Computer-Implemented Systems and Methods for Providing an Out of Stock/Low Stock Alert

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for a low stock product display alert system. A system includes a pushing element configured to push one or more products toward a front of a shelf as a unit of the product is removed from the shelf. The system also includes an RFID component, where the RFID component is configured to be in a dormant state when the pushing element is in a first position. The system further includes an activation element configured to activate the RFID component when the pushing element is in a second position, where when activated, the RFID component is configured to emit a signal indicating that the product display is out of product.

1 . A low stock product display alert system, comprising:
 a pushing element configured to push one or more products toward a front of a shelf as a unit of the product is removed from the shelf;   a signal transmitter component, wherein signal transmitter component is configured to be in a dormant state when the pushing element is in a first position;   a switch activation element configured to activate the signal transmitter component from a non-transmitting state by closing a circuit when the pushing element is in a second position, wherein when activated, the signal transmitter component is configured to emit a signal indicating that the product display is in the low stock state.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the signal transmitter component is a battery-assisted signal transmitter, wherein when the circuit is closed the signal transmitter component is activated by receiving battery power. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the pushing element is configured to push one or more products toward the front of the shelf along a track. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the signal transmitter component is affixed to the pushing element, wherein the activation element is affixed to a front portion of the track. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the pushing element is in the second position when the signal transmitter component is aligned with the activation element at the front portion of the track. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the signal transmitter component is selected from a passive transmitter, a battery assisted transmitter, or an active transmitter. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the signal transmitter is an active transmitter. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the signal transmitter transmits the signal on radio frequency. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a signal receiver component configured to receive the signal, and the signal receiver component is communication with an inventory monitor engine. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the signal further indicates an identification of the product display. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the inventory monitor engine is configured to automatically order product when the product display is in the low stock state as indicated by the signal. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more additional switch activation elements configured to activate the signal transmitter component from a non-transmitting state by closing a circuit when the pushing element is in one or more additional states, and causing the signal transmitter component to emit a signal indicating that the product display has one or more additional inventory levels. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the switch activation element is a magnet. 
     
     
         14 . A method for providing a low stock alert system, comprising:
 pushing with a pushing element one or more products toward a front of a shelf as a unit of the product is removed from the shelf;   moving the pushing element from a first position to a second position, wherein a signal transmitter component is configured to be in a dormant state when the pushing element is in the first position; and   closing a circuit when the pushing element is in the second position and activating the signal transmitter component to emit a signal indicating that the product display is in the low stock state.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising receiving the signal, and communicating the signal to an inventory monitor engine. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the inventory monitor engine automatically ordering product when the product display is in the low stock state as indicated by the signal. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the shelf is located in a freezer or refrigerator and the signal transmitter component is located outside the freezer or refrigerator. 
     
     
         18 . A multiplexed low stock product display alert system, comprising:
 a plurality of pushing elements configured to push one or more products toward a front of a shelf as a unit of the product is removed from the shelf;   a signal transmitter component, wherein signal transmitter component is configured to be in a dormant state when one or more of the pushing elements are in a first position;   a plurality of switch activation elements multiplexed to the signal transmitter component, wherein one or more of the switch activation elements are configured to activate the signal transmitter component from a non-transmitting state by closing a circuit when the plurality of pushing elements are in a second position, wherein when activated, the signal transmitter component is configured to emit a signal indicating that the product display is in the low stock state.   
     
     
         19 . The multiplexed system of  claim 18 , wherein the signal transmitter component is selected from a passive transmitter, a battery assisted transmitter, or an active transmitter 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the signal transmitter is an active transmitter or battery assisted transmitter.