Biometric Retail Scale Operator Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Retail scales require simplified operation and high security against incorrect use, especially during peak times, while ensuring quick service to customers, which existing technologies fail to achieve effectively.
Innovation Solution
A scale with a control device that automatically determines the operator's identity using biometric data and links it to the weight value, storing the data in a sales memory for automated invoicing, reducing manual entries and incorporating a proximity sensor to initiate user identification upon approach, along with a camera for non-contact recognition and digital image processing for automatic product identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual entry of operator identity is required, then security against incorrect operation is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates and service speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The scale system performs automatic operator identification through biometric sensors without requiring manual intervention. The system serves itself by automatically capturing biometric data, comparing it with stored profiles, and linking the identified operator to weighing operations, thereby eliminating manual code entry while maintaining security
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical process of entering codes or keys is replaced with an automated biometric recognition system using optical, acoustic, or other physical fields. The control device automatically processes biometric signals to identify operators, substituting human manual input with automated sensor-based identification
2Reliability
If manual entry of operator identity is required, then security against incorrect operation is improved, but productivity deteriorates during peak times
Solution Approach 1:
Operator biometric data is pre-stored in the control device's memory before actual weighing operations. When an operator approaches the scale, the system quickly compares their biometric data against the pre-stored profiles and immediately establishes their identity, enabling seamless operation during peak times without manual code entry delays
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically performs the entire identification process without requiring operator intervention for code entry. The biometric sensor continuously monitors for an approaching operator, automatically initiates recognition when triggered, and links the identified operator to the weighing operation, maximizing service speed while maintaining security
3Measurement precision
If biometric recognition is performed continuously, then user identification accuracy is improved, but computing capacity requirements and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous biometric recognition, the system uses periodic triggering based on proximity detection. The biometric sensor is activated only when the proximity sensor detects an operator approaching the scale, reducing unnecessary processing while maintaining accurate identification when actually needed
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary proximity detection before initiating the computationally intensive biometric recognition process. This preliminary action filters out unnecessary recognition attempts and activates the biometric system only when an operator is actually present, optimizing computing resource usage
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
The solution enables efficient, secure, and quick operation of scales by minimizing manual entries, ensuring accurate user and product recognition, and automating the sales process, thereby improving service efficiency during peak times.
Implementation Method 1
Provision is made for the scale to have a housing with a proximity sensor, which can be in the form of an infrared sensor or an ultrasonic sensor. This proximity sensor detects the user approaching the scales
Implementation Method 2
The control device determines the user's identity using biometric data. Biometric data is such data that z. B. based on image recognition via a camera, or a fingerprint sensor or voice recognition.
Implementation Method 3
The control device can be connected to digital image processing, which has a camera directed at the load plate. The digital image processing performs an evaluation of the camera image to recognize the goods to be weighed
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a scale (11) with a personal data storage device (41) containing stored biometric personal data and a biometric sensor (23) for capturing biometric personal data. To enable easy operation of the scale (11), a control device (4) identifies a user by comparing the measured and stored biometric personal data, automatically links the user information with weighing information, and stores the associated data in a sales memory (42).