Patent Publication Number: US-11380185-B2

Title: Retail internet of things (IoT) platform with in-store contactless call button

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/031,826, filed May 29, 2020, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to the fields of retail IoT platforms and commercial signaling systems for such platforms, commonly known as “Call Buttons,” and more particularly to contactless signaling systems for use with retail IoT platforms designed to provide alerts and/or summon assistance to a specific location at the request of a shopper or worker. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In the retail environment, Internet of Things (IoT) systems are known and commonly used to interconnect various systems, devices and components of a retail store with an aim towards improving operations and efficiency. In general, such systems connect a sales floor environment, both actual and virtual, with a backroom environment (covering management, accounting, distribution, store room, and the like). Of great importance in the use of retail IoT platforms, is the use of signaling systems to provide alerts from customers or workers in one part of the store (e.g., the sales floor) to other parts of the store (e.g., the store room) or to other workers to request assistance. A general schematic illustrating the interconnectivity of a retail IoT platform is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     As illustrated, the main “appliance” in a retail IoT system comprises a centralized operational hub that is generally connected via wired or wireless connections with other operations systems, device and components that are useful, and often critical, for day-to-day operation of the store. As shown in  FIG. 1 , a hub appliance  10  can receive incoming alerts from a number of input sources, such as cameras and motion detectors  12 , call buttons  14 , customers&#39; smart phones and personal devices  16 , an online ordering system  18 , Bluetooth beacons  20 , such as sensor mats, and the like. Similarly, the hub appliance  10  can be in outgoing operative communication with a number of output devices, such as communication devices  22  (e.g., walkie talkies, pagers, receivers, worker phones or communication devices), digital signage  24 , printers or cash registers  26 , check-out and point-of-sale (POS) systems and kiosks  28 , workers&#39; phones, tablets, email and text systems  30 , and the like. Still further, the hub appliance  10  can be in operative communication with a remote cloud support system  32  or other systems covering accounting, inventory, distribution, and logistic operations, including remote systems in a different physical and geographical location. 
     In a typical retail store set-up, there are often several customer call buttons that communicate with the hub appliance. Call buttons are familiar to shoppers everywhere. Retailers commonly reduce operating costs by placing call buttons at locations customers are likely to need assistance, rather than maintaining staffing levels such that all such locations are monitored by humans. Such call buttons help customers to provide alerts to store employees when assistance is needed. Additionally, call buttons can provide workers with information of in which portions of the store customers are located. Still further, such call buttons can provide awareness to employees that customers may need assistance and can work to improve customer engagement to increase sales. Call buttons can also be used by workers to communicate with other workers—for example, checking with a store room about inventory in stock or requesting additional assistance. 
     Call buttons are also found in industrial, office, warehouse or factory settings, for summoning assistance or initiating alarm conditions in the event of safety or security hazards, for example. 
     Further, call buttons and similar signaling systems can provide added benefits to a retail store environment. For example, call button set-ups can include means for aural and/or visual interaction between customers and workers—for example, via an intercom or digital display set-up. Further, customer use of a call button can activate a corresponding video camera to assist interaction with the customer. 
     Today, all call buttons either have a manual button (actuator) that one must physically press and release or a capacitive touch button, where a user must still touch the overlay of the call button to trigger transmission of a message to the hub appliance. For such call buttons to be useful, they generally must connect, either with wires or wirelessly, to an annunciator of some kind, providing a visible or audible alert or message to appropriate personnel. The simplest embodiment is a two-node system, similar to a common doorbell. Most commercial installations, however, incorporate a central “communications hub,” as discussed above, which receives signals from distributed call buttons (and often other devices such as cameras, door sensors, occupancy sensors, etc., as illustrated in  FIG. 1 ) and which, on receipt of an incoming signal, transmits appropriate messages to appropriate personnel to initiate the desired response. The transmissions from the hub appliance may take the form of public-address system announcements, radio transmissions to portable receivers carried or worn by store personnel, lighted indicators at specific locations, or any such broadcast or narrowcast methods of dissemination. 
     Various drawbacks of prior art call buttons used in the retail environment have been identified. For example, a big concern for existing call button designs is that such call buttons that must be physically touched to initiate an alert message or request for assistance. As a result, such existing call button designs carry the risk of disease transmission by being touched by multiple persons. In present time, there are increased risks associated with disease and virus transmission both from person to person interaction, but also based on surface contact transmission. Indeed, a worldwide effort to promote social distancing has recently been established, especially in retail environments, such that physical contact is minimized. 
