Intelligent shopping cart charging identity recognition method, system and device

Abstract

This invention discloses a method, system, and device for identifying the identity of a smart shopping cart during charging, belonging to the field of smart shopping carts. Addressing the problems of existing technologies that cannot determine the identity of a shopping cart during charging, easily leading to accidents and significant safety hazards, this invention provides a method, system, and device for identifying the identity of a shopping cart during charging. The charging pile includes a charging pile control system, and the shopping cart includes a shopping cart compartment, which in turn includes a shopping cart compartment control system. The charging pile acquires the shopping cart's identity code information and generates a shopping cart sorting code. Subsequent shopping carts are inserted into the previous shopping cart, and the identity code information of the newly charging shopping carts is sorted and uploaded to a backend server for storage. This allows for accurate identification of the shopping cart during charging, enabling timely handling and judgment in case of safety hazards.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of smart shopping carts, and more specifically, to a method, system, and apparatus for identifying the charging identity of a smart shopping cart. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of the information age, more and more industries are undergoing intelligent upgrades. Traditional shopping carts in supermarkets are becoming increasingly difficult to adapt to the needs of smart supermarkets, and new types of intelligent shopping carts are emerging in greater numbers.

[0003] Currently, most smart shopping carts use a continuous interleaved contact (plug-in) charging method. However, when using contact charging, it is impossible to determine which charging station the shopping cart is charging at or which number of carts it is on. If an abnormality occurs while a shopping cart is charging, it is impossible to know which charging station and which shopping cart it is on, and therefore, corresponding safety measures cannot be taken. This can easily lead to accidents.

[0004] Chinese patent application No. 201911120824.1, published on January 3, 2020, discloses a wireless charging device and method for intelligent shopping carts. The device includes a power supply box, a fixed shopping cart, and a mobile shopping cart. The fixed shopping cart contains a wireless transmitting circuit board connected to the power supply box via a wire. The mobile shopping cart contains a wireless charging circuit board that receives electromagnetic signals from the transmitting circuit board to wirelessly charge the current mobile shopping cart. Simultaneously, the wireless charging circuit board of the current mobile shopping cart emits electromagnetic signals, which are received by the wireless charging circuit board of the next mobile shopping cart, thus performing wireless cyclic charging. The beneficial effect of this invention is that, considering the stacked shopping cart design and the injection-molded material of the cart frame, the wireless charging circuit board is installed within the injection-molded layer, allowing for rapid and automatic wireless charging at close range when the shopping carts are stacked. However, this solution relies on wireless charging and does not address potential risks, thus lacking sufficient intelligence. Summary of the Invention

[0005] 1. Technical problems to be solved

[0006] To address the problems of existing technologies that cannot determine the identity of a shopping cart during charging, which can easily lead to accidents and pose significant safety hazards, this invention provides a method, system, and device for identifying the identity of a shopping cart during charging. This device can accurately determine the identity of the shopping cart during the charging process and promptly handle and assess any safety hazards that may occur.

[0007] 2. Technical Solution

[0008] The objective of this invention is achieved through the following technical solutions.

[0009] A method for identifying the user while charging a smart shopping cart, comprising the following steps:

[0010] The charging station is electrically connected to the first shopping cart, and the charging lines and communication lines of the charging station and the shopping cart are connected simultaneously.

[0011] The charging station obtains the shopping cart identification code information and generates a shopping cart sorting code; then it uploads the information to the backend server via a transmission module.

[0012] Subsequent shopping carts are inserted into the previous shopping cart, and the charging and communication lines between the two shopping carts are connected simultaneously. The next shopping cart transmits its own identification code information to the previous shopping cart, and the previous shopping cart transmits the acquired identification code information to the shopping cart in front of it through the communication line; until the identification code information is transmitted to the charging station.

[0013] After obtaining the identification code information of the newly charged shopping cart, the charging station sorts the identification code information of the newly charged shopping cart and uploads it to the backend server for storage.

[0014] Furthermore, after the charging pile obtains the shopping cart identification code information for the first time, it binds the shopping cart identification code, the shopping cart sorting code, and the charging pile identification code, and stores them in the charging pile storage module. The information in the charging pile storage module is then transmitted to the backend server through the transmission module.

