Methods and systems for detecting shoplifting at a retail facility
First Claim
1. A system for detecting and monitoring shoplifting of products by individuals at a retail facility, the system comprising:
- a first product sensor attached to a product stocked in a product stocking area of the retail facility;
a second product sensor attached to the product, the first and second product sensors being located at a fixed threshold distance relative to each other, wherein at least one of the first and second product sensors is configured to;
transmit a signal indicating a current distance between the first and second product sensors; and
generate an alert signal indicating that the fixed threshold distance between the first and second product sensors has been altered;
an alert sensor not attached to the product and configured to receive the alert signal from at least one of the first and second product sensors;
a video camera positioned to monitor a portion of the product stocking area of the retail facility associated with the alert sensor;
a processor-based computing device in communication with the first and second product sensors, the alert sensor, and the video camera, the computing device being configured to;
determine the alert sensor that received the alert signal; and
activate the video camera;
wherein the activated video camera is configured to acquire at least one moving or still image of the portion of the product stocking area of the retail facility associated with the alert sensor that received the alert signal.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In some embodiments, methods and systems of detecting and monitoring shoplifting of products by individuals at a retail facility include sensors coupled to a product and located at a fixed threshold distance relative to each other. The sensors are configured to generate an alert signal indicating that the fixed threshold distance between the first and second sensors has been altered. An alert sensor positioned in the product stocking area of the retail facility is configured to receive the alert signal from one or both of the product sensors. A central computing device at the retail facility is configured to determine the alert sensor that received the alert signal, and to activate a video camera in order to acquire a photo or video of the portion of the product stocking area of the retail facility associated with the alert sensor that received the alert signal.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for detecting and monitoring shoplifting of products by individuals at a retail facility, the system comprising:
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a first product sensor attached to a product stocked in a product stocking area of the retail facility; a second product sensor attached to the product, the first and second product sensors being located at a fixed threshold distance relative to each other, wherein at least one of the first and second product sensors is configured to; transmit a signal indicating a current distance between the first and second product sensors; and generate an alert signal indicating that the fixed threshold distance between the first and second product sensors has been altered; an alert sensor not attached to the product and configured to receive the alert signal from at least one of the first and second product sensors; a video camera positioned to monitor a portion of the product stocking area of the retail facility associated with the alert sensor; a processor-based computing device in communication with the first and second product sensors, the alert sensor, and the video camera, the computing device being configured to; determine the alert sensor that received the alert signal; and activate the video camera; wherein the activated video camera is configured to acquire at least one moving or still image of the portion of the product stocking area of the retail facility associated with the alert sensor that received the alert signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for detecting and monitoring shoplifting of products by individuals at a retail facility, the method comprising:
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providing a first product sensor attached to a product stocked in a product stocking area of the retail facility; providing a second product sensor attached to the product, the first and second product sensors being located at a fixed threshold distance relative to each other; providing an alert sensor not attached to the product and configured to receive a signal from at least one of the first and second product sensors; providing a video camera positioned to monitor a portion of the product stocking area of the retail facility associated with the alert sensor; providing a processor-based computing device in communication with the first and second product sensors, the alert sensor, and the video camera; transmitting, via at least one of the first and second product sensors, a signal indicating a current distance between the first and second product sensors; generating, via the at least one of the first and second product sensors, an alert signal indicating that the fixed threshold distance between the first and second product sensors has been altered; receiving the alert signal via the alert sensor; determining, via the computing device, the alert sensor that received the alert signal; activating, via the computing device, the video camera; and acquiring, via the activated video camera, at least one moving or still image of the portion of the product stocking area of the retail facility associated with the alert sensor that received the alert signal. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification