Customized retail environments using weight sensors
Summary
USPTO granted Amazon Technologies, Inc. Patent US12597006B1 for systems using weight sensors in retail environments to identify items priced per unit weight. The patent covers dual-weight sensor configurations in inventory locations and shopping carts/stations, enabling automated item identification through weight comparisons. The patent names inventors Jonathan E. Cohn, Ejaz Ahmed, and Gregory Hager.
What changed
USPTO granted Amazon Technologies a new patent covering weight-sensor-based retail item identification systems. The system uses a first weight sensor at an inventory location or weighing station to determine item weight for per-unit pricing, and a second weight sensor in a tote or shopping cart to determine item weight at checkout or transit. The system compares both weights to confirm item identity, potentially using sensor location and time-of-flight data.
Competitors developing weight-based retail checkout systems, smart shopping cart technologies, or automated inventory tracking using load cells should review this patent for potential licensing needs or design-around considerations. The patent's broad claims covering dual-sensor weight correlation in retail settings may affect product development strategies for cashierless checkout and grab-and-go retail technologies.
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Apr 7, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
Customized retail environments
Grant US12597006B1 Kind: B1 Apr 07, 2026
Assignee
Amazon Technologies, Inc.
Inventors
Jonathan E. Cohn, Ejaz Ahmed, Gregory Hager
Abstract
This disclosure describes, in part, systems for enabling facilities to implement techniques to identify items using weight sensors. For instance, a first weight sensor may determine a first weight associated with a first item, where the first item is priced per unit weight. The first weight sensor may be located within an inventory location associated with the item or a station that weighs and prices items. A second weight sensor may then determine a second weight of a second item. The second weight sensor may be located within the station or a tote, such as a shopping cart. A system may then use the second weight and the first weight to determine that the second item includes the first item. In some instances, the system may also use locations of the weight sensors, a time of flight of the item, and/or other information to make the determination.
CPC Classifications
G06Q 20/208 G06Q 10/087 G06Q 30/02 G06Q 20/20 G06Q 20/18 G06Q 30/06 G01G 19/393 G01G 19/52
Filing Date
2020-08-27
Application No.
17004785
Claims
19
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