ESL Position Tracking for Asset Misplacement Notifications
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of paper labels in retail stores for displaying product information is costly, environmentally wasteful, and prone to human error, leading to inefficiencies and shopper frustration.
Innovation Solution
Implementing electronic shelf label (ESL) systems that utilize wireless communication to determine the position of devices and assets within the system, enabling automated monitoring and notification generation, such as asset misplacement or theft, and providing guidance to users or robots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If paper labels are used for displaying product information, then implementation cost is low and simplicity is maintained, but maintenance costs increase and environmental impact worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical paper label system with an electronic display system (ESL devices). These electronic shelf labels use LCD or e-paper displays to show product information, eliminating the need for continuous paper consumption while maintaining information display functionality. The electronic system can be updated remotely without physical replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of information display from static paper to dynamic electronic display. The ESL devices can change displayed information electronically through wireless communication, allowing the same physical device to serve multiple products over time, thereby reducing material consumption.
2Manufacturing precision
If paper labels are replaced frequently to maintain accuracy, then information accuracy is improved, but labor costs and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic shelf label system enables automatic information updates through wireless communication. The ESL devices can receive and display updated product information autonomously without requiring manual intervention for label replacement, thus maintaining high information accuracy while eliminating the time-consuming manual process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous monitoring and updating capability through the electronic system. Position detection continuously tracks asset locations, and information can be updated in real-time without interruption to store operations, unlike discrete paper label replacements that require stoppage and manual labor.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If manual monitoring of product positions is performed, then detection capability is maintained, but productivity decreases and error rate increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection with automated electronic position detection systems. Sensors and wireless communication devices automatically track asset positions and detect misplacement, providing continuous monitoring capability that surpasses human detection while freeing employees for higher-value tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements automatic feedback loops where position detection continuously monitors asset locations and triggers notifications when misplacement is detected. This automated feedback mechanism maintains high detection accuracy while eliminating the need for continuous manual checking, thereby improving operational efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure provides systems, methods, and devices for wireless communication that support enhanced ESL position determination and ESL position based notifications. In a first aspect, a method of wireless communication includes obtaining first position information for an asset of one or more assets associated with an electronic shelf label system based on first wireless information, and the first position information is associated with a first time. The method also includes obtaining second position information for the asset based on second wireless information, and the second position information is associated with a second time. The method further includes determining a notification for the asset based on the first position information, the second position information, the first time, and the second time. Other aspects and features are also claimed and described.