Shopping Cart Light Beacon for Autonomous Retail Assistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
In retail environments, customers often face prolonged wait times for assistance as the first encountered retail associate may not know the answer to their questions or the location of requested items, leading to customer frustration.
Innovation Solution
A customer assistance system mounted on shopping carts that includes a light source and actuator to project a light beam upwards, which is monitored by a location system to send a retail associate or autonomous robot/unmanned vehicle to assist the customer, potentially including audible and radio frequency signals for specific requests.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If customers walk through the retail environment to find a retail associate, then they can receive assistance, but the process takes a significant amount of time and causes customer frustration
Solution Approach 1:
The shopping cart system allows customers to autonomously request assistance by activating a light source, eliminating the need to search for retail associates. The system self-services the customer's need for help by providing a direct communication mechanism that automatically alerts the appropriate associate or autonomous vehicle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of physically searching for and approaching retail associates with an optical signaling system. The light source projects a visible beam that can be detected by image capturing devices, substituting physical movement with optical communication to reduce wait time.
2Productivity
If the first retail associate encountered is used, then assistance can be provided quickly, but the associate may not know the answer or location of requested items
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the light source activation is detected by image capturing devices, which then relay information to determine the appropriate response. This feedback loop ensures that the correct associate or autonomous vehicle is directed to the customer based on the specific assistance needed, rather than relying on the first associate encountered.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of image capturing devices and a coordination mechanism that sits between the customer's light activation and the arrival of assistance. This intermediary ensures that the appropriate associate or autonomous vehicle is dispatched based on the specific needs detected, improving both speed and accuracy of assistance.
3Measurement precision
If a light source is projected upwards to indicate assistance request, then the customer's location can be precisely identified, but additional system complexity is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the vertical dimension by projecting the light source upwards towards the ceiling, creating a visible beam that can be captured from above by image capturing devices. This dimensional approach allows precise location identification without requiring complex horizontal tracking systems, as the light beam creates a clear vertical reference point.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs different colors or patterns of light to indicate different types of assistance requests or different shopping cart identifiers. By using color or pattern variations, the system can convey multiple pieces of information through a single light source, reducing the need for additional complex signaling mechanisms.
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 immediate assistance by directing a retail associate or unmanned vehicle to the customer's location, reducing wait times and improving the customer experience by providing quick answers and guidance to specific items within the retail environment.
Implementation Method 1
The customer assistance unit includes a light source orientated upwards relative to horizontal (e.g., towards a ceiling) when the customer assistance unit is mounted on the shopping cart. The customer assistance unit includes an actuator to selectively energize the light source into an illumination position. Actuation of the light source into the illumination position projects a light beam upwards from and over the shopping cart.
Implementation Method 2
The location system includes at least one image capturing device configured to scan the ceiling for the light beam and to determine a source location of the shopping cart having the customer assistance unit that is emitting the light beam based on a ceiling location of the light beam.
Data Source
AI summary
An example customer assistance system and associated methods are described. The example customer assistance system includes a shopping cart, a customer assistance unit mounted on the shopping cart, and a location system disposed remotely from the shopping cart and the customer assistance unit. The customer assistance unit includes a light source oriented upwards relative to horizontal, and an actuator for actuating the light source into an illumination position. In the illumination position, the light source projects a light beam over the shopping cart. The locating system includes at least one image capturing device configured to scan a ceiling for the light beam and to determine a source location of the shopping cart based on a ceiling location of the light beam.