Goods & Services

Downloadable software for use in cart containment, merchandise and inventory location tracking, merchandise and inventory loss prevention, and shoplifting prevention, and for monitoring of the foregoing and for creating reports related to the foregoing; Downloadable software for remote monitoring and remote management of carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts; Downloadable software for monitoring movement and location of merchandise and inventory through store premises; Downloadable software for inventory loss prevention and inventory management to help retail operators improve operating margins; Downloadable software used to collect and distribute actionable business intelligence to enhance profitability; Downloadable software for inventory management; Downloadable software for viewing live and recorded security video and image files; Downloadable software for compiling and storing video footage from security systems, for allowing video playback and analysis of stored video footage, and for compiling, analyzing and storing data collected from security events; Downloadable software for creating reports about shopping cart tracking, merchandise and inventory containment, merchandise and inventory location tracking, shoplifting vulnerabilities, and merchandise loss prevention; Downloadable reports about shopping cart tracking, merchandise and inventory containment, merchandise and inventory location tracking, shoplifting vulnerabilities, and merchandise loss prevention; Downloadable reports about security data and loss prevention; Downloadable software for providing access to equipment location and status, system performance, user statistics, and reference materials, and preparing reports regarding the foregoing; Downloadable software for verifying the proper installation and diagnosing and troubleshooting areas of improper installation of a loss prevention system; Downloadable software using artificial intelligence for shopping cart tracking, merchandise and inventory containment, merchandise and inventory location tracking, detecting shoplifting vulnerabilities, and merchandise loss prevention; Computer hardware; Computer hardware used for monitoring and mitigating retail store crime and shoplifting; Computer hardware used in the field of asset loss prevention; Computer hardware and embedded software for detect the presence or absence of items in a shopping cart, to detect and prevent theft and shoplifting, to count the number and location of carts, shopping carts, and mobile storage carts in a store, to analyze traffic and location of carts, shopping carts, and mobile storage carts, and to enable monitoring and surveillance at a pay point; Computer hardware and embedded software for tracking the movement of carts, shopping carts, and mobile storage carts through a store and controlling the shopping cart wheels to prevent shoplifting; Computer hardware and embedded software for locking and unlocking shopping cart wheels; Computer hardware and computer hardware with embedded computer software for retail inventory management, sold as a unit; Remote monitoring apparatus, namely, namely, remote monitoring system consisting primarily of a monitor for recording and transmitting footage to a remote location for the purpose of retail store loss prevention; Radio transmitters; Radio transmitters for use with carts, shopping carts, and mobile storage carts at store locations for locking, unlocking, and otherwise monitoring and controlling the carts, shopping carts, and mobile storage carts; Radio transmitters for use with software systems for controlling theft alarms, sound alarms or security alarms on carts, shopping carts, and mobile storage carts at store locations; Electronic security system comprising of computer hardware, embedded software, transmitters, receivers, and circuitry, for monitoring, tracking, managing, and preventing theft of products, inventory, carts, shopping carts, and mobile storage carts; Alarm monitoring systems for use with carts, shopping carts, and mobile storage carts; Anti-theft alarms and sensors for mobile assets, except for vehicles; Theft alarms, except for vehicles; Anti-theft sensors, except for vehicles; Security alarm controllers; Brake controllers; Remote controls for operating carts, shopping carts, and mobile storage carts; Computer hardware and computer hardware with embedded software for estimating the location of mobile assets, carts, shopping carts, and mobile storage carts; Electrical and scientific apparatus and devices used for dead reckoning modules for calculating the position of mobile assets, namely, electronic mobile sensors, accelerometers and magnetometers, and digital signal processors; Geofencing apparatus in the nature of electronic fences; Computer operating hardware with embedded software for operating electronic fences; RFID tags; RFID readers; Sensors for the determining positions; Sensors for communicating with alarm systems; Sensors for locking and unlocking shopping cart wheels; Wireless controllers to remotely monitor and control the function and status of other electrical, electronic, and mechanical devices or systems, namely, shopping cart systems, and inventory theft-prevention systems; Video cameras; Electronic video surveillance products, namely, electronic components of security systems; Security systems and apparatus, namely, electronic video surveillance installations Electronic wheels for carts, shopping carts, and mobile storage carts; Electronic brakes for carts, shopping carts, and mobile storage carts; Wheels for carts, shopping carts, and mobile storage carts; Wheel parts, namely, treads for cart tires; Anti-theft system, in the nature of anti-theft devices for carts, shopping carts, and mobile storage carts; Brakes for carts, shopping carts, and mobile storage carts; Anti-theft locks specially adapted carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and shopping cart wheels; Anti-theft systems comprising locking devices for carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and other wheeled devices; Wireless anti-theft systems in the nature of antitheft alarms for carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and other wheeled devices; Wheels incorporating RFID blocking technology Business consultation in the field of loss prevention; Business consulting services relating to operations management services, logistics, and inventory management; Providing an online computer database for the reporting and tracking of retail goods for business purposes; Business consulting services, namely, consulting regarding inventory monitoring and management strategies, and theft prevention strategies; Business consulting services, namely, consulting regarding cart path and cart dwell times in the field of merchandising for business purposes; Business risk management consultation; Business consultancy and information services; Monitoring carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts and reporting status and trends for business purposes; Compilation of statistics for commercial purposes; Providing an online computer database featuring business information and business intelligence regarding the monitoring, controlling, tracking, and managing of security systems and apparatus used in the field of asset loss prevention for business purposes; Business advisory services, consultancy and information; Providing business information via the internet; Business information in the field of loss prevention; Business information in the field of analyzing, predicting, and tracking consumer behavior and providing reports related thereto; Business information in the field of analyzing, predicting, and tracking consumer shopping behavior and providing reports related thereto; Business information in the field of analyzing, predicting, detecting and preventing criminal theft behavior and providing reports related thereto; Compiling and analyzing statistics, data and other sources of information for business purposes; Inventory monitoring of carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and retail inventory management; Inventory monitoring of retail store merchandise; Tracking, locating and monitoring of carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts and store inventory; Providing an online portal that provides customer and distributor access to business information regarding equipment status, system performance, usage statistics, shopper behavior and reference material; Monitoring services for business purposes to ascertain the geographic locations of movable objects, namely, carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and store inventory Software as a service (SaaS) services featuring software for use in cart containment, merchandise and inventory location tracking, merchandise and inventory loss prevention, and shoplifting prevention, and for monitoring of the foregoing and for creating reports related to the foregoing; Software as a service (SaaS) services featuring software for analyzing, predicting, and tracking consumer behavior, and for creating reports related thereto; Software as a service (SaaS) services featuring software for analyzing, predicting, detecting and preventing criminal theft behavior, and for creating reports related thereto; Software as a service (SaaS) services featuring software for remote monitoring and remote management of carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts; Software as a service (SaaS) services featuring software for monitoring movement and location of merchandise and inventory through store premises; Software as a service (SaaS) services featuring software for inventory loss prevention and inventory management to help retail operators improve operating margins; Software as a service (SaaS) services featuring software for collecting insights on consumer behavior; Software as a services (SaaS) services featuring collecting insights on instore behavior of thieves; Software as a service (SaaS) services featuring software used to collect and distribute actionable business intelligence to enhance profitability; Software as a service (SaaS) services featuring software for inventory management; Software as a service (SaaS) services featuring software for viewing live and recorded security video and image files; Software as a service (SaaS) services featuring software for compiling and storing video footage from security systems, for allowing video playback and analysis of stored video footage, and for compiling, analyzing and storing data collected from security events; Software as a service (SaaS) services featuring software for creating reports about shopping cart tracking, merchandise and inventory containment, merchandise and inventory location tracking, shoplifting vulnerabilities, and merchandise loss prevention; Software as a service (SaaS) services featuring software for providing access to equipment location and status, system performance, user statistics, and reference materials, and preparing reports regarding the foregoing; Software as a service (SaaS) services featuring software using artificial intelligence for compiling, analyzing and storing data collected from security events for merchandise loss prevention; Electronic monitoring and reporting of retail stores and loss prevention using computers or sensors; Providing technical support, namely, technical advice concerning the installation, repair and maintenance of cart software systems; Design of inventory management and theft prevention technology systems and layout; Providing a website featuring technology enabling users to remotely view, monitor, program, operate and control electrical systems and security systems in businesses, retail stores and supermarkets; Providing a web-based on-line portal featuring reports about shopping cart tracking, merchandise and inventory containment, merchandise and inventory location tracking, shoplifting vulnerabilities, and merchandise loss prevention; Providing a web-based on-line portal featuring reports about security data and loss prevention; Installation, repair and maintenance of computer software for automated diagnostics Monitoring of security alarm systems; Providing security surveillance of premises of others; Security threat analysis for protecting personal and business property; Providing security surveillance of premises for businesses; Surveillance services; Surveillance services, namely, retail security monitoring services for loss prevention purposes using sensors, cameras, RFID tags, and motion detectors; Security guarding for facilities via remote monitoring systems; Forensic analysis of surveillance video for fraud and theft prevention purposes; Physical security consulting for businesses, retail stores and supermarkets; Physical security consulting for theft prevention and loss prevention purposes; Providing a website featuring information on business asset and physical property security and physical security for theft prevention and loss prevention purposes; Analyzing data in computer databases for criminal activity; Analyzing consumer shopping behavior for criminal activity; Criminal investigation services

Abstract

A system for monitoring shopping baskets (e.g., baskets on human-propelled carts, motorized carts, or hand-carried baskets) can include a computer vision unit that can image a surveillance region (e.g., an exit to a store), determine whether a basket is empty or loaded with merchandise, and assess a potential for theft of the merchandise. The computer vision unit can include a camera and an image processor programmed to execute a computer vision algorithm to identify shopping baskets and determine a load status of the basket. The computer vision algorithm can comprise a neural network. The system can identify an at least partially loaded shopping basket that is exiting the store, without indicia of having paid for the merchandise, and execute an anti-theft action, e.g., actuating an alarm, notifying store personnel, activating a store surveillance system, activating an anti-theft device associated with the basket (e.g., a locking shopping cart wheel), etc.

IPC Classes  ?

• G08B 13/196 - Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems using image scanning and comparing systems using television cameras
• B62B 5/04 - Braking mechanisms; Locking devices against movement
• B62B 3/14 - Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor characterised by provisions for nesting or stacking, e.g. shopping trolleys
• B62B 5/00 - Accessories or details specially adapted for hand carts
• G06Q 20/20 - Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• G06N 20/00 - Machine learning
• G08B 13/194 - Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems using image scanning and comparing systems
• G06V 20/52 - Surveillance or monitoring of activities, e.g. for recognising suspicious objects
• G06F 18/214 - Generating training patterns; Bootstrap methods, e.g. bagging or boosting
• G06V 10/147 - Optical characteristics of the device performing the acquisition or on the illumination arrangements - Details of sensors, e.g. sensor lenses
• G06V 20/64 - Three-dimensional objects

Abstract

A wheel or wheel assembly for a non-motorized vehicle, such as a shopping cart, is disclosed that detects its direction of rotation and that includes a plurality of magnets mounted to a rotating portion of the wheel, and includes a magnetic sensor, such as a tunneling magnetoresistance sensor, mounted to a non-rotating portion. As the wheel rotates the magnets produce a time varying magnetic field that is sensed by the sensor, which outputs a signal corresponding to the sensed magnetic field. The magnets are arranged-preferably asymmetrically-such that the sensor's output signal differs depending upon whether the wheel is rotating in the clockwise versus counterclockwise direction. A controller analyzes the sensor's output signal to determine the direction of rotation. In another embodiment, the magnets are replaced by conductive targets, and an eddy current sensor is used for the magnetic sensor.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01P 13/04 - Indicating positive or negative direction of a linear movement or clockwise or anti-clockwise direction of a rotational movement
• G01D 5/14 - Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using electric or magnetic means influencing the magnitude of a current or voltage

Abstract

A wheel or wheel assembly for a non-motorized vehicle, such as a shopping cart, is disclosed that detects its direction of rotation. In one embodiment, the wheel assembly includes a plurality of magnets mounted to a rotating portion of the wheel, and includes a magnetic sensor, such as a tunneling magnetoresistance sensor, mounted to a non-rotating portion. As the wheel rotates the magnets produce a varying magnetic field that is sensed by the sensor, which outputs a signal corresponding to the sensed magnetic field. The magnets are arranged—preferably asymmetrically—such that the sensor's output signal differs depending upon whether the wheel is rotating in the clockwise versus counterclockwise direction. A controller analyzes the sensor's output signal to determine the direction of rotation. In another embodiment, the magnets are replaced by conductive targets, and an eddy current sensor is used for the magnetic sensor.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01P 13/04 - Indicating positive or negative direction of a linear movement or clockwise or anti-clockwise direction of a rotational movement

Abstract

A system for monitoring and controlling shopping cart usage comprises a wheel assembly that attaches to a shopping cart. In some embodiments the wheel assembly includes a wheel, a brake that can be activated to inhibit rotation of the wheel, a controller that controls the brake, a VLF receiver, and an RF transceiver. The RF transceiver may, for example, operate in a 2.4 GHz frequency band. In some implementations, the RF transceiver may be used to detect entry of the shopping cart into a checkout area of the store, and the VLF receiver may be used to detect that the shopping cart is exiting the store. The controller may activate the brake if the shopping cart attempts to exit the store without first passing through a checkout area.

IPC Classes  ?

• B62B 5/04 - Braking mechanisms; Locking devices against movement
• B62B 3/14 - Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor characterised by provisions for nesting or stacking, e.g. shopping trolleys
• H04W 4/024 - Guidance services
• G08B 13/24 - Electrical actuation by interference with electromagnetic field distribution
• B60K 25/08 - Auxiliary drives from a ground wheel, e.g. engaging the wheel tread or rim
• B60T 7/18 - Brake-action initiating means for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger operated by remote control, i.e. initiating means not mounted on vehicle operated by wayside apparatus
• G01C 21/12 - Navigation; Navigational instruments not provided for in groups by using measurement of speed or acceleration executed aboard the object being navigated; Dead reckoning
• G06Q 10/08 - Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• G08G 1/00 - Traffic control systems for road vehicles
• H02K 7/18 - Structural association of electric generators with mechanical driving motors, e.g.with turbines
• H04W 4/029 - Location-based management or tracking services
• A47F 10/04 - Furniture or installations specially adapted to particular types of service systems, not otherwise provided for for self-service type systems, e.g. supermarkets for storing or handling self-service hand-carts or baskets
• B60T 7/16 - Brake-action initiating means for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger operated by remote control, i.e. initiating means not mounted on vehicle
• G01C 21/20 - Instruments for performing navigational calculations
• B62B 5/00 - Accessories or details specially adapted for hand carts
• G06K 7/10 - Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by corpuscular radiation

Goods & Services

Downloadable software for use in cart and trolley containment, inventory location tracking, inventory loss prevention solutions, and shoplifting prevention, and for monitoring of the foregoing and for creating downloadable reports related to the foregoing; downloadable software enabling remote monitoring and remote management of motorized and non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, mobility carts, trolleys and luggage trolleys, computer hardware, handbaskets, product inventory, and technology security solutions for monitoring premises, location, and inventory; downloadable software to help retail operators improve operating margins; downloadable software used to collect and distribute actionable business intelligence to enhance profitability; downloadable software for inventory management; downloadable reports about shopping cart containment, inventory location tracking, shoplifting vulnerabilities, and loss prevention; downloadable software for providing access to equipment location and status, system performance, user statistics, and reference materials, and preparing reports regarding the foregoing; computer hardware used for monitoring and mitigating retail store crime and shoplifting; computer hardware used in the field of asset loss prevention; computer hardware and downloadable software utilizing AI technology to detect the presence or absence of items in a shopping cart, to detect and prevent theft and shoplifting, to count the number and location of carts in a store, to analyze traffic and location of carts, and to enable monitoring and surveillance at a pay point; computer hardware and downloadable software for monitoring human behavior for theft prevention; remote monitoring apparatus; radio transmitters; radio transmitters for use with motorized and non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, mobility carts, trolleys, luggage trolleys, computer hardware, and handbaskets at retail store locations for locking, unlocking, and otherwise monitoring and controlling such items; radio transmitters for use with software systems for controlling theft alarms, sound alarms or security alarms on motorized and non-motorized land vehicles, carts, shopping carts, trolleys and luggage trolleys, computer hardware, and handbaskets at retail store locations; electronic security system comprising computer hardware, embedded software, transmitters, receivers, and circuitry, for monitoring, tracking, managing, and preventing theft of products, inventory, motorized and non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, mobility carts, trolleys, luggage trolleys, computer hardware, and handbaskets; alarm monitoring systems for use with motorized and non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, trolleys, luggage trolleys, computer hardware, and handbaskets; anti-theft alarms and sensors for mobile assets; theft alarms, except for vehicles; anti-theft sensors, except for vehicles; computer hardware and embedded software for monitoring, detecting, and tracking the location of mobile assets; security alarm controllers for use with mobile assets; wireless controllers and electronic monitors for monitoring mobile assets; computer hardware and embedded software for estimating the location of mobile assets; electrical and scientific apparatus and devices used for dead reckoning modules for calculating the position of mobile assets, namely, electronic mobile sensors, dead-reckoning positioning accelerometers and magnetometers, and digital signal processors; computer hardware and software for commercial use for monitoring, tracking, managing, and preventing theft of mobile assets; geofencing apparatus in the nature of electronic fences; computer operating hardware and software for electronic fences; dead reckoning modules for calculating the position of mobile assets; dead-reckoning positioning systems consisting primarily of electronic mobile sensors and digital signal processors for calculating the position of mobile assets; electronic device for tracking and locating mobile assets; RFID tags; RFID readers; remote controls for operating carts, shopping carts, shopping cart wheels, personal mobility carts, trolleys, luggage trolleys, motors, brakes, vehicles, computers and computer hardware; sensors for the determination of positions and distances; wireless controllers to remotely monitor and control the function and status of other electrical, electronic, and mechanical devices or systems, namely, motorized and non-motorized vehicle tracking devices, shopping cart systems, and inventory theft-prevention systems; computer hardware and embedded computer software for retail inventory management, sold as a unit. Electronic wheels for motorized and non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, mobility carts, trolleys, and luggage trolleys; electronic brakes for motorized and non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, personal mobility carts, trolleys, and luggage trolleys; motorized transportation vehicle for retrieving carts, shopping carts, personal mobility carts, trolleys, and luggage trolleys; wheels for carts; land vehicle parts, namely, wheels; wheel parts, namely, treads for carts; anti-theft system, in the nature of anti-theft devices for vehicles, motorized and non-motorized carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, trolleys, luggage trolleys and personal mobility carts; brakes for land vehicles, motorized and non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, personal mobility carts, trolleys, luggage trolleys, and cart wheels; motorized transportation vehicle for retrieving carts, shopping carts, personal mobility carts, trolleys, and luggage trolleys; anti-theft locks specially adapted for motorized and non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, personal mobility carts, trolleys, luggage trolleys, and cart wheels; motorized vehicles for retrieving, monitoring, organizing, or stacking carts, shopping carts, trolleys, and luggage carts; anti-theft systems comprising locking devices for motorized and non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, mobility carts, trolleys, luggage trolleys, wheels, and other wheeled vehicles; wireless anti-theft systems and alarms for carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; wheels incorporating RFID blocking technology. Business consultation in the field of loss prevention; business consulting services relating to product distribution, operations management services, logistics, inventory management, reverse logistics, supply chain, production systems and distribution solutions; compilation of statistics for commercial purposes; business advisory services, consultancy and information; providing business information via the internet; business information in the field of loss prevention; compiling and analyzing statistics, data and other sources of information for business purposes; business records management; inventory monitoring and management for mobile assets; online services, namely, inventory monitoring of carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and cart retrievers; providing business information in the nature of tracking, locating and monitoring of motorized and non-motorized land vehicles, carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and cart retrievers for commercial purposes; providing business information via a website for customers and distributors regarding equipment status, system performance, usage statistics, and reference material; providing business services in the nature of monitoring services for business purposes to ascertain the geographic locations of movable objects, namely, motorized and non-motorized land vehicles, carts, shopping carts, trolleys, luggage trolleys, and cart retrievers; business consulting services, namely, consulting regarding inventory monitoring and management strategies, and theft prevention strategies; business risk management consultation; business consultancy and information services. Providing non-downloadable online software, for use in cart and trolley containment, inventory location tracking, inventory loss prevention solutions, and shoplifting prevention, and for monitoring of the foregoing, and for creating reports related to the foregoing; providing non-downloadable online software enabling remote monitoring and remote management of motorized and non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, mobility carts, trolleys and luggage trolleys, computer hardware, handbaskets, product inventory, and technology security solutions for monitoring premises and inventory; providing non-downloadable online software to help retail operators improve operating margins; providing non-downloadable online software used to collect and distribute actionable business intelligence to enhance profitability; providing non-downloadable online software used for inventory management and for preparing reports related to cart and trolley containment, inventory location tracking, and shoplifting vulnerabilities; providing non-downloadable online software used for providing access to equipment location and status, system performance, user statistics, and reference materials, and preparing reports regarding the foregoing; software as a service (SaaS) services featuring software to monitor shopping cart containment and loss prevention solutions; software as a service (SaaS) featuring software for providing customer and distributor access to equipment location and status, system performance, user statistics, and reference material; providing on-line non-downloadable software for tracking and managing equipment and assets; providing temporary use of on-line non-downloadable cloud-based software for use in connection with GPS rangefinders and electronic satellite tracking systems for locating and tracking mobile assets; platform as a service (PaaS) featuring computer software platforms for use in database management; platform as a service (PaaS) featuring computer software platforms for compiling and storing footage from security systems, for allowing playback and analysis of stored footage, for compiling, analyzing and storing data collected from security events and for generating reports related to the foregoing; computer monitoring service which tracks hardware performance and processes and sends out historical reports and alerts; providing an interactive website featuring technology that allows users to enter, access, and synthesize information and generate reports (term considered too vague by the International Bureau - Rule 13 (2) (b) of the Regulations); electronic monitoring and reporting of retail stores and loss prevention using computers or sensors; installation, maintenance and repair of cart and trolley containment software systems; installation, maintenance and repair of cart and trolley retrieval software systems; installation, maintenance and repair of loss prevention software systems; installation, maintenance and repair of computer software systems for controlling theft alarms, sound alarms or security alarms; providing technical support, namely, technical advice concerning the installation, repair and maintenance of cart and trolley containment software systems; providing technical support, namely, technical advice concerning the installation, repair and maintenance of cart and trolley retrieval software systems; providing technical support, namely, technical advice concerning the installation, repair and maintenance of loss prevention software systems; providing technical support, namely, technical advice concerning the installation, repair and maintenance of software systems for controlling theft alarms, sound alarms or security alarms; design of inventory management and theft prevention technology systems and layout; architectural design, namely designing the layout of computer hardware, wiring, and technology systems for cart and trolley containment, and shoplifting prevention; software as a service (SaaS) services featuring software utilizing AI technology to detect the presence or absence of items in a shopping cart, to detect and prevent theft and shoplifting, to count the number and location of carts in a store, to analyze traffic and location of carts, and to enable monitoring and surveillance at a pay point; providing a web-based on-line portal featuring technology that provides customer and distributor access to equipment location and status, system performance, usage statistics, and reference materials (term considered too vague by the International Bureau - Rule 13 (2) (b) of the Regulations); providing a website featuring technology that enables users to report and track retail goods for business purposes (term considered too vague by the International Bureau - Rule 13 (2) (b) of the Regulations); providing a website featuring technology allowing users to monitor, control, track, and manage security systems and apparatus used in field of asset loss prevention (term considered too vague by the International Bureau - Rule 13 (2) (b) of the Regulations); computer security consulting for businesses, retail stores and supermarkets; electronic monitoring of business property and inventory using computers for security purposes to protect against theft. Monitoring of security alarm systems; providing security surveillance of premises of others; security threat analysis for protecting personal and business property; providing security surveillance of premises for businesses; surveillance services; physical security consulting for businesses, retail stores and supermarkets; physical security consultation for theft and loss prevention purposes; providing information on business building and physical property security and physical security for theft prevention and loss prevention purposes via a website; physical security advisory and consultancy services for loss prevention services; retail security monitoring services for loss prevention purposes using sensors, cameras, GPS tracking, and motion detectors.

