Code Reading Apparatus Automatic Commodity Image Registration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current code reading apparatuses for supermarkets require manual image capture and registration of commodities, leading to labor-intensive management of commodity master files, as operators need to pick up images and update the files manually.

Innovation Solution

A self-checkout terminal equipped with a CCD camera for image pickup, a reading section to decode barcode information, and a storage control section that associates commodity images with information, allowing automatic storage and retrieval of images and data within the commodity master file, eliminating the need for manual image capture and registration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual image capture and registration is used for commodity master file management, then operators can update commodity information, but labor and time consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommodity master file managementVSAvoidtime for image capture and registration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automatic image capture and registration by having the commodity's own barcode serve as the identification key. When the barcode is scanned, the system automatically retrieves and stores the corresponding commodity image and information in the master file without requiring manual operator intervention for image capture and registration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical process of image capture and registration is replaced by an automated optical-electronic system. The barcode scanner optically reads the code, the system electronically processes the data, and automatically stores the commodity image and information in the master file, eliminating manual labor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If vertical scanner is used instead of handy-type scanner, then work efficiency improves, but manual image pickup for unregistered commodities is still required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvework efficiencyVSAvoidcommodity registration operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system allows unregistered commodities to be automatically registered through self-service. When a commodity with an unregistered barcode is scanned, the system automatically captures the image, extracts commodity information, registers it in the master file, and makes it available for future transactions without requiring manual operator intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary automatic registration of unregistered commodities before they need to be manually processed. By automatically capturing images and registering new commodities as they are scanned, the system prepares the master file in advance, eliminating the need for subsequent manual image pickup and registration operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If automatic image capture and storage is implemented, then labor and time for master file management is reduced, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesales registration efficiencyVSAvoidsystem configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The barcode scanner serves multiple functions: it identifies registered commodities for normal transactions and simultaneously identifies unregistered commodities for automatic registration. The system's control unit performs multiple tasks including barcode decoding, image capture control, information extraction, and master file updates, making the system multi-functional without requiring separate dedicated devices for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution streamlines the sales registration process by automating the image capture and data storage, reducing labor and time required for managing commodity master files, enhancing efficiency and accuracy in sales registration operations.

Implementation Method 1

an image pickup section for picking up an image including an image of a commodity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS8302862B2Code reading apparatus and code reading method

Publication Date: 2012.11.06 TOSHIBA TEC KK

AI summary

According to one embodiment, a code reading apparatus includes an image pickup section, a reading section, and a storage control section. The image pickup section picks up an image including an image of a commodity to be subjected to sales registration. The reading section reads commodity information indicating the commodity to be subjected to the sales registration from the picked-up image. The storage control section causes a commodity master file, which stores commodity information indicating a commodity and a commodity image of the commodity indicated by the commodity information in association with each other, to store the picked-up image as the commodity image in association with the read commodity information.