Patent ID: 8915430

Claim:
A system for identifying different types of products on a display hanger and determining a quantity of each of the different types of products, comprising: a plurality of electrically conductive segments coupled to the display hanger, the plurality of electrically conductive segments each electrically isolated from others of the plurality of electrically conductive segments; an electrically conductive rail coupled to the display hanger, the electrically conductive rail disposed adjacent to and electrically isolated from each of the plurality of electrically conductive segments; and a sensor device electrically coupled to each of the plurality of electrically conductive segments and to the electrically conductive rail, wherein the sensor device is configured to: identify the different types of products on the display hanger based on a unique electrical signature associated with each of the different types of products, where each product supported by the display hanger provides an electrical connection between at least one of the plurality of electrically conductive segments and the electrically conductive rail, and the electrical signature of each product is determined based on an electrical property of a portion of the product or a portion of a package associated with the product forming the electrical connection, the electrical signature determined at the sensor device by providing an electrical input to either each of the electrically conductive segments or to the electrically conductive rail and receiving an electrical response from those of the plurality of electrically conductive segments having the electrical connection; and determine the quantity of each of the different types of products on the display hanger based on the electrical signature associated with each electrical connection and a number of the plurality of electrically conductive segments having the electrical connection.