Electronic price tag for identifying passenger flow volume based on infrared sensor and application method

Abstract

An electronic price tag for identifying passenger flow volume based on an infrared sensor belongs to the technical field of electronic price tags, and comprises an electronic price tag body with a display screen, a power supply, a main control chip, a memory and a wireless communication module, the infrared sensor, a timing module, an analysis unit and a display unit, the analysis unit and the display unit are application software installed in the server, and the timing module and the infrared sensor are fixedly installed in a shell of the electronic price tag body and electrically connected. The application method of the electronic price tag for identifying the passenger flow volume based on the infrared sensor comprises five steps. Based on the electronic price tag body, the electronic price tag not only has a common price tag function, but also can count the number of people approaching related articles through double judgment of the human body infrared radiation temperature threshold value and the time threshold value in real time, and plays a powerful technical support for counting the concerned frequency of different commodities, assisting the commodities to optimize the display layout and improving the sales volume of the commodities in a store. In conclusion, the method has a good application prospect.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of electronic price tag technology, and in particular to an electronic price tag and its application method based on infrared sensor to identify customer flow. Background Technology

[0002] Electronic Shelf Labels (ESLs) are intelligent devices that use electronic display technology to replace traditional paper labels. They connect to the back-end management system via wireless communication technology to display real-time data such as product prices, promotional information, and inventory status. They are widely used in the retail industry, warehousing and logistics, and chain stores. Their core uses low-power electronic ink screens (E-Ink) or liquid crystal displays (LCDs) to ensure long battery life. The main functions and advantages are as follows: (1) Real-time updates: Price changes can be synchronized with one click in the back-end, avoiding errors caused by manual replacement; (2) Cost reduction and efficiency improvement: Reduces paper waste and labor costs, improving operational efficiency; (3) Interactive marketing: Supports displaying QR codes, promotion countdowns, etc., enhancing customer experience; (4) Environmental protection and sustainability: The paperless design conforms to the trend of green retail.

[0003] Existing electronic shelf labels primarily display product prices and promotional information, lacking the ability to monitor real-time customer traffic and behavior. Traditional methods for tracking customer flow changes and frequently visited areas in supermarkets and convenience stores typically rely on cameras or manual counting by employees. These methods are inaccurate, hindering managers from strategically placing merchandise, and increasing labor costs due to the inconvenience and expense of staff. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a low-power, high-precision electronic shelf label and application method that meets privacy requirements, enabling accurate identification and data collection of customer interactions. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To overcome the shortcomings of existing electronic shelf labels, which are limited by their structure and function as described in the background art, this invention provides an electronic shelf label and its application method based on infrared sensors to identify customer traffic. This method not only provides the functions of ordinary shelf labels but also counts the number of people approaching related items in real time through dual judgment of human infrared radiation temperature threshold and time threshold. This provides strong technical support for stores to count the frequency of attention to different products, assist in optimizing product display layout, and improve product sales.

[0005] The technical solution adopted by this invention to solve its technical problem is: An electronic price tag for identifying customer flow based on an infrared sensor includes an electronic price tag body with a display screen, a power supply, a main control chip, a memory, and a wireless communication module, as well as an infrared sensor, a timing module, an analysis unit, and a display unit. The analysis unit and display unit are application software installed in the server of the electronic price tag body. The timing module and the infrared sensor are fixedly installed inside the housing of the electronic price tag body, with the probe of the infrared sensor located outside the housing. The power output terminal of the power supply is electrically connected to the power input terminals of the display screen, the main control chip, the memory, the wireless communication module, the infrared sensor, and the timing module. The interaction terminal of the memory and the signal interaction terminal of the main control chip are connected via a data line. The signal input terminals of the wireless communication module and the display screen are electrically connected to the two signal output terminals of the main control chip, respectively. The signal output terminal of the infrared sensor and the signal input terminal of the main control chip are connected via a data line.

[0006] Furthermore, the main control chip is a low-power MCU of the STM32L4 series, which is responsible for processing infrared signals, controlling the display refresh, and managing communication and power consumption; the memory can temporarily store the count data that has not been uploaded to prevent data loss due to network interruption.

[0007] Furthermore, the power supply uses a battery or an AC-DC power module, which has the function of low power consumption and supports long-term operation; the display screen can display product prices, promotional information, etc., and supports dynamic updates.

