Planogram Compliance via Automated Image Auditing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for maintaining retail product displays in compliance with planograms are inefficient, requiring significant cognitive load and manual effort, especially when inventory is unavailable or when products need to be rearranged, leading to potential errors and increased physical demands on workers.

Innovation Solution

A system and method using a processor to audit and compare actual product placement with planned placement, generating instructions for rearrangement, including automated image analysis and synthesized speech for efficient implementation, optimizing product placement and reducing manual handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual auditing and rearrangement of products is performed, then planogram compliance can be achieved, but significant cognitive load and manual effort are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplanogram complianceVSAvoidcognitive load

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual visual inspection and cognitive processing with an automated image recognition system. The system captures images of shelf displays, automatically identifies product locations and types using computer vision algorithms, and compares them against planogram requirements, eliminating the need for manual auditing while maintaining compliance accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by allowing the display arrangement to be automatically audited and analyzed without human intervention. The image recognition system independently captures, processes, and evaluates display compliance, generating reports and identifying discrepancies without requiring worker cognitive engagement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If all products are un-shelved and display is rebuilt when there is significant discrepancy, then planogram compliance can be restored, but substantial time and physical effort are consumed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplanogram complianceVSAvoidtime consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary identification and classification of products during the auditing phase. By pre-identifying which products are misplaced, missing, or need rearrangement, the system enables targeted corrections rather than complete rebuilds, saving significant time and effort while restoring compliance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the display auditing process into discrete, manageable segments - identifying individual products, their current positions, and required positions. This segmentation allows for selective rearrangement of only the necessary products rather than requiring complete display reconstruction, thereby improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If manual handling and lifting of products is performed, then product rearrangement can be achieved, but repeated lifting creates physical strain and safety concerns

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct rearrangementVSAvoidphysical strain

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical handling with automated guidance systems. The image recognition system identifies products and their required positions, then provides automated instructions (visual, auditory, or digital) to guide workers in moving products, reducing the need for repeated lifting and minimizing physical strain while maintaining rearrangement effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If inventory is not available for new or sold-out products, then display compliance cannot be fully achieved, but manual detection of such issues is time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay complianceVSAvoidaudit time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces manual inventory checking with automated image analysis. The image recognition system identifies product types, quantities, and availability status by analyzing display images, automatically detecting missing products, sold-out items, or inventory discrepancies without requiring manual inventory searches, thereby reducing audit time while maintaining compliance reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3447698A1Planogram implementation

Publication Date: 2019.02.27 VOCOLLECT INC

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AI summary

A compliance method involves, for example, storing actual product placement data describing a display arrangement of actual product placements; at one or more programmed processors: comparing the actual product placement data with planned product placement as defined in a planogram; creating a set of one or more instructions for rearrangement of the actual product placement to bring the actual product placement in the display arrangement into compliance with the planned product placement as defined in the planogram; and outputting the set of instructions.