USING A DYNAMIC NUMBER OF POWER SOURCES FOR A CAMERA MOUNTABLE ON RETAIL SHELVING UNIT
A mobile power source is provided. The mobile power source includes a housing configured to retain at least one battery. The housing includes first and second guiding channels configured to engage with a track associated with a retail shelving unit. The mobile power source further includes a first electrical connector configured to electrically connect the mobile power source to a control unit for an image capture device; a second electrical connector configured to electrically connect the mobile power source to an additional mobile power source or a power grid; and circuitry configured to convey power from the additional mobile power source to the image capture device when the mobile power source is connected to the additional mobile power source, and to convey power from the power grid to the image capture device when the mobile power source is connected to the power grid.
1 .- 121 . (canceled)
122 . A mobile power source, comprising:
a housing configured to retain at least one battery, the housing including a first guiding channel located on a first side of the housing and a second guiding channel located on a second side of the housing opposite to the first side of the housing, the first and second guiding channels being configured to engage with a track associated with a retail shelving unit in order to secure the housing to the retail shelving unit;
a first electrical connector associated with the housing, the first connector being configured to electrically connect the mobile power source to a control unit for at least one image capture device;
a second electrical connector associated with the housing, the second electrical connector being configured to electrically connect the mobile power source to at least one of an additional mobile power source or a power grid; and
circuitry configured to convey power from the additional mobile power source to the at least one image capture device when the mobile power source is connected to the additional mobile power source, and to convey power from the power grid to the at least one image capture device when the mobile power source is connected to the power grid.
123 . The mobile power source of claim 122 , wherein the housing has a width of between 40 mm to 80 mm and thickness of between 10 mm to 25 mm.
124 . The mobile power source of claim 122 , wherein a length of the housing of the mobile power source is greater than a length of a housing of the additional mobile power source.
125 . The mobile power source of claim 122 , wherein the housing is configured to retain a plurality of batteries.
126 . The mobile power source of claim 122 , wherein the first electrical connector is configured to transfer data between the mobile power source and a control unit associated with the at least one image capture device.
127 . The mobile power source of claim 122 , wherein the first electrical connector configured to be electrically connected to the control unit is associated with a first end of the housing, and the second electrical connector configured to be electrically connected to the additional mobile power source is associated with a second end of the housing opposite to the first end of the housing.
128 . The mobile power source of claim 122 , wherein the mobile power source is configured to supply power to the control unit from a battery associated with the housing for controlling three or more image capture devices.
129 . The mobile power source of claim 122 , wherein the mobile power source is configured to supply power to the control unit from a battery associated with the housing when the power grid is unavailable.
130 . The mobile power source of claim 122 , wherein the mobile power source is configured to recharge the at least one battery when the power grid is available.
131 . The mobile power source of claim 122 , wherein a capacity of the at least one battery is sufficient for capturing at least 7,500 images, and when the mobile power source is connected to the additional mobile power source a combined capacity of their batteries is sufficient for capturing at least 15,000 images.
132 . A control unit o a plurality of image capture devices, the control unit comprising:
a housing including a first guiding channel located on a first side of the housing and a second guiding channel located on a second side of the housing opposite to the first side of the housing, the first and second guiding channels being configured to slidably engage with a track associated with a retail shelving unit;
a plurality of connectors located on a first end of the housing, each connector being configured to enable a connection for transferring power to and for receiving data from a separate image capture device fixedly mounted to the retail shelving unit; and
a power port on a second end of the housing opposite to the first end of the housing, the power port being configured to enable an electrical connection for receiving power from at least one mobile power source.
133 . The control unit of claim 132 , wherein the control unit is configured to connect to a first mobile source that is parallelly connected to a second mobile source, and wherein the control unit is configured to draw power from the second mobile source before drawing power from first mobile source.
134 . The control unit of claim 133 , wherein the control unit includes at least one processor is configured to:
determine that a battery associated with the second mobile power source is below a predetermined charge level;
based on the determination, cause generation of a notification to a store employee for replacing the second mobile power source.
135 . An apparatus for slidably securing a selectable number of mobile power sources to a retail shelving unit for supplying power to at least one image capture device, the apparatus comprising:
a base configured to be mounted on a first surface of the retail shelving unit opposite to a second surface of the retail shelving unit designated for placement of retail products;
a first rail arm extending from the base, the first rail arm including a first rail protruding from the first rail arm and extending in a longitudinal direction along the first rail arm; and
a second rail arm extending from the base, the second rail arm including a second rail protruding from the second rail arm in a direction toward the first rail arm and extending in a longitudinal direction along the second rail arm;
wherein the first and second rails are configured to engage with corresponding grooves of one or more mobile power sources to slidably secure the one or more power sources to the retail shelving unit.
136 . The apparatus of claim 135 , wherein the rail is configured to direct a first connector of a first mobile power source to a second connector of a second mobile power source, thereby allowing the first mobile power source to mate with the second mobile power source slidably positioned adjacent the first mobile power source along the track.
137 . The apparatus of claim 135 , wherein the apparatus is configured support two or more mobile power sources configured to power a plurality of image capture devices mounted on a side of the retail shelving unit facing another retail shelving unit and located in separate housings.
138 . The apparatus of claim 135 , wherein the apparatus includes a locking mechanism that allows for toolless engagement of a power source with the rails, but requires a tool to disengage the power source from the rails.
139 . The apparatus of claim 135 , wherein a distance between the two opposing protrusions is between 45 mm to 85 mm
140 . The apparatus of claim 135 , wherein the base includes an adhesive layer for mounting the apparatus to the first surface of the retail shelving unit.
141 . The apparatus of claim 135 , wherein the base is an integral part of the retail shelving unit.
142 .- 221 . (canceled)