System having a bar of relocatable distance sensors that detect stock changes in a storage area
US11106941B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 4, 2020 |
| Grant date | Aug 31, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 14, 2040 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06V2201/07
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system having a bar containing distance sensors, such as LIDARs, that may be installed behind a shelf in an automated store. Shelves may be divided into storage zones, such as bins or lanes, and a distance sensor may measure the item quantity in each zone. Quantity changes indicate that a shopper has taken or placed items in the zone. Quantity changes may trigger analysis of camera images of the shelf to identify the items taken or replaced. The distance sensor elements within the bar may be relocatable so they can be positioned correctly behind the corresponding storage zones. The bar may have mounting mechanisms on either side for attachment to shelving support structures. These mounting mechanisms may include security locks. The bar may rotate relative to the mounting mechanisms to provide access to the shelf from behind.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.