Multi-Touch Checkout Surface with Integrated Load Cell
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional point-of-sale terminals are costly to upgrade with multi-touch technology, which retailers are hesitant to adopt despite the desire to reduce transaction time and expedite checkout processes.
Innovation Solution
A checkout device incorporating a multi-touch input surface with a load cell for weight measurement and imagers for item identification, utilizing a rear projection display and infrared/near-infrared cameras to capture gestures and images, allowing for efficient transaction processing through integrated multi-touch input, weight sensing, and barcode scanning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multi-touch technology is added to conventional point-of-sale terminals, then checkout efficiency and user interaction are improved, but cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (display, touch input, weight sensing, barcode scanning) into a single integrated surface element. The surface element serves as both the display interface and the weighing platform, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing overall system cost while maintaining multi-touch capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The surface element is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it displays transaction information, detects touch gestures for input, measures item weight, and works with integrated imagers for barcode scanning. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, lowering cost while improving checkout efficiency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate peripherals are used in conventional terminals, then functionality is maintained, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the display screen and weighing surface into a single integrated surface element. Additionally, touch sensors are integrated into the surface element, and imagers are positioned around it, creating a unified checkout device that replaces multiple separate peripherals with one cohesive system.
Solution Approach 2:
The surface element acts as a universal interface that handles display, touch input, and weight measurement. The integrated imagers provide barcode scanning capability, making the entire system versatile while reducing component count and simplifying the overall device architecture.
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 solution enables faster and more intuitive transactions by integrating multi-touch input, weight measurement, and item identification, reducing costs and improving checkout efficiency while maintaining durability and minimal viewability of the surface element.
Implementation Method 1
a load cell below the surface element for producing a weight signal corresponding to a weight of an item of the transaction on the surface element
Implementation Method 2
infrared or near-infrared (IR) cameras that can see fingers and objects placed on the display
Data Source
AI summary
A checkout device including a multi-touch surface display which can also weigh items. An example checkout device includes a surface element for displaying transaction screens and for receiving touch inputs during a transaction, and a load cell below the surface element for producing a weight signal corresponding to a weight of an item of the transaction on the surface element.