Abstract: Systems and method for mapping the location of a product in a store make use of images of products on shelf modules to identify the location of a product. In one implementation, a central computer receives a first image from a camera showing a subset of electronic shelf modules in the store and an indicia displayed thereon. The indicia on a selected one of the subset associated with a particular product or product is subsequently changed. The central computer then receives a second image from the camera showing the changed indicia such that the first and second image can be compared to identify the location of the shelf module and/or product within the store. In another implementation, coordinates of a scanner within one image are utilized to outline borders corresponding to the positioning of products in another image to map the location of a product in a store.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing personalized information to a registered customer of a business make use of a central computer server and a database that is in communication with the central computer server. The database includes data associated with the registered customer and data associated with products offered by the business, and is managed by the central computer server. A mobile device associated with the registered customer communicates with the central computer server via a software application running on the mobile device, and an image of a selected product is thereby communicated from the mobile device to the central computer server. Upon the identification of the selected product from the image, data associated with the selected product is retrieved and compared to data associated with the registered customer to thereby transmit personalized information to the mobile device of the registered customer based on that comparison.

Abstract: Methods and systems for mapping camera location and selecting a desired view in a video management system make use of images showing fiducial markers to identify camera location and desired camera views. In one implementation, a central computer receives an image obtained by a camera showing a fiducial marker with indicia. The image is processed to determine the identity of the fiducial marker. Location information associated with the identity is retrieved from a database and used to identify the location of the camera. In another implementation, images of fiducial markers obtained by a plurality of cameras are used to select a subset of fiducial markers identified as being present at a desired location. Based on that subset of fiducial markers, each of the cameras being present at that desired location are then identified.

Abstract: A system and method for verifying price and product information displayed on tags for products on a shelf in a retail store. A retailer management server stores data relating to products including stored prices for the products and planogram information, for example. A hand-held portable terminal is configured to communicate with the server and verify data on a shelf tag. The terminal includes a scanner for scanning barcodes/UPCs/GTINs on a shelf tag associated with a product of a manufacturer, as well as the barcode on the product. The system processes and compares the scanned information of the shelf tag, including price information and optionally location data, with stored information for the product as obtained from the server, and issues an alarm (sound or vibration) from the hand-held device if the compared data is incorrect or inconsistent (i.e., not the same).

Abstract: A fiber optic shelving system includes a shelf including a plurality of holes, a plurality of fiber optic filaments, each of the plurality of fiber optic filaments having a first end and a second end, and the first end being coupled to one of the plurality of holes, a first camera configured to capture an image of the terminal surfaces of the plurality of fiber optic filaments, and a second camera configured to capture an image of a side of one or more products on the shelf. The fiber optic shelving system identifies, among the plurality of holes, a set of holes that are blocked from light based on the captured image of terminal surfaces of the second ends of the plurality of fiber optic filaments, and determines a number of products on the shelf based on the identified set of holes blocked from light and the captured image of the side of one or more products on the shelf.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying product information in a store. The system is configured to communicate with a communication network. Included is a shelf display device or digital tag positioned within the store and a physical, bib tag for a product. The digital tag has a digital display surface, a reader, and a communication device. The digital tag is configured to display information associated with a product via its display surface and configured for operative communication with the communication network via its communication device. The bib tag has product-related information displayed thereon. The bib tag also has machine readable information that is readable by the reader of the digital tag. The communication device of the digital tag is configured and arranged to transmit information, regarding the machine readable information of the bib tag, to the communication network.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling shelf display units and for graphically presenting information on shelf display units are disclosed. A system includes one or more display units configured to be coupled to shelves of a modular shelving system, one or more processors communicatively coupled to the one or more display units, one or more memory components communicatively coupled to the one or more processors, and machine readable instructions stored in the one or more memory components. When executed by the one or more processors, the machine readable instructions cause the system to determine a product identifier corresponding to a product, identify one or more display units to update in response to determining the product identifier corresponding to the product, and update a graphical output of the one or more display units identified to be updated in response to identifying the one or more display units to update.

