Self-Service Kiosk Auto-Configuration for Fast Planogram Setup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual configuration of planograms in self-service kiosks is time-consuming and prone to errors, hindering efficient operation and customer experience.
Innovation Solution
A system for autoconfiguration of self-service kiosks using a cloud server, mobile application, and vending machine software (VMS) to automate the process, enabling registration, product information extraction, and keypad recognition for immediate user access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual configuration of planogram is used in self-service kiosks, then operator control over product mapping is maintained, but configuration time increases and errors occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service configuration where the kiosk automatically captures images of product shelves, processes them to identify products, and configures the planogram without operator intervention. The mobile application automatically communicates with the kiosk to transfer and process configuration data, eliminating manual mapping operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations (physically pressing keys, manually mapping products) with automated digital processing. Image recognition algorithms automatically identify products from captured images, and the system automatically maps products to dispensing locations, substituting human labor with automated software processing.
2Loss of time
If manual configuration is performed, then operator flexibility in product mapping is maintained, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically capturing images of product shelves before configuration is needed. The mobile application pre-processes these images to extract product information and prepares the planogram data in advance, so that when configuration is required, the system can quickly map products without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses image copying and processing to automatically create product mappings. Instead of manually entering product information, the system captures images of product shelves, processes these visual copies to identify products and their locations, and automatically generates the corresponding planogram data, significantly reducing configuration time.
3Reliability
If manual planogram configuration is used, then detailed product mapping control is maintained, but error rates increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the mobile application communicates with the kiosk to verify configuration data. The system processes captured images, extracts product information, and feeds this back to automatically update the planogram. This closed-loop feedback ensures accuracy by continuously verifying that product mappings are correctly established.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces error-prone manual mapping operations with automated image recognition and processing systems. The system captures images of product shelves, automatically identifies products through computer vision algorithms, and generates accurate planograms without human intervention, thereby eliminating errors associated with manual configuration while maintaining detailed product mapping control.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for automatic configuration of a self-service kiosk. The key aspect of the configuration of the self-service kiosk is to autoconfigure the unattended self-service kiosk enabled by a hardware and a vending machine software (VMS) of the system. The system and method reduce the time for operator, business user to install and manage the self-service kiosk. The system uses the data obtained from the self-service kiosks via a data file to automatically configure these self-service kiosks. Once the self-service kiosk is configured the same is displayed back to the operator/business user who is configuring the self-service kiosk on their mobile using the hardware and vending machine software (VMS) so that the consumers can start using the self-service kiosk immediately after configuration.