Shelf-Mounted Image Sensor Triggered by Acoustic Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Monitoring inventory on shelves in retail settings is challenging due to stacked and modular shelving configurations that obscure visibility, leading to difficulties in determining merchandise availability and potentially resulting in lost sales.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a sound emitter, image sensor, and control circuit that detects the movement of shelves from a retracted to a pulled-out position, allowing the image sensor to capture images of the shelf contents and calculate inventory levels, while the sound emitter produces a frequency-based identification for localization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If shelves are arranged in a stacked configuration to maximize storage space, then storage capacity is improved, but visibility of merchandise on shelves deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses image sensors to create visual copies (images) of the merchandise on shelves. These images are then processed and displayed to provide visibility of shelf contents without requiring physical visibility. The system captures images of merchandise on stacked shelves and presents them in a way that makes the hidden contents visible and monitorable.
2Area of stationary object
If shelves are kept in a retracted position to save space, then space utilization is improved, but ability to monitor inventory deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by equipping shelves with sound emitters and image sensors before the monitoring problem occurs. When a shelf is pulled out, the sound emitter detects the movement and triggers the image sensor to capture images of the merchandise. This preliminary setup allows automatic monitoring whenever the shelf is in the pulled-out position, without requiring continuous monitoring or manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a feedback loop where sound emitters detect shelf movement and trigger image capture, which then provides visual feedback about inventory levels. The system continuously monitors for shelf movement sounds and automatically captures images when movement is detected, creating a closed-loop monitoring system that responds to shelf position changes.
3Measurement precision
If continuous monitoring of all shelves is implemented to ensure inventory visibility, then inventory monitoring accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous monitoring, the system uses periodic action triggered by shelf movement. The sound emitters continuously listen for movement sounds, and when movement is detected, the image sensors are activated to capture images. This event-driven approach ensures monitoring accuracy is maintained whenever shelves are accessed, while avoiding the energy waste of continuous image capture and processing on stationary shelves.
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 accurate monitoring of merchandise levels and inventory management by capturing images when shelves are in the pulled-out position, improving stock visibility and reducing lost sales by ensuring timely restocking.
Implementation Method 1
a sound emitter operatively coupled to the shelf and configured to produce a predetermined sound in response to movement of the shelf from the first position to the second position
Implementation Method 2
an image sensor configured to capture at least one image of the interior of the shelf when in the second position
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses and methods are provided useful to monitoring conditions on shelves intended to hold merchandise. There is provided a system for monitoring conditions on shelves including: a shelf for holding merchandise, the shelf being moveable between a first position and a second position; a sound emitter configured to produce a sound in response to movement of the shelf from the first position to the second position; an image sensor configured to capture an image of the interior of the shelf when in the second position; an audio sensor configured to detect the sound indicating the shelf is being moved from the first position to the second position; and a control circuit configured to receive a signal from the audio sensor and to cooperate with the image sensor in response to the signal to capture the image of the shelf when in the second position.