Improved scanning input access device for point of sale system

Abstract

To provide a system and method for conducting mobile scanning operations for integration with a fixed electronic device.SOLUTION: An embodiment includes a portable electronic point of sale device, essentially, a mobile scanning device configured to acquire identification information from an article to be purchased. The mobile scanning device may include one or more input devices such as a communication device, a camera, and a scanner. The point of sale device also may contain a local barcode decoder to supplant a host decoder which may already reside on a host electronic device such as a tablet, thereby forming a cooperative relationship and leveraging more mobile scanning abilities when compared with the typically fixed host electronic device. Additional provision is made for an embodiment that avoids battery depletion anxiety by shoppers, through the provision of a handheld portable charging point device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2A

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an improved scanning input access device for point of sale (POS) systems, which eliminates the limitations of fixed tablets or other computing devices through the use of cooperative mobile devices to scan hard-to-reach sales or inventory items that fixed computing devices cannot reach for scanning purposes. Additionally, the configuration of cooperative mobile devices is such that it can also provide expanded revenue streams to retail and warehouse facilities through the use of any royalty producing stream from providing high performance scan acquisition and processing capabilities.

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to improved input access devices for improved integration with point-of-sale (POS) systems. More particularly, improved handheld mobile electronic devices are provided that are configured to seamlessly connect to and exchange information with relatively fixed point-of-sale systems that may be spatially constrained in obtaining data from some in-store products when a consumer is attempting to conduct a sales transaction. In this vein, the present invention, in some embodiments, relates to a portable scanning module that fits into a consumer device and integrates with and leverages any existing fixed electronic device and / or self-checkout terminal, particularly with improved scanning of hard-to-reach products found on retail shelves, warehouses, and the like. [Background technology]

[0003] Systems are known that use mobile devices (smartphones, tablets, etc.) for mobile payments at the point of sale. Such techniques include, for example, using the mobile device to scan a barcode from a display at a cash register, or displaying on the mobile device a numeric code, barcode, or two-dimensional code entered or scanned by a cashier, or tapping a mobile device that supports the near-field communication (NFC) standard on a terminal that supports the same standard.

[0004] Similarly, it is known to synchronize tablets with PCs or laptops for inventory management and / or merchandising, such as that provided by an app known as Barcode to PC, available at https: / / www.youtube.com / watch?v=J2WPjZ-RhfE. However, such systems suffer from inconvenient delays and latency due to delays in transmitting scanned images from the phone to the PC or tablet, as well as cumbersome interfaces that require various drag-and-drop steps and do not provide for truly seamless, high-speed acquisition and processing of scanned barcodes and the resulting data.

[0005] Moreover, some of the known systems and solutions do not offer the possibility of utilizing software within the POS and / or associated mobile device to maximize retail flow, etc. for the retailer. In addition to the inefficiencies of image acquisition and processing discussed above, known systems rely on third-party apps, etc. for the same, which does not offer any revenue maximization for the retailer beyond the basic purchase of in-store goods. This lack of offering a fee-based scanning and processing solution to extend basic retail sales reflects a lack of maximization of the overall consumer or user experience.

[0006] Given such inefficiencies, customers and merchants question the benefits of current mobile payment techniques via mobile devices and demand more convenient and faster mobile payment techniques, especially those that make economic sense in light of the necessary hardware costs associated with embedded POS.

[0007] There is an even greater demand for enhanced in-store mobile commerce solutions and charging systems. By way of background, it is estimated that approximately 80% of shoppers employ their mobile devices in physical stores. The ability for customers to use their mobile phones while shopping has become important, so much so that of those 80% of shoppers, it is estimated that 60% experience what is referred to as "battery anxiety" when the battery charge on their mobile device runs out. This dramatically reduces consumer dwell time in physical stores and severely negatively impacts in-store purchases, as consumers typically leave the store earlier than usual to recharge their mobile devices elsewhere.

[0008] Therefore, there is a need to provide in-store mobile charging solutions to prevent battery worries and increase in-store purchases. Additionally, there is a need to extend such solutions with a fully digital experience that provides in-store consumers the ability to look up and locate in-store products on their mobile devices, as well as provide product scanning and payment for the same, all from the in-store consumer's mobile device. Such solutions bridge the gap between traditional in-store shopping and fully automated checkout solutions.

[0009] In comparison, systems such as U.S. Patent No. 11,501,278, filed January 10, 2020, entitled "Internet of Things (IoT) Box for Mobile Payment Retail System and In-Store Mobile Charging Solution," which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, further advance mobile POS capabilities, albeit in aspects potentially complementary to the solution provided by the present invention, as described below. Until now, scanning hard-to-reach products found on retail shelves, warehouses, and the like has been problematic due to the typical need for relatively fixed electronic devices, such as tablets, that cannot spatially access such hard-to-reach products for scanning purposes. On the one hand, simply providing a mobile scanner to transmit scanned images suffers from significant processing latency issues and errors. On the other hand, providing an additional tablet or the like to interface with a fixed tablet has proven to be an inconvenient and unnecessarily redundant measure, and also increases the costs associated with adding separate licenses for decoding and the like. Thus, there is a need for a system that allows employees or customers to scan shelf items that cannot be reached by existing fixed systems, yet does not require additional tablets or the like, reduces the number of decoding license costs, and all of this while also providing a revenue stream beyond basic sales in a way that overcomes the natural expenses of fixed computing systems. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] One embodiment of the present disclosure generally relates to systems and techniques for conducting point-of-sale (POS) transactions by enabling users or retail consumers to use their own mobile devices to seamlessly synchronize with a portable, fixed device that eliminates the aforementioned drawbacks. When done in this manner, the user's mobile device can be utilized as a secondary scanning input to supplement the fixed (tablet) device without the need to purchase additional hardware for the POS system. More particularly, the present invention relates to a handheld, portable point-of-purchase device that provides an improved scanning input access device for point-of-sale (POS) systems, thereby eliminating the limitations of fixed tablets or other computing devices through the use of a cooperative mobile device to scan hard-to-reach sales or inventory items that the fixed computing device cannot reach for scanning purposes. The improved scanning input access device has the flexibility to allow point-of-sale (POS) applications from different electronic payment systems to run on the customer's mobile device, as in a typical arrangement, or, as an alternative arrangement, cooperatively on the fixed computing device itself (i.e., a store- or warehouse-owned computing device, such as a tablet attached to a shopping cart, forklift, etc.). In either case, at least one store-specific app downloaded onto the customer or user mobile device is implemented so that a full range of user preferences can be provided therewith. In an alternative embodiment, an enhanced fee-for-use scanning and processing solution may also be provided to extend basic retail sales.

[0011] According to one disclosed embodiment, a portable mobile scanning device may be capable of completing an entire sales transaction, including registering items, receiving payment information, and communicating with an external (typically fixed) cooperating electronic device to capture barcode images and locally decode the same for the POS system. The electronic device may include input devices such as a near-field communication (NFC) interface, a camera, and a scanner to retrieve item and payment information. The electronic device may also establish a communication link with another device using a device identification networking protocol to receive payment information. A software application on the device, or more typically on the customer's mobile device, may calculate the amount due and retrieve inventory and price information directly from the merchant's server or indirectly from a fixed computing device provided by the store or warehouse.

[0012] Additionally, the configuration of cooperative mobile devices is such that they can also provide expanded revenue streams to retail and warehouse facilities through the use of any royalty-generating streams from providing advanced scan acquisition and processing capabilities. As provided, a royalty-based scanning and processing solution for extending basic retail sales is any embodiment that provides further enhanced barcode scanning and processing speeds, where a user or consumer elects to download advanced scan acquisition and processing, thereby incurring a nominal processing fee that, in one embodiment, remunerates the facility owner with, for example, a per-transaction royalty, thereby monetizing the use of the app and eliminating any third-party app revenue model.

[0013] An additional embodiment of the present invention is a system and technique for providing a handheld portable charging point device that can overcome the above-mentioned "battery anxiety" and the indirect decrease in in-store sales due to such affected consumers. In its broadest sense, the handheld portable charging point device has a versatile casement structure and a mobile device holding structure for holding a user's mobile device, includes a rechargeable battery and a recharging interface for charging the user's mobile device, and when the rechargeable battery of the handheld portable charging point device needs to be recharged, the rechargeable battery can be docked at a power outlet, a wired or wireless electronic contact, or a lockable or anti-theft alarm sensor-enabled charging interface or charging station. An optional electronic display is attached for purposes of locking / unlocking the device, app usage, and / or when combined with a payment interface (such as a scanner, a physical credit card processing interface, or a displayed virtual payment interface) for purposes of locking / unlocking the device, using apps, and / or for direct purchases with or without kiosks and registers.

[0014] As an additional enhancement, the charging interface may optionally include customized charging circuitry for variable-speed (slow, fast) charging options, as well as add-on features such as biosensors and antibacterial functions. Additional embodiments may provide dedicated circuitry configured to receive, via the communications module, a special signal generated by the pairing of an associated tablet and a customer's mobile device, prompting a routine to pull updated app information from a store server or the like. Yet further embodiments may provide an optional "green charging module" option that utilizes the motion of an accompanying shopping cart on which the handheld portable charging point device is placed to charge the device's rechargeable battery and / or directly charge the user's mobile device when held by the same. In one exemplary embodiment, the green charging module may employ a kinetic energy system. The kinetic energy system may be configured to convert kinetic energy collected from the motion of the cart and / or electronic devices placed thereon into electrical energy. For example, the kinetic energy system may include an oscillating mass for converting motion into kinetic energy and an electromagnetic generator for converting kinetic energy into electrical energy, and in one exemplary embodiment may include a micro-generator system such as model number 26.4 manufactured by Kinetron® of Tilburg, The Netherlands. The kinetic energy system may be configured to distribute electrical energy (converted from kinetic energy) between at least one energy storage unit and one or more other electrical components of the electronic device based on a state of charge of the at least one storage unit and a predetermined operating mode of the electronic device. In some examples, the energy storage unit may include at least one primary energy storage unit (e.g., a battery) and at least one secondary energy storage unit (e.g., a capacitor or supercapacitor).In some examples, the kinetic energy system may also determine a current operating state of the electronic device (e.g., standby mode or communication mode) and distribute electrical energy between the energy storage units and the electrical components via wired and / or wireless means based on the current operating state. In some examples, the kinetic energy system may detect a current charge state of each energy storage unit and distribute electrical energy and / or deactivate collection of electrical energy from the converted kinetic energy according to each detected current charge state.

[0015] Certain aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein by way of example are presented herein solely to provide the reader with a general overview of certain forms the invention(s) disclosed and / or claimed herein may take, and to provide that these aspects are not intended to limit the scope of any invention(s) disclosed and / or claimed herein. Indeed, any invention(s) disclosed and / or claimed herein may encompass a variety of aspects that may not be described below. Various refinements and additional features of the above-mentioned features may also be incorporated, and may exist individually or in any combination thereof.

[0016] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying non-limiting drawings, in which like characters represent like parts throughout. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an associated electronic device (an "associated tablet" with optional magnetic or other attachment means) of a POS system according to the present invention. [Figure 2A] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an associated electronic device for a mobile scanner module of the present invention embedded on a mobile phone during initial pairing of the two devices. [Figure 2B] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an associated electronic device for a mobile scanner module of the present invention embedded on a mobile phone during initial pairing of the two devices. [Figure 3A] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a barcode scanner of the present invention associated with a mobile device, such as may be used by a customer, employee, or other user when scanning the barcode of a hard-to-reach item that the user wishes to scan. [Figure 3B] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a barcode scanner of the present invention associated with a mobile device, such as may be used by a customer, employee, or other user when scanning the barcode of a hard-to-reach item that the user wishes to scan. [Figure 4A] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a barcode scanner of the present invention associated with a mobile device, such that a barcode image can be captured and used by a customer, employee, or other user in an exemplary retail environment after being successfully decoded to convert that data into an actual point-of-sale transaction. [Figure 4B] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a barcode scanner of the present invention associated with a mobile device, such that a barcode image can be captured and used by a customer, employee, or other user in an exemplary retail environment after being successfully decoded to convert that data into an actual point-of-sale transaction. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of an electronic process flow according to known techniques. [Figure 6A] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of an electronic process flow within the system of the present invention, according to another embodiment. [Figure 6B] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of an electronic process flow within the system of the present invention, according to another embodiment. [Figure 6C] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of an electronic process flow within the system of the present invention, according to another embodiment. [Figure 7]FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of a process in one embodiment for fraud scanning prevention functionality found in a novel anti-fraud module. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of a process in one embodiment for malicious scanning prevention functionality found in a novel anti-fraud module. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary detail of a peer-to-peer connection between electronic devices such as a smartphone and a tablet. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] It should be noted that in the drawings, lines / arrows interconnecting individual blocks or entities are generally intended to indicate an operational coupling therebetween, which may be a physical and / or logical coupling, which on the one hand is generally implementation-independent (e.g., wired or wireless), and on the other hand may also comprise any number of intermediate functional blocks or entities not shown.

[0019] The present invention is described herein with reference to certain non-limiting examples and what are currently considered to be possible embodiments of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention is in no way limited to these examples and may be more broadly applicable. Below, various exemplary embodiments and implementations of the present invention, as well as aspects thereof, are described using several variations and / or alternatives. It should be noted that, in general, subject to certain needs and constraints, all of the variations and / or alternatives described may be provided alone or in any conceivable combination (including combinations of the individual features of the various variations and / or alternatives). As used herein, the terms "comprising" and "including" should be understood as not limiting the described exemplary embodiments and implementations to consisting only of those features described; such exemplary embodiments and implementations may also include features, structures, units, modules, etc. not specifically described.

[0020] In accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention, generally speaking, systems and methods are provided for enabling self-checkout using mobile payment, such as cashless and cardless self-checkout. Such payment transactions do not require cash and / or a debit card, credit card, or the like to purchase items at a point of sale within a retail store, although alternative provisions are made herein for those modalities of payment. Typical electronic payment transactions may be processed via mobile payment systems such as Google Pay®, AliPay®, ApplePay®, and the like. In doing so, the present invention provides for enabling true self-checkout using mobile payment, whereby customers are not required to perform any additional actions during the purchase and / or checkout process, including eliminating the need to download a store app onto their mobile device.

[0021] Figure 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of an associated electronic device ("associated tablet") of a POS system according to the present invention. Thus, within Figure 1 is one illustrative example of an associated tablet with any magnetic or other type of attachment means that may be used to accept and frictionally or otherwise hold the associated tablet on a shopping cart, forklift, etc. As can be appreciated, the exact form may vary widely and is any manner for easy placement and holding of the associated tablet once a customer has decided to use the device.

[0022] 2A and 2B illustrate an exemplary embodiment of an associated electronic device for a mobile scanner module of the present invention embedded on a mobile phone during initial pairing of the two devices. First, the mobile device and associated tablet must be paired with each other, illustratively via Bluetooth or BLE. There are two ways to perform the pairing: either the associated tablet can initiate the pairing, or the user can initiate the pairing. When the communications module in the associated tablet completes the pairing process with the user mobile device, a code generator (not shown) is activated to generate a code representing the unique identity of the user mobile device upon receiving a pairing completion signal from the communications module. Upon receiving either the code and / or the pairing completion signal, an automated shopping app launch module automatically launches and displays the given store's app. In either case, the associated tablet generates a code (illustratively a random number) to provide device information for pairing, but in a manner that provides privacy and the added benefit of ease of use, assuming this step is automated within the associated tablet and requires no user intervention (other than allowing the user mobile device to accept the pairing offer by the associated tablet).