Goods & Services

Downloadable software for use in cart and trolley containment, inventory location tracking, inventory loss prevention solutions, and shoplifting prevention, and for monitoring of the foregoing and for creating downloadable reports related to the foregoing; downloadable software enabling remote monitoring and remote management of motorized and non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, mobility carts, trolleys and luggage trolleys, computer hardware, handbaskets, product inventory, and technology security solutions for monitoring premises, location, and inventory; downloadable software to help retail operators improve operating margins; downloadable software used to collect and distribute actionable business intelligence to enhance profitability; downloadable software for inventory management; downloadable reports about shopping cart containment, inventory location tracking, shoplifting vulnerabilities, and loss prevention; downloadable software for providing access to equipment location and status, system performance, user statistics, and reference materials, and preparing reports regarding the foregoing; computer hardware used for monitoring and mitigating retail store crime and shoplifting; computer hardware used in the field of asset loss prevention; computer hardware and downloadable software utilizing AI technology to detect the presence or absence of items in a shopping cart, to detect and prevent theft and shoplifting, to count the number and location of carts in a store, to analyze traffic and location of carts, and to enable monitoring and surveillance at a pay point; computer hardware and downloadable software for monitoring human behavior for theft prevention; remote monitoring apparatus; radio transmitters; radio transmitters for use with motorized and non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, mobility carts, trolleys, luggage trolleys, computer hardware, and handbaskets at retail store locations for locking, unlocking, and otherwise monitoring and controlling such items; radio transmitters for use with software systems for controlling theft alarms, sound alarms or security alarms on motorized and non-motorized land vehicles, carts, shopping carts, trolleys and luggage trolleys, computer hardware, and handbaskets at retail store locations; electronic security system comprising computer hardware, embedded software, transmitters, receivers, and circuitry, for monitoring, tracking, managing, and preventing theft of products, inventory, motorized and non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, mobility carts, trolleys, luggage trolleys, computer hardware, and handbaskets; alarm monitoring systems for use with motorized and non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, trolleys, luggage trolleys, computer hardware, and handbaskets; anti-theft alarms and sensors for mobile assets; theft alarms, except for vehicles; anti-theft sensors, except for vehicles; computer hardware and embedded software for monitoring, detecting, and tracking the location of mobile assets; security alarm controllers for use with mobile assets; wireless controllers and electronic monitors for monitoring mobile assets; computer hardware and embedded software for estimating the location of mobile assets; electrical and scientific apparatus and devices used for dead reckoning modules for calculating the position of mobile assets, namely, electronic mobile sensors, dead-reckoning positioning accelerometers and magnetometers, and digital signal processors; computer hardware and software for commercial use for monitoring, tracking, managing, and preventing theft of mobile assets; geofencing apparatus in the nature of electronic fences; computer operating hardware and software for electronic fences; dead reckoning modules for calculating the position of mobile assets; dead-reckoning positioning systems consisting primarily of electronic mobile sensors and digital signal processors for calculating the position of mobile assets; electronic device for tracking and locating mobile assets; RFID tags; RFID readers; remote controls for operating carts, shopping carts, shopping cart wheels, personal mobility carts, trolleys, luggage trolleys, motors, brakes, vehicles, computers and computer hardware; sensors for the determination of positions and distances; wireless controllers to remotely monitor and control the function and status of other electrical, electronic, and mechanical devices or systems, namely, motorized and non-motorized vehicle tracking devices, shopping cart systems, and inventory theft-prevention systems; computer hardware and embedded computer software for retail inventory management, sold as a unit; video cameras; electronic video surveillance products, namely, electronic components of security systems; security systems and apparatus; downloadable software providing access to security video footage; downloadable software providing access to security video footage for playback and analysis of footage by customers and distributors; downloadable software enabling access to live and recorded security video footage; downloadable software for compiling and storing video footage from security systems, for allowing video playback and analysis of stored video footage, and for compiling, analyzing and storing data collected from security events; downloadable reports about security data and loss prevention. Electronic wheels for motorized and non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, mobility carts, trolleys, and luggage trolleys; electronic brakes for motorized and non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, personal mobility carts, trolleys, and luggage trolleys; motorized transportation vehicle for retrieving carts, shopping carts, personal mobility carts, trolleys, and luggage trolleys; wheels for carts; land vehicle parts, namely, wheels; wheel parts, namely, treads for carts; anti-theft system, in the nature of anti-theft devices for vehicles, motorized and non-motorized carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, trolleys, luggage trolleys and personal mobility carts; brakes for land vehicles, motorized and non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, personal mobility carts, trolleys, luggage trolleys, and cart wheels; motorized transportation vehicle for retrieving carts, shopping carts, personal mobility carts, trolleys, and luggage trolleys; anti-theft locks specially adapted for motorized and non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, personal mobility carts, trolleys, luggage trolleys, and cart wheels; motorized vehicles for retrieving, monitoring, organizing, or stacking carts, shopping carts, trolleys, and luggage carts; anti-theft systems comprising locking devices for motorized and non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, mobility carts, trolleys, luggage trolleys, wheels, and other wheeled vehicles; wireless anti-theft systems and alarms for carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; wheels incorporating RFID blocking technology. Providing a web-based on-line portal that provides customer and distributor access to equipment location and status, system performance, usage statistics, and reference materials; business consultation in the field of loss prevention; business consulting services relating to product distribution, operations management services, logistics, inventory management, reverse logistics, supply chain, production systems and distribution solutions; providing an online computer database for the reporting and tracking of retail goods for business purposes; monitoring services for loss prevention purposes; compilation of statistics for commercial purposes; providing an online database to monitor, control, track, and manage security systems and apparatus used in field or asset loss prevention; business advisory services, consultancy and information; providing business information via the internet; business information in the field of loss prevention; compiling and analyzing statistics, data and other sources of information for business purposes; business records management; inventory monitoring and management; online services, namely, inventory monitoring of carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and cart retrievers; tracking, locating and monitoring of motorized and non-motorized land vehicles, carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and cart retrievers for commercial purposes; providing an online portal that provides customer and distributor access to business information regarding equipment status, system performance, usage statistics, and reference material; monitoring services for business purposes to ascertain the geographic locations of movable objects, namely, motorized and non-motorized land vehicles, carts, shopping carts, trolleys, luggage trolleys, and cart retrievers; business consulting services, namely, consulting regarding inventory monitoring and management strategies, and theft prevention strategies; business risk management consultation; business consultancy and information services. Online non-downloadable software, for use in cart and trolley containment, inventory location tracking, inventory loss prevention solutions, and shoplifting prevention, and for monitoring of the foregoing, and for creating reports related to the foregoing; online non-downloadable software enabling remote monitoring and remote management of motorized and non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, mobility carts, trolleys and luggage trolleys, computer hardware, handbaskets, product inventory, and technology security solutions for monitoring premises and inventory; online non-downloadable software to help retail operators improve operating margins; online non-downloadable software used to collect and distribute actionable business intelligence to enhance profitability; online non-downloadable software used for inventory management and for preparing reports related to cart and trolley containment, inventory location tracking, and shoplifting vulnerabilities; online non-downloadable software used for providing access to equipment location and status, system performance, user statistics, and reference materials, and preparing reports regarding the foregoing; software as a service (SaaS) services featuring software to monitor shopping cart containment and loss prevention solutions; software as a service (SaaS) featuring software for providing customer and distributor access to equipment location and status, system performance, user statistics, and reference material; providing on-line non-downloadable software for tracking and managing equipment and assets; providing temporary use of on-line non-downloadable cloud-based software for use in connection with GPS rangefinders and electronic satellite tracking systems; platform as a service (PaaS) featuring computer software platforms for use in database management; platform as a service (PaaS) featuring computer software platforms for compiling and storing footage from security systems, for allowing playback and analysis of stored footage, for compiling, analyzing and storing data collected from security events and for generating reports related to the foregoing; computer monitoring service which tracks hardware performance and processes and sends out historical reports and alerts; providing an interactive website featuring technology that allows users to enter, access, and synthesize information and generate reports; electronic monitoring and reporting of retail stores and loss prevention using computers or sensors; installation, maintenance and repair of cart and trolley containment software systems; installation, maintenance and repair of cart and trolley retrieval software systems; installation, maintenance and repair of loss prevention software systems; installation, maintenance and repair of computer software systems for controlling theft alarms, sound alarms or security alarms; providing technical support, namely, technical advice concerning the installation, repair and maintenance of cart and trolley containment software systems; providing technical support, namely, technical advice concerning the installation, repair and maintenance of cart and trolley retrieval software systems; providing technical support, namely, technical advice concerning the installation, repair and maintenance of loss prevention software systems; providing technical support, namely, technical advice concerning the installation, repair and maintenance of software systems for controlling theft alarms, sound alarms or security alarms; design of inventory management and theft prevention technology systems and layout; architectural design, namely, designing the layout of computer hardware, wiring, and technology systems for cart and trolley containment, and shoplifting prevention; software as a service (SAAS) services featuring software utilizing AI technology to detect the presence or absence of items in a shopping cart, to detect and prevent theft and shoplifting, to count the number and location of carts in a store, to analyze traffic and location of carts, and to enable monitoring and surveillance at a pay point; online non-downloadable software providing access to security video footage; online non-downloadable software providing access to security video footage for playback and analysis of footage by customers and distributors; online non-downloadable software enabling access to live and recorded security video footage; platform as a service (PaaS) featuring computer software platforms for compiling and storing video footage from security systems, for allowing video playback and analysis of stored video footage, for compiling, analyzing and storing data collected from security events and for generating reports related to the foregoing. Monitoring of security alarm systems; providing security surveillance of premises of others; security threat analysis for protecting personal and business property; providing security surveillance of premises for businesses; surveillance services; security consulting for businesses, retail stores and supermarkets; theft prevention and loss prevention consultation; providing information on business security, theft prevention, and loss prevention via a website; monitoring of computer systems for security purposes to protect against theft of business property and inventory; loss prevention advisory and consultancy services.

Abstract

A system for monitoring shopping carts uses cameras to generate images of the carts moving in a store. In some implementations, cameras may additionally or alternatively be mounted to the shopping carts and configured to image cart contents. The system may use the collected image data, and/or other types of sensor data (such as the store location at which an item was added to the basket), to classify items detected in the shopping carts. For example, a trained machine learning model may classify item in a cart as “non-merchandise,” “high theft risk merchandise,” “electronics merchandise,” etc. When a shopping cart approaches a store exit without any indication of an associated payment transaction, the system may use the associated item classification data, optionally in combination with other data such as cart path data, to determine whether to execute an anti-theft action, such as locking a cart wheel or activating a store alarm. The system may also compare the classifications of cart contents to payment transaction records (or summaries thereof) to, e.g., detect underpayment events.

IPC Classes  ?

• B62B 5/04 - Braking mechanisms; Locking devices against movement
• G06Q 20/40 - Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check of credit lines or negative lists
• G06N 20/00 - Machine learning
• G06K 9/62 - Methods or arrangements for recognition using electronic means
• G06Q 20/20 - Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• G06T 7/20 - Analysis of motion
• H04N 5/225 - Television cameras
• H04N 7/18 - Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast
• G06V 20/00 - Scenes; Scene-specific elements
• G06V 20/52 - Surveillance or monitoring of activities, e.g. for recognising suspicious objects

Abstract

A method of monitoring of transportation network company vehicles within a geofence associated with an airport according to one embodiment includes receiving a user selection of a past time interval and an event type within the geofence to be monitored, querying a database for event data that matches the user selection of the past time interval and the event type, generating a JSON object that includes spatial data for each event identified as a result of querying the database, and animating a visual representation of the spatial data for each event in a map view over a timeline associated with the past time interval (e.g., as a video replay).

IPC Classes  ?

• G08G 1/13 - Traffic control systems for road vehicles indicating the position of vehicles, e.g. scheduled vehicles to a central station the indicator being in the form of a map

Abstract

A method of monitoring of transportation network company vehicles within a geofence associated with an airport according to one embodiment includes receiving a user selection of a past time interval and an event type within the geofence to be monitored, querying a database for event data that matches the user selection of the past time interval and the event type, generating a JSON object that includes spatial data for each event identified as a result of querying the database, and animating a visual representation of the spatial data for each event in a map view over a timeline associated with the past time interval (e.g., as a video replay).

IPC Classes  ?

• H04W 4/029 - Location-based management or tracking services
• G06F 16/2455 - Query execution
• H04W 4/42 - Services specially adapted for particular environments, situations or purposes for vehicles, e.g. vehicle-to-pedestrians [V2P] for mass transport vehicles, e.g. buses, trains or aircraft
• G06F 3/14 - Digital output to display device

Abstract

A system for monitoring and controlling shopping cart usage comprises a wheel assembly that attaches to a shopping cart. In some embodiments the wheel assembly includes a wheel, a brake that can be activated to inhibit rotation of the wheel, a controller that controls the brake, a VLF receiver, and an RF transceiver. The RF transceiver may, for example, operate in a 2.4 GHz frequency band. In some implementations, the RF transceiver may be used to detect entry of the shopping cart into a checkout area of the store, and the VLF receiver may be used to detect that the shopping cart is exiting the store. The controller may activate the brake if the shopping cart attempts to exit the store without first passing through a checkout area.

IPC Classes  ?

• B62B 5/04 - Braking mechanisms; Locking devices against movement
• B62B 3/14 - Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor characterised by provisions for nesting or stacking, e.g. shopping trolleys
• H04W 4/024 - Guidance services
• G08B 13/24 - Electrical actuation by interference with electromagnetic field distribution
• B60K 25/08 - Auxiliary drives from a ground wheel, e.g. engaging the wheel tread or rim
• B60T 7/18 - Brake-action initiating means for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger operated by remote control, i.e. initiating means not mounted on vehicle operated by wayside apparatus
• G01C 21/00 - Navigation; Navigational instruments not provided for in groups
• G01C 21/12 - Navigation; Navigational instruments not provided for in groups by using measurement of speed or acceleration executed aboard the object being navigated; Dead reckoning
• G06Q 10/08 - Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• G08G 1/00 - Traffic control systems for road vehicles
• H02K 7/18 - Structural association of electric generators with mechanical driving motors, e.g.with turbines
• H04W 4/029 - Location-based management or tracking services
• A47F 10/04 - Furniture or installations specially adapted to particular types of service systems, not otherwise provided for for self-service type systems, e.g. supermarkets for storing or handling self-service hand-carts or baskets
• B60T 7/16 - Brake-action initiating means for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger operated by remote control, i.e. initiating means not mounted on vehicle
• G01C 21/20 - Instruments for performing navigational calculations
• B62B 5/00 - Accessories or details specially adapted for hand carts
• G06K 7/10 - Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by corpuscular radiation

Goods & Services

(1) Downloadable software for use in cart and trolley containment, inventory location tracking, inventory loss prevention solutions, and shoplifting prevention, and for monitoring of the foregoing and for creating downloadable reports related to the foregoing; downloadable software enabling remote monitoring and remote management of motorized and non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, mobility carts, trolleys and luggage trolleys, computer hardware, handbaskets, product inventory, and technology security solutions for monitoring premises, location, and inventory; downloadable software to help retail operators improve operating margins; downloadable software used to collect and distribute actionable business intelligence to enhance profitability; downloadable software for inventory management; downloadable reports about shopping cart containment, inventory location tracking, shoplifting vulnerabilities, and loss prevention; downloadable software for providing access to equipment location and status, system performance, user statistics, and reference materials, and preparing reports regarding the foregoing; computer hardware used for monitoring and mitigating retail store crime and shoplifting; computer hardware used in the field of asset loss prevention; computer hardware and downloadable software utilizing AI technology to detect the presence or absence of items in a shopping cart, to detect and prevent theft and shoplifting, to count the number and location of carts in a store, to analyze traffic and location of carts, and to enable monitoring and surveillance at a pay point; computer hardware and downloadable software for monitoring human behavior for theft prevention; remote monitoring apparatus; radio transmitters; radio transmitters for use with motorized and non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, mobility carts, trolleys, luggage trolleys, computer hardware, and handbaskets at retail store locations for locking, unlocking, and otherwise monitoring and controlling such items; radio transmitters for use with software systems for controlling theft alarms, sound alarms or security alarms on motorized and non-motorized land vehicles, carts, shopping carts, trolleys and luggage trolleys, computer hardware, and handbaskets at retail store locations; electronic security system comprising computer hardware, embedded software, transmitters, receivers, and circuitry, for monitoring, tracking, managing, and preventing theft of products, inventory, motorized and non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, mobility carts, trolleys, luggage trolleys, computer hardware, and handbaskets; alarm monitoring systems for use with motorized and non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, trolleys, luggage trolleys, computer hardware, and handbaskets; anti-theft alarms and sensors for mobile assets; theft alarms, except for vehicles; anti-theft sensors, except for vehicles; computer hardware and embedded software for monitoring, detecting, and tracking the location of mobile assets; security alarm controllers for use with mobile assets; wireless controllers and electronic monitors for monitoring mobile assets; computer hardware and embedded software for estimating the location of mobile assets; electrical and scientific apparatus and devices used for dead reckoning modules for calculating the position of mobile assets, namely, electronic mobile sensors, dead-reckoning positioning accelerometers and magnetometers, and digital signal processors; computer hardware and software for commercial use for monitoring, tracking, managing, and preventing theft of mobile assets; geofencing apparatus in the nature of electronic fences; computer operating hardware and software for electronic fences; dead reckoning modules for calculating the position of mobile assets; dead-reckoning positioning systems consisting primarily of electronic mobile sensors and digital signal processors for calculating the position of mobile assets; electronic device for tracking and locating mobile assets; RFID tags; RFID readers; remote controls for operating carts, shopping carts, shopping cart wheels, personal mobility carts, trolleys, luggage trolleys, motors, brakes, vehicles, computers and computer hardware; sensors for the determination of positions and distances; wireless controllers to remotely monitor and control the function and status of other electrical, electronic, and mechanical devices or systems, namely, motorized and non-motorized vehicle tracking devices, shopping cart systems, and inventory theft-prevention systems; computer hardware and embedded computer software for retail inventory management, sold as a unit; video cameras; electronic video surveillance products, namely, electronic components of security systems; security systems and apparatus; downloadable software providing access to security video footage; downloadable software providing access to security video footage for playback and analysis of footage by customers and distributors; downloadable software enabling access to live and recorded security video footage; downloadable software for compiling and storing video footage from security systems, for allowing video playback and analysis of stored video footage, and for compiling, analyzing and storing data collected from security events; downloadable reports about security data and loss prevention. (2) Electronic wheels for motorized and non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, mobility carts, trolleys, and luggage trolleys; electronic brakes for motorized and non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, personal mobility carts, trolleys, and luggage trolleys; motorized transportation vehicle for retrieving carts, shopping carts, personal mobility carts, trolleys, and luggage trolleys; wheels for carts; land vehicle parts, namely, wheels; wheel parts, namely, treads for carts; anti-theft system, in the nature of anti-theft devices for vehicles, motorized and non-motorized carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, trolleys, luggage trolleys and personal mobility carts; brakes for land vehicles, motorized and non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, personal mobility carts, trolleys, luggage trolleys, and cart wheels; motorized transportation vehicle for retrieving carts, shopping carts, personal mobility carts, trolleys, and luggage trolleys; anti-theft locks specially adapted for motorized and non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, personal mobility carts, trolleys, luggage trolleys, and cart wheels; motorized vehicles for retrieving, monitoring, organizing, or stacking carts, shopping carts, trolleys, and luggage carts; anti-theft systems comprising locking devices for motorized and non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, mobility carts, trolleys, luggage trolleys, wheels, and other wheeled vehicles; wireless anti-theft systems and alarms for carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; wheels incorporating RFID blocking technology. (1) Providing a web-based on-line portal that provides customer and distributor access to equipment location and status, system performance, usage statistics, and reference materials; business consultation in the field of loss prevention; business consulting services relating to product distribution, operations management services, logistics, inventory management, reverse logistics, supply chain, production systems and distribution solutions; providing an online computer database for the reporting and tracking of retail goods for business purposes; monitoring services for loss prevention purposes; compilation of statistics for commercial purposes; providing an online database to monitor, control, track, and manage security systems and apparatus used in field or asset loss prevention; business advisory services, consultancy and information; providing business information via the internet; business information in the field of loss prevention; compiling and analyzing statistics, data and other sources of information for business purposes; business records management; inventory monitoring and management; online services, namely, inventory monitoring of carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and cart retrievers; tracking, locating and monitoring of motorized and non-motorized land vehicles, carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and cart retrievers for commercial purposes; providing an online portal that provides customer and distributor access to business information regarding equipment status, system performance, usage statistics, and reference material; monitoring services for business purposes to ascertain the geographic locations of movable objects, namely, motorized and non-motorized land vehicles, carts, shopping carts, trolleys, luggage trolleys, and cart retrievers; business consulting services, namely, consulting regarding inventory monitoring and management strategies, and theft prevention strategies; business risk management consultation; business consultancy and information services. (2) Online non-downloadable software, for use in cart and trolley containment, inventory location tracking, inventory loss prevention solutions, and shoplifting prevention, and for monitoring of the foregoing, and for creating reports related to the foregoing; online non-downloadable software enabling remote monitoring and remote management of motorized and non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, mobility carts, trolleys and luggage trolleys, computer hardware, handbaskets, product inventory, and technology security solutions for monitoring premises and inventory; online non-downloadable software to help retail operators improve operating margins; online non-downloadable software used to collect and distribute actionable business intelligence to enhance profitability; online non-downloadable software used for inventory management and for preparing reports related to cart and trolley containment, inventory location tracking, and shoplifting vulnerabilities; online non-downloadable software used for providing access to equipment location and status, system performance, user statistics, and reference materials, and preparing reports regarding the foregoing; software as a service (SaaS) services featuring software to monitor shopping cart containment and loss prevention solutions; software as a service (SaaS) featuring software for providing customer and distributor access to equipment location and status, system performance, user statistics, and reference material; providing on-line non-downloadable software for tracking and managing equipment and assets; providing temporary use of on-line non-downloadable cloud-based software for use in connection with GPS rangefinders and electronic satellite tracking systems; platform as a service (PaaS) featuring computer software platforms for use in database management; platform as a service (PaaS) featuring computer software platforms for compiling and storing footage from security systems, for allowing playback and analysis of stored footage, for compiling, analyzing and storing data collected from security events and for generating reports related to the foregoing; computer monitoring service which tracks hardware performance and processes and sends out historical reports and alerts; providing an interactive website featuring technology that allows users to enter, access, and synthesize information and generate reports; electronic monitoring and reporting of retail stores and loss prevention using computers or sensors; installation, maintenance and repair of cart and trolley containment software systems; installation, maintenance and repair of cart and trolley retrieval software systems; installation, maintenance and repair of loss prevention software systems; installation, maintenance and repair of computer software systems for controlling theft alarms, sound alarms or security alarms; providing technical support, namely, technical advice concerning the installation, repair and maintenance of cart and trolley containment software systems; providing technical support, namely, technical advice concerning the installation, repair and maintenance of cart and trolley retrieval software systems; providing technical support, namely, technical advice concerning the installation, repair and maintenance of loss prevention software systems; providing technical support, namely, technical advice concerning the installation, repair and maintenance of software systems for controlling theft alarms, sound alarms or security alarms; design of inventory management and theft prevention technology systems and layout; architectural design, namely, designing the layout of computer hardware, wiring, and technology systems for cart and trolley containment, and shoplifting prevention; software as a service (SAAS) services featuring software utilizing AI technology to detect the presence or absence of items in a shopping cart, to detect and prevent theft and shoplifting, to count the number and location of carts in a store, to analyze traffic and location of carts, and to enable monitoring and surveillance at a pay point; online non-downloadable software providing access to security video footage; online non-downloadable software providing access to security video footage for playback and analysis of footage by customers and distributors; online non-downloadable software enabling access to live and recorded security video footage; platform as a service (PaaS) featuring computer software platforms for compiling and storing video footage from security systems, for allowing video playback and analysis of stored video footage, for compiling, analyzing and storing data collected from security events and for generating reports related to the foregoing. (3) Monitoring of security alarm systems; providing security surveillance of premises of others; security threat analysis for protecting personal and business property; providing security surveillance of premises for businesses; surveillance services; security consulting for businesses, retail stores and supermarkets; theft prevention and loss prevention consultation; providing information on business security, theft prevention, and loss prevention via a website; monitoring of computer systems for security purposes to protect against theft of business property and inventory; loss prevention advisory and consultancy services.

Goods & Services

(1) Downloadable software for use in cart and trolley containment, inventory location tracking, inventory loss prevention solutions, and shoplifting prevention, and for monitoring of the foregoing and for creating downloadable reports related to the foregoing; downloadable software enabling remote monitoring and remote management of motorized and non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, mobility carts, trolleys and luggage trolleys, computer hardware, handbaskets, product inventory, and technology security solutions for monitoring premises, location, and inventory; downloadable software to help retail operators improve operating margins; downloadable software used to collect and distribute actionable business intelligence to enhance profitability; downloadable software for inventory management; downloadable reports about shopping cart containment, inventory location tracking, shoplifting vulnerabilities, and loss prevention; downloadable software for providing access to equipment location and status, system performance, user statistics, and reference materials, and preparing reports regarding the foregoing; computer hardware used for monitoring and mitigating retail store crime and shoplifting; computer hardware used in the field of asset loss prevention; computer hardware and downloadable software utilizing AI technology to detect the presence or absence of items in a shopping cart, to detect and prevent theft and shoplifting, to count the number and location of carts in a store, to analyze traffic and location of carts, and to enable monitoring and surveillance at a pay point; computer hardware and downloadable software for monitoring human behavior for theft prevention; remote monitoring apparatus; radio transmitters; radio transmitters for use with motorized and non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, mobility carts, trolleys, luggage trolleys, computer hardware, and handbaskets at retail store locations for locking, unlocking, and otherwise monitoring and controlling such items; radio transmitters for use with software systems for controlling theft alarms, sound alarms or security alarms on motorized and non-motorized land vehicles, carts, shopping carts, trolleys and luggage trolleys, computer hardware, and handbaskets at retail store locations; electronic security system comprising computer hardware, embedded software, transmitters, receivers, and circuitry, for monitoring, tracking, managing, and preventing theft of products, inventory, motorized and non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, mobility carts, trolleys, luggage trolleys, computer hardware, and handbaskets; alarm monitoring systems for use with motorized and non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, trolleys, luggage trolleys, computer hardware, and handbaskets; anti-theft alarms and sensors for mobile assets; theft alarms, except for vehicles; anti-theft sensors, except for vehicles; computer hardware and embedded software for monitoring, detecting, and tracking the location of mobile assets; security alarm controllers for use with mobile assets; wireless controllers and electronic monitors for monitoring mobile assets; computer hardware and embedded software for estimating the location of mobile assets; electrical and scientific apparatus and devices used for dead reckoning modules for calculating the position of mobile assets, namely, electronic mobile sensors, dead-reckoning positioning accelerometers and magnetometers, and digital signal processors; computer hardware and software for commercial use for monitoring, tracking, managing, and preventing theft of mobile assets; geofencing apparatus in the nature of electronic fences; computer operating hardware and software for electronic fences; dead reckoning modules for calculating the position of mobile assets; dead-reckoning positioning systems consisting primarily of electronic mobile sensors and digital signal processors for calculating the position of mobile assets; electronic device for tracking and locating mobile assets; RFID tags; RFID readers; remote controls for operating carts, shopping carts, shopping cart wheels, personal mobility carts, trolleys, luggage trolleys, motors, brakes, vehicles, computers and computer hardware; sensors for the determination of positions and distances; wireless controllers to remotely monitor and control the function and status of other electrical, electronic, and mechanical devices or systems, namely, motorized and non-motorized vehicle tracking devices, shopping cart systems, and inventory theft-prevention systems; computer hardware and embedded computer software for retail inventory management, sold as a unit. (2) Electronic wheels for motorized and non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, mobility carts, trolleys, and luggage trolleys; electronic brakes for motorized and non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, personal mobility carts, trolleys, and luggage trolleys; motorized transportation vehicle for retrieving carts, shopping carts, personal mobility carts, trolleys, and luggage trolleys; wheels for carts; land vehicle parts, namely, wheels; wheel parts, namely, treads for carts; anti-theft system, in the nature of anti-theft devices for vehicles, motorized and non-motorized carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, trolleys, luggage trolleys and personal mobility carts; brakes for land vehicles, motorized and non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, personal mobility carts, trolleys, luggage trolleys, and cart wheels; motorized transportation vehicle for retrieving carts, shopping carts, personal mobility carts, trolleys, and luggage trolleys; anti-theft locks specially adapted for motorized and non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, personal mobility carts, trolleys, luggage trolleys, and cart wheels; motorized vehicles for retrieving, monitoring, organizing, or stacking carts, shopping carts, trolleys, and luggage carts; anti-theft systems comprising locking devices for motorized and non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, mobility carts, trolleys, luggage trolleys, wheels, and other wheeled vehicles; wireless anti-theft systems and alarms for carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; wheels incorporating RFID blocking technology. (1) Business consultation in the field of loss prevention; business consulting services relating to product distribution, operations management services, logistics, inventory management, reverse logistics, supply chain, production systems and distribution solutions; compilation of statistics for commercial purposes; business advisory services, consultancy and information; providing business information via the internet; business information in the field of loss prevention; compiling and analyzing statistics, data and other sources of information for business purposes; business records management; inventory monitoring and management for mobile assets; online services, namely, inventory monitoring of carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and cart retrievers; providing business information in the nature of tracking, locating and monitoring of motorized and non-motorized land vehicles, carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and cart retrievers for commercial purposes; providing business information via a website for customers and distributors regarding equipment status, system performance, usage statistics, and reference material; providing business services in the nature of monitoring services for business purposes to ascertain the geographic locations of movable objects, namely, motorized and non-motorized land vehicles, carts, shopping carts, trolleys, luggage trolleys, and cart retrievers; business consulting services, namely, consulting regarding inventory monitoring and management strategies, and theft prevention strategies; business risk management consultation; business consultancy and information services. (2) Providing non-downloadable online software, for use in cart and trolley containment, inventory location tracking, inventory loss prevention solutions, and shoplifting prevention, and for monitoring of the foregoing, and for creating reports related to the foregoing; providing non-downloadable online software enabling remote monitoring and remote management of motorized and non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, mobility carts, trolleys and luggage trolleys, computer hardware, handbaskets, product inventory, and technology security solutions for monitoring premises and inventory; providing non-downloadable online software to help retail operators improve operating margins; providing non-downloadable online software used to collect and distribute actionable business intelligence to enhance profitability; providing non-downloadable online software used for inventory management and for preparing reports related to cart and trolley containment, inventory location tracking, and shoplifting vulnerabilities; providing non-downloadable online software used for providing access to equipment location and status, system performance, user statistics, and reference materials, and preparing reports regarding the foregoing; software as a service (SaaS) services featuring software to monitor shopping cart containment and loss prevention solutions; software as a service (SaaS) featuring software for providing customer and distributor access to equipment location and status, system performance, user statistics, and reference material; providing on-line non-downloadable software for tracking and managing equipment and assets; providing temporary use of on-line non-downloadable cloud-based software for use in connection with GPS rangefinders and electronic satellite tracking systems for locating and tracking mobile assets; platform as a service (PaaS) featuring computer software platforms for use in database management; platform as a service (PaaS) featuring computer software platforms for compiling and storing footage from security systems, for allowing playback and analysis of stored footage, for compiling, analyzing and storing data collected from security events and for generating reports related to the foregoing; computer monitoring service which tracks hardware performance and processes and sends out historical reports and alerts; providing an interactive website featuring technology that allows users to enter, access, and synthesize information and generate reports (term considered too vague by the International Bureau - Rule 13 (2) (b) of the Regulations); electronic monitoring and reporting of retail stores and loss prevention using computers or sensors; installation, maintenance and repair of cart and trolley containment software systems; installation, maintenance and repair of cart and trolley retrieval software systems; installation, maintenance and repair of loss prevention software systems; installation, maintenance and repair of computer software systems for controlling theft alarms, sound alarms or security alarms; providing technical support, namely, technical advice concerning the installation, repair and maintenance of cart and trolley containment software systems; providing technical support, namely, technical advice concerning the installation, repair and maintenance of cart and trolley retrieval software systems; providing technical support, namely, technical advice concerning the installation, repair and maintenance of loss prevention software systems; providing technical support, namely, technical advice concerning the installation, repair and maintenance of software systems for controlling theft alarms, sound alarms or security alarms; design of inventory management and theft prevention technology systems and layout; architectural design, namely designing the layout of computer hardware, wiring, and technology systems for cart and trolley containment, and shoplifting prevention; software as a service (SaaS) services featuring software utilizing AI technology to detect the presence or absence of items in a shopping cart, to detect and prevent theft and shoplifting, to count the number and location of carts in a store, to analyze traffic and location of carts, and to enable monitoring and surveillance at a pay point; providing a web-based on-line portal featuring technology that provides customer and distributor access to equipment location and status, system performance, usage statistics, and reference materials (term considered too vague by the International Bureau - Rule 13 (2) (b) of the Regulations); providing a website featuring technology that enables users to report and track retail goods for business purposes (term considered too vague by the International Bureau - Rule 13 (2) (b) of the Regulations); providing a website featuring technology allowing users to monitor, control, track, and manage security systems and apparatus used in field of asset loss prevention (term considered too vague by the International Bureau - Rule 13 (2) (b) of the Regulations); computer security consulting for businesses, retail stores and supermarkets; electronic monitoring of business property and inventory using computers for security purposes to protect against theft. (3) Monitoring of security alarm systems; providing security surveillance of premises of others; security threat analysis for protecting personal and business property; providing security surveillance of premises for businesses; surveillance services; physical security consulting for businesses, retail stores and supermarkets; physical security consultation for theft and loss prevention purposes; providing information on business building and physical property security and physical security for theft prevention and loss prevention purposes via a website; physical security advisory and consultancy services for loss prevention services; retail security monitoring services for loss prevention purposes using sensors, cameras, GPS tracking, and motion detectors.

