Sensor Wheel Tracking for Shopping Cart Misuse Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cart containment systems are ineffective in detecting misuse such as shopping cart theft for groceries or improper use of power-assisted cart retrieval units, and they do not provide real-time tracking and control of cart locations and statuses.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising wheel assemblies with sensor circuitry and RF transceivers that detect various events, including wheel rotation, vibration, and electromagnetic signals, allowing for real-time tracking and control of cart movements, and enabling authorization or blocking of cart actions based on detected conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing cart containment systems use wire-based electromagnetic detection, then cart theft deterrence is achieved, but detection of other misuse types (grocery theft, improper retrieval unit use) is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel assembly is designed to perform multiple detection functions through integrated sensor circuitry that can detect wheel rotation, skid events, and positions of containment wires. This multi-functional sensor system enables the same hardware to detect various types of misuse including grocery theft and improper retrieval unit use, rather than requiring separate systems for each detection purpose.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors wheel rotation and skid events, providing real-time feedback about cart usage conditions. This feedback mechanism enables detection of misuse patterns such as accelerated motion indicating grocery theft or skid events indicating improper retrieval unit operation, allowing the system to respond appropriately to different misuse scenarios.
2Productivity
If power-assisted cart retrieval units operate without real-time cart status information, then retrieval speed is maintained, but wheel damage occurs due to retrieving carts with locked or improperly oriented wheels
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor circuitry continuously monitors wheel lock status and orientation before retrieval operations occur. This preliminary detection of cart conditions allows the retrieval unit to identify carts with locked or improperly oriented wheels in advance, preventing damage before it occurs while maintaining efficient retrieval operations for properly positioned carts.
Solution Approach 2:
Real-time feedback from the sensor circuitry about wheel status and cart position enables the retrieval unit to adjust its operations dynamically. The system receives continuous information about cart conditions and uses this feedback to avoid retrieving carts that would cause wheel damage, thereby protecting wheels while maintaining productivity.
3Reliability
If comprehensive sensor monitoring is implemented in all wheels, then real-time tracking and misuse detection are achieved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor circuitry is integrated directly into the wheel assembly, segmenting the detection function from the main cart body. This segmentation allows each wheel to independently monitor its own conditions (rotation, skids, wire positions) and report locally, reducing the complexity of centralized monitoring while maintaining comprehensive tracking accuracy across all wheels.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively prevents unauthorized cart exits, reduces wheel damage during retrieval, and optimizes cart management by providing real-time data for store operations and customer interaction, enhancing security and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a VLF (Very Low Frequency) signal detector for detecting signals used by conventional cart containment systems
Implementation Method 2
an EAS (Electronic Article Surveillance) signal detector capable of detecting conventional EAS towers
Implementation Method 3
a magnetic field sensor capable of detecting encoded magnetic markers placed on or under store flooring or pavement to mark specific locations
Implementation Method 4
The wheel's sensor circuitry is coupled to a radio frequency (RF) transceiver system, which may but need not also be housed in the wheel or wheel assembly
Data Source
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AI summary
A vehicle tracking system includes a wheel (32) containing sensor circuitry (88, 90, 92, 94, 96) capable of sensing various types of conditions, such as wheel rotation, wheel vibration caused by skidding, and specific electromagnetic and/or magnetic signals indicative of particular wheel locations. The sensor circuitry is coupled to an RF transceiver (82), which may but need not be included within the wheel. The wheel (32) may also include a brake mechanism (100). In one embodiment, the wheels (32) are placed on shopping carts (30) and are used to collect and monitor shopping cart status and location data via a wireless network. The collected data may be used for various purposes, such as locking the wheel of an exiting cart if the customer has not paid, estimating numbers of queued carts, stopping wheel skid events that occur during mechanized cart retrieval, store planning, and providing location-based messaging to customers.