PRODUCT FIXTURE MONITORING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF MONITORING PRODUCT FIXTURES
First Claim
1. A monitoring system for use with a product display device or fixture, the product display device or fixture being arranged to enable items of merchandise to be removed from it by patrons of a commercial environment, the product display device or fixture comprising at least one storage area for storing the plural items of merchandise and at least one outlet coupled to the storage area from which individual items of merchandise can be removed by the patrons or dispensed to the patrons, said monitoring system comprising at least one sensor and at least one electronic device coupled to said at least one sensor, said at least one sensor being located adjacent said at least one storage area or said at least one outlet and arranged to provide a first electrical signal to said electronic device whenever an item of merchandise has been removed or dispensed from the product display device or fixture, said electronic device being arranged to process said first electrical signals to enable the rate that the items of item merchandise are removed or dispensed from the product display device or fixture to be determined, thereby providing an indication of possible item theft.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for monitoring the status of various types of fixtures and products sold in commercial, e.g., retail environments. The system is arranged to automatically detect and notify store personnel of undesirable conditions, specifically: out of stock, low-stock, and rapid product dispensing or removal. The system consists of an FMS Intelligent Controller (FMS-IC) which is a microprocessor based input/output device mounted on the monitored display device or fixture, and sensors that are connected to inputs used to trigger the FMS-IC when a sensor senses the presence of an item of merchandise to be monitored. The FMS is battery powered and is used with various embodiments of fixtures that may be mounted to shelves within the retail environment.
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Citations
26 Claims
- 1. A monitoring system for use with a product display device or fixture, the product display device or fixture being arranged to enable items of merchandise to be removed from it by patrons of a commercial environment, the product display device or fixture comprising at least one storage area for storing the plural items of merchandise and at least one outlet coupled to the storage area from which individual items of merchandise can be removed by the patrons or dispensed to the patrons, said monitoring system comprising at least one sensor and at least one electronic device coupled to said at least one sensor, said at least one sensor being located adjacent said at least one storage area or said at least one outlet and arranged to provide a first electrical signal to said electronic device whenever an item of merchandise has been removed or dispensed from the product display device or fixture, said electronic device being arranged to process said first electrical signals to enable the rate that the items of item merchandise are removed or dispensed from the product display device or fixture to be determined, thereby providing an indication of possible item theft.
- 11. A product display device or fixture system comprising a product display device or fixture and a monitoring system, said product display device or fixture being arranged to enable items of merchandise to be removed from it by patrons of a commercial environment, said product display device or fixture comprising at least one storage area for storing the plural items of merchandise and at least one outlet coupled to said storage area from which individual items of merchandise can be removed by the patrons or dispensed to the patrons, said monitoring system comprising at least one sensor and at least one electronic device coupled to said at least one sensor, said at least one sensor being located adjacent said at least one storage area or said at least one outlet and arranged to provide a first electrical signal to said electronic device whenever an article of merchandise has been removed or dispensed from said product display device or fixture, said electronic device being arranged to process said first electrical signals to enable the rate that the items of item merchandise are removed or dispensed from said product display device or fixture to be determined, thereby providing an indication of possible item theft.
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21. A method of monitoring a product display device or fixture, the product display device or fixture being arranged to enable items of merchandise to be removed from it by patrons of a commercial environment, said method comprising:
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(A) sensing the removal or dispensing of said items of merchandise from said display device or fixture and providing a first electrical signal indicative thereof; (B) processing said first electrical signal to enable the rate that said items of merchandise are removed or dispensed from said product display device or fixture to be determined, thereby providing an indication of possible item theft. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification