Sensor Device Network Configuration for Retail Inventory
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inventory management systems face challenges in efficiently initializing and configuring monitoring devices for sensing objects on shop gondola shelves, leading to difficulties in data processing and stock management.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for configuring sensor devices to connect to local and wide-area networks, allowing them to send data to a configuration server for stock monitoring, using a personal digital assistant to provide network details and access credentials, and processing data to determine stock levels and reconstruct three-dimensional representations of storage spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a sensor device is centrally controlled and connected to a server for processing data, then the system can process inventory data, but the configuration process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the sensor device with a unique identifier and storing it in memory before the device is deployed. This allows the device to be quickly activated and connected to the server without requiring complex configuration procedures at the time of deployment, thus resolving the contradiction between processing efficiency and configuration complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor device performs self-service by automatically connecting to the server using its pre-stored identifier and initiating data transmission without requiring manual configuration or complex setup procedures. This self-activating capability reduces configuration complexity while maintaining data processing efficiency
2Measurement precision
If monitoring devices are deployed throughout the shop to sense objects on shelves, then inventory tracking accuracy improves, but the time and effort required to initialize and configure each device increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each sensor device is pre-configured with a unique identifier stored in its memory before deployment. This preliminary action eliminates the need for time-consuming initialization procedures when devices are deployed throughout the shop, allowing multiple devices to be quickly activated while maintaining accurate inventory tracking
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the configuration process by assigning unique identifiers to individual sensor devices, allowing each device to be independently activated and connected to the server. This segmentation enables parallel deployment of multiple devices without requiring sequential configuration, reducing total initialization time while maintaining tracking accuracy
3Extent of automation
If sensor data is collected and processed to determine stock levels, then inventory management becomes automated, but the system requires complex network configuration and server connectivity setup
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor device performs self-service by automatically connecting to the server using its pre-stored unique identifier. This self-activating capability enables automated inventory management while eliminating the need for complex manual network configuration, thus resolving the contradiction between automation extent and operational ease
Solution Approach 2:
The unique identifier acts as an intermediary that simplifies the connection between the sensor device and the server. Instead of requiring complex network configuration, the identifier serves as a simple key that enables automatic authentication and data transmission, maintaining automation while improving ease of operation
Data Source
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AI summary
A method is provided of configuring a sensor device for detecting stock in a shop gondola. The method comprises operating a sensor local wireless network module comprised by the sensor device, receiving, through the sensor's local wireless network module, shop network details for connecting to a shop local wireless network module and connecting to the shop local wireless network module using the shop network details. The method further comprises connecting, through the shop local wireless network module, to a wide area network, retrieving, from a memory comprised by the sensor device, a configuration server identifier identifying a configuration server and a sensor identifier identifying the sensor device, connecting, through the wide area network, to the configuration server using the configuration server identifier and sending the sensor identifier to the configuration server.