Guided Product Checkout Transfer for Accurate Unmanned Store Recognition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing product checkout methods in stores require manual scanning of barcodes, leading to increased customer waiting time and operational costs due to employee hiring, and there is a need for quick and accurate unmanned checkout solutions.
Innovation Solution
An unmanned store product checkout apparatus and method utilizing a transfer unit with guide devices, product recognition units, weight sensors, and artificial intelligence learning data to identify and classify products, ensuring accurate and efficient scanning and classification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual barcode scanning is performed by store workers, then product checkout can be accurately performed, but customer waiting time increases and operational costs increase due to employee hiring
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service checkout where customers place products on the transfer unit and the automated system performs scanning, identification, and classification without requiring store employees. The guide devices automatically guide products through the scanning path, and the processor automatically identifies products using barcode scanning and image recognition, eliminating the need for manual operation while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical barcode scanning with automated optical scanning systems. The scan unit uses optical sensors to capture barcode images and product images, which are then processed by the processor using image recognition algorithms. This substitution of mechanical manual scanning with automated optical and computational systems eliminates human labor while improving scanning speed and accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If manual barcode scanning is performed by store workers, then product checkout can be accurately performed, but operational costs increase due to hiring employees
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service checkout where customers place products on the transfer unit and the automated system performs scanning, identification, and classification without requiring store employees. The guide devices automatically guide products through the scanning path, and the processor automatically identifies products using barcode scanning and image recognition, eliminating the need for manual operation while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical barcode scanning with automated optical scanning systems. The scan unit uses optical sensors to capture barcode images and product images, which are then processed by the processor using image recognition algorithms. This substitution of mechanical manual scanning with automated optical and computational systems eliminates human labor while improving scanning speed and accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If products are scanned one by one manually, then accurate identification can be achieved, but checkout speed decreases and congestion in the store increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer unit continuously moves products through the scanning path without interruption, and the scan unit continuously captures images of products as they pass by. The processor continuously processes images and identifies products in real-time. This continuous operation eliminates the stop-start nature of manual scanning, maintaining high accuracy while significantly increasing checkout speed and reducing store congestion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical barcode scanning with automated optical scanning systems. The scan unit uses optical sensors to capture barcode images and product images, which are then processed by the processor using image recognition algorithms. This substitution of mechanical manual scanning with automated optical and computational systems eliminates human labor while improving scanning speed and accuracy.
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
Enables quick and accurate product checkout by increasing recognition rates through AI learning data and guiding product placement, reducing waiting times and operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
a weight sensor installed at a lower one side of the transfer unit, to measure a weight of the product
Implementation Method 2
a barcode scanner for recognizing the barcode of the product
Implementation Method 3
an image scanner for acquiring image information by scanning the image of the product
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for product checkout in an unmanned store. The apparatus for product checkout in an unmanned store, according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprises: a transfer unit that includes a guide apparatus for guiding a user to insert a product and transfers the product; a first product recognition unit that recognizes that the product is placed on the transfer unit; a weight sensor that measures the weight of the product; a scan unit that scans a barcode and an image of the product; a processor that uses artificial intelligence learning data to identify what the product is; a second product recognition unit that recognizes that the product has arrived at a second point; a product classification unit that classifies the product on the basis of results of the identification of the product; a calculation unit that calculates a total price of the product; a display unit that provides, to the user, the total price and a list of products; and a control unit that controls operations of the transfer unit and the product classification unit.