Optically Pervious Conveyor Belt for Underside Barcode Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing self-service cash register systems face challenges in reliably registering goods with machine-readable labels located on the underside, as conventional scanning devices struggle to capture codes when goods are placed on the conveyor belt with the label facing down.
Innovation Solution
The device incorporates a conveying means that is pervious to optical radiation, allowing for the registration of labels on the underside of goods by using conveyor belts with openings or materials that allow high transmission of radiation, and employing multiple conveyor belts to facilitate the conveyance of goods over the scanning device without the need for pushing or pulling, ensuring effective code reading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional solid conveyor belts are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the scanning device cannot capture codes on the underside of goods
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor belt is designed with openings or porous structure that allows optical radiation to pass through. This enables the scanning device to read codes on the underside of goods while the belt remains structurally functional for conveying items.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from a single-sided scanning approach to multi-dimensional scanning by allowing radiation to pass through the conveyor belt from above, enabling code detection from multiple positions including the underside of goods.
2Reliability
If drivers are used to push goods over the scanning device, then goods can be conveyed reliably, but the system requires additional mechanical components and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical pushing system (drivers) is replaced with an optical-based solution. The pervious conveyor belt allows optical radiation to pass through and interact with codes on goods, eliminating the need for mechanical drivers to reposition items.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows goods to be passively conveyed and scanned without active mechanical intervention. Goods move along the conveyor belt and are automatically scanned from multiple angles without requiring drivers to push or reposition them.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple scanning units are arranged at different positions, then code detection coverage is improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding more scanning units at different spatial positions, the solution adds a temporal dimension by enabling the same scanning unit to detect codes from multiple positions as goods pass underneath, with the pervious belt allowing radiation to pass through from above.
Solution Approach 2:
The scanning device is designed to perform multiple functions: scanning codes from above, from the side, and through the pervious conveyor belt from below, making a single unit capable of what previously required multiple specialized units.
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
This solution enables reliable registration of machine-readable labels on the underside of goods, improving the accuracy and efficiency of the self-checkout process by ensuring that the scanning device can capture codes from any position, enhancing the overall functionality of the self-service cash register system.
Implementation Method 1
the conveying device has a conveying means onto which the goods are placed to be conveyed and that at least in some sections is pervious to optical radiation from the source of the scanning device
Data Source
AI summary
A device for registering goods in a self-service cash register system is proposed, comprising a conveying device (2) for conveying goods in a predefined conveying direction (3), with at least one conveying means (4, 5, 10) of the conveying device onto which the goods can be placed for conveying, with at least one scanning device (1) arranged in a locally fixed manner at the conveying device (2) for registering machine-readable codes with which the goods are equipped, with at least one source for emitting optical radiation in the direction of the conveying device and at least one detector for receiving the radiation reflected by the goods lying on the conveying device and for generating a signal that corresponds to the intensity of the reflected radiation, wherein the conveying means (10) is pervious to the optical radiation from the source at least in some sections.