Shelf system and associated methods

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions for operating a shelf system that are executable by a processing device, the shelf system including (i) a frame including (a) a base member, and (b) a vertical member mounted to the base member, the vertical member including a first vertically oriented side and a second vertically oriented side each configured and dimensioned to support one or more shelves, wherein the base member and the vertical member define an inverted T-shaped configuration, (ii) a first shelf extending from the first vertically oriented side of the frame and a second shelf extending from the second vertically oriented side of the frame, the first and second shelves each including a supporting surface, a proximal end disposed adjacent to the respective first and second vertically oriented sides, and a distal end spaced from the respective first and second vertically oriented sides, a depth of the first and second shelves being defined by a distance between the proximal end and the distal end, (iii) a first pair of sensors disposed below the base member in a spaced manner on one side of the vertical member of the frame and a second pair of sensors disposed below the base member in a spaced manner on an opposing side of the vertical member of the frame, wherein in response to positioning a physical object on the supporting surface of the first shelf or the second shelf, the physical object applies a torque on the vertical member and each of the sensors in the first and second pair of sensors output electrical signals corresponding to a change in weight sensed by each of the sensors based on the torque, wherein execution of the instructions by the processing device causes the processing device to:

• transmit the change in weight sensed by each of the sensors from an interface operatively coupled to the first and second pair of sensors to a central computing system;
• and
• determine in a three-dimensional coordinate system at the central computing system (i) which of the first shelf or the second shelf received the physical object, (ii) an estimated location of the physical object on the first or second shelf, and (iii) whether the physical object is positioned on the first or second shelf in an expected location based on the change in weight sensed by each of the sensors.

A method of operating a shelf system, comprising:

• placing a physical object on a supporting surface of a first shelf or a second shelf of a shelf system, the shelf system including:
• (i) a frame including (a) a base member, and (b) a vertical member mounted to the base member, the vertical member including a first vertically oriented side and a second vertically oriented side each configured and dimensioned to support one or more shelves, wherein the base member and the vertical member define an inverted T-shaped configuration,
• (ii) the first shelf extending from the first vertically oriented side of the frame and the second shelf extending from the second vertically oriented side of the frame, the first and second shelves each including the supporting surface, a proximal end disposed adjacent to the respective first and second vertically oriented sides, and a distal end spaced from the respective first and second vertically oriented sides, a depth of the first and second shelves being defined by a distance between the proximal end and the distal end;
• (iii) a first pair of sensors disposed below the base member in a spaced manner on one side of the vertical member of the frame and a second pair of sensors disposed below the base member in a spaced manner on an opposing side of the vertical member of the frame,
• (iv) an interface operatively coupled to the first and second pair of sensors, and
• (v) a central computing system;
• in response to positioning the physical object on the supporting surface of the first shelf or the second shelf and the physical object applying a torque on the vertical member, outputting electrical signals with each of the first and second pair of sensors corresponding to a change in weight sensed by each of the sensors based on the torque;
• transmitting, via the interface, the change in weight sensed by each of the sensors to the central computing system;
• and
• determining in a three-dimensional coordinate system at the central computing system (i) which of the first shelf or the second shelf received the physical object, (ii) an estimated location of the physical object on the first or second shelf, and (iii) whether the physical object is positioned on the first or second shelf in an expected location based on the change in weight sensed by each of the sensors.