公开(公告)号：WO2018057444A1

公开(公告)日：2018-03-29

申请号：PCT/US2017/051973

申请日：2017-09-18

Applicant: WAL-MART STORES, INC.

Inventor： JONES, Nicholaus A. ,  JONES, Matthew A.

IPC: G01G3/08 ,  G01G3/12 ,  G01G19/40 ,  G01G19/413 ,  G01G19/414 ,  G06Q10/08 ,  G07F9/02

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to provide a visual indication of a weight of products stocked on a display assembly, such as a shelf of a shelving unit. The visual indication is provided by virtue of the display assembly having a product support member with a curved configuration that sequentially flattens as additional weight is added thereto. An electronic imaging device can be mounted proximate to the assembly and oriented to capture an image of the product support member and a control circuit can be configured to receive the image and analyze the image to determine a current stock level.

Abstract translation: 在一些实施例中，本文提供的装置和方法可用于提供存储在显示组件上的产品的重量的可视指示，所述显示组件例如搁架单元的搁架。 借助于显示器组件提供视觉指示，该显示器组件具有产品支撑构件，该产品支撑构件具有随着附加重量被添加到其上的顺序变平的弯曲构造。 电子成像设备可以安装在组件附近并且被定向为捕获产品支撑构件的图像，并且控制电路可以被配置成接收图像并且分析图像以确定当前的库存水平。

公开(公告)号：WO2018009786A1

公开(公告)日：2018-01-11

申请号：PCT/US2017/041086

申请日：2017-07-07

Applicant: WAL-MART STORES, INC.

Inventor： JONES, Nicholaus A. ,  TAYLOR, Robert J. ,  VASGAARD, Aaron J. ,  JONES, Matthew A.

IPC: B62B3/14 ,  G01S13/00 ,  G06Q10/00 ,  G08B13/18

Abstract: In some embodiments, systems, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to determine a weight of products on a product support structure. More specifically, the product support structure can be provided on a suspension system having one or more springs that can be monitored for compression to thereby determine a weight of products on the product support structure. In several embodiments, non-visible electromagnetic (EM) waves, can be directed at the spring and reflections of the non-visible EM waves can be received and analyzed to determine a compression of the spring.

Abstract translation: 在一些实施例中，本文提供了用于确定产品支撑结构上的产品的重量的系统，设备和方法。 更具体地说，产品支撑结构可以设置在具有一个或多个弹簧的悬挂系统上，该弹簧可以被监控用于压缩，从而确定产品支撑结构上的产品的重量。 在几个实施例中，不可见的电磁（EM）波可以指向弹簧，并且可以接收并分析不可见的EM波的反射，以确定弹簧的压缩。

公开(公告)号：WO2017214116A1

公开(公告)日：2017-12-14

申请号：PCT/US2017/036114

申请日：2017-06-06

Applicant: WAL-MART STORES, INC.

Inventor： JONES, Nicholaus A. ,  TAYLOR, Robert J. ,  VASGAARD, Aaron J. ,  JONES, Matthew A.

IPC: G01C21/20 ,  G03B7/08 ,  G06T7/70

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful for a retail shopping facility to maintain stocked shelves, in part, from obtaining images of the store shelves via cameras mounted onto shopping carts. By one approach, the images obtained from the shopping carts are compared with planogram images to determine where retail products are needed to restock the shelves. In some examples, the shopping cart has a control circuit that determines when to capture electronic images based, in part, upon a sensor mounted onto the shopping cart, instructs the camera to capture the electric image, and stores the captured electronic image in the memory.

Abstract translation: 在一些实施例中，本文提供了用于零售购物设施的装置和方法，以部分地维持库存货架通过安装到购物车上的相机获得货架的图像。 通过一种方法，将从购物车获得的图像与货架图像进行比较以确定需要零售产品来重新放置货架。 在一些示例中，购物车具有控制电路，该控制电路确定何时部分基于安装在购物车上的传感器来捕捉电子图像，指示相机捕捉电图像，并且将捕捉的电子图像存储在存储器中

公开(公告)号：WO2017210441A1

公开(公告)日：2017-12-07

申请号：PCT/US2017/035472

申请日：2017-06-01

Applicant: WAL-MART STORES, INC.

Inventor： JONES, Nicholaus A. ,  TAYLOR, Robert J. ,  VASGAARD, Aaron J. ,  JONES, Matthew A.

