System and method for controlling and managing shopping trolleys

Abstract

System (1) and method for controlling and managing shopping trolleys (2), wherein the system comprises an ID terminal (3) for each trolley (2) to be controlled, said terminal being equipped with means for communicating with at least one trolley parking bay unit (4), at least one location-finding system (6), and at least one unit (5) for detecting the passage of the trolley through the checkout. The method comprises a method for combined control of trolley output implemented in the ID terminal and the parking bay unit, a method for locating the trolley demarcation, a method for combined control of passage of the trolley through the checkout implemented in the ID terminal and the unit for detecting the passage of the trolley through the checkout, and a method for combined control of trolley input implemented in the ID terminal and the trolley parking bay unit.

Claims

1. A system (1) for controlling and managing shopping trolleys (2), comprising a ID terminal (3) for each said trolley (2) to be controlled, said terminal being equipped with means for communicating with at least one trolley parking bay unit (4), at least one location-finding system (6), and at least one unit (5) for detecting passage of the trolley through a checkout.

2. A system (1) for controlling and managing shopping trolleys (2) according to claim 1 wherein the ID terminal (3) comprises a first power supply (3a), a first embedded system (3b) with memory (3ba) for storing data and ID programming, a first wireless module (3c), at least one IR emitter (3d), a coin introduction detector (3e), a coin lock (3f) and a key detector (3g).

3. A system (1) for controlling and managing shopping trolleys (2) according to claim 2 wherein the ID terminal (3) further comprises a barcode reader (3h).

4. A system (1) for controlling and managing shopping trolleys (2) according to claim 3 characterised in that the first power supply (3a) comprises a first switched-mode power supply (3aa) powered by a first rechargeable battery (3ab) and a first photovoltaic unit (3ac).

5. A system (1) for controlling and managing shopping trolleys (2) according to claim 4 wherein the first switched-mode power supply (3aa) and the first embedded system (3b) are implemented in a PCB board.

6. A system (1) for controlling and managing shopping trolleys (2) according to claim 5 wherein the coin introduction detector (3e) comprises a limit switch.

7. A system (1) for controlling and managing shopping trolleys (2) according to claim 6 wherein the coin lock (3f) comprises a magnetic piston (3fa) energised by a relay (3fc) commanded and controlled by the first embedded system (3b), and by capacitors (3fb) for supplying supplementary power to the magnetic piston (3fa).

8. A system (1) for controlling and managing shopping trolleys (2) according to claim 7, wherein the trolley parking bay unit (4) comprises a second power supply (4a), a second embedded system (4b) with a clock (4d), a second wireless module (4c), a first database (4e) for storing movements and a first interface (4f) for dumping data stored in the first database (4e).

9. A system (1) for controlling and managing shopping trolleys (2) according to claim 8, wherein the second power supply (4a) comprises a second switched-mode power supply (4aa) powered by a second rechargeable battery (4ab) associated with a second photovoltaic unit (4ac).

10. A system (1) for controlling and managing shopping trolleys (2) according to claim 9, wherein the unit (5) for detecting the passage of the trolley through the checkout comprises a third power supply (5a), a third embedded system (5b), a third wireless module (5c), an IR receiver (5d) for reception of a signal emitted by the IR emitters (3d) of the trolleys (2), an invoice receipt connection (5g) with a cash register (21), a second database (5e) for storing checkouts, and a second interface (5f) for dumping data stored in the second database (5e).

11. A system (1) for controlling and managing shopping trolleys (2) according to claim 10, wherein the unit (5) for detecting the passage of the trolley through the checkout further comprises a connection (5h) to a CCTV image-gathering system (20).

12. A system (1) for controlling and managing shopping trolleys (2) according to claim 11, wherein the location-finding system (6) comprises a plurality of beacons (60), each of the beacons comprising a fourth power supply (6a), a fourth embedded system (6b), a fourth wireless module (6c), and a third interface (6f).

13. A system (1) for controlling and managing shopping trolleys (2) according to claim 12, wherein the fourth power supply (6a) comprises a fourth switched-mode power supply (6aa) powered from a fourth rechargeable battery (6ab), a third photovoltaic unit (6ac) and/or from mains (6ad).

14. A system (1) for controlling and managing shopping trolleys (2) according to claim 13, further comprising an electronic programmer (7) of the ID terminals (3) and/or the beacons (60) of trolleys (2).

15. A system (1) for controlling and managing shopping trolleys (2) according to claim 14, wherein the programmer (7) comprises a fourth interface (7a) for entering manual data, a third battery (7b), a fifth wireless module (7c), a fifth power supply (7e) to adjust the voltage, and a fifth embedded system (7d).

16. A method for controlling and managing shopping trolleys (2), wherein an ID terminal (3) and a trolley parking bay unit (4) implement combined control of trolley output, comprising the following steps: detecting introduction of coins through a coin introduction detector (3e), emitting a trolley ID via a first wireless module (3c), receiving the trolley ID emitted by the first wireless module (3c) in the trolley parking bay unit (4), recording an event associated with the trolley and its time-of-day in a first database (4e) and memory of the ID terminal (3); wherein the ID terminal (3) and a unit (5) for detecting passage of the trolley through a checkout implement the following steps for combined control of passage of the trolley through the checkout: continuously emitting an activation order of a trolley IR emitter (3d) through a wireless emitter (5c), reading an activation order from the IR emitter through the first wireless module (3c) of the ID terminal (3) of the trolley (2), emitting the ID and remaining data stored in a memory (3ba) of the ID terminal (3) through the trolley IR emitter (3d), reading invoice data through an invoice receipt connection (5g) with a cash register (21), recording the ID, trolley data and invoice data in a second database (5e); wherein the ID terminal (3) and a location-finding system (6) implement the following steps for locating trolley demarcation: continuously emitting a beacon identifier, time and date through a fourth wireless module (6c) of each of a plurality of beacons (60), reading the beacon identifier, time and date through the first wireless module (3c) of the ID terminal (3) of each said trolley (2), recording the beacon identifier, time and date in the memory (3ba) of the ID terminal (3) of said trolley (2); and wherein the ID terminal (3) and the trolley parking bay unit (4) implement the following steps for combined control of trolley input: detecting introduction of a key through a key detector (3g), emitting an input record request through the first wireless module (3c) of the ID terminal (3) of trolley (2), reading the trolley input record request through a second wireless module (4c) of the trolley parking bay unit (4), recording the request in the first database (4e), emitting order acceptance through the second wireless module (4c) of the trolley parking bay unit (4), receiving acceptance from the trolley parking bay unit (4) through the first wireless module (3c) of the ID terminal (3) of trolley (2), and activating a coin lock (3f).

17. The method for controlling and managing shopping trolleys (2) according to claim 16, wherein the steps for combined control of passage of the trolley through the checkout comprise a further step of gathering CCTV images (20).

Description

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0015] FIG. 1Is a schematic view of the system of the invention.

[0016] FIG. 2Is a block diagram of the ID terminal arranged in each trolley to be controlled.

[0017] FIG. 3Is a block diagram of the trolley parking bay unit.

[0018] FIG. 4Is a block diagram of the unit for detecting the passage of the trolley through the checkout.

[0019] FIG. 5Is a block diagram of an electronic programmer of the ID of each trolley.

[0020] FIG. 6Is a block diagram of the location-finding system.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0021] The system (1) for controlling and managing shopping carts or trolleys (2) is applied to corporate trolleys, understood as those that belong to an entity, typically a commercial shopping store that offers the trolleys to its customers to transport purchases.

[0022] According to the invention, the system comprises an ID module (3) for each trolley (2) to be controlled, said terminal being equipped with means for communicating with at least one trolley parking bay unit (4), located in this example in the trolley parking itself (40), at least one location-finding system (6) of trolleys based on the reception of a signal and at least one unit (5) for detecting the passage of the trolley through the checkout, also located in the vicinity of the cash register (50). Communications are ideally embodied through wireless means, preferably through links of RF modules (radio frequency) and infrared IR, and/or network connection in the way that is described below.

[0023] ID terminal (3) of each trolley (2) comprises a first power supply (3a), a first embedded system (3b) with memory (3ba) for storing data and the programming of the particular IDwhich identifies each trolley, a first wireless communication module (3c), preferably RF, comprised of emitter (3ca) and receiver (3cb), at least one IR emitter (3d), a coin introduction detector (3e), a coin lock (3f), a key detector (3g), and optionally a barcode reader (3h), while the first power supply (3a) comprises a first switched-mode power supply (3aa) which will power the devices when they need it, and comprising a first rechargeable battery (3ab), typically made of lithium ion or lithium polymer, and a first photovoltaic unit (3ac) such that the photovoltaic unit (3ac) cooperates in recharging the rechargeable battery (3ab). The use of a switched-mode power supply, i.e., based on switched converters, will extend the life of the first rechargeable battery (3ab). The barcode reader (3h) can be integrated in the ID terminal (3) or external and connectable to the same.

