequence by the camera 30, then the communication module can delay the sending of the flashing order to the light emitter 20, in order to wait until the view of the light emitter 20 by the camera 30 is no longer obstructed. Therefore, the flashing sequence is not performed unnecessarily when it cannot be acquired by the camera 30 due to the presence of a person or object obstructing the view of the light emitter 20 of the camera 30. Similarly, the camera 30 is not awakened to acquire the flashing sequences of the light emitter 20 if there is a risk that the acquisition will be useless.Thus, the battery life of the battery 40 supplying power to the light emitter and / or the camera 30 is extended. Finally, the reliability of the identification of the separator 10 based on the acquired flashing sequence is increased, because the flashing sequence is performed when no object or person is likely to interfere with the acquisition of the flashing sequence of the camera 30, thus the acquired flashing sequence is whole and undisturbed.

[0092] The separator 10 may further comprise an LCD screen 60 integrated into the separator 10, as illustrated by way of non-limiting example in [Fig. 4]. The LCD screen 60 may be integrated into a side panel 11, 12 of the separation wall of a separator 10 according to the second example, or into the front housing of the separator 10.

[0093] The LCD screen 60 may be adapted to display an identifier, for example a four-digit identifier, of an article 200 associated with the separator 10. Thus, the images acquired by the camera 30 allow the identification of both the separator 10 and the article 200 associated with the separator 10. The risk of confusing the separators 10 and the articles 200 is thus reduced.

[0094] Alternatively or in addition, the LCD screen 60 can display an error code and / or a configuration code and / or can display the reserve stock in a warehouse of the item 200 associated with the separator 10. Thus, the LCD screen 60 participates in the efficient management of the stock by the system.

[0095] The LCD screen 60 may be configured to display an item code 200, for example a 4-digit item code 200. The LCD provides visual feedback of the association.

[0096] The separator 10 may further comprise a camera 30 integrated into the separator 10, said separator 10 being a surveillance separator.

[0097] The camera 30 may be adapted to acquire visible and / or infrared light, corresponding to light emitted by the light emitter 20.

[0098] The camera 30 may be a 12MP camera 30.

[0099] The camera 30 may include a motorized lens allowing a change of a direction of view of the camera 30, i.e., a direction along which the field of view of the camera 30 is substantially oriented. Thus, the field of view of the camera 30 can be adjusted according to the desired application. For example, the lens of the camera 30 can be rotated about one or more axes of rotation so as to change the direction of view. The direction of view of the camera 30 can be adapted to be adjusted manually by a user and / or can be adapted to be adjusted automatically by an actuator integrated in the camera 30.

[0100] For example, the direction of view of the camera may be substantially oriented along a direction that is perpendicular to a wall, shelf 1, or divider 10 to which the camera 30 is attached, and / or may be changed by rotation about one or more axes of rotation.

[0101] The camera 30 may comprise a very near field communication module adapted to communicate with a terminal located very close to the camera 30, for example via NFC. A transmission range of the very near field communication module may for example be equal to a few centimeters, and may more particularly be between 1 cm and 10 cm. This very short range of communication increases the accuracy and security of communication between the camera 30 and the mobile terminal.

[0102] The camera 30 may be adapted to acquire images substantially continuously or at discrete time intervals.

[0103] The camera 30 may be configured to acquire the flashing sequence of a light emitter 20 integrated in a further separator 10 mounted on a beam support 100, the light emitter 20 of said further separator 10 being located in a field of view of the camera 30. The flashing sequence acquired by the camera 30 may consist of a plurality of images comprising the light emitter 20 of the separator 10 acquired by the camera 30, the images being taken at a time interval that is sufficiently short so that the parameters of the flashing sequence, such as the number of flashes and the duration of each flash, can be determined based on the acquired images. The camera 30 may also be adapted to acquire images of the LCD screen 60 integrated in the separator 10.

