IT202000007645A1 - MONITORING SYSTEM FOR THE PROCUREMENT OF GOODS AND PROCEDURE IMPLEMENTED BY THIS SYSTEM - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

MONITORING SYSTEM FOR THE PROCUREMENT OF GOODS AND PROCEDURE IMPLEMENTED BY THIS SYSTEM

The present invention relates to a monitoring system for the procurement of goods and process implemented by said system of the type specified in the preamble of the first claim.

In particular, the present invention relates to a monitoring system for the procurement of goods, and related procedure, including a logistic control tower configured to monitor and track, in real-time, from start to delivery, goods of any kind. within a complete supply chain.

As is known, traditional procurement monitoring systems consist of a manager, typically a control tower, capable of receiving data relating to the status of the goods during transport. In particular, the transport data are processed and sent to the central control at specific times, also called milestone events, in which an operator detects or describes the status of the goods in such a way as to form the data to be submitted to the control tower.

For example, the operator can? scan the goods once they have been received and forward the scan to the control tower so that it can reconstruct the route of the goods.

So ? It is possible to reconstruct the chain of physical and non-physical events, starting from the moment in which you decide to make a delivery, or of logistics operations in general.

The known technique described, however, includes some important drawbacks. In particular, most traditional procurement systems do not allow the reconstruction of transport in real-time.

In fact, the reception of data takes place in specific moments determined by the intervention of operators. These supply systems, therefore, are reactive systems and, for this reason, destined to always offer data that is delayed with respect to the actual state of the transport.

Furthermore, these systems do not allow the creation of analysis databases from which? It is possible to extrapolate valid data for the optimization of the supply chain since they do not report the situation of the goods between one milestone event and the next and, moreover, they are not able to generate milestone events on request.

To partially obviate these drawbacks, there are advanced control systems. These systems adopt goods monitoring technologies designed to maintain control of the state of transport of the goods themselves even during transport.

In this regard, the goods are equipped with control devices including sensors which are intended to determine the state of the goods during transport.

Usually, the sensors present on the tracking devices are position sensors, for example with GPS technology, temperature sensors, humidity sensors? and possibly force sensors.

These sensors alone, or combined, make it possible to reconstruct most of the states, in real-time, that the goods undergo.

Even the pi? advanced described includes some important drawbacks.

In particular, although there is a large number of data available, the sensors are often operated one by one manually by operators who, during specific moments, activate the sensors.

Furthermore, in any case, the sensors are not able to detect every aspect of the transport and, therefore, are not able to provide a sufficiently detailed database, to the central tower, in such a way as to allow an extremely efficient optimization of the supply.

In this situation, the technical task underlying the present invention? devising a monitoring system for the procurement of goods and a process implemented by said system capable of substantially obviating at least part of the aforementioned drawbacks.

As part of this technical task? an important object of the invention is to obtain a monitoring system for the procurement of goods and a process implemented by said system capable of carrying out an almost monitoring system. total of the activities? related to the transport of goods from the beginning to the end of the supply chain.

Another important purpose of the invention? create a monitoring system for the procurement of goods and procedures implemented by said system capable of substantially eliminating the contribution of external operators of the supply chain to the collection and processing of information relating to logistical events.

In conclusion, a further task of the invention? realizing a monitoring system for the procurement of goods and the procedure implemented by said system which allows a sufficiently detailed database to be collected to allow an extremely efficient optimization of the supply chain connected to the monitored goods.

The technical task and the specified aims are achieved by a monitoring system for the procurement of goods, and relative process, as claimed in the attached claim 1.

Preferred technical solutions are highlighted in the dependent claims.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention are clarified below by the detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a simplified model of a monitoring system for the procurement of goods according to the invention;

Fig.2 illustrates the detail of a product on which? arranged a monitoring device included in a monitoring system for the procurement of goods according to the invention; And

Fig. 3? an example of a goods procurement process in which the main phases involving the transport of goods are outlined.

In this document, measurements, values, shapes and geometric references (such as perpendicularity and parallelism), when associated with words such as "about" or other similar terms such as "almost" or "substantially", are to be understood as unless there are measurement errors or inaccuracies due to production and / or manufacturing errors and, above all, unless a slight deviation from the value, measure, shape or geometric reference to which? associated. For example, these terms, if associated with a value, preferably indicate a deviation of no more than 10% of the value itself.

Also, when used, terms such as? First ?,? Second ?,? Superior ?,? Inferior ?,? Main? and? secondary? do they not necessarily identify an order, a priority? of relationship or relative position, but they can simply be used for more? clearly distinguish different components from each other.

Unless otherwise specified, as reflected in the following discussions, terms such as "processing", "computing", "determination", "computation", or the like, are considered to refer to the action and / or processes of a computer or similar device electronic computation that manipulates and / or transforms data represented as physical, such as electronic quantities of registers of a computer system and / or memories into, other data similarly represented as quantities? physical in computer systems, registers or other devices for storing, transmitting or displaying information.

The measurements and data reported in this text are to be considered, unless otherwise indicated, as carried out in the ICAO International Standard Atmosphere (ISO 2533: 1975).

With reference to the Figures, a monitoring system for procurement of goods according to the invention? globally indicated with the number 1.

The monitoring system? substantially adapted to allow the visualization and processing of data coming from a supply chain of products. A clear example of a common procurement procedure? shown in Fig. 3. Normally, the products that make up the goods are stored inside a warehouse. In order to be distributed, they are accumulated with the help of an operator on special supports, generally pallets, and then loaded onto trucks. Once the truck has been loaded with the goods, the products are transported to a second warehouse or sorting center where they substantially undergo the reverse procedure compared to the previous one. Therefore, the products are unloaded from the truck, placed in the warehouse and, if necessary, removed from the support on which they are accumulated and distributed.

System 1? substantially adapted to monitor the procurement process just described briefly.

In this regard, the system 1 comprises at least one storage medium 2 and a central control apparatus 3.

The storage medium 2? basically configured to log data. Preferably, such data is digital data. The storage medium 2 can therefore be a physical device, such as a server or equivalent, accessible via local networks or remotely. Preferably, the storage medium 2? cloud type. Therefore, preferably, the storage medium 2? accessible via systems such as the internet.

In particular, among the receivable data, the storage medium 2? able to receive, for registration, monitoring data 10 and product data 11.

The monitoring data 10 are substantially data deriving from the observation of the products during the various procurement phases. They include information as further specified below. Preferably, they are received from the storage medium 2 in digital format. The product data 11 are also preferably digital data.

In particular, they include at least the essential characteristics of the product for the purpose of identifying it. Examples of essential characteristics can be given by the serial or part number or by others, if appropriate.

The product data 11 can be recorded on the storage medium 2 directly by an operator or can be downloaded from data files provided, for example, by companies.

The storage medium 2 can, therefore, also allow the sending and manipulation of the data contained and can? also include a processor and computer programs that allow for data manipulation.

However, preferably the storage medium 2? operatively connected to the central control apparatus 3 in such a way that it can record the data on it.

Basically, the manipulation of monitoring data 10 and product data 11? preferably realized through the central control apparatus 3.

The central control apparatus 3 is, therefore, preferably the heart of system 1. It? operationally connected, as already? said, the storage medium 2 is configured to receive, send and manipulate one or more? monitoring data 3. The central control apparatus 3 does not control the procurement process, but controls the data received from the procurement process to estimate its efficiency or to extrapolate other parameters.

The communication between the central control apparatus 3 and the memory support 2 can? take place through wiring or can, pi? preferably, provide wireless connections known to the current state of the art.

Preferably, system 1 uses internet connections and can? be classified as an IOT type system.

In fact, preferably, the system 1 also makes use of sensor means to receive the information of interest.

In particular, preferably, the system 1 comprises at least one monitoring device 4.

The monitoring device 4? operatively connectable, on command, to the central control apparatus 3. The type of connection? preferably the same used between the storage medium 2 and the central control apparatus 3. However, other technologies known to the current state of the art and suitable for allowing remote communication could be adopted between the monitoring device 4 and the central control apparatus 3 .

Preferably, the monitoring device 4? configured to create the monitoring data 10 and send the monitoring data 10 to the central control apparatus 3 when connected.

The term create means that the monitoring device 4 detects certain pre-determined parameters, as better specified later, in order to determine the status of the monitoring device 4 or, better said, of the product to which the monitoring device monitoring 4 refers.

The monitoring device 4, in particular, preferably comprises identification means 40.

The identification means 40 are configured to send identification data 100 to the central control apparatus 3.

The identification data 100 are preferably part of the monitoring data 10. The identification data 100, in particular, are data relating to the identification of the monitoring device 4.

Such identification data 100 can correspond to a simple ID or identification code associated with the single monitoring device 4.

In particular, the identification means 40 send the identification data 100 to the central apparatus 3 in such a way that the identification data 100 are associated with at least one given product 11 in the storage medium 2.

For this purpose, for example, the identification data 100 could be linked to the data produced 11 manually by a user, for example through a terminal accessing the central control apparatus 3 or through scanning means configured to scan one or more? graphic elements that allow the identification of the monitoring device 4 and / or the product.

For this purpose, for example, the identification means 40 can comprise a coded graphic element configured to be scanned by optical apparatuses. Products can also have such graphics.

Therefore, system 1 can? provide that the central control apparatus 3 can communicate with devices, such as common scanners, capable of scanning such graphic elements in such a way as to associate identification data 100 and product data 11.

Therefore, system 1 can? also include a scanning device 5.

The scanning device 5? preferably operatively connectable to the control apparatus 3. Also the scanning device 5 can? exploit the communication technologies described for storage medium 2 and monitoring device 4. Furthermore, it can? also consist of a smartphone or tablet or other similar common devices.

The scanning device 5 is preferably configured to allow an operator to record the data produced 11 on the storage medium 2 and scan the identification means 40 in such a way as to associate the monitoring data 100 of the monitoring device 4 with the data product 11.

In any case, technologies of this type are widely known in the current state of the art and are similar to those commonly used also in other fields, such as the food sector, for example, in common supermarkets for product recognition.

The monitoring device 4 preferably also comprises locating means 41.

The localization means 41 are preferably configured to send position data 101 to the central control apparatus 3 in real time.

The position data 101 are substantially part of the monitoring data 10. They are preferably geolocation data of the monitoring device 4. Therefore, the localization means 41 can be of the GPS type. These means are also known in the current state of the art and do not present particular expedients.

In general, the localization means 41 allow to associate position data 101 to the identification data 100. Furthermore, if the identification data 100 are associated to the product data 11, the position data 101 allow to determine the position of the product itself.

Basically, position data 101 is particularly useful for knowing if the products to which? associated with the monitoring device 4 are in the transport phase or are stationary, for example in the warehouse.

The monitoring device 4 preferably also comprises detection means 42.

The detection means 42 are preferably configured to send acceleration data 102 to the central control apparatus 3 in real time.

The acceleration data 102 are substantially part of the monitoring data 10. They are preferably data relating to the local movement of the monitoring device 4. Therefore, the detection means 42 can comprise an accelerometer.

These means are also known in the current state of the art and do not present particular expedients.

In general, the detection means 42 allow to associate acceleration data 102 to the identification data 100. Furthermore, if the identification data 100 are associated to the product data 11, the acceleration data 102 allow to determine the movement of the product itself.

Basically, the acceleration data 102 is particularly useful for knowing whether the products to which? associated with the monitoring device 4 are in the loading / unloading phase, are stationary or move integrally, for example, with a truck. The parameters of an accelerometer, in fact, allow for example to determine the direction of acceleration and, therefore, allow to understand if the product, or the monitoring device 4,? during loading or transport.

The monitoring device 4 also comprises control means 44.

How already? said, the monitoring device 4? capable of being switched on or off on command. The control means 44 allow this control to be carried out and can also consist of a simple switch. Take switch can? be made by a button or by a device which can be operated by means of external devices, also by means of the scanning means 5, and which allows the monitoring device 4 to be powered. Substantially, therefore, the monitoring device 4 can? including a power supply arrangement which is connected or operated by the control means 44.

Of course, in order to establish the data connection, the monitoring device 4 can? include a connection device, such as an antenna or the like, which allows, on command, to exchange data with the central control apparatus 3. Advantageously, the system 1 comprises further elements. In particular, preferably, the system 1 comprises optical means 43.

The optical means 43 are preferably configured to send brightness data to the central control apparatus 3 in real time. 103.

The brightness data? 103 are basically part of the monitoring data 10. They are preferably brightness data? of the ambient surrounding the monitoring device 4. Therefore, the optical means 43 can be luminosity sensors. configured to determine the brightness? of the external environment.

In general, the optical means 43 allow to associate luminosity data? 103 to the identification data 100. Furthermore, if the identification data 100 are associated with the product data 11, the luminosity data? 103 allow you to determine the location of the product itself. Basically, the brightness data? 103 are particularly useful to know if the products to which? associated with the monitoring device 4 are in the loading / unloading phase or are in transport or even in the warehouse.

The optical means 43 substantially define information, part of the monitoring data 10, which are partially redundant both with respect to the detection means 42 and with respect to the localization means 41.

Therefore, thanks to the optical means 43,? possible to reconstruct in a substantially complete way, and without the need? to adopt other sensors, the status of the products to which? associated monitoring device 4.

Of course, the monitoring device 4 can? be associated after positioning in contact or constraint on one or more? products.

In this regard, the device 4 pu? also include means of constraint, for example adhesive, or mechanical, or can? simply be placed on the products or be bound, for example inside envelopes, on the packaging of the products.

The system 1 can, moreover, include a plurality of of monitoring devices 4 and each of the monitoring devices 4 can? be placed on a product or on a group of products, for example arranged on a storage support. The operation of the monitoring system for the procurement of goods 1 described above in structural terms? substantially described by the process as described below.

In fact, the invention includes a new monitoring procedure implemented by system 1.

The method preferably comprises a step of creating a database. The database created? a database preferably of the IOT or T&T type. Preferably, the database? adapted to interface with a monitoring device 4 also of the IOT type.

During the creation phase, at least identification product data 11 relating to one or more are preferably recorded. products among the goods.

This phase of creation can? be made in advance, or can? be carried out during the monitoring actions as described below.

In fact, for example, especially if the system 1 includes a scanning device 5, the product data 11 could be recorded on the storage medium following scanning of a graphic element on a product, for example a bar code or the like.

The method further comprises the connection of the storage medium 2 to the central control apparatus 3.

The procedure therefore comprises the switching on of the monitoring device 4. The switching on takes place thanks to the control means 44 which allow the monitoring device 4 to be connected to the central control apparatus 3 and to supply the monitoring device 4 itself. .

Furthermore, once the monitoring device 4 is turned on, it sends the monitoring data 10 to the central control apparatus 3 for recording on the storage medium 2.

Furthermore, preferably, but not necessarily, the procedure can? include processing of monitoring data 10 to determine the supply status of products based on monitoring data.

In particular, this processing is preferably carried out by a computer included in the central control apparatus 3 from which? run a computer program.

Such a program, preferably,? configured to compare the monitoring data 10 obtained with predetermined threshold values.

Therefore, it includes at least one position threshold value adapted to be compared with the position data 101 to determine whether a product? in transport or stationary in the warehouse, an acceleration threshold value capable of being compared with the acceleration data 102 to determine whether a product? in load or stored, and a threshold value of brightness? able to be compared with the brightness data? 102 to determine whether a product? loaded or stored regardless of the state of handling.

In conclusion, the procedure can? comprising a recording step in which the monitoring data 10 processed in the processing step are recorded on the storage medium 2.

The monitoring system 1 for the procurement of goods and procedures implemented by said system according to the invention achieves important advantages. In fact, the monitoring system for the procurement of goods and the procedure implemented by this system perform a monitoring almost? total of the activities? related to the transport of goods from the beginning to the end of the supply chain. Furthermore, the monitoring device 4 allows to avoid the intervention of the operator who? exclusively linked to the switching on and association of the monitoring device 4 at the beginning of the chain and, obviously, at the end of the supply.

Furthermore, the system allows to collect a sufficiently detailed database to allow an extremely efficient optimization of the supply chain connected to the monitored goods.

