Claims:[0044] We claim:
1. A system to assist the user (s) in acquiring the real time sales data, inventory data and purchase data and enabling the user (s) to take real-time optimum business decision based on the analysis of acquired data, the system comprises:
a. a barcode scanner (101);
b. a housing (102) comprising:
i. a Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) port (103);
ii. a power supply (104);
iii. a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port (105) wherein the USB port (105) is attached with the barcode scanner (101);
iv. a processor (106) wherein the processor (106) includes a sales module (106a), an inventory management module (106b) and a purchase module (106c), wherein the sales module (106a) acquires and processes the gathered real time sales data, wherein the processed real time sales data is sent to a required server using the GSM port (103) through the wireless communication, wherein the wireless communication may be in the form of Wi-Fi through a plurality of links located within the retail establishment or wireless cellular data plan through a standard cellular carrier, wherein the inventory management module (106b) permits the user (s) to acquire and process the real-time store level inventory data in the retail outlets, wherein the processed inventory data is sent to the server using the GSM port (103) through the wireless communication, wherein the purchase module (106c) with the help of the inventory management module (106b) in the processor (106) permits the user (s) to acquire and process the real time purchase data, wherein the processed data is sent to the server using the GSM port (103) through the wireless communication, wherein the purchase module (106c) assists the user (s) in purchasing the products by analysing the Stock Keeping Unit (SKU); and
v. the housing (102) with the attached barcode scanner (101) are distributed to one or more retail outlets, wherein the user (s) in retail outlets scan the barcode label on a plurality of products to gather the Point of Sale (POS) transaction sales data, inventory data and purchase data within the store environment;
2. A system to assist the user (s) in acquiring the real time sales data, inventory data and purchase data and enabling the user (s) to take real-time optimum business decision based on the analysis of acquired data, the system further comprises:
a. a mobile device (201) wherein the mobile device (201) includes a sales module (106a), an inventory management module (106b), a purchase module (106c), a stock-out module (106d), an excess module (106e), an ordering module (106f) and a sales loss module (106g), wherein the mobile device having the sales module (106a) is distributed to one or more retail outlets, wherein the user (s) in retail outlets scan the barcode label on a plurality of products to gather and analyse the Point Of Sale (POS) transactions or real time sales data transactions using the sales module within the store environment, wherein sales module (106a) provides analysis of the past sales at the store/SKU level and informs the user (s) about the products available in the inventory which are not sold from pre-defined period of time, wherein the inventory management module (106b) provides the real-time store level inventory data across the stores at granular level, wherein the purchase module (106c) assists the user (s) in purchasing the products by analysing the Stock Keeping Unit (SKU), wherein the purchase module (106c) provides the overall purchase efficiency at each store/SKU level, wherein the stock-out module (106d) informs the user (s) about the total number of items in the stock-out at store/SKU level for certain period of time, wherein the excess module (106e) provides the total value and quantity of excess products in the inventory at store/SKU level, wherein the ordering module (106f) assists the user (s) in ordering the products based on the prediction of future demand at each store/SKU level, wherein the sales loss module (106g) provides the estimated daily sales loss at each store/SKU level.

3. The system (100 and 200) as claimed in claim 1 and 2, wherein the system (100 and 200) further predicts real time demand for a specific period in the retail outlets.

4. The system (100 and 200) as claimed in claim 1 and 2, wherein the system (100 and 200) further of comprises of a data acquisition module at outside the store environment is configured to acquire and store the captured real time sales data, inventory data and purchase data within the store environment through the sales module (106a), the inventory management module (106b) and the purchase module (106c).

5. The system (100 and 200) as claimed in claim 1 and 2, wherein the system (100 and 200) further allows the user (s) to reset the re-order quantity and ordering quantity, which are computed daily at each store/SKU level.

6. The system (100 and 200) as claimed in claim 1 and 2, wherein the system (100 and 200) further provides a unified platform for displaying the prediction results such as inventory data, purchase data, excess data, sales data, sales loss data, stock-out data, ordering data, and sales v/s purchase, wherein the system (100 and 200) further analyses and assists the user (s) in taking decisions based on the prediction results displayed in the unified platform.

7. The system (100 and 200) as claimed in claim 1 and 2, the system (100 and 200) further allows the user (s) to initiate the necessary actions by analyzing the granular predictions for each product/item/quantity at store level with respect to their sales data, inventory data and purchase data for each interval of time.

8. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shape of the housing (102) may be of any shape but not limited to circular, square, rectangular or pentagon.
, Description:[0001] Preamble to the Description
[0002] The following specification describes the invention:
[0003] DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:
[0004] The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:
[0005] Technical field of the invention
[0006] The present invention relates to a system to assist the user (s) in taking decisions by displaying prediction results with respect to real time sales data, purchase data and inventory data in a unified platform.
