Abstract: An automated inventory intelligence system and method are provided for tracking the positions of the retail products as they are moved around on a retail shelf. The automated inventory intelligence system includes a dynamic planogram, or dynamogram, that reflects the existing state of inventory on the shelf, thereby enabling the automated inventory intelligence system to automatically and intelligently determine the amount of inventory stocked on the shelf as well as tracking correct pricing information for misplaced inventory items. As such, the dynamogram is configured to enable the automated inventory intelligence system to provide a frictionless shopping environment when products are moved elsewhere by customers.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a frictionless shopping system is disclosed. The frictionless shopping system may include a plurality of intelligent shelving units having inventory cameras, customer recognition cameras, shelves configured to hold inventory, and one or more processors communicatively coupled to the plurality of intelligent shelving units. A non-transitory computer-readable medium coupled to the one or more processors and having logic thereon may be included.

Abstract: An inventory camera system including an inventory camera having a lens and a housing, one or more processors communicatively coupled to the inventory camera and a non-transitory computer-readable medium communicatively coupled to the one or more processors and having logic thereon is disclosed. The logic, when executed by the one or more processors, is configured to perform operations including: receiving an image captured by the inventory camera, performing object recognition techniques on the image to distill at least a first inventory set, the first inventory set consisting of a first amount, determining whether the first amount meets a first threshold, and responsive to determining the first amount does not meet the first threshold, generating an alert indicating the amount of inventory within the first inventory set does not meet the first threshold. The inventory camera may be coupled to a shelving unit.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a proximity camera system is disclosed. The proximity camera system may include a proximity camera having a lens and a housing, fascia, and one or more processors communicatively coupled to the proximity camera and the fascia. The proximity camera system may additionally include a non-transitory computer-readable medium communicatively coupled to the one or more processors and having logic thereon, the logic, when executed by the one or more processors, being configured to perform operations including: (i) receiving an image captured by the proximity camera, (ii) performing object recognition techniques on the image, (iii) determining whether an object was detected within a first predetermined proximity region, and (iv) transmitting one or more instructions configured to cause a graphical display to be displayed by the fascia. In some embodiments, the proximity camera and the fascia may be coupled to a shelving unit.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an inventory camera system, comprises an inventory camera having a lens and a housing, and a mount configured to (i) hold the camera in a predetermined position facing inventory stocked on a shelving unit, and (ii) be removably coupled with the shelving unit is shown. The inventory camera may be configured to capture an image of the inventory at predetermined time intervals. Additionally, the image may be transmitted to a cloud computing service for analysis of the inventory. In some embodiments, the camera is held in the predetermined position facing a rear of the inventory stocked on the shelving unit. In another embodiment, the camera is held in the predetermined position facing a front of the inventory stocked on the shelving unit.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electronic shelving system including, in some embodiments, a shelving unit and one or more coupling brackets. Each coupling bracket includes a bracket-coupling body, one or more power couplers disposed in the bracket-coupling body, one or more data couplers disposed in the bracket-coupling body, and one or more integral fasteners such as a tongue extending from the bracket-coupling body configured for fastening the coupling bracket to the shelving unit. Also disclosed herein is a method for the electronic shelving system including, in some embodiments, installing n coupling brackets in the shelving unit, running at least n+1 power cables or data cables through a slotted cable raceway of the shelving unit, and coupling at least two power cables or data cables to each other by way of the coupling bracket.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are electronic shelf-tag systems and methods thereof. For example, an electronic shelf-tag system includes, in some embodiments a fascia configured to mount to a shelf of a shelving unit and a light-emitting diode (“LED”) array coupled to the fascia. The LED array is configured to display product information in a shared electronic shelf tag for two or more products respectively stocked in two or more consecutive shelf slots when a horizontal resolution of a portion of the LED array corresponding to at least one shelf slot of the two or more consecutive shelf slots is insufficient for displaying the product information for the product stocked in the at least one shelf slot.

Abstract: An automated inventory intelligence system is disclosed including, in some embodiments, an artificial intelligence (“AI”) agent configured to monitor inventory states in designated areas of an environment. The AI agent includes sensors, effectors, and an agent program. The sensors are configured to be disposed in the environment to collect sensory information on inventory items in the designated areas. The effectors are configured for response to inventory state changes in the designated areas. The agent program is configured to receive sensor data from the sensors for current inventory states, as well as send instructions to the effectors for the response to the inventory state changes. In addition, the automated inventory intelligence system includes a system memory configured to store an instance of the agent program at runtime and one or more previous inventory states for determining the inventory state changes from the current inventory states.

Abstract: A holding system for laser cleaving an optical fiber. The holding system includes a support structure located at least partially within a laser cleaving device. The support structure has an exterior surface with a first aperture formed there through. It also has a holding member including a first surface accessible through the first aperture and a second surface opposite the first surface. The holding member defines a second aperture extending from the first surface to the second surface for receiving a corresponding mounted optical fiber. The system also includes a pivot mechanism pivotally coupling the holding member to the support structure. The holding member is pivotable relative to the support structure and a cutting plane of the laser cleaving device to provide a plurality of cleaving angles between the cutting plane and the optical fiber.

Abstract: A holding system for laser cleaving an optical fiber. The holding system includes a support structure located at least partially within a laser cleaving device. The support structure has an exterior surface with a first aperture formed there through. It also has a holding member including a first surface accessible through the first aperture and a second surface opposite the first surface. The holding member defines a second aperture extending from the first surface to the second surface for receiving a corresponding mounted optical fiber. The system also includes a pivot mechanism pivotally coupling the holding member to the support structure. The holding member is pivotable relative to the support structure and a cutting plane of the laser cleaving device to provide a plurality of cleaving angles between the cutting plane and the optical fiber.

Abstract: An optical polishing fixture for securing one or more optical connectors can include a fixture base having a connector slot for receiving an optical connector and a clamping assembly mounted to the fixture base proximate the connector slot. The connector slot can be defined by at least one side wall defining a side wall plane and the clamping assembly can include a clamp pad moveable relative to the fixture base between a clamping position and a loading position. The clamp pad may move relative to the fixture base at an angle of less than 45 degrees relative to one of (i) a top surface of the fixture base, (ii) a plane perpendicular the side wall plane, or (iii) a plane defined by a portion of the fixture base top surface proximate to the connector slot.

Abstract: An optical polishing fixture for securing one or more optical connectors can include a fixture base having a connector slot for receiving an optical connector and a clamping assembly mounted to the fixture base proximate the connector slot. The connector slot can be defined by at least one side wall defining a side wall plane and the clamping assembly can include a clamp pad moveable relative to the fixture base between a clamping position and a loading position. The clamp pad may move relative to the fixture base at an angle of less than 45 degrees relative to one of (i) a top surface of the fixture base, (ii) a plane perpendicular the side wall plane, or (iii) a plane defined by a portion of the fixture base top surface proximate to the connector slot.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for sensing, recording, and selectively displaying data associated with operational characteristics of a vehicle and associated engine. The system includes a plurality of transducers delivering signals corresponding to such operational characteristics to a programmable logic device. These signals are converted to appropriate information signals which are stored in an associated storage device and can be selectively displayed on a suitable display device.

Abstract: The system is provided for controllably monitoring data associated with operational characteristics of an engine. The system determines a maintenance activity requirement based on such characteristics. The system includes a plurality of transducers associated with the engine and connected to a programmable logic device. Signals from the transducers are continuously monitored and stored in an associated storage device. In response to predetermined sets of operational characteristics, an indication of when maintenance is due on the engine is produced by the logic device.

Abstract: A system for controllably sensing, recording, and selectively displaying data associated with operational characteristics of a vehicle is described. A plurality of transducers are connected to a programmable logic device along with data entry, data storage, and data display devices. Information received from the transducers is processed by the logic device to determine whether a certain operational characteristic has occurred during the time that certain other characteristics are present. In addition, the amount of time that the particular characteristic occurs is determined.