Detection system for unsafe activity at a shelving unit

1. A method for alerting a user of unsafe activity at a shelving unit, the method comprising:

disposing a plurality of distance sensors at the shelving unit, the shelving unit having a top end and a bottom end, the plurality of distance sensors disposed at and along the top end of the shelving unit and pointing downwards towards the bottom end of the shelving unit;

detecting presence of a person near the shelving unit via data sensed by one or more of the plurality of distance sensors;

determining an initial height of the person relative to a floor using at least one of the plurality of distance sensors;

detecting, via a processor, a change in height of the person relative to the floor, wherein the change in height indicates an increase from the initial height;

determining, via the processor, whether the change in height indicates unsafe activity at the shelving unit;

generating, via the processor, an alert when the unsafe activity is determined;

determining a location of the unsafe activity within a facility using at least one of the plurality of distance sensors;

determining one or more users proximate to the location of the unsafe activity; and

transmitting the alert to one or more user devices associated with the one or more users.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the determining whether the change in height indicates unsafe activity is based on the initial height and the change in the height.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

transmitting the alert to the user device based on proximity of the user device to the unsafe activity.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

in response to generating an alert, transmitting an electrical signal to a speaker to cause the speaker to generate an audible warning to the person.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the unsafe activity relates to the person climbing the shelving unit.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the shelving unit has a height that is greater than six feet five inches measured between the bottom end and the top end.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the shelving unit has a height of at least seven feet measured between the bottom end and the top end.

8. A detection system for alerting a user of unsafe activity at a shelving unit, the system comprising:

a plurality of distance sensors disposed at the shelving unit, the shelving unit having a top end and a bottom end, the plurality of distance sensors disposed at and along the top end of the shelving unit and pointing downwards towards the bottom end of the shelving unit;

wherein one or more of the plurality of distance sensors are configured to detect presence of a person near the shelving unit;

a server in communication with the plurality of distance sensors, wherein the server is configured to:

determine an initial height of the person relative to a floor using at least one of the plurality of distance sensors;

detect a change in height of the person relative to the floor, wherein the change in height indicates an increase from the initial height;

determine whether the change in height indicates unsafe activity at the shelving unit;

generate an alert when the unsafe activity is determined;

determine location of the unsafe activity within a facility using the plurality of distance sensors;

determine one or more users proximate to the location of the unsafe activity; and

transmit the alert to one or more user devices associated with the one or more users.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the server determines whether the change in height indicates unsafe activity based on the initial height and the change in the height.

10. The system of claim 8 , wherein the server is further configured to transmit the alert to the user device based on proximity of the user device to the unsafe activity.

11. The system of claim 8 , wherein the server is further configured to transmit an electrical signal to a speaker to cause the speaker to generate an audible warning to the person in response to generating the alert.

12. The system of claim 8 , wherein the unsafe activity relates to the person climbing the shelving unit.

13. The system of claim 8 , wherein the shelving unit is at least seven feet tall.

14. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions that causes a processor to implement a method for alerting a user of unsafe activity at a shelving unit, the method comprising:

receiving data sensed by a plurality of distance sensors at the shelving unit, the shelving unit having a top end and a bottom end, the plurality of distance sensors disposed at and along the top end of the shelving unit and pointing downwards towards the bottom end of the shelving unit;

detecting presence of a person near the shelving unit via the data sensed by one or more of the plurality of distance sensors;

determining an initial height of the person relative to a floor using at least one of the plurality of distance sensors;

detecting a change in height of the person relative to the floor, wherein the change in height indicates an increase from the initial height;

determining whether the change in height indicates unsafe activity at the shelving unit;

generating an alert when the unsafe activity is determined;

determining location of the unsafe activity within a facility using the plurality of distance sensors;

determining one or more users proximate to the location of the unsafe activity; and

transmitting the alert to one or more user devices associated with the one or more users.

15. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 14 , wherein the method further comprises transmitting the alert to the user device based on proximity of the user device to the unsafe activity.

16. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 14 , wherein the method further comprises in response to generating an alert, transmitting an electrical signal to a speaker to cause the speaker to generate an audible warning to the person.