[0007] Background of the invention
[0008] Existing retail systems utilize various types of barcode readers, tablets, register stations and Point-of-Sale (POS) devices. The barcode reading systems are found use in various stores. The user (s) in the store scans the barcode label on the items or products to analyze and process in order to gather the Point of Sale (POS) transactions or real time sales data transactions within the store environment. Generally, the barcode reading system in the store further assists the user (s) in providing the details of the products that needs to be purchased. The barcode reading system allows the users to easily assemble and organize the list of items or products into the carts that needs to be processed in terms of real time sales data, purchase data and inventory data. The barcode reading system captures updates and monitors the real time sales data, purchase data and inventory data in an electronic relational database.
[0009] Various types of conventional systems using the barcode scanner for scanning the barcode code label on the products are known in the prior art. The United States Patent 8856033 B2 describes the mobile barcode scanner gun system with mobile tablet device having a mobile POS and enterprise resource planning application for customer checkout/order fulfillment and real time in store inventory management for retail establishment. The claimed mobile scanner gun system efficiently and reliably processes a retail store purchase and/or performs daily store inventory management functions. The system has a main body portion extending toward a handle portion, the main body portion having a base, side walls, a front wall and a back wall constructed to form an interior cavity, wherein the front wall includes an aperture with a lens recessed therein. The front wall has a trigger member located near the base of the main body. A Universal Serial Bus (USB) Magnetic Strip Reader (MSR) input device integrated on the short edge of the mobile tablet device (upper receiver) is used for processing payment card sales transactions through a secured Payment Card Industry (PCI) compliant, end to end encrypted bank card processor. The mobile tablet device has a system integrated therein that enables real-time store level inventory management and fully functioning POS capability for selling merchandise in a retail sales environment.
[0010] The United States Patent document 20060054692 A1 describes the wireless inventory management system and method. The claimed Wireless Inventory Management system (WIA) and method provides access and update the inventory data in real-time from anywhere and anytime. WIA allows a user to query, pick, pack and receive orders from a wireless device, and allows a user to view the ID, SKU, name, description, Bin ID, list price and other product information from a user's accounting system. Inventory data is input through a simple wireless keyboard or barcode scanning device. The system and method provides a user with instant access to data necessary to make inventory management decisions with accurate and timely information. The WIA system reduces “out-of-stock” instances. The WIA system integrates with a user's accounting system.
[0011] However, the use of claimed systems and methods do not disclose the use of the housing with the attached barcode scanners that are distributed to the retail outlets to scan the barcode label on the products to gather the Point of Sale (POS) transactions or real time sales data transactions within the store environment. Typically, the system does not provide a unified platform for displaying and predicting the demand products in the market. The system further does not allow the user (s) to initiate the necessary actions by analyzing the granular predictions for each product/item/quantity with respect to their sales data, inventory data and purchase data for each interval of time.
[0012] Hence, there is need for a system to assist the user (s) in taking decisions by displaying prediction results with respect to real time sales data, purchase data and inventory data in a unified platform.
[0013] Summary of the invention:
[0014] The present invention overcomes the drawbacks in the prior art and provides a system to assist the user (s) in acquiring the real time sales data, inventory data and purchase data and enabling the user (s) to take real-time optimum business decision based on the analysis of acquired data. The system comprises of a barcode scanner, a housing comprising a Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) port, a power supply, Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, a processor and a battery. The processor includes a sales module, an inventory management module and a purchase module. The USB port is attached with the barcode scanner. The housing with the attached barcode scanner are distributed to one or more retail outlets, wherein the user (s) in retail outlets scan the barcode label on a plurality of products to gather the Point of Sale (POS) transaction sales data, inventory data and purchase data within the store environment. The sales module in the processor acquires and processes the gathered real time sales data. The processed real time sales data is sent to a required server using the GSM port through the wireless communication. The wireless communication may be in the form of Wi-Fi through a plurality of links located within the retail establishment or wireless cellular data plan through a standard cellular carrier. The inventory management module in the processor permits the user (s) to acquire and process the real-time store level inventory data in the retail outlets. The processed inventory data is sent to the server using the GSM port through the wireless communication. The purchase module with the help of the inventory management module in the processor permits user (s) to acquire and process the real time purchase data, wherein the processed data is sent to the server using the GSM port through the wireless communication, wherein the purchase module the assists the user (s) in purchasing the products by analyzing the Stock Keeping Unit (SKU).
[0015] According to another embodiment of the invention, the system further comprises of a mobile device. The mobile device comprising a sales module, an inventory management module, a purchase module, a stock-out module, an excess module, an ordering module, and a sales loss module. The sales module in the mobile device is distributed to one or more decision makers or user, wherein the user (s) in retail outlets scan the barcode label on a plurality of products to gather and analyze the Point Of Sale (POS) transactions or real time sales data transactions using the sales module within the store environment. The sales module provides analysis of the past sales at the store/SKU level and informs the user (s) about the products available in the inventory which are not sold from pre-defined period of time. The inventory management module is configured to provide the real-time store level inventory data across the stores at granular level. The purchase module assists the user (s) in purchasing the products by analyzing the Stock Keeping Unit (SKU). The purchase module provides the overall purchase efficiency at each store/SKU level. The stock-out module informs the user (s) about the total number of items in the stock-out at store/SKU level for certain period of time. The excess module provides the total value and quantity of excess products in the inventory at store/SKU level. The ordering module assists the user (s) in ordering the products based on the prediction of future demand at each store/SKU level. The sales loss module provides the estimated daily sales loss at each store/SKU level.
[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the system further predicts real time demand for a specific period in the retail outlets.
[0017] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the system further allows the user (s) to reset the re-order quantity and ordering quantity, which are computed daily at each store/SKU level.
[0018] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the system further provides a unified platform for displaying the prediction results such as inventory data, purchase data, excess data, sales data, sales loss data, stock-out data, ordering data, and sales v/s purchase, wherein the system further analyses and assists the user (s) in taking decisions based on the prediction results displayed in the unified platform.
[0019] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the system further allows the user (s) to initiate the necessary actions by analyzing the granular predictions for each product/item/quantity with respect to their sales data, inventory data and purchase data for each interval of time.
[0020] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the shape of the housing may be of any shape but not limited to circular, square, rectangular or pentagon.
[0021] The present invention has been designed to reduce loss to user (s) by analyzing various factors such as excess inventory products, excess purchase data, sales loss products, stock-out products etc. The invented system provides better optimization by providing the precisely prediction results to the user (s) with respect to the real time sales data, inventory data and purchase data. The system captures, stores and sends the real time prediction results to the required user (s) for each interval of time. The system processes the real time prediction results in lowest possible time.
[0022] The present invention provides a system which is simple, time saving, resource efficient, and cost effective. The invention may be used in products and service based companies.
[0023] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following details description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.
[0024] Brief description of the drawings:
[0025] The foregoing and other features of embodiments will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like elements.
[0026] Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of a system to assist the user (s) in acquiring the real time sales data, inventory data and purchase data, according to one embodiment of the invention.
[0027] Figure 1a illustrates a block diagram of the processor, according to one embodiment of the invention.
[0028] Figure 2 illustrates a block diagram of the mobile device used for assisting the user (s) in acquiring the real time sales data, inventory data and purchase data, according to one embodiment of the invention.
[0029] Detailed description of the invention:
[0030] Reference will now be made in detail to the description of the present subject matter, one or more examples of which are shown in figures. Each embodiment is provided to explain the subject matter and not a limitation. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable a person skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, physical, and other changes may be made within the scope of the embodiments. The following detailed description is, therefore, not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention, but instead the invention is to be defined by the appended claims.
[0031] The term ‘mobile device’ used herein refers to any kind of mobile devices but not limited to tablets, phones, android phones, Personal Digital Assistant (PDAs) etc.
[0032] The present invention discloses a system to assist the user (s) in acquiring the real time sales data, inventory data and purchase data and enabling the user (s) to take real-time optimum business decision based on the analysis of acquired data. The system further provides a unified platform for displaying the prediction results such as inventory data, purchase data, excess data, sales data, sales loss data, stock-out data, ordering data, and sales v/s purchase. The system further analyses and assists the user (s) in taking decisions based on the prediction results displayed in the unified platform. The system further allows the user (s) to initiate the necessary actions by analyzing the granular predictions for each product/item/quantity/store with respect to their sales data, inventory data and purchase data for each interval of time.
[0033] The present invention has been designed to reduce loss to user (s) by analyzing the various factors such as excess inventory products, excess purchase data, sales loss products, stock-out products etc. The invented system provides better optimization by providing the precisely prediction results to the user (s) with respect to the real time sales data, inventory data and purchase data. The system captures, stores and sends the real time prediction results to the required user (s) for each interval of time. The system processes the real time prediction results in lowest possible time.
