Checkout Reader Layout for Parallel Item and NFC Membership Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional checkout systems disrupt the workflow of shop clerks and inconvenience customers due to the need for manual handling of membership cards for point redemption, leading to inefficiencies and increased customer effort.
Innovation Solution
A reading apparatus positioned between the operator and customer, equipped with an image capturing section for photographing commodities and a near-field communication reading section for customers to input additional information, allowing parallel processing of commodity and membership information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual handling of membership cards is used for point redemption, then customer identification and point management can be achieved, but shop clerk work efficiency decreases and customer convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by allowing customers to automatically present their membership information through mobile terminals. The mobile terminal displays a unique identifier that the reading apparatus automatically reads, eliminating the need for customers to manually show physical cards and for clerks to manually input data. This automated self-service mechanism resolves the contradiction by improving clerk efficiency while maintaining ease of customer operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of physical card presentation and manual data entry with an automated electronic reading system. The reading apparatus uses optical or electromagnetic fields to automatically read membership identifiers from mobile terminals, substituting the mechanical actions of handing over cards and manually typing data. This substitution simultaneously improves work efficiency and customer convenience.
2Reliability
If membership card information is read manually, then point redemption processing can be completed, but checkout process time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements preliminary action by having customers prepare their mobile terminal with membership information before reaching the checkout counter. The unique identifier is already displayed and ready to be read, eliminating the need for clerks to manually search for or input membership data during the checkout process. This preliminary preparation reduces checkout time while maintaining accurate point redemption processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the time-consuming manual processes of card handling and data entry with automated electronic reading. The reading apparatus quickly captures membership information from the mobile terminal using optical or electromagnetic fields, significantly reducing the time required for point redemption while ensuring accurate processing through automated data capture.
3Loss of information
If customers physically show membership cards, then identification information can be transmitted, but customer effort and inconvenience increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses copying by displaying a digital representation (unique identifier) of the membership information on the mobile terminal screen. Instead of requiring customers to physically handle and present the actual membership card, the system reads the digital copy displayed on the screen. This copying approach ensures accurate transmission of identification information while eliminating the physical effort and inconvenience of card handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical action of physically showing and handling membership cards with an automated electronic reading process. The reading apparatus uses optical fields to read the displayed unique identifier from the mobile terminal screen, substituting the manual mechanical process of card presentation. This substitution maintains accurate information transmission while significantly reducing customer effort.
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 work efficiency and customer convenience by enabling simultaneous reading of commodity and membership information, reducing labor and time for customers and improving the overall checkout process.
Implementation Method 1
a reading section for customer to communicate with an object, which is held by the customer and is capable of realizing near field communication, to read specified additional information stored in the object
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with one embodiment, a reading apparatus, arranged at a position between an operator and a customer who stand in a face to face manner, comprises a main body having an opening on a surface thereof facing the operator, an image capturing section for operator, housed in the main body, configured to photograph a commodity through the opening of the main body to capture an image of the commodity, and a reading section for customer, arranged on the main body, configured to communicate with an object, which is held by the customer and is capable of realizing near field communication, to read specified additional information stored in the object.