TWI571812B - On-shelf tracking (ost) system - Google Patents

Description

On-shelf tracking (OST) system Priority statement

This application claims the priority of the Provisional Patent Application No. 614 539 542, filed on March 17, 2011, which is incorporated by reference.

Field of invention

This disclosure relates to a system for tracking the interaction of consumers with retail products on merchandise display fixtures in real time.

Background of the invention

Consumer packaged goods (CPG) retailers and manufacturers are increasingly operating under increasing pressure, given fierce competition, lower profit margins and increasing operating costs. Manufacturers and retailers operate in a fixed retail space and attempt to maximize space productivity to maximize revenue while controlling costs. Retailers try to maximize total revenue by optimally configuring high-performance existing inventory storage units (SKUs), properly configuring new SKUs, and eliminating lower-productivity SKUs. This typically places high demands on available shelf space and creates significant competition in the shelf space of CPG retail stores. Retailers and manufacturers are committed to optimizing space productivity with effective data collection and analysis.

CPG manufacturers and retailers now use a variety of product tracking technologies, including the collection of scanned data from retailer systems, and integration by suppliers such as Nielsen® or Information Resources, Inc. (IRI®). data of. There are two restrictions on the use of only scanned data, namely (1) summary and (2) time. In summary, scanned data is usually available to stores, etc. Class or national chain grades (eg Kroger®, and Safeway®) are used. In terms of time, data is typically available daily, weekly or monthly. Because of these two limitations, testing new products or product configurations must be done on a large number of stores and over long periods of time (eg, weeks or months) to accurately detect the impact of the change. These limitations result in significant costs (for example, for any particular "unit" in a test, typically testing a new product or new item configuration requires more than 20 stores for 2-3 months) and limits can be The number of units tested. As a result, many valuable trials that can be implemented are eliminated due to cost considerations, slowing down the entire learning process for retailers and manufacturers and resulting in low space utilization.

In general, current product tracking solutions do not provide sufficient resolution or timeliness and are not consistent and non-intrusive in product projects. Known techniques are generally not capable of tracking the intermittent interaction of consumers with products placed on a retailer's shelf. Retailers can benefit from the ability to easily collect and analyze data about these interactions in real time so that they can optimize the retailer's product classification, product configuration, and the retailer's billing rate for this shelf space. It is believed that there is currently no effective way for manufacturers to test new products on a small and fast scale before full implementation without incurring large logistics, supply chain, advertising and promotion costs. In addition, it is believed that retailers and manufacturers do not have an efficient way to effectively understand how different types of customers (eg, different ethnic groups and shopping habits) are affected by product and merchandise display choices.

Therefore, it is necessary to solve the problems mentioned above and other problems encountered previously.

Summary of invention

A system mounted on a merchandise display unit has one or more inventory areas, one or more product units, one or more product sensors, a shelf structure, and an electromagnetic signal processor. The one or more inventory areas may exhibit the one or more product units in one or more configurations: the one or more product units are configured in a container in one or more deep geometric patterns, the one or more A plurality of product units are loosely disposed in a container, or (iii) the one or more product units are hung on a hook. The one or more product sensors each operatively associated with at least one of the one or more inventory areas, converting the sensed quantity of the one or more product units into a respective analog electromagnetic signal. The shelf structure secures the one or more product sensors to the merchandise display unit relative to the one or more product units such that the one or more product sensors sense the number of the one or more product units . An electromagnetic signal processor in communication with the one or more product sensors periodically samples the output of the one or more product sensors and converts the analog signal into a digital signal.

In some embodiments, a self-calibration system is in communication with the electromagnetic signal processor to detect background variability of the analog electromagnetic signal and thereby establish an activity threshold for each of the one or more product sensors . The activity threshold is a configurable multiple of background variability and represents the sensitivity of the associated product sensor.

In addition, in some embodiments, when the variability of the respective analog signals exceeds the activity threshold, a pick event detection system determines at the one or more An inventory event has been initiated in one of the inventory areas. In such an embodiment, the pick event detection system temporarily stops self-calibration during an inventory event. Moreover, the pick event detection system identifies one or more other product sensors that cause the inventory event to be signaled prior to completion of the inventory event. Moreover, the pick event detection system determines that the inventory event is terminated when the variability of each of the individual analog electromagnetic signals is restored below the activity threshold of each of the contributing product sensors.

Other systems, methods, features, and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages are included in the scope of the application and are protected by the scope of the appended claims.

Simple illustration

This system can be more completely understood with reference to the following figures and descriptions. The elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, but rather the emphasis is placed on the principles of the system. The same reference numbers indicate corresponding parts in all the different views.

Figure 1A depicts an exemplary component of an on-track (OST) system.

FIG. 1B illustrates an exemplary component of another exemplary OST system.

FIG. 1C depicts an exemplary sliding sensor mount that can be adjusted to accommodate product containers of various sizes.

Figure 1D depicts a sliding sensor mount that is adapted to accommodate Figure 1C of an exemplary product container.

Figure 1E illustrates a sliding sensor mount of Figure 1C adjusted to accommodate the exemplary product container of Figure 1D.

Figure 1F shows adjustments to accommodate multiple product containers, including Figure 1D The slide sensor mount of Figure 1C of the product container.

Figure 1G is a side elevational view of the sliding sensor mount of Figure 1C adjusted to accommodate a plurality of product containers, including the product container of Figure 1F.

FIG. 1H is an exploded view of the sliding sensor mount of FIG. 1C.

Figure 1I depicts a front perspective view of an exemplary product sensor mount having a raised edge portion.

Figure 2A shows an example of an OST system configuration.

FIG. 2B illustrates an example of another OST system configuration.

Figure 2C depicts an exemplary electromagnetic signal processor of the OST system configuration of Figure 2B.

FIG. 2D illustrates an exemplary pickup sensor placement system (also referred to as a product sensor placement system) having a pickup sensor (also referred to as a product sensor) and an electromagnetic signal processor of FIG. 2C. the connection between.

2E is a front view of the pickup sensor mounting system of the 2D drawing, and a side view of the pickup sensor mounting system of the 2D drawing.

Figure 2F illustrates an exemplary sensor that can be combined with an OST system, such as the OST system of Figures 1A and 1B, to detect events depending on sound waves or light waves.

Figure 2G depicts a side view of an exemplary spring loaded pick-up sensor for planar and lightweight items.

Figure 2H depicts the operation of a program management system indicating the transition of the test unit.

Figure 2I depicts a diagram depicting a pattern of electromagnetic signals generated by inventory events versus depicting signals generated by noise.

Figure 3 illustrates an exemplary method for determining when an inventory area event occurs.

Figure 4 illustrates an exemplary method for specifying an inventory area.

Figure 5 depicts a demonstration inventory area event.

Figure 6 shows an exemplary event log.

Figure 7 illustrates various examples of inventory areas implemented in various sensor configurations.

Figure 8 illustrates an example of an inventory area in which a sensor circuit set is arranged in a hexagonal array.

Figure 9 illustrates an example of an inventory area having a sensor circuit set configured as a square or rectangular array.

Figure 10 illustrates an example of an inventory area having sensor circuitry disposed at a corner of each shelf layer.

Figure 11 illustrates an example of an inventory area of a sensor having a product display fixture.

Figure 12 illustrates an example of an inventory area having a sensor circuit that is placed on a wall using a hook fastener.

Figure 13 illustrates an example of an inventory area having sensor circuitry disposed below a mounting block.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiment

An on-shelf tracking (OST) system tracks consumers and retail cartons when the retail carton is placed on a sensor array mounted on or in close proximity to a retail display stand of a merchandise display fixture Individual retail product list Meta-related activities. The various product sensors of the OST system provide a means of determining when a consumer interacts with a retail product unit placed on a retailer's shelf, a description of the interaction, and information about the interaction as an event Stored in an event log for later retrieval and analysis. The retail product unit is the smallest increment of retail product offered by a retailer (for example, 15 packs of Wrigley® Five Rain Chewing Gum). Retail cartons, also known as product containers, accommodate a standard number and configuration of retail product units (for example, 10 boxes (retail units) of Wrigley® Five Rain Chewing Gum). Commodity display fixtures present retail products to consumers in an attractive way. The demonstration merchandise display fixture includes a checkout counter, a hook, an aisle shelf, and a temporary cardboard display.

In some embodiments, the product sensor converts the amount of product in the retail carton into a proportional electromagnetic property. Exemplary product sensors that may be implemented separately or in various combinations include a pressure sensing resistor (FSR) sensor disposed under a retail carton, an ultrasonic probe placed on a retail carton a capacitive sensor under a retail carton, an optical sensor, a charge coupled device (CCD) camera, and an image analyzer, or now known or later developed in a retail carton The number of products is converted into any other type of sensor that is proportional to the electromagnetic properties or digital signals. These sensors can be used individually or in multiples or in combination with one another and in combination with other sensors known in the art.

Moreover, in some embodiments, the OST system includes a racking system and merchandise display fixture for physically placing the product sensor securely on the merchandise display fixture associated with the retail carton to enable the OST system The repeatability and reproducibility of product measurement is maximized. The racking system can also include a spacer attached to the FSR, a hook fulcrum, and/or any other now known having a two-dimensional array of sensors or allowing the sensor to be in contact with or in proximity to the product. A flexible pad configured in a sensor body that is developed in the future. An inventory area refers to contacting or approaching a retail carton with a retail carton (eg, a tray implemented as one or more sensors, or a flexible pad having a two-dimensional array of sensors), And a set of product sensors assigned to the retail carton. The OST system includes a proximity sensor that detects the presence of actual and potential consumers within a configurable proximity of the merchandise display unit. The proximity sensor can be implemented as one or more ultrasonic distance sensors, infrared motion sensors, or any other set of proximity sensors now known or developed in the future, one of which detects one of the merchandise display units configurable The existence of actual and potential consumers in the vicinity.

The sensor network transmits and/or transfers signals from the sensor to an electromagnetic signal processor, such as an analog to digital converter. The sensor network can be implemented by cabling or via a wireless network, or any other network now known or developed in the future. The OST system can include one or more sensor signal multiplexer/demultiplexers that assist in transmitting and/or transferring signals from a plurality of sensors to an electromagnetic signal processor through a minimum number of wires and bandwidths, For example, Texas Instruments® CD74HC4051-EP analog multiplexer/demultiplexer. The electromagnetic signal processor converts the electromagnetic signal output by the sensor into a digitizable property (eg, voltage, current, or frequency). The electromagnetic signal processor can be implemented as a type of analog to digital converter, a frequency encoder/decoder, a digital signal processor, or any other now known or later developed A technique capable of converting an electromagnetic and/or optical signal (e.g., from a CCD camera employing an image analyzer) to another analog or digital signal.

The OST system can also include a data acquisition system, a proximity signal processor, a data recording system, a memory, a processor, and OST system instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor. The data acquisition system converts the digitizable properties or signals output by the sensor into digital signals and then ultimately converts them into readable data. A microcontroller or computer can be used to implement the data acquisition system. The proximity signal processor converts a signal corresponding to an object close to the OST system (hereinafter referred to as a proximity signal) into a digital signal, and this function can be implemented using a microcontroller or a computer. The data logging system converts the digital signals into active logs and can be implemented using a computer or microcontroller. The processor of the OST system performs a data processing operation that generates an activity log. The processor of the OST system can be implemented using a computer and/or microcontroller. The OST system instructions specify the operations that the processor can perform. As an example, OST system instructions may include code segments that exist in C or any other programming language, DAQFactory®, LabView®, MATLAB®, or microcontroller code. The OST system includes calibration data for each sensor, sensor assignments for the inventory area, and product-configurable configurable parameters. The activity log generated by the OST system provides a permanent product and proximity event record for the merchandise display fixture shelf. The activity log can be stored on a removable SD card and/or stored in the memory of the data recording system and can be periodically transmitted and/or downloaded via WiFi or a wired LAN connection.

Optionally, the OST system can include a consumer camera, a A cashier belt camera, an image analyzer, a retail activation system, and/or a coupon printer are either separate or in any combination. A consumer camera (eg, a 10-megapixel CCD camera) produces a photo of a consumer interacting with a merchandise display unit. A cashier belt camera (eg, a 10-megapixel CCD camera) produces a photo of the consumer's entire collection of purchases. The image analyzer generates biometric recognition from consumer camera data, which may include gender, age, height, and weight. The image analyzer can also automatically detect some or all of the items purchased by the customer by the cashier belt camera. The retail activation system provides a sensory blend in response to the presence of the consumer or interaction with the display shelf of the merchandise display fixture. The coupon printer prints coupons as required by the interactive system on the shelf.

FIG. 1A illustrates an exemplary component of an exemplary on-rack tracking (OST) system inventory area implementation 100. An on-shelf tracking (OST) system tracks and retail product units in a retail carton 104 when the retail carton 104 is placed on a sensor inventory area (eg, 106a, 106b, 106c, 106d, 106e) (e.g., unit 102a, unit 102b) related consumer activity, the sensor inventory area is installed on one of the merchandise display fixtures 110 on a retail display shelf 108. The OST system includes a racking system (including portions, such as portions 114a, 114b) for physically placing product sensors (eg, 112a and 112b) relative to the retail carton 104 to the merchandise display fixture 110 114c) and the merchandise display fixture 110 to maximize the repeatability and reproducibility of the product measurement of the OST system. The racking system can be implemented, for example, as a custom-fitted edge of the retail carton 104, having FSRs with a spacer attached to the top, a hook fulcrum, and/or a flexible pad having a hexagonal sensor array Metal tray. The inventory area (eg, 106a, 106b, 106c, 106d, 106e) refers to a set of product sensors assigned to a retail carton 104 (eg, implemented as a flexible pad having a rectangular sensor array) ). The OST system uses a product sensor to provide a way to determine when a consumer interacts with a retail product unit placed on the retail shelf 108, an explanation of the interaction, and store information about the interaction as an event in an event. The log is used for later retrieval and analysis. The retail product unit is the smallest increment of retail product offered by a retailer (for example, 15 packs of Wrigley® Five Rain Chewing Gum). The retail carton 104, also referred to as a product container, contains a standard number and configuration of retail product units (eg, 10 boxes of Wrigley® Five Rain Chewing Gum). The merchandise display fixture 110 presents the retail product to the consumer in an appealing manner. The demonstration merchandise display fixture includes a checkout shelf, a hook, an aisle shelf, and a temporary cardboard display and a beverage container. The product sensor converts the number of products in the retail carton 104 into a proportional electromagnetic property. Exemplary product sensors that can be implemented individually or in various combinations include a pressure sensing resistor (FSR) sensor disposed under a retail carton, an ultrasonic probe disposed on a retail carton, A capacitive sensor under a retail carton, a CCD camera and image analyzer, or now known or later developed to convert the number of products in a retail carton into a proportional electromagnetic property Any other type of sensor.

1B illustrates an exemplary assembly 150 of another exemplary OST system that can implement a slide rail for adjusting dividers, such as 166a and 166b, for securing products, such as 152a and 152b, and product containers, such as 154. These components can be installed Mounted on a merchandise display unit and may assist in designing one or more inventory areas, such as areas 156A, 156B, 156C, 156D, and 156E, wherein within the inventory area, the inventory area is displayed in one or more of the following configurations A plurality of product units: the one or more product units are disposed in a container in one or more deep geometric patterns, and/or the one or more product units are loosely disposed in a container. Product sensors, such as 162a and 162b, are also depicted, each product sensor being operatively associated with at least one of the one or more inventory areas, and the one or more products to be sensed The number of cells is converted into a separate analog electromagnetic signal. Generally depicted is a shelf structure 160 that secures the one or more product sensors to the merchandise display unit relative to the one or more product units such that the one or more product sensors sense The number of one or more product units. Also depicted is a shelf 158 that supports the shelf structure of the above components. Further depicted are actuators, or components that direct the weight of the product at predetermined points of the product sensor, such as actuators 164a and 164b.

Referring to Figures 1C-1G, and as set forth above, the shelf structure can be modular, and positioning the one or more product sensors or corresponding circuits includes the one or more product sensors or The corresponding circuit is disposed in the spacer or in a parallel strip adjacent to the spacer. The divider significantly increases measurement accuracy by maintaining the load in a fixed position relative to the product sensor. Without the divider, the product will move laterally relative to the product sensor due to normal consumer activity, and this will result in a large amount of misreading. Moreover, the dividers may be part of a rack structure or rack structure, such as a portion of a rack system 170/180, such as a rack, frame, or track, such as rails 172/188c T and/or L spacers, such as L spacers 176a/188a and T spacers 176b/188b. The one or more product sensors, such as 173a, 173b, and 173c, are attached to one of the upwardly facing surfaces of the shelf structure or to the spacer to align the one or more sensors to contact the one or more sensors One or more product units, such as product units 184 and 186 or a container containing the one or more product units, such as a fixed and reproducible position on the underside of one of the containers 182. Moreover, the rack structure can be adjusted to accommodate one or more product units of any width or containers that house such products. For example, Figure 1C depicts an exemplary sliding sensor mount/separator that can be adjusted to accommodate product containers of various sizes (where the double arrow depicts the direction in which the mount/spacer can be adjusted). FIG. 1D illustrates adjustment/sliding (depicted by an arrow 185) to accommodate the sliding sensor mount/separator 188b of the product container 182. FIG. 1E illustrates a sliding sensor mount that is adjusted to accommodate the first embodiment of the exemplary product container 182. FIG. 1F illustrates a sliding sensor mount of FIG. 1C adjusted to accommodate a plurality of product containers, including product container 182 and containers 182a and 182b. Figure 1G is a side elevational view of the slide sensor mount of Figure 1C adjusted to accommodate a plurality of product containers, including the product container of Figure 1F.

Moreover, the rack structure may include a rail that assists in adjusting the position of the T or L spacer on the rail, and in the absence of a hardware tool, the rail is also easily secured to the rack structure or the rack structure Untied. Moreover, adjusting the position of the T or L divider can be easily accomplished without a hardware tool. Additionally, the rails can be configured to form a channel, wherein the channel can be fabricated to fit any size of the shelf. Moreover, wires associated with the one or more sensors can extend within the channel to conceal the wires. Moreover, the wires can be terminated A connector on an edge of the shelf structure is thereby further wired to the electromagnetic signal processor. Additionally, the one or more product sensors can be secured to respective portions of the rails that allow adjustment of the respective positions of one of the one or more product sensors. Furthermore, in order to improve the modularity of the slide rail, the partition member can be easily attached to or uncoupled from a corresponding portion of the rail (see Figure 1H).

Moreover, in some embodiments, the one or more product sensors can include one or more of a pressure sensor, a pressure sensor, and a pressure sensing resistor. Each of these types of sensors may be actuated by one or more raised actuators that concentrate the load of one or more product units onto one of the one or more product sensors To enhance. Such an actuator, for example, is depicted in the 1C-1G diagram, such as actuator 174a.

Moreover, in some embodiments, the one or more sensors can be configured to cover a complete area of one of the shelves of the merchandise display unit, and each of the one or more sensors The other circuit is one or more of the following circuit shapes: a honeycomb circuit shape, a square circuit shape, and a circular circuit shape. In such an embodiment, the shelf structure can be a flexible printed circuit board that can be spread over to a suitable location on one of the display surfaces of the merchandise display unit.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 1I, a racking system 193 of product sensors 196a and 196b can position the sensors on display surface edge projections 195a and 195b that are perpendicular to display surfaces 194a and 194b, respectively. In such an embodiment, an angle of inclination of the display surface may exceed a configurable display surface tilt angle threshold. This threshold may be that the sensors 196a and 196b are sensed to be placed on the edge The slope required for the weight of the product on portions 195a and 195b.

FIG. 2A illustrates an example of a configuration of an OST system 200. In addition to the OST system configuration components described in FIG. 1A, the OST system 200 also includes a proximity sensor 202 that detects one of the merchandise display units configurable to the actual and potential consumers within the proximity range. presence. The proximity sensor can be implemented as an ultrasonic distance sensor, an infrared motion sensor, or any other actual and potential consumer within a configurable proximity of one of the currently known or future developed test product display units. The presence of proximity sensors. A sensor network 206 transmits or transfers signals from a sensor to a sensor signal processor 208. The sensor network 206 can be implemented by wiring or through a wireless network, or any other sensor network now known or developed in the future. A sensor signal multiplexer and demultiplexer 210 assists in transmitting or transferring signals from a plurality of sensors (e.g., sensor 212) through a minimum number of wires and bandwidths. A Texas Instruments® CD74HC4051-EP analog multiplexer/demultiplexer can be used as the sensor signal multiplexer and demultiplexer 210. The sensor signal processor 208 converts the electromagnetic signal output by the sensor into a digitizable property or signal. The sensor signal processor 208 can be implemented as an operational amplifier, a frequency encoder, or a digital signal processor.

The OST system 200, as shown in FIG. 2A, further includes a data acquisition system 210, a proximity signal processor 212, a data recording system 214, a memory 216, a processor 218, and an OST system executable by the processor 218. Instruction 220. Data acquisition system 210 converts the digitizable properties or signals into a digital signal. The data acquisition system 210 can use a type of comparison digital converter, micro Implemented by a controller or computer. The proximity signal processor 212 converts a proximity signal (eg, an ultrasonic signal, an infrared signal) into a digitizable signal and can be implemented using a type of analog to digital converter, microcontroller, or computer. The data logging system 214 converts the digit signals into an activity log 226 and can be implemented using a computer or microcontroller. Processor 218 of OST system 200 performs a data processing operation that generates activity log 224. The processor 218 of the OST system can be implemented using a computer or microcontroller. The OST system instructions 220 specify operations that the processor can perform. As an example, OST system instructions 220 may include code segments present in DAQDactory Express®, LabView®, MATLAB®, or microcontroller code. The OST system 200 includes configurable parameters 222 containing calibration data for each sensor, sensor designation, and product designation for the inventory area. The OST system 200 generates a permanent activity log 226 that provides a product display of the product shelf of the fixture and proximity events. The activity log 224 can be stored on a removable SD card and/or stored in the memory of the data recording system and can be periodically transmitted and/or downloaded via WiFi.

Optionally, the OST system 200 can include a consumer camera 230, a cashier conveyor camera 232, a video analyzer 234, a video display 248, an audio system 246, other multimedia components 244, and a coupon print. An on-board interactive system 240 of the machine 242. A consumer camera 230 (eg, a 10-megapixel CCD camera) produces a photo of a consumer interacting with a merchandise display unit. The cashier belt camera 232 (eg, a 10-megapixel CCD camera) produces a photo of the consumer's entire collection of purchases. The image analyzer 234 generates biometrics from the consumer camera data, including gender, age, height, weight, and mood, and can automatically detect the customer's purchase. Some items. The shelf interaction system 240 provides interactive advertising and promotions in response to the consumer's activity in the display shelf of the merchandise display fixture. The coupon printer prints the coupons on demand in response to the electromagnetic signals transmitted by the OST system 200.

FIG. 2B illustrates another example of another OST system configuration 250, which may be separate or combined with the OST of FIG. 1A. An electromagnetic signal processor 255 is shown that communicates with one of the pick-up sensor placement systems 253 or a plurality of product sensors 254 that periodically samples the output of one or more product sensors 254 and A type of analog signal is converted into a digital signal. Moreover, a self-calibration system 256 can communicate with the electromagnetic signal processor 255 to detect background variability of the analog electromagnetic signals and thereby establish an activity threshold for each of the one or more product sensors 254. The activity threshold is a configurable multiple of background variability and represents the sensitivity of a related product sensor. A pickup event detection system 257 is also coupled to the processor 255, and when the variability of the respective analog signals exceeds the activity threshold, the pickup event detection system 257 determines that an inventory event has been initiated in one of the one or more inventory regions. Moreover, the pickup event detection system 257 can temporarily stop self-calibration during an inventory event and can identify one or more other product sensors that cause the inventory event to be signaled prior to completion of the inventory event. Moreover, the pick event detection system 257 determines that the inventory event is terminated when the variability of each of the individual analog electromagnetic signals is restored below the activity threshold of each of the contributing product sensors. The processor 255 is also coupled to one of the proximity sensor placement systems 251 or a plurality of proximity sensors 252 that are operatively associated with the presence of one or more measurement persons, The distance between the person and the sensor, the two-dimensional coordinates of the person within its range, and the proximity of one or more of any movement within its range. A proximity sensor placement system 253 operatively associated with one or more proximity sensors 254 secures the one or more proximity sensors to or near the merchandise display unit and aligns the one or more The neighborhood of the proximity sensor. A proximity event detection system is associated with such a sensor and is also coupled to a processor 255 that detects proximity occurring when an electromagnetic signal output by one or more proximity sensors 254 exceeds a configurable threshold Regional events.

A sensor identification and event classification system, such as a sensor identification and event classification system 259, is coupled to a processor of an OST system, or as shown in FIG. 2B, to a pick event detection system 257, It is configured to execute the program described below. First, the sensor identification and event classification system can determine one or more inventory event metrics from analog electromagnetic signals, digital signals, or derivatives thereof, of the type of inventory event, including: start time, end time, start load, end Load, difference between start and end load, maximum load, minimum load, difference between highest and lowest load, maximum variable, and cumulative variable for an inventory event. Second, the sensor identification and event classification system can determine the function of each of the one or more product sensors involved in the inventory event relative to one or more of the one or more inventory event metrics. Moreover, the sensor identification and event classification system can identify each of the one or more product sensors that signal the inventory event and can specify based on one or more of the one or more inventory event metrics An inventory event type comprising: one or more product units picked up one or more times, one or more product units returned one or more times, one or more product units being touched one or more times, a container refill event, and A container removes the event.

Moreover, a data recording system, such as data record system 260, is coupled to A processor of an OST system, or as shown in FIG. 2B, coupled to a sensor identification and event classification system 259 that records one of one or more of an inventory event and a proximity event Information derived from digital signals. Moreover, the data recording system can store information about each of the one or more events into a database, including: a unique identifier; a start time; an event duration; an event initiation; signaling the event One or more sensors; one or more categories of events, including the type of inventory event, if applicable; and any one or more inventory event metrics. Furthermore, a transmitter of the data recording system can transmit information about each of the one or more events to a local display device, a remote display device, a local memory device, and/or a Remote memory device.

Moreover, an anomaly detection system, such as anomaly detection system 261, is coupled to a processor of an OST system, or as shown in FIG. 2B, to data logging system 260, which detects anomalies in the respective analog electromagnetic signals. The anomaly detection system can detect many anomalies, including unusual high variability of a signal, deactivation, or a sudden large change. After detecting an anomaly, the anomaly detection system provides an abnormal notification via a local or remote alert, such as an audible, visual, vibratory, and/or tactile alert. Moreover, a retail activation system, such as retail activation system 262, is coupled to a processor of an OST system, or as shown in FIG. 2B, to data record system 260, which can generate or execute one or more of the following Sensory stimuli, including visual, auditory, tactile, and olfactory stimuli; product sampling; coupon generation; and electronic signage.

In some embodiments, particularly where more than one merchandise display unit may perform multiple tests in parallel, an OST system may include A program management system that manages, executes, and manipulates experiments. A program management system, such as program management system 263, can select one or more record or record fields from the database. It can then be determined by one or more records or record fields in the database whether a predetermined number of customers have passed more than one merchandise display unit to meet a statistically valid threshold, such as representative systems must observe to provide the desired level of confidence. Do not test the threshold of the minimum number of customers for the data. Moreover, it can be configured by a direct user of the system via an electronic message to perform an experimental configuration locally or remotely to manage the experimental configuration and/or by comparing data and manual audit results in one or more records or record fields in the database. And gradually change the calibration parameters used to detect an inventory event to gradually improve the calibration of the unit.

Moreover, in some embodiments, an OST system can include a conversion system having one or more repetitions of the OST system. This conversion system, such as conversion system 264, can be configured in accordance with a historical state and/or current state of the OST system. Moreover, the conversion system can be easily swapped for the OST system, and/or components of the conversion system can be easily swapped for corresponding components of the OST system. Moreover, the components of the conversion system and the OST system can be manually and/or automatically exchanged via a movable merchandise display device, such as a rotating device or a device having a conveyor belt, and the program management system or an end user can be remotely located. Or locally control the movable merchandise display device.

Moreover, in some embodiments, an OST system can include a sales analysis system (SAS), such as sales analysis system 265, configured to perform various measurements and quantifications related to sales of product units. For example, SAS can determine the traffic pattern of a customer within a predetermined distance of the merchandise display unit. Moreover, SAS can quantify the number of customers who perform an inventory event. The ratio of the total number of customers entering a predetermined area surveyed by the system; after correcting all other factors that will affect the sales rate, including the demand for a particular item and the impact of the merchandise display area, on a merchandise display unit (hotspot) The value of a particular area; and the additional sales generated by adding an additional item display surface for a particular item at any location of the merchandise display unit. Moreover, SAS quantifies the extent to which a customer's purchase decision is affected by a particular item's pricing change, including the effect of the item itself and all other items on the item display unit; the sales performance of an item is determined by the location of the store in which the item is displayed. Or the influence of a specific location within the store; the sales of the item are increased by placing the promotional print, advertisement or display material (point of sale material) on or near the merchandise display unit; the sales of an item are subject to the merchandise being displayed The impact of the design of the display unit; the different merchandise locations in the store affect the total sales of an item; the sales of an item or items are designed to stimulate the customer's senses, including auditory interference (shelf speakers), audiovisual display, smell The impact of retail activation technology on systems and vibration devices (low frequency noise); customer interest in an item varies over the course of a day, including the likelihood of a customer touching an item, and the likelihood of purchase; by using retail activation technology And point-of-sale materials, the possibility of purchase may increase; and when new products are cited One o'clock a specific store or location of goods incremental contribution to total sales. In addition, SAS can determine: the competitive effect of the sales of the item itself and the sales of other items of the same display, the price point at which the incremental contribution of the product to the total sales is maximized; and a product display unit The location on the merchandise display unit where the best location within the store or the sales performance of a new product is maximized. Moreover, taking into account the sales performance of an item, other The sales of the items (the effect of the competition) are reduced, and the sales of other items (the monthly halo effect) are increased. The SAS can quantify the total incremental contribution of an item to the total sales (incremental); and determine a product line. Items that provide the least total contribution to sales ("tails") to remove them from the product line, creating additional space for better performing items. Moreover, SAS can quantify the incremental nature of direct and indirect competitor products included in the sales mix; and increase or decrease the extent to which the total number of items displayed affects total sales performance ("scope").

Regarding the sensor, connection, multiplexer, and input/output of the OST, FIG. 2C illustrates an OST system configuration, such as an exemplary electromagnetic signal processor of the OST system configuration of FIG. 2B. As shown, the input/output of the stock areas 1, 2, and N are selected via multiplexers 273a, 273b, and 273c, respectively. The selected input finds a path to a class of analog to digital converter 275 and then finds a path to digital input/output 276 of processor 255. In the analog to digital converter 275, the respective digital information of the sensed inventory event is converted by the analog signal. For proximity events, no analog to digital conversion is required. As shown, the inputs/outputs of adjacent areas 1, 2, and L are selected via microcontrollers 274a, 274b, and 274c, respectively. The selection inputs of the neighboring regions then find the path to the subsystem of the OST system via processor 255. Finally, the digital information is transmitted to various subsystems of the OST system, such as self-calibration system 256, pickup event detection system 257, and proximity event detection system 258.

With respect to FIG. 2D, an exemplary pickup sensor placement system (also referred to as a product sensor) having a pick-up sensor (also referred to as a product sensor) is illustrated. The connection between the system and the electromagnetic signal processor of Figure 2C. In particular, the figure depicts multiplexers 273a, 273b, 273c that assist in selecting analog signals generated by a sensor placement system, such as the racking system 170/180 of the 1C-1G diagram. In addition, another actuator 174b is depicted and the respective product sensors are coupled to the wires and/or a control busbar to ultimately lead to connectors 175a and 175b of electromagnetic signal processor 255. Viewed from other aspects, the left side of FIG. 2E shows a front view of the pick-up sensor mounting system of FIG. 2D, and the right side shows a side view of the pick-up sensor mounting system of FIG. 2D.

Moreover, FIG. 2F illustrates exemplary proximity sensors 282b and 282a that can be combined with an OST system, such as the OST systems of FIGS. 1A and 1B, to detect events depending on sound waves or light waves. As shown, proximity sensors 282a and 282b recognize an inventory event by moving a customer's hand into an energy curtain 820 in front of one or more inventory areas, adjacent to the sensor, or In other embodiments, the distance sensing sensor measures the distance of the customer's hand from each of the one or more product sensors associated with the inventory area. Then based on the measured distance, the OST system can find the coordinates of the customer's hand and identify the relevant inventory area and inventory events. Such sensors 282b and 282a can also detect items that are not necessarily directly above an inventory area. For example, sensors 282b and 282a can detect a customer or a basket, cart, bag, or any other item used by the carrier unit to access the OST system. Moreover, the OST system can switch to a power saving mode of operation when one or more proximity sensors have not detected motion for a predetermined period of time.