[0008] Furthermore, the wireless communication module is one of a 2.4G wireless module, a low-power Bluetooth module, or a LoRa module, and can periodically upload data to the server wirelessly.

[0009] Furthermore, the timing module can count the number of hands approaching the infrared sensor probe, and each approach exceeding a certain time is judged as valid approach data.

[0010] Furthermore, the infrared sensor is model D203B, with a receiving wavelength of 5-14μm, which can accurately match the peak value of human infrared radiation and detect infrared radiation within a range in front of the shelf, used to identify customer reaching out.

[0011] An application method for electronic shelf labels based on infrared sensors to identify customer flow includes the following steps: S1: The timing module controls all devices to be powered on and in working condition. When a customer approaches the electronic shelf label of the corresponding product, if the infrared sensor detects infrared radiation exceeding a threshold and the duration counted by the timing module is greater than a preset duration, it is determined as a valid interaction, and the interaction signal is output to the main control chip; S2: The main control chip locally counts the number of interactions and stores the unuploaded data in the memory to prevent data loss due to network interruption; S3: After processing the interaction signal of the customer approaching the corresponding product, the main control chip controls the wireless communication module to send the statistical data wirelessly; S4: After receiving the data, the server-side analysis unit aggregates and analyzes the data uploaded by each electronic shelf label and outputs the analyzed data to the display unit; S5: The display unit uses the received data from the corresponding electronic shelf labels and the product information bound to the corresponding electronic shelf labels to generate product attention heatmaps, time-period sales forecasts, etc., supporting inventory management and promotional strategy optimization.

[0012] Furthermore, in step S1, the timing module can control all devices to be in sleep mode during the store's off-peak hours, and to be in working mode when the store opens, with the main controller periodically waking them up for detection, thus extending battery life. Furthermore, in step S3, the wireless communication module sends data by uploading data in batches at regular intervals, which can reduce the communication frequency and also adopt dynamic threshold adjustment. For example, if the count exceeds a preset threshold, it will trigger an immediate upload to avoid data accumulation.

[0013] Furthermore, in step S5, the display unit can identify products with high attention but low sales volume and investigate whether there are pricing or display issues.

[0014] Compared with existing technologies, the advantages of this invention are as follows: During operation, this invention uses a dual judgment of the infrared radiation signal from a customer approaching a product and a time threshold as the basis for counting customer approaches to the corresponding electronic price tag, significantly improving the accuracy of action recognition. Combined with a sleep and periodic wake-up mechanism, it saves energy, extends device battery life, reduces maintenance costs, and achieves a balance between energy consumption and real-time data. It can statistically analyze the frequency of customer attention to different products, assisting stores in optimizing display layouts; it can identify high-attention but low-sales products, investigating potential pricing or display issues and providing data reference for marketing decisions; and it can combine sales data to predict replenishment needs for popular products and adjust inventory in a timely manner. This invention provides strong technical support for stores to increase product sales, thus having good application prospects. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a partial structural diagram of an electronic price tag based on infrared sensors to identify customer flow according to the present invention.

[0016] Figure 2 This is a block diagram of an electronic price tag architecture based on infrared sensors to identify customer flow, according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0017] Figure 1 , 2 As shown, an electronic shelf label based on infrared sensors for identifying customer flow includes an electronic shelf label body 6 with a display screen 1, a power supply 2, a main control chip 3, a memory 4, and a wireless communication module 5, as well as an infrared sensor 7, a timing module 8, an analysis unit, and a display unit. The analysis unit and display unit are application software installed in the electronic shelf label body control system. The timing module 8 and the infrared sensor 7 are fixedly installed inside the housing of the electronic shelf label body 6. The probe of the infrared sensor 7 is located outside the upper right outer end of the housing, facing the front of the shelf. The power output terminal of the power supply 2 is connected to the power input terminals of the display screen 1, the main control chip 3, the memory 4, the wireless communication module 5, the infrared sensor 7, and the timing module 8 via wires. The interaction terminal of the memory 4 is connected to the signal interaction terminal of the main control chip 3 via a data line. The signal input terminal of the wireless communication module 5 and the display screen 1 are connected to the two signal output terminals of the main control chip 3 via signal lines. The signal output terminal of the infrared sensor 7 is connected to the signal input terminal of the main control chip 3 via a signal line.