[0023] 3A and 3B show an example of a barcode scanner of the present invention associated with a mobile device, such as may be used by a customer, employee, or other user when scanning the barcode of a hard-to-reach item that the user wishes to scan.

[0024] 4A and 4B illustrate an example of a barcode scanner of the present invention associated with a mobile device, such as may be used by a customer, employee, or other user in an exemplary retail environment after a barcode image is captured and successfully decoded to convert that data into actual point-of-sale transactions. While not shown, the electronic device may also include one or more communication interfaces for communicating with a merchant's server via a wireless network, a personal area network, a near-field communication channel, or the like. In some embodiments, the electronic device may use a smart selection method to determine the most suitable communication interface based on data transmission speed, security features, and other user preferences. The electronic device may also include applications for performing various personalized and location-based services, such as product location information, product information, and merchant rewards programs.

[0025] As described, the illustrated tablet POS is capable of scanning some barcodes using its built-in camera and barcode decoding software, but given that it is generally fixed and unable to scan hard-to-reach or heavy items due to the orientation limitations of the tablet camera, it would be desirable to support a separate mobile barcode scanner to improve user convenience. The present invention relates to leveraging the shopper's (or other user's) smartphone as a secondary barcode scanner to reduce hardware and license costs (as well as costs related to hardware device investment and ongoing maintenance), all while providing the mobility needed to scan hard-to-reach or heavy items.Thus, at its broadest level, the present invention includes at least one scanner associated with a smartphone, and in one embodiment, also a tablet, cooperatively providing a shopping application integration method that may include the following steps: (1) having a shared shopping cart through a shopping application on the tablet and smartphone, where after pairing, communication between both devices (mobile phone with scanner and associated tablet) dynamically updates the shared shopping cart between them; (2) scanned product items from either the tablet or the smartphone become added to the shopping cart; (3) sending scanned barcode data to the tablet shopping application, where the tablet shopping application acts as a local web host for exchanging data with the smartphone scanner, and the smartphone scanner sends the scanned data to a local host on the tablet while the shopping application on the tablet receives the smartphone scanner barcode data from the local host; and alternatively, (4) sending the scanned barcode data to the tablet shopping application via a peer-to-peer protocol, where the smartphone and tablet are connected via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Supporting peer-to-peer networking using Direct, the shopping application on the tablet and the smartphone scanner exchange data based on the peer-to-peer protocol. Note that in either case, the above could also be configured as an inventory application, where the tablet resides on a forklift or the like and the user is an employee.

[0026] More specifically, in one exemplary embodiment, a user would scan a pairing barcode displayed on a collaborative electronic device (e.g., a tablet POS as programmed) as shown in FIG. 2 , and then, once paired, the user's smartphone would be prompted to accept the installation of a decoder program, which, once installed, would mean the user could employ both the mobile scanner and the tablet camera and / or their own personal smartphone with the software described above to scan product barcodes and, with the assistance of a communication module therein, initiate two-way real-time communication with the tablet. In one embodiment, the installation of the decoder could be prompted on the user / shopper's smartphone, and / or the image could be sent to a server and decoded, and / or barcode features could be extracted and sent to a server for decoding the barcode. In a scanning environment, known approaches to attempting to synchronize between a mobile phone and, for example, a tablet, involve taking pictures of the barcode and sending those files to a host (an associated tablet POS); this approach may minimize additional costs in secondary device decoder license fees, but entails the drawback of reduced user convenience due to image transmission delays and error propagation. Alternatively, the approach of the present invention provides herein, in contrast, that a user or shopper with a smartphone be provided with their own separate barcode scanning program and decoding software that gives them the capability to decode barcodes locally, as opposed to at the host (e.g., an associated tablet), thereby eliminating the inherent processing delays and errors associated with known approaches.With regard to providing additional business features that may provide a basic revenue stream for retailers or other building owners, users may be provided with two decoders: a basic one (which may be free or without cost, but depending on the particular real-life use, may not be able to decode all product barcodes quickly and reliably enough to produce a positive user experience), or an enhanced decoder (which may be associated with a user fee). In either case, the user may attempt the basic approach to see if it meets the situational requirements, but if it does not (e.g., fails to read the barcode within a defined time frame), downloaded software may automatically pass the image to the enhanced decoder.

[0027] Thus, this additional exemplary embodiment typically includes software, associated with the dedicated circuitry described herein, for variable processing speeds according to a business model that may provide options that can enable at least two or more (high-speed processing vs. low-speed processing settings) depending on, for example, a user's selection of either a paid (high-speed) or free (lower) option. Thus, the ability to enable owner-specified processing options is driven according to such desired preferences, and the internal software can be pre-programmed with code to achieve the same. In effect, logic gates switch session usage flow through one of two (or more) faster or slower charging paths.

[0028] This enhanced decoder embodiment may provide an enhanced vision solution for the barcode scanner, possibly by utilizing software such as that available under the name SwiftDecoder™ available from Honeywell of Charlotte, North Carolina, to enhance the capabilities of the barcode scanner function. The basic process involves at least these steps: imaging the barcode, analyzing the digital image, identifying the barcode, and decoding the barcode.

[0029] The enhanced decoder can read low-contrast, damaged, and any difficult-to-read barcodes. This can be achieved through the provision of a comprehensive set of symbologies (100 or more) embedded in the scanner's core decoding and database in one embodiment to provide a new level of performance not previously seen in known scanners. For example, these symbologies can include one-dimensional (1D) barcodes such as UPC, EAN, Code 128, Code 39, Interleave 2 of 5, etc., and / or two-dimensional (2D) barcodes such as QR, PDF417, Data Matrix, etc. Illustrative of any embodiment, the scanner can offer more than just barcode scanning, such as by providing augmented reality (AR), OCR, and image capture for complex workflows. Scanning modes may include windowing (capture barcodes only when they are within the window), targeting (capture barcodes only when they are targeted by the aimer), batch scanning (read multiple barcodes simultaneously when they are within the window of view), preview and select (AR-enabled scanning for selecting desired barcodes among many), custom scanning (read barcodes only when they meet custom requirements, size, symbology, content), and continuous scanning (read barcodes continuously within tens of milliseconds).In yet another embodiment, including for non-POS applications, workflow add-ons can extend the capabilities of the barcode scanner, which may include EZDL reading (to parse information from U.S. and / or international driver's licenses), optical character recognition (to extend workflows that use template-based recognition), MRTD scanning (to read and parse data from passports, visas, IDs, and other travel documents), unattended mode (for high-speed sorting and fast decoding in manufacturing applications), keyboard wedge (to scan, decode, and then fill active fields on any form without manual entry), boarding pass scanning (to read, decode, and parse information on a boarding pass), Digimarc(c) (to read and decode Digimarc watermarking to increase scanning efficiency), and AR (to leverage barcode data to overlay information for an enhanced end-user experience).

[0030] In light of the above, while FIG. 5 shows a flow diagram illustrating an example of electronic process flow according to known techniques, in contrast, FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C show flow diagrams illustrating an example of electronic process flow within the system of the present invention according to a separate embodiment. FIG. 6A illustrates one exemplary flow process that may be employed as part of a manual (rather than automatic, as described below) pairing process between a user's mobile phone and tablet. Thus, when the described hybrid or basic decoder seen in FIG. 6B and the enhanced software decoding solution seen in FIG. 6C are provided, a secondary barcode scanning device, such as a corded or cordless scanner, may be required that can replace a secondary hardware scanner at a fraction of the hardware scanner cost. A key feature of the above hardware details is dedicated circuitry located within the associated tablet and / or barcode scanner and connected to the CPU and communications module so that an automatic scanning app launch module can automatically launch and display a scanning app that can provide an interface between the associated tablet and the customer's mobile device.

[0031] One or more communication modules (interfaces) may provide connectivity channels for receiving and transmitting information. These modules may include wired and / or wireless (Bluetooth, BLE, NFC, etc.) connectivity. One modality, NFC, may be used to pair the associated tablet with the customer's mobile device and may also be used to automatically launch the respective store's app on the display, as well as prompt for other communication needs. Near-field communication may occur through a near-field communication (NFC) module in the associated tablet. This dedicated circuitry is configured to receive, via the communication module described above, a special signal generated by the pairing of the associated tablet and the customer's mobile device, which prompts a routine to pull updated app information from, for example, the store's server. The dedicated circuitry, in one possible embodiment, may include one or more custom integrated circuits (ICs) specifically designed for use in wired and / or wireless communication channels, and may have a programmable circuit comprising at least one of a potential plurality of logical sectors coupled to an associated logical sector manager for communicating a configuration bitstream from at least one of a potential plurality of internal and / or external memory sectors to the programmable circuit, and may further include using one of the logical sector managers to generate a request for the configuration bitstream from any given memory sector. In other possible embodiments using dedicated circuitry, a given device may include two or more processors and / or sub-processors, and in such devices there may be a division of functionality for one or more processors and / or sub-processors.For example, one or more processors and / or sub-processors may perform general operating system or application program execution functions, while one or more others may perform communications modem functions, input / output functions, user interface functions, graphics or multimedia functions, communications stack functions, security functions, memory management or direct memory access functions, computation functions, and / or share these or other dedicated or partially dedicated functions. In some additional embodiments, any processor and / or any sub-processor may be capable of executing a low-level operating system, a high-level operating system, a combination of low-level and high-level operating systems, or may include logic implemented in hardware and / or software that does not rely on a division of functionality or hierarchy of processing functions common to operating systems.

[0032] As described above, when conducting a sales transaction using an associated tablet, the price of the item is typically encoded on a barcode or ultra-high frequency (UHF) tag located on the item. However, in other embodiments, the electronic device may use the received identification information to query for price information. For example, the associated tablet may transmit a SKU number to an external device, such as a server, to obtain price information associated with that SKU number. Using the received identification information, the associated tablet may determine a payment amount or amount to be paid, which may be transmitted to the user's mobile device or may be retained in the absence of a connected user mobile device. The associated tablet may also receive payment information through the communications module via a store server (not shown), which may include information for processing payment for the item. For example, the payment information may include credit card information swiped or inserted (chip read) by an associated credit card unit (if available; otherwise, it may be provided separately at a kiosk connected to the system) or by registering a payment code (e.g., QR code) generated by the electronic payment system used (e.g., Google Pay®, AliPay®, ApplePay®, etc.). Upon receiving the authentication code or message, the associated tablet may display a notification message on its display (in one embodiment, automatically scanned by a fixed camera at the checkout exit lane, etc.) alerting the merchant that the payment has been processed. In some situations, an item may not be properly recorded at the register through scanning. For example, a UHF tag or barcode may be damaged and unreadable. In these situations, an augmented vision solution as described below may be employed, or alternatively, graphical elements may be used to display a keypad for manually entering item identification information. Keys or buttons representing numbers and letters may be used to enter identification information for the item.In some embodiments, information displayed on a barcode or UHF tag can be entered through a virtual keypad, while in other embodiments, the keypad can be used to enter the item's name or model number, especially if the user does not have a mobile phone.

[0033] Additionally, the associated tablet in one embodiment may be a fixed device. In this regard, when the mobile device reaches a predefined proximity area of ​​the cashier system, e.g., the inner edge of its proximity beam, a detector sensor may scan a product identification tag, such as an RFID tag, attached to the user's shopping item, and the store's server device may confirm payment for the ongoing shopping transaction, so that the scanned shopping item can be paid for via the mobile payment service, i.e., the user / customer's and the store's respective accounts in the mobile payment service. Additionally, the user / customer may receive a receipt for the shopping transaction either immediately after the payment process or, particularly if wireless connectivity to the server is lacking, at a later time after resumption of wireless connectivity to the server, e.g., after leaving the store premises. The cashier system may open a physical entrance / exit gate to clear the lane so that the user / customer can exit the store after the payment process.

