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.

Various examples of the invention conduct a purchase transaction with a first sensor that senses removal or return of a first item from a first region; a computer vision sensor that senses removal or return of a second item from the first region; a transaction detector that determines an accuracy that the sensed removal or return of the first item by the first sensor and the sensed removal or return of the second item by the computer vision sensor correspond to a single event of removal or return of an item by a consumer and that forwards, to a machine learning tool, information associated with the sensed removal or return of the first item by the first sensor and information associated with the sensed removal or return of the second item by the computer vision sensor when the accuracy is less than an accuracy threshold; the machine learning tool that verifies or corrects the information associated with the sensed removal or return of the first item or the information associated with the sensed removal or return of the second item and provides verified or corrected information to the transaction detector; and an automated billing processor, coupled to the transaction detector, that applies a purchase price of the item against an account of the consumer for the item based on the verified or corrected information, thereby completing the purchase transaction.

Various examples of the invention conduct a purchase transaction with a first sensor that senses removal or return of a first item from a first region; a computer vision sensor that senses removal or return of a second item from the first region; a transaction detector that determines an accuracy that the sensed removal or return of the first item by the first sensor and the sensed removal or return of the second item by the computer vision sensor correspond to a single event of removal or return of an item by a consumer and that forwards, to a machine learning tool, information associated with the sensed removal or return of the first item by the first sensor and information associated with the sensed removal or return of the second item by the computer vision sensor when the accuracy is less than an accuracy threshold; the machine learning tool that verifies or corrects the information associated with the sensed removal or return of the first item or the information associated with the sensed removal or return of the second item and provides verified or corrected information to the transaction detector; and an automated billing processor, coupled to the transaction detector, that applies a purchase price of the item against an account of the consumer for the item based on the verified or corrected information, thereby completing the purchase transaction.

A security gate for a retail store shelf having one or more products includes a header and at least one hinge arranged in a horizontal alignment with the header. A rigid frame is connected to the header with the at least one hinge and a guard is positioned across the rigid frame, the guard preventing a user from removing the products. A latching mechanism connects the rigid frame to the header and urges a customer to use two hands to open the security gate.

A cubby unit includes a unit housing, a plurality of cubbies disposed within the unit housing, and an interface positioned along the unit housing. Each of the plurality of cubbies includes a cubby housing defining an internal compartment and a door coupled to the cubby housing. The door facilitates accessing the internal compartment of the cubby housing. The interface provides a cubby selection interface that facilitates manual assignment of a respective cubby to a respective order by an employee.

A shelf bracket assembly is mounted on a vertically disposed shelf upright, and has: at least one weighing device; an anchoring device; and a cantilever for supporting a shelf panel. In a condition where the shelf bracket assembly is mounted on the shelf upright, the cantilever projects from the shelf upright in a substantially horizontal direction. The cantilever has a vertically disposed metal plate. In a Cartesian coordinate system, an extent of the cantilever in a horizontal plane defines a Y-direction, a vertical direction defines a Z-direction, and a direction perpendicular to the Y-direction and the Z-direction defines an X-direction. The at least one weighing device includes: a force-introduction section; a linkage section; and a force-supporting section. The linkage section comprises two weighing plates extending horizontally and parallel to each other. The force-supporting section and the force-introduction section are at least partially formed of vertically extending metal plates.

A shelf bracket assembly is mounted on a vertically disposed shelf upright, and has: at least one weighing device; an anchoring device; and a cantilever for supporting a shelf panel. In a condition where the shelf bracket assembly is mounted on the shelf upright, the cantilever projects from the shelf upright in a substantially horizontal direction. The cantilever has a vertically disposed metal plate. In a Cartesian coordinate system, an extent of the cantilever in a horizontal plane defines a Y-direction, a vertical direction defines a Z-direction, and a direction perpendicular to the Y-direction and the Z-direction defines an X-direction. The at least one weighing device includes: a force-introduction section; a linkage section; and a force-supporting section. The linkage section comprises two weighing plates extending horizontally and parallel to each other. The force-supporting section and the force-introduction section are at least partially formed of vertically extending metal plates.

An interactive display holder for a grip includes a backboard with an upper and a lower support. The lower support supports the grip by retaining the grip at its lower end through an opening in the lower end of the grip. The upper support holds the grip through a swivel arm that engages an aperture in the butt end of the grip. While the grip is in the display holder, the grip can be moved away from the holder to allow a prospective customer to handle the grip for feel without opening a package or boxed container. The interactive display holder is particularly suited for handling a golf club grip for the grip feel.

An interactive display holder for a grip includes a backboard with an upper and a lower support. The lower support supports the grip by retaining the grip at its lower end through an opening in the lower end of the grip. The upper support holds the grip through a swivel arm that engages an aperture in the butt end of the grip. While the grip is in the display holder, the grip can be moved away from the holder to allow a prospective customer to handle the grip for feel without opening a package or boxed container. The interactive display holder is particularly suited for handling a golf club grip for the grip feel.

An image processing apparatus includes: a recognition unit configured to recognize products from a captured image obtained by capturing an image of displayed products; and a detection unit configured to detect, based on store fixture information related to a store fixture in which the products are displayed, a region of a product that is included in the captured image but is not recognized by the recognition unit.