Bulk Food Weighing With Sensor ID Tare Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems for weighing and selling products lack efficiency and accuracy in managing product sales data, particularly for bulk foods, leading to suboptimal sales processes.
Innovation Solution
A product sales data processing system incorporating a sensor attachable to bulk food containers, a weighing apparatus with a receiver, display, and a processor to manage product information, calculate net weights, and issue labels with tare weights, enabling accurate sales data processing and improved sales efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional weighing systems are used for bulk foods, then basic weighing function is provided, but sales data processing efficiency and accuracy are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor attached to the bulk food container automatically detects when the container is opened or closed and transmits the sensor ID to the weighing apparatus, which then automatically retrieves and displays the corresponding tare weight from storage without requiring manual input. This self-service mechanism eliminates manual data entry errors and improves both processing efficiency and measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a feedback loop where the sensor detects container state changes, transmits information to the weighing apparatus, which then retrieves stored tare weight data and displays it for verification. This closed-loop feedback ensures accurate weight management by continuously verifying container identification and corresponding tare weights.
2Ease of operation
If manual tare weight input is used, then container weight management is possible, but operational complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tare weight for each sensor ID is pre-stored in the weighing apparatus's storage unit before actual weighing operations. When a container is brought to the weighing station, the system automatically retrieves the pre-stored tare weight corresponding to the detected sensor ID, eliminating the need for manual tare weight entry during operation and significantly reducing time consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The weighing apparatus automatically performs the tare weight retrieval and display functions based on the sensor ID detection, without requiring manual intervention for data entry. This self-service operation simplifies the user interface to merely placing the container on the scale and pressing a weighing button, greatly improving ease of operation.
3Extent of automation
If sensor detection is implemented for container state, then automated data transmission is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor functionality is extracted as a separate, attachable component that can be independently attached to or removed from the bulk food container. This modular approach allows the sensing function to be added without fundamentally redesigning the entire weighing system, managing device complexity by separating the detection function from the weighing apparatus core.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor is designed with a universal attachment mechanism that can be applied to various bulk food container types, and the weighing apparatus is configured to handle multiple sensor IDs with their corresponding tare weights. This multi-functionality allows the same system architecture to serve different container types without increasing complexity proportionally.
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
Enhances sales efficiency by accurately determining product weights and applying discounts for reusable containers, improving customer experience and reducing operational complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor module configured to detect displacement of the sensor
Implementation Method 2
a weighing scale configured to measure a tare weight, the tare weight being a weight of a container owned by a user when the container is empty
Implementation Method 3
a reader/writer configured to write the tare weight to a non-contact IC medium attached to a label
Data Source
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AI summary
A product sales data processing system (1) includes: a sensor (10) attachable to a bulk food container (300) of a product; and a weighing apparatus (25). The sensor (10) includes: a sensor module (12) configured to detect a change of a tilt angle or a rotation angle of the sensor (10); a processor (11) configured to determine whether the tilt angle or the rotation angle is equal to or greater than a predetermined value; a memory (100) configured to store a sensor ID identifying the sensor (10); and a transmitter (14) configured to transmit the sensor ID stored in the memory (100) when the processor (11) of the sensor (10) determines that the tilt angle or the rotation angle is equal to or greater than the predetermined displacement value. The weighing apparatus (25) includes: a receiver configured to receive the sensor ID transmitted from the sensor (10); and a display (26) that is a touch display that receives a user operation, and is configured to display product information associated with the sensor ID, the product information including a product button that receives a user operation to specify the product as a weighing object.