System for detecting unauthorized store exit events using signals detected by shopping cart wheels units
US8570171B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 4, 2013 |
| Grant date | Oct 29, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 4, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49826
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A vehicle tracking system includes a wheel unit containing circuitry capable of sensing various types of conditions, such as specific electromagnetic and/or magnetic signals indicative of particular wheel locations. The wheel units communicate with fixed nodes of a monitoring system. In some embodiments, the wheel units are placed on shopping carts and are used to determine whether particular shopping carts are authorized to exit a store. For example, if a shopping cart that has not passed through a checkout lane is approaching a store exit, the system may activate a shopping cart braking unit, and/or initiate another action to inhibit push-out theft.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.