IPC: B60Q1/00 ,  G01S17/58 ,  G01S17/66 ,  G06K15/00 ,  G06Q20/40 ,  G06Q30/06

CPC classification number: G06Q30/0201 ,  G06Q20/20

Abstract: In some embodiments, systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein useful to correlating cart activity with point of sale data. In some embodiments, a system includes one or more sensors, wherein the one or more sensors are configured to gather data associated with cart activity within the shopping facility and a control circuit communicatively coupled to the one or more sensors, the control circuit configured to determine, based on the data from the one or more sensors, the cart activity within the shopping facility, determine, based on point of sale data, items that were purchased, and determine, based on the cart activity within the shopping facility and the items that were purchased, one or more tasks to perform.

Abstract translation: 在一些实施例中，本文提供的系统，装置和方法可用于将购物车活动与销售点数据相关联。 在一些实施例中，系统包括一个或多个传感器，其中一个或多个传感器被配置为收集与购物设施内的购物车活动相关联的数据以及通信地耦合到一个或多个传感器的控制电路，控制电路被配置为确定 基于来自一个或多个传感器的数据，购物设施内的购物车活动基于销售点数据确定购买的物品，并且基于购物设施内的购物车活动和 购买了一个或多个要执行的任务。

公开(公告)号：WO2017201014A1

公开(公告)日：2017-11-23

申请号：PCT/US2017/032856

申请日：2017-05-16

Applicant: WAL-MART STORES, INC.

Inventor： JONES, Nicholaus A. ,  TAYLOR, Robert J. ,  VASGAARD, Aaron J. ,  JONES, Matthew A. ,  MATTINGLY, Todd D.

IPC: G01B7/14 ,  G01C21/20 ,  G06F7/00

Abstract: In some embodiments, systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein useful to track customer movement within a shopping facility. To achieve this, a travel distance is tracked during a shopping trip and collected at or adjacent to a point of sale with an access device. The travel distance can further be correlated to products that were purchased during the shopping trip and, based on the location of the purchased products and the store layout, a travel path for the shopping trip can be estimated.

Abstract translation: 在一些实施例中，本文提供了用于跟踪购物设施内的顾客移动的系统，设备和方法。 为了达到这个目的，旅行距离在购物旅行期间被跟踪并且通过访问设备在销售点处或附近收集。 旅行距离可以进一步与在购物旅行期间购买的产品相关联，并且基于所购买产品的位置和商店布局，可以估计购物旅行的旅行路径。

公开(公告)号：WO2017192678A1

公开(公告)日：2017-11-09

申请号：PCT/US2017/030776

申请日：2017-05-03

Applicant: WAL-MART STORES, INC.

Inventor： JONES, Nicholaus A. ,  VASGAARD, Aaron J. ,  JONES, Matthew A.

IPC: G05D1/10 ,  G06K9/62

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to collecting and processing image data relating to retail deliveries. In some embodiments, there is provided a system for capturing images of merchandise delivery containers, the system comprising: at least one unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) having an optical sensor for capturing image sequences; a memory device for storing the captured image sequences; an image database including images of at least one of text, symbols, logos, graphic designs, and pictures from known merchandise delivery containers; and a control circuit configured to: receive the captured image sequences; compare the image sequences with the images from the image database; determine individual images in the image sequences that match the images from the image database to identify merchandise delivery containers; and determine, based on the image sequences, address information corresponding to the geographical locations of the identified merchandise delivery containers.

Abstract translation: 在一些实施例中，本文提供了用于收集和处理与零售递送有关的图像数据的装置和方法。 在一些实施例中，提供了一种用于捕获商品递送容器的图像的系统，所述系统包括：至少一个无人飞行器（UAV），其具有用于捕捉图像序列的光学传感器; 存储装置，用于存储所捕获的图像序列; 包括来自已知商品递送容器的文本，符号，标识，图形设计和图片中的至少一个的图像的图像数据库; 以及控制电路，被配置为：接收所捕获的图像序列; 将图像序列与来自图像数据库的图像进行比较; 确定图像序列中与来自图像数据库的图像匹配的个体图像以识别商品递送容器; 并基于图像序列确定与识别的商品递送容器的地理位置相对应的地址信息。

公开(公告)号：WO2017189804A1

公开(公告)日：2017-11-02

申请号：PCT/US2017/029767

申请日：2017-04-27

Applicant: WAL-MART STORES, INC.

Inventor： JONES, Nicholaus A. ,  JONES, Matthew A.

IPC: G06Q10/08 ,  G01G19/40 ,  G06Q20/20

Abstract: In some embodiments, systems, apparatuses, and methods are described herein to provide a visual indication of a level or number of products stocked on a shelf of a shelving unit. The visual indication is provided by virtue of an accumulated weight of products on the shelf causing an indicator device to visually change according to the weight.

Abstract translation: 在一些实施例中，系统，装置和方法在本文中被描述以提供储存在搁架单元的架子上的产品的级别或数量的视觉指示。 由于货架上产品的累积重量而提供视觉指示，使得指示装置根据重量在视觉上改变。

公开(公告)号：WO2017120046A1

公开(公告)日：2017-07-13

申请号：PCT/US2016/067939

申请日：2016-12-21

Applicant: WAL-MART STORES, INC.

Inventor： JONES, Nicholaus A. ,  TAYLOR, Robert J. ,  JONES, Matthew A.

IPC: G01B11/22 ,  G01B11/28 ,  G06Q10/08

CPC classification number: B65G65/005 ,  B65G43/08 ,  B65G67/24 ,  B65G2203/042

Abstract: The unpacked depth of a cargo container is automatically measured as the items are removed therefrom. Information regarding where the unpacked items are to be placed is automatically presented using an active display and determined as a function, at least in part, of the measured unpacked depth. By one approach the foregoing includes using received information that correlates particular items with corresponding packed locations within the cargo container.

Abstract translation:

货物的未打包深度在物品从中取出时自动测量。 有关未包装物品放置位置的信息将使用主动显示自动显示，并至少部分地作为测量的未包装深度的函数确定。 通过一种方法，前述内容包括使用接收到的信息，该信息将特定物品与货物集装箱内的相应包装位置相关联。

公开(公告)号：WO2017079015A1

公开(公告)日：2017-05-11

申请号：PCT/US2016/058995

申请日：2016-10-27

Applicant: WAL-MART STORES, INC.

Inventor： JONES, Matthew A. ,  JONES, Nicholaus A. ,  TAYLOR, Robert J.

IPC: G06Q30/06 ,  G06F3/048 ,  G06Q20/20

CPC classification number: G06Q30/0613 ,  G06Q10/063112

Abstract: A central computer system determines, via a product located in a retail shopping facility, that a customer is engaged with the product. The central computer system then automatically determines an appropriate associate of the retail shopping facility to communicate with that customer regarding the product and instructs that appropriate associate to communicate face-to-face with the customer regarding the product. By one approach, when the assigned associate fails to acknowledge the foregoing instruction, the central computer system determines an alternative appropriate associate and similarly assigns that associate to communicate face-to-face with the customer regarding the product.

Abstract translation: 中央计算机系统通过位于零售购物设施中的产品确定顾客正在与该产品打交道。 然后，中央计算机系统自动确定零售购物设施的适当联系人与该顾客就该产品进行通信，并指示该适当的联系人就该产品与顾客面对面地进行通信。 通过一种方法，当被分配的同事不能确认上述指令时，中央计算机系统确定一个替代适当的合伙人，并且类似地指派该合伙人与顾客面对面地就该产品进行面对面沟通。

公开(公告)号：WO2015184286A1

公开(公告)日：2015-12-03

申请号：PCT/US2015/033224

申请日：2015-05-29

Applicant: WAL-MART STORES, INC.

Inventor： JONES, Matthew A. ,  TAYLOR, Robert J. ,  SNELGROVE, Roger ,  TRIPATHI, Rahul

IPC: G06Q10/08

CPC classification number: G06Q10/06315 ,  G06Q10/08 ,  G06Q10/087

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided to automatically identify overstated perpetual inventory (PI) conditions regarding an inventory level of an item in a retail space. For example, in some embodiments, a method performed by a control circuit comprises determining (504) that, a plurality of times, an item for sale at a retail store sells within a defined tolerance of a non-zero inventory quantity value and then stops selling for a period of time; and making (506) a determination that an overstated PI condition exists with respect to an inventory level of the item at the retail store. In some embodiments, the overstated PI condition is automatically quantified and may be automatically corrected.

Abstract translation: 提供方法和装置以自动识别关于零售空间中的物品的库存水平的夸大的永久库存（PI）条件。 例如，在一些实施例中，由控制电路执行的方法包括确定（504）多个时间，零售商店销售的物品在定义的非零库存量值的公差内销售，然后停止 卖一段时间; 以及（506）确定相对于零售商店的商品的库存水平存在夸大的PI条件。 在一些实施例中，过量的PI条件被自动量化，并且可以被自动校正。