Shelf Stock Level Detection via Macroblock Color Analysis

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Retail stores face challenges in accurately tracking product stock levels, leading to potential stockouts or overstocking, as manual inventory tracking can be time-consuming and prone to errors, and existing systems do not efficiently utilize visual data from surveillance cameras to update inventory information in real-time.

Innovation Solution

The system uses cameras to capture images of product shelves, which are analyzed to determine stock levels by dividing the images into macroblocks and comparing their colors with product and shelf colors, providing a graphical user interface for reporting stock levels and automatically ordering products when levels fall below a threshold.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual inventory tracking is used, then employees can verify actual stock levels, but the process is time-consuming and prone to errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestock level accuracyVSAvoidinventory tracking time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical inventory tracking with an automated optical system using surveillance cameras to capture images of shelves. The system uses image processing algorithms to automatically analyze the captured images, identify products, and determine stock levels, eliminating the need for manual scanning and verification by employees.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a digital copy of the physical inventory by capturing images with cameras and processing these images to extract stock level information. This digital representation allows for automated analysis and comparison with inventory system data without physically handling or manually counting products.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Loss of information

If existing surveillance camera systems are used, then security monitoring is provided, but the systems do not efficiently utilize visual data to update inventory information

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinventory data accuracyVSAvoidsystem functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the surveillance camera system multi-functional by enabling it to serve both its original security monitoring purpose and a new inventory tracking function. The same camera infrastructure is used to capture images for both security purposes and to provide visual data for automated stock level analysis, maximizing the utility of existing hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system establishes a feedback loop where captured images are continuously analyzed to determine current stock levels, which are then compared with calculated stock levels from the inventory system. This feedback mechanism enables real-time detection of discrepancies and automatic triggering of restocking processes when thresholds are exceeded.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If manual scanning of all products is performed, then stock levels can be verified, but the process is inefficient and cannot keep up with real-time changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinventory update speedVSAvoidstock level accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces slow manual scanning processes with automated optical capture and digital image processing. Cameras continuously capture shelf images, and processing algorithms automatically analyze these images to determine stock levels, enabling real-time inventory updates without sacrificing accuracy through automated comparison with inventory system data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Extent of automation

If color comparison is used to determine stock levels, then automated analysis is enabled, but challenges arise with products of similar colors or transparent packaging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestock level detection automationVSAvoidproduct identification accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different analysis approaches to different regions or characteristics of products. Instead of relying solely on overall color comparison, the system can analyze specific local features such as labels, barcodes, or unique visual characteristics of products, enabling accurate identification even when products have similar colors or transparent packaging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS8577136B1Grid pixelation enhancement for in-stock analytics

Publication Date: 2013.11.05 TARGET BRANDS INC

AI summary

Disclosed herein are methods and systems for presenting product stock information. In some implementations, an image of a portion of a retail store is received from a camera and analyzed to divide the image into macroblocks. Each of the macroblocks can be associated with one or more product facings associated with products placed on a shelf in the retail store. A color from the macroblock is optionally identified and compared to a product color or a shelf color to determine a stock level of the product. In some implementations, a reporting module presents the stock level in a graphical user interface to a user.