Supermarkets struggle to engage shoppers directly at the freezer or shelf where products are kept. Traditional advertising like posters or generic announcements often fails to grab attention, provide personalized information, or help customers with specific questions. Previous systems could only play pre-recorded audio messages, with little or no interaction.
The Core Idea
This invention is an interactive audio media system for supermarket freezers and shelves. It uses hidden vibration speakers that make the freezer itself seem to “talk” to shoppers. The system connects to the internet, downloads audio messages, and plays them in the right location.
What’s New and Different
Unlike earlier solutions, this system adds real interactivity:
- Voice interaction: Shoppers can ask questions through built-in microphones, and AI (like ChatGPT) responds with product info or recipes.
- Cameras & sensors: Detect when a door is opened or when someone picks up a product, triggering relevant messages.
- Barcode/QR code scanning: Customers can scan an item and hear its price, features, or promotions.
- Smart coordination: Speakers and sensors work together to avoid overlapping sounds from nearby doors.
- Operational monitoring: The system can also report freezer temperature and energy use, helping stores manage equipment.
Benefits
- For customers: Easier access to product details, personalized help, and even support for visually impaired or elderly shoppers.
- For stores: Targeted advertising right at the point of decision, better shopper engagement, and maintenance alerts for freezers.
- For brands: A new channel to promote products in an interactive, memorable way.
Broader Impact
This system transforms a passive shopping experience into an interactive one, blending AI, computer vision, and smart devices. It reduces the cost of creating ads (audio is cheaper than video), improves accessibility, and could be applied beyond freezers to regular shelves. Overall, it makes in-store marketing smarter, more inclusive, and more efficient.