Facial Orientation Recognition for Demand-Driven Product Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing neuromarketing solutions for studying consumer behavior are costly and inefficient in terms of energy consumption, particularly in environments like museums and retail spaces, where lighting systems contribute significantly to operational costs without effectively highlighting products of interest.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method for recognizing facial orientation using a storage unit, optical instrument, and control unit to record and analyze facial pose vectors relative to predefined positions of interest, enabling efficient data collection and lighting adjustments based on user behavior.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If lighting systems are used to highlight products and objects, then visual quality and product attraction are improved, but energy consumption and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system operates periodically rather than continuously, activating lights only when a user is detected near or interacting with products. The control unit receives facial orientation data and triggers lighting only during relevant observation periods, converting constant energy consumption into periodic, demand-driven illumination that maintains product highlighting effectiveness while dramatically reducing overall energy usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables automatic, context-aware lighting control through facial orientation detection. The apparatus autonomously determines when and where to activate lighting based on real-time analysis of user gaze direction and product interaction, eliminating the need for manual lighting control and enabling the system to self-regulate energy consumption based on actual viewing requirements.
2Illumination intensity
If continuous lighting is provided in museums and retail spaces, then product visibility is maintained, but operational costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous illumination, the system implements periodic lighting activation triggered by detected user presence and engagement. The control unit monitors facial orientation data and activates lighting only during periods when products are actually being viewed, maintaining visibility requirements while converting constant energy expenditure into intermittent, need-based illumination cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of user presence and facial orientation before activating lighting. By anticipating when a user is about to view a product based on approach detection and gaze direction analysis, the system can pre-activate lighting in advance, ensuring product visibility is maintained without requiring continuous illumination throughout the space.
3Illumination intensity
If lighting systems illuminate all products, then overall product visibility is improved, but energy efficiency decreases when few users are present
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from uniform, space-wide illumination to localized, targeted lighting based on real-time user engagement data. The control unit activates lighting only for specific products that are currently being viewed or are in the user's field of view, as determined by facial orientation analysis. This localizes the quality of illumination to exactly where it is needed, eliminating energy waste in areas with no user presence while maintaining visibility where required.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system operates in periodic cycles activated by user presence detection. During low-traffic periods, lighting remains inactive or operates at minimal levels. When users are detected and their facial orientations indicate product viewing, lighting is periodically activated for those specific areas, converting constant energy consumption into demand-responsive periodic operation that eliminates waste during empty periods.
Data Source
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AI summary
Described is an apparatus (1) and a method for recognising facial orientation comprising a storage unit (2), at least one optical instrument (3) and a control unit (4). The storage unit (2) is designed to record a plurality of predetermined positions of interest (5) belonging to an exposure surface (6). The optical facial recognition instrument (3) is configured for acquiring data relating to a face (7) of at least one observer (8). The control unit (4) is connected to the storage unit (2) and to the at least one optical instrument (3) with the aim of estimating a pose vector (B) and identifying when the latter is stationary in the positions of interest (5).