[0024] This first switched-mode power supply (3aa) and first primer embedded system (3b) are ideally implemented on a double-sided PCB with surface mount encapsulates (SMD), all this to reduce the size and make its mount in the trolley can be located in the attachment boxes between trolleys.

[0025] The coin introduction detector (3e) comprises a limit switch operated by the own introduction of the coin, not shown, while the coin lock (3f) comprises a magnetic piston (3fa) energized by a relay (3fc) commanded by the first embedded system (3b), and capacitors (3fb) for supplying supplementary power to the magnetic piston (3fa). The magnetic piston (3fa) retains the coin until the first embedded system (3b) gives the activation order of the same to release the coin.

[0026] The trolley parking bay unit (4) comprises a second power supply (4a), a second embedded system (4b) with a clock (4d), a second wireless module (4c), preferably RF with two unidirectional links, emitter (4ca) and receiver (4cb), a first database (4e) for storing movementsideally based on RAM memoryand a first interface (4f) usable to dump the data stored in the first database (4e), serving any type of connection and ideally a local network connection.

[0027] The second power supply (4a) comprises to second switched-mode power supply (4aa) powered by a second lithium ion or lithium polymer rechargeable battery (4ab) associated with a second photovoltaic unit (4ac), such that the photovoltaic unit (4ac) cooperates in recharging of the rechargeable battery (4ab). Also, the second power supply can be supplied from mains due to its fixed location.

[0028] The trolley parking bay unit (4) functions as data management unit, storing a list of all the trolleys parked at any time, as well as their entry and exit time. In addition, the order of coin release is only emitted if the trolley is in its place.

[0029] The communication between the wireless modules of the parking bay unit (4) and ID terminals (3) of each trolley (2) parked in the parking allows recording stays and entry and exit schedules. All the data stored in this first database (4e) can be dumped directly to a computer through the first interface (4f).

[0030] By its part, each unit (5) for detecting the passage of the trolley through the checkoutone per each cash registercomprises a third power supply (5a), a third embedded system (5b), a third wireless module (5c), preferably RF, a IR receiver (5d) for reception of the signal emitted by the IR emitters (3d) of them trucks (2), an invoice receipt connection (5g) with the cash register (21), a second database (5e) for storing checkoutsideally based on RAM memoryand a second interface (5f), preferably of the type of local network, to dump the data stored in the second database (5e). In this case, the third wireless module (5c) is permanently emitting a short range signal, so it only reaches to trolley that checkout (50). The information sent indicates to the ID terminal (3) of the trolley (2) that it is checking-out. At that time the first embedded system (3b) of the ID terminal (3) will manage a routine that will include the emission of its ID and how much data is able to be stored through its IR emitter or emitters (3d), which will be read by the IR receiver (5d) of the unit (5) for detecting the passage of the trolley through the checkout, which will record the movement in the second database (5e) as well as information of the invoice obtained through the invoice receipt connection (5g). The ID terminal (3) can have more than one IR emitter (3d), one by each side, e.g., in places where the approximation to cash registers can be made by both sides, in order to be able to dump the information regardless of whether the cash register is located to the right side or to the left side of the trolley (2).

[0031] If the user has registered the items chosen by the barcode reader (3h) of the ID terminal (3) in his/her trolley (2), an option exists at some stores to make an self-reading of purchases and take less time in the checkout, the first embedded system (3b) of the ID terminal (3) will include this information in that transmitted to the IR receiver (5d). This feature is also useful to know which products the customer takes and, above all, which products he/she leaves, as well as to know the sum of the monetary amounts of the products in the trolley. In addition, distributing checking-out units (5) inside the commercial store before the actual cash registers, for example in the columns of the malls, where there are article barcode readers, data dumpings can be made in the same, retaining this information until checkout, to check what it is registered in cash register and what it is not registered, and check against the previously registered information.

[0032] All data stored in this second database (5e), of each cash register, can be dumped directly to a computer via the second interface (5f).

[0033] Also, the unit (5) for detecting the passage of the trolley through the checkout may comprise a connection (5h) to a closed-circuit television (CCTV) image-gathering system (20).

