Multi-Sensor Store Tracking With Feedback-Based Individual Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional brick and mortar store systems lack the ability to automatically track and interact with customers, merchants, devices, products, and objects within and relative to the store area, limiting their functionality beyond security monitoring.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a BAM store control system that utilizes cameras, pressure sensors, LIDAR sensors, biometric sensors, local wireless transceivers, and other devices to track and interact with individuals and objects, providing automated assistance in supply chain management, inventory tracking, and customer experience customization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If traditional security cameras are used for monitoring, then security staff can monitor store areas, but the system cannot automatically track or interact with customers, merchants, devices, products, and objects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic tracking and interaction capabilityVSAvoidfunctionality beyond security monitoring

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies multi-functionality by transforming traditional security cameras into multi-purpose devices that not only monitor for security purposes but also automatically track customers, merchants, devices, products, and objects. The system integrates multiple sensor types (cameras, pressure sensors, LIDAR, biometric sensors, wireless transceivers) to enable diverse functions including supply chain management, inventory tracking, and customer experience customization, allowing a single system to serve multiple operational needs simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If multiple sensors and devices are deployed for tracking and interaction, then automated assistance in supply chain management and inventory tracking is achieved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveefficiency in supply chain management and inventory trackingVSAvoidnumber and integration of sensors and devices

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple sensor types (cameras, pressure sensors, LIDAR sensors, biometric sensors, local wireless transceivers) into an integrated BAM store control system that operates as a unified platform. This merging approach allows the system to achieve high productivity in supply chain management and inventory tracking while managing complexity through centralized control and coordinated operation of diverse components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If traditional POS devices are used for transactions, then payment processing and inventory tracking are handled, but the system cannot provide personalized customer experience or automated assistance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomer experience customization capabilityVSAvoidsimplicity of transaction processing

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by enabling the system to automatically detect customer activities, generate personalized recommendations, and provide customized experiences without requiring manual intervention. The BAM store control system autonomously processes transaction data, analyzes customer behavior patterns, and delivers personalized service, maintaining ease of operation while significantly enhancing adaptability and customer experience customization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Enhances efficiency and customization by automatically detecting customer activities, managing inventory, and generating personalized recommendations, improving throughput and customer experience.

Implementation Method 1

LIDAR sensors to track and interact with individuals and objects

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLIDAR: LIDAR

Data Source

PatentUS12450617B1Learning for individual detection in brick and mortar store based on sensor data and feedback

Publication Date: 2025.10.21 BLOCK INC

AI summary

A brick-and-mortar (BAM) store control system uses sensors and wireless transceivers to track customers, merchant representatives, devices, and/or objects within a BAM store area. The system can identify and track product and/or service inventory within the BAM store area and/or in individual's personal inventories, for instance by detecting movements of objects by individuals in sensor data. The system can generate inventory replenishment schedules, for instance based on inventory quantity patterns. The system can provide recommendations to customers and/or merchants, for example recommending products that customers have interacted with. The system can identify individuals and/or objects using a machine learning algorithm, which can learn based on feedback. The system can generate temporary identifiers for unrecognized individuals or objects, which it can merge or convert into long-term identifiers as more information is received. The system can recognize sensitive information based on secure identifiers generated based on the sensitive information.