System and method to detect failures at a subset of load cells

    公开(公告)号:US11636424B1

    公开(公告)日:2023-04-25

    申请号:US16747183

    申请日:2020-01-20

    Abstract: Load cells are used in a fixture of a facility to acquire weight data. However, some of the load cells used in the fixture may fail. One way to test a subset of load cells is to compare data from a first subset of load cells to a second subset of load cells using a linear regression. For example, the linear regression may help determine predicted values for the first subset of load cells. Actual values from the first subset of load cells are then compared to the predicted values. If the differences between the actual values and predicted values for the first subset of load cells are greater than a threshold, a determination is made that the first subset of load cells has failed. Weight data from the second subset of load cells may then be used to determine hypotheses for describing interactions at the fixture.

    Determination of untidy item return to an inventory location using weight

    公开(公告)号:US11195140B1

    公开(公告)日:2021-12-07

    申请号:US15703302

    申请日:2017-09-13

    Abstract: A user may pick an item from a first inventory location, such as in a lane on a shelf, and may return it another location that is assigned to another type of item. Described are techniques to generate tidiness data that is indicative of whether an item has been returned to an inventory location assigned to that type of item. As items are taken, information about the type of item taken and its weight are stored. When an increase in weight at a lane indicates a return of an item to the lane, the weight of the return is compared to the stored weight of the items previously taken by a user. If the weights correspond to within a threshold value, the type of item associated with the stored weight is deemed to be returned and tidiness data indicative of a tidy return of the item to its appointed lane may be generated.

    Storage units with shifted-lens cameras

    公开(公告)号:US10805556B1

    公开(公告)日:2020-10-13

    申请号:US16254258

    申请日:2019-01-22

    Abstract: A shifted-lens imaging device mounted in association with a storage unit captures images of interactions by personnel with items on the storage unit. The images are processed to identify the items and/or the personnel, and to store an association of the personnel with the items in one or more data stores. The shifted-lens imaging device is mounted to the storage unit directly, such as by one or more extensions, and aligned to include a planar area of interest associated with the storage unit, such as a frontal area of the storage unit, within a field of view. A lens of the shifted-lens imaging device is shifted in parallel with the imaging sensor by an offset or distance that may be selected based on a focal length of the imaging device and a distance between the imaging device and dimensions of the planar area of interest.

    System to determine load cell failure

    公开(公告)号:US10540631B1

    公开(公告)日:2020-01-21

    申请号:US15380951

    申请日:2016-12-15

    Abstract: Shelves or other fixtures may be used to support items at a facility. Load cells at the fixtures may be used to acquire weight data indicative of changes to the fixture as items are added or removed from the fixture. The load cells may occasionally fail to provide accurate information. Described are techniques for comparing the data from a first sensor with data from other sensors to determine if the first sensor has failed. A linear regression may be performed using the data from the other sensors, and the results compared with the output from the first sensor. If the difference exceeds a threshold amount, an error in the first sensor may be determined. Once determined, other actions may be taken, such as generating a repair ticket to fix the first sensor, disregarding weight from that sensor, and so forth.

    Parallel planar weight sensing device

    公开(公告)号:US10969267B1

    公开(公告)日:2021-04-06

    申请号:US16290320

    申请日:2019-03-01

    Abstract: A parallel planar weight sensing device includes an accessory mounting bracket with an upper portion and a lower portion. Part of the accessory mounting bracket extends around a crossmember that also has an upper portion and a lower portion. Affixed to the upper portion of the crossmember is a first load cell while a second load cell is affixed to the lower portion of the crossmember. The upper portion of the accessory mounting bracket is affixed to the first load cell while the lower portion is affixed to the second load cell. An accessory, such as a shelf or hook, may be attached to the accessory mounting bracket and used to stow items. As the load on the accessory changes, such as due to a pick or place of items, a total weight change may be determined by summing the output from the load cells.

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