Method and Apparatus for Monitoring Inventory

• US 20100169189A1
• Filed: 12/31/2008
• Published: 07/01/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Frito-Lay North America Incorporated (PepsiCo Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Frito-Lay North America Incorporated (PepsiCo Incorporated)
• Inventors: ALLISON, Chris, FOSHA, Allen, CHOKSHI, Kuntesh R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,473,374 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/28
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 2010/025 using stock management systems
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 5/0823 Article supports for peg-boards
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/026 for alarm, monitoring and auditing in vending machines or means for indication, e.g. when empty

Abstract

A method for monitoring inventory on a self-adjusting shelf and apparatus for accomplishing the same. The invention describes a method for determining the number of packages on a shelf or hanger of a self-adjusting shelf. The number of packages on a shelf or hanger are determined by measuring the distance from the back end of a shelf to the package closest to the shelf with a sensor, ascertaining the thickness of the product, and by calculating the amount of space occupied on a shelf or hanger and consequently the number of packages on a shelf. In another embodiment, the product is identified by a product identifying means such as an SKU reader. Thus, the quantity and type of product located on a shelf or hanger is known. Such information allows a store to know the type and quantity of packages needed to restock a specific hanger.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring inventory on a self-adjusting shelf, said shelf comprising at least one product support comprising capacity for a plurality of packages and comprising at least one package, said method comprising:

measuring the distance from a sensor and a package closest to a back end of said shelf;

ascertaining the thickness of said package; and

calculating the number of packages on said shelf.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said ascertaining comprises imputing the thickness into a computer in communication with said sensor.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said ascertaining comprises identifying the product type.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said identifying comprises reading a package Stock Keeping Unit.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein a single device measures said distance and identifies the product type.

6. The method of claim 3 wherein said Stock Keeping Unit comprises a bar code.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising relaying data collected by said measuring and ascertaining to a harvesting device.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein said harvesting device is a Programmable Logic Controller.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein said harvesting device is a personal computer.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein said harvesting device is in communication with a network.

11. The method of claim 7 wherein both of said sensor and said harvesting device are in communication via a wireless network.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein said ascertaining is accomplished by utilizing Optical Character Recognition software and hardware.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said hardware comprises a camera.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein said packages are pillow pouch bags.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein said self-adjusting shelf is a gravity feed system.

16. An apparatus for storing and monitoring inventory comprising:

a self-adjusting shelf comprising at least one product support, wherein said product support is capable of supporting a plurality of packages; and

at least one sensor located on said shelf, wherein said sensor is capable of measuring distances.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said self-adjusting shelf comprises a plurality of product supports.

18. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said self-adjusting shelf comprises a gravity feed hanger system.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said gravity feed hanger system comprises at least one hanger, said hanger being sloped at an angle less than 90°

.

20. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said gravity feed hanger system comprises a plurality of hangers and wherein each of said plurality of hangers comprises a sensor.

21. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said apparatus comprise a tracking ability.

22. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said sensor is in communication with a harvesting device.

23. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said sensor and said harvesting device are in communication via a wireless network.

24. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said harvesting device harvests data relating to shelf location.

25. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said sensor has an adjustable pitch.

26. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said sensor is adjustable laterally relative to said shelf.

27. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said shelf comprises at least two product supports, and further wherein at least one of said at least one sensor is capable of moving laterally relative to said shelf such that one sensor is capable of measuring distances associated with two or more product supports.

28. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising means of identifying a product type.

29. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein said means of identifying a package type comprises at least one Stock Keeper Unit reader.

30. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein said shelf comprises at least two product supports, and further wherein at least one of said at least one Stock Keeper Unit reader is capable of moving laterally relative to said shelf such that one Stock Keeper Unit reader is capable of reading a Stock Keeper Unit associated with packages located on two or more product supports.

31. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein said means of identifying a package comprises Optical Character Recognition software and hardware.

32. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein a single device is capable of measuring distances and identifying a package.

33. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising a remote power source.