Moreover, in some embodiments, the OST system can further include one or more video cameras that survey one or more of the following: a customer, to identify Other biometric and demographic information, including approximate age, gender, mood, and ethnicity; and merchandise display units to perform remote monitoring of the merchandise display unit, including recording whether the customer purchased. Additionally, the OST system can include one or more peripheral inventory areas in communication with the electromagnetic signal processor via a network, wherein the one or more peripheral inventory areas are not disposed in the merchandise display unit.

Moreover, in certain embodiments, the OST system can include one or more product sensors coupled to or integral with the spring to detect removal or addition of a lightweight product. Such lightweight products may include flyers, business cards, or any other lightweight product. For one implementation of such a spring loaded product sensor, see Figure 2G.

Regarding the program management system, FIG. 2H illustrates the operation of a program management system indicating the transition of the test unit. In this figure, the test unit represents a collection of regions of multiple conversion systems.

FIG. 2I is a diagram depicting a pattern of electromagnetic signals generated by inventory events and a signal depicting signals generated by noise.

From these outputs, the OST system can detect any number of inventory area events, including setup events, touch events, single item picking events, multiple item picking events, single item return events, multiple item return events, restocking events, And error events. For example, Figure 3 illustrates an exemplary method 900 for determining that an inventory area event has occurred. Method 900 (eg, represented by an OST instruction) can include using a standard deviation calculation calculated over a plurality of polling cycles to detect the start and stop of an inventory area event, and then based on the time from the start of the event to the stop of the event, The size and direction of the signal change, The type of inventory area event is determined.

Although the following example describes using the voltage value output by the sensor to determine when an inventory area event occurs, various other electromagnetic properties output by the sensor circuit can be used (eg, current, and frequency) to determine an inventory. When does the regional event occur. The following initial_voltage value and termination_voltage value refer to a first output value and a second output value that are output by the sensor circuit during the first and second times. The OST system validates a particular sensor by comparing a sensed or calculated value (eg, a standard deviation of sensor circuit output over a plurality of time periods) with a configurable threshold, such as at steps 904, 908, or 910 The active period of the circuit. In an embodiment, when the threshold is exceeded, the OST system determines that an inventory area event has occurred and specifies a start_voltage value for the last period before the inventory area event begins, and a period for the period after the inventory area event ends The termination_voltage value; and by examining the difference between the start_voltage and the termination_voltage, the OST system then determines the type of inventory area event that has occurred, such as at step 912 or 914. The OST system determines the type of inventory area event that has occurred, for example, after step 912 or 914, the system increments or decrements the inventory based on, for example, the load zone event detected at step 916.

In particular, the OST system can determine that a single item picking event has occurred, such as at step 912. This determination may be greater than the difference between the start_voltage and the termination_voltage, such as a single item threshold determined at step 908, but not exceeded, such as one of the sensor circuit item values determined at step 910 being configurable. Multiple multiple item thresholds occur. When the difference between the start_voltage value and the end_voltage value exceeds a plurality of item thresholds determined, for example, at step 914, the OST system determines that a plurality of item picking events have occurred.

Regarding a load region event, such as restocking, when the difference between the initial_voltage value and the termination_voltage value exceeds a threshold value determined by a container identifier to fill a container, the OST system may It is determined that a reserve event has occurred, for example, at step 922). For example, in FIG. 3, method 900 again determines in step 918 whether a plurality of item load area events have occurred, and then in step 920 determines if multiple items that may be removed from a container are equal to the last remaining in the container. The remaining items, and if both of the conditions are met, the method detects in step 922 that a restocking event has occurred.

Regarding the product assignment to the inventory area, when the container is placed on the first subset of sensor circuits, the OST system can initially assign a subset of the sensor circuit to the force applied to the subset of sensor circuits. a container. In this way, portions of an inventory area can be easily assigned to multiple different product containers.

As seen in some embodiments, FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary method 1000 of assigning an inventory area to one or more portions of one of a plurality of product containers. The method 1000 begins at 1002 where a product load area is mounted to a product display surface. Next, at step 1008, a product container is placed over the load area, then at step 1010, a subset of the sensor circuits records the placement of the product containers, and at step 1012, the OST system assigns a subset of the sensor circuits. Monitor the container. Next, at steps 1014 and 1016, respectively, it is determined whether all of the sensor circuits are assigned to the product container and the inventory load area is full; and if the two conditions are true, then in step 1017, the load area monitors the product container. activity. Moreover, as shown in Figure 4, if not all sensor circuits are assigned to the product container, but the load area If the domain is full, then in step 1017, the load zone still monitors the activity of the product container.

In particular, in terms of events, the inventory area can detect any number of inventory area events based on a configurable threshold set for each event type, including a set event, a touch event, a single item picking event, a plurality of items Pick up events, return a single item, return multiple items, repeat events, and an error event.

Figure 6 shows an exemplary event log. The event log logs multiple inventory area event records and proximity event records. Each record may include an event type indicator indicating whether the inventory area event is a product event or a proximity event. Each inventory area event log record may include an inventory area event log identifier, an inventory area event description, an inventory area event entity location, the time of the event, and the number of inventory areas. A proximity event log record of a proximity type event may include data indicating the time and duration of the event, a consumer photo (eg, file name), a video of the purchase event (file name), biometric (age, gender), and A photo of the contents of the basket (file name).

Figure 7 illustrates various examples of inventory areas implemented in various sensor configurations in the bottom surface and pedestal effective measurement area. The sensor circuit can be configured on the inventory area to be parallel to a single strip of the left rear and right rear display surface edges (eg, structures 1402, 1404, 1406). Alternatively, the sensor circuit can be configured to be parallel to the plurality of parallel strips of the left and right display face edges (eg, structures 1412, 1414) on the inventory area, or can be configured as various two-dimensional button cells Configuration (eg, one of the structures 1422). Different configurations can be selected to optimize the measurement accuracy of different types of products. These ones The configuration is not limited to those shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a shelf system 1502 having a sensor circuit assembly that can be disposed on a flexible substrate into a hexagonal structure 1504. The sensor circuit can be formed in a honeycomb structure on the shelf 1506 to cover the entire area of the shelf and be configured as a plurality of inventory areas.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a shelf system 1602 having a collection of sensor circuits that can be disposed on a flexible substrate in a square configuration 1604. The sensor circuit can be in a square configuration that is disposed on the shelf to cover the entire area of the shelf 1606 and configured into a plurality of inventory areas.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of an inventory area 1700 having sensor circuitry disposed at the corners of each of the shelves 1702, 1704, and 1706 that include a plurality of inventory regions. A display rack having a plurality of display surface shelves can be configured to include inventory areas each corresponding to a display surface shelf, wherein sensor circuitry in each inventory area is disposed at a corner of each inventory area such that A set of sensor circuits disposed on a particular display shelf of the shelf measures activity relative to the shelf of the display surface to act to form a layer of active insulation.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example of an inventory area having a sensor 1802 beneath a merchandise display stand 1804. The base 1806 of the stand can also be placed on a sensor or sensor set such that the entire display is monitored as a whole. The merchandise display rack 1804 can also include a display box or shelf (e.g., 1808, 1810) disposed on the racking system 1812 or a racking system built into the bin such that an item is removed or returned from the display bin or shelf. The OST system logs an event. The sensor can also be placed on the display rack 1804 Every corner of every shelf.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example of an inventory area 1900 having a sensor circuit 1902 disposed on a wall 1906 having a hook fastener 1904. The sensor circuit 1902 measures a compressive force generated by the weight of the product moving from the fixture 1904 to the wall 1906.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example of an inventory area 2000 having a sensor circuit 2002 disposed below a mounting block 2004. The mounting block 2004 can be configured to move along the vertical rail 2006 along with a hanging rod 2008 of the suspended product. In some embodiments, the mounting block 2004 can be supported above the sensor 2002 at the bottom of the track 2006, which is mounted horizontally at the bottom of the track 2006. This configuration allows the measurement of the downward force. Mounting blocks and wall mounting configurations can be used to display non-boxed product items intended to be displayed by hanging. In such an embodiment, one or more product sensors can be mounted on a support point of the hook such that when a load is applied to the hook, the load is transmitted to one or more product sensors.

