Automatic sensing methods and devices for inventory control
The present disclosure is generally directed to methods of tracking stocked inventory, such as products or other items stocked on a store shelf or other storage space. The disclosure is also directed to devices and systems that may be utilized to carry out such methods.
1. A system configured to monitor inventory of one or more products, comprising:
a display comprising:
a support structure;
at least one shelf extending from the support structure, and
a film positioned over a surface of the shelf, wherein the film comprises
a first layer comprising a first set of electrically conductive traces comprising conductive ink; and
a second layer comprising a second set of electrically conductive traces comprising conductive ink, the second layer arranged over the first layer such that the second set of electrically conductive traces overlaps the first set of electrically conductive traces to produce a matrix of conductive trace intersections;
wherein the system is configured to map dimensions and weight distribution of a product when the product is placed on the film and the system can determine the type of product based upon the dimensions and weight distribution of the product.
2. The inventory monitoring system of claim 1 , comprising an electronic device communicatively coupled to the first and/or second layer.
3. The inventory monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein the first and second layers are separated by a dielectric material.
4. The inventory monitoring system of claim 3 , wherein the dielectric material comprises a fluid dielectric material.
5. The inventory monitoring system of claim 4 , wherein the dielectric material comprises air.
6. The inventory monitoring system of claim 3 , wherein the dielectric material comprises a solid dielectric material.
7. The inventory monitoring system of claim 1 , comprising an electronic device communicatively coupled to the film.
8. The inventory monitoring system of claim 7 , wherein the electronic device is configured to determine the type of product based, at least in part, upon the dimensions and weight distribution of the product.
9. The inventory monitoring system of claim 8 , wherein the electronic device comprises a controller.
10. The inventory monitoring system of claim 1 , further comprising at least one product positioned over the film.
11. The inventory monitoring system of claim 10 , wherein the product includes a surface and one or more features that do not occupy the entire area of the surface.
12. The inventory monitoring system of claim 11 , wherein the feature comprises a ridge and/or indentation associated with the product.
13. The inventory monitoring system of claim 12 , wherein the feature comprises braille.
14. The inventory monitoring system of claim 11 , wherein the feature occupies less than about 50% of the surface area of the product.
15. The inventory monitoring system of claim 11 , wherein the feature occupies less than about 10% of the surface area of the product.
16. The inventory monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein the film comprises a pressure sensitive sensor array.
17. The inventory monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein the second set of electrically conductive traces is substantially perpendicular to the first set of electrically conductive traces.
18. The inventory monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein, when a product is placed over the film, electrically conductive traces in the first set are moved closer to electrically conductive traces in the second set.
19. The inventory monitoring system of claim 1 , further comprising a controller, wherein the controller is configured to receive a signal that varies based upon spacing between electrically conductive traces in the first set and electrically conductive traces in the second set at intersections between electrically conductive traces in the first set and the electrically conductive traces in the second set.
20. The inventory monitoring system of claim 19 , wherein the controller is configured to receive a combined readout of the intersections that have been moved closer together and the combined readout is compared to a list of known patterns of products programmed in the inventory management system.
21. The inventory monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein multiple products are placed over the film.
22. The inventory monitoring system of claim 21 , wherein the system is configured to uniquely identify each type of product placed over the film.
23. The inventory monitoring system of claim 21 , wherein the system is configured to count the number of products placed over the film.
24. The inventory monitoring system of claim 21 , wherein the system is configured to identify products placed over the film.
25. The inventory monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein the film is configured to be rolled out over the surface of the shelf.
26. The inventory monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein the system is configured to map two or more dimensions of the product.