Mobile Item Identification Using Location and Image Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Consumers face inefficiencies in obtaining product information without manually scanning items, which can be time-consuming and risky due to potential germ exposure, and there is a need for a method to provide product information quickly and accurately, including promotional advertising and complementary products.
Innovation Solution
A method using mobile devices with location determination techniques and item identification systems, such as RFID, NFC, and image analysis, to identify items in proximity or within digital images, allowing for filtered and personalized product information display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If consumers manually scan each item individually using QR scan, HF scan, or BLE beacon, then they can obtain product information, but the process becomes time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple item identification capabilities (QR scanning, HF scanning, BLE beacon detection) into a single mobile application that automatically performs all three scanning types simultaneously, allowing consumers to obtain product information from multiple items at once rather than scanning each item individually
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables automatic item identification where the mobile device autonomously scans and identifies items in the consumer's vicinity without requiring manual initiation of each scan, automatically retrieving and displaying product information based on the scanned items
2Measurement precision
If consumers handle items to locate and scan digital ID tags, then they can obtain product information, but they risk exposure to germs on physical items
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the mobile device as an intermediary between the consumer and the physical items. The device's scanning capabilities allow consumers to obtain product information remotely without physically handling or touching the items, thereby eliminating germ exposure risk while maintaining information retrieval capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the mechanical action of manually handling and manipulating physical tags with automated electronic scanning using the mobile device's sensors and cameras, substituting physical contact with remote detection methods
3Adaptability or versatility
If consumers search across multiple item classes for complementary items, then they can find related products, but the process becomes more time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the search functionality across multiple item classes into a unified interface that automatically identifies complementary items based on the scanned items, presenting all relevant information from different product categories simultaneously rather than requiring separate searches for each item class
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods for identifying one or more items in close proximity to a mobile device and/or are within a digital image. The location of the mobile device can be determined using outdoor positioning systems ("OPS"), indoor positioning systems ("IPS"), or combinations thereof. The identity of the item or items can be determine using planograms; visual inventory; RFID handheld inventory; RFID overhead inventory; vision system inventory; QR; barcode; NFC; or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the methods described herein include or involve identifying one or more items within a digital image, such as a photograph or video. The image has an identification (ID)/time stamp that is used to associate the items in the image that have been read in the same area as the image so that the items can be actively searched as a digital image to highlight or list items that are in the image.