This optimization can, therefore, be carried out without the need? to adopt a too complex and expensive sensor system.

The invention? susceptible of variants falling within the scope of the inventive concept defined by the claims.

For example, although it is not necessary, the monitoring device 4 could comprise additional sensor means, for example suitable for detecting the state of humidity. of the environment surrounding the monitoring device 4 or of the temperature sensors designed to collect data about the temperature of the environment surrounding the monitoring device 4.

In this context, all the details can be replaced by equivalent elements and the materials, shapes and dimensions can be any.

Claims (10)

CLAIMS 1. Goods procurement monitoring system (1) comprising: - a storage medium (2) configured to record monitoring data (10) and product identification data (11) relating to one or more? produced between these goods, - a central control apparatus (3) operatively connected to said storage medium (2) and configured to receive, send and manipulate one or more? of said monitoring data (10), - a monitoring device (4) operably connectable, on command, to said central control apparatus (3) and configured to create said monitoring data (10) and send said monitoring data (10) to said central control apparatus ( 3) when connected, - said monitoring device (4) comprising: - identification means (40) configured to send to said central control apparatus (3) identification data (100) part of said monitoring data (10) in such a way as to associate said identification data (100) to at least one of said data product (11) in said storage medium (2), - location means (41) configured to send, in real time, to said central control apparatus (3) position data (101) part of said monitoring data (10) in such a way as to associate said position data (101) ) to said identification data (100), - detection means (42) configured to send, in real time, to said central control apparatus (3) acceleration data (102) part of said monitoring data (10) in such a way as to associate said acceleration data (102) ) to said identification data (100), - control means (44) configured to turn on or off said monitoring device (4) in such a way that said monitoring device (4) is connected or disconnected from said central control apparatus (3), and characterized by understanding further - optical means (43) configured to send, in real time, to said central control apparatus (3) brightness data? (103) part of said monitoring data (10) in such a way as to associate said brightness data? (103) to said identification data (100). System (1) according to claim 1, wherein said optical means (43) include brightness sensors. configured to determine the brightness? of the surrounding environment said monitoring device (4). System (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said storage medium (2)? cloud type and said monitoring data (100) and said product data (11) are digital data. System (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said identification means (40) comprise a coded graphic element configured to be scanned by optical apparatuses. System (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said detection means (42) comprise an accelerometer. System (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a scanning device (5) operatively connectable to said control apparatus (3) and configured to allow an operator to register said product data (11) on said storing (2) and scanning said identification means (40) in such a way as to associate said monitoring data (100) of said monitoring device (4) to said product data (11). 7. Monitoring procedure for procurement of goods including: - create a database on a storage medium (2) comprising at least identification product data (11) relating to one or more? produced between these goods, - connecting to said storage medium (2) a central control apparatus (3) configured to receive, send and manipulate one or more? monitoring data (10) relating to said product, - arrange on at least one said product a monitoring device (4) configured to create said monitoring data (10), - turning on said monitoring device (4) by means of control means (44) in such a way that said monitoring device (4) is connected to said central control apparatus (3), - sending in real time, to said central control apparatus (3) said monitoring data (10) comprising: - identification data (100) detected by identification means (40) and suitable for allowing the association between said identification data (100) to at least one given product (11) in said storage medium (2), - position data (101) collected by localization means (41), - acceleration data (102) detected by detection means (42), and said process being characterized in that - said monitoring data (10) further include brightness data? (103) detected by optical means (43). Method according to claim 7, comprising processing said monitoring data (10) to determine the supply status of said products on the basis of said monitoring data (10). Method according to claim 8, comprising recording said monitoring data (10) processed in said processing step on said storage medium (2). Method according to any one of claims 8-9, wherein said central control apparatus (3) comprises a computer running a computer program configured to perform said processing and including at least: - a position threshold value adapted to be compared with said position data (101) to determine whether said product? in transport or stationary in the warehouse, - an acceleration threshold value adapted to be compared with said acceleration data (102) to determine whether said product? in loading or stored, and - a brightness threshold value? able to be compared with said luminosity data? (102) to determine if said product? loaded or stored regardless of the state of handling.