RFID-Enabled 3D Glasses Management for Theater Billing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Theater operators face high costs and inefficiencies in managing and tracking 3D glasses, particularly in distinguishing and billing for reusable glasses, and in providing targeted advertising and customer incentives.

Innovation Solution

Implementing RFID technology in 3D glasses to enable detection and management, allowing for automated billing, data collection, and targeted advertising, while providing customers with discounts for reusing their own glasses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If disposable glasses are used, then manufacturing cost is low and quality is sufficient for viewing, but washing and re-use is not suitable and environmental friendliness is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidenvironmental impact

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent acknowledges that disposable glasses are inexpensive to manufacture and provide sufficient viewing quality, but addresses the environmental harm by introducing RFID tracking to enable recovery and recycling programs, transforming the disposable model into a reusable one while maintaining low manufacturing costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements an RFID-based tracking system that enables the recovery of used glasses from audiences, facilitating washing and re-use programs that reduce environmental impact while maintaining the economic benefits of disposable glass manufacturing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

2Object-affected harmful factors

If reusable glasses are distributed, then environmental friendliness is improved and long-term cost is reduced, but tracking and management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental impactVSAvoidtracking and management system

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual tracking and management mechanisms with RFID (radio frequency identification) technology, which uses electromagnetic fields to automatically identify and track glasses, significantly reducing the complexity of management while enabling reusable glass programs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The RFID tags embedded in glasses enable automatic identification and tracking without requiring manual intervention, allowing the system to self-manage the distribution, usage, and recovery of reusable glasses, thereby reducing operational complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If RFID detection equipment is installed at all entrances, then billing accuracy is improved and data collection is enhanced, but initial installation cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebilling accuracyVSAvoidinstallation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the RFID detection equipment to serve multiple functions: accurate billing by identifying glass usage, data collection for audience analytics, and targeted advertising capabilities, thereby justifying the installation cost through multiple revenue streams and operational benefits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Loss of information

If customer usage data is collected, then targeted advertising capability is improved and customer engagement is enhanced, but privacy concerns and data management complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomer insightVSAvoiddata management system

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses RFID tags as intermediaries that collect usage data without directly accessing or storing sensitive customer information, enabling targeted advertising and customer engagement while maintaining privacy by processing only necessary identification and usage pattern data

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 reduces costs by enabling accurate tracking and billing of reusable glasses, enhances customer engagement through targeted advertising, and increases customer retention through loyalty programs and discounts.

Implementation Method 1

RFID detection device may be used to identify the 3rd party/privately owned 3D glasses brought into a theater by a customer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRFID (Radio Frequency Identification): Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS9600827B23D glasses with RFID and methods and devices for improving management and distribution of sold commodities

Publication Date: 2017.03.21 DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORP

AI summary

RFID data is utilized for billing and management of 3D glasses in a cinema theater or group of theaters. RFID pedestals identify privately owned or rented 3D glasses brought into a theater by a customer. An invoice is automatically generated billing the theater operator for the use of the 3D glasses. Usage of the glasses along with other data collected about the customers is utilized for targeted advertising (e.g., e-mails, texts, selected advertise in pre-show, etc.). The invention reduces up front cost in installing a reusable 3D glasses system.