7-Eleven has patented a technology that creates real-time digital replicas of its physical stores. | USPTO
7-Eleven has patented a technology that creates real-time digital replicas of its physical convenience stores using synced camera feeds to track customer behavior and product placement down to the shelf level, according to a patent filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
Developed by a team of inventors in Texas, the virtual store system enables automated shopping cart tracking, video playback of customer sessions and machine learning-based inventory analysis.
The benefits? Fewer cashiers, reduced labor costs, smarter shelves, faster auditing and smarter inventory management, according to the patent published Aug. 5.
- 7-Eleven is No. 1 on CSP’s 2025 Top 202 ranking of U.S. c-store chains by store count.
How it works: Tracking people and products
The system uses a video processor to identify when a customer enters and exits the store and assigns them a unique ID number, the patent said. Entry can be detected when customers scan a QR code at a turnstile or via in-store sensors.
Once entry is confirmed, the system timestamps the session and syncs all in-store camera feeds to match real-world time. The tool can track multiple overlapping shopping sessions at once.
In addition to tracking shoppers, the hardware processor detects the physical position and orientation of shelves and racks, generating a virtual layout that mirrors the store’s setup. As fixtures and items change, the virtual layout updates in real time to maintain spatial accuracy.
There’s a dual-slider interface, which allows users to review multiple camera angles at once—such as overhead and shelf-level views—to see exactly what a customer picks up and puts into the cart.
When AI needs a second opinion
In stores that use machine learning to predict what items a shopper selects—via shelf sensors, for example—the system acts as a second layer of validation.
If there’s a mismatch between the algorithmic cart and the video-confirmed cart, the discrepancy is flagged. Metadata is attached to the relevant footage, and the system can use that data to retrain the algorithm for improved accuracy over time.
Why it matters for retailers
By automating tracking, checkout and inventory management, the system reduces labor needs—especially during slow periods—and minimizes time spent manually reviewing footage.
According to the patent, benefits include faster video review, improved automation and enhanced customer experience. The system could also support broader remote-monitoring applications beyond the retail environment.
Ready to scale
The technology integrates with point-of-sale (POS) systems and inventory management tools, syncing stock levels and processing transactions based on video-confirmed selections. Customers can be charged automatically, and receipts sent directly to their devices.
The system is designed to scale across multiple store locations. Each deployment can be tailored to a store’s specific layout, sensor setup and customer volume, with support for either centralized or distributed data processing.
Each virtual store instance can be indexed using a store ID number, allowing operators to easily access layouts, video sessions and digital carts for audit, training or machine learning purposes.
7-Eleven has not yet responded to CSP inquiries about the technology.
Based in Irving, Texas, 7-Eleven— known for its Slurpee, Big Bite and Big Gulp brands—operates, franchises or licenses more than 13,000 stores in the United States and Canada. In addition to 7-Eleven, the company operates and franchises Speedway and Stripes c-stores and the Laredo Taco Company, and Raise the Roost Chicken and Biscuits restaurant brands.
Interested in learning more about the latest in convenience-store technology? Don’t miss C-StoreTEC 2025 (October 27-29, Plano, Texas)—the industry’s premier technology leadership event created by retailers, for retailers. Visit https://cstoretec.com to secure your spot at this groundbreaking conference where convenience retail leaders collaborate to drive digital transformation and accelerate growth.
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