POS Scanner Mirror and Camera for Hidden Code Visibility
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Operators at point of sale (POS) systems face difficulties in locating optical codes on packages that are not immediately visible, leading to reduced scanning throughput due to the need to manually orient packages and potential obstruction by the operator's hand or package folding.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a reflective surface, such as a mirror, near the scan zone to provide additional visual feedback, along with an aiming beam from a camera to help align the item correctly within the scan zone, allowing for two-directional scanning by the cashier and customer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the operator manually orients packages to locate optical codes, then the optical code can be scanned, but the scanning throughput is reduced due to the time spent searching and orienting packages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a camera to capture images of the package and displays multiple views (front, back, sides) on a screen, providing visual feedback to the operator about the package orientation and code location. This eliminates the need for manual trial-and-error orientation, significantly reducing the time to locate and scan optical codes while maintaining high scanning throughput.
2Reliability
If the operator views the label directly, then the optical code can be located, but the operator cannot see if their hand or package folding is obscuring the data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a camera to create digital copies (images) of the package label and displays these copies on a screen. This allows the operator to view the label from multiple angles and detect obstructions without the physical constraints of direct viewing, improving both the reliability of code location and the ease of detecting hand or fold obstructions.
3Ease of operation
If a mirror is placed near the scan zone to provide additional visual feedback, then the operator can view hidden sides of items, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a camera as an intermediary device that captures images of the package and displays them on a screen. This intermediary approach provides comprehensive views of all package surfaces without requiring physical mirrors or complex optical path modifications, achieving enhanced visibility while minimizing device complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the scanning device allows two-directional scanning (cashier and customer sides), then more users can scan items simultaneously, but the camera field of view must be split or partially reflective coating added
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the camera and display system to serve multiple functions: it captures images for both cashier-side and customer-side scanning, and displays relevant views based on the active scanning direction. This multi-functional approach enables simultaneous two-directional scanning without requiring complex optical path splitting or partially reflective coatings, maintaining device simplicity while enhancing versatility.
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
Enhances scanning efficiency by enabling operators to view hidden sides of items and accurately align optical codes, facilitating the scanning of items from both sides of the device without direct line-of-sight, thus improving scanning throughput and usability.
Implementation Method 1
a mirror is positioned such that a field of view of the camera is reflected by the mirror to the operator
Implementation Method 2
an aiming beam from a camera to help align the item correctly within the scan zone
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An improvement is made to a scanning device to increase item throughput at the point of sale (POS). The scanning device implements a mirror that allows a cashier to see hidden or obscured optical codes or bar codes on items. The mirror can reflect an aiming beam from a camera, which also allows the cashier to correctly scan the optical codes or bar codes. The mirror and camera can incorporate different properties to enable both the cashier and a customer to stand on opposite sides of the scanning device and scan items.