     Manual call button or capacitance touch button are also susceptible to wearing down and even breaking due to repeated use and contact, especially if the customer presses too hard on the button to initiate a call response. 
     Additionally, prior art call buttons may also include store phones, intercoms or digital displays/inputs that allow customers to communicate with store employees. Like the call buttons themselves, however, such added components also require physical touching of the components 
     In view of the foregoing, there is a need for a customer signaling system for use in the retail IoT platform that is touch-free or contactless, such that an individual can provide an alert or request for assistance in a retail environment without needing to physically touch a call button or other in-store signaling device that may not be clean. Additionally, there is a need for a call button design that can improve interaction between individuals that may not require direct physical interaction, while also not requiring an individual to physically touch anything (such as a call button or intercom) in order to request assistance. Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide a customer signaling system for use in a retail IoT platform that improves upon conventional call buttons currently used in the marketplace and that overcomes the problems and drawbacks associated with such prior art call buttons. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention, a retail IoT platform using a contactless or touchless call button is provided. Given recent concerns over public transmission of diseases and viruses, and newly enacted strategies to ensure proper social distancing in public spaces, a “touchless” or “contactless” call button is advantageous in the retail environment so that customers do not need to touch communal surfaces and risk contracting or spreading germs or virus. Instead, in accordance with the present invention, a “touchless” call button only requires users to place their hand or finger within a predefined distance (e.g., about an inch) of the call button unit and it will trigger an alert message or request for assistance. This enhances customer service by providing a safe tool for customers to request immediate assistance when ready to interact with a store associate, either in person or using means to permit such interaction, such as, an intercom, an audio/visual display, or via digital means. Additionally, such a system allows store personnel to do other tasks and respond timely and appropriately when a customer needs assistance. Still further, such a system allows an employee in a difference physical or geographical location to respond to customer requests, as needed. 
     In a first aspect of the present invention, a contactless call button unit comprises a proximity sensor, such as an ambient light sensor, operatively connected to a microcontroller including a transmitter. The call button can be triggered without the user needing to make direct contact with the call button unit in any way. Instead, when the user&#39;s hand or finger is placed in close proximity with the call button unit, the proximity sensor will be triggered. Once the sensor is triggered, the microcontroller can transmit a signal via the transmitter to a receiver in the IoT platform. Such a receiver could be a central hub appliance, which can then route the signal as desired. In the alternative, the receiver could be connected directly with an employee&#39;s communication device, such as a phone, tablet, radio or walkie-talkie. 
     In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the call button can use a variety of sensing means, including but not limited to capacitance sensing, pyroelectric sensing, reflected light sensing, ultrasonic sensing, or ambient light sensing. 
     In alternate embodiments, the call button unit can include aural or visual components that can be triggered by the proximity sensor—for example, a light that flashes to indicate that the call button unit has detected the user&#39;s presence and sent an alert message; or a digital display screen that provides an update as to the status of a request for assistance; or an intercom permitting the user to communicate with a store employee in touch-free manner. The call button unit can also be adapted to permit a user to interact with a store employee, as necessary, using proximity sensors to allow for communicative purposes. For example, triggering a call button can initiate an interaction on a display or computer screen at the call button location to prompt the customer for further information to assist the customer&#39;s needs. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a facility-wide signaling system comprised of a central hub and a plurality of contactless call buttons that can be activated without the need for physical touch or contact with the user. 
     These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in light of the detailed description of embodiments thereof, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic illustrating the interconnectivity of a retail IoT platform in which the present invention can be used and incorporated. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a typical facility signaling system. 
         FIG. 3  shows an exploded view of a contactless call button unit in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram of a contactless call button using capacitance sensing. 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram of a contactless call button using pyroelectric sensing. 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram of a contactless call button using reflected light or ultrasonic sensing. 
