Abstract: A technique for monitoring the quality of objects is disclosed. A container includes a multiple sensors and is configured to receive an object. The sensors monitor various metrics associated with the quality of the object, and a display is affixed to the container for displaying a visual indication of the quality of the object. The visual indication is based on data collected from the sensors. A quality monitoring module is executed by a processor to control the sensors to switch operation between a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation based on a detected change in one of the metrics monitored by the sensors.

Abstract: A vehicle analysis system including one or more weight sensors positioned to determine a weight of a vehicle within a pre-defined geographic location in the vicinity of a location of interest is described. The vehicle analysis system acquires data related to vehicles visiting the location of interest that may be saved in a database to provide further insight into individual's visiting the location of interest.

Abstract: Described in detail herein are methods and systems for estimating storage capacity of a storage unit disposed in a facility based on echoes detected by microphones. The microphones can detect sounds generated in the warehouse and reflected off the storage unit structures. The microphones detect the intensity of the sounds. The microphones can encode the sounds and the intensity of the sounds in time-varying electrical signals and transmit the time-varying electrical signals to a computing system. The computing system can decode the sounds and the intensity of the sounds from the time-varying electrical signals and estimate storage capacity of a storage unit from which the sounds reflected off of based on the intensity of the sounds.

Abstract: An example shelf system and associated methods are described. The shelf system includes a frame with a base member and a vertical member, first and second shelves extending from opposite sides of the vertical member, and first and second pairs of sensors disposed below the base member. In response to positioning a physical object on the first shelf or the second shelf, the physical object applies a torque on the vertical member and each of the sensors output electrical signals corresponding to a change in weight sensed by each of the sensors based on the torque. The shelf system includes a central computing system configured to determine which of the first shelf or the second shelf received the physical object, an estimated location of the physical object on the first or second shelf, and whether the physical object is positioned on the first or second shelf in an expected location.

Abstract: Methodologies, systems, and computer-readable media are provided for locating objects. A computational device generates a first set of statistical data indicative of a frequency at which machine readable features associated with a first set of objects and machine readable features associated with a second set of objects are read within each of a plurality of object groups. The computational device also retrieves a second set of statistical data indicative of a historical frequency at which past groups of objects included machine readable features associated with the first set of objects and machine readable features associated with the second set of objects during a previous time interval. Based on a comparison between the first set of statistical data and the second set of statistical data, the computational deice computes a geographical relationship between the first set of objects and a portion of the objects from the second set of objects.

Abstract: An example cart inventory system and associated methods are described. The example cart inventory system includes a cart and a detection system. The cart includes a frame, and a shelf movably mounted to the frame and configured to be positioned between an extended position and a folded position. A top surface and a rear surface of the shelf include first and second identifiers, respectively. The detection system is configured to detect the first identifier when the shelf is in the extended position and detect the second identifier when the shelf is positioned in the folded position. In the extended position, the top surface is oriented upwards relative to horizontal and the rear surface is disposed against the frame. In the folded position, the rear surface is oriented upwards relative to horizontal.

Abstract: Described in detail herein are methods and systems for determining crowd traffic in a facility by detecting debris on floor mats. The system can include floor mats disposed in a facility to collect debris from objects passing over the floor mats. A computing system can detect and estimate the amount of objects causing the debris on the floor mat. The computing system can estimate the amount of objects entering and exiting the facility based on the quantity of objects passing over the floor mats.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and non-transitory computer readable media are provided for rendering at an electronic terminal a first set of graphical user interfaces to request a first set of data from a user, receiving, at a central server in communication with the electronic terminal, the first set of data from the user, communicating the first set of data via a stateless edge appliance to a third party verification server in a selected one of a plurality of third party computer networks to validate the first set of data, rendering a second set of graphical user interfaces to request a second set of data from the user, communicating the second set of data to the third party verification server to authenticate the second set of data, and authenticating the user in response to receipt of authentication of the second set of data.

Abstract: Described in detail herein are methods and systems for a label position determination. A label position determination system can include labels mounted on the front face of the shelving units. The labels can include conductive patterns on the back face of the label. The conductive patterns of the labels can be electrically coupled with electrically conductive wires extending along a front face of a shelf. The system can further include a controller coupled to with electrically conductive wires, configured to transmit electrical pulses through the electrically conductive wires. The controller can determine at least one of: an identity of each of the labels mounted to the front face, whether a label has been mounted at an incorrect location on the front face of the shelf, or whether a label is missing from the front face of the shelf based on a response to the electrical pulse.

Abstract: Example shopping cart corral systems and associated systems and methods are described. The example shopping cart corral system includes a corral structure, a radio-frequency transmitter, a radio-frequency receiver, and a controller coupled to the radio-frequency transmitter and the radio-frequency receiver. The controller estimates a quantity of shopping carts disposed in the shopping cart corral based on at least one property of the reflected radio-frequency signal. An example shopping cart counter system includes an elongated structure, first and second electrical contacts, a power source and a processing device. The power source applies a voltage or an electrical current to the first electrical contact and the shopping carts complete an electrical circuit between the first and second electrical contacts. The processing device estimates the quantity of shopping carts disposed in the elongated structure based on an electrical resistance associated with the shopping carts.

