Image-Based Checkout System Without Physical Gates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing store systems that eliminate settlement processing at a register counter require the installation of gates or vehicles, making them impractical in environments where these are not feasible, such as in offices with space and cost constraints.
Innovation Solution
A processing apparatus that uses image processing to recognize product and customer information, registering the product when picked up and executing settlement when the customer leaves a designated area, eliminating the need for physical gates or vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a gate is installed to enable automatic settlement processing, then settlement efficiency is improved, but installation cost and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the gate structure from the settlement system, eliminating the need for physical gates while maintaining automatic settlement functionality. The system uses image processing cameras and recognition technology to identify customers and products without requiring customers to pass through a gate, thus reducing installation cost and space requirements while preserving settlement efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical gate system with an optical and computational system. Instead of using physical barriers and mechanical sensors, the system employs image processing cameras, computer vision algorithms, and digital recognition to achieve automatic settlement, thereby eliminating complex mechanical infrastructure while maintaining high productivity.
2Extent of automation
If a vehicle is used for settlement processing, then automatic settlement is achieved, but adaptability to different environments is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a universal settlement system that can be deployed in various environments without requiring vehicles. The image processing-based system can be installed in stores, offices, or any location with adequate space for camera placement, making it adaptable to different settings while maintaining automatic settlement functionality. The system serves multiple purposes including customer identification, product recognition, and settlement processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses digital image copies and data representations instead of physical vehicle-based systems. By capturing images of customers and products and processing them digitally, the system achieves automatic settlement without requiring the complex infrastructure of vehicle-based systems, thereby enhancing environmental adaptability while maintaining automation.
3Measurement precision
If image processing is used to recognize products and customers, then registration accuracy is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-registering customer information and product data before the actual settlement process. Customer profiles, product images, and pricing information are stored in advance, allowing the image processing system to quickly match and recognize items during settlement without performing complex analysis in real-time, thus maintaining high accuracy while reducing processing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where recognition results are continuously refined. The image processing system compares captured images with stored reference data, receives feedback on recognition confidence levels, and adjusts processing parameters accordingly. This feedback loop enables the system to maintain high recognition accuracy while optimizing processing speed by focusing computational resources only when needed.
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 convenient and efficient settlement processing without the need for gates or vehicles, reducing costs and space requirements while enhancing user convenience and saving store time and labor.
Implementation Method 1
a registration means for recognizing, based on image processing, product discrimination information of a product picked up from a product placing space
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a processing apparatus (10) including: a registration unit (12) that recognizes, based on image processing, product discrimination information of a product picked up from a product placing space, and registers the recognized product discrimination information in association with customer discrimination information; and a settlement unit (13) that executes, when it is detected, based on image processing, that a customer having picked up the product performs a predetermined action, a settlement based on a registration content resulting from the registration unit (12).