DESC:FIELD
The present invention relates to the field of on-shelf inventory management system.
BACKGROUND
The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.
Currently, the Brick and Mortar Retail industry provides low visibility to customers about the offers available in a nearby retail store, specifically, the offers provided by manufacturers. The Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) rent out space within a store to run marketing offers and campaigns for improving their sales. However, due to limited visibility to customers, the sales don’t improve. Further, the customers are less loyal to these store brands. Retail stores have little digital presence as therefore they are not able to promote a digital experience to customers or store owners. The visibility for vendors/OEMs about offerings and campaigns executed in the store is also minimal. Further, the current retail stores provide minimal or no insights to a store manager regarding customer buying patterns and inventory movement.
There is, therefore, felt a need for an on-shelf inventory management system and a method thereof that provides real time updates and notifications about products to customers, improves visibility for customers, vendors and store managers and enhances their overall experience, thereby leading to improved customer acquisition and retention.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:
An object of the present disclosure is to provide an on-shelf inventory management system.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system that offers a virtual reality experience to users.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system that can display products in a store shelf format on a user device, thereby giving the users a feeling of looking at the exact physical shelf.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system to provide a digital store that informs the customers about a product’s availability, quantity and information such as product’s colour and size.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system that informs customers about discounts and promotions related to products.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system that facilitates customers to reserve products.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system that helps store managers to understand the customer buying behavior and usage pattern associated with their products.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system that improves vendor coordination using real time product requirements.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system that generates alerts and notifications for customers based on their requirements and sales history.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure envisages an on-shelf inventory management. The system comprises comprise a server and an interactive tool. The server comprises an acquisition unit, an analysis unit, and a notification unit. The acquisition unit is configured to receive image data of a plurality of shelves from at least one image capturing device physically present in a retail store and sensor data associated with the shelves from a plurality of sensors positioned at pre-determined locations in the retail store. The shelves include a plurality of product items. The analysis unit is configured cooperate with the acquisition unit to receive the image data and the sensor data and is further configured to generate a display signal and values relating to the product items based on the received image data and sensor data. The notification unit is configured to cooperate with the analysis unit to receive the values, and is further configured to generate at least one notification signal based on the received values. The interactive tool is hosted by the server and is installable in a user device associated with a customer. The interactive tool is configured to receive the display signal, the values, and the notification signal from the server, and is further configured to display a virtual image of the shelf having the product items, information relating to the product items, and at least one notification based on the received display signal, the values, and the notification signal.
In an embodiment, the interactive tool includes an information unit and an alert unit. The information unit is configured to cooperate with the server to display the virtual image of the shelf having the product items and information relating to the product items based on the received display signal and the values. The alert unit is configured to cooperate with the server to display the notification based on the received notification signal.
In an embodiment, the information unit and the alert unit are implemented using one or more processor(s).
In an embodiment, the system includes a shelf management tool communicatively coupled to the server and installed in a manager’s user device. The shelf management tool comprises a repository, a monitoring unit, a comparator, a data generator and a presentation unit. The repository is configured to store a lookup table having a list of the shelves, product items present in each of the shelves, quantity of each of the product items, and a pre-defined threshold quantity corresponding to each of the product items. The monitoring unit is configured to receive the display signal, the values, and the notification signal from the server, and is further configured to cooperate with the repository to update quantity of the product items in the repository based on the received values. The comparator is configured to cooperate with the repository to compare the updated quantity of each of the product items with the corresponding pre-defined threshold quantity, and is further configured to generate an alert when the updated quantity is equal to the pre-defined threshold quantity. The data generator is configured to cooperate with the monitoring unit and the repository to generate analytics information relating to the shelf based on the received display signal, values and the notification signal. The presentation unit is configured to cooperate with the comparator and the data generator to receive and display the alert message and the analytics information on a display screen.
In an embodiment, the monitoring unit, the comparator, the data generator and the presentation unit are implemented using one or more processor(s).
In an embodiment, the analytics information includes usage patterns of the product items, real-time customer visit patterns, number of visits, customer behavior insights, shelf space information, product placement recommendations, and product movement assistance.
In another embodiment, the information relating to the product items comprises product item’s name, price, colour, size, manufacturing dates, weights, chemical content, nutritional values, calories and expiration dates.
The present disclosure envisages a method for managing on-shelf inventory. The method includes the following steps:
• receiving, by an acquisition unit of a server, image data of a plurality of shelves from at least one image capturing device physically present in a retail store, wherein the shelves include a plurality of product items;
• receiving, by the acquisition unit, sensor data associated with the shelves from a plurality of sensors positioned at pre-determined locations in the retail store;
• receiving, by an analysis unit of the server, the image data and the sensor data;
• generating, by the analysis unit, a display signal and values relating to the product items based on the received image data and sensor data;
• generating, by a notification unit of the server, at least one notification signal based on the received values;
• receiving, by an interactive tool, the display signal, the values, and the notification signal from the server; and
• displaying, by the interactive tool, a virtual image of the shelf having the product items, information relating to the product items, and at least one notification based on the received display signal, the values, and the notification signal.
In an embodiment, displaying, by the interactive tool, further includes
• the virtual image of the shelf having the product items and information relating to the product items based on the received display signal and the values; and
• the notification based on the received notification signal

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
An on-shelf inventory management system and a method thereof of the present disclosure will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of an on-shelf inventory management system; and
Figure 2a and 2b illustrate a flow diagram of a method for managing on-shelf inventory.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
100 System
102 image capturing device
104 sensors
106 acquisition unit
108 server
110 analysis unit
112 notification unit
114 interactive tool
116 Customer’s user device
124 information unit
126 alert unit
128 shelf management tool
130 manager’s user device
132 repository
134 monitoring unit
136 comparator
138 data generator
140 a presentation unit
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details, are set forth, relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.
The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms "a,” "an," and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," “including,” and “having,” are open ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The particular order of steps disclosed in the method of the present disclosure is not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance as described or illustrated. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.
An on-shelf inventory management system and a method thereof of the present disclosure, is described with reference to Figure 1 through Figure 2b.
Referring to Figure 1, the on-shelf inventory management system (hereinafter referred as “system”) (100) comprises a server (108) and an interactive tool (114). The server (108) comprises an acquisition unit (106), an analysis unit (110), and a notification unit (112).
The acquisition unit (106) is configured to receive image data of a plurality of shelves from at least one image capturing device (102) physically present in a retail store and sensor data associated with the shelves from a plurality of sensors (104) positioned at pre-determined locations in the retail store. The shelves include a plurality of product items. In an embodiment, the image data includes a plurality of image frames of the shelves within the retail store. The image capturing device (102) can be selected from the group consisting of, but not limited to, an optical camera, a stereo camera, an infrared camera, or any combination thereof.
An exemplified pseudocode for the acquisition unit (106) is given below:
Program (acquisition unit)
Read image data of a plurality of shelves;
Read sensor data associated with the shelves from a plurality of sensors (104).
End
In an embodiment, the sensors (104) are arranged to form a mesh network, and are selected from a group consisting of a photo-detector sensor, a light sensor, a weight sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a color sensor, a buzzer sensor and an infra-red sensor. The sensor data includes:
• measure the distance of target objects/customer or materials/product within the store by the ultrasonic sensor;
• detect the color of the product placed on the shelf by a color detector;
• provide an alert in case of an anomalous behavior of a customer and employee with in the store by the buzzer sensor; and
• measure the load or surface pressure of the product present in the shelves by the load sensor.
The analysis unit (110) is configured cooperate with the acquisition unit (106) to receive the image data and the sensor data, and is further configured to generate a display signal and values relating to the product items based on the received image data and sensor data.
An exemplified pseudocode for the analysis unit (110) is given below:
Program (analysis unit)
Do
{
receive the image data and the sensor data; and
generate a display signal and values relating to the product items based on the received image data and sensor data.
}
End
The notification unit (112) is configured to cooperate with the analysis unit (110) to receive the values, and is further configured to generate at least one notification signal based on the received values.
An exemplified pseudocode for the notification unit (112) is given below:
Program (notification unit)
Do
{
receive the values from the analysis unit (110); and
generate at least one notification signal based on the received values.
}
End
The interactive tool (114) is hosted by the server (108) and is installable in a user device (116) associated with a customer. The interactive tool (114) is configured to receive the display signal, the values, and the notification signal from the server (108), and is further configured to display a virtual image of the shelf having the product items, information relating to the product items, and at least one notification based on the received display signal, the values, and the notification signal. The information relating to the product items comprises product item’s name, price, colour, size, manufacturing dates, weights, chemical content, nutritional values, calories and expiration dates.
In an embodiment, the interactive tool (114) includes an information unit (124) and an alert unit (126). The information unit (124) is configured to cooperate with the server (108) to display the virtual image of the shelf having the product items and information relating to the product items based on the received display signal and the values. The alert unit (126) is configured to cooperate with the server (108) to display the notification based on the received notification signal.
In an embodiment, the information unit (124) and the alert unit (126) are implemented using one or more processor(s).
An exemplified pseudocode for the information unit (124) is given below:
Program (information unit)
Do
{
display the virtual image of the shelf having the product items and information relating to the product items based on the received display signal and the values.
}
End
An exemplified pseudocode for the alert unit (126) is given below:
Program (alert unit)
Do
{display the notification based on the received notification signal.}
End
In an embodiment, the system (100) includes a shelf management tool (128) communicatively coupled to the server (108) and installed in a manager’s user device (130).
The shelf management tool (128) comprises a repository (132), a monitoring unit (134), a comparator (136), a data generator (138) and a presentation unit (140).
The repository (132) is configured to store a lookup table having a list of the shelves, product items present in each of the shelves, quantity of each of the product items, and a pre-defined threshold quantity corresponding to each of the product items.
The monitoring unit (134) is configured to receive the display signal, the values, and the notification signal from the server (108), and is further configured to cooperate with the repository (132) to update quantity of the product items in the repository (132) based on the received values.
An exemplified pseudocode for the monitoring unit (134) is given below:
Program (monitoring unit)
Do
{
receive the display signal, the values, and the notification signal from the server (108); and
update quantity of the product items in the repository (132) based on the received values.
}
End
The comparator (136) is configured to cooperate with the repository (132) to compare the updated quantity of each of the product items with the corresponding pre-defined threshold quantity, and is further configured to generate an alert when the updated quantity is equal to the pre-defined threshold quantity.
An exemplified pseudocode for the comparator (136) is given below:
Program (comparator)
Do
{
compare the updated quantity of each of the product items with the corresponding pre-defined threshold quantity; and
generate an alert when the updated quantity is equal to the pre-defined threshold quantity.
}
End
The data generator (138) is configured to cooperate with the monitoring unit (134) and the repository (132) to generate analytics information relating to the shelf based on the received display signal, values and the notification signal.
An exemplified pseudocode for the data generator (138) is given below:
Program (data generator)
Do
{
generate analytics information relating to the shelf based on the received display signal, values and the notification signal
}
End
The presentation unit (140) is configured to cooperate with the comparator and the data generator (138) to receive and display the alert message and the analytics information on a display screen. The analytics information includes usage patterns of the product items, real-time customer visit patterns, number of visits, customer behavior insights, shelf space information, product placement recommendations, and product movement assistance. In an embodiment, the analytics information is presented in the form of graphs, charts and tables.
An exemplified pseudocode for the presentation unit (140) is given below:
Program (presentation)
Do
{
receive and display the alert message and the analytics information on a display screen.
}
End
In an embodiment, the monitoring unit (134), the comparator (136), the data generator (138) and the presentation unit (140) are implemented using one or more processor(s). The processor may be a general-purpose processor, a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), and/or the like. The processor may be configured to retrieve data from and/or write data to the memory. The repository () can be for example, a random access memory (RAM), a memory buffer, a hard drive, a database, an erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), a read only memory (ROM), a flash memory, a hard disk, a floppy disk, cloud storage, and/or so forth.
In an embodiment, the interactive tool (114) includes a registration and authentication module (not shown in figures) and is configured to accept registration information of the customer such as a user ID and password and store the registration information in a database (not shown in figures). The registration and authentication module is further configured to compare the information of a user against entries in the database (not shown in figures) at the time of logging in. If a customer provides information that meets the authentication criteria, the customer is validated and, assuming the appropriate policy configuration, granted access to the requested resource. If the customer provides information that does not meet the authentication criteria, the customer is not validated and denied access to the requested resource. In another embodiment, the interactive tool (114) facilitates the customer to reserve or purchase at least one of the product items.
In an embodiment, the system (100) implements the optimal positioning of products on shelf and test for determining best location for each product to maximize sales. The system (100) also offers real-time shelf space visibility with multiple compartment views and visibility across multiple shelves. Further, the system (100) facilitates virtual walkthrough of shelf-twins from across the different stores.
