System for inventory management

• US 8,812,378 B2
• Filed: 07/29/2011
• Issued: 08/19/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/2004
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: RTC Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: RTC Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Swafford, John Wesley Jr., Lembke, Michael Alvin
• Primary Examiner(s): Glass, Shay S
• Application Number:
  US13/194,649
• Publication Number:
  US 20110282768A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,117 Days
• Field of Search: 705/28
• US Class Current: 705/28
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 1/126 the pushing device being urged by spring means
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/36 in which the magazines are of helical or spiral form
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/38 in which the magazines are horizontal
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/42 the articles being delivered by motor-driven means
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/026 for alarm, monitoring and auditing in vending machines or means for indication, e.g. when empty
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19697 Arrangements wherein non-video detectors generate an alarm themselves

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for detecting and communicating the position of a pusher assembly on a shelf. In an embodiment, a system includes a control module, a pusher assembly, and a laser scanner. The laser scanner is configured to transmit a swept beam to a mirrored reflective surface located behind the pusher assembly. The control module analyzes the laser beam at the laser scanner to detect the position of the pusher assembly on the shelf. In another embodiment, a system includes a control module, a pusher assembly, and an infrared transceiver that sends and receives infrared signals. The transceiver may be located behind the pusher assembly. The control module analyzes the infrared signals to determine the position of the pusher assembly on the shelf.

Claims

1. A system for detecting and communicating the position of a pusher on a shelf comprising:

a divider wall;

a floor section;

a pusher;

a transmitter mounted to the pusher, the transmitter configured to communicate a signal;

a receiver located at a stationary position in relation to the pusher, the receiver configured to detect the signal communicated from the transmitter; and

a processing device configured to receive data regarding the signal, the processing device further configured to determine a position of the pusher.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the processing device is further configured to determine a product level.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the processing device is further configured to determine a rate of change of the product level.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the processing device is further configured to determine the amount of product remaining in front of the pusher on the shelf.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the processing device is further configured to transmit a signal regarding the product level.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the processing device is further configured to compare the data regarding the identifying signal to previously received data regarding a prior identifying signal.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a receiver mounted with the transmitter to the pusher to form a transponder wherein the identifying signal transponder is a radio frequency identifying transponder.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the identifying signal transponder has an identity code.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the identity code is unique.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the identifying signal includes information regarding the identity code.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the receiver is incorporated into a front rail of the shelf.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the receiver is positioned at a location above the shelf

13. The system of claim 7, wherein the identifying signal transponder is configured to be activated by an activation device.

14. A method for detecting and communicating the position of a pusher on a shelf comprising:

mounting a transmitter onto the pusher and configuring the transmitter to communicate a signal;

locating a receiver at a stationary position in relation to the pusher, configuring the receiver to detect the signal communicated from the transmitter; and

providing a processing device and configuring the processing device to receive data regarding the signal and to determine a position of the pusher.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising configuring the processing device to determine a product level.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising configuring the processing device to determine a rate of change of the product level.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising configuring the processing device to determine the amount of product remaining in front of the pusher on the shelf.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising configuring the processing device to transmit a signal regarding the product level.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising providing a controller to compare the data regarding the signal to previously received data regarding a prior signal.

20. The method of claim 14, mounting a pusher receiver with the transmitter to the pusher to form a transponder and wherein the transponder is a radio frequency identifying transponder.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the transponder has an identity code.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the identity code is unique.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the signal includes information regarding the identity code.

24. The method of claim 14, further comprising incorporating the receiver into a front rail of the shelf.

25. The method of claim 14, further comprising positioning the receiver at a location above the shelf.

26. The method of claim 20 further comprising configuring the transponder to be activated by an activation device.