Abstract: In some implementations, a system may activate sensors of a smart shelf based on detected events. The system may include a first sensor array configured to monitor a surface of the smart shelf. The first sensor array may be associated with a first type of sensor. The system may include a second sensor array configured to monitor the surface of the smart shelf. The second sensor array may be associated with a second type of sensor. The system may include a controller. The controller may receive, from a first sensor of the first sensor array, a first sensor value. The controller may detect an occurrence of an event based on the first sensor value, wherein the event is associated with an item of the smart shelf. The controller may activate one or more second sensors of the second sensor array based on the occurrence of the event.

Abstract: A system and method for grouping associated customers with connected customers. In various aspects, a controller detects, via data obtained by a plurality of detector stations, a plurality of individuals, including associated and connected customers, entering the venue. The controller monitors, via the data obtained by the plurality of detector stations, a location of each individuals to generate a confidence level that the connected customer and the associated customer are members of a group. The controller determines that the confidence level exceeds a threshold confidence level. In response, the controller updates an account associated with the connected customer based on tracking data associated with the associated customer.

Abstract: A method in a server includes receiving sensor data from an edge computing device, the sensor data generated by a sensor array disposed on a support surface carrying items; detecting, from the sensor data, a set of regions of the sensor array corresponding to respective items carried on the support surface; generating, for each region, a corresponding monitoring definition, each monitoring definition containing: a location of the region within the array, a noise compensation indicator, and an item presence indicator; sending the monitoring definitions to the edge computing device; subsequent to sending the monitoring definitions, receiving item count data from the edge computing device, the item count data derived at the edge computing device from further sensor data generated by the sensor array, based on the monitoring definitions.

Abstract: An edge device using broadcasting is disclosed herein. The edge device may include one or more memories and one or more processors communicatively coupled to the one or more memories. In some implementations, the edge device may receive individual sets of data from a plurality of sensors and compile the individual sets of data into a single dataset to be processed by a backend device. The edge device may generate a plurality of advertisements to include a corresponding plurality of portions of the dataset and a corresponding plurality of sequence identifiers. The edge device may broadcast each advertisement, without receiving an acknowledgement of each preceding advertisement. The edge device may receive, from the backend device, an indication of one or more sequence identifiers that were not received. Accordingly, the edge device may retransmit, based on the indication of the sequence identifier(s), a portion of the plurality of advertisements.

Abstract: In an embodiment, the present invention is a method for ranging which includes emitting an acoustic signal at a first frequency, monitoring for a first acoustic response signal at a second frequency, and responsive to receiving the first acoustic response signal within a predetermined amount of time, (1) calculating a first distance between a first device and a second device based on a duration between emitting the first acoustic signal and receiving the first acoustic response signal, and (2) broadcast a first message including the distance and an identifier.

Abstract: In some implementations, a system may activate sensors of a smart shelf based on detected events. The system may include a first sensor array configured to monitor a surface of the smart shelf. The first sensor array may be associated with a first type of sensor. The system may include a second sensor array configured to monitor the surface of the smart shelf. The second sensor array may be associated with a second type of sensor. The system may include a controller. The controller may receive, from a first sensor of the first sensor array, a first sensor value. The controller may detect an occurrence of an event based on the first sensor value, wherein the event is associated with an item of the smart shelf. The controller may activate one or more second sensors of the second sensor array based on the occurrence of the event.

Abstract: An edge device using broadcasting is disclosed herein. The edge device may include one or more memories and one or more processors communicatively coupled to the one or more memories. In some implementations, the edge device may receive individual sets of data from a plurality of sensors and compile the individual sets of data into a single dataset to be processed by a backend device. The edge device may generate a plurality of advertisements to include a corresponding plurality of portions of the dataset and a corresponding plurality of sequence identifiers. The edge device may broadcast each advertisement, without receiving an acknowledgement of each preceding advertisement. The edge device may receive, from the backend device, an indication of one or more sequence identifiers that were not received. Accordingly, the edge device may retransmit, based on the indication of the sequence identifier(s), a portion of the plurality of advertisements.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the field of point of sale (POS) systems, and more specifically, to reading RFID tags at or near POS transaction stations. In an embodiment, the present invention is a method of operating a POS system having a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader where the POS system is in contact with a product database. The method comprises providing a transaction station configured to be operated by an employee; detecting a presence of the employee at the transaction station; reading, via the RFID reader, an RFID tag associated with a product; causing the reading of the RFID tag to be reflected in the product database when the employee is detected; and causing the reading of the RFID tag to not be reflected in the product database when the employee is not detected.

Abstract: An inventory system is disclosed. The inventory system may include a support frame and a suspension support that is configured to extend from the support frame. The inventory system may include a sensor configuration arranged on the suspension support. The sensor configuration may include a plurality of sensor elements that are configured to sense whether one or more objects are being suspended from the suspension support. The inventory system may include an electrical connector interface that facilitates communication of an inventory status associated with the suspension support.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing low-power sensing, identification, and sweep detection for items on a sensor mat are provided. Item detection sensors are provided in grid on a sensor mat. A first subset of the item detection sensors are sensed at a first time, and a second subset of the item detection sensors are sensed at a second time. The item detection sensors of the first and second subsets are chosen such that they span the surface of the sensor mat, and so that the sensors of the chosen subsets include all of the sensors of the mat after multiple sensing steps have been completed.

Abstract: A system includes: an edge computing device disposed in an indoor facility having at least one light source; an energy storage subsystem configured to generate electrical power from light emitted by the at least one light source, and to supply the electrical power to the edge computing device, the energy storage subsystem including: a collector; an auxiliary energy storage device configured to receive energy collected by the collector, the auxiliary energy storage device having a first storage capacity; a main energy storage device having a second storage capacity greater than the first storage capacity; a controller configured to supply energy from the main energy storage device to the edge computing device; and a selector configured to selectively discharge energy from the auxiliary energy storage device to the main energy storage device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing low-power sensing, identification, and sweep detection for items on a sensor mat are provided. Item detection sensors are provided in grid on a sensor mat. A first subset of the item detection sensors are sensed at a first time, and a second subset of the item detection sensors are sensed at a second time. The item detection sensors of the first and second subsets are chosen such that they span the surface of the sensor mat, and so that the sensors of the chosen subsets include all of the sensors of the mat after multiple sensing steps have been completed.

Abstract: A system includes: an edge computing device disposed in an indoor facility having at least one light source; an energy storage subsystem configured to generate electrical power from light emitted by the at least one light source, and to supply the electrical power to the edge computing device, the energy storage subsystem including: a collector; an auxiliary energy storage device configured to receive energy collected by the collector, the auxiliary energy storage device having a first storage capacity; a main energy storage device having a second storage capacity greater than the first storage capacity; a controller configured to supply energy from the main energy storage device to the edge computing device; and a selector configured to selectively discharge energy from the auxiliary energy storage device to the main energy storage device.

Abstract: A method in a server includes receiving sensor data from an edge computing device, the sensor data generated by a sensor array disposed on a support surface carrying items; detecting, from the sensor data, a set of regions of the sensor array corresponding to respective items carried on the support surface; generating, for each region, a corresponding monitoring definition, each monitoring definition containing: a location of the region within the array, a noise compensation indicator, and an item presence indicator; sending the monitoring definitions to the edge computing device; subsequent to sending the monitoring definitions, receiving item count data from the edge computing device, the item count data derived at the edge computing device from further sensor data generated by the sensor array, based on the monitoring definitions.

Abstract: Smart shelf systems and methods of operating the same are disclosed herein. An example method includes determining a current position of a divider on a smart shelf based on sensor outputs of the smart shelf at the current position responsive to the divider positioned at the current position; comparing the current position of the divider to an intended position of the divider; and providing a first alert when the current position of the divider does not match the intended position of the divider. In some examples, the intended position of the divider is updated to the current or an installed position of the divider.

Abstract: A system for event notification based on editing a transponder identifier is disclosed herein. The system may include a sensor system, a transponder, a transponder reader, and a controller. The system may detect an event associated with a sensor. The system may identify a transponder associated with the sensor. The system may cause the transponder to store an event identifier in a memory location of an identifier, of the transponder, to form an edited identifier. The event identifier may be associated with the event. The system may determine that the transponder responded to the query from the transponder reader. The system may store a confirmation that the event identifier was provided to the transponder reader via the transponder.

Abstract: In an embodiment, the present invention is a method for ranging which includes emitting an acoustic signal at a first frequency, monitoring for a first acoustic response signal at a second frequency, and responsive to receiving the first acoustic response signal within a predetermined amount of time, (1) calculating a first distance between a first device and a second device based on a duration between emitting the first acoustic signal and receiving the first acoustic response signal, and (2) broadcast a first message including the distance and an identifier.

Abstract: A system for event notification based on editing a transponder identifier is disclosed herein. The system may include a sensor system, a transponder, a transponder reader, and a controller. The system may detect an event associated with a sensor. The system may identify a transponder associated with the sensor. The system may cause the transponder to store an event identifier in a memory location of an identifier, of the transponder, to form an edited identifier. The event identifier may be associated with the event. The system may determine that the transponder responded to the query from the transponder reader. The system may store a confirmation that the event identifier was provided to the transponder reader via the transponder.

Abstract: Smart shelf systems and methods of operating the same are disclosed herein. An example method includes determining a current position of a divider on a smart shelf based on sensor outputs of the smart shelf at the current position responsive to the divider positioned at the current position; comparing the current position of the divider to an intended position of the divider; and providing a first alert when the current position of the divider does not match the intended position of the divider. In some examples, the intended position of the divider is updated to the current or an installed position of the divider.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating a target in a venue is described. A backend controller activates transmitters in a venue to send burst signals using a double symmetry configuration formed of a plurality of separate transmitter groups. The backend controller activates the transmitters into a second, different configuration for bursting. The resulting location signal information from each configuration is obtained by the backend controller, which then more accurately determines the location of the target in the venue.