Mobile Checkout System Using Portable Device Barcode Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Self-service checkout lines at stores using barcode scanners often have longer wait times compared to employee-operated registers, leading to inefficiencies in the shopping experience.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a mobile device checkout system where customers use their personal portable devices, such as cellular telephones, to scan items and complete transactions by capturing images of barcodes, transmitting data over networks, and receiving price information, allowing for checkout anywhere within the store or at a designated area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If self-service checkout registers with barcode scanners are provided, then customers can checkout independently, but the checkout lines become longer and wait times increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the checkout process from a fixed two-dimensional register location to a mobile three-dimensional experience where the checkout point can be anywhere in the store. Customers use portable devices to scan items throughout the store and complete transactions at any location, eliminating the need to queue at traditional registers.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables complete self-service checkout where customers independently scan items using their portable devices, automatically retrieve pricing information, and complete payments without employee assistance. The portable device itself serves as both the scanner and the checkout terminal.
2Productivity
If traditional self-service registers are used, then checkout functionality is provided, but the physical infrastructure requires significant space and equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the checkout functionality from fixed physical registers and relocates it to portable devices already possessed by customers. The scanning, pricing, and payment functions are moved from stationary equipment to mobile platforms, eliminating the need for dedicated checkout infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable device serves multiple functions: it acts as the barcode scanner, the pricing database interface, the payment terminal, and the receipt dispenser. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate dedicated equipment for each checkout function.
Data Source
AI summary
In one example, a portable device having a camera downloads checkout software. The camera is then used to capture images of indicia associated with products in a store, such as bar codes. The portable device incrementally transmits messages to a remote server over a packet data connection of the portable device as the portable device moves through the store based on the captured images. The portable device then transmits a message requesting checkout to the remote server, and in response to receiving a reply to the message requesting checkout, causes a checkout price associated with purchasing the products to be displayed on a display of the portable device.