Abstract

Examples of systems and methods for locating movable objects such as carts (e.g., shopping carts) are disclosed. Such systems and methods can use dead reckoning techniques to estimate the current position of the movable object. Various techniques for improving accuracy of position estimates are disclosed, including compensation for various error sources involving the use of magnetometer and accelerometer, and using vibration analysis to derive wheel rotation rates. Also disclosed are various techniques to utilize characteristics of the operating environment in conjunction with or in lieu of dead reckoning techniques, including characteristic of environment such as ground texture, availability of signals from radio frequency (RF) transmitters including precision fix sources. Such systems and methods can be applied in both indoor and outdoor settings and in retail or warehouse settings.

IPC Classes  ?

• G08G 1/00 - Traffic control systems for road vehicles
• B60T 7/18 - Brake-action initiating means for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger operated by remote control, i.e. initiating means not mounted on vehicle operated by wayside apparatus
• G01P 3/48 - Devices characterised by the use of electric or magnetic means for measuring angular speed by measuring frequency of generated current or voltage
• G01S 5/00 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations
• B62B 3/14 - Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor characterised by provisions for nesting or stacking, e.g. shopping trolleys
• G01C 21/12 - Navigation; Navigational instruments not provided for in groups by using measurement of speed or acceleration executed aboard the object being navigated; Dead reckoning
• G06Q 10/06 - Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• G01S 5/14 - Determining absolute distances from a plurality of spaced points of known location
• G01S 5/02 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using radio waves
• G01S 11/06 - Systems for determining distance or velocity not using reflection or reradiation using radio waves using intensity measurements
• B60T 7/12 - Brake-action initiating means for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger
• B62B 5/04 - Braking mechanisms; Locking devices against movement
• G01C 21/20 - Instruments for performing navigational calculations
• G01H 11/08 - Measuring mechanical vibrations or ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves by detecting changes in electric or magnetic properties by electric means using piezoelectric devices
• G05D 1/02 - Control of position or course in two dimensions
• B62B 5/00 - Accessories or details specially adapted for hand carts
• G06Q 10/00 - Administration; Management

Goods & Services

Downloadable software for use in cart and trolley containment, inventory location tracking, inventory loss prevention solutions, and shoplifting prevention, and for monitoring of the foregoing and for creating downloadable reports related to the foregoing; Downloadable software enabling remote monitoring and remote management of motorized and non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, mobility carts, trolleys and luggage trolleys, computer hardware, product inventory, and technology security solutions for monitoring premises, location, and inventory; Downloadable software for inventory loss prevention and inventory management to help retail operators improve operating margins; Downloadable software used to collect and distribute actionable business intelligence to enhance profitability; Downloadable software for inventory management; Downloadable reports about shopping cart containment, inventory location tracking, shoplifting vulnerabilities, and loss prevention; Downloadable software for providing access to equipment location and status, system performance, user statistics, and reference materials, and preparing reports regarding the foregoing; Computer hardware used for monitoring and mitigating retail store crime and shoplifting; Computer hardware used in the field of asset loss prevention; Computer hardware and downloadable software utilizing AI technology to detect the presence or absence of items in a shopping cart, to detect and prevent theft and shoplifting, to count the number and location of carts in a store, to analyze traffic and location of carts, and to enable monitoring and surveillance at a pay point; Computer hardware and downloadable software for monitoring human behavior for theft prevention; Remote monitoring apparatus, namely, namely, remote monitoring system consisting primarily of a monitor for recording and transmitting footage to a remote location for the purpose of retail store loss prevention; Radio transmitters; Radio transmitters for use with motorized and non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, mobility carts, trolleys, luggage trolleys, and computer hardware at retail store locations for locking, unlocking, and otherwise monitoring and controlling such items; Radio transmitters for use with software systems for controlling theft alarms, sound alarms or security alarms on motorized and nonmotorized land vehicles, carts, shopping carts, trolleys and luggage trolleys, and computer hardware at retail store locations; Electronic security system comprising of electronic components of security systems in the nature of computer hardware, embedded software, transmitters, receivers, and circuitry, for monitoring, tracking, managing, and preventing theft of products, inventory, motorized and non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, mobility carts, trolleys, luggage trolleys, and computer hardware; alarm monitoring systems for use with motorized and non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, trolleys, luggage trolleys, and computer hardware; anti-theft alarms and sensors for mobile assets, except for vehicles; theft alarms, except for vehicles; anti-theft sensors, except for vehicles; computer hardware and computer hardware with embedded software for monitoring, detecting, and tracking the location of mobile assets; security alarm controllers for use with mobile assets; wireless controllers and electronic monitors for monitoring mobile assets; computer hardware and computer hardware with embedded software for estimating the location of mobile assets; electrical and scientific apparatus and devices used for dead reckoning modules for calculating the position of mobile assets, namely, electronic mobile sensors, dead-reckoning positioning accelerometers and magnetometers, and digital signal processors; computer hardware and computer hardware with embedded software for commercial use for monitoring, tracking, managing, and preventing theft of mobile assets; Geofencing apparatus in the nature of electronic fences; Computer operating hardware with embedded software for operating electronic fences; dead reckoning modules for calculating the position of mobile assets; dead-reckoning positioning systems consisting primarily of electronic mobile sensors and digital signal processors for calculating the position of mobile assets; electronic device for tracking and locating mobile assets; RFID tags; RFID readers; Remote controls for operating carts, shopping carts, shopping cart wheels, personal mobility carts, trolleys, luggage trolleys, motors, brakes, vehicles, computers and computer hardware; Sensors for the determination of positions and distances; Wireless controllers to remotely monitor and control the function and status of other electrical, electronic, and mechanical devices or systems, namely, motorized and non-motorized vehicle tracking devices, shopping cart systems, and inventory theft-prevention systems; Computer hardware and computer hardware with embedded computer software for retail inventory management, sold as a unit; Video cameras; Electronic video surveillance products, namely, electronic components of security systems; Security systems and apparatus, namely, electronic video surveillance installations; Downloadable software for providing access to security video footage; Downloadable software for providing access to security video footage for playback and analysis of footage by customers and distributors; Downloadable software for enabling access to live and recorded security video footage; Downloadable software for compiling and storing video footage from security systems, for allowing video playback and analysis of stored video footage, and for compiling, analyzing and storing data collected from security events; Downloadable reports about security data and loss prevention Electronic wheels for non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, trolleys, and luggage trolleys; electronic brakes for non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, trolleys, and luggage trolleys; motorized transportation vehicle for retrieving carts, shopping carts, trolleys, and luggage trolleys; wheels for carts; land vehicle parts, namely, wheels; wheel parts, namely, treads for cart tires; anti-theft system, in the nature of anti-theft devices for vehicles, non-motorized carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, trolleys, and luggage trolleys; brakes for land vehicles, motorized and non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, trolleys, luggage trolleys, and cart wheels; anti-theft locks specially adapted for non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, trolleys, luggage trolleys, and cart wheels; motorized land vehicles for retrieving, monitoring, organizing, or stacking carts, shopping carts, trolleys, and luggage carts; anti-theft systems comprising locking devices for non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, trolleys, luggage trolleys, wheels, and other wheeled vehicles; wireless anti-theft systems in the nature of antitheft alarms for carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; wheels incorporating RFID blocking technology Business consultation in the field of loss prevention; Business consulting services relating to product distribution, operations management services, logistics, inventory management, reverse logistics, supply chain, production systems and distribution solutions; Providing an online computer database for the reporting and tracking of retail goods for business purposes; Monitoring carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts for business purposes; Compilation of statistics for commercial purposes; Providing an online computer database featuring business information and business intelligence regarding the monitoring, controlling, tracking, and managing of security systems and apparatus used in the field of asset loss prevention for business purposes; Business advisory services, consultancy and information; Providing business information via the internet; Business information in the field of loss prevention; Compiling and analyzing statistics, data and other sources of information for business purposes; Business records management; Inventory monitoring of carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and cart retrievers and inventory management; Inventory monitoring of retail store merchandise; Online services, namely, inventory monitoring of carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and cart retrievers; Tracking, locating and monitoring of motorized and non-motorized land vehicles, carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and cart retrievers for commercial purposes; Providing an online portal that provides customer and distributor access to business information regarding equipment status, system performance, usage statistics, and reference material; Monitoring services for business purposes to ascertain the geographic locations of movable objects, namely, motorized and non-motorized land vehicles, carts, shopping carts, trolleys, luggage trolleys, and cart retrievers; Business consulting services, namely, consulting regarding inventory monitoring and management strategies, and theft prevention strategies; Business risk management consultation; Business consultancy and information services Providing online non-downloadable software, for use in cart and trolley containment, inventory location tracking, inventory loss prevention solutions, and shoplifting prevention, and for monitoring of the foregoing, and for creating reports related to the foregoing; Providing online non-downloadable software enabling remote monitoring and remote management of motorized and non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, mobility carts, trolleys and luggage trolleys, computer hardware, product inventory, and technology security solutions for monitoring premises and inventory; Providing online non-downloadable software for inventory management to help retail operators improve operating margins; Providing online non-downloadable software used to collect and distribute actionable business intelligence to enhance profitability; Providing online non-downloadable software used for inventory management and for preparing reports related to cart and trolley containment, inventory location tracking, and shoplifting vulnerabilities; Providing online non-downloadable software used for providing access to equipment location and status, system performance, user statistics, and reference materials, and preparing reports regarding the foregoing; Software as a service (SaaS) services featuring software to monitor shopping cart containment and loss prevention solutions; Software as a service (SaaS) featuring software for providing customer and distributor access to equipment location and status, system performance, user statistics, and reference material; Providing on-line non-downloadable software for tracking and managing equipment and assets; Providing temporary use of on-line non-downloadable cloud-based software for use in connection with GPS rangefinders and electronic satellite tracking systems; Platform as a service (PaaS) featuring computer software platforms for use in database management; Platform as a service (PaaS) featuring computer software platforms for compiling and storing footage from security systems, for allowing playback and analysis of stored footage, for compiling, analyzing and storing data collected from security events and for generating reports related to the foregoing; Computer monitoring service which tracks hardware performance and processes and sends out historical reports and alerts; Providing an interactive website featuring technology that allows users to enter, access, and synthesize information and generate reports; Electronic monitoring and reporting of retail stores and loss prevention using computers or sensors; Installation, maintenance and repair of cart and trolley containment software systems; Installation, maintenance and repair of cart and trolley retrieval software systems; Installation, maintenance and repair of loss prevention software systems; Installation, maintenance and repair of computer software systems for controlling theft alarms, sound alarms or security alarms; Providing technical support, namely, technical advice concerning the installation, repair and maintenance of cart and trolley containment software systems; Providing technical support, namely, technical advice concerning the installation, repair and maintenance of cart and trolley retrieval software systems; Providing technical support, namely, technical advice concerning the installation, repair and maintenance of loss prevention software systems; Providing technical support, namely, technical advice concerning the installation, repair and maintenance of software systems for controlling theft alarms, sound alarms or security alarms; Design of inventory management and theft prevention technology systems and layout; Architectural design, namely, designing the layout of computer hardware, wiring, and technology systems for cart and trolley containment, and shoplifting prevention; Software as a service (SAAS) services featuring software utilizing AI technology to detect the presence or absence of items in a shopping cart, to detect and prevent theft and shoplifting, to count the number and location of carts in a store, to analyze traffic and location of carts, and to enable monitoring and surveillance at a pay point; Providing online non-downloadable software for providing access to security video footage; Providing online non-downloadable software for providing access to security video footage for playback and analysis of footage by customers and distributors; Providing online non-downloadable software for enabling access to live and recorded security video footage; Platform as a service (PaaS) featuring computer software platforms for compiling and storing video footage from security systems, for allowing video playback and analysis of stored video footage, for compiling, analyzing and storing data collected from security events and for generating reports related to the foregoing; Providing a web-based on-line portal featuring technology that provides customer and distributor access to equipment location and status, system performance, usage statistics, and reference materials Monitoring of security alarm systems; Providing security surveillance of premises of others; Security threat analysis for protecting personal and business property; Providing security surveillance of premises for businesses; Surveillance services; Physical security consulting for businesses, retail stores and supermarkets; Physical security consulting for theft prevention and loss prevention purposes; Providing a website featuring surveillance information on business asset and physical property security and physical security for theft prevention and loss prevention purposes; Surveillance services, namely, retail security monitoring services for loss prevention purposes using sensors, cameras, GPS tracking, and motion detectors

Goods & Services

Downloadable software for use in cart and trolley containment, inventory location tracking, inventory loss prevention solutions, and shoplifting prevention, and for monitoring of the foregoing and for creating downloadable reports related to the foregoing; Downloadable software enabling remote monitoring and remote management of motorized and non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, mobility carts, trolleys and luggage trolleys, computer hardware, product inventory, and technology security solutions for monitoring premises, location, and inventory; Downloadable software for inventory loss prevention and inventory management to help retail operators improve operating margins; Downloadable software used to collect and distribute actionable business intelligence to enhance profitability; Downloadable software for inventory management; Downloadable reports about shopping cart containment, inventory location tracking, shoplifting vulnerabilities, and loss prevention; Downloadable software for providing access to equipment location and status, system performance, user statistics, and reference materials, and preparing reports regarding the foregoing; Computer hardware used for monitoring and mitigating retail store crime and shoplifting; Computer hardware used in the field of asset loss prevention; Computer hardware and downloadable software utilizing AI technology to detect the presence or absence of items in a shopping cart, to detect and prevent theft and shoplifting, to count the number and location of carts in a store, to analyze traffic and location of carts, and to enable monitoring and surveillance at a pay point; Computer hardware and downloadable software for monitoring human behavior for theft prevention; Remote monitoring apparatus, namely, namely, remote monitoring system consisting primarily of a monitor for recording and transmitting footage to a remote location for the purpose of retail store loss prevention; Radio transmitters; Radio transmitters for use with motorized and non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, mobility carts, trolleys, luggage trolleys, and computer hardware at retail store locations for locking, unlocking, and otherwise monitoring and controlling such items; Radio transmitters for use with software systems for controlling theft alarms, sound alarms or security alarms on motorized and nonmotorized land vehicles, carts, shopping carts, trolleys and luggage trolleys, and computer hardware at retail store locations; Electronic security system comprising of electronic components of security systems in the nature of computer hardware, embedded software, transmitters, receivers, and circuitry, for monitoring, tracking, managing, and preventing theft of products, inventory, motorized and non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, mobility carts, trolleys, luggage trolleys, and computer hardware; alarm monitoring systems for use with motorized and non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, trolleys, luggage trolleys, and computer hardware; anti-theft alarms and sensors for mobile assets, except for vehicles; theft alarms, except for vehicles; anti-theft sensors, except for vehicles; computer hardware and computer hardware with embedded software for monitoring, detecting, and tracking the location of mobile assets; security alarm controllers for use with mobile assets; wireless controllers and electronic monitors for monitoring mobile assets; computer hardware and computer hardware with embedded software for estimating the location of mobile assets; electrical and scientific apparatus and devices used for dead reckoning modules for calculating the position of mobile assets, namely, electronic mobile sensors, dead-reckoning positioning accelerometers and magnetometers, and digital signal processors; computer hardware and computer hardware with embedded software for commercial use for monitoring, tracking, managing, and preventing theft of mobile assets; Geofencing apparatus in the nature of electronic fences; Computer operating hardware with embedded software for operating electronic fences; dead reckoning modules for calculating the position of mobile assets; dead-reckoning positioning systems consisting primarily of electronic mobile sensors and digital signal processors for calculating the position of mobile assets; electronic device for tracking and locating mobile assets; RFID tags; RFID readers; Remote controls for operating carts, shopping carts, shopping cart wheels, personal mobility carts, trolleys, luggage trolleys, motors, brakes, vehicles, computers and computer hardware; Sensors for the determination of positions and distances; Wireless controllers to remotely monitor and control the function and status of other electrical, electronic, and mechanical devices or systems, namely, motorized and non-motorized vehicle tracking devices, shopping cart systems, and inventory theft-prevention systems; Computer hardware and computer hardware with embedded computer software for retail inventory management, sold as a unit; Video cameras; Electronic video surveillance products, namely, electronic components of security systems; Security systems and apparatus, namely, electronic video surveillance installations; Downloadable software for providing access to security video footage; Downloadable software for providing access to security video footage for playback and analysis of footage by customers and distributors; Downloadable software for enabling access to live and recorded security video footage; Downloadable software for compiling and storing video footage from security systems, for allowing video playback and analysis of stored video footage, and for compiling, analyzing and storing data collected from security events; Downloadable reports about security data and loss prevention Electronic wheels for non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, trolleys, and luggage trolleys; electronic brakes for non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, trolleys, and luggage trolleys; motorized transportation vehicle for retrieving carts, shopping carts, trolleys, and luggage trolleys; wheels for carts; land vehicle parts, namely, wheels; wheel parts, namely, treads for cart tires; anti-theft system, in the nature of anti-theft devices for vehicles, non-motorized carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, trolleys, and luggage trolleys; brakes for land vehicles, motorized and non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, trolleys, luggage trolleys, and cart wheels; anti-theft locks specially adapted for non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, trolleys, luggage trolleys, and cart wheels; motorized land vehicles for retrieving, monitoring, organizing, or stacking carts, shopping carts, trolleys, and luggage carts; anti-theft systems comprising locking devices for non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, trolleys, luggage trolleys, wheels, and other wheeled vehicles; wireless anti-theft systems in the nature of antitheft alarms for carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; wheels incorporating RFID blocking technology Business consultation in the field of loss prevention; Business consulting services relating to product distribution, operations management services, logistics, inventory management, reverse logistics, supply chain, production systems and distribution solutions; Providing an online computer database for the reporting and tracking of retail goods for business purposes; Monitoring carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts for business purposes; Compilation of statistics for commercial purposes; Providing an online computer database featuring business information and business intelligence regarding the monitoring, controlling, tracking, and managing of security systems and apparatus used in the field of asset loss prevention for business purposes; Business advisory services, consultancy and information; Providing business information via the internet; Business information in the field of loss prevention; Compiling and analyzing statistics, data and other sources of information for business purposes; Business records management; Inventory monitoring of carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and cart retrievers and inventory management; Inventory monitoring of retail store merchandise; Online services, namely, inventory monitoring of carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and cart retrievers; Tracking, locating and monitoring of motorized and non-motorized land vehicles, carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and cart retrievers for commercial purposes; Providing an online portal that provides customer and distributor access to business information regarding equipment status, system performance, usage statistics, and reference material; Monitoring services for business purposes to ascertain the geographic locations of movable objects, namely, motorized and non-motorized land vehicles, carts, shopping carts, trolleys, luggage trolleys, and cart retrievers; Business consulting services, namely, consulting regarding inventory monitoring and management strategies, and theft prevention strategies; Business risk management consultation; Business consultancy and information services Providing online non-downloadable software, for use in cart and trolley containment, inventory location tracking, inventory loss prevention solutions, and shoplifting prevention, and for monitoring of the foregoing, and for creating reports related to the foregoing; Providing online non-downloadable software enabling remote monitoring and remote management of motorized and non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, mobility carts, trolleys and luggage trolleys, computer hardware, product inventory, and technology security solutions for monitoring premises and inventory; Providing online non-downloadable software for inventory management to help retail operators improve operating margins; Providing online non-downloadable software used to collect and distribute actionable business intelligence to enhance profitability; Providing online non-downloadable software used for inventory management and for preparing reports related to cart and trolley containment, inventory location tracking, and shoplifting vulnerabilities; Providing online non-downloadable software used for providing access to equipment location and status, system performance, user statistics, and reference materials, and preparing reports regarding the foregoing; Software as a service (SaaS) services featuring software to monitor shopping cart containment and loss prevention solutions; Software as a service (SaaS) featuring software for providing customer and distributor access to equipment location and status, system performance, user statistics, and reference material; Providing on-line non-downloadable software for tracking and managing equipment and assets; Providing temporary use of on-line non-downloadable cloud-based software for use in connection with GPS rangefinders and electronic satellite tracking systems; Platform as a service (PaaS) featuring computer software platforms for use in database management; Platform as a service (PaaS) featuring computer software platforms for compiling and storing footage from security systems, for allowing playback and analysis of stored footage, for compiling, analyzing and storing data collected from security events and for generating reports related to the foregoing; Computer monitoring service which tracks hardware performance and processes and sends out historical reports and alerts; Providing an interactive website featuring technology that allows users to enter, access, and synthesize information and generate reports; Electronic monitoring and reporting of retail stores and loss prevention using computers or sensors; Installation, maintenance and repair of cart and trolley containment software systems; Installation, maintenance and repair of cart and trolley retrieval software systems; Installation, maintenance and repair of loss prevention software systems; Installation, maintenance and repair of computer software systems for controlling theft alarms, sound alarms or security alarms; Providing technical support, namely, technical advice concerning the installation, repair and maintenance of cart and trolley containment software systems; Providing technical support, namely, technical advice concerning the installation, repair and maintenance of cart and trolley retrieval software systems; Providing technical support, namely, technical advice concerning the installation, repair and maintenance of loss prevention software systems; Providing technical support, namely, technical advice concerning the installation, repair and maintenance of software systems for controlling theft alarms, sound alarms or security alarms; Design of inventory management and theft prevention technology systems and layout; Architectural design, namely, designing the layout of computer hardware, wiring, and technology systems for cart and trolley containment, and shoplifting prevention; Software as a service (SAAS) services featuring software utilizing AI technology to detect the presence or absence of items in a shopping cart, to detect and prevent theft and shoplifting, to count the number and location of carts in a store, to analyze traffic and location of carts, and to enable monitoring and surveillance at a pay point; Providing online non-downloadable software for providing access to security video footage; Providing online non-downloadable software for providing access to security video footage for playback and analysis of footage by customers and distributors; Providing online non-downloadable software for enabling access to live and recorded security video footage; Platform as a service (PaaS) featuring computer software platforms for compiling and storing video footage from security systems, for allowing video playback and analysis of stored video footage, for compiling, analyzing and storing data collected from security events and for generating reports related to the foregoing; Providing a web-based on-line portal featuring technology that provides customer and distributor access to equipment location and status, system performance, usage statistics, and reference materials

Goods & Services

(1) Downloadable software, including software for use in shopping cart containment and loss prevention solutions; Downloadable mobile application; Downloadable software enabling remote monitoring and management; Downloadable software to help retail operators improve operating margins; Downloadable software used to collect and distribute actionable business intelligence to enhance profitability; Downloadable computer software to monitor shopping cart containment and loss prevention solutions; Downloadable software for providing customer and distributor access to equipment location and status, system performance, user statistics, and reference materials; Downloadable mobile application enabling remote monitoring and management; Downloadable mobile application to help retail operators improve operating margins; Downloadable mobile application used to collect and distribute actionable business intelligence to enhance profitability; Downloadable mobile application to monitor shopping cart containment and loss prevention solutions; Downloadable mobile application for providing customer and distributor access to equipment location and status, system performance, user statistics, and reference material; Security systems and apparatus; Security systems and apparatus used for mitigating retail store crime; Security systems and apparatus used in the field of asset loss prevention; Security systems and apparatus, including software for monitoring human behavior for theft prevention; Downloadable software providing access to security video footage; Downloadable software providing access to security video footage for playback and analysis of footage by customers and distributors; Downloadable software enabling access to live and recorded security video footage; Downloadable software for compiling and storing video footage from security systems, for allowing video playback and analysis of stored video footage, and for compiling, analyzing and storing data collected from security events; Downloadable reports about security data and loss prevention. (1) Providing a web-based on-line portal that provides customer and distributor access to equipment location and status, system performance, usage statistics, and reference materials; Business consultation in the field of loss prevention; Business consulting services relating to product distribution, operations management services, logistics, reverse logistics, supply chain, and production systems and distribution solutions; Providing an online computer database for the reporting and tracking of retail goods for business purposes; Monitoring services for loss prevention purposes; Compilation of statistics for commercial purposes; Providing an online database to monitor, control, track, and manage security systems and apparatus used in field or asset loss prevention; Business advisory services, consultancy and information; Providing business information via the internet; Business information in the field of loss prevention; Compiling and analyzing statistics, data and other sources of information for business purposes; Business records management; Inventory monitoring and management; Online services, namely, inventory monitoring carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and cart retrievers; Tracking, locating and monitoring of motorized and nonmotorized land vehicles, carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and cart retrievers for commercial purposes. (2) Online non-downloadable software, including software for use in shopping cart containment and loss prevention solutions; Online non-downloadable software enabling remote monitoring and management; Online non-downloadable software to help retail operators improve operating margins; Online non-downloadable software used to collect and distribute actionable business intelligence to enhance profitability; Software as a service (SaaS) services featuring software to monitor shopping cart containment and loss prevention solutions; Computer services, namely, providing software as a service (SaaS) featuring software for providing customer and distributor access to equipment location and status, system performance, user statistics, and reference material; Providing on-line non-downloadable software for tracking and managing equipment and assets; Providing temporary use of on-line non-downloadable cloud-based software for use in connection with GPS rangefinders and electronic satellite tracking systems; Online non-downloadable software providing access to security video footage; Online non-downloadable software providing access to security video footage for playback and analysis of footage by customers and distributors; Online non-downloadable software enabling access to live and recorded security video footage; Platform as a service (PaaS) featuring computer software platforms for use in database management; Platform as a service (PaaS) featuring computer software platforms for compiling and storing video footage from security systems, for allowing video playback and analysis of stored video footage, for compiling, analyzing and storing data collected from security events and for generating reports related to the foregoing; Computer monitoring service which tracks hardware performance and processes and sends out historical reports and alerts; Providing an interactive website featuring technology that allows users to enter, access, and synthesize information and generate reports for use in consulting with executives and businesses; Electronic monitoring and reporting of retail stores and loss prevention using computers or sensors.

Goods & Services

Downloadable software, including software for use in shopping cart containment and loss prevention solutions; Downloadable mobile application; Downloadable software enabling remote monitoring and management; Downloadable software to help retail operators improve operating margins; Downloadable software used to collect and distribute actionable business intelligence to enhance profitability; Downloadable computer software to monitor shopping cart containment and loss prevention solutions; Downloadable software for providing customer and distributor access to equipment location and status, system performance, user statistics, and reference materials; Downloadable mobile application enabling remote monitoring and management; Downloadable mobile application to help retail operators improve operating margins; Downloadable mobile application used to collect and distribute actionable business intelligence to enhance profitability; Downloadable mobile application to monitor shopping cart containment and loss prevention solutions; Downloadable mobile application for providing customer and distributor access to equipment location and status, system performance, user statistics, and reference material; Security systems and apparatus; Security systems and apparatus used for mitigating retail store crime; Security systems and apparatus used in the field of asset loss prevention; Security systems and apparatus, including software for monitoring human behavior for theft prevention; Downloadable software providing access to security video footage; Downloadable software providing access to security video footage for playback and analysis of footage by customers and distributors; Downloadable software enabling access to live and recorded security video footage; Downloadable software for compiling and storing video footage from security systems, for allowing video playback and analysis of stored video footage, and for compiling, analyzing and storing data collected from security events; Downloadable reports about security data and loss prevention. Providing a web-based on-line portal that provides customer and distributor access to equipment location and status, system performance, usage statistics, and reference materials; Business consultation in the field of loss prevention; Business consulting services relating to product distribution, operations management services, logistics, reverse logistics, supply chain, and production systems and distribution solutions; Providing an online computer database for the reporting and tracking of retail goods for business purposes; Monitoring services for loss prevention purposes; Compilation of statistics for commercial purposes; Providing an online database to monitor, control, track, and manage security systems and apparatus used in field or asset loss prevention; Business advisory services, consultancy and information; Providing business information via the internet; Business information in the field of loss prevention; Compiling and analyzing statistics, data and other sources of information for business purposes; Business records management; Inventory monitoring and management; Online services, namely, inventory monitoring carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and cart retrievers; Tracking, locating and monitoring of motorized and nonmotorized land vehicles, carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and cart retrievers for commercial purposes. Online non-downloadable software, including software for use in shopping cart containment and loss prevention solutions; Online non-downloadable software enabling remote monitoring and management; Online non-downloadable software to help retail operators improve operating margins; Online nondownloadable software used to collect and distribute actionable business intelligence to enhance profitability; Software as a service (SaaS) services featuring software to monitor shopping cart containment and loss prevention solutions; Computer services, namely, providing software as a service (SaaS) featuring software for providing customer and distributor access to equipment location and status, system performance, user statistics, and reference material; Providing on-line non-downloadable software for tracking and managing equipment and assets; Providing temporary use of on-line nondownloadable cloud-based software for use in connection with GPS rangefinders and electronic satellite tracking systems; Online non-downloadable software providing access to security video footage; Online non-downloadable software providing access to security video footage for playback and analysis of footage by customers and distributors; Online non-downloadable software enabling access to live and recorded security video footage; Platform as a service (PaaS) featuring computer software platforms for use in database management; Platform as a service (PaaS) featuring computer software platforms for compiling and storing video footage from security systems, for allowing video playback and analysis of stored video footage, for compiling, analyzing and storing data collected from security events and for generating reports related to the foregoing; Computer monitoring service which tracks hardware performance and processes and sends out historical reports and alerts; Providing an interactive website featuring technology that allows users to enter, access, and synthesize information and generate reports for use in consulting with executives and businesses; Electronic monitoring and reporting of retail stores and loss prevention using computers or sensors.

Goods & Services

Downloadable software for use in cart and trolley containment, inventory location tracking, inventory loss prevention solutions, and shoplifting prevention, and for monitoring of the foregoing and for creating downloadable reports related to the foregoing; Downloadable software enabling remote monitoring and remote management of motorized and non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, mobility carts, trolleys and luggage trolleys, computer hardware, product inventory, and technology security solutions for monitoring premises, location, and inventory; Downloadable software to help retail operators improve operating margins; Downloadable software used to collect and distribute actionable business intelligence to enhance profitability; Downloadable software for inventory management; Downloadable reports about shopping cart containment, inventory location tracking, shoplifting vulnerabilities, and loss prevention; Downloadable software for providing access to equipment location and status, system performance, user statistics, and reference materials, and preparing reports regarding the foregoing; Computer hardware used for monitoring and mitigating retail store crime and shoplifting; Computer hardware used in the field of asset loss prevention; Computer hardware and downloadable software utilizing AI technology to detect the presence or absence of items in a shopping cart, to detect and prevent theft and shoplifting, to count the number and location of carts in a store, to analyze traffic and location of carts, and to enable monitoring and surveillance at a pay point; Computer hardware and downloadable software for monitoring human behavior for theft prevention; Remote monitoring apparatus, namely, remote video monitoring system consisting primarily of a camera and video monitor for recording and transmitting images to a remote location; Radio transmitters; Radio transmitters for use with motorized and non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, mobility carts, trolleys, luggage trolleys, and computer hardware at retail store locations for locking, unlocking, and otherwise monitoring and controlling such items; Radio transmitters for use with software systems for controlling theft alarms, sound alarms or security alarms on motorized and non-motorized land vehicles, carts, shopping carts, trolleys and luggage trolleys, and computer hardware at retail store locations; Electronic security system comprising computer hardware, embedded software, transmitters, receivers, and circuitry, for monitoring, tracking, managing, and preventing theft of products, inventory, motorized and non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, mobility carts, trolleys, luggage trolleys, and computer hardware; alarm monitoring systems for use with motorized and non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, trolleys, luggage trolleys, and computer hardware; anti-theft alarms and alarm sensors for mobile assets, except for vehicles; theft alarms, except for vehicles; anti-theft alarm sensors, except for vehicles; computer hardware and computer hardware with embedded software for monitoring, detecting, and tracking the location of mobile assets; security alarm controllers for use with mobile assets; wireless controllers and electronic monitors for monitoring mobile assets; computer hardware and computer hardware with embedded software for estimating the location of mobile assets; electrical and scientific apparatus and devices used for dead reckoning modules for calculating the position of mobile assets, namely, electronic mobile sensors, dead-reckoning positioning accelerometers and magnetometers, and digital signal processors; computer hardware and computer hardware with embedded software for commercial use for monitoring, tracking, managing, and preventing theft of mobile assets; Geofencing apparatus in the nature of electronic fences; Computer operating hardware and computer operating hardware with embedded software for electronic fences; dead reckoning modules for calculating the position of mobile assets; dead-reckoning positioning systems consisting primarily of electronic mobile sensors and digital signal processors for calculating the position of mobile assets; electronic device for tracking and locating mobile assets; RFID tags; RFID readers; Remote controls for operating carts, shopping carts, shopping cart wheels, personal mobility carts, trolleys, luggage trolleys, motors, brakes, vehicles, computers and computer hardware; Sensors for the determination of positions and distances; Wireless controllers to remotely monitor and control the function and status of other electrical, electronic, and mechanical devices or systems, namely, motorized and non-motorized vehicle tracking devices, shopping cart systems, and inventory theft-prevention systems; Computer hardware and computer hardware with embedded computer software for retail inventory management, sold as a unit Electronic wheels for non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, trolleys, and luggage trolleys; electronic brakes for non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, trolleys, and luggage trolleys; motorized transportation vehicle for retrieving carts, shopping carts, trolleys, and luggage trolleys; wheels for carts; land vehicle parts, namely, wheels; wheel parts, namely, treads for carts; anti-theft system, in the nature of anti-theft devices for vehicles, non-motorized carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, trolleys, luggage trolleys; brakes for land vehicles, motorized and non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, trolleys, luggage trolleys, and cart wheels; anti-theft locks specially adapted for motorized and non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, trolleys, luggage trolleys, and cart wheels; motorized vehicles for retrieving, monitoring, organizing, or stacking carts, shopping carts, trolleys, and luggage carts; anti-theft systems comprising locking devices for non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, trolleys, luggage trolleys, wheels, and other wheeled vehicles; wireless anti-theft installations and alarms for carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; wheels incorporating RFID blocking technology Business consultation in the field of loss prevention; Business consulting services relating to product distribution, operations management services, logistics, inventory management, reverse logistics, supply chain, production systems and distribution solutions; Compilation of statistics for commercial purposes; Business advisory services, consultancy and information; Providing business information via the internet; Business information in the field of loss prevention; Compiling and analyzing statistics, data and other sources of information for business purposes; Business records management; Inventory monitoring and management for mobile assets; Online services, namely, inventory monitoring of carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and cart retrievers; Tracking, locating and monitoring of motorized and non-motorized land vehicles, carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and cart retrievers for commercial purposes; Providing a website for customers and distributors featuring business information regarding equipment status, system performance, usage statistics, and reference material; Monitoring services for business purposes to ascertain the geographic locations of movable objects, namely, motorized and non-motorized land vehicles, carts, shopping carts, trolleys, luggage trolleys, and cart retrievers; Business consulting services, namely, consulting regarding inventory monitoring and management strategies, and theft prevention strategies; Business risk management consultation; Business consultancy and information services Online non-downloadable software, for use in cart and trolley containment, inventory location tracking, inventory loss prevention solutions, and shoplifting prevention, and for monitoring of the foregoing, and for creating reports related to the foregoing; Online non-downloadable software enabling remote monitoring and remote management of motorized and non-motorized vehicles, carts, shopping carts, mobility carts, trolleys and luggage trolleys, computer hardware, product inventory, and technology security solutions for monitoring premises and inventory; Online non-downloadable software to help retail operators improve operating margins; Online non-downloadable software used to collect and distribute actionable business intelligence to enhance profitability; Online non-downloadable software used for inventory management and for preparing reports related to cart and trolley containment, inventory location tracking, and shoplifting vulnerabilities; Online non-downloadable software used for providing access to equipment location and status, system performance, user statistics, and reference materials, and preparing reports regarding the foregoing; Software as a service (SaaS) services featuring software to monitor shopping cart containment and loss prevention solutions; Software as a service (SaaS) featuring software for providing customer and distributor access to equipment location and status, system performance, user statistics, and reference material; Providing on-line non-downloadable software for tracking and managing equipment and assets; Platform as a service (PaaS) featuring computer software platforms for use in database management; Platform as a service (PaaS) featuring computer software platforms for compiling and storing footage from security systems, for allowing playback and analysis of stored footage, for compiling, analyzing and storing data collected from security events and for generating reports related to the foregoing; Computer monitoring service which tracks hardware performance and processes and sends out historical reports and alerts; Providing an interactive website featuring technology that allows users to enter, access, and synthesize information and generate reports; Electronic monitoring and reporting of retail stores and loss prevention using computers or sensors; Installation, maintenance and repair of cart and trolley containment software systems; Installation, maintenance and repair of cart and trolley retrieval software systems; Installation, maintenance and repair of loss prevention software systems; Installation, maintenance and repair of computer software systems for controlling theft alarms, sound alarms or security alarms; Providing technical support, namely, technical advice concerning the installation, repair and maintenance of cart and trolley containment software systems; Providing technical support, namely, technical advice concerning the installation, repair and maintenance of cart and trolley retrieval software systems; Providing technical support, namely, technical advice concerning the installation, repair and maintenance of loss prevention software systems; Providing technical support, namely, technical advice concerning the installation, repair and maintenance of software systems for controlling theft alarms, sound alarms or security alarms; Design of inventory management and theft prevention technology systems and layout; Architectural design, namely, designing the layout of computer hardware, wiring, and technology systems for cart and trolley containment, and shoplifting prevention; Software as a service (SAAS) services featuring software utilizing AI technology to detect the presence or absence of items in a shopping cart, to detect and prevent theft and shoplifting, to count the number and location of carts in a store, to analyze traffic and location of carts, and to enable monitoring and surveillance at a pay point; Providing a web-based on-line portal featuring technology that provides customer and distributor access to equipment location and status, system performance, usage statistics, and reference materials; Providing a website featuring technology that enables users to report and track retail goods for business purposes; Providing a website featuring technology allowing users to monitor, control, track, and manage security systems and apparatus used in field of asset loss prevention; Computer security consulting for businesses, retail stores and supermarkets; Electronic monitoring of business property and inventory using computers for security purposes to protect against theft Monitoring of security alarm systems; Providing security surveillance of premises of others; Security threat analysis for protecting personal and business property; Providing security surveillance of premises for businesses; Surveillance services; Physical security consulting for businesses, retail stores and supermarkets; Physical security consultation for theft and loss prevention purposes; Providing a website featuring information on business building and physical property security and physical security for theft prevention and loss prevention purposes; Physical security advisory and consultancy services for loss prevention services; Retail security monitoring services for loss prevention purposes using sensors, cameras, GPS tracking, and motion detectors

Abstract

Examples of systems and methods for locating movable objects such as carts (e.g., shopping carts) are disclosed. Such systems and methods can use dead reckoning techniques to estimate the current position of the movable object. Various techniques for improving accuracy of position estimates are disclosed, including compensation for various error sources involving the use of magnetometer and accelerometer, and using vibration analysis to derive wheel rotation rates. Various techniques utilize characteristics of the operating environment in conjunction with or in lieu of dead reckoning techniques, including characteristic of environment such as ground texture, availability of signals from radio frequency (RF) transmitters including precision fix sources. Navigation techniques can include navigation history and backtracking, motion direction detection for dual swivel casters, use of gyroscopes, determining cart weight, multi-level navigation, multi-level magnetic measurements, use of lighting signatures, use of multiple navigation systems, or hard/soft iron compensation for different cart configurations.

IPC Classes  ?

• B62B 3/14 - Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor characterised by provisions for nesting or stacking, e.g. shopping trolleys
• G01P 15/08 - Measuring acceleration; Measuring deceleration; Measuring shock, i.e. sudden change of acceleration by making use of inertia forces with conversion into electric or magnetic values
• G01C 21/16 - Navigation; Navigational instruments not provided for in groups by using measurement of speed or acceleration executed aboard the object being navigated; Dead reckoning by integrating acceleration or speed, i.e. inertial navigation
• G01R 33/07 - Hall-effect devices
• G08B 13/16 - Actuation by interference with mechanical vibrations in air or other fluid
• G08B 13/14 - Mechanical actuation by lifting or attempted removal of hand-portable articles
• B62B 5/04 - Braking mechanisms; Locking devices against movement
• G01C 21/20 - Instruments for performing navigational calculations
• B62B 5/00 - Accessories or details specially adapted for hand carts

Abstract

A system for monitoring shopping carts uses cameras to generate images of the carts moving in a store. In some implementations, cameras may additionally or alternatively be mounted to the shopping carts and configured to image cart contents. The system may use the collected image data, and/or other types of sensor data (such as the store location at which an item was added to the basket), to classify items detected in the shopping carts. For example, a trained machine learning model may classify item in a cart as “non-merchandise,” “high theft risk merchandise,” “electronics merchandise,” etc. When a shopping cart approaches a store exit without any indication of an associated payment transaction, the system may use the associated item classification data, optionally in combination with other data such as cart path data, to determine whether to execute an anti-theft action, such as locking a cart wheel or activating a store alarm. The system may also compare the classifications of cart contents to payment transaction records (or summaries thereof) to, e.g., detect underpayment events.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06T 7/20 - Analysis of motion
• H04N 7/18 - Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast
• G06N 20/00 - Machine learning
• B62B 5/04 - Braking mechanisms; Locking devices against movement
• G06Q 20/40 - Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check of credit lines or negative lists
• G06K 9/62 - Methods or arrangements for recognition using electronic means
• G06K 9/00 - Methods or arrangements for reading or recognising printed or written characters or for recognising patterns, e.g. fingerprints
• G06Q 20/20 - Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• H04N 5/225 - Television cameras

Abstract

A system for monitoring shopping carts uses cameras to generate images of the carts moving in a store. In some implementations, cameras may additionally or alternatively be mounted to the shopping carts and configured to image cart contents. The system may use the collected image data, and/or other types of sensor data (such as the store location at which an item was added to the basket), to classify items detected in the shopping carts. For example, a trained machine learning model may classify item in a cart as "non-merchandise," "high theft risk merchandise," "electronics merchandise," etc. When a shopping cart approaches a store exit without any indication of an associated payment transaction, the system may use the associated item classification data, optionally in combination with other data such as cart path data, to determine whether to execute an anti-theft action, such as locking a cart wheel or activating an alarm.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06K 9/00 - Methods or arrangements for reading or recognising printed or written characters or for recognising patterns, e.g. fingerprints
• H04N 5/225 - Television cameras

Abstract

A system for monitoring shopping carts uses cameras to generate images of the carts moving in a store. In some implementations, cameras may additionally or alternatively be mounted to the shopping carts and configured to image cart contents. The system may use the collected image data, and/or other types of sensor data (such as the store location at which an item was added to the basket), to classify items detected in the shopping carts. For example, a trained machine learning model may classify item in a cart as "non-merchandise," "high theft risk merchandise," "electronics merchandise," etc. When a shopping cart approaches a store exit without any indication of an associated payment transaction, the system may use the associated item classification data, optionally in combination with other data such as cart path data, to determine whether to execute an anti-theft action, such as locking a cart wheel or activating an alarm.

IPC Classes  ?

• G08B 13/196 - Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems using image scanning and comparing systems using television cameras
• G06V 10/764 - Arrangements for image or video recognition or understanding using pattern recognition or machine learning using classification, e.g. of video objects
• G06V 20/52 - Surveillance or monitoring of activities, e.g. for recognising suspicious objects
• H04N 23/60 - Control of cameras or camera modules
• G08G 99/00 - Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass

Abstract

A system for monitoring shopping carts uses cameras to generate images of the carts moving in a store. In some implementations, cameras may additionally or alternatively be mounted to the shopping carts and configured to image cart contents. The system may use the collected image data, and/or other types of sensor data (such as the store location at which an item was added to the basket), to classify items detected in the shopping carts. For example, a trained machine learning model may classify item in a cart as “non-merchandise,” “high theft risk merchandise,” “electronics merchandise,” etc. When a shopping cart approaches a store exit without any indication of an associated payment transaction, the system may use the associated item classification data, optionally in combination with other data such as cart path data, to determine whether to execute an anti-theft action, such as locking a cart wheel or activating a store alarm. The system may also compare the classifications of cart contents to payment transaction records (or summaries thereof) to, e.g., detect underpayment events.

IPC Classes  ?

• B62B 5/04 - Braking mechanisms; Locking devices against movement
• G06Q 20/40 - Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check of credit lines or negative lists
• G06N 20/00 - Machine learning
• G06K 9/62 - Methods or arrangements for recognition using electronic means
• G06K 9/00 - Methods or arrangements for reading or recognising printed or written characters or for recognising patterns, e.g. fingerprints
• G06Q 20/20 - Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• G06T 7/20 - Analysis of motion
• H04N 5/225 - Television cameras
• H04N 7/18 - Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast

Abstract

A self-leveling caster assembly includes a caster frame and a castor fork which is configured to pivot relative to the caster frame. A spring or other biasing mechanism biases the caster fork away from the caster frame, to maintain contact between the ground and a wheel supported by the caster fork along a travel range of the wheel. Even if a frame supporting the self-leveling caster assembly is bent, pulling the wheel away from the ground, the biased caster fork will maintain contact between the ground and the wheel, allowing continued use of a shopping cart or other wheeled apparatus including the self-leveling caster assembly.

IPC Classes  ?

• B60B 33/04 - Castors in general adjustable
• B60B 33/00 - Castors in general

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A self-leveling caster assembly includes a caster frame and a castor fork which is configured to pivot relative to the caster frame. A spring or other biasing mechanism biases the caster fork away from the caster frame, to maintain contact between the ground and a wheel supported by the caster fork along a travel range of the wheel. Even if a frame supporting the self-leveling caster assembly is bent, pulling the wheel away from the ground, the biased caster fork will maintain contact between the ground and the wheel, allowing continued use of a shopping cart or other wheeled apparatus including the self- leveling caster assembly. Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-22

IPC Classes  ?

• B60B 33/00 - Castors in general

Abstract

A system for monitoring and controlling shopping cart usage comprises a wheel assembly that attaches to a shopping cart. The wheel assembly includes a wheel, a brake that can be activated to inhibit rotation of the wheel, a controller that controls the brake, a VLF receiver, and an RF transceiver. The RF transceiver may, for example, operate in a 2.4 GHz frequency band. In some implementations, the RF transceiver may be used to detect entry of the shopping cart into a checkout area of the store, and the VLF receiver may be used to detect that the shopping cart is exiting the store. The controller may activate the brake if the shopping cart attempts to exit the store without first passing through a checkout area.

IPC Classes  ?

• B62B 5/04 - Braking mechanisms; Locking devices against movement
• B62B 3/14 - Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor characterised by provisions for nesting or stacking, e.g. shopping trolleys
• B62B 5/00 - Accessories or details specially adapted for hand carts
• H04W 4/024 - Guidance services
• G08B 13/24 - Electrical actuation by interference with electromagnetic field distribution
• B60K 25/08 - Auxiliary drives from a ground wheel, e.g. engaging the wheel tread or rim
• B60T 7/18 - Brake-action initiating means for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger operated by remote control, i.e. initiating means not mounted on vehicle operated by wayside apparatus
• G01C 21/00 - Navigation; Navigational instruments not provided for in groups
• G01C 21/12 - Navigation; Navigational instruments not provided for in groups by using measurement of speed or acceleration executed aboard the object being navigated; Dead reckoning
• G06Q 10/08 - Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• G08G 1/00 - Traffic control systems for road vehicles
• H02K 7/18 - Structural association of electric generators with mechanical driving motors, e.g.with turbines
• H04W 4/029 - Location-based management or tracking services
• A47F 10/04 - Furniture or installations specially adapted to particular types of service systems, not otherwise provided for for self-service type systems, e.g. supermarkets for storing or handling self-service hand-carts or baskets
• B60T 7/16 - Brake-action initiating means for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger operated by remote control, i.e. initiating means not mounted on vehicle
• G01C 21/20 - Instruments for performing navigational calculations
• G06K 7/10 - Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by corpuscular radiation

Goods & Services

(1) Monitoring of security alarm systems; providing security surveillance of premises of others; security threat analysis for protecting personal and business property; providing security surveillance of premises for businesses; surveillance services; security consulting for businesses, retail stores and supermarkets; theft prevention and loss prevention consultation; providing a website featuring information on business security, theft prevention, and loss prevention; monitoring of computer systems for security purposes to protect against theft of business property and inventory; loss prevention advisory and consultancy services. (2) Video camera surveillance; Forensic analysis of surveillance video for fraud and theft prevention purposes.

Abstract

Examples of systems and methods for calibrating or operating a magnetic sensor for sensor temperature or operating conditions are provided. The magnetic sensor can comprise a dual magnetometer sensor that comprises a first, low-power-consumption magnetometer (e.g., a magneto-inductive magnetometer) and a second higher-power-consumption magnetometer (e.g., a magneto-resistive magnetometer). The second magnetometer can have a lower unit-to-unit variation in temperature calibration parameters and can be used to temperature-correct readings from the first magnetometer. The magnetic sensor can dynamically switch between usage of the first magnetometer and the second magnetometer in order to provide a dynamic sample rate that can depend on conditions within the sensor or external to the sensor.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01R 35/00 - Testing or calibrating of apparatus covered by the other groups of this subclass
• G01R 33/02 - Measuring direction or magnitude of magnetic fields or magnetic flux
• G01R 33/06 - Measuring direction or magnitude of magnetic fields or magnetic flux using galvano-magnetic devices

Goods & Services

Downloadable software, namely, software for use in shopping cart containment and loss prevention solutions; Downloadable software enabling remote monitoring and management of mobile assets; Downloadable software to help retail operators improve operating margins; Downloadable software used to collect and distribute actionable business intelligence to enhance profitability; Downloadable computer software to monitor shopping cart containment and loss prevention solutions; Downloadable software for providing customer and distributor access to equipment location and status, system performance, user statistics, and reference materials; Downloadable mobile application enabling remote monitoring and management of mobile assets; Downloadable mobile application to help retail operators improve operating margins; Downloadable mobile application used to collect and distribute actionable business intelligence to enhance profitability; Downloadable mobile application to monitor shopping cart containment and loss prevention solutions; Downloadable mobile application for providing customer and distributor access to equipment location and status, system performance, user statistics, and reference material; Security systems and apparatus, namely, downloadable software and computer hardware for monitoring human behavior for theft prevention; Security systems and apparatus used for mitigating retail store crime, namely, electronic security tags and labels; Security systems and apparatus used in the field of asset loss prevention, namely, downloadable software and computer hardware for monitoring mobile assets; Security systems and apparatus, namely, downloadable software for monitoring human behavior for theft prevention; Downloadable software providing access to security video footage; Downloadable software providing access to security video footage for playback and analysis of footage by customers and distributors; Downloadable software enabling access to live and recorded security video footage; Downloadable software for compiling and storing video footage from security systems, for allowing video playback and analysis of stored video footage, and for compiling, analyzing and storing data collected from security events; Downloadable reports about security data and loss prevention Business consultation in the field of loss prevention; Business consulting services relating to product distribution, operations management services, logistics, reverse logistics, supply chain, and production systems and distribution solutions; Compilation of statistics for commercial purposes; Business advisory services, consultancy and information; Providing business information via the internet; Business information in the field of loss prevention; Compiling and analyzing statistics, data and other sources of information for business purposes; Business records management; Inventory monitoring and management for mobile assets; Online services, namely, inventory monitoring carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and cart retrievers; Tracking, locating and monitoring of motorized and non-motorized land vehicles, carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and cart retrievers for commercial purposes Online non-downloadable software, namely, software for use in shopping cart containment and loss prevention solutions; Online non-downloadable software enabling remote monitoring and management of mobile assets; Online non-downloadable software to help retail operators improve operating margins; Online non-downloadable software used to collect and distribute actionable business intelligence to enhance profitability; Software as a service (SaaS) services featuring software to monitor shopping cart containment and loss prevention solutions; Computer services, namely, providing software as a service (SaaS) featuring software for providing customer and distributor access to equipment location and status, system performance, user statistics, and reference material; Providing on-line non-downloadable software for tracking and managing equipment and assets; Providing temporary use of on-line non-downloadable cloud-based software for use in connection with GPS rangefinders and electronic satellite tracking systems; Online non-downloadable software providing access to security video footage; Online non-downloadable software providing access to security video footage for playback and analysis of footage by customers and distributors; Online non-downloadable software enabling access to live and recorded security video footage; Platform as a service (PaaS) featuring computer software platforms for use in database management; Platform as a service (PaaS) featuring computer software platforms for compiling and storing video footage from security systems, for allowing video playback and analysis of stored video footage, for compiling, analyzing and storing data collected from security events and for generating reports related to the foregoing; Computer monitoring service which tracks hardware performance and processes and sends out historical reports and alerts; Providing an interactive website featuring technology that allows users to enter, access, and synthesize information and generate reports for use in consulting with executives and businesses; Electronic monitoring and reporting of retail stores and loss prevention using computers or sensors; Providing a web-based on-line portal featuring technology that provides customer and distributor access to equipment location and status, system performance, usage statistics, and reference materials; Providing a website featuring technology that enable users to report and track retail goods for business purposes; Providing a website featuring technology allowing users to monitor, control, track, and manage security systems and apparatus used in field or asset loss prevention Retail security monitoring services for loss prevention purposes using sensors, cameras, motion detectors, downloadable software, security tags, security labels, and location trackers

Abstract

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

IPC Classes  ?

• B62B 5/04 - Braking mechanisms; Locking devices against movement
• B62B 3/14 - Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor characterised by provisions for nesting or stacking, e.g. shopping trolleys
• H04W 4/024 - Guidance services
• G08B 13/24 - Electrical actuation by interference with electromagnetic field distribution
• B60K 25/08 - Auxiliary drives from a ground wheel, e.g. engaging the wheel tread or rim
• B60T 7/18 - Brake-action initiating means for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger operated by remote control, i.e. initiating means not mounted on vehicle operated by wayside apparatus
• G01C 21/12 - Navigation; Navigational instruments not provided for in groups by using measurement of speed or acceleration executed aboard the object being navigated; Dead reckoning
• G06Q 10/08 - Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• G08G 1/00 - Traffic control systems for road vehicles
• H02K 7/18 - Structural association of electric generators with mechanical driving motors, e.g.with turbines
• H04W 4/029 - Location-based management or tracking services
• A47F 10/04 - Furniture or installations specially adapted to particular types of service systems, not otherwise provided for for self-service type systems, e.g. supermarkets for storing or handling self-service hand-carts or baskets
• B60T 7/16 - Brake-action initiating means for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger operated by remote control, i.e. initiating means not mounted on vehicle
• G01C 21/20 - Instruments for performing navigational calculations
• B62B 5/00 - Accessories or details specially adapted for hand carts
• G06K 7/10 - Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by corpuscular radiation

Abstract

Examples of systems and methods for locating movable objects such as carts (e.g., shopping carts) are disclosed. Such systems and methods can use dead reckoning techniques to estimate the current position of the movable object. Various techniques for improving accuracy of position estimates are disclosed, including compensation for various error sources involving the use of magnetometer and accelerometer, and using vibration analysis to derive wheel rotation rates. Also disclosed are various techniques to utilize characteristics of the operating environment in conjunction with or in lieu of dead reckoning techniques, including characteristic of environment such as ground texture, availability of signals from radio frequency (RF) transmitters including precision fix sources. Such systems and methods can be applied in both indoor and outdoor settings and in retail or warehouse settings.

IPC Classes  ?

• G08G 1/00 - Traffic control systems for road vehicles
• B60T 7/18 - Brake-action initiating means for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger operated by remote control, i.e. initiating means not mounted on vehicle operated by wayside apparatus
• G01P 3/48 - Devices characterised by the use of electric or magnetic means for measuring angular speed by measuring frequency of generated current or voltage
• G01S 5/00 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations
• B62B 3/14 - Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor characterised by provisions for nesting or stacking, e.g. shopping trolleys
• G01C 21/12 - Navigation; Navigational instruments not provided for in groups by using measurement of speed or acceleration executed aboard the object being navigated; Dead reckoning
• G06Q 10/06 - Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• G01S 5/14 - Determining absolute distances from a plurality of spaced points of known location
• G01S 5/02 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using radio waves
• G01S 11/06 - Systems for determining distance or velocity not using reflection or reradiation using radio waves using intensity measurements
• B60T 7/12 - Brake-action initiating means for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger
• B62B 5/04 - Braking mechanisms; Locking devices against movement
• G01C 21/20 - Instruments for performing navigational calculations
• G01H 11/08 - Measuring mechanical vibrations or ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves by detecting changes in electric or magnetic properties by electric means using piezoelectric devices
• G05D 1/02 - Control of position or course in two dimensions
• B62B 5/00 - Accessories or details specially adapted for hand carts
• G06Q 10/00 - Administration; Management
• G08B 29/24 - Self-calibration, e.g. compensating for environmental drift or ageing of components
• G08B 21/02 - Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons
• G08B 13/14 - Mechanical actuation by lifting or attempted removal of hand-portable articles
• G01C 17/00 - Compasses; Devices for ascertaining true or magnetic north for navigation or surveying purposes
• G01P 3/02 - Devices characterised by the use of mechanical means

Goods & Services

Monitoring of security alarm systems; providing security surveillance of premises of others; security threat analysis for protecting personal and business property; providing security surveillance of premises for businesses; surveillance services; physical and tangible property security consultancy for businesses, retail stores and supermarkets; consultation in the field of merchandise and inventory theft and loss prevention; providing a website featuring information on physical and tangible property security for business premises, and merchandise and inventory theft and loss prevention; Forensic analysis of surveillance video to protect against theft of business property and inventory; advisory and consultancy services in the field of merchandise and inventory theft and loss prevention

Abstract

A system for monitoring shopping baskets (e.g., baskets on human-propelled carts, motorized carts, or hand-carried baskets) can include a computer vision unit that can image a surveillance region (e.g., an exit to a store), determine whether a basket is empty or loaded with merchandise, and assess a potential for theft of the merchandise. The computer vision unit can include a camera and an image processor programmed to execute a computer vision algorithm to identify shopping baskets and determine a load status of the basket. The computer vision algorithm can comprise a neural network. The system can identify an at least partially loaded shopping basket that is exiting the store, without indicia of having paid for the merchandise, and execute an anti-theft action, e.g., actuating an alarm, notifying store personnel, activating a store surveillance system, activating an anti-theft device associated with the basket (e.g., a locking shopping cart wheel), etc.

IPC Classes  ?

• B62B 5/04 - Braking mechanisms; Locking devices against movement
• G08B 13/00 - Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
• G08B 13/196 - Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems using image scanning and comparing systems using television cameras

Abstract

A system for monitoring shopping baskets (e.g., baskets on human-propelled carts, motorized carts, or hand-carried baskets) can include a computer vision unit that can image a surveillance region (e.g., an exit to a store), determine whether a basket is empty or loaded with merchandise, and assess a potential for theft of the merchandise. The computer vision unit can include a camera and an image processor programmed to execute a computer vision algorithm to identify shopping baskets and determine a load status of the basket. The computer vision algorithm can comprise a neural network. The system can identify an at least partially loaded shopping basket that is exiting the store, without indicia of having paid for the merchandise, and execute an anti-theft action, e.g., actuating an alarm, notifying store personnel, activating a store surveillance system, activating an anti-theft device associated with the basket (e.g., a locking shopping cart wheel), etc.

IPC Classes  ?

• B62B 5/04 - Braking mechanisms; Locking devices against movement
• B62B 3/14 - Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor characterised by provisions for nesting or stacking, e.g. shopping trolleys
• B62B 5/00 - Accessories or details specially adapted for hand carts
• G06Q 20/20 - Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• G06N 20/00 - Machine learning
• G06K 9/00 - Methods or arrangements for reading or recognising printed or written characters or for recognising patterns, e.g. fingerprints
• G06K 9/62 - Methods or arrangements for recognition using electronic means
• G08B 13/194 - Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems using image scanning and comparing systems
• G08B 13/196 - Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems using image scanning and comparing systems using television cameras

Abstract

A wheel for a non-motorized vehicle (e.g., a shopping cart) can include a housing assembly and a tread assembly. The housing assembly can be configured to sealingly house electronics or other components. The tread assembly can removably mate with the housing assembly such that the electronics or other components remain closed and/or sealed within the housing assembly when the tread assembly is mated or unmated with the housing assembly.

IPC Classes  ?

• B60B 33/00 - Castors in general
• B60B 1/00 - Spoked wheels; Spokes thereof
• B60B 19/06 - Wheels not otherwise provided for or having characteristics specified in one of the subgroups of this group with compartments for fluid, packing, or loading material; Buoyant wheels
• B60B 23/10 - Attaching rim to wheel body by screws, bolts, pins, or clips arranged axially
• B60B 3/00 - Disc wheels, i.e. wheels with load-supporting disc body
• B60B 5/02 - Wheels, spokes, disc bodies, rims, hubs, wholly or predominantly made of non-metallic material made of synthetic material
• B60B 19/12 - Roller-type wheels
• B60B 21/02 - Rims characterised by transverse section
• B60B 23/04 - Attaching rim to wheel body by bayonet-joint, screw-thread, or like attachments
• B60B 7/04 - Wheel cover discs, rings, or the like, for ornamenting, protecting, or obscuring, wholly or in part, the wheel body, rim, hub, or tyre sidewall built-up of several main parts
• B60B 7/14 - Fastening arrangements therefor comprising screw-threaded means
• B60B 7/06 - Fastening arrangements therefor
• B60B 7/01 - Rings specially adapted for covering only the wheel rim or the tyre sidewall, e.g. removable tyre sidewall trim rings
• B60C 7/24 - Non-inflatable or solid tyres characterised by means for securing tyres on rim or wheel body
• B23P 6/00 - Restoring or reconditioning objects
• B60B 23/06 - Attaching rim to wheel body by screws, bolts, pins, or clips
• B60B 25/08 - Continuous flange rings; Arrangement of recesses enabling the flange ring to be slipped over the rim body
• B60C 11/02 - Replaceable treads

Abstract

Examples of systems and methods for locating movable objects such as carts (e.g., shopping carts) are disclosed. Such systems and methods can use dead reckoning techniques to estimate the current position of the movable object. Various techniques for improving accuracy of position estimates are disclosed, including compensation for various error sources involving the use of magnetometer and accelerometer, and using vibration analysis to derive wheel rotation rates. Various techniques utilize characteristics of the operating environment in conjunction with or in lieu of dead reckoning techniques, including characteristic of environment such as ground texture, availability of signals from radio frequency (RF) transmitters including precision fix sources. Navigation techniques can include navigation history and backtracking, motion direction detection for dual swivel casters, use of gyroscopes, determining cart weight, multi-level navigation, multi-level magnetic measurements, use of lighting signatures, use of multiple navigation systems, or hard/soft iron compensation for different cart configurations.

IPC Classes  ?

• B62B 3/14 - Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor characterised by provisions for nesting or stacking, e.g. shopping trolleys
• G01P 15/08 - Measuring acceleration; Measuring deceleration; Measuring shock, i.e. sudden change of acceleration by making use of inertia forces with conversion into electric or magnetic values
• G01C 21/16 - Navigation; Navigational instruments not provided for in groups by using measurement of speed or acceleration executed aboard the object being navigated; Dead reckoning by integrating acceleration or speed, i.e. inertial navigation
• G01R 33/07 - Hall-effect devices
• G08B 13/16 - Actuation by interference with mechanical vibrations in air or other fluid
• G08B 13/14 - Mechanical actuation by lifting or attempted removal of hand-portable articles
• B62B 5/04 - Braking mechanisms; Locking devices against movement
• G01C 21/20 - Instruments for performing navigational calculations
• B62B 5/00 - Accessories or details specially adapted for hand carts

Abstract

Examples of systems and methods for calibrating or operating a magnetic sensor for sensor temperature or operating conditions are provided. The magnetic sensor can comprise a dual magnetometer sensor that comprises a first, low-power-consumption magnetometer (e.g., a magneto-inductive magnetometer) and a second higher-power-consumption magnetometer (e.g., a magneto-resistive magnetometer). The second magnetometer can have a lower unit-to-unit variation in temperature calibration parameters and can be used to temperature-correct readings from the first magnetometer. The magnetic sensor can dynamically switch between usage of the first magnetometer and the second magnetometer in order to provide a dynamic sample rate that can depend on conditions within the sensor or external to the sensor.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01R 33/02 - Measuring direction or magnitude of magnetic fields or magnetic flux
• G01C 17/38 - Testing, calibrating, or compensating of compasses
• G01R 33/06 - Measuring direction or magnitude of magnetic fields or magnetic flux using galvano-magnetic devices
• G01R 35/00 - Testing or calibrating of apparatus covered by the other groups of this subclass

Abstract

Examples of systems and methods for calibrating or operating a magnetic sensor for sensor temperature or operating conditions are provided. The magnetic sensor can comprise a dual magnetometer sensor that comprises a first, low-power-consumption magnetometer (e.g., a magneto-inductive magnetometer) and a second higher-power-consumption magnetometer (e.g., a magneto-resistive magnetometer). The second magnetometer can have a lower unit-to-unit variation in temperature calibration parameters and can be used to temperature-correct readings from the first magnetometer. The magnetic sensor can dynamically switch between usage of the first magnetometer and the second magnetometer in order to provide a dynamic sample rate that can depend on conditions within the sensor or external to the sensor.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01R 33/02 - Measuring direction or magnitude of magnetic fields or magnetic flux
• G01R 33/06 - Measuring direction or magnitude of magnetic fields or magnetic flux using galvano-magnetic devices
• G01R 35/00 - Testing or calibrating of apparatus covered by the other groups of this subclass
• G01C 17/38 - Testing, calibrating, or compensating of compasses

Abstract

A motorized cart retriever, which may be a cart pusher or a cart puller, can apply a force to a nest of human-propelled, wheeled carts to facilitate retrieval of the carts. The cart retriever can include a transceiver configured to wirelessly receive cart status information from cart transmitters of the wheeled carts and wirelessly report event data to a control unit. The cart status information may include an identification of the cart transmitter, a location of the cart, a lock or unlock status of a cart wheel, a misuse condition, etc. The event data can include the cart status information, a number of wheeled carts being retrieved, etc. The cart wheel may include a brake. The transceiver may communicate a message to the cart wheel to keep the brake unactuated during retrieval. The control unit may analyze the event data to detect traffic patterns of the carts.

IPC Classes  ?

• B62B 3/14 - Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor characterised by provisions for nesting or stacking, e.g. shopping trolleys
• B62B 5/04 - Braking mechanisms; Locking devices against movement
• G08B 13/24 - Electrical actuation by interference with electromagnetic field distribution
• B60T 7/18 - Brake-action initiating means for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger operated by remote control, i.e. initiating means not mounted on vehicle operated by wayside apparatus
• G01C 21/00 - Navigation; Navigational instruments not provided for in groups
• H04W 4/024 - Guidance services
• B60K 25/08 - Auxiliary drives from a ground wheel, e.g. engaging the wheel tread or rim
• G01C 21/12 - Navigation; Navigational instruments not provided for in groups by using measurement of speed or acceleration executed aboard the object being navigated; Dead reckoning
• G06Q 10/08 - Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• G08G 1/00 - Traffic control systems for road vehicles
• H02K 7/18 - Structural association of electric generators with mechanical driving motors, e.g.with turbines
• H04W 4/029 - Location-based management or tracking services
• A47F 10/04 - Furniture or installations specially adapted to particular types of service systems, not otherwise provided for for self-service type systems, e.g. supermarkets for storing or handling self-service hand-carts or baskets
• B60T 7/16 - Brake-action initiating means for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger operated by remote control, i.e. initiating means not mounted on vehicle
• G01C 21/20 - Instruments for performing navigational calculations
• B62B 5/00 - Accessories or details specially adapted for hand carts
• G06K 7/10 - Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by corpuscular radiation

Goods & Services

(1) Electronic security system comprising computer hardware, computer software, transmitters and receivers, and circuitry, for monitoring, tracking, managing and preventing theft of mobile assets, namely, personal mobility carts, namely, motorized and non-motorized mobility scooters used for in-store shopping, wheeled carts, namely wheeled mobile storage carts, retail store carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, retrievers of the aforementioned carts, and hand baskets; security alarms for use with retail store carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts and personal mobility carts, namely, motorized and non-motorized mobility scooters used for in-store shopping, excluding motor vehicle alarms; radio transmitters for use with mobile assets, namely, personal mobility carts, namely, motorized and nonmotorized mobility scooters used for in-store shopping, wheeled carts, namely wheeled mobile storage carts, retail store carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, retrievers of the aforementioned carts, and hand baskets; radio transmitters for use with computer hardware and software systems for controlling theft alarms, sound alarms and security alarms for mobile assets, namely, personal mobility carts, namely, motorized and non-motorized mobility scooters used for in-store shopping, wheeled carts, namely wheeled mobile storage carts, retail store carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, retrievers of the aforementioned carts, and hand baskets; anti-theft alarms and sensors for retail store carts, shopping carts, wheeled carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts, excluding alarms and sensors for motor vehicles; anti-theft computer hardware and embedded software for ensuring the security of mobile assets, namely, personal mobility carts, namely, motorized and non-motorized mobility scooters used for in-store shopping, wheeled carts, namely wheeled mobile storage carts, retail store carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, retrievers of the aforementioned carts, and hand baskets; computer hardware and software for monitoring, detecting, and tracking the location of mobile assets, namely, personal mobility carts, namely, motorized and non-motorized mobility scooters used for in-store shopping, wheeled carts, namely wheeled mobile storage carts, retail store carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, retrievers of the aforementioned carts, and hand baskets; security alarm controllers for use with mobile assets, namely, personal mobility carts, namely, motorized and non-motorized mobility scooters used for in-store shopping, wheeled carts, namely wheeled mobile storage carts, retail store carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, retrievers of the aforementioned carts, and hand baskets; wireless controllers and electronic monitors for monitoring mobile assets, namely, personal mobility carts, namely, motorized and non-motorized mobility scooters used for in-store shopping, wheeled carts, namely wheeled mobile storage carts, retail store carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, retrievers of the aforementioned carts, and hand baskets; electrical and scientific apparatus, namely, systems comprised of computer hardware and software for estimating the location of mobile assets, namely, personal mobility carts, namely, motorized and non-motorized mobility scooters used for in-store shopping, wheeled carts, namely wheeled mobile storage carts, retail store carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, retrievers of the aforementioned carts, and hand baskets; wireless computer hardware and software systems for monitoring, tracking, and locating mobile assets, namely, personal mobility carts, namely, motorized and non-motorized mobility scooters used for in-store shopping, wheeled carts, namely wheeled mobile storage carts, retail store carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, retrievers of the aforementioned carts, and hand baskets; electrical and scientific apparatus and devices used for dead reckoning modules for calculating the position of mobile assets, namely, electronic mobile sensors, dead-reckoning positioning accelerometers and magnetometers, and digital signal processors; computer hardware and software for commercial use for monitoring, tracking, managing, and preventing theft of mobile assets, namely, personal mobility carts, namely, motorized and non-motorized mobility scooters used for in-store shopping, wheeled carts, namely wheeled mobile storage carts, retail store carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, retrievers of the aforementioned carts, and hand baskets; anti-theft system comprising computer hardware and embedded software for controlling locking devices for mobile assets, namely, personal mobility carts, namely, motorized and non-motorized mobility scooters used for in-store shopping, wheeled carts, namely wheeled mobile storage carts, retail store carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, retrievers of the aforementioned carts, and hand baskets; electrical and scientific apparatus, namely, anti-theft computer hardware and embedded software ensuring the security of mobile assets, namely, personal mobility carts, namely, motorized and non-motorized mobility scooters used for in-store shopping, wheeled carts, namely wheeled mobile storage carts, retail store carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, retrievers of the aforementioned carts, and hand baskets; Geofencing apparatus in the nature of electronic fences; computer hardware and software for operating electronic fences; dead reckoning modules for calculating the position of mobile assets namely, personal mobility carts, namely, motorized and non-motorized mobility scooters used for in-store shopping, wheeled carts, namely wheeled mobile storage carts, retail store carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, retrievers of the aforementioned carts, and hand baskets; dead-reckoning positioning systems consisting primarily of electronic mobile sensors and digital signal processors for calculating the position of mobile assets, namely, personal mobility carts, namely, motorized and non-motorized mobility scooters used for in-store shopping, wheeled carts, namely wheeled mobile storage carts, retail store carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, retrievers of the aforementioned carts, and hand baskets; electronic device for tracking and locating mobile carts using dead-reckoning devices consisting primarily of electronic mobile sensors and digital signal processors for calculating position, movement and relative location; apparatus for tracking, namely, electronic device for tracking mobile assets, namely, personal mobility carts, namely, motorized and nonmotorized mobility scooters used for in-store shopping, wheeled carts, namely wheeled mobile storage carts, retail store carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, retrievers of the aforementioned carts, and hand baskets; portable module consisting primarily of sensors to locate, track, and prevent theft of mobile assets, namely, personal mobility carts, namely, motorized and non-motorized mobility scooters used for in-store shopping, wheeled carts, namely wheeled mobile storage carts, retail store carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, retrievers of the aforementioned carts, and hand baskets; Anti-theft alarms for motorized and non-motorized mobility scooters used for in-store shopping, excluding alarms for motor vehicles (1) Inventory monitoring and management for retail stores, namely, for monitoring store inventory, store merchandise, retail store carts and shopping carts

Goods & Services

Electronic security system comprising computer hardware, computer software, transmitters or receivers, and circuitry, for monitoring, tracking, managing, or preventing theft of mobile assets, including human and non-human propelled vehicles, mobility carts, shopping carts, luggage carts, or hand baskets; alarm monitoring systems for use with mobile assets; radio transmitters for use with mobile assets; radio transmitters for use with computer hardware and software systems for controlling theft alarms, sound alarms or security alarms for mobile assets; anti-theft alarms and sensors for mobile assets; anti-theft computer hardware and software for ensuring the security of mobile assets; computer hardware and software for monitoring, detecting, or tracking the location of mobile assets; security alarm controllers for use with mobile assets; wireless controllers for and electronic monitors for monitoring mobile assets; electrical and scientific apparatus, including computer hardware and software systems for estimating the location of mobile assets; wireless computer hardware and software systems for monitoring, tracking, or locating mobile assets; electrical and scientific apparatus, including systems comprised of computer hardware and software for estimating the location of mobile assets; electrical and scientific apparatus, including devices used for dead reckoning; computer hardware and software for commercial use for monitoring, tracking, managing, or preventing theft of mobile assets; anti-theft system comprising computer hardware and software for controlling locking devices for mobile assets; electrical and scientific apparatus, including anti-theft systems, comprising computer hardware and software for mobile assets and personal mobility carts; Geofencing apparatus; computer hardware and software for geofencing; dead reckoning modules; dead-reckoning positioning systems; electronic device for tracking and locating mobile assets using dead reckoning devices; apparatus for tracking mobile assets; apparatus for tracking mobile assets, including human and non-human propelled vehicles, mobility carts, shopping carts, luggage carts, or hand baskets; portable module for mobile assets, including human and non-human propelled vehicles, mobility carts, shopping carts, luggage carts, or hand baskets; anti-theft systems for motorized and non-motorized vehicles or mobility carts; inventory software and inventory monitoring apparatus and instruments; apparatus for tracking medical devices.

Abstract

Examples of systems and methods for locating movable objects such as carts (e.g., shopping carts) are disclosed. Such systems and methods can use dead reckoning techniques to estimate the current position of the movable object. Various techniques for improving accuracy of position estimates are disclosed, including compensation for various error sources involving the use of magnetometer and accelerometer, and using vibration analysis to derive wheel rotation rates. Various techniques utilize characteristics of the operating environment in conjunction with or in lieu of dead reckoning techniques, including characteristic of environment such as ground texture, availability of signals from radio frequency (RF) transmitters including precision fix sources. Navigation techniques can include navigation history and backtracking, motion direction detection for dual swivel casters, use of gyroscopes, determining cart weight, multi-level navigation, multi-level magnetic measurements, use of lighting signatures, use of multiple navigation systems, or hard/soft iron compensation for different cart configurations.

IPC Classes  ?

• B62B 3/14 - Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor characterised by provisions for nesting or stacking, e.g. shopping trolleys
• B62B 5/04 - Braking mechanisms; Locking devices against movement
• G01P 15/08 - Measuring acceleration; Measuring deceleration; Measuring shock, i.e. sudden change of acceleration by making use of inertia forces with conversion into electric or magnetic values
• G01C 21/16 - Navigation; Navigational instruments not provided for in groups by using measurement of speed or acceleration executed aboard the object being navigated; Dead reckoning by integrating acceleration or speed, i.e. inertial navigation
• G01R 33/07 - Hall-effect devices
• G01C 21/20 - Instruments for performing navigational calculations

Abstract

Examples of systems and methods for locating movable objects such as carts (e.g., shopping carts) are disclosed. Such systems and methods can use dead reckoning techniques to estimate the current position of the movable object. Various techniques for improving accuracy of position estimates are disclosed, including compensation for various error sources involving the use of magnetometer and accelerometer, and using vibration analysis to derive wheel rotation rates. Various techniques utilize characteristics of the operating environment in conjunction with or in lieu of dead reckoning techniques, including characteristic of environment such as ground texture, availability of signals from radio frequency (RF) transmitters including precision fix sources. Navigation techniques can include navigation history and backtracking, motion direction detection for dual swivel casters, use of gyroscopes, determining cart weight, multi-level navigation, multi-level magnetic measurements, use of lighting signatures, use of multiple navigation systems, or hard/soft iron compensation for different cart configurations.

IPC Classes  ?

• G08B 21/18 - Status alarms
• G08B 13/14 - Mechanical actuation by lifting or attempted removal of hand-portable articles
• B62K 3/00 - Bicycles
• G01H 11/06 - Measuring mechanical vibrations or ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves by detecting changes in electric or magnetic properties by electric means

Abstract

Examples of systems and methods for locating movable objects such as carts (e.g., shopping carts) are disclosed. Such systems and methods can use dead reckoning techniques to estimate the current position of the movable object. Various techniques for improving accuracy of position estimates are disclosed, including compensation for various error sources involving the use of magnetometer and accelerometer, and using vibration analysis to derive wheel rotation rates. Various techniques utilize characteristics of the operating environment in conjunction with or in lieu of dead reckoning techniques, including characteristic of environment such as ground texture, availability of signals from radio frequency (RF) transmitters including precision fix sources. Navigation techniques can include navigation history and backtracking, motion direction detection for dual swivel casters, use of gyroscopes, determining cart weight, multi-level navigation, multi-level magnetic measurements, use of lighting signatures, use of multiple navigation systems, or hard/soft iron compensation for different cart configurations.

IPC Classes  ?

• G08B 21/18 - Status alarms
• B62K 3/00 - Bicycles
• G01H 11/06 - Measuring mechanical vibrations or ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves by detecting changes in electric or magnetic properties by electric means
• G08B 13/14 - Mechanical actuation by lifting or attempted removal of hand-portable articles

Goods & Services

Electronic security system comprising computer hardware, computer software, transmitters, receivers, and circuitry, for monitoring, tracking, managing, and preventing theft of mobile assets, in the nature of human and non-human propelled vehicles, mobility carts, shopping carts; alarm monitoring systems for use with mobile assets in the nature of human and non-human propelled vehicles, mobility carts, shopping carts; radio transmitters for use with mobile assets; radio transmitters for use with computer hardware and software systems for controlling theft alarms, and security alarms for mobile assets; anti-theft alarms and sensors for mobile assets; computer hardware and software for monitoring, detecting, and tracking the location of mobile assets; security alarm controllers for use with mobile assets; wireless controllers for monitoring mobile assets; electrical and scientific apparatus, namely, computer hardware and software systems for estimating the location of mobile assets; wireless computer hardware and software systems for monitoring, tracking, and locating mobile assets; electrical and scientific apparatus comprised of computer hardware and software for estimating the location of mobile assets; electrical and scientific apparatus and devices used for dead reckoning modules for calculating the position of mobile assets, namely, electronic mobile sensors, dead-reckoning positioning accelerometers and magnetometers, and digital signal processors; computer hardware and software for commercial use for monitoring, tracking, managing, and preventing theft of mobile assets; anti-theft system comprising computer hardware and software for controlling locking devices for mobile assets; electrical and scientific anti-theft systems, comprising computer hardware and software for tracking mobile assets and personal mobility carts; Geofencing apparatus in the nature of electronic fences; computer operating hardware and software for electronic fences; dead reckoning modules for calculating the position of mobile assets; dead-reckoning positioning systems consisting primarily of electronic mobile sensors and digital signal processors for calculating the position of mobile assets; electronic device for tracking and locating mobile assets using dead reckoning devices; electronic device for tracking and locating mobile assets, in the nature of human and non-human propelled vehicles, mobility carts, shopping carts; portable module consisting primarily of sensors for mobile assets, in the nature of human and non-human propelled vehicles, mobility carts, shopping carts; anti-theft alarms for motorized and non-motorized vehicles or mobility carts; all of the aforementioned goods used by retail stores to locate, track, and prevent theft of shopping carts, and mobility carts used by patrons

Abstract

Examples of systems and methods for locating movable objects such as carts (e.g., shopping carts) are disclosed. Such systems and methods can use dead reckoning techniques to estimate the current position of the movable object. Various techniques for improving accuracy of position estimates are disclosed, including compensation for various error sources involving the use of magnetometer and accelerometer, and using vibration analysis to derive wheel rotation rates. Also disclosed are various techniques to utilize characteristics of the operating environment in conjunction with or in lieu of dead reckoning techniques, including characteristic of environment such as ground texture, availability of signals from radio frequency (RF) transmitters including precision fix sources. Such systems and methods can be applied in both indoor and outdoor settings and in retail or warehouse settings.

IPC Classes  ?

• B62B 5/04 - Braking mechanisms; Locking devices against movement
• G08G 1/00 - Traffic control systems for road vehicles
• G06Q 10/00 - Administration; Management
• G05D 1/02 - Control of position or course in two dimensions
• G01S 5/00 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations
• G01P 3/48 - Devices characterised by the use of electric or magnetic means for measuring angular speed by measuring frequency of generated current or voltage
• G01H 11/08 - Measuring mechanical vibrations or ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves by detecting changes in electric or magnetic properties by electric means using piezoelectric devices
• B60T 7/18 - Brake-action initiating means for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger operated by remote control, i.e. initiating means not mounted on vehicle operated by wayside apparatus
• B60T 7/12 - Brake-action initiating means for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger
• B62B 3/14 - Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor characterised by provisions for nesting or stacking, e.g. shopping trolleys
• G01C 21/20 - Instruments for performing navigational calculations
• B62B 5/00 - Accessories or details specially adapted for hand carts
• G01C 17/00 - Compasses; Devices for ascertaining true or magnetic north for navigation or surveying purposes
• G01P 3/02 - Devices characterised by the use of mechanical means

Abstract

A system for monitoring shopping carts or other human-propelled carts includes wireless access points that communicate on a wireless network with wheel assemblies of the carts. The system is capable of monitoring a path followed by a cart in a store or building, and using the path (optionally together with other criteria) to determine whether to authorize the cart to exit. For example, if a shopping cart fails to pass through a checkout lane of a store, the system may perform an action that blocks or inhibits the shipping cart from exiting the store.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06Q 30/00 - Commerce
• B60R 25/00 - Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles
• B62B 5/00 - Accessories or details specially adapted for hand carts
• B62B 5/04 - Braking mechanisms; Locking devices against movement
• B62B 3/14 - Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor characterised by provisions for nesting or stacking, e.g. shopping trolleys
• H04W 4/029 - Location-based management or tracking services
• G08B 13/24 - Electrical actuation by interference with electromagnetic field distribution
• H02K 7/18 - Structural association of electric generators with mechanical driving motors, e.g.with turbines
• G01C 21/20 - Instruments for performing navigational calculations
• G01C 21/00 - Navigation; Navigational instruments not provided for in groups
• A47F 10/04 - Furniture or installations specially adapted to particular types of service systems, not otherwise provided for for self-service type systems, e.g. supermarkets for storing or handling self-service hand-carts or baskets
• B60K 25/08 - Auxiliary drives from a ground wheel, e.g. engaging the wheel tread or rim
• H04W 4/02 - Services making use of location information
• G01C 21/12 - Navigation; Navigational instruments not provided for in groups by using measurement of speed or acceleration executed aboard the object being navigated; Dead reckoning
• G08G 1/00 - Traffic control systems for road vehicles
• G06K 7/10 - Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by corpuscular radiation
• B60T 7/16 - Brake-action initiating means for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger operated by remote control, i.e. initiating means not mounted on vehicle
• B60T 7/18 - Brake-action initiating means for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger operated by remote control, i.e. initiating means not mounted on vehicle operated by wayside apparatus
• G06Q 10/08 - Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management

Abstract

A system for monitoring shopping carts or other human-propelled carts includes wireless access points that communicate on a wireless network with wheel assemblies of the carts. The system is capable of monitoring a path followed by a cart in a store or building, and using the path (optionally together with other criteria) to determine whether to authorize the cart to exit. For example, if a shopping cart fails to pass through a checkout lane of a store, the system may perform an action that blocks or inhibits the shipping cart from exiting the store. The wheel assemblies may include LEDs or other visual indicators that alert store personnel when a wheel assembly is in a particular state.

