Light shield

Abstract

Disclosed is a sensor shield (6, 6a, 6b) for use in a multi-shelf merchandise display unit (1) including a plurality of sensors (5, 5a, 5b) mounted on a wall (4) of the unit (1) and opposite a source of illumination (2), in which each sensor (5, 5a, 5b) corresponds to a single shelf (3, 3a, 3b) and in which the shelves (3, 3a, 3b) are at least semi-porous to the illumination. The shield (6, 6a, 6b) comprises i) a plate having a length that is sufficient substantially to reduce or prevent incident illumination from the shelf (3, 3a, 3b) above reaching the sensor (5, 5a, 5b); and ii) means (26) n to attach the plate to casing of or around the sensor (5, 5a, 5b) or the wall (4) of the unit (1). The plate is opaque to the illumination detected by the sensor (5, 5a, 5b). Also disclosed is a method to reduce the interference of light in a multi-shelf merchandise display unit (1) from shelves (3, 3a, 3b) above a shelf (3, 3a, 3b) on which stock levels are being measured and a method for monitoring stock levels in a retail display cabinet by measuring light entering the retail display cabinet.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to the implementation of accurate stock level predictions in automated goods display cabinets, such as cold beverage cabinets. Background technique [0002] Glass-fronted cargo units are used throughout the world and typically include multiple horizontal or sloped shelves that store and display items for sale. Typically, such cabinets or units are used to store and dispense items at the point of sale by sales clerks or other store employees, either as part of a vending machine or as part of a point of sale display rack directly accessible to consumers. The cabinet or unit includes the display and presentation of virtually any type of product typically presented to consumers in cases, boxes, wrappers, bags, etc. storage. [0003] Glass-fronted cargo cabinets and units are used in stores, such as convenience stores, to store and dispense merchandise for sale, providing consumers with self-service options or storage and dis...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

As the light traveling through and from the shelves above varies with the level of stock on said shelves, it can be readily appreciated that this adds a large element of unpredictability that seriously impairs accuracy

[0011] While using the detection of light levels to predict inventory levels is attractive due to the ability to retrofit photodetectors into existing units, the lack of complex electronics and equipment in the system as a whole and the corresponding lack of cost make it difficult to use There are obvious flaws in the system

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