Unmanned Supermarket Storage Management via Image Recognition
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Solution Overview
Problem
In unmanned and ordinary supermarkets, the lack of staff leads to disordered storage of articles, as consumers often fail to properly return items not purchased, resulting in a chaotic shopping environment and inefficient management.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for managing article storage using image capturing apparatuses to recognize user identity and article information, classifying actions of taking and placing articles, and providing incentives for correct storage practices by associating consumers with shopping carts and shelves, and penalizing incorrect placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If unmanned supermarket operates without staff, then labor cost is reduced, but article storage orderliness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables consumers to automatically return articles to correct storage areas through self-service mechanisms. The image capturing apparatus automatically detects when consumers take or return articles, and the classification module automatically determines the correct storage area and guides consumers to place articles in the appropriate location without staff intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides real-time feedback to consumers through display devices that show the correct storage area location. The system continuously monitors article placement through image capturing apparatus and provides guidance feedback to help consumers maintain orderly storage habits automatically.
2Ease of operation
If consumers are not monitored, then shopping convenience is improved, but article storage orderliness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows consumers to shop and return articles without staff monitoring. The image capturing apparatus automatically detects consumer actions, and the classification module automatically determines correct storage areas, enabling consumers to maintain storage orderliness through self-service while preserving shopping convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual staff monitoring with an automated system using image capturing apparatus, classification modules, and display devices. This substitution eliminates the need for human surveillance while maintaining and improving article storage orderliness through automated detection and guidance.
3Stability of the object's composition
If automated monitoring system is deployed, then article storage orderliness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system is divided into functional segments: image capturing apparatus for detection, classification module for processing, display device for guidance, and database for storage. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The image capturing apparatus serves multiple functions: detecting when consumers take articles, detecting when consumers return articles, and providing visual guidance. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized devices, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a method for managing an article storage. The method includes recognizing user identity information, and associating the user identity information with a user identifier. The method includes obtaining first information on taking an article by a user, which includes an article identifier of the article, the user identifier of the user, an identifier of a location where the article is taken, and information on an action of taking the article by the user. The method includes obtaining second information on placing the article by the user, which includes the article identifier of the article, the user identifier of the user, an identifier of a location where the article is placed, and information on an action of placing the article by the user. The method includes classifying the action of placing the article by the user based on the first information and the second information.