Stock level indication apparatus and method
First Claim
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1. A fullness level indication assembly for a retail product storage structure, the stock level indication assembly comprising:
- a product support structure having upper and lower surfaces and configured to support products on the upper surface thereof;
an array of bores extending through the product support structure between the upper and lower surfaces thereof, the products stocked on the upper surface of the product support structure blocking one or more of the bores;
an air compressor configured to output compressed air therefrom;
a conduit having an inlet coupled to the air compressor and outlets disposed adjacent to the lower surface of the product support structure such that the compressed air flows through all unblocked bores in the array;
a sensor coupled to the conduit and configured to obtain a reading of the compressed air within the conduit therefrom;
a control circuit configured to receive the reading from the sensor and determine a product support structure fullness level based on the reading.
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Abstract
In some embodiments, systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein useful to provide an indication of a stock level of a product support member. Compressed air is directed through a plurality of bores extending through the product support member. A sensor reading of the compressed air can be utilized to determine whether there are products stocked on the product support member due to the products blocking one or more of the bores.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A fullness level indication assembly for a retail product storage structure, the stock level indication assembly comprising:
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a product support structure having upper and lower surfaces and configured to support products on the upper surface thereof; an array of bores extending through the product support structure between the upper and lower surfaces thereof, the products stocked on the upper surface of the product support structure blocking one or more of the bores; an air compressor configured to output compressed air therefrom; a conduit having an inlet coupled to the air compressor and outlets disposed adjacent to the lower surface of the product support structure such that the compressed air flows through all unblocked bores in the array; a sensor coupled to the conduit and configured to obtain a reading of the compressed air within the conduit therefrom; a control circuit configured to receive the reading from the sensor and determine a product support structure fullness level based on the reading. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for determining a fullness level for a retail product storage structure, the method comprising:
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supplying compressed air with an air compressor through a conduit to an array of bores extending through a product support structure, such that products stocked on the product support structure block one or more of the bores; determining a reading of the compressed air within the conduit with a sensor; receiving the reading at a control circuit; determining a fullness level of the product support structure with the control circuit based on the reading. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification