Smart platform counter display system and method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional merchandise display systems require predefined product placement and modification with tags or special bases, which affects aesthetics and is difficult to implement, especially for products like cosmetics with metal containers that interfere with RFID tagging, and lack real-time tracking of sales data and customer interaction impacts.
Innovation Solution
A smart counter display system using computer vision and AI to identify products and interact with customers dynamically, allowing flexible product placement without tags or special bases, and providing alerts for missing products, while tracking key performance indicators and customer interactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If RFID tags or bar codes are added to products for identification, then product identification reliability is improved, but product aesthetics and ease of implementation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical tagging systems (RFID tags, bar codes, magnetic bumps) with an optical recognition system using cameras and image processing algorithms. The system captures images of products on the display platform and uses computer vision to identify products based on their visual characteristics, eliminating the need to physically modify products with tags or special bases.
2Measurement precision
If predefined product placement locations are used, then product tracking precision is improved, but system flexibility and ease of operation worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic product identification system that does not rely on fixed placement locations. Instead of static planograms with predefined positions, the system continuously captures images of the display platform and uses image processing to identify products regardless of their position. This allows flexible product arrangement while maintaining accurate tracking through visual recognition.
3Reliability
If special bases or podiums with unique patterns are used, then product identification reliability is improved, but product aesthetics and device complexity worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the identification function from the product itself and the display infrastructure, creating a standalone image recognition system. Instead of embedding identification features in products (tags, patterns on bases) or in the display structure (touchscreen bump detection), the system uses separate cameras and processing units to identify products based on their natural visual appearance, simplifying both product and display design.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
A smart product display system has a base on which a product can be placed. A product camera mounted to the base is used to image a field of view over the base. Images from the product camera are analyzed to identify products that are placed on the base and to detect when a customer has interacted with a product, such as by lifting it up. When a product interaction is detected, information about the product is presented on a display. The display can be integrated in a riser extending upwardly from the base. A customer camera can be used to capture images of a person in the vicinity of the system. Images from the customer camera can be analyzed to identify an attribute of an imaged person and an output, such as a content display or an alert, generated responsive to the attribute.