Rack of an inventory management system for providing products, comprising: a. two side elements, b. at least one front and one rear horizontal element, i. wherein these connect the two side elements, c. at least one product carrier for reception of same products, i. which product carrier is plugged in the front and the rear horizontal elements, and ii. has a distinct identification, d. a measurement device for at least one product carrier, i. which measurement device measures the filling level of the product carrier with products, e. a connection unit, with which data from the measurement device concerning the filling level of the product carrier with products and the identification of the product carrier are transmissible to a centre of an inventory management system, in order to trigger at least one re-ordering of products for a product carrier.

Rack of an inventory management system for providing products, comprising: a. two side elements, b. at least one front and one rear horizontal element, i. wherein these connect the two side elements, c. at least one product carrier for reception of same products, i. which product carrier is plugged in the front and the rear horizontal elements, and ii. has a distinct identification, d. a measurement device for at least one product carrier, i. which measurement device measures the filling level of the product carrier with products, e. a connection unit, with which data from the measurement device concerning the filling level of the product carrier with products and the identification of the product carrier are transmissible to a centre of an inventory management system, in order to trigger at least one re-ordering of products for a product carrier.

An information processing apparatus includes a processing circuit. The processing circuit has programmed instructions to acquire a first number of commodities specified to be purchased based on first data acquired by a first sensor, acquire a second number of commodities stored in a storing body that stores commodities to be purchased based on second data acquired by a second sensor, compare the first number of commodities with the second number of commodities, and provide a notification to a display device in response to the first number of commodities being different that the second number of commodities.

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.

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 system for dispensing, receiving, and tracking towels or other items includes a cabinet structure having first and second interior spaces. An access door provides access to the first interior space, and a return door permits items to be returned to the second interior space. An RFID system conducts read operations to determine how many items having RFID tags are disposed in the first and second interior spaces. The system determines what items have been removed from the first interior space, and associates removed items with specific users. The RFID system conducts read operations as items are returned to the second interior space and credits the user.

A system for dispensing, receiving, and tracking towels or other items includes a cabinet structure having first and second interior spaces. An access door provides access to the first interior space, and a return door permits items to be returned to the second interior space. An RFID system conducts read operations to determine how many items having RFID tags are disposed in the first and second interior spaces. The system determines what items have been removed from the first interior space, and associates removed items with specific users. The RFID system conducts read operations as items are returned to the second interior space and credits the user.

A smart bookrack includes a number of book cabinets. Each book cabinet accommodates one book and carries a sensor and a determining device. Each book includes an electronic tag to identify the book. The smart bookrack further includes a RF unit, a controller, and a display device. The determining device detects whether a book being in each book cabinet. The RF unit scans identification information of each book and transmits the identification information to the controller. The controller determines a status of each book according to actual location of the book and identification information of each book. The display device displays the status of each book by using different signals. A book management system and method using the smart bookrack are also provided.

A smart bookrack includes a number of book cabinets. Each book cabinet accommodates one book and carries a sensor and a determining device. Each book includes an electronic tag to identify the book. The smart bookrack further includes a RF unit, a controller, and a display device. The determining device detects whether a book being in each book cabinet. The RF unit scans identification information of each book and transmits the identification information to the controller. The controller determines a status of each book according to actual location of the book and identification information of each book. The display device displays the status of each book by using different signals. A book management system and method using the smart bookrack are also provided.

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.