Modular shelving systems for package tracking

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11057590-B2
Application number	US-201816206745-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 30, 2018
Priority date	Apr 6, 2015
Publication date	Jul 6, 2021
Grant date	Jul 6, 2021

Abstract

A shelving system has at least one shelf, a camera fixed at a distance from the at least one shelf such that a field of view of the camera faces the at least one shelf and closely encompasses the at least one shelf, and a controller in communication with the camera. The controller has a processor adapted to receive images captured by the camera within the camera's field of view and to determine from the images whether a particular object has been placed on, moved, or removed from the at least one shelf.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A kit for a modular shelving system comprising:
a camera configured for placement at a distance from at least one shelf such that the camera has a field of view that faces and closely encompasses the at least one shelf;
a light source, the camera for tracking, specifically, following an object that has been scanned to collect identification information about the object and the light source identifying the tracked position of the object; and
a controller adapted to communicate with the light source and with the camera to receive images of the at least one shelf captured by the camera, the controller having a processor configured to receive the identification information about the scanned object, to associate the object with a location on the at least one shelf after an initial placement of the object at the location within the field of view of the camera in response to the received identification information, to compare the images to each other to determine whether the tracked object has been placed on, moved, or removed from the location on at least one shelf, and before the object is placed on, moved to or removed from the at least one shelf, to direct the light source to illuminate the location on the at least one shelf in the field of view of the camera contributing to the following of the object, the location associated with the object in order for the light source to draw attention and guide a user to the location on the at least one shelf in the field of view of the camera, wherein the object is tracked by the camera continuously from a prior location to the location on the at least one shelf after the object has been scanned and matched in response to a comparison of the images and during positioning of the object at the at least one shelf.

2. The kit of claim 1 , further comprising an apparatus for mounting the camera at the distance from the at least one shelf such that the field of view of the camera faces and closely encompasses the at least one shelf.

3. The kit of claim 2 , wherein the apparatus for mounting the camera comprises an arm adapted to couple to the at least one shelf.

4. The kit of claim 1 , wherein the camera is configured for wireless communication with the controller for transmitting the captured images thereto.

5. The kit of claim 1 , wherein the light source is configured for wireless communication with the controller to receive commands therefrom.

6. The kit of claim 1 , further comprising the at least one shelf.

7. The kit of claim 1 , wherein the light source comprises a light projector adapted to face the at least one shelf and shine light on a shelving area of interest on the at least one shelf as determined by the controller.

8. A shelving system comprising:
at least one shelf;
a camera fixed at a distance from the at least one shelf such that the camera has a field of view that faces and closely encompasses the at least one shelf;
a light source, the camera for tracking, specifically, following an object that has been previously scanned to collect identification information about the object and the light source identifying the tracked position of the object; and
a controller in communication with the camera to receive images of the at least one shelf captured by the camera and with the light source, the controller having a processor configured to receive the identification information about the scanned object, to associate the object with a location on the at least one shelf after an initial placement of the object at the location within the field of view of the camera in response to the received identification information to compare the images to each other to determine whether the tracked object has been placed on, moved, or removed from the at least one shelf, and before the object is placed on moved to or removed from the at least one shelf, to direct the light source to illuminate the location on the at least one shelf in the field of view of the camera contributing to the tracking of the object, the location associated with the object in order to draw attention and guide a user to the location on the at least one shelf in the field of view of the camera, wherein the object is tracked by the camera continuously from a prior location to the location on the at least one shelf after the object has been scanned and matched in response to a comparison of the images and during positioning of the object at the at least one shelf.

9. The shelving system of claim 8 , further comprising an apparatus for mounting the camera at the distance from the at least one shelf such that the field of view of the camera faces and closely encompasses the at least one shelf.

10. The shelving system of claim 9 , wherein the apparatus for mounting the camera comprises an arm coupled to the at least one shelf.

11. The shelving system of claim 8 , wherein the camera is in wireless communication with the controller for transmitting images thereto.

12. The shelving system of claim 8 , wherein the light source is in wireless communication with the controller to receive commands therefrom.

13. The shelving system of claim 8 , wherein the light source comprises a light projector that faces the at least one shelf and shines light on a shelving area of interest on the at least one shelf, as determined by the controller.

14. A package tracking system comprising:
a plurality of modular shelving systems disposed in a package tracking area, each modular shelving system including:
at least one shelf;
a camera fixed at a distance from the at least one shelf such that the camera has a field of view that faces and closely encompasses the at least one shelf;
a light source, the camera for tracking, specifically, following an object that has been scanned to collect identification information about the object and the light source identifying the tracked position of the object, and
a controller in communication with the light source and with the camera to receive images of the at least one shelf captured by the camera, the controller having a processor configured to receive the identification information about the scanned object, to associate the object with a location on the at least one shelf after an initial placement of the object at the location within the field of view of the camera in response to the received identification information to compare the images to each other to determine whether the tracked object has been placed on, moved, or removed from the at least one shelf, and before the object is placed on, moved to or removed from the at least one shelf, to direct the light source to illuminate the location on the at least one shelf in the field of view of the camera contributing to the tracking of the object, the location associated with the object in order for the light source to draw attention and guide a user to the location on the at least one shelf in the field of view of the camera, wherein the object is tracked by the camera continuously from a prior location to the location on the at least one shelf after the object has been scanned and matched in response to a comparison of the images and during positioning of the object at the at least one shelf; and

a master controller in communication with each controller of the plurality of modular shelving systems.

15. The package tracking system of claim 14 , wherein each modular shelving system further comprises an apparatus for mounting the camera of that modular shelving system at the distance from the at least one shelf of that modular shelving system such that the field of view of the camera of that modular shelving system faces and clo

Assignees

• Position Imaging Inc

Inventors

• Seiger Alex
• Kirmani Shahzad Farooq
• Hill Edward L

Classifications

• H04N23/50

  Constructional details · CPC title

• H04N23/56

  provided with illuminating means · CPC title

• A47B47/0091

  Modular arrangements of similar assemblies of elements (for elements or assemblies mainly made of wood or plastic A47B47/047, sectional furniture A47B87/00, stackable furniture A47B87/02) · CPC title

• H04N7/183 Primary

  for receiving images from a single remote source · CPC title

• G06Q10/087

  Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders · CPC title