Patent Description:
For years there have been systems for the identification and traceability of goods used to monitor the position and status of products. For example, in sales field it is important to know the location of items within the point of sale to automate their loading/unloading, to automate sales procedures and also to identify and prevent theft attempts.

Historically, various technological solutions and methods of tracking/controlling goods have been proposed and are still on the market, such as anti-shoplifting systems rather than automatic cashier, procurement or inventory monitoring systems based on these systems. These solutions have more or less evolved over time but are generally based on an identification and tracking device usually applied safely to a product / goods to be tracked; this device typically bearing verifiable and possibly updatable information concerning the goods on display. These devices include identification means such as barcodes, magnetic strips and RFID markers.

Barcodes (first one-dimensional and then two-dimensional) are among the best known among these applications and were among the first to be used to identify and track items. In particular, one-dimensional barcodes are the oldest and most common and are still used to identify items for example in supermarkets. However, both single- and two-dimensional barcode systems have numerous defects and drawbacks: they are often not compatible with each other, must be clearly visible and readable by a scanner and risk detaching or damaging becoming illegible during the life of the goods especially when it comes to goods exposed to manipulation by third parties. It follows that the goods associated with these barcodes need to be moved with extreme care to allow the maintenance of these codes intact and further need to be precisely positioned on display shelves or other to ensure the correct reading of the information. All this making these technologies more preferable for basic and limited uses such as automatic or semi-automatic checkouts, that is, in the presence of operators or customers who manually carry out scanning operations.

Another known method of tracking products is based on magnetic strips bearing pre-programmed coded information; called magnetic strips being typically applied to the outer surface of a product. The information relating to the goods in this case is read without manual intervention but by passing the magnetic stripe through a high-resolution magnetic reader. Unfortunately, even magnetic strips are further prone to damage, and require readers positioned at a very precise and specific distance which can be a management problem in the case of points of sale characterized by heterogeneous products.

Finally, last in order of time but most widespread in stores are the so-called systems based on RFID tags or systems with markers consisting of identification and tracking devices operating on radio frequency.

The RFID technique or RFID tag (referring to the marker that implements said technology) works according to an inductive principle: in an RFID system, a reader generates an electromagnetic field at a predetermined frequency; when an RFID tag, which can usually be classified as read-only or read/write, enters the electromagnetic field generated by the reader a small electric current is formed in the so-called resonant circuit of said RFID tag; said circuit typically including a spiral antenna and a capacitor. This circuit absorbs energy from the magnetic field and provides a limited power and durability supply to the RFID tag, which then modulates the magnetic field to transmit pre-programmed information to the reader. This reader receives, de-modulates and decodes the signal of the RFID tag by obtaining the information on the product associated with it and subsequently sends said data to a host computer for further processing / actions that by way of example may involve warehouse management, invoicing, issuance of receipts, anti-shoplifting alarms etc. To date, RFID technology is dominant worldwide and moreover with excellent performance and reduced costs in the aforementioned contexts.

On the sidelines of the aforementioned passive RFID tags, it should be noted that there are also so-called active RFID, decidedly more advanced and expensive but not very widespread.

This is because these devices require permanent power supply so that they are ill-suited to applications for commercial areas of products that are difficult to connect to the electrical network or equip with batteries, such as goods displayed in the points of sale that are the field of application of the present invention.

From the patent point of view, solutions have been proposed over time that allow you to trace objects using RF systems and in particular the patents are remembered:.

these patents use tags based on RF systems and employ signal strength detection techniques in order to measure the distance of the branded objects but are limited by the fact of performing a generic and centralized measurement that does not allow to distinguish precisely and individually a plurality of traced elements.

Even a reliable, consolidated and durable technology such as RFID technology is subject to limits and inefficiencies when used outside its traditional areas of identification and tracking of goods or for purposes not strictly related to these areas. In the case of RFID devices, these limits were particularly highlighted during the COVID <NUM> pandemic event.

In this circumstance, the necessary measures to prevent the spread of the virus have included actions not only concerning the use of personal protective equipment for customers and operators but have become necessary further and repeated sanitization initiatives of the premises and products aimed at containing human contagion.

In the shops and especially in those with a commercial vocation, it was necessary to implement preventive verification systems for potential contamination and implement systematic periodic sanitization actions of the premises, environments, workstations, other areas and, not least those items of the store subject to external manipulations, with particular regard to those untraceable and controllable handling with a good degree of reliability such as the customer interactions with the goods on display. Think, for example, of the case of clothing stores where goods are often moved, lifted, opened, checked in detail or even worn, in the case of clothing or accessories,
without there being a rigorous and punctual control by the staff who obviously is unable to constantly monitor all the goods on display. For this type of problem, i.e. recognizing whether the goods displayed in a point of sale have been touched by customers and need action, the systems currently used in the points of sale are totally inadequate. And this is not an occasional limit linked to the pandemic event but a more general problem inherent in the monitoring of objects exposed reasonably and understandably to the contact / manipulation of the public without current identification and tracking technologies allowing to identify such interactions regardless of the severity of the consequences of said contact. In fact, it should be noted that the techniques mentioned in the previous paragraph and massively used in the points of sale and particularly those based on RFID techniques are totally inadequate indeed unusable for this purpose.

