Piezoelectric Floor Sensor for Foot Traffic Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Retailers face challenges in determining intuitive product locations, identifying complementary products, and understanding time-varying customer traffic patterns in their stores, which affects customer convenience and sales strategies.
Innovation Solution
A motion sensing and energy capturing system using piezoelectric elements embedded in walking surfaces that detect foot traffic, transmit activation data to a processing engine to identify time-varying traffic patterns, and incorporate an energy capture element to power the system, enabling the creation of heat maps and data analysis for improved store layout and management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If piezoelectric elements are embedded in walking surfaces to detect foot traffic and provide motion sensing, then measurement precision of traffic patterns is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for multiple sensors, communication modules, and processing systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the walking surface into multiple zones with individual piezoelectric elements, allowing precise localization of foot traffic. Each element is independently identifiable relative to a portion of the walking surface, enabling detailed spatial analysis of customer movement patterns throughout the retail environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The piezoelectric elements serve dual functions: detecting foot traffic for motion sensing and generating electrical energy through the piezoelectric effect. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate power sources and sensors, thereby managing system complexity while maintaining high measurement precision.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple piezoelectric elements are arranged in a grid pattern to cover large areas, then the coverage area is improved, but the cost and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The large walking surface is divided into multiple smaller zones, each with its own piezoelectric element. This segmentation allows the system to cover extensive areas while maintaining manageable installation and manufacturing complexity through modular deployment of standardized elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses identifiable parameters for each piezoelectric element relative to the walking surface portions, enabling systematic addressing and tracking of each sensor. This parameterization simplifies the manufacturing and installation process by providing clear identification and positioning guidelines for each element in the grid arrangement.
3Use of energy by moving object
If energy capture elements are integrated with piezoelectric elements to harvest energy from foot traffic, then energy self-sufficiency is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The energy capture element is electrically coupled with the piezoelectric elements, merging the sensing and power generation functions into an integrated system. This combination allows the same mechanical stress that triggers motion detection to simultaneously generate electrical energy, reducing the need for separate power sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The piezoelectric elements function as both sensors for detecting foot traffic and as power generators through the piezoelectric effect. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional energy harvesting components, thereby managing electrical integration complexity while achieving energy self-sufficiency.
4Speed
If real-time processing of activation data is implemented to identify time-varying traffic patterns, then responsiveness to customer behavior is improved, but processing requirements and computational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The processing engine is configured to receive and process activation data in real-time as it is generated by the piezoelectric elements. This preliminary processing enables the system to immediately identify traffic patterns and provide timely insights for retail strategies without requiring complex post-processing operations.
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
The system provides actionable insights for optimizing store layouts, enhancing customer experience, and improving sales strategies by accurately tracking foot traffic patterns and energy harvesting, allowing for self-powering capabilities and efficient data processing.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of piezoelectric elements configured to be arranged in a walking surface... an energy capture element electrically coupled with the plurality of piezoelectric elements to receive energy produced by the at least one of the plurality of piezoelectric elements when the at least one of the piezoelectric elements is activated by activity on a corresponding portion of the walking surface
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments relate to systems and methods for motion sensing and energy capturing. In an embodiment, a motion sensing and energy capturing system comprises a plurality of piezoelectric elements configured to be arranged in a walking surface, each of the plurality of piezoelectric elements being identifiable relative to a portion of the walking surface; a communications module coupled with the plurality of piezoelectric elements; a processing engine configured to receive via the communications module activation data from at least one of the plurality of piezoelectric elements when the at least one of the piezoelectric elements is activated by activity on a corresponding portion of the walking surface, the activation data including time of activation data, and to process the activation data received for the walking surface over a period of time to identify a time-varying traffic pattern; a user interface configured to display the time-varying traffic pattern; and an energy capture element electrically coupled with the plurality of piezoelectric elements to receive energy produced by the at least one of the plurality of piezoelectric elements when the at least one of the piezoelectric elements is activated by activity on a corresponding portion of the walking surface.