Patent ID: 11896144
Assignee: AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Field: Computer technology (Electrical engineering)
Classification: CPC A  G | IPC A  G

Claim 0:
1. A system comprising:
a storage unit having a first pusher and a front end, wherein the first pusher is provided within a first track and biased toward the front end of the storage unit by a first spring;
a first counting device mounted at the front end of the storage unit, wherein a portion of the first counting device comprises a first visible pattern thereon, and wherein at least the portion of the first counting device is configured to rotate about a first axis in response to a change of position of the first pusher within the first track;
a camera comprising at least one processor unit and a visual sensor, wherein a field of view of the camera includes the portion of the first counting device; and
a server in communication with the camera, wherein the server is programmed with one or more sets of instructions that, when executed by the server, cause the server to at least:
receive a first image from the camera, wherein the first image was captured by the camera at a first time, and wherein a plurality of items is provided between the first pusher and the front end of the storage unit at the first time;
detect the first visible pattern within the first image;
determine a first orientation of the first visible pattern within the first image;
receive a second image from the camera, wherein the second image was captured by the camera at a second time;
detect the first visible pattern within the second image;
determine a second orientation of the first visible pattern within the second image;
determine a difference between the first orientation of the first visible pattern and the second orientation of the first visible pattern;
calculate a number of the plurality of items based at least in part on the difference between the first orientation of the first visible pattern and the second orientation of the first visible pattern; and
determine that at least one interaction involving the number of the plurality of items occurred between the first time and the second time.