Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for visually verifying the exact item a customer will be receiving through the online grocery pick up of a retail store. The system allows for customers to order a fresh item, such as apples, and view images of the exact fresh item online before finalizing purchase for retail store pickup. The exact fresh item is scanned using three dimensional scanning. The customer views the images and approves or rejects the exact fresh item before finalizing purchase.

Abstract: A system and method for providing shoppers with product freshness notifications, comprise a beacon that determines that a fresh perishable item of interest has been added to a store shelf; an updater that updates the system with information about the fresh perishable item added to the store shelf; and a notification generator that sends a notification to a mobile electronic device of the shopper regarding the addition of the fresh perishable item to the store shelf.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for autonomous monitoring of items by smart peg devices. On occurrence of a predetermined event, a smart peg device analyzes sensor data received from a set of sensors associated with a set of items. The set of sensors includes a weight sensor and/or a proximity sensor. The smart peg device determines a status of the smart peg device based on the analyzed sensor data and a set of criteria. The status may include a number of items associated with the given peg, a weight of the item(s), and/or a location of item(s) associated with the given peg. The smart peg controller determines whether to send a notification based on the status. If a notification is needed, the smart peg device outputs the notification to a remote computing device. The notification may include the determined status and/or a recommended corrective action.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to monitoring a dependent of a customer within a retail facility. In some embodiments, such a system comprises a non-permanent ink marker, wherein the non-permanent ink marker includes componentry for an RFID tag, and wherein the non-permanent ink marker is configured to be adhered to the dependent, one or more RFID readers configured to transmit and receive signals to and from the RFID tag, and a control circuit, configured to receive, from a mobile device of the customer, registration information, associate, with the mobile device of the customer based on the registration information, the RFID tag, receive, from at least one of the RFID readers, a signal from the RFID tag, determine, based on the signal received from the RFID tag, that an event has occurred, and transmit, an alert to the mobile device.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for smart facilities monitoring. Servers and other computing devices configured according to this disclosure can receive data, in real-time or at periodic intervals, from multiple sensors. The server can identify the type of data being received and perform an analysis on the data. Based on that analysis, the server can determine if a notification needs to be communicated to an individual. This notification can, for example, inform the individual of a problem identified by the sensor. The server can generate the notification, determine to whom the notification should be sent, and transmit that notification.

