Handheld Scanner with Dual Buttons for Volume and Barcode
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Solution Overview
Problem
Shipping companies face inefficiency and increased hardware costs due to the separation of volume measuring apparatuses and barcode scanners, requiring staff to use multiple devices for measuring and tracking goods, which complicates operations and increases expenses.
Innovation Solution
A handheld barcode scanner with volume measuring function that incorporates multiple buttons to perform both volume measuring and barcode decoding actions, allowing for a single device to handle these tasks efficiently and flexibly, reducing hardware costs for manufacturers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate measuring apparatus and barcode scanner are used, then each device can perform its specific function, but the hardware cost increases and operation becomes inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a volume measuring apparatus and a barcode scanner into a single integrated handheld device. The measuring unit includes cameras for capturing box images, while the scanning unit includes a barcode capturing unit. Both functions share common components such as the processor, power supply, and housing, eliminating the need for separate devices and reducing hardware costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The handheld device is designed to perform multiple functions: volume measurement of boxes using image capture and processing, barcode scanning and decoding, and wireless data transmission. The device can switch between different measurement modes (volume, weight, dimension) and scanning modes, making it a universal tool for logistics operations.
2Productivity
If multiple separate devices are used for measuring and scanning, then each function can be performed independently, but operational efficiency decreases and time is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the volume measuring apparatus and barcode scanner into one handheld device, allowing staff to perform both volume measurement and barcode scanning without switching between separate devices. The unified design enables continuous operation and data collection in a single workflow.
Solution Approach 2:
The device captures both the box image for volume measurement and the barcode image in sequence during a single approach to the goods. The processor automatically processes both images and transmits the data, eliminating the need for separate measurement and scanning steps.
3Device complexity
If a single device performs both measuring and scanning functions, then hardware cost is reduced, but the device requires multiple buttons and controls increasing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic button functionality where the same physical button can trigger different operations based on the current operational mode. The processor determines whether a button press should initiate volume measurement, barcode scanning, or mode switching, making the control interface adaptive rather than static.
Solution Approach 2:
The device provides visual feedback through a display screen and auditory feedback through a buzzer to indicate the current operational mode and measurement results. This feedback mechanism helps users understand the device's state without needing to remember complex control sequences, simplifying the user experience.
Data Source
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AI summary
A volume measuring apparatus (1) is disclosed and includes a body (2) having a working part (21) and a holding part (22) extended downward from the bottom of the working part (21), a processor (10) arranged in the body (2), a first camera (13), a second camera (14), and a barcode capturing unit (17) arranged on a front end (212) of the working part (21), a first button (11) arranged on one side of the holding part (22), and a second button (12) arranged on a top (211) of the working part (21). The first button (11) and the second button (12) are different types of button. By respectively operating the first button (11) and the second button (12), the processor (10) is controlled to perform a measuring action of the volume of a target box (3) or to perform a decoding action of a target barcode (31) based on the image captured by at least one of the first camera (13), the second camera (12), and the barcode capturing unit (17).