Some embodiments include apparatuses providing control over movement of motorized transport units at a retail facility, comprising: multiple self-propelled motorized transport units; a wireless communication network; and a central computer system, wherein the central computer system comprises: a transceiver; a control circuit; and a memory storing computer instructions that when executed cause the control circuit to: receive an override command, from a worker associated with the retail facility, to cause a first motorized transport unit of the multiple motorized transport units to implement one or more actions; confirm a valid authorization of the worker to override one or more operating limits of the first motorized transport unit; and override the one or more operating limits and communicate one or more instructions to the first motorized transport unit configured to cause the first motorized transport unit to implement the one or more actions in accordance with the override command.

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. The storage container can provide flame retardant protection and/or electrical isolation to one or more items located within the storage container.

The present invention discloses an inventory monitoring system with an intelligent shelf that includes a power and data communications hub having sensory logic of an inventory application, which generates sensory logic data related to inventory items tracked. Further included is a server computing device that includes a working logic of the inventory application, which updates server records using the sensory logic data received from the intelligent shelf. An Internet enabled mobile computing device having an interactive display logic of the inventory application displays updated server records received from the server computing device.

Device for storing piece goods, in particular a shelf unit or a cupboard, having at least one shelf, which has an upper side, on which the piece good is storable in a surveillance space, and a lower side and openings, which run from the upper side to the lower side, as well as signal transmitting devices having associated signal receiving devices, wherein at least one type of the devices is arranged in the openings at the lower side, and a signal of the signal transmitting devices is detectable by the signal receiving devices, as well as a control electronics having a control system, which energize the signal transmitting devices and the signal receiving devices and process the signals of the signal receiving devices and identify them, so as to identify an occupancy state of the surveillance space with piece goods on the basis of the existence of a signal at the respective signal receiving device.

The disclosure provides a shopping shelf. The shopping shelf includes: a shelf support; and a rack detachably mounted to the shelf support; where the rack includes: a mounting bracket; a weight sensing device above the mounting bracket; a suspension bracket base above the weight sensing device; and a suspension bracket having one end detachably mounted to the suspension bracket base.

Described is an RFID-enabled medical item storage, organization, and/or tracking device, such as a cabinet or shelf, that includes a limited-range wireless network communication capability, such as low-energy Bluetooth or Zigbee, to communicate with nearby cabinets, shelves or mobile devices, any of which may serve as a communication aggregator to coordinate the communication of multiple cabinets, shelves and other devices with an inventory management system or other back-end computer system or other device via back haul wireless or wired networks (e.g., the Internet).

Apparatus, systems and methods for identifying products are described herein.

A shelving assembly is provided for a container. The shelving assembly includes a first shelf movably positioned in the container and configured to support a first stock. The shelving assembly further includes a plurality of first support members configured to support the first shelf and displace the first shelf between a first position and a second position in the container based on a weight sensed by at least one first weight sensor to maintain the first stock at an opening of the container. Additionally, the shelving assembly includes a second shelf positioned adjacent within the container and configured to support a second stock. The first shelf is configured to be removed at the second position to facilitate the first stock descending onto the second stock on the second shelf. Accordingly, the shelving assembly facilitates first in first out stock rotation.

Provided is a sensor apparatus including: a laser ranging device that scans a predetermined scan range with a laser light such that at least a part of the emitted laser light passes through a region including a predetermined detection region; and a reflection mirror that reflects at least a part of the laser light to a direction not parallel to an incident direction and is provided so that the laser light occurring after reflection passes through the detection region.

Methods and apparatuses are provided for use in monitor power levels at a shopping facility, comprising: central control system separate and distinct from a plurality of self-propelled motorized transport units, wherein the central control system comprises: a transceiver configured to wirelessly receive communications from the plurality of motorized transport units; a control circuit coupled with the transceiver; and a memory coupled to the control circuit and storing computer instructions that cause the control circuit to: identify available stored power levels at each of the plurality of motorized transport units; identify an available recharge station, of a plurality of recharge stations distributed throughout the shopping facility, at least relative to a location of the first motorized transport unit intended to be subjected to recharging; and wirelessly communicate one or more instructions to cause the first motorized transport unit to cooperate with an available recharge station.