[0018] Figure 1 , 2 As shown, the main control chip 3 is a low-power MCU (microcontroller module) of the STM32L4 series, responsible for processing infrared signals, controlling the refresh of display screen 1, and managing communication and power consumption; the memory 4 can temporarily store the count data that has not been uploaded to prevent data loss due to network interruption. The power supply 2 uses a battery or AC-DC power module, which has the function of low power supply and supports long-term operation; the display screen 1 can display product prices, promotional information, etc., and supports dynamic updates. The wireless communication module 5 is one of the following: 2.4G proprietary protocol, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) or LoRa technology, which can periodically upload data to the server wirelessly. The timing module 8 can count the number of hands in front of the infrared sensor 7 (when a customer's hand approaches the product, it will approach the sensor), and each approach exceeding a certain time is judged as valid approach data. The infrared sensor 7 is model D203B, with a receiving wavelength of 5-14μm, which can accurately match the peak value of human infrared radiation (peak value is about 10μm), and can detect infrared radiation within a range of 1-50cm in front of the shelf to identify the customer's hand reaching action.

[0019] Figure 1 , 2As shown, an application method for electronic price tags based on infrared sensors to identify customer flow includes the following steps: (1) The working time period timing module 8 controls all devices to be powered on and in working state. Before a customer approaches the electronic price tag at the corresponding product location, when the infrared sensor 7 detects an infrared radiation signal exceeding the threshold (for example, the infrared radiation threshold is set to 30°C, specifically detecting the temperature signal of the customer's hand approaching the product), and the duration counted by the timing module is greater than the preset duration (e.g., 0.5 seconds, the actual time is adjustable), it is determined to be a valid interaction (that is, the customer is interested in learning about or purchasing the product), and the interaction signal is output to the main control chip 3; Specifically, the timing module 8 can control all electrical equipment to be in sleep state during the store's non-operation period, and be in working state when the store starts operating, and be periodically woken up by the main control for detection (e.g., starting detection for 1 second every 5 seconds), which extends the battery life and increases the standby time. (2): The main control chip 3 counts the number of times a customer approaches a corresponding product locally and stores the unuploaded data in the memory 4 to prevent data loss due to network interruption (after the network is restored, the main control chip 3 will control the memory 4 to send out the stored interaction data). (3): After the main control chip 3 processes the statistical customer approach interaction signals, it controls the wireless communication module 5 to send out the statistical data wirelessly; specifically, the wireless communication module 5 sends data by uploading data in batches at regular intervals (such as uploading cumulative data once every 15 minutes), which can reduce the communication frequency and can also use dynamic threshold adjustment, such as triggering immediate upload when the count exceeds the preset threshold (such as 50 times), avoiding data accumulation and affecting the timely analysis of data by the subsequent analysis unit. (4): After receiving the data, the server-side analysis unit aggregates and analyzes the data uploaded by each electronic price tag (the products corresponding to different electronic price tags in the store are classified and analyzed separately), and outputs the analyzed data to the display unit. (5): The display unit will receive the corresponding electronic price tag data and generate product attention heatmaps, sales forecasts for different time periods, etc. through the product information bound to the corresponding electronic price tag, to support inventory management and promotion strategy optimization.

[0020] Figure 1 , 2As shown, through all the above technical solutions, the present invention achieves the following advantages. (1): Accurate interactive recognition. The infrared sensor uses the infrared radiation temperature threshold generated by the customer approaching the product and the time threshold counted by the timing module to make a dual judgment, which serves as the basis for counting the products when the customer approaches the corresponding electronic price tag, thus significantly improving the accuracy of action recognition. (2): Low power consumption design. With the help of the timing module and other functions, combined with the sleep and periodic wake-up mechanism, it saves power, extends the battery life of the device, reduces maintenance costs, and achieves a balance between energy consumption and data real-time performance. (3): Statistics on the frequency of different products being noticed by customers, assisting stores in optimizing the display layout. (4) It can identify products with high attention but low sales volume, check whether there are pricing or display problems, and provide data reference for marketing decisions. (5) It can combine sales data to predict the replenishment demand of popular products and adjust inventory in a timely manner.

[0021] The foregoing has shown and described the basic principles and main features of the present invention, as well as its advantages. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above, and that the invention can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or basic characteristics. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered exemplary and non-limiting in all respects, and the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. Thus, it is intended that all variations falling within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the claims be included within the present invention.

