CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A DEVICE FOR DISPLAYING INFORMATION ON OBJECTS FOR SALE

Abstract

This control system (204A) comprises a display connector (206A) adapted to be connected to the display device (202A) and a data processing module (214A) adapted to control, via the display connector (206A), the display device (202A) to display at least one piece of information relating to an object (106A) on display.It further comprises a contactless reader (210A) designed to read a contactless tag (108A) carried by an object (106A) present in a reading zone (212A) associated with the contactless reader (210A) and the data processing module (214A) is designed to: - automatically detect, via the contactless reader (210A), the placement in the reading zone (212A) of an object (106A) carrying a contactless tag (108A); - obtain, via the contactless reader (210A), an identifier of the object (106A) contained in the contactless tag (108A) and - retrieve at least one piece of information associated with the identifier, the at least one piece of information displayed comprising each piece of information retrieved. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 2.

Description

Title of the invention: CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A DEVICE FOR DISPLAYING INFORMATION ON OBJECTS FOR SALE

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for controlling a device for displaying information on objects exhibited on a display stand for testing and sale, and a sales installation comprising such a system.

[0002] To display information, such as price and reference, relating to objects displayed on a display stand to be tried and sold, it is known to place a label in front of each object. In particular, the information concerning such objects is linked to the location where they are displayed, it can be given by a handwritten display device or printed on a label. This type of labeling can prove tedious or difficult.

[0003] To simplify the labeling, an electronic display can be used. Thus, a system for controlling a device for displaying information on objects exhibited on a display stand to be tried and sold, of the type comprising: - a display connector adapted to be connected to the display device; and - a data processing module designed to control, via the display connector, the display device to display at least one piece of information relating to an exhibited object.

[0004] The display device is, for example, configured remotely via a control unit. However, objects may be placed in the wrong location and presented with a label that does not correspond to them. This problem often occurs for objects that are likely to be regularly removed from their location when being tried on, such as pairs of glasses or shoes. It is therefore necessary, in order to facilitate the customer's interaction with the object, that the customer does not have to search for the information.

[0005] It may thus be desirable to provide a control system which makes it possible to overcome at least some of the aforementioned problems and constraints.

[0006] To this end, a system is proposed for controlling a device for displaying information on objects exhibited on a display stand to be tried and sold, of the aforementioned type, characterized in that it further comprises: - a contactless reader designed to read a contactless tag carried by an object present in a reading zone associated with the contactless reader; in that the data processing module is designed to: - automatically detect, via the contactless reader, the placement in the reading zone of an object bearing a contactless label; - obtain, via the contactless reader, an identifier of the object contained in the contactless label; and - retrieve at least one piece of information associated with the identifier; and in that the at least one piece of information displayed includes each piece of information retrieved.

[0007] Thus, thanks to the invention, whatever the object placed on a location, the display device associated with this location will always display the correct information, i.e. that relating to the object placed. In the case where the invention is duplicated for several locations of a display, this allows a simplification of the work of the seller because the latter does not have to memorize the location of each object and is no longer required to redo his shelving after a customer has passed by, because, thanks to the invention, the objects do not have a predefined location.

[0008] Optionally, the data processing unit is further designed to: - automatically detect, via the contactless reader, a removal of the object from the reading zone; and - in response to detecting removal of the object, commanding, via the display connector, the display device to display a default display independent of the object identifier.

[0009] Also optionally, the data processing unit is further designed, following removal of the object, to transmit the identifier of the removed object to a terminal designed to control an auxiliary display device so that the latter displays information associated with the transmitted identifier.

[0010] Also optionally, the data processing unit is further designed to maintain the display of the information until the automatic detection, via the contactless reader, of the presence in the reading zone of a new object bearing a contactless label.

[0011] Also optionally, each piece of information is retrieved from a database, separate from the contactless label, associating information with object identifiers.

[0012] Also optionally, the control system further comprises first and second data exchange connectors, and the data processing unit is further designed to, on the one hand, retrieve the at least one item of information via the first data exchange connector and, on the other hand: - relaying an information retrieval request received by the second data exchange connector to the first data exchange connector; and - relay a response to the request received by the first data exchange connector to the second data exchange connector.

[0013] A display system is also proposed comprising: - a display device; and - a control system according to the invention.

