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.

Disclosed herein are a number of example embodiments for product merchandising display systems. Through such example embodiments, products (e.g., smart phones, tablet computers, wearables, digital cameras, etc.) can be securely merchandised to customers in retail store environments.

Methods and apparatuses are provided for use in monitoring product placement within a shopping facility. Some embodiments provide an apparatus configured to determine product placement conditions within a shopping facility, comprising: a transceiver configured to wirelessly receive communications; a product monitoring control circuit coupled with the transceiver; a memory coupled with the control circuit and storing computer instructions that when executed by the control circuit cause the control circuit to: obtain a composite three-dimensional (3D) scan mapping corresponding to at least a select area of the shopping facility and based on a series of 3D scan data; evaluate the 3D scan mapping to identify multiple product depth distances; and identify, from the evaluation of the 3D scan mapping, when one or more of the multiple product depth distances is greater than a predefined depth distance threshold from the reference offset distance of the product support structure.

A sample storage device may include: a storage chamber; paired rail sections separated in separating direction and extending in an extending direction; an antenna array substrate extending between the rail sections and having antennas; paired slide sections separated from each other in the separating direction and disposed at a position opposite to the antenna array substrate with respect to the rail sections and, so as to be slidable in the extending direction relative to the rail sections, respectively; a support plate transparent to radio waves, extending between the slide sections; and a storage box containable a plurality of containers each holding a sample and a radio tag, the storage box to be set on the support plate such that radio waves can be transmitted between the radio tag and corresponding one of the plurality of antennas.

A self-organizing hanging system generally includes at least two main components—bars and keys. The bars have at least three embodiments: standard embodiment, valet embodiment, and shelf embodiment. Each embodiment has variations of embodiments of bars and keys. Each of the bars and keys can have embodiments of magnetic elements and anti-rotation elements. The keys have additional opportunities for variations of embodiments to couple with a product support. In at least one aspect, the bars can be formed with receiver stations at predetermined spacing to cause organized placement for coupling keys with the bars. Further, the bars and keys can be coupled to appear as an integral assembly with one or more external surfaces in planar uniformity.

Systems and methods for a merchandizing display related to a continuous display formed by electronic displays embedded along product shelves and on the packages stored on the product shelves. An electronic label device may detect the presence of a consumer and send a trigger to the packages on its product shelf. The electronic label device may also send a trigger to surrounding electronic label devices. A streaming video may then be apportioned among displays on electronic label devices and the packages. Each of the displays may simultaneously output a different portion of the streaming video.

A self-organizing hanging system generally includes at least two main components—bars and keys. The bars have at least three embodiments: standard embodiment, valet embodiment, and shelf embodiment. Each embodiment has variations of embodiments of bars and keys. Each of the bars and keys can have embodiments of magnetic elements and anti-rotation elements. The keys have additional opportunities for variations of embodiments to couple with a product support. In at least one aspect, the bars can be formed with receiver stations at predetermined spacing to cause organized placement for coupling keys with the bars. Further, the bars and keys can be coupled to appear as an integral assembly with one or more external surfaces in planar uniformity.

Methods and apparatuses are provided for use in monitoring product placement within a shopping facility. Some embodiments provide an apparatus configured to determine product placement conditions within a shopping facility, comprising: a transceiver configured to wirelessly receive communications; a product monitoring control circuit coupled with the transceiver; a memory coupled with the control circuit and storing computer instructions that when executed by the control circuit cause the control circuit to: obtain a composite three-dimensional (3D) scan mapping corresponding to at least a select area of the shopping facility and based on a series of 3D scan data; evaluate the 3D scan mapping to identify multiple product depth distances; and identify, from the evaluation of the 3D scan mapping, when one or more of the multiple product depth distances is greater than a predefined depth distance threshold from the reference offset distance of the product support structure.

According to one embodiment, a reading device is configured to read information from an RFID tag attached to a product. The reading device includes a housing, an antenna, an opening-and-closing lid, a detector, a reading unit, and an alert unit. The housing includes an opening portion, and therein a space for accommodating the product. The antenna is provided within the space. The opening-and-closing lid is opening and closing the opening portion. The detector is configured to detect an open or closed state of the opening-and-closing lid. The reading unit is configured to read the information from the RFID tag. The alert unit is configured to issue an alert on an operation method in accordance with the open or closed state of the opening-and-closing lid and an operation state of the reading unit.

The present disclosure is generally directed to methods of tracking stocked inventory, such as products or other items stocked on a store shelf or other storage space. The disclosure is also directed to devices and systems that may be utilized to carry out such methods.