Patent Publication Number: US-2017352045-A1

Title: Cart Activity Sensor Data with Point of Sale Data to Determine Tasks

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/344,073, filed Jun. 1, 2016, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates generally to monitoring guest activity in a shopping facility and, more particularly, to determining cart activity in a shopping facility. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Typically, retailers desire to place products in easy to find locations within a shopping facility. Oftentimes products are grouped logically by type (e.g., grocery, sporting goods, clothing, etc.). Additionally, products can be classified within a group and placed near one another (e.g., in a grocery section, dairy products are placed in a first area, produces in a second area, beverages in a third area, etc.). Although retailers attempt to make products as easy to find as possible, guests may still have difficulty locating certain products. Additionally, it can be beneficial to place products in such a manner that guests may encounter products that they would like to purchase but may not otherwise actively seek. A need exists for a system that can gather and evaluate information that is indicative of whether a product is difficult to find in a shopping facility. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Disclosed herein are embodiments of systems, apparatuses and methods pertaining to determining cart movement in a shopping facility. This description includes drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  depicts a cart  106  being monitored in a shopping facility, according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram of a shopping facility  202  including a cart monitoring system, according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram of a system  300  for monitoring cart movement in a shopping facility, according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 4  is a flow chart including example operations for determining a task to perform based on cart activity, according to some embodiments. 
     
    
    
     Elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions and/or relative positioning of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present invention. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present invention. Certain actions and/or steps may be described or depicted in a particular order of occurrence while those skilled in the art will understand that such specificity with respect to sequence is not actually required. The terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary technical meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions by persons skilled in the technical field as set forth above except where different specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Generally speaking, pursuant to various embodiments, systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein useful to determining cart movement in a shopping facility. In some embodiments, a system for correlating cart activity in a shopping facility with point of sale data comprises one or more sensors, wherein the one or more sensors are configured to gather data associated with cart activity within the shopping facility and a control circuit communicatively coupled to the one or more sensors, the control circuit configured to determine, based on the data from the one or more sensors, the cart activity within the shopping facility, determine, based on point of sale data, items that were purchased, and determine, based on the cart activity within the shopping facility and the items that were purchased, one or more tasks to perform. 
     As previously discussed, the location of products in a shopping facility can have an impact on guest experience and sales. For example, if products are easy to find (e.g., located logically throughout the shopping facility) guests&#39; shopping experiences can be increased due to the ease of finding the products. Additionally, placing products strategically throughout the shopping facility may position products within a guest&#39;s path that he or she may want to purchase but would not have actively sought. For example, placing batteries near toys that require batteries may prompt a guest to purchase batteries for a toy he or she is purchasing. Consequently, properly locating products within a shopping facility can increase both guest satisfaction and sales. 
     According to some embodiments, a system monitors cart activity within a shopping facility. Additionally, the system can monitor point of sale (POS) data and correlate the POS data with the cart activity. Based on the cart activity and POS data, the system can determine tasks to perform. As one example, if the cart activity indicates that many carts have passed a location in which Product X is located but the POS data indicate that few or no guests have purchased Product X (e.g., sales of Product X are below expected or historical averages), it may indicate that Product X needs to be restocked. Based on this correlation, the system can determine that a restocking task should be performed. Alternatively, or additionally, the system can determine that an investigatory task should be performed to determine why guests have not been purchasing Product X (e.g., the price for Product X may be higher than what competitors are charging). As a second example, if the cart activity indicates that few carts have passed a location in which Product Y is located and the POS data indicate that relatively few guests have purchased Product Y, it may indicate that Product Y is poorly located (e.g., Product Y is hard to find, Product Y is not located near other products that complement Product Y, etc.). Based on this correlation, the system can determine that an investigatory task should be performed to determine if Product Y should be relocated within the shopping facility. While this brief overview provides two examples of scenarios that can result in the system determining a task to perform, many other scenarios and tasks exist. 
       FIG. 1  depicts a cart  106  being monitored in a shopping facility, according to some embodiments. As the cart  106  (and a guest associated with the cart) move throughout the shopping facility, sensors (i.e., first sensors  102  and second sensors  108 ) monitor the cart&#39;s  106  movement throughout the shopping facility. The sensors can be of any suitable type. For example, the sensors can include near field communication (NFC) sensors, radio frequency (RF) sensors, electronic article surveillance (EAS) sensors, dielectric sensors, electrical current sensors, magnetic field sensors, optical sensors, video cameras, still cameras, ultrasonic sensors, microphones, or any other suitable type of sensor. 
     The sensors can be placed in any suitable location. For example, sensors can be mounted overhead (e.g., mounted in, on, or from the ceiling), such as the first sensors  102  and/or at guest-level (e.g., in fixtures, such as the second sensors  108  located in a product display  104 ). Dependent upon the location of the sensors, different types of sensors can be used. For example, the second sensors  108  can include magnetic field sensors that form a “gate.” When the cart  106  passes through the “gate,” the cart  106  disrupts that magnetic field and the second sensors  108  perceive the cart. As another example, the first sensors  102  can be video cameras. As the cart  106  moves throughout the store, the video cameras can, possibly in concert with image processing technology, recognize the cart  106  and monitor the cart&#39;s  106  movement. 
     In some embodiments, the cart  106  is uniquely identifiable from other carts in the shopping facility. For example, the cart  106  can include an identifier  110  (e.g., an NFC transponder, an electrical signature, a coded visual pattern, etc.). In such embodiments, the system can monitor movement of the cart  106  within the shopping facility and distinguish the movement of the cart  106  from other carts in the shopping facility. Additionally, the cart  106  can be uniquely identified at checkout. In such embodiments, the system can correlate products associated with the cart  106  (as opposed to other carts) that are purchased as well as the movements of the cart  106  within the shopping facility. The system can uniquely identify the cart  106  at checkout based on the sensors. Alternatively, the system can uniquely identify the cart  106  based on the POS data. For example, the system may not uniquely identify each cart as it moves throughout the shopping facility, but can uniquely identify the cart  106  based on the aggregate cart activity and the products purchased. In any event, the system can be configured to correlate POS data and cart activity with cart-level granularity. 
     In some embodiments, the system can monitor cart activity generally. That is, the system can monitor the activity of all or multiple carts within the shopping facility without uniquely identifying the carts. For example, the system can correlate POS data and cart activity in the aggregate. Such embodiments may be less costly to implement and offer a clear view of shopping trends within the shopping facility. 
     While  FIG. 1  and the corresponding text provide an overview of a system for monitoring cart activity in a shopping facility,  FIG. 2  and the corresponding text provide an example of sensor placement within a shopping facility. 
       FIG. 2  is a diagram of a shopping facility  202  including a cart monitoring system, according to some embodiments.  FIG. 2  depicts a shopping facility  202  including product displays (i.e., shelves  204  and towers  214 ), terminals  208 , and doors  230 . The shopping facility  202  has been divided into sections: a first section  220 , a second section  222 , a third section  224 , and a fourth section  226 . Each section includes a different cart monitoring implementation. While each section of  FIG. 2  includes a different cart monitoring implementation, such a configuration is not necessary. For example, the shopping facility  202  need not be divided into sections, or each section (or some of the sections) can employ the same cart monitoring implementation. Different configurations can be utilized dependent upon the goal of the system and/or the types of sensors used (e.g., different types of sensors may be better-suited for different types of configurations). In some embodiments, the doors  230  can include sensors to track activity in and out of the shopping facility  202 . Additionally, the terminals  208  can include sensors to monitor cart activity and, in some embodiments, aid in uniquely identifying carts and correlating POS data with the uniquely identified carts. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 2 , the first section  220  includes a first sensor  206 . The first sensor  206  is centrally located within the first section  220  and is capable of monitoring all cart activity within the first section  220 . For example, the first sensor  206  can be an RF sensor that reads corresponding RF tags from the carts. As the carts move throughout the first section  220 , the first sensor  206  monitors the cart activity. The first sensor  206  can either uniquely identify carts (e.g., via identifiers such as unique RF tags) or simply log cart movement throughout the first section  220  in the aggregate. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 2 , the second section  222  includes a plurality of second sensors  210 . For example, the second sensors  210  can be located in product displays within the second section  222 . The second sensors  210  can act as gates. The second sensors  210  can either uniquely identify the carts as they pass through the gates or simply log cart movement through the gates. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 2 , the third section  224  includes a plurality of third sensors  216 . The third sensors  216  can be video cameras or still cameras. The third sensors  216  can capture images and/or video continuously, at predetermined intervals, or based upon a trigger (e.g., a motion-related trigger). The third sensors  216  can be positioned strategically so as to detect all cart activity within the third section  224 . For example, one of the third sensors  216  can be positioned in each aisle of the third section  224 . The third sensors  216  can uniquely identify carts with the aid of software, such as image processing software. Alternatively, or in the event that the third sensors  216  are not able to uniquely identify a cart, the third sensors  216  can monitor cart activity for multiple carts without uniquely identifying the carts. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 2 , the fourth section  226  includes a plurality of fourth sensors  228 . Each of the fourth sensors  228  is positioned to monitor cart activity in one of the aisles  218 . Based on this positioning, each of the fourth sensors  228  can monitor carts as they enter and exit each aisle  218 . As with the other sensors, the fourth sensors  228  can be configured to monitor aggregate cart activity and/or monitor carts with cart-level granularity. 
