SYSTEM HAVING A BAR OF RELOCATABLE DISTANCE SENSORS THAT DETECT STOCK CHANGES IN A STORAGE AREA

A system having a bar containing distance sensors, such as LIDARs, that may be installed behind a shelf in an automated store. Shelves may be divided into storage zones, such as bins or lanes, and a distance sensor may measure the item quantity in each zone. Quantity changes indicate that a shopper has taken or placed items in the zone. Quantity changes may trigger analysis of camera images of the shelf to identify the items taken or replaced. The distance sensor elements within the bar may be relocatable so they can be positioned correctly behind the corresponding storage zones. The bar may have mounting mechanisms on either side for attachment to shelving support structures. These mounting mechanisms may include security locks. The bar may rotate relative to the mounting mechanisms to provide access to the shelf from behind.