Unmanned Store Checkout Conveyor With AI Product Recognition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing product checkout systems in stores require manual scanning of barcodes, leading to increased customer waiting times and operational costs due to unnecessary congestion and labor requirements.
Innovation Solution
An unmanned store product checkout system utilizing a transfer unit with partitions, combined with barcode and image scanners, weight sensors, and artificial intelligence learning data to quickly and accurately identify products, guide placement, and classify them into designated areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual barcode scanning is used for product checkout, then product identification can be performed, but customer waiting time increases and store congestion occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical barcode scanning process with an automated optical scanning system. The scanner automatically captures images of products on the conveyor belt and uses image recognition algorithms to identify products, eliminating the need for manual scanning operations and significantly reducing customer waiting time while maintaining identification accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service checkout by automatically performing product identification without requiring customer interaction. The conveyor belt system with automatic scanning and image recognition allows the checkout process to serve itself, reducing both waiting time and the need for cashiers.
2Ease of operation
If manual product checkout is performed by employees, then products can be scanned and processed, but operational costs increase due to labor requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The checkout system is designed to operate autonomously without human intervention. The conveyor belt automatically transports products, the scanning system automatically captures and processes product images, and the system automatically calculates totals and generates receipts, eliminating the need for paid employees and reducing operational costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces human labor with an automated system comprising conveyor belts, image scanners, and processing computers. This mechanical and computational system performs all checkout operations that previously required employees, thereby reducing labor costs while maintaining operational ease.
3Productivity
If automated checkout system is implemented, then customer waiting time is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a multi-functional integrated design where the conveyor belt serves both as product transport mechanism and as the surface on which products are scanned. The image scanning system simultaneously performs multiple functions including product identification, barcode reading, and image archiving. This consolidation reduces overall system complexity while maintaining high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the scanning function with the conveyor belt system, positioning scanners above the belt to scan products as they pass. The system combines image recognition, barcode scanning, weight measurement, and payment processing into a single integrated workflow, reducing the number of separate components and simplifying system architecture.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables fast and accurate product recognition, reducing waiting times and operational costs by automating the checkout process and improving recognition rates through AI-driven identification.
Implementation Method 1
a weight sensor installed at a lower one side of the transfer unit, to measure a weight of the product
Implementation Method 2
a barcode scanner for recognizing a barcode of the product
Implementation Method 3
an image scanner for acquiring image information by scanning an image of the product
Data Source
Figure 1~2+
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A method and a device for product checkout in an unmanned store are disclosed. The device for product checkout in an unmanned store, according to one embodiment of the present invention, may comprise: a transfer unit having partitions for division at preset intervals, and transferring a product; a first product recognition unit for recognizing that the product is put on the transfer unit; a weight sensor for measuring the weight of the product; a scanning unit for scanning a barcode and an image of the product; a processor using artificial intelligence learning data so as to identify what the product is; a second product recognition unit for recognizing that the product has arrived at a second point; a product classification unit which is provided at the second point, and which classifies the product on the basis of the identification result of the product; a calculation unit for calculating the total price of the product; a display unit for providing the total price and a product list to a user; and a control unit for controlling, according to a first product recognition result of the first product recognition unit, operations of the transfer unit and the product classification unit.