[0034] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, encryption may be provided between both electronic devices, such that any data transmission between any entities of the system described herein may or may not use encryption. Such encryption may be applied using common encryption standards such as the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) and point-to-point tunneling protocols such as Microsoft PPTP.

[0035] In one embodiment, the mobile scanner may be equipped with additional innovative features to prevent the criminal misuse of barcode scanning, a phenomenon that unfortunately emerges today within retail and other environments. This fraud prevention module may comprise one or more of the following three possible fraud prevention functions: (1) Secured scanning function: Given the reality that there are many existing barcode frauds that lead unknowing users to malicious sites, the mobile scanner may be equipped with a verification algorithm as seen in FIG. 8 that prevents a given scan of such a fake barcode from resulting in access to a malicious site or a site that otherwise does not comply with retailer policy; (2) Counterfeit barcode filter: Given that the employment of techniques designed to fraudulently replace existing legitimate barcodes with fake ones that lower product prices is unfortunately a well-known shopper criminal activity; however, the inventive filter provided in the mobile scanner can recognize product shapes and efficiently filter out counterfeit barcode scans, as seen in FIG. 7; and (3) Augmented reality: As previously explained above, this function may be repurposed for crime prevention use, whereby the mobile scanner can implement various augmented reality interfaces, such as detailed product information showing information about related products and inventory details for comparing scanned product details with previously verified details. FIG. 9 exemplarily details a peer-to-peer connection between electronic devices such as a smartphone and a tablet, in which WiFi or other wireless protocols such as Bluetooth® may be employed to establish communication between the devices, and in which additional functionality may be provided, such as data encryption being used when connecting through an automatic app connection based on the physical proximity of the smartphone holder and the phone (e.g., via NFC, etc.), or alternatively, by scanning a QR code®.

[0036] The foregoing description of examples, including graphically depicted examples, of the disclosed subject matter has been presented for purposes of illustration and description only and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the subject matter to the precise form disclosed. Numerous modifications, adaptations, and uses thereof may be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of this subject matter. The illustrative examples set forth above are provided to introduce the reader to the general subject matter described herein and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosed concepts.

Claims

1. 1. An improved scanning input access collaborative point of sale system (POS), comprising: (a) a mobile barcode scanner associated with a mobile device; (b) an automatic mobile scanning app launch module associated with the barcode scanner for automatically initiating a collaborative scanning routine upon receipt of a code from a collaborative electronic device; (c) a decoder module for locally decoding scanned barcodes, such as those scanned by the mobile barcode scanner; (d) a communications module, said communications module comprising: (i) a near field communication (NFC) device configured to detect a connection to a nearby NFC-enabled fixed cooperating electronic device; (ii) a Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE) interface configured to detect connections to fixed cooperating electronic devices; (iii) a wireless connectivity module configured to connect via WiFi, Bluetooth, or via a cellular connection; or (iv) Wired connection a communication module having at least one of: An improved scanning input access collaborative point of sale system (POS) comprising:

2. (e) a processor in electronic communication with the scanner, the processor comprising: (i) sending and receiving product identification and payment information to and from external connected electronic devices; (ii) retrieving electronic commerce information for a given marketplace and displaying it on an electronic display; (iii) displaying transaction information on the display; a processor having connectivity to dedicated circuitry for performing 10. The improved scanning input access collaborative point of sale (POS) system of claim 1, further comprising:

3. 3. The improved scanning input access collaborative point of sale (POS) system of claim 2, further comprising a comprehensive set of at least 100 symbologies embedded in the mobile barcode scanner's core decoding and database.

4. 4. The improved scanning input access collaborative point of sale (POS) system of claim 3, further comprising an anti-fraud module.

5. 5. The improved scanning input access collaborative point of sale system (POS) of claim 4, wherein the recharging interface is selected from at least one of the following: an electrical contact interface or an inductive interface.

6. 6. The improved scanning input access collaborative point of sale (POS) system of claim 5, wherein the charging interface includes customized charging circuitry for variable speed charging options.

7. 10. The improved scanning input access collaborative point of sale (POS) system of claim 6, further comprising a green charging module.

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