[0022] Furthermore, it should be understood that although this specification describes the embodiments, the embodiments do not necessarily contain only one independent technical solution. This way of describing the specification is only for clarity. Those skilled in the art should regard the specification as a whole. The technical solutions in the embodiments can also be appropriately combined to form other embodiments that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. An electronic price tag for identifying customer flow based on an infrared sensor, comprising an electronic price tag body having a display screen, a power supply, a main control chip, a memory, and a wireless communication module, as well as an infrared sensor and a timing module, characterized in that, Also have analysis unit, display unit;The analysis unit, display unit are the application software installed in the electronic price tag body server, the timing module, infrared sensor fixedly installed in the shell of electronic price tag body, the detection head of infrared sensor is located outside the shell;The power output end of power supply and display screen, main control chip, memory, wireless communication module, infrared sensor, power input end of timing module are electrically connected, the interaction end of memory and signal interaction end of main control chip are connected through data line, the signal input end of wireless communication module, display screen and two-way signal output end of main control chip are electrically connected respectively, the signal output end of infrared sensor and signal input end of main control chip are connected through data line.

2. The electronic price tag based on infrared sensor to identify passenger flow according to claim 1, characterized in that, The main control chip is a low-power MCU of STM32L4 series, responsible for processing infrared signals, controlling display screen refresh, managing communication and power consumption;The memory can temporarily store the count data that has not been uploaded, to prevent data loss caused by network interruption.

3. The electronic price tag based on infrared sensor to identify passenger flow according to claim 1, characterized in that, The power supply uses battery or AC-DC power module, with low-power supply function, supports long time running; The display screen can display product price, promotion information, etc., and support dynamic update.

4. The electronic price tag based on infrared sensor to identify passenger flow according to claim 1, characterized in that, The wireless communication module is one of 2.4G wireless module, low-power Bluetooth module or LoRa module, which can periodically upload data to the server in wireless mode.

5. The electronic price tag based on infrared sensor to identify passenger flow according to claim 1, characterized in that, The timing module can count the number of hands in front of the infrared sensor detection head, and judge as valid approach data if the approach time exceeds a certain time.

6. The electronic price tag based on infrared sensor to identify passenger flow according to claim 1, characterized in that, The infrared sensor is D203B, with a receiving wavelength of 5-14 μm, which can accurately match the human body infrared radiation peak, and can detect infrared radiation within the range in front of the shelf, used to identify customer hand actions.

7. The application method of the electronic price tag based on infrared sensor to identify passenger flow according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The steps include the following steps, S1: the timing module controls all devices to be powered on and in working condition, when a customer approaches the electronic price tag in front of the corresponding product position, the infrared sensor detects infrared radiation exceeding the threshold, and the duration counted by the timing module is greater than the preset time, it is determined as an effective interaction, and the interaction signal is output to the main control chip;S2: the main control chip locally counts the number of interactions, and stores the unuploaded data to the memory to prevent data loss caused by network interruption;S3: after the main control chip processes the customer approach signal corresponding to the product, it controls the wireless communication module to send the counted data through wireless mode; S4: after the server-side analysis unit receives the data, it aggregates and analyzes the data uploaded by each electronic price tag, and outputs the analyzed data to the display unit;S5: the display unit generates product attention heat map, time period sales forecast, etc. through the corresponding electronic price tag data and the product information bound by the corresponding electronic price tag, supports inventory management and promotion strategy optimization.

8. The application method of the electronic price tag based on infrared sensor to identify passenger flow according to claim 7, characterized in that, In step S1, the timing module can control all devices to be in sleep state during the store's non-business hours, and to be in working condition when starting business, which is periodically awakened by the main control to prolong the battery life.

9. The application method of the electronic price tag based on infrared sensor to identify passenger flow according to claim 7, characterized in that, In step S3, the wireless communication module sends data through timed batch uploading, which can reduce the communication frequency, and also can use dynamic threshold adjustment, such as triggering immediate uploading when the count exceeds the preset threshold, to avoid data accumulation.

10. The application method of electronic price tags based on infrared sensor to identify passenger flow according to claim 7, characterized in that, In step S5, the display unit can identify the goods with high attention but low sales, and investigate whether there is a pricing or display problem.

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