Portable Device Navigation in Retail Stores
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Solution Overview
Problem
Consumers face difficulties in locating specific products within large retail stores, often requiring multiple aisles to be traversed and sometimes resulting in missed purchases due to the complexity of store layouts and lack of efficient navigation tools.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing portable computerized devices with position sensors and communication capabilities to connect with a product location index server, providing users with directional and navigational assistance through textual and graphical instructions, such as arrows and maps, to efficiently find products within the store.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If consumers traverse aisles manually to find products, then they can locate items, but the time and effort required increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a portable computerized device as an intermediary between the consumer and the store environment. This device includes a position sensor that detects the consumer's location and a display that provides navigational instructions, acting as a mediator to guide the consumer to products without manual searching
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the consumer's position through the position sensor and dynamically updating the display with directional arrows and navigational instructions. This real-time feedback loop adjusts guidance based on the consumer's current location and movement
2Adaptability or versatility
If store layouts are expanded to carry more products, then product variety increases, but navigation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of physical navigation through complex store layouts with an electronic information system. The portable device's display shows directional arrows and maps that intellectually represent the store layout, substituting physical exploration with electronic guidance
3Productivity
If consumers use brute force approaches to find all products, then they can locate items, but the number of aisles traversed increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by providing navigational instructions before the consumer actually travels to each product location. The directional arrows and route guidance are displayed in advance, allowing the consumer to plan their path and avoid unnecessary traversal of aisles
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
This solution significantly reduces the time and effort required to locate products, increases the likelihood of finding all intended items, and allows for real-time updates and dynamic shopping lists, enhancing the overall shopping experience.
Implementation Method 1
The portable computerized device may include a position sensor, such as enabling a real-time locating system (RTLS) to determine a location of the device
Data Source
AI summary
A current location of a portable computerized device can be determined within a retail store. A computer-implemented method to provide a directional aid for a consumer within the store includes receiving an item being sought within a retail store, monitoring, at the processing device, the current location of a portable computerized device, determining an in-store location of the item being sought; and displaying to the consumer a graphic describing a direction and a distance from the current location to the in-store location of the item being sought.