Apparatus for securing camera to a retail shelving unit

1. An apparatus for securing a camera to a retail shelving unit, the apparatus including:

a pair of opposing securing surfaces for securing the apparatus to a support element of the retail shelving unit, wherein the pair of opposing securing surfaces forms a gap between the pair of opposing securing surfaces, wherein the gap is configured to accept the support element of the retail shelving unit; and

an arm extending from one of the pair of opposing securing surfaces and having a distal end, the distal end including a camera support area including a least one opening,

wherein the pair of opposing securing surfaces and the arm are constructed from a single continuous galvanized metal sheet.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the pair of opposing securing surfaces are configured to be fixedly mounted to the support element, and wherein the support element includes a rigid structural element supporting a horizontal shelf of the retail shelving unit.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a width of the gap between the pair of opposing securing surfaces is between 1.5 mm to 8 mm.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a length of the arm extending from one of the pair of opposing securing surfaces is between 30 mm to 70 mm, and a length of each securing surface is between 30 mm to 70 mm.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the camera support area includes a hole for placement of a cable connecting a camera to a battery source.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the continuous galvanized metal sheet is between 1 mm to 3 mm.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the continuous galvanized metal sheet includes at least one bend greater than 90 degrees along at least one orthogonal rotation axis.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the least one bend of the continuous galvanized metal sheet form two u-shaped structures, wherein the two u-shaped structures include a first u-shaped structure that is associated with the pair of opposing securing surfaces and a second u-shaped structure that is associated with a surface associated with the camera support area.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the camera support area is part of a planar base substantially orthogonal to the pair of opposing securing surfaces.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the apparatus is configured such that when the apparatus is fixedly mounted to a support element of a horizontal shelf, the planar base is positioned substantially parallel to a side of the horizontal shelf facing an aisle.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the apparatus is configured such that when the apparatus is fixedly mounted such that the pair of opposing securing surfaces are located between and abut on two horizontal shelves, a width of the planar base is greater than a space between the two horizontal shelves.

12. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the apparatus is configured such that when the apparatus is fixedly mounted to the support element of a horizontal shelf, the planar base is positioned substantially orthogonal to a side of the horizontal shelf facing an aisle.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the apparatus is configured such that when the apparatus is fixedly mounted such that the pair of opposing securing surfaces are located between and abut on two horizontal shelves, a width of the planar base is less than a space between the two horizontal shelves.

14. A system for monitoring planogram compliance in a retail store, the system comprising:

a plurality of cameras configured to capture images depicting a plurality of products displayed in the retail store, wherein each camera is mountable to a retail shelving unit using an apparatus including:

a pair of opposing securing surfaces for securing the apparatus to a support element of the retail shelving unit, wherein the pair of opposing securing surfaces forms a gap between the pair of opposing securing surfaces, and wherein the gap is configured to accept the support element of the retail shelving unit; and

an arm extending from one of the pair of opposing securing surfaces and having a distal end, the distal end including a camera support area including a least one opening,

wherein the pair of opposing securing surfaces and the arm are constructed from a single continuous galvanized metal sheet;

a data interface configured to receive image data from the plurality of cameras; and

at least one processor for monitoring planogram compliance using the received image data.

15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the system includes a plurality of apparatuses that includes at least two types of apparatuses for mounting the plurality of cameras to a plurality of retail shelving units, wherein:

an apparatus from a first type is configured such that when it is fixedly mounted to a support element of a horizontal shelf, its camera support area is on a surface positioned substantially parallel to a side of the horizontal shelf facing an aisle; and

an apparatus from a second type is configured such that when it is fixedly mounted to a support element of a horizontal shelf, its camera support area is on a surface positioned substantially orthogonal to the pair of opposing securing surfaces.

16. The system of claim 14 , wherein the system includes a plurality of apparatuses that includes at least two types of apparatuses for mounting the plurality of cameras to a plurality of retail shelving units, and wherein the at least two types of apparatus includes a first type having an arm associated with a first length and a second type having an arm associated with a second length greater than the first length.

17. The system of claim 14 , wherein the system includes a plurality of apparatuses that includes a first apparatus attachable to a first horizontal shelf and a second apparatus attachable a second horizontal shelf, and wherein the first horizontal shelf and the second horizontal shelf are of different heights.

18. The system of claim 14 , wherein the system includes a plurality of apparatuses that includes a first apparatus attachable a first horizontal shelf and a second apparatus attachable to a second horizontal shelf, and wherein the first horizontal shelf and the second horizontal shelf are of different sizes.

19. The system of claim 14 , wherein at least two of the plurality of cameras are mountable on a single horizontal shelf and configured to be connected by a cable configured to covey power and image data.