Intelligent shelving system

• US 7,840,286 B2
• Filed: 10/06/2006
• Issued: 11/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Touchsensor Technologies LLC (Methode Electronics Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Touchsensor Technologies LLC (Methode Electronics Incorporated)
• Inventors: Caldwell, David W., Schreiber, Thomas M., Wadia, Bahar N., Mueller, Donald C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hartman, Jr.; Ronald D
• Application Number:
  US11/544,323
• Publication Number:
  US 20070156261A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,509 Days
• Field of Search: 700/17, 700/83
• US Class Current: 700/17
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 57/00 Cabinets, racks or shelf units, characterised by features for adjusting shelves or partitions shelf units with stackable uprights A47B87/00; details of cabinets, racks or shelf units in general A47B96/00; brackets adjustable in themselves A47B96/07
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 96/025 Shelves with moving elements, e.g. movable extensions or link elements cabinets, racks or shelf units enabling enlargement in height, length or depth A47B45/00
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 3/06 with movable or removable shelves or receptacles A47F3/0486 takes precedence; display racks with movable parts A47F5/0081
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 5/0043 Show shelves shelves in general A47B96/02; brackets or similar shelf-supporting means A47B96/06; advertising or price indication G09F
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2325/022 Shelves made of glass or ceramic
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2331/803 Bottles
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2400/36 Visual displays
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 25/02 by shelves
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2700/08 Sensors using Radio Frequency Identification [RFID]
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 29/00 Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/204 specially adapted to be attached to a shelf or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 9/30 in which the desired character or characters are formed by combining individual elements panels comprising a number of electrodes in a single cell controlling light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. electro-optical or magneto-optical cell, G02F1/00

Abstract

An intelligent shelving system integrates touch sensors, displays, lighting, and other components into shelves. Touch sensors can be used as limit switches to control shelf motion, to monitor items borne on shelves, to detect spills, and to control lighting and other devices and functions. Displays can provide information relating to objects stored in the shelving system and the operation and status of the shelving system.

Claims

1. A shelving system comprising:

a shelf;

a touch sensor integrated into said shelf; and

a control circuit having an input section and an output section, said touch sensor coupled to said input section of said control circuit;

wherein said touch sensor provides an input signal to said control circuit, said input signal being indicative of touch of or proximity to said touch sensor and said input signal being associated with control of a predetermined local function of said shelving system.

2. The shelving system of claim 1 wherein said input signal is selectively associated with one or more of a plurality of predetermined local functions of said shelving system.

3. The shelving system of claim 1 further comprising at least one conductive trace disposed on said shelf, said at least one conductive trace coupled to said control circuit.

4. The shelving system of claim 3, said shelf comprising a load surface, said at least one conductive trace disposed on said load surface.

5. The shelving system of claim 4 wherein said load surface is glass.

6. The shelving system of claim 4, said shelf further comprising a frame substantially surrounding said load surface, said frame overlying said at least one conductive trace.

7. The shelving system of claim 1 further comprising a wiring harness associated with said shelf, said wiring harness coupling said touch sensor to said control circuit.

8. The shelving system of claim 7, said wiring harness integrated with said shelf.

9. The shelving system of claim 8, said shelf comprising a load surface and a frame, said wiring harness integrated with said frame.

10. The shelving system of claim 1 further comprising a second shelf, wherein said touch sensor is configured to sense proximity of said second shelf or an item borne on said second shelf.

11. The shelving system of claim 1 wherein said touch sensor is configured to sense the presence of liquid on said shelf.

12. The shelving system of claim 11 further comprising a user feedback device operably associated with said touch sensor such that said user feedback device provides user feedback indicative of said presence of liquid on said shelf.

13. The shelving system of claim 1, said shelf further comprising a user feedback device integrated into said shelf.

14. The shelving system of claim 13 wherein said user feedback device comprises a display.

15. The shelving system of claim 13 wherein said user feedback device comprises an indicator.

16. The shelving system of claim 15 wherein said indicator comprises a light emitting device.

17. The shelving system of claim 13 wherein said user feedback device comprises an audio device.

18. The shelving system of claim 1 further comprising a transmitter and receiver system coupled to said control circuit, said transmitter and receiver system adapted to communicate information concerning one or more items borne on said shelf.

19. The shelving system of claim 18 further comprising a display in communication with said transmitter and receiver system, said display adapted to provide visual information concerning said one or more items borne on said shelf.

20. A shelving system comprising:

a shelf;

a display integrated into said shelf;

a control circuit coupled to said display; and

a touch sensor, said touch sensor overlying at least a portion of said display.

21. The shelving system of claim 20, said touch sensor being sufficiently transparent such that said display is legible to a viewer.