Virtual Shopping Cart Generation via Video Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional shopping sessions in physical stores are inefficient due to long wait times for customers and idle time for cashiers, especially during non-peak hours, and lack of automation in tracking customer purchases.
Innovation Solution
A virtual store tool that generates a virtual shopping cart by processing video feeds from cameras in physical stores to emulate the shopping session, allowing for automated tracking and verification of items selected, reducing the need for human cashiers and enhancing customer experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If traditional cashiers are used to serve customers, then customers can receive service, but customers spend considerable time waiting in line during busy periods
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by using cameras and algorithms to automatically track customers, identify selected items, and generate virtual shopping carts without human cashier intervention. Customers can shop and checkout autonomously through the automated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of human cashiers with an automated computer vision system. Cameras capture customer movements and item selections, algorithms process this data to identify purchased items, and the system automatically generates billing information, eliminating the need for manual cashier operations.
2Ease of operation
If cashiers are present in the store, then customer service is available, but cashiers spend much time idle outside of peak business hours
Solution Approach 1:
The automated system provides continuous service availability without requiring human cashiers to be present. The camera-based tracking and algorithmic processing operate autonomously during store hours, eliminating cashier idle time while maintaining service availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated system serves multiple functions: tracking customer movement, identifying item selections, generating virtual shopping carts, and processing checkout. This multi-functional system replaces the single-function role of cashiers, optimizing resource utilization.
3Loss of information
If manual tracking of customer purchases is used, then purchase information is recorded, but the process is inefficient and requires human intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual purchase tracking with an automated computer vision system. Cameras continuously capture customer actions, algorithms automatically identify when items are selected and placed in carts, and the system maintains accurate purchase records without human intervention, significantly improving tracking efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated tracking system operates continuously without interruption, constantly monitoring customer movements and item selections. This continuous operation eliminates the gaps and delays inherent in manual tracking, ensuring no purchase information is lost while maximizing processing efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a display, interface, and processor. The interface receives video from a camera located in a physical store and directed at a first physical rack. The camera captures video of the rack during a shopping session. The processor displays a first virtual rack that emulates the first physical rack and includes first and second virtual shelves. The virtual shelves include virtual items, which include graphical representations of physical items located on the physical rack. The processor displays the rack video, which depicts an event including the person interacting with the first physical rack. The processor also displays a virtual shopping cart. The processor receives information associated with the event, identifying the first virtual item. The rack video depicts that the person selected the first physical item while interacting with the first physical rack. The processor then stores the first virtual item in the virtual shopping cart.