Rotating Prism Shelf Display With Motion-Triggered AI Chatbot

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display technologies, such as cardboard, digital screens, and e-paper, fail to effectively capture attention, provide dynamic information, and are inefficient in power consumption, making them unsuitable for promotional applications.

Innovation Solution

An electromechanical display device with rotating prisms, a motion sensor, and AI/ML models that switch between active and passive modes, providing interactive messaging and chatbot functionality, powered by batteries or AC supply.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If conventional rotating prism displays are used, then dynamic visual display is achieved, but power consumption is too high for battery operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidoperational continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The rotating prism display operates periodically rather than continuously. The motor rotates the prisms only when motion is detected by the sensor, then stops rotation. This periodic operation dramatically reduces power consumption while maintaining the ability to capture attention when needed, enabling battery operation for extended periods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Loss of information

If digital screen displays are used, then dynamic information display is achieved, but they are frequently ignored due to ubiquity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation delivery effectivenessVSAvoiduser attention
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electronic screen displays with a mechanical rotating prism system. The mechanical rotation of prisms creates physical movement and optical effects that are inherently more attention-grabbing than static or digital displays. This mechanical approach restores the element of surprise and novelty that electronic displays have lost through ubiquity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of manufacture

If cardboard displays are used, then low cost is achieved, but they cannot convey dynamic information

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidinformation dynamics
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The rotating prism mechanism serves multiple functions: it displays dynamic information through rotation, captures attention through mechanical movement, and can be manufactured at low cost using simple materials. The system combines the simplicity of cardboard construction with the dynamic capabilities of mechanical rotation, achieving multi-functionality at low cost

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Use of energy by moving object

If motion detection is added to enable interactive mode switching, then power efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The motion sensor enables the display to automatically detect and respond to user presence without manual control. The system self-adjusts its power consumption mode based on environmental conditions, switching between active and sleep modes autonomously. This self-service capability improves power efficiency while adding minimal complexity through a simple sensor-controller mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

The device effectively attracts customer attention, provides dynamic information, and operates efficiently for extended periods, supporting AI-driven chatbot interactions without frequent recharging.

Implementation Method 1

a motion sensor configured to detect motion proximate to the electromechanical display device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMotion detection:

Implementation Method 2

a motor configured to cause the plurality of rotating prisms to rotate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

Each rotating prism includes a plurality of faces

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight refraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 4

Each rotating prism includes a plurality of faces

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS12518659B2Electromechanical display devices and artificial intelligence (AI) / machine learning (ML)-enabled chatbots
Publication Date: 2026.01.06 TOKINOMO MARKETING SRL
  • US12518659B2 patent drawing
  • US12518659B2 patent drawing
  • US12518659B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Electromechanical display devices and chatbots that employ one or more artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning (ML) models are disclosed. The electromechanical display device is configured to be attached to a shelf, glass surface of a refrigerator or window, or other product storage/display and includes one or more rotating prisms that have messages on their faces. The electromechanical display devices are activated when a customer approaches. A quick response (QR) code or barcode is displayed on the electromechanical display device that, when scanned by a user's smart phone or other mobile computing system, causes an application to launch on the user's computing system that provides chatbot functionality.