US 8,630,924 B2 · Detection of stock out conditions based on image processing

Abstract

Image analysis techniques, including object recognition analysis, are applied to images obtained by one or more image capture devices deployed within inventory environments. The object recognition analysis provides object recognition data (that may include one or more recognized product instances) based on stored product (training) images. In turn, a variety of functionalities may be enabled based on the object recognition data. For example, a planogram may be extracted and compared to a target planogram, or at least one product display parameter for a product can be determined and used to assess presence of the product within the inventory environment, or to determine compliance of display of the product with a promotional objective. In yet another embodiment, comparisons may be made within a single image or between multiple images over time to detect potential conditions requiring response. In this manner, efficiency and effectiveness of many previously manually-implemented tasks may be improved.

Claims24

Dependent claims

A method comprising:

receiving, from an image capture device, an image of at least one product support device within an inventory environment;
analyzing the image, using at least one component performing image analysis and in communication with the image capture device, to detect at least one surface feature of the at least one product support device as at least one stock out feature;
and
providing, by the at least one component, an indication of an at least partially depleted stock condition based on detection of the at least one stock out feature.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Detection of stock out conditions based on image processing

Life of this patent

Detection of stock out conditions based on image processing

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims24