Asynchronous Product Data Processing for High-Throughput Pre-Orders
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for product identification and payment in institutional catering are inefficient, requiring barcodes that are costly, prone to reading errors, and limit throughput, necessitating users to move between data acquisition and validation stations.
Innovation Solution
An installation and method for asynchronous processing of product data, allowing pre-orders to be generated at an acquisition station and processed independently at a separate processing station, eliminating the need for barcodes and enabling continuous user flow without the need to visit the processing station for finalization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If barcode identification systems are used for product recognition, then product identification can be achieved, but the system becomes complex and expensive requiring barcodes on each product and dedicated acquisition stations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses image capture to create a visual copy of the product instead of requiring physical barcodes. The image serves as the identification medium, eliminating the need for separate barcode labels while maintaining product identification capability. This reduces system complexity by removing barcode printing, application, and maintenance infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical barcode reading system with an optical image recognition system. Instead of using barcode scanners that read printed patterns, the system captures images and uses image processing to identify products, thereby eliminating the mechanical components and infrastructure associated with barcode systems.
2Reliability
If synchronous processing is used where users must complete data acquisition and validation at the same station, then data accuracy can be ensured, but user throughput is limited to around six trays per minute
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the checkout system into separate functional modules: an acquisition station for image capture and pre-order data collection, and a validation station for order processing. This segmentation allows users to complete acquisition quickly and move on, while validation is performed separately, thereby increasing throughput without compromising data accuracy through the distributed validation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements pre-order processing where acquisition stations capture images and store pre-order data before validation occurs. This preliminary action allows the system to prepare order information in advance, enabling faster validation later and increasing overall throughput while maintaining accurate product identification through the stored image data.
3Productivity
If barcode reading systems are implemented, then product data can be captured, but reading errors occur due to barcode degradation and improper orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces barcode reading with image copying. Instead of relying on printed barcodes that can degrade or be misoriented, the system captures a visual copy of the entire product or tray. This image copy is then processed to extract product information, eliminating reading errors associated with degraded or improperly oriented barcodes while maintaining data capture capability.
4Reliability
If users must visit both acquisition and validation stations, then complete order processing can be achieved, but waiting time increases and user flow is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the order processing function so that acquisition stations handle image capture and pre-order data collection, while validation stations handle order finalization. This segmentation allows users to complete acquisition quickly and proceed to consumption areas, with validation occurring in parallel, thereby reducing waiting time while ensuring complete order processing through the distributed validation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a centralized server as an intermediary that coordinates between acquisition and validation stations. The server manages pre-order data storage and validation processes, enabling seamless communication between stations without requiring users to physically move between them, thus reducing waiting time while ensuring complete and accurate order processing.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an installation comprising an acquisition post (1) making it possible, for several successive users, to acquire data relating to a product or set of products and to generate corresponding pre-orders. The installation also comprises a processing post (2) which comprises a screen (20) and a pre-orders processing interface. The interface comprises elements for selecting reference products. When the operator selects a reference product, a datum of the reference product is added into an order associated with the pre-order currently undergoing processing. The invention also relates to a corresponding method.