Intelligent shelving system

• US 20030122455A1
• Filed: 10/15/2002
• Published: 07/03/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Touchsensor Technologies LLC (Methode Electronics Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Touchsensor Technologies LLC (Methode Electronics Incorporated)
• Inventors: Caldwell, David W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,260,438 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 312/6
• 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 uses touch sensors to operate power-operated, adjustable shelves. Touch sensors also are used as limit switches to control shelf motion, to monitor the encroachment of shelved items on shelves, to detect spills, and to control other related devices and functions, such as shelf lighting. Display units are provided to provide information relating to objects stored in the shelving system and to the operation of the shelving system.

Claims

1. A shelving system having at least one selectively positionable shelf, comprising:

a positioning mechanism adapted to support and selectively position said at least one shelf;

a power operator connected to said positioning mechanism and adapted to selectively operate said positioning mechanism so that said positioning mechanism selectively positions said shelf;

a control system operably associated with said power operator, said power operator being responsive to control input from said control system; and

at least one touch switch operably associated with said control system and adapted to provide control input to said control system.

2. The shelving system of claim 1 wherein said at least one touch switch is integrated into said shelf.

3. The shelving system of claim 1 wherein said at least one touch switch is adapted to selectively provide control input corresponding to a plurality of functions.

4. The shelving system of claim 1 further comprising a display operably associated with said control system, said display adapted to provide information to a user.

5. The shelving system of claim 4 wherein the information provided by said display is directed to soliciting a response from said user.

6. The shelving system of claim 5 wherein said display includes at least one touch switch adapted to accept said user response relating to said information provided by said display.

7. The shelving system of claim 6 wherein said at least one touch switch is integrated into said display.

8. The shelving system of claim 7 wherein said at least one touch switch is substantially transparent and overlies at least a portion of said display such that information provided on said display is readable through said touch switch.

9. The shelving system of claim 4 wherein said information provided by said display is directed to at least one characteristic of at least one item stored on said shelf.