A cart management system includes a processing device attached to a cart and a cart management server. The processing device includes a first communication interface, a position sensor interface connectable to a position sensor configured to detect a location thereof, a motion sensor interface connectable to a motion sensor configured to detect a motion thereof, and a first processor configured to control the first communication interface to transmit first information indicating the location detected by the position sensor and the motion detected by the motion sensor. The cart management server that includes a second communication interface and a second processor configured to, upon receipt of the first information from the processing device via the second communication interface, determine whether the cart is left unattended using the first information, and upon determining that the cart is left unattended, control the second communication interface to transmit a notification to a mobile terminal.

Methods and apparatus for providing a comprehensive decision support system to include predictions, recommendations with consequences and optimal follow-up actions in specific situations are described. Data is obtained from multiple disparate data sources, depending on the information deemed necessary for the situation being modeled. The decision support system provides a prediction or predictions and a recommendation or a choice of recommendations based on the correlative analysis and/or other analyses. Also described are methods and apparatus for developing application specific decision support models. The decision support model development process may include identifying multiple disparate data sources for retrieval of related information, selection of classification variables to be retrieved from the data sources, assignment of weights to each classification variable, selecting and/or defining rules, and selecting and/or defining analysis functions.

A dual directional gate that allows an object to move freely in one direction over the gate, but limits the removable of one object over the gate in the opposite direction. The gate assembly includes a blocking arm, a cam element and a protruding arm mounted on a rotating driver shaft. The gate assembly also includes a drive shaft parallel to said driver shaft. Mounted on the drive shaft is a latch mounted on the drive shaft with a proximal end that presses against the cam element and prevents rotation of the blocking arm towards the latch. Also mounted on the drive shaft is a biased follower rod with a distal end that contacts the protruding arm when rotated towards the drive shaft. The gate also includes a pivotally mounted sub-assembly coupled to a solenoid. When the solenoid is activated, the sub-assembly rotates which allows the latch to rotate and unblock the blocking arm and allow an object to forcibly move the blocking arm. Movement of the blocking arm causes the gate toy reset.

Methods and apparatus for monitoring remotely located objects with a system including at least one master data collection unit, remote sensor units, and a central data collection server are described. The master unit is configured to monitor any object, mobile or stationary, including monitoring multiple remote sensor units associated with the monitored objects. The master unit may be in a fixed location or attached to a mobile object. The master unit is configured for monitoring objects that enter and leave an area. The master unit may act as a parent controller for one or more child devices including remote sensors or monitors of measurable conditions including environmental conditions, substance identification, product identification, and/or biometric identification. The master unit may discover remote sensor units as they enter or leave the area where the master unit is located. The master unit can be remotely reprogrammed such as with authenticated instructions.

A method for managing a retail environment includes identifying a plurality of shopping carts traveling through an aisle of a retail environment; retrieving information of respective times of the plurality of shopping carts entering the aisle, and respective times of the plurality of shopping carts leaving the aisle; associating the plurality of shopping carts with respective transaction identifications; generating a database comprising the transaction identifications and respective items, the items of each transaction identification comprising at least a dwell time class, respective purchase states of one or more products deployed along the aisle, and respective query states of the one or more product; calculating a respective product conversion rate of each of the transaction identifications based on the database; and providing an aisle product conversion rate for managing product placements in the retail environment based on the respective product conversion rate of each of the transaction identifications.

An image of a code on a shopping cart is captured with a mobile computing device having a camera and GPS functionality. The mobile device extracts an identifier associated with the cart from the code and transmits this information to a server, which associates the mobile device with the cart. A user returns the cart to a designated return area while carrying or wearing the mobile computing device. The mobile device sends GPS data to the server, which can determine the starting position, the distance travelled, and whether the designated return area has been reached. The cart code can then be rescanned at the designated return area to confirm that the user has actually moved the cart to the return area, without any special hardware on the cart or in the return area. A computer system may provide a credit, code, coupon, or other incentive to a user account.

Methods and apparatus for monitoring remotely located objects with a system including at least one master data collection unit, remote sensor units, and a central data collection server are described. The master unit is configured to monitor any object, mobile or stationary, including monitoring multiple remote sensor units associated with the monitored objects. The master unit may be in a fixed location or attached to a mobile object. The master unit is configured for monitoring objects that enter and leave an area. The master unit may act as a parent controller for one or more child devices including remote sensors or monitors of measurable conditions including environmental conditions, substance identification, product identification, and/or biometric identification. The master unit may discover remote sensor units as they enter or leave the area where the master unit is located. The master unit can be remotely reprogrammed such as with authenticated instructions.

A pushcart vending system that includes a plurality of pushcarts, a vending unit, a track and a gate assembly attached to the track and coupled to the vending unit. Each pushcart includes a lightweight body attached to a rigid frame mounted on wheels. The body is configured to pivot vertically over the frame assembly thereby enabling rigid frames on adjacent pushcarts to be stacked. Attached to each frame assembly is a catch bar assembly that includes a wear plate that extends into an offset, longitudinally aligned slot formed on the track. Attached to the wear plate is an upper roller and a lower roller that travel over the outside surface and the inside surface, respectively, on the track. A gate assembly is dual directional to allow pushcarts to be individually dispensed and returned from the same end of the track thereby enabling the system to be setup in small staging areas.

An image of a code on a shopping cart is captured with a mobile computing device having a camera and GPS functionality. The mobile device extracts an identifier associated with the cart from the code and transmits this information to a server, which associates the mobile device with the cart. A user returns the cart to a designated return area while carrying or wearing the mobile computing device. The mobile device sends GPS data to the server, which can determine the starting position, the distance travelled, and whether the designated return area has been reached. The cart code can then be rescanned at the designated return area to confirm that the user has actually moved the cart to the return area, without any special hardware on the cart or in the return area. A computer system may provide a credit, code, coupon, or other incentive to a user account.

An image of a code on a shopping cart is captured with a mobile computing device having a camera and GPS functionality. The mobile device extracts an identifier associated with the cart from the code and transmits this information to a server, which associates the mobile device with the cart. A user returns the cart to a designated return area while carrying or wearing the mobile computing device. The mobile device sends GPS data to the server, which can determine the starting position, the distance traveled, and whether the designated return area has been reached. The cart code can then be rescanned at the designated return area to confirm that the user has actually moved the cart to the return area, without any special hardware on the cart or in the return area. A computer system may provide a credit, code, coupon, or other incentive to a user account.