         FIG. 7  is a block diagram of a contactless call button using ambient light sensing. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a schematic of a contactless call button for use in a retail environment in combination with aural and visual communication components in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-2 , the general overall architecture of a typical retail IoT platform  100  and facility signaling system in accordance with the present invention are illustrated. A plurality of call buttons  102  are preferably distributed throughout a retail space. Each call button  102 , when actuated, sends signals, typically digitally-encoded messages carrying the location of the triggered call button  102 , to a radio receiver  104 , which passes the messages to a central hub appliance  106 . As illustrated, communication between call buttons  102  and the radio receiver  104  is preferably through wireless means. In the alternative, call buttons  102  can be hard wired to the central hub appliance  106  without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention. On receipt of a call button message, the central hub appliance  106  sends an audio message via radio transmitter  108  and/or PA system  110 , to personnel, generally designated as reference numeral  112  (for example, via a worker&#39;s radio, phone, tablet, computer, walkie-talkie, or other receiver device). Once alerted, a store employee can directly respond to the customer&#39;s call request for assistance by going to the location of the triggered call button  102 , or by engaging with the customer through aural and/or visual communication means, such as by using an intercom, video conferencing system, or digital display provided at the call button  102 . In this regard, the responding employee can either be on-site or remotely located, such as in a call center. 
     In alternate embodiments of the present invention, the call buttons  102  can be in direct communication with an employee communication receiver device (such as, a worker&#39;s radio, phone, tablet, computer, walkie-talkie, or other receiver device) so that a customer&#39;s call request can be sent to a designated employee for response. In this regard, individual call buttons  102  can be connected to specifically designated employees, such as, for example, covering different departments of a retail store. Even when requests from the call buttons  102  are routed to employee communication receiver devices in this manner, the signals may also be send to the central hub appliance  106 . 
     In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the call button  102  can be triggered without the user needing to make direct contact with the call button unit  102  in any way. Instead, a “touchless” or “contactless” call button  102  can be triggered without requiring the customer to touch the button  102 . An embodiment of a contactless call button unit  102  in accordance with the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 3 . As illustrated, the call button unit  102  generally comprises a housing defined by a top enclosure portion  114  and a bottom enclosure portion  116 , and a power source  118  (such as batteries) disposed therein in operative communication with a proximity sensor, generally illustrated in  FIG. 3  as a capacitive-sensing touch plate  120 , and sensing circuitry  122 . The capacitive-sensing touch plate  120  is generally aligned with an opening in the top enclosure portion  114  of the housing, and is protected by a graphic overlay  115 . The sensing circuitry  122  is in operative communication with the proximity sensor  120  and includes a microcontroller (not shown). 
     In operation, when a portion of the user&#39;s body, typically the user&#39;s hand or finger, is placed in close proximity with the call button unit  102 , the proximity sensor  120  will be triggered. In accordance with the present invention, the user&#39;s hand must be within a predefined distance from the call button unit  102  in order to trigger a call message. Preferably, the user&#39;s hand must be in the range of about 1 inch to about 12 inches to trigger the proximity sensor  120 , and more preferably between about 1 inch to about 3 inches. Optimally, the call button unit  102  should not be so sensitive as to be easily triggered merely by customers passing by the call button unit  102 . In alternate embodiments, the proximity sensor  120  may require the user to be proximal the sensor  120  for a predefined period of time in order to trigger a call message. For example, in preferred embodiments, the user much be positioned by the sensor  120  between about 0 seconds and about 5 seconds in order to trigger the call button  102 , and more preferably between about 0 seconds and about 3 seconds, and even more preferably between about 0.5 seconds and about 3 seconds, so that so the sensor is not easily triggered merely by customers or objects passing by the call button unit  102  for a fleeting moment. Once the proximity sensor  120  is triggered, the microcontroller can transmit a signal via a transmitter to a receiver  104  in the IoT platform  100 . 