[0034] The location-finding system (6) comprises a plurality of beacons (60), each of them comprising a fourth power supply (6a), a fourth embedded system (6b), a fourth wireless module (6c), preferably RF, and a third interface (6f). The fourth wireless module (6c) of each beacon (60) will enable, when linked to the wireless module (3c) of the ID terminal (3) of each trolley (2), detecting the specific location of the trolley (2) dividing the commercial store into study areas, each of them controlled by a beacon (60). A change of area involves detecting the change of beacon (60) by the trolley ID terminal (3), and the record of the corresponding data, in its first memory (3ba), that can be dumped through the first wireless module (3c). It is therefore of a register by areas, not by coordinates. Also, the location-finding system may be implemented by any coordinate location-finding system, detailing here only a constitution very preferential for this embodiment of the invention.

[0035] The fourth power supply (6a) ideally comprises a fourth switched-mode power supply (6aa) and may be supplied from a fourth lithium ion or polymer lithium rechargeable battery (6ab) associated with a third photovoltaic unit (6ac), or from mains (6ad) given its fixed location.

[0036] In order to improve the benefits and costs of the system, it is envisioned that the programming of the ID of trolleys and/or beacons (60) is not carried out in hardware, that would imply realization in factory, but is preferably programmable in situ. For this reason, the invention also comprises one or more electronic programmers (7) of the ID terminals (3) of the trolleys (2), comprising a fourth interface (7a)which usually includes a keyboard (7aa) and a screen (lab) for entering manual data, a third battery (7b), a fifth ideally in switched-mode, power supply (7e), a fifth wireless module (7c) and a fifth embedded system (7d). The communication with the ID terminals (3) of the trolleys (2) and/or beacons (60) is carried out through their respective wireless modules (3c, 6c, 7c). The data to be entered into the ID terminals (3) will be at least the individual identification; in the beacons (60) will be at least individual identification, date and time.

[0037] The operation of the system comprises a method that is part of the invention, since it produces technical effects, such as the release of coins, control of trolley passage throughout the commercial store, taking pictures, etc. that are part of the solution to technical problems raised. This method comprises:

a method for combined control of trolley output implemented in the ID terminal (3) and the parking bay unit (4), comprising the following steps: [0038] detecting introduction of coins through the coin introduction detector (3e) [0039] emitting, by the first wireless module (3c), the trolley ID for storing in the first database (4e) of the trolley parking bay unit (4), [0040] receiving the trolley ID emitted by the first wireless module (3c) in the trolley parking bay unit (4), [0041] recording the event and its time in the first database (4e) and memory of the ID terminal (3),
a method for locating the trolley demarcation, comprising the following steps: [0042] continuously emitting a beacon identifier, time and date through the fourth wireless module (6c) of each beacon (60), [0043] reading the beacon identifier, time and date through the first wireless module (3c) of the ID terminal (3) of each trolley (2), [0044] recording in the memory (3ba) of the ID terminal (3) of trolley (2) the beacon identifier, time and date
a method for combined control of passage of the trolley through the checkout implemented in the ID terminal (3) and the unit (5) for detecting the passage of the trolley through the checkout, comprising the following steps: [0045] continuously emitting an activation order from the trolley IR emitter (3d) through the third wireless module (5c) of the unit (5) for detecting the passage of the trolley through the checkout, [0046] reading the activation order from the IR emitter through the first wireless module (3c) of the ID terminal (3) of each trolley (2) [0047] emitting the ID and remaining data stored in the memory (3ba) of the ID terminal (3) (trolley removal schedule, route or areas visited with schedule, products registered by the barcode reader), through the trolley IR emitter (3d), [0048] reading the invoice data through the invoice receipt connection (5g) with the cash register (21), [0049] recording the ID, trolley data and invoice data in the second database (5e)

[0050] In addition, this method may implement a step of gathering CCTV images (20), if available.

a method for combined control of trolley input implemented in the ID terminal (3) and the trolley parking bay unit (4), comprising the following steps: [0051] detecting the introduction of the key through the key detector (3g), [0052] emitting the input record request through the first wireless module (3c) of the ID terminal (3) of trolley (2) [0053] reading the trolley input record request through the second wireless module (4c) of the trolley parking bay unit (4), [0054] recording the request in the first database (4e), [0055] emitting order acceptance through the second wireless module (4c) of the trolley parking bay unit (4), [0056] receiving acceptance from the trolley parking bay unit (4) through the first wireless module (3c) of the ID terminal (3) of trolley (2) [0057] activating the coin lock (3f),

[0058] Despite the above, and since the description made only corresponds to preferred embodiments of the invention, it is understood that within its essentiality, multiple detail variations may be made, also protected, which may affect the shape, size, or manufacturing materials of the whole or its parts, without involving any alteration of the invention as a whole, limited only by the claims provided below.