RFID-Based Store Tracking for Item and Visitor Status
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems struggle to determine the states of items and visitors in retail environments beyond shelf locations, lacking position information and visitor status determination.
Innovation Solution
A store system that utilizes RFID technology to track items and visitors, integrating position information acquisition units, store clerk terminals, wearable displays, and digital signage to determine states based on entry and exit events, along with sensor signals, enabling continuous position tracking and status determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If RFID tags are installed only on item shelves, then item tracking is possible, but visitor position information and status determination become unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling RFID tags to serve dual purposes: tracking items when placed on shelves and tracking visitors when carried. The system distinguishes between item tags (placed on shelves) and visitor tags (carried by customers), allowing a single RFID infrastructure to perform multiple tracking functions without requiring separate systems for each purpose.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary component that receives RF signals from both item tags and visitor tags, processes the information, and determines positions and statuses. This server acts as a mediator between the RFID tags and the store management system, enabling comprehensive tracking without requiring direct integration of all tracking components into a single complex device.
2Measurement precision
If continuous position tracking is implemented, then status determination accuracy improves, but system complexity and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by having the system determine positions and statuses at specific intervals rather than continuously monitoring. The server processes RF signals and updates positions/statuses periodically based on detected events (such as entering or leaving defined areas), which reduces computational resources and system complexity while maintaining sufficient accuracy for store operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining areas (such as shopping zones, checkout areas, and product categories) before tracking begins. These predefined areas serve as reference frames for determining visitor and item statuses, allowing the system to make accurate status determinations based on simple location data without requiring complex real-time analysis of movement patterns.
3Productivity
If manual inventory management is used, then system complexity is low, but labor intensity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the RFID-based system to automatically track item positions and generate inventory status information without human intervention. The system autonomously detects when items are picked up, returned, or moved between shelves, and the server automatically processes this information to provide real-time inventory updates, eliminating the need for manual stocktaking while maintaining manageable system complexity through automated RF signal processing.
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 precise tracking and management of item and visitor states, facilitating effective customer service support and inventory control, reducing labor intensity by automating inventory and improving sales opportunities.
Implementation Method 1
a state (status) of an item and a state (status) of a visitor are determined based on event information... visitors carry customer cards which are capable of wireless communication as well... RFID technology can be used
Data Source
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AI summary
A store system includes a position information acquisition unit that acquires position information of an RFID medium attached to an item and position information of a visitor terminal carried by a visitor, an event detection unit that detects an event that the RFID medium or the visitor terminal enters or leaves a predetermined area in a store space based on the acquired position information, an event information storage unit that stores event information including an ID that identifies the RFID medium or the visitor terminal, information about the predetermined area based on the position information, and a detection time of the event, and a status determination unit that determines a status, which is a state of the item or is an action content of the visitor, based on the event information.