In some embodiments, the OST system configuration can communicate with the user via a wireless (wireless or fixed-line adapter) over a network (eg, the Internet or a LAN). The inventory area and sensor circuitry can be configured to be automatically configured according to a user configurable frequency and/or a frequency that is automatically configured by the OST system based on power availability and power demand and located at a particular implementation location. The polling mode is cycled on and off. This allows maintaining a perpetual power consumption rate. A communication interface, such as a wireless or fixed-line adapter, can be coupled to the processor and sensor circuitry. A camera with an image capturer can collect images that are easily analyzed by an image analyzer or subsequently analyzed by a backend program (For example, an offshore service center performs a visual inspection of each image to identify biometric information, such as the physical characteristics of the consumer, which can then be used to derive consumer information about the consumer associated with a particular product). The camera of the OST system can be placed above a cashier channel conveyor where the camera can take a product item placed on the conveyor and store this information as an inventory area event for real-time processing by the OST system. Prior to the transaction and/or whether the consumer completes the checkout transaction, the OST may trigger an audio advertisement to be played to the consumer via an audio system coupled to the OST system, or to trigger a graphic of the multimedia advertisement being coupled to the OST system. Displayed to the consumer on the display. The OST system can trigger an advertisement based on product items taken by the camera or biometric recognition by the consumer to test or increase the productivity of the retail location. Similarly, when the inventory area determines that an inventory area event has occurred, the OST system can trigger an audio advertisement to be played to a location at the product container location via a speaker coupled to the OST system based on the product item identified by the inventory area event. Alternatively, or triggering the multimedia advertisement to be displayed to a consumer at the location of the product container on a graphical display coupled to the OST system.

The inventory area can be configured to have any number of sensor circuits configured to optimize the accuracy of identifying inventory area events, and to accommodate various merchandise display formats (eg, one-level display shelves, tilting shelves, hanging walls, and hooks) , and hanging display technology). The display surface includes a display surface length dimension along a front display surface edge of the display surface parallel to the edge of a rear display surface, and a display surface depth dimension along the right and left display surface edges of the display surface. The inventory area includes one measured parallel to the edge of the display surface before and after the display surface The stock area length dimension, and a stock area depth dimension parallel to the right and left display side edges of the display surface.

Moreover, in some embodiments, the inventory area can be configured to have, for example, a load point for a display rack (eg, a magazine rack) that includes a plurality of shelves such that the sensor circuit senses any product item on the rack activity. Alternatively, in addition to an inventory area tracking the activity of the entire shelf, the shelf may be configured to include sensor circuitry disposed at each corner of each shelf in the shelf such that one of the shelves is placed on a particular shelf The set of sensor circuits on the measurement measures activity on the shelf and thereby acts to form a layer of spacers. Alternatively, in addition to an inventory area being disposed at the base of the rack having a load point, various sensor circuit combinations may also be placed on each shelf of the rack such that it is placed on a particular shelf of the rack The set of sensor circuits on the measurement measures the activity of the shelf. Other sensor configurations are implemented with visual display requirements (eg, strain gauges). The OST system configuration can implement a load compensation mechanism, optionally in combination with various other types of sensor circuit configurations, including the various examples set forth above, which load the weight of a display shelf as the measurement frame moves.

Moreover, in some embodiments, the racking system can be implemented as a sheet of bendable material (eg, a flexible printed circuit board-PCB) configured with sensor circuitry such that the racking system can be bendable The material is deployed to the appropriate location and the racking system is coupled to the OST system processor and placed on the display surface, and then through a multiplexed configuration to transfer inventory activity occurring on the display shelf. This racking system will be configurable into multiple inventory areas via software. The racking system can include an onboard processor or control and/or monitor all A sensor circuit or subset of sensor circuits and a communication adapter (eg, a wireless or fixed line connection) is coupled to a network to allow communication between the sensor array and the processor. The processor of the OST system can coordinate operations between the onboard processors of each inventory area in the OST system configuration.

A product manufacturer and retailer can then retrieve activity data for each inventory area in real time, or the OST system can transmit activity data to the use based on a delivery schedule that can be configured by individual users and/or an OST system administrator. (for example, retailers, librarians, product manufacturers, and third-party subscribers).

The above logic, circuitry, and processes may be encoded or stored in a machine readable or computer readable medium, such as a CD-ROM, a disk or a disc, a flash memory, or a random access memory ( RAM) or read only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM) or other machine readable medium, such as instructions executed by a processor, controller or other processing device. The media may be implemented as any device that contains, stores, transmits, propagates, or delivers executable instructions for use by the instruction executable system, apparatus or device or with an instruction executable system or device. (apparatus) or device (device) used in combination. Alternatively or additionally, the logic may be implemented as analog or digital logic using hardware, such as one or more integrated circuits or one or more processors executing instructions; or in an application programming interface (API) Software, or a dynamic link library (DLL) function that is available or defined as a local or remote program call in a shared memory; or a combination of hardware and software.

In other implementations, the logic may use a signal or a signal to propagate the medium. Said. For example, instructions that implement the logic of any particular program may take the form of electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or other types of signals. The system can receive such a signal in a communication interface, such as a fiber optic interface, an antenna, or other analog or digital signal interface, recovering instructions from the signal, storing them in a machine readable memory, and/or using a The processor executes them.

The system can include additional or different logic and can be implemented in many different ways. A processor can be implemented as a controller, microprocessor, microcontroller, application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), discrete logic, or other type of circuit or combination of logic. Similarly, the memory can be DRAM, SRAM, Flash, or other type of memory. Parameters (eg, conditions and thresholds) and other data structures can be stored and managed separately, can be incorporated into a single memory or database, or can be logically or physically organized in many different ways. Programs and instructions can be part of a single program, separate program, or distributed across several memories and processors.

The above-disclosed subject matter is intended to be illustrative and not limiting, and the scope of the appended claims is intended to cover all modifications, Therefore, to the extent permitted by law, the scope of the invention is intended to be limited by the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

100‧‧‧Exhibition on-the-shelf tracking (OST) system inventory area implementation

