Abstract: The present disclosure relates to inserts for use with sandwich panels, such as composite panels, and related methods. Presently disclosed inserts may include a retention feature and/or an anti-rotation feature that may be configured to retain the insert in place within a bore formed in the sandwich panel. In this manner, presently disclosed inserts may be secured without the use of adhesive compounds, which may increase efficiency and/or reduce costs in manufacturing apparatus that include one or more sandwich panels having one or more inserts placed therein. Presently disclosed methods of installing an insert into a sandwich panel may include rotating the insert with respect to the sandwich panel as the insert is installed, such that a portion of the insert may be positioned under the skin of the sandwich panel (e.g., a portion of the insert may be positioned between the skin and the core of the sandwich panel).

Abstract: Methods and systems for tracking associate interaction with a customer are described. A method may include receiving, at an associate-customer interaction server, associate action data from an electronic sensor. The method may further include determining, at the associate-customer interaction server and from the associate action data received from the electronic sensor, whether an interaction between an associate and a customer has been initiated. The method may also include, in response to determining that the interaction between the associate and the customer has been initiated, determining, at the associate-customer interaction server, whether the associate acted in accordance with an electronically defined associate-customer interaction policy during the interaction based on the associate action data.

Abstract: Techniques and architectures to manage personal data. Permissions are maintained information for one or more portions of the electronic personal record. Connection information for the one or more portions of the electronic personal record are maintained. At least one of the one or more portions of the electronic personal record information from a static document provided by the user and dynamic information obtained via an integration with an external data source. The one or more processors further to evaluate claims on portions of the electronic record from providers utilizing attribute-based security mechanisms. The corresponding portions of the electronic personal record are selectively provided in response to results of the evaluation.

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 processor-readable storage media for remote controlling of electronic shelf labels. An example method includes receiving, at a computing device, store layout data of a retail store and product data. The product data identifies at least one product and a price of the product. The method causes an optical emitter to emit an optical signal to at least one electronic shelf label based at least in part on the store layout data, the product data, and a predetermined rule. The optical signal bears the product data and is configured to cause the electronic shelf label to change displayable information to reflect new product data. The electronic shelf label can also send feedback to the optical emitter to inform that the optical signal was successfully received.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for managing an inventor of food products. The system includes a processor in communication with a memory storage device. The processor is configured to create a database of conditions of a food product available for purchase at a location, monitor one or more of the conditions of the food product at the location over a first period of time, determine the optimal condition of the food product based on the condition of the food product when sold at the location during the first period of time, and determine a state of the food products to be purchased for a second period of time later than the first period of time based on the determined optimal condition of the food product.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for providing an “always on” offline transaction collection. When networks go down, mobile devices can be used to generate a mesh network, where each device has a list of scheduled, future events which are planned to occur. When the events are performed, the mesh network verifies and/or records the event, so that duplication of the event does not take place. In this manner planned transactions can continue despite a network connection being down.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to determine an internal property of a food product. The system includes one or more analyzing devices, a camera and a central unit in communication with the camera and analyzing device. The analyzing device is configured to analyze an interior region of the food product. The camera is configured to analyze an external property of the food product. The central unit is configured to determine the internal property of the food product based on feedback provided by the analyzing device and the camera.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to systems and methods for managing an autonomous robot in a retail environment. A system for managing an autonomous robot in a retail environment generally includes an external vendor robot task request system, a retailer robot task scheduling system, and an autonomous robot located in the retail environment. The retailer robot task scheduling system receives an external vendor robot task request from the external vendor robot task request system, combines the external vendor robot task request and an internal retailer-defined task into a robot task list, and communicates the robot task list to the autonomous robot.

Abstract: A system for determining a shopping metric from static electricity comprises a plurality of static electricity sensors; a monitoring server that processes signals generated by the static electricity sensors and determines from the processed signals a store metric; and a static electricity measurement database that stores the store metric for subsequent retrieval for analysis.

Abstract: Examples provide a location-aware device tracking system. A location-aware application on a user device scans for a wireless network using a private SSID. When a network is found, the user device connects to a store hidden network. A device tracking system gathers transaction data, including user device location based on the SSID. A location-aware analysis engine analyses the transaction data using machine learning and a predictive engine to create and/or update a user device profile. An item alert is delivered to the user device based on the user device profile and user device location data.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for automated checkout using metal detection to determine a location of a universal product code (UPC) or another physical item identifier (PID) associated with a given item. A set of sensors detects a location of a physical identifier (PID) associated with at least one item. A set of signal components outputs an indication of the detected PID location on the given item. The output PID location indication directs a movement or change in position of the given item to place the PID in a readable proximity of a scanner component. The PID location indication may include an audible indication, a visual indication, and/or a haptic indication to a user. The PID location indication may include instructions to an orientation component for automatically repositioning the item within the readable proximity of the scanner component.

Abstract: Examples of the disclosure provide a system and method for autonomously opening bags using a mechanical arm. The mechanical arm includes actuators that move the mechanical arm in response to a trigger, a gripping component that attracts a portion of the bag in response to contact with the bag using a static electric charge, a nozzle that provides an introduction of compressed air into an environment relative to the opening of the bag, and a trigger mechanism that provides the trigger to the mechanical arm such that the mechanical arm brings the gripping component into contact with the bag using the one or more actuators and provides an expulsion of a portion of the compressed air via the nozzle to open the bag.

Abstract: An item packaging carousel is disclosed. The carousel includes a first tier and a second tier, each of the first tier and the second tier including a plurality of item receptacle compartments, each item receptacle compartment configured to hold at least one item receptacle; a motor configured to rotate at least one of the first tier or the second tier to bring one of the plurality of item receptacles to an active filling position; and an item packaging carousel control system including a processor and communications circuitry, the communications circuitry configured to receive item information from an item scanning system, and the item packaging carousel control system configured to provide a rotation signal to the motor to cause at least one of the first tier or the second tier to rotate to bring a selected one of the plurality of item receptacle compartments to an active filling position based on the received item information.

Abstract: Examples provide a system for monitoring an open container. A set of sensors captures sensor data associated with one or more items within an open container, such as, but not limited to, a food warmer or a refrigerated/freezer display case. The set of sensors may include one or more infrared (IR) cameras. The set of sensors transmits the sensor data to a monitoring component. The monitoring component processes the sensor data to identify factor(s) associated with one or more items, such as temperature, location of the item, state changes, and freshness of the one or more items. If a factor for a given item exceeds a predetermined threshold value for that factor, the monitoring system outputs an alert notification to a user interface.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to systems in which one or more infrared cameras or sensors are used to measure heat related to the wheels of carts, such as shopping carts. Wheels with bad bearings, that wobble, or that have other issues preventing normal operation tend to generate more heat than wheels that are in good working order, such that an infrared camera or sensor directed at wheel height (e.g., about 2-3 inches off the floor) can detect wheel issues by detecting heat emitted by the wheels.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to augmented reality-assisted (AR-assisted) product modular arrangement systems and methods for setting up retail spaces and displays and arranging and stocking products thereon. The AR-assisted system can comprise an AR device, such as a headset, glasses, or mobile device, that guides a user through locating, setting up and arranging a retail display, such as a shelf, modular, rack or other physical area. In embodiments, the AR device can be used hands free. The AR device is in communication with a product database from which the AR device receives data, images and other information used in guiding the user through locating, setting up, arranging, auditing and other tasks involved in product modular arrangement.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to systems and methods for optimizing physical layout of and product placement in a retail environment. Embodiments of systems and methods discussed herein can be used in many ways, including to analyze or determine: placement of a new product; a new location of an existing product; an improved or enhanced store layout; or an original, new store layout. Embodiments use limited information related to a customer entering a retail environment and making a purchase in the retail environment to estimate one or more possible paths taken by the customer in or through the retail environment. The estimated one or more paths then can be used to determine or adjust a physical location of at least one item in the retail environment to optimize physical layout of the retail environment.

Abstract: A landing pad receptacle receives and stores a package delivered by an unmanned vehicle, comprising: a housing; a storage compartment in the housing; and a validation device that detects a presence of a package delivered by a unmanned vehicle in the storage compartment and authenticates a package for return by a unmanned vehicle.

Abstract: A system for keeping track of an employee's attendance is described that allows the employee to be creative which also helps morale. An employee sets up an employee account and provides identification. A full body image is taken of the employee that is analyzed. Facial features may also be analyzed and stored. The employee then can create his/her own unique gesture which is captured and stored as a unique clock in gesture. He/she may also set up passwords and/or security questions if the gesture is not recognized. The employee then performs the unique clock in gesture to notify the system when he/she is beginning or leaving work. During clock in, the system checks human resource rules, accumulated work hours and characteristics of the employee's employment and clocks in the employee if it determines that the employee meets the rules and is allowed to clock in and work additional hours.