[0014] An installation comprising several display systems according to the invention is also proposed.

[0015] Also optionally, several display devices are provided, respectively dedicated to the control systems.

[0016] Also optionally, a single display device is provided, common to the control systems.

[0017] Also optionally, the installation further comprises a display stand with object reception locations, over which the reading zones extend respectively.

[0018] Also optionally, each display system comprises a visual identification device, and the installation comprises a terminal designed to receive one or more selection criteria, to search, among the objects, for the one or those satisfying the selection criterion(s), and to turn on the visual identification devices associated with the object(s) found.

[0019] The invention will be better understood with the aid of the following description, given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings in which: - [Fig.l] is a three-dimensional view of a sales installation according to a first embodiment of the invention, - [Fig.2] is a three-dimensional view of a display system of the sales facility of [Fig.l], - [Fig.3] is a block diagram illustrating the operation of the sales installation of [Fig.l], and - [Fig.4] is a three-dimensional view of a sales installation according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0020] With reference to [Fig.l], a first sales installation 100 implementing the invention will now be described.

[0021] The sales installation 100 firstly comprises a display 102 defining several locations 104A, 104B, 104C for receiving objects for sale, such as pairs of glasses. In the example described, the locations 104A, 104B, 104C are aligned, for example horizontally.

[0022] The sales installation 100 further comprises one or more objects for sale 106A, 106B (pairs of glasses in the example described) each received at a respective location 104A, 104B. Each object 106A, 106B is provided with a contactless tag 108A, 108B containing an identifier of this object 106A, 106B. The contactless tag 108A, 108B comprises for example an RFID chip (from the English "radio frequency identification"). The contactless tag 108A, 108B can be fixed to the object 106A, 10B by means of an adhesive substance (for example the contactless tag 108A, 108B is self-adhesive) or can be attached to the object 106A, 10B by means of a wire.

[0023] The sales installation 100 further comprises, for each location 104A, 104B, 104C, a system 110A, 110B, HOC for displaying information relating to the object placed at this location 104A, 104B, 104C. Each display system 110A, 110B, HOC is located close to the associated location 104A, 104B, 104C, for example in front of it, in order to facilitate reading of the information and to make it possible to clearly identify the object to which this information relates.

[0024] In the illustrated example, each display system 110A, 110B, HOC comprises a respective display device 202A, 202B, 202C and a control system 204A, 204B, 204C of the display device 202A, 202B, 202C. In [Fig.l], a portion of the display devices 202A, 202B, 202C is illustrated transparently to reveal the control systems 204A, 204B, 204C.

[0025] Each display system 110A, 110B, 110C may further comprise a visual identification device 205A, 205B, 205C, such as a light, for example a light-emitting diode. The visual identification devices 205A, 205B, 205C are also respectively controlled by the control systems 204A, 204B, 204C.

[0026] The sales installation 100 further comprises a database 112 associating, with each of a plurality of identifiers, information relating to the object identified by this identifier. This information comprises, for example, one or more of: a price of the object, a reference of the object, technical characteristics of the object, availability of the object, a video relating to the object (such as a video presenting the object).

[0027] To enable the display systems 110A, 110B, 110C to retrieve information from the database 112, the sales installation 100 further comprises a terminal 114 connected, on the one hand, to the database 112 by means of a wired or wireless connection, for example Wi-Fi and, on the other hand, to the display systems 110A, 110B, HOC. In the example described, the display systems 110A, 110B, HOC are connected in series one after the other so as to form a chain of display systems 110A, 110B, HOC. Only one of the systems display system 110A, the one located at one end of the chain, is thus connected to the terminal 114. Such a chain is suitable for displays, such as the display 102, where the locations are one after the other. Indeed, the display systems 110A, 110B, 110C can thus be easily placed respectively in front of the locations, for example in a vertical strip of the display 102.

[0028] The sales installation 100 further comprises, for example, an auxiliary display device 116, such as a tablet, connected to the terminal 114 by a connection which may be wired, but which is preferably wireless.

[0029] The sales installation 100 further comprises, for example, a supervision device 118 connected to the terminal 114, by a wired or wireless connection.