It is known that RFID systems acquire a limited amount of energy from the transmitter and through an antenna printed on various materials, once charged, retransmit for a very limited period of time a series of data to the control system or reader used. These characteristics and in particular the reduced power greatly limit the time and distance of transmission (practically an RFID tag is a system that alternately transmits or does not transmit) and consequently the data and the complexity of the operations that can be performed with these devices are also very limited which, being born expressly to operate without power, allow only to transmit in a limited and occasional way a few basic information useful for tracking / identification of a good or a good without being able to intervene in more articulated and long-lasting communication processes. This feature means that this RFID technology is therefore excellent in the presence of punctual control activities, of short duration (spot check) and made at so-called predetermined check points (such as point of sale checkouts, anti-shoplifting scanners, etc.); this technology, on the other hand, is totally inadequate to detect actions such as the handling of customer goods that instead require in addition to the basic identification of the object additional requirements and characteristics including:.

The structural and functional limits of the RFID tracking and identification systems currently implemented and the lack of alternative means suitable for establishing or at least estimating with good approximation whether the goods are subjected to manipulations forces, particularly in the case of pandemic events and contaminations but also for a better quality control of the goods exposed to implement burdensome and unnecessary preventive systems such as highfrequency sanitization even if not necessary, unnecessary removal of reorders and tests of goods perhaps intact and intact, preventive suspension of the display of goods (for example <NUM> hours for clothing if tried) even if these measures are not necessary or if the handling operations are carried out by personnel in an appropriate manner not to compromise the goods.

This patent aims to overcome the critical issues mentioned above by implementing a system according to claims <NUM> to <NUM>, capable of recognizing whether the goods displayed in a point of sale have been manipulated, if so, identifying with good approximation and through an expert system what kind of possible manipulation has occurred and, thanks to this evaluation, possibly activating management and control procedures appropriate to the identified event. These procedures include, by way of example, actions to counteract possible biological contamination of the goods but also to plan much more simply regular interventions of reordering, re-packaging, cleansing, fragrance or in any case care of the goods displayed in the store.

Another objective of the proposed system is to create a system that allows through an ad hoc tracking device to overcome the energy and functional limits of common identification and tracking systems based on RFID techniques and widely used in points of sale; this system allows to dynamically detect data relating to the handling of a goods such as, by way of example and not limited to, the distance to which it was brought with respect to its original location and the time during which it was removed and potentially manipulated.

Another objective of the proposed system is to obtain an expert system that allows to analyze the aforementioned information and discern those potentially corresponding to manipulation interventions and classify them as ordinary activities (for example reorganization of salesmen / sales staff or accidental contact or manipulation of customers or other third parties having cause etc. etc.).

Another objective of the proposed system is to obtain a system that, based on the aforementioned evidence, allows to adequately inform the sales staff or whoever for them and possibly intervene also by automatic or semi-automatic means of disinfection but also more simply of cleansing and / or fragrance on the manipulated goods according to the scenarios and needs that may arise.

In an advantageous implementation of the invention, the proposed system obtains the aforementioned objectives through a new identification tag that can be used to detect the possible removal of the goods from its usual point of display in a point of sale through the acquisition and analysis of various significant parameters (distance, duration, environmental conditions, etc.). This usual point (shelf, display, cabinet and the like) being equipped with a reader that provides to receive, process, analyze the data of said identification tag and further interpret / classify through an expert system situations of possible handling of the goods on which said tag is affixed. This reader being used further to recharge during the common shelf rest the identification tag developed since this structurally requires a greater amount of energy than that absorbed and used by common RFID tags. This aspect is crucial because the tag in question is functionally more advanced and complex circuitically to perform operations and calculations much more complex than a common RFID; it also has a much wider range of time and distances of use and, further, is equipped with sensors: all this resulting in greater consumption and therefore the need for a preventive accumulation of energy such as to guarantee the operation of the device when the goods will be subject to tracking or when removed from the pre-established positioning place due to manipulation.

Going into more detail, the system consists of a tag or label made in the form of an RF microdevice (radio frequency). This micro device is equipped with a wireless power supply system and an antenna used primarily with the same purpose as a common RFID, that is, to allow the tag to restructure and re-emit a signal to the reader that "illuminates" it. At the same time, however, said antenna being designed built and sized (shape, size, operating frequencies and characterizing) to meet two further and crucial aspects:.

