Anti-theft system that uses shopping cart location and vibration data
US11414117B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 3, 2020 |
| Grant date | Aug 16, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 3, 2040 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01C21/20
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Examples of systems and methods for locating movable objects such as carts (e.g., shopping carts) are disclosed. Such systems and methods can use dead reckoning techniques to estimate the current position of the movable object. Various techniques for improving accuracy of position estimates are disclosed, including compensation for various error sources involving the use of magnetometer and accelerometer, and using vibration analysis to derive wheel rotation rates. Various techniques utilize characteristics of the operating environment in conjunction with or in lieu of dead reckoning techniques, including characteristic of environment such as ground texture, availability of signals from radio frequency (RF) transmitters including precision fix sources. Navigation techniques can include navigation history and backtracking, motion direction detection for dual swivel casters, use of gyroscopes, determining cart weight, multi-level navigation, multi-level magnetic measurements, use of lighting signatures, use of multiple navigation systems, or hard/soft iron compensation for different cart configurations.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.