[0030] With reference to [Fig. 2], one of the display systems 110A will be described in more detail, knowing that the others are similar. Thus, the elements of the display system 110A will be designated by references ending with the letter "A". When the corresponding elements in the display systems 110B, HOC are discussed, they will be designated by the same references, but ending with the letter "B", respectively "C", instead of the letter "A".

[0031] The display system 110A firstly comprises a display device 202A, preferably using electronic ink.

[0032] The display system 110A further comprises a control system 204A of the display device 202A.

[0033] The control system 204A comprises a display connector 206A and a connection 208A (a ribbon cable, in the example described) between the display connector 206A and the display device 202A.

[0034] The control system 204A further comprises a contactless reader 210A designed to read a contactless tag present in a reading zone 212A associated with the contactless reader 210A. The contactless reader 210A preferably uses radio waves to read the contactless tag. It comprises, for example, an RFID (radio frequency identification) reader and its reading zone 212A extends, for example, over at most one meter, preferably at most twenty centimeters.

[0035] Each reading zone 210A, 212B, 212C extends over the associated location 104A, 104B, 104C, but preferably not over the other locations. In particular, the reading zones 210A, 212B, 212C are disjoint, that is to say they do not overlap because this could cause problems in identifying the object placed at a location.

[0036] The control system 204A further comprises a data processing module 214A, implemented in the example described in software. Thus, the data processing module 214A comprises a central processing unit 216A (e.g., a microprocessor) and a memory 218A (e.g., a main memory such as a RAM memory (Random Access Memory). The memory 218A is connected to the central processing unit 216A and contains a computer program comprising instructions that the central processing unit 216A is designed to execute to implement the functions that will be described later with reference to [Fig. 3].

[0037] Alternatively, these functions are at least partly micro-programmed or micro-wired in dedicated integrated circuits. Thus, as a variant, the data processing module 214A can be replaced by an electronic device composed solely of digital or analog circuits (without a computer program) for performing the same functions.

[0038] The control system 204A further comprises two data exchange connectors 220A, 221A. The connector 220A is adapted to be connected, selectively, to the connector 221B, 221C of any of the control systems 204B, 204C, or to the terminal 114. In the illustrated example, the connector 221A is connected to the terminal 114. The connector 221A is adapted to be connected to the connector 220B, 220C of any of the control systems 204B, 204C. In the illustrated example, the connector 221A is connected to the connector 220B of the control system 204B.

[0039] The control system 204A further comprises a printed circuit board 222A carrying at least some of the elements 206A, 210A, 214A, 216A, 218A, 220A, 221A and having a printed circuit (not shown) interconnecting them.

[0040] Thus, the control systems 204A, 204B, 204C are modular. They are thus interchangeable in the chain and new control systems 204 can be easily added to the chain, as needed.

[0041] Furthermore, this chain configuration of control systems has the advantage of limiting the size of the installation by reducing the number of connections between the control systems 204A, 204B, 204C and the terminal 114.

[0042] With reference to [Fig. 3], an example of operation of the sales installation 100 will now be described.

[0043] Initially, only the object 106A is displayed on the display stand 102, at the location 104A. The screen 202A of the display system 110A associated with this location 104A displays information relating to the object 106A, such as its price.

[0044] During a step 302, the object 106B is placed at the location 104B of the display 102, so that the contactless label 108B enters the reading zone 212B.

[0045] During a step 304, the data processing module 214B automatically detects (i.e. for example without external intervention from a person), via the contactless reader 210B, the placement in the reading zone 212B of the object 106B. This detection is carried out by detecting the presence of the contactless tag 108B in the reading zone 212B.

[0046] During a step 306, the data processing module 214B obtains, via the contactless reader 210B, the identifier contained in the contactless label 108B.

[0047] During a step 308, the data processing module 214B retrieves at least one piece of information associated with the identifier obtained, from the database 112.

[0048] This step 308 includes the following steps 310 to 320.

[0049] First, during a step 310, the data processing module 214B sends a query to the database 112, via the connector 220B. This query contains, for example, the identifier obtained or data derived from the identifier and allowing the database to find the identifier.

[0050] During a step 312, the request is received by the processing unit 214A of the display system 110A, via the connector 221A. The processing unit 214A then transmits the request, via its connector 220A.

[0051] During a step 314, the terminal 114 receives the request and transmits it to the database 112.

[0052] During a step 316, the database 112 receives the request and sends a response containing the information it contains and which is associated with the request identifier.

[0053] During a step 318, the response is relayed by the terminal 114 then by the control system 204A.

[0054] During a step 320, the data processing unit 214B receives, via the connector 220A, the response and thus recovers the information associated with the identifier 108B.

[0055] During a step 322, the data processing unit 214B controls, via the display connector 208B, the display device 202B to display each retrieved information.

[0056] During a step 324, the object 106B is removed from the location 104B, for example to be tested.

[0057] During a step 326, the processing module 214 automatically detects (i.e. for example without external intervention from a person), via the contactless reader 210, the removal of the object 106B from the reading zone 212.

[0058] During a step 328, in response to the detection of the removal of the object 106B, the processing module 214 controls, via the display connector 208, the display device 303 to display a default display independent of the identifier of the object. This default display is for example an empty or blank display or even an advertisement in the form of a still image or a video. Thus, the use of available display space is optimized when one or more of the locations 104A, 104B, 104C do not contain an object.

[0059] Alternatively to steps 326 and 328, the processing module 214 maintains the display of the information until the automatic detection (i.e. for example without external intervention by a person), via the contactless reader 210, of the presence in the reading zone 212 of a new object bearing a contactless label. This has the advantage of improving the customer's experience by allowing them to handle the object 106B while having the information concerning it available.

[0060] During a step 329A, the data processing module 214B transmits the identifier of the object 106B having been removed to the terminal 114, via the display system 110A, in the same manner as described previously.

[0061] During a step 329B, the terminal 114 receives the identifier of the object 106B and, in response, the terminal 114 controls the auxiliary display device 116 so that the latter displays information associated with the identifier, and therefore with the removed object 106B. This information can be retrieved from the database 112, in the same manner as described previously, and is preferably different from that displayed by the display device 202B.

[0062] Thus, the auxiliary display device 116 can be used by a user to obtain information about the object 106B that he has just picked up.

[0063] During a step 330, the object 106B is placed back on the location 104C instead of the location 104B.

[0064] Steps 332, 334, 336, 338 respectively similar to steps 304, 306, 308, 322 are then implemented by the data processing unit 214C to display the information relating to the object 106B on the display device 202C.

[0065] Furthermore, during a step 340, the supervision device 118 can be used, for example by a store manager, to enter one or more selection criteria.

[0066] During a step 342, the supervision device 118 transmits this(these) selection criterion(s) to the terminal 114.

[0067] During a step 344, the terminal 114 searches, among the objects 106A, 106B exposed (i.e. placed on respective locations), the one or ones satisfying the selection criterion(s).

[0068] During a step 346, the terminal 114 turns on the visual identification devices 205A, 205B, 205C of the display systems 110A, 110B, HOC associated with the locations where the objects 106A, 106B found are located. Thus, it is very easy to identify these locations. This functionality is very useful for allowing a rapid count of the objects on display satisfying the entered selection criterion(s), for example for the purpose of carrying out an inventory.

[0069] It will be appreciated that, during steps 302 to 338, the object 106A remains at its location 104A. The display system 110A detects this retention in place and, accordingly, maintains the display of the information relating to this object 106A.

[0070] Furthermore, the database 112 can be designed to record, with its date, each request received following the placement of an object 106A, 106B on one of the locations 104A, 104B, 104C of the display stand 102. With its records, the database 112 can thus establish statistics making it possible to know which objects or models of objects are the most removed from the display stand 102.

[0071] With reference to [Fig.4], a second sales installation 400 implementing the invention will now be described.

[0072] The sales installation 400 incorporates some of the elements of the sales installation 100 which will be designated by the same references and will not be described again.

[0073] Unlike the sales installation 100 where the display systems 110A, 110B, 110C had their own respective display devices, the sales installation 400 comprises a display device 404 common to the display systems 110A, 110B, HOC. Thus, the display systems 110A, 110B, HOC are all connected to the display device 404 and share it.

[0074] The display device 404 is preferably a device that continuously consumes energy during its operation. The display device 404 is, for example, designed to emit light. More preferably, the display device 404 is pixelated, that is to say that it comprises a matrix of pixels. The display device 404 comprises, for example, an LCD, LED, OLED, or plasma screen.

