Abstract: An event at a shelf, such as a user interacting with items on the shelf, may be detected using sensors associated with the shelf. Hypotheses to describe the event are generated based on the collected sensor data. However, hypotheses determined based on only one type of sensor data may not have a confidence value that is sufficiently reliable. Hypotheses derived from different sensor types may be combined to generate new hypotheses that have higher confidence values. For example, hypotheses based on image data may be combined with hypotheses based on weight data to produce hypotheses with higher confidence values that are sufficiently reliable. A hypothesis, from the set of combined hypotheses, having the highest confidence value may then be used to describe the interaction at the shelf, such as identifying the item and quantity of item the user interacted with during the event.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a system for automatically identifying an item from among a variation of items of a same type. For example, an image may be processed and resulting item image information compared with stored item image information to determine a type of item represented in the image. If the matching stored item image information is part of a cluster, the item image information may then be compared with distinctive features associated with stored item image information of the cluster to determine the variation of the item represented in the received image.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a system for automatically updating item image information stored in an item images data store and used for processing captured images to identify items represented in those images. In one implementation, once an identity of an item has been verified, captured images of that item are associated with the item and stored in the item images data store. As a result, the item images data store is updated each time an image of the item is captured and the identity of the item is verified.

Abstract: Items may be stowed in an inventory location, such as a shelf. An interaction may take place where one of the items is picked from or placed on the inventory location. Sensor data can be acquired from two or more sensors, such as cameras or weight sensors, configured to collect such sensor data for the inventory location. Hypotheses to describe interactions at the inventory location may be determined using sensor data from each different sensor. However, the confidence value for such hypotheses may not be reliable. Fusion of sensor data may be performed where sets of hypotheses from the different sensors are combined and the resulting hypotheses are more accurate.

Abstract: An item stowed at an inventory location may rest or be supported by a surface, such as a shelf, that includes an optical sensor array. The optical sensor array comprises a plurality of optical sensors that detect light intensity values. When a light source illuminates the item resting on the surface, a footprint or shadow is cast by the item onto the surface. Such a shadow is detected by the light intensity values at the optical sensors in the optical sensor array. Once the shadow is detected, information about the area, shape, and perimeter of the shadow can be determined and saved as footprint data for a single item. Such a process can be performed at intake of the item to the facility and later accessed to determine a quantity of the item on a shelf of a facility.

Abstract: Described is a method for determining when to transition devices between different states based on determined potential activity in an area near the devices. When the potential for activity near an input device is below a threshold, the device is maintained in an inactive state. When the potential for activity near the device exceeds the threshold, the device is transitioned to an active state before the potential activity can occur near the device. Likewise, when the device is in an active state, the implementations described herein provide the ability to determine when to begin and end transmission of data from the device to a remote computing resource for processing. For example, obtained video may be processed locally to determine if an activity is occurring. If an activity is occurring, relevant data is sent to a remote computing resource to determine if an action has been performed during the activity.

Abstract: Described is a device notification aggregation service (“DNAS”) that aggregates device state information, such as alarms, from multiple distributed devices and then provides device state information and/or device set status information to services that rely on data from the distributed devices to make decisions on other events.

Abstract: Described is a system and method for assisting users in properly placing and/or positioning items at inventory locations within a materials handling facility. In one example, a placement location may be distinguished for the user through use of illumination or other techniques to assist the user in quickly identifying the proper location at which to place the item. Likewise, a proper position of the item may be presented to the user to assist the user in properly positioning the item at the placement location.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a system for identifying users and/or their companions, utilizing the behavior and gestures of a user's companion to assist the user, and developing user paths based on user and/or companion preferences. A companion profile may be established to identify the companion and associated the companion with the user. Likewise, a user pattern that includes both the user and the companion may be established and used to track the location of the user and/or companion while in the materials handling facility.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a system for automatically identifying an item from among a variation of items of a same type. For example, an image may be processed and resulting item image information compared with stored item image information to determine a type of item represented in the image. If the matching stored item image information is part of a cluster, the item image information may then be compared with distinctive features associated with stored item image information of the cluster to determine the variation of the item represented in the received image.

