Light-Coded Object Positioning with Freely Movable Cameras
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for determining the position of objects in retail environments are labor-intensive, costly, and require extensive installation of special devices for shelf identification, making them inefficient and complex.
Innovation Solution
A method and system utilizing a light-emitting device adjacent to objects that encodes identification information in a light signal, captured by a freely movable camera, allowing for real-time, dynamic, and spatially variable positioning of objects without the need for extensive shelf-mounted equipment, using a camera to determine the object's position based on the light signal's spatial location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If special wireless communication devices are installed on all shelves for identification, then shelf identification capability is improved, but device complexity and installation cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The identification function is extracted from the shelf structure itself and transferred to portable devices carried by employees. Instead of embedding identification devices in shelves, the system uses portable scanners that employees carry, eliminating the need for permanent shelf-mounted identification apparatus while maintaining reliable shelf identification capability.
Solution Approach 2:
A portable scanning device serves as an intermediary between the employee and the shelf identification system. This mobile intermediary carries the necessary communication equipment to interact with shelves, replacing the need for permanent fixed infrastructure while enabling reliable identification.
2Reliability
If wireless communication apparatus is integrated into electronic price displays, then shelf identification is improved, but manufacturing and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The portable scanning device performs multiple functions: it identifies shelves, tracks products, and communicates with the central system. By consolidating these functions into a single portable unit, the system eliminates the need for separate identification devices on each shelf, reducing manufacturing and installation costs while maintaining reliable identification capability.
3Measurement precision
If all shelves are equipped with identity information provision apparatus, then object position determination accuracy is improved, but loss of time for installation and maintenance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static shelf-mounted identification devices to dynamic portable scanning devices. The portable scanner moves flexibly to different locations, eliminating installation and maintenance time associated with permanent fixtures while maintaining the ability to accurately determine object positions through real-time scanning.
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
Enables efficient and cost-effective object positioning in retail spaces by reducing the need for permanent shelf devices, allowing real-time dynamic capture and providing valuable insights for inventory management, stocktaking, and marketing through the use of freely movable cameras and light-emitting devices.
Implementation Method 1
a light signal, which is encoded with identification information for identifying the object, is emitted from a light-emitting device
Implementation Method 2
capturing a scene with the help of at least one freely movable camera, wherein a digital scene image generated with the help of the camera represents the scene
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for determining the position of at least one object (P1-P6) in a space (2), in particular of at least one product positioned on a shelf (7), wherein the method includes: emitting a light signal, encoded with identification information for identifying the object, from a light-emitting device (6) positioned adjacent to the object, and capturing a scene with the aid f at least one freely movable camera (10), wherein a digital scene image generated with the aid of the camera represents the scene, and generating object position data on the basis of a computer-determined position of the light signal appearing in the digital scene image in relation to the camera and the identification information emitted with the light signal, and on the basis of an automatically determined orientation and position of the camera in the space when the scene is captured, wherein the object position data represents the position of the object in the scene with respect to the space.