Modular Shelf-Mounted Digital Signage for Automated Retail Pricing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing price tags in grocery stores is time-consuming, error-prone, and expensive, especially with over 25,000 SKUs requiring manual pricing updates, which can be inefficient and labor-intensive.
Innovation Solution
Implementing micro digital signage units (MDS) that can be attached to shelves, equipped with processors, communication modules, and displays, capable of receiving and displaying pricing and advertising information, enabling video analytics, and interacting with consumers, while allowing for interconnection and independent operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual pricing management is used, then labor flexibility is maintained, but productivity is low and error rate is high
Solution Approach 1:
The digital signage system automatically updates pricing information by receiving data from enterprise systems and self-managing content delivery to multiple displays, eliminating the need for manual intervention in pricing updates while maintaining system autonomy
Solution Approach 2:
The digital signage platform serves multiple functions including pricing display, advertising, product information presentation, and data collection, replacing multiple separate systems with a single integrated solution that improves productivity across various store operations
2Loss of information
If digital signage systems are implemented, then information delivery capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The digital signage system is divided into independent modular components including display units, communication modules, and processing units that can be individually configured and maintained, reducing the impact of complexity while improving information delivery reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where digital signage units report their status and received information back to the central management system, ensuring pricing information accuracy through verification and automatic correction of any discrepancies
3Productivity
If automated pricing systems are deployed, then labor costs are reduced, but initial investment cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The digital signage platform performs multiple functions including pricing display, advertising, and data collection within a single system, spreading the implementation cost across multiple business functions and improving the cost-benefit ratio
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses digital copies of pricing information that can be replicated and distributed to multiple displays simultaneously, eliminating the need for physical tag production and installation while reducing ongoing operational costs
Data Source
AI summary
A system to display information using a display shelf of a retailer may include a first display configured to be attached to a first edge portion of the display shelf and to display information related to a first product. A second display may be configured to be attached to a second edge portion of the display shelf and to display information related to a second product. The first display and the second display can be configured to have a height similar to a height of the first and the second edge portion of the shelf. The first display and the second display may also be configured to display information related to a third product as if the first display is continuously connected to the second display as an extended display.