Abstract: Methodologies, systems, and computer-readable media are provided for monitoring object locations on a shelving fixture. An electronic detection device includes a first motor for winding and unwinding a first line and a second motor for winding and unwinding a second line. A controller can control the operation of the first and second motor and the electronic detection device is suspended from the first and second line behind a shelving fixture. When the first and second motor wind and unwind the first and second line, the electronic detection device moves to an expected location of an object on a shelving fixture. The electronic detection device also includes sensors that can determine an identity of the object and the quantity of the object on the shelving fixture.

Abstract: Described in detail herein are methods and systems for identifying actions performed by a forklift based on detected sounds in a facility. An array of microphones can be disposed in a facility. The microphones can detect various sounds and encode the sounds in an electrical signal and transmit the sounds to a computing system. The computing system can determine the sound signature of each sound and based on the sound signature the chronological order of the sounds and the time interval in between the sounds the computing system can determine the action being performed by the forklift which is causing the sounds.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that provide access to secured containers in a facility. The systems and methods unlock a lock securing the container in response to receiving identifying information for an individual seeking access to the secured container. If objects are removed from the secured container by the individual, the systems and methods can determine whether an authorization was received for the removed objects within a time period. If the authorization is not received, the systems and methods can issue an alert including the identifying information using an alert system.

Abstract: A shopping cart deflection measurement system and associated methods are described. The shopping cart deflection measurement system includes a shopping cart, a sensor, and a processing device equipped with a processor. The shopping cart includes a frame, a basket portion pivotably mounted to the frame so as to enable deflection of at least one edge of the basket portion downward in the direction of gravity following a weight being placed in the basket portion, and a lower rack portion mounted to the frame and disposed below the basket portion. The processing device can be configured to execute instructions to measure deflection of the basket portion relative to the lower rack portion of the shopping cart using data acquired by the sensor. The measured deflection can be indicative of a fullness of the basket portion with one or more products.

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 systems and methods for interacting with an interactive display using a shopping cart. A biometric device integrated with the handle portion on a shopping cart can detect and discriminate between user attributes. At least one RFID tags can store the captured biometric information associated with the user attributes. A RFID reader and a computing system can be disposed within a predetermined distance of the shopping cart. The RFID reader can communicate with the at least one RFID tag in response to the at least one RFID tag being with a range of the at least one RFID reader to transfer the biometric information stored in the RFID tag to the RFID reader. The RFID reader can transmit the biometric information to the computing system. The computing system can authenticate the user based on the biometric information received via the at least one RFID reader.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a system for measuring the capacity of a container. The system includes a variable scale disposed near or within the interior wall of the container with elongated body formed by an adjustable shaft including a number of visual indicators. The visual indicators are representative of a capacity of the container, and sliding the adjustable shaft adjusts an amount of space between each of the visual indicators. The system also includes a measuring arm extending from one end of the adjustable shaft and configured to rotate around an axis of rotation from a locked position, in which adjustment of the adjustable shaft is prevented, to a movable position, in which adjustment of the adjustable shaft is permitted. The measuring arm can be used to expand or compress the adjustable shaft, along with the spaces between the visual indicators.

Abstract: An example item carousel system is described. The system includes a terminal including a processor and a scanner. The system includes a carousel rotatably mounted to the terminal, the carousel including two or more bagging sections configured to receive bags. The system includes a motorized actuator configured to actuate rotation of the carousel relative to the terminal. The terminal is configured to read data from a machine readable identifier associated with an item using the scanner, and retrieve, using a retrieval module, item characteristics associated with the item from an item database. The terminal is configured to identify one bagging section of the two or more bagging sections of the carousel capable of receiving the item with the item characteristics, and mechanically rotate the carousel relative to the terminal with the motorized actuator such that the identified one bagging section is oriented toward a bagging area of the terminal.

Abstract: A technique for forming a product with an embedded RFID element is disclosed. An extruder can extrude a first material and a second material onto a print bed. The first material has multiple RFID chips dispersed throughout the first material, and the second material has metallic particles dispersed throughout the second material to achieve a specified concentration of metallic particles. A computing system controls the extruder to print a three dimensional product on the print bed using the first extrusion material and the second extrusion material. The computing system also controls the rate at which the first material and the second material is extruded in order to electrically couple at least one of the RFID chips to at least some of the metallic particles in the three dimensional product to form an RFID tag embedded in the three dimensional product that is readable by an RFID reader.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein relate to scheduling and coordination of particular tasks based upon dynamically updated product inventory data. These systems and methods increase the efficiency of stocking and fulfillment as well as inventory auditing of the inventory.

