Abstract:
Disclosed is a sensor shield for use in a multi-shelf merchandise display unit including a plurality of sensors mounted on a wall of the unit and opposite a source of illumination, in which each sensor corresponds to a single shelf and in which the shelves are at least semi-porous to the illumination. The shield comprises i) a plate having a length that is sufficient substantially to reduce or prevent incident illumination from the shelf above reaching the sensor; and ii) means to attach the plate to casing of or around the sensor or the wall of the unit. The plate is opaque to the illumination detected by the sensor. Also disclosed is a method to reduce the interference of light in a multi-shelf merchandise display unit from shelves above a shelf on which stock levels are being measured and a method for monitoring stock levels in a retail display cabinet by measuring light entering the retail display cabinet.
Abstract:
An article management system includes RFID tags (102) fixed above a reader transmission line (101), a metal sheet (103) having an opening (103a) at positions corresponding to RFID tags (102) located within an assigned position (108) assigned to place an article (106), a tag reading unit (104) that reads the plurality of RFID tags (102) by electromagnetic coupling through the reader transmission line (101), and an article presence/absence determination unit (105) that determines presence or absence of the article (106) at the assigned position (108) on the metal sheet (103) based on results of reading the plurality of RFID tags (102). It is thereby possible to manage articles at high speed even when a plurality of RFID tags are placed.
Abstract:
A storage system including a panel having a surface, and a storage component or partition configured to be releasably attached to the panel and supported on the surface to at least partially define a cavity. The system also includes a sensor configured to sense at least one of a removal, placement, presence or absence of an item in the cavity. The system further includes a wire configured to be operatively coupled to the sensor. The panel is configured to receive the wire such that the wire extends along a same side of the panel as the storage component or partition and is recessed relative to the surface.
Abstract:
Systems and methods of the invention relate to managing an inventory of items within a storage container. A storage container can house one or more items for distribution among one or more users such as, for instance, employees. The storage container discussed herein provides authentication of a user, tracking of the inventory each user removes or returns, video/image capture of user during access of the storage container, wireless tracking of items housed within the storage container, among others.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein is an electronic shelf label system. The electronic shelf label system includes a plurality of electronic tags that are installed on a product display stand and confirms the residual amount of a battery to turn-on a battery warning light when the residual amount is smaller than a reference voltage and transmits replacement request signals to inform the replacement time of the battery; and a wired/wireless communication converter that relays information between the electronic tags and a server and transmits the replacement request signals received from the electronic tags to be relayed thereby to the server. The electronic shelf label system of the present invention can intuitively and easily confirm the timing when the battery of the electronic is replaced, thereby making it possible to improve the efficiency in the working of replacing the battery.
Abstract:
A computerized refrigerator/freezer system uses rotating carousels and assigns specific storage locations based on bar code readings or user input. Retrieval and replacement of food items is facilitated by computer-controlled rotation of the carousels to provide convenient access from the front of the refrigerator or freezer. A transparent “door-within-a-door” in the front of the refrigerator allows convenient and energy-conserving access to food items without opening the larger main access door. The system computer performs inventory tracking and control and can perform optional re-stocking through an internet connection.
Abstract:
A commodity information display apparatus includes a shelf on which a commodity is displayed, and a display unit for displaying the commodity information about the commodity. The commodity information about the commodity related to an RFID tag detected by an antenna and a read device is acquired in advance from a store computer and stored in a storage unit. When the commodity information is displayed, the information is acquired from the storage unit, and displayed on the display unit.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to an inventory control system where the most updated number of products displayed on a display space is electronically determined and communicated to a computer for remote users, and electronically displayed along with other relevant information about the products.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatuses are provided for use in monitoring product placement within a shopping facility. Some embodiments provide an apparatus configured to determine product placement conditions within a shopping facility, comprising: a transceiver configured to wirelessly receive communications; a product monitoring control circuit coupled with the transceiver; a memory coupled with the control circuit and storing computer instructions that when executed by the control circuit cause the control circuit to: obtain a composite three-dimensional (3D) scan mapping corresponding to at least a select area of the shopping facility and based on a series of 3D scan data; evaluate the 3D scan mapping to identify multiple product depth distances; and identify, from the evaluation of the 3D scan mapping, when one or more of the multiple product depth distances is greater than a predefined depth distance threshold from the reference offset distance of the product support structure.
Abstract:
An imaging system capture images of products on shelves in a minimally invasive way. The images can be processed to assess restocking needs and other information. The imaging system includes multiple shelf-mountable imaging devices that can be positioned throughout one or more retail locations. Certain types of imaging devices may be self-contained units having replaceable or rechargeable internal power sources and/or wireless communication interfaces. Certain types of imaging device are configured to take images only when the field of view is not blocked by traffic (e.g., consumers, employees, etc.). Certain types of imaging devices are low-profile and/or are camouflageable to enhance the user experience.