Abstract: An example customer assistance system and associated methods are described. The example customer assistance system includes a shopping cart, a customer assistance unit mounted on the shopping cart, and a location system disposed remotely from the shopping cart and the customer assistance unit. The customer assistance unit includes a light source oriented upwards relative to horizontal, and an actuator for actuating the light source into an illumination position. In the illumination position, the light source projects a light beam over the shopping cart. The locating system includes at least one image capturing device configured to scan a ceiling for the light beam and to determine a source location of the shopping cart based on a ceiling location of the light beam.

Abstract: Systems, methods and tools for tracking the amounts of merchandise being displayed or available for sale in a retail environment using measurements of air displacement caused by the movement of customers, employees and shopping carts throughout a retail environment. The disclosed embodiments may position air displacement sensors throughout a store and near the products being offered for sale. As the merchandise is removed by customers, a greater amount of air may be measured. Embodiments of each sensor device may be calibrated with a maximum threshold measurement of air displacement corresponding to the amount of merchandise surrounding the sensor. After enough of the products have been removed from the surrounding proximity of the sensor, the maximum threshold of air displacement may be reached, wherein upon exceeding the maximum threshold of air displacement a signal may be sent alerting employees to restock the specified merchandise proximate to the sensor's location.

Abstract: Described in detail herein are methods and systems for detecting attributes of vehicles using an images captured by an image capturing device disposed at a facility. The system detects attributes of the vehicles from the image, retrieves information associated with each vehicle based on the attributes and generates a score for each vehicle based on the information associated with each vehicle. Based on the score a distribution of physical objects is triggered to the facility.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and machine readable medium are provided for a detection system for identifying unsafe activity occurring at a shelving unit. A plurality of distance sensors are disposed at a top end of the shelving unit and point downwards towards a bottom end of the shelving unit. The plurality of sensors are configured to detect presence of a person near the shelving unit. An initial height of the person is determined, and a change in height of the person is detected. A processor determined whether the change in height indicates unsafe activity at the shelving unit. If unsafe activity is determined, then an alert is generated.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for using photos of the interior of a retail store to update an inventory database. The inventory management system receives a data capture from a mobile computing device carried by a customer of a retail store. The system sends a data capture request to the mobile computing device, which can include a request for a photo capture. The customer captures an image using the mobile computing device, and sends it to the inventory management system. The inventory management system analyzes the photo, and gleans from the photo inventory information such as products that are in stock, products that are out of stock, where products are located, etc. Photo inventory information obtained from the photo is used to update the inventory database. Each item of inventory data obtained from a photo relieves an employee of the responsibility of obtaining the inventory data.

Abstract: A task-indicating shelf that includes a supporting surface for supporting one or more physical objects and one or more visual indicators associated with the shelf and indicative of a task to be performed with respect to the one or more physical objects is described. The task-indicating shelf includes a docking station electrically coupled to the one or more visual indicators and configured to receive a handheld device. Docking the handheld device within the docking station powers an electric circuit between the handheld device and the one or more visual indicators to selectively energize or de-energize the one or more visual indicators.

Abstract: Described in detail herein are methods and systems for dynamic projection. The dynamic projection system includes a projector configured to project a first set of information associated with a set of like physical objects onto a front portion of a shelving unit. The first set of information includes an image of a machine-readable element encoded with an identifier associated with the set of like physical objects. An optical scanner can scan and decode the identifier from the image of the machine-readable element. The optical scanner can transmit the identifier or location of the scanner to a computing system. The computing system can further control an output of the projector to dynamically project the second set of information associated with the set of like physical objects onto the front portion of the shelving unit receiving the identifier or location of the optical scanner.

Abstract: Systems, methods and tools for tracking the amounts of merchandise being displayed or available for sale in a retail environment using measurements of air displacement caused by the movement of customers, employees and shopping carts throughout a retail environment. The disclosed embodiments may position air displacement sensors throughout a store and near the products being offered for sale. As the merchandise is removed by customers, a greater amount of air may be measured. Embodiments of each sensor device may be calibrated with a maximum threshold measurement of air displacement corresponding to the amount of merchandise surrounding the sensor. After enough of the products have been removed from the surrounding proximity of the sensor, the maximum threshold of air displacement may be reached, wherein upon exceeding the maximum threshold of air displacement a signal may be sent alerting employees to restock the specified merchandise proximate to the sensor's location.

Abstract: Sensor systems, methods and machine readable medium are provided for a sensor system for analyzing the ripeness of produce items.

Abstract: A task-indicating shelf that includes a supporting surface for supporting one or more physical objects and one or more visual indicators associated with the shelf and indicative of a task to be performed with respect to the one or more physical objects is described. The task-indicating shelf includes a docking station electrically coupled to the one or more visual indicators and configured to receive a handheld device. Docking the handheld device within the docking station powers an electric circuit between the handheld device and the one or more visual indicators to selectively energize or de-energize the one or more visual indicators.