Patent ID: 9659272
Date: 2017-05-23
CPC Classifications: G06Q

Claim:
1. A computer-implemented method comprising: capturing, by an image capturing device of a computing device representing a micro digital signage (MDS) unit having a processor and a memory coupled to the processor, a first electronic image of a position capable of hosting a product on a store shelf in a store, wherein capturing is performed in response to receiving a user command, wherein the MDS unit is placed on or near the store shelf or one or more edges of the store shelf and includes a display device coupled to the processor and the memory such that the display device is capable of retrieving from the memory one or more of advertisement data and pricing information relating to products placed on or near the store shelf while ignoring the store shelf when the store shelf lacks product activity or is obscured by one or more of persons and objects; comparing, by the processor, the first electronic image to a second electronic image of the position on the store shelf, wherein the first electronic image includes a current electronic image, and wherein the second electronic image includes a previous electronic image; and generating, by the processor, an indication to attend to supplying of the product at the position on the store shelf upon a determination that the second electronic image of the position on the store shelf does not match the first electronic image of the position on the store shelf, and wherein the indication is further generated, by the processor, based on continuous detection or periodic detection, by one or more temperature sensors, of temperature conditions associated with one or more products to identify need for supplying or removing of the one or more products from one or more positions on one or more shelves associated with a cooler or a freezer in the store, wherein the temperature conditions indicate potential or actual changes in state of the one or more products based on a rise in temperature or a temperature exceeding a configurable threshold, wherein the one or more temperature sensors are coupled with the computing device and attached to or embedded in the one or more positions on the one or more shelves, wherein the periodic detection is determined in accordance with one or more configurable time periods based on one or more of minutes, hours, days, mornings, nights, business hours, shopping seasons, and natural seasons.