Optical Sensor Substrate for Tag-Free Product Placement Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current inventory control systems require expensive tags or sensors to detect when products are removed from or placed on storage locations, increasing costs and complexity for retailers and other operators.
Innovation Solution
A system using a substrate with sensor units featuring optical sensors aligned with color filters and a circuit to detect the presence or absence of objects based on reflected light, allowing for color identification without the need for additional tags or cumbersome equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If RFID tags are used in each product to detect presence and removal, then object detection capability is improved, but product cost and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the detection function from the product itself (RFID tag) and places it in the storage location (substrate with optical sensors). This eliminates the need for active tags in each product while maintaining detection capability through passive optical sensing of product presence and color.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary substrate layer with optical sensors and color filters that mediates between the product and the detection system. This substrate acts as a passive mediator that detects product presence and color through reflected light without requiring active components in the product.
2Measurement precision
If weight sensors are used to detect product placement, then detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical weight sensing system with an optical sensing system. Instead of measuring weight changes through mechanical sensors, the system uses optical sensors to detect changes in reflected light patterns, indicating product presence and color without mechanical contact or complex weighing mechanisms.
3Measurement precision
If cameras with image processing software are deployed, then object identification capability is improved, but cost and ease of operation worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detection function into discrete optical sensors with specific color filters, each responsible for detecting a particular color wavelength. This segmentation replaces the need for full-image capture and complex image processing software, simplifying both manufacturing and operation while maintaining color identification capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from full visual image data to specific color wavelength intensities. By measuring only the intensity of light at specific wavelengths corresponding to different colors, the system achieves color identification with simple optical sensors and basic circuitry, eliminating the need for complex camera systems and image processing algorithms.
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 cost-effective and efficient detection of product placement and removal on storage structures, reducing operational costs and simplifying inventory management by using a substrate with optical sensors and color filters to identify objects based on reflected light.
Implementation Method 1
The light that is received through the second side of the sensor layer will be, and the optical sensors will detect, light that is reflected from the side of the object
Implementation Method 2
Each sensor unit includes two or more optical sensors... Each of the optical sensors is positioned to detect light
Data Source
AI summary
A system of optical sensors determines whether an object is placed on the system by passing light through the sensor layer, detecting light reflected from the object above the sensor layer, and identifying the object based on whether a color detected in the light corresponds to a color of the side of the object that is positioned on the system over the sensor layer. When the system includes multiple optical sensor units, the system may determine where the object has been placed by determining which of the sensor units detect light reflected from the side of the object.