Dynamic Price-Cut Management via Image Processing and Real-Time Notifications
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing store systems face challenges in dynamically updating price-cut amounts on commodities based on time, leading to increased operational costs and consumer confusion, as current methods require manual changes and multiple stickers for each commodity.
Innovation Solution
A store system with a server and mobile terminal configuration that detects and communicates price-cut amount changes over time, using a price-cut management server to update information in real-time, ensuring consumers are informed of price changes until checkout.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If price-cut amounts are changed according to the elapse of time, then loss reduction from selling commodities before expiration is improved, but consumer confusion and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a camera to capture an image of the sticking object on the commodity and processes this image copy to extract price-cut information, rather than requiring manual reading or multiple physical stickers. This reduces operational complexity while enabling dynamic price adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual price-change operations with an automated image processing system. The server automatically detects price-cut amounts from images of sticking objects and notifies consumers, eliminating the need for manual sticker replacement and reducing operational complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sticking objects are used for one commodity to enable price-cut changes, then price-cut flexibility is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a single sticking object serve multiple functions: it displays the base price-cut amount and works in conjunction with image processing to enable dynamic price adjustments. This eliminates the need for multiple physical stickers while maintaining price-cut flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using multiple physical stickers, the system captures an image of the single sticking object and processes it to determine price-cut amounts. This digital copying approach reduces the quantity of physical sticking objects needed while maintaining adaptability.
3Loss of information
If manual price-cut changes are implemented, then consumer awareness of price changes is improved, but work load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an automated feedback system where the server detects price-cut information from images, calculates updated prices, and notifies consumers through the terminal device. This automated feedback loop maintains consumer awareness while eliminating manual work.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service price management where the server automatically detects, processes, and updates price-cut information without human intervention. The consumer terminal receives automatic notifications, eliminating the need for manual price-change operations while maintaining consumer awareness.
4Productivity
If price-cut amounts are dynamically adjusted, then productivity in reducing unsold commodities is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex manual price-management systems with an automated image processing and notification system. The server automatically detects price-cut amounts from images, calculates updated prices, and notifies consumers, improving productivity while managing device complexity through automation.
Data Source
AI summary
A store system includes a server configured to manage a price-cut amount specified by a sticking object stuck to a commodity and an information terminal operated by a consumer visiting a store that sells the commodity. The server detects that the price-cut amount specified by the sticking object fluctuated according to elapse of time. The server distributes, to the information terminal, communication of which with the server is established, information indicating that the price-cut amount specified by the sticking object fluctuated. The information terminal informs, based on the information received from the server, that the price-cut amount specified by the sticking object fluctuated.