     While  FIG. 2  and the corresponding text provide an example of sensor placement within a shopping facility,  FIG. 3  and the corresponding text describe a cart monitoring system. 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram of a system  300  for monitoring cart movement in a shopping facility, according to some embodiments. The system  300  includes a control circuit  302 , a point of sale (POS) device  312 , and sensors  314 . The POS device  312  and the sensors  314  are in communication with the control circuit  302 . The POS device  312  and the sensors  314  provide information to the control circuit  302 . The POS device tracks sales data (e.g., transaction numbers, products purchased during a transaction, information about transactions, etc.). The sensors  314  monitor cart activity and collect data associated with cart activity. The sensors can monitor the activity with cart-level granularity or monitor aggregate cart activity. 
     The control circuit  302  includes a transceiver  304 , a correlation unit  306 , a task determination unit  308 , and databases  310 . The transceiver  304  receives data from, and transmits data to, the POS device  312  and the sensors  314  (as well as other devices not shown). For example, the transceiver  304  receives POS data from the POS device  312  and an indication of cart activity from the sensors  314 . In embodiments in which the sensors  314  uniquely identify the carts, the sensors  314  can also transmit identifiers for the carts. 
     The correlation unit  306  correlates the cart activity with the POS data. For example, the correlation unit  306  can associate the activity of individual carts with POS data for each cart to correlate the items purchased associated with an individual cart and the activity of the individual cart. Additionally, or alternatively, the correlation unit  306  can associate the activity of multiple carts (e.g., aggregate cart activity) with the POS data. The correlation unit  306  can correlate this information to determine overall trends in buying patterns of guests in the shopping facility. Additionally, in some embodiments, the correlation unit  306  can use a statistical model in concert with the aggregate cart activity and the POS data to, after the fact, uniquely determine where a cart went and what products were purchased in association with that cart. The correlation unit  306  can also determine or estimate an amount of time that a guest was in the shopping facility based on the cart activity and/or the POS data. This information can be used to determine that certain products are difficult to find. For example, the cart activity may indicate that one or more guests traversed a greater portion of the shopping facility, or spent a greater amount of time traversing the shopping facility, than expected based on the items purchased. The correlation unit can compare current data (i.e., an amount of time for a specific guest and POS data for the specific guest) with past guests (e.g., based on the amount of time, time of day, location, items purchased, etc.). The correlation unit  306  can store these comparisons in the databases  310 . The databases  310  can include data structures that enhance the efficiency of the system  300 . In some embodiments, the databases  310  also include comparisons from other shopping facilities. Additionally, in some embodiments, the databases  310  can include indications of locations of products in the store. The correlation unit  306  can use the databases to analyze product locations in the store based on the cart activity and the POS data. The correlation unit  306  can also compare these analyses with those from other shopping facilities. For example, the correlation unit  306  can compare the amount of time guests spend in the shopping facility compared to other shopping facilities that have products arranged differently, the number of items purchased by guests in the shopping facility compared to other shopping facilities that have products arranged differently, etc. As one specific example, assume that a retailer has multiple shopping facilities, including a first shopping facility and a second shopping facility. The correlation unit  306  can compare the location of a product within the first shopping facility and sales of the product from the first shopping facility with the location of the same product in the second shopping facility and sales of the same product from the second shopping facility. If the sales of the product from the second shopping facility are higher than those of the first shopping facility, it may indicate that the location of the product in the second shopping facility is superior to the location of the product in the first shopping facility. 
     The task determination unit  308  analyzes the comparisons made by the correlation unit and determines a task to perform. For example, if the correlation unit determined that several guests passed a specific product but did not purchase the product, the task determination unit  308  can determine that a restocking task should be performed based on the assumption that the product is either not stocked or improperly stocked on the product display. As another example, if the correlation unit  306  finds an association between a specific product and guests spending a longer time than expected in the shopping facility (e.g., based on the number of items purchased or cart activity), the task determination unit  308  can determine that an investigatory task should be performed to determine whether the specific product should be moved to a new location. The task to perform can be a general task management task or action (e.g., zoning), a modular task or action (detailed work on a small section of the shopping facility), a product management task or action, a facilities management task or action, a merchandising task or action (e.g., investigate new marketing and/or prices), or any other task or action in the shopping facility. In some embodiments, the databases  310  include a list of tasks and trigger conditions for the tasks. In such embodiments, the task determination unit  308  determines the task to perform by referencing the databases  310 . Returning to the example of the previous paragraph, the task determination unit  308  can determine that a product relocation task (i.e., aligning the location of the product in the first shopping facility with the location of the product in the second shopping facility) should be performed. 
       FIG. 4  is a flow chart including example operations for determining a task to perform based on cart activity, according to some embodiments. The flow begins at block  402 . 
     At block  402 , cart activity is determined. The cart activity can be determined by sensors or by a control circuit in communication with the sensors. The cart activity can be specific to individual carts or can be aggregate cart activity for multiple carts. The sensors can be of any suitable type. A shopping facility can include only a single type of sensor or multiple types of sensors. Additionally, the sensors can be redundant. For example, a shopping facility can have two sets of sensors in a single area. The sensors can be of the same type and used, for example, to verify cart activity. The sensors can also be of different types and used, for example, to gather different types of information. For example, a shopping facility may have an overhead sensor that monitors aggregate cart activity and in-shelf RF sensors that uniquely identify carts. The data from each of the sensors can be correlated to provide richer cart activity data than may be available if redundant sensors are not used. Additionally, in the case of redundant sensors, the sets of sensors may be individually controllable. For example, in some scenarios it may be useful to utilize only one of the sets of sensors while in other scenarios it might be useful to utilize the other set of sensors or both (or more) sets of sensors. The flow continues at block  404 . 
     At block  404 , items that are purchased are determined. For example, the control circuit can determine what products are purchased. The control circuit can make this determination based on POS data. The determination can be made with respect to specific carts or multiple carts. The POS data can include transaction information, such as an indication of the products in each transaction, an identity of a guest associated with each transaction, date and/or time information associated with each transaction, etc. The flow continues at block  406 . 
     At block  406 , one or more tasks to perform are determined. For example, the control circuit can determine the one or more tasks to perform. The one or more tasks to perform can be based on the cart activity and/or the POS data. For example, the control circuit can determine the one or more tasks to perform based on a correlation of the cart activity and the POS data. The control circuit can correlate the duration of a current guest with the products purchased, correlate the products purchased with the cart activity, and/or correlate the duration with a total number of products purchased. The task to perform can be a general task management task (e.g., zoning), a modular task (detailed work on a small section of the shopping facility), a product management task, a facilities management task, a merchandising task (e.g., investigate new marketing and/or prices), or any other task in the shopping facility. 
     Further, in some embodiments, the system can automatically perform the task. For example, if a significant number of guests are passing a particular product but conversion is lower than expected, the system can perform an automated pricing action. The expected sales for the product can be based on the volume of customers, the season, a geographic area, time of day, etc. For example, when a particular produce item is out of season, the expected sales volume for that produce item may be lower than when that produce item is in season. The automated pricing action can be a lowering of the price in an attempt to increase the sales of the product. In some embodiments, the automated pricing action can be based on the product. For example, if the product is perishable, the pricing action can be more aggressive, or greater, than for a product that is nonperishable because of potential losses due to spoilage. Additionally, the pricing action can be tiered. For example, the pricing action can initially decrease the price by a predetermined amount. After a period of time, sales of the product can again be reviewed. If the sales of the product are still below the expected sales, the price can be decreased again. Alternatively, if sales have no increased above the expected amount, the price can be increased. 
     Those skilled in the art will recognize that a wide variety of other modifications, alterations, and combinations can also be made with respect to the above described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention, and that such modifications, alterations, and combinations are to be viewed as being within the ambit of the inventive concept. For example, while the discussion of  FIG. 1  refers to either uniquely identifying carts or monitoring carts in the aggregate, some embodiments can perform a combination of this monitoring. In such embodiments, some carts can be uniquely identified (e.g., based on an identifier on some of the carts) and monitor other cats in the aggregate. Alternatively, the system might only monitor cart activity in the aggregate but still be able to uniquely identify at least some of the carts. For example, the POS data, in combination with the aggregate cart activity, may be sufficient to uniquely identify some, but not all, of the carts. 
     In some embodiments, a system for correlating cart activity in a shopping facility with point of sale data comprises one or more sensors, wherein the one or more sensors are configured to gather data associated with cart activity within the shopping facility and a control circuit communicatively coupled to the one or more sensors, the control circuit configured to determine, based on the data from the one or more sensors, the cart activity within the shopping facility, determine, based on point of sale data, items that were purchased, and determine, based on the cart activity within the shopping facility and the items that were purchased, one or more tasks to perform. 
     In some embodiments, a method for correlating cart activity in a shopping facility with point of sale data comprises determining, based on data from one or more sensors, cart activity within the shopping facility, determining, based on point of sale data, items that were purchased, and determining, based on the cart activity within the shopping facility and the items that were purchased, one or more tasks to perform.