[0104] The camera 30 can further be adapted to acquire images of the shelves 1 and / or the shelf supports 100 located in the field of vision of the camera 30. The camera 30 can thus detect an almost empty or empty space on a shelf support 100 in the field of vision of the camera 30, which corresponds to a stock-out area.

[0105] The camera 30 can thus be positioned so as to acquire images of a separator 10 and / or a shelf support 100 on which the separator 10 is mounted. More specifically, the camera 30 can be placed facing the separator 10 and the shelf support 100 in order to best acquire images of said separator 10 and / or said shelf support 100, on the other side of the aisle with respect to the separator 10 and the shelf support 100. Thus, the camera 30 can efficiently acquire flashing sequences of the light emitter 20 integrated in the separator 10, and / or can efficiently detect a nearly empty or empty space on the shelf support 100, which corresponds to a stock-out area.

[0106] The camera 30 may be positioned and fixed on a wall or a ceiling of the point of sale. Alternatively, the camera 30 may be integrated into the shelf 1, it may for example be integrated into the surveillance separator 10. More specifically, the camera 30 may be integrated into the front panel 13 of the surveillance separator 10. Thus, since the camera 30 is integrated into the surveillance separator 10, the positioning and fixing of the camera 30 are precise and reliable, and the camera 30 does not need to be manually positioned by a user.

[0107] The camera 30 integrated in the surveillance separator 10 faces the ray supports 100 forming the ray 1 located on the other side of the aisle, and thus faces the light emitters 20 integrated in the front panels 13 of the separators 10 mounted on the opposing shelf supports 100 located on the other side of the aisle. Furthermore, the camera 30 is located at a height that corresponds to a height of a shelf support 100, i.e., substantially directly opposite the opposing shelf 1. Therefore, the camera 30 efficiently acquires images of the opposing shelf supports 100, because they are at approximately the same height as that of the camera 30. The acquired image therefore substantially corresponds to what a consumer sees when selecting an item 200 for purchase.

[0108] The cameras 30 may be integrated into only some of the separators 10 of a shelf 1. Thus, only some of the separators 10 of the shelf 1 are surveillance separators 10, the other separators 10 of the shelf 1 being ordinary separators 10 comprising a light emitter 20 but no camera 30. For example, 1 of a number between 10 and 50 separators 10, for example 1 of 18 separators 10, may be a surveillance separator 10 incorporating a camera 30. A camera 30 integrated into a surveillance separator 10 is adapted to acquire the flashing sequences of several light emitters 20 located in several separators 10. Thus, the costs of stock management are reduced, while allowing efficient acquisition of the images of the flashing sequences and the shelf supports 100 by the cameras 30 integrated into the surveillance separators 10.

[0109] The separator 10 may further comprise a button adapted to allow interaction of a user with the separator 10. For example, an employee may set the separator 10 in configuration mode and / or change information displayed by the LCD screen 60 by pressing the button in a predetermined manner, for example, for a predetermined duration or for a predetermined number of times. Thus, the separator 10 may be examined by the user, for example the user may easily see that the item 200 displayed in the column delimited by the separator 10 corresponds to the item 200 associated with the separator 10, and / or verify that the item 200 associated with the separator 10 is still in stock in the warehouse.

[0110] A set of separators 10 may comprise a plurality of separators 10 as described above.

[0111] Each separator 10 of the set of separators 10 may comprise a light emitter 20 having a unique specific flashing sequence different from the flashing sequences of the light emitters 20 of the other separators 10 of the set of separators 10, so that for each separator 10 of the set of separators 10, the flashing sequence of the light emitter 20 of said separator 10 allows the identification of said separator 10.

[0112] A set of separators 10 can be installed in a given point of sale, or in a given area of ​​the point of sale, so that a camera 30, for example a camera 30 integrated in a surveillance separator 10, acquires the sequences of flashing of light emitters 20 integrated in the separators 10 of a given set of separators 10. Thus, the flashing sequences characterize the light emitters 20 relative to the other light emitters 20 in a field of vision of the same camera 30.

[0113] Several separators 10 mounted in the same point of sale may have light emitters 20 with identical flashing sequences, as long as the flashing sequences of the light emitters 20 of each separator 10 of a given set of separators 10 are different from each other, or as long as the flashing sequences of the light emitters 20 of each separator 10 visible by a given camera 30 are different.

[0114] A system may comprise a separator 10 as described above and an identification unit. The identification unit may be integrated into the separator 10, or into the base station.

[0115] The identification unit is adapted to receive a flashing sequence emitted by the light emitter 20 of the separator 10. The camera 30 can be adapted to send the acquired flashing sequence to the identification unit, for example by near-field radio communication, the camera 30 then comprising a near-field communication module whose transmission range can be between 1 meter and 10 meters, for example, which can be of the order of 5 meters, or of the order of 7 meters.

[0116] The identification unit is further adapted to identify the separator 10 corresponding to the acquired flashing sequence. The identification of the separator 10 corresponding to the acquired flashing sequence may be carried out on the basis of a correspondence table comprising a plurality of flashing sequences. Each flashing sequence is associated with a respective separator 10 in said correspondence table. The identification unit may comprise a memory adapted to store the correspondence table, and a processor adapted to associate the separator 10 corresponding to the acquired flashing sequence.

[0117] A beam system may comprise a beam support 100, at least one separator 10 as described above, the separator 10 being attached to the beam support 100, and a camera 30 as described above, the camera 30 being configured to visually acquire the flashing sequence performed by the light emitter 20 of the separator 10.

[0118] The camera 30 may be integrated into a surveillance splitter 10 as described above, the surveillance splitter 10 being adapted to be attached to a beam support 100 so that the light emitter 20 of the splitter 10 is visible to the camera 30 of the surveillance splitter 10. The surveillance splitter 10 and the splitter 10 are thus two different splitters 10, which may be located on on opposite sides of an aisle, so that the flashing sequence of the light emitter 20 of the splitter 10 can easily be acquired by the camera 30 of the surveillance splitter 10.

[0119] The system may further comprise an identification unit as described above. The identification unit is adapted to receive a flashing sequence acquired by the camera 30. The identification unit is further adapted to identify the separator 10 corresponding to the acquired flashing sequence. Said identification is carried out on the basis of a correspondence table comprising a plurality of flashing sequences, each flashing sequence being associated with a respective separator 10 in said correspondence table.

[0120] A method of identifying a separator 10 adapted to be carried out by a beam system as disclosed above, comprises the following steps: - IF: trigger a flashing sequence of the light emitter 20 integrated in the separator 10 by the communication module; - S2: carry out the flashing sequence by the light emitter 20; - S3: visually acquire the flashing sequence by camera 30.

[0121] This method may be carried out by a system according to any of the examples and embodiments disclosed above, and has substantially the same advantages as those developed above concerning the system. More particularly, this method allows efficient stock management without dedicated infrastructure, the separator 10 being easily installed and inexpensive, and the positioning of such a separator 10 and the articles 200 in the columns delimited by the separator 10 being precise and reliable.

[0122] The method may further comprise a step consisting of visually acquiring, by said camera 30, images of a shelf 1 and / or of a shelf support 100 located in the field of vision of the camera 30. The camera 30 can thus detect an almost empty or empty space on a shelf support 100 located in the field of vision of the camera 30, which corresponds to a stock shortage zone.

[0123] This method, comprising the acquisition by the camera 30 of a flashing sequence of the light emitter 20 and of images of the beam support 100, allows the identification of the light emitter 20 carrying out the flashing sequence, more particularly, allowing the identification of the separator 10 in which the light emitter 20 is integrated.

[0124] The camera 30 can be integrated into a surveillance separator 10. The communication module can trigger the flashing sequence of a light emitter according to an order coming from the base station of the point of sale.

[0125] As illustrated by way of non-limiting example in [Fig.7], the method may further comprise the following steps: - S4: receive, by the identification unit, the flashing sequence acquired by the camera 30; and - S5: identify, by the identification unit, the separator 10 corresponding to the acquired flashing sequence.

[0126] Said identification can be carried out on the basis of a correspondence table comprising a plurality of flashing sequences, each flashing sequence being associated with a respective separator 10 in said correspondence table.

[0127] The separator 10 can be identified in step S5 based on the blinking sequence of the light emitter 20 acquired by the camera 30, and based on the image of the beam carrier 100 acquired by the camera 30.

[0128] A nature and a position of the articles 200 displayed in the columns delimited by the separator 10 are known relative to said separator 10. The nature of the out-of-stock article 200 can thus be determined by the disclosed method, by identifying the separator 10 which is associated with, for example which is closest to, the detected out-of-stock area. The identification is carried out on the basis of the acquired flashing sequence of the light emitter 20, which is specific to said light emitter 20, therefore to said separator 10.

[0129] The method may further comprise a step S6 of determining a position and / or a nature of an item 200, based on the identified separator 10. The position of the item 200 may correspond to a known position of the separator 10 with which the item 200 is associated in the shelf support 100, in the shelf 1, and / or in the point of sale. For example, the item 200 associated with the separator 10 may be located in the column delimited by the separator 10, i.e. on a separator 10 according to the first example, or adjacent to a separator 10 according to the second example, for example to the left or to the right of the separator 10. Thus, once the separator 10 has been identified, the corresponding position of the item 200 associated with the separator 10 may be deduced. The nature of item 200 may correspond to a known nature of item 200 associated with the identified separator 10.For example, the identified separator 10 may be associated with a specific type of cereal of a specific brand, said cereal being displayed in the column delimited by the separator 10, or in one or more rows of items 200 included in the column delimited by the separator 10. Thus, once the separator 10 is identified, the corresponding nature of the item 200 associated with the separator 10 can be deduced.

[0130] In addition, the camera 30 may also acquire images from the LCD screen 60 integrated in the separator 10, the LCD screen 60 displaying an identifier, for example a four-digit identifier, of the item 200 associated with the separator 10. Thus, the images acquired by the camera 30 allow redundancy in the identification of the article 200 associated with the separator 10.

[0131] The article 200 whose position and / or nature is determined may correspond to an article 200 presenting a risk of stock shortage. The determination of the position and / or nature of the article 200 presenting a risk of stock shortage may be carried out on the basis of the flashing sequence of the light emitter 20 acquired by the camera 30, and on the basis of the images of the shelf support 100 acquired by the camera 30. The article 200 presenting the risk of stock shortage is determined by detecting, in the images acquired by the camera 30, an almost empty or empty space on the shelf support 100, and by identifying, by the identification unit, the separator 10 corresponding to the article 200 displayed in the column or in the row, in which the risk of stock shortage is identified.Said identification of separator 10 may be based on the corresponding flashing sequence of the light emitter 20 acquired by the camera 30, said light emitter 20 being located in the separator 10 delimiting the column where the articles 200 presenting the risk of stock shortage are exposed, for example to the right, or alternatively to the left, of the column presenting a risk of stock shortage.

[0132] The method may further comprise a step of generating an alert if a risk of stock shortage is determined. The alert may indicate a position and / or a nature of the item 200 to be restocked.

[0133] The method may further comprise a step consisting of detecting, by a person sensor, an object or a person obstructing the light emitter 20 of the separator 10, in which the communication module is adapted to trigger the flashing sequence of the light emitter 20 in step S1 according to an output of the person sensor. The person sensor 50 may be integrated into the separator 10 comprising the light emitter 20 intended to carry out the flashing sequence.

Claims

Claims

1. A separator (10) adapted to be fixed to a shelf support (100) so as to delimit a column of the shelf support (100), wherein the separator (10) comprises a light emitter (20) integrated in the separator (10) and configured to emit light, wherein the light emitted by said light emitter (20) forms a signal corresponding to a flashing sequence which is specific to said light emitter (20) and allows the identification of the separator (10) in which the light emitter (20) is integrated.

