961results about "Service system furniture" patented technology

Systems and methods for the identification, powering and control of products and product packaging. The systems can include a point of sale display having a contactless power supply. The contactless power supply can provide a source of wireless power for products and product packaging. The products and product packaging can include light emitting diodes, e-ink displays and printed speaker circuits that activate as the operating frequency of the contactless power supply varies. Other embodiments include product level sensors, inductive reader networks, printed temperature sensors, product alignment systems, passive identification circuits and methods for controlling operation of the same.

A navigation system uses a dead reckoning method to estimate an object's present position relative to one or more prior positions. In some embodiments, the dead reckoning method determines a change in position from the object's heading and speed during an elapsed time interval. In embodiments suitable for use with wheeled objects, the dead reckoning method determines the change in position by measuring the heading and the amount of wheel rotation. Some or all of the components of the navigation system may be disposed within a wheel, such as a wheel of a shopping cart.

Systems and methods for facilitating the decoration of an area, and particularly a surface such as a wall in a room, are provided. A user may view a virtual impression of the placement of selected artwork on a particular wall. The user provides an image of the area to be decorated, along with a reference scale associated with the area, to a server. The user views and selects an image of an artwork object from an available selection of artwork images, the artwork image having a corresponding size of the artwork object. The image of the artwork is scaled such that the ratio of the size of the artwork object and the size of the artwork image substantially corresponds to the ratio of the size of the area to be decorated and the size of the area image. The scaled artwork image is then overlayed on the area image and may be viewed by the user to provide a simulated image of the area and artwork.

A system, method and computer program product for maintaining shelf inventory data on a shelf. The system includes a camera for capturing shelf images of items on the shelf. An inventory database stores a product name, type, barcode, image and inventory data. An image-count correlation database stores historical product inventory images and product shelf inventory counts associated with the products in the historical images which are read from the product inventory database. A computer processor segments the shelf images into product inventory images, matches the inventory images with the historical images, and updates the shelf inventory data in the inventory database based on the product shelf inventory counts associated with the matched historical images in the image-count correlation database.

Systems and methods are provided that use a mobile robotic device (120, 220, 800) to transport rechargeable batteries (322, 422, 530, 570, 610, 722) between a base station (110, 600, 700), which charges the batteries, and a battery operated device (130, 230, 300, 400, 500, 550), such as battery powered kiosk (400) or signage system (300), which uses a charged battery as a power source. After traveling to a battery operated device, the mobile robotic device removes any discharged batteries from the battery operated device and installs a charged battery. The mobile robotic device then travels to the base station and attaches the discharged battery to the base station for recharging. The mobile robotic device may be configured to perform other transfers, such as data transfers and paper transfers. In addition, the mobile robotic device may be configured to perform a photographic and spatial survey of the isles, retail shelves, and surrounding environment for various purposes, such as generating three-dimensional store models and remote viewing.

A media enhanced shopping cart system comprises a shopping cart comprising a frame, a basket, a handle, a base tray, and a plurality of wheels, a modular computing device comprising a central processing unit, a memory and a network transceiver configured for wireless communication, the modular computing device being attached to the shopping cart, an inventory component for determining an inventory contained by the shopping cart, a shopping list component for listing one or more products of a consumer shopping list for purchase by a consumer, and a correlation component for correlating data from the inventory component with the shopping list component.

The present invention relates to an inventory control system where the most updated number of products displayed on a display space is electronically determined and communicated to a computer for remote users, and electronically displayed along with other relevant information about the products.

A novel robotic system for selling goods at a retail facility having a storage area not accessible by customers. The system includes a plurality of movable robots, and a control system. When a customer orders a purchase composed of multiple items, the control system assigns at least one robot to that customer to pick up the multiple items of the purchase in the storage area. The robot delivers the purchase directly to the customer or to a delivery area.

