Gaze-Triggered Electronic Shelf Label Activation for Lower Power Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic shelf labels (ESLs) consume significant energy due to continuous activation, leading to customer fatigue and increased power consumption, and there is a need to optimize their activation based on user interaction.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that activate ESL functions by detecting a user's gaze at a region of interest outside the device's zone, using image capture and analysis to trigger specific functions only when the user is looking at a product, reducing unnecessary activation and energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If electronic shelf labels are continuously activated to display information, then information availability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic shelf label transitions between active and sleep states periodically based on detected user presence and gaze direction. The device activates only when needed (when a user is present and looking at the product region) and remains inactive otherwise, creating a periodic on-off pattern that reduces energy consumption while maintaining information availability when required
2Loss of information
If multiple screens are activated simultaneously, then information access is improved, but cognitive load increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of activating all screens uniformly, the system selectively activates only the specific screen corresponding to the product region where the user is looking. This localized activation ensures information access for the user's current interest while avoiding the cognitive overload that would result from multiple simultaneous displays
3Ease of operation
If electronic shelf labels are always on, then user interaction is improved, but energy efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensors to detect user presence and gaze direction, then provides feedback by activating the screen only when a user is present and looking at the relevant product region. This feedback-based activation ensures user interaction is maintained when needed while improving energy efficiency by avoiding activation when no user is present
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances customer experience by activating only relevant screens or audio devices, reducing cognitive and acoustic load, while significantly lowering power consumption and improving energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
obtaining at least one image of at least a portion of the eyes of a person detected in a presence zone
Data Source
AI summary
A method for activating a function of a first content-rendering device is described. The method includes obtaining at least one image of at least part of the eyes of a person detected in a presence region associated with the first rendering device. The method also includes determining, by analysing the at least one obtained image, that the person is looking at a point of a first region of interest located close to and outside a region in which the first rendering device is located, and activating at least one function of the first rendering device.