Method and apparatus to automate stock management from shelves

Abstract

A computerized method of managing paint consumable product information is disclosed. The method includes, for a smart shelf having a sensor configured to weigh consumable products thereon, determining consumable product information of the smart shelf by receiving a first digital signal when a product is placed on the smart shelf. A consumable product information adjustment of the smart shelf is determined due to a second digital signal provided when the product is removed, or when periodic measurement of weight on the scale occurs. A weight of the product removed is determined upon receipt of a third digital signal and replacement of a container that had contained the previously removed product. The consumable product information and the consumable product information adjustment are sent to a remote server for tracking the consumable product information and consumable product information in a virtual cabinet at the server.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS TO AUTOMATE STOCK MANAGEMENT FROM SHELVESBACKGROUND1. Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to devices and computer-implemented methods for improving stock management processes of liquid products, directly in body shop environments2. Background

[0002] In the daily activities of an auto body shop, stock management is an ongoing activity performed to ensure availability of consumable products such as paint, coating (e.g., over coating, under coating, primer coat, clear coat, etc.), sealant, tape, adhesive, abrasive, and other products that allow painters and technicians to complete their job.

[0003] Previously, painters, technicians, shop managers, or distributor representatives would “estimate” a remaining quantity of a consumable using an empirical approach. For example, an estimation might have been performed by shaking containers (e.g., cans and bottles) to understand the level of the contained product in the containers. This was an inaccurate method, that produced a coarse approximation of remaining stock of consumable products. A more accurate empirical approach could be performed by using measuring tools to determine remaining stock of consumable products. However, this approach added a dedicated task for an individual taking time and effort away from actual repair work to periodically verify stock quantities.

[0004] With the introduction of digital technologies, business habits radically changed. Modern inventory management systems for auto body shops allow shops to organize products in digital inventories and to store information about the quantities of consumable products available, including quantities of product contained in containers. Additionally, if a mixing process is digitized using mixing software, quantity information can be automatically updated every time a product is mixed, through the exchange of data between the color mixing software and the inventory management system. When stocks are low, the inventory management system offers the possibility to reorder the products manually or automatically to the distributor.

[0005] There are some cases in which mixings are not executed with the assistance of mixing software or other tools coupled to the inventory management system. For example, when a painter manually prepares a primer or a coating with a well-known recipe, mixing andinventory management will not be automated. Alternatively if a painter needs to slightly, manually correct a pre-mixed mix, portions of the process will not be tracked by inventory management systems. Thus, situations may occur where activities result in non-tracked consumption of goods and a misalignment of the inventory. This can be corrected by manual reinitialization of inventory, but has the drawback of consuming labor resources.

[0006] In yet another challenge with inventory management systems, a quantity of product contained in a new bottle may be different from what is expected. For example, if the label declares 1 Kg of paint, the real weight of the consumable products can be a different weight. This may be caused by a non-constant density of consumable products over time (such as due to evaporation) or on an imprecise filling. In this specific case, if the nominal quantity of 1 Kg is used by the inventory management system, there will be differences between the quantities of consumable products indicated in inventory management system and the real quantity of available consumable products.

[0007] The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to examples that solve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such as those described above. Rather, this background is only provided to illustrate one exemplary technology area where some examples described herein may be practiced.BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE

[0008] The present invention provides systems, methods, and computer program products described for efficiently and accurately manage consumable product information, such as coatings stored in various containers in a cabinet. In particular, the present disclosure includes, among other things, systems, processes, and apparatuses configured to automatically manage consumable product information for consumable products that are stored on smart shelves at auto body shops. One example system updates consumable product information in an inventory management system. One example system, alternatively or additionally, facilitates reordering consumable products.

[0009] For example, a computerized method of managing consumable product information for an auto body shop, can include, for a smart shelf having a sensor configured to weigh consumable products thereon, determining consumable product information of the smart shelf by receiving a first digital signal from the sensor when a product is placed on the smart shelf. The method can also include determining a consumable product information adjustment of the smart shelf due to a second digital signal provided by the sensor (i) when the product is removed, or (ii) when periodic measurement of weight on the sensor occurs. In addition, themethod can include determining a weight of the product removed due to receipt of a third digital signal from the sensor due to replacement of a container that had contained the previously removed product. Furthermore, the method can include sending (i) the consumable product information of the smart shelf and (ii) the consumable product information adjustment of the smart shelf to a remote server, wherein: the remote server tracks (i) the consumable product information of the smart shelf, and (ii) the consumable product information adjustment of the smart shelf in a virtual cabinet at the server. The present disclosure further includes digital devices configured to implement the same.

[0010] In addition to the foregoing, an additional or alternative computerized method of tracking consumable products in a physical cabinet at an auto body shop performed at a remote server can include receiving a digital signal indicating a weight of a product placed on a smart shelf from a smart unit coupled to the smart shelf remote from the server. The method can also include storing at the server the weight of the product placed on the smart shelf in a virtual cabinet at the server, the virtual cabinet comprising a digital representation through a graphical user interface of the physical cabinet at the auto body shop. The present disclosure further includes a digital device configured to implement the same.

[0011] Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice. The features and advantages may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims and aspects. These and other features will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the examples as set forth hereinafter.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] To describe the manner in which the above-recited and other advantages and features can be obtained, a more particular description of the subject matter briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific examples which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical examples and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting in scope, examples will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

[0013] Figure 1 illustrates a cabinet, smart unit, and server, in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0014] Figure 2 illustrates additional details of a connected smart shelf, in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0015] Figure 3 illustrates additional details of the smart unit and server, in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0016] Figure 4 illustrates a user interface including a cabinet cloud interface;

[0017] Figure 5 illustrates a flow diagram of a method, in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0018] Figure 6 illustrates a flow diagram of a method, in accordance with the present disclosure

[0019] Figure 7 A illustrates a user interface in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0020] Figure 7B illustrates a user interface in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0021] Figure 7C illustrates a user interface in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0022] Figure 8 illustrates a flow diagram of a method, in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0023] Figure 9 illustrates a user interface in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0024] Figure 10 illustrates a flow diagram of a method, in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0025] Figure 11 illustrates a timing diagram, in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0026] Figure 12 illustrates a flow diagram of a method, in accordance with the present disclosure; and

[0027] Figure 13 illustrates a flow diagram of a method, in accordance with the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The present disclosure includes systems, processes, and apparatuses configured to automatically manage consumable product information for consumable products that are stored on smart shelves at auto body shops. One example system updates consumable product information in an inventory management system. One example system, alternatively or additionally, facilitates reordering consumable products.

[0029] Referring now to Figure 1 , an example system is illustrated. Figure 1 illustrates a cabinet 102. The cabinet 102 comprises a plurality of shelves 104-1, 104-2, 104-3 through 104-n, with the ellipsis and 104-n representing that any appropriate number of shelves may be implemented in the cabinet 102.

[0030] With reference now to Figure 2, an example smart shelf 104 is illustrated. Each of the shelves 104-1 through 104-n may have a similar configuration to the smart shelf 104.The smart shelf 104, in the example shown, comprises a storage surface 106, one or more load cells 108, and an interface 110.

[0031] The storage surface 106 is configured in size and shape to store consumable product containers, such as container 112. Containers can store consumable products of various types. For example, a container can store consumable products quantified by weight or volume, such as liquids, powders, gels, tapes, and the like. For example, a container may be a bottle or can storing paint, coating, or other products. In some examples, a container may store consumable products quantified discretely, such as abrasives, applicators, and the like. The storage surface 106 may be any appropriate surface, such as a wood surface, metal surface, polymer surface, etc.

[0032] The load cell 108 is a sensor operatively coupled to the storage surface 106 so as to be affected by consumable products placed on the storage surface to weigh consumable products placed thereon. In particular, the load cell 108 will be subject to a force caused by consumable products placed on the storage surface 106. The load cell 108 may be for example, a strain gauge, or another type of load cell. The load cell 108 may be configured, in some cases to output digital output quantifying forces subjected onto the load cell. In other examples, the load cell may output analog signals or have an analog resistance associated with it dependent on forces subjected onto the load cell. These forces are indicative of weights of consumable products on the storage surface 106.

[0033] Note that in some examples, a plurality of load cells can be used for a single storage surface 106. In some examples, this is done to allow for load cells to share a load of consumable products thus allowing load cells with lower capacities to be used than could otherwise be used if a single load cell were used. In some examples, using a plurality of load cells allows for determining locations of quantities of consumable products. For example, some use cases may be able to detect more consumable products by weight at a proximal end of a storage surface 106 than at a distal end of the storage surface 106.

[0034] The interface 110 acts as an interface between the load cell 108 and a smart shelf connector bus 114. In particular, the interface 110 can convey measurements from the load cell 108 to the smart shelf connector bus 114. The smart shelf connector bus 114 connects the various shelves in the cabinet 102 to a smart unit 116 (see e.g., Figures 1 and 3). In some examples, the interface 110 includes analog to digital (A / D) conversion equipment for one or more of measuring resistance of the load cell 108 or converting analog signals from the load cell 108 to digital signals. In alternative examples, the load cell 108 outputs digital signals andthe interface 110 serves to aggregate signals from different load cells and to transmit them onto the smart shelf connector bus 114, which then forwards the signals to the smart unit 116.

[0035] Referring now to Figure 3, additional details of the smart unit 116 are illustrated. The smart unit 116 includes a processor 117. In one example, the processor is a Single Board Computer (SBC) running a dedicated application.

[0036] In one example, the smart unit 116 includes a touch display 118 and physical buttons 120. In one example, the smart unit 116 further includes a scanner 122. These can be used by a user to input information into the smart unit 116 and to receive information from the smart unit 116. As will be discussed in more detail below, such information may be user input initializing an inventory of the cabinet 102, user input selecting consumable products to check out of, or to check in to, the cabinet 102, output information identifying position of consumable products within the cabinet 102, output information identifying if a product is in the cabinet 102 or out of the cabinet 102, output information identifying quantity of consumable products remaining, etc. In particular, the touch display 118 is configured to display a user interface and to receive touch user input to select and enter information into the user interface. The physical buttons can be used to enter information into the user interface. The scanner 122 can be an optical scanner used to scan a bar code or QR-code, a Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) tag scanner to scan an RFID tag, and the like. For example, the scanner 122 can scan bar codes, QR-codes or RFID tags on containers as they are checked out of, or into the cabinet 102.

[0037] In one example, the smart unit 116 includes a network interface, such as a wireless network interface 124 and / or a wired network interface 126. The smart unit 116 is connected to the Internet 132. The smart unit 116 is connected through the internet to a server 134. The server 134 stores information such as updated consumable product information including inventory, weight, status, position, etc. The server 134 may be part of a refinish platform that is configured to automate portions of refinishing processes. For example, in one example, the server 134 is part of the PPG LINQ™ available from PPG Industries, Inc. of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

[0038] The smart unit 116 further includes a Bluetooth interface 128. The Bluetooth interface 128 can be used to connect to various peripherals. For example, in some embodiments, the scanner 122 or physical buttons 120 may be connected through the Bluetooth interface 128.

[0039] The Smart unit 116 firmware, in some examples, is updatable “Over The Air”, by using the Internet.

[0040] With reference now to Figure 4, the smart unit 116 touch display 118 or other devices coupled to the server 134 can display a cabinet cloud interface 130 provided by the server 134 to a user. The server 134 stores virtual instances of cabinets for various shops. The virtual cabinet instances represent a sort of enhanced digital twin of cabinets at shops. In particular, the virtual cabinet instance 137 reflects the state the cabinet 102 with respect to consumable products in the cabinet 102, locations of consumable products in the cabinet 102 and weights of consumable products in the cabinet 102. However, the virtual cabinet instance 137 includes additional information than just what is in the cabinet 102 and where products are located in the cabinet. The virtual cabinet instance 137 also includes information about consumable products that were previously in the cabinet 102 but are now checked out of the cabinet.

[0041] Thus the virtual cabinet instance 137 can be provided to the smart unit 116 or other device coupled to the server to allow a user to: check which products are stored in the specific cabinet 102; identify the position of each single product on the shelves 104-1 through 104-n of the cabinet 102; identify if a product is in or out of the cabinet; and / or check the remaining quantity of each single product.

[0042] The following now illustrates a number of use cases for using the cabinet and smart shelves.

[0043] Referring now to Figure 5, an initialization process is illustrated. Figure 5 illustrates connecting the smart shelves (act 510). This may include physical connection of connectors to connect the interface 110 to the smart shelf connector bus 114 or other connections to allow the smart shelf 104 to function.

[0044] Figure 5 further illustrates turning on the smart unit 116 (act 520).

[0045] Figure 5 further illustrates selecting a cable or wireless connection (act 530). In particular, in the example illustrated, the smart unit 116 may connect to the internet 132 through a wireless network interface 124, a wired network interface 126, or both. A user and / or smart unit 116 selects a wireless connection or wired connection by connecting and properly configuring the selected interface. Thus, Figure 5 further illustrates configuring the wireless connection (if selected) (act 550) and Figure 5 further illustrates connecting the cable (if selected) (act 560).

[0046] Figure 5 further illustrates authenticating (act 570). For example, the touch display 118 and / or physical buttons 120 may be used to interact with a user interface to provide a username and password for the particular account, at the server 134, associated with the shopin which the smart unit 116 is located. This allows for secure tracking of consumable product information and product usage at the shop by the server 134.

[0047] Figure 5 further illustrates activating the cabinet (act 580). The activation of the device permits the user to connect it to an account at the server 134. The user and / or the server 134 can also configure properties of the cabinet 102. For example, the user and / or the server may assign a cabinet id to the cabinet. The user and / or the server may identify how many smart shelves are included in the cabinet. The user and / or the server may identify positions of particular shelves. The user and / or the server may configure where certain types of consumable products are to be placed on the shelves. Etc.

[0048] After the cabinet initialization, the user creates the consumable product information of the products that are stored into the cabinet 102. Referring now to Figure 6, a cabinet stocking and inventory setup process is illustrated.

[0049] Figure 6 illustrates selecting an ‘add product’ user interface element (act 610). This could be by the user selecting an element displayed on the touch display 118 or by selecting a physical button from among the buttons 120 designated for this purpose, or by using other user interface elements. Figure 7A illustrates a user interface screen 702 that may be displayed on the touch display 118. The user could select the ‘Add’ button to indicate the desire to add additional inventory of a product to the cabinet 102.

[0050] Figure 6 further illustrates the user selecting if the added product is already tracked in consumable product information (act 620). This could be done, for example by interacting with various buttons on the touch display 118 and / or one or more buttons of the physical buttons 120.

[0051] Figure 6 further illustrates the user scanning a barcode or QR code of the product (act 630). In some examples, this could be substituted with a user manually entering product information using the touch display 118, physical buttons 120, or other user input devices. In some examples, scanning the barcode, QR code, or other entry method may cause the display screen 704 shown in Figure 7B to be displayed. Here, an image of the scanned product can be displayed. In particular, the server 134 can store images for various products, where the images can be displayed on user interface screens. The user can confirm (e.g., by selecting the ‘OK’ button illustrated) or cancel adding the product (e.g., by selecting the ‘Cancel’ button shown).

[0052] Figure 6 further illustrates the user setting the product configuration (act 640). For example, the user interface screen 706 illustrated in Figure 7C may be displayed. The user interface screen 706 allows the user to select the type of cap that will be placed on the product.This changes the tare weight of a container for the product. In particular, certain caps and / or dispensers will weigh more than other caps / dispensers. By having the tare weight of the container, the total, actual weight of product on a smart shelf can be determined. Other configuration settings may be related to custom containers, or other relevant information about configurable aspects of a product.

[0053] Figure 6 further illustrates the user putting the product on a smart shelf (act 650).

[0054] Figure 6 further illustrates the smart shelf detecting the weight of the products(660). As noted, the detected weight may be in view of container characteristics of containers containing the product. After completing this operation, the smart shelf 104 will communicate the detected weight to the smart unit 116, and the smart unit 116 will update the consumable product information for the cabinet 102 at the server 134 with the net weight of the added product.

[0055] Once the consumable product information is completed, when a painter needs to use a product, the painter scans the products that are on the shelves to check the product out. An example product check-out process is illustrated in Figure 8. The check-out process is used to identify products that are in use. The process is done by scanning a product that’ s stored inside of the cabinet 102. When a product is checked out, the smart unit 116 communicates to inventory management at the server 134 that the product is in use, and the status on the server 134 is updated.

[0056] Figure 8 illustrates that the user gets the product from the smart shelf (act 810).

[0057] Figure 8 further illustrates at 820 a determination is made as to if a certain amount of time has expired from when the user got the product from the smart shelf and has still not scanned the product. If a product is taken out from a smart shelf (a quick variation of weight is detected) and it is not scanned, the smart unit 116 will notify the user of a possible error in the process, such as for example, by an acoustic signal and a specific user interface message, as illustrated at 840.

[0058] Figure 8 further illustrates that the user scans the product (either within the predetermined period of time, or as a result of the notification of the possible user error) with the smart unit 116 (act 830).

[0059] After scanning a product, a specific additional information screen is shown, to give quick access to the ACTIONS interface screen 908 as illustrated in Figure 9. Thus, Figure 8 further illustrates that the smart unit 116 shows an action screen for a predetermined period of time (act 850).

[0060] Figure 8 further illustrates that the smart unit 116 resets the zero point of the smart shelf (act 860). This may be akin to resetting the smart shelf in preparation for different products to be checked out or checked in.

[0061] Figure 8 further illustrates that that the smart unit 116 communicates to the server 134 that the product has been checked out (act 870).

[0062] Figure 8 further illustrates that the status of the cabinet cloud interface changes (act 880).

[0063] After the products have been used, the painter will scan the products again to check them in and will put them on the shelves. With this operation the smart shelf will weigh the product and will communicate the information to the smart unit 116. The smart unit 116 will update the information in the server consumable product information for the shop.

[0064] Figure 10 illustrates the check in process.

[0065] Figure 10 illustrates that a user scans a product for check-in (act 1005).

[0066] Figure 10 further illustrates at 1010 that a determination is made on whether or not the product is in inventory.

[0067] Figure 10 further illustrates that if the product is not in inventory, a process to add a new product to inventory is started (act 1020). The process to add a new product to inventory is illustrated in Figure 6.

[0068] Figure 10 further illustrates that that if the product is in inventory, the user puts the product on a smart shelf (act 1025).

[0069] Figure 10 further illustrates that the smart unit 116 identifies which smart shelf 104 has detected a weight change (act 1030). Note that as described above, using multiple sensors, such as multiple load cells, the smart unit 116 can identify where the product has been placed on the smart shelf. Some examples may use optical infrared sensors, cameras, or other sensors to detect locations on the smart shelf where a product container is placed.

[0070] Figure 10 further illustrates that the smart unit 116 calculates the net weight of the product (act 1035).

[0071] Figure 10 further illustrates that the smart unit 116 communicates to the server 134 that the product has been checked-in and the new weight of the product (act 1040).

[0072] Figure 10 further illustrates at 1045 that the server 134 determines whether or not a product should be reordered. For example various thresholds may be set that indicate when products should be reordered. If the thresholds are met or exceeded, the server 134 can provide an indication to the smart unit 116 that a particular product should be reordered.

[0073] Figure 10 further illustrates that when a determination is made that a product should be reordered, the reordering process is started (act 1050).

[0074] Figure 10 further illustrates that the status of the product in the smart cabinet cloud interface changes (act 1055).

[0075] When a product is finished, it can be checked out for disposal by using specific functionality for trashing the product. For example, the Actions interface screen 908 may be used to indicate that the product has been trashed. When a user selects that a product has been trashed, the server 134 will be updated with information indicating such. If the specific product is below the reorder point, the painter will have the possibility to add it to the cart for restock. After this operation, the server 134 can show a shopping cart with the ordered product in the shopping cart.

[0076] The processes illustrated above are facilitated using a weighing process that periodically performs weighing acts to determine products being checked in and out and to track quantities of product over time. For example, after completing the configuration phase described above, the user will put the product on one of the smart shelves connected to the smart unit 116. The cabinet 102 will identify the gross weight and, according to the product configuration, will communicate to a consumable product information, such as a virtual cabinet instance 137 for the cabinet 102 at the server 134, the net weight of the product. Figure 11 illustrates a chart showing an example weighing process for checking out and checking in a product. At 1102, the net weight of a product is tracked.

[0077] In the time frame illustrated at 1104, the user gets a product from the smart shelf. A new zero point is set as illustrated at 1106. The user scans the product, to complete the check-out. The user uses the product during the time frame illustrated at 1108. The user scans the product again to check it in. The user puts the product on a smart shelf during the time illustrated at 1110. The smart unit 116 periodically reads the weights from the shelves, to identify variations. When a variation is detected, the difference of weight from the zero-point is calculated. The gross weight as illustrated at 1112 is read at check in, and the net weight is calculated.

[0078] Referring now to Figure 12, a computerized method of managing paint consumable product information is disclosed. The method includes, for a smart shelf having a sensor configured to weigh consumable products thereon, determining consumable product information of the smart shelf by receiving a first digital signal from the sensor when a product is placed on the smart shelf (act 1220). Note that receiving digital signals from the sensor, as used herein, includes embodiments when the sensor provides digital signals inherently or whenanalog signals are provided by the sensor to an interface that provides digital signals. The method further includes determining a consumable product information adjustment of the smart shelf due to a second digital signal provided by the sensor when the product is removed, or when periodic measurement of weight on the scale occurs (act 1230). The method further includes determining a weight of the product removed due to receipt of a third digital signal from the sensor resulting from replacement of a container that had contained the previously removed product (act 1240). The method further includes sending the consumable product information of the smart shelf and the consumable product information adjustment of the smart shelf to a remote server for tracking the consumable product information of the smart shelf and consumable product information adjustment of the smart shelf in a virtual cabinet at the server (act 1250).

[0079] Examples may further include tracking location information for the product based on at least one of the first, second, or third digital signals.

[0080] Examples may further include using a plurality of sensors to sense location of the product on the smart shelf.

[0081] Examples may further include the plurality of sensors being a plurality of load cells.

[0082] Examples may further include displaying the location on a graphical user interface that represents the product in the interface.

[0083] Examples may further include tracking status of the product based on digital signals.

[0084] Examples may further include performing an initialization step for the product on the smart shelf whereby parameters for the container of the product are configured to ensure accurate weighing of the product. Parameters for the container of the product comprise dispenser type. Parameters for the container of the product comprise bottle or can type.

[0085] Examples may further include implementing a security time for check in / check out whereby notifications are displayed to a user when the weight changes on the smart shelf prompting the user to check the product out to prevent the user from removing the product without checking it out.

[0086] Examples may further include providing a user interface element to a user that allows the user to check the product out for disposal so that the product can be removed from consumable product information and differences in weight are no longer tracked for that particular product.

[0087] Examples may further include receiving from the server an indication that a product should be reordered based on the product meeting or exceeding a particular threshold.

[0088] Examples may further include receiving user input from at least one of a scanner or manual user input inputting product information for a product; and as a result, displaying a user interface an image of the product and user interface element for a user to confirm or cancel adding the product.

[0089] Referring now to Figure 13, a method at a remote server computer, including a computerized acts of tracking products in a cabinet at an auto body shop is illustrated. The method includes receiving a digital signal indicating a weight of a product placed on a smart shelf from a smart unit coupled to the smart shelf remote from the server (act 1310). The method further includes storing at the server the weight of the product placed on the smart shelf in a virtual cabinet at the server corresponding to the cabinet at the auto body shop (act 1320).

[0090] Examples may further include providing a cabinet cloud interface from the server to a smart device at the auto body shop displaying the state of the cabinet at the auto body shop including at least one of locations of products in the cabinet, weights of products in the cabinet, or products that are checked out of the cabinet.

[0091] Examples may further include authenticating a user to the virtual cabinet.

[0092] Examples may further include receiving input from a smart unit at the auto body shop that a product has been checked out; and updating a status of the virtual cabinet to indicate that the product has been checked out.

[0093] Examples may further include receiving input from a smart unit at the auto body shop that a product has been checked in along with a new weight of the product; and updating a status of the virtual cabinet to indicate that the product has been checked in and the new weight of the product.

[0094] The following discussion is intended to provide a brief, general description of a suitable computing environment in which the present disclosure may be implemented. Although not required, the present disclosure will be described in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, being executed by computers in network environments. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Computer-executable instructions, associated data structures, and program modules represent examples of the program code means for executing steps of the methods disclosed herein. The particular sequence of such executable instructions or associated data structuresrepresents examples of corresponding acts for implementing the functions described in such steps.

[0095] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present disclosure may be practiced in network computing environments with many types of computer system configurations, including personal computers, hand-held devices, multi-processor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and the like. The present disclosure may also be practiced in distributed computing environments where local and remote processing devices perform tasks and are linked (either by hardwired links, wireless links, or by a combination of hardwired or wireless links) through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

[0096] The present disclosure may comprise or utilize a special-purpose or general- purpose computer system that includes computer hardware, such as, for example, a processor and system memory, as discussed in greater detail below. The scope of the present disclosure also includes physical and other computer-readable media for carrying or storing computerexecutable instructions and / or data structures. Such computer-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer system. Computer-readable media that store computer-executable instructions and / or data structures are computer storage media. Computer-readable media that carry computer-executable instructions and / or data structures are transmission media. Thus, by way of example, and not limitation, the present disclosure can comprise two distinctly different kinds of computer- readable media: computer storage media and transmission media.

[0097] Computer storage media are physical storage media that store computerexecutable instructions and / or data structures. Physical storage media include computer hardware, such as RAM, ROM, EEPROM, solid state drives (“SSDs”), flash memory, phasechange memory (“PCM”), optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other hardware storage device(s) which can be used to store program code in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structures, which can be accessed and executed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer system to implement the disclosed functionality of the present disclosure.

[0098] Transmission media can include a network and / or data links which can be used to carry program code in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structures, and which can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer system. A “network” is defined as data links that enable the transport of electronic data between computer systemsand / or modules and / or other electronic devices. When information is transferred or provided over a network or another communications connection (either hardwired, wireless, or a combination of hardwired or wireless) to a computer system, the computer system may view the connection as transmission media. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

[0099] Further, upon reaching various computer system components, program code in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structures can be transferred automatically from transmission media to computer storage media (or vice versa). For example, computerexecutable instructions or data structures received over a network or data link can be buffered in RAM within a network interface module ,and then eventually transferred to computer system RAM and / or to less volatile computer storage media at a computer system. Thus, it should be understood that computer storage media can be included in computer system components that also (or even primarily) utilize transmission media.

[0100] Computer-executable instructions comprise, for example, instructions and data which, when executed at a processor, cause a general-purpose computer system, specialpurpose computer system, or special-purpose processing device to perform a certain function or group of functions. Computer-executable instructions may be, for example, binaries, intermediate format instructions such as assembly language, or even source code.

[0101] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present disclosure may be practiced in network computing environments with many types of computer system configurations, including, personal computers, desktop computers, laptop computers, message processors, hand-held devices, multi-processor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, mobile telephones, PDAs, tablets, pagers, routers, switches, and the like. The present disclosure may also be practiced in distributed system environments where local and remote computer systems, which are linked (either by hardwired data links, wireless data links, or by a combination of hardwired and wireless data links) through a network, both perform tasks. As such, in a distributed system environment, a computer system may include a plurality of constituent computer systems. In a distributed system environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

[0102] Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the present disclosure may be practiced in a cloud-computing environment. Cloud computing environments may be distributed, although this is not required. When distributed, cloud computing environments may be distributed internationally within an organization and / or have components possessedacross multiple organizations. In this description and the following claims, “cloud computing” is defined as a model for enabling on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources (e.g., networks, servers, storage, applications, and services). The definition of “cloud computing” is not limited to any of the other numerous advantages that can be obtained from such a model when properly deployed.

[0103] A cloud-computing model can be composed of various characteristics, such as on-demand self-service, broad network access, resource pooling, rapid elasticity, measured service, and so forth. A cloud-computing model may also come in the form of various service models such as, for example, Software as a Service (“SaaS”), Platform as a Service (“PaaS”), and Infrastructure as a Service (“laaS”). The cloud-computing model may also be deployed using different deployment models such as private cloud, community cloud, public cloud, hybrid cloud, and so forth.

[0104] A cloud-computing environment, or cloud-computing platform, may comprise a system that includes a host that is capable of running virtual machines. During operation, virtual machines emulate an operational computing system, supporting an operating system and perhaps other applications as well. Each host may include a hypervisor that emulates virtual resources for the virtual machines using physical resources that are abstracted from view of the virtual machines. The hypervisor also provides proper isolation between the virtual machines. Thus, from the perspective of any given virtual machine, the hypervisor provides the illusion that the virtual machine is interfacing with a physical resource, even though the virtual machine interfaces with the appearance (e.g., a virtual resource) of a physical resource. Examples of physical resources including processing capacity, memory, disk space, network bandwidth, media drives, and so forth.

[0105] The present disclosure may be described in terms of various configurations corresponding to certain aspects and combinations thereof. For example, a first aspect of the present disclosure includes a computerized method of managing consumable product information for an auto body shop, comprising: for a smart shelf having a sensor configured to weigh consumable products thereon, determining consumable product information of the smart shelf by receiving a first digital signal from the sensor when a product is placed on the smart shelf; determining a consumable product information adjustment of the smart shelf due to a second digital signal provided by the sensor (i) when the product is removed, or (ii) when periodic measurement of weight on the sensor occurs; determining a weight of the product removed due to receipt of a third digital signal from the sensor due to replacement of a container that had contained the previously removed product; and sending (i) the consumable productinformation of the smart shelf and (ii) the consumable product information adjustment of the smart shelf to a remote server, wherein: the remote server tracks (i) the consumable product information of the smart shelf, and (ii) the consumable product information adjustment of the smart shelf in a virtual cabinet at the server.

[0106] In a second aspect, the computerized method as recited in the preceding first aspect can further include tracking location information for the product based on at least one of the first, second, or third digital signals. In a third aspect, the computerized method as recited in any of the preceding first through second aspects can further include using a plurality of sensors to sense location of the product on the smart shelf. In a fourth aspect, in the computerized method as recited in any of the preceding first through third aspects, the plurality of sensors comprises a plurality of load cells. In a fifth aspect, the computerized method as recited in any of the preceding second through fourth aspects can further include displaying the location of the product on the smart shelf in a graphical user interface. In a sixth aspect, the computerized method as recited in any of the preceding first through fifth aspects can further include tracking status of the product based on digital signals.

[0107] In a seventh aspect, the computerized method as recited in any of the preceding first through seventh aspects can further include performing an initialization step for the product on the smart shelf; wherein parameters for the container of the product are configured to ensure accurate weighing of the product. In an eighth aspect, in the computerized method as recited in any of the preceding first through seventh aspects, parameters for the container of the product comprise dispenser type. In a ninth aspect, in the computerized method as recited in any of the preceding first through eighth aspects, parameters for the container of the product comprise bottle or can type. In a tenth aspect, the computerized method as recited in any of the preceding first through ninth aspects can further include implementing a security time for check out; wherein notifications are displayed to a user when the weight changes on the smart shelf, thereby prompting the user to check the product out to prevent the user from removing the product without checking it out.

[0108] In an eleventh aspect, the computerized method as recited in any of the preceding first through tenth aspects can further include providing a user interface element to a user that allows the user to check the product out for disposal, wherein: the product can be removed from consumable product information, and differences in weight are no longer tracked for that particular product. In a twelfth aspect, the computerized method as recited in any of the preceding first through eleventh aspects can further include receiving from the server an indication that a product should be reordered based on the product meeting or exceeding aparticular threshold. In a thirteenth aspect, the computerized method as recited in any of the preceding first through twelfth aspects can further include receiving user input regarding product information for a product from at least one of (i) a scanner or (ii) manual user input; and as a result, displaying on a graphical user interface: (i) an image of the product, and (ii) a selectable user interface element that enables a user to confirm or cancel adding the product.

[0109] In an additional or alternative configuration, a fourteenth aspect of the present disclosure includes a digital device, comprising: a storage storing executable instructions; a display configured to display a user interface; and a processor configured to execute the executable instructions, wherein executing the executable instructions on the processor causes the digital device to perform the computerized method according to any one of the preceding first through thirteenth aspects.

[0110] Furthermore, still another additional or alternative configuration can include a fifteenth aspect, which includes computerized method of tracking consumable products in a physical cabinet at an auto body shop performed at a remote server, the method comprising: receiving a digital signal indicating a weight of a product placed on a smart shelf from a smart unit coupled to the smart shelf remote from the server; and storing at the server the weight of the product placed on the smart shelf in a virtual cabinet at the server, the virtual cabinet comprising a digital representation through a graphical user interface of the physical cabinet at the auto body shop.

[0111] In a sixteenth aspect, the computerized method as recited in the preceding fifteenth aspect can further include providing a cabinet cloud interface from the server to a smart device at the auto body shop; displaying the state of the cabinet at the auto body shop including at least one of: a location of a consumable product in the physical cabinet, a weight of consumable product in the physical cabinet, or one or more consumable products that are checked out of the physical cabinet. In a seventeenth aspect, the computerized method as recited in any of preceding fifteenth through sixteenth aspects can further include authenticating a user to the virtual cabinet through the graphical user interface. In an eighteenth aspect, the computerized method as recited in any of preceding fifteenth through seventeenth aspects can further include receiving input from a smart unit at the auto body shop that a product has been checked out; and updating a status of the virtual cabinet to indicate that the product has been checked out. In a nineteenth aspect, the computerized method as recited in any of preceding fifteenth through eighteenth aspects can further include receiving input from a smart unit at the auto body shop that a product has been checked in along with a newweight of the product; and updating a status of the virtual cabinet to indicate (i) that the product has been checked in, and (ii) the new weight of the product.

[0112] Yet a still further additional or alternative configuration of the present disclosure can include a digital device, comprising: a storage storing executable instructions; and a processor configured to execute the executable instructions, wherein executing the executable instructions on the processor causes the digital device to perform method according to any of the preceding fifteenth through nineteenth aspects.

[0113] The present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described examples are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

CLAIMSWe claim:

1. A computerized method of managing consumable product information for an auto body shop, comprising: for a smart shelf having a sensor configured to weigh consumable products thereon, determining consumable product information of the smart shelf by receiving a first digital signal from the sensor when a product is placed on the smart shelf; determining a consumable product information adjustment of the smart shelf due to a second digital signal provided by the sensor (i) when the product is removed, or (ii) when periodic measurement of weight on the sensor occurs; determining a weight of the product removed due to receipt of a third digital signal from the sensor due to replacement of a container that had contained the previously removed product; and sending (i) the consumable product information of the smart shelf and (ii) the consumable product information adjustment of the smart shelf to a remote server, wherein: the remote server tracks (i) the consumable product information of the smart shelf, and (ii) the consumable product information adjustment of the smart shelf in a virtual cabinet at the server.

2. The computerized method as recited in claim 1, further comprising tracking location information for the product based on at least one of the first, second, or third digital signals.

3. The computerized method as recited in any of the preceding claims, further comprising using a plurality of sensors to sense location of the product on the smart shelf.

4. The computerized method as recited in claim 3, wherein the plurality of sensors comprises a plurality of load cells.

5. The computerized method as recited in any of the preceding claims 2-4, further comprising displaying the location of the product on the smart shelf in a graphical user interface.

6. The computerized method as recited in any of the preceding claims, further comprising tracking status of the product based on digital signals.

7. The computerized method as recited in any of the preceding claims, further comprising: performing an initialization step for the product on the smart shelf; wherein parameters for the container of the product are configured to ensure accurate weighing of the product.

8. The computerized method as recited in claim 7, wherein parameters for the container of the product comprise dispenser type.

9. The computerized method as recited in claim 7, wherein parameters for the container of the product comprise bottle or can type.

10. The computerized method as recited in any of the preceding claims, further comprising: implementing a security time for check out; wherein notifications are displayed to a user when the weight changes on the smart shelf, thereby prompting the user to check the product out to prevent the user from removing the product without checking it out.

11. The computerized method as recited in any of the preceding claims, further comprising: providing a user interface element to a user that allows the user to check the product out for disposal, wherein: the product can be removed from consumable product information, and differences in weight are no longer tracked for that particular product.

12. The computerized method as recited in any of the preceding claims, further comprising receiving from the server an indication that a product should be reordered based on the product meeting or exceeding a particular threshold.

13. The computerized method as recited in any of the preceding claims, further comprising: receiving user input regarding product information for a product from at least one of (i) a scanner or (ii) manual user input; and as a result, displaying on a graphical user interface:(i) an image of the product, and(ii) a selectable user interface element that enables a user to confirm or cancel adding the product.

14. A digital device, comprising: a storage storing executable instructions; a display configured to display a user interface; and a processor configured to execute the executable instructions, wherein executing the executable instructions on the processor causes the digital device to perform the computerized method according to any one of the preceding claims.

15. A computerized method of tracking consumable products in a physical cabinet at an auto body shop performed at a remote server, the method comprising: receiving a digital signal indicating a weight of a product placed on a smart shelf from a smart unit coupled to the smart shelf remote from the server; and storing at the server the weight of the product placed on the smart shelf in a virtual cabinet at the server, the virtual cabinet comprising a digital representation through a graphical user interface of the physical cabinet at the auto body shop.

16. The computerized method as recited in claim 15, further comprising: providing a cabinet cloud interface from the server to a smart device at the auto body shop; displaying the state of the cabinet at the auto body shop including at least one of: a location of a consumable product in the physical cabinet, a weight of consumable product in the physical cabinet, or one or more consumable products that are checked out of the physical cabinet.

17. The computerized method as recited in any of claims 15-16, further comprising: authenticating a user to the virtual cabinet through the graphical user interface.

18. The computerized method as recited in any of claims 15-17, further comprising: receiving input from a smart unit at the auto body shop that a product has been checked out; and updating a status of the virtual cabinet to indicate that the product has been checked out.

19. The computerized method as recited in any of claims 15-18, further comprising: receiving input from a smart unit at the auto body shop that a product has been checked in along with a new weight of the product; and updating a status of the virtual cabinet to indicate (i) that the product has been checked in, and (ii) the new weight of the product.

20. A digital device, comprising: a storage storing executable instructions; and a processor configured to execute the executable instructions, wherein executing the executable instructions on the processor causes the digital device to perform method according to any of claims 15-19.

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