Code Attribution Control System for Retail Ownership Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
In retail environments, unique codes on products are vulnerable to unauthorized scanning, leading to misuse of services and benefits by non-owners, and existing solutions are costly and cumbersome, making it difficult to manage ownership and prevent undesired scans.
Innovation Solution
A code attribution control system that allows unique codes to be openly displayed on products, enabling consumers to establish ownership by scanning outside the shop border, thereby linking the code to their identity and activating owner-restricted services without the need for in-store registration or electronic cash registers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If unique codes are openly displayed on products in the shop, then consumers can easily access product information and establish ownership, but non-owners can unauthorizedly scan and misuse services and benefits
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting the shop border location before code scanning occurs. The border detection system establishes a virtual boundary that triggers ownership verification protocols, preventing unauthorized scans before they can access services and benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The shop border acts as an intermediary element between the shop environment and the external environment. This virtual border mediates code scanning activities by requiring location verification, thus preventing direct unauthorized access while allowing legitimate customer interactions
2Object-affected harmful factors
If codes are hidden or protected by scratch panels or double layering, then unauthorized scanning is prevented, but product integrity is compromised and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful aspect of code scanning is extracted and separated from the physical product code. The system uses location-based detection to identify scanning attempts, extracting the authorization control function from the code itself and placing it in the digital border detection system, thereby eliminating the need for physical code protection mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
Physical code protection mechanisms (scratch panels, double layering, internal labels) are replaced with a digital/location-based system. The mechanical/physical protection approach is substituted with electronic border detection and digital verification, simplifying the overall system while maintaining security
3Reliability
If ownership verification requires in-store registration or electronic cash register interaction, then proper ownership control is established, but the process becomes cumbersome and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service ownership verification by allowing consumers to scan codes and establish ownership directly through their mobile devices without requiring shop staff intervention or electronic cash register interactions. The border detection system automatically verifies location and processes ownership registration, making the process both reliable and easy to operate
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary border detection and location verification before the actual code scanning and ownership establishment. This preliminary action ensures that ownership is only granted when the scanning occurs outside the shop border, maintaining reliability while simplifying the user process
Data Source
AI summary
A code attribution control system includes unique codes. Each code is arranged or marked openly accessible legible or scannable on a sales item. One or more of the sales items is openly and freely displayed and for sale within a physical border of a physical shop. The item initially is allocated a status code attribute as “not sold” in said attribution control system, wherein for a consumer to establish ownership or indication of ownership of the item, the consumer scans and registers the code outside the border of the shop. The status code attribute is changed to “sold” in the attribution control system, after which owner restricted services related to the item will be made available to the consumer.