Laser Aisle Monitoring for Retail Sensor Obstruction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for monitoring customer behavior around product shelving units in stores face challenges in maintaining accurate data collection due to positional deviations of shelving units, leading to sensing curtain obstruction and prolonged data collection interruptions.
Innovation Solution
A control method that uses a computer system with sensors to emit a laser along aisles, detect reflections, and notify users of abnormalities in the sensing range by marking affected areas on a layout image, allowing for easier identification and adjustment of sensor positions to maintain optimal data collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a range measurement sensor is used to detect customer behavior around product shelving units, then customer behavior information can be collected, but the sensing range may be obstructed by positional deviations of shelving units leading to data collection interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the sensing range and provides feedback about obstruction status. When the laser scanning detects that the sensing curtain is obstructed by shelving units (indicated by distance measurements shorter than expected), the system generates abnormality information and notifies users, enabling timely correction of positional deviations to maintain data collection continuity
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary inspection of the sensing range by continuously scanning with laser and detecting obstructions before they cause complete data collection failure. By detecting positional deviations early and notifying users in advance, the system prevents prolonged data collection interruptions
2Measurement precision
If manual adjustment of sensor positions is performed to maintain optimal sensing range, then measurement accuracy can be maintained, but time and labor resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically provides feedback about sensing range obstructions through continuous laser scanning and distance measurement. When obstructions are detected, the system generates abnormality information indicating which shelving units are blocking the sensing curtain, enabling rapid identification and correction of positional issues without time-consuming manual inspection
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-monitoring of its sensing range and automatically identifies obstructions. The continuous laser scanning and automatic detection of abnormal distance measurements enable the system to self-diagnose sensing issues without requiring manual intervention, reducing the time and labor needed for maintenance
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 enables timely recovery from sensing range abnormalities, reducing data collection interruptions and improving the accuracy of customer behavior data collection by facilitating precise adjustments without requiring extensive manual intervention.
Implementation Method 1
controlling the sensor to emit a laser, along an aisle between product shelving units installed in the store
Implementation Method 2
scan the laser reflected from the aisle; determining that there is the object in the sensing range if the emitted laser is reflected from a position
Data Source
AI summary
When there are no customers in a store, a laser is scanned along an aisle between product shelving units installed in the store, and if that laser is reflected midway in the optical path, it is determined that there is an object in the sensing range according to the laser. The determination result is then notified to a user by a site that corresponds to the position where the laser has been reflected being marked in a layout image that represents the product shelving units, displayed on a terminal device.