Commodity Registration Control for Electronic Watermarks and Discount Seals

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Solution Overview

Problem

In existing systems, the use of electronic watermarks and discount seals on commodities can lead to double registration when read by POS terminals, as code readers continuously read invisible information before reading visible symbols, resulting in redundant commodity registration processes.

Innovation Solution

An information processing device with a camera, evaluator units, and output generator to determine and prevent double registration by comparing commodity identification information from electronic watermarks and discount seals, ensuring accurate and single registration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If electronic watermarks are printed on multiple portions of commodities to improve reading operability, then the readability and designability of commodities are improved, but double registration occurs when discount seals are also attached

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereading operabilityVSAvoidregistration accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback by comparing commodity identification information from both electronic watermarks and discount seals against already-registered commodity data. When a match is found, the system provides feedback to prevent duplicate registration, thereby maintaining registration accuracy while allowing multiple watermark placements for improved readability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit acts as an intermediary between the code reader and the POS terminal registration process. It receives reading results from both electronic watermarks and discount seals, processes them through comparison logic, and determines whether to allow registration, thus preventing double registration while maintaining the benefits of multiple watermark placements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If code readers continuously read invisible information before reading discount seals, then electronic watermark reading is improved, but redundant commodity registration processes occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereading speedVSAvoidtime for registration process

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-comparing commodity identification information from electronic watermarks and discount seals against the database of already-registered commodities before initiating the registration process. This preliminary check prevents redundant registration processes, saving time while maintaining high reading speed capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit implements feedback by continuously monitoring reading results and comparing them against registered commodity data. When duplicate information is detected, the system provides immediate feedback to prevent redundant registration, thereby eliminating time waste while preserving the high-speed reading capability of the code reader.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If discount seals are attached to commodities with electronic watermarks, then discount information can be displayed, but double registration occurs causing operational errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediscount promotion capabilityVSAvoidregistration accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit serves as an intermediary that receives and processes information from both electronic watermarks and discount seals. It compares commodity identification information from both sources against the registered commodity database and determines whether to permit registration, thus enabling discount promotions while preventing registration errors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback mechanisms where the control unit compares commodity identification information from discount seals and electronic watermarks against existing registered data. When a match is found, feedback is provided to prevent duplicate registration, maintaining reliability while preserving the versatility of discount promotion capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12406246B2Information processing device and method

Publication Date: 2025.09.02 TOSHIBA TEC KK

AI summary

According to embodiments, a device includes a camera configured to read a symbol attached to a commodity and capture an image containing discount information attached to the commodity; a commodity information storage configured to store information regarding the commodity acquired by reading the symbol attached to the commodity; a first evaluator configured to determine whether prior commodity information stored in the commodity information storage includes information related to invisible information, in response to reading discount information attached to the commodity; a second evaluator configured to determine whether commodity identification information included in the discount information is identical to commodity identification information included in the information related to the invisible information, in response to the first evaluator determining that the prior commodity information stored in the commodity storage includes the information related to the invisible information; and an output generator configured to output information related to the discount information.