Dual Camera Reading Apparatus for Parallel Checkout Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional checkout systems are inefficient as they require shop clerks to interrupt their work to handle service cards or information, and customers find it troublesome to present these, leading to potential drops in work efficiency and customer privacy concerns with the use of communication terminals.
Innovation Solution
A reading apparatus positioned between the operator and customer, equipped with dual image capturing sections for photographing commodities and customer-held items, along with a processing section that outputs images to a POS terminal for sales registration, allowing parallel processing and reducing the need for manual handling of service information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the shop clerk manually handles service cards or service information during checkout, then service processing can be completed, but work efficiency decreases due to interruptions in the registration workflow
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by allowing customers to automatically present their service cards or service information through image capturing sections. The reading apparatus automatically reads the presented information without requiring shop clerk intervention, thus maintaining workflow continuity while completing service processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical process of shop clerks physically handling service cards is replaced by an optical reading system. Image capturing sections photograph the service cards or information, and the reading apparatus automatically processes the data, eliminating the need for manual intervention and interruptions.
2Ease of operation
If customers present service cards or service information to the shop clerk, then service processing can be completed, but customer convenience decreases due to the troublesome presentation process
Solution Approach 1:
Customers perform self-service by simply presenting their service cards or service information to the image capturing section. The system automatically reads and processes the information without requiring customers to manually input data or engage in complex presentation procedures, saving their time and effort.
Solution Approach 2:
Service information is prepared in advance on service cards or digital devices. Customers only need to present the pre-prepared information to the reading apparatus, which automatically processes it. This eliminates the need for customers to perform additional actions during the checkout process.
3Adaptability or versatility
If customers show communication terminals to the shop clerk for service information, then service can be accessed, but privacy concerns arise due to displaying personal information publicly
Solution Approach 1:
The reading apparatus serves as an intermediary between the customer's communication terminal and the service system. Instead of the shop clerk directly viewing the customer's personal information on the terminal screen, the reading apparatus captures the display through image processing and transmits only the necessary data to the service system, reducing privacy exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates an optical copy of the service information displayed on the customer's terminal through the image capturing section. This copy is then processed by the reading apparatus to extract necessary data, allowing service access without requiring the shop clerk to directly view or handle the original personal information.
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 parallel reading of commodities and additional information, minimizing the need for customers to show communication terminals or service cards, thus streamlining the checkout process.
Implementation Method 1
a first image capturing section for an operator, arranged at a main body, for photographing a commodity to capture an image of the commodity; a second image capturing section for a customer, arranged at the main body, for photographing an item held by the customer to capture an image of the item
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a reading apparatus is arranged between an operator and a customer face-to-face standing. The reading apparatus includes a main body, a first image capturing section for the operator, a second image capturing section for the customer, and a processing section, an output section. The first image capturing section is arranged at the main body and photographs a commodity. The second image capturing section is arranged at the main body and photographs the customer-holding object. The processing section executes sales registration. The output section acquires images captured by the first and second image capturing sections to output the images to the processing section. When transaction starting is instructed, the output section acquires the images captured by the first and second image capturing sections and adds an identifier to each image to be output to the processing section. The identifier represents a source capturing an image.