Abstract: A stocking assistant robot includes a base plate, one or more wheels coupled to the base plate, a first support coupled to the base plate, and a second support coupled to the base plate, wherein the first support is configured to move perpendicular to the base plate and the second support is configured to move perpendicular to the base plate. The stocking assistant robot also includes a first actuator configured to move the first support perpendicular to the base plate, and a second actuator configured to move the second support perpendicular to the base plate. The stocking assistant robot identifies an item, determines a stock location based on the identified item, operates one or more electric motors coupled to the one or more wheels based on the stock location, and moves the first support or the second support perpendicular to the base plate based on the stock location.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling shelf display units and for graphically presenting information on shelf display units are disclosed. A system includes one or more display units configured to be coupled to shelves of a modular shelving system, one or more processors communicatively coupled to the one or more display units, one or more memory components communicatively coupled to the one or more processors, and machine readable instructions stored in the one or more memory components. When executed by the one or more processors, the machine readable instructions cause the system to determine a product identifier corresponding to a product, identify one or more display units to update in response to determining the product identifier corresponding to the product, and update a graphical output of the one or more display units identified to be updated in response to identifying the one or more display units to update.

Abstract: A system and method for tracking a milk crate, a bread tray, or other instrument for transporting goods of a business makes use of an electronic tracking tag attached to the milk crate, the bread tray, or other transport instrument. The electronic tracking tag includes a microprocessor and a transceiver, and wirelessly transmits an identifying electronic transmission at predetermined time intervals. The systems and methods further make use of a wireless network including a plurality of nodes, where each of the nodes is positioned at a predetermined location and receives the identifying electronic transmission from the electronic tracking tag upon movement of the electronic tracking tag into proximity with a node. Each of the nodes are then connected to a central computer server that identifies a location of the electronic tracking tag based on the predetermined location of the node.

Abstract: A fiber optic shelving system includes a shelf including a plurality of holes, a plurality of fiber optic filaments, each of the plurality of fiber optic filaments having a first end and a second end, and the first end being coupled to one of the plurality of holes, a first camera configured to capture an image of the terminal surfaces of the plurality of fiber optic filaments, and a second camera configured to capture an image of a side of one or more products on the shelf. The fiber optic shelving system identifies, among the plurality of holes, a set of holes that are blocked from light based on the captured image of terminal surfaces of the second ends of the plurality of fiber optic filaments, and determines a number of products on the shelf based on the identified set of holes blocked from light and the captured image of the side of one or more products on the shelf.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling shelf display units and for graphically presenting information on shelf display units are disclosed. A system includes one or more display units configured to be coupled to shelves of a modular shelving system, one or more processors communicatively coupled to the one or more display units, one or more memory components communicatively coupled to the one or more processors, and machine readable instructions stored in the one or more memory components. When executed by the one or more processors, the machine readable instructions cause the system to determine a product identifier corresponding to a product, identify one or more display units to update in response to determining the product identifier corresponding to the product, and update a graphical output of the one or more display units identified to be updated in response to identifying the one or more display units to update.

Abstract: A fiber optic shelving system includes a shelf including a plurality of holes, a plurality of fiber optic filaments, each of the plurality of fiber optic filaments having a first end and a second end, and the first end being coupled to one of the plurality of holes, a holder configured to hold the second ends and expose terminal surfaces of the plurality of fiber optic filaments, a first camera configured to capture an image of the terminal surfaces of the plurality of fiber optic filaments, and a second camera configured to capture an image of a side of one or more products on the shelf. The fiber optic shelving system determines a number of products on the shelf based on the captured image of the terminal surfaces of the plurality of fiber optic filaments and the captured image of the side of one or more products on the shelf.

