System, method and apparatus for autonomous inventory manager

Abstract

The invention is an autonomous inventory manager (AIM) system. The AIM is used to move specific product(s) or product type(s) to a specific location from one location in a facility, such as s warehouse, s shelf, a retail store, distribution centers, or any place where goods are available. The AIM may couple to a shelf, cooler, stand, or any structure capable of holding goods, products, articles, and the like. The AIM includes a processor (CPU), a charge module, memory, communication module, and may include multiple AIM apparatuses. In some embodiments, the AIM also includes a light source, which may include multiple light sources, such as a flash, Light-Emitting-Diode (LED), and the like.

Description

Docket No.: CV-0001NP-PCTSYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTONOMOUS INVENTORYMANAGERCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 729,910, entitled “SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTONOMOUS INVENTORY MANAGER,” filed on December 9, 2024, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The disclosure relates to systems, apparatus and methods for an autonomous inventory manager. More specifically, this disclosure relates to inventory manager capable of managing products and selecting products within inventory.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] It is common for merchandisers, retailers, store owners and the like to maintain inventory on shelves and in warehouse in order to fulfill customer orders and audits. With ecommerce and order-online-pickup-in-store, the task of managing inventory has become more complex and error prone. Warehouse systems and retailers are unable to maintain accurate counts, correctly fulfill orders, and efficiently forecast need. Therefore, there is a need for an improved system, apparatus and method for autonomous inventory manager.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Embodiments described herein relate to an autonomous inventory manager method, apparatus and system. The autonomous inventory manager system, including a processor, a memory, at least one movement control module, an autonomous inventory manager, which includes a movement shaft, a movement activator, a movement enabler, a product mover, a product mover module, a coupler, and a pivoting product stand, and at least one movement control coupled to at least one movement control module, wherein the movement control causes one or more movement shaft coupled to the movement control to rotate at least one movement activator and at least one movement enabler coupled to the movement shaft, and wherein rotating at least one movement activator and at least one movement enabler pivots at least one pivoting product stand coupled to product mover module moved by the movement of the at least one movement activator and the at least one movement enabler, and wherein theDocket No.: CV-0001NP-PCT pivoting of the pivoting product stand causes a product to move from one pivoting product stand to another in s speed and direction determined by the movement control module and the movement of the at least one movement control.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0005] Reference will now be made to the following drawings:

[0006] FIG. l is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a system for an autonomous inventory manager;

[0007] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a side view of an autonomous inventory manager apparatus for the autonomous inventory manager system of FIG. 1;

[0008] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a bottom view of an autonomous inventory manager apparatus for the autonomous inventory manager system of FIG. 1;

[0009] FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are diagrams illustrating an embodiment of an autonomous inventory manager apparatus utilizing pivoting product stand for the autonomous inventory manager apparatus of FIG. 2 and FIG. 3;

[0010] FIG. 6, FIG. 7, and FIG. 8 are diagrams illustrating an embodiment of a product moving on the pivoting product stand of FIG. 4 and FIG. 5; and

[0011] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of an autonomous inventory manager method.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] In the descriptions that follow, like parts are marked throughout the specification and drawings with the same numerals, respectively. The drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale and certain figures may be shown in exaggerated or generalized form in the interest of clarity and conciseness.

[0013] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that aspects of the present disclosure may be illustrated and described herein in any of a number of patentable classes or context including any new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof. Therefore, aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented entirely in hardware or combining software and hardware implementation that may all generally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module,” “component,” or “system” (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.). Further, aspects of the present disclosure mayDocket No.: CV-0001NP-PCT take the form of a computer program product embodied in one or more computer readable media having computer readable program code embodied thereon.

[0014] Aspects of the present disclosure are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, systems and computer program products according to embodiments of the disclosure. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions, hardware or a combination thereof. It is also understood that not all the elements listed are required and that the order specified is only by way of example.

[0015] FIG. l is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of an autonomous inventory manager (AIM) system 100. The AIM 100 is used to move specific product(s) or product type(s) to a specific location from one location in a facility, such as, warehouse, shelf, a retail store, distribution centers, or any place where goods are available. The AIM 100 may couple to a shelf, cooler, stand, or any structure capable of holding goods, products, articles, and the like. The AIM 100 includes a processor (CPU) 102, a charge module 104, memory 106, communication module 108, autonomous inventory manager (AIM) 100 apparatus 110 (which may include multiple AIM apparatus 1101-110n), Movement control module 112, one or more image capture device 114, input / output devices (I / O) 116. In some embodiments, the AIM 100 also includes a light source 118 (which may include multiple light source 118i- 118n), such as a flash, Light-Emitting-Diode (LED), and the like.

[0016] Memory 106 may be any combination of one or more computer readable media. The computer readable media may be a computer readable signal medium, any type of memory or a computer readable non-transitory storage medium. For example, a computer readable storage medium may be, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples of the computer readable storage medium would include, but are not limited to: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (“RAM”), a read-only memory (“ROM”), an erasable programmable read-only memory (“EPROM” or Flash memory), an appropriate optical fiber with a repeater, a portable compact disc read-only memory (“CD- ROM”), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. Thus, a computer readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that can contain or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.Docket No.: CV-0001NP-PCT

[0017] Computer program code for carrying out operations utilizing a processor or CPU 102 for aspects of the present disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, markup languages, style sheets and JavaScript libraries, including but not limited to Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF), HTML / CSS, Node, XAML, and JQuery, C, Basic, *Ada, Python, C++, C#, Pascal, *Arduino, JAVA and the likes. Additionally, operations can be carried out using any variety of compiler available.

[0018] The computer program instructions on memory 106 may be provided to a processor 102, where the processor 102 is of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, microchip or any other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable instruction execution apparatus, create a mechanism for implementing the functions / acts specified in the flowchart and / or block diagram block or blocks. The computer instructions may do one or more of the following, run the AIM 100, give status or health of the inventory container system 100 or the entire system utilizing the inventory container system 100. In one embodiment, it may even perform image analysis and / or perform data compression.

[0019] These computer program instructions may also be stored in memory 106 (computer readable medium) that when executed can direct a computer, processor, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions when stored in the computer readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instructions which when executed, cause a computer to implement the function / act specified in the flowchart and / or block diagram block or blocks. The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, processor, other programmable instruction execution apparatus, or other devices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatuses or other devices to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the functions / acts specified in the flowchart and / or block diagram block or blocks.

[0020] The charge module 104 is utilized to power / maintain power to the inventory container system 100. The charge module 104 may be a low power and might be wired or wireless and may utilize one or combination of the following battery, WIFI charging, coil, solar cells, or any other mechanism that provides charge to the inventory container system 100.

[0021] The communication module 108 facilitates communication between the inventory container system 100 and other devices, computers, networks, cloud, I / O devices 116, and the likes. The communication module 108 may include ethernet, USB connection, port connectionsDocket No.: CV-0001NP-PCT of various types, wireless, combination thereof and the likes. The communication module 108 may communicate in real-time, in intervals, on demand or a combination there of.

[0022] The inventory container apparatus 110 moves products across multiple AIM apparatus 1101-110nin multiple directions, such as, right, left, back, forth, at a specific angle, and / or in 360 degrees. AIM apparatus 110 facilitates movement of product across a warehouse, store, shelf, cooler, stand, cabinet, and the likes. Some embodiments are further described in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. The AIM apparatus 110, for example, may utilize wheels, motors, pneumatics, magnetics, levitation, etc. The AIM apparatus 110 may also provide a coupling mechanism to couple to a shelf, cooler stand, cabinet, and the likes. In one embodiment, the AIM apparatus 110 couples to an image capturing device 114 or multiple image capturing devices 1141-114n.

[0023] In one embodiment, the AIM system 100 may utilize a defog module to prevent or clear condensation, for example, if placed outdoors, in a cooler, and the like. The defog module may include electrical mechanism, mechanical mechanism, fluids, combination thereof and the like.

[0024] The AIM 100 may utilize the image capture device 114 or multiple image capture device 1141. . . 114N. The image capture device 114 may be one or more of the following a mono-camera, a stereo camera, a video camera, an infrared camera, a Realsense camera, Kinect Camera, Leap camera, a depth camera, a color camera, structured light camera, a combination thereof, and the likes. In one embodiment, multiple image capture device 1141. . . 114N are used in a configuration where the image capture device 1141. . . 114N may be angled in one or more angle to capture different views. In another embodiment, the multiple image capture devices 114 communicate to learn location in relation to one another. For example, the image capture device 114 may communicate with image capture device 114 on both sides of the shelf or isle. As such, such communication is utilized for mapping of a facility or room mapping using depth, such as, a store, distribution center, etc. As such, the AIM 100 may be utilized for determining where objects, such as, goods, inventory, individuals, are located within the such a facility. Hence, such a configuration mat be used for third parties to determine arrival of items to a facility and to confirm placement. For example, a chips stand-alone cardboard can be remotely verified to confirm arrival, installation and / or location within a store, etc.

[0025] In one embodiment, the AIM 100 may also include a GPS, Beacon Technology or any technology that allows for learning location, including WIFI, Beaker technology, Bluetooth mesh, infrared, etc. In such an embodiment, the AIM 100 may facilitate way finding, forDocket No.: CV-0001NP-PCT example, to locate a product in a store etc. The AIM 100 may also include a display, laser pointer, or any communication facilitator.

[0026] The input / output module (I / O) 116 may be any devices that are used to present, print, receive, store, analyze, transmit, communicate, etc. with the AIM 100. The I / O 116 may be coupled wirelessly or with a wire with the AIM 100. The I / O 116 may be used to display, analyze, print, sound, etc., images or information relating to the AIM 100, its surroundings, etc. The I / O 116 may also transmit information to the AIM 100; for example, for updates, resets, data retrieval or data inputting, learn vitals, trouble shoot, control various components of the AIM 100, etc.

[0027] In one embodiment, the AIM is capable of speech recognition and / or display. For example, a shopper may ask the AIM 100 the location of an item. The AIM 100 may display a location on, for example, an LED display or the likes. In an embodiment where the AIM 100 can communicate with other AIMs 100, it may inform the AIM 100 at the location of the question, Using face recognition, the AIM 100 closer to the location of the item may use a pointer, such as, an infrared or laser pointer to highlight a specific path or location to the shopper. Even when face recognition is not used, the AIM 100 close to the location can still highlight a location using such technology.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a side view of an autonomous inventory manager (AIM) apparatus 200 for the autonomous inventory manager system 100 of FIG. 1. AIM apparatus 200 includes a movement control 202, a movement activator 204, a movement shaft 206, a movement enabler 208, and a product mover module 110. The movement control 202 is coupled to the movement control module 112 of FIG. 1. The movement control 202 controls the movement of the movement shaft 206 and the movement enabler 208 according to the movement setting of the movement control module 112 of FIG. 1.

[0029] The AIM apparatus 200 maybe placed anywhere around or on a shelf, cabinet, cooler, fridge, warehouse, and the like. Multiple AIM apparatus 200 are placed together to allow for a product to move from one AIM apparatus to another in the direction set in the movement control module 112 that moves one or more AIM 110.

[0030] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a bottom view of an autonomous inventory manager (AIM) apparatus 200 of FIG. 2 for the autonomous inventory manager system of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, moving the movement shaft 206 causes a movement of movement activator 204A-C moving the movement enabler 208A-C, which then moves the movement shaft 2O62-4. Moving the movement shaft 2O62-4 activates the movement of movement activator 2041-4 and, as such, moves movement enabler 2O82-14. In one embodiment,Docket No.: CV-0001NP-PCT the movements are in a full or partial rotation allowing a product to move right, left, forward, backward, and at any angle in a 360degree direction. As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, which are diagrams illustrating an embodiment of a an autonomous inventory manager apparatus 200 utilizing pivoting product stand 402 for the autonomous inventory manager apparatus 200 of FIG.2 and FIG. 3. In FIG. 4 multiple pivoting product stand 402 pivot in an movement distance and direction enabled by one or more movement enabler 208 set by the movement control module 112 of AIM system 100. The pivoting product stand 402 couples to the AIM apparatus 200 using a coupler 404. In FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, multiple coupler 404 are shown to couple to a pivoting product stand 402. Also, in this embodiment, a single pivoting product stand 402 is shown to couple to a single coupler 404. In another embodiments, multiple pivoting product stands 402 maybe coupled to a single coupler 404 and / or a single pivoting product stand 402 may be coupled to multiple couplers 404. Each coupler 404 pivots the pivoting product stand 402 based on one or more movement control 202, through one or more movement activator 204, movement shaft 206, movement enabler 208, and product mover module 210.

[0031] Unlike a surveyor belt, in this configuration, multiple products on the same AIM apparatus can move in different directions and distances through the variable speed and orientation of each pivoting product stand 402. A product, of variable sizes and shapes, may be situated on one or multiple pivoting product stand 402. FIG. 6, FIG. 7, and FIG. 8 are diagrams illustrating embodiments of a product 602, 604, 606, 608, 702, 704, 706, 708, and 802 moving across the pivoting product stands 402 of FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. These products utilizing the pivot speed and direction of the pivoting product stand 402 to slide and / or move from one pivoting product stand 402 to another. In one embodiment, product 704 and 706 pivot in different directions at different speed and then pivot from one AIM apparatus 200 to another within one or more AIM system 100. Where there is multiple AIM system 100, one or more movement control module 112 of FIG. 1 will be used. In the case of a single movement control module 112 used, then the movement control module 112 is configured to manage multiple AIM system 100. In the case of multiple movement control module 112, the movement control module 112 is configured to communicate with other movement contro91 module 112. In FIG. 6 is an embodiment showing the AIM apparatus in a case 602. Case 602 may contain multiple AIM apparatus 200.

[0032] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of an autonomous inventory manager method 900. The method 900 starts at step 902 and proceeds to step 904. At step 904, the method 900 receives destination for one or more products. In one embodiment, the system utilizes the image capture device 114 of FIG. 1 to identify and track the product. In anotherDocket No.: CV-0001NP-PCT embodiment, where the product is in a dark environment, the method triggers a light source 118 to light up one or more environments to help identify and track a product. At step 906, the method 900 sets the movement in the movement control module 112 of FIG. 1. At step 908, the method 900 moves one or more movement control 202. At step 910, the movement enabler 208 and movement activator 204, both of FIG. 1, move the product mover module 210 and pivots the pivoting product stand 402 of FIG. 4. At step 912, the product shifts from one or more pivoting product stand 402 to others in accordance with movement control module 112 of FIG. 1. At step 914, the product pivoting continues until the product reaches the target destination. Method 900 ends at step 916.

[0033] The images captured by the image capturing device 112 may be stitched to form a virtual stereoscopic imagery or vision of the shelf(s) and / or its surroundings. In one embodiment, the images are captures in time or distance intervals to facilitate the stitching of the images into a virtual stereoscopic vision (image). In another embodiment, the images are analyzed and stitched based on common pixels. For example, a mono-camera may be used to produce a virtual stereoscopic image, to create average, to determine depths, etc.

[0034] In one embodiment, a virtual mask maybe developed to remove differences between images and to better identify objects being monitored in contrast with objects passing by or introduced for a short term, such as a cart.

[0035] The AIM system 100 includes the I / O 116 that may includes data systems of one or more of the following cloud, network, personal computer, main frame, portable devices, and the like. The data system may be couple to the AIM system 100 wirelessly or with a wire. The I / O 116 receives data and / or images from the AIM system 100 and is capable of performing analysis to identify products and track them. Analysis and data analytics is then utilized for product management, order fulfillment, labor / employee systems, maintenance / store services, inventory / ordering, security, delivery system, pricing system (in some cases for dynamic pricing), merchandizing, reporting / analytics tools, display and / or VO devices and may generate alarms / alerts. The I / O 116 may be remote or integrated to the AIM system 100 or AIM apparatus 200. Even though all these items are shown to be in the same system 100, yet, they may be distributed in multiple systems that may or may not be in the same location. In one embodiment, images and / or data is communicated to a cloud system.

[0036] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept. It is understood, therefore, that this disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiments herein, butDocket No.: CV-0001NP-PCT5 it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

Docket No.: CV-0001NP-PCTWHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An autonomous inventory manager system, comprising: a processor; a memory; at least one movement control module; an autonomous inventory manager coupled to the processor, the memory, and the at least one movement module, the autonomous inventory manager comprising: a movement shaft, a movement activator, a movement enabler, a product mover, a product mover module, a coupler, and a pivoting product stand; and at least one movement control coupled to at least one movement control module, wherein the movement control causes one or more movement shaft coupled to the movement control to rotate at least one movement activator and at least one movement enabler coupled to the movement shaft, and wherein rotating at least one movement activator and at least one movement enabler pivots at least one pivoting product stand coupled to product mover module moved by the movement of the at least one movement activator and the at least one movement enabler; and wherein the pivoting of the pivoting product stand causes a product to move from one pivoting product stand to another in s speed and direction determined by the movement control module and the movement of the at least one movement control.

2. The autonomous inventory manager system of claim 1 further comprising at least one of a communication module for facilitating communication with the autonomous inventory manager system and a defog module, a technology to learn module, a laser, display, printer, an infrared pointer, a laser pointer, and a face recognition.

3. The autonomous inventory manager system of claim 1, wherein the autonomous inventory manager moves products across multiple inventory manager system.

4. The autonomous inventory manager system of claim 1, wherein the autonomous inventory manager moves in at least one of up, down, right, left, 360 degrees, in multiple directions simultaneously, and in a specific angle.

5. The autonomous inventory manager system of claim 1, wherein the autonomous inventory manager system is utilized in at least one of a warehouse, store, shelf, cooler, stand, cabinet, and combination thereof.Docket No.: CV-0001NP-PCT6. The autonomous inventory manager system of claim 1, wherein the autonomous inventory manager system utilizes at least one of a wheel, motor, pneumatic, magnetic, levitation, and combination thereof.

7. The autonomous inventory manager system of claim 1, wherein the autonomous inventory manager is coupled to at least one of shelf, cooler stand, a cabinet, outdoor stand.

8. The autonomous inventory manager system of claim 1 further comprising at least one one or more image capturing device.

9. The autonomous inventory manager system of claim 8, wherein the one or more image capture device communicate to learn at least one of the location of the image capture device in relation to one another and the location of a product location.

10. An autonomous inventory manager apparatus, comprising: a movement shaft, a movement activator, a movement enabler, a product mover, a product mover module, a coupler, and a pivoting product stand; and at least one movement control coupled to at least one movement control module, wherein the movement control causes one or more movement shaft coupled to the movement control to rotate at least one movement activator and at least one movement enabler coupled to the movement shaft, and wherein rotating at least one movement activator and at least one movement enabler pivots at least one pivoting product stand coupled to product mover module moved by the movement of the at least one movement activator and the at least one movement enabler; and wherein the pivoting of the pivoting product stand causes a product to move from one pivoting product stand to another in s speed and direction determined by the movement control module and the movement of the at least one movement control.

11. The autonomous inventory manager apparatus of claim 10 further comprising at least one of a communication module for facilitating communication with the autonomous inventory manager system and a defog module, a technology to learn module, a laser, display, printer, an infrared pointer, a laser pointer, and a face recognition.

12. The autonomous inventory manager system of claim 10, wherein the autonomous inventory manager moves products across multiple inventory manager system.Docket No.: CV-0001NP-PCT13. The autonomous inventory manager system of claim 10, wherein the autonomous inventory manager moves in at least one of up, down, right, left, 360 degrees, in multiple directions simultaneously, and in a specific angle.

14. The autonomous inventory manager system of claim 10, wherein the autonomous inventory manager system is utilized in at least one of a warehouse, store, shelf, cooler, stand, cabinet, and combination thereof.

15. The autonomous inventory manager system of claim 10, wherein the autonomous inventory manager system utilizes at least one of a wheel, motor, pneumatic, magnetic, levitation, and combination thereof.

16. The autonomous inventory manager system of claim 10, wherein the autonomous inventory manager is coupled to at least one of shelf, cooler stand, a cabinet, outdoor stand.

17. The autonomous inventory manager system of claim 10 further comprising at least one one or more image capturing device.

18. The autonomous inventory manager system of claim 17, wherein the one or more image capture device communicate to learn at least one of the location of the image capture device in relation to one another and the location of a product location.

19. Autonomous inventory management method, comprising: receiving a destination of product; setting movement of a movement control module; moving the movement control module wherein the movement of the movement control module activates an activator module and a movement enabler to move a pivoting product stand in accordance with the movement control; and shifting the product to the received product destination by shifting the product from a pivoting product plate to another pivoting product plate in accordance with the movement control until the product reached the received product destination.

20. The autonomous inventory management method of claim 19, wherein the autonomous inventory management method is performed by an autonomous inventory management apparatus.

21. The autonomous inventory management method of claim 19, wherein the autonomous inventory management method is performed by an autonomous inventory management system.

22. The autonomous inventory manager method of claim 19, wherein the autonomous inventory manager method moves products across multiple inventory manager system.Docket No.: CV-0001NP-PCT23. The autonomous inventory manager method of claim 19, wherein the autonomous inventory manager moves at least one product in at least one of up, down, right, left, 360 degrees, in multiple directions simultaneously, and in a specific angle.

24. The autonomous inventory manager method of claim 19, wherein the autonomous inventory manager method moves products in at least one of a warehouse, store, shelf, cooler, stand, cabinet, and combination thereof.

25. The autonomous inventory manager method of claim 19, wherein the autonomous inventory manager method causes at least one of a wheel, motor, pneumatic, magnetic, levitation, and combination thereof to move in order to move a product.

26. The autonomous inventory manager method of claim 19, wherein the autonomous inventory manager method moves a product on at least one of shelf, cooler stand, a cabinet, outdoor stand.

27. The autonomous inventory manager method of claim 19 further utilizes at least one image capturing device to determine the location of a product.

28. The autonomous inventory manager method of claim 27, wherein the one or more image capture device communicate to learn at least one of the location of the image capture device in relation to one another and the location of a product location.

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