STOCKING LEVEL INDICATION APPARATUS AND METHOD
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.
1 . A stock level indication assembly for a retail product storage structure, the stock level indication assembly comprising:
a shelf;
a bladder mounted to the shelf and having a fluid therein;
an indicator device fluidly coupled to the bladder;
one or more products disposed on the bladder such that weight of the products generates pressure in the indicator device to provide a visual indication of the number of products stocked on the shelf.
2 . The stock level indication assembly of claim 1 , wherein a top surface of the bladder is rigid or semi-rigid.
3 . The stock level indication assembly of claim 1 , wherein the bladder is disposed within the shelf.
4 . The stock level indication assembly of claim 1 , wherein the bladder is adhered to a top surface of the shelf.
5 . The stock level indication assembly of claim 1 , wherein the indicator device comprises a tube with an indicator member disposed therein, the tube having a predetermined pressure on one side of the indicator member and a pressure from the bladder on the other side of the indicator member such that the position of the indicator member within the tube provides a visual indication of the products disposed on the bladder.
6 . The stock level indication assembly of claim 1 , wherein the bladder is of a first material and the indicator device comprises a balloon of a second material, the second material being less rigid or more elastic than the first material.
7 . The stock level indication assembly of claim 1 , further comprising an imaging device oriented and configured to capture an image of the indicator device.
8 . The stock level indication assembly of claim 8 , wherein the imaging device is mounted to a mobile assembly.
9 . The stock level indication assembly of claim 8 , further comprising a control circuit operably coupled to the imaging device and configured to receive the image therefrom, the control circuit configured to estimate a pressure indicated by the indicator device in the image, estimate a weight of total products on the shelf based on the estimated pressure, access product location information, and estimate a number of the products on the shelf based on the product location information and the estimated weight.
10 . The stock level indication assembly of claim 9 , wherein the control circuit is further configured to send a low stock signal or message in response to determining that the number of the products estimated to be on the shelf is at or below a predetermined number.
11 . A method for providing a visual indication of stock level on retail product storage structure, the method comprising:
receiving one or more products on a bladder mounted to a shelf, the bladder having a fluid therein;
transferring pressure generated in the bladder as a result of the products being received thereon to an indicator device;
visually indicating the pressure received from the bladder with the indicator device.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein visually indicating the pressure received from the bladder with the indicator device comprises moving an indicator member within a tube, the tube having a predetermined pressure on one side of the indicator member and the pressure received from the bladder on the other side of the indicator member.
13 . The method of claim 11 , wherein visually indicating the pressure received from the bladder with the indicator device comprises expanding a balloon, the bladder being of a first material and the balloon being of a second material, the second material being less rigid or more elastic than the first material.
14 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising capturing an image of the indicator device with an imaging device.
15 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising:
receiving the image at a control circuit from the imaging device; and
estimating a pressure indicated by the indicator device in the image with the control circuit.
16 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising:
estimating a weight of total products on the shelf based on the estimated pressure with the control circuit;
accessing product location information; and
estimating a number of the products on the shelf with the control circuit based on the product location information and the estimated weight.
17 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising sending a low stock signal or message with the control circuit in response to determining that the number of the products estimated to be on the shelf is at or below a predetermined number.
18 . A method for installing a stock level indication assembly for a retail product storage structure, the method comprising:
mounting a bladder having a fluid therein to a shelf;
fluidly coupling an indicator device to the bladder so that the indicator device is visible on an outside of the shelf;
stocking one or more products on the bladder such that the weight of the products generates pressure within the bladder, which is transferred to the indicator device such that the indicator device provides a visual indication of the number of products stocked on the shelf.