Projector Display Stand for Secure Interactive Device Demos
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Solution Overview
Problem
Retail environments face challenges in displaying small, expensive electronic devices securely while allowing customers to try them, as existing solutions either secure the devices or allow charging but not both, and lack effective methods for providing interactive and up-to-date product information.
Innovation Solution
A secure display stand with a holder, retractable charging cord, and a projector that corrects for distortion, allowing customers to interactively view product information on a surface, using a micro-projector or pico-projector with keystone correction and a camera for touch input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If devices are secured on display stands, then theft prevention is improved, but customer accessibility and ease of handling deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The display stand employs a dynamic locking mechanism that transitions between locked and unlocked states based on customer interaction. The device is automatically unlocked when a customer approaches or touches it, allowing easy handling, and automatically re-locks when the customer leaves, maintaining security. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between security and accessibility.
2Ease of operation
If devices are made accessible for customer handling, then ease of operation is improved, but security and theft prevention deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The display stand incorporates sensors that detect customer presence and device interaction. When a customer approaches or touches the device, the system receives feedback and automatically unlocks the device for handling. When the customer leaves, the sensor detects the change and triggers automatic re-locking. This feedback loop enables automatic security management that adapts to customer behavior, resolving the security-accessibility contradiction.
3Device complexity
If printed information tickets are used, then device complexity is reduced, but information effectiveness and customer engagement deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces static printed information tickets with a projection system that displays product information, specifications, and pricing directly onto the device or display surface. This optical/digital substitution of mechanical printed materials provides dynamic, updatable information that enhances customer engagement and information effectiveness while maintaining relatively simple system complexity.
4Loss of information
If separate LCD screens are positioned in the store, then information display capability is improved, but adaptability to store layout changes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using fixed separate LCD screens positioned at specific locations, the patent employs a projection system that can display information directly onto the device surface or adjacent surfaces in three-dimensional space. This approach removes the constraint of fixed two-dimensional screen positions, allowing information to be displayed wherever the device is placed in the store, thereby providing adaptability to layout changes while maintaining information display capability.
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 secure handling and charging of devices while providing interactive, up-to-date product information, enhancing customer experience by allowing hands-on interaction with accurate and dynamic product displays.
Implementation Method 1
a projector associated with the arm and directed towards the surface to project images onto the surface
Implementation Method 2
The projector is configured to correct the images for distortion due to an angle of projection onto the surface... a lens arrangement for carrying out the correcting to a projected beam carrying the images... further configured to provide a short/ultra-short throw ratio
Implementation Method 3
a prism for directing light from the projector to a hole in the arm to project light through the hole onto the surface
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2D
Figure 3A~3D
AI summary
A secure display stand for an electronic device or other object plays electronic media relating to the device on display. A holder (14) holds the electronic device (15) to be displayed, and an arm (16) extends from the surface (12) to the holder (14). A projector is associated with the arm (16) and directed towards the surface (12) to project media images onto the surface (12).