Intelligent Pricing System and Method

Abstract

The present invention relates to an intelligent pricing system and method, belonging to the technical field of intelligent devices, and is used to solve the problems of high cost of replacing electronic scales and large power consumption of electronic scales in the prior art. The system includes an electronic scale for reading commodity transaction information; an adapter connected between the electronic scale and the server; the server includes a processor, a camera and a display screen. The processor is used to receive the commodity transaction information sent by the electronic scale from the adapter, control the camera to collect commodity pictures, determine the commodity price according to the commodity transaction information and the commodity pictures, and display the commodity price through the display screen.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of intelligent devices, and more specifically, to an intelligent pricing system and method. Background Art

[0002] With the continuous progress of technology, more and more electronic products have entered our lives, bringing a lot of convenience to our daily life. For example, the self-service weighing system in supermarkets can help customers weigh quickly and save time.

[0003] The existing self-service weighing system mainly consists of an electronic scale with automatic identification. The electronic scale includes a processing module and a weighing area, and a display area is provided on the scale. The display area includes a camera and a display screen, where: the camera is located above the weighing area and is directly facing the weighing area of the electronic scale for taking image data of the goods in the weighing area; the processing module is used to determine the total price of the goods based on the weight data obtained from the weighing area and the image data captured by the camera and display it.

[0004] However, the inventor found that the above self-service weighing system mainly has the following problems: First, when the electronic scale in the above system fails, it is usually necessary to replace a brand-new electronic scale, resulting in high costs and poor universality; Second, since the above processing module is used for image recognition and data processing, the power consumption is faster than that of ordinary electronic scales, and the standby ability is poor. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, the purpose of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide an intelligent pricing system and method to solve the problems of high cost of replacing the electronic scale and large power consumption of the electronic scale in the prior art.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an intelligent pricing system, including: an electronic scale for reading commodity transaction information; an adapter connected between the electronic scale and the server; and a server including a processor, a camera, and a display screen. The processor is configured to receive the commodity transaction information sent by the electronic scale from the adapter, control the camera to collect commodity pictures, determine the commodity price based on the commodity transaction information and the commodity pictures, and display the commodity price through the display screen.

[0007] In a possible embodiment, the adapter includes a first interface, and the adapter and the electronic scale are communicatively connected through the first interface. The electronic scale transmits the commodity transaction information to the adapter through the first interface.

[0008] In a possible embodiment, the adapter supports at least two communication protocols, and the adapter further includes a button for selecting the communication protocol between the electronic scale and the adapter by controlling the button.

[0009] In a possible embodiment, the adapter further includes a display module, which is configured to display the communication protocol between the selected electronic scale and the adapter during the process of selecting the communication protocol through the control button.

[0010] In a possible embodiment, the adapter further includes a wireless communication module. The adapter is connected to the server through the wireless communication module, and transmits a wireless signal through the control button to establish a wireless connection between the adapter and the server. The display module is further configured to display a prompt message indicating whether the connection between the adapter and the server is successful.

[0011] In a possible embodiment, the adapter further includes a second interface. The adapter and the server are connected through the second interface. After receiving the commodity transaction information sent by the electronic scale, the adapter transmits the commodity information to the server through the second interface.

[0012] In a possible embodiment, the button is further configured to select the communication protocol between the adapter and the server, and the display screen is further configured to display the selected communication protocol between the adapter and the server during the process of selecting the communication protocol through the control button.

[0013] In a possible embodiment, the adapter further includes a storage module, which is configured to store at least two communication protocols supported by the adapter.

[0014] In a possible embodiment, the commodity transaction information includes the commodity weight and / or the commodity unit price.

[0015] According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an intelligent pricing method, including: an electronic scale reads commodity transaction information and transmits the commodity transaction information to an adapter; and a server receives the commodity transaction information transmitted by the adapter, controls a camera to collect a commodity picture, determines a commodity price according to the commodity transaction information and the commodity picture, and displays the commodity price through a display screen.

[0016] In a possible embodiment, the electronic scale transmits the commodity transaction information to the adapter through the first interface.

[0017] In a possible embodiment, the method further includes: selecting the communication protocol between the electronic scale and the adapter through a control button.

[0018] In a possible embodiment, the method further includes: displaying the selected communication protocol between the electronic scale and the adapter during the process of selecting the communication protocol through the control button.

[0019] In a possible embodiment, the method further includes: transmitting a wireless signal by controlling a button to establish a wireless connection between the adapter and the server; and displaying a prompt message indicating whether the connection between the adapter and the server is successful.

[0020] In a possible embodiment, after receiving the commodity transaction information sent by the electronic scale, the adapter transmits the commodity information to the server through the second interface.

[0021] In a possible embodiment, the method further includes: during the process of selecting a communication protocol by controlling a button, displaying the communication protocol between the selected adapter and the server.

[0022] In a possible embodiment, the method further includes: storing at least two communication protocols supported by the adapter.

[0023] The intelligent pricing system and method provided by the embodiments of the present invention include an electronic scale for reading commodity transaction information, an adapter connected between the electronic scale and the server, and a server including a processor, a camera, and a display screen. The processor is configured to receive the commodity transaction information sent by the electronic scale from the adapter, control the camera to collect commodity pictures, determine the commodity price according to the commodity transaction information and the commodity pictures, and display the commodity price through the display screen. In this way, the electronic scale of this solution only needs to implement weighing and data transmission, without performing image recognition and data processing, thereby reducing the power consumption of the electronic scale. In addition, since the electronic scale and the server are connected through the adapter, when the electronic scale in this system fails, the electronic scale can be replaced separately, with a lower cost and more flexible intelligent transformation. The present invention can also be used to transform traditional electronic scales into intelligent electronic scales with image recognition functions.

[0024] Other features and advantages of the present invention will be described in the subsequent specification, and, in part, will be obvious from the specification, or will be understood by implementing the embodiments of the present invention. The objectives and other advantages of the present invention can be achieved and obtained by the structures specifically pointed out in the written specification and the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for the embodiments. Obviously, the following described drawings are only some embodiments of the present application. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings. As shown in the drawings, the above-mentioned and other objectives, features, and advantages of the present application will become clearer. The same reference numerals in all the drawings indicate the same parts. The drawings are not deliberately drawn to scale in actual size, and the emphasis is on showing the gist of the present application.

[0026] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of a self-service weighing system in the current existing technology;

[0027] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the structure of an intelligent pricing system provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the functional structure of an adapter provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 4 Product schematic diagram of an adapter provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 5 Schematic diagram showing the layout of the positions of the electronic scale and the server during operation provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 6 Flowchart of an intelligent pricing method provided by an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed implementation manners

[0032] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that these descriptions are merely exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. In addition, in the following description, descriptions of well-known structures and technologies are omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the concepts of the present invention.

[0033] The terms used herein are merely for describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. The words "a", "one (kind)" and "the" used herein should also include the meanings of "multiple" and "multiple kinds" unless otherwise clearly specified in the context. In addition, the terms "including", "comprising" and the like used herein indicate the presence of the described features, steps, operations and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations or components.

[0034] All terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) have the meanings commonly understood by those skilled in the art unless otherwise defined. It should be noted that the terms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the context of this specification and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly rigid manner.

[0035] Such as Figure 1The following is a schematic diagram of a self-service weighing system in the current prior art. This system mainly consists of an electronic scale with automatic identification. The electronic scale includes a processing module (usually hidden under the weighing area and not marked in the figure), a weighing area 11, and a display area is set on the scale. The display area includes a camera 12 and a display screen 13. Among them: The camera 12 is located above the weighing area 11 and is directly facing the weighing area 11 of the electronic scale, and is used to capture image data of the goods in the weighing area 11; the processing module is used to determine the total price of the goods based on the weight data obtained from the weighing area 11 and the image data captured by the camera 12 and display it.

[0036] However, the inventor found that the above self-service weighing system mainly has the following problems: First, when the electronic scale in the above system fails, usually a brand-new electronic scale needs to be replaced, resulting in a relatively high cost and poor universality; Second, because the above processing module is used for image recognition and data processing, the power consumption is faster than that of ordinary electronic scales, and the standby ability is poor.

[0037] Based on the above technical problems existing in the prior art, this solution provides an intelligent pricing system. This system includes an electronic scale for reading commodity transaction information; an adapter connected between the electronic scale and the server; the server includes a processor, a camera, and a display screen. The processor is used to receive the commodity transaction information sent by the electronic scale from the adapter, control the camera to collect commodity pictures, determine the commodity price based on the commodity transaction information and the commodity pictures, and display the commodity price through the display screen. In this way, the electronic scale of this solution only needs to achieve weighing and data transmission, without the need for image recognition and data processing, thus reducing the power consumption of the electronic scale. In addition, when the electronic scale in this system fails, the electronic scale can be replaced separately, with a lower cost and more flexible intelligent transformation. The following will be based on Figures 2 - 4 Describe the content of the present invention in detail.

[0038] As Figure 2 shown, it is a schematic structural diagram of an intelligent pricing system provided by an embodiment of the present invention, including: an electronic scale 21, an adapter 22, and a server 23. The server includes a processor 231, a camera 232, and a display screen 233. Among them:

[0039] The electronic scale 21 is used to read commodity transaction information.

[0040] The adapter 22 is connected between the electronic scale 21 and the server 23.

[0041] The processor 231 is used to receive the commodity transaction information sent by the electronic scale 21 from the adapter 22, control the camera 232 to collect commodity pictures, determine the commodity price based on the commodity transaction information and the commodity pictures, and display the commodity price through the display screen 233.

[0042] Exemplarily, the above-mentioned commodity transaction information includes commodity weight and / or commodity unit price. The electronic scale can read the commodity weight and commodity unit price and transmit them to the server through the adapter. The server determines the commodity type based on the recognized commodity picture and looks up the corresponding unit price of the commodity stored, and compares the stored commodity unit price with the commodity unit price read by the electronic scale. When the two are inconsistent, the settlement is made based on the stored commodity unit price, and the final commodity total price is determined based on the commodity weight. This prevents errors in weighing by the electronic scale from affecting the user experience; alternatively, the electronic scale reads the commodity weight and transmits it to the server through the adapter. The server determines the commodity type based on the recognized commodity picture and looks up the corresponding unit price of the commodity in the database, so as to determine the commodity price based on the commodity weight and the commodity unit price.

[0043] As a preferred embodiment, the above-mentioned adapter supports at least two communication protocols. The communication protocols here include but are not limited to: serial communication protocols such as RS-232, RS-422, RS-485, Ethernet protocol, WiFi, Bluetooth, etc. For example, the adapter and the electronic scale are connected by wire ( Figure 2 in which the electronic scale and the adapter are represented by a solid line, such as a serial port), while the adapter and the server are connected by wire ( Figure 2 in which the adapter and the server are represented by a solid line, such as Ethernet) or wireless connection ( Figure 2 in which the adapter and the server are represented by a dashed line, such as Bluetooth). The communication protocol is not limited to the above protocols as long as the electronic scale, the adapter, and the server can send and receive data from each other.

[0044] As Figure 3 shown, it is a schematic diagram of the functional structure of an adapter provided by an embodiment of the present invention. The adapter includes a control module 31, a wireless communication module 32 connected to the control module 31, a first interface 33, a second interface 34, a button 35, and a display module 36. Among them:

[0045] The adapter and the electronic scale are communicatively connected through the first interface 33, and the electronic scale transmits the commodity transaction information to the adapter through the first interface 33; when there are multiple communication protocols in the adapter, the communication protocol between the electronic scale and the adapter can be selected through the control button 35. During the process of selecting the communication protocol through the control button 35, the selected communication protocol between the electronic scale and the adapter can also be displayed and confirmed through the above-mentioned display module 36.

[0046] The adapter and the server can be communicatively connected through the second interface 34. After receiving the commodity transaction information sent by the electronic scale, the adapter transmits the commodity information to the server through the second interface 34. The communication protocol between the adapter and the server can also be selected via a button. During the process of selecting the communication protocol by operating the control button 35, the selected communication protocol between the adapter and the server can also be displayed through the above-mentioned display module 36.

[0047] The adapter and the server can also be connected through the above-mentioned wireless communication module 32. The control button 35 is used to transmit a wireless signal to establish a wireless connection between the adapter and the server. The display module 36 is also used to display a prompt message indicating whether the connection between the adapter and the server is successful.

[0048] Exemplarily, the above-mentioned first interface and second interface include, but are not limited to, a serial communication interface (abbreviation: serial port) and a USB interface. The serial port includes: an RS-232 port, an RS-422 port, and an RS-485 port.

[0049] Optionally, the above-mentioned adapter further includes a storage module for storing at least two communication protocols supported by the adapter.

[0050] As Figure 4 shown is a schematic diagram of a product of an adapter provided by an embodiment of the present invention. From the product appearance, it can be seen that the adapter includes a first interface 41, a second interface 42, a button 43, a display screen 44, and signal indicators 45 and 46. The first interface 41 can be connected to an electronic scale, and the second interface is connected to the server. The user can select the communication protocols between the electronic scale and the adapter and between the adapter and the server by operating the control button 43, and can also view the selected communication protocol through the display screen 44. The user can also view the message indicating whether the wireless connection between the adapter and the server is successful through the display screen 44, and can also determine whether the transaction information is being transmitted through the signal indicators 45 and 46. Although Figure 4 three buttons and two indicators are shown, those skilled in the art should understand that the number of buttons and indicators is not limited to this.

[0051] As Figure 5The following is a schematic diagram of the positional arrangement when the electronic scale and the server provided by the embodiment of the present invention are working. This kind of positional layout can be applied to the vegetable market environment, or to other scenarios such as supermarkets. Hereinafter, the vegetable market environment will be taken as an example for illustration. In this vegetable market, there is a tabletop 501 at a certain height from the ground, and a ceiling 502 at a certain height from the ground. On this tabletop 501, there are multiple stalls (here, 3 stalls are taken as an example, namely Stall 1, Stall 2, and Stall 3). An electronic scale (510, 520, and 530) is placed on each stall, and a server (511, 521, and 531) corresponds to one stall. Among them: The electronic scale 510 and the server 511 are connected through an adapter (not marked in the figure), the electronic scale 520 and the server 521 are connected through an adapter, and the electronic scale 530 and the server 531 are connected through an adapter, so as to provide corresponding pricing services for different stalls. In another embodiment, an adapter can be configured for each electronic scale respectively, and multiple adapters are connected to the same server, thereby further reducing costs.

[0052] The following will introduce a smart pricing method provided by the embodiment of the present invention based on the relevant descriptions in the embodiments of the corresponding smart pricing system. For the explanations of the relevant technical terms, concepts, etc. in the following embodiments related to the above embodiments, reference can be made to the above embodiments. Figure 2 The following will introduce a smart pricing method provided by the embodiment of the present invention based on the relevant descriptions in the embodiments of the corresponding smart pricing system. For the explanations of the relevant technical terms, concepts, etc. in the following embodiments related to the above embodiments, reference can be made to the above embodiments.

[0053] As Figure 6 The following is a flowchart of a smart pricing method provided by the embodiment of the present invention. The method includes:

[0054] 601. The electronic scale reads the commodity transaction information and transmits the commodity transaction information to the adapter.

[0055] 602. The server receives the commodity transaction information transmitted by the adapter, controls the camera to collect the commodity pictures, determines the commodity price according to the commodity transaction information and the commodity pictures, and displays the commodity price through the display screen.

[0056] As a preferred implementation manner, the above-mentioned electronic scale transmits the commodity transaction information to the adapter through the first interface.

[0057] As a preferred implementation manner, the method further includes: selecting the communication protocol between the electronic scale and the adapter through the control button.

[0058] As a preferred implementation manner, the method further includes: during the process of selecting the communication protocol through the control button, displaying the selected communication protocol between the electronic scale and the adapter.

[0059] As a preferred embodiment, the method further includes: transmitting a wireless signal through a control button to establish a wireless connection between the adapter and the server; and displaying a prompt message indicating whether the adapter and the server are successfully connected.

[0060] As a preferred embodiment, after receiving the commodity transaction information sent by the electronic scale, the adapter transmits the commodity information to the server through the second interface.

[0061] As a preferred embodiment, the method further includes: during the process of selecting a communication protocol by controlling a button, displaying the communication protocol between the selected adapter and the server.

[0062] As a preferred embodiment, the method further includes: storing at least two communication protocols supported by the adapter.

[0063] In the intelligent pricing method provided by the embodiment of the present invention, the electronic scale reads the commodity transaction information and transmits the commodity transaction information to the adapter; the server receives the commodity transaction information transmitted by the adapter, controls the camera to collect the commodity pictures, determines the commodity price according to the commodity transaction information and the commodity pictures, and displays the commodity price through the display screen. In this way, the electronic scale of this solution only needs to implement weighing and data transmission, without performing image recognition and data processing, thereby reducing the power consumption of the electronic scale. In addition, since the electronic scale and the server are connected through the adapter, when the electronic scale in this system fails, the electronic scale can be replaced separately, with a lower cost and more flexible intelligent transformation.

[0064] Through the description of the above embodiments, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that for the convenience and simplicity of description, only the above examples of the division of each functional module are used for illustration. In actual applications, the above functions can be allocated to different functional modules according to needs, that is, the internal structure of the device is divided into different functional modules to complete all or part of the functions described above. The specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments and will not be elaborated here.

[0065] In several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are only illustrative. For example, the division of the modules or units is only a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the displayed or discussed mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection can be through some interfaces, and the indirect coupling or communication connection of the devices or units can be in an electrical, mechanical, or other form.