Unit 102a, 102b‧‧‧

104‧‧‧ retail cartons

106A~106E‧‧‧Sensor inventory area/inventory area

108‧‧‧Retail display shelf/retail shelf

110‧‧‧Product display fixtures

112a, 112b‧‧‧ Product Sensors

114a~114c‧‧‧Parts

150‧‧‧ demonstration components

152a, 152b‧‧‧ products

154‧‧‧Product Container

156A, 156B, 156C, 156D, 156E‧‧‧Area

158‧‧‧ Shelf

160‧‧ ‧ Shelf structure

162a, 162b‧‧‧ Product Sensors

164a, 164b‧‧ ‧ actuator

166a, 166b‧‧‧ dividers

170, 180‧‧ ‧ Shelf system

172, 188c‧‧ ‧ slide rails

173a, 173b, 173c‧‧‧ Product Sensors

174a, 174b‧‧ ‧ actuator

175a, 175b‧‧‧ connectors

176a/188a‧‧‧L partition

176b/188b‧‧‧T separator

182‧‧‧Container/Product Container/Demonstration Product Container

182a, 182b‧‧‧ containers

184, 186‧‧‧ product units

185‧‧‧ arrow

188b‧‧‧T Separator/Sliding Sensor Holder/Separator

193‧‧ ‧ Shelf system

194a, 194b‧‧‧ display surface

195a, 195b‧‧‧ Display surface edge projections/edge projections

196a, 196b‧‧‧Product Sensor/Sensor

200‧‧‧OST system

202‧‧‧ proximity sensor

206‧‧‧ Sensor Network

208‧‧‧Sensor Signal Processor

210‧‧‧Sensor signal multiplexer and demultiplexer/data acquisition system

212‧‧‧Sensor/proximity signal processor

214‧‧‧Data Recording System

216‧‧‧ memory

218‧‧‧ processor

220‧‧‧OST system instructions

222‧‧‧Configurable parameters

224‧‧‧ Activity log

226‧‧‧ activity log

230‧‧‧ consumer camera

232‧‧‧Checkout Conveyor Camera

234‧‧‧Image Analyzer

240‧‧‧ on-board interactive system

242‧‧‧coupon printing machine

244‧‧‧Other multimedia components

246‧‧‧ audio system

248‧‧‧Video display

250‧‧‧Another OST system configuration

251‧‧‧Proximity sensor placement system

252‧‧‧ proximity sensor

253‧‧‧ Pickup Sensor Mounting System / Proximity Sensor Mounting System

254‧‧‧Product Sensor / Proximity Sensor

255‧‧‧Electromagnetic signal processor/processor

256‧‧‧Self-calibration system

257‧‧‧ Pickup event detection system

258‧‧‧Proximity event detection system

259‧‧‧Sensor identification and event classification system

260‧‧‧data record system

261‧‧‧Anomaly Detection System

262‧‧‧ Retail activation system

263‧‧‧Program Management System

264‧‧‧Transition system

265‧‧‧Sales Analysis System

273a, 273b, 273c‧‧‧ multiplexers

274a, 274b, 274c‧‧‧ microcontroller

275‧‧‧ analog-to-digital converter

276‧‧‧Digital input/output

282a, 282b‧‧‧ demonstration proximity sensor/sensor

820‧‧‧Energy curtain

900‧‧‧Model method/method

904, 908~922‧‧‧ steps

1000‧‧‧Model method/method

1002~1017‧‧‧Steps

1402, 1404, 1406, 1412, 1414, 1422‧‧‧ structures

1502‧‧‧Setting system

1504‧‧‧ hexagonal structure

1506‧‧‧ Shelf

1602‧‧‧Setting system

1604‧‧‧ square structure

1606‧‧‧ Shelf

1700‧‧‧Stock area

1702, 1704, 1706‧‧‧ shelves

1802‧‧‧ Sensor

1804‧‧‧Commodity display rack / display rack

1806‧‧‧Base

1808, 1810‧‧‧ Showcases or shelves

1812‧‧‧Setting system

1900‧‧‧Stock area

1902‧‧‧Sensor circuit

1904‧‧‧Hook attachments/fixing parts

1906‧‧‧ wall hanging

2000‧‧‧Stock area

2002‧‧‧Sensor Circuit/Sensor

2004‧‧‧Installation block

2006‧‧‧Vertical track/orbit

2008‧‧‧ hanging rod

1, 2, N, L‧‧‧ Stock Area

Figure 1A depicts an exemplary component of an on-track (OST) system.

FIG. 1B illustrates an exemplary component of another exemplary OST system.

FIG. 1C depicts an exemplary sliding sensor mount that can be adjusted to accommodate product containers of various sizes.

Figure 1D depicts a sliding sensor mount that is adapted to accommodate Figure 1C of an exemplary product container.

Figure 1E illustrates a sliding sensor mount of Figure 1C adjusted to accommodate the exemplary product container of Figure 1D.

FIG. 1F illustrates a sliding sensor mount that is adapted to accommodate a plurality of product containers, including the first embodiment of the product container of FIG. 1D.

Figure 1G is a side elevational view of the sliding sensor mount of Figure 1C adjusted to accommodate a plurality of product containers, including the product container of Figure 1F.

FIG. 1H is an exploded view of the sliding sensor mount of FIG. 1C.

Figure 1I depicts a front perspective view of an exemplary product sensor mount having a raised edge portion.

Figure 2A shows an example of an OST system configuration.

FIG. 2B illustrates an example of another OST system configuration.

Figure 2C depicts an exemplary electromagnetic signal processor of the OST system configuration of Figure 2B.

FIG. 2D illustrates an exemplary pickup sensor placement system (also referred to as a product sensor placement system) having a pickup sensor (also referred to as a product sensor) and an electromagnetic signal processor of FIG. 2C. the connection between.

2E is a front view of the pickup sensor mounting system of the 2D drawing, and a side view of the pickup sensor mounting system of the 2D drawing.

Figure 2F illustrates an exemplary OST system, such as Figures 1A and 1B. The OST system combines an exemplary sensor that relies on sound waves or light waves to detect events.

Figure 2G depicts a side view of an exemplary spring loaded pick-up sensor for planar and lightweight items.

Figure 2H depicts the operation of a program management system indicating the transition of the test unit.

Figure 2I depicts a diagram depicting a pattern of electromagnetic signals generated by inventory events versus depicting signals generated by noise.

Figure 3 illustrates an exemplary method for determining when an inventory area event occurs.

Figure 4 illustrates an exemplary method for specifying an inventory area.

Figure 5 depicts a demonstration inventory area event.

Figure 6 shows an exemplary event log.

Figure 7 illustrates various examples of inventory areas implemented in various sensor configurations.

Figure 8 illustrates an example of an inventory area in which a sensor circuit set is arranged in a hexagonal array.

Figure 9 illustrates an example of an inventory area having a sensor circuit set configured as a square or rectangular array.

Figure 10 illustrates an example of an inventory area having sensor circuitry disposed at a corner of each shelf layer.

Figure 11 illustrates an example of an inventory area of a sensor having a product display fixture.

Figure 12 illustrates an example of an inventory area having a sensor circuit that is placed on a wall using a hook fastener.

Figure 13 illustrates an example of an inventory area having sensor circuitry disposed below a mounting block.

100‧‧‧Exhibition on-the-shelf tracking (OST) system inventory area implementation

Unit 102a, 102b‧‧‧

104‧‧‧ retail cartons

106A~106E‧‧‧Sensor inventory area/inventory area

108‧‧‧Retail display shelf/retail shelf

110‧‧‧Product display fixtures

112a, 112b‧‧‧ Product Sensors

114a~114c‧‧‧Parts

Claims (23)

A system installed on a merchandise display unit, comprising: one or more inventory areas, wherein the inventory areas display one or more product units in one or more of the following configurations: One or more product units are disposed in a container in one or more deep geometric patterns, the one or more product units are loosely disposed in a container, or the one or more product units are each suspended in a Hook up; one or more product sensors, each operatively associated with at least one of the one or more inventory areas, converting the sensed quantity of the one or more product units into one a respective analog electromagnetic signal; a shelf structure, the one or more product sensors are fixed to the commodity display unit relative to the one or more product units such that the one or more product sensor senses Measureing the number of the one or more product units; an electromagnetic signal processor in communication with the one or more product sensors, periodically sampling the output of the one or more product sensors and converting the analog signal a digital signal; A calibration system, in communication with the electromagnetic signal processor, detecting a background variability of the analog electromagnetic signal, and thereby establishing an activity threshold for each of the one or more product sensors, wherein the activity threshold is a configurable multiple of the background variability, and wherein the activity threshold represents sensitivity of the associated product sensor; and a pick event detection system, the pick event detection system when the variability of the respective analog signals exceeds the activity threshold Identify an inventory event Initiating in the one or more inventory areas, wherein the pick event detection system temporarily suspends self-calibration during the inventory event, wherein the pick event detection system identifies one or one that causes the inventory event to be signaled prior to completion of the inventory event A plurality of other product sensors, and wherein the pick event detection system determines that the inventory event is terminated when the variability of each of the individual analog electromagnetic signals is restored below an activity threshold of each of the contributing product sensors. The system of claim 1, further comprising a sensor identification and event classification system configured to: determine an analog electromagnetic signal, a digital signal, or a derivative thereof of the inventory event type Multiple inventory event metrics including: start time, end time, start load, end load, difference between start and end load, maximum load, minimum load, difference between highest and lowest load, maximum variable, and cumulative variable for an inventory event Determining, for one or more of the one or more inventory event metrics, a function of each of the one or more product sensors involved in the inventory event; identifying the one that signals the inventory event Each of the one or more product sensors; and based on one or more of the one or more inventory event metrics, specifying an inventory event type comprising: picking the one or more products one or more times The unit returns one or more product units one or more times, one or more product units, one container refill event, and one container removal event. The system of claim 2, further comprising: One or more adjacent areas proximate to the merchandise display unit; one or more proximity sensors operatively associated with each of the one or more adjacent areas, measuring the presence of the person, the person and the sensing The distance of the device, the two-dimensional coordinates of the person in the one or more adjacent areas, and one or more of any one of the one or more adjacent areas; a proximity sensor placement system, operatively Associated with the one or more proximity sensors, the one or more proximity sensors are fixed to or near the merchandise display unit, and aligned with the field of view of the one or more proximity sensors; The proximity event detection system detects that a neighboring region event occurs when an electromagnetic signal output by the one or more proximity sensors exceeds a configurable threshold. The system of claim 3, further comprising: a data recording system that records information derived from a digital signal of one or more of the inventory event and the proximity event, wherein the data recording system Storing information about each of the one or more events into a database, including: a unique identifier; a start time; an event duration; an activation of the event; signaling one or more senses of the event One or more categories of events, including the type of inventory event, if applicable; and one of one or more inventory event metrics; and a transmitter that will be associated with each of the one or more events One of the information is sent to one or more of a local display device, a remote display device, a local memory device, and a remote memory device. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more product sensors comprise a pressure sensor, a pressure sensor, and a pressure sensing device One or more of the resistors, and wherein each of the one or more product sensors has one or more raised actuators that concentrate the load of one or more product units to the one Or one of the multiple product sensors on the load sensitive portion. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more product sensors are mounted on a support point of the hook such that when a load is applied to the hook, the load is transmitted to the one Or multiple product sensors. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more product sensors are one or more of a sound wave dependent sensor and a light wave dependent sensor, wherein the one or more The plurality of sensors identify the inventory event by a shopper's hand moving into an energy curtain in front of one or more inventory areas, wherein two or more distance sensing sensors measure shopping The distance between the hand of the person and each of the one or more product sensors, and based on the measured distance, the system finds the coordinates of the customer's hand and identifies relevant inventory areas and inventory events. The system of claim 1, further comprising one or more peripheral inventory areas in communication with the electromagnetic signal processor via a network, wherein the one or more peripheral inventory areas are not disposed in the product In the display unit. The system of claim 1, wherein the rack structure is modular, wherein placing the one or more product sensors or corresponding circuits comprises the one or more product sensors or corresponding The circuit is disposed in the spacer or in a parallel strip adjacent the spacer, the spacer being a T or L spacer connected to the rack structure, Where the one or more product sensors are attached to an upwardly facing surface or partition of the rack structure to align the one or more sensors to contact the one or more product units or A fixed and reproducible position on a bottom surface of one of the containers containing the one or more product units, and wherein the rack structure is adjustable to accommodate one or more product units of any width. The system of claim 9 wherein the rack structure includes a rail that assists in adjusting the position of the T or L spacer on the rail, wherein the rail is easily secured to the rack structure or Since the rack structure is unwrapped, no hardware tools are required, and the position in which the T or L spacers are adjusted is easily accomplished without the need for a hardware tool. The system of claim 1, wherein the slide rail is configured to form a channel, wherein the channel is fabricated to fit any size of shelf, wherein the one or more sensors are associated Connecting wires extending in the channel to conceal the wires, wherein the wires terminate in a connector on an edge of the shelf structure, the wires being thereby further wired to the electromagnetic signal processor, and wherein The one or more product sensors are secured to respective portions of the rails that are coupled to allow adjustment of the respective positions of one of the one or more product sensors. For example, the system described in claim 1 is The one or more sensors are configured to cover a complete area of one of the shelf of the merchandise display unit, and wherein a respective circuit of each of the one or more sensors is in the following circuit shape One or more: a honeycomb circuit shape, a square circuit shape, and a circular circuit shape. The system of claim 12, wherein the rack structure is a flexible printed circuit board that can be spread to a suitable location on one of the display surfaces of the merchandise display unit. The system of claim 1, wherein the racking system places the one or more product sensors on a protruding portion of a display surface perpendicular to a display surface, and wherein one of the display surfaces The tilt angle exceeds a configurable display surface tilt angle threshold. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more product sensors are coupled to a spring or integrated with a spring to detect removal or addition of a lightweight product. The system of claim 3, wherein the one or more proximity sensors are configurable to detect a basket, a cart, a bag, or any other item for carrying a product unit. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is switchable to a power saving mode of operation when the one or more proximity sensors have not detected motion for a predetermined period of time. The system of claim 1, further comprising one or more video cameras for surveying one or more of: one customer identifying biometric and demographic information, including approximate age, gender , mood and ethnicity; and The merchandise display unit is configured to perform remote monitoring on the merchandise display unit and a complete collection of items purchased by a customer, including items of other parts of a store remote from the merchandise display unit. The system of claim 1, further comprising an anomaly detection system that detects abnormalities of the respective analog electromagnetic signals, wherein the abnormalities include unusually high variability, deactivation, or a sudden large change And wherein after detecting an abnormality, the anomaly detection system provides an exception notification via a local or remote alert. The system of claim 1, further comprising a retail activation system capable of generating or performing one or more of the following: sensory stimulation, including visual, auditory, tactile, and olfactory stimulation; product sampling; coupon Generate; and electronic signage. The system of claim 4, wherein more than one merchandise display unit may perform a plurality of tests in parallel, the system further comprising: a program management system for managing the test, and the test is in the scope of the patent application Each of the electronic components of the system of item 4 communicates and is configured to perform on one or more merchandise display units for performing: selecting one of the records or record fields from the repository Or more; determining, by one or more of the records or record fields in the database, whether a predetermined number of customers have passed more than one merchandise display unit to satisfy a statistically valid threshold, the statistically valid threshold representing the The system must observe the minimum number of customers to provide individual test data of the desired level of confidence; manage the trial configuration by one or more of the following: electronically notify the end user of the system to implement the local or remote end And the test configuration; and gradually increasing the unit calibration by comparing the data in one or more of the records or record fields in the database with the manual review results and changing the calibration parameters used to detect an inventory event. The system of claim 4, further comprising a conversion system comprising one or more of the systems described in claim 4, wherein the conversion system is based on item 4 of the scope of the patent application Configuring a history state or a current state of the system, wherein the conversion system is easy to replace the system as described in claim 4, wherein the components of the conversion system can be easily applied as in claim 4 Replacing the corresponding components of the system, wherein the conversion system and the components of the system as described in claim 4 are manually or automatically exchanged via a movable merchandise display device, and wherein the program management system or a terminal is used The mobile merchandise display device can be controlled remotely or locally. The system of claim 4, further comprising a sales analysis system configured to perform one or more of: determining a flow of customers within a predetermined distance of the merchandise display unit Quantity mode; quantifies the ratio of the number of customers who perform an inventory event to the total number of customers entering a predetermined area surveyed by the system; all other factors that may affect the sales rate, including the demand for specific items and the merchandise display area Quantifying the value of a particular area on a merchandise display unit (hotspot); quantifying the additional sales generated by adding an additional merchandise display of a particular item at any location of the merchandise display unit; The customer's purchase decision is affected by a change in the pricing of a particular item, including the extent to which the item itself and all other items on the item display unit are affected; quantifying the sales performance of an item by the location of a store that houses the item display unit or The extent of the impact of a particular location within the store; quantify the extent to which sales of any item are increased by placing promotional prints, advertisements, or display materials (point of sale materials) on or near the merchandise display unit; quantifying an item The sales are affected by the design of the merchandise display unit on which the item is displayed. Degree; quantify the extent to which different merchandise placements in a store affect the total sales of an item; quantify the extent to which sales of an item or item are affected by retail activation technology, which is designed to stimulate the customer's senses, including Auditory interference (shelf squeak), audiovisual display, olfactory system and vibration device (low frequency noise); quantify customer interest in an item with one day, one week, Or the extent of any other cyclical basis, including the likelihood of a customer touching an item, and the likelihood of purchase; quantifying the extent to which purchases are increased by using retail activation technology and point-of-sale materials; quantifying new products The degree to which incrementally affects total sales when introduced into a particular store or merchandise location; a price point that determines the maximum contribution of a product to total sales, is included in the item's own sales and is in the same display The competitive effect of the sale of other items; the position on the merchandise display unit that determines an optimal location within a store having the merchandise display unit or maximizes the sales performance of a new product; quantifies an item-to-total sales A total incremental contribution (incremental), included in the sales performance of an item, reduced sales of other items (competition effect), and increased sales of other items (monthly halo effect); Items that provide the least total contribution to sales ("tails") to remove them from the product line, creating additional space for better performing items; quantifying sales for sale Items included in the combined direct and indirect competitors incremental products; and quantify the increase or decrease in the degree of influence the overall sales performance of the total number of display items ( "Range").