Shelf Solar Cell Shadow Detection for Customer Interaction Recognition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar-powered shelves lack the ability to effectively interact with people, as current photo detectors cannot distinguish between customers walking by and those interacting with shelf contents, and complex and costly camera systems are required for human recognition.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a shelf with a solar cell circuit, a display screen, and a controller that monitors the waveform of the charging voltage to detect changes in light intensity, allowing for the differentiation of shadow events and the activation of devices such as scales, sensors, and display screens based on shadow patterns and movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If basic photo detectors are used to detect customer presence, then the system is simple and low-cost, but the detectors cannot distinguish between customers walking by and those interacting with shelf contents
Solution Approach 1:
The solar cell array is divided into multiple independently controllable segments or zones. Each segment can detect shadow events independently, allowing the system to determine not only that a customer is present but also their position and movement patterns relative to different shelf sections. This segmentation enables basic photo detectors to achieve interaction detection capability without requiring complex unified sensor systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses temporal dynamics of shadow events - analyzing the duration, movement speed, and sequence of shadows cast by customers across multiple solar cell segments. By monitoring how shadows move across the array over time, the system can distinguish between passing customers and those stopping to interact with products, transforming simple shadow detection into sophisticated interaction recognition.
2Measurement precision
If camera systems with human-recognition software are used to distinguish customer interactions, then detection accuracy is improved, but the system becomes complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex optical-mechanical camera systems with an electrical field-based solution using solar cells as photo detectors. Instead of using cameras that capture images requiring software processing, the system uses solar cells to directly convert light changes into electrical signals that indicate customer presence and interaction, eliminating the need for image processing hardware and software.
Solution Approach 2:
The solar cell array serves multiple functions simultaneously: it generates power for the shelf electronics, acts as a photo detector for customer presence, and provides the detection mechanism for interaction recognition. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate camera systems, reducing overall system complexity and cost while maintaining detection accuracy.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the microprocessor periodically activates devices to conserve battery energy, then energy efficiency is improved, but device responsiveness to customer interactions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic monitoring of shadow events across the solar cell array to trigger device activation. Instead of continuous operation or fixed periodic activation, the microprocessor monitors for shadow patterns indicating customer presence and activates devices only when such patterns are detected, maintaining energy efficiency while ensuring timely response to actual customer interactions.
Solution Approach 2:
The solar cell array provides real-time feedback about customer presence through shadow detection. When shadows indicating customer interaction are detected, this feedback triggers immediate device activation, eliminating the delay associated with periodic polling while maintaining battery efficiency by keeping devices dormant during periods of no customer presence.
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 improved interaction with customers by accurately detecting customer presence and actions, such as reaching for products, through the use of solar cell circuits acting as light-sensitive pixels, allowing for efficient device activation and data interpretation without the need for costly camera systems.
Implementation Method 1
A solar cell circuit may be used to charge and recharge a battery. The solar cell circuit may include a storage capacitor
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a shelf having a front edge, a solar cell circuit disposed at the front edge, a display screen, and a controller operatively coupled to the solar cell circuit and the display screen. The controller monitors the period of a waveform of a charging voltage of a storage capacitor of the solar cell circuit, displays an image on the display screen in response to a change in the waveform timing. A system includes a plurality of shelves each having a front edge, a solar cell circuit disposed at the front edge of each of the plurality of shelves, and a controller operatively coupled to the solar cell circuits. The controller monitors the frequency at which a power transfer of each solar cell circuit occurs, and signals a device in response to a change in the frequency at which the power transfer occurs.