Determination Of Product Display Parameters Based On Image Processing

• US 20090063306A1
• Filed: 08/31/2007
• Published: 03/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Accenture Global Services Limited (Accenture PLC)
• Original Assignee: Accenture Global Services Limited (Accenture PLC)
• Inventors: Fano, Andrew, Opalach, Agata, Linaker, Fredrik, Groenevelt, Robert Bernard (Robin)
• Granted Patent: US 7,949,568 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/28
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 18/00 Pattern recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/203 Inventory monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/208 Input by product or record sensing, e.g. weighing or scanner processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/52 Surveillance or monitoring of activities, e.g. for recognising suspicious objects recognising microscopic objects G06V20/69

Abstract

Image analysis techniques, including object recognition analysis, are applied to images obtained by one or more image capture devices deployed within inventory environments. The object recognition analysis provides object recognition data (that may include one or more recognized product instances) based on stored product (training) images. In turn, a variety of functionalities may be enabled based on the object recognition data. For example, a planogram may be extracted and compared to a target planogram, or at least one product display parameter for a product can be determined and used to assess presence of the product within the inventory environment, or to determine compliance of display of the product with a promotional objective. In yet another embodiment, comparisons may be made within a single image or between multiple images over time to detect potential conditions requiring response. In this manner, efficiency and effectiveness of many previously manually-implemented tasks may be improved.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving at least one image of an inventory environment;

providing product recognition data based on object recognition analysis of the image; and

determining, based on the product recognition data, at least one product display parameter for a product based on the product recognition data.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining, based on the product recognition data and the at least one product display parameter, a presence of the product within the inventory environment.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining, based on the product recognition data and the product display parameters, compliance of display of the product with a promotional objective.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

determining that the display of the product is not in compliance with the promotional objective; and

providing a non-compliance indication.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the at least one product display parameter further comprises determining a number of facings of the product.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the at least one product display parameter further comprises determining at least one location of facings of the product.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the at least one product display parameter further comprises determining at least one distance between facings of the product.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the at least one product display parameter further comprises determining display height of the product.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the at least one product display parameter further comprises determining proximity of the product to a second product identified based on the product recognition data.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

identifying at least one promotional materials instance in the image based on object recognition analysis of the image,

wherein determining the at least one product display parameter further comprises determining proximity of the product to promotional materials corresponding to the at least one promotional materials instance.