In-Store Navigation Using Wireless Beacons and ESLs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Navigating large retail environments to find specific products can be challenging due to the complexity of store layouts, leading to increased customer frustration and reduced shopping efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A system incorporating wireless beacons, electronic shelf labels (ESLs), and navigation services control circuits that utilize Bluetooth and Wi-Fi signals to provide customized in-store navigation on portable devices, allowing users to input target products and receive directional overlays on a store map, thereby facilitating the location of items.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If customers navigate large retail environments manually without assistance, then they can find products through traditional methods, but the time spent searching increases and customer frustration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a portable electronic device as an intermediary between the customer and the retail environment. The device receives signals from wireless beacons, processes location data, and provides navigation instructions through an interface, mediating the interaction and eliminating the need for manual navigation through complex store layouts
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/manual navigation system with an electronic/digital system. Instead of physically searching through stores, customers use electronic devices that automatically process location data from wireless beacons and provide digital navigation instructions, substituting mechanical search efforts with electronic information processing
2Productivity
If a navigation system using wireless beacons and electronic shelf labels is implemented, then navigation accuracy and shopping efficiency improve, but system complexity and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing infrastructure components multi-functional. Wireless beacons originally used for other purposes are repurposed to provide location data for navigation, and electronic shelf labels serve both product information display and location identification functions, reducing the need for dedicated navigation hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The navigation system operates autonomously by having portable devices automatically receive and process signals from wireless beacons without requiring manual intervention. The system self-calibrates and provides continuous navigation assistance, reducing the operational complexity despite the infrastructure investment
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 system significantly reduces the time spent searching for products, enhances the shopping experience by providing accurate and convenient navigation, and can be integrated into existing retail store infrastructure with minimal alterations.
Implementation Method 1
A system incorporating wireless beacons, electronic shelf labels (ESLs), and navigation services control circuits that utilize Bluetooth and Wi-Fi signals
Implementation Method 2
A system incorporating wireless beacons, electronic shelf labels (ESLs), and navigation services control circuits that utilize Bluetooth and Wi-Fi signals
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to providing customized in-store navigation. In some embodiments, there is provided a system for providing customized in-store navigation including shelving units; shelf electronic shelf labels; product electronic shelf labels; a navigation services control circuit configured to transmit location information associated with the product ESLs at a retail store to an in-store navigation interface operable on a portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is inside the retail store; and the in-store navigation interface configured to: identify a target retail product; receive location information; determine a location of the target retail product; and display directions to the location of the target retail product on a display device.