Smart Cooler Display with Camera-Based Inventory and Digital Planogram
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional retail product containers such as coolers and freezers lack effective advertising and promotional capabilities, with existing transparent display technologies being expensive, aesthetically unappealing, and having limited market penetration, failing to effectively engage customers and generate significant advertising revenue.
Innovation Solution
An intelligent marketing and advertising platform that transforms the glass surface of retail product containers into non-transparent digital 'smart' screens, equipped with customer-detecting and inventory-taking hardware, controlled by a controller/data collector to display planograms, pricing information, and promotions, optimizing merchandising and advertising efforts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If transparent display technology is integrated into cooler doors to enable advertising, then advertising capability is improved, but cost increases prohibitively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses cameras to capture images of products inside the cooler and displays these images on the transparent display panel. Instead of using expensive transparent displays that show real products, the system creates visual copies through photography and digital display, achieving similar advertising效果 at lower cost
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a controller as an intermediary between the camera system and the display system. The controller processes images, manages display content, and coordinates between different components, enabling the advertising function without requiring complex direct integration of expensive transparent display technology
2Adaptability or versatility
If transparent display technology is used on cooler doors, then advertising capability is improved, but visual appeal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic image capture and display systems that can adapt to different conditions. Cameras capture images at different times and the display shows updated product images, creating a dynamic advertising system that maintains visual appeal while enabling advertising functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes display parameters such as image selection, display timing, and content type based on various conditions. By dynamically adjusting what is displayed and when, the system maintains visual appeal while achieving effective advertising
3Productivity
If market penetration of transparent display systems is increased, then advertising revenue is improved, but adoption rate remains slow due to multiple limiting factors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a multi-functional system that combines product display, advertising, inventory monitoring, and customer engagement features in one integrated solution. This universal approach addresses multiple business needs simultaneously, making the technology more attractive for widespread adoption and enabling diverse revenue streams
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically captures product images, manages display content, and updates advertising material without requiring manual intervention for each product change. This self-service capability reduces operational complexity and cost, facilitating broader adoption across different retail environments
Data Source
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AI summary
An intelligent marketing and advertising platform which provides an innovative merchandising solution for retailers by effectively transforming the glass surface of retail product containers (such as cooler doors) into a non-transparent display of planograms. The merchandising solution provides for digital planograms and pricing management, real time promotional updates and sales data, etc. This is accomplished by converting/transforming the simple glass surface of a retail product container (such as cooler/freezer doors) into digital "smart" screens that provide for innovative advertising solutions. The cooler/freezer doors are configured to use at least one camera to capture images when the doors are opened, in order to effectively take inventory of what is inside the cooler/freezer.