Mobile Produce Self-Checkout Without Barcode Chit Printing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current self-checkout methods for produce items in retail grocery stores require printing and attaching barcode chits, differing handling procedures for produce and non-produce items, and delayed price disclosure until checkout, leading to inefficiencies and customer inconvenience.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a produce weighing scale with a touchscreen and wireless communication, integrated with a mobile device app that allows customers to scan produce items, weigh them, and add them to an electronic shopping cart without printing barcode chits, enabling seamless checkout with price display during shopping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a customer weighs produce items at a produce weighing scale and selects the type from a long list, then the produce item can be identified and weighed, but the customer needs to handle produce items in a different way from non-produce items
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a barcode (optical copy) to represent the produce item identity instead of requiring direct interaction with a long list. The barcode contains encoded information about the produce type, allowing the customer to scan and identify the item through a simple visual recognition process rather than navigating complex selection interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical interaction of selecting from a physical or digital long list with an optical scanning system. The customer simply scans the barcode on the produce item packaging, and the system automatically identifies the produce type, eliminating the need for manual selection from extensive lists.
2Reliability
If a barcode chit is printed and adhesively attached to the bag or wrap containing the produce item, then the produce item can be tracked and priced, but this process is time-consuming and requires additional materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the tracking function from the physical barcode chit system and integrates it directly into the mobile device application. The mobile device captures an image of the barcode, extracts the identifying information, and uses it for tracking and pricing purposes, eliminating the need for physical barcode chits entirely.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses digital image capture and processing to replace the physical barcode chit. The mobile device takes a digital copy (image) of the barcode, processes it to extract identifying information, and uses this digital data for all tracking and pricing functions, eliminating the need for physical printing and attachment processes.
3Productivity
If the customer checks out at the self-checkout station after weighing produce items, then the transaction can be completed, but the customer does not know the price of the produce item until checkout
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs price calculation and display actions before the checkout process. The mobile device application calculates the price based on the scanned barcode and weight information, and displays it to the customer immediately after scanning, allowing the customer to know the price before completing the transaction at the self-checkout station.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements immediate feedback by displaying the calculated price to the customer right after the produce item is scanned and weighed. This real-time feedback allows the customer to verify the price information before proceeding to checkout, ensuring transparency and reducing uncertainty about the total cost.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided of operating a produce weighing scale having a weighing platform. The method comprises prompting a customer to scan a barcode containing barcode data which identifies the produce weighing scale, receiving the barcode data which identifies the produce weighing scale, and after the barcode data has been received, prompting the customer to place produce items one-by-one onto the weighing platform of the produce weighing scale. Another method is provided of operating a mobile device of a customer shopping for produce items in aisles of a produce section of a retail grocery store. Still another method is provided of operating a self-checkout station to enable a customer in a retail grocery store to check out grocery items including produce items.