Mobile Terminal Item Registration Interface for Barcode and No-Barcode Items

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing self-merchandise registration systems face challenges in efficiently registering items without barcodes, as manual input methods often lead to errors and increased consumer burden, particularly for items like fruits and vegetables that lack barcodes.

Innovation Solution

A mobile terminal equipped with a processor and camera, which displays distinct screens for registering barcoded and no-barcode items, allowing users to scan or select from a merchandise list, and outputs data to a virtual POS server for processing, facilitating easy registration of both types of items.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual merchandise code input method is used for items without barcodes, then item registration is possible, but input errors occur frequently and consumer burden increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveitem registration easeVSAvoidinput accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical manual input method with an optical recognition system. The mobile terminal's camera captures an image of the item, and image recognition technology automatically identifies and extracts the merchandise code, substituting manual keyboard input with automated visual recognition to eliminate input errors and reduce consumer burden

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service registration where the mobile terminal autonomously performs item identification and code extraction. The camera automatically captures the item image, the system processes the image to identify the merchandise, and the registration is completed without manual intervention, allowing consumers to independently register items without staff assistance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If separate screens are provided for barcoded and no-barcode items, then user interface clarity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterface clarityVSAvoidscreen management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the user interface into distinct functional screens: a first screen for barcode scanning operations and a second screen for manual input or alternative registration methods. This segmentation allows users to quickly identify the appropriate registration method based on whether the item has a barcode, improving interface clarity while the system manages the complexity of switching between screens

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically transitions between different interface screens based on the detected item type. When a barcode is detected, the system activates the barcode scanning interface; when no barcode is present, it switches to the manual input interface. This dynamic adaptation simplifies user interaction while the system handles the complexity of screen management automatically

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4047536A1Mobile terminal, information processing device, and control program
Publication Date: 2022.08.24 TOSHIBA TEC KK
  • EP4047536A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4047536A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4047536A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In one embodiment, a mobile terminal includes a camera and a processor. The camera is configured to read a code symbol on an item. The processor is configured to display a first screen with a first button that causes, when selected by a user, a transition to a second screen for registering an item using the camera to read with a code symbol on the item and a second button that causes, when selected by the user, a transition to a third screen for registering an item without a code symbol, the third screen including a selectable merchandise list. The processor is also configured to output data corresponding to items registered via the second screen and the third screen to a merchandise registration processing device.