       FIGS. 4-7  schematically illustrates set-ups of a contactless call button unit  102  in accordance with the present invention using various forms of proximity sensors. Like components in each embodiment uses commonly designated reference numerals. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates the contactless call button  102  of  FIG. 3  operating on the principle of capacitance sensing. In operation, the approach of the user&#39;s hand  150  relative to the proximity sensor  120  in the form of capacitive-sensing touch plate, connected to a capacitance sensing circuit  122 , produces a change in the capacitance sensed by the sensing circuit  122 . The change in capacitance is converted to a trigger signal by the sensing circuit  122  and passed to the microcontroller, generally designated as reference numeral  124 . Microcontroller  124  composes a message containing the identification and/or location parameters for the triggered call button  102 , and transmits the message via radio transmitter  126 , for reception by the radio receiver  104  of the central hub appliance  106 . Again, as noted above, the call button  102  can be hard wired for sending the call message directly to the hub appliance  106  without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an alternate embodiment of the present invention, where the contactless call button  102  operates on the principle of passive heat sensing. In operation, the proximity sensor  120  comprises a pyroelectric sensor  220  such that heat energy radiating from the user&#39;s hand  250  generates an electrical signal in the pyroelectric sensor  220 , which is amplified by an amplifier  223  in the sensing circuitry  222 . The amplifier  223  converts the change in sensed heat to a trigger signal which is passed to the microcontroller  224 . The microcontroller  224  composes a message containing the identification and/or location parameters of the triggered call button  102 , and transmits the message via radio transmitter  226 , for reception by the radio receiver  104  of the central hub  106 . As the proximity sensor  220  relies on passive heat sensing, it is preferred that the user&#39;s hand be within a predefined distance from the call button  102 , and also maintain a position relative to the call button  102  for a predefined period of time in order to ensure that the call button  102  is not so sensitive as to be easily triggered merely by customers passing by the call button unit  102 . As with other embodiments, the call button  102  can be hard wired for sending the call message directly to the hub appliance  106  without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an alternate embodiment of the present invention where the contactless call button  102  operates on the principles of reflected light or reflected sound sensing. In operation, light or sound energy (typically modulated to provide immunity from ambient light or sound) is emitted by an emitter  321 . In the case of light energy, infrared is typically used so that no visible light is seen. In the case of sound energy, ultrasonic frequencies are typically used so that no sound is heard. When a user&#39;s hand  350  is brought into the proximity of the call button  102 , it reflects some of the emitted light or sound into a detector  320 . The output of the detector  320  output is amplified in the sensing circuitry  322  by an amplifier  323 , which converts the amplified signal into a trigger signal which is passed to a microcontroller  324 . The microcontroller  324  composes a message containing the identification and/or location parameters for the triggered call button  102 , and transmits the message via radio transmitter  326 , for reception by the radio receiver  104  of the central hub  106 . As with other embodiments, the call button  102  can be hard wired for sending the call message directly to the hub appliance  106  without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates an alternate embodiment of the present invention where the contactless call button  102  operates on the principle of ambient light sensing. Ambient light energy is emitted by natural and artificial light sources, represented as bulbs  428  and  430 , which can be thought of as being either behind the user&#39;s hand  450 , or behind ambient light sensor  420 , respectively. When a user&#39;s hand  450  is brought into the proximity of the call button  102 , it occludes the light emitted by light source  428  and reflects light emitted by light source  430 . The changes in light reaching light detector  420  are amplified by an amplifier  423  in the sensing circuitry  422 , which converts the changes into a trigger signal that is passed to a microcontroller  424 . The microcontroller  424  composes a message containing the identification and/or location parameters of the triggered call button  102 , and transmits the message via radio transmitter  426 , for reception by the radio receiver  104  of the central hub  106 . As with other embodiments, the call button  102  can be hard wired for sending the call message directly to the hub appliance  106  without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention. 
     The present invention can further comprise a facility-wide signaling system comprised of a central hub appliance  106  and a plurality of contactless call buttons  102  distributed throughout the floorplan of the facility that can be activated without the need for physical touch or contact with the user. The signaling system will be able to discern from which call button  102  the message originated and be able to alert a store employee of where assistance is needed. In alternate embodiments, when a call button  102  is triggered, a line of communication can be created directly between a remotely located store employee, for example, by means of a computer workstation or via a tablet or phone, and a customer whereby the employee can interact aurally and/or visually with the customer through devices associated with the call button unit  102 . 
     In alternate embodiments, the call button unit  102  can include aural or visual components that can be triggered by the proximity sensor such as generally illustrated in  FIG. 8 . For example, the call button unit  102  can be associated with a signal light  180  that flashes to indicate that the call button unit  102  has detected the user&#39;s presence and sent an alert message. An interactive digital display screen  182  may provide an update as to the status of a request for assistance, or provide a means for the customer to provide more detail about the request for assistance. An intercom  184 , comprising a speaker and a microphone, and a video conferencing system  186 , comprising a camera and a microphone, can permit the user to communicate with a store employee in touch-free manner. The call button unit  102  can also be adapted to permit a user to interact with a store employee, as necessary, using proximity sensors to allow for communicative purposes. Similarly, the call button unit  102  can include or be connected with means for aural and/or visual interaction between customers and workers—for example, via an intercom or digital display set-up. Further, customer use of the call button  102  can activate a corresponding video camera to assist interaction with the customer. 
     The foregoing description of embodiments of the present invention has been presented for the purpose of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the form disclosed. Obvious modifications and variations are possible in light of the above disclosure. The embodiments described were chosen to best illustrate the principles of the invention and practical applications thereof to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as suited to the particular use contemplated.