Merchandise Activity Sensor System and Methods of Using Same

• US 20170365143A1
• Filed: 07/04/2017
• Published: 12/21/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Indyme Solutions, LLC
• Original Assignee: Indyme Solutions, LLC
• Inventors: King, Greg, Morikawa, Derek, Baldwin, Barry, Kepner, Bill, Deal, Steve
• Granted Patent: US 10,510,227 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1436 with motion detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19695 Arrangements wherein non-video detectors start video recording or forwarding but do not generate an alarm themselves

Abstract

Apparatus and systems using merchandise activity sensors for increasing the awareness of interactivity with merchandise on retail store displays (shelves, peg hooks, merchandise pushers, and other Point of Purchase displays) in order to facilitate more effective customer service, reduce theft and to provide additional analysis data related to merchandise/shopper interaction.

Claims

1. A system for providing real-time location based services, the system comprising:

a) at least one proximity detection method for identifying a mobile device and its associated location;

b) at least a first sensor capable of detecting a direct or indirect force that is applied to an object which results in movement of that object from a state of equilibrium;

c) a microcontroller having an application capable of processing data acquired by a) and b); and

d) a wired or wireless means of communication capable of communicating the movement of the object detected by the first sensor to the microcontroller of c).

2. The system of claim 1 wherein an indirect force is detected when the at least first sensor is associated with a fixture.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the fixture is in contact with the object.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein a direct force is detected when the at least first sensor is associated with an object.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the real-time location based services are configured for use in a setting wherein the detection and tracking of object movement is desired.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the setting is a retail setting.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least first sensor further comprises a single or multi-axis accelerometer.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the means of communication is a transceiver.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the means of communication is a transmitter.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the microcontroller is capable of determining a precise location of a mobile device based on data acquired from a) and b).

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the closest identified mobile device to the activated sensor is recognized by the microcontroller which results in the communication of customized information to the mobile device.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the microcontroller is capable of determining the object or a category of objects by providing a shelf planogram over the location of the at least first sensor.

13. A method of detecting potential theft related activity at a point of display in a shopper self-checkout environment using a mobile device, the system comprising:

a) providing at least one proximity detection method for identifying a mobile device and its associated location;

b) providing at least a first sensor capable of detecting a direct or indirect force that is applied to an object which results in movement of that object from a state of equilibrium;

c) providing a microcontroller having an application capable of processing data acquired by a) and b) in combination with purchase activity from the mobile device;

d) providing a wired or wireless means of communication capable of communicating the movement detected by the at least first sensor to the microcontroller of c) for processing; and

e) triggering a suspicious event declaration in when the movement detected in c) does not match the purchase data of the mobile device.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein an indirect force is detected when the at least first sensor is associated with a fixture.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the fixture is in contact with the object.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein a direct force is detected when the at least first sensor is associated with an object.

17. The method of claim 13 wherein the real-time location based services are configured for use in a setting wherein the detection and tracking of object movement is desired.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the setting is a retail setting.

19. The method of claim 13 wherein the at least first sensor further comprises a single or multi-axis accelerometer.

20. The method of claim 13 wherein the means of communication is a transceiver.