[0075] The screen of the display device 404 is designed to be divided into separate predefined display areas 406A, 406B, 406C respectively dedicated to the locations 104A, 104B, 104C. In particular, these areas divide the pixel matrix.

[0076] The display systems 204A, 204B 204C are thus designed to control the display of information on the display area 406A, 406B, 406C associated with them. Furthermore, they are preferably placed behind a cover in order to conceal them.

[0077] The operation of the sales installation 400 is similar to that of the installation 100, except that the information relating to the objects 106A, 106B is displayed on the display areas 406A, 406B, 406C instead of the display devices 202A, 202B, 202C.

[0078] In another embodiment, the display device 404 is designed to divide its screen into as many zones as there are objects present on the display stand 102. Thus, if only one object is present on the display stand 102, the display device 404 defines a single zone covering, for example, the entire screen for displaying the information. the object. If three objects are present on the display 102, the display device 404 divides its screen into three zones, for example of substantially equal sizes, to display the information of these three objects.

[0079] It will also be noted that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. It will indeed appear to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the embodiments described above, in light of the teaching which has just been disclosed to them.

[0080] In particular, the exhibits could be shoes.

[0081] In the detailed presentation of the invention which is made above, the terms used must not be interpreted as limiting the invention to the embodiments set out in the present description, but must be interpreted to include all equivalents whose prediction is within the reach of those skilled in the art by applying their general knowledge to the implementation of the teaching which has just been disclosed to them.

Claims

1.

2. Claims Control system (204A) of a display device (202A) for displaying information on objects (106A, 106B) displayed on a display stand (102) for testing and sale, comprising: - a display connector (206A) designed to be connected to the display device (202A); and - a data processing module (214A) designed to control, via the display connector (206A), the display device (202A) to display at least one piece of information relating to an object (106A, 106B) on display; - a contactless reader (210A) designed to read a contactless tag (108A, 108B) carried by an object (106A, 106B) present in a reading zone (212A) associated with the contactless reader (21 OA); the data processing module (214A) being designed to: - automatically detecting, via the contactless reader (210A), the placement in the reading zone (212A) of an object (106A, 106B) carrying a contactless label (108A, 108B); - obtaining, via the contactless reader (210A), an identifier of the object (106A, 106B) contained in the contactless label (108A, 108B); and - retrieve at least one piece of information associated with the identifier obtained; the at least one displayed information comprising each retrieved information; characterized in that the data processing unit (214A) is further designed to maintain the display of the information until the automatic detection, via the contactless reader (210A), of the presence in the reading zone (212A) of a new object (106A, 106B) bearing a contactless label (108A, 108B). The control system (204A) of claim 1, wherein each information is retrieved from a database (112), separate from the contactless tag (108A, 108B), associating information with object identifiers.

3. Control system (204A) of claim 1 or 2, further comprising first and second data exchange connectors (220A, 221A), and wherein the data processing unit (214A) is further configured to, on the one hand, retrieve the at least one information via the first data exchange connector (220A) and, on the other hand: - relay an information retrieval request received by the second data exchange connector (221 A) to the first data exchange connector (220A); and - relay a response to the request received by the first data exchange connector (220A) to the second data exchange connector (221 A).

4. Display system (110A) comprising: - a display device (202A; 404); and - a control system (204A) according to one of claims 1 to 3.

5. Installation (100; 400) comprising several display systems (110A, 110B, HOC) according to claim 4.

6. Installation (100) according to claim 5, in which several display devices (202A, 202B, 202C) are provided, respectively dedicated to the control systems (204A, 204B 204C).

7. Installation (400) according to claim 5, in which a single display device (404) is provided, common to the control systems (204A, 204B 204C).

8. Installation (100; 400) according to one of claims 5 to 7, further comprising a display (102) with locations (104A, 104B, 104C) for receiving objects (106A, 106B), over which the reading zones (212A, 212B, 212C) extend respectively.

9. Installation (100) according to any one of claims 5 to 8, in which each display system (110A, 110B, HOC) comprises a visual identification device (205A, 205B, 205C), and comprising a terminal (114) adapted to receive one or more selection criteria, to search, among the objects (106A, 106B), the one or those satisfying the selection criterion(s), and to turn on the visual identification devices (205A, 205B, 205C) associated with the object(s) (106A, 106B) found.

Images