Electronic Shelf Label Guidance via Dynamic Path Activation

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Solution Overview

Problem

In facilities like stores or factories, it is difficult for individuals to find items due to confusion when deviating from the designated path to the item, especially with complex layouts.

Innovation Solution

A control system that specifies the position of a target person, determines the path to a target item, extracts electronic shelf labels along this path, and controls their output to guide the individual to the item, using position information and layout data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If fixedly arranged devices are used to display item information, then information can be displayed on electronic shelf labels, but it becomes difficult for persons to find items when deviating from the designated path

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveitem information displayVSAvoidnavigation to item

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically changes the display state of electronic shelf labels based on real-time position detection. Labels transition from a static off state to an active guidance state (displaying path indicators or highlighting) when detected along the calculated path, providing adaptive navigation assistance without continuously consuming energy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control system acts as an intermediary between the person's position and the electronic shelf labels. It detects position information, calculates the optimal path, and selectively activates labels along this path to provide guidance, mediating between the person and item information through intelligent routing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If all electronic shelf labels are continuously activated to guide persons, then navigation becomes easier, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenavigation to itemVSAvoidenergy consumption of electronic shelf labels

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of uniformly activating all electronic shelf labels, the system applies local quality by selectively activating only those labels located along the calculated path from the person's current position to the target item. This localized activation provides necessary guidance information while minimizing energy consumption across the entire facility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs partial action by activating only the subset of electronic shelf labels necessary for guidance (those on the calculated path) rather than all labels in the facility. This partial activation is sufficient to provide effective navigation while avoiding the excessive energy consumption that would result from full activation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS20250012575A1Control system, control method, and recording medium

Publication Date: 2025.01.09 NEC CORP

AI summary

This control system comprises a position identification unit, a route identification unit, an extraction unit, and an output control unit. The position identification unit identifies the position of a subject person within a facility. The route identification unit identifies a route from the identified position to the position of a subject component. The extraction unit extracts an electronic shelf tag located along the route on the basis of position information indicating the positions of electronic shelf tags within the facility. The output control unit controls the output of the extracted electronic shelf tag.