IPC Classes  ?

• B62B 5/00 - Accessories or details specially adapted for hand carts
• B62B 5/04 - Braking mechanisms; Locking devices against movement
• B62B 3/14 - Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor characterised by provisions for nesting or stacking, e.g. shopping trolleys
• A47F 10/04 - Furniture or installations specially adapted to particular types of service systems, not otherwise provided for for self-service type systems, e.g. supermarkets for storing or handling self-service hand-carts or baskets
• B60K 25/08 - Auxiliary drives from a ground wheel, e.g. engaging the wheel tread or rim
• B60T 7/18 - Brake-action initiating means for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger operated by remote control, i.e. initiating means not mounted on vehicle operated by wayside apparatus
• G01C 21/00 - Navigation; Navigational instruments not provided for in groups
• G01C 21/12 - Navigation; Navigational instruments not provided for in groups by using measurement of speed or acceleration executed aboard the object being navigated; Dead reckoning
• G06Q 10/08 - Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• G08B 13/24 - Electrical actuation by interference with electromagnetic field distribution
• G08G 1/00 - Traffic control systems for road vehicles
• H02K 7/18 - Structural association of electric generators with mechanical driving motors, e.g.with turbines
• B60T 7/16 - Brake-action initiating means for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger operated by remote control, i.e. initiating means not mounted on vehicle
• G01C 21/20 - Instruments for performing navigational calculations
• H04W 4/02 - Services making use of location information
• G06K 7/10 - Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by corpuscular radiation
• H04W 4/029 - Location-based management or tracking services

Abstract

A system for monitoring shopping carts or other human-propelled carts includes wireless access points that communicate bi-directionally on a wireless network with wheel assemblies of the carts. The system supports both unicast and multicast command transmissions from the access points to the wheel assemblies, including multicast transmissions in which the target wheel assemblies are specified in terms of their states. For example, an access point can transmit a command that is addressed to all wheel assemblies that are locked, or to all wheel assemblies that are moving.

IPC Classes  ?

• B62B 5/04 - Braking mechanisms; Locking devices against movement
• B62B 3/14 - Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor characterised by provisions for nesting or stacking, e.g. shopping trolleys
• G08B 13/24 - Electrical actuation by interference with electromagnetic field distribution
• H02K 7/18 - Structural association of electric generators with mechanical driving motors, e.g.with turbines
• G01C 21/20 - Instruments for performing navigational calculations
• G01C 21/00 - Navigation; Navigational instruments not provided for in groups
• B62B 5/00 - Accessories or details specially adapted for hand carts
• A47F 10/04 - Furniture or installations specially adapted to particular types of service systems, not otherwise provided for for self-service type systems, e.g. supermarkets for storing or handling self-service hand-carts or baskets
• B60K 25/08 - Auxiliary drives from a ground wheel, e.g. engaging the wheel tread or rim
• H04W 4/02 - Services making use of location information
• G01C 21/12 - Navigation; Navigational instruments not provided for in groups by using measurement of speed or acceleration executed aboard the object being navigated; Dead reckoning
• G08G 1/00 - Traffic control systems for road vehicles
• G06K 7/10 - Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by corpuscular radiation
• B60T 7/16 - Brake-action initiating means for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger operated by remote control, i.e. initiating means not mounted on vehicle
• B60T 7/18 - Brake-action initiating means for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger operated by remote control, i.e. initiating means not mounted on vehicle operated by wayside apparatus
• G06Q 10/08 - Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management

Abstract

A containment area can be defined by a single cable carrying an asymmetric electromagnetic signal that generates a magnetic field comprising an asymmetric waveform. A single inductor circuit configured to detect a single axis of the magnetic field can detect the asymmetric waveform and determine which direction the inductor is traveling relative to the cable. A human-propelled cart can have a wheel that includes the single inductor circuit and detect whether the cart is being pushed from inside-to-outside the containment area (which may reflect the cart is being stolen or improperly used) or from outside-to-inside (which may reflect the cart is being returned). The cart can include an anti-theft system (e.g., a locking or braking wheel), which can be triggered if the cart is being moved from inside to outside the containment area. The single cable, single inductor system can be less expensive and more efficient than multi-cable, multi-inductor systems.

IPC Classes  ?

• B60R 25/30 - Detection related to theft or to other events relevant to anti-theft systems
• G01V 3/08 - Electric or magnetic prospecting or detecting; Measuring magnetic field characteristics of the earth, e.g. declination or deviation operating with magnetic or electric fields produced or modified by objects or geological structures or by detecting devices
• G01V 3/38 - Processing data, e.g. for analysis, for interpretation or for correction
• B62B 5/04 - Braking mechanisms; Locking devices against movement
• G08G 1/042 - Detecting movement of traffic to be counted or controlled using inductive or magnetic detectors
• G01V 3/10 - Electric or magnetic prospecting or detecting; Measuring magnetic field characteristics of the earth, e.g. declination or deviation operating with magnetic or electric fields produced or modified by objects or geological structures or by detecting devices using induction coils

Abstract

A containment area can be defined by a single cable carrying an asymmetric electromagnetic signal that generates a magnetic field comprising an asymmetric waveform. A single inductor circuit configured to detect a single axis of the magnetic field can detect the asymmetric waveform and determine which direction the inductor is traveling relative to the cable. A human-propelled cart can have a wheel that includes the single inductor circuit and detect whether the cart is being pushed from inside-to-outside the containment area (which may reflect the cart is being stolen or improperly used) or from outside-to-inside (which may reflect the cart is being returned). The cart can include an anti-theft system (e.g., a locking or braking wheel), which can be triggered if the cart is being moved from inside to outside the containment area. The single cable, single inductor system can be less expensive and more efficient than multi-cable, multi-inductor systems.

IPC Classes  ?

• G08B 13/24 - Electrical actuation by interference with electromagnetic field distribution
• B62B 5/00 - Accessories or details specially adapted for hand carts
• G01R 29/16 - Measuring asymmetry of polyphase networks
• G01R 33/02 - Measuring direction or magnitude of magnetic fields or magnetic flux

Abstract

A containment area can be defined by a single cable carrying an asymmetric electromagnetic signal that generates a magnetic field comprising an asymmetric waveform. A single inductor circuit configured to detect a single axis of the magnetic field can detect the asymmetric waveform and determine which direction the inductor is traveling relative to the cable. A human-propelled cart can have a wheel that includes the single inductor circuit and detect whether the cart is being pushed from inside-to-outside the containment area (which may reflect the cart is being stolen or improperly used) or from outside-to-inside (which may reflect the cart is being returned). The cart can include an anti-theft system (e.g., a locking or braking wheel), which can be triggered if the cart is being moved from inside to outside the containment area. The single cable, single inductor system can be less expensive and more efficient than multi-cable, multi-inductor systems.

IPC Classes  ?

• G08B 13/24 - Electrical actuation by interference with electromagnetic field distribution
• B62B 5/00 - Accessories or details specially adapted for hand carts
• G01R 29/16 - Measuring asymmetry of polyphase networks
• G01R 33/02 - Measuring direction or magnitude of magnetic fields or magnetic flux

Abstract

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

IPC Classes  ?

• B62B 5/04 - Braking mechanisms; Locking devices against movement
• B62B 3/14 - Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor characterised by provisions for nesting or stacking, e.g. shopping trolleys
• H04W 4/024 - Guidance services
• G08B 13/24 - Electrical actuation by interference with electromagnetic field distribution
• B60K 25/08 - Auxiliary drives from a ground wheel, e.g. engaging the wheel tread or rim
• B60T 7/18 - Brake-action initiating means for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger operated by remote control, i.e. initiating means not mounted on vehicle operated by wayside apparatus
• G01C 21/00 - Navigation; Navigational instruments not provided for in groups
• G01C 21/12 - Navigation; Navigational instruments not provided for in groups by using measurement of speed or acceleration executed aboard the object being navigated; Dead reckoning
• G06Q 10/08 - Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• G08G 1/00 - Traffic control systems for road vehicles
• H02K 7/18 - Structural association of electric generators with mechanical driving motors, e.g.with turbines
• H04W 4/029 - Location-based management or tracking services
• A47F 10/04 - Furniture or installations specially adapted to particular types of service systems, not otherwise provided for for self-service type systems, e.g. supermarkets for storing or handling self-service hand-carts or baskets
• B60T 7/16 - Brake-action initiating means for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger operated by remote control, i.e. initiating means not mounted on vehicle
• G01C 21/20 - Instruments for performing navigational calculations
• B62B 5/00 - Accessories or details specially adapted for hand carts
• G06K 7/10 - Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by corpuscular radiation

Abstract

Low-energy consumption techniques for locating a movable object using a global satellite navigation system (GNSS) are provided. A mobile station attached to or included in a movable object can communicate bidirectionally with a fixed base station to determine a location of the movable object. The mobile station may communicate an estimated position to the base station and receive from the base station a set of GNSS satellites that are visible to the mobile station. The mobile station can acquire satellite timing information from GNSS signals from the set of satellites and communicate minimally-processed satellite timing information to the base station. The base station can determine the position of the mobile station and communicate the position back to the mobile station. By offloading much of the processing to the base station, energy consumption of the mobile station is reduced.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01S 19/05 - Cooperating elements; Interaction or communication between different cooperating elements or between cooperating elements and receivers providing aiding data
• G01S 19/11 - Cooperating elements; Interaction or communication between different cooperating elements or between cooperating elements and receivers providing dedicated supplementary positioning signals wherein the cooperating elements are pseudolites or satellite radio beacon positioning system signal repeaters
• G01S 19/25 - Acquisition or tracking of signals transmitted by the system involving aiding data received from a cooperating element, e.g. assisted GPS
• G01S 19/06 - Cooperating elements; Interaction or communication between different cooperating elements or between cooperating elements and receivers providing aiding data employing an initial estimate of the location of the receiver as aiding data or in generating aiding data
• G01S 19/09 - Cooperating elements; Interaction or communication between different cooperating elements or between cooperating elements and receivers providing processing capability normally carried out by the receiver
• G01S 19/14 - Receivers specially adapted for specific applications
• G01S 19/28 - Satellite selection
• G01S 19/34 - Power consumption
• G01S 19/41 - Differential correction, e.g. DGPS [differential GPS]
• G01S 19/49 - Determining position by combining or switching between position solutions derived from the satellite radio beacon positioning system and position solutions derived from a further system whereby the further system is an inertial position system, e.g. loosely-coupled
• H04W 4/02 - Services making use of location information
• H04W 4/029 - Location-based management or tracking services

Abstract

A power generation system for wheeled objects comprises a generator mechanically coupled to one or more of the object's wheels to convert wheel rotational energy into electrical energy. The power generation system may comprise an electrical storage device configured to store the electrical power produced by the generator. Power from the generator and/or the electrical storage device can be used to provide power to other electrical systems in or on the object. In certain embodiments, the electrical storage device comprises a bank of high-capacity capacitors connected in series. Some embodiments use a control circuit, for example, to regulate the charging and discharging of the capacitor bank and to provide suitable voltages for other systems. The power generation system may be disposed within an object's wheel, such as a wheel of a shopping cart.

IPC Classes  ?

• B62B 5/04 - Braking mechanisms; Locking devices against movement
• B60T 7/18 - Brake-action initiating means for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger operated by remote control, i.e. initiating means not mounted on vehicle operated by wayside apparatus
• B62B 3/14 - Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor characterised by provisions for nesting or stacking, e.g. shopping trolleys
• A47F 10/04 - Furniture or installations specially adapted to particular types of service systems, not otherwise provided for for self-service type systems, e.g. supermarkets for storing or handling self-service hand-carts or baskets
• B60K 25/08 - Auxiliary drives from a ground wheel, e.g. engaging the wheel tread or rim
• G01C 21/00 - Navigation; Navigational instruments not provided for in groups
• G01C 21/12 - Navigation; Navigational instruments not provided for in groups by using measurement of speed or acceleration executed aboard the object being navigated; Dead reckoning
• G06Q 10/08 - Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• G08B 13/24 - Electrical actuation by interference with electromagnetic field distribution
• G08G 1/00 - Traffic control systems for road vehicles
• H02K 7/18 - Structural association of electric generators with mechanical driving motors, e.g.with turbines
• B60T 7/16 - Brake-action initiating means for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger operated by remote control, i.e. initiating means not mounted on vehicle
• G01C 21/20 - Instruments for performing navigational calculations
• B62B 5/00 - Accessories or details specially adapted for hand carts
• H04W 4/02 - Services making use of location information
• G06K 7/10 - Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by corpuscular radiation
• H04W 4/029 - Location-based management or tracking services

Abstract

A containment area can be defined by a single cable carrying an asymmetric electromagnetic signal that generates a magnetic field comprising an asymmetric waveform. A single inductor circuit configured to detect a single axis of the magnetic field can detect the asymmetric waveform and determine which direction the inductor is traveling relative to the cable. A human-propelled cart can have a wheel that includes the single inductor circuit and detect whether the cart is being pushed from inside-to-outside the containment area (which may reflect the cart is being stolen or improperly used) or from outside-to-inside (which may reflect the cart is being returned). The cart can include an anti-theft system (e.g., a locking or braking wheel), which can be triggered if the cart is being moved from inside to outside the containment area. The single cable, single inductor system can be less expensive and more efficient than multi-cable, multi-inductor systems.

IPC Classes  ?

• G08G 1/01 - Detecting movement of traffic to be counted or controlled
• B60R 25/30 - Detection related to theft or to other events relevant to anti-theft systems
• G01V 3/08 - Electric or magnetic prospecting or detecting; Measuring magnetic field characteristics of the earth, e.g. declination or deviation operating with magnetic or electric fields produced or modified by objects or geological structures or by detecting devices
• G01V 3/38 - Processing data, e.g. for analysis, for interpretation or for correction
• B62B 5/04 - Braking mechanisms; Locking devices against movement
• G08G 1/042 - Detecting movement of traffic to be counted or controlled using inductive or magnetic detectors

Abstract

Various systems for monitoring wheeled vehicles (such as shopping carts) are disclosed. The system can include an RF antenna unit that is buried and is configured for bi-directional communication with the electronics on the cart. In some embodiments, the antenna comprises a plurality of transmitters, which can emit synchronized signals. In some embodiments, the antenna comprises a radiating cable, which can emit a signal along some, substantially all, or all of its length.

IPC Classes  ?

• B62B 3/14 - Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor characterised by provisions for nesting or stacking, e.g. shopping trolleys
• B62B 5/00 - Accessories or details specially adapted for hand carts
• B62B 5/04 - Braking mechanisms; Locking devices against movement
• H04W 4/80 - Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• G06Q 50/10 - Services
• G06Q 50/30 - Transportation; Communications

Abstract

Examples of systems and methods for controlling or monitoring a fleet of human-propelled, wheeled carts and cart retrievers are described. The carts can be shopping carts at a retail facility, and the cart retrievers can be used to collect and return the shopping carts from a parking lot near the facility to a cart collection area. The carts or cart retrievers can monitor various status or usage parameters (such as retriever battery charge, cart collection trip speed, cart collection path or duration, etc.) and transmit the parameters to a central control unit. The central control unit can analyze and process the status or usage parameters. The system can provide a user interface for access to the status or usage parameters of the cart and cart retriever fleet.

IPC Classes  ?

• B62B 5/00 - Accessories or details specially adapted for hand carts
• B60L 11/18 - using power supplied from primary cells, secondary cells, or fuel cells
• B32B 3/14 - Layered products essentially comprising a layer with external or internal discontinuities or unevennesses, or a layer of non-planar form; Layered products essentially having particular features of form characterised by a discontinuous layer, i.e. apertured or formed of separate pieces of material characterised by a face layer formed of separate pieces of material
• G05D 1/00 - Control of position, course, altitude, or attitude of land, water, air, or space vehicles, e.g. automatic pilot
• B62B 3/14 - Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor characterised by provisions for nesting or stacking, e.g. shopping trolleys
• G05D 1/02 - Control of position or course in two dimensions
• G07C 5/08 - Registering or indicating performance data other than driving, working, idle, or waiting time, with or without registering driving, working, idle, or waiting time
• G07C 5/00 - Registering or indicating the working of vehicles

Abstract

Examples of systems and methods for locating movable objects such as carts (e.g., shopping carts) are disclosed. Such systems and methods can use dead reckoning techniques to estimate the current position of the movable object. Various techniques for improving accuracy of position estimates are disclosed, including compensation for various error sources involving the use of magnetometer and accelerometer, and using vibration analysis to derive wheel rotation rates. Also disclosed are various techniques to utilize characteristics of the operating environment in conjunction with or in lieu of dead reckoning techniques, including characteristic of environment such as ground texture, availability of signals from radio frequency (RF) transmitters including precision fix sources. Such systems and methods can be applied in both indoor and outdoor settings and in retail or warehouse settings.

IPC Classes  ?

• B62B 5/00 - Accessories or details specially adapted for hand carts
• B60W 40/105 - Speed

Abstract

A wheeled object (e.g., a human-propelled cart such as a shopping cart) can include a navigation system that uses dead reckoning to determine the position of the wheeled object. The navigation system can include a magnetometer and an accelerometer and may be disposed on a handle of the wheeled object. Examples of a system for calibrating the magnetometer and accelerometer during manufacture as well as during installation on the wheeled object are disclosed. The calibration includes calibrating for the soft iron distortion induced at the navigation system by the ferromagnetic shopping cart handle (or other ferromagnetic portions of the cart such as the frame) and hard iron distortions induced by nearby magnetic sources (e.g., a permanent magnet in an audio speaker). The calibration system can include a plurality of Helmholtz or Maxwell coils.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01R 35/00 - Testing or calibrating of apparatus covered by the other groups of this subclass
• G01P 21/00 - Testing or calibrating of apparatus or devices covered by the other groups of this subclass
• G01C 25/00 - Manufacturing, calibrating, cleaning, or repairing instruments or devices referred to in the other groups of this subclass

Abstract

Examples of systems and methods for locating movable objects such as carts (e.g., shopping carts) are disclosed. Such systems and methods can use dead reckoning techniques to estimate the current position of the movable object. Various techniques for improving accuracy of position estimates are disclosed, including compensation for various error sources involving the use of magnetometer and accelerometer, and using vibration analysis to derive wheel rotation rates. Also disclosed are various techniques to utilize characteristics of the operating environment in conjunction with or in lieu of dead reckoning techniques, including characteristic of environment such as ground texture, availability of signals from radio frequency (RF) transmitters including precision fix sources. Such systems and methods can be applied in both indoor and outdoor settings and in retail or warehouse settings.

IPC Classes  ?

• B62B 5/04 - Braking mechanisms; Locking devices against movement
• G01H 11/08 - Measuring mechanical vibrations or ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves by detecting changes in electric or magnetic properties by electric means using piezoelectric devices
• B60T 7/12 - Brake-action initiating means for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger
• G05D 1/02 - Control of position or course in two dimensions
• B62B 3/14 - Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor characterised by provisions for nesting or stacking, e.g. shopping trolleys
• G01C 21/20 - Instruments for performing navigational calculations
• B62B 5/00 - Accessories or details specially adapted for hand carts
• B60T 7/18 - Brake-action initiating means for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger operated by remote control, i.e. initiating means not mounted on vehicle operated by wayside apparatus
• G01P 3/48 - Devices characterised by the use of electric or magnetic means for measuring angular speed by measuring frequency of generated current or voltage
• G01S 5/00 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations
• G06Q 10/00 - Administration; Management
• G08G 1/00 - Traffic control systems for road vehicles
• G01C 17/00 - Compasses; Devices for ascertaining true or magnetic north for navigation or surveying purposes
• G01P 3/02 - Devices characterised by the use of mechanical means

Abstract

Examples of systems and methods for locating movable objects such as carts (e.g., shopping carts) are disclosed. Such systems and methods can use dead reckoning techniques to estimate the current position of the movable object. Various techniques for improving accuracy of position estimates are disclosed, including compensation for various error sources involving the use of magnetometer and accelerometer, and using vibration analysis to derive wheel rotation rates. Also disclosed are various techniques to utilize characteristics of the operating environment in conjunction with or in lieu of dead reckoning techniques, including characteristic of environment such as ground texture, availability of signals from radio frequency (RF) transmitters including precision fix sources. Such systems and methods can be applied in both indoor and outdoor settings and in retail or warehouse settings.

IPC Classes  ?

• B62B 5/00 - Accessories or details specially adapted for hand carts
• B60W 40/105 - Speed

Abstract

A vehicle tracking system includes a wheel assembly containing sensor circuitry capable of sensing one or more 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 wheel assembly may also include a brake mechanism. The wheel assemblies may be mounted on shopping carts and used to collect and monitor shopping cart status and location data via a wireless network. In one embodiment, the wheel assembly communicates via a wired or wireless connection with a handlebar mounted display unit of the cart.

IPC Classes  ?

• B62B 5/04 - Braking mechanisms; Locking devices against movement
• B62B 3/14 - Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor characterised by provisions for nesting or stacking, e.g. shopping trolleys
• A47F 10/04 - Furniture or installations specially adapted to particular types of service systems, not otherwise provided for for self-service type systems, e.g. supermarkets for storing or handling self-service hand-carts or baskets
• B60K 25/08 - Auxiliary drives from a ground wheel, e.g. engaging the wheel tread or rim
• B60T 7/18 - Brake-action initiating means for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger operated by remote control, i.e. initiating means not mounted on vehicle operated by wayside apparatus
• G01C 21/00 - Navigation; Navigational instruments not provided for in groups
• G01C 21/12 - Navigation; Navigational instruments not provided for in groups by using measurement of speed or acceleration executed aboard the object being navigated; Dead reckoning
• G06Q 10/08 - Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• G08B 13/24 - Electrical actuation by interference with electromagnetic field distribution
• G08G 1/00 - Traffic control systems for road vehicles
• H02K 7/18 - Structural association of electric generators with mechanical driving motors, e.g.with turbines
• B60T 7/16 - Brake-action initiating means for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger operated by remote control, i.e. initiating means not mounted on vehicle
• H04W 4/02 - Services making use of location information
• G01C 21/20 - Instruments for performing navigational calculations
• B62B 5/00 - Accessories or details specially adapted for hand carts
• G06K 7/10 - Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by corpuscular radiation

Abstract

A vehicle tracking system includes a wheel containing sensor circuitry 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, which may but need not be included within the wheel. The wheel may also include a brake mechanism. In one embodiment, the wheels are placed on shopping carts 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.

IPC Classes  ?

• B62B 5/00 - Accessories or details specially adapted for hand carts
• B62B 5/04 - Braking mechanisms; Locking devices against movement
• B62B 3/14 - Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor characterised by provisions for nesting or stacking, e.g. shopping trolleys
• A47F 10/04 - Furniture or installations specially adapted to particular types of service systems, not otherwise provided for for self-service type systems, e.g. supermarkets for storing or handling self-service hand-carts or baskets
• B60K 25/08 - Auxiliary drives from a ground wheel, e.g. engaging the wheel tread or rim
• B60T 7/18 - Brake-action initiating means for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger operated by remote control, i.e. initiating means not mounted on vehicle operated by wayside apparatus
• G01C 21/00 - Navigation; Navigational instruments not provided for in groups
• G01C 21/12 - Navigation; Navigational instruments not provided for in groups by using measurement of speed or acceleration executed aboard the object being navigated; Dead reckoning
• G06Q 10/08 - Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• G08B 13/24 - Electrical actuation by interference with electromagnetic field distribution
• G08G 1/00 - Traffic control systems for road vehicles
• H02K 7/18 - Structural association of electric generators with mechanical driving motors, e.g.with turbines
• B60T 7/16 - Brake-action initiating means for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger operated by remote control, i.e. initiating means not mounted on vehicle
• H04W 4/02 - Services making use of location information
• G01C 21/20 - Instruments for performing navigational calculations
• G06K 7/10 - Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by corpuscular radiation

Abstract

Low-energy consumption techniques for locating a movable object using a global satellite navigation system ( ) are provided. A mobile station attached to or included in a movable object can communicate bidirectionally with a fixed base station to determine a location of the movable object. The mobile station may communicate an estimated position to the base station and receive from the base station a set of GNSS satellites that are visible to the mobile station. The mobile station can acquire satellite timing information from GNSS signals from the set of satellites and communicate minimally-processed satellite timing information to the base station. The base station can determine the position of the mobile station and communicate the position back to the mobile station. By offloading much of the processing to the base station, energy consumption of the mobile station is reduced.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01S 19/26 - Acquisition or tracking of signals transmitted by the system involving a sensor measurement for aiding acquisition or tracking
• G01S 19/06 - Cooperating elements; Interaction or communication between different cooperating elements or between cooperating elements and receivers providing aiding data employing an initial estimate of the location of the receiver as aiding data or in generating aiding data
• G01S 19/11 - Cooperating elements; Interaction or communication between different cooperating elements or between cooperating elements and receivers providing dedicated supplementary positioning signals wherein the cooperating elements are pseudolites or satellite radio beacon positioning system signal repeaters
• G01C 22/00 - Measuring distance traversed on the ground by vehicles, persons, animals or other moving solid bodies, e.g. using odometers or using pedometers

Abstract

Low-energy consumption techniques for locating a movable object using a global satellite navigation system (GNSS) are provided. A mobile station attached to or included in a movable object can communicate bidirectionally with a fixed base station to determine a location of the movable object. The mobile station may communicate an estimated position to the base station and receive from the base station a set of GNSS satellites that are visible to the mobile station. The mobile station can acquire satellite timing information from GNSS signals from the set of satellites and communicate minimally-processed satellite timing information to the base station. The base station can determine the position of the mobile station and communicate the position back to the mobile station. By offloading much of the processing to the base station, energy consumption of the mobile station is reduced.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01S 19/34 - Power consumption

Abstract

Low-energy consumption techniques for locating a movable object using a global satellite navigation system (GNSS) are provided. A mobile station attached to or included in a movable object can communicate bidirectionally with a fixed base station to determine a location of the movable object. The mobile station may communicate an estimated position to the base station and receive from the base station a set of GNSS satellites that are visible to the mobile station. The mobile station can acquire satellite timing information from GNSS signals from the set of satellites and communicate minimally-processed satellite timing information to the base station. The base station can determine the position of the mobile station and communicate the position back to the mobile station. By offloading much of the processing to the base station, energy consumption of the mobile station is reduced.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01S 19/05 - Cooperating elements; Interaction or communication between different cooperating elements or between cooperating elements and receivers providing aiding data
• G01S 19/06 - Cooperating elements; Interaction or communication between different cooperating elements or between cooperating elements and receivers providing aiding data employing an initial estimate of the location of the receiver as aiding data or in generating aiding data
• G01S 19/09 - Cooperating elements; Interaction or communication between different cooperating elements or between cooperating elements and receivers providing processing capability normally carried out by the receiver
• G01S 19/14 - Receivers specially adapted for specific applications
• G01S 19/28 - Satellite selection
• G01S 19/34 - Power consumption
• G01S 19/41 - Differential correction, e.g. DGPS [differential GPS]
• G01S 19/49 - Determining position by combining or switching between position solutions derived from the satellite radio beacon positioning system and position solutions derived from a further system whereby the further system is an inertial position system, e.g. loosely-coupled
• H04W 4/02 - Services making use of location information
• G01S 19/25 - Acquisition or tracking of signals transmitted by the system involving aiding data received from a cooperating element, e.g. assisted GPS
• G01S 19/11 - Cooperating elements; Interaction or communication between different cooperating elements or between cooperating elements and receivers providing dedicated supplementary positioning signals wherein the cooperating elements are pseudolites or satellite radio beacon positioning system signal repeaters

Abstract

Various systems for monitoring wheeled vehicles (such as shopping carts) are disclosed. The system can include an RF antenna unit that is buried and is configured for bi-directional communication with the electronics on the cart. In some embodiments, the antenna comprises a plurality of transmitters, which can emit synchronized signals. In some embodiments, the antenna comprises a radiating cable, which can emit a signal along some, substantially all, or all of its length.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06Q 50/10 - Services
• B62B 3/14 - Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor characterised by provisions for nesting or stacking, e.g. shopping trolleys
• B62B 5/00 - Accessories or details specially adapted for hand carts

Abstract

Various embodiments of a system for tracking and/or controlling wheeled vehicles (such as shopping carts), are described. In some embodiments, the system includes an RFID tag on the cart and an RFID reader device external to the cart. The tag can receive an interrogation signal from the reader and reply with a response signal. In various embodiments, the reader or a central control unit can perform various calculations based on the response signal, such as generating a received signal strength indication (RSSI) value. In some embodiments, based on the RSSI value or otherwise, the reader can send a command signal to the tag to take an action, such as to engage a brake mechanism.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06K 7/12 - Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by corpuscular radiation using a selected wavelength, e.g. to sense red marks and ignore blue marks
• G06K 19/07 - Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards with integrated circuit chips
• G06Q 10/08 - Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• B62B 3/14 - Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor characterised by provisions for nesting or stacking, e.g. shopping trolleys
• B62B 5/00 - Accessories or details specially adapted for hand carts
• B62B 5/04 - Braking mechanisms; Locking devices against movement

Abstract

Various systems for monitoring wheeled vehicles (such as shopping carts) are disclosed. The system can include an RF antenna unit that is buried and is configured for bi-directional communication with the electronics on the cart. In some embodiments, the antenna comprises a plurality of transmitters, which can emit synchronized signals. In some embodiments, the antenna comprises a radiating cable, which can emit a signal along some, substantially all, or all of its length.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01S 13/74 - Systems using reradiation of radio waves, e.g. secondary radar systems; Analogous systems
• B62B 3/14 - Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor characterised by provisions for nesting or stacking, e.g. shopping trolleys
• B62B 5/00 - Accessories or details specially adapted for hand carts

Goods & Services

Radio transmitters for use with carts and shopping carts at retail store locations for locking, unlocking, and otherwise monitoring and controlling such carts and shopping carts; Radio transmitters for use with computer hardware and software systems for controlling theft alarms, sound alarms or security alarms on carts and shopping carts at retail store locations

Goods & Services

(1) Computers; computer hardware; computer software, namely, computer software for controlling theft alarms, sound alarms, and security alarms on shopping carts, wheeled carts, namely wheeled shopping carts and wheeled mobile storage carts, and retail store carts; computer software for monitoring, tracking, managing, and preventing theft of shopping carts and retail store carts; radio transmitters; (2) Electronic security system comprising computer hardware, computer software, transmitters and receivers, and circuitry, for monitoring, tracking, managing and preventing theft of shopping carts, wheeled carts, namely wheeled shopping carts and wheeled mobile storage carts, retail store carts; anti-theft sensors for wheels on retail store carts, shopping carts, mobile storage cars, luggage carts, and personal mobility carts; anti-theft computer hardware and embedded software for ensuring the security of wheeled carts, namely wheeled shopping carts and wheeled mobile storage carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts and personal mobility carts; security alarm controllers for use with wheeled carts, namely wheeled shopping carts and wheeled mobile storage carts, retail store carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts and personal mobility carts; remote controls for use with wheeled carts, namely wheeled shopping carts and wheeled mobile storage carts, retail store carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts and personal mobility carts; remote controls for use in the retrieval of wheeled carts, namely wheeled shopping carts and wheeled mobile storage carts, shopping carts, and retail store carts; electrical and scientific apparatus, namely, systems comprised of computer hardware and software for estimating the location of wheeled carts, namely wheeled shopping carts and wheeled mobile storage carts, retail store carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, personal mobility carts, and of the wheels and retrievers for the aforementioned carts; electrical and scientific apparatus, namely, antennas and antenna fixtures for wheeled carts, namely wheeled shopping carts and wheeled mobile storage carts, shopping carts, and retail store carts; (3) Radio transmitters for use with retail store carts, wheeled carts, namely wheeled shopping carts and wheeled mobile storage carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts and personal mobility carts; Radio transmitters for use with cart retrievers, in the nature of a motorized land vehicle for retrieving retail store carts, shopping carts, and wheeled carts, namely wheeled shopping carts and wheeled mobile storage carts; electronic motion-sensitive switches for retail store carts, wheeled carts, namely wheeled shopping carts and wheeled mobile storage carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; (4) Electronic sensors for monitoring the location and movement of retail store carts, shopping carts, and wheeled carts, namely wheeled shopping carts and wheeled mobile storage carts; electronic systems comprising computer hardware, software, electronic sensors, and remote controls for loss prevention and loss notification of store merchandise; electronic system comprising computer hardware and software for tracking movable objects in the nature of store merchandise (5) Anti-theft sensors for retail store carts, shopping carts, wheeled carts, namely wheeled shopping carts and wheeled mobile storage carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; remote control hardware and remote control embedded software for monitoring the status, retrieval, and transport of shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts and retrievers for shopping carts; wireless anti-theft monitors and controllers for retail store carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; electronic security system for commercial use comprising computer hardware and computer software for loss prevention of store merchandise (6) Radio transmitters for use with computer hardware and software systems for controlling theft alarms, sound alarms and security alarms for retail store carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; Radio transmitters for use with computer hardware and software systems for controlling theft alarms, sound alarms and security alarms for cart retrievers, in the nature of a motorized land vehicle for retrieving retail store carts, shopping carts, and mobile storage carts; wireless computer hardware and software systems for monitoring, tracking, and locating retail store carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and wheels and retrievers for the aforementioned carts; electronic location-sensitive switches for retail store carts, wheeled carts, namely wheeled shopping carts and wheeled mobile storage carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts and personal mobility carts; electrical and scientific apparatus, namely, devices for calibrating sensors, namely, systems comprised of computer hardware and software for use in calibrating sensors in retail store carts, wheeled carts, namely wheeled shopping carts and wheeled mobile storage carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and retrievers and wheels for the aforementioned carts; computer hardware and software for commercial use for monitoring, tracking, managing, and preventing theft of personal mobility carts; computer hardware and software for commercial use for monitoring, tracking, managing, and preventing theft of hand baskets; computer hardware and software for monitoring, detecting, and tracking the location of wheeled carts, namely wheeled shopping carts and wheeled mobile storage carts, retail store carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and retrievers of the aforementioned carts; electronic security system comprising computer hardware, computer software, transmitters and receivers, and circuitry, for monitoring, tracking, managing and preventing theft of retrievers of shopping carts (7) Electronic wheels, namely, electronic devices in the nature of electronic wheels for wheeled shopping carts and wheeled mobile storage carts that can be remote control operated; electronic brakes, namely, electronic devices in the nature of electronic brakes for wheeled mobile storage carts and shopping carts that can be remote control operated; electrical and scientific apparatus namely, anti-theft devices, namely, antitheft locks for use with wheeled carts, namely wheeled shopping carts and wheeled mobile storage carts, retail store carts, mobile storage carts, and shopping carts; wheels for shopping carts, retail store carts and mobile storage carts; wheel parts, namely, treads for retreading tires; anti-theft alarm system for use in preventing theft of motorized and non-motorized land vehicles in the nature of retail store carts, shopping carts, and wheeled carts, namely wheeled shopping carts and wheeled mobile storage carts; brakes for land vehicles; brakes for retail store carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts and personal mobility carts; brakes for wheels of retail store carts and shopping carts; electronic and mechanical brakes for retail store carts comprised of wireless radio transmitters; electronic and mechanical brakes for retail store carts comprised of wireless radio receivers; anti-theft locks specially adapted for retail store carts, wheeled carts, namely wheeled shopping carts and wheeled mobile storage carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts and personal mobility carts; motorized land vehicles for retrieving, monitoring, organizing, and stacking retail store carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts and wheeled carts, namely wheeled shopping carts and wheeled mobile storage carts; electrical and scientific apparatus, namely, anti-theft device for personal mobility carts; anti-theft alarms for wheels on retail store carts, shopping carts, mobile storage cars, luggage carts, and personal mobility carts; (8) Motorized transportation land vehicle for retrieving motorized and non-motorized retail store carts, shopping carts, and wheeled carts, namely wheeled shopping carts and wheeled mobile storage carts; mechanical unit, in the nature of a motorized land vehicle, for retrieving retail store carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; (9) Alarms for use with retail store carts, shopping carts, and wheeled carts, namely wheeled shopping carts and wheeled mobile storage carts; security alarms for use with retail store carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts and personal mobility carts; anti-theft alarms for retail store carts, shopping carts, wheeled carts, namely wheeled shopping carts and wheeled mobile storage carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; wireless anti-theft devices and alarms for retail store carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; (1) Inventory monitoring and management in the field of retail store carts and shopping carts; online services, namely, inventory monitoring for shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and retrievers of the aforementioned carts; business consultation to retail businesses regarding risk management and lossprevention management and solutions to prevent theft of store equipment and store product inventory (2) Business management; business administration; (3) Tracking, locating and monitoring of retail store carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and retrievers of shopping carts for commercial purposes; monitoring services for business purposes to ascertain the geographic locations of movable objects, namely, shopping carts, wheeled carts, namely wheeled shopping carts and wheeled mobile storage carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and retrievers of the aforementioned carts (4) Hosting an online portal that provides customers and distributor access to business and retail store information regarding the status and location of anti-theft equipment used to monitor and prevent the theft of store equipment and store product inventory, system performance, usage statistics, and reference material

Goods & Services

(1) Computers; computer hardware; computer software, namely, computer software for controlling theft alarms, sound alarms, and security alarms on shopping carts, wheeled carts, namely wheeled shopping carts and wheeled mobile storage carts, and retail store carts; computer software for monitoring, tracking, managing, and preventing theft of shopping carts and retail store carts; radio transmitters (2) Electronic security system comprising computer hardware, computer software, transmitters and receivers, and circuitry, for monitoring, tracking, managing and preventing theft of shopping carts, wheeled carts, namely wheeled shopping carts and wheeled mobile storage carts, retail store carts; anti-theft sensors for wheels on retail store carts, shopping carts, mobile storage cars, luggage carts, and personal mobility carts; anti-theft computer hardware and embedded software for ensuring the security of wheeled carts, namely wheeled shopping carts and wheeled mobile storage carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts and personal mobility carts; security alarm controllers for use with wheeled carts, namely wheeled shopping carts and wheeled mobile storage carts, retail store carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts and personal mobility carts; remote controls for use with wheeled carts, namely wheeled shopping carts and wheeled mobile storage carts, retail store carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts and personal mobility carts; remote controls for use in the retrieval of wheeled carts, namely wheeled shopping carts and wheeled mobile storage carts, shopping carts, and retail store carts; electrical and scientific apparatus, namely, systems comprised of computer hardware and software for estimating the location of wheeled carts, namely wheeled shopping carts and wheeled mobile storage carts, retail store carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, personal mobility carts, and of the wheels and retrievers for the aforementioned carts; electrical and scientific apparatus, namely, antennas and antenna fixtures for wheeled carts, namely wheeled shopping carts and wheeled mobile storage carts, shopping carts, and retail store carts; (3) Radio transmitters for use with retail store carts, wheeled carts, namely wheeled shopping carts and wheeled mobile storage carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts and personal mobility carts; Radio transmitters for use with cart retrievers, in the nature of a motorized land vehicle for retrieving retail store carts, shopping carts, and wheeled carts, namely wheeled shopping carts and wheeled mobile storage carts; electronic motion-sensitive switches for retail store carts, wheeled carts, namely wheeled shopping carts and wheeled mobile storage carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; (4) Electronic sensors for monitoring the location and movement of retail store carts, shopping carts, and wheeled carts, namely wheeled shopping carts and wheeled mobile storage carts; electronic security system for commercial use comprising computer hardware, electronic sensors, remote controls and tracking systems and computer software for loss prevention, loss notification and tracking of store merchandise (5) Anti-theft sensors for retail store carts, shopping carts, wheeled carts, namely wheeled shopping carts and wheeled mobile storage carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; remote control hardware and remote control embedded software for monitoring the status, retrieval, and transport of shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts and retrievers for shopping carts; wireless anti-theft monitors and controllers for retail store carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; electronic security system for commercial use comprising computer hardware and computer software for loss prevention of store merchandise; anti-theft device comprised of computer hardware and software (6) Radio transmitters for use with computer hardware and software systems for controlling theft alarms, sound alarms and security alarms for retail store carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; Radio transmitters for use with computer hardware and software systems for controlling theft alarms, sound alarms and security alarms for cart retrievers, in the nature of a motorized land vehicle for retrieving retail store carts, shopping carts, and mobile storage carts; wireless computer hardware and software systems for monitoring, tracking, and locating retail store carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and wheels and retrievers for the aforementioned carts; electronic location-sensitive switches for retail store carts, wheeled carts, namely wheeled shopping carts and wheeled mobile storage carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts and personal mobility carts; electrical and scientific apparatus, namely, devices for calibrating sensors, namely, systems comprised of computer hardware and software for use in calibrating sensors in retail store carts, wheeled carts, namely wheeled shopping carts and wheeled mobile storage carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and retrievers and wheels for the aforementioned carts; computer hardware and software for commercial use for monitoring, tracking, managing, and preventing theft of personal mobility carts; computer hardware and software for commercial use for monitoring, tracking, managing, and preventing theft of hand baskets; computer hardware and software for monitoring, detecting, and tracking the location of wheeled carts, namely wheeled shopping carts and wheeled mobile storage carts, retail store carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and retrievers of the aforementioned carts; electronic security system comprising computer hardware, computer software, transmitters and receivers, and circuitry, for monitoring, tracking, managing and preventing theft of retrievers of shopping carts (7) Electronic wheels, namely, electronic devices in the nature of electronic wheels for wheeled shopping carts and wheeled mobile storage carts that can be remote control operated; electronic brakes, namely, electronic devices in the nature of electronic brakes for wheeled mobile storage carts and shopping carts that can be remote control operated; electrical and scientific apparatus namely, anti-theft devices, namely, antitheft locks for use with wheeled carts, namely wheeled shopping carts and wheeled mobile storage carts, retail store carts, mobile storage carts, and shopping carts; wheels for shopping carts, retail store carts and mobile storage carts; wheel parts, namely, treads for retreading tires; anti-theft alarm for use in preventing theft of motorized and non-motorized land vehicles in the nature of retail store carts, shopping carts, and wheeled carts, namely wheeled shopping carts and wheeled mobile storage carts; brakes for land vehicles; brakes for retail store carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts and personal mobility carts; brakes for wheels of retail store carts and shopping carts; electronic and mechanical brakes for retail store carts comprised of wireless radio transmitters; electronic and mechanical brakes for retail store carts comprised of wireless radio receivers; anti-theft locks specially adapted for retail store carts, wheeled carts, namely wheeled shopping carts and wheeled mobile storage carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts and personal mobility carts; motorized land vehicles for retrieving, monitoring, organizing, and stacking retail store carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts and wheeled carts, namely wheeled shopping carts and wheeled mobile storage carts; electrical and scientific apparatus, namely, antitheft device for personal mobility carts; anti-theft alarms for wheels on retail store carts, shopping carts, mobile storage cars, luggage carts, and personal mobility carts; (8) Motorized transportation land vehicle for retrieving motorized and non-motorized retail store carts, shopping carts, and wheeled carts, namely wheeled shopping carts and wheeled mobile storage carts; mechanical unit, in the nature of a motorized land vehicle, for retrieving retail store carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts (9) Alarms for use with retail store carts, shopping carts, and wheeled carts, namely wheeled shopping carts and wheeled mobile storage carts; security alarms for use with retail store carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts and personal mobility carts; anti-theft alarms for retail store carts, shopping carts, wheeled carts, namely wheeled shopping carts and wheeled mobile storage carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; wireless anti-theft devices and alarms for retail store carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; (1) Inventory monitoring and management for retail stores, namely, for monitoring retail store inventory, retail store merchandise, and retail store carts and shopping carts; online inventory control and inventory management services, namely, providing customers and distributor access to business and retail store information regarding the status and location of store inventory, namely anti-theft equipment used to monitor and prevent the theft of store equipment and store product inventory, and regarding system performance, usage statistics, and reference material, via an online portal; inventory control and inventory management services, namely, monitoring services for business purposes to ascertain the geographic locations of movable inventory objects, namely, shopping carts, wheeled carts, namely wheeled shopping carts and wheeled mobile storage carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and retrievers of the aforementioned carts; online services, namely, inventory monitoring for shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and retrievers of the aforementioned carts; inventory control and inventory management services, namely, tracking, locating and monitoring inventory of retail store carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and retrievers of shopping carts for commercial purposes; business consultation to retail businesses regarding risk management and loss-prevention management and solutions to prevent theft of store equipment and store product inventory (2) Business management; business administration;

IPC Classes  ?

• B60L 53/65 - Monitoring or controlling charging stations involving identification of vehicles or their battery types
• B60L 58/12 - Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for monitoring or controlling batteries responding to state of charge [SoC]
• B60L 15/40 - Adaptation of control equipment on vehicle for remote actuation from a stationary place

Abstract

Examples of systems and methods for controlling or monitoring a fleet of human- propelled, wheeled carts and cart retrievers are described. The carts can be shopping carts at a retail facility, and the cart retrievers can be used to collect and return the shopping carts from a parking lot near the facility to a cart collection area. The carts or cart retrievers can monitor various status or usage parameters (such as retriever battery charge, cart collection trip speed, cart collection path or duration, etc.) and transmit the parameters to a central control unit. The central control unit can analyze and process the status or usage parameters. The system can provide a user interface for access to the status or usage parameters of the cart and cart retriever fleet.

IPC Classes  ?

• B60L 15/40 - Adaptation of control equipment on vehicle for remote actuation from a stationary place

Abstract

Examples of systems and methods for controlling or monitoring a fleet of human-propelled, wheeled carts and cart retrievers are described. The carts can be shopping carts at a retail facility, and the cart retrievers can be used to collect and return the shopping carts from a parking lot near the facility to a cart collection area. The carts or cart retrievers can monitor various status or usage parameters (such as retriever battery charge, cart collection trip speed, cart collection path or duration, etc.) and transmit the parameters to a central control unit. The central control unit can analyze and process the status or usage parameters. The system can provide a user interface for access to the status or usage parameters of the cart and cart retriever fleet.

IPC Classes  ?

• B62B 5/00 - Accessories or details specially adapted for hand carts
• B62B 3/14 - Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor characterised by provisions for nesting or stacking, e.g. shopping trolleys
• G05D 1/00 - Control of position, course, altitude, or attitude of land, water, air, or space vehicles, e.g. automatic pilot
• G05D 1/02 - Control of position or course in two dimensions
• G07C 5/08 - Registering or indicating performance data other than driving, working, idle, or waiting time, with or without registering driving, working, idle, or waiting time

Abstract

Examples of systems and methods for controlling or monitoring a fleet of human- propelled, wheeled carts and cart retrievers are described. The carts can be shopping carts at a retail facility, and the cart retrievers can be used to collect and return the shopping carts from a parking lot near the facility to a cart collection area. The carts or cart retrievers can monitor various status or usage parameters (such as retriever battery charge, cart collection trip speed, cart collection path or duration, etc.) and transmit the parameters to a central control unit. The central control unit can analyze and process the status or usage parameters. The system can provide a user interface for access to the status or usage parameters of the cart and cart retriever fleet.

IPC Classes  ?

• B62B 3/00 - Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor

Goods & Services

Computers; computer hardware; computer software; radio transmitters; alarms and alarm systems; electronic sensors; electronic sensory and location devices and systems; security devices; scientific, measuring, signaling, checking, supervision, electric, and electronic apparatus and instruments; data processing equipment; wireless transmitters and receivers; electronic security system comprising computer hardware, computer software, transmitters or receivers, and circuitry, for monitoring, tracking, managing, or preventing theft of carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and cart retrievers; alarms and alarm monitoring systems for use with carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; radio transmitters for use with carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and cart retrievers; radio transmitters for use with computer hardware and software systems for controlling theft alarms, sound alarms or security alarms for carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and cart retrievers; anti-theft alarms and sensors for carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; anti-theft alarms and sensors for wheels on carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; anti-theft computer hardware and software for ensuring the security of carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; computer hardware and software for monitoring, detecting, or tracking the location of carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and cart retrievers; security alarm controllers for use with carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; remote controls for use with carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and cart retrievers; remote control hardware and software system for monitoring status, retrieval, or transport of carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, cart retrievers, and luggage carts; mechanical unit for retrieving carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; wireless anti-theft systems, alarms, monitors and controllers for carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; wireless computer hardware and software systems for monitoring, tracking, or locating carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, wheels for carts, and cart retrievers; electronic motion-sensitive switches for carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; electronic location-sensitive switches for carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; electrical and scientific apparatus, namely, systems for calibrating sensors in carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, cart retrievers, and wheels for carts; electrical and scientific apparatus, namely, systems for estimating the location of carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, wheels for carts, and cart retrievers; electrical and scientific apparatus, namely, antennas and antenna fixtures; computer hardware and software for commercial use for monitoring, tracking, managing, or preventing theft of personal mobility carts; computer hardware and software for commercial use for monitoring, tracking, managing, or preventing theft of hand baskets; electronic security system for commercial use comprising computer hardware and computer software for loss prevention of store merchandise. Land vehicles and parts and fittings therefor; apparatus for locomotion by land and parts and fittings therefor; electronic wheels; electronic brakes; motorized transportation vehicle for retrieving motorized and non-motorized land vehicles; motorized transportation unit for retrieving carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, human-propelled carts, and luggage carts; electrical and scientific apparatus, namely, anti-theft systems comprising locking devices for carts, shopping carts, and other wheeled vehicles; wheels for carts; land vehicle parts, namely, wheels; wheel parts, namely, treads; anti-theft system for motorized and non-motorized land vehicles; brakes for land vehicles; brakes for carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and cart wheels; electronic and mechanical braking apparatus comprised of wireless transmitters; electronic and mechanical braking apparatus comprised of wireless receivers; anti-theft locks specially adapted for carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; motorized vehicles for retrieving, monitoring, organizing, or stacking carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; electrical and scientific apparatus, namely, anti-theft systems for personal mobility carts; electronic wheels, namely, electronic wheels for shopping carts, electronic wheels for motorized and non-motorized land vehicles, electronic wheels for carts, electronic wheels for mobile storage carts, electronic wheels for luggage carts, electronic wheels for cart retrievers; electronic brakes, namely, electronic brakes for shopping carts, electronic brakes for motorized and non-motorized land vehicles, electronic brakes for carts, electronic brakes for mobile storage carts, electronic brakes for luggage carts, electronic brakes for cart retrievers. Advertising; business management; business administration; office functions; inventory monitoring and management; business management, namely, monitoring services for business purposes to ascertain the geographic locations of movable objects, namely, motorized and non-motorized carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and cart retrievers (stock control); online services, namely, inventory monitoring for motorized and non-motorized land vehicles, carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and cart retrievers; business management, namely, tracking, locating and monitoring of motorized and non-motorized carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and cart retrievers for commercial purposes (stock control); business consultation; business consultation to retail businesses regarding risk management and loss-prevention management and solutions.

Goods & Services

Computers; computer hardware; computer software; radio transmitters; alarms and alarm systems; electronic sensors; electronic sensory and location devices and systems; security devices; scientific, measuring, signaling, checking, supervision, electric, and electronic apparatus and instruments; data processing equipment; wireless transmitters and receivers; electronic security system comprising computer hardware, computer software, transmitters or receivers, and circuitry, for monitoring, tracking, managing, or preventing theft of carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and cart retrievers; alarms and alarm monitoring systems for use with carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; radio transmitters for use with carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and cart retrievers; radio transmitters for use with computer hardware and software systems for controlling theft alarms, sound alarms or security alarms for carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and cart retrievers; anti-theft alarms and sensors for carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; anti-theft alarms and sensors for wheels on carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; anti-theft computer hardware and software for ensuring the security of carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; computer hardware and software for monitoring, detecting, or tracking the location of carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and cart retrievers; security alarm controllers for use with carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; remote controls for use with carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and cart retrievers; remote control hardware and software system for monitoring status, retrieval, or transport of carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, cart retrievers, and luggage carts; mechanical unit for retrieving carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; wireless anti-theft systems, alarms, monitors and controllers for carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; wireless computer hardware and software systems for monitoring, tracking, or locating carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, wheels for carts, and cart retrievers; electronic motion-sensitive switches for carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; electronic location-sensitive switches for carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; electrical and scientific apparatus, namely, systems for calibrating sensors in carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, cart retrievers, and wheels for carts; electrical and scientific apparatus, namely, systems for estimating the location of carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, wheels for carts, and cart retrievers; electrical and scientific apparatus, namely, antennas and antenna fixtures; computer hardware and software for commercial use for monitoring, tracking, managing, or preventing theft of personal mobility carts; computer hardware and software for commercial use for monitoring, tracking, managing, or preventing theft of hand baskets; electronic security system for commercial use comprising computer hardware and computer software for loss prevention of store merchandise; electronic systems for loss prevention and loss notification; electronic system for tracking movable objects. Land vehicles and parts and fittings therefor; apparatus for locomotion by land and parts and fittings therefor; electronic wheels; electronic brakes; motorized transportation vehicle for retrieving motorized and non-motorized land vehicles; motorized transportation unit for retrieving carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, human-propelled carts, and luggage carts; electrical and scientific apparatus, namely, anti-theft systems comprising locking devices for carts, shopping carts, and other wheeled vehicles; wheels for carts; land vehicle parts, namely, wheels; wheel parts, namely, treads; anti-theft system for motorized and non-motorized land vehicles; brakes for land vehicles; brakes for carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and cart wheels; electronic and mechanical braking apparatus comprised of wireless transmitters; electronic and mechanical braking apparatus comprised of wireless receivers; anti-theft locks specially adapted for carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; motorized vehicles for retrieving, monitoring, organizing, or stacking carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; electrical and scientific apparatus, namely, anti-theft systems for personal mobility carts; electronic wheels, namely, electronic wheels for shopping carts, electronic wheels for motorized and non-motorized land vehicles, electronic wheels for carts, electronic wheels for mobile storage carts, electronic wheels for luggage carts, electronic wheels for cart retrievers; electronic brakes, namely, electronic brakes for shopping carts, electronic brakes for motorized and non-motorized land vehicles, electronic brakes for carts, electronic brakes for mobile storage carts, electronic brakes for luggage carts, electronic brakes for cart retrievers. Advertising; business management; business administration; office functions; inventory monitoring and management; business management, namely, monitoring services for business purposes to ascertain the geographic locations of movable objects, namely, motorized and non-motorized carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and cart retrievers (stock control); online services, namely, inventory monitoring for motorized and non-motorized land vehicles, carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and cart retrievers; business management, namely, tracking, locating and monitoring of motorized and non-motorized carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and cart retrievers for commercial purposes (stock control); business consultation; business consultation to retail businesses regarding risk management and loss-prevention management and solutions.

