Camera Timeout for Retail Scanning Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable computerized devices used for scanning items in retail environments experience significant battery drain due to continuous camera usage, potentially leading to device power depletion during extended shopping trips.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a process where the camera device is deactivated when not in use, with features like a 'SCAN NOW' button activation, accelerometer-based orientation detection, and the option to save scanned items for later, allowing the device to conserve battery life by minimizing computationally intensive processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the camera device remains active continuously to enable immediate scanning, then the scanning readiness and productivity are improved, but the battery life and duration of action deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The camera device transitions between active and inactive states periodically based on user interaction. The system activates the camera only when scanning is needed (upon button press or orientation detection) and deactivates it after a timeout period or when not in use, creating a periodic on/off cycle that conserves battery while maintaining scanning capability when required
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting user orientation using the accelerometer before activating the camera. This preliminary detection determines whether the user is holding the device in a scanning-ready orientation, and only then does the system activate the camera, avoiding unnecessary activation and extending battery life
2Ease of operation
If the camera device is activated continuously to ensure immediate scanning, then the ease of operation is improved, but the energy consumption and loss of energy increase
Solution Approach 1:
The camera operates periodically rather than continuously, activating only when triggered by user interaction (button press or detected orientation) and deactivating after a timeout or when the user stops interacting with the device, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining ease of use when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the accelerometer sensor to detect user orientation and provides visual feedback through the display to guide the user on proper device positioning. This feedback mechanism ensures the camera activates only when the device is in the correct orientation, reducing unnecessary activation and energy waste while maintaining operational ease
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
This approach extends battery life by reducing unnecessary camera activation and computation, enabling prolonged use during shopping trips without the need for frequent recharging.
Implementation Method 1
Accelerometer-based orientation detection
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented process for a customer to scan items for purchase and proceed to a rapid checkout can be operated within a processor of a portable computerized device. The process includes monitoring a scan of an item to be purchased, the scan comprising an image captured by a camera device of the portable computerized device, commanding deactivation of the camera device after execution of the scan, monitoring an indication by a user of the portable computerized device that an item is to be scanned, and commanding activation of the camera device based upon the monitored activation.