Stocking level indication apparatus and method
AssigneeWal-Mart Stores, Inc.
InventorsNicholaus A. Jones, Matthew A. Jones
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In some embodiments, systems, apparatuses, and methods are described herein including a shelf assembly that utilizes the accumulated weight of products stocked thereon to compress a compression member disposed within the assembly. An electronic imaging device can be mounted proximate to the assembly and can be oriented to capture an image of the compression member to determine whether a particular shelf needs to be restocked and avoid having to manipulate or remove products from a shelf to determine a current stock level.
Claims21
A stock level indication assembly for a retail product storage structure, the stock level indication assembly comprising:
- upper and lower shelf members;
- a compression member disposed between the upper and lower shelf members, the compression member configured to visibly compress in response to one or more products being stocked on the upper shelf member to provide a visual indication of the number of products stocked on the upper shelf member;
- an electronic imaging device proximate the upper and lower shelf members oriented and configured to capture an image of the compression member.
A method for providing a visual indication of stock level on a retail product storage structure, the method comprising:
- receiving one or more products on a shelf assembly, the shelf assembly including upper and lower shelf members and a compression member disposed therebetween, the compression member configured to visibly compress in response to one or more products being stocked on the upper shelf member to provide a visual indication of the number of products stocked on the upper shelf member;
- compressing the compression member as a result of the products being received on the upper shelf member;
- capturing an image of the shelf assembly with an electronic imaging device disposed proximate the shelf assembly.
A method for installing a stock level indication assembly for a retail product storage structure, the method comprising:
- mounting a lower shelf member to a shelf assembly;
- disposing a compression member on the lower shelf member;
- disposing an upper shelf member on the compression member;
- stocking one or more products on the upper shelf member such that the weight of the products compresses the compression member;
- and
- mounting an electronic imaging device proximate the shelf assembly in an orientation to capture an image of the shelf assembly, the image configured to provide an indication of the number of products stocked on the upper shelf member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.