Dynamic Virtual Planogram Layouts for Space-Limited Retail Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing retail and virtual shopping platforms fail to provide a dynamic, real-time shopping experience that maximizes the value of virtual marketplaces for retailers and users, particularly for busy consumers who lack time or suitable devices for web interaction.
Innovation Solution
A virtual marketplace system utilizing virtual planograms to manage the placement of item representations on displays, allowing for dynamic changes based on events and user interactions, with options for transaction through devices like Automated Sales Machines (ASMs) and interactive displays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If retailers use physical shelves and displays, then products are physically accessible to consumers, but the amount of retail space is limited and cannot accommodate all products
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from physical 3D retail space to virtual 2D/3D digital display space. Virtual shelves and planograms allow unlimited product representation without physical space constraints, enabling retailers to display far more products than physically possible while maintaining organized, navigable layouts through digital interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates virtual copies of physical products through digital representations on virtual shelves. These digital replicas include product images, descriptions, pricing, and availability information, allowing consumers to browse and purchase products without requiring physical presence, thus expanding retail capacity beyond physical limitations.
2Quantity of substance
If retailers create virtual shopping platforms, then more products can be displayed without physical space limits, but consumers need time and suitable devices to access these platforms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic virtual planograms that automatically adjust product placement, visibility, and presentation based on real-time factors such as consumer behavior patterns, inventory status, promotional campaigns, and purchase history. This dynamic adaptation optimizes the shopping experience and reduces the time consumers need to find and evaluate products.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that track consumer interactions with virtual shelves, such as viewing duration, product clicks, and purchase decisions. This feedback is used to continuously refine product placement algorithms, personalize recommendations, and optimize display layouts, thereby reducing consumer search time and improving shopping efficiency with each interaction.
3Ease of manufacture
If static images are used for product representation, then implementation is simple, but the shopping experience lacks engagement and real-time product availability information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms static product images into dynamic virtual representations that can change based on inventory availability, promotional status, consumer preferences, and time of day. Virtual shelves can automatically highlight out-of-stock items, rotate promotional products to prominent positions, and adjust pricing displays in real-time, providing an engaging and informative shopping experience while maintaining manageable system complexity through standardized digital frameworks.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods of constructing and managing virtual planograms are presented. Contemplated systems allow for construction of a virtual planogram, which can be used to present consumers virtual inventory items as being available for purchase via a display device. The display device can include an electronic billboard within an establishment, a mall for example, or include a user's smart device, a cell phone or tablet for example.