Automated Planogram Generation for Modular Shelf Displays

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Solution Overview

Problem

E-commerce entities face challenges in generating optimal planograms efficiently, as manual processes are time-consuming and often result in suboptimal sales maximization due to the complexity of configuring items on modular displays, considering various constraints and user parameters.

Innovation Solution

A computing system automates planogram generation by processing modular, item, and strategy data to optimize item placement on shelves and pegs, taking into account physical constraints, user-defined parameters, and objectives, such as maximizing sales and shoppability, using processors to execute instructions for modular placement optimization operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If manual planogram generation is used, then the process allows operator experience and judgment, but it consumes a lot of time and requires multiple revisions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime to generate planogramVSAvoidautomation of planogram generation

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of planogram creation with an automated computer-based system. The system uses processors to execute algorithms that automatically generate planograms based on input data, eliminating the need for manual drawing and multiple revision cycles while maintaining optimization capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service planogram generation by automatically processing input data (modular data, item data, draw strategy data) and producing optimized planograms without requiring operator intervention for each generation cycle. The automation handles the entire process from data input to planogram output independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If manual planogram generation is used, then the operator can apply experience-based judgment, but the planogram may not be optimal for maximizing sales among vast item combinations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptimality of planogram for sales maximizationVSAvoidcomplexity of determining optimal item configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the complex planogram generation process into distinct operational phases: extracting shelf portion data, implementing first modular placement optimization operations, determining dimensional information, and implementing second modular placement optimization operations. This segmentation makes the complex optimization problem manageable and computationally solvable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by extracting shelf portion data from modular data before implementing the optimization operations. This preparatory step organizes the input data structure, enabling subsequent optimization algorithms to efficiently evaluate item configurations and determine optimal placements for sales maximization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the planogram considers vast number of item combinations, then optimal sales maximization can be achieved, but the generation process becomes extremely time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptimality of item configurationVSAvoidspeed of planogram generation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the evaluation of vast item combinations into separate optimization operations. The first modular placement optimization operations handle initial item assignments, while the second operations refine placements based on dimensional information. This segmentation allows efficient processing of combinatorial possibilities without exhaustive enumeration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements optimization operations that evaluate sufficient item configurations to achieve optimal or near-optimal sales maximization without exhaustively analyzing every possible combination. The automated system processes a strategically selected subset of configurations that captures the essential optimization opportunities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS12086867B2Methods and apparatus for generating planograms

Publication Date: 2024.09.10 WALMART APOLLO LLC

AI summary

In some examples, a system may be configured to, based on the data characterizing the shelf portion of a shelf-peg modular, the item data and the draw strategy data, implement a first set of modular placement optimization operations that generate a first modular dataset of the shelf portion of the shelf-peg modular. Furthermore, the system may be configured to, based at least on data characterizing the peg portion of the shelf-peg modular, and the modular data of the shelf portion, determine dimensional information of the peg portion. As such, the system may be configured to, based on the data characterizing the peg portion of the shelf-peg modular, the dimensional information of the peg portion, the item data, the first modular dataset, and the draw strategy data, implement a second set of modular placement optimization operations that generate a second modular dataset of the peg portion of the shelf-peg modular.