An improved meal delivery system and a method for delivery of pre-cooked, chilled meals from a central distribution station to a plurality of remote locations in cooperation with an Automatic Guided Vehicle system, and in particular a one-piece, molded, insulated meal-delivery cart for transportation of chilled meals.

The present invention concerns an automatic system for replenishing display shelves in retail businesses, wherein, aside from a corresponding device in accordance with the invention for transporting the goods, a display shelf for storage and presentation of the goods, a shelf-stocking vehicle and a repacking station for repacking the goods from transport containers into presentation containers and corresponding method for operating these devices are comprised by the present invention.

The present invention comprises, in one embodiment, a system, method and process for delivery of classified goods and serviced items through a vehicle drive-thru facility, the facility having a plurality of vehicle drive-thru pick-up portals for goods or services orderable via an electronic or computer medium. The present invention comprises, in another embodiment, a computer controlled transport system for the variable or high speed retrieval and delivery of amalgamated classified goods or services at any location within the facility or adjacent to the facility.

A freestanding partition panel for dividing a floor space includes a rigid partition frame having vertical side frame members and first and second horizontal frame members extending between the vertical side frame members to form a vertically enlarged opening through the frame, and an open space within the panel. At least one intermediate horizontal cross member extends across the vertically enlarged opening and defines upper and lower openings through the frame. The intermediate cross member and at least a selected one of the first and second horizontal frame members include a plurality of horizontally spaced apart attachment locations defining a plurality of discrete, serially adjacent mounting spaces. The partition panel further includes a utility unit that is mountable in a selected one of the mounting spaces. The partition panel further includes a first cover panel secured to the partition frame and extending horizontally between the side edge of the utility unit and the selected vertical side frame member. The first cover panel is connected to the intermediate horizontal cross member and extends vertically between the intermediate horizontal cross member and the selected one of the first and second members. A second cover panel is secured to the partition frame, and extends horizontally between the vertical side frame members. The second cover panel extends vertically between the intermediate horizontal cross member and the other of the selected one of the first and second horizontal members.

An apparatus and method for determining a modulation order of packet data to be transmitted through a subcarrier in a transmission apparatus. In the apparatus and method, transmitter physical channels encode and modulate data to transmit the user data with OFDM symbols. A controller outputs packet data to the transmitter physical channels, and determines the number of transmission slots, the number of OFDM symbols, the number of subchannels, and a size of an encoder packet. A modulation order and code rate decider receives, from the controller, the number of transmission slots, the number of OFDM symbols, the number of subchannels, and a size of an encoder packet, calculates a Modulation order Product code Rate (MPR), determines a modulation order according to the MPR, and outputs the determined modulation order to a corresponding physical channel.

A system for providing cash to users in a merchandise delivery environment such as a fast food drive-through environment. The system includes a customer request station (212, 262, 288, 300, 322, 378) at which the customer is enabled to input a request for merchandise as well as an input corresponding to a request to receive cash. The customer is further enabled to input to the customer request station information corresponding to a source of monetary value which the customer may charge against for ordered merchandise or for the amount of cash requested. The customer may receive the cash directly at a customer request station. Alternatively, a computer may operate to correlate an identifying input associated with the customer or the transaction, and the request to receive the amount of cash. The customer may then move to a cash delivery station (216, 338). In response to the customer providing the identifying input at the cash delivery station, the customer receives a portion or all of the requested cash. The customer may then move to a merchandise delivery station (222, 292, 304, 316, 324, 342) at which the customer may receive the ordered merchandise. The customer may also receive the balance of any amount due such as coin, at the merchandise delivery station or other change delivery location.

A fabricated wall system employs a plurality of modular wall sections that may be coupled to laboratory benches, cabinets or the like, within the laboratory environment. Each modular wall section comprises a frame including an upper frame portion having one or more slots formed therein for receiving demising panels. The demising panels provide a wall surface within the upper frame portion for demising or separating the laboratory environment into distinct areas. The lower frame portion includes a slot for receiving demising panels removed from the upper frame portions, thereby providing for self-storage of the panels behind the laboratory bench.

