MR Checkout Overlay for Buying Virtual and Real Merchandise
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional POS terminal technologies in retail stores only display recommended merchandise items without allowing customers to fully inspect or purchase non-existent items, lacking a real shopping experience.
Innovation Solution
A cost calculation and payment system that integrates a camera to recognize real items, a display to show cost calculations, and a virtual object display device to superimpose virtual items alongside real ones, enabling selection and payment of both real and virtual merchandise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If only real merchandise items are displayed on the display, then customers can fully inspect the items, but customers cannot purchase non-existent items
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses virtual object technology to create visual copies of merchandise items that do not physically exist in the store. These virtual copies are superimposed in the real space using augmented reality, allowing customers to inspect and purchase non-existent items as if they were real, thereby resolving the contradiction between purchasing capability and inspection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a virtual dimension to the physical retail space by superimposing virtual merchandise objects in the real space. This creates a mixed reality environment where customers can access both physical and digital inventory simultaneously, enabling them to inspect and purchase items from both dimensions without conflict.
2Ease of operation
If virtual merchandise items are displayed without superimposition, then customers can see recommended items, but customers cannot get the real feeling of shopping in a physical store
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses augmented reality technology as an intermediary between the customer and the merchandise. The virtual objects are superimposed in the real space, creating a bridge that maintains the authenticity of the physical shopping environment while adding digital convenience, thus preserving the real shopping feeling while enabling easy access to recommended items.
3Adaptability or versatility
If virtual objects are superimposed in real space, then customers can check virtual items as if real, but requires integration of multiple devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the camera, display, and virtual object display device into an integrated cost calculation and payment device. This consolidation allows the system to capture images, display information, and superimpose virtual objects simultaneously, reducing the complexity of managing separate devices while maintaining the enhanced shopping experience.
Data Source
AI summary
A virtual merchandise sales area controller controls MR glasses worn by a user to display virtual merchandise items as virtual objects in a superimposed manner in a store as a real space and detects the user's operation of selecting a virtual merchandise item. Then, in response to the user's operation of selecting the virtual merchandise item, a checkout counter controls the MR glasses to display the virtual merchandise item in a superimposed manner on a tray as the real space such that the virtual merchandise item is positioned alongside a real merchandise item placed on the tray, and performs cost calculation of the virtual merchandise item together with the real merchandise item.