Abstract: An item stowed at an inventory location may rest on a surface such as a shelf or may be supported above the surface. The item may exhibit a footprint that is representative of a physical perimeter of the item. For example, the footprint may be an edge of a shadow cast by the item. Information about a size and shape of a footprint associated with a particular item may be stored. An optical sensor array may acquire sensor image data indicative of the footprint of one or more of the items stored at an inventory location. A quantity of items at the inventory location may be determined by comparing the sensor image data with the stored data.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a system for automatically identifying an item from among a variation of items of a same type. For example, an image may be processed and resulting item image information compared with stored item image information to determine a type of item represented in the image. If the matching stored item image information is part of a cluster, the item image information may then be compared with distinctive features associated with stored item image information of the cluster to determine the variation of the item represented in the received image.

Abstract: An inventory location such as a shelf may be used to stow different types of items, with each type of item in a different partitioned area or section of the shelf. Weight data from weight sensors coupled to the shelf is used to determine a change in weight of the shelf and a change in the center-of-mass (“COM”) of the items on the shelf. Based on the weight data and item data indicative of what items are stowed in particular partitioned areas, activity such as a pick or place of an item and the partitioned area in which the activity occurred may be determined. Data from other sensors, such as a camera, may be used to confirm the occurrence of the activity, disambiguate the determination of the particular partitioned area, and so forth.

Abstract: The application describes a system and process for anticipating when a user will leave a selection area within a materials handling facility and determining if a notification requesting that the user provide a tote of picked items to a drop off location should be presented to the user. For example, a user may be asked to provide items picked from a selection area for processing, such as packing, while the user is picking items from other selection areas of a materials handling facility.

Abstract: An inventory location such as a shelf may be used to stow different types of items. Interactions may take place, such as the pick or place of one or more items from the inventory location. Image data may be acquired from cameras viewing the shelf and weight data may be acquired from weight sensors coupled to the shelf. Hypotheses may be determined that indicate possible interactions with the inventory location, such as pick or place of an item with regard to the inventory location, and the probability that those interactions are correct. The hypotheses and their associated probabilities may be aggregated. From the aggregated hypotheses, a hypothesis with a highest confidence value may be deemed a solution.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a system for automatically updating item image information stored in an item images data store and used for processing captured images to identify items represented in those images. In one implementation, once an identity of an item has been verified, captured images of that item are associated with the item and stored in the item images data store. As a result, the item images data store is updated each time an image of the item is captured and the identity of the item is verified.

Abstract: Described is a method for determining when to transition devices between different states based on determined potential activity in an area near the devices. When the potential for activity near an input device is below a threshold, the device is maintained in an inactive state. When the potential for activity near the device exceeds the threshold, the device is transitioned to an active state before the potential activity can occur near the device. Likewise, when the device is in an active state, the implementations described herein provide the ability to determine when to begin and end transmission of data from the device to a remote computing resource for processing. For example, obtained video may be processed locally to determine if an activity is occurring. If an activity is occurring, relevant data is sent to a remote computing resource to determine if an action has been performed during the activity.

Abstract: Described is a system and method for assisting users in properly placing and/or positioning items at inventory locations within a materials handling facility. In one example, a placement location may be distinguished for the user through use of illumination or other techniques to assist the user in quickly identifying the proper location at which to place the item. Likewise, a proper position of the item may be presented to the user to assist the user in properly positioning the item at the placement location.

Abstract: A kit of parts for forming a structure which may be a play structure or a shelter, and which is at least partially of dome-like shape and which can resemble an igloo, comprises a series of side panels of generally trapezoidal shape each with side edges which are at least partially bowed outwardly and are capable of being joined edge-to-edge to adjacent side panels when curved to conform to said dome-like shape. The side panels are longitudinally flexible, and each has an upper end portion which is pleated to allow the upper edges of panels to be pushed together as the panels are joined. A convex top closure is provided for fitting over the top edges of the panels, and the pleated upper end portions allow ventilation around the edges of the closure.

Abstract: (a) This installation comprises means for positioning and holding car body parts and devices for welding these parts to one another. (b) This installation is characterized in that it comprises a rigid, fixed stand (1) provided in its upper part with a horizontal conveyor track (11) for carriages (12) referred to as upper carriages each having elements for positioning and holding components of the upper part of a particular car body model of the motor vehicle, and provided in its lower part with a lift (8,10) containing centering devices cooperating with the components of the lower part of a type of motor vehicle body, which lower part is common to several models.