[0034] Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of a system to assist the user (s) in acquiring the real time sales data, inventory data and purchase data, according to one embodiment of the invention. The system (100) comprises of a barcode scanner (100), a housing (102) comprising a Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) port (103), a power supply (104), a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port (105), a processor (106) and a battery (107). The processor (106) further includes a sales module (106a), an inventory management module (106b) and a purchase module (106c). The USB port (105) is attached with the barcode scanner (101). The housing (102) with the attached barcode scanner (101) is distributed to one or more retail outlets. The user (s) in retail outlets scan the barcode label on a plurality of products to gather the Point of Sale (POS) transaction sales data, inventory data and purchase data within the store environment. The sales module (106a) in the processor (106) acquires and processes the gathered real time sales data. The processed real time sales data is sent to a required server using the GSM port (103) through the wireless communication. The wireless communication may be in the form of Wi-Fi through a plurality of links located within the retail establishment or wireless cellular data plan through a standard cellular carrier. The inventory management module (106b) in the processor (106) permits the user (s) to acquire and process the real-time store level inventory data in the retail outlets. The processed inventory data is sent to the server using the GSM port (103) through the wireless communication. The purchase module (106c) with the help of the inventory management module (106b) in the processor (106) permits user (s) to acquire and process the real time purchase data. The processed data is sent to the server using the GSM port (103) through the wireless communication. The purchase module (106c) assists the user (s) in purchasing the products by analysing the Stock Keeping Unit (SKU).
[0035] In the preferred embodiment, the shape of the housing (102) may be of any shape but not limited to circular, square, rectangular or pentagon.
[0036] Figure 1a illustrates a block diagram of the processor, according to one embodiment of the invention. The processor (106) further includes a sales module (106a), an inventory management module (106b) and a purchase module (106c). The USB port (105) is attached with the barcode scanner (101). The housing (102) with the attached barcode scanner (101) is distributed to one or more retail outlets. The user (s) in retail outlets scan the barcode label on a plurality of products to gather the Point of Sale (POS) transaction sales data, inventory data and purchase data within the store environment. The sales module (106a) in the processor (106) acquires and processes the gathered real time sales data. The processed real time sales data is sent to a required server using the GSM port (103) through the wireless communication. The wireless communication may be in the form of Wi-Fi through a plurality of links located within the retail establishment or wireless cellular data plan through a standard cellular carrier. The inventory management module (106b) in the processor (106) permits the user (s) to acquire and process the real-time store level inventory data in the retail outlets. The processed inventory data is sent to the server using the GSM port (103) through the wireless communication. The purchase module (106c) with the help of the inventory management module (106b) in the processor (106) permits user (s) to acquire and process the real time purchase data. The processed data is sent to the server using the GSM port (103) through the wireless communication. The purchase module (106c) assists the user (s) in purchasing the products by analysing the Stock Keeping Unit (SKU).
[0037] Figure 2 illustrates a block diagram of the mobile device used for assisting the user (s) in acquiring the real time sales data, inventory data and purchase data, according to one embodiment of the invention. The system (200) comprises of a mobile device (201). The mobile device (201) comprising a sales module (106a), an inventory management module (106b), a purchase module (106c), a stock-out module (106d), an excess module (106e), an ordering module (106f) and a sales loss module (106g). The sales module (106a) in the mobile device (201) is distributed to one or more decision maker (user (s)), wherein the user (s) in retail outlets scan the barcode label on a plurality of products to gather and analyse the Point Of Sale (POS) transactions or real time sales data transactions using the sales module within the store environment, wherein sales module provides analysis of the past sales at the store/SKU level and informs the user (s) about the products available in the inventory which are not sold from pre-defined period of time. The inventory management module (106b) is configured to provide the real-time store level inventory data across the stores at granular level. The purchase module (106c) assists the user (s) in purchasing the products by analysing the Stock Keeping Unit (SKU). The purchase module (106c) provides the overall purchase efficiency at each store/SKU level. The stock-out module (106d) informs the user (s) about the total number of items in the stock-out at store/SKU level for certain period of time. The excess module (106e) provides the total value and quantity of excess products in the inventory at store/SKU level. The ordering module (106f) assists the user (s) in ordering the products based on the prediction of future demand at each store/SKU level. The sales loss module (106g) provides the estimated daily sales loss at each store/SKU level.
[0038] In further embodiment of the invention, the system (100 and 200) further comprises of a data acquisition module which is located at outside the store environment. The data acquisition module is configured to acquire and store the captured real time sales data, inventory data and purchase data within the store environment through the sales module (106a), the inventory management module (106b) and the purchase module (106c).
[0039] In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the system (100 and 200) further provides a unified platform for displaying the prediction results such as inventory data, purchase data, excess data, sales data, sales loss data, stock-out data, ordering data, and sales v/s purchase, wherein the system (100 and 200) further analyses and assists the user (s) in taking decisions based on the prediction results displayed in the unified platform.
[0040] The present invention has been designed to reduce the various losses to user (s) by analyzing the various factors such as excess inventory products, excess purchase data, sales loss products, stock-out products etc. The invented system provides better optimization by providing the precisely prediction results to the user (s) with respect to the real time sales data, inventory data and purchase data. The system captures, stores and sends the real time prediction results to the required user (s) for each interval of time. The system processes the real time prediction results in lowest possible time.
[0041] The present invention provides a system which is simple, time saving, resource efficient, and cost effective. The invention may be used in products and service based companies.
[0042] It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only. Changes may be made in the details, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.