Optical Sensor System for Real-Time Retail Inventory Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Physical retail stores face challenges in accessing accurate and comprehensive data on product placement, sales, and inventory due to incompatible systems, human error, and limited data collection methods, leading to issues like out-of-stock items and inefficient inventory management.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method and system using sensor components with light sources and band-pass filters to detect unique product identifiers (UPIs) affixed to products, allowing for accurate identification and tracking of products in real-time, transmitting data to a server for inventory management and analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If manual data collection by sales representatives is used, then some retail data can be obtained, but the data is limited, inaccurate, and costly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata completenessVSAvoiddata accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical data collection by sales representatives with an automated optical sensing system. Sensors equipped with light sources and detectors automatically scan and capture product information, identifiers, and inventory status, eliminating human involvement in data collection and thereby improving both data completeness and accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables products and store environments to self-report their status through embedded identifiers and sensor detection. Products with machine-readable identifiers automatically provide their information when scanned, and sensors continuously monitor inventory levels without human intervention, allowing the system to serve itself in data collection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Loss of time

If manual inventory tracking is used, then some inventory data can be obtained, but real-time accuracy is poor and out-of-stock issues occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata collection timeVSAvoidinventory accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuous inventory monitoring through sensors that constantly scan product identifiers and detect stock levels in real-time. The system maintains uninterrupted observation of inventory status, ensuring up-to-date information is always available and eliminating delays associated with periodic manual counts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

Manual periodic inventory checks are replaced with automated continuous sensing systems. Optical sensors and light sources continuously detect product presence and identifiers, providing real-time inventory data that improves reliability and eliminates the time loss associated with manual tracking intervals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple incompatible POS systems are used across retailers, then various data formats can be supported, but data compatibility and access become difficult and costly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem compatibilityVSAvoiddata accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs universal machine-readable identifiers that can be scanned and recognized across different retail environments and systems. The sensor system is designed to detect various identifier types through a unified optical interface, enabling compatibility across multiple retailers and POS systems while maintaining data accessibility through standardized detection protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 real-time, accurate, and efficient collection and processing of product data, reducing costs and improving inventory management, reducing out-of-stock issues, and enhancing data accuracy for retailers and manufacturers.

Implementation Method 1

emitting, by a set of light sources disposed on the sensor component, light in a frequency corresponding to an absorption frequency of a marking applied to a product

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

detecting, by a digital sensor, additional light emitted, in an emission frequency, by the marking applied to the product

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Implementation Method 3

the additional light passes through a band-pass filter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFilter (optical): Filter (optical)

Data Source

PatentUS11720922B2Sensor technology for identifying and assessing store inventory and merchandising

Publication Date: 2023.08.08 SIX TWELVE TECH

AI summary

Systems and methods for tracking the sales of products and presence of advertising materials within a physical store are provided. According to certain aspects, a sensor component disposed within the physical store may detect light emitted by a unique product identifier (UPI) affixed to a product. A processor of the sensor component may analyze the detected light to determine the UPIs, generate a digital representation of the UPIs within a field of view, and transmit at least a portion of the digital representation to a server computer. A plurality of sensor components may track the movement and sales of various products and presence of advertising materials in the physical store, and the server computer may analyze the resulting data to improve merchandising and the sales experience for customers, among other benefits.