Object Detection and 3D Visualization for Retail Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current display technologies for presenting and visualizing products are limited, as customers must physically interact with or imagine the use of products, lacking real-time visualization and comprehensive information, which restricts effective product matching and arrangement.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a display, a control system with a microcontroller, optical sensors, cameras, and RFID technology, along with software that recognizes objects using markers or natural features, generates dynamic visualizations of products in predefined arrangements, allowing real-time interaction and reduced graphic preparation needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If static displays presenting goods or samples are used, then the display structure is simple, but the customer cannot visualize the final effect of the product and must physically grab items to compare them
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates virtual copies of physical products through photogrammetry and 3D modeling, allowing customers to view and interact with digital representations instead of physical items. This resolves the contradiction by providing comprehensive product visualization information through virtual models while keeping the physical display structure simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from 2D static images to 3D interactive visualizations, enabling customers to view products from multiple angles and perspectives. This dimensional enhancement provides complete product information without requiring complex physical display structures.
2Loss of information
If electronic product catalogs displaying images and information are used, then information about product specifications is provided, but the final effect of the product remains unknown and requires customer imagination
Solution Approach 1:
Virtual 3D copies of products replace traditional product catalogs, allowing customers to interact with and visualize the final effect of products directly rather than relying on static images and their own imagination. This maintains comprehensive information provision while dramatically improving visualization capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the mental visualization process (cognitive mechanism) with an automated 3D rendering and augmented reality system (technical mechanism), providing intuitive product visualization without requiring customer imagination while maintaining ease of operation.
3Ease of operation
If a device generates dynamic visualizations of products in predefined arrangements is created, then real-time product visualization is enabled, but the number of graphic elements and system components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments visualizations into modular components (product models, backgrounds, accessories, lighting effects) that can be independently managed and combined. This allows real-time product visualization through composition of pre-prepared elements rather than generating complete graphics from scratch, reducing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Product models, backgrounds, and visualization elements are pre-prepared and stored in a database before use. When a customer views a product, the system quickly assembles pre-existing elements rather than generating graphics in real-time, enabling real-time visualization capability without requiring complex real-time rendering systems.
4Loss of time
If physical product comparison is performed by grabbing and examining items, then direct tactile feedback is provided, but the process is time-consuming and limits the number of products customers can evaluate
Solution Approach 1:
Virtual 3D copies of products replace physical items for comparison, allowing customers to evaluate multiple products rapidly by switching between digital representations. This eliminates the time required to physically handle and move items while maintaining comprehensive product information through detailed virtual models.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables comparison across multiple dimensions (size, color, configuration, pricing) through interactive 3D visualizations and data overlays, providing comprehensive product information more efficiently than physical examination while reducing the time required to evaluate multiple products.
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 customers to visualize products in real-time arrangements without requiring graphic design skills, significantly reducing the number of graphics needed and providing comprehensive product information, enhancing the shopping experience by allowing real-time product visualization and arrangement exploration.
Implementation Method 1
an optical sensor system connected to the control system and/or a vision system comprising a camera or cameras oriented towards the display with the object/s
Implementation Method 2
an RFID reader, contained in the display and appropriate markers contained in or on the objects or detecting a natural feature of the objects
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~4
AI summary
A device for presenting and visualizing objects, comprising at least one display (1) intended to accommodate one or more objects (3); at least one control system comprising a microcontroller/computer/logical unit (5), with implemented software (11), to which at least one object sensor (4) (3) and at least one display (6) are connected, characterized in that it comprises a system for detecting the presence of objects (3) in the display (1) implemented by a system of graphic code sensor(s) (8) and/or optical sensor( s) (14) connected to the control system (5) and/or a vision system comprising a camera(s) (12) oriented towards the display (1) with the object( s) (3) and/or RFID reader(s) (9) contained in the display (1) and the tags (4) contained in/on the objects (3), and in that it comprises software (11) implemented in the microcontroller/computer/logical unit (5), which is connected to the display (6), wherein the software (11) is configured to generate images containing the objects (3) or parts thereof, or other information and visualizations related to this/these object/ s on the display (6). The generation of images or fragments thereof may take place on an external server (13) and downloaded to the control system (5) for display on the display (6). The method according to the invention consists in using a device for presenting objects and generating images on the display (6) presenting objects (3) or fragments thereof.