Display Peg Resistance Sensing for Product Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional point-of-purchase displays lack functionality for product sensing and inventory control, limiting their ability to track inventory quantities and verify correct product placement.
Innovation Solution
Integration of resistive elements with preselected resistivity into display pegs and objects, allowing for electrical communication that enables identification and quantity determination of objects hung on the pegs through changes in electrical current, utilizing conductive terminals and wiring for communication with electronic devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional display pegs are used, then the display structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the display lacks product sensing and inventory control functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the display peg structure with electrical communication components by integrating conductive terminals directly into the peg. This merging allows the peg to simultaneously serve as both a mechanical display support and an electrical sensing element, enabling inventory control functionality without adding separate complex sensing devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The display peg is designed to perform multiple functions: mechanical support for displaying products, electrical conduction for sensing, and data communication for inventory tracking. The conductive terminals embedded in the peg enable it to function as both a structural element and an electronic sensing element, achieving multi-functionality.
2Productivity
If manual inventory tracking is used, then the system is simple, but the productivity and efficiency of inventory management is low
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service inventory tracking where the display pegs automatically detect and communicate product information without manual intervention. When products are placed on or removed from the display, the conductive terminals automatically sense the change and transmit data, eliminating the need for manual counting and tracking.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical inventory tracking with an automated electrical sensing system. The conductive terminals and electrical communication infrastructure substitute for human labor in counting and verifying product placement, significantly improving productivity.
3Loss of information
If objects without resistive elements are used, then the manufacturing cost is low, but the objects cannot be electronically identified
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses resistive elements with specific resistance values as identifiers for different products. By varying the resistance parameter of the embedded element, the system can electronically distinguish between different product types. This parameter-based identification is integrated into the manufacturing process rather than added as a separate complex identification system.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient electronic identification and tracking of inventory, automating the process of counting and verifying product placement, reducing manual labor and enhancing inventory management.
Implementation Method 1
an object comprising a resistive element having a preselected resistance, the resistive element in electrical communication with the display peg when the object is hung from the display peg
Implementation Method 2
determining the identity of an object hung from and in electrical communication with a display peg, via a change in electrical current flowing through the display peg, wherein the object comprises a resistive element with a preselected resistivity
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for identifying one or more objects hung from a display peg are described herein. The system may include a display peg comprising a first and second electrically conductive terminal. An object comprising a resistive element having a preselected resistance may be hung from the display peg such that the resistive element is in electrical communication with the terminals. A source may be configured to provide a current that flows from the first terminal through the resistive element to the second terminal. An electronic device may be configured to detect the current flowing from the second terminal. The system may be configured to identify the type of object depending on the pre-selected resistance of the resistive element.