Remote Capture Station for Consumer Product Database Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Retailers face challenges in efficiently designing and updating planograms for consumer products without physical access to the products, leading to a time-consuming trial-and-error process and suboptimal shelf space utilization, especially for chain store retailers with multiple locations.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for remotely capturing consumer product data using a capture station equipped with input devices such as digital cameras, bar code scanners, and digital scales, transmitting this data over the internet to a central database for updating, allowing remote operation and real-time data entry with video conferencing for guidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If physical products are kept at every location for planogram design, then product availability is improved, but storage space and logistics complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates digital copies of physical products through photographing and scanning at capture stations. These digital representations (images, barcodes, dimensions) are stored in a centralized database, eliminating the need to physically store actual products at every location while maintaining full product information availability for planogram design.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual trial-and-error shelving is used, then flexibility is maintained, but time consumption and inefficiency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by capturing all necessary product data (dimensions, images, barcodes) in advance and storing it in a centralized database. This allows planograms to be designed and optimized before actual shelving, enabling efficient execution without time-consuming trial-and-error adjustments at the store level.
3Loss of information
If centralized database is updated remotely, then data currency is improved, but data capture complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The capture station is designed to be self-service capable, with automated barcode scanning, digital photographing, and dimension capture functions. The system automatically transmits captured data to the centralized database, reducing the need for complex manual data entry processes while maintaining data currency through easy remote updates.
4Ease of operation
If multiple physical products are stored for reference, then product information accessibility is improved, but storage requirements and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical product storage with digital copies captured through photographing and scanning. The centralized database stores these digital representations, providing unlimited information accessibility to any number of users and locations without requiring additional physical storage space for product references.
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates generally to an apparatus and a method for remotely capturing consumer product data and updating a consumer products database by a communication connection. A remote capture station provides data such as images and physical dimensions of consumer products for updating a consumer products database at a home location. This invention also relates to a method for consumer products database management including providing a capture station, engaging a consumer product with the capture station, capturing product data, transmitting the product data, and updating the consumer products database.