Abstract: Described in detail herein are systems and methods for interacting with an interactive display using a shopping cart. A biometric device integrated with the handle portion on a shopping cart can detect and discriminate between user attributes. At least one RFID tags can store the captured biometric information associated with the user attributes. A RFID reader and a computing system can be disposed within a predetermined distance of the shopping cart. The RFID reader can communicate with the at least one RFID tag in response to the at least one RFID tag being with a range of the at least one RFID reader to transfer the biometric information stored in the RFID tag to the RFID reader. The RFID reader can transmit the biometric information to the computing system. The computing system can authenticate the user based on the biometric information received via the at least one RFID reader.

Abstract: Systems and methods for powering sensors on a shelf and using the sensors to detect attributes associated with physical objects are discussed. A handheld device can be coupled to a docking station which can be mounted on a supporting surface on of a shelf for supporting one or more physical objects. Sensors can be disposed on, in or about the supporting surface of the shelf. An electric circuit between the handheld device and the sensors can be powered to selectively energize or de-energize the sensors in response to the docking station coupling with the handheld device.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for alerting store associates that a customer may need assistance based on biometric data received from the customer via a shopping cart handle. For example, a server may receive, in near-real-time, baseline biometric data generated at a shopping cart handle, the baseline biometric data being associated with a user of the shopping cart. The server may then receive additional biometric data generated at the shopping cart handle and perform an analysis of both the baseline biometric data and the additional biometric data. By this analysis the server can determine that a check on the user should occur, and can transmit a notification to at least one store associate to perform the check on the user.

Abstract: Described in detail herein are systems and methods for interacting with an interactive display on a computing system based on sound detection. A user can actuate a button on a handle portion of a shopping cart, by pressing the button as the shopping cart is within a predetermined distance of a computing system including an interactive display. The button can generate a sound with a unique tone. An array of microphones can detect the sound generated by the button. The microphones can encode the sound into an electrical signal and transmit the electrical signal to the computing system. The computing system can identify the sound and the correlated action. The computing system can execute the correlated action on the interactive display of the computing system.

Abstract: Described in detail herein are systems and methods for interacting with an interactive display using a shopping cart. A RFID reader can read RFID tags integrated with a handle portion of a shopping cart. A unique identifier can be encoded in each of the RFID tags. A user of the shopping cart can the RFID reader from reading one or more of the RFID tags in response to a hand of a user obscuring the one or more RFID tags. The RFID reader can detect which of RFID tag(s) are covered. The RFID reader can transmit the identifier(s) of the covered RFID tag(s) to a computing system. The computing system can include an interactive display. The computing system can retrieve a specified action to be performed on the interactive display. The computing system can control, to perform a specified action on the interactive display.

Abstract: Systems and methods are taught herein to determine a location and a dimension of a fixture using an RFID reader. The RFID reader can include an RF antenna array including one or more RF antennas. By measuring reflected RF signals from the fixture and properties of the reflected signals, location and dimension of the fixture are estimated.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to a system for monitoring items in a residence for replenishment. Multiple sensors are disposed in a residence and configured to sense characteristics of an item indicating at least a quality of the item. A computing device is configured to retrieve and analyze usage data for the item. The computing device determines that the item needs replenishment based at least in part on the sensed quality of the item and the usage data for the item. The computing device generates an alert at a user interface in response to determining that the item needs replenishment.

Abstract: Described in detail herein are systems and methods for interacting with an interactive display using a shopping cart. A user navigate a shopping cart to a computing system including an interactive display and can actuate or press one or more push buttons associated with RFID tags integrated with the handle portion on a shopping cart to interact with the interactive display. A unique identifier can be associated with each RFID tag. A RFID reader disposed with respect to the computing system can detect the unique identifiers associated with the one or more detected RFID tags. The RFID reader can transmit the unique identifiers to the computing system. The computing system can execute the retrieved actions on the interactive display, based on the one or more buttons actuated or pushed and the correlated RFID tags.

Abstract: An item monitoring system including a bladder having a body with a hollow interior configured to be filled with a fluid is described. The system includes an indicator fluidly connected to the hollow interior of the body of the bladder, the indicator including a movable component configured to visually indicate a fullness of the shelf with one or more items in a non-electrical manner. The connection between the indicator and the bladder defines a closed system. Displacement of the fluid from the bladder into the indicator moves the movable component of the indicator to indicate the fullness of the shelf.

Abstract: An item monitoring system including a bladder including a body with a hollow interior configured to be filled with a fluid is described. The system includes an energy generation mechanism connected to the bladder and including a tube equipped with a wire core or surrounded by a wire coil in fluid communication with the bladder, and a magnetic item movably disposed within the tube. The system includes a light source electrically connected to the energy generation mechanism. Displacement of the fluid from the bladder into the tube moves the magnetic item within the tube, thereby generating an electrical current to emit a light from the light source.