Pursuing these purposes, the tag that is used to track the goods is therefore based on an antenna that optimizes sensitivity at the expense of the instantaneous ability to acquire the charge. As a consequence of this, the proposed tag, loads more slowly than an RFID but acquires much more charge and keeps it as long as it is within the detection range of the reader that as anticipated goes well beyond the range of a classic RFID. Thanks to the greater energy forfeited and the vast reading range, well beyond the physical dimensions of the structures that host the goods, the tag is therefore able to communicate to the reader not only a series of data limited to the identification code and little else as in traditional RFID, but being a process tag (with a microprocessor powered by the accumulator and therefore capable of more complex processing), it is also able to send a whole additional series of data, possibly processed and refined, such as by way of example and not limiting or exclusive, the distance from the reader, acceleration, temperature and humidity). These parameters are detected by means of appropriately integrated sensors.

As for the detection of the distance between tag and reader, which is the other crucial aspect for obtaining the proposed objectives, this is realized through a high sensitivity system for the detection of amplitude of the near-field emitted by the reader. Limiting the transmission power to a minimum, with an appropriate antenna and an ad hoc signal amplification system, combining modulation techniques of the same with diffuse spectrum to raise the SNR, the tag is able to measure with sufficient accuracy the distance from the reader when the same is in a radius from a few centimeters to meters or in the useful range in which an exposed goods are if subject to manipulation by third parties.

This innovative tag therefore gives basic indications of its status when it is stationary in the emission range of the reader, but transmits and continues to transmit information even while the goods to which it is applied are taken and, particularly, while it is moving away from the field or is outside it; this for as long as necessary for the operation of identifying the position, movement and classification of the type of manipulation carried out on the basis of data collected and the measurements made through the tag.

Obviously, the tag can take a form appropriate to the application and product scope in order to allow the appropriate anchoring. From a practical point of view and by way of example and not limited to, the tag can be attached to the product or attached to a support or packaging of a product (for example a hanger if the product is a piece of clothing). Always from the implementation point of view, the reader will consist of a control board with a communication device with the tag and said hardware will be appropriately integrated into the structures of the point of sale reasonably responsible for hosting the goods on display (shelves, showcases, cabinets, displays etc. etc.). Finally, it should be noted how the tag can be equipped with devices and signals to alert, for example, visually users and / or employees of the point of sale that the goods have been subject to handling and further be equipped with on-site intervention systems such as disinfectant capsules rather than flavors / perfumes rather than detergents that can be activated manually or even automatically by the tag on the basis of predefined protocols for the various types of manipulations detected.

Further characteristics and advantages of the proposed technical solution will be more evident in the following description of a preferred but not exclusive form of realization, represented, by way of example and not limited to, in the <NUM> tables of drawings attached where:.

It is specified that the figures attached to this application illustrate only some possible executive forms of the system, to better understand its advantages and characteristics described. These executive forms are therefore to be understood for illustrative purposes only and not limited to the inventive concept.

With reference to the attached drawing tables and in particular to <FIG>, the principle of operation of the proposed system, called system, is briefly represented, including:.

The aforementioned expert system (<NUM>), based on algorithms and Al techniques, is able to predict with biological models the probability of handling of the goods using the data provided by the tag (<NUM>), called data including at least the time of handling of the goods by the customer, the absolute distance and the variation of distance of the goods from the reader (<NUM>). This information includes, where appropriate, additional data/parameters obtained from additional sensors such as gyroscopic, temperature, humidity and additional sensing devices that can be integrated into the system.

The aforementioned Al algorithms and techniques allow on the basis of these data to profile the person who is handling the goods, highlighting for example if it is a customer (possible profile of contamination or interference with the product) in which case the system will provide not only the signal of said event but will integrate this information with other useful data such as contact time, the type of goods tested or not, etc.). Another typical profile detected by the expert system (<NUM>) will be that of a salesman (with the possibility of excluding contamination warnings if the salesman follows the directives of the point of sale for ordinary management and the common operations of reordering, rearranging, re-packaging, cleaning or any ordinary disinfection treatments of the goods on display). Once the event has been identified and the type of potential manipulation has been classified with the expert system (<NUM>), the system can activate a series of countermeasures and communications and also alternative or cumulative initiatives depending on the cases and needs such as:.