2. A divider (10) according to claim 1, comprising a divider wall adapted to delimit two adjacent columns of the shelf support (100), the divider wall comprising two opposite side panels (11, 12), wherein the divider (10) further comprises a front panel (13) adapted to connect the two opposite side panels (11, 12) of the divider wall, wherein the light emitter (20) is integrated into the front panel (13) of the divider (10).

3. A separator (10) according to claim 1, comprising a plate adapted to be stacked on the shelf support (100) so as to delimit the column of the shelf support (100).

4. A separator (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the light emitter (20) is an LED.

5. A separator (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the light emitter (20) is configured to emit visible light, for example green light.

6. The separator (10) of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the light emitter (20) is configured to emit infrared light.

7. A separator (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a battery (40) adapted to supply power to the light emitter (20).

8. A separator (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a communication module adapted to trigger the flashing sequence of a light emitter (20) according to an order from a base station.

9. The separator (10) of claim 8, further comprising a person sensor (50) adapted to detect an object or a person obstructing the light emitter (20) of the separator (10), wherein the communication module is adapted to trigger a flashing sequence of the light emitter (20) according to an output of the person sensor (50).

10. A separator (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a camera (30) integrated into the separator (10), said separator (10) being a surveillance separator (10).

11. The separator (10) of claim 10, wherein the camera (30) comprises a motorized lens for changing a viewing direction of the camera (30).

12. A separator (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising an LCD screen (60) integrated into the separator (10).

13. A separator assembly (10) comprising a plurality of separators (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein each separator (10) of the separator assembly (10) comprises a light emitter (20) having a unique specific flashing sequence different from the flashing sequences of the light emitters (20) of the other separators (10) of the separator assembly (10), such that for each separator (10) of the separator assembly (10), the flashing sequence of the light emitter (20) of said separator (10) allows identification of said separator (10).

14. A system comprising a separator (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 12 and an identification unit, wherein the identification unit is adapted to receive a flashing sequence emitted by the light emitter (20) of the separator (10), wherein the identification unit is further adapted to identify the separator (10) corresponding to the acquired flashing sequence, wherein said identification is carried out on the basis of a correspondence table comprising a plurality of flashing sequences, wherein each flashing sequence is associated with a respective separator (10) in said correspondence table.

15. A beam system comprising a beam support (100), at least one separator (10) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, the separator (10) being attached to the beam support (100), and a camera (30) configured to acquire visually the flashing sequence performed by the light emitter (20) of the separator (10).

16. A beam system according to claim 15, wherein the camera (30) is integrated into a surveillance separator (10) according to claim 10, wherein the surveillance separator (10) is adapted to be attached to a beam support (100) such that the light emitter (20) of the separator (10) is visible to the camera (30) of the surveillance separator (10).

17. A beam system according to claim 15 or claim 16, further comprising an identification unit adapted to receive a flashing sequence acquired by the camera (30), wherein the identification unit is further adapted to identify the separator (10) corresponding to the acquired flashing sequence, wherein said identification is performed on the basis of a look-up table comprising a plurality of flashing sequences, wherein each flashing sequence is associated with a respective separator (10) in said look-up table.

18. A method for identifying a separator (10) adapted to be performed by a beam system according to claim 17, comprising the following steps: S1: triggering a flashing sequence of the light emitter (20) integrated in the separator (10) by a communication module; S2: performing the flashing sequence by the light emitter (20); S3: visually acquiring the flashing sequence by the camera (30); S4: receiving, by the identification unit, the flashing sequence acquired by the camera (30); and S5: identifying, by the identification unit, the separator (10) corresponding to the acquired flashing sequence, wherein said identification is performed on the basis of a correspondence table comprising a plurality of flashing sequences, wherein each flashing sequence is associated with a respective separator (10) in said correspondence table.

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