Virtual Twin Retail Interaction for Remote Product Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies require physical presence to update databases of real-world items, and users cannot inspect products realistically before purchase, leading to inconvenience and potential dissatisfaction.
Innovation Solution
A system using virtual twins and connected devices to enable remote interaction and update databases, allowing users to inspect and manipulate virtual representations of real-world items, with artificial intelligence and machine vision for data processing, and a cloud infrastructure for distributed computing and low-latency communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If physical presence is required to update database of real-world items, then accuracy of item tracking is improved, but user convenience and accessibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual twins that are digital copies of real-world items, allowing users to interact with and inspect these copies remotely through AR/VR interfaces. This copying approach maintains tracking accuracy by keeping synchronized data between physical objects and their virtual representations, while eliminating the need for physical presence to update databases.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces virtual twins as intermediary entities between users and real-world items. These virtual twins serve as mediators that allow remote users to inspect, manipulate, and interact with items without physically being present, while still maintaining accurate database updates through the intermediary virtual representation.
2Reliability
If physical inspection of products is required before purchase, then product satisfaction is improved, but time and effort required for purchase deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
By creating high-fidelity virtual twins that replicate the appearance, properties, and characteristics of real products, users can perform comprehensive inspections of these digital copies remotely. This allows satisfactory product evaluation without physical inspection, eliminating the need to travel to stores or wait for product delivery to make informed purchasing decisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables users to perform preliminary inspection and evaluation of products through virtual twins before actual purchase transactions occur. Users can examine products in detail, test features, and make decisions remotely, completing the inspection action beforehand and eliminating the need for post-purchase discovery or returns.
3Ease of operation
If remote access to physical objects is enabled, then user accessibility is improved, but interaction fidelity and realism deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates comprehensive virtual twins that replicate not only the visual appearance but also the functional properties, physical characteristics, and interactive behaviors of real objects. These detailed digital copies preserve interaction fidelity by maintaining accurate representations of how objects look, feel, and function, allowing realistic remote manipulation and inspection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions the interaction from physical space to virtual/digital space, adding a new dimensional layer. Users interact with virtual twins in augmented or virtual reality environments, which provides enhanced accessibility while maintaining fidelity through the rich, immersive digital representation that can include detailed visual, tactile, and functional information not always available in physical inspection.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system comprises at least one cloud server of a cloud server computer system comprising at least one processor and memory storing a persistent virtual world system comprising one or more virtual objects including virtual data and models. The virtual objects comprise one or more of a virtual twin, a pure virtual object, or an application, wherein at least one of the virtual objects represents a store of real-world items connected to a periodically-updated database associated to the products of the at least one store. Users may access the store through the persistent virtual world system via a user device enabling interactions with and between elements within the store.