[0015] Furthermore, after the charging station sorts the newly charged shopping carts, it rebinds the shopping cart identification code, the shopping cart sorting code, and the charging station identification code to generate new binding data, which is stored in the charging station storage module. The information in the charging station storage module is then transmitted to the backend server through the transmission module.

[0016] Furthermore, the charging stations are connected to the backend server via wireless or wired means.

[0017] Furthermore, the identification code information of the newly charged shopping cart is sorted sequentially.

[0018] A system for a smart shopping cart charging identification method includes a charging pile control system and a shopping cart bottom compartment control system;

[0019] The charging pile control system includes,

[0020] The charging pile storage module is used to store the charging pile's identification code information, including the identification code information received from the shopping cart.

[0021] The charging pile communication module is used to receive information sent from the shopping cart.

[0022] The charging pile transmission module is used to upload information such as the identity and order of the charging pile and the charging shopping cart, and to receive instructions from the backend.

[0023] The charging pile power control module is used to control the input switch of 220V mains power.

[0024] The shopping cart bottom control system includes,

[0025] The bottom storage module is used to store information such as the identification code of the smart shopping cart, as well as the identification code and other information transmitted from the next shopping cart.

[0026] The bottom compartment communication module is used to send the shopping cart's identification code information from the storage module and receive the identification code information of the next charging smart shopping cart.

[0027] The bottom compartment power control module is used to control the switching of the shopping cart's charging power.

[0028] Furthermore, the charging pile communication module is a wireless communication module.

[0029] A smart shopping cart charging identification device includes a charging pile and a shopping cart. The charging pile includes a charging pile control system, and the shopping cart includes a shopping cart compartment, which in turn includes a shopping cart compartment control system.

[0030] Furthermore, the charging pile includes a charging pile contact panel, which is equipped with a magnetic attraction device, a communication contact point, and a power output contact point. The shopping cart bottom compartment includes a front panel and a rear panel, both of which are equipped with magnetic attraction devices, power contact points, and communication contact points. The positions of the magnetic attraction devices, power contact points, and communication contact points on the front panel correspond to those on the charging pile contact panel. The positions of the magnetic attraction devices, power contact points, and communication contact points on the front panel and the rear panel are also corresponding.

[0031] Furthermore, the magnetic attraction device is a cast iron block or an electromagnet. The magnetic attraction devices on the charging pile contact panel and the rear panel of the shopping cart bottom compartment are the same, which are cast iron blocks or electromagnets; the magnetic attraction devices on the front panel of the shopping cart bottom compartment and the charging pile contact panel are different, which are electromagnets or cast iron blocks.

[0032] 3. Beneficial effects

[0033] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of this invention are:

[0034] This solution allows charging stations to automatically identify the smart shopping carts based on the identity information transmitted during charging. It accurately determines which charging station the cart is using and its order number. If any abnormality occurs during charging, it can be dealt with quickly and specifically, thereby improving the safety of the smart shopping cart charging process. Attached Figure Description

[0035] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the charging pile system of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the communication between the shopping cart and the charging pile system of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 3 This is a diagram of the internal system structure of the charging pile;

[0038] Figure 4 This is a diagram of the contact surface of a charging pile.

[0039] Figure 5 This is a diagram of the front contact surface of the shopping cart's bottom compartment.

[0040] Figure 6 This is a diagram of the contact surface at the bottom of the shopping cart. Detailed Implementation

[0041] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0042] Example 1

[0043] Currently, smart shopping carts often use a continuous interlocking contact charging method to reduce space requirements and facilitate management. However, this method has certain drawbacks. When shopping carts are not aligned, or when they are tilted to a certain extent relative to each other or to the charging station, the contact area of ​​the metal contacts becomes insufficient, increasing the resistance between the contacts and causing the temperature of the metal contacts to rise. If the temperature of the metal contacts reaches the melting or ignition point of the ABS material surrounding them, the ABS material may melt, deform, or even smoke and catch fire, leading to an accident. Therefore, when using continuous interlocking contact (plug-in) charging for smart shopping carts, it is essential to accurately know which charging station the smart shopping cart is charging at and its sequence number. If an abnormality is detected, an emergency procedure should be immediately activated, disconnecting the power supply circuit of either the charging station or the smart shopping cart based on pre-defined logic. Current technologies often only address problems after they occur or rely on manual hazard checks, resulting in low timeliness and safety. While most existing smart shopping carts are equipped with wireless communication modules and can transmit their own identification information to the backend system, when smart shopping carts use continuous interlocking contact (plug-in) charging, due to user usage, the system cannot determine which specific shopping cart is in a row or group of carts when it returns to the charging position, even with the addition of a positioning module, due to positioning accuracy issues. It also cannot determine which charging station the smart shopping cart is charging at or its sequence number. Therefore, other methods and devices are needed to determine which charging station the smart shopping cart is charging at and its sequence number for convenient subsequent security management.