With reference to the attached drawings and particularly to <FIG> are represented two possible realizations of the aforementioned reader (<NUM>), called reader being by way of example placed on the shelves of a shelf (<NUM>) or exhibitor (as for example in <FIG>), or on a coat rack (<NUM>), as for example in <FIG>, or wherever the goods are placed in the point of sale - showcases, wardrobes etc. Said reader (<NUM>) being able to automatically read the presence of a new tag (<NUM>) when the corresponding goods are placed, to catalog it and to detect every time said tag (<NUM>), and consequently the associated goods, moves away from its range of action: for example when a customer picks up the product to evaluate it. Said reader (<NUM>) being further able to detect through the information received from the tag (<NUM>) when the goods are stored and also assess whether the customer places the product in its original location or in contiguous or even different locations. The reader (<NUM>) then acquires data from the tags (<NUM>) associated with the goods and detects the real-time distance of the tag (<NUM>) from the reader (<NUM>), the various parameters, the timing of the movements and processes and processes and processes these data through the aforementioned expert system (<NUM>) which, thanks to Al techniques, updates a probability index of manipulation and / or contamination. When said probability index exceeds a known threshold, it is assumed that the product has been potentially manipulated or even contaminated by the customer and needs attention. The expert system (<NUM>) of Al is designed in such a way as to distinguish behavioral patterns, that is, it allows to detect, identify and distinguish cases of manipulation by the clerks or in any case by duly authorized persons, making them distinguishable from the occasional contacts of patrons.

With reference to the attached drawings and particularly to <FIG>, the circuit components of the tag (<NUM>) are represented in more detail, whose structure is divided into five elements:.

With reference to the above points, the following further considerations and design recommendations should be noted:.

The advantages of the proposed invention are many and evident both in terms of reliability and quality. The fact that the tag (<NUM>) is not powered by a battery, but by a power acquisition system (it recharges over time when it is in the field of the reader and remains alive and in transmission for as long as necessary for the required task when it is outside the field of the reader). So it does not present problems of battery disposal and is virtually eternal.

Another great advantage of the proposed system is the ability to measure with sufficient accuracy the distance of the tag (<NUM>) from the reader (<NUM>) in a radius of a few centimeters to meters. This surprising result allows to have an accurate information of the distance of the goods that is reasonably the most important and provides the keystone to perform evaluations albeit qualitative on how the goods may have been manipulated, hypothesize for what purposes and reasonably allow to classify the type of activity carried out and any actions to be taken.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, some preferred embodiments were shown in the drawings and described in detail.

It must be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form of realization illustrated, but, on the contrary, it intends to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents that fall within the scope of the invention as defined in the attached claims.

The use of "e.g.", "etc.", "or" means non-exclusive alternatives without limitation unless otherwise indicated.

The use of "includes" means "includes, but is not limited to" unless otherwise indicated.

In particular, the invention can be made with technical equivalents, with materials or supplementary devices suitable for the purpose and scope of application.

Conformation and sizing of the constituent parts and the products made may vary in a suitable way, but consistent with the proposed solution. By way of example and not limited to, it should be noted that the geometric shapes of the parties involved may be varied and, further the specific shape and some functionalities of the system: the general setting can in fact be revisited without leaving the scope of the claimed model depending on the structure and size of the point of sale and the goods tracked and subjected to control for any manipulations.

In any case, the necessary changes to the system and the underlying systems, including adjustments and sizing appropriate to the individual installation, will be deductible by a properly trained technician of the branch and without leaving the scope of protection of the claimed patent.

For example, the reader (<NUM>) may process and provide transversal information that can be further used for marketing, such as but not limited to:.

Further the system can be adapted and possibly expanded to provide further and additional services and further equipped with systems and accessories to integrate its operation and increase the potential and areas of use.

Claim 1:
System for detecting and classifying the handling of goods; said goods being placed on display stands and holders (<NUM>),(<NUM>) in a retail shop;
said system comprising a reader and tags; said classification being obtained by means of the reader (<NUM>) provided with an expert system (<NUM>); said reader (<NUM>) being installed on said display stands and holders (<NUM>),(<NUM>); said expert system (<NUM>) processing data provided by a tag (<NUM>) attached to said goods; said tag (<NUM>) being used to track the movement of said goods as they are moved away from said reader (<NUM>); said system being characterized by the fact that:
said tag (<NUM>) includes an energy harvesting circuit (<NUM>) connected to an antenna (<NUM>) and also connected to an accumulator (<NUM>); said accumulator being recharged wirelessly by said reader (<NUM>) when the goods are positioned on said display stands and holders (<NUM>),(<NUM>); said accumulator (<NUM>) being used to power a field strength meter (<NUM>) and a microprocessor (<NUM>); said field strength meter (<NUM>) being used to detect the distance between said tag (<NUM>) and said display stands and holders (<NUM>),(<NUM>) by measuring the power of the signal received by said reader (<NUM>); said microprocessor (<NUM>) being used for sending data gathered from said tag (<NUM>) to said reader (<NUM>) via the antenna (<NUM>) , said data comprising at least:
• the identifier of said tag (<NUM>);
• the distance between said tag (<NUM>) and said reader (<NUM>) and the duration of the manipulation.