Dual Audio Stream Ordering System for Retail
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ordering systems outside retail environments face challenges such as variable wind, customer position, and external sounds that inhibit microphone performance, leading to communication difficulties and operational inefficiencies due to the use of single audio streams and human intervention, resulting in inaccurate or incomplete orders.
Innovation Solution
An ordering system utilizing dual audio streams recorded concurrently by an on-site computing device with separate ports, allowing for seamless audio stream combination and optimization, enabling efficient artificial intelligence-driven order handling without interrupting customer-employee communication, and incorporating a customer presence sensor connected via a customized electrical interconnection to prevent signal interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single audio stream is used for ordering operations, then the system structure remains simple, but communication accuracy and order completeness deteriorate due to interference from wind, external sounds, and customer position variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the audio capture system into multiple independent audio streams using separate microphones and processing channels. Each audio stream captures different aspects of the interaction (employee audio, customer audio, ambient noise), allowing selective processing and combination to improve overall communication accuracy while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing system that receives multiple audio streams, separates them into distinct channels, applies individual noise reduction and enhancement techniques, and recombines them into optimized output streams. This intermediary layer enables sophisticated audio processing without requiring complete system redesign
2Productivity
If human intervention is used to handle ordering, then flexibility in handling complex situations is improved, but operational efficiency and accuracy deteriorate due to interruptions and communication errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service ordering capabilities where the automated system handles routine ordering tasks, noise filtering, and basic customer interactions independently. This allows the system to operate efficiently without constant human intervention while maintaining the ability to escalate to human agents when complex situations arise
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary noise reduction, audio enhancement, and order validation processing automatically before human agents need to intervene. By pre-processing audio streams and preparing order information in advance, the system reduces the cognitive load on human operators and minimizes communication interruptions
3Ease of manufacture
If audio signals are transmitted through existing electrical conduits, then installation complexity is reduced, but signal interference with customer presence sensors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent physically separates audio signal transmission from sensor power/conduit routing by using dedicated shielded cables for audio signals. This segmentation prevents electromagnetic interference between audio frequencies and sensor operations, ensuring both systems function reliably while maintaining relatively simple installation through standardized cable routing practices
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces shielding and filtering components as intermediaries between audio signal cables and sensor conduits. These intermediary elements block electromagnetic interference while allowing both systems to share the same physical installation space, maintaining installation simplicity without compromising sensor accuracy
Data Source
AI summary
An ordering system can be positioned partially, or completely, outside in a retail environment with an ordering device located outside of a building on a site. The ordering device receiving a first audio stream concurrently with a second audio stream from an employee and proceeds to capture the first audio stream with a first port of an on-site computing device while capturing the second audio stream with a second port of the on-site computing device. A customer strategy can be executed with an intelligence module of the on-site computing device connected to the ordering device with the on-site customer strategy directing automated interactions with a first on-site customer to compile a retail order. The employee may communicate directly with the intelligence module via the second port without interrupting the first audio stream.