Individual Item Pricing With Time-Based Discounts for Older Goods

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for managing the pricing of perishable goods require manual sticker application and are inefficient in promoting older products, leading to difficulties in selling them before newer products are discounted.

Innovation Solution

An automated system that adjusts prices based on a predetermined rule linked to the product's manufacture date, eliminating the need for manual sticker application and timeframe restrictions, and allows customers to access price changes through a user terminal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If manual discount sticker attachment is used, then price adjustment can be implemented, but labor time and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprice adjustment automationVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service automation where the price management system automatically generates discount stickers and attaches them to products based on predetermined rules, eliminating the need for manual intervention by sales clerks while maintaining operational simplicity through automated workflows

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of sticker attachment with an automated system that uses computers, printers, and automated labeling mechanisms to generate and apply discount stickers, thereby reducing labor requirements while managing system complexity through modular design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If discount stickers are attached within fixed timeframe, then manual work is required, but older products do not sell faster

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct sales velocityVSAvoidtimeframe restriction

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements dynamic pricing where discount rates and sticker attachment timing are automatically adjusted based on product age and sales performance, allowing older products to receive progressively larger discounts without fixed timeframe constraints, thereby increasing sales velocity while eliminating manual timing interventions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors product age, stock levels, and sales data, then automatically adjusts discount strategies and sticker attachment timing based on this feedback, enabling older products to be promoted more aggressively over time without requiring manual reassessment of timeframe restrictions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Loss of information

If manual sticker attachment is performed, then price promotion can be implemented, but customer information access is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprice information accessibilityVSAvoidcustomer information access

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system integrates multiple functions including automated sticker generation, real-time price tracking, and customer information dissemination through multiple channels (in-store displays, mobile applications, website), allowing customers to access price information through various convenient methods while the system manages all functions through a unified platform

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12499475B2Individual item price management system and method of managing individual item price management system

Publication Date: 2025.12.16 TOSHIBA TEC KK

AI summary

In accordance with an embodiment, an individual item management system includes an information terminal and an information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus changes the price included in the product information in accordance with a predetermined rule according to a lapse of time from the reference date and time. The information processing apparatus acquires, upon receiving the identification information in units of the individual item from the information terminal, the product information that includes at least the reference date and time and the price and is stored in association with the identification information in units of the individual item from a storage device and transmits the acquired information to the information terminal.