Methods and apparatus for inventory determinations using portable devices

US9367831B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• The Nielsen Company (US), LLC · US

Inventor

• Jan Besehanic · Tampa, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 16, 2015
• Grant date: Jun 14, 2016
• Expiry date: Mar 16, 2035

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06Q10/087
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for inventory determinations using portable devices are disclosed. One disclosed example apparatus includes a detector of a portable device to determine one or more of an orientation or a position of a portable device relative to a product or a shelf storing the product, where the portable device is independent of the shelf. The disclosed example also includes a transmitter of the portable device, where the transmitter is to transmit a signal towards a rear surface of the shelf, and where the rear surface faces toward the product. The disclosed example also includes a receiver of the portable device to receive a reflected signal corresponding to the transmitted signal, where the reflected signal reflected from the rear surface of the shelf. The disclosed example also includes a processor of the portable device to enable the transmitter based on the detected orientation or position of the portable device, and to determine inventory information about the product on the shelf based on the reflected signal.