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

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein can dynamically display an augmented reality image including information about an object. The systems and methods can extract attributes from an image of, or image related to, the object and can use those attributes to construct a database query for a plurality of data sources. After querying the data sources and receiving a response, systems and methods described herein can generate data based on the response to augment the image of, or image related to, the object. The systems and methods can modify the image of, or image related to, the object based on the generated data to generate an augmented image and can display the augmented image on a display.

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: Provided is a stocking tool. The stocking tool includes a first adjustable rigid side member, a second adjustable rigid side member, and a handle operatively coupled to the first adjustable rigid side member and the second adjustable rigid side member. The first adjustable rigid side member and the second adjustable rigid side member move toward and away from each other to adjust a width defined between the first and second adjustable rigid side members. The handle is moveable between a locked position with the handle activating a locking device and an unlocked position with the handle deactivating the locking device. The width defined between the first and second adjustable rigid side members receives product on the shelf and the first and second adjustable rigid side members align the received product on the shelf.

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: 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: Sensor systems, methods and machine readable medium are provided for a cargo vehicle. A plurality of sensors are arranged about an opening associated with a door through which packages are unloaded from a vehicle or trailer. The plurality of sensors are configured to measure an unpacked depth of the vehicle or trailer. A processor is provided in communication with each of the plurality of sensors. The processor is configured to receive measured data generated by the plurality of sensors, determine an empty volume over time of the vehicle or trailer based on the measured data as packages are being unpacked from the vehicle or trailer, and generate instructions regarding loading packages in a subsequent vehicle or trailer based on the determined empty volume over time of the vehicle or trailer.

Abstract: Provided are a system and method for operating a mobile device, comprising: establishing by a locking mechanism at the mobile device that the mobile device is owned or controlled by a retail establishment at which an operator of the mobile device is an agent; searching, by a mobile device, for a signal from a network; authorizing the mobile device to operate in a vicinity of the network when the signal is detected from the network; and inactivating the mobile device or displaying information where the mobile device can operate in response to a failure by the mobile device to detect the signal.

Abstract: A shopping cart that generates power, and comprising a shopping cart body; a set of wheels that each rotates about an axle coupled to the shopping cart body; a power generator that generates a source of power from a rotational force of the wheels when a user moves the shopping cart; a voltage regulator that controls the source of power output from the power generator; and an outlet for outputting the controlled power to an electronic device.

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: Described in detail herein are systems and methods for an automatic physical object status marking system. An electronic label can display a machine-readable element encoded with an identifier associated with a physical object on the display. A first computing system can receive instructions to modify a status of the physical object. The first computing system can retrieve the identifier associated with the physical objects and the identifier associated with the electronic label. The first computing system can control display of the electronic label to display a visual indicator associated with the status. An RFID reader can detect a RFID tag of the electronic label. The RFID reader can transmit the identifier associated with the electronic label to the second computing system. The second computing system is prevented from scanning a machine-readable element associated with the physical object in response to receiving the first identifier from the RFID reader.

Abstract: Described is a system for directing employee movement to maintain a minimum distance between any two employees on a sales floor, and maximize employee coverage on the sales floor. The system includes a first mobile computing device carried by a first employee. The first mobile computing device includes a proximity detection module that detects the proximity of a second mobile computing device carried by a second employee. If it is determined that the distance between the first and the second employee is too small, the first mobile computing device will output a motion direction instruction to the first employee, telling the first employee to change direction, thus increasing the distance between the first and the second employee. The mobile computing devices can be in communication with a base station that receives proximity information and helps coordinate employee coverage and motion direction instructions.

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: 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: Aspects and embodiments are directed to systems for determining counting accuracy of products, including retail products. The system for determining counting accuracy can interface with other inventory systems to access or receive information on inventory of the retail products. The inventory information can include, for example, numbers of units in inventory, shelf space accorded to respective products, package size (i.e., number of units available per package), retail value, margin value, among other options. The system can manage physical counts made on respective products. In some examples, the system can determine a value associated with physically counting inventory of respective product(s), for example, as a function of a number of units on-hand, time since the product has been counted, and a presentation value. Responsive to determining the value associated with physically counting the respective product, the system triggers a physical count or can prohibit a physical count of a product.

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: Provided are a system and method for operating a mobile device, comprising: establishing by a locking mechanism at the mobile device that the mobile device is owned or controlled by a retail establishment at which an operator of the mobile device is an agent; searching, by a mobile device, for a signal from a network; authorizing the mobile device to operate in a vicinity of the network when the signal is detected from the network; and inactivating the mobile device or displaying information where the mobile device can operate in response to a failure by the mobile device to detect the signal.

Abstract: Described in detail herein are methods and systems for dynamically transmitting alerts. Sensors disposed in a facility can detect mobile devices roaming around the facility when they are within range of the sensor. The sensor can transmit the location an identification information of the mobile devices to a computing system. The computing system can determine physical objects disposed within a predetermined distance to the mobile devices. The computing system can determine if at least one physical object is of interest to the users of the mobile devices. The computing system can transmit an alert including information associated with the physical object and generate a messaging interface on the mobile devices. The computing system can prompt the users of the mobile devices to input information associated with the physical object. The computing system can dynamically update the database based on the information input associated with the physical object.

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.