In an embodiment, the server (108) is configured to store addresses of stores and help a customer in finding a near-by store with the help of the interactive tool (114).
In an embodiment, the server (108) is configured to analyze customer behavior, and is further configured to store customer interactions with the shelf in the database. The server (108) is configured to provide alerts to the customers about availability of enquired products and product recommendations based on pre-stored customer interactions via the interactive tool (114). In another embodiment, the server (108) cooperates with the image capturing devices (102) present in the retail store to facilitate real-time monitoring of the retail store. This provides added security to the products in the retail store, thereby helping to prevent product theft by employees or customers. Further, the server (108) may facilitate store owners to monitor store traffic, create heat maps, and gain an insight on promotion effectiveness and other initiatives.
In an operative embodiment, the sensors (104) are positioned at pre-determined locations in the retail store. The sensors (104) sense the data like weight of the shelf, distance of target objects/customer or materials/product within the store, provide an alert in case of an anomalous behavior of a customer and employee with in the store and measure the load or surface pressure of the product present in the shelves. On the other hand, the image capturing device (102) are physically present in a retail store which periodically captures images of the shelf. Both provide the data to the server (108) for analysis, theft protection, detection of anomalous behavior, and stocking of more products.
In another operative embodiment, the server (108) receives the image data from at least one image capturing device (102) and the sensor data from a plurality of sensors (104). The server (108) processes the received data to generate a display signal and values relating to the product items and generates notification signal based on the received values. The values may include, for example, quantity of product items in the shelf, expiry date of the product items, and the like. A notification signal is generated, for example, when the quantity or expiry date of the product items becomes equal to a pre-determined threshold. The customer installs the interactive tool (114) in his user device (116) and registers with the system (100). Upon authentication, the interactive tool (114) receives the display signal to provide the virtual image of the physical shelves in the store and information related to the product items in the shelves to the customer. The information includes colour and weight of the product items, nutritional content, price and promotional offers relating to each of the product items, and the like. The customer may also receive notifications, such as, “last 5 items left”, with regards to the availability and expiry of the product items based on the values generated by the server. Further, a shelf management tool (128) is installed in the manager’s user device (130) to update the manager regarding the quantity of the product items based on the received values and generate analytics information relating to the shelf. The manager receives analytics information regarding usage patterns of the product items, real-time customer visit patterns, number of visits, customer behaviour insights, shelf space information, product placement recommendations, and product movement assistance. The manager further receives alerts and notifications when the quantity of product items is running low or when a theft is detected, or when items are misplaced. Hence, the shelf management system (100) of the present disclosure benefits both the customer and the manager.
Figures 2a and 2b illustrate a flow diagram of a method for managing on-shelf inventory. The method includes the following steps:
• Step 202: receiving, by an acquisition unit (106) of a server (108), image data of a plurality of shelves from at least one image capturing device (102) physically present in a retail store, wherein the shelves include a plurality of product items;
• Step 204: receiving, by the acquisition unit (106), sensor data associated with the shelves from a plurality of sensors (104) positioned at pre-determined locations in the retail store;
• Step 206: receiving, by an analysis unit (110) of the server (108), the image data and the sensor data;
• Step 208: generating, by the analysis unit (110), a display signal and values relating to the product items based on the received image data and sensor data;
• Step 210: generating, by a notification unit (112) of the server (108), at least one notification signal based on the received values;
• Step 212: receiving, by an interactive tool (114), the display signal, the values, and the notification signal from the server (108); and
• Step 214: displaying, by the interactive tool (114), a virtual image of the shelf having the product items, information relating to the product items, and at least one notification based on the received display signal, the values, and the notification signal.
In an embodiment, displaying, by the interactive tool, further includes
• the virtual image of the shelf having the product items and information relating to the product items based on the received display signal and the values; and
• the notification based on the received notification signal.
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.
TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of, an on-shelf inventory management system and a method thereof, that:
• provides a virtual reality experience;
• displays products in store shelf format which gives a feeling of looking at the exact physical shelf on a user device;
• provides a digital store that informs the customers about a product’s availability, quantity and information such as product’s colour and size;
• informs customers about discounts and promotions related to products;
• facilitates customers to reserve products;
• helps store managers to understand the customer buying behaviour and usage pattern associated with their products;
• improves vendor coordination using real time product requirements;
• alerts and notifications for customers based on their requirements and sales history.
• helps store managers to understand the customer buying behavior and usage pattern associated with their products;
• improves vendor coordination using real time product requirements; and
• generates alerts and notifications for customers based on their requirements and sales history.
The foregoing disclosure has been described with reference to the accompanying embodiments which do not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, step, or group of elements, steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, or step, or group of elements, or steps.
The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.
,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:
1. An on-shelf inventory management system (100), said system (100) comprising:
• a server (108) comprising:
o an acquisition unit (106) configured to receive:
? image data of a plurality of shelves from at least one image capturing device (102) physically present in a retail store, wherein said shelves include a plurality of product items; and
? sensor data associated with said shelves from a plurality of sensors (104) positioned at pre-determined locations in said retail store;
o an analysis unit (110) configured to cooperate with said acquisition unit (106) to receive said image data and said sensor data, said analysis unit (110) further configured to generate a display signal and values relating to said product items based on said received image data and sensor data; and
o a notification unit (112) configured to cooperate with said analysis unit to receive said values, and further configured to generate at least one notification signal based on said received values,
• an interactive tool (114) hosted by said server (108) and installable in a user device (116) associated with a customer, said interactive tool (114) configured to receive said display signal, said values, and said notification signal from said server (108), and further configured to display a virtual image of said shelf having said product items, information relating to said product items, and at least one notification based on said received display signal, said values, and said notification signal.
2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said interactive tool (114) includes:
• an information unit (124) configured to cooperate with said server (108) to display said virtual image of said shelf having said product items and information relating to said product items based on said received display signal and said values; and
• an alert unit (126) configured to cooperate with said server (108) to display said notification based on said received notification signal,
wherein said information unit (124) and said alert unit (126) are implemented using one or more processor(s).
3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said system includes a shelf management tool (128) communicatively coupled to said server (108) and installed in a manager’s user device (130), said shelf management tool (128) comprising:
• a repository (132) configured to store a lookup table having a list of said shelves, product items present in each of said shelves, quantity of each of said product items, and a pre-defined threshold quantity corresponding to each of said product items;
• a monitoring unit (134) configured to receive said display signal, said values, and said notification signal from said server (108), and further configured to cooperate with said repository (132) to update quantity of said product items in said repository (132) based on said received values;
• a comparator (136) configured to cooperate with said repository (132) to compare said updated quantity of each of said product items with said corresponding pre-defined threshold quantity, and further configured to generate an alert when said updated quantity is equal to said pre-defined threshold quantity;
• a data generator (138) configured to cooperate with said monitoring unit (134) and said repository (132) to generate analytics information relating to said shelf based on said received display signal, values and said notification signal; and
• a presentation unit (140) configured to cooperate with said comparator and said data generator (138) to receive and display said alert message and said analytics information on a display screen,
wherein said monitoring unit (134), said comparator (136), said data generator (138) and said presentation unit (140) are implemented using one or more processor(s).
4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said analytics information includes usage patterns of said product items, real-time customer visit patterns, number of visits, customer behaviour insights, shelf space information, product placement recommendations, and product movement assistance.
5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said information relating to said product items comprises product item’s name, price, colour, size, manufacturing dates, weights, chemical content, nutritional values, calories and expiration dates.
6. A method for managing on-shelf inventory, said method comprising:
• receiving (202), by an acquisition unit (106) of a server (108), image data of a plurality of shelves from at least one image capturing device (102) physically present in a retail store, wherein said shelves include a plurality of product items;
• receiving (204), by said acquisition unit (106), sensor data associated with said shelves from a plurality of sensors (104) positioned at pre-determined locations in said retail store;
• receiving (206), by an analysis unit (110) of said server (108), said image data and said sensor data;
• generating (208), by said analysis unit (110), a display signal and values relating to said product items based on said received image data and sensor data;
• generating (210), by a notification unit (112) of said server (108), at least one notification signal based on said received values;
• receiving (212), by an interactive tool (114), said display signal, said values, and said notification signal from said server (108); and
• displaying (214), by said interactive tool (114), a virtual image of said shelf having said product items, information relating to said product items, and at least one notification based on said received display signal, said values, and said notification signal.
7. The method as claimed in claim 6, the displaying (214), by said interactive tool (114), further includes
• said virtual image of said shelf having said product items and information relating to said product items based on said received display signal and said values; and
• said notification based on said received notification signal