Systems and methods for the identification, powering and control of products and product packaging. The systems can include a point of sale display having a contactless power supply. The contactless power supply can provide a source of wireless power for products and product packaging. The products and product packaging can include light emitting diodes, e-ink displays and printed speaker circuits that activate as the operating frequency of the contactless power supply varies. Other embodiments include product level sensors, inductive reader networks, printed temperature sensors, product alignment systems, passive identification circuits and methods for controlling operation of the same.

A movable support system for at least one display device is disclosed having a track system and a base movably mounted at a first section to the track system. A display support assembly adapted for coupling of the display device is pivotally mounted at a second section of the base. The display device installed on the display support assembly may be selectively positioned for use in a variety of locations relative to the track system. An apparatus is also disclosed providing a movable support for a display device, including a track system providing at least one track and a support movably coupled at a first section to the track system. The apparatus also includes a display support movably coupled to a second section of the support and configured for coupling at least two display panels. Each of the display panels may be positioned for use in a variety of locations relative to the track.

According to some example embodiments, systems, apparatus, methods, computer readable media, and computer program products are provided for implementing an item pusher apparatus with channel-based shuttle displacement detection, One example method includes determining a position of a channel engagement member affixed to a shuttle, where the shuttle is movable and configured to at least exert a force on an item to urge the item towards a stopping member. The channel engagement member is configured to at least physically interface with as channel defined such that movement of the shuttle alone, to defined movement path causes movement of the channel engagement member in a direction that is nonparallel to the defined movement path in at least one plane. Example systems apparatuses, methods, computer readable media, and computer program products are also provided.

A modular manufacturing station is provided. The modular manufacturing station has a plurality of beams forming a skeleton and being capable of extension and retraction. The modular manufacturing station also has at least one utility connection for receiving external utilities. Additionally, the modular manufacturing station has at least one piece of manufacturing equipment. Furthermore, the modular frame has a control system configured to regulate operation of the manufacturing equipment.

An incentive-based grocery cart washing and disinfecting system including a consumer special-offer coupon applying apparatus, for use in a batch or continuous process comprising a housing having at least one pipe manifold with nozzles positioned therein to provide at least one treatment zone selected from pre-wash, wash, disinfecting, and rinse zones. In addition, blown air water-stripping/drying zones may be provided, with a heating source to assist drying. Following drying, a strip of specially adapted grocery coupons is optionally applied to the grocery cart handle, so that the coupons can be redeemed by customers during their subsequent shopping. The housing is generally a linear tunnel permitting access of soiled carts at one end and removal of the clean, disinfected carts at the other end. A cart pusher system may be employed to transport the carts through the tunnel either singly or in nested groups. A convenient antimicrobial disinfecting solution is a water solution of hypochlorite. A single zone system is disclosed in which in a selected, optionally preprogrammed, sequence of application of pre-wash, wash, rinse, and disinfecting fluids are delivered to selected surfaces of the cart, followed by blown air, preferably heated, for stripping/drying,. The coupon strip comprises a leader portion and a coupon portion, and the leader can be wrapped and fixed around the grocery cart handle manually or by means of the automated machinery described. The system of the invention may be a fixed or mobile system, with the use preferably being on site at stores.

A modular wall panel assembly includes a generally rectangular preassembled frame having a generally horizontal lower channel member and a base rail secured to the lower channel member in parallel spaced relation thereto. Two opposed floor glide assemblies are secured to the base rail and each includes an upwardly directed threaded stem configured at their upper ends to be rotated by a suitable rotary tool. An aperture is provided in the lower channel member in registry with each stem. The frame can thus be leveled on a floor by inserting a rotary tool vertically through the apertures and rotating the threaded stems as desired. Thereafter, decorative or other panels may be conveniently installed on the frame to substantially conceal the floor glides.