Augmented Reality Virtual Product Display for Retail Inventory Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Retail stores face challenges in managing inventory due to high costs and limited shelf space, particularly for items that do not turnover frequently, making it difficult to showcase a wide range of products to in-store customers while minimizing physical inventory holdings.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an augmented reality system using uniquely patterned physical shopping targets that, when scanned with a device, render virtual models of products, allowing customers to interact with and view detailed information about products not physically present in-store, enabling retailers to showcase a broader range of products without the need for additional inventory or space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If physical inventory is held to showcase products in-store, then customers can view and interact with actual products, but the cost of holding inventory and the physical space required increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses virtual models as copies of physical products. Instead of holding actual inventory to showcase products, the system creates and displays virtual representations (3D models, images, videos) of products on shelves. These virtual copies allow customers to view product details, specifications, and features without requiring the physical items to be present in the store, thereby eliminating the need to hold and display physical inventory for showcase purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical inventory system with a digital information system. Physical products are replaced by digital content (images, videos, 3D models) that can be displayed on electronic shelves. This substitution allows the store to showcase a virtually unlimited number of products without the physical constraints of shelf space and inventory holding costs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If physical inventory is held to showcase products in-store, then customers can interact with actual products, but the capital tied up in unsold inventory increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses virtual copies of products instead of physical inventory. By displaying virtual models on electronic shelves, the store can showcase a wide variety of products without actually holding them in stock. This eliminates the capital tie-up that would occur with physical inventory while maintaining the ability to present diverse product options to customers.
Solution Approach 2:
Product information (images, videos, 3D models) is prepared and stored in advance in a database, but the physical products are not purchased or held until needed. This preliminary preparation of digital content allows the store to offer extensive product variety without the financial commitment of holding physical inventory.
3Adaptability or versatility
If physical shelf space is used to display inventory, then products are visible to customers, but the retail shelf space required increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical product displays with virtual displays. Instead of occupying shelf space with actual products, the system uses electronic shelves to display virtual models, images, and videos of products. This allows an unlimited number of products to be showcased without increasing the physical shelf space, as the virtual content can be displayed on existing store electronics or added shelves.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from two-dimensional physical shelf space to three-dimensional digital display space. Virtual products can be displayed in multiple dimensions (images, 3D models, videos) on electronic shelves, allowing far more products to be showcased within the same physical footprint. The digital dimension provides unlimited storage capacity without requiring additional physical space.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes receiving from a shopping device an image of a shopping target corresponding to a product for sale, identifying a virtual model of the product, obtaining the virtual model of the product, and displaying the virtual model of the product on the shopping device.