Method and System for Product Data Review

• US 20180101813A1
• Filed: 09/26/2017
• Published: 04/12/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/2016
• Status: Active Application

• Current Assignee: Bossa Nova Robotics IP, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Bossa Nova Robotics IP, Inc.
• Inventors: Paat, Mark, Date, Jennifer R., Eckstrom, Julien
• Application Number:
  US15/716,306
• Publication Number:
  US 20180101813A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/185 from a mobile camera, e.g. for remote control

Abstract

A system for inventory monitoring includes image capture units to provide images of inventory and a product database to receive inventory images and update changes in product type, number, and placement. A visual tracking application is connected to receive data from the product database. The application has a user interface that supports product management in first mode useful to a single store, and in a second mode useful to a plurality of stores. The first mode provides both a summary chart of product gaps and an image covering a product gap area.

Claims

1. A system for inventory monitoring, comprising:

an image capture unit operated to provide images of inventory;

a product database to receive inventory images and track inventory state;

a visual tracking application connected to receive data from the product database, the application having a user interface that supports product management in first mode specific to a single store, and a second mode specific to a plurality of stores; and

wherein the first mode provides both a summary chart of product gaps and an image covering a product gap area.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first mode further provides a summary listing of missing or low count products.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first mode further provides a history, with a time indexed image covering a product gap area being choosable by a user.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the second mode further provides an aggregated summary of product gaps in the plurality of stores.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the product database is locally executed on the image capture unit.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the image capture unit is supported on a movable base.

7. The camera system of claim 1, wherein the movable base further comprises an autonomous robot.

8. A inventory monitoring method, comprising the steps of:

providing an image capture unit mounted on autonomous robot to provide images of inventory and locally create a realogram used by a product database that supports tracking of inventory state;

providing a user with a visual tracking application connected to receive data from the product database, the application having a user interface that supports product management in first mode specific to a specified store, and a second mode specific to a plurality of stores; and

wherein the first mode provides both a summary chart of product gaps and an image covering a product gap area.

9. A inventory monitoring method, comprising the steps of:

providing an image capture unit mounted on an autonomous robot that moves along an aisle and captures multiple images stitchable into a panoramic view of inventory, locally creating a realogram used by a product database that supports updating of inventory state;

providing a user with a visual tracking application connected to receive data from the product database, the application having a user interface that supports product management in first mode specific to a specified store, and a second mode specific to a plurality of stores; and

wherein the first mode provides both a summary chart of product gaps and an image covering a product gap area.

10. A monitoring system, comprising:

an image capture unit operated to provide images of items;

a database to receive images and track item state;

a visual tracking application connected to receive data from the item database, the application having a user interface that supports item management and measurement of distances related to an item.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the image capture unit is mounted on an autonomous robot, and the database is locally executed on the image capture unit.