| CLAIMS
1. Integrated presentation, analysis and security system for goods, where the different products (T) are displayed in groups, each product (T) being fitted with a merchandise protection module (1), with the merchandise protection modules (1) of products (T) belonging to a group being connected with cables to a data acquisition unit (2), and the data acquisition units (2) being connected to a central surveillance computer (3); and where salesroom screens (5) are assigned to the products (T) or groups of products, with each merchandise protection module (1) comprising at least one handling sensor element (6) and a first mounting element (10), and with the first mounting element (10) being secured to the product (T) and being connected to the data acquisition unit (2) with a cable (8) passed through the merchandise protection module (1) or conducted in the proximity thereof, characterised in that it is further arranged such that data representing the number and duration of handling events of each product (T) are transferred from the handling sensor element (6) corresponding to the product (T) to the central surveillance computer (3) through the data acquisition unit (2).
2. The system according to Claim 1 , characterised in that the data acquisition unit (2) is comprising a handling counter and time integrator means corresponding to each handling sensor element (6) of the merchandise protection modules (1) connected thereto, the handling counter and time integrator means being adapted for counting product handling events and measuring handling time.
3. The system according to Claim 1 , characterised in that the merchandise protection module (1) comprises a cradle (7) wherein a handling sensor element (6) is disposed, where the cable (8) connecting the first mounting element (10) and the data acquisition unit (2) is passed through an opening (15) of the cradle (7).
4. The system according to Claim 1 , characterised in that the central surveillance computer is applied for detecting and recording at least the number, the total duration, and the average duration of handling events.
5. The system according to any one of the previous claims, characterised in that it is comprising a statistics subunit adapted for computing distribution of fre- quency and/or duration of product (T) handling events.
6. The presentation, analysis and security system for goods according to any one of Claims 3-5, characterised in that the cable (8) connecting the first mounting element (10) to the data acquisition unit (2) is secured to a biased cable winding mechanism (9).
7. The presentation, analysis and security system for goods according to any one of Claims 3-6, characterised in that the cradle (7) and the first mounting element (10) have complementary shapes providing a mutually engaging arrangement in the basic position of the elements.
8. The presentation, analysis and security system for goods according to Claim 1 , characterised in that one or more electric cables (13) leading to one or more further mounting elements (12) extend from the first mounting element (10).
9. The presentation, analysis and security system for goods according to Claim 1 , characterised in that a charging cable (14), adapted for charging a battery, extends from the first mounting element (10).
10. The presentation, analysis and security system for goods according to Claim 1 , characterised in that the salesroom screens (5) are applied for showing media content retrieved from the central surveillance computer (3), the media content being selected by the central surveillance computer (3) utilizing the individual or combined signals of the handling sensor elements (6).
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11. The presentation, analysis and security system for goods according to Claim 10, characterised in that the central surveillance computer (3) is provided with internet access and the media content stored therein being downloaded and uploaded through the internet connection. |
INTEGRATED PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND SECURITY SYSTEM FOR GOODS
The invention relates to an integrated presentation, analysis and security system for goods, particularly fefr electric and electronic goods (products), where the different sample products are displayed in groups, each product being fitted with a merchandise protection module, with the merchandise protection modules of products belonging to the same group being connected with cables to a data acquisition unit, the data acquisition units being connected to a central surveillance computer.
Store security and merchandise protection is a serious challenge nowadays. The confronting requirements of merchandise protection and effective sample product display, and the additional requirement of measuring customer interest in specific displayed products are today fulfilled in non-integrated ways.
Known solutions for displaying sample products on display racks and protecting the displayed articles at the same time include merchandise protection systems where the products are attached to the display racks with cables. Since retailers are usually interested in presenting as many operating functions of consumer electronics products (particularly mobile / phones, digital cameras, GPS devices, records) as possible, merchandise protection systems have to perform three major functions: product presentation (display), measuring and analysing customer interest in the products, and article protection.
According to a known merchandise protection solution products are displayed in a fixed manner by attaching them to the display device with special, flexible cables. In case the connection is cut, the system gives an auditory or visual alarm signal. The cable is attached to the product using a microswitch that is activated in case the cable is detached, and the alarm is also triggered if the cable is cut.
According to another known solution non-flexible cables are applied in connection with cable winding mechanisms that automatically retract the cable in a specially configured element. Alarm is triggered in a manner identical to the previous solution.
For successful product presentation it is also important to ensure that the bat- teries of displayed products are charged. Because the presentation of a non- operating product is not effective, sample electronics products are usually fitted with
rechargeable or non-rechargeable batteries. Charging and/or replacing batteries is both time consuming and costly. The application of article protection units that are capable of charging the battery of displayed products is even more costly, and usually not all charger types are suitable for all products. The majority of battery chargers are able to produce a single voltage only and cannot detect overcharging. This implies that the batteries of products operating on the shelf for a prolonged time become deteriorated.
In addition to successful product presentation, the measurement of customer interest in a given product is 7 also important. Also, to raise customer interest, product presentation includes showing pleasing media content (film clips, pictures) and data related to the product in screens located above the display rack. Showing of such content is triggered by a customer's lifting the product from a special container, which is usually detected with the application of microswitches that may also be applied for article protection purposes. The media content shown in case a product is lifted by a customer is pre-selected by cards inserted into special "media boxes". Cards are inserted by shop assistants, as usually there is no dedicated staff available for inserting the cards into the media boxes. Since a dedicated card is required for each media box unit, the order of the units is important. Changing the order may cause problems by misassigning media content to products. In case the location of the media box does not match the location of the advertised product, new cards should be written for both locations. According to other solutions the showing of media content is controlled by dedicated computers, utilizing one computer for each product group that usually consists of eight products. Remote control over the internet may also be feasible, but in that case each computer must be controlled separately, with the synchronisation of the presented media content with the displayed products being problematic. These solutions are also very costly due to the high number of applied computers, and providing an internet connection may become cumbersome if so many computers are applied. Customer interest in specific products is surveyed in a conventional manner, by polling, according to these solutions.
The objective of the invention is therefore to provide a complex system that integrates conventional contact-type anti-theft protection with successful product presentation and the measurement and analysis of customer interest in the displayed products in a simple and economical manner. It is also an objective of the invention
to provide battery charging for displayed products with the application of only few additional elements so as to keep the displayed products in operating condition. Further objectives are to provide the possibility for displaying advertising information, and to provide that statistical information generated from measured customer interest data may be collected.
A still further objective of the invention is to provide a media player system that is capable of presenting media content determined by the inventive merchandise protection system. In a generally preferred embodiment the invention is a system described in the introductory paragraph, where each merchandise protection module comprises at least one handling sensor element and a first mounting element, with the first mounting element being secured to the product and being connected to the data acquisition unit with a cable passed through the merchandise protection module or conducted in the proximity thereof, the system being arranged such that data representing the number and duration of handling events of each product are transferred from the handling sensor element corresponding to the product to the central surveillance computer through the data acquisition unit.
The invention is described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings where
Fig. 1 is the schematic block diagram of the system according to the invention,
Fig. 2 shows an exemplary configuration of the merchandise protection module of the invention, with the first mounting element being in basic position, and
Fig. 3 shows the merchandise protection module shown in Fig. 2 with the first mounting element being disengaged.
The arrangement of the system according to the invention is schematically illustrated in Fig. 1. According to this arrangement multiple merchandise protection modules 1 are disposed in groups on a display rack 4. Each module group is connected to a data acquisition unit 2 by means of cables 8 described in detail hereinbe- low. The data acquisition units 2 are in connection with a central surveillance computer 3 that is applied for controlling the entire system. A media box 17 is also connected to the central surveillance computer 3. The media box 17 is applied for supplying information to be displayed in salesroom screen 5. The salesroom screen 5 may show information related to any number of products T corresponding to multiple
merchandise protection modules 1. In specific cases the central surveillance computer 3 may also have internet connection.
As it is shown in Fig. 2, an important part of the system according to the invention is the device that provides connection to a given article or product T. This connection device comprises a cradle 7 mounted on a display rack 4, and a first mounting element 10 fixedly attached to the product T. The first mounting element 10 is adapted for being received in the cradle 7 in its basic position and for providing stable support for the product T cooperating with the cradle 7. The product T (the article to be protected) may be attached to the first mounting element 10 by sticking it thereto or in specific cases by other suitable means. The first mounting element 10 comprises a contact element 11 that is capable of giving a signal in case it is removed from the product to be protected. The first mounting element 10 is preferably implemented as a microswitch that is released against a spring bias force from its recessed position in the mounting surface 16 of the first mounting element 10 in case the product is detached, thereby giving an alarm signal to the store security service. In its basic position the microswitch protrudes from the mounting surface 16, but when the first mounting element 10 is attached (e.g. by adhesive bonding) to a product T to be protected the microswitch constituting the contact element 11 is pressed down and becomes level with the mounting surface 16. The first mounting element 10 further comprises a cable 8 that is passed through an opening 15 of the cradle 7 and is attached to the display rack 4. The cable 8 is preferably secured to a biased cable winding mechanism 9, and may be unwound therefrom to a given extent against a spring bias force to make it possible for a customer to lift the product T from the rack to a distance necessary for closer examination. The first mounting element 10 may also comprise a further charging cable 14 extending therefrom to allow for charging the battery of the product T to be protected. The charging cable 14 may be terminated by a connector adapted for receiving electric power supplied to the product T to be protected. The connector may be implemented as a universal connector. The charging cable 14 and connector may be applied for charging the battery of the product T to be protected when the product T is displayed on the display rack 4. Solutions included in the prior art either do not provide for the charging of the battery of the product T in the displayed state or charging is provided utilizing an arrangement separated from the merchandise protection system, which requires a more complex
cable configuration and increased cable length. The cradle 7 is expediently made from plastic and has a shape adapted for fixedly receiving a suitable element that according to this arrangement is the first mounting element 10. The first mounting element 10 has a cable 8 that is passed through the opening 15 of the cradle 7 and is retracted in the biased cable winding mechanism 9 disposed under the exterior surface of the display rack 4. Alternatively, the cable 8 may also be passed through another opening of the display rack 4 in the vicinity of the cradle 7. As an alternative solution, an extensible coiled cable may also be applied. The coiled cable should be fixedly connected to a connection point on the display rack 4. The cradle 7 is disposed on the exterior surface of the display rack 4, which planar surface may have a horizontal, vertical, or slanting orientation, depending on the particular application. For instance, mobile phones may be suitably displayed on a slanted surface, while horizontal and vertical surfaces may be suited for displaying digital cameras and video cameras. The cradle 7 is mounted on or embedded in the rack exterior surface, e.g. with the application of screws. The surface portion of the first mounting element
10 (also produced from plastic) located opposite the mounting surface 16 is configured to be mutually engaging with the cradle 7. Due to this configuration the first mounting element 10 may be engaged and disengaged with the cradle 7 easily, with a single flick. The first mounting element 10 may be engaged with the cradle 7 with a slight downward push or lateral displacement, or by placing it into an element having a complementary shape where it is retained by the spring bias force acting on the cable 8. When the first mounting element 10 is removed from the cradle 7, a handling sensor element 6 (implemented as a microswitch or reed relay) detects the handling event and sends a signal to the central surveillance computer 3 through a data acquisition unit 2. The duration of the handling event may also be measured with a suitable accuracy by sampling the signal of the handling sensor element 6 e.g. with a sampling period of 0.1 s. For certain applications a lower sample rate and the corresponding lower time accuracy may also be suitable. For instance, the signal may be sampled once every 1 or 2 seconds.
In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the mechanical contact element
11 (implemented as a microswitch protruding from the mounting surface 16) may be substituted by an electronic motion sensor element such as a reed relay. In this case the detectable event is not the detachment of the mounting surface 16 from the prod-
uct T to be protected but the increase in the distance between the first mounting element 10 and the product T to be protected. Fig. 3 further illustrates the arrangement shown in Fig. 2 by showing it during a product handling event.
In case an alarm signal is given by the first mounting element 10, that is, in case the contact element 11 (implemented as a microswitch or reed relay) sends a signal to the central surveillafice computer 3 indicating the detachment of the contact element 11 from the product T to be protected, standard security measures, such as intervention by security personnel, may be taken. In a conceivable embodiment of the invention a store surveillance camera is automatically directed towards the mounting location of the cradle 7 of the merchandise protection module 1. Such an action may be performed by storing the mounting locations of individual cradles 7 in the computer, but a single location may also be programmed for products located on the same display rack 4. In these cases surveillance personnel may watch a live image of the site where the alarm was produced, and the video may also be recorded for evidence.
