Retail Checkout Product Identification via Digital Watermarks and Barcode Dynamics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current supermarket checkout systems face challenges in identifying objects, particularly with less common products, due to difficulties in locating and positioning barcodes, and issues with reading distorted or crinkled surfaces, which can lead to increased costs and shopper inconvenience.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a system that uses digital watermarks encoded on product packaging, combined with various recognition technologies such as structure-from-motion, structured light scanning, and plenoptic cameras, to identify products by capturing and processing 2D and 3D image data, compensating for motion blur and surface distortions, and applying rules to determine product identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If barcode-based identification is used, then product identification can be achieved, but the system requires manual positioning and repositioning of items which reduces checkout speed and increases operational complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning multiple barcodes on product packaging at locations that will be visible during conveyor transport. Instead of requiring real-time manual positioning, the barcodes are strategically placed in advance on multiple surfaces of the product, ensuring that at least one barcode will be in the scanner's field of view as the product moves along the conveyor belt.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by transitioning from a static scanning approach (where the scanner must be manually positioned relative to the product) to a dynamic system where multiple barcodes are placed on the product itself. This allows the identification system to adapt automatically as the product moves along the conveyor, with the scanner continuously capturing images and processing multiple potential barcode locations without manual intervention.
2Productivity
If multiple barcodes are placed on product packaging to enable automatic recognition during transport, then checkout speed improves, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a packaging system where multiple barcodes serve dual purposes: they provide redundant identification opportunities during conveyor transport (improving checkout speed) while also serving as standard product identification markers. The same barcode technology and materials are used, requiring no special components or processes beyond standard barcode application methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the quantity and distribution of barcodes on packaging rather than changing the fundamental manufacturing process. By increasing the number of barcodes from one to multiple and distributing them across different surfaces, the system achieves automatic recognition capability while using the same barcode printing and application technologies already in place.
3Ease of operation
If RFID tags are used for product identification, then automatic recognition without positioning is achieved, but the cost increases significantly for low-margin grocery business
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by using inexpensive barcode labels that can be applied to each product or package. These barcodes serve as disposable, low-cost identification markers that replace expensive RFID tags. The barcodes are printed on standard adhesive labels using conventional printing methods, making them economically viable for low-margin grocery items while still enabling automatic recognition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical/electronic RFID system with an optical barcode system. Instead of using radio frequency communication and electronic tags, the system uses visual barcodes that can be read by optical scanners. This substitution dramatically reduces the cost per product while maintaining the capability for automatic identification, as optical scanning infrastructure is already widely available and barcodes are inexpensive to produce.
4Loss of substance
If barcodes are placed on crinkled or distorted surfaces to reduce packaging material, then material usage decreases, but the barcode becomes difficult to read accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning multiple barcodes on different surfaces of the packaging during the manufacturing process. Instead of relying on a single barcode that might end up on a distorted surface, the system proactively places barcodes on multiple flat or less-prone-to-distortion areas, ensuring that at least one barcode remains readable even if the packaging becomes crinkled during handling and transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by creating a system where the identification capability adapts to surface distortions. Multiple barcodes are distributed across different surfaces, and the scanning system dynamically captures images of all visible surfaces during conveyor transport. This allows the system to automatically select and read from the least-distorted barcode, maintaining reading accuracy despite packaging deformation.
Data Source
AI summary
In one arrangement, retail product packaging is digitally watermarked over most of its extent to allow machine identification by one or more inexpensive cameras at retail checkouts. Such a system also considers image fingerprints, product configuration, barcodes and other available information in identifying products. Imagery captured by conventional or plenoptic cameras is processed to derive several perspective-transformed views, which are provided to the identification system—increasing throughput by minimizing the need to manually reposition items for identification. Crinkles and other deformations in product packaging are optically sensed, allowing the surface to be virtually flattened to aid identification. A marked conveyor belt at the checkout station increases speed and accuracy, and provides other benefits to both shoppers and sellers. A great variety of other features are also detailed.