Product Detection Apparatus for Shelf Return Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing product detection systems require image processing to identify customers returning products to a placement area, which is inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A product detection apparatus that acquires multiple images of a product placement area at different times, processes these images to detect a state where a new product is present continuously for a reference time, and outputs a detection result without identifying the customer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If customer detection is performed through image processing to detect product returns, then the ability to identify customer behavior is improved, but the system complexity and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential information needed for detection (product presence/absence in placement areas) from the complex image data, rather than performing full customer identification. This involves taking out the core detection function while eliminating unnecessary customer-specific processing, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary detection approach where product placement area monitoring serves as a mediator between customer action and detection result. Instead of directly detecting customers, the system detects product movements in placement areas, which indirectly indicates customer return behavior, thus simplifying the detection system
2Measurement precision
If full image processing is performed to identify customers returning products, then detection accuracy is improved, but the processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the critical detection element (product presence in placement area) from complete image analysis, eliminating time-consuming customer identification processes while maintaining accurate detection of product return events
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by performing only the minimum necessary image processing (detecting product presence/absence) rather than complete image analysis for customer identification, thereby reducing processing time while achieving the detection objective
3Adaptability or versatility
If customer identification is implemented to detect product returns, then behavioral analysis capability is improved, but the ease of operation and system simplicity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential detection function (product return detection) while removing complex customer identification components, making the system easier to operate while retaining the core behavioral detection capability through product placement area monitoring
Data Source
AI summary
A product detection apparatus (10) includes an acquisition unit (110), an image processing unit (120), and an output unit (130). The acquisition unit (110) acquires a plurality of images (one example of a first image) generated by an image capture unit (20) in association with a date and a time when the image is generated. These plurality of images are generated at different timings from each other. The image processing unit (120) detects a state (hereinafter, described as a first state) in which a new product is present on a product shelf (40) continuously for a reference time or longer by processing the plurality of images. The output unit (130) performs a first output when the first state is detected. The first output indicates that a product (50) has been returned to the product shelf (40) after the product (50) is taken out of the product shelf (40) by a customer.