Abstract: A stocking assistant robot includes a base plate, one or more wheels coupled to the base plate, a first support coupled to the base plate, and a second support coupled to the base plate, wherein the first support is configured to move perpendicular to the base plate and the second support is configured to move perpendicular to the base plate. The stocking assistant robot also includes a first actuator configured to move the first support perpendicular to the base plate, and a second actuator configured to move the second support perpendicular to the base plate. The stocking assistant robot identifies an item, determines a stock location based on the identified item, operates one or more electric motors coupled to the one or more wheels based on the stock location, and moves the first support or the second support perpendicular to the base plate based on the stock location.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling shelf display units and for graphically presenting information on shelf display units are disclosed. A system includes one or more display units configured to be coupled to shelves of a modular shelving system, one or more processors communicatively coupled to the one or more display units, one or more memory components communicatively coupled to the one or more processors, and machine readable instructions stored in the one or more memory components. When executed by the one or more processors, the machine readable instructions cause the system to determine a product identifier corresponding to a product, identify one or more display units to update in response to determining the product identifier corresponding to the product, and update a graphical output of the one or more display units identified to be updated in response to identifying the one or more display units to update.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling shelf display units and for graphically presenting information on shelf display units are disclosed. A system includes one or more display units configured to be coupled to shelves of a modular shelving system, one or more processors communicatively coupled to the one or more display units, one or more memory components communicatively coupled to the one or more processors, and machine readable instructions stored in the one or more memory components. When executed by the one or more processors, the machine readable instructions cause the system to determine a product identifier corresponding to a product, identify one or more display units to update in response to determining the product identifier corresponding to the product, and update a graphical output of the one or more display units identified to be updated in response to identifying the one or more display units to update.

Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating parcel pickup are disclosed. A system may include a plurality of shelves and a plurality of display units coupled to the shelves. The system may further include memory and a processor physically coupled to the memory and communicatively coupled to the display units. The processor may be configured to receive an identifier of a parcel. The processor may be further configured, in response to receiving the identifier of the parcel, to determine a shelf location among the shelves for storing the parcel. The processor may also be configured, in response to determining the shelf location, to identify one or more display units to update. The processor may additionally be configured, in response to identifying one or more display units to update, to update graphical output of the identified one or more display units identified to each present a parcel storage location indication.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling shelf display units and for graphically presenting information on shelf display units are disclosed. A system includes one or more display units configured to be coupled to shelves of a modular shelving system, one or more processors communicatively coupled to the one or more display units, one or more memory components communicatively coupled to the one or more processors, and machine readable instructions stored in the one or more memory components. When executed by the one or more processors, the machine readable instructions cause the system to determine a product identifier corresponding to a product, identify one or more display units to update in response to determining the product identifier corresponding to the product, and update a graphical output of the one or more display units identified to be updated in response to identifying the one or more display units to update.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling shelf display units and for graphically presenting information on shelf display units are disclosed. A system includes one or more display units configured to be coupled to shelves of a modular shelving system, one or more processors communicatively coupled to the one or more display units, one or more memory components communicatively coupled to the one or more processors, and machine readable instructions stored in the one or more memory components. When executed by the one or more processors, the machine readable instructions cause the system to determine a product identifier corresponding to a product, identify one or more display units to update in response to determining the product identifier corresponding to the product, and update a graphical output of the one or more display units identified to be updated in response to identifying the one or more display units to update.

Abstract: A fiber optic shelving system includes a shelf including a plurality of holes, a plurality of fiber optic filaments, each of the plurality of fiber optic filaments having a first end and a second end, and the first end being coupled to one of the plurality of holes, a holder configured to hold the second ends and expose terminal surfaces of the plurality of fiber optic filaments, a first camera configured to capture an image of the terminal surfaces of the plurality of fiber optic filaments, and a second camera configured to capture an image of a side of one or more products on the shelf. The fiber optic shelving system determines a number of products on the shelf based on the captured image of the terminal surfaces of the plurality of fiber optic filaments and the captured image of the side of one or more products on the shelf.