Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a capacitive inventory sensor. A system includes a track configured for retaining items. A first conducting plate is positioned along a portion of the track, and a second conducting plate is positioned in parallel with the first conducting plate along a portion of the track. The second conducting plate is positioned a distance from the first conducting plate, and the second plate is configured to have the items placed on top of the second plate. The system further includes a capacitance sensor configured for connection to the first and second conducting plates, where the capacitance sensor is configured to measure a capacitance between the first and second conducting plates, and where the capacitance varies based on a number of items positioned on the sensor track.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 27, 2016
Date of Patent:
October 22, 2019
Assignee:
SHELFBUCKS, INC.
Inventors:
John W. Pyne, Gary L. Overhultz, Gordon E. Hardman
Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a low stock product display alert system. A system includes a pushing element configured to push one or more products toward a front of a shelf as a unit of the product is removed from the shelf. The system also includes an RFID component, where the RFID component is configured to be in a dormant state when the pushing element is in a first position. The system further includes an activation element configured to activate the RFID component when the pushing element is in a second position, where when activated, the RFID component is configured to emit a signal indicating that the product display is out of product.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 29, 2014
Date of Patent:
October 31, 2017
Assignee:
SHELFBUCKS, INC.
Inventors:
Gary L. Overhultz, John W. Pyne, Gordon E. Hardman