Abstract

A vehicle tracking system includes a wheel containing sensor circuitry 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, which may but need not be included within the wheel. The wheel may also include a brake mechanism. In one embodiment, the wheels are placed on shopping carts 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.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01C 21/20 - Instruments for performing navigational calculations
• B62B 3/14 - Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor characterised by provisions for nesting or stacking, e.g. shopping trolleys
• A47F 10/04 - Furniture or installations specially adapted to particular types of service systems, not otherwise provided for for self-service type systems, e.g. supermarkets for storing or handling self-service hand-carts or baskets
• B60K 25/08 - Auxiliary drives from a ground wheel, e.g. engaging the wheel tread or rim
• B60T 7/18 - Brake-action initiating means for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger operated by remote control, i.e. initiating means not mounted on vehicle operated by wayside apparatus
• B62B 5/04 - Braking mechanisms; Locking devices against movement
• G01C 21/00 - Navigation; Navigational instruments not provided for in groups
• G01C 21/12 - Navigation; Navigational instruments not provided for in groups by using measurement of speed or acceleration executed aboard the object being navigated; Dead reckoning
• G06Q 10/08 - Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• G08B 13/24 - Electrical actuation by interference with electromagnetic field distribution
• G08G 1/00 - Traffic control systems for road vehicles
• H02K 7/18 - Structural association of electric generators with mechanical driving motors, e.g.with turbines
• B60T 7/16 - Brake-action initiating means for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger operated by remote control, i.e. initiating means not mounted on vehicle
• H04W 4/02 - Services making use of location information

Goods & Services

Electronic security system comprising computer hardware, computer software, transmitters or receivers, and circuitry, for monitoring, tracking, managing, or preventing theft of carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and cart retrievers; alarm monitoring systems for use with carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; radio transmitters for use with carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and cart retrievers; radio transmitters for use with computer hardware and software systems for controlling theft alarms, sound alarms or security alarms for carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and cart retrievers; anti-theft alarms and sensors for carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; anti-theft alarms and sensors for wheels on carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; anti-theft computer hardware and software for ensuring the security of carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; computer hardware and software for monitoring, detecting, or tracking the location of carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and cart retrievers; security alarm controllers for use with carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; remote controls for use with carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and cart retrievers; remote control hardware and software system for monitoring status, retrieval, or transport of carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, cart retrievers, and luggage carts; wireless controllers for and electronic monitors for monitoring carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; electrical and scientific apparatus, namely, computer hardware and software systems for estimating the location of carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and cart retrievers; wireless computer hardware and software systems for monitoring, tracking, or locating carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, wheels for carts, and cart retrievers; electronic motion-sensitive switches for carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; electronic location-sensitive switches for carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; electrical and scientific apparatus, namely, systems comprised of computer hardware and software for calibrating sensors in carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, cart retrievers, and wheels for carts; electrical and scientific apparatus, namely, systems comprised of computer hardware and software for estimating the location of carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, wheels for carts, and cart retrievers; electrical and scientific apparatus, namely, antennas and antenna fixtures; computer hardware and software for commercial use for monitoring, tracking, managing, or preventing theft of personal mobility carts; computer hardware and software for commercial use for monitoring, tracking, managing, or preventing theft of hand baskets; electronic security system for commercial use comprising computer hardware and computer software for loss prevention of store merchandise; anti-theft system comprising computer hardware and software for controlling locking devices for carts, shopping carts, personal mobility carts and other wheeled carts; electronic and mechanical braking apparatus comprised of wireless transmitters; electronic and mechanical braking apparatus comprised of wireless receivers; electrical and scientific apparatus, namely, anti-theft systems, comprising computer hardware and software for personal mobility carts Electronic wheels for carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, human-propelled carts, and luggage carts; electronic brakes for carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, human-propelled carts, and luggage carts; motorized transportation vehicle for retrieving motorized and non-motorized carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, human-propelled carts, luggage carts and personal mobility carts; motorized transportation unit, in the nature of a motorized vehicle, for retrieving carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, human-propelled carts, and luggage carts; wheels for carts; land vehicle parts, namely, wheels; wheel parts, namely, treads for carts, shipping carts mobile storage carts, human-propelled carts, and luggage carts; anti-theft system, in the nature of anti-theft devices for motorized and non-motorized carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, human-propelled carts, luggage carts and personal mobility carts; brakes for land vehicles; brakes for carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and cart wheels; anti-theft locks specially adapted for carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; motorized vehicles for retrieving, monitoring, organizing, or stacking carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; electrical and scientific apparatus, namely, anti-theft systems, comprising locking devices for personal mobility carts; anti-theft alarms for use with carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; security alarms for use with carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; wireless anti-theft systems and alarms for carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; mechanical unit, in the nature of a motorized land vehicle, for retrieving carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts Inventory monitoring and management; providing an online portal that provides customer and distributor access to business information regarding equipment status, system performance, usage statistics, and reference material; monitoring services for business purposes to ascertain the geographic locations of movable objects, namely, motorized and non-motorized land vehicles, carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and cart retrievers; online services, namely, inventory monitoring for motorized and non-motorized land vehicles, carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and cart retrievers; tracking, locating and monitoring of motorized and non-motorized land vehicles, carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and cart retrievers for commercial purposes; business consultation; business consultation to retail businesses regarding risk management and loss-prevention management and solutions

Goods & Services

electronic security system comprising computer hardware, computer software, transmitters or receivers, and circuitry, for monitoring, tracking, managing, or preventing theft of carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and cart retrievers; alarm monitoring systems for use with carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; radio transmitters for use with carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and cart retrievers; radio transmitters for use with computer hardware and software systems for controlling theft alarms, sound alarms or security alarms for carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and cart retrievers; anti-theft alarms and sensors for carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; anti-theft alarms and sensors for wheels on carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; anti-theft computer hardware and software for ensuring the security of carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; computer hardware and software for monitoring, detecting, or tracking the location of carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and cart retrievers; security alarm controllers for use with carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; remote controls for use with carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and cart retrievers; remote control hardware and software system for monitoring status, retrieval, or transport of carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, cart retrievers, and luggage carts; controllers for and electronic monitors for monitoring carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; electrical and scientific apparatus, namely, computer hardware and software systems for estimating the location of carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and cart retrievers; wireless computer hardware and software systems for monitoring, tracking, or locating carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, wheels for carts, and cart retrievers; electronic motion-sensitive switches for carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; electronic location-sensitive switches for carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; electrical and scientific apparatus, namely, systems comprised of computer hardware and software for calibrating sensors in carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, cart retrievers, and wheels for carts; electrical and scientific apparatus, namely, systems comprised of computer hardware and software for estimating the location of carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, wheels for carts, and cart retrievers; electrical and scientific apparatus, namely, antennas and antenna fixtures; computer hardware and software for commercial use for monitoring, tracking, managing, or preventing theft of personal mobility carts; computer hardware and software for commercial use for monitoring, tracking, managing, or preventing theft of hand baskets; electronic security system for commercial use comprising computer hardware and computer software for loss prevention of store merchandise; electronic systems comprising computer hardware, software, electronic sensors, and remote controls for loss prevention and loss notification; electronic system comprising computer hardware and software for tracking movable objects; anti-theft system comprising computer hardware and software for controlling locking devices for carts, shopping carts, personal mobility carts and other wheeled carts; electronic and mechanical braking apparatus comprised of wireless transmitters; electronic and mechanical braking apparatus comprised of wireless receivers; electrical and scientific apparatus, namely, anti-theft systems, comprising computer hardware and software for personal mobility carts; all of the aforementioned excluding goods for use with automobiles Electronic wheels for carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, human-propelled carts, and luggage carts; electronic brakes for carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, human-propelled carts, and luggage carts; motorized transportation vehicle for retrieving motorized and non-motorized carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, human-propelled carts, luggage carts and personal mobility carts; motorized transportation unit, in the nature of a motorized vehicle, for retrieving carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, human-propelled carts, and luggage carts; wheels for carts; wheel parts, namely, treads for carts, shipping carts mobile storage carts, human-propelled carts, and luggage carts; anti-theft system, in the nature of anti-theft devices for motorized and non-motorized carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, human-propelled carts, luggage carts and personal mobility carts; brakes for land vehicles; brakes for carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and cart wheels; anti-theft locks specially adapted for carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; motorized vehicles for retrieving, monitoring, organizing, or stacking carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; electrical and scientific apparatus, namely, anti-theft systems, comprising locking devices for personal mobility carts; alarms for use with carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; wireless anti-theft systems and alarms for carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; mechanical unit, in the nature of a motorized land vehicle, for retrieving carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, and luggage carts; all of the aforementioned excluding goods for use with automobiles Inventory monitoring and management; providing an online portal that provides customer and distributor access to business information regarding equipment status, system performance, usage statistics, and reference material; monitoring services for business purposes to ascertain the geographic locations of movable objects, namely, motorized and non-motorized land vehicles, carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and cart retrievers; online services, namely, inventory monitoring for motorized and non-motorized land vehicles, carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and cart retrievers; tracking, locating and monitoring of motorized and non-motorized land vehicles, carts, shopping carts, mobile storage carts, luggage carts, and cart retrievers for commercial purposes; business consultation; business consultation to retail businesses regarding risk management and loss-prevention management and solutions; all of the aforementioned excluding services for use with automobiles

Abstract

Various systems for detecting unauthorized exit events are disclosed. The systems can support a variety of different methods for assessing whether a customer is exiting the store without paying. The particular method or methods used may vary widely based on the types and the locations of the system components included in a given installation. For example, the system may be configured to detect that a cart has passed or is passing through a checkout lane.

IPC Classes  ?

• G08B 13/14 - Mechanical actuation by lifting or attempted removal of hand-portable articles
• B62B 3/14 - Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor characterised by provisions for nesting or stacking, e.g. shopping trolleys
• A47F 10/04 - Furniture or installations specially adapted to particular types of service systems, not otherwise provided for for self-service type systems, e.g. supermarkets for storing or handling self-service hand-carts or baskets
• B60K 25/08 - Auxiliary drives from a ground wheel, e.g. engaging the wheel tread or rim
• B60T 7/18 - Brake-action initiating means for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger operated by remote control, i.e. initiating means not mounted on vehicle operated by wayside apparatus
• B62B 5/04 - Braking mechanisms; Locking devices against movement
• G01C 21/00 - Navigation; Navigational instruments not provided for in groups
• G01C 21/12 - Navigation; Navigational instruments not provided for in groups by using measurement of speed or acceleration executed aboard the object being navigated; Dead reckoning
• G06Q 10/08 - Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• G08B 13/24 - Electrical actuation by interference with electromagnetic field distribution
• G08G 1/00 - Traffic control systems for road vehicles
• H02K 7/18 - Structural association of electric generators with mechanical driving motors, e.g.with turbines
• B60T 7/16 - Brake-action initiating means for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger operated by remote control, i.e. initiating means not mounted on vehicle
• H04W 4/02 - Services making use of location information
• G01C 21/20 - Instruments for performing navigational calculations
• B62B 5/00 - Accessories or details specially adapted for hand carts
• G06K 7/10 - Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by corpuscular radiation

Abstract

Brake mechanisms for a wheel of non-motorized wheeled vehicle such as, e.g., a shopping cart, are described. In various embodiments, the brake mechanism can provide a variable amount of braking force or torque between zero and an amount sufficient to lock the wheel. In some embodiments, the brake mechanism includes a brake plate that is movable toward and away from a surface of the wheel hub along a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the wheel. The brake plate is configured not to rotate when the wheel and hub are rotating. Frictional engagement between the brake plate and the surface of the wheel hub provides the braking force. The brake plate and/or the surface of the wheel hub can include engagement features such as, e.g., protrusions and slots. In some embodiments, the brake mechanism fits entirely within the wheel.

IPC Classes  ?

• F16D 65/16 - Actuating mechanisms for brakes; Means for initiating operation at a predetermined position arranged in or on the brake
• B60B 33/00 - Castors in general
• B60T 1/04 - Arrangements of braking elements, i.e. of those parts where braking effect occurs acting by retarding wheels acting directly on tread
• B62B 5/04 - Braking mechanisms; Locking devices against movement
• F16D 121/14 - Mechanical
• F16D 121/24 - Electric or magnetic using motors
• F16D 125/48 - Rotating members in mutual engagement with parallel stationary axes, e.g. spur gears

Abstract

A power generation system for wheeled objects comprises a generator mechanically coupled to one or more of the object's wheels to convert wheel rotational energy into electrical energy. The power generation system may comprise an electrical storage device configured to store the electrical power produced by the generator. Power from the generator and/or the electrical storage device can be used to provide power to other electrical systems in or on the object. In certain embodiments, the electrical storage device comprises a bank of high-capacity capacitors connected in series. Some embodiments use a control circuit, for example, to regulate the charging and discharging of the capacitor bank and to provide suitable voltages for other systems. The power generation system may be disposed within an object's wheel, such as a wheel of a shopping cart.

IPC Classes  ?

• B62B 5/04 - Braking mechanisms; Locking devices against movement
• B62B 3/14 - Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor characterised by provisions for nesting or stacking, e.g. shopping trolleys
• A47F 10/04 - Furniture or installations specially adapted to particular types of service systems, not otherwise provided for for self-service type systems, e.g. supermarkets for storing or handling self-service hand-carts or baskets
• B60K 25/08 - Auxiliary drives from a ground wheel, e.g. engaging the wheel tread or rim
• B60T 7/18 - Brake-action initiating means for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger operated by remote control, i.e. initiating means not mounted on vehicle operated by wayside apparatus
• G01C 21/00 - Navigation; Navigational instruments not provided for in groups
• G01C 21/12 - Navigation; Navigational instruments not provided for in groups by using measurement of speed or acceleration executed aboard the object being navigated; Dead reckoning
• G06Q 10/08 - Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• G08B 13/24 - Electrical actuation by interference with electromagnetic field distribution
• G08G 1/00 - Traffic control systems for road vehicles
• H02K 7/18 - Structural association of electric generators with mechanical driving motors, e.g.with turbines
• B60T 7/16 - Brake-action initiating means for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger operated by remote control, i.e. initiating means not mounted on vehicle
• H04W 4/02 - Services making use of location information
• G01C 21/20 - Instruments for performing navigational calculations
• B62B 5/00 - Accessories or details specially adapted for hand carts

Abstract

Various loop antenna fixture embodiments are disclosed. The fixture can be configured to removably attach with other fixtures, thus changing the overall dimensions of an antenna wrapped around the periphery of the fixture or fixtures. Advantageously, after the antenna is wrapped around the fixture(s) to form an assembly, the entire assembly can be removed and installed without the requirement of removing the antenna from the fixture(s).

IPC Classes  ?

• H01Q 1/12 - Supports; Mounting means
• H01Q 1/22 - Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles
• H01Q 7/00 - Loop antennas with a substantially uniform current distribution around the loop and having a directional radiation pattern in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the loop
• H01Q 7/04 - Screened antennas

Abstract

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

IPC Classes  ?

• G01C 21/00 - Navigation; Navigational instruments not provided for in groups
• B62B 3/14 - Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor characterised by provisions for nesting or stacking, e.g. shopping trolleys
• A47F 10/04 - Furniture or installations specially adapted to particular types of service systems, not otherwise provided for for self-service type systems, e.g. supermarkets for storing or handling self-service hand-carts or baskets
• B60K 25/08 - Auxiliary drives from a ground wheel, e.g. engaging the wheel tread or rim
• B60T 7/18 - Brake-action initiating means for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger operated by remote control, i.e. initiating means not mounted on vehicle operated by wayside apparatus
• B62B 5/04 - Braking mechanisms; Locking devices against movement
• G01C 21/12 - Navigation; Navigational instruments not provided for in groups by using measurement of speed or acceleration executed aboard the object being navigated; Dead reckoning
• G06Q 10/08 - Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• G08B 13/24 - Electrical actuation by interference with electromagnetic field distribution
• G08G 1/00 - Traffic control systems for road vehicles
• H02K 7/18 - Structural association of electric generators with mechanical driving motors, e.g.with turbines
• B60T 7/16 - Brake-action initiating means for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger operated by remote control, i.e. initiating means not mounted on vehicle
• H04W 4/02 - Services making use of location information
• G01C 21/20 - Instruments for performing navigational calculations
• B62B 5/00 - Accessories or details specially adapted for hand carts
• G06K 7/10 - Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by corpuscular radiation

Abstract

A wheel for a non-motorized vehicle (e.g., a shopping cart) can include a housing assembly and a tread assembly. The housing assembly can be configured to sealingly house electronics or other components. The tread assembly can removably mate with the housing assembly such that the electronics or other components remain closed and/or sealed within the housing assembly when the tread assembly is mated or unmated with the housing assembly.

IPC Classes  ?

• B60B 33/00 - Castors in general
• B60B 33/02 - Castors in general with disengageable swivel action

Abstract

A wheel for a non-motorized vehicle (e.g., a shopping cart) can include a housing assembly and a tread assembly. The housing assembly can be configured to sealingly house electronics or other components. The tread assembly can removably mate with the housing assembly such that the electronics or other components remain closed and/or sealed within the housing assembly when the tread assembly is mated or unmated with the housing assembly.

IPC Classes  ?

• B60B 33/00 - Castors in general
• B60B 33/02 - Castors in general with disengageable swivel action

Abstract

A wheel for a non-motorized vehicle (e.g., a shopping cart) can include a housing assembly and a tread assembly. The housing assembly can be configured to sealingly house electronics or other components. The tread assembly can removably mate with the housing assembly such that the electronics or other components remain closed and/or sealed within the housing assembly when the tread assembly is mated or unmated with the housing assembly.

IPC Classes  ?

• B60B 33/00 - Castors in general
• B60B 1/00 - Spoked wheels; Spokes thereof
• B60B 19/06 - Wheels not otherwise provided for or having characteristics specified in one of the subgroups of this group with compartments for fluid, packing, or loading material; Buoyant wheels
• B60B 23/10 - Attaching rim to wheel body by screws, bolts, pins, or clips arranged axially
• B60B 3/00 - Disc wheels, i.e. wheels with load-supporting disc body
• B60B 5/02 - Wheels, spokes, disc bodies, rims, hubs, wholly or predominantly made of non-metallic material made of synthetic material
• B60B 19/12 - Roller-type wheels
• B60B 21/02 - Rims characterised by transverse section
• B60B 23/04 - Attaching rim to wheel body by bayonet-joint, screw-thread, or like attachments
• B60C 7/24 - Non-inflatable or solid tyres characterised by means for securing tyres on rim or wheel body
• B60B 23/06 - Attaching rim to wheel body by screws, bolts, pins, or clips

Goods & Services

Wheels for shopping carts. Installation, maintenance and repair of computer hardware for shopping cart containment systems, shopping cart retrieval systems and loss prevention systems for shopping carts; installation, maintenance and repair of shopping cart containment systems; installation, maintenance and repair of shopping cart retrieval systems; installation, maintenance and repair of loss prevention systems for shopping carts; providing technical support, namely, technical advice concerning the installation, repair and maintenance of shopping cart containment systems; providing technical support, namely, technical advice concerning the installation, repair and maintenance of shopping cart retrieval systems; providing technical support, namely, technical advice concerning the installation, repair and maintenance of loss prevention systems for shopping carts; providing technical support, namely, technical advice concerning the installation, repair and maintenance of controlling systems for theft alarms, sound alarms or security alarms. Installation, maintenance and repair of software for shopping cart containment systems; installation, maintenance and repair of software for shopping cart retrieval systems; installation, maintenance and repair of software for loss prevention systems; installation, maintenance and repair of computer software systems for controlling theft alarms, sound alarms or security alarms; providing technical support, namely, technical advice concerning the installation, repair and maintenance of software for shopping cart containment systems; providing technical support, namely, technical advice concerning the installation, repair and maintenance of software for shopping cart retrieval systems; providing technical support, namely, technical advice concerning the installation, repair and maintenance of software for loss prevention systems; providing technical support, namely, technical advice concerning the installation, repair and maintenance of software for controlling theft alarms, sound alarms or security alarms.

Goods & Services

Wheels for shopping carts. Installation, maintenance and repair of computer hardware for shopping cart containment systems, shopping cart retrieval systems and loss prevention systems for shopping carts; installation, maintenance and repair of shopping cart containment systems; installation, maintenance and repair of shopping cart retrieval systems; installation, maintenance and repair of loss prevention systems for shopping carts; providing technical support, namely, technical advice concerning the installation, repair and maintenance of shopping cart containment systems; providing technical support, namely, technical advice concerning the installation, repair and maintenance of shopping cart retrieval systems; providing technical support, namely, technical advice concerning the installation, repair and maintenance of loss prevention systems for shopping carts; providing technical support, namely, technical advice concerning the installation, repair and maintenance of controlling systems for theft alarms, sound alarms or security alarms. Installation, maintenance and repair of software for shopping cart containment systems; installation, maintenance and repair of software for shopping cart retrieval systems; installation, maintenance and repair of software for loss prevention systems; installation, maintenance and repair of computer software systems for controlling theft alarms, sound alarms or security alarms; providing technical support, namely, technical advice concerning the installation, repair and maintenance of software for shopping cart containment systems; providing technical support, namely, technical advice concerning the installation, repair and maintenance of software for shopping cart retrieval systems; providing technical support, namely, technical advice concerning the installation, repair and maintenance of software for loss prevention systems; providing technical support, namely, technical advice concerning the installation, repair and maintenance of software for controlling theft alarms, sound alarms or security alarms.

Goods & Services

Wheels for shopping carts. Installation, maintenance and repair of computer hardware for shopping cart containment systems, shopping cart retrieval systems and loss prevention systems for shopping carts; installation, maintenance and repair of shopping cart containment systems; installation, maintenance and repair of shopping cart retrieval systems; installation, maintenance and repair of loss prevention systems for shopping carts; providing technical support, namely, technical advice concerning the installation, repair and maintenance of shopping cart containment systems; providing technical support, namely, technical advice concerning the installation, repair and maintenance of shopping cart retrieval systems; providing technical support, namely, technical advice concerning the installation, repair and maintenance of loss prevention systems for shopping carts; providing technical support, namely, technical advice concerning the installation, repair and maintenance of controlling systems for theft alarms, sound alarms or security alarms. Installation, maintenance and repair of software for shopping cart containment systems; installation, maintenance and repair of software for shopping cart retrieval systems; installation, maintenance and repair of software for loss prevention systems; installation, maintenance and repair of computer software systems for controlling theft alarms, sound alarms or security alarms; providing technical support, namely, technical advice concerning the installation, repair and maintenance of software for shopping cart containment systems; providing technical support, namely, technical advice concerning the installation, repair and maintenance of software for shopping cart retrieval systems; providing technical support, namely, technical advice concerning the installation, repair and maintenance of software for loss prevention systems; providing technical support, namely, technical advice concerning the installation, repair and maintenance of software for controlling theft alarms, sound alarms or security alarms.

Abstract

A system is disclosed for tracking and controlling shopping carts and other types of human propelled vehicles. The system includes a wheel assembly that attaches to a cart. The wheel assembly includes a brake unit for inhibiting cart motion, and includes wireless communication circuitry. The wheel assembly is capable of activating the brake unit in response to one or more conditions, such as the receipt of an RF signal or command. In some embodiments, the system also includes a display unit that displays information to a user of the cart, including information regarding the cart's proximity to a lock zone in which the brake unit will become activated.

IPC Classes  ?

• G05D 1/00 - Control of position, course, altitude, or attitude of land, water, air, or space vehicles, e.g. automatic pilot

Abstract

A wheel for a non-motorized vehicle (e.g., a shopping cart) can include a housing assembly and a tread assembly. The housing assembly can be configured to sealingly house electronics or other components. The tread assembly can removably mate with the housing assembly such that the electronics or other components remain closed and/or sealed within the housing assembly when the tread assembly is mated or unmated with the housing assembly.

IPC Classes  ?

• B60B 23/10 - Attaching rim to wheel body by screws, bolts, pins, or clips arranged axially
• B60C 7/26 - Non-inflatable or solid tyres characterised by means for securing tyres on rim or wheel body using bolts
• B60B 33/00 - Castors in general
• B60B 23/06 - Attaching rim to wheel body by screws, bolts, pins, or clips
• B60B 23/04 - Attaching rim to wheel body by bayonet-joint, screw-thread, or like attachments

Abstract

In certain embodiments, a connection assembly can engage a cart, such as a retail shopping cart, to facilitate pushing and/or pulling the cart or a number of carts that have been nested together. In some embodiments, the connection assembly includes an engagement member with a recess. In an open position of engagement member, the recess can be configured to receive a portion of a frame member of the cart. In a closed position of the engagement member, the portion of the frame member can be secured with the connection assembly, thereby providing a secure connection with the cart to facilitate movement of the cart to a desired location.

IPC Classes  ?

• B60D 1/40 - Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices characterised by arrangements for particular functions for facilitating connection, e.g. hitch catchers involving a temporarily extensible or alignable member
• B62B 5/00 - Accessories or details specially adapted for hand carts
• B60D 1/07 - Multi-hitch devices, i.e. comprising several hitches of the same or of a different type; Hitch-adaptors, i.e. for converting hitches from one type to another
• B60D 1/02 - Bolt or shackle-type couplings
• B62B 3/14 - Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor characterised by provisions for nesting or stacking, e.g. shopping trolleys
• B60D 1/00 - Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices

Abstract

A system is disclosed for tracking and controlling shopping carts and other types of human propelled vehicles. The system includes a wheel assembly that attaches to a cart. The wheel assembly includes a brake unit for inhibiting cart motion, and includes wireless communication circuitry. The wheel assembly is capable of activating the brake unit in response to one or more conditions, such as the receipt of an RF signal or command. In some embodiments, the system also includes a display unit that displays information to a user of the cart, including information regarding the cart's proximity to a lock zone in which the brake unit will become activated.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01C 21/00 - Navigation; Navigational instruments not provided for in groups
• B62B 3/14 - Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor characterised by provisions for nesting or stacking, e.g. shopping trolleys
• A47F 10/04 - Furniture or installations specially adapted to particular types of service systems, not otherwise provided for for self-service type systems, e.g. supermarkets for storing or handling self-service hand-carts or baskets
• B60K 25/08 - Auxiliary drives from a ground wheel, e.g. engaging the wheel tread or rim
• B60T 7/18 - Brake-action initiating means for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger operated by remote control, i.e. initiating means not mounted on vehicle operated by wayside apparatus
• B62B 5/04 - Braking mechanisms; Locking devices against movement
• G01C 21/12 - Navigation; Navigational instruments not provided for in groups by using measurement of speed or acceleration executed aboard the object being navigated; Dead reckoning
• G06Q 10/08 - Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• G08B 13/24 - Electrical actuation by interference with electromagnetic field distribution
• G08G 1/00 - Traffic control systems for road vehicles
• H02K 7/18 - Structural association of electric generators with mechanical driving motors, e.g.with turbines
• B60T 7/16 - Brake-action initiating means for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger operated by remote control, i.e. initiating means not mounted on vehicle
• H04W 4/02 - Services making use of location information
• G01C 21/20 - Instruments for performing navigational calculations
• B62B 5/00 - Accessories or details specially adapted for hand carts
• G06K 7/10 - Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by corpuscular radiation

Abstract

A vehicle tracking system includes a wheel unit containing RF communication circuitry. The wheel units communicate with fixed nodes of a monitoring system. In some embodiments, the wheel units are placed on shopping carts and are used to track the shopping carts in a vicinity of a store. The system may implement a variety of tracking-relating features, including detecting unauthorized store exit events, estimating the number of shopping carts that are clustered together, and inhibiting shopping cart theft.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01C 21/00 - Navigation; Navigational instruments not provided for in groups

Abstract

A vehicle tracking system includes a wheel assembly containing sensor circuitry capable of sensing various types of conditions, such as specific electromagnetic and/or magnetic signals indicative of particular wheel locations. The sensor circuitry is coupled to an RF transceiver, which may but need not be included within the wheel. The wheel may also include a brake mechanism. In one embodiment, the wheels are placed on shopping carts and are used to collect and monitor shopping cart status and location data via a wireless network. In some embodiments, the wheel assemblies detect that they have entered into particular zones by measuring received signal strengths of received command transmissions, and by comparing these measurements to thresholds that are used to define zone boundaries.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01C 21/00 - Navigation; Navigational instruments not provided for in groups
• B62B 3/14 - Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor characterised by provisions for nesting or stacking, e.g. shopping trolleys
• A47F 10/04 - Furniture or installations specially adapted to particular types of service systems, not otherwise provided for for self-service type systems, e.g. supermarkets for storing or handling self-service hand-carts or baskets
• B60K 25/08 - Auxiliary drives from a ground wheel, e.g. engaging the wheel tread or rim
• B60T 7/18 - Brake-action initiating means for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger operated by remote control, i.e. initiating means not mounted on vehicle operated by wayside apparatus
• B62B 5/04 - Braking mechanisms; Locking devices against movement
• G01C 21/12 - Navigation; Navigational instruments not provided for in groups by using measurement of speed or acceleration executed aboard the object being navigated; Dead reckoning
• G06Q 10/08 - Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• G08B 13/24 - Electrical actuation by interference with electromagnetic field distribution
• G08G 1/00 - Traffic control systems for road vehicles
• H02K 7/18 - Structural association of electric generators with mechanical driving motors, e.g.with turbines
• B60T 7/16 - Brake-action initiating means for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger operated by remote control, i.e. initiating means not mounted on vehicle
• H04W 4/02 - Services making use of location information
• G01C 21/20 - Instruments for performing navigational calculations
• B62B 5/00 - Accessories or details specially adapted for hand carts
• G06K 7/10 - Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by corpuscular radiation