Abstract: A method and apparatus for the identification of suspect behaviour in a retail environment, the method comprising: detecting a person in a frame of said stream of video data; extracting a set of activities of the identified person from the stream of video data; assigning a numeric value to each extracted activity in the set of extracted activities, said numeric value representative of a threat level of the activity; accumulating said numeric values to provide a behaviour score; and identifying a behaviour as being suspect when the behaviour score reaches a target threshold value associated with the behaviour.

Abstract: A method of process parallelization includes receiving an insight request from one of a plurality of client systems of a process parallelization system, analyzing the received request to identify subjects, operators, qualifiers and links therein, identifying sensors and their locations needed to capture measurement variables corresponding with the identified subjects, selecting the identified sensors from a bank of available sensors, capturing data acquired by the selected sensors, identifying classifiers operable to detect the identified subjects, selecting the identified classifiers from a bank of available object classifiers and activity classifiers, processing the data captured by the selected sensors using the selected classifiers, configuring rules of an expert system according to the identified subjects, operators, qualifiers and links, processing outputs from the selected classifiers using the expert system rules, compiling an insight data packet (IDP) using the outputs of the selected classifiers, an

Abstract: A shuttle movable along a railing system extending along a repository. The shuttle comprises a panel member having a first face proximal to the railing system, and a second face distal therefrom, and a hinged arm member rotatable about a center of the second face of the panel member, and having first and second ends, wherein the hinged arm member is configured to move the second end between an unfolded position in which the second end is distal from the panel member, and a folded position, in which the second end is proximal to the second face of the panel member, and wherein the hinged arm member has a height and reach automatically adjustable to reach a user.

Abstract: A system for process shaping in a retail store environment comprises a video generation and processing component, a data source integration and aggregation component for aggregating and integrate information received from various sources, a process sensing component for generating one or more continuous processes, a process aggregator and weighing component for aggregating the one or more continuous processes into a merged weighted process, a proof of problem and value component for determining one or more process variations, a ripple effect analyser for sending one or more nudging messages to the retail store environment, and a gamified feedback algorithm component for communicating a nudging action corresponding to a nudging message, to one or more entities in the retail store environment.

Abstract: The present subject matter relates to a system and method of operating one or more self-checkout (SCO) terminals of a SCO environment. The system comprises one or more video sensors configured to capture a plurality of video frames. The video frames are processed by a processing unit to detect a primary subject of interest and a second subject of interest post detection of the primary subject of interest. Further, change in location and time of appearance of the primary subject of interest and the secondary subject of interest is determined, which generates a motion trigger. Based on the motion trigger, a transaction data is received which is compared with the detected secondary subject of interest. A non-scan event alert is generated based on a mismatch in the comparison of the transaction data and the detected one or more secondary subject of interest.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying risk in warehouse environments includes video sensors configured to capture video streams and a central processing unit communicatively coupled to video sensors. The central processing unit is configured with an emerging risk discovery unit configured to detect a current risk subject in the obtained plurality of real time video frames. Further, the plurality of real time video frames are stored in a memory. A location of the current risk subject detected in the obtained plurality of real time video frames is detected. Further, physical characteristics of current risk subject for predicting one or more actions performed by the current risk subject are estimated, and actions and location of the current risk subject are processed to detect patterns or movements and activities undertaken by one or more risk subjects.

Abstract: A system for performing automated auditing of goods includes an audit robot that includes a rotatable platform, and an overhead camera, a multi-tracking camera system, an audit controller configured to receive and process the one or more images to detect a delivery personnel and corresponding pallet of goods when the delivery personnel enters the warehousing environment, generate an alert to instruct the delivery personnel to keep the pallet on the platform of the audit robot, trigger the rotatable platform to rotate when the pallet is kept, trigger the overhead sensor and the multi-tracking camera system to generate image data of the pallet, while the platform is being rotated, process at least one of: image data, scanning data, order and supplier information, historical information, time, and identity of the delivery personnel to assess a risk level of the pallet, and automatically check-in the pallet when risk level is assessed as zero.

Abstract: A drive through facility includes a repository, a drive through region having an entry and at least one exit, and at least partially circumventing the repository, and an interface system disposed between the repository and the drive through region. The interface system includes a shuttle system comprising a plurality of shuttles, each shuttle movable along a railing system extending along the drive through region, and a control system, operably coupled to the shuttle system. The control system is configured to automatically move a shuttle along the railing system to a first position, upon entry of a vehicle in the drive through region, operably enable the shuttle to receive an order from a user of the vehicle at the first position, automatically move the shuttle along the railing system to a second position, and operably enable the shuttle to fulfill the order from the repository at the second position.

Abstract: A shuttle movable along a railing system extending along a repository. The shuttle comprises a panel member having a first face proximal to the railing system, and a second face distal therefrom, and a hinged arm member rotatable about a center of the second face of the panel member, and having first and second ends, wherein the hinged arm member is configured to move the second end between an unfolded position in which the second end is distal from the panel member, and a folded position, in which the second end is proximal to the second face of the panel member, and wherein the hinged arm member has a height and reach automatically adjustable to reach a user.

Abstract: A POS terminal for a retail environment, comprising a data acquisition device for generating event data from a user scan of a product along a scanning path of the POS terminal, said path comprising an entry point and an exit point; and a processing unit for receiving at least a portion of event data from the data acquisition device and process the event data according to a set of predefined rules, to determine a control parameter for the POS terminal, generate a user alert based on the control parameter and communicate the user alert to the end user; the data acquisition device comprising: a universal product code, U PC, scanner; a plurality of illumination units arranged along the scanning path for illuminating the product; a plurality of sensors for sensing event data including a shape, size and volume of the product and a parameter of a hand of the user as the product is scanned along the scanning path.

Abstract: A goods receipt management system includes processors coupled to a non-transitory storage device and operable to execute routines that include a face recognition engine to use facial features of a user to recognize the user as an authorised person, a dialogue manager engine to obtain from the authorised person a stated number of goods items being delivered, a quantification engine to receive an image of the goods items and calculate the number of goods items appearing in the image, a comparison engine to compare the calculated number of goods items with the stated number of goods items, and in the event of a substantial match, to record the calculated number of goods items, and a performance improvement engine to use the image of the goods items to re-tune configuration variables, in the event of a mis-match between calculated number of goods items and stated number of goods items.

Abstract: A system for assigning a social attribute class to a human subject in a predefined closed environment includes an image capturing component, a pose detection component configured to perform pose detection and tracking of a human subject in real-time, an action detection component configured to detect an action of the human subject, an activity detection component configured to relate a sequence of actions to detect an activity of the human subject, and a social attribute classification component. The social attribute classification component is configured to determine an average speed (s) of the human subject as a first social attribute, an interaction time of the human subject (Tint) as a second social attribute, an analysis time (Tanal) as a third social attribute, and automatically assigns a social attribute class to the human subject based on the values of the first, second and third social attributes.

Abstract: An enhanced service system comprises a pair of first wires between a first position proximal to an entry point of a drive through facility and a second position proximal to a receiving window in the drive through facility, and an aerial host unit coupled to the pair of first wires using a pair of first and second host wires. The aerial host unit is longitudinally movable between the first position and the second position and includes an aerial host member moveably supported by the first and second host wires to move laterally between the pair of first wires to approach an incoming customer vehicle, facilitate the customer to place an order, receive payment from the customer, and direct the customer to the receiving window where the aerial host member retrieves the items corresponding to the placed order from the receiving window and transfers the retrieved items to the customer.

Abstract: A system for anomaly monitoring in a pre-defined environment includes one or more image capturing devices configured to capture one or more images of the pre-defined environment in real-time, a process detecting component configured to detect one or more target processes based on captured image data, each target process representing a sequence of user activities in the pre-defined environment, a blockchain unit configured to store the one or more target processes and a reference process in form of a private distributed logbook, wherein each of the target processes and the reference process include a series of process transactions, wherein each process transaction is stored in an encrypted form in the blockchain unit, and an analysis unit communicatively coupled to the blockchain unit, and configured to analyse the private distributed logbook by comparing each target process with the reference process to determine one or more anomalies therein.

Abstract: A system for identifying and managing areas of risk in warehouse environments includes video sensors configured to capture video streams and a central processing unit communicatively coupled to video sensors. The central processing unit comprises a raw risk information collection unit configured to store information captured by video sensors, a processing and aggregating unit configured to process and aggregate video streams to produce risk identification information associated with an Operator Route, a risk map generation unit configured to generate a Warehouse Risk Map based on the risk identification information, wherein the Warehouse Risk Map is generated by superimposing an identified risk zone on a warehouse map, and a risk map updating unit for updating the Warehouse Risk Map in real-time when at least one of the risk type, risk level, and risk zone changes for at least one risk instance recorded on the Warehouse Risk Map.

Abstract: A contactless drive through facility includes a set of parking bays aligned substantially in parallel, wherein each parking bay is dimensioned to accommodate a customer vehicle therein. The drive through facility further includes first and second overhead wires traversing the set of parking bays, wherein the first and second overhead wires are spaced apart from each other. The drive through facility further includes a set of order processing units moveably suspended from the first overhead wire and a carrier member moveably suspended from the second overhead wire. The drive through facility further includes an order management system to operate each order processing unit for facilitating an order placing process and a payment process by corresponding customer vehicle. The order management system also operates the carrier member for moving a set of delivery containers fulfilling corresponding ones of one or more orders placed using the set of order processing units.

Abstract: A customer engagement method comprises detecting a location and moving a suspended aerial robotic device to the customer's location, detecting one or more characterizing features of the customer and greeting the customer by the suspended aerial robotic device based on the detected characterizing features, presenting a menu of items to the customer and requesting the customer to identify items of interest receiving an order for identified items from the customer, retrieving the items corresponding to the placed order from a repository containing stock items, releasing the retrieved items to the suspended aerial robotic device, requesting touchless payment from the customer by the suspended aerial robotic device, and releasing the retrieved items by the suspended aerial robotic device to the customer on receipt of touchless payment by the customer.

Abstract: An aerial navigation system comprises upright members mounted with anchor points at a substantially same height. Each anchor point is provided with an electric motor. A carrier device is coupled to the electric motors at corresponding ones of the anchor points using a set of first wires. The carrier device is operably moved by the electric motors in a horizontal plane co-planar with the anchor points. Further, a robotic device is suspended from the carrier device using a second wire. The robotic device is moveable within a volume defined between a ground surface, the plurality of upright members and the horizontal plane by at least one other electric motor mounted on the carrier device. Furthermore, a navigation control system synchronises operations of electric motors at the anchor points and the carrier device for moving the robotic device from a current location to a target location within the volume.

Abstract: An enhanced service system comprises a pair of first wires between a first position proximal to an entry point of a drive through facility and a second position proximal to a receiving window in the drive through facility, and an aerial host unit coupled to the pair of first wires using a pair of first and second host wires. The aerial host unit is longitudinally movable between the first position and the second position and includes an aerial host member moveably supported by the first and second host wires to move laterally between the pair of first wires to approach an incoming customer vehicle, facilitate the customer to place an order, receive payment from the customer, and direct the customer to the receiving window where the aerial host member retrieves the items corresponding to the placed order from the receiving window and transfers the retrieved items to the customer.

Abstract: A navigation control system for an aerial robotic device suspended from a carrier device in an aerial movement volume of an aerial module. The navigation control system is configured to detect one or more stationary obstacles located in corresponding Aerial Movement Volume, create a 3D map representing the Aerial Movement Volume together with one or more bounding boxes enclosing each stationary obstacle in the Aerial Movement Volume, use an optimisation algorithm to compute an optimal route for the aerial robotic device, determine control parameters for a plurality of electric stepper motors driving the carrier device and the aerial robotic device based on the computed optimal route for the aerial robotic device, and navigate the aerial robotic device in accordance with the computed optimal route to enable the aerial robotic device to reach the required destination while avoiding intervening stationary obstacles.