Abstract: A system for navigating a shopper in a store comprises a mobile device application that is stored at and executed by a mobile computing device; an electronic device in communication with the mobile device application, wherein at least one of the mobile device application and the electronic device receives location data for determining directions and a proximity to an item of interest and processes a predetermined feedback pattern for use by the at least one of the electronic device and the mobile device application and generated according to an established location of the at least one of the mobile electronic device and the electronic device, and wherein the feedback pattern is constructed and arranged to provide an indicator of both a direction to the item and a proximity from the item; and a store navigation system that provides instructions for generating the feedback pattern.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to peer-to-peer data transmission. In some embodiments, a system for transmitting data from a first mobile device to an end location comprises the first mobile device, wherein the first mobile device comprises a wireless radio, a user input device, a display device, and a control circuit configured to receive a user command, select, based on information received from an application, the end location, wherein the end location is predicted to provide access to a wireless local area network, transmit, to other mobile device, a discovery message, receive, from the other mobile devices, responses, select, based on the end location and the location information, a second mobile device, and transmit, to the second mobile device, the data, and the second mobile device configured to select a third mobile device, and transmit, to the third mobile device, the data.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide vehicle systems comprising: a housing; a wheel system comprising at least one axle extending between at least two wheels positioned on opposite sides of the housing and supporting the housing; a mobile product distribution system comprising: a product movement system maintained within the housing; and multiple bay doors formed in the housing and with which inbound vehicles and outbound vehicles align while products are distributed from each of the inbound vehicles to at least one of the outbound vehicles; wherein the product movement system extends between the multiple bay doors and is configured to transport the products from each of the inbound vehicles, through the housing and to at least one of the outbound vehicles.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses, systems, and methods are provided herein useful to generating social media posts for customers shopping in a retail shopping facility. In some embodiments, a system comprises a plurality of RFID tags, wherein the plurality of RFID tags is associated with a product in the retail shopping facility, a mobile device, wherein the mobile device includes an RFID reader, and a control circuit, wherein the control circuit is configured to determine an identity of a customer, receive, from the RFID reader, the signals from the plurality of RFID tags, determine, based on the signals from the plurality of RFID tags, a selected product, wherein the customer has chosen the selected product, determine, product information for the selected product, generate, based on the product information for the selected product and the identity of the customer, a social media post, and transmit, for publication, the social media post.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to monitoring a dependent of a customer within a retail facility. In some embodiments, such a system comprises a non-permanent ink marker, wherein the non-permanent ink marker includes componentry for an RFID tag, and wherein the non-permanent ink marker is configured to be adhered to the dependent, one or more RFID readers configured to transmit and receive signals to and from the RFID tag, and a control circuit, configured to receive, from a mobile device of the customer, registration information, associate, with the mobile device of the customer based on the registration information, the RFID tag, receive, from at least one of the RFID readers, a signal from the RFID tag, determine, based on the signal received from the RFID tag, that an event has occurred, and transmit, an alert to the mobile device.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide vehicle systems comprising: a housing; a wheel system comprising at least one axle extending between at least two wheels positioned on opposite sides of the housing and supporting the housing; a mobile product distribution system comprising: a product movement system maintained within the housing; and multiple bay doors formed in the housing and with which inbound vehicles and outbound vehicles align while products are distributed from each of the inbound vehicles to at least one of the outbound vehicles; wherein the product movement system extends between the multiple bay doors and is configured to transport the products from each of the inbound vehicles, through the housing and to at least one of the outbound vehicles.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for smart facilities monitoring. Servers and other computing devices configured according to this disclosure can receive data, in real-time or at periodic intervals, from multiple sensors. The server can identify the type of data being received and perform an analysis on the data. Based on that analysis, the server can determine if a notification needs to be communicated to an individual. This notification can, for example, inform the individual of a problem identified by the sensor. The server can generate the notification, determine to whom the notification should be sent, and transmit that notification.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for autonomous monitoring of items by smart peg devices. On occurrence of a predetermined event, a smart peg device analyzes sensor data received from a set of sensors associated with a set of items. The set of sensors includes a weight sensor and/or a proximity sensor. The smart peg device determines a status of the smart peg device based on the analyzed sensor data and a set of criteria. The status may include a number of items associated with the given peg, a weight of the item(s), and/or a location of item(s) associated with the given peg. The smart peg controller determines whether to send a notification based on the status. If a notification is needed, the smart peg device outputs the notification to a remote computing device. The notification may include the determined status and/or a recommended corrective action.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage mediums for transporting inventory are provided to ensure that a retail business can replenish goods fast. An example method can include determining that a first business location requires replenishment of an item and that a second business location has the item. A delivery request is initiated for the item to be delivered from the second business location to the first retail location. The method causes broadcasting a courier opportunity to multiple couriers based on the delivery request and receiving a claim to deliver the item from at least one of the couriers. In response to receiving the claim, a task is assigned to a selected courier. Further, an account of the selected courier is debited when the item is picked up. When a confirmation that the item was delivered is received, the account of the selected courier is credited.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for automating a point of sale within a physical location, such as a merchant or store. The point of sale system may automate a purchase transaction through a series of interactions between the customer's mobile communication device or other computer system and a store's computer network of camera systems, RFID devices and/or sensor devices monitoring product shelves. The store may use a computer system linked to the camera systems of the store to verify the identity of the customer, identify the customer's account with the particular store and verify items selected by the customer. The customer's computer system and the store's computer system may negotiate the sale based on the video data and RFID data to identify the products selected, calculate the total cost and finalize the transaction without performing employee assisted checkout or customer-based self-checkout.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatuses for tracking amounts consumable products, generating reminders, and reordering depleted products. The systems include a sensor device comprising a wireless transceiver and an elastic retention member affixing the sensor device to the exterior of the consumable product. The sensor device electronically communicates with a computer system and a product management network. The height of the sensor device on the product container may determine the point of product depletion, signaling the computer system when the amount of consumable product is below the desired level resulting in the performance of a pre-set action. The sensor device calibrates to the density of the product and stores the measurements as sensor data. Alterations to the sensor data are indicative of depletion of the consumable product and initiate the performance of a pre-set action to remind the user to replace the product or automate the replacement of the consumable product.

Abstract: A system is described which aids a customer in finding the correct part for a product. The customer will take a picture of the product (e.g., lawnmower) on a mobile device running an App which is forwarded to a parts identification system. The parts identification system will use analyze the picture and provide several close matches to the user's mobile device. The user will select the closest image which identifies a specific product. The model number, brand, etc. associated with the product, is provided to a parts database which provides a representation of the parts relating to the selected product. The parts identification system may categorize the parts for the customer to narrow down to the desired matching part. The system will then store the selected products and parts for this customer for quicker matches in the future. The system also searched e-Commerce sites for availability.

Abstract: A system for navigating a shopper in a store comprises a mobile device application that is stored at and executed by a mobile computing device; an electronic device in communication with the mobile device application, wherein at least one of the mobile device application and the electronic device receives location data for determining directions and a proximity to an item of interest and processes a predetermined feedback pattern for use by the at least one of the electronic device and the mobile device application and generated according to an established location of the at least one of the mobile electronic device and the electronic device, and wherein the feedback pattern is constructed and arranged to provide an indicator of both a direction to the item and a proximity from the item; and a store navigation system that provides instructions for generating the feedback pattern.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for visually verifying the exact item a customer will be receiving through the online grocery pick up of a retail store. The system allows for customers to order a fresh item, such as apples, and view images of the exact fresh item online before finalizing purchase for retail store pickup. The exact fresh item is scanned using three dimensional scanning. The customer views the images and approves or rejects the exact fresh item before finalizing purchase.

Abstract: A system that is primarily designed to help customers find products in a store is described. It supplements existing systems that provide a shelf location for a requested product. The current system employs high resolution cameras, such as the security cameras, and creates an image database indexed by product location. A customer uses software on a phone or home computer to interface with a server of the system. Once a product is selected, the server finds the product location for the selected product, then also retrieves the image corresponding to the product location and provides these to the customer to visually determine if there are any of these products at their product location on the shelf at the time of the image. Since all of the images are time stamped, the customer knows how long ago the image was taken. In an alternative embodiment, the customer can request a current image for older images.