Mobile Shopping Cart Item Identification via Segmented Weight Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shopping carts lack efficient mechanisms for accurately identifying items placed within them and determining their location within a facility, leading to inaccuracies in inventory management and transaction processing.
Innovation Solution
A mobile apparatus equipped with sensors, including weight sensors and imaging devices, that attach to a basket and tray, allowing for precise item identification and location determination within a facility, while maintaining an air gap to prevent user weight interference and ensuring accurate weight measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the basket is attached directly to the main frame, then structural stability is improved, but weight sensor accuracy deteriorates due to user weight interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the support structure into two separate components: a main frame and a basket. The basket is attached to the main frame through a chassis that includes weight sensors, creating distinct measurement points. This segmentation allows the weight sensors to measure only the items placed in the basket without being influenced by user weight on the main frame, while still maintaining structural stability through the connected framework.
Solution Approach 2:
The chassis acts as an intermediary component between the main frame and the basket. It provides a dedicated mounting structure for the weight sensors and allows the basket to be attached without direct contact with the main frame. This intermediary structure isolates the weight measurement function from the structural support function, preventing user weight interference while maintaining overall structural integrity.
2Strength
If the basket contacts the main frame, then structural support is improved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support system is segmented into the main frame, chassis, and basket as separate components. The basket does not directly contact the main frame but is supported through the chassis structure. This segmentation creates independent measurement paths for weight sensors, ensuring that structural support and weight measurement functions are decoupled to prevent interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The chassis serves as an intermediary structure that provides both structural support and a mounting platform for weight sensors. It enables the basket to be supported without direct contact with the main frame, creating a isolated measurement environment where weight sensors can accurately measure only the items in the basket without contamination from user weight or structural contact.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If imaging devices are added to identify items, then item identification capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensing functions (weight sensors and imaging devices) into a single integrated mobile apparatus. The imaging devices are mounted on the user-facing module of the mobile apparatus, working in conjunction with the weight sensors to provide comprehensive item identification. This merging approach consolidates multiple functions into one system rather than using separate independent systems, managing complexity through integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile apparatus is designed as a multi-functional device that performs both weight measurement and visual identification functions. The user-facing module integrates imaging devices that can capture images of items, while the basket area includes weight sensors. This universal design allows a single apparatus to handle multiple tasks (weighing and identifying items) that would otherwise require separate systems, thereby managing overall device complexity.
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
The mobile apparatus effectively identifies items and determines its location, enhancing inventory management and transaction accuracy by isolating user weight from item weight measurements and maintaining operational compatibility with Electronic Alert Surveillance systems.
Implementation Method 1
weight sensors configured to detect items placed within the mobile apparatus
Implementation Method 2
imaging devices configured to capture images of items placed within the mobile apparatus
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure describes, in part, a mobile apparatus for identifying items. For instance, the mobile apparatus may include a frame, a basket that attaches to the frame, a tray that attaches to the frame, and a user-facing module that attaches to the frame. Weight sensors may be located beneath the basket and the tray in order to determine the weights of items added to the mobile apparatus. The user-facing module may include imaging devices, such as cameras, that the mobile apparatus uses to perform one or more functions. For example, the mobile apparatus may use the imaging devices to identify items placed within the basket, determine locations of the mobile apparatus within a facility, and/or the like. By including these components, the mobile apparatus is able to generate data that represents the items added to the mobile apparatus, the weights of the items, and the costs of the items.