[0066] The unit described as a separation component may or may not be physically separated. The component shown as a unit may or may not be a physical unit, that is, it may be located in one place or may be distributed to multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of this embodiment.

[0067] In addition, each functional unit in various embodiments of the present application may be integrated in a processing unit, may exist separately as individual physical units, or two or more units may be integrated in one unit. The above integrated unit can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of a software functional unit.

[0068] The above is only the specific implementation manner of the present invention, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed by the present invention can easily think of changes or substitutions, which should all be covered within the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An intelligent pricing system, comprising: An electronic scale for reading commodity transaction information; An adapter connected between the electronic scale and the server. The adapter includes a control module, a wireless communication module connected to the control module, a first interface, a second interface, a button, and a display module; And A server, including a processor, a camera, and a display screen. The processor is configured to receive the commodity transaction information sent by the electronic scale from the adapter, control the camera to capture a commodity picture, determine the commodity price according to the commodity transaction information and the commodity picture, and display the commodity price through the display screen; Wherein, the electronic scale and the server are connected through the adapter, including: configuring one adapter for each electronic scale, and each adapter is connected to a different server; or, configuring one adapter for each electronic scale, and each adapter is connected to the same server; The commodity transaction information includes commodity weight and / or commodity unit price; determining the commodity price according to the commodity transaction information and the commodity picture includes: The electronic scale reads the commodity weight and the commodity unit price and transmits them to the server through the adapter. The server determines the commodity type according to the commodity picture and looks up the corresponding unit price of the commodity stored. Then, the server compares the corresponding unit price of the commodity stored with the commodity unit price read by the electronic scale. When the two are inconsistent, the settlement is made based on the corresponding unit price of the commodity stored, and the commodity price is determined based on the commodity weight; or, The electronic scale reads the commodity weight and transmits it to the server through the adapter. The server determines the commodity type according to the commodity picture, looks up the corresponding unit price of the commodity in the database, and determines the commodity price according to the commodity weight and the commodity unit price.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein The adapter and the electronic scale are communicatively connected through the first interface, and the electronic scale transmits the commodity transaction information to the adapter through the first interface.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein The adapter supports at least two communication protocols, and the communication protocol between the electronic scale and the adapter is selected through the control button.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein The display module is configured to display the selected communication protocol between the electronic scale and the adapter during the process of selecting the communication protocol through the control button.

5. According to the system described in claim 3, the adapter is connected to the server through the wireless communication module. A wireless signal is transmitted through the control button to establish a wireless connection between the adapter and the server. The display module is further configured to display a prompt message indicating whether the adapter and the server are successfully connected.

6. The system according to claim 3, wherein, The adapter and the server are connected through the second interface. After receiving the commodity transaction information sent by the electronic scale, the adapter transmits the commodity information to the server through the second interface.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein, The button is further configured to select the communication protocol between the adapter and the server, and the display screen is further configured to display the selected communication protocol between the adapter and the server during the process of selecting the communication protocol through the control button.

8. The system according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein, The adapter further includes a storage module for storing at least two communication protocols supported by the adapter.

9. An intelligent pricing method, comprising: The electronic scale reads the commodity transaction information and transmits the commodity transaction information to the adapter; And The server receives the commodity transaction information transmitted by the adapter, controls the camera to capture commodity pictures, determines the commodity price according to the commodity transaction information and the commodity pictures, and displays the commodity price through a display screen; Among them, the adapter includes a control module, a wireless communication module connected to the control module, a first interface, a second interface, a key, and a display module; the electronic scale and the server are connected through the adapter, including: configuring an adapter for each electronic scale, and each adapter is connected to a different server; or, configuring an adapter for each electronic scale, and each adapter is connected to the same server; The commodity transaction information includes the commodity weight and / or the commodity unit price; determining the commodity price according to the commodity transaction information and the commodity pictures includes: The electronic scale reads the commodity weight and the commodity unit price and transmits them to the server through the adapter. The server determines the commodity type according to the commodity pictures and searches for the corresponding unit price of the commodity stored. Then, it compares the corresponding unit price of the commodity stored with the commodity unit price read by the electronic scale. When the two are inconsistent, it settles at the corresponding unit price of the commodity stored and determines the commodity price based on the commodity weight; or, The electronic scale reads the commodity weight and transmits it to the server through the adapter. The server determines the commodity type according to the commodity pictures, searches for the corresponding unit price of the commodity in the database, and determines the commodity price according to the commodity weight and the commodity unit price.

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