Disclosed is a system for real-time measurement of inventory on shelves. The system uses light sensors placed in association with the inventory and the shelves to measure in real-time the removal/replacement of inventory from the shelves. When inventory is on the shelves, less light reaches the light sensors. As inventory is removed from shelves, the light sensors receive more light. The difference in light received generates as signal that can be measured, thereby allowing for determining inventory levels on each shelf. The system may be retro-fitted to existing shelving systems, thereby avoiding the cost of purchasing new shelving systems. The system can work on any shelving system, including gravity-feed roller shelf (GRS), flat shelves, and spring loaded pusher shelves, and is unaffected by usual temperatures found in retail establishments and can thus work in both refrigerated and unrefrigerated systems. Also disclosed are related methods.

A digital pricing display includes a digital display unit having in interoperable communication a central processing unit, a display screen, a memory, a communication module having an antenna associated therewith, and an instruction set hosted on the memory and executable by the central processing unit, the instruction set operational to receive pricing and product information for a product and to display the product pricing and product information on the display screen. A elongate strip is attached to and extends downwardly from the digital display unit. The elongate strip has a plurality of hooks substantially in vertical alignment formed therealong, the purpose of each hook is for receiving thereon a product package corresponding to the product pricing and product information displayed by the digital display unit.

Embodiments of this disclosure provide a goods shelf system and a method of monitoring items of the goods shelf system. The goods shelf system comprises: a goods shelf comprising a bearing body for bearing an item; a signal transmitting unit located on a side of the bearing body; a plurality of signal receiving units, located on the bearing body, for receiving a signal transmitted by the signal transmitting unit; and a processing unit, electrically connected with the signal receiving unit, for acquiring a storage state of the item on the bearing body according to an signal outputted by the signal receiving unit, wherein one or more of the plurality of signal receiving units shielded by the items are not able to receive the signal transmitted by the signal transmitting unit.

Systems, computer-readable instructions, and methods for storing products are disclosed. For example, the system may include modular shelving units that include a shelf which is placeable on a rack, the shelf including a platform, the shelf having a weight sensor below the platform, the platform is configured to support N number of holders, each of the N holders configured to store products, each shelf further having N−1 optical sensors below the N−1 holders when the N−1 holders are supported by the platform and N−1 windows above the N−1 optical sensors, the N−1 optical sensors being in proximity of the N−1 holders, respectively, wherein each holder includes an opening, wherein when a holder is on the shelf, the opening is capable of being aligned with an optical sensor, the shelf further having a processing circuit coupled to the N−1 optical sensors and the weight sensor.

An article information deduction apparatus (10) includes an acquisition unit (110) and an output unit (120). The acquisition unit (110) acquires data based on a change in a detected value of a weight sensor (30) (hereinafter described as weight change data). For example, the acquisition unit (110) determines data acquired by chronologically arranging data acquired from the weight sensor (30) as weight change data. Further, the acquisition unit (110) acquires data indicating a movement of a hand of a person positioned in a shelf-front space (hereinafter described as movement data). For example, the acquisition unit (110) acquires data acquired by chronologically arranging data output from a depth sensor (40) to the article information deduction apparatus (10) as movement data. The output unit (120) outputs article determination information of the article deduced to be taken out by the hand of the person positioned in the shelf-front space, by using the weight change data and the movement data.

Systems and techniques are provided for determining an improved camera coverage plan including a number, a placement, and a pose of cameras that are arranged to track puts and takes of items by subjects in a three-dimensional real space. The method includes receiving an initial camera coverage plan including a three-dimensional map of a real space, an initial number and initial pose of a plurality of cameras and a camera model including characteristics of the cameras. The method can iteratively apply a machine learning process to an objective function of number and poses of cameras, and subject to a set of constraints, obtain an improved camera coverage plan. The improved camera coverage plan is provided to an installer to arrange cameras to track puts and takes of items by subjects in the three-dimensional real space.

Systems and techniques are provided for determining an improved camera coverage plan including a number, a placement, and a pose of cameras that are arranged to track puts and takes of items by subjects in a three-dimensional real space. The method includes receiving an initial camera coverage plan including a three-dimensional map of a real space, an initial number and initial pose of a plurality of cameras and a camera model including characteristics of the cameras. The method can iteratively apply a machine learning process to an objective function of number and poses of cameras, and subject to a set of constraints, obtain an improved camera coverage plan. The improved camera coverage plan is provided to an installer to arrange cameras to track puts and takes of items by subjects in the three-dimensional real space.

Systems and methods for tracking shipment of products are disclosed herein. One or more cameras may be used capture video of an area where the products are loaded into and/or unloaded from shipping containers. Wireless beacons may be attached to the shipping containers. A network gateway may receive the wireless signals from the wireless beacon and the video from at least one camera. The wireless beacon may change a transmittal rate of the wireless signal from a first transmittal rate to a second transmittal rate in response to the cover on the shipping container being opened or closed. The network gateway may provide, to a remote server, a selected amount of the received video from its memory along with a unique identifier for the wireless beacon in response to the network gateway receiving the wireless signal at the second transmittal rate.

An indicator device comprises an indicator member (102, 222, 330) moveable between first and second positions, a switch means (152, 252, 352) engageable by the indicator member when the indicator member is in the second position, a signal generating means (160, 260, 360) for generating a data signal, connected to the switch means, a signal transmitting means (158, 258, 358) connected to the signal generating means for wirelessly transmitting the data signal and an electrical power source (162, 262, 362) for supplying electrical power to the signal generating means and the signal transmitting means, wherein the device is configured to generate and transmit a data signal on actuation of the switch means. The invention also includes a dispensing device comprising such an indicator device.

An indicator device comprises an indicator member (102, 222, 330) moveable between first and second positions, a switch means (152, 252, 352) engageable by the indicator member when the indicator member is in the second position, a signal generating means (160, 260, 360) for generating a data signal, connected to the switch means, a signal transmitting means (158, 258, 358) connected to the signal generating means for wirelessly transmitting the data signal and an electrical power source (162, 262, 362) for supplying electrical power to the signal generating means and the signal transmitting means, wherein the device is configured to generate and transmit a data signal on actuation of the switch means. The invention also includes a dispensing device comprising such an indicator device.