[0044] This solution combines the structure of a continuously interleaved contact shopping cart system with the structure of a charging station to build a method and system that can quickly obtain the corresponding charging identity and respond quickly to problems, such as cutting off power or triggering alarms.

[0045] This implementation application case can use the identification code information transmitted by each smart shopping cart during charging to enable the charging pile to identify the identification code of the charging smart shopping cart, thereby accurately determining which charging pile the smart shopping cart is charging at and its sequence number. Once the main control system detects an abnormal charging of the smart shopping cart, it can quickly cut off the power supply circuit of the charging pile or the smart shopping cart according to the judgment logic to ensure the safety of the plug-in charging process of the smart shopping cart.

[0046] This solution includes a corresponding charging station system and a shopping cart bottom compartment system. The bottom compartment system is located at the bottom of the shopping cart frame, such as... Figure 1As shown, several shopping carts are connected in a plug-in manner, and the corresponding shopping cart bottom compartments are also connected in sequence. The shopping cart bottom compartment at the front is connected to the charging station. The corresponding charging station charges the shopping carts connected on this line and conducts data communication. The communication information here mainly includes identity information and vehicle information. The vehicle information includes, but is not limited to, charging information, temperature information, etc.

[0047] The shopping cart in this solution is a smart shopping cart. Existing smart shopping carts typically have control panels and sensors installed on the top and frame. The placement of these control panels and sensors is not an improvement in this solution. The control panels and sensors in this solution can be placed in any desired location, which will not be elaborated upon here. The bottom compartment system of this solution provides power to the control panels and sensors and transmits necessary data, including charging data. Figure 4 , 5 As shown in Figure 6, these are the charging panels for the charging piles in this solution, as well as the front and rear panels of the base system. The panels are mutually compatible, as shown in Figure 6. Figure 4 The image shows the charging station's contact panel. The center of this panel features a magnetic attraction device, shown here as a cast iron block, but an electromagnet could also be used. This device matches the magnetic attraction device on the front panel of the shopping cart's bottom compartment. The configuration can be customized; for example, one side could be an electromagnet and the other a cast iron block. The sides of the magnetic attraction device have power output contacts, and the lower part has communication contacts for information communication. These contacts are the contact points for the communication lines, connected via the communication circuit. The panel also includes power output contacts for connecting the charging circuit. These power output contacts are connected via the power circuit and have positive and negative terminals. Figure 5 As shown, the front panel of the shopping cart's bottom compartment connects to the charging station's panel and is also equipped with power and communication contact points. When the shopping cart comes into contact with the charging station, due to power connection and communication connection, the electromagnet is energized via system notification, attracting the cast iron block and fixing the shopping cart to the charging station. Power and communication are then connected, allowing for charging and signal transmission. Since this is a plug-in type shopping cart, as... Figure 6As shown, the magnetic components on the rear panel of the bottom compartment system differ from those on the front panel. If the front panel uses an electromagnet, the rear panel uses a cast iron block, and vice versa. This ensures that the shopping carts can be sequentially attracted to each other. When the next shopping cart is pushed onto the previous one, the panels make contact, power is connected, and communication is established. Upon receiving a notification from the system that the cart can be attracted, the electromagnet is energized, attracting the cast iron block. The next shopping cart is then fixed to the previous one, allowing for charging and communication signal transmission. The front and rear panels of each shopping cart's bottom compartment system are connected via communication and power modules to ensure smooth operation. The specific positions of the various parts on the panels can be customized as needed. For example, communication contact points can be located on the side or top, and the positive and negative terminals of the power contacts can be positioned on one side, as long as the front and rear panels align. There are no specific positional restrictions. The smart charging station connects to an external power source, typically AC mains power.

[0048] The charging station includes an internal control device, including,

[0049] The charging pile storage module is used to store the charging pile's identification code information, including the identification code information received from the shopping cart.

[0050] The charging pile communication module is used to receive information sent from the shopping cart.

[0051] The charging pile transmission module is used to upload information such as the identity and order of the charging pile and the charging shopping cart, and to receive instructions from the backend; it can be wireless or wired.

[0052] The charging pile power control module is used to control the input switch of 220V mains power.

[0053] The intelligent shopping cart bottom control system includes,

[0054] The bottom storage module is used to store information such as the identification code of the smart shopping cart, as well as the identification code and other information transmitted from the next shopping cart.

[0055] The bottom compartment communication module is used to send the shopping cart's identification code information from the storage module and receive the identification code information of the next charging smart shopping cart.

[0056] The bottom compartment power control module is used to control the switching of the charging power supply for the smart shopping cart.

[0057] In the course of operation, this application embodiment provides a method for identity recognition during continuous contact charging of a smart shopping cart.

[0058] When the first smart shopping cart directly contacts the charging station, the signal transmission communication lines between the charging station and the shopping cart are simultaneously connected. The shopping cart sends its own identification code information to the charging station through the communication system. After obtaining the shopping cart's identification code information, the charging station generates a shopping cart sorting code and binds the shopping cart's identification and sorting code with the charging station's identification code. This information is then stored in the charging station's storage module and uploaded to the backend server via a wireless transmission module.

[0059] When a subsequent smart shopping cart joins the charging dock of the previous one, the signal transmission contacts of both carts simultaneously engage, establishing a communication line. The next cart transmits its identification code information to the previous cart, which then transmits the acquired information through the signal path to the cart ahead or to the charging station. Ultimately, all cart identification information is transmitted to the charging station. After obtaining the identification code information of the newly charging smart shopping carts, the charging station sorts the carts and binds the cart identification and sorting codes with the charging station's identification code, storing them in the charging station's storage unit and uploading them to the backend server for storage via a wireless module.

[0060] The method used in the embodiments can accurately determine which charging station the shopping cart is charging at and its order number. Combined with other information, if the charging of the shopping cart is abnormal, the power supply circuit of the charging station or the shopping cart can be precisely disconnected through the control module, ensuring the charging safety of the continuously interleaved contact charging smart shopping cart.

[0061] This solution establishes a communication line between the shopping cart and the charging station through the overall charging pile and base system. This line is interconnected via a series of communication contact points, ensuring that the shopping cart's identity information is transmitted accurately to the initially connected charging station, avoiding the inaccuracies of wireless positioning systems. During contact charging, the smart shopping cart uses a signal transmission module to send its own identity information to the preceding shopping cart or charging station via the communication path. The preceding device continues to transmit its own and subsequent carts' identity information through the signal transmission module to the next cart or charging station, until it reaches the charging station. The charging station binds the shopping cart's identity code information with its own identity code information, stores it in a storage unit, and uploads it to a server via a wireless network. This method allows for precise identification of the charging station and sequence number of the abnormal shopping cart during charging, enabling targeted action. In case of overheating, sensors in the shopping cart can obtain relevant information, which is then transmitted via communication lines to the charging station and subsequently to the backend. The backend assesses the situation and cuts off power to the charging station to prevent further safety hazards. The system can also identify which cart is malfunctioning based on the overheating information received through the communication lines, promptly alerting staff for troubleshooting. This approach is efficient and safer. It can be used without a specific positioning module, connecting directly to the system via a wired connection. Alternatively, it can combine wired and wireless methods for identification, resulting in faster and more accurate results. This avoids the previous situation where only a short circuit in a line was known, but the specific cart was unknown, delaying rescue and troubleshooting time and requiring manual inspection of each cart, which was inefficient and lacked safety. Our overall system structure is simple, facilitating charging and quickly locating the required shopping cart. It is convenient, fast, and highly efficient.