In addition to the charging cable 14 applied for charging the battery of the product T, In specific cases a further electric cable 13 may extend from the first mounting element 10, which cable may for instance be connected to a further mounting element 12. This further-mounting element 12 is included for protecting a detachable major component T 1 of the product T to be protected in a manner similar to the first mounting element 10. Such a major component may be for instance an interchangeable camera lens. In that case only a short run of cable 13 is needed to connect the further mounting element 12 to the first mounting element 10, providing the same level of protection against the removal of the major component (such as a lens) as was described above in relation to the first mounting element 10.
An important feature of the system according to the invention is the capability of displaying information in a salesroom screen 5 located near the display rack 4. Information display is activated by the disengagement of the first mounting element 10 and the cradle 7 (that is, the product handling event). Such information may be technical information related to the product T to be protected, such as product types, technical specifications, product photos or drawings, product prices, etc. The salesroom screen 5 is utilized for showing information related to the product T assigned to a given cradle 7 only when the corresponding first mounting element 10 is removed
therefrom, at other times the salesroom screen may show other media content. This media content may include advertising or entertainment material or any other media content the store operator may desire to show. Information related to product handling events, such as the frequency and duration thereof may prove useful for both the store operator and the product manufacturer. According to preferred embodiments of the invention the central surveillance computer 3 connected to the display rack 4 is utilized for detecting handling events and for recording the number, total duration, and average duration of the events. Such information may be applied for modifying the media content shown in the salesroom screen 5. For instance, between two handling events information related to the more frequently handled, more popular products (or on the contrary, advertising information related to less popular ones) may be presented. Such modification of the displayed media content can be controlled by the central surveillance computer 3. The salesroom screens 5 are therefore applied for showing media content controlled by the central surveillance computer 3 utilizing the individual or combined signals of the handling sensor elements 6, the media content being previously stored in the central surveillance computer 3 or in media boxes 17. In case the salesroom screens 5 are implemented as touchscreens, the system may be made interactive and may provide further information to customers in e.g. a menu-selectable manner.
Data recorded by the system may be stored for later processing, and may be handed over to the product manufacturer, distributor, or to the operator of the system according to the invention. Such data may be utilized for capturing the trends of customer interest in certain products or in the whole selection of displayed products, and for establishing the tempora^distribution of customer interest (a breakdown to days of a month or to store hours), as well as other patterns of customer behaviour. The ef- fectivity of advertisements displayed in the salesroom screens 5 may be measured by measuring their influence on the frequency and duration of product handling events. Data acquired by the central surveillance computer 3 may be grouped according to different criteria such as product type, product category, price category, product specifications, manufacturer, length of time in market, stock changes, etc. In contrast to conventional customer polls, processing and analysis of data representing the number and duration of product handling events may be performed in real time, and may provide valuable feedback from customers to the manufacturer or distribu-
tor. For instance a low number of handling events for a given product indicates little customer interest, and a high number of product handling events coupled with low sales figures may indicate that the price of the product is too high.
As it has already been mentioned, data acquisition units 2 are disposed between the central surveillance computer 3 and the merchandise protection modules 1. Each data acquisition unit 2 handles multiple, preferably eight to sixteen merchandise protection modules 1. The units detect signals indicating the detachment of the first and further mounting elements 10, 12 as well as the disengagement of the first mounting elements 10 and the cradles 7 (that is, a product handling event). The units are also applied for supplying power for battery charging with the charging cable 14.
The data acquisition unit 2 has been provided with a handling counter and time integrator means corresponding to each handling sensor element 6 of the merchandise protection modules 1 connected thereto, the handling counter and time integrator means being adapted for counting product handling events and measuring the summarized handling time. Such handling counter and time integrator may have a simple conventional configuration and may act as independent sources of data retrievable by a directly connected device or transferrable to the central surveillance computer 3. In specific cases the timer/counter means may have a statistics subunit adapted for computing the frequency and/or duration distribution of handling events of different products T. This subunit may be implemented as an independent subunit of the data acquisition unit 2 or alternatively as a functional block of software or hardware of the central surveillance computer 3.
The central surveillance computer 3 may have an internet connection, in which case the media content stored therein and selectable based on information provided by the handling sensor elements 6 or the data acquisition unit 2 may be downloaded utilizing the internet connection. In a similar fashion, data collected utilizing the statistics subunit may also be available on-line.
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