US 8,941,495 B2Granted

Wireless shelf pusher activity detection system and associated methods

AssigneeCheckpoint Systems, Inc.

InventorsBrian Wiese, David Christianson, Mark Shafer

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

According to some example embodiments, systems, apparatus, methods, computer readable media, and computer program products are provided for implementing a wireless shelf pusher activity detection system. One example apparatus is a monitoring device for monitoring theft or sales activity associated with a product pusher device. The monitoring device may include a sensor configured to detect movement of a pusher member of the product pusher device, a wireless communications interface, and a processor. The processor may be configured to receive at least one sensor signal from the sensor indicating movement of the pusher member, determine a product movement activity type based on characteristics of the at least one sensor signal, and generate, for transmission via the wireless communications interface, a pusher activity message indicating the product movement activity type.

Claims29

Dependent claims

A monitoring device for monitoring theft or sales activity associated with a product pusher device, the monitoring device comprising:

a sensor configured to detect movement of a pusher member of the product pusher device;
a wireless communications interface;
a processor configured to:
receive at least one sensor signal from the sensor indicating movement of the pusher member,
determine a product movement activity type based on characteristics of the at least one sensor signal, the product movement activity type being selected from a group of product movement activity types that includes removal of a product from the product pusher device, and
generate, for transmission via the wireless communications interface, a pusher activity message indicating the product movement activity type;
and
a user input interface configured to receive, and provide to the processor, user input indicating a count of products present in the product pusher device;
wherein the processor is further configured to:
determine a current pusher deflection distance based on the at least one sensor signal;
and
calibrate the monitoring device for the size of a single product based on the current pusher deflection distance and the count of products;
wherein the user input interface includes a magnetically actuated switch;
and wherein the processor is configured to monitor a state of the magnetically actuated switch and enter a calibration mode based on the state of the magnetically actuated switch.

11 more elements

A method for monitoring theft or sales activity associated with a product pusher device, the method comprising:

detecting, via a sensor, movement of a pusher member of the product pusher device;
receiving at least one sensor signal from the sensor indicating movement of the pusher member;
determining a product movement activity type based on characteristics of the at least one sensor signal, the product movement activity type being selected from a group of product movement activity types that includes removal of a product from the product pusher device;
generating a pusher activity message indicating the product movement activity type;
transmitting the pusher activity message via a wireless communications interface;
receiving ping signals, each ping signal comprising a unique identifier corresponding to an originating ping node;
receiving user indicating a count of products present in the product pusher device;
determining a current pusher deflection distance based on the at least one sensor signal;
calibrating a monitoring device for the size of a single product based on the current pusher deflection distance and the count of products;
and
monitoring a state of magnetically actuated switch and entering a calibration mode based on the state of the magnetically actuated switch.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 13/493,627Filed 11 Jun 2012 · us provisional application
Priority: 10 Jun 2011
Published: US 2013/0002422 A13 Jan 2013
Granted: 27 Jan 2015
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification3 codes

G08B 13/08
Mechanical actuation: by opening, e.g. of door, of window, of drawer, of shutter, of curtain, of blind
G08B 13/1654
Actuation by interference with mechanical vibrations in air or other fluid: using passive vibration detection systems
G08B
Signalling systems