[0062] The invention and its embodiments have been described above illustratively. This description is not restrictive, and the invention can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The accompanying drawings are only one embodiment of the invention, and the actual structure is not limited thereto. No reference numerals in the claims should limit the scope of the claims. Therefore, if a person skilled in the art is inspired by this description and designs a similar structure and embodiment without departing from the spirit of the invention, such design should fall within the scope of protection of this patent. Furthermore, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the word "a" preceding an element does not exclude the inclusion of "a plurality" of that element. Multiple elements stated in the product claims may also be implemented by a single element through software or hardware. The terms "first," "second," etc., are used to indicate names and do not indicate any specific order.

Claims

1. A method for identifying the user while charging a smart shopping cart, comprising the following steps: The charging station is electrically connected to the first shopping cart, and the charging lines and communication lines of the charging station and the shopping cart are connected simultaneously. The charging station obtains the shopping cart identification code information and generates a shopping cart sorting code; then it uploads the information to the backend server via a transmission module. Subsequent shopping carts are inserted into the previous shopping cart, and the charging and communication lines between the two shopping carts are connected simultaneously. The next shopping cart transmits its own identification code information to the previous shopping cart, and the previous shopping cart transmits the acquired identification code information to the shopping cart in front of it through the communication line; until the identification code information is transmitted to the charging station. After obtaining the identification code information of the newly charged shopping cart, the charging pile sorts the identification code information of the newly charged shopping cart and uploads it to the backend server for storage. After the charging pile obtains the shopping cart identification code information for the first time, it binds the shopping cart identification code, the shopping cart sorting code and the charging pile identification code and stores them in the charging pile storage module. The information in the charging pile storage module is transmitted to the backend server through the transmission module. After sorting the newly charged shopping carts, the charging station rebinds the shopping cart identification code, shopping cart sorting code, and charging station identification code to generate new binding data, which is stored in the charging station storage module. The information in the charging station storage module is transmitted to the backend server through the transmission module. The charging station connects to the backend server wirelessly or via wired connection. The new shopping cart identification code information is sorted sequentially.

2. A system based on the intelligent shopping cart charging identification method according to claim 1, characterized in that, This includes a charging pile control system and a shopping cart bottom compartment control system; The charging pile control system includes, The charging pile storage module is used to store the charging pile's identification code information, including the identification code information received from the shopping cart. The charging pile communication module is used to receive information sent from the shopping cart. The charging pile transmission module is used to upload the identity and sorting information of the charging pile and the charging shopping cart, and to receive instructions from the backend. The charging pile power control module is used to control the input switch of 220V mains power. The shopping cart bottom control system includes, The bottom storage module is used to store the identification code information of the smart shopping cart, as well as the identification code information transmitted from the next shopping cart. The bottom compartment communication module is used to send the shopping cart's identification code information from the storage module and receive the identification code information of the next charging smart shopping cart. The bottom compartment power control module is used to control the switching of the shopping cart's charging power.

3. The system for the intelligent shopping cart charging identity recognition method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The charging pile communication module is a wireless communication module.

4. A smart shopping cart charging identification device, characterized in that, The device includes a charging pile and a shopping cart. The charging pile includes the charging pile control system described in claim 2 or 3, and the shopping cart includes a shopping cart compartment, which includes the shopping cart compartment control system described in claim 2 or 3.

5. The intelligent shopping cart charging identification device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The charging pile includes a charging pile contact panel, which is equipped with a magnetic attraction device, a communication contact point, and a power output contact point. The shopping cart bottom compartment includes a front panel and a rear panel, both of which are equipped with magnetic attraction devices, power contact points, and communication contact points. The positions of the magnetic attraction devices, power contact points, and communication contact points on the front panel correspond to those on the charging pile contact panel. The positions of the magnetic attraction devices, power contact points, and communication contact points on the front panel and the rear panel are also corresponding.

6. The intelligent shopping cart charging identification device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The magnetic attraction device is a cast iron block or an electromagnet. The magnetic attraction devices on the charging pile contact panel and the rear panel of the shopping cart bottom compartment are the same, which are cast iron blocks or electromagnets. The magnetic attraction devices on the front panel of the shopping cart bottom compartment and the charging pile contact panel are different, which are electromagnets or cast iron blocks.

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