SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING MERCHANDISE IN A RETAIL ENVIRONMENT
First Claim
1. A method for monitoring items of merchandise, the method comprising:
- attaching a plurality of tags to a plurality of items of merchandise, at least one of the tags attached to each of the items of merchandise, each of the tags configured to communicate wirelessly with a network and a plurality of remote devices;
positioning each of the items of merchandise within one of a plurality of detection zones, each detection zone defining a location for communicating with a plurality of tags;
receiving notification at one or more of the remote devices for each tagged item of merchandise positioned within a detection zone;
registering each of the tagged items of merchandise positioned within a detection zone with one of the remote devices so as to associate each tagged item of merchandise with the tag; and
receiving notification at one or more of the remote devices when a customer interacts with a registered, tagged item of merchandise.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for monitoring items of merchandise are provided. In one example, a system includes a plurality of tags configured to be attached to a plurality of items of merchandise. The system may also include a plurality of zone managers configured to communicate wirelessly with each of the tags and a network, wherein each of the zone managers is configured to detect the proximity of at least one of the tags relative thereto. In addition, the system may include a plurality of remote devices configured to communicate wirelessly with the tags and the network, wherein one or more of the remote devices are configured to receive notifications from the network regarding the tags.
53 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for monitoring items of merchandise, the method comprising:
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attaching a plurality of tags to a plurality of items of merchandise, at least one of the tags attached to each of the items of merchandise, each of the tags configured to communicate wirelessly with a network and a plurality of remote devices; positioning each of the items of merchandise within one of a plurality of detection zones, each detection zone defining a location for communicating with a plurality of tags; receiving notification at one or more of the remote devices for each tagged item of merchandise positioned within a detection zone; registering each of the tagged items of merchandise positioned within a detection zone with one of the remote devices so as to associate each tagged item of merchandise with the tag; and receiving notification at one or more of the remote devices when a customer interacts with a registered, tagged item of merchandise. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. (canceled)
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5. A method for monitoring items of merchandise, the method comprising:
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receiving notification over a network that at least one item of merchandise is located within a detection zone, the at least one item of merchandise comprising at least one tag attached thereto; registering the tagged item of merchandise located within the detection zone so as to associate the item of merchandise with the tag; and receiving notification over the network when a customer interacts with the registered item of merchandise. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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9. A system for monitoring items of merchandise, the system comprising:
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a plurality of tags, one or more tags configured to be attached to a respective one of a plurality of items of merchandise; a plurality of zone managers configured to communicate wirelessly with each of the tags and a network, each of the zone managers configured to detect the proximity of at least one of the tags relative thereto; and a plurality of remote devices configured to communicate wirelessly with each of the